San Jose

San Jose

San Jose Water proposed increases rankle residents

Roughly 1 million people in and around San Jose are facing significant increases to their water bills starting next year, if state regulators approve a local company’s plan. San Jose Water Company, a for-profit water retailer, is asking the California Public Utilities Commission to allow an increase of the company’s average water rates by about 22% over three...

San Jose’s new airport director lands Monday

San Jose’s airport is getting a new director with three decades of experience, including gigs at major hubs in Denver and Austin. Starting Monday, Mukesh “Mookie” Patel will take over as the city’s director of aviation at San Jose Mineta International Airport, the city announced this week. “Our next airport director has big shoes to fill,”...

San Jose firefighters demand protection following break-in

Two recent incidents have San Jose firefighters questioning the dangers of their job beyond the blazes they battle. On March 2, someone broke into San Jose Fire Department’s Station 8 on E. Santa Clara Street in downtown and stole equipment and personal property. A few days later, a firefighter responding to a call at Santa...

San Jose mayor’s budget plan saddled with a shortfall

A looming multimillion-dollar deficit will force San Jose to make cuts in the next budget. Instead of detailing what will be lost, Mayor Matt Mahan has outlined his nonnegotiables. His March budget message prioritizes addressing street homelessness and blight, increasing public safety and making San Jose easier to invest in. Those may seem like the same...

San Jose police’s failure to stop cannabis robbery fuels fight over fees

San Jose cannabis entrepreneurs say police don’t care about protecting their property, and a shocking video appears to validate their frustrations. Security camera footage obtained by San José Spotlight shows three getaway cars easily maneuvering around two San Jose Police Department vehicles and escaping unscathed after suspects robbed Exotix, a South San Jose weed shop...

San Jose mayor touts plan to end homelessness

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has a plan for the city’s homeless residents, ranging from temporary housing to encampment clearings, but the budget may not be able to support it. Mahan plans to push for more temporary housing, camp sweeps and a program that reconnects homeless people to their families as part of budget discussions for...

Silicon Valley congressman nets millions for Black cultural center

A proposed cultural center aiming to honor the history of Silicon Valley’s Black residents and provide expansive support services just received millions to help build on its future. The Silicon Valley African American Cultural Center, slated to open in 2027, has secured $4.1 million in federal funding thanks to Rep. Ro Khanna. The mixed-use development...

Will San Jose require drug testing for cash assistance?

San Jose’s top political leader supports the idea of drug testing people who receive public assistance — a controversial measure just approved by San Francisco voters and widely lambasted by progressives across the Bay Area. But despite success from San Francisco, it’s unlikely South Bay residents will see a similar policy any time soon. That’s...