San Jose

San Jose

San Jose officials want to stop shady politics

San Jose is on a path to close an election loophole that former Mayor Sam Liccardo and his right-hand man used to raise more than $1.5 million to fill seats on the City Council. The city is looking to prohibit elected officials and their staff from working on political action committees (PACs) that raise money for local...

UPDATE: San Jose officials challenge mayor’s housing plan

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s controversial plan to divert millions of dollars away from affordable housing is being challenged—this time by his own colleagues. Now, the mayor is trying to get ahead of his plan being thwarted with a new spending plan. San José Spotlight obtained an early draft of a budget document being released...

San Jose youth art gallery needs new home

After years without a space of its own, a youth art studio finally found a gallery location. But at the end of May everything has to come down. And for now, there’s nowhere to go. Julie Stover founded the nonprofit ArtHouse Studio, originally known as ArtHouse Kids, more than 20 years ago as a way...

First candidate enters San Jose District 2 race

South San Jose is where resident Babu Prasad raised his children, established his first business and bought his first house. Now it’s where he’s running for office to continue serving his community. Prasad announced his run for the San Jose City Council District 2 seat on Sunday. He hopes to replace current Councilmember Sergio Jimenez, who leaves office in 2024 after two...

San Jose shrinks in population and desirability

San Jose has dropped down to the 12th most populated city nationwide following an exodus of residents during the peak of the pandemic—but it continues to rank as one of the top 15 best places to live in the country. Residents said there’s a disconnect. The city’s population has dropped from 1,014,545 residents in April...

San Jose casinos could lose a big bet

A San Jose ballot measure on gambling is turning into a one-way benefit and none of it’s going to the casinos as originally intended. San Jose voters approved Measure H in 2020, allowing the city’s two casinos—Bay 101 and Casino M8trix—to add more tables in exchange for paying higher taxes. Since the measure passed, the...

San Jose hilltop development moves forward after delays

A hilltop in Almaden Valley is set to be developed with 10 single-family homes following years of delays. Sridhar Pillarisetty, a Fremont resident who owns and is developing the land, plans to put the homes up on a nearly 8-acre parcel near the corner of Coleman Avenue and Almaden Expressway, across from Almaden Lake Park....

San Jose supporting hundreds of affordable apartments

Hundreds of apartments for people earning lower incomes or who are homeless are set to be constructed in San Jose, a move by city leaders to help alleviate the affordable housing crunch. The San Jose City Council unanimously approved a plan Tuesday for the city to issue roughly $120 million in housing revenue bonds that...