Silicon Valley households with children are struggling to make ends meet, and the data is eye-opening. Joint Venture Silicon Valley recently released its 2022 Silicon Valley Index, shedding light on the stark challenges these families face. In Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, approximately 46% of children live in households that don’t earn enough money...
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San Jose mall workers say new parking fees are wage theft
“Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! Parking fees have got to go,” chanted workers protesting in front of the Westfield Valley Fair mall on Sunday. Employees of Westfield Valley Fair are fighting over newly-enacted parking fees at the high-end retail center announced by mall management in January. Employees are forced to pay $3 per day or $40...
Silicon Valley’s equity grade is below flunking
The state of Silicon Valley is grim when it comes to equity and equality. The 2022 Silicon Valley Index report found that while jobs are back to pre-pandemic levels in the region, income inequality widened, inflation skyrocketed and housing prices soared. Officials from Joint Venture Silicon Valley, a group that analyzes regional issues affecting the economy...
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San Jose council review: Billboards, cannabis
Pot dispensaries expand. Digital billboards are approved. The new mayor’s term could be shorter and then extended. Here’s what went down at the Feb. 15 San Jose City Council meeting. Mayoral election ballot measure San Jose voters will soon decide if mayoral elections should take place in presidential election years. The City Council voted 10-1 to...
San Jose Food Club works to promote local restaurants
Jorge Gomez’s followers on Instagram already knew where to get some of the best pho, barbeque and pizza in San Jose from his mouth-watering reviews. Gomez wondered if he could take his shout outs to the next level and help local eateries. He decided to survey his 66,000 social media followers to find out. When...
Report warns of worsening wealth gap in Silicon Valley
The wealth gap is growing worse in Silicon Valley, and nearly half of children in the region are in households struggling to get by. Officials from Joint Venture Silicon Valley, a group that analyzes regional issues affecting the economy and quality of life, highlighted these bleak findings and more at a Tuesday news briefing. Joint...
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More billboards proposed near San Jose airport
As San Jose leaders consider allowing two digital billboards to be built at the airport, three more may be quietly coming to the city. Documents obtained by San José Spotlight show the city signed a notice of intent for billboards at Highway 87 and West Mission Street, as well as 1404 Mabury Road and another at...
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Massive verdict for mogul who tried to buy stake in San Jose casino
A Bay Area casino magnate has won a whopping victory against his former attorney for allegedly spoiling his purchase of part of a San Jose card room. A Sonoma County Superior Court jury announced a $47.4 million verdict for businessman John Park on Feb. 3. The jury found the defendant, Park’s former lawyer Tracey Buck-Walsh,...
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Cannabis could be coming to San Jose retail centers
San Jose cannabis enthusiasts may be starting the year off on a high. On Wednesday, the Planning Commission approved recommendations to change zoning laws for cannabis retailers that would allow up to 21 new dispensaries in commercial locations around the city. Sixteen dispensaries are allowed under current city regulations. Under the new policy, 37 total...
Santa Clara County wants to empower minority-owned businesses
Santa Clara County is launching a disparity study to level the playing field for minority-owned businesses. The county wants to be more inclusive by identifying underrepresented businesses facing language and cultural barriers that have been left out in the past. Dennis King, executive director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Silicon Valley, said organizations that get...