Some Democrats are troubled by President Donald Trump’s recent deal to allow two tech companies to sell artificial intelligence chips to China as long as they provide the U.S. government some of the revenue. “I certainly have concerns about what we might call linkage, that is linking revenue to the Treasury to national security decisions,”...
Chinese makerspace company opens Mountain View headquarters
A Chinese tech company that specializes in tools for the makerspace community recently held its grand opening in Mountain View as part of an expansion effort to make its technology more accessible to businesses, hobbyists and other creative professionals. Desktop manufacturing company xTool launched five years ago with the goal of helping people turn ideas into...
Santa Clara County puts sales tax measure on November ballot
Santa Clara County voters will be asked to approve a five-eighths cent sales tax increase to protect the public hospital system from shattering under federal spending cuts. The Board of Supervisors on Thursday voted unanimously to add the proposed tax to the Nov. 4 special election ballot, which will also ask voters to decide on a...
San Jose leaders aim to build pride in downtown
Pedestrians traversing one of San Jose’s busiest downtown corridors will discover a more inviting area. City officials and the San Jose Downtown Association unveiled a $795,000 beautification project Monday, where color and vibrancy are taking hold. The makeover includes 17 projects along Santa Clara Street between Market and Fourth streets, with new murals, re-painted building...
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The Biz Beat: San Jose’s Recycle Bookstore — an oasis of printed culture
Emma, the Instagram-famous Persian cat that roams Recycle Bookstore in San Jose, is “prissy, finicky, very loud and opinionated.” According to store owner Eric Johnson, there is a long tradition of cats in bookstores, dating back to the practical need of stopping mice from nibbling away at the inventory. But Emma, Johnson said, has a...
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Is San Jose’s mayor hitting the mark on his promises?
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has set himself on a launchpad for higher office, from TV interviews in other cities to big policy promises that have chafed the left. But the mayor’s political future will rely on the state he leaves San Jose in — and whether he’s fulfilled his promises to bring people indoors,...
San Jose parking garage construction shutters micro-retail
San Jose is continuing to beautify its downtown with more public art projects, but at the expense of small businesses. The city is installing another public art piece on the facade of the Market Street parking garage next to San Pedro Square, with construction expected during next year’s Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup games....
Trump announces plan to accelerate U.S. artificial intelligence development
President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a sweeping plan to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence and further integrate the technology across the federal government. His speech made clear he wanted to allow a lot of leeway for tech executives to lead, and that he sees artificial intelligence as a crucial way for the country...
Arts, entertainment revitalize San Jose neighborhood
Art installations, a beer garden, music and events are breathing life into downtown San Jose’s Creekside neighborhood, helping to revitalize the local economy. What started a couple years ago with Creekside Socials on the west side of town near Diridon Station, and the once-anticipated and now on hold future home of Google’s Downtown West mega...
The Biz Beat: Los Gatos restaurant pairs Italian food with bocce ball
Housed inside a huge renovated warehouse, the exterior of Campo di Bocce of Los Gatos gives little indication of the remarkable scene within. The cavernous room is packed with everyone from casual players to serious league contenders and corporate team builders engaged in the ancient game of bocce ball on modern courts — while dining...