San Jose economic officials want to allow the sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks outside downtown’s most popular plazas and public streets during next year’s major sports events. With the economic impact from the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Super Bowl 60 in nearby Santa Clara, the San Jose City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to...
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Silicon Valley cities hit with request for residents’ emails to train AI
Bay Area residents who emailed their officials in the past few years may be surprised to learn their correspondence could train a company’s AI for future use. Mountain View-based company GovernmentGPT filed 90 California Public Records Act requests with multiple cities across the Bay Area for emails from residents addressed to mayors, councilmembers and city...
The Biz Beat: San Jose taqueria claims ‘Masters of Mexican Munchies’ title
In billing itself as “The Masters of Mexican Munchies,” San Jose’s Taqueria Tlaquepaque seriously underplays the authenticity, quality and variety of its dishes. For 35 years, the restaurant has grown from a simple taqueria with a one-page menu to a full-service restaurant with a dedicated clientele. However, the best endorsement may be from owner Ubaldo...
San Jose airport has a sweet offer for small businesses —foot traffic
San Jose Mineta International Airport is creating a sense of place, with local fare greeting travelers. The airport revamped its retail program to attract hometown vendors and showcase what San Jose has to offer. Having a local site at the airport helps businesses take advantage of foot traffic, increase product awareness and boost sales. Plans...
Los Gatos considers cuts, hiring freezes to tackle budget shortfall
Some of Los Gatos’ key services could be cut as the town contends with looming multimillion-dollar shortfalls. The Los Gatos Finance Commission unanimously recommended the Town Council cut expenses and increase revenues, rather than pulling from its reserves, to address its $2 million budget deficit for fiscal year 2025-26. The commission also recommended a temporary hiring...
San Jose shrinks budget shortfall, prioritizes temporary shelters
San Jose’s projected budget deficit has been reduced by almost half since initial estimates from earlier this year, but the city still faces a growing housing crisis and major deficit next year. The City Council previewed the proposed 2025-26 budget during a budget study session Wednesday, which drops the projected budget shortfall of $60 million to $35.6 million. The...
Feds cut millions for San Jose community projects
The federal government has eliminated millions in potential funding meant for community projects in San Jose involving the Alum Rock business corridor, Happy Hollow Zoo and more. Sarah Zárate, director of intergovernmental relations for the city, told councilmembers Tuesday that even though Congressmembers Ro Khanna, Jimmy Panetta and Zoe Lofgren requested $5.5 million in federal...
The Biz Beat: The Happy Hound — a Los Gatos good eats landmark
For the last 54 years, The Happy Hound in Los Gatos has served a menu of classic American diner fare: assorted hamburgers, hot dogs and milkshakes, with fries and onion rings as sides. It’s a formula that works, as attested by the loyalty of longtime customers such as Gary Snyder, who said he only needs...
Santa Clara isn’t spending taxpayer money on World Cup upgrades
The world’s largest sporting event — the FIFA World Cup — is coming to the United States in 2026, and Santa Clara is one of the only cities not breaking the bank to prepare, a data analysis by San José Spotlight shows. The games will be hosted across the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Nearly all...
San Jose Latino businesses say ICE reports scaring customers
Immigrant-owned businesses in East San Jose have suffered huge losses in revenue and foot traffic since reports of federal ICE officers went viral earlier this year. Fear swept through the undocumented immigrant community in San Jose after the Target store on Story Road became the location of an isolated Immigration and Customs Enforcement operation in January. While...