Facing public outcry over alleged misuse of San Jose’s automated license plate reader data, a group of elected leaders has unveiled new safeguards for the controversial technology. The safeguards, announced Wednesday, aim to make it harder for city employees to use personal devices to access sensitive law enforcement data, including that gathered by license plate...
Silicon Valley voters to weigh ‘billionaire tax’ ballot measure
California Proposition 40, also known as the billionaire tax, is one of the more complicated ballot measures put before voters this November because its fate depends on two other ballot measures. Proposition 40 — a one-time 5% tax to be imposed on roughly 200 state residents whose net worth exceeded $1 billion at the start...
The Biz Beat: Worker-owned eatery serves San Jose State students
Owner Richard Hobbs said that when he purchased Peanuts Deluxe Cafe in early 2025, he had more in mind than simply renovating the popular but “fully dilapidated” restaurant across from San Jose State University by slapping on a coat of paint and installing new booths and tables. “I thought this would be a golden opportunity...
Cupertino approves law enforcement contract after long fight
Cupertino officials have reluctantly agreed to sign a new contract with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office amid a long fight against a significant rate increase. The five-year contract for law enforcement services, unanimously approved by the City Council on Tuesday, starts Oct. 1 and is retroactive to July 1. Cupertino’s annual fee of $19...
Gilroy council approves temporary ban on new data centers
Gilroy is working to rectify a process that allowed an Amazon data center to pass through without public input, with officials adopting a temporary ban on new projects. The Gilroy City Council on Monday unanimously approved a temporary 45-day moratorium on new data center development, giving city staff less than two months to return with...
San Jose may bar officials from signing nondisclosure agreements
As community distrust of data centers grows, San Jose is considering banning councilmembers from signing confidentiality agreements that bind them from publicly discussing development projects. The Rules and Open Government Committee on Wednesday unanimously voted to have the city manager create a policy to ensure transparency with developments, including data centers. The committee — comprised of five members...
The Biz Beat: San Jose market specializes in meat skewers
A few months ago, puffs of smoke began wafting from a shopping center in North San Jose. The source: Chinese barbecue meat skewers being cooked in the parking lot. One Step Food Market, a small specialized grocery store in Pacific Rim Plaza II, served up the skewers as a temporary advertisement for the shop’s February opening...
South Bay coalition wants to protect workers from tech
From artificial intelligence to algorithmic surveillance, recent tech advances are rapidly reshaping the workplace. South Bay labor leaders are alarmed — and drawing together an industry-spanning coalition intended to give workers more say in how these technologies are deployed. Dozens of workers gathered in front of San Jose City Hall on Tuesday to unveil the...
The Biz Beat: Indian bakery pop-up in Cupertino specializes in vegan pastries
On Sunday mornings at the De Anza College Farmers Market in Cupertino, a crowd forms around a stall selling Indian-inspired pastries such as mango lassi bundt cakes and chai oatmeal cookies. A display of colorful bundt cakes are infused with flavors like rose, pistachio, orange and saffron. The baked goods at Orange Elaichi are plant-forward,...
Santa Clara County home aid workers see pay increase
After years of meager wage increases, thousands of home aid workers in Santa Clara County will receive a bump in their hourly pay amid a tight budget cycle — a move advocates said is necessary but falls short to cover rapidly rising costs of living. The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a new two-year...