The ultra-rich are a dime a dozen in Silicon Valley. A recent tally counted 76,000 millionaires and billionaires living here, and nearly a third of adults are considered “upper income,” according to recent data from the Pew Research Center. Although many of those are generous to charity, it has been difficult to channel that largesse...
Congress goes on recess with no coronavirus relief measure in sight
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans hoping for another coronavirus relief bill from Congress will likely have to wait at least another month. House Democrats were unable to reach a compromise with Senate Republicans and White House officials in recent weeks — and now Congress is on its August recess. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose, told San...
Santa Clara County assessor staff wins fight to work from home
Workers at the Santa Clara County assessor’s office won a key battle Friday afternoon when they were all allowed to work from home following a decision by County Executive Jeff Smith. Assessor Larry Stone had argued he wanted more workers to be in the office on rotation, a policy that prompted more than 150 workers...
Outdoor services offer lifeline to South Bay salons struggling to survive
Denise Russell hasn’t paid rent at her 3,600 square-foot San Jose beauty salon in six months. Dustin David Salon’s landlord is sending rent collectors to his home in Los Gatos. He’s several months behind. Although they’re now able to provide services outdoors, South Bay salons are reeling over the state’s months-long flip-flops on whether they...
Khanna pushes $5 billion bill to provide free masks as Biden seeks mandate
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Presumptive Democrat presidential nominee Joe Biden is urging governors to implement mask mandates to stop the spread of the coronavirus. “Every single American should be wearing a mask when they’re outside for the next three months at a minimum,” he said during a Thursday news conference in Delaware. Biden said wearing masks...
Coronavirus LIVE BLOG: July 30 to August 12
Catch up on our current Coronavirus LIVE BLOG here. 2 p.m. Aug 12: Governor announces slew of business relief plans Despite the promise of financial relief for small businesses from the Paycheck Protection Program, many people still found their hands empty after applying for the money. Gov. Gavin Newsom said he’s moving forward a plan to...
UPDATE: Santa Clara County approves fines for not wearing masks, flouting health order
Santa Clara County will begin issuing fines of up to $500 for not wearing face masks or social distancing in public, the Board of Supervisors decided unanimously Tuesday. In an attempt to control the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate its impact, the board adopted an urgency ordinance issuing citations against residents and businesses for violating...
South Bay malls turn to open-air shopping during COVID-19
As COVID-19 shut down malls, Westfield Valley Fair reinvented shopping with an open-air market. A row of red and white popup tents beckon customers to peruse the latest fashion, watch an art demonstration or grab a snack from a food truck. Luxury brands like Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Versace offer viewings by appointment in...
COVID-19 workplace complaints pile up in South Bay but lack follow-up
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated. Workers showed up to work sick with COVID-19 symptoms. Management hid positive test results from employees. Supervisors banned phones to prevent documenting unsafe facilities. These are some of the allegations many South Bay workers have made since Santa Clara County began to ease shelter-in-place restrictions to allow some businesses to...
Lawmakers still battling over coronavirus relief
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Legislators continued to clash this week over coronavirus relief efforts as millions of Americans struggled with unemployment, looming evictions and rising virus death rates. “I see a light at the end of the tunnel; we just don’t know how long the tunnel is,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Thursday during a press...