Senate hopeful Aisha Wahab grew up in the foster care system and, if elected, would become the only renter in the state Legislature. Wahab, a Hayward councilmember, is running for State Senate District 10. The district encompasses parts of Alameda and Santa Clara counties, including Hayward, Fremont, Milpitas and North San Jose. The state Senate...
Some San Jose residents to pay more for water
San Jose residents will pay more for water starting next month, with varying costs depending on what part of the city they live in. On Tuesday, the City Council unanimously approved increases to the San Jose Municipal Water System‘s drinkable and recycled water rates for 2021-2022. The increases come as the region faces another extended...
Could housing vouchers help Santa Clara County homeless?
Washington, D.C.—California was front and center during a virtual congressional hearing last week over whether expanding federal housing vouchers could help the growing homelessness crisis. The vouchers are part of a federal program to assist low-income families, elderly and disabled residents with affording housing. “Wages for those below the median income have not kept pace...
San Jose school district considers kicking cops off campus
After months of delaying a decision, the San Jose Unified School District will consider later this month whether to keep police on school campuses. Students protested against officers at district middle schools and high schools at a board meeting this month. They said being under constant surveillance is intimidating and makes them feel uneasy and...
South Bay congressmembers push for gun control after San Jose VTA shooting
Washington, D.C.— America has a familiar routine when it comes to mass shootings: Vigils are held, thoughts and prayers offered, money is raised to support the victims’ families and heated arguments ensue over gun control. Then comes the eventual return to the status quo, until the next mass shooting, when the cycle repeats itself. The...
San Jose shooter’s work record shows insubordination, unexcused leave
The disgruntled VTA employee who killed nine of his coworkers before committing suicide was never written up, the transit agency said Thursday, despite one coworker saying he “scared” them and suspected he would “go postal.” He did, however, have a history of insubordination and verbal altercations with coworkers. VTA released these details Thursday on the...
South Bay leaders weigh-in on federal relief funding
As the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the nation, many cities and towns took a financial hit as tax revenue dried up and public health expenditures increased. But now the federal government is doling out funds to help communities recover. San Jose and Santa Clara County are receiving approximately $212 and $374 million, respectively, from the American...
VTA boosting security across the South Bay
The VTA is bolstering its security following an employee’s deadly rampage last week. But an expert in workplace violence says the agency may need to go deeper than physical safeguards to increase safety. “The prevention piece, if properly done, is worth millions of millions of dollars,” said Felix Nater, owner of Nater Associates Security Management...
How Santa Clara County residents can prepare for fire season
With warm temperatures, dry vegetation and little rain in the past year, parts of San Jose and Santa Clara County are at risk of wildfires. Here’s what residents can do to prepare for this year’s fire season. Buildings near the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) are most at risk, said Erica Ray, spokesperson for the San...
Where are the worst roads in San Jose?
San Joseans have a lot to say about their roads: It’s one of the most common complaints levied against the city. “There are lots of pockets in the city with bad roads that I just don’t feel safe biking,” said Bobby Gonzalez, a San Jose resident and avid cyclist. “Downtown’s roads are designed differently so...