Although distance learning is the new educational normal for Santa Clara County, some public schools and one private school have received waivers for in-person learning. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered distance learning for counties on the state’s COVID-19 watch list but schools could resume in-person learning if their county had been off the watch list for...
Elections: Funding, postal service protections take center stage
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The November presidential election could be in jeopardy unless lawmakers protect the integrity of the U.S. Postal Service and provide more funding to state governments, according to multiple witnesses who recently testified before House lawmakers. “Voters should not be forced to choose between their health and their fundamental right to vote but...
Thousands protest racism at the March on Washington
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Thousands gathered at the Lincoln Memorial Friday morning to protest racism and police brutality, exactly 57 years to the day after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous speech calling for racial justice at the same spot. “He talked about his dream (that day) but he also talked about how he...
South Bay Republicans see hope as Trump accepts nomination
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Republican National Convention concluded Thursday night with President Donald Trump vowing to defend “the American way of life” as he formally accepted the GOP nomination for president. “This is the most important election in the history of our country,” said Trump, who spoke from the South Lawn at the White House....
UPDATE: San Jose advances high-tech ideas to connect transportation hubs
Driverless vehicles zooming through underground tunnels and electric mini trains could be in San Jose’s future. City leaders voted unanimously on Aug. 25 to advance projects connecting Diridon Station, Stevens Creek Corridor and the Mineta San Jose International Airport. Councilmember Maya Esparza was absent. Many of the proposals — including one from Elon Musk’s The...
Free student meals harder to come by in South Bay
East Side Union High School District was handing out 6,000 free lunches daily after COVID-19 shut down schools earlier this year. Now, with classes back in session, that number has dropped to about 120 a day. When the pandemic hit, the federal government issued a waiver allowing schools to distribute free lunches without checking to...
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...
School resumes in San Jose as teachers decide where to set up class
Public school resumed in San Jose Aug. 12 with some teachers working from home and others from campus after a last-minute deal between the district and union gave teachers the option they had been demanding. “A lot of my colleagues had a lot of anxiety going into the first day of school,” said Patrick Bernhardt,...
SJSU students demand changes at national sorority
Members of Alpha Omicron Pi at San Jose State University are demanding the sorority lower its dues and eliminate “empty bed fees” to provide relief to less-advantaged students during the economic downturn triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. The university’s Delta Sigma chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi organized a news conference Wednesday to address concerns about...
Community college faculty push to continue providing classes to residents in care homes
As the Bay Area heads into its sixth month of lockdowns, community college faculty who once taught classes to older adults in nursing homes and retirement communities are pushing for their classes to resume online. The West Valley-Mission Community College District’s Older Adult Program (OAP) consists of four classes offered for free to seniors living...