WASHINGTON, D.C. — For just a few minutes on Saturday night, the massive crowd celebrating the election results at Black Lives Matter Plaza quieted down and turned their attention to the loudspeakers in front of St. John’s Episcopal Church. Joe Biden was addressing the nation for the first time as the president-elect. “It’s time to...
Coronavirus hotspots: Downtown San Jose’s No. 2 ranking traces back to homelessness
Coronavirus hotspots: Top 3 areas hardest hit in Santa Clara County, Part 2 A near ghost town where row after row of boarded-up storefronts now serve as shelter to a growing homeless population, downtown San Jose has one dubious distinction. Its primary ZIP code — 95113 — this month had the second-highest rate of COVID-19...
Coronavirus hotspots: East San Jose ranks No. 1 in number of cases per capita in the county
Coronavirus hotspots: Top 3 areas hardest hit in Santa Clara County, Part 1 Albert Camarena sat in a chair on the front lawn of his home in East San Jose, facing eastward toward a vacant elementary school. “Everybody’s scared,” Camarena said. “They don’t want to be sick.” Camarena’s neighborhood and its corresponding ZIP code —...
Santa Clara County sees surge in COVID-19 cases
Santa Clara County health officials made an urgent plea for people to continue to take precautions after seeing an alarming uptick in COVID-19 cases and an increase in hospitalizations. “What’s significant about the increase in case counts that we’re seeing now is that it’s different than the slow rise that we’ve seen over the month...
Young South Bay activists mobilize to fight for climate justice
Marching down a narrow neighborhood street with signs reading “Green New Deal Now” and “We Can’t Breathe,” about 20 youth climate activists sought to surprise San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo with an early morning protest outside his home. “No justice, no sleep,” one of the protesters chanted through a megaphone while cars squeezed between the...
Residents rally against VTA’s proposed service cuts
As seconds ticked away on a rigidly-enforced timer, dozens of county residents implored the Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority to save public transit from deep service cuts. The transit agency will vote on the cuts through a series of committee votes starting Nov. 10. “Keep our world living another day,” said high school student Pragya Natarajan. “Do...
New San Jose job program brings hope to workers displaced by COVID-19
Angellina Duran was scheduling appointments for a cardiologist prior to the pandemic. Things started to fall apart when she and her stepfather came down with COVID-19. Her stepfather, who was her primary childcare provider, was in the hospital for several weeks fighting for his life. He returned in a weakened state. After she recovered from...
Silicon Valley incumbents heading back to Washington
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Silicon Valley’s congressional incumbents held strong on Election Day with Democratic Reps. Ro Khanna, Zoe Lofgren and Anna Eshoo all retaining their seats. In District 17, Khanna received 75.8% of the vote. Republican challenger Ritesh Tandon took 24.2%. “I am so honored to have such strong support and want to thank everyone...
Nation on edge as votes continue to be counted in presidential race
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hundreds began gathering at Black Lives Matter Plaza in Washington, D.C. as the sun set on Election Day. The polls weren’t closed, the ballots hadn’t been counted — but the crowd appeared confident President Donald Trump was on his way out. Some danced in the street while the song “Celebration,” blared from...
San Jose Unified students to return to school in January
With the spread of COVID-19 slowing in Santa Clara County and schools no longer responsible for testing, San Jose Unified School District officials will allow students to return to class Jan. 5. Nancy Albarrán, SJUSD superintendent, said staff members are preparing classrooms and common areas, and developing training for in-person learning. In September, the school...