Katie Porter, the whiteboard-wielding former member of Congress, announced on Tuesday her bid for California governor to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom. Her former House colleagues appeared far more interested in whatever Kamala Harris decides to do. “I think I’ll sit on the sidelines for a while,” Rep. Ami Bera told NOTUS. “It’s still a...
VTA files legal complaint over striking union’s alleged contract breach
VTA has filed a legal complaint against its striking workers, claiming it’s a breach of contract. VTA said in a Tuesday news release the goal of the complaint is to end the strike and restore normal VTA bus and light rail services, which stopped once the strike began. Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 265 went...
San Jose bus and light rail service halted by strike
Commuters across Silicon Valley are stranded as VTA’s workers walk the picket lines and negotiations are at a standstill. VTA’s bus and light rail services stopped at 12:01 a.m. Monday, as Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 went on strike. The union is demanding wage increases and a conflict resolution process that would allow workers to...
Santa Clara County hospitals threatened by Medi-Cal cuts
When it comes to Northern California’s largest public hospital system, Santa Clara County leaders fear they’re building a sandcastle at low tide. The county’s largest stream of federal money and funding source for its public hospitals will be washed away if Congress follows through on its proposed $880 billion in spending cuts to Medicaid, known...
UPDATE: Silicon Valley transit workers to strike as contract ends
VTA and its unionized bus drivers and light rail operators appear deadlocked on contract negotiations. Workers plan to strike, potentially upending public transit in Santa Clara County. Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 workers plan to walk off the job starting Monday on or after 12:01 a.m. The union has been negotiating with VTA on a...
State lawmakers disagree with Newsom’s take on transgender athletes
California Democrats on Thursday distanced themselves from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s recent comments on transgender athletes, saying they are committed to protecting equality even as their state’s leader sides with a prominent right-wing figure on inclusion in sports. Newsom said on his new podcast that he “completely agrees” with guest Charlie Kirk that transgender athletes should...
Cupertino to protect cyclists on Stevens Creek Boulevard
One of Cupertino’s most dangerous roads will soon become safer for cyclists. The Cupertino City Council approved the extension of a protected bike lane project down Stevens Creek Boulevard in a 3-2 vote last month. Mayor Liang Chao and Councilmember R “Ray” Wang support protective bike lanes but voted no, citing concerns about the project’s design. Golden...
California Dems left Trump’s speech as he doubled down on cuts
“It was horrible and disgusting.” “My blood’s boiling right now.” “He clearly wants to divide America.” That’s Reps. Sara Jacobs, Dave Min and Mark Takano, respectively, on Donald Trump’s sprawling and unapologetic Tuesday night joint address to Congress. The president doubled down on everything from steep tariffs on American allies to the upheaval caused by...
Santa Clara County special education workers face layoffs
Special educators serving Silicon Valley’s disabled and most vulnerable children are about to be laid off. Charles Hinman, interim superintendent of the Santa Clara County Office of Education, sent a Feb. 25 letter to staff, obtained by San José Spotlight, which said this is a result of school districts throughout the county closing schools due...
Sunnyvale residents split on improvements to dangerous road
As Sunnyvale expands its bicycling network, one neighborhood is grappling with decades-old limitations. Residents in North Sunnyvale, a portion of the city that historically lacks resources, are excited about planned safe transit infrastructure on Tasman Drive, from Fair Oaks Avenue to Lawrence Expressway. Other residents are less enthusiastic, saying the proposed changes — bike lanes and...