Along with several other jurisdictions across the state, Mountain View has joined a lawsuit against the federal government that is challenging new conditions imposed on recipients of federal grants. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development added regulations to certain grant programs last September, restricting money from being used to “promote gender ideology, elective abortions...
Palo Alto may end ride-share program amid bleak budget outlook
It’s been a year of change and uncertainly for Palo Alto Link, the ride-share service that the city launched in March 2023 and that continues to fight for its life in the face of an increasingly skeptical City Council. Compared to private services like Uber and Lyft, Palo Alto’s nine-vehicle fleet remains a relative a...
Mountain View streamlines zoning rules to attract small businesses
Looking to fill vacant storefronts, Mountain View is implementing a number of zoning changes to make it easier for small businesses to gain a foothold in the city. In a unanimous vote, the City Council backed a recommendation from city staff last week to update Mountain View’s zoning regulations to reduce barriers for small businesses, particularly around permitting and parking...
Mountain View sees flattening revenue, rising costs continue
Mountain View’s budget is on track for the current year despite lingering uncertainties about an economic slowdown, a trend that has defined the city’s financial projections for the past couple years. Mountain View is expected to close out the 2025-26 fiscal year with a roughly $1.8 million operating balance, excluding any pending changes. That’s according to Derek Rampone,...
Palo Alto RV parking enforcement up, residents still unhappy
Palo Alto leaders are increasingly looking to regional partners to help address widespread RV parking throughout the city after months of increased enforcement has seemingly done little to alleviate concerns from residents and business owners. The effort is being led by the City Council’s recently established oversized vehicle ad hoc committee, which is made up...
Mountain View terminates license plate camera contract
The Mountain View City Council unanimously voted on Tuesday to terminate its license plate camera contract with Flock Safety, heeding the calls of dozens of impassioned residents who spoke at the meeting urging the city to cut ties with the surveillance technology company. Police Chief Mike Canfield disclosed last month that unauthorized law enforcement agencies had searched the city’s...
Bernie Sanders warns about AI ‘tsunami’ at Stanford town hall
Workers, students and researchers in Silicon Valley are no strangers to the idea that artificial intelligence may be coming for their jobs. Many are under the impression that it’s not a matter of if, but when. But for Sen. Bernie Sanders, a longtime critic of the billionaire class, the new technology has ramifications that go...
Silicon Valley lawmaker’s bill aimed at suicide prevention in K-12
Editor’s note: Resources for any person who is feeling depressed, troubled or suicidal are listed at the bottom of this article. With Palo Alto facing increased pressure to address youth mental health, Assemblymember Marc Berman introduced legislation this week aimed at providing access to free suicide prevention training to all K-12 students, teachers, administrators and parents...
Palo Alto homeless residents find shelter in Sunnyvale hotel
It’s a simple hotel room: a bed and night stands, a small kitchenette and a bathroom tucked in the far corner. For Paul and Sheryl, it’s the difference between a good night’s sleep and a restless eight hours in a crowded shelter — or worse, on the street. “Out there, you have one eye open...
Mountain View in ‘active negotiations’ for new pickleball facility
Mountain View recently announced that it has identified a site for an interim pickleball facility after a proposal to build courts at Cuesta Park and the adjacent annex fizzled last year in the face of substantial opposition from nearby residents. The city is currently negotiating the use of a privately owned property that could be developed...