A historic race for the District 2 seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors may shape how residents in East San Jose vote in the March primary, with two local Vietnamese leaders vying for the job. Most candidates agreed on the key issues at a community forum held Wednesday at the Franklin-McKinley Elementary...
Sunnyvale considers ride-share service for commuting students
Sunnyvale is looking to fill accessibility gaps in existing public transit options for residents to travel around the city, and one ride-share service is taking center stage. The Sunnyvale City Council is considering signing the city up with Silicon Valley Hopper (SV Hopper), a multi-city ride-share service that operates in Cupertino and Southern Santa Clara....
Advocates cheer Cupertino judgment on affordable housing
Housing advocates have made it clear that they are not going to let Cupertino shirk its responsibilities without ramifications. Housing organizations Yes in My Backyard Law (YIMBY Law) and the California Housing Defense Fund won a judgment against Cupertino after the city failed to submit a housing plan to the state by the Jan. 31,...
San Jose taxpayers foot the bill for police collisions
Every year, San Jose receives hundreds of claims from residents because they tripped on a sidewalk or a sewage backup destroyed their property — but the most commonly settled claims are car accidents caused by police and other city employees. An analysis by San José Spotlight found that of the 1,122 claims filed by residents over...
San Jose mayor endorses predecessor for Congress
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is endorsing the city’s former leader in the race for the first open Silicon Valley congressional seat in two decades. Mahan is endorsing former Mayor Sam Liccardo to represent California’s 16th congressional district, a contest crowded with big names competing to replace Rep. Anna Eshoo, who announced her retirement at...
Los Gatos commission wants to create a more inclusive town
A new Los Gatos commission is taking a look into how the town treats people who live and work there, and how it welcomes visitors. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission held its first meeting on Jan. 11, and its purpose is to advise the Los Gatos Town Council on inclusion needs and how to...
San Jose African American Community Service Agency works toward equity
In celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy, the African American Community Service Agency in San Jose aims to connect residents with educational and supportive services. The agency is hosting its Martin Luther King, Jr. annual luncheon today, to highlight existing problems, celebrate successes and honor the Black community’s history and culture. Beyond the luncheon,...
Silicon Valley congressman brings ‘a changing of the old guard’
The most prominent California leaders at the national stage have either retired, died or stepped back — opening the door for a new generation of leadership to emerge. Rep. Ro Khanna appears to be at the forefront of that movement. The Silicon Valley congressman has found a unique intersection that combines advocating for tech innovation and investment,...
Sunnyvale school improvements hinge on March voters
Sunnyvale residents will vote on a multi-million dollar bond measure to support local school facilities this March. Measure C would help the Sunnyvale School District continue facility improvements at multiple locations, which include updating technology and retrofitting old buildings. The measure needs 55% voter approval to pass. If the measure fails, the district will be...
San Jose revisits old goals to solve homelessness
New year, new goals — and San Jose officials are trying again to resolve the city’s homeless crisis. This week, the San Jose City Council unanimously approved its annual update of a five-year plan to end homelessness following a lengthy two- hour debate. The city will spend $50 million to subsidize affordable housing construction to bring 400...