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San Jose gun policy can move forward, judge says

A federal court has denied a gun rights group’s attempt to halt San Jose’s gun harm reduction policy, as the city works to dismiss the lawsuit altogether. U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman refused to block San Jose’s law—the first in the nation—to require gun owners to pay an annual fee and carry liability insurance in a...

Looking to rent in Silicon Valley? Get in line

Silicon Valley remains one of the most sought after rental markets in California, despite being one of the most costly. In a new study by apartment search site RentCafe, Silicon Valley ranked 8 out of 11 top rental markets in the state. The study looked at the number of renters competing for an apartment, occupancy and vacancy...

UPDATE: San Jose reconsiders homeless housing at park

San Jose may pause plans to construct tiny homes in the north part of the city, following fervent backlash from neighbors. On Wednesday, the city’s Rules and Open Government Committee unanimously approved potentially stopping plans for homeless housing at a park on Noble Avenue. The full San Jose City Council will weigh the decision at...

Silicon Valley’s new crisis center a game changer

The national mental health hotline is in full swing in the South Bay, and officials hope it will get those in crisis the help they need faster. Modeled after 911, the new three-digit 988 number is designed for those who need mental health crisis services. The program became law in October 2020 and launched nationwide last month. Santa Clara County officials...

San Jose mayor’s race: Attack ad goes after NRA support

With three months left to Election Day, the San Jose mayor’s race is taking an ugly turn. The top two candidates, Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez and San Jose Councilmember Matt Mahan, have taken jabs at each other all year. Chavez questioned the political newcomer’s stance on abortion and women’s rights. Mahan challenged the...

Santa Clara County leader under fire over ‘tone-deaf’ letter

Local doctors say they’ve lost confidence in Santa Clara County leadership after seeing the head executive downplay the death of their colleague. San José Spotlight obtained an email sent from County Executive Jeff Smith to county health care workers after Dr. Amul Jobalia died by suicide in his office in May. Jobalia was a nephrologist at Santa Clara Valley Medical...

San Jose pours millions into housing relief, WiFi

San Jose’s mayor took to the national stage to tout how the city used federal funds to address rampant homelessness and the digital divide. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo gathered virtually with politicians nationwide on Monday to discuss how American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds have been used in their communities. They looked at how data-driven research helped determine funding for...

Employees protest mistreatment at major San Jose food plant

Former employees of Amy’s Kitchen, a national frozen food brand, came out to protest the abrupt closure of its San Jose factory — calling it union busting. Nearly 30 workers on Tuesday gathered in front of the shuttered factory on 1885 Las Plumas Ave., to highlight alleged mistreatment they endured. They said they have been...

San Jose LGBTQ leaders: Monkeypox ‘not a gay disease’

The Silicon Valley LGBTQ+ community is livid another virus is being referred to as a gay disease. Concerned about stigmatization, local LGBTQ+ leaders are reacting to the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recent declaration of monkeypox as a global emergency. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said 98% of cases are among gay men. Although anyone can...