The FBI probe into a Bay Area recycling hauler — and the showdown between its owner and another influential Vietnamese figure — has sent a ripple through one of Santa Clara County’s hottest elections. It’s also revealing how two of Silicon Valley’s most powerful Vietnamese figures are backing competing Vietnamese American political candidates in a...
Silicon Valley lawmaker tells Biden he will lose the White House
A top Silicon Valley congresswoman has a grave warning for President Joe Biden — step aside or lose the White House. San Jose Rep. Zoe Lofgren, one of the most senior and respected members of Congress, sent a strongly-worded letter to Biden Thursday expressing significant concerns over his ability to beat former President Donald Trump....
Santa Clara County property value growth is slow
The total assessed value of all properties in Santa Clara County has increased, but revenue isn’t enough to keep up with cost of services. According to the 2024 Assessment Roll, Santa Clara County’s assessed property value is $696.8 billion and has grown by $35.6 billion, or 5.4%, from last year. That growth rate isn’t fast...
Summer movie screenings return to downtown San Jose
Summer in San Jose has brought back the classics: a scorching heat wave, crowded conventions and an almost decade-long tradition of outdoor movies. In partnership with the city’s Viva Parks program, the San Jose Downtown Association is hosting Starlight Cinema — a seasonal summer event that provides free movie showings on Saturday evenings in St....
Silicon Valley congressional candidates won’t say if Biden should step down
As the country’s top Democratic leaders urge President Joe Biden to end his reelection campaign, the two men vying for an open congressional seat in Silicon Valley won’t say where they stand — dodging the question the whole country is asking. State Assemblymember Evan Low and former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, both running to...
Los Gatos park improvements to fill equity gaps
Dead, dry grass and tree stumps covering a corner of a popular Los Gatos neighborhood park will be transformed into a new grove thanks to a financial boost. Live Oak Manor Park, a roughly 4.1-acre, narrow strip of land nestled between homes and utility poles, will be replanted with a centennial grove and a meandering...
Santa Clara County supervisor candidates respond to reader questions
Four politicians vying for two open seats on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors in June received dozens of questions from attendees of San José Spotlight’s flagship all-day political festival, PolitiBeat. With a limited time for the candidate forum — one of eight live discussions at the Hammer Theater in downtown San Jose —...
Cupertino waives millions of fees for Vallco development
Cupertino has waived millions of dollars of development fees for the largest housing development in its history after years of disputes — bringing the city closer to filling the void at the former Vallco Town Center. The Cupertino City Council voted 4-1 Tuesday to waive roughly $77 million in developer fees for The Rise in...
San Jose hotel workers want higher wages as industry bounces back
San Jose hotel guests looked on as hundreds of hospitality workers marched and picketed major hotel chains across downtown Tuesday — calling for higher wages, benefits and more staffing after their collective bargaining agreement recently expired. It’s been four years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and many hotels have maintained reduced staffing levels,...
San Jose residents say 7-story apartments too big for Willow Glen
A proposed seven-story apartment and townhome project could bring 126 homes and a new retail space to Willow Glen, but many residents in the neighborhood are not happy about the plan. Almost 200 people called in to a June 3 community meeting hosted by San Jose Planning Department officials. Callers raised concerns about the imposing presence...