San Jose’s largest school district is counting on voters to approve more than $1 billion to upgrade facilities and house employees, which community advocates say is needed. The San Jose Unified School District (SJUSD) board of trustees approved putting a nearly $1.2 billion general obligation bond on the Nov. 5 ballot at a special meeting...
Cupertino to upgrade bike lanes along major road
Cupertino is gearing up to give cyclists a safety boost on one of its busiest roads. De Anza Boulevard is set to receive buffered bike lanes along a roughly 2-mile stretch of the city between Bollinger and Homestead roads. The street’s existing bike lanes will be repainted and vehicle lanes will be restriped to add...
Follow the money: Silicon Valley’s 2024 general election
Candidates have raised millions of dollars across many contentious races to represent Silicon Valley, on national, state and local stages. The most anticipated race is in Congress, for who will represent Congressional District 16 following Rep. Anna Eshoo’s retirement. After a crowded March primary election, former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo came out on top,...
Silicon Valley tech giants cut back diversity efforts
With a consequential presidential election less than 100 days away and the Supreme Court gutting affirmative action, Silicon Valley tech giants are reeling in diversity programs and practices meant to uplift people of color. Bay Area companies like Google, Meta and Zoom reportedly laid off workers focused on diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, policies. Cost cutting...
Lack of West Valley homeless shelters prompts action
James, an unhoused Campbell resident, has a hard time trekking to the closest shelter in San Jose roughly 5 1/2 miles away. He avoids shelters, preferring to move around, but would go to a safe one if any were nearby. “I’m surviving right now, I’m surviving,” he told San José Spotlight. “(I’m) getting stuff I...
Sunnyvale on solid footing while neighbor strapped for cash
While one Santa Clara County city pinches pennies to make ends meet and juggles budget shortfalls, its neighbor to the west sits on a surplus that can easily cover its deficit. Santa Clara and Sunnyvale, although similar in size, couldn’t be more different in their approach to governing. Sunnyvale’s 2024-25 budget has a structural surplus for...
Potential Cupertino development irks residents
A potential multi-family housing project is creating a stir in a quiet Cupertino neighborhood, signaling an intolerance for large housing developments. The proposed project, which includes plans for 23 homes with a percentage of affordable housing at 20739 Scofield Drive, drew ire from the street’s residents at a Cupertino City Council meeting earlier this month. Some...
Silicon Valley ride-share service offers free summer rides
An affordable micro-transit service just got cheaper for South Bay residents who might need an economic boost this summer. Silicon Valley Hopper — a ride-share service that provides affordable transportation in Cupertino and Santa Clara at less than $5 a ride — is offering free rides to select locations through Aug. 31. Advocates said the...
‘Very dirty’: Sunnyvale homeless shelter residents raise sanitation issues
Homeless residents at the North County Shelter in Sunnyvale say a shift in management has heightened sanitation problems and workers are unequipped to handle older adults living there. Two residents of the Santa Clara County-owned shelter told San José Spotlight there are numerous unhygienic issues, including pests such as rats and scabies — in addition...
Dozens of San Jose murals define its heritage
San Jose may be widely known as a tech hub, but it’s also a city defined by its public art. With a city of nearly 1 million people, San Jose is also home to hundreds of murals. In a multi-year effort to revitalize public spaces, beautify the city and make it more pedestrian-friendly, officials have focused arts...