English
Spanish
Vietnamese
San Jose voters have a full plate of decisions to make locally and countywide, when casting their ballots in the June primary. Residents will have the opportunity to vote for mayor, sheriff, county supervisor, five councilmembers, district attorney and assessor. Each candidate can appeal to voters by addressing hot-button problems like homelessness and housing, but also by touching on overlooked issues, according...
Silicon Valley fire officials gear up for future blazes
For George Huang, the fire chief for Cal Fire’s Santa Clara Unit, the term “fire season” is no longer in his vocabulary. It’s now simply “the fire year.” “We are facing another terrible, terrible fire year,” Huang told San José Spotlight. As of last week, 95% of California—including Santa Clara County—was in either severe or extreme...
Silicon Valley Democrats demand candidate drop misleading mailer
The Santa Clara County Democratic Party is accusing a local candidate of using misleading campaign flyers to make it appear he has the party’s endorsement—when he doesn’t. Party Chair Bill James issued a cease-and-desist letter earlier this week demanding San Jose Planning Commission Chair and District 5 City Council candidate Rolando Bonilla stop using logos...
UPDATE: San Jose voting rights for non-citizens won’t make November ballot
San Jose will wait until fall to review extending voting rights to non-citizen residents, effectively shutting down any chance for the plan to come before voters this year. The Rules and Open Government Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to set a study session on the voting rights proposal in September after more than 30 residents urged...
San Jose’s Measure B will increase voter turnout, supporters say
Latina leaders want one San Jose election to change its date, which they say would level the playing field for political equity and access for people of color. Local politicians and community leaders wearing Rosie the Riveter red bandanas held a rally Tuesday to urge the city’s Hispanic residents to vote “Yes” on Measure B for the...
San Jose plans to spend millions on public safety, infrastructure
San Jose officials have deferred discussion about a work plan for advancing several key infrastructure and public safety projects using voter-approved bond dollars. The City Council was scheduled to hear recommendations Tuesday for using funds from Measure T—a $650 million bond measure approved by voters in 2018 to pay for disaster preparedness, public safety and...
Election 2022: San Jose District 9 councilmember runs unopposed
San Jose Councilmember Pam Foley has spent the last three years prioritizing solutions for public safety, housing and homelessness. As she runs unopposed for the District 9 City Council seat, she hopes to build on that momentum, while also focusing on fighting blight and improving accessibility for the disabled and seniors. “These are critical issues...
San Jose sees homeless population grow
San Jose saw its homeless population grow 11% during the pandemic despite investments in housing and enhanced safety measures, with some advocates saying the reality on the ground is even bleaker. New data released this week shows the total number of unhoused residents in San Jose is 6,739, an 11% increase from the 2019 Santa...
Santa Clara sees Coldplay perform past usual curfew
A crowd of 50,000 Coldplay fans reveled at a Sunday concert at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara—later than usual. In November, the Santa Clara City Council voted to allow an exception of five events to its noise ordinance ban at Levi’s Stadium. The noise ordinance requires the stadium to go dark by 10 p.m. on...
‘We’re going back in time’: San Jose rallies for reproductive rights
Rallies for reproductive rights took place nationwide Saturday, including in front of San Jose City Hall. For some residents, it was their first time protesting. For others, it’s a reminder of a much older battle. “We’re going back in time,” attendee Caitlyn Garsh told San José Spotlight. She attended the protest with her great aunt,...