California has overwhelmingly approved Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to gerrymander congressional seats in favor of Democrats for the next several election cycles. His most powerful allies in Silicon Valley are tempering their zeal. Though Proposition 50 does little to local political boundaries, a whopping 71% of Santa Clara County voters went in favor of the...
San Jose affordable apartment tower nears construction
After more than a decade of planning and delays, a 15-story, 100% affordable apartment building known as The Gateway Tower is set to break ground in downtown San Jose’s SoFA District early next year. The breakthrough comes after developer The Core Companies announced it had secured all necessary funding to move forward with the $197-million construction...
Top Silicon Valley PG&E executive is out
PG&E has parted ways with a top executive representing Silicon Valley, following this news organization’s reporting on the executive’s involvement in a City Council campaign that received money from the energy giant. Teresa Alvarado announced her separation from the Bay Area’s $40 billion investor-owned power utility on LinkedIn last month. For the past four years,...
San Jose homeless hotel gets new management
A San Jose hotel converted to homeless housing is switching operators, and residents are welcoming the change. Nonprofit service provider WeHope will take over the Arena Hotel at 817 The Alameda starting Dec. 1 and replace HomeFirst. It will provide case management and temporarily manage the property, security and food until San Jose hires another...
Santa Clara County assistant assessor leads in early results
The next election results update is Friday by 5 p.m. Early results show Neysa Fligor leading the race for Santa Clara County assessor. As of 5 p.m. Thursday, Fligor is ahead with 38.2% of the vote, or 136,527 votes. In second place is Rishi Kumar with 24.1% of the vote or 86,349 votes. Yan Zhao...
Santa Clara County sales tax measure ahead in early results
The next election results update is Friday by 5 p.m. Early results show Santa Clara County’s sales tax increase measure leaning toward voter approval on election night. As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, 56.8% of voters cast ballots in favor of Measure A, or 232,023 votes, with 43.1% voting against it, or 175,927 votes. The general...
UPDATE: San Jose officials approve temporary tobacco shop ban
The San Jose City Council has enacted a temporary moratorium blocking the establishment of new tobacco shops throughout the city as officials draw up a long-term plan to regulate such businesses. Councilmembers voted unanimously Tuesday to halt the issuance of new licenses for local tobacco businesses, including retailers, smoke shops and smoking lounges. The 45-day...
Bay Area basketball star, congressman call for food donations
With an assist from Golden State Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis, Congressman Sam Liccardo is rallying support for food banks helping families who have lost SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown. Jackson-Davis joined Liccardo at Second Harvest of Silicon Valley Monday to urge residents to provide financial support for the food bank while funding...
Palo Alto faces glaring concerns over new ‘dark sky’ law
Hoping to turn down the lights at night to protect wildlife and reduce glare from neighboring properties, Palo Alto officials are set to adopt a “dark sky” ordinance with a broader reach and more stringent requirements than the law they were mulling earlier this year. In doing so, however, they are confronting two key challenges....
Santa Clara County scrambles for Super Bowl security funding
Santa Clara County didn’t ask to host next year’s Super Bowl. But the cost of protecting the event from terror attacks could exceed its available cash in an unprecedented budget crisis. County leaders say President Donald Trump’s administration is withholding millions of dollars in disaster preparedness funds, some of which are needed to plan and...