San Jose wanted to loosen wage theft requirements to allow more contractors to work for the city, but councilmembers pushed back. City staff recommended scaling back the city’s wage theft policy for public contacts, but the City Council voted unanimously to strengthen it at a Tuesday meeting. Councilmember Dev Davis was absent. Wage theft occurs...
San Jose Sharks still playing at SAP Center
Sharks Sports & Entertainment and German software company SAP inked a five-year extension to their ongoing partnership, preserving the naming rights to the SAP Center where the hockey team plays their home games. The parent company of the San Jose Sharks will keep SAP’s name across the front of the city-owned arena through 2028. With the...
Former San Jose legislator considers another state run
A former California legislator might run for another state seat representing parts of Silicon Valley. Kansen Chu is mulling over whether to run for the California State Assembly seat in District 24, according to state campaign finance and committee filings. Chu, 71, said he’s taking the time to talk to close community members and supporters,...
San Jose food vendor finds novel way to raise money
A popular San Jose food vendor is trying to set up a brick-and-mortar restaurant, but has struggled to get a small business loan from a traditional lender. The owner of Hết Sẩy has found an innovative solution to pay for a more permanent location: an online crowdfunding marketplace with a unique twist for small businesses...
San Jose police union hides web pages after scandal
The San Jose Police Officers’ Association has blocked significant portions of its website from public access after its executive director was charged in connection with an international drug smuggling scheme. The association, which is the union that represents about 1,100 San Jose Police Department officers, previously had its website largely open to the public, including pages for its board...
Silicon Valley teachers say ethnic studies isn’t just about credentials
As Santa Clara County school districts ramp up high school ethnic studies classes, educators said more training is sorely needed at the local level to ensure quality courses on diversity are being provided. California became the first state in the nation in 2021 to require high schoolers to take ethnic studies in order to graduate....
San Jose police union’s political clout clouded by drug scandal
San Jose officials are reckoning with a path forward after federal investigators brought drug smuggling charges against the top San Jose police union administrator last week. Amid a scandal that has rocked the union, it’s unclear whether the powerful organization will lose the political clout it’s wielded in the city and wider region for decades....
Former San Jose official running for supervisor—again
Another politico has tossed her hat into the race for the District 2 seat on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors. Former San Jose Vice Mayor and Councilmember Magdalena Carrasco, 56, plans to run for Supervisor Cindy Chavez’s seat. Chavez terms out at the end of 2024, but may vacate the seat early if...
State bill would automate speed enforcement in San Jose
San Jose resident Limin Cao was walking with her daughter and their dog on a marked crosswalk on Blossom Hill Road on March 26 when Cao and the dog were struck and killed by a car, which fled from the scene. To help reduce deaths like these, the San Jose City Council is supporting Assembly...
San Jose police union fires alleged drug smuggler
The San Jose Police Officers’ Association fired its top administrator after she was hit with a list of international drug smuggling allegations from federal prosecutors in late March. The association, which serves as the union for San Jose Police Department officers, said Friday it had terminated Joanne Segovia, a 20-year employee and the organization’s executive...