Holding signs saying, “Justice delayed is justice denied,” “Hire Title IX Staff Now” and “Justice for Survivors,” San Jose State University students are protesting for a safer campus. Students Against Sexual Assault are demanding the university’s Title IX office be fully staffed, more transparent and accountable after a federal investigation found the office lacking. Title...
Employer headcount tax could be Santa Clara’s deficit solution
The city of Santa Clara is bleeding red, and big business may be at the center of its new strategy for economic recovery. Santa Clara is facing a nearly $20 million budget deficit in the upcoming fiscal year and needs to find new revenue streams. Under a newly proposed business license tax structure, the city...
UPDATE: San Jose approves ban on ghost guns
San Jose officials have signed off on a ban on homemade firearms, marking the city’s latest effort to tighten local gun control. On Tuesday, councilmembers unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting residents from possessing, manufacturing, selling, assembling, receiving or distributing unserialized firearms and their parts. These homemade weapons are also known as ghost guns because they’re...
UPDATE: San Jose to release mayor’s emails about advocacy group
San Jose will release emails related to Mayor Sam Liccardo’s nonprofit advocacy group after withholding the records for a year. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to grant San José Spotlight’s appeal after Liccardo advocated for the release of the records. San Jose is also considering changing its rules to better clarify the public records...
San Jose, Vietnamese residents mourn loss of community leader
The South Bay is mourning the death of a community leader who dedicated years of his life to uplifting the Vietnamese community and revitalizing downtown San Jose. Thang Do, CEO of San Jose-based architecture firm Aedis Architects and co-founding member of the Progressive Vietnamese American Organization (PIVOT), died Sunday due to health issues at the...
COVID infections on the rise in Santa Clara County
After a recent lifting of restrictions, the number of COVID-19 infections in Santa Clara County is rising. County Public Health Officer Dr. Sara Cody said schools and workplaces are reporting upticks in infection, and that the county is starting to see early signs that could signal a future increase in hospitalizations due to the virus....
Los Gatos residents rally against town growth
Los Gatos residents are overall happy with their quaint upper-class town, but when is comes to growth management, sentiment darkens. Los Gatos recently conducted a community survey examining the quality of life and levels of services in town. The survey, conducted by market research company ETC Institute at a cost of $25,000, focused on where...
Loss of Gilroy Garlic Festival is a financial hit for youth groups
The loss of the Gilroy Garlic Festival brings an end to essential funding for local nonprofits and youth organizations. High insurance premiums forced the Gilroy Garlic Festival Association to discontinue the festival, leaving local groups without the once-reliable source of funding and searching for new revenue streams. Since 1979, the annual food festival has raised...
San Jose homeless advocates say sweeps solve nothing
San Jose says its multi-prong plan to manage homeless camps will improve the quality of life for both the unhoused population and general public. But advocates and lawyers say nothing in the plan will bring meaningful results as the city continues to displace people through sweeps. “The treatment of people living outside has always been terrible,”...
San Jose city workers must wear masks once again
With concerns about COVID-19 infections on the rise once more, San Jose city workers are required to wear masks for the next two weeks. The temporary measure is in place from Friday until May 20 and only affects workers at city facilities. The decision comes one month after the City Council voted to rescind the...