San Jose’s handling of public records requests has landed the city in legal hot water numerous times over the past two decades. Now a local law firm is waging yet another court fight in an attempt to settle the matter once and for all. The firm, McManis Faulkner, filed a lawsuit April 13 in Santa...
District 5 San Jose candidates speak on progressive priorities
Candidates in the District 5 San Jose City Council race laid out ambitious campaign policy platforms centered on reining in the city’s affordability crisis, as they took part in a Wednesday election forum. Over the course of an hour-long online event hosted by the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits and SV@Home Action Fund, the four...
High gas prices gouge Silicon Valley
Surging gas prices will cut $1.1 billion from household income in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties this year and eliminate 2,600 jobs, according to estimates from a San Jose economic think tank. A recent report from Joint Venture Silicon Valley shows total economic output in the two counties will drop by $706 million if...
Palo Alto’s safe parking program can’t find case managers
At a parking lot near the Palo Alto Baylands, 23 vehicles serve as the homes of more than 40 individuals. The city’s first safe parking site for people who live in their cars has been around since 2021, where clients access case management, showers, a kitchen and laundry services. In theory, the residents are there...
San Jose shelter is a stop on the way to permanent housing
A homeless shelter in San Jose is set to serve as the launching point for residents to transition to permanent housing. The Arena Hotel, which the city converted into a shelter in 2023, will serve as a temporary location for people receiving federal housing vouchers. Starting May 1, the hotel will be one of three...
Internal poll puts Matt Mahan higher in CA governor contest
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is touting a new optimistic poll in his struggle to leave the back of the pack in the crowded race for California governor. An internal poll of 900 likely primary voters — 100 of whom were Republicans and 800 described by the survey as “open to Democratic candidates” — says...
San Jose starts clearing homeless camp known as ‘the Jungle’
San Jose has begun dismantling its last large homeless encampment after weeks of outreach and offers of housing. Workers on Wednesday tore down tents and makeshift homes along Coyote Creek across from Happy Hollow Park & Zoo — an area known as “the Jungle.” As the city started clearing the encampment, which had become home to...
Another lawsuit targets San Jose’s license plate cameras
A group of San Jose residents has filed a federal class action lawsuit against San Jose to challenge the city’s automated license plate reader program. The trio of residents — Tony Tan, Scott West and Colin Wolfson — is targeting a program first launched in 2022 that has grown to encompass a network of 474...
San Jose animal shelter moves back to Parks Department
San Jose is changing up which department oversees its animal shelter months after advocates threatened legal action over alleged neglect. The San Jose Animal Care Center will move from the Public Works Department to operate under Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services Aug. 1. City officials said this will improve coordination and build on recent progress,...
Mountain View to replace downtown parking lot with hotel
After years of financial uncertainty, a developer is getting another chance to turn two public parking lots in downtown Mountain View into a hotel and office development. In a unanimous vote, the City Council authorized city staff last month to execute an amended lease and development agreement with RGC Mountain View, a commercial real estate company....