It’s been a good month in court for a San Jose businessman dubbed the “Godfather of Little Saigon,” entangling a local councilmember, an embattled power broker, a Trump administration bigwig and suggestive Vietnamese aphorisms. Politically influential San Jose bail bondsman Hai Huynh has seen favorable turns in two dramatic courtroom battles in the last few...
San Jose grapples with preserving its past
With a Japantown family-run business on the brink, a debate over historic preservation has San Jose in a headlock — preserve the past at a cost, or chase the future at a loss. A series of debt-accruing business choices threaten Japantown’s well-known Trigg family with the prospect of losing their home and businesses. They own Jtown...
San Jose State ups police presence after Charlie Kirk assassination
San Jose State University is reviewing its safety protocols following the assassination of a conservative political commentator at a college campus in Utah. Campus police at SJSU are increasing their presence this week following Wednesday’s targeted shooting of Charlie Kirk during a speaking event at Utah Valley University in Orem. The latest act of political...
Spirit Airlines departs from San Jose airport
One of the most affordable airlines in the skies is departing from San Jose’s airport for good. Spirit Airlines, known for its bright yellow planes and cheap airfare, will cease all service to and from San Jose Mineta International Airport after filing for bankruptcy for the second time in a year. Service ends Oct. 5,...
San Jose advances plan for ICE agents to identify themselves
Advocates are reporting an arrest by masked federal immigration agents in San Jose, as elected officials look to advance a policy requiring all law enforcement officers to identify themselves when working in the city. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Wednesday arrested one person at an ICE check-in facility on Blossom Hill Road,...
Silicon Valley street cleaning crew is swept away
A flagship program that employed homeless people to clean the streets of San Jose and connect them to housing is abruptly ending. Nonprofit Downtown Streets Team is ending operations Oct. 31, citing financial and political pressures that make it difficult to sustain the organization. The nonprofit formed 20 years ago in Palo Alto and expanded to 15...
Silicon Valley tool alerts homeless residents to available housing
One nonprofit has a unique web tool to help homeless people connect to resources, with the goal of becoming the go-to site for that population. MyConnectSV, a web-based portal spearheaded by Destination: Home, allows homeless residents to directly message case managers, receive alerts on available housing and more. The nonprofit wants to hit 2,000 users...
Silicon Valley bus honors local LGBTQ+ leaders
VTA’s support for the local LGBTQ+ community is going beyond celebrating Pride. The Silicon Valley public transit agency drove its decorated Pride bus during last weekend’s 50th anniversary parade. The celebration’s theme was “50 years of Love, Legacy & Liberation,” with portraits of LGBTQ+ community leaders from across the nation and San Jose’s own backyard...
San Jose police reach tentative pay agreement amid tension
After tense negotiations marked by charges of sabotage and retaliation, San Jose police have reached a tentative agreement with the city for a significant pay raise over the next three years. The deal still needs to be approved by the union and City Council, which could happen later this month. If approved, San Jose Police...
San Jose leaders approve higher limit for gifts
San Jose elected leaders are increasing how much they can accept in gifts from business and labor interests — arguing it will save taxpayers money. The City Council on Tuesday voted 8-2, with Councilmember Peter Ortiz and Mayor Matt Mahan voting no, to raise its gift limits from $50 to $200, which equates to a higher number of...