A federal court has denied a gun rights group’s attempt to halt San Jose’s gun harm reduction policy, as the city works to dismiss the lawsuit altogether. U.S. District Judge Beth Labson Freeman refused to block San Jose’s law—the first in the nation—to require gun owners to pay an annual fee and carry liability insurance in a...
UPDATE: San Jose reconsiders homeless housing at park
San Jose may pause plans to construct tiny homes in the north part of the city, following fervent backlash from neighbors. On Wednesday, the city’s Rules and Open Government Committee unanimously approved potentially stopping plans for homeless housing at a park on Noble Avenue. The full San Jose City Council will weigh the decision at...
San Jose pours millions into housing relief, WiFi
San Jose’s mayor took to the national stage to tout how the city used federal funds to address rampant homelessness and the digital divide. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo gathered virtually with politicians nationwide on Monday to discuss how American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds have been used in their communities. They looked at how data-driven research helped determine funding for...
Employees protest mistreatment at major San Jose food plant
Former employees of Amy’s Kitchen, a national frozen food brand, came out to protest the abrupt closure of its San Jose factory — calling it union busting. Nearly 30 workers on Tuesday gathered in front of the shuttered factory on 1885 Las Plumas Ave., to highlight alleged mistreatment they endured. They said they have been...
East vs. West: San Jose mayoral candidate breaks barriers
Eight years ago, progressive San Jose mayoral candidate Dave Cortese lost his bid to the business-backed Sam Liccardo, despite an overwhelming win in the primary election with support from East San Jose. Liccardo pulled ahead of Cortese, now a state senator, in November 2014 to become the city’s 65th mayor. His narrow win was secured by...
San Jose mayor says sorry for COVID exposure
San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo has tested positive for COVID-19, one day after he shook hands and spoke closely to a dozen people. “Mayor Liccardo began experiencing symptoms (Thursday) afternoon, and tested immediately,” Esmeralda Bautista, spokesperson for Liccardo, told San José Spotlight. “He learned he was positive and immediately left City Hall.” The positive test...
San José Spotlight’s lawsuit against city, mayor heads to court
Five months after San José Spotlight sued the city and its mayor over improperly withheld emails, the city refuses to say how many records it’s shielding. Now a judge will consider requiring the city to explain what it’s withholding and why in a court hearing next month. This news organization and the First Amendment Coalition, a co-plaintiff in...
San Jose advocates say early release doesn’t equal violent crime
Polarizing pandemic-era policies aimed to help depopulate the jails are expiring at the end of July—but the debate over their effectiveness is still alive. The state enacted a zero bail policy and citation and release orders near the start of the pandemic to limit the spread of COVID-19 in jails. Zero bail allows low-level offenders to...
UPDATE: West San Jose housing and hotel plan advances
A major West San Jose development is moving forward with hundreds of apartments and a hotel instead of office space. The San Jose Planning Commission unanimously approved plans Wednesday for the Stevens Creek Promenade, located at Stevens Creek Boulevard and Lopina Way. The project is changing its office space to a six-story hotel at the...
San Jose youth want a seat at the table
After feeling unheard by decisionmakers, San Jose youth are forming a new group to give themselves a better seat at the table. Youth Liberation Movement, which officially launched in February, aims to improve San Jose’s approach to housing, education, mental health and criminal justice by partnering with local institutions. The group is youth-led and mostly composed...