San Jose is poised to bring back virtual public comments during its meetings, two years after the city cut the option due to hate speech concerns. The reintroduction of remote participation, which could come as soon as the June 8 budget hearing, is a response to a new state law mandating digital access for a...
San Jose activist wants to demystify local government
San José Spotlight is highlighting community members who make a difference for AAPI Heritage Month. Ellina Yin compares citizen participation in local government to putting together a piece of IKEA furniture using one of those frustrating assembly manuals that have no words. A self-trained community educator and activist, Yin wants to be the Allen wrench,...
San Jose may rethink voting method for special elections
San Jose is taking another look at ranked choice voting after the City Council rejected a proposal to adopt the idea in city elections four years ago. Amid concerns over the spiraling costs from special elections, councilmembers are considering a charter amendment that would give the city the option to use ranked choice voting in...
San Jose Taiko expresses Japanese American pride
San José Spotlight is highlighting community members who make a difference for AAPI Heritage Month. In a warehouse on The Alameda, San Jose Taiko members beat drums, play a bamboo flute, shake a beaded gourd, ring bells, switch positions and instruments and dance in practiced choreographed movements for hours. The group was practicing for performances...
Santa Clara County church commits funds to immigration defense
Faith leaders across Santa Clara County are committing money to immigration legal defense services as advocates warn families continue to face fear and uncertainty around detention and deportation. More than 120 donors across the Presbytery of San Jose are giving $15,000 to local immigration advocacy groups to support legal aid services for people facing deportation....
San Jose council candidates raise funds ahead of election
The latest round of campaign finance filings for the 2026 election cycle show money pouring into San Jose’s three competitive City Council races. In each case, a clear fundraising frontrunner has emerged. This cycle, the city is holding elections in its five odd-numbered council districts, though the incumbents in District 1 and 3 — Councilmembers...
The Biz Beat: San Jose brunch spot serves Cali-Mexico fusion
There is a distinct therapeutic magic to be discovered in a plate of Chunky Monkey Pancakes from Mix Huevos in San Jose, according to owner Ray Hernandez. Layered with warm banana slices, dark chocolate chips, glazed walnuts and a bourbon butterscotch glaze, it’s his favorite dish and, he said, nothing less than a tonic for...
Interest soars in San Jose female firefighter boot camp
Signing up for the San Jose Fire Department Women’s Boot Camp was one of the hottest tickets in town, filling up shortly after the Saturday event opened. Capt. Corey Condren launched the program in 2018 in an effort to increase the number of women in the SJFD. Her efforts have paid off, growing from 50...
Professional women’s hockey team to call San Jose home
San Jose is offering a warm welcome to the Professional Women’s Hockey League, which plans to launch its latest expansion team in the city. Dozens of sports fans, elected leaders and local sports legends turned out for a Wednesday announcement event held on the rink inside SAP Center, which is set to become the yet-to-be-named...
Housing commissioners say San Jose isn’t providing data
San Jose housing commissioners are raising concerns over how much authority the city housing director has — with some commissioners saying they’re being sidelined. Officials at the Housing and Development Commission meeting on Thursday had a disagreement over what information commissioners have the right to request from the Housing Department. Some commissioners said it’s been...