Hundreds of parents sat anxiously and silently as they waited for five board members in San Jose’s largest school district to determine the fate of their children’s future — and then the room erupted with “shame on you.” The San Jose Unified School District voted 3-2 Thursday to close five schools next school year, following...
San Jose deadlocked on divesting from companies with ICE ties
Despite growing calls for San Jose to divest public funds from certain companies, the City Council has decided to hold off — for now — on making any major changes to the city’s investment portfolio. The decision Tuesday came as a setback to supporters of a proposal that would have seen the city gradually phase...
UPDATE: San Jose prepares to strip public tributes to Cesar Chavez
San Jose leaders are advancing plans to start scrubbing late labor leader Cesar Chavez’s name from the city following recent allegations of abuse. The San Jose Rules and Open Government Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved moving forward with the early stages of taking Chavez’s name off city-owned sites, such as Plaza de Cesar Chavez in...
San Jose airport unaffected by TSA lines or ICE
As travelers experience chaos, lines trailing around terminals and federal immigration agents in major airports across the country, San Jose Mineta International Airport remains calm and void of agents. Travelers breezed through security lines in San Jose Monday as President Donald Trump ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to more than a dozen major airports, including Houston’s...
Meet the candidates running for District 7 San Jose City Council
Election season is in full swing in San Jose District 7, where incumbent Councilmember Bien Doan is squaring off against three challengers, including two bitter rivals. The three challengers aiming to unseat Doan include City Hall staffer Hanh-Giao “HG” Nguyen, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union member Rafael Garcia and Van Le, an East Side Union...
The Biz Beat: San Jose’s Sixth Street Burger is a smash
Abram Chandler’s path from plumbing contractor to co-owner of Sixth Street Burger in San Jose was circuitous, but in some ways it was a short one: The restaurant sits just two blocks from his childhood home at Sixth and St. James streets. “I went to Horace Mann Elementary,” he told San José Spotlight. “I used...
Rifts emerge in San Jose budget talks
The fault lines are beginning to show as San Jose leaders continue budget talks that must balance a $56 million deficit. After lengthy deliberations Tuesday, the City Council ultimately approved Mayor Matt Mahan’s March budget message — a document that will set the terms of the city’s budget debate in the coming months. However, the...
San Jose labor leader’s legacy crushed by ‘painful’ allegations
The San Jose community is grappling with allegations that labor leader Cesar Chavez abused women and children. The claims hit close to home for Northern California’s largest city, which which was home to the late UFW co-founder and civil rights icon. Shocking allegations against Chavez claiming he abused young women and children have drawn condemnation...
San Jose candidates share plans at District 9 forum
Candidates running to represent District 9 on the San Jose City Council shared competing visions for public safety, housing and the city’s finances during a candidate forum. The March 9 discussion, hosted by San José Spotlight and the League of Women Voters of San Jose/Santa Clara, brought five candidates to the Camden Community Center to...
San Jose thrift shop funds historic preservation efforts
A new thrift shop is bringing estate furniture, vintage china, clothing and other unique finds to San Jose’s Creekside neighborhood — with all proceeds going toward preserving the city’s architectural heritage. Housed in a 5,000-square-foot warehouse, the Found SJ Rummage & Reuse Hub provides a second life for items while supporting the efforts of the Preservation...