The web of influence wielded by the owners of San Jose’s primary recycling company — now under an FBI microscope — includes Silicon Valley’s former mayor turned congressional candidate. California Waste Solutions, the company at the center of an FBI raid last week that included company executives and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, gave $10,000 in 2022 to...
Will Supreme Court ruling change San Jose’s homeless policy?
San Jose homeless resident Antonio de Viche prefers the streets to shelter or temporary housing, where he doesn’t feel safe. But that could all change with today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision that will allow cities to ban homeless people from sleeping outside. The Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that it is not unconstitutional...
Silicon Valley politicians give back donations following FBI raids
Recent FBI raids into Bay Area properties owned and run by members of the politically-connected Duong family bring to light the yearslong allegations of illegal political donations into Silicon Valley. Among those alleged to have received illegal donations are Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, whose residence was searched by federal agents last week in connection with...
San Jose coffee shop is community anchor for local artists
Nirvana Soul, a Black, women-owned business known for its vibrant pink-painted coffee shops, serves up more than unique brews — it’s a hub for local artists, poets and musicians to showcase their talents. The co-founder/sister duo, Be’Anka Ashaolu and Jeronica Macey, whose San Jose coffee shop sits on the corner of South First Street, support...
San Jose preps plan to reach zero traffic deaths
A San Jose task force aimed at finding ways to eliminate traffic deaths is folding at the end of the year — and while road safety improvements have been made, the city still has work to do in reducing fatalities. San Jose saw its highest rate of traffic fatalities in recent history in 2022 with...
San Jose has 4th highest homeless population in U.S.
San Jose has the fourth highest number of homeless people per capita in the U.S. based on a recent survey, and advocates blame it on multiple problems. An Insider Monkey report shows that for every 100,000 people per capita, San Jose has 363 residents that are homeless. New York City ranks third, Los Angeles ranks...
San Jose funds affordable housing for low-income families
San Jose leaders have approved $7.3 million in Measure E funds for a very low-income affordable housing development in South San Jose. The $45.4-million multi-family development is the latest affordable housing project to be approved under Measure E since city officials announced $50 million in funding for four projects last October. The 48-apartment project will...
San José Spotlight’s PolitiBeat tackles the future of Silicon Valley
San José Spotlight’s all-day political festival returned for its second year to tackle pressing issues facing Silicon Valley, from artificial intelligence and county elections to the region’s evolving identity. Roughly 200 attendees heard firsthand from local leaders in government, education, technology and development, converging on June 14 at the Hammer Theatre in downtown San Jose...
San Jose advocates want more money for non-police crisis team
San Jose officials plan to allocate additional funding toward mental health services in the upcoming budget, after advocates pushed for more non-police emergency response. The Santa Clara County-operated Trusted Response Urgent Support Team (TRUST) program will receive about $450,000 from San Jose to fund another mobile crisis response team for a year. But advocates for...
San Jose wage theft policy compromises with developers
San Jose could withhold certifications from big developers who use contractors with unpaid wage theft judgments in California under a new construction policy. The San Jose City Council unanimously approved the “responsible construction” policy on Tuesday after first reviewing it last year. Companies found to have unpaid wage theft settlements must address those before the...