Ethiopian food is one of the oldest cuisines in the world, and one of the most communal dining experiences as well. For the last 11 years, the owners of Walia Ethiopian Cuisine in San Jose have shared their culture with customers who come from all over the Bay Area to dip their injera bread into...
San Jose poised to settle lawsuit over 2020 police protests
A man who lost his eye after being shot with a hard projectile by San Jose police during protests following the 2020 killing of George Floyd is set to receive millions in a city settlement. The $3 million payout would settle Michael Acosta’s 2021 federal lawsuit alleging San Jose Police Department officers violated his civil rights....
San Jose official under fire for alleged ties to anti-LGBTQ group
San Jose Councilmember Bien Doan is facing swift backlash after agreeing to speak with a local anti-LGBTQ+ parent group, despite claiming ignorance of the organization’s controversial roots. An event flier featuring Doan’s headshot circulated online by Informed Parents of Silicon Valley—an organization openly against teaching critical race theory and gender expansive education in schools—triggered shockwaves...
San Jose could extend Post Street closure
For three years, businesses and pedestrians have enjoyed the temporary closure of a downtown San Jose street to cars. City leaders are working to make that permanent. The long-term vision for Post Street, located between First Street and Lightstone Alley, is to permanently close it to traffic so it can stay a place where visitors...
San Jose mayor wants tech giants to moderate sideshow content
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan is asking social media companies for help in solving the city’s growing sideshow struggle. Mahan wants big name platforms such as Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok to temporarily suspend accounts that post about local sideshow activities. He said at a news conference today that...
How a state bill could help house San Jose artists
A new state bill aims to set aside affordable housing for artists in cultural districts. Assembly Bill 812, introduced by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner and sponsored by California Arts Advocates, would require counties and cities to reserve 10% of affordable housing for artists in or near a locally or state designated cultural district. Julie Baker, CEO...
Ex-San Jose mayor and city violated the law, judge rules
Former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo and the city violated state transparency laws by failing to prove they adequately searched his private texts and emails for public records, a judge has ruled. In response to a lawsuit from this news organization and the First Amendment Coalition, Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Thomas Kuhnle wrote...
San Jose pickleball players upset over city rules
A skirmish has broken out on one of San Jose’s most popular pickleball courts between players and the city—and it can’t be settled with a score. Citywide Sports, an offshoot of the San Jose parks department that handles field reservations, is asking pickleballers at Paul Moore Park to break down their nets every day to keep...
The Biz Beat: San Jose restaurant touts Indian cuisine to-go
By applying a familiar quick-serve restaurant formula and turning it on its head, Sam & Curry in San Jose takes Indian cuisine to another level with a menu filled with burritos, tacos and rice bowls. But whether you eat your meal with your fingers or a fork, the dishes have an intensely authentic taste that...
San Jose parent gets school district to support LGBTQ rights
One person’s determination has led to a local school district pledging to stand up for LGBTQ staff and student rights. The San Jose Unified School District unanimously passed a pride resolution yesterday supporting the freedoms and equality of LGBTQ people due to the persistent efforts of Eli Dinh, a parent and former SJUSD teacher. The...