After months of intense debate and controversy, Santa Clara County has taken an important step to finalize its political boundaries for the next decade. The Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 on Tuesday to advance a map known as draft 90195, introduced by Supervisor Cindy Chavez. The map is a variation of the Yellow Map, a controversial...
Santa Clara County redistricting map draws legal complaints
Conservative leaders are raising legal arguments in an eleventh-hour effort to stop Santa Clara County from adopting a map that redraws political boundaries in controversial ways. Two letters sent to the Board of Supervisors on Friday question the legality of the “Yellow Map”—a redistricting proposal submitted by a coalition of South Bay civil rights and labor organizations....
San Jose transit agency looks to improve work culture
As VTA prepares for the end of a year marked by unprecedented tragedy and challenges, the public transit agency is exploring how to change its work culture for the better. During the VTA’s most recent board meeting, CEO Carolyn Gonot outlined a multi-pronged approach to stabilize and transform the agency after a year marked by...
Santa Clara County braces as first omicron COVID case detected in California
Local health officials are racing to get ahead of a newly discovered COVID-19 variant, worried about a potential increase in transmissibility and vaccine evasion. On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed one omicron case detected by UC San Francisco. The person returned from South Africa last week, is fully vaccinated and has...
Politicos launch attacks against Santa Clara County redistricting map
As Santa Clara County lawmakers prepare to approve new political boundaries, some local politicians are raising complaints about the process. The Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 earlier this month to advance a proposal for redistricting the county’s five political boundaries, choosing the so-called Yellow Map over two other options. Supervisors Mike Wasserman and Joe Simitian voted against...
Where to find free Thanksgiving meals in San Jose
Braving the chilly weather on an early Tuesday afternoon, hundreds of San Jose residents filtered through the Sacred Heart community center on South First Street to receive food boxes for Thanksgiving dinners. “This is our 57th year giving out food boxes to the community,” Demone Carter, community engagement director at Sacred Heart, told San José...
San Jose prepares to settle litigation with injured cop watcher
San Jose appears to be settling litigation with a resident injured while trying to film police officers. Last week in closed session, the San Jose City Council discussed a lawsuit brought by Nicholas Robinson, a security guard who records police interactions. Robinson was arrested while monitoring police conducting an arrest near Highway 101 in November 2018. He...
Silicon Valley lawmaker’s committee removal sparks outrage
An Asian American lawmaker from the South Bay has been booted from a key California committee, and LGBTQ and Asian American advocacy groups are crying foul. Speaker Anthony Rendon stripped Assemblymember Evan Low of his chairmanship and membership on the Business and Professions Committee this week without explanation. Rendon appointed Assemblymember Marc Berman of Palo...
VTA committee recommends Measure B funds for Silicon Valley highways
VTA is poised to distribute nearly $200 million for projects to reduce highway congestion following a critical committee vote. The Congestion Management Program and Planning Committee is recommending VTA’s board of directors approve funding for a list of 13 highway projects in cities across Santa Clara County. The funding comes from Measure B, a sales...
Santa Clara County group offers free legal services for undocumented residents
East San Jose’s Mexican Heritage Plaza has played host to cultural performances, rallies and a mass vaccination site. This week, a group of nonprofits will bring together its resources for another critical use in the Latino community: free legal and rental assistance for immigrants. The Rapid Response Network of Santa Clara County, a group of...