B. Sakura Cannestra - San José Spotlight

B. Sakura Cannestra (she/they) is a reporter covering politics and government in the cities Sunnyvale and Milpitas for San José Spotlight.

She has experience covering a variety of topics, including tech innovations and policies, Berkeley’s housing crisis, social movements and politics at the state and city levels. Previously, she reported for POLITICO California and the Daily Californian.

Cannestra obtained a bachelor’s degree in English from UC Berkeley in 2020 and graduated from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism in 2023. They are learning more about maintaining houseplants and have kept a bullet journal for over five years. Cannestra was hired through the California Local News Fellowship program.

Development Milpitas

November 22, 2023November 27, 2023by B. Sakura Cannestra

Nonprofit wants to convert Milpitas office complex into housing

Milpitas needs to increase its affordable housing, and one nonprofit may be able to assist with its plans by redeveloping some of its commercial space. The Milpitas City Council on Nov. 14 heard early plans to convert the Sobrato Centers for Nonprofits location in the city into a 244-home community with 140 affordable apartments. The...

San Jose Santa Clara County

November 17, 2023November 21, 2023by B. Sakura Cannestra

‘Generous and warm’: Silicon Valley philanthropist dies

Michael E. Fox Sr., a longtime Silicon Valley philanthropist, has died. Fox, 87, died of respiratory complications while ill on Nov. 3, according to his oldest son, Michael Fox Jr. Fox Sr. founded M.E. Fox & Company in 1965 alongside his wife, Mary Ellen Fox, and grew it to become one of the county’s largest...

Homelessness Sunnyvale

HomeFirst Chief Executive Officer Andrea Urton speaks at the Sunnyvale City Council meeting.

November 17, 2023November 21, 2023by B. Sakura Cannestra

Silicon Valley leaders question nonprofit on alleged discrimination

Two Santa Clara County city councils aired grievances to HomeFirst officials following a range of concerns related to services and allegations of racial discrimination. The Sunnyvale City Council heard a presentation Tuesday from HomeFirst Chief Executive Officer Andrea Urton and Chief Program Officer Kelly Vazquez about the nonprofit’s city support services and broader metrics countywide....

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