Giovanni Albanese Jr. - San José Spotlight

Giovanni Albanese Jr. is an award-winning journalist covering policy and government in South County.

He has served on numerous beats throughout his career, including city government with Los Altos Town Crier, craft beer industry trends with Next Glass, K-12 education technology for e.Republic, business and politics at India-West and breaking news with Bay City News.

A Boston native, Giovanni moved to the Bay Area in 2008 and has lived in Gilroy since 2018. In his free time, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife and daughter. He is also an award-winning craft beer brewer.

Elections South County

A ballot drop box outside city hall in Morgan Hill, California

October 12, 2026October 13, 2026by Giovanni Albanese Jr.

Seven candidates seek Morgan Hill mayor, City Council seats

The Morgan Hill mayor’s seat and two City Council districts are at stake this November, with all three incumbents seeking reelection in their respective posts. With the Nov. 3 election less than a month away, Mayor Mark Turner is seeking his third term in office — and first four-year term since the mayoral seat changed...

Development South County

crowd of people sitting down in a room looking forward.

October 7, 2026October 13, 2026by Giovanni Albanese Jr.

Gilroy enacts detention center moratorium after ICE fears

With a federal immigration enforcement facility planned just beyond city borders, Gilroy officials are following the path taken by other Bay Area cities in attempting to restrict more projects from being built. The Gilroy City Council on Monday unanimously approved a temporary, 45-day ban on new detention facilities on public- or private-owned property, with the...

Elections South County

A woman sitting behind a dais at a government meeting in Morgan Hill, California

September 18, 2026September 23, 2026by Giovanni Albanese Jr.

Morgan Hill officials censure colleague over intimidation

The Morgan Hill City Council took action against one of its own on Wednesday, formally censuring Councilmember Yvonne Martinez Beltrán in a move that divided residents. The council voted 4-1, with Martinez Beltrán as the lone dissenter, to adopt the resolution to censure the councilmember citing incidents of harassment, rudeness, intimidation and discrimination. She will...

More news