A once-political powerhouse for business interests in San Jose is looking to return to its former glory—and soon it will pick a new CEO to help it get there. The San Jose Chamber of Commerce is close to selecting its next permanent CEO after former president and CEO Derrick Seaver resigned in August. Toni Mirenda,...
Former San Jose mayor turns pro labor in PG&E battle
A former San Jose mayor is switching up his political allies to take on a common adversary, the west coast’s largest power utility. Former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo is leading a new labor-backed coalition to oppose Pacific Gas and Electric’s proposed rate hike of 18%, or nearly $39 per month. This hike is to...
Full transcript: San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan’s 2023 State of the City
Editor’s Note: This is a transcript of Mayor Matt Mahan’s full 2023 State of the City address. Welcome everyone! I see so many familiar faces here in the audience today. Thank you for showing up again and again to create the change we need in the place we all call home. Over the past few...
UPDATE: San Jose officials vote against police auditor expansion
San Jose’s interim independent police auditor does not want to expand oversight powers to bolster investigations into police misconduct, despite previously saying she was in favor of doing just that. Several city leaders took the same position during the Public Safety, Finance, and Strategic Support Committee meeting on Thursday—with four out of five councilmembers voting...
UPDATE: Why is San Jose starting its own power utility?
As San Jose’s power needs increase with electrification and climate change solutions, the city will explore creating its own power utility. The San Jose City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved the creation of San Jose Power, a city-run electric utility touted as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to provide power at lower rates and bring in more...
Silicon Valley female officials face violence and family threats
A woman who runs for office in today’s political climate can find herself navigating a minefield of hostile, threatening public behavior, and she will face higher levels of harassment and danger than her male counterparts. In a first of its kind survey, the California Women’s List collected more than 100 responses from various gender identities...
Labor union adviser enters District 6 San Jose race
Lifelong San Jose resident Olivia Navarro was on her deathbed last year when she realized she needed to change her life. While hospitalized from COVID-19, Navarro told herself if she recovered she would fulfill her high school dream of serving the community. Navarro is attempting to do just that by running for the open District 6...
UPDATE: Concerns remain after San Jose leaders approve police watchdog reforms
San Jose leaders moved forward with recommendations on how to improve the city’s police department, despite lingering concerns and drama around the resignation and retirement of the two top police auditors. San Jose City Council today approved all five recommendations from the Office of the Independent Police Auditor: tracking when an officer points a firearm...
San Jose police auditor had drunken argument with officers ahead of retirement
San Jose’s former police watchdog was allegedly set to be investigated for spouting off at a police officer while drunk at a public event, before she abruptly retired. Shivaun Nurre, who served as the independent police auditor from late 2018 until June this year, told San José Spotlight she “had some drinks” at the San...
Judge rejects San Jose’s push to overturn court ruling
After losing a public records lawsuit filed by this news organization, San Jose attempted to shift the outcome—and lost again. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Thomas Kuhnle denied a request from San Jose and former Mayor Sam Liccardo to further explain how Liccardo searched his personal email and text accounts for public records, a...