From a wide-open governor’s race to a bitter congressional contest, Santa Clara County has emerged as a key battleground in the tech industry’s bid to control California politics — and shield billionaires from a wealth tax. Two electoral fights have shaped the “Valley of Heart’s Delight” into combative territory. In the 17th Congressional District, incumbent...
East San Jose school district audit investigation passes review
An investigation into the expenditures of an East San Jose school district has trustees exhaling — after holding their breath for months. The Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) completed its audit of Alum Rock Union School District following a “comprehensive review” of all reimbursements to determine whether district funds have been used appropriately and...
Aguilar: Santa Clara County’s District 4 race should not be uncontested
This year marks 30 years since my mother brought our family to the United States. I was a child then, too young to fully understand what migration asks of a family, the sacrifice, the uncertainty and the faith that a different place might offer your children a safer and more dignified future. I have spent...
San Jose filmmakers create space to support women
In a male-dominated broadcast industry, two people are working to shift the power dynamic by establishing a production and event space for women. Farran Tabrizi Chevallier and Tricia Creason-Valencia are the co-founders of PowerHouse, a vibrant Victorian home in downtown San Jose that serves as a podcasting, co-working and community event space. The two have...
San Jose day center CEO helps people with dementia
Maria Nicolacoudis has dedicated her life to building support programs for adults with disabilities and is taking on what could be her biggest challenge: Providing care for the growing population of older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Nicolacoudis is CEO of Hearts & Minds Activity Center in San Jose, a unique...
Special education cuts could strain teachers in Santa Clara County
Special education teachers in Santa Clara County are at a tipping point following a recent round of layoffs — on top of massive cuts last year that left educators managing larger classes of students with serious medical and behavioral needs. Due to declining enrollment, the Santa Clara County Office of Education plans to cut eight...
San Jose workers want safeguards from AI
San Jose has been an early adopter of generative artificial intelligence tools. Now the city’s largest public sector union is demanding it also move quickly to embrace safeguards for workers. Amid ongoing contract renewal negotiations with the city, AFSCME Local 101 has introduced a package of proposals intended to give workers a greater say in...
Mountain View plans expansion of Shoreline RV parking program
For years, Mountain View has invested in a safe parking program to support residents living in vehicles. This summer, the city is planning to increase the number of safe parking spaces near Shoreline Amphitheatre to make up for the loss of spots elsewhere in the city. The City Council unanimously approved a staff recommendation Tuesday to add 47 spots...
Controversial San Jose shelter to become permanent housing
A large South San Jose homeless shelter will be converted to permanent supportive housing following complaints from neighbors over crime and safety. The City Council on March 17 approved converting 1 Branham Lane — a 168-apartment, three story complex plagued with structural and managerial issues — from temporary shelter into permanent housing. The modular housing site...
San Jose’s largest school district closes five schools
Hundreds of parents sat anxiously and silently as they waited for five board members in San Jose’s largest school district to determine the fate of their children’s future — and then the room erupted with “shame on you.” The San Jose Unified School District voted 3-2 Thursday to close five schools next school year, following...