Kitty Moore, Cupertino’s new mayor, blocked a City Council ally from becoming vice mayor at a recent meeting — even though both belong to the same political faction in the sharply divided city. The five-member council voted in Moore as mayor Dec. 11 and Mayor Liang Chao as vice mayor, though Councilmember R “Ray” Wang...
San Jose delays regulatory rollback for local card rooms
For the second time in as many weeks, San Jose officials have postponed voting on a proposal to loosen regulations on the city’s two casinos. Backers said the package of five rule changes marks the final step in a reform push launched in June intended to lighten the administrative burden placed on the city’s two...
Santa Clara County nurses speak out against staffing shortages
Nurses are sounding the alarm on staffing shortages at Santa Clara County hospitals that they say are causing delays in patient care. Nurses rallied at county hospitals Tuesday to protest furloughs and dangerous staffing shortages stemming from President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” which slashed funding for vital services including Medi-Cal and food stamps. Dozens...
Santa Clara County education leader subject of closed door meeting
The Santa Clara County Board of Education has tried to turn a page after the dramatic firing of its former superintendent set off uproar and internal spending probes. Trouble could be brewing with its newest superintendent. On Monday, board trustees met behind closed doors for a special meeting that flagged an emerging, but unspecified issue...
Kou: Rishi Kumar offers a forward-looking vision for residents
Public trust in government isn’t maintained through slogans or longevity or staying in an echo chamber — it depends on results. The Democratic Party can only remain strong when it listens to fearless voices — and one such voice is Rishi Kumar. Kumar — a C-suite technologist, former executive board member of the California Democratic...
San Jose employee enters District 9 City Council race
Lifelong District 9 resident Gordon Chester says he’s observed San Jose stagnate or even backslide on a number of fronts over his 39-year life — from road safety to public services and housing affordability. Now, the longtime city employee is stepping into the crowded race to represent his home district on the San Jose City Council,...
Santa Clara County nurses say furloughs hinder patient care
The chilling effects of President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” have caused nurses to be furloughed across Santa Clara County’s hospitals. Dozens of local nurses have been furloughed over the past few months, creating staffing shortages across the entire public health care system, according to nurses and union representatives. They also pointed out furloughs at...
Stone: What exactly does the Santa Clara County assessor do?
Unlike the sheriff or the district attorney, people often ask me: “What exactly does the assessor do?” My answer surprises them. “The assessor is not a political position.” Their reaction is almost always the same: “But you get elected, don’t you?” Yes, the law requires election, but after the ballots are counted, there is nothing political about...
Willow Glen 7-story development moves forward
Willow Glen residents are expressing bitter disappointment after a proposed seven-story residential building in their neighborhood gained a permit under a state law streamlining housing development. The decision — made during the Dec. 3 San Jose Planning Director Hearing — clears the way for San Francisco-based Redco Development to build 126 apartments on a roughly...