San Jose officials have quietly killed a firefighter drug oversight program just days after reinstating it. This comes after a paramedic drug theft scandal exposed patients to tampered narcotics and sparked backlash against funding cuts that originally dissolved the initiative. The program known as Med 30 was deactivated on Dec. 21, the same month it...
Silicon Valley lawmaker could seek East Bay congressional seat
A state lawmaker representing parts of Santa Clara and Alameda counties might be angling for a congressional seat in the East Bay. Her candidacy would leave her own seat in the California Legislature up for grabs — if she decides to jump into the race. A new federal candidate filing suggests 10th District state Sen....
San Jose mayor opposes billionaire tax idea
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has come out against a controversial proposal to create a “billionaire tax” in California. Backers see it as a means of filling a massive deficit facing the state’s health care system. In a nearly 300-word thread posted to X Monday, Mahan warned if passed by voters, the pending statewide ballot measure...
Silicon Valley workers struggle amid minimum wage increase
The new year brings new resolutions — and a slight increase in pay for minimum wage workers in California. Eight cities in Santa Clara County already pay workers above the hourly rate, which in 2026 is $16.90, up 40 cents from the state’s 2025 minimum wage. Business owners are bracing for an uptick in costs and...
Mountain View allocates $295K for Super Bowl, World Cup events
Looking to boost local businesses, Mountain View is planning to host watch parties and other community events to draw visitors to the downtown area during the Super Bowl and World Cup this year. At a Dec. 16 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved the allocation of $295,000 to fund activities related to the mega-sporting events. With the money, the city plans...
San Jose lawmaker eyes state attorney general run
State Sen. Dave Cortese plans to run for California Attorney General if Rob Bonta decides to enter the governor’s race. It could boost the odds of the next top state prosecutor coming from Santa Clara County. Cortese represents District 15, which covers portions of San Jose, Morgan Hill, Gilroy and San Martin. He previously served...
Paz-Cedillos: The legacy that patient capital makes possible
In community development, progress is rarely linear. There are moments when the spreadsheets work but the timing doesn’t. When the vision is clear, but the path forward narrows. When projects rooted in community test not just capital, but conviction. La Placita in East San Jose’s Mayfair neighborhood was one of those projects. When we acquired...
San Jose Vietnam Town management shrugs at complaints
San Jose officials are cracking down on alleged mismanagement in Vietnam Town. But the plaza’s landlords aren’t budging. City code enforcers last month ordered the managers of Little Saigon’s iconic commercial center to address multiple building violations that vexed business owners. That included the removal of a haphazard dumpster barricade that kept cars from parking...
San Jose says RV parking site is unpermitted
A San Jose safe parking program on VTA property is in violation for operating without proper approvals. The city served VTA a notice after a Dec. 9 inspection found vehicles parked at the Santa Teresa station aren’t storing trash properly and that the site is operating without permits or approvals, among other violations. The site...