This year’s extreme heat waves and unprecedented fire season should shred any remaining doubt that climate change is here. If carbon emissions and the attendant temperature increases continue to increase unchecked, extreme weather will become more frequent and intense. Reducing California’s carbon output will be challenging because most of it now comes from transportation. According...
Rally in San Jose draws attention to effort to restore affirmative action
Ever since Californians became the first state to outlaw affirmative action through a 1996 ballot measure, student action groups in San Jose have fought to get the issue back on the ballot. “Some of these students are working, some have two or three jobs and they’ve been organizing and I want to make sure we’re...
South Bay groups weigh in on Supreme Court nomination — and what it could mean for women
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Judge Amy Coney Barrett appears poised to be confirmed to the Supreme Court next week — and her potential confirmation could have significant impacts on the future of women’s rights for generations. “This is the first time in American history that we have nominated a woman who is unashamedly pro-life and embraces...
From policy wonk to politician, Ann Ravel eyes state Senate
Ann Ravel is not a politician. And, although she’s running her first campaign for elected office, she’s not a novice either. Ravel has served as an appointed government official at every level. She was Santa Clara County counsel for nearly a decade and worked in that office for years prior to her appointment by the...
Racial inequity a focus for new Silicon Valley Community Foundation panel
In an effort to ensure people of color get a bigger slice of grant dollars, the Silicon Valley Community Foundation this month launched a panel of 22 community leaders to help oversee efforts to improve racial, social and economic inequities throughout the Bay Area. The new Community Advisory Council is comprised of representatives from a...
San Jose to test gunshot detection technology
San Jose is testing out a new gunshot detection program that aims to reduce violence in the city and help police respond faster. The program will be tested in the Cadillac Winchester area, where violent crime has been an ongoing issue, according to Vice Mayor Chappie Jones. “There’s been a couple of homicides over the...
Moore, Esparza, Su: Why Measure S is vital for clean water, quality of life
The pandemic has taught us the importance and the need for public services. To keep our safe, reliable drinking water, it’s incumbent upon us to not take risks now or into the future. Safe, reliable water supply is crucial to sustaining our economy and quality of life, and because of that we are urging your...
Exclusive Q&A: U.S. House District 17 candidate Rep. Ro Khanna
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Fremont, is running for re-election against Republican challenger Ritesh Tandon. Khanna was elected to Congress in 2016. He is a member of the House Budget Committee, the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. Khanna and Tandon recently were given the opportunity to answer...
After 30 years in Santa Clara County politics, Dave Cortese aims for state Senate
California politics is in Dave Cortese’s blood. His maternal grandfather was a Santa Clara councilman. His father was Santa Clara County supervisor and a state assemblyman. For nearly 30 years he’s been serving as an elected official in San Jose. Now he’s hoping to put that experience to work as a senator representing California’s 15th district. Cortese...
Shaw: Santa Clara County needs sober shelters
This summer, I was fortunate to be chosen to be on the Unhoused Task Force, whose purpose is to formulate emergency solutions to aid with the homeless crisis Santa Clara County is facing. Improving the quality of life for individuals who are living unsheltered — those in encampments, on the street, in parks, under freeways,...