The Podlight - San José Spotlight

The Podlight features a bi-monthly look at the top headlines and in-depth conversations with South Bay leaders, lawmakers and influencers about policy, politics and government, delving into critical issues such as housing, technology, business, homelessness, education and development.

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The fight to close Reid-Hillview Airport

For decades, advocates have fought to close Reid-Hillview Airport in East San Jose while aviation experts argue it serves a critical purpose. Hear from both sides of the debate: Walt Gyger of the Community and Airport Partnership for Safe Operation, and Huascar Castro from Working Partnerships USA join host Nick Preciado to break it down.

The state of downtown San Jose

Downtown San Jose faces a host of challenges, from homelessness to vacant storefronts and shuttered businesses. Will it ever bounce back? Two experts — Councilmember Raul Peralez and San Jose Downtown Association CEO Scott Knies — weigh in on the state of downtown.

An inside look at Silicon Valley’s housing market

Host Nick Preciado welcomes Will Chea, a longtime Silicon Valley realtor and president-elect of the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors, to dig into the region’s housing market. Is this the right time to buy? What is driving $9,000 monthly mortgages? And is the market cooling off amid forecasts of a recession?

The mental health crisis in Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County Supervisor Susan Ellenberg joins host Nick Preciado to dig into the county’s mental health crisis, how leaders are looking for solutions and new efforts to balance the need for a new jail with mental health facilities.

Election Day 2022: FAQs

Host Nick Preciado chats with Michael Borja, a spokesman for the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, to answer common questions about voting processes and election security ahead of Tuesday’s primary election.

Election 2022: Primary predictions & analysis

With Election Day less than three weeks away, host Nick Preciado sits down with two of Silicon Valley’s most prominent political experts — Terry Christensen and Garrick Percival — to get their predictions and analysis on key races and measures.

Remembering Norm Mineta

Host Nick Preciado is joined by San Jose Assemblymember Ash Kalra and transit leader Rod Diridon, Sr. to reflect on the legacy of the iconic Norm Mineta — a trailblazing San Jose mayor, hometown hero and national leader.

Google in San Jose: A deep dive

Host Nick Preciado sits down with San Jose’s Economic Development Director Nanci Klein to dig into the biggest land deal in San Jose’s history — the massive Google campus in downtown. Klein dishes on what’s next, plans to prevent displacement and how the city is mitigating traffic and parking concerns.

San Jose could have ranked choice voting, 14 council districts

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado chats with three members of San Jose’s Charter Review Commission about a series of recommendations that could change city policies — including a plan to switch to ranked choice voting and expand council districts.

San Jose’s plan to reduce traffic deaths, theft of catalytic converters

This week, host Nick Preciado chats with reporter Tran Nguyen about a new plan to combat rising traffic deaths in San Jose. Then Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe hops on to talk about how the city hopes to reduce theft of catalytic converters.

COVID enters endemic phase, barriers to affordable housing

This week, host Nick Preciado chats with reporter Tran Nguyen about COVID-19 entering the endemic phase in Santa Clara County and San Jose City Hall reporter Jana Kadah explains the barriers to affordable housing in San Jose.

Santa Clara County says goodbye to masks

This week, host Nick Preciado chats with Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe about Santa Clara County lifting its indoor mask mandate. Then San Jose City Hall reporter Jana Kadah explains how the city will spend millions of dollars from Google in connection to its downtown project.

Counting Silicon Valley’s homeless residents

Host Nick Preciado and reporter Tran Nguyen dive into the county’s biennial homeless count this week, including Ngyuen’s experience shadowing volunteers as they scoured under bridges, along creeks and outside businesses before dawn to count homeless people living in San Jose.

San Jose’s new gun policies: Hear from both sides

This week, host Nick Preciado welcomes two guests to dive into San Jose’s new gun policies, which include requiring firearm owners to buy liability insurance and pay an annual fee to help reduce gun harm. San Jose Vice Mayor Chappie Jones explains how the policy might save lives, while activist Kirk Vartan says it’s a half-baked plan with no teeth.

Valley Water won’t settle flood lawsuit

This week, host Nick Preciado chats with Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe about an ongoing legal battle between Valley Water and victims of a disastrous 2017 flood. Then reporter Jana Kadah explains how San Jose is clearing a massive homeless camp under the airport’s flight path.

Why we’re suing San Jose, Liccardo, and how Bloom Energy helped write policy

This week, editor Nick Preciado chats with San José Spotlight co-founder and CEO Ramona Giwargis about the organization’s joint lawsuit against San Jose and Mayor Sam Liccardo for skirting public transparency laws. Then reporter Tran Nguyen explains how newly-released emails show Liccardo’s friend, Carl Guardino, helped craft an exemption to the city’s natural gas ban that his company — Bloom Energy — benefitted from.

Emergency workers at VMC walk off job, a new jail approved

This week, host Nick Preciado and reporter Tran Nguyen discuss why emergency workers at Valley Medical Center walked off the job amid the biggest spike in COVID-19 cases. Later, Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe dives into the county’s decision to approve a new jail — despite strong opposition from the community.

Big plans for the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds

This week, host Nick Preciado chats with Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe about a new plan to transform the county fairgrounds into a cricket stadium despite calls to use the site for homeless or affordable housing. Then freelance reporter Lorraine Gabbert recaps a fight to save a food pantry from closure because of a pricey city permit.

San Jose explores allowing noncitizens to vote

This week host Nick Preciado dug into a new proposal in San Jose to allow people who are not U.S. citizens to vote in local elections with reporter Tran Nguyen. Later, Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe explains a move by county lawmakers to declare a public mental health crisis.

San Jose’s COVID booster mandate, a rise in homeless deaths

This week, host Nick Preciado talks to San Jose City Hall reporter Jana Kadah about the mayor’s proposal to require city employees to get a COVID-19 booster shot. Then reporter Tran Nguyen explains why homeless deaths in Santa Clara County have soared in recent years — and how activists are honoring the lives lost.

Sheriff Laurie Smith faces corruption accusations

This week, host Nick Preciado dives into new corruption accusations against Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith from the Civil Grand Jury with Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe.

Then, reporter Tran Nguyen hops on to discuss the $1.6 million sale of the historic Burbank Theater.

San Jose sweeps hundreds of homeless camps

This week host Nick Preciado speaks with reporter Tran Nguyen about her new data reporting revealing how many homeless encampments San Jose has cleared since January.

Then, reporters Lloyd Alaban and Lorraine Gabbert discuss San José Spotlight’s new documentary series highlighting the plight of essential workers during the pandemic, Backbone of Silicon Valley.

San Jose mayor’s new PAC, license plate readers

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado talks to reporter Tran Nguyen about her exclusive reporting on San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo’s new PAC and its $400,000 fundraising haul. Later, Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe breaks down a controversial San Jose proposal to use license plate readers to deter crime.

Coyote Valley: Both sides of the preservation debate

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado speaks to environmentalists pushing to preserve Coyote Valley and those who say private landowners have a right to develop it. The discussion, which features Green Foothills Executive Director Megan Fluke and attorney and ex-San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, follows a historic City Council decision this week to preserve the open space.

San Jose finally boots Thomas Fallon statue

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado talks to freelance reporter Lorraine Gabbert about a unanimous decision to remove a controversial Thomas Fallon statue from downtown San Jose. Reporter Eli Wolfe discusses a fight to save sacred land in South County.

Santa Clara County redistricting debate heats up

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado and Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe dig into the county’s redistricting process which is sparking heated debate. Then, reporter Tran Nguyen details a fight to reopen The Dragon Mountain, a treasured park that’s been shuttered for two years.

San Jose employee blows whistle on city contracts

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado dives into a report by reporter Tran Nguyen about a San Jose employee’s claims that lucrative contracts were given to a company because of its ties to Mayor Sam Liccardo. Then, freelance reporter Lorraine Gabbert explains how South Bay students are struggling with homelessness.

Redistricting raises ire in San Jose, mayor faces bullying in Los Gatos

On this episode of The Podlight, editor Nick Preciado talks to reporter Lloyd Alaban about San Jose’s redistricting process and why some new maps are angering residents and businesses. Then, Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe digs into bullying and harassment faced by the Los Gatos mayor.

San Jose struggles to save mural, Liccardo email fight continues

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado chats with Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe about the city’s push to save a beloved mural near downtown San Jose. Later, reporter Tran Nguyen details the latest developments in San José Spotlight’s fight for emails related to Mayor Sam Liccardo’s lobbying group.

SJSU president quits amid sex abuse scandal

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado digs into the abrupt resignation of San Jose State University president Mary Papazian amid a sex abuse scandal. Later, reporter Tran Nguyen examines how renters are coping with the threat of eviction after a ban on COVID-related evictions expired.

Exclusive: Sheriff Laurie Smith opens up about jail scandals

On this episode of The Podlight, editor Nick Preciado exclusively speaks with Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith about alleged mismanagement of county jails, warehousing mentally ill people behind bars, severe understaffing issues, looming investigations into her leadership and calls for her to resign.

What the end of single-family zoning means for San Jose

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado and Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe dig into two state bills that abolish single-family zoning in California — and explain what that means for local San Jose policies, such as Opportunity Housing.

San Jose police and fire oppose vax mandate

On this episode of The Podlight, editor Nick Preciado chats with reporter Tran Nguyen about why San Jose’s police and fire unions are opposing a new COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Later, reporter Lloyd Alaban digs into a fight between city administrators and a committee working on police reform.

San Jose City Hall vaccine mandates, diversifying the chamber of commerce

On this episode of The Podlight, editor Nick Preciado chats with reporters Tran Nguyen and Eli Wolfe about a new COVID-19 vaccine mandate at San Jose City Hall and efforts to diversify a business group marred by racist political ads.

COVID-19 cases in San Jose schools

On this episode of The Podlight, editor Nick Preciado chats with reporter Tran Nguyen about the number of COVID-19 infections at San Jose’s three largest school districts. Later, senior reporter Eli Wolfe dives into a vote of ‘no confidence’ in county Sheriff Laurie Smith.

Breaking down San Jose’s proof of COVID-19 vaccine mandate

On this episode of The Podlight, editor Nick Preciado and reporter Lloyd Alaban break down San Jose’s newly-approved COVID-19 vaccination mandate for events with 50 or more people at city-owned facilities.

Closure of Reid-Hillview Airport, Newsom stops in San Jose

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado talks to reporter Lloyd Alaban about a historic decision to begin closing the Reid-Hillview Airport and eliminating leaded fuel. Later, reporter Sonya Herrera hops on to recap Newsom’s visit to San Jose amid his recall election.

VTA workers call out toxic work environment

On this episode of The Podlight, editor Nick Preciado and Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe dig into a petition by VTA workers to investigate a hostile work environment and mistreatment by management. The calls come just months after a disgruntled VTA worker gunned down nine of his colleagues before taking his own life.

Masks required indoors, Liccardo’s PRA violation draws response

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado digs into the county’s decision to require masks indoors with reporter Lloyd Alaban. Later, reporter Tran Nguyen explains how a San Francisco law firm and a free speech advocacy group are responding to Mayor Sam Liccardo’s attempt to skirt public records law.

VTA faces workers’ comp claims, Viet Heritage Garden languishes

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado chats with Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe about the VTA facing workers’ comp claims — and possible lawsuits — from families of the mass shooting victims. Later, reporter Tran Nguyen hops on to explain why plans to build a Viet Heritage Garden have stalled.

A growing San Jose homeless camp

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado is joined by reporter Lloyd Alaban to discuss a growing homeless encampment in San Jose — and federal demands to clear it. Later, he’s joined by reporter Vicente Vera who explains how special interests are already lining up to support candidates in the 2022 elections.

Sajid Khan sets himself apart in DA race

In an exclusive interview with The Podlight, Public Defender Sajid Khan, who is challenging District Attorney Jeff Rosen in 2022, tells host Nick Preciado how he will overhaul criminal justice in Silicon Valley and why the area is ready for change.

Bloom Energy sues Santa Clara, the South Bay’s skyrocketing rents

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado digs into a new lawsuit filed by San Jose-based Bloom Energy against a neighboring city with reporter Sonya Herrera then breaks down a new report on housing affordability with Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe.

VTA light rail’s return and illegal fireworks

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado chats with reporter Tran Nguyen about when commuters can expect VTA to resume light rail service after a mass shooting in May shuttered operations. Plus, reporter Eli Wolfe explains how the South Bay cracked down on illegal fireworks — and whether it worked.

San Jose mayor’s advocacy group, gun control measures

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado digs into Solutions San Jose, Mayor Sam Liccardo’s secretive advocacy group, with Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe who broke a story about its connection to a consulting group linked to a racist ad. Later, reporter Lloyd Alaban hops on to recap Liccardo’s new gun control measures — which are already being challenged.

Contentious vote on San Jose Flea Market delayed

On this episode of The Podlight, host Nick Preciado chats with San José Spotlight reporter Lloyd Alaban about why the City Council delayed a controversial vote to redevelop the historic San Jose Flea Market. Later, he’s joined by reporter Tran Nguyen to break down a new report that reveals racial discrimination and income inequality in Silicon Valley.

Google, Laura’s Law win approvals in Silicon Valley

On this episode of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler and editor Nick Preciado dig into two major approvals that happened in San Jose this month — the city’s approval of a massive Google development and the county’s decision to opt into Laura’s Law.

San Jose reeling from VTA mass shooting

On this episode of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler talks to reporter Vicente Vera about a May 26 mass shooting at VTA’s rail yard in downtown San Jose that left ten people dead, including the shooter. Vera was on the ground in the aftermath of the deadly rampage as city leaders, VTA employees and heartbroken families struggled to cope, find answers and honor the victims.

San Jose casinos get stiffed, homeless encampments rejected

On this episode of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler and editor Nick Preciado explain why San Jose casinos are paying higher taxes under a new voter-approved measure — but can’t increase the number of table games, as the measure promised. Plus: A look at why the San Jose City Council rejected a plan for homeless encampments and how city-owned golf courses thrived during the pandemic.

Berryessa Flea Market plan moves forward

On this episode of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler and editor Nick Preciado dive into a decision this week by San Jose planning commissioners to greenlight a plan to develop the beloved Berryessa Flea Market — and how vendors fear it will leave them behind. Plus: A look at Valley Water’s rate hikes and a backlog in San Jose’s code enforcement division.

The Podlight: San Jose school closures, airport struggles and Thomas Fallon statue

On this episode of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler recaps the week’s top headlines with San José Spotlight editor Nick Preciado. Learn more about an East San Jose school district’s plan to close two middle schools, the downtown airport’s decline in passengers and an important vote to remove the controversial Thomas Fallon statue from downtown San Jose.

The Podlight: San Jose’s Google campus clears major milestone

In this episode of The Podlight, San José Spotlight editor Nick Preciado sits down with reporter Sonya Herrera to delve into Google’s massive 80-acre campus proposed for downtown San Jose. The project, more than three years in the making, cleared a major hurdle this week.

The Podlight: How Derrick Seaver will rebuild embattled business group

In this edition of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler sits down with Derrick Seaver, the new CEO of the Silicon Valley Organization, to dig into how he will rebuild the business group after a racist campaign ad last fall led to widespread fallout and distrust in the community. Seaver outlines plans to rebrand the organization, focus on equity, better support small and medium-sized businesses and revamp campaign strategy.

How San Jose mayor’s ally helped Bloom Energy skirt a natural gas ban

The Podlight: How Carl Guardino helped Bloom Energy skirt a natural gas ban

In this edition of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler delves into an exclusive San José Spotlight investigative report about how a San Jose energy company skirted a natural gas ban after Mayor Sam Liccardo’s close friend, Carl Guardino, led a robust lobbying campaign. Staedler also discusses water rake hikes coming this summer.

The Podlight: Urban Catalyst’s Erik Hayden talks Opportunity Zones

In this edition of The Podlight, host Bob Staedler sits down with Urban Catalyst founder Erik Hayden to learn more about Silicon Valley’s landmark Opportunity Zone Fund which has garnered national attention for driving urban development by transforming and revitalizing downtown San Jose with six major redevelopment projects.

The Podlight: Top stories of 2019

On the 8th and final episode of The Podlight, Bob Staedler sits down with San José Spotlight senior reporter Janice Bitters and San Jose City Hall reporter Nadia Lopez to recap some of the top stories of 2019.

The Podlight: An exclusive sitdown with Scott Wiener

On the 7th episode of The Podlight, Bob Staedler and San José Spotlight senior reporter Janice Bitters recap highlights from an exclusive fireside chat with state Sen. Scott Wiener hosted in November by this news organization. During the event, the San Francisco legislator discussed his most controversial bills, including SB 50 and SB 35, the fight for local control versus state control, fees on developers and how big tech is getting involved with tackling the housing crisis.

The Podlight: Google’s big plans for San Jose

On the 5th episode of The Podlight, Bob Staedler welcomes San José Spotlight senior reporter Janice Bitters to delve Google’s big plans for downtown San Jose and how the tech giant’s expansion into the city could impact the neighboring community.

The Podlight: The legendary Chuck Davidson

On the 6th episode of The Podlight, Bob Staedler and San José Spotlight senior reporter Janice Bitters share insights from Bitters’ rare and revealing interview with Chuck Davidson, a legendary San Jose entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist. Davidson, who helped shape the city charter, shared stories from his remarkable life and career.

The Podlight: Digging into anti-displacement policies

The 4th episode of The Podlight features the final of a three-part series focused on Silicon Valley’s crippling housing crisis. Host Bob Staedler and San José Spotlight City Hall reporter Nadia Lopez dig into preservation and anti-displacement measures, especially as Google looks to build a massive campus in downtown San Jose.

The Podlight: The three Ps of housing policy

The 3rd episode of The Podlight features the second of a three-part series focused on Silicon Valley’s crippling housing crisis. Host Bob Staedler continues the conversation with San José Spotlight City Hall reporter Nadia Lopez to explore the three Ps of housing policy — production, preservation and protection.

The Podlight: A look at San Jose’s new Section 8 discrimination policy

The 2nd episode of The Podlight kicks off the first of a three-part series focused on Silicon Valley’s crippling housing crisis. Host Bob Staedler sits down with San José Spotlight City Hall reporter Nadia Lopez to delve into a new city policy that aims to prohibit discrimination against Section 8 voucher holders.

Introducing The Podlight: Who are the players in downtown San Jose?

On the 1st episode of The Podlight, Bob Staedler sits down with San José Spotlight senior reporter Janice Bitters to look at the major players transforming downtown San Jose. It’s a primer for the who’s who of downtown, how we got here and who’s doing what.