Residents of San Ramon, California interested in shaping the city’s future development have a limited window to apply for an open seat on the San Ramon Planning Commission. The commission, which advises the City Council on land use and growth-related decisions, is now accepting applications to fill a four-year term. The deadline to submit applications is Thursday, July 31 at 5 p.m. Interviews for eligible candi

United States Representative Sam Liccardo, a Democrat from San Jose, is raising serious concerns about whether recent federal job and funding cuts are weakening the ability of national agencies to protect marine life in the San Francisco Bay Area. His inquiry comes amid a troubling spike in whale deaths recorded along Northern California's coastal waters. According to regional scientific data, at least 24 whales have died in the Bay Area so far this year. A significant number of those dea

Dozens of Lady Gaga fans were treated to an unexpected but memorable experience as Caltrain offered a themed ride from San Jose to San Francisco’s Chase Center, where the pop icon was performing. The unique event turned an ordinary commute into a celebration of music, fandom, and public transit culture, delighting passengers who had no idea the ride would become a Gaga-themed party on rails. Among those on board were siblings Tempest and Athena Won, who initially planned to

An attempted smash and grab robbery at a Sunnyvale jewelry store was successfully stopped by armed employees on Friday afternoon, in what police say is the latest in a growing series of similar crimes across the Bay Area. The incident occurred at a jewelry store located on East El Camino Real, between Poplar Avenue and Helen Avenue, just west of Lawrence Expressway. Authorities confirmed that the suspects attempted to gain access to the building by ramming a vehicle into the storefront in bro

COVID-19 is making an unexpected resurgence in California, with San Francisco showing some of the highest levels of the virus detected in wastewater surveillance since the previous winter season. According to newly released data from the California Department of Public Health, the virus is present at moderate levels across most of the state, but certain areas, especially the Bay Area, are recording alarming spikes. In San Francisco specifically, six out of nine wastewater testi

As immigration enforcement actions continue across the country, a wave of fear is gripping undocumented immigrant families in the Bay Area, particularly in San Francisco. With growing concerns over sudden detentions and deportations, many immigrant parents are taking emotional and unprecedented steps to ensure their children are cared for in case they are separated. Some have gone as far as asking their children’s summer camp counselors to act as temporary guardians. In t

A Bay Area couple is facing stress and frustration after a costly mistake nearly caused them to overpay $30,000 to the Internal Revenue Service. The error, made while attempting to submit their estimated 2025 tax payment early, has led to bounced checks, a financial penalty, and weeks of confusion with no clear resolution in sight. Joy and Kenneth Hays, residents of Livermore, California, were trying to make an early payment on their taxes, expecting to pay $3,360. But a simple mi

Bishop Ranch, one of the Bay Area’s largest and most influential business parks, is experiencing a remarkable resurgence in commercial leasing. In the first half of 2025 alone, Bishop Ranch signed 15 new long-term lease agreements totaling over 254,000 square feet, according to Sunset Development Corporation, the property’s owner and operator. This significant leasing activity represents a shift toward st

Livermore, California, is a gateway to the natural beauty of the East Bay. Known for its vineyards, rolling hills, and wide-open landscapes, it’s also home to some of the region’s most scenic and accessible hiking trails. Whether you're seeking a casual walk, a cardio-boosting ridge run, or a secluded backcountry challenge, these six hiking spots offer something for every type of outdoor enthusiast. Here’s a closer look at the best hiking

Apple has made headlines with its latest real estate investment spree, spending over half a billion dollars in just one week. The tech giant finalized two major property purchases in Silicon Valley, underscoring its commitment to expanding its footprint in the region. On June 24, Apple closed a deal to acquire the 220,000-square-foot Cupertino Gateway complex for $166.9 million. Located on North Tantau Avenue in Cupe

The Bay Area is undergoing a retail transformation as former big-box stores give way to a growing wave of Asian grocery chains and culinary destinations. Across the region, from San Francisco to the South and East Bay, large retail spaces once occupied by legacy department stores are being reimagined as vibrant Asian markets and food hubs. These developments signal a changing consumer landscape, deeply influenced by shifting demographics and cultural preferences. In Daly City, a f

Santa Clara came alive this weekend as Metallica headlined back-to-back concerts at Levi’s Stadium, delivering two nights of high-octane performances that drew fans from across the globe. Although the iconic metal band was originally formed in Los Angeles, San Francisco has long been their spiritual home, making this Bay Area stop particularly meaningful for both the band and their loyal followers. The double-header event was part of Metallica's ongoing global tour and celebrated th

The City of Milpitas in California is increasing its minimum wage again starting in early July, continuing its effort to align worker compensation with the rising cost of living in the Bay Area. This change is part of the city’s local ordinance that mandates an annual wage adjustment based on the Bay Area Consumer Price Index (CPI) published by the U.S. Department of Labor. Under the current revision, all eligible workers within city limits must be paid a new hourly wage rate, which is

We've all had that moment. You're at a restaurant, the food is hot and ready, and the waiter asks, “Would you like sauce or ketchup?” You freeze for a second. You smile politely, pretend to know, but deep down you’re unsure what exactly the difference is. You want to ask, but you hold back. You think of searching it on your phone later, but the moment passes. Days go by and then, while casually scrolling during your break or while relaxing, you stumble across this ar

A Lake County man has become the latest victim in a wave of text scams impersonating California’s FasTrak toll service. These fraudulent messages are being sent to mobile phones across the Bay Area, falsely claiming that recipients owe unpaid tolls and directing them to fake payment sites. For 72-year-old Tracy Jeffords, the scam proved devastating. He lost more than $3,300 after entering his debit card details into a phony site linked through the fraudulent message. Jefford

San Ramon is celebrating 40 years of community fitness and fun with the return of its popular Run San Ramon event on July 4, 2025. Residents and visitors alike are invited to join in the tradition by participating in one of three races: a 5K, 10K, or the Fastest Mile. The family-friendly event is a great way to kick off Independence Day and encourages all levels of runners, joggers, and walkers to take part. The even

A long-established family-run jewelry store in Fremont became the target of a violent and coordinated smash-and-grab robbery on Wednesday, shaking the sense of safety for the owners and the surrounding community. The store, which has been part of the neighborhood for over three decades, was severely damaged when a group of 15 masked individuals rammed a vehicle through its front entrance and stole valuable merchandise within seconds. The break-in took place in broad daylight, leav

A disturbing incident unfolded near the Tesla plant in Fremont, California, where Austin Hills, the 45-year-old heir to the prominent Hills Bros. Coffee family, now faces serious felony charges. The case has drawn widespread attention not only because of Hills' lineage but also due to the bizarre and aggressive nature of the events that led to his arrest. According to court documents, the incident began around 3:15 a.m. last Thursday when Hills, driving a Land Rover, allege

The countdown has begun as the Bay Area prepares to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara is slated to host six major matches, and with exactly one year remaining until kickoff, preparations are in full swing to transform the region into a world-class destination for the global soccer community. Estimates suggest that the tournament could bring more than half a million visitors to the Bay Area, making it one of the most significant sporti

A massive crowd of approximately 5,000 people lined the stretch of Dublin Boulevard from Interstate 680 to Dougherty Road on Saturday, participating in the Bay Area’s only No Kings Protest, a global movement sparked by ongoing concerns over immigration enforcement and authoritarian leadership. Organized by Indivisible Tri-Valley, the demonstration was a loud and visual statement against U.S. Immigration and Cus