Santa Clara City Council has voted 4-3 to let city staff approve some minor public right-of-way changes, a move that has sparked debate over sidewalk access, transparency and public input. The change allows the city manager to approve limited modifications such as fences, mailboxes or small structures near sidewalks without first sending every case to a public City Council hearing. Why Residents Are Concerned The issue has drawn attention in th

Oakland home prices are falling in 2026, but buyers are still facing competition in some of the East Bay’s most desirable neighborhoods. Zillow Home Values Index data showed Oakland’s average home value at $716,248 as of Monday, March 31, 2026. After inflation, that marked an 11.4% decline from 2025 and a 28.1% drop from 2019 levels. Why Oakland’s Housing Market Is Sending Mixed Signals Oakland was tied with Cape Coral, Florida, for the s

California Primary Debate 2026: When and Where to Watch California primary debate 2026 begins May 6, with Los Angeles mayoral candidates at 5 PM PT and the governor debate at 7 PM PT. Officials confirmed both events will be held at the Skirball Cultural Center and streamed statewide. LA Mayor Debate Candidates Take Center Stage Incumbent Karen Bass faces Nithya Raman and media personality Spencer Pratt. The race has intensified after criticism of wildfire response and rising homelessness concerns across Los Angeles. Governor Debate 2026: Who’s Running? Seven candidates are competing to replace Gavin Newsom. The lineup includes Xavier Becerra, Katie Porter, Antonio Villaraigosa, and others from both parties. Key Issues Driving Voter Decisions Moderators will focus on wildfire policy, immigration, public safety, and cost of living—issues shaping voter sentiment ahead of the June 2 election. Candidates qualified after crossing 5% polling thresholds in official surveys. Why This Debate Matters Before June 2 With California’s top-two primary system, only the leading candidates advance. Election officials say voter turnout could hinge on debate performance, making this one of the most critical political events before ballots are cast.

California 911 Upgrade Faces New Scrutiny California lawmakers are advancing AB 1805, a bill that would force a state audit of the troubled Next Generation 911 upgrade and tighten oversight of Cal OES after years of delays, technical failures and rising costs. Why AB 1805 Matters The California 911 upgrade was designed to replace aging emergency call infrastructure wi

Bay Area Gas Water Heater Ban Faces New South Bay Fight The Bay Area gas water heater ban is facing fresh South Bay resistance before a key BAAQMD vote that could decide how flexible the rule becomes for homeowners. Business leaders and local advocates rallied outside the Santa Clara County Building, urging regulators to pause or soften restrictions on new gas-powered water heaters and boilers. The rule, adopted by the Bay Area Air Quality Managem

Sakauye Farmhouse Saved in San Jose The Sakauye farmhouse has been moved to San Jose History Park after an eight-mile relocation, preserving a rare Japanese American heritage site once threatened by redevelopment. The century-old home, tied to farmer and educator Eiichi “Ed” Sakauye, stood on Seely Avenue in North San Jose, where new housing plans put the structure at risk. Preservation advocates say the move keeps a vital piece of Santa Clara Valley

California June 2026 Primary: What Voters Need to Know California voters will cast ballots in the June 2, 2026 primary, choosing candidates for governor and deciding local Bay Area races and ballot measures. The election includes a crowded race to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom, making early preparation essential. Key Voting Dates Counties must begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots by May 4, while ballot

Mountain View Boil Water Advisory Extended After Bacteria Detection The Mountain View boil water advisory remains in effect after coliform bacteria were detected in the water supply. Officials say residents must continue boiling tap water before drinking or cooking. What Happened and Which Areas Are Affected? City officials confirmed the issue impacts 23 homes, primarily along Drucilla Drive and Carla Court. The contamination began on April 24 when construction work allowed cement slurry into a drinking water pipeline. While tests detected coliform bacteria, authorities stressed that E. coli was not found, reducing the immediate health risk but still requiring precaution. Is the Water Safe to Use? Residents can use tap water for cleaning, bathing, and other household tasks. However, drinking water must be boiled until further notice to ensure safety. When Will the Advisory Be Lifted? Officials do not expect the advisory to end before May 9–10, as crews continue testing and treatment efforts. A “super chlorination” process is underway to fully disinfect the affected pipeline. What Are Officials Doing Now? City crews are actively flushing the system, monitoring water quality, and working to restore normal conditions. Officials emphasized that public health remains the top priority. For now, residents are urged to follow all safety guidelines as testing continues and updates are expected later this week.

Historic Pacific Café may close as owners retire after 51 years. A well-known San Francisco seafood restaurant recognized for its classic menu and complimentary wine service may soon shut its doors as its longtime owners prepare to retire. Pacific Café, located on Geary Boulevard, has been listed for sale for $195,000, raising concerns about the future of the decades-old establishment if a buyer is not secured. Co-owners Frank Gundry and Ross Warren, who have operated the restaur

California Governor Gavin Newsom has escalated his public criticism of Donald Trump by sharing another satirical design, this time featuring mock “limited edition” license plates bearing his own image. The post follows an earlier jab in which Newsom released a parody driver’s license design, both aim

Trump passport controversy and political satire response The Trump passport announcement has triggered a fresh political exchange in the United States, with California Governor Gavin Newsom responding through satire while federal officials confirm the authenticity of the new travel document. The controversy began after US authorities revealed a limited-edition passport featuring President Donald Trump’s image, marking a historic shift in official government docume

Long-term infrastructure upgrades drive rising utility costs San Francisco officials have approved a series of water and sewer rate increases set to begin in the summer of 2026, with additional adjustments planned through 2036. The increases are tied to a long-term capital improvement strategy led by the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure and maintaining system reliability. City data shows that portions of the water

What happened to Ernie Dosio in Gabon? A veteran hunter dies after elephant encounter A California vineyard owner and longtime hunter died after a fatal wildlife encounter during a safari expedition in Central Africa, authorities and affiliated organizations confirmed. Fatal encounter in Gabon rainforest during licensed hunt The incident occurred on Thursday, April 17, 2026, in Gabon, a Central African nation, where 7

The Northern California weather update is drawing major attention as a new storm system brings rain, thunderstorms, and Sierra snow across the region. The development could impact travel, daily life, and local conditions, making it one of the most important weather events this week. What happened and why it matters On Monday, April 20, 2026, a developing storm system began impacting Northern California, with scattered showers f

Millions of debit cards issued under California’s Middle Class Tax Refund program in 2022 are set to expire on April 30, leaving hundreds of millions of dollars at risk of going unclaimed, according to state records. The looming deadline has raised concerns for consumers who may still have unused balances but face difficulties accessing their funds. Data from the California Franchise Tax Board shows that only 43% of the distributed cards have been fully used, while approximately 10% have never been activated. That translates to roughly 960,000 cards still holding an estimated $400 million that could revert to the state if not claimed before the expiration date. Some cardholders report unexpected issues when attempting to use their remaining balances. In certain cases, cards that initially worked were later declined despite having available funds. Attempts to withdraw money at banks have also been unsuccessful for some users, with reports indicating that accounts were inaccessible or cards had been deactivated without clear explanation. Consumers have described ongoing challenges in resolving these problems through customer service channels. Calls to the program’s card provider, Money Network, have sometimes resulted in long wait times or difficulty reaching assistance. The company’s parent, Fiserv, said in a statement that it is implementing program changes in accordance with California requirements and the Better for Families Act. State officials note that some cards may be deactivated or funds frozen due to fraud prevention measures. They advise cardholders experiencing issues to contact customer service directly during weekday business hours, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Assistance will only be available through April 30. With the deadline approaching, officials are urging residents to check for unused cards and confirm balances as soon as possible. Any remaining funds not accessed before expiration could be returned to state lawmakers, underscoring the importance of prompt action for those who may still be eligible to use the money.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The race to succeed California Governor Gavin Newsom is gaining momentum as candidates compete in a crowded and unpredictable primary contest shaped by the state’s unique election system. California uses a top-two primary format, in which all candidates appear on a single ballot regardless of party affiliation. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes advance to the general election, even if they belong to the same party. This structure has int

A historic mansion in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood has sold in a private, off-market transaction for $56 million, according to public property records. The sale marks the city’s most expensive residential deal since a nearby property set a record in 2024, underscoring continued strength in the luxury housing segment. The property, located at 2898 Vallejo Street, was sold by a revocable trust linked to Daniel Alegre, a technology and media executive. The buyer was

The race to succeed California Gov. Gavin Newsom has shifted significantly following the abrupt exit of Democratic U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, who suspended his gubernatorial campaign and announced plans to resign from Congress after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced. Swalwell, once viewed as a leading contender in the heavily Democratic state, made his decision public on Sunday, April 12, 2026. He later stated on Monday, April 13, 2026, that he would step down from Congress, though he did not specify a timeline. In a public statement, Swalwell denied the allegations and said he would continue to contest them, while acknowledging that his focus on the matter would hinder his ability to serve constituents effectively. The developments have reshaped an already crowded and unpredictable race ahead of the June 2, 2026, primary election. A scheduled candidate gathering in Sacramento on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, marks the first major public appearance of the remaining contenders since Swalwell’s withdrawal. Separately, attorneys representing a woman accusing Swalwell indicated that additional allegations would be detailed the same day in Beverly Hills. With more than 50 candidates on the ballot and no clear frontrunner, political analysts suggest Swalwell’s departure may fragment his support base rather than consolidate it behind a single candidate. Democratic concerns persist that a divided vote could allow two Republican candidates to advance to the general election under California’s top-two primary system. Among Democrats, figures such as Tom Steyer, Katie Porter, and Antonio Villaraigosa are seeking to gain momentum. Meanwhile, Republicans remain divided, with former President Donald Trump backing Steve Hilton, while Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco continues to draw support within the party. Swalwell’s exit adds uncertainty to an already volatile contest, leaving both parties navigating a rapidly evolving political landscape in one of the nation’s most consequential state elections.

A birthday celebration at a waterfall in California turned tragic for an Indian software engineer who drowned after being caught in a strong water current. The victim, identified as Singireddy Sai Srihari Krishna from Andhra Pradesh’s Piridi village, was working in the United States at the time of the incident. The incident was reported on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Authorities have not publicly confirm

A California lawmaker is seeking federal action to reverse recent labor policy changes that could significantly reduce wages for seasonal agricultural workers across the United States. On Wednesday, March 26, 2026, Representative Zoe Lofgren introduced a resolution aimed at blocking new wage rules implemented by the