Santa Clara is advancing a comprehensive two-year plan aimed at reducing homelessness across the city by increasing shelter capacity, expanding outreach services, and supporting unsheltered residents through a range of targeted programs. The Santa Clara City Council recently reviewed a draft work plan that proposes 34 projects and initiatives aimed at addressing homelessness more effectively and sustainably. The plan includes building a new 90-bed shelter for families, piloting

San Jose State University has been recognized as one of the top public universities in the United States, receiving a five-star rating in a 2025 national college ranking that evaluated more than 700 four-year institutions. The ranking focused on a combination of academic quality, affordability, and alumni outcomes, placing SJSU among the best-performing public colleges nationwide. Only 19 public universities earned a five-star distinction, with 14 of them located in California. Sa

  Santa Clara County’s expansive public hospital system, the second largest in California, is now facing a financial crisis as sweeping federal budget cuts threaten to erase over $1 billion in vital revenue over the next few years. Just months after the county celebrated the expansion of its health system with the acquisition of Regional Medical Center in East San Jose, leaders now confront a bleak future triggered by President Donald Trump’s recent signing of H.R.

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

California families who rely on food assistance and other social safety nets may soon find themselves without critical support as the federal government moves forward with sweeping cuts to key programs. A Senate-backed budget reconciliation bill now under consideration in the House would slash $186 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next ten years, representing the largest funding cut in the history of the program. Know

Nestled at the base of the Santa Lucia Mountains, south of Salinas on California’s Central Coast, the vineyards of Scheid Family Wines stretch across fertile, fog-kissed land. Among these is Isabelle’s Vineyard, known for its high-quality pinot noir and chardonnay grapes that thrive in the cool marine air, warm sun, and nutrient-rich soil. But there's something more than just natural elements fueling this award-winning winery—it’s the wind. For over

California is taking a significant step toward establishing the country’s first official insurance standard for smoke damage, aiming to address a persistent and often overlooked issue affecting wildfire survivors. Every year, wildfires leave behind more than scorched land—they also blanket homes in soot and smoke that can carry toxic substances, even when structures remain standing. Currently, there are no statewide or national guidelines requiring insurers to cover the cost of testi

Nearly 100,000 California state workers will have their return-to-office mandate delayed by another year, thanks to a new agreement between the state and SEIU Local 1000, California’s largest public employee union. The revised deal, announced Sunday, pauses Governor Gavin Newsom’s previously mandated office return schedule for union-represented workers, shifting the timeline from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026. The decision marks a significant development for thousands of public em

More than 1,000 athletes gathered in the heart of the South Bay this weekend to participate in the highly anticipated Special Olympics, a statewide celebration of athleticism, inclusion, and community spirit. Hosted at Santa Clara University, the event drew competitors from 35 counties across California, all converging to test their skills, share camaraderie, and represent the unifying power of sports. The vibrant atmosphere on Saturday was marked by the sights and sounds of fr

Summer is the perfect time to get away from it all, and you don’t have to travel far to enjoy a quick, stress-free escape from Livermore. If you're craving a spontaneous weekend adventure but want to keep it low-key, check out these five nearby destinations that offer a refreshing change of scenery without the hassle of long trips. Each location is just a short drive away and offers a variety of activities, from beach strolls to scenic hikes and char

Intel has begun a significant round of job cuts in California, with over 100 employees at its Santa Clara office impacted by the ongoing cost-cutting and restructuring plan led by CEO Lip-Bu Tan. The layoffs are set to begin on July 15, 2025, and are part of a broader workforce reduction strategy aimed at streamlining operations and reducing bureaucracy. Intel disclosed these layoffs in a filing under California’s WARN Act, which requires notification wh

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

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

Shanny Feigenbaum, a dedicated Scout from Livermore, California, has achieved the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout the highest honor in the Scouts BSA program thanks to her impactful community project focused on wildlife conservation at Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area. Feigenbaum, a member of Troop 2942 sponsored by St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, becomes the third Eagle Scout from her all-girls troop. He

Dublin residents can look forward to another season of fun and family-friendly entertainment as the city brings back its popular Picnic Flix outdoor movie series for summer 2025. Beginning June 20, free movies will be shown every Friday night at alternating locations across Dublin. Each event begins at dusk, around 8:30 p.m., but moviegoers are encouraged to arrive earlier to enjoy snacks, games, and activities provi

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

San Jose officials have canceled this year’s Independence Day fireworks celebration at Almaden Lake Park, marking the first interruption of the popular event in a decade. The decision comes after serious safety concerns were raised following incidents during last year’s celebration, which drew more than 30,000 visitors to the neighborhood. For longtime resident Cathie Bacosa, the cancellation is a relief. Last July 4, she awoke around midnight to a fire raging in her b

The much-anticipated Alameda County Fair 2025 kicks off Friday in Pleasanton, bringing with it a vibrant mix of entertainment, rides, food, and family-friendly attractions that will run through July 6. The opening night will feature a live concert by the legendary band WAR, followed by a spectacular fireworks and drone show at 9:30 p.m. Drone shows will continue nightly after each concert, excluding July 4. Concerts

Rite Aid, the once-prominent national pharmacy chain now navigating Chapter 11 bankruptcy, is preparing to shutter 56 additional store locations across California, bringing the total number of confirmed closures in the state to 235 by 2025. As part of its ongoing financial restructuring efforts, the company is systematically downsizing its retail footprint, with California emerging as one of the hardest-hit states in this process. The latest wave of closures reflects the pharmacy chain’