San Jose officials are intensifying their response to a rapid rise in copper wire thefts that have disrupted streetlights, traffic systems and transit infrastructure across the city. The growing criminal activity has led to widespread outages, costly repairs and mounting concerns from residents, businesses and transportation agencies. The issue was the central focus of a panel discussion on November 12 that brought together leaders from broadband, business, transportation and law enforcement

San Jose Mineta International Airport temporarily evacuated Terminal B on Friday night after a fire alarm caused what officials later confirmed to be a false alert. The unexpected activation of the alarm prompted an immediate response and the rapid clearing of the terminal as safety protocols were implemented. Airport authorities emphasized that the evacuation was precautionary and that no actual fire or safety threat was present at any time. According to airport officials, the alar

San Jose’s cooling pipeline for conventional homebuilding has put unusual emphasis on one small-scale format that continues to deliver results: accessory dwelling units. Backed by a wave of California legislation that curbed local barriers and clarified property rights, ADUs—once a niche backyard project—have evolved into a central element of the city’s growth strategy. Because they are constructed on existing lots and typically require fewer discretionary approvals than multifamily p

Less than a week after being convicted of murdering her fifth husband with insulin, Texas resident and former military veteran Sarah Hartsfield has filed an appeal to overturn her conviction and requested a new trial. The 50-year-old Chambers County woman was sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 30 years, following swift jury deliberations that concluded her fate. Her case has drawn widespread attention due to the unusual nature of the crime, her multiple marriages,

A once-vibrant symbol of youth empowerment in East San Jose has been reduced to rubble, ending years of community efforts to restore it. The former Mexican American Community Services Agency (MACSA) youth center, a landmark that stood as a gathering place for generations of young people, was demolished over the weekend, more than a month after a fire devastated the vacant structure. Excavators arrived early Saturday morning to bring down what remained of the facility. The demolition

The San Jose metropolitan area has topped a national ranking — but for reasons that signal growing trouble for California’s housing market. According to a recent HomeAbroad report analyzing U.S. Census Bureau data, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara region recorded the steepest drop in residential construction permits among the country’s 100 largest metro areas, with a staggering 68% decline over five years. In July 2020, the region issued 1,949 building permits. By July 2025,

San Jose officials have approved a landmark labor agreement that will provide city police officers with a 15.7 percent pay raise spread out through 2029, a move aimed at strengthening recruitment and addressing ongoing staffing shortages. The unanimous decision by the city council ensures that officers under the new contract will receive significant wage increases over the next three years, with the financial impact to taxpayers estimated at about $46 million in raises alone, not including long-

In East San Jose, the trauma unit at Regional Medical Center is once again alive with activity. Doctors and nurses are back to doing the work they were trained for: cutting crash victims out of their clothes, replacing blood loss from torn arteries, and holding shattered bones together while shouting urgent instructions through the chaos of an emergency room. The noise and intensity may sound alarming to an outsider, but to those who work there, it represents a vital return to function after

San Jose police will have to wait at least another year before the city considers bringing back its horse mounted unit, a once iconic division that served the city for more than a century before being disbanded in 2018. The San Jose City Council voted 6-4-1 this week to defer the decision until next year’s budget cycle, citing the city’s projected $25 million deficit and competing priorities. The mounted u

San Jose’s Little Italy neighborhood, known for its deep cultural roots and Italian American history, is at the center of a heated dispute over a proposed street renaming. The City Council is preparing to vote on whether part of North Almaden Boulevard should be officially renamed “Little Italy Way,” but the plan has stirred frustration among property owners and confusion within the very nonprofit that has long championed the neighborhood’s heritage. The rena

It has been an eventful stretch in court for San Jose bail bondsman Hai Huynh, a figure nicknamed the “Godfather of Little Saigon” whose presence has long loomed large in the city’s Vietnamese American community. Over recent weeks, Huynh has seen momentum shift in his favor in two separate courtroom battles — one involving District 7 Councilmember Bien Doan and another with Oakland recycling executive and power broker David Duong. The overlapping cases highlight not on

San Francisco is welcoming a new addition to its outdoor spaces with the grand opening of Cityside Park on Treasure Island, a project designed to reimagine the neighborhood and provide residents and visitors with breathtaking views of the city skyline. The park officially opens its gates at 11 a.m. Saturday, inviting the public to explore a destination that blends recreation, relaxation, and urban design innovation. Cityside Park is part of a broader redevelopment effort on Treasure

A violent smash-and-grab robbery at a jewelry store in San Jose has left the community shaken and sparked new fears among business owners across the Bay Area. The brazen heist, which took place Friday afternoon at Kim Hung Jewelry, has become the latest example of organized retail crime that many say is leaving shopkeepers vulnerable and fearful. Surveillance video shows a car plowing into the front of the business before more than 15 suspects stormed inside. Armed with hammers and

San Jose has been named the safest major city in the United States, according to a recent analysis that compared the 50 largest cities across the nation. The recognition comes from a financial technology company’s study that weighed key indicators of safety, including violent and property crime rates, traffic fatalities, drug overdose deaths and lifestyle risk factors such as excessive drinking. While the ranking places San Jose above other large metropolitan areas, city leaders and law

A devastating three alarm fire tore through the vacant former MACSA youth center in San Jose’s Mayfair district early Friday morning, leaving behind a shell of what was once an important hub for the local Latino and Mexicano community. Firefighters were called to the property at 600 Sinclair Drive around 1 a.m. after reports of a massive blaze. When crews arrived, the building was already fully engulfed in flames, making containment efforts extremely chal

San Jose city leaders have taken a firm stand against absentee landlords who allow properties to fall into neglect and create hazards for surrounding communities. In a unanimous decision, the City Council approved a dramatic increase in daily fines for code violations tied to blighted properties, raising the penalties from $2,500 per day to as much as $20,000 per day. The cap on cumulative fines was also lifted from $100,000 to $500,000, sending what officials

The Viet Museum in San Jose, an institution that holds deep cultural and historical value for the local Vietnamese community, has been at the center of a bitter dispute that has now escalated into a full-fledged legal battle. After being closed for months due to disagreements over leadership and governance, the future of the museum remains uncertain as lawsuits and accusations continue to mount. The conflict has pitted nonprofit leaders against one another, ra

Santa Clara County is urging support for a proposed sales tax increase that it says is critical to keeping its hospital system alive in the face of looming federal funding cuts. The measure, known as Measure A, would add a five-eighths cent sales tax and has been fast-tracked for the November 4 special election ballot. County officials warn that without additional revenue, essential public hospital services, trauma care, and safety net programs could be jeopardi

San Jose city workers started clearing a homeless encampment at Columbus Park on Monday morning, but the process took a tragic turn when a man was discovered dead inside his RV. Authorities confirmed that the body was found as crews began moving through the area. The cause of death has not yet been determined, but friends of the man believe the stress of the encampment sweep and the uncertainty of losing his shelter may have played a role.

San Jose’s newest elected representative has officially taken office, marking a new chapter for District 3 after a period of political turbulence. Anthony Tordillos was sworn in at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, joining his colleagues on the dais to the applause of supporters and community members. The moment marked the culmination of a fast-moving political journey for Tordillos, who previously served as chair of the city’s Planning Commission