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

A tragic incident occurred early Sunday morning on Interstate 280 in San Jose, resulting in the death of a female pedestrian. According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision happened at approximately 2:45 a.m. as a Toyota Corolla was traveling southbound at about 65 miles per hour, approaching the interchange with Highway 87. For reasons that remain under investigation, the pedestrian entered the active lanes of traffic, walking directly into the pa

As California cities increasingly pass laws banning homeless encampments and intensify sweeps, a group of state lawmakers from the San Jose area is moving in the opposite direction. They are backing legislation aimed at protecting homeless individuals and the people who help them from criminal penalties. Senate Bill 643, co-authored by State Senator Sasha Perez and Assemblymembers Ash Kalra, Alex Lee, and Matt Haney, would prohibit cities from enacting ordinances that stop organiz

A high-stakes contest is unfolding in Santa Clara County as candidates scramble to replace longtime Assessor Larry Stone in a special election scheduled for November 4. With the nomination period closing on Friday, a growing roster of hopefuls has already raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in what is shaping up to be a fiercely competitive race. The victor will temporarily fill Stone’s seat until December 2026, with a formal reelection campaign required in 2025 for a full term.

The San José Police Department has introduced a groundbreaking use of artificial intelligence to strengthen communication with the city’s diverse population. Chief Paul Joseph unveiled a video message where AI technology converted his voice into Spanish, allowing him to directly address Spanish-speaking residents in a language he does not speak fluently. This effort is aimed at easing fears within immigrant communities and ensuring that everyone feels safe reporting crimes withou

San Francisco has officially started issuing citations to drivers caught speeding by its network of traffic cameras, marking the end of the two-month warning phase of the city’s road safety initiative. The city is part of a statewide effort to curb speeding-related accidents through a pilot program that uses automated speed enforcement technology. Beginning Tuesday, any vehicle detected traveling at least 11 miles per hour over the posted speed limit on designated streets will be subjec

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has positioned himself as a rising political figure, drawing attention beyond city limits with a mix of controversial proposals and bold policies. However, the future of his career depends heavily on the state of San Jose at the end of his term and whether his ambitious promises translate into tangible results. His leadership has been marked by efforts to address homelessness, improve public safety, and stimulate economic growth, yet these policies have sparked both

  Santa Clara County is grappling with a severe housing shortage as the number of homeless individuals continues to rise faster than the construction of new shelters and affordable homes. Recent data reveals that there are 10,711 homeless people in the county but only 3,454 beds across 38 temporary shelters and programs. This means that for every three unhoused individuals, only one bed is available, underscoring the urgent need for expanded housing solutions. The c

In a striking turnaround that reshaped the San Jose political landscape, Anthony Tordillos claimed victory in the District 3 special election runoff after initially placing second in the April 8 primary. As chair of the San Jose Planning Commission, Tordillos entered the race with relatively low name recognition compared to his opponent, Gabby Chavez-Lopez, who had built her profile through leadership in a community-focused organization. Despite this, Tordillos secured a commanding win in the ru

An endangered missing advisory has been issued for two young girls reported missing from San Jose early Thursday morning. The California Highway Patrol is seeking public assistance in locating the two minors, both considered at risk due to their age and unknown circumstances. The missing children are identified as 11-year-old Paulina Rodriguez-Morales and 13-year-old Yaneretzi Paredes-Estrada. They were last seen around 2 a.m. Thursday in San Jose and are believed to be traveling

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

A cultural and community-driven revival is bringing new life to the Creekside neighborhood in downtown San Jose. Once a relatively quiet area near the city’s western edge, the neighborhood is experiencing renewed energy through public art, outdoor events, and social spaces designed to reengage the local population and support small businesses. It began with a local initiative called Creekside Socials, which introduced occasional events to activate underused public ar

In a historic gesture of recognition and cultural respect, the California State Assembly has unanimously passed a bill to rename a significant stretch of Highway 101 in San Jose as the "Little Saigon Freeway." Authored by Assemblymember Ash Kalra, the bill designates the portion of Highway 101 between the Story Road exit and the I-280/680 interchange—just under half a mile in length—for this honor. The renaming serves as a tribute to the vibrant Vietnamese American commu

Downtown San Jose’s nightlife scene is under scrutiny after it emerged that certain high-profile venues have been operating past midnight without proper permits, sparking outrage among other business owners who say they have faced a long and expensive battle to comply with the city’s strict regulations. Two popular venues — San Pedro Social and Kaizen Lounge — have run large-scale nightlife operations in violation of city requirements for more than a year, raising questio

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