A warm and memorable Friendsgiving celebration brought together families from Santa Clara County’s support and advocacy programs at Happy Hollow Park and Zoo in San Jose, creating an atmosphere centered on unity, wellness and meaningful connection. Held on November 15, the event welcomed families participating in the Dependency Wellness Court and the Court Appointed Special Advocates program. It offered them a rare opportunity to share time together in a supportive setting designed to reduce s

Santa Clara County’s recently approved sales tax increase has triggered a growing conflict among its supporters, with county officials, law enforcement leaders and community advocates divided over how the revenue should be distributed. The dispute centers on Measure A, a five-eighths-cent sales tax increase approved by 57% of voters, which county leaders described as a critical source of funding for the region’s strained public hospital system. Now, disagreements over future budget alloca

California voters have overwhelmingly approved Proposition 50, Governor Gavin Newsom’s controversial redistricting plan that reshapes congressional boundaries across the state. The measure, which effectively suspends California’s independent redistricting commission until the next census in 2030, has drawn both praise and criticism for its potential impact on partisan balance and democratic fairness. Early results show Proposition 50 passing decisively, with approximately 65 per

California’s November special election delivered a series of important outcomes across the state, with voters approving Proposition 50 and influencing key local and regional contests. The measure’s passage marks a step forward for state policymakers and sets the stage for new political alignments, while the Bay Area saw a mix of recall efforts, fiscal proposals, and local leadership decisions taking shape through the night. Proposition 50 gained strong support statewide and was pr

A former Santa Clara County correctional officer who now serves as president of the NAACP San Jose/Silicon Valley branch is suing the county and its officials after a personnel board upheld findings that he engaged in sexual harassment and intimidation of a female co-worker. Sean Allen, who was fired from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office in 2023 following a lengthy investigation, claims he was the victim of bias and retaliation and is seeking to overturn the decision that ended his l

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, Calif. — Deputies with the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office say their pilot Taser program has helped reduce violence inside local jails, even as civilian watchdogs question whether the department is providing full transparency about its use of the devices. A recent report from Sheriff Bob Jonsen’s office shows that Tasers were deployed only nine times out of 252 total incidents in which correctional officers used force or weapons during confrontations wi

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

Santa Clara County is taking an innovative step to reduce food waste and at the same time support residents struggling with food insecurity. The county has rolled out a food recovery program that directly places commercial refrigerators stocked with fresh produce and ready-to-eat meals inside affordable housing developments. Residents can now access nutritious food right where they live without needing to travel long distances or rely on irregular food distribution events. The initi

In a recent town hall event at John Muir Middle School, Congressmember Sam Liccardo and Santa Clara County Supervisor Sylvia Arenas engaged with residents of South San Jose to discuss a range of pressing issues. The meeting, held Thursday, provided a platform for residents to voice their concerns on various political and social matters, from the federal government's stance on immigration to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and public health challenges.

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

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.

Santa Clara County officials are preparing to propose a sales tax increase to voters in an effort to safeguard the county’s public hospital system from severe federal revenue losses. The Board of Supervisors is expected to convene a special meeting around August 7 to decide whether to place the measure on the November 4 ballot. The proposed five-eighths cent sales tax would raise the current rate from 9.125% and is seen as a crucial step to help offset billions in anticipated funding cu

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

  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.

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

Santa Clara County property values have reached a historic high, with the total net assessed value of real estate and personal property now approaching $726 billion. This rise, however, comes with a significant caveat: it reflects the county’s slowest year of growth in more than a decade. Economic uncertainty, mounting construction costs, and a steep drop in demand for commercial space have created strong headwinds for the region's development. Despite the record-setting

A persistent rat infestation has kept a Cupertino grocery store closed for more than two months, marking one of the most severe health enforcement cases in Santa Clara County this year. Located on Stevens Creek Boulevard, the store initially suspended operations in its deli, juice bar, and bakery in late March after health inspectors found evidence of rodent contamination in areas visible to customers. Despite multiple pest control efforts, including baiting and capturing at least one roof rat,

Santa Clara County supervisors have taken a major step toward adopting a $14 billion budget that attempts to preserve essential public services amid mounting state and federal funding threats. The unanimous preliminary approval followed weeks of hearings and workshops, with final adoption expected on June 17. However, the mood among county leaders was far from celebratory, as they confronted the reality of declining external support and growing local demand. Supervisors acknowledg

Santa Clara County is facing a significant structural budget deficit heading into the 2025-26 fiscal year, compelling leaders to make hard choices that could affect critical social services. With a projected $70 million drop in federal funding, plus anticipated state reductions, county officials are navigating how to minimize the damage to essential programs that serve the most vulnerable residents. One of the major outcomes of the budget proposal is the elimination of 279 full-ti

A Filipino woman who arrived in San Jose alone in 2016 found herself trapped in a cycle of exploitation after accepting a job as a live-in caregiver at a residential care facility for elderly people. She had expected the opportunity to bring financial support to her family in the Philippines, but instead was subjected to relentless labor without overtime pay, limited freedom, and unwanted advances from her employer. The woman, who was in her 60s at the time and requested anonymity to protect