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‘Pathetic weasel’ and other expletives: Rishi Kumar’s campaign allegedly sent profanity-laden texts to Silicon Valley elected official Kumar, who is running for Santa Clara County Assessor, claims the text “could not have originated from” the campaign.

‘Pathetic weasel’ and other expletives: Santa Clara County Assessor candidate Rishi Kumar’s campaign allegedly sent profanity-laden texts to a Silicon Valley elected official.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/31/p...

Here’s how much the special election for California’s partisan redistricting measure will cost Prop. 50 is expected to cost more than the 2021 gubernatorial recall election.

The special election for Prop. 50 is expected to cost the state $282.6 million — more than the 2021 gubernatorial recall election, according to a letter from the Department of Finance obtained by @mercurynews.com.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/09/12/h...

Santa Clara County hoped to build 4,800 new homes with Measure A money. How did they exceed that goal by 38%? Measure A funds are currently projected to aid in the creation of 6,665 new affordable homes.

Santa Clara County hoped to build 4,800 new homes with the $950 million housing bond passed by voters in 2016. Instead, the county is projected to exceed that goal by 38%. Here's how they did it:
www.mercurynews.com/2025/08/31/s...

Local voters file lawsuit to block Santa Clara County sales tax measure from the November ballot County officials say the sales tax measure will help offset federal cuts in Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill.”

A group of local voters filed a lawsuit on Monday to try to halt the Santa Clara County sales tax measure that is expected to help offset federal cuts made in Trump's "Big, Beautiful Bill." www.mercurynews.com/2025/08/19/l...

Ex-Santa Clara city manager sues her former employer, alleging harassment, retaliation and failure to pay her full six-figure severance Deanna Santana was fired in 2022 with the council citing a “lack of confidence” in her ability to do her job.

Ex- Santa Clara city manager Deanna Santana is suing the city, accusing officials of not paying her full severance & alleging she was retaliated against and the subject of a harassment campaign by the San Francisco 49ers and several City Council members.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/08/18/e...

Cupertino is violating state housing law, California’s top housing agency says The city was previously sued by pro-housing groups over the issue in April.

California's Department of Housing and Community Development sent a notice to Cupertino last month informing the city that it was in violation of state housing law.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/08/13/c...

VTA says switching tunnel design for BART extension would cost $600 million more — but independent experts call it “overinflated” A highly anticipated report on the San Jose BART extension revealed that switching the tunnel design could add $600 million to the project – an estimate questioned by independent experts who challe…

A new report on the San Jose BART project says switching to a different tunnel design will cost $600 million more. But an independent expert hired by VTA to review the report is questioning its “validity” and says the numbers are “overinflated.”
www.mercurynews.com/2025/08/11/v...

Evan Low paid $106,000 ethics violation fine with campaign donations A state watchdog organization found earlier this year that Low violated state campaign finance laws in 23 counts.

Former Assemblymember Evan Low was fined $106,000 by the FPPC in April for violating state campaign finance laws. New records show that Low paid the fine with campaign donations.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/08/05/e...

Records reveal Cupertino spent more than $20,000 to investigate ex-city manager who stepped down last month Pamela Wu stepped down last month after being placed on paid administrative leave in May.

Cupertino shelled out more than $20,000 on a previously undisclosed investigation into former City Manager Pamela Wu, who stepped down last month after being put on paid administrative leave for unknown reasons.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/07/24/r...

South Bay husband-and-wife legal duo that took on ‘David and Goliath’ sinkhole case against HOA awarded $6 million in fees A judge previously awarded the condo-owners $1.8 million and said the HOA engaged in “extensive deception.”

A Santa Clara HOA that "engaged in extensive deception" over an abandoned well under a condo now owes $6 million in attorney fees.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/07/22/h...

Following Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone’s resignation, a special election to replace him will cost at least $13.1 million Stone, 84, will step down on July 6.

The cost of replacing Santa Clara County Assessor Larry Stone, who announced he was stepping down earlier this week, will be hefty. County officials said it could cost at least $13.1 million, but as much as $26.2 million if a runoff is needed.

www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/26/f...

ICE detainments at Santa Clara County jail spark alarm over strength of sanctuary policies The sheriff’s office confirms four recent detainments of people upon their jail releases, and say federal agents are using publicly available data to conduct the enforcement actions.

ICE agents have been using publicly available online portals and leaning on jail staff to pinpoint release times of people they are seeking to deport. Santa Clara County said it won't interfere.

www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/24/i...

Santa Clara County finds record number of homeless residents in latest count The county’s homeless population increased 8.2% from the 2023 count.

Santa Clara County’s homeless population has hit a record number despite local efforts that moved more than 8,000 people into permanent housing over the last few years, according to preliminary results from the county’s “point-in-time” count.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/21/s...

Santa Clara County’s Rapid Response Network sees a surge of calls amid fears of ICE raids The county has invested more than $8 million in immigrant support services for the upcoming fiscal year.

Santa Clara County’s Rapid Response Network has seen a surge of calls this month as fear of ICE raids intensify across California.

www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/20/s...

Santa Clara County approves $13.7 billion budget — but fiscal challenges still lie ahead The county is still bracing for federal cuts to Medicaid and other social services.

Santa Clara County approved its $13.7 billion budget this week, but financial challenges still lie ahead as they brace for federal cuts to Medicaid and other social services.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/13/s...

This is the official bsky account for the Chicago Tribune Guild. We learned today that @chicagotribune.com is offering buyouts to our journalists. This move by Alden Global Capital, our rapacious ownership group, shows a total lack of vision and respect for the newsroom and the city we serve. (1/5)

‘Dreams will take root:’ Santa Clara starts the yearlong countdown to the 2026 World Cup The Silicon Valley enclave is one of 16 cities across North America that was selected to host the 2026 World Cup. The soccer tournament will feature teams from 48 countries — up from 32 &#821…

The one year countdown for the FIFA World Cup is officially on. Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara will host six matches next summer.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/12/d...

Amid Trump’s threats, Santa Clara County will continue funding gender-affirming care with local dollars The county will use $1.27 million from a reserve set aside earlier this year to offset the financial impacts of federal actions.

Santa Clara County is planning to use local dollars to continue funding gender-affirming care as the Trump administration threatens to revoke federal funding for programs that support trans people and the LGBTQ+ community.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/11/s...

VTA recommends dropping controversial tunnel contract for San Jose BART extension over cost The decision comes as the agency is searching for upwards of $1 billion in cost savings.

VTA officials want to end the tunnel contract for the San Jose BART extension over the cost. Agency officials said it will delay the start of tunneling by about 18-months, but don't expect it to impact the overall project schedule.

www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/09/v...

VTA recommends dropping controversial tunnel contract for San Jose BART extension over cost The decision comes as the agency is searching for upwards of $1 billion in cost savings.

It’s not. VTA said it’s independent of any tunnel redesign decision.
More here: www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/09/v...

Santa Clara could start charging for parking at the Convention Center, Franklin Square The city is hoping paid parking can be an alternative revenue stream.

Santa Clara could start charging for parking in two different areas in the city.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/05/30/s...

‘First and last lines of defense’: How Santa Clara County, San Francisco are leading the Bay Area’s legal fight against Trump Santa Clara County is on track to surpass the number of lawsuits it filed against Trump during his first term.

ICYMI: Santa Clara County and San Francisco have become partners in the legal fight against Trump. Read more about how the partnership was formed and how both counties view themselves as the "first and last lines of defense."⬇️
www.mercurynews.com/2025/05/27/s...

Will San Jose put a temporary ban on new smoke shops? A recent report found the density of tobacco retailers in East San Jose was more than double than that of the rest of the county.

San Jose is considering a proposal to place a temporary moratorium on new smoke shops in the city following a recent county health assessment that found the density of tobacco retailers in East SJ was more than double that of the rest of the county.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/05/29/s...

‘First and last lines of defense’: How Santa Clara County, San Francisco are leading the Bay Area’s legal fight against Trump Santa Clara County is on track to surpass the number of lawsuits it filed against Trump during his first term.

Santa Clara County and San Francisco have poised themselves as the "first and last lines of defense" against the Trump administration as billions in federal funds are at risk.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/05/27/s...

Santa Clara County wants to change its Medi-Cal model, but Family Health Plan calls it a “hostile takeover” The change will require state approval and is expected to take several years.

Santa Clara County wants to transition to a “single plan” model for Medi-Cal managed care in hopes of improving reimbursement rates. But the Santa Clara Family Health Plan is pushing back, calling the move a “hostile takeover” in a recently filed lawsuit.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/05/22/s...

San Jose charter school Downtown College Prep closing its 3 remaining campuses Decision was driven by declining enrollment and financial woes, according to the board of directors

Downtown College Prep will close its three remaining campuses next month, citing declining enrollment and financial problems.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/05/20/s...

The Trump administration has cancelled $85.6 million in federal grants to Santa Clara County — all of it related to public health County officials worry this is just the “tip of the iceberg.”

The Trump administration has canceled three federal grants to Santa Clara County to the tune of $85 million. All of them related to public health.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/05/19/s...

San Jose BART extension: Why hasn’t VTA released the report that could offer millions in savings? The report was supposed to be released last fall and the transit agency has refused to release it under the California Public Records Act.

VTA was supposed to release a report last year that compared the single bore and the twin bore tunnel design for the San Jose BART extension. The delayed release has raised concerns over transparency as officials try to close a massive funding gap.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/05/12/s...

Bracing for federal cuts, Santa Clara County executive pulls millions in federal funds out of the upcoming budget County Executive James Williams said they’re anticipating that the funds could be cut by the feds.

As Santa Clara County braces for federal cuts, County Executive James Williams is recommending pulling nearly $70 million in federal funds they would typically anticipate from the upcoming budget.
www.mercurynews.com/2025/05/06/s...

Santa Clara County has released its first Latino Health Assessment in more than a decade.
Here are some of the key findings ⬇️ ⬇️
mercurynews.com/2025/05/06/l...