Happy Earth Day! Today we celebrate the efforts our fellow humans (including some powerful Californians) have made and are making to help heal our planet and connect us, while we simultaneously consider what we must do to protect our communities as the climate crisis worsens. We begin with a tribute to a man who is given credit for lighting the spark that led to this holiday.
Below, as always, find a carefully curated selection of local news; a short tribute to a local nonprofit, and a tasty recipe.
• It’s Not Just High-Density—the ‘Builder’s Remedy’ Is Also Bringing More Sprawl
One of the tools in state housing law that’s generated excitement among YIMBYs for its power to build new high-density housing could also end up leading to just the opposite: urban sprawl.
(04/21/2024) → The Mercury News
• Repairs to Close Light Rail Station
Five light rail stations in Mountain View will be closed between April 24 and April 28 for infrastructure repairs.
(04/21/2024) → Mountain View Voice
• Saratoga City Manager to Retire
After serving for 10 years as Saratoga City Manager, James Lindsay announced his retirement with a last day of June 29.
(04/21/2024) → The Mercury News
• Cupertino Housing Element Approved
The California Department of Housing and Community Development has approved the City of Cupertino’s Housing Element, which outlines the number of units and locations of new housing to be built in the city.
(04/21/2024) → The Mercury News
• Board Votes to Advance Housing Project
The Palo Alto Architectural Review Board voted to approve plans for a four-story apartment building project on University Avenue.
(04/18/2024) → Palo Alto Online
• Palo Alto Backs Off ‘Historic’ Designations
Homeowner protest results in Palo Alto dropping plans to expand "historic" structure designations.
(04/17/2024) → Palo Alto Online
• Cupertino Budget Cuts Reconsidered
Resident and City Council feedback is leading to services slated for cutting due to funding shortfalls to be added back to the budget.
(04/17/2024) → The Mercury News
• Milpitas Approves Apartments
In its April 16 meeting, the Milpitas City Council approved a development project to build 118 affordable apartment units at 1300 South Main Street.
(04/17/2024) → The Mercury News
• Google Employees Protest Involvement in Gaza War
Google employees protested outside a company facility in Sunnyvale on April 16 over use of company tech in the Gaza war.
(04/16/2024) → The Mercury News
• Palo Alto Submits New Housing Plan
In their April 15 meeting, the Palo Alto City Council approved a proposal for a new Housing Element plan to build 6,086 homes by 2031, to be submitted to the state.
(04/16/2024) → Palo Alto Online
• Newsom Calls Out Republican Abortion Policies in New Ad Running in Alabama
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new ad blasts GOP efforts to make it harder for people to leave states with abortion bans and seek treatment elsewhere.
(04/21/2024) → Los Angeles Times
• As Salmon Are Released Into the Klamath River, Tribal Leaders See a 'Symbol of Hope'
California has released 500,000 salmon into the Klamath River. As dams are removed, the fish will be some of the first to return to a free-flowing river.
(04/20/2024) → Los Angeles Times
• A Private Calif. Ranch Holds Important State History — And It Might Be in Danger
Some residents fear development could destroy parts of the historic land.
(04/19/2024) → SF Gate
• After Previously Being Cleared, Three Alameda Police Officers Now Face Manslaughter Charges
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office has charged three East Bay police officers with involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 death of 26-year-old Mario Gonzalez.
(04/19/2024) → SF Gate
• A Plan to Change Your Utility Rates Is Dividing California Environmentalists. Here’s Why
The California Public Utilities Commission will consider on May 9 a new proposal that would change how Californians pay for electricity.
(04/18/2024) → CalMatters
• California Sets Nation’s First Water Standard for Cancer-Causing Contaminant
Water suppliers say the costs will be massive, with rates increasing for many consumers. Known as the “Erin Brockovich” chemical, hexavalent chromium is found statewide.
(04/17/2024) → CalMatters
• Senate Impeachment Trial Begins for Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas
Alejandro N. Mayorkas, a Cuban immigrant who grew up in California, is the first U.S. Cabinet official impeached in nearly 150 years.
(04/17/2024) → Los Angeles Times
• Paris Hilton Speaks Up for California’s ‘Troubled’ Teens
Heiress Paris Hilton is on a mission to shine a light on the "troubled teen industry," a largely unregulated multibillion-dollar industry that is gaining public scrutiny for alleged abuse of vulnerable youths.
(04/17/2024) → California Healthline
• In San Francisco’s Chinatown, a CEO Works With the Community to Bolster Hospital
Chinese Hospital, located in the heart of this city's legendary Chinatown, struggles with many of the same financial and demographic challenges that plague small independent hospitals in underserved areas across the country.
(04/16/2024) → California Healthline
