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Opposition Voiced Over San Jose Homeless Arrest Policy

05/16/2025

Santa Clara County officials are voicing opposition to the proposal by San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan to arrest homeless individuals who refuse shelter.

Newsom Moves to Close Another State Prison. That Makes 5 Since He Took Office

05/14/2025

California’s falling incarcerated population has allowed Gov. Gavin Newsom to close four state prisons. Now he’s calling for a fifth.

California Local Pin Marker Recent Articles

San Jose Spotlight logo LOCAL NEWS
Santa Clara County to Prosecute Adult Care Homeowners for Wage Theft

She came to San Jose alone from the Philippines in 2016, expecting to be connected with a decent job and living arrangements so she could send money back home. Instead, what she encountered was a nightmare.
The Filipino woman, who …

Local News Matters logo LOCAL NEWS
SJ Councilmembers Push Back on Mayor’s Plan to Arrest Unhoused Who Refuse Shelter

SEVERAL SAN JOSE CITY COUNCILMEMBERS pushed back against Mayor Matt Mahan’s proposal to arrest unhoused people who refuse shelter during a budget study session meeting on Monday. Prior to approving the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget next month, the city council …

San Jose Inside logo LOCAL NEWS
Mahan Pushes Plan to Move Homeless Into Housing and Treatment

The mayor said the city can use repeat, non-violent misdemeanor charges to work with the Mental Health and Drug Courts to help compel people to engage in treatment.

San Jose Spotlight logo LOCAL NEWS
San Jose Mayor Wants New Police Unit to Arrest Homeless People

More details are emerging about San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan's plan to arrest or hospitalize homeless people for refusing offers of shelter — and the city could create a police unit to do so.
Mahan presented more details about his …

Gilroy Dispatch logo LOCAL NEWS
City Admin Evaluates Candidates for New Gilroy Police Chief

City of Gilroy officials are in the thick of the process to find and hire a new police chief, with Pedro Espinoza set to retire as of May 22.

San Jose Spotlight logo LOCAL NEWS
Santa Clara County Leaf Blower Ban Dropped Over ICE Fears

A discussion among Santa Clara County supervisors on everyday gardening tools this week morphed into concerns about immigration witch hunts.
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously axed Board President Otto Lee’s proposal for banning the use of gas-powered leaf …

San Jose Spotlight logo LOCAL NEWS
San Jose Fire Hid Drug Tampering, Patient Exposure

San Jose firefighters raised internal alarms in 2023 about addictive painkillers that went missing from their paramedic drug inventories, and gave morphine from tampered vials to patients with traumatic injuries, according to email records obtained by San José Spotlight.
The …

San Jose Inside logo LOCAL NEWS
DA Decides Not to File Charges in Morgan Hill Nazi Flag Incident

In March, a  Nazi flag was hung on the north Morgan Hill overpass in where supporters of President Donald Trump had gathered for a political demonstration.

San Jose Spotlight logo LOCAL NEWS
Santa Clara County Uses of Force Drop, Hospital Visits Rise

The Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office is reporting a slight downtick in uses of force last year — yet deputies sent more people to the hospital.
The annual use of force report shows total incidents, such as deputies punching people …

San Jose Spotlight logo LOCAL NEWS
Santa Clara County Probation Vans Bring Services to Homeless Residents

Santa Clara County wants to help homeless people on probation avoid extra jail time by bringing legal services to encampments.
People on probation are required to attend regular meetings with a probation officer and court hearings. But for homeless people …

Featured

California cities switch to more inclusive, district-based elections system.
Voting Rights...the Final Frontier
Pushed by activists, cities move from at-large elections to district races.
Access to abortion in California is limited in many areas, though state laws protect a woman’s right to choose.
Abortion Rights in California, Explained
But even in California, access to abortion services in many areas remains limited.
The California mental health crisis is tied to both homelessness and rising crime.
UPDATE: California’s Mental Health Crisis: How We Got Here
The making of Gov. Newsom's plan to help get mentally ill Californians into treatment.
The cycle of crime and homelessness is escalating, but it doesn't have to be that way.
Homelessness and Crime in California: Even More Complex Than You Think
What causes the cycle of homelessness and crime, and how to stop it.
The California Supreme Court has defined the state’s legal and political agenda for more than 170 years.
How the California Supreme Court Blazes Legal Trails
From its beginnings in the Gold Rush, the state Supreme Court continues to define the state today.
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