County funds more immigration services as federal enforcement escalates
Santa Clara County has earmarked more than $8 million in local funds for immigration related services in the recently adopted 2025-26 budget.
The funding builds on the county’s previous investments in services for the immigrant community that include an emergency $5 million allocation in 2024...
Cat declawing, book censorship among new 2026 laws
Every year, lawmakers in Sacramento introduce a flurry of bills, most of which are eviscerated during the legislative process and end up on the Assembly or Senate trash heap. A select few make it to the governor’s desk, and assuming they dodge the veto...
Hopes raised for promised pay increase
Cristina Cortez earns just $20.70 an hour running dialysis procedures for older patients suffering from kidney failure in the city of Gilroy. Because of her husband’s serious work injury in 2017 and their need to economize, her family of five moved an hour away...
PG&E offers free gas safety inspections at local homes
To help customers prepare their gas appliances for safe use during the cold months ahead, Pacific Gas and Electric Company is offering free in-home gas safety checks, the utility company said in a press release. During the gas safety checks, PG&E also will re-light...
State weakens plan for mandatory water cuts
Facing criticism over their ambitious plan to curb urban water use, California’s regulators Tuesday weakened the proposed rules—giving water providers more years and flexibility to comply.
Cities and urban water districts welcome the changes to the state’s draft conservation rules, which they said would have...
County healthcare patients to receive refunds
About 43,000 former patients of Santa Clara Valley Healthcare (SCVH) will soon receive notice of possible billing corrections and refunds as part of a settlement between Santa Clara County and some past patients of the public hospital system.
The county said in a news release...
Flu, Covid, RSV transmission increasing across state
Transmission of the flu, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus is increasing statewide simultaneously and could lead to overwhelmed hospitals this winter, one of the state's top health officials said Thursday.
Covid test positivity and case rates have climbed by roughly 25% over the last two...
Health officials urge public to vaccinate against measles
With the recent rise of measles cases in areas across the U.S., Bay Area health officials are urging everyone to get the measles vaccination if they are not sure if they have been vaccinated, or if they did not have measles as a child....
Apply for grants from Gilroy Assistance League
Gilroy Assistance League has announced the opening of its 2026 Grants Program, with applications available beginning Jan. 5.
The annual Grants Program supports local youth-focused organizations and programs that provide meaningful services to children and teens throughout the Gilroy, San Martin and Morgan Hill communities, says...
Santa Clara County seeks to add resources for caregivers
Santa Clara County is moving forward with a series of actions to support family caregivers in response to a recent county survey that found caregivers need more resources.
The county Board of Supervisors accepted staff recommendations and instructed them to create ways to address caregivers'...























