In a move to safeguard access to emergency medical treatments, including abortions, the County of Santa Clara has thrown its legal weight behind a brief filed at the U.S. Supreme Court. The brief, supported by several localities across the nation, calls on the high court to uphold a decision that would block states like Idaho from enforcing near-total abortion bans that conflict with federal law, which mandates hospitals to provide emergency medical care. The case at hand stems from August 2022, when the federal government took Idaho to task over its stringent abortion laws, claiming they prev ..read more

In a unanimous vote that rings alarm bells for public safety, San Mateo County Supervisors stand united against AT&T's bid to disconnect the lifeline of the community's most vulnerable—its landline telephone service. The telecom giant's plea to the California Public Utilities Commission to drop the mantle of Carrier of Last Resort threatens to leave residents in the lurch, particularly during dire emergencies like wildfires. San Mateo County's official website details the resolution passed—which points out that, if AT&T gets its way, dependable free access to 911, and vital telephone r ..read more

San Mateo and Foster City are joining forces to boost their response to mental health crises. The Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team (CWCRT) is expanding, a move celebrated by both cities' police departments, which now includes a full-time licensed mental health clinician shared between the two areas, according to a report obtained by the city of San Mateo. The initiative, which kicked off as a pilot program in December 2021, puts clinicians on the front lines with cops during specific emergency calls. The goal is to de-escalate situations and provide immediate, as well as long-term ..read more

Jury duty scams are rising in Santa Clara County, and officials are sounding the alarm to protect the public from fraudsters posing as court authorities, according to a press release issued by the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara. The court's announcement details the cunning strategies of scammers who impersonate government officials and use doctored images to trick victims into believing they have missed jury service and owe fines. In these deceptive schemes, the perpetrators, presenting themselves as officers of the court or law enforcement agents, claim to have official b ..read more

San Jose's cityscape is set to trade car horns for footsteps as the City Council approved a motion to transform San Pedro Square into a bustling pedestrian-only zone. The stretch of San Pedro Street from West Santa Clara Street to Saint John will no longer accommodate vehicles, a move praised by local business owners and residents alike who have enjoyed the benefits of open streets since the start of the pandemic in 2020. The historical decision marks San Jose’s first permanent pedestrian mall in over half a century. Understandings forged during the pandemic have carried into this urban evolut ..read more

In a unanimous decision, the Board of Supervisors in Redwood City approved a controversial ordinance targeting homelessness by coaxing individuals out of illegal encampments into shelters. Termed "Hopeful Horizons: Empowering Lives," the initiative was introduced by Board President Warren Slocum and Supervisor Dave Pine, as reported by the county's press release. The measure stipulates that after a minimum of two written warnings and declined offers of shelter, those residing on public property can be charged with a misdemeanor. The ordinance, still awaiting a final read before it can fully co ..read more

San Jose officials are stepping up their efforts to manage the city's homeless situation by proposing a ban on encampments along a key portion of the downtown Guadalupe River. This move, aimed to maintain the area's cleanliness and safety, is a first for the city, reported The Mercury News. The plan was announced Saturday and targets a half-mile stretch known for its unkempt tents and RVs that have reportedly blocked public access. Mayor Matt Mahan, who has taken a tougher stance on homelessness, announced the encampment ban on his Twitter account: "Today, we unveil a crucial memo to ensure th ..read more

Cracking down on wage theft just got a major boost in Sonoma County, as the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division in San Jose teams up with the local DA's office to lay down the law on labor rights violations. This newly-inked alliance aims to amplify enforcement and outreach efforts by sharing know-how and keeping a watchful eye on slimy employers looking to cheat workers out of their hard-earned cash. According to the Department of Labor, this five-year deal is all about synergy - pooling resources, expertise, and legal muscle to go after the bad actors, with wage theft being a n ..read more

Redwood City steps up its game for low-wage workers. The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors unanimously decided to set up an arm to educate and, later, to enforce wage laws and labor protections. This new office comes with the hefty title of the Office of Labor Standards Enforcement and is the go-to for everything you need to know about the rights of those who earn the least. In a resolution well-received by labor advocates, the Board has promised attention to "low-income workers, workers from vulnerable populations such as women, people of color, immigrants, people who identify as LGBTQIA ..read more

As San Jose's homelessness crisis persists, Mayor Matt Mahan doubles down on tiny homes as a remedy. In a recent X post, Mahan declared, "I’m not a betting man — but if I was, I’d bet on San Jose’s approach to street homelessness." He champions the city's push to expand its village of tiny house shelters, seeing an 11 percent reduction in unsheltered homelessness. Despite the reported successes, there's skepticism about this strategy as a long-term solution. I’m not a betting man — but if I was, I’d bet on San Jose’s approach to street homelessness. (1/3) https://t.co/h1J3DLUBlw — Mayor Matt ..read more