San Jose Inside

Nearly one-third of lawmakers — at least 37 of 120 — will be new to Sacramento, paving the way for new political dynamics and new legislative priorities.

Despite some early season rain, the U.S. Drought Monitor classifies 99.48% of California as  being in drought. About 85% of the state, and all of Santa Clara County, are classified as being in a severe, extreme or exceptional drought, with reservoirs well below their historical averages for this time of year.

The VTA board authorized the purchase of a high-tech tunnel boring machine for a massive underground train line under downtown from Berryessa to Diridon Station.

As of Wednesday, eight of California’s 12 major state-managed reservoirs were at less than 60% of historical capacity.

The Pacific Motor Inn will provide interim housing for 72 formerly unhoused individuals for two years before being redeveloped into permanent supportive housing.

The expansion of the quick-build communities increases the total number of units to reach the city’s goal of 1,000 units completed or under development by the end of 2022.

If he is confirmed, Ismail Ramsey will replace acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie Hinds, who has served in the role since Feb. 2021, when previous U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California David Anderson announced that he would step down following Biden's inauguration.

The Silicon Valley Guaranteed Income Project will give 150 Santa Clara County families who are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing $1,000 per month in no-strings-attached cash assistance for 24 months.

District attorneys in Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and two other counties alleged that Lavender Lingerie LLC did not clearly disclose automatic charges resulting from VIP memberships, did not get the proper consent for automatic renewal charges, falsely advertised the ability to use store credit, and misled the public over the prices of its products.

California’s nursing agency has approved rules that will allow nurse practitioners to treat patients without physician supervision.

The new law makes California the first state that will automatically seal most criminal records for those who complete their sentences.

For the past 30 years, the Air District has waged a war against wood-burning fireplaces while allowing oil refineries to continue to operate without impunity in the Bay Area.

The defendants in the attorney general’s lawsuits include McDonalds, Dupont and an Indiana school district.

Wood smoke is the Bay Area's major source of pollution in the winter. One fireplace can pollute a whole neighborhood, air district officials said.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo faces a backlash over the hiring of former Cal State Chancellor Joseph Castro for a faculty position. Castro resigned the chancellorship in the wake of a scandal over how he handled sexual harassment allegations against a top administrator.