San Jose will offer a yearlong business tax amnesty starting Jan. 1, 2026, waiving penalties and interest and aiming to recover roughly $3.1M while re‑registering lapsed businesses.

A federal judge preliminarily approved a settlement forcing Aetna to expand fertility coverage for same‑sex couples and setting up claims for Californians who were denied benefits.

Planetary Ventures sold a 1.45-acre Sunnyvale parcel at 494 S. Bernardo Ave. to an affiliate of California Communities and Mozart Development for about $15.5M, filings show.

A wildfire was reported Dec. 21 in the Panoche area of San Benito County; officials say it’s burning on private land and containment details were not available.

Seventeen people were arrested at the Great Mall in a multi-agency sweep that returned about $3,200 in stolen goods.

An interactive Chronicle database compiles thousands of California inspection reports and flags possible patient-harm incidents. What Bay Area patients should know before choosing care.

A San Jose trustee sang an off‑script holiday song at a Reed Elementary concert that a principal called inappropriate for kids. School leaders apologized and vowed tighter oversight.

Tech giants warn employees on visas about international travel risks due to long delays in visa stamping appointments, as American embassies prioritize security vetting.

San Mateo County police conducted an anti-human trafficking operation, arresting a 22-year-old on pandering and weapons charges, and emphasizing survivor support.

The California Highway Patrol issued an Ebony Alert for a missing 12-year-old girl, Esha Peairs, last seen in San Jose. Authorities are urging public assistance.

A pedestrian was struck and killed early Thursday near Fremont Boulevard and Delaware Drive. Police say the driver stayed on scene and investigators are seeking witnesses.

A software update and payment‑processor error left roughly 200 Bay Area customers temporarily charged 100x for gas; 7‑Eleven says it will issue refunds plus $500 payouts.

Maria “Mama Cuca” Marquez has returned to San Jose with her mesquite-charcoal Sonoran tacos, bringing the Taco Yaqui and other standouts back to the street. Expect limited runs and early sellouts.