New analysis shows the San Francisco ICE region recorded about 217 arrests per 100,000 non‑citizen residents in 2025 — the lowest in the nation. Experts point to sanctuary law and community resistance as key factors.

Federal attorneys moved to block Petaluma and Morgan Hill's gas‑ban rules, arguing they violate a 1975 energy law and could raise costs for residents.

More than 100 people rallied at Mexican Heritage Plaza to denounce U.S. strikes in Venezuela and the capture of Nicolás Maduro. Local activists called the operation illegal and urged oversight.

A 9th Circuit panel ruled California's open‑carry ban unconstitutional in a 2–1 decision, targeting a population rule that covers most urban counties. The state is weighing rehearing and appeals.

A federal judge approved a $10M settlement after regulators said Disney mislabeled kids' YouTube videos, allowing data collection. The order forces a review program and new safeguards for video tags.

The California Supreme Court ruled judges can’t impose fines and fees defendants can’t afford, prompting remands and new ability‑to‑pay hearings across the state.

KRON4 reports a vote‑counting software error briefly miscounted ballots in Santa Clara County as officials process votes ahead of a Dec. 30 runoff.

San Jose's pilot program to retrieve abandoned shopping carts shows promise for a city-wide initiative but faces funding challenges and retailer concerns.

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.

Santa Clara’s council tucked $20.35M into year‑end budget documents to fund planning for a possible City Hall relocation to the Agnews/Oracle site, touching off immediate pushback.

A Civic Lens poll of 400 likely voters puts Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco atop early California governor polling, but strategists say a large undecided vote keeps the race fluid.

Council meets Tuesday to consider allowing the NFL use the Youth Soccer Park during Super Bowl week and a 4% Silicon Valley Power rate increase. Both items are on the year-end agenda.

Councilmember Ray Wang apologized after leaving a Dec. 2 Zoom council meeting about a housing project; his exit forced the session to end.