An appeals court affirmed that a controversial Black Lives Matter street mural outside Palo Alto City Hall did not amount to workplace harassment, ending a multi-year legal fight. The decision upholds a lower-court dismissal.

San Jose councilmembers are weighing a charter amendment to let the city use ranked‑choice voting for midterm vacancies, pitched as a way to avoid pricey special elections.

New reporting and national surveys show women elected officials in California face more threats and family-directed abuse than men.

At a May Day rally in East San Jose, Tom Steyer wore a "Workers Over Billionaires" shirt and pledged to tax fellow billionaires while pouring record money into his campaign.

Mayor Emily Ann Ramos used her State of the City to urge new revenue — from a possible November tax or bond — to pay for police and fire facilities, parks and housing.

At a Fresno rally, Xavier Becerra said he'd scrap the current high‑speed rail plan and push a new on‑time, on‑budget approach, jolting the June 2 primary race. The vow sharpened focus on the Valley's role in the project.

A June trial in San Jose will test whether Santa Clara unlawfully sidelined religiously exempt employees and whether they deserve back pay.

A major Mahan backer has asked for a $1 million refund after a pro‑Mahan PAC closed, raising new questions about where millions in ad money went.

A DOE national lab ran 'what‑if' simulations of Bay Area power, water and telecom links to help planners shore up the region before World Cup matches.

A Bay Area News Group review found Mayor Matt Mahan missed seven of 19 San Jose council sessions while campaigning for governor. The absences include regional board meetings as the June 2 primary nears.

Gov. Newsom signed an executive order directing California to study AI‑driven job disruption, from WARN updates to severance, training and a public dashboard.

AT&T has taken its landline fight to the FCC and federal court while pledging $19 billion to speed a switch from copper to fiber; regulators and residents warn losing landlines could endanger emergency access.

A Facebook reel shows a neighbor praising San José's 'accountability' as Mayor Matt Mahan restates his pitch to bring that approach to Sacramento.