Local Politics · Alameda County
Voters in five Bay Area counties will decide on a regional sales tax measure on November 3 that aims to fund public transit agencies facing significant financial deficits. If passed, the Regional Transit Measure would impose a half-cent sales tax in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties, plus a one-cent tax in San Francisco, starting April 2027. Proponents argue the measure is essential to prevent BART station closures and bus service cuts, while opponents cite concerns over accountability and suggest pausing major rail expansion projects instead.
Crime · San Jose, CA
James Whisenand pleaded guilty to the January 2008 rape of a 61-year-old woman in her San Jose apartment. The case was solved using DNA evidence after a match was confirmed in August 2024, leading to his arrest in Indiana in September 2024. Whisenand is expected to receive a 25-year prison sentence at his sentencing hearing scheduled for Thursday morning.
Community brief · San Jose, CA
The San Francisco 49ers recognized first-grade teacher Tracy Nees as their "Teacher of the Game" for an upcoming matchup against the Washington Commanders. Nees, who teaches at John J. Montgomery Elementary School in San Jose, was nominated by a former student's family for her dedication to students' emotional well-being and academic success. The recognition highlights Nees' career transition from the Silicon Valley tech sector to education…
