Fremont let its homeless population double to over 1,000 between 2019 and 2022. Now, facing potential funding cuts from Sacramento, their City Council is targeting "perma-parkers." Outreach teams already visit homeless encampments to offer housing, but City Attorney Rafael Alvarado points out that parking must be banned on certain streets (e.g., next to school playgrounds) to avoid future safety emergencies. SJ Merc’s Kyle Martin reports.
Read MoreKyle Martin of Mercury News notes that Fremont’s homeless population doubled from 2019 to 2022, going from 608 to 1,026. The East Bay City is starting to implement solutions proven in SF to reduce chronic homelessness.
Read MoreSan Francisco's mayor-elect will inherit a massive budget deficit, a downtown in a Doom Loop, chronic crime and homelessness. Oh, did we forget to mention a federal branch that is probably not gonna be real friendly? SF Standard's Joe Rodriguez explores.
Read MoreIn an echo of SF Mayor Breed’s Tenderloin curfew, Norwalk has issued an urgency ordinance cracking down on liquor stores and payday loan shops, on top of several types of homeless shelters. Mayor Margarita Rios defends her city’s record supporting veterans and homelessness outreach. But experts say that the State will win, because the severe housing element mandate can trump a city’s bid to protect public safety, health, and welfare. SF Chronicle’s Sara Libby reports.
Read MoreIn an interview with Outkick, SJSU women's volleyball associate head coach Melissa Batie-Smoose says the university told her not to discuss her Title IX complaint—or subsequent suspension—with media. Below, Batie-Smoose explains why she believes San Jose State is unjustly suppressing her free speech.
Read MoreHomelessness everywhere. Lax law enforcement. Absurd housing prices and regulations. Nonprofit grifting on a massive scale. The boutique suburb to the north finally unburdens itself of decades of over-the-edge progressive policies and selects a new centrist mayor. From SF Standard.
Read MoreKevin DeLeon gutted out a City Council censure, calls for resignations, and a recall petition. But Angelenos finally voted him out. DeLeon had a wealth of connections with many Labor/left Santa Clara County politicians (take a guess with whom). LA Times reports.
Read MoreIn this year's bustling election cycle, it's been easy to plow forward and lose sight of who we are and what we value. Below, philosophy professors from UCSB and USF invite us to slow down—flip through books both present-day and as ancient as philosophy itself. Their Opp Now exclusive recommendations (below) explore how AI makes us rethink our humanity, if Daosim informs effective governance, and more.
Read MoreThe data re: the impact of the State's and Silicon Valley's increased minimum wage for fast food workers is in, and it's grim: jobs are down a net 5,400 this year, and employees have actually lost earnings amounting to $37 million. 93% of employers say they'll need to further raise their prices in the next year. Nat'l Review reports.
Read MoreAt Opp Now, we enjoy daylighting (and treating respectfully) alternate viewpoints traditional media ignores. But lest we wear rose-colored glasses about “free speech,” City Journal reminds, below, of its challenging implications. Though diverse self-expression can't create a *perfect* society, the alternative (speech-restrictionism) makes for far worse: a culture that's “morally inferior,” conflict-avoidant, and biased towards privileged elites.
Read MoreSan Francisco Mayor London Breed recently celebrated new data showing that the number of people living in tents in the city has hit its lowest point in six years. This comes after Breed—in response to SCOTUS' Grants Pass decision—began more vigorous encampment amelioration. KCBS reports on the latest numbers.
Read MoreSee all those empty office buildings in downtown SJ and SF? Ever think: hmmm, why can't we turn them into much-needed housing? The answer is—we can, but it will require substantial zoning and code changes. Pew Charitable explores.
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