Name: Santa Clara County says goodbye to masks by The Podlight
Duration: 9 min 16 s
Description: This week, host Nick Preciado chats with Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe about Santa Clara County lifting its indoor mask mandate. Then San Jose City Hall reporter Jana Kadah explains how the city will spend millions of dollars from Google in connection to its downtown project.

This week, host Nick Preciado chats with Senior Reporter Eli Wolfe about Santa Clara County lifting its indoor mask mandate. Then San Jose City Hall reporter Jana Kadah explains how the city will spend millions of dollars from Google in connection to its downtown project.

Santa Clara County says goodbye to masks

A federal judge this month dismissed legal challenges to San Jose's landmark gun safety measures that made national headlines. But will the policies prevent gun violence and mass shootings? Co-host Nick Preciado takes a closer look with Mothers Against Murder Executive Director Margaret Petros.

San Jose's gun safety debate

Santa Cruz Local recently published a three-part investigation into how public money is spent on homeless services in Santa Cruz County. In today’s episode, we’ll discuss why we took on this investigation and several of the key takeaways from our reporting. We also hear from some key leaders in homeless services management. 

Read the transcript with links to our related stories.
santacruzlocal.org/2023/08/02/podcast-how-homeless-services-money

• Read part one “How homeless services money has been spent in Santa Cruz County”: santacruzlocal.org/2023/05/05/homeless-services-money-part-1

• Read part two “Money sources, constraints and problems with homeless services spending in Santa Cruz County”: santacruzlocal.org/2023/05/05/homeless-services-money-part-2

• Read part three “Is homeless services spending effective in Santa Cruz County?”: santacruzlocal.org/2023/05/05/homeless-services-money-part-3

• Listen to Santa Cruz Local podcast Ep. 96 “How Santa Cruz County could solve chronic homelessness”: santacruzlocal.org/2021/12/17/podcast-96

Ep 104 How homeless services money is spent in Santa Cruz County 8.2.23

Co-host Nick Preciado sits down with the county's top political and administrative leaders -- Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Susan Ellenberg and CEO James Williams -- to discuss the state of the county's mental health crisis.

The state of the county: Mental health

San Jose is exploring a controversial policy to keep homeless residents away from schools and daycare centers. Co-host Nick Preciado speaks to East San Jose Councilmember Peter Ortiz, who supports the idea, and homeless advocate Todd Langton of Agape Silicon Valley.

San Jose looks to ban homeless camps near schools

A judge's recent ruling that the city of San Jose and its former Mayor Sam Liccardo violated state transparency laws -- in response to a lawsuit filed by San José Spotlight and First Amendment Coalition -- could have far-reaching implications for public agencies across the state. Co-host Joseph Geha talks to Karl Olson and David Loy, two attorneys at the center of the case.

San Jose broke transparency laws. What's next?

San Jose is seeing a significantly low return of office workers to downtown and one of the highest office vacancy rates in its history. The lack of foot traffic is hurting downtown businesses. What's driving this trend and how can office workers be lured to come back? Co-host Nick Preciado chats with Alex Stettinski, CEO of the San Jose Downtown Association.

Why San Jose office workers aren't coming back

The end of an era: Silicon Valley Congresswoman Anna Eshoo is retiring after three decades in Congress. The veteran Democrat reflects on her decision and legacy. Plus: Political analyst Larry Gerston predicts some key issues that could shape the highly-competitive race to replace her.

Rep. Anna Eshoo reflects on retirement; race to replace her heats up

A successful lawsuit against San Jose and its former mayor brought by San José Spotlight and First Amendment Coalition has inspired a new state bill, SB 908, that would ensure compliance with California's public records law and bolster government transparency across the state. Editor Nick Preciado learns more from Brittney Barsotti of the California News Publishers Association.

How a San Jose-inspired bill could uncover public records

Election Day is here in California. With Silicon Valley voters headed to the polls this week in the March primary election, co-host Nick Preciado sat down with two political observers and experts -- Larry Gerston and Garrick Percival -- for their predictions and analysis.

Primary election 2024: Predictions

Cupertino spent more than $100,000 from a fund for low-income housing on attorneys to defend itself against housing-related lawsuits, San José Spotlight first reported. Editor Nick Preciado sits down with reporter Annalise Freimarck who broke the story to learn more.

Inside Cupertino's move to misallocate housing funds

The Podlight is produced by San José Spotlight, the city's award-winning nonprofit news organization dedicated to independent political and business reporting. Hosted by editor Nick Preciado and senior reporter Joseph Geha, our show features in-depth conversations with South Bay leaders, lawmakers and influencers about policy, politics and government, delving into critical issues such as housing, technology, business, homelessness, education and development.

Santa Clara County says goodbye to masks

The Podlight

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