San Jose Inside

The top-two primary election law designed to encourage moderates was approved by California voters. But in most races, it ends in a conventional Democrat vs. Republican ballot, prompting complaints the 16-year-old law should be scrapped.

The ballot count is barely two-thirds complete, but that didn’t stop President Trump from jumping in to stir controversy and challenge the outcome, prompting multiple U.S. Department of Justice investigations in Los Angeles.

As the counting progressed, the Becerra-Hilton battle settled into a steady pattern, as the pair widened their gap over Tom Steyer to nearly 300,000 votes.

Liberal billionaire Tom Steyer put up $216 million to fund his campaign for governor. All together, more than 200 candidates have contributed about a quarter billion dollars of their own money this year. 

Wednesday morning it seemed very likely that Hilton would be Becerra’s November rival, and just as likely that the former congressman, attorney general and Biden administration cabinet member would succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The independent Emerson College poll of likely voters showed that Becerra, who was among the also-rans at 4% in early April, is now clearly leading the race for governor at 28%.

Billionaires, Big Oil and other interests spent big to influence the California governor’s race. Here are five key takeaways: Outside money shatters records. Mahan fizzles out. Steyer personal spending breaks records. Swalwell donors flock to Becerra. Republican Steve Hilton has the most donors.

Shannon O’Connor, 52, was convicted in March on dozens of felony and misdemeanor charges: for bringing vodka and Fireball whiskey, providing condoms and discouraging teens from telling their parents or police about the parties.

California is spending billions on homelessness prevention without the governance infrastructure to know whether it is working.

About 40% of California’s community college courses are online now, redefining education. These courses are more accessible, college officials say, but they come with serious drawbacks.

The Santa Clara stadium, home for the San Francisco 49ers, will host six matches for the world’s biggest sporting event. Five group-stage games and one round-of-32 knockout match are scheduled over three weeks.

In 30 counties, including Santa Clara County, in-person voting began Saturday, May 23.

Because of his age, the accused juvenile attacker was ineligible to be tried in Superior Court where he could have faced 15-years-to-life in prison. Because it was a juvenile court case, his name was not released.

Democrat Tom Steyer faded and candidates Chad Bianco, Katie Porter and Matt Mahan were left in the dust in what the California Democratic Party called its final tracking poll from the California VOTER Index.

The Florida-based foundation and Springboard for the Arts partner to connect communities with $3.5 million in grants for locally driven arts strategies.