The city praised Anthony Mata for his 28 years of service with the city, listing as his accomplishments the department’s first strategic plan, increased diversity through the sworn officer ranks and managing police reform initiatives.

Srinivasa Kakkera of Pleasanton was sentenced to 18 months in prison for insider trading, and ordered to pay $2.4 million and Abbas Saeedi of Fremont was sentenced to five months in prison for insider trading and ordered to pay $691,000.

The strike in the first week of a new semester could be called off if both sides reach an agreement in contract talks Jan. 8-12, the union said.

The Plaza Conservancy foresees an expanded park with fewer surrounding traffic lanes, a new stage and renovation of the more than century-old greenspace where the majestic old City Hall once stood.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan now has a primary opponent, Tyrone Wade, but past elections provide strong evidence the two-year incumbent will sail to an early victory in the March 5 primary.

Tech security entrepreneur Peter Dixon of Portola Valley filed his FEC candidate statement on Thursday and announced he already had raised $350,000; and Palo Alto Councilmember Julie Lythcott-Haims became the seventh Democrat – and first woman – to announce as a candidate for the seat held for 16 terms by Rep. Anna Eshoo.

The combination of the new early primary date, March 5, plus the prospect of the most hotly contested congressional primary in the Bay Area in decades boosts the likelihood of campaign war chests in the millions.

With the March 5 primary just three months away and a campaign period interrupted by the holidays, the candidates – a total of five Democrats and two Republicans so far – have a big fundraising challenge ahead of them.

The Santa Clara County supervisor says he already has raised $600,000 in federal campaign funds.

Former San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo's hopes of filling the seat vacated by retiring Rep. Anna Eshoo were energized this week by results from a weekend poll showing the former mayor topping a field of eight possible opponents.

Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian says he'll likely make it official next week and Assemblymember Evan Low says he is a few conversations away from his announcement, but the pair are likely opponents in California's 16th Congressional District.

A $113 million lease-buy-back deal will convert the south tower of the former Fairmont Hotel in downtown San Jose into a 700-bed student residence hall.

Two years ago, the cost of the dam project—required for earthquake protection and improved flood control for the Coyote Creek watershed—was estimated at $648 million.

Faculty members at California State University campuses also are at impasse in labor negotiations.

Cindy Chavez was the top choice in May for San Diego County administrator, but the county won't say if she is still an applicant for the position, or if she needs to reapply. Chavez isn't responding to questions about the San Diego job.

If no other candidate emerges, Mayor Matt Mahan will be the first unopposed mayoral candidate since the first popular election of a San Jose mayor in 1966.