Hunger strikes, an in-custody death and the new politics of criminal justice define the race for Santa Clara County sheriff.

Sheriff candidates Laurie Smith and John Hirokawa sat down for no-holds-barred interviews to make their case for the June 5 primary.

NAACP chapter president Rev. Jethroe Moore accused the head of the Santa Clara County sheriff deputies union of sending racist texts.

San Jose released its annual list of city salaries late last week, reminding us once again where the bulk of the municipal budget goes. Like most municipalities, payroll accounts for the city’s single highest expense. San Jose shelled out $596 million, or 62 percent of this fiscal year’s budget, on payroll for its 5,500 employees. This year, retired Sgt. John M. Seaman topped the list, receiving total compensation in the amount of $308,345.