A new lawsuit alleges that the city of Gilroy broke the law when it approved the annexation of farmland for a planned 4000-home development.

Santa Clara County's homeless population fell by 14 percent since the last count two years ago, according to figures released Monday.

Delivering the annual State of the County address to a packed Montgomery Theater, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Dave Cortese called 2015 a "year of opportunity." He outlined a plan to advance affordable housing initiatives while improving public safety and public health. “Working together, we can seize on the opportunity to better our community,” Cortese said.

In his inaugural speech after being sworn in for his second term today, Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen highlighted the reforms made since taking office in 2011.

In a stunning gesture, County Supervisor Cindy Chavez this week recommended East Side’s favorite punch line, Xavier Campos, for a commendation for his one and only term on the San Jose City Council.

With outdated equipment slowing down vote tallies, Santa Clara County is talking about switching to all-mail elections to quicken the process.

Santa Clara County may enact a health ordinance to protect nail technicians, who work long hours around toxic chemicals. About 80 percent of the 7,200 registered nail technicians in the county are Vietnamese. The vast majority are immigrant women, around childbearing age, who report headaches, pregnancy complications and other health problems because of the work they do.

Just as President Obama will address the nation about a strategy to defeat ISIS, he should call for a plan to address the dearth of civics literacy among our youth, according to Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Joseph DiSalvo.

Santa Clara County wants greater financial control of its embattled EMT service provider, Rural/Metro.

Mike Wasserman’s special brand of milquetoast conservatism has made him the Ray Romano of local politics. He’s beloved for his affable nature, frequent banquet and ribbon-cutting attendance and unwavering commitment to ensuring no boat is rocked unless steady to sleep.

An ordinance banning cannabis collectives from unincorporated Santa Clara County goes into effect Sept. 25.

Summer brings a brief reprieve for local elected officials—for some more than others.

More than a year after San Jose upped its minimum wage to $10 an hour and as the conversation around pay increases for low-paid workers ramps up on a national scale, Santa Clara County is starting to look at enacting a similar measure for unincorporated parts of the region. Supervisor Dave Cortese, who’s also running for mayor of San Jose, will lead the discussion when the Board of Supervisors meets on Tuesday. A county ordinance comes with many more challenges than a citywide measure, Cortese notes.

Mike Wasserman, president of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, gave an inspirational State of the County address Tuesday. While talking about public safety, he related the story of his mother being rushed to the emergency room by local firefighters, who helped save her life. It was a personal story that showed the role government plays and the everyday services that some people take for granted.

The stink of ex-Supervisor George Shirakawa Jr. has dissipated, and Santa Clara County is focused on a fresh start for 2014. “Scandal is no longer in the air,” Supervisor Ken Yeager said after Tuesday’s State of the County speech, delivered by recently sworn-in Board President Mike Wasserman. “We certainly spent most of last year changing and improving public outreach and creating much more transparency than there was before.” Wasserman’s address focused on the county’s role as a safety net for the most vulnerable, while also highlighting the little-known services it provides for residents.

Given that clientele often overlaps, Santa Clara County will integrate its departments of Drug and Alcohol Services and Mental Health. Also, on the agenda for Tuesday’s county Board of Supervisors meeting: a new name for the South County Airport, making campaign disclosure forms available online and funding an anti-terrorism law enforcement communications network.