Cat declawing, book censorship among new 2026 laws
Every year, lawmakers in Sacramento introduce a flurry of bills, most of which are eviscerated during the legislative process and end up on the Assembly or Senate trash heap. A select few make it to the governor’s desk, and assuming they dodge the veto...
Homeless census shows decline in unsheltered population
Despite pandemic fears, Santa Clara County has experienced a smaller increase in homelessness than expected, and saw a decrease in unsheltered individuals in the first homeless census in three years.
In response to the preliminary survey results released May 16, county and city of San...
Federal monitor moves county from ‘Severe’ to ‘Moderate’ drought
With seemingly constant rain storms pummeling the South Bay so far this winter, a federal drought monitoring program recently downgraded most of Santa Clara County from “Severe” to “Moderate” drought. But local water supply authorities warn that residents and property owners should continue to...
Gavilan College breaks ground for new San Benito campus
Nearly two decades after Gavilan College purchased property for a new San Benito County campus, officials held a groundbreaking ceremony June 16 at the Fairview Road site.
Plans for the new local community college campus site, which is located at the intersection of Highway 25,...
Students at Charter School serve their unhoused neighbors
Special to the Times
As homeless numbers continue to rise in Santa Clara County, 7th grade students at Charter School of Morgan Hill (CSMH) used project-based learning to help their community better understand this crisis. They created Project MERCY to assist unhoused neighbors, and help...
Local Scene: Bay Area Panthers to host open tryouts in Morgan Hill
Le Truong graduates
Thao Le Truong, of Morgan Hill, earned an Associate of Science degree with studies in Business Administration from Georgia State University during the fall 2022 semester.
Georgia State University, an enterprising urban public research university, is a national leader in graduating students from...
Organic growers see new role in age of climate change
It’s hard to find a job fighting climate change, oddly. But the organic farming industry is one place where a person can make a living making a difference.
Food systems account for 20% to 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to data from the...
Calmatters: Top Democrats say they’ll make California affordable
The leaders of the state Legislature have a message for voters: We know you’re frustrated with how expensive California is—and we’re going to fix it.
After a painful election that sparked recriminations and soul searching among Democrats across the country, state Senate President Pro Tem...
Local Scene: Rally for Juristac, Apply for AAUW Scholarship
Leadership scholarship
Each year the American Association of University Women (AAUW) selects a community member to receive a full scholarship to the Leadership Morgan Hill Program. Applications (21+ years old) for the scholarship for the Leadership Class of 2023 are available on the website, aauwmh.org.
Those...
Newsom signs state budget into law
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the 2024-25 budget into law on June 29, solidifying $16 billion in cuts and other moves that closed a $46.8 billion deficit.
The budget is $297.5 billion, with $211.5 billion committed from the general fund. It maintains $22.5 billion in reserve...

















