UPDATE: Santa Clara County caps spending for district projects

Tech billionaire and advisor to President Donald Trump, Elon Musk said that he “Will check with the President” on a $5,000 Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) dividend for every American taxpayer.

I recently dove into some updates about the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, and let me tell you, there’s a lot going on. First of all, don’t worry – Section 8 isn’t affected by any temporary federal funding freezes, so if you're relying on this program, you're still covered. The Trump administration never had a valid reason to cancel it, and it’s still going strong.

Disclosure: State of Alabama-based writer. This article is a work from cited sources for informational purposes and is used with permission. No affiliate links are included. A Missouri woman has been sentenced to probation and community service for unlawfully collecting government benefits intended for her deceased grandmother. U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk issued the sentence on January 21, 2025, ordering the woman to repay the stolen funds.

I’ve been diving into how Section 8 housing works, and let me tell you, it’s more complicated than it sounds. Basically, the government gives you a voucher to help cover part of your rent, but it’s not a full free ride. You’re still expected to pay a portion of the rent out of pocket. The amount you pay depends on your income, assets, and how many children are in your household.For landlords，they can’t just take the government’s payment and refuse to accept your portion. That’s actually illegal. They have to accept both payments.

Disclosure: State of Alabama-based writer. This article is a work from cited sources for informational purposes and is used with permission. No affiliate links are included. Steve Bannon, former adviser to President Donald Trump, has cautioned the Trump administration against implementing cuts to Medicaid, emphasizing that a significant portion of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) base relies on this program. In a recent episode of his "War Room" podcast, Bannon stated, "Get into Medicaid. Medicaid, you got to be here because a lot of MAGAs on Medicaid. I’m telling you, if you don’t think so, you are dead wrong. Medicaid is going to be a complicated one. Just can't take a meat axe to it, although I would love to."

Folks, let me drop some fire today. I just got approved for rental assistance (praise Jesus!), only to have my landlord flat-out refuse to help. Their excuse? “Rules.” But here’s the kicker: They want the rent paid upfront in the first 10 days before applying. What’s next, requiring a blood oath to use coupons?

Avoid condos, townhouses, or any property with an HOA—unless you enjoy micromanagement. Our HOA fined us 275 for leaving our trash 、can out overnight and 450 for planting a "non-approved" shrub. They dictated everything: grass height, mailbox color, even our Christmas lights’ timing.

My rent increased by 9% this year, which feels steep, but the real kicker was the water/sewage/trash fees skyrocketing 13%. Combined, it’s adding hundreds more annually—ouch. I’m in a mid-sized city in the Southwest, where the rental market’s been super competitive lately.

The Trump administration has indicated it may target the food stamp program, also known as SNAP, for deep budget cuts. It also may strengthen the work requirement for SNAP. Many SNAP recipients are already required to work, especially those who are able bodied and under the age of 54. “If you are age 16 to 54 and able to work, you will probably need to meet the general work requirements to get SNAP benefits,” according to the SNAP website. “The general work requirements include registering for work, participating in SNAP Employment and Training or workfare if assigned by your state SNAP agency, taking a suitable job if offered, and not voluntarily quitting a job or reducing your work hours below 30 a week without a good reason.”

Sometimes, homes with too many dogs cannot provide the care and attention that each dog needs. As a result, the dogs get limited human interaction and you can see this in their mannerisms because they have never had someone to teach them basic dog behaviors like walking and housetraining. However, that doesn't mean that dogs in this situation can't learn. They can. They just need a loving home and an owner who is willing to take some time with them. And that is exactly what Florida Little Dog Rescue is looking for in the case of a Cockapoo named Herbie who is currently being fostered in the Orlando, Florida area.

Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, recently introduced a young dog named Coco who is searching for her forever family. This adorable 3-month-old puppy may be small in size, weighing in at approximately 4.5 pounds, but she makes up for it with her endless energy and loving personality. Despite her tiny stature, even smaller than the resident cats in her foster home, Coco approaches life with curiosity and enthusiasm. "She has bounds of energy, loves playing with all types of toys, and then ultimately adores snuggling up on her foster mom's lap to get lots of pets," explains Sandy Paws Rescue.

CALIFORNIA – Joann announced, February 12, that it was closing 500 stores nationwide, including 61 in California. According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) sent to the Employment Development Department, 209 Joann employees are also being laid off at a Visalia distribution center effective March 31.

After Arizona state troopers pulled her over in Tucson for driving under the speed limit, Yesenia begged to see her babies. The fear the migrant mother of four lived with — before and after fleeing the civil unraveling in her home country of Venezuela — didn’t prepare her for the pain of being separated from her children in the United States.

In an announcement on the Senate floor on his 83rd birthday, Senator Mitch McConnell, the longest serving Senate leader in U.S. history, said he would not be seeking reelection for an eighth term at the end of his current term in 2026.

While National Invasive Species Awareness Week ends on Feb. 28, Georgia wildlife officials continue struggling to raise awareness and stop the spread of invasive animal species year-round. Georgia’s “Most Unwanted Animals” list includes several water species plus one land animal found in virtually every county.

I thought I was making a smart move—got pre-approved, made an offer, paid my earnest money, scheduled the inspection. Then I actually sat down and did the math. Turns out, while I technically could afford the mortgage, I’d have no life outside of my house. No eating out, no travel, no savings cushion—just bills, bills, bills.

Biggest regret? Skipping a mortgage. My “paid-off” L.A. home has become a money pit:. Tax terror: A neighbor’s $1.2M house got auctioned after 3 missed tax payments ($9k/year).

Health officials with the Kentucky Department for Public Health (KDPH) and Franklin County Health Department announced a confirmed case of measles identified in an adult Kentucky resident.

There is lots of lore and legend here in South Carolina; stories of haunted buildings, cemeteries and more. But, one Spanish-American War fort built on the edge of the Earth in the Lowcountry has a lot more than visitors on its grounds. For years, reports grow of its hauntings.

CALIFORNIA – A group of Danish citizens have gathered almost 200,000 signatures for their petition to “Buy California.’ The satirical campaign is in response to President Donald Trump’s desire to acquire Greenland.

Last year, Grants Pass, Ore. became ground zero in America’s struggle with homelessness. In a decision, the Supreme Court gave that city and all American cities carte blanche to criminalize living unhoused.

Magaly Travieso, 53, of Miami, was charged with conspiracy to commit health care fraud, while her former spouse, Yudorki Ramirez, 52, of Miami, was charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced Feb. 20.

If you rely on Section 8 or invest in rental properties, you’ll notice this. They’ve changed the way they calculate voucher amounts, and it could seriously impact renters and landlords.

A federal judge denied, on February 18, the request by a coalition of 14 states, including California, for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against tech billionaire Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Nataly Aguilar still shakes and hyperventilates when she recalls the night that an alcohol-fueled prom after-party, hosted at an off-duty LAPD officer's home in Santa Clarita, ended with the officer pointing a shotgun at her and threatening her life.

CALIFORNIA – A team from the Air Force and Space Force worked together to test-launch an unarmed Minuteman III missile, early February 19, at Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.

In 2020, my husband and I locked in a 15-year fixed-rate loan for our home. The logic? “Lower interest, faster equity!” We planned to move in 5 years, but life happened—we relocated after two and turned it into a rental. Now? Big regret.

Sabrina Durso, president of the Council of Graduate Students, walks onstage to present the resolution on the inclusion of graduate students with disabilities during the University Senate meeting Thursday. Credit: Sandra Fu | Photo Editor.

Two unleashed pitbulls charged at me this week from a rental house with a broken gate. The owners (teen renters + kids) ignored my polite note to fix it. Our city has leash laws, but I’m scared to call animal control — retaliation fears are real!

Back in February, my hot water went out just two days after I moved in. I figured it was a simple fix, but when I reached out to my landlord, I got nothing. No response to calls, texts, or even knocking on his door. He lives upstairs, so I assumed he was dealing with the same issue, but apparently, it didn’t bother him.