
Results last updated: Nov. 4 at 4:49 p.m.
Mountain View City Council picks new city attorney, formal vote set for next week
An assistant county executive in San Mateo County is poised to become Mountain View’s next city attorney, with the City Council announcing Thursday that it would vote next week to hire Justin Mates for the position.

Voter Guide 2026
Get to know the candidates and measures on your ballot with the Mountain View Voice’s 2026 Voter Guide, including in-depth profiles, issue comparison grids and campaign finance coverage.
View the Voter Guide ➔City Council Forum
Candidates for the Mountain View City Council debated housing, transportation and other hot-button issues during an Oct. 8 forum co-hosted by the Mountain View Voice and League of Women Voters.
Latest Election News
More Local news
Santa Clara County reverses course, bars ICE from jails
Santa Clara County is restricting access to Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas following recent violent incidents involving federal immigration agents outside the jail.
Election Day is today, here’s what to know in Mountain View
Election Day is just around the corner and Mountain View residents still have plenty of options to vote in person or submit a ballot at an official drop box site until polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Los Altos school board campaign brings in over $30K
The race for three seats on the Los Altos School District’s board has brought in over $30,000, both from community donations and loans candidates have made to themselves.
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Food
New Palo Alto froyo spot draws long lines
The summer’s East Coast froyo craze has finally trickled to the Peninsula with the debut of Yiaya Greek Yogurt.
Abrupt closure of 98-year-old Cook’s Seafood rattles Menlo Park community
For 98 years, Cook’s Seafood provided fresh fish and seafood to Menlo Park and surrounding communities. Its abrupt closure came as a shock to both patrons and its roughly 45 employees across the two restaurants who lost their jobs without…
Belmont at 100: Where to eat, explore and uncover local history
A midsize Peninsula city that just celebrated its centennial, Belmont offers a rich history and more to discover than meets the eye.
Arts & Culture
Teens study the classics in Palo Alto oil painting workshop
Peninsula resident funds unique program at Pacific Art League teaching young artists classical techniques
Journalist Alexis Madrigal to appear at Stanford
Bay Area journalist and author Alexis Madrigal will be featured in conversation with humanities professor and journalist Adrian Daub Nov. 12.
What’s up this weekend: Fitz and the Tantrums, Zoppé Italian Circus, Brandon Woody’s Upendo and more
Fitz and the Tantrums play two very different setlists at The Guild, and in Redwood City, the circus is back in town. Plus, the music of Ellington and Gershwin, comedian Mary Lynn Rajskub, a romantic comedy about life in rural…
Spotlight
Forecasting toxic metals
Wildfires can turn natural metals in soil into toxic, airborne particles. Stanford researchers are working to predict where these metals travel and warn people in harm’s way.
Cardinal football is back — here’s what you need to know
New coach, upgraded stadium, standout players and plenty of Cardinal spirit—here’s what to watch this Stanford football 2026 season.
Community Calendar
Did you miss
A legal settlement protects RV residents in Mountain View – it’s expiring soon
Four years ago, Mountain View agreed to protections for people living in oversized vehicles. That deal ends early next year, and it’s an open question whether the city will crack down on RVs and trailers parked on public streets.
Humans in the age of AI
Artificial intelligence is alternately billed as the most consequential technology in history or a speculative bubble that will pop and lead to economic chaos. For this project, a collaboration with photojournalist Mark Tuschman, we spoke to local residents and professionals…
Real Estate
Fall home & garden events: Make a holiday centerpiece, learn to compost and more
From making an owl box to flower-arranging and composting workshops to nature walks and garden tours, explore what’s happening on the Peninsula in November.
San Mateo, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties are state’s priciest housing markets, but not its least affordable
San Mateo County remains California’s most expensive housing market, with buyers needing an annual household income of $578,400 to afford the median-priced home of $2.27 million, according to the California Association of Realtors’ Third Quarter 2026 Housing Affordability report, That’s…
November tips for your Peninsula garden: Spring bulbs, broccoli, dahlias — and garden critters
What should you be doing in your Peninsula garden this November? This month’s tips include planting spring-blooming bulbs, keeping aphids off your broccoli and preparing dahlias for winter. Plus, learn how to identify what’s digging around in your yard.
The Six Fifty
Inside a Peninsula Humane Society program supporting rare reptiles and amphibians
Peninsula Humane Society (PHS) does many things for many animals. One very specialized program works to give California species under threat a better chance for survival.
From crafts and ofrendas to live music and dancing, here’s how to celebrate Día de los Muertos in Silicon Valley
Remember and celebrate the dead at these festivities now through early November.
Peninsula Photo Contest winners capture colorful moments and human connection
Human connection was a major theme in this year’s batch of Peninsula Photo Contest winning entries. All of the winning entries are on exhibit Oct. 23-Dec. 13 at the Palo Alto Art Center.
Blogs
State News from CalMatters


