Results last updated: Nov. 4 at 2:03 a.m.
Fresh off election triumph, Rep. Liccardo looks to focus on affordability, AI
Despite the “blue tsunami” in the midterm elections that flipped the U.S. House and Senate, Rep. Sam Liccardo (D-16) said he was hesitant to read the results as a mandate for the Democratic party.
Voter Guide 2026
Get to know the candidates and measures on your ballot with The Almanac’s 2026 Voter Guide, including in-depth profiles, issue comparison grids and campaign finance coverage.
View the Voter Guide ➔City Council Forum
Menlo Park City Council candidates debated the future of downtown, Meta’s role in the city and how to fix issues with Belle Haven’s new $65 million community campus at The Almanac’s candidate forum on Oct. 8.
Latest Election News
More Local news
Wonman Lee has decisive lead in election for Menlo Park City Council District 1
Wonman Lee has a significant lead over James Rohr in the Menlo Park City Council District 1 race, according to election night results released by 2 a.m., Nov. 4. Lee leads with 74.5%, (510 votes), compared with Rohr’s 25.6% (175…
Portola Valley Measure N is headed for approval
Measure N, Portola Valley’s charter town initiative, appears to be headed for approval. Early results show that it is leading with a 64.2% yes vote as of 10 p.m. on election night, while no votes are trailing with 35.9%.
Menlo Park’s Measure P narrowly trails in early returns
Measure P, which would require voter approval for changes to eight city-owned parking lots in downtown Menlo Park, was narrowly trailing in preliminary election results released Tuesday night.
Support independent local news for the Midpeninsula
The Almanac is funded by readers like you. Donate today to keep our community informed.
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
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…
Friends, family remember Jakub Solovsky, cyclist killed in Woodside head-on collision
Larry Abrahams remembers the rainy day that was the last time he rode with East Palo Alto resident Jakub Solovsky, a member of Western Wheelers who died July 11 in a head-on collision on Skyline Boulevard.
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
