Page Updated: Friday, September 18, 2026 7:07 AM ET

The Mercury News - Top Stories

Estate planning isn't just for the wealthy. What Californians should know

2 minutes ago

Opinion: Meta's $5 billion deal with the state AGs to take down its rivals

2 minutes ago

Santa Clara County placed children in foster homes before completing safety checks, state finds

11 hours ago

Santa Clara County nearly tripled child removals. Is fear driving the decisions?

10 days ago

San Jose could be first Bay Area city to introduce self-checkout line regulations

11 hours ago

Authorities allege Cupertino day spa was secret brothel

15 hours ago

San Jose man dies in boat crash near Golden Gate Bridge

11 hours ago

Chick-fil-A coming to Stevens Creek location in San Jose

17 hours ago

California's high-speed rail authority wasted money on first-class flights, trips to nightclub, report finds

12 hours ago

El Niño could bring a lot of rain this winter. Coastal Cleanup Day aims to pick up trash before it washes to the ocean. Here's how to join in Saturday.

12 hours ago

Travis Kelce among victims of a $31 million Ponzi scheme

22 hours ago

Walters: Sacramento Bee slashes staff as Gov. Newsom weighs state aid for news outlets

35 minutes ago

DePetris: The Trump administration is claiming success in drug strikes. Not so fast.

35 minutes ago

Asking Eric: I'm worried about the change in my husband's workplace parties

1 day ago

Dear Abby: The daughter-in-law's brazen scheme has destroyed my marriage

1 day ago

Mountain View's Century 16 theaters are closing next week -- for now

17 hours ago

Harriette Cole: I was told that leaving work at 5 could cost me a promotion

1 day ago

Cats want to talk to us. Scientists are trying to decipher the meow

1 day ago

DOJ sues San Jose over $1,591 concealed carry permit fee

12 hours ago

Who was Charles' valet? Diana's brother revives shock claim about king's sexual past

12 hours ago

In Case You Missed It

2 months ago

Kurtenbach: Did the 49ers solve their left-guard problem? Connor Colby is making a compelling case

20 hours ago

14-year-old Bay Area girl arrested after bringing handgun to school

21 hours ago

California newsrooms await grants, Newsom's decision on tax credits

1 day ago

San Jose says unsheltered homelessness fell 30%. The county hasn't seen its model

1 day ago

73-year-old pedestrian hit and killed by driver in Hayward

7 hours ago

Man sentenced to prison for pimping girl in Oakland, days after release from prison

12 hours ago

Fremont Bomber denied parole again, officials cite public safety risk

15 hours ago

Body recovered at Rodeo Beach in Marin Headlands

21 hours ago

Bay Area high school football 2026: Week 4 preview, schedule

20 hours ago

Bay Area News Group high school football predictions: Week 4, 2026

1 day ago

High school football rankings Week 4, 2026: Bay Area News Group Top 25

2 days ago

Polls closed: Bay Area News Group boys athlete of the week

1 day ago

Apartment complex built on site of Sunsweet fruit packing plant is sold

15 hours ago

Buyer emerges for 'iconic' Scottish Rite Center in downtown Oakland

16 hours ago

Mortgage rates brush 7%, weighing on buyers, sellers and further straining a bleak housing market

17 hours ago

Will 7% mortgages crash the economy?

19 hours ago

Lightning sparked 4,100-acre Lucas Fire that destroyed 3 structures, Cal Fire says

22 hours ago

Fremont Bomber set for parole hearing after 27 years in prison

19 hours ago

Historic Bay Area music venue is set to close at the end of next month

1 day ago

Culture and tradition on display at 216th anniversary of Mexican Independence Day

1 day ago

Top 5 moments from Emmys 2026: Taylor Swift, the 'Buffy' reunion and more

2 days ago

Emmys 2026: See the stars' best red carpet fashion looks and trends

2 days ago

Photos: It's all about the climb at Castle Rock State Park

3 days ago

Photos: Bob Mackie, designer to the stars who dressed Cher and Madonna and defined '70s glamour, dies at 87

3 days ago

Digging for the truth: Founder disputes allegations against Miranda's Rescue, sheriff says he's lying

3 days ago

Two Sonoma County campsites named among best in the US

3 days ago

Crews focus on interior of Lucas Fire as red flag warning is lifted in Lake County

3 days ago

Bay Area Japanese Americans see WWII echoes in Trump's immigration crackdown

3 days ago

Bay Area's record-holding oldest U.S. brewpub to close

14 hours ago

Taste of Los Gatos, with 50-plus restaurants, wineries, set for Saturday

18 hours ago

This popular fresh-pressed juice bar just opened a new East Bay location

20 hours ago

Fodor's releases a guide to the best hot-dog stands in the U.S.

20 hours ago

Asking Eric: She's mad at me? She's the one who let our friendship fade.

1 hour ago

Harriette Cole: My daughter needed to go to the ER, but her roommate was too tired

2 hours ago

Miss Manners: I peeked into my neighbor's noisy yard and got a drink thrown at me

2 hours ago

Dear Abby: The groom doesn't want my little grandson in the wedding

3 hours ago

Mike Grier lays out (part of) his message to Sharks players as promising year begins

9 hours ago

49ers' Fred Warner already back in All-Pro form to lead defense

12 hours ago

San Jose Sharks prospects get bad news on injury front as camp begins

12 hours ago

UNC defensive coordinator Steve Belichick resigns, probe into conduct in football program concludes

13 hours ago

Word Game: September 18, 2026

1 hour ago

Horoscopes September 18, 2026: Jason Sudeikis, have patience when dealing with others

1 hour ago

Update: Details revealed about birth of Lady Gaga's daughter via surrogate

8 hours ago

Taves: California's Legislature just took on monopolies. Your turn, Gov. Newsom. Sign the COMPETE Act.

8 days ago

Ellenberg: Vote 'no.' Prop. 43 gives 34% of voters the power to defeat 66%.

6 days ago

Grimes: Vote 'no.' Prop. 45 isn't pro-affordability. It's a ruse handing shortcuts to polluters disguised as relief.

6 days ago

Schrager: College costs are due for a correction, not a crash

1 hour ago

New docs in AI copyright suit reveal startling admission by Microsoft exec over 'astonishing theft'

14 hours ago

Matcha shop expands Bay Area footprint with new shop — and they're hiring

15 hours ago

Why the Federal Reserve is lifting rates now, and what it means

16 hours ago

The king and AI: UK monarch Charles meets artificial intelligence leaders as safety concerns swirl

18 hours ago

Tom Cruise slammed for saying nothing about Suri - or anything 'at all' - in big GQ interview

15 hours ago

Original Vandellas member Rosalind Ashford-Holmes has died

17 hours ago

Amy Poehler makes tough guy Robert De Niro weep on 'Good Hang' podcast

21 hours ago

Cher's son Elijah Blue Allman indicted on felony criminal mischief charge

21 hours ago

One Republican rages against House's early exit

17 hours ago

Appeals court weighs Trump-backed Missouri congressional map despite Supreme Court block

17 hours ago

Ohio voters rejected Sherrod Brown. Two years later, are they ready to give him a second chance?

18 hours ago

The fight over congressional maps put nearly 35 million people into new House districts, report says

21 hours ago

How this Bay Area artist is using agave skins to explore memory and 'plant wisdom' in San Jose

12 hours ago

Bay Area music star brings massive world tour to the Bay Area for 2 shows

13 hours ago

San Jose Sharks sign head coach Ryan Warsofsky to a multi-year contract extension

14 hours ago

Warriors add NBA title-winning coach to Kerr's staff for 'special opportunity'

14 hours ago

Today in History: September 18, Congress passes Fugitive Slave Act

3 hours ago

Why the discovery of 9 women's bodies have raised fears of a serial killer in South Africa

11 hours ago

At least 48 dead in Nigeria after consuming drink suspected to contain methanol, authorities say

11 hours ago

OnlyFans model probed for possibly drugging Beverly Hills billionaire with ketamine, warrant says

11 hours ago

Drain clogged again? These drain snakes can help

20 hours ago

Stay safe on the road with the best DOT 3 brake fluid

20 hours ago

Best dog wheelchair

22 hours ago

Elevate your space with the best chandelier lighting

1 day ago