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Stanford Law School · Stanford, CA

Roses Talk Project Launches Phase II with Policy Lab on Youth Participatory Action Research | Stanford Law School

The Stanford Center for Racial Justice’s Roses Talk Project co-led by Dr. Subini Annamma and Hoang Pham is continuing its work to center marginalized students in education policy and decision-making through a collaborative partnership with the San José Unified School District (SJUSD) and Gunderson High School. Building on the project’s successful pilot, which produced a first-of-its-kind set of policy recommendations for SJUSD grounded in student experiences, it is entering its next phase with a renewed commitment to understanding how education policies and practices can better support “at-promise” students—particularly through a Stanford Law and Policy Lab focused on youth participatory action research.

The Stanford Daily · Stanford, CA

Stanford ends partnership with Indigenous college outreach program

Stanford will no longer host College Horizons’ summer program in 2027 as planned, according to an Oct. 30 email addressed to community members which was obtained by The Daily. The national non-profit works to expand college access for Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian high school students. College Horizons’ summer program was most recently held at Stanford in 2007 and 2015, according to an Instagram post listing venues that have hosted College Horizons since 1998. Different universities, including Harvard, Yale and the University of California, Berkeley, rotate hosting the program each year. The organization is entering its 30th year with more than 4,900 alumni. Its remote program will continue on June 14-18 as scheduled, and one in-person program will be hosted at Colorado College on July 18-23, as planned. For the organization’s second in-person program, it has not yet named the new host college, with dates planned for June or July 2027.

The Stanford Daily · Stanford, CA

In SOC 150, canvassing counts toward the grade

Students in the course SOC 150 “The 2026 U.S. Election: How to Understand and Participate” did what the syllabus requires before last Tuesday’s election. They had to register to vote, if eligible, then canvass or phone bank. Last Tuesday’s midterm election put all 435 U.S. House seats, 35 Senate seats and 36 governorships on the ballot, according to Ballotpedia. The syllabus calls the fieldwork “the most important part of the class,” alongside readings on democracy, voting rights, polling and elections. Taught by sociology professor Michael Rosenfeld, 42 students are enrolled in the course across its cross-listings as of Oct. 31, according to Stanford Navigator. Every eligible student had to register and vote, which counts for 10% of the final grade, according to the syllabus. Students who cannot vote receive full credit for that portion but must still canvass or phone bank, Rosenfeld wrote to The Daily.

The Stanford Daily · Stanford, CA

Brazilian students and faculty react to Lula-Bolsonaro election

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva triumphed over Flávio Bolsonaro in the Brazilian presidential elections on Oct. 25, becoming the first candidate to overturn a first-round defeat in a presidential election in Brazil since its return to democracy in 1985. Stanford students and faculty attributed the comeback to mass mobilization on social media. When Brazilian student Juliana Abreu ’28 first heard that Flávio Bolsonaro was running for president, she “thought it was a joke.” Bolsonaro is embroiled in various corruption scandals and ties to Daniel Vorcaro, a banker and businessman known as “Brazil’s Jeffrey Epstein.” Bolsonaro is the son of former President Jair Bolsonaro who is currently serving a 27 year house arrest sentence. Jair was convicted of plotting a coup attempt following his defeat against Lula in the 2022 Brazilian elections.

The Stanford Daily · Stanford, CA

Live updates: Election Day at Stanford

The Daily spent Tuesday reporting live on California elections, campus ‘Democracy Day’ events and Stanford community reactions to the results of the midterms. Find a full recap here and reported updates below. Democratic students celebrate victories in Texas — 8:08 p.m. Democratic students continued to celebrate as Democrats James Talarico and Gina Hinojosa won their elections in Texas. “I’m from Dallas, really excited about this. Like my whole life, my family’s been Democrats, and I’ve just seen Republicans f—k over our state. It’s so exciting. I’m fired up,” attendee Will Maher ’29 said. Hinojosa will serve as the first Hispanic Governor for Texas. Talarico’s victory is the first Senate seat Democrats have won in three decades. Several members of the Stanford Democrats phone banked for Talarico. “We’ve been working toward this day since the first day of classes or even before that,” said club president Robert Liu ’28.

The Stanford Daily · Stanford, CA

Midterm election to decide key transit outcomes for Stanford students

Five Bay Area counties will decide the fate of a key transit policy on Tuesday, affecting multiple transit systems that Stanford students rely on. The Regional Transit Measure, also known as Measure RTM, would enact a 0.5% sales tax in four of the counties, alongside a 1% sales tax in San Francisco, to raise funds that proponents say are necessary to rescue public transportation in the Bay Area. Most at risk of service cuts, according to proponents of Measure RTM, are the Bay Area Rapid Transport (BART) and Caltrain systems. “Measure RTM will prevent severe cuts to Caltrain and BART,” Adina Levin, executive director of transit advocate not-for-profit organization Seamless Bay Area, wrote to The Daily. “If the measure fails that will limit the mobility of Stanford students.” Urban studies and public policy double major Minji Cho ’28 agrees.

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Palo Alto Online · Palo Alto, CA

Nearby: Palo Alto, CA

Palo Alto sees housing surge as state laws, local policies take effect

When Palo Alto’s elected leaders convened in January 2023 for a special retreat to set goals for the year, they kicked things off with an unusual exercise. Every council member was asked to create an aspirational headline that they would like to see run in the paper on the last day of that year. Not surprisingly, housing was on top of everyone’s mind. Vicki Veenker, who was completing her first month of council duties, offered: “Wave of Paly and Gunn alums move to Palo Alto.” That would mean, among other things, that the city has net its goal for making housing affordable at all levels, Veenker explained. Councilmember Ed Lauing, who had also just joined the council for the first time, suggested a headline about Palo Alto securing $250 million for an affordable housing fund.

San José Spotlight · Palo Alto, CA

Nearby: Palo Alto, CA

Palo Alto plans upgrades for famed Bryant Street ‘bike boulevard’

Palo Alto’s most iconic bike boulevard is slated to get a hefty upgrade next year, with city officials approving a suite of traffic circles, curb extensions and other improvements on Bryant Street. Following nearly two years of design work, analysis and neighborhood outreach, the City Council signed off Monday on a list of road improvements in the Professorville neighborhood. Collectively, they aim to further enhance the allure of Bryant Street for local cyclists. Bryant Street made history in 1982, when it became the nation’s first “bike boulevard” behind the leadership of former Vice Mayor Ellen Fletcher. The newly approved projects include traffic circles at the Bryant Street intersections with Lincoln and Kingsley avenues and an update to the existing traffic circle at Bryant and Addison avenues. Bryant Street will also be furnished with high-visibility crosswalks between Homer Avenue and Embarcadero Road.

Palo Alto Daily Post · Palo Alto, CA

Nearby: Palo Alto, CA

Allen Wood

, a beloved husband and father, exceptional space engineer, and creative inventor, passed away in October 2026 in Palo Alto, California, at the age of 91. Allen earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 1963, where he was also a member of the Theta Chi fraternity. He was proud to have served in the Army through ROTC, active duty, and the reserves. Allen spent his entire career as a research scientist at Lockheed Missiles and Space, bringing curiosity and resourcefulness to his work. He was an early champion of electric vehicles. In the 1970s he built his own electric motorcycle and rode it to work, gaining the attention of the Palo Alto Times and Electric Auto Association. An adventurous outdoorsman, Allen was an enthusiastic scoutmaster for Troop 14 and a leader at Camp Oljato. He planned and led week-long backpacking trips in the Sierras.

Daily Mail · Palo Alto, CA

Nearby: Palo Alto, CA

Millionaire mom sues son's elementary school after bad report card

An outraged millionaire mom has sued her son's elementary school over a bad report card. Weiwei Luo filed a civil lawsuit against Palo Alto Unified School District after claiming her son's teacher, Holly Harrison, had been unfair in her comments on his 2025-2026 report card. Harrison, a teacher at Walter Hays Elementary School, wrote that Luo's son, named only as KL, is 'working on his responses to peers when he is frustrated or upset.' She also wrote that '[KL] is developing his ability to listen to others’ perspectives and collaborate with humility. We will keep working on this!', and that the boy needed to work on 'showing respect and cooperating with others.' Luo, who lives in a $5.6 million Palo Alto home, claimed that this was an unfair characterization of her son based on an incident that saw KL stick his tongue out at another boy while playing tag during recess.

Yahoo · Palo Alto, CA

Nearby: Palo Alto, CA

Historic Squire House in Palo Alto listed for the first time since 1999, asking $20M

Palo Alto is no stranger to historic homes: More than half the city's housing stock is over 50 years old, and close to 400 properties here have been listed on the Palo Alto Historic Inventory. But not every historic house has a history like the Squire House. This video created with the assistance of AI. This mansion has everything a good story needs: ties to not only one of the United States' biggest companies of the early 20th century, but also to Stanford University and to a U.S. president. There's also its famous (and famously cheeky) architect, its near demise - and unlikely rescue - and its status today as a registered landmark and legally protected property. Now, Squire House's next chapter is beginning: As of this November, 900 University Ave. is for sale for the first time since 1999, asking $19.988 million.

San José Spotlight · Palo Alto, CA

Nearby: Palo Alto, CA

Housing project bolsters Palo Alto’s vision for future of San Antonio

Palo Alto’s plan to transform a stretch of San Antonio Road into the city’s newest residential community received a boost Monday, when the City Council reviewed and largely supported a proposal to demolish three commercial buildings and construct a 200-apartment complex next to the Mountain View border. Located just north of Middlefield Road in an area dominated by commercial and industrial uses, the proposed building at 720 San Antonio would feature parking and other amenities on the bottom two floors and apartments on the upper six floors. It would also include a fitness room, a pool lounge and club room, according to project applicant. In a nod to the recent shifts in work habits, the apartment complex will also include a co-working space. “The co-working space is for the residents to do the work from home in this new era,” said John Kosi, principal at BDE Architecture, which designed the project.

The Stanford Daily · Palo Alto, CA

Nearby: Palo Alto, CA

Stanford and City of Palo Alto celebrate Veterans Day at historic World War I building

Stanford and the City of Palo Alto hosted a Veterans Day celebration at MacArthur Park on Nov. 9, honoring veterans, active service members and their families. Ceremonies were led by Capt. Chris Rieping M.S. ’27, and included a keynote speech by Lt. Col. Tyler J. Jensen of U.S. Army Special Forces. The event’s location was especially significant — MacArthur Park was built in 1918 as a Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) hostess house for soldiers and their families during World War I. One year after World War I concluded on Nov. 11, 1918, President Woodrow Wilson established the date as Armistice Day. The holiday was then renamed to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all American veterans of all previous wars. Michelle Landrey Cline ’93, MBA ’98, current president of the Stanford Alumni Association was in attendance. Landrey Cline said in her speech that 45 graduate degree recipients were veterans or active duty service members last June.

Patch · Palo Alto, CA

Nearby: Palo Alto, CA

Palo Alto Libraries Will Mark Native American Heritage Month

Families can learn about the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe through storytelling, crafts and educational programs. PALO ALTO, CA — Palo Alto libraries will celebrate Native American Heritage Month with storytelling, crafts and educational programs highlighting Indigenous history and culture. The November events include a presentation about the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, traditional crafts and a virtual book discussion, according to a Palo Alto City Library announcement. The programs include: Find out what's happening in Palo Altofor free with the latest updates from Patch. Nov. 10: A virtual Brown Bag Book Club discussion of "The Sentence" by Louise Erdrich. Nov. 14: Storytelling and a clay pinch-pot craft activity at the Children's Library. Nov. 21: A presentation by the Muwekma Ohlone Preservation Foundation, followed by storytelling and crafts at Mitchell Park Library.

Patch · Palo Alto, CA

Nearby: Palo Alto, CA

Palo Alto Offers Up To $20K For Interactive Downtown Art

The city is offering project budgets of up to $20,000 for installations at its 2027 Code Festival. PALO ALTO, CA — Palo Alto is seeking artists to transform downtown public spaces with interactive displays of light, sound and technology for its 2027 Code Festival. Through its Public Art Program, the city is accepting applications from artists and teams worldwide for two opportunities: a featured installation at Lytton Plaza and up to five additional artworks downtown. The Lytton Plaza installation has a $20,000 project budget. Organizers want an interactive artwork that uses technology to engage visitors, particularly at night. Find out what's happening in Palo Altofor free with the latest updates from Patch. For the other installations, selected artists or teams can receive project budgets of up to $9,000 each. The temporary artworks may incorporate light, sound, motion, projections or other interactive technology in downtown plazas, alleys and public spaces.