B. Sakura Cannestra

B. Sakura Cannestra (she/they) is a reporter covering politics and government in the cities of Sunnyvale and Santa Clara for San José Spotlight.

She has experience covering a variety of topics, including tech innovations and policies, Berkeley’s housing crisis, social movements and politics at the state and city levels. Previously, she reported for POLITICO California and the Daily Californian.

Cannestra obtained a bachelor’s degree in English from UC Berkeley in 2020 and graduated from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism in 2023. They are learning more about maintaining houseplants and have kept a bullet journal for over five years. Cannestra was hired through the California Local News Fellowship program.

San JoseTechnology
San Jose City Hall exterior rotunda and buildings
May 1, 2024May 1, 2024by

San Jose turns to AI for language translation

San Jose is expanding its language translation options in public meetings by using artificial intelligence. The city launched its partnership with Wordly, an AI-based service that offers live translation in 50 languages. Translation will be available at all San Jose City Council and council committee meetings. City officials say it’s more affordable and efficient than...

Sunnyvale
White haired woman in pink blazer pointing at silver cutlery mounted on museum wall, beside oil portrait and antique grandfather clock
April 29, 2024April 30, 2024by

Sunnyvale approves history museum expansion

The Sunnyvale Heritage Park Museum, which catalogs the city’s history from the first orchards to aerospace companies, has plans to expand. The Sunnyvale City Council unanimously approved a $1.5 million allocation out of the city’s Park Dedication fund toward adding 1,600 square feet to the Sunnyvale museum. The museum hopes to install an exhibit dedicated...

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