News across Santa Cruz County
Santa Cruz journalist Martha Mendoza goes inside the global scam industry for new PBS documentary
Santa Cruz journalist and UCSC lecturer Martha Mendoza spent the past year investigating the global online scam industry for a new PBS "Frontline" documentary. Then scammers hit close to home, targeting people close to her in Santa Cruz.

Stepping away from the desk and giving back with Second Harvest Food Bank
This past week, five members of Lookout Santa Cruz volunteered at Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County, filling over 200 bags of groceries for local families. The experience provided the opportunity to engage with the work and community members which Lookout Santa Cruz…

How maestro Daniel Stewart is shaping Santa Cruz Symphony’s 69th season
Santa Cruz Symphony Music Director Daniel Stewart is bringing together Dvořák and Nina Simone, Stravinsky and BTS, Rachmaninoff and virtual reality pioneer Jaron Lanier for the orchestra’s 69th season, “Music Unites Us.” Jana Marcus sat down with Stewart to find out how those…

Made in Santa Cruz: Why Art Matters | I.B. Bayo
“Made in Santa Cruz: Why Art Matters” is a video series, published every other Sunday, exploring the artists who shape Santa Cruz County's creative landscape. Each episode offers a peek into an artist's practice, the places and experiences that inform their work, and the ways…
Monterey Bay’s fishing industry is changing: Here’s what Santa Cruz fishers are catching now
A new report from the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust finds that the number of commercial fishing vessels based in Monterey Bay has fallen more than 70% since the 1980s, while changing environmental conditions have reshaped what and how fishers catch.

Watsonville Community Hospital NICU remains closed, adding anxiety for expecting families
Watsonville Community Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit has been closed since mid-July because of staffing shortages, with no reopening date set. Local maternal health advocates say the closure is adding anxiety for expecting families.
Santa Cruz County business filings: Week of Sept. 29
Businesses operating in Santa Cruz County must register with the county clerk. Lookout Santa Cruz reviews the public filings from local businesses to report on new businesses starting in the area.
State funding supports UC Davis/UC Santa Cruz program to train future Central Coast physicians
UC Santa Cruz's expanded housing commitment was made possible by years of thoughtful planning and intentional investment in expanding student housing.
Newsom signs new laws to rein in immigration agents as Trump’s deportation campaign escalates
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of laws Tuesday that aim to check federal agents during the Trump administration’s deportation program and improve conditions in detention centers. Several likely will be challenged in court.
Tuesday afternoon traffic: White car crash closes Hwy 1 lane at SR-129 offramp
Tuesday traffic trouble spots in and around Santa Cruz County.
Pajaro Valley school board Area V race: Alicia Jimenez, Curt Wilcox vie for open seat
Retired administrator Alicia Jimenez and Watsonville craftsman Curt Wilcox are competing for the open Trustee Area V seat on the Pajaro Valley Unified School District governing board. A third candidate, Jennifer Schacher, remains on the ballot despite saying she will not actively…

What will California’s next governor do about healthcare? Here are Becerra and Hilton’s plans
Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton say they’re mindful of voters’ worries about healthcare costs, but their plans don’t have much detail.