Most Santa Cruz County agencies and nonprofits say they have monthlong buffers against the federal government shutdown, though some child care and agricultural programs could face threats if the impasse stretches well beyond October.
Education
Posted inEducation
Cabrillo College, UCSC break ground on joint housing project after last-minute deal to save state funding
Cabrillo College and UC Santa Cruz have officially broken ground on Costa Vista, a $181 million, 624-bed joint student housing project aimed at combating homelessness and housing insecurity among students.
Posted inLatest News
Watsonville activist nears end of monthlong hunger strike after brief hospitalization
Tuesday marks the final day of Watsonville activist Omar Dieguez’s monthlong hunger strike to protest the application of pesticides near schools in the Pajaro Valley. On Friday, Dieguez checked into the hospital after experiencing intense stomach pain, but told Lookout that he’s feeling better and on track to finish out his fast.
Posted inEducation
UCSC recovers some funding cut by Trump, but research disruption roils campus
UC Santa Cruz has seen about $25 million in federal grant funding reinstated after judges ruled that Trump administration cuts were illegal, but officials warn that the temporary losses caused long-term disruption to crucial research and student training programs.
Posted inEducation
Live Oak district will not move to close schools, with report citing new housing and birth increases as potentially boosting enrollment
Live Oak School District has decided not to pursue school closures at this time, citing a potential stabilization of student enrollment over the next few years. Officials are remaining cautious of the projections as the district faces continued uncertainties from federal funding cuts.
Posted inEducation
UC Santa Cruz first-years excited for a fresh start as new school year kicks off this week
Thursday marks the first day of classes for UC Santa Cruz students for the 2025-26 school year. UCSC officials previously told Lookout they expect overall undergraduate enrollment will be similar to the past two years, at around 17,600 to 17,790 students.
Posted inEducation
Does another education bond stand a chance with voters? California colleges hope so
Lawmakers are considering putting a bond measure before voters in 2026 to fund billions of dollars in building repairs and student housing projects for California’s colleges and universities.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A pediatrician’s advice for caring for your kids’ emotional well-being
Back-to-school jitters affect kids of all ages, but pediatrician Sara Faheem reminds parents that preparation, open conversations and modeling empathy can ease the transition. She encourages year-round check-ins on both physical and emotional health, not just at the start of the school year.
Posted inEducation
Ethnic studies was supposed to start in California schools. What happened?
The ethnic studies class was meant to focus on the cultures and histories of African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans and Latinos. The state’s curriculum also encourages schools to add additional lessons based on their student populations, such as Hmong or Armenian.
Posted inEducation
Watsonville activist says school district ‘blocking’ him from speaking to students about pesticide harms
Activist Omar Dieguez told Lookout that Pajaro Valley Unified School District is not allowing him to present to students about the harms of pesticides during his monthlong hunger strike.