Latest News Archives

All of the competitors pose for the cameras after Saturday’s World Elite Sumo Tournament in Santa Cruz.

Big slams, bigger Spirit: Sumo takes Santa Cruz

by Kevin Painchaud September 28, 2026September 28, 2026

Kaiser Permanente Arena erupted with screams, slams and cheers as World Elite Sumo brought California’s first televised sumo wrestling event to Santa Cruz. Photojournalist Kevin Painchaud takes a peek behind the scenes and onto the mat as 12 wrestlers battled for the championship.

Open rehearsal of “Amadeus,” performed in March 2026. Daniel Stewart conducts the symphony as Will Block of Santa Cruz Shakespeare performs the role of Mozart.

Sunday Reads: Santa Cruz Symphony’s maestro; latest in ‘Why Art Matters’ series

by Lookout Santa Cruz staff September 27, 2026September 27, 2026

Specially curated stories from Lookout Santa Cruz correspondents and Community Voices opinion from contributors.

Daniel Stewart, artistic director and maestro of the Santa Cruz Symphony, leans over and gestures as he conducts the musicians

Arts & Entertainment

How maestro Daniel Stewart is shaping Santa Cruz Symphony’s 69th season

by Jana Marcus September 27, 2026September 24, 2026

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 unlikely musical pairings come together.

Lookout PM: Campaign finance reports, sumo wrestlers in Santa Cruz, and the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum turns 40

by Max Chun September 25, 2026September 25, 2026

Welcome to Friday night’s Lookout PM.

Politics & Policy

Santa Cruz County elections 2026: Which city candidates are raising the most campaign cash?

by Max Chun September 25, 2026September 26, 2026

Thursday was the deadline for candidates running for local office to file their first campaign finance disclosures ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. Here’s what the numbers say.

4-year old Styles (left) and 6-year old Slater (right) pick up ducks from the water at one of the carnival games at the Santa Cruz County Fair.

Arts & Entertainment

Santa Cruz County Fair saw increase in attendance after lowering admission prices

by Tania Ortiz September 25, 2026September 25, 2026

Santa Cruz County Fair officials say attendance at this year’s event increased by 11%.

Abdelrahman “Sandstorm” Shalan(left) Josh “The Ox” Ortiz (center) and Hidenoumi “The Iron Wall” Takuya (right), stand at Main Beach in Santa Cruz before doing some training on Thursday evening.

Recreation & Sports

Sumo wrestlers hit the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk ahead of Saturday’s big showdown

by Mat Weir September 25, 2026September 25, 2026

Three professional sumo wrestlers traded the ring for the sand Thursday, taking in the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and posing for photos ahead of Saturday’s World Elite Sumo event at Kaiser Permanente Arena.

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