Local news in the classroom: Weekly roundup 9/23/25
Santa Cruz is buzzing with the return of UCSC students settling in for the new school year – but housing is making headlines beyond campus too. In Scotts Valley, the mayor is voicing concerns over a proposed affordable housing project, while in Watsonville, residents are urging city leaders to safeguard privacy as officials consider expanding the use of license plate readers.
Quickly, I wanted to offer one last reminder of a really special film screening we are hosting tomorrow night at the Del Mar Theatre. We are screening the film Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink and then having a discussion with media leaders on the fight to rescue local news and its importance to democracy.
Wednesday night, Sept. 24, 7 – 9 pm. Learn more and get your tickets here. If you want to join but the tickets are too much, please reach out and I can give you some more accessible options: jamie@lookoutlocal.com
Remember: All Santa Cruz County high school educators and students receive free Lookout memberships, giving full access to reporting, events, and perks.
This week’s highlighted stories
As Scott’s Valley’s first affordable housing project breaks ground, mayor says developer, state bulldozed public process
Why it matters: Imminent construction for Scott’s Valley new affordable housing project highlights varying points of view on how to go about housing creation and its possible effect on the business sector of the town.
In the classroom: Ask students if they can see reason on both sides or if they strongly agree with one over the other. Should opportunities for revenue be considered? Does the necessity of affordable housing precede all else?
Watsonville leaders say controversial plan to expand license plate readers won’t undermine city’s sanctuary status
Why it matters: Increased surveillance technology in the sanctuary city of Watsonville worries residents who hope the gathered data won’t be accessible to federal immigration agencies. Watsonville leaders maintain that they have community safety in mind.
In the classroom: Prompt students to consider how classroom, city, state, or country leaders can build trust in their communities. Should they be transparent, protective, etc?
Local news makes learning personal. By weaving stories like these into lessons, students see how policy choices and community voices influence their own paths and futures.
Current events to use in your classroom
Here’s a roundup of recent articles that could help you with your students, or ones you could use in your classroom. Interested in more stories? Browse all our recent coverage here.
LOCAL NEWS
From fire to fallout: CZU’s lasting impact on Santa Cruz County’s wine industry
By Lily Belli
When the CZU Lightning Complex fires tore through the Santa Cruz Mountains in 2020, vineyards survived the flames, but smoke taint ruined much of the harvest, forcing winemakers to dump spoiled wine and experiment with new styles like rosé and white pinot noir.
A pediatrician’s advice for caring for your students’ emotional well-being
By Sara Faheem
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.
Fatigue sets in for Watsonville activist on Day 17 of hunger strike protesting pesticides near schools
By Tania Ortiz
Watsonville activist Omar Dieguez told Lookout that he’s feeling tired, but is still motivated and supported to continue the rest of his 30-day hunger strike in protest of pesticide use near schools.
CALIFORNIA NEWS
These rural Californians want to secede. Newsom’s maps would pair them with Bay Area liberals
By Jeanne Kuang / CalMatters
California Democrats’ redistricting plan would split the state’s traditional Republican stronghold into a sprawling coastal district with Bay Area liberals. North State conservatives say it would silence rural voices.
EDUCATOR RESOURCES
Sign up for your free access on our Educator Page
Make sure to get your free access for a full year and utilize our resources on our Educator Page.
Lookout believes that all students deserve to know deeply about the place they live in. For all High School students in Santa Cruz County, Lookout offers free student memberships. Encourage them to sign up.
We’d love to visit your classroom! Lookout staff can come to your classroom and lead a workshop about various different things from journalism to elections. These workshops last the length of one class period and are a great way to get your students engaged in different aspects of learning. Reach out if you are interested.
Thank you for all the hard work you do in the community and for supporting our educational programs, helping the younger generations learn media literacy skills and become invested community members and democratic citizens. If you’d like to learn more about our school programs, get more involved or have any questions, please reach out to me jamie@lookoutlocal.com.
Best,
Jamie Garfield
Director of Student & Community Engagement
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