Local news in the classroom: Weekly roundup 2/4/26
Santa Cruz County residents are speaking up and being heard. Anti-ICE sentiments increased after the events in Minneapolis, and throngs of people participated in peaceful protests across the county last Friday. County leaders have taken notice and have begun to address the types of policies and preparations the county will have if ICE activity increases locally. On a smaller scale, Santa Cruz residents make their displeasure known about the possible loss of the cultural powerhouse The Catalyst, mentioning not just the potential negative effect on local music and community, but also on nearby business, traffic, and the cost of housing.
And a quick reminder about Lookout for Teachers, giving local middle and high school educators free, unlimited access to Lookout Santa Cruz’s independent, fact-based local journalism. Thanks to donors and Changemaker Members, we are able to offer 450 free memberships to secondary teachers this year on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up today and share with a teacher you know! Secondary teachers can sign up with the link on this page.
Lastly, there are also just a couple weeks left for students to submit to Lookout’s journalism scholarship where they profile an “unsung hero” in the community! All high school students are invited to apply. Top three winners receive $500 each and top ten winners are published on Lookout’s site! Deadline to apply: 2/16/26
This week’s highlighted stories
Panetta, local officials and nonprofit leaders working together to protect county residents from immigration enforcement impacts
Why it matters: Showing how local government can try to support and protect vulnerable people in their communities when national policies create uncertainty, local leaders in Santa Cruz County, including U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, county officials, and nonprofit groups, are working together to protect residents from the effects of increased federal immigration enforcement. They’ve clarified that local police won’t enforce federal immigration laws, and are preparing local policies and resources in case federal agents carry out actions in the area.
In the classroom: How might fear of immigration enforcement affect families, schools, and communities, even for people who are not immigrants? What role do local governments have when federal policies make some residents feel unsafe?
Residents ‘vehemently oppose’ proposed Catalyst project as developers, city officials present plans
Why it matters: As an example of a common urban issue – how to balance new development needs with preserving local culture – residents in Santa Cruz strongly opposed a proposed redevelopment project that would replace the longtime Catalyst music venue with a new multistory building. At a public meeting, community members said losing The Catalyst would harm local culture, music, and nearby businesses, while possibly increasing traffic and housing costs.
In the classroom: Why is The Catalyst important to Santa Cruz’s culture and identity? What reasons do developers and city officials give for moving forward with the project? Do you think cities should prioritize new housing or preserving historic and cultural spaces? Why or why not?
More current events to use in the classroom
‘Stand in solidarity’: Moms in Aptos, nurses at Dominican join ranks of county demonstrators
By Hillary Ojeda and Kevin Painchaud
Dozens of mothers with young children marched in Aptos on Friday, while about 80 nurses and supporters rallied outside Dominican Hospital in Live Oak as part of anti-ICE protests across Santa Cruz County. Organizers and participants said they took to the streets to stand in solidarity with immigrants and denounce what they described as cruelty and fear caused by federal immigration enforcement.
UCSC students, faculty gripe about parking fee increase
By Hillary Ojeda
UC Santa Cruz students and employees are disappointed by a proposal to raise parking permit fees by 7% to 10% annually starting this summer, a move that would nearly double some permit costs over the next decade amid ongoing budget deficits and infrastructure needs. Critics say the increases will further strain workers and students already grappling with high housing costs, while university officials argue the hikes are necessary to cover debt, maintenance and transportation projects.
Watsonville Community Hospital reports nearly $23 million loss in 2025
By Tania Ortiz
Watsonville Community Hospital reported losses of nearly $23 million in 2025 following a challenging year of fewer patient visits and changes to federal and state funding. Hospital leadership expects to have an update by March on its search for a private partner to help shore up its finances.
Interested in more stories? Browse all our recent coverage here.
California News
Child care in California was already hard to find; the immigration crackdown has made it worse
By Carolyn Jones / CalMatters
In California, almost 40% of the workforce is foreign-born and more than a million parents — immigrant and otherwise — rely on child care providers so they can go to work.
California state employees alarmed by demand to prove their citizenship
By Khari Johnson / CalMatters
Close to 4,000 employees of the California Department of Public Health were told they must use the federal E-Verify system to keep federal funding. Unions are pushing back.
Student Stories/News
More than 1,000 students throng downtown Santa Cruz in anti-ICE protest
From elementary to high school, students from schools around Santa Cruz as well as in Watsonville and Pajaro Valley participated in a walkout on Friday 1/30 to join the national day of action protesting ICE.
Educator Resources
From PBS News Student Reporting Labs, an interview with Renee Hobbs, a leading academic authority on digital and media literacy education, on how today’s algorithms and technological personalization has changed the way media literacy educators teach.
Journalism Scholarship – Two weeks LEFT TO APPLY!
Lookout is accepting submissions for our journalism scholarship contest from November to February. We invite all high school students in Santa Cruz County to apply. Top three winners win $500 each and top ten winners get published on the Lookout site. The deadline to apply is February 16.
Thank you for all the work you do in our community. Your efforts help younger generations build media literacy skills, engage with their communities, and grow as active democratic citizens. If you’d like to learn more about our school programs, get involved, or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at interns@lookoutlocal.com or my mentor Jamie Garfield (Director of Student and Community Engagement) at jamie@lookoutlocal.com
Best,
Ava Salinas
Educational Program Assistant
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