Educator Update: Santa Cruz County confronts big questions on energy safety and housing

Local news in the classroom: Weekly roundup 4/2/26

Good afternoon,

As Spring Break approaches, we’re highlighting two local stories that raise important questions about growth, safety and community decision-making in Santa Cruz County. One focuses on plans for a new battery storage facility near Watsonville, proposed after the Moss Landing fire, where supporters and opponents disagree about its safety and benefit. At the same time, Santa Cruz County is facing lawsuits over two proposed housing developments in Live Oak, revealing the complex push and pull between urgent state housing demands and local control – and how those tensions can shape the future of entire communities.

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We hope next week you find time to rest, recharge, and maybe even reflect on some of the big issues shaping our community. Thank you, as always, for bringing local journalism into your classroom—we’re grateful to be a part of your work with students. We’ll be back after the break with more stories, resources, and ways to connect the news to learning. Now read on for the rest of the Educator Update this week….

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Current events to use in your classroom

Here’s a roundup of recent articles you could use in your classroom. Explore the linked lesson plans below for simple ways to facilitate reflection on these local events. Interested in more stories? Browse all our recent coverage here.

A year after Moss Landing fire, proponents of new battery storage plant outside Watsonville say it would be safer; residents are skeptical

Why it matters: A year after a major battery fire at Moss Landing, a company wants to build a new energy storage facility near Watsonville and says it would be safer due to improved technology. Supporters argue it would help store renewable energy and prevent outages, but many residents remain concerned because of past fires and possible health risks. The issue highlights a tension between clean energy goals and community safety concerns.

In the classroom: Why do supporters believe the new battery storage facility near Watsonville would be safer than the one at Moss Landing? What are the benefits of battery storage for renewable energy, and why are they important? Why are some residents still skeptical, even with claims of improved safety technology? What role should local residents have in deciding whether projects like this are approved?

Santa Cruz County facing lawsuits over two contentious housing developments in Live Oak 

Why it matters: This story highlights a growing conflict in communities like Santa Cruz County: the urgent need for more housing vs. local concerns about how and where it gets built. At the center of the conflict is a California law known as the “builder’s remedy,” which allows developers to bypass local zoning rules when cities or counties aren’t meeting state housing requirements. For students, this issue connects directly to the future: where people will be able to live, how communities grow, and who gets to make those decisions.

In the classroom: Consider the different perspectives in this conflict: Why are residents, developers, and the county at odds, and what does each group want? What is the “builder’s remedy,” and do you think it’s fair for state laws to override local decisions? Discuss the trade-offs between building more housing and protecting community character—what matters most, and who should decide? Finally, think about your own community: how might housing shortages or new developments impact your future?

LOCAL NEWS

CALIFORNIA NEWS

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STUDENT STORIES

• Built from the ground up: Pajaro High students stage ‘Zoot Suit’ in DIY theater
• Black Student Union presidents lead growth, anti-hate speech efforts 

Celebrating our 2026 Student Journalism winners – and the teachers who inspire them

Students from all over Santa Cruz County entered our Journalism Scholarship which highlights an unsung hero from the Santa Cruz County community. Our top three students were Jesus Heredia Collazo from Watsonville High School, Brady Clark from Coast Redwood High School, and Valeria Marquez from Watsonville High School. You can read about the journalism scholarship and what made these winning stories special here. I want to give a big thank you to everyone who told their students about Lookout’s journalism scholarship! The 2026 winners have been chosen and they are published here and on the Student Stories page.

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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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