Local news in the classroom: Weekly roundup 2/18/26
Good afternoon,
Here’s your weekly educator alert designed just for you – high school educators – where we hand-pick several stories that we think will resonate with you and your students – especially those that might spur discussion. Local news is one of the easiest ways to help students see themselves in civic life and this week’s stories offer powerful entry points into conversations about representation, public space, labor, and collective action, all rooted right here in Santa Cruz County.
Journalism Scholarship Update: The deadline for Lookout’s journalism scholarship, where students profile an “unsung hero” in their community, has officially passed. We received 130 submissions from students across Santa Cruz County, and we’re inspired by the range of stories students chose to tell. Our team will be reviewing applications throughout the week. The top three winners receive $500 each and the top ten submissions will be published on Lookout’s site. Stay tuned – and thank you for encouraging student voices.
Reminder: Lookout for Teachers provides free, unlimited access to Lookout Santa Cruz’s independent, fact-based local journalism for middle and high school educators. We’re currently 75% full and would love to get the remaining spots into classrooms that can use them. If you haven’t signed up yet, or know a colleague who would benefit, now’s the time to share.
Secondary teachers can sign up with the link on this page.
This week’s highlighted stories
Surfer statue ‘to honor the women of the water’ proposed for Pleasure Point
Why it matters: Public art reflects who a community chooses to honor – and who has historically been left out. This proposal invites broader conversation about gender, visibility, and how shared spaces tell stories about local identity and culture.
In the classroom – discussion prompts:
- Who gets represented in public monuments, and why does that matter?
- How do public spaces shape our understanding of history and community values?
- If students could propose a monument in their community, who or what would it honor?
UC graduate workers, staff union authorize strike, citing unfair labor practices
Why it matters: This story introduces students to labor rights, unions, and collective bargaining – concepts that directly affect higher education, working conditions, and civic participation. It also helps students understand how organized action works at a local level.
In the classroom – discussion prompts:
- What are the reasons workers form unions or authorize strikes?
- What are the potential risks and benefits of collective action?
- How do labor decisions at universities affect students, faculty, and the wider community?
Why local news in the classroom matters
Using local journalism helps students:
- See how civic issues show up close to home
- Practice critical thinking using real-world examples
- Understand how decisions are made and challenged in their own communities
Thanks for bringing these conversations into your classrooms and for supporting local journalism along the way. We’re glad to be a resource for you and your students.
More current events to use in your classroom
Interested in more stories? Browse all our recent coverage here.
LOCAL NEWS
What’s going on with the Davenport cement plant? Pacific Elementary superintendent has a big idea
By Hillary Ojeda
Pacific Elementary Superintendent Eric Gross is pitching an ambitious plan to purchase and redevelop the long-shuttered 172-acre Davenport cement plant into a new school campus with workforce housing and public safety facilities, backed by an anonymous local philanthropist willing to fund the acquisition and cleanup.
Judge rules for Watsonville pilots in yearslong airport land-use lawsuit
By Tania Ortiz
A Santa Cruz County judge sided with the Watsonville Pilots Association, finding that the City of Watsonville violated state aviation safety and environmental review guidelines when elected officials approved a 21-unit housing development near the city’s airport in 2021.
CALIFORNIA NEWS
Bernie Sanders and Gavin Newsom become adversaries over push to tax California billionaires
By Michael R. Blood / Associated Press
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders will be in Los Angeles on Wednesday to campaign for a proposed tax on billionaires, putting him at odds with California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
STUDENT STORIES
I grew up in an education desert but made it to UCSC – rural California needs funding so students can thrive
Ava Thornock grew up in Amador County, an education desert three hours from Santa Cruz […]
STUDENT OPPORTUNITY
Scotts Valley Recreation seeks submissions for annual poetry and art contest
Scotts Valley Recreation, in collaboration with the city’s arts commission, is asking residents of Scotts […]
Reminder on student access
- If any of your students are having trouble with their free access, have them sign up for their free student access with their personal email address at this link.
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 and Community Engagement
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