ICE watchdog group seeing influx of new volunteers as immigration enforcement escalates around U.S.
Immigrant advocacy group Your Allied Rapid Response is seeing an influx of new volunteers wanting to become legal observers as federal immigration officials continue to escalate their enforcement tactics.
Carmageddon: Progressive Rail rejects RTC’s move to take over rail operations and threatens litigation
After the Regional Transportation Commission’s recent move to take over rail operations on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line, the current common carrier, Minnesota-based Progressive Rail, has sent a letter to the commission, saying that it intends to “vigorously protect” its current status.
Watsonville residents pack city’s downtown plaza to protest latest Minneapolis shooting, immigration enforcement
Hundreds filled Watsonville’s downtown plaza Sunday afternoon to protest immigration enforcement around the country and denounce the killing of a Minneapolis ICU nurse, just two weeks after a federal agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good.
Demonstrators rally against ICE and Hilton Hotels in solidarity with protests in Minneapolis
Anti-ICE protesters targeted a Hilton hotel in Scotts Valley at a Friday action in solidarity with Minneapolis marchers. They wanted the Hilton corporation to know that housing federal immigration-enforcement agents in Minnesota risks losing business elsewhere. Hilton did not respond to a request for comment.
Coral Street encampment cleared a week before PIT count
The City of Santa Cruz cleared an encampment near homelessness nonprofit Housing Matters on Coral Street on Wednesday, just over a week before the county’s annual 2026 point-in-time count of unhoused people.
Q&A: Housing for Health director predicts an increase in homelessness during this year’s point-in-time count
Robert Ratner, Santa Cruz County’s Housing for Health director, predicts that this week’s point-in-time count of unhoused people will show an increase in homelessness, which he attributes to federal and state funding cuts and more requests from unhoused residents for help.
Capitola, Watsonville intend to keep Flock cameras following Santa Cruz’s exit
While the City of Santa Cruz has canceled its contract with Flock Safety, Capitola and Watsonville expect to keep working with the company.
Watsonville City Council moves forward with changes to its oversized vehicle ordinance
The Watsonville City Council has approved changes to a local law that could ban RVs and semitrucks from parking along public streets citywide. The ordinance is slated for a second hearing Feb. 10 before being formally adopted.
STATEWIDE UPDATES
Judge rules Trump administration must keep funding child care subsidies in five states, including California, for now
A federal judge ruled Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration must keep federal funds flowing to child care subsidies and other social service programs in five Democratic-controlled states — including California — at least for now.
How California lawmakers are trying to speed up spending on voter-approved climate projects
Assemblymember David Alvarez is pushing a proposal to get Proposition 4 dollars out the door faster, more than a year after voters approved the state’s biggest climate bond to date.
Trans youth still have a safe haven in California — but that could change
Lawsuits and Trump administration policy changes are targeting trans athletes, bans on outing by school staff and health care. Some California policies are in jeopardy.
Newsom wants $200M for EV rebates. Experts say it’s not enough to fix California’s slump
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $200 million proposal to revive the state’s electric vehicle market would reach only a fraction of buyers, raising fresh questions about who should benefit and whether limited incentives can meaningfully move a slowing market.
Fires burn swiftly, but insurance battles linger: New bills propose consumer-friendly regulations
As fire survivors continue to navigate life after disaster, California lawmakers roll out new bills attempting to further regulate insurance companies like State Farm.
LOOKING AHEAD
Santa Cruz City Council: Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2:30 p.m. at City Hall, 809 Center St., Santa Cruz.
- The city is delaying a vote to create an affordable housing overlay district and end formal public hearings for fully affordable housing projects within the new district. The city’s planning commission initially approved this move in mid-December, and it is now heading to the city council.
Santa Cruz City Planning Commission: No meeting scheduled.
Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors: Tuesday, Jan. 27, 9 a.m. at 701 Ocean St., Room 020, Santa Cruz.
- The board will consider transferring the Veterans Services Office from the Human Services Department to the county executive office starting in March, following lobbying from service providers and veterans who advocated for a more independent veterans office last year.
- The county will also consider forming an ad hoc subcommittee to prepare for federal immigration actions. The group would be called S.H.I.E.L.D., which stands for Safeguard Health, Inclusion, Essential Services, and Local Defense, and would work with staff and community groups to prepare the county for federal immigration enforcement actions.
Santa Cruz County Planning Commission: Next scheduled meeting is Feb. 11. The hearing scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 28, was canceled.
Watsonville City Council: Next scheduled meeting is Feb. 10.
Watsonville Planning Commission: Next scheduled meeting is Feb. 3.
Capitola City Council: Next scheduled meeting is Feb. 12.
Capitola Planning Commission: Next scheduled meeting is Feb. 5.
County Latino Affairs Commission: Next scheduled meeting is Feb. 4.
Scotts Valley City Council: Next scheduled meeting is Feb. 4.
Scotts Valley Planning Commission: Next scheduled meeting is Feb. 12.
