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Credit: Via Terri Jekot

One of two victims in clocktower stabbing dies after two weeks on life support

Justin Moore, the second victim in a March 21 stabbing near the downtown Santa Cruz clocktower, died this past weekend at Stanford University Medical Center following about two weeks on life support, according to his mother. He was 42.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

The Santa Cruz County school districts that approved layoffs this year

By Hillary Ojeda

Amid declining enrollment and shrinking state and federal funding, several Santa Cruz County school districts approved significant layoffs this year to maintain long-term financial stability. Districts including Pajaro Valley Unified, Soquel Union Elementary, Live Oak, Scotts Valley Unified and Santa Cruz City Schools proposed cuts affecting dozens of positions, though officials say some reductions could be avoided through attrition or other savings measures.

Credit: Tania Ortiz / Lookout Santa Cruz

Democratic Women’s Club endorses Coonerty, Golder and Newsome for SC city races; no endorsement for District 4 county supervisor race

By Tania Ortiz

Following a candidate forum on Saturday, the Democratic Women’s Club of Santa Cruz County endorsed Ryan Coonerty for Santa Cruz mayor and incumbents Scott Newsome and Renee Golder for city council Districts 4 and 6, respectively. The group did not make an endorsement for the District 4 county supervisor race.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Carmageddon: RTC approves ’26-27 budget, next steps in operating rail line

By Max Chun

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission on Thursday approved its proposed budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which is similar to the current year’s budget. It also approved agreements in the process of becoming the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line’s operator.

Credit: Via Clay Hausmann

Feathering the nest: Clay Hausmann returns with his one-man comedy show

By Cecilia Schutz

Clay Hausmann, a local comedian, is taking the stage once again to perform his comedy routine, “Empty Nest and All the Rest,” focusing on parents whose kids are growing up and soaring off into adulthood.

Credit: Laure Andrillon / Associated Press

Trump endorses Republican Steven Hilton for California governor, reordering wide-open race

By Michael R. Blood / Associated Press

President Donald Trump has endorsed Republican Steve Hilton for California governor, reordering a crowded, wide-open race to lead the nation’s most populous state.

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Best of Santa Cruz County events, April 6-9

Here are some events you may be interested in this week:

Monday, Apr. 6

Tuesday, Apr. 7

Wednesday, Apr. 8

Thursday, Apr. 9

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Max Chun is the general-assignment correspondent at Lookout Santa Cruz. Max’s position has pulled him in many different directions, seeing him cover development, COVID, the opioid crisis, labor, courts...