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Credit: National Weather Service

Central Coast issued red flag warning Friday with thunderstorms, lightning in forecast

By Hillary Ojeda

Lightning strikes could result in fires and winds that could gust up to 50 mph may cause rapid fire spread. The National Weather Service also warns of an increased risk […]

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Pajaro Valley Unified teachers reach tentative agreement with district

By Hillary Ojeda

Pajaro Valley Unified School District officials and its teachers union announced that they have reached a tentative agreement after nearly a year of contentious negotiations.

Credit: City of Watsonville

Watsonville rescinds approval for 21-unit housing project after airport safety lawsuit

By Tania Ortiz

Watsonville officials have rescinded approval of a 21-unit townhome development across from the municipal airport after a judge ruled that the city violated state airport safety and environmental laws in […]

➤ Para leer el artículo en español, haga clic aquí.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Science, the sea and gin: Meet Fathom Spirits, Watsonville’s newest distillery

By Lily Belli

Two ocean scientists turned a pandemic-era gin hobby into Fathom Spirits, a Watsonville craft distillery making small-batch gins infused with Santa Cruz-inspired botanicals. Founders Elisha Wood-Charlson and Chad Kecy plan […]

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Weekender: Block party finale, music fest, line dancing

By Lookout Santa Cruz staff

Your cheat sheet for eating well and going out this weekend around Santa Cruz County.

Credit: Angelina Katsanis / Associated Press

OPINION: Santa Cruz mayoral candidates need a ‘Mamdani moment’ on housing policies

By Richard McGahey

Santa Cruz calls itself the “leftmost city,” but the mayoral race is exposing a sharp contradiction: progressive politics and resistance to new housing. Economist Richard McGahey argues that candidates Ryan […]

Credit: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press

What Meta’s $17B social media addiction settlement means for California teens

By Vani Sanganeria / EdSource

Meta’s landmark settlement agreement with states is unprecedented in that it forces the social media giant to redesign key features of Instagram and Facebook for teens.

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Best of Santa Cruz County events, Aug. 28-30

Here are some local events you might be interested in this weekend:

Friday, Aug. 28

Saturday, Aug. 29

Sunday, Aug. 30