Lookout PM: RiverRow apartments officially open, gubernatorial debate in Monterey, and bird flu outbreak at Año Nuevo continues to spread

Welcome to Friday night’s Lookout PM.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

New housing along San Lorenzo finally opens, connected to the river for first time in decades

By Tania Ortiz

City leaders and Santa Cruz community members celebrated the grand opening of the RiverRow apartments, located along the San Lorenzo River. The downtown development is unique because it opens onto the river, instead of facing away.

In a wide-open Democratic primary for governor, 6 candidates converge on Central Coast

By Max Chun

Similarly policy-minded Democrats aimed to differentiate themselves on housing, climate, business and wealth and more on Thursday evening as they debated for two hours in Monterey.

Bird flu outbreak at Año Nuevo State Park has spread from elephant seals to a sea otter and a sea lion

By Cecilia Schutz

The H5N1 bird flu outbreak in California elephant seals has spread to other marine mammals, including a sea otter and sea lion. But wildlife officials are hopeful the outbreak will remain contained.

New report by UCSC researchers examines financial, social and legal hardships faced by farmworkers

By Tania Ortiz

A new report by UC Santa Cruz’s Institute for Social Transformation and the Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indigena Oaxaqueño examines the harsh conditions faced by farmworkers and how immigration fears contribute to the severity of their challenges.

California passed a law to curb spikes in gas prices. Why isn’t it using those powers now?

By Alejandro Lazo / CalMatters

California built a first-in-the-nation system to police refinery profits during price spikes. Regulators delayed it for five years.

Credit: Damian Dovarganes / Associated Press

Newsom says no imminent threat to California despite warning about possible Iran drone attack

By Associated Press

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said there was no imminent threat to the state despite a warning from the FBI that Iran could send drones to the West Coast in retaliation for war.

Sign up for your Neighborhood Roundup. Sent every weekday morning, receive a neighborhood-specific roundup of the weather forecast, local news, crime reports, road closures, permit applications, road closures, restaurant inspections, upcoming events and more.