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Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz mayoral candidates Ami Chen Mills, Ryan Coonerty clash over AI, Flock cameras and campaign conduct

By Max Chun

Lookout’s Santa Cruz mayoral candidate forum saw Ami Chen Mills and Ryan Coonerty discuss a variety of city issues, including budgets and homelessness. However, between talking about the issues, the candidates also talked about the divisiveness of the campaign — and the issues they’ve had with each other.

Credit: Capitola-Soquel Chamber of Commerce

Weekender: Fall festivals abound

By Lookout Santa Cruz staff

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

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

UC Santa Cruz welcomes 6,300 new students as 2026-27 school year begins Thursday

By Hillary Ojeda

UC Santa Cruz welcomes about 6,300 new undergraduate and graduate students this week as the university begins another academic year with total enrollment expected to remain around 20,000. The new school year also brings expanding student housing, including a new two-year housing guarantee for incoming undergraduates.

Credit: Joshua Huver

Santa Cruz’s newest music festival is coming to a porch near you

By Alia Yee Noll

Santa Cruz’s first Porchfest will bring 50 bands to 14 porches and other downtown locations on Saturday, Oct. 3. The free festival aims to showcase local musicians while creating new opportunities for neighbors to gather and enjoy live music.

Credit: Gregory Bull / Associated Press

Gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton has harsh criticisms, sweeping fixes for California schools

By John Fensterwald / EdSource

As governor, Steve Hilton, the former Fox News host, would turn to voters, if necessary, for school vouchers, end teacher tenure and institute a cellphone ban for kids under age 14.

Credit: Miguel Gutierrez Jr. / CalMatters

Insurers say they’re starting to write new California homeowner policies, but how many?

By Levi Sumagaysay / CalMatters

Insurance companies are starting to write new policies in California again after years of holding back as wildfire risk climbed higher. The state Insurance Department says that means new regulations, intended to boost insurance availability, are working. Consumer Watchdog, the advocacy group that often butts heads with the department, says the numbers are low.

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Best of Santa Cruz County events, September 25-27

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

Friday, Sep. 25

Saturday, Sep. 26

Sunday, Sep. 27

Add an event to our calendar

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...