Lookout PM: Santa Cruz's Ashtyn Davis takes shot with 49ers; dispelling downtown doom narrative

Welcome to Friday evening’s Lookout PM.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz’s Ashtyn Davis is back in the Bay Area, battling for a 49ers roster spot

By Kevin Painchaud

Santa Cruz native Ashtyn Davis is back home, hoping to extend his seven-year NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers. The former Santa Cruz High and Cal standout is competing for a roster spot as the 49ers prepare to cut […]

OPINION: If nobody goes to downtown Santa Cruz, who are all these people?

By Matt Huffaker

Downtown Santa Cruz isn’t empty — and both the numbers and the visuals prove it, writes Matt Huffaker, the city manager. New businesses are opening, vacancies are falling and millions of people are showing up to shop, eat, study and […]

Former Soquel High ace Jake Escalante is rehabbing a torn elbow — and gearing up for Arizona State

By John P. Hefti

Former Soquel High baseball standout Jake Escalante is navigating the mental and physical challenges of Tommy John surgery after a historic senior season, with the injury likely to keep the left-hander off the mound during his freshman year at Arizona […]

Credit: Central Coast Fighting Championship

Best of Santa Cruz County entertainment, arts & food events this weekend, Aug. 28-30

By Lookout Santa Cruz staff

With the weekend finally here, check out things to do around Santa Cruz County, with a recommendation from Lily Belli and a specially curated list from Lookout’s BOLO events calendar.

Can California farmers break free from plastic?

By Liza Gross / Inside Climate News

Microplastics in waterways and soil are fueling calls to reduce the pervasiveness of plastic in agriculture.

The data center backlash is here — and Big Tech is spending big to combat it

By Katherine Ortiz / CalMatters and Khari Johnson / CalMatters

The public has turned against data centers, prompting a flood of legislation in California. Business interests are trying to blunt the backlash.

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