Hi there, readers. It is Tuesday, Feb. 3, shaping up to be another sunny, warm one around Santa Cruz County, with mid- to upper 70s possible in warmer mountain spots.
I WANT TO … Become a Lookout member | Download the Lookout app | Browse latest news | Get other Lookout newsletters | Solve a puzzle | Find local events | Advertise
Bad Bunny, Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish and … John Leopold? The former Santa Cruz County was among the winners at Sunday’s Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Max Chun reports, honored as executive producer on “A Tribute to the King of Zydeco,” a cover-loaded salute to the legendary Clifton Chenier.
Students, faculty members and other employees at UC Santa Cruz are up in arms over a parking fee increase set to take effect this summer, Hillary Ojeda reports. Annual increases starting at 7 to 10% and continuing for a decade will see the cost of some permits nearly double. Detractors say it adds to the local affordability crisis, while the university says the increase is necessary amid budget woes.
Jessica M. Pasko has the latest in a lawsuit in which Santa Cruz’s Joby Aviation is accusing a main rival in the electric helicopter space of corporate espionage. The suit has been moved from county to federal court, with Archer Aviation calling Joby’s claims of stealing trade secrets “speculation and innuendo.”
And in Lookout’s Community Voices opinion section, local writer Gabriel Kittle-Cervine describes an encounter that made him realize how desensitized we’ve all become to suffering. He challenges Santa Cruz residents to confront the human cost of complacency and asks whether the city’s values truly align with the community it claims to be.
Let’s check out the day’s headlines.
Were you forwarded this newsletter? Sign up here to receive Morning Lookout in your inbox every weekday.
Former county supervisor John Leopold wins Grammy as executive producer of zydeco tribute album to legend Clifton Chenier
Former Santa Cruz County supervisor John Leopold made his debut at the top of the music industry on Sunday, winning a Grammy as the executive producer of a tribute album to Clifton Chenier, a giant in zydeco dance music originating from Louisiana. Max Chun caught up with the new Grammy winner.
UCSC students, faculty gripe about parking fee increase
UC Santa Cruz students and employees are disappointed by a proposal to raise parking permit fees by 7% to 10% annually starting this summer, a move that would nearly double some permit costs over the next decade amid ongoing budget deficits and infrastructure needs. Critics say the increases will further strain workers and students already grappling with high housing costs, while university officials argue the hikes are necessary to cover debt, maintenance and transportation projects. More here from Hillary Ojeda.
DAILY DIGEST
Among what’s still coming from Lookout this first Tuesday in February is a dispatch from Santa Cruz County’s culinary scene, via Lily Belli on Food – among the many free newsletters and breaking news alerts you’d do well to sign up for here. Get full access to all of our award-winning local coverage by downloading the Lookout Santa Cruz app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, and stay on top of it all out there on social media by following Lookout on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram and/or Threads.
Our content isn’t possible without community support, so if you’re not already, please consider becoming a Lookout member.
Have a super Tuesday, and thanks for reading.
Will McCahill