What’s good, Lookout friends? Friday, Sept. 19, is what we’ve got on our hands – looking like a pleasant fall day indeed around Santa Cruz County, with mostly sunny skies and temperatures from around 70 to the mid-80s … and much the same through the weekend, if you can tolerate it.
JOIN US: Lookout, along with our partners at CalMatters, will present a screening of the documentary “Stripped for Parts: American Journalism on the Brink” at the Del Mar Theatre in Santa Cruz on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. After the film, we will have a panel discussion with media leaders on the fight to rescue local news and its importance to democracy. You can get your tickets here.
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The Watsonville activist currently on hunger strike to draw attention to the use of pesticides near local schools tells Tania Ortiz that officials in Pajaro Valley School District have blocked him from speaking to students. One principal asked Omar Dieguez to get fingerprinted, submit his presentation to the district for review and get permission slips from teachers – following PVUSD policy regarding controversial topics, per a spokesperson – but Dieguez says Pajaro Valley High canceled his presentation even after he fulfilled the requirements.
Aptos High School, meanwhile, is aiming to reopen Friday after a week plagued by power outages, Tania reports. PVUSD has been working with Pacific Gas & Electric and others to figure out the cause, but hadn’t yet pinpointed it as of Thursday afternoon.
Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud took to the streets to take residents’ temperature on proposed passenger rail in Santa Cruz County. With the price tag now up to $4.3 billion, he found opposition, but also plenty of support among those wanting more local transit options.
Peggy Flynn has the latest in her Squigglers series, Q&As with locals who have charted zigzag career paths. Soquel resident Carmel Jud talks about how a chance encounter with a Deepak Chopra book moved her to abandon a successful business selling jingles to launch a nonprofit that works to empower women and combat global exploitation.
The TGIF headlines also feature recommendations from Wallace Baine for things to do all over Santa Cruz County this weekend, so let’s hop to it.
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Street view: Santa Cruz County residents split on $4.3 billion train and trail
Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud took to the streets to talk to residents about their perspectives on the planned passenger train and 32-mile coastal trail, whether they would regularly use either, and if they would support higher sales taxes to help pay for the ambitious projects. The debate over the train and trail pits transit advocates against residents concerned about soaring costs and practicalities of a local commuter train. Hear from locals in their own words.
Watsonville activist says school district ‘blocking’ him from speaking to students about pesticide harms
Activist Omar Dieguez told Lookout that Pajaro Valley Unified School District is not allowing him to present to students about the harms of pesticides during his monthlong hunger strike. Tania Ortiz has the latest.
DAILY DIGEST
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Cheers to a smooth Friday and a safe, relaxing weekend beyond – thanks for reading!
Will McCahill