Local news in the classroom: Weekly roundup 12/9/25
Holiday festivities and proximity to winter break are getting closer, creating a special kind of busyness and anticipation. In the midst of this, the news cycle continues. Researchers from San Jose State University’s Moss Landing Marine Laboratories dig into soil contamination from the battery storage fire in Moss Landing and Wallace Baine chronicles The Catalyst’s 50-year-old musical legacy in light of a proposal to alter the building.
Before the stories, a quick heads up that due to the holiday season and school breaks, this will be the last educator newsletter until January! I wish you well in this last big push before winter break.
Also, don’t forget to share with your students that Lookout’s annual journalism scholarship is officially taking submissions! All high school students in Santa Cruz County are encouraged to apply. The top ten winners will be published on Lookout’s site and the top three winners will win $500 each. Check out more information, including entry requirements, here. If you would like to assign this to your class and would like us to host a class workshop, or have a Lookout representative come to your class to share more info, we would be happy to! Feel free to reach out with any questions at interns@lookoutlocal.com or jamie@lookoutlocal.com.
This week’s highlighted stories
Independent study reveals heavy metals near Elkhorn Slough after Moss Landing fire
Why it matters: A new independent study of the effects of the battery storage fire in Moss Landing last January found that almost 55,000 pounds of heavy metals remained in the soil near Elkhorn Slough. Contamination seems to have decreased but scientists argue there’s still a possibility of the metals migrating into waterways and wildlife, prompting consideration of the environmental risks of large-scale battery storage, especially in light of the proposed battery storage facility outside Watsonville.
In the classroom: Put the students in various decision-making roles. Ask, what questions would you want to investigate if you were to conduct a follow-up study on the fire and its consequences? If you were part of the decision-making team for a community considering future battery storage facilities, what policies or regulations would you propose to ensure the health and protection of ecosystems and populations nearby? If a battery storage facility is necessary, where in the county should it go and why (considering local populations and wildlife)?
What The Catalyst means to Santa Cruz’s music scene, its culture and its sense of itself
Why it matters: Wallace Baine details The Catalyst’s importance from the 1960s to today including how it has both reflected and shaped cultural interests and musical subcultures. The article arises after a November proposal to build an apartment building where The Catalyst currently is.
In the classroom: The proposal includes remodeling the ground floor, keeping the club at the base of the apartment complex. What potential tensions could arise from this arrangement?The Catalyst stage has hosted world-famous musicians and smaller artists with devout local followings. What is the value of smaller and more intimate venues such as The Catalyst for both local music communities and the broader music world?
More current events to use in the classroom
Ask Lookout: Why has Santa Cruz’s water demand dropped?
By Alonso Daboub
It comes up invariably whenever there is a discussion about development: Santa Cruz has a water demand problem. But it doesn’t. Data from the city’s water department shows that since 2000, water demand has fallen from about 4.5 billion gallons a year to around 2.5 billion – a 45% drop – even with roughly 8,000 more residents in town.
Waymo’s expansion includes a sliver of Santa Cruz County. What doe this mean for local roads?
By Max Chun
Waymo, a company operating self-driving cars, recently expanded its operations into more of the Bay Area, including an area of Lexington Hills that lies mostly in Santa Clara County but very slightly reaches into Santa Cruz County. However, don’t expect to see Waymos on local roads in the near future.
Georgia police chief, arested for using Flock cameras for stalking and harassment, searched Capitola data earlier this year
By Max Chun
Data compiled by countywide grassroots coalition Get The Flock Out shows that a former Georgia police chief searched Capitola data in early 2025. Capitola Police Chief Sarah Ryan said she was not aware of these searches, but given the recent issues with Flock Safety is not surprised. The city stopped sharing data with more than 300 law enforcement agencies in November and implemented a waiver system for any access requests. Ryan said she is working with Flock to amend the city’s contract with the company.
RTC narrowly approves Keeley-Koenig ‘peace deal’ proposal to build trail segments over railroad tracks
By Max Chun
In a 7-5 vote, the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission approved a proposal by Commissioners Manu Koenig and Fred Keeley to build three segments of the Coastal Rail Trail over the railroad tracks in a change of plans for the major project. The plan had previously included the trail running alongside the tracks. Staff will also continue to seek funding for the environmental work necessary for passenger rail.
Interested in more stories? Browse all our recent coverage here.
Student Stories/News
Watsonville High student named semi-finalist for Coca-Cola Scholars Program
Watsonville High School senior Azucena Sandoval’s reflections on being named a semifinalist for the 2026 Coca-Cola Scholars Program.
Educator Resources
Voices Across Cultures: Viet Thanh Nguyen And The Teen Search For Belonging
From PBS News Student Reporting Labs, student reporter Khadeejah Khan and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen discuss identity, memory, activism, and art in the context of making sure all voices are heard.
Lookout is accepting submissions for our journalism scholarship contest from November to February. We invite all high school students in Santa Cruz County to apply. Top three winners win $500 each and top ten winners get published on the Lookout site.
Book a class visit with Lookout Santa Cruz
We’d love to visit your classroom! Lookout staff can come to your classroom and lead a workshop about various things from journalism to elections. These workshops last the length of one class period and are a great way to get your students engaged in different aspects of learning. Reach out if you are interested.
Thank you for all the work you do in our community. Your efforts help younger generations build media literacy skills, engage with their communities, and grow as active democratic citizens. If you’d like to learn more about our school programs, get involved, or have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at interns@lookoutlocal.com or my mentor Jamie Garfield (Director of Student and Community Engagement) at jamie@lookoutlocal.com
Happy holiday season,
Ava Salinas
Educational Program Assistant
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