Local news in the classroom: Weekly roundup 11/26/25
Most of you have this week off, but we still wanted to send a roundup to keep you up to date, and maybe you can use some of these in your classroom next week. Thanksgiving is tomorrow, but the giving mood seems to already be active. Five years into UC Santa Cruz’s ten year fundraising campaign and it has already raised half of its goal; and Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley and District 1 County Supervisor Manu Koenig come to a rail trail agreement.
Reminder: Lookout’s annual journalism scholarship, where students write about a local “unsung hero,” 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
UC Santa Cruz announces $750 million fundraising campaign through 2030
Why it matters:
UCSC launched a public campaign that aims to raise $750 million by 2030, hoping that donations and philanthropic support will help maintain university projects in wake of its structural deficit and federal funding cuts. What the funding will go towards includes student research trips, full-ride scholarships, and new facilities, prompting consideration of what really matters in student life and learning.
In the classroom:
Ask students what one of the leading organizers of the fundraiser mentions the money would go towards that would help students? How could paid experiential learning (like paid internships, paid lab work) improve a student’s college experience/education?
Carmageddon: Fred Keeley and Manu Koenig believe they’ve found a ‘peace deal’ on rail and trail
Why it matters:
Santa Cruz Mayor Fred Keeley, District 1 County Supervisor Manu Koenig have had differing views on passenger rail but cost overruns and time constraints with the project have forced them to come to an agreement about Santa Cruz rail trail. Their proposal includes building stretches of the trail on top of the railroad tracks instead of alongside, which might help keep the project within budget.
In the classroom:
Asks students to define “railbanking.” Why do Keeley and Koenig argue their proposal is not railbanking? Also, why was it important for Keeley and Koenig to come to an agreement? What would’ve happened if they hadn’t?
More current events for the classroom
Initial reactions to Koenig-Keeley rail trail ‘peace deal’ are divided
By Max Chun
Manu Koenig and Fred Keeley’s proposal to build Segments 8 through 11 of the Coastal Rail Trail over the tracks without railbanking was met with diverging reactions. One rail advocate would rather lose some of a state grant and build less of the trail but keep the design the same, while an outspoken 2022 Measure D supporter believes the community will back the proposal if it’s the fastest way to get a trail.
In reversal, Watsonville reinstates labor pact with unions, adds exemptions for some projects
By Tania Ortiz
The Watsonville City Council reversed its earlier decision to scrap the city’s project labor agreement with trade unions, adding changes that would allow certain projects to be exempt from having to use unionized workers.
Santa Cruz County officials mobilize resistance as Trump administration opens California coast to offshore oil drilling
By Tania Ortiz
The Trump administration confirmed Thursday that it plans to open the California coast to oil drilling, with two possible leases along the Central Coast. Local officials tell Lookout they’re organizing to fight offshore oil extraction with lawsuits.
California News
Credit: Fred Greaves for CalMatters
California is still in the red with another big budget deficit projected for next year
By Yue Stella Yu / CalMatters
California’s independent legislative analyst is warning that the state faces a nearly $18 billion deficit. It is “critical” for lawmakers to rein in spending and increase revenues long term, he said.
Interested in more stories? Browse all our recent coverage here.
Educator Resources
How These Teachers Use Humor and Stories to Connect With Their Students
From PBS Student Reporting Labs, a teen produced podcast episode highlighting teachers, librarians, and principals that have changed students’ lives and inspired them to grow.
Lookout will be 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
Have a restful Thanksgiving break,
Ava Salinas
Educational Program Assistant
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