Aging gracefully can be difficult for someone whose finances aren’t squared away, yet nearly half of 55 to 66-year-olds haven’t saved money for retirement, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. If you want to help your aging parents enjoy their final years as much as you enjoyed your childhood, starting an open discussion about their […]
Business & Technology
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Organic’s big South County moment: Might school-zone pesticide switch provide momentum for change?
Longtime UC Santa Cruz researcher Joji Muramoto is the first organic soil specialist employed by the University of California system. The rich history of the area’s organic movement was largely spawned in the northern half of Santa Cruz County and inspires people like him. But the market-driven realities that prevent more South County farmers from growing organic present an ongoing challenge to sustainability and a reduction in carcinogenic pesticide use.
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Pressure building on pesticides, Driscoll’s says it will consider organic-only by schools
A new advocacy group’s campaign to educate the public about the dangers of pesticides sprayed near neighborhoods with schools in Watsonville has also focused specific pressure on berry giant Driscoll’s, a multibillion-dollar company spawned in Santa Cruz County. Leaders at Driscoll’s and its main affiliated grower confirmed to Lookout that they are listening.
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California lawmakers pass new social media protections for minors
A pair of bills approved by California legislators would regulate how Facebook, YouTube and other platforms treat minors and seek to influence how they moderate extremist content.
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Lookout Update: Still no local Starbucks union negotiations, but NLRB to hold unfair labor practice hearing
Three months ago, the Starbucks on Mission Street and Ocean Street in Santa Cruz became the first Starbucks stores in California to vote to unionize. The process of agreeing to a contract was expected to move slowly, and negotiations still have yet to begin. There’s currently no timetable for the bargaining kickoff, but the parties will meet in federal court Sept. 13 for a hearing on a charge of unfair labor practices.
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California set to make history by banning sales of gas-powered cars. Can it deliver?
In a nationwide first, California air quality officials are set to vote Thursday on a plan to phase out the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035.
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California bans sales of new gas-powered cars by 2035. Now the real work begins
Plenty of challenges lie ahead as California mandates zero-emission cars, including cost and access to charging.
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California’s fast food bill could link chains to wage theft and other workplace violations
Proponents say AB 257 could curb wage theft, but restaurateurs say it could raise costs and prices and fundamentally change relationships with fast food chains.
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What car buyers should know about the coming tax credits for EVs
For California consumers thinking about going electric, the Inflation Reduction Act could tilt the math in favor of nabbing that new Model 3 or F-150 Lightning sooner than later.
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Why Amazon warehouse workers walked off the job in San Bernardino
Workers at Amazon’s air freight facility are demanding better pay and relief from high temperatures they say regularly reach unsafe levels.