Lookout staff photographer Kevin Painchaud gets a front-row view of the events, people, and food that make Santa Cruz such a unique and special place to live. He chose his favorite photos he captured in 2025.
Civic Life
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Breastfeeding Walk & Health Fair come to Laurel Park Aug. 7
Community Bridges is hosting its 18th annual Breastfeeding Walk & Health Fair at Laurel Park from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County health director resigns following proposed layoffs
A day after news broke that Santa Cruz County’s largest department, the Health Services Agency, would propose layoffs and cuts to services and staffing positions, the agency’s director, Mónica Morales, abruptly announced her resignation.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
A popular Santa Cruz Facebook page played a political April Fool’s joke on its 73,000 members. Then came the fallout.
A name change prank on Santa Cruz’s biggest Facebook group by one of its own administrators quickly went awry, fueling long-simmering tensions that the page had grown too political since the 2024 election.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Fact check: Cutting through the fog of competing affordable housing petitions in the city of Santa Cruz
In a city grappling with housing affordability, two rival ballot measures have emerged in Santa Cruz: one backed by the mayor, another by real estate interests. What are the differences between the competing petitions claiming to raise money for affordable housing?
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Supervisors approve cannabis lounges in tense meeting amid pleas to deny plans
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors gave final approval to cannabis consumption lounges in unincorporated areas like Aptos and Felton after a tense 3-2 vote. While supporters see economic and educational benefits, opponents cite public safety concerns and pushed for stricter oversight.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Many expect big things in Zach Friend’s post-Santa Cruz County supervisor act. Where will he go?
What’s next for former Santa Cruz County supervisor Zach Friend? After years of balancing family in Southern California and public service up north, Friend steps into an undefined future.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Thousands of uncounted ballots are holding up county races. We still know little about them.
In Santa Cruz County, most election results are in, but two critical races — Measure Z’s soda tax and the District 2 supervisor seat — remain unresolved. Thousands of same-day registration ballots hold the key, but resource constraints and certification priorities have slowed their processing at the county clerk’s office.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Laird plans to defend California against ‘smarter’ President Trump
California State Sen. John Laird, reelected to a second term, faces a complex landscape as former President Donald Trump returns to office. Drawing on his past experiences resisting first-Trump-term environmental policies, Laird anticipates new challenges for California, from federal tensions over climate initiatives to potential impacts on immigration and education policy.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz City Council rejects plan to loosen accessory dwelling rules
The Santa Cruz City Council voted against easing restrictions on accessory dwelling units Tuesday, fearing lax ADU rules could invite investors, increase demand and drive up prices. Some councilmembers argued that the changes were needed to provide more flexibility amid a housing affordability crisis, while others demanded more data on the potential impacts before proceeding.