With a federal plan updating oil and gas drilling rules on Central Coast public lands now open for public comment, attention in Santa Cruz County has turned to whether any local federal lands could be vulnerable to drilling.
Environment
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Water decides who wins in California – that’s why I wrote my new novel
OPINION: After a decade of research and writing, Santa Cruz author Victoria Tatum is preparing for the release of her second novel, “More Than Any River,” which transforms California’s water wars into a human story rooted in the Central Valley.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
How California lawmakers are trying to speed up spending on voter-approved climate projects
Assemblymember David Alvarez is pushing a proposal to get Proposition 4 dollars out the door faster, more than a year after voters approved the state’s biggest climate bond to date.
Posted inLatest News
Seacliff State Beach recovery inches forward without RV campground
Three years after storms significantly damaged amenities at Seacliff State Beach in Aptos, major rebuilding efforts won’t break ground until at least 2028, with larger projects unlikely before 2030.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Newsom wants $200M for EV rebates. Experts say it’s not enough to fix California’s slump
California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $200 million proposal to revive the state’s electric vehicle market would reach only a fraction of buyers, raising fresh questions about who should benefit and whether limited incentives can meaningfully move a slowing market.
Posted inLatest News
Ask Lookout: Why are beach hazards more frequent and dangerous in winter?
Storms in the North Pacific Ocean deliver sneaker waves, rip currents and longshore currents to Santa Cruz County’s shores in winter, making it a dangerous time for beachgoers.
Posted inCapitola & Soquel
Capitola library to cut ribbon on long-awaited solar and battery storage project
A ribbon-cutting is scheduled for Saturday at the Capitola Branch Library to celebrate a solar and battery storage project years in the making.
Posted inLatest News
One year after massive fire at Moss Landing battery storage facility, nearby residents have more questions than answers
People who live near Moss Landing still have more questions than answers about the massive fire that started Jan. 16, 2025, at the world’s second-largest battery storage facility.
Posted inLatest News
In a warming world, freshwater production is moving deep beneath the sea
A Southern California company is planning a facility that would use natural ocean pressure to power reverse osmosis — a process that forces seawater through membranes to filter out salt and impurities — and produce up to 60 million gallons of freshwater daily.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Exploring hidden light: Steven Haddock brings ocean’s radiant secrets to life
In “The Radiant Sea,” scientists from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute bring together a lifetime of research and photography of deep-sea creatures. A book event Friday will dive into the role of light in the ocean’s depths with a presentation, demonstration, videos and a Q&A session.
