Latest News Archives

READ THE STORY: Hearts full for an empty homes tax: Santa Cruz set to follow path of other ‘second home’ destinations

Resident pushback moves Santa Cruz County to scale back proposed Live Oak beach parking fees

by Patrick Riley February 17, 2021

Santa Cruz County officials are scaling back the potential rate hikes as they try to tweak the program to make it financially viable. The proposed changes could take effect May 1.

Morning Lookout: 5-time cancer survivor talks resilience, Conception dive boat fire update and more

by Tulsi Kamath February 17, 2021October 22, 2023

Welcome aboard to a distinguished Seabright condo, where 3 floors of stunning views of the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor and…

Nurse Cherry Costales prepares to administer COVID-19 vaccine at St. John's Well Child & Family Center in Los Angeles.

Vaccine Watch

Biden administration claims progress in COVID-19 vaccination drive

by Chris Megerian February 17, 2021

Although President Biden likely will exceed his campaign promise of 100 million shots in his first 100 days, the U.S. was on track to hit it by the time he took office.

Vaccine Watch

Who’s ‘essential’? COVID-19 vaccine rollout leaving high-risk workers behind

by Suhauna Hussain and Andrea Castillo February 17, 2021

California’s vaccine rollout is missing millions who work in risky conditions, and it’s unclear when those with less visible jobs can get inoculated.

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 16: A COVID-19 vaccination site established in a partnership between the federal government and the state opened today at Cal State Los Angeles, one of two in the state and the first phase of an effort expected to spread to 100 sites across the nation. The CSULA site is co-run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the state of California through the governor's Office of Emergency Services. The site is expected to have an ultimate capacity of administering 6,000 doses per day, although it opened Monday with just 3,000 doses. Gov. Gavin Newsom said, however, the site would reach the 6,000-dose mark by the end of the week at both the Los Angeles and a Oakland site. Shortages in supply have hampered vaccination efforts at county- and city-operated sites, but officials noted that the vaccines provided at the two FEMA sites will be in addition to the state's normal supply. "We're committed to ensuring that everyone who wants a vaccine gets one,'' FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton said during a news conference at the CSULA site. Fenton noted that the site was chosen specifically for its accessibility to hard-to-reach communities, "focusing on areas where minorities make up over 40% of the population, looking at other factors such as poverty, lack of housing or vehicle access.'' Cal State LA on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2021 in Los Angeles, CA. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times).

COVID Today

Coronavirus cases plummet to pre-Thanksgiving levels. Are more reopenings next?

by Luke Money and Rong-Gong Lin II / Los Angeles Times February 17, 2021

Coronavirus infections have plummeted to pre-Thanksgiving levels in California, instilling new hope that the state is finally regaining its footing.

COVID Today

Why a California scientist hosted superspreader event amid a deadly COVID-19 surge

by Erin B. Logan February 17, 2021

Peter Diamandis, a doctor, engineer, executive and scientist, believed he could create an “immunity bubble” and safely host a scaled-down version of his pricey annual tech conference. Instead, the conference became a superspreader event that infected 24 people, including Diamandis, with the novel coronavirus.

Morning Lookout | Mysterious management changes at Watsonville Community hospital, vaccine data problems

by Tulsi Kamath February 16, 2021

The campus continues to make advancements in the areas of housing, transportation, and water conservation.

READ THE STORY: Watsonville Community Hospital reaches preliminary agreement for sale to avoid closure

Health & Wellness

State backs away from assigning more patients to nurses following protests in Watsonville, beyond

by Patrick Riley February 16, 2021December 20, 2023

SPECIAL REPORT: The company that bought Watsonville Community Hospital in 2019 abruptly stopped managing it last month….

Health & Wellness

Watsonville Community Hospital under new management, but veil of secrecy surrounds who’s really in charge

by Mallory Pickett and Patrick Riley February 16, 2021December 20, 2023

SPECIAL REPORT: The company that bought Watsonville Community Hospital in 2019 abruptly stopped managing it last month. The new manager has a troubled history and is under congressional scrutiny. A third party owns the hospital’s building and land. So who’s really calling the shots?