San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who was raised in Watsonville, says his working-class upbringing in the Pajaro Valley — shaped by immigrant farmworker communities, Catholic schooling and parents who lived paycheck to paycheck — informs his bid for California governor.
Lookout Q&A
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Q&A: Housing for Health director predicts an increase in homelessness during this year’s point-in-time count
Robert Ratner, Santa Cruz County’s Housing for Health director, predicts that next week’s point-in-time count of unhoused people will show an increase in homelessness, which he attributes to federal and state funding cuts and more requests from unhoused residents for help.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
The Squigglers: Carmel Jud’s path from selling jingles to fighting human trafficking
After a chance encounter with a Deepak Chopra book, Soquel’s Carmel Jud abandoned her successful career selling jingles to businesses across the country to launch a nonprofit that works to empower women and combat global exploitation.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Meet the Squigglers, career-changers who found their true calling: How Santa Cruz’s John Flores made the leap from hairstylist to watercolor artist
In a Lookout Q&A, John Flores talks about his zigzag from hairstylist to watercolors, his inspirations and his advice to other would-be Squigglers.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘It takes over your life’: County CEO Carlos Palacios on duty, disaster and the decision to step down
After more than eight years leading Santa Cruz County through disasters, budget battles and political shifts, CEO Carlos Palacios prepares to retire, reflecting on service, sacrifice — and what comes next.
Posted inHousing & Development
‘I’m interested in making Santa Cruz relevant again’: Mayor Fred Keeley discusses monumental downtown vote
As Santa Cruz weighs a major downtown expansion and a new housing measure, Mayor Fred Keeley faces a defining week. Years of planning come to a head as the city debates growth, change and what kind of future it wants to build.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Addis’ ambitious bill would force oil companies to pay for historic, and future, climate damage
After a tenure marked by climate disasters, Assemblymember Dawn Addis is pushing bold environmental legislation — including a revived “Polluters Pay” bill that would charge oil companies for climate damages — as California seeks new ways to fund its climate resilience.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Cheryl Anderson’s amazing adventure: A conversation with the famed choir director on the eve of her retirement
Cabrillo College choir director Cheryl Anderson will retire from her post following her choir’s performances this weekend with the Santa Cruz Symphony. Lookout talks with her as she reflects on her 35-year career leading the community in song.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Federal cuts could rock ‘every social safety net program’ in Santa Cruz County
Carlos Palacios, the Santa Cruz County government’s chief executive, warns that proposed federal budget cuts could significantly affect local social safety net programs. With uncertainty surrounding Medicaid, food assistance, and FEMA reimbursements, county officials are preparing for potential financial strain and difficult decisions in the months ahead.
Posted inFood & Drink
Bookshop cookbook buyer Stefanie Berntson shares 30 years of wisdom, and her favorite books
For the past 32 years, the cookbook section at Bookshop Santa Cruz has been curated by one woman. New Orleans native Stefanie Berntson joined the team in 1990, and over those decades, she has kept the shelves stocked with Santa Cruz bestsellers on vegetarian cooking and weeknight dinners, while bringing in more representation from other cultures. Despite the rise of free online recipes, she believes cookbooks are still relevant and vital.