Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah says local schools are navigating sweeping federal policy changes and funding cuts by reaffirming their commitment to equity and strengthening communication and support for families.
Newsmakers 2025
This midwinter season, Lookout Santa Cruz is checking in with some of the people and topics we’ve covered over the past year.
Posted inFood & Drink
Newsmakers 2025: Seabright, harbor business owners reflect on challenging year, community support and their fears for 2026
Business owners Michael Spadafora and Patrice Boyle reflect on a tumultuous year for their businesses as the Murray Street Bridge closure slashed summer traffic, left them struggling to survive and exposed what they describe as a lack of communication and meaningful help from the city.
Posted inLatest News
Newsmakers 2025: West Cliff storm damage work finally wrapped up as city looks toward long-term plans
West Cliff Drive finally reopened to two-way traffic this summer as Santa Cruz public works crews finished up repairs to extensive damage from the 2023 storms. Now, officials are making long-term plans for the road, and hope to finally get reimbursed for the emergency repairs.
Posted inLatest News
Newsmakers 2025: Those we lost
Santa Cruz County lost a number of prominent people in 2025, including activists, journalists, artists and academics.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Newsmakers 2025: A year of grassroots protest at Indivisible
Margaret and Roya Ghodsi, a mother-daughter duo from Capitola, are emblematic of a growing number of local residents not active in politics before 2025 who began to participate in protests after Donald Trump’s second inauguration.
Posted inFood & Drink
Newsmakers 2025: Barista who helped unionize Verve says the experience changed how she saw herself
Sasha Pavy, a shy 24-year-old UCSC graduate, emerged as an unlikely leader of a successful unionization drive at three Verve Coffee Roasters cafés, rallying coworkers around higher wages, consistent hours and respect from management. After workers unanimously voted to unionize in September, Pavy was elected to represent the downtown Santa Cruz café in contract negotiations expected to continue through 2026.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Newsmakers 2025: Approaching final year in office, Fred Keeley reflects on a busy ’25 and ‘promises kept’
The new downtown expansion district, an affordable housing measure and a rail-trail compromise all came to fruition in 2025. Now, Fred Keeley, Santa Cruz’s first four-year elected mayor, looks to his final year in office.
Posted inEducation
Newsmakers 2025: Watsonville activist reflects on monthlong hunger strike against pesticides
Watsonville activist Omar Dieguez discusses the impact of his monthlong hunger strike against pesticide applications near schools in the Pajaro Valley and also shares more details on his work to empower youth in his community.
Posted inRecreation & Sports
Newsmakers 2025: Kaleb Wing headed to spring training in February with triple digits in mind
Scotts Valley High School shortstop-turned-pitcher Kaleb Wing spent the summer and early fall playing rookie ball in Arizona and learning from older mentors. Now, he’s ready to take on spring training less than a year after the Chicago Cubs took him in the fourth round of the 2025 Major League Baseball draft.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Newsmakers 2025: Food and toiletries distributions for undocumented ag workers become offseason lifeline
As the Pajaro Valley’s growing season comes to a close, many of its workers turn to a monthly food distribution event hosted by the Center for Farmworker Families to alleviate the financial burdens that come with no work for a few months.