Santa Cruz County’s food safety net is under growing strain as deep federal funding cuts and new SNAP restrictions reduce the food supply to local nonprofits like Grey Bears and Second Harvest Food Bank. With demand already high, local leaders warn that thousands more will soon lose benefits.
The Trump presidency and Santa Cruz County
News and opinion coverage of reaction in Santa Cruz County to the election of Donald Trump to a second term as president, plus news from around California via Lookout’s content partners.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
‘No Kings’ rally and protest set for Oct. 18 in Santa Cruz and Watsonville
Political organizers in Santa Cruz and Watsonville are planning to bring big local numbers to a nationwide protest against the Trump administration. A second “No Kings” protest is slated for Oct. 18, with a march and rally in downtown Santa Cruz and a rally at the Watsonville Plaza.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Why ‘no tax on tips’ may have limited benefits for California workers
Experts doubt the effectiveness of “no tax on tips,” especially for California workers who are facing cuts in other benefits.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
County’s Latino Affairs Commission pushes to turn symbolic immigration sanctuary pledge into binding law
Santa Cruz County officials are facing pressure to do more than promise to safeguard the area’s immigrant community from federal immigration actions – such as passing a legally binding ordinance.
Posted inEducation
As immigration raids shake families, school counselors help students cope with fear and loss
Kindergartners repeat worries heard at home. Older kids text to check on parents during class. As the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown continues, therapists say mental health is at risk now and in the long term.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
The campaign over Gavin Newsom’s maps is one of California’s most expensive ever
Gov. Gavin Newsom is raising money from labor unions and Democrats all over the country for Proposition 50, his redistricting ballot measure. Republicans are pouring in money to fight it.
Posted inEducation
Federal funding cuts put free child care program for low-income Santa Cruz families at risk of closure
A longstanding Santa Cruz child care program serving over 250 low-income families is at risk of closure after federal funding cuts slashed the Head Start grant by $4 million and eliminated access to unused funds.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Here’s how the federal shutdown is affecting Santa Cruz County governments, schools and nonprofits
Most Santa Cruz County agencies and nonprofits say they have monthlong buffers against the federal government shutdown, though some child care and agricultural programs could face threats if the impasse stretches well beyond October.
Posted inLatest News
What a government shutdown will mean for Californians, from Social Security to national parks
Social Security and Medicare benefits will keep flowing in a government shutdown, but federal employees will be working without pay and delays likely will occur across many services.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Furloughs, working without pay: How shutdown affects federal employees and services
Parts of the federal government are offline after a Republican bill to keep the government open failed. Federal employees who are required to keep working will stop getting paid. Here’s more about how services will be affected.