Amid rising deportations along California’s Central Coast, retired sociologist and Santa Cruz Welcoming Network member Paul Johnston urges communities to organize and to close two urgent gaps: emergency legal aid for those detained by ICE and support for families left behind. He points to the Puentes Fund, which assists families facing detention or deportation, and calls for broader community action — from fundraising gatherings to organized “circles of care” rooted in schools, faith groups and neighborhoods.
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
Trump’s Medicaid work mandate could kick thousands of homeless Californians off coverage
A majority of California’s roughly 180,000 people experiencing homelessness have health insurance through Medi-Cal. Providers predict that many will lose insurance under President Donald Trump’s upcoming work mandates even if they qualify for exemptions.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Iran war protest draws hundreds to downtown Santa Cruz
More than 200 people gathered at the intersection of Ocean Street and Water Street on Monday evening to protest the U.S. and Israeli military action in Iran.
Posted inHealth & Wellness
Measles is back in California. Health departments are fighting it with less.
California is battling measles outbreaks across seven counties as federal funding cuts gut local health departments and vaccine skepticism fuels spread among unvaccinated children.
Posted inLatest News
Santa Barbara judge rules against company that turned to Trump for help restarting pipeline
A Santa Barbara judge tentatively ruled that the Trump administration’s intervention wasn’t enough to let Sable Offshore restart a pipeline shut after a 2015 oil spill.
Posted inLatest News
Watsonville’s new police chief shares his views on ICE and Flock cameras, says he’s ready to learn and engage with the community
Brian Shab, a 27-year veteran police officer, spoke to Lookout about stepping into a new role as Watsonville’s 17th police chief and his goals for the department during his tenure.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
U.S. Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s tariffs. Here’s how they’ve affected California
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that President Donald Trump does not have the authority to impose broad tariffs under the emergency act he has cited. Tariffs have affected California ports, farms, businesses, workers and consumers.
Posted inLatest News
Supreme Court strikes down Trump’s sweeping tariffs, upending central plank of economic agenda
The Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s far-reaching global tariffs on Friday, handing him a significant loss on an issue crucial to his economic agenda.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Trump scraps a cornerstone climate finding as California prepares for court
After President Donald Trump rescinded the legal foundation for U.S. climate policy, California is preparing to sue — and could try to write its own rules.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Watsonville becomes first city in Santa Cruz County to restrict feds from using its facilities for immigration enforcement activities
Watsonville is the first city in Santa Cruz County to prohibit the use of city-owned facilities for federal immigration enforcement. It follows in the footsteps of cities such as San Jose and Santa Clara, which have adopted similar policies.