As a wave of layoffs hits the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the effects on the local operations of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and National Weather Service remain largely unclear. Although most of the sanctuary staff are permanent employees, and the firings appear to cover only workers with probationary status, the Monterey Bay chapter director says the agency is expecting local cuts — which could have immediate impacts.
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
‘Todos pierden’: Nuevo registro de la administración Trump pone en aprietos a indocumentados en Santa Cruz
La administración Trump anunció la semana pasada que exigirá que todos los residentes indocumentados en Estados Unidos, mayores de 14 años, registren sus huellas dactilares y su dirección en el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional. Los abogados de inmigración locales dicen que el nuevo requisito pone a los residentes indocumentados en una posición difícil, cumplan o no la ley.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
In the Public Interest: Unbeknownst to the public, Santa Cruz joins lawsuit against the Trump administration
Around Santa Cruz County politics & policy with Lookout correspondent Christopher Neely.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
From funding to free speech, local non-commercial radio reckons with Trump 2.0
Two prominent non-commercial radio stations in the Monterey Bay area – KAZU and KSQD – are facing the second Trump administration with different concerns, the former with the threat of the withdrawal of federal funding, and the latter with worries about free speech.
Posted inLatest News
A California sheriff is planning to break the state’s sanctuary law. Here’s how
California passed a sanctuary state law to protect immigrants during the first Trump administration. Now, Amador County’s sheriff wants to test it at the beginning of the second.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Uncertain times as Trump layoff axe looms over local federal agencies, employees
The threat of mass firings of federal workers has a number of industries concerned about the future of their services, even if many in Santa Cruz County say they have not heard of any local layoffs.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
California Democrats grow quieter on ‘sanctuary’ for immigrants as Trump promises mass deportation
Eight years ago, California Democrats adopted “sanctuary” policies to protect immigrants from President Donald Trump’s deportation plans. But now, as Trump ramps up threats against sanctuary states and cities, Democratic leaders have taken on a softer tone.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
The protest movement is coming together, but is it up to the task?
National protests against the Trump administration came to Santa Cruz on Monday, thanks largely to the local chapter of the group Indivisible. But progressive protesters have a long way to go before their dissent can become effective.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
A Lookout View: We have too many unanswered questions about how ICE will operate in our community
Federal immigration officers arrested local handyman Adolfo Gonzalez on Jan. 28. We still don’t know enough about why. He had spent 22 years in Santa Cruz County and had three DUIs, yes, but why he was targeted, why on that day and why – after two decades in the U.S. – wasn’t he allowed to pack a bag or take his phone with him when federal officers deposited him in Mexico? We understand immigration policies need reform and are changing under Donald J. Trump. But can’t ICE operate more humanely?
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Food, toiletries distribution for undocumented ag workers continues amid deportation fears; first under Trump sees lower numbers
As deportation fears loom under Donald Trump’s second administration, undocumented agriculture workers in Watsonville continue to attend the Center for Farmworker Families’ monthly distribution of food and toiletries. The local nonprofit has changed its distribution format out of safety concerns for participants.