Using U.S. Census Bureau data from 2018 to 2022, UC Santa Cruz researchers published a report detailing the challenges and demographics of African American populations in Monterey and San Benito counties. They hope the report will provide a baseline for why programs focused on providing equitable access to jobs, housing and health care are needed.
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
‘United we can do many things’: Protesters advocate for immigrant rights in Santa Cruz and Watsonville
Hundreds of community members in Santa Cruz and Watsonville took part in protests Monday afternoon advocating for immigrant rights as President Donald Trump attempts to make sweeping changes to immigration policies.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Dozens of businesses close countywide to protest Trump immigration policies
On Monday, dozens of businesses throughout Santa Cruz County were closed to take part in the nationwide “A Day Without Immigrants” protest. The campaign encouraged supporters to stay home from work and school, and for businesses to close. Participation appeared widespread in South County, and included restaurants, laundromats, bakeries, retail shops, food trucks and grocery stores.
Posted inEducation
Demand for immigration legal services spikes at California colleges
California’s estimated 100,000 undocumented college students are grappling with President Donald Trump’s plans of mass deportations. Dream centers on many campuses are stepping in to provide guidance and meet the skyrocketing demand for legal services from students.
Posted inWatsonville / Pajaro
‘Everyone’s scared’: Watsonville businesses see sharp drop in customers amid Trump immigrant threat
Fear of deportation has rippled through Watsonville’s small-business economy since President Donald Trump took office, with some merchants reporting falling sales as customers stockpile savings and avoid leaving their homes.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Santa Cruz County officials scramble to assess impact of Trump’s federal funding freeze
Santa Cruz County officials and nonprofit leaders were rushing Tuesday to understand the local implications of President Donald Trump’s federal funding freeze. Millions of dollars for local programs are under threat from the pause, which has been temporarily blocked by a judge.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
We Santa Cruz religious leaders cannot remain silent – we do not support Trump’s deportation plans
The 35 faith organizations that make up the Santa Cruz Faith Network cannot remain silent in the face of newly reelected President Donald J. Trump’s plans to deport undocumented immigrants, writes Pastor Scott Newman, a member of the group and a pastor at Santa Cruz Bible Church. “As faith leaders,” he writes, “we commit ourselves to educating those affected about their rights and to help them find ways to protect their families.”
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Why Trump’s conditions on L.A. fire aid put California Republicans in a tough spot
All the talk about attaching conditions to California’s federal disaster aid have placed the state’s Republican members of Congress in a quandary: Do they fight for speedy, unconditional relief dollars for wildfire victims in their home state? Or do they fall in line behind President Donald Trump?
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Amid national ‘sanctuary cities’ concerns, Santa Cruz City Council ponders what to do – privately
Santa Cruz, a sanctuary city since the 1980s, has traditionally recommitted to the policy when deportation rhetoric from the White House has ticked up. The city has so far kept quiet under the new Trump administration – and in mid-January held sanctuary city discussions behind closed doors.
Posted inLatest News
Trump is bound for L.A. — threatening to withhold fire aid and keeping Newsom out of the loop
The Trump administration apparently opted not to coordinate at all with Gov. Gavin Newsom while planning the president’s planned Friday visit to fire-ravaged Los Angeles. Just how awkward will this be?