Second Harvest Food Bank Santa Cruz County is facing a sudden loss of over $700,000 in federal aid and a potential $400,000 state funding cut, threatening its ability to provide more than 3 million meals to tens of thousands of residents. In response, the food bank has launched “Operation Bridge the Gap” to encourage community support through donations, volunteering, and advocacy while seeking answers and solutions from policymakers.
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
‘Punched in the nose’: Local Canadians try to make sense of a new U.S.-Canada cold war
Canadians living and/or working in the Santa Cruz/Monterey area are trying to comprehend a sudden shift in the historically placid relationship between Canada and the U.S. And they have as many questions as Americans do.
Posted inEducation
Santa Cruz education leaders respond to Trump’s order to dismantle Department of Education
While Santa Cruz County education leaders anticipated President Donald Trump’s executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, it’s nonetheless a major cause of concern for them.
Posted inEducation
Here’s how Trump’s education cuts are starting to affect Santa Cruz County schools
Santa Cruz County officials say at least one federal program is ending that will reduce funding for food programs at five local school districts. Some superintendents said they’re concerned about every single federal dollar being pulled back in the future.
Posted inLatest News
Federal funding freeze hits program that helps Santa Cruz County residents become citizens
President Donald Trump’s federal funding freeze is affecting grants to a longstanding citizenship program in Santa Cruz County, threatening services that have helped hundreds of immigrants navigate the naturalization process.
Posted inEducation
UC Santa Cruz faces fresh round of austerity measures with systemwide hiring freeze
UC Santa Cruz officials say they are reviewing the possible impact of a systemwide hiring freeze announced Wednesday by UC President Michael Drake as the university system contends with state budget constraints and funding challenges from the Trump administration.
Posted inLatest News
In Santa Cruz County, day laborers find fewer jobs and growing fears
Day laborers in Santa Cruz County say they have been struggling to find work lately thanks to President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and the rising costs of materials squeezing the construction industry.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Santa Cruz County agriculture industry faces uncertainty over Trump’s looming tariffs
With President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Mexico and Canada set to go into effect next month, Santa Cruz County agricultural leaders are struggling to predict the consequences for the region’s farming sector.
Posted inBusiness & Technology
This week in Santa Cruz County business: Local agriculture mulls impact of proposed tariffs; cannabis lounges’ future in county
It’s still unclear exactly how President Donald Trump’s promised tariffs – and retaliatory measures from Mexico and Canada – will affect Santa Cruz County agriculture and particularly the all-important berry crop, Jessica M. Pasko reports in her weekly look at local business.
Posted inFood & Drink
‘Unclear and stressful’: Restaurants, craft breweries brace for tariff increases on essential products
Santa Cruz County food and drink businesses are facing significant price increases due to tariffs imposed on imports from Mexico, Canada and China, affecting essential ingredients such as produce, seafood, grains and aluminum. Local establishments such as Gayle’s Bakery, Charlie Hong Kong and Fruition Brewing are already seeing rising costs, forcing them to consider price adjustments and menu changes while grappling with inflation and supply chain challenges.
