Santa Cruz Vice Mayor Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson recently returned from an annual leadership conference for local Democratic leaders. She felt inspired by the energy and commitment of leaders from across the nation, particularly in the wake of the November election and the return of a Republican administration to Washington in January. Here, she offers some of what she learned and a plea for community engagement.
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 inOpinion from Community Voices
Why Trump won (and what the media missed along the way)
Boulder Creek businessman Tom Decker does the math on Donald Trump’s election win and has a ready answer for the Republican sweep – the mainstream media failed to grasp or adequately cover Trump’s appeal. They didn’t, he says, even report on the substance of his rallies.
Posted inLatest News
Federal health care dollars are helping to house homeless Californians. Trump could stop that
Gov. Gavin Newsom launched an ambitious program that uses Medi-Cal to help Californians access housing, healthy food and more. Now, its fate is in the hands of President-elect Donald Trump.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
What ‘A Christmas Carol’ can teach us about 2024
It’s been a trying year for many, with more ahead come January. But this December, Wallace Baine writes, you could do worse than leaning into the commonality of “A Christmas Carol” – on stage now in a Santa Cruz Shakespeare production – as “a compact dramatization of the journey to be more fully human.”
Posted inHealth & Wellness
How measles, whooping cough and worse could roar back on RFK Jr.’s watch
Inoculation campaigns that protect children and adults from dangerous diseases rely on a delicate web of state and federal laws and programs. If senior officials cast doubt on vaccine safety, the whole system might collapse, especially in red states.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
The threat of mass deportations is real: Cities and counties must do more than reaffirm old sanctuary ordinances
Paul Johnston, a sociologist with decades of experience in the immigrant communities of the Central Coast, helped city and county leaders draft local ordinances in 2017 to stand up against excessive immigration enforcement. There are many things local communities can do in the face of threats from a second Trump administration beyond recommitting to those ordinances, he writes; minimally and most urgently, we should establish a local resource hub for deportees.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
Lace up, Santa Cruz – it’s time to fight whatever Trump throws at us, and that’s what I’ll be doing in Sacramento
Assemblymember Gail Pellerin empathizes with those who feel crushed at the thought of another Donald Trump presidency. But, she says, California and Santa Cruz County are resistant, and Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling a special session on Dec. 2 to take stock of what to do. “We can do hard things,” she writes, and lays out ideas for actions those disappointed can take to help the most vulnerable.
Posted inPolitics & Policy
After Trump victory, Santa Cruz County nonprofits see surge in volunteers looking to take action
Following Donald Trump’s election to a second term, Santa Cruz County nonprofits say they are seeing a surge in volunteer inquiries. Many are from people wanting to take a stand on issues, while others are simply looking to unplug from the political noise.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
I’m happy with Trump’s election: Optimistic local Republican speaks
Peter Coe Verbica, chair of Santa Cruz County Republicans, is happy about Donald J. Trump’s election sweep and says it will be good for the country and Santa Cruz County. Here, he offers his top 10 policy-related reasons.
Posted inOpinion from Community Voices
Don’t let Trump steal your joy: We have to stay sane the next four years
Santa Cruz therapist Lisa Herendeen is worried about another four years with Donald Trump as president. She fears for democracy, free speech, climate change initiatives and immigration and human rights. She has composed a speech she wishes all the Trump supporters in her life would say to her. And, she insists, we can’t let Trump’s reelection suck out all our happiness.