Though a limited sample, a smaller-than-average number of California districts passed school construction bonds and parcel taxes in June. buff.ly/ldasoiH

The Trump administration canceled $2 billion of research grants to University of California professors. Their legal team says it has proof that those terminations were unconstitutional. buff.ly/1ZJnp80

Filled with infectious comedy, colorful design, inspired music and superb performances, Santa Cruz Shakespeare's “Much Ado About Nothing” is a joyful season opener, Jana Marcus writes, that proves Shakespeare can still leave audiences laughing four centuries later. buff.ly/FhvfkRE

Homeless Garden Project cleared the final major regulatory hurdle to purchasing the 4-acre Natural Bridges Farm it has leased on Santa Cruz's Westside for three decades, paving the way for the nonprofit to establish the first permanent home in its 36-year history. lookout.co/homeless-gar...

Jessica M. Pasko crunches the latest county jobs numbers, notes Bookie's Pizza's impending move to a new Pacific Avenue development and highlights other local comings and goings in her latest business roundup. lookout.co/this-week-in...

A talented cast gives its all, but uneven direction, sluggish pacing and a surprisingly forgettable score keep Cabrillo Stage's “Sister Act” from reaching the joyous heights the musical promises, Jana Marcus writes in her latest theater review. lookout.co/cabrillo-sta...

The Santa Cruz Metro board is holding a public hearing on its proposed ballot measure at 11 a.m. Monday, where it could decide whether or not to move it forward to the county board of supervisors in August. lookout.co/carmageddon-...

The Santa Cruz County housing market looks similar to what it did last month, as inventory and sales remain high during the summer months. However, the war in Iran has heated up yet again, bringing more uncertainty into the economy and, by association, mortgage rates. lookout.co/santa-cruz-h...

California’s fishing fleet is graying and shrinking. An apprenticeship aimed at reviving it showed the obstacles to sustaining locally caught fish. lookout.co/many-califor...

With the weekend nearly here, check out things to do around Santa Cruz County with a recommendation from Lily Belli and a specially curated list from Lookout's BOLO events calendar. lookout.co/best-of-sant...

A couple of hundred new tenants will be moving in next door, but is that good or bad for a used-car business? lookout.co/between-a-lo...

The increased competition between California's universities and community colleges shows why the state needs to update its 56-year-old higher education plan, writes CalMatters columnist Dan Walters. lookout.co/academic-tur...

The body of a 16-year-old boy from Capitola was pulled from the water near the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf on Monday morning. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is investigating, though no foul play is suspected at this time. lookout.co/sheriffs-off...

A California bill would require community colleges with health centers to provide access to medication abortion if lawmakers provide funding. Health center directors say many campuses lack the staffing and infrastructure to offer the service. lookout.co/abortion-pil...

Jessica M. Pasko gives you the latest in local business news, including Joby Aviation and Toyota expanding their partnership, Driscoll's facing a new class action lawsuit over pesticide use, and upcoming events. lookout.co/this-week-in...

A monthly roundup of Santa Cruz County dining highlights celebrates the start of summer with four finds: a barley and kale salad in Davenport, a smash burger at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, and a blue corn cookie and poke bowl in Santa Cruz. lookout.co/the-best-thi...

On Wednesday, June 24, Lookout staff had the opportunity to volunteer at Friendship Park at Harvey West Park, and it served as a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together with a shared purpose. lookout.co/serving-beyo...

Businesses operating in Santa Cruz County must register with the county clerk. Lookout Santa Cruz reviews the public filings from local businesses to report on new businesses starting in the area. lookout.co/santa-cruz-c...

Watsonville City Council will decide whether to make changes to its camping ordinance, establishing “no encampment zones” in areas such the Struve Slough, the Pajaro River levee and other public spaces around the city. lookout.co/watsonville-...

Joe Ortiz transforms the chaos of his 1950s childhood into an exuberant musical memoir filled with unforgettable songs, powerhouse performances from Lori Rivera and Adam Saucedo, and enough heart to earn a sold-out opening-night audience's standing ovation. lookout.co/big-voices-b...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is gearing up to begin the next phase of its Moss Landing cleanup efforts, following a massive January 2025 fire that damaged a large portion of a battery storage facility. lookout.co/moss-landing...

A California law going into effect Wednesday bans the use of “sell by” labels on food packaging. Manufacturers selling food in California must now use two standardized labels — a “best if used by” label for peak quality and a “use by” label for product safety. lookout.co/california-b...

The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to shelve a local ordinance regulating battery storage systems following a decision by the developer of a project proposed for outside Watsonville to seek approval through the state. lookout.co/supervisors-...

After winning its group in the opening round of the World Cup, the U.S. team brings that momentum to Levi's Stadium for a win-or-go-home match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday afternoon. lookout.co/u-s-rides-wa...

The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld a broad conception of birthright citizenship, rejecting President Donald Trump’s executive order declaring that children born to people who are in the United States illegally or temporarily are not American citizens. lookout.co/supreme-cour...

Ahead of Tuesday’s board of supervisors meeting, county staff have prepared a new parks budget proposal that preserves most of the county’s arts funding and avoids major cuts in services and programs offered by the department. lookout.co/how-a-massiv...

A sprawling legislative package aimed at lowering the cost of housing and spurring more home construction won bipartisan approval from Congress this week, but it's hit a major roadblock in becoming law: President Donald Trump. lookout.co/trump-refuse...

An Aptos surfer whose close encounter with a great white shark went viral is sharing what happened from his perspective, including the moment he realized a drone hovering overhead was trying to warn him of danger. lookout.co/aptos-surfer...

Parents, educators and researchers say that inclusive early education improves outcomes for students with disabilities and reduces the need for more intensive — and costly — special education services in older grades. lookout.co/could-early-...

A Dungeons & Dragons program offered by Santa Cruz Public Libraries provides a welcoming and fun environment for people interested in the game thanks to an enthusiastic volunteer, who’ll be leaving the program to embark on a new chapter living in Europe. buff.ly/wmFDWBv