Santa Cruz County Local News


Curated Local News articles published by local newsrooms.

Cliona Ward Update

04/29/2025

An update on the status of longtime resident Cliona Ward who was arrested by immigration officials and held at a detention center in Tacoma, Washington. Possibly for months.

Trump Cuts Millions in California Crime Prevention Grants: ‘This Was a Sledgehammer’

04/28/2025

Groups that support California crime victims and attempt to reduce gun violence lost millions of dollars in grants when the Trump administration pulled funding.

Highway 1 Overnight Closures Coming

04/28/2025

Work on new Highway 1 overpasses will result overnight closures for several nights in two sections, one in Capitola and one in Aptos.

California Rolls Out Pesticide "Spray Days" Alerts

04/28/2025

Residents living near farms can now sign up to be alerted when pesticides will be applied by the a new system recently launched by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

They Feared a Loved One in a Psychotic Moment. Why California Police Wouldn’t Come

04/27/2025

Police agencies — under scrutiny and worried about their own liability — increasingly won’t respond to someone in a mental health crisis unless that person is committing a crime. So who will transport people in psychosis to get help? And who will keep those around them safe?

How the State Sent Californians’ Personal Health Data to LinkedIn

04/27/2025

The state’s health insurance exchange transmitted pregnancy and domestic abuse data during a marketing campaign. It is reviewing its website practices.

Legislator Introduces Bill to Prohibit Offshore Drilling Along Central, Bay Area Coast

04/27/2025

A new bill in Congress proposes banning new offshore fossil fuel drilling along the coast from Monterey to Mendocino County, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, said this week. The Central Coast of California Conservation Act would prohibit new exploration, development or production leases for natural gas or oil along the Central Coast, and a portion of the North Coast.

Spotlight on San Lorenzo Park ‘Day in the Park’

04/26/2025

The second annual 'Day in the Park' was held on April 26 at San Lorenzo Park.

Changing Santa Cruz

04/26/2025

With empty storefronts and a frenzy of building, Wallace Baine considers the future of downtown Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz County Health Director Abruptly Resigns

04/25/2025

Santa Cruz County Health Director Monica Morales has resigned, effective June 3, following news about staffing cuts at the Health Services Agency.

Top Education Official Reprimands Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board

04/25/2025

Santa Cruz County Superintendent of Schools Faris Sabbah has send a letter critical of the Pajaro Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees following a turbulent meeting considering an ethnic studies curriculum.

Algae Bloom Killing Animals in California Waters

04/24/2025

A huge algae bloom is responsible for the deaths of sea lions, pelicans and whales off the California coast.

Biden Let California Get Creative With Medicaid Spending. Trump Is Signaling That May End

04/24/2025

California uses Medicaid to pay for a range of nontraditional health care services, including housing. The Trump administration wants to scale back those programs.

California Railroads: Unions Push to Shorten Trains, but Companies Warn of Higher Costs

04/24/2025

Unions are pushing for shorter freight trains to make railways safer, but that could raise the cost of goods and delay passenger rail service. It also may not be legal.

Fraud in California Community Colleges Triggers Call for Trump Investigation

04/24/2025

Following CalMatters reporting, California’s Republican representatives are calling for the U.S. Department of Education and Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate how California’s community colleges are handling financial aid fraud.

Eight-Story Building in Proposed in Santa Cruz South of Laurel Area

04/24/2025

A pre-application has been submitted to the City of Santa Cruz with a proposal to build an eight-story mixed-use building on the south side of Laurel Avenue.

State Claims Dominican Hospital Service Charges "Excessive"

04/24/2025

Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz is one of several hospitals named by state health officials as charging excessive fees and may have price caps imposed as a result.

Santa Cruz Resident Detained at San Francisco International Airport

04/24/2025

On April 21, long time Santa Cruz resident and green card holder Cliona Ward was detained by immigration agents at the San Francisco International Airport.

Cal Fire Unveils New Aircraft

04/24/2025

In an April 24 press conference. CalFire unveiled the latest addition to their fleet of firefighting aircraft, a new C-130 Hercules.

CalFire Releases Interactive Urban Tree Canopy Mapping Tool

04/23/2025

A new online urban tree canopy mapping tool for California has been released by CalFire.