Santa Cruz Local

A decade ago, a soda tax effort fizzled in Watsonville. Advocates blame Big Beverage.

An investigation by Santa Cruz Local and Lighthouse Reports examines strategies by beverage companies to fight soda tax in ...
Santa Cruz Local

How Big Soda nearly killed Measure Z in Santa Cruz

Measure Z in Santa Cruz flies in the face of a 2018 state ban against grocery taxes approved under duress from beverage ...
santacruzlocal

As Felton Fire faces mounting financial challenges, an assessment proposal divides residents

Felton Fire leaders have proposed a charge on property owners to maintain an independent district. (Amaya Edwards —Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local) FELTON >> Property owners in Felton Fire ...
santacruzlocal

Capitola affordable housing advances, construction expected by November

A proposal for 52 homes at 1098 38th Ave. could be constructed by May 2028. (Tyler Maldonado — Santa Cruz Local file) CAPITOLA >> A proposal for 52 below-market-rate homes beside the Santa Cruz Branch ...
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Cabrillo College dental hygiene faculty, students allege toxic work and learning environment

An anonymous source finishes up paperwork after a day of working at their dental office on June 23. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local) APTOS >> A toxic work environment. Excluded from ...
santacruzlocal

‘We’re going to keep escalating’: Dominican Hospital nurses decry proposed layoffs

Nurses and their supporters hold an informational picket at Dominican Hospital on June 30. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local) LIVE OAK >> Dominican Hospital nurses rallied in front of ...
santacruzlocal

Appeal expected after judge rules in city’s favor in soda tax lawsuit

The No on Z campaign mailed fliers to Santa Cruz voters, sent people door to door and blanketed social media and TV with advertisements ahead of the Nov. 5, 2024 election. (Photo collage by Jesse ...
santacruzlocal

Cabrillo College fixes most dental program violations, state board says

Cabrillo College has the only dental hygiene program in the Monterey Bay region. (B. Sakura Cannestra — Santa Cruz Local file) APTOS >> After the Dental Hygiene Board of California found in February ...
santacruzlocal

Over 100 seats across Santa Cruz County are up for election. Here’s why they matter.

Learn about candidate paperwork, election deadlines and the election process. 3:30 – 5 p.m. June 29, in the basement community room of 701 Ocean St., Santa Cruz. 2 – 3: 30 p.m. June 30, in the ...
santacruzlocal

«Vamos a seguir intensificando nuestras protestas»: las enfermeras del Dominican Hospital condenan los despidos propuestos

Las enfermeras y sus simpatizantes organizan un piquete informativo en el Dominican Hospital el 30 de junio. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local) LIVE OAK >> Las enfermeras del ...
santacruzlocal

El profesorado y los estudiantes de higiene dental del Cabrillo College denuncian un entorno laboral y de aprendizaje tóxico

Una fuente anónima termina de tramitar el papeleo tras una jornada de trabajo en su consulta dental el 23 de junio. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local) APTOS >> Un ambiente de trabajo ...