Government News > Santa Cruz Local delivers deep, nonpartisan coverage of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors and city councils in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Scotts Valley and Capitola.
We distill local government decisions in an easy-to-read format and demystify county and city policy with our explainer stories. Our newsletter also lets you know about upcoming local government decisions so you can participate.
Santa Cruz County District 4 supervisor early election results
Felipe Hernandez, Jimmy Dutra, Ed Acosta square off
Santa Cruz County District 3 supervisor early election results
Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson takes lead in early election results
Measure D routed in latest election results in Santa Cruz County
Rail-trail ballot measure appears short of majority in early returns
Early election results for Santa Cruz County ballot measures
Voters to decide whether to raise Santa Cruz County hotel tax, City of Santa Cruz sales tax
Scotts Valley city budget starts to rebound
Plus: Reported crime drops, pride flag to be raised
Reports explain labor shortage in Santa Cruz County
Aging workforce, high housing costs and a lack of childcare are among the challenges
Campaign finance complaint dismissed in Santa Cruz County supervisors race
Westside winery event led to money questions
Santa Cruz City Council approves two district maps
Plus: November ballot initiatives take on Downtown library, empty homes
Downtown Santa Cruz library plans updated
Plus: Homeless shelter plans change
Rail trail options outlined in Live Oak, Capitola, Seacliff
Planners ask for feedback through early June
Santa Cruz council adopts new public gathering rules
Plus: Affordable housing project and military equipment list approved
Explainer: Santa Cruz County’s rail trail ballot measure
Answers to readers’ questions about Measure D
Rail trail plans detailed from Boardwalk to 17th Avenue
Input wanted through April 15
Residents weigh draft maps for Santa Cruz City Council districts
District boundaries debated for Beach Flats and UC Santa Cruz
Low-cost internet project starts in Watsonville, Live Oak
Program aims to connect students, teachers, families
Santa Cruz and North Coast voters describe their priorities for supervisor candidates
Help with rent, wages and solutions for the unhoused were top of mind
South County residents describe their priorities for supervisor candidates
District 4 residents want rent help, higher wages, affordable housing
Rail-trail ballot measure outlined by Santa Cruz County staff
County leaders say approval would not rule out future rail
Santa Cruz city voters to weigh in on district elections
Mayor could be directly elected, six districts could form
Rail trail plans detailed from Santa Cruz to Aptos
‘Interim’ project would replace some train tracks with paved path
Santa Cruz city deficit prompts potential sales tax hike
Plus: Council pushes for freight rail