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.
Downtown Santa Cruz hotel approved by city council
Outdoor restaurant to be built near river
What went wrong at Live Oak School District
Money problems explained, and how other school districts compare
Live Oak School Board approves layoffs in new plan
Parents, teachers call for budget transparency
O’Hara, Brunner, Trigueiro, Kalantari-Johnson win Santa Cruz City Council races in unofficial results
Election Night outcomes hold
Watsonville hospital bond adopted in unofficial results
Measure N would allow medical center purchase
School measures adopted in Live Oak, Happy Valley
School measures sail toward wins in March 5 election
Measure M loses in unofficial results
More than 60% of votes cast against measure
Brown, De Serpa expected in November runoff for District 2 Santa Cruz County supervisor
Schwartz, Jaffe, Crane trail
Martinez keeps strong lead in District 5 Santa Cruz County supervisor race
Bradford, Decker fight for second
Koenig defeats Faulkner for District 1 Santa Cruz County Supervisor
Incumbent's lead insurmountable
Watsonville City Council targets RV parking, adds homeless services
Gun storage law also advances
Live Oak teacher layoffs proposed to avoid state takeover of school district
Low reserves, declining enrollment blamed for $2.9 million deficit
Front Street hotel proposal advances in Santa Cruz
Hotel workers demand more money for housing fund
Santa Cruz council supports ‘peaceful dialogue’ in Israel-Hamas war, rejects Gaza ceasefire resolution
Santa Cruz leaders reject will of more than 200 people
Santa Cruz wharf renovation plan approved
Projects aim to draw more visitors
Activists press Santa Cruz leaders to support Israel-Hamas ceasefire
Supporters draw on local history of global stances
Santa Cruz city voters ask candidates to address housing, transit, crime
City council district elections set for March 5
San Lorenzo Valley voters describe needs from county supervisor candidates
Disaster preparation, power reliability, child care among top priorities
Aptos, South County voters rank transportation and housing as top concerns
Survey results from Santa Cruz County Supervisor District 2
Sales tax hike returns to Santa Cruz ballot
Plus: City council advances housing project, delays vote on license-plate readers