Editor/Co-founder
As a veteran newspaper reporter, I helped establish Santa Cruz Local in 2019 because I believe Santa Cruz needs high-quality journalism that responds to residents’ concerns and questions.
Santa Cruz County is a place of natural beauty, and it has urban problems that challenge us all. As an editor and reporter, I try to decode the efforts of county and city governments to address housing affordability, homelessness and many other problems our county faces. I highlight solutions and write about the people most impacted by county and city policies.
I’m a fourth generation Californian. I hold a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University. I have been a newspaper reporter in San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties, as well as in Chicago, Washington D.C. and western Pennsylvania. I live in Santa Cruz with my wife and daughter. Read my ethics statement.
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Recent stories by Stephen Baxter
Highway 1 widening project advances in Santa Cruz County
Boulder Creek sidewalk plan also in the works
Homeless plan gets mixed results in Santa Cruz County
Fewer unhoused families, more addiction problems reported
Without motel money, Santa Cruz seniors return to homelessness
COVID-related relief runs out
Santa Cruz County District 4 supervisor official election results
Felipe Hernandez, Jimmy Dutra will square off on Nov. 8 ballot
Reports explain labor shortage in Santa Cruz County
Aging workforce, high housing costs and a lack of childcare are among the challenges
Rail trail options outlined in Live Oak, Capitola, Seacliff
Planners ask for feedback through early June
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
Rail-trail ballot measure outlined by Santa Cruz County staff
County leaders say approval would not rule out future rail
Rail trail plans detailed from Santa Cruz to Aptos
‘Interim’ project would replace some train tracks with paved path
Santa Cruz County housing projects for homeless advance, Sheriff’s Office to launch data dashboard
Plus: Live Oak parking program killed, more Watsonville hospital money approved
Sheriff’s Office oversight advanced by Santa Cruz County supervisors
Inspector general could review complaints, but some want advisory committee
Downtown Santa Cruz library plans move forward
Council lauds revised designs, but ballot measure could sink project
Santa Cruz council advances 831 Water St. housing project
Building permit approval needed
Police standards examined in Santa Cruz County report
Independent oversight, use of force policies among key differences