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.
Have a question you want me to answer? Ask me below.
Recent stories by Stephen Baxter
CZU Fire rebuild process honed by Santa Cruz County leaders
New appeal process, shorter reviews in the works
Strides and stalls in Santa Cruz County homeless plan
Rental assistance vouchers gain traction with landlords
Downtown Santa Cruz library project advances
City council to weigh potential parking changes
Soquel Drive bike lane project expected in summer
Improved traffic flow, safety on tap
Coastal Commission staff outlines hopes for West Cliff plan
Public meeting set for Feb. 13
West Cliff Drive traffic meeting on tap
Long-range plan remains delayed by Coastal Commission
Podcast: Meet the Capitola City Council candidates
Yvette Lopez Brooks, Joe Clarke, Enrique Dolmo Jr., Gerry Jensen, Alexander Pedersen respond to voters’ questions
Senior housing project approved in Santa Cruz
Planning Commission pushes for more affordable units
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