Editor/Co-founder
Santa Cruz County spans across a beautiful part of the California coast. It also lacks affordable housing and has more than its share of urban problems. I decode the efforts of county and city governments to address housing affordability, homelessness and many other challenges that the county faces. I highlight solutions and write about the people most impacted by county and city policies.
As a veteran newspaper reporter, I co-founded Santa Cruz Local in 2019 because I believe Santa Cruz needs deeper, high-quality journalism that responds to residents’ concerns and questions.
I’m a fourth generation Californian. I live in Santa Cruz with my wife and daughter. Read my ethics statement.
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Recent stories by Stephen Baxter
Police standards examined in Santa Cruz County report
Independent oversight, use of force policies among key differences
Watsonville committee calls for more police transparency
Recommendations include potential new police auditor, youth programs
Rules loosened for in-law units in Santa Cruz County
Parking requirements draw some criticism
Santa Cruz police chief hired in Palm Springs
City manager to name Andy Mills' replacement
New debris-flow maps, rules aim to help CZU Fire rebuilding
Santa Cruz County supervisors ease rule on property liabilities
Overnight parking limits debated in Santa Cruz
RV owners discuss potential new law
Santa Cruz County wildfire rebuilding rules loosen
Program to add wildfire cameras advances
Housing plans could target job centers in Santa Cruz County
City, county leaders inch toward allocations of thousands of homes
Assemblymember Mark Stone explains votes on housing bills
State representative from Santa Cruz County supports SB9, opposes SB10
Santa Cruz jail inmates transition to private mental health care
County behavioral health clinicians to leave
Santa Cruz sobering center could reopen in January
Fatal fire destroyed Water Street building in 2020
Post-wildfire housing rules challenged in Santa Cruz County
Fire protection goals clash with shortage of homes
Santa Cruz County budget adds employees, services, savings
Leaders say remote work helps reduce traffic
Advocates target police cuts as Watsonville budget decision looms
Proposed reductions would follow Salinas, Richmond
Podcast: Reshaping mental health crisis response in Santa Cruz County
Part of Santa Cruz Local's Police Reform Series