Local News

The eastbound lane of the Murray Street Bridge will be reopened on Sept. 28, the City of Santa Cruz announced Monday afternoon. 

The bridge has been fully closed since June 10 due to major construction efforts, including installing piles and support structures on the south side of the bridge. Crews also completed a new sewer main on the north side of the bridge.

The nearly four-month closure was required because it was the project’s in-water construction period, the only time that the pile installation process is allowed. 

While the project is making necessary updates to the bridge, the closure has come with its share of difficulties for residents. It shut down a major city artery, resulting in worsened traffic congestion and consistent struggles for surrounding harbor and Seabright businesses. 

There are only two more planned short-term full closures of the bridge remaining — a one-week closure in February 2027 and a two-week closure in December 2027. The project is scheduled to wrap up in January 2028.

The post Murray Street Bridge to reopen eastbound lane in late September appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Highway 1 near Aptos will see overnight closures Sunday and Monday night for construction of a new pedestrian overcrossing at Mar Vista Drive. The overcrossing is part of a larger, multi-year effort to widen Highway 1, add auxiliary lanes and partial bus-on-shoulder lanes, and build new pedestrian infrastructure.

On Sunday, Sept. 20, northbound Highway 1 will be fully closed from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Travelers may take the State Park Drive off-ramp to Soquel Drive and take the Park Avenue on-ramp to continue on Highway 1.

On Monday, Sept. 21, southbound Highway 1 will be fully closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The detour will be at the Park Avenue off-ramp, which drivers can take to Soquel Drive, and then to the State Park Drive on-ramp to continue on Highway 1.

Directional signs will be posted for travelers before the areas under construction.

The post Full overnight closure of Highway 1 near Aptos scheduled for Sunday and Monday appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Get ready for five days of classic fair fun! The 2026 Santa Cruz County Fair returns Sept. 16-20 with live entertainment, carnival rides, local food, community traditions and plenty of surprises.

This year’s theme, “Apple Pies and Starry Skies,” celebrates the homegrown traditions of the Fair and the natural beauty of the Watsonville fairgrounds.

Rev your engines for Monster X

If you like your entertainment loud, the Monster X Tour is bringing two nights of high-octane action to the Fair on Sept. 16 and 17.

The Ferris wheel spins at the 2025 Santa Cruz County Fair. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Watch 10,000-pound monster trucks crush cars and compete in racing and wheelie contests. Come early to meet the drivers, get autographs and snap photos, then take your own ride on a real monster truck during the Pit Party.

The Monster X Tour will also deliver jaw-dropping freestyle action. Additional tickets are required for Monster X Tour shows.

Local stars take the stage

The Fair is keeping its concert lineup close to home this year, with three nights of music celebrating local roots and regional favorites.

On Friday, Sept. 18, Watsonville native Andy Vargas, the lead singer of Santana, will perform with his band. His father, Javier Vargas, a longtime mariachi musician and Santa Cruz County Fair staple, will join him for featured songs.

On Saturday, Sept. 19, Santa Cruz native and American Idol alum James Durbin returns to the Fair with The Lost Boys.

“I am very proud of being a born & raised Santa Cruz local,” Durbin says. “I’m also very proud to be a 3rd generation resident of Watsonville.”

Durbin will return to the Fair’s Amphitheater Stage, where he has performed before, alongside his wife, Heidi, and their three children, who he says they are raising in the community.

On Sunday, Sept. 20, Los Mismos will take the stage. The celebrated Regional Mexican group emerged from the remaining members of the legendary band Los Bukis and has become one of the genre’s most recognized and enduring acts.

Look up at the stars

The Fair is also reaching for the stars this year.

In honor of “Apple Pies and Starry Skies,” UCSC Astronomy and Lick Observatory will host a booth featuring several telescopes throughout the Fair, including the Unistellar eVscope, Sky-Watcher telescope and Seestar S50 smart telescope.

Fairgoers can even capture their own image of the Moon. Use the Seestar app to take a photo through the telescope, and volunteers will email the image to you as a keepsake.

Experience a true community fair

For generations, the Santa Cruz County Fair has brought the Pajaro Valley community together. About 65,000 people attend the annual event to celebrate the creativity, talent and hard work of their friends and neighbors.

Across the Fairgrounds, you’ll find exhibits and competitions featuring agriculture, horticulture, livestock, poultry, home arts, amateur wines, fine arts, LEGOs, poetry, youth displays, handspun and handwoven crafts, quilting, photography, floriculture, collections and more.

Hundreds of volunteers help bring each department and exhibit building to life, while local children and adults put their creativity and passion on display through their entries.

And, of course, there’s plenty to see and do beyond the exhibits.

Take a spin through the carnival midway, watch a drone show, catch a magic or kids’ show, cheer on horse shows or professional wrestling, enjoy a circus, see tractor parades, listen to live music, watch dance performances and encounter roving entertainment throughout the Fairgrounds.

Then come hungry. From funnel cakes and cinnamon rolls to fried artichokes and BBQ kabobs, the Fair offers the sweet and savory treats you can only get once a year.

It’s no surprise that readers of the Santa Cruz Sentinel have voted the Santa Cruz County Fair “Best Annual Event in Santa Cruz County” for three consecutive years.

Join the community Sept. 16-20 at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in the heart of the agriculturally rich Pajaro Valley and experience “Apple Pies and Starry Skies” for yourself.

Ready for Fair season? Get tickets, explore the entertainment lineup and plan your visit at santacruzcountyfair.com.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE!

The post Apple pies, monster trucks & live music: Don’t miss the 2026 Santa Cruz County Fair appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Teresa sat across from a hiring manager, answering interview questions in English. Although she had been studying English with her literacy tutor, they hadn’t reached the lesson on job interviews yet. But Teresa (a pseudonym, used to protect her privacy) applied for the caregiving role on her own. She got the job, and has since scored 100% on the English training exams.

Since 1967, the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County’s Adult Literacy program has paired adult learners like Teresa with volunteer tutors, teaching English one lesson, one conversation, one milestone at a time. The mission hasn’t changed in nearly six decades: language should be a bridge to belonging, not a barrier.

That mission has rarely felt more urgent. Nearly one in four Santa Cruz County adults struggles with basic English literacy, cutting people off from everyday parts of life — getting help in an emergency, filling out a job application, or helping a child with homework. The Literacy Program closes that gap, connecting neighbors not just to English, but to opportunity, safety, and community.

That’s true for Leila, who called 911 the day she witnessed an emergency. Because of what she’d practiced with her tutor, she gave the address, explained the situation clearly, and got help on the way. It’s true for volunteer Pamela Rocco’s student, too, a 48-year-old mother of three who recently landed a better-paying job at a local grocery store, where her new employer has praised her work. “Me das oro,” she tells Pamela almost every time they meet. You give me gold.

Nancy and her volunteer tutor, Tina, built more than English skills together. Since they started working together, Nancy has earned her driver’s license, bought a car, opened a 401(k), and grown her own business.

This year, the program exceeded every performance goal set by the state, who determines funding priorities for literacy programs state-wide. Yet, overall program funding was cut state-wide, leaving the Santa Cruz County program facing a $15,000 shortfall that threatens the student materials, tutor training, and the one part-time coordinator who keep it all running.

Volunteer tutors do more than teach English. They help neighbors navigate daily life — riding the bus, applying for jobs, opening a bank account, talking with a doctor, or asking for a translator at school. These skills strengthen the community for everyone, regardless of their primary language.

How You Can Help

Volunteer as a Literacy Tutor
Join us for a free Literacy Tutor Orientation on Sept. 16 or Sept. 24. No teaching experience required! Learn more & sign up

Donate to Support Tutors and Learners
It costs $1,500 to fully train and equip a new volunteer tutor. A gift of $65 provides the first set of training materials for a tutor–student pair to get started.. Every dollar helps keep the program staffed and strong. Give Here

Spread the Word

Know someone who might be a great tutor? Share this article and invite them to get involved!

Together, we can keep literacy alive in Santa Cruz County — and ensure every neighbor has the chance to belong.

For more information or to sign up, visit scvolunteernow.org/literacy.

About the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County

We connect people for good because meaningful service is the heart of a strong, vibrant community. Through programs like Adult Literacy, we match 18,000 volunteers with causes they care about, strengthening 300+ nonprofits while running 19 programs covering mental health, justice, seniors, and families. Our vision is a community where everyone’s gifts matter, kindness is celebrated, and together we build a stronger, healthier, more connected Santa Cruz County. Join us at scvolunteercenter.org.

The post This Santa Cruz County literacy program changes lives: here are three ways you can help appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Here’s what’s happening on Santa Cruz County roads this morning…

▼︎ new incidents

Road incidents as of 6 a.m. on September 14

• Alternating lanes are closed on Highway 9 at Pool Drive in the San Lorenzo Valley because of bridge work. The closure is expected to last until April 30, 2027.
   
• There is one-way traffic control on Highway 129 at Salsipuedes Creek Bridge in the Watsonville area because of pavement work. This is expected to last until Sept. 16.
   
• Highway 9 at Ramona Drive in the San Lorenzo Valley has one-way traffic because of drainage work. The closure is expected to end at 7:01 p.m. today.
   
• A lane on north Highway 1 at Mar Monte Avenue in Aptos is closed for road excavation work. The closure is expected to end today at 4:59 p.m.
   
• On south Highway 1 at Bay Avenue in Capitola, alternating lanes are closed for shoulder work. The closure is expected to end at 6:30 a.m. today. 

Disclosure: Traffic incidents are partially generated by artificial intelligence. We are constantly working to improve the accuracy and quality of our AI-generated content. However, there may still be errors or inaccuracies. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

The post Monday morning traffic: Highway 9, Highway 1 lane closures, delays appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

The Capitola City Council approved a short-term repair for the Stockton Avenue Bridge that city officials say is likely to extend the life of the aging structure by roughly 10 to 15 years.

The bridge spanning Soquel Creek near where it empties into Monterey Bay is 93 years old, and while there is no immediate safety concern according to engineering experts, a 2024 analysis by San Francisco-based civil engineering firm CSW Consultants showed widespread deterioration and erosion, and recommended a bridge replacement. 

➤ Para leer el artículo en español, haga clic aquí.

Admission and parking prices at the Santa Cruz County Fair are dropping this year – a deliberate move by organizers to bring back families priced out by rising costs. 

If you go

What: Santa Cruz County Fair
Where: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville
When: Wednesday, Sept. 16 through Sunday, Sept. 20. Hours vary by day; check the county fair website for more information. 
More: For a detailed schedule of daily exhibits and entertainment, visit the Santa Cruz County Fair website.

County fair CEO Dori Rose Inda said the move is in response to community feedback that the yearly event had become increasingly expensive to attend. After hearing that feedback, Rose Inda said that she and her team “put their heads together” to think of ways to make the fair more affordable and accessible to the community. 

The new prices are roughly $1 to $2 less than prior years. Tickets for adults (ages 13-61) are $20, compared to last year’s price of $22. Tickets for kids and older adults are priced $10 and $13, respectively, decreasing by $1. 

In celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday, Rose Inda told Lookout that fair admissions on opening day – Wednesday, Sept. 16 – will be $2.50, cash only, at the gate. On Thursday and Friday, Sept. 17 and 18, attendees can save $4 per ticket from noon to 5 p.m. if purchased at the gate, according to the county fair website. 

She added that there are additional discounts on prices throughout the fair’s run through Sunday, Sept. 20, such as kids day on Sept. 17, when children 12 and under are free. 

Visitors to the 2025 Santa Cruz County Fair watch the drone show. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

“We anticipate more attendance,” said Rose Inda. “We anticipate people to be able to spend money once they’re inside a little more comfortably if they haven’t had to spend it as much coming in.” 

In addition to admission costs being lowered, Rose Inda said prices for parking have also decreased by $5. Attendees can also take advantage of free offsite parking at the Santa Cruz County government building on Westridge Drive and the Elks Lodge on Martinelli Street in Watsonville, with Santa Cruz Metro offering free rides from there to the fairgrounds.

“I’m excited about families coming and about seniors being able to get in because it’s more affordable,” Rose Inda said. 

Rose Inda told Lookout she’s excited to highlight local talent at this year’s fair, including singers such as Andy Vargas and James Durbin, and to celebrate the local agriculture community. She recommends attendees check out the art exhibits, and added that they can look forward to a new drone show every night of the fair. 

Attendees can also expect all the yummy food and baked goods, including the famous Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls, which will feature a special flavor to celebrate this year’s theme, “Apple Pies and Starry Skies.”

Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here.

The post Santa Cruz County Fair just got cheaper – here’s how much you’ll save appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here.

I can’t find my hair clips.

Los precios de entrada y estacionamiento de la Feria del Condado de Santa Cruz bajarán este año, una decisión deliberada de los organizadores para atraer de nuevo a las familias que han dejado de asistir debido al aumento de los costos.

Si vas

Qué: Feria del Condado de Santa Cruz
Dónde: Recinto Ferial del Condado de Santa Cruz, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville
Cuándo: Del 16 al 20 de septiembre. El horario varía según el día; consulta el sitio web de la feria del condado para obtener más información.
Para consultar el programa detallado de las exhibiciones y actividades de entretenimiento de cada día, visita el sitio web de la Feria del Condado de Santa Cruz.

La directora ejecutiva de la feria del condado, Dori Rose Inda, dijo que la medida responde a los comentarios de la comunidad, que señalaban que asistir al evento anual se había vuelto cada vez más costoso. Después de escuchar esas opiniones, Rose Inda dijo que ella y su equipo se “pusieron a pensar juntos” en maneras de hacer que la feria fuera más económica y accesible para la comunidad.

Los nuevos precios son aproximadamente entre $1 y $2 más bajos que en años anteriores. Los boletos para adultos (de 13 a 61 años) costarán $20, en comparación con los $22 del año pasado. Los boletos para niños y personas mayores costarán $10 y $13, respectivamente, lo que representa una reducción de $1 en cada caso.

Para celebrar el 250.º aniversario de Estados Unidos, Rose Inda dijo a Lookout que la entrada a la feria el día de la inauguración, el 16 de septiembre, costará $2.50, únicamente en efectivo y pagando en la entrada. Los jueves y viernes, 17 y 18 de septiembre, los asistentes podrán ahorrar $4 por boleto entre el mediodía y las 5 p. m. si compran sus boletos en la entrada, según el sitio web de la feria del condado.

También señaló que habrá descuentos adicionales durante los días que dure la feria, como el Día del Niño, el 17 de septiembre, cuando los menores de 12 años podrán entrar gratis.

Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

“Esperamos tener una mayor asistencia,” dijo Rose Inda. “Esperamos que las personas puedan gastar un poco más cómodamente una vez que estén dentro, si no han tenido que gastar tanto para entrar.”

Además de reducir el costo de entrada, Rose Inda dijo que el precio del estacionamiento también ha disminuido $5. Los asistentes también tendrán estacionamiento gratuito fuera de las instalaciones en el edificio del gobierno del condado de Santa Cruz, ubicado en Westridge Drive, y en Elks Lodge, en Martinelli Street, en Watsonville. Desde ambos lugares, Santa Cruz Metro ofrecerá transporte gratuito hasta el recinto ferial.

“Me entusiasma que vengan las familias y que las personas mayores puedan entrar porque ahora es más accesible,” dijo Rose Inda.

Rose Inda dijo a Lookout que está entusiasmada por destacar el talento local en la feria de este año, incluidos cantantes como Andy Vargas y James Durbin, así como por celebrar a la comunidad agrícola local. Recomienda a los asistentes visitar las exhibiciones de arte y agregó que podrán disfrutar de un nuevo espectáculo de drones todas las noches de la feria.

Los asistentes también podrán disfrutar de toda la comida deliciosa y los productos horneados, incluidos los famosos Country Fair Cinnamon Rolls, que tendrán un sabor especial para celebrar el tema de este año: “Pasteles de manzana y cielos estrellados.”

The post La Feria del Condado de Santa Cruz acaba de bajar de precio: aquí te contamos cuánto ahorrarás appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

On Saturday, Sept. 26, a 2,000-year-old Japanese sport will make its Santa Cruz debut – not on the beach but inside Kaiser Permanente Arena. “Pro Sumo: New Era IV” marks the first televised sumo event in California, and organizers say it’s just the beginning.

“They say ‘keep Santa Cruz weird,’ but we want to ‘keep it sumo,’” says Abdelrahman Shalan – also known as Ōsunaarashi Kintaro (Japanese for “Sandstorm”) – with a hefty laugh. “I got a few thoughts on the tradition of sumo: modernize it and present it to the people as a professional sumo league.” 

PREVIOUSLY IN THIS SERIES: Abi Mustapha | Rhia Hurt | Mattie Leeds

https://youtu.be/fDlGj8DkksI

Names: Stephanie Michelet and Jason Rimmer

More than 60 firefighters, first responders and community members from Santa Cruz County and the San Francisco Bay Area gathered Friday morning at Seacliff State Beach in Aptos for the annual 9/11 memorial stair climb, marking the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Santa Cruz firefighters lower a large American flag suspended between two ladders during the annual 9/11 memorial stair climb at Seacliff State Beach in Aptos. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

Men, women and children joined the first responders in the climb, coming together to honor the firefighters and other first responders who lost their lives on 9/11. The memorial climb honors the 343 members of the New York City Fire Department, 37 Port Authority police officers, 23 New York Police Department officers and other emergency personnel who died at the World Trade Center.

This post is updated throughout the day to reflect the latest incidents. It was last updated at 6:31 a.m..

Here’s what’s happening on the roads this morning…

▼︎ new incidents

Road incidents as of 6:30 a.m. on September 11

• There will be alternating lane closures in both directions on Highway 9 at Pool Drive in San Lorenzo Valley because of bridge work. The closures will continue until April 30, 2027, at 6:59 a.m.
   
• South Highway 1 at Route 129 in Watsonville / Pajaro is facing closures for grinding and paving work. The closure will end at 5:59 a.m. today.
   
• Alternating lanes are closed on SR-129 at Highway 1 in Watsonville and Pajaro because of paving work. The closure is expected to end at 5:59 a.m. on Sept. 14.
   
• There is one-way traffic on SR-129 at Union Street in Watsonville and Pajaro because of paving work. This closure will last until 5:59 a.m. on Sept. 14.
   
• One-way traffic control is in place on SR-129 at Salsipueda Creek Bridge in the Watsonville / Pajaro area because of pavement work. This is expected to last until 2:59 p.m. on Sept. 16.
   
• One lane of North Highway 1 at March Monte Avenue in Aptos is closed for road excavation work. The closure will last until 4:59 p.m. on Sept. 14.
   
• Alternating lanes are closed on South Highway 1 at Bay Avenue in Capitola / Soquel because of shoulder work. The closure will last until 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 14.
   
• Highway 9 at Ramona Drive in San Lorenzo Valley has one-way traffic because of drainage work. The closure will last until 7:01 p.m. on Sept. 14.
   
• There is one-way traffic on SR-152 at Martinelli Street in Watsonville and Pajaro because of road striping work. This closure will last until 5:59 a.m. on Sept. 14.
   
• A traffic hazard was reported on Highway 1 northbound at Freedom in Aptos at 6:midnight today.
   

Disclosure: Traffic incidents are partially generated by artificial intelligence. We are constantly working to improve the accuracy and quality of our AI-generated content. However, there may still be errors or inaccuracies. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.

The post Friday morning traffic: Highway 9 lane closures, SR-129/1 paving, Aptos hazard appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Santa Cruz County rarely does heat like this.

For a stretch of days this week, temperatures pushed into the 90s and touched triple digits in some spots.

Capitola will unveil a new public artwork along Monterey Avenue’s railing Saturday, welcoming visitors into the village with a sea of brightly colored jellyfish, otters, seahorses and other marine wildlife native to Monterey Bay, as painted by local artist Bruce Harman. 

Visitors can enjoy the piece, which spans the 625-foot railing, during this weekend’s Capitola Art & Wine Festival, when Monterey Avenue will be closed to vehicle traffic. 

Some couples fall in love.

Some fall out of love.

This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. Sign up for its newsletter here.

Natural gas is fading from California’s electricity mix more quickly than seemed possible just a few years ago.

The state hit its peak for gas-fired electricity in 2014 and has fallen in eight of the 11 years since. The retreat is accelerating, with a 15% decrease in 2025 compared to 2024, and a 26% drop in the first half of this year compared to the first half of 2025, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Renewable sources now generate more of California’s electricity than gas. So how did this happen?

First, California built an immense amount of utility-scale solar. Then, the state built a whole lot of battery energy storage to soak up that solar. At the same time, grid operators in California and neighboring regions found ways to share electricity more efficiently.

Consumers did their part by installing rooftop solar and batteries, reducing demand on the grid.

None of this was by accident. California officials adopted laws and rules aimed at reducing carbon emissions. The state still shoots itself in the foot sometimes—such as with rooftop solar net metering rules that hurt the industry—but the overall direction is clear.

I spoke with Ed Smeloff, a longtime energy analyst and consultant, to understand California’s shift away from gas power and whether it’s replicable in other states.

“The key story here is batteries,” he said.

To show this, he used a chart of electricity supply on the California Independent System Operator grid on Aug. 26, a day when demand hit a yearly peak at 5:55 p.m. with 46,015 megawatts.

He compared those results to a chart from Sept. 6, 2022, the all-time peak, with 52,061 megawatts.

The differences show a state that has made a leap in the transition away from fossil fuels.

Let’s focus first on Aug. 26, where the green line for renewable energy towers above the brown line for natural gas for much of the day, with both resources outpacing everything else. (California lists “large hydropower” as its own category, which is the blue line, as opposed to counting it with the other renewables.)

Now, look at the black line for batteries. It’s below zero most of the time as the batteries charge using power from the grid, then rises sharply to its peak just after sunset.

The batteries use plentiful solar power to charge when demand is low and then discharge when demand is highest.

On Sept. 6, 2022, utility-scale solar and batteries were significant resources, but much less than they were last month.

The increase in solar and batteries meant the state needed less natural gas and imported much less power from other states.

When imports dip below zero that means the state is a net exporter of power at that moment.

Those two days are a small sample, but similar trends become clear when looking at California’s electricity mix over longer timeframes.

The decrease in gas power mostly came from reducing the need for peaker plants, which are built to run for a few hours to cover peak demand. Peakers are some of the least efficient and most expensive power plants.

Over time, a shift to solar and batteries instead of peakers should reduce costs for consumers, but Smeloff’s research doesn’t address prices.

The drop in gas-fired power in California is notable just about every way you want to look at it. For example, California’s gas consumption for producing electricity has fallen from 10% of the country’s total in 2014 to 4% in 2025, the result of California’s reduction and an increase for the country as a whole, according to EIA data.

Notice I haven’t yet mentioned coal. It’s a tiny part of California’s electricity mix, having faded to almost zero.

I got in touch with Smeloff after reading a blog post he wrote in July for GridLab, the nonprofit research firm, about the many factors behind the decline in gas power usage in California.

There, he explained additional factors:

• Regional grids are getting better at communicating and sharing resources. One result is that hydropower in Oregon and Washington is more likely to be exported to California than before.
• The newly deployed SunZia wind project is located in New Mexico, but the California grid counts SunZia as a local resource because most of its power flows to California over a dedicated line as part of a firm contract. The wind farm is the largest in the country.

California also leads the nation in customer-owned solar and battery systems, which reduce demand on the grid. It’s difficult to quantify the precise effect on the grid, but it’s safe to say that the growth in these resources is part of the reason gas demand is shrinking.

Smeloff has done recent work for Vote Solar, an advocacy group, and has decades of experience in energy business and policy, including time with Sacramento Municipal Utility District and the Pace Energy and Climate Center in New York.

He said California’s decreasing use of gas is a sign that a cleaner grid is within reach.

Texas is the best example of another state where solar and batteries are helping to reduce the need for dirtier power sources, he said. But a similar formula can work almost anywhere.

Jayme Ackemann, a spokeswoman for California ISO, said there is a clear decrease in natural gas on the grid, but she is wary of focusing too much on the recent peak day. There is “a more nuanced conclusion” when looking more broadly at the system and seeing that gas provides benefits for reliability by being available, even if it’s used less, Ackemann said.

I also spoke with Jonathan Koomey, the California-based energy researcher and author, to see if he agreed with the idea that solar and batteries are largely responsible for pushing down demand for gas.

Koomey said this phenomenon is clear enough that it’s become “pretty obvious.”

While it’s obvious to energy researchers, I don’t think the public grasps the scale of the change in California. This is especially relevant as the Trump administration takes action to increase natural gas production and sales, and many new gas peaker plants are in some phase of planning or construction across the country.

We’re watching multiple visions of the grid of the future playing out in real time, and we all will see which one ends up being cleaner and cheaper.

Have something to say? Lookout welcomes letters to the editor, within our policies, from readers. Guidelines here.

The post How California is kicking its natural gas habit appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for its newsletters.

California teens will be barred from “addictive” social media products and limited in their interactions with chatbots under two of the 13 bills signed into law Thursday by Gov. Gavin Newsom to protect kids online. 

The law on addictive social media might be the most controversial. It will require social media companies to either stop offering “addictive” tools like infinite scroll and autoplay to users under 16 or to keep those users off their platforms entirely. 

Authors say the law is necessary to address a teenage mental health crisis and that it will force social media companies to take long-awaited action.

“Parents can’t compete. Can’t compete with the engineering, can’t compete with the algorithms,” Newsom said at a news conference announcing the laws. “You feel like you’re a lousy parent.”

But digital rights organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation urged Newsom to veto the bill, calling it “well-intentioned, but deeply flawed.” That organization said the bill defines “addictive features” so broadly that it would effectively create a full ban on social media for kids under 16 and cut off youth from “essential information and experiences.”

The measure limiting artificial intelligence chatbots is more broadly supported, even by tech juggernaut OpenAI. Named after California teen Adam Raine, who died by suicide in 2025 after receiving tips from ChatGPT, the new law will impose time limits for minors and require built-in mental health resources. It will also mandate safety plans for chatbots. If a chatbot detects a threat of self-harm, the chatbot operator will be required to alert parents. Companies like OpenAI or other creators of chatbots could face legal liability for failing to act. 

“Raising teens at this moment, those of us that are, we know the youth mental health crisis in an everyday reality,” Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, one of the bill’s authors, said after the bill’s signing. “There isn’t one of us that hasn’t seen it first hand.”

OpenAI has said the law “pairs strong protections with continued access to useful AI tools.”

The law builds on existing regulations on chatbots in California, like requiring the tools to notify users that they are interacting with AI.

Those two were the most notable among several related measures Newsom also signed. 

One makes social media companies legally liable for damages if their platforms harm a child. Another expands and revises age-checking requirements, while a third expands companies’ responsibilities for acting on child abuse content. 

Another will place a four-year moratorium on AI-powered chatbot toys for kids under 16. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks about his state budget proposal May 14 in Sacramento. Credit: Jeff Chiu / Associated Press

Earlier this week, Newsom also signed two bills that create standards for independent AI tool auditors. Another new law clarifies requirements for businesses that create products “likely to be accessed by children,” preventing them from collecting children’s data as a condition of using their services.

The laws come amid mounting concern over how social media and AI tools might be damaging kids’ mental health.

Adam Raine’s death was one in a string of incidents that alarmed parents about how their kids might be interacting with chatbots. Those concerns go beyond teens, too, as the tools are linked to increasing incidents of so-called “AI psychosis,” in which chatbots seem to encourage and feed delusional thinking. 

The new legislation also comes on the heels of a landmark legal settlement between Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta and a coalition of state attorneys general, including California’s Rob Bonta. 

In a major suit, the states accused Meta of knowingly damaging teens’ mental health through addictive features like infinite scrolling and continued to promote those products even after the damage became clear internally. The suit has been compared to the Big Tobacco lawsuits of past decades.

Last month, as the trial started, Meta agreed to pay up to $17 billion to settle the case. Some of that money will be earmarked to address mental health harms for kids and states will decide where to spend the rest. 

The settlement also requires Meta to change its products to address some of the mental health concerns. Under the terms of the agreement, the company will limit “likes” for underage users’ accounts and stop sending notifications during school hours, among other limits.

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The post California enacts laws restricting chatbots and banning teens from ‘addictive’ social media appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Choosing a college, planning for a career or figuring out how to pay for higher education can feel overwhelming. Cabrillo College’s College & Career Family Night 2026 gives students and families the opportunity to explore their options, connect with college representatives and get answers to important questions — all in one evening.

Join Cabrillo College from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, for a free event open to the public. Meet representatives from public, private and out-of-state universities, learn about Cabrillo’s degrees and programs, attend helpful workshops and explore resources designed to help students plan their next steps.

Explore your options at Cabrillo

Start your evening at the Cabrillo Career & Academic Pathways destination in the Library, Building 1000. Families can learn about Cabrillo’s educational opportunities, take a quick career assessment, discover learning communities and support programs, and explore campus resources and clubs.

Students can also connect with university representatives in the Gymnasium, Building 1100. Representatives from numerous colleges and universities will be available to answer questions and help students explore potential paths after high school.

Want to see where you could live while attending Cabrillo? Visit the Costa Vista Housing Leasing Office in Parking Lot S to learn more about student housing and tour a model unit.

Get answers to your biggest college questions

College & Career Family Night also offers workshops focused on some of the most important decisions students and families face.

How will you pay for college? The Financial Aid Workshop will walk families through the financial aid process, with sessions at 6:10, 6:45 and 7:20 p.m. in the Library’s second floor.

How can high school students get a head start on college? The Empowering Futures: Dual Enrollment Workshop for Families will explain how Dual Enrollment works, its benefits and how families can get started. The workshop begins at 6:45 p.m. in the Library’s second floor.

How can you transfer to a four-year university? Cabrillo College academic counselors will outline transfer pathways and programs designed to help students pursue a bachelor’s degree. Sessions take place at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. in Gymnasium Room 1118.

Make an evening of it

Families can grab a quick bite from food trucks on campus while exploring the event. Parking is available in student parking areas, and visitors do not need a permit. Please avoid staff, handicap and red-zone spaces.

Whether your student is just beginning to explore college or already planning the next step, College & Career Family Night offers a chance to gather information, ask questions and discover new possibilities.

Make plans to attend Monday, Oct. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cabrillo College and take the next step toward your student’s future.

Learn more here!

The post Plan your next step at Cabrillo College’s College & Career Family Night appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Ironman 70.3 Santa Cruz returns to the Westside this weekend. The race — which includes a 1.2-mile ocean swim around the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, a 56-mile bike ride up on Highway 1 and a half-marathon along West Cliff Drive to agricultural fields north of town and back — starts at 7 a.m. on Sunday at Main Beach. Pre-race events start on Friday afternoon and run through Saturday, so be aware of traffic impacts in the area as athletes race and their fans cheer them on. – Lily Belli

Here are more upcoming local events you might be interested in: