Group of local contractors to use straw bales to build low-income housing on Mt. Calvary Church property in Soquel

Lookout Santa Cruz - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 04:00

A group of local contractors are hoping to address both homelessness and climate change with their project to build six new “tiny homes” using natural materials.

The post Group of local contractors to use straw bales to build low-income housing on Mt. Calvary Church property in Soquel appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

It’s Tax Day: Here’s why some Santa Cruz County homeowners are saving more this year

Lookout Santa Cruz - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 04:00

This year, some Santa Cruz homeowners were able to save thousands of dollars when filing taxes. That’s due to an increased cap on state and local tax deduction referred to as SALT.

The post It’s Tax Day: Here’s why some Santa Cruz County homeowners are saving more this year appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Live Oak School District plans to announce new superintendent within a month 

Lookout Santa Cruz - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 04:00

The Live Oak School District plans to announce a new superintendent at its April 22 board meeting following Pat Sánchez’s resignation, after a search process that included community input and interviews with both internal and external candidates. Board leaders say they are prioritizing a collaborative, equity-focused candidate with strong administrative experience, aiming for a seamless transition by July 1 without the need for an interim leader.

The post Live Oak School District plans to announce new superintendent within a month  appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

This week in Santa Cruz County business: Paystand’s new partnership, U.S. trade commission to investigate claims against Joby, Dharma’s cry for help

Lookout Santa Cruz - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 04:00

Jessica M. Pasko’s weekly column is back with news of local payments company Paystand partnering with a big name, a U.S. Trade Commission investigation in to Joby Aviation, upcoming dates to know, and more.

The post This week in Santa Cruz County business: Paystand’s new partnership, U.S. trade commission to investigate claims against Joby, Dharma’s cry for help appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

UK told its Big Tech habit is now a national security risk

The Register - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 03:15
Open Rights Group says years of reliance on US giants have left Britain exposed

Britain has spent years wiring its public sector into US Big Tech, and a new report says that dependence could quickly become a national security headache.…

Spotify launches the ability to purchase physical books in the US and UK

TechCrunch - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 03:00
Spotify users in the US and UK can officially purchase physical books through the Android app. iOS users will get the feature next week.
Categories: Nerd News

Britain's atomic brain trust gives itself till 2030 to unpick fusion challenges

The Register - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 02:30
Armed with £2.5B, UKAEA sets out technical hurdles it wants cracked by end of decade

Brit boffins have a £2.5 billion ($3.4 billion) budget for fusion power research and development, and the government agency leading the effort has published a roadmap of targets to hit before the decade is out.…

Waymo's self-driving cars face their toughest test yet: London

The Register - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 01:45
Google sibling takes on the Big Smoke – with a human hand on the wheel

Waymo has started letting its software take the wheel on London streets, with trained specialists on standby as it gradually accelerates toward a fully driverless ride-hailing launch.…

Agents hooked into GitHub can steal creds – but Anthropic, Google, and Microsoft haven't warned users

The Register - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 01:01
Researchers who found the flaws scored beer money bounties and warn the problem is probably pervasive

Exclusive  Security researchers hijacked three popular AI agents that integrate with GitHub Actions by using a new type of prompt injection attack to steal API keys and access tokens, and the vendors who run agents didn’t disclose the problem.…

Orbital datacenter startup CEO admits launch economics don't fly, presses ahead regardless

The Register - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 00:27
Needs SpaceX et al to drop prices and give competitors a ride into space to make it work

A startup called Orbital has revealed a plan to build a 10,000-satellite neocloud in space – if Elon Musk delivers on his ambitious plans to increase launch capacity and reduce costs.…

Send in the Lagoonies

Good Times Santa Cruz - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 00:11

The Blue Lagoonies celebrate 20 years of free weekly comedy in Santa Cruz, building a loyal following and launching local stand-up talent.

Oh, Emmylou

Good Times Santa Cruz - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 00:07

Emmylou Harris comes to the Santa Cruz Civic on April 18, bringing her landmark voice, songs from across her long career and the activist spirit that has shaped her life in music.

The only technology that died more times than VR is AI, and that seems to have worked out

The Register - Wed, 04/15/2026 - 00:03
The perfect combination of hardware and experiences will arrive, no matter what Zuck and Neal Stephenson think

Opinion  Could the recent death of Meta's unloved and unused Horizon Worlds signal the demise of the wider metaverse?…

The Editor’s Desk

Good Times Santa Cruz - Tue, 04/14/2026 - 23:56

Santa Cruz’s creative pulse is on full display as the Ripple Effect festival launches, showcasing the artists, performers and cultural energy that define the community.

Letters

Good Times Santa Cruz - Tue, 04/14/2026 - 23:55

Readers respond to a Cabrillo College controversy, debate a proposed battery storage facility and spotlight a Santa Cruz Webby nominee.

Happy Spring Foods

Good Times Santa Cruz - Tue, 04/14/2026 - 23:55

Spring’s fresh foods aren’t just delicious—they may help boost mood, with research linking Mediterranean-style eating to better mental health.

Free Will Astrology

Good Times Santa Cruz - Tue, 04/14/2026 - 23:54

Free Will Astrology returns with fresh insights for every sign, offering guidance, humor and perspective for the weeks ahead.

Cross Bay Yay

Good Times Santa Cruz - Tue, 04/14/2026 - 23:54

A quick Monterey getaway delivers oceanfront dining, spa indulgence and hidden coastal beauty at the Monterey Plaza Hotel.

Lots of Heart

Good Times Santa Cruz - Tue, 04/14/2026 - 23:53

Scotts Valley’s Thai Heart pairs authentic Thai flavors with a powerful story of resilience and community support.

Just Say Yes

Good Times Santa Cruz - Tue, 04/14/2026 - 23:53

Renegade Theater’s ‘Reefer Madness: The Musical’ uses satire and sharp history to challenge the legacy of the War on Drugs, with performances through April 20.

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