Feed aggregator

The company, which deploys AI-guided robot arms for food production, says it is looking to expand its services to provide for a broader array of customers.

Huzzah! A wondrous new development in the world of TTRPG. On April 16, Wizards of the Coast announced an all-new official Dungeons & Dragons actual play series. Dungeon Masters features a legendary lineup of talent across gaming, television, and streaming—including Dimension 20’s Jasmine Bhullar and Neil Newbon from Baldur’s Gate III. The band of heroes joins forces to embark on a mystical quest, encountering perilous trials and foes along the way. Dungeon Masters debuts April 22 on YouTube with a two-episode premiere special. Do you dare follow along the adventure?

The new Dungeons & Dragons actual-play series unfolds over weekly episodes. Each episode showcases official, unreleased content and innovative visuals that let viewers follow the action. Dimension 20’s Jasmine Bhullar answers the call as the Dungeon Master. Members of the party include Mayanna Berrin (Dispatch, StoryQuest), Christian Navarro (13 Reasons Why, Forgotten Realms: Tears of Selune), Neil Newbon (Baldur’s Gate III), and Devora Wilde (Baldur’s Gate III).

The first campaign arc takes flight within the world of Ravenloft, plunging viewers into a dark and atmospheric setting filled with mystery, suspense, and gothic horror. The campaign ties directly to Ravenloft: The Horrors Within, which releases on June 16, and features exclusive, unreleased content from the book. The series incorporates visual storytelling—such as map graphics, pop-up tips that explain spells and abilities, and other cues—to make the game easier for the audience to follow. It also features an original score from five-time Grammy-nominated composer David Arkenstone.

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DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: RAVENLOFT: HEIR OF STRAHD Exclusive ExcerptWhat is Dungeon Masters? Wizards of the Coast

Dungeon Masters is the official Dungeons & Dragons actual play series. The series combines premium storytelling with real table play. It is built to feel cinematic, suspenseful, and emotionally real, while still feeling like authentic D&D at the table. It is designed as an immersive experience for fans to watch the way official Dungeons & Dragons choices and encounters play out in real time. The series also gives an exclusive first look at upcoming D&D content and lets the audience join in with special Play-Along Packs.

The first Dungeon Masters campaign arc begins in Ravenloft and features new subclasses and content from the upcoming Ravenloft: The Horrors Within book. Future arcs will explore additional corners of D&D, such as Season of Magic and content from the upcoming Arcana Unleashed book.

Here’s Who’s Joining the Party (and Their Characters) Wizards of the Coast Neil Newbon as Professor Crem de la Crem – Rock Gnome Reanimator Artificer Wizards of the Coast Devora Wilde as Zora Thornska – Wood Elf Hexblood Shadow Sorcerer Wizards of the Coast Christian Navarro as Eloin Emberleaf – Wood Elf Winter Walker Ranger Wizards of the Coast Mayanna Berrin as Wesley – Drow Grave Domain Cleric Wizards of the Coast How Do the Play-Along Packs Work?

Each season of this official Dungeons & Dragons actual play series has a unique Play-Along Pack that brings a piece of the experience to the audience’s own table. The first is the Ravenloft Play-Along Pack. Here’s how it works:

• Each episode has an associated encounter in the Play-Along Pack that drops on Thursday at 9:00 AM PT after the episode airs.
• Everything in the Ravenloft Play-Along Pack can be accessed on D&D Beyond once you have pre-ordered Ravenloft: The Horrors Within.
• Each weekly encounter drop features monsters from Ravenloft: The Horrors Within, meaning pre-orders can start playing within the book’s contents two months early.
• Players can claim the first encounter of every season’s pack for free on D&D Beyond.

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An Official CRITICAL ROLE D&D Campaign Is on Its Way Wizards of the Coast

“Dungeon Masters brings a truly authentic and original experience to our fans, with all of the fun, high-tension moments, drama and adventure built from official D&D material,” said Dan Ayoub, SVP and Head of Dungeons & Dragons at Wizards of the Coast.  “In many ways, Dungeon Masters is our love letter to the actual play shows that have introduced so many to D&D. We’re so excited to see how Dungeon Masters can inspire even more adventure from our players, and in turn, see how they inspire us to make the show better and better.” 

Dungeon Masters debuts with a two-episode premiere special on April 22 on YouTube. New Episodes release weekly on Wednesdays at 6:30 PM PT.

The post Official DUNGEONS & DRAGONS Actual Play Series Stars Neil Newbon and More appeared first on Nerdist.

If there’s one thing we love, it’s a fannish collection with range. And Loungefly’s new The Little Mermaid collection lets you celebrate your fandom in whatever way works for your wardrobe. You can go FULL Disney Princess with The Little Mermaid Ariel, Flounder, & Sebastian Tote Bag, or you can opt for something a little more subtly chic, but no less passion-forward, by choosing either The Little Mermaid Iridescent Pearl Mini Backpack or Pearl Flap Wallet for your collection. Of course, ALL of these options are absolutely gorgeous—totally perfect for hot mermaid summer. And we’re obsessed with the current of shimmering iridescence and shiny pearls running through this release. Definetly one for the treasure trove. Get ready to follow your dreams in style and dive into our exclusive look at this new Loungefly x The Little Mermaid collection. Loungefly x The Little Mermaid Iridescent Pearl Mini BackpackLoungefly

Loungefly’s The Little Mermaid Iridescent Pearl Mini Backpack has our entire hearts. This incredibly mini backpack captures the true essence of the ocean, with its purple-to-green iridescent surface, fish scale details, and delicate pearls. We feel like anyone lucky enough to snag this mini backpack will immediatly feel the ocean foam smashing against their tails as they sing out to the sea. Just sling it across your shoulders and BAM, you’re on the way to a whole new world of style and fabulousness.

Loungefly

Here’s the official description of this new Loungefly product:

The Little Mermaid Iridescent Pearl Mini Backpack – We want to see you flipping your fins as you swim around with this bag! This mini backpack is inspired by Ariel from Disney’s The Little Mermaid. You’ll find purple-to-green iridescent material featuring fish scale details. Faux pearls appear on the front and side pockets. A 3D bow can be found at the top of the bag, featuring an enamel charm of a seashell with tulle and faux pearls. Check out the straps to find an applique of a purple seashell! This is a must for any Ariel fan!

Features include:

• Iridescent fish scale polyurethane
• Sturdy top handle
• Adjustable shoulder strapsSilver foil, 3D bow, applique, debossed, embroidered, enamel charm, enamel zipper charm, faux pearls, pearlescent, top stitch, tulle, and printed details
• Coordinating interior lining

You can check out a ton of exclusive images below:

Click To View Gallery Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly

Loungefly x The Little Mermaid Iridescent Pearl Mini Backpack costs $90.

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Exploring Walt Disney World’s New LITTLE MERMAID Live Show With Its Creative TeamLoungefly x The Little Mermaid Iridescent Pearl Flap WalletLoungefly

Of course, much like Ariel had flounder, every statement piece needs the perfect accessory. And that’s where Loungfly’s The Little Mermaid Iridescent Pearl Flap Wallet comes in. Much like its mini backpack pal, this wallet is resplendant and shimmering, like the sun refracting across the ocean’s waves. Whether you’re on a quest to fulfill your hearts desire or heading off to your happily ever after, you’ll want this wallet to keep you company.

Here’s the official description of this new Loungefly product:

The Little Mermaid Iridescent Pearl Flap Wallet – A new treasure for your collection! This wallet is inspired by Ariel from Disney’s The Little Mermaid. On the front, you’ll find a 3D bow featuring an enamel charm of a seashell with tulle and faux pearls. Top stitch details on the front and back give it a fish scale-like texture. The whole wallet features purple-to-green iridescent material. Inside, there are seven card slots and one clear ID slot. For any adventures in the sea or on land, this is a must!

Features include:

• Iridescent fish scale polyurethane
• 7 card slots & 1 clear ID slot
• 3D bow, applique, embroidered, enamel charm, faux pearls, top stitch, tulle, and printed details
• Coordinating interior lining

RELATED ARTICLE

ALICE IN WONDERLAND Gets Stunning 4K Restoration for 75th Anniversary

You can check out a ton of exclusive images below:

Click To View Gallery Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly

Loungefly x The Little Mermaid Iridescent Pearl Flap Wallet costs $42.

Loungefly x The Little Mermaid Ariel, Flounder, & Sebastian Tote Bag with Coin BagLoungefly

Of course, for many of us The Little Mermaid is a comfort movie. And we don’t just want something that evokes the essence of the incredible film. We want Ariel, Flounder, and Sebastian right there with us on our adventures. Luckily, Loungefly’s The Little Mermaid Ariel, Flounder, & Sebastian Tote Bag with Coin Bag is there to help us fufill this wish. We love this gorgeous rendition of our favorite Disney princess and animal friends. Not to mention, the incredible sea-life scene stitched onto this big is the perfect touch. and the seashell coing bag is SO cute. We are obsessed.

Loungefly

Here’s the official description of this new Loungefly product:

The Little Mermaid Ariel, Flounder, & Sebastian Tote Bag with Coin Bag – Get ready for a new style adventure with Disney’s Ariel! This tote features Ariel, Flounder, and Sebastian on the front of the bag. Behind them, you’ll find stitched outlines of various under-the-sea life, like coral, shells, and more. The stitching continues on the back of the bag. Attached to the crossbody strap is a purple seashell coin bag. It’s a must for any adventure: on land or in the sea!

Features include:

• Iridescent polyurethane
• Detachable coin bag
• Adjustable crossbody strap
• Applique, top stitch, and printed details

You can check out a ton of exclusive images below:

Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly Loungefly

Loungefly x The Little Mermaid Ariel, Flounder, & Sebastian Tote Bag with Coin Bag costs $90.

The post Loungefly x The Little Mermaid Collection Lets You Live Your Dreams in Style (Exclusive) appeared first on Nerdist.

Three apartment proposals from developer Workbench are embroiled in legal challenges. (Workbench)

SANTA CRUZ >> Among local developers, Santa Cruz-based Workbench has been arguably the most prolific at advancing multi-story apartment buildings — and among the most likely to have its projects end up in court. Three separate Workbench housing proposals in Santa Cruz County are currently ensnared in litigation, tying up more than 200 proposed apartments, including 19 below-market-rate homes. 

Workbench’s founders have said the projects are necessary to address the county’s severe housing crunch. Some residents have fiercely opposed the potential developments, arguing the proposed homes are mostly unaffordable and the scale of the projects would strain local resources and infrastructure like water, traffic and parking. One of the projects, near Dominican Hospital, has generated public health and safety concerns. 

While California laws meant to address the state’s housing crisis have largely stripped power from local authorities to deny or change proposals for housing, some local leaders have pushed back amid their constituents’ ire.

Here are the Workbench projects currently in court and how the outcomes of these lawsuits could affect future development in Santa Cruz County.

(function() { window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { listeners: [], forms: { on: function(evt, cb) { window.mc4wp.listeners.push( { event : evt, callback: cb } ); } } } })(); Stay informed on Santa Cruz County’s biggest issues. Santa Cruz Local’s newsletter breaks down complex local topics and shows residents how to get involved. Email address:
mc4wp.forms.on('subscribed', function(form) { // gtag.js if(form.id == '6954') { gtag('event', 'subscribe', {'event_category': 'newsletter_prompt', 'event_label':'top_of_story'}); } }); Leave this field empty if you're human: Acrimony over ADUs

In May 2024, the Santa Cruz City Council approved a five-story, 48-unit project at the site of the Food Bin and Herb Room at 1130 Mission St. But the city council rejected the inclusion of storage spaces that Workbench intended to convert into 11 accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, which would make the total units 59. State law allows developers to convert unused space into ADUs to squeeze more units into an existing building.

Workbench and the Food Bin’s co-owner, Douglas Wallace, sued the city over the denial of the ADUs, alleging the city violated state housing laws that promote density and prevent local jurisdictions from imposing changes that would require a redesign.

An apartment complex on the Food Bin site approved by the Santa Cruz City Council in May has been stalled by a lawsuit over 11 in-law units. (Workbench)

After Judge Rebecca Connolly ruled against Workbench and Wallace in August, they appealed the case. In an opening brief filed in February, Workbench’s lawyers alleged the city council “buckled to public pressure” from angry neighbors and that this case “demonstrates why housing in California remains the most expensive in the nation.”     

“The city is arguing that it simultaneously did not remove housing units from the project while also arguing from the other side of its mouth that it did not remove non-housing amenity spaces,” Ryan Patterson, a San Francisco-based attorney representing Workbench, said last week. “Either way it broke the law. We look forward to the court of appeal seeing through the city’s charade.”

City of Santa Cruz spokesperson Ashley Hussey said, “The city has no comment on this matter as it is pending litigation.” 

Workbench has said it will not start construction on the apartments, geared toward college students without cars, unless the ADUs are approved.

Litigation around the Food Bin project likely influenced another Workbench project: the Clocktower Center at 2020 N. Pacific Ave. In August, the Santa Cruz City Council approved the 178-unit project, including amenity spaces that can be converted to 46 additional ADUs, which would bring the total to 224 units.

Santa Cruz City Council approved the 178-unit Clocktower Center project, with some spaces labeled with uses such as a steam room, a chef’s kitchen and a music room. (Workbench)

In the Food Bin project, Workbench labeled the storage spaces as future ADUs. In the Clocktower Center project, the spaces were labeled with uses such as a steam room, a chef’s kitchen and a music room. Because cities cannot apply local building rules that effectively block the building as designed, city attorney Tony Condotti said they could not force a redesign. 

Condotti said at the time that Workbench “obviously learned its lesson from the Food Bin case.”

The use of conversion ADUs to maximize units in a new development is increasingly common, said William Fulton, editor of California Planning & Development Report and former mayor of Ventura and planning director of San Diego. “But I have not seen that litigated significantly,” Fulton said.

He said the state has adopted dozens, if not hundreds, of housing laws in the past decade or so in an attempt to boost development. In places like Santa Cruz, he said, “basically everyone under 40 is boxed out of the ownership market” because home prices are so high in part due to the paucity of new construction. Many of these state laws have yet to be fully tested in the courts, and case law will set precedents that influence how far cities and developers can push the boundaries of the law.

Builder’s Remedy brawl

Two more lawsuits involving Workbench projects were filed last month and center around the Builder’s Remedy, part of a state law which allows developers to largely bypass local zoning requirements if a county or city lacks a state-approved housing plan, called a Housing Element.

Confused about housing jargon?

Read Santa Cruz Local’s housing glossary to learn common words, phrases and laws.

For decades, Fulton said, hardly anyone used the Builder’s Remedy, which was adopted in 1990 and amended in 2024. But in recent years Builder’s Remedy projects have proliferated. 

Across California, “it is not uncommon for cities [and counties] to resist application of Builder’s Remedy, or be either confused or unprepared about how to respond to a Builder’s Remedy application,” Fulton said. 

The County of Santa Cruz, responsible for planning for new housing in areas outside the four cities, failed to finish and get certified its latest Housing Element by a December 2023 deadline. Until the state issued a letter certifying the county’s plan in April 2024, Builder’s Remedy rules were apparently in effect. 

That same month, Workbench filed a Builder’s Remedy pre-application for a six-story, 105-unit apartment complex at 3500 Paul Sweet Road and another Builder’s Remedy pre-application for a three-story, 28-unit apartment complex at 841 Capitola Road, which later grew to be a five-story, 57-unit proposal.

A house at 841 Capitola Road in Live Oak could be redeveloped into 57 apartments. (Jesse Kathan — Santa Cruz Local)

Now, some neighbors who oppose the 841 Capitola Road project have sued, alleging that Workbench invoked Builder’s Remedy too late and that regardless the county’s approval of the proposed development should be invalidated on constitutional grounds.

The suit cited documents showing that no “substantive review” of the county’s Housing Element was conducted after March 15, 2024. 

The Board of Supervisors appears to agree with the neighbors’ interpretation. In a recent letter, supervisors asked the state to “correct the certification record” and determine the county to be in compliance as of that date. 

“If we prevail, the project will be subject to the same development standards that apply to everyone; it will not be able to bypass them by exploiting a loophole,” Mark Wolfe, a San Francisco-based attorney for the group of neighbors, said in a statement. The lack of a formal certification letter by March 15, 2024, was a “result solely of internal bureaucratic delay,” he added.

Workbench proposed a five-story, 57-unit apartment complex at 841 Capitola Road. (Workbench)

Workbench has argued that informal communications don’t constitute formal approval, and that a determination otherwise would leave the Builder’s Remedy process muddled in uncertainty. Patterson, Workbench’s attorney, said the county “did the right thing in approving this project.” 

“Unfortunately, NIMBY opposition never stops,” he said. “We look forward to successfully defeating their lawsuit in short order.”

The Santa Cruz County Planning Commission approved the proposal at 841 Capitola Road on Oct. 22, 2025. Neighbors of the project appealed it to the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. (Amaya Edwards — Santa Cruz Local/CatchLight Local)

Similar Builder’s Remedy lawsuits disputing Housing Element dates have also been filed elsewhere in the state. 

“The biggest unanswered legal question is whether or not the state housing department has to actually approve a Housing Element for it to be valid,” said Fulton, the housing expert. He added that he expected the state legislature or state Supreme Court to eventually weigh in.    

The outcome of the lawsuit could determine the fate of another Builder’s Remedy project in Santa Cruz County: The Haven, which was also proposed in April 2024.

The Haven is a proposal for 123 single-family homes and 34 townhouses across more than 25 acres of undeveloped land across Graham Hill Road from Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park Campground. The proposal has drawn skepticism and concern from residents and county leaders alike but has yet to come before the county planning commission for a formal hearing.

Workbench sues county over delayed approval

Unlike the Capitola Road project, county officials have thus far balked at approving Workbench’s Paul Sweet Road project, which has been vigorously opposed by neighboring Dominican Hospital and Dominican Oaks senior housing residents. 

Last month, amid unresolved fire safety and sewer issues, Workbench sued prior to going before the county planning commission for a second time. The suit alleged that the commission and the county unlawfully failed to make a timely decision and that the project was therefore automatically approved “by operation of law.”

At 3500 Paul Sweet Road near Dominican Hospital, 105 apartments are proposed. (Workbench)

“This is a straightforward case of the county failing to make a decision by its deadline,” Patterson said. “The consequence is clear.”

The county thus finds itself in the position of being sued for one Builder’s Remedy project it approved on Capitola Road and another it hasn’t on Paul Sweet Road.

“It’s disappointing that taxpayer resources will now be utilized in litigation over projects the county did not bring forward, involving a law the county did not write,” Santa Cruz County spokesperson Jason Hoppin wrote in an email. “We look forward to a speedy resolution.”

In the Paul Sweet Road case, Workbench and the county will present their arguments at a hearing set for June 12.

Clarification: This story has been updated to reflect that the project at 841 Capitola Road was first proposed as a 28-unit, three-story apartment complex.

Questions or comments? Email info@santacruzlocal.org. Santa Cruz Local is supported by members, major donors, sponsors and grants for the general support of our newsroom. Our news judgments are made independently and not on the basis of donor support. Learn more about Santa Cruz Local and how we are funded.

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The post As lawsuits ensnare three housing proposals, what could it mean for the future of development in Santa Cruz County? appeared first on Santa Cruz Local.

Lately, I see artichokes growing all along the coast in farms from the Pajaro Valley to Marina. 

I think they’re an unusual food. One way that I’m familiar with eating them is to first dip the steamed leaf in butter or mayonnaise, then scrape the meat off of the inside part of the outer leaves with your teeth. The inner leaves are more challenging but get what you can then discard. Then you scoop out the fuzzy part with a spoon and toss. Finally, you are left with a little bowl of tender pulp — the choke — most likely the only part of the entire thistle that is large enough to enjoy. I would guess that for one good-sized artichoke, you might get all of one cup if you’re lucky.

In its native state, the artichoke is a thistle. Its predecessor, the cardoon, was a garden flower mentioned by Homer in the eighth century BCE. It was bred to develop meaty leaves and a base that can be eaten before it has bloomed into a beautiful purple flower. Around the 1400s, its cultivation spread to France, Spain, England and beyond. They became a status symbol according to François Pierre La Varenne, the author of Le Cuisinier François in 1651; they were claimed to be an aphrodisiac.

There are many varieties from small to large and many ways to prepare them. The large globe variety is mostly grown around here and is best for the recipe below. Castroville, the part of Monterey County that grows 80% of the nation’s artichokes, has given itself the title of “The Artichoke Center of the World.” However, worldwide, the US is ninth in production of globe artichokes with Italy, Egypt and Spain in the lead. 

There are a lot of steps to preparing them. One main thing is to make sure they are sufficiently cooked. 

2-3 large artichokes, about 4 by 7 inches 

3 cups water

4 big cloves garlic, smashed and roughly chopped

3 bay leaves

1 teaspoon whole Sichuan peppers, whole allspice or black peppercorns

1/2 teaspoon chili flakes

1 tablespoon kosher salt

½ cup apple vinegar

1/3 cup honey 

3-4 tablespoons butter

Prepare the artichoke so that it is safe and easy to eat. Leave about 1 inch of the stem or less if you want them to sit by themselves. Pull off the small outer leaves around the base. Cut off about a ½ inch from the top.  Cut the spines off the tips of the larger outer leaves. Submerge in water, slosh around, then invert to dry.

Bring 3 cups of water to a boil in a dutch oven or heavy-duty sauce pan that comes with a lid; it should be large enough to hold two to three large artichokes. Add garlic, bay leaves, peppers, chili flakes and salt. Add artichokes, lower heat, put on the lid and simmer over low heat for 20-25 minutes. Turn artichokes over and cover and steam another 5-15 minutes. Coating on the inside of the outer leaves should start to come off between your teeth. 

At that point, remove artichokes from pan, set aside and boil down liquid to about 1 1/2 cups. Stir in apple vinegar and honey. Add artichokes and boil for another 15 minutes with the lid off turning once so all sides get coated. The inside coating of the leaves should be soft now. Remove artichokes and keep warm.

Boil down the liquid again to about 1/2-3/4 cup. Strain out leaves, peppers etc. Add butter. Serve alongside artichokes as a dipping sauce.

The new returns feature is the company's latest effort to become an everything app.

The company says Claude Design is intended to help people like founders and product managers without a design background share their ideas more easily. 

We hear Sweden is lovely place for workloads to visit

Microsoft Azure capacity woes are back, and worse than ever, judging by the complaints of UK users.…

A Letter to my Republican Friends

Our current president has launched what could very possibly become World War Three—a religious war that may even become nuclear. Is this really what you want for our children?

If not, please call your Congressional Representatives. We only need a few of the representatives that you elected to vote to stop the escalation.

Don Eggleston

Aptos

•••

BESS plays ‘vital role’

The battery facility proposed for Minto Road has been delayed. That’s a problem because it needs to be online as soon as possible if we are to stop burning fossil fuels. The delay is caused by resistance to the facility by some in the community. This resistance hurts my heart because a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) plays a vital role in fighting global warming. We must develop wind and solar energy. But the wind does not always blow and the sun does not always shine. We need batteries to store that energy. We experienced climate warming the third week of March when temperatures neared 100 degrees. It’s even worse for places like Africa where there are multiple regions stricken with drought and other places hit with catastrophic flooding.

A BESS facility must be regulated, but those regulations already exist. California Senate Bill 283 calls for the highest safety standards for fire and other dangers. It was authored by our own Sen. John Laird and signed into law. These regulations were prompted by the Moss Landing BESS fire. There were several serious design flaws in that facility. In the first place the batteries were all housed in one building. Once a fire started it could easily spread to the whole place. The BESS proposed for Minto Road will be made up of several buildings. At Moss Landing the batteries were stacked on top of each other At Minto Road they will be insulated from each other. At Moss Landing the fire protection system was inadequate. At Minto Road there will be a robust response to fires.

Emelyn Buskirk

Watsonville

•••

Tony Nuñez Leads with Integrity and Hard Work

As a mother raising my family here in Watsonville, I think a lot about the kind of community we’re building for our kids and who we can trust to lead it. This upcoming June 2 election for 4th District Supervisor feels especially important to me, because I’m looking for someone who truly understands our community’s needs. I believe Tony Nuñez is the right person for our district.

Tony went to Watsonville High, studied at Cabrillo College, and San Jose State, and has spent years telling our community’s stories as editor of the Pajaronian. Through his work with Community Bridges, he continues to stay connected to the people and families who call this place home. He lives here with his wife and son so he understands firsthand what it means to raise a family in South County right now.

What stands out to me most is that Tony shows up and he truly listens. And more importantly, he follows through. Tony’s leadership was invaluable in saving Watsonville Community Hospital, and then keeping it operating by working hard to get Measure N passed in 2024. That kind of leadership matters.

District 4 deserves someone who will do the work, stand up for our families, and fight for the future our kids deserve. Tony Nuñez has proven he will.

Joanne Sanchez

Watsonville

•••

Concerns about Valencia Elementary School closing

Community members who have spoken out, written in, or shared concerns about the possible closure of Valencia School have likely encountered the same dismissive responses: “take a breath,” “no decision has been made,” or “a Sustainable Schools Advisory is being formed.” While it is true that PVUSD has not formally announced a closure, it is important to clarify that these concerns are not based on rumor or speculation. Statements suggesting that Valencia is the school under consideration have come from individuals in positions of authority within the district, including an assistant superintendent, a principal at another site, and a board trustee. These are informed voices, not casual observers.

Many in our community have experienced similar situations before. We have participated in processes where input from staff and families was gathered, only to see it reshaped—or set aside—after the fact. Time and again, it has felt as though decisions were made before meaningful engagement ever began. Given this history, it is understandable that calls to “take a breath” or remain patient are met with skepticism.

This is about our children, our educators, and the integrity of our community. Trust is not built through reassurances—it is built through transparency and genuine engagement. Until that happens, we will continue to question and speak out.

Lily Gerrans

Aptos

•••

Farmworker rights movement still strong, despite Chavez scandal

As someone who has worked in and around the farmworker movement since 1970, I was devastated by the recent credible allegations of serious sexual misconduct by Cesar Chavez.

Many who fought for farmworker rights (an ongoing battle) have been stunned or angered by the sudden removal of Chavez’s name from streets, schools and celebrations and by the readiness of some who were never aligned with the goals of that movement to pile on. That anger was expressed in Charles Birimisa’s letter saying that the anti-immigrant forces behind ICE abuses are seeking to remove ethnic heroes. I don’t disagree with him there. 

He goes on to opine that Dolores Huerta revealing rape by Cesar Chavez over 50 years ago represented her being manipulated “…by some nefarious power” to steal Cesar’s place in history and get her own holiday. This is where his letter goes off the rails.

In the late 1960s Dolores had very good reason to not speak publicly about what Cesar did to her. At the time, rape was viewed as something that happened in an alley with a knife, not by a coworker or family member. Had she spoken out at the time she would likely have been discredited and disbelieved. Believe it or not, that might well have killed the nascent movement struggling to survive, in which she and Cesar were key organizers.

Dolores only spoke out when she learned that there were other women who had been molested as children by Cesar Chavez. These were not strangers, but women whom she had known all of their lives. Dolores’ disclosure authenticated their stories at real emotional and reputational cost to herself.

I applaud Dolores’s courage in supporting those women. Her place in history is secure, and she gains nothing by this but pays a huge price of emotional disruption within her own family.

It is wrong to see the farmworkers movement as Dolores or Cesar or both, as they are only two of the literally thousands of farmworkers and their allies who devoted years of their lives to building that movement.

The reports of Cesar Chavez’s sexual abuse of women are disheartening, but this whole affair does nothing to diminish my respect for the movement that he and Dolores Huerta and those thousands of other built, nor my pride in the tiny role that I played in it.

Mike Johnston

Watsonville

A 15-year-old was arrested Wednesday on the 500 block of Rodriguez Street in connection with a Feb. 8 shooting.

Watsonville police placed nearby Radcliff Elementary School on lockdown at about 11:50am as a preventative measure. The lockdown was lifted about 10 minutes later.

The suspected 16-year-old shooter was arrested on Feb. 20 in connection with the shooting, which occurred at Main Street and Green Valley Road, but left no reported victims.

The investigation is ongoing. Watsonville police did not release further details.

A wanted suspect out of Santa Cruz County has been arrested after Watsonville Police, aided by their Flock camera system, found him driving a stolen car in Watsonville.   

Officers on patrol were alerted that a stolen silver Toyota Avalon was in the area of the 1000 block of Green Valley Road on Monday morning. About five minutes after being alerted, 46-year-old Armando Zepeda was pulled over.   

Police learned that Zepeda had an active felony warrant out of Santa Cruz County for false imprisonment and vandalism. He was taken into custody and booked on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle.  

“Thanks to technology such as our Flock cameras, our Officers were able to recover the stolen Toyota Avalon in less than 24 hours and eventually get it back to its rightful owner,” ” WPD said on a social media post.

The Pitt is not only one of the most accurate medical shows out there, but it’s also one of the most entertaining and immersive series to grace our screens at home. It captured the attention and imagination of audiences with its first season (no mere feat) and returned for a season two with a lot of weight on its shoulders. But did it live up to the hype? In short, yes. But before I talk about the incredible second season of this superior HBO Max show, I must give you a heavy spoiler warning. I’m going to be discussing this fantastic season in great detail, so be sure to be up to date before continuing along. Let’s dive into my The Pitt season two review, looking back at the season in full. HBO

The Pitt season two starts off on our nation’s birthday, the Fourth of July. As it opens on a waiting room full of sweaty and frustrated folks—the tone for the following strings of episodes is, as it was with the first season, very much set. The way The Pitt takes viewers along for a ride through a grueling 15-hour ER shift at the Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center continues to provide some of the most immersive and bingeable episodes to date. I speak from experience; I managed to binge all 15 episodes of the first season in two days and caught up with season two with time to spare. Truthfully, I’ve dreaded this day. I don’t know what I’m going to do without my new favorite show now that this season has beautifully wrapped itself up. 

RELATED ARTICLEWatch THE PITT Cast in THE SIMPSONS’ 800th EpisodeSeason two doesn’t have quite the same gut-punch feeling as the first season does with the mass shooting at the festival, and that’s fine—we really don’t need another mass shooting to deal with, fictional or not. But The Pitt’s sophomore season has plenty of smaller arcs that fill our time with some touching stories that will stick with you long after you’re done watching the show, touching on a few poignant points. Some of these are very real to many folks out there, and The Pitt makes it its mission to show every side of healthcare. HBOLet’s start with the elephant in the room—The Pitt‘s season two episode where ICE comes in with a detainee. As soon as the hospital feels ICE’s presence, members of the hospital staff walk out, and patients in need of dire care feel forced to leave without their doctor’s blessing out of fear that ICE might take them away. The series shows that if one dares to question the agents or tries to step in between them and their victim, one is also beaten down and dragged away with only questions asked and no answers given. After nurse Jesse is taken to goodness-knows-where by ICE agents for trying to protect the detainee, Dr. Javardi begins looking for any information on where he’s being kept while making TikTok videos to raise awareness of it; a scenario truly reflective of our current existence. The Pitt taps into what is unfortunately happening out there with precision and shows how it affects us all. As an immigrant, it hit hard. I can only hope this episode of The Pitt season two creates more empathy towards those currently targeted in the United States.HBOAnother very real thing this season touches on is the length folks will go to avoid expensive healthcare bills in this country because of a lack of healthcare coverage. We have Mr. Orlando Diaz, who comes into the hospital unconscious with diabetic ketoacidosis and ends up leaving the hospital very much against medical advice instead of staying in the ICU for even a few hours to try and get the DKA to resolve and stop his blood from being so acidic. RELATED ARTICLETHE PITT Scores Season 3 Renewal at HBO MaxHis reasoning for such a drastic choice? He lost his insurance coverage a little while ago and can’t afford it. He goes on to say that, since his meds are so expensive, he’d been taking only half the dose he needed in order to save money. And, of course, his family has no idea. Why worry them, right? The number of people who live in such a reality feels alarming. And given the way healthcare works in this country, a better future may not be around the corner. This is all very real and very sad. The Pitt uses its gripping storytelling tactics to make us feel for those struggling, to get us all to think about our neighbors. It’s tough out there, friends.HBOOne more topic that The Pitt season two successfully shines a light on also deserves the spotlight. Hospital staff, nurses in particular, are attacked at work more often than you’d think. The way little baby nurse Emma gets attacked and put on a chokehold by a patient while simply taking his vitals is something that’s seen around the country, and something that nurses don’t have a whole lot of protection from. For example, my husband, who’s an experienced Registered Nurse, has a friend who was slapped so hard by a patient that they couldn’t remember their date of birth while filing the police report. Imagine the same people you’re there to care for are hurting you, and you’re not able to do much about it. Though hospitals have started implementing more security measures and attempting different approaches to keep their staff safe, there remains a lot of work to do in this department. This issue is not widely considered in the mainstream landscape, and The Pitt taking the time to highlight it truly shows how well the series understands the truth of its own story.Another fantastic inclusion, especially in The Pitt’s season two finale, is a look at how men’s mental health should be talked about. We see men like Dr. Abbot, Dr. Langdon, and Michael Robinavitch’s biker friend, Duke, repeatedly bringing up the fact that it’s ok to need help and to seek it, that it’s ok not to be ok as long as you’re helping yourself feel better. In today’s society, men’s mental health is often chalked up to the side thanks to the stigma surrounding it. It was refreshing and encouraging to see men supporting men in such positive masculinity. HBOThe Pitt is pretty realistic, has been since its first season, but this season kicks it up a notch. From medical accuracy with procedures like the clamshell thoracotomy (when cuts across both sides of the chest and through the sternum are done to open up immediate access to thoracic organs like the heart and lungs) to even making a big deal out of EKG leads being out of place on a large-breasted woman, this show does an amazing job at showcasing what healthcare in America truly looks like. It was fun hearing my husband, who has had his fair share of stories in his years of nursing, call out things as the doctors did them. Having him share some of his experiences working in the ICU, cardiac surgical step-down, cath lab, and PACU, as he related to events from the show, only made watching it all more immersive. Though, as a Medical Assistant myself, I have to say we’re there t o do much more than just provide comic relief or get into arguments with our significant others on the phone during chaotic times. With the second season under wraps and the third one on the horizon, we temporarily say goodbye to our favorite doctors and nurses. Just as with The Pitt season two, cast exits and shift changes are likely to emerge as we head into season three. With talks about season three airing in January of 2027, more details should be coming out soon. Until then, I’m sure I won’t be the only one replaying seasons one and two on repeat on HBO Max for a while… Or singing Alanis Morissette on karaoke night.The Pitt Season 2 ⭐ (4 of 5)

The post THE PITT Season 2 Full Season Review appeared first on Nerdist.

Fruition Brewing and Kitchen in Watsonville has been named Small Brewery of the Year at the 2026 Best of Craft Beer Awards, a national competition that drew nearly 1,400 entries from breweries around the world.

The Watsonville-based brewery in the East Lake Village Shopping Center earned the top small-brewery honor after winning a gold medal for its “Yuzu Haze” hazy IPA and a silver medal for its “Watsonville Wildflower” honey blonde ale.

The awards were announced following judging held April 10–12 in Central Oregon, where nearly 60 international judges evaluated more than 9,000 beer submissions across 51 categories.

Fruition Brewing was one of 108 breweries to receive medals this year, with 153 awards handed out overall, according to event organizers.

The gold medal-winning Yuzu Haze features locally grown citrus sourced from Red Sands Orchard and Pretty Good Farm in Santa Cruz County. Brewers hand-zest the fruit, and the beer is currently available only on tap, though the company said the award is prompting plans to expand into canning.

The silver-winning Watsonville Wildflower uses local honey from Lazy G Bees. The beer has previously earned a gold medal at the U.S. Beer Tasting Championship and is already distributed more widely.

Co-owner David Purgason called the awards “a huge surprise.

“But it’s great motivation to continue working hard,” he said. “Brewing is an art of constant adjustments, endlessly chasing perfection, especially when working with local agriculture that varies year to year.”

The Best of Craft Beer Awards, now in its 12th year, has grown into one of the largest professional brewing competitions in North America.

Breweries of all sizes sent over 9,000 containers of their finest product for evaluation in 51 categories and sub-categories.

Fruition Brewing is one of several food and beverage establishments in the shopping complex. This includes Sushi-Q, Silver Spur, Hong Kong Garden II and Staff of Life.

Anyone rolling along Riverside Drive into Watsonville from Highway 1 lately must have noticed the new, healthy welcome mat—20 acres of organic artichokes popping their thistle heads up at the Sadie Ranch. The organic crop is a first for the Pajaro Valley. 

The crop, known as globe artichokes, is the work of the crew at Lakeside Organic Gardens who have been harvesting the prickly vegetables that are being distributed around the nation.

“We’re using an excellent new hybrid seed that comes from Europe,” said Lakeside Organic Gardens owner Dick Peixoto. “They’re very expensive—each seed costs 60 cents—but it’s worth it because right now we’re harvesting between 800 and 1,000 cartons per acre; traditional artichokes commonly yield 200-300 cartons per acre.”

A harvest of globe artichokes along Riverside Drive. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

Production, from the time of planting to harvest, takes about 90 days.

“We can grow them year-round, easily,” Peixoto said. “Right now we are the largest organic artichoke grower in the country. While Castroville claims to be the artichoke capital of the world, Watsonville is the organic artichoke capital of the world.”

Around eight years ago Lakeside teamed up with Ocean Mist, a major artichoke grower in Monterey County and beyond, to produce artichokes.

“They didn’t want to go the organic route so, after a while, we launched our project and expanded our own way into organic production. This is our fifth year of doing artichokes. I have friends that have sent me photos of our artichokes in the grocery store in New York City and another grocery store in Maui.”

At the Sadie Ranch in Watsonville field workers have been harvesting between 800 and 1,000 cartoons of artichokes per acre. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

Peixoto says his company grows artichokes between Watsonville and Moss Landing and in Ventura Valley, south of the Salton Sea near El Centro.

“We’re doing around 1,000 acres in Holtville,” he said. “And all the crops we do here in the summer we do there in the winter.”

He added that people can purchase their artichokes in Watsonville at Staff of Life Natural Foods in the East Lake Village Shopping Center.

“And, of course, we prepare them for the dinner table at our California Grill restaurant on Green Valley Road,” he said. “These are the right variety and we have the right weather; they taste as good as any artichoke you’ll find.”

The 1882 Records Building—today called the Octagon Building—is shown in Santa Cruz in 1954. It is now part of the popular Abbott Square at Cooper and Front streets.v(Sam Vestal/Pajaronian file)

Eighteen artworks by Watsonville artist Sefla Joseph are now on exhibit at the Aptos Public Library, along with a show by Aptos artist Diane Levin.

Spread around the facility, Joseph’s works include abstract portraits done with charcoal, chalk, and ink and paintings in  acrylic/mixed media on canvas. 

“I found myself  starting to work with charcoal, chalk and ink in the Covid period during a time of isolation,” she said. “I fell in love with the forgiving nature of  charcoal. The mark making felt emotional and the hands-on experience helped me have a less controlled approach to my work. The abstract portraits were a perfect fit for me and the portraits helped me to find the spirit of the work.”

This portrait by Sefla Joseph is from her latest direction of artwork now on display. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

Joseph has shown her work in numerous group and solo shows, including PV Arts in Watsonville and at the Blitzer Gallery on the west side of Santa Cruz.

“I was very fortunate to have begun my  formal art training with Master Charles Reid who I studied with for many years,” Joseph said. “I was an Open Studio artist  for over 20 years. My work is about discovering our shared humanity.”

Levin’s works are hanging in the Children’s room at the library.

Aptos artist Diane Levin is currently showing nine of her paintings of animals at the Aptos Public Library. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

“These paintings are acrylic on canvas, done in a figurative/abstract style, meaning they are not literal, and sometimes, may not even look like a finished piece of work,” Levin wrote in a statement. “My goal, in particular, is to create a loosely defined image that evokes an emotion, as if the image is saying something to you.”

The San Francisco native has been living in Aptos for the past 46 years and has been a student of Joseph over the years.

“I’ve been doing painting since I was a kid,” she said. “My dad was a painter.” 

Levin created this acrylic painting of a lion for the new exhibit. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

Her show features several portraits of animals. Her abstract expressionist paintings have appeared in numerous shows around the county.

Joseph currently teaches in-person private classes and zoom classes in painting that include two-day workshops two to three to 3 times a year.

Of Levin, Joseph said, “She is a natural and one of the best painters in the county.”

And on April 25 Joseph will be teaching a mini-workshop at PV Arts from 10am to 12:30pm at 280 Main St. in Watsonville. To register, call PV Arts at 722-3062 or visit pvarts.org. The shows run through June 30 at 7695 Soquel Dr. in Aptos.

This post is updated throughout the day to reflect the latest incidents. It was last updated at 7:31 a.m..

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

▼︎ new incidents   ▼︎ long-term incidents

Road incidents as of 7:30 a.m. on April 17

• A lane on westbound SR-152 at Clifford Drive/Ohlone Parkway in Watsonville and Pajaro is closed for asphalt paving. The closure is expected to last until July 3 at 5:59 a.m.
   

Long-term projects

These have been going on for a while, but are still worth keeping in mind.

• Emergency sewer repairs are happening on Soquel Drive near Rancho Del Mar in Aptos. Traffic will be shifted, and there may be lane closures and some delays during work hours, depending on the weather.
   

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: Lane closed on WB SR-152; Soquel Dr sewer repairs ongoing appeared first on Lookout Santa Cruz.

Some lawmakers are calling for widespread reforms following years of surveillance scandals and abuses across successive U.S. administrations. But even if the spy law known as Section 702 expires in April, the government's spy powers will not automatically lapse.

Although you can already track hotel prices at the city level, the new update lets you do so for a specific hotel that you're interested in.

Netflix is going to launch a TikTok-like vertical video feed within its apps this month, and plans to use AI broadly for content creation and recommendations.