Jerimiah Oetting

Cynthia Mathews spent her career fighting for reproductive rights, and brought Planned Parenthood to Santa Cruz over 50 years ago.

On June 7th, Santa Cruz County voters will weigh in on the future of the rail corridor between Santa Cruz and Watsonville. Mark Mesiti-Miller of No Way Greenway speaks to KAZU News in opposition to Measure D.This is one of a three-part series on Measure D.

On June 7th, Santa Cruz County voters will weigh in on the future of the rail corridor between Santa Cruz and Watsonville. Jack Brown of Yes Greenway speaks to KAZU News in support of Measure D.This is one of a three-part series on Measure D.

On June 7th, Santa Cruz County voters will weigh in on the future of the rail corridor that runs between Santa Cruz and Watsonville. Guy Preston, the director of the county's transportation commission, answered some basic questions about railbanking and the future of the rail corridor.This is one of a three-part series on Measure D.

Winemakers in California are facing another hot summer of drought and potential wildfire. When forests burn near California’s wine country, it’s not just the flames that threaten vineyards — it’s also the smoke, which can sully grapes on the vine that then produce ashy, bitter wine.Now, scientists in Santa Cruz are helping them confront that dilemma, with a unique approach that can sniff out the smoke in grapes. They say the results will allow winemakers to better predict whether grapes are worth harvesting or better left to rot.

Natalie Bathala, an astrophysicist at UC Santa Cruz, scans the stars in search of planets, including some that might support life. The recently launched James Webb Space Telescope will provide the clearest picture yet of these “exoplanets” that orbit stars beyond our solar system.

As another dry summer looms for California, Santa Cruz city's small Loch Lomond reservoir is nearly full.

Many veterans who once lived at Fort Ord now suffer from cancer and other diseases. Martha Mendoza was one of three Associated Press journalists who revealed that exposure to toxic chemicals — including in the base’s drinking water — could be the cause of their sicknesses. And Fort Ord may not be alone.

Nearly a decade ago, a massive blob of warm water formed off the U.S. West Coast, disrupting the ocean ecosystem. Among “the blob’s” many impacts, the region’s highly profitable crab fishery was forever changed. Scientists say extreme marine heatwaves will become more common due to climate change, leaving many in fishing communities, like those in the Monterey Bay region, struggling to adapt to the new uncertainty.

The Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission is going to discuss strategies to preserve the North County rail corridor at its meeting Thursday morning. They include a contentious option that Roaring Camp Railroads says threatens its business.