City of Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz city council moves to ban the sale of tobacco products with plastic filters and state budget cuts could end a popular library program.

The City of Santa Cruz is getting $30 million for a new behavioral health treatment center. And, the National Weather Service warns that June could bring above average fire danger to California.

In today's newscast, the Santa Cruz City Council begins work on a $532 million budget, in the face of massive funding cuts from the Trump administration. Plus, bots are applying to community colleges in California—and getting in, allowing scammers to collect millions in student aid.

In today's newscast, the California Coastal Commission met in Santa Cruz this week and heard from supporters of its efforts to block an offshore drilling company from restarting a ruptured pipeline. And the Santa Cruz City Council will move forward with a housing development for local educators on Swift Street. Plus, Coffee Zombie Collective visits KAZU's Studio B.

In today's newscast, the Santa Cruz City Council approved a five-year roadmap for West Cliff Drive. It's meant to address the current and future effects of erosion and sea level rise. And, the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is seeking public input on regulations meant to reduce damage to homes in the case of a wildfire. Plus, Carmel Bach Festival artistic director and conductor Grete Pedersen talks to KAZU's Lisa Ledin about the upcoming summer festival.

In today's newscast, another protest against the federal government will take place in downtown Santa Cruz today at the Clocktower. Plus, Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Benito counties received a joint grant to find ways to get more qualified art teachers into classrooms.

In today's newscast, the City of Santa Cruz and Monterey County are among jurisdictions joining a lawsuit to fight threats to cut federal funding from "sanctuary cities." Plus, a bipartisan bill aims to fund more research on wildfires, and former defense secretary Leon Panetta says the present moment calls for Americans to stand up for what they value.

Measure Z would put a two cents an ounce tax on sugary drinks in the city of Santa Cruz. Opponents have spent more than $1.7 million to fight it.

Walking tours are just some of the efforts illuminating the seemingly invisible presence and impact of Chinese cultural enclaves in Salinas, Pacific Grove and Santa Cruz.

On March 5, Santa Cruz voters will decide whether to pass Measure M, which would require a referendum on any development project that exceeds the city's existing height limits, and raise the requirements for affordable units in new developments from 20% to 25%.