Not Just Acknowledging, But Protecting Our Iranian Students
“Azadi, azadi, azadi.” Freedom, freedom, freedom. These words echo through city streets across Iran. The weight of injustice and inequality rests on the shoulders of the young, the “radical,” and the revolutionaries. Zhina “Mahsa” Amini was detained by Iran’s morality police on Sept. 13 for…
Seat Up for Grabs: District 6 City Council Election
The streets of Santa Cruz are filling up fast with RVs parked for days on end with nowhere to go, houseless camps residing in public spaces, and worried residents wondering if they’ll be able to make rent next month. With these concerns at the forefront…
The Two Candidates Running in Santa Cruz’s Inaugural At-Large Mayoral Election
For the first time in Santa Cruz history, voters will have a direct say in determining who their next mayor will be. Measure E, approved by voters on June 8, established at-large mayoral elections, along with a six-district map. Previously, the mayor was appointed annually…
The Cultural Arts and Diversity Resource Center and Chester Gregory Kick Start the New Year with Motown Classics
The drums kick us off. Enter the piano, along with a funky bass line. Bringing in the guitar lick, the soulful vocals uplift the song to where it needed to go. Welcome to Hitsville, USA. UC Santa Cruz’s Mainstage Theater will transform into a time…
Measure O: What is at Stake For Downtown Santa Cruz?
Fresh produce surrounded by smiling vendors, warm red walls of buildings, and homes of longtime families line the street. Even the parking lots hold sentimental value as you scour for the perfect spot ahead of another memorable day strolling around the city. This is Downtown…
Can Measures K and L Save Santa Cruz City Schools?
Failing infrastructure, outdated classrooms, and a teacher shortage are only some of the problems Santa Cruz City Schools (SCCS) are hoping to address with two new bond measures this November: Measure K and Measure L. While Measure K would raise funds for the local middle…
Measure N Could Open Doors for Housing Opportunities: Good Policy Or Too Invasive?
A $6,000 tax on empty single family homes could be implemented this November. But how would this affect Santa Cruz homeowners? If a simple majority votes to pass Measure N, also known as the Empty Home Tax, every homeowner in Santa Cruz will be required…
UC, Pay Academic Student Workers a Living Wage Now
The University of California (UC) system receives national recognition as a beacon of higher education, diversity, and progress. The UC’s mission page proudly proclaims its “pervasive mission of discovering and advancing knowledge,” but the backbone of the countless awards and accolades proudly accepted by the…
How Would Measure P Impact Taxes on Hotels and Short-Term Rentals?
Santa Cruz’s sunny beaches, rocky coast, breathtaking redwoods, and notorious Boardwalk have made the city into a desirable tourist destination. Attracting more than three million visitors annually, tourism employs nearly 8,000 people countywide and brings millions of dollars in revenue to the city. But at…
Ask the Editors: Our Favorite Spots Around Santa Cruz
Entering a new city, no matter how big or small, is intimidating. As we welcome new students to a campus far from the heart of town, City on a Hill Press editors offer our favorite spots around Santa Cruz. This diverse collection of spaces has…