Santa Cruz is poised for a major recovery in 2021! As it happens, Lookout Santa Cruz is here to chronicle the comeback and all that it entails, with a fearless focus on credible, in-depth local reporting and a parallel commitment to community betterment. How will this new, independent digital news source rise to meet Santa Cruz County’s biggest challenges heading into the new year, and beyond? How can solutions-focused local journalism help a community work together to create a more vibrant place?
On November 11 we met with the Lookout Santa Cruz team for a virtual cocktail hour (on Zoom of course). It was great to get to know the faces and stories behind the reporting, ask your questions, and be the first to hear all about Lookout’s ambitious coverage plans. The big spoiler alert – Lookout Santa Cruz Launches next week!
The event was sponsored by The Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce, City of Santa Cruz Economic Development Department, Santa Cruz Works and Cruzio Internet
Bios:
Ken Doctor, CEO:
Ken Doctor’s work centers on the disruption and transformation of the news business in the digital age. For 15 years, he has covered both the great successes of digital transformation and democracy-crippling losses of local news across the Western World.
Chris Fusco, Executive Editor:
Chris brings to Lookout the know-how of a big city newspaper editor with deep roots in community journalism. He began his career covering towns and schools in suburban Chicago for two newspapers, Shaw Media’s Northwest Herald and Paddock Publications’ Daily Herald, before joining the Chicago Sun-Times, where he spent 20 years in a variety of roles, including state government reporter, Watchdogs reporter, managing editor and, most recently, executive editor.
Alex Sibille, Director of Community Partnerships:
Alex brings to Lookout nearly a decade’s worth of experience in various external relations and community-centered roles, starting with her work in a State Assembly district office in her hometown, and most recently corporate relations for UC Santa Cruz. She is a graduate of Leadership Santa Cruz County, Class 32.
Wallace Baine, Arts and Entertainment Correspondent:
Wallace is reporting and writing not only across his familiar areas of deep interest — including arts, entertainment and culture — but also is chronicling for Lookout the challenges the people of Santa Cruz County are facing as they uneasily approach 2021.
Isabella Cueto, Government Accountability Correspondent:
Isa joins the Lookout team as a government accountability reporter, building on her experience covering local government for The State newspaper in Columbia, S.C. Cueto’s work has been recognized by the S.C. Press Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Florida Society of News Editors.
Mallory Pickett, Environmental Correspondent:
Mallory Pickett is Lookout Local’s environmental correspondent, and a Santa Cruz native. Prior to joining Lookout she wrote about science and the environment for a variety of publications including The New York Times Magazine, The Guardian, and WIRED.
To learn more about Lookout Local head over to their website: https://lookoutlocal.com
