At a launch party on Jan. 9 at local internet provider Cruzio’s downtown headquarters, a handful of local programmers unveiled OpenCounter — a free online system designed to simplify the hurdles of applying for business permits in the greater Santa Cruz area.

The Santa Cruz Warriors, an NBA Development League (D-League) team, will begin their first season in Santa Cruz this November. Their debut comes just a year after the project was proposed to the city back in December 2011. Now, the team hopes to begin building a relationship with the greater Santa Cruz community.

The Cabrillo College graduation ceremony signifies a new chapter in the lives of students who have obtained degrees and certifications, but the job market they are about to enter is anything but hopeful as the worst jobs report of the year is announced for last month and budget cuts loom large on the horizon.

Federal government agencies recently reported that student loan debt has exceeded credit card debt at $1 trillion. This change is alarming for the health of the economy and the future of the UC. Radical changes are needed to address student needs and the accessibility of public education in California.


Mayor Don Lane and Vice Mayor Hilary Bryant discuss public education and privatization with UCSC student media.

With the minimally regulated cannabis market in California, there have always been different levels of quality in product. But who defines what’s good and what’s good for you?

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta announced the $450 billion cut to the Pentagon’s budget may partially have to come out of the military’s health insurance program, Tricare. Raised fees and renegotiating retirement pay of veterans are unacceptable measures compared to the price tags of the Pentagon’s other defense contracts.

ABC news recently reported that credit unions are seeing a big surge in membership, and it’s easy to see why. Wells Fargo and Bank of America both recently announced that they will be adding new charges for debit and credit accounts, as well as for online services.

Last week Borders announced it had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, and would be “reorganizing” the company, resulting in the closure of 200 stores including the Borders on Pacific Avenue. The partial closure of the national megastore highlights the shift taking place in print media to electronic books and Internet booksellers.

According to a monthly data release from the Employment and Development Department of the California government, the Santa Cruz unemployment rate was 13.6 percent for the month of March 2009. This figure is 2 percent higher than the statewide average and 4.6 percent higher than the national average. The number has increased over the last few months and is higher than last year’s estimate for the period, at 8.3 percent. As a result, over 20,000 citizens are unemployed in Santa Cruz County.