KAZU - Listen Local Podcast

A deadly disease affecting sea lions along California's Central Coast has sparked concern from wildlife experts. And, California Attorney General Rob Bonta says his office has restored $168 billion in federal funds to the state by suing the Trump administration.

The California Police Records Access Project is now available to the public. Plus, the developer of a 389-unit housing development in Santa Cruz may back out.

Monterey City Council is slated to take a final vote on a local ordinance that would put stricter limits on sidewalk vendors near Old Fisherman's Wharf. And, a bill would require California hospitals to inform low-income patients of financial assistance programs.

Congressional legislation introduced this week aims to provide relief to people with federally backed housing loans following climate disaster. And state legislation banning the sale of new Glock handguns could reach Gov. Newsom's desk by late August.

After months of delays, the first units for an interim housing project were delivered this week in Watsonville. Plus, former Vice President Kamala Harris says no to a gubernatorial run.

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz found that sunflower sea stars could help kelp forests recover by scaring away sea urchins. And, United States Rep. Jimmy Panetta called for congressional oversight in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities.

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the fatal plane crash in Pacific Grove. And, California is having a much cooler summer than expected this year.

Planned Parenthood shut its Santa Cruz location last week and Monterey had its first-ever abalone festival over the weekend.

A collaboration between UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz will bring more medical students to the Central Coast. And, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren pushes a bill offering some undocumented immigrants a pathway to citizenship.

Vistra Corp and the US Environmental Protection Agency reached a formal agreement related to the cleanup of the site of the January battery fire in Moss Landing. Plus, a report names Santa Cruz as the nation's least affordable rental market for the third year in a row.

The Marine Mammal Center opposes a reauthorization bill to weaken the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act. And, the City of Marina urges the California Public Utilities Commission to reject a proposed desalination plant.

Santa Cruz County's employment outlook isn't doing so well. And, as the new school year approaches, Monterey County schools are facing a nearly $25 million federal funding freeze to key programs that help students and their families.

An underwhelming takeaway from a recent Moss Landing Vistra battery fire report. Plus, universal pre-K kicks off during the 2025-26 school year for Monterey Bay area families.

In today's newscast, funding to address homelessness is in a precarious spot. Still, some grant money is available, and Monterey and San Benito counties are looking for community input on funding priorities.

Protesters in Salinas joined nationwide rallies on Thursday, and California is helping communities withstand extreme heat.

A crash report reveals a need for safer roads in Santa Cruz County. And, how the Senate vote to rescind federal funds for public broadcasting could affect KAZU.

Monterey City Council unanimously approved a local ordinance to cut the number of sidewalk vendors near Old Fisherman's Wharf by about half due to public safety concerns. And, the City of Santa Cruz praised Sen. John Laird for helping secure an additional $4.5 million in funding to support the downtown library project.

Local health providers are bracing for Medicaid cuts under the new federal spending law. And, Pajaro Valley Unified School District teachers have filed a lawsuit claiming that pesticides are harming children.

Two counties in the region say the summer tourism season is going well. And, the Asian Law Caucus takes up birthright citizenship on behalf of newborns who are at risk of losing their citizenship.

Monterey County is waiting for state feedback on its overdue housing plan. And, the state has an update on the gray wolf population after a decade of conservation.

In today's newscast, a look at the downstream effects of changes to federal grant requirements since President Trump took office.

Structure demolition at the site of the Moss Landing battery fire could begin this month, and owner Vistra Energy will be responsible for compiling a health risk assessment. Plus, paternity leave rates are increasing in California.

In today's newscast, a local Monterey County volunteer shares how the Trump Administration's attempt to dismantle AmeriCorps affected her job. And, as deer fawning season on the Central Coast comes to a close, the signs warning drivers to slow down will disappear.

Civics and service learning are getting a boost in the region. Plus, local leaders are speaking out against health cuts in the recent federal tax and spending bill.

In today's newscast, the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) office at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey is now closed—some work will continue as part of a restructuring. Plus, Monterey Bay area residents can apply for local subsidies on new and used electric cars.

In today's newscast, California is making it easier to build homes, but harder to address homelessness. Plus, Santa Cruz City Schools will continue offering free meals in the upcoming school year, as well as hands-on food systems education.

10 state-funded rehabilitation programs run by the Veterans Transition Center at Soledad's Correctional Training Facility have ended. Plus, the City of Santa Cruz celebrates parks and recreation month in July.

More than a week after Israel and Iran reached a fragile ceasefire, a local Iranian writer is offering her insight. Ava Homa lives in Pacific Grove, has written extensively about human rights in Iran and teaches at Cal State Monterey Bay.

Monterey Peninsula Unified School District receives a $350,000 statewide learning grant to help preschool to third grade students studying math and science. And, Monterey County's annual crop and livestock output reached nearly 5 billion dollars last year according to the annual 2024 report.

California residents will be able to continue checking out state parks passes from libraries. Plus, what the potential end to birthright citizenship means for one California family.

In today's newscast, local Sudanese residents gathered over the weekend to bring attention to the civil war in Sudan, which started in 2023. The United Nations has called it the worst humanitarian crisis in the world at this time.

An ongoing KQED series spotlighting gender-diverse artists and activists is amplifying the story of Sandy Stone.

Monterey and San Benito County environmentalists organize in support of the California Environmental Quality Act in response to two bills that could weaken the statewide law. And, a $5 million federal grant will support the construction of a new terminal at Monterey Regional Airport.

The state budget makes changes to Medi-Cal and homelessness programs. Plus, construction begins on a new campground at Fort Ord Dunes State Park

A Monterey County Supervisor says Big Sur is strongly protected in the face of a federal budget bill hoping to sell off over 200 million acres of national public lands. And, Congressman Jimmy Panetta says he will fight offshore drilling proposals in Monterey Bay as the Trump Administration plans to approve oil and gas projects in National Marine Sanctuaries.

In today's newscast, both lanes of the Santa Cruz harbor bridge are closed from now until February 2026. And, Central Coast Congressmember Jimmy Panetta has introduced a bill to preserve language learning in the military.

Local advocates are denouncing proposed healthcare cuts in the California state budget that include freezing Medi-Cal enrollment for those without legal status.

In today's newscast, KAZU's former News Director shares excerpts of her new podcast, Senseless, which deals with gun violence and the pain of losing her father to a mass shooting. Plus, California Sen. Alex Padilla and Rep. Jimmy Panetta have condemned President Donald Trump's decision to bomb Iran without first seeking congressional approval.

In today's newscast, California lawmakers introduced a bill that would ban law enforcement face coverings and the City of Santa Cruz looks for ways to spur economic development. Plus, Santa Cruz has lost a long-time public servant and activist.

The manager of a Pacific Grove Restaurant remains in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in Texas, and local county leaders hold a press conference in solidarity with and support of immigrants.

A local fire official urges Monterey Bay communities to become more fire-safe as the season takes off this summer. And, California's biggest source of state homelessness funding faces cuts.

In today's newscast, Monterey County libraries have kicked off their summer reading program. And, in light of increasing numbers of Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids, local attorneys are offering advice and resources to residents who are worried about their safety.

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.

Federal dollars that help small growers experiment with climate-smart agricultural practices are drying up. One Aromas farmer has seen the benefits and wants to find ways to keep her land nourished despite precarious funding.

People in Monterey protested on Wednesday evening against the deployment of military forces in Los Angeles. Plus, the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust launches the third annual effort to get fresh local fish to food banks.

Monterey County recognizes the 50th anniversary of a landmark farmworker rights legal case that banned the use of a harmful farming tool. And, immigration courts in San Francisco and Concord close early as Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities ramp up.

In today's newscast, the Santa Cruz Civil Grand Jury has released its report on the county's climate adaptation and mitigation progress. And, nine forest resilience projects will soon get underway in Santa Cruz County. The Resource Conservation District has received a $7 million grant from Cal Fire to better prepare the region's forests for a changing fire landscape.

In today's newscast, volunteers repainted the "Black Lives Matter" mural in downtown Santa Cruz. And, a state bill to limit workplace surveillance is one step closer to becoming law.

Extreme rowing teams embarked out of the Monterey Harbor for the third year in a row this morning. One of the rowers is making history.

People rallied outside the office of California State Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas in opposition to Gov. Gavin Newsom's proposed Medi-Cal cuts. And, residents spoke up about the Monterey City Council approving a rainbow crosswalk downtown.

The Salinas City Council repealed four ordinances related to tenants' rights that went into effect in January. And, a lawyer wants to move a lawsuit against PG&E, Vistra Energy and construction and chemical companies over the Moss Landing fire back to state court from the federal court.