KAZU - Listen Local Podcast

A rally in Santa Cruz was organized in support of a Coastal Rail Trail design that preserves the train tracks. And, Friends of Seaside Parks support pollinators with weekly workdays.

Santa Cruz County celebrates National Public Works Week. And, experts warn California is unprepared for future budget deficits.

Salinas Valley Health has qualified to give free vaccines to children through a federally-funded program. And, California ups proposed support for the state food bank program.

For the first time in three years, Monterey Bay has a commercial salmon season open. Local fishermen and suppliers are hopeful.

The Ohlone Sisters at Garland Ranch, local and state representatives react to battery energy storage news, and members of UC Santa Cruz's Iranian Student Union make sense of what's happening to their relatives in this week's episode.

Seasonal fire restrictions are set to begin around the Central Coast on May 15. And, Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced California will be the first state to provide free diapers for all newborns.

A state bill would require the DMV to inform owners of towed vehicles when their cars are sold at auction. And, the World Cup is headed to Los Angeles next month, but not everyone is happy with the current plans to protect human rights.

Scammers are targeting family and friends of people incarcerated at Monterey County Jail, and four California residents who were potentially exposed to hantavirus are being monitored.

New Leaf Energy is bypassing Santa Cruz County in its effort to seek approval for a new battery energy storage facility in Watsonville. For Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church, who represents Moss Landing, that's the worst-case scenario.

An indigenous storytelling event led by educators from the Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe.

The Santa Lucia Conservancy is training a local workforce focused on reducing wildfire risk, Santa Cruz County expands language services ahead of the June 2 primary election, a retired Navy commander who started a volunteer otter monitoring project, and more in this week's local news roundup.

A new resiliency plan for the Pajaro River Watershed addresses climate concerns. Plus, tourism spending in Monterey County shows a potentially encouraging trend.

Monterey County hosts a special meeting to discuss how local Medi-Cal patients could be impacted by H.R. 1. And, three parks across Monterey Bay win in the “Best of California's State Parks” poll.

Santa Cruz Parks and Recreation Department is inviting residents to plant trees for Arbor Day. And, a new study from UC Berkeley finds California community college students who consistently receive CalFresh food benefits do better academically.

Santa Cruz County expands language services ahead of the June 2 primary election. And, a bill moving through the California legislature aims to ensure new education programs—like transitional kindergarten—deliver on their promises.

The Santa Lucia Conservancy works to train up a local workforce focused on reducing wildfire risk on the Central Coast. And, primary election candidates in Santa Cruz County discuss their plans for housing.

The farm bill cleared the House of Representatives with little Democratic support, the Marina Coast Water District reactivates a desalination plant, how climate change affects California's native trees, and more in this week's local news roundup.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture judge ruled that the agency erred when it terminated a Cal State Monterey Bay grant last year. And, a preview of May Day events on the Central Coast.

The San Benito County Board of Supervisors extends a moratorium on battery energy storage systems. And, advocates fear federal policy will hurt undocumented people with California driver's licenses.

The Marina Coast Water District is reviving an old desalination plant to boost water supply. And, the International Olympic Committee is reintroducing a mandatory genetic test for athletes competing in women's sports at the 2028 LA Games.

New UC Santa Cruz research shows climate change puts many California native tree species at risk. Plus, a state bill could help seniors and people with disabilities harden their properties against wildfire.

Poets and poetry lovers gathered in downtown Monterey over the weekend for the Monterey Poetry Festival. And, athletes braved the weather for the Big Sur Marathon on Sunday.

In this week's episode: environmental activist julia butterfly hill comes to Santa Cruz on Sunday, libraries across Monterey Bay celebrate National Library Week, the City of Marina rings in two decades of Earth Day festivities.

Researchers are still trying to determine the cause of death for a whale that washed up in Wilder Ranch State Park in Santa Cruz County. And California representatives have introduced the "Save Willy Act," which would help ships avoid whales.

Monterey County supervisors move forward with an oversized vehicle ban along two streets in Pájaro—kind of. And, a plant sale at UC Santa Cruz this weekend.

Libraries in the region are marking National Library Week. And, California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas endorses Xavier Becerra for governor.

Legislators are criticizing the management of a state program that partnered with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library to distribute books to kids. And, an art showcase at Carmel's Sunset Center celebrates youth-led mental health research.

The City of Marina celebrated two decades of Earth Day celebrations over the weekend. And, a bill advances to keep federal immigration officers away from sensitive areas.

In this week's episode, foodbanks are asking for state funding, commercial fishing will open next month, local advocates mark Black Maternal Health Week, and more.

California state legislators are considering funding changes to a program that supports food banks. Plus, Monterey Bay will have a commercial salmon fishing season for the first time in three years.

Los Angeles County declares housing insecurity a public health crisis. And, a vending machine that dispenses library books comes to Marin County.

Local advocates are marking Black Maternal Health Week. And, Eric Swalwell's exit from the California Governor's race means a major shakeup for Democrats.

Monterey County supervisors will discuss placing a property transfer tax on the November ballot. And, two gubernatorial candidate forums focused on Latino voters are coming up in Sacramento.

Crowds gathered in downtown Monterey to celebrate Whalefest. And, recreational salmon fishing reopens.

Some Monterey students are back from a regional robotics competition, the Monterey County DA concludes an investigation into a fatal shooting, a local advocate's reflections on housing policies and solutions, and more in this week's local news roundup.

Monterey County warns against scammers who impersonate local officials. Plus, a proposed state bill would reform how utility companies pay for fires they cause.

Salinas City Council member Andrew Sandoval discusses a state bill to restrict forever chemicals. And, piling too many people on an e-bike could be outlawed if a different bill passes.

The Monterey County District Attorney has concluded its investigation of a January fatal officer-involved shooting in Marina. And, Santa Cruz County has opened a crisis stabilization unit to help young people seek short-term help with mental health.

Advocates for small-scale farmers and for people facing food insecurity are both pushing the state for more funding as federal cuts hit hard on all sides of the farm-to-table supply chain.

A regenerative agriculture training program for new farmers on the Central Coast. And, a new bill making its way through the state legislature aims to reduce the number of wild animals hit by cars.

Monterey County parks could see 10,000 visitors on Sunday, a 4.6-magnitude earthquake hits Boulder Creek, reflections on farmworker labor power, and more in this week's local news roundup.

Residents as far north as San Francisco Bay and as far south as Monterey County say they were jolted awake by Thursday morning's 4.6 magnitude earthquake in the Santa Cruz Mountains. And, new research on a Republican-backed voter ID initiative.

California is launching a campaign to fight nicotine use among young people. And, unseasonably warm temperatures are posing risks for California's farmworkers as the heat arrives earlier than usual this year.

Santa Cruz County will now be able to test for more contaminants as part of an expanded free well water testing program. And, the inaugural Santa Cruz Vegan Chef Challenge kicks off today.

Central Coast residents and public officials respond to the sexual assault allegations against César Chávez. And, a look at the challenges facing farmworkers today and how the legacy of the United Farm Workers shows up more than 60 years after its founding.

Small towns in the Santa Cruz Mountains host No Kings protests alongside the region's larger cities. Felton, Scott's Valley and Boulder Creek all hosted their own events.

A town known for its sleepy reputation now has a growing nightlife scene, advocates say support is still available for immigrant domestic abuse survivors and PVUSD seeks help amid financial struggles.

Monterey County uses cameras to issue fines to people who dump trash illegally and encourages residents to take advantage of free waste disposal programs. Salinas Valley Recycles offers a free tire disposal service starting this weekend. Plus, Santa Cruz County wants resident input about how to plan for sea level rise.

A new bill from state Republican lawmakers would make menstrual products free for farmworkers. And, California counties are asking the state for billions of dollars to protect safety net programs.

Advocates say immigrant survivors of domestic and sexual violence are scared to seek help amid increasing immigration enforcement. But help remains available.

Immigrant rights groups have support from Attorney General Rob Bonta in their lawsuit citing civil rights violations at an ICE detention center in San Bernardino County. And, the Pajaro Valley Unified School District is recruiting people for its Sustainable Schools Advisory, which will recommend school closures and mergers.