KAZU - Listen Local Podcast

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office opens a new Re-Entry Resource Center in Salinas. And, a state law aims to expand birth centers after reporting from CalMatters found California lost close to 60 hospital maternity wards in the last decade.

Pajaro Valley Unified School District delayed a decision about updates to a policy for "controversial issues" in classrooms. Plus, Governor Gavin Newsom announced he will send California's National Guard to help at food banks.

Two competing housing measures are on the ballot this election. Both propose using property tax revenue for affordable housing, but their specifics—and their motivations—differ significantly.

The 11th annual International Spinach Conference makes its return to the United States on the Cal State Monterey Bay campus. And, Governor Gavin Newsom warns funding for food assistance programs could soon run out due to the federal government shutdown.

In Santa Cruz, city voters have two competing housing affordability measures on their ballots—Measure B and Measure C. And, California will start selling its own insulin in January.

Santa Cruz Union members will vote on a strike authorization. And, a new California law guarantees legal counsel for unaccompanied immigrant youth.

Thousands took to the streets throughout the Monterey Bay Area this weekend to protest authoritarianism as part of nationwide “No Kings” rallies. In Watsonville, attendees got to hear from a special guest.

On Nov. 4, California voters will decide the fate of Proposition 50, the state's redistricting measure. Hear what it would do. And, a reminder to register in time to cast your ballot.

The City of Marina hosts a series of festivities to celebrate its 50th anniversary. And, renewable energy developer New Leaf Energy presents to the Watsonville City Council about the battery energy storage facility it wants to build near College Lake.

The Veterans Transition Center in Marina taps into donor reserves to make up for losses from the federal government shutdown. And, former President Barack Obama enters the redistricting fight urging California voters to approve Proposition 50.

Thousands of people are expected to gather across the Monterey Bay Area Saturday as part of nationwide “No Kings” protests. And, with monthly premiums for Affordable Care Act plans set to increase soon, KAZU wants to hear from local residents who get health insurance through Covered California.

A recent study shows more than half of pregnant women in Monterey County are exposed to harmful pesticides. And, Carmel-by-the-Sea is finally getting street addresses.

Central Coast Democratic Rep. Jimmy Panetta faces backlash from pro-Palestine groups over his support of Israel during a Watsonville town hall.

Monterey County teenagers are at risk of losing access to health information programs after federal funding cuts. And, Cal Fire firefighters won't be getting a salary boost.

Monterey County teenagers are at risk of losing access to health information programs after federal funding cuts. And, Cal Fire firefighters won't be getting a salary boost.

Watsonville students created short films that will screen at UC Santa Cruz today. A Q&A discussion will follow the free event. And, local libraries are protesting censorship by celebrating Banned Books Week.

Monterey County is seeing fewer residents apply for Medi-Cal and Cal Fresh benefits ahead of changes in 2026. And, social security recipients that can't pay rent due to disruptions with their benefits are protected under a new law Governor Gavin Newsom signed.

Head Start programs will continue running in Santa Cruz County through the end of the month despite the government shutdown. And, a state bill was set to create the first farmland access program in California. Then it was vetoed.

A non-profit in San Benito County received a state grant to help residents with disaster preparedness. And, the Department of Homeland Security is rolling out a new program targeting unaccompanied children in the immigration system.

More households in Monterey will get hyper purified water through the Pure Water Monterey expansion project. And, state officials discuss the winter forecast at the start of California's new water year.

The Santa Cruz Public Libraries Youth Poet Laureate Program hosts free poetry sessions and workshops for teens. And, the White House puts pressure on the University of Southern California and eight other universities to sign a compact agreement in line with conservative ideals.

The world-renowned surf playground is home to miles of steady waves whose riders and landscape keep changing.

A change in federal funding threatens local Head Start programs, which provide free preschool for low-income families. Plus, the City of Santa Cruz is seeking public input on the Wharf Master Plan.

A film documenting the early days of the 2022 Russian invasion in Ukraine is showing this Friday at the Carmel International Film Festival. Ahead of the screening, KAZU's Ngozi Cole spoke to the director.

Federal workers in the region are now facing the government shutdown. And, Santa Cruz County stands to lose millions of dollars from federal cuts.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded its first construction contract for the $599 million Pajaro River levee and floodwall project. And, the Trump administration has launched its latest anti-semitism investigation—this time, across the entire Cal State University system.

The closure of Highway 1 in Big Sur has cost Central Coast communities hundreds of millions of dollars in lost tourism spending. And, the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band will regain full access rights to land in their ancestral territory for the first time since their forced removal over 225 years ago.

San Benito County employees represented by Service Employees International Union Local 521 are protesting proposed budget cuts. Plus, new research shows that internet cables could lead to earlier tsunami warnings.

The Salinas City Council decided to leave renter protection laws up to voters. And, a local infectious disease doctor with Montage Health urges people to get vaccinated ahead of respiratory virus season.

KION television newsroom staff was laid off without warning before the station announced that the San Francisco-based CBS station, KPIX, will take over the daily news slot. And, a program helping rural homes save water and money is expanding in the Salinas Valley.

The Marine Mammal Center is highlighting conservation efforts during Sea Otter Awareness Week. And, advocates are urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to sign a bill to protect children from AI chatbots.

Indivisible Pájaro Valley and the Watsonville Film Festival are screening the documentary American Agitators this Friday. Plus, the U.S. Department of Agriculture will stop publishing data on food insecurity—a problem that affects tens of thousands of people on the Central Coast.

Almost 1,300 volunteers collected trash from beaches, rivers and parks on the Central Coast over the weekend in 58 local cleanups organized by the nonprofit Save Our Shores.

Local veterans protest for peace at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey. And, Santa Cruz and Monterey will join communities around the world in celebrating Sun Day to support solar energy efforts.

The first report breaking down the value and vulnerability of surf breaks in Santa Cruz is out. And an indigenous Samoan chief who lives in Santa Cruz attends the inaugural Communicating Climate Solutions Symposium organized by the UC Santa Cruz Science Communication Program.

Monterey County has updates on cleanup efforts following the January battery plant fire. But residents and some supervisors remain frustrated by the lack of information about possible human and environmental health impacts. Ongoing research from Moss Landing Marine Labs may help answer their questions.

Known for their signature performance of “My Humps” by The Black Eyed Peas, Bob and Patti Vasconcellos have become a staple at Coasters Bar & Grill.

Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf is celebrating 180 years this fall. And, CalFire partners with University of California researchers to look at what's causing cancer in firefighters.

Central Coast State Sen. John Laird's bill requiring more robust emergency action plans and fire hazard inspections for battery energy storage systems is headed to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk. And, water pumps and sprinklers have kept giant sequoias within the Sierra National Forest safe from the ongoing Garnet Fire.

Erika Mahoney was news director at KAZU four years ago on what became the worst day of her life. She talks with former colleague Doug McKnight about the mass shooting that took her dad's life.

Kaiser Permanente members can walk in and get the updated COVID-19 vaccine at no cost starting this week. And, the City of Santa Cruz hosted a fun run over the weekend to raise tsunami awareness.

Some local hospitals are seeking healthcare partners to stay afloat. And, a new state bill requiring law enforcement to show identification advances.

Watsonville votes to expand a contract with Flock Safety for automated license plate readers. And, a state bill moves to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk that would make CEQA exemptions for certain transit projects permanent.

En el Valle de Salinas, los agricultores locales se han visto afectados por la reciente pérdida de los programas federales que les abrían el acceso a mercados para comercializar sus productos.

The Salinas City Council voted to wait until September 23 to solidify next steps related to four rental ordinances. And, the trade group Western Growers supports the release of the second "Make America Healthy Again" report.

NPR's Mary Louise Kelly is hosting a new national security podcast, Sources and Methods. She talked about it with KAZU.

Valley Fever cases are rising on the Central Coast, with Monterey County's increase larger than others'. And, a bill to allow rideshare drivers to unionize advances.

The U.S. Supreme Court has made it easier for immigration agents to stop people based on their race. And, a Central Coast food distribution network aims to shorten the farm to fork supply chain and help area small farms.

In today's newscast, the home of a local sea glass artist was one of eight venues that featured the work of 32 artists during the 18th annual Seaside Art Tour.

A day of mourning in Santa Cruz for the thousands of children who have been killed in Gaza over the last two years. And, Monday marks 60 years since the Delano grape strike began in the Central Valley.

More than 14,000 people on the Central Coast face contaminated drinking water from nitrates in agricultural fertilizers. The regional water quality control board is searching for alternative water solutions.