KAZU - Listen Local Podcast

Nurses at Watsonville Community Hospital are protesting the closure of the NICU unit, and state legislators pass bills aimed at regulating the construction of new data centers.

The Plaskett Fire in Big Sur expands with aggressive growth. Lawmakers have passed a bill that would make it easier for the state to go after corporations with monopolistic behavior.

In this week's local news roundup: another fire breaks out in Big Sur, therapy dogs help firefighters, an endurance athlete reaches the mid-way point of a historic coastal swim, a homeowner finally finishes rebuilding after the 2020 CZU Lightning Complex Fires, and more

Firefighters are facing difficult conditions as they battle the Plaskett Fire. And, a Central Coast energy company is pushes for more transparency.

The Plaskett Fire started Wednesday, east of Los Burros Road and south of the growing Timber Fire. A record-breaking endurance athlete is swimming her way down the California Coast.

The Timber Fire has burned 17,817 acres and is moving deeper into the Ventana Wilderness. And, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill expanding privacy protections for those who provide support services for immigrants.

The Timber Fire has now crossed the Big Sur River, and firefighters are preparing for continued growth in the Ventana Wilderness. Plus, firefighters battling the fire have found support from therapy dogs at base camp.

The Big Sur Timber Fire has grown to more than 12,000 acres. Santa Cruz County Long Term Recovery Group completes its first full rebuild. And, rental assistance keeps people housed.

In this week's local news roundup: evacuation orders downgraded to warning in parts of a Timber Fire zone, a meeting between President Donald Trump and two local families, and CSUMB has a new interim president.

Firefighters are making progress on the Timber Fire, but Big Sur will need ongoing support. And, lawmakers want to protect climate programs but cap and invest auctions are bringing in less revenue.

Firefighters say a challenge on the Timber Fire is getting equipment into the rugged terrain. And, Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to limit utilities' liability for wildfire catastrophes their equipment causes.

A new leader at Cal State Monterey Bay. And, more Californians are likely to support the billionaires' tax and oppose requiring voter ID.

Cal Fire is now operating its response to the Big Sur Timber Fire from Cal State Monterey Bay. And, President Donald Trump has recognized a Santa Cruz teen lifeguard at the White House.

The week-old Timber fire in Big Sur has exceeded 5,000 acres, and is 17% contained. Waymo has announced its robotaxis are coming to Sacramento and San Diego.

In this week's roundup of local news: the Timber Fire grows in Big Sur, leaders address immigration enforcement concerns, Monterey Car Week makes charitable donations, and more.

Big Sur's Timber Fire has exceeded 4,500 acres, but some people have stayed. And, a strong El Niño will continue warming Central Coast waters and likely bring marine visitors.

Gusty winds have hampered firefighting in Big Sur, where the Timber Fire has burned 4,245 acres. And, Car Week is more than a showcase for rare cars—various events offer fundraising opportunities.

The Timber Fire in Big Sur has burned about 3,775 acres as of midday Wednesday and cut off access to a condor sanctuary. And, Central coast leaders are reaffirming support for immigrants in the face of changing federal policies.

The Timber Fire in Big Sur has exceeded 2,000 acres, with four zones now evacuated. And, Central Coast leaders continue to oppose offshore oil drilling.

The county has issued evacuation orders for parts of the Big Sur area due to the Timber Fire. And, class is back in session for Monterey County kids. Despite immigration concerns, headcounts are high.

In this week's roundup of local news: local farms hit by lower lettuce demand, Salinas City Council extends a moratorium on new tobacco shops, Murray Street bridge work reaches midpoint, nurses protest layoffs, a local tribe regains stewardship of 84 acres, and more.

In Santa Cruz, the three-year Murray Street Bridge seismic retrofit has reached its mid-point. And, the Trump administration wants to streamline Head Start regulations for class sizes, teachers' qualifications and more.

The Salinas City Council has voted unanimously to extend a moratorium on issuing new tobacco retailer licenses. And, 5,000 California nurses have signed a petition against layoffs.

Monterey County is installing No Parking signs near Big Sur's Bixby Bridge. And, the state's Farm to School program is now a permanent part of the state budget.

The Ohlone/Costanoan-Esselen Nation is celebrating the return of 84 acres of ancestral homeland in Monterey County. And, a fluffy penguin chick has debuted at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.

Car Week begins on Friday. The annual 10-day celebration of “all things automotive” is expected to draw over 100,000 visitors to Monterey County. The government has filed a court-ordered plan to improve conditions at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in Southern California.

Our weekly news roundup includes the most recent count of people experiencing homelessness in Monterey County, pushback on data center development, and the relaunch of the River Stewards program.

The recent viral video of a teenaged lifeguard rescuing a boy at Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz is just one of several ocean rescues this season. And, an amicus brief filed in San Jose this week includes 11 Central Coast communities.

Monterey County has released the numbers from its most recent count of people experiencing homelessness. And, a final report addressing some impacts of the Moss Landing battery plant fire is now public.

Residents want the Gilroy City Council to make data center development harder. And, health officials say the cyclospora outbreak shouldn't discourage people from eating fresh fruits and vegetables.

Project Open Hand delivered its 30 millionth meal this week. And, the Coastal Watershed Council and People First of Santa Cruz County have relaunched their River Stewards program.

Big companies would have to disclose historical ties to slavery under a bill advancing in the legislature. And, some Democratic lawmakers want to consider reintroducing grizzly bears to California.

Our weekly news roundup includes an update on the cyclospora outbreak, stream health monitoring, new housing development in Monterey, and more.

Some coastal cities are creating stricter rules to limit beach canopies. And, during Disability Pride Month, Gilroy gets inclusive bocce ball courts.

Monterey County has approved a policy to get newly available water to projects that have been waiting. And, a poll finds 44% of teens have seen AI-generated sexual content.

California officials are celebrating tools that help keep people safe during wildfires. And, the process to rename Cesar Chavez Library and Park in Salinas is underway.

California is preparing to return 136 acres of land in Mendocino County to three of the region's native tribes. And, a historic railroad bridge is complicating efforts to build a long-planned bike and pedestrian trail east of downtown San José.

An ongoing investigation into the source of a food-borne illness outbreak now includes a false-positive for the pathogen. And, an effort to get rid of California's top two primary system is underway.

Our round-up of the week's news includes the latest on food safety concerns following a national food-borne illness outbreak, a local youth leader heading to the FIFA World Cup Final, notices along parts of West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz, plus more.

The city of Santa Cruz has posted yellow development notices along parts of West Cliff Drive. And, speculation about the nationwide outbreak of a food-born illness making people sick could impact Monterey Bay agriculture.

A petition challenging the legality of Santa Cruz's tax on high-sugar beverages was struck down. And, new research shows coastal access is not equal among communities in California.

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians is celebrating the return of ancestral remains from Harvard and Yale. And, California State University is reimagining its Basic Needs Initiative.

A new bill would require many local air districts to help landscapers switch to electric equipment. And, the role of the state superintendent of schools gets an overhaul.

Our round-up of the week's news includes a preview of tomorrow's Obon Festival, the Monterey County crop report, an update on the western snowy plover's recovery, and more.

Scientists and volunteers along the entire West Coast recently completed the annual population count of western snowy plovers. And, the Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple is hosting their 77th annual Obon Festival this weekend.

Monterey County's annual survey of women is underway. And, California's avocado industry is pushing policies to protect growers as part of future negotiations over North American trade.

Nurses and other staff at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz are protesting proposed layoffs. California State Parks is offering free downloads of their annual Historian Passport and new penalties for no-shows at California state parks are now in effect.

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission is currently removing all county emergency call boxes. And, a state senator wants to protect Altadena from real estate speculators while residents rebuild, but her bill also raises concerns.

Local Tibetan leader responds to self-immolation death of a human rights activist outside the United Nations last week. And, Monterey County's annual crop report shows agriculture remained strong in 2025.

Blood banks are facing a shortage of type O, with supplies dropping to a two-year low. And, Republican lawmakers say a new tax hike on private health insurers will drive up costs for Californians.

The Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury makes housing recommendations, a new mural celebrates community in Seaside, employees protest at Dominican Hospital, and more.