KAZU - Listen Local Podcast

In today's newscast, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County is looking for feedback on the new Active Transportation Plan. And, California's highest court ruled a Republican sheriff must return hundreds of thousands illegally seized ballots.

The Transportation Agency for Monterey County wants to know where people feel unsafe biking and walking. And, a federal rule change on public charge determinations takes effect.

In this week's round-up: the 69th Monterey Jazz Festival and the Worldwide Day of Play, two different decisions on Flock cameras, a Santa Cruz Mountain town could lose its post office permanently, and more.

The top police official in the city of Santa Cruz will soon retire after over three decades in uniform. And, the 69th annual Monterey Jazz Festival runs through Sunday night.

Monterey County's Flock cameras will be gone by December. And, Watsonville decided to keep the cameras, but with new constraints.

The Monterey Board of Supervisors received an update at Tuesday's meeting about the recent flareup. And, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes a bill affecting 60,000 students enrolled in California universities.

The Monterey County Government Center reopens after closing unexpectedly more than two weeks ago. And, a Santa Cruz Mountain town is facing permanent closure of its post office.

Sixty-seven acres of restored natural habitat in the heart of Salinas is now open to the public. And, an executive order aims to speed up oversight of artificial intelligence in California and study new rules.

In this week's news roundup, another fire starts at the Vistra battery facility in Moss Landing, invasive beetles kill trees in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a large donation to Big Basin, and more.

The Salinas community development department has presented its annual performance report to the city council. And, an independent inspector is calling for California's high-speed rail project to improve oversight of consultants.

A bill would reassert congress's role in trade, and a $6 million donation will fund a new interpretive center at Big Basin Redwoods State Park.

Rescue teams have responded to 150 sea lions infected with domoic acid poisoning this summer. And, Monterey County officials hope to reopen the government center in Salinas soon after what they've called “an extensive sewer line malfunction.”

An invasive beetle known for burrowing into native trees leaves behind a fungus that eventually kills them. And, President Donald Trump is using the Defense Production Act to expand federal authority over energy projects.

The Monterey Bay region's state senator authored 31 bills that passed during the 2025-26 legislative session. And, how a proposal to exclude undocumented immigrants from the 2030 census could affect California.

In this week's news roundup, KAZU reporter Katie Brown talked to folks in Big Sur pitching in to keep the fires contained and crews comfortable.

The Plaskett Fire is nearly 80% contained. A nearby resort has offered free showers to fire crews since the blaze began. And, the US Justice Department is investigating Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles.

The Timber and Plaskett fires in Big Sur together have now burned more than 55,000 acres. And, lawmakers have sent two bills to the governor that aim to improve the recovery process after a wildfire.

Containment of the Plaskett Fire has reached 61% amid worsening air quality conditions in some places. And, a bill the governor's desk would force government agencies to share information about emergency calls made from immigration detention centers.

New technology could change how produce is grown and harvested. Plus, Californians will vote on a one-time, 5% billionaire tax this November.

The Plaskett fire in Big Sur continues to grow, and the Trump administration plans to rescind a rule that protects roadless areas.

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.