Podcasts about monterey county

Send us Fan MailIn this episode Magnus has a conversation with Carol Olson, Executive Director of the Ventana Wilderness Alliance, about wilderness, responsibility, and the increasingly difficult art of protecting a place people love.GOOD LINKS:Big Sur Wilderness and Conservation ActFull text — Congress.govPublic Law details — GovInfoSummary — Ventana Wilderness AllianceVentana Wilderness AllianceOfficial websiteWikipediaBig Sur LUP DownloadBig Sur LCP Defense Committee — download pageCounty of Monterey — LUP Tables & FiguresBig Sur Coast LUP Update project pageAdler Ranch / Esselen Land TransferKQED — California Tribe Regains Ancestral LandsWestern Rivers ConservancyEsselen Tribe official newsThe Wilderness Act / Definition of WildernessThe Wilderness SocietyU.S. Fish & Wildlife ServiceFull text PDF — USDALand Back MovementLANDBACK.org — the movement's own siteNPR overview (2024)Sierra Club featureYale Environment 360It's time to rethink the idea of the "Indigenous"Shelley Alden BrooksMonterey County Weekly profileBook — UC PressBook — AmazonSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL! 

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of A Big Sur Podcast, I speak with the writer and journalist Matti Friedman about his remarkable book Out of the Sky — a work that begins with four words from the Bible, “Out of the sky,” and unfolds into a meditation on fear, memory, survival, aviation, mythology, Jewish history, and the strange psychological atmosphere that has surrounded Israel since October 7, 2023.We carry Matti Friedman's books at the Henry Miller Library.Important links:Matti Friedman's WebsiteMatti Friedman with Dan SenorNicholas Kristof in NYTMagnus Substack about some of this.Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL! 

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.

Ron Eby spent 20 years in the Navy before he retired from his role as a commander. But after a while, he got bored - so he signed up for a new covert mission. Looking for otters. Not enemy warships, but threatened sea otters, as a volunteer with the Elkhorn Slough Reserve in Moss Landing. Reporter: Elena Neale-Sacks, KAZU U.S. Senator Adam Schiff and Central Coast Congressman Salud Carbajal joined Chumash Coastal Band leaders and environmental groups on the Central Coast Thursday. They criticized the Trump administration's support for restarting an oil pipeline linked to the 2015 Refugio spill. Reporter: Gabriela Fernandez, KCBX A number of California residents, who've since returned home, are confirmed to have been among the passengers on a cruise ship at the center of a hantavirus outbreak. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

One of the biggest headlines from the episode was movement on the federal Farm Bill, which officially passed the U.S. House for the first time since 2018. The legislation marks a significant step forward for national agricultural policy, though it still must move through the Senate before becoming law. “It's a major step forward,” hosts said, noting the importance of finally seeing progress after years of delays. The bill includes funding for conservation programs, crop insurance, and research, particularly for specialty crops that are critical to California agriculture. However, some provisions—such as fixes to Proposition 12 and expanded fuel policy—are still under debate and could be addressed in the Senate version. At the same time, broader concerns about food security remain front and center. Industry leaders continue to warn that without strong domestic production, the U.S. risks becoming increasingly reliant on imported food. “If we don't get the right leadership… we will be importing more of our food,” said Monterey County Farm Bureau Executive Director Norm Groot. Groot emphasized that maintaining a stable farming system is essential not only for the economy, but for national security. Rising costs, regulatory pressure, and labor challenges are making it harder for farmers—especially small operations—to stay in business. “We have to have a domestic farming system that works,” he said. Labor remains one of the most critical issues, particularly in regions like Monterey County where tens of thousands of workers are needed to harvest crops like lettuce and strawberries. These roles require specialized skills and cannot easily be replaced by automation. “These are highly skilled jobs,” Groot explained. Fertilizer costs also continue to weigh heavily on growers. Discussions during the episode highlighted ongoing efforts at the federal level to increase competition and stabilize pricing, but the issue remains a long-term challenge tied to supply, global markets, and industry consolidation. Beyond economics, the conversation also turned to California's political landscape. With the governor's race underway, farmers are watching closely to see whether future leadership will address key concerns like regulation, water infrastructure, and cost pressures. “There will be wholesale change… or we risk losing our farms,” Groot warned. The episode also touched on broader agricultural challenges across the country, including drought conditions in parts of the Midwest and Southeast, as well as wildfire concerns in other regions—reminding listeners that agriculture is interconnected nationwide. As the Farm Bill moves forward and election season continues, the direction of both federal and state policy will play a critical role in shaping the future of agriculture—especially in a state as vital to food production as California. Listen to the full interview below or on your favorite podcast app.

The highlighted major issues shaping agriculture right now, including rising fertilizer costs, ongoing political debates in California, and serious water challenges facing growers in key production regions like Monterey County. A major focus of the episode was fertilizer pricing and supply, as USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins outlined federal efforts to increase competition and lower costs for farmers. Rollins pointed to decades of consolidation in the fertilizer industry as a key driver behind today's high prices. “Four companies control 75 percent of the domestic nitrogen fertilizer market,” Rollins said, emphasizing the lack of competition. To address the issue, the administration is working to expand domestic production, streamline regulations, and increase imports where necessary. Short-term actions include easing shipping restrictions and opening additional supply channels, while long-term plans aim to significantly boost U.S. fertilizer production capacity. “We will not rest until this problem is solved,” Rollins said. The discussion underscored how rising fertilizer costs continue to squeeze growers already dealing with high input expenses, labor costs, and regulatory pressure. Alongside national policy discussions, the program also touched on California's ongoing governor race, where candidates remain divided on key economic issues like the state's gas tax and broader fiscal policy. Hosts emphasized growing frustration among residents and farmers over the cost of living and the need for leadership focused on practical solutions. “Do you want to change California because it's broken or continue what's going on?” hosts asked, highlighting the stakes of the upcoming election. The episode also featured part one of an interview with Monterey County Farm Bureau Executive Director Norm Groot, who outlined some of the biggest challenges facing one of the most productive agricultural regions in the country. “We are fourth in the state and fourth in the country in gross value production,” Groot said, pointing to Monterey County's importance in supplying crops like lettuce, strawberries, and broccoli. Water remains the top concern for growers in the region. Groot explained that local challenges are less about availability and more about infrastructure, with the area facing issues like seawater intrusion and the need for major system upgrades. “We call it a plumbing problem,” he said, describing the complexity of managing water resources. Labor is another ongoing challenge, particularly for crops that require skilled, hands-on harvesting. In Monterey County alone, between 55,000 and 58,000 workers are needed to harvest crops during peak season. “These are highly skilled jobs,” Groot said, noting that tasks like harvesting strawberries require precision, speed, and experience. Rising labor costs and regulatory pressure continue to strain operations, especially for smaller farms. Groot warned that increasing minimum wage requirements and compliance costs could push some growers out of business if conditions don't improve. Looking ahead, growers are also watching the upcoming election closely, hoping for policy changes that reduce regulatory burdens and support long-term sustainability in agriculture. As the season moves forward, the intersection of federal policy, state leadership, and local challenges will continue to shape the outlook for California agriculture. Listen to the full interview below or on your favorite podcast app.

We're less than a week away from the start of voting in California's June primary and the race for governor remains up for grabs. On Tuesday night, the leading candidates made their pitch to voters in a CBS debate at Pomona College - east of Los Angeles, and things got messy. Guest: Guy Marzorati, KQED In a move immigration and privacy advocates call a “betrayal,” California is preparing to share detailed information about its driver's license holders with a national database that connects DMVs. Opponents say the move could put more than a million undocumented people who have California driver's licenses at risk. Reporter: Khari Johnson, CalMatters The city of Marina in Monterey County is reactivating a 30-year-old desalination plant to help boost water supply. Reporter: Ngozi Cole, KAZU Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.

Send us Fan MailA conversation with artist Katie Holten about life and art, climate and action, walking and inaction! Katie's websiteAnnouncement for her new book!Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL! 

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.

On the afternoon of December 3rd, 2011, Monterey County first responders received a call reporting that a two-year-old girl was unresponsive and in need of urgent medical attention. When police arrived at the home, they heard a man yelling from a second-floor bedroom. Upon entering the room, authorities found the man holding a little girl who was covered in severe bruising. The events that led to the death of this young toddler continue to haunt the small community of Castroville, California. This is the tragic case of Priscilla Rose Hernandez. You can listen to our NEW episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other streaming platforms. — En la tarde del 3 de diciembre de 2011, los equipos de emergencia del condado de Monterey recibieron una llamada informando que una niña de dos años no respondía a estímulos y requería atención médica urgente. Cuando la policía llegó a la vivienda, escucharon a un hombre gritar desde un dormitorio en el segundo piso. Al entrar en la habitación, las autoridades encontraron al hombre sosteniendo a una niña pequeña que estaba cubierta de graves hematomas. Los acontecimientos que condujeron a la muerte de esta pequeña siguen atormentando a la pequeña comunidad de Castroville, California. Este es el trágico caso de Priscilla Rose Hernández. Puede escuchar nuestro NUEVO episodio en Spotify, Apple Podcasts y todas las demás plataformas de transmisión. — Link + Sources:   SFGate: https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/california-man-killed-girl-paroled-19784663.php KION News: https://kioncentralcoast.com/news/top-stories/2013/12/17/man-who-killed-castroville-toddler-in-2011-has-been-granted-parole-das-office-says/ KION News: https://kioncentralcoast.com/news/top-stories/2013/12/17/man-who-killed-castroville-toddler-in-2011-has-been-granted-parole-das-office-says/ KION News: https://youtu.be/3zfaVLzyHrs?si=OjRbU_NiTsY1338s Monterey Count Now: https://www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/news_blog/murderer-of-castroville-toddler-granted-parole-after-less-than-13-years-in-prison/article_4711df40-76d9-11ef-b604-93ef17cee2b7.html KRON: https://www.kron4.com/news/california/parole-reversed-for-man-who-murdered-toddler-in-monterey-county/ KSBW: https://www.ksbw.com/article/castroville-man-who-murdered-2-year-old-girl-in-2011-has-been-granted-parole/62289242 SFGate: https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/article/state-board-grants-parole-to-man-convicted-in-19778668.php NBC Bay Area: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/man-suspected-of-abusing-dead-2-year-old/1906436/ KRON 4 News: https://www.kron4.com/news/california/parole-reversed-for-man-who-murdered-toddler-in-monterey-county/ Monterey County Now: https://www.montereycountynow.com/blogs/news_blog/murderer-of-castroville-toddler-granted-parole-after-less-than-13-years-in-prison/article_4711df40-76d9-11ef-b604-93ef17cee2b7.html KSBW News: https://www.ksbw.com/article/parole-board-california-release-castroville-toddler-killer/62269448 Daily Mail UK: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13870811/california-child-murderer-freed-jail-priscilla-hernandez-david-leonardo.html?ico=authors_pagination_desktop The Californian: https://www.thecalifornian.com/story/news/2013/12/17/castroville-man-pleads-guilty-to-killing-2-year-old/4079893/ Distributed by Genuina Media — Buy Us A Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/svsm_podcast — Follow Us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SVSM_PodcastThreads: https://www.threads.net/@svsm_podcastTwitter/ X: https://www.twitter.com/SVSM_PodcastBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/svsmpodcast.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoViolentoSoMacabroPodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@svsm_podcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@svsm_podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.

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

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.

Send us Fan Mail"At intervals the condor passed, huge as an ocean liner.” Henry Miller in Big Sur and the OrangesBesides marveling at the exceptional beauty and almost mysterious power of these amazing birds Joe Burnett and I discuss work in Big Sur and Monterey. We talk about the rebuilding of the Ventana Wildlife Sanctuary after the 2020 Dolan Fire, how the sanctuary supports releasing, feeding, monitoring and recapturing condors to test for lead poisoning—the leading mortality threat—using radio and GPS transmitters to track a flock of 113 birds, including wild-born untagged chicks. VWS outreach now centers on getting ranchers and hunters to switch to non-lead ammunition, which the program helps by providing free ammo, though non-lead .22 availability is a major hurdle. Joe describes vaccinating about 90% of the population against highly pathogenic avian influenza, ongoing disease and blood-lead testing, wildfire impacts, public engagement while tracking birds, and resources and documentaries available through the organization's website.Thanks for listening!Magnus Ventana Wildlife SocietyThe beautiful documentary Condor CanyonSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL! 

59-year-old Jorge Martinez-Trejo was arrested on March 24th after the Cook County Sheriff's Office says it learned he was working at a restaurant in west suburban Glendale Heights. Deputies say Martinez-Trejo fled Monterey County, California due to several felony charges involving sex crimes against minors. Jail records show Martinez-Trejo is due in court on Wednesday.

59-year-old Jorge Martinez-Trejo was arrested on March 24th after the Cook County Sheriff's Office says it learned he was working at a restaurant in west suburban Glendale Heights. Deputies say Martinez-Trejo fled Monterey County, California due to several felony charges involving sex crimes against minors. Jail records show Martinez-Trejo is due in court on Wednesday.

59-year-old Jorge Martinez-Trejo was arrested on March 24th after the Cook County Sheriff's Office says it learned he was working at a restaurant in west suburban Glendale Heights. Deputies say Martinez-Trejo fled Monterey County, California due to several felony charges involving sex crimes against minors. Jail records show Martinez-Trejo is due in court on Wednesday.

The State of California has created a program called “Transformative Climate Communities,” focused on making low-income, urban areas more resilient, efficient and responsive to housing, energy and climate challenges. What does this mean on the ground? Join host Ronnie Lipschutz for a conversation with Nancy Faulstitch, Executive Director and Eloy Ortiz, Special Projects Manager at Regeneración Pajaro Valley which, along with Monterey County, received a TCC planning grant in 2021. They have been leaders in this effort and will talk about the planning process and what happens next. Regeneración is a Pajaro Valley non-profit that builds bridges between residents and climate practitioners in local cities, counties, and at the state level.

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.

Send us Fan MailThe Mysterious World of the Bull Kelp Foresta New Heyday BookI sit down with artist, photographer, and author Josie Iselin, and what begins as a conversation about kelp opens into an exploration of the intricate world in the waters just off our coast.Josie traces her own path into that world—from artist to something closer to a naturalist of the shoreline—guided by curiosity, attention, and a willingness to look closely at what most of us walk past. Kelp, in her telling, is not just seaweed but a kind of language: a way of reading the ocean's health, its rhythms, and its disturbances.We talk about the fragile balance of the kelp forests—about urchin barrens and restoration efforts, including diver-led removal and the promise (and limits) of lab-grown kelp. We touch on kelp's often overstated role as a carbon sink, I learned the meaning of the “wrack line” as a living archive of the sea, and the ongoing tensions around sea otter reintroduction.Threaded through it all is Josie's project Above Below: The Mysterious World of Bull Kelp, created with illustrator Ellen Litwiller—first as a digital exploration, now as a beautifully realized book available where books are sold and at the Henry Miller Library.It's a conversation about paying attention and what the edge of the ocean might still teach us if we take the time to walk down to the shoreline and slow down long enough to see it./MagnusSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL! 

The Housing Authority of the County of Monterey has opened 45 housing units to support people who were living in an encampment along the Salinas River. Plus, residents react to the heat, and Cal State Monterey Bay responds to discriminatory graffiti.

Monterey County supervisors are demanding more accountability from Vistra after conflicting reports about the ecological impacts of last year's battery fire. And, Marina becomes the latest local jurisdiction to ban Immigration and Customs Enforcement from using its property. Plus, share your thoughts on the news about César Chavez: email news@kazu.org.

The cost of nitrogen fertilizer has been going up due to the U.S. and Israel's war on Iran, Monterey County honors victims of COVID-19, a new book meticulously explores a 2019 Santa Cruz murder.

It's the holy month of Ramadan, when Muslims around the world dedicate 30 days to prayer and reflection by fasting from sunrise to sunset. That includes in the Monterey County community of Seaside. Reporter: Ngozi Cole, KAZU State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond says he's imploring the Trump administration to return a 6-year-old deaf boy and his family who were deported to Colombia, so the boy can return to the California School for the Deaf in Fremont. Reporter: Tyche Hendricks, KQED Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Send a textAlison van Diggelen – Journalist, interviewer, and author of The Love Project: A Journey of Intimate Conversations.Photo is of Alison and her Mom.Alison's website.Buy "The Love Project" at your local bookstore.May we suggest the Henry Miller Library.>>>>>>>>>>>>>Topics in This EpisodeThe origins of The Love ProjectLove across generationsThe power of listeningStorytelling as connectionLove as a verb (and noun)A Quote from the Episode“Love isn't something we possess. It's something we practice.”Final ThoughtWe often speak about love as if it were a feeling that descends upon us like weather, it does, but there's more...Perhaps love encompasses much more— a choice, repeated in small acts, day after day.Support the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!

Monterey County honors those who lost their lives to COVID-19. And, a fire in Capitola Village on Monday night killed one person.

Send a textShamergenceThe skeptic asks, “Is it real?” The shaman asks, “Did it help?”COME MEET ROB SOMERS ON SATURDAY, MARCH 21>>>>>>>>>>Carlos CastanedaJoseph CampbellThe SamplesOzymandias >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Shaman, Skeptic, and the Voice in the BellySupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!

Researchers confirm an outbreak of bird flu in northern elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park. Plus, a Monterey County jury awards $18.9 million to a woman hit by a car in a crosswalk at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.

In this week's episode, host and NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan sits down with Chris Lopez, Supervisor of Monterey County. They discuss how Lopez's upbringing in the county gives him a unique perspective to lead and talk about the concerns his constituents are currently facing — including quality of life, immigration, housing, and agricultural challenges — and how he is addressing these issues. Debbie and Lopez talk about the vital role of the California Coastal Commission and why tackling affordable housing in a balanced way is essential to solving so many other issues. Lopez also shares what led him to run for public office and how the Mariachi club he created in college led him to meet his wife. Tune in to learn more about the Lettuce Curtain County. IN THIS EPISODE: • [01:05] An introduction to today's guest, Supervisor Chris Lopez. • [02:32] Chris shares a bit about Monterey County and his district. • [04:09] What Chris is hearing from his constituents at the moment. • [08:29] How he's tackling these issues and why housing is top of mind. • [12:02] Chris tells us about the California Coastal Commission. • [15:35] What the California Coastal Commission is doing for the housing issue. • [19:37] How Chris hears about the community's housing concerns. • [22:53] Chris touches on the rebuilding of the Malibu Palisades. • [24:12] What led him to his current role, and why his career path has been surprising. • [29:47] The college club he started and how he met his wife through it.

Send a textIn this episode of A Big Sur Podcast, I sit down with Brita Ostrom — longtime Esalen resident and author of Steeped: A Big Sur Elixir of Sulfur and Sage.Brita's life bridges several revolutions at once: the islands of the Pacific Northwest, the Haight-Ashbury explosion of 1966–67, the psychedelic and political turbulence of the Summer of Love, and the early, formative years of the Esalen Institute.We talk about Haight Street — the overwhelming beauty of it all: the posters, the music, the saturated colors. And later, how the fog began to settle in. About sidewalks so crowded you could barely move, and children who quietly went missing. About free love and jealousy, about massage tables and incense, about the uneasy dance between material success and spiritual seeking.Brita describes arriving at Esalen for the first time — the candlelit baths, the shock of nakedness, the silkiness of sulfur water against cold skin. She reflects on figures like Fritz Perls, Storm, and Lars — and on what it meant to come of age inside a cultural experiment that promised liberation but carried its own tensions and blind spots.This is not nostalgia. It is a reckoning.What does it mean to “drop out”? What does it cost? What does it give?What remains when the fog clears?Brita's memoir is a meditation on community, intimacy, ritual, and the long arc of a life shaped by Big Sur's muse-like pull.As she writes in her dedication:“Dedicated to those who walk this earth while gazing at the stars.”I hope you'll enjoy this thoughtful, tender, and at times unsparing conversation.— MagnusEsalen InstituteHaight-AshburyGolden Gate ParkHenry Miller Memorial LibraryPeople MentionedFritz PerlsAlan WattsEbba MalmborgCarlos CastanedaCesar ChavezKen KeseyDennis MurphySelig MorgenrathBands of the Era (Referenced in the Conversation)Grateful DeadJefferson AirplaneMoby GrapeQuicksilver Messenger ServiceThe CharlatansSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!

The Davenport school superintendent wants to build a community center at the site of the abandoned cement plant. Plus, four Monterey County traffic safety projects receive $13 million in funding.

Send us a textAndrew Munn in conversation!Deep Listening, Between Cage and Wagner, from Silence to Parsifal. Listening for the unheard, where sound becomes ceremony.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Links to more on what we spoke of:ANDREW MUNNShort video from the HMML performance.Peter MatteiJohn CagePauline OliverosDeep ListeningRami SarieddeineShanghai Concert HallTanglewoodParsifalMagic FluteElektraSupport the show_________________________________________________This podcast is a production of the Henry Miller Memorial Library with support from The Arts Council for Monterey County! Let us know what you think!SEND US AN EMAIL!

Black History Month events around the region, human remains found in Monterey County, Watsonville's Hope Village welcomes first residents, and more local news in this week's roundup.

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office is investigating human skeletal remains that have been found at two locations in the county within the span of a month. And, the City of Salinas changed its rules around homeless encampments and personal property on private lands in a 6-1 vote on Tuesday.

The Murray Street bridge in Santa Cruz temporarily reopens to eastbound traffic. And, a heated Monterey County Board of Supervisors meeting about local law enforcement's cooperation with ICE.

Advocacy groups organize events across Monterey County to assemble and distribute whistle kits to immigrant communities. And, a bill to reduce criminal penalties for Californians who accidentally receive overpayments in welfare support is shelved.

Santa Cruz County activists protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Minneapolis. And, a conference about ecological farming returns to Monterey County.

This week we're featuring two stories from our friends at the Bay Curious podcast.  San Francisco's Historic ‘Relief Cottages,' Built After the 1906 Earthquake, Are Hidden in Plain Sight After the 1906 Earthquake and Fire leveled 80% of San Francisco, more than a quarter of a million residents were temporarily displaced. People who had the means left the city, but many low income San Franciscans didn't have that option. City leaders commissioned union carpenters to build small cottages to house the refugees – many of whom the city relied upon to help rebuild the city.These “earthquake shacks” gave many people their first shot at homeownership and helped the city recover. Bay Curious's Katrina Schwartz says you can still find a few of them dotted around the city if you know what to look for. Invasion of the Grub Snatchers: How One Rich Guy's Russian Boars Colonized California  Originally imported to Monterey County for sport by a wealthy landowner in the 1920s, wild boars now number in the hundreds of thousands, and they are destroying sensitive habitats and suburban lawns all over the state. Experts say the problem has gotten worse in recent years all across the state, especially after a series of wet winters has left moist soil teeming with grubs — a pig's favorite food. KQED's Rachael Myrow takes us on a trip to see some of the destruction, learn how the boars got here in the first place, and gather some ideas on how to get rid of them.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seaside grieves after the fatal police shooting of 31-year-old Ronald Chyron Tinsley II, access to healthcare is a top priority for Monterey County residents, CalFresh benefits at farmers markets could change, and more in this week's local news roundup.

A community survey lists access to healthcare as the second highest health priority for Monterey County residents behind diabetes. Plus, the California Republican Party has filed an emergency application with the U.S. Supreme Court over Proposition 50, the state's redistricting measure.

From the recent re-opening of a particularly scenic stretch of Highway 1 to new hotel developments, major sporting events, news from Pebble Beach and two marketing initiatives from his DMO, Meetings Today checks in with See Monterey President & CEO Rob O'Keefe to get the skinny on the latest meetings, attractions and hotel haps in California's Monterey County.

The Monterey County District Attorney's Office is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Marina on Sunday evening. And, California limits Medi-Cal coverage for drugs like Ozempic.

Monterey County joins Santa Cruz and Sonoma counties in opposing the Trump Administration's plans for offshore drilling and mining. Plus, the Monterey Bay Aquarium and other local groups host a "people's hearing" about the drilling plans on Friday, January 9, at 6pm at the Portola Hotel in Monterey.

Fritz welcomes longtime colleague and respected viticulture authority Larry Bettiga in this episode for an in-depth look at the evolution of Monterey County's wine industry. With more than four decades of experience, Larry offers a rare, firsthand perspective on how the region transformed from scattered early vineyards into one of the country's most significant cool-climate grape-growing areas. Larry explains how Monterey's dramatic coastal influence, daily wind patterns, and diverse soils shaped both the opportunities and challenges for growers. He and Fritz unpack the early years of vineyard expansion, including the misalignment of some varieties with climate conditions and how improved temperature modeling and clone selection later steered the region toward better outcomes. The conversation also explores Larry's extensive research on rootstocks, irrigation, canopy management, and disease control. His comparison of dormant vines, green potted vines, and tall-format grafted vines provides growers with valuable, practical guidance on establishing healthy, high-performing vineyards. This episode delivers a blend of regional history, applied science, and grounded, grower-focused lessons, capped with Larry's reflections on the future of extension work and its continued importance in California viticulture. In this episode, you will hear: How Monterey County became a major coastal winegrowing region Why early plantings struggled, and how growers adapted with better temperature and clone data A practical comparison of dormant, green, and tall-format grafted vines Lessons from decades of research on rootstocks, canopy management, and disease control The future outlook for UC Cooperative Extension in California viticulture Follow and Review: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow the podcast and leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts! Your support helps us reach more listeners.

Episode 412 — 2025 3C2A (CCCAA) Cross Country State Championship Preview | Hartnell, Cuyamaca & Moorpark at Woodward ParkEpisode Description (Airey Bros Radio – Special Report)Ladies & gentlemen — Howdy & Aloha!Episode 412 is a special Airey Bros Radio JUCO XC State Championship Preview as we head to Woodward Park in Fresno, CA for the 2025 3C2A / CCCAA Cross Country State Championships.We sit down with three of the top California community college cross country programs to break down NorCal & SoCal regionals, Woodward Park strategy, key athletes, and what it really takes to win a 3C2A state title at the JUCO level.Guests & Programs Featured:

Originally imported to Monterey County for sport by a wealthy landowner in the 1920s, wild boars now number in the hundreds of thousands, and they are destroying sensitive habitats and suburban lawns all over the state, including Morgan Hill, Lafayette and San Jose. Bay Curious listener Travis Mowbray wondered if there were any creative solutions to the problem. Additional Resources: Invasion of the Grub Snatchers: How One Rich Guy's Boars Colonized California Read the transcript for this episode Sign up for our newsletter Enter our Sierra Nevada Brewing Company monthly trivia contest Got a question you want answered? Ask! Your support makes KQED podcasts possible. You can show your love by going to https://kqed.org/donate/podcasts This story was reported by Rachael Myrow. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Ethan Toven-Lindsey and everyone on Team KQED.