Monterey Bay Today

Cruzin’ Together Santa Cruz County organizes a Week Without Driving which runs through Oct. 8. And, Jose Garcia is appointed interim Santa Cruz police chief.

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors makes moves to halt ICE activity. And, Gov. Newsom signs a bill prohibiting cities and counties from approving new private detention centers.

The heavily trafficked Murray Street Bridge stretching across the Santa Cruz Harbor reopened to eastbound travelers on Monday. And, Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed off on four new laws to increase criminal penalties for repeat drunk drivers.

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.

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.