Monterey Bay Today

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.

A new mural at Lupita’s Bakery in Seaside is honoring the founding family’s roots while celebrating the community they’ve built over the past nine years. And, Santa Cruz wants more people to bike to work. Now, it’s offering bigger incentives for e-bikes.

The Boys and Girls Club of Monterey County sends six of its Seaside members to the World Cup. And, a US Supreme Court decision allows California to maintain its grace period for arrival of mailed ballots.

The Santa Cruz County Civil Grand Jury is offering recommendations for how to bridge the gap between planned housing development and what’s financially practical. And, a bill that aims to help offset California’s high cost of living for some would cap homeowners association fees.

A group of Watsonville children met players from soccer's biggest stage, an international art instillation coming to Salinas, and organizers speak out against data centers in Gilroy

In its 25th year, the Panetta Institute for Public Policy's annual survey of college students found increasing concerns about artificial intelligence. And, the Bureau of Land Management has finalized its new plans for oil and gas leases on federal lands, including off the Central Coast.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library comes to Monterey County, a Naval Postgraduate School alum who flew the Artemis II mission visits, and researchers identify a neurotoxin as the cause of death in a young humpback whale.

A local group opposes data centers in Gilroy but the city council won't take a vote on changes to approvals until August. And, San Benito County supervisors get an update on impacts of cuts to federal programs.

A group of Watsonville children accompanied players onto soccer's biggest stage in Santa Clara. And, scientists say the question is when not whether the San Andreas fault will cause a big earthquake.

California schools are more divided between rich and poor than in 40 other states in the country. And, a new international art installation is coming to Salinas this July.

New research from the UC Santa Cruz Puma Project looks at how mountain lions are adapting to busy times on recreational trails. And, a "wobbler" is a crime that can be prosecuted as either a felony or misdemeanor. A new bill would add one more to that list.

A Naval Postgraduate School alumnus who piloted the recent Artemis II mission returned to Monterey this week. And, the local food purchasing agreement, which lost its federal funding, will continue to connect food banks and local farmers thanks to the state budget.