By Ben Adler

Pacific Grove, CA – As a new KAZU local news feature, each Friday, we'll take a look at the local politics around the Monterey Bay Area with a local journalist - a Week in Review segment. We'll alternate weeks between Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties. This week, we're starting with Monterey County. KAZU's Ben Adler talks with Monterey County Herald city editor Joe Livernois about the changes to Natividad Medical Center and the progress of the Monterey County General Plan.

By Ben Adler

Monterey, CA – Denver-based MediaNews is now in charge of the Monterey County Herald. The long-planned sale by the Sacramento-based McClatchy Company finally went through Wednesday after the Justice Department closed out an anti-trust investigation earlier this week. MediaNews executives say there are no plans for changes at the paper, but for now, at least, Herald employees are skeptical. KAZU's Ben Adler reports.

Pebble Beach, CA – Here is a partial list of people gathering at Pebble Beach this weekend:

Tony Blair. Bill Clinton. John McCain. Newt Gingrich. Al Gore. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres. Even U2 front-man Bono.

By John Sepulvado

Monterey, CA – California lawmakers are debating major changes to the state's cable system. The financial stakes are high -- and as the California League of Cities met in Monterey this week, that bill was front and center. As KAZU's John Sepulvado reports, the bill -- AB2987 -- pits phone companies like Verizon and AT&T against cable companies like Comcast.

Washington, DC –

By Ben Adler

By Ben Adler

Salinas, CA – Natividad Medical Center will get financial and managerial help from its two major competitors. The county-owned public hospital in Salinas lost more than $20 million in the last fiscal year. Monterey County officials have been searching for a solution for months, negotiating with Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare and Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula along the way. And on Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors approved an agreement with SVMH and CHOMP. KAZU's Ben Adler reports.

By Ben Adler

Salinas, CA – Democrat Phil Angelides's campaign for governor rolled through Salinas Tuesday. The state treasurer made a brief stop at an elementary school with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell. Angelides is challenging Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's re-election bid in November. KAZU's Ben Adler reports.

By Ben Adler

By Ben Adler

Sacramento, CA – For the first time in six years, California will have a budget by the time the fiscal year starts in July. The legislature approved the budget Tuesday night and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's press office says he'll sign it Friday. For some legislative reaction, KAZU's Ben Adler speaks with two local legislators: Assemblymmember John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) and State Senator Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria).