In today's newscast:
Local Tibetan leader responds to self-immolation death
Khenpo Karten has lived on the Monterey Peninsula for 15 years and is the resident Tibetan Buddhist Lama of the Manjushri Dharma Center in Pacific Grove. He met Tibetan freedom activist Logba Rangzen, who died outside the United Nations on July 2, a couple years ago.
”Tibetan people who live in America, most people they know him," said Karten. ”He's always very happy person. He likes to joke."
Karten said Rangzen was known for bringing awareness to Tibetan independence and called friends around the world before setting himself on fire following news of China’s new Ethnic Unity Law.
"He sacrificed his—burn his body. Very sad," said Karten, who called the act of self-immolation a cry for help. “He choose this because otherwise, you can’t see...what's going on in Tibet and other countries now. Nobody understands."
The law would further repress Tibetan culture, language and religion through forced assimilation. China has occupied Tibet since the 1950s. "It's so many years, almost 80 years now," said Karten.
Logba’s message was clear, Karten added: "Please help the Tibetan people, support the Tibetan people."
According to the International Campaign for Tibet, more than 150 Tibetans have self-immolated in Tibet and China since 2009 in acts of protest.
Monterey County’s 2025 Crop and Livestock Report
Monterey County’s annual crop report showed agriculture remained resilient despite a slight decline in overall value. Officials say strong strawberry and lettuce production helped offset challenges in other sectors.
Production totaled $4.8 billion, down about 3% from 2024. Monterey County Farm Bureau Executive Director Norm Groot says expenses continue to outpace returns.
"Costs for input are continuously increasing, and it's not always reflected in the wholesale price," said Groot. "Margins continue to shrink for many of our farming operations."
The report cited lower wine grape values and pest pressures on vegetable crops as ongoing challenges for growers. The results also highlighted growth in the leaf lettuce sector and emphasized Monterey County’s leading position in agriculture nationally.
