In today's newscast:
Greater shothole borer beetle
An invasive beetle known for burrowing into native trees leaves behind a fungus that eventually kills them.
The first sighting of the greater shothole borer beetle anywhere in western North American happened in Felton in 2024.
UC Cooperative Extension forest advisor Brian Woodward says infestations now range from Ben Lomond to the edge of the City of Santa Cruz.
"So this beetle has really moved and faster than I would've expected," he said.
Santa Cruz County and the cooperative extension are hosting a public meeting at the Felton Branch Library Tuesday to discuss local mitigation.
A second meeting will be held Friday in Santa Cruz.
Defense Production Act use could affect Central Coast
President Donald Trump is using the Defense Production Act to expand federal authority over energy projects.
The act allows the federal government to prioritize contracts and resources considered necessary for national defense.
The new order gives that authority to the secretaries of the Departments of Interior and Energy when it involves energy production and distribution.
Linda Krop is with the Environmental Defense Center.
She says the amended order could give other federal agencies another way to intervene in disputes involving Sable Offshore’s Santa Ynez pipeline system.
"Sable doesn't have any military defense contracts or requests for services," Krop said. "At the time the order was issued, it wasn't even producing anything. So there was nothing to prioritize."
She says that’s why the EDC is supporting California’s legal challenge against the administration's use of the federal law.
The order does not mention Sable or authorize a specific project.
That story comes from our partner KCBX.