Elena Neale-Sacks
Reporter/Producer, California Local News FellowAfter freelancing for KAZU for 8 months, Elena joined the station full-time in September 2024 as a California Local News Fellow. Prior to joining KAZU, they worked as a podcast producer at The Oregonian. Their reporting and research has been featured on NPR, KQED, Netflix, Reveal, CalMatters, and more. Elena is an alum of the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism and UC Santa Cruz. They currently live in Santa Cruz.
When they aren't reporting, chances are they're either playing competitive ultimate frisbee, hiking, camping, playing board games, or hanging out with their cat Cheddar.
Email: elena@kazu.org
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Federal dollars that help small growers experiment with climate-smart agricultural practices are drying up. One Aromas farmer has seen the benefits and wants to find ways to keep her land nourished despite precarious funding. -
In today's newscast, the Santa Cruz Civil Grand Jury has released its report on the county’s climate adaptation and mitigation progress. And, nine forest resilience projects will soon get underway in Santa Cruz County. The Resource Conservation District has received a $7 million grant from Cal Fire to better prepare the region's forests for a changing fire landscape. -
The percentage of homeless students in Monterey County is the highest in California. And, the county says it has corrected its online dashboard of test results following the Vistra fire. -
The City of Santa Cruz is getting $30 million for a new behavioral health treatment center. And, the National Weather Service warns that June could bring above average fire danger to California. -
In today's newscast, as federal funding opportunities slip away for small-scale farmers, local conservation districts are trying to find money elsewhere—primarily, from the State of California. And, it’s Pride Week in the City of Santa Cruz. -
A new dashboard combines data about the Moss Landing Vistra fire from multiple agencies into one interactive map. And, San Benito County explores new affordable housing options. -
The decision to take down a climate security website at NPS signals faculty’s broader self-censorship of climate research and scholarship. -
A Monterey County Health Department spokesperson says Governor Newsom's proposal to freeze Medi-Cal benefits for undocumented immigrants would hurt 43,000 residents. And, the Salinas city council moves to repeal four new tenant protection and rent stabilization laws that took effect in January, after backlash from developers and landlords. -
Immigration and Customs Enforcement just released a green card holder who has lived in Santa Cruz for decades from a Washington state detention center. And, three parks in the Monterey Bay area are on the California State Parks Foundation's first "best of" list. -
In today's newscast, a new bill would make some state homelessness funding available to places with sober living requirements. Plus, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has cancelled two programs that helped schools and food banks buy local produce.
