Elena Neale-Sacks
Reporter/Producer, California Local News FellowElena is an Emmy award-winning researcher, reporter, and producer. At KAZU, they cover agriculture, housing and homelessness, and the aftermath of the January 2025 lithium battery fire in Moss Landing. 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 live in Santa Cruz.
When they aren't reporting, chances are they're either playing ultimate frisbee, hiking, camping, board gaming, or hanging out with their cat Cheddar.
Email: elena@kazu.org
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Central Coast teachers and parents want the legislature to restore funding the governor's budget proposal would cut. And, a bill in Sacramento would stop pricing customized to shoppers. -
Hotter weather brings on fire preparation discussions, local actions related to gender identity and on Saturday a bike event in Santa Cruz and a protest in Santa Clara County. -
Three Monterey County school districts will be reviewed by federal authorities for classroom instruction and bathroom policies related to gender identity and sexual orientation. And, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s first live sports broadcast is a World Cup watch party later this month. -
Polling shows mixed support in Monterey County for two potential tax ballot measures. And, a healthcare nondiscrimination bill authored by Democratic Assembly Member Dawn Addis moves forward in Sacramento. -
Where election results stand at the end of the week, a weekend birding opportunity, a former Pacific Grove restaurant manager’s reflections on his deportation, and more in this week's local news roundup. -
An update on local primary election results. And, state officials are investigating whether major gas companies are using the recent price spike from the Iran war to boost profits. -
The primary election is over, but there are plenty of votes left to count. We hear from a voter and a likely victor in Monterey County. -
Final vote counts are still underway across the Monterey Bay region, but here's what we know so far. -
Housing Matters cuts 20 shelter spots, Monterey County launches program to ease strain on 911 systemSanta Cruz nonprofit Housing Matters will eliminate 20 shelter spaces starting this month in response to budget challenges. And, Monterey County launches a program to reduce strain on the emergency response system. -
Candidates for Santa Cruz Mayor on how they'd address housing development, UCSC student films highlight stories of wrongful convictions, invasive insects on fruit trees, and more in this week's local news roundup.
