Monterey County focuses on missing Indigenous Peoples, Santa Cruz Wharf prepares for construction

By Erin Malsbury,

Katie Brown

Published November 14, 2025 at 2:00 AM PST

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A man stands on the left of the picture at a podium with his finger in the air pointing as 4 people sit behind him at a long table. A red light beams behind the people seated at the table and two small dresses are shown in the front of the photo that would fit small children. — State Senator John Laird speaks from the podium the day before California's inaugural Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) training conference. Pictured from the left (behind Laird) is moderator and Vice Chair of Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Patricia Miraz, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Monterey County District Attorney Jeanine Pacioni, and Sand City mayor Mary Ann Carbone.

In today's newscast, Monterey County begins a program focused on improving how police, public health, and legal professionals address cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). Plus, repairs to the end of the Santa Cruz Wharf are slated to begin in the next two weeks.

Monterey Bay Today

Erin Malsbury

Erin is an award-winning journalist and photographer. She's written for local and national outlets, including the Smithsonian and Science Magazine. She has a master's degree in science communication from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

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Katie Brown

Katie Brown comes to KAZU after earning spot news and investigative journalism awards for her reporting and photography in Maine. A Report for America alumna and former Metcalf Institute fellow, Katie’s reporting beats span business, environment, and public health.

See stories by Katie Brown