Environment

Almost 1,300 volunteers collected trash from beaches, rivers and parks on the Central Coast over the weekend in 58 local cleanups organized by the nonprofit Save Our Shores.

More than 14,000 people on the Central Coast face contaminated drinking water from nitrates in agricultural fertilizers. The regional water quality control board is searching for alternative water solutions.

The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board discusses providing alternative clean water to residents with water contaminated by agricultural fertilizers. And, a new study from UC Irvine shows that California doesn't follow global wildfire trends.

Monterey County deputy superintendent of schools confirmed that federal funds that had previously been impounded have been released to schools for programs that support migrant and low income families.And, Governor Gavin Newsom will likely soon advance a proposal that eases permitting requirements for drilling new oil wells in California.

Big Basin Redwoods State Park employees give an update about the future of California's oldest state park, five years after the CZU Lightning Complex fire.

Cotoni-Coast Dairies opens to the public for the first time since its designation as a national monument. And, a summit in Seaside on workforce housing solutions.

Business owners and residents will go to court this week over an explosion that happened in Capitola Village in December. Plus, the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency celebrates the completion of the College Lake Integrated Resources Management Project, which will supply water to coastal farms from La Selva Beach to Moss Landing.

New air sensors around Pajaro Valley and Castroville will help alert schools and community members to harmful air quality. And, Santa Cruz city high schools have a new cell phone policy. Also, Gioia Cheese Co. burrata gets recalled.

Vistra Corp and the US Environmental Protection Agency reached a formal agreement related to the cleanup of the site of the January battery fire in Moss Landing. Plus, a report names Santa Cruz as the nation's least affordable rental market for the third year in a row.

An underwhelming takeaway from a recent Moss Landing Vistra battery fire report. Plus, universal pre-K kicks off during the 2025-26 school year for Monterey Bay area families.