Environment

Monterey and Santa Cruz counties are at the center of a power struggle with the state over a key part of the clean energy transition—battery storage.

How local homeless service providers are preparing for a sharp reduction in federal funding for permanent housing. And, Santa Cruz County takes a baby step toward regulating new battery energy storage facilities.

Local food pantries say they're seeing more people in food lines as CalFresh benefits are on hold. And, a UC Davis study found over 80% of elementary schools in California experienced some loss of trees between 2018 and 2022.

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.