Government

A state bill would require the DMV to inform owners of towed vehicles when their cars are sold at auction. And, the World Cup is headed to Los Angeles next month, but not everyone is happy with the current plans to protect human rights.

New Leaf Energy is bypassing Santa Cruz County in its effort to seek approval for a new battery energy storage facility in Watsonville. For Monterey County Supervisor Glenn Church, who represents Moss Landing, that’s the worst-case scenario.

The Santa Lucia Conservancy is training a local workforce focused on reducing wildfire risk, Santa Cruz County expands language services ahead of the June 2 primary election, a retired Navy commander who started a volunteer otter monitoring project, and more in this week's local news roundup.

A civil grand jury report finds gaps in emergency radio communications in Monterey County. And, who’s in the race for California Insurance Commissioner.

Santa Cruz County expands language services ahead of the June 2 primary election. And, a bill moving through the California legislature aims to ensure new education programs—like transitional kindergarten—deliver on their promises.

The Santa Lucia Conservancy works to train up a local workforce focused on reducing wildfire risk on the Central Coast. And, primary election candidates in Santa Cruz County discuss their plans for housing.

Central Coast Democratic Congressman Jimmy Panetta explains why he voted against the farm bill on Thursday. And, a state bill would offer safeguards for immigrant professors at California community colleges.

New UC Santa Cruz research shows climate change puts many California native tree species at risk. Plus, a state bill could help seniors and people with disabilities harden their properties against wildfire.

In this week's episode: environmental activist julia butterfly hill comes to Santa Cruz on Sunday, libraries across Monterey Bay celebrate National Library Week, the City of Marina rings in two decades of Earth Day festivities.

Researchers are still trying to determine the cause of death for a whale that washed up in Wilder Ranch State Park in Santa Cruz County. And California representatives have introduced the "Save Willy Act," which would help ships avoid whales.