Government

The City of Soledad and County of Monterey celebrate the opening of a transitional housing facility for people who were living by the Salinas River. Plus, the Soquel Union Elementary School District board of trustees approves layoffs of 17 staff.

In this episode of Monterey Bay This Week, Monterey Bay area counties get millions from the state’s homelessness prevention program, dozens of Pajaro Valley residents are suing the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency over the 2023 flood, and more in this week's local news roundup.

The Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency expects new flood walls to go up along some parts of the Pajaro River levee within the next few days. Plus, a new transitional housing complex in Salinas will offer support for people at risk of homelessness.

Monterey Bay area counties get millions from the state’s homelessness prevention program, but future funds are in jeopardy. And, dozens of Pajaro Valley residents are suing the Pajaro Regional Flood Management Agency over the 2023 flood.

The Monterey County District Attorney has filed a lawsuit against a local mammography service. And, California Mental health leaders are criticizing Governor Newsom’s threat to pull funding from counties he says aren’t rolling out CARE Court fast enough."

Cal State Monterey Bay lecturer, Ava Homa, survived the Iran-Iraq War as a child in the 1980s and is urging people to keep their attention on Iran as the death toll rises.

The deadline to submit public comments on a proposed federal oil and gas leasing program off the Central Coast is Feb. 26. And, state senators reaffirm California’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives amid ongoing attacks from the Trump administration.

Santa Cruz County opens two temporary shelters in anticipation of cold weather. Plus, Big Basin Redwoods State Park expands by 153 acres.

A draft version of a new farm bill would bring back a popular program that helps local fruit and vegetable growers, but overall, bigger farms would benefit most. And, California is partnering with the United Kingdom to develop clean energy projects.

The California Nurses Association is pushing for health care reform. And, Caltrans has closed part of Highway 1 south of Big Sur due to slides and debris.