Public Health

Doctors in Monterey County have treated at least 15 people for mushroom poisoning after a recent bloom of death caps. Plus, the Salinas City Council votes to reduce landlord fees for rental registration and rent stabilization programs.

A paper published in November confirms that the Vistra battery fire in Moss Landing in January released heavy metal deposits into Elkhorn Slough Reserve. Researchers are now trying to understand what that means for the ecosystem.

The Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s office publishes its fourth report analyzing the region's $11 billion agriculture industry. And, California farmworker families and environmental groups are calling for stronger protections against a cancer-causing pesticide used on berry, grape and nut crops.

Monterey County hosts California's first police training focused on missing and murdered indigenous people, Santa Cruz wharf reconstruction, flying cars headed for Hollister airport, indigenous interpretation services in Salinas, and butterflies landing at the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary.

Santa Cruz County public health officer urges healthcare providers to call the state's hotline and for families to seek medical attention if babies are showing signs of botulism. And, a video from an incident in Santa Ana shows an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent pointing a gun toward a woman allegedly recording him.

Monterey County teenagers are at risk of losing access to health information programs after federal funding cuts. And, Cal Fire firefighters won’t be getting a salary boost.

The Salinas City Council decided to leave renter protection laws up to voters. And, a local infectious disease doctor with Montage Health urges people to get vaccinated ahead of respiratory virus season.

Kaiser Permanente members can walk in and get the updated COVID-19 vaccine at no cost starting this week. And, the City of Santa Cruz hosted a fun run over the weekend to raise tsunami awareness.

Valley Fever cases are rising on the Central Coast, with Monterey County’s increase larger than others’. And, a bill to allow rideshare drivers to unionize advances.

A slight earthquake shook San Benito County on Labor Day. And, a local nonprofit marks International Overdose Awareness Day in Seaside.