Santa Cruz County

In today's newscast, the Santa Cruz Civil Grand Jury has released its report on the county’s climate adaptation and mitigation progress. And, nine forest resilience projects will soon get underway in Santa Cruz County. The Resource Conservation District has received a $7 million grant from Cal Fire to better prepare the region's forests for a changing fire landscape.

Singer-songwriter Taylor Rae returns home to Santa Cruz for an album release concert.

In today's newscast, speed limits could come down on some rural state highways if a state bill passes. Plus, Santa Cruz County could lose more than 70 positions from its health services agency. Supervisors will hear budget proposals in their meeting today.

In today's newscast, overnight lane and ramp closures on Highway 1 in Santa Cruz County mark progress toward completion of a major project. A ribbon-cutting for the pedestrian and bike crossing is likely later this spring. And, foam food packaging failed to meet a recycling threshold set in a 2022 state law, so now a ban takes effect.

In today's newscast, a proposed local ordinance would allow cannabis consumption in lounges throughout Santa Cruz County. Plus, if you've had a car towed in California in the last three years, the Department of Motor Vehicles might owe you money.

Scientists are gathering at the Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds in Pacific Grove for a meeting about technology and society 50 years after a conversation about genetic engineering and ethics began there, and the Santa Cruz County civil grand jury has published agency responses to its recommendations. They come from the board of supervisors, superintendent of schools, sheriff-coroner, city council and local agency formation commission.

In today's newscast, peaceful protests in Monterey and Santa Cruz showed support for democracy and objections to many actions taken by the Trump administration. The Santa Cruz County Courthouse on Water Street and the Window on the Bay side of Del Monte Avenue in Monterey were the gathering points for rallies that were largely organized through social media and were loosely affiliated with the national 50501 Movement. That's a reference to 50 protests, 50 states, 1 day, an online effort that organized protests in state capitals earlier in February. Monday's Not My President protests were held on the Presidents Day national holiday.

Researchers have found unusually high concentrations of toxic heavy metals in surface soils at Elkhorn Slough Reserve in Moss Landing.

In today’s newscast, employees at the Monterey Bay Aquarium have announced plans to unionize. Plus, commuters and local residents who frequent the stretch of Highway 9 between Santa Cruz and Felton are encouraged to attend a public meeting at the Felton Community Hall on Jan. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m to share their input on a Caltrans improvement project.

In today's newscast, a look at why eggs are so hard to come by right now, plus new federal data highlights the dire state of homelessness in the Monterey Bay Area — especially in San Benito County.