Local News

Thousands of people are expected to gather across the Monterey Bay Area Saturday as part of nationwide “No Kings” protests. And, with monthly premiums for Affordable Care Act plans set to increase soon, KAZU wants to hear from local residents who get health insurance through Covered California.

A recent study shows more than half of pregnant women in Monterey County are exposed to harmful pesticides. And, Carmel-by-the-Sea is finally getting street addresses.

Central Coast Democratic Rep. Jimmy Panetta faces backlash from pro-Palestine groups over his support of Israel during a Watsonville town hall.

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.

Watsonville students created short films that will screen at UC Santa Cruz today. A Q&A discussion will follow the free event. And, local libraries are protesting censorship by celebrating Banned Books Week.

Monterey County is seeing fewer residents apply for Medi-Cal and Cal Fresh benefits ahead of changes in 2026. And, social security recipients that can’t pay rent due to disruptions with their benefits are protected under a new law Governor Gavin Newsom signed.

Head Start programs will continue running in Santa Cruz County through the end of the month despite the government shutdown. And, a state bill was set to create the first farmland access program in California. Then it was vetoed.

Prop. 50 would temporarily set aside the state’s nonpartisan citizen redistricting commission and adopt new congressional lines for the next three election cycles.

A non-profit in San Benito County received a state grant to help residents with disaster preparedness. And, the Department of Homeland Security is rolling out a new program targeting unaccompanied children in the immigration system.

More households in Monterey will get hyper purified water through the Pure Water Monterey expansion project. And, state officials discuss the winter forecast at the start of California’s new water year.