PODCAST · news
Monterey Bay Today
by KAZU
Monterey Bay Today from KAZU is your daily local news update for Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. Our local newscasts are supplemented with feature stories, interviews, and occasional in-studio performances from local musicians. For more, visit us at www.kazu.org.
Episodes
-
'No Kings' events focus on voting, coastal cities prepare for high water
Across the Monterey Bay region, at least 10 “No Kings—Vote Early” events are scheduled tomorrow. And, the current Kelvin wave is dissipating, but future waves coupled with storms could cause flooding.
-
Santa Cruz County issues partial mask order, Kelvin wave pushes up local sea levels
A Kelvin wave has pushed local sea levels unusually high recently. And, with respiratory virus season upon the Central Coast, Santa Cruz County is telling people to mask up to protect the most vulnerable.
-
Teen Kitchen Project hits milestone, California wine boycott
Santa Cruz's Teen Kitchen Project serves one-millionth meal. And, Sen. Adam Schiff tries to ease California wine boycott tension with Canada.
-
Salinas emergency operations plan updates, Iran war driving higher fuel costs
The Salinas City Council updated its emergency operations plan for the first time in over a decade. And, Brown University estimates the war has added $500 in fuel costs to California households.
-
Prop. 1, California High Speed Rail CEO stripped of some powers
Prop. 1 lets the state borrow over $11 billion to fund affordable housing. And, California High Speed Rail voted to limit the ability of its CEO to manage and sign off on contracts.
-
Monarchs welcomed back to Natural Bridges ahead of intense El Niño
Monarchs are returning for their annual stay in Santa Cruz, and this winter’s El Niño could be challenging for the butterflies.
-
Monterey Bay This Week: Predicting harmful algal blooms; local governments prepare for El Niño; the upcoming election, and more.
In this week's round-up: UC Santa Cruz researchers say they can predict harmful algal blooms, Central Coast governments prepare for El Niño, election season is upon us, and more.
-
Brookdale Lodge postal push, tax measures on California ballot
Local leaders push the U.S. Postal Service to move mail services to the Brookdale Lodge. And, voters consider five measures that could change the way Californians are taxed.
-
Experts unpack immigration policy changes, UCSC study on mosque parking
Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and immigration attorneys unpack policy changes at a panel discussion. And, a UCSC study found that mosques face more pushback over parking requirements compared to churches.
-
Central Coast El Niño preparation, Salinas candidate forum
Central Coast governments are bracing for a strong El Niño. And, the League of Women Voters hosts a Salinas candidate forum tonight.
-
Predicting harmful algal blooms, 2025 Santa Cruz County Crop Report
Scientists can now predict harmful algal blooms that have killed whales and sea lions. And, the Santa Cruz County 2025 Crop Report shows a small rise in production value compared to the previous year.
-
City of Monterey candidate forum, 2027-28 FAFSA is open
YIMBY Monterey Peninsula is hosting a housing focused election forum. And, the next financial aid application cycle started Oct. 1.
-
2nd annual Week Without Driving, new interim Santa Cruz police chief
Cruzin’ Together Santa Cruz County organizes a Week Without Driving which runs through Oct. 8. And, Jose Garcia is appointed interim Santa Cruz police chief.
-
Monterey County supervisors pause ICE operations, Gov. Newsom approves bill to pause new ICE detention centers
The Monterey County Board of Supervisors makes moves to halt ICE activity. And, Gov. Newsom signs a bill prohibiting cities and counties from approving new private detention centers.
-
Eastbound Murray Street Bridge reopening, stricter laws for multiple DUIs
The heavily trafficked Murray Street Bridge stretching across the Santa Cruz Harbor reopened to eastbound travelers on Monday. And, Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed off on four new laws to increase criminal penalties for repeat drunk drivers.
-
Riverside Sheriff must return illegally seized redistricting ballots, more events from Monterey transportation agency
In today's newscast, the Transportation Agency for Monterey County is looking for feedback on the new Active Transportation Plan. And, California’s highest court ruled a Republican sheriff must return hundreds of thousands illegally seized ballots.
-
Monterey transportation asks for input, using public benefits may now affect green card applications
The Transportation Agency for Monterey County wants to know where people feel unsafe biking and walking. And, a federal rule change on public charge determinations takes effect.
-
Monterey Bay This Week: different Flock camera decisions, a mountain town could lose its post office permanently, celebrating play, and more
In this week's round-up: the 69th Monterey Jazz Festival and the Worldwide Day of Play, two different decisions on Flock cameras, a Santa Cruz Mountain town could lose its post office permanently, and more.
-
Chief retires from Santa Cruz police, 69th Monterey Jazz Festival
The top police official in the city of Santa Cruz will soon retire after over three decades in uniform. And, the 69th annual Monterey Jazz Festival runs through Sunday night.
-
Monterey County and Watsonville diverge on how to handle Flock cameras
Monterey County’s Flock cameras will be gone by December. And, Watsonville decided to keep the cameras, but with new constraints.
-
Vistra fire update, governor blocks plan allowing undocumented students to work on college campuses
The Monterey Board of Supervisors received an update at Tuesday's meeting about the recent flareup. And, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoes a bill affecting 60,000 students enrolled in California universities.
-
Brookdale post office closing, Monterey county government building reopens
The Monterey County Government Center reopens after closing unexpectedly more than two weeks ago. And, a Santa Cruz Mountain town is facing permanent closure of its post office.
-
Restored habitat opens in Salinas, executive order aims to speed up AI oversight in California
Sixty-seven acres of restored natural habitat in the heart of Salinas is now open to the public. And, an executive order aims to speed up oversight of artificial intelligence in California and study new rules.
-
Monterey Bay This Week: Vistra batteries reignite, invasive beetles, Salinas housing, and more
In this week's news roundup, another fire starts at the Vistra battery facility in Moss Landing, invasive beetles kill trees in the Santa Cruz Mountains, a large donation to Big Basin, and more.
-
Salinas has much HUD money remaining, investigation into high speed rail consultant expenses
The Salinas community development department has presented its annual performance report to the city council. And, an independent inspector is calling for California’s high-speed rail project to improve oversight of consultants.
-
Panetta pushes back against Trump tariffs, Donation funds Big Basin Interpretive Center
A bill would reassert congress's role in trade, and a $6 million donation will fund a new interpretive center at Big Basin Redwoods State Park.
-
Rough summer for sea lions, Monterey County Government Center remains closed
Rescue teams have responded to 150 sea lions infected with domoic acid poisoning this summer. And, Monterey County officials hope to reopen the government center in Salinas soon after what they’ve called “an extensive sewer line malfunction.”
-
Invasive beetle threatens local trees, President uses Defense Production Act for energy projects
An invasive beetle known for burrowing into native trees leaves behind a fungus that eventually kills them. And, President Donald Trump is using the Defense Production Act to expand federal authority over energy projects.
-
Sen. Laird reflects on session as it wraps up, new census proposal to exclude undocumented immigrants
The Monterey Bay region’s state senator authored 31 bills that passed during the 2025-26 legislative session. And, how a proposal to exclude undocumented immigrants from the 2030 census could affect California.
-
Monterey Bay This Week: inside Big Sur's fire evacuation zones
In this week's news roundup, KAZU reporter Katie Brown talked to folks in Big Sur pitching in to keep the fires contained and crews comfortable.
-
Public schools call for more funding, bill would prevent surveillance pricing
Central Coast teachers and parents want the legislature to restore funding the governor's budget proposal would cut. And, a bill in Sacramento would stop pricing customized to shoppers.
-
Monterey Bay This Week: Santa Cruz bike event, gender identity news, fire preparedness and more
Hotter weather brings on fire preparation discussions, local actions related to gender identity and on Saturday a bike event in Santa Cruz and a protest in Santa Clara County.
-
Grant supports local fire projects, Murray Street bridge closes (again)
California Fire Foundation grants fund local fire preparedness work, and the Murray Street Bridge in Santa Cruz is fully closed for construction.
-
DOJ investigates Monterey County schools' gender policies, World Cup on the beach
Three Monterey County school districts will be reviewed by federal authorities for classroom instruction and bathroom policies related to gender identity and sexual orientation. And, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s first live sports broadcast is a World Cup watch party later this month.
-
Santa Cruz County voters will decide offshore drilling protections, State Parks Week begins
Santa Cruz County will put offshore drilling and seabed mining protections to voters this fall, and California State Parks week begins.
-
Mixed support for two proposed Monterey County taxes, healthcare nondiscrimination bill moves forward
Polling shows mixed support in Monterey County for two potential tax ballot measures. And, a healthcare nondiscrimination bill authored by Democratic Assembly Member Dawn Addis moves forward in Sacramento.
-
Outdoor ed bill advances, OES is ready for World Cup
A bill to incorporate outdoor education into the K-12 curriculum heads to the state senate. And, Cal OES says it's ready for the World Cup.
-
Monterey Bay This Week: Local election results, community bird monitoring, one year post-deportation, and more
Where election results stand at the end of the week, a weekend birding opportunity, a former Pacific Grove restaurant manager’s reflections on his deportation, and more in this week's local news roundup.
-
Birders start community science project, Lovers Point Beach access closed
A statewide effort to monitor birds, the California Bird Atlas, hosts events around the region. And Lovers Point Beach is closed after a whale washed up.
-
Hate crime and arson charges for Tassajara fire suspect, PG's Measure C unlikely
A Mountain View woman faces charges in connection with the March fire at the Tassajara Zen Center in Carmel Valley. And, salary increases for the Pacific Grove mayor and city council members are unlikely.
-
Primary Election: results take time, but Church likely re-elected in Monterey County
The primary election is over, but there are plenty of votes left to count. We hear from a voter and a likely victor in Monterey County.
-
Housing Matters cuts 20 shelter spots, Monterey County launches program to ease strain on 911 system
Santa Cruz nonprofit Housing Matters will eliminate 20 shelter spaces starting this month in response to budget challenges. And, Monterey County launches a program to reduce strain on the emergency response system.
-
Changes to CalFresh begin today, ACLU and tech firms fight age restrictions
California is implementing changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known here as CalFresh, required under H.R. 1. And, the ACLU is joining some tech companies in objecting to a bill that would prevent social media platforms that use "addictive features" from allowing users under...
-
Costco trees could spread invasive pest, new law protects ballots
Fruit trees from Costco could be spreading an invasive pest: glassy-winged sharpshooters. Plus, a new California law prevents law enforcement from interfering in elections.
-
Pre-Election Day voting services, specialty lowrider license plate bill advances
Extended voter services are being offered at pre-election voting locations across Monterey Bay this week. And, specialty lowrider license plates could enter circulation.
-
Monterey nonprofits start fund to support Casanova Plaza fire victims, county budget hearings
Three Monterey nonprofits have announced a $110,000 fund to support residents displaced by the March 9 Casanova Plaza apartment fire. And, Monterey County is holding budget hearings this week.
-
Fashion show features dogs from local shelter, and raises money for them
During recent a motorsports weekend at Weather Tech Laguna Seca in Monterey, a side event raised money for a local animal shelter. Selected dogs accompanied drivers’ wives and girlfriends on the runway of a charity fashion show.
-
Monterey Bay This Week: Monterey sales tax, local salmon, counties oppose ICE facility and more
Local salmon available for the first time in years, counties oppose ICE facility near Gilroy, Salinas Valley Health offers free children's vaccines and other local news in this week's episode.
-
Counties oppose ICE facility near Gilroy, data centers don't report water use
Santa Cruz and Monterey County supervisors oppose a possible ICE detention facility near Gilroy. And state bills could add oversight to data centers’ water use.
-
Rail Trail rally to preserve tracks, Friends of Seaside Parks support pollinators
A rally in Santa Cruz was organized in support of a Coastal Rail Trail design that preserves the train tracks. And, Friends of Seaside Parks support pollinators with weekly workdays.
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
TOPICS IN THIS SHOW
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Monterey Bay Today from KAZU is your daily local news update for Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. Our local newscasts are supplemented with feature stories, interviews, and occasional in-studio performances from local musicians. For more, visit us at www.kazu.org.
HOSTED BY
KAZU
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Monterey Bay Today have?
Monterey Bay Today currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Monterey Bay Today about?
Monterey Bay Today from KAZU is your daily local news update for Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. Our local newscasts are supplemented with feature stories, interviews, and occasional in-studio performances from local musicians. For more, visit us at www.kazu.org.
How often does Monterey Bay Today release new episodes?
Monterey Bay Today has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Monterey Bay Today?
You can listen to Monterey Bay Today on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Monterey Bay Today?
Monterey Bay Today is created and hosted by KAZU.
URL copied to clipboard!