Housing Report: Three-times the minimum wage is needed to afford rent in Santa Cruz County
A new housing report is highlighting just how much the increasing cost of living is pricing low-income families out of the Monterey Bay…
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Mother-daughter owned Salinas flower shop makes Mother’s Day a family affair
Murillo helps run the flower shop located on East Market St., owned by her mother, Magdalena Bautista. The mother-daughter duo has been busy working…
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New program lets first-time homebuyers in California borrow a down payment at 0% interest
A new California program is aiming to give first-time homebuyers a better playing field — offering loan forgiveness — if you stay in a home long…
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California Governor, lawmakers vow to add abortion to state constitution
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KION & AP) California voters could get a chance to add abortion protections to the state’s constitution this fall. With the…
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Construction begins on tunnel under Highway 17 to allow wildlife to safely cross
Ground is now broken for a new wildlife undercrossing in Santa Cruz County aiming to create a safe passage for wildlife to cross Highway…
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Proposed California bill would allow non-citizens to become peace officers
A new bill is aiming to allow non-citizens to become police officers in…
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Cal Fire suspends burn permits in Santa Cruz County
Cal Fire suspends burn permits in Santa Cruz County due to an increase in fire danger.…
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Salinas farmworkers call on Newsom to pass union voting bill on Cesar Chavez Day
On the holiday meant to memorialize the efforts of Cesar Chavez, California farmworkers are gathering across the state to call for more support from…
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With Feds sending no water to local farms, growers in San Benito County are forced to cut back production
After years of drought — and an exceptionally dry start to the year — farmers in San Benito County will be receiving no water this year from some…
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Fast food restaurant co-workers remember Salinas man killed in Fresno crash
A local fast-food chain lost its general manager earlier this month after a crash in Coalinga, California on March 5 at 7:17…
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Two killed, including 16-year-old, in Watsonville crash
Two people have died following a crash just before midnight on Saturday, according to Watsonville…
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California lawmakers propose $400 rebate to offset high gas prices
Californians complained — and lawmakers listened. A group of state Democrats is proposing a $400 rebate for every California taxpayer, meant to…
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Building Better Futures: Students build tiny homes for the homeless
A non-profit program in Salinas is providing students with real-world experience — while building tiny homes for the…
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Suspension of California’s 51-cent gas tax fails to pass State Assembly
Republican state lawmakers are calling for the suspension of California’s $.51 per gallon tax on gasoline amid sky-high…
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Colorado Fire investigation discovers issues with local burn permit process
The investigation into the Colorado Fire in Big Sur — which Cal Fire says was started by a reignited permitted burn — has brought to light a…
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How the Russian invasion of Ukraine could affect inflation on the Central Coast
Americans are being told to brace for tough times ahead — as President Biden unveils new sanctions on Russia meant to punish the country for its…
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Salinas gas prices hit a record high, with no relief in sight
Salinas hit a new record for highest gas price in history Wednesday — at $4.820 for a gallon of regular unleaded, according to…
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Highway 17 wildlife undercrossing construction begins this week
Wildlife in Santa Cruz County is one step closer to a new, safer way to travel across Highway 17 — by going directly under the…
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Magnitude 3.6 earthquake rattles near Tres Pinos
Did you feel it? A 3.6 magnitude earthquake rattled parts of the Central Coast Sunday…
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Couple rescued after getting lost in the Mitteldorf Preserve
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office says a husband and wife are alive and well after getting lost in the Santa Lucia Mountains Friday…
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Moss Landing battery plant 98% fully charged
The Energy Storage Facility run by Vistra Energy in Moss Landing is offline indefinitely — after a second overheating incident in five…
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Sacramento man arrested in connection to stabbing death of Seaside man in Monterey
Monterey Police are asking for the public’s help after a man was attacked and killed outside a restaurant early Sunday morning. Police believe…
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Loch Lomond Reservoir at 85% capacity after a dry start to 2022
The end of 2021 brought hope for drought-stricken Californians — but with a dry start to the new year, and no rain in the forecast, benefits from…
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Two killed in shooting in Salinas identified
Salinas Police are investigating a shooting that left two people dead Saturday night in…
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Peninsula hotels booked as the AT&T Pro-Am comes to town
A yearly kick-off for tourism, the Pebble Beach AT&T Pro-Am brings thousands of visitors to the Monterey Peninsula every year. But people don’t…
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Spectators welcomed back to Pebble Beach for the AT&T Pro-Am
After a quiet year without spectators in 2021, the fans came out in full force this year to catch all Pebble Beach has to offer. But the Pebble Beach…
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Coroner: Woman found in Monterey Inn death deemed suicide
Monterey Police are investigating after a body was found inside a motel room in Monterey Sunday…
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Mid Coast Fire: Two day old permitted burn ignited Colorado Fire in Big Sur
A two day old permitted pile burn that got out of control is what the Mid Coast Fire Brigade says ignited the Colorado Fire Friday night in Big…
Continue Reading Highway 1 reopens after Colorado Fire evacuations are lifted in Big Sur
The roadblocks are gone, people are returning home and tourists were stopping by to see the damage from the Colorado Fire for themselves.
Although…
Big Sur residents stuck inside Highway 1 closure
The Colorado Fire hasn’t grown in size since Sunday, but Highway 1 is still closed to all non-essential travel. That also applies to those who live…
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Crews use ocean water to help fight Colorado Fire along the Big Sur coast
It’s now into day four of the Colorado Fire — and fire crews are using Big Sur’s natural resources to help in the firefight.…
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Boil water notice for Colorado Fire evacuation area
The Monterey County Health Department has issued a boil water notice for those living in the Colorado Fire evacuation area.…
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Bill passes to create Pajaro Valley Health Care District
Watsonville Community Hospital is on life support — however, it is one step closer to finding a buyer thanks to a bill that’s making its way to the…
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Sister of Aptos High stabbing victim claims school staff failed to help her brother as he was dying
The sister of the student who was stabbed and killed at Aptos High School last August has filed a claim against the Pajaro Valley Unified School…
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Central Coast counties warn of COVID-19 test site scams
Santa Cruz and San Benito counties are warning Central Coast residents to be careful when giving their information to potentially fraudulent pop-up…
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Santa Cruz Harbor surveying damage after tsunami advisory
The Santa Cruz Harbor is back open, but crews are still surveying the damage left behind by tsunami waves that hit the coast…
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Santa Cruz nurses rally for better staffing and COVID safety measures
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION) A group of Central Coast nurses gathered Thursday as part of a national day of action by health care workers demanding…
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Cal Fire: Arson arrests rise in the last few years
Arson arrests in California have almost doubled in the last two years, according to Cal Fire — but the number of arson-related fires has stayed…
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California to expand Medi-Cal for undocumented immigrants beginning in May
Universal health coverage is one of the most sweeping changes proposed by Governor Gavin Newsom in his newly-revealed 2022-23 state budget…
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‘Full House’ star, comedian Bob Saget dead at 65
The Orange County, Florida Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the death of actor and comedian Bob Saget on Sunday. Saget was 65 years…
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Take-home tests for students returning after winter break
It was back to school Wednesday for some students in Monterey County, and the Monterey Peninsula School District is encouraging all students to get…
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New California law changes liability for out-of-control prescribed burns
Dozens of new California laws went into effect on Jan. 1, 2022, including a law adding legal protections for those who manage prescribed burns.…
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What to do if you can’t get an appointment for a COVID test
It’s a throwback to the early days of the pandemic. Long lines for COVID testing across California, and limited appointments online. Monterey County…
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Rain hits the Central Coast during holiday travel
If you’re hitting the road for the holidays, you’re going to be met with wet weather and slick roadway. Crashes, rockslides and flooding are adding…
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Stores packed for last-minute holiday shopping
SALINAS, Calif. (KION) Reminder for procrastinators: there are just three days left until Christmas, and shoppers were out in full force Wednesday at…
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Holiday travel expected to fall short of pre-pandemic numbers
Rising COVID-19 cases aren’t stopping the holiday travel rush. The Transportation Security Administration says they have screened more than 2 million…
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How Santa Cruz is preparing to shelter the homeless after the Benchlands camp floods
The City of Santa Cruz is holding a briefing to discuss how they’re preparing for incoming storms, especially to shelter the homeless from the rain.…
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7-year-old visiting from out-of-state found safe
Police are searching for a 7-year-old girl who went missing from an apartment complex in Watsonville. Police say Sophia Serrato was last seen this…
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Fallen trees cause Highway 9 closure near Ben Lomond
As of early this morning Highway 9 in both directions is…
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Who’s enforcing the statewide mask mandate?
A statewide mask mandate has returned to California, regardless of vaccination status.…
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