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Local News Podcast from KAZU

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197 episodes

Undocumented with a degree: One CSUMB grad's struggle to find work

California has passed several laws in the last few decades that make college more accessible for undocumented residents. But once these students graduate, they’re on their own.

4m
Mar 28
These youngsters discovered the first evidence that giant Ice Age sloths roamed Santa Cruz

The elementary-aged students from Tara Redwood School in Santa Cruz discovered a fossilized bone while exploring a creek last spring. The bone was from the arm of a Jefferson ground sloth — the first fossil to show the Ice Age creature lived in the Santa Cruz area.

4m
Mar 22
Monterey County to mark another pandemic anniversary with COVID-19 memorial construction

The memorial will break ground this summer and construction is set to finish in winter. It’s among several efforts locally and nationally to acknowledge the ongoing devastation from the pandemic.

1m
Mar 18
A conversation with KAZU’s new General Manager

Helen Barrington shares her first impressions of KAZU, the future of journalism, and her thoughts on how the station can better serve our community.

5m
Mar 12
Watsonville Community Hospital’s bond measure has a narrow lead. We spoke with a supporter of Measure N

Measure N requires two-thirds of voter approval to pass. The measure would fund the future of Watsonville Community Hospital, and is just a couple of points ahead.

4m
Mar 11
In Santa Cruz County, Election Day rush means many races not yet called

County Clerk Tricia Webber spoke with KAZU about how ballot processing in the county is going.

1m
Mar 08
Watsonville Film Festival focuses on International Women's Day

The 12th annual film festival celebrates women in film on International Women's Day

4m
Mar 07
Measure P asks Soledad residents to vote on their city’s electoral future

The race’s results will impact how Soledad’s mayor is chosen — whether council members rotate the position or it’s filled by someone voters elected directly.

1m
Mar 05
Measure N: A better Watsonville Community Hospital through higher property taxes

With a vote on Measure N, residents in the Pajaro Valley Healthcare District will decide whether improvements to Watsonville Community Hospital are worth higher property taxes for the next 30 years.

1m
Mar 05
Deanna Kitamura of Asian Law Caucus talks Asian-language poll accessibility

Monterey and Santa Cruz counties offer election resources in multiple Asian languages. It’s one way California has tried to increase voter registration, turnout and accessibility in recent years.

4m
Mar 04
Democracy starts here: Backstage at the Monterey County elections office

Over 200,000 registered voters. 137 different ballots. Up to a thousand election workers. All in one Central Coast County. This is what preparing for an election looks like at the local scale.

4m
Mar 01
Santa Cruz Measure M aims to limit building heights. Opponents say it is unworkable

On March 5, Santa Cruz voters will decide whether to pass Measure M, which would require a referendum on any development project that exceeds the city's existing height limits, and raise the requirements for affordable units in new developments from 20% to 25%.

4m
Feb 26
For Santa Cruz and Monterey voters, Prop 1 is about priorities

The only statewide measure on the March 5 ballot will pit funding for new housing and mental health treatment infrastructure against existing mental health services.

1m
Feb 26
For Santa Cruz and Monterey voters, Prop 1 is about priorities

The only statewide measure on the March 5 ballot will pit funding for new housing and mental health treatment infrastructure against existing mental health services.

1m
Feb 26
“For every worker who comes after us”: Cal State student assistants vote to unionize

Student assistants work part-time jobs across the system’s 23 campuses, including CSU Monterey Bay. They’re currently capped at 20 hours a week and had no paid sick leave before a California law that took effect in 2024.

1m
Feb 24
California Faculty Association members vote to approve tentative agreement

The union said over 76% of voting California Faculty Association members were in favor. Once approved by CSU trustees, the updated contract will apply across all campuses, including CSU Monterey Bay.

1m
Feb 20
At 64-years-old, Santa Cruz's Judi Oyama is one of world's fastest slalom skateboarders

At 64 years old, Santa Cruz local and slalom skateboarder Judi Oyama is preparing to represent the US at the World Skate Games in Rome Italy this fall.

4m
Feb 20
Behind the scenes of the annual Black History Month Film Festival in Monterey County

Monterey County has its own share of Black history — including several former Black strongholds. The festival, which also includes Q&As with the filmmakers, offers a chance to reflect on how the past shapes the county today.

4m
Feb 15
Clearing trees, restoring power major parts of ongoing Central Coast storm response

At least 1,500 people have used Monterey County resource centers among the ongoing power outages caused by the intense weekend weather.

1m
Feb 08
Local organizations celebrate Black History Month through second annual film festival

An educational community event, the Black History Month Film Festival runs through the month of February and is a partnership between the Black Leaders and Allies Collaborative and the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.

1m
Feb 07
Amid winter storms, officials see ‘silver lining’ as Pajaro levee reconstruction is set to begin

The latest round of winter weather spared the Pajaro River levee system, which failed so disastrously last year. That has left officials hopeful that they can keep the 75-year-old system intact for just a little bit longer, with construction on a new, stronger system set to begin this year.

4m
Feb 06
Wyndham Clark declared AT&T Pro-Am winner after tournament shortened by weather

The PGA Tour Rules Committee declared Wyndham Clark the AT&T Pro-Am winner Sunday evening, making it a 54-hole tournament. Play on Monday was canceled out of caution due to weather conditions.

1m
Feb 05
New California laws aim to streamline college access for undocumented students

One of the laws that went into effect this year will simplify the financial aid process, while the other establishes a grant program for Dream Resource Centers in California high schools.

4m
Feb 02
John Wineglass celebrates Steinbeck and California in "Pastures of Heaven"

John Wineglass talks with KAZU's Lisa Ledin about his new compositions that focus on Steinbeck and California.

4m
Feb 01
Rain, wind and potential floods come to the Central Coast this week

After a few summery days, winter returns with a vengeance and torrential rain in the Santa Cruz, San Benito and Monterey counties. Officials are warning about possible floods, power outages and strong winds.

5m
Jan 31
New AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: More Pro, Less Am

This year's Pro-Am is a Signature PGA event, which means more pro golfers, less celebrities and a much bigger purse.

4m
Jan 30
Anniversary of last year’s Pajaro disaster brings a different kind of flood: Lawsuits

Hundreds of residents are suing the State of California, Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties, and a host of other government agencies for negligence in at least four cases filed since December.

4m
Jan 26
BREAKING: CSU faculty to return to work Tuesday after union reaches tentative agreement

While salary was a sticking point in negotiations, the tentative agreement falls short of the union's consistent 12% ask for the 2023-24 school year.

1m
Jan 23
CSUMB and Pebble Beach partner in $1.4 million student program

The Pebble Beach Scholars program will allow students pursuing a Sustainable Hospitality Management degree to work while earning money and school credit.

1m
Jan 12
CSUMB faculty to join systemwide strike the first week of spring semester

Faculty at all 23 California State University campuses plan to strike after rejecting the university’s final offer of a 5% salary increase.

1m
Jan 11