The University Corporation at Monterey Bay, an auxiliary of Cal State Monterey Bay, has rescinded layoff notices sent during the federal government shutdown. And, the Trump administration has sued California over laws that let undocumented college students access in-state tuition and financial aid.

A recent study finds that hospitals in Monterey County are among the most expensive in the state. And, a proposed Trump Administration rule would give immigration officers more discretion to deny permanent residency to immigrants lawfully in the country who rely on public safety net benefits.

In today's newscast, hundreds of people gathered at Asilomar Conference Grounds over the weekend for a film screening about kelp restoration efforts in Northern California.

Federal funding for permanent housing is about to plummet, Joby Aviation takes flight at the Dubai Air Show, Monterey and Santa Cruz counties trudge slowly toward battery storage regulation, and more in this week's local news roundup.

Monterey and Santa Cruz counties are at the center of a power struggle with the state over a key part of the clean energy transition—battery storage.

A San Mateo-based tech company has permission to test its flying cars at the Hollister airport. BenitoLink reporter Noe Magaña shares his reporting about the company and the region’s growing rapport with electric aircraft businesses.

Monterey and 12 other counties sue three pest control companies over improper disposal of hazardous waste. Clark Pest Control of Stockton, Orkin Services of California, and Crane Pest Control settled and will pay $3.15 million. Also, Joby Aviation expands its footprint in Dubai and plans to start commercial operations there next year.

The Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s office publishes its fourth report analyzing the region's $11 billion agriculture industry. And, California farmworker families and environmental groups are calling for stronger protections against a cancer-causing pesticide used on berry, grape and nut crops.

How local homeless service providers are preparing for a sharp reduction in federal funding for permanent housing. And, Santa Cruz County takes a baby step toward regulating new battery energy storage facilities.

Parents are urging Pajaro Valley Unified School District to reconsider proposed layoffs and budget cuts. And, a new report shows California improving in prenatal care, but more work is needed on maternal mental health.

Monterey County hosts California's first police training focused on missing and murdered indigenous people, Santa Cruz wharf reconstruction, flying cars headed for Hollister airport, indigenous interpretation services in Salinas, and butterflies landing at the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary.

After last year's record low migration season, monarch butterflies find their way back to the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary.

Monterey County begins a program focused on improving how police, public health, and legal professionals address cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). Plus, repairs to the end of the Santa Cruz Wharf are slated to begin in the next two weeks.

Santa Cruz County public health officer urges healthcare providers to call the state's hotline and for families to seek medical attention if babies are showing signs of botulism. And, a video from an incident in Santa Ana shows an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent pointing a gun toward a woman allegedly recording him.

Monterey County is expanding its hiring policy for veterans. And, the Hollister airport signs a lease with a flying-car company.

The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission approved the construction of a temporary pedestrian path next to the Murray Street Bridge. The decision now goes to the Santa Cruz City Council. Plus, GOAT Santa Cruz offers free workouts for people affected by the government shutdown.

SNAP benefit upheaval coincides with the end of some local farm contracts, a film screening in Watsonville tackles masculinity, Mixtec farmworkers as doulas, and more in this week's local news roundup.

Some Mixtec farmworkers in Watsonville have trained as doulas to support other Indigenous women during pregnancy and childbirth. They want to offer physical and emotional support, and serve as translators during hospital visits.

A regional housing summit in Salinas envisions how the city can build new affordable housing quickly. Plus, the City of Santa Cruz seeks public input on neighborhood-scale coastal resiliency plans.

The Newsom administration is urging Californians to donate to food banks while SNAP benefits are halted. And, as the shutdown continues, military families and federal workers across the Central Coast are living with financial uncertainty.