4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY FEBRUARY 13-19, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH A recent move by the Trump Administration could be a way it is cracking down on news agencies critical of its actions, First Amendment advocates say. San Francisco-based KCBS, which covered immigration enforcement actions in San Jose on Jan. 26, is now under investigation by the Federal Communications Commission. As part of its reporting, the radio station shared the live locations and descriptions of immigration officials’ vehicles. Trump-appointed commission chair Brendan Carr told Fox News that he opened the investigation, asking KCBS to “explain how this could possibly be consistent with their public interest obligations.” In a KQED interview, David Loy, legal director for the First Amendment Coalition, argued that law enforcement operations are “matters of public interest.” “It’s an intimidating exercise. The process is the punishment,” Loy said. “Even if charges are never filed, people have to look over their shoulder to wonder, is the government going to come after me because I report something that the government doesn’t like me to say?” Good: A total of $3.45 million will be spread out across 13 projects in Monterey County meant to drive economic development. The Uplift Central Coast Coalition announced Feb. 4 it will award $9 million to 36 organizations across six counties on the Central Coast. In October, Uplift invited entities, including nonprofits, academic institutions, local governments and others, to apply for grants. The funding is intended for programs that benefit workers. Monterey County organizations receiving funding include the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, Monterey Bay DART, Rancho Cielo and others. “We look forward to working alongside grantees every step of the way, fostering collaboration, supporting implementation and celebrating milestones as the vision for a brighter future becomes reality,” Tahra Goraya, president and CEO of the Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, said in a press release. GREAT: Great news for formerly incarcerated students and those in the criminal justice system, as Hartnell College is hosting a grand opening of the Rising Scholars Center on Thursday, Feb. 13, a dedicated space that will provide support for students and connect them to services and resources to succeed in their educational journey. “This center represents a key milestone in Hartnell College’s commitment to providing equitable education and breaking down barriers for students and the community,” a statement from the college reads. This center is part of the Rising Scholars Network implemented in 2014 by California Community Colleges. The center, located at Hartnell’s main campus, will aid students from different locations including Monterey County Juvenile Hall, Monterey County Jail and CTF Soledad State Prison, among others. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY The number of new memberships the Monterey Sports Center saw in the month of January. The average new monthly memberships hover around 150, and on a daily basis, the rec center will see anywhere from 2,500 people on a normal day, to over 3,000 on busier days. “We’re finally back to pre-pandemic levels,” says Bill Rothschild, Sports Center manager. Source: Monterey Sports Center 400 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Are we supposed to be MerriamWebster, defining a word?” -Monterey Peninsula Water Management District board chair George Riley, during a discussion over the word “permanent” in an ordinance on water allocations (see story, montereycountynow.com). Happy Valentine’s Day From Gathering for Women - Monterey gatheringforwomen.org ~ 831-241-6154 #gatheringforwomen We’re sending love to all of our supporters! Your generosity, whether through donations or volunteering, helps us spread joy and care to the women we serve.
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