6 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JANUARY 22-28, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH Google, which spent millions advocating against a bill that would have required its parent company to pay journalists for their content it profits from, eventually conceded somewhat in 2024, agreeing to help form a fund with the state for newsrooms and artificial intelligence research over five years. Although $10 million each from the state and Google has been distributed into the fund, none of it has yet to make its way into newsrooms, according to CalMatters. Now, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s latest budget proposal includes no new money for the funds, despite the agreement to jointly spend $175 million over five years. A spokesperson from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development told CalMatters that the state expects to distribute the $20 million this year. “He’s more interested in the billionaires and his friends than he’s interested in journalists who are out on the street,” California News Publishers Association President Chuck Champion said of Newsom. “He talks about democracy, he talks about how critically important it is, and then he allows our journalists to starve on the vine.” Good: The Monterey Public Library launched a new, convenient way to check out and pick up library books on Tuesday, Jan. 20. There are now two library lockers—similar to lockers for picking up online purchases—located at the Monterey Sports Center (301 E. Franklin St.) and Montecito Fire Station #13 (401 Dela Vina Ave.), both in Monterey. The brightly decorated lockers with images of sea otters and a book-loving octopus—designed by Library Director Brian Edwards—are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to dispense books that have been ordered through the library’s website. The goal is to increase access to resources for those who can’t reach the library’s physical building, according to Edwards in a newsletter. “We often have busy individuals and families who want to pick up their requests in the evening after they get off work or early in the morning,” he said. GREAT: In a boost for high-speed internet infrastructure, the California Public Utilities Commission on Jan. 15 approved a nearly $3.3 million grant that will fund the installation of 23 miles of fiber lines in Chualar. California Broadband Alliance’s Surfnet-Salinas project is estimated to give broadband access to a population of nearly 1,300 people. According to the CPUC, the California Broadband Alliance will offer a “low-cost” broadband plan, while Surfnet Communications will lease and operate the network. “We look forward to working with Surfnet Communications, our ISP partner for this grant, to use these funds to help close the digital divide in Salinas and the greater Monterey region,” said Kiran Bengard, operations manager for the California Broadband Alliance. Surfnet is also requesting nearly $25 million for further broadband infrastructure across the Central Coast. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY The total of all funding sources of the SHARE Center, a Salinas homeless shelter, in fiscal year 2025-2026. The City of Salinas and the County of Monterey share responsibility for the center—on Jan. 13 they agreed to a new memorandum of understanding, laying out what each jurisdiction is responsible for. Source: City of Salinas staff report $3,013,284 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “His life mattered, no matter how it happened.” -Seaside Mayor Ian Oglesby, speaking about Ronald Tinsley of Seaside, who was shot and killed by a Marina Police officer during a traffic stop on Jan. 18 (see story, montereycountynow.com/news). casaofmonterey.org I’m a Veteran and a CASA CASA volunteers are parents, professionals, retirees—people who once felt too busy. Then they realized the moments were already there: a ride home, a day-o visit, an evening check-in. CASA becomes part of your life’s routine. You’re more ready than you think—become a CASA volunteer. Find out how you can impact the life of a child in foster care and juvenile justice systems. Thank You, MC Gives Donors! Your impact will help create stability, opportunity, and a stronger future. Follow the journeys of our families as they build their homes in 2026 at: habitatmontereybay.org Connect with us on Facebook & Instagram ~ Team Habitat Monterey Bay
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