4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 12-18, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH A federal judge ruled on March 7 that the mass layoffs at Voice of America in 2025 are void. Kari Lake, the senior adviser for the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which provides funding for Voice of America, billed herself as the acting CEO of the agency, which provides audio and online news reports about the United States to other countries. But the legality of her self-appointed title was questioned in court, and Judge Royce Lamberth decided it was not legal. “Lake satisfies the requirements of neither the statute nor the Constitution,” he wrote in his ruling. As such, the judge declared all of Lake’s actions void. “The American people gave President Trump a mandate to cut bloated bureaucracy, eliminate waste and restore accountability to government. An activist judge is trying to stand in the way of those efforts at USAGM,” Lake said in a statement to NPR about Lamberth, who was appointed by President Ronald Reagan. Lake said she will appeal the decision. Whether those fired will be able to return to their positions is currently unknown. Good: The County of Monterey received $2.8 million in funding from the state to tackle homelessness and expand its housing stock. The funding was secured through the Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention Program, which provides grants to cities and counties across the state. The most recent batch of grants totaled $159.3 million. Locally, the funding will go toward shelter services, case management and supportive housing projects, according to county officials. “This funding will allow us to stabilize proven local solutions that support individuals and families on their path to stable, permanent housing,” Homeless Services Director Roxanne Wilson said. The state also awarded $3.7 million to the Salinas/Monterey and San Benito Counties Continuum of Care, which provides funding for nonprofits and governments with the goal of ending homelessness. GREAT: Sunflower sea stars have had a rough go in recent years, with a strain of bacterium leading to a massive dieoff known as sea star wasting disease. The Sunflower Star Laboratory in Moss Landing not only studies the disease, but works to grow the animals and reintroduce them back into the wild. Its efforts were recognized with a recent $50,000 grant from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE) program to continue its work. Of the 55 programs across the world that applied for grants, the Sunflower Star Laboratory was one of five chosen. “The five selected projects directly advance SAFE program plans, bringing together aquariums, zoos, researchers and field partners to tackle some of the most pressing conservation challenges facing wildlife and the wild places they inhabit,” said Dan Ashe, president and CEO of the AZA. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how many incarcerated students graduated with high school diplomas and associate’s degrees during Feb. 24-25 ceremonies at Salinas Valley State Prison. The ceremonies were organized by officials from the prison and Hartnell College. Source: Salinas Valley State Prison 30 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “We have a place to cook, but we don’t have a home yet.” -Justin Noren, secretary of the board of Al & Friends, speaking on the nonprofit’s need to find a storage space to continue serving breakfast at Window on the Bay (see story, montereycountynow.com/news). Camp Quien Sabe Overnight Camp >> Whispering Pines Day Camp >> Tiny Tots Summer Camp >> Summer Fun Playground Program >> Sports Camps >> Specialty Camps >> LEGO® Camps >> Gymnastics Programs >> And so much more! SUMMER REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! MONTEREY.GOV/REC WHERE SUMMER BUILDS MORE THAN MEMORIES. Scan here for more info + online registration. Whispering Pines Day Camp and Camp Quien Sabe Overnight Camp ADVENTURE good vibes good vibes o v Camp Counselors at Summer Programs LEADERSHIP POSITIVITY CONFIDENCE THE CITY OF MONTEREY friendship friendship f h COMMUNITY
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