4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 6-12, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH Ignoring the First Amendment’s guarantee of press freedom is part of doing business for the Trump Administration, as federal subpoenas of reporters, once rare, are becoming all too commonplace. Earlier this year, the government issued subpoenas that it later withdrew to reporters from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post for various separate “national security matters,” including for reporting about issues from a Qataridonated jet to Trump. The latest was reported Aug. 1 by the New York Times, when FBI agents delivered a subpoena to freelance reporter Matthew Cole at his home, demanding that he turn over two years of sources for his 2025 article on a failed 2019 U.S. mission in North Korea. According to Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press President Bruce Brown, there have been at least four subpoenas of reporters by the government in the last few months, after only three in the last 25 years. “The public should be alarmed; the reporters will stay resolute,” Brown said. Good: There was some good news in the 2026 Point-in-Time Count, the biennial census of people experiencing homelessness: Overall homelessness was down from the 2024 count and unsheltered homelessness was down 23 percent, it was announced July 29. It was the third decline in homelessness over the past four counts. “It does demonstrate that all of the different sectors are beginning to close the gap and we are all doing exactly what the funding is asking us to do,” said Roxanne Wilson, County of Monterey homelessness services director. Homelessness was down 72 percent in unincorporated Monterey County, which Wilson attributed to encampment resolution grants used to construct units in King City, Soledad and Watsonville for people formerly homeless. A 60-percent increase in those who were homeless for the first time signaled more housing is needed, Wilson said. GREAT: There is always a need for nurses, emergency medical technicians and firefighters, but such careers require a significant commitment—especially financial—to pursue. To help ease the burden and bolster the future workforce, Monterey Peninsula College and the Monterey Peninsula College Foundation announced the launch of the Honor Grant Program on Aug. 3, providing more than $300,000 to students pursuing careers in these fields. The grants are supported by a matching donation from the Posey Family Foundation, with every dollar up to $250,000 doubled. In addition, students who receive the grant (up to $10,000 per academic year) will make monthly repayments to the foundation once they secure employment, which the college describes as a self-sustaining system. Those payments will be treated as tax-deductible charitable donations with no interest. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY That’s how many backpacks will be donated to children in need thanks to the efforts of volunteers, donors and businesses who contributed to the Stuff the Bus program. The backpacks are distributed to students through the Monterey County Office of Education’s Homeless Children and Youth Services Division. Source: United Way Monterey County 6,565 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “We knew the law was on our side and we would prevail.” -Pacific Grove City Councilmember Tina Rau, after the California Fair Political Practices Commission closed an investigation into her on July 29 (see story, montereycountynow.com/ news). Voted Monterey County’s Best Antique Shop ’25 ♦ 3 Card Poker ♠ Century 21st No Bust Black Jack ♣ Texas Hold’em ♥ FULL BAR! BLACKJACK BONUS POINTS PAYS UP TO $20,000 SMALL TOWN BIG PAYOUTS! 1-800-Gambler • GEAR-000383, GEAR-000376, GEAR-000375 The Marina Club Casino ensures the safety and security of all guests and team members at all times, while providing exceptional service. 204 Carmel Ave. Marina 831-384-0925 casinomonterey.com ♠ ♣ ♥ ♦ Just minutes from Downtown Monterey Where Monterey Comes To Play
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