4 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY AUGUST 27-SEPTEMBER 2, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com THE BUZZ FREE SPEECH For the first time in more than 50 years, the New York Times lost a defamation lawsuit brought against it in the United States. An Alabama jury on Aug. 20 determined the Times defamed college basketball player Kai Spears in a 2023 article, which incorrectly reported that he was present during a fatal shooting. The article, written by Billy Witz, attributed Spears’ alleged presence to an anonymous source. Further reporting found that not to be the case, and the article was updated with a correction. Still, Spears sued the Times two months later, accusing it of libel and causing him emotional distress, saying in the lawsuit he had received death threats. The jury awarded $9.25 million in damages. “We’re disappointed the jury found the Times liable for an honest mistake,” Times spokesperson Charlie Stadtlander said. “We thank the jury for its service, but believe the verdict and award of damages are contrary to law and not supported by the evidence.” Good: The Mobile Museum of Tolerance rolled into Seaside this week to teach local students how to combat hate and stand up for civil rights. The traveling bus is organized by the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, and uses technology, films and workshops to teach history and empathy through various interactive sessions. Programs include a film about Anne Frank and the Holocaust, a workshop on how to identify online hate, and a history of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Educators with the Museum of Tolerance are also on hand to present programs outside of the bus in campus classrooms. The 45-minute sessions earlier in the week were geared toward middle and high school students, while later in the week is reserved for CSU Monterey Bay students and staff. The museum, stationed at CSUMB, wraps up its local run on Friday, Aug. 28. GREAT: After El Grito organizers, Tradición Por Siempre, announced the cancellation of the Salinas event amid financial and political strain, many people in the community were surprised. But with the help of Monterey County Supervisor Luis Alejo, the event will continue its annual celebration in 2026. Alejo announced on Aug. 20 that he committed $10,000 from his office’s discretionary funds to the event. The total event budget is about $80,000, according to Tradición Por Siempre President Adan Gomez Jr., who expressed gratitude for Alejo’s and the community’s help in reviving the event. “[The event] is moving forward, as the Salinas city manager has authorized it,” Gomez says. “It is happening.” El Grito, or the Cry of Dolores, is a celebration of Mexico’s independence from Spain and it takes place annually on Alisal Street in East Salinas. The festival is set for Sunday, Sept. 13 from 11am-5pm. GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK THE WEEKLY TALLY Miles that Catherine Breed has swum as of Aug. 25 upon her arrival to Pacific Grove, halfway through her mission to become the first person to swim the 900-mile California coast. She next continues south along Big Sur. Source: Swim California 454.76 QUOTE OF THE WEEK “If you only use social media, are those the people you want to come here?” -Cathy Ritter of Better Destinations, telling a room of Carmelites why the city needs to manage tourism, rather than leave it up to influencers to promote Carmel (see story, montereycountynow.com/newsletter).
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