Extreme heat is considered one of the deadliest climate-related hazards. Even though the Central Coast is known for its moderate climate, projections for the region show an increase in frequency and severity of heat waves in the coming decades. In this four-part series about extreme heat on the Central Coast, KCBX reporter Beth Thornton speaks with scientists, health experts and local nonprofit organizations about the different ways people can stay safe during high temperatures. This series is made possible by a grant from the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism.

For the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2023 Data Fellowship, KCBX's Amanda Wernik delves into the connection between PTSD and homelessness in San Luis Obispo County.

Domestic Violence can be invisible since it often happens behind closed doors, and it can take a long time for a survivor to leave.In this three-part series about domestic violence in San Luis Obispo County, KCBX reporter Melanie Senn speaks with local advocates, survivors and law enforcement about ways people can find help.The series was produced as a project for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2023 Domestic Violence Impact Fund.

Polling the People is a five-part series on voting rights, access and engagement in Santa Barbara County. Through in-depth feature storytelling, the series examines issues including Latino voting access, voter turnout across the county and ways to get undocumented people involved in the political process. Polling the People is made possible by a grant from the Sunflower Foundation.

Unionized healthcare staff, including medical assistants and clinicians, will walk off the job next Monday and Tuesday at clinics across the Central Coast– unless the union and management reach an agreement.

A new nursing bachelor degree program is set to launch at the Santa Maria Hancock College campus in collaboration with Cal State University Channel Islands.

The Gala Pride and Diversity Center is teaming up with Central Coast Pride to host events all across the county through May and June for Pridefest.

The settlement reduces the original 1,400-unit project’s size by about 230 units. It also cuts affordable housing in half from 156 units to 78.

The Grover Beach City Council unanimously voted to adopt a new ordinance regulating illegal fireworks, and will now hold property owners and tenants liable for any illegal firework activity on their property.

The new rules include banning camping in tents or sleeping bags overnight, vehicle camping at night, and a time, place and manner restriction for camping during the daytime.

The newly renovated Dog Park includes fencing around three acres of the property with separate areas for small and large dogs, new pathways, play structures for the dogs drinking fountains with dog bowls and upgraded turf areas.

San Luis Obispo County is updating its hazard mitigation plan and wants input from the public. The goal is to better prepare for natural disasters over the next five years.

The City of Salinas is taking new steps to address prostitution and human trafficking—issues that have drawn complaints from hundreds of residents over the past several years.

A San Luis Obispo business owner is speaking out against tariffs imposed during the Trump administration. This comes as Senate Democrats push a bill that would exempt small businesses.