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.

For the first time, the state has designated parts of the city as fire hazard risk areas.

The City of Santa Barbara is stepping up to support health and human services programs amid uncertainty over federal funding.

Some Central Coast teachers are worried about the repercussions on local schools after President Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the US Department of Education.

A Central Coast school district is taking steps to sell two elementary school campuses–Sunnyside Elementary and Morro Elementary. Both schools have been closed for nearly two decades, although the buildings house other non-profit and government entities.

A 2015 state decision that said the groundwater in Paso Robles is depleting is catching up with local residents. The city is putting together a joint power agreement to mitigate the loss of its water, but the potential costs are concerning locals.

The City of Pismo Beach is taking steps to secure state funding for its Central Coast Blue project, a major water recycling initiative.

Dignity Health Central Coast awarded grants to groups offering a variety of health and educational support services: POR VIDA!, School Garden Nutrition Program, Five Cities Meals on Wheels, Hearts Aligned, Inc. and The Cecilia Oral Project.

A storm bringing heavy rain to the Central Coast could also bring strong winds up to 60 mph in SLO County’s interior valleys and mountains.

A start-up created by Cal Poly students helps reduce the consumption of single-use plastics. Now, the young company is partnering with the university.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo cut the university's swim and dive teams late last week due to a financial shortfall.The university says the decision came after state budget cuts to higher education and a $450,000 per year loss from an NCAA settlement over compensating student athletes for using their name, image and likeness.