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.

Students across Santa Maria banded together to ask the city council for legal protection from federal immigration officers. The students participated in a city-wide walkout from classes and marched to city hall.

About 7,800 gallons of sewage and rainwater spilled into San Luis Obispo Creek during this week’s storm. Officials are urging residents to stay out of the water at nearby beaches.

San Luis Obispo County officials are reporting that reservoir water levels are in good shape as heavy rains hit the region.

With heavy rain along parts of the Central Coast, the City of Santa Barbara is offering emergency parking for people who live in flood prone areas.

A new ecology project aims to reduce fire hazards in Cambria’s pine forest.

As the Central Coast anticipates the arrival of its next winter storm, PG&E says crews are on standby and ready for this season’s biggest winter storm.

Nature Track was originally created to take K-12 students to local trails and beaches at no cost. But now, people with wheelchairs can rent "Freedom Tracks" from the organization which helps the mobility-impaired person travel over the sand with no effort.

More Californians are now dying from the flu than from COVID-19, marking the first time since 2020.

Nearly a thousand people packed a Santa Barbara town hall at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara over the weekend. Crowds filled the main room, spilling into the courtyard and around the block. Residents pressed local lawmakers on how they would respond to President Donald Trump’s wave of executive orders and billionaire Elon Musk’s DOGE activities.

Opposition to restarting the Refugio pipeline is growing ahead of a hearing this month challenging the transfer of permits needed to restart operations.