Good morning, Salinas.

Victims of the Casanova Plaza fire are moving into new housing while access to the damaged building remains limited.

Officials say placement efforts continue (details pending) as the community works to restore safe living conditions.

El Mercadito, a new monthly community market, will open tomorrow at Cesar Chavez Park in Soledad.

The event will feature regional food + crafts along with a Cinco de Mayo celebration that includes Folklorico performances from 1 to 3 p.m. and a face painter.

Archaeologists are uncovering artifacts from a 19th century Chinese fishing village along Monterey Bay (one of California’s oldest) that shed light on early local heritage.

The discovery deepens our understanding of regional cultural history.

California gas prices jumped to $5.78 per gallon on Monday, up from $5.65 last week, as traders factored in supply risks due to Middle East tensions and a seasonal rise in driving demand.

Analysts expect prices to climb an extra 20 to 30 cents in the coming weeks (source: EIA).

Gas prices on the Central Coast have topped $6 per gallon, prompting Monterey-Salinas Transit to report a 13% rise in bus ridership compared to the usual 3% increase as commuters seek affordable travel & savings.

MST will monitor trends as more residents switch from driving to public transit.

Two CSUMB students — Julián Sumano and Hannah Smith — have been awarded scholarships from the Monterey County Film Commission's 2026 Director Emeritus Richard Tyler Film Student Scholarship Award program.

Sumano will receive $2,000 and Smith $1,000 as an honorable mention from the Cinematic Arts and Technology Department.

Santa Lucia Conservancy launched a wildfire resilience program to train crews in prevention as summer nears, using controlled burns and conservation grazing with Cal Fire (Central Coast Prescribed Burn Association) and supported by an NOAA grant.

700 acres in Monterey County will remain farmland thanks to a $7.3 million grant to the Ag Land Trust via the Strategic Growth Council + the funds are part of a $45.5 million program to conserve 17,381 acres statewide.

Stevenson's sailing team finished third at the Northern California Regatta Championships, marking a competitive display by local sailors in a hard-fought race.

Los Originales de San Juan and CLAVE AR

9 p.m. — Hacienda Mexican Grill — Buy your ticket on Ticketón — Experience a vibrant live performance from CLAVE AR, a Latin music band that fuses traditional rhythms with contemporary sounds.