Good morning, Salinas.

Monterey County has the highest rate of homeless students in the state after October data showed a 16 percent rise from the previous school year; nearly 13,500 students—about 18 percent of 72,800 enrolled—lacked stable housing due to the shortage of affordable homes.

The county office of education will release updated data in July and plans a Stuff the Bus campaign from July 14 to 18 to provide school supplies for these students.

After the Salinas council repealed rent protection ordinances two days ago, Protect Salinas Renters began circulating a petition to let voters decide in the June 2026 primary election.

Mayor Dennis Donohue announced plans to form a public private partnership for rental relief as the repeal goes into effect in 30 days.

People rallied outside Speaker Robert Rivas's office in Salinas to oppose Gov. Newsom's proposed cuts to Medi-Cal — protesters warned the cuts would hurt health care — and Monterey residents supported the City Council's approval of a rainbow crosswalk downtown.

Advocacy groups gathered in Salinas on Thursday to protest proposed Medi-Cal cuts by Governor Newsom that could end health care coverage for about 1 million immigrants.

They argued the cuts — which include a $100 monthly fee for some families — would put migrant communities at risk and urged local legislators to oppose the budget finalization on June 15.

Salinas community members rallied behind North Salinas High School track star Clara Adams after she was disqualified from the CIF state championship for allegedly unsportsmanlike conduct following her use of a fire extinguisher to cool her spikes.

Local leaders and friends, including the mayor and a councilmember, said they will continue to support Adams as the state’s fastest 400-meter runner processes the incident and plans her next steps.

Addison Amaral—one of the top college softball infielders who led Notre Dame in key hitting stats last season—entered the NCAA transfer portal and is drawing interest from over 30 colleges.