Good morning, Salinas.

On Sunday, the Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple will host its 77th annual Obon Festival in Seaside with tea ceremonies, karate, and Taiko drumming (free admission available), while local scientists noted the western snowy plover count reached around 3,000 birds to meet conservation targets.

Ninety years ago, Steinbeck reported on California migrant workers' hardships in The Harvest Gypsies, which later inspired The Grapes of Wrath.

His work, based on journeys through Kern and Tulare counties, remains a benchmark for reporting on farm labor challenges today.

The California State Board of Education announced that voters in Greenfield and King City will decide in November whether to create separate unified school districts for kindergarten through 12th grade, a move that aims to improve grade transitions and let each district have its own governing board.

Firefighters stopped a vegetation fire near Lewis Creek along Airline Highway on Friday when defensible space helped protect a home from damage (the fire burned about 8 acres near 51251 Airline Highway).

Researchers at Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge reported that last year’s annual count recorded over 3,000 western snowy plovers, marking a conservation milestone while restoration projects and habitat challenges continue along the coast.

Greenfield secured $111 million in state funding plus low-interest loans to build a new wastewater plant that will nearly double its daily capacity to 2 million gallons.

The expandable facility will enable new housing and commercial development; it must be operating by June 2030, though officials hope to finish sooner.

A Health Access CA town hall was held on July 9 in Salinas to urge Monterey County residents to share their concerns over high hospital prices that are raising premiums, and officials plan to enforce lower cost growth limits at an OHCA meeting on Aug.

26 to help control expenses.

Shoppers in Salinas are gearing up for California Rodeo Salinas by picking up cowboy boots + hats and belt buckles as part of a cherished tradition.

Boot Barn on North Davis Road is extending its hours next week until 9 p.m. to handle the boost in demand.

Monterey Bay Taekwondo Academy students competed at the USA National Taekwondo Championships in Charlotte, where 13-year-old Asia Brown and 6-year-old Elliot Lee earned gold and 14-year-old Antonio Parker won silver.

They qualified by advancing at the California State Championships in April.

California Rodeo Salinas

Daytime and evening events — Salinas Sports Complex — Ticket prices vary — Experience the thrill of professional rodeo with over 110 years of tradition in sunny California.