Good morning, Salinas.

On Saturday, Sept. 20, dozens of volunteers in Salinas collected trash from the dried lakebed of Upper Carr Lake during California Coastal Cleanup Day, picking up items such as plastic cups, clothes, tires & bicycles and recording debris data for future restoration efforts.

Today at 5 p.m., KION and KPIX team up to bring expanded news coverage on the Central Coast with local reports, weather updates and trusted CBS programming.

The partnership builds on a long history between the stations—ensuring Monterey, Salinas and Santa Cruz viewers receive seamless local news.

The Monterey Bay chapter of the National Charity League held its annual Philanthropy Day on Sunday, Sept.

21 at All Saints Day School in Carmel, where mothers and daughters worked on projects helping local nonprofits like Alliance on Aging and Meals on Wheels in Salinas—sorting beans for Nancy's Project and earning recognition for high volunteer hours. The event raised donations through a GoFundMe campaign that nearly met its goal with support from 34 donors.

After 56 years, KION-TV shut down its local news operations beginning Tuesday as corporate leaders ended live broadcasts and filled slots with CBS affiliate KPIX—leaving Telemundo 23 without a Spanish newscast, which surprised many employees.

Mayor Dennis Donohue noted the move shows a shifting media landscape in the area.

KION-TV shut down its news operations Tuesday after 56 years on air — two sources confirmed the move — and its owner News-Press & Gazette aired KPIX news at 5 p.m. while continuing operations on its other California stations.

California State University, Monterey Bay ranked No. 2 in social mobility in the West and earned top marks among public schools, Best Colleges for Veterans, and Regional Universities West from U.S. News & World Report on September 23.

Its strong programs in nursing, computer science, and psychology helped boost the school's standing & the report also noted rankings for UC Santa Cruz.

During Sea Otter Awareness Week, Monterey Bay Aquarium said that about 500 sea otters live along Monterey Bay and remain at risk from shark bites and harmful algae blooms—officials advised that people give the animals space.

Monterey County Board of Supervisors approved new vacation rental rules that ban unhosted listings in Big Sur and Carmel Highlands and limit short-term rentals to 4% of single-family homes in unincorporated areas—exceptions allow hosted stays and rentals up to three times a year; the rules will take effect at the end of the month.

Marina, Marina Coast Water District and Monterey Peninsula Water Management District filed separate petitions on September 23rd alleging that the California Public Utilities Commission did not follow state law when it approved Cal Am’s estimates—leading to a projected water supply shortfall by 2050 along the Peninsula.

GRIDLIFE Laguna Festival

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca — Check website for pricing — Experience the thrilling finale of motorsports with races, drifting, music, and food at this vibrant festival.

Steinbeck Center’s Annual Street Fair

12:00 AM — 100 Block of Main St, Salinas, CA — Free entry — Enjoy a family-friendly day with live music, vintage cars, and fun activities at this community street fair.

California International Airshow Salinas 2025

7 p.m. – 10 p.m. — California International Airshow, Salinas — $15.00 to $625.00 — Experience thrilling aerial performances and family-friendly exhibits at California's premier airshow event.