Good morning, Salinas.

CHOMP nurses are demanding a fair union election amid union-busting claims as detailed this morning in Monterey Bay This Week.

The segment also spotlights local art council outreach and improved graduation rates at CSUMB.

KION shut down its newsroom in September—ending 56 years of local service—and now KSBW is the only station providing locally produced TV news, digital broadcasts and Spanish-language newscasts.

Over a dozen employees lost their jobs, raising concerns about fewer voices covering weather, news and community events.

The fifth annual Operation Santa event at the Salinas Valley Fairgrounds delivered toys and food boxes to over 500 families, with Santa arriving by helicopter to bring toys for 1,500 children (Monterey County Supervisor Chris Lopez said the program has grown since 2020 to support families during winter).

Community members are invited to share ideas on the Salinas Valley Multi-Benefit Land Repurposing Program, a state-funded effort using a $10 million grant to shift flood-prone, low viability farmland to projects that save water and boost open space in key areas + drive environmental and community benefits.

As the Central Coast prepares for two major rainstorms, counties from Santa Cruz to Monterey and San Benito offer sandbag stations on a first-come, first-served basis; residents should call ahead to confirm availability and bring a shovel (as required) for filling the bags.

Three CSUMB volleyball players, Maya Cann, Malia Peterson and Malia Thorne, earned All-District Academic honors and are the first Otters to receive the honor since Julia Ashen (2013/14); Cann tallied 633 assists, Thorne led with 44 blocks, and Peterson nearly reached the top 10 in kills.

Salinas is bracing for prolonged storms that will bring steady rain starting Saturday with heavier impacts on Sunday into Monday — gusty winds may cause flooding and power outages as conditions worsen through Christmas week.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced that commercial Dungeness crab fishing in central California (Zones 3, 4, and 5) will open Jan.

5, 2026 with a 40% gear reduction to reduce whale entanglements. Recreational crabbing opens statewide on the same day, though the northern coast remains closed until at least Jan. 15.

Imjin Parkway Widening and Roundabout Project will upgrade a 1.7-mile stretch between Reservation and Imjin roads by expanding the roadway to four lanes + building four roundabouts to increase safety for 30,000 daily motorists traveling between Salinas and the Monterey Peninsula.

The two-year project is set to finish in June.

Eligible tenants may apply for rental assistance of up to $9,000 to avoid eviction, with applications accepted on a first-come basis through June 30.

The city also seeks local input on design options for an $8.1 million community center at Northgate Park via a survey ending Dec. 22.

Chamber Music Monterey Bay: Lysander Piano Trio

8 p.m. — Harden Ranch Plaza — Contact for ticket info — Experience exquisite musical performances by the renowned Lysander Piano Trio.