Extreme heat is considered one of the deadliest climate-related hazards. Even though the Central Coast is known for its moderate climate, projections for the region show an increase in frequency and severity of heat waves in the coming decades. In this four-part series about extreme heat on the Central Coast, KCBX reporter Beth Thornton speaks with scientists, health experts and local nonprofit organizations about the different ways people can stay safe during high temperatures. This series is made possible by a grant from the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism.

For the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2023 Data Fellowship, KCBX's Amanda Wernik delves into the connection between PTSD and homelessness in San Luis Obispo County.

Domestic Violence can be invisible since it often happens behind closed doors, and it can take a long time for a survivor to leave.In this three-part series about domestic violence in San Luis Obispo County, KCBX reporter Melanie Senn speaks with local advocates, survivors and law enforcement about ways people can find help.The series was produced as a project for the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism’s 2023 Domestic Violence Impact Fund.

Polling the People is a five-part series on voting rights, access and engagement in Santa Barbara County. Through in-depth feature storytelling, the series examines issues including Latino voting access, voter turnout across the county and ways to get undocumented people involved in the political process. Polling the People is made possible by a grant from the Sunflower Foundation.

The vaccine protects against the human papillomavirus, a common virus that can lead to cancer. It’s recommended for kids ages 9 to 12, with two doses given six to 12 months apart for the best protection.

The council voted unanimously to revise existing laws, clarifying definitions for e-bikes and what is considered “unsafe riding.”

The governor has appointed San Luis Obispo County Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg to the California Air Resources Board.

The Trump Administration continues to lay-off federal employees whose work doesn’t align with the President’s priorities as outlined in a string of executive orders. This week, the President is directing agencies to cut career positions in addition to the probationary workers who’ve been laid off over recent weeks. Meanwhile, a union representing federal employees filed a lawsuit last week against the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

The Board vote was split 2-2 on an appeal by environmental groups that challenged the transfer of permits to Sable Offshore, the company seeking to restart the pipeline.

San Luis Obispo residents can learn more about a proposed garbage rate hike at an informational session Wednesday.

Roughly the size of a subcompact car, the SPHEREx telescope will orbit Earth, capturing images in over 100 colors to create a 3D map of the entire sky.

California State Parks spotted the 10.5-foot whale on early Valentine's Day morning and alerted the Marine Mammal Center.

A major redevelopment project is in the works for La Cumbre Plaza in Santa Barbara to replace the old Sears with a 443-unit housing complex.

Emergency officials in Monterey County are recommending that residents living near the Moss Landing Battery Storage Facility continue to take precautionary measures after smoke and fire appeared at the building this week.