Talk of the Bay from KSQD

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News and views from the Central Coast of California.

  1. 1D AGO

    Santa Cruz County looks to boost youth participation in local government with Youth Commission

    In April, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to establish the county’s first-ever youth commission. The commission was tasked with studying how the county can foster greater youth participation in local government in order to share recommendations with elected leaders who can actually change policy. To tell us more about the freshly-formed committee, Talk of the Bay host PK Hattis was joined April 29 by Elizabeth Padilla, a senior department administrative analyst with Santa Cruz County, Maria Cadenas, executive director of Santa Cruz-based nonprofit and frequent county collaborator Ventures, as well as Dylan Turk, a senior at Scotts Valley High School and member of the county Youth Task Force that recommended the board create this committee in the first place. They talk about how this new commission came into being, why youth representation and participation is so crucial for effective government and how interested local youth can get involved. RESOURCES: santacruzcountyca.gov/portals/0/county/cao/youthcommission/Youth-Commission-Flyer.05052026.pdf sccvonline.org/a-santa-cruz-like-me.html

    27 min

  2. 3D AGO

    What’s Up, with “Cosmic Joe” Jordan

    Look up! It’s the night sky and billions and billions of stars and planets, if you are lucky enough to see a few. Join “Cosmic” Joe Jordan, former NASA scientist and dark sky enthusiast of all things astronomy for some star talks up at Costanoa resort or right here on the radio!

  3. 3D AGO

    Bryan Hackett, Candidate for Superior Court Judge, Santa Cruz

    An election of a judge is a fairly rare thing, given the governor usually appoints one to a vacancy. Bryan Hackett and Alisa Thomas are both attorneys vying for the judge’s seat on the Santa Cruz Superior Court. KSQD reached out multiple times to Ms. Thomas but did not get a reply to our invitation to appear.

  4. 5D AGO

    Let’s Meet: Friends of the Rail and Trail

    Meilin Obinata interviews Friends of the Rail & Trail (FORT) board members, Matt Farrell and Sally Arnold about the threats to our rail and trail future and how FORT is launching a Summer of Action to keep our county on track.  Listeners are invited to a Rally to Save Our Tracks on May 20, next Wednesday, which you can learn more about here. Wait, didn’t we already vote on this?  Yes! In 2022 over 73% of the county voted NO on the Measure D 2022 plan to tear out the tracks, but cost over runs have created an opportunity for this spectacularly unpopular idea to rise again. In this exciting election season, there are important matters which do not get as much exposure, like transportation – specifically the Rail and Trail Project. This conversation gives an eye-opening look at the free money our community could receive from the federal government to support our desires for the Rail and Trail. Because the Regional Transportation Commission is composed mostly of elected officials, voters’ choices in this election season have an impact on critical infrastructure project planning for our community’s future. You’ll learn why it’s important to remind candidates and elected officials what we need as a community. The guests explain the survey they provide for candidates running for offices in this June election to answer, the results of which you can read for yourself here: https://www.railandtrail.org/2026-06-candidate-survey  You’ll learn about the “big tent” of FORT which embraces people of all political stripes combining successfully, to the fun parties that people have while supporting a heart-warming cause. Whether you love trails, or want a train, love to hike, bike, walk or ride, this episode will show you how you can have it all: passenger rail with a trail. In this environment of political divisiveness, you might enjoy learning about this cause which attracts people to bring out the best in us. You can learn more about FORT on social media and on their website: https://www.railandtrail.org/

    54 min

  5. MAY 11

    Born Into the Struggle: Ricardo Chavez and the Deeper Story of the Movement

    Omar’s guest, Ricardo Chavez, takes us on a deep dive into the labor movement into which he was born. The year of his birth was the year that the United Farm Workers saw the death of five martyrs: five organizers who were killed for their work in the movement. It is in this crucible of workers organizing for their rights that Ricardo grew up and learned about people who shook the world. You’ll hear about the impact of the Black Panthers, the deep roots of organizers within the Philippino communities of California, and legendary organizers such as Larry Itliong and Fred Ross. As the son of Dolores Huerta, he shares his own feelings about her statement regarding Cesar Chavez, his uncle. This show will make you think about California history in a brand new way, grounded in the work of people from Salinas to Stockton and Oakland.

    1h 25m

  6. MAY 5

    SCCOE – X Academy Robotics Club

    Chris Upham  interviews Sofia Orlando and Sam, who are apart of  the X Academy Robotics club.

  7. MAY 3

    Becky Steinbruner: Measure J and Battery Energy Storage Systems,

    Chirs Upham interviews Becky Steinbruner about the Measure J and Battery Energy Storage Systems.

  8. MAY 2

    What does it really mean to be in service to the people?

    On this episode of From the Streets, host Omar Dieguez facilitates a raw and powerful conversation with community leaders Elias Gonzalez and Edgar Ernesto Ibarra Gutierrez regarding the true meaning of service. Central to their discussion is the concept of palabra, or the sacredness of one’s word, which both men view as the bedrock of building trust with disenfranchised youth. They share how their own lived experiences, ranging from Elias’s childhood housing instability in Watsonville to Edgar’s journey through the carceral system, their’s is a “healing-informed” approach to leadership. By prioritizing human dignity over “band-aid” solutions, they advocate for a “village” mentality where leaders show up during the hardest moments, rather than only when it is politically convenient. Beyond philosophy, the show dives into urgent local issues and policy reform, specifically targeting the needs of South County. Elias, running for District 4 County Supervisor, outlines a platform focused on budget transparency, environmental justice regarding pesticide buffer zones, and support for the Rail Trail to improve transit equity. Both guests critique current systems that prioritize the funding of law enforcement and probation over direct community reinvestment, calling for a shift in education that emphasizes mental health over the policing of students. The show serves as a call to action for Watsonville residents to demand leadership rooted in indigenous values and cultural healing, ensuring that la comunidad y la cultura are the primary focus of the political conversation. This is more than a conversation… it’s truth, it’s community, it’s action. “Service is not a position. It’s a responsibility to protect, to uplift, to speak truth, and to stand with people.” – Omar Dieguez #FromTheStreets #StayInService

    59 min
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News and views from the Central Coast of California.

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