The diversity of this week’s coverage of Monterey County hits many marks.

Sara Rubin here on a chilly Saturday morning, thinking it’s a good day to stay indoors and catch up on reading (helps that I’m not a golf fan—I’m happy just to read recaps by Features Editor Dave Faries online at montereycountynow.com).

Speaking of those daily updates, sometimes the weekly cycle for newsprint feels like another world from our digital presence. Reporters pitch stories at our Wednesday editorial meetings, fully eight days ahead of publication. Crafting a news section for the print edition that feels both of the moment and like it offers meaningful analysis is a high bar. Not to mention that we also strive to cover a range of subjects and geographic regions—a very high bar. 

In looking for highlights of this week’s issue to revisit, I thought I’d shine a light on the entire news section, because I think it’s an excellent example of clearing those bars. You can read about some scientific research emerging in the aftermath of the battery fire in Moss Landing by Staff Writer David Schmalz.

There’s also an update by Staff Writer Pam Marino on an effort to renovate the nearly century-old public library in Carmel. Marino also reports on how the County of Monterey is spending opioid-related settlement funds in a story featuring an innovative, boots-on-the-ground pilot program to advance drug treatment. 

Staff Writer Katie Rodriguez offers an overview of Marina’s new Local Coastal Plan, and the city’s vision to brace for sea level rise along its coast. Staff Writer Celia Jiménez provides an update on how local school districts in Salinas and on the Peninsula are spending voter-approved funds to bolster arts programming.

There is also more news that didn’t make print and appears only online, based on timing: Jiménez reports that MPUSD Superintendent PK Diffenbaugh is stepping down after a decade leading the district. 

Marino provides an account of the latest chapter in a statewide debate about hospital costs, and harsh words from local hospital executives. Rodriguez covered the denouement to a felony case of illegally towing eight vehicles that were, in fact, parked lawfully. And there’s more, if you scroll the website.

In all, that print/digital news section hits a lot of marks—health, crime, climate change, education, city infrastructure; North County, South County, Monterey Peninsula—and hopefully makes for a good lineup for your Saturday reading. 

As always, we appreciate your tips and suggestions on what to cover in your own backyard.