The Buzz 03.05.26

FREE SPEECH

The first two months of 2026 have seen the most attacks on journalists – physical or not – for the time period in the United States. The U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, a project of the Freedom of the Press Foundation, reported 60 incidents, 54 of which were in January, marking the highest number since the Tracker started measuring in 2017. Most of the incidents stem from protests in Minneapolis and Los Angeles around federal immigration policy. One of those incidents happened Jan. 27 at the federal building in Eugene, Oregon, when photographer Robert Scherle was shoved and hit multiple times with projectiles by federal agents. FBI agents later arrived at his house, asking him to identify those who attended the protest. He declined. In a statement to the Eugene Weekly, the FBI said it asked people to share footage of the protest. “Should an interviewee identify themselves as a member of the media and produce identification or credentials, we have processes in place to request information that adheres to the Constitutional right ensuring freedom of the press,” according to the statement.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“On again, off again – it’s a joke. We worked so hard.” - Pecos League owner Andrew Dunn, after Monterey Parks and Recreation informed him it will not recommend approval of the Amberjacks’ agreement for 2026. The board meets on March 11 to consider the contract (see story, montereycountynow.com/news)

GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK

GOOD:

Monterey Bay FC is launching an amateur women’s soccer team this year that will benefit young girls in the Salinas Valley and beyond. To speed up the process, MBFC announced a partnership with Salinas Soccer Femenil and Cosmos Femenil F.C. “Monterey Bay FC, Salinas Soccer Femenil and Cosmos Femenil F.C. all share the same commitment of growing the game and expanding opportunities for young female athletes in our region,” said Oliver Wyss, MBFC’s chairman and chief soccer officer. The team will play in the NorCal Division of the United Soccer League W. “We wanted to make a statement that we’re here to support women,” says Maria Zamora, co-founder and CEO of SSF. Laura VanWart, head coach of CSU Monterey Bay women’s soccer team, will be its first coach. Tryouts to join the team begin on Sunday, March 8 at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex.

GREAT:

A transitional housing complex that once sat on the brink of failure is now about to open with 46 affordable units with supportive services. In 2023, the Fairview Housing Complex, at 1030 Fairview Ave. in Salinas, was being transformed from a motel into housing for youth experiencing homelessness under the state’s Homekey program, when the developer began defaulting on loans – an employee of the developer allegedly stole millions in state funds and was recently arrested. Local and state officials collaborated to rescue the project – the Housing Authority of the County of Monterey purchased the site for $8 million with help from the state, City of Salinas and Monterey County Health Department – and now it’s ready to open to families who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. HACM is hosting a grand opening from 10:30am-2pm on Thursday, March 5.