The Buzz 04.17.25

FREE SPEECH

Gannett, the largest newspaper chain in America that owns the Salinas Californian, will no longer publish information about its workforce demographics and has eliminated references to diversity on its website. The move comes after President Donald Trump’s pledge to eliminate initiatives that promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the federal government. When asked by a writer from Nieman Lab about the decision, a Gannett spokesperson said the company is “adapting to the evolving regulatory environment” and referred to Trump’s Jan. 22 executive order on DEI. In 2020, Gannett announced it would publish annual staff diversity reports, and in 2023, about 34 percent of its hires were people of color. In February, Gannett changed its “Inclusion” page to “Culture,” and changed a quote from CEO Mike Reed, which previously read, “If we don’t have an inclusive and diverse culture, we’ll fail at everything else.” “While we will no longer publish workforce demographic metrics or sustainability and inclusion reports, Gannett is deeply committed to our ethical business model,” spokesperson Lark-Marie Antón told Nieman Lab.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“My goal is to not sway the deck, but heavy the deck toward Seaside residents.” - Danny Bakewell Jr., developer of the Campus Town project, on giving priority of the new homes to Seaside residents (see story, montereycountynow.com)

GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK

GOOD:

Good news for outdoorsy people who live in Salinas and Marina – both cities broke ground for park enhancement projects in April. In Salinas, Closter Park, one of the most popular in the city, will get a makeover that includes fitness stations, new ball fields, an event space and more. The project will cost nearly $10 million and will be funded with a combination of Proposition 68, American Rescue Plan Act and city funds. In Marina, the second phase of Glorya Jean Tate Park has begun and includes basketball and pickleball courts, an exercise area and other amenities. The project has an $8 million price tag, and construction is expected to take less than a year to complete. Marina is also embarking on a process to develop an inclusive playground for children of all abilities, and a designer from Playgrounds by Leathers and Associates visited schools and the Community Center on April 14 to gather feedback.

GREAT:

Renowned conservationist Jane Goodall visited multiple venues across the Monterey Peninsula during the week of April 7 to celebrate the launch of Wildlife Conservation Network’s Sea Otter Fund. One visit included a ride on Monterey Bay Eco Tours’ electric catamaran, where she spoke on the importance of protecting the southern sea otter as guests cruised the waters of Elkhorn Slough. The Sea Otter Fund aims to support efforts to restore the otter’s populations among its coastal habitats. “Jane Goodall is my all-time hero,” Monterey Bay Eco Tours owner Wendy Kitchell said in a statement. “The work she does, and the people she surrounds herself with, inspire me to be a better person every single day. Her visit to Moss Landing – and touring the slough on our electric boat, designed to have minimal environmental impact – was an absolute dream come true.”