The Buzz 09.12.24

FREE SPEECH

Rupert Murdoch, the 93-year-old billionaire business magnate, and his children are locked in a court battle over the succession plan of his media empire. Murdoch, who helms such outlets as Fox News and The Wall Street Journal, wants to hand the reins to his eldest son, Lachlan Murdoch, according to the New York Times, as he is more politically aligned with his father’s conservative views. Murdoch’s three other adult children would lose their voting power, according to his proposed family trust. A group of media organizations that include the Times, Associated Press and others have requested a Nevada court to open up the proceedings that have been taking place out of the public eye. “The fate of the Murdoch family’s enormous fortune and vast media empire is a matter of immense public interest, and the public also has an interest in ensuring that the public courts administer justice in a proper, impartial manner,” the filing stated. The case is expected to have a series of hearings in court beginning Monday, Sept. 16.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I’ve never been trained to put a dollar value on an eggplant.” – Seaside Police Chief Nick Borges, speaking about a suspect who vandalized Capra Park and whether the cost of damages elevates the potential charges to a felony (see story, montereycountynow.com)

GOOD WEEK / GREAT WEEK

GOOD:

It took years for Seaside to plan and then remake lower Broadway Avenue in an effort to revitalize its downtown. The street went down from four lanes to two, bike lanes were added, sidewalks widened and lovely trees now line the thoroughfare. But there is only so much a city can do: Ultimately, the private sector has to do its part to launch businesses that will bring people into the mix. Other Brother Beer Co. was a huge get, and is now so popular it’s packed most nights. There’s also been the addition of a fancy, well-appointed cafe, a fine dining restaurant, a few cannabis dispensaries and more. In recent weeks, the transformation has continued as two new businesses have opened their doors – AMG Cyclery, which hosts a group bike ride on Friday, Sept. 13 at 6pm, and just a stone’s throw away is Monterey Clay Studio, which offers pottery classes for all skill levels.

GREAT:

Dr. Susan Swick, the first executive director of Ohana, Montage Health’s center for child and adolescent behavioral health, has been named Woman of the Year by Assemblymember Dawn Addis, D-Morro Bay, for her advancement of youth mental health treatment. Swick arrived in Monterey County about five years ago to shepherd the creation of the new center, hiring staff and expanding services to youth and their families while waiting for the physical facility to be built, a state-of-the-art compound designed to promote healing that opened last year. Swick also spent time connecting with others in the community, creating new programs in local schools and becoming a voice for what she calls youth “mental fitness,” teaching youth how to be resilient through stress and hard times. “It’s not about chasing happiness,” she told the Weekly last year. “It’s about how to face a challenge and meet it.”