KCLU Radio

29/07/2025

The Ventura County Community Foundation is joining forces with more than a dozen other local organizations to create what’s being called the “Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund.”

The partnership includes the Community Foundation, Ventura County, the Ventura County Office of Education, a number of banks and credit unions, and other organizations.

The Foundation is creating a committee of community leaders to oversee the distribution of funds to insure money ends up in the hands of those who really need help.

The Ventura County Community Foundation has joined forces with more than a dozen groups to create the 'Ventura County Neighbors Support Fund'

29/07/2025

It’s a battle that’s been going on for years. Sable Offshore Corporation has been working to repair and restart the oil pipeline which ruptured in 2015, causing a 144,000 gallon oil spill.

Sable says it plans to restart the pipeline and all of the dozens of wells on the platforms by the end of the year. Some of the wells on platform Harmony have been in operation for weeks, with the oil being stored.

But, the federal government issued a press release saying Sable’s restart of oil production is a significant achievement for the Interior Department. It said it aligns with the goals of the Trump-Vance Administration. The headline is 'Interior secures win for American Energy Dominance.'

Interior Department issues press release calling restart of platforms a 'significant achievement' for the agency. But, the fight continues over efforts to restart the pipeline to move the oil.

29/07/2025

California Attorney General Rob Bonta says HCA Healthcare required entry level nurses to repay the cost of a mandatory training program if they didn’t work for the company at least two years.

Bonta says the policy violates state employment laws. Investigators say it was used on nurses at HCA’s five California hospitals, including Los Robles Regional Medical Center in Thousand Oaks.

Settlement involves corporation which owns five California hospitals, including one in Ventura County.

29/07/2025

It happened just before 4 a.m. Saturday on Highway 118 north of Camarillo.

CHP officers say a speeding car veered off the road, hit a power pole, and then rolled over multiple times. A 25-year-old man who was a passenger in the car was pronounced dead at the scene. Officers arrested the driver on a DUI charge.

The names of the driver and victim in the crash haven’t been released, but they are both from Oxnard.

Automated iPhone crash notification alerted first responders to crash.

29/07/2025

It’s part of Santa Barbara County’s commitment to improve the climate.

"We are trying to target people who typically don't have the means or ability to make substantial energy upgrades to their homes," said Garrett Wong, Santa Barbara County’s Sustainability Division Manager.

He said qualifying households can receive up to $500 in plug-in appliances. "Households can choose either an air conditioning unit, portable or window mounted, smaller items like you'd use in kitchens, like an induction cook top, or an electric instant pot, or an electric kettle," said Wong.

Applications will be accepted for the program through August 22.

The program is trying to steer people away from pollution-emitting gas devices. Qualifying individuals or households can receive a variety of electric items.

29/07/2025

Wallis Annenberg was the heiress to Walter Annenberg, whose publishing empire included TV Guide. Over the years, she helped fund things like a building at the California Science Center in Los Angeles and a performing arts center in Beverly Hills. During her tenure, the foundation gave about $1.5 billion dollars to nonprofit groups.

The foundation contributed 26 million dollars to the project to build the world’s largest wildlife crossing, which spans Highway 101 in Agoura Hills.

Annenberg died Monday at her home in Los Angeles following a battle with lung cancer. She was 86 years old.

Wallis Annenberg funded $1.5 billion in arts, education, and nature projects through her family foundation.

28/07/2025

"He's my baby, he's my best friend, he is my guy," said Alex Murad. "We spend all day, every day together basically."

Albert was rescued by the Murad family to their ranch near Ojai, three years ago. Since then, he’s become an unlikely sensation on social media.

"He's got a following. Post a picture of Albert, boom! They can't get enough of him," said Murad.

It’s a surprise to find a camel living in Southern California, but Alex said he can't imagine life without his quirky best friend.

28/07/2025

A Central Coast college has a new police chief who's already a familiar face in Tri-Counties law enforcement. Robert Plastino was sworn in on Friday as Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s Police Chief. He'll oversee 22 officers.

Plastino spent nearly three decades with the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. He takes over the chief’s position from George Hughes, who was promoted to Cal Poly's Associate Vice President of Public Safety.

New chief comes from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office.

28/07/2025

"He's my baby, he's my best friend, he is my guy," said Alex Murad. "We spend all day, every day together basically."

Albert was rescued by the Murad family to their ranch near Ojai, three years ago. Since then, he’s become an unlikely sensation on social media.

"He's got a following. Post a picture of Albert, boom! They can't get enough of him," said Murad.

It’s a surprise to find a camel living in Southern California, but Alex said he can't imagine life without his quirky best friend.

Albert the camel has millions of views on social media.

25/07/2025

Here's one of the top stories KCLU covered this week:

A Ventura County non-profit hosted a back-to-school event earlier this week. It aimed to ensure that underserved families in the county get school supplies for their kids.

Pablo Hernandez, a father of three from Santa Paula, picked up school essentials such as pencils for his school-age children.

"It's a lot of help for the kids,” he told KCLU. “…it's going to prepare them better for school."

The one-day event was hosted by School on Wheels and Catholic Charities in Ventura. Sarah Fraza with School on Wheels told us that the event removes financial barriers for kids to thrive at school. It also removes stigmas and gives kids dignity, without their families worrying about the cost of school supplies.

Fraza added that it’s a way to provide community support during an uncertain time.

"Especially with all the changes that are happening right now with our government and in our communities. With ICE coming through, we want to create a sense of safety in our community and a sense of love and wrapping everybody with a lot of support…”

For this story and more visit kclu.org

NPR Affiliate for Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo County

25/07/2025

The elimination of federal funding for public radio means KCLU will lose $300,000 this year—but our commitment to serve the Tri-Counties remains strong. We can do it with your help.

Support KCLU by giving now at KCLU.org/give.

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25/07/2025

It’s a legendary surf spot. It's also closed to the public. But this weekend, Naval Base Ventura County will be hosting a surf contest near the Pelican Point surf break.

"Some of the contestants travel from all over the world to participate in the Point Mugu Surf Contest just because of its renowned location," explained Lt.j.g. Drew Verbis from Naval Base Ventura County.

Parking, admission, and seating are free at the two-day event, which runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday.

Naval Base Ventura County will welcome the public to watch surfers compete at usually off-limits beaches.