Gabriela Fernandez
News DirectorGabriela Fernandez came to KCBX in May of 2022 as a general assignment reporter, and became news director in December of 2023. She graduated from Sacramento State with a BA in Political Science. During her senior year, she interned at CapRadio in their podcast department, and later worked for them as an associate producer on the TahoeLand podcast. When she's not writing or editing news stories, she loves to travel, play tennis and take her 140-lbs dog, Atlas, on long walks by the coast.
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Heavy rain and strong winds in the central coast prompted Governor Gavin Newsom to proclaim State of Emergencies for some California counties, including San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties.
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Heavy rain and high winds blew over an energized power line in Arroyo Grande, near The Pike. County officials issued a shelter in place for the area, meaning people should stay indoors until conditions are clear.
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An incoming atmospheric river prompted Santa Barbara County to issue evacuation orders and school closures.
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The central coast is home to the highest number of Western monarch butterflies, according to an annual count. But, the good news is tempered by the fact that the monarch butterfly’s population continues to decline across the United States.
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Groundwater across the United States is declining, especially in drier areas of the central coast where crops are grown, like Paso Robles and Santa Maria. But, a new UC Santa Barbara study confirms there are solutions.
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The Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, California’s last operating nuclear power plant, will continue to run until 2030. This week the Biden Administration finalized a billion-dollar aid-package to help keep the plant running.
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The California presidential primary, or Super Tuesday, is right around the corner, and San Luis Obispo County is looking to pay poll workers to help on election day, March 5th.
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A locally produced independent film is set to make its debut Saturday at Hearst Castle. It’s based on a local writer's personal experience with dementia.
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High tide is expected to be unusually high Thursday, and the California Coastal Commission is asking people to capture the event with a photo. It’s to help scientists visualize and study sea level rise around the world.
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El Nino conditions have arrived on the central coast causing 15-25 foot waves to pummel local beaches at the start of the new year. Local marine scientists said the giant waves may cause erosion in some areas.