Good morning, Ventura.

Food Share, the Oxnard-based food bank, reported potential funding cuts to its CalFood program just as food demand surged, with 700 to 1,000 cars picking up food each week at its drive-thru distribution.

Officials said revised state spending in May may force the nonprofit to adjust its services.

Gas prices in California dropped for the third consecutive week on April 20, down to $5.65 per gallon from $5.73 per gallon, according to the EIA, + traders expect a further rise of 20 to 30 cents amid ongoing market volatility.

Voters in Ventura County choose a new education leader on June 2 as incumbent César Morales competes with Karen Sher and Maggie Marschner — the contest centers on stability versus accountability for the agency overseeing 20 school districts.

Las Virgenes–Triunfo Joint Powers Authority began work on a $304-million advanced water purification facility in Conejo Valley on April 10.

The project will install a reverse osmosis pipeline through Thousand Oaks causing lane closures on key roads, with some work starting next month and lasting until March 2028.

The Ventura County Medical Examiner’s Office reported 216 overdose deaths in 2025 in the area—showing an 8% rise from 2024 and over a 25% drop from 2021.

Most fatalities were accidental and involved opioids, with methamphetamine overdoses up nearly 17%, highlighting ongoing public health challenges.