San Diego News Now

KPBS Public Media

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San Diego news; when you want it, where you want it. Get local stories on politics, education, health, environment, the border and more. New episodes are ready weekday mornings. Hosted by Debbie Cruz and produced by KPBS, San Diego and the Imperial County's NPR and PBS station.

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941 episodes

Update on sexual assault lawsuit against Nathan Fletcher

We have an update in the sexual assault lawsuit against former San Diego County supervisor Nathan Fletcher. In other news, we hear about how an El Cajon school is addressing mental health head-on with their curriculum. Plus, the San Diego Padres play the San Francisco Giants again Friday in the second of a three-game series, after beating the Giants in Thursday’s home opener.

15m
Mar 29, 2024
Shelter for LGBTQ+ youth opens in Vista

A new shelter for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness is now open in Vista. In other news, CDC data shows a rising number of high school students have seriously considered suicide. Part 2 in our school mental health series, looks at barriers for students seeking help. Plus, the Balboa Theater is celebrating its 100th birthday.

15m
Mar 28, 2024
San Diego connection to SCOTUS abortion pill case

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case on a widely used abortion medication with potential nationwide implications. In other news, CDC data shows that a rising number of high school students are reporting poor mental health. This week, our newsroom is looking at mental health in schools. Plus, the San Diego Unified School Board was supposed to consider a resolution recognizing April as Arab American Heritage month, but the item was unexpectedly pulled from the agenda.

14m
Mar 27, 2024
Record number of migrant drowning deaths

Last year was one of the deadliest years on record for migrants. Tougher enforcement along the border pushes migrants to cross in more dangerous areas. Now, lifeguards are seeing a spike in drownings. In other news, the years-long cross-border pollution problem took a big step toward a solution over the weekend when President Biden signed the new federal budget. Plus, San Diego is updating its master plan for growth and development.

12m
Mar 26, 2024
New affordable housing in City Heights

There are two new affordable housing projects in City Heights. Developer Wakeland Housing held a grand opening for City Heights Place and City Heights Plaza Del Sol Friday. In other news, we hear a preview of a new KPBS series about the child care crisis in San Diego. Plus, along the edge of San Diego's freeways, patches of wildflowers are bursting to life. We learn about the history behind why there are so many blooms on highway medians.

11m
Mar 25, 2024
A different approach to homelessness

Many California cities have turned to law and order policies as the homelessness crisis spins out of control. National City, however, is trying a different approach: Instead of police, experienced caseworkers provide outreach to people experiencing homelessness. Plus, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria announced his pick for the next San Diego Police chief — Assistant Police Chief Scott Wahl. The City Council will meet in the coming weeks to interview Wahl for the job. And ambulance company AMR has introduced a new training program aimed at hiring more female emergency technicians.

13m
Mar 22, 2024
UC workers speak out for better pay

Frontline workers in the University of California system demonstrate for better pay and benefits due to the rising cost of living. Also, San Diego rent prices remain among the highest in the nation, according to a new report. And, activists preserve art removed during recent border wall construction.

14m
Mar 21, 2024
Protecting service workers from wage theft

Local action to protect workers from wage theft, a weather expert explains the recent strong storms in San Diego and KPBS launches the “Where’s Your Village” online series to help local families with childcare resources and advice.

15m
Mar 20, 2024
Public officials can be sued for blocking critics on social media

A recent supreme court decision says officials can be sued for blocking their critics on social media. The case involves a lawsuit filed against two elected officials in Poway. In other news, San Diegans impacted by the severe January storms now have until Friday to apply for disaster CalFresh benefits. Plus, we learn about the high-tech ways the San Diego County Water Authority is keeping the water flowing to the county’s nearly 3.5 million people.

11m
Mar 19, 2024
New program fast-tracks housing permits

The city of San Diego is launching a program to fast-track housing permits for projects that are part of a program that prioritizes development near public transit. Then, the Department of Veteran Affairs aims to place at least 851 veterans experiencing homelessness into permanent housing in 2024. Plus, SDG&E bills are going up. The utility company is raising rates a month after reporting profits.

12m
Mar 18, 2024
Higher home insurance rates

State Farm has the green light to raise the rates it charges California homeowners by 20-percent. Then, Surf Sports Park in Del Mar is caught up in controversy, and a lawsuit, for events happening on its fields. Plus, researchers from San Diego State University and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance are using new technology to study snakes.

12m
Mar 15, 2024
Local groups debate the value of San Diego’s electrical grid

San Diego Gas and Electric and the group advocating for a municipal utility system are sparring over the value of the city’s electrical grid. In other news, Sepsis is a disease that's quite deadly and still somewhat a mystery. At UC San Diego, doctors and med-tech engineers are trying to crack the code with new diagnostic techniques and artificial intelligence. Plus, dozens of San Diego high school students can see a little bit better today, thanks to free eye exams and a new pair of glasses.

11m
Mar 14, 2024
Mayor Gloria addresses the cost of living in San Diego

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria discusses how the city is trying to address the high cost of housing. In other news, San Diego County is developing an affordable housing complex in Chollas View. Plus, San Diego and National City have been selected for a state grant to help reconnect communities that were divided by freeways.

16m
Mar 13, 2024
The Coastal Commission and the state’s climate, housing goals

For more than 50 years, the California Coastal Commission has been tasked with protecting the state's coastline from unchecked development, but critics say the commission has gotten too powerful and is working against the state's housing and climate goals. In other news, a running club by and for women of color has taken off in south San Diego. Plus, the Clippers minor league is coming to San Diego.

11m
Mar 12, 2024
Nonprofit helps flood victims replace necessary medical items

Many victims of the January flooding lost their homes and possessions, including medical items that keep them alive and healthy. Now, a local nonprofit is helping victims replace them. In other news, a KPBS investigation found that Frontwave Credit Union in Oceanside systematically enrolls Marine recruits when they come through boot camp in San Diego. The company then profits when the Marines run out of money. Plus, San Diego just finished a pilot program giving low-income families monthly cash with no strings attached. We learn about its impact on families.

15m
Mar 11, 2024
Associated Students at UCSD call for university to divest from Israel

UC San Diego’s student government group has passed a resolution calling on the university to divest from Israel. In other news, community advocates rallied Thursday in front of the Vista Detention Facility to protest the latest in-custody death that happened last weekend. Plus, a San Diego Restaurant Week spokesperson joins the podcast to talk about restaurants participating in the event and the deals you can snag this weekend.

12m
Mar 08, 2024
Protestors at UCSD call for cease-fire in Gaza

A huge crowd gathered at UC San Diego Wednesday afternoon to call for a cease-fire in Gaza. In other news, the federal government is tightening the standards for acceptable amounts of soot pollution in the air, and the rules could push San Diego out of compliance with clean air laws. Plus, San Diego State University had a special ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, to officially open its new River Park in Mission Valley.

12m
Mar 07, 2024
Unofficial primary election results

We bring you unofficial results from some of the local, state and national races in the 2024 primary election.

10m
Mar 06, 2024
New homeless shelter near Vista opens

A new shelter has just opened to help the homeless in North County. In other news, a new Rapid bus line in the South Bay has survived a campaign to get rid of it. Plus, a generation ago, Congress passed the so-called Motor Voter law to reduce barriers to voting, but fast forward to today, voter registration has steadily increased, but turnout remains uneven. We learn more about the law.

12m
Mar 05, 2024
Navy ship deployment delayed because of negligence

A Navy investigation says negligence by leaders on the USS Boxer led to major delays, delaying the ship’s deployment for more than a year. In other news, the presidential primary election is taking place tomorrow. We have details on how you can still vote. Plus, for many of us, just hearing John Lennon’s name makes dozens of songs come to mind, but what you might not know about Lennon, is that along with the music, there was art. We have details on where you can see that art in San Diego.

10m
Mar 04, 2024
Gov. Newsom in San Diego to support Proposition 1

Governor Newsom was in San Diego Thursday, appearing alongside local leaders, to rally support for Proposition 1. In other news, one of our newsroom’s reporters joins the podcast to talk about some of the city of San Diego races on the March 5th primary ballot, and what to expect after the polls close. Plus, Escondido has adopted a new, controversial policy on homelessness. It rejects a housing first model and instead takes what it’s calling a public safety first approach.

13m
Mar 01, 2024
No funding for migrant services plan

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors this week approved a long-term plan to address migrant services, but there is no funding to put that plan into action. In other news, the city of Vista is working on a cannabis equity policy after the city council reviewed recommendations this week. Plus, there is healing happening right now at one High Tech High campus in Clairemont Mesa. We learn about a new curriculum promoting positive mental health for students.

11m
Feb 29, 2024
Migrant advocates overwhelmed after Welcome Center closes

The San Diego County Migrant Welcome Center abruptly closed last week. The closure has forced advocates for migrants and asylum seekers to work around the clock. In other news, the Sempra earnings report released yesterday caused a stir among advocates lobbying to replace SDG&E with a municipal utility. Plus, there’s a new classroom on wheels in the San Diego Unified School District. We learn about San Diego's latest food truck.

11m
Feb 28, 2024
More resources for San Diegans impacted by January floods

The Small Business Administration opened a center Monday in National City to help those recovering from last month's devastating floods. In other news, California is one of eight states joining a federal lawsuit to block the merger of Kroger and Albertsons. Plus, ahead of the March 5 primary election, we learn about the election in San Diego’s District 9, which is arguably the most diverse district in the city, encompassing wealthy neighborhoods like Kensington and financially challenged areas like City Heights.

10m
Feb 27, 2024
Migrants being dropped off on San Diego streets

San Diego County shut down its Migrant Welcome Center last week, and border officials will now continue to drop migrants off on San Diego streets. In other news, local scientists may have discovered a birth control pill for men. We hear about the science that stopped sperm production in mice. Plus, voters in the city of San Diego have one local ballot measure to consider in the March 5 primary. We learn about how Measure A would impact the office of the city auditor.

11m
Feb 26, 2024
How last month’s flooding is impacting voting

A local community organization that helps mobilize voters is facing added challenges after last month’s flooding. In other news, dozens of students from San Diego Unified high schools have just accepted a challenge to find solutions to critical problems in their communities. Plus, giant pandas could be back at the San Diego Zoo this summer.

15m
Feb 23, 2024
The road to recovery from last month’s storm

One month ago today, disaster came to San Diego, when a heavy downpour soaked the city. We hear from some of the people who suffered losses from the storm, to see how their recovery is going. In other news, this week KPBS gathered 15 community leaders from across the South Bay at the San Ysidro library to hear what’s top of mind for them as the election approaches. Plus, we hear from a San Diego librarian who’s had to confront attempted censorship.

14m
Feb 22, 2024
How San Diegans can apply for disaster assistance

The federal government is stepping in to help people whose homes and businesses were damaged in last month's historic storms. In other news, with just two weeks to go before the primary election, Chula Vista District 4 city councilmember Andrea Cardenas resigned Monday afternoon. We learn about what this decision means for Chula Vista voters. Plus, the city of San Diego has settled a lawsuit over its climate action plan.

14m
Feb 21, 2024
City of Carlsbad declares another storm-related emergency

As more rain is ready to hit San Diego County, Carlsbad has declared its third storm-related emergency in recent weeks. In other news, California State University professors and other faculty have approved a new contract. Plus, Point Loma Nazarene University is hosting the 29th annual Writer’s Symposium by the Sea this week. We hear from one of the writers appearing at this year’s festival.

12m
Feb 20, 2024
Nonprofit helps flood victims clear out damaged properties

A California based nonprofit is helping local flood victims clear out their damaged properties. In other news, we’re continuing to bring you information on some of the local races on the primary ballot. Today we learn about the five candidates running for San Diego mayor, and some of the candidates running for Chula Vista’s District 3 seat. Plus, Tuesday, the Oceanside International Film Festival kicks off five days of films, discussions and parties.

14m
Feb 19, 2024