San Diego News Now

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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The candidates for county supervisor in District 1 are slinging accusations back and forth — what’s true and what isn’t? And, UC San Diego Health laid off hundreds. Find out how many and why. Then, ICE detained the U.S. citizen-children during a raid in search of their father. Hear what one of them is saying about it. Also, a new federal report reveals possible causes of the Oceanside pier fire. Finally, an update on a funding fight for the water garden at Cuyamaca College.
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New data shows rents rise slower in areas of San Diego where more homes are permitted. Then, the city of San Diego is considering increasing the minimum wage for hospitality workers. Also, we evaluate some of the claims made by candidates in the San Diego County District 1 election. Finally, local researchers say more baby boomers are consuming cannabis
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A nationwide study shows how access to Medicaid saved lives. Then, business leaders are voicing their opposition to a proposal to raise the minimum wage to $25 an hour in the city of San Diego. , Plus, federal funding cuts threaten a local school district’s program that provides resources to families of children with behavioral challenges.
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The San Diego City Council overruled several of Mayor Todd Gloria’s line-item vetoes in next year’s budget. Then, we have a conversation with renowned activist and organizer Dolores Huerta about the ongoing mass deportations. And the shake table at UCSD was rocking Monday, find out why. Also, hear about why transit advocates are concerned SANDAG could move to limit options on its proposed Del Mar train tunnels. Finally, a new development in San Diego County is the first-ever fire-resilient community in the country — hear about where and what it costs.
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While San Diego County’s COVID-19 case numbers remain low, hospitalizations increased slightly in the last month. Then, today the San Diego City Council will consider whether to override Mayor Todd Gloria's partial veto of the council's budget. Plus, a profile of a rock and roll legend who got her start in National City.
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The U.S. Transportation Secretary came to San Diego to push for the passage of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill. But, financial privacy advocates worry about a new tax buried in the bill. And, a local sailor is forced out of the military by Trump’s new transgender service ban.
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An opinion editor at the San Diego Union-Tribune speaks to KPBS about her abrupt firing this week. And UCSD researchers are using their shake lab to test a new type of steel. Voice of San Diego CEO Scott Lewis is back to talk about the city’s new budget. Then, organizers of last weekend’s “No Kings” protest say even more people than the 60,000 that were initially estimated marched in San Diego. Finally, hear how the World Beat Cultural Center is honoring Juneteenth.
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ICE’s deportation quotas and Trump’s orders to target “Democrat-run cities” might put San Diego in the administration’s crosshairs. And with the resulting social unrest, local artists are responding. Then, the city is changing its ADU bonus program — find out more about its new limits. Finally, Imperial County has a new CEO with a new higher salary — hear about why some local leaders are questioning the timing of the hire
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Tuesday an appeals court will hear arguments on whether President Donald Trump must return authority over the California National Guard back to Governor Gavin Newsom. And, reports of immigrant detentions following court hearings are increasing, including one targeting a refugee from Afghanistan who helped U.S. troops. Then, in North County, a local station created to keep the Pala Reservation informed during emergencies, is also preserving indigenous culture.
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Tens of thousands of people protested across San Diego County Saturday, hear what one organizer had to say about it. And a UCSD physician and former CDC adviser says some of the agency’s new vaccine advisers — including one linked to an anti-vaccine group — could cost lives. Then, the city is now working with a nonprofit to provide life-saving drugs to people overdosing on opiods. Finally, Imperial County is considering a new plan on how to spend millions generated from the lithium-mining industry — written only in English. Hear how a new state law could force local governments to provide information in Spanish as well.
Debbie Cruz is the local anchor for All Things Considered and the host of the San Diego News Now podcast. Debbie has over 20 years of experience in the news industry. She joined KPBS in 2020.