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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A landslide on the tracks in San Clemente is still impacting trains coming in and out of North San Diego County, a week later. In other news, a San Diego biotech company is working with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, hoping to decode koala genomes. Plus, the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival kicks off Wednesday night, at the Garfield Theater in La Jolla.
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Following last week’s storm, some families in National City are unable to return to their rented homes. Then, some environmental groups have been locked in a nine month long legal battle with the state over new solar rules. They’re now taking their claim to California’s Supreme Court. Finally, a state program will be doling out $250 million to first time homebuyers this spring.
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Advocates say new high-tech vending machines inside San Diego jails are the first of their kind in the U.S. to offer life-saving drugs to the most at-risk. In other news, youth across the country are facing a mental health crisis. We learn about two new, free smartphone apps to help them manage their mental health. Plus, over the years, something has been happening to the way kids play. Kids’ lives have become less freewheeling and more structured, and some experts say kids may be losing more than we think.
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North County Transit District will receive $53.9 million in federal funding for improvements to the San Dieguito River Railway Bridge. The bridge will be replaced, moving from a single track to a double track and raising the height of the tracks. Then, an independent investigation released by Metropolitan Transit System found former San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher had no involvement with the firing of a former MTS employee who has accused him of sexual harassment and assault. Finally, Black Comix Day is an annual event that puts the spotlight on Black creators in the comic book industry. It’s happening Feb. 3-4 at the WorldBeat Cultural Center.
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The San Diego City Council Tuesday approved substantial changes to the city’s surveillance transparency law, but privacy advocates say the changes water down hard-fought reforms. In other news, we learn about a new program aiming to shift money San Diego County already spends on food, to spending it on food grown by the county’s farmers. Plus, a former whites-only neighborhood could become San Diego's largest historic district.
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We learn about a new effort by San Diego County to support local farmers. In other news, we look at the damage Monday’s storm caused and what caused the intensity of the rainfall. Plus, how kids can participate in the Great Kindness Challenge this week.
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Two Navy Seals declared dead after going into the ocean off the coast of Somalia this month were identified Monday as members of a San Diego-based unit. In other news, San Diego nonprofit Pillars of the Community held the first of what they say will be regular clinics to help San Diegans seal their criminal records. Plus, school buses to transport students on field trips can cost hundreds of dollars that districts can’t cover. We learn about an organization that has had to temporarily put the brakes on new requests for field trip funding, to support children who need it most.
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The practice of medicine is changing as technology and the information it gathers is empowering patients. Now you can check in with your body anytime you want. In other news, the CEO of the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness joins the podcast to talk about Thursday’s Point in Time Count. Plus, San Diego County is now offering a program to help first time home buyers.
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Chula Vista is appealing a ruling on its police department’s controversial drone program to the state supreme court. The case stems from a journalist’s request for footage captured by surveillance drones. In other news, there's a growing movement to make family-size apartments easier to build with a simple change to the building code. Plus, the Sweetwater Union High School District is taking voter registration directly to its students.
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A search continues off the coast of Somalia for two Navy Seals lost at sea since last Thursday. We have more on what happened and the possible San Diego connection. In other news, updated guidance from the California Department of Public Health no longer requires people to isolate if they have COVID, but are asymptomatic. Plus, San Diego officials marked an important milestone Wednesday in the years-long restoration of the Botanical Building in Balboa Park.
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.