SB 9 allows homeowners to split their lots in two and sell off their excess land. After a slow start, the law is starting to produce results in San Diego. And, San Diego launched an online dashboard this week that aims to increase transparency and accountability around its climate action goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. Plus, Balboa Park’s Japanese Friendship Garden has a new exhibition that’s perfect for Halloween.

Shifting soil has plagued the coastal rail line between San Diego and Orange counties the past few years, often causing monthslong shutdowns. Now the project to fix the rail is getting a $125 million financial boost from the state. And last week, the Pentagon upgraded discharge codes for hundreds of LGBTQ+ veterans. The problem is it only applied to those forced out under Don't Ask, Don't Tell, leaving out the thousands separated before that became policy. Plus, a new documentary focuses on efforts to get Iraqi refugees living in El Cajon counted in the 2020 U.S. Census.

Work is now underway at the Oceanside Pier to remove debris from a fire earlier this year. In other news, by the end of 2024, the city of San Diego is expected to lose more than 600 shelter beds for people experiencing homelessness. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria wants to address that by expanding the city’s safe sleeping site program. Plus, we hear from Democratic Congresswoman Sara Jacobs about the upcoming election.

This week the nonprofit EcoFlight gave a group of advocates, nonprofit leaders and government representatives a bird’s eye view of the Tijuana River Valley. In other news, voters across San Diego County will decide on local tax measures this year. We learn about the tax proposals in Chula Vista and National City. Plus, one of our KPBS web producers joins the podcast to talk about the KPBS Voter Guide.

Nine months ago today, an overflowing storm channel flooded San Diego homes, making them unlivable. Now there’s a call for accountability and transparency about the response. In other news, this fall, low-income community college students who live in Mexico, but go to school in San Diego or Imperial county will pay in-state tuition. Plus, local Democrats are supporting a plan to expand access to contraceptives.

College students across California were arrested this year protesting university investment supporting Israel, and now, some UC San Diego students are getting a crash course on legal defense. In other news, young adults with disabilities are gaining valuable work experience while helping shelter dogs become more adoptable. Plus, we have details on San Diego Comic Fest, which returns this week.

One reason for long border wait times at the San Ysidro border crossing is one of the pedestrian crossings hasn’t been fully operational since before the pandemic. In other news, with insurance companies dropping customers and pulling out of California, some homeowners are now going for an out-of-state solution, but that coverage comes with a risk. Plus, we have details on the University Heights Fall Festival happening Saturday.

The city of San Diego is asking voters whether to increase the local sales tax this November. City leaders say they need more funding to pay for infrastructure repairs, but opponents want the city to cut spending instead. In other news, the results of an audit of the state program that determines the placement of sexually violent predators. Plus, the impact of military spending on the San Diego region.

In Chula Vista, homeowners can build one ADU on their property. Now, the city will research whether to allow two. And, we take a look at what's at stake in this election, both nationally and in the region. Plus, thousands of sailors on the USS Roosevelt returned home after an extended deployment to the Middle East.

As more unaccompanied children seek asylum in the U.S., the federal government is struggling to find appropriate housing for them. We hear from an asylum seeker. In other news, Project 2025 could limit prosecutors’ power to decide which cases to pursue. Plus, Carlsbad’s New Village Arts Center is showing its first work by a Native American playwright, and it spotlights the hypocrisies of woke America.