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 San Diego Foundation is helping people displaced late last month by flooding, with $800,000 raised from private donors and philanthropic organizations. Plus, the flood damage across San Diego County is amplifying the already growing crisis of unhoused students trying to survive while attending school at the same time. A new project is offering rest and relief for those who need it most. In other news, in March, San Diegans will vote on who will replace Monica Montgomery Steppe as the District 4 city council member. We hear from the candidates.
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From clearing drainage channels to swift water rescue teams being at the ready, a look into how the city of San Diego and the county prepared for the latest storm. In other news, late last year, the Navy launched an investigation into a San Diego SEAL accused of having ties with extremists. We have more on what the SEAL is accused of, and the latest in that investigation. Plus, restoring the public’s trust in government has become a key issue in the Chula Vista city attorney election. We hear from candidates about why this issue has become so important.
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About 100 new tiny cabins are ready to house people who are homeless in San Diego County. In other news, an exhaustive study finds higher than normal body heat is found in people who suffer from depression, suggesting new ways of treatment. Plus, a culture war about what's appropriate at the library continues in Coronado.
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How flood victims are coping with more rain. In other news, the executive director of the San Diego Museum Council joins the podcast to talk about the details of February’s Museum Month. Plus, San Diego Opera opens its first grand opera of the season Friday, with a production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” We get a behind-the-scenes preview.
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The San Diego County Board of Supervisors this week voted 4-1 to approve an eviction moratorium in 11 zip codes. In those areas, residential evictions without “just cause” will be banned, and there will also be a delay in some residential rent increases. In other news, last year, the Biden Administration introduced a mobile app called CBP One, that’s aimed at helping asylum seekers. We check back a year later to see what has changed with the app. Plus, the James Beard Awards announced this year’s semifinalists for their esteemed culinary awards, and only one San Diego-area chef was among the nominees.
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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.
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.