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.
-
The San Diego City Council is reconsidering a key transparency pledge regarding how the city uses surveillance technology. In other news, more SDG&E natural gas customers are getting money back thanks to a utility review that happened after KPBS raised questions about a Fallbrook customer’s oversized bill. Plus, KPBS’ arts reporter has the 411 on Comic-Con.
-
For many residents of City Heights, the 15 freeway that runs through the neighborhood isn't a harmless piece of infrastructure, it's a nuisance, creating noise and air pollution. The freeway was built with several amenities that were meant to mitigate its harmful impacts, but decades later, the promise of reconnecting City Heights remains unfulfilled. In other news, the San Diego Foundation recently awarded millions of dollars in scholarships to local college students. Plus, while two Hollywood strikes mean actors and writers can't promote their projects at this week's San Diego Comic-Con, the show must go on, and the Gaslamp Quarter is beginning to transform.
-
San Diego Gas and Electric is reacting to an oversized natural gas bill, after KPBS brought the issue to their attention. In other news, the Village Health Center at Father Joe’s is now open after flooding caused major damage this past spring. Plus, a local artistic director talks about why she chose to study the transgender singing voice.
-
Five former San Diego State University football players accused of rape will get their day in court Friday. In other news, most natural gas customers got big bills this past winter, but few people got the bill surprise that came for one North County resident. Plus, the San Diego Unified School District is more than doubling the number of community schools opening in the district this fall.
-
It's expensive to live in San Diego, but a new report has a big surprise when it comes to renting a place in the city. In other news, the Americans with Disabilities Act requires the city of San Diego to offer sign language interpreters for all of its programs. Plus, Tijuana’s Little League All Star team is headed to the World Series.
-
Pride events are taking place across the country amid growing threats of violence against the LGBTQ+ community and an increasingly charged political environment, and one way that’s impacting Pride organizations’ bottom lines is with skyrocketing insurance costs. In other news, San Diego wants to crack down on companies that dig up city streets without properly fixing them after. Plus, San Diego residents are getting acquainted with the stinky, smelly part of their garbage, as organic recycling expands in the city.
-
A California law says when a person with visible injuries shows up at a hospital, and domestic violence is suspected, medical staff must notify police, but a proposed bill would leave the decision to contact police up to the victim. In other news, we have details on a one-time benefit that thousands of students and their families are eligible for, to help with food costs during summer vacation. To learn more go to www.sdhunger.org, or call the state hotline at 1-(800)-887-8230. Plus, insurance is getting more difficult to get in California, and it’s not just homeowners insurance anymore, the issues are now leaching into the car insurance market too.
-
San Diego County leaders are calling on landlords to make rooms and apartments available to homeless veterans who have been granted vouchers from the VA, yet still can’t find housing. In other news, Ann Hamilton’s public art piece “Kahnop: To Tell a Story” is the latest addition to the Stuart Collection at UC San Diego. Plus, we have details on the 11th annual PAWmicon happening this Sunday.
-
The pride display at the Rancho Peñasquitos library branch is filled with books again, after two anti-LGBTQ+ protestors checked out everything on the shelf. In other news, empowering people who have experienced mental health challenges to use their story to impact policy is the goal behind a program launched this year by a local nonprofit. Plus, the cost and availability of child care often prevents both parents from taking on full-time jobs, and for parents in law enforcement, odd working hours only raise those barriers. Now, some agencies are trying to help their staff with child care.
-
Local academics recently reviewed the Twitter accounts of San Diego County elected officials dating back to 2018. They found women are more likely than their male counterparts to be threatened over social media. Then, the impact of increasing Medi-Cal reimbursement rates. Plus, details on fireworks shows across San Diego County.
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.