50th District Candidate, Ammar Campa-Najjar participated in an interview last week with a group called Defend East County. In the interview, Campa-Najjar made a number of controversial comments that have angered Democratic supporters. And, things are still rough for the San Diego tourism industry but the region's top tourism booster is hopeful. Plus, Prop 14 is asking voters to approve $5.5 billion in bonds to fund stem cell research. Supporters want the money to continue the science, but critics say the science didn’t do enough the first time.

The outcome of the race to fill the District 3 seat for county supervisors could shift the political balance in San Diego. And... California’s EDD - the unemployment office - has made some improvements but is still facing criticism. Plus, state education experts are warning that children who have missed out on learning due to the pandemic may have learning challenges going forward.

In this episode of San Diego News Matters, we’ll go over election races and debates; the San Diego Mayoral Forum, the 49th Congressional District race San Diego County Supervisor race in District 1, and the 50th and 52nd Congressional District races. Plus, part two of how Covid-19 Metrics are calculated with KPBS’ Trigger Trackers.

An El Cajon nursing home provided its residents with far less care than regulators expected while reporting millions in yearly profits, according to a KPBS analysis of its finances. Plus, Governor Gavin Newsom reveals more ambitious goals to fight climate change -- meanwhile one of his staff members tests positive for COVID-19. And, the state is adding a new metric to how it calculates the Covid-19 tiers in it’s colored rating system for counties.

After months and weeks of anticipation, registered voters in California will all automatically receive mail-in ballots in coming days. The message from officials -- send it in early. Also, as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn continue, communities across the country are seeing an upsurge in mental illness and addiction. In City Heights, a group of addiction specialists have gone online to meet with people in crisis. Plus, an investigation into a nursing home in Chula Vista finds poor state and federal oversight allows abuse to occur.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has nominated the first openly gay Black man to the state Supreme Court. Also, landlords can begin filing eviction notices for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. As a result, tenants were protesting outside of the courts in downtown San Diego Monday. Plus, a deep dive into the race to replace Democrat Susan Davis in the 53rd Congressional District.

The two candidates vying to be San Diego’s next mayor would each likely take the city in different directions on issues like affordable housing, transportation and climate action. Also, deadly wildfires in California have burned more than 4 million acres (6,250 square miles) this year — more than double the previous record.. Most of that acreage has been in California’s Wine Country at the height of this year’s harvest. Plus, a fact check on what is and isn’t allowed at the voter polls this November.

New COVID-19 testing sites have opened just for teachers and school staff. All school staff who interact with children must be tested every two months. The County Office of Education says that means 40,000 tests per month. Also, after a positive coronavirus test within the San Diego City Council chambers - questions swirl over what to do next And, a preview of KPBS’ Trigger Tracker, where we examine the 13 data points used to track the coronavirus in San Diego.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Thursday that makes California the first state in the nation to study the issue of reparations for the descendents of enslaved people. Also, As many as 5,000 childcare providers have already closed statewide after the onset of the pandemic. Child care workers are calling it a crisis for the industry.. Plus,as elections heat up, we have fact checks on campaign ads. Also, will California voters decide to bring back affirmative action in public schools and government jobs?

San Diego County will stay in the State’s Red Tier for COVID restrictions, County supervisors say, despite exceeding the state’s Covid-19 metrics. Plus, after being blocked from slides and swings for six months due to the pandemic, kids can now use any outdoor playground regardless of what tier their county falls in, according to new state guidelines. Also, San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit promised a thorough investigation into allegations that one of his officers mocked on social media a roadside memorial for a robbery suspect fatally shot by that lawman three months ago.