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 Lawrence K. Jackson and produced by KPBS, San Diego and the Imperial County's NPR and PBS station.
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California launches a study that will explore how a state government backed public banking system might work. Meanwhile, an underutilized MTS parking lot in San Diego’s South Bay won approval on Thursday to be turned into a housing development. And, federal data shows San Diego has one of the highest inflation rates in the nation.
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The federal government announced on Wednesday that it would finally lift non-essential travel restrictions at U.S. ports of entry starting in November. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria thanked federal and local leaders but said the restrictions lasted too long. We look at what impact opening the border will have on San Diego. Meanwhile, federal agents are wrapping up their on-the-ground portion of the investigation into the plane crash in Santee that killed two and injured others, but many questions remain. Plus, some California cities see Project Homekey–an effort to fight homelessness across the state–as a way to turn neglected properties into something that improves the community as a whole.
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In Santee, family members and friends of those whose houses were destroyed by Monday’s deadly plane crash count their blessings. The National Transportation Safety Board continues the investigation. Meanwhile, the Chula Vista elementary school district now has electric school buses. And, San Diego’s first ever Filipino Film Festival is on.
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San Diego is one step closer to regulating short-term home rentals such as AirBnb's. Homeowners will need to be licensed and will pay fees to offer short-term rentals more than 20 days a year. Meanwhile, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance marked Indigenous Peoples’ Day by celebrating the Kumeyaay people. Plus, San Diego’s Rock 'n' Roll Marathon returns after being canceled due to the pandemic.
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Low intensity burns or prescribed fires are necessary to keep a forest healthy and to prevent large wildfires, many forest managers now believe. A new law in California is encouraging more controlled burns in the Golden State. Meanwhile, Californians can continue to take their favorite cocktails to-go also under a new law. Plus, one former military interpreter from San Diego is rebooting his life after a harrowing escape from Afghanistan.
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The school choice window is open now for six weeks for parents who want their children enrolled in a specific San Diego Unified school. Meanwhile, advocates are calling for the reopening of friendship park at the border. And, some military base names may be changing. Last month a federal commission began taking suggestions for replacing confederate names for military bases.
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A local elementary school was locked down on Wednesday because of an active shooter threat. We look at safety plans developed by the San Diego County Office of Education. Meanwhile, San Ysidro's long running issues with air pollution centers on the region's busy cross border traffic. Lengthy wait times at the border make the situation worse. Plus, San Diego County seeks to fight childhood obesity, a problem that has worsened during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Local leaders are calling for the protection of Southern California's beaches and diverse ecosystem by putting an end to offshore drilling. Plus: More on that massive oil spill off our California coastline, the push to put an end to free trash pickup for single-family homes in the city of San Diego and more of the local news you need. Keep this daily news podcast strong by becoming a KPBS member today at kpbs.org/donate.
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Concerns that the Orange County oil spill is moving south…and SeaWorld says it is on standby to help rescue sea animals. Meanwhile, a Scripps Research scientist has been awarded the Nobel Prize for his work on skin receptors. Plus, County Supervisor Jim Desmond wants placement rules for sexually violent predators changed to give communities more say.
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Changes are coming to local police departments after two new laws were signed last Thursday by Governor Gavin Newsom. Following the case of Britney Spears, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law that will reform California's conservator-ships. Plus, marines return home from a harrowing journey guarding the airport in Kabul.