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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As the number of homeless encampment bans in San Diego County grows, advocates warn that they do more harm than good. Plus, for the first time, August will be Transgender History Month in San Diego. And, new research by UC San Diego says parents are feeling burnt out. The data is being looked at by policymakers to bring change.
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Local fire departments have deployed their firefighters to help fight the Park Fire in Northern California. In other news, as summer comes to an end and back-to-school preparations begin, county health officials are urging parents to consider the HPV vaccine to protect their adolescent children against cancer. Plus, the U.S. Men’s Water Polo team is facing off against Romania Tuesday at the Olympics, and a San Diegan is on the team. We hear from the former Santana High water polo player.
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Under President Joe Biden, families have been separated after being detained in open air sites like the ones in Jacumba. In other cases, family members are sent to detention centers in different border cities, or some family members are allowed to enter the country while others are turned away. Then, the city of San Diego could require all-gender restrooms on new or significantly renovated city property. Then, a SDSU scientist is trying to learn whether lizards in the city have evolved to adapt to city life.
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Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday issued an executive order directing state agencies to clear all homeless encampments statewide. In other news, two Lincoln High School sumo wrestlers qualified for the junior world championship in Poland, now they just need money to go. Plus, San Diego Comic-Con is in full swing downtown, and this year, Hollywood is making a grand return.
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Following the Supreme Court ruling that allows cities to ban homeless encampments on public property, the San Marcos City Council approved its own ban this week. In other news, state and local leaders are continuing their calls for the federal government to move nuclear waste away from the San Onofre power plant. Plus, the first full day of Comic-Con is today.
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California voters will be faced with a choice this November of whether to enshrine same-sex marriage rights in the state constitution. In other news, this September, hundreds of firefighters from across the country will be in San Diego for the Women in Fire International Conference. Plus, tonight, Comic-Con kicks off a four-day celebration of pop culture.
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Nurses at Rady Children’s Hospital are holding a two-day strike to draw attention to cost of living and other concerns. Plus, Vista’s Green Oak Ranch gets a new owner with a history of helping families experiencing homelessness. And, how the art of cosplay helps build community among Comic-Con attendees.
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San Diego's city council is hustling to fill vacancies on the Privacy Advisory Board, because Mayor Todd Gloria hasn’t acted. In other news, public transit passengers in San Diego can now pay their fares with the tap of a credit card or smartphone. Plus, the 85th summer season of the Del Mar race tracks opened on Saturday and runs through Sept. 8.
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San Diego congressman Juan Vargas says he’s feeling hopeful about the cross-border sewage problem. In other news, after numerous delays and repairs, the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer has resumed its deployment. Plus, the San Diego Pride Parade marks its 50th anniversary on Saturday. It’s one of the largest and oldest Pride celebrations in the U.S., and San Diego is also home to one of the oldest gay bars in the country, which turns 100 this year.
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The advisory board tasked with reviewing San Diego’s use of surveillance technology, can’t meet because more than half of its seats are vacant. Also, county officials are reminding people to get vaccinated for MPOX. And, it’s been 40 years since a gunman killed 21 people at a San Ysidro McDonald's. We check in with survivors.
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.