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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A KPBS analysis finds the new proposed ADU rules in San Diego would make it significantly more difficult to build in the city’s whitest and wealthiest neighborhoods. Then, find out which issue UC San Diego researchers say has broad support among Republican and Democrat voters. Voice of San Diego’s Lisa Halverstadt joins us to talk about how a fight between the city and county is endangering one successful homeless shelter. And a white actress is suing the county library for discrimination after it wouldn’t allow her to portray Black civil rights icons. Finally, health violations at an El Cajon skilled nursing facility temporarily shut down its kitchen — a rare, but serious action.
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The number of people experiencing homelessness is down throughout the county — we zoom in on North County, where coastal cities saw some of the biggest drops. Then, we stay in North County to look at how cuts to the National Institutes of Health are hitting CSU San Marcos. Also, hear part two of reporter Amita Sharma’s conversation with the leaders of San Diego’s Democratic and Republican parties. And, find out how a John Waters classic is still shocking audiences more than 50 years after its release.
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UC San Diego researchers are trying to find out why women are at a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Plus, a KPBS investigation found out that San Diego’s highest paid city employees are cops that work lots of overtime. San Diego’s police chief said they plan to rein in overtime hours and spending. And a new TikTok trend is influencing San Diego Unified students to damage their school-issued Chromebooks.
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The Department of Homeland Security is terminating protections for thousands of Afghan refugees. Many in San Diego are now at risk of being sent back to a country still under Taliban rule. Plus, the police budget has ballooned with overtime pay. Then, San Diegans are suing over a food poisoning outbreak at a popular restaurant.
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Advocates say a proposal to limit Medi-Cal access for immigrants without legal status will have harmful consequences. Government agencies scale back testing on animals. And, a preview of the 2025 San Diego International Fringe Festival.
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Fewer cuts to the police department, but those to library hours remain in San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria’s final budget proposal. And, speaking of budget cuts, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s also proposing some belt-tightening — this time, ending Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented people. Advocates say asylum-seekers are not being given due process at the border, including a disabled Mongolian man who’s been in custody more than two months. Voice of San Diego’s Scott Lewis is back on the podcast breaking down the latest legal fight in the La Jolla succession effort. Then, hear about what’s new at this year’s Fringe Festival. Finally, children in the foster care system and their families can visit one Balboa Park museum for free for the next three weeks.
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City Heights residents are pushing back against budget cuts to rec centers and libraries. Then, a new report says Medi-Cal patients are hospitalized for preventable conditions twice as much as Californians with private insurance. And hear the latest on the Marine Corps’ controversial contract with an Oceanside-based credit union. Plus, Governor Gavin Newsom released $3 billion for behavioral health and housing — we’ll tell you what San Diego organizations will benefit. Finally, we look at how automated bots are scooping up the best tee times at city golf courses.
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A Logan Heights church is suing to remain a safe space for immigrant worshippers. And there is a growing campaign to fix a dangerous intersection in University Heights. We then turn to the South Bay where residents brace for sewage problems to worsen. And, in North County, tenants of an affordable RV park fight evictions leaving a nonprofit in the cold. Finally, hear from KPBS’ new Public Matters social media reporter Jake Gotta about getting good journalism in front of new audiences.
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Local Catholics tell us what they think of the new Pope. Plus, we hear from members of local Native American tribes about plants they use to make tools and medicine. And, Carlsbad could see new drive-thrus after a longstanding ban.
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Ahead of Mother’s Day, a report is out that brings attention to the challenges faced by Black mothers in the workplace — from inadequate paid maternity leave to lactation barriers. Then, the San Diego County Vintners Association said its wine sales declined slightly in 2024. A local winery said there’s still growth to be had — a county ordinance has made it easier for smaller wineries to open up.