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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.

  • A new shelter for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness is now open in Vista. In other news, CDC data shows a rising number of high school students have seriously considered suicide. Part 2 in our school mental health series, looks at barriers for students seeking help. Plus, the Balboa Theater is celebrating its 100th birthday.
  • The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case on a widely used abortion medication with potential nationwide implications. In other news, CDC data shows that a rising number of high school students are reporting poor mental health. This week, our newsroom is looking at mental health in schools. Plus, the San Diego Unified School Board was supposed to consider a resolution recognizing April as Arab American Heritage month, but the item was unexpectedly pulled from the agenda.
  • Last year was one of the deadliest years on record for migrants. Tougher enforcement along the border pushes migrants to cross in more dangerous areas. Now, lifeguards are seeing a spike in drownings. In other news, the years-long cross-border pollution problem took a big step toward a solution over the weekend when President Biden signed the new federal budget. Plus, San Diego is updating its master plan for growth and development.
  • There are two new affordable housing projects in City Heights. Developer Wakeland Housing held a grand opening for City Heights Place and City Heights Plaza Del Sol Friday. In other news, we hear a preview of a new KPBS series about the child care crisis in San Diego. Plus, along the edge of San Diego's freeways, patches of wildflowers are bursting to life. We learn about the history behind why there are so many blooms on highway medians.
  • Many California cities have turned to law and order policies as the homelessness crisis spins out of control. National City, however, is trying a different approach: Instead of police, experienced caseworkers provide outreach to people experiencing homelessness. Plus, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria announced his pick for the next San Diego Police chief — Assistant Police Chief Scott Wahl. The City Council will meet in the coming weeks to interview Wahl for the job. And ambulance company AMR has introduced a new training program aimed at hiring more female emergency technicians.
  • Frontline workers in the University of California system demonstrate for better pay and benefits due to the rising cost of living. Also, San Diego rent prices remain among the highest in the nation, according to a new report. And, activists preserve art removed during recent border wall construction.
  • Local action to protect workers from wage theft, a weather expert explains the recent strong storms in San Diego and KPBS launches the “Where’s Your Village” online series to help local families with childcare resources and advice.
  • A recent supreme court decision says officials can be sued for blocking their critics on social media. The case involves a lawsuit filed against two elected officials in Poway. In other news, San Diegans impacted by the severe January storms now have until Friday to apply for disaster CalFresh benefits. Plus, we learn about the high-tech ways the San Diego County Water Authority is keeping the water flowing to the county’s nearly 3.5 million people.
  • The city of San Diego is launching a program to fast-track housing permits for projects that are part of a program that prioritizes development near public transit. Then, the Department of Veteran Affairs aims to place at least 851 veterans experiencing homelessness into permanent housing in 2024. Plus, SDG&E bills are going up. The utility company is raising rates a month after reporting profits.
  • State Farm has the green light to raise the rates it charges California homeowners by 20-percent. Then, Surf Sports Park in Del Mar is caught up in controversy, and a lawsuit, for events happening on its fields. Plus, researchers from San Diego State University and the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance are using new technology to study snakes.
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.
Emilyn Mohebbi produces the San Diego News Now podcast. She started at KPBS in 2020 as the Gloria Penner Fellow. She has her bachelor’s in journalism from SDSU.