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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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.
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A new report criticizes the real estate deal behind San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria’s proposed 1,000-bed homeless shelter. Also, a Supreme Court ruling is likely to reshape how many cities regulate homelessness, particularly in the South Bay. And, UC San Diego is seeking approval to spend $2 billion to address its student housing shortage.
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San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer is proposing legal action against Blackstone, a private equity firm that owns thousands of local units. Also, the board that manages the Del Mar Fairgrounds is opposing a plan to re-route the train tracks through the fairgrounds. And, North County lifeguards got much-needed skin cancer screenings.
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San Diego County is expanding its free COVID-19 testing program in response to a small summer surge of cases. Clinics in Chula Vista, El Cajon and San Diego will have those services starting Monday. Plus, the California Coastal Commission approved a safe parking site near the airport. The permit includes conditions to mitigate environmental impacts, like capturing pollutants in vehicle runoff and providing wastewater disposal for RV’s. And an app helps San Diego bicyclists report vehicles blocking bike lanes.
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San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez announced that all personnel assigned to county detention facilities, including contractors, will be screened for narcotics and contraband. For the past two years, the Sheriff’s Department has rejected recommendations from the Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board to screen employees for drugs. Plus, the extreme heat gripping most of the county is coming to an end. But California’s grid operator is asking residents to prepare for Flex Alerts if hot weather continues. And UC San Diego researchers published a new study on comb jellies — invertebrates living miles under the ocean.
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Most migrants who cross the border to San Diego don’t stay here. But homeless outreach workers are seeing more and more migrants among our homeless population. Then, the Salvation Army in Serra Mesa is helping older San Diegans with free AC and tips on staying safe during heat waves. Plus, a new law requires California high schools to teach students about the dangers of fentanyl.
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.