EDITOR’S NOTE: San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan is disputing the story KPBS reported on racial disparities in special charges that can lead to life without parole. KPBS’s story relied on a data analysis from a researcher who attributed cases to DAs based on disposition date. The DA’s office provided an analysis that attributed cases to DAs based on filing date. It showed no racial disparity in making these special charges against Black and white defendants when looking only at multiple murder cases during DA Stephan’s tenure. KPBS has clarified the story to include more detail about the analysis and the data it used. Go to the story to learn more. First, California Attorney General Rob Bonta is suing over Rady Children’s Hospital’s plans to end gender-affirming care. Then, we bring you a story about how Black defendants have a much higher likelihood of facing charges that could lead to life without parole than their counterparts. Also, a change in one of the top officials at our San Diego County Department of Animal Services. Plus, details around why a proposed tax for vacation rentals and vacant second-homes failed to pass.
