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A powerful El Niño is already influencing extreme weather around the planet. During the last strong El Niño, federal agencies ramped up research in the hope of improving weather forecasts. This year, they won't be matching that effort.

A jury found Duane "Keffe D" Davis guilty of orchestrating the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur, finally bringing a measure of resolution to a case that had gripped hip-hop fans for decades.

Sonido De La Frontera is the combination of Soundsystem culture, hip hop production aesthetic, and the sounds of Latin America’s most prolific dance music: Cumbia. Sonido De La Frontera on Instagram

Janine Haynes is an author, historian, and passionate storyteller with a deep love for San Diego and its fascinating past. Her interest in local history goes beyond the well-known landmarks and famous names—she enjoys uncovering the forgotten stories, unusual characters, mysteries, and hidden connections that helped shape the city. Janine will be signing her recent book - "My Paranormal Life - San Diego's History and Hauntings." In "My Paranormal Life: San Diego’s History and Hauntings," Janine shares her deeply personal journey of growing up an intuitive, struggling to understand experiences others could not see or hear, and eventually embracing the gift she once tried to hide. Her story leads into the historic streets of Old Town San Diego. This place has played an important role in her paranormal life since childhood, along with many other historic locations in San Diego. Here, documented history and centuries of local legend meet Janine's own unexplained encounters. She will read a passage, answer questions and give a tour of the very haunted Davis-Horton House. An appearance by "Kanaka Bill," the man who built the Davis-Horton House, will be on hand to give an interesting portrayal of his life as the visionary of early San Diego development. The Davis-Horton House on Facebook / Instagram

Following their stunning world premiere at The Stone in NYC in September 2025, Mark Dresser’s Gradience Quartet makes its highly anticipated debut at UC San Diego. Bringing together a strikingly unconventional instrumentation, the ensemble fluidly blurs the boundaries of genre and traditional musical parameters. Yet, beyond the structural innovation of their compositions, the defining force of this quartet is their profound emotional and improvisational synergy. Their performance promises a rare, captivating chemistry where distinct sonic worlds merge with breathtaking intimacy and power. Gradience Quartet: Mark Dresser – acoustic bass DoYeon Kim – gayageum, vocals Cory Smythe – electro acoustic piano Sara Schoenbeck – bassoon Mark Dresser is a Grammy nominated, internationally renowned bass player, improviser, and composer. At the core of his music is an obsession and commitment to expanding the sonic, musical, and expressive possibilities of the contrabass. He has recorded over one hundred-fifty CDs including ten CDs as composer/bandleader, seven solo recordings and a DVD. His solo recording, “Tines of Change” was listed in the “Best Recordings of 2023” by Downbeat Magazine. His latest, solo recording In the Shadow of A Mad King features a duo with the late great poet Jerome Rothenberg, (Tzadik 2024). UC San Diego Music on Facebook / Instagram

Join award-winning historian and storyteller Dr. Sandra E. Bonura for a fully illustrated presentation featuring rare vintage zoo photographs, archival movie clips, and historic radio broadcasts. Together, we’ll celebrate her new 2026 book, "The Zoo Lady: How Belle Benchley Built the San Diego Zoo," and uncover the extraordinary, historically ignored story of Belle Benchley—a middle-aged single mother who took a temporary bookkeeping job in 1925 and transformed a struggling local menagerie into the world-renowned San Diego Zoo. As the world’s first female zoo director, “The Zoo Lady” commanded a male-dominated field for nearly 30 years. She guided the zoo through the Great Depression and World War II, pioneered modern cageless habitats, and revolutionized global standards for animal welfare—all right in our own backyard. Bring your own zoo memories for an engaging, interactive conversation on local heritage, female leadership, and the fierce grit that shaped modern wildlife conservation.

"Taxi Dancer" brings readers into the Filipino-run taxi dance halls of San Diego's Stingaree District, where male patrons paid women a dime for a dance. Then, a look at two spooky events this weekend. And, your weekend preview.

In 2025, the Trump administration ended a long-running program to collect air pollution data at U.S. embassies. A new study suggests that led to a 24-33% increase in local pollution levels.

On Friday, July 31, Songwriter Sanctuary San Diego will host its Disability Pride edition in celebration of July’s observance. The monthly music series will showcase original songs in-the-round from Claire King, Jay Walkr, and Sumn Trop (a trio featuring Joy Fuliga, Aly Rowell, and Jordan Mageo-Sausser) in Normal Heights United’s century-old sanctuary. Hosted by Jeff Berkley at Normal Heights United. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with featured music at 7 p.m. Prior to the show: An unplugged/acoustic “Pre-Show Pantry Jam” featuring The Bella Lunas will take place on the sidewalk stage just outside the venue from 6-6:30 p.m. (just before doors to main event). Guests are invited to enjoy music as they contribute unopened/unexpired food or gently used clothing to donate to the community pantry, fridge, and closet. ASL will be provided thanks to our sponsors, including a generous contribution from Ability Central. About the Featured Artists Claire King: Claire King is a singer-songwriter whose music draws influence from the folk revival of the 1960s and 70s, indie folk, jazz, and soul. Her sound is infused with the characteristics of artists like Jim Croce, Labi Siffre, The Fleet Foxes, and Norah Jones. with poetic and whimsical lyrics, much of Claire’s music centers around her connection to nature, architecture, and personal experiences in love and mental health. Sumn Trop: Self-described as the "brown boy genius," Sumn Trop features three San Diego songwriters: Aly Rowell, Joy Fuliga, and Jordan Mageo-Sausser (each of whom are alumni of our series). Now they've joined forces and are currently working on an EP that will no doubt feature prolific songs and stunning harmonies. Jay Walkr: Jay Walkr is a San Diego musician that specializes in the sounds of R&B and Hip Hop, with the ability to add a soulful touch to any sound. Walkr creates an elegant, downtempo sound with a wavy texture that ensures a proper sound to groove to. Mixing emotional tangents with romanticism and daydreaming, Jay is a true-to-self songwriter bearing a strong infatuation with the fantasies of the heart. Event Details Location: Normal Heights United Church. 4650 Mansfield St, San Diego, CA 92116. Date / Time: Friday, July 31. Doors 6:30 p.m., Music 7 p.m... (Pantry Jam 6 p.m.) Suggested Donation: $10+ online or at door; optional “pass the hat” after intermission. No one is turned away for lack of funds. All Ages: We do not censor our artists; please check out the lineup and make the best decision for your family. Parking: Street parking. Food/Drink: Sponsored by Babe Beverages and Duck Foot Brewing Company. Guests are welcome to bring their own food into the venue (please eat and dispose of waste respectfully). There are so many delicious restaurants within walking distance - feel free to grab something take-out and bring it in! Accessibility: ASL provided. Our online RSVP form includes an optional field where you can disclose accessibility preferences and/or accommodation requests. Visit songwritersanctuary-sd.com for full accessibility statement and accommodation contact info. For inquiries, media comps, sponsorship opportunities, or further info, contact Lindsay White at songwritersanctuarysd@gmail.com or visit songwritersanctuary-sd.com/about. Songwriter Sanctuary San Diego on Instagram

The Department of Visual Arts is pleased to welcome Kelly Akashi as this year's Longenecker-Roth Artist-in-Residence! With deft manual skill and deep material knowledge, Kelly Akashi’s visual language emphasizes the impermanence of the natural world, recording and indexing fragmented moments in time. Her practice is characterized by a rigorous conceptual approach, yet the work is distinguished by a deep reverence for process. Always a student, Akashi continually studies new practices and physical techniques, including glass-blowing, flame-working, casting, candle-making, and stone carving. Born in Los Angeles in 1983, she holds a BFA from Otis College of Art & Design, an MFA from the University of Southern California, and studied at the Städelschule in Frankfurt. Recent institutional solo exhibitions include the San Jose Museum of Art, Frye Art Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Henry Art Gallery, SculptureCenter, and Galleria d’Arte Moderna di Milano, among others. Public commissions include a monumental installation for JFK International Airport’s New Terminal One, the Hyundai Terrace for the 2026 Whitney Biennial, an upcoming outdoor sculpture commission for Williams College Museum of Art, and projects with the Aspen Art Museum and the Clark Art Institute. She is the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Women in the Arts Award from MOCA Los Angeles, as well as grants from the Trellis Art Fund, Andy Warhol Foundation, LACMA Art + Tech, Peter S. Reed Foundation, and Tieger Foundation. Akashi serves as Core Faculty in Grad Art at ArtCenter College of Design, and in 2025 was selected as an Artist in Residence at Pilchuck Glass School. Kelly Akashi on Instagram