San Diego News Now

A bipartisan group of congress members is again raising the alarm about the cross border sewage crisis as scientists reported dangerous levels of sewer gas in the Tijuana River Valley earlier this week. In other news, mental health resources are scarce. On Thursday, Palomar Health broke ground on a new 120 bed facility that will bring much needed services to the North County, including help for ou...

Some San Diegans have voiced concerns about the safety of battery storage facilities, so the San Diego County Board of Supervisors took some steps Wednesday to address the issue. In other news, city leaders in Chula Vista are exploring changes that could weaken its tenant protection laws. Plus, we learn how dogs are protectors on the street for some women experiencing homelessness.

Cross-border sewage continues to exacerbate the environmental crisis along the Tijuana River Valley and Imperial Beach, but San Diego County officials say the air is safe for now. In other news, Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential campaign unveiled an ad this week featuring some of former President Trump's senior officials who now say he’s unfit to be president. We hear from conservative p...

A report on air quality near the Tijuana River prompts new calls for regional action. Plus, a drug treatment center for local military veterans could lose its license due to client safety concerns. And, survivors of the January flooding in San Diego update us on their recovery.

The San Diego Unified School District is working to keep air conditioners operating during the heat wave. Plus, details on a secret Wi-Fi network on a San Diego-based warship. And, scientists are developing an early warning system for bluff collapses.

Several local members of Congress on Thursday announced a new bill to combat the impacts of raw sewage from across the border. In other news, with temperatures soaring over 100 degrees in some areas, extreme heat can be hazardous for anyone, and it’s especially dangerous for people with chronic conditions. Plus, a bill on Gov. Newsom’s desk could significantly boost voter registration at the DMV,...

San Diego's Measure C got court approval, reigniting the possibility of an expanded Convention Center. Plus, San Diego Humane Society President and CEO, Gary Weitzman, joins the podcast to tell us about “Clear the Shelters” month. And, A hidden gem in Vista is turning 25 this year.

Hundreds of hotel workers at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront were on strike for a third day Tuesday. In other news, California lawmakers have passed a bill requiring schools to come up with policies to limit the use of smartphones on campus, but some districts in San Diego County already have those rules. Plus, as part of our ongoing conversations with San Diego's congressional delegation about demo...

The San Diego Housing Commission was given more than $7 million to assist January flood survivors, but only about one in four of those displaced qualifies for it. In other news, according to a new Center for Disease Control report, about 80% of overdose deaths in the U.S. are from opioids, primarily illegal fentanyl. Plus, we learn how the California grid is balancing supply, and how an electrical...

Local housing politics have found their way into the race for president and it reflects a shift in the Democratic Party to embrace the term YIMBY. In other news, state law limits how much landlords can raise the rent on most tenants, and in San Diego County increases cannot exceed 8.6%. We hear what happens when tenants have few resources available to fight back when landlords raise the rate highe...

Updated COVID-19 vaccines targeting the FLiRT variants are already in some local pharmacies. In other news, Donald Trump and many other politicians say Fentanyl is regularly smuggled into the U.S. by undocumented immigrants, but experts say those claims are largely false. Plus, after three years and $125 million in renovations, the Jacobs Music Center is almost ready to welcome audiences once agai...

Two people were killed in a crash after a high-speed pursuit by the San Diego Police Department Monday night. That makes three SDPD chase deaths this month, while debate continues over the policy. In other news, San Diego County has a new tool to help people find affordable housing. Plus, the Paralympic Games are now underway. We hear from a San Diegan who’s the number one ranked wheelchair tennis...

A new court filing in the sexual assault case against former San Diego County supervisor Nathan Fletcher includes text messages that undermine the allegations made by Fletcher’s accuser. In other news, once again, Donald Trump and other politicians are making the threat of migrant crime a key election talking point, but research shows immigrants are actually less likely to commit crimes than nativ...

San Diego city officials say repairing the Ocean Beach Pier is no longer feasible. We hear from residents about the city’s plan to demolish and replace it. In other news, a new California grant program is boosting mental health support in San Diego schools. Plus, as part of KPBS’ ongoing series on volunteering, we learn about a program in Mission Valley that’s connecting experienced adaptive climb...

The Democratic National Convention is now in the history books, and last night Vice President Kamala Harris formally accepted her party’s nomination to be president. We hear from a member of the California delegation. In other news, a pair of pressurizers had to be returned to the San Onofre nuclear generating station because of a leak during shipment to a disposal site. Plus, dozens of new Americ...

More than two years of testing has researchers convinced they have a faster way to detect untreated sewage in the Tijuana River. In other news, Carlsbad is now the first city in San Diego County to ban smoking and vaping in apartment and condo buildings. Plus, as school starts back up for students across San Diego, many families are struggling to find affordable after school care.

An independent analysis describes how a sales tax ballot measure would affect the city of San Diego’s finances. Plus, we speak with KPBS reporter Amita Sharma about what local delegates were expecting before heading to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. And, cyclists can weigh in on San Diego’s bike infrastructure.

Environmentalists gathered at a beach in Encinitas over the weekend, to push for the passage of a better plastic bag ban in California. In other news, a California bill would prohibit public libraries from banning books solely because of their topics or views. Plus, San Diego has the only zoo outside of Australia with platypuses, and now, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is partnering with an A...

The San Diego Housing Commission has distributed more than $1 million to people displaced by the January floods, but millions more dollars still sit unused. In other news, immigration has been a key issue that has been highlighted by both political parties. We hear about what the Presidential election could bring for San Diego County's border region. Plus, the San Diego Central Library kicks off i...

The boards and commissions that advise city leaders in San Diego could see their independence restricted under a new set of rules proposed by Mayor Todd Gloria's office. In other news, gang violence in Escondido is on the rise, and police, community advocates and parents are trying to get ahead of any more tragedies. Plus, the new film "Sing Sing" employs a cast of formerly incarcerated men to tel...

As prosecutors in San Diego plan a crackdown on wage theft, they're targeting employers that withhold overtime pay. In other news, San Diegans got their first look at a sculpture in Balboa Park that symbolizes how San Diego and Tijuana became this year’s World Design Capital. Plus, our KPBS border reporter got to join a tryout for the youth academy for San Diego's new Major League Soccer team.

Former San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher is again turning to his abandoned state senate campaign to pay for legal defense bills. In other news, wage theft is the most common form of theft in the U.S. economy, taking an estimated $15 billion per year from workers. We learn that one way employers steal from their workers is by withholding breaks. Plus, as part of a new KPBS series about vo...

When it comes to wage theft, one thing to watch out for is employers withholding sick days. In other news, students in the San Diego Unified School District are back in school. Plus, in 2019, Renee Westbrook won best solo performer for her San Diego International Fringe Festival show “Shelter,” and this Friday in Los Angeles, she’ll perform it again.

The city of San Diego wants to reopen the historic Starlight Bowl in Balboa Park. It’s currently soliciting requests for proposals for the lease and renovation of the amphitheater. Starlight saw its last production in 2010. Plus, Sharp health care workers started unionizing last June but still don’t have a contract. They rallied in front of Sharp’s headquarters last week, demanding better pay and...

State and local leaders welcomed two giant pandas back to the San Diego Zoo. Plus, meet the volunteers helping seniors in San Diego County stay safe in extreme temperatures. And, a look at local disaster preparedness.