San Diego News Now

A plan to buy a ranch in Vista and build a treatment center for adults with mental illness and substance abuse disorders has sparked controversy in the community. In other news, name calling, mockery and outbursts are now routine at the San Diego County Board of Supervisors’ meetings. In the second of a three-parter on incivility, analysts believe the insults are damaging “the marketplace of ideas...

San Diego leaders are reacting to a Supreme Court ruling that cities can ban camping on public property. In other news, Veterans Affairs and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System are partnering to help veterans in the homeless community connect with services. Plus, we hear how threats, conspiracy-laced accusations and swearing have become commonplace at the San Diego County Board of Supervisor...

The Encinitas City Council weighs options to build affordable housing units in the coastal community. Also, Chula Vista tries to close the gap on wildfire preparedness. And, a preview of the San Diego Black Arts and Culture District Music Festival.

Panda diplomacy between the United States and China is revived as two giant pandas begin their journey to San Diego. Plus, the public will soon be invited to comment on a proposed 1,000 bed homeless shelter near Little Italy. And, the challenge of providing recuperative care for those experiencing homelessness after a hospital stay.

A legal challenge over the discharge of LGBTQ+ veterans will move forward. Also, the San Diego City Council appointed a new executive director for the city’s commission on police practices. Plus, applications open for a rent subsidy program for older adults.

Police believe they’ve found the body of a hiker who went missing on a Black Mountain trail on Sunday. She was considered “missing at risk” because of the hot weather and the trail’s difficulty. In other news, Green Oak Ranch in Vista is home to camps, a recovery program and an RV park, but a large part of the land is up for sale, with several agencies lined up as potential buyers. In part two of...

Victims of the January 22 floods in San Diego have to find a new place to stay after funding for hotel vouchers expired Friday, and some are already falling into homelessness. In other news, the median rent has decreased slightly in the city of San Diego. Plus, 140 acres in Vista is for sale. Some of the potential buyers want to use the property to help those facing mental health issues and homele...

A week after the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on bump stocks, Representative Scott Peters and other local leaders say Congress needs to act to protect people’s safety. In other news, over the last decade, California lost half of its recycling centers, which means fewer opportunities for people to recycle their bottles and cans. Our KPBS investigative reporter joins the podcast to disc...

Mental health experts support the U.S. surgeon general's call for social media platforms to carry warnings. In other news, the Metropolitan Transit System has extended the deadline for youth, seniors and people with disabilities to renew their discounted transit passes. Plus, the San Diego VA Medical Center is trying to get the word out to local veterans about the recent sweeping expansion of bene...

Immigrant spouses of U.S. citizens and their children will be able to apply for lawful permanent residency, thanks to an executive order announced by President Joe Biden Tuesday. In other news, San Diego firefighters are helping fight the Post Fire near Gorman, California. Plus, some San Diego Unified students honored this week’s national Juneteenth holiday by raising a flag over the district’s he...

Pending legal issues will continue into the summer for Gaza solidarity protesters arrested last month at UC San Diego, and we have details on where their cases stand right now. In other news, President Joe Biden's new executive actions direct asylum seekers toward existing legal pathways, but those pathways aren’t working for the most vulnerable migrants. Plus, tonight, the public will get a chanc...

The Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Monday, in the wake of hundreds of legal claims from alleged sexual abuse victims. In other news, the latest San Diego County Respiratory Virus Surveillance report shows a slight increase in COVID-19 cases. We find out whether there is a need for concern. Plus, a Normal Heights nonprofit is helping students turn...

The federal government is shining a light on how much money credit unions collect in overdraft fees. In other news, a new report documents how the California Coastal Commission blocks and delays housing. Plus, Father’s Day is Sunday, and we’ve put together some well wishes from our newsroom to share with you in celebration of all the dads and caregivers out there.

The city of San Diego is spending $37 million to modernize the storm water system in South Mission Beach, but that’s just a drop in the bucket of what’s needed. In other news, immigrants’ rights groups sued the Biden administration Wednesday over the president’s recent executive actions that restrict asylum to migrants who cross the border illegally. Plus, the class of 2024 is graduating in a time...

San Diego voters will not decide whether to replace San Diego Gas and Electric with a nonprofit municipal electric utility this November. In other news, we have a recap on the State of North County address. Plus, we learn about a summer enrichment program for more than 24,000 students in the San Diego Unified School District.

Thousands of UC academic workers are back in class and research labs this week after a judge ordered a halt on their strike. Then, we look at the long history of extreme political rhetoric around immigration in California. Plus, a new service will make it easier for people to commute to work in Sorrento Valley by train.

Operators of migrant shelters in Tijuana are worried that President Joe Biden’s latest executive order will create more chaos along the border. The order severely limits asylum to migrants who cross the border illegally. And as the November election approaches, political rhetoric around immigration is getting more extreme. Plus, 40 students were arrested last month for taking part in the Gaza Soli...

La Mesa and Encinitas have scored the best grades in the annual Climate Action Report Card. Created by watchdog group Climate Action Campaign, the report said La Mesa’s climate change efforts include building dense infill housing, including affordable housing, near businesses and transit. Plus, San Diego County wineries saw record high wine sales in 2023. And with Comic-Con fast approaching, KPBS...

Palomar Health said it won’t grant an easement for the Seguro Battery Storage Project near Escondido. The project needed support from the health system in order to connect transmission lines to the nearest SDG&E substation — the easiest way would be through Palomar’s Escondido medical center. Plus, San Diego officials want to build a new fire station in the Webster neighborhood. The land is on the...

President Joe Biden signed an executive order closing asylum to migrants entering the country illegally and critics on both sides of the political divide are unhappy. In other news, many California college students are leaving nearly $300 of monthly grocery help on the table. Plus, Barrio Logan is well known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, and now there’s a new addition to further honor th...

Mexico made history Sunday by electing a female president for the first time. In other news, a group campaigning to replace San Diego Gas and Electric with a municipal utility has officially gathered more than 24,000 signatures. Plus, over the past five years, Sharp Grossmont Hospital says hospital readmission rates for patients from rural areas of San Diego County increased by nearly 8 percent. W...

San Diego County residents react to former President Donald Trump’s criminal conviction. In other news, a San Diego program that aims to reconnect communities divided by freeways is in jeopardy. Plus, we follow bunches of radishes from the ground to the grocery bags of nutrition insecure San Diego residents.

California’s gas tax is set to jump two cents starting next month, but one North County lawmaker is taking a stand against it. We learn why the tax is increasing. In other news, a UC San Diego professor says San Diego County officials retaliated against her by canceling contract work after she filed a complaint alleging that then county supervisor Nathan Fletcher sexually harassed a student. Plus,...

The Coronado City Council has signed off on a series of zoning updates that could finally bring the city into compliance with state affordable housing rules. In other news, San Diego County fire and safety officials can now give residents more precise evacuation alerts. Plus, we kick off our volunteer series with a profile of a man who teaches underprivileged kids how to surf.

Residents are fighting against a proposed battery storage project near Escondido. In other news, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing to delay a raise for about 150,000 disability care workers in an effort to cut the state budget deficit. Plus, our KPBS border reporter joins the podcast to talk about Mexico’s presidential election and a bilingual virtual discussion our newsroom is hosting wit...