San Diego News Now

Each year families have to prove eligibility for Medi-Cal or risk losing coverage. A San Diego assembly member wants to take that burden away from families. Then, some advocates fear Proposition 1 could divert funding from mental health support for kids. And, a group of academics and community leaders are now addressing food deserts by re-imagining the local food industry.

Governor Newsom Thursday announced nearly $192 million in grant funding to help clear homeless encampments and move people into housing. Oceanside is the only city in the county that will receive the funding. In other news, supporters of the Homelessness, Drug Addiction and Theft Reduction Act say they have enough signatures to get the measure on the November ballot. Plus, the chairman of the Chic...

The latest report from the Regional Task Force on Homelessness once again shows more people became homeless last month than got out of it. In other news, a North County group says the sudden departure of the Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board’s executive officer is a wake-up call for the county. Plus, we hear about special education for young kids in part of the special KPBS series “Where's My...

Democrats on the California Senate Public Safety Committee shot down a bill banning homeless encampments Tuesday. In other news, an Arizona supreme court ruling last week has nearly banned access to abortion, some experts worry about what the ruling means for access to reproductive care in the Imperial Valley. Plus, mayor Todd Gloria has proposed cuts to racial and economic equity programs and adv...

The San Diego region is set to receive $39 million in federal funding for the care of migrants who cross the border, and advocates are calling this a huge victory. In other news, a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by a former nurse at the Otay Mesa Detention Center claims chronic understaffing is resulting in poor medical treatment for immigrants, and lawyers are saying some of these problems ha...

San Diego mayor Todd Gloria Friday announced his proposed budget for the next fiscal year, and it includes cuts to the city's efforts to tackle climate change. In other news, former San Diego County supervisor Nathan Fletcher is using money from his abandoned state senate campaign to pay for legal defense bills. Plus, one San Diego chef currently cooks above the rest. We hear why she's achieved so...

The rate of inflation may be slowing in San Diego County, but food prices are still going up. Feeding San Diego's response is to expand the number of people they can feed. In other news, some people who suffered losses from the floods in January have been eligible for financial assistance from FEMA, but that’s not the only type of help the federal agency is providing. Plus, the mayor of Chula Vist...

The California state auditor this week released a deep dive report on San Diego's homelessness spending and it puts homeless service providers under the microscope. In other news, a federal judge in San Diego has banned the use of “excited delirium” in an upcoming police misconduct trial. Plus, San Diego’s Arab Film Festival is here and filled with stories created from around the world. This year,...

Reports of anti-Muslim hate incidents and discrimination in the U.S. have hit a 30-year high following the October 7th Hamas attack in Israel. We hear from San Diego Muslim leaders about the local impact. In other news, city of San Diego planning officials are seeking to balance the need for more housing in Hillcrest, with new protections for LGBTQ nightlife. Plus, a big shakeup in San Diego’s Rep...

California Attorney General Rob Bonta visited San Diego Monday to talk about regional efforts to combat fentanyl overdoses. In other news, according to the Alzheimer's Association, San Diego County ranked in the top 10 of U.S. counties with the most people living with Alzheimer's disease. Plus, Henry Foster III took the oath of office Monday, to become San Diego's new District 4 councilmember.

Chula Vista has a new city councilmember. The appointment late last week brings an end to the months-long saga that followed the criminal case of former councilmember Andrea Cardenas. In other news, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra was here Friday, as part of a nationwide campaign. Plus, some child care providers would like to expand to address the lack of child care spot...

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria Thursday announced a plan for what he says will be the largest homeless shelter in the city. In other news, for the past year, immigrant advocates have criticized the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s practice of holding migrants in open air camps near Jacumba and San Ysidro. On Wednesday, a federal judge ordered the agency to provide housing to migrant children. Plu...

It’s good news for California’s water supply. There are 64 feet of snow in the mountains near Lake Tahoe, which will eventually melt into the state’s rivers and reservoirs. In other news, the condition of San Diego's streets is getting worse, and as the cost of road maintenance keeps going up, some advocates are asking for a new approach. Plus, students from San Diego's underserved mid-city neighb...

California lawmakers are trying to strengthen protections against doxxing, which is publishing someone’s personal information online with the intent to harm. We learn about a new bill that would let victims sue. In other news, lots of people still rely on landlines for phone service, especially in rural areas. But there's a motion before the California Public Utilities Commission that could mean t...

Humanitarian organizations – including the Haitian Bridge Alliance in San Diego – are urging the Biden administration to stop all deportations to Haiti, where armed groups have taken over large parts of the country. Then, starting this month, the cities of Oceanside and Vista will be getting their power from the Clean Energy Alliance. Plus, a look at the subsidy chasm for childcare in San Diego.

We have an update in the sexual assault lawsuit against former San Diego County supervisor Nathan Fletcher. In other news, we hear about how an El Cajon school is addressing mental health head-on with their curriculum. Plus, the San Diego Padres play the San Francisco Giants again Friday in the second of a four-game series, after beating the Giants in Thursday’s home opener.

A new shelter for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness is now open in Vista. In other news, CDC data shows a rising number of high school students have seriously considered suicide. Part 2 in our school mental health series, looks at barriers for students seeking help. Plus, the Balboa Theater is celebrating its 100th birthday.

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case on a widely used abortion medication with potential nationwide implications. In other news, CDC data shows that a rising number of high school students are reporting poor mental health. This week, our newsroom is looking at mental health in schools. Plus, the San Diego Unified School Board was supposed to consider a resolution recognizing April as A...

Last year was one of the deadliest years on record for migrants. Tougher enforcement along the border pushes migrants to cross in more dangerous areas. Now, lifeguards are seeing a spike in drownings. In other news, the years-long cross-border pollution problem took a big step toward a solution over the weekend when President Biden signed the new federal budget. Plus, San Diego is updating its mas...

There are two new affordable housing projects in City Heights. Developer Wakeland Housing held a grand opening for City Heights Place and City Heights Plaza Del Sol Friday. In other news, we hear a preview of a new KPBS series about the child care crisis in San Diego. Plus, along the edge of San Diego's freeways, patches of wildflowers are bursting to life. We learn about the history behind why th...

Many California cities have turned to law and order policies as the homelessness crisis spins out of control. National City, however, is trying a different approach: Instead of police, experienced caseworkers provide outreach to people experiencing homelessness. Plus, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria announced his pick for the next San Diego Police chief — Assistant Police Chief Scott Wahl. The City Co...

Frontline workers in the University of California system demonstrate for better pay and benefits due to the rising cost of living. Also, San Diego rent prices remain among the highest in the nation, according to a new report. And, activists preserve art removed during recent border wall construction.

Local action to protect workers from wage theft, a weather expert explains the recent strong storms in San Diego and KPBS launches the “Where’s Your Village” online series to help local families with childcare resources and advice.

A recent supreme court decision says officials can be sued for blocking their critics on social media. The case involves a lawsuit filed against two elected officials in Poway. In other news, San Diegans impacted by the severe January storms now have until Friday to apply for disaster CalFresh benefits. Plus, we learn about the high-tech ways the San Diego County Water Authority is keeping the wat...

The city of San Diego is launching a program to fast-track housing permits for projects that are part of a program that prioritizes development near public transit. Then, the Department of Veteran Affairs aims to place at least 851 veterans experiencing homelessness into permanent housing in 2024. Plus, SDG&E bills are going up. The utility company is raising rates a month after reporting profits.