San Diego News Now

The bipartisan federal infrastructure package currently pending in Congress could lead to major improvements to San Diego's transportation system. Meanwhile, masks are required in schools across the state, and also in daycare centers for kids two and up. But at least one North County daycare center is letting parents make the choice whether to mask their kids. And, some Vietnam veterans say the Af...

The KPBS summer music series continues on San Diego News Now with this bonus episode featuring: latin jazz musician Bill Caballero

San Diego climate advocates rallied in City Heights Thursday to encourage federal officials to do more to support legislation that aims to control climate change. Meanwhile, continued droughts are forcing the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to ask water agencies to voluntarily conserve water. Plus, the annual Vista Viking Festival will be online once again this year.

Starting next month Americans will be able to get booster shots for the COVID-19 vaccine. Local immunologists talk about why they’re recommended. Meanwhile, the largest solar power generating facility in San Diego County is being built right next to the small east county town of Jacumba Hot Springs. But Jacumba residents overwhelmingly oppose the facility. Plus, the VA is looking for ways to help...

Morning rush hour is significantly lighter than before the pandemic, but afternoons can get busy as people working from their homes seek to get out of the house. Meanwhile, the Ramona Unified School District is reversing course, for now, putting on hold a recently adopted policy that would have allowed parents to opt their children out of mask wearing despite state guidelines requiring it. Plus, a...

San Diego County leaders and public health officials now recommend that all employers in the county begin requiring COVID-19 vaccines for their employees or require weekly testing. Also, the disastrous American evacuation from Afghanistan after two decades - we have local reaction. Plus, a robot tracking sewage for COVID-19 outbreaks at UCSD.

Vista Unified School District’s board meeting got interrupted three times last Thursday when protestors refused to wear masks. The leader of the anti-mask group “Let Them Breathe” was kicked out of the meeting. Meanwhile, a week after the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department released an edited video of a deputy supposedly overdosing on fentanyl…. the unedited body cam video was released, leaving...

A bonus episode of San Diego News Now featuring the KPBS Summer Music Series: Boostive.

San Diego county's overall population grew by nearly 7% between 2010 and 2020, but its white majority is shrinking, according to newly released census data. Meanwhile, we have a full explainer for the upcoming recall election, how it works, and what’s at stake for California. Plus, San Diego was well represented by skateboarders at the Tokyo Olympics this year.

Oceanside city officials have voted to move ahead with a plan to build underwater barriers to retain sand along the city's shrinking beaches. But the project will face opposition from beach communities to the south, and it is unlikely to win approval from the California Coastal Commission. Meanwhile, California could receive billions of dollars from the federal infrastructure plan approved on Tues...

San Diego’s MTS is moving over to a new system that offers more flexible fare payment options. The goal is to ensure passengers don't overpay for bus and trolley trips. Meanwhile, Local contractors say they’re not being given an equal opportunity to be involved in Chula Vista’s billion dollar bay front development. Plus, will you need a booster shot for COVID-19?

Enforcing the The Department of Veterans Affairs’ mandate that frontline health workers get vaccinated is proving a challenge. Workers must get the shot by mid-September or they'll lose their jobs. Meanwhile, Chula Vista schools are looking to hire more online instructors amid Covid-19 cases in school. Plus, The United Nations report on climate paints some stark outcomes if no immediate changes ar...

Local nursing homes are seeing an uptick in Covid-19 cases. Meanwhile, last year - as people rediscovered cycling during the pandemic - bike shop owners had trouble keeping bikes in stock. Now, the problem is parts. Plus, an effort to improve California's air quality could have unintended consequences for sport fishing.

A bonus episode of San Diego News Now featuring the KPBS Summer Music Series: Finnegan Blue.

Kids under 12 are not yet eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. We asked health experts how they’re protecting their own kids during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the September 14 recall election can be labelled the work of “national republicans and Trump supporters” in the official election voter guide. That’s according to a tentative ruling in Governor Gavin Newsom’s favor. Plus, the race to get animals a...

Some much needed COVID-19 relief money is coming to small businesses in San Diego county. Meanwhile, North county restaurants are making a comeback. Plus, a local sanctuary is home to some big cats caught up in the multi-billion dollar trade in exotic animals. There's a major effort underway in the U-S to shut down the trade in animals such as lions, tigers and leopards.

The San Diego City Council Tuesday approved a major overhaul to the city’s Parks Master Plan that prioritizes funding for historically underserved communities with few or non-existent parks. Meanwhile, San Diego oceanographers helped in the recovery of the remains of a military flier who crashed off the shore of Vietnam more than 40 years ago. Plus, the Biden administration’s plan to reform the mi...

During the pandemic, small parklets - including outdoor dining areas - helped San Diego restaurants by providing outdoor dining space. Now these outdoor spaces must be brought up to city code, which includes permits and removing permanent roofs. Meanwhile, amid a rise in COVID-19 cases in the navy, the USS Carl Vinson left San Diego on Monday. Plus, the importance of conservation of the Colorado R...

The San Diego Convention Center held its first convention this weekend. Meanwhile, a teen from Encinitas is preparing to represent the US at the Paralympics in Tokyo. Plus, violence between an obscure right-wing group and counter-protesters broke out at a recent pro-Israel rally in El Cajon.

A bonus episode of San Diego News Now featuring the KPBS Summer Music Series: Jelani Aryeh.

The Dark Horse Battalion, a marine unit based at Camp Pendleton, suffered the highest percentage of casualties of any unit in the war in Afghanistan. Now, as the U.S. prepares to leave, they reflect on their legacy. Meanwhile, hemp farms are booming in San Diego County, but some neighbors are unhappy. Plus, Tiki Oasis celebrates its 20th year at a new location.

The child care providers that survived the pandemic are struggling to stay afloat with smaller class sizes and more rigorous precautions against illness. Meanwhile, a San Diego County school official says masks are absolutely required when schools reopen – and schools do not have the choice about whether or not to enforce that mandate. Plus, lenders behind the city’s Civic Center Plaza lease are o...

The San Diego-based Conrad Prebys Foundation sold nearly 6,000 apartment units to the private equity group Blackstone. Housing advocates fear the deal will be a blow to local affordable housing. Meanwhile, a group of parents and advocates gathered in front of the Coronado Unified School District offices on Tuesday to apologize for a recent racist incident at the high school. Plus, Los Angeles Time...

Councilmembers are set to vote on whether to keep using a system that detects and tracks when gunshots are fired. Advocates want to delay the vote - saying the technology is flawed and increases community distrust. Meanwhile, a new hospital opens up in North County specializing in rehabilitation for patients with strokes, amputations and spinal cord damage. Plus, veterans who served in Afghanistan...

A lawyer who spent nearly 2 decades in the finance industry claims he was treated with racist behavior at a local bank. He went into the bank hoping to cash an insurance settlement check. He said the bank’s assistant manager not only refused to cash the check, but also accused him of stealing. And, from the KPBS Investigates podcast, the story of Aaron Harvey: a San Diego native who spent seven mo...