San Diego News Now

Every second and fourth Saturday at a walk-up clinic in National City, lowrider cars will greet patients and promote the opportunity to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Meanwhile, the City Heights community and it’s leaders gather to discuss remodeling sections of El Cajon Boulevard. And, a preview of arts and cultural happenings this weekend.

San Diego’s business community celebrates their first day in the state’s orange covid-19 tier. Also, Donovan state prison in Otay Mesa is among those in the state with the most inmate deaths from covid-19. Our partners at inewsource have new information on what was behind the deaths. Plus, learning how to talk about mental health in the Latino community.

Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled a plan on Tuesday to reopen California by mid June if Covid-19 trends continue. Meanwhile, San Diego moves into the Orange Covid-19 tier today. Plus, Measure C, the hotel tax increase measure aimed at funding a convention center expansion, gets a second chance.

The events industry - those folks who put on conferences and large gatherings - could see permit fees waived to help them recover financially. Meanwhile, three weeks after opening a rental assistance program, San Diego city leaders are still urging people to apply for the money. Plus, what would Biden’s Infrastructure plan mean for San Diego?

Governor Gavin Newsom was in town on Friday, praising San Diego’s vaccine efforts. Meanwhile, crowds will be back later this month at conferences and live performances, according to state rules. Plus, the San Diego Public Library Foundation wants your input on a new library master plan.

At least 380 inmates who either can't afford bail, or weren't granted it, have spent more than a year in local jails. That's not how the system is supposed to work. Also, attempts to better regulate nursing homes in the state in the post-pandemic era. And COVID-19 testing at Black churches.

South of the border, a lot of focus in recent weeks has been on a surge of Central American asylum seekers, but there is also a large group of migrants from Haiti, fighting their own battles in Tijuana against violence and racism. Meanwhile, Two new scooter rental companies have begun operations in San Diego as city officials consider ways to improve regulations of the industry. Plus, as Californi...

A North County group is helping at-risk youth resist the lure of gangs, and have a chance at a new life. Plus, some landlords in San Diego refused rent relief money in the first round of funding -- a new infusion of money includes incentives for landlords to participate. Meanwhile, the San Diego VA is rolling out it’s vaccine plans and goals for veterans.

To receive food stamp benefits in California, eligible recipients must recertify every six months. A new study from UC Berkeley finds that complicated processes often drive people out of the program. Meanwhile, as more migrant teenage girls arrive at the San Diego convention center, local social service agencies and educators are stepping up to help them. Plus, a new analysis from the San Diego Un...

The Marines have the fewest number of women of any of the armed services. Though the Corps has now integrated its two boot camps, that's just one of several hurdles the Corps faces to fully welcoming women to its ranks. Also, the parents of a hiker who drowned in Mission Trails Regional Park in January are working to get a bridge built in his memory. And, research shows alcohol consumption rose by...

Governor Newsom says starting April 1, all Californians 50 and over will become eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations. Then on April 15, eligibility extends to everyone 16 and over. Plus: owls, spring breakers, virtual performing arts and more. Support San Diego News Now by becoming joining the KPBS family today. www.kpbs.org/donate

Travel to and hotel bookings in San Diego are up, though not quite back to pre-pandemic levels. And… remember how back in the early days of the pandemic, San Diego unveiled a "slow streets" program to give residents safe places to walk and ride bikes? In recent months that program has been quietly scaled back to just one street in Pacific Beach. Plus, a new podcast called “Blood on Gold Mountain”...

Early voting begins today in the special election to fill the 79th district state assembly seat. The seat used to belong to Dr. Shirley Weber, now the Secretary of State. Meanwhile, San Diego county and Mexico are working together on opening a new vaccination site downtown at the Mexican Consulate. Plus, South bay women leaders in healthcare get honored for their work during the pandemic.

Mayor Todd Gloria Monday urged workers affected by the pandemic to apply for rent relief though San Diego's COVID-19 Housing Stability Assistance Program. Meanwhile, according to HHS plans, the San Diego Convention Center will be used on a temporary basis to house unaccompanied minors who’ve crossed the border. Plus, the city of Calexico finally voted to sell the federal government nearly 2.5 acre...

The Chula Vista Police Department is the first police agency in the nation to be able to respond to 911 calls and emergencies with drones. But the move has its critics. Meanwhile, there’s a fight going on to save The Flying Leathernecks Museum at MCAS Miramar. Plus, a deeper look at the KPBS special series covering small businesses impacted by the Pandemic.

Distance learning during the pandemic has only worsened the achievement gap between students from marginalized communities and those growing up in privilege. But could there be some long-term benefits to this experience? Meanwhile, a full look at the recall efforts against Governor Gavin Newsom as recall leaders say they have enough signatures. Plus, weekend preview with KPBS’ Arts Calendar Editor...

The pandemic has had a profound impact on how San Diegans get around. Now city planners are figuring out what lessons can be applied to the future of transportation in the county. Meanwhile, local reaction to the shootings in Atlanta. Plus, efforts to restore Red Hill Bay at the Salton Sea were supposed to begin in 2015 -- but the project never got off the ground and now local officials are in a t...

As of today, San Diego county is finally moving back into the less restrictive red tier. That will allow limited indoor operations of businesses such as restaurants, movie theaters and gyms. Plus: the next installment in our “Pandemic Life: One Year On,” series takes a look at the devastating toll the pandemic has had on small businesses. If you listen to this podcast, consider supporting it by be...

One year into this pandemic life, we look at the response of major healthcare organizations to COVID-19 and how the pandemic has changed the healthcare system going forward. Meanwhile, Carlsbad students are returning to classrooms this week. Plus, an inewsource investigation finds fewer than 1% of those incarcerated in San Diego county jails have been vaccinated against covid-19.

KPBS kicks off a series looking back at the past pandemic year. We’ll also speak with small business owners who have been among those most impacted by the pandemic. Plus, starting Monday, COVID-19 vaccinations are available for San Diego County residents ages 16 to 64 with underlying medical conditions.

Twenty-five percent of San Diegans have now received at least one dose of aCOVID-19 vaccine, and nearly 15% are fully vaccinated. Advocates for foster youth in San Diego county are concerned about the possible closure of San Pasqual Academy in Escondido - the academy is school and home for about 70 teenage foster kids.. Plus, an overhaul to the way San Diego County’s Metropolitan Transit System co...

San Diego will begin coordinating homeless outreach efforts by sending out teams of caseworkers to different neighborhoods to build trust with the homeless community. Meanwhile, nursing homes in California are re-opening for visitors with restrictions. And, some North County school districts are taking the state to court.

Governor Gavin Newsom gives his State of the State address, one year into the pandemic and amid growing pressure from a recall campaign against him. Meanwhile, while San Diego police are touting a lower crime rate in 2020, a closer look at the numbers shows that violent crime here has gone up a bit, as it has big cities across the country in 2020. Plus, San Diego City Council votes to create a “cl...

The pandemic has hit Native American communities especially hard -- not just with illness, but with a loss of elders, and traditions. Plus: San Diego Police tout a decrease in crime las year, vaccinated San Diego’s on the new CDC guidelines for what people with shots can do and more of the local news you need. Support the podcast by becoming a member today: www.kpbs.org/donate

As eligibility for COVID-19 vaccinations expands and case numbers drop, there's growing pressure on the state to allow families to visit nursing home residents. Meanwhile, the Army is asking soldiers and survivors for ideas on how to fix its broken sexual assault and harassment prevention program. Plus, San Diego leaders launch a new program to get communities involved in the effort to stop gun vi...