San Diego News Now

Officials are activating field hospitals across California, including a 200-bed facility in Escondido. We’re heading for disaster, the governor said on Wednesday, if people don't protect themselves this Christmas, a surge on top of a surge on top of a surge. Plus: ACLU of San Diego is working to get more data about COVID-19 cases in county jails, a drag queen fights to keep the art alive through t...

COVID-19 cases are surging in San Diego County jails, prisons and detention centers, according to community outbreak records obtained by KPBS. Plus: President Donald Trump pardons former Repubican Rep. Duncan Hunter, Gov. Gavin Newsom picks for Secretary of State and U.S. Senate seat and more local and state news.

Community outbreak records obtained by KPBS show a total of more than 630 cases in which people diagnosed with the disease had been at casinos within 14 days of their diagnosis.

KPBS obtained County Health Department records on the virus that have been withheld from the public, finally revealing where COVID-19 outbreaks have happened in San Diego County. Plus: Top county health officials detail vaccine rollout progress and future plans plus the ongoing legal battle impacting local restaurants and more local news you need.

Hospitals across California have all but run out of intensive care beds for COVID-19 patients, ambulances are backing up outside emergency rooms, and tents for triaging the sick have been erected in hospital parking lots.. Meanwhile, a judge’s ruling that strip clubs and restaurants can stay open during the pandemic and despite the surge prompts a reaction from San Diego’s newly inaugurated Mayor...

As San Diego emergency rooms are overwhelmed, the county launches a plan to divert ambulances to less impacted hospitals. Meanwhile, we know Latino communities have been hit hard by the pandemic, KPBS Midday Edition explored the impacts on mental health. And 2020 is shaping up to become one of the hottest years on record.

The pandemic has worsened burnout and stress on caregivers for disabled veterans. Meanwhile, San Diego’s Rady Children’s hospital received their first round of COVID-19 vaccines for their frontline emergency nurses. Also, the population of California’s Monarch Butterfly is crashing.

As people begin to get vaccinated in San Diego County and across the country, the US marks a grim milestone: 300,000 deaths from the coronavirus. Also, new data show students learning English have suffered the most academically during the pandemic. Plus, in the waning weeks of the Trump Administration, Friendship Park along the US-Mexico border could be drastically changed under new plans to repla...

The FDA has approved emergency use of a Covid-19 Vaccine. As ICU capacity continues to dwindle in San Diego, how do hospitals best direct resources to meet the challenges of COVID 19? Also, lawmakers revisit budget cuts in California after h news of a 26-billion dollar windfall in tax revenues. And, local researchers are looking at plants to help ease the pressures of climate change.

New numbers obtained by KPBS show that evictions are continuing in San Diego County, despite a state bill meant to stop many of them during the pandemic. Also, Todd Gloria was Inaugurated on Thursday - he’s San Diego’s first openly gay mayor. Plus, unless SD Unified gets more federal aid, the school district faces a massive budget deficit.

As hospitalizations from COVID-19 continue to increase across San Diego, there are growing concerns about the possibility of ICU nurse staffing shortages. Meanwhile, Governor Newsom has reversed a decision to close playgrounds under the state stay-at-home orders. Also, a new report finds veterans are struggling to file claims for VA benefits during the pandemic.

As coronavirus cases surge, San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer officially leaves office Thursday. KPBS spoke with Faulconer about his nearly seven years in office and his potential run for governor in 2022 Meanwhile, state health officials warn about a dangerous spike in coronavirus cases and broad transmission of the virus. As local counties and cities try to grapple with the stay-at-home orders, it...

Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced a cell-phone-based system designed to notify residents when they've been exposed to COVID-19 for statewide use on Monday.. It was piloted at UC San Diego starting back in September. Meanwhile, local officials are pushing back on county stay-at-home orders. Also, we’ll have an interview with local DACA recipients who are hopeful about the incoming Biden Administration a...

ICU capacity in the 11-county Southern California region's was down to just 12.5% on Saturday. That meant a stay at home order went into place on Sunday night. Meanwhile, as final grades have come in for the fall semester, the pandemic’s toll on education becomes more clear. And, with time on their hands, more and more people are getting fishing and hunting licenses.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a sweeping new coronavirus order Thursday that will trigger business shutdowns and limits on people's movement. Lockdowns will be orderdered based on hospital intensive care unit capacity in different regions of the state. Plus: gusty winds start fires and precautionary power shutoffs, a San Diego church pushes back against county health officials and more of...

How some of the city’s most cherished Balboa Park institutions are surviving in the era of COVID-19. Plus: San Diego Unified will push back its plan to return to in-person education, damaging Santa Ana winds are here through the end of the week and more of the local news you need.

San Diego County health officials reported 22 deaths Tuesday, bringing the COVID death toll to 1,019. Plus: city officials say they're hoping to have housed more than 1-thousand homeless San Diegans by the end of the year, why researchers are worried that the first COVID vaccine could harm other ongoing vaccine studies and more local news you need.

A Kearny Mesa church continues to defy public health orders despite a recent outbreak of COVID-19. Plus: Taking a closer look at an overlooked habitat when it comes to combating climate change, a new mandate requiring California hospitals to test workers and more local news you need.

California is combating rampant fraud in unemployment claims, But some people with legitimate claims - especially those in immigrant communities - are finding themselves locked out of their accounts. Also, city voters approved a new Commission on Police Practices -- today will be the first chance for the public to have a voice on how that commission will work... And, from our inewsource partners:...

San Diego County public health officials reported 1,052 COVID-19 infections and eight additional deaths Thursday, raising the region's totals to over 75,000cases and nearly 1,000 deaths. Meanwhile, like everywhere else in the country, San Diego is strategizing on how the county will roll out a Covid-19 Vaccine if and when one becomes available. Plus, Imperial County was among the hardest-hit in th...

The rise of COVID-19 cases in San Diego is part of a pattern being seen statewide and that will put increasing strain on the health care system in coming weeks. Meanwhile, San Diego County public health officials reported a record 1,546 COVID-19 infections Tuesday, along with 16 additional deaths. Also, as the pandemic rages, teachers are struggling to get time off due to a shortage of substitute...

Coronavirus cases are surging among Latino communities in the South Bay, and unemployment is on the rise there as well. While they only make up one third of the population in San Diego county, Latinos account for 60% of all cases. Meanwhile Governor Gavin Newsom gives a press conference from quarantine in his home after a family member was exposed to Covid-19. Plus, local restaurants are making pl...

Four years of disputes over President Donald Trump and his policies have fractured families to the point of estrangement, made even worse by his refusal to concede the presidency and false claims that President-elect Joe Biden’s victory is based on voter fraud. Also, A San Diego superior court judge is expected to rule on a lawsuit requesting a temporary restraining order on the state’s coronaviru...

In an effort to steam the rise in coronavirus cases, all non-essential work, movement and gatherings must cease between 10 p.m. to 5 a.m starting Saturday, November 21st. The move comes only days after the state imposed restrictions limiting business operations in those 41 counties, which have the most significant increases in virus cases. Meanwhile, Sheriff Bill Gore said four two-deputy teams wi...

None of San Diego County's previous climate action plans survived legal scrutiny. Officials hope this time, it will be different. Plus: the county’s vaccine distribution plan, paying sick people to stay home and more of the local news you need. San Diego News Matters is KPBS’ daily news podcast made possible by our newsroom. Support our work and this podcast at www.kpbs.org/donate.