San Diego News Now

On Tuesday afternoon, The Supreme Court Ordered an immediate halt to the 2020 Census Count. Plus, we’ll have a review of San Diego City Council races. And, California Assembly member Shirley Weber talks about which laws she believes can help address systemic racism in the state.

50th District Candidate, Ammar Campa-Najjar participated in an interview last week with a group called Defend East County. In the interview, Campa-Najjar made a number of controversial comments that have angered Democratic supporters. And, things are still rough for the San Diego tourism industry but the region's top tourism booster is hopeful. Plus, Prop 14 is asking voters to approve $5.5 billio...

The outcome of the race to fill the District 3 seat for county supervisors could shift the political balance in San Diego. And... California’s EDD - the unemployment office - has made some improvements but is still facing criticism. Plus, state education experts are warning that children who have missed out on learning due to the pandemic may have learning challenges going forward.

In this episode of San Diego News Matters, we’ll go over election races and debates; the San Diego Mayoral Forum, the 49th Congressional District race San Diego County Supervisor race in District 1, and the 50th and 52nd Congressional District races. Plus, part two of how Covid-19 Metrics are calculated with KPBS’ Trigger Trackers.

An El Cajon nursing home provided its residents with far less care than regulators expected while reporting millions in yearly profits, according to a KPBS analysis of its finances. Plus, Governor Gavin Newsom reveals more ambitious goals to fight climate change -- meanwhile one of his staff members tests positive for COVID-19. And, the state is adding a new metric to how it calculates the Covid-1...

After months and weeks of anticipation, registered voters in California will all automatically receive mail-in ballots in coming days. The message from officials -- send it in early. Also, as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn continue, communities across the country are seeing an upsurge in mental illness and addiction. In City Heights, a group of addiction specialists have gone online t...

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has nominated the first openly gay Black man to the state Supreme Court. Also, landlords can begin filing eviction notices for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. As a result, tenants were protesting outside of the courts in downtown San Diego Monday. Plus, a deep dive into the race to replace Democrat Susan Davis in the 53rd Congressional District.

The two candidates vying to be San Diego’s next mayor would each likely take the city in different directions on issues like affordable housing, transportation and climate action. Also, deadly wildfires in California have burned more than 4 million acres (6,250 square miles) this year — more than double the previous record.. Most of that acreage has been in California’s Wine Country at the height...

New COVID-19 testing sites have opened just for teachers and school staff. All school staff who interact with children must be tested every two months. The County Office of Education says that means 40,000 tests per month. Also, after a positive coronavirus test within the San Diego City Council chambers - questions swirl over what to do next And, a preview of KPBS’ Trigger Tracker, where we exami...

Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Thursday that makes California the first state in the nation to study the issue of reparations for the descendents of enslaved people. Also, As many as 5,000 childcare providers have already closed statewide after the onset of the pandemic. Child care workers are calling it a crisis for the industry.. Plus,as elections heat up, we have fact checks on campaign...

San Diego County will stay in the State’s Red Tier for COVID restrictions, County supervisors say, despite exceeding the state’s Covid-19 metrics. Plus, after being blocked from slides and swings for six months due to the pandemic, kids can now use any outdoor playground regardless of what tier their county falls in, according to new state guidelines. Also, San Diego Police Chief David Nisleit pro...

Santa Ana winds are sweeping through parts of San Diego County as temperatures heat up amid low humidity, significantly raising the risk of wildfires throughout the region. Plus, Former aide to City Council President Georgette Gómez, Kelvin Barrios, is ending his campaign for her seat. Also, before they battled major coronavirus outbreaks, Imperial County’s skilled nursing facilities already had h...

The weather phenomenon known as La Nina has formed for the first time in two years. But scientists aren’t certain if that will guarantee a shorter, drier winter than usual for Southern California. Also, there are a lot more bikers on the roads in San Diego, but bike crashes are down. Plus, your fitness tracker may not be all that accurate depending on the color of your skin.

Local activists are suing the state to stop the use of the California Gang Database, known as CalGang. Plus: racial justice protests continue and more state and local news you need. Support KPBS and this podcast by becoming a member today online at www.kpbs.org/donate

California will halt sales of new gasoline-powered passenger cars and trucks by 2035, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday. The move will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 35% in the nation’s most populous state, according to the Governor. Plus, more local and state news you need. Support KPBS’ daily news podcast by becoming a member today. www.kpbs.org/donate

San Diego County will remain in the "red" tier of the state's COVID-19 reopening plan for at least one more week, state officials said Tuesday, citing data on the two metrics California uses to judge counties’ infection rates.

The county awaits data from the state which could potentially place San Diego in California's most restrictive coronavirus tier. Meanwhile some residents and business owners want more local say over those restrictions. Also, an inmate is on the verge of death as one of the largest COVID-19 outbreaks in the federal prison system continues to play out in downtown San Diego. Plus, a newly introduced...

California will not accept new unemployment claims for the next two weeks as the state works to prevent fraud and reduce a backlog of unprocessed claims. More than 2 million people are out of work statewide during the coronavirus pandemic. Also, a new filing in federal court claims that Customs and Border Protection knew it was breaking the law when it began turning away asylum-seekers at the U.S....

Some Lawmakers in California are questioning why Gov. Gavin Newsom has not yet opened playgrounds in the state. Also,key findings from a statewide survey by the Public Policy Institute of California show Californians are divided on changing California’s landmark tax reform initiative, Proposition 13, and so far they don't favor bringing affirmative action back to California. Plus, misinformation w...

San Diego county leaders have asked the state to not count college students’ cases in tallying the county’s virus infection rate. But California officials say no -- the campus community is part of the larger community, and can contribute to the spread of COVID-19. Also, Scripps Health forms a committee to assess future COVID-19 vaccines for patients and employees when they become available. Plus,...

As fires continue burning in California, San Diego County has advised vulnerable populations to stay indoors due to poor air quality. And… the clock is ticking in San Diego -- New COVID-19 data released Tuesday show a case rate that the state considers a “widespread” outbreak. If the case rate stays high for another week, it could lead to business restrictions and closures. Plus, the One Navy Task...

A KPBS analysis of COVID-19 community outbreaks shows ZIP codes that include the Gaslamp Quarter and Pacific Beach have had the highest number of community outbreaks. Also, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors is voting today on how to allocate millions of dollars for businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 restrictions. Plus, San Diego animal shelters have just received about 100 dogs and cats e...

A confusing postcard sent out by the US Postal service has misleading advice for California voters. Plus, Following the departure of the "North Park Community Fridge," we find food assistance offered at another location just down the street in North Park. And, California’s Common Sense Party, which KPBS found was signing up voters without their knowledge or consent, is now suing the state to get o...

San Diego County public health officials reported nearly 300 new COVID-19 infections and four deaths from the illness. Also, San Diego's "smart streetlights" were originally pitched as a way to improve transportation planning, but they quickly morphed into a tool for law enforcement. An ordinance to regulate the cameras' use is awaiting a vote from the City Council. Plus, while much else in San Di...

The Valley fire has burned 17,665 acres, so far destroyed 26 "habitable structures" and 25 "minor structures" and resulted in two injuries. It was not clear if the injury victims were firefighters or civilians. Also, County Officials are warning that San Diego is close to being placed in the highest tier of restrictions via the state’s COVID-19 tiered ranking system. Plus, local organizations were...