Politics | Michael Smolens: Homeless funding comes with accountability — at least in theory By Michael Smolens June 26, 2024 at 4:43 p.m. Local governments are supposed to show progress on homeless programs funded with state money.
Latest Headlines | Supervisors adopt $8.53 billion budget, largest in county history By Jerry Wu June 26, 2024 at 10:29 a.m. A revised plan introduced earlier this month added almost $46.9 million in spending to the...
Politics | San Diego’s plan to help beach neighborhoods survive, and thrive, as seas rise By David Garrick June 25, 2024 at 5:00 a.m. City officials are proposing a climate resilience plan that includes dunes and new seawalls in...
Transportation | New Copper Line trolley would bring major changes to East County transit By David Garrick June 24, 2024 at 7:27 a.m. Riders in Santee would have to transfer, but officials say overall trolley system would benefit
Politics | Are promenades the future of urban parks in San Diego? By David Garrick June 23, 2024 at 6:15 a.m. While no one is opposed to plans for open space amid dense development, many critics...
Transportation | MTS rejects proposed crackdown on fare jumpers costing trolley system $1M a month By David Garrick June 21, 2024 at 2:10 p.m. More and more San Diego Trolley riders are taking advantage of a loophole that discourages...
Politics | A park, a migrant center and help for victims of violence: What’s changed in the county’s revised $8.5B budget By Emily Alvarenga June 20, 2024 at 10:10 a.m. The revised budget adds almost $46.9 million in spending, nearly all of which will go...
Politics | Has the Coastal Commission made housing and climate crises worse? It’s offended at even the suggestion By David Garrick June 19, 2024 at 8:41 a.m. A new Circulate San Diego report says the agency often uses its land-use authority in...
Politics | Michael Smolens: Hillcrest, University City growth won’t be as severe as some fear By Michael Smolens June 26, 2024 at 2:12 p.m. Over the next 30 years or so, the residents of Hillcrest and University City will...
News | Hundreds of vacancies at San Diego city and county boards hobble missions, delay work By Jeff McDonald June 17, 2024 at 10:19 a.m. With more than 1,800 seats and rules tailored to each of the nearly 200 bodies...
Politics | Want to help fix neighbors’ flood-ravaged homes? There’s a volunteer opportunity for that By Maura Fox June 14, 2024 at 5:01 a.m. Since Jan. 22, community groups have helped thousands of displaced residents clean up and rebuild,...
Politics | Crime and politics in California By Michael Smolens June 26, 2024 at 2:13 p.m. Democrats in Sacramento push package on retail theft with strings attached, Proposition 47 revision heads...
Politics | Controversial plans to urbanize two San Diego neighborhoods advance, could soon get city approval By David Garrick June 14, 2024 at 8:21 a.m. Supporters say the proposals to transform Hillcrest and University City with high-rise homes are 'desperately...
Local Politics | San Diego County to purchase air purifiers for South Bay communities impacted by sewer gas By Tammy Murga June 5, 2024 at 12:48 a.m. San Diego County will provide air purifiers to people who live and work near where...
Local Politics | Emergency evacuations to get more precise under county’s new notification system By Caleb Lunetta May 30, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. SAN DIEGO — In anticipation of warmer temperatures and the looming threat of fire season, San Diego...
Local Politics | Vista council seeks appraisal on Green Oak Ranch, which is also being eyed by county By Paul Sisson May 29, 2024 at 11:55 p.m. The City of Vista is moving forward in the process of competing with the county...
Local Politics | San Diego County to open new affordable housing for older adults amid overwhelming demand By Blake Nelson May 28, 2024 at 8:30 p.m. More than 120 new apartments are opening this week for low-income older adults, the first...
Local Politics | City of Vista, Solutions for Change are competing with county to purchase Green Oak Ranch By Paul Sisson May 26, 2024 at 12:01 p.m. Green Oak Ranch, the beloved and secluded property up for sale after decades hosting a...
Local Politics | County to spend $26 million renovating National City property for drug treatment By Paul Sisson May 24, 2024 at 7:15 p.m. Nearly five years after an audit prompted the county to pick up a pair of...
Local Politics | County formally asks state to petition CDC to investigate cross-border sewage crisis and its impact on public health By Tammy Murga May 23, 2024 at 2:13 a.m. San Diego County is officially calling on state and federal public health agencies to investigate...
Local Politics | County seeks operator for new migrant transition center with $19.6 million in federal funds By Alexandra Mendoza May 22, 2024 at 1:38 p.m. The county Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to accept $19.6 million in federal funding to...
Local Politics | Dr. Wilma Wooten, San Diego County’s public health director, wins statewide award By Paul Sisson May 14, 2024 at 11:55 p.m. Citing her 23 years of service as San Diego County's public health director, the California...
Local Politics | Big changes are in store for Vista’s Green Oak Ranch that could jeopardize popular summer camp By Paul Sisson May 5, 2024 at 12:01 p.m. For decades, thousands of kids have attended camps and retreats at Vista's Green Oak Ranch,...
Local Politics | Rebranded ‘ghost gun’ machine is being sold illegally in California, says county lawsuit By Teri Figueroa May 4, 2024 at 2:14 a.m. SAN DIEGO — San Diego County is suing a company it says is flouting state law by...
Local Politics | San Diego County board majority criticizes Kaiser mental health care policy By Paul Sisson May 2, 2024 at 7:21 p.m. A majority of San Diego County supervisors supported a resolution Wednesday that decries reduced "patient...
Local Politics | County moves forward with plan for a long-term migrant center after securing federal funding By Alexandra Mendoza May 3, 2024 at 2:58 a.m. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 Tuesday to move forward with a...
Local Politics | Migrant services groups call on county for ‘seat at the table’ in deciding how to spend federal funds By Emily Alvarenga April 27, 2024 at 2:22 a.m. Local migrant services groups are urging San Diego County leaders to collaborate with those working...
Local Politics | North County could be getting a new sheriff’s station. The sheriff wants to know what you think. By Teri Figueroa April 21, 2024 at 12:01 p.m. NORTH COUNTY — A 18-acre plot along two busy North County highways could someday house a sheriff's...
Local Politics | San Diego County gets $19.6M in federal funding for migrant services but must now decide how to spend it By Emily Alvarenga April 20, 2024 at 12:01 p.m. San Diego County is one step closer to finding a long-term solution to assist migrants...
Local Politics | Sheriff’s Department streamlines application for permit to carry a gun in San Diego County By Teri Figueroa April 15, 2024 at 10:55 p.m. SAN DIEGO — A newly created software program promises a more user-friendly process for people applying for...
Local Politics | Why is it taking so long to expand San Diego County’s mental health capacity? By Paul Sisson April 13, 2024 at 12:01 p.m. All leaders at all levels have agreed since Tri-City Medical Center closed its mental health...
Local Politics | How will San Diego County implement new involuntary treatment law? Details begin to emerge. By Paul Sisson April 10, 2024 at 3:22 a.m. County supervisors accepted updates on several statewide mental health initiatives Tuesday, though the big questions...
Local Politics | Medical examiner still tackling case backlog stemming from surge in fentanyl deaths By Karen Kucher April 7, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. Before a homicide case can proceed, prosecutors and defense attorneys need to know, officially, how...
Local Politics | Waiting for answers: Family of man who died in sheriff’s custody has no idea what happened By Jeff McDonald March 25, 2024 at 9:38 p.m. Abdul Kamara had a bus to catch.The 29-year-old San Diego County transplant was headed home...
Local Politics | San Diego County may be on the hook for $24 million (or more) after feds cap COVID emergency housing help By Blake Nelson March 14, 2024 at 10:48 p.m. San Diego County could be stuck paying out tens of millions of dollars for housing...
Local Politics | ‘Please, I ask you to help us’: After pleas by flood victims, county OKs nearly $10 million more in relief By Emily Alvarenga March 13, 2024 at 5:11 p.m. After hearing from dozens of flood victims impacted by the historic Jan. 22 storms, the...
Local Politics | Is San Diego County getting its fair share of Medi-Cal reimbursements? By Paul Sisson March 11, 2024 at 12:01 p.m. After an initial discussion with medical providers in San Diego County, Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer says...
Local Politics | Human Relations Commission will ‘pause’ as county hires consultant to restructure it By Emily Alvarenga February 28, 2024 at 1:01 p.m. After spending months embroiled in controversy, the county Human Relations Commission is putting its work...
Local Politics | County approves plan to develop long-term migrant center and shelter. Next is the search for funding. By Alexandra Mendoza February 28, 2024 at 4:45 a.m. The county Board of Supervisors approved a plan Tuesday to explore outside funding for a...
Local Politics | What’s on the ballot, who’s who, how to vote and more: Everything you need to know about the March election By Staff Report March 6, 2024 at 2:14 a.m. Maybe you've already cast your vote.Maybe your ballot is still waiting to be filled out,...
Local Politics | With San Diego migrant center closing, Border Patrol drop-offs likely to resume at transit stations By Alexandra Mendoza February 23, 2024 at 4:40 a.m. The migrant welcome center that has been serving the rising number people arriving in San...
Local Politics | State of the County: Vargas discusses ongoing efforts to address homelessness, housing and inequities By Emily Alvarenga February 22, 2024 at 3:51 a.m. Chair Nora Vargas pledged during her State of the County address Wednesday that the Board...
Local Politics | Migrant welcome center set to close this week as county funds run out early By Alexandra Mendoza February 20, 2024 at 4:19 a.m. A temporary welcome center that for months has provided essential services to tens of thousands...
Local Politics | San Diego County leaders move forward with plan aiming to reduce gun violence By City News Service February 8, 2024 at 10:47 p.m. After a previous failed attempt, the county Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 Tuesday to adopt...
Local Politics | Inmate found dead in downtown jail was allegedly killed by cellmate By Lyndsay Winkley February 1, 2024 at 10:23 p.m. San Diego — The 24-year-old inmate found dead in the county's downtown San Diego jail two weeks...
Local Politics | San Diego County looks to expand street medicine programs for homeless people By Paul Sisson February 1, 2024 at 8:20 a.m. San Diego will work in the coming months to better tie together disparate street medicine...
Local Politics | Majority of county supervisors support March ballot measure giving state larger share of mental health funds By Paul Sisson January 24, 2024 at 2:58 a.m. Though some of its members said they are concerned about losing control of millions in...
Local Politics | Massive cleanup begins after torrential rains flood region and overwhelm aging drainage systems By Kristen Taketa January 25, 2024 at 4:11 a.m. Water-logged San Diego started monstrous cleanup efforts Tuesday after record-breaking rains battered homes, choked streets...
Local Politics | There’s good news and bad news on electric rates for San Diego Community Power customers By Rob Nikolewski January 20, 2024 at 11:22 p.m. Customers of San Diego Community Power, the community choice energy program that provides electricity generation...
Local Politics | Room for rent: San Diego County approves pilot housing program to prevent homelessness among seniors By Lauren J. Mapp January 16, 2024 at 12:21 a.m. A two-year pilot program to reduce homelessness among older adults was unanimously approved last week...
Local Politics | Supervisors move forward with funding for additional recuperative care center By Paul Sisson January 10, 2024 at 3:47 a.m. Adding an additional 100 recuperative care beds and helping San Diego County workers with increasing...
Local Politics | Behavioral health worker training program among proposals for share of $80 million ‘evergreen’ fund By Paul Sisson January 3, 2024 at 2:04 a.m. Another recuperative care center for unhoused residents and a new training initiative for local behavioral...
Local Politics | $3 million spent, $3 million to go: Here’s how county funds are being used on migrant services By Emily Alvarenga January 1, 2024 at 5:21 p.m. The South Bay nonprofit contracted by the county to spearhead migrant services will continue to...
Local Politics | San Diego County hires longtime deputy public defender as office’s new chief By Alex Riggins December 26, 2023 at 10:48 p.m. San Diego County has hired longtime deputy public defender Paul Rodriguez as its new chief...
Local Politics | San Diego County wants to hire poll workers, especially if they speak these languages By Staff Report December 24, 2023 at 1:01 p.m. San Diego County is looking to hire poll workers for the March 5 primary election...
Local Politics | Registered as nonpartisan? If you want to vote in the presidential primary, request a ballot by Jan. 5 By Staff Report December 22, 2023 at 7:27 p.m. California may be an open-primary state — but if you're not registered to vote with...
Local Politics | Want to be a watchdog for local government? Applications open for San Diego County grand jury By Sam Schulz December 22, 2023 at 1:01 p.m. San Diego County residents interested in holding their government to account can apply to join...
Local Politics | Federal jury sides with San Diego County in firing of chief medical officer By Alex Riggins December 18, 2023 at 11:13 p.m. A federal jury has sided with San Diego County in the firing of former chief...
Local Politics | County workers will again be able to survey the local homeless population while on the clock By Blake Nelson December 7, 2023 at 10:17 p.m. San Diego County employees can be paid if they choose next month to help tally...
Local Politics | New law allows more involuntary mental health holds. Should San Diego County delay its implementation? By Paul Sisson November 30, 2023 at 7:14 p.m. A new law that significantly expands the rules for involuntary mental health holds takes effect...
Local Politics | For decades, tribes have helped San Diego County on emergency calls. Now, the two are butting heads over sovereign immunity. By Lauren J. Mapp November 27, 2023 at 4:10 p.m. For decades, tribal fire departments have responded to fires or accidents off their reservations under...
Local Politics | Sheriff’s Department unveils its first night-flying firefighting helicopter By Teri Figueroa November 21, 2023 at 2:23 a.m. The Sheriff's Department on Monday unveiled its first night-flying firefighting helicopter. The delivery of the...
Local Politics | San Diego County gets housing vouchers just for homeless veterans. Hundreds aren’t being used. By Blake Nelson November 11, 2023 at 1:01 p.m. Last year, San Diego County had nearly 950 vouchers that help cover housing for homeless...
Local Politics | ‘This is a much better situation’: Temporary migrant welcome center moves to new San Diego location By Emily Alvarenga November 9, 2023 at 1:01 p.m. Two men embraced as dozens of migrants got off a bus.“Hi friend,” one excitedly said...
Local Politics | Vowing to ‘center the people,’ Montgomery Steppe is set to become District 4 supervisor as Reichert concedes By Emily Alvarenga November 10, 2023 at 2:12 a.m. Holding a wide lead her opponent acknowledged she could not surmount, San Diego City Councilmember...
Local Politics | County’s proposed crackdown on crisis pregnancy centers fails on split vote By Paul Sisson November 8, 2023 at 4:50 p.m. More than 60 people signed up to speak against a proposal from county Supervisor Terra...
Local Politics | San Diego County moves to find homes for 100 people in rehab, review all homelessness contracts By Blake Nelson November 8, 2023 at 11:06 p.m. County officials have advanced a proposal to house a large group of people who are...
Local Politics | Montgomery Steppe holds wide lead over Reichert for District 4 supervisor in early returns By Emily Alvarenga November 8, 2023 at 7:11 a.m. Hours after the polls closed in the special election for county supervisor, Democrat Monica Montgomery...
Local Politics | San Diego County is looking for places to put small cabins ahead of a possible new homeless camping ban By Blake Nelson November 6, 2023 at 1:01 p.m. County officials are on the hunt for organizations willing to erect tiny homes for homeless...
Local Politics | County to consider suing crisis pregnancy centers for alleged deceptive practices By Paul Sisson November 6, 2023 at 1:01 p.m. County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer is urging her colleagues to get tough with local crisis pregnancy...
Local Politics | Court ruling deems Vista judge ineligible to apply for county’s top public defender job By David Hernandez November 3, 2023 at 5:06 p.m. A San Diego Superior Court judge who applied for the job of the county's chief...
Local Politics | Vote centers open Saturday ahead of Nov. 7 special election By Emily Alvarenga October 27, 2023 at 9:13 p.m. Some in-person vote centers in San Diego County are opening Saturday as the Nov. 7...
Local Politics | Supervisor Desmond, Republican candidates call for border shutdown to new immigrants By David Hernandez October 27, 2023 at 12:51 a.m. County Supervisor Jim Desmond is calling for the partial shutdown of the U.S.-Mexico border after...
Local Politics | In split vote, Board of Supervisors fails to back Newsom’s proposed federal amendment to harden gun laws By Teri Figueroa October 25, 2023 at 2:24 a.m. SAN DIEGO — A split county Board of Supervisors failed Tuesday to pass a resolution to back...
Local Politics | San Diego County to create welcome center for immigrants and refugees, first in North County By Emily Alvarenga October 27, 2023 at 7:12 p.m. San Diego County will create a second welcome center for immigrants and refugees settling in...
Local Politics | South Bay nonprofit will now manage $3 million funding for migrant services and welcome center By Emily Alvarenga October 27, 2023 at 7:12 p.m. A South Bay nonprofit has been put in charge of $3 million for migrant services...
Local Politics | District 4 supervisor candidates to discuss East County issues at forum tonight By Emily Alvarenga October 18, 2023 at 1:40 p.m. San Diego County District 4 supervisor candidates Monica Montgomery Steppe and Amy Reichert will be...
Local Politics | New court to treat people with serious mental illness gets slow start in San Diego and across the state By Lyndsay Winkley October 16, 2023 at 3:52 p.m. CARE Court has been in session for almost two weeks now, and it's getting off...
Local Politics | Thousands of San Diego County voters were mistakenly sent two mail ballots. Here’s what to do. By Emily Alvarenga October 12, 2023 at 11:53 p.m. Election officials are alerting some San Diego County voters to look out for two ballots...
Local Politics | County supervisors approve $3 million for migrant services in San Diego. ‘We have a responsibility.’ By Maura Fox October 11, 2023 at 6:42 a.m. The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday to allocate $3 million to...
Local Politics | Misspent funds or a win for due process? County program providing lawyers for immigrants draws ire and praise By David Hernandez October 9, 2023 at 5:29 p.m. San Diego County provided attorneys to nearly 800 immigrants facing deportation in the first 15...
Local Politics | Months after shelving contentious search for top executive, county supervisors start over, but incumbent will stay for now By Emily Alvarenga October 6, 2023 at 10:35 p.m. As San Diego County supervisors restart their search for a new chief administrative officer, the...
Local Politics | ‘It changed our whole world’: Mother accuses San Diego County of failing to ID son’s body for 5 months By Alex Riggins October 4, 2023 at 2:14 a.m. A mother who searched for her missing 19-year-old son for five months before learning that...
Local Politics | Summit a call to action against rising gun violence. ‘We are in the middle of a full-on state of emergency.’ By Caleb Lunetta September 30, 2023 at 2:14 a.m. SAN DIEGO — Capping a historic week that saw 23 gun violence reduction bills signed into California...
Local Politics | San Diego County declares humanitarian crisis for asylum seekers at border By Emily Alvarenga September 27, 2023 at 4:11 a.m. With growing numbers of migrants arriving in San Diego County in recent weeks, the Board...
Local Politics | County approves program to assist law enforcement in interacting with people with disabilities By Caleb Lunetta September 27, 2023 at 3:40 a.m. SAN DIEGO — The San Diego County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday adopted a new program designed...
Local Politics | Forced mental health care saved one man’s life. Another felt traumatized. This is the complexity of treatment. By Blake Nelson September 25, 2023 at 9:34 p.m. Editor’s note: This article includes discussions of suicide. If you’re struggling with thoughts of hurting yourself,...
Local Politics | Who will qualify for CARE Court when it starts on Oct. 2? A select few with a specific mental illness By Paul Sisson September 25, 2023 at 3:40 p.m. CARE Court, a state law passed in 2022 that allows a wide range of people...
Local Politics | Weber’s jail-reform bill passes Legislature, but faces uncertain future in governor’s office By Jeff McDonald September 14, 2023 at 11:16 p.m. In the last hours of the Legislative session, a bill introduced by Assemblymember Akilah Weber...
Local Politics | An ‘important step forward’: In a unanimous vote, San Diego County directs more funds toward child care By Emily Alvarenga September 13, 2023 at 4:54 p.m. San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to start putting their recently released...
Local Politics | Voters in North County, 4th supervisorial district sent details about upcoming special election By Jeff McDonald September 7, 2023 at 8:25 p.m. San Diego County elections officials have mailed out more than 430,000 notices to registered voters...
Local Politics | More than half a million dollars in unclaimed money available from county By City News Service July 31, 2023 at 7:21 p.m. San Diego County is looking to return $543,171 in unclaimed money before it is rolled...
Local Politics | Is the Housing First model helping to end homelessness? Or does it enable drug users? By Gary Warth July 23, 2023 at 12:01 p.m. SAN DIEGO — A generally accepted practice of providing housing to homeless people even if they continue...
Local Politics | Local spending on homelessness topped $2 billion the last 7 years By Gary Warth July 21, 2023 at 10:37 p.m. SAN DIEGO — Homeless service providers received $2.37 billion from local governments between 2015-2022, a San Diego...
Local Politics | Bill to preserve Pala Band land heads to Biden’s desk By City News Service July 20, 2023 at 11:17 p.m. SAN DIEGO — A bill to place into trust about 720 acres considered sacred to the Pala...
Local Politics | Registrar of voters seeks input on election plan By Deborah Sullivan Brennan July 18, 2023 at 8:16 p.m. SAN DIEGO — San Diego County voters can weigh in on how the Registrar of Voters holds...
Local Politics | Voting for county supervisor begins in District 4, with ‘more days and more ways to vote’ By Deborah Sullivan Brennan July 19, 2023 at 7:08 p.m. SAN DIEGO — Early voting is getting underway in the special election for District 4 county supervisor,...
Local Politics | In the compressed race for District 4, supervisor candidates compete for campaign cash By Deborah Sullivan Brennan July 17, 2023 at 10:37 p.m. SAN DIEGO — Janessa Goldbeck leads her three opponents in fundraising in the whirlwind special election race...
Local Politics | Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer is challenging Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer. He may face an uphill battle. By Deborah Sullivan Brennan December 8, 2023 at 2:26 p.m. SAN DIEGO — Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer will challenge Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer next year for...
Local Politics | County special election candidates debate housing, homelessness and other hot-button topics By Deborah Sullivan Brennan July 17, 2023 at 10:39 p.m. SAN DIEGO — Four candidates vying for an open supervisor seat agreed on the urgency of solving...