San Diego News Now

San Diego news; when you want it, where you want it. Get local stories on politics, education, health, environment, the border and more. New episodes are ready weekday mornings. Hosted by Debbie Cruz and produced by KPBS, San Diego and the Imperial County's NPR and PBS station.
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Veterans Affairs’ nurses unions rally at VA San Diego against the planned layoff of 80,000 VA workers. Then, South Bay leaders are again appealing to the federal government for help with sewage pollution. Voice of San Diego’s Scott Lewis is back talking trash again as San Diego city leaders rile homeowners with their proposed garbage collection fee. And a new KPBS Explores Hidden San Diego takes you to Balboa Park to find medicinal trees.
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San Diego is banning the use of artificial intelligence software to determine rents. And San Diego Zoo workers say they’re underpaid, while the nonprofit’s former CEO saw his pay double. Then, is the Trump Administration’s targeting of international students having a chilling effect on free speech and campus activism? Plus, California could soon mandate hospitals help patients navigate financial help options before they’re discharged. Finally, hear from one expert about what the behavior of the elephants during Monday’s earthquake tells us about them.
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Monday’s 5.2 magnitude earthquake was the largest to hit San Diego County since 2010. It serves as a good reminder to be prepared. Plus, the city of San Diego is one step closer to charging single family homes for trash pick up. And, we hear from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce about the local impact of the Trump administration’s tariff policies.
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A recent study finds that living near a highway could have a negative impact on people’s social lives. Lead author Luca Aiello hypothesized that if residents can’t walk around their communities easily, then they’re likely meeting fewer people. Plus, nine San Diego university students have had their visas revoked. It’s part of a wave of visa revocations happening across the U.S. And the family of a man arrested during an immigration raid in El Cajon in March is fighting to keep him in the country.
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San Diego’s wastewater surveillance program was shut down and that has scientists worried. Plus, we talk to a San Diego business about President Trump's decision to pause reciprocal tariffs. And, a musical premiering at the Old Globe is using humor to tackle serious issues.
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Students at UC San Diego rally in support of their international classmates targeted by the Trump Administration for deportation. Then, cuts to USAID could shutter a Tijuana migrant shelter. Also, Voice of San Diego’s Scott Lewis on the former city executive now suing over alleged discrimination. And hear about a new art installation in Oceanside celebrating neurodivergent artists.
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Education Secretary Linda McMahon was met by about two dozen protesters at a conference downtown. Also, President Donald Trump’s tariffs could cause even more havoc with the city’s budget. Then, a proposal to extend the county’s immigrant legal defense program fails, but supporters say that doesn’t mean it’s over. And, a report from Imperial County and the threats facing burrowing owls, and what conservationists are doing to protect them
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At least five UC San Diego students had their F-1 visas "suddenly" revoked by the federal government. Another was allegedly deported at the border. Then, San Diego County supervisors vote on whether to extend the budget deadline amid uncertainties around federal funding. Plus, a local Head Start preschool is already feeling the impact of those cuts.
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Tuesday is Election Day for the District 1 San Diego County Supervisor seat. We have the details voters need to know. Then, the Trump administration cut funding to legal aid organizations who represent unaccompanied migrant children in deportation hearings. The organizations are now suing to restore that funding. Finally, President Donald Trump has also cut health care funding that would’ve come from the Centers for Disease Control. San Diego is missing out on $40 million of that funding.
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Encinitas is pushing back on a state law requiring the city to build more housing. Plus, outside groups are spending big in the special election for the next San Diego County’s District 1 supervisor. And, the city of San Diego is renaming a block in North Park to honor a pillar of the community.
Debbie Cruz is the local anchor for All Things Considered and the host of the San Diego News Now podcast. Debbie has over 20 years of experience in the news industry. She joined KPBS in 2020.