San Diego News Now
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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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A report on air quality near the Tijuana River prompts new calls for regional action. Plus, a drug treatment center for local military veterans could lose its license due to client safety concerns. And, survivors of the January flooding in San Diego update us on their recovery.
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The San Diego Unified School District is working to keep air conditioners operating during the heat wave. Plus, details on a secret Wi-Fi network on a San Diego-based warship. And, scientists are developing an early warning system for bluff collapses.
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Several local members of Congress on Thursday announced a new bill to combat the impacts of raw sewage from across the border. In other news, with temperatures soaring over 100 degrees in some areas, extreme heat can be hazardous for anyone, and it’s especially dangerous for people with chronic conditions. Plus, a bill on Gov. Newsom’s desk could significantly boost voter registration at the DMV, but some are worried about unintended consequences.
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San Diego's Measure C got court approval, reigniting the possibility of an expanded Convention Center. Plus, San Diego Humane Society President and CEO, Gary Weitzman, joins the podcast to tell us about “Clear the Shelters” month. And, A hidden gem in Vista is turning 25 this year.
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Hundreds of hotel workers at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront were on strike for a third day Tuesday. In other news, California lawmakers have passed a bill requiring schools to come up with policies to limit the use of smartphones on campus, but some districts in San Diego County already have those rules. Plus, as part of our ongoing conversations with San Diego's congressional delegation about democracy, we hear a conversation with Democratic Congressman Mike Levin.
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The San Diego Housing Commission was given more than $7 million to assist January flood survivors, but only about one in four of those displaced qualifies for it. In other news, according to a new Center for Disease Control report, about 80% of overdose deaths in the U.S. are from opioids, primarily illegal fentanyl. Plus, we learn how the California grid is balancing supply, and how an electrical test bed at UC San Diego wants to change the way we consume energy.
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Local housing politics have found their way into the race for president and it reflects a shift in the Democratic Party to embrace the term YIMBY. In other news, state law limits how much landlords can raise the rent on most tenants, and in San Diego County increases cannot exceed 8.6%. We hear what happens when tenants have few resources available to fight back when landlords raise the rate higher. Plus, a local nonprofit furnishes homes for people emerging from homelessness.
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Updated COVID-19 vaccines targeting the FLiRT variants are already in some local pharmacies. In other news, Donald Trump and many other politicians say Fentanyl is regularly smuggled into the U.S. by undocumented immigrants, but experts say those claims are largely false. Plus, after three years and $125 million in renovations, the Jacobs Music Center is almost ready to welcome audiences once again.
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Two people were killed in a crash after a high-speed pursuit by the San Diego Police Department Monday night. That makes three SDPD chase deaths this month, while debate continues over the policy. In other news, San Diego County has a new tool to help people find affordable housing. Plus, the Paralympic Games are now underway. We hear from a San Diegan who’s the number one ranked wheelchair tennis player on Team USA.
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A new court filing in the sexual assault case against former San Diego County supervisor Nathan Fletcher includes text messages that undermine the allegations made by Fletcher’s accuser. In other news, once again, Donald Trump and other politicians are making the threat of migrant crime a key election talking point, but research shows immigrants are actually less likely to commit crimes than native born Americans. Plus, parents of students at Pablo Tac School of the Arts in Oceanside say construction is a hazard for their children.
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.
Emilyn Mohebbi produces the San Diego News Now podcast. She started at KPBS in 2020 as the Gloria Penner Fellow. She has her bachelor’s in journalism from SDSU.