Botanist Fears Rare Plant Deaths in Torrey Pines Brush Fire
Jon Rebman is almost too scared to learn to what extent a brush fire wiped out rare and native plants when Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve Extension caught fire last week. The botany curator at San Diego Natural History Museum spent his 32-year career scrounging for and studying…
Morning report
Morning Report: Rare Plants in Danger After Torrey Pines Fire
Last week, a brush fire in Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve burned 23 acres, injuring two firefighters and forcing 2,500 people to evacuate their homes. There may be more lasting damage: Our MacKenzie Elmer spoke with a botanist who has…
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Editor picks
San Diego’s Water Prices Face Doomsday Increase
The region bought too much water and can’t sell the excess off fast enough. So San Diegans are now facing some big water price increases.
Hoover Assistant Principal Arrested for Child Pornography Was Accused of Sexually Harassing a Student Years Earlier
Earlier this year, prosecutors accused Charles De Freitas of sexual misconduct with minors. It wasn’t the first time accusations of misconduct with students had come to the district’s attention.
Border Report: Tijuana’s Tough Former Police Chief, Turned Fugitive, Will Return to Lead Cops
Some call him a hero but prosecutors, human rights groups and even his former deputy accused him of torturing his own officers. Now, the new Tijuana mayor wants him back…
recent POSTS
Supreme Court says ban on public camping is constitutional; San Diego leaders react
San Diego leaders have mixed reactions to the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Johnson v Grants Pass, allowing cities to ban sleeping in public regardless of shelter.
What the Grants Pass Ruling Means for San Diego
City of San Diego officials say they are unlikely to make big changes to homelessness enforcement following a blockbuster Supreme Court ruling but it could influence other plans around the…
The Water Authority Punted on Extraordinary Rate Increases
The agency raised rates just enough to handle a planned increase from its wholesaler and put off a decision on a major rate hike to handle a mountain of debt…
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Education
The Progress Report: AI Is in Use at San Diego Unified – But the District Doesn’t Have its Own Plan
AI is on the tips of nearly everyone’s lips. Edtech companies are hawking AI-infused products with reckless abandon, the United Nations is writing briefs on ethical AI use and teachers…
The Learning Curve: Cell Phone Bans May Spread to San Diego Unified
Los Angeles Unified, the largest school district in California, recently passed a resolution to ban cell phones on campus. San Diego Unified may be next.
The Learning Curve: San Diego Unified’s AI Future Is Now
San Diego Unified paid $83,000 to integrate its high school English curriculum into an online platform and got access to an AI tool as well. Now, some teachers are using…
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ENVIRONMENT
Why San Diego Community Power Is Offering Dirtier Energy
San Diego Community Power is now offering a new power mix that’s dirtier – but cheaper – than those it currently offers. That’s a curious move for the government-run power…
Environment Report: What Equitable Undergrounding Means for the Rest of San Diego
Everything you thought you knew about when and where the city of San Diego will bury power lines might be changing. The city’s 2022 deal with its power grid builder,…
San Diego Steps Up as Water Authority’s ‘Sugar Daddy’
To cover a short-term cash crunch and draw down huge water rate increases, the city of San Diego offered to pay its water bills in advance.
NORTH COUNTY
Escondido Passes New Public Camping Ban Ahead of U.S. Supreme Court Decision
Escondido leaders approved a homeless camping ban Wednesday, becoming the latest San Diego County city to crack down on encampments. The new ordinance makes it illegal to camp on public…
A Train Track’s New Home Could Be Under Yours
There’s a plan to move a portion of the train tracks that run along the edge of the Del Mar bluffs into an underground tunnel. Here’s what you need to…
City of Vista Could Become Third Bidder Vying for Green Oak Ranch
Vista leaders may be throwing their hats in the ring to purchase a large property in the city called Green Oak Ranch that’s also being eyed by the county and…
opinion and commentary
The Case for Water Rate Increases
Most San Diegans don’t often think about the journey water takes before reaching our faucets. It involves hundreds of miles of pipes, multiple treatment plants and countless moving parts to…
We Can Have the City We Want
The city is considering major budget cuts affecting services to all residents after decades of underfunding, but we can choose long-term change.
San Diego Needs Affordable Housing Where it Does the Most Good
As we work to solve our housing shortage, let’s do so intelligently.
POLITICS
Environment Report: San Diego Provoked a Budget Battle at MWD That Helped Take Down Its GM
The Metropolitan Water District’s chief financial officer wrote a blistering letter about management at the giant agency. It turns out, a disagreement with San Diego reps could have been the…
This Once-Quiet Agency is Less Quietly Building An Empire in San Diego
A once low-profile political organization the California legislature set up to rein in sprawling suburbs and settle border disputes is picking new fights in San Diego. Its critics accuse the…
Assembly Candidate Carl DeMaio Keeps Failing at Ballot Initiatives – On Purpose?
Public records show Carl DeMaio submitted zero signatures for five previous ballot initiatives to the Secretary of State, automatically disqualifying them from election ballots.
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