San Diego is one of the safest big cities in the U.S., but hate crimes are on the rise. Now, local leaders are promoting new tools to fight these crimes. In other news, as the cost of living strains families’ budgets, schools are trying to help feed students at home. Plus, we kickoff a series highlighting different Oktoberfests and fall festivals h…

A recent audit reveals significant challenges in California’s community college transfer process. In other news, solar energy advocates will be in court to challenge new state regulations for installing battery storage. Plus, we hear from the man behind the Haunted Trail in Balboa Park.Oleh KPBS PUBLIC MEDIA

San Diego County will loan up to $32 million to UC San Diego to expand behavioral health care for Medi-Cal beneficiaries. In other news, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have expanded the number of languages offered on ballots. Plus, California’s Secretary of State is hosting a series of webinars to encourage more people to vote this …

The state is suing Exxon Mobil for producing massive amounts of plastics and then lying about their impact on the environment. In other news, San Diego County officials lifted some beach closures in Imperial Beach this weekend. Plus, fentanyl use in San Diego County has skyrocketed in recent years, however, the number of fentanyl overdose deaths ha…

It’s been two years since voters allowed the city of San Diego to charge them for trash pickup, and now they want to know how much it will cost. In other news, the San Diego Registrar of Voters is looking for more poll workers, especially bilingual ones, for the November election. Plus, this October, San Diego Central Library has the most low-key, …

Stock markets shot up Thursday in response to the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cuts, but lower interest rates may not make it easier to afford a home mortgage in San Diego. In other news, data shows Black mothers and infants face higher rates of childbirth related complications or deaths than any other race or ethnicity in the U.S. San Diego cou…

The San Diego City Council wants to make it easier to install traffic safety measures like crosswalks and speed humps. In other news, the FBI is warning of a new scam that involves extorting teens over sexually explicit photos. We have details on what parents can do to protect their children. Plus, how you can donate a Halloween costume to military…

Striking hotel workers in San Diego got some support Tuesday from the San Diego City Council, when it passed a resolution calling on the Hilton Bayfront to go back to the bargaining table. In other news, a senior enlisted Marine at the San Diego Recruit Depot is in the brig and facing charges. Plus, with America's bitter divide on full display this…

Most of California’s foster family agencies are about to lose their insurance, and almost 9,000 children could be taken from their homes as early as October. In other news, a new report says that electrical vehicle charging stations couldn’t survive if they weren’t subsidized by the government. Plus, Hispanic Heritage Month is now underway, and San…

A 19-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to a series of drive-by pellet gun shootings in Hillcrest earlier this month. In other news, the city of Del Mar recently passed a set of rules regulating short-term rentals and capping their numbers, but the ordinance still needs the state’s approval. Plus, KPBS just launched a new project called Public Mat…

A bipartisan group of congress members is again raising the alarm about the cross border sewage crisis as scientists reported dangerous levels of sewer gas in the Tijuana River Valley earlier this week. In other news, mental health resources are scarce. On Thursday, Palomar Health broke ground on a new 120 bed facility that will bring much needed s…

Some San Diegans have voiced concerns about the safety of battery storage facilities, so the San Diego County Board of Supervisors took some steps Wednesday to address the issue. In other news, city leaders in Chula Vista are exploring changes that could weaken its tenant protection laws. Plus, we learn how dogs are protectors on the street for som…

Cross-border sewage continues to exacerbate the environmental crisis along the Tijuana River Valley and Imperial Beach, but San Diego County officials say the air is safe for now. In other news, Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential campaign unveiled an ad this week featuring some of former President Trump's senior officials who now say he’s …

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.

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.Oleh KPBS PUBLIC MEDIA

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 s…

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.Oleh KPBS Public Media

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 wi…

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 Californ…

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…

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 Cen…

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 Di…

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 ar…

San Diego city officials say repairing the Ocean Beach Pier is no longer feasible. We hear from residents about the city’s plan to demolish and replace it. In other news, a new California grant program is boosting mental health support in San Diego schools. Plus, as part of KPBS’ ongoing series on volunteering, we learn about a program in Mission V…

The Democratic National Convention is now in the history books, and last night Vice President Kamala Harris formally accepted her party’s nomination to be president. We hear from a member of the California delegation. In other news, a pair of pressurizers had to be returned to the San Onofre nuclear generating station because of a leak during shipm…