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 and maintenance needs.
Morning report
Morning Report: AI in SD Schools
Artificial intelligence has quickly made its way into virtually every sector in our society, and San Diego Unified School District is no exception. Earlier this month, our Jakob McWhinney wrote that San Diego Unified teachers are already using AI platforms…
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Editor picks
San Diego Unified High Schoolers: Getting Great Grades But Troubling Test Scores
Our analysis of thousands of letter grades from San Diego Unified high schoolers shows far more students pass classes in subjects like English, math and science than meet state standards…
Inside the City’s Mega Shelter Plan – and Concerns About It
City officials say they want to deliver a 1,000-bed shelter campus with an array of onsite services. Homeless advocates and experts have lots of questions.
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.
recent POSTS
Politics Report: Supremes Unleash Cities on Homeless
Friday, as expected, the U.S Supreme Court ruled the Constitution allows the city of Grants Pass, Ore. to enforce a no-camping ban on public property regardless of the availability of…
VOSD Podcast: Too Much Water
San Diego County has a surprising problem on its hands: the region has too much water, and local water agencies are struggling because of it. In this week’s podcast, our…
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…
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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.
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.
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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
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…
Oceanside’s Sales Tax Measure Brings in Millions Each Year. Here’s Where It’s Going
Oceanside’s City Council will soon consider asking voters to extend a sales tax measure that has generated more than a hundred million dollars. Here’s how that money has been spent…
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…
Only One Finalist Stood at End of Contentious County CAO Search
This post originally ran as an item in the Politics Report. Voice of San Diego members can receive the Politics Report every Saturday in their inbox. Last week, the chair…
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News and issues in northern San Diego county. (Every other Wednesday)
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Weekly updates from the state Capitol. (Fridays)