Just in time for your weekend: Our latest mixtape of intriguing stories we’ve been reading about San Diego or issues our community is grappling with.
Itching to add what you’ve read to our list too? Your recommendation can show up here next week if you email me a link to a news story and tell me why you read it. I’d love to hear from you.
Here are this week’s picks:
• Andrew Donohue, editor, on “Filner: Missing The Boat On The Port“:
(Mayoral candidate Bob) Filner’s had two campaign themes: I’m a Democrat. And I’m the port guy. This really throws into question his basic port knowledge.
• Kelly Bennett, reporter, on “Welfare Limits Left Poor Adrift as Recession Hit“:
New York Times reporter Jason DeParle has a compelling look at how the 1996 overhaul of the nation’s welfare system has had a dramatic impact on the poor in this most recent recession. Even as the number of Americans receiving food stamps has risen sharply, the number of people, often single mothers, receiving cash aid across the country has fallen significantly. “Just one in five poor children now receives cash aid, the lowest level in nearly 50 years,” the story states. Here he is on NPR’s Fresh Air.
• Rob Davis, senior reporter, tweeted about “Newspaper Barons Resurface“:
‘Selling a newspaper is akin to peddling a used Humvee, a hulking beast that has lost relevance.’ @carr2n on U-T, et al nytimes.com/2012/04/09/bus…
— Rob Davis (@robwdavis) April 9, 2012
More from Davis: “It’s a critical, unflinching look at the current trend in newspaper ownership — the rise of the new newspaper baron — through the lens of sales to guys like Doug Manchester, the U-T San Diego’s new owner, and others across the country.”
• Liam Dillon, City Hall reporter, tweeted about “IRS pension stall: Why, Mr. President?“:
Kudos to @utsandiego for following. One of the only pension reforms that a) addresses the problem & b) everyone wants. utsandiego.com/news/2012/apr/…
— Liam Dillon (@dillonliam) April 10, 2012
• Will Carless, investigative reporter, on “Residents of Allied Gardens to Discuss Upcoming Developments and Proposal to Add Parks” and “Can’t Park It in Grantville“:
San Diego Reader reporter and columnist Dorian Hargrove has written some excellent stuff about the future development of Grantville. His work was a huge help in researching the issue.
Bonus Carless! He also recommended “Flunking the Test“:
This scathing article in the American Journalism Review is a sobering account of how the national media covers education. Definitely food for thought.
• Sandy Coronilla, investigative intern, tweeted about “Grading the nation: How accountable is your state?“:
Grading the nation: How accountable is your state? (Calif gets a B-) bit.ly/IyxTzM via @iWatch #transparency #opengov
— Sandy Coronilla (@SandraCoronilla) April 12, 2012
• Me on “Redevelopment Without the Agency“:
The Wall Street Journal looks at how the decision by one Bay Area city to shut down its redevelopment agency early — one made before Gov. Brown’s proposal to end the program statewide — worked out.
Dagny Salas is the web editor at voiceofsandiego.org. You can contact her directly at dagny.salas@voiceofsandiego.org or 619.550.5669.
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