“TJ River Stench” written on the ground next to a “hot spot” where scientists measured high levels of hydrogen sulfide gas in the Tijuana River. It’s located just south of Berry Elementary on Nov. 20, 2025, in San Ysidro. / Ariana Drehsler for Voice of San Diego

A coalition of labor and advocacy groups want to increase the countywide sales-tax by a half cent to shield San Diegans from cuts pushed by the Trump administration and address the Tijuana River sewage crisis.

Headlines about that sales-tax pitch –known as Measure B have focused most on those elements of the proposal.

What you may not know: Measure B doesn’t include an expiration date and also aims to bolster child care offerings and support, among other line items.

Our Lisa Halverstadt dug into the fine print on Measure B so you don’t have to.

Read the full story here.

Related: If you haven’t already, check out our inaugural 2026 No BS Voter Guide. Our reporters explain what’s at stake and help voters cut through the noise. 

You can download a free copy here. 

North County Supe Candidate Sounds Off on Measure B

San Diego County Supervisor candidate Kyle Krahel during a discussion at Politifest 2026 on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. / Vito Di Stefano for Voice of San Diego

The Democrat hoping to represent North County communities on the Board of Supervisors is worried about what will happen if Measure B doesn’t pass.

At Politifest last week, Kyle Krahel told our Tigist Layne that he believes people will die on the street if the sales-tax measure doesn’t pass next month.

Krahel, who is hoping to defeat San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones next month, said he fears drastic county budget cuts if voters don’t approve it. (Jones had another commitment and couldn’t attend.)

Layne rounded up Krahel’s comments on Measure B. Read the full story here.

Can’t get enough Politifest? We’re working hard to upload recordings of the Politifest sessions so you can watch them if you couldn’t join us. We have some up already that you can watch on our YouTube page. 

Our reporters also spent this week delivering news from Politfest. You can read our coverage and watch videos here. 

A Free, Spooky October Activity

Do you like spooky stuff and ghost stories?

KPBS reports that Tootie, the icon behind North Park drag bar Lips, is hosting Wednesday night ghost story events this month at Pop-Up Winona, an open lot at El Cajon Boulevard and Winona Avenue.

All are welcome. It’s free – and so are the coffee and cookies they’ll serve. And Tootie says organizers “do invite some people who have had really fantastic ghost stories.”

Who’s got a good ghost story to share?

In Other News 

  • The USS Abraham Lincoln is (finally) back in San Diego. The Union-Tribune reports that the 5,000 on board including 67 fathers who were set to meet their new babies for the first time.
  • ICYMI, the Associated Press reported that President Donald Trump mentioned San Diego – yet again – at a campaign rally.
  • Journalism matters: 10 News reported earlier this week on a water sprinkling anti-loitering system at an East Village Jack in the Box. It’s now turned off and the company says it is “concerned by what (they) saw.”
  • The Union-Tribune pulled back the curtain on a Coronado ballot measure that council members said they only put on the ballot to comply with state law.
  • A contingent of Escondido residents do not want an ice rink at Kit Carson Park, CBS 8 reports.
  • KPBS reports that county supervisors earlier this week approved updates to zoning rules in Jacumba to help the unincorporated community grow and bring in more jobs.  

The Morning Report was written by Lisa Halverstadt. It was edited by Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña. 

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