Deborah Sullivan Brennan

'Tonight isn’t about bullets and targets. It’s about boundaries': Residents denounce ICE contract Escondido City Council declined to cancel a contract to share its firing range with ICE, after a meeting where hundreds of protestors came against the agreement.

Escondido City Council keeps ICE firing range contract, despite public protests:
calmatters.org/politics/202...

Escondido residents gathered in the hundreds to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportations on Feb. 2, 2025. Photo by Jacob Lee Green, Sipa USA via AP Photo

Critics are urging Escondido to cancel its long-standing contract allowing ICE to use the city’s police firing range, as local governments across San Diego County differ over how much to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. bit.ly/4aAHl8x

📸 Jacob Lee Green, AP

As Escondido debates contract with ICE, other local officials weigh whether to cooperate on immigration enforcement The Escondido City Council on Wednesday will discuss an agreement that allows ICE officers to share its police firing range.

Amid protests, Escondido City Council tomorrow will discuss a contract to share its firing range with ICE:
calmatters.org/politics/202...

California lawmakers blocked from entering Otay Mesa Detention Center despite prior clearance Federal immigration officials blocked two San Diego County Supervisors and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla from inspecting the detention center.

When @SenAlexPadilla, @SupLawsonRemer and @paloma4D1 visited Otay Mesa detention center Friday to check on immigrants who complained of illness and malnutrition. ICE turned them away.
calmatters.org/politics/202...

California lawmakers blocked from entering Otay Mesa Detention Center despite prior clearance Federal immigration officials blocked two San Diego County Supervisors and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla from inspecting the detention center.

California leaders showed up at Otay Mesa Detention Center with clearances to inspect the facility. ICE shut them out: calmatters.org/politics/202...

Nonprofit COO Charged with Using Public Funds for Plastic Surgeries, Shopping The former chief operating officer of the nonprofit Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego was arrested last week and accused of taking more than $134,000 in public funds.

A San Diego nonprofit executive spent money meant for overdose prevention on a tummy tuck, breast implants, luxury vacations and show dogs, DA alleges: voiceofsandiego.org/2026/02/17/n...

San Diego teachers cancel strike as deadline neared; district to address demands over special education San Diego teachers cancelled a strike after reaching an agreement with the district to invest in special education staffing and services.

On the brink of a teacher strike, San Diego Unified agrees to invest in special education: calmatters.org/education/20...

Kristi Noem touts Trump's border record as San Diego protesters disrupt her news conference Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's visited the U.S.-Mexico border near San Diego as polls showed declining support for President Trump's immigration policies since the killing of protesters in ...

Kristi Noem touted Trump's border policies in San Diego, as demonstrators protested against them: calmatters.org/justice/2026...

EPA touts bipartisan efforts to clean up Tijuana River State and federal leaders gathered in San Diego on Thursday to tout their efforts to clean up the polluted Tijuana River.

Long-awaited fixes to the Tijuana River sewage crisis are in the works, EPA administrator says: calmatters.org/environment/...

Washington Post cuts a third of its staff in a blow to a legendary news brand The Washington Post has laid off one-third of its staff, eliminating its sports section, several foreign bureaus and its books coverage.

Democracy dies in... Corporate Cost-Cutting?
apnews.com/article/wash...

Newsom blasts Trump administration’s immigration crackdown; touts California's drug enforcement efforts In a wide-ranging press conference, Gavin Newsom touted his drug enforcement efforts and immigration response while blasting the Trump administration.

Gov. Newsom highlights California drug seizures, comes out swinging against Trump: calmatters.org/politics/202...

San Diego teachers plan first strike in 30 years over issues with staffing and services for special education San Diego teachers rallied this week in anticipation of a plan to strike next month over staffing and services in special education.

San Diego teachers plan their first strike in 30 years: special ed shortfalls hurt the most vulnerable students with disabilities”
calmatters.org/education/20...

Immigration arrests quietly surge by 1,500% in San Diego: 'I feel the temperature rising' Immigration agents escalated their presence in San Diego in the second half of 2025, where they made hundreds of arrests as part of President Trump's crackdown.

Amid big crackdowns in other blue cities, DHS has quietly arrested record numbers of immigrants in San Diego, CalMatters' @WendyFry_ reports: calmatters.org/justice/2026...

San Diego sues federal agencies over razor wire fencing on city land San Diego is suing the federal government for building fencing on city land near the Mexican border, arguing the fence damages sensitive habitat and trespasses on city property.

California's battle with the Trump administration moves to the wildlands. San Diego sues feds over razor wire fencing on the border:
calmatters.org/environment/...

The California Tower at Balboa Park in San Diego on Jan. 21, 2026. Photo by Adriana Heldiz, CalMatters. Hed: ‘People are mad’: First-ever parking fees at San Diego’s Balboa Park draw anger

San Diego’s new paid parking at Balboa Park has sparked widespread backlash as museum visits dropped and residents complained about the additional cost to access one of the cities most iconic spaces. bit.ly/49WVQC1

📸 Adriana Heldiz

Poll shows 80% of San Diegans want parking fees in Balboa Park eliminated or reduced Nearly 70% say the new fees will make them visit the park less often. But city’s claim that money is needed to avoid budget cuts sways some.

80% of San Diegans want Balboa Park parking fees repealed, SDUT reports: www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/01/23/p...

'People are mad': First-ever parking fees at San Diego's Balboa Park draw anger For the first time ever Balboa Park in San Diego imposed parking fees and residents, tourists and park employees are united in opposition.

San Diego imposed parking fees at its iconic Balboa Park. Residents and museum officials are fighting back
calmatters.org/politics/202...

Newsom proposes no new funding to local journalism despite $175M deal with Google The governor is proposing no new money toward local journalism next year despite promising $70 million in 2024, the latest in the state’s ever-diminishing commitment to helping a hurting industry.

Google made $4.7 billion from news content, but neither Google nor California are coming through with funds they pledged for journalism: calmatters.org/politics/202...

A Carlsbad homeowner is fighting a multi-million dollar fine over beach access and a pickleball court The commission accused John Levy of blocking public access to the beach, removing shorebird habitat and illegally installing a pickleball court. It fined him $2.4 million for those offenses.

Can this Carlsbad homeowner test the Coastal Commission's authority to impose multi-million dollar fines?
calmatters.org/politics/202...

A Carlsbad homeowner is fighting a multi-million dollar fine over beach access and a pickleball court The commission accused John Levy of blocking public access to the beach, removing shorebird habitat and illegally installing a pickleball court. It fined him $2.4 million for those offenses.

A Carlsbad homeowner fighting $2.4 million in Coastal Commission fines, complains the commission acts as "investigator, judge, jury and treasurer."
calmatters.org/politics/202...

In an era of ICE raids, a Latino Christmas tradition proceeds with caution The traditional posadas during Christmas time have taken a more cautious feel as ICE raids on Latino communities have increased In San Diego.

"People are on high alert" A Latino Christmas party proceeds with caution amid ICE raids:
calmatters.org/politics/202...

In an era of ICE raids, a Latino Christmas tradition proceeds with caution The traditional posadas during Christmas time have taken a more cautious feel as ICE raids on Latino communities have increased In San Diego.

"What does it mean to be on the margins and looking for sanctuary and shelter at this time?"
calmatters.org/politics/202...

The U.S. is committed to cleaning up Tijuana River pollution. Will California follow through? As Tijuana River sewage has contaminated neighborhoods, the federal government has pledged two-thirds of a billion to clean it up. Will California follow?

The U.S. is tackling Tijuana River pollution. Now San Diego lawmakers want California to step up. calmatters.org/environment/...

Tijuana River sewage still pollutes the San Diego Coast. She's fighting to clean it up A former surfer turned San Diego County supervisor, Pamela Aguirre is leading the fight to save the Tijuana River from years of pollution.

From surfer to county supervisor, this San Diego politician has made it her mission to fight Tijuana River sewage pollution:
calmatters.org/environment/...

Rep. Issa reportedly considering Texas House seat amid redistricting shakeup Longtime California Rep. Darrell Issa is reportedly considering running for Congress in Texas in the aftermath of redistricting efforts by both states.

Darrell Issa is reportedly considering running for Congress in Texas, after his San Diego district flipped from Red to Blue:
timesofsandiego.com/politics/202...

Will San Diego lose its lone Republican in Congress? New maps open challenges to Darrell Issa Eleven Democrats are vying to unseat Rep. Darrell Issa, a San Diego Republican, after California’s redistricting measure turned his reliably red district into a slightly blue one.

Rep. Darrell Issa made his mark leading the Benghazi hearings and promoting Donald Trump. A cast of Democrats see a chance to oust him under California's new voting map: calmatters.org/politics/202...

Will San Diego lose its lone Republican in Congress? New maps open challenges to Darrell Issa Eleven Democrats are vying to unseat Rep. Darrell Issa, a San Diego Republican, after California’s redistricting measure turned his reliably red district into a slightly blue one.

California redistricting: A crowd of Democrats are lining up to try to oust Republican Rep. Darrell Issa:
calmatters.org/politics/202...

California’s next university has a plan and programs. All it needs is a campus The long-awaited university has degree plans in place and a commitment from local and state leaders. All that is needed now is a campus.

When it opens next year Chula Vista University will serve a "college desert" in San Diego, with a hybrid program offering degrees from UCSD, San Diego State and Cal State San Marcos.
calmatters.org/education/20...

What went wrong when Marines fired over Interstate 5? California leaders demand answers California lawmakers are demanding answers after a live fire event over Camp Pendleton Saturday led to a misfire that rained shrapnel on I-5.

Why did artillery misfire rain shrapnel over a California freeway at Marine Base Camp Pendleton? State leaders want answers: calmatters.org/politics/202...

What went wrong when Marines fired over Interstate 5? California leaders demand answers California lawmakers are demanding answers after a live fire event over Camp Pendleton Saturday led to a misfire that rained shrapnel on I-5.

The Marines threw a birthday party at Camp Pendleton. California leaders are asking why an artillery misfire spoiled the party:
calmatters.org/politics/202...