Chula Vista is appealing a ruling on its police department’s controversial drone program to the state supreme court. The case stems from a journalist’s request for footage captured by surveillance drones. In other news, there's a growing movement to make family-size apartments easier to build with a simple change to the building code. Plus, the Sweetwater Union High School District is taking voter registration directly to its students.
San Diego schools saw a major influx of pandemic aid meant to ease the impacts of school shutdowns and learning loss. That funding is soon coming to an end. And the San Diego Unified School District, the second-largest district in California, faces a major budget deficit for the next school year.
San Diego utility customers are seeing a typical winter bump in their bills because the weather is colder, but those bigger bills are well below what they were a year ago. In other news, millions of Mexicans living in the United States are eligible to vote in Mexico's upcoming presidential elections. Experts say their votes might matter more than ever. Plus, the recent demise of the San Diego Union-Tribune's Spanish-language edition raises concerns about Latino participation in San Diego's civic life, especially in a pivotal election year.
A century-long tradition that started as a bird hunt now helps track valuable bird sightings. The Christmas Bird Count put on by the National Audubon Society covers the country and the next birding events are being held in Oceanside Friday. In other news, some people on whale watching cruises have been treated to dramatic views of killer whales hunting off the San Diego coast. Plus, the Worldbeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park has been sharing music, art, dance and Black culture since 1995 and this week it’s hosting a week of events celebrating Kwanzaa.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria gave a status report Thursday, on the city's efforts against fentanyl. In other news, nine months after the San Diego International Airport abruptly removed a public art piece, the work is resurfacing at a nonprofit art gallery in Logan Heights. Plus, our KPBS arts editor and producer has details on holiday events happening in San Diego County.