<![CDATA[OB Rag — Grassroots and Progressive views on local, national and world news]]> Follow OB Rag — Grassroots and Progressive views on local, national and world news, filter it, and define how you want to receive the news (via Email, RSS, Telegram, WhatsApp etc.) https://follow.it/ob-rag-grassroots-and-progressive-views-on-local-national-and-world-news Fri, 29 May 2026 23:49:42 +0200 <![CDATA[Eight Architects Who Crafted a Distinct San Diego Modernism]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDw6dHvEXBcsVU-bWcJSA7qf?utm_source=follow.it By Aaryn Belfer / San Diego Magazine / May 27, 2026 San Diego is just out here minding its own business. It’s long been cast as Los Angeles’s less ambitious sibling—the chill one, the one who shows up late for dinner reservations in flip-flops with a few provocative opinions. Architecturally it’s often cast the same: secondary, derivative, a footnote to California modernism that seems to begin and end with the Stahl House (Case Study House #22). LA has Pierre Koenig, Craig Ellwood, John Lautner. San Diego has the original fish taco. But this version of the story is redacted, metaphorically speaking. While the jazz hands of Hollywood and its hills cast a spell on historians and architecture buffs, San Diego had, and has, its own quiet evolution: It invented and reinvented itself through homegrown modernism, beginning with The Allen House (1907) in Bonita by Irving J. Gill.]]> Fri, 29 May 2026 19:05:57 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDw6dHvEXBcsVU-bWcJSA7qf?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[Shane Harris: ‘Why I’m Voting No on Measure A’]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDzPPcpoe34fMzK52OcbmNzH?utm_source=follow.it By Shane Harris / Voice of San Diego / May 29, 2026 I don’t own a home in San Diego. Like many residents, I rent. I feel the pressure of rising costs. I understand how difficult it is for working people and families to find stable, affordable housing in this city. And like most San Diegans, I want real solutions to our housing crisis. That’s exactly why I’m voting no on Measure A. Initially, the City Council wanted Measure A described as an “empty homes” tax until a judge ruled that the city could not use that misleading language. Now the measure is identified as a “non-primary homes” tax. Supporters claim it will free up housing supply by encouraging owners to sell their property or rent it out to local residents. It sounds simple, even appealing. But when you look closer, the reality is far more complicated — and far more concerning. This measure isn’t just about abandoned or speculative properties. It creates a tax of up to $10,000 annually on homes deemed not to be a primary residence and “vacant” for more than half the year. That definition sweeps in far more people than many voters realize.]]> Fri, 29 May 2026 18:42:55 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDzPPcpoe34fMzK52OcbmNzH?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[Which Candidates in the District 2 Race for City Council Have the Most Money?]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDxjcnzvbTM9keMo5ORtlWgN?utm_source=follow.it This is a brief summary of David Garrick's piece at The San Diego Union-Tribune, published May 26-27, 2026, entitled "Here’s who’s drawing the most money in San Diego City Council races". Our primary focus is on District 2, and Garrick's review was primarily on the candidates drawing the most money.

Josh Coyne

Josh Coyne -- who's a Democrat (as are all the D2 candidates except Bailey) has been receiving strong financial support — "more than $200,000 — from an independent committee led by Local 89 of the Laborers International Union of North America." In terms of positioning for a future campaign should he be one of the winners in the Primary, Coyne has "essentially nothing — he has $30,000 in cash on hand but a matching $30,000 in unpaid bills," reports Garrick. However, all the top Democrats in this race expect party and labor help for whichever of them wins in the Primary.

Nicole Crosby

Nicole Crosby, is also getting labor support, mainly from the largest labor union for city workers -- the Municipal Employees Association]]> Fri, 29 May 2026 18:28:24 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDxjcnzvbTM9keMo5ORtlWgN?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[Ocean Beach Woman Helps to Lead Parent Push Back Against Too Much Screen Time in Class for Kids in SD Unified]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDx4SN_1U5tKcFgEurx4QEDv?utm_source=follow.it By Katie Anastas / KPBS /  May 28, 2026  On an April morning in downtown San Diego, Elizabeth Johnson and a half-dozen other parents with children in the San Diego Unified School District gathered to protest. Johnson stuck letters onto a piece of cardstock to spell “teachers over tech.” Other signs read “less screens, more humans” and “ed tech is the biggest grift in education.” The group is part of the local chapter of Schools Beyond Screens. They stood in front of the Manchester Grand Hyatt outside of a sold-out conference, where school district leaders, college presidents, tech executives and startup founders were speaking about the latest in artificial intelligence and educational technology. Johnson and a growing number of other parents are asking the district to reevaluate the role technology plays in its classrooms. They’re concerned about kids’ learning, attention spans, eyesight, privacy and social skills. A resolution on the issue could go before the school board as soon as next month.]]> Thu, 28 May 2026 20:19:16 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDx4SN_1U5tKcFgEurx4QEDv?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[Students at Correia Middle School Win Awards for Their Documentaries on the Declaration of Independence]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDwQNshkYdmqJv6JRaz_A9-4?utm_source=follow.it

Winners Part of C-SPAN’s Annual Student Cam Competition

by Dave Schwab / Peninsula Beacon - Times of San Diego / May 27, 2026 Correia Middle School students were honored for their prize-winning documentaries in C-SPAN’s annual Student Cam competition. C-SPAN, a public affairs network created in 1979 as a nonprofit public service, and Cox Communications run the annual Student Cam competition, which presents awards and recognizes winning students, grades 6-through-12, and their teachers, who serve as the StudentCam advisers. In recognition of the United States’ 250th anniversary, C-SPAN, in cooperation with its cable and satellite television partners, challenged middle- and high-school students across the country to examine the enduring power and relevance of the Declaration of Independence. For the challenge, students had one of two options: They could explore the Declaration of Independence’s influence on a key moment from America’s 250-year history, or focus on the Declaration of Independence’s impact on them or their community. Through this project-based learning experience, students competing in the StudentCam competition conduct in-depth research, critical analysis, and original storytelling to explore matters of both personal and national importance. On May 19 at Correia Middle School, Rachel Katz of C-SPAN recognized prize-winning students for their work.]]> Thu, 28 May 2026 20:05:18 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDwQNshkYdmqJv6JRaz_A9-4?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[Non-Injury Collision Between Seal Tour Amphibious Vessel and Other Boat Off Shelter Island]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDxZScQr8BJUV8k6rMkrxVNW?utm_source=follow.it by: Sharisse Cohee / Fox5 San Diego / May 27, 2026 The San Diego Harbor Police confirmed it responded to reports Wednesday, May 27, of a collision between a San Diego Seal Tour boat and another vessel near Shelter Island. Harbor police said the collision, which happened Wednesday afternoon in San Diego Bay, was minor and no injuries have been reported. The Coast Guard will investigate the incident, as the other vessel involved was commercial.]]> Thu, 28 May 2026 19:43:57 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDxZScQr8BJUV8k6rMkrxVNW?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[San Diego’s Last City Manager – Jack McGrory – Will Discuss ‘State of The City’ at June 20 Community Coalition Town Hall]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDw_dZW1UCQvj3dzXqT05UY4?utm_source=follow.it OB Rag Staff Report San Diego’s 22-year experiment with a “strong mayor” has been hobbled by a string of financial crises. Is it time to consider restoring the position of City Manager? Jack McGrory, the last person to hold the job, will share his thoughts at a town hall forum on “Why We Need a City Manager and Other Insights” on Saturday, June 20, from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Mission Valley Library, 2123 Fenton Parkway. Sponsored by the San Diego Community Coalition (SDCC) and Neighbors for a Better San Diego (NFABSD), the forum is the fifth in a series of question-and-answer sessions on important civic issues. These events are free and open to the public, but seating is limited.]]> Thu, 28 May 2026 19:31:40 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDw_dZW1UCQvj3dzXqT05UY4?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[Point Loma Summer Concert Series Needs the Community’s Help]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDyyy03pqKJmqHXE1_pr51G-?utm_source=follow.it

Sponsorships Light this Year for Free Concert Organizers

By Dave Schwab / Times of San Diego / May 25, 2026 With the start of the Point Loma Summer Concerts series just weeks away, organizers are seeking donations to help offset the rising costs of delivering five weekly concerts from July 10 to August 7. The free concerts are held every Friday evening at Point Loma Park, 1049 Catalina Blvd., with a performance on the junior stage at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Main Stage band kicking off at 6:30 p.m. “For 26 years, the Point Loma Summer Concerts has brought our community together for free summer concerts in the park,” said Glenn Millar, president of the nonprofit concert series for 2026. “But keeping the concerts free is not free.”]]> Thu, 28 May 2026 19:24:37 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDyyy03pqKJmqHXE1_pr51G-?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[Open Letter from Leaders of Local Arts Organizations: ‘Restore Funding for San Diego Arts’]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDx_q47VpidFbaL4tGz8p_DK?utm_source=follow.it From Voice of San Diego / May 27, 2026 When Mayor Todd Gloria first proposed eliminating grants that support arts institutions and community programming in the city’s budget, many of us in the arts community were deeply concerned. The proposed $11.8 million reduction to arts funding—an 86.6% cut—would have a significant impact on organizations and programs that serve hundreds of thousands of San Diegans each year. Arts and culture contribute so much to the economic vitality and civic life of our region, but these proposed cuts threaten the ability of arts organizations to continue to play that role into the future. When the mayor later released his revised budget in May, however, no funding was restored for arts and culture. Indeed, as funds were found for other areas of the budget, the arts were left behind. For many in the sector this was profoundly discouraging and intensified fears about the future stability of arts programming. It raises significant concerns about the city’s priorities and our collective future. City arts and culture funding does not bankroll lavish galas or extravagant productions. It supports community theater in neighborhoods that otherwise have little access to the arts. I]]> Wed, 27 May 2026 20:44:43 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDx_q47VpidFbaL4tGz8p_DK?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[‘San Diego Cannot Afford to Lose Services of the Neil Good Day Center’]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDx0nx4gusVEaHTvrnb1zfTP?utm_source=follow.it By Deacon Jim Vargas   / Times of San Diego / May 16, 2026   Each and every day, hundreds of people come through the doors of the Neil Good Day Center in the East Village. For many, it is one of the few places they can seek refuge off of the streets. For others, it is a place where they can find the basic dignities that life on the street too often denies: medical care, laundry, showers, restrooms, haircuts and pet care. It is a place where people who are ready to begin their transition out of homelessness can connect to vital services that will support their journeys, whether that be housing placement programs or job seeking support. In 2025 alone, we served 6,712 people. All of this is at risk of vanishing within a matter of weeks. Earlier this month, Mayor Todd Gloria presented his draft budget. His proposal, should it pass, would mean the loss of over $4.5 million in funding for services provided by Father Joe’s Villages that support our neighbors experiencing homelessness. And it would mean that funding for the Day Center would be cut entirely.]]> Wed, 27 May 2026 20:33:18 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDx0nx4gusVEaHTvrnb1zfTP?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[Former Councilmember Ed Harris Endorses Mandy Havlik for Council District 2]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDzV2TNAGoSbLknc2dE9PTi8?utm_source=follow.it By Ed Harris My experience as a former District Two Council Member and Lifeguard taught me that most of our elected officials do not represent the communities. They spend their careers pleasing special interest to ensure they get donations for their next office. When deciding who to vote for please follow the money. The other candidates in this race are already indebted to special interests. They are getting ads paid for by committees and parties who spin the truth. When you are flooded with campaign mailers take a look at the bottom to see who funded it. Then you will know who will own that candidate. Mandy is the real deal. She’s not bought and paid for by special interests. She hasn’t sold out our neighborhoods, our coastline, or our community values for political favors or insider backing. She’s independent, she’s authentic, and she’s exactly the kind of leader we need at City Hall right now. We do not need another rubber stamp politician.]]> Wed, 27 May 2026 19:40:25 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDzV2TNAGoSbLknc2dE9PTi8?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[Sunken World War I Submarine Located West of Point Loma]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDw0k_uqNxMJeTpIxaHo2Lky?utm_source=follow.it

USS F-1 Submarine Sank in 1917 After Collision During Training Exercise, 19 Crew Members Lost

By Pia Gray / Futura / May 12, 2026 A research expedition off the coast of San Diego has captured the most detailed imagery ever recorded of the USS F-1 submarine. The World War I vessel sank in 1917 following a surface collision during a training exercise, taking 19 crew members down with it. Operating 1,300 feet below the surface, researchers used advanced deep submergence technology to document the site with precision, providing a clear window into a century old naval tragedy. Locating the relic The USS F-1 has occupied the seafloor west of Point Loma since its sudden sinking eight days before Christmas. While a Navy submersible initially spotted the rough location of the wreckage in 1972 during an unrelated search, a close-up survey remained impossible for decades due to the extreme depth. A joint expedition by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and the US Navy finally resolved the mystery by deploying deep sea submersibles directly to the site.]]> Wed, 27 May 2026 19:28:11 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDw0k_uqNxMJeTpIxaHo2Lky?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[Policy Statement by District 2 Candidate Jacob Mitchell]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDyerKaWfWh25K6yDhi7abzW?utm_source=follow.it By Jacob Mitchell I am a fourth generation San Diegan and the son of an Olympian. My life has been defined by the idea that if you play by the rules and put in the work, you deserve a fair shot at the podium, but if you look at San Diego today, you'll see a city where the playing field is tilted. We are currently governed by a system that treats residents as a revenue source and institutional developers as the only viable solution to our problems. I am not a politician, as a chemist and an MBA candidate, I don’t believe in vague talking points; I believe in data, systems, and accountability. It’s time we stopped managing San Diego through headlines and started managing it for long term results. Housing: Bridging the Generational Divide The most pressing issue facing our beach communities is the housing crisis. State policy mandates a certain number of new homes San Diego needs to build in 9 year cycles. Currently, the City’s response to the mandate is to drop development fees for corporate entities and hand out subsidies for hyper-dense projects that lack community oversight. I hear two very different, yet equally valid, fears in our district.]]> Wed, 27 May 2026 19:14:31 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDyerKaWfWh25K6yDhi7abzW?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[Tonight — Wed., — Is Budget Crunch Time for San Diego City Council — Public Hearing Starts at 6:30 p.m.]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDwHCZKuE-CQ1IgSnOpXlRK5?utm_source=follow.it Voice of San Diego / May 27, 2026 Tonight, Wednesday the 27th, the San Diego City Council will hold a public hearing on this year’s proposed budget, which seeks to close a $118 million deficit. Tonight’s public hearing will be held in Council Chambers starting at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is the latest deliberation following Mayor Todd Gloria’s May revision. He restored some library and recreation center hours after Councilmembers pushed back, saying those cuts pose a threat to public safety. But there are still some tense conversations ahead.]]> Wed, 27 May 2026 18:49:20 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDwHCZKuE-CQ1IgSnOpXlRK5?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[Arts & Culture Budget Crisis: A Call to Action Rally & Press Conference – Wed., May 27, 4:30 p.m. Civic Center Plaza]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDxnnOkD--j9RhKylwdMW3JA?utm_source=follow.it WE WANT MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION Join San Diego ART Matters, Arts+Culture: San Diego, and regional arts and culture leaders for a public press conference calling attention to the proposed elimination of City funding for arts and culture grants in the FY27 budget.]]> Wed, 27 May 2026 18:34:29 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDxnnOkD--j9RhKylwdMW3JA?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[Public Concerns With San Diego Humane Society Include High Compensation of CEO Amidst Threats to Cut Budget]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDxPQjNQuXUr5JksEsZ2uwv0?utm_source=follow.it News Item: In 2025, the San Diego City Council passed a final budget that reduced the San Diego Humane Society's (SDHS) annual animal services contract by $1 million. While the city initially proposed a more devastating 20% ($3.5 million) cut, the compromise forces the organization to evaluate fee increases and operational adjustments while facing critical shelter capacity issues. By Debbie L. Sklar Public discussion has included questions about the San Diego Humane Society, including shelter capacity, animal control responsibilities, and executive compensation. San Diego Humane Society President and CEO Dr. Gary Weitzman is compensated at more than $500,000 annually, according to publicly available IRS Form 990 filings. Records published through ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer list total compensation of approximately $509,396 in the most recent reporting period, including salary and other reportable compensation. The filing also lists approximately $72.8 million in annual revenue and more than $100 million in net assets. Weitzman has served as president and CEO of the San Diego Humane Society since 2010. Executive compensation within nonprofit organizations is determined through internal governance processes, typically reviewed by a board of directors and informed by comparative data from similar-sized organizations in the animal welfare and nonprofit sectors. Public filings provide one element of that broader oversight framework. Compensation structures in large nonprofits are generally designed to reflect organizational size, operational scope, regional cost of living, and responsibilities associated with managing substantial budgets, staff, and multi-jurisdictional contracts.]]> Tue, 26 May 2026 20:51:27 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDxPQjNQuXUr5JksEsZ2uwv0?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[Dealing with ICE at the Community College Level]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDxOwAhOWOSTHTP4DRGWh0FW?utm_source=follow.it by Ernie McCray Attending a Community College league of California Trustees Conference with Maria, my querida, a trustee, I happened upon a session that very much interested me, one regarding protecting campuses from ICE who a while back became a concern to Santa Barbara Community College when agents, nevertheless, although they didn’t harass or arrest any students,]]> Tue, 26 May 2026 20:30:02 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDxOwAhOWOSTHTP4DRGWh0FW?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[Stabbing Death Near Barons Market in the Midway Leads to Arrest in Linda Vista]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDzpYzko2H0FuzDFtH9RotFd?utm_source=follow.it Just around midnight Monday, May 25, an unidentified man was stabbed in the parking lot near the Barons Market off West Pt Loma, following an altercation with another man. Police Officers arrived to find a guy with stab wounds. He was taken to UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest for treatment but died after arrival, police said. The person suspected in the stabbing left the scene in a vehicle. Hours later, around 4:45 a.m., police arrested the suspect at a home in Linda Vista.]]> Tue, 26 May 2026 19:25:24 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDzpYzko2H0FuzDFtH9RotFd?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[Memorial Day at Fort Rosecrans Brings Community Together in Remembrance]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDxk_iL5HWslZ_wEODyNaIi_?utm_source=follow.it By Jillian Butler Every Memorial Day weekend, the Point Loma and Ocean Beach Peninsula community pauses to remember the men and women who never returned home from war. Against the backdrop of sweeping ocean views and rows of white headstones overlooking the Pacific Ocean, residents, veterans, and military families gathered at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Point Loma can trace its military history back to the late 18th century when the Spanish sought to build a fortress opposite Coronado Island. In 1852, the southernmost point of Point Loma was given to the United States Army and named “Fort Rosecrans”, after Major General William Rosecrans, a Civil War Era union soldier, and later California Congressman. In 1932, Fort Rosecrans was registered as a California Historical Landmark. During the two World Wars, Point Loma became a key strategic point. The United States military erected numerous bunkers, fire-control stations, and radio stations. The area was equipped with long-range coastal artillery batteries, an underground railroad to carry ammunition to the batteries -- rendering the region a crucial coastal support zone. Additionally, the area served as a bastion for anti-submarine warfare.]]> Tue, 26 May 2026 18:42:35 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDxk_iL5HWslZ_wEODyNaIi_?utm_source=follow.it <![CDATA[ICE Capades in San Diego]]> https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDzUP4tWOeybByRsehwduQ-7?utm_source=follow.it What better way to honor those who sacrificed themselves for American freedom than to highlight the ways America is losing that freedom. These are articles about ICE conducting itself in San Diego County over the recent months -- its ICE capades.

The casual cruelty of ICE detentions hits home in San Diego

by Chris Jennewein / Times of San Diego / May 23, 2026, The casual cruelty of Immigration and Customs Enforcement hit home in our neighborhood on Friday. Nicolas, a landscaper who has worked in our neighborhood for over 35 years, didn’t show up. It was the first time. It turns out he was detained by ICE on Monday and is being held at the notorious Otay Mesa Detention Center. His cellphone was taken away. His wife and three U.S.-citizen children, who live in Carlsbad and Escondido, are scared and unsure what to do. We gave them money for a lawyer, and I reached out to Rep. Mike Levin‘s office, which quickly provided helpful advice. Jewish Family Service of San Diego also stepped up to help. But the initial damage is done. Nicolas’ family must deal with a major crisis, and his successful business could falter in the interim. We were one of his first customers, and I sent a letter of recommendation for his citizenship application nearly 20 years ago. I believe the application is still pending. Unfortunately, our Citizenship and Immigration Services agency is no model of speed and efficiency. How is Nicolas’ detention an example of ICE prioritizing criminals? How is a hard-working, dependable landscaper with dozens of long-time customers in San Diego and Del Mar a threat to society?]]> Mon, 25 May 2026 21:11:54 +0200 https://api.follow.it/track-rss-story-click/v3/6LOs7Hf7uDzUP4tWOeybByRsehwduQ-7?utm_source=follow.it