Cal Raleigh hits 50th homer, joining Mickey Mantle as switch-hitters to reach mark
So this is not the bat that the Yankees were using to pound out 36 runs in 3 games. This is not *** torpedo bat. This is like *** traditional bat. Yeah, if that’s the bat they were using, we wouldn’t be talking about. Oh there you go. What is going on here with this? I, so basically the Yankees have apparently over for 2 years have been working on this, and they have figured out. That all the all the rules say *** bat needs to be is it can’t be bigger than *** certain length it can’t be fatter than *** certain, but otherwise, as long as it’s ***. Straight stick that the fattest part fits within these measurements and they’re hitting it out they they move the barrel basically down and they’re taking guys like Anthony Volpe where they collect so much data now, right? They know where Anthony Volpe typically hits right and if he’s not consistently hitting it on the barrel. Their solution was let’s not teach Anthony Volpe to hit different. Let’s just move the barrel. So they basically so simple bats that are customized to these hitters and to where they’re making contact. It’s, I mean, it’s very unusual and when they come out of the gate like this with *** 20 run game where, you know, like 9 homers in the game, it’s gonna get *** whole lot of attention, but by the rules this seems to be allowed. It’s just wild to see *** team do it and come out like this, right? And it’s the Yankees. Oh, it’s the Yankees, Chad. So, um, so there’s gonna be *** tension there anyway, but it’s, it’s fascinating. And I mean, who, you know, is this something that’s gonna catch on? We’re, I think everybody 2 my other teams my outlet included are all trying to chase this going where, where is this going, you know.
Cal Raleigh hits 50th homer, joining Mickey Mantle as switch-hitters to reach mark
Cal Raleigh hit his 50th homer on Monday night, extending his major league record for home runs by a catcher and entering some elite company.Raleigh joined Mickey Mantle as the only switch-hitters to hit 50 homers in a season, and he became the eighth player in major league history to reach the half-century mark in August.Video above: Baseball writer explains new ‘torpedo’ bats in MLBBatting from the right side, the Big Dumper sent a 3-2 fastball from San Diego’s JP Sears 419 feet into the second deck in left field.He’s the second Mariners player to hit 50 homers in a season. Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. hit 56 in 1997 and again in ’98.Raleigh has three homers in the past two games. He hit Nos. 48 and 49 during Sunday’s 11-4 win over the Athletics. Salvador Perez had the previous record for homers by a catcher with 48 in 2021.
SEATTLE —
Cal Raleigh hit his 50th homer on Monday night, extending his major league record for home runs by a catcher and entering some elite company.
Raleigh joined Mickey Mantle as the only switch-hitters to hit 50 homers in a season, and he became the eighth player in major league history to reach the half-century mark in August.
Video above: Baseball writer explains new ‘torpedo’ bats in MLB
Batting from the right side, the Big Dumper sent a 3-2 fastball from San Diego’s JP Sears 419 feet into the second deck in left field.
He’s the second Mariners player to hit 50 homers in a season. Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. hit 56 in 1997 and again in ’98.
Raleigh has three homers in the past two games. He hit Nos. 48 and 49 during Sunday’s 11-4 win over the Athletics. Salvador Perez had the previous record for homers by a catcher with 48 in 2021.
A 19-year-old illegal immigrant from Mexico is facing federal charges after prosecutors say he rammed his truck into an agent and government vehicles during an immigration operation in San Diego.
The case comes the same week another illegal immigrant, Harjinder Singh, was accused in a Florida crash that killed three people — underscoring renewed scrutiny of Biden-era immigration enforcement.
According to an ICE statement, the illegal, Rolando Nava Pacheco, is facing up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines for striking a federal agent and government vehicles in an attempt to flee.
Homeland Security agents stopped Pacheco during an immigration operation in San Diego for suspected immigration violations on Aug. 11. According to a DOJ statement, after the federal agents identified themselves as law enforcement, Pacheco attempted to flee by accelerating his white truck and striking an agent and a government vehicle.
The DOJ statement says the agents “verbally announced themselves as federal agents and requested identification from vehicle’s driver.”
A Mexican illegal immigrant is being charged with assault on a federal officer and damage to government property after allegedly ramming a truck into a federal officer and government vehicles during an immigration operation in San Diego.(George Rose/Getty Images and @HSILosAngeles / X)
“As the white truck recklessly tried to flee the area, a federal agent driving a government vehicle attempted to block the path of the white truck,” the DOJ statement said.
As a result, “the driver of the white truck proceeded to strike the federal agent’s vehicle head on.”
Pacheco is now facing charges of assault on a federal officer resulting in bodily injury and destruction of federal property.
Fox News Digital reached out to Pacheco’s attorney for comment.
Patrick Divver, San Diego field office director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, commented that the operation “demonstrates the commitment of ERO officers to enforcing federal immigration laws and protecting public safety.
“Despite the challenges encountered, our officers remain dedicated to carrying out their duties with professionalism,” he said.
Marine Corps troops patrol, weld and install concertina wire along the U.S.-Mexico Tijuana-San Diego beach border area as seen from Playas de Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, as the Defense Department deployed active-duty troops to the border to work alongside the U.S. border patrol and enforce the border wall on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (Carlos Moreno/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“The arrest of this individual for assaulting our officers or agents underscores our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the safety of law enforcement personnel and holding offenders accountable,” said Homeland Security Investigations San Diego Special Agent in Charge Shawn Gibson.
“We will not tolerate violence against law enforcement, and we are resolute in our pursuit of justice,” added Gibson.
This comes as another illegal, Indian national Singh, is accused of causing a crash in Fort Pierce, Florida, that killed three people.
Singh, who crossed into the United States illegally in 2018 via the southern border, obtained a commercial driver’s license in California. He attempted to obtain work authorization, but it was rejected by the first Trump administration on Sept. 14, 2020, according to Tricia McLaughlin, Homeland Security assistant secretary for public affairs.
Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old illegal alien from India who was arrested on Aug. 16, 2025, allegedly attempted to make an unauthorized U-turn in Ft. Pierce, Florida on Tuesday, resulting in a crash that killed three people.(U.S. Marshals Service )
The Department of Transportation said in a statement that Singh failed his English proficiency and road signs tests, “providing correct responses to just 2 of 12 verbal questions and only accurately identifying 1 of 4 highway traffic signs.”
According to the DOT, Singh was issued a regular full-term commercial driver’s license in the state of Washington in July 2023, but illegal immigrants are not allowed to obtain this type of license.
A year later, Singh was issued a limited-term/non-domiciled commercial driver’s license in California. The DOT is investigating further whether the issuance of that license followed federal regulations.
According to a new study by Pew Research, the illegal immigrant population in the United States reached a record 14 million in 2023 under the Biden administration.
Fox News Digital’s Peter D’Abrosca contributed to this report.
Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
A magnitude 4 earthquake rattled Southern California before dawn Sunday morning — the strongest in a series of modest earthquakes to strike near the Ontario International Airport in the last month.
Sunday’s 3:51 a.m. earthquake was the fifth of magnitude 3 or higher detected in Ontario since early September, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
“Moderate” shaking was felt in areas closest to the epicenter, the USGS said, as defined by the Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale. That’s strong enough to awaken many people. “Weak” or “light” shaking may have been felt across a broad region, including the most populous portions of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, large swaths of Los Angeles and Orange counties, and parts of San Diego County.
People reported feeling the earthquake from Palmdale to San Diego. The USGS asked people to submit reports of what kind of shaking they may have felt — or didn’t feel — at the agency’s Did You Feel It? website.
Until Sunday, the strongest earthquake in the past month to hit San Bernardino County’s fourth most populous city occurred on Sept. 7, when a magnitude 3.9 earthquake caused “light” shaking to be felt close to the epicenter. Light shaking is enough to disturb windows and dishes and can rock standing cars noticeably.
The epicenter of Sunday’s earthquake was centered about one-third of a mile southeast of where the 60 Freeway meets Archibald Avenue. That’s about 500 feet south of Mountain View Elementary School and half a mile east of the Whispering Lakes Golf Course.
The USGS said that its ShakeAlert earthquake early warning system was activated. People can download the earthquake early warning app for free at myshake.berkeley.edu.
Are you ready for when the Big One hits? Get ready for the next big earthquake by signing up for our Unshaken newsletter, which breaks down emergency preparedness into bite-size steps over six weeks. Learn more about earthquake kits, which apps you need, Lucy Jones’ most important advice and more at latimes.com/Unshaken.
A joint venture between two Orange County investment firms — Harbor Associates and F&F Capital Group — has paid $77 million for the Highlands Corporate Center in San Diego, The Real Deal has learned.
The five-building, Class A office campus is about 90 percent leased and totals 211,000 square feet. It’s located in San Diego’s Del Mar Heights neighborhood at 12730-12780 High Bluff Drive.
Harbor, based in Seal Beach, represented itself in the deal. Eastdil Secured’s Adam Edwards, Justin Shepherd and Bailey Bland represented the undisclosed seller. Property and state records show the seller is an LLC tied to a Chicago-based registered agent. F&F Capital is based in Irvine.
The price works out to almost $365 per square foot. For comparison, office buildings in Downtown Los Angeles currently trade in the $130 to $150 range, and the market’s Union Bank building recently sold for $114 per square foot, a new low. Last month, Irvine Company sold a San Diego office building to Formosa Limited for $86 a foot.
In an announcement on the deal, Harbor’s Rich McEvoy cited the property’s proximity — walking distance to the One Paseo mixed-use center — as one reason the campus has inked 40 new leases and renewals over the past three years.
Harbor’s Justin Loiacono cited a “reset” on office pricing that has offered investment opportunities in “high barrier-to-entry markets.”
The deal marks the latest activity in San Diego’s broader office investment market, where trades rose in the third quarter, according to a Jones Lang Lasalle report. Transaction activity in the quarter was led by deals such as Formosa Limited’s purchase of the Symphony Towers from the Irvine Company for a reported $45.7 million and Hazard Center, which was bought by BH Properties for $68.3 million.
On the leasing side, office vacancy in San Diego stood at 14 percent in the third quarter, marking the highest the metric has been in over a decade, according to JLL, with renewals and relocations driving the quarter’s leasing activity.
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If you’re considering a move to the sunshine state, you might be looking for apartments in San Diego, CA, or rentals in San Francisco, CA. Both cities provide unique lifestyles and strong job markets, but their costs of living and vibes are dramatically different. If you’re weighing whether to enjoy San Diego’s beaches and relaxed pace or San Francisco’s high-energy, tech-focused environment, it’s essential to understand what each city offers.
From weather to job prospects and more, there’s a lot to think about. Let’s break down the key differences in this Redfin article so you can find the city that’s perfect for you.
Two California cities: San Diego vs San Francisco in size and population
San Diego and San Francisco are both iconic California cities, but they contrast sharply in how they utilize their space and host their populations. San Diego stretches across a sprawling 372 square miles, offering a mix of suburban neighborhoods, coastal communities, and urban centers. In contrast, San Francisco is much more compact, covering just 47 square miles, making it one of the densest cities in the U.S.
San Diego has a population of about 1.4 million, with a population density of roughly 4,300 people per square mile. Its larger size allows for a more relaxed, open feel, with many residents living close to beaches or parks. San Francisco, despite its smaller geographic footprint, is home to approximately 874,000 people, resulting in a much higher population density of around 17,300 people per square mile. The tightly packed nature of San Francisco, combined with its vertical landscape and iconic hills, creates a fast-paced, bustling atmosphere, especially in its dense downtown areas.
Cost of living in San Diego vs San Francisco
Overall, the cost of living in San Diego is about 18% lower than in San Francisco. While both cities are known for being expensive, San Francisco’s combination of limited housing, high demand, and a booming tech sector significantly elevates everyday costs compared to the more relaxed, spread-out nature of San Diego.
1. Utilities
Utilities in San Diego are about 23% cheaper than in San Francisco. Thanks to its mild and steady climate, San Diego residents need less energy for heating and cooling throughout the year. In contrast, San Francisco’s older housing and cooler temperatures require more heating, which drives up utility costs.
2. Groceries
Groceries in San Diego are approximately 7% lower than in San Francisco. San Diego’s proximity to California’s agricultural heartland allows for more affordable, fresher produce, while San Francisco, with its higher demand and reliance on importing goods from farther distances, sees elevated grocery prices.
3. Transportation
Transportation costs in San Francisco are about 4% higher than in San Diego. San Francisco’s dense urban environment leads to high parking fees and an extensive reliance on public transportation, which drives up costs. In comparison, San Diego’s car-dependent culture balances out costs, with lower expenses related to parking but slightly higher fuel consumption.
4. Healthcare
Healthcare costs in San Diego are about 21% lower than in San Francisco. San Francisco’s expensive real estate for medical facilities and the high demand for specialized healthcare services contribute to significantly higher healthcare expenses. San Diego’s more affordable and widespread healthcare options help keep costs lower.
5. Lifestyle
Lifestyle expenses in San Diego are about 6% lower than in San Francisco. While both cities offer a wide range of entertainment and cultural activities, San Francisco’s dense living conditions and premium real estate push up the cost of services like dining, fitness, and events. San Diego, with its more spacious and relaxed environment, offers slightly more affordable lifestyle options.
Housing in San Diego vs San Francisco
Housing in San Diego
San Diego’s housing market is known for its mix of beachfront properties, suburban homes, and urban apartments. The city’s layout is spread out, with San Diego neighborhoods offering a more relaxed, laid-back feel compared to larger metropolitan areas. You’ll find everything from luxury high-rises in downtown San Diego to coastal bungalows in neighborhoods like La Jolla and Pacific Beach. Outdoor living is a key part of San Diego’s lifestyle, with homes often featuring patios, backyards, and large windows to enjoy the city’s year-round pleasant weather.
Housing options:
Studio Apartment: The average rent for a studio apartment in San Diego is about $2,324 per month, varying by location and proximity to the coast.
Median Home Cost: The median home price in San Diego is around $970,000, with a range of single-family homes, condos, and townhouses, particularly in coastal areas.
Housing in San Francisco
Housing in San Francisco is defined by density and high demand, with limited space driving up prices. The city’s unique architecture includes historic Victorian homes, modern high-rise condos, and famous townhomes. Popular San Francisco neighborhoods like Mission District, SoMa, and Nob Hill offer a mix of modern and classic living spaces, but at a premium price. Due to space constraints, outdoor areas like terraces and rooftop decks are common substitutes for backyards, especially in central San Francisco.
Housing options:
The job market in San Diego vs San Francisco
San Diego: Military, tourism, and biotechnology powerhouse
San Diego boasts a strong and diverse economy, with key sectors including military defense, biotechnology, tourism, and healthcare. The city’s employment rate is around 63%, and its median household income of approximately $106,000, and a mean hourly wage of about $36.54. The military, anchored by the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, is one of the largest employers in San Diego, contributing significantly to the local economy. San Diego’s thriving biotech industry, led by companies like Illumina and Pfizer, has positioned the city as a hub for innovation and research. Tourism also plays a critical role, with attractions like the San Diego Zoo and the city’s beautiful beaches drawing millions of visitors annually. In healthcare, major institutions like Scripps Health and Sharp Healthcare are significant employers, contributing to the city’s overall economic health.
San Francisco: A Global tech and finance hub
San Francisco’s job market is heavily influenced by its global reputation as a center for technology and finance. The city’s employment rate is around 66%, with a median household income of $127,000, and a mean hourly wage of $36.54. The tech sector dominates, with global companies like Google, Salesforce, and Twitter headquartered in the area, along with a thriving startup ecosystem. San Francisco is also a key player in the financial sector, with firms like Wells Fargo and Charles Schwab contributing to the city’s economic strength. The healthcare and biotech industries are significant as well, with companies like Genentech and Kaiser Permanente playing major roles in the local job market. Despite the city’s high cost of living, the opportunities for high-paying jobs in tech, finance, and healthcare attract top talent from around the world.
Transportation in San Diego vs San Francisco
San Diego is primarily a car-centric city, with many residents relying on personal vehicles for commuting due to its spread-out nature. Major highways like I-5, I-15, and I-805 connect various parts of the city. While the San Diego Trolley provides public transportation along key routes, and buses serve broader areas, public transit usage is lower than in denser cities. San Diego’s relatively mild traffic compared to Los Angeles makes driving more manageable, and the city has embraced biking and electric scooters, especially in downtown and beach areas.
San Francisco, by contrast, is known for its robust public transportation system, which includes BART, Muni buses, streetcars, and the famous cable cars. The city’s hilly landscape and high population density make walking and public transit the preferred modes of travel. Biking is also popular, particularly with the availability of protected bike lanes in certain areas. Driving in San Francisco can be challenging due to narrow streets, high parking costs, and frequent congestion.
Travel options in and out of San Diego and San Francisco:
Both cities are well-connected by air and road, but their rail and public transit systems differ significantly.
San Diego
Airports: San Diego International Airport
Rail: Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner connects to Los Angeles and other West Coast cities
Bike-Share: San Diego has a bike-sharing program with stations across key neighborhoods
Electric Scooters: Widely available throughout downtown and beach areas
San Francisco
Airports: San Francisco International Airport
Rail: BART connects the city to the broader Bay Area and Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor links to Sacramento
Buses: Greyhound, Megabus, and long-distance bus services
Ferries: Extensive ferry network connects to surrounding communities
Bike-Share: Bay Wheels bike-share program
Weather and climate in San Diego vs San Francisco
San Diego’s climate enjoys a mild, Mediterranean climate with sunny weather nearly year-round. Summers are warm but tempered by the ocean breeze, making beach days and outdoor activities a constant feature of life in the city. Winters are cool and mild, with temperatures rarely dropping below 50°F. In contrast, San Francisco’s climate experiences a cooler climate with more variability, known for its fog and cooler temperatures, especially in the summer when the Pacific Ocean’s cold currents roll in. While San Diego offers steady warmth, San Francisco’s microclimates mean it can be warm in one neighborhood and cool in another, with temperatures often in the 60s or 70s. San Diego is vulnerable to wildfires during the dry season, while San Francisco is at risk for earthquakes due to its location near the San Andreas Fault.
Lifestyle and recreational opportunities in San Diego vs San Francisco
What it’s like to live in San Diego
Living in San Diego revolves around its outdoor-friendly, beach-centered lifestyle. With its near-perfect year-round weather, residents enjoy everything from surfing to hiking, making it an ideal location for those who love the outdoors. San Diego’s laid-back nature combines with its growing food and craft beer scene, creating a city that balances relaxation with culinary excitement. Locals can spend weekends exploring beaches, dining at waterfront restaurants, or attending outdoor festivals and concerts. The city’s numerous parks and proximity to natural reserves also offer opportunities for hiking, biking, and nature exploration.
Indoor Activities:
Google Street View of inside Petco Park
Outdoor Activities:
Google Street View inside the sea caves in La Jolla
Landmarks and parks around San Diego:
Balboa Park
La Jolla Cove
San Diego Zoo
Mission Beach Boardwalk
Cabrillo National Monument
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Torrey Pines State Reserve
Coronado Island
What it’s like to live in San Francisco
San Francisco offers a fast-paced, cosmopolitan lifestyle with a strong emphasis on culture, tech innovation, and outdoor living. With its famous hills and eclectic neighborhoods, the city offers a blend of historic charm and modern amenities. Residents enjoy the diverse food scene, which ranges from Michelin-star restaurants to casual street food. San Francisco’s proximity to natural beauty—like the Golden Gate Bridge, parks, and nearby hiking trails—makes it ideal for those who love both urban and outdoor activities. The city’s unique cultural institutions and frequent festivals further enrich the experience of living in this iconic city.
Indoor Activities:
Google Street View of the San Francisco Opera building
Outdoor Activities:
Google Street View of Presidio
Landmarks and parks around San Francisco:
Golden Gate Park
Alcatraz Island
The Presidio
Palace of Fine Arts
Coit Tower
Fisherman’s Wharf
Twin Peaks
Mission Dolores Park
Food and culture: San Diego vs San Francisco
San Diego’s food culture is heavily influenced by its coastal location and proximity to Mexico, giving rise to a vibrant blend of seafood and Mexican cuisine. Fish tacos, fresh ceviche, and locally sourced seafood dominate many menus across the city, while taco shops offering California burritos are neighborhood staples. The craft beer scene in San Diego is one of the best in the country, with dozens of local breweries offering a variety of IPAs, stouts, and lagers. Culturally, San Diego embraces its laid-back, beachy tone with numerous outdoor festivals, art shows, and live music events, particularly during the summer months when the weather is perfect for outdoor gatherings.
San Francisco’s food scene is renowned for its diversity and innovation. With a farm-to-table movement that set the standard for modern dining, the city offers an array of high-end restaurants alongside classic street food. Dishes like sourdough bread, clam chowder in a bread bowl, and Dungeness crab are iconic to the area. International cuisine also flourishes in San Francisco, with Chinatown, the Mission District, and Little Italy offering authentic dishes from all over the world. On the cultural front, San Francisco is a hub for artistic expression, with a strong theater scene, cutting-edge galleries, and annual events like the San Francisco International Film Festival. The city’s nightlife ranges from intimate jazz clubs to vibrant LGBTQ+ venues, offering something for everyone.
San Diego vs San Francisco sports scene
San Diego’s sports culture revolves around its professional baseball and soccer teams, with a notable history in football and emerging interest in women’s sports.
Football (College): San Diego State Aztecs – The Aztecs’ football program competes in the Mountain West Conference, and the city supports its college team following the Chargers’ departure.
Women’s Basketball (College): San Diego State Aztecs Women’s Basketball – Competing in the NCAA, the team draws support from the local community.
Baseball (MLB): San Diego Padres – A staple of San Diego sports, the Padres play at Petco Park and have a loyal fan base.
Soccer (MLS): San Diego Loyal SC – Though in the USL Championship, San Diego’s soccer team garners strong local support, with hopes of landing an MLS team.
Women’s Soccer (NWSL): San Diego Wave FC – A new addition to the city, the Wave competes in the NWSL and is quickly building a passionate following.
San Francisco is a sports powerhouse, home to multiple successful teams across different leagues.
Football (NFL): San Francisco 49ers – The 49ers are one of the most successful franchises in NFL history, with multiple Super Bowl victories.
Baseball (MLB): San Francisco Giants – The Giants are one of the most iconic MLB teams, with a dedicated fan base at Oracle Park.
Women’s Soccer (NWSL): San Francisco currently does not have a women’s professional soccer team, but interest in the sport is growing.
Women’s Basketball (College): University of San Francisco Women’s Basketball – The team represents the city in NCAA competition, adding to the local sports culture.
Basketball (NBA): Golden State Warriors – The Warriors have been one of the most dominant NBA teams in recent years, playing at the Chase Center.
Soccer (MLS): San Jose Earthquakes – Though based in nearby San Jose, the Earthquakes are the closest MLS team for San Francisco fans.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores has agreed to purchase a 27% stake in the Los Angeles Chargers, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Friday.
The people spoke on condition of anonymity because the purchase has not been announced by the team. It is expected to be approved by NFL owners at their league meetings in Atlanta next month.
Sports Business Journal first reported Gores’ purchase.
Gores is buying the 24% share held by Dea Spanos Berberian, which includes 9% that is in a family trust that has a 36% stake in the team. He is also purchasing 1% each from shares owned by Dean Spanos, Alexis Spanos Ruhl and Michael Spanos for estate planning purposes.
The transaction ends a bitter three-year fight between Spanos Berberian and her siblings. Spanos Berberian filed a lawsuit against Chargers controlling owner Dean Spanos in 2021 that alleged breach of fiduciary duty by the Spanos Trust and tried to force a sale.
She filed another lawsuit in 2022 accusing her brother of “misogynistic” behavior, “self-dealing” and repeated “breaches of fiduciary duty.”
As part of the sale, Spanos Berberian has agreed to resolve her disputes with the family and the franchise.
Dean Spanos and Berberian were left as co-trustees of the trust following the deaths of Alex and Faye Spanos in 2018. According to 2021 financial statements that were part of court documents, the trust’s stake in the Chargers makes up 83% of its holdings.
The 60-year-old Gores has a net worth of $11.8 billion, according to Bloomberg. In 1995, he founded Platinum Equity, which has its headquarters in Beverly Hills.
Gores’ purchase comes after NFL owners on Sept. 1 approved allowing private equity funds to buy stakes in teams. However, this is a purchase by Gores and not affiliated with Platinum Equity.
The Chargers’ franchise valuation average is $5.38 billion using this season’s figures from Forbes, Sportico and CNBC.
Despite having more than a one-quarter stake, Gores will not have a role in the Chargers’ daily business or a path to a controlling stake. The Spanos family owns 69% of the Chargers with 4% controlled by legacy owners from the franchise’s early days in San Diego.
Alex Spanos bought the San Diego Chargers in 1984 and Dean Spanos took over managing the franchise in 1994.
The Chargers moved to Los Angeles in 2017 after years of trying to get a new stadium in San Diego. The franchise carries nearly 14% debt, mostly due to the franchise relocation agreement with the league.
A for sale sign is displayed outside of a home for sale on August 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. United States real estate industry rules governing agent commissions will change on August 17 as part of a legal settlement between the National Association of Realtors and home sellers. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Patrick T. Fallon | Afp | Getty Images
The supply of homes for sale is still low by historical standards, but it is rising quickly.
Nationwide, active listings in August were up 36% compared with the same month last year, according to a new report from Realtor.com. That was the 10th straight month of annual growth. Supply is still, however, 26% lower than in August 2019, pre-pandemic.
As inventory grows, sellers are pulling back. There were fewer new listings in August (-1%) than there were the year before. The growth in supply is due to the fact that homes are sitting on the market longer.
“This August, as the number of homes on the market continues to climb, price cuts are more common, asking prices are moderating, and homes are taking longer to sell,” wrote Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, in a release. “The widely anticipated Fed rate cut has already ushered in lower mortgage rates, but it seems that some buyers and sellers are waiting for additional declines.”
That can be seen in weekly mortgage data. Applications for loans to buy a home are down about 4% compared with this time last year, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. This, even though the average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage is about 75 basis points lower now than it was then.
While supply is increasing in most cities, some are seeing huge gains. Tampa, Florida’s inventory is up more than 90% compared with a year ago. San Diego is up 80%, Miami is up 72%, Seattle is up 69% and Denver is up 67%.
Regionally, active listings rose 46% in the South, 35.7% in the West, 23.8% in the Midwest and 15.1% in the Northeast.
More supply is causing homes to sit for sale longer. The typical home spent 53 days on the market in August, an increase of seven days from a year ago and the slowest August pace in five years.
“We have found that the market slows by about one day for every 5.5 percentage point increase in the year-over-year number of active listings,” said Ralph McLaughlin, senior economist at Realtor.com. “Given the rapid growth in inventory we’re seeing now, that can mean changes in some markets of up to 15-20 more days on the market than last year.”
More supply and longer selling times are finally translating into lower prices. The share of homes with price reductions rose in August to 19%, up 3 percentage points from the prior August. The median list price was down 1.3% year over year. Part of that is due to the mix of homes on the market, as more smaller homes are being listed. Prices are still 36% higher than August 2019.
Migrants attempted to board San Diego area school buses with children still inside for two days in a row, in one case requiring parents and the bus driver to keep the migrants away. In response, the school district says buses will no longer stop when migrants are present.
Jamul-Dulzura Union School District told Fox 5 that on Tuesday afternoon, a group of three men walked in the middle of the highway tried to stop a school bus, requiring the vehicle to take evasive action. On Wednesday morning, a group of 20 migrants tried to board a school bus at a bus stop where elementary students were waiting with their parents for pickup. Parents and drivers “stepped in, keeping the migrants at bay.”
“He was really confused. He said these adults, they weren’t kids, they had backpacks on and they tried to get on our bus. And there were a lot of them,” said Nicole Cardinale, whose eight year old son was already on the bus, told the TV station.
The presence of backpacks suggests the individuals had recently crossed the border; Jamul is just inland from San Diego and just north of the California-Mexico border.
“Earlier today I notified transportation families about two recent incidents involving our school buses on Highway 94. Both incidents involved people either trying to stop or board a bus at a bus stop,” wrote school district superintendent Liz Bystedt in a letter to parents. “I want to say thank you to our bus drivers for keeping our students safe and to the parents who helped to ensure the bus was not boarded.”
Bystedt wrote that the district had already contacted law enforcement, including border patrol, about the incident. In an email to parents, Bystedt also said that buses would not be stopping at any stops where migrants are present, and that parents should follow the bus to the next migrant-free stop to pick up or drop off their children.
SAN DIEGO (AP) — DirecTV has signed a multiyear deal to become the jersey partner of the San Diego FC, its first foray into kit sponsorship in MLS while expanding its presence in the local sports market.
DirecTV will appear across the front of SDFC’s primary and secondary jerseys when the expansion club begins play in February.
“It’s always the most important commercial partnership, because it sits right on your heart, right on the front of your jersey,” said Tom Penn, San Diego FC’s CEO. “From that standpoint it’s really important to pick the right partner.”
Thursday’s announcement comes about five weeks after SDFC signed Mexican star Chucky Lozano to a four-year contract.
“It’s equally foundational,” Penn said. “There’s nothing more important than a foundational player, your foundational coach. Those kinds of things are critically important. But a foundational kit partner is a big deal. I don’t know how many tens, hundreds of thousands of jerseys we’ll end up seeing out in the community, but every single one of them is going to have DirecTV right across their heart. So. it’s woven into fabric, I guess pun intended, of the club.”
DirecTV sponsored the Holiday Bowl last year and remains in talks to sponsor the game moving forward. Holiday Bowl officials announced recently that after two years at Petco Park, the game will be moved to Snapdragon Stadium, which will be SDFC’s home pitch.
Bowl CEO Mark Neville said officials wanted to first sort out conference affiliations and are “working on it” as far as DirecTV’s continuing sponsorship.
“They love San Diego, they love soccer,” Penn said about the satellite TV provider, which is once again sponsoring the Soccer Champions Tour of friendlies involving European clubs in U.S. cities.
SDFC will become MLS’s 30th club. It is owned by Egyptian billionaire Mohamed Mansour and the Sycuan Tribe, the first Native American tribe to have an ownership stake in a professional soccer team. The ownership group also includes San Diego Padres star third baseman Manny Machado.
“It’s an exciting sponsorship deal here for us at DirecTV,” said Vince Torres, the chief marketing officer. “For us it really expands what we’re doing in the space of soccer. … Now we have this opportunity here and I think it’s fairly unique, with a big market right around the corner from our headquarters in L.A. that presented itself and we jumped all over it.”
DirecTV will also be involved in community outreach programs such as support for local nonprofits like Ronald McDonald House Charities and support for local active military and veterans.
Two teenage girls killed on the same California beach six years apart. DNA on one of the victims leads to two suspects — one of them worked for the police. “48 Hours” correspondent Richard Schlesinger reports. Watch Saturday, July 6 at 10/9c on CBS and streaming on Paramount+.
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Nestled along the stunning coastline of Southern California, San Diego is a vibrant city with an endless array of activities to enjoy. From the world-famous San Diego Zoo to the beautiful beaches and bustling Gaslamp Quarter, there’s never a dull moment in this sun-soaked city.
Whether you’re considering a move to this coastal paradise or are already fortunate enough to rent an apartment or own a home in San Diego, this Redfin guide is for you. Here is Redfin’s list of the top 13 things to do in San Diego, for both newcomers and long-time locals alike.
1. Visit Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a 1,200-acre urban cultural park in San Diego. It is home to 15 major museums, several performing arts venues, beautiful gardens, and the San Diego Zoo. Visitors can explore the park’s stunning architecture, lush landscapes, and diverse cultural institutions. San Diego local Craig Blaine of JCB Music recommends new residents check out Balboa Park. “It is a cultural oasis.” Whether you’re interested in art, history, science, or nature, Balboa Park has something for everyone.
“Balboa Park is a artistic haven in San Diego,” raves Dylan Mitchell, Marketing Director of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. “Its array of museums offer everything from aerospace wonders to fine arts. With its historic theaters hosting acclaimed performances and its renowned venues attracting top-tier talent, San Diego stands as a cultural powerhouse on the West Coast.”
2. Visit Cabrillo National Monument
Cabrillo National Monument is located at the southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula and offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay. “The Cabrillo National Monument offers a blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage, from its historic lighthouse providing panoramic views of the city and the Pacific Ocean,” says SD Downtown Transportation, a luxury car service in San Diego. “Whether you’re interested in history, photography, or simply enjoying stunning coastline views, this iconic spot offers something memorable for every visitor to San Diego.” The monument also commemorates the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, the first European to set foot on the West Coast of the United States.
3. Take a hot air balloon ride
For a unique and fun experience in San Diego, consider taking a hot air balloon ride over the beautiful Temecula Valley Wine Country. “Just a short drive from San Diego, this adventure offers breathtaking views of vineyards, mountains, and rolling hills from a bird’s-eye view. You can float peacefully in the sky as the sun rises or sets, making it a perfect romantic getaway or a memorable outing with friends and family,” says Aziz Nazarov from MagiCleanMaid, a local home and office cleaning service. “It’s an opportunity to see Southern California’s beauty in a whole new way and create lasting memories high above the gorgeous landscape.”
4. Explore the San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is a world-renowned attraction and home to over 3,700 animals of more than 650 species and subspecies. It offers a rare opportunity to see a wide variety of wildlife in a beautiful and naturalistic setting. Visitors can take guided bus tours, watch animal shows, and even have up-close animal encounters. The zoo is committed to conservation and education, making it a must-visit for animal lovers of all ages.
5. Relax at La Jolla Cove
La Jolla Cove is a picturesque beach and a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving in the stunning La Jolla neighborhood. The crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life make it a favorite destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can also enjoy stunning views of the coastline, explore the nearby sea caves, or simply relax on the sandy shores.
6. Visit USS Midway Museum
The USS Midway Museum is a maritime museum located in downtown San Diego. It features the aircraft carrier USS Midway, which served in the United States Navy for 47 years. Visitors can explore the ship’s flight deck, hangar deck, and engine room, as well as a collection of 29 restored aircraft. The museum offers a unique opportunity to learn about the history of naval aviation and the experiences of the sailors who served aboard the USS Midway.
7. Enjoy the Gaslamp Quarter and other unique neighborhoods
The Gaslamp Quarter is a historic district in downtown San Diego known for its vibrant nightlife, shopping, and dining. Visitors can explore the area’s Victorian-era buildings, enjoy live music and entertainment, and sample a wide variety of cuisine. The Gaslamp Quarter neighborhood is also home to numerous art galleries, theaters, and cultural events, making it a lively destination.
Johan Engman, a San Diego local and owner of the Fig Tree Cafe, recommends taking tours and scavenger hunts as a way to get acquainted with San Diego’s many neighborhoods. “Not only will you know your way around the city, but you’ll also learn a number of fun facts that will make you appreciate the area even more.”
8. Take a Harbor Cruise
A harbor cruise is a great way to see San Diego from a different perspective. Visitors can take a narrated tour of the city’s waterfront, passing by landmarks such as the Maritime Museum, Seaport Village, and the Coronado Bridge. Some cruises even offer the chance to see marine wildlife such as sea lions and dolphins. Whether it’s a daytime sightseeing cruise or a romantic sunset cruise, exploring the harbor by boat is a memorable experience.
Emily Patterson from Flagship Cruises & Events highly recommends embarking on a harbor cruise. “Savor a fresh meal aboard a dinner or brunch cruise. Witness majestic whales on their annual migration aboard a seasonal whale watching excursion. Or skip the traffic and take the ferry from Downtown to enjoy a day in picturesque Coronado.”
9. Explore Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
Old Town San Diego is considered the “birthplace” of California and is home to many historic buildings and museums. Visitors can explore the preserved adobe buildings, visit the Whaley House Museum, and experience the rich history and culture of early San Diego. The park also hosts various events and demonstrations, offering a glimpse into the past of this vibrant and diverse city.
10. Relax at Mission Beach
Mission Beach is a popular beach and boardwalk area known for its lively atmosphere and recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, and beach volleyball, as well as biking, rollerblading, and people-watching along the boardwalk. The area also offers a variety of shops, restaurants, and amusement park rides, making it a fun destination.
11. Catch a concert at the Rady Shell
Any music lovers in San Diego are gonna want to visit the Rady Shell. Located in Jacobs Park, the venue opened in 2021 and hosts all kinds of events and concerts. The Rady Shell features a covered stage and can seat up to 10,000 people.
“The centerpiece of the 3.7-acre public Jacobs Park developed and managed by the San Diego Symphony on the city’s scenic Embarcadero, The Rady Shell is the first permanent outdoor venue in the San Diego Symphony’s century-long history, designed to host more than 100 concerts and events year-round,” says the Symphony’s John Velasco. “Concerts on this year’s season will include performances with the San Diego Symphony and Music Director Rafael Payare, artists like John Legend and Jason Mraz, jazz virtuosos like San Diego’s own Gilbert Castellanos, and more.”
12. Visit the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
The Birch Aquarium is a public exploration center for the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography. It features more than 60 habitats of fish and invertebrates, as well as interactive exhibits and educational programs. Visitors can learn about marine life, ocean conservation, and ongoing research at Scripps, making it a fascinating and educational experience for visitors of all ages.
13. Check out some of San Diego’s breweries
According to Anna Brigham of Thorn St. Brewery, “San Diego is full of places to grab some food and drinks while hanging out with friends. Take a walking tour through historic North Park hitting up local craft breweries along the way.” Thorn Street Brewery was the first craft brewery in North Park. Today, there are more than ten breweries and tasting rooms within walking distance through this vibrant neighborhood. Since Thorn sits at the southern end of North Park it’s the perfect place to start your brewery crawl. From Thorn, you can wander up 30th Street, hitting up Modern Times, Black Plague, North Park Beer Co, Belching Beaver, Fall Brewing, and more.
Bivouac Ciderworks, a women-powered San Diego craft beverage company, is another popular spot to grab drinks in San Diego. According to CEO Lara Worm, the recently expanded space “brings Bivouac’s outdoor-adventure ethos to life, allowing for greater fermentation experimentation and significantly increased production – all to further stoke San Diego’s burgeoning cider culture.”
The Port of San Diego has renewed an emergency declaration meant to help the city fight an invasive algae that has proliferated in its bay.
The algae species, scientifically known as Caulerpa prolifera, was first spotted in the San Diego Bay in September, according to a news release from the port. The algae grows and reproduces rapidly, “choking out native seaweeds and seagrasses,” according to the port, and causing a loss of habitat for marine life.
In the bay, the species most at risk are eelgrass, a type of plant that many ocean species use as a habitat, and the fish, birds and green sea turtles that use that eelgrass as a source of food and shelter. In addition to its role as a habitat and nursery, eelgrass is a natural water filter that helps maintain good air and water quality.
About 2,600 acres of eelgrass grow in the bay, according to the port.
As of now, about 11,200 square feet of Caulerpa have been found in the San Diego Bay, including near the Coronado Cays and the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Officials have not confirmed the source of the infestation, but said in the news release that it was most likely caused by someone emptying a saltwater aquarium into the bay, since the seaweed is a “popular and common saltwater aquarium plant.”
The algae is bright green and consists of a number of blades linked by underground runners (stolons), which attach to the substrate with small root-like structures (rhizoids).
Port of San Diego
Possessing Caulerpa in California is illegal, as is selling and transporting it. Officials said anyone who owns or sells saltwater aquariums should not use Caulerpa or dump aquariums into state waters. Aquariums should also not be emptied into street or storm drains, since these systems often discharge into the ocean.
Once in a waterway, the seaweed can “rapidly and aggressively expand from contact with vessels, fishing and even tidal exchanges,” officials said. Regular visitors have been asked to avoid the infested areas to avoid spreading the invasive plant. The seaweed does not pose a risk to humans, but boaters, divers and anglers who visit the bay should watch for Caulerpa, inspect their gear and supplies for the plant, and report sightings to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Trained divers have been responding to the infestation in the San Diego Bay by covering known patches with a “sealed barrier meant to kill the algae by blocking it from light, oxygen and tidal circulation,” officials said. Over $900,000 has been committed to cover the costs of searching for the plant and eradicating it from the bay, officials said, with an additional $2.2 million in funding pending from state and federal sources. The emergency declaration is meant to help officials secure additional grant funding for surveillance, control measures and monitoring.
Caulerpa.
Port of San Diego
Frank Urtasun, chairman of the Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners, issued a warning about an outbreak of the seaweed in the Mediterranean Sea in the 1980s. He said the Caulerpa infestation there “caused millions of dollars in losses to tourism and fishing industries because it was not contained,” and said that limiting the infestation in the San Diego Bay was of paramount importance.
“It is absolutely critical that we find and remove or cover every little piece of Caulerpa as quickly as possible to preserve our bay’s strong and healthy ecosystem,” said Urtasun in the release.
While this is the first discovery of Caulerpa in the San Diego Bay, it’s far from the first time the algae has been seen in California. The state has monitored for the plant since the early 2000s, officials said. A species of Caulerpa infested part of the state’s Huntington Harbour and Aqua Hedionda Lagoon in Carlsbad around that time. Newport Bay has been battling an infestation of the plant since 2021, officials said.
Kerry Breen is a reporter and news editor at CBSNews.com. A graduate of New York University’s Arthur L. Carter School of Journalism, she previously worked at NBC News’ TODAY Digital. She covers current events, breaking news and issues including substance use.
A Redfin sign in front of a home for sale in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022.
Elijah Nouvelage | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Strong demand and tight supply continue to push home values higher, even though mortgage rates are now moving higher again.
Home prices in February jumped 6.4% year over year, another increase after the prior month’s annual gain of 6%, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller national home price index released Tuesday. It was the fastest rate of price growth since November 2022.
The 10-city composite rose 8%, up from a 7.4% increase in the previous month. The 20-city composite saw an annual gain of 7.3%, up from a 6.6% advance in January.
“Following last year’s decline, U.S. home prices are at or near all-time highs,” said Brian Luke, head of commodities, real and digital assets at S&P Dow Jones Indices. “For the third consecutive month, all cities reported increases in annual prices, with four currently at all-time highs: San Diego, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and New York.”
Prices in San Diego saw the biggest gain among the 20 cities in the index, up 11.4% from February of 2023. Both Chicago and Detroit reported 8.9% annual increases. Portland, Oregon, saw the smallest gain in the index of just 2.2%.
“The Northeast region, which includes Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C., ranks as the best performing market for over the last half year. As remote work benefitted smaller (and sunnier markets) in the first part of the decade, return to office may be contributing to outperformance in larger metropolitan markets in the Northeast,” according to Luke.
“Since the previous peak in prices in 2022, this marks the second time home prices have pushed higher in the face of economic uncertainty. The first decline followed the start of the Federal Reserve’s hiking cycle. The second decline followed the peak in average mortgage rates last October,” he added.
This index records prices on a three-month moving average, so they go back as far as December, when mortgage rates hit their recent lows. There was also a strong expectation then that the Federal Reserve would lower interest rates. That may have driven buyers to jump in.
Since that time, however, mortgage rates have jumped nearly a full percentage point. In addition, stubborn and persistent inflation has lowered expectations that the Fed will cut rates significantly this year.
Cannabis is widely used to help mitigate the symptoms of a variety of conditions and diseases. Specifically, a number of state medical cannabis programs list HIV/AIDS as a qualifying condition, as cannabis can help to eliminate a variety of symptoms associated with HIV/AIDS treatment.
Though, some clinicians have expressed concern how regular cannabis treatments in this regard may impact patient cognition.
Researchers affiliated with the University of California at San Diego sought to investigate the cognitive impacts of cannabis use in people with HIV through a newly published meta-analysis in the journal Current HIV/AIDS Reports.
Ultimately, they conclude that neither the use of whole-plant cannabis or cannabis-based medicines are associated with significant cognitive changes in those with HIV.
Cannabis Use Among People with HIV
In the study abstract, researchers note the potential benefits that cannabis use can offer patients with HIV while recognizing this population’s “high burden of persisting neurocognitive impairment” and physician concerns with adding cannabis into the mix, specifically its potential cognitive effects.
Cannabis use among those with HIV is far from a new trend. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration first approved synthetic oral THC capsules (dronabinol) to treat HIV-induced cachexia, or loss of appetite, in 1985.
Additionally, surveys have consistently affirmed that cannabis use is common among people with HIV, with one 2007 study predating the bulk of medical reform measures in the U.S. still finding that more than 60% of HIV/AIDS patients self-identified as medical cannabis users.
Another more recent 2022 study noted that 77% and 34% of people with HIV reported lifetime and past-year cannabis use, respectively.
While some of these patients report recreational use as one reason, research over the years has found that cannabis is largely used among people with HIV to stimulate appetite, reduce pain, relax and ease anxiety and help with sleep.
‘Little Evidence’ of Harmful Cognitive Cannabis Impacts
With plenty of existing data to pull from, researchers reviewed data from 34 clinical studies to determine the extent that cannabis impacts cognition among patients with HIV. The results, according to the study, revealed that there is “little evidence” to support that cannabis has a harmful impact on cognition among those with HIV.
“Overall, the number of reported adverse effects were largely outnumbered by beneficial or null findings, providing insufficient support for the detrimental impact of CU [cannabis use] on cognition in PWH [people with HIV],” researchers reported, adding that the results suggest both cannabis and cannabis-based medications can be prescribed to people with HIV “while posing little threat to cognitive function.”
The topic of cannabis use and cognition has seen a recent uptick in popularity, especially given recent conversations surrounding cannabis-induced psychosis (which has largely been linked to pre-existing conditions and vulnerabilities and is not a widespread issue among cannabis consumers, with some advocates arguing that the focus on this topic is a repackaged version of “Reefer Madness” propaganda from decades past).
Of course, it’s important to look at the full picture and recognize how cannabis use and abuse may impact a variety of populations, and myriad studies attempt to look a bit more broadly at the topic.
Recent research shows that cannabis users may actually have a lower chance of cognitive decline overall. Previous studies have also noted links between heavy cannabis use and cognitive performance, though researchers noted that particular products used, methods of consumption and the reasons for use can also impact cognitive effects associated with cannabis use.
Another recent study similarly found that adolescents who occasionally use cannabis do not see cognitive differences compared to those who abstain, once again highlighting a distinction surrounding frequency of use among other variables.
California resident Shannon Johnson lives a few blocks from Imperial Beach’s turquoise water and waves of “perfect little curls” — but Johnson and her two young children haven’t stepped foot on the sand in a year.
“Every time we go by the beach they’re asking, ‘Is it going to be clean? When are they going to fix it?’” said Johnson, 45, an activist with the Surfrider Foundation, who has been living in Imperial Beach, a small coastal city of 26,000 people 20 minutes from San Diego, since 2010.
Heavy metals, toxic chemicals and bacteria including E. coli have been detected in the water, according to a San Diego State University report released last month. Researchers called the contamination “a public health crisis.” It has resulted in over 700 consecutive days of beach closures, leaving residents like Johnson feeling confined indoors with no end in sight.
Flooding through Mexico’s Tijuana River brings sewage into Imperial Beach, California, which has led to 700 days of beach closures.
Prebys Foundation
Over the last five years, over 100 billion gallons of untreated sewage have flowed through Mexico’s Tijuana River and into the Pacific Ocean at the shores of the seaside town, contaminating the air, water and soil and posing environmental and public health hazards.
In addition to concerns about exposure to contaminants, another factor stemming from the sewage is causing residents to stay inside: “It’s the worst smell. It gets into your lungs. It gets into your clothes. It’s disgusting,” Johnson said.
Aging sewage plants and an “unbearable stink”
The sewage issue isn’t new— concerns about contamination of the Tijuana River date at least to the 1930’s — but the problem has worsened over the years. [“60 Minutes” reported on the problem in 2020 — watch more in the video player above.]
At the crux of it is two aging wastewater plants on either side of the U.S.-Mexico border: the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant and the San Antonio de los Buenos Wastewater Treatment Plant. The former, situated in San Diego County, was constructed in the late 1990s to accommodate the influx of sewage from the growing population in Baja California, Mexico.
“Dangerous pathogens and chemicals in contaminated waters pose a spectrum of short and long-term health risks, spanning gastrointestinal issues to neurological disorders,” according to the SDSU report.
The plant has become overwhelmed as the population increased to over 3 million, as of 2020, and is ill-equipped to handle extreme weather events like Hurricane Hilary in 2023, which exacerbated existing issues with the plant’s infrastructure. On Jan. 11, Mexico marked the start of its rehabilitation efforts at the San Antonio de los Buenos Wastewater Treatment Plant in Tijuana, which releases millions of gallons of sewage a day into the Pacific Ocean. The country agreed to invest $33 million into replacing the decrepit plant and has also contributed $50 million toward the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Sewage seeps into Imperial Beach, a California beach city, through Mexico’s Tijuana River causing beach closures and upending residents’ lives.
Prebys Foundation
In 2022, $300 million in federal funding was designated towards rehabilitating the plant, inspiring optimism among some residents. Marvel Harrison, 67, a psychologist who moved to Imperial Beach in 2020 with her retired husband, said they felt relieved when they learned about the funding.
But since then, the plant has racked up $150 million in repairs, prolonging expansion efforts and prompting California Gov. Gavin Newsom to ask Congress for an additional $310 million.
For Harrison and her husband, their future in Imperial Beach hinges on a timely solution. In 2015, the couple began the process of building their home on the water, investing in pricey features like custom windows to incorporate an indoor-outdoor living space. Now, nearly a decade later, the windows remain shut and they contemplate moving.
“I find myself looking at other places we might be able to live. And that’s really disheartening given that this is where and how we wanted to be in retirement,” she said, noting that being in their sixties, “it’s not like we can wait.”
Johnson has been faced with a similar choice. Despite her husband’s family having roots in Imperial Beach stretching back to the 1950s, she said they often look at other options. “You live here to be outside, and we can’t really go outside and feel comfortable and safe,” she said.
In a collection of letters from community members compiled by Harrison calling on elected officials to take action, one resident described the stink as “akin to being trapped in a portable toilet” — a smell so strong it wakes you up at night.
Potential health impacts reach beyond the stench
But the air carries more than just a stench. A recent study found evidence of coastal water pollution from the Tijuana River in sea spray aerosol capable of potentially diffusing far enough to reach places like schools and homes that wouldn’t otherwise be touched by the contamination. The implications of contamination by air are not yet known and need further study, according to the SDSU report, leaving some members of the community grappling for answers.
Johnson, who said she has health issues and has had two unexplained pulmonary embolisms, worries about whether the environment could be a contributing factor. “In the back of my mind, I’m like, does that have something to do with the air that I’m breathing?”
Her children, ages 9 and 10, attend elementary school near the river valley, where the smell can be especially strong. “They’re like, ‘Why is it so smelly? Is it safe?’” Johnson said. “I’m like, yeah, I guess so. What am I supposed to tell them?”
Flooding in Imperial Beach, California due to aging waste treatment plants.
Prebys Foundation
In some cases, residents’ concerns have led to lifestyle changes beyond being unable to enjoy the beach.
Harrison, who said her community is in a state of “chronic angst,” thinks twice before inviting guests to stay at her house out of concern for potential health impacts. She said sewage is a constant topic of conversation within her social circles.
“As much as the stink permeates the air, the topic permeates the stress and anxiety of everybody’s life here,” she said.
Another reminder of the sewage’s impact is its effect on wildlife. Bottlenose dolphins, increasingly found stranded in San Diego, are believed to have died from sepsis caused by a bacteria sometimes found in contaminated water. According to the SDSU report, the dolphins “serve as sentinels for the risk of possible human exposures to dangerous bacteria.”
Among the more pressing health threats to emerge from the sewage, according to the report, are human and livestock diseases from Mexico that have been eradicated in California, and antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
“There is a potential for both short- and long-term health risks associated with exposure, which really underscores the need for more comprehensive monitoring and research,” Dr. Paula Stigler Granados, one of the report’s lead authors, said in a recent news conference.
Imperial Beach has been hit by a wave of complications from the sewage. But for Johnson, the goal is simple: “I just want to see this resolved so that my kids can go back to the way it’s supposed to be and be able to enjoy the beach.”
Five U.S. Marines aboard a helicopter that went down during stormy weather in the mountains outside San Diego are confirmed dead, a Marine commander said Thursday.
It was the second fatal crash for Marines in Southern California involving a Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion, a heavy lift helicopter, in the last six years. The Marines said an investigation into the latest crash is underway.
Authorities say the aircraft vanished late Tuesday while returning to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego after a routine training mission to Creech Air Force Base in Indian Springs, Nev., northwest of Las Vegas. The helicopter was flying into treacherous weather in California, which had been inundated with three days of relentless rain.
“It is with a heavy heart and profound sadness that I share the loss of five outstanding Marines from 3d Marine Aircraft Wing and the ‘Flying Tigers,’” Maj. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, commander of 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, said in a statement.
The names of those killed will not be released until 24 hours after next of kin are notified, officials said.
“To the families of our fallen Marines, we send our deepest condolences and commit to ensuring your support and care during this incredibly difficult time,” Borgschulte said. “Though we understand the inherent risks of military service, any loss of life is always difficult.”
Those aboard the flight were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, Marine Aircraft Group 16, according to the Marines.
In a statement, President Biden said he and First Lady Jill Biden “extend our deepest condolences to their families, their squadron, and the U.S. Marine Corps as we grieve the loss of five of our nation’s finest warriors.” He also thanked the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary-Civil Air Patrol, and other federal, state, and local agencies for helping in the search and recovery efforts.
“Our service members represent the very best of our nation — and these five Marines were no exception,” Biden said. “Today, as we mourn this profound loss, we honor their selfless service and ultimate sacrifice — and reaffirm the sacred obligation we bear to all those who wear the uniform and their families.”
As the Marines were flying back to their base Tuesday night, visibility was poor because of snow, rain and gusty winds, according to meteorologist Philip Gonsalves with the National Weather Service in San Diego. Those conditions would have been in play for most of the night and into the morning, Gonsalves said.
The craft was discovered Wednesday morning near Pine Valley, in the Cuyamaca Mountains an hour’s drive from San Diego. The Marines said an effort to recover the remains of the five has begun.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection received word about the missing helicopter at 2:20 a.m. Wednesday and began the search in the area of Lake Morena, but their efforts were hampered by heavy snow and mud, officials said.
In 2018, four Marines died in a helicopter crash 15 miles west of El Centro. The crew flew out of a base in Twentynine Palms as part of a training exercise on April 3 on the same type of heavy-lift helicopter that was reported missing Wednesday, according to a news release from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing.
Two years after the crash, the families of the four Marines sued the manufacturers who supplied parts to the military. A Marine Corps investigation into the crash ruled out pilot error and pointed to a bypass valve as the root cause of the crash, the news outlet Marine Corps Times reported when the lawsuit was filed.
Chilling rain, swirling gray clouds and blustery winds rolled into Southern California on Sunday as the strongest winter storm of the season geared up to deliver near-record rainfall and life-threatening flash flooding in the region through Tuesday.
The slow-moving atmospheric river was gathering strength Sunday afternoon, spurring the declaration of a state of emergency from Gov. Gavin Newsom in eight Southern California counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura. The National Weather Service in Oxnard warned that “all systems are go for one of the most dramatic weather days in recent memory.”
“Storms can change quickly, but let me be clear: This storm is a serious weather event,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said during a news conference. “This has the potential to be a historic storm — severe winds, thunderstorms, and even brief tornadoes.”
Palm trees in Santa Barbara bend in the wind on Sunday as hurricane-force gusts battered the seas off California.
(Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Indeed, forecasters said the brunt of the storm appears focused on the Los Angeles area, where the system could park itself for an extended time over the next few days. The storm could drop up to 8 inches of rainfall on the coast and valleys, and up to 14 inches in the foothills and mountains. Snowfall totals of 2 to 5 feet are likely at elevations above 7,000 feet.
“Los Angeles County now seems to be the area of most concern, where the heaviest rain will last the longest,” said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the NWS in Oxnard. The agency has issued dozens of flood watches and storm advisories across the region and the state, including urgent flash flood warnings in parts of Los Angeles, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.
“If anyone has an opportunity to work remotely on Monday, that’s definitely the day to do it,” he said.
At the Ventura Harbor just north of L.A. County, as the storm moved into the region, rain was beating down on shops and restaurants that ordinarily draw tourists. It had been hours without a customer at Harbor Market and Liquor, and at a nearby hair salon, stylist Danielle White was weighing whether she should hit the road, worried that flooding could strand her there.
“We’re clearly not going to get any inquiries,” she said, gazing out at the rainfall.
Here’s the latest rain timing/intensity graphic, indicating some minor changes. – Rain totals have been increased: – 4-8″ for coasts/valleys and 8-14″ foothills/mountains – Lower totals for San Luis Obispo County – FLOOD WATCH still in effect for all areas #CAwxpic.twitter.com/YR4WwgWGsA
The storm is expected to “bring a multitude of dangerous weather conditions to the area,” forecasters said.
Evacuation warnings and notices were issued in portions of Ventura, Santa Barbara, Monterey and Los Angeles counties — including parts of Topanga near the Owen and Agua fire burn scars; the Juniper Hills and Valyermo areas near the Bobcat fire burn scar; the Lake Hughes and King Canyon area near the Lake fire burn scar; and the La Tuna Canyon area of Sun Valley near the Land fire burn scar.
Burn scars are subject to an increased risk of flooding and debris flows, and officials urged Angelenos to heed all evacuation orders.
“Make your personal safety your top priority,” said Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley. “Follow all evacuation orders, avoid travel … If you do have to travel, please, please, slow down and avoid any flooded areas.”
Swift-water rescue teams, urban search-and-rescue teams and other personnel were standing by in preparation for the storm, Crowley said.
Newsom also mobilized a record 8,500 emergency response personnel across the state to assist communities in the path of the storm, his office said.
In addition to a high risk of flash flooding and excessive rainfall, the storm also has the potential to deliver damaging winds. That includes gusts of up to 70 mph in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties through 6 p.m. Sunday, with isolated gusts of up to 90 mph possible in mountain areas.
Ventura and Los Angeles counties could see wind gusts of up to 50 mph between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m., with isolated gusts of up to 70 mph in mountains and hills. The Ventura River is expected to swell and reach its flood stage around 11 p.m. Sunday night.
Inside Ventura’s Pierpont Tacos on Seaward Avenue, Joseph Kenton and Anna Tyler were taking a break from delivering firewood from Ojai on Sunday morning.
“People were freezing in this weather,” said Kenton, who had been out driving for hours making deliveries, between bites of his tacos. “They want wood to stay warm. Anna got up at 5 o’ clock and started splitting wood.”
As the rain started to fall, “it was real dangerous,” he said. “We had to go real slow.”
On Sunday evening, celebrities also began arriving for the 2024 Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena in downtown L.A. as the storm began to churn. Several stars were spotted scrambling from their cars to the red carpet with umbrellas.
Waves crash over a breakwater in Alameda, Calif., with the San Francisco skyline in the background on Sunday.
(Noah Berger / Associated Press)
The storm barreled through Northern and Central California before making its way south.
In Northern California, monster winds and downpours began to inundate the region late Saturday, with the worst of the weather kicking into high gear early Sunday. Thousands were without power by late morning, with officials scrambling to respond to downed trees and power lines across the Bay Area and Central Coast, as well as growing concerns about increased flooding.
Delays and cancellations at San Francisco International Airport led the nation Sunday morning, with almost a third of incoming and outgoing flights delayed as of noon Sunday, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.
Bob Rotiski, spokesperson for the airport, said the airport reduced its capacity for flights because of the weather, expecting continued delays through 1 a.m. Monday. He said the average flight was delayed more than 4 hours as of noon Sunday, with the possibility for that to increase.
In Sonoma County, a tree early Sunday fell onto a home; in Palo Alto, a massive tree blocked the eastbound lanes of the Oregon Expressway. Downed power lines closed a stretch of State Road 1 in San Mateo County, and in San Francisco, fallen lines forced traffic detours.
Some of the highest winds early Sunday were recorded in the Big Sur area — up to 88 and 85 mph, said Sarah McCorkle, a National Weather Service meteorologist in the Bay Area. But gusts had also reached as high as 60 mph in the East Bay and were expected to remain a major threat throughout the day, with a high wind warning in effect for much of the state through late Sunday or Monday.
In San Jose, city officials declared a state of emergency ahead of expected flooding along the Guadalupe River, fueled by heavy rains in the Santa Cruz Mountains, where 6 inches of rain is expected through Monday. Officials there ordered the evacuation of people living along the river’s banks, offering free rides and shelter. The river is forecast to peak over 11 feet — almost 2 feet over its flood stage.
Fallen trees and power lines block a road in Pebble Beach, Calif., on Sunday.
(Ryan Sun / Associated Press)
The Carmel River at Robles Del Rio in Monterey County was also expected to flood, reaching almost a foot over its 8.5-foot flood stage by Sunday night, according to the California Nevada River Forecast Center.
McCorkle said the massive winter storm uniquely strengthened directly off the Northern California coast, where a low pressure system dropped down from the Pacific Northwest to merge with a moisture-heavy system moving in from the eastern Pacific.
“That helped intensify the storm from the eastern Pacific,” she said. That rapid intensification Saturday could mean the storm underwent a bombogenesis, often referred to as a bomb cyclone, but McCorkle said that will require post-analysis to confirm.
“Once it strengthened, [the low pressure system] helped draw in the moisture from the subtropics,” McCorkle said, forming a type of atmospheric river that has become known as a “Pineapple Express.” Those two dynamics — the intensified low pressure system and heavy moisture — have helped drive the dangerously high winds and severe rainfall moving across the state, she said.
Although the Bay Area and Central Coast have experienced some significant impacts, “it will be a different story when the storm moves into Southern California,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with UCLA.
“This will have a broader contiguous band of heavy rainfall developing from about Santa Barbara County eastward, and it’s going to be very slow moving,” Swain said during a briefing Sunday.
A man swims chest-deep through flood waters with his cellphone near cars that are submerged in the 2300 block of West Willow Street in Long Beach on Thursday after rain flooded several areas of the city.
(Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)
Areas south and east of Los Angeles also will not be spared. Conditions in Orange County, the western Inland Empire and the San Bernardino Mountains were expected to deteriorate Sunday into Monday as the storm moves toward San Diego and the Mexican border, according to the National Weather Service in San Diego.
“Precipitation intensity will only increase across these areas on Monday, and life-threatening flash flooding will be possible. By Monday night into Tuesday, the axis of the moisture plume begins to shift farther south and east, reaching Riverside and San Diego Counties,” the agency said.
Rainfall rates in the southernmost part of the state will be modest — up to 0.30 inch per hour — but the relentless nature of the rain will still lead to impressive totals through Tuesday, the agency said.
That includes up to 7 inches in the Santa Ana Mountains; 5 inches in Orange County; 4 inches in the Riverside County Mountains; 2 inches in the Apple and Lucerne valleys; 1.5 inches in the Coachella Valley and 0.75 inch in the San Diego County deserts. The San Bernardino County mountains could see up to 11 inches on south-facing slopes.
Regional public utilities, including California Edison and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, were preparing to respond to service outages and downed power lines. More than 380,000 people were without power statewide by Sunday afternoon.
“We are taking this storm system very seriously to ensure we are accurately prepared,” Edison spokesman Jeff Monford said. “Our meteorologists discuss the current conditions and the forecast with the teams handling operations and grid management so we can place crews in the most affected areas. We do this to get crews in location before roads may be closed due to flooding or ice.”
The LADWP “will monitor the storm system closely and respond accordingly, with the ability to schedule crews to be available around the clock,” the utility said in a statement. It has also beefed up staffing at call centers to respond to potential increases in calls from customers without power.
“During the storm, winds could blow down large objects such as trees, or cause branches and palm fronds to strike power lines, which could cause power outages,” LADWP said. “This is especially true when soil becomes oversaturated by the rain, causing it to loosen and uproot trees.”
In addition to downed trees, flooding and water intrusion into underground electrical systems may also cause power outages. Repairs may be slower if the affected equipment is underground and crews need to go from vault to vault to identify the source of the damage before repairs can take place.
The utilities urged people to be careful around downed power lines, which can electrify puddles, wet grass and surrounding areas.
“Always assume a downed wire is energized,” Edison said. “Stay away and call 911 immediately.”
As steady rain fell on Sunday, George Camarena, a lifeguard and longshoreman in Ventura, brought his Nintendo down to play video games with friends inside Pierpont Tacos. Earlier in the day, he had gone out to keep an eye on the beach.
“You never want to see someone down in the water” in this weather, he said. A faraway seal had made him look twice, but he was relieved to see no one in the water, just a few neighbors walking their dogs on the beach.
When a rogue wave hit the same area back in December, he had seen people standing on top of their trucks to avoid the water; elderly people with scraped faces; women who wanted to leave but whose keys had been swept away from them, he said.
“Today I’m just keeping my eye out,” he said.
Times audience engagement editor Nicholas Ducassi contributed to this report.
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Hayley Smith, Grace Toohey, Emily Alpert Reyes, Roger Vincent
In a matter of minutes Monday morning, communities across southeastern San Diego were transformed into disaster zones: Families fled their homes in chest-deep floodwaters; vehicles were swept downstream as roads became rivers; residents cried for help from their rooftops.
A deluge of rainfall from what city officials are calling a “thousand-year storm” forced hundreds of rescues, flooded an untold number of homes and businesses and caused millions of dollars in estimated damage. The floodwaters had mostly receded by Tuesday afternoon, revealing the devastating aftermath of California’s latest climate emergency — and leaving hundreds without housing and transportation, and with ruined valuables and personal belongings.
“The damage and the impact was absolutely devastating,” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said at a Tuesday news conference. “Entire lives changed in just a few minutes.”
“The amount of water that we saw yesterday would have overwhelmed any city drainage system,” he said. “This dumping of rainwater is unprecedented in most San Diegans’ lifetimes. None of us alive have seen anything quite like this.”
More than 4 inches of rain fell in several areas in and around San Diego on Monday — much of it in just a few hours — a historic rainfall event, according to Elizabeth Adams, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego. The airport recorded 2.73 inches, more than its typical total for the entire month of January.
“That is not only the wettest January day on record, but it’s the fourth-wettest day of any calendar day” for San Diego, Adams said. Many areas saw rainfall rates well above three-quarters of an inch per hour. Over half an inch per hour can easily cause dangerous flash flooding.
“It’s a ton,” Adams said. “Pretty much anywhere in the country that receives 3 to 4 inches in a three- to four-hour time period is going to see flooding.”
Parts of San Diego were completely inundated.
The city’s southeastern neighborhoods, including Southcrest, Mountain View, Encanto, Logan Heights and San Ysidro, saw some of the worst damage.
Gloria said city and county leaders are focused on recovery. Both the city and county declared a local emergency. The mayor estimated, conservatively, that the storm caused $6 million in damage, but officials say assessments are far from complete.
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday proclaimed a state of emergency for San Diego and Ventura counties, both of which have been walloped by wet winter storms. At the end of December, torrential downpours in and around Oxnard caused similar damage. During that event, Oxnard saw rainfall rates of 3 inches an hour, one of the heaviest downpours ever recorded in the area.
Homeowner Maria Ramirez walks through her flood-damaged home in San Diego.
(Denis Poroy / Associated Press)
The worry now is that the number of people displaced in San Diego could continue to grow in the coming days. Though no official figure was provided Tuesday, city leaders said they estimated hundreds had been forced from their homes, at least temporarily.
“What was generally assumed to be the impact yesterday … was probably an underestimate,” said San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera, whose district includes some of the communities that saw the worst of the flooding. He said he visited many of those residents early Tuesday, touring a whole apartment complex that took on water, likely displacing dozens of families.
The American Red Cross is operating two emergency shelters at Lincoln High School and Bostonia Recreation Center. As of Tuesday, the nonprofit said 18 households — more than 50 people — had registered to stay. But with so many people probably still returning home after fleeing, Elo-Rivera said he expected those numbers to rise. City and county officials are asking residents to fill out a voluntary survey about flood damage.
“I think it’s going to take a little bit more time to realize the extent of the damage,” Elo-Rivera said.
On Monday afternoon, Manuel Deleon was unexpectedly called back to the office during his shift driving a tow truck — only to find the office flooded. Roaring water had swept away his personal vehicle.
“The water was out of control,” said Deleon, 47. “My car slipped with the mud and went right into [a nearby] ditch and it was just fully submerged.”
Deleon, whose 2007 BMW was one of dozens of cars carried away in the flash floods, said he wasn’t sure how he’d get to work in the coming days. He attempted to clean the soggy and caked-in mud from the interior, but that was a lost cause.
“This rain took everybody by surprise,” he said. “It’s crazy.”
San Diego Fire Chief Colin Stowell said his crews made at least 150 rescues Monday, in addition to 30 animal rescues.
“We literally saw over 100 rescues in the Southcrest neighborhood alone,” Stowell said.
“Luckily we saw very few injuries and no fatalities,“ Stowell said, calling that feat “remarkable” given the extent of the emergency.
More than 1,000 people remained without power Tuesday, after widespread outages Monday, according to the San Diego Gas & Electric outage map.
Although much of San Diego was under a flood watch all day Monday, city officials said they were not prepared for the extent — and speed — of what came down.
“Nobody anticipated the severity of the storm,” Gloria said. “We got a lot more rain than [what was predicted] in a much shorter amount of time.”
He said he planned to meet with the National Weather Service to discuss the disparity between forecasts and what occurred but emphasized that his teams were currently focused on recovery.
Adams said the circumstances Monday ended up being a perfect storm for rare, heavy rainfall in San Diego: extreme atmospheric moisture and a storm path over its downtown — which forecasters warned residents about as soon as possible, she said.
Just after 8 a.m. Monday, the agency issued a flash flood warning for a stretch of coastal communities just south of Orange County, including Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista. Soon after, a larger stretch of southwestern California was placed under a flash flood warning.
Marlene Sanchez-Barriento salvages items behind her San Diego home, which was damaged by flooding.
(Denis Poroy / Associated Press)
“We used pretty intense warnings,” Adams said. “We tried to really heighten the message … [that] this is a really dangerous situation that doesn’t happen in San Diego proper that often.”
The day before the storm, the National Weather Service’s forecast discussion warned that the ground, already saturated from storms over the weekend, could heighten flood concerns. But forecasters said it was still hard to predict how much rain would fall, and where.
By Monday morning, Adams said the situation developed rapidly, with that intense atmospheric moisture — what she called 250% to 350% of normal — and the direct storm path aligning.
That “really lead to torrential rainfall across the county, but especially focused on downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods,” Adams said.
City officials said these extreme circumstances are likely to become a new normal requiring more preparation, coordination and investment.
“This is called climate change. It is real, it is happening,” Gloria said, “and we experienced it yesterday in San Diego.”
Officials agreed that the city’s outdated stormwater drainage system, for which $2 billion of necessary work hasn’t been budgeted, didn’t help.
Elo-Rivera said he would like to see those much-needed funds allocated, and in an equitable way — noting that many of the communities affected most were working-class, with a majority of Latino and Black residents.
These communities “have long been under-invested in and divested in and ignored by the city,” he said. “Public investment in climate resiliency is incredibly important … [especially] prioritizing the communities that have been left behind and are most likely to be devastated by events like yesterday.”
An hour and a half east of San Diego in late October, surrounded by haphazard makeshift tents, an asylum seeker lies in the desert with his leg propped up. Our team of volunteer physicians and medical students learned that he sustained a serious foot injury on his perilous journey to the United States. By the look of his swollen and seeping wound, the antibiotics he has been taking for the last 10 days are not warding off infection. He’s been taking half the prescribed dose of antibiotics because he’s not sure how long he’ll be traveling and doesn’t want to run out.
While we dress his wound, a doctor on our team steps away, motioning for the rest of us to follow. We find ourselves conflicted over the limited options, not knowing when this patient will next access medical care. Moreover, once he is transferred from this site to an official detention facility, his medications, including antibiotics, may be confiscated. After considering these factors, we all come to the same conclusion: If he does not receive proper care, this injury could cause permanent damage, or worse, a fatal blood infection. So what happens next?
For the last two months, we have mobilized local healthcare providers to help asylum seekers in rural San Diego County. A handful of uninhabitable places around the small town of Jacumba Hot Springs have become open-air detention sites for hundreds of asylum seekers. Migrants wait in the desert to be transferred to an official detention facility for processing. While some are transported within a few hours, many spend days without consistent access to food, water or medical care, with no shelter from increasingly harsh environmental conditions.
Migrants have been told by Border Patrol agents that if they leave the sites to seek medical care, their asylum process may be significantly delayed or endangered. Yet since Jacumba is not an official detention center, these asylum seekers are denied the basic resources and services required by Border Patrol policy for those in custody.
We see a medical crisis unfolding. People are suffering from deep tissue infections and ulcers, acute appendicitis, seizures, heart attack symptoms and pregnancies with complications. We provide services with whatever donated supplies we can get our hands on. We wash dust-filled eyes with saline, hand out Vaseline for cracked skin and provide face masks to limit the spread of upper respiratory infections that overwhelm the sites. Plastic spoons serve as splints for broken fingers, children are examined in makeshift tents and cough drops are handed out by the hundreds.
On any given day, volunteers in different fields are providing critical services for hundreds of migrants in Jacumba, supported by donations, mutual aid groups and nonprofit teams including Border Kindness and Al Otro Lado.
As temperatures approach freezing and winter rains fall, we are increasingly concerned about frostbite, hypothermia and exacerbations of chronic health conditions such as asthma and diabetes. At least one preventable death has been reported at an open air site along the border. We fear that the next one could occur in Jacumba.
International and U.S. laws recognize seeking asylum as a human right. We have a responsibility to provide safe conditions for migrants when they exercise that right.
To ensure that no further harm is done, local, state and federal authorities need to stop utilizing loopholes, or sidestepping legal responsibility, to detain migrants in “unofficial” camps where they are experiencing dehumanizing, preventable suffering. If hundreds of people are being kept by our country at a site, that location should be acknowledged as a detention center with the obligation to meet detainees’ basic needs.
As our day at the site comes to a close, we rejoin the migrant with the leg infection and our colleagues who have finished changing his dressing. We share our concerns and coach him through communicating with medical staff at his next destination, most likely an official detention center. A minute in, we pause — this is too much information to remember. Someone produces a marker, and one physician begins writing on the waterproof tape. She scrawls out a note to Border Patrol and instructions for the next medical team, signing her name at the bottom as she would a prescription. Right now, this is the best we can do out here.
Sadie Munter and Karyssa Domingo are second-year medical students in San Diego, where Weena Joshi is a practicing pediatrician.
