Newsletter: Daylight wins big at San Diego awards ceremony
Plus, the Islamic Center looks toward community recovery one month after a deadly attack
Our team may be small in size, but we proved just how mighty journalism done with empathy and in community can be, even in just a year of reporting.
Daylight San Diego brought home 10 awards from the Society of Professional Journalists’ San Diego Pro Chapter banquet last Thursday night, including the coveted 2026 Journalist of the Year, which went to our co-founder Kate Morrissey.
Morrissey’s work with our friends at Capital & Main received seven awards.
The recognition for stories with misrepresented and underserved communities in San Diego and our social media storytelling and website design will motivate us to keep working hard for our community.
For more details on the award selections and rankings, and some cheesy smiles captured at the event, take a look at Lauren’s article.
Thank you to our audience, supporters and sources for contributing to Daylight over the last year, as you make our journalism possible.
— Sam Barney-Gibbs
Our Daylight San Diego team brought home 17 awards from the Society of Professional Journalists’ San Diego Chapter banquet last Thursday night, and co-founder Kate Morrissey was honored as the Journalist of the Year.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Revitalizing Mental Health First Aid
The Mental Health First Aid course offered by The National Council for Mental Wellbeing has changed over the last couple years. One San Diegan, with help from community activists and mental health practitioners, is working to fill curriculum gaps.
— Sam Barney-Gibbs
Recovery at the Islamic Center
The Islamic Center of San Diego has begun hosting community events and conversations in order to strengthen resilience and address mental health concerns after a deadly domestic terrorist attack about a month ago. Muslim speakers at one recent event encouraged community members to focus on education, activism and listening.
— Rami Alarian
Replacing César E. Chávez Parkway
A small crowd gathered in Barrio Logan on June 21 as community members installed street signs for the newly renamed Chicano Park Boulevard. Installation of the signs — now covering those for César E. Chávez Parkway — followed sexual abuse allegations against the deceased labor leader in March, which prompted the renaming of holidays, streets and public buildings that bore his name.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Immigration and Customs Enforcement is retaliating against hunger strikers at Adelanto ICE Processing Center. Many people in ICE custody continue to report declining health as both chronic and acute conditions go untreated. The FBI has tried to turn about 90 people who protested ICE outside of Delaney Hall in New Jersey into informants. Here's what happened last week in immigration news.
— Rami Alarian
This week San Diegans can watch World Cup games at viewing parties, shop at local art markets and learn about the bean-to-bar chocolate making process.
— Rami Alarian
Other news
A report from the International Council on Clean Transportation found vehicle pollution kills roughly one San Diego County resident daily, KPBS reported.
KPBS launched a new series, "The Forgotten Fourth of July," this week, to examine how U.S. immigration policy shaped San Diego's Filipino community 80 years after the 1946 Treaty of Manila granted Philippine independence.
San Diego journalist Kelly Davis, known for exposing county jail deaths and pressing officials on social-safety-net issues, died Wednesday at age 53 after a long cancer battle, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. Her work at CityBeat and the Union-Tribune prompted state audits and reform legislation. A community vigil for Davis will be held July 6 at 6 p.m. at the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Courthouse.
The New York Times reported that Village People frontman and "Y.M.C.A." and "Macho Man" co-writer Victor Willis died Monday at age 74 from a brief illness after living in San Diego for more than 20 years.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Iran's World Cup team left Tijuana Tuesday after elimination, following weeks of fan support amid U.S. visa restrictions. Locals gathered daily, chanting "Iran, brother, you are already Mexican.” Coach Amir Ghalenoei thanked the city and fans for support despite diplomatic tensions between the Iranian and U.S. governments during the tournament.
Upcoming Events
July 3
Prop Swap: Honest Thrift Studio is hosting a plant propagation swap where attendees bring cuttings to trade and browse a curated selection of plants and treasures. Guests earn one raffle entry for every $10 spent in the store. RSVP online for free. 5 - 6 p.m., 2609 Congress St., San Diego, CA 92110
July 4
Rally Against U.S. Wars: Party for Socialism and Liberation San Diego, alongside San Diego Veterans for Peace, Veterans About Face, Anakbayan San Diego and Peace & Freedom Party San Diego, are holding a rally at Pantoja Park protesting U.S. military actions, including recent strikes on Venezuela and Iran. 2 p.m., Pantoja Park, W. G St., San Diego, CA 92101
America's 250th Anniversary Celebration: The County of San Diego and San Diego Parks Society are hosting a celebration honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States, featuring food trucks, music, cultural presentations and views of the Big Bay Boom fireworks show. 6 - 9:30 p.m., Waterfront Park, 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92101
Over Easy: Park & Rec is hosting another installment of its Over Easy dance party. Entry is free. Reserve space online to skip the line. 9 p.m. - 1:30 a.m., Park & Rec, 4612 Park Blvd., San Diego, CA 92116
July 5
Map Your Watershed: San Diego Bird Alliance is hosting a community education event at Otay Valley Regional Park to learn about watersheds’ historical significance and how to protect them. Reserve space online. 9 a.m., Otay Valley Regional Park, 2369 Beyer Blvd., San Diego, CA 92173
Selecting Tropical Fruit Trees for San Diego: City Farmers Nursery hosts a class on growing tropical and subtropical fruit trees like avocados, mangos, guavas, cherimoyas and papayas, covering microclimate selection, frost protection, planting techniques and ongoing care. Free to attend, no RSVP required; hats, sunscreen and water are recommended. 9 - 10 a.m., City Farmers Nursery, 3110 Euclid Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Bean to Bar Chocolate Class: City Farmers Nursery hosts San Diego Chocolate Company for a class walking through the bean-to-bar chocolate process, from cacao growing to roasting, tempering and molding, ending with a tasting of two different chocolate origins. Free to attend, no RSVP required; hats, sunscreen and water are recommended. 9:30 - 10:30 a.m., City Farmers Nursery, 3110 Euclid Ave., San Diego, CA 92105
Low Tide Market: Kitchens for Good is hosting Low Tide Market, an event featuring shopping, crafting, live upcycling, vintage finds, ceramics, swimming, coffee, jewelry and art. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Kitchens for Good, 980 Hornblend St., San Diego, CA 92109
Steep & Spin — Rex's Birthday Celebration: Soul Side Vinyl celebrates owner Rex's birthday with sweet treats, tea by Rose Thorns Tea & Treats and live DJs spinning vinyl. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Soul Side Vinyl, 3535 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116
Brasil x Noruega Copa do Mundo Watch Party: Resenha California is hosting a watch party for Brazil's World Cup match against Norway with live samba performances after the game. Tickets are $20 but free for children 15 and under and for seniors. A guardian must accompany minors under 21. Tickets are available online. Parking is free. Doors open at 11 a.m., and the match begins at 1 p.m., The Mixer, 2750 Dewey Road, San Diego, CA 92106
Poolside at the Lafayette Swim Club: The Lafayette Hotel is hosting a poolside party featuring vinyl DJs. Noon - 4 p.m., Every Sunday and Monday in July, The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows, 2223 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
Familiar Faces: Familiar Faces is hosting a holiday-weekend party featuring DJs Dauché, Blake, Dye, OB, Larce and D.Woo, hosted by Mihji Grey, with hip-hop, R&B, amapiano, dancehall and Afrobeat music. Tickets are available online for $28. 3 - 9 p.m., 2995 Commercial St., San Diego, CA 92113
Kinfolk Fest Block Party: SD Melanin and Kinfolk Fest are hosting a block party with music, food, and vendors. The event features sounds by Ciara Dominique, DJ Almond Eyez and Mr. Hek. Tickets are available online. 3 - 8 p.m., The Mesa, 6164 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92115
