Newsletter: ICE detainees forced to use a bucket as a toilet
Plus, what Black women need to know about menopause.
Greetings everyone, buenas and bom dia,
Unidentified officials from Washington recently visited Otay Mesa Detention Center, which went into lockdown during their tour. As far as I've been able to find out from other officials who tour the facility, that is not normal.
The freeze caused lawyers to miss chances to speak with their clients, and a group of men got stranded in the dining area, where they had to use a bucket to relieve themselves.
One lawyer told me that actions like this are not surprising given the Trump administration's attempts to make conditions difficult enough that people give up on their cases, but it's still important to document them and to remember that this is not supposed to be normal.
— Kate Morrissey
Hot flashes, night sweats, achy joints and brain fog might be among the most familiar early signs of menopause. But for more than 50 people gathered in Southeast San Diego this week, the conversation went much deeper — into chronic disease risk, disparities in health care and what it means for Black women to navigate a transition that has historically received little attention.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Otay Mesa Detention Center received a visit from officials in late July and shut down detainee movement for hours, blocking lawyers’ access to clients and stranding a group in the dining area without access to a bathroom.
— Kate Morrissey
A San Diego screening of “No Country for Mothers” brought parents, advocates and elected officials together to discuss the challenges that families face. The conversation highlighted child care, workplace demands and the role public policy plays in supporting families.
— Yanelli Zavina Robles
San Diego public transit fares will increase beginning Oct. 1, raising the cost of one-way trips, daily and monthly passes. A new PRONTO LIFE program will allow some riders who receive CalFresh, Medi-Cal or CalWORKs to keep paying current adult fares. Other reduced-fare programs will remain available for eligible seniors, people with disabilities and youth.
— Emma Chen
The first-ever congressional hearing on menopause is coming with a request to the federal government: Evaluate how to better fund treatment and research of menopause and healthcare for middle-aged women.
— Story by Shefali Luthra and Isabela Espadas Barros Leal, The 19th
Unions fighting for a wealth tax
Cal Labor Federation president Lorena Gonzalez says Proposition 40 — opposed by the ultra-rich — is needed to maintain basic health care services after cuts by President Donald Trump and Republicans.
— Story by Mark Kreidler, Capital & Main
As Californians have weathered relentless heat waves, state workplace safety regulators have repeatedly reminded employers to protect employees from heat illness by providing water, shade, cooldown areas and additional rest breaks when temperatures climb. But there’s a notable exception to the state’s heat safety rules: the nurses, guards, staff and tens of thousands of incarcerated people who work in California’s aging correctional facilities that are largely not air-conditioned.
— Story by Erin Rode, Capital & Main
Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration exempted state prisons and other correctional facilities from heat illness prevention rules for indoor workplaces across California, citing concerns over potentially billions of dollars in costs to the state. Now, with only a few months left in Newsom’s term, his administration has refused to make public the cost estimate on which it based a decision that has faced criticism from workplace safety advocates, employee unions and business groups.
— Story by Erin Rode, Capital & Main
California lawmakers are trying to change a law that allows people younger than 18 to get married in California, so long as a parent and judge approve. The American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood have historically staunchly supported the law allowing child marriage.
— Story by Nadia Lathan, CalMatters
Border Patrol held migrant families with children for weeks in San Diego-area facilities despite federal guidelines that generally call for stays of no more than 72 hours. Government records also show Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained record numbers of pregnant women and teenagers, while advocates and lawmakers raised concerns that ICE’s new reporting policy could leave some deaths after release out of the agency’s official count. Here's what happened last week in immigration news.
— Emma Chen
This week, San Diegans can celebrate Palestinian culture with dance, music and story telling, connect with environmentalists over short films at Mujeres Brew House and hear local artists and advocates discuss the future of arts in the South Bay. City Farmers Nursery is inviting neighbors to swap clothing and books, while night owls can celebrate John Coltrane’s 100th birthday with a midnight listening session of “A Love Supreme.”
— Yanelli Zavina Robles
Other news
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency to prepare for El Niño effects. A hurricane off the coast of Mexico could cause coastal flooding in San Diego, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
A group opened a period pantry outside Tablespoon and Collins and Coupe on El Cajon Boulevard, according to the San Diego Period Pantry Instagram account.
A study found that San Diego police are more likely to stop Black and Brown drivers for window tints, All Rise reported.
Downtown News reported that San Diego police finally released data on the reasons behind its officers’ Flock surveillance searches. The reasons include stolen vehicles, arrest warrants and gunfire, and officers entered “Other” in nearly 4,000 searches.
The city of Lemon Grove is considering adopting term limits for its council members but tabled the conversation until after the upcoming elections, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
After the Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration's attempts to change mail-in voting rules, more than 2 million San Diego County voters will receive their ballots under normal rules at the beginning of October, inewsource reported.
Work-study approval delays are affecting staffing levels at San Diego City College's food pantry and limiting its hours, City Times reported.
San Diego County's transportation planning agency returned $17.6 million in funding it had received from the state for bike and pedestrian safety projects, KPBS reported.
Long-time Ocean Beach music venue Winstons is going through a rebrand and other major changes following a partial change in ownership, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
Locally Well San Diego reported that an upcoming mental health and wellness fair on Monday is focused on reaching teens.
Upcoming Events
Sept. 25
Love Isn't Blind: A Live Comedy/Dating Show: Comedian Allison Goldberg is hosting a dating show where four men compete for one bachelorette — without speaking. Instead, Goldberg calls their moms and searches their phones as the audience watches the matchmaking unfold.
⏰ 6:30 p.m door; 8 p.m show
🌎 Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, 401 K St., San Diego, CA 92101
🎟️ Purchase tickets online starting at $29
Immersive Palestinian Cultural Theater Experience: House of Palestine is hosting an evening celebrating Palestinian culture with performances by El-funoun Palestinian Popular Dance Troupe and Zaytouna Dabke Troupe. The event features dabke dancing, music and storytelling, along with Palestinian food, coffee, knafeh and a silent auction.
⏰ 6 p.m.
🌎 Saville Theatre at San Diego City College, 1343 C St., San Diego, CA 92101
🎟️Registration available online
Emo Night: UTC Ice Sports Center is hosting an emo-themed night of ice skating with music from the genre.
⏰ 7:20 - 9:20 p.m.
🌎 UTC Ice Sports Center, 4545 La Jolla Village Drive, Unit E23, San Diego, CA 92112
🎟️ Use code “EMONIGHT” for $5 off admission
Sept. 26
Chula Vista ArtFest: The City of Chula Vista is hosting its fourth annual ArtFest celebrating South Bay artists with local vendors, live music, food and interactive art activities
⏰ Noon - 6 p.m.
🌎 Chula Vista City Hall, 276 4th Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91910
Oktoberfest at The Inn: Rancho Bernardo Inn is hosting an Oktoberfest celebration with a curated à la carte menu featuring Oktoberfest-inspired bites and beer selections.
⏰ 2 - 8 p.m.
🌎Rancho Bernardo Inn, 17550 Bernardo Oaks Drive, San Diego, CA 92128
🎟️Free admission; food and drinks available for purchase
Mariachi USA San Diego: Rodri Entertainment is presenting the second annual Mariachi USA festival with four hours of live mariachi music, ballet folklórico and a sing-along fireworks finale over San Diego Bay.
⏰ 6 - 10 p.m.
🌎 The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego, CA 92101
🎟️ Buy tickets online starting at $40
Celebración Mexicana 2026: Ballet Folklórico San Diego Dance Company is hosting its fifth annual celebration of traditional Mexican dance, music and culture.
⏰ 6 - 9 p.m.
🌎 Shiley Theatre, 5998 Alcala Park Way, San Diego, CA 92110
🎟️ Tickets available online for $29
Movie Night in the Park: E.T.: University Heights Community Association is hosting a community movie night with a bake-off and “Thriller” dance workshop before a screening of “E.T.” Food trucks including Ye Olde Grilled Cheese and Tater Tots Shoppe and Pizza Break will be available on site.
⏰ 6 p.m. bake-off; 7 p.m. screening
🌎 Old Trolley Barn Park, 1943 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116
🎟️ Reservations available online
Bring Back Dancing: Harbor the People and Status Skateshop are hosting a phone-free dance party with an after-hours, Boiler Room-style DJ set. The event is part of the #BringBackDancing movement, which aims to turn local businesses into one-night dance spaces centered on music and in-person connection.
⏰ 6:30 - 10 p.m.
🌎 Status Skateshop, 1943 Adams Ave., San Diego, CA 92116
🎟️ Tickets available online
Sept. 27
Occupy Otay Demonstration: Demonstrators gather every Sunday for a vigil on the sidewalk outside Otay Mesa Detention Center to protest the Trump administration's increase in arrests and detentions related to immigration enforcement.
⏰ 1:30 - 4 p.m.
🌎 Otay Mesa Detention Center, 7488 Calzada de la Fuente, San Diego, CA 92154
