Newsletter: We’re having a launch party, and you’re invited!
Plus, three citizens released after spending a night detained in port and hundreds attend local dance battle.
Sekon everyone!
We’re throwing a launch party next month, and you’re all invited!
After more than a year of listening sessions, planning meetings and deep conversations about the future of local journalism — and our first few months of publication — we’re thrilled to officially invite you to the launch party for Daylight San Diego.
🗓️ Aug. 14, 2025
⏰ 6:30-9:30 p.m.
📍 Queen Bee's Art & Cultural Center
3925 Ohio St, San Diego, CA 92104
🎟️ Free to $35 (This is a pay-what-you-can event — we welcome all supporters, so choose the option that works best for your budget)
We launched Daylight this spring because we kept hearing the same things from our community:
- Many people don’t see their lived experiences in local news.
- The constant stream of negative headlines often feels overwhelming.
- Many are looking for information to connect and to get involved with others in the community.
So, we’re doing things differently and building a newsroom not only for our community, but with it, and that’s why it’s so important to us that we celebrate our launch with you! We'll be announcing DJs and other performers as we get closer to the event, so stay tuned for more details.
This party isn’t just a celebration — it’s an investment in a new era of local journalism rooted in transparency, inclusion and collaboration. It’s also a chance for us to thank you, our readers and neighbors who believe in the power of storytelling to build a stronger, more connected San Diego. So reserve your tickets, and let’s get ready to party!
— Lauren J. Mapp
Three citizens released after night in port of entry
During an immigration enforcement operation in Linda Vista last week, agents arrested three U.S. citizens who were witnessing and documenting officials’ actions. The three people were charged with assaulting, impeding or resisting a federal agent though community members have questioned those charges given videos that have surfaced on social media. The trio spent the night in custody at the San Ysidro Port of Entry before a judge released them on their own recognizance pending further hearings.
— Kate Morrissey
It’s time for another Weekend Energy — our weekly roundup of upcoming events! This week, we’ve got coffee with a local Kumeyaay historian, an opening reception at the Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center in Barrio Logan and a workshop on knowing your rights regardless of your immigration status. Plus, if you want to extend some of the weekend energy, we’ve got some other events to help you get through your work week.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Summer breaking tradition continues
A local dance crew brought together over a hundred spectators and breaking competitors to its third annual Force of July breaking event in Civita Park on Saturday. Full Force San Diego founder Eddie "Eddie Styles" Gutierrez and his breaking crew came up with the idea for Force of July after several years went by without any Fourth of July weekend breaking events bringing people together. Gutierrez said he and his team want Force of July to one day become a full festival with rides, vendors, art and more dance battles.
— Brittany Cruz-Fejeran
A jar of blood and a plea for medical attention
In a follow up to previous reporting, I went to the court hearings of a Guatemalan man in custody at Otay Mesa Detention Center who says that Immigration and Customs Enforcement isn't treating his colon cancer. He's been waiting months for a colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis, and his condition has deteriorated in recent weeks.
— Kate Morrissey, Capital & Main
Native students to gain new on-campus space
At Cal State San Marcos, Indigenous students are gaining more than degrees — they learn culturally centered research skills, practice powwow dancing and build a supportive academic community through the American Indian Student Alliance. Following this spring’s culturally rooted graduation ceremony, the university is preparing to open a dedicated American Indian Student Center in the heart of campus. The new space will offer a home for connection, culture, and academic support alongside existing resources at the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Other news
Data published by the Deportation Data Project has shown a 300% spike in local Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests in San Diego, inewsource reported. People with criminal histories make up less than 40% of those arrested in May.
San Diego Pride awarded its arts and culture award to drag queen Jackette Knightley, according to Uptown News. Both a doctor and a performer, she produced online drag shows in 2020 to support other queens and kings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
San Diego Unified officially banned cell phones following a unanimous school board vote on Tuesday, according to the Voice of San Diego. While they can’t be used most of the day, they can still be used during emergencies or if a teacher allows them for a particular lesson.
The Steele Fire in Rancho San Diego was 100% contained as of early Thursday evening, KPBS reported. All evacuation warnings and orders have been lifted related to the fire that spread to 28 acres.
Upcoming Events
Coffee and Conversations: Kumeyaay historian Ethan Banegas from the Barona Reservation shares about the community-developed comic book project telling the history of the Kumeyaay Nation. Tickets are $12 for members, $20 for non-members, and can be purchased online. 6-8 p.m., 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Community Canvass Day: Viet Voices, San Diego API Coalition and LAOSD lead outreach to Vietnamese and Southeast Asian small businesses to share resources about protecting immigrant workers. Training will be given before teams start canvassing for the day. Sign up online to attend. 8:30-11:30 a.m., City Heights, Location TBD.
Nuestras Voces: Know Your Rights Workshop: The Chicano Park Museum hosts a workshop on knowing your rights regardless of your immigration status. Moderated by community leader Juan “Wicho” Flores, guests will also hear from Isabel Enriquez Sanchez and can connect with local organizations during the event. 2-5 p.m., Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center, 1960 National Ave, San Diego, CA. 92113
Medical Kit Building Day: The Panther Party San Diego — the multiracial wing of the San Diego Black Panthers — invites the community to help prepare medical supply kits in City Heights this Sunday. The organization will give the kits to unhoused neighbors to help provide relief to some of their medical needs. 1-2:30 p.m., Teralta Park, 4100 Central Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105
Want to support our efforts to bring Daylight to San Diego?
- Please subscribe to our newsletter so you’re the first to know when we publish content or announce upcoming listening sessions.
- Consider making a tax-deductible donation to our fundraising campaign on Givebutter. A huge shoutout to everyone who has made a donation toward our goal of raising $50,000 this summer to support our journalism.
- We’re now formally accepting story ideas! If you have an idea or pitch that you think will interest other San Diegans, tell us about it!
- Do you have an upcoming event to promote? We are building an events calendar! If you are hosting public events, let us help you get the word out by using our submissions form.
- We are continuing to accept submissions to our Daylight San Diego Community Survey to help shape upcoming news content.
- Hit the follow button on our social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook and YouTube) and share our page with your own community within the region.
