Newsletter: What do you see too much of in San Diego news?
Plus, a community conversation about redlining and reframing homeownership
Håfa Adai (greetings), everyone!
We spent most of last year hosting community listening sessions to better understand the news gaps in our region.
We asked, what do you see too much of in San Diego news? We just posted a video about some of what we heard.
San Diegans told us there’s too much negative news about issues in our region, and journalists often leave out what San Diegans can do to help. The bombardment of negativity can make people cut off news consumption from their daily lives.
We understand how that feels, so while we’re still going to be reporting on crucial issues such as housing and homelessness, we’ll make sure to offer ways in which you can get involved in the solutions, whether it be volunteering, donating or attending a city council meeting.
We also made an events calendar for anyone to submit upcoming events, volunteer opportunities and other important community gatherings. Right now, there’s a bunch of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month events on there, which I know I'm excited to check out!
Can you think of something else that San Diego news is missing? Let us know.
Thanks, ya’ll!
—Brittany Cruz-Fejeran
Editor's note: This week's newsletter is arriving a little later than usual because our reporter Marco Guajardo and I were at the San Diego Immigration Court observing and documenting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers making arrests. The story is coming soon, so stay tuned for that.
In the meantime, you can see Marco's Instagram post about the situation. Marco also posted a couple of videos of officers putting a man on the ground when they were arresting him. As a result, the man had a medical emergency. It turned out they had detained the wrong person.
— Kate Morrissey
Reframing the Narrative on Housing
A powerful three-part series is connecting the dots between San Diego’s history of redlining and today’s racial disparities in homeownership. Created by filmmaker and realtor Rose Sanchez, “Beyond the Line” blends storytelling, historical policy insight and personal testimony to reclaim space and imagine a new future for local housing.
— Lauren J. Mapp
Drop-in center fights child sex trafficking
The nonprofit Olive Crest opened a drop-in center in downtown San Diego intended to be a safe space for children who are victims of human trafficking to rest, eat and build the trust needed to leave the situations they find themselves in. The small space has many nap-friendly, fuzzy couches and chairs and a therapy room. It is the organization's third center in Southern California and the first such space in San Diego, according to CEO Donald Verleur.
— Kate Morrissey
Other news
The city of San Diego approved a plan to turn a former skydiving facility in East Village into more than 100 affordable housing units. Father Joe's Villages will purchase the property to construct the mix of studios, one-bedroom homes and two-bedroom homes, the city said.
Homelessness in San Diego decreased by 7% since last year, according to KPBS's reporting on the annual Point-in-Time Count. However, the study found a 3% increase in seniors living in cars, and that 1 in 3 unsheltered people are 55 or older.
Upcoming Events
May 22
Pacific Islander Festival Luau Fundraiser: PIFA will host a luau fundraiser for its annual festival at the Bali Hai Restaurant. The event includes a performance by Ta'utiare Polynesian Dance, a silent auction and a buffet meal. 5-8 p.m., 2230 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
May 23
Creative Keys: Through this free workshop, artist and filmmaker Rose Sanchez aims to empower artists, freelancers and entrepreneurs with tools to navigate the homebuying process. Local lenders and realtors will share guidance on budgeting, building financial stability and qualifying for a mortgage with fluctuating income. Friday, May 23, 6–8:30 p.m., 2031 Commercial St., San Diego, CA 92113
May 24
Asian Pacific Cultural Festival: Held at the International Cottages in Balboa Park, the festival celebrates cultural traditions from a wide array of Asian and Pacific Islander communities. This year’s free event features cultural entertainment by both traditional and contemporary performers, including Lani Polynesian Dance, Xingjian Dance Studio, singer Eva Mather and the San Diego Lao Heritage Group. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., 2191 Pan American W Rd, San Diego, CA 92101
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 by July 1 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.
