Good morning, I’m Debbie Cruz, and today is Thursday, April 17.
Nurses at VA San Diego are protesting planned layoffs within the department, stirring unrest among veterans and their advocates.
More on that in a moment, but first, let’s take a look at the headlines.
Tragically, two Camp Pendleton Marines deployed to the U.S.-Mexico border were killed Tuesday in a vehicle crash in New Mexico.
Officials report that a third Marine sustained injuries in the incident, although specifics remain undisclosed.
The Washington Post indicated that the vehicle rolled over during the crash.
As of late yesterday (Wednesday), the names of the deceased Marines had not been made public.
These casualties mark the first known military deaths associated with President Donald Trump’s border mission.
In other news, San Diego is implementing a ban on grocery stores offering digital-only coupon deals.
The second reading of the ordinance passed unanimously this week, aimed at aiding individuals who lack access to or knowledge of discounts on digital applications.
While stores may continue to offer online deals, they must also post notices and make coupons available in-store for all customers.
This new law is set to take effect in 90 days.
Meanwhile, two local credit unions are preparing to merge, as San Diego County Credit Union and California Coast Credit Union announced plans for a union last week.
Under the proposal, the merged entity will operate under the California Coast Credit Union name, potentially becoming the state’s fourth largest credit union, pending regulatory approval.
Members of California Coast Credit Union will vote on the deal, with full integration of the credit unions not expected until 2027.
Now, back to the protests at the VA.
Pending job cuts at the VA have already ignited protests among veterans and their advocates.
Yesterday (Wednesday), the demonstrators included nurses who rallied just outside the VA Medical Center in La Jolla to voice their opposition to impending layoffs.
VA Secretary Doug Collins revealed plans to cut as many as 80,000 positions at the agency as part of President Donald Trump’s broader austerity measures across the federal government.
Collins affirmed that these layoffs would not impact staff responsible for handling benefit claims or patient care, but that assertion was met with skepticism by many.
IRMA WESTMORELAND, the national chair for National Nurses United VA, which represents thousands of VA nurses, expressed concern over the reduction of support staff.
She stated, “When you cut housekeepers, when you cut respiratory therapists, when you cut people who are touching the patients and in support of us, the dietitians, the social workers, all of that work still has to be done.
Who’s going to do it? The people that are left.”
During a town hall meeting in Florida this week, Collins addressed veterans, maintaining that the layoffs are essential for making the agency more efficient.
He argued that “you can do more with less” but also acknowledged the need for appropriate motivation and understanding to facilitate these changes.
Shifting gears, Imperial Beach leaders are calling for a new local emergency in response to the ongoing cross-border sewage crisis.
Reporter MELISSA MAE highlighted that through a resolution, the city aims to communicate with state and federal officials requesting assistance.
Pollution is evident at the south end of Saturn Boulevard in Nestor, where polluted foam clouds linger atop the Tijuana River, accompanied by the noxious odor of hydrogen sulfide, a gas produced by sewage.
According to Imperial Beach Councilman Mitch McKay, addressing this issue hinges on political will.
He said, “We’re again appealing to the highest level in our land, to the executive branch to say, ‘Hey, you guys have the power. Through executive order, through enforcement of current treaties or agreements, minutes, as they call them, to make these things happen.’”
The resolution follows a week marked by elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide in the South Bay, coinciding with an estimated 5 million gallons of wastewater flowing into the Tijuana River each day since April 9th.
Next, the City of San Diego is grappling with residents’ concerns regarding trash collection fees.
In our “Why It Matters” segment, SCOTT LEWIS, CEO of Voice of San Diego, discussed the city’s discussions around trash services.
On Monday, the San Diego City Council scheduled an important hearing for June to determine the precise amount the city will charge residents for trash pickup.
Homeowners have already expressed anger after the city initially stated trash pickup would cost $25 a month.
When officials revealed that the fee would rise to $53 a month, the backlash led them to reduce it to $47 monthly, still approximately double the original forecast.
When asked about the reason for the steep fee increase, city leaders attributed it to residents requesting enhanced services.
Residents particularly sought more frequent recycling and bulk item pickups, which will not be available until 2027—two years after the fee commences.
Moreover, the city faced a literal garbage fire last week when someone discarded a lithium battery, an incident that recurs every few weeks.
To combat this, the new fee will implement special RFID chips in each trash container to ensure proper pickup.
Additionally, city officials will have the capability to issue fines for individuals who improperly dispose of problematic items.
Yet the city council will require six votes to pass the new fee, with at least one councilmember indicating he will only support it if the fee is lowered.
Lastly,
image source from：https://www.kpbs.org/podcasts/san-diego-news-now/va-san-diego-nurses-protest-trumps-planned-layoffs
