Good Morning, I’m Andrew Dyer, in for Debbie Cruz. It’s Friday, April 18.
Federal cuts could lead to reduced county services.
UC San Diego (UCSD) has reported the termination of visas for dozens of its students without explanation from the government.
The number of affected students has now risen to thirty-six, with the university confirming that one of the students was deported.
This troubling news was first highlighted by UCSD’s campus newspaper, The Guardian.
The university has stated that it is actively working to support the students affected by the visa terminations.
According to the Associated Press, the total number of student visas revoked nationwide since late March exceeds one thousand.
In other news, the identities of two Camp Pendleton Marines who tragically died in a crash in New Mexico this week have been released.
Lance Cpl. Albert Aguilera, aged 22, hailing from Riverside, and 28-year-old Lance Cpl. Marcelino Gamino from Fresno, were both serving in the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion.
A third Marine from their unit suffered injuries in the crash and is currently in critical condition at a hospital in El Paso.
Since January, part of the 1st Combat Engineer Battalion has been assigned to the border, a move that aligned with President Donald Trump’s directives during his second term.
Reports indicate that the Marines’ vehicle was involved in a rollover incident while part of a convoy near Santa Teresa, New Mexico.
Shifting focus to the housing market, San Diego is seeing an increase in home prices, although sales have dipped over the past year.
The California Association of Realtors has reported that the sales of existing single-family homes in the county surged nearly 20 percent from February to March but are down four percent compared to last year.
As of now, the median home price in the county stands at just over one million dollars, reflecting a two percent increase from the previous year.
Factors such as fluctuating mortgage rates and growing fears of a recession are contributing to a weakening market across California.
Coming up, stay tuned for more updates on local developments you need to know.
On Wednesday night, the State of the County Address was delivered at the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park, where the Board of Supervisors’ Acting Chair, Terra Lawson Remer, highlighted both advancements made and challenges due to federal cuts.
Lawson Remer emphasized the county’s progress in recent years but also expressed concerns regarding federal cuts that threaten local services.
In response, she proposed the establishment of San Diego’s own Medicaid healthcare plan.
This initiative aims to secure funding through a local ballot measure, ensuring that struggling San Diegans have access to healthcare services for both physical and mental health, thus preventing financial burdens due to medical bills.
In addition, Lawson Remer suggested utilizing county savings for environmental projects and legal defense programs.
Her address drove home the message of local control amidst ongoing federal changes impacting both San Diego and the nation.
In a related area, a new state law known as Senate Bill 43 is giving families hope for improved treatment options for mental illness and addiction.
Health reporter Heidi de Marco shares that the law expands the criteria for who can be placed on an involuntary psychiatric hold.
Families affected by dual diagnoses—mental illness and substance use disorder—are looking for additional support to assist their loved ones, many of whom have struggled for years.
Julia and her husband Kirk have experienced ongoing challenges with their daughter, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and substance use disorder, leading them to seek various treatment options without success.
Despite their daughter’s previous hospitalizations and treatment programs, she frequently leaves against medical advice.
However, Senate Bill 43 allows for court-ordered involuntary treatment, although it was not previously mentioned during their daughter’s hospital stay.
The Holladay family, hoping for more advocacy and outreach regarding the new law, is optimistic that it may provide assistance when their daughter experiences another crisis.
Meanwhile, community engagement appears on the rise as numerous listeners have expressed interest in activism following KPBS reports on protests and rallies.
At the intersection of 5th and E in downtown San Diego, video journalist Matthew Bowler covers the city’s rich history of activism and how individuals can get involved in causes they care about.
Bowler notes that this corner, referred to as “Soapbox Corner,” has witnessed numerous activists since the early 20th century.
In January 1912, city authorities took action to shut down this historical site, enforcing a ban on public speeches for several blocks.
Today, the scene has transformed into a bustling area filled with bars and restaurants, yet the spirit of activism remains alive.
Frances Yasmeen Motiwala, a board member and lead organizer of Activist San Diego, which operates since 1999, claims that the group serves as a vital link among San Diego’s social justice organizations.
Many people express eagerness to become involved in activism during these tumultuous times, reflecting a reaction to shifts in the political landscape.
Motiwala’s own journey into activism was sparked by educational experiences in high school, and political science professor Ric Epps cites his family’s involvement in history as an inspiration to engage politically.
Activism can take many forms, and Epps suggests that the first step is to choose a cause.
Many ways exist to express activism, whether subtly through symbolic clothing or overtly through organized protests, referencing historical movements as effective examples.
Research indicates that nonviolent civil movements can succeed with just three and a half percent of a population participating.
This statistic translates to nearly 50,000 people in San Diego, highlighting the potential impact for organized efforts.
Epps emphasizes the importance of persistence in activism, noting that while life can become overwhelming, small efforts contribute to the larger movement.
Both Motiwala and Epps encourage individuals to engage with the causes they are passionate about, suggesting that every person can make a significant impact in their community.
In scientific news, researchers at the Salk Institute are exploring ways to decrease the reliance on fertilizers in agriculture.
Sci-Tech reporter Thomas Fudge explains that a common soil fungus helps deliver essential nutrients to plant roots, forming a symbiotic relationship where the plant supplies carbon to the fungus.
The research team has identified a key molecule in plants that enhances this symbiosis, allowing for nutritional improvement and potentially less fertilizer use.
Lena Mueller, a plant biologist at Salk, expresses excitement about the implications for various plant varieties and the potential environmental benefits of minimizing fertilizer runoff into waterways.
In Rosarito Beach, Baja California, amidst funding challenges, a volunteer group is working to bring library services to underserved communities.
Matthew Bowler visits B… and speaks with Gaby Pulido, a member of the Rosarito Beach Friends of the Library, who recognizes the difficulty some communities face in accessing library resources.
The organization has been active since 2006 and coordinates a mobile library service that reaches neighborhoods in need every two weeks.
Despite facing budget limitations, the dedicated volunteers are committed to continuing their mission to foster literacy and a love of reading in their community.
For those interested in supporting this initiative, donations or book purchases can be made through the Friends of the Library’s website.
In the entertainment sector, the landscape of indie films is evolving in the era of streaming services.
Cinema Junkie Beth Accomando highlights a low-budget neo-noir film titled “Gazer” that opens today at the Angelika Film Center.
The film explores the narrative of Frankie, a character with a unique condition known as mental chronometry.
Frankie finds herself navigating a dark world filled with mystery, paranoia, and possibly a conspiracy when she takes on a high-paying job from a mysterious figure.
This neo-noir film, crafted with passion by its creators, entices with its engaging storyline and unexpected twists.
Despite its potentially limited visibility, Accomando expresses hope that positive word-of-mouth will help bring it into the spotlight.
That’s it for today’s news update.
For more stories from San Diego, visit KPBS.org for the latest developments.
This week’s podcast was produced by Brenden Tuccinardi, Lara McCaffrey, and Andrew Dyer, with editing by Brooke Ruth.
Thank you for listening, and have a wonderful weekend.
image source from：https://www.kpbs.org/podcasts/san-diego-news-now/state-of-the-county-federal-cuts-could-lead-to-reduced-services
