Good morning, this is Andrew Dyer reporting from San Diego, standing in for Debbie Cruz on this Wednesday, June 4th.
Union leaders are condemning the recent ICE raid at the South Park restaurant Buona Forchetta, calling it an attack on workers and a display of oppression.
The raid took place on Friday, and the subsequent fallout has continued to dominate discussions among labor organizations and community members. Leaders rallied outside the federal courthouse to express their disapproval, labeling the incident reminiscent of authoritarian regimes.
Labor leaders emphasized the severity of the situation. Brigette Browning with the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council AFL-CIO stated that a “wave of terror has been unleashed by this administration,” pointing out the alarming tactics used during the raid, including handcuffing workers and the use of military-grade equipment.
The warrant justifying the raid was unsealed, revealing that approximately 50% of the employees at Buona Forchetta were suspected of using fraudulent identification to secure employment.
San Diego Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera referred to the operation as state-sponsored terrorism, criticizing the violent tactics used by federal agents for what he described as “fake papers.” The operation resulted in the arrest of four workers, raising concerns about the impact of such actions on local families and communities.
In a separate news piece, CBS reports that the Navy is contemplating renaming several ships that honor civil rights icons like Harvey Milk, Cesar Chavez, and Harriet Tubman, aligning with the priorities of the past Trump administration to restore a traditional military ethos.
These ships, which are non-combatant John Lewis-class replenishment oilers, are designed to support combat vessels and employ civilian crews. Along with the vessels already mentioned, the potential name changes involve the U.S.N.S Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Dolores Huerta, Lucy Stone, and Medgar Evers, as well as the under-construction future U.S.N.S Thurgood Marshall.
Meanwhile, a concerning study from UC San Diego has identified a widespread infestation of an invasive flatworm parasite in over 90% of San Diego’s freshwater fish, affecting species like largemouth bass and bluegill. The research covered 84 fish from popular fishing spots in the area, revealing that 93% carried the parasite, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues if consumed without proper cooking.
The findings have not yet resulted in any reported human infections, but researchers advise caution and suggest thorough cooking as a preventive measure.
In weather news, the county has initiated its annual Cool Zones program to aid residents in coping with rising temperatures. The program will provide free access to air-conditioned environments at over 80 locations, including all 33 public libraries in the county. A full listing is available on the county’s official website.
In local politics, the San Diego City Council has approved new parking reforms aimed at maximizing efficiency in parking management. Metro reporter Andrew Bowen noted that the new measures introduce dynamic pricing, allowing meter rates to fluctuate based on demand. This aims to balance the availability of parking spaces, ensuring premium spots during busy hours are priced accordingly.
Councilmember Raul Campillo emphasized that these adjustments are grounded in collected data and will be reviewed quarterly to ensure ongoing efficiency. Additionally, the council ended the prohibition on charging for parking on Sundays and revised regulations concerning residential parking permit zones.
As we move towards the summer elections, voting is set to commence in the South Bay for the runoff election concerning San Diego County’s District 1 Supervisor position. This election is pivotal, as it will determine the party in majority on the Board of Supervisors, with significant implications for immigration policies.
The two leading candidates, Republican John McCann and Democrat Paloma Aguirre, offer diverging views on immigration, emphasizing the importance of this election for future local policies. McCann, the mayor of Chula Vista, has indicated that he may cut legal aid funding in order to prioritize support for citizens, while Aguirre advocates for continued legal assistance to those facing deportation, arguing that it affects many community members.
In media and public perception news, trust in journalism among Americans has reached historic lows, standing at just 31%, a figure not seen in over five decades. Experts indicate a strong link between the type of media consumed and viewers’ trust levels. A Pew Research Center study highlights trends in news consumption, with 57% of Americans accessing news primarily through devices.
Social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube are prevalent sources of news but are often encountered passively, as opposed to more intentional sources like traditional news outlets. Current trends reveal that Democrats have a higher inclination to trust media than Republicans, with Fox News leading among Republican viewers and PBS and NBC favored by Democrats.
Lastly, North County has welcomed renewed energy in local arts as a well-known coffee shop, Jitters Coffee Pub in Oceanside, undergoes a revival with the support of Grammy-winning musician Jason Mraz.
Mraz, a long-time patron of Jitters, has partnered with the original owners to breathe new life into the café, which had been struggling financially. Plans include a renovated space, an updated menu, and a stage for nightly entertainment, hoping to recapture the vibrant coffee house culture of the 1990s.
The grand reopening event is scheduled for July 12, where the community will come together to celebrate the new beginning of Jitters as a hub for arts and music performances.
That’s the latest update for San Diego on this Wednesday. For more in-depth coverage of local news, visit KPBS.org. I’m Andrew Dyer, in for Debbie Cruz, wishing you a great day ahead.
image source from：https://www.kpbs.org/podcasts/san-diego-news-now/dynamic-pricing-coming-to-san-diego-parking-meters
