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What We Know About California's Gasoline Mystery Surcharge | Rob Nikolewski Oct 23, 2019

Show notes

Every California motorist knows that gasoline is expensive in the Golden State. Taxes and fees on the state and federal levels account for more than 80 cents per gallon at the pump. But even after stripping out all those expenses, the California Energy Commission says drivers are still paying more than they should because of “an unexplained residual price increase” that’s persisted for the last five years. Gov. Gavin Newsom thinks oil companies may be “engaging in false advertising or price fixing” and he has called on Attorney General Xavier Bacerra to open an investigation into what UC Berkeley professor Severin Borenstein has long called the “mystery gasoline surcharge.” In 2018, California motorists paid an average of 30 cents more per gallon at higher-priced retail outlets such as Chevron, Shell and 76 than the average American paid for gasoline in other states, the energy commission said in an analysis released last week.

Suit Over Disclosing Sexual Misconduct Records Settled | Greg Moran Oct 22, 2019

Show notes

A lawsuit seeking records of accusations of sexual misconduct by employees of the San Diego District Attorney has settled, with the office turning over the records and agreeing to pay nearly $100,000 in legal fees incurred by a public records advocacy group which sought the information. The group, the First Amendment Coalition, filed suit in July 2018. The San Rafael-based group had asked under the state public records law for all records of sexual misconduct by DA employees. Instead the District Attorney’s Office had provided summaries of six cases but not the actual records.

MTS, SANDAG Hope Tax Increases Can Make A Transit-Oriented Future | Joshua Emerson Smith Oct 22, 2019

Show notes

San Diego’s transit agencies are making a big bet on the future of transit. Both the San Diego Association of Governments and the Metropolitan Transit System are pushing forward separate tax measures that would improve public transit. The investments may be key if the region hopes to improve transit service and get more people out of their cars -- one of the only ways to meet climate goals.

What We Know About CBD | Peter Rowe Oct 18, 2019

Show notes

While California is one of several states to legalize marijuana, demand for the plant isn’t just for getting high. Cannabidinol -- better known as CBD -- is now a popular substance that has found its way into everything from dog treats to lip balm. Claims of what CBD can do are vast, but many of them raise questions as to what’s true and what’s snakeoil.

Some Neighborhoods Are Installing Private License Plate Readers | Katy Stegall Oct 17, 2019

Show notes

Several neighborhoods around San Diego County have turned to an Atlanta company to offer a new level of surveillance. Flock Safety provides private license plate readers that neighborhoods or HOAs can use to track who enters and leaves their neighborhoods. Amid the expansion of the internet of things, and 5G wireless technology, increased surveillance is becoming more common.

Border Dispatch: Remain In Mexico Remains A Problem | Gustavo Solis Oct 16, 2019

Show notes

The federal government continues to send migrants back to Mexico who may not be subject to the Remain in Mexico program, according to a report published by lawyers and activists who work with asylum seekers in Mexico. The controversial program, officially known as Migrant Protection Protocols, does not have clear guidelines of who is subject to the policy, which forces asylum seekers to wait in Mexico until their court case is decided. With the absence of clear protocols, lawyer and advocates argue, some who should not be in the program are being incorrectly sent to Mexico. To date, more than 40,000 asylum seekers have been returned to Mexico under the program. This includes vulnerable populations, such as members of the LGBTQ community who face persecution in Mexico, unaccompanied children, and people with serious health issues.

San Diego County Republicans Fail To Endorse A Candidate For CA-50 | Andrew Dyer, Lauryn Schroeder Oct 15, 2019

Show notes

San Diego Republicans failed Monday to back a candidate for the 50th Congressional District, including the candidate who currently holds the seat. None of the four candidates received the two-thirds majority necessary to get an endorsement from the Republican Party of San Diego County. Forty-nine members cast ballots after a forum and the results were confidential. A photo obtained by the Union-Tribune shows one of the four votes resulted in 21 delegates siding with former San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio. Incumbent Rep. Duncan D. Hunter and State Sen. Brian Jones received 14 votes each. Former Congressman Darrell Issa did not receive any votes.

New Rules Shaping Scooter Use In San Diego | John Wilkens, Peter Rowe Oct 15, 2019

Show notes

Three months after new city regulations went into effect, two companies, Jump and Skip, have left town. Another, Lime, may lose its permit because of repeated operating infractions. Almost 500 riders received traffic tickets, more than half of them for riding on sidewalks. The city impounded more than 3,700 scooters for parking violations. It’s too soon to say how effective or long-lasting the crackdown will be, or what it means to the future of dockless scooters here. Depending on the time and place, this can still look like a town that’s been overrun. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/environment/story/2019-10-14/new-rules-shaping-scooter-use-in-san-diego

The Politics And Policy Of The Housing Crunch | Michael Smolens Oct 11, 2019

Show notes

California’s housing market continues to become more expensive, but political leaders are seeing glimpses of a sea change coming. On a statewide level, there’s a renewed push to do more for middle-income housing, and in some cities like San Diego, new policies have been enacted to boost density without completely changing neighborhood character.

This Desert Town Could Be Yours | Phil Molnar Oct 10, 2019

Show notes

If you ever wanted to be the owner of a desert town -- now’s your chance. The town of Campo is for sale, although the price hasn’t been announced and the seller is only accepting bids. The hamlet is about 10 miles north of the border along the 94, and is home to about 100 people. Not much has changed since the town was primarily built for the military during World War II-- and that’s part of its charm.

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