ECM World Watch: national and global news
July 29, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. Trump says Epstein poached young women from Mar-a-Lago. That raises new questions about what he knew. (CNN) Native communities could lose $24.5B under Trump administration proposal (Indian Country Today) Trump falls to 37% approval in Gallup Poll (Gallup) Judge blocks Trump order barring asylum access at border; door open for appeal (AP) Native public media reels after federal budget cuts (Indian Country Today) Judge rules Los Angeles police can’t use nonlethal weapons against journalists (Politico) Trump’s Labor Department proposes more than 60 rule changes in a push to deregulate workplaces (AP) Volunteers flock to immigration courts to support migrants arrested in the hallways (AP) Trump-Tied Lobbying Firms Are Cashing In (NOTUS) Democratic memo: The party’s redistricting problem goes much deeper (Politico) Congress Requires ICE to Publish Detention Statistics. The Numbers Don’t Add Up.(NOTUS) Lawmakers seek to ban federal agents from wearing masks (NPR) Gabbard’s claims of an anti-Trump conspiracy are not supported by declassified documents (AP) WORLD One in five children in Gaza is malnourished, UN aid agency says (BBC) Judge weighing disciplinary referral for DOJ lawyers in Venezuela deportations case (Reuters) Canada follows France and UK with plan to recognise Palestinian state Canada’s prime minister says the move would depend on Palestinian democratic reforms and elections without Hamas. (BBC) Here are some of the newest UNESCO World Heritage sites (NPR) Moscow airports temporarily closed after Ukraine drone attacks (BBC) Thai and Cambodian forces clash as escalating border dispute leaves at least 11 dead (AP) For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down. U.S. Trump says Epstein poached young women from Mar-a-Lago. That raises new questions about what he knew. (CNN) President Donald Trump wants to move on from his administration’s fiasco over the Jeffrey Epstein files, but he keeps hampering that effort by opening his mouth. The most recent instance has to do with precisely why the two men had a falling out about two decades ago. Native communities could lose $24.5B under Trump administration proposal (Indian Country Today) The Trump administration’s proposed freeze on federal grants would cut $24.5 billion in funding to Native communities for health, law enforcement, education and key social services, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Brookings Institution. The cuts, if they gain approval through the courts, would violate treaty obligations to tribal nations and impact nearly every tribe across the United States…The funding freeze would affect Native people both on and off reservations, the report notes. Trump falls to 37% approval in Gallup Poll (Gallup) Six months into his second term, President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has dipped to 37%, the lowest of this term and just slightly higher than his all-time worst rating of 34% at the end of his first term. Trump’s rating has fallen 10 percentage points among U.S. adults since he began his second term in January, including a 17-point decline among independents, to 29%… Judge blocks Trump order barring asylum access at border; door open for appeal (AP) … The decision throws into doubt one of the key pillars of the president’s plan to crack down on migration at the southern border, but he put it on hold for two weeks to give the government time to appeal. Native public media reels after federal budget cuts (Indian Country Today) Francene Blythe-Lewis spent Friday morning crying at her desk, trying to assess how the loss of nearly half of her organization’s $2.8 million annual budget would impact its ability to support public media by and about Native people…. No Democrats supported the measure when it passed the Senate, 51-48… Judge rules Los Angeles police can’t use nonlethal weapons against journalists (Politico) The Los Angeles Press Club sued the city’s police department after officers allegedly used weapons against journalists while they were covering anti-ICE protests. Trump’s Labor Department proposes more than 60 rule changes in a push to deregulate workplaces (AP) The U.S. Department of Labor is aiming to rewrite or repeal more than 60 “obsolete” workplace regulations, ranging from minimum wage requirements for home health care workers and people with disabilities to standards governing exposure to harmful substances. Volunteers flock to immigration courts to support migrants arrested in the hallways (AP) A diverse group — faith leaders, college students, grandmothers, retired lawyers and professors — has been showing up at immigration courts across the nation to escort immigrants at risk of being detained for deportation by masked ICE officials. They’re giving families moral and logistical support, and bearing witness as the people are taken away… The volunteers’ act of witnessing has proven to be important as people disappear into a detention system that can seem chaotic, leaving families without any information about their whereabouts for days on end. Trump-Tied Lobbying Firms Are Cashing In (NOTUS) The swamp appears to be doing just fine. Second-quarter lobbying disclosures were due Monday at midnight, offering a window into the money flowing to influence federal policy and policymakers… Several firms with ties to the Trump administration posted eye-watering federal lobbying revenue…. Democratic memo: The party’s redistricting problem goes much deeper (Politico) The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee calls on its party to rethink their “failed federal-first strategy,” in a memo sent to donors and strategists …and instead invest in winning seats in state legislatures ahead of 2030 redistricting. Congress Requires ICE to Publish Detention Statistics. The Numbers Don’t Add Up.(NOTUS) Congress requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement to report statistics showing how many people are held in its detention centers overnight. But researchers the data includes anomalies that indicate the Department of Homeland Security is underreporting detentions…. Lawmakers seek to ban federal agents from wearing masks (NPR) In Congress, Democrats have introduced several bills, including the No Secret Police Act, which would bar federal agents
Our guide to East County’s City Scenes
By Miriam Raftery Overview: Four incorporated cities are located in close proximity to each other in the heart of San Diego’s East County: El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, and Santee. Each has its own distinct character, charm, community events and attractions—from a dining district in La Mesa’s historic downtown village to lakes and river parks in Santee, history alive in Lemon Grove, and outdoor festivities in El Cajon’s multicultural downtown district. Read more about these cities (including unincorporated areas on their outskirts such as Mt. Helix and Rancho San Diego) below. EL CAJON El Cajon has roots in the pioneer era and became a city in 1913. It’s downtown district along Main Street includes some historic buildings dating back to the 1800s, along with modern upgrades such as sidewalk cafes, Prescott Promenade and Centennial Plaza. The city’s downtown merchants group hosts many events, including outdoor concerts and car shows in spring and summer. The city hosts other events such as the America on Main festival, fireworks on July 4, Hauntfest on Main and a holiday tree lighting. The downtown area has several galleries, and holds an annual Alley Cat Art Walk event as well as a new Artival festival. Main Street also has many eclectic shops and services. The city’s downtown also features the Magnolia Performing Arts Center, which has headliner concerts and other live performances. You can also visit the Olaf Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center to see original works by famed Western artists includ ing Wieghorst, Frederic Remington, and others. El Cajon’s international population is reflected in its many restaurants, where you can find cuisine such as Afghan, Syrian, Iraqi, Mexican and more. Parkway Plaza regional shopping center is an indoor mall that also hosts various events as well as a multiplex movie theater. If you need lodging, El Cajon has a Courtyard Marriot hotel downtown as well as Hampton Inn and Suites across the street from Parkway Plaza. The city is accessible off I-8 or via trolley, though the stop is a few blocks away from downtown so you may need a bus or rideshare such as Uber or Lyft to get to the city’s heart. There’s also Gillespie Field, an airport for small planes, which has a museum that’s an annex of the San Diego Air and Space Museum, as well as Gilespie Field Cafe where you can watch the planes take off and land. Beyond the city limits, El Cajon’s expansive unincorporated areas offer attractions of their own. Rancho San Diego has many restaurants and stores, and is home to Cuyamaca College, which has a beautiful Water Conservation Garden, the Samuel M. Ciccati Performing Arts Center, and a fascinating Heritage of the Americas Museum. El Cajon is also home to a second community college, Grossmont College, where you can watch plays at the Stagehouse Theatre. The rural, mountain community of Crest hosts an annual Fourth of July parade. Flinn Springs, along I-8 between the city of El Cajon and Alpine, is worth a stop to see the beautiful Summers Past Farms, which hosts seasonal events such as a sweet pea maze and a wine festival. Also in Flinn Springs, you can savor barbecue at Grand Ole BBQ, which also hosts live bands regularly. LA MESA Known as the “Jewel of the Hills,” La Mesa became a city over a century ago, in 1912. The community has agricultural roots and was once home to a silent movie studio. You can learn more about the community’s past at the La Mesa History Center. The city still has a small-town vibe, with a thriving downtown village that has become the “restaurant row” of East County with options such as European-style tapas, Italian, Mexican, farm-to-table, and more. There are also many shops and services in downtown La Mesa. The La Mesa Village Association lists downtown restaurants, stores and events including a large Oktoberfest, car shows, Holiday in the Village and more. Beyond downtown, La Mesa has many other great restaurants. Dine around the world without leaving La Mesa, savoring fare such as Himalayan, Indian, European, Mexican, and more. The city also has a large number of independent coffee houses, some with entertainment such as live comedy and open mic nights. Several bars also have live music. San Pasqual Winery and Wine Works offer tastings of award-winning wines; Wine Works also host live bands and trivia nights. Helix Brewing and its Sourworx next door offer locally brewed beers. Lamplighters Community Theatre has a long tradition of live theatrical productions in La Mesa. The city also hosts several annual events including a Flag Day Parade, Earth Day Fair, s ummer concerts at Harry Griffith Park, classic car nights in summer, a weekly farmer’s market downtown, a large Oktoberfest celebration, and a Holiday in the Village event held each December. There are also summer movies in the park. The city is also home to the Grossmont Center regional shopping mall, which has many locally-owned shops as well as chain stores such as Target, a food court, and restaurants. The mall hosts events regularly and also has a multi-plex movie theatre. Though La Mesa is only nine square miles, it has many nice parks, including multiple dog parks. The city’s attractions page lists fun and interesting things to do, including secret stairs, historic landmarks, colorful murals, and a brightly colored Lookout built to commemorate the city’s centennial. There’s also a municipal swimming pool that hosts “dive in” movies in summer. In addition, the city is home to a YMCA with pool and other recreational opportunities. Mt. Helix is located in the unincorporated part of La Mesa. There’s a historic amphitheater and nature preserve at the top dating back to 1925. The Mt. Helix Park Foundation hosts a variety of events atop Mt. Helix, from concerts and yoga classes to the annual Mt. Helix Food and Wine Festival each August and a Christmas Market for the holiday season. A Holiday Inn Express offers lodging in La Mesa. Getting here is easy! La Mesa has three trolley stops and
Jamul Casino Resort achieves excellence across numerous San Diego’s Best 2025 categories
East County News Service July 30, 2025 (Jamul) – Jamul Casino Resort is the recipient of several “San Diego’s Best” wins, earned by the 2025 San Diego Union Tribune Reader’s Poll. The resort earned top honors for Best San Diego Hotel and Best Staycation, in recognition of the brand-new hotel tower that is now open. Jamul Casino Resort also earned accolades in Bars & Nightlife, Entertainment, and Food & Restaurant categories including Best Sports Bar, Best Entertainment Venue and Best Romantic Restaurant. Tony Gwynn’s Sports Pub was named Best Sports Bar in San Diego. The ultimate sports bar is known for its gameday atmosphere and expansive menu featuring Tony Gwynn’s favorite dishes including its burgers, named Best Burger. Jesse Serrano was also named Best Bartender and Laura Donathan was honored as Best Restaurant Server. Providing live entertainment just steps away from the casino floor, JIVe Lounge was named Best Entertainment Venue and Favorite Live Music Venue (Under 3,000 People). In addition to hot local DJs and bands, the lounge offers an impressive menu of craft beers and signature cocktails handmade by Rachel Serrano, named a San Diego Favorite Bartender. Catherine Evans was also honored as a Favorite Server. With sweeping views of the breathtaking Southern California mountains, delectable dishes and a hand-picked wine selection, Prime Cut Steakhouse & Seafood was named Best Romantic Restaurant in San Diego. Offering the finest cuts of meat and expertly prepared seafood, the contemporary steakhouse was also named a San Diego Favorite in the Steakhouse and Casino Dining categories. Chef Greg Coyle was honored as a Favorite Chef, and Paris Thammavong was selected as a Favorite Server. Rounding out the impressive collection of wins, Loft 94 was named Best Pho/Noodle House as well as Best Sushi, and Emerald Chinese Cuisine was chosen as a San Diego Favorite for Chinese Cuisine. Additionally, The Rooftop was honored as Best Place to Get Married and Best Scenic Spot. Jamul Casino Resort was also named Best San Diego Hotel and Best Staycation Location, while earning San Diego Favorite recognition for Local Casino, Loosest Slots and Place to Work categories. Lincoln Williams at Marketplace was named Best Chef, and Victor Hughes at High Limit Bar was selected as a Favorite Bartender. To stay up to date on the latest news, please visit JamulCasino.com. Opened in 2016, the Jamul Casino Resort is located in Jamul, California, San Diego County, and is owned and operated by Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation (JIVDC), a wholly owned enterprise of the Tribe. The $430 million, award-winning casino features nearly 1,700 slot machines, 46 live table games, a dedicated poker room, and various restaurants, bars and lounges, and a brand-new, 200-room luxury hotel tower. The 16-story boutique hotel offers an all-new collection of guest experiences from restaurants, retail space, a rooftop pool and full-service spa and salon. The hotel has been built to achieve AAA’s Four Diamond designation. Jamul Casino Resort supports more than 1,400 permanent jobs throughout the region and is the closest casino to downtown San Diego, which is the eighth-largest city in the United States by population. For more information about Jamul Casino Resort, please visit JamulCasino.com.
East County Roundup: local and statewide news
July 30, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s round-up stories include: LOCAL Downtown La Mesa’s parking crunch (San Diego Reader) US signs MOU with Mexico on Tijuana River sewage crisis (Fox 5 San Diego) At least 8 people killed in crashes on state Route 67 over 10 days (Ramona Sentinel) Fearing Lawsuits, El Cajon Police Stopped Responding to Some Mental Health Calls (Voice of SD) As dog euthanasias spike in San Diego County shelters, former employees say the system is broken (KPBS) Boat Hits USS Midway, Causing $100K In Damage To Decommissioned Aircraft Carrier: Police (Patch) San Diego County’s Schools Have 27,000 Fewer Students Than a Decade Ago. It Will Get Worse. (Voice of SD) San Diego County Supervisors vote 4-1 in favor of program for employers in ICE era (City News Service) Oceanographers create 5-day forecast for beach pollution (KPBS) ‘Open retribution’ alleged as San Diego’s DOJ office hit by resignations, demotions (Times of San Diego) Trump administration asks San Diego sheriff for data on all noncitizen inmates despite state law (San Diego Union-Tribune) San Diego Police changing approach to immigration enforcement Investigation Continues After Small Plane (from Ramona) Goes Missing Off San Diego Coast (Patch) San Diego Police changing approach to immigration enforcement (KGTV) STATE COVID Cases Surge In CA As ‘Razor Blade Throat’ Variant Takes Hold (Patch.com) California cannabis companies hoped Trump would be an ally. Then the raids happened (Cal Matters) Marines to leave LA (LAist) For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down. LOCAL Downtown La Mesa’s parking crunch (San Diego Reader) What will happen when they add 211 apartments? US signs MOU with Mexico on Tijuana River sewage crisis (Fox 5 San Diego) The U.S. and Mexico on Thursday took collaborative steps toward curbing a longstanding cross-border environmental crisis: the unfettered sewage flow from Tijuana into Southern California. At least 8 people killed in crashes on state Route 67 over 10 days (Ramona Sentinel) In just over a week, at least eight people have died in traffic accidents on state Route 67 in Ramona and Poway…. The SR-67 Highway Improvements Project is now being studied, Maxson said. Several studies are happening simultaneously, which will result in a Draft Environmental Report. Design is slated for late 2027, she said. In the meantime, the accidents keep happening. Fearing Lawsuits, El Cajon Police Stopped Responding to Some Mental Health Calls (Voice of SD) The decision means county mental health teams sometimes also can’t respond to crisis calls involving a threat to a single person or lack police support when they do. As dog euthanasias spike in San Diego County shelters, former employees say the system is broken (KPBS) A KPBS investigation reveals the shelters are beset by poor recordkeeping and high turnover rates. Former staffers claim many dogs are being put down unnecessarily. Boat Hits USS Midway, Causing $100K In Damage To Decommissioned Aircraft Carrier: Police (Patch) … The pleasure craft hit the mid-ship of the floating museum and the operator fled but was arrested within a few hours for hit-and-run boating and suspected boating under the influence. San Diego County’s Schools Have 27,000 Fewer Students Than a Decade Ago. It Will Get Worse. (Voice of SD) Over the past decade, enrollment at San Diego County public schools has declined by about five percent… State officials are projecting rates of decline will only get worse, which will force educators to make some hard decisions. San Diego County Supervisors vote 4-1 in favor of program for employers in ICE era (City News Service) The county Board of Supervisors Tuesday voted 4-1 in favor of a program to train owners and employees of small businesses about their rights in the event of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid. Oceanographers create 5-day forecast for beach pollution (KPBS) Beaches on San Diego’s south coast have been closed countless times by sewage discharge in the Tijuana River Valley. Now there’s a way to predict when water pollution will be a problem. ‘Open retribution’ alleged as San Diego’s DOJ office hit by resignations, demotions (Times of San Diego) As many as 10 federal prosecutors in San Diego have quit under acting U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon, and other high-ranking lawyers have been demoted while the office struggles to fill vacancies… Trump administration asks San Diego sheriff for data on all noncitizen inmates despite state law (San Diego Union-Tribune) Sheriff Kelly Martinez’s office did not signal how it will respond when it receives the formal request from the Department of Justice. San Diego Police changing approach to immigration enforcement (KGTV) — San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria signed an executive order Wednesday requiring more transparency… The order directs the mayor’s staff to provide information on ICE operations in the city, including locations, dates, arrests and the use of masks by agents. It also directs the San Diego Police Department to stop sharing certain data with federal authorities, specifically information from the Automated License Plate Reader System….The order requires SDPD to notify the mayor anytime officers respond to immigration enforcement in the city…. Investigation Continues After Small Plane Goes Missing Off San Diego Coast (Patch) The single-engine Cessna TTX took off from Ramona Airport and was presumed to have been destroyed after an impact with the Pacific Ocean. San Diego Police changing approach to immigration enforcement (KGTV) San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria signed an executive order Wednesday requiring more transparency… The order directs the mayor’s staff to provide information on ICE operations in the city, including locations, dates, arrests and the use of masks by agents. It also directs the San Diego Police Department to stop sharing certain data with federal authorities, specifically information from the Automated License Plate Reader System…. STATE COVID Cases Surge In CA As ‘Razor Blade Throat’ Variant Takes Hold (Patch.com) COVID-19 is rising again in California, with experts warning that immunity has waned and
Tsunami advisory for West Coast including San Diego after massive 8.8 earthquake
Tsumani could reach Hawaii and Alaska this evening, San Diego shortly after midnight, with risk of more tidal waves due to powerful aftershocks. East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts Note: An earlier tsunami watch has been upgraded to a tsunami advisory. July 29, 2025 (San Diego) – The National Tsunami Warning Center has issued a tsunami advisory for the entire West Coast including San Diego County after , an 8.8 quake, struck Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula late this afternoon. This is among the 10 strongest quakes ever recorded worldwide. The quake has been upgraded from earlier estimates. Aftershocks including a 6.7 quake have also occurred. The quakes and aftershocks have potential to produce tsunamis, or tidal waves, posing life-threatening danger. Avoid low-lying coastal areas until the tsunami advisory is lifted. The earliest a tsunami could reach San Diego County is estimated at around 1:15 a.m. for La Jolla and Oceanside, slightly later in the South Bay and earlier for Northern California, Alaska and Canada. The advisory extends indefinitely due to powerful aftershocks that produce additional risks. For updates, visit the U.S. Tsunami warning center at https://www.tsunami.gov/. Tsunami warnings are also in effect for Hawaii, Japan and other southeast Asia locations. The danger is high in Hawaii, where officials are warning of potential catastrophic damage. For anyone with loved ones in Hawaii, here are details on evacuation locations: https://www.kitv.com/news/local/tsunami-warning-for-hawaii-after-8-7m-earthquake-hits-russia-evacuation-zones-in-place/article_0a6768d5-24fb-4d28-a5c3-daa3d928c25a.html.