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Health and science highlights

Printer-friendly versionanuary 22, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) — Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future. HEALTH Pediatricians group sues federal government over cuts to child health funding (10 News) Health insurance CEOs to appear before House committees as premiums soar (NBC) County Public Health Lab Starts Testing Local Wastewater for Diseases (County News Center) SCIENCE

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To comply with new state laws, GUHSD board passes protections for immigrant students by 3-2 margin

Printer-friendly version By Alexander J. Schorr File photo, left: Trustee Jim Kelly called the measure “anarchy” and voted against it, along with Trustee Gary Woods January 21, 2026 (El Cajon) —  The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Board of Trustees on January 19 voted 3-2 to pass a resolution to establish new guidelines for responding to federal enforcement on campuses. This

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City of San Diego secures $4 million in federal funds for stormwater infrastructure project along Chollas Creek

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service Photo by Genevieve Jones-Wright: flooding in Encanto in January 2024 January 21, 2026 (San Diego) — New federal funding will support four critical stormwater infrastructure projects in the City of San Diego, including drainage improvements along Beta Street in Southcrest, which has been impacted by flooding during recent winter storms.   The allocation of $4.36

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What to know about flu and cold season

Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J. Schorr Photo via CDC.gov January 21,  2026 (San Diego) — The current 2025–2026 flu season in the United States has seen high activity, primarily driven by a dominant influenza A(H3N2) strain known as subclade K. According to the latest CDC preliminary estimates as of January 12, at least 7,400 deaths have occurred due to flu so far this season.

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California Governor’s race draws crowded field of contenders

Printer-friendly versionBy Alexander J Schorr Updated January 25 with an additional candidate. January 20, 2026— As of January 2026, the race to succeed the term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom features a crowded field of candidates ahead of the June primary. California uses a nonpartisan blanket primary system, where the top two finishers regardless of party advance to the general election. Who are the

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Cans of tuna recalled due to botulism sent to major retailers including California

Printer-friendly versionEast County News Service January 20, 2026 (San Diego) – Cans of Genova yellowfin tuna that were recalled due to potentially fatal botulism were inadvertently shipped to stores by a distributor, including Safeway, Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions in California. An earlier recall included some sold under the Trader Joe’s label in California.   The U.S. Food and Drug Administration

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New Woodspring Suites now Santee’s largest hotel

Printer-friendly versionBy Mike Allen January 19, 2026 (Santee) — Santee’s newest hotel came in handy for a few local families who needed a temporary home because their regular abode sustained serious damage. “One guest stayed for two weeks because their house flooded, and another stayed three weeks because their house caught fire,” said Jesse Duenas, general manager of the Woodspring

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Spring Valley Community Planning Group elects new officers amidst controversy over filling board vacancies

Printer-friendly version By Paul Levikow January 19, 2026 (Spring Valley) – The Spring Valley Community Planning Group board elected executive officers for the 2026 term Tuesday, but not before some members expressed concerns about how they would fill vacancies. A few cited perceived interferences on behalf of District 1 County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre’s office. Lora Lowes, board member and former

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Local rabbi disinvited from speaking at King breakfast over Israel connection

Printer-friendly versionBy Donald H. Harrison, San Diego Jewish World, a member of the San Diego Online News Association Photo:  Rabbi Hanan Leberman in Israel in 2018.  Image from American Jewish Committee video January 19, 2026 (San Diego) – The rabbi of a local synagogue was disinvited from delivering a closing message at the All People’s Breakfast in Balboa Park Monday in honor of Dr.

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Tony Winney to be interim City Manager in Lemon Grove

Printer-friendly version Photo of Tony Winney from Winney’s LinkedIn page By Karen Pearlman Jan. 17, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The Lemon Grove City Council will formally appoint former Coronado Assistant City Manager Tony Winney as interim City Manager, with a start date of Jan. 26. The City Council is expected to hire Winney at an annualized base salary of $215,000

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OTAY WATER DISTRICT AWARDED TRANSPARENCY CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE

Printer-friendly version Highlights Efforts to Promote Transparency and Good Governance East County News SErvice May 18, 2025 (Spring Valley, CA) — The Otay Water District received the District Transparency Certificate of Excellence from the Special District Leadership Foundation (SDLF) in recognition of its outstanding efforts to promote transparency and good governance and reaffirm its commitment to openness and accessibility for

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CURTIS MORRISON, DEMOCRAT RUNNING AGAINST ISSA, SPEAKS OUT ON KEY ISSUES AND THREATS TO OUR DEMOCRACY

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery May 17, 2025 (San Diego) – Curtis Morrison is an immigration attorney  and Democrat running for the 48th Congressional district against Congressman Darrell Issa, a Republican.  He’s previously worked as a realtor and substitute teacher. Last month he sat down for an in-depth interview with East County Magazine, originally aired on our radio show on KNSJ

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BORREGO SPRINGS MICROGRID COLLABORATIVE SEEKS GRANT FOR COMMUNITY MICROGRID DEVELOPMENT

Printer-friendly versionInitiative would serve as a model for community-led energy resilience, delivering more reliable power and improved energy security for Borrego’s most vulnerable residents and businesses File photo, left:  Sunbeams over Anza-Borrego Desert near Borrego Springs By Gabriela Dow May 16, 2025 (Borrego Springs) — The Borrego Springs Microgrid Collaborative (BSMC) has submitted a grant application for funding through San

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ACADEMY FIRE IN SAN PASQUAL VALLEY HALTED

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery May 16, 2025 (San Pasqual)—The #AcademyFire has been halted at 49.7 acres, according to Cal Fire, with no structures lost or injuries. The fire briefly threatened structures along Highland Valley Road in the San Pasqual Valley east of Escondido. The blaze began this afternoon in the 7700 Block of San Pasqual Valley Road (State Route

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DEAD CROWS IN LEMON GROVE TEST POSITIVE FOR WEST NILE VIRUS

Printer-friendly versionBy Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office Crow image cc via Bing May 16, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — Two dead crows recently collected in routine monitoring from Lemon Grove tested positive for West Nile virus, prompting County environmental health officials to remind people to protect themselves from mosquitoes that can transmit the virus to people. The positive tests mark

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EARTHTALK®: REDUCING RISKS OF CHEMICALS IN MANICURES AND PEDICURES

Printer-friendly version From the Editors of E – The Environmental Magazine Image via Pixabay April 15, 2025 Dear EarthTalk: Am I being exposed to harsh chemicals when I get a manicure or pedicure? –– Susan Porter, via e-mail The nail care industry is booming. Global market projections will near $11 billion by 2027. But beneath the glossy finish of a

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LA MESA SEEKS BOARD AND COMMISSION MEMBERS

Printer-friendly versionWant to make a difference in your community? The City of La Mesa is currently recruiting volunteer members for several Boards and Commissions. The application deadline is July 1 at 5:30 p.m. These are the boards and commissions with current openings: Arts and Culture Commission Community Parking Commission Community Police Oversight Board Community Services Commission Design Review Board Environmental

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CALIFORNIANS WOULD LOSE AI PROTECTIONS UNDER BILL ADVANCING IN CONGRESS

Printer-friendly version  House Republicans want to ban state AI regulations for 10 years. California leaders are alarmed. by Khari Johnson, Technology reporter, CalMatters. This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. May 16, 2025 House Republicans moved to cut off artificial intelligence regulation by the states before it can take root, advancing legislation in Congress that, in California, would make

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