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San Diego mosque shooting victims praised for "heroic" actions

The 3 community members are being remembered for protecting children and others.

Politics & Policy

The three victims in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Monday&#x27;s shooting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/18/shooting-san-diego-islamic-center" data-vars-content-id="83203d6a-8309-4dcd-9b8e-91bb216300bc" data-vars-headline="San Diego mosque shooting victims praised for &quot;heroic&quot; actions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/18/shooting-san-diego-islamic-center" target="_self">Monday&#x27;s shooting</a> at the Islamic Center of San Diego were all beloved members of the Muslim community and acted heroically to save other lives, according to community leaders and San Diego police.Security guard Amin Abdullah, as well as community members Mansour Kaziha and Nader Awad, were shot outside <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the center&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/18/san-diego-islamic-center-shooting-mosque-threats" data-vars-content-id="83203d6a-8309-4dcd-9b8e-91bb216300bc" data-vars-headline="San Diego mosque shooting victims praised for &quot;heroic&quot; actions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/18/san-diego-islamic-center-shooting-mosque-threats" target="_self">the center&#x27;s</a> entrance and are being lauded for preventing violence from reaching children attending school inside.

10 events to enjoy Memorial Day weekend in San Diego

Catch a concert, comedy show, pups at Petco Park, zoo at night and military tributes.

Things to Do

It&#x27;s Memorial Day weekend, and if you don&#x27;t want to spend every day at the beach, here&#x27;s what&#x27;s happening around San Diego.🐅 Explore the zoo at night, when it has live music, acrobats, dancers, and other entertainment with nocturnal wildlife.<ul><li>This is the final summer for this nighttime experience, which runs Friday through Aug. 9.</li></ul>

Why e-bikes are becoming a pediatric trauma crisis

The ER is seeing more kids with spine and skull fractures and brain bleeds from e-bike crashes.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="E-bikes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/06/san-diego-ebike-crashes-rise-kids-injuries-speed-safety-rules" data-vars-content-id="57925dd1-dbda-47d9-a28d-01c01cd6622e" data-vars-headline="Why e-bikes are becoming a pediatric trauma crisis" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/06/san-diego-ebike-crashes-rise-kids-injuries-speed-safety-rules" target="_self">E-bikes</a> are on track to become the most common cause of child trauma cases at Rady Children&#x27;s Hospital this year, trauma medical director Romeo Ignacio told Axios.Why it matters: As e-bikes have become a popular ride for San Diego kids in recent years, crashes, injuries and ER visits have also spiked.

From prison to USD master's graduate

Shawn Khalifa was released in 2020 after a law change. Now he's earning a USD degree.

Education

When Shawn Khalifa steps onto the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="graduation stage" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/20/college-grad-population-grows-san-diego" data-vars-content-id="850a1ee7-905a-46d5-9c4f-afb1db0e201b" data-vars-headline="From prison to USD master&#x27;s graduate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/20/college-grad-population-grows-san-diego" target="_self">graduation stage</a> at the University of San Diego this weekend, he&#x27;ll be continuing a path he never thought possible a few years ago.The big picture: Khalifa went to prison at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="age 15" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kpbs.org/news/midday-edition/2019/08/09/mother-rides-rollercoaster-hope-while-her-son-sits" data-vars-content-id="850a1ee7-905a-46d5-9c4f-afb1db0e201b" data-vars-headline="From prison to USD master&#x27;s graduate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kpbs.org/news/midday-edition/2019/08/09/mother-rides-rollercoaster-hope-while-her-son-sits" target="_blank">age 15</a> after being convicted under a since-changed California felony murder law, and he was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="released in 2020" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kpbs.org/news/evening-edition/2020/02/26/after-16-years-prison-californias-felony-murder-la" data-vars-content-id="850a1ee7-905a-46d5-9c4f-afb1db0e201b" data-vars-headline="From prison to USD master&#x27;s graduate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kpbs.org/news/evening-edition/2020/02/26/after-16-years-prison-californias-felony-murder-la" target="_blank">released in 2020</a> at age 31.

SDFC opens new court in Southeast

The colorful soccer and basketball court is also a public art piece at Henderson Sports Complex.

Sports

Kids in Southcrest and Lincoln Park have a fresh place to play sports thanks to San Diego FC.Zoom in: The colorful sport court and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public art piece" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DYQnYXHyf05/" data-vars-content-id="c804ab5e-2476-482a-87f1-0cea5807ce42" data-vars-headline="SDFC opens new court in Southeast" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DYQnYXHyf05/" target="_blank">public art piece</a> opened at the Willie Henderson Sports Complex over the weekend.

California's most popular baby names in 2025

More Olivias and Liams coming to day cares and classrooms near you.

&quot;Olivia&quot; is the new queen and &quot;Liam&quot; remains king of California&#x27;s top <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="baby names" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/05/19/californias-trendiest-baby-names-2024" data-vars-content-id="58bdcecc-f44b-4f4c-81c2-ffda8536df7d" data-vars-headline="California&#x27;s most popular baby names in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/05/19/californias-trendiest-baby-names-2024" target="_self">baby names</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to Social Security" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/" data-vars-content-id="58bdcecc-f44b-4f4c-81c2-ffda8536df7d" data-vars-headline="California&#x27;s most popular baby names in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/" target="_blank">according to Social Security</a> card applications submitted at birth.The big picture: Those are the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most popular names nationally" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/08/baby-names-most-popular-2025" data-vars-content-id="58bdcecc-f44b-4f4c-81c2-ffda8536df7d" data-vars-headline="California&#x27;s most popular baby names in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/05/08/baby-names-most-popular-2025" target="_self">most popular names nationally</a>, too, and have been for the past seven years.

San Diego veteran's film tackles PTSD with raw honesty

Using real veterans and no script, a first-time filmmaker created a raw, dark comedy about PTSD.

Health

Despite having no experience making movies, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego veteran" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/11/09/san-diego-veterans-military-population" data-vars-content-id="55250f4a-422e-407d-b878-eba29f58b907" data-vars-headline="San Diego veteran&#x27;s film tackles PTSD with raw honesty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/11/09/san-diego-veterans-military-population" target="_self">San Diego veteran</a>-turned-nurse created a dark comedy that&#x27;s now <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="winning awards" data-vars-click-url="https://www.santamonicafilmfestival.com/" data-vars-content-id="55250f4a-422e-407d-b878-eba29f58b907" data-vars-headline="San Diego veteran&#x27;s film tackles PTSD with raw honesty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.santamonicafilmfestival.com/" target="_blank">winning awards</a>.The big picture: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Turmoil" data-vars-click-url="https://turmoilmovie.com/" data-vars-content-id="55250f4a-422e-407d-b878-eba29f58b907" data-vars-headline="San Diego veteran&#x27;s film tackles PTSD with raw honesty" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://turmoilmovie.com/" target="_blank">Turmoil</a>&quot; tells the story of a homeless veteran who battles the traumas of war by joining a martial arts gym.<ul><li>The brainchild of Dante Trinidad, it uses real service members and veterans as its cast and crew, who were often prompted to improvise their way through scenes.</li></ul>

San Diego library offers budget wedding option

Say "I do" at the downtown library with skyline views — no frills, just a simple ceremony.

Culture

An option for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="weddings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/03/taylor-swift-wedding-trend-travis-kelce" data-vars-content-id="4fb33563-08b0-4a43-bc54-db8f0dfbbc5c" data-vars-headline="San Diego library offers budget wedding option" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/03/taylor-swift-wedding-trend-travis-kelce" target="_self">weddings</a> on a budget is available at San Diego&#x27;s downtown library.The big picture: The library is offering <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="one-hour weekday weddings" data-vars-click-url="https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/1-hour-weddings" data-vars-content-id="4fb33563-08b0-4a43-bc54-db8f0dfbbc5c" data-vars-headline="San Diego library offers budget wedding option" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sandiego.librarymarket.com/1-hour-weddings" target="_blank">one-hour weekday weddings</a> with up to 12 guests for $500.

USPS stamps lowrider legacy in San Diego

Lowriders roll onto U.S. postage, honoring a tradition rooted in Mexican American communities.

Lowriders are rolling onto U.S. mail as the Postal Service launched a stamp collection honoring the artistry and tradition of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chicano culture" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/09/20/here-in-sd-chicano-park-murals" data-vars-content-id="a8acdf12-020e-4e3b-b17b-0abbfe9743e1" data-vars-headline="USPS stamps lowrider legacy in San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/09/20/here-in-sd-chicano-park-murals" target="_self">Chicano culture</a>.Why it matters: Putting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lowriders" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/10/26/lowrider-legacy-legalize-california" data-vars-content-id="a8acdf12-020e-4e3b-b17b-0abbfe9743e1" data-vars-headline="USPS stamps lowrider legacy in San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/10/26/lowrider-legacy-legalize-california" target="_self">lowriders</a> on U.S. postage elevates a tradition born in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mexican American" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/09/22/latino-economy-growth-gdp-wealth-gaps" data-vars-content-id="a8acdf12-020e-4e3b-b17b-0abbfe9743e1" data-vars-headline="USPS stamps lowrider legacy in San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/09/22/latino-economy-growth-gdp-wealth-gaps" target="_self">Mexican American</a> neighborhoods to a national audience.

San Diego's favorite library books in 2025

Here's some inspiration for your list of must-reads or book club suggestions.

San Diego loves its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bookstores" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/01/mission-hills-bookstore-opens-support-local-libraries" data-vars-content-id="65dad296-321e-484f-b41e-f6295ce97d17" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s favorite library books in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/01/mission-hills-bookstore-opens-support-local-libraries" target="_self">bookstores</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="libraries" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/10/21/san-diego-library-offers-free-online-access-banned-books" data-vars-content-id="65dad296-321e-484f-b41e-f6295ce97d17" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s favorite library books in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/10/21/san-diego-library-offers-free-online-access-banned-books" target="_self">libraries</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="silent reading clubs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/20/silent-book-clubs-happy-hour-introverts-readers" data-vars-content-id="65dad296-321e-484f-b41e-f6295ce97d17" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s favorite library books in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/20/silent-book-clubs-happy-hour-introverts-readers" target="_self">silent reading clubs</a>, so here&#x27;s a look at what people were checking out last year.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="annual roundup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/12/19/san-diego-public-library-most-read-books-2024" data-vars-content-id="65dad296-321e-484f-b41e-f6295ce97d17" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s favorite library books in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/12/19/san-diego-public-library-most-read-books-2024" target="_self">annual roundup</a> offers a glimpse into <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="our reading habits" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/16/heated-rivalry-craze-fills-san-diego-library-waitlists" data-vars-content-id="65dad296-321e-484f-b41e-f6295ce97d17" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s favorite library books in 2025" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/16/heated-rivalry-craze-fills-san-diego-library-waitlists" target="_self">our reading habits</a> — and inspiration for your list of must-reads or book club suggestions.

Oceanside Museum of Art plans to expand to a full city block

The expansion, opening in 2028, will add new galleries, an outdoor sculpture garden and a café.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Oceanside Museum of Art" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/02/06/oceanside-museum-teeny-tiny-art-mart-exhibit" data-vars-content-id="e7a315ba-0596-424e-89d0-8ba959a1a20b" data-vars-headline="Oceanside Museum of Art plans to expand to a full city block" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/02/06/oceanside-museum-teeny-tiny-art-mart-exhibit" target="_self">Oceanside Museum of Art</a> is growing its footprint to take over a full city block in the heart of downtown.Why it matters: The major expansion of OMA&#x27;s gallery space and collection will help secure its place as one of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego County&#x27;s premier art museums" data-vars-click-url="http://iego/2025/05/15/art-museum-prices-major-us-citiesiego/2025/05/15/art-museum-prices-major-us-cities" data-vars-content-id="e7a315ba-0596-424e-89d0-8ba959a1a20b" data-vars-headline="Oceanside Museum of Art plans to expand to a full city block" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="http://iego/2025/05/15/art-museum-prices-major-us-citiesiego/2025/05/15/art-museum-prices-major-us-cities" target="_blank">San Diego County&#x27;s premier art museums</a>.<ul><li>The renovation of this cultural hub will adapt and restore two historic local landmarks — the former City Hall, built in 1934, and Fire Station No. 1, built in 1929.</li></ul>

How San Diego dogfluencers make bank off the zoomies

Zoomies and talking buttons helped Sapphie the Pomsky go viral worldwide.

What started with a few videos about the &quot;queen of the zoomies&quot; ballooned into social media stardom for one <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego dog" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/09/san-diego-history-bum-dog-mascot-city-legend" data-vars-content-id="b11d8297-40a3-4364-9a86-369fc93034ef" data-vars-headline="How San Diego dogfluencers make bank off the zoomies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/09/san-diego-history-bum-dog-mascot-city-legend" target="_self">San Diego dog</a>.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sapphie the Pomsky" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/sapphie_the_pomsky/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="b11d8297-40a3-4364-9a86-369fc93034ef" data-vars-headline="How San Diego dogfluencers make bank off the zoomies" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/sapphie_the_pomsky/?hl=en" target="_blank">Sapphie the Pomsky</a>, with more than 9 million followers across Instagram and TikTok, is a local example of the rise of &quot;dogfluencers,&quot; adorbs fur babies filmed by their owners, who garner millions of fans and paw-some paydays.

What ChatGPT secretly thinks about San Diego

A new study looks at how AI models rank U.S. cities and reinforce stereotypes.

Researchers have found that large language models (LLMs), such as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ChatGPT" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/chatgpt-ads-testing-go-free" data-vars-content-id="fc721872-653b-4845-bd2d-1dc98a673468" data-vars-headline="What ChatGPT secretly thinks about San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/02/09/chatgpt-ads-testing-go-free" target="_self">ChatGPT</a>, are just as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="biased" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/13/study-chatgpt-bias-chicago-oxford-kentucky-llm-city-stereotypes-ranking" data-vars-content-id="fc721872-653b-4845-bd2d-1dc98a673468" data-vars-headline="What ChatGPT secretly thinks about San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/chicago/2026/02/13/study-chatgpt-bias-chicago-oxford-kentucky-llm-city-stereotypes-ranking" target="_self">biased</a> as the rest of the world, including in their perception of San Diego&#x27;s chill culture.The big picture: Internet scholars at University of Oxford and University of Kentucky <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recently compared" data-vars-click-url="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/29768624251408919" data-vars-content-id="fc721872-653b-4845-bd2d-1dc98a673468" data-vars-headline="What ChatGPT secretly thinks about San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/29768624251408919" target="_blank">recently compared</a> 91 U.S. cities with populations over 250,000 across a range of categories to gauge AI inequality and bias, including social and physical attributes, food quality, governance, politics and business climate.

So you think you can lion dance

Performers say it's harder to get kids interested in the ancient Lunar New Year art form.

Several groups across San Diego are striving to ensure traditional Chinese <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="lion dancing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/01/30/chinatown-welcomes-lunar-new-year" data-vars-content-id="0bba6093-02e7-4cd5-a3a5-abbae21e3eee" data-vars-headline="So you think you can lion dance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/01/30/chinatown-welcomes-lunar-new-year" target="_self">lion dancing</a> doesn&#x27;t become a lost art.Why it matters: Lion dancing is an essential part of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lunar New Year celebrations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/28/lunar-new-year-business-experiments" data-vars-content-id="0bba6093-02e7-4cd5-a3a5-abbae21e3eee" data-vars-headline="So you think you can lion dance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/28/lunar-new-year-business-experiments" target="_self">Lunar New Year celebrations</a>, but can also be part of weddings, business openings and other cultural events.

A table lists the 10 most popular California baby names in 2025 for boys and girls. Liam ranks first for boys, followed by Noah and Oliver. Olivia leads girlsâ names, followed by Mia and Sophia.

Culture

SDFC opens new court in Southeast

California's most popular baby names in 2025

San Diego veteran's film tackles PTSD with raw honesty

Hillcrest adds 112 Pride flags to neighborhood streets

San Diego library offers budget wedding option