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San Diego Navy families strain under Lincoln's long deployment

With no return date set, spouses say uncertainty, shortages and exhaustion are taking a toll at home.

Politics

As the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nears" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/trump-uss-abraham-lincoln-deployment-middle-east" data-vars-content-id="e5c989cc-9970-4b42-954e-02838dbbb645" data-vars-headline="San Diego Navy families strain under Lincoln&#x27;s long deployment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/08/14/trump-uss-abraham-lincoln-deployment-middle-east" target="_self">nears</a> nine months of deployment, including an unprecedented stretch at sea, the weight of it all keeps getting heavier for sailor families here.The big picture: The deployment’s blistering length has included a record-setting 240-plus days at sea without a normal port call, leaving the 5,000-plus sailors run ragged and lacking adequate food and supplies at times, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multiple" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thetimes.com/us/american-politics/article/uss-abraham-lincoln-navy-sailors-jumping-overboard-conditions-2237h2gl0" data-vars-content-id="e5c989cc-9970-4b42-954e-02838dbbb645" data-vars-headline="San Diego Navy families strain under Lincoln&#x27;s long deployment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thetimes.com/us/american-politics/article/uss-abraham-lincoln-navy-sailors-jumping-overboard-conditions-2237h2gl0" target="_blank">multiple</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="news" data-vars-click-url="https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2026-08-13/uss-george-washington-middle-east-abraham-lincoln-22541038.html" data-vars-content-id="e5c989cc-9970-4b42-954e-02838dbbb645" data-vars-headline="San Diego Navy families strain under Lincoln&#x27;s long deployment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2026-08-13/uss-george-washington-middle-east-abraham-lincoln-22541038.html" target="_blank">news</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outlets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/08/11/multiple-uss-abraham-lincoln-sailors-have-tried-to-go-overboard-amid-extended-deployment-families-say/" data-vars-content-id="e5c989cc-9970-4b42-954e-02838dbbb645" data-vars-headline="San Diego Navy families strain under Lincoln&#x27;s long deployment" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2026/08/11/multiple-uss-abraham-lincoln-sailors-have-tried-to-go-overboard-amid-extended-deployment-families-say/" target="_blank">outlets</a>.

Flock backlash grows as San Diego keeps its cameras

Local critics have failed to halt the cameras, but a broader privacy backlash could revive the fight.

Public Safety

Local activists and some elected officials have <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tried and failed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/10/san-diego-police-flock-license-plate-surveillance-cameras" data-vars-content-id="c06cf897-c884-4afc-8e60-a61932717991" data-vars-headline="Flock backlash grows as San Diego keeps its cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/10/san-diego-police-flock-license-plate-surveillance-cameras" target="_self">tried and failed</a> to get rid of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock cameras" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" data-vars-content-id="c06cf897-c884-4afc-8e60-a61932717991" data-vars-headline="Flock backlash grows as San Diego keeps its cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" target="_self">Flock cameras</a> across the county, and now pushback against the license plate readers is spreading nationwide.Why it matters: The movement against cameras made by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Flock and similar companies" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" data-vars-content-id="c06cf897-c884-4afc-8e60-a61932717991" data-vars-headline="Flock backlash grows as San Diego keeps its cameras" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/douglas/2026/08/04/flock-ceo-douglas-county-sheriff-regret-axon-data" target="_self">Flock and similar companies</a>, fueled by concerns over privacy and police misuse, could bring new attention to local efforts to stop their use.

What months at sea do to San Diego sailors and their ships

Life at sea brings long separations, fewer comforts and mounting maintenance needs.

News

Those Navy ships you see coming in and out of San Diego Bay are often full of sailors who have either just endured the endless exhaustion of a deployment or are on their way to one.Why it matters: Deployments cause stress not only for the men and women onboard, but for their ships, too, raising questions of how much sailors and the gray hulls they serve on can sustain.

Why San Diego has so many mosquitoes this summer

Hot, humid weather and high tides are helping mosquitoes multiply across parts of the county.

Health

It&#x27;s not just you — there are likely more mosquitoes biting this summer.The big picture: The hot and humid weather led to a mosquito boom, plus high tides created more marsh space for the buggers to breed, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to Fox 5" data-vars-click-url="https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/san-diego-mosquito-surge-vector-control/" data-vars-content-id="578e7140-6faf-4e8a-8f7e-1c188d0ac94e" data-vars-headline="Why San Diego has so many mosquitoes this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/san-diego-mosquito-surge-vector-control/" target="_blank">according to Fox 5</a>.

San Diego studies adding housing to 7 city library sites

The city is studying whether affordable homes could be incorporated into seven library properties.

Development

Add to the list of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="buildings that could become" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/28/old-town-perrys-cafe-housing-midway-rising" data-vars-content-id="a27c579d-c90c-4182-bfa3-68b85f00ca25" data-vars-headline="San Diego studies adding housing to 7 city library sites" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/28/old-town-perrys-cafe-housing-midway-rising" target="_self">buildings that could become</a> housing: city libraries.The big picture: San Diego is weighing building housing on 11 publicly owned sites, including seven libraries.

San Diego Topgolf plan faces environmental concerns

The Port is weighing a smaller venue or a 20-acre park as alternatives to the three-story project.

The proposed Topgolf on East Harbor Island could have serious <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="environmental impacts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/02/california-ceqa-environment-housing-development" data-vars-content-id="b2e0d2ed-e8fc-4599-a860-ab8c917b1a48" data-vars-headline="San Diego Topgolf plan faces environmental concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/02/california-ceqa-environment-housing-development" target="_self">environmental impacts</a> from increased driving, light pollution and nets that could ensnare birds, according to a new report.The big picture: The golf entertainment complex is part of the Port of San Diego&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plan to redevelop" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/port-of-san-diego-seeking-public-comment-on-harbor-island-redevelopment/509-a7fad502-b699-48ad-9e7a-7f78d5e851a9" data-vars-content-id="b2e0d2ed-e8fc-4599-a860-ab8c917b1a48" data-vars-headline="San Diego Topgolf plan faces environmental concerns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/port-of-san-diego-seeking-public-comment-on-harbor-island-redevelopment/509-a7fad502-b699-48ad-9e7a-7f78d5e851a9" target="_blank">plan to redevelop</a> an industrial area across from the airport, but first it must go through an environmental review.

Perry's Cafe conversion will bring 223 apartments to Old Town

The former diner will become a leasing office as San Diego adds housing without a full teardown.

The project to convert <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Perry&#x27;s Cafe in Old Town" data-vars-click-url="https://builtbyzephyr.com/project/perrys-cafe/" data-vars-content-id="3d2002d5-843d-4198-9d54-f556e19b4dc3" data-vars-headline="Perry&#x27;s Cafe conversion will bring 223 apartments to Old Town" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://builtbyzephyr.com/project/perrys-cafe/" target="_blank">Perry&#x27;s Cafe in Old Town</a> into apartments is in full swing and should be done in early 2028, the developers told Axios.The big picture: This is just one example across the San Diego region of old buildings being converted into apartments to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bolster housing supply" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/04/san-diego-boomers-empty-nesters-family-size-homes-millennials-redfin" data-vars-content-id="3d2002d5-843d-4198-9d54-f556e19b4dc3" data-vars-headline="Perry&#x27;s Cafe conversion will bring 223 apartments to Old Town" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/04/san-diego-boomers-empty-nesters-family-size-homes-millennials-redfin" target="_self">bolster housing supply</a>.

How the mobile home law change will impact San Diego

Manufactured houses, or mobile homes, no longer must have a permanent chassis.

Real Estate

Housing advocates across the country are heralding <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a change to requirements for mobile home construction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/housing-manufactured-congress-law" data-vars-content-id="f39c8dfe-df5c-4b5a-9485-a0b6cb1ff15b" data-vars-headline="How the mobile home law change will impact San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/07/16/housing-manufactured-congress-law" target="_self">a change to requirements for mobile home construction</a> that could increase housing supply, but it likely won&#x27;t help San Diego&#x27;s stubborn housing problems much.Why it matters: Manufactured houses, or mobile homes, will become cheaper to make because the new law no longer requires the homes&#x27; steel under-frame used to transport them to remain attached<ul><li>That could help bring more affordable starter houses onto the market.</li></ul>

Construction ramps up across Mission Bay

From new amenities to major overhauls, multiple projects are underway across the popular park.

Construction is everywhere around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mission Bay" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/09/mission-bay-cleanup-san-diego-volunteers-trash-collected-iloveacleansd-cox-event" data-vars-content-id="3d57fc2c-5d38-4459-8000-629c8179a3e6" data-vars-headline="Construction ramps up across Mission Bay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/09/mission-bay-cleanup-san-diego-volunteers-trash-collected-iloveacleansd-cox-event" target="_self">Mission Bay</a> as multiple projects and updates are in the works.Why it matters: The park is one of the city&#x27;s biggest attractions and has its own source of funds, so it&#x27;s easier to pay for upgrades, even as the city faces budget issues, according to city officials.

The push to make Chula Vista the next Hollywood

Producer Aaron Roberts says the space could grow into a major film and TV hub.

Aaron Roberts said he&#x27;s well on his way to creating a 90,000-square-foot studio space in Chula Vista that could one day also become a sound stage for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="movies and TV shows" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/23/oscar-nominees-which-movies-to-watch-streaming" data-vars-content-id="aa952300-6232-4c1f-8cdd-bd8325f176aa" data-vars-headline="The push to make Chula Vista the next Hollywood" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/01/23/oscar-nominees-which-movies-to-watch-streaming" target="_self">movies and TV shows</a>.Why it matters: The Chula Vista Entertainment Center would create space for photographers, podcasters and digital creatives to work, and ultimately bring movie and TV filming to Chula Vista, Roberts told Axios.

What's next for Midway Rising

City leaders say the $3.9B Sports Arena redevelopment is still moving ahead despite a court loss.

Developers and city leaders aren&#x27;t giving up on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Midway Rising project" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/09/25/san-diego-midway-rising-development-plan-vote" data-vars-content-id="35dc3dfb-d077-41df-a3e5-bf1476e48755" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for Midway Rising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/09/25/san-diego-midway-rising-development-plan-vote" target="_self">Midway Rising project</a> despite a recent <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California Supreme Court ruling" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kpbs.org/news/quality-of-life/2026/01/06/midway-district-height-limit-will-remain-in-place-after-california-supreme-court-denies-city-appeal" data-vars-content-id="35dc3dfb-d077-41df-a3e5-bf1476e48755" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for Midway Rising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kpbs.org/news/quality-of-life/2026/01/06/midway-district-height-limit-will-remain-in-place-after-california-supreme-court-denies-city-appeal" target="_blank">California Supreme Court ruling</a>.Why it matters: The city has been trying for years to get clearance for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the $3.9 billion project" data-vars-click-url="https://sandiegomagazine.com/features/midway-rising-redevelopment-project-san-diego/" data-vars-content-id="35dc3dfb-d077-41df-a3e5-bf1476e48755" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s next for Midway Rising" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sandiegomagazine.com/features/midway-rising-redevelopment-project-san-diego/" target="_blank">the $3.9 billion project</a> to move ahead, potentially remaking Sports Arena into a mixed-use development with thousands of apartments, shops, parks and a stadium.

San Diego's new apartment construction can't keep up

San Diego's housing growth slowed this year, trailing other U.S. cities even after a major surge.

San Diego is trailing other major U.S. cities in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new apartment construction" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/21/new-apartment-construction-rent" data-vars-content-id="f27c476c-cfbc-431c-8698-64e620ae68ed" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s new apartment construction can&#x27;t keep up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/21/new-apartment-construction-rent" target="_self">new apartment construction</a> this year, even after a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surge in housing production" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/05/08/affordable-housing-construction-development-boom-future-drop-off" data-vars-content-id="f27c476c-cfbc-431c-8698-64e620ae68ed" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s new apartment construction can&#x27;t keep up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/05/08/affordable-housing-construction-development-boom-future-drop-off" target="_self">surge in housing production</a>.Why it matters: More <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/05/16/salary-needed-buying-home-renting-san-diego" data-vars-content-id="f27c476c-cfbc-431c-8698-64e620ae68ed" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s new apartment construction can&#x27;t keep up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/05/16/salary-needed-buying-home-renting-san-diego" target="_self">housing</a> can drive down the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cost of living" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/01/28/apartment-rent-square-footage-metro-area" data-vars-content-id="f27c476c-cfbc-431c-8698-64e620ae68ed" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s new apartment construction can&#x27;t keep up" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/01/28/apartment-rent-square-footage-metro-area" target="_self">cost of living</a> in the city.

San Diego's Midway Rising faces major vote

The plans for the entertainment district include a new sports arena and high-rise apartments.

The Midway Rising project could reach a major milestone today that would move forward grand <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="plans to redevelop" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/03/21/san-diego-midway-rising-redevelopment-eifd" data-vars-content-id="10b59183-fd6c-4391-9f4d-df66752d410b" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s Midway Rising faces major vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/03/21/san-diego-midway-rising-redevelopment-eifd" target="_self">plans to redevelop</a> the Sports Arena area.Why it matters: The $3.9 billion project seeks to transform the 49-acre site into a walkable residential, retail and entertainment district with thousands of new apartments, shops, parks and a new arena.

New roadway into SAN opens to ease congestion

The first phase of the new Terminal 1 is slated to open in September.

San Diego International Airport is opening a new, dedicated road to both terminals Friday, shifting airport traffic off of Harbor Drive.Why it matters: The three-lane road on airport property is expected to divert 45,000 vehicles per day, at least initially clearing up congestion for both airport trips and local traffic.

Development 🏗️

San Diego studies adding housing to 7 city library sites

San Diego Topgolf plan faces environmental concerns

Perry's Cafe conversion will bring 223 apartments to Old Town

How the mobile home law change will impact San Diego

Construction ramps up across Mission Bay