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San Diego County's District 5 supervisor seat could flip blue

Rebecca Jones and Kyle Krahel offer different plans for housing, homelessness and county government.

Election

One of the biggest local races next month is for San Diego County Board of Supervisors District 5, which could flip the district from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="red to blue" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/04/21/san-diego-county-supervisor-race-district-1-runoff-2025" data-vars-content-id="d1c2b42b-acb5-415b-a653-ef9f05d27911" data-vars-headline="San Diego County&#x27;s District 5 supervisor seat could flip blue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/04/21/san-diego-county-supervisor-race-district-1-runoff-2025" target="_self">red to blue</a>.The big picture: North County voters will choose between San Marcos Mayor <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Rebecca Jones" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jonesforsupervisor.org/" data-vars-content-id="d1c2b42b-acb5-415b-a653-ef9f05d27911" data-vars-headline="San Diego County&#x27;s District 5 supervisor seat could flip blue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jonesforsupervisor.org/" target="_blank">Rebecca Jones</a>, a Republican, and small business owner <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kyle Krahel" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kylekrahel.com/" data-vars-content-id="d1c2b42b-acb5-415b-a653-ef9f05d27911" data-vars-headline="San Diego County&#x27;s District 5 supervisor seat could flip blue" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kylekrahel.com/" target="_blank">Kyle Krahel</a>, a Democrat.

Poppy Bakeshop brings sweet treats to Liberty Station

A former Wayfarer manager is serving fruity pastries, savory bialys and more.

Food and Drink

Goodbye to long weekend lines, cutthroat parking, and steep prices. Hello to moist baked goods, generous cookies, and savory bialys.The big (tasty) picture: Poppy Bakeshop is open for business inside Moniker General at Liberty Station, and, boy, does this sweet and salty pop-up deliver.

San Diego's relentless heat wave keeps breaking records

Cooler weather is expected Friday, with a chance of rain Sunday after a string of scorching days.

Environment

It hasn&#x27;t been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this hot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/08/24/san-diego-weather-heat-advisory-110-115-forecast" data-vars-content-id="ef2e7b21-8390-45f6-b2fb-64373ab87884" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s relentless heat wave keeps breaking records" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/08/24/san-diego-weather-heat-advisory-110-115-forecast" target="_self">this hot</a> for this long in San Diego in almost 100 years.The big picture: The airport just recorded six straight days with temperatures of at least 90 degrees. If it gets that hot again Thursday (which is possible), it would break <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="1939&#x27;s record" data-vars-click-url="https://todaysrecordhigh.com/stations/san-diego-ca?rangeEnd=09-16&amp;rangeStart=09-01&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com" data-vars-content-id="ef2e7b21-8390-45f6-b2fb-64373ab87884" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s relentless heat wave keeps breaking records" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://todaysrecordhigh.com/stations/san-diego-ca?rangeEnd=09-16&amp;rangeStart=09-01&amp;utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">1939&#x27;s record</a> for the most consecutive days at or above 90°.

San Diego's starter home prices fall as pricier homes rise

The report defines "starter" homes as those under $1 million, still beyond reach for many buyers.

Real Estate

Prices for San Diego&#x27;s so-called &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="starter homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/23/starter-home-prices-million-dollar-cities-zillow" data-vars-content-id="0f1bbe21-f9ce-46a5-acdf-6555e14b4db3" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s starter home prices fall as pricier homes rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/23/starter-home-prices-million-dollar-cities-zillow" target="_self">starter homes</a>&quot; are falling, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="First American Data &amp; Analytics Home Price Index" data-vars-click-url="https://dna.firstam.com/insights-center/home-price-index-hpi-reports" data-vars-content-id="0f1bbe21-f9ce-46a5-acdf-6555e14b4db3" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s starter home prices fall as pricier homes rise" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://dna.firstam.com/insights-center/home-price-index-hpi-reports" target="_blank">First American Data &amp; Analytics Home Price Index</a>. But it&#x27;s not all good news.The big picture: That drop is due to higher mortgage rates impacting lower-budget buyers hardest, experts told Axios.

5 years, 5 book challenges at San Diego libraries

Two books moved out of children's collections; a third was removed after years without a checkout.

Education

San Diego&#x27;s libraries received five official book challenges in the last five years and made some changes as a result.Why it matters: No books were banned outright, making San Diego and the rest of California an outlier from other parts of the country.

San Diego's new dog poop rules are already closing fields

Two pilot schools have already triggered temporary closures under the city's new three-tier system.

Neighborhoods

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new plan" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/11/05/off-leash-dogs-school-fields-san-diego" data-vars-content-id="79eebe52-65af-4dcc-bf9e-e7b4583efc00" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s new dog poop rules are already closing fields" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/11/05/off-leash-dogs-school-fields-san-diego" target="_self">new plan</a> to let dog owners police themselves at school fields is still a bit….ruff.The big picture: The plan&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="honor system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/28/san-diego-school-fields-off-leash-dogs-plan-delayed-humane-society-calls-get-it-done-app" data-vars-content-id="79eebe52-65af-4dcc-bf9e-e7b4583efc00" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s new dog poop rules are already closing fields" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/28/san-diego-school-fields-off-leash-dogs-plan-delayed-humane-society-calls-get-it-done-app" target="_self">honor system</a> (put in place after the city cut Humane Society enforcement) is meant to allow pooches to run free while kids enjoy clean fields during the school day.<ul><li>But already, owners aren&#x27;t picking up their dog poop, and it&#x27;s leading to field closures.</li></ul>

Despite school ban, San Diego students keep trying YouTube 

San Diego Unified restricted streaming sites on student Chromebooks this year.

San Diego Unified students don&#x27;t seem to be taking the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new ban on YouTube" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/08/05/san-diego-schools-chromebooks-tk-digital-limits" data-vars-content-id="8bb9f0b6-8e05-4d06-aedd-d73366edd78e" data-vars-headline="Despite school ban, San Diego students keep trying YouTube " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/08/05/san-diego-schools-chromebooks-tk-digital-limits" target="_self">new ban on YouTube</a> lying down.The big picture: YouTube and other streaming websites were <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="blocked" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/24/san-diego-unified-youtube-gaming-ai-restrictions-student-devices" data-vars-content-id="8bb9f0b6-8e05-4d06-aedd-d73366edd78e" data-vars-headline="Despite school ban, San Diego students keep trying YouTube " data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/24/san-diego-unified-youtube-gaming-ai-restrictions-student-devices" target="_self">blocked</a> from students&#x27; school Chromebooks when school started two weeks ago. But that didn&#x27;t stop students from trying to get their streaming fix.

New San Diego tool helps families find child care

Families can search thousands of providers, get matched with care and seek financial assistance.

There&#x27;s a new website to help families search for and connect with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="child care providers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/03/18/san-diego-child-care-deserts-two-thirds-families-ymca-map" data-vars-content-id="4f464d47-a8fa-420f-809c-945a7eec5ca1" data-vars-headline="New San Diego tool helps families find child care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/03/18/san-diego-child-care-deserts-two-thirds-families-ymca-map" target="_self">child care providers</a>.The big picture: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Childcare San Diego" data-vars-click-url="https://app.mycareconnect.io/carewait3/sdhub/service" data-vars-content-id="4f464d47-a8fa-420f-809c-945a7eec5ca1" data-vars-headline="New San Diego tool helps families find child care" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://app.mycareconnect.io/carewait3/sdhub/service" target="_blank">Childcare San Diego</a> can help families find providers that meet their needs, or fill out a form to be matched with providers and apply for financial assistance.<ul><li>It&#x27;s run by the YMCA Childcare Resource Service, which is the state-appointed child care resource center for San Diego County.</li></ul>

San Diego students will return to fewer screens in class

Students will lose access to streaming and gaming sites as the district weighs broader limits this year.

When San Diego students go back to school on Monday, their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="laptops and classrooms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/24/san-diego-unified-youtube-gaming-ai-restrictions-student-devices" data-vars-content-id="eb4bbb0f-4234-42e9-9f39-cea8897c567a" data-vars-headline="San Diego students will return to fewer screens in class" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/24/san-diego-unified-youtube-gaming-ai-restrictions-student-devices" target="_self">laptops and classrooms</a> will look a little different.Why it matters: San Diego Unified is trying to move away from too much screen time in the classroom and is starting with a few low-hanging changes, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bigger changes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiegounified.org/about/learnercenteredtechnology" data-vars-content-id="eb4bbb0f-4234-42e9-9f39-cea8897c567a" data-vars-headline="San Diego students will return to fewer screens in class" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiegounified.org/about/learnercenteredtechnology" target="_blank">bigger changes</a> coming later this year, district Board of Education trustee Shana Hazan told Axios.

Sara Jacobs puts free child care atop Democrats' agenda

San Diego families with two young kids spend about 40% of their income on care, one study found.

Politics

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs has big plans this fall: help Democrats take back the House, then pass universal free child care.Why it matters: Democrats need an ambitious plan and big ideas to resonate with voters, and child care should be at the top of that list, Jacobs told Axios.

Lawsuit challenges i-Ready's student data practices

It claims student data was collected and shared without consent.

Personal data about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="students in San Diego Unified" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/16/some-san-diego-parents-are-pushing-schools-to-further-limit-screens" data-vars-content-id="0877a838-b7a7-4d12-b762-73dc0389c1c5" data-vars-headline="Lawsuit challenges i-Ready&#x27;s student data practices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/16/some-san-diego-parents-are-pushing-schools-to-further-limit-screens" target="_self">students in San Diego Unified</a> has been collected and shared without the students&#x27; or their parents&#x27; consent, a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="class action lawsuit" data-vars-click-url="https://edtech.law/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Curriculum-Assoc-Complaint.pdf" data-vars-content-id="0877a838-b7a7-4d12-b762-73dc0389c1c5" data-vars-headline="Lawsuit challenges i-Ready&#x27;s student data practices" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://edtech.law/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Curriculum-Assoc-Complaint.pdf" target="_blank">class action lawsuit</a> alleges.Why it matters: The suit, filed in December, alleges that the online learning and testing program i-Ready collects a variety of student data without parental consent and then shares it with at least one outside data broker.<ul><li>San Diego Unified has more than 112,000 students, and every family whose students used i-Ready could be part of the lawsuit.</li></ul>

San Diego reining in school technology

The district is rolling out new Chromebook restrictions and limits on approved AI tools.

When school starts in August, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="classroom use of technology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/16/some-san-diego-parents-are-pushing-schools-to-further-limit-screens" data-vars-content-id="76b701b4-f180-4e1e-840f-ec841f57658f" data-vars-headline="San Diego reining in school technology" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/06/16/some-san-diego-parents-are-pushing-schools-to-further-limit-screens" target="_self">classroom use of technology</a> will look a little different.The big picture: The San Diego Unified school board voted Tuesday on a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="suite of new" data-vars-click-url="https://sandiegounified.community.diligentoneplatform.com/document/e35090cd-69fd-4391-87c6-123fdfab80ec/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_sandiego&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="76b701b4-f180-4e1e-840f-ec841f57658f" data-vars-headline="San Diego reining in school technology" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://sandiegounified.community.diligentoneplatform.com/document/e35090cd-69fd-4391-87c6-123fdfab80ec/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_sandiego&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">suite of new</a> technology restrictions.

Despite San Diego school phone ban, students still find a way

Some educators say uneven enforcement is slowing progress despite stricter state rules.

One year in, reviews of whether San Diego <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="schools&#x27; cell phone bans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/05/27/san-diego-unified-phone-restrictions-schools" data-vars-content-id="c6b07ce3-93a3-4d2e-ac14-7e891c49f639" data-vars-headline="Despite San Diego school phone ban, students still find a way" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/05/27/san-diego-unified-phone-restrictions-schools" target="_self">schools&#x27; cell phone bans</a> have worked remain mixed.Why it matters: A <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new state law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/09/23/governor-newsom-signs-legislation-to-limit-the-use-of-smartphones-during-school-hours/" data-vars-content-id="c6b07ce3-93a3-4d2e-ac14-7e891c49f639" data-vars-headline="Despite San Diego school phone ban, students still find a way" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.gov.ca.gov/2024/09/23/governor-newsom-signs-legislation-to-limit-the-use-of-smartphones-during-school-hours/" target="_blank">new state law</a> requires school districts to restrict student smartphone use to rein in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="addiction and anxiety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/05/schools-ban-phones-social-media-desantis-newsom" data-vars-content-id="c6b07ce3-93a3-4d2e-ac14-7e891c49f639" data-vars-headline="Despite San Diego school phone ban, students still find a way" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/05/schools-ban-phones-social-media-desantis-newsom" target="_self">addiction and anxiety</a> that can come with such devices.<ul><li>But teachers and students told Axios that phones are still a common sight in the classroom.</li></ul>

San Diego kid competes in 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee

The eighth-grader at Maranatha Christian School is one of 247 spellers vying to win $50,000.

News

San Diego has a local kid to cheer on in the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee. The big picture: 14-year-old Benjamin Reinhard is one of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="247 spellers" data-vars-click-url="https://spellingbee.com/index.php/meet-the-spellers" data-vars-content-id="7c664303-325e-4197-8df6-f83316bf9f73" data-vars-headline="San Diego kid competes in 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://spellingbee.com/index.php/meet-the-spellers" target="_blank">247 spellers</a> competing in this year&#x27;s nationwide competition that starts Tuesday.

Education 📚

5 years, 5 book challenges at San Diego libraries

San Diego's new dog poop rules are already closing fields

Despite school ban, San Diego students keep trying YouTube

New San Diego tool helps families find child care

San Diego students will return to fewer screens in class