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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>

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.

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.

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.

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.

AI, chickens and big wins for San Diego students

Students studied everything from visual attention software to lutein-rich egg yolks.

Local students were among the top winners at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California Science &amp; Engineering State Fair" data-vars-click-url="https://csef.usc.edu/" data-vars-content-id="af700ee6-95c9-4add-941e-f466e4ddbc03" data-vars-headline="AI, chickens and big wins for San Diego students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://csef.usc.edu/" target="_blank">California Science &amp; Engineering State Fair</a>.The big picture: When you hear what they did, you&#x27;ll either feel extremely hopeful or extremely dumb. Or maybe both.

San Diego job market falls short for recent college grads

ADP ranked it among the worst metros for young workers' hiring, pay and affordability.

San Diego is lagging when it comes to offering the best job opportunities for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="college graduates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/jobs-labor-college-gallup" data-vars-content-id="9f726c46-edf5-466f-ac8d-c178c638584c" data-vars-headline="San Diego job market falls short for recent college grads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/24/jobs-labor-college-gallup" target="_self">college graduates</a>, according to a new study.The big picture: Fast-growing Southern metros like Birmingham, Alabama, and Tampa Bay, Florida, top the list, based on payroll processor ADP&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" ranking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.adpresearch.com/2026-youve-graduated-now-what/" data-vars-content-id="9f726c46-edf5-466f-ac8d-c178c638584c" data-vars-headline="San Diego job market falls short for recent college grads" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.adpresearch.com/2026-youve-graduated-now-what/" target="_blank"> ranking</a> of 20-something hiring rates, wages and affordability.<ul><li>Portland, Oregon; San Diego; Riverside, California; and Salt Lake City, Utah, landed at the bottom of the rankings.</li></ul>

Free after-school care coming for all San Diego students

Most students can get free care for up to 9 hours a day — here's how and when to sign up.

San Diego will have free after-school care for every student who wants it next <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="school year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/17/san-diego-unified-free-summer-school-tk-6-primetime-2026" data-vars-content-id="838da5e7-740d-4395-8439-1b56f23b01fd" data-vars-headline="Free after-school care coming for all San Diego students" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/02/17/san-diego-unified-free-summer-school-tk-6-primetime-2026" target="_self">school year</a>.Why it matters: That&#x27;s a big relief for parents who often pay <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hundreds of dollars" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/03/18/san-diego-child-care-costs-infant-preschool-prices-ymca" data-vars-content-id="838da5e7-740d-4395-8439-1b56f23b01fd" data-vars-headline="Free after-school care coming for all San Diego students" 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-costs-infant-preschool-prices-ymca" target="_self">hundreds of dollars</a> for after-school care and struggle to secure spots for their children.

Top graduate schools in San Diego, per U.S. News

Multiple programs at UCSD and SDSU rose in this year's rankings.

San Diego universities rose in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 U.S. News best graduate schools rankings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools?src=usn_pr" data-vars-content-id="70f10ce6-b655-4a83-9a04-0f73c37cdfd1" data-vars-headline="Top graduate schools in San Diego, per U.S. News" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools?src=usn_pr" target="_blank">2026 U.S. News best graduate schools rankings</a> released Tuesday.Why it matters: Many students rely the annual list when evaluating their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="postgrad education" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/11/19/college-degree-earnings-san-diego" data-vars-content-id="70f10ce6-b655-4a83-9a04-0f73c37cdfd1" data-vars-headline="Top graduate schools in San Diego, per U.S. News" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/11/19/college-degree-earnings-san-diego" target="_self">postgrad education</a> plans.

AI is reshaping what and how college students study

SDSU researchers found mixed reviews of how students are using and thinking about the tech.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="California college students" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/11/19/college-degree-earnings-san-diego" data-vars-content-id="60037ff2-0776-475f-be49-9ffea8c4a2bd" data-vars-headline="AI is reshaping what and how college students study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/11/19/college-degree-earnings-san-diego" target="_self">California college students</a> vary when it comes to how they&#x27;re using and thinking about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" data-vars-content-id="60037ff2-0776-475f-be49-9ffea8c4a2bd" data-vars-headline="AI is reshaping what and how college students study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology/automation-and-ai" target="_self">AI</a> in their academics, personal lives and future careers, according to a massive new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego State University study" data-vars-click-url="https://www.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/technology/ai-empowered-csu/Pages/ai-survey.aspx" data-vars-content-id="60037ff2-0776-475f-be49-9ffea8c4a2bd" data-vars-headline="AI is reshaping what and how college students study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.calstate.edu/impact-of-the-csu/technology/ai-empowered-csu/Pages/ai-survey.aspx" target="_blank">San Diego State University study</a>.The big picture: College graduates are entering a job market that&#x27;s been rocked by a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="massive tech evolution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/09/jobs-early-career-college-artificial-intelligence" data-vars-content-id="60037ff2-0776-475f-be49-9ffea8c4a2bd" data-vars-headline="AI is reshaping what and how college students study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/09/jobs-early-career-college-artificial-intelligence" target="_self">massive tech evolution</a>, reshaping how students are preparing for the workforce and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="career prospects" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/26/ai-entry-level-jobs" data-vars-content-id="60037ff2-0776-475f-be49-9ffea8c4a2bd" data-vars-headline="AI is reshaping what and how college students study" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/26/ai-entry-level-jobs" target="_self">career prospects</a> for entry-level employees.

How San Diego is removing ties to César Chávez

Local leaders are considering new names for parks, streets and schools that honor Chávez.

Agencies across San Diego are working to ditch the name César Chávez.The big picture: After a New York Times investigation detailed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="multiple abuse allegations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/03/17/united-farm-workers-ufw-cesar-chavez-march-allegations" data-vars-content-id="86ebabe1-7169-4b4b-a564-127a2f6be8c2" data-vars-headline="How San Diego is removing ties to César Chávez" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2026/03/17/united-farm-workers-ufw-cesar-chavez-march-allegations" target="_self">multiple abuse allegations</a> against the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="late labor leader" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/18/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations-dolores-huerta" data-vars-content-id="86ebabe1-7169-4b4b-a564-127a2f6be8c2" data-vars-headline="How San Diego is removing ties to César Chávez" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/18/cesar-chavez-sexual-abuse-allegations-dolores-huerta" target="_self">late labor leader</a> last month, elected officials and leaders have been changing the names of parks, schools and the California holiday honoring Chávez.

More San Diego girls are playing flag football as pro league assembles

Local athletes could soon have a shot at going pro in an NFL-sponsored league.

Sports

The number of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high school girls&#x27; flag football teams" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/10/13/high-school-girls-flag-football" data-vars-content-id="5c92dcf4-9618-472a-8c81-332872d7a737" data-vars-headline="More San Diego girls are playing flag football as pro league assembles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/10/13/high-school-girls-flag-football" target="_self">high school girls&#x27; flag football teams</a> playing in San Diego has nearly doubled since 2023, when the varsity sport became official in California.<ul><li>And local girls could soon have a shot at going pro in an NFL-sponsored league.</li></ul>The big picture: Women are increasingly joining the typically male-dominated sport as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="leagues are expanding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/17/more-women-are-playing-football" data-vars-content-id="5c92dcf4-9618-472a-8c81-332872d7a737" data-vars-headline="More San Diego girls are playing flag football as pro league assembles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/kansas-city/2026/03/17/more-women-are-playing-football" target="_self">leagues are expanding</a> at the high school, collegiate and professional levels across the country.

How San Diego parents navigate soaring child care costs

From tax-free spending to help finding care, here's some guidance from parents and experts.

San Diego parents are spending thousands of dollars a month to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pay for child care" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/03/18/san-diego-child-care-costs-map-zip-code-infant-preschool-rates-ymca?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_sandiego&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="f558f57d-bbeb-47cb-b628-8854d7725740" data-vars-headline="How San Diego parents navigate soaring child care costs" 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-costs-map-zip-code-infant-preschool-rates-ymca?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_sandiego&amp;stream=top" target="_self">pay for child care</a> — if they can even <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="find it" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/03/18/san-diego-child-care-deserts-two-thirds-families-ymca-map?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_sandiego&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="f558f57d-bbeb-47cb-b628-8854d7725740" data-vars-headline="How San Diego parents navigate soaring child care costs" 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?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_sandiego&amp;stream=top" target="_self">find it</a>.We asked readers and experts for tips on how to manage the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/03/18/san-diego-child-care-costs-infant-preschool-prices-ymca?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_sandiego&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="f558f57d-bbeb-47cb-b628-8854d7725740" data-vars-headline="How San Diego parents navigate soaring child care costs" 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-costs-infant-preschool-prices-ymca?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_sandiego&amp;stream=top" target="_self">rising costs</a>, and they offered some helpful guidance beyond applying for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="financial support" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/03/18/san-diego-child-care-subsidy-waitlist-7000-families-ymca?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_sandiego&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="f558f57d-bbeb-47cb-b628-8854d7725740" data-vars-headline="How San Diego parents navigate soaring child care costs" 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-subsidy-waitlist-7000-families-ymca?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_sandiego&amp;stream=top" target="_self">financial support</a>.

Education 📚

San Diego kid competes in 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee

From prison to USD master's graduate

AI, chickens and big wins for San Diego students

San Diego job market falls short for recent college grads

Free after-school care coming for all San Diego students