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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.

Venomous sea snakes could wash up in San Diego

A rare Orange County sighting raises questions about whether the snakes could appear farther south.

Sure, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sharks are nothing to be scared of" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/09/17/why-san-diegos-growing-shark-population-neednt-scare-us" data-vars-content-id="52b9cdfc-00c4-433a-b8e0-97325883fac6" data-vars-headline="Venomous sea snakes could wash up 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/2026/09/17/why-san-diegos-growing-shark-population-neednt-scare-us" target="_self">sharks are nothing to be scared of</a> according to researchers, but what about venomous sea snakes?The big picture: A yellow-bellied sea snake washed up on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="an Orange County beach" data-vars-click-url="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-09-17/rare-venomous-sea-snake-washes-up-on-socal-beach" data-vars-content-id="52b9cdfc-00c4-433a-b8e0-97325883fac6" data-vars-headline="Venomous sea snakes could wash up in San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-09-17/rare-venomous-sea-snake-washes-up-on-socal-beach" target="_blank">an Orange County beach</a> this summer, and it&#x27;s possible they could come to San Diego, but also unlikely, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Harshita Vallabhaneni" data-vars-click-url="https://clarklab.sdsu.edu/lab-members.html" data-vars-content-id="52b9cdfc-00c4-433a-b8e0-97325883fac6" data-vars-headline="Venomous sea snakes could wash up in San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://clarklab.sdsu.edu/lab-members.html" target="_blank">Harshita Vallabhaneni</a>, a snake researcher at SDSU told Axios.

Torrey Pines closes most trails again for six months

Trails, the Lodge and upper parking lots are closed, while the beach and beach parking remain open.

Starting Tuesday, Torrey Pines will be largely closed again for the next six months.The big picture: This is the second phase of construction that is meant to upgrade utilities, replace an old restroom building and improve accessibility, according to a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="news release" data-vars-click-url="https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1578" data-vars-content-id="8cbefe23-f8b7-4aea-b639-00ac5229fdb1" data-vars-headline="Torrey Pines closes most trails again for six months" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.parks.ca.gov/NewsRelease/1578" target="_blank">news release</a> from California State Parks.

Why San Diego's growing shark population needn't scare us

CSU Long Beach researchers say movies and media can greatly exaggerate the risk sharks pose to people.

Shark populations are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="surging along San Diego&#x27;s coast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/20/san-diego-warmer-ocean-sharks-great-white-hammerhead-bull-tiger-summermore-sharks-could-be-headed-to-san-diego-this-summer" data-vars-content-id="f5955eef-f493-45fe-a295-51f4420aaeb9" data-vars-headline="Why San Diego&#x27;s growing shark population needn&#x27;t scare us" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/20/san-diego-warmer-ocean-sharks-great-white-hammerhead-bull-tiger-summermore-sharks-could-be-headed-to-san-diego-this-summer" target="_self">surging along San Diego&#x27;s coast</a>, but that shouldn&#x27;t scare us, according to new research.Why it matters: CSU Long Beach researchers are studying whether fear of sharks is innate or learned and whether <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reducing sharks&#x27; bad rap" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/08/swim-snorkel-leopard-sharks-la-jolla-summer-fall-guided-tour" data-vars-content-id="f5955eef-f493-45fe-a295-51f4420aaeb9" data-vars-headline="Why San Diego&#x27;s growing shark population needn&#x27;t scare us" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/08/swim-snorkel-leopard-sharks-la-jolla-summer-fall-guided-tour" target="_self">reducing sharks&#x27; bad rap</a> could make it easier to protect them.

Two new gorillas join San Diego Zoo and Safari Park

Two new gorillas are joining the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park troops.The big picture: Kitoko (ki-TOE-koh), a 6-year-old western lowland gorilla, recently joined the zoo&#x27;s bachelor troop. He moved here from Seattle&#x27;s Woodland Park Zoo.

Has it been this hot before in San Diego?

The airport hit 90°F or hotter four days straight, matching the longest such streak of the past decade.

From across the city, you can hear the cries: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Why is it so 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="35debafd-beac-4665-8fe1-6736691602bf" data-vars-headline="Has it been this hot before 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/2026/08/24/san-diego-weather-heat-advisory-110-115-forecast" target="_self">Why is it so hot?!!!</a>&quot;The big picture: Yes, it&#x27;s unusually hot. But it has been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="this hot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/29/san-diego-beach-safety-hurricane-genevieve-waves-weekend" data-vars-content-id="35debafd-beac-4665-8fe1-6736691602bf" data-vars-headline="Has it been this hot before 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/2026/07/29/san-diego-beach-safety-hurricane-genevieve-waves-weekend" target="_self">this hot</a> before.

Trump's Roadless Rule plan could reshape San Diego trails

The proposal could open protected parts of Cleveland National Forest to new roads and more logging.

News

The Trump administration has moved closer to eliminating the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Roadless Rule" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" data-vars-content-id="88611756-335f-4a0f-833b-639a2c67805a" data-vars-headline="Trump&#x27;s Roadless Rule plan could reshape San Diego trails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/05/trump-roadless-rule-utah-wildfires-logging-national-forests" target="_self">Roadless Rule</a> in national forests, potentially opening popular hiking areas around San Diego to development.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="decades-old federal policy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" data-vars-content-id="88611756-335f-4a0f-833b-639a2c67805a" data-vars-headline="Trump&#x27;s Roadless Rule plan could reshape San Diego trails" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/planning/roadless" target="_blank">decades-old federal policy</a> has protected millions of acres of wilderness from new roads and logging — to the delight of conservationists and the ire of the timber industry.

How San Diego can prepare for El Niño flooding this winter

City officials are urging residents to clear drains, watch forecasts, and build an emergency kit.

Public Safety

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="El Niño" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/20/san-diego-warmer-ocean-sharks-great-white-hammerhead-bull-tiger-summermore-sharks-could-be-headed-to-san-diego-this-summer" data-vars-content-id="d24aa131-e306-4a5a-9325-549230a4deb0" data-vars-headline="How San Diego can prepare for El Niño flooding this winter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/07/20/san-diego-warmer-ocean-sharks-great-white-hammerhead-bull-tiger-summermore-sharks-could-be-headed-to-san-diego-this-summer" target="_self">El Niño</a> is coming, bringing warmer and wetter weather, and the city of San Diego is asking us to prepare.The big picture: Warmer water from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="El Niño" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/26/super-el-nino-cooler-wetter-winter" data-vars-content-id="d24aa131-e306-4a5a-9325-549230a4deb0" data-vars-headline="How San Diego can prepare for El Niño flooding this winter" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/06/26/super-el-nino-cooler-wetter-winter" target="_self">El Niño</a> changes our weather patterns and could lead to higher temperatures, more rain and coastal flooding.

San Diego braces for dangerous heat through Friday

Temperatures could hit 110 in Ramona and 115 in Borrego Springs as dangerous heat builds this week.

It&#x27;s about to get even hotter.The big picture: There&#x27;s a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat advisory" data-vars-click-url="https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=sgx&amp;wwa=all" data-vars-content-id="dbfb8780-a841-468b-8196-6417710b4ce2" data-vars-headline="San Diego braces for dangerous heat through Friday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=sgx&amp;wwa=all" target="_blank">heat advisory</a> from 10 am Tuesday to 8 pm Friday along the coast and an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extreme heat warning" data-vars-click-url="https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=sgx&amp;wwa=all" data-vars-content-id="dbfb8780-a841-468b-8196-6417710b4ce2" data-vars-headline="San Diego braces for dangerous heat through Friday" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=sgx&amp;wwa=all" target="_blank">extreme heat warning</a> in the valleys, including San Marcos, La Mesa, El Cajon, Santee, Poway and Escondido.

Meet San Diego's volunteers who wrangle snakes for free

The Snake Wranglers answer thousands of calls a year and relocate snakes rather than kill them.

Snake wrangling is such a busy job <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="around here" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/05/sdsu-rattlesnake-research-mission-trails-pipeline-habitat-study-san-diego" data-vars-content-id="8b26434b-c902-4445-83bb-9f3f1f164f33" data-vars-headline="Meet San Diego&#x27;s volunteers who wrangle snakes for free" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/05/05/sdsu-rattlesnake-research-mission-trails-pipeline-habitat-study-san-diego" target="_self">around here</a> that Bruce Ireland could only talk on his way to pick up a snake.The big picture: Ireland runs <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Snake Wranglers" data-vars-click-url="https://snake-wranglers.com/" data-vars-content-id="8b26434b-c902-4445-83bb-9f3f1f164f33" data-vars-headline="Meet San Diego&#x27;s volunteers who wrangle snakes for free" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://snake-wranglers.com/" target="_blank">The Snake Wranglers</a>, a group of volunteers who come to your house and catch that intrusive snake free of charge.