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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.

1 in 4 San Diego County homes don't have AC

Air-conditioning can feel like a much-needed luxury here with heat waves and high electricity costs.

About a quarter of San Diego County homes don&#x27;t have air-conditioning, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new census data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/2023-lace.html" data-vars-content-id="8d4746be-371d-4e4f-bfb6-6ea94519af58" data-vars-headline="1 in 4 San Diego County homes don&#x27;t have AC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2026/2023-lace.html" target="_blank">new census data</a> shows. Why it matters: AC can feel like a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="much-needed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/08/06/most-san-diego-students-in-extreme-urban-heat-zones" data-vars-content-id="8d4746be-371d-4e4f-bfb6-6ea94519af58" data-vars-headline="1 in 4 San Diego County homes don&#x27;t have AC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/08/06/most-san-diego-students-in-extreme-urban-heat-zones" target="_self">much-needed</a> luxury here, with <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising electricity costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/23/electric-bills-rise-50-percent-5-years-analysis" data-vars-content-id="8d4746be-371d-4e4f-bfb6-6ea94519af58" data-vars-headline="1 in 4 San Diego County homes don&#x27;t have AC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/23/electric-bills-rise-50-percent-5-years-analysis" target="_self">rising electricity costs</a> and record-setting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat waves" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kpbs.org/news/quality-of-life/2026/03/13/record-setting-heat-wave-grips-sd-county-socal" data-vars-content-id="8d4746be-371d-4e4f-bfb6-6ea94519af58" data-vars-headline="1 in 4 San Diego County homes don&#x27;t have AC" 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/2026/03/13/record-setting-heat-wave-grips-sd-county-socal" target="_blank">heat waves</a> in the winter.The big picture: Nationally, just 6.9% of U.S. households lacked AC in 2023.<ul><li>It was most uncommon in San Francisco, where 65% of homes lacked AC. </li><li>And Los Angeles County had the highest overall number of homes without AC at nearly 702,000.</li></ul>Between the lines: AC is part cultural and part economic.<ul><li>Some places don&#x27;t get hot often enough to warrant AC installations, which could be an argument for San Diego&#x27;s coastal neighborhoods.</li><li>In other places, pumping cool air through the house is too costly because of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high energy rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/23/electric-bills-rise-50-percent-5-years-analysis" data-vars-content-id="8d4746be-371d-4e4f-bfb6-6ea94519af58" data-vars-headline="1 in 4 San Diego County homes don&#x27;t have AC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/23/electric-bills-rise-50-percent-5-years-analysis" target="_self">high energy rates</a>. </li></ul>What&#x27;s next: As climate change makes heat waves more common and more intense, more people may install AC to stay cool and healthy.

Mission Trails bridge still stalled after runner died

Five years after Max LeNail drowned, a proposed bridge remains tangled in city delays.

Public Safety

When 21-year-old Max LeNail died trying to cross the river in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mission Trails Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/08/whats-happening-mission-trails-projects-pipeline-construction-visitor-center-renovation" data-vars-content-id="7f5934b2-9944-4b7d-b573-e28a4550c634" data-vars-headline="Mission Trails bridge still stalled after runner died" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/08/whats-happening-mission-trails-projects-pipeline-construction-visitor-center-renovation" target="_self">Mission Trails Park</a> in 2021, his parents set about building a bridge in his honor.The big picture: But today, those bridge plans remain up in the air, stymied by bureaucracy despite them securing a state grant to pay for it.<ul><li>And his parents are losing hope that there&#x27;s a way forward.</li></ul>

The life of a San Diego rattlesnake tracker

Using radio tags and AI, a San Diego researcher tracks how rattlesnakes react to habitat disruption.

Environment

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Indiana Jones" data-vars-click-url="https://youtu.be/e2K-WA6NQC0?si=KdrG2pZXT7u5Q3Wv&amp;t=25" data-vars-content-id="f580eade-fc9a-43e2-a110-a910849fa198" data-vars-headline="The life of a San Diego rattlesnake tracker" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://youtu.be/e2K-WA6NQC0?si=KdrG2pZXT7u5Q3Wv&amp;t=25" target="_blank">Indiana Jones</a> would not want Vincent Marcantonio&#x27;s job. The SDSU graduate student spends his days in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mission Trails" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/08/whats-happening-mission-trails-projects-pipeline-construction-visitor-center-renovation" data-vars-content-id="f580eade-fc9a-43e2-a110-a910849fa198" data-vars-headline="The life of a San Diego rattlesnake tracker" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/04/08/whats-happening-mission-trails-projects-pipeline-construction-visitor-center-renovation" target="_self">Mission Trails</a> tracking rattlesnakes.The big picture: Marcantonio implants snakes with small radio transmitters so he can study how they spend their days.<ul><li>That will tell him how the snakes respond to places with lots of hikers and big construction projects, including the nearby pipe replacement in Mission Trails.</li></ul>

San Diego air quality gets failing grades

The Tijuana River is fueling local air pollution and worsening air quality in the region.

San Diego County is one of the most polluted places to live in America, according to an annual American Lung Association report released today.Why it matters: Local residents face an elevated risk of health conditions linked to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="air pollution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/08/28/study-tijuana-river-sewage-fuels-air-pollution-san-diego" data-vars-content-id="61ba7581-6539-4b48-bfbd-8df0faecef44" data-vars-headline="San Diego air quality gets failing grades" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/08/28/study-tijuana-river-sewage-fuels-air-pollution-san-diego" target="_self">air pollution</a>, from wheezing and coughing to premature death.

Mission Bay cleanup aims to top 900 pounds of trash

Volunteers collected more than 900 pounds of trash last year — and hope to beat it Friday.

More than 900 pounds of trash were collected last year from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mission Bay" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/05/2026-outdoor-bucket-list-hikes-swim-bike-challenges" data-vars-content-id="3db515dd-e39b-42f5-bc6e-9b5f96260ec5" data-vars-headline="Mission Bay cleanup aims to top 900 pounds of trash" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/05/2026-outdoor-bucket-list-hikes-swim-bike-challenges" target="_self">Mission Bay</a> during the annual cleanup, and organizers are hoping to top that on Friday.Why it matters: Trash is bad. Cleaning up is good.

What's happening at Mission Trails right now

Here's a look at the major projects underway, from pipeline work to new trail features.

Mission Trails is getting some upgrades as the park continues to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="grow" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/01/31/here-in-san-diego-mission-trails-is-growing" data-vars-content-id="31c6c2c5-cd10-4611-8e50-e702ab5a368d" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s happening at Mission Trails right now" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/01/31/here-in-san-diego-mission-trails-is-growing" target="_self">grow</a>.The big picture: The park foundation is working on buying more land, restoring rare plants and removing invasive ones, and has ongoing construction on a water pipeline, Jennifer Morrissey, executive director of the nonprofit Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation, told Axios.

Hawk Watch feeds eagle research in Ramona

The Ramona program raises awareness and funds for raptor research.

Hundreds of people got to see <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hawks, owls and falcons" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/11/21/pbs-doc-san-diego-america-wildest-city" data-vars-content-id="7e42c15c-8ae9-4d45-b30e-49ae71ea8f2b" data-vars-headline="Hawk Watch feeds eagle research in Ramona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/11/21/pbs-doc-san-diego-america-wildest-city" target="_self">hawks, owls and falcons</a> up close and personal during weekly Hawk Watch events in Ramona over the last two months.Why it matters: These free events are a chance to get a good look at some really cool birds, but they also serve a larger purpose: raising awareness and money for local <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="golden eagle research and conservation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiegobirdalliance.org/news-events/overview.html/article/2020/08/04/the-power-of-birds-audubon-advocates-speak-up-on-behalf-of-golden-eagles" data-vars-content-id="7e42c15c-8ae9-4d45-b30e-49ae71ea8f2b" data-vars-headline="Hawk Watch feeds eagle research in Ramona" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiegobirdalliance.org/news-events/overview.html/article/2020/08/04/the-power-of-birds-audubon-advocates-speak-up-on-behalf-of-golden-eagles" target="_blank">golden eagle research and conservation</a>.

How Safari Park prepared elephants for visitors

Staff say the herd needed time to adjust before guests could walk alongside them.

Bringing guests up close to elephants requires careful planning and making sure the animals are comfortable, Safari Park officials told Axios.Why it matters: The Elephant Valley exhibit is meant to allow guests to better see and experience elephants, but some activists say the priority should be the elephants&#x27; quality of life.

Scripps Pier tours offer exclusive view of sunset and research

The Birch Aquarium's guided pier walks were created to demystify the local landmark.

Unlike San Diego&#x27;s recreational piers, the iconic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Scripps Pier" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/05/05/scrippshenge-draws-crowds-for-sunset-at-scripps-pier-in-la-jolla" data-vars-content-id="62c73449-3462-44f1-8528-9a8325b64339" data-vars-headline="Scripps Pier tours offer exclusive view of sunset and research" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/05/05/scrippshenge-draws-crowds-for-sunset-at-scripps-pier-in-la-jolla" target="_self">Scripps Pier</a> in La Jolla is generally off-limits to the public — except during Birch Aquarium&#x27;s guided tours.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sunset pier walks" data-vars-click-url="https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/sunset-scripps-pier-walk" data-vars-content-id="62c73449-3462-44f1-8528-9a8325b64339" data-vars-headline="Scripps Pier tours offer exclusive view of sunset and research" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/events/sunset-scripps-pier-walk" target="_blank">sunset pier walks</a>, created to demystify the local landmark, offer an exclusive and interactive look at UCSD Scripps Institution of Oceanography&#x27;s new and ongoing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate research" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/05/30/ucsd-researchers-nasa-satellites-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="62c73449-3462-44f1-8528-9a8325b64339" data-vars-headline="Scripps Pier tours offer exclusive view of sunset and research" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/05/30/ucsd-researchers-nasa-satellites-climate-change" target="_self">climate research</a>.

The volunteers keeping Balboa Park blooming

Tree, garden and rose stewards train for hours to care for thousands of plants.

Multiple times a week, an army of volunteers tend to the thousands of plants and trees rooted in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Balboa Park" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/16/san-diego-paid-parking-balboa-park" data-vars-content-id="a4a9d9d8-6935-4692-92d3-bdb71a74cf7e" data-vars-headline="The volunteers keeping Balboa Park blooming" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/16/san-diego-paid-parking-balboa-park" target="_self">Balboa Park</a>.Why it matters: Volunteers fill a gap in garden upkeep, delivering more than $1.2 million in services last year, providing relief to the city&#x27;s perpetually stretched budget, officials told Axios.

A choropleth map of the United States showing the estimated share of households without any form of air conditioning, by county, in 2023. Overall, 6.9% of households in the U.S. lacked AC. Rates were much higher in Alaska, Hawaii, the west, and Appalachia. The county in the contiguous U.S. with the highest share without AC was San Francisco County in California, at 65.4%. The county with the highest number of households without AC was Los Angeles County, at 702 thousand.

Environment

1 in 4 San Diego County homes don't have AC

Mission Trails bridge still stalled after runner died

Bat boxes upgrade backyards

The life of a San Diego rattlesnake tracker

San Diego air quality gets failing grades