San Diego

San Diego Alerts

Alert

A picture of the San Diego skyline with the letters SAN.

blue

Axios San Diego Partners

Axios San Diego

Standard

A picture of the San Diego skyline with the letters SAN

A daily look at the most significant and interesting stories affecting San Diego.

Axios San Diego Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

San Diego Members

Membership

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.

Journalist's 1976 killing carries San Diego ties

The historic assassination of an Arizona journalist had numerous connections here.

San Diego was a recurring character in the story of the 1976 assassination of Arizona Republic investigative reporter Don Bolles.The big picture: Bolles&#x27; murder is chronicled in the new book &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Murder in the Fourth Estate" data-vars-click-url="https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Fourth-Estate-Assassination-Investigative/dp/B0FLV6QSRZ/" data-vars-content-id="925a0d73-eb1b-4cf4-9a3e-69d53ef26619" data-vars-headline="Journalist&#x27;s 1976 killing carries San Diego ties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Fourth-Estate-Assassination-Investigative/dp/B0FLV6QSRZ/" target="_blank">Murder in the Fourth Estate</a>&quot; by Axios Phoenix reporter Jeremy Duda, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="who dives deep" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/01/08/don-bolles-book-murder-in-the-fourth-estate-jeremy-duda" data-vars-content-id="925a0d73-eb1b-4cf4-9a3e-69d53ef26619" data-vars-headline="Journalist&#x27;s 1976 killing carries San Diego ties" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/01/08/don-bolles-book-murder-in-the-fourth-estate-jeremy-duda" target="_self">who dives deep</a> into the case for the first time.

Meet "Bum," San Diego's OG dog

Bum rode the trolley, led parades, napped in City Hall — and helped give early San Diego a sense of pride.

History

In 1887, a stowaway Saint Bernard puppy mix arrived on the streets of San Diego and quickly <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="captured the city&#x27;s heart" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/22/san-diego-first-dog-mayor-todd-gloria-diego" data-vars-content-id="9f9bce17-7a87-4e5c-ac31-66860e7ce100" data-vars-headline="Meet &quot;Bum,&quot; San Diego&#x27;s OG dog" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/12/22/san-diego-first-dog-mayor-todd-gloria-diego" target="_self">captured the city&#x27;s heart</a>.Why it matters: The dog, unfortunately dubbed &quot;Bum,&quot; was anything but to those San Diegans, and he became the city&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unofficial mascot" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiego.gov/digital-archives-photos/bum-san-diegos-official-town-dog" data-vars-content-id="9f9bce17-7a87-4e5c-ac31-66860e7ce100" data-vars-headline="Meet &quot;Bum,&quot; San Diego&#x27;s OG dog" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiego.gov/digital-archives-photos/bum-san-diegos-official-town-dog" target="_blank">unofficial mascot</a>.

Q&A: Why writer/director Cameron Crowe loves San Diego

In a new book and interview, the iconic director opens up about his hometown memories and favorite spots.

Music

Cameron Crowe&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Diego" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/03/17/padres-mariners-vedder-cup-pearl-jam-interleague-play" data-vars-content-id="4750447a-a30a-4a61-a12d-5dc7f169044c" data-vars-headline="Q&amp;A: Why writer/director Cameron Crowe loves 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/2025/03/17/padres-mariners-vedder-cup-pearl-jam-interleague-play" target="_self">San Diego</a> roots run deep.The big picture: He spent his teen years here, and his iconic movies &quot;Fast Times at Ridgemont High&quot; and &quot;Almost Famous&quot; are set here — with much of the latter filmed here too. Crowe&#x27;s new book, &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Uncool" data-vars-click-url="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Uncool/Cameron-Crowe/9781668059432" data-vars-content-id="4750447a-a30a-4a61-a12d-5dc7f169044c" data-vars-headline="Q&amp;A: Why writer/director Cameron Crowe loves San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Uncool/Cameron-Crowe/9781668059432" target="_blank">The Uncool</a>,&quot; is also dripping with San Diego references (more on that below).

The San Diego references in Cameron Crowe's memoir

From his first Elvis concert to writing for The Door, Crowe's memoir traces his San Diego roots in detail.

Cameron Crowe&#x27;s memoir &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Uncool" data-vars-click-url="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Uncool/Cameron-Crowe/9781668059432" data-vars-content-id="5119dad3-5ebe-416a-8b74-7907d4e5197e" data-vars-headline="The San Diego references in Cameron Crowe&#x27;s memoir" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Uncool/Cameron-Crowe/9781668059432" target="_blank">The Uncool</a>&quot; is packed with San Diego shout-outs. It tells the story of his adolescence and the beginning of his career, all of which happened in San Diego.Here are a few of the many, many local references we spotted. There are probably plenty of others we missed!

Leon Williams, San Diego's trailblazing Black leader, dies at 102

The first black person on San Diego's City Council or County Board of Supervisors shaped the region and was a trailblazer for future black leaders.

Politics

Leon Williams, San Diego&#x27;s first Black council member and first Black county supervisor, died Saturday of cardiac arrest. He was 102.Flashback: Williams shaped public life in San Diego during a trailblazing career that started when he was appointed to the City Council in 1969.

California sees increase in book titles challenged

San Diego Public Library branches received five book challenges in the last five years.

California saw <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more books challenged" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/01/libraries-book-bans-censorship-intellectual-freedom" data-vars-content-id="6e933405-a506-496e-bea7-420f77a16949" data-vars-headline="California sees increase in book titles challenged" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/01/libraries-book-bans-censorship-intellectual-freedom" target="_self">more books challenged</a> from 2022 to 2023, according to the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" American Library Association" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2024/03/american-library-association-reports-record-number-unique-book-titles" data-vars-content-id="6e933405-a506-496e-bea7-420f77a16949" data-vars-headline="California sees increase in book titles challenged" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2024/03/american-library-association-reports-record-number-unique-book-titles" target="_blank"> American Library Association</a>.Why it matters: California is often considered a haven for LGBTQ and other marginalized communities, but the<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" rise of book-ban attempts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/22/book-bans-libraries-surge" data-vars-content-id="6e933405-a506-496e-bea7-420f77a16949" data-vars-headline="California sees increase in book titles challenged" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/22/book-bans-libraries-surge" target="_self"> rise of book-ban attempts</a> across the country has led to a similar push in the Golden State.

San Diego's moon mission connection

A Navy recovery team in San Diego will pick up the astronauts in the Pacific Ocean after they've parachuted down from space.

San Diego has a small but essential role in NASA&#x27;s next <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mission to the moon" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/" data-vars-content-id="6186103e-f9b1-443b-9046-20f5a992ea01" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s moon mission connection" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis/" target="_blank">mission to the moon</a>: picking up the astronauts in the Pacific Ocean after they&#x27;ve parachuted down from space.Why it matters: The Artemis II crew is set to be the first in more than 50 years to fly around the moon in what&#x27;s considered a test flight for the later <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Artemis III mission" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-iii/" data-vars-content-id="6186103e-f9b1-443b-9046-20f5a992ea01" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s moon mission connection" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nasa.gov/missions/artemis/artemis-iii/" target="_blank">Artemis III mission</a> — when the first woman and person of color are set to land on the moon.

History

Journalist's 1976 killing carries San Diego ties

César Chávez allegations spark reckoning over legacy

Meet "Bum," San Diego's OG dog

Q&A: Why writer/director Cameron Crowe loves San Diego

The San Diego references in Cameron Crowe's memoir