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California suspends Cruise driverless vehicles in San Francisco

The DMV said Cruise cars pose an "unreasonable risk to public safety."

Economy & Business

El Niño may bring extreme weather to West Coast, models suggest

Here's what that could look like, based on what region you're in.

News

California rolls out pilot for digital driver's license program

The pilot program, currently authorized in limited capacities, aims to speed up ID checks in a quick and secure manner.

California schools now offer girls' flag football

It's the latest state to officially add the sport to its athletics programs.

San Diego leads U.S. in light rail ridership

Ridership in San Diego declined slower than in other cities, elevating the Trolley to the top of light rail system ridership.

Transit

Quietly, San Diego&#x27;s Trolley has become the highest-ridership light-rail line in the country in the years since the pandemic.Driving the news: Transit users took just over 34 million trips on the Trolley in 2022, more than any of the other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="31 light rail systems tracked" data-vars-click-url="https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022-Q4-Ridership-APTA.pdf&#x27;" data-vars-content-id="c7434a28-d904-4bc2-a42f-8bfbf3d729c5" data-vars-headline="San Diego leads U.S. in light rail ridership" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.apta.com/wp-content/uploads/2022-Q4-Ridership-APTA.pdf&#x27;" target="_blank">31 light rail systems tracked</a> by the American Public Transportation Association.

San Diego Trolley leaving the America Plaza stop

San Diego gas prices drop ahead of Thanksgiving travel

Here's why filling up your tank will be less painful this holiday season.

Filling up your gas tank in San Diego is getting more affordable, just in time for Thanksgiving holiday travel.Driving the news: The average price for a gallon of gas is $5.25 as of this month, down 52 cents from October&#x27;s average, according to GasBuddy.

The line chart shows the average monthly price of regular unleaded gas in San Diego compared to the national average from November 2022 to November 2023. Throughout the year, San Diego's gas prices consistently remained higher than the national average, but both are falling.

Inside San Diego's most expensive affordable housing project

Affirmed Housing's Rancho Bernardo project comes in at $900,000 per unit.

Development

An affordable housing project on Metropolitan Transit System property is getting pretty pricey.Driving the news: SkyLINE Apartments, a 99-unit project reserved for low-income residents on a Rancho Bernardo bus station, is on track to cost over $900,000 per unit to build — more than any other affordable housing project in development in the city, according to the San Diego Housing Commission&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest tracking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23993350-sdhcpipeline?responsive=1&amp;title=1" data-vars-content-id="aa53a571-1ec2-400c-8c2a-7a7ed729681e" data-vars-headline="Inside San Diego&#x27;s most expensive affordable housing project" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23993350-sdhcpipeline?responsive=1&amp;title=1" target="_blank">latest tracking</a>.

The San Diego Housing Commission offices are located at the San Diego City Colllege Trolley Stop.

Flyers rate SD airport among worst in U.S.

Construction delays from the Terminal 1 rebuild are souring travelers on the San Diego airport.

Travelers aren&#x27;t thrilled with delays from construction at San Diego International Airport as it rebuilds Terminal 1 and have downgraded it to one of the worst in the country.Driving the news: Customers ranked San Diego International the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fifth worst large airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2023-north-america-airport-satisfaction-study" data-vars-content-id="45d1bc33-15d4-4aaf-a197-afc1fbb0d25b" data-vars-headline="Flyers rate SD airport among worst in U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2023-north-america-airport-satisfaction-study" target="_blank">fifth worst large airport</a> in the U.S. and Canada in 2023, according to a new satisfaction survey from J.D. Power.

Uber users can now virtually hail Yellow Cab taxis in San Diego

Local taxi drivers can join the program to start picking up riders through Uber.

The next time you call an Uber, it could be an old-school taxicab that picks you up.Driving the news: Uber announced Tuesday a new multi-year strategic partnership with San Diego&#x27;s Yellow Cab and five other taxi fleets across Southern California that starts this week.

 An Uber rideshare sign is posted on a fence as taxis wait in the background. 

MTS beefs up transit security

The transit agency increased by 50% staffers enforcing quality-of-life infractions.

The Metropolitan Transit System is significantly increasing its security force in hopes of changing the public view that it&#x27;s unsafe.Driving the news: MTS&#x27; board voted Thursday <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="to hire 34 new inspectors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sdmts.com/sites/default/files/2023-09-14-board-agenda-and-materials_0.pdf" data-vars-content-id="549ef41c-f224-4c25-84e1-fbccc92da29b" data-vars-headline="MTS beefs up transit security" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sdmts.com/sites/default/files/2023-09-14-board-agenda-and-materials_0.pdf" target="_blank">to hire 34 new inspectors</a> to enforce penalties for quality-of-life infractions on Trolleys and buses, a more than 50% increase over the 62 inspectors manning the system today.

A Trolley at the Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego

MTS riders can soon pay fares with just a credit card

San Diego's transit agency is upgrading a complicated fare system that's losing it money.

Starting in April 2024, Metropolitan Transit System riders won&#x27;t need to sign up for or figure out the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="PRONTO fare system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sdmts.com/fares/pronto" data-vars-content-id="1c60e963-e520-44fc-963d-1f1c223a808d" data-vars-headline="MTS riders can soon pay fares with just a credit card" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sdmts.com/fares/pronto" target="_blank">PRONTO fare system</a> to ride Trolleys and buses — their credit card will be enough.Driving the news: The MTS board voted Thursday to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="upgrade its payment system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sdmts.com/sites/default/files/2023-09-14-board-agenda-and-materials_0.pdf" data-vars-content-id="1c60e963-e520-44fc-963d-1f1c223a808d" data-vars-headline="MTS riders can soon pay fares with just a credit card" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sdmts.com/sites/default/files/2023-09-14-board-agenda-and-materials_0.pdf" target="_blank">upgrade its payment system</a> to include &quot;open payment,&quot; meaning riders don&#x27;t need to load funds onto a card or app to pay their fare.

What to expect for Labor Day weekend traffic in San Diego

Leave early if you're taking a roadtrip north toward Temecula and Palm Springs.

If you&#x27;re taking a road trip to Palm Springs or Temecula for Labor Day, you might want to leave sooner rather than later. And try to avoid a Monday evening return or be prepared to sit in a lot of traffic.Driving the news: After work Friday is projected to be the busiest time to leave San Diego this holiday weekend, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="according to INRIX" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2023/08/travelers-mark-unofficial-end-of-summer-over-labor-day-weekend/" data-vars-content-id="b28e264e-8298-419e-b047-b6d5b500d869" data-vars-headline="What to expect for Labor Day weekend traffic in San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.aaa.com/2023/08/travelers-mark-unofficial-end-of-summer-over-labor-day-weekend/" target="_blank">according to INRIX</a>, a global provider of transportation data and insights that works with AAA to find best/worst car travel times.

Illustration of a steering wheel as a clock with a highlighted portion in red

Tips to get quicker Global Entry appointments in San Diego

Reader Recs: Advice from an agent at the Otay Mesa enrollment center.

Introducing … &quot;Reader Recs,&quot; a new series where we share your tips, tricks and suggestions on all things San Diego.<ul><li>From travel woes to new restaurants and bars you&#x27;re loving, to cool homes on the market, we want to hear from you!</li></ul>

Charging station underway for electric tugboats at port of San Diego

The Port will be home to the first zero-emissions, all-electric tugboat in the nation.

San Diego is expected to become home to the nation&#x27;s first zero-emissions, all-electric tugboat early next year.Why it matters: The move marks a major environmental milestone for the maritime industry that&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="searching for green fuels" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/03/05/shipping-fossil-fuel-carbon-emissions" data-vars-content-id="91f4e92b-b935-426e-a6f2-f5ae57d9a591" data-vars-headline="Charging station underway for electric tugboats at port of San Diego" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/03/05/shipping-fossil-fuel-carbon-emissions" target="_self">searching for green fuels</a>.

A rendering shows two electric tugboats sitting in a harbor connected to a charging station made of shipping containers and a solar panel roof with a large ship and cranes in the background at the Port of San Diego.

George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress

The House is slated to vote to expel Santos on Friday.

Politics & Policy

Ahead of a vote that could make him the first House lawmaker to be expelled in more than 20 years, Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/george-santos-expulsion-vote-republicans-majority" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) is introducing an expulsion resolution on Thursday targeting a House lawmaker from his own state. Why it matters: Santos — who faces an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="uphill battle in a vote" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/28/republicans-george-santos-resign-expulsion" target="_self">uphill battle in a vote</a> to remove him from office following a scathing House Ethics report — is seeking an expulsion vote on Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Jamaal Bowman" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" data-vars-content-id="c7450d99-da7b-4552-a983-4be840a7ed9c" data-vars-headline="George Santos introduces expulsion resolution in potential final act in Congress" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/22/house-ethics-jamaal-bowman-fire-alarm" target="_self">Jamaal Bowman</a> (D-N.Y.), who pulled a fire alarm in one of the House office buildings.

George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers

Rep. Robert Garcia encouraged fellow Democrats to support Republicans' expulsion measure.

House Democrats and Republicans finally have something they agree on: booting Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" data-vars-content-id="4eec0a24-5338-46c4-8b6e-5526cda73c0f" data-vars-headline="George Santos expulsion spurs rare bipartisanship among House lawmakers" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/30/george-santos-jamaal-bowman-expulsion-resolution" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) from Congress.Driving the news: In an email sent to Democratic congressional offices on Thursday, Rep. Robert Garcia&#x27;s (D-Calif.) office advocated for Republicans&#x27; resolution to expel the embattled Long Islander.

GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early

Multiple GOP lawmakers expect former House Speaker <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kevin McCarthy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" data-vars-content-id="dbdacc28-b2ed-40c2-a4cb-3bf4792a4d9b" data-vars-headline="GOP speculation mounts that McCarthy will exit Congress early" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/12/mccarthy-gop-elections-2024" target="_self">Kevin McCarthy</a> (R-Calif.) to step down from his seat before the end of the year, Axios has learned.Why it matters: The potential exit of McCarthy — who privately told donors he is looking to &quot;get the hell out,&quot; according to a source familiar with the conversation — could leave the House GOP with an even narrower majority.

Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social

Trump warned that his indictments have opened up a "very big and dangerous Pandora's Box."

Former President Trump has spent the last 24 hours on Truth Social unleashing a torrent of grievances, vengeful promises and links to online conspiracy theories about his political rivals.Why it matters: Trump&#x27;s online rhetoric has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="frequently dipped into violent extremism" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" data-vars-content-id="4ce9173c-4439-425e-8986-ec54c92037e6" data-vars-headline="Trump unleashes grievances, warnings in wild 24 hours on Truth Social" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/10/04/trumps-words-turn-violent-pressure-builds" target="_self">frequently dipped into violent extremism</a> since he left office, escalating as his legal troubles have mounted. Public fatigue and the pro-Trump echo chamber created by Truth Social have at times softened the shock value of the GOP front-runner&#x27;s daily musings.

Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote

Santos is the first Republican to be expelled from the House.

The House on Friday voted to expel Rep. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="George Santos" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/george-santos-republican-congress-biography" target="_self">George Santos</a> (R-N.Y.) over his many fabrications on the 2022 campaign trail and his two federal indictments.Why it matters: The vote makes Santos just the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sixth lawmaker" data-vars-click-url="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" data-vars-content-id="235bb126-9767-4b36-a5c3-4560ae03474e" data-vars-headline="Rep. George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://history.house.gov/Institution/Discipline/Expulsion-Censure-Reprimand/" target="_blank">sixth lawmaker</a> – and first Republican – to be expelled from the House in U.S. history.

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