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

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San Diego plan targets housing gap as families leave

Officials say more "middle housing" could help residents afford to stay in San Diego.

Neighborhoods

Plans are in the works to alleviate the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="high housing costs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/22/median-earners-priced-out-san-diego-real-estate-market-homes" data-vars-content-id="1506b5d4-7e53-4d23-9c26-171cab6cc373" data-vars-headline="San Diego plan targets housing gap as families leave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2026/01/22/median-earners-priced-out-san-diego-real-estate-market-homes" target="_self">high housing costs</a> that are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="driving home sales to a record low" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/03/20/san-diego-home-sales-fell-to-their-lowest-level-in-recorded-history-to-start-2026/" data-vars-content-id="1506b5d4-7e53-4d23-9c26-171cab6cc373" data-vars-headline="San Diego plan targets housing gap as families leave" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/03/20/san-diego-home-sales-fell-to-their-lowest-level-in-recorded-history-to-start-2026/" target="_blank">driving home sales to a record low</a>.Why it matters: While the city is building more apartment buildings in the urban core, there still aren&#x27;t enough neighborhood &quot;middle housing&quot; options for families, officials and experts told Axios.

San Diego's 1st women's sports bar opening in North Park

One of Us opens in North Park, giving fans a dedicated space to watch women's sports.

Sports

Women&#x27;s sports fans will soon be able to cheer on their favorite teams at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="One of Us" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oneofusbar.com/" data-vars-content-id="cf4f47e6-49a8-4830-a90e-13da1d0e0d82" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s 1st women&#x27;s sports bar opening in North Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oneofusbar.com/" target="_blank">One of Us</a>, San Diego&#x27;s first women&#x27;s sports bar.Why it matters: Viewership and attendance for women&#x27;s sports are <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="soaring" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/15/usa-today-womens-sports-stories" data-vars-content-id="cf4f47e6-49a8-4830-a90e-13da1d0e0d82" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s 1st women&#x27;s sports bar opening in North Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/15/usa-today-womens-sports-stories" target="_self">soaring</a>, and local fans are desperate for a place where they don&#x27;t have to fight to get those games on TVs.

San Diego's population decline driven by immigration slowdown

The area's recent population growth was supported by immigrants moving in — until last year.

News

San Diego County&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/03/17/san-diego-population-growth-pandemic" data-vars-content-id="32abc3d2-6a19-4161-bfc8-ab3f17bb18d1" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s population decline driven by immigration slowdown" 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/san-diego-population-growth-pandemic" target="_self">population</a> shrank last year amid a massive drop in immigration, following a nationwide trend, new U.S. Census data shows.Why it matters: The data offers the best look yet at how <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tighter immigration enforcement" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/18/ice-arrests-noncriminals-san-diego-2025" data-vars-content-id="32abc3d2-6a19-4161-bfc8-ab3f17bb18d1" data-vars-headline="San Diego&#x27;s population decline driven by immigration slowdown" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/07/18/ice-arrests-noncriminals-san-diego-2025" target="_self">tighter immigration enforcement</a> is affecting America&#x27;s demographic makeup.

Top Easter events in San Diego

From free egg hunts to waterfront brunches, here's how to celebrate Easter in San Diego.

Things to Do

Spring has definitely sprung and there&#x27;s plenty to do to celebrate Easter this weekend.The big picture: From hip-hop brunches to traditional egg hunts, there are activities for all ages.

Inside the system that safeguards San Diego County's water

From proactive repairs to custom-built tech, San Diego keeps water flowing year-round.

Water

San Diego County&#x27;s water treatment and delivery system is built to withstand extremes, like long droughts and aging infrastructure — but its success hinges on a complex behind-the-scenes network that prevents problems before they begin.

The value of safe, reliable drinking water in San Diego

San Diego's water system remains reliable, but rising costs are putting pressure on rates.

San Diego has a lot to boast about, from abundant sunshine to a stunning coastline.<ul><li>But ensuring that the semi-arid region has enough water involves creativity, innovation and plenty of hard work. 🚰</li></ul>

Elo-Rivera to San Diego Water Authority: Lower rates, or else

San Diego has had among the most expensive water in the country for years, and a councilmember is now demanding cuts.

San Diego could leave the San Diego Water Authority — or pursue dissolving the agency — if it doesn&#x27;t take steps to lower water rates, according to Councilmember <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sean Elo-Rivera" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/12/17/san-diego-cost-of-living-task-force-comittee-elo-rivera" data-vars-content-id="e8d09e62-68ab-4d24-84ba-d33349e1e7f3" data-vars-headline="Elo-Rivera to San Diego Water Authority: Lower rates, or else" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/12/17/san-diego-cost-of-living-task-force-comittee-elo-rivera" target="_self">Sean Elo-Rivera</a>.Why it matters: The typical San Diego household will face a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="monthly water bill of $90.67" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/03/05/san-diego-oks-may-water-rate-hike-first-in-a-series-that-could-see-prices-soar-70/" data-vars-content-id="e8d09e62-68ab-4d24-84ba-d33349e1e7f3" data-vars-headline="Elo-Rivera to San Diego Water Authority: Lower rates, or else" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/03/05/san-diego-oks-may-water-rate-hike-first-in-a-series-that-could-see-prices-soar-70/" target="_blank">monthly water bill of $90.67</a> once rate increases take effect on May 1.

San Diego reps again request federal funds to fix beach-polluting San Ysidro sewage plant

The decrepit wastewater treatment facility is a major part of the ongoing cross-border sewage crisis.

Politics

Congress in March <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="allocated $100 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/23/government-shutdown-avoided-senate-passes-funding-budget" data-vars-content-id="403184ac-4fb3-4e38-b3a2-f040f975d7e5" data-vars-headline="San Diego reps again request federal funds to fix beach-polluting San Ysidro sewage plant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/23/government-shutdown-avoided-senate-passes-funding-budget" target="_self">allocated $100 million</a> to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="start fixing a decrepit San Ysidro wastewater plant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/04/01/100-million-border-sewage-fix-treatment-plant" data-vars-content-id="403184ac-4fb3-4e38-b3a2-f040f975d7e5" data-vars-headline="San Diego reps again request federal funds to fix beach-polluting San Ysidro sewage plant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/04/01/100-million-border-sewage-fix-treatment-plant" target="_self">start fixing a decrepit San Ysidro wastewater plant</a> that dumps sewage into the Pacific Ocean. Now, a group of representatives are asking to finish the job.Why it matters: Federal officials and their Mexican counterparts have started making progress on the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="intractable cross-border sewage crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/09/25/former-imperial-beach-mayor-sewage-border" data-vars-content-id="403184ac-4fb3-4e38-b3a2-f040f975d7e5" data-vars-headline="San Diego reps again request federal funds to fix beach-polluting San Ysidro sewage plant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/09/25/former-imperial-beach-mayor-sewage-border" target="_self">intractable cross-border sewage crisis</a>, but without more resources the environmental injustice will continue.

What to expect from Congress' $100 million border sewage fix

Officials hope immediate repairs will help the decrepit San Ysidro wastewater treatment plant.

Congress is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spending another $100 million" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/23/government-shutdown-avoided-senate-passes-funding-budget" data-vars-content-id="0261f960-b982-414e-b637-ddc8b2a45411" data-vars-headline="What to expect from Congress&#x27; $100 million border sewage fix" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/03/23/government-shutdown-avoided-senate-passes-funding-budget" target="_self">spending another $100 million</a> to fix a decrepit San Ysidro wastewater treatment plant.Why it matters: The move offers hope of genuine progress on the stubborn <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="cross-border sewage crisis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/09/01/coronado-imperial-beach-california-sewage-water" data-vars-content-id="0261f960-b982-414e-b637-ddc8b2a45411" data-vars-headline="What to expect from Congress&#x27; $100 million border sewage fix" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2023/09/01/coronado-imperial-beach-california-sewage-water" target="_self">cross-border sewage crisis</a> caused by the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="broken treatment plant" data-vars-click-url="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2023/06/22/the-sewage-plant-treating-tijuanas-poo-is-busted/" data-vars-content-id="0261f960-b982-414e-b637-ddc8b2a45411" data-vars-headline="What to expect from Congress&#x27; $100 million border sewage fix" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2023/06/22/the-sewage-plant-treating-tijuanas-poo-is-busted/" target="_blank">broken treatment plant</a>.

Artificial reef is restoring marine life at San Onofre power plant

A decade after the power plant shut down, the reef built to counteract its ill effects is improving kelp growth and fish production.

The artificial reef built to restore the marine habitat harmed by the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station is finally meeting its performance standards — a decade after the power plant shut down.Why it matters: For more than 30 years, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nuclear power plant&#x27;s seawater cooling system" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-marine-life-revival-2014mar06-story.html#:~:text=Before%20a%20small%20radiation%20leak,sea%20lions%20and%20harbor%20seals." data-vars-content-id="1ca789b5-213b-46d2-8a77-19f3b6103dde" data-vars-headline="Artificial reef is restoring marine life at San Onofre power plant" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-marine-life-revival-2014mar06-story.html#:~:text=Before%20a%20small%20radiation%20leak,sea%20lions%20and%20harbor%20seals." target="_blank">nuclear power plant&#x27;s seawater cooling system</a> sucked in 2.4 billion gallons of ocean water a day to cool its reactors, which degraded nearby kelp beds and killed fish and other marine animals off the northern San Diego County coast near Camp Pendleton.

Photos: Bioluminescent waves return to San Diego beaches

Bioluminescent plankton are again putting on a show at San Diego's beaches.

Did you catch the electric-blue waves this week?What&#x27;s happening: Millions of bioluminescent plankton were showing off at Torrey Pines and Carlsbad beaches, as captured by local <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="photographer Vishwas Lokesh" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3Wa6AEJpPe/?hl=en" data-vars-content-id="7593cb4a-1a0a-4ecc-bc9f-f7d2cbb1344e" data-vars-headline="Photos: Bioluminescent waves return to San Diego beaches" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3Wa6AEJpPe/?hl=en" target="_blank">photographer Vishwas Lokesh</a>.

Flood costs take aim at San Diego's budget

Meanwhile, San Diego was already facing a looming structural budget deficit.

The costs of last month&#x27;s catastrophic flood are now hitting the city budget.State of play: Damage from the floods and overtime spending from the response to it are forcing the mayor and City Council to rethink their spending priorities for the year.

Elo-Rivera promises stormwater tax measure

Catastrophic floods are forcing city officials to grapple with long-overlooked stormwater infrastructure problems.

Climate

A ballot measure to fund stormwater repairs and flood recovery will be put before voters in November if City Council president Sean Elo-Rivera gets his way.Why it matters: Hundreds of southeastern San Diego residents have been displaced or suffered significant property damage from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last week&#x27;s historic flooding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/01/23/historic-rain-flood-sd?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_sandiego&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="2a9dbe98-56ef-40ae-8e9b-431ee4257bf8" data-vars-headline="Elo-Rivera promises stormwater tax measure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/01/23/historic-rain-flood-sd?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_sandiego&amp;stream=top" target="_self">last week&#x27;s historic flooding</a> due to the failure of a stormwater system that local officials <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="have long known " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/01/24/flood-fallout-san-diego-rainstorm" data-vars-content-id="2a9dbe98-56ef-40ae-8e9b-431ee4257bf8" data-vars-headline="Elo-Rivera promises stormwater tax measure" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2024/01/24/flood-fallout-san-diego-rainstorm" target="_self">have long known </a>was inadequate and underfunded.

Ex-IB mayor says sewage crisis takes backseat to border issues

Federal officials are prioritizing other U.S.-Mexico issues over fixing cross-border pollution, he says.

Few people have been as involved as Serge Dedina in solving cross-border sewage that contaminated San Diego beaches — which is why his recent announcement stood out.Driving the news: Dedina, the former mayor of Imperial Beach, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="said last month" data-vars-click-url="https://twitter.com/sergededina/status/1694504252092420293?s=46" data-vars-content-id="9d854702-4e4c-411b-b2a7-98ab3ab31e3f" data-vars-headline="Ex-IB mayor says sewage crisis takes backseat to border issues" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://twitter.com/sergededina/status/1694504252092420293?s=46" target="_blank">said last month</a> his conservation organization Wildcoast left IB in 2021 over health concerns.

Water

Feds "cannot delay action" on Colorado River

Inside the system that safeguards San Diego County's water

The value of safe, reliable drinking water in San Diego

Elo-Rivera to San Diego Water Authority: Lower rates, or else

San Diego reps again request federal funds to fix beach-polluting San Ysidro sewage plant