It's a perfect Tuesday for some gas hacks.

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• Beach Hazards Statement until 11pm tonight

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Today’s newsletter is 681 words — a 2.5-minute read.

Our gas prices are stuck above $6 a gallon, pushing many to save some money at Costco. But those lines!

The big picture: Costco's gas is on average 40 cents cheaper than our $6.25/gallon gas, but you might spend your afternoon waiting to fill up.

• Here's a few tricks to save time at Costco's pumps, courtesy of reader Ryan C. (whose last name is not Costco).

🚗 Take the inside track. Just like at a track meet, the inside lanes have the shortest distance. So even if it looks longer, there may be fewer cars.

🕵️‍♂️ Check the less-visible line. The queue everyone overlooks could be your quickest way through.

⛽ Try the passenger side. Don't wait for a pump that matches your gas cap's location. Costco's extra-long hoses let you fill up from either side of your car.

🕔 Skip shopping hours. You don't have to wait for the warehouse to open. Mission Valley's gas station operates from 4:30am–10pm on weekdays, giving you a window before and after shoppers arrive.

📱 Price-check before leaving. Costco's app shows gas prices and station hours. Compare with nearby options on GasBuddy before making a special trip.

🧮 Do the detour math. Saving 40 cents a gallon on a 15-gallon fill-up saves $6. Decide whether that's worth the extra driving and waiting.

Do you have hacks to save money on gas? Let us know. Hit reply or email [email protected].

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The mayor is headlining a discussion this week about how cities can build public trust.

Why it matters: The conversation is focused on doubts about elections ahead of the midterms.

• Only 49% of respondents expected the elections to be free and fair, per a September UC San Diego survey.

Gloria was picked for the event because he's president of the nonpartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors, event organizers told Axios.

• Gloria will be joined by Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, who led the organization last year.

What to expect: The downtown event, "Civic Trust in Action," will explore how local leaders can get people involved in government, navigate disagreements and strengthen connections with their communities.

• UC San Diego political scientist Thad Kousser will open with research on civic engagement and election confidence.
• National Conflict Resolution Center president Steve Dinkin will moderate.

If you go: Thursday, Oct. 22, 6–8pm at the Guggenheim Theatre at UC San Diego Park & Market, 1100 Market St.

• Register online; admission is free.

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🗳️ Federal prosecutors charged 28 foreign nationals for illegally voting in California.

• It's part of Trump's effort to root out noncitizen voting, even though that's exceedingly rare and has not been shown to change election outcomes. (KPBS)

💸 Supervisor Jim Desmond spent nearly $250,000 in county funds on ads promoting himself and his views this year while running for Congress. His office defended the spending as constituent outreach. (Voice of San Diego)

🚓 Police boosted coastal patrols two weeks after a security guard was fatally shot near the Crystal Pier in PB. (NBC 7)

😢 The beluga whale Cyprus died last weekend at SeaWorld, less than two months after arriving from Canada's shuttered Marineland park. The 9-year-old had stopped eating two days earlier. (NBC 7)

And we're down to eight in our poll on the best San Diego-themed Halloween costume.

• Sorry to Kate Sessions and Penny Lane, who would both still make great costumes IMO.
• Dressing as a Flock camera might be trickier but you could get creative.

Weigh in on the next round here!

• I might be convinced to dress up as the winner.

📚 Claire is excited to go to her son's "publishing party" to celebrate his first byline.

👩🏻‍🍼 Kate is on parental leave.

This newsletter was edited by Geoff Ziezulewicz.