San Diego is ready to assume its fleeting annual moment as the world's capital of pop culture — even if Marvel decided not to stage its usual headline-grabbing panel this year.

Why it matters: Comic-Con International brings about 135,000 fans to downtown San Diego, with an estimated $165 million in overall spending, according to an economic impact report from SDSU's Fowler School of Business.

Driving the news: Comic-Con's four-day run at the Convention Center begins Thursday, and single-day tickets for the sold-out event currently start at over $400 on resale sites.

• But there are plenty of pop-ups and installations around town that don't require a badge.

State of play: The easiest path is posting up at any bar or restaurant on Fifth Avenue — or inside any of the hotels south of Harbor Drive — to watch the cosplayers.

• The Interactive Zone at Petco Park offers free video game demos from Arc System Works and an immersive activation of Magic the Gathering and Avatar: The Last Airbender.

The latest: Starting Friday, Comedy Central is turning the Quartyard in East Village into an immersive "South Park" experience, with trivia, photo ops, merch and giveaways.

• Entrance is free, but you have to register through the show's social media.

Here are several other off-site Comic-Con events:

🦇 "Batman" (1989) In Concert, on Saturday night at Gallagher Square, brings Tim Burton's classic film to life with a 50-piece orchestra playing Danny Elfman's score alongside an HD projection of the movie.

📚 The San Diego Public Library's annual commemorative library card, this year designed by local artist Sarah Wilkinson, is available at all library locations starting Thursday.

• The library also throws a free five-day conference with panels on the role comics play in literacy and education. Registration recommended.

📽️ Kevin Smith's Comic-Concerts stages nightly comedy talk shows from the director and his collaborators at Good Night John Boy in the Gaslamp.

🖥️ One More Time is a Comic-Con after-party on Saturday night at Music Box, featuring a Tron-themed DJ show playing Daft Punk's hits.

Three more

You up? The Chargers appear to be testing the waters on San Diego's feelings for them.

Driving the news: The team that split town eight years ago is slinking back for training camp practices at University of San Diego today and tomorrow.

• That's a homecoming not just for the team sleeping on Los Angeles' couch, but also for Head Coach Jim Harbaugh, who led USD from 2004-2006.

The intrigue: Mayor Todd Gloria proclaimed Sunday "Antonio Gates Day," honoring the tight end who played 14 of his 16-year Hall of Fame career here.

Between the lines: San Diego is a different sports town since the Chargers left in 2017.

• SDSU did what was impossible for the Chargers (build a football stadium), and its men's basketball team made a national championship.
• The Padres have been to the playoffs three times and are now perennially near the top of the league in attendance every year.
• The Wave debuted in the NWSL (to immediate success), and SDFC debuted in the MLS (to immediate success).

The bottom line: We think we know where you'll land, but we're asking anyway. Reply to let us know.

• Are you any closer to embracing the Chargers than when they bolted? How could they win you back?

🏇 Migrant border encounters in San Diego are down 96% from one year ago, and Border Patrol agents will now once again patrol on horseback. (Union-Tribune)

🛥️ Police arrested the operator of a 65-foot boat that crashed into the USS Midway on Friday, causing $100,000 in damage. (NBC 7)

🏁 The NASCAR race reportedly coming to San Diego next summer is expected to be held on the Coronado Naval Base. (Racer.com)

Local public media station KPBS is set to lose 12% of its annual budget — about $4.3 million per year — due to federal spending cuts.

The big picture: Last week, Congress voted to strip nearly $1.1 billion in federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting through the next two years, marking a devastating blow for PBS and NPR, Axios' Sara Fischer writes.

• The majority of that money goes to local member stations, and many are now expected to shutter, particularly in rural communities.

Zoom in: KPBS uses the federal funding for operational expenses of its radio and TV station. That includes paying PBS and NPR membership dues for access to nationally syndicated shows, newsgathering and resources.

• More than 2 million people read, watch and listen to KPBS, which will now rely more on financial support from members to fill the budget gap.

By the numbers: Membership and the producers club make up about 32% of KPBS' annual budget.

• 7% comes from San Diego State University, where it was founded in 1960.
• The other 49% is derived from underwriting, major gifts, grants and other sources.

What they're saying: It's "heartbreaking" that this "federal investment in American communities has disappeared," KPBS general manager Deanna Mackey said in an emailed statement.

The intrigue: KSDS Jazz radio station, which broadcasts from San Diego City College, is also threatened, after receiving $214,310 in grants in 2023.

Between the lines: KPBS can maintain service for the next year or two, but losing federal support will eventually force difficult decisions, the station said.

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By the numbers: The $6.12 average price of a pound of ground beef in June was 12% above its price one year ago.

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