👋 Hi, it's Andy.

Today is my last day with Axios San Diego.

The big picture: After just over two years writing this daily newsletter, I've accepted a new job and will no longer be here to start your morning.

• You're still in great hands: My friend Kate Murphy isn't going anywhere.

Between the lines: Writing this newsletter every day has been a blast — and thank you all for patiently tolerating — maybe even enjoying? — my music recommendations, sports musings and parenting laments.

• Covering City Hall, land-use and development and local elections is still my favorite, but I loved the chance to write about everything else on my mind, too.

A reader recently told me they were impressed that we keep coming up with funny greetings every morning.

• Let me tell you, it has not been easy. I have run out of new ways to share what day of the week it is and say hello. Godspeed, Kate.

💭 Kate's thought bubble: I couldn't have asked for a better co-pilot in launching this newsletter, and I will miss Andy's story ideas, hot takes and jokes every day.

• But I'm excited for this next chapter for both of us, and eager to meet my new partner, which might even be one of you!

What's next: In a few weeks, I'll start as the GM and editor for Times of San Diego, a nonprofit news site that relaunched this year after acquiring seven community newspapers.

The bottom line: I loved writing this newsletter and will miss reading emails from all of you every morning. I hope it felt as much like a conversation to you as it did to me.

• I remain amazed by Drew C.'s ability to identify every landmark in our weekly photo contest. Drew, I confess that I initially thought you found a way to cheat. You're too good.

The average San Diego County resident will see a federal tax cut of about $3,564 in 2026 thanks to the "big, beautiful bill," according to an analysis from the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan research group that mostly supports lower taxes.

Why it matters: That's money people can spend on other things like rent, groceries and other bills — which could be essential next year as inflation outpaces wages and tariffs threaten to push costs up further.

How it works: The spending bill Congress passed in July not only made President Trump's first-term tax cuts permanent, it added on new breaks: deductions for tips and overtime income, a cut for seniors and an expanded child-care tax cut.

• These are temporary provisions.
• The report compares the tax rate in 2026 with what it would've been had the bill not passed and the 2017 tax cuts expired.

Zoom out: There are broad geographic differences in tax benefits from the spending bill due to variations in state and local taxes, plus areas where more high-earners live, Axios' Emily Peck and Jason Lalljee report.

• In California, the average tax cut per filer will be $4,141, the data shows. The Bay Area will see the biggest cuts (around $12,000), while Imperial County will see one of the smallest ($1,810).
• Nationally, it's $3,752.

Between the lines: Business owners will get some of the biggest cuts — thanks, in part, to tax breaks being made permanent for research and development expenses and other provisions.

• Those in high-tax coastal regions will also get big breaks, from the increased cap on state and local tax deductions (known as SALT — also temporary).

Reality check: The bill also made some steep cuts to social spending on food benefits and Medicaid, but those mostly don't kick in until 2027 and 2028.

• For many lower-income Americans, those cuts will outweigh any benefits of these tax breaks.

Tell a taxpayer

⚓ A San Diego-based Navy sailor was convicted Wednesday of spying for China in exchange for $12,000. (Axios)

⛴️ Disney Cruise Line is expanding its San Diego presence, and tourism industry officials now expect more cruise passengers in the 2026-2027 season than any year since 2009-2010. (Union-Tribune)

🚨 Federal immigration officials arrested a man near an Encinitas school Wednesday morning. School district officials confirmed his daughter was a student. (KPBS)

• It's the third instance this month of an immigration arrest near a San Diego County school.

It's a big soccer weekend, but if that's not your thing, here's what else is happening around town:

🇵🇭Immerse yourself in Filipino culture at SAMAFEST with live music, dances, food and art in Balboa Park on Saturday and Sunday.

🧘🏼‍♀️Embrace the zen of the San Diego Botanic Garden with open air yoga on Saturday in Encinitas.

📚Book lovers can check out author talks, live music and poetry performances, kids story times and other activities at the free KPBS book festival on USD's campus on Saturday.

🌊 No Surf Festival will be rockin' The Soap Factory on Saturday, and there are more great concerts this weekend.

🍷Sip wine with bites from local chefs and DJ sets at Pali Wine Co.'s annual 'Summer Sessions' Backyard Bash on Sunday.

🎶 SeaWorld closes out its electric summer concert series with the Turnt Up Tour featuring hip-hop icons Petey Pablo, Paul Wall, J-Kwon, and Bubba Sparxxx.

🎨 Enjoy the creative works of more than 100 artists, brews and live music at the family-friendly LeucadiART Walk on the 101 on Sunday.

🚲 Ride 25 miles along the Bayshore Bikeway through the city and across the Coronado Bridge in the annual Bike the Bay event on Sunday.

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