San Diego County school districts lost nearly $1 million in federal grant funding for teacher training programs because they promote diversity, equity and inclusion.

Why it matters: The Department of Education's action shows the local impact of its crackdown on DEI policies and threats to cut funding.

Driving the news: The Tulare County Office of Education received a letter from the Education Department cutting the $10 million Teacher Quality Preparation Program grant it runs in collaboration with the San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego State University and other education agencies around the state.

• The notification letter said the grant is terminated, in part, because it "provides funding for programs that promote or take part in DEI initiatives."
• The money was to "develop and support a continuum of highly-qualified, diverse teachers and leaders that will serve in high need rural and urban" public schools, per the project description.

Zoom in: The SD County Office of Education was set to receive $900,000 to distribute, but was notified by Tulare of the funding cut on Feb. 18.

• San Diego Unified, Cajon Valley Union and Escondido Union Elementary school districts were each expecting $50,000 per year for four years for their teacher residency programs.

Between the lines: SD Unified's program started this school year and is designed to bring in more diverse educators to better reflect the student population.

• It will continue through at least next year, but won't receive that money earmarked for professional learning experiences, mentorship and support for schools hosting residents.

The big picture: The Education Department announced last week it cut more than $600 million in grants to train teachers on "divisive ideologies" like critical race theory, "anti-racism," social justice activism and white privilege.

• Many affected grants included "teacher and staff recruiting strategies implicitly and explicitly based on race," per the department.

What we're watching: SD Unified set up a webpage tracking how federal policies and funding cuts impact its budget and operations.

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Preliminary data shows San Diego homicides plummeted 22% in 2024 from the previous year, outpacing a steep 16% decline across the nation's largest cities.

Why it matters: Crime stats compiled by the Major Cities Chiefs Association suggest the COVID-era crime wave all but disappeared last year.

By the numbers: San Diego homicides have now fallen 38% since 2020, an Axios analysis of the MCCA data found. There were 56 homicides in 2020, and 35 in 2024.

Zoom in: Every category of violent crime tracked by the MCCA survey fell in San Diego.

• Rapes decreased 10% from 2023, with 349 reported last year, while robbery fell by 11% to 1,080 during the same period.
• Yes, but: Aggravated assaults decreased at a much lower rate, slipping just 1% to 4,502.

Between the lines: The numbers reflect a yearslong decline for San Diego — one of the safest big cities in America.

The big picture: Violent crime, especially homicides, rose during former President Biden's first two years before dropping dramatically over the next two, the MCCA data show.

• An Axios analysis of the 2024 nationwide preliminary crime data from 69 self-reporting large police departments found that violent crimes decreased overall by 6%.

Zoom out: San Diego's decline in homicides was consistent with the declines in California's other large cities, including San Francisco (31%), San Jose (23%) and Los Angeles (14%).

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⏪ County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer has pulled her proposal for the county to hire consultants to pursue a tax increase on a future ballot, her office told Axios, after she proposed it earlier this month.

🛑 The Trump administration's cuts to medical research are bringing ongoing studies to a halt across the country, including a UCSD researcher on drug overdoses who was forced to freeze a study into HIV infections. (New York Times)

✈️ Copa Airlines is launching nonstop service from San Diego to Panama City, beginning June 25, giving San Diego International a long-desired direct flight to Latin America. (Union-Tribune)

If this week's stunning weather has you feeling good and looking to get out, check out these shows around town this week.

🎷 RIVA is playing a free jazz night presented by Future is Color at Quartyard tomorrow night.

🧙Witchface, a self-described "beach party punk" band, is playing a record release show at Whistle Stop on Friday night.

🎸 Fantastic Negrito, a three time Grammy-winning blues artist, is touring his new album with a stop at Lou Lou's on Friday night.

👾 Spacehall Sound Machine is a local psychedelic dance band that's headlining a night of music with six bands on two stages at Casbah on Saturday.

More upcoming shows

We're swimming in seafood restaurants, but Mitch's stands out as a local staple with its daily fresh catch from local fisherman.

Dig in: The casual waterfront eatery gives visitors a quintessential San Diego experience, especially sitting at the outdoor countertop overlooking the Point Loma Marina.

How it works: Pick a daily fish option and how you want it served: grilled on a sandwich, taco, salad or plate with sides.

What we ordered: The juicy Wahoo sandwich comes on a torta bun with lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce.

• The hefty fish tacos — swordfish, tuna (cooked pretty rare), and wahoo — are served on corn tortillas with cabbage, salsa and a lime crema drizzled on top.
• The clam chowder is also a treat.

Fun fact: Last year, Mitch's was the runner up for best seafood restaurant and best fish tacos in San Diego Magazine's annual list.

If you go