Five years ago, 17 airlines have agreed to pay more than $300 million for a public transportation connection to the airport, but the shelf life on their commitment is running out.

Why it matters: Regional officials are still debating the best way to link San Diego International Airport with the trolley system, even while the project is a primary selling point of a sales tax for transportation on November's ballot.

Follow the money: In the operating and lease agreement between the airport and airlines inked in 2019, airlines, including Southwest and Alaska, committed $515 million to make it easier to get to the airport — but that money needs to be committed before the deal expires in 2029.

• About $200 million of that is already going to an under-construction roadway and intersection improvements.

How it works: The agreement leaves the details of a public transportation connection to regional leaders, but stipulates that money for the project from airlines is only provided after other third-party funding is secured.

• The airlines agreed to provide one straightforward chunk of $75 million.
• They'll provide another $125 million if the region can come up with $200 million of its own.
• And then they've offered a third chunk of $150 million if the region can secure another $150 million.

State of play: Committing revenue from Measure G would satisfy the deal's requirements for third-party funding.

The intrigue: Those airline commitments are all only guaranteed through the current 10-year term of the agreement, which runs out in 2029.

Yes, but: Airline officials say when the current deal expires, they'll negotiate a new 10-year operating and lease agreement to replace it.

• "We would intend to negotiate for that same funding commitment in the next agreement," said Jonathan Heller, an airport spokesperson.

Catch up quick

If TV commercials and the contents of your mailboxes didn't give it away, election season is in full swing.

Why it matters: Election Day, on Nov. 5, will determine who controls local governments and the fate of a host local tax measures and state propositions.

How to vote

Every registered voter will receive a ballot in the mail on the week of Oct. 6.

• You can return that ballot through the postal service through Nov. 5, as long as you sign the return envelope.
• Drop boxes will open around the county beginning Oct. 8; the County Registrar will publish a list and map of those locations on its information page once ballots go out.
• In-person voting is available at the County Registrar's office starting Oct. 7, select vote centers beginning Oct. 26 and at over 200 locations beginning Nov. 2.

Zoom in: The voter registration deadline is Oct. 21.

• If you miss it, you can still register and submit a conditional ballot by visiting the registrar or a vote center through Nov. 5.

The latest: We are launching a voter guide that we'll update throughout election season.

• Expect to see 1-minute voter guides outlining the ballot choices in all 18 cities in San Diego County, plus more in-depth coverage on a race-by-race basis.

Go deeper

🏄🏼‍♀️ Oceanside's Caitlin Simmers, 18, won the World Surf League championship in a showdown against Olympic gold medalist Caroline Marks last week. (Union-Tribune)

• She is the youngest to ever claim the title, which has a complicated history.

⛺ San Diego is poised to lose hundreds of shelter beds soon, and officials haven't said how they'll replace them. (Voice of San Diego)

Two athletes from San Diego County came home with medals from the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

State of play: More than two dozen California athletes competed in the Games, which ended with the closing ceremony on Sunday, earning 10 medals for Team USA.

• Several competitors hailed from the San Diego area.

Zoom in: Courtney Ryan of San Diego won a silver medal in wheelchair basketball in her second Paralympic Games after Team USA lost to the Netherlands, 63-49, in the final.

• Swimmer Noah Jaffe of Carlsbad earned two medals in his Paralympic debut, winning silver in the men's 100-meter freestyle S8 — just .02 seconds from gold — and bronze in the 4x100-meter freestyle relay.

The intrigue: Joel Gomez of Encinitas broke the Americas record while racing in the Paralympic final of the 1,500-meter T13. He placed seventh overall for Team USA.

The big picture

👋 I'm still riding the high from literally the happiest day of my life and the best weekend ever.

Why it matters: I got to marry the love of my life and show our closest family and friends why living in San Diego is the absolute best.

The intrigue: The big day came during the sweltering heat wave with triple-digit temperatures in Fallbrook, where we shared our personal vows, drank enough cocktails to keep us cool and didn't stop dancing all night.

• The ocean offered some refreshing relief at our beach day in Carlsbad, which also helped in our subtle quest to get everyone to move here.
• Our guests also explored Oceanside, La Jolla, Little Italy, Gaslamp, Pacific Beach, North Park, Hillcrest, Coronado, Petco Park and Balboa Park.

What they're saying: The people, food, views and fun in this city made everyone reconsider getting on their flights back to the East Coast.

The bottom line: We're so happy that San Diego is our new home, and it meant the world to us that so many friends and family got to experience this beautiful place.