Politics and local government

LOCAL LEADERS ACROSS POLITICAL SPECTRUM ENDORSE GOP OPPONENT OF REPUBLICAN CARL DEMAIO

By Brooke Binkowski, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo: Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Labor Foundation, AFL-CIO, speaks while flanked by Democratic and Republican local leaders.

October 31, 2024 (San Diego) -  Saying he lacks ethics and integrity, local elected officials and community leaders gathered in Scripps Ranch Wednesday to offer an “anti-endorsement” of far-right Republican candidate and AM radio personality Carl DeMaio, a former San Diego City Council member and two-time congressional candidate.


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39 VOTE CENTERS NOW OPEN FOR NOVEMBER 5 PRESIDENTIAL GENERAL ELECTION; 200 MORE TO OPEN NOV. 2

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

October 27, 2024 (San Diego)-- You don’t have to wait until Election Day to vote in person. Voters can take advantage of early voting at 39 vote centers that opened Oct. 26 and will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. around the county until Election Day, November 5.

On Saturday, Nov. 2, over 200 vote centers will also be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 4. On the final day of voting, Nov. 5, all vote centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.


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WHAT IS PROJECT 2025—AND HOW IT COULD IMPACT YOU, YOUR FAMILY, AND YOUR COMMUNITY

Slashing federal disaster relief, privatizing public education, politicizing federal agencies, gutting intelligence bureaus, stripping away rights of protected groups, and ending climate change actions are among the proposals detailed in Project 2025

By Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2024 (Washington D.C.) -- Project 2025 is an 887-page blueprint for a second Trump administration, according to its authors. Trump has alternately praised it, claimed never to have read it, and said he disagrees with parts of it; he has denied knowing its authors, even though those authors include 140 top officials and advisors from Trump’s first presidential term, some of whom wrote entire chapters.

ECM has reviewed the entire document and provides this analysis of its most controversial provisions, in summary and detail. Some page citations are provided; citations are available on request for every fact cited.

Project 2025’s  stated mission is to restore family as centerpiece of American life, “dismantle the administrative state” (p 3), defend our nation’s sovereignty and borders against global threats, and secure ”God given individual rights to live freely.”  But if fully implemented, it would dismantle many branches of our federal government, politicize every federal agency,  threaten  our democracy and take away many rights and protections for women, minorities, the LGBTQ community, and our environment.

SUMMARY

Some of its most polarizing proposals include:

Shutting down and privatizing agencies: It aims to close down entirely agencies ranging from the Department of Education (p. 285) to  the National Hurricane Center and the National Weather Service (p 664) which could charge for weather reports and warnings, also privatizing FEMA  (p. 135), the Federal Emergency Management Agency that provides aid to victims of wildfires, floods and other disasters, privatizing Small Business Administration disaster loans, and privatizing National Flood Insurance. The Transportation and Security Administration, or TSA which was set up to protect us from terrorists after 911 including airport screenings, would be privatized as well. 


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TWO SLATES OF CANDIDATES FOR LEMON GROVE CITY COUNCIL OFFERED THEIR VIEWS AND VISIONS IN CANDIDATE FORUM

 

October 17, 2024 (Lemon Grove) -- All four candidates running for Lemon Grove City Council participated in East County Magazine’s candidate forum on Oct.10, which was moderated by editor Miriam Raftery.

The candidates are Councilman George Gastil, a history professor, Seth Smith, Chair of the Lemon Grove Planning Commission, architectural designer and project manager, high school coach Steve Faiai, and Jessyka Heredia, a small business owner, community volunteer, and reporter who previously covered Lemon Grove issues for our news site. 

Candidates fielded questions on issues including infrastructure, housing, homeless, the business community, and increasing access to public meetings through livestreaming and videotaping.  See highlights of their responses belone, or click here for video of the complete forum.  Listen to audio here, as aired on our radio show on KNSJ, edited slightly for length.

Audio: 


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TRUMP CALLS FOR MILITARY TO BE USED ON HIS “ENEMIES WITHIN” ON U.S. SOIL; HIS JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF CHAIRMAN CALLS TRUMP “FASCIST” AND “MOST DANGEROUS PERSON TO THIS COUNTRY”

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Screenshot of Trump at rally in Aurora,Colorado Friday where he threatened violence and military retribution against his enemies in America

October 16, 2024 – Alarm bells are being sounded by former generals who served under Trump, who warn that his increasing threats of violence and retribution against political enemies and journalists are “fascist,”  as is his stated admiration for Adolf Hitler's generals.

Trump told Fox News this week that he would order the National Guard and “if really necessary, the military” to go after “enemies within” on American soil if he is reelected, ABC reports.

He has frequently used the “enemies within” description for his political opponents such as Rep. Adam Schiff, who led the impeachment hearing against Trump. Trump has repeatedly threatened retribution against his political enemies, including charging retired generals who have criticized him with treason.

In addition, he has threatened journalists and major news outlets, called for arrest by the military of anyone he deems “radical left lunatics,” aims to build camps to detain tens of millions of immigrants. He has also called for a “single day of violence” to curtail crime, said he would use force to quell protests against him if he wins the election and said Jews will be to blame if he loses.


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GARVEY, SCHIFF CLASH ON ABORTION, GUNS AND TRUMP IN ONLY ONE-ON-ONE DEBATE

In summary:  In their only TV face-off before Election Day, U.S. Senate contenders Steve Garvey and Adam Schiff  tussle over immigration and other issues.

By Yue Stella Yu, Cal Matters

View full debate

Photo: U.S. Senate candidates Adam Schiff, left, and Steve Garvey, right; screenshot via C-Span

October 14, 2024 (Glendale, CA) -- The sparks started flying between U.S. Rep. Adam Schiff and former L.A. Dodgers star Steve Garvey minutes into their only one-on-one debate on October 8, as both accused each other of failing Californians. 

In an hour-long televised forum this evening for the U.S. Senate seat — held by Dianne Feinstein until her death last year — the two traded verbal jabs and clashed over a range of issues, including reproductive rights, gun control and immigration. 

Garvey, a Palm Desert Republican, portrayed Schiff as a “career politician” who has done little to serve California residents during his tenure. “This man hasn’t done anything over the last 24 years on any of these things that have given us any consistency in life,” Garvey said.

Schiff, a Burbank Democrat who has served in Congress since 2001, in turn depicted Garvey as a supporter of former President Donald Trump who has experience in professional sports, not politics. “While Mr. Garvey was signing baseballs for the last 37 years, I was seeing presidents of both parties and governors of both parties sign my bills into law,” Schiff said.


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WELLS, JACOB CLASH IN FIERY 51ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT CANDIDATE FORUM

By Miriam Raftery

October 13, 2024 (San Diego) – Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, a Democrat, and El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, a Republican, gave sharply divergent responses on a host of issues during a 51st Congressional District candidate forum. The event, held at Temple Emanuel last week, was moderated by CBS 8 journalist Heather Myers with questions posed by the audience, plus in a twist, one question posed by each candidate to their opponent.

Wells sought to blame Democrats’ “radical left” policies  for problems ranging from inflation to rising homelessness and crime,  repeatedly criticizing immigrants while downplaying concerns over abortion. Jacobs sought to portray Wells as out of touch with women’s concerns over losing their reproductive freedoms if Republicans ban abortion at the national level and she denounced immigrant bashing as “dangerous” to Jews as well as immigrants.

Both voiced strong support for the Israeli people, but differed sharply in their views on how to defuse tensions and violence across the Mideast.  Wells chided Jacobs for focusing more on reproductive freedoms than economic issues, while Jacobs slammed Wells’ refusal to acknowledge that Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. She fired back that such “lies” led to the Capitol attack in which insurrections wearing “team Auschwitz” t-shirts burst into the House Chamber moments before Jacobs, a Jew, was evacuated.


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LEMON GROVE MAYORAL CANDIDATES SHARE VIEWS AND VISIONS FOR CITY IN ECM FORUM

 

View video of full Lemon Grove mayoral candidate forum

Hear audio version aired on radio (edited slightly for length)

By Miriam Raftery

October 13, 2024 (Lemon Grove)—All three candidates for Lemon Grove mayor fielded questions on issues ranging from housing and homelessness to infrastructure, the business community, and the city’s sales tax measure during a forum moderated by East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery on Oct. 10.  The candidates are Mayor Racquel Vasquez, Councilmember Alysson Snow, and Councilmember Liana LeBaron.

Scroll down for highlights, or click the link above to view the complete one-hour forum.

Audio: 

Radio show with Lemon Grove Candidates Forum

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LEMON GROVE CANDIDATES FORUMS TONIGHT

 

October 10, 2024 (Lemon Grove) – East County Magazine will host two candidate forums tonight on Zoom.  The Lemon Grove mayoral  candidates’ forum will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the Lemon Grove City Council candidates’ forum  at 7 p.m.

You can watch live on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/EastCountyMagazine/.  The forum will also be posted later on our homepage at https://www.eastcountymagazine.org.

All candidates have agreed to participate.


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LA MESA CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES SHARE DIVERSITY OF VIEWS

 

View forum:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7V44cS5UCY

A version of this forum, edited slightly for length,also aired on the East County Radio Show on KNSJ.  Hear audio.

By Miriam Raftery

October 7, 2024 (La Mesa) – All four candidates vying for two open seats on the La Mesa City Council spoke out on their goals and priorities if elected during an Oct. 3 forum on Zoom moderated by ECM editor Miriam Raftery. They addressed issues including housing and homelessness, restoring remote public comments, policing and public safety, district elections and campaign finance reform, and infrastructure to protect against extreme storms such as January’s floods.

Candidates opened with introductions, experience and top goals if elected.

Audio: 


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A CIVIL VP DEBATE: VANCE AND WALZ FOCUS ON ISSUES AND ELECTION INTEGRITY

Read full transcript of Vice Presidential debate

View Video of Full Debate

By: Rachel Williams & Miriam Raftery

Vance refuses to pledge to certify election results in a future presidential election, even if all 50 governors submit certified results.

October 6, 2024 (New York City, NY) — Senator JD Vance and Governor Tim Walz maintained a tone of civility during Oct. 1’s demure debate at the CBS Broadcast Center’s historic studio 45 on October 1, a sharp contrast from the contentious presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Polls show a stalemate, with neither VP candidate a clear winner. 


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TWO CANDIDATES VIE FOR OPEN SEAT ON SANTEE SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD

School bond also on ballot for Santee voters

By Mike Allen

Photo:  Monique Silver, left, and Tracie Silver, right

October 5, 2024 (Santee) --The Santee School District has two seats on its governing board up for election next month. Dianne El-Hajj is running unopposed for Seat No. 2, while Seat No. 4 has two candidates, retired teacher Monique Silver and teacher's aide Tracie Thill.

The candidates shared their views on issues ranging from closing the post-COVID learning gap to parental rights vs.censorship and inclusivity.


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GOVERNOR SIGNS 12 BILLS BY ASSEMBLYMEMBER WEBER INTO LAW

Lawmakers pass policy changes to protect community members against the opioid epidemic, non-disclosure agreements, mental health stigmas and uneducated athletic trainers with criminal backgrounds.
 
By: East County News Service
 
October 3, 2024 (San Diego, CA) – Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a dozen bills authored by local Assemblymember Akilah Weber into law.  Below are the new laws, which include measures to expand NARCAN access to prevent overdoses, ban companies from forcing consumers to sign non-disclosure agreements, protect the privacy of domestic violence survivors and mental health patients, prevent racial hairstyle bias in youth sports, require insurers to cover pasteurized, donor breast milk for infants in intensive care, and more.

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COLIN PARENT AND LASHEA SHARP-COLLINS SHARE VIEWS ON KEY ISSUES AT IN-DEPTH 79TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT FORUM

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 2, 2024 (Spring Valley) – Audience members offered up in-depth questions for candidates in the 79th Assembly District forum moderated by the League of Women Voters Monday night at the New Seasons Church in Spring Valley.

Educator LaShea Sharp-Collins,PhD and La Mesa Councilmember Colin Parent, both Democrats, agreed on some issues, such as protecting reproductive choice, but diverged on others, such as criminal justice reforms. Each touted their expertise in certain areas (Sharp-Collins on educations and equity issues, Parent on housing and transportation), their experiences preparing them for higher office, and their priorities if elected.


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79TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT FORUM SEPT. 30 IN SPRING VALLEY

East  County News Service



September 23, 2024 (Spring Valley, CA) – Ther Spring Valley Community Alliance (SVCA) and New Seasons Church are sponsoring a forum for candidates running in November for the 79th State Assembly District. The forum will take place on Monday, September 30 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the New Seasons Church,2300 Brancroft Drive in Spring Valley.

Both candidates, LaShae Sharp-Collins, PhD, and Colin Parent have confirmed their attendance.  Sharp-Collins is the County Office of Education’s community engagement specialist and an adjunct professor at San Diego State University. Parent is a La Mesa City Councilman, attorney, and general counsel for the nonprofit Circulate San Diego.

They will give opening statements and take questions from the audience. Take this opportunity to hear the candidates and learn where they stand on issues important to you.

The forum will be moderated by the League of Women Voters of San Diego and conducted according to their guidelines.


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ECM HOSTS LA MESA CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES FORUM THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3 ONLINE

Photos, top left to lower right: Kristine Alessio, Genevieve Suzuki, Lauren Cazares, and Shawn Townsend.

September 29, 2024 (La Mesa) – East County Magazine will host a forum for La Mesa City Council candidates on Thursday, October 3 at 7 p.m., moderated by ECM editor Miriam Raftery.  You can watch the forum livestreamed on Facebook at this link.  The forum, recorded on Zoom, will also be posted later in the Politics section of East County Magazine’s website.

All four candidates have confirmed that they will participate in our forum.

There are two open seats, with no incumbents.  The four candidates are:


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DA AND EAST COUNTY CHAMBER HOST PUBLIC SAFETY ZOOM WORKSHOP OCT. 10 AT NOON

By Jonathan Goetz
 
September 27, 2024 (San Diego) -- Join San Diego County's District Attorney Summer Stephan at noon Pacific time Thursday, October 10 for an hour in a virtual Public Safety Workshop. Please register with the San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce here.

 

 

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GOV. NEWSOM SIGNS BILL TO ELIMINATE MEDICAL DEBT FROM CREDIT REPORTS

 

By Suzanne Potter
Story and image via California News Service


September 25, 2024 (Sacramento) -- Starting in January, medical debt will no longer count against millions of Californians' credit scores thanks to a bill signed Tuesday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.


 
Senate Bill 1061 will ban almost all medical debt from showing up on people's credit reports.



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HARRIS AND TRUMP DEBATE AMERICA’S STANDING IN THE WORLD, ECONOMY, WOMEN’S HEALTH AND MORE

 

By Rachel Williams and Miriam Raftery

View video of full debate

Read transcript of debate

(Philadelphia, PA) -- In a fiery debate hosted by ABC on Sept. 11, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump clashed on issues ranging from foreign policy and climate change  to domestic issues including the economy, immigration and women’s health,  as well as protecting freedoms and preserving American democracy.

While Trump laid out a dark vision of a “failing nation” and pledges of mass deportations,  Harris focused on presenting a positive vision with several specific proposals to lift up middle class Americans and families. Harris slammed Trump’s handling of the COVID crisis, abortion, the January 6 capitol attack, and foreign policy, particularly his refusal to support Ukraine over Russia. Trump slammed the Biden-Harris record, particularly on inflation, immigration, and how the withdrawal from Afghanistan was handled.

The matchup pitted a seasoned prosecutor, ex-Senator and current Vice President against a former President, businessman, reality TV star and now, convicted felon. A split screen showed Harris largely poised as she methodically attacked Trump’s record,occasionally showing disbelief or laughter at his responses. Trump frequently scowled and fired back with criticisms of his own, occasional rambling off topic, and mocking barbs.


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6 MYTHS ABOUT CALIFORNIA CRIME AS VOTERS NOW FAVOR THIS MEASURE ON DRUGS, RETAIL THEFT

 
Photo by Loren Elliott for CalMatters: A security guard stands by the front entrance of a luxury retail storefront. 
 
CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters.
 
September 22, 2024 (Sacramento) -- Californians have gone back and forth on crime and punishment for years. 
 
 
Twenty years later, in 2014, nearly 60% of voters approved Proposition 47, which sought to reduce the state’s prison and jail populations by changing some felony crimes into misdemeanors and directing more state money to drug and mental health rehabilitation. 
 
Now, another 10 years on, Californians are apparently ready to reverse course again by undoing some of the changes made by Prop. 47. A new poll shows they support by a wide margin the November ballot measure Proposition 36, which would toughen sentences for certain property and drug crimes.  

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GOP CHAIR RALLIES 75TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT FOR LAKESIDE TRUSTEE ANDREW HAYES, AMID ETHICS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST DEMAIO

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo, California's 75th Assembly District (AD-75) courtesy: NBC San Diego.

September 19, 2024 (Lakeside) -- County Republican Party Chairman Corey Gustafson comes out swinging against former San Diego Councilman Carl Demaio in a letter leaked over the weekend in Times of San Diego. The GOP Chair rallies Republican Central Committee Members to support Lakeside Union School District Board Trustee Andrew Hayes in California's 75th Assembly District (AD-75), in the General election featuring two Republican candidates in what has become known as "California's jungle primary system."

The GOP Chair's letter broke over the weekend from Ken Stone, who summarizes in Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association, the latest of many DeMaio controversies.  Stone writes that "perennial candidate Carl DeMaio is being accused of attempted bribery, bullying, threats and lies as his Reform California group endorses 'rogue' Republicans amid his own race for Assembly."


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COUNTY BOARD ADOPTS 2024 CLIMATE ACTION PLAN

By Shauni Lyles, County of San Diego Communications Office
 
Photo: County of San Diego Communications Office
 
September 19, 2024 (San Diego) -- The County’s Board of Supervisors adopted September 11, the 2024 Climate Action Plan (2024 CAP), a blueprint for reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in the unincorporated area and at County facilities to reach net zero emissions by 2045.

To learn more about the County’s 2024 Climate Action Plan (CAP) Update, visit the project website.


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GOVERNOR NEWSOM SIGNS BILLS TO BAN DEEPFAKE POLITICAL VIDEO ADS

East County News Service

Photos: Bing Copilot Designer powered by DALL-E 3

September 18, 2024 (Sacramento) – California Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday signed two bills that constitute the nation’s toughest laws regulating deceptive AI videos targeting political candidates.

AB 2839 makes it illegal to make or publish deepfake videos in political ads or election communications within 120 days before an election or 90 days after. The law takes effect immediately. 

The second bill, AB 2655, requires online platforms such as social media sites to remove or label deceptive digital content related to elections during certain time periods, and to allow reporting of such content. . It also authorizes candidates, elected officials, elections officials, the Attorney General, and a district attorney or city attorney to seek injunctive relief against a large online platform for noncompliance.


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STUDY: LA MESA CALLS FOR FIRE & RESCUE SERVICES PROJECTED TO INCREASE 168% FROM 9,696 TO 26,003 BY 2050

 

By Michael Howard

Chart, right: La Mesa calls for fire and rescue services are projected to increase 168% by 2050, according to consulting firm Emergency Services Consulting International. 

September 15, 2024 (La Mesa, CA) - La Mesa’s Heartland Fire and Rescue will face a 168% increase in calls for service by 2050 according to a consulting company’s findings shared with the La Mesa City Council during its September 10 meeting.

 

“It’s a significant increase,” confirmed Jeff Stone, the Project Manager for Emergency Services Consulting International, the consulting agency that conducted the research.

 

The study was the first of its kind for La Mesa resulting in an 84-page risk assessment report that identified risks factors the city is likely to face and an evaluation of its ability to cope and address them. The report also benchmarks the risks into quantitative risk scores and provides 11 recommendations to mitigate them.


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TRUMP SAFE AFTER SECRET SERVICE FIRES AT GUNMAN ON FLORIDA GOLF COURSE

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Accused gunman Ryan Routh, via Facebook

September 16, 2024 (Palm Beach, Florida) – While former President Donald Trump was playing golf at his golf courses in Palm Beach, Florida yesterday afternoon, Secret Service agents posted a few holes away spotted a man pointing a rifle through shrubbery at the perimeter of the course.  An agent opened fire and the man fled, dropping a semi-automatic rifle and backpack. He was later apprehended.

Trump, the Republican nominee in the November presidential election, is safe. On his media outlet, he praised the Secret Service and law enforcement, writing,”THE JOB WAS ABSOLUTELY OUTSTANDING.”  In a later fundraising email, he pledged, “Nothing will slow me down.”

A witness took a photo of the would-be assassin’s vehicle, enabling authorities to arrest Ryan Wesley Routh, 58, a short time later. Routh was charged with being a felon in possession of a weapon and possessing a weapon without a serial number. He faces up to 20 years in prison.

Routh was previously convicted of possessing a machine gun in 2022, among other prior offenses.  His social media posts indicate he voted for Trump in 2016 but came to regret that choice, criticizing Trump on foreign policy, particularly Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  Routh has stated that he intended to volunteer to fight for Ukraine.


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HARRIS, TRUMP IN FIRST DEBATE TONIGHT

East County News Service

Photos, left: Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, by Ron  Logan and Gage Skidmore

September 10, 2024 (San Diego) – The first presidential candidate debate between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump will take place tonight, Tuesday Sept.10, at 6 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. This marks the first time the two candidates will meet in person, and the first opportunity for voters to view a debate featuring Harris as the Democratic nominee, after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race.

The much-anticipated debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia will  air live on ABC TV and stream on ABC News Live, Disney and Hulu.  Some other networks including NBC and CNN also plan to air the debate,  with many beginning pre-debate commentary ahead of time.

The race pits Harris, a seasoned prosecutor and former California Attorney General with strong courtroom speaking skills, against Trump, a prominent businessman convicted on 36 counts of fraud. Hot campaign topics include the economy, women’s reproductive health, immigration, inflation, climate change, foreign policy including the Ukraine and Israel-Gaza wars, the future of our democracy, Project 2025, personal freedoms, and more.


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JUSTICE DEPT. INDICTS RUSSIAN CONTROLLED MEDIA EMPLOYEES FOR ATTEMPTING TO COVERTLY INFLUENCE U.S. ELECTIONS

View the indictment here

Source: U.S. Dept. of Justice

September 4, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – Attorney General Merrick Garland today announced criminal indictments against two Russian nationals in a scheme to spread disinformation across social media under covert identities posing as U.S.-based media outlets. Their aim was to illegally influence the 2024 election, sow division among Americans, and spread propaganda favorable to Russia regarding its invasion of Ukraine. 

The defendants, Kostiantyn “Kostya” Kalashnikov and Elena “Lena”Afanasyeva, are both employees of Russia’s state-controlled media outlet in Moscow,  RT, formerly known as Russia Today.


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THE PEOPLE’S PROSECUTOR: KAMALA HARRIS MAKES HER CASE FOR PRESIDENCY IN DNC ACCEPTANCE SPEECH

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August 31, 2022 (Chicago)—In her acceptance speech for the Democratic party’s presidential nomination delivered last week in Chicago, Vice President and former prosecutor Kamala Harris presented her case to the American people. She spoke of domestic and foreign policy priorities, sharply contrasting her goals with those of her opponent.

“My entire career, I have only had one  client. The People,” said Harris, former California Attorney General and a former district attorney.  “With this election, our nation has a precious, fleeting opportunity to move past the bitterness, cynicism and divisive battles of the past. A chance to chart a New Way Forward.”

Pledging to be a President for all Americans, she added, “You can always trust me to put country above party and self. To hold sacred America’s fundamental principals—from the rule of law to free and fair elections, to the peaceful transfer of power,” alluding to her opponent, former President Donald Trump, convicted of felony fraud and facing numerous pending charges related to his efforts to overthrow the 2020 election results.

Harris said that if elected, she would strive to unite Americans around “our highest aspirations” and be a President “who leads and listens, who is realistic, practical, and has common sense. And always fights for the American people.”


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CALLING ALL CANDIDATES! EAST COUNTY CHAMBERS SEEKS PARTICIPANTS FOR “POLITICS IN PARADISE” SEPT. 20

East County News Service

September 2, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce will host “Politics in Paradise” on Friday, Sept.20 from  5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego.

Candidates are invited to sign up and participate. Candidates can share their platform and discuss topics with both Chamber members and guests, give a one-minute speech,invite attendees to engage one-on-one questions and answers, bring a table with campaign materials, and solicit fundraising. Candidates must complete this candidate form.

The public is invited to attend and learn more about the people running for local offices seeking to represent East County residents.


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ROADS, BRIDGES AND FLOOD CONTROL MTG 8/25 AT VALLEY CENTER LIBRARY

 
Photo courtesy: Department of Public Works
 
September 3, 2024 (Valley Center) -- Join County representatives in Valley Center to discuss an evolving 2025-2030 Community Improvement Plan (CIP). This meeting is the final Wednesday in September, the 25th, from 6-7 p.m. at the Valley Center Library located at 29200 Cole Grade Rd, Valley Center, CA 92082.

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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

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