By Paul Levikow

Photo:  map shows targeted areas to be prioritized for housing

November 20, 2025 (San Diego) – With San Diego County experiencing a housing crisis, the Board of Supervisors held a workshop Wednesday aimed at finding solutions for the unincorporated areas, including several in East County.

Additionally, President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” provisions could kick millions out of the program 

By G. A. McNeeley 

November 20 2025 (Washington D.C.) -- After disruptions in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits due to the federal shutdown, recipients have been anticipating getting benefits restored now that the shutdown has ended. But U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins previously told Newsmax on  November 13 that the Trump Administration’s plan for all current SNAP recipients is to "have everyone reapply for their benefits,” in an attempt to prevent fraud, according to Newsweek. 

Nearly 42 million low-income Americans who receive SNAP benefits will have to reapply for benefits under this planned overhaul of the program, which is a more intense, time-consuming and costly process than recertifying, according to USA Today. 

Additionally, Rollins previously directed USDA staff during the recent shutdown to continue ushering states toward compliance with the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which is projected to kick millions out of the nation’s largest anti-hunger program within the next few months, according to POLITICO. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo via White House:  President Trump at signing ceremony

November 13, 2025 (Washington D.C.) -- President Donald Trump has signed a bill to reopen the federal government and end the longest-ever government shutdown that lasted 43 days, sidelined federal workers, delayed food aid, and snarled air travel. 

 The deal has drawn criticism for failing to assure extension of Affordable Healthcare Act premiums, which Republicans have held the line against. Health experts estimate that Americans shopping for 2026 Obamacare health insurance plans are facing more than doubling of monthly premiums on average as a result of subsidies expiring. Senate Democrats settled for a promise that the Senate would vote on a bill to extend the subsidies by the end of the second week of December, but there’s no assurance that either the  Senate or House would pass the measure.

President Trump blasted Democrats during a ceremony to sign the government funding bill. Trump accusing Democrats of trying to "extort American taxpayers" by pushing to extend health insurance subsidies, CBS News reports.

Proposal would restore SNAP funding, but healthcare subsidies remain in limbo

By G. A. McNeeley 

Updated Nov. 11 and 12 with comments from California's Senators.

November 10, 2025 (Washington D.C.) -- On Sunday, November 9, The U.S. Senate moved forward on a measure aimed at reopening the federal government and ending the ongoing government shutdown that sidelined federal workers, delayed food aid, and snarled air travel, according to Reuters. 

The agreement, reached by a group of Democrats who teamed up with Republicans, cleared the first hurdle on a vote of 60-40 to advance in a late-night Senate vote. If it's approved, it would still need to pass the House, and gain President Donald Trump's signature to become law, and reopen the government, according to NBC News. 

However, even if the agreement has enough support to clear those hurdles, the process is still expected to take days--and has drawn controversy for failing to assure extension of Affordable Healthcare Act premiums, which Republicans have held the line against. 

By Alexander J. Schorr

Image by The Wandering Trader

November 9, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) — After the U.S. bombed multiple boats allegedly carrying drugs in foreign waters, tensions are high. President Donald Trump risks war with Venezuela as U.S. warships head across the Eastern Pacific toward Venezuela.

Richard Bruce Cheney: January 30,1941— November 3, 2025

By Alexander J. Schorr

Tuesday November 4, 2025— Former Vice President Dick Cheney died on November 3, 2025, at the age of 84. According to a statement from his family, the cause of death was the result of complications with pneumonia as well as cardiac and vascular disease.

Cheney served two terms as Vice President under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009; he was considered one of the most powerful individuals ever to hold the office and a key architect of the post-9/11 “War on terror” and the US invasion of Iraq.

By Miriam Raftery

November 4, 2025 (San Diego) – Voters in California, including San Diego, have decisively approved Proposition 50, which will allow temporary redistricting of the state’s Congressional districts for the next five years.

Poway voters also opted overwhelmingly to oust scandal-plagued District 2 Councilmember Tony Blain by an 81% to 19% margin. Blain is facing felony charges including perjury and soliciting bribes.

By Karen Pearlman

Nov. 4, 2025 (East County) – The Grossmont Healthcare District has a new Chief Executive Officer. 

Santee resident James Sly was unanimously approved by the five-member GHD board to be the Grossmont Healthcare District CEO and lead the organization on Tuesday afternoon.

Sly, who has been the CEO of the East County Economic Development Council since December 2020, will start as the GHD CEO on Dec. 15. His salary will be $270,000 a year with a yearly $5,000 stipend.

Aaron Byzak, who has been the interim CEO for the Grossmont Healthcare District since March 2025 following the GHD board's decision to not renew the contract of Christian Wallis, will stay as interim director until Dec. 19, and he will continue to be the communication strategy consultant for the GHD.

By G. A. McNeeley

Image, left via Library of Congress:  interior of East Wing, now demolished; this hallway displayed portraits of first ladies.

October 31, 2025 (Washington D.C.) -- President Donald Trump is facing legal action and criticism from historic preservationists and others over demolition of the White House’s East Wing as part of his $300 million plan to build a new ballroom on the executive grounds, according to Newsweek. 

A Virginia couple went to court to try to block Trump from proceeding with demolition of the White House’s East Wing, POLITICO reports, but their lawsuit was unable to stop the destruction from happening. 

Although Trump initially said the project wouldn't "interfere with the current building" and would be "near it but not touching it," he contradicted that on October 22, stating that "in order to do it properly, we had to take down the existing structure,” according to NPR. 

By Paul Levikow

Photo, left: Vince Kattoula displays hookahs, advocating for more space to display them in retail stores

October 28, 2025 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon City Council voted Tuesday to deny a proposal that would have increased the allowable display space for tobacco products such as hookahs in retail stores that are not designated smoke shops.

The 3-1 vote leaves intact the city code requirement that licensed tobacco retailers are limited to 16 cubic feet of display area. The El Cajon Planning Commission recommended earlier this month to allow stores to double the permissible display area to 32 cubic feet. Councilmember

Phil Ortiz, who asked that the issue be brought forth to the Council, was the lone no vote. He advocated for the increased allowable space. Mayor Bill Wells was absent.

By Tracy DeFore, County of San Diego Communications Office

October 27, 2025 (San Diego) - You don’t have to wait until Election Day to vote in person. Voters can take advantage of early voting at nearly three dozen select vote centers starting Saturday, Oct. 25. The centers are located around the county and will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Overall, this affects not only SNAP, but also WIC, federal workers, food banks, senior citizens, and grocery stores.

By G. A. McNeeley 

October 22, 2025 (California) -- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the critical food assistance program, being halted is one of the biggest impacts of the ongoing government shutdown, and it’s about to affect tens of millions of the poorest Americans. Several states are warning that they’ll be forced to suspend SNAP benefits by November 1 if the shutdown continues, according to ABC News. 

SNAP, also referred to as "food stamps," serves about 42 million low-income Americans. The program, run by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service, issues electronic benefits that can be used like cash to purchase food. 

Governor Gavin Newsom warned on Monday, October 20, that millions of low-income Californians who rely on public assistance to feed their families may be unable to access food benefits next month because of the federal government shutdown, according to POLITICO. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, right:  Washington D.C. No Kings rally, courtesy of organizers

October 19, 2025 (San Diego) - No Kings rallies yesterday drew an  estimated 7 million protesters nationwide, including estimates ranging from 25,000 to 50,000+ in downtown San Diego’s Waterfront Park and over 35,000 more in rallies held in cities and towns across San Diego County. 

San Diego organizer Dane Culbreath called the protest “unifying for democracy and opposing the authoritarian trends we are witnessing federally under the Trump Administration.” 

In East County, participation in the No Kings movement is growing.

Organizers and multiple participants estimate El Cajon’s rally at around 3,000 people—triple the size of a June rally. 

East County's Casa de Oro, which was going to benefit from a demonstration project for Campo Road road improvements, saw a grant from the federal government rescinded. ECM photo

Local residents and officials voice disappointment in decision