By Alexander J. Schorr

Photo:  screenshot of Meta’s Ray Ban AI Glasses analysis by Surfshark

February 25, 2026 (San Diego) — AI in the United States has the potential for great power and change in the nation. It is very much a new “wild west,” and because there are no significant guardrails, there is great danger from it facing human beings when privacy and identity is confronted. The new AI glasses, for example, are a potential danger to school safety and academic honesty.

Reviewed by Pennell Paugh

February 25, 2026 (San Diego) -- Alain Lescart, a resident of San Diego, entered his latest fairy story in the San Diego Public Library Author Showcase: The Bloodstones of Power: The Norwesis Chronicles, Book 3.

Gnome Jebeddo digs underground, but his way out collapses. When he wakes, he is in a cave inhabited by an enormous dragon.

By G. A. McNeeley 

Image created with ChatGPT

February 24, 2026 (Washington D.C.) -- Three Senate Democrats released legislation on Monday, February 23 that would mandate refunds of tariffs paid under President Donald Trump's higher duties that The Supreme Court struck down on Friday, February 20, according to CNBC. 

The legislation, led by Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon), Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire), and Senator Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts) follows the Supreme Court's 6-3 decision that ruled against a majority of Trump's tariffs. 

"Trump's illegal tax scheme has already done lasting damage to American families, small businesses and manufacturers who have been hammered by wave after wave of new Trump tariffs," Wyden said in a statement, according to CNBC. 

East County News Service

February 23, 2026 (Spring Valley) – Shortly before noon today, the San Diego County Sheriff's Office was made aware of a school threat at Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley. The campus' School Resource Deputy was contacted by the school's administration, referencing a threatening phone call they received. The high school was immediately placed on "secure campus" status. 

“I love Lemon Grove, and I always like to think the glass is half full, not half empty.” - David Eckler, newly appointed Lemon Grove planning commissioner.

Photo by Armando Rasing II:  The Lemon Grove City Council introducing the new planning commission candidates one-by-one on Tuesday night

By Armando Rasing II

February 23, 2026 (Lemon Grove) - David Eckler and Jennifer Morrisey were chosen by the Lemon Grove City Council on Tuesday to fill the two vacancies in the city’s Planning Commission. 

Eckler and Morrisey were unanimously both voted into the commission. Eckler was voted into the longer first term role, with his term beginning on Tuesday and ending June 30, 2027. Morrisey was voted into the shorter first term role, with her term also beginning on Tuesday and ending on June 30, 2026. 

By Kevin A. Green 

Miriam Raftery contributed to this report

Photos via elcajon.gov 

The mayor and city officials outline planned actions to benefit the community

February 23, 2026 (El Cajon) — El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells addressed public safety, homelessness, the economy and more during his State of the City address February 3 at the Ronald Reagan Community Center.  The mayor recapped progress made in 2025, addressed challenges and outlined goals for 2026.

By Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.

Photo:  The cellar room of Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles on July 30, 2025. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

February 20, 2026 (Sacramento) - In a major blow against President Donald Trump, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that he does not have the authority to impose the wide-ranging tariffs that have caused economic uncertainty in the state, nation and beyond. 

By Kristen Romea, LCSW, Director of Supportive Services, and leaders of the Encanto 4^th Thursday Caregivers Support Group: Linda Cochran-Johnson, Naomi Rogers-Bea, and Roberta Stokes

Photo courtesy Alzheimer's San Diego

February 18, 2026 (San Diego) -- Black History Month is a time to celebrate the culture and contributions of Black Americans. However, these celebrations are also an opportunity to examine the disparities many Black Americans experience, especially when it comes to their cognitive health.

By Miriam Raftery

Image: Jesse Jackson addresses United Nations in 2012; US Mission Geneva. Creative Commons license 2.0

February 18, 2026 (San Diego) –San Diego leaders are praising the life and legacy of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader and protégé of Martin Luther King Jr., who died yesterday after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.  

Rev. Shane Harris, a San Diego-based civil rights leader, remembers Jackson as “a giant of the civil rights movement and a relentless voice for justice.” Harris worked and marched alongside Jackson.  “He never stopped pushing this nation to be better, fairer, and more compassionate,” he said. “His legacy is written in the lives he touched, the doors he helped open, and the hope he carried forward.”

By Miriam Raftery

February 17, 2026 (San Diego) – Teamsters Local 2010 is holding a four-day unfair labor practice strike at 22 California State University campuses starting today, including San Diego State University and Cal State San Marcos.  Campuses remain open, however an alert sent by SDSU cautions that traffic along I-8 near campus is backed up; students and motorists should allow for extra travel time and plan for alternate routes.

According to a flyer posted online by the labor union, “The 1,100 Skilled Trades Teamsters have worked hard and sacrificed to keep the CSU running through the pandemic and beyond, yet CSU has refused to honor step increases and their contractual obligations.”