Source: CalKids

October 5, 2025 (Sacramento) -- More than 260,000 California 2nd graders are starting this school year with their very first scholarship through CalKIDS, the state’s landmark program that helps families prepare for college and career training.

Each eligible 2nd grader is automatically awarded a minimum of $500 in their CalKIDS Scholarship Account. Foster youth and students experiencing homelessness receive an additional $500–$1,000, for a CalKIDS Scholarship Account worth up to $1,500.

Each year, a new group of students is added to the CalKIDS Program. Eligibility is determined by the California Department of Education using the Local Control Funding Formula, which identifies students based on income criteria or as English learners.

By Jennifer Vigil, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  a San Diego intersection where there are two automated license plate reader cameras on the streetlights. (File photo by Gabrielle Wallace/Times of San Diego)

October 4, 2025 (El Cajon) - California is suing El Cajon over the city’s lack of compliance with a state law prohibiting the sharing of license plate data with federal and out-of-state law enforcement agencies.

East County News Service

October 2, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – Ready to savor German beers and foods, kick up your heels to traditional German music as well as contemporary bands, enjoy games, carnival rides and vie for prizes? All of these opportunities and more can be found at Oktoberfest celebrations across East County include large festivals in La Mesa and El Cajon this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as smaller Oktoberfest gatherings in Alpine and Julian on October 4.

Scroll down for details on Oktoberfest events across San Diego's inland region.

East County News Service

October 3, 2025 (Lake Morena) -- Karen Pearlman snapped this photo of snowy white egret searching for fish at Lake Morena, casting a reflection in the deep green waters.

The visit raises a curious question:  Why are all the plants in the water at  Lake Morena dead? It isn't drought, since plants further up the shoreline appear green and healthy.  

Lake Morena had a toxic algae warning issued in 2023, banning all boating on the reservoir.  Toxic algae can kill aquatic plants and is also toxic to people and wildlife.  It is unclear whether toxic algae is responsible for the current situation at Lake Morena, a reservoir which provides drinking water for the city of San Diego.

ECM will be reaching out to county and city officials, since the  City of San Diego operates the reservoir and the County owns the surrounding land.

Healthcare premiums will double for millions of Americans if Republicans don’t renew subsidies

By Alexander J. Schorr

Photo: Cedar Fire in October, 2003 burned over 276,000 acres, destroyed 2,232 homes and killed 15 people.  October is peak wildfire season in our region, yet the shutdown threatens wildfire preparedness and disaster relief.

October 2, 2025— The US federal government has shut down after Republican and Democratic lawmakers failed to resolve a budget stand-still. The political impasse is expected to put 40% of the federal workforce— about 750,000 people— on unpaid leave. Please follow live updates as to the status of the governmental closure at this time.

President Donald Trump has threatened to fire federal workers amid the latest government shutdown after a failure to resolve and pass short-term funding bills. Despite holding a Republican Majority throughout the branches of government, Trump blasted Democrats, saying that “We can do things during a shutdown that are irreversible, that are bad for them and irreversible.” He went on to say that would entail “cutting vast numbers of people out, cutting things that they like, cutting programs that they like.

There is no requirement to fire any federal workers due the shutdown, NPR reports. The last time the government shut down, during Trump’s first term as president, workers were temporarily furloughed.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

In the quiet hum of a modern home, danger sometimes hides in plain sight. It’s not the flicker of a candle or the forgotten stove burner, it’s the lithium-ion battery powering your phone, your e-bike, your child’s toy. This year’s Fire Prevention Week Oct 5^th – 11^th 2025, communities across the country are sounding the alarm on a new frontier of fire safety.

The theme, “Charge into Fire Safety™”, urges families to rethink how they buy, charge, and recycle the batteries that fuel everyday life.

East County News Service

October 3, 2025 (Borrego Springs, CA) -- Borrego Springs hosts its annual Borrego Days Desert Festival on October 18 and 19. Saturday features a morning flyover and parade, as well as the "Shine and Show" vehicle show.

There's also a beer garden, kids' zone, food stations, and booths featuring everything from art to information.  Plus you can enjoy live music and other activities all weekend long.

Source:  Cal Coast Credit Union

October 2, 2025 (San Diego) – Imagine being a college student, striving for a better future, yet unsure where your next meal will come from. Research shows this is the heartbreaking reality for nearly half of our local college students who face food insecurity every day. Without reliable access to food, many are forced to skip meals, miss classes, or even drop out.

To combat this crisis, California Coast Credit Union has joined forces with the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and local community colleges to launch the 7th annual Pack the Pantry virtual food drive. Running through October 31, 2025, this fundraiser will directly support food pantries on community college campuses across San Diego and Imperial counties. Every dollar raised provides two meals, and Cal Coast will match donations up to $5,000, doubling the impact.

Democrats take stand to protect healthcare coverage as Republicans adjourn with negotiating

By G. A. McNeeley 

October 1, 2025 -- The Democratic and Republican proposals that would’ve funded the government beyond Tuesday, September 30, failed within The Senate during the eleventh hour, which effectively shut the government down at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, October 1. 

The federal government ran out of money after a Democratic-backed spending bill that would’ve extended health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act and reversed cuts to Medicaid failed. The Republican-backed stopgap funding measure that would’ve funded the government for seven weeks also failed. 

Democrats have refused to back a Republican bill that will make it harder for Americans to afford healthcare. They’re calling for an extension of the tax credits (which are set to expire) that have made health insurance cheaper for millions of Americans, and for a reversal of cuts to Medicaid that were made by President Donald Trump. Republicans have acccused Democrats of trying to provide healthcare benefits for undocumented immigrants, which the Washington Post reports is a false claim. Illegal immigrants have never been eligible for the healthcare tax credits.

By Heidi Hope

October 1, 2025 (Julian) - For anyone interested in exploring the historic aspect of weaving on a loom, or buying hand-woven products, you won’t want to miss Julian Weaving Works in Santa Ysabel. Julian Weaving Works is a weaving academy and store created and run by Beryl Warnes. She has been in this weaving business for 30 years. 

By Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign upfor their newsletters

October 1, 2025 (Sacramento) - Democrat Toni Atkins is dropping out of the crowded 2026 race to succeed Gavin Newsom as California governor, she announced Monday. 

by Chris Jennewein • Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

 Sept. 30, 2025 (San Diego) -- Three Democratic members of Congress from San Diego called on their Republican colleagues to negotiate but acknowledged that a government shutdown is likely at midnight.

Earlier this month Republicans in the House of Representatives passed a continuing resolution to keep the government funded through Nov. 21. If not passed by the Senate on Tuesday evening, the government will shut down.

At issue is whether to extend tax credits that make Obamacare cheaper for an estimated 22 million Americans — including more than 100,000 in the San Diego area.

By Miriam Raftery

September 29, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – September has been a deadly month for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians, with vehicle accidents claiming numerous lives across our inland region. Here are details, per the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s office. All died of blunt force injuries, with one driver also suffering multiple strokes. 

These tragic deaths, listed below, are reminders to always use caution when driving, bicycling or walking, especially after dark.