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.

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.

Wednesday October 1, 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.

East County News Service

October 2, 2025 (San Diego) – With the Trump administration shutting down the federal government and thus critical services for the working class, the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO will host its weekly “ICE Out of San Diego” rally—this time, bringing together workers, immigrants, and allies to condemn the Trump administration’s escalating attacks on the working class.

The rally at 10 a.m. today will be at the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, 880 Front Street, San Diego, CA 92101 

From hotel workers arrested in parking lots after their shifts to restaurant employees targeted in militarized South Park raids”, ICE is terrorizing San Diegans while the Supreme Court greenlights racial profiling. These actions are part of a broader strategy to divide the working class, silence dissent, and dismantle unions while billionaires pocket trillions in tax cuts,” a press release from the Labor Council states.

East County News Service

East County News Service

October 1, 2025 (Sacramento) -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta, as part of a multistate coalition, yesterday sought emergency relief from the U.S. District Court for the District Court of Rhode Island to stop the unlawful reallocation of hundreds of millions of dollars in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Homeland Security Grant Program funding away from states like California.

Source: Border Patrol

October 1, 2025 (Boulevard) – Border Patrol agents thwarted a drug smuggling attempt Sunday afternoon, seizing over 52 pounds of methamphetamine concealed within the spare tire of a side-by-side utility terrain vehicle in San Diego’s East County.

East County News Service

Photo:  2007 Harris Fire in Potrero, one of many wildfires for which FEMA provided disaster relief funds in our region

September 30, 2025 (Sacramento) -- California Attorney General Rob Bonta, as part of a multistate coalition, yesterday sought emergency relief from the U.S. District Court for the District Court of Rhode Island to stop the unlawful reallocation of hundreds of millions of dollars in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Homeland Security Grant Program funding away from states like California.

President Donald Trump has said he plans to eliminate FEMA completely as early as December and return responsibility for disaster prevention, response and relief for survivors entirely to states. “"We want to wean off of FEMA, and we want to bring it back to the state level," the president said in JUNE, NPR reported, adding that the agency would immediately "give out less money" to states recovering from disasters.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: award-winning blues musician Doug MacLeod

September 29, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – The Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center 2025-2026 season is underway.  In October, the center will host the Miss Borrego Springs Pageant on Saturday, Oct. 11, followed by legendary blues musician Doug McLeod in concert on Friday, Oct. 17.

East County News Service

September 29, 2025 (San Diego) – SDG&E will conduct a test of its customer notification systems on Tuesday, September 30.  According to SDG&E’s press release, “ This test is part of SDG&E’s commitment to public safety, ensuring our customers have the information they need when emergencies arise. Regular testing ensures our notification systems are fully operational and reliable when needed. “   

Residential and business customers (account holders) will receive test notifications via text message, phone or email asking them to update their contact information.  The tests will be conducted across SDG&E’s service area in San Diego and Orange counties.

Text messages will come from the number 73434 (also known as a short code). The phone call will come from 1-858-868-4586. Email messages will be sent from notices@sdge.com.     

 San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife program helps young big cats reclaim their place in nature

Source:  San Diego Humane Society

September 29, 2025 (Ramona)  — Two mountain lion cubs who arrived at San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center as orphans in March have been returned to the wild.

The young carnivores were released into suitable habitat in San Diego County on Sept. 18, 2025, after undergoing more than five months of rehabilitation designed to limit human interaction and prepare them for life on their own.

The cubs were originally found alone and malnourished before being safely trapped by the UC Davis California Carnivores Program team in coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. They were transferred to San Diego Humane Society’s Ramona Wildlife Center on March 26, 2025.

East County News Service

Photo via Indivisible North County San Diego and 50501 North County San Diego

September 29, 2025 (Escondido) - Approximately 100 residents from Ramona, Temecula, Escondido, San Diego, and other locations joined in a 'We are All Immigrants' rally on September 27^th in Escondido.  The rally was organized by the North County chapters of Indivisible and 50501.

East County News Service

September 28, 2025 (Otay Lakes) -- San Diego sector Border Patrol agents rescued an injured cyclist, Keith Leyva, after he fell over 40 feet from a cliff into a remote canyon.

By Sir Milo Loftin, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 28, 2025 (San Diego) - San Diego County Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Andrew Strong has been honored with the inaugural Partners for Justice Champion Award for his leadership and innovative support of public defense.

Reviewed by Pennell Paugh

September 28, 2025 (San Diego) - Lucas and Emily's Food Bank Adventure is a children's book for 5- to 10-year-olds. It is designed to inspire children and their families to volunteer in community programs that help those in need. In the book, two friends and a grandparent visit a group that make and deliver sandwiches.