By Suzanne Potter, California News Service

December 19, 2025 (Washington D.C.) -- Health care premiums for an estimated 1.7 million Californians are set to skyrocket on January 1, as Congress has been unable to agree on a fix.

On Wednesday, four Republicans joined Democrats to force a vote on a proposal to extend COVID-era subsidies, which won't likely happen until January. Those subsidies make plans cheaper on Affordable Care Act marketplace known as Covered California.

East County News Service

December 17, 2025 (San Diego) – It's a first for the Holiday Bowl -- the annual big college bowl game will be played here in January.

The January 2026 game will pit the17th-ranked Arizona Wildcats (9-3, 6-3) from the Big 12 Conference against the SMU Mustangs (8-4, 6-2) from the Atlantic Coast Conference for the 46^th annual Trust & Will Holiday Bowl game.

The game starts at 5 p.m., Friday, Jan. 2 at Snapdragon Stadium, with the game showing live on Fox Broadcasting Company.

East County News Service

December 17, 2025 (El Cajon) -- San Diego Ballet brings “The Nutcracker”, a cherished holiday classic, to the Magnolia performing arts center in El Cajon with performances on Saturday, December 20 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. as well as Sunday,  December 21 at 12 p.m.

December 17, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media.  This week's round-up stories include:

LOCAL

• Trump administration signs updated agreement with Mexico over Tijuana sewage (KPBS)
• Teacher at Christian Unified High School arrested for alleged sexual assault of family member (Fox 5)
•  New data shows frequency of crashes on Spring St in La Mesa (10 News)
• Who’s stealing bronze plaques from San Diego County libraries? (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Community reacts to proposed façade changes at Goodwill in La Mesa Village (KUSI)
•  Where to access food assistance in San Diego County (KPBS)
•  On-campus food pantries available to college students across San Diego County ( CBS)
• La Mesa increases parking rates starting Jan. 1 (Times of San Diego )
• Lakeside father calls young children 'heroes' after they help save his life during road rage attack (KGTV)
• Looking for a pole saw? The National City library has you covered (KPBS)
• East County family devastated as hit-and-run driver who killed Austin Spirz set for early release (10 News)
• Mayor Gloria announces effort to allow townhomes in San Diego's single-family neighborhoods (KPBS)
• San Diego County to explore recycling San Onofre nuclear waste (KPBS)

STATE

• Trump administration adds militarized zone in California along southern US border (AP)
• California launches new online portal to report misconduct by federal agents (KGTV)
• Judge orders Trump to end California National Guard troop deployment in Los Angeles (AP)
• California revokes 17,000 commercial driver's licenses for immigrants (AP)
• California gives Planned Parenthood $140 million boost to keep clinics open (Cal Matters)
• New California law prohibits declawing cats (KBBS)
• The hydrants will run dry: Trump's LA fire claims missed the mark, study shows (CalMatters)
• California sues Trump over food stamps (KPBS)
• Data centers are putting new strain on California’s grid. A new report estimates the impacts (Cal Matters)
• 40,000 people died on California roads. State leaders looked away (KPBS)
• As California prisons face ‘wave’ of sex assault lawsuits, new audit highlights slow discipline (CalMatters)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets

Source: Heartland Fire and Rescue

December 17, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- Even everyday electrical equipment like power strips can be a safety risk when not maintained or used properly. Follow these best practices to stay safe when using power strips, surge protectors and extension cords, not just during the holidays, but throughout the year.

By Alexander J. Schorr

December 15, 2025 (El Cajon) — The Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) governing board voted unanimously to raise their own monthly salary of $534.04 to a proposed $2,000.00 each starting  in January 2026. While California law does allow for school boards to increase their trustees’ compensation annually by up to 5% based on the presenting monthly rate, as per the newest law AB 1390, the board trustees have gone above and beyond what is normally acceptable for a trustee's stipend.

December  16,  2025 (San Diego) -- As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Trump's DOJ has sued 18 states to try to access voter data  (NPR)
• Trump Sued By Preservationists Seeking Review Over White House Ballroom Project (Huffington Post)
• Rob Reiner's son Nick arrested on murder charges after director and his wife found dead at their L.A. home (Yahoo news)
• Trump drops tariffs on beef, coffee, tropical fruit as pressure builds on consumer prices (KSBW)
• Epstein Alleged in Emails That Trump Knew of His Conduct (New York Times)
• State Department to deny visas to fact checkers and others, citing 'censorship' (NPR)
• Supreme Court rejects call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage  (AP)
• Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment Arrives, But Price Data Isn’t Being Updated (NOTUS)
• NTSB warns that defense bill could undermine aviation safety changes after DCA crash (NPR)
• Trump administration limits refugee admissions to mostly white South Africans (AP)
• Trump administration moves to overrule state laws protecting credit reports from medical debt (AP)
• Steve Bannon Reveals ‘There’s a Plan’ for Third Trump Term (Daily Beast)
• Hegseth declares end of US 'utopian idealism' with new military strategy   (Politico)
• Citing AP investigation, senators demand answers on use of full-body restraints during deportations (AP)
• Republican lawmakers lash out at Pentagon for keeping them in  dark (Reuters)
• Trump’s Own Mortgages Match His Description of Mortgage Fraud (ProPublica)
• Congress to withhold Pentagon travel funds until it sees boat strike videos (Politico)

WORLD

• Putin directs drills of Russian nuclear forces as his summit with Trump is put on hold (AP)
• Foreigners allowed to travel to the US without a visa could soon face new social media screening (AP)
• Prime Minister Mark Carney says Canada will double its non-US exports as Canadians can't rely on US (AP)
• Protests erupt after police raid in Brazil leaves 119 dead and draws accusations of excessive force (AP)
• France adopts consent-based rape law in the wake of landmark Gisèle Pelicot case (AP)
• Russian bombers join Chinese air patrol near Japan as Tokyo-Beijing tie strains (Reuters)
• Magnitude 7.5 quake in northern Japan injures 23 people and triggers a 2-foot tsunami (AP)
• As Russia’s Africa Corps fights in Mali, witnesses describe atrocities from beheading to rapes (AP)
• More than 60 dead as typhoon wreaks havoc in the Philippines (BBC)
• Iranian capital faces water rationing and evacuations if it doesn't rain soon, president warns (AP)
• Mexican president says Mexico will send more water to US but not immediately (AP)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

By Mike Allen

Image:  rendering of new community center

December 15, 2025 (Santee) -- Santee’s City Council has unanimously approved a contract to build its long-planned Community Center next to the Cameron YMCA for a total cost of $26.8 million, or $3.3 million more than the city staff’s estimate given in April.

East County News Service

Dec. 15, 2025 (La Mesa) – La Mesa residents and those who just like La Mesa will put on their walking shoes while soaking in some festive cheer this week as La Mesa Walks! hosts a special evening edition of the "Holiday Light Stroll" this Wednesday, Dec. 17.

By Miriam Raftery

December 15, 2025 (San Diego) –  “Let the world see that when darkness tries to intimidate us, we answer with light,”  Rabbi Rafi Andrusier from Chabad of East County said today following a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney, Australia.

Rabbi Andrusier urged local community members to join in a local Menorah lighting at 3:30 p.m. today in San Carlos.

At least 15 people were killed and 38 injured when a gunman opened fire on a crowd celebrating the first day of Hanukkah today at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia. The shooter was disarrmed by a Muslim man who risked his life to  tackle the shooter from behind. A second gunman was also apprehended.

Authorities have called the mass shooting a terrorist attack on the Jewish community on this first night of Hanukkah, an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of a temple in Jerusalem where a small amount of oil lasted eight days in the temple’s Menorah, an action deemed a miracle.

Inmate suffered head and spinal injuries after being smashed head first into wall, left bleeding in cell without medical attention

East County News Service

December 13, 2025 (San Diego) -- San Diego Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremiah Manuyag Flores was convicted by a federal jury yesterday of violating the civil rights of a man in pretrial custody at the San Diego Central Courthouse by using excessive force that caused serious injuries, writing a false report to cover up his illegal actions. Sentencing is scheduled for April 1, 2026.

East County News Service

December 11, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – Deputies from the Lemon Grove Sheriff's Substation's Community Oriented Policing and Problem-Solving (COPPS) team ran a retail theft operation at multiple businesses throughout the city on December 10. During the eight-hour operation, deputies made seven arrests—six misdemeanors and one felony—averaging roughly one arrest per hour.

By Karen Pearlman and Miriam Raftery

From world-renowned conservation hubs to intimate, family-friendly rescues, San Diego's East County and inland region is a vibrant destination for wildlife lovers, animal aficionados and compassionate travelers. Here, you can enjoy close-up encounters with exotic animals, native wildlife, and rescued farm animals.

The area’s expansive network of nonprofit sanctuaries, educational centers and specialized rescue organizations welcomes visitors to see everything from exotic predators and native wolves to rehabilitated raptors and farm animals. Whether you're looking for a daily adventure or a unique educational tour, these sites offer myriad hands-on opportunities to support animal welfare, conservation and education.