Source:  Alex Padilla

September 26, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) - U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), co-founder of the bipartisan Senate Mental Health Caucus, and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) announced that the Senate unanimously passed their bipartisan legislation to strengthen the cybersecurity protocols for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in response to previous outages that resulted in a day-long outage for those in crisis. The 9-8-8 Lifeline Cybersecurity Responsibility Act passed as part of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act, which reauthorizes key public health programs focused on prevention, treatment, and recovery for patients with substance use disorder.

Photo courtesy San Diego Padres Instagram

East County News Service

Sept. 25, 2025 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Padres are playoff-bound, clinching a postseason berth earlier this week with a strong performance that bookends a regular season defined by a scorching start and solid finish.

The Padres hold a record of 87-72 heading into a final weekend series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Pads are currently second in the National League West -- behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (90-69) -- and have confirmed their status as a serious NL contender, ready for a postseason run, with the Friar Faithful ready and the quest for a World Series title officially on the table.

The Padres' playoff berth was secured Monday, Sept. 22, via a dramatic 11th-inning walk-off win over the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-4, with Freddy Fermin delivering the game-winning single. At that point the Padres improved to 86-71 to clinch the postseason spot. 

The 2025 season has been bookended by flashes of dominance.

East County News Service

Sept. 24, 2025 (Washington D.C.) -- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins has signed a new five-year contract for American-made fire retardant with Perimeter Solutions, supporting the U.S. Forest Service and Department of the Interior’s aerial wildland fire suppression programs.

The agreement secures significant savings, putting the American taxpayer first, while strengthening our manufacturing base by keeping fire-retardant production made in America.

“At USDA we are negotiating contracts that respect the American taxpayer and align with President Trump’s common sense business mindset that ensures we are not being taken advantage of anymore." Rollins said. "This contract is a tremendous win for America’s taxpayers, our rural communities, and the brave men and women who fight wildfires every day.

“By locking in historic cost savings and bringing every step of the fire-retardant supply chain back to American soil, we are protecting lives, saving communities from destruction, and keeping America safe, strong, and resilient. This agreement proves that when we put America first, we get the best results for our people and our land.”

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  Zach Pope, Youtube screenshot

September 24, 2025 (San Diego) - It doesn’t arrive in theaters until Friday, but a new blockbuster movie generating Oscar buzz has already been a big financial hit for San Diego County.

By Ana B. Ibarra and Kristen Hwang, CalMatters 

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

Photo:  Amaya Palestino, 6, receives a COVID-19 vaccine at one of St. John’s Well Child and Family Center mobile health clinics in Los Angeles on March 16, 2022. Photo by Alisha Jucevic for CalMatters

September 23, 2025 (Sacramento) - In anticipation of restrictive federal immunization rules, state health officials issued their own vaccination guidelines on Wednesday, recommending that all Californians 6 months and older who want protection from the COVID-19 virus get this season’s updated vaccine.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: left, Grecia Figueroa, right, Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher

September 17, 2025 (San Diego)  -- Grecia Figueroa, the woman who filed an unsuccessful harassment  lawsuit against former Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, has now filed a request seeking a restraining order against Fletcher’s wife, labor leader Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher.

“It is vile and oppressive to use your position of power to attack and lie about people who can’t publicly defend themselves,” Figueroa states.

In her filing, Figueroa claims that Gonzalez-Fletcher engaged in a  “smear campaign” against her. Gonzalez-Fletcher calls the charges "false."

September 22, 2025 (San Diego's East County) -- Our radio shows from April through June 2025 are now online.

Highlights included interviews with immigration lawyer Nora Milner, El Cajon marketing manager Chris Berg, and Congressional candidate Curt Morrison, as well as coverage of top news issues such as controversies in the Grossmont Union High School District, protests and a recall effort in El Cajon, homelessness, and the passing of local leaders including former La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid, ex-San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, and Rincon Chairman Bo Mazetti.

The East County Magazine Show airs Mondays and Fridays from 5 to 6 p.m. on KNSJ, 89.1 FM.  Our shows rerun on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Pacific Standard Time.

Note: Some shows were reruns; original run dates are listed below. Shows also include intros, station IDs and public service announcements. For links to listen plus an index with topics and interviews in each show, click the "read more" link and scroll down. Audio links are below the index. (Audio files may take a few moments to load.)

East County News Service

September 17, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) -- October brings Oktoberfest celebrations in La Mesa and El Cajon and Borrego Days in the desert, as well as an array of spooky events such as a haunted circus, haunted trails in county parks, a Day of the Dead celebration, Hauntfest on Main in El Cajon, a haunted harvest in Julian, pumpkin patches, costume contests for people and dogs, a Boo Bash at Viejas, a haunted train ride in Campo, a pumpkin bash and spooky sleepover at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, and an autumn festival at the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park.

September 19, 2025 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announces its 15^th annual Salute to Local Heroes, which will incorporate the theme “Top Hat & Tails” This night celebrates local heroes, recognizes the incoming Chamber Board of Directors, includes a silent auction, raffles and more.

This event will be held on  October 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. at the Sycuan Casino Resort in the Heritage Ballroom. 

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

September 19, 2025 (San Diego) - Each September, as the seasons shift and leaves begin to fall, we turn our attention to a quieter but critical risk, falls among older adults. Across the nation, Fall Prevention Awareness Month reminds us that staying upright isn’t just about balance, it’s about dignity, independence, and community care.

By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office

September 19, 2025 (San Diego) - September is Disaster Preparedness Month, and it is an ideal time to think about the critical preparedness steps could reduce risks and protect you and your family in an emergency.

By Alexander Schorr

September 18, 2025 (Washington D.C.) -- President Donald Trump could render the US Treasury bankrupt. According to an op-ed by a businsess law educator published in  Newsweek, everything hinges upon whether or not the Supreme Court will side with Trump’s declared tariffs that critics have called illegal — a decision that could force the Treasury to repay half a trillion dollars to the companies that pad the import tariffs, which could set off a crescendo of failures throughout the economy at home and abroad.

Trump's alienation of U.S. allies, his inflationary policies and budget blil that sent the deficit skyrocketing are all further weakening the nation's economic stability.