November 21, 2024 -- 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 wants to close the Education Department. It's far easier said than done. (USA Today)
• Trump confirms plan to declare national emergency, use military for mass deportations (ABC)
• Trump transition team compiling list of current and former U.S. military officers for possible courts-martial (NBC)
• Trump picks Pam Bondi for US Attorney General after Gaetz withdraws (Reuters)
• Once Again, Donald Trump Misreads the Senate (Time Magazine)
• Republicans retain control of House,  CNN predicts (CNN)
• Special counsel Jack Smith taking steps to wind down federal cases against Trump (NPR)
• Trump advisers contemplating cuts to Medicaid and other welfare programs (Guardian)
• Thune elected Senate majority leader (The Hill)
• Brendan Carr wrote the FCC chapter in ‘Project 2025.’ Now he’s Trump’s pick for the agency (CNN)
• Lawsuit alleges Linda McMahon, Trump’s Education pick, enabled sexual abuse of children (CNN)
• ‘Who the f--k is this guy?’: Defense world reacts to Trump’s surprise Pentagon pick (Politico)
• Health stocks tumble after Kennedy nomination  (Semafor)

INTERNATIONAL

• ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel's Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas leader (Reuters)
• Ukraine fires US-made longer-range missiles into Russia   (CNN)
• Putin lowers the threshold for using his nuclear arsenal after Biden's arms decision for Ukraine          (AP)
• Russia suspected of sending incendiary devices on US- and Canada-bound planes, Wall Street Journal reports (CNN)
• Mexico’s ex-public security chief sentenced to 38-plus years in US for taking cartel bribes (AP)
• .Iran signals possible change in its nuclear doctrine and says it has the capacity to make nukes (NBC)
• Biden’s final meeting with Xi Jinping reaps agreement on AI and nukes
• China targets critical metal exports in anticipation of further US tech, trade curbs  (Semafor)

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

Source: CalFire

November 21, 2024 (San Diego's East County) - - The CAL FIRE San Diego Unit is preparing to conduct prescribed burns across San Diego and Imperial Counties as part of an ongoing effort to reduce wildfire risk, enhance ecosystem health, and protect community safety. These projects are planned during carefully selected weather conditions that meet specific safety and ecological parameters.  A controlled burn is being conducted today in the Campo area.

Each prescribed burn project undergoes a comprehensive review to ensure it meets the criteria for environmental benefit, appropriate weather, smoke management, and fire safety. Once a project is approved, trained CAL FIRE personnel will conduct the burns under strict guidelines.

By Miriam Raftery

JulieAnn Chaet with dog, Chloe, in downtown El Cajon

November 20, 2024 (El Cajon) – Members of the El Cajon City Council voiced surprise at Tuesday's meeting to learn that a 1997 ordinance prohibited dogs in the downtown superblock area where popular events are held. So councilmembers voted unanimously to repeal the ban and legalize dog-walking downtown. 

Assistant City Manager Vince DiMaggio explained that the ban was originally approved due to a perception that dogs might pose health hazards and increase maintenance needs.  However, “none of those concerns have materialized,” he said, adding that bringing dogs to public places has since become commonplace, including companion animals as well as service dogs.

“We see dozens of dog walkers daily in Centennial Plaza,” he noted, adding that technically that’s illegal, as is walking dogs in Prescott Promenade and other downtown areas where the public frequently brings dogs on leashes when they dine at outdoor cafes, enjoy outdoor concerts and car shows, or simply exercise their pets along public streets..

Update November 21, 2024 -- Today Judge Campos approved releasing Wakefield as a transient, despite 800 signatures on a petition opposing this release.

By Miriam Raftery

November 18, 2024 (San Diego) —After three failed attempts to place sexually violent predator Merle Wakefield at homes run by Liberty Healthcare in Borrego Springs, Mt. Helix and Poway, the California Department of State Hospitals now proposes to release Wakefield as a transient.

By Miriam Raftery

File photo: San Diego Sheriff’s Department

November 17, 2024 (Spring Valley) – Seven sheriff’s deputies opened fire on an armed man who fired shots in the backyard of a home on Leland Street in Spring Valley on Friday evening, ECM news partner 10 News reports.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, law enforcement indicated that a woman called report that her boyfriend, armed with a gun, had entered the home and was acting in an erratic manner with four children present. She told authorities that he had mental health issues and was under the influence.

October 8, 1921 — November 10, 2024

November 16, 2024 (San Diego) -- Adalbert Connor, a beloved family man and cherished friend to many, passed away peacefully on November 10, 2024, at the Veteran’s Home of California Chula Vista, at the age of 103.

Born on October 8, 1921, in Yuma, Arizona, Adalbert’s life was a testament to resilience, warmth, and an unwavering spirit that touched all who knew him.

Adalbert spent his early years in Yuma, attending local schools and graduating from high school in 1941. His passion for learning led him to Arizona State University’s Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College and later to San Diego State University where he graduated in June 1954.

In 1942, Adalbert enlisted in the United States Army. He trained at Camp Roberts, Fort Lewis, and Fort Ord, and served valiantly in World War II, participating in multiple beach landings in the East Indies, including Leyte, Luzon, and Japan. Rising to the rank of sergeant, he returned home in 1946 with immense pride in his service to his country.

He later worked for Money Mutual of New York insurance company for 45 years, and was a resident of Allied Gardens for over 70 years.

East County News Service

November 14, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – A cold storm from the Gulf of Alaska is forecast to bring scattered showers across our region Friday and Saturday, with snow possible in the mountain areas and frost in some areas.

Gusty winds are also forecast, with peak gusts up to 55 miles per hour in mountain and desert areas as early as tonight.

East County News Service

November 13, 2024 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Grand Jury is accepting applications for grand jurors now through January 10, 2025.  The Grand Jury investigates citizens’ complaints and serves as a watchdog over government agencies, but does not conduct criminal investigations.

Source: County News Service

Proposals from developers due by Dec. 20

November 11, 2024 (San Diego) – Just in time for Veterans’ Day,the County of San Diego has made $11.5 million available to finance the creation of affordable housing to benefit low-income people and unsheltered veterans.  

The notice of funding availability (NOFA) was created from a combination of funds:

November 8, 2024 San Diego) --Firefighters are battling three brush fires locally.  The largest is the Garden Fire at 47.9 acres, which has sparked evacuations in Fallbrook.  The blaze started east of  Gird Rd. and Pala Mesa Drive; it is 10% contained. View the evacuation map.

The Resort Fire has burned 2 acres  along highway 79 west west of Warner Springs Rd. in Warner Springs. It is burning at a rapid rate of spread,  per incident command. 15 additional engines have been requested.

In Escondido, the Pasqual 4 Fire has charred half an acre in the 1400 block of San Pasqual Valley Rd.

By Alexei Koseff • CalMatters

Photo by Gage Skidmore (CC via Wikipedia): Donald Trump at a June rally in Surprise, Arizona

November 6, 2024 (Sacramento) -- Former President Donald Trump won a second term after four years out of the White House, likely thrusting California back into leading the resistance against him.

The Associated Press made its call at 3 a.m., declaring that the Republican defeated Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, who would have become the first woman president and the most powerful Californian in four decades.

Instead, Californians now face a repeat of Trump’s first term from 2017 to 2021 — another four years of governance consumed by combative showdowns between the state’s Democratic leadership and Washington, D.C., possibly distracting from or even setting back progress on addressing California’s own problems.

Though many were rooting for a Harris victory — which could have taken California’s priorities nationwide and brought additional resources home — state officials, industry leaders and activists prepared for this outcome. Trump, after all, routinely made California a punching bag in his campaign.

Update: Kamala Harris has congratulated Trump on his win. Republicans have also taken control of the House.

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2024 (Washington D.C.) – Former President Donald Trump has won two major battleground states, CNN and AP predict, and is edging closer to victory in the hotly contested presidential race.  Currently Trump is projected to have 247 electoral votes while Vice President Kamala Harris has 214.  At least 270 electoral college votes are needed to secure a win in the presidential race.

Of the seven battleground states,  AP has projected Trump the winner in Georgia and North Carolina.  He has leads in all of the other five swing states: Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin with most votes counted, though some states could still flip as votes from large urban areas not yet tallied come in. However the path for a Harris win has narrowed, while Trump retains several paths to victory.

If Trump wins, he will have a Senate majority of his own party. Republicans have flipped control of the Senate by at least one seat to have a 51-seat majority. Senate control means Republicans will have the power to confirm the president’s cabinet and judicial appointees.

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2024 (San Diego’s East County) – All four East County cities had measures on the ballot to raise or extend sale taxes, and three of the four are winning by large margins.

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2024 (La Mesa) – Four candidates are vying for two open seats on the La Mesa City Council, and the race is too close to call.  With 855, 948 ballots counted out of the county’s 1,983,767 registered voters counted in early returns, Lauren Cazares and Genevieve Suzuki lead with 32.03% and 31.27% respectively, followed closely by former Councilmember Kristine Alessio at 29.47%.  Fitness trainer Shawn Townsend trails with 7.23%. 

East County News Service

November 5, 2024 (San Diego) – All five incumbent Congressional members countywide appear cruising to reelection, including East County representatives Darrell Issa and Sara Jacobs.  Below are results for all five San Diego Congressional races with 855, 948 ballots counted out of the county’s 1,983,767 registered voters.