Source:  Sandiegoville

February 26, 2026 (San Diego) - The City of San Diego has abruptly discontinued its Media Identification Card (Press Pass) Program and the blue parking placards that for decades helped local journalists cover breaking news safely and in real time. The change, effective February 13, is being framed by San Diego Police Department as an administrative modernization effort. But to many working reporters, photographers, and editors, the practical effect is simple: less access, more friction, and a new discretionary landscape in which on-scene decision-making can tilt against the press, especially when coverage is critical.

East County News Service

February 25, 2026 (Dulzura) – An unidentified male driver of a 2009 Nissan Cube has died in a hospital of injuries sustained February 23 around 2:55 p.m. He was driving eastbound on State Route 94, west of Little Tecate Road in Dulzura, when he veered into ongoing traffic and struck a 2003 Dodge Ram driven by a man, 57, from Tecate, Mexico.

By Alexander J. Schorr

Photo:  screenshot of Meta’s Ray Ban AI Glasses analysis by Surfshark

February 25, 2026 (San Diego) — AI in the United States has the potential for great power and change in the nation. It is very much a new “wild west,” and because there are no significant guardrails, there is great danger from it facing human beings when privacy and identity is confronted. The new AI glasses, for example, are a potential danger to school safety and academic honesty.

East County News Service

Photo by Miriam Raftery: Bishop Shaleta in May 2024 at opening of incubator business center for refugees and immigrants in El Cajon

February 25, 2026 (El Cajon) – Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta, the top official at St. Peter the Apostle of San Diego Chaldean church in El Cajon, is under investigation by the Sheriff’s fraud unit for alleged “financial mishandling” of funds. NBC 7, an ECM news partner, reports that the Sheriff’s office confirmed an investigation has been launched after an article in The Pillar, a Catholic media outlet, raised allegations of possible embezzlement as well as personal improprieties including visits to a brothel in Tijuana.

By Kevin A. Green 

Miriam Raftery contributed to this report

Photos via elcajon.gov 

The mayor and city officials outline planned actions to benefit the community

February 23, 2026 (El Cajon) — El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells addressed public safety, homelessness, the economy and more during his State of the City address February 3 at the Ronald Reagan Community Center.  The mayor recapped progress made in 2025, addressed challenges and outlined goals for 2026.

By Levi Sumagaysay, CalMatters

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

Photo:  The cellar room of Tablas Creek Vineyard in Paso Robles on July 30, 2025. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

February 20, 2026 (Sacramento) - In a major blow against President Donald Trump, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Friday that he does not have the authority to impose the wide-ranging tariffs that have caused economic uncertainty in the state, nation and beyond. 

By Miriam Raftery

Image: Jesse Jackson addresses United Nations in 2012; US Mission Geneva. Creative Commons license 2.0

February 18, 2026 (San Diego) –San Diego leaders are praising the life and legacy of the Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader and protégé of Martin Luther King Jr., who died yesterday after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.  

Rev. Shane Harris, a San Diego-based civil rights leader, remembers Jackson as “a giant of the civil rights movement and a relentless voice for justice.” Harris worked and marched alongside Jackson.  “He never stopped pushing this nation to be better, fairer, and more compassionate,” he said. “His legacy is written in the lives he touched, the doors he helped open, and the hope he carried forward.”

By Miriam Raftery

February 17, 2026 (San Diego) – Teamsters Local 2010 is holding a four-day unfair labor practice strike at 22 California State University campuses starting today, including San Diego State University and Cal State San Marcos.  Campuses remain open, however an alert sent by SDSU cautions that traffic along I-8 near campus is backed up; students and motorists should allow for extra travel time and plan for alternate routes.

According to a flyer posted online by the labor union, “The 1,100 Skilled Trades Teamsters have worked hard and sacrificed to keep the CSU running through the pandemic and beyond, yet CSU has refused to honor step increases and their contractual obligations.” 

February 16, 2026 (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.

Energy and environment

• Trump Administration Erases the Government’s Power to Fight Climate Change (New York Times)
• Less than 14% of those arrested by ICE in Trump's 1st year back in office had violent criminal records, document shows (CBS 8)
• The Trump Administration exempts new nuclear reactors from environmental review  (NPR)
• The Trump administration has secretly rewritten nuclear safety rules(NPR)

Immigration and ICE

• Six Prosecutors Quit Over Push to Investigate ICE Shooting Victim’s Widow (New York Times)
• Judge Restricts Immigration Agents’ Actions Toward Minnesota Protesters (New York Times)
• 'Huge news!' Expert cheers as judge shuts down Trump's scheme to arrest thousands (Raw Story)
• Immigrant whose skull was broken during ICE arrest says beating was unprovoked  (NPR)
• Minnesota shooting of Venezuelan man is the latest where video evidence contradicts ICE accounts (AP)

Epstein files

• Epstein accusers say Pam Bondi turned her back 'on survivors everywhere' *USA Today)

Abuse of power

• President’s Pardon Power To Be Curbed Under New Proposal (Newsweek)
• Grand jury refuses to indict Democratic lawmakers in connection with illegal military orders video (AP)

WORLD

• Rubio's speech to European allies takes softer tone but sticks to Trump's firm stance (AP)
• Poland to probe possible links between Epstein and Russia, PM Tusk says (Reuters)
• U.K. police investigating Peter Mandelson over Jeffrey Epstein email leak claims  (NPR)
• US shoots down Iranian drone that 'aggressively' approached an aircraft carrier, military says (AP)

• Mexico state steps up health screening in schools as measles cases grow nationwide (AP)
• 5 European nations say Navalny was poisoned by the Kremlin  (NPR)

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

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Roberto Sanchez, via ECM news partner 10 News

February 14, 2026 (Crest) – Roberto Sanchez, an only child, is grieving the loss of his mother, Josefina Sanchez, who died in a crash on La Cresta Road Feb. 11, just 12 days after his father passed away of a heart attack in Mexico.

His mother had come for a visit, with hopes to stay in the United States, when a driver under the influence of alcohol, according to the California Highway Patrol, crossed the center line, and struck Sanchez’s vehicle head-on, destroying the family’s dreams.

By Miriam Raftery

February 14, 2026 (Spring Valley) – “The main goal is to connect people and build inspiration. We have a lot of talented people here n Spring Valley from many walks of life, with many different talents, and we just want to bring them together,” says Chris Pierce, President of the Spring Valley Community Alliance said of the first-ever Spring Valley Changemakers Summit slated for Thursday, February 19 at the STEAM Academy (1001 Leland Street, Spring Valley) starting at 5:30 p.m.

The event will feature numerous community organizations, networking opportunities, appetizers and an improv comedy show. In an interview with ECM editor Miriam Raftery aired on KNSJ radio, Pierce shared details about the summit, new initiatives in Spring Valley, and more.  Hear full interview, or scroll down for highlights.

Photo and story by Karen Pearlman

Feb. 12, 2026 (El Cajon) -- East County's education and basketball communities are going to gather on Feb. 13 to pay tribute to a man whose name became synonymous with El Cajon Valley High School academics and athletics for more than 30 years.

Randy Robinson, the legendary former Braves coach, athletic director and beloved Grossmont Union High School District teacher who passed away from complications of pancreatic cancer on Dec. 19, 2024, will be honored during a special halftime ceremony during halftime of the boys basketball game between El Cajon Valley and West Hills.

The court inside the gym will formally be named after Robinson.

The game starts at 7 p.m. at the school's gym, and is the Braves' final regular-season home game. El Cajon Valley High is at 1035 E. Madison Ave., in El Cajon.