Becky Bartling, a veteran fairgrounds manager, has been named CEO of the Del Mar Fairgrounds after the board abruptly removed Carlene Moore. The move comes amid recent lawsuits and staffing complaints.

State senators advanced two bills to limit ICE’s bedside role in California hospitals and curb “blackout” practices after advocates raised cases of detained patients being isolated. The measures now move to Appropriations.

California has spent hundreds of millions to add in‑state seats at Berkeley, UCLA and UCSD — and the bill could top $460 million. Analysts and lawmakers now disagree on a cheaper way forward.

The State Water Board approved guidelines to award nearly $50 million from Prop 4 to fix cross-border pollution in the Tijuana and New River corridors. Applications open June–August 2026.

Former assistant director Rachael Borrelli filed an $8.5M claim against San Diego County alleging retaliation after she complained about a colleague; the county says parts are untimely.

Incumbent John McCann holds a fundraising lead and law‑enforcement endorsements as Francisco Tamayo and Yair Gersten push competing plans on housing and homelessness.

Four Democrats squared off at a Logan Heights forum, trading competing plans on sewage cleanup, lease reviews and housing costs. The June primary will narrow the field.

Rep. Juan Vargas told activists AIPAC never gave him money — but FEC filings list six-figure contributions. The contradiction has ignited local criticism ahead of a June primary.

County supervisors will weigh a consulate-backed expansion of immigrant legal defense and Know Your Rights outreach. Supporters say it speeds access to counsel; opponents call it taxpayer overreach.

Ammar Campa‑Najjar used a San Diego politics show to reframe his foreign‑policy views, pressing diplomacy on Iran and defending his electability in the hot CA‑48 race.

National City has appealed a $10M jury verdict won by former officer Ashley Cummins. With interest and fees the bill is approaching $14.7M and could strain the police budget.

Tom Steyer released a sweeping manifesto calling on California to abolish ICE and prosecute its agents — a move that collides with his hedge fund's past CoreCivic stake. The plan reshapes his campaign even as rivals press his record.

Tom Steyer went from 7% to 65% on Polymarket in three weeks, and nearly $10 million in real bets now says he's California's next governor. The polls say Porter should be gaining more from Swalwell's implosion. Someone is going to be very wrong.