July 4, 2026 (San Diego) – Top stories include water rate hikes, water quality in Mission Bay, homeless camp concerns in Lakeside, affordable housing in La Mesa, a pause on AI data centers in Imperial County, a lawsuit over water access, concerns over sharing CA driver’s license data, and more.
LOCAL
STATE
For excerpts and links to full stories, scroll down.
Roundup6-24-26
LOCAL
San Diego County Water Authority OKs 3% rate hike for 2027 (KPBS)
Water will soon cost more across the region. The San Diego County Water Authority has approved a 3% rate increase for 2027.
Growing riverbed encampments spark safety concerns in Lakeside (ABC)
The Lakeside River Park Conservancy says it has identified eight homeless encampment sites along the river, with some expanding to a size and scale they say they have never encountered before…. In May, the organization partnered with volunteers from I Love A Clean San Diego to remove 2.5 tons of trash from the area…. Conservancy leaders worry those materials could fuel a dangerous wildfire.
Could the Tijuana River Help Get Arizona More Water? (Voice of SD)
Arizona is desperate for water. So much so that its taxpayers are willing to invest in treating Tijuana’s sewage so it’s drinkable. How would that help Arizona? The state would ask Mexico for some of its Colorado River water in exchange.
Here’s where the state’s new housing law will (and won’t) apply in San Diego (KPBS)
A new state law that aims to increase development near certain transit stops takes effect Wednesday. Cities across the state, including San Diego, are mapping out exactly where it will apply, and which areas may be delayed or exempted.
Palomar College doubles size of free tuition program (KPBS)
Palomar College will double the size of its free tuition program for the 2026-27 academic year to allow up to 3,500 students to attend school at no cost, college officials announced Wednesday.
Reflecting Pool Contractor Tried Cleaning Tijuana River Too (Voice of SD)
Greenwater Services won no-bid contracts to do experimental treatment on the Tijuana River and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
San Diego City Council endorses 10 state bills aimed at utility profits (KPBS)
The San Diego City Council on Tuesday voted to endorse 10 bills in the state legislature aimed at lowering electricity rates and making investor-owned utilities more accountable to ratepayers. / Some of the bills include changes to the California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates investor-owned utilities, directing the agency to put greater scrutiny on requests to increase rates.
Immigrant detentions on San Diego’s military bases have spiked under Trump (KPBS)
It used to be rare for immigrants to be arrested at entrances to military bases, but there have been dozens of arrests since President Donald Trump returned to power last year.
New report reveals Mission Bay water quality concerns (KGTV)
San Diego Coastkeeper’s newest report suggests some areas of the bay may not always be as safe for recreation as they appear.
From Jamul to your table | How a veteran’s farm is feeding San Diego families in need (CBS)
A disabled Marine veteran’s Jamul farm is helping to supply hundreds of thousands of pounds of fresh produce to the San Diego Food Bank each year.
Groundbreaking set for 147-unit affordable housing project in La Mesa (Times of San Diego)
Construction is set to begin on a 147-unit affordable housing project at La Mesa’s Spring Street San Diego Trolley station on land owned by the Metropolitan Transit System.
$70K in damage after suspect glues 200 doors shut at Patrick Henry High School (CBS)
School police have surveillance video of the person on campus, but have not been able to identify him. Now they’re offering a reward for information.
STATE
After months of public pressure, Imperial County passes temporary moratorium on data centers (KPBS)
The Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously….The five supervisors’ decision freezes approvals for all data center projects for 45 days. The Board also created a special committee to study land use and zoning for data centers that will report back in January. The move comes after months of public outcry over a massive data center complex that could consume more power than the entire county used in 2024, and is projected to use around 750,000 gallons of water per day.
Imperial Valley data center developer files lawsuit seeking access to Colorado River water (KPBS)
Since December, Rucci and his company repeatedly pledged that their project would not need to draw on the beleaguered river and instead would rely on recycled wastewater from nearby cities. Now, though…IVCM filed a lawsuit against the powerful Imperial Irrigation District, or IID. The suit, filed in Imperial County Superior Court seeks access to 260 million gallons of river water every year.
‘We don’t fund criminals’: Gavin Newsom imposes 100% tax on Trump Jan. 6 clemency funds (MEAWW)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a new law imposing a 100% state tax on any Californians who receive financial benefits tied to President Donald Trump’s Jan. 6 clemency fund, saying taxpayer money should support victims of the Capitol riot rather than those involved in it.
Rideshare liability measure qualifies for November ballot (City News Service)
Southern California voters will have a chance in November to weigh in on a proposed measure that would expand rideshare company liability and impose new safety requirements aimed at preventing sexual misconduct.
California to share driver license data despite fears it could expose unauthorized immigrants (KPBS)
The Department of Motor Vehicles is on track to share driver’s license and identification data with an outside network despite concerns from immigrant advocates that the information could expose people to deportation. The California Legislature authorized that sharing in the state budget it passed on Monday, along with a separate transportation measure that laid out some special oversight procedures to protect the data.
A marine heat wave caused seabird deaths off California. El Nino could worsen the die-off (KPBS)
Many seabirds, including California brown pelicans, loons and grebes, starved to death in recent months as record-setting ocean temperatures decreased the band of cold, nutrient-rich surface water where krill, anchovies and sardines thrive near the shore.
CA TV Stations Under Threat From Trump Administration Are Battling To Stay On The Air: Report (Patch)
The Trump-controlled Federal Communications Commission is reviewing broadcast licenses for several stations.
California lawmaker rolls back new public records barriers after fierce opposition (Cal Matters)
The Downey Democrat alarmed First Amendment advocates in March when she introduced a measure that would make it more expensive for some people to get public records from government agencies, which she said was intended to cut down on malicious or profit-driven requests.