Local Politics · San Diego County
San Diego County has appointed Bridget Premont as its first pollution crisis chief to coordinate efforts against sewage contamination in the Tijuana River Valley. The new role involves leading a multi-agency team across several county departments to manage regional and international responses to the ongoing cross-border environmental issue. County officials state that the sewage crisis costs the regional economy approximately $500 million annually, with significant impacts on South Bay and Imperial Beach businesses.
Local Politics · Sacramento, CA
SEIU Local 1000, representing approximately 100,000 California state workers, will hold a one-day walkout on Wednesday, Oct. 21, after contract negotiations with the state stalled following the June expiration of their agreement. The union seeks roughly 20% in wage increases over three years, expanded telework options, and higher state contributions to healthcare; about 96.2% of voting members approved the strike. Approximately 4,400 workers in state hospitals and prisons are classified as essential and barred from participating. The main rally will take place at CalHR headquarters, 1810 16th Street, Sacramento, with events from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and a march to the Capitol Annex Swing Space; 15 additional strike lines outside Sacramento run from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Local Politics · San Diego County
Congressional District 48, spanning parts of San Diego and Riverside counties in California, features a closely contested race between San Diego City Council member Marni von Wilpert (D) and San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond (R). Von Wilpert campaigns as a moderate, pro-Israel Democrat with backing from former Vice President Kamala Harris and Sen. Adam Schiff, while Desmond emphasizes tax cuts, lower energy prices, and local issues like opposing a power-line project in Temecula. Campaign-finance data shows von Wilpert raised $4.5 million versus Desmond's $3 million, with over $6 million in external spending directed mostly toward von Wilpert. The district was redrawn in 2025 to lean Democratic, combining conservative voters from Temecula and Fallbrook with Oceanside and Palm Springs voters who supported Harris by wide margins. Former Rep. Darrell Issa, who held the seat for over two decades, did not seek reelection.
