Ocean ecosystems need our help. A new collaboration puts coral reefs center stage, optimizes their recovery
A new collaboration between Samsung, the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Seatrees is helping scientists restore endangered coral reefs using smartphone technology. Researchers developed “Ocean Mode,” a camera feature that improves underwater imaging, allowing detailed 3D reef mapping at a lower cost. The project has already mapped 86 reefs and supported the planting of more than 21,000 coral fragments. Scientists say the technology could also expand citizen science efforts and help communities monitor fragile marine ecosystems.
Pacific Beach students honored as Hope of America for leadership, academic excellence
Students across Pacific Beach were recognized this week with the Hope of America award, honoring leadership, character and academic excellence. Presented annually by the Kiwanis Club of Pacific Beach, the award surprised students during a breakfast ceremony attended by their families and teachers. Educators praised recipients for their responsibility, self-discipline and compassion, saying many students underestimate their own impact in the classroom and community.
Panicked parents rush to area around Islamic Center, with classrooms on-site, schools nearby
A shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego on Monday left three people dead, including a security guard, while two teenage suspects were later found dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds, according to authorities. Police are investigating the attack as a possible hate crime after officials said writings connected to the suspects contained hateful rhetoric. Nearby schools were placed on lockdown during the chaotic response, though all students at the mosque’s school were safely reunited with their families.
UCSD’s Kirklanders scarf down mountain of Costco chicken, building on rotisserie tradition
UC San Diego students gathered at the Epstein Amphitheater as the university’s Costco Club continued its quirky end-of-year tradition: devouring dozens of Costco rotisserie chickens. This year, club members consumed 60 chickens while celebrating the passing of leadership from outgoing president Jacob Hoang to the next generation. What began as a viral one-man eating challenge has evolved into a campus spectacle drawing crowds, raffles and social media attention — cementing the Costco Club’s strange but beloved legacy at UCSD.
Cannabis affects childhood brain development, is ‘real risk’ for teens, UCSD finds in long-term study
A major UC San Diego study tracking more than 11,000 children found that teens who use cannabis show slower development in memory, attention and thinking skills compared to non-users. Researchers said adolescence is a critical period for brain development, and even small cognitive differences can build over time. The findings come as cannabis use remains common among teenagers nationwide. Experts hope the long-term study will help families better understand the potential risks of marijuana use during adolescence.
The seismic hazard in our backyard — What San Diegans don’t know about the potentially deadly Rose Canyon Fault
San Diego sits atop one of Southern California’s most overlooked seismic threats: the Rose Canyon Fault. Experts say the fault, which runs through densely populated neighborhoods from La Jolla to downtown, could generate an earthquake approaching magnitude 7, causing widespread damage to homes, roads and water systems. Researchers behind a major regional earthquake scenario warn many residents remain unprepared, despite decades of scientific evidence showing the fault is active and capable of a catastrophic quake.
Holocaust exhibit enters last week at Grossmont College in only California stop on national tour
A traveling Holocaust exhibit at Grossmont College is drawing thousands of visitors as the only California stop on a national tour examining how Americans responded to Nazi Germany’s persecution of Jews during World War II. The exhibit challenges assumptions about what the public knew at the time, featuring archival documents, interactive displays and survivor stories. Organizers say more than 15,000 people have already visited the free installation, which closes May 21.
Starving seabirds line San Diego’s coast. Rising ocean temperatures are to blame
Starving and emaciated seabirds are washing ashore from Mission Beach to La Jolla as unusually warm ocean temperatures disrupt Southern California’s marine food web. Scientists say marine heatwaves have pushed fish into deeper offshore waters, leaving pelicans, cormorants and murres without accessible food. Researchers at NOAA and Scripps Institution of Oceanography warn the warming resembles past ecological crises linked to toxic algal blooms and widespread wildlife die-offs. Rescue groups report a sharp increase in starving birds arriving at rehabilitation centers.
Traffic pain points addressed by planning board, especially those near College Area schools
The College Area Community Planning Board is urging targeted street safety improvements near local schools as San Diego advances its Vision Zero plan to reduce traffic deaths. City officials are also considering lowering speed limits across hundreds of miles of roadway, including school zones where speeds could drop as low as 15 mph. Residents and board members raised concerns about outdated infrastructure, unsafe crossings, and delayed upgrades, especially around Hardy Elementary. The proposals are part of broader efforts to improve pedestrian safety and address long-standing traffic “pain points” in the College Area.
A fault line halted plans for a 40-story tower. Years later, the site remains a ‘hole in the ground’
As older buildings come down across downtown San Diego, newly exposed ground is revealing seismic hazards long hidden beneath the city’s surface. Geologists say faults tied to the Rose Canyon Fault and other local systems run beneath parts of downtown, though many remain poorly mapped. Researchers warn that early and rapid urbanization buried evidence of these fault lines, making earthquake risks harder to identify before redevelopment begins. State regulations require geological studies near known fault zones, but experts say gaps in mapping still leave uncertainty beneath neighborhoods undergoing major redevelopment.
UCSD, San Diego State part of widespread attack on Canvas education platform
Hackers linked to the cybercriminal group ShinyHunters disrupted the Canvas learning platform Thursday, locking students at University of California San Diego and San Diego State University out of coursework and finals materials. A ransom message threatened to leak data from thousands of schools if payment was not made by May 12. Universities nationwide reported outages as Canvas owner Instructure placed the platform into maintenance mode while investigating the breach. Officials warned students to avoid suspicious links and phishing attempts.
Annual homeless count shows progress in suburbs and for vets. But for seniors, results are a 'flashing red light'
San Diego County’s 2026 homeless count shows mixed results, with overall numbers nearly flat after a slight decline. Encouraging trends include fewer unsheltered individuals, increased shelter use, and major progress among veterans and suburban areas. However, officials warn of a growing crisis among seniors, many experiencing homelessness for the first time. Leaders say rising costs and limited fixed incomes are key drivers, while looming funding cuts threaten future progress despite recent gains in outreach, shelter access, and targeted support programs.
Remote workers planned a big beach meet up. The city says that’s illegal.
Dozens of remote workers turned Pacific Beach into a temporary outdoor office last month, hauling desks and surfboards onto the sand for a viral “work-from-the-beach” meetup. But after complaints about crowds, trash and alcohol, the city of San Diego warned organizers that future gatherings of more than 49 people require permits, insurance and security. Organizer Scott Muirhead canceled a planned follow-up event while negotiating with city officials, comparing the dispute to recent city crackdowns on beach yoga and pop-up DJ events.
A first step to drought tolerant crops – Salk Institute charts course, uncovering ‘magical property of plants’
Drought cuts harvests yearly, but new research from the Salk Institute suggests crops could better withstand water scarcity. Scientists studying plant aging found that plants respond to stress by accelerating aging, shedding leaves to conserve resources. By identifying the FRO6 gene, which switches off during drought, researchers engineered plants to maintain growth under stress. The findings could help farmers avoid unseen losses, improve yields, and adapt agriculture to a global future shaped by climate change and increasingly limited water supplies.
The eyesore tower atop AT&T building in Hillcrest is gone. What’s next at the century-old telecom site?
The long-standing AT&T microwave tower in Hillcrest has been removed after decades of serving outdated communications functions. The structure, once a key emergency communications hub, contained legacy infrastructure and now-obsolete equipment. Community leaders say the removal reflects years of pressure to modernize the site, which has also been viewed as a prime opportunity for redevelopment into housing or public space. While the building remains essential to network operations, residents and planners are weighing future uses that better fit neighborhood goals.
'No Kings' rallies return to San Diego County, with 40,000 marchers on downtown streets
Tens of thousands gathered across San Diego County for the third “No Kings” protest Saturday, doubling attendance at Waterfront Park to about 40,000. Part of a nationwide movement, demonstrations spanned 18 regional sites and drew over 77,000 locally. Protesters marched downtown with music and signs addressing issues from war and surveillance to immigration and abortion. Participants said the events united diverse concerns and renewed urgency around political and social issues.
Use of weight loss ‘wonder drugs’ has doubled. The Salk Institute is studying how far their benefits can go
Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies found that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound may reprogram pancreatic cells, improving insulin production and resilience beyond weight loss. Used by over 30 million Americans, the drugs trigger genetic changes through a protein called Med14. Scientists say long-term use could produce lasting metabolic benefits, though research is ongoing to fully understand their broader effects.
Historic Mission Bay restaurant could be forced out under city redevelopment plan
A 75-year-old Mission Bay restaurant, Sportsmen’s Seafood, faces uncertainty under the city’s redevelopment plan. Owner Joe Busalacchi says newly limited 15-year leases block long-planned upgrades that required a longer term to finance. With a competitive bidding process underway, he risks losing the family business despite decades of investment in the waterfront property.
The Mustache Bash brings catwalks, cartwheels and core ’70s covers to Mission Beach
Welcome to the Mustache Bash, the funkiest place on Earth, where the spirit of the '70s is alive and well — almost like it never left.
This marks the music festival's second year in Mission Beach. The last Bash brought out a record 6,000 partygoers. The record may be broken this year. The festive atmosphere melted all the stress away. The moment they walked into the Mustache Bash, the bright, colorful outfits of other music lovers greeted them, and ready or not, power bass reverberated in their chests.
Daylight saving time harms health, poses safety risks, but ending it is complicated
Losing an hour of sleep during the spring Daylight Saving Time shift may have serious health consequences, including increased heart attacks, strokes, and traffic accidents. Researchers like Dr. Emily Manoogian at the Salk Institute study how circadian rhythms regulate sleep and bodily functions. Even small disruptions can misalign the body’s internal clock, which depends on light cues. Studies show a spike in motor vehicle crashes after the time change, and many scientists advocate for permanent standard time to better align with human biology.