America News Network (OAN), a San Diego-based, international cable TV news channel, is staying clear of responding to the recent controversy surrounding the Trump administration’s recent decision to ban Politico, CNN and MS Now from White House grounds.
OAN officials declined to issue a response comment to Times of San Diego, citing that it would be inappropriate to do so.
However, OAN has reported on President Trump’s decision, including his posts on Truth Social that the White House restrictive action was needed to stop the “corrupt, purposeful, pervasive, fully coordinated” fake news being released by the affected news organizations.
OAN also reported on Vice President J.D. Vance’s rejection of accusations the move amounted to an unconstitutional assault on free speech. “We’re not going to give you special access if you engage in propaganda,” Vance said, according to news reports.
In response to the president’s decision, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, CNN, and Fox News announced they would suspend their pool coverage. However, it appeared the networks were active in covering the recent visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House.
* * *
NBC 7, Telemundo 20, provide grants to San Diego nonprofits
KNSD-TV/NBC 7 and KUAN-TV/Telemundo 20, two San Diego TV stations operated by Comcast and NBCUniversal, have announced that $227,000 in unrestricted funds has been awarded to eight local nonprofit organizations through the 2026 NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants program.
The eight nonprofits include (dollar amounts awarded appear in parenthesis): Positive Movement Foundation ($50,000), Healthy Kids Happy Planet ($40,000), BIPOC Support Foundation ($35,000), Autism Society San Diego ($305,000), the League of Amazing Programmers ($25,000), Tap Fever Studios ($17,272), Amanda Brown Livewell ($15,000) and TuYo Theatre ($15,000).
The Positive Movement Foundation provides at-risk children and youth with resources, mentorship and emotional support. Healthy Kids Happy Planet teaches kids and families about plant-strong nutrition, empowering youth to reach optimal health.
The BIPOC Support Foundation provides an inclusive, hands-on learning environment allowing all youth access to knowledge and opportunities. The Autism Society San Diego connects people to the resources they need through education, advocacy, support, information and referral and community programming.
The League of Amazing Programmers is a San Diego-based nonprofit organization that teaches coding to kids and teens in 3rd-to-12th grade. Tap Fever Studios provides accessible dance opportunities to people of all ages with and without disabilities.
Amanda Brown Livewell strengthens advocacy capacity, leadership development and community engagement for youth. TuYo Theatre creates and produces theatre that tells stories from Latin perspectives.
“Across San Diego, nonprofit organizations are addressing some of our community’s most pressing needs through education, storytelling and grassroots engagement,” said Missy Crawford, president and general manager, NBCUniversal Local San Diego. “Through Local Impact Grants, we’re proud to support their work and help expand programs that create opportunity, strengthen connections and make our region a better place to live.”
NBCUniversal said it’s the ninth year for the annual grants program. A statement said since 2018, NBC 7 & Telemundo 20 have provided more than $2.1 million to local nonprofits through the annual grant program. Earlier this year, applications for grants were accepted in three categories, including youth education and empowerment, next generation storytellers and community engagement.
This year’s 2026 competitive grant challenge will award $2.5 million in unrestricted funds to eligible nonprofits located in the 11 NBC- and Telemundo-owned stations in the U.S., including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas-Fort Worth, Boston, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Miami, San Diego and Hartford, Conn.
The NBC- and Telemundo-owned stations’ markets include New York (WNBC, WNJU), Los Angeles (KNBC, KVEA), Chicago (WMAQ, WSNS), Philadelphia (WCAU, WWSI), Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS, KXTX), Washington, D.C. (WRC-TV, WZDC), Boston (WBTS, WNEU), San Francisco (KNTV, KSTS), Miami (WTVJ, WSCV), San Diego (KNSD, KUAN) and Hartford, Conn. (WVIT, WRDM).
Founded in 2018, NBCUniversal’s grant program has provided $24.3 million to 695 nonprofits.
* * *
Team Lewis launches Orbital, a secure AI operating system
Team Lewis, a global marketing agency with 27 offices worldwide, including San Diego, has launched version one of Orbital, a secure AI operating system focused on helping multi-market organizations connect insight, creativity, messaging and public-facing delivery.
Built by marketers for marketers, Orbital brings together data from across PR, CRM, paid media and web activity, a statement said. It gives teams a clearer view of the factors shaping reputation, demand and AI visibility, and helps them respond with greater speed and confidence.
Rather than replacing existing marketing infrastructure, Team Lewis said Orbital is designed to work alongside it. Client data remains isolated within secure, enterprise-grade environments, supporting the governance and residency requirements expected by regulated industries.
“The advantage increasingly lies with organizations that can act quickly on what they already know,” said Fairil Yeo, EVP of AI & Growth at Team Lewis. “Orbital is designed to shorten the distance between insight and action, helping marketing and communications teams work more effectively across markets, channels and teams.”
“Technology can connect information, but it cannot replace judgment,” said Yvonne van Bokhoven, COO, Team Lewis. “Orbital gives our specialists a clearer view of what matters, more quickly. The decisions and the responsibility for making them well remain human.”
Founded in 1990 and headquartered in London, Team Lewis operates offices throughout Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and North America. Team Lewis offices in the U.S. are located in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and San Diego. Team Lewis’ San Diego office is located at One America Plaza, 600 West Broadway, Downtown San Diego.
Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly in Times of San Diego.
