We had many big stories at Times of San Diego in 2025 – some of the ones that drew a lot of attention and kept people talking included ICE’s response to a Catholic bishop in court and a preview of what turned out to be a very eventful celebration of the Marines’ 250th anniversary.
But sometimes reporters have a soft spot for a story that shines a light on people, places or situations that might otherwise have gone unrecognized. Bringing more attention to these sorts of stories is a lot of the reason journalists got into the business in the first place.
We asked Times of San Diego staffers and contributors to reflect on the year’s work and share some of their 2025 favorites with you. Here goes (which, diary-style, appear mostly in the order in which they appeared this year):
Grossmont Union district axes librarians
Engagement producer Tessa Balc had never seen a district decide to terminate almost every librarian before. But it happened in February. She remembers reactions from parents, teachers and students “who were genuinely distraught,” but some members of the school board’s standoffish demeanor has stuck with her. She was privy to the closed session when the board took the vote and she “won’t forget the way I felt in that room and the way the board members conducted themselves and interacted with us, the press.”
Political sign posts
Contributor Ken Stone, who retired this year, delved into the death of local Democratic Party chair Becca Taylor, correcting the record about where she died while featuring an interview with the driver faulted in the crash that killed her. He also explored the allegation that Assemblymember Carl DeMaio sought to take control of the local Republican Central Committee with a member who wasn’t a San Diego resident.
Soccer takes flight in San Diego – and a legend says goodbye
Contributor Mark Nero called San Diego FC’s first win at Snapdragon Stadium “a historic victory against one of MLS’ best teams, as well as a clear sign of the greatness that was developing.” He also remembered the retirement of Alex Morgan’s jersey by the Wave FC. As the first female professional athlete in San Diego to have her jersey retired, he said “she is a source of inspiration and pride for girls and young women not just here, but everywhere.”
Monarch School finds a place at Comic-Con
“People think of Comic-Con as this event where nerds dress up in costumes and talk about comic books,” said contributor Luis Monteagudo Jr. Sure, but he likes the moments at the Con “where you’re reminded of the power of pop culture and the shared community of fandom. That’s why this story about homeless students from the Monarch School who compete in video game Esports tournaments was so memorable … Through video games, they have been able to build self-confidence and form the kind of family bonds they’ve always longed for.”
Strength for the fight against breast cancer
Contributor Elizabeth Ireland called this “a story that has stayed with me.” Fine art portrait photographer Galina Semenova uses what she calls “visual medicine” to empower breast cancer survivors. Ireland said the photographer’s mission “resonates deeply after watching my mom and a few friends navigate breast cancer, (seeing) how it can reshape one’s sense of self. Her work feels like an act of restoration, reflecting strength back to women when they need it most.”
Creatives face rough landscape in 2025
Contributor Drew Sitton spoke to several nonprofit arts leaders who shared their struggles with canceled funding, censorship and leading burned out staff members afraid of immigration crackdowns. “What stood out,” Sitton said, “was their tenacity and hope that together they could show the arts are society’s essential truth-telling outlet.”
Putting the horror in Howl-O-Scream
Going behind the scenes on opening night of SeaWorld’s Howl-O-Scream and seeing all the work needed to stage the huge Halloween event “surprised and impressed” community news editor Tom Melville. The best part? “Meeting and interviewing the fun and friendly ‘scare actors’ before and after they transformed into their menacing characters.”
A friend of the great Jane Goodall
Contributor Dave Schwab called himself “fortunate — and lucky – enough” to have connected with renowned wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen. He knew Mangelsen was friends with Jane, and when Schwab called him, he “recounted some truly memorable experiences with her. His incredible photos of them together, especially the one of their enjoying a picnic, were priceless.”
La Mesa’s fallen officer
Community news editor Dave Thomas called the death of La Mesa police Officer Lauren Craven “a very emotional story.” Craven went into traffic after a freeway wreck to help a motorist, but an allegedly drunken driver hit her and the motorist, killing them both. “She was barely into her career, less than two years and she had a lot of potential,” he said. The impact of her loss, he said, was made clear by the “outpouring from the community.”
Remembering San Diego State dance pioneer
“It was one of my faves because I was able to unearth a previously obscure piece of San Diego’s history,” said news editor Brooke Binkowski, “and help give the great Danny Scarborough the recognition he deserved all along. He is an integral part of local history, and I am proud to have highlighted him.”
Other 2025 favorites
- Founder Chris Jennewein noted an oddity that drew a lot of readers in – Amazon offering free tours to see their busy robots at work at their fulfillment center near the border.
- Immigration reporter Lillian Perlmutter recalled her pieces about U.S. citizens arrested by ICE and a probe of allegations that migrants were being being held for days in a downtown courthouse basement.
- Our resident historian Debbie Sklar pointed to some of her looks at notable figures and fun facts about San Diego County, including the era of local gold mining and old Hollywood’s connection to the region through stars like Viola Dana and Delores Barrymore.
- Photographer Chris Stone, who retired along with her husband Ken Stone, focused on a heroic act by a woman endangered residents called “Sharon, our angel,” during the September fire near Lakeside and the recollections of a Vietnam War POW from Carlsbad who told her, “I thought I was a dead man.”
- Contributor JW August cited his talk with a city commissioner about flaws in the San Diego police complaint portal, which the department has since taken steps to address, and how a sex trafficking arrest shed light on the “pimp circuit” between Southern California and Nevada.
