Today’s newsletter is presented by AddressSD.
Good morning, San Diego ☁️
Here’s what we have for you today:
- State Sen. Catherine Blakespear is pushing to amend what vehicles can legally be labeled and sold as e-bikes.
- California tribal colleges are opening doors for Indigenous students.
- Congrats to Grossmont High’s class of 2026!
Tessa Balc
Audience engagement producer
Top story
Council members Lee, Foster propose restoring San Diego arts funding, with help from Prebys Foundation
Members of the city council are pivoting in their effort to restore arts funding. They’re looking to philanthropy as a partner, but also proposing the city tap into other revenue streams, namely Transient Occupancy Tax proceeds.
Council members Kent Lee and Henry Foster III, were the ones to unveil the initiative. I caught up with Lee on election night, and he told me he was aware they needed to do more to reach people. The cuts to arts funding is a particular area where they are hearing the concerns of San Diegans loud and clear.
Despite things looking good for the proposal, it’s not entirely a done deal. In case the mayor vetoes the budget the council puts forward Tuesday — the council will need a veto-proof majority to overrule him.
Our Drew Sitton breaks down the proposal, who’s behind it and lines up what could happen next in our top story today.
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
Stories you should know about
🚗 San Diego County man jailed in Mexico after wrong turn sues over gun rights: He came home with “felon” on his record, making him ineligible to own a firearm. He’s suing to get his guns back.
🌲 Trump officials asked national park visitors to report negative historical signs: Instead of providing types of responses the administration was grasping for, the vast majority of comments submitted objected to what some saw as an attempt to sanitize difficult chapters of history.
⚠️ Despite new California pesticide rules, applications of dangerous fumigant spike: A year after regulators implemented a rule they said would decrease the amount of 1,3-D, — a pesticide banned in 40 countries — applications of the compound have spiked.
‼️ Opinion: Primary election results are a warning for the Board of Supervisors.
What else we’re reading
🏡 A federal judge ruled ICE must allow San Diego County to conduct a health inspection of Otay Mesa detention by June 17, after supervisors were previously turned away. The ruling stipulates county staff must be allowed to talk to detainees who agree to speak with them. (NBC 7)
📖 Dr. Seuss’ former home in La Jolla sold for $9 million. The new resident owns and operates Bird Rock Bookshop, a children’s book store in La Jolla. (Union-Tribune)
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
What to do this weekend
Need weekend plans? We’ve got you. ⭐ = free
🏳️🌈 Pride by the Beach in Oceanside (Today, 12 p.m.–6 p.m.) ⭐️
🎨 MCASD’s EXPO Design Market (Today & Sunday, open at 11 a.m.) ⭐️
🫔 Sabor del Barrio (Sunday, 12 p.m.–4 p.m.)
💜 Steps Against Melanoma 5K walk (Sunday, 8 a.m.) ⭐️