Today’s newsletter is presented by Port of San Diego Waterfront of Opportunity.
Good morning, San Diego ☀️
Here’s what we have for you today:
- The only thing standing between Patrick Henry High School’s football team and a perfect regular season is Mira Mesa High School. The teams meet on Mira Mesa’s turf tonight.
- It’s National Candy Corn Day. Hmm, Oct. 30, Wonder why? (I for one like a piece or three in defiance of all the candy corn hate).
Jennifer Vigil
News editor
Top story
Large-scale San Diego Pride events ‘not sustainable,’ board says as organization slashes staff amid financial crisis
It’s tough times all around for Pride organizations. But San Diego is indeed a special case.
San Diego Pride met this week to share its struggles with the community, but found, as our Drew Sitton wrote, that there’s a whole range of agitators who instead “re-litigated decisions in the past three years related to Pride and the Middle East.”
That’s a shame, because San Diego Pride, like Pride organizations in Los Angeles, Long Beach and Phoenix, is struggling in this economy.
It has had a revolving door of executive directors and now, faced with mounting financial pressure, the latest one will depart next month as the staff is slashed to three part-time workers.
Those pressures include the loss of sponsors that followed the decision to feature Kehlani on the 2025 event’s festival bill. (The performer had drawn the ire of the Jewish community for supporting Palestinians and criticizing Israel.) There’s also, as Drew reported, rising costs on the city side for police and fire services during major events, a drop in philanthropic support and the current challenges facing music festivals. A two-day fest has been a key part, along with the Hillcrest parade, of San Diego Pride’s annual events.
You may think this is an issue confined to the LGBTQ community, but given Pride’s tremendous economic impact in San Diego, roughly $30 million, that’s not the case. Hotels, restaurants and more will take a hit should Pride have to cut back.
Even board members, without offering details, acknowledge that continuing to produce a festival is “not sustainable.” Sounds like a retrench is in the offing, but to do so, the board and community must focus on the future. It’s unclear if Pride, contending with both internal and external forces, can make that happen. Drew has more.
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
Stories you should know about
🏡 Housing, homelessness, public safety take center stage in final National City mayoral debate: Before donors, volunteers and the community, Councilmembers Marcus Bush and José Rodríguez agreed on the broad outlines of the city’s challenges, but offered different approaches to address them – Bush through coalition building, Rodriguez via public advocacy.
🎃 San Diego Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos Guide: The big days are almost here! Some events are free, some are family-focused, some are nostalgic. But whatever you opt to be, from a Spidey to a Minion, better plan to include an umbrella in your costume. Rain is in the forecast Halloween night.
🏆 First Latino Mr. and Mrs. San Diego – Meet volunteer dynamic duo: Ted and Lidia Martinez, one a former community college chancellor, the other, a long-time manager with Southwest Airlines, will take on the mantle of Mr. and Mrs. San Diego, titles reserved by the Rotary Club for locals “who personify the organization’s Service Above Self motto.”
What else we’re reading
🗳️ The finish line is in sight for the 2026 general election season, but the money has been flowing freely into local races all along, including this list of top spenders and donors through Oct. 22. (KPBS)
⚾️ With the World Series over, baseball’s annual free agent frenzy begins (at least until the lockout shuts it all down). On Thursday, the Padres saw starter Michael King opt out of his deal. He’s reportedly seeking a longer-term contract. (MLB.com)
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
Locals Only
🍣 We asked you: What’s the best sushi spot in La Jolla? Here’s what San Diegans had to say:
🍱 Himitsu on Torrey Pines Road from Cindy W. and Lisa R.
🍣 Zzan Downtown on Fifth Ave. from Ron D. (We’ll let this one slide…)