Today’s newsletter is presented by Kaiser Permanente.
Good morning, San Diego ☀️
Here’s what we have for you today:
- After another toasty weekend, temperatures around the county are expected to drop by the middle of the week.
- A La Mesa man is being held without bail after allegedly shooting his sleeping neighbor through a wall.
- Both of California’s Democratic senators are hoping that Congress can stop the government from shutting down in the fall.
Brooke Binkowski
News editor
Top story
Community rallies to help renovate Fire Station 16 in La Jolla
Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep.
I learned that the hard way last week, when for the very first time in my previously athletic life, I managed to throw my back out just like my grandfather always used to, which doesn’t help me not feel like I’m aging faster than a Halloween pumpkin in mid-November.
But I’m just a writer, and while I know how important it is to get the facts right, my job pales in comparison to that of firefighters, who need to be in tip-top shape, especially this time of year.
That’s why I am very happy to be introducing today’s top story. After more than forty years, San Diego’s Fire Station 16, which serves the Mt. Soledad area, is getting its first major renovation since it opened in 1982. The cramped, makeshift dormitory that firefighters have been dealing with ever since then are going to be replaced with insulated private sleeping areas.
The renovation, which was led by the nonprofit San Diego Fire-Rescue Foundation, the Rotary Club of La Jolla and La Jolla Sunrise Rotary Club, has drawn tremendous support from architects, contractors, businesses, city staff, and hundreds of community donors. It will upgrade the makeshift partitions and accordion doors that squeaked and offered no real privacy to insulated walls, full-height doors.
There will also be new windows, flooring, lockers, cabinets, desks, chairs, mattresses, bedding, televisions, individual lighting, white-noise machines and additional storage.
Finally, the station is sporting a new exterior and fresh interior paint.
It’s a great makeover, but it’s more than what looks nice. Having a secure and comfortable place to sleep is not a luxury; it’s a matter of safety and the ability to respond better to crises, as well as evading health issues down the road.
It’s the least we can do for our firefighters, especially during the hairiest parts of fire season. It’s an indelible bias I have: I like my firefighters to be happy, relaxed and well-rested.
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Stories you should know about
🎹 Alicia Keys musical ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ may be rooted in NYC, but San Diego creatives shaped the Tony winner: The visual heartbeat of the production was crafted by UC San Diego Professor of Scenic Design, four-time Tony Award nominee Robert Brill.
🎤 MarketInk: After 50 years on the radio, Mark Larson lost his job — only to find new opportunities: “This time last year, I wasn’t sure if I would see this year‘s birthday,” Larson told Times of San Diego.
🩺California nearly achieved universal healthcare. Now, millions are losing coverage: An estimated 2.2 million people could lose insurance over the next four years from combined state and federal cuts.
🚗 ‘It wasn’t right’: Car wash workers cope with lingering effects of southern California raids: At least 373 car wash workers were detained from across 106 car washes from June 2025 through January 2026.
☑️ Opinion: California voters can reform CEQA to boost needed new housing.
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
Step back in time…
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