Today’s newsletter is presented by San Diego Restaurant Week.
Good morning, San Diego ☀️
Here’s what we have for you today:
- On this day 25 years ago, Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four planes with the intention of crashing them into targets in New York City and Washington D.C. Each plane was California-bound, so we felt the tremendous losses here in San Diego and throughout the state.
- In total, 2,977 people were killed on 9/11, and tens of thousands more have since developed cancers related to the toxicity of the destroyed World Trade Center site.
- Today, Sept. 11, 2026, we pause to thank the first responders who gave their all to help, but most of all, to honor all who were lost or are suffering. ❤️
Jennifer Vigil
News editor
Top story
Housing groups sue SANDAG for blocking development near Oceanside, Solana Beach train stations
If you take a trip through San Diego’s courts, you will find many a lawsuit filed in an attempt to block development.
But let’s turn that on its head. How about a suit seeking more development, specifically housing? It’s not an entirely surprising thing in a region where a run-of-the-mill, two-bedroom home will cost you just shy of a million dollars and studio rentals start at around $2,000 a month.
A state law that took effect this summer, SB 79, was meant to ease some of that pricing pressure by clearing the way for more housing to be built near transit stations. But that involves cities giving up some control over zoning decisions, a power that they understandably want to preserve.
Locally, two of them, Oceanside and Solana Beach, lobbied the regional planning agency, known as SANDAG, to maintain some sway over potential development near their city transit stations. SANDAG then produced a map based on its interpretation of SB 79’s terms.
And that’s where two pro-housing groups enter the fray. Note, though, that they are both affiliated with the California Association of Realtors, which too has major skin in the game.
There are a number of lawsuits related to SB 79 in courts throughout the state. This one, targeting SANDAG, isn’t even the first in San Diego. We unravel the details for you, involving train schedules, map methodology and more.
• One final note: We know that Marine Corps Air Station Miramar is the base off Kearny Villa Road. Yet we misstated its military affiliation in yesterday’s newsletter. Thanks to reader John G. for setting us straight.
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Stories you should know about
🚎 New transit program ‘freezes past prices’ for some low-income riders: Transit fares are going up soon, but there will be a break for some bus and trolley riders. A program called Pronto Life will allow those who use state benefit programs to apply to keep their fares at the current rates.
🪅 San Diego Weekend Guide; Sept. 11-13 – (Mexican) Independence Day: Patriotism (south-of-the-border style), pugilism and one good Pinot. Find these events and more in our weekend guide.
⚾️ Musgrove and the Padres are attacking his elbow problems ‘from every angle’ but are stuck on when he can return: The Padres’ pitching staff is in better shape than it has been all season. Still, it would be nice to have a healthy Joe Musgrove back. He and the team are stumped about the next steps in the El Cajon native’s start-and-stop rehab from elbow surgery.
What else we’re reading
🕯️ The parents of San Diego’s youngest 9/11 victim keep the memory of Deora Bodley alive with an annual memorial. The college student was aboard United Flight 93. Deora would have turned 45 this year. (NBC 7, 10 News)
🎭 The most enduring 9/11 art is the Canadian musical “Come From Away,” which depicts a tiny Newfoundland town that welcomed 7,000 grounded air travelers on the fateful day. Last season, it was the second-most produced musical in America. In San Diego, see it at Moonlight Stage in Vista through Sept. 26. (New York Times – gift link)
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 running trail in San Diego? Here’s what San Diegans had to say:
🌳 San Dieguito River Park from Alex A.
🏃➡️ Clairemont Mesa Trailhead from Suzanne R.
🍃 Lake Murray Trail from Jenn V.