Today’s newsletter is presented by Kaiser Permanente.
Good morning, San Diego ☀️
Here’s what we have for you today:
- Here’s what it takes to turn the Del Mar Fairgrounds into a racetrack.
- A new planet was found orbiting the star Beta Pictoris — but one of the research teams that discovered it was much closer to home.
- And shoutout to reader Scott Parker, who correctly guessed six tiny homes, or D, as the answer to yesterday’s news quiz. Here’s the article we quizzed you on.
Brooke Binkowski
News editor
Top story
Nearly half of Mission Bay Park’s bathrooms are now closed. These 20 are still open.
Is it Bathroomageddon at Mission Bay Park?
The city of San Diego has closed down almost half of the restrooms that were previously open in a bid to save money. It’s saving a modest amount of cash, but now the 15 million or so annual visitors to the park will just have to figure something else out if they’re unlucky enough to be caught near one that’s closed.
The city also removed half of the portable bathrooms on Fiesta Island.
The moves will apparently save a bit more than half a million dollars this year, mostly in maintenance and cleaning costs. It also will create a lot more issues for the working-but-unsheltered population, many of whom are forced to rely on public bathrooms during the day.
“Why is having a toilet a privilege?” asked one man. It’s a good question. Why is it that toilets, of all things, can be taken away from the public at large?
Read on to take a look at San Diego’s foray into what Michel Foucault referred to as “biopolitics,” as well as a handy list that our Drew Sitton also compiled of the 20 locations within Mission Bay Park that remain open.
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Stories you should know about
🚒 Brush fire poses ‘immediate threat to structures,’ forces evacuations: Firefighters had their hands full Wednesday evening as a brush fire spread rapidly along a remote stretch of Interstate 8.
⚾️ Padres sale won’t be complete ahead of trade deadline: And there’s no new deadline in place right now to complete the sale, in yet another twist to the ongoing saga.
🏘️ ‘Wild West’ no more? La Mesa moves toward short-term rental policy: The city council has voted to develop a regulatory policy on spaces like Airbnbs and bed-and-breakfasts, and within six months, will hopefully give neighbors back their weekend peace and quiet.
🌊 Before the boom: Take a peek at what Pacific Beach looked like just before World War II and industry moves changed its face forever.
📝 Opinion: City officials show bad faith when they stonewall information requests
What else we’re reading
📋 DACA recipients are losing their protected status — and it’s not their fault, but due to lengthy administrative stays. (KPBS)
🦠 Cyclosporiasis hasn’t been reported in San Diego County yet, but that doesn’t mean it’s not coming to dinner salads soon. (ABC10)
Times of San Diego thanks our corporate sponsors. Find out more about sponsorships and advertising opportunities here.
Locals Only
☕️ What’s the best coffee spot in Point Loma/Ocean Beach? Let us know and we’ll shoutout you and your recommendations tomorrow.
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