

Reporter
Emily Alvarenga
Emily Alvarenga is the county government reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune. She previously covered community for the Union-Tribune. Previously, she was a senior staff writer at The Signal in Santa Clarita covering features and business. She is San Diego State alum.
All Stories

Seven candidates are running for the South County seat. Here's who they are, and what they told us about their priorities, positions and more.

Q&A with Vivian Moreno, candidate for District 1 county supervisor
Vivian Moreno, a Democrat serving her second term on the San Diego City Council, is running to represent the South Bay in the April 8 special election for county supervisor....

Q&A with John McCann, candidate for District 1 county supervisor
John McCann, the Republican mayor of Chula Vista and owner of a real-estate business, is running to represent the South Bay in the April 8 special election for county supervisor....

Q&A with Paloma Aguirre, candidate for District 1 county supervisor
Paloma Aguirre, the Democratic mayor of Imperial Beach, is running to represent the South Bay in the April 8 special election for county supervisor. Here's what she told us about...

Q&A with Louis Fuentes, candidate for District 1 county supervisor
Louis Fuentes, an air-conditioning business owner, Republican and former Imperial County supervisor, is running to represent the South Bay in the April 8 special election for San Diego County ounty...

Q&A with Carolina Chavez, candidate for District 1 county supervisor
Carolina Chavez, a Democratic council member from Chula Vista, is running to represent the South Bay in the April 8 special election for county supervisor. Here's what she told us...

Q&A with Elizabeth Efird, candidate for District 1 county supervisor
Elizabeth Efird, an energy consultant and political newcomer, is running to represent the South Bay in the April 8 special election for county supervisor. Here's what she told us about...

South County se enfrenta a meses sin supervisor y para los defensores de la comunidad hay mucho en juego
El puesto del Distrito 1 en la Junta de Supervisores permanecerá vacante durante los próximos meses

South County faces months without a supervisor. For community advocates, there’s a lot at stake.
The District 1 seat on the Board of Supervisors will remain vacant for the next several months until the county holds a special election

San Diego County sues tech companies over social media impacts on youths
The lawsuit filed last week alleges tech companies knew their platforms had detrimental effects on young people’s well-being.

Los parquímetros de San Diego están a punto de duplicar su precio
Ante la amenaza de recortes presupuestarios, el Concejo Municipal votó para duplicar las tarifas

These are the 7 people running for South County supervisor
Voters could decide in a special election on April 8 who will succeed Nora Vargas

Los supervisores de San Diego no elegirán nuevos funcionarios hasta después de la elección especial del Distrito 1
La Junta de Supervisores del Condado de San Diego acordó por unanimidad posponer la elección

Supervisors won’t choose a new chair until after District 1 special election
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed Tuesday to hold off on electing new officers.

San Diego parking meters are about to get twice as expensive
Facing the threat of budget cuts, the City Council voted to double rates citywide beginning Feb. 1, with most meters rising to $2.50 per hour.

Un año después de las históricas inundaciones estos vecinos de San Diego siguen “en la lucha”
Algunos han huido de la amenaza de futuras inundaciones. Otros han regresado a sus hogares reconstruidos.

Los candidatos a supervisor del Distrito 1 tienen hasta el martes para presentar los documentos de campaña
Cualquier persona interesada en postularse ahora puede recoger los documentos de nominación

One year after historic flooding, these San Diego neighbors are ‘here in the fight’
Some have fled the threat of future floods. Some have returned to rebuilt homes. And others are still waiting.

District 1 supervisor candidates have until Tuesday to file campaign papers, under condensed election timeline
Anyone interested in running can now pull nomination papers and must return them to the registrar of voters by 5 p.m. on Jan. 28.

Piden la opinión de los residentes sobre el sistema de comentarios públicos en reuniones de los supervisores
El nuevo sistema permitirá que todos los oradores se registren en línea

Residents asked to share input on county supervisors’ public comment system
After the San Diego County Board of Supervisors tightened its rules for public participation at its last meeting of 2024, the board's clerk is implementing a new system aimed at...

Población de San Diego se reúne para el segundo mandato de Trump — algunos protestan, otros celebran
Alrededor de 500 manifestantes se congregaron el lunes por la tarde en el lado oeste de Balboa Park

San Diegans gather to mark Trump’s 2nd inauguration — some in protest, some in celebration
Left-wing demonstrators marched downtown against President Trump, hours after Republicans and gun activists gathered in Mission Valley to fete his return.

Nuevas reglas buscan frenar el caos en las reuniones de los supervisores del condado. ¿Cómo están funcionando?
La Junta de Supervisores del condado endureció sus reglas para la participación pública

Wednesday is the last day for January 2024 flood victims to apply for property tax relief
Flood victims who had at least $10,000 in damage to their home or commercial property from that disaster can have their property taxes temporarily reduced until the property is restored.

Supervisor Jim Desmond announces run for Congress, challenging Levin
The Republican has set his sights on the race for the 49th Congressional District in 2026, as he reaches his term limit on the county Board of Supervisors.

Los votantes del Distrito 1 elegirán un nuevo supervisor en una elección especial esta primavera
La elección especial determinará quién representará a los más de 630,000 residentes del distrito del sur del condado

District 1 voters will choose new supervisor in special election this spring
After hearing dozens of public comments, the county Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to call a special election to replace Nora Vargas following her surprise departure.

¿Elección o designación? Los supervisores decidirán el martes cómo reemplazar a Nora Vargas
Si la junta elige designar a alguien para que sirva hasta que un sucesor pueda ser elegido

Election or appointment? Supervisors will decide how to replace Nora Vargas
The special meeting’s agenda lays out potential options: Supervisors can appoint a replacement, call a special election or both.

With boards still hampered by hundreds of vacancies, officials want volunteers to help make ‘real differences’
The city of San Diego has reduced the number of vacancies on its boards and commissions by a quarter since The San Diego Union-Tribune analyzed them last year. But vacancies...

New rules aim to rein in chaos at county supervisor meetings. So how are they working?
The county Board of Supervisors tightened its rules for public participation at its last meeting of 2024.

¿Quién podría representar a South County como supervisor? El interés por el escaño de Vargas crece
La lista de posibles candidatos en el Distrito 1 se está alargando

Con el escaño recién vacante, los supervisores enfrentan su primer obstáculo: elegir un presidente
Se esperaba que la junta eligiera nuevos funcionarios, incluido el presidente, vicepresidente y presidente pro tempore

With seat newly vacant, supervisors hit their first ime: electing a chair
As the county Board of Supervisors sits with an even partisan split until a new supervisor is chosen, key decisions like electing new officers will pose a challenge if the...

Supervisores reelegidos del condado de San Diego toman posesión — excepto uno
La Junta de Supervisores decidirá la próxima semana cómo llenar la vacante del Distrito 1

Re-elected San Diego County supervisors sworn in — except one
The Board of Supervisors will decide next week how to fill the District 1 vacancy after Nora Vargas unexpectedly announced she would not serve her second term.

Who could represent South County as supervisor? Interest in Vargas’ seat grows, ahead of a key board meeting
The list of potential candidates in District 1 is getting longer, and the remaining four supervisors will meet next week to discuss next steps.

Notas de un reportero: Saqué a un animal del refugio para una aventura y así nos fue
Esta escritora de la redacción tuvo la oportunidad de probar el programa "Día de Perro"

Library patrons in the College Area and Rolando face new parking woes, and are skeptical of the city’s fix
Advocates of the College-Rolando Library say their councilmember's proposal to add about a dozen timed parking spots isn't a solution to their years-long fight to save access to parking the...

Reporter’s Notebook: I took a shelter animal out for a ‘Dog Day Out’ adventure. Here’s how it went.
This staff writer was given the change to try out the San Diego Humane Society’s 'Dog Day Out' program to learn firsthand how easy it was to take a pup...

¿Debe ser nombrado o elegido el reemplazo de Nora Vargas? Los supervisores de San Diego decidirán el próximo mes
La decisión llega después del anuncio sorpresivo de la presidenta Nora Vargas, indicando que concluiría su mandato

Should Nora Vargas’ replacement be appointed or elected? Supervisors will decide next month.
As the dust settles, here’s what we’ve learned about what’s to come for the Board of Supervisors since Vargas announced her surprise departure Friday

En un anuncio sorpresivo, Nora Vargas renunciará como supervisora, a pesar de haber ganado un segundo mandato
"Por razones de seguridad y bienestar personal, no tomaré el juramento de oficina para un segundo mandato"

In surprise announcement, Nora Vargas will step down as supervisor, just after re-election
Vargas, who has been open about facing harassment and threats, cited 'personal safety and security reasons.' Her departure will leave the Board of Supervisors again short one member.

Supervisores aprueban $2 millones para ayudar a los migrantes que viajan a través del condado de San Diego
La cantidad de migrantes que llegan al condado de San Diego alcanzó su punto máximo a principios de este año

Supervisors OK $2M to help migrants traveling through San Diego County amid busy holiday season
'Usually, as it gets closer to Christmas, that's when the backlog starts happening — because people are not able to leave San Diego because of increased costs or weather'

Estos afectados por las inundaciones en San Diego aún no han regresado a casa y ahora un nuevo peligro está en camino
Algunos pasaron el Día de Acción de Gracias separados de sus familias, sin lugar para reunirse.

Nearly a year after San Diego floods, these neighbors still aren’t back home. Now a new cliff may be looming.
Some spent Thanksgiving separated from their families, with no place to gather. Others used the time off to keep rebuilding in the hopes of being home before Christmas.

Los esfuerzos para abrir un nuevo centro de ayuda para migrantes en el condado de San Diego se estancan
“No se hará ninguna adjudicación, ya que no se recibieron propuestas adicionales para evaluar”

Efforts to open a new migrant aid center in San Diego County stall once more
San Diego County has once again rescinded a contract with a potential operator to establish and run its new migrant center

One dead in stabbing during large fight in Grant Hill
Police responded about 4:45 p.m. Friday to a fight reported in the area of 27th Street and L Avenue.

Voters appear to reject countywide, citywide sales tax hikes
Both Measures G and E, which would increase sales taxes in San Diego County and the city of San Diego respectively, appear to have failed

Crisis de aguas residuales, dinero para el Ejército: ¿Qué significará el regreso de Trump para el condado de San Diego?
San Diego comienzan a evaluar los posibles impactos de otro mandato de Trump

Regresan a San Diego las fuertes olas conocidas como ‘king tides’ y la Comisión Costera quiere que las fotografíes
Un oceanógrafo de Scripps está desafiando el término "mareas reales"

From the sewage crisis to military money, what will Trump’s return mean locally?
It’s too early to know for certain, but based on his campaign promises and his first presidency, some elected officials are preparing for the potential impacts. Here are a few.

King tides have returned to the San Diego coast. But are they really as royal as their name implies?
One Scripps oceanographer is throwing down the gauntlet on the term 'king tides.' Here’s why he says there should be a royal court of tides instead.

New vote totals show countywide, citywide sales tax hikes both still falling short
Both Measures G and E, which would increase sales taxes in San Diego County and the city of San Diego respectively, are on track to fail

‘Una combinación de serenidad y terror’: el condado de San Diego votó así en el último día de una tumultuosa elección presidencial
Miles de votantes del condado de San Diego se enfrentaron a largas filas para emitir sus votos

Incumbent Terra Lawson-Remer keeps early lead in San Diego County’s toughest supervisor race
In the other supervisor races on the ballot, incumbents Nora Vargas and Joel Anderson were both leading by wide margins.

County and city of San Diego sales tax measures falling short
Both a countywide sales tax increase and a separate sales tax hike proposed within the city of San Diego were falling short of the needed to in early...

El condado de San Diego se dirige a las urnas mientras concluye la elección presidencial
Martes, 5 de noviembre, es el último día para emitir tu voto en la elección presidencial general.

‘A combination of serenity and terror’: San Diego County votes on last day of tumultuous presidential election
Thousands of San Diego County voters braved long lines to cast ballots on the last day of a turbulent election, and thousands who had already voted were nervously awaiting its...

Bleachers, fishing amenities, sunset views: What’s in the updated design for new Ocean Beach Pier
Some of the amenities that would be on the new pier were presented to the public at a community workshop Saturday in Liberty Station.

Firefighters battle blaze at former InCahoots saloon in Mission Valley
Firefighters extinguished a fire at the former InCahoots building in Mission Valley on Saturday morning.

The race for San Diego’s lone swing Assembly seat turns ugly
The Republican candidate narrowly lost to Brian Maienschein two years ago. But now it's an open race in the 76th Assembly District.

More than $5.6 million has poured into San Diego County’s toughest supervisor race
The race for District 3 supervisor remains one of the most expensive in the county

Why is that train sounding its horn? Train language may be able to help you decode it
Trains have been blowing their whistles in downtown San Diego again recently, to the displeasure of many nearby residents.

Nueve meses después de las inundaciones, el condado auditará al contratista de alojamiento de emergencia
"Esta auditoría es un paso necesario para restaurar la confianza de la comunidad".

Quejas sobre programa de hoteles para víctimas de inundaciones impulsan a supervisora a solicitar auditoría
Inmediatamente después de las inundaciones, el condado creó un programa de vales de emergencia

‘A necessary step’: Nine months after floods, county will audit emergency-lodging contractor
After receiving numerous complaints from flood victims, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors has agreed to work to improve its emergency response policies and approved an audit of a...

Complaints about hotel program for flood victims prompt supervisor to call for an audit
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors is being asked Tuesday to audit Equus Workforce Solutions, the contractor tasked with running its hotel voucher program over concerns about its management.

Cientos de personas caminan por el parque Balboa para reconocer el Alzheimer y otras formas de demencia
“Es una excelente manera de conocer nuestra organización, de conocer de qué se trata”

Nuevo letrero, carriles para bicicletas y grandes planes llegan a Convoy Street pero los negocios no están convencidos
El letrero culmina décadas de determinación por parte de comunidades inmigrantes

Hundreds walk through Balboa Park to recognize Alzheimer’s, other forms of dementia
About 1,500 people participated in Alzheimer's San Diego's annual walk to fundraise for Alzheimer’s and research

Ex funcionario del condado de San Diego dice que supervisores intentaron impedirle el al puesto de director
Sus acusaciones se producen después de que a principios de este año concluyera un largo y polémico proceso de contratación

New sign, bike lanes and big plans come to Convoy Street — but businesses aren’t entirely sold
Business owners in the popular Asian food district that runs along Convoy Street in Kearny Mesa are facing growing pains as the city works to transform it into a thriving,...

San Diego color guards display love of country and flag. ‘Americans must never forget.’
The 68th annual Massing of the Colors ceremony honored veterans at Balboa Park Saturday

Former county official says supervisors illegally tried to block him from top job
Michael Vu says he was ed over for chief istrative officer as a result of discrimination and retaliation.

After mixed results for reparations in the legislature, local Black leaders say they’ll keep pushing
A slew of bills in the nation’s first statewide reparations package were signed last month, but local ers say they will continue to push for others that failed.

Retrasan decisión para relacionar contaminación del río Tijuana con el programa Superfund
Terra Lawson-Remer se está distanciando de sus colegas al pedir a la Agencia de Protección Ambiental de EE.UU. que inicie su propia investigación.

County leaders delayed a Superfund decision about Tijuana River Valley pollution. One supervisor said she’d go her own way.
Terra Lawson-Remer is breaking with her colleagues in asking the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to launch its own investigation.

Will San Diego County voters another transportation sales tax increase?
If ed, the measure would help pay for rail, bus and road improvements and expand public transit services — but opponents want more focus on roads and say they don't...

Los condados solían tomar las prestaciones de los niños de crianza; una nueva ley prohíbe esta práctica
Un proyecto de ley firmado el jueves por el gobernador Gavin Newsom restaurará beneficios

Counties once took orphaned foster kids’ survivor benefits. A new law, with local backing, bans the practice.
The state legislation, which San Diego County officials endorsed earlier this year, will ensure foster children whose parents have died receive survivor benefits when they come of age — rather...

How fundraising is faring in San Diego County’s toughest — and most expensive — supervisor race
Both Terra Lawson-Remer and Kevin Faulconer have spent a majority of their campaigns attacking one another, as hundreds of thousands of dollars in spending on campaign mailers and ads shows.

Who’s running for San Diego County supervisor? Meet the candidates with our Q&As
Who's running to represent you on the Board of Supervisors? To help inform your vote, we asked all the candidates in all three races where they stood. Here's what they...

Condado de San Diego selecciona a empresa de Virginia para gestionar nuevo centro de ayuda a migrantes
Algunos grupos locales de servicios para migrantes ya han expresado preocupaciones sobre la elección de un contratista no local.

Meet the candidates for San Diego County supervisor in District 3: Q&A with Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer
The San Diego Union-Tribune asked everyone running for county supervisor about their priorities, positions and plans on the region's most pressing issues, from homelessness and housing to jail deaths and...

Meet the candidates for San Diego County supervisor in District 2: Q&A with Supervisor Joel Anderson
The San Diego Union-Tribune asked everyone running for county supervisor about their priorities, positions and plans on the region's most pressing issues, from homelessness and housing to jail deaths and...

Meet the candidates for San Diego County supervisor in District 1: Q&A with Supervisor Nora Vargas
The San Diego Union-Tribune asked everyone running for county supervisor about their priorities, positions and plans on the region's most pressing issues, from homelessness and housing to jail deaths and...

Meet the candidates for San Diego County supervisor in District 1: Q&A with Alejandro Galicia
The San Diego Union-Tribune asked everyone running for county supervisor about their priorities, positions and plans on the region's most pressing issues, from homelessness and housing to jail deaths and...

Meet the candidates for San Diego County supervisor in District 2: Q&A with Gina Jacobs
The San Diego Union-Tribune asked everyone running for county supervisor about their priorities, positions and plans on the region's most pressing issues, from homelessness and housing to jail deaths and...

Meet the candidates for San Diego County supervisor in District 3: Q&A with former Mayor Kevin Faulconer
The San Diego Union-Tribune asked everyone running for county supervisor about their priorities, positions and plans on the region's most pressing issues, from homelessness and housing to jail deaths and...

San Diego County selects Virginia-based company to run new migrant aid center
Some local migrant services groups have already voiced concerns about the choice of a non-local contractor.

Lawson-Remer, Faulconer clash on homelessness, housing and more in race for District 3 supervisor
This week's candidate forum in Carlsbad was the first time both candidates addressed constituents head-to-head ahead of the Nov. 5 election.

Citrus quarantine declared in Fallbrook
The quarantine for Huanglongbing, which has already been found in Oceanside, Valley Center and Rancho Bernardo, has been expanded in North County.

Después de más de una década en el limbo el condado de San Diego tiene un nuevo plan climático
'Se aprobó, creemos que es fuerte y ahora tenemos un organismo de control', dijo un líder ambiental local

‘Biggest environmental victory’: After more than a decade in limbo, San Diego County has a new climate plan
'It's ed, we think it's strong, and now we’ve got a watchdog,' one local environmental leader said, after supervisors ed the plan this week.

¿Quién se hará cargo del nuevo centro de ayuda a los migrantes? El condado de San Diego vuelve a la mesa de trabajo
Los funcionarios del condado dicen que tienen la intención de seguir adelante con otro operador.