This story was reported for San Diego News Network on November 25, 2009. On Monday, an SDNN reader submitted a comment on one of our many Tila Tequila stories. She stated she was upset that many commentators were criticizing Tequila for speaking out while it hasn’t been proven whether she is lying about her incident with Shawne Merriman. She wrote… Read more →
California Budget Crisis Diaries: The cost of the new Lt. Governor
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on November 24, 2009. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s lieutenant governor appointment is causing a ruckus in the state senate chambers while credit card debt is piling up and prison jobs are being questioned. Just be thankful you’re not a California politician this Thanksgiving as you read this budget round-up. New Lt. Gov.:… Read more →
Sea changes in congressional districts create Democratic hope
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on November 20, 2009. The decreasing number of registered Republican voters in California is making some Democrats optimistic of a permanent sea change. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has hopes that eight congressional districts — which have seen a rise in registered Democratic voters – will seat a Blue Dog… Read more →
California Budget Crisis Diaries: New guess for state deficit tops $20 billion
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on November 19, 2009. Amid budget deficit estimates for next fiscal year, the UC system is seeing protestors and the CSU board is proposing an optimistic budget number for next school year. Here’s your Thursday dose of California Budget Crisis Diaries: A budget analysis: California Legislative Analyst’s Office released its… Read more →
San Diego’s homeless embraced by community members
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on November 17, 2009. Saturated in low clouds and chilly weather, members of the community gathered together Tuesday night in San Diego’s East Village to “Embrace the Streets.” Led by non-profit organization EMBRACE and SDSU, about 75 volunteers passed out blankets and bagged lunches to those who’ve made the streets their… Read more →
California Budget Crisis Diaries: Projected $25 billion deficit for 2010
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on November 17, 2009. While the SDSU community is protesting the budget cuts, a UC Berekely professor is lobbying to change a legislative process and Sacramento insiders are spilling the beans. Possible ballot initiative: A UC Berkeley professor is lobbying for a change in the way Sacramento legislators vote. At the… Read more →
California Budget Crisis Diaries: October sees more revenue
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on November 12, 2009. Despite the staggering deficit hitting California, there’s some good news – revenue is up, chances for education funds are increasing and the state’s veterans will see brighter days. Here’s a more cheery budget diary entry. Controller’s report: California Controller John Chiang released the state’s latest bank statement… Read more →
Kenyan torture survivor Taiga Wanyanja calls for American support
This story was reported for the San Diego News Network on November 12, 2009. In 1995, Taiga Wanyanja was in a torture chamber at Naivasha GK Prison outside of the Kenyan capitol, Nairobi. He never thought he would survive. Wanyanja, a husband and a father of two, was arrested on a charge involving a movement against the government of the… Read more →
Candidates separate themselves in contentious 50th District
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on November 12, 2009. California’s 50th Congressional District has had more than its share of the national spotlight, and not always for flattering reasons. Let’s start with words like “fraud” and “indictment” based on the Duke Cunningham bribery scandal (the former representative of the 50th District is now in federal prison),… Read more →
Twitter hacker hits SDNN editor’s account
This story was reported for San Diego News Network on November 10, 2009. At approximately 10 p.m. Monday, my Twitter account was hacked into. That’s right, for those who don’t follow me — the social media outlet, where millions of narcissistic folks share their bidness in 140 characters or less, let a non-Hoa person slide through in the login screen,… Read more →