Lifestyle

La Mesa resident and City Councilmember Patricia Dillard has formally launched her campaign for mayor in the city’s 2026 municipal election. A review of candidate filings shows that Dillard is currently running unopposed. However, several community and political observers say La Mesa City Councilmember Laura Lothian is considering entering the race, which could significantly reshape the contest.

San Diego officials are tightening the city’s belt once again, confronting a financial hole that continues to widen despite a wave of new fees and rate increases approved earlier this year. Mayor Todd Gloria has instructed every department to clamp down on spending immediately, warning that the coming budget cycle will demand even tougher decisions.

San Diego comes alive this weekend with holiday celebrations, concerts, and community happenings taking place across the county. Whether you're looking for festive lights, live music, or local experiences, here’s your guide to everything happening from Friday through Sunday.

San Diego is poised for a noticeable warm-up this weekend as the Santa Ana winds that swept across the region begin to lose steam. Forecasters with the National Weather Service say the strongest gusts have already pushed through, with the remaining offshore flow expected to back off steadily through the day.

A judge has approved a 21.5 million dollar settlement involving the City of San Diego, Rock Church, and other organizations in connection with the 2022 death of 11-year-old Arabella McCormack. The majority of the settlement funds will come from the city, Rock Church, and Pacific Coast Academy, with additional agreements still in progress.

Halle Berry intensified the national conversation around women’s health on December 3 when she openly criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom during the New York Times DealBook Summit, telling the audience that he “should not be our next president.” Her comments drew immediate attention, not only because of their directness, but also because they were delivered moments before Newsom himself appeared on the same stage.

In a startling development that has shaken the Southcrest neighborhood, authorities discovered human remains buried beneath a residential home this week, triggering a full-scale investigation by local and federal law enforcement.

Local labor unions are preparing a campaign to place a one-cent city sales tax increase on San Diego’s 2026 ballot, arguing that years of deferred maintenance and underfunded services have pushed the city to a breaking point.