Letter to the Editor: Apartment Vacancy Rates Paint an Incomplete Picture

By David Malcolm | Voice of San Diego

In last Saturday’s “Politics Report,” Will Huntsberry tackled the thorny issue of apartment vacancy rates (apparently the highest in this century) and the impact on affordability. He also correctly wrote that the city of San Diego needs “strategies beyond build, build, build.”

What’s Really Happening

My company owns and operates apartment rental complexes in San Diego County (San Marcos, Encinitas, La Jolla, El Cajon and South Bay) and in Temecula (Riverside County). Here is what we are seeing.

Base rents are stable … but offers of two months’ free rent are common. That is a de facto 16.7 percent reduction on annualized rents. Reducing base rents is not possible in the face of rent control measures and, even more importantly, bank loan covenants. Thus, concessions like two months’ free rent are not hard to find.

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New study shows promising step forward in improving Parkinson’s treatment

by Nicole Abrams | Times of San Diego

A small molecule was found to increase the benefits and reduce the side effects of the standard drug for Parkinson’s disease, according to a new study from UC San Diego startup called Sinopia Biosciences.

L-dopa or levodopa is the main treatment for Parkinson’s disease, but its benefits wane over time and can cause involuntary movements called dyskinesia. About 90% of patients with Parkinson’s disease develop dyskinesia in 9 or more years of using L-dopa, and 70% develop motor fluctuations in 9 or more years of using the drug, according to the study.

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NLR Laboratory Director Jud Virden Signs Partnership Agreements at Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference in Anchorage

The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) signed two new memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on May 19 that aim to increase research and innovation in critical minerals, energy, and buildings in Alaska and the Arctic. These partnerships build on longstanding collaborations and are designed to tap into Alaska’s resources in a way that benefits both the state and the nation.

“Alaska faces unique challenges,” NLR Director Jud Virden said. “NLR is proud to partner with the state and its flagship university to develop and accelerate innovative solutions to Alaskan challenges and address our nation’s pressing needs in critical minerals, energy, and buildings.”

At the Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference, joined by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Assistant Secretary Audrey Robertson, Alaska’s governor Mike Dunleavy, and University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) leadership, Virden signed agreements that will make it easier for NLR to work with these key partners to scale solutions for the real world.

NLR is the only DOE national laboratory with a physical presence in Alaska, located adjacent to the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. NLR’s Alaska research focuses on energy and building technologies in extreme climates and remote locations, as well as support for military, government, and communities in decreasing energy costs and improving reliability. Recent projects include an analysis of the state’s power grid to address declining natural gas supply within Alaska, an evaluation of methods to stabilize permafrost on military sites, and support for designing a secure, resilient facility on the Alaska-Canada border.

Through the MOU with the university, NLR gains access to UAF expertise in microgrids, engineering, and critical minerals—such as the Alaska Critical Minerals Collaborative, a research unit at UAF connecting government, industry, and researchers to advance critical mineral development across Alaska. The laboratory may also host students and fellows from UAF’s College of Engineering and School of Mines, Arctic engineering, geosciences, and other relevant programs, offering a training ground for the critical mineral workforce of the future.

On the flip side, NLR can provide access to advanced analysis tools, such as the ability to create digital twins of mines and microgrids with its Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) platform, and a wide range of capabilities in its new Energy Materials and Processing at Scale (EMAPS) facility that offers partners an entirely new model for “market-first” research: the ability to grow laboratory-scale innovations into scalable and validated market-relevant prototypes under a single roof.

“This partnership leverages the unique strengths of each of our organizations to create something that is greater than the sum of two parts,” UAF Interim Chancellor Mike Sfraga said.

NLR’s agreement with the state is complementary in approach, paving the way for NLR and the state to coordinate resources, share research, and boost Alaska energy and critical mineral production.

“This agreement helps turn Alaska’s resources and know-how into practical solutions,” Gov. Dunleavy said. “By formally partnering with federal researchers who are already based in Alaska, we can lower energy costs, build infrastructure that works in Arctic conditions, strengthen domestic supply chains, and create good-paying jobs, especially in rural and remote communities. It puts Alaska at the center of solutions that matter to both our state and the nation.”

Learn more about NLR critical minerals research and collaborations.

By Molly Rettig, NLR

• Sedona, Arizona, has been named one of the best small towns in the USA by Y Travel Blog.
• The city ranked No. 14 on the list of 23 small towns, celebrated for its unique travel experiences.
• The publication also noted the area’s natural vortices and over 300 miles of hiking and biking trails.

Arizona is always making headlines for its breathtaking scenery, top travel destinations and highly ranked cities. Now, another Arizona gem is earning national recognition, with this famous city ranking No. 14 on Y Travel’s list of the 23 small towns in the USA to visit.

Y Travel, also known as Y Travel Blog, is an independent travel publication. The site has built a reputation for publishing firsthand destination guides, road-trip itineraries and family travel advice based on places the couple behind it has personally visited.

The ranking celebrates small towns that offer memorable travel experiences. According to Y Travel, the towns were selected based on their unique character, scenic beauty, walkable downtowns, local culture, history, outdoor recreation, food and the authentic experiences they provide to visitors rather than simply their popularity.

Here’s which city ranked top in Arizona.

Sedona named a small town to visit by Y Travel

Coming in at No. 14, Sedona stood out for its colorful blend of desert landscape, luxury resorts and spas, red rock formations, Bell Rock and Cathedral Rock

The website mentioned how the city has natural vortices and 300+ miles of hiking and biking trails nearby, with lots of outdoor activities to explore.

Got a story you want to share? Reach out at Tiffany.Acosta@gannett.com. Follow @tiffsario on Instagram.

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