San Diego, CA

Court upholds verdict for former news anchor Sandra Maas in KUSI’s appeal of equal pay lawsuit

Published

3 months ago

January 14, 2026

Court upholds verdict for former news anchor Sandra Maas in KUSI’s appeal of equal pay lawsuit

A San Diego appeals court on Tuesday upheld the judgment and what amounted to a $1.775 million award to former news anchor Sandra Maas, who sued the company that previously owned KUSI, alleging it violated equal pay laws by paying her significantly less than her co-anchor.

The opinion comes nearly three years after a San Diego Superior Court jury also found for Maas in her whistleblower claim, in which she argued that her contract was not renewed because she pushed back for the pay disparity.

McKinnon Broadcasting Co., which had owned KUSI when Maas worked there, had challenged the verdict on various grounds, “none of which we find persuasive. We affirm the judgment,” reads the opinion issued Tuesday from the 4th District Court of Appeal, Division 1.

Maas’ attorney, Josh Gruenberg, said in an email Tuesday that the appellate court “confirmed that the jury’s findings were supported by substantial evidence and that the process was impartial and sound.” He called the opinion “a true celebration of equal pay rights and of a judicial system that holds firm — even on appeal.”

“Most importantly, it brings long-overdue closure to a grueling chapter in Sandra Maas’s life,” Gruenberg said. “It takes courage to come forward, and even greater courage to withstand the blocks and tackles that followed in this case.”

Attorneys for McKinnon did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment.

According to arguments and evidence in the 2023 trial, Maas was paid a lower annual salary than male co-anchor Allen Denton during their years anchoring the TV station’s flagship newscast. In 2010, when they first teamed up, she was paid $120,000 annually, and he made $200,000.

When he retired, in 2019, his annual salary was $245,000. Hers was $180,000. That same year, Maas left the station. Maas’ attorney told the jury that when Maas asked for equal compensation, her contract ultimately was not renewed.

Pam Vallero, one of Maas’ attorneys, told the jury in opening statements of the four-week trial that the two anchors had sat “side by side at the same news desk, reading from the same teleprompter, anchoring the same newscast, but paid significantly different by KUSI.” That, she told the jury, “is why we are here.”

The attorney for KUSI told the jury during opening statements that Maas had been “paid fairly for her work in light of her experience, in light of her work ethic, attitude and overall value.”

Maas’ counsel argued that she had worked in broadcast television for 33 years, compared to Denton’s 37 years on TV. KUSI’s attorney said Denton had 48 years of experience, counting 11 years in radio before jumping to TV.

Maas, who worked at CBS 8 in San Diego in the 1990s, started at KUSI as a morning anchor in 2004. Denton, who had worked in the Bay Area, joined KUSI in 2010.

Aside from upholding the verdict, the appeals court on Tuesday also upheld the award of more than $2.3 million for Maas’ attorneys fees.

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San Diego, CA

San Marcos fire forces hundreds to evacuate

Published

5 hours ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

San Marcos fire forces hundreds to evacuate

A brush fire in San Marcos forced hundreds of families to evacuate their homes Sunday afternoon.

It happened near the Cal State San Marcos campus in the 500 Block of La Moree Road.

“I was at home when an amazing sheriff literally pounded on the door, broke in, grabbed me, grabbed my dogs and said…you’ve got to get out of here. Fire is behind your house,” Daun Everforest said.

Everforest was among hundreds of families evacuated to Mission Hills High School after a brush fire threatened their homes Sunday afternoon.

Neighbors said the fire came really close to homes on the nearby hillside.

“My daughter came running into our back bedroom and she said mom you’ve got to come there’s a fire on the hill,” Angel Martinez said.

“I stepped outside and I saw just everything was just blazing,” Ethan Ochoa, another neighbor said.

San Marcos Fire Department said crews responded to a call about a brush fire at around 3p.m. Sunday afternoon.

The first unit on scene found the fire spread out to about one acre with the heavy fuels.

A division fire marshal told NBC 7 the brush fire prompted a large response, with at least 30 fire engines, air support from Cal Fire, and Sheriff’s Deputies on the ground to help with evacuations.

Hand crews were able to establish fuel break to stop the fire from spreading and several firefighters stuck around to mop up hot spots.

Fire investigators said no one was injured, but one storage container was damaged.

Neighbors are thankful firefighters acted quickly to stop the flames.

“I’m so grateful for you guys,” Daun Everforest said.

Fire crews were able to stop the forward rate of spread at 1.93 acres. at around 4 p.m.

Neighbors like Angel said this is a great reminder to always have a plan in case a fire starts in your neighborhood.

“Know your area”… “Read up on safety and get your to-go bags ready,” she said.

Investigators are looking into the possible cause of the fire.

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San Diego, CA

Lincoln High School honors Olympic legend Jackie Thompson

Published

17 hours ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

Lincoln High School honors Olympic legend Jackie Thompson

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Lincoln High School students and community members are coming together this coming week to honor local Olympic legend Jackie Thompson.

Thompson competed at the Summer Olympic Games back in 1972 in the 200-meter sprint. She joined KUSI in-studio on Sunday, reflecting fondly on her time at the games that were held in Munich (see interview above).

This week, Lincoln High School will be hosting a track meet at their newly redone track where they will be hosting a ribbon cutting and dedicating the track to Thompson. The event will begin at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 9.

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San Diego, CA

The Best Seat in the House Might Be at the Omni San Diego Hotel

Published

1 day ago

April 5, 2026

Press Room

The Best Seat in the House Might Be at the Omni San Diego Hotel

Padres season is here, and one place in the city that absolutely delivers on game-day energy is the Omni San Diego Hotel at the Ballpark. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just looking for a fun downtown escape, this is the kind of stay that’s hard to beat.

The Only Hotel in the U.S. With a Private Skybridge to a Ballpark

The Omni’s private pedestrian skybridge connects directly into Petco Park. This means you can go from rooftop cocktails to first pitch without ever touching a crowded sidewalk. It’s genuinely what sets this hotel apart from anywhere else in the city.

On top of that, the skybridge comes with VIP game-day perks – behind-the-scenes stadium tours, access to the Padres Hall of Fame, the Field Warning Track, and private luxury suites. Ultimately, it’s the kind of access that makes a Padres game feel like a whole different experience.

New Packages Worth Knowing About This Season

The Game Day for 2 package includes 15% off your stay, two premium tickets to a home game, Lexus Club access, and prime seats right behind home plate. It’s a solid upgrade for a date night or a fun outing with your go-to game-day crew.

The Baseball Package covers deluxe accommodations, a baseball-themed welcome amenity with Cracker Jacks and local brews, a $50 food and beverage credit at Tortuga, and Skybridge access.

For locals wanting a quick downtown escape without the baseball add-ons, the Springtime Savings deal offers 15% off stays through May 31. However, this discount is only available when booked by April 19.

Game-Day Bites and Rooftop Drinks to Round Out the Experience

Ace Porter has a game-day-themed menu featuring snacks like fried pickles, loaded fries, and birria sliders, alongside heartier mains – fun without being gimmicky. This makes it a great spot to settle in before heading across the skybridge.

After the final out, Tortuga’s 8,000-square-foot rooftop terrace serves Baja-inspired bites like grilled fish tacos and shrimp and adobada quesadillas, refreshing cocktails, and sweeping skyline views. Because of this, post-game celebrations have a way of stretching a little longer up there – and that’s perfectly fine.

Omni San Diego Hotel Game-Day Bites and Rooftop Drinks

See you there!

The Padres season runs through the fall, so there’s plenty of time to make a game-day stay at the Omni happen. Don’t sleep on those spring deals, though.

📍 675 L Street, San Diego
🎟️ Explore their offers here
ℹ️ Visit their website here for more details

See you there, San Diego!

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