Tech companies like SpaceX, Apple and Viasat are investing millions of dollars in satellite networks that will expand smartphone and device coverage beyond Earth’s cell towers.
A growing field of technology companies will spend millions of dollars this year on space satellites so you can keep texting. Their goal is to build global satellite networks so phones, computers, cars and people never lose coverage.
It won’t replace the cellular service you pay for from companies like Verizon and AT&T, but it would be an added benefit to cover dead zones. That means you might soon have an option to pay extra to get satellite texting on your phone while you hike the mountains or get stuck in an emergency off the grid.
The latest player to plant their flag in the direct-to-device space is Carlsbad’s Viasat.
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The local telecommunications company has partnered with Skylo Technologies, a non-terrestrial network service provider, to provide direct-to-device services globally. It marks a new revenue opportunity for Viasat in the IoT (Internet of Things) space at a scale it hasn’t previously delved into, said Anton Monk, vice president of wireless initiatives at Viasat.
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Top Illustration: The new nonterrestrial network will utilize Viasat’s existing global L-band capabilities as well as partner satellite operator networks. (Courtesy of Viasat)
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3 Ocean Beach Pier Renewal design concepts to be aired
The City of San Diego will hold a public April 6 community workshop to present three preliminary design concepts for the
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OB Pier Designs
Ocean Beach Pier Renewal Project. The workshop will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Liberty Station Conference Center, 2600 Laning Road, San Diego 92106. A presentation will be at 2:15 p.m. followed by interactive workshops.
The designs have been prepared following a year of public outreach events, community meetings, booths at major events, flyers and emails, and an online survey of 5,000 participants.
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An armed security guard stands in front of a Neiman Marcus store in San Francisco’s Union Square on Nov. 24, 2021. (Photo by Samuel Rigelhaupt, REUTERS Credit: Samuel Rigelhaupt / Sipa USA via)
How California lawmakers want to target retail theft
By Lynn La | CalMatters
Nearly four months after forming a bipartisan select committee and two hearings later, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas announced legislation last Thursday to combat shoplifting and organized retail theft — just beating the deadline to introduce new bills.
He joined Democratic Assemblymember Rick Zbur of Los Angeles, chairperson of the committee, and Kevin McCarty of Sacramento, chairperson of the Assembly Public Safety committee, to unveil the California Retail Theft Reduction Act, which Rivas describes as “critical legislation” to address “a serios crime that’s hurting businesses and impacting our communities.”
Focusing on “professional retail thieves,” Zbur said the measure would create a new crime with a penalty as long as three years behind bars for the possession of stolen property with the intent to sell.
Bill introduced to increase safety measures on e-bikes
Assemblymember Tasha Boerner (D-Encinitas), whose district includes the beachfront, has introduced AB 2234 to ensure the safety of e-bike riders and those who share the roads with them.AB 2234 will require anyone over age 12 without a valid driver’s license to take an online e-bike safety training course and pass a written test to prove they understand traffic safety rules.
Those without a valid driver’s license must have a state-issued ID to operate an e-bike. The bill will also prohibit children under the age of 12 from operating e-bikes.
“Owning and riding an e-bike is a big responsibility, and children and their parents must understand the liability they take on when they get on an e-bike that can go nearly 30 mph,” said Tasha Boerner. “As an avid cyclist and a mother, my goal is to ensure that California’s young riders are educated on the rules of the road to increase their safety and the safety of other road users.”
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__________________________________________Artwork by artist Oriana Poindexter.
Birch Aquarium opens immersive art exhibit on kelp forests
The Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography has opened “Hold Fast,” an immersive art exhibit that invites guests to explore the impact of climate change on the local kelp forests through the lens of three local artists and scientists.
“Warming waters and giant kelp don’t mix. We have to be realistic about the outsized impact that climate change has on our local giant kelp forests,” said Megan Dickerson, Birch Aquarium’s director of exhibits and co-curator of the installation. “But at the same time, local people are doing beautiful things. This ‘Hold Fast’ installation posits that the actions of local artists and scientists can give us hope that together, as a community, we can make collective change as we also acknowledge climate trauma.”
Aquarium visitors can now explore a labyrinth of cyanotype-printed giant kelp by photo-based artist and marine scientist Oriana Poindexter. They can come face-to-face with local species via gyotaku prints – the traditional Japanese method of printing fish – by artist Dwight Hwang. Finally, they can peer into the tiny world of kelp propagation with Scripps Oceanography PhD student Mohammad Sedarat.
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Mrs. Stephanie Aretz named COO of Smartville Inc.
Mrs. Stephanie Aretz
Carlsbad-based Smartville Inc., a leader in sustainable energy solutions and a trendsetter in repurposing electric vehicle batteries, announced the appointment of Mrs. Stephanie Aretz as its new chief operating officer.
Mrs. Aretz’s vast experience and profound leadership in the technology sector will be pivotal as Smartville continues its mission to revolutionize battery energy storage worldwide, one battery pack at a time.
Mrs. Aretz will spearhead all day-to-day operations, strategic planning, and budget execution at Smartville, Inc.
Priya Huggett appointed to board of NAIOP San Diego
Priya Huggett
Priya Huggett, a partner with Crosbie Gliner Schiffman Southard & Swanson, a commercial real estate law firm, has been appointed to the board of NAIOP San Diego, the Commercial Real Estate Development Association.
Huggett has more than 20 years of experience in all facets of commercial real estate – including acquisitions, dispositions, development, leasing, finance and operations covering multifamily, retail, residential, hospitality and office assets.
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She was general counsel of Brixton Capital prior to joining CGS3 in 2022.
Brian L. Frary joins Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani law firm
Brian L. Frary
Brian L. Frary has joined the law firm of Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani as a partner in its San Diego office, and membe of the Employment Law practice group.
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Frary has practiced law in San Diego for over 20 years.
His practice includes business litigation, consumer finance litigation defense, class actions, real property litigation, product liability, personal injury, construction defect litigation, and professional liability defense. He is a long-time member of ACA International and the San Diego Bar Association.
Cal Coast Cares Foundation scholarships top $1 million
The Cal Coast Cares Foundation has just reached a major milestone, awarding over $1 million in student scholarships and educator grants to nearly 800 individuals in San Diego and Riverside counties since Cal Coast Credit Union established the foundation in 2015. The foundation will award an additional $260,000 in scholarships and grants in 2024. Established by San Diego teachers in 1929, California Coast Credit Union is the longest-serving financial institution based in San Diego County with more than $3.5 billion in assets.
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UCSD, Sanford Burnham, Prebys secure $9 million NIH grant
Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys, UC San Diego, and San Diego-based Camino Pharma received a $9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to support further studies around a drug to treat nicotine addiction. Under the three-year grant, researchers will conduct toxicology studies and drug manufacturing for the therapy that reduces levels of glutamate, a neurotransmitter linked to nicotine addiction and relapse behavior.
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Sony Electronics launches aibo Espresso Edition in the U.S.
A ERS-1000B aibo Espresso Edition
Sony Electronics Inc. announced that the limited-quantity aibo Espresso Edition (ERS-1000B) is now available for purchase in the United States directly from Sony.
Originally released in Japan in late January 2023, the aibo Espresso Edition is the fourth color variation of the acclaimed aibo (ERS-1000) robotic “puppy” companion in the United States. The aibo Espresso Edition is currently available on Sony’s website for a suggested retail price of $2,899.99.
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Mindgruve partners with Kick It California in tobacco cessation program
Mindgruve, a digital marketing agency, announced its partnership with Kick It California, the longest-running statewide phone-based tobacco cessation program in the U.S. The collaboration focuses on a complete redesign of the app formerly known as NoButts and NoVape, now rebranded as the Kick It app, tailored to aid users in their journey to quit both smoking and vaping. The app officially launched on Dec. 29, 2023.
The Well Community For Women opens North Park location
The Well Community For Women, a San Diego-based nonprofit, is opening its second coworking, childcare, and resource center at 3810 Bancroft St. in North Park. The Well’s new San Diego location is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and its original La Mesa location is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, Ste. 195. Coworking memberships in North Park Park ranges from $60/day to $250/month plus the option to add childcare and enrichment activities. La Mesa memberships range from $50/day to $600/month plus the option to add childcare and enrichment activities.
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Cue Health appoints Rishi Reddy to board of directors
Cue Health, a health care technology company, announced it entered into a cooperation agreement with Tarsadia Investments, and appointed Rishi Reddy to its board of directors, effective immediately. Reddy is a managing director at Tarsadia, where he leads the firm’s venture and growth equity strategy. He was previously an observer on Cue’s Board of Directors from April 2018 to September 2021. In addition, the board intends to commence a process to add an additional highly qualified, independent director to the board.
Spectator Health adds Surescripts certification
Spectator Health, a San Diego-based senior living technology company, announced the complete integration of Surescripts’ suite of e-prescribing capabilities into its platform, allowing for real-time medication analytics and e-prescribing for senior living communities caregivers and providers. Spectator Health’s platform has been awarded key certifications, which cover a comprehensive suite of Surescripts.
Pope Leo XIV has accepted the resignation of the Chaldean Catholic bishop of San Diego, California, a decision announced Tuesday by the Vatican after the bishop was arrested on embezzlement charges. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said last week it had arrested Bishop Emmanuel Shaleta on Thursday at San Diego International Airport as he tried to leave the country, reports the AP. The office said it acted after someone from Shaleta’s church provided a statement and documentation “showing potential embezzlement from the church.” Shaleta was being held on $125,000 bail on eight counts of embezzlement, money laundering, and aggravated white collar crime, the statement said. Shaleta pleaded not guilty on Monday, reports NBC San Diego.
“He was on his way to Germany,” prosecutor Joel Madero said. “Given his access to funds, the fact that he had over $9,000 in the bag when he was stopped, and the fact that he has these international ties … I do believe that some bail to ensure he shows up is appropriate.” There was no immediate reply to an email sent to Shaleta’s parish, St. Peter Chaldean Church, seeking comment and contact information for his attorney. The Vatican said in its daily bulletin Tuesday that Leo had accepted Shaleta’s resignation under the code of canon law for eastern rite churches that allows for the pope to agree if a bishop asks to step down.
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Leo actually accepted the resignation when Shaleta presented it in February, but an announcement was not made until Tuesday, according to the Vatican embassy in Washington. The Holy See appears to have waited to announce the decision to avoid interfering with the police investigation. Leo named Bishop Saad Hanna Sirop as a temporary administrator. Shaleta, 69, was ordained a priest of the Chaldean Catholic Church in Detroit in 1984. He was named to the San Diego branch of the eastern rite Catholic Church in the US in 2017.
36.9 — The percentage of groundballs that Márquez yielded in 2025, a career low and significantly below his career average (48%). Márquez’s groundball rate was regularly above 50% before requiring Tommy John surgery in early 2023. He made one start in 2024 and struggled mightily while making 26 starts last year.
TRENDING
Down — Márquez had a 4.40 ERA through his first seven years in the majors, not bad considering he pitched roughly half his games at one of the best hitting environments in the majors. In fact, Márquez has a 5.17 ERA in his career at Coors Field and a 4.22 ERA in road environments. But Márquez underwent Tommy John surgery early in 2023, made one start in the majors in mid-July in 2024 (4 IP, 3 ER) and struggled throughout his first full year back in the Rockies rotation. The season was so difficult for Márquez that he was actually worse on the road (7.32 ERA) than he was in 11 starts at Coors Field (5.98 ERA). His strikeout rate (5.9 per nine innings) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (1.73) were the worst of his careers, as was his walk rate (3.4 per nine innings), while his hit rate (12.0 per nine innings) was the second worst of his career. On top of that, Márquez’s groundball rate was also the lowest of his career (see stat to note) and ranked in the bottom 22nd percentile of the league and his hard-hit rate (48.5%) and average exit velocity (91.7 mph) both ranked in the bottom 2 percentile of the league. One reason: a 94.8 mph four-seamer is down a few ticks than the height of his effectiveness. Márquez reached free agency after the season and signed with the Padres in February.
2026 OUTLOOK
Márquez has a big-league deal with the Padres, but he’ll have to rediscover his pre-elbow-reconstruction form to hold onto a roster spot, as RHP Griffin Canning (Achilles) is expected to push for a spot at some point this season and the likes of LHP JP Sears, RHP Matt Waldron and minor league signees like Marco Gonzales could warrant looks if Márquez’s struggles continue into 2026.
German Marquez #33 of the San Diego Padres participates in drills during spring training workouts at the Peoria Sports Complex on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 in Peoria, Ariz.(Meg McLaughlin / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
In today’s Daily Dirt, I mentioned that the search at San Diego was done. Here’s the official announcement from USD on the hiring of JR Blount as their next head men’s basketball coach:
University of San Diego Athletics has named JR Blount the 15th head coach in San Diego men’s basketball program history, USD Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Athletics Kimya Massey announced on Monday.
Blount arrives in San Diego with a reputation as one of college basketball’s rising coaching talents after helping lead Iowa State to four NCAA Tournament appearances in four seasons.
He joins the Toreros after five seasons on T.J. Otzelberger’s staff at Iowa State, where the Cyclones compiled a 95-45 record during his tenure, won the 2024 Big 12 Tournament Championship and reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in 2022 and 2024 — one of the most successful stretches in program history. Iowa State finished in the AP Top 15 in each of those four seasons and climbed as high as No. 2 nationally in each of the last two years. During the 2025-26 season, the Cyclones opened with a 16-0 start, highlighted by victories over No. 1 Purdue, No. 2 Houston, No. 9 Kansas and No. 14 St. John’s.
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“After a thorough and highly competitive national search, we are proud to welcome JR Blount as the next head coach of USD men’s basketball,” said Massey. “JR is an outstanding leader, a relentless competitor and one of the brightest rising coaches in college basketball. Even more importantly, throughout this process I came to know him as a humble leader with strong integrity and deep family values. JR has been a part of winning at every level of his career and understands what it takes to build a program that competes with toughness, discipline and consistency. Just as importantly, he believes in developing young men holistically and leading in a way that reflects the values of this university.
“This is a pivotal moment for our program and JR’s vision aligns with our belief that San Diego men’s basketball should compete in the upper tier of the WCC and position itself to be a regular NCAA Tournament participant. We are excited about what lies ahead under his leadership.”
“As a product of Catholic education and deeply committed to USD’s mission and values, Coach Blount is an outstanding role model for the young men in our Torero basketball program,” said USD President James T. Harris III. “He brings an impressive resume with deep experience, a winning track record and — above all — a commitment to the overall wellbeing of our student-athletes.”
“I’m incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead USD men’s basketball,” Blount said. “We are so thankful to Athletic Director Kimya Massey and President Harris for this opportunity. This is more than just a coaching position for me — it’s a chance to become part of a community and build something meaningful. My wife and our three daughters are excited to make this move together and we can’t wait to invest in this university and the relationships that make it special.
I come to USD with a deep desire to win — to compete relentlessly, to develop our young men to their fullest potential and to build a program our fans can be proud of. Winning championships is important, but so is building a culture of toughness, accountability and love. We’re going to work every day to represent USD the right way, on and off the court. I’m ready to get started.”
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Blount played a key role in Iowa State’s rise under Otzelberger, helping orchestrate one of the most significant program turnarounds in recent Division I history. In his first season with the Cyclones in 2021-22, Iowa State rebounded from a two-win campaign the year before to finish 22-13 and advance to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The Cyclones quickly established a national reputation for defensive toughness, ranking among the nation’s best in scoring defense, defensive efficiency, steals and turnovers forced.
Over the next three seasons, Blount helped Iowa State sustain that momentum. In 2022-23, the Cyclones advanced to the NCAA Tournament and recorded nine wins over AP Top 25 opponents, tied for the most in school history. In 2023-24, Iowa State won the Big 12 Championship, finished 29-8, posted an undefeated 18-0 record at Hilton Coliseum and advanced to the Sweet 16. Most recently, the 2024-25 Cyclones finished 25-10, climbed as high as No. 2 in the Associated Press poll, earned another NCAA Tournament appearance and closed the season ranked No. 17 nationally.
Known for his work in player development, recruiting and culture-building, Blount has mentored multiple all-conference and All-America caliber players throughout his coaching career. At Iowa State, he developed some of the Big 12’s top performers while contributing to a program identity rooted in toughness, connectivity and competitive excellence.
Prior to Iowa State, Blount spent three seasons at Colorado State, where he helped elevate the Rams into one of the Mountain West’s top programs. During his tenure in Fort Collins, Colorado State signed the highest-rated recruiting class in program history and posted consecutive 20-win seasons, including a 20-8 finish and a run to the NIT semifinals in 2020-21. He also played a leadership role in Colorado State’s Together Initiative, which promoted social justice and racial equality on campus.
Blount also previously served in coaching roles at Drake and Saint Leo and began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where the program won the 2010 NCAA Division III National Championship.
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A former three-year team captain and two-time team MVP at Loyola University Chicago, Blount later played professionally for the Leicester Riders of the British Basketball League during the 2010-11 season. He earned degrees in psychology and sociology from Loyola in 2009 and later received his master’s degree in education from UW-Stevens Point in 2012.
A native of Milwaukee, Blount and his wife, Ashley, have three daughters: Maya, Zuri and Gema.
