San Diego, CA

Mayor Todd Gloria proposes cuts to San Diego equity programs

Published

2 years ago

April 16, 2024

Mayor Todd Gloria proposes cuts to San Diego equity programs

The city of San Diego is facing a budget deficit for the next fiscal year of nearly $137 million dollars.

To close the budget gap, Mayor Todd Gloria has proposed cuts to several programs meant to reduce long standing economic and racial disparities in the city.

His proposed budget would reabsorb the Community Equity Fund into the general budget, suspend contributions to the city council’s community projects, take back money in the Climate Equity Fund and suspend most of its $10 million annual contribution.

It eliminates the Cannabis Social Equity Program and funding for the Office of Immigrant Affairs.

Gloria said the proposed cuts are tough but necessary to preserve core neighborhood services.

“During the Great Recession, we did things like, you know, pairing of libraries,” he said. “Two libraries, only one would be open at a time. We did rolling brownouts of fire stations that resulted in real challenges in communities. And we’re avoiding those with this budget proposal.”

They would also offset increased spending on homelessness and the housing crisis.

The mayor acknowledged the city would have to return almost a million dollars in state grant money if it ends the cannabis equity program.

But Megain McCall, an advocate for the program, said it would actually cost the city even more.

“You’re actually cutting a program that could potentially fund other programs that are being cut,” she said.

Cannabis equity advocate Megain McCall stands at what she calls the heart of District 4, where Imperial Avenue crosses Euclid Avenue, on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.

The new program is supposed to issue cannabis business licenses to people who have been criminalized for it. Historically, Black people in California have been disproportionately arrested and charged with marijuana crimes, according to a UC Davis Report.

“We’re not getting our just due, and the city is not getting the tax revenue that could be paving all these streets that everyone’s complaining about, fixing all these parks that everyone is complaining about,” she said.

Gloria said outside of what he sees as necessary reductions, equity is baked into the budget.

Kim Desmond, the city’s Chief of Race and Equity pointed to specifics, like the new equity factor used to allocate infrastructure money and the restructuring of park development fees.

“Systemic racism work, it is not easy,” she said. “You don’t solve it in one budget cycle.”

But McCall said she’s losing faith in the city’s talk of addressing disparities.

“It’s time to put the money where the mouth is,” she said. “And nothing’s happening.”

Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek is part of the city’s Climate Equity Working Group.

Executive Director Leslie Reynolds said the city’s “policies and programs are only as effective as the investments that follow.”

“The elimination of the Climate Equity Fund is only one example among many of the proposed budget cuts disproportionately burdening our most vulnerable communities,” she said.

The Climate Action Campaign, also in the working group, said now is not the time to be cutting climate equity funding in San Diego, after “climate change induced flooding” wreaked havoc on neighborhoods with higher concentrations of low-income Black and Latino residents.

Gloria said many of the proposed cuts are temporary, and he hopes to restore funding when the economy improves.

He pointed to the state’s projected revenue surplus as a positive sign.

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San Diego, CA

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

Published

8 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

OCEANSIDE — The Frontwave Arena scoreboard showed 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Up 16, Francis Parker’s win over Westview High School for the CIF San Diego Section Open Division girls basketball championship was secure.

“No, no, no!” Parker head coach Courtney Clements screamed to freshman guard Jordan Brown, telling her there was no need to score.

So Brown walked the ball up the floor, from the backcourt, across midcourt, a 1,000-watt smile etched across her face.

With no Wolverines defending her, Brown dribbled from side to side across the logo. Then, a fraction of a moment before the final buzzer sounded, Brown flung the basketball high toward the rafters, then was engulfed by teammates.

The job was complete. Parker’s first Open Division title in program history was secure, the final reading 66-50 on Saturday night.

Of those final seconds, said Brown, who scored 23 points. “It was a surreal moment, knowing we worked for this all year long. It’s amazing.”

One reason it was amazing was because the top-seeded Lancers (21-7) were a decided favorite, but were stressed by the sixth-seeded Wolverines (20-9). Led by UC Santa Barbara-bound senior guard Sarah Heyn (18 points in the first half), Westview led 35-28 early in the third quarter.

“I just knew I had to do whatever it took to win,” said Brown. “Whether that was defense or offense. I just wanted to win, period.”

Sparked by its defense, Parker closed the quarter on a 14-0 run. Westview’s final 11 possessions of the quarter ended with five missed shots and six turnovers.

Still, the game wasn’t over. Heyn cut the deficit to 48-44 with just over six minutes to play on a bucket. But with 5:47 to play, Heyn was whistled for her fifth foul on a reach-in.

“Knowing their best player fouled out, we sealed the win,” said Brown.

As for Heyn, who finished with 23 points, she sat on the bench and pulled her jersey over her eyes, hiding tears.

Clements’ thoughts when Heyn fouled out? “I hope we can put this game away now.”

Francis Parker High’s Jordan Brown shoots against Westview High during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

That the Lancers did, outscoring Westview 18-6 down the stretch.

The Lancers’ players and coach were effusive in their praise for Heyn, a four-year starter.

“She’s a great player,” said Brown.

“She played phenomenally,” said Clements. “She played the way you would think a senior would play in a championship game. She played desperately. She played every possession like it was the last 20 seconds of the game. She was extremely impressive. (Heyn buried five 3s, missing only once from deep.) She should be proud of herself.”

Clements was proud of her team for another reason. After blowing out two-time reigning Open Division champion Mission Hills by 26 in the semis, some thought Parker might cruise in the title game.

“I figured it was going to be a fight, and it was,” said Clements. “It was good that our girls had to come together, had to stick together. That’s what this is all about, developing character via the sport of basketball. When the kids face adversity, they have to make a decision. Who do they want to be? They showed the best version of themselves. That’s what I want to remember from a game like this.”

Francis Parker’s primary color is brown, which is fitting for the girls basketball team. They are led not only by the freshman Jordan Brown, but also junior Brieana Brown, a strong, aggressive and athletic 5-foot-11 wing.

Brieana Brown scored 25 points and yanked down a team-best eight rebounds.

About the team in brown being led by the Browns (who are not related), Jordan Brown said: “It’s super cool. I love Bri and our story. So many people think we’re related, that we’re siblings. In reality, we’re not, but we play like it.”

Francis Parker High's Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune) — Francis Parker High’s Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Francis Parker and Westview both will advance to the Southern California Regionals.

Earlier in the season, Clements — who was dressed in all black for the championship game — confessed she wasn’t crazy about Parker’s primary color. Her mood shifted Saturday night.

“Brown’s doing well for me now,” she said.

Asked if Lancers’ Brown squared tandem represents the best one-two girls basketball punch in the San Diego Section, Clements gave the questioner a “What do you think?” smirk.

“That,” said the coach of the Open Division champions, “is a no-brainer.”

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San Diego, CA

5 things to know about Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei

Published

20 hours ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

5 things to know about Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei

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San Diego, CA

Joan Endres – San Diego Union-Tribune

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Joan Endres

OBITUARY

Born January 1939 in Cincinnati Ohio. Died February 14, 2026, in San Diego, California, with her sons at her side. Her beloved husband Dean passed away in 2010.

Joan was the only child of Thomas and Edna Palmer. In 1943, the family moved to San Diego, where Joan graduated from Helix High School in 1956.

In 1957 Joan married Dean Endres of San Diego, where they raised two sons. Joan followed her two great passions outside the home, the Arts, and Gardening. Both activities being a way to bring beauty to others and to the community.

Joan received a degree in Environmental Design from San Diego State University, and afterwords worked at UCSD, for the Campus Architect.

As an artist, Joan worked in various media, especially ceramics. She was active in many cultural and arts organizations, eventually becoming President of the Combined Organization for the Visual Arts (COVA). Later she turned to gardening, with the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca Community College and the Master Gardener Association of San Diego County.

Joan is survived by her son Jeff and wife Katrin, grandson Jackson, and son Todd Endres, all of La Mesa, and sisters Alice Buck of Phoenix, Elaine Kennedy of San Diego, Nancy and husband Don Jones of Vista, Eva Budzinski of Cloudcroft, New Mexico, and their children and grandchildren.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Joan in the near future. Those who wish to attend should contact celebratejoanuvart@gmail.com to receive details when they are confirmed. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests a donation to the Water Conservation Garden or the Diego Visual Arts Network (SDVAN).

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