San Diego, CA

Vehicles burn and stores close in Tijuana following the killing of a cartel leader

Published

1 week ago

February 23, 2026

Vehicles burn and stores close in Tijuana following the killing of a cartel leader

At least 20 people were arrested in Tijuana and other parts of Baja California on Sunday as vehicles and stores were set on fire in response, officials said, to the killing of the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel by the Mexican army.

As of 9 p.m., the Baja California government had reported 22 incidents throughout the state, 10 in Tijuana. News outlets across the state reported cases of vehicles burning. Similar incidents were reported in other Mexican states.

There were no injuries in the incidents reported in Baja California, which also occurred in Mexicali, Tecate, and San Quintín.

Early on Sunday, Baja California Gov. Marina del Pilar Ávila posted on social media that the burning of vehicles on various roadways was related to the federal operation that resulted in the death of Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes. Oseguera, also known as “El Mencho,” was one of the most wanted drug lords in Mexico and the United States. The U.S. State Department had offered a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest.

Mexico’s Ministry of National Defense said that military personnel responded to an armed attack during the operation in Jalisco to arrest Oseguera. Four cartel members were killed at the scene and three more, including Oseguera, were seriously injured. He died while being flown to Mexico City.

Mexican officials said there was cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico in carrying out the operation.

“The United States provided intelligence support to the Mexican government in order to assist with an operation in Talpalpa, Jalisco, Mexico, in which Nemesio ‘El Mencho’ Oseguera Cervantes, an infamous drug lord and leader within the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, was eliminated. ‘El Mencho’ was a top target for the Mexican and United States government as one of the top traffickers of fentanyl into our homeland,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on X.

Baja California launched a statewide security operation with increased patrols and checkpoints “to ensure the safety of Baja Californians,” Ávila said. Of those arrested statewide, 11 were in Tijuana.

In Tijuana, a taxi was burned on Avenida Internacional, which runs parallel to the U.S.-Mexico border fence, and a pickup truck burned near Playas de Tijuana. Several businesses, including convenience stores, pharmacies and supermarkets, closed early Sunday throughout the city. Public transportation was also temporarily suspended.

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued an alert for U.S. citizens in several states, including Baja California. “Due to ongoing security operations and related road blockages and criminal activity, U.S. citizens in the named locations should shelter in place until further notice.”

The U.S. Embassy also instructed government staff at the U.S. Consulate General in Tijuana and in other states to shelter in place.

The embassy asked U.S. citizens to remain in their residences or hotels, avoid areas around law enforcement activities, and monitor local media for updates.

The U.S. Consulate in Tijuana announced the suspension of routine visa and U.S. citizen services on Monday due to “ongoing security operations and related travel disruptions.” The consulate asked the public to check their email for updates on rescheduled appointments.

Baja California officials reported at 9 p.m. that the state’s highways were open to traffic with no blockades, and that toll booths were operating normally.

“We are protecting the state’s highways and other strategic areas through constant vigilance, so that economic and social activity can continue as usual,” Ávila said Sunday night in a video posted on her social media.

In-person classes were suspended on Monday as a precautionary measure and will be held remotely, officials said.

The day was reminiscent of a series of similar incidents carried out in August 2022, when private and public vehicles were burned throughout Baja California and other states. These attacks, linked to the Jalisco Nueva Generación Cartel, were also in response to a Mexican military operation that resulted in the arrest of cartel members.

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San Diego, CA

UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

Published

9 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)

San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.

The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.

The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.

San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.

The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.

Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.

Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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San Diego, CA

Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

Published

21 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Military bases in San Diego County and nationwide have increased security measures due to last weekend’s U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting traffic delays near base entrances, enhanced ID checks and access restrictions.

The Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado ports three aircraft carriers, including the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, which led some of the first-wave attacks on Saturday.

Naval Base Coronado warned motorists of possible traffic delays at all base entry points due to the increased security measures.

Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.

The U.S. operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” and Israeli operation, “Raging Lion,” began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.

As of Tuesday, at least six U.S. service members had been killed in action.

The strikes also killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, making him the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East.

Iran’s offensive forces claimed to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, but according to an X post from U.S central Command, “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”

Those with concerns regarding the heightened security can contact San Diego County’s Office of Emergency Services at 858-565-3490 or oes@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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San Diego, CA

SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees

Published

1 day ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Less than 3 weeks after the San Diego Unified School District finalized a new contract with teachers, the school board voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with layoff notices for other district employees.

The layoffs affect classified employees — workers who are employed by the district but are not teachers and are not certified. That includes bus drivers, custodians, special education and teacher aides, and cafeteria workers.

The district says it is eliminating 221 positions — 133 that are currently filled and 88 that are vacant — to save $19 million and help address a projected $47 million deficit for the next fiscal year.

Preliminary layoff notices will go out on March 15, with final notices by May 15.

The district estimates about 200 classified employees will receive preliminary notices, but of them, about 70 are expected to lose their jobs based on union-negotiated bumping rules.

Bumping allows employees with more seniority to move into another position in the same classification, thereby “bumping” a less senior employee out of that role.

Lupe Murray, an early childhood special education parafacilitator with the district, said the news came as a shock after the teacher strike was called off.

“When the strike was called off, I’m like, ‘Yes!’ So then when I got the email from the Superintendent, I’m like, ‘Wait, what?’ So, I think everyone was shocked,” Murray said.

The district says it sends out annual layoff notices, as all districts in the state do.

Before Tuesday’s board meeting, classified employees rallied outside, made up of CSEA (California School Employees Association) Chapters OTBS 788, Paraeducators 759, and OSS 724. They were joined by parents, students, and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

Miguel Arellano, a paraeducator independence facilitator with San Diego Unified and a representative of San Diego Paraeducators Cahpter 759.

“What do we want? No layoffs! When do we want it? Now!” the crowd chanted.

Arellano said he felt compelled to act when he learned about the potential layoffs.

“The first thing that went through my mind was that I need to speak up. I need to protect these people,” Arellano said.

Inside the meeting, the board heard emotional, at times tearful testimony from classified employees before voting unanimously to move forward with the layoff schedule.

Superintendent Fabi Bagula said the district has tried to protect classrooms from the cuts.

“We have tried our best to only, I mean, to not touch the school. Or the classroom. But now it’s at the point where it’s getting a little bit harder,” Bagula said. “What I’m still hoping, or what I’m still working toward, because we’re still in negotiations, is that we’re able to actually come to a win-win, where there’s positions and availability and maybe even promotions for folks that are impacted.”

Arellano warned the layoffs could have a direct impact on students.

“We are already spread thin, so, with more of a case load, it’s going to be impossible to be able to service all the students that we need to have,” Arellano said.

Follow ABC 10News Anchor Max Goldwasser on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.

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