2026 is off to an interesting start. <\/p>\n
From vandalized parking meters to traumatized marine animals at local tide pools, local news headlines this week had me down. (Not to mention national news.) <\/p>\n
Luckily, our journalists focused their energy on helping readers make sense of it all. <\/p>\n
Grab some cafecito, here\u2019s what you need to know to start your week. <\/p>\n
Balboa Park(ing) Problems <\/p>\n
The city of San Diego\u2019s new parking program in Balboa Park is off to a rough start. <\/p>\n
Newly installed parking meters in Balboa Park were vandalized with foam and poop. Residents were confused about how they could get discounted parking rates. And visitors complained about the lack of parking information signage at the park.<\/p>\n
City councilmembers raised concerns <\/a>about how the city rolled out the program and urged Mayor Todd Gloria to suspend parking fees until the city could get it together.<\/p>\n In his own memo, Gloria reminded the councilmembers<\/a> that suspending the program could have serious consequences for the city\u2019s budget. That\u2019s because, as our City Hall reporter has explained, the city\u2019s budget relies on new revenue<\/a> from parking fees.<\/p>\n The mayor wrote in a memo that while there is an \u201cadjustment period,\u201d the program is working. His office told us on Wednesday that the city had received and approved 1,285 parking applications through the system\u2019s online portal. <\/p>\n We are going to follow how these issues impact the city\u2019s parking revenue estimates. The city already expects to bring in far less money than originally expected. <\/p>\n Want more? <\/strong>Our social media producer broke down everything you need to know about the Balboa Park(ing) program. Watch it here<\/a>. <\/p>\n ICYMI <\/p>\n Our reporters recapped everything that we learned in 2025. From school enrollment decline to budget trouble, we have everything you need to know about the region\u2019s biggest stories. Catch up here. <\/a><\/p>\n Thank you for reading my newsletter. If you have any ideas or suggestions for what you\u2019d like to read in 2026 send me an email at andrea.sanchez@voiceofsandiego.org. <\/p>\n \t