Cal State San Marcos announced Wednesday that two key executives have left the university, the interim provost has resigned his position, and the dean of graduate studies is on administrative leave.

The changes come as the California State University system is preparing to release an audit that examines how and why top CSUSM officials used university funds for first-class flights and five-star hotels, exceeding spending limits.

The spending also has drawn the ire of CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt, who said in a public address last week, “I need you to know that this is unacceptable, and this is not what we are about.

“Moving forward, we are hitting the reset button on our cultural drift.”

The university said Wednesday that Mike Schroder, the dean of extended learning, and Beth Schroder, the senior director of philanthropy, are no longer with the university.

Audit of Cal State San Marcos leaders' misspending released | Jeff McDonald, Morgan Cook

The board that oversees the Del Mar Fairgrounds has approved the return of the Crossroads of the West Gun Show in March, despite new concerns raised by firearms safety advocates.

NeverAgainCA founders Ira and Rose Ann Sharp of Del Mar told the fair board at its meeting last week that an increasing number of sales at the show are "ghost gun" kits that can be purchased and taken home the same day.

The kits are not considered firearms for legal purposes because they are incomplete and require assembly, so most California firearms laws don't apply to them. Also, the weapons don't have a serial number, which can be used to track sales. 

"Crossroads sells Saturday night specials on steroids," Ira Sharp told the board, and he asked the board not to renew the Crossroads contract. However, the board approved the show without comment along with dozens of other events planned for March at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Crossroads of the West Gun Show returns to Del Mar, amid ghost gun criticism | Phil Diehl

An attempt last year to separate low-income renters from market-rate renters in an East Village apartment building elicited a lot of anger.

Now, one lawmaker is trying to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, D-San Diego, plans to introduce legislation this week to stop developers from separating groups of renters in their building design. She is announcing the bill at a press conference Monday at 10 a.m. at the Alpha Lofts subsidized housing complex at 3808 El Cajon Blvd. Gonzalez will also introduce legislation to create greater incentives for developers to build rent-restricted housing.

Lorena Gonzalez introduces anti "poor door" legislation | Phil Molnar

Two San Diego women have created an app for travelers that’s gaining a sizable following of nomadic young people living out of vans.

Inspired by a social media phenomenon, Breanne Acio, a former San Diego State University lecturer, and public relations worker Jessica Shisler teamed up in 2018 to pave the way for the drifter movement known online as “vanlife.” They created a mobile application, aptly called The Vanlife App, that’s just secured the two women spots in a competitive Techstars accelerator program for promising startups.

The app currently connects longterm travelers with one another while on the road, solving the problem of loneliness that weighs on this group of individuals. The downside of a nomadic lifestyle is that you have no community, Shisler said.

“You’re constantly in places you don’t know and around people you don’t know,” Shisler said. “You’re never a local.”

For those who haven’t heard of it, “vanlife” refers to a recent bohemian trend of people buying cargo vans, old ambulances, school buses and other boxy vehicles, and converting them into livable apartments on wheels (think of it as a do-it-yourself RV). Many vanlifers are also “digital nomads” who work remotely online, such as freelance writers, software developers, or content creators. With no strings tying them to specific cities or towns, they wander from destination to destination for months on end.

Two San Diegans develop app to help "Vanlifers" live life on the road | Brittany Meiling

In January AB 218 went into effect, allowing for sexual assault victims to sue on claims formerly barred by statues of limitations. This means that thousands of individuals who were abused as children are coming forward with allegations. Among the hard hit youth-based organizations: the Boy Scouts of America. By filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the organization has put on hold hundreds of lawsuits brought against it. But it’s still unclear what this means to the local councils that directly oversee Scout troops. That’s a crucial question for the San Diego-Imperial Council, whose assets include cash reserves and Mataguay, a 1,000-acre  camping and canoeing reservation in Santa Ysabel.

How the Boy Scouts of America are responding to new sexual assault lawsuits | Peter Rowe

San Diego County in the past year has become more aggressive about addressing some of its most pressing issues, said Greg Cox, chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

Residents should know that new approach isn’t going away anytime soon, Cox said during the annual State of the County address Wednesday night.

From expanding mental health services and renewable energy projects, to launching new education programs and initiatives to assist foster youths, Cox said the supervisors will continue to take a more forceful approach in the year ahead.

“Your County of San Diego has new energy and momentum to tackle the critical issues of today and, working with my colleagues, we are going to take giant leaps in 2020,” Cox told a packed house aboard the USS Midway Museum.

County plans on investing in homeless programs, foster youth and mental health | Charles Clark

Come March 3, voters will finally weigh in on the proposed room tax hike, which, if approved, would generate nearly $7 billion over more than four decades — enough money, its supporters say, to enlarge the convention center by 50 percent, help get homeless families and individuals off the streets, and repave 150 miles of roads every year.

Understanding Measure C | Lori Weisberg

It’s been more than a year since President Donald Trump’s Remain in Mexico program has effectively blocked the ability for most people to claim asylum in the United States…. And now thousands of people wait to have their cases heard while living in Mexico. Even though this migration crisis doesn’t have the same visual impact as the migrant caravan… thousands of people remain displaced, hanging on to hope that they can start a new life in the U.S. The current barriers raise the question: How restrictrive should an asylum system -- which was born out of the failures of the West to save Jews killed in the Holocaust -- be before it becomes a farce? 

Story:https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/immigration/story/2020-02-24/protecting-the-worlds-most-vulnerable-what-it-takes-to-make-a-case-under-us-asylum-system

Returned: What it takes to make a case under the US asylum system | Kate Morrissey

Chelsea King’s disappearance a decade ago gripped the region. The 17-year-old had gone for an after-school run around Lake Hodges in North County. There, she ran into a rapist and killer.
Within months, the college-bound runner who loved sunflowers became the name of legislation targeting sex predators who target children. She became the inspiration behind an annual run. She also became the face of a foundation that has awarded $800,000 in college scholarships.
And on Tuesday, the 10th anniversary of her kidnapping, rape and murder, Chelsea’s father has announced he will launch Protect the Joy, which he said will be a national advocacy organization to address issues that affect children, including sexual assault, gun violence, opioid abuse or cyber-bullying.

Remembering Chelsea King 10 years after her murder | Teri Figueroa

The retirement of Congressman Susan Davis created a wide open race for California’s 53rd Congressional District. The district includes much of central San Diego including Balboa Park adjacent neighborhoods, Mission Valley all the way into El Cajon, and much of eastern Chula Vista. This is a heavily democratic district, and it is fairly likely that two democrats will advance to the general election.

What you need to know about the CA-53 race | Charles Clark, Michael Smolens

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