Category: San Diego

Reggie Bush, the legendary University of Southern California running back who helped guide the Trojans to two National Championships in the mid-2000s, spoke to the media on Thursday for the first time since his 2005 Heisman Trophy was returned this week. “It’s a full circle moment for me right now,” Bush told reporters at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum on Thursday. “I can close my eyes and I can right away place myself on that football field in the No. 5 jersey.” Bush, a San Diego County native who played for USC from 2003 to 2005, forfeited college football’s most prestigious award in 2010 in light of the discovery of “improper benefits” in the form of money and other items being awarded to him during his career, according to the L.A. Times. While speaking on Thursday, Bush adamantly said the trophy was “wrongfully” taken, and said the insinuation that he “cheated” as a young player was what hurt him the most during the 14 years in which he wasn’t an official Heisman winner. “You can’t get to this or a National Championship by cheating, I promise

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A groundbreaking ceremony kicked off Thursday morning at San Diego’s Navy Pier, officially launching construction of the largest veterans‘ park on the West Coast. The USS Midway Museum and the Port of San Diego hosted the event, which is meant to celebrate a multi-year joint project that’s expected to open in 2028. Marine dies in ‘routine military operations’ at Camp Pendleton It’s called Freedom Park. It will extend about 10 acres from the west end of Navy Pier to the Bob Hope Memorial. The park will feature monuments and a memorial dedicated to San Diego native John Finn, the first Medal of Honor recipient in World War II. Thursday’s ceremony included a variety of guest speakers, and also unveiled video rendering of what Freedom Park is expected to look like. KUSI was on the ground at Navy Pier, covering the event live.

The whale carcass was discovered on the beach in front of the La Jolla Shores Hotel on Wednesday evening, and the remains were taken to a landfill on Thursday

Carlsbad police said on social media that there had been “a phoned-in unsubstantiated threat at Carlsbad High School,” and that schools were locked down as a precaution while police investigated

A driver spotted the body next to the fast lane just west of Interstate 5 and called 911 just before 6:45 a.m., according to an online CHP log

NEW YORK (AP) — New York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein ’s 2020 rape conviction, reversing a landmark ruling of the #MeToo era. The court found the trial judge had improperly allowed testimony against the ex-movie mogul based on allegations that weren’t part of the case. Weinstein, 72, will remain in prison because he was convicted in Los Angeles in 2022 of another rape. But the New York ruling reopens a painful chapter in America’s reckoning with sexual misconduct by powerful figures — an era that began in 2017 with a flood of allegations against Weinstein. While Thursday’s ruling was a blow to #MeToo advocates, they noted it was based on legal technicalities and not an exoneration of Weinstein’s behavior, saying the original trial irrevocably moved the cultural needle on attitudes about sexual assault. The Manhattan district attorney’s office said it intends to retry Weinstein, and his accusers could again be forced to retell their stories on the witness stand. The state Court of Appeals overturned Weinstein’s 23-year sentence in a 4-3 decision, finding that “the trial court erroneously admitted testimony of uncharged

CARLSBAD, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — Carlsbad High School was placed on lockdown Thursday morning as police investigate a report of an “unsubstantiated” threat. The lockdown was “out of an abundance of caution,” Carlsbad police said on X, formerly known as Twitter. Carlsbad High is located in the 3500 block of Monroe Street. Missing Camp Pendleton Marine contacted, NCIS says, but family still searching Nearby schools were placed on “secure campus”: Jefferson Elementary, Kelly Elementary, Buena Vista Elementary and Valley Middle. No further details were immediately available. Check back for updates on this developing story.

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The City of San Diego has installed a new four-way stop at a busy North Park intersection. The new installation comes after years of neighbors pushing for better safety measures, including calling into the city and filing tickets through the city’s Get It Done app.  “I think it’s something we needed,” said Henry Spindell, who lives in North Park near the Polk Avenue and Utah Street intersection.  “This is a great idea, thank God the city did it,” another North Park resident said. It’s construction noise that North Park neighbors are glad to hear, but more importantly, see in the form of a brand new four-way stop at the intersection of Polk Avenue and Utah Street in North Park. San Diego-area beach among best in U.S., according to Travel + Leisure Spindell said walking in the intersection was often scary. “Some cars would assume they would stop, can’t predict what they would do,” Spindell said. Other residents expressed the same feelings. “Cars go up and down Utah Street, going 50 mph and I live right here and I cross the

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — An 18-foot whale carcass washed ashore at La Jolla Shores Wednesday evening, an official with the City of San Diego told FOX 5/KUSI. The dead whale was spotted north of the boat launch in front of the La Jolla Shores Hotel around 5:45 p.m. Cliff rescue at Torrey Pines State Beach caught on video According to Public Safety Media Services Manager José Ysea, the carcass appeared to be heavily decomposed. Scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have been notified. They will collect samples for reporting purposes, the city said. A team has also been requested for removal, which is expected to take place Thursday morning. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Mayor also skipped multiple debates leading up to March primary

EL CAJON, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — A stop at a liquor store in East County has made one SuperLotto Plus ticketholder almost $40,000 richer this week. According to the California State Lottery, there was no jackpot winner for Wednesday’s draw, but one ticket matching five numbers was sold in El Cajon. Missing Camp Pendleton Marine contacted, NCIS says, but family still searching The winner purchased the ticket at Main Street Liquor, which is located at 120 S Mollison Ave. Ste. 1000. This means that individual has won a prize totaling $38,218. In order to win the jackpot, lottery players would need to match five numbers plus the mega number, making this local winner just one number shy of hitting the $29,000,000 prize. The odds of winning the SuperLotto Plus jackpot, according to the California State Lottery, is one in 41,416,353, while the five of five is one in 1,592,937 plays. More information about winners and playing odds can be found on the lottery’s webpage. A SuperLotto Plus ticket costs $1 per play, with the next drawing set to take place at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday.

DEL MAR, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — One person was rescued Wednesday after falling down a cliff in Del Mar. The incident happened just after 5 p.m. in the area of Torrey Pines State Beach, near S Camino Del Mar. SkyFOX flew over the scene and captured rescue crews assisting an individual onto a stretcher. The person was then carried from the cliffside. Their condition is unknown at this time. There are several trails at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve that layer the coastal cliff portion of the park. Park officials have warned hikers and onlookers that slopes can be slippery and to use caution when at the park.

Key committee rejects November ballot measure; alternative Democracy Dollars proposal may be proposed soon

The county has until Friday to submit its plan to FEMA to receive its $19.6 million allocation of federal funds for migrant services

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego Zoo is known for being one of the top zoos in the country, but did you know the first YouTube video took place there? On Tuesday, it was exactly 19 years since YouTube user “jawed” uploaded the 19-second video titled “Me at the zoo” on April 23, 2005. The video shows the man known as “jawed” in front of an elephant exhibit at the San Diego Zoo. He is seen describing the elephants, saying “the cool thing about these guys is that they have really, really, really long trunks and that’s cool.” Here are the 25 best places to raise a family in the San Diego area: study While what happens in the video is nothing groundbreaking, it has compiled over 371 million views. Four years ago, the San Diego Zoo commented on the video, telling the user “jawed” “We’re so honored that the first ever YouTube video was filmed here!” Yet another historic feat to add to San Diego’s legacy.

Police in riot gear arrested dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the University of Southern California after ordering the large crowd to disperse. Authorities also created a skirmish line as dozens of other protesters refused to leave on Wednesday night. Some people cooperated and began walking off campus, however, over 100 people remained, including a group gathered in a circle and standing with their arms linked. Officers began surrounding the circle and the nearby crowds began chanting, “We only wanted peace!” and “Hands off students!” By 6 p.m., several protestors in the circle had been arrested. Soon after, others voluntarily surrendered. By 9:30 p.m., police confirmed around 35 protestors were arrested for trespassing. Several dozen more are still being processed, LAPD said. The protestors remained mostly peaceful throughout the demonstration outside of several isolated incidents, one in which a bottle of water was thrown toward the police line. Police in riot gear dispersing pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the University of Southern California on April 24, 2024. (KTLA) Hundreds of pro-Palestinian demonstrators at the University of Southern California on April 24, 2024. (KTLA) A circle of pro-Palestinian protestors

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The man who was arrested for breaking into a Linda Vista home and sexually assaulting a 5-year-old girl appeared in court for the first time Wednesday afternoon. Alejandro Confessor, 22, faces charges of sex crimes, burglary and trespassing. He pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations in court. “These parents, these kids experienced something no one should have to,” Deputy District Attorney Eric Bodnar said after the arraignment Wednesday. “It truly is a parents’ worst nightmare.” Confessor faces 25 years to life behind bars if convicted on all charges. On Thursday, the suspect entered a residence located on Wellington St. through an open door, where he then assaulted the five-year-old while she was sleeping. He then fled the scene on foot. Just a few days after the first incident, on Sunday, surveillance footage appeared to capture the same man again at the property on Wellington St. around 3:30 a.m. However, authorities said he did not enter into the home and no one was harmed. These public high schools are the best in San Diego: U.S. News and World Report Because he went

Michael Plummer, 20; his girlfriend, Adah Pearson, 18; and his nephew, Julio Rangel Jr., about 22 months old were fatally shot in September 2000 in San Diego; prosecutors said it was over a $30 meth debt

Barbershop – and more – opens at San Diego City College

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The quality of life in the San Diego area makes it an attractive destination for those looking to settle down and find a home. Niche, a ranking and review website, conducted a study of nearly 100 of the best places to raise a family in the San Diego area. The company used a number of factors to determine the ranking such as the quality of local schools, safety, affordability and access to family amenities. Carmel Valley, a neighborhood with a population of 33,422, topped the list at the No. 1 spot with an overall grade of an A+. Categories like public schools, good for families, weather, health & fitness, diversity and outdoor activities all either received A+, A- or A grades. These public high schools are the best in San Diego: U.S. News and World Report Here are the other neighborhoods to make the list: No. 2: Pacific Highlands Ranch No. 3: Solana Beach No. 4: Torrey Hills No. 5: Del Mar Mesa No. 6: Black Mountain Ranch No. 7: Rancho Peñasquitos No. 8: Sabre Srpings No. 9: Encinitas No.

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A Long Beach man was sentenced in federal court Monday to nine years in prison for taking two teenage girls, ages 15 and 16, to San Diego to engage in prostitution, prosecutors said. According to a release Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California, one of the girls had been reported missing from Arizona before 26-year-old Deonathan Gaston of Long Beach transported her to Los Angeles and then to San Diego. Missing Camp Pendleton Marine contacted, NCIS says, but family still searching The release said Gaston had known one of the victims since she was 14. On August 13, 2023, the victims were found by the National City Police Department during a traffic stop. Authorities said they encountered Gaston in an area known for prostitution. At the time, he had no driver’s license and was not allowed to drive the car. Gaston called someone he referred to as his “girlfriend” to come pick up the car, who turned out to be the missing girl from Arizona, the release said. The other victim was later found