Daily Business Report: Oct. 10, 2022
2022 CALIFORNIA VOTER GUIDE
What you need to know to vote in the Nov. 8 General Election
Calmatters
We get it, California voters. You’ve been busy lately.
Just two years ago, you and 17.7 million of your civically-minded neighbors helped decide who ought to become the next president, who should sit in the Legislature and congressional delegation and how the state should handle issues such as property taxes, criminal justice and (for some reason) dialysis clinics.
Then last year, you were called back to the ballot box: Gov. Gavin Newsom, the guy most of you voted to hire in 2018, was up for a snap job performance review, also known as a recall election. (He passed).
Now, it’s the 2022 election, and hiring season is in full swing.
Not only will you be asked to pick a governor, yet again, California needs to hire its top lawyer, an insurance regulator, an elections administrator, a schools chief, someone to invest its money, someone to keep tabs on its money and even a back-up governor.
As with the rest of the labor market, there’s also an historic glut of openings to fill in the California Legislature and in Congress. Throw in the two decisions for one U.S. Senate seat (we’ll explain) and four for the Board of Equalization (whatever that is) — and you have your work cut out for you.
You’ve already narrowed down the applicants to the top two in the June 7 primary. Now there’s one more round to go. For November, you also have seven ballot measures to decide.
Our 2022 California voter guide is here to help.
San Diego City Council approves
Commission on Police Practices ordinance
The San Diego City Council has approved the ordinance that implements the Commission on Police Practices, fulfilling the will of San Diego voters who in 2020 overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure that calls for independent oversight of law enforcement policies and practices. The implementation ordinance establishes the commission’s composition, appointment process, and other operational matters.
The commission was established as independent of the mayor and the police department, with mandatory duties and discretionary power. The commission’s responsibilities include making reviewing misconduct investigations and proposed discipline of the city’s police officers.
If the commission makes a finding of misconduct by a police officer, the city must afford the police officer an administrative appeal, in accordance with California law.
The council can mandate additional duties and authorize additional powers for the commission, provided they are consistent with the charter and applicable federal and state laws.
SDSU president emerita Sally Roush 1947-2022
By Jeff Ristine
Sally Roush, who helped to fashion a sweeping expansion of San Diego State University now underway in Mission Valley during a year as interim president, has died.
With its looks both to the past and future, Roush’s term as interim president was an unexpected capstone to a career that carried a significant impact on the university’s growth and policies. During her one-year appointment as the university’s first female chief executive, Roush also introduced a more culturally sensitive representation of the university’s historic Aztec identity.
Proudly calling herself “an Aztec for life,” she served in senior administrative positions at SDSU for more than 30 years under three previous presidents and co-chaired an influential strategic planning committee.
Roush died of cancer early Friday under hospice care, her family announced. She was 75.
In honor of Roush, The Sally Roush Endowed Scholarship for Guardian Scholars has been established. The scholarships will support former foster youth, wards of the court and homeless individuals, a cause selected by Roush herself.
USD kicks off statewide launch of the
Californians for all College Corps program
USD students joined more than 3,200 college students across the state for the statewide launch and swearing-in celebration for the first-ever Californians for All College Corps
Fellows program on Friday. Ninety-five USD students were selected to be a part of College Corps’ first cohort which provides underserved college students with up to $10,000 for completing a year of community service.
USD College Corps Fellows met on campus to watch the swearing-in ceremony virtually during a campus watch party, joining other schools across the state. Gov. Gavin Newsom gave a speech from Sacramento and did the official swearing-in of the College Corps Fellows.
At USD, students will be connected with a community partner to get hands-on community service experience focused specifically on addressing climate issues, as well as food insecurity and K-12 education. Community partners include the Port of San Diego, the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative, San Diego Unified School District and dozens more.
Community collaboration shapes leukemia
research at Sanford Burnham Prebys
Since 2020, Todd and Rena Johnson, co-founders of the Luke Tatsu Johnson Foundation (LTJF), have helped fund the research of Associate Professor Ani Deshpande. But it all started with their son Luke. He had a very rare subtype of acute myeloid leukemia, one of the most difficult-to-treat cancers, and, sadly, he passed away from the disease in 2016. This inspired the Johnsons to become involved with fundraising and advocacy for cancer research.
“Our foundation started with a fundraising golf tournament to honor Luke, and that was about taking something so horrific and so horrible and finding a way to turn it into something positive,” says Rena. “If you can take that tragedy and put a positive spin on it, then everything around Luke and his name and his memory becomes positive.”
As well as helping fund Deshpande’s research through LTJF and their partnership with the Rally! Foundation, the Johnsons are also on the Community Advisory Board for the Institute’s Cancer Center, which advocates for cancer research by engaging the community.
Transport Scotland awards services contract to Cubic
Cubic Transportation Systems has been awarded a Traffic Scotland Systems contract by Transport Scotland. As part of the five-year initial term contract, CTS will provide support, maintenance, modernization and development services rto ensure maximum availabiligy of the systems that deliver the Traffic Scotland Service. This includes road network management and support for Transport Scotland’s public-facing website www.trafficscotland.org/
General Atomics’ Gazelle satellite launched
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced Friday that its GAzelle satellite hosting the Argos-4 and RadMon payloads was successfully launched on-board a dedicated Electron vehicle from Rocket Lab’s Complex 1 launch facility on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand. The GAzelle satellite was successfully deployed into low earth orbit and the establishment of communications is underway by GA-EMS mission control.
General Atomics designed and manufactured the GAzelle satellite and performed all payload integration and testing prior to satellite launch. The company owns the GAzelle satellite and will manage satellite control and mission operations throughout the mission lifecycle.
How human cells become Zika virus factories
Zika virus has a trick up its sleeve. Once inside the body, the virus likes to make a bee line for dendritic cells, the cells we rely on to launch an effective immune response.
“Dendritic cells are major cells of the innate immune system,” says La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology Professor Sujan Shresta, a member of the LJI Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research. “How is this virus so clever that it’s able to establish infection in cells that would normally fight infections?”
Now Shresta and colleagues at LJI and the University of California, San Diego, have found that Zika virus actually forces dendritic cells to stop acting as immune cells. Using a new model of Zika virus infection, the LJI team showed that Zika virus instead makes dendritic cells churn out lipid molecules, which the virus uses to build copies of itself.
“Here are dendritic cells doing everything to help a virus,” says Shresta.
The Nature Communications study is a major step forward in the Shresta Lab’s work to guide the design of new antiviral therapies against many members of the Flavivirus family, including Zika, dengue, and Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV).
Sony Electronics introduces the C-80
condenser microphone for recording
San Diego-based Sony Electronics’ Pro Audio Division announced a new microphone for home studios, theC-80, a uni-directional condenser microphone ideal for vocal/voice recording, instrumental recording, vlogging, webcasting and podcasting. This new product inherits the technology of Sony’s revered C-800G and popular C-100 microphones, making high quality sound even more accessible.
The C-80 is planned to be available in November in the United States and Canada for a suggested price of $499 and joins Sony’s lineup of professional audio products including the MDR Series of headphones, wireless microphone systems, and portable field recorders.
Cue Health partners with Actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler
Cue Health Inc., a San Diego healtcare technology company, has partnered with actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler, the actress best known for her roles on “The Sopranos” and ABC’s “Big Sky,” to build awareness for its new Cue Care test-to-treatment service.
With Cue Care, people who test positive for COVID-19 on any test, including antigen, can consult virtually and on-demand with a health care professional and easily access same-day prescription treatment delivered to their home all through the Cue Health App.
“Living with multiple sclerosis puts me at higher risk for severe complications from COVID-19, something I faced head-on when I tested positive a couple months ago,”said Sigler.
“I was so uncertain at that moment about where to turn and what to do next to keep me and my family healthy. Cue can now solve that pain point for many people so they can easily get the medication and peace of mind they need when they need it the most.”
Sycuan recognized as 2022 Corporate Hero
Sycuan Casino Resort has been recognized by the American Red Cross as the 2022 Corporate Hero. The 20th Annual Real Heroes Awards is a celebration honoring local individuals and organizations that embody the mission and spirit of the Red Cross by saving lives and creating safer, stronger and more resilient communities.
In addition to Sycuan, seven other San Diegans were recognized for their heroism including Animal Welfare Hero: Barbara Fry, Gift of Life Hero: Alan Lewis, Good Samaritan Hero: AWS1 Cale Foy, Disaster Services Hero: Kenneth Kim, San MarcosFire Department, Service to the Armed Forces Hero: Aviation Survival Technician 1 (AST1) Joshua Carlson, Youth Hero: Bianca Villalobos and First Responder Hero: Officer Janel Seney.
Nomad Temporary Housing promotes Karl Thuge
Nomad Temporary Housing, a leading global provider of temporary accommodations, announced the promotion of Karl Thuge to president. He will have primary responsibility for leading the organization into its next phase of growth, further developing Nomad’s technology and talent to better serve its valued clients. Thuge joined the company in 2011 as EVP/Partner and quickly made an impact on the business.
Thuge has held previous leadership roles with Bank of America and GMAC Relocation Mortgage, among others. Nomad Temporary Housing, with global headquarters in San Diego, California, is a leading provider of temporary apartments, serviced apartments and extended-stay hotel solutions around the world.
Viasat sells military comms unit to L3Harris for $2 billion
Carlsbad’s Viasat sold its long-time military tactical radio business to aerospae and defense compay L3Harris Technologies, which has operations in Chula Vista, for $1.96 billion. The technology provides secure voice and data communications to the U.S. military and its allies and has been installed on more than 20,000 military aircraft, ground vehicles, warships, and operating bases around the world.
Dr. Neil Clendeninn joins Toragen Inc.
Toragen Inc., a San Diego-based biotechnology company focused on developing, repurposing, and commercializing uniquely selective drugs targeting cancers caused by the human papillomavirus, announced that Neil Clendeninn, M.D., has joined as chief medical officer. Clendeninn has worked for over 20 years in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry and has an established track record of successful drug development. Most recently Clendeninn served as the senior vice president and chief medical officer of Heron Therapeutics,in San Diego.
Bumble Bee’s Protein on the Run wins award
Bumble Bee Seafood’s Protein on the Run Snack Kit was recently named a best new grocery productby Progressive Grocer. The kit, available in three flavors, was released in October 2021 as a gourmet tuna snack experience. Since the product’s debut, Progressive Grocer has officially recognized the kit, and Bumble Bee, for its leadership in trendiness, innovation, and sustainability.
“Protein on the Run was developed in response to consumer needs around convenience, health, and portability,” said Director of Brand Marketing and Innovation Dana Kowal. “We wanted to create a premium snack experience, and we’re thrilled the product has received such an incredible recognition.”
