Daily Business Report: July 31, 2023
San Diego community newspapers
poised to revive local journalism
In an era of dwindling trust and declining subscriptions, the fate of traditional daily newspapers hangs in the balance. Now, three local community publishers – San Diego Community Newspaper Group (sdnews.com), The Coast News Group, and The Coronado News – have formed a story-sharing and advertising partnership that reaches more than 200,000 weekly print readers and more than a quarter million monthly online readers.
From Oceanside to Coronado to downtown San Diego and east, these publishers offer local, regional, and national advertisers some of the most affluent households not just in San Diego County but across the country.
“The demand for accurate and in-depth community news is at an all-time high and this partnership is a big win for our readers. Plus, a stronger paper creates more reader engagement in print and online allowing us to deliver more value for advertisers,” said Chris Kydd, associate publisher of The Coast News Group.
Julie Main, whose newspaper group of eight titles has grown to be the largest independently female-owned and operated newspaper group in San Diego County, noted this partnership will allow small businesses to afford to advertise because they will have the option to buy into their target communities. Meanwhile, larger corporate accounts can buy at a wholesale price for the whole circulation network
As artificial intelligence demand booms, USD launches AI boot camp
Times of San Diego
The University of San Diego has announced the launch of an artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning bootcamp in partnership with a national tech education provider. The 26-week curriculum, designed and delivered by experienced tech practitioners, aims to equip those who enroll with the skills and training needed to build specialized data career paths in AI and machine learning. USD will offer the boot camp with New York-based Fullstack Academy.
Demand for AI skills is projected to increase by nearly 36 percent over the next decade, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, far surpassing the average growth rate of roughly 6 percent for all occupations.
First-time homebuyers need to earn 13 percent more than a year ago to afford starter home
A first-time homebuyer must earn roughly $64,500 per year to afford the typical U.S. “starter” home, up 13 percent ($7,200) from a year ago, according to a new report from Redfin, the technology-powered real estate brokerage. That’s due to the one-two punch of higher mortgage rates and higher home prices.
The typical starter home sold for a record $243,000 in June, up 2.1 percent from a year earlier and up more than 45 percent from before the pandemic. Average mortgage rates hit 6.7 percent in June, up from 5.5 percet the year before and just under 4 percent before the pandemic.
Prices for starter homes continue to tick up because there are so few homes for sale, often prompting competition and pushing up prices for the ones that do hit the market
Mama’s Kitchen CEO Alberto Cortés to retire
Alberto Cortés, chief executive officer of Mama’s Kitchen for the past 21 years, has announced his retirement, effective January 2024.
Cortés first joined Mama’s Kitchen’s board of directors in 1999. After several years of service in local public health initiatives, he was hired to lead the nonprofit organization as executive director on July 8, 2002.
Under his leadership, Mama’s Kitchen has grown from a $1.7 million to a $5.5 million nonprofit agency, making it a leader in the sector. During Cortes’ tenure, the organization has delivered an impressive 8.75 million meals. Today, Mama’s Kitchen is the largest nonprofit provider of home-delivered meals in San Diego and the sole provider of medically tailored meals, delivering more than 75,000 each month to critically ill individuals and children.
Tony Young appointed interim CEO of San Diego Workforce Parnership
Tony Young, former chair of the San Diego Workforce Partnership Policy Board, and a former president of the San Diego City Council, has been named interim CEO of the agency.
Young is CEO of RISE, a nonprofit organization focused on civic engagement and fostering leadership in urban communities.
“Under Young’s leadership, the Workforce Partnership will continue its strategic focus on addressing the evolving needs of the local labor market and expanding workforce development programs, the agency said in a statement.
“His vision and collaborative approach will strengthen partnerships with businesses, educational institutions, and community organizations, ensuring that the organization remains at the forefront of workforce development initiatives.”
SDSU earns record-breaking research funding of $192.2 million for second year in a row
By Sarah White, Cody Lee and Melanie Patton | SDSU
With impactful work to reduce health disparities, empower climate justice advocates and preserve cultural artifacts and traditions, San Diego State University researchers secured a record $192.2 million in funding in 2022-23.
The awards represent a 17 percent increase over the previous fiscal year, a second straight rise, with federal funding sources that include the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Defense.
2022-23’s record-setting research activity is one piece of the equation for achieving SDSU’s goal of becoming a premier public research university and joining the 4 percent of U.S. universities designated as “R1” in the prestigious Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. An “R1” status would likely enable further investment in the university from public and private funding sources while enhancing existing regional economic and workforce development efforts.
SANDAG CEO to depart regional agency at the end of the year
The CEO of a regional group that oversees many major San Diego County projects, particularly those involving transportation, has resigned, effective Dec. 29. Hasan Ikhrata submitted his notice to the board of directors of the San Diego Association of Governments
Friday evening. His tenure with the organization, better known as SANDAG, began in 2018.
He cited more than $1 billion in federal and state investments that have come to the region to help fulfill SANDAG’s “bold vision.” With the funding in hand, and numerous projects completed or in progress, he said that now is “the right time to hand over the leadership reins.”
Kenneth Pilco elected as student trustee on MiraCosta College board
Second-year student Kenneth Pilco has been elected to serve as MiraCosta College’s 2023-2024 student trustee on the Board of Trustees.
An active leader on campus and in the community, Pilco is currently studying Law, Public Policy, and Society while also serving as the PUENTE Club President.
A 2022 Carlsbad High School graduate, Pilco has long been involved in community advocacy and development, making the role of Student Trustee a natural fit that combines his experience with his passion for helping others.
Before enrolling at MiraCosta College, Pilco volunteered as a member of the Carlsbad Cleanup Club where he led beach cleanup events while also engaging with local councilmembers about how policy decisions could help improve the local issue.
When culture wars rip through California school boards, should the state intervene?
By Carolyn Jones | CalMatters
Last week’s tussles between state officials and a pair of Southern California school boards may have died down, but they’ve thrown a spotlight on deeper tensions over who makes decisions for local schools — a rift that’s likely to grow as the culture wars escalate.
Both incidents, which garnered national attention, centered on LGBTQ issues and the state’s ability to rein in local boards that it says may have violated California’s education and civil rights laws.
“We can expect to see more of this as these right-wing groups now follow a scripted playbook and there’s a new level of organization,” said Bruce Fuller, a UC Berkeley professor of education and public policy. “And certainly as long as we have an ambitious governor, we can expect to see these battles repeated.”
Last week, Chino police escorted the state’s top education official, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, from a school board meeting after he urged the board to reject a plan he viewed as harmful LGBTQ students. The plan, based on a stalled Assembly bill, called for school staff to notify parents if a child identifies as a gender they weren’t assigned at birth. The board ended up approving the proposal 4-1.
PriceSmart announces organizational changes
SAN DIEGO — PriceSmart Inc. announced that David Price, formerly the executive vice president and chief of staff to the interim CEO, has been appointed as executive vice president and chief transformation officer. The company expects this organizational change will promote better collaboration, alignment, and agility within the company. Several key areas will now report to Price including Information Technology, PriceSmart.com, and the Project Management Office.
Petco stores double as ‘cooling centers’
SAN DIEGO — As temperatures soar across the country, Petco Health and Wellness Company Inc. welcomes leashed pets of all breeds, shapes and sizes into pet care centers nationwide, where they and their families can seek refuge from the extreme heat. They can also stay hydrated with access to fresh, clean and safe water at Petco locations during regular business hours. For more information on health and wellness products that help keep pets safe and cool, visit petco.com.
Credit union presents webinar on teaching kids about money
SAN DIEGO — San Diego County Credit Union will present a free Teaching Kids About Money Matters webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 2 from noon to 1 p.m. SDCCU experts will walk attendees through the basics of teaching kids about money. Topics include identifying the difference between wants and needs, modeling healthy financial habits, and
understanding the value of money. To register or for details, visit
sdccu.com/fww.
Rady Children’s Hospital team uses VR, 3D printing as medical tools
The Rady Children’s Hospital tech team has identified and created new ways to help doctors and surgeons to prepare for life-saving surgeries. Utilizing 3D-printed models and virtual reality animations, medical professionals can take measurements, practice surgery, and provide more useful information to patients before a procedure.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance celebrates birth of two Sumatran tiger cubs
SAN DIEGO —San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is celebrating the birth of two Sumatran tiger cubs — the first of this critically endangered species to be born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Tull Family Tiger Trail habitat in seven years. Their birth also comes just in time for Global Tiger Day, which was Saturday. With only an estimated 400 to 600 Sumatran tigers remaining on Earth, the births are significant in increasing the worldwide population of this tiger species and furthering the nonprofit conservation organization’s ongoing work to conserve them.
Eclipsebio launches a ribosome profiling service
SAN DIEGO — Eclipsebio, a leading provider of innovative RNA analysis solutions, announces the launch of its proprietary eRibo Pro service, an all-inclusive offering to identify differential transcription and translation as well as ribosome positioning. The launch of eRibo Pro marks an important milestone in Eclipsebio’s mission to accelerate the development of tomorrow’s key RNA genomics discoveries and medicines by providing researchers with tools to interrogate the complexity of RNA.
Iconic Pride Parade and Comic-Con drove massive spikes in Bird ridership
SAN DIEGO — Bird Global Inc., a leader in environmentally friendly electric transportation, reported a surge in ridership over the course of two momentous weekends in San Diego, demonstrating the critical role micromobility plays in the community including during major events. Riders spent over 2,000 hours on Birds and rode for more than 9,600 miles during the annual San Diego Pride Parade, one of the largest in the United States, and Comic-Con International. Combined, Bird riders save an estimated 1.36 metric tons in CO2 emissions over the two weekends.
BioMed Realty appoints Charlie Piscitello as chief people officer
SAN DIEGO — BioMed Realty, a leading provider of real estate solutions to the life science and technology industries, announced that Charlie Piscitello has joined the company as chief people officer. In this role, Piscitello will lead the company’s human resource-related functions, including talent management, culture, and diversity, equity, and inclusion, reporting to Tim Schoen, CEO of BioMed Realty, and will be based in BioMed Realty’s San Diego headquarters.
Center uses grant to increase indigenous health care access
The San Diego American Indian Health Center received a $500,000 two-year grant to increase health care access to indigenous communities. The grant from The Conrad Prebys Foundation is a part of The Conrad Prebys Foundation’s Strengthening Health Access, Resources and Excellence (SHARE) Initiative. The SHARE initiative aims to ensure that quality and culturally proficient health care is accessible in underserved communities.
