Breaking News Stories

A close-up, high-resolution photograph of U.S. currency, with tightly stacked hundred-dollar bills in sharp focus. The lighting emphasizes the texture and detail of the paper, evoking themes of money, funding, and financial influence.

When the Tail Wags the Dog: How Tiny Districts Like Dehesa Are Raking in Millions While Educating Almost No One

A small East County school district with under 100 students authorizes more than 13,000 charter enrollments across Southern California. As oversight fees rise and land deals expand, questions emerge about

Lizzie Bly October 14, 2025 8:35 am

A fragile house of cards beginning to collapse on a wooden desk under warm light, symbolizing the fragility of power, accountability, and corruption

If I Weren’t a Responsible Journalist I Would Name-Drop

A reporter’s reflection on restraint, ethics, and the stories I chose not to publish—yet.

Lizzie Bly October 10, 2025 10:58 pm

Stadium crowd stands, raising black “Turning Point” signs; red-white-blue outfits fill the seats during the Charlie Kirk memorial in Glendale, Arizona.

Inside the Arena: A Reporter’s Reflection

From the floor, I did a slow 360 and felt chills rip through me. The crowd rose, sang, embraced, and the emotion hit like a tidal wave—love, admiration, mourning, resolve.

Lizzie Bly September 23, 2025 9:14 pm

Satirical photo illustration of a man in a toy sized police car with a bullhorn near a school. Commentary photo, AI Generated Likeness

The Tone Zone: Where Adjectives Get a 23-Point Traffic Stop

welcome to the Tone Zone: audits on the left, a taxpayer-funded tone check on the right. equal prominence, extra sunlight. Facts > Feelings.

Lizzie Bly September 3, 2025 1:18 pm

Community Spotlight

Op Ed

The Sizzle Shack: A New Burger Royalty Emerges in East County

When In-N-Out’s heiress announced she was leaving California, burger lovers wondered who might rise to fill the symbolic void. Enter The Sizzle Shack: a fresh, family-owned burger joint in El

Lizzie Bly July 29, 2025 2:39 pm

Community Spotlight: The Stand Brings Flavor & Fresh Energy to Santee

Santee has a new spot worth checking out—and no, it’s not another chicken chain. It’s The Stand, a fast-casual eatery that’s setting a new bar for casual dining with bold

Lizzie Bly July 14, 2025 2:36 pm

The Case for the WNBA: Full Arenas, Real Rivalries, Stars Everywhere

You don’t have to be an NBA diehard. The WNBA already has full houses, bigger broadcast windows, charter flights, expansion on the calendar, and

Lizzie Bly August 20, 2025 6:25 am

Call Me Lizzie

An open letter to anyone who needs reminding that journalism isn’t just for those with clipboards and bylines.

Lizzie Bly June 29, 2025 11:00 pm

When the Tail Wags the Dog: How Tiny Districts Like Dehesa Are Raking in Millions While Educating Almost No One

If I Weren’t a Responsible Journalist I Would Name-Drop

Inside the Arena: A Reporter’s Reflection

The Tone Zone: Where Adjectives Get a 23-Point Traffic Stop

The Sizzle Shack: A New Burger Royalty Emerges in East County

Community Spotlight: The Stand Brings Flavor & Fresh Energy to Santee

The Case for the WNBA: Full Arenas, Real Rivalries, Stars Everywhere

Call Me Lizzie

Santana High shooter resentencing: a 2001 case collides with modern juvenile sentencing law

Thirteen Points of Spin: How Dehesa’s Superintendent Tried to Rewrite the Record

Rethinking Charter Oversight: A Path Toward Fairness, Representation, and Educational Integrity

When the Tail Wags the Dog: How Tiny Districts Like Dehesa Are Raking in Millions While Educating Almost No One