Breaking News Stories

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

Letter excerpt signed by Superintendent Bradley Johnson stating the district will forward the notice to East County Schools Federal Credit Union and that the Parents’ Club is not authorized to conduct any further activities connected to Dehesa School District.

Setting The Record Straight

In my view, based on the documented sequence, you pause long enough to let volunteers cure the filings—you don’t drop a public hammer and then route a notice to the

Lizzie Bly August 28, 2025 11:36 am

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

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

East of 52 Launches: A New Voice for Unfiltered, Local Journalism in East County

In a time when independent journalism is disappearing and local issues are too often overlooked, a new publication is stepping in to fill the

Lizzie Bly June 26, 2025 5:55 pm

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

Setting The Record Straight

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

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

Call Me Lizzie

East of 52 Launches: A New Voice for Unfiltered, Local Journalism in East County

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

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