Glossary of Terms
A
ADU
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a secondary housing unit built on the same property as a primary residence. These complete, independent living spaces can be detached structures, attached additions, converted interior spaces, or garage conversions. ADUs have become increasingly popular as a way to house family members, generate rental income, increase property value, and address housing shortages, with many cities updating their zoning laws to make ADU construction easier.
Latest story this term appears in: How new San Diego homes intended for residents became vacation rentals
B
blind mule smuggling
A secretive transportation method for illegal goods, particularly involving inconspicuous carriers.
Latest story this term appears in: Mexican drug traffickers target unsuspecting drivers, but Feds do little to warn the public
Border Patrol
An enforcement arm of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol is responsible for securing the United States borders between ports of entry and, in general, 100 miles from all external boundaries.
Latest story this term appears in: In an era of ICE raids, a Latino Christmas tradition proceeds with caution
C
CalFresh
The California version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that provides monthly food benefits to low-income individuals and families within the state.
Latest story this term appears in: Newsom touts gains against EBT theft as Trump presses blue states on benefits fraud
California Department of Social Services
The department has more than 4,200 employees who are responsible for the oversight and administration of programs serving California’s most vulnerable residents, including child care, adult protective services, and cash and food aid resources.
Latest story this term appears in: Newsom touts gains against EBT theft as Trump presses blue states on benefits fraud
California Environmental Quality Act
A state law that requires government agencies to assess the environmental impacts of proposed projects and consider alternatives to reduce harm before approval.
Latest story this term appears in: Data centers a growing concern in California, from the State House to county supervisors
Carlsbad Planning Commission
A local government body in Carlsbad that reviews and makes recommendations on land use, zoning and development projects to ensure they align with city planning goals.
Latest story this term appears in: Over half of Carlsbad’s pipes are made of asbestos, a continued hurdle for developers
charter school
A tuition-free public school that operates autonomously according to a charter agreement that defines the school’s mission and performance goals. Often governed by self-appointed boards, charter schools have more flexibility in curriculum and management.
Latest story this term appears in: White House visa fee hike could weaken California’s teacher pipeline
Citizens United
The landmark 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision that changed campaign finance restrictions. It allowed corporations, labor unions, and other groups to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence election outcomes.
Latest story this term appears in: How affordable housing in National City became a cash machine for San Diego County labor unions
D
Daylighting
A street safety rule that prohibits parking near intersections or crosswalks (often within 20 feet), so drivers and pedestrians have a clear line of sight.
Latest story this term appears in: Building new tools and experimenting with AI led our innovation in 2025
Department of Health Care Access and Information
The public agency monitors the construction and renovation of California’s hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, provides loan insurance for nonprofit health care facilities, and collects and reports data, among other responsibilities related to the state’s health care industry.
Latest story this term appears in: This rural hospital almost closed. Emergency state funding is keeping it open, but for how long?
Distressed Hospital Loan Program
A state emergency loan program launched in 2023 to provide interest-free loans to not-for-profit and public hospitals in California that are at risk of closure or experiencing financial distress — or those that have recently closed.
Latest story this term appears in: This rural hospital almost closed. Emergency state funding is keeping it open, but for how long?
E
estuary
A coastal area where freshwater from rivers meets and mixes with saltwater from the ocean, creating a unique ecosystem that supports diverse wildlife.
Latest story this term appears in: HOME SICK: Chronic illness and longing define life in the Tijuana River valley
H
HUD
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is a federal agency responsible for setting policies, enforcing laws and paying for programs that address housing needs for low and middle-income families across the nation.
Latest story this term appears in: Four ways San Diegans will suffer when the federal social safety net shrinks in 2026
I
independent expenditures
Money spent by organizations or committees to support or oppose political candidates or issues, without coordinating with the candidates themselves. These expenditures have no spending limits and are not directly controlled by the candidates.
Latest story this term appears in: How affordable housing in National City became a cash machine for San Diego County labor unions
J
Judgment Enforcement Unit
An arm of the California labor department that helps low-income employees recover withheld or stolen wages or other unpaid compensation from their employers when the state determines that the employees are owed the money
Latest story this term appears in: California does a great job recovering workers’ stolen wages. But few get help
K
Kumeyaay
An Indigenous people native to the region now encompassing San Diego County, California and northern Baja California, Mexico. The Kumeyaay people have lived in the area for more than 10,000 years, with ancestral territories extending roughly from the Pacific coast to the Imperial Valley. Today, there are 12 federally recognized Kumeyaay bands in the United States, including the San Pasqual, Barona, Viejas and Sycuan, and several related communities in Mexico.
Latest story this term appears in: HOME SICK: Chronic illness and longing define life in the Tijuana River valley
L
Lithium Valley
The term Lithium Valley began to circulate after geothermal companies announced plans to extract lithium from beneath the Salton Sea in Imperial Valley, CA.
Latest story this term appears in: When lithium mining starts, who benefits, and who’s at risk? Inside this Salton Sea case.
M
maintenance assessment district
A designated area where property owners are charged an additional fee to fund supplementary maintenance and improvement services within that district.
Latest story this term appears in: North Park has 3 taxes for maintenance. Why one is going up
N
nonpartisan newsroom
A news organization operating without any bias or affiliation to any political party, seeking to provide unbiased and accurate information.
nonprofit
A type of organization that does not distribute its income for the benefit of shareholders or owners, instead using it to further its mission, often with a focus on social or public service goals.
Latest story this term appears in: New health care center in National City will serve more than 20,000 patients
North American Free Trade Agreement
The North American Free Trade Agreement between the United States, Canada and Mexico aimed to eliminate trade barriers and promote economic cooperation among the three countries. It was in effect from 1994 until 2020, when a new trade agreement took effect called the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, or the USMCA.
Latest story this term appears in: HOME SICK: Chronic illness and longing define life in the Tijuana River valley
North County Transit District
A public transit agency serving coastal and inland communities of northern San Diego County. NCTD operates several transportation services, including the Coaster commuter rail between Oceanside and downtown San Diego, the Sprinter light rail between Oceanside and Escondido, and the Breeze bus system. The district is responsible for maintaining rail corridors, coordinating regional transit connections, and providing mobility services across a 1,000-square-mile area.
Latest story this term appears in: Oceanside approves hundreds of new homes downtown despite concerns over parking and views
O
Otay Mesa Port of Entry
The Otay Mesa Port of Entry is the busiest commercial land port in California, located in San Diego along the U.S.-Mexico border. It is situated nine miles east of the San Ysidro Port of Entry. The port is operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is responsible for regulating and facilitating the movement of goods and people between the United States and Mexico.
Latest story this term appears in: Chemical stench, green in color: Urban runoff is not just rain, Tijuana community says
P
Pacific Flyway
A major north-south migratory route for birds along the Pacific Coast of North America, extending from Alaska to Central America.
Latest story this term appears in: HOME SICK: Chronic illness and longing define life in the Tijuana River valley
poverty tows
Vehicles towed for reasons other than public safety, which disproportionately impacts low-income drivers. These tows include expired registrations, 72-hour parking violations and unpaid tickets.
Latest story this term appears in: 4 things to watch in 2024 on San Diego’s housing, homelessness beat
S
Safe Sleeping Program
The program from the city of San Diego offers a legal place to camp as an alternative to traditional congregate shelters for people experiencing homelessness.
Latest story this term appears in: Man who died at city safe camping site found decomposing, was unaccounted for more than 2 days
San Diego Association of Governments
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) is a regional planning agency responsible for coordinating transportation, land use, and environmental efforts in San Diego County, with its actions and decisions overseen by a Board of Directors.
Latest story this term appears in: San Diego continues to fall behind on housing production. Here’s what it means for 2026
San Diego County Board of Supervisors
The nonpartisan five-member governing body for San Diego County government, overseeing a more than $8 billion budget.
Latest story this term appears in: San Diego County sued over additional United Airlines flights at Palomar Airport
San Diego County Regional Airport Authority
An independent agency created in 2003 to manage the day-to-day operations of San Diego International Airport (SAN) and address the region’s long-term air transportation needs. It is responsible for operating the airport, planning for future air transportation needs, and ensuring the adoption of land use plans that protect public health and safety surrounding all 16 of the county’s airports. The Airport Authority is governed by a board of nine members representing all areas of San Diego County.
Latest story this term appears in: Can San Diego Airport’s new $3.8 billion terminal stem sliding tourism?
San Diego Housing Commission
The San Diego Housing Commission is a public housing agency that provides federal rental housing assistance within the city of San Diego. It also partners with other organizations to address homelessness and works with developers to build affordable housing.
Latest story this term appears in: San Diego’s Section 8 rental assistance waitlist will close in February
San Diego State University
A public research university in San Diego, part of the California State University system, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees across various fields.
Latest story this term appears in: Law enforcement drones fly almost everywhere in San Diego County now. How are they used?
San Ysidro Port of Entry
San Ysidro Port of Entry, one of the busiest land border crossings in the world, connects the San Diego-Tijuana region. It’s a major gateway for international travelers and cargo and a critical hub for trade and commerce between the U.S. and Mexico.
Latest story this term appears in: San Diego officials and feds talk drones, AI on the border in conference closed to media
Section 8
Named after Section 8 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937, it’s a multi-billion dollar federal program that helps low-income families afford safe and sanitary housing in the private market by paying a portion of the tenant’s rent directly to landlords.
Latest story this term appears in: San Diego’s Section 8 rental assistance waitlist will close in February
SENTRI
The Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) is a Customs and Border Protection program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved travelers upon arrival in the U.S. Participants undergo a background check and an in-person interview, and can use dedicated primary lanes at the San Ysidro Port of Entry to enter the U.S.
Latest story this term appears in: Holiday border travel: What to know before you go
SNAP
The federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program which provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families, helping them purchase nutritious food through electronic benefits.
Latest story this term appears in: Four ways San Diegans will suffer when the federal social safety net shrinks in 2026
special tax districts
Special tax districts are designated areas within which property taxes are collected and used to fund specific local services or projects.
Latest story this term appears in: North Park has 3 taxes for maintenance. Why one is going up
Sprinter
A light rail service operated by the North County Transit District that connects Oceanside to Escondido along a 22-mile route.
Latest story this term appears in: How new housing, homelessness plans will change North County in 2026
U
U.S. Democracy Day
U.S. Democracy Day is an annual collaborative effort among American media companies to draw attention to the state of democracy. It’s observed on Sept. 15 to coincide with the United Nations’ International Day of Democracy.
Latest story this term appears in: Democracy in action: inewsource launches Documenters program to promote transparency in local government
UC San Diego
A public university in San Diego that is recognized for its robust research programs, generating over $1 billion in donations each year.
Latest story this term appears in: Law enforcement drones fly almost everywhere in San Diego County now. How are they used?
University of San Diego
The University of San Diego is a private Roman Catholic university offering programs in fields such as law, business and liberal arts.
Latest story this term appears in: San Diego continues to fall behind on housing production. Here’s what it means for 2026
W
watershed
An area of land where all water drains into a common body of water, such as a river, lake or ocean.
Latest story this term appears in: HOME SICK: Chronic illness and longing define life in the Tijuana River valley
