It’s baseball season at Petco Park
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This episode of San Diego News Now opens with a look at the excitement surrounding the San Diego Padres' 2026 home opener at Petco Park, which was ranked the top ballpark in MLB by USA Today. The segment highlights fan enthusiasm, the team’s early-season struggles, and enhanced public transit support from MTS. The episode also covers a range of local issues, including the County Board of Supervisors’ launch of the Safety Net Bridge Program to protect residents at risk of losing Medi-Cal due to federal cuts, and a lawsuit against individuals and charities for defrauding fundraising efforts at Petco Park and Snapdragon Stadium. A powerful feature on California Western School of Law’s relaunched Innocence and Justice Clinic spotlights the wrongful imprisonment and exoneration of Miguel Solorio after 25 years, underscoring the clinic’s vital role in criminal justice reform. The episode then shifts to cultural commentary with a deep dive into Jeff Bennett’s new book, *Black Out Loud*, which explores the revolutionary history of Black comedy from vaudeville to 1990s sitcoms, emphasizing its role as both survival strategy and political expression. The segment concludes with weekend event highlights, including Sesame Place’s spring reopening, a Pet and Reptile Expo, and a flamenco performance in Point Loma.
Petco Park was ranked the #1 MLB ballpark in 2026 by USA Today, praised for its downtown skyline and food offerings.
The County of San Diego is launching the Safety Net Bridge Program to protect 100,000 residents from losing essential health and social services due to federal budget cuts.
A major fraud case involving fake charities at Petco Park and Snapdragon Stadium stole nearly $4 million, with key figures pleading guilty.
California Western School of Law has relaunched its Innocence and Justice Clinic, which has a 200-person waitlist and is helping exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals.
Jeff Bennett’s book *Black Out Loud* traces Black comedy’s evolution from minstrelsy to 1990s sitcoms, showing how humor has been a tool for resistance, representation, and cultural shaping.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Opening Day at Petco Park & Local Headlines
The episode opens with a sponsor message for South Bay Earth Day, followed by news on the County’s Safety Net Bridge Program and a major fraud lawsuit tied to stadium charity fundraising. The excitement of the Padres’ 2026 home opener is introduced.
Padres' Opening Day at Petco Park
“House, I think that's the most important part of this health. Go out there and be healthy and play some healthy baseball.”
Innocence and Justice Clinic Relaunch
“It's like being stranded in the middle of the ocean, right? And you're hoping and praying that a plane or a boat, a submarine or something passes by to rescue you.”
Legislative Push to Exempt Military Retirement Pay
The episode covers proposed legislation to eliminate state taxation on military retirement pay, with lawmakers arguing it would retain military retirees in California and boost second-career tax revenue.
Jeff Bennett on Black Comedy & His Book 'Black Out Loud'
“Laughter has always been in so many ways central to the Black experience. I mean, it's also true that Black comedy has never been just about the laughter. It has been a survival strategy...”
“Laughter has always been in so many ways central to the Black experience. I mean, it's also true that Black comedy has never been just about the laughter. It has been a survival strategy...”
“It's like being stranded in the middle of the ocean, right? And you're hoping and praying that a plane or a boat, a submarine or something passes by to rescue you.”
“One of the reasons why I think these shows were so resonant and impactful was that even though you had these storytellers coming up with these sitcom ideas that were very specific and authentic and true in many ways to the black experience, because they were so specific, it meant that they had universal appeal.”
Host
Guest
Jeff Bennett
person
Black Out Loud
book
Petco Park
other
San Diego Padres
other
Innocence and Justice Clinic
other
Miguel Solorio
person
California Western School of Law
organization
County Board of Supervisors
other
PBS NewsHour
media
Safety Net Bridge Program
other
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