Journalist, formerly watchdog reporter for @sdut
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Articles by Morgan Cook
Schriever Fire Prevention Week Proclamation Board Signing [Image 3 of 4]
1 U.S. Space Force Col. Eric Bogue, Space Base Delta 41 commander, signs a Fire Prevention Week proclamation board alongside Sparky the Fire Dog at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, Oct. 5, 2026. Fire Prevention Week promotes fire safety and prevention while commemorating the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
SBD41 Staff Sergeant Release Party [Image 14 of 22]
1 U.S. Space Force Col. Eric Bogue, Space Base Delta 41 Commander (left), and U.S. Air Force CMSgt Steveison Ivory, 50th Security Forces Squadron senior enlisted leader (right), congratulate SrA Steven Kiley, a member of the 50th Security Forces Squadron (center), during a promotion release ceremony at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, August 21, 2026. The ceremony recognized Airmen selected for promotion in the August 2026 promotion cycle.
Get Your Atlendis Airdrop Now!
Atlendis Crypto Airdrop: How To Claim Free Atlendis? The Atlendis Airdrop was a free distribution of Atlendis tokens to NFT and DeFi users. This event aimed to incentivize participation within the ecosystem. ✅Claiming Your Crypto Airdrop Rewards: To claim your Crypto Airdrop rewards, first, check your eligibility on the Crypto Airdrop Page. Next, connect your wallet to the airdrop platform. Follow on-screen instructions to to check eligibility.
Evaluating the Safety of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors in a Nationwide Veterans Health Administration Observational Cohort Study.
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) are indicated in patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, or heart failure. Postmarket surveillance data have identified many safety signals which warrants further investigation. We aimed to compare the safety of SGLT-2i and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA).
Gunderson leads Blakespear in early results for race in state Senate District 38
Small-business owner Matt Gunderson held a narrow lead over Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear as early results posted in the close contest for state Senate District 38 in coastal North County and southern Orange County. Some mail-in ballots, the bulk of in-person voting on Tuesday and ballots cast by Americans overseas had not yet been reported as of 8 p.m. The two candidates were close in polls leading up to the election Tuesday.
Biden planea visita al condado de San Diego para hacer campaña por Levin en la carrera por el 49º Congreso
Mientras una oleada de gastos de última hora y los planes para un impulso de última hora de la campaña por parte del presidente subrayan lo reñida que está la contienda, una nueva encuesta revela que el representante Mike Levin tiene una ligera ventaja sobre su contrincante Brian Maryott en el 49º Distrito del Congreso, en la costa de San Diego y el condado de Orange.
Levin holds slim lead in 49th Congressional District, poll shows, as Biden plans campaign stop to help him
As a flurry of late spending and plans for a last-minute campaign boost from the president underscore how tight the race is, a new poll finds Rep. Mike Levin holds a slight edge over challenger Brian Maryott in the 49th Congressional District in coastal San Diego and Orange County.
Vegan Leather—Is It Really Sustainable? Here’s Everything You Should Know
Think about your favorite handbag. What is it made of? For many, the answer is probably leather. And if not, odds are you have a backpack, wallet, shoes, or even a fanny pack that is. Unfortunately, from exploitative factory farming conditions to worrisome deforestation, it’s no secret that leather doesn't have the best rap when it comes to the environment. That's why it’s no surprise that vegan leather erupted on the market to serve as the antithesis to its traditional animal-based counterpart.
Is Oat Milk Good for You? Registered Dietitians Weigh In On the Sugar Controversy
You made the switch from dairy milk to plant-based milk, trying almond milk, soy milk, coconut, and more before crowning oat milk as your favorite. It’s the perfect complement to your morning cup of coffee and makes some seriously frothy lattes. It's also considered to be one of the most sustainable option and uses significantly less water, energy, and land than dairy. All in all, oat milk has been nothing short of America's sweetheart the past few years.
County settles lawsuit over in-custody death for $1.35 million
San Diego County and other defendants have agreed to pay $1.35 million to settle a lawsuit filed by the mother of a Mexican citizen who died after sheriff’s deputies in Fallbrook arrested him in 2018, officials at the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego announced Friday. Dolores Rosales, of Tijuana, sued the county in federal court in 2019 for allegedly using excessive force when they took her son, Marco Antonio Nápoles-Rosales, 29, into custody Aug. 16, 2018.
Girls dream up engineering solutions to "hack" human colonization of Mars
Once the stuff of science fiction, a human landing on Mars is something many of today’s scientists could see before retirement. On Saturday, local teenagers looked ahead to the next challenge: keeping human colonists alive on the inhospitable Red Planet. On Saturday, about 50 high school and middle school girls gathered for the third annual “hackathon” at the Academy of Our Ladyof Peace, an all-girls Catholic school in North Park.
Murder suspect who fled to Central America pleads not-guilty in 2016 homicide
A U.S. Marine veteran suspected of strangling his girlfriend in and Allied Gardens apartment in 2016, then stealing her car to flee to Mexico, pleaded not guilty to murder at his arraignment Friday in San Diego Superior Court. Raymond “RJ” McLeod, 38, was captured in El Salvador late last month and brought to San Diego to face prosecution in the June 2016 death of Krystal Mitchell, authorities said.
Man sentenced to 7 years in prison for murder of woman on Carlsbad hiking trail
A young man was sentenced Thursday to seven years in prison for fatally stabbing a 68-year-old woman on a hiking trail in Carlsbad when he was 17 years old. The defendant, whose name is withheld because he was a minor at the time of the offense, pleaded guilty last month to a murder count stemming from the November 2020 death of Lisa Thorborg, whose body was found on Hosp Grove Trail. Police said Thorborg had been fatally stabbed, but no motive for the killing was disclosed.
Some tenants of downtown hotel fear city eviction will lead to homelessness
Many residents of a downtown hotel the city has ordered closed because it is unsafe have moved to other rental units or into hotels, but a few others said they feel overlooked and are being treated unfairly. In July, the San Diego City Attorney’s Office announced to 72 residents at the C Street Inn, a single-room occupancy hotel, that they must vacate the building because of numerous health and safety violations.
San Diego city attorney announces settlement deal in hotel lawsuit without telling council
What was promoted last week as a $1 million settlement that would make taxpayers whole has prompted a public disagreement between City Attorney Mara Elliott and at least one San Diego City Council member. Sign up for the weekly Watchdog newsletter Get investigative reporting and data journalism from San Diego County and beyond. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Legendary investigative journalist Bob Woodward to speak in San Diego
Before he was a newspaper reporter, before he ever met “Deep Throat” or helped expose the Watergate scandal that brought down the presidency of Richard Nixon, Bob Woodward was an officer in the Navy, stationed for two years in San Diego.
Legendary investigative journalist Bob Woodward to speak in San Diego
Before he was a newspaper reporter, before he ever met “Deep Throat” or helped expose the Watergate scandal that brought down the presidency of Richard Nixon, Bob Woodward was an officer in the Navy, stationed for two years in San Diego.
Police supervisor accused of sexual abuse by San Diego Community College District officer
A San Diego Community College District police officer alleges in a claim that her boss, a higher-ranking officer, used his power over her career to sexually harass and abuse her, then retaliated against her after she resisted his advances. Sign up for our weekly Watchdog newsletter Get investigative reporting and data journalism from San Diego County and beyond. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Hotel residents say future uncertain as they face eviction from building city says in unsafe
Some residents of a downtown San Diego hotel say they have been left confused and frustrated by the City Attorney’s Office’s call to vacate and close their building because it is unsafe, and they are defending the property owner as a responsible hands-on landlord. “It’s been very stressful,” said Kevin West, one of 72 tenants of the C Street Inn. While the City Attorney’s Office called the single-room occupancy hotel a public nuisance, West and others call it home.
Masks required indoors at San Diego military installations as COVID-19 activity triggers guidelines
Masks will be required in most indoor spaces at local military installations now that San Diego County has entered the “high” COVID-19 community activity level, according to U.S. Department of Defense guidance.
Person dies in wreck on I-5 near Camp Pendleton
At least one person died Saturday in a wreck on a stretch of Interstate 5 that runs through Camp Pendleton, the California Highway Patrol reported. The two-vehicle collision happened in southbound lanes near Cockleburr Road about 2:10 p.m., according to the CHP traffic website. One of the vehicles was a minivan. Witnesses reported other vehicles had pulled over and people were trying to get the driver out of the minivan, according to the CHP.
She Fest celebra la fuerza de las mujeres LGBTQ y de las personas no binarias
La calle Normal de Hillcrest se llenó de sonrisas y arco iris el sábado cuando She Fest 2022, la celebración anual de las mujeres LGBTQ y las personas no binarias, dio comienzo a las festividades de la Semana del Orgullo. Cientos de personas asistieron al evento para elevar, conectar y empoderar a las mujeres LGBTQ y a las personas no binarias a través de la construcción de la comunidad, las artes, la educación y la defensa.
She Fest celebrates strength of LGBTQ women and non-binary people
Normal Street was awash in smiles and rainbows Saturday as She Fest 2022, the annual celebration of LGBTQ women and non-binary people, kicked-off off Pride Week festivities. Hundreds of people attended the event to uplift, connect and empower LGBTQ women and non-binary people through community-building, arts, education and advocacy. Dozens of businesses, artists and community organizers attended the celebration near the Hillcrest Pride Flag.
Do you know where O.C’s 8 most dangerous intersections are?
Sherri Norton was riding her bicycle down Santiago Canyon Road when she slowed and turned to check on a rider behind her. A car struck her about 1,000 feet from the intersection with Jamboree Road. She died a few days later. Six months later, just before midnight two years ago, 19-year-old Angel Fernandez of Orange was driving a Toyota Corolla through the same intersection when another car broadsided the Corolla, killing the teen.
Pedestrian seriously injured in Mountain View hit-and-run Original
A 38-year-old man was seriously injured Friday night in Mountain View when a vehicle struck him and fled, San Diego police said. Police got a report at 11:48 p.m. of a pedestrian injured by a vehicle on Imperial Avenue at South 40th Street, according to Officer D. O’Brien. Officers said the man had been walking east in a traffic lane when a white, newer model Chevrolet Camaro traveling the same direction struck him and drove off.
Willie Morrow, pioneer in Black hair care and entrepreneur, dies at 82
Whether Willie Lee Morrow was inventing hair care products, founding and running local media outlets or teaching haircutting techniques to the military, he was remembered as someone who was always working to lift up the Black community in San Diego and beyond. The hairstylist, chemist, entrepreneur, author, and inventor of the Afro pick and a pioneer of the Jheri Curl hairstyle, died June 22 at his home, surrounded by his family. He was 82.
You Can Turn Your Plastic Bottle Into a Mini Greenhouse—Here’s How
A common part of a low-waste lifestyle is finding creative ways to reuse single-use products. The next time you have a single-use plastic water bottle and egg carton on hand, don't recycle them. Not yet, anyway! First, use them to create a dreamy miniature greenhouse. Laura Young, the sustainability blogger behind Less Waste Laura, shared a video showing how to create a terrarium from the items you'd typically see as waste.
City of San Diego to appeal $3.9 million verdict in Dell'Anno wrongful termination lawsuit
The San Diego City Council voted at its meeting Tuesday to appeal a $3.9 million verdict in a wrongful termination lawsuit by a former assistant city attorney. In a 5-4 vote during closed session Tuesday, councilmembers Joe LaCava (D-4), Jennifer Campbell (D-2), Stephen Whitburn (D-3), Marni von Wilpert (D-5) and Raul Campillo (D-7) voted in favor of appealing the verdict to the state Courts of Appeal, Assistant City Attorney Leslie Fitzgerald reported.
Lawsuit alleges San Ysidro School District denied a female employee equal pay
A San Ysidro School District employee is suing the district, alleging it paid her less than men for doing the same job, passed her over for promotions and criticized her for not working during her maternity leave in 2020. The employee, Linda Olea, a Latino woman living in San Diego County, filed the lawsuit May 23 in San Diego Superior Court. The suit accuses supervisors of wrongs including discrimination, retaliation and interference with family care or medical leave rights.
From Toothpaste to Floss, This Low-Waste Oral Hygiene Routine Is Dentist-Approved
Whether you've just started your sustainable living journey or are a self-proclaimed zero-waste expert, you've likely heard about planet-friendly dental care. Between the bamboo toothbrushes and plastic-free toothpaste tabs, it all has you wondering if you should make some eco-friendly oral care swaps. After all, with a billion plastic toothbrushes heading to the landfill each year, who wouldn’t want a dental hygiene routine that’s better for the planet?
Everything You Need to Know About Being a First-Time Plant Parent
What would you define as a plant emergency? Maybe it’s wilted leaves or root rot. Or maybe you're just craving some new vibrant greenery but have no idea where to start. Regardless, Nick Cutsumpas, better known as @farmernick on Instagram, is here to help with some of his top houseplant tips. In an episode of Good Together, Cutsumpas and Laura Wittig, Brightly’s CEO and co-founder, discuss everything you need to know about how to be a good plant parent.
What Is ‘Fair Trade,’ and Why Is the Certification Important?
Not too long ago, you could only find fair trade certifications on coffee and tea. Now, the label graces food, beverages, and even clothing brands. This means more products than ever are being produced under strict social, environmental, and economic standards. To learn more about fair trade and how it intersects with global events, Brightly spoke with Paul Rice, the president, CEO, and founder of Fair Trade USA—the organization behind the Fair Trade Certified seal.
17 Eco-Friendly Mother’s Day Gifts Your Mom (and the Planet) Will Love
Our moms deserve the best, right? That seems to be what most people are thinking since the average person is on Mother's Day gifts and celebrations this year. While all the mamas out there deserve to be showered with gifts (and maybe a nice Mother's Day brunch!), it's important that we be conscious of where we're buying those gifts and how they're made. To help you out with that task, we've compiled a list of eco-friendly Mother's Day gifts that your mom is sure to swoon over.
Pequeño tribunal con una gran misión: Segunda oportunidad para delincuentes con enfermedades mentales
SAN DIEGO — Para Crystal, fueron las voces. Tu joven hija está en peligro, le advirtieron. Van a abusar de ella. Te van a asesinar. Actúa. Coge ese cuchillo. En marzo de 2020, Crystal hizo lo que le dijeron. Armada con un cuchillo, se dirigió al exterior y se encontró con un vecino en su edificio de departamentos del centro de San Diego. El vecino llamó a la policía. Para Roshon, fue la paranoia. Estaba segura de que todos querían hacerle daño.
For subscribers: A small court with a big mission: A second chance for criminals with mental illness
SAN DIEGO — For Crystal, it was the voices. Your young daughter is in danger, they warned. She’s going to be molested. You are going to be murdered. Take action. Pick up that knife. In March 2020, Crystal did as she was told. Armed with a knife, she headed outside and encountered a neighbor in their downtown San Diego apartment building. The neighbor called police. For Roshon, it was the paranoia. This story is for subscribers We offer subscribers exclusive access to our best journalism.
FEC closes review of improper campaign spending by former Rep. Duncan Hunter with $16,000 in fines
Federal election regulators have announced $16,000 in fines against former Rep. Duncan Hunter, his then-wife and the campaign committee, for improperly handling political contributions. The Federal Election Commission this week released the results of an investigation that began in 2016 after a watchdog group filed a formal complaint against the disgraced Republican lawmaker from Alpine, California.
FEC closes review of improper campaign spending by former Rep. Duncan Hunter with $16,000 in fines
Federal election regulators have announced $16,000 in fines against former Rep. Duncan Hunter, his then-wife and the campaign committee, for improperly handling political contributions. The Federal Election Commission this week released the results of an investigation that began in 2016 after a watchdog group filed a formal complaint against the disgraced Republican lawmaker from Alpine, California. kAmr:E:K6?D 7@C #6DA@?D:3:=:EJ 2?5 tE9:4D :? (2D9:?8E@? 4@>A=2:?65 E@ E96 utr 27E6C %96 $2?
FEC closes review of improper campaign spending by former Rep. Duncan Hunter with $16,000 in fines
Federal election regulators have announced $16,000 in fines against former Rep. Duncan Hunter, his then-wife and the campaign committee, for improperly handling political contributions. The Federal Election Commission this week released the results of an investigation that began in 2016 after a watchdog group filed a formal complaint against the disgraced Republican lawmaker from Alpine.
Jury awards former San Diego city prosecutor $3.9 million in wrongful termination lawsuit Original
A jury on Wednesday awarded former San Diego Assistant City Attorney Marlea Dell’Anno $3.9 million in her wrongful-termination lawsuit against the city and former City Attorney Jan Goldsmith. The jury found the city liable for about $3.4 million in past and future economic losses and awarded her $500,000 for non-economic damages including emotional pain. Compensation for attorney fees and other costs have yet to be determined. The verdict came after a trial that stretched for almost six weeks.
State lawmakers introduce bill to protect inmates in San Diego sheriff's custody
At the end of a week during which two more San Diego County inmates died behind bars, a delegation of state lawmakers introduced a bill Friday they said would help protect people in local jails. The “Saving Lives in Custody Act” comes six weeks after the California State Auditor issued a scathing report detailing 185 deaths inside San Diego County jails between 2006 and 2020 — the highest mortality rate among the state’s largest countries.
Lawyers make closing arguments in wrongful termination lawsuit by former San Diego Assistant City Attorney
Lawyers in a wrongful termination lawsuit by former San Diego city prosecutor Marlea Dell’Anno made their closing arguments Wednesday, ending a nearly six-week trial in which dozens of witnesses testified to help tease out the true reason Dell’Anno was fired in 2015.
Chaldean community group sues San Diego County over redistricting map
A nonprofit advocacy group representing the Chaldean community in San Diego is suing the county alleging that a redistricting plan that split a part of East County area where many members of the community live into two supervisorial districts politically disenfranchises them.
El exdirector financiero de La Jolla Music Society se declara culpable de malversación de fondos
Chris Benavides, director de finanzas de La Jolla Music Society durante mucho tiempo, se declaró culpable el miércoles en un tribunal federal de malversar más de 650 mil dólares en una década. Recibe las últimas noticias en español lunes, miércoles y viernes. Suscríbete a nuestro boletín informativo Por favor, escribir su correo electronico Ocasionalmente, puede recibir contenido promocional del San Diego Union-Tribune en Español.
Former La Jolla Music Society finance director pleads guilty to embezzlement
Chris Benavides, the longtime director of finance for the La Jolla Music Society, pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to embezzling more than $650,000 over a decade. Benavides, 52, was fired from his job at the music society in March of 2021 after officials there discovered more than $110,000 in losses. The society reported the losses to law enforcement, leading to Benavides’ criminal prosecution and guilty plea Wednesday to one count of wire fraud.
For subscribers: Wrongly placed on state's child abuse list, she fought years to clear her name
She was a foster mother, a teacher and had never been arrested, let alone charged with a crime. But after a foster infant in her care nearly fell from a car seat, San Diego County social workers placed her on a state list of child-abuse suspects. When she found out several weeks later, she spent the next four years and thousands of dollars fighting to reclaim her reputation. This story is for subscribers We offer subscribers exclusive access to our best journalism. Thank you for your support.
ReOpen San Diego sues city of San Diego over COVID-19 vaccine mandate
The organization ReOpen San Diego sued the city of San Diego this week over the city’s mandate that all city employees, elected officials, board and commission members and volunteers be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in federal court, challenges as unconstitutional and discriminatory the vaccination mandate City Council passed Nov. 29 with an 8 - 1 vote.
What's the Best Way to Dispose of Dog Poop? Here's What Experts Say
Our pets are great for our mental health and emotional well-being, but those “little surprises” they love to leave behind aren't so great for the environment's well-being. That's why it's so important to learn the most eco-friendly method of dog poop disposal. While there's a lot of conflicting information floating around about dog poop disposal, we did the digging to get you a concrete answer.
Trial starts in wrongful termination lawsuit by former San Diego Assistant City Attorney
San Diego Central Court (Pauline Repard - U-T file) Opening statements started Wednesday in the lawsuit, which is expected to take several weeks to complete SAN DIEGO — Trial opened this week in a wrongful termination lawsuit a former prosecutor with the San Diego City Attorney’s Office brought against the city and former City Attorney Jan Goldsmith, for allegedly firing her over her refusal to take actions at Goldsmith’s direction.
Phenomenal San Diego women in law and public safety
The San Diego Union-Tribune and the Women’s Museum of California are celebrating a century of female achievement in San Diego. The final installment of this series pays tribute to women in the legal profession, law enforcement and firefighting. By Morgan Cook, Kristina Davis, Teri Figueroa, Laura Groch, David Hernandez, Karen Kucher, Tammy Murga, Lyndsay Winkley, Union-Tribune Staff Jan.
San Diego first responders, others sue city over vaccine mandate
San Diego police, firefighters and community organizers announced Friday that they are suing to challenge the city’s COVID-19 vaccination mandate. An estimated 100 people attended a news conference in front of La Jolla Fire Station #35, organized by city employees and organizations against vaccine mandates, including ReOpen San Diego and Protection of the Educational Rights of Kids, or PERK. Speakers said they filed a lawsuit challenging the rule Friday in Superior Court.
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