We’re asking readers to support our fall fundraising campaign. Here’s why it matters.

At Times of San Diego, we aim to bring you comprehensive coverage of the stories that matter to San Diegans across our city’s unique communities. That means we spend a lot of time tracking local politics and elections during this time of year.

Last week, we kicked off our fall fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $17,000 to help power our election-related reporting. With a few days to go in our fall fundraising campaign, we’re still short of our $17,000 goal. 

We’re trying to make sure we can continue delivering on our mission to provide the local news you need—and hold our elected leaders accountable long after this campaign ends. It’s already been a busy week for our newsroom at Times of San Diego.

For instance: 

• We published a special investigation, Dying on Camera, that we produced as part of a partnership with MIT Technology Review. Our story, by immigration reporter Lillian Perlmutter, told the story of 30-year-old Graciela Gómez Hernández, one of 138 migrants who died along the U.S.-Mexico border within view of its vast network of surveillance cameras.
• A day earlier, our Dorian Hargrove and Tessa Balc revealed that the San Diego Police Department now publicly discloses the reasons officers search Flock license plate readers. So far this year, officers have listed the reason for their search as “other” some 4,000 times.
• And if you don’t get our (free) daily newsletter yet, you’re missing out. This morning, we walked you through a wild day at City Hall, where a councilmember called on Mayor Todd Gloria to resign following the revelation that the city had overcharged up to 87,000 households for San Diego’s new garbage fee. Sign up for that newsletter here if you don’t already.

At Times of San Diego, our members are more than just readers. They’re part of what makes this work possible. 

Here’s why it matters. These funds will help keep our newsroom strong—and help us help you stay informed and connected. The support we receive today will help us:

• Provide everything you need to know about what and who is on the ballot this November
• Invest in ongoing accountability journalism that serves this community
• Launch a new newsletter, SD in DC, written by our DC-based reporting fellow on how federal decisions and election-year politics affect San Diego residents
• Create a more informed and engaged public

When you support Times of San Diego, you can feel good knowing that every donation helps to directly power our public service journalism. Whether you’re making your first gift or renewing your support, you can play a valuable part in strengthening this community. 

 Will you chip in today to help us create a more informed and engaged San Diego?

Those who are not, please consider becoming a Times of San Diego member because you want local reporting in your neighborhood, you value a free press, and you’re proud to call San Diego home.

Thank you for reading and trusting in our work. We truly couldn’t do it without you!