Brooke Binkowski

San Diego

Journalist at Freelance

Managing Editor at truthorfiction.com

Your friendly neighborhood debunker. Chaotic good, mostly harmless.

Articles

Cooler, cloudier conditions return after blazing weekend

3 days ago | timesofsandiego.com | Brooke Binkowski

Cooler weather returns to San Diego County this week after last weekend’s record temperatures, with gusty winds and possible light rain from the coast to the mountains. The National Weather Service said that a wind advisory will be in effect through at least 5 a.m. Wednesday for deserts and mountains in the region, with peak gusts expected from 45 to 55 miles per hour.
Local officials to announce effects of Trump administration cuts to food programs

3 days ago | timesofsandiego.com | Brooke Binkowski

Farmers, food program providers, and labor leaders will meet with elected officials and others to discuss the importance of United States Department of Agriculture food assistance programs. The importance will be highlighted in an 11:30 press conference at Feeding San Diego.
United States files civil complaint against brothers, alleging pandemic fraud

3 days ago | timesofsandiego.com | Brooke Binkowski

The United States filed a civil complaint against two brothers last week, alleging that they obtained more than $8 million in pandemic-related loans by lying on applications and fraudulently claiming funds for businesses that did not exist. The civil complaint alleges that between March 25 and April 28, 2021, brothers Duraid A.
Gun safety crackdown a success, county officials say

3 days ago | timesofsandiego.com | Brooke Binkowski

San Diego County’s efforts to crack down on gun violence have been successful, an annual report says, although it emphasizes that the work needs to continue. Data released last week shows that seizures of untraceable “ghost guns” dropped 39% in 2024. The county’s annual report on gun violence credits the drops with a combined effort of targeted enforcement, legal action, and community-based prevention efforts.
High temperatures subside slightly, but no real break in heat until Monday

4 days ago | timesofsandiego.com | Brooke Binkowski

San Diego County is on the verge of a “major cooling trend,” according to the National Weather Service, breaking the record heat that gripped the region over the weekend. But although some drop in temperatures is anticipated for Sunday, the real cooling off won’t start until Monday. “Tomorrow is really going to be the start of a nice change in the longwave pattern, which will bring a significant cooldown to southern California,” said the NWS San Diego office in a discussion.
Three injured in City Heights crash involving SDPD vehicle

4 days ago | timesofsandiego.com | Brooke Binkowski

Three people were injured Sunday morning when a San Diego Police Department vehicle and a Toyota collided in City Heights. According to reports, one of the drivers ran a red light at 43rd St. and Orange Ave., causing the collision. A man and woman had to be extricated from the Toyota. They were taken to an area hospital, as was the officer driving the SDPD vehicle. “It is undetermined at this time who is at fault,” SDPD Lt. Kevin Wadhams told Onscene.Media.
San Diegans welcome Leo XIV as first American Pope

6 days ago | timesofsandiego.com | Brooke Binkowski

San Diegans hailed the selection of Chicago native Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new pope on Thursday, becoming the first American to ever hold the position. Prevost will be known as Pope Leo XIV. “The University of San Diego joins Catholics worldwide who today celebrate the selection of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as our newly elected pope, the first American-born pope to lead 1.4 billion Catholics,” a statement from the University of San Diego read.
San Diegans welcome Leo XIV as first U.S. Pope: Visited St. Augustine High School

6 days ago | timesofsandiego.com | Brooke Binkowski

San Diegans — including those at a school he once visited — hailed the selection of Chicago native Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the new pope on Thursday, as he became the first American to ever hold the position. Prevost will be known as Pope Leo XIV.
Man claiming to be repo agent tries to tow high-end car

6 days ago | timesofsandiego.com | Brooke Binkowski

Officials are investigating a brazen attempt to steal a high-end car from a University City home’s driveway overnight. Early Thursday, police answered a call in the 9000 block of Montrose Way, in the Vista La Jolla community, about an attempted car theft. The owner of the $300,000 Ferrari — not a Lamborghini — was alerted early Thursday to a man tampering with his car outside, according to Onscene.Media.
SUV strikes large planter in Little Italy, sending it into building

1 week ago | timesofsandiego.com | Brooke Binkowski

An SUV struck a large planter urn in Little Italy early Thursday, sending it careening into a building so hard that it caused structural damage. San Diego police and San Diego Fire-Rescue said they responded to calls about an accident at Kettner Blvd. and Ivy St. at around 5:45 a.m., according to Onscene.Media.