Daily Business Report: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
How San Diego’s reliance on ‘hostile architecture’ reflects our abandonment of public space
By Calista Stocker | Times of San Diego
In 2017, the Metropolitan Transit System spent $1.4 million upgrading bus stop benches throughout the county. In addition to improved water drainage and material updates, the new benches came with dividers, which their contractor refers to as “vagrant bars.”
That was a year after the city of San Diego raced to install jagged rocks downtown under Interstate 5 in time for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Petco Park, and five years before the Downtown Partnership built a controversial bike rack/bench designed to deter lying down.
These are all examples of what urban designers call “hostile architecture.” Commonly referred to as “anti-homeless architecture” or “defensive design,” the concept is used to describe public infrastructure design intended to subtly (or not so subtly) change behavior.
Trump Education Secretary’s Letter to Walz Sparks Speculation: Will Gavin Newsom Face Calls to Resign Over California’s Massive Fraud Scandals?
By Megan Barth | California Globe
In a blistering letter dated December 15, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon implored Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) to resign, citing dereliction of duty amid massive fraud in federal aid programs, including “ghost students” who siphoned millions in taxpayer dollars meant for college, but instead, pocketed the cash.
The letter highlights how fraudsters, including international rings, exploited lax oversight in Minnesota to create fake student identities, collecting federal grants and loans without ever attending classes.
San Diego County Fair’s Carnival Operation Receives coveted ‘Circle of Excellence Award’
By The Del Mar Fairgrounds
The 22nd District Agricultural Association, which produces the annual San Diego County Fair, has been honored with the Outdoor Amusement Business Association’s prestigious Circle of Excellence Award.
22nd DAA CEO Carlene Moore and Chief Operations Officer Katie Mueller accepted the award on behalf of the San Diego County Fair this week during the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) annual Conference & Trade Show in Denver.
The Circle of Excellence designation recognizes fairs and mobile amusement operators that meet rigorous industry standards for safety, guest service, and overall quality.
Participation in the program is voluntary and confidential, and participants must undergo an extensive third-party assessment of their operations before they receive the recognition. OABA representatives evaluated the 22nd DAA’s operations in person during the 2025 San Diego County Fair. The certification is valid for a three-year period (2026-2028).
In its assessment report, OABA officials said the 22nd DAA “is an organized, well-run business with many experienced, talented people in key leadership and management roles.” The report also states that the “team is continuing the legacy of faithfully serving their mission as a community gathering place for agriculture, recreation, entertainment, and education.”
The San Diego County Fair is one of only a handful of fairs in the country with an independent midway, meaning the rides and games are selected individually by the 22nd DAA. At almost all other fairs, carnivals are run by a single operator, which provides all the rides and games on the Fair’s behalf.
“We are honored to receive the coveted Circle of Excellence award for the San Diego County Fair,” said Moore, the 22nd DAA CEO. “We know our community trusts us to create a safe, welcoming, and memorable experience every time they visit our Fair, and this recognition affirms what they have come to know: that our team and our midway partners are dedicated to A+ quality.”
