Pala Today News – 7/8/26
Written by John Fox on July 8, 2026
The following items are part of the award-winning “Pala Today” newscast heard this day at noon on PALA REZ RADIO™ 91.3 FM in Pala.
LOCAL AND REGIONAL NEWS
A pair of fires have been causing poor air quality in North County and threatening homes in Southwest Riverside County this week. The Volcano Fire west of Murrieta started yesterday afternoon and had burned 138 acres as of this morning with an evacuation order still in effect for part of La Cresta. A much wider area is still under an evacuation warning. The temporary evac location is Chaparral High School. Fire crews made good progress last night and the Volcano Fire is now 45% contained. https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2026/7/7/volcano-fire
Monday’s Pipeline Fire on Camp Pendleton just east of the Aliso Creek rest area along I-5 is the largest currently active fire in the region. As of this morning, it is now 100% contained at 1,065 acres. There have been no injuries or structural damage. https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2026/7/6/pipeline-fire
The man accused of setting two fires alongside I-15 in Bonsall eighteen months ago was found guilty of arson yesterday. Jurors agreed that 49-year old Ruben Vasquez set the Pala Fire just after midnight January 21, 2025 and the larger Lilac Fire about 20 minutes later while the region was under a red-flag warning with dry conditions and Santa Ana winds. The Pala Fire was held to 16 acres. But the Lilac Fire, about three miles away burned 80 acres, forcing the evacuation of about 2,900 people and destroying two structures. Investigators arrested Vasquez about six weeks later. He’ll be back in court for sentencing on August 4. He faces up to nine years and four months in custody. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/07/07/man-found-guilty-of-arson-in-2025-fire-that-prompted-evacuations-in-bonsall/
Federal prosecutors are considering hate crime charges against three men who identified themselves as “skinheads” in connection with two attacks near the Oceanside Pier in June of last year. In the first alleged attack, racial slurs preceded an assault on a 21-year old Asian American man and his wife. Minutes later, two Camp Pendleton Marines received the same. One of the Marines was black, the other white. All three suspects were detained by Oceanside PD that night. All claimed self-defense. There have been no federal charges yet. Investigators have filed for a warrant to search the suspects’ cell phone records. https://patch.com/california/oceanside-camppendleton/skinhead-attacks-near-oceanside-pier-under-federal-investigation
After 15 months of construction, the remodeled Escondido Public Library on Kalmia Street is set to reopen August 3. The 45k square foot facility, built in 1980 got a new roof, new heating and ventilation, new windows, ADA-accessible restrooms, new study areas, lower bookshelves to improve visibility and a new café and bookstore. Its’ more than 130k books and materials are in the process of being moved from the library’s temporary digs at North County Mall. Ribbon cutting ceremonies will be August 1. The project was paid for with a $10m grant. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/07/07/man-found-guilty-of-arson-in-2025-fire-that-prompted-evacuations-in-bonsall/
Lots of smoke and haze in the air in Pala today through Friday with highs in the 90s and not going much below that for at least the next week. There is a chance of rain Sunday and Monday. The full forecast is coming up. (below)
SPORTS
In Major League Baseball – The Padres’ Jake Cronenworth got things rolling in the bottom of the first last night with a 3-run homer. San Diego beat Arizona 4-1. Colorado edged the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine 4-3. That puts the Padres and Diamondbacks in a tie for second place in the NL West, 14 games behind the Dodgers. There were a pair of double-digit games. The Pirates routed the visiting Braves 12-4. And the Mets lost to the visiting Royals 16-12. The Yankees became the first team in history to strike out 17 times in two consecutive games, losing again yesterday to the Rays in St. Petersburg. All those series continue today.
In the minors – The Lake Elsinore Storm lost 6-2 at Rancho Cucamonga last night. Game 2 of 6 is tonight.
In World Cup Soccer – Argentina defeated Egypt 3-2 and Switzerland advanced from its scoreless tie with Colombia by virtue of having one fewer penalty. The winners face each other in the next round this Saturday. Tomorrow, France plays Morocco in Foxborough.
In soccer – San Diego FC’s Anders Dreyer has been named to his second straight MLS All-Star Game. The native of Denmark has six goals and a league-high nine assists so far this season. The league is currently in the middle of its World Cup break. The MLS All Star Game will be July 29 in Charlotte against an all-star team from Mexico’s Liga MX. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/07/08/san-diego-fcs-anders-dreyer-named-to-second-straight-mls-all-star-game/
In the WNBA – Dallas beat New York 88-77. And Chicago over Phoenix 77-66. Three games tonight including the Sparks hosting Indiana.
BUSINE$$
As of midday trading on Wall Street, stocks were down again today. The Dow fell 1.1% and could finish the day with its worst loss in a month. The S&P 500 was off by four tenths of a percent. And the Nasdaq was down 2 tenths. Comex gold futures plunged $90.60 to $4,066.80 an ounce. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures shot up $4.35 to $74.79 a barrel as President Trump says the cease fire is over and threatens new strikes on Iran. The concern is that the Strait of Hormuz will once again be blocked to oil tankers and other cargo ships. https://apnews.com/article/stocks-rates-oil-iran-ai-671d9c94b302f7db533f46baa18387d3
The latest report by the Conference Board shows attitudes towards the economy improved a little this month as gas prices declined. But the outlook is still gloomy by historical standards. The Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose six tenths of a point to 91.2 in June. But that’s still four points below where it was a year ago. Before the pandemic, the index was routinely above 120. Hiring was down in June with only 57k jobs added. That’s half as many as the month before. The Labor Department said last week that the unemployment rate dipped a tick to 4.2% in May, though that’s mainly because many of those looking for work gave up looking and are therefore no longer considered unemployed. On the plus side, the average long-term U.S. mortgage rate fell to its lowest level in almost two months. The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage was 6.43% last week. One year ago it was 6.67%. https://apnews.com/article/inflation-economy-iran-trump-unemployment-da2fcb94594a598d10155ad0c93fc47c
While automakers are reporting sharp declines in the sales of new all-electric vehicles, Cox Automotive reports the sales of used EVs are booming with prices up 12% last month compared with one year ago. Wholesale EV prices have increased every month this year. The current average resale price at auction is $30,400 according to the Manheim Used Vehicle Value Index for EVs. According to Kelly Blue Book, the average used EV listing price in May was just over $37k. Just under 43k used EVs were sold in May, up 5 ½% month over month and almost 25% more than one year ago. That’s 2.8% of the total used car market. More than one third of EV resales last month were Teslas. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/08/used-ev-prices-gas-war.html
LIFESTYLE / GREEN LIVING
The prediction market platform Polymarket is trying to make its way back into American life with a rework and a major campaign to convince policymakers, regulators, prospective customers and the public in general that it is not same old offshore operation that’s been the subject of unfavorable headlines the last few years over its international platform. They’ve hired social media influencers to produce viral marketing on TikTok, X and others and are partnering with Major League Baseball, CNBC, CNN and others. Basically, they’re trying to prove they’ve changed. Polymarket has been technically legally unavailable to Americans since 2022 when it had to move offshore after settling federal legal charges that it operated an unregistered derivatives market. It got around that by buying the derivatives exchange QCEX late last year. Company executives say the U.S. exchange is walled off from the international platform and they’ve recently hired compliance, surveillance and regulatory specialists to keep it that way. Polymarket U.S. still trades on the likelihood of events like the weather, sports, politics and items in the news, but it’s now regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and is now funded in dollars, not cryptocurrency. Polymarket is now once again a viable competitor to Kalshi in this country. https://apnews.com/article/polymarket-kalshi-prediction-markets-cftc-774de0d21eba8bf380a68a3ca01f6aaa
Delta Airlines is following United’s lead by offering new classes for the front of the plane. The new “basic” fares for business and first class go into effect today for flights beginning in September and come without perks like free seat selection and airport lounge access. Customers with these tickets get assigned seats at check-in, earn fewer miles than more expensive options, can only make changes for a fee and do not have the option for same-day standby or confirmed flight changes. https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/08/delta-basic-business-fares.html
Originally suggested by the Rincon tribe, a new training program gives tribal members access to reservation lands during emergencies. Previously, tribal members including firefighters and elected officials were not allow to access their own land during wildfires, floods and other emergencies. Rincon Chairman Steve Stallings says the idea for Emergency Tribal Access Pass training has been in development for 20 years. The three-hour training results in a standardized pass that can be verified at emergency checkpoints for entry to the area if the agency in charge of the emergency deems it safe to enter. The program is available to all 18 San Diego County tribes. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/07/03/new-training-program-grants-tribal-members-access-to-reservation-land-during-emergencies/
On this day in music history – July 8,
- In 1958, the Recording Industry Association of America awarded its first gold record for $1m in sales to the soundtrack album from the musical “Oklahoma”. The first gold single had been issued in March to Perry Como for “Catch a Falling Star”.
- In 1965, the Dave Clark Five movie “Catch Us If You Can” premiered in London. It would be renamed to “Having a Wild Weekend” for its release in the U.S. Both were titles of songs in the movie.
- In 1967, The Monkees began a 29-date concert tour with Jimi Hendrix as the opening act. Hendrix was dropped after six shows for not being suitable for The Monkees’ teenybopper audience. It would have been Hendrix’ first major exposure in the U.S.
- In 1968, Pink Floyd kicked off their first U.S. concert tour at the Kinetic Playground in Chicago. The club became a driving force in establishing dozens of famous rock acts including The Doors, The Who, Led Zeppelin, and Grateful Dead.
- In 1970, The Everly Brothers show debuted on ABC television as a summer replacement for The Johnny Cash Show.
- In 1972, Bill Withers began the first of three weeks at #1 with “Lean on Me”, his only #1 hit.
- In 1973, Led Zeppelin’s fifth album, the first one to have a title, “Houses of the Holy” was on both the U.S. and British music charts. The cover art was inspired by Arthur C. Clark’s novel “Childhood’s End” and featured a collage of photographs taken at the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland.
- In 1978, Gerry Rafferty’s album “City to City” featuring the hit, “Baker Street” finally knocked the soundtrack to “Saturday Night Fever” out of the #1 spot after almost six months.
- In 1995, TLC began the first of seven weeks at #1 with “Waterfalls”, their second chart topper.
- In 2002, Michael Jackson spoke out against the music industry alleging rampant racism.
- In 2007 Prince was forced off stage by police halfway through a set at the First Avenue nightclub in his home town of Minneapolis. The club was only allowed to stay open until three and the singer began his show at 2:45a. He’d already played two concerts elsewhere that evening.
Born on this day …
- In 1940, Joe Mauldin, bass player for Buddy Holly’s band, The Crickets
- In 1944, Jaimoe Johanson, drummer for the Allman Brothers
- In 1960, Andy Fletcher from Depeche Mode
- In 1961, country singer Toby Keith
- In 1963, American singer songwriter Joan Osbourne who had the 1996 hit “One of Us”.
Other celebrity anniversaries today …
- Actor Jeffrey Tambor is 82
- Actress Angelica Huston is 75
- Actor, musician Kevin Bacon is 68
- Among those who’ve passed, British actor, writer and comedian Marty Feldman was born in 1934
http://www.dementeddatebook.com/2080-date0708.htm
Programming on Rez Radio 91.3 is made possible in part by the Pala Band of Mission Indians and donations from listeners like you. Call 760 742 4200 or email 91.3@palatribe.com for details on contributing to community radio in Pala.
Call the Pala Fire Department at 760 742 1632 before starting any open fires to get the day’s Cal Fire and APCD recommendations. Fire Department permits are required for any burning on Pala tribal land.
Pala seniors’ lunch menu for tomorrow (7/9) – chili beans, corn bread and dessert
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WEATHER
Pala Weather – hazy sunshine and possible wildfire smoke with a high of 93 this afternoon … patchy morning low clouds and fog, clearing to hazy sunshine and 93 again tomorrow … 90 Friday … 89 Saturday and Sunday with a slight chance of rain Sunday afternoon through Monday morning … mostly sunny and 91.3 degrees Monday afternoon … back to 93 Tuesday … overnight lows, mid-60s through Sunday night … 68 Monday night
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