Pala Today News – 12/19/25
Written by John Fox on December 19, 2025
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
Details are now coming out about police activity earlier this week in the areas of Old Carriage and Whitewood Roads near Rockcrest Drive. On Monday, a 9-1-1 caller said a man with stab wounds had come to his door for help. The 44-year old victim was transported to a hospital for treatment. Officers mounted an unsuccessful search of the area for a suspect. Investigators determined that they were looking for Eric Hill, an unhoused individual last known to be living in the same Temecula encampment as the victim. Hill was located and detained yesterday afternoon by Riverside Sheriff’s deputies. Murrieta Police detectives took custody of Hill and he was booked into French Valley jail. Hill has a Monday morning court date. https://patch.com/california/murrieta/temecula-homeless-encampment-center-murrieta-stabbing-investigation
A big rig fire on n I-5 in Encinitas forced the closure of multiple southbound lanes overnight. It was reported to CHP at 12:30a at the Birmingham Drive exit. The two right lanes and the Birmingham exit remained closed through noon. https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/big-rig-catches-fire-on-i-5-in-encinitas-121925
Escondido Police will conduct a sobriety checkpoint tonight from 6p to 1a at an undisclosed location in the city. There will also be one somewhere in the city of Carlsbad during approximately the same hours. Locations are chosen based on historical data for DUI incidents in that location. Drivers can expect a first-time DUI charge to cost them an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties plus a license suspension. https://www.times-advocate.com/articles/epd-holding-dui-checkpoint-friday-december-19th/ https://patch.com/california/oceanside-camppendleton/dui-checkpoint-scheduled-friday-north-county-0
More than 1.4m people are expected to arrive and depart through San Diego International Airport over the holiday travel season beginning today and lasting through January 5. That’s a 4% to 5% increase over last year. The busiest days are expected to be December 23 and 28, and January 4. The most popular destinations from San Diego are Las Vegas, San Francisco, Denver, Phoenix and Seattle. Tips from airport officials include arriving at least two hours ahead of your flight during the busy morning and midday hours, and make parking reservations at SAN.org/parking or get dropped off by family and friends or a ride-hailing service. https://www.kpbs.org/news/economy/2025/12/18/more-than-1-4-million-people-expected-through-san-this-holiday-season
Several dozen SDG&E customers in Live Oak Park and southern Fallbrook lost power this morning just before 7:30a. Service is expected to be restored by 1:30p. https://www.sdge.com/residential/customer-service/outage-center/outage-map
There was a 3.4 magnitude earthquake this morning at 6:52a in the Santa Rosa mountains about 14 miles east of the Cahuilla reservation in Anza. It was felt throughout southern Riverside County and northern San Diego County. https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/ci41142815/executive
Pala will have one more day with temperatures in the 80s, then mid-70s until a fairly significant storm begins to move in Tuesday afternoon. It’ll last through Christmas Day. The full forecast is coming up. (below)
Mass at Pala Mission Church is broadcast live on Rez Radio 91.3 and streamed live on the Rez Radio App every Sunday at 8a.
SPORTS
In the NFL – It was a pretty exciting game last night in Seattle. The Rams’ Matt Stafford threw for 457 yards including three touchdowns. But it wasn’t enough as Seattle gambled on a two-point conversion with a little over 3 minutes left in overtime to win it 38-37. Two games tomorrow afternoon on Fox. Sunday’s games include the Chargers at Dallas at 10a on Fox.
College Football – 2025 Bowl Game schedule
Sat 12/13 – Bucked Up LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium – Boise State 10, Washington 38
Tue 12/16 – Salute to Veterans Bowl in Montgomery, AL – Troy 13, Jacksonville State 17
Wed 12/17 – StaffDNA Cure Bowl in Orlando – Old Dominion 24, S. Florida 10
Wed 12/17 – 68 Ventures Bowl in Mobile – Louisiana 13, Delaware 20
Thu 12/18 – Xbox Bowl in Frisco, TX – Missouri State 28, Arkansas State 34
Fri 12/19 – Myrtle Beach Bowl in Conway, SC – Kennesaw State v. Western Michigan at 8a ton ESPN
Fri 12/19 – Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa, FL – Memphis v. NC State at 11:30a on ESPN
Mon 12/22 – Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise, ID – Washington State v. Utah State at 11a on ESPN
Tue 12/23 – Bush’s Bowl of Beans in Boca Raton, FL – Toledo v. Louisville at 11a on ESPN
Tue 12/23 – New Orleans Bowl in New Orleans – Western Kentucky v. Southern Miss at 2:30p on ESPN
Tue 12/23 – Frisco Bowl in Frisco, TX – UNVL v. Ohio at 6p on ESPN
Wed 12/24 – Hawai’i Bowl in Honolulu, HI – Cal v. Hawai’i at 5p on ESPN
Fri 12/26 – GameAbove Sports Bowl in Detroit – Central Michigan v. Northwestern at 10a on ESPN
Fri 12/26 – Rate Bowl in Phoenix – New Mexico v. Minnesota at 1:30p on ESPN
Fri 12/26 – First Responders Bowl in Dallas – Florida International v. UTSA at 5p on ESPN
Sat 12/27 – Military Bowl in Annapolis, MD – Pittsburgh v East Carolina at 8a on ESPN
Sat 12/27 – Pinstripe Bowl in Bronx, NY – Penn State v. Clemson at 9a on ABC
Sat 12/27 – Fenway Bowl in Boston – Uconn v. Army at 11a on ESPN
Sat 12/27 – Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando – Georgia Tech v. BYU at 12:30 on ABC
Sat 12/27 – Arizona Bowl in Tucson – Miami OH v Fresno State at 1:30p on CW
Sat 12/27 – New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque – North Texas v. San Diego State at 2:45p on ESPN
Sat 12/27 – Gator Bowl in Jacksonville – Virginia v. Missouri at 4:30p on ABC
Sat 12/27 – Texas Bowl in Houston – LSU v. Houston at 6p on ESPN
Mon 12/29 – Birmingham Bowl in Alabama – Georgia Southern v Appalachian State at 11a on ESPN
Tue 12/30 – Independence Bow in Shreveport, LA – Coastal Carolina v Louisiana Tech at 11a on ESPN
Tue 12/30 – Music City Bowl in Nashville – Tennessee v. Illinois at 2:30p on ESPN
Tue 12/30 – Alamo Bowl in San Antonio – USC v TCU at 6p on ESPN
Wed 12/31 – ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa – Iowa v. Vanderbilt at 9a on ESPN
Wed 12/31 – Sun Bowl in El Paso, TX – Arizona State v Duke at 11a on CBS
Wed 12/31 – Citrus Bowl in Orlando – Michigan v Texas at noon on ABC
Wed 12/31 – Las Vegas Bowl – Nebraska v. Utah at 12:30p on ESPN
Fri 1/2 – Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth – Rice v. Texas State at 10a on ESPN
Fri 1/2 – Liberty Bowl in Memphis – Navy v. Cincinnati at 1:30p on ESPN
Fri 1/2 – Mayo Bowl in Charlotte, NC – Wake Forest v Mississippi State at 5p on ESPN
Fri 1/2 – Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego – Arizona v SMU at 5p on Fox
College Football Playoffs
Fri 12/19 – #8 Oklahoma v. #9 Alabama at Norman, OK at 5p on ABC and ESPN
Sat 12/20 – #10 Miami v. #7 Texas A&M at College Station, TX at 9a on ABC and ESPN
Sat 12/20 – #11 Tulane v. #6 Ole Miss at Oxford, MS at 12:30p on TNT
Sat 12/20 – #12 James Madison v #5 Oregon at Eugene, OR at 4:30p on TNT
Quarterfinals
Wed 12/31 –Cotton Bowl in Arlington, TX – Miami-Texas winner v. #2 Ohio State 4:30p on ESPN
Thu 1/1 – Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens – Madison-Oregon winner v. #4 Texas Tech at 9a on ESPN
Thu 1/1 – Rose Bowl – Alabama-Oklahoma winner v. #1 Indiana at 1p on ESPN
Thu 1/1 – Sugar Bowl in New Orleans – Tulane-Ole Miss winner v #3 Georgia at 5p on ESPN
In the NBA – Luka Doncic led the Lakers as they topped Utah in Salt Lake City 143-135. Oklahoma City thumped the visiting Clippers 122-101. Other winners were Charlotte, New York, Miami, San Antonio, Toronto, New Orleans, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix, and Portland. The Thunder still lead the league with a 25 and 2 record, 4 ½ games ahead of Denver in the Western Conference. The Lakers are in third, 5 ½ back. The Clippers are a half game out of last place. Detroit leads the East with a 21 and 6 record. New York is in second by a game and a half.
In hockey – The Kings edged the Lightning in Tampa last night 2-1. Other winners were Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa, Washington, Minnesota, Buffalo, Calgary, Dallas, and the New York Rangers. Five games tonight including the Ducks hosting Dallas.
In the minors – The San Diego Gulls next game is tonight at Calgary.
In Major League Baseball – Right-handed pitcher Michael King has agreed to a 3-year, $75m deal to continue as a San Diego Padre. The deal allows King to opt out after the 2026 and 2027 seasons. He only had 15 starts last season due to injuries. He was 5 and 3 with a 3.44 earned run average and 76 strikeouts in 73 1/3 innings pitched. He had a much better year in 2024 during his first season with San Diego when he finished 7th in voting for the Cy Young Award. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47353227/padres-rhp-michael-king-agree-new-3-year-deal
A one of a kind autographed Shohei Ohtani MVP award card sold through Fanatics Collect for $3m. It’s the most ever paid for a card in Fanatics Collect’s history and the most paid for a modern baseball card since the nearly $4m for an autographed Mike Trout rookie card in 2020. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47356019/super-rare-ohtani-mvp-award-card-sells-record-3-million
Local High School Sports –
Bonsall – no scheduled games until 1/6/26
Great Oak – boys’ basketball hosting Bishop Amat at 4p; Tomorrow – girls’ soccer at the Newport Harbor Tournament all day
Fallbrook – Soccer Alumni Fundraiser hosting El Camino at 4p; girls’ basketball at El Cajon Valley at 4:30p; wrestling at El Cajon at 7p; Tomorrow – boys’ soccer hosting Oceanside at 4p
Valley Center – girls’ basketball at El Cajon Valley at 9a; boys’ basketball hosting Chula Vista at 5:30p; Tomorrow – boys’ wrestling at Mission Vista at 9a; varsity boys’ soccer at El Cajon Valley at 11:30a; varsity boys’ basketball at High Tech San Diego at 6p
BUSINE$$
As of midday trading on Wall Street, stocks were up across the board. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 6 tenths of a percent. The S&P 500 rose 9 tenths. And the Nasdaq was up 1.2%. Gold gained $21 on the Comex, trading at $4,385.50 an ounce. West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures were up 43 cents to $56.58 a barrel.
TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance has signed the deal to sell its U.S. operations to an American investor group comprised of Oracle, Silver Lake and MGX. Each will hold a 15% share. Another 30% will be held by affiliates of ByteDance, while 20% will remain with ByteDance itself. There will be a new seven-member American-majority board of directors. User data, which was the original concern about a company with ties to the Chinese government, will be stored locally on a system run by Oracle. The transfer of ownership had been mandated by a Congressional bill signed by President Biden with a deadline last January. It did go dark on the deadline. But incoming President Trump signed an executive order to keep it running until the current deal could be worked out. The deal is expected to close January 22, ensuring that the popular social video platform can continue operating in the country. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/tiktok-signs-deal-to-sell-u-s-unit-to-american-investors-including-oracle-and-silver-lake
As expected, President Trump yesterday singed an executive order to shift cannabis from being a Schedule I controlled substance to the much less restrictive Schedule III. It’s still an illegal drug at the federal level. But the reclassification makes it easier to get for research and testing. It allows cannabis companies additional tax benefits with the IRS and opens the door for banking access and institutional investment capital. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is expected to launch a pilot program in April to allow certain Medicare-covered seniors to receive free, doctor recommended CBD products, if they are vetted and come from a legally compliant source. Most cannabis stocks fell sharply on the news, probably over fears of international competition. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/18/trump-pot-reclassification-cannabis-stocks-medicare-cbd.html
LIFESTYLE / GREEN LIVING
New this weekend at the movies, the holiday season gets off to a roaring start with the wide release of “Avatar: Fire and Ash”, the third in the series of CGI spectaculars by James Cameron. It’s already earned $12m from preview showings last night. There’s also the animated sequel, “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants”, a psychological thriller with Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney, “The Housemaid”, and a faith-base animated story from the Old Testament, “David”. https://www.movieinsider.com/movies/december/2025?view=list
Except for overnighting and other more expensive shipping options, today is pretty much the last day you’ll have even a chance for a normal shipment to reach its destination by Christmas. That rush to get packages on doorsteps is a shopping spree for porch pirates. A nationwide study by Lombardo Homes shows that 57% of all package theft occurs during the holiday season, that nearly half of all Americans have had a package stolen, and that almost two thirds of Americans are worried about package theft this year especially because of economic pressures. The household average for online holiday purchases this year is $586. The average stolen package is worth $204. Ways to combat porch piracy include closely tracking the delivery process, signing up for delivery alerts, installing a doorbell camera or other security camera, and asking a neighbor to pick up your package if you can’t be there. Some shoppers give instructions for where delivery drivers can hide packages. https://lombardohomes.com/package-theft-study/
But wait, there’s more. There are other rampant forms of theft during the holidays. AARP reports that of 2k U.S. adults surveyed, nearly 9 in 10 reported falling for, or at least being targeted by some type of scam at the holidays last year. In addition to stolen packages, those scams include fake shopping sites, fake shipping notifications, and fake charity and donation requests. Here’s some advice from AARP. If you’re buying from a vendor you haven’t used before, search the vendor’s name and the words “scam”, “fraud” and “complaint” after it to read about other shoppers’ experiences with the company. Always use a credit card to pay for online goods. You get greater consumer protections than with debit cards, crypto currency or other forms of payment, including getting your money back if you’ve been scammed. Buying gift cards off of store racks can be risky. A surprisingly high proportion of them have already had the card number and PIN stolen by scammers before you buy the card. Once you buy it, scammers immediately use the card, often draining your money from it before you even leave the store. Electronic gift cards are much safer than physical ones. If you receive an unexpected text from a shipper like UPS or FedEx asking for personal information because “there’s been a problem with your order”, call that company’s customer service number that you’ve looked up – not any number given to you in the email or text. It’s usually a phishing scam or an attempt to fool you into sharing personal information. If you do fall for a scam, immediately report the incident to local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission and the AARP Fraud Watch Network. https://www.npr.org/2025/12/19/nx-s1-5613431/4-common-scams-to-watch-out-for-this-holiday-season
On this day in music history – December 19,
- 1957, Elvis Presley received his draft notice. He joined the 32nd Tank Battalion third Armor Corps based in Germany.
- In 1964, The Beatles fourth album, “Beatles For Sale” began a run at #1. It was the group’s fourth album in just 21 months – the majority of which had a Beatles album at #1. On the singles chart, The Supremes were at #1 with “Come See About Me”, their third chart-topping single.
- In 1967, Buffalo Springfield gave a concert at San Diego’s Community Concourse. The group began the careers of Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay and Jim Messina.
- In 1969, The Beatles seventh and final Christmas record was released to fan club members in Britain and the US.
- In 1970, Elton John’s first US hit, “Your Song” entered the Billboard Hot 100. The Hollies had previously been offered the song and Three Dog Night included a version of it on their “It Ain’t Easy” album. Elton’s version peaked at #8 and launched the solo career of the young singer/songwriter.
- In 1979, Elvis Presley’s personal doctor was charged with illegally and indiscriminately prescribing over 12k doses of uppers, downers and pain killers for the star during the year and a half before his death. Although acquitted, George Nichopoulos was charged two more times and finally stripped of his medical license in 1995.
- In 1987, commemorating ten years since Elvis’ death, the Pet Shop Boys had their third chart-topping hit in England with “Always On My Mind”.
- In 1993, Michael Clarke, drummer for The Byrds died of liver failure at age 47. According to his wishes, his girlfriend began a foundation his name to alert kids to the dangers of alcoholism. It wasn’t soon enough for 10,000 Maniacs guitarist Robert Buck who died of the same fate on the same date seven years later in 2000.
- In 2015, 33 years after its release, Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” became the first album to sell more than 30m copies in the US. At that time, The Eagles “Greatest Hits 1971-75” was in second place having sold 29m and “Billy Joel Greatest Hits Volume I & II” was at 23m. But those two were anthologies. Thriller was an original.
Born on this day …
- in 1915, French cabaret singer Edith Piaf.
- In 1940, folk singer Phil Ochs, best known for “Outside of a Small Circle”.
- In 1941, Maurice White from Earth, Wind & Fire.
- In 1944, Alvin Lee from Ten Years After.
- In 1944, Zal Yanovsky from The Lovin’ Spoonful.
- And in 1952, Walter Murphy, best known for his instrumental disco adaptation of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, called “A Fifth of Beethoven”.
https://www.thisdayinmusic.com/search/?keyword=&date=19&month=12
Other celebrities celebrating birthdays today …
- Actor Tim Reid, who first became well-known as DJ Venus Flytrap on “WKRP in Cincinnati” is 81
- British journalist and TV presenter best-known as one of the hosts of TV’s Top Gear, Richard Hammond is 56
- Actress Kristy Swanson is 55
- Actress Alyssa Milano is 53
- Actor Jake Gyllenhaal is 45
- Among those who’ve passed, Cicely Tyson was born in 1924
https://www.famousbirthdays.com/december19.html
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 Monday (12/22) – spaghetti, garlic bread, vegetables and dessert
The Pala Band of Mission Indians has employment opportunities including full time and part time. For a list, go to the Palatribe dot com website.
Go to Facebook.com/RezRadio for community events and news affecting, or of interest to Pala and inland North County.
Listen to Rez Radio just about anywhere and access all of our assets with the free Rez Radio App, available at Google Play and the Apple App Store.
A transcript of this newscast will be available at our website, Rez Radio dot FM and on the Rez Radio App an hour or two after broadcast.
WEATHER
Pala Weather – sunny with a high of 80 this afternoon … patchy morning low clouds and fog, clearing to mostly sunny and 75 tomorrow … 77 Sunday … 76 Monday … partly sunny and 73 with a chance of afternoon rain Tuesday … 67 with rain likely Wednesday and Christmas Day … up to two inches possible in Pala – more in the mountains … there won’t be any snow in the San Diego County mountains … overnight lows, about 48 tonight through Monday night … 50 with rain likely Tuesday and Wednesday nights
PROGRAMMING
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.
FIRE PERMITS
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
The Pala Band of Mission Indians has a number of part-time and full-time employment opportunities.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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E-PAPER
Sample and subscribe to our daily feature-oriented e-paper “The Pala Rez Radio Daily” at https://paper.li/newsstand
LISTEN TO REZ RADIO
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TuneIn Website – Listen to Rez Radio 91.3 through your browser at Tunein.com.
TuneIn Apps – Download the free TuneIn music app for iOS, Android, Windows, and participating car, home, and portable devices. Once the app has been downloaded, search for “Rez Radio” and save us as your favorite.
AudioNow – Provided by AudioNow, listen to Rez Radio 91.3 anywhere there is phone service by dialing (712) 775-5748. There is no cost for the service, but calls will use mobile plan minutes. If you’re calling from a landline, normal long distance charges will apply.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
The Community Events and Casino Corner portions of this newsletter can be heard three times daily Mon-Sun on Rez Radio, at 7:25a, 12:25p (in Pala Today M-F), and at 5:25p as the “Pala Community Calendar”. Submit items for the calendar to 91.3@palatribe.com at least a week before the event.
You can view the events on the Calendar page.
SHOWS
You can find a wide-range of Pala Rez Radio programming on our Shows page.
RESOURCES
The Pala Band of Mission Indians and Rez Radio gathered this list of resources as a courtesy and offers no guarantee of accuracy. Please contact us if you find an error or if any link needs to be updated.
Check out the list of information on our Resources page.
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