🌱 Losing Our Gray Whales🐳 + Instacart Workers Win 2019 Lawsuit ⚖️

Good morning, everyone. It's Bettyann Pernice, your host of the Daily. Grab your coffee/tea, and let's share what's happening here in San Diego today:

• The count of gray whales along the west coast is down by 40 percent.
• Instacart workers who were misclassified as independent contractors win their 2019 lawsuit.
• San Diego Teen Wins International Young Eco-Hero Award.
• Watch for the migration of the Monarch butterfly on its way to forests in Mexico.

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny.🌤️High: 75, Low: 65.

🏡 Attention, real estate pros in San Diego! We're now offering an exclusive sponsorship opportunity for an agent interested in attracting local clients and standing apart from the competition. Click here to learn more.

Here are four of the top stories today in San Diego:

1. If you've ever witnessed the majesty of gray whales as they travel along the coast of San Diego, you will be saddened by this news: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Administration (NOAA) located in La Jolla has just reported that the count of gray whales along the west coast is down by 40 percent. The species has also produced fewer calves this year. “Given the continuing decline in numbers since 2016, we need to be closely monitoring the population to understand what may be driving this trend,” said David Weller, director of the center’s marine mammal and turtle division. Researchers at NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center believe that the decline of the grey whale population is a result of environmental factors that have affected its food source. (Times of San Diego)
2. Instacart will pay restitution to about 308,000 people who were improperly classified as independent contractors. The lawsuit filed with the City Attorney’s Office back in 2019 alleged that the company misclassified workers to deprive them of protections and compensation such as overtime pay, paid breaks, gas mileage and cell phone reimbursements. The judgment will affect Instacart "shoppers" who worked between Sept. 2015 and Dec. 2020. In addition to the monies that will be paid to workers, Instacart will pay more than $6 million in civil penalties. (Times of San Diego)
3. Named one of 16 International Young Eco-Heroes, 16-year-old Jessica Ong won the award which honors students ages 8 -16 for their environmentalism. "The projects that young people like Jessica have created are having real and important impacts on their communities, helping to solve global climate challenges, and are inspiring others — including adults — to do what they can to help," said Beryl Kay, president of Action for Nature. Jessica’s project Toys2Care relocates toys from privileged communities to less fortunate ones. (Patch)
4. Fall is the time of year when monarch butterflies pass through Canada and the U.S. on their way to the forests of central Mexico. As they travel through our area, butterflies lay their eggs on native milkweed plants. Their ultimate goal is to reach their hibernation forests in Mexico. Monarch butterflies have decreased in numbers due to climate change and have been added to the endangered list. Help keep monarchs coming back to San Diego: Plant a milkweed in your garden today! (NBC San Diego)

Today in San Diego:

• San Ysidro Health Mobile Health Services — Otay Mesa Branch Library. (9 a.m.)
• Qi Gong: Recharging Body & Mind — Riford/La Jolla Branch Library. (9:30 a.m.)
• Pride Storytime — Scripps Miramar Ranch Library Center. (10 a.m.)
• Mind/Body Fitness for Older Adults — San Carlos Branch Library. (10 a.m.)
• Outdoor Toddler Storytime — Allied Gardens/Benjamin Branch Library. (10:30 a.m.)
• Tracking Wildlife on Four Continents — CECRB. (1:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• San Diego Police Department: "**UPDATE as of 10-10-22 @ 1:38pm** The subject has been taken into custody. Thank you for your patience and understanding. **Community Alert** SWAT & Emergency Negotiators are on scene at 200 Avenida de la Madrid due to an armed and barricaded suspect inside a home." (San Diego Police Department via Facebook)
• City of San Diego: "The City of San Diego is working to meet the needs of all of those experiencing homelessness, especially vulnerable seniors. The City recently signed a lease to operate a 34 unit shelter on Pacific Highway for this group." (City of San Diego via Facebook)
• San Diego Central Library: "There's a new box in the building! Working with the Registrar of Voters, we're proud to serve as an Official Ballot Drop Box location for the Statewide General Election. 🗳️ These ballot drop boxes are located inside all our 36 libraries." (San Diego Central Library via Facebook)
• Library Foundation SD: "Do you have a ‘fire’ story idea 🔥? ENTER the 6th Annual Matchbook Story Contest 📇 !➡️ Submission link & details can be found at libraryshopsd.org/shortstory That’s ‘write’ San Diego’s shortest short story contest is back and proudly brought to you by Library Foundation SD, and Library Shop, with proceeds benefiting the San Diego Public Library system." (Library Foundation SD via Facebook)
• San Diego County Library: "Searching through her mother's belongings one day, Anna finds clues about the African father she never knew. His student diaries chronicle his involvement in radical politics in 1970s London. Check out this title with no wait." (San Diego County Library via Facebook)
• San Diego History Center: "#HispanicHeritageMonth is here!

We tell the story of a great community present in our city with several exhibitions:
 - The Border: a Line that Divides Border (2017) - Welcome to the Mix (2019) - We Made San Diego(2020) - Articles in The Journal of San Diego History (1955-2022)." (San Diego History Center via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Au Pair Childcare USA — (Visit website)
• Convivio Society — (Visit Website)
• Add your business here

Events:

• San Diego's 22nd Annual Diversity Employment Day Career Fair. (Oct. 12)
• UKRAINE PET RELIEF FUNDRAISER: Music & Comedy by Richard Stockton. (Oct. 15)
• 80’s Halloween Music Costume Party With The Cheez Whiz Band At Ebullition Brew Works. (Oct. 15)
• 80’s Halloween Live Music Costume Party With The Cheez Whiz Band. (Oct. 15)
• Online webinar with professionals catamaran rental in San Diego. (Oct. 16)
• Live Country Music & Rockabilly Halloween Costume Party w The Sons of Johnny Cash & Rip Carson. (Oct. 16)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Wednesday! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow with your next update.

— Bettyann Pernice

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming San Diego Daily? Contact me at sandiego@patch.com