As one enters the rabbit hole of President Trump’s ties within military-tech industries, it becomes apparent that key players are linked by familiarity with JJR Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” novels, as well as financial and political interests. In fact, the tech billionaires often name their businesses after magical characters, items and places found in […]
Dennis Wagner
Dennis Wagner is a veteran journalist who earned a Pulitzer Prize while working for USA Today and The Arizona Republic. His career started with a job at the former Coronado Journal 46 years ago. He can be reached by email or at 602-228-6805.
Posted inNews
How did NASCAR get approved to race on a major U.S. Navy base?
In July of last year, the U.S. military breathlessly announced plans for Coronado to host NASCAR racing in 2026, bringing one of the world’s premier stock car events to the island. “NASCAR embodies the very best of the American spirit through speed, precision and an unyielding pursuit of excellence,” declared then Navy Secretary John C. […]
Posted inNews
Veolia: A look at the track record of a mega-corporation operating the border sewage plant
Amid beach closure signs and a stench of human waste, there are at least two ways to perceive Veolia, the corporation that operates a border sewage treatment plant at the center of San Diego County’s coastal pollution crisis. From a critic’s viewpoint – as expressed in courtrooms and by industry watchdogs — the French conglomerate […]
Posted inNavy
How the Navy’s ‘Fat Leonard’ scandal reached Coronado
Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly listed former Rear Adm. Bruce Loveless among those who attended a 2007 dinner in Coronado with Leonard Francis, the military contractor who orchestrated the bribery conspiracy. Loveless was not present at that dinner. An earlier version of this story also incorrectly identified retired Rear Adm. Bruce Loveless’ […]
Posted inNews
A step in the right direction, but new funds for sewage plant still fall short
Tijuana sewage that has fouled Coronado’s coastline and sickened beach users for years will not be staunched anytime soon, despite more money being funneled to wastewater treatment projects this year. That was the big take-away from a news conference staged March 28 at the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, and from a public forum […]
Posted inInvestigations
Awaken Church: From down under to Coronado
Awaken Church founders Jurgen and Leanne Matthesius have built their evangelical ministry around Jesus, but with an emphasis on miracles, speaking in tongues while advocating political activism and “prosperity theology” – a belief that God will reward faith with wealth on earth. The pastors enhance those themes with attractive young ministers, lively Christian music and […]
Posted inNews
Awaken Church: A service of music, miracles and tithes
The Coronado News, as part of a multi-part examination into the politically active church and the culture war playing out in Coronado, visited an Awaken service at the invitation of its pastors.
Posted inNews
Awaken Church gets unholy reception in Coronado
The desire to plant an Awaken Church campus in Coronado has churned up a First Amendment dispute, with freedom of speech, assembly and religion all involved.
Posted inInvestigations
Promises, Promises: Will Mexico keep its bargain to fix sewage crisis?
The U.S. has pledged at least $330 million for the Tijuana sewage crisis, but U.S. officials are concerned whether Mexico keep its funding promises?
Posted inInvestigations
Promises, Promises: Dysfunction seemingly at the core of Tijuana sewage mess
Public outrage over Tijuana wastewater woes has triggered political rhetoric, studies, protests, and broken promises – only to end with sewage into the ocean.
Posted inInvestigations
Promises, Promises: Tijuana sewage crisis sickens tens of thousands
The Tijuana sewage crisis has sickened tens of thousands and hospitalized Imperial Beach teacher and surfer Josh Hill. Part 3 of The Coronado News investigation.
Posted inInvestigations
Promises, Promises: Bitter feuding, wasted money and treaty violations equals no solution
Decades of bitter feuding, wasted money and treaty violations have prevented sustainable solutions to the Tijuana sewage crisis. Part 2 of The Coronado News investigative series.
Posted inInvestigations
Promises, Promises: Tijuana’s sewage crisis continues to pollute Pacific Ocean, Coronado
Broken promises for decades by U.S. and Mexico to fix Tijuana’s sewage problem has resulted in millions of gallons of raw sewage to flow into Pacific Ocean, Coronado, other beaches.