Andrew Bowen (he/him)
@acbowen.bsky.social
KPBS reporter covering housing, transit and local politics in San Diego. Union shop steward. Creator and host of Freeway Exit, a podcast about freeways. Gaily homosexual.
I run @sdtrafficdeaths.bsky.social.
https://www.kpbs.org/podcasts/freeway-exit
I run @sdtrafficdeaths.bsky.social.
https://www.kpbs.org/podcasts/freeway-exit
Pinned
BONUS: "Life After Cars” (w/ The War on Cars)
What would society look like if people no longer needed their cars? That's the premise of the new book “Life After Cars,” written by Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear.
www.kpbs.org
Really enjoyed talking with @brooklynspoke.bsky.social and @sgoodyear.bsky.social while they were in San Diego promoting "Life After Cars." They met me in Balboa Park (in the pouring rain!) so we could see, hear and discuss the ways cars have impacted our most precious public spaces.
Have a listen!
Have a listen!
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
The Times went to non urban Minnesota to ask people why they dislike urban Minneapolis. If someone were to ask me to teach a journalism school course on helicopter reporting, this story - so cliche it’s almost hard to believe they really did this - would immediately go on the syllabus.
NYTimes has truly outdone itself with this latest in its "ask white guys in diner" genre. Thank goodness we get a perspective on what's happening in Minneapolis from people in **Nisswa** who probably mean Brainerd when they say they "prefer not to go the city anymore" www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/u...
One State, Two Very Different Views of Minneapolis
www.nytimes.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:55 PM
The Times went to non urban Minnesota to ask people why they dislike urban Minneapolis. If someone were to ask me to teach a journalism school course on helicopter reporting, this story - so cliche it’s almost hard to believe they really did this - would immediately go on the syllabus.
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
The full spiked 60 Minutes CECOT package, clean & subtitled. 1/5
December 23, 2025 at 1:28 AM
The full spiked 60 Minutes CECOT package, clean & subtitled. 1/5
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
BTW. While we're making a big deal about the censored 60 minutes report, worth noting the PBS Frontline report on CECOT is online and can be watched free. Trump *tried* to destroy PBS as he did 60 minutes, & did manage to kill the 58-year-old CPB, but PBS so far survives. www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontli...
Surviving CECOT | FRONTLINE | PBS | Official Site | Documentary Series
The story of three Venezuelan men branded as gang members and deported to CECOT.
www.pbs.org
December 22, 2025 at 10:50 PM
BTW. While we're making a big deal about the censored 60 minutes report, worth noting the PBS Frontline report on CECOT is online and can be watched free. Trump *tried* to destroy PBS as he did 60 minutes, & did manage to kill the 58-year-old CPB, but PBS so far survives. www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontli...
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
really cannot be emphasized enough that bari weiss has literally never done journalism. i don’t mean that in the pejorative sense. i mean that in the “has never performed the job she was hired to do” sense
One explanation for Bari killing the story is that she did so as a public act of fealty to the administration. But another is that, as an inexperienced journalist, she doesn’t understand that a refusal to go on the record is a kind of comment in and of itself
December 22, 2025 at 2:19 PM
really cannot be emphasized enough that bari weiss has literally never done journalism. i don’t mean that in the pejorative sense. i mean that in the “has never performed the job she was hired to do” sense
Incredible work by San Diego’s Department of Environmental Services. No notes.
#trashlanes
#trashlanes
December 19, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Incredible work by San Diego’s Department of Environmental Services. No notes.
#trashlanes
#trashlanes
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
They updated the website today to remove the word "independent"
Before (left), after (right)
Before (left), after (right)
December 17, 2025 at 8:25 PM
They updated the website today to remove the word "independent"
Before (left), after (right)
Before (left), after (right)
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
SUV driver struck and killed a 15-year-old boy who was attempting to cross Camino Ruiz in Mira Mesa. The intersection is a lawful crossing but has no marked crosswalk. #VisionZero
December 15, 2025 at 5:54 PM
SUV driver struck and killed a 15-year-old boy who was attempting to cross Camino Ruiz in Mira Mesa. The intersection is a lawful crossing but has no marked crosswalk. #VisionZero
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
December 15, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Merriam-Webster’s human editors have chosen ‘slop’ as the 2025 Word of the Year.
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
Sorry I'm 2 years late to this!!! Listen to this interview with Hasan Ikhrata, the head of San Diego's regional transportation agency.
This is what transportation leadership in the public sector sounds like!!
www.kpbs.org/podcasts/fre... @acbowen.bsky.social
This is what transportation leadership in the public sector sounds like!!
www.kpbs.org/podcasts/fre... @acbowen.bsky.social
BONUS: Hasan Ikhrata
As the CEO of San Diego County's transportation planning agency, SANDAG, Hasan Ikhrata has done more than anyone else to shake up the conversation around our freeways. Ikhrata has pushed his own board...
www.kpbs.org
December 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Sorry I'm 2 years late to this!!! Listen to this interview with Hasan Ikhrata, the head of San Diego's regional transportation agency.
This is what transportation leadership in the public sector sounds like!!
www.kpbs.org/podcasts/fre... @acbowen.bsky.social
This is what transportation leadership in the public sector sounds like!!
www.kpbs.org/podcasts/fre... @acbowen.bsky.social
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
An astonishing percentage of Americans are open to car-free living.
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
Many Americans Are Open to Car-Free Living — Human Transit
Is Americans a “car culture” or are they “car dependent”? Do they drive because they love driving, or are they in an unhealthy relationship with a substance it would be happy to do without? Obviousl...
humantransit.org
December 11, 2025 at 6:55 PM
An astonishing percentage of Americans are open to car-free living.
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
Consultants contracted by Minnesota found that an eight-story single-stair building with 6,000 sq. ft. per floor (building 4) has dramatically lower fire risk than a same-height code-compliant two-stair building with a larger floor plate (building 1) www.dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
December 12, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Consultants contracted by Minnesota found that an eight-story single-stair building with 6,000 sq. ft. per floor (building 4) has dramatically lower fire risk than a same-height code-compliant two-stair building with a larger floor plate (building 1) www.dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
Driver struck and killed a 60-year-old cyclist who was riding on a neighborhood street in Rancho Peñasquitos. #VisionZero
December 11, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Driver struck and killed a 60-year-old cyclist who was riding on a neighborhood street in Rancho Peñasquitos. #VisionZero
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
San Diego Unified’s board will tonight vote on the largest slate of education workforce housing projects ever considered in California. Some are pushing them to ignore a staff recommendation and go even bigger. Tonight, they might vote to do just that.
San Diego Unified’s Housing Push Is a Big Deal. Should It Be Even Bigger?
With a slate of new projects, San Diego Unified could nearly double the number of education workforce housing units built on school property across California. Now, as district leaders prepare to gree...
voiceofsandiego.org
December 10, 2025 at 4:47 PM
San Diego Unified’s board will tonight vote on the largest slate of education workforce housing projects ever considered in California. Some are pushing them to ignore a staff recommendation and go even bigger. Tonight, they might vote to do just that.
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
California Air Resources Board: "To achieve climate goals, we need less driving"
Transportation Researchers: "To reduce driving, we need fewer lane miles"
Caltrans: "We need billions of dollars to keep widening highways."
California Legislature: "You got it."
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/02/o...
Transportation Researchers: "To reduce driving, we need fewer lane miles"
Caltrans: "We need billions of dollars to keep widening highways."
California Legislature: "You got it."
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/02/o...
Opinion: One Less Lane Ought To Fix It — Streetsblog USA
Federal inaction means states must lead on reducing emissions — but their reluctance to reallocate road space for cars may doom climate goals.
usa.streetsblog.org
December 8, 2025 at 11:56 PM
California Air Resources Board: "To achieve climate goals, we need less driving"
Transportation Researchers: "To reduce driving, we need fewer lane miles"
Caltrans: "We need billions of dollars to keep widening highways."
California Legislature: "You got it."
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/02/o...
Transportation Researchers: "To reduce driving, we need fewer lane miles"
Caltrans: "We need billions of dollars to keep widening highways."
California Legislature: "You got it."
usa.streetsblog.org/2025/12/02/o...
Had a close call on my bike ride home today. Riding downhill, a man cut me off in the bike lane to turn right (even though the light was red and another car was stopped in front of him). I had to slam on my brakes. I shouted at him through his window while he queued. He wouldn’t even look at me.
December 5, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Had a close call on my bike ride home today. Riding downhill, a man cut me off in the bike lane to turn right (even though the light was red and another car was stopped in front of him). I had to slam on my brakes. I shouted at him through his window while he queued. He wouldn’t even look at me.
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
We know everyone is asking for your money this month, but here's a twist: We're NOT asking you to donate in December, we're asking you to spread the word.
Help the trans people and allies who don't know Assigned Media's reputation for excellence and originality in trans news find us!
Help the trans people and allies who don't know Assigned Media's reputation for excellence and originality in trans news find us!
December 3, 2025 at 10:49 PM
We know everyone is asking for your money this month, but here's a twist: We're NOT asking you to donate in December, we're asking you to spread the word.
Help the trans people and allies who don't know Assigned Media's reputation for excellence and originality in trans news find us!
Help the trans people and allies who don't know Assigned Media's reputation for excellence and originality in trans news find us!
Meanwhile in California, the e-bike incentive program has been unceremoniously dissolved. cal.streetsblog.org/2025/10/30/c...
December 3, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Meanwhile in California, the e-bike incentive program has been unceremoniously dissolved. cal.streetsblog.org/2025/10/30/c...
Really enjoyed talking with @brooklynspoke.bsky.social and @sgoodyear.bsky.social while they were in San Diego promoting "Life After Cars." They met me in Balboa Park (in the pouring rain!) so we could see, hear and discuss the ways cars have impacted our most precious public spaces.
Have a listen!
Have a listen!
BONUS: "Life After Cars” (w/ The War on Cars)
What would society look like if people no longer needed their cars? That's the premise of the new book “Life After Cars,” written by Doug Gordon and Sarah Goodyear.
www.kpbs.org
November 22, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Really enjoyed talking with @brooklynspoke.bsky.social and @sgoodyear.bsky.social while they were in San Diego promoting "Life After Cars." They met me in Balboa Park (in the pouring rain!) so we could see, hear and discuss the ways cars have impacted our most precious public spaces.
Have a listen!
Have a listen!
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
Almost half the Waymos on California streets are driving around empty. They're either waiting for the next customer or en route for a pickup.
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
November 19, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Almost half the Waymos on California streets are driving around empty. They're either waiting for the next customer or en route for a pickup.
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
If robotaxis scale, anything close to that level of deadheading would create crushing gridlock.
www.thedriverlessdigest.com/p/what-cpuc-...
On Wednesday, the California Assembly held a special committee meeting on the federal de-funding of public media. I spoke on behalf of @wemakekpbs.bsky.social.
Our union is fighting to create and preserve middle-class careers in journalism, and we need everyone's support.
Our union is fighting to create and preserve middle-class careers in journalism, and we need everyone's support.
November 14, 2025 at 7:32 PM
On Wednesday, the California Assembly held a special committee meeting on the federal de-funding of public media. I spoke on behalf of @wemakekpbs.bsky.social.
Our union is fighting to create and preserve middle-class careers in journalism, and we need everyone's support.
Our union is fighting to create and preserve middle-class careers in journalism, and we need everyone's support.
One of the best things about my neighborhood (University Heights, San Diego) is that sound carries up here from very far away. When the ambient traffic noise is quiet enough, I can hear the chimes of the California Tower in Balboa Park, and the Amtrak train whistles downtown. Very grateful for that.
November 14, 2025 at 7:04 PM
One of the best things about my neighborhood (University Heights, San Diego) is that sound carries up here from very far away. When the ambient traffic noise is quiet enough, I can hear the chimes of the California Tower in Balboa Park, and the Amtrak train whistles downtown. Very grateful for that.
Never been particularly proud to be a Wildcat… until now.
All reports in this thread are from the collections of Northwestern University's Transportation Library. Materials we've digitized can generally be found in HathiTrust. Learn more and search our catalog here: www.library.northwestern.edu/libraries-co...
November 11, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Never been particularly proud to be a Wildcat… until now.
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
Big changes are coming to the San Diego Housing Commission's Section 8 voucher program. Years of high inflation in the housing market, plus stagnant federal funding, have dramatically reduced the program's ability to help low-income renters afford housing.
My latest:
www.kpbs.org/news/economy...
My latest:
www.kpbs.org/news/economy...
Funding cuts, skyrocketing rents push San Diego's housing voucher program into deepening deficit
Some low-income families could be facing rent increases next year, as inflation and funding cuts take a toll on federal programs that subsidize rents.
www.kpbs.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Big changes are coming to the San Diego Housing Commission's Section 8 voucher program. Years of high inflation in the housing market, plus stagnant federal funding, have dramatically reduced the program's ability to help low-income renters afford housing.
My latest:
www.kpbs.org/news/economy...
My latest:
www.kpbs.org/news/economy...
Reposted by Andrew Bowen (he/him)
When I read the full transcript of the interview, I realized there had been no pushback, no corrections, no challenging follow-ups. The entire interview had been an open-ended opportunity for Trump to tell rambling lies, only to have them cleaned up into a more polished product.
60 Minutes Obeys in Advance
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:26 AM
When I read the full transcript of the interview, I realized there had been no pushback, no corrections, no challenging follow-ups. The entire interview had been an open-ended opportunity for Trump to tell rambling lies, only to have them cleaned up into a more polished product.