MEDIA MONDAY / 2012’s TOP 10 NEWS STORIES

Image represents two of the top stories of 2012: President Obama’s re-election and the London Olympics. Solid USA showing resulted in a visit from the Gold Medal winning USA Olympic to the White House.  That’s gymnast McKayla Maroney mugging with the POTUS. White House image.

SAN DIEGO ROUND-UP—Year-end wrap-up articles are a common theme for nationwide scribes.  San Diego media is no different. The following is a mixed bag of what was covered locally in 2012, including this blog’s own opinion of the top stories of the year.

KPBS NEWS.

(selected at random rather than top stories)

--Lots O' Democrats got elected this year, including Mayor Bob Filner. Not only that, but Filner has a majority Democratic City Council, and San Diego has one more Democrat in Congress.

--Plaza de Panama in Balboa Park got an ok from the City Council for a controversial makeover.

--The purchase of the Padres.

-- Prison realignment was the state’s response to a court order requiring less crowded prisons.

--The suicide of Junior Seau.

--The shutdown of San Onofre because of a radiation leak caused concern for public safety as well as summer brownouts.

--Poway's school bonds, or capital appreciation bonds

--A Desalination plant was approved for Carlsbad amidst controversy.

-- Developer Doug Manchester's purchase of the San Diego Union Tribune.

-- Epic Fourth of July Fireworks flameout that made San Diego number one on the worldwide laughingstock chart for a day or two.

MOST POPULAR VOICE OF SAN DIEGO STORIES.

--Where Borrowing $105 Million Will Cost $1 Billion.

--A Creative Borrowing Boom: Poway Not Alone in High-Interest Financing.

--Doug Manchester: San Diego's Cheerleader in Chief.

--Where San Diego’s Poorest Live: Map, Aug. 6.

--Hundreds of Kids Arrested on an Unproven [Curfew] Hunch.

--The Three Words That Made Pensions Untouchable.

--The Teachers Union Gets Tough, and Isolated, Feb. 6.

--Duke to Newt: I've Got Your Back

--The Tragic and Fascinating Life of Carl DeMaio.

--The Mayoral Candidate Scorecard.

CITY BEAT’S MOST READ STORIES OF 2012.

-- #PIPA is the New #SOPA

--Balboa Park water fight was a tragedy of the commons

--Knitting Guy given 10 days to remove stop sign flowers

--Chad Michaels is out to take reality TV with a bang (and a tuck)

--M.I.L.F.s

--Pop-culture trends that are not invited back to 2012

--Raped behind bars

--Ridiculed and ostracized, rollerbladers hit new strides

--Carl DeMaio A to Z

--Facing closure, the Ché Café calls for help

UT-San Diego.

As far as year-end wrap-ups, the UT-San Diego offered its top 12 most popular real estate stories of 2012.

--Banks send mixed messages on mortgage deal

--New housing scam emerges in California

--Do homebuyers stand a chance in tight market?

--Phil Mickelson's Rancho Santa Fe home for sale

--Top 10 most improved ZIPs in San Diego County

--Shipping container as a home? It's possible

--Time-honored tax break may end for homeowners

--Bank-owned home's trash 'deposited' at BofA

--Do real estate search sites miss accuracy mark?

--Will county home prices rise this year?

--Encinitas broker was 'AzScam' convict

--Why people walk away from home loans

NBC 7 SAN DIEGO.

Here are the highlights of the 2012 year in local politics according to NBC 7 San Diego:

--Snapdragon Snafu: name change at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium.

--Nathan Fletcher leaving the GOP.

--Jerry Sanders’ Candid Remarks about Carl DeMaio.

--Bob Filner’s Bike Race Challenge.

--Laura Duffy’s Expensive Apology.

--Politicized Potholes: Never has a hole in the ground become so charged. Potholes --“Did the dog eat your homework, Bob?” The question was posed to Bob Filner during a pre-primary debate.

--RIP Redevelopment:

--#FilnerEverywhere: Bob Filner suddenly -- sometimes miraculously -- began appearing at local events.

PHOTOS OF THE YEAR.

New York Times annual Year in Pictures post is online:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/12/30/sunday-review/2012-year-in-pictures.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20121230#/?slide=89

PILLAR TO POST.

Not to be left out of the mix, here are this blog’s two-cents worth from the cheap seats.

--Republican’s Snub Nathan Fletcher.  Domino’s begin to fall.

--Voters Rule. San Diego’s political establishment rocked by voters.

--Return of Bob Filner.  Democrats Take Over Mayor’s Office/Council

--Was DeMaio Damaged by Lilypondgate?

--Peters Beats Bilbray for Congressional Seat

--Sale of San Diego Padres Completed

--Legacy of Jerry Sanders

--Junior Seau Suicide

--San Diego Chargers Water Torture Season

--San Diego Library Coverage

--Death of Redevelopment Dollars.  I guess North Park’s (and other neighborhood’s redevelopment miracles) wasn’t good enough for State bureaucrats to notice.