PhotosUber and Lyft drivers knew this day would come. Now it’s here: Waymo’s driverless cars are rolling through San Diego, and human gig workers say the robo-taxis are slicing into their livelihoods.Many local drivers describe …
November 19, 2025
Mike is a multimedia journalist.
Mike is able to cover a subject or gathering via photography, videography and written content; and then edit the content with post-production video and photo graphics if needed.
Mike supplies content to various automotive and alternative-lifestyle publications, but considers the San Diego Reader his homebase.
www.MikeMadriaga.comArticles by Mike Madriaga
The Waymo challenge for Uber drivers is here
More places to rent in San Diego than ever?
San Diegans say they’re seeing more rentals online than in recent years, which feels odd during a housing shortage. Zillow lists the average rental at $3,000 — about 50% higher than the U.S. norm; there …
November 12, 2025
Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu ads to get softer
California just turned down the volume knob.And now, San Diego County fitness folks, car tuners, and bored Thanksgiving party attendees are rejoicing because of a new law, SB 576.Governor Gavin Newsom said, "By signing SB …
November 5, 2025
Cars crash into buildings – all over San Diego
On October 24, two vehicles crashed into separate buildings in North County — the latest in what appears to be a growing pattern of cars slamming into commercial spaces across our region. According to the …
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October 29, 2025
Cool uncle Madriaga aloof from high-speed San Diego freeway swimmers
Clout chasing with cars and motorcycles in 2025 has spun out of control across San Diego County — or maybe I'm just getting old. Picture this: a guy climbing out of his truck window while …
October 22, 2025
Why San Diego Starbucks are suffering
The last time I attended a Reader meeting at Starbucks, I noticed that most of the soft, comfortable chairs were gone. The days of lingering with friends, toasting Frappuccinos and lattes, or drinking a Trenta …
October 15, 2025
Beware the San Diego government guy who wants to help you
On September 17, Normal Heights resident Melissa Alvarado heard a knock on her door. It was “someone claiming they were from EBT" — Electronic Benefit Transfer — "looking for whoever was on EBT,” she told …
October 7, 2025
More glimpses of San Diego pop music
O.D. Corral – country-rock, ranging from Loggins and Messina to Doug Kershaw1974 was a long time agoO. D. Corral is one of San Diego’s most popular bands, judging by the number of people who follow …
September 29, 2025
Scary year for San Diego small planes
As he drove home yesterday, September 29, Ian Bogan was stunned to see a plane sitting on the 15. "Traffic was stop and go until I got past the big tow truck and crane that …
September 29, 2025