Before you grab that taco or adjust your sunglasses — wash your hands. Seriously.
Every May 5, the world celebrates Hand Hygiene Day, and this year the Baja California Health Department joined in, reminding everyone that soap and water are still the OG disease fighters. From the flu to COVID-19, handwashing helps keep the bugs at bay.
Dr. Adrián Medina Amarillas, our state’s health secretary, didn’t mince words: clean hands save lives. He recommends a solid 40–60 seconds of washing — palms, backs, between the fingers, thumbs, under the nails — the works. No soap? Use hand sanitizer with at least 70% alcohol.
#Hand Hygiene Day
👏🏼 But here’s the twist — Mexico’s own ReMIEIE (Red Mexicana Interdisciplinaria de Educación e Investigación en Enfermería) is also backing the campaign, because nurses and researchers know better than anyone: health starts with the basics.
So today, celebrate your hands. Wash ‘em like you mean it. And maybe keep that hand sanitizer handy… just in case.
Ensenada Celebrates Tuna Day with Free Family Event
This Saturday, May 3, Ensenada is throwing a party for one of our favorite sea creatures — the tuna.
From 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Caracol Science Museum will host a free event full of tasty food, hands-on activities, and cool facts. The star of the show? The bluefin tuna. The event also celebrates the reopening of the exhibit“Aleta Azul: El Atún del Pacífico.”
#Aleta Azul (Bluefin)
One highlight is the ronqueo demonstration — the traditional art of filleting bluefin tuna. An expert from Baja Aqua Farms, along with chef Miguel Bahena, will show the process live. It’s a mix of tradition, precision, and culinary skill you rarely get to see.
#filleting bluefin tuna
Throughout the day, guests can also enjoy educational talks, raffles, fun stations for kids, and plenty of food. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re a seafood fan, science lover, or just looking for a fun way to spend your Saturday.
The event is organized by the Caracol Museo de Ciencias, with support from Baja Aqua Farms and Bluefina. Best of all, admission is free.
🐟 Come celebrate one of Baja’s greatest catches — and yes, we mean that literally.
On May 22, Fundación Mi Chante will tee off at the Club Campestre de Tijuana with its 5th Annual Charity Golf Tournament. This year, the day honors José Sulaimán — the late boxing icon whose legacy still fuels dreams in and out of the ring. While many charity tournaments exist, this one stands out because it’s about more than golf. It’s about changing young lives.
Through this event, the foundation raises funds to support athletes across Mexico. These aren’t just handouts. Instead, proceeds cover real needs: travel to competitions, athletic gear, training costs, physical therapy, and even school expenses. Meanwhile, Fundación Mi Chante works directly with these athletes to find sponsors, mentors, and resources. In fact, their support goes far beyond the field or the gym — it’s a full-circle approach to youth development.
#Golfing for Good in Tijuana
President Abelardo Peña Madrigal leads the organization with a clear mission. “This tournament is a celebration of community and generosity,” he said. “It’s about giving talented young people the chance to pursue their dreams and stay on the right path.” That vision has turned a simple sports fundraiser into a regional event with real momentum.
A cross-border effort with local heart.
This year, they’re getting a major boost from their main sponsor: Escondido Golf Cart Center, a California-based company that specializes in all things golf cart — sales, rentals, repairs, and custom jobs. Their work stretches into hotels, warehouses, and industrial spaces, but their support of this tournament shows their reach goes beyond business.
CEO Victor Lopez Duron sees the partnership as a perfect fit. “We believe in supporting the next generation — not just through business, but by investing in their future,” he said. As a result, the company’s involvement adds not only resources, but real heart to the event.
While golfers from across northern Baja are expected, the invitation is open to anyone who wants to help out — from San Diego to Ensenada. Whether you play a killer short game or just want a good excuse to be outside for a cause, you’re welcome to join.
A woman in her 50s tragically died Tuesday afternoon after crashing into a pole at the “El Gallo” overpass in Ensenada.
#El Gallo overpass intersection in Ensenada, where signage still has drivers guessing.
The accident happened around 3:50 p.m. at the busy Reforma and Delante intersection. According to early reports, the driver of a gray 2016 Nissan Versa lost control of her car and hit a traffic pole. The impact was severe enough that emergency crews declared her dead at the scene.
No other vehicles were involved, and no bystanders were hurt.
While the cause of the accident is still under investigation, authorities are looking into whether speed, a mechanical issue, or a health emergency played a role.
Locals point out that signage at this intersection remains confusing—a problem that’s been flagged before. Could better signs have made a difference?
Traffic was briefly backed up while crews cleared the scene, but everything is flowing normally again.
This isn’t just another car crash headline. It’s a wake-up call about safety at intersections we all use daily.
Drive smart. Baja’s roads need your attention. What do you think about signage at El Gallo? Chime in at Gringo Gazette North.
If you’ve been following our ongoing coverage of the 1944 Water Treaty, here’s your latest update. Mexico has agreed to send between 400 and 518 million cubic meters of water to the U.S. between May and October 2025. That’s a lot of agua—especially when our own taps are starting to worry.
This move aims to patch up a growing deficit in water deliveries from the Río Bravo (a.k.a. the Rio Grande), and let’s just say our friends in Washington weren’t exactly feeling generous. Just last month, the U.S. flat-out denied Mexico’s request for extra water from the Colorado River—the same river that helps keep Tijuana and the rest of Baja breathing.
That decision was, let’s say… not refreshing.
What does this mean for Baja?
While the treaty technically applies to the Río Bravo basin, the political pressure affects all border states. And yes, that includes Baja California. Remember: Tijuana gets a big slice of its water from the Colorado. When Washington sneezes, Baja needs to bring an umbrella.
#Visualizing water being sent for today’s mega simulacro (AI-generated)
The Mexican government is trying to make good with quick transfers and promises of more once the rains come. There are high-level talks going on, and rumors of desalination projects and water rights reforms are making their usual rounds.
So what’s next?
We’ll keep you posted. But if you really want the deep dive, check in with Martina Dobesh, our water correspondent and resident flow-watcher. She’s been tracking this story long before the politicians got thirsty.
This isn’t just a treaty story. It’s about how Baja plans to stay hydrated in the years to come. And if you missed our previous coverage, scroll back—our archives are as full as Lake Mead isn’t.
💧 Water’s political. Thirst is personal. For more, see Martina’s reports right here in the Gringo Gazette North.
Mega Earthquake Simulation Today, But Baja’s Sitting This One Out
If your phone starts screaming today and you happen to have a Mexico City area code, don’t worry—you’re not being abducted by aliens or warned about a tsunami. It’s just the 2025 National Earthquake Drill, a massive simulation to help Mexico get its emergency ducks in a row.
But before you panic, take a sip of your Baja wine and relax. Ensenada, Mexicali, Rosarito and Tijuana won’t hear the sirens. The alert system will only go off in 13 states that are usually in the seismic spotlight:
CDMX, Chiapas, Colima, Edomex, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán, Morelos, Oaxaca, Puebla, Tlaxcala, and a few other jittery spots.
The simulation is scheduled to start at 11:00 a.m. Mexico City time (that’s 9:00 a.m. for us here in Baja California). It’s a nationwide test to evaluate emergency preparedness. Sirens will blare. Phones will buzz. Authorities will get in formation. The goal? Be ready for the big one—whenever it decides to show up.
🔔 So, if you’ve got a CDMX number on your phone, don’t freak out when it goes off—you’re just an honorary chilango for a minute.
And hey, it’s not a bad idea to use the moment to double-check your emergency kit. Flashlight, batteries, snacks… and maybe a bottle of vino blanco, just in case.
Stay safe, stay informed, and remember—no bad news. This one’s just practice. 😉
Practicing for preparedness. #MegaSimulacro Mega drill in focus: an AI-generated perspective.
Since Friday, April 26, the Tianguis Turístico has been buzzing at the Baja California Center in Rosarito. And for the first time ever, it’s not just suits and business cards—the general public is invited too.
Governor Marina del Pilar Ávila Olmeda announced the change, calling it a historic move to bring Baja’s magic closer to its own people and visitors. Let’s be honest—who better to celebrate Baja’s beauty than the people who live it every day?
At this year’s event, you’ll find:
Baja’s top wineries, resorts, restaurants, and tour operators all showing off their best.
Special buyer meetings and seminars that, frankly, sound way fancier than we’re used to.
Public spaces where you can taste, see, and experience Baja without a press badge.
The Baja California Center, perched between Tijuana and Ensenada, couldn’t be a more perfect spot to show off our beaches, wine valleys, art, and tacos… yes, especially the tacos.
Whether you live here full-time or you’re just Baja-curious, this is your chance to dive into what makes this place unforgettable.
And if you want to plan your visit like a pro, you can download the full schedule here:
Baja California Sur is entering a new phase in its security strategy. On April 25, Isaí Arias Famania, Subprosecutor for Criminal Proceedings, submitted his irrevocable resignation—joining other senior officials stepping aside for a new era of leadership.
Far from a setback, these changes reflect the government’s commitment to make security a national priority. New strategies and stronger coordination are already underway to protect Baja’s communities.
In recent days, authorities have moved quickly. A series of operations in Cabo San Lucas led to the arrest of four suspects and the confiscation of weapons linked to organized crime. National efforts are also boosting local security: Mexico’s Secretary of Security, Omar García Harfuch, confirmed the dismantling of a criminal cell operating in La Paz and Los Cabos.
This reshuffle is part of a broader effort to strengthen public trust and reinforce the rule of law across the state. As new leaders step in, Baja California Sur is ready to turn the page—with a sharper focus on peace, safety, and justice for all.
Governor Marina del Pilar confirmed that Baja California’s Business Development Trust (FIDEM) will be shut down. Although the new law still needs legislative approval, she made it clear—FIDEM’s days are numbered.
For years, FIDEM supported infrastructure and tourism projects across the state. Now, the state plans to manage those funds through a single centralized trust.
“This change will bring more transparency and oversight,” said the governor. She believes this new structure will reduce red tape and improve how public money is spent.
Some business groups raised concerns. They worry about losing local input and control. However, the state argues this move will allow faster and more direct funding decisions.
If Congress approves the initiative, decisions about economic development funding will shift to the state government. Local boards will no longer manage those resources.
What started as a sunny afternoon in Los Arenales ended in tragedy for 16-year-old Jennifer López Díaz. On Friday, April 11, she suffered a serious accident that caused a traumatic brain injury. Paramedics rushed her to IMSS Clinic 20 in Tijuana, where doctors worked to save her.
Despite their efforts, doctors confirmed that Jennifer had no brain activity. Her family faced the heartbreaking reality as she remained on life support.
But what followed brought hope in the middle of sorrow.
Jennifer’s mother and older sister made a brave choice. They gave permission to donate her organs. That decision gave life to six people. Her heart, liver, kidneys, and corneas went to patients who desperately needed them.
Jennifer wasn’t just generous in death—she was known for her kindness in life. She loved animals, nature, and always cared about others. Her final gift reflected who she truly was.
This moment also shifted the numbers. In 2024, Baja California recorded only 25 organ donors. Until Jennifer, 2025 had seen just four—all cornea donations. Jennifer changed that. She gave more than hope—she set a new standard.
Special medical teams flew in from Monterrey and Mexico City. They handled the transplants with care and precision.
Because of Jennifer, six people will live longer. Her light didn’t go out. It spread.
🕊️
Jennifer López Díaz
April 6, 2009 – April 11, 2025
Your kindness lives on.
This story was published with authorization from CNR TV Noticias. We thank them for sharing Jennifer’s story with us and the community.
