It’s all coming at a time when county officials continue to fight us on the release of public records. We are suing the county and our hosts offer more details about our fight to get records released.

Also on the show: Could the city of San Diego lose Liberty Station? There is a real possibility this could happen. We talk about the potential outcomes. 

Plus, believe it or not we have more news on the Midway district saga. 

Finally, South County reporter Jim Hinch joins us to update us on Chula Vista politics!

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On today's episode, Andrea, Bella, and Jakob talked about a lot of different topics today and even got to mention yellow thong bikini bottoms.

In the first season of HBO's TV show Neighbors, episode six features a local man who believes he is being wronged by his neighbors and others around San Diego. Why? He likes to work out in the front yard of his property which has neighbors concerned.

San Diego Unified teachers approved a tentative agreement that grants them five percent raises over the next two years and other perks, but our Jakob McWhinney has been following some of the drama behind the deal.

Also on the show: MacKenzie Elmer joined us to discuss her story on why humans may be to blame for the orphaning of two bear cubs in Monrovia, California.

After three years of reporting...and waiting...we have one more quick Petco Park concession scandal update after the attorney general of California sued the ringleaders of the scheme to try to recover the money.

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Former County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher is re-emerging post-controversy, holding a press conference, giving speeches, and launching a Substack, "Grounded," about his life on a family ranch.

The Padres' strong season and high franchise value ($3.5B+) fuel sale rumors. Potential bidders include Dan Friedkin, Jose Feliciano, Joe Lacob, and Tom Gores.

SB 958 has been filed to exempt the 4,200-home Midway Rising project (including an arena) from CEQA, bypassing potential traffic-related legal challenges.

City staff discovered that Chicano Park and a nearby property intended for the Boston Avenue Linear Park were incorrectly zoned for commercial use in the 2021 community plan. The errors came to light when community members questioned the potential sale of one of the sites by Caltrans to Soapy Joe’s car wash. City Council recently voted to correct the zoning to reflect the intended park use.

San Diego has a water surplus and is selling it, including a deal to provide 10,000 acre-feet annually to Temecula, expected to net $100 million over five years.

San Diego's One America News Network filed a restraining order against influencer Chelsea Goss (Gods) after she protested Matt Gaetz's hiring; Goss responded with an anti-SLAPP motion.

2:21 Nathan Fletcher re-ermerges
6:10 #Padres Opening Day and new potential buyer announced
22:09 Midway Rising files to be exempt from CEQA
32:25 We can't do this without you! 
33:22 Chicano Park zoning issue
44:28 San Diego's selling water!
59:52 OANN vs Chelsea Gods

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For the latest VOSD Podcast episode, our hosts Scott Lewis and Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña sat down with Chief Wahl to discuss policing and more.

With the federal governments immigration enforcement efforts, what is the San Diego Police Department's the role? Are officers prepared for possible attacks from Iran?

License plate readers are just one of the many tools police have to investigate crimes. What do license plate readers know about us? How often are we being watched by technology? And can AI help the police department be more efficient?

Plus: How does the department handle misconduct investigations? And, what changes has Chief Wahl implemented to reduce police overtime?

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After two years and lots of investigating, VOSD's Will Huntsberry saw the finish line for his story which uncovered a fake nonprofit running concessions at Petco Park - and pocketing around $2 million. He explains what the news is and what it feels like to make a difference. 

Also on the show: We get into a really big news week for local politics with longtime Republican Rep. Darrell Issa announcing he will not seek reelection. The podcast crew talks about what that means. Plus, Scott Lewis wants to know why people can't put their phone down at concerts.

Finally, the local nonprofit that prosecutors say stole county money has provoked questions about county oversight. A "special review" is now underway. We'll explain. 

We're on YouTube now! Watch the podcast at youtube.com/voiceofsandiego.

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The second home tax is back. This time it spares vacation rentals. However, it’s on a fast track to the ballot. We tell you how it will work. 

Lisa Halverstadt had a big update after prosecutors said they believe a nonprofit executive may have misallocated even more funds meant to save people from overdoses of fentanyl and heroin.

The crew talked about former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey running for city council last week and this week Scott reached out and shared some further clarifications for Bailey's future. 

A Padres pitcher had an unfortunate injury in Spring Training but Scott Lewis decided to take this opportunity for a little PSA. 

Finally, our intern Rami Alarian joined us to talk about his story about police using helicopters to break up college house parties. 

We are on YouTube now! Watch the podcast and see Bella's videos at youtube.com/voiceofsandiego,

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Let us explain. The New York Times featured San Diego's Amy Reichert in a story after she teamed up with Youtuber Nick Shirley to try to uncover fraud in San Diego child care facilities. Shirley's previous coverage of the topic went viral in Minneapolis. The newspaper defined their political posts as slopulism. Related: After Shirley's visit to San Diego, our reporters explained what he did and did not find here.

Top story: Our Lisa Halverstadt broke the news that Amy Knox, who had managed the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego’s finances, was charged with three felony counts of misappropriation of public money and three felony counts of fraudulent appropriation for allegedly using nonprofit funds for plastic surgeries, high-end clothes, a vacation to Hawaii and more.

Also on the show: Former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey announced he is going to be running for San Diego City Council.

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On this week's episode the VOSD Podcast crew broke down Jakob McWhinney's reporting on some startling stats on how empty San Diego Unified School district schools are. Yet another chapter in the enrollment crisis they refuse to discuss. 

The Republican Party in San Diego used to have big meetings and lots of influence in town. Now, not so much. We give our thoughts on the state of the Republican party in San Diego.

Also on the podcast: Bad Bunny's Super Bowl hafltime show was controversial, but we think President Donald Trump could have used to this to score some points. Also, we talk about the guy who touched off chaos in Minnesota with his video alleging widespread fraud. He came to San Diego. We tell you what we know about what he actually found and did not find. 

We are on YouTube now! Watch our podcasts every Friday by visting youtube.com/voiceofsandiego.

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Our own Lisa Halverstadt dug in and reported on a county supervisor considering pushing reforms that may include electing a county mayor. In other words there’d be a mayor and a mayor. Our hosts tells you what everything means and what has to happen. 

The Epstein Files are proving to include many, many, many high profile "leaders". Jakob McWhinney went down the rabbit hole and explained why one of San Diego's own was found in the files, and what was being alleged.

Also on the show: Sheel Seidler drops majority of claims in her lawsuit which should pave the way for a sale of the team. We discussed the H barracks parking situation and found a little more information as to why people can't park there during the day.

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In this week's episode our hosts were joined by chair of the San Diego Democratic Party, Will Rodriguez-Kennedy to discuss issues we will likely talk about in 2026. 

First, last Friday activists barricaded themselves in Mayor Todd Gloria's office to protest ICE presence in San Diego. Bella Ross broke down what the role of SDPD is if and when a similar situation to Minneapolis descends on San Diego. 

There is a growing problem in San Diego in regards to a housing shortage in San Diego while short term rentals are being bought up by public investment firms. Our hosts discuss what the city needs to do to protect housing while allowing these businesses to operate. 

Finally, Will Rodriguez-Kennedy gave his thoughts on some of the upcoming political races in 2026. He also gave a little behind the scenes look into how political candidates are handled when it may be time to drop out of their respective race.

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On the latest episode, our hosts talk about Todd Gloria's State of the City address and the topics he covered. Can the city move the needle on redeveloping the Sports Arena and Golden Hall? Are the convention center's modernization plans going to be actual modern improvements? Our hosts break it down.

Also on the show: San Diego Unified’s longtime school board trustee is ready to get a promotion. He’s eying the state superintendent seat.

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It's the most wonderful time of the year! Ok, maybe not, but with 2026 underway we were all looking ahead to Mayor Todd Gloria's State of the City address. Our own Will Hunstberry published a deep look into how leaders of San Diego feel Mayor Gloria has done since last year's State of the City address.

Bella Ross took a look at the San Diego River and the developments built on the flood plain, which can cause major problems for homes and businesses when San Diego gets heavy rain. Plus, why is there always one person who gets stuck in a flooded street near Fashion Valley?

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Scott talked with her about the current state of the Republican party, her feuds with Carl DeMaio over the years, her efforts with Restore San Diego, and a lot more on local issues that face all San Diegans.

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Have you ever walked past a neighbor's house and heard chickens clucking from their backyard? Well, Andrea now has chickens and she gave the rest of the crew the rules and regulations set forth by the city of San Diego.

Some quick updates: The group pushing for a county sales tax are moving forward with their effort and we talked about what to expect. The San Diego Zoo is now going to charge for parking. Plus, a preview of Voice of San Diego's Beef Week!

With the holidays coming up Andrea, Jakob and Bella took turns talking about some different stories you can share with your family. But that wasn't all! They ranked each story by how safe the subject was for those holiday family functions.

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The San Diego City Council approves a water rate hike for two years instead of four. How does that affect you? The county supervisors are trying to balance the budget behind closed doors. Jakob details the approval of safe parking by San Diego Unified and what it means for the future. Plus, La Jolla scores a big win against the city of San Diego. 

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The big development at Sports Arena is once again falling apart because of the city’s inability to not trip over itself. We’ll explain why the project leaders and city officials think they can still build it. 

Plus, the city of San Diego is trying to protect people from ICE raids and stop the police from helping. We’ll examine what exactly they’re trying to do.

SHOW NOTES

BANTER 

UT - Property Tax Bills - What’s That???

Thousands of city of San Diego residents have flooded county offices over concern about increased property taxes but, in some cases, there is a simple explanation: trash.

After decades of offering trash collection for free, city of San Diego will now charge many residents for trash collection. Residents got their first-ever annual trash charge of $523.20 in property tax bills that went out in early October.

San Diego County Assessor Jordan Marks said his office, and the tax collector’s, have been inundated with in-person visits and phone calls about higher bills. He said there have been more than 2,000 inquiries over the charge, but it was hard to pinpoint an exact number because it’s been a steady stream for weeks. Residents who call the office, at 619-236-3771, get sent to an automated phone tree with the first option to ask about the trash fee.

“The city of San Diego levied and controls this trash fee on your property tax bills,” says a voice recording. “They are the only party that can answer your important questions and address your issues.”

SEGMENT 1 - Court Ruling

Morning Report: Mayor: ‘Failure I s Not an Option’ for Midway Project

Three days after the 4th District Court of Appeal once again threw out a voter-approved measure that lifted the building height limit for the Midway neighborhood, it was still not clear what it meant for the nearly $4 billion development project at the city’s Sports Arena land.  The mayor said…

Twice, in five years, the city of San Diego has put on the ballot a measure to lift the height limit in the Midway neighborhood. Twice, voters approved it. And, now twice, a Court has thrown it all out because the city didn’t fully study the measures’ impact to the environment.

SEGMENT 2 - Vacation Property Tax 

Vacation Home Tax Moves Forward

San Diego Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera’s proposal to tax vacation homes and empty second homes is moving forward.

Battle Lines Drawn on Vacation Rental Tax

Wednesday, the Rules Committee for the San Diego City Council will consider Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera’s push for a tax on empty second homes and vacation rentals.

Basics: 

• 10K homes
• Half second homes. Half vacation rentals 
• They can tell based on tax rolls
  Won’t affect anyone renting out bedroom or normal landlords
• Won’t affect ADUs on “accessories” to main property

SEGMENT 3

ICE (baby) Local Ordinance - Bella’s vid

KPBS - San Diego City Council passes ordinance restricting SDPD from ICE collaboration

Citing a spike in Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and arrests, the San Diego City Council unanimously gave tentative approval to an ordinance Monday intended to prevent local law enforcement from joining certain federal task forces.

The Due Process and Safety Ordinance will set "clear legal boundaries that protect residents, workers, and visitors regardless of immigration status, gender identity, disability, or healthcare decisions," according to a staff document from Councilman Sean Elo-Rivera's office.

City staff will meet with recognized employee organizations such as the San Diego Police Officers Association to ensure the SDPD will be able to effectively do its job without joining certain task forces led by the federal government.

Elo-Rivera, who sponsored the ordinance, thanked the dozens of people who spoke at the meeting and acknowledged that many in the community may not have felt safe to speak out.

"We can't promise that the federal government won't make your nightmares a reality," he said to young residents in the council chamber waiting for the vote. "I so badly wish I could make that promise to you. Every day the Trump regime makes good on its promise of cruelty, hatred and vindictiveness."

CREDITS

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of those campaigns was to raise a tax to fund an expansion of the Convention Center. It failed spectacularly. But then another initiative made the ballot in 2020 and courts have finally decided that voters actually approved it. But the Convention Center expansion is not happening. 

And finally it continues to deal with enrollment declines, the San Diego Unified School District does not know or won’t say exactly how many students each school can fit. 

SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1 - POLITIFEST ROUNDUP

Scott and Co. banter about the October 4, 2025 edition of Politifest, aka the festival of politics at the University of San Diego.

SEGMENT 2 - SDUSD’S UNKNOWN SCHOOL CAPACITY

VOSD - San Diego Unified Doesn’t Know How Many Students Each School Can Fit

As districts across the county grapple with enrollment decline that will likely get worse in coming decades, San Diego Unified officials say they don’t actually know what the capacity is for each of the district’s schools.

SEGMENT 3 - REGISTRAR OF VOTERS MAY HAVE BEEN TOO STRICT

Registrar of Voters Suddenly Made It Easier to Qualify Ballot Measures with Signatures

After decades of imposing a strict, unforgiving interpretation of compliance with petitions, the Registrar of Voters has quietly updated its guidance.

SEGMENT 4 - CONVENTION CENTER

San Diego Finally Secures Hundreds of Millions for a Convention Center Expansion; But It Isn’t Expanding the Convention Center

After 20 years of failed signature gathering efforts, court battles and legally questionable efforts to raise hotel-room taxes, the city of San Diego has finally secured hundreds of millions of dollars for a long-planned expansion of the San Diego Convention Center. 

But city officials are not going to do it. 

CREDITS

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SHOW NOTES

Here are all the videos from last weekend's Politifest 2025

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SEGMENT 1 - POLITIFEST

Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025

Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego.

Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest

Politics Report: Politifest Brain

My politics mind has been focused on Politifest this week.

When we started Politifest in 2011, I envisioned an idyllic outdoor party – beer garden, tug of wars (tugs of war?), dunk tank, exhibits — where politics could be the central feature. Over time, it evolved into a day-long collection of debates and panel discussions.

The tugs of war didn’t draw the crowd but the debates did.

This year, we have taken another step in its evolution. You’ll have to help us decide if this mutation survives.

Solutions Showdown: We made each session a problem and asked participants to present their solution. They will present their solutions and then the moderator will manage a good discussion between them and then the audience will vote on a winner.

SEGMENT 2 - EDDIE VEDDERGATE

Vedder Cup

Eddie Vedder leads "Wrigley Field in Take Me Out To The Ballgame"

SEGMENT 3 - COUNTY PHARMACY CHIEF’S MOONLIGHTING POSES QUESTIONS

VOSD  - County’s Pharmacy Chief Also Works at a Law Firm

The county of San Diego’s chief pharmacy officer, who collects a $232,419 yearly salary, moonlights as a partner at a New York-based law firm that advises pharmaceutical companies.

SEGMENT 4 - KENT LEE

San Diego’s Water Department Is Not Alright

If the San Diego City Council doesn’t pass water rate increases, the city will probably have to lay off Public Utilities Staff, analysts say. 

SEGMENT 5 - UNCHARTED WATERS

Mayor’s Water Rate Increase ‘Dead on Arrival’

San Diego city councilmembers join forces to stall a proposed rate increase even though city staff warn too much delay could risk staff layoffs or falling behind on debt repayments. 

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have an update on San Diego Unified School District’s decision to close the middle school portions of some K through 8 schools. They’ve already backtracked on one. 

And finally South Bay reporter Jim Hinch has a fascinating story out of National City. How a falling out between friends came to dominate small town politics.

SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1 - POLITIFEST

Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025

Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego.

Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest

SEGMENT 2 - LEONARDO DI CAPRIO WAS IN TOWN AND DIDN’T SAY HI

County News Center - New Blockbuster Already a Big Hit in San Diego County

It doesn’t arrive in theaters until Friday, but a new blockbuster movie generating Oscar buzz has already been a big financial hit for San Diego County.

“One Battle After Another,” a new Warner Bros. movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn and others, spent about six weeks filming on location in San Diego County in 2024. And it pumped nearly $7 million into the local economy, according to Warner Bros. accounting.

The movie was written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, best known for his 2007 film, “There Will Be Blood,” 2012’s “The Master,” and 2014’s “Inherent Vice.” His new movie stars DiCaprio as an aging, in-hiding, former revolutionary who is pushed into trying to save his teenage daughter by the return of an old enemy, Sean Penn’s “Col. Lockjaw.”

SEGMENT 3 - MATT VESPI

Port of San Diego  - Matt Vespi Will Join the Port of San Diego as Chief Administrative Officer

Port of San Diego President and CEO Scott Chadwick has appointed Matthew Vespi as the Port’s new chief administrative officer. Vespi has over 20 years of public sector experience including oversight of human resources, information technology, employee safety, labor standards and enforcement, performance and analytics, strategic planning, and more.

SEGMENT 4 - MIDDLE SCHOOL 

San Diego Unified Superintendent Walks Back One of Four K-8 Middle School Closures

After we reported San Diego Unified’s plan to cut middle school grades at four of its K-8 schools, district leaders have decided to keep one open. Still, three others are slated for closure.

SEGMENT 5 - UNCHARTED WATERS

City Staff Deflect Blame Away from Pure Water Before San Diego’s Big Water Rate Vote

City staff dropped updated costs of a huge wastewater-to-drinking water recycling project showing that its water would be cheaper than buying from the Water Authority.

Segment 6 - NATIONAL CITY TELENOVELA
A Broken Friendship Is Breaking National City Hall

A development dispute has spiraled into a months-long saga of corruption accusations, lawsuits, allegations of mishandled human remains, shouting matches at City Council meetings, a sexual harassment investigation and a claim against the city filed by the mayor’s executive assistant. 

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nathan Fletcher reappeared. We’ll review his first public comments since he went from the most prominent politician in San Diego to just gone. 

San Diego Unified School District is changing some kindergarten through 8th grade schools to just kindergarten through fifth grade.They’ve already backtracked on one.  Is this the beginning of many years of these tough conversations?

And joining us today to talk about the city of San Diego is its city council president Joe LaCava. It was a big week of new fees, new minimum wage and a plan to protect people from ICE.

SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1 - POLITIFEST

Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025

Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego.

Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest

SEGMENT 2 - LA CAVA - FLETCHER

Politics Report: Good Luck, Council President

The San Diego City Council chose Joe LaCava as its new president Tuesday.

It was a recognition of LaCava’s decency and his efforts to position himself between the poles of this all-Democratic City Council. And it was a win for Mayor Todd Gloria. Gloria told us on the podcast that he didn’t have a preference for who got the Council president role. Maybe, but Gloria’s team sure did and they were pleased with LaCava.
by Jakob McWhinney - December 4, 2024

Morning Report: Fletcher’s Accuser Files Complaint Against His Wife

Nathan Fletcher’s accuser is asking a court to protect her from his wife, Lorena Gonzalez.  Grecia Figueroa filed a civil harassment restraining order request against Gonzalez on Monday, just days after Fletcher made his first public appearance since the abrupt end of his political career in 2023, when Figueroa accused him of sexual harassment

SEGMENT 3 - SDUSD CLOSING SCHOOLS - THE CITY’S MINIMUM WAGE DEAL

The Learning Curve: San Diego Unified May Reverse One K-8 Closure

News that the district would axe middle school grades from four of its K-8 schools elicited significant pushback from some families. Now, district leaders may walk back one closure.

Politics Report: Minimum Wage Dealmaking Wraps Up

Recently a poll circulated gauging the public’s interest in an initiative to repeal the new trash fee the city of San Diego implemented. I don’t know yet who did the poll but just that it was out there may have been the point. The message: We can hit back. Big hotels, SeaWorld, the Padres all…

SEGMENT 4 - PARKING AT BALBOA - CITY ORDINANCE TO PROTECT SAN DIEGANS FROM “LAWLESS FEDERAL AGENTS”

Morning Report: No More Free Parking at Balboa

Balboa Park visitors can forget about free parking.  The San Diego City Council on Monday OK’d parking fees for Balboa Park. They agreed to delay charging for parking until city staff develop frequent visitor passes, but that move could cost the city millions.  Councilmembers dropped some parking rates for residents and increased rates for tourists…

From NBC San Diego: City, county leaders unveil proposed ordinance aimed at federal enforcement actions

The Due Process and Safety Ordinance seeks to put safeguards and protections in place in the event of "discriminatory and warrantless federal activity" in local neighborhoods.

SEGMENT 5 - CITY SEAL AND FLAG

Official City of San Diego Flag

Official City of San Diego FlagThe official flag of the City of San Diego was adopted by the City Council on Oct. 16, 1934, when a sample banner was submitted by Albert V. Mayrhofer, on behalf of the California Historical Association, Native Sons of the Golden West, Native Daughters of the Golden West, and The San Diegans.

The flag is composed of three vertical bars, from left to right, red, white and gold. In the center white field is the official seal of the City and beneath it the date "1542," the year explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo first entered San Diego Bay and claimed the area for Spain. The use of the three vertical bars is reminiscent of the colors of the flag of Spain, which flew over Cabrillo's ship.

Official City of San Diego Seal

The official seal of the City of San Diego consists of a coat of arms within a circle. Above the arms are the names of the City and the state, and below the arms is the City’s official motto. official seal of the City of San Diego

In 1913, the City Council authorized the City Clerk to invite design submissions for an official seal. The previous seal depicted an outdated cityscape. The winning design was the work of architect Carleton Monroe Winslow (1876-1946). Winslow would go onto design multiple buildings for the Panama-California Exposition in Balboa Park, and the Bishop's School in La Jolla. The new seal was adopted by Resolution 17024 on April 15, 1914.

Segment 6 - LA JOLLA SUCCESSION & HOT TAKE

La Jollans Are Trying to Divorce San Diego (Again)

Since the 1950s San Diegans living in the La Jolla neighborhood have been uncomfortable with their semi-separate status. What they’ve really wanted is to be independent. Every effort thus far has failed – will the latest one be any different?

School District Closes PB Park Because of Dog Poop and Holes

During the Thursday recording of the Voice of San Diego Podcast, San Diego City Council President Joe LaCava dropped some news: “The joint use field at Crown Point Junior Music Academy is going to be closed to the public because of the dogs and the dog owners that have beaten up the field so badly that it is now unplayable and dangerous for the students.”

LaCava predicted more of San Diego Unified’s joint-use fields would close in the future.

“I think the school district is finally going to say ‘Enough is enough. We cant risk the health of our students,’” LaCava said.

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

San Diego County Water Authority leaders may have thought the chatter about dissolving their agency may be in the past then came LAFCO. The funny agency nobody knew about is making headlines again. 

And guests to the Zoo spend a bunch of money in San Diego. The Zoo and the city want them to spend a bit more.

SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1 - Promos

Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025

Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego.

Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest

SEGMENT 2 - Palm Trees Are Not Trees

There’s a particular palm tree making its mark on Southern California... and not in a good way.

The Mexican fan palm — those tall, classic pseudo-trees along with other invasive species — isn’t native to Southern California, but nonetheless maintains a death grip on its ecological landscape.

Within the past year, San Diego has seen multiple canyon fires propelled by these pesky out-of-towners. And within weeks of the smoke clearing, they’re already resprouting, providing fuel for another fire before native plants are able to regenerate.

While fire is a natural to California’s ecosystem, necessary for many native plants to survive, it can be detrimental if it occurs too frequently.

This is one of many reasons San Diego won’t be planting them on public land anymore. Our intern, Tessa Balc, sat down with the executive director of @sdcanyonlands to see how we can nurture San Diego’s native landscape.

🎥: Tessa Balc

SEGMENT 3 - Nathan Fletcher is Returning to the News Cycle

ICYMI: Judge Dismisses Suit Against Nathan Fletcher

by Scott Lewis and Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña - August 8, 2025

SEGMENT 4 - YES We’re Talking About Minimum Wage in San Diego Again

ICYMI: Politics Report: Zoo Freed from Minimum Wage Push

by Scott Lewi - August 30, 2025 

SEGMENT 5 - Shaffer and the Outstretched Palms Incident

North County Report: Inside Luke Shaffer’s First Day in Court

County prosecutors are going after the Encinitas councilmember for an alleged hit-and-run. Here’s what went on during his first court appearance.  

by Tigist Layne - September 10, 2025

Segment 6 - LAFCO and the Water Authority

Blowing Up the Water Authority Isn’t Off the Table at LAFCO

The group that rubber stamped a divorce from the agency plans to look at getting rid of the agency altogether.  

by MacKenzie Elmer - September 9, 2025

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tap in for an unfiltered conversation where co-hosts Scott Lewis, Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña, Jakob McWhinney, Will Huntsberry and Bella Ross grapple with our concerns surrounding this new technology, and how we may consider using it to deliver more, better journalism. 

Should this include public disclaimers when AI is deployed? What is the bar for such a disclaimer? Are certain kinds of writing more sacred than others? We hope to answer these questions over the course of a few episodes -- with your help!

We encourage listeners to share your thoughts about all of this as we continue to work on a policy that is both ethical and forward-thinking. Please email Scott@VOSD.org to weigh in before our next episode!

Support the show at vosd.org/podpeople

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prop 50 mailers are hitting mailboxes and the ads are on TV. We’ve talked about it the last two podcasts but now it’s already set a congressional race in motion.

SHOW NOTES

Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025

Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego.

Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest

SEGMENT 2 - Subscriptions Gone Wild

The Atlantic wrote about Alden Global Capital, the U-T’s owners, four years ago.

“What threatens local newspapers now is not just digital disruption or abstract market forces. They’re being targeted by investors who have figured out how to get rich by strip-mining local-news outfits. The model is simple: Gut the staff, sell the real estate, jack up subscription prices, and wring as much cash as possible out of the enterprise until eventually enough readers cancel their subscriptions that the paper folds, or is reduced to a desiccated husk of its former self,” the magazine wrote.

Bottom line: I think the U-T’s journalism is worth $2,000 a year, if it were a philanthropic cause and I could afford that. We have lots of donors who make bigger contributions than that. But this is not the way and it’s hurting trust.

Nieman Lab 

Alden Global Capital is miffed that The Dallas Morning News won’t offer itself up for disembowelment

The hedge fund threatens to shift their takeover bid to shareholders — while trying to sweet-talk the only shareholder that matters.

SEGMENT 3 - Minimum Wage, the Cost of Living, and the Padres

SD Chamber teams up with Padres

SEGMENT 4 - Congressional Race - The (potentially) Redrawn 48th District

Mason Herron ran numbers:

Congressional District 48 - Issa

Trump +15.3%

Trump: 56.4% | Harris: 41.1%

Harris +2.6%

Trump: 47.4% | Harris: 50.0%

Congressional District 49 - Levin

Harris +7.8%

Trump: 44.7% | Harris: 52.5%

Harris +12.1%

Trump: 42.5% | Harris: 54.6%

Congressional District 50 - Peters

Harris +29.6%

Trump: 33.6% | Harris: 63.1%

Harris +17.5%

Trump: 39.7% | Harris: 57.2%

Congressional District 51 - Jacobs

Harris +23.5%

Trump: 36.7% | Harris: 60.2%

Harris +18.0%

Trump: 39.6% | Harris: 57.5%

Congressional District 52 - Vargas

Harris +21.2%

Trump: 38.1% | Harris: 59.3%

Harris +16.8%

Trump: 40.3% | Harris: 57.1%

• San Diego City Councilwoman Marni von Wilpert announces congressional campaign

"I've spent my career fighting for workers, women's rights and safety for everyone — the very priorities Darrell Issa and Donald Trump attack at every turn," she said. "This will be a must-win seat to take Congress back from Trump, and I'm the only Democratic candidate running who has won an election, flipped a seat from red-to-blue and actually delivered for working people."

Early endorsements include State Senators Catherine Blakespear and Steve Padilla, Assemblymembers Tasha Boerner and Chris Ward, San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and her council colleagues Stephen Whitburn and Jen Campbell, among others.

• Ammar Campa-Najjar has also found a hat to throw into the ring

"This campaign is about making sure that all families, from San Diego to Riverside, have a representative who works for them," Campa-Najjar said in a statement released Friday. "That's why I've officially filed to run in CA- 48. If the proposed maps are approved, I'll be on the ballot, ready to represent this community and fight for a fair economy, affordable health care, and take on corruption."

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The County Board of Supes has officially voted to tap into previously off-limits county reserves, but thanks to a labor agreement nearly half of those funds are already spoken for. 

Also, why an aging north county dam has one company saying “Damn!”

And finally, Assemblyman Chris Ward is calling into to talk about a controversial housing bill and the redistricting ballot measure he supported.

SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1 - Promos

Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025
Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego.

Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest

SEGMENT 2 - Richard Bailey and Scott Peters give slightly committed running for office vibes
AXIOS
Meet the former mayor turned micro influencer who's making city policy go viral
Richard Bailey was Coronado's mayor until last yera. Now he's weighing in on big San Diego issues.

POLITICO
The House Dems bracing for redistricting sacrifices

SEGMENT 3 - County Reserves
Voice of San Diego
Lisa Halverstadt
If County Dips Into Reserves, Millions Would go to Employee Bonuses
If county supervisors vote to approve updates to the county’s reserve policy Tuesday, county employees are set to receive bonuses.

SEGMENT 4 - Damn Dams
Voice of San Diego
Tigist Layne
San Diego Is Getting Sued Because of One of Its Troubled Dam
A $300 million lawsuit claims the city’s release of water from El Capitan Dam damaged a property meant for sand mining.

SEGMENT 5 - Sunset Cliffshanger
Voice of San Diego
MacKenzie Elmer
How the City Will Save Sunset Cliffs from Sea Level Rise

The city is proposing to move cliff parking onto the street and eliminate a lane of traffic at the southern point at Sunset Cliffs.

SEGMENT 6 - Redistricting with Chris Ward
Ballotpedia
California Proposition 50, Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment (2025)

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We haven’t had a chance yet to talk about it but we should: A judge dismissed the sexual harassment case against Nathan Fletcher that ended his career. But he’s still got one going against the accuser. 

And we have a special guest here co-hosting – Congressman Scott Peters is in the studio. We’ve got a lot to discuss with him. 

SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1 - Promos

Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025

Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego.

Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest

SEGMENT 2 - Banter

The City

The Chips Fall as Rivals Fry the Mayor

The jokes and jabs are flying as Eric Adams’ closest aides was slapped with new criminal charges the day after another of his longtime allies offered a reporter cash inside a potato chip bag.

SEGMENT 3 - Organic Waste

Voice of San Diego

MacKenzie

To Compost or Not to Compost: The Pizza Box

Whether you can put pizza boxes in your green bin is largely dependent on who picks up your trash.

SEGMENT 4 - Nathan Fletcher

NBC7 San Diego
Judge dismisses Nathan Fletcher sexual harassment lawsuit

The lawsuit by former MTS public relations specialist Grecia Figueroa was set to go to trial next month, but Superior Court Judge Matthew Braner ruled that too much evidence had been deleted or not turned over to the defense for the case to go before a jury.

SEGMENT 5 - Redistricting and the California Democratic Party

Cal Matters
Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan is on its way to voters. What you need to know

Cal Matters
5 things to know about Gavin Newsom’s plan to redraw California’s election maps

The Assembly just passed the first vote that would pave the way for mid-decade redistricting. Some background on our independent commission.

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve got a special guest host today, former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey is in the studio. He’s now become something of a conservative tiktok pundit weighing in mostly on city of San Diego politics. He’ll explain why you should care. 

And finally, El Cajon stopped having police respond to some mental health calls and a big debate has erupted there since our story about it. We’ll break down the latest. 

SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1 - Promos

Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025

Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego.

Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest

SEGMENT 2 - Banter

VOSD

Politics Report: Padres Do Some Polling

Fox5 San Diego

Tickets available soon for San Diego Rodeo at Petco Park

SEGMENT 3 

The Coronado News

The Coronado News’ second anniversary

New Revenue Hub

We support journalism that improves lives — and fights misinformation.

Tijuana/ US Sewage
EPA

United States and Mexico Reach Agreement to Permanently and Urgently End Decades-Long Tijuana River Sewage Crisis

Enivronment California

RELEASE: Pathogen risks found at 79% of California beaches tested in 2024

SEGMENT 5 - 

Trump Policies

Pew Research
Trump’s Tariffs and ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Face More Opposition Than Support as His Job Rating Slips

Gallup
Surge in U.S. Concern About Immigration Has Abated

Migration Policy Institute 
Profile of the Unauthorized Population:United States

Carl DeMaio
VOSD
VOSD Assemblymember Carl DeMaio Is Back To Promoting Ballot Initiatives

SEGMENT 6 - 

El Cajon Police
El Cajon Official: Want Cops to Back Up County Crisis Teams? Pay Up.
El Cajon councilmembers reviewing their police department’s shift on crisis call responses had a lot of questions about San Diego County’s crisis call policies.

Development

VOSD
In Whose Backyard

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mack is Back! Mackenzie Elmer our environment reporter is dropping in to discuss bobcats that have been terrorizing the Wild Animal Park. And why the big news about a big Mexico/USA deal on the border sewage crisis is deja vu. 

Finally hospitals used to panic that SB 43 would flood them with patients with drug and menthal health challenge who were being committed against their will. But so far that has’n’t happened. We’ll explain why.

SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1 - Promos

Meet our South County reporter, Jim Hinch, on August 13 at the Civic Center Branch Library in Chula Vista for a discussion about his latest investigations and how they impact residents in South County.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

RSVP at vosd.org/event to reserve your spot.

The City of Chula Vista Public Library does not advocate nor endorse the views or positions expressed by the users of its facilities.

Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025

Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego.

Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest

SEGMENT 2 - Pricey Petco Parking on City Streets

Union-Tribune

$10-an-hour parking comes to Petco Park next month

This week, city crews are installing around 400 signs on curbs downtown to let drivers know about the new parking-meter rates taking effect Sept. 1

Instagram

Richard Bailey on the parking fee increase around the ballpark

SEGMENT 3 - Border Sewage and Bobcats with Mackenzie

VOSD

South County Report: EPA Visits Tijuana River

VOSD

Environment Report: That Time Bobcats Dined on San Diego Zoo Animals  

A USDA report shows bobcats broke into zoo facilities three times and made birds and antelope their dinner.

SEGMENT 4 - Mission Bay Parking

VOSD
New Safe Parking Site Frees City to Push Campers Out of Mission Bay
Legal hurdles had forced police to stop ticketing RVs in Mission Bay. But now police are beginning to crack down again.

SEGMENT 5 - SB43 

Forced Treatment Hasn’t Flooded Hospital Emergency Rooms – Yet
County supervisors postponed implementation of a conservatorship state law in response to fears that hospitals could be inundated with new patients.

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

That’s right. The bad boy of North County with a history of failing to follow housing laws is actually building homes. Housing, or lack of, is among the top issues in our region and senior investigative reporter Will Huntsberry has spent months analyzing housing data. He’s here to dish on his findings. 

Also, we’ve gone over how there are far fewer kids in San Diego schools than there were a decade ago. We’ll explain what school leaders are doing to address enrollment decline.

SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1 VOSD Events

Meet our South County reporter, Jim Hinch, on August 13 at the Civic Center Branch Library in Chula Vista for a discussion about his latest investigations and how they impact residents in South County.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

RSVP at vosd.org/event to reserve your spot.

The City of Chula Vista Public Library does not advocate nor endorse the views or positions expressed by the users of its facilities.

Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025

Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego.

Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest

SEGMENT 2 The Tsunami Warnings

KPBS

8.8 magnitude quake strikes off Russia's Far East. Tsunami waves reach Japan, Hawaii and California

BBC

Waves reach US west coast after Russian earthquake as Japan lifts tsunami warnings

SEGMENT 3  In Whose Backyard?

In Whose Backyard? Is our new series that tackles housing in San Diego County.

And it is a stat lover’s cornucopia of information. 

The Places in San Diego Meeting Their Housing Goals Will Blow Your Mind

by Will Huntsberry 17 hours ago

Encinitas, shockingly, is closer to meeting its state-mandated housing number than any other city in San Diego County.

San Diego Is Building a Lot of New Homes, But Not Always in Places That Need Them Most

by Jake Gotta / KPBS July 30, 2025

San Diego Housing Data Reveal Fastest Growth in Urban Core

by Andrew Bowen / KPBS July 29, 2025

In Whose Backyard? Where Homes Are Being Built in San Diego

by Will Huntsberry July 28, 2025

Coronado and Imperial Beach Haven’t Produced a Single Affordable Home in Years

by Will Huntsberry July 16, 2025

El Cajon Lags Behind Rest of Cities in Home Building Per Capita

by Will Huntsberry July 7, 2025

SEGMENT 4 Education

The Progress Report: How Some Schools Are Trying to Counter Enrollment Decline

Despite having little control over the unwieldy factors driving enrollment decline, school leaders are taking steps to push back on the frightening trend.

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

El Cajon police have stopped responding to calls when a person says they’re going to hurt themselves. They blame lawyers but it’s complicating the response of civilian teams as well, we’ll explain.

And we talked about school enrollment plunging across the county but there are a couple schools in particular seeing major surges in enrollment. How two charter schools are racking up their numbers. 

Plus an update on the water drama. Always fun. 

SHOW NOTES

Segment 1
County Supervisors swear in a new Sup and waste no time getting started.

Aguirre Cements Democrats’ Control of County Government 
Newly elected South County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre took office Tuesday promising to clean up the Tijuana River and prioritize the needs of working San Diegans. She and fellow Democrats on the Board of Supervisors moved swiftly to implement their agenda. 
by Jim Hinch
July 22, 2025

Segment 2
Why would El Cajon police ignore calls for help?

A Crisis Team Responding to a Suicide Attempt Asked for Help, El Cajon Police Refused
A June incident where El Cajon police repeatedly declined to help a civilian crisis response team emphasizes the challenges tied to the department’s decision to stop responding to some crisis calls. 
by Lisa Halverstadt
10 hours ago

Fearing Lawsuits, El Cajon Police Stopped Responding to Some Mental Health Calls
The decision means county mental health teams sometimes also can’t respond to crisis calls involving a threat to a single person or lack police support when they do. 
by Lisa Halverstadt and Tessa Balc
July 23, 2025

Segment 2
There's another reason why enrollments are declining county wide

San Diego County’s Schools Have 27,000 Fewer Students Than a Decade Ago. It Will Get Worse.
Over the past decade, enrollment at San Diego County public schools has declined by about five percent. That means there are 27,000 fewer students in local schools. State officials are projecting rates of decline will only get worse, which will force educators to make some hard decisions. 
by Jakob McWhinney
July 15, 2025

Segment 3
More Water Chisme (Kinda like the budget, the story has legs)

Politics Report: Water Authority Moves On
by Scott Lewis
July 19, 2025

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local water managers are demanding an apology from one of their colleagues. Apologies after demands for apologies are always the best apologies. We’ll explain why this matters. 

And Jakob published an extraordinary analysis and maps this week of how many fewer kids there are in San Diego schools. Why that is.

SHOW NOTES

SEGMENT 1 

Meet the Beat: Voice in North County

Join our North County reporter, Tigist Layne on July 24 at the Escondido History Museum at 6 p.m. to talk about the stories she’s watching that impact residents in North County.

Seats are limited. RSVP at vosd.org/events.

Politifest

Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025

Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego.

Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest

SEGMENT 2 San Diego City Budget

Mayor: Nah, I Won’t Be Laying Staff Off

by Mariana Martínez Barba

July 15, 2025

SEGMENT 3  Where’d the Kids Go

San Diego County’s Schools Have 27,000 Fewer Students Than a Decade Ago. It Will Get Worse.

Over the past decade, enrollment at San Diego County public schools has decline by about five percent. That means there are 27,000 fewer students in local schools. State officials are projecting rates of decline will only get worse, which will force educators to make some hard decisions. 

by Jakob McWhinney

July 15, 2025

SEGMENT 4 Water Wars

Water Managers Want Apology

by Scott Lewis

July 9, 2025

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Trump administration’s grant freeze has put millions of school funds in jeopardy. The decision has some school leaders scrambling. 

Our Jakob McWhinney got nerdy and figured out just how much money San Diego County stands to lose. Also, a San Diego Unified Board Trustee is calling it quits after one term. We’ll explain why. 

And, meet our new City Hall reporter, Mariana Martinez Barba!

SHOW NOTES

INTRO 00:00:44

SEGMENT 1 00:01:33 - Support VOSD

SEGMENT 2 00:02:15 - Banter

SEGMENT 3 00:08:27 - Spring Valley Swap Meet

Addressing false ICE sighting

https://www.instagram.com/p/DL7-rW-vAjn

SEGMENT 4 00:13:45 - Meet our new City Hall beat reporter Mariana Martinez Barba

https://www.reportforamerica.org/

BREAK 00:19:14 

SEGMENT 4 00:19:24 - Drowning in Education News

Trump Froze $50 Million in Education Funds. Here’s How Hard Each Local District Was Hit

The Trump administration’s freezing of a slew of federal grants has left $50 million for San Diego County schools up in the air.

https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/07/10/trump-froze-50-million-in-education-funds-heres-how-hard-each-local-district-was-hit/

The Learning Curve: San Diego Unified’s Board President Won’t Run for Reelection

Cody Petterson, who won a seat on the board in 2022, won’t seek reelection. But he may run for a different office.

https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/07/09/the-learning-curve-san-diego-unifieds-board-president-wont-run-for-reelection/

Trump Grant Freeze Puts Tens of Millions of Local K-12 Funding in Jeopardy

In the latest disruption of education norms, the Trump administration froze more than $6 billion in federal grants. Even if the freeze doesn’t become permanent, it could have serious ramifications for local schools.

https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/07/08/trump-grant-freeze-puts-tens-of-millions-of-local-k-12-funding-in-jeopardy/

TRT 00:45:49

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre is set to fill the vacant seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. The county has so much going on – there are big questions around the sewage crisis, homelessness, housing, budget, immigration. 

The list goes on and on – and South County reporter Jim Hinch joins us today to dish on what Aguirre’s victory means for the direction of the county. 

San Diego Unified is doubling down on its restorative justice efforts. But the district is also losing funding for some key positions. We’ll explain. 

SHOW NOTES

INTRO 00:00:00

SEGMENT 1 00:00:51 - Support VOSD

SEGMENT 2 00:01:55 - Banter

SEGMENT 3 00:07:17 - Aguirre Wins D1 Race (whew!)
Aguirre’s Win Puts Democrats in Charge at Pivotal Time 
Tuesday’s election of Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre to fill a vacant seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors puts Democrats back in control of San Diego’s most powerful governmental agency – just as the county confronts a range of pressing challenges.

https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/07/02/aguirres-win-puts-democrats-in-charge-at-pivotal-time/

SEGMENT 4 00:27:47 - Restorative Justice in SDUSD. 
What is it and what does this mean?

The Progress Report: San Diego Unified Leaders Expand Restorative Discipline Policy As Funding Dips
San Diego Unified’s board recently passed a new restorative justice policy they hope will help improve implementation. But they also lost funding for some of the key positions that support that work. 

https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/06/26/the-progress-report-san-diego-unified-leaders-expand-restorative-discipline-policy-even-as-they-cut-funding/

TRT 00:58:31

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.
Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor
Bella Ross, social media producer
Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.
Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.
Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

And the push to raise the minimum wage for hospitality workers is going forward. 

And, the mayor has a new job!

SHOW NOTES

INTRO 00:00:00

SEGMENT 1 00:00:39 - Support VOSD

SEGMENT 2 00:06:39 - Vivian Moreno

SEGMENT 3 00:11:06 - Mayor’s IG Story

“Today, some on the City Council attempted to fully override my veto—and failed. While the Council chose to override some items, the restored hours at libraries, rec centers, and lakes that San Diegans rely on will remain in place.” Mayor Todd Gloria

SEGMENT 4 00:28:51

Audio Clips:

00:23:28 - Marni Van Wipple on the Council override of the Mayor’s veto.
Start at 1:44:42 "I want to thank the Mayor for all the work ... whole city at once"

SEGMENT 5 00:28:51 Minimum Wage Hike

00:30:53 - Diana Puetz, Padres

ITEM-1: Hospitality Minimum Wage Ordinance for Certain Workers at Hotels, Event Centers, Amusement Parks, and Zoos Within the Geographic Boundaries of the City of San Diego

Start at 57:05 - 57:29 

"The ordinance doesn't apply broadly or equitably ...... Why doesn't that apply to your own workforce."

00:34:45 Brigette Browning, Labor Council

ITEM-1: Hospitality Minimum Wage Ordinance for Certain Workers at Hotels, Event Centers, Amusement Parks, and Zoos Within the Geographic Boundaries of the City of San Diego

Start at 1:50:37 - 1:51:05

“I want to applaud you all ...... for the workers who work in their hotels.”

SEGMENT 6 00:46:01 Supes Race

SEGMENT 7 00:55:59 Hot Take

TRT 00:58:31

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

And the biggest political battle in San Diego is finally nearing its end. Our reporter Jim Hinch went to a debate between Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre and Chula Vista Mayor John McCann and he’ll tell us how the race is looking. 

SHOW NOTES

INTRO

00:00:00

SEGMENT 1 

00:01:14 - Support VOSD :)

When we hired Tigist Layne to cover North County three years ago, we set out to provide northern cities with the coverage they deserve. But to keep doing that work, we need YOUR support. 

Escondido resident, Jack Raymond, has put forth a $50,000 match to fund our North County coverage for the rest of the year. We have just $18,000 left to raise to meet our match and to keep our journalism going. 

Support Tigist's reporting and Voice in North County by giving at vosd.org/givenorthcounty and have your gift matched today. 

SEGMENT 2

00:03:44 - SDUSD Superintendent Vote 

https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/06/18/san-diego-unified-has-a-new-permanent-superintendent/

San Diego Unified Has a New (Permanent) Superintendent
by Jakob McWhinney

SEGMENT 3

00:10:07 - Billboard Story Update and Corrections

https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/06/14/politics-report-prepare-for-digital-billboards/

Politics Report: Prepare for Digital Billboards
by Scott Lewis

SEGMENT 4

00:23:28 - D1 Supe Race Update

https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/06/18/supe-candidates-spar-over-taxes-homelessness-and-trump/

Supe Candidates Spar Over Taxes, Homelessness – And Trump Democrat Paloma Aguirre and Republican John McCann made their pitch to voters in a televised debate Tuesday. But the real star of the show, given how often his name came up, might have been President Donald Trump.
By JIm Hinch

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the first time in more than 100 years, owners of single family homes in the city of San Diego will have to pay for trash pickup. It almost didn’t happen. We’ll go through the tense meeting. 

And with that, the city balanced its budget, sort of. The Council wants to take some big risks. 

Show Notes:

The Learning Curve: ICE Arrest in Oceanside Highlights Impact of Immigration Crackdown
Job Corps

Trump’s Cuts Thrust San Diego Students into Chaos and Homelessness
When President Donald Trump’s administration abruptly announced the shuttering of the more than 60-year-old Job Corps program at the end of May, many students who live at the San Diego site didn’t have a place to go. It’s only gotten more chaotic.

San Diego City Council Avoids a Whole Lotta Budget Cuts, for Now

The city’s budget for the year that begins in July is balanced – at least for now – with the help of assumptions the city will more swiftly pursue paid parking at Balboa Park and the San Diego Zoo, move forward with digital billboard ads, charge fees on credit card transactions at parking meters and cut about a dozen additional positions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re in the final days of this epic budget process at the city of San Diego. Will the beloved fire pits survive???

And finally, the giant water agencies based in San Diego and Los Angeles have resolved their 15-year legal dispute. We’ll explain how interesting it is and a fascinating little fight they started right after it.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Only 58 percent of San Diego Unified high schoolers are on track to graduate. Rather than get them on track, they’ve decided to create a new track

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South County is now home to a massive hotel and convention center many years in the making. The mayor of Chula Vista like all south bay officials was proud. But he quickly distanced himself from his real estate company that appears ready to cash in on an adjacent project. 

And Jakob’s got an update from the telenovela that is Grossmont Union High School District.

SHOW NOTES: 

(Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading)

San Diego County Grand Jury Findings

VOSD:

Grand Jury Finds Faults in San Diego Unified’s Bond Program

Among the report’s findings, the grand jury concluded the district had ‘consistently failed to inform,’ voters of bond-induced tax rate increases or provided detailed lists of projects.

San Diego Budget Crisis

KPBS:

San Diego’s highest paid city employees? Cops racking up overtime and earning over $400,000

City of San Diego

City of San Diego Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026 Draft Budget and May Revision.

Chula Vista Mayor and Amara Bay

VOSD:

Chula Vista Mayor Distances Himself from His Own Real Estate Company 

Chula Vista Mayor John McCann’s real estate company filed paperwork enabling it to do business under the same name as a high-profile bayfront redevelopment project McCann has promoted as mayor. After Voice of San Diego asked about the arrangement, McCann said he was divesting himself from the company.

GUHSD Drama Continues to Unfold

VOSD:

Grossmont Board Gives Final ‘Yes,’ to Layoffs, Inks Six Figure Resignation Settlement with Chief of Staff

After months of uproar, Grossmont Union’s board did what everyone was scared they would – they finalized layoff notices. Later that night they also approved a settlement agreement with a district administrator whose journey back to Grossmont sparked concerns of serious conflicts of interest.

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mayor’s revised budget is still pretty ugly and still gets rid of beach bonfire rings.

And finally the budget also has set up an nasty little standoff between the city and county over a homeless shelter in the Midway area. They have stopped letting people into the tent and the operator is furious.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recorded live at Soda Bar, Wednesday May 7, 2025.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SHOW NOTES: 
(Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading)

VOSD:

San Diego Council Bashes County Water Authority Over Costs
Councilmembers say they want to see steep cuts in spending by the region’s major water buyer. One suggested refusing to pay the city’s water bills.  
by MacKenzie Elmer
January 17, 2025

The Truth About the Cost of Water: Dismantling the Water Authority Would Harm All San Diegans
by Jim Madaffer
April 28, 2025

Axios: 

Elo-Rivera to San Diego Water Authority: Lower rates, or else

Andrew Keatts

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our South Bay reporter did a deep dive into what happened after Chula Vista Mayor John McCann helped secure the release of a woman convicted of fraud several years ago. She’s being sentenced today on another charge. 

And we had a story this week out of Encinitas where a homeless service provider is being attacked online and blamed for the increasing visibility of homelessness in the beach town. 

SHOW NOTES: 

(Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading)

INTRO 00:00:00

SEGMENT 1 00:00:53

Spring Fundraising Campaign

One week left

Goal - 100 new members and $150k by April 29

All gifts will be matched up to $10k thanks to a generous anonymous donor.

Donate at vosd.org/podpeople and leave a message about why you support Voice. 

Here’s what our members said about why they donate:

Leticia S. wrote, “Your paper has been the only one we as latinos have been able to count on to tell our story on various issues important to our small community of Fallbrook. You don't ignore us and you tell the truth.”

Martha D. said, “No one else is focusing on the areas that you do. Also your reporting is succinct, explanatory, and free from rambling opinion. Thank you for continuing to do what you do!”

Marjorie W. wrote, “you are increasingly a sane voice in this chaotic world”

Thank you to those who have supported our work! You can become a supporter too by going to vosd.org/podpeople. Leave us a message about why you support and we’ll read a few in the next episode. Again, that’s vosd.org/podpeople 

Brews and News Live Podcast

Brews and News Live Podcast is back! It's time to embrace your inner news nerd and talk about the latest scoops with our pod crew on Wednesday, May 7 at Soda Bar. Brews and News Live Podcasts are opportunities to meet our journalists, play audience games, enjoy a beer and listen to San Diego’s most popular public affairs podcast live. 

If you missed our beer launch party, you can still try our anniversary beer at Brews and News. Plus, every Brews and News attendee will be entered to win one of two baseballs signed by our Padres favorite - Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill. You won’t want to miss out.

Buy your tickets now and learn more at vosd.org/livepod. Again that’s v-o-s-d.org back slash l-i-v-e-p-o-d.

SEGMENT 2 00:04:54

Banter

SEGMENT 3 00:09:14

John McCann

Chula Vista Mayor Helped Free a Felon Who’s Going Back to Prison with Her Brother – A Lot Happened in Between

SEGMENT 4 00:11:12

County Supervisors: Unvited

GOP County Supes: Dem Didn’t Invite Us to State of County Speech

SEGMENT 5 00:13:01

DOGE Effects on the County

The State of the County Resistance

SEGMENT 6 00:25:58

Terra Lawson-Remer on Gloria’s Homeless Critique

Politics Report: The ‘Era of Austerity’ Is Here

SEGMENT 7 00:28:39

Encinitas Gets Ugly with Homeless Blame

Anonymous Account, Neighbors Target Provider as Homelessness Surges in Encinitas 

SEGMENT 8 00:38:11

Terra’s Activism Past

SEGMENT 9 00:44:00

Hot Take: Leave Fire Pits Alone

(From the archives) San Diego Council Seeks to Snub Out Some Beach Bonfires

San Diego’s City Council wants to clarify that open fires are only allowed in concrete fire pits. Beachgoers could still cook on propane-powered grills.

by MacKenzie Elmer

May 23, 2022

TRT 00:51:26

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jakob did a story about how some classrooms in local colleges are filled with fake people. We’ll break down how that works and how much it’s costing. 

And we have more trash talk. The new fee for San Diego homeowners is probably coming but it’s got to go through a big hurdle. 

SHOW NOTES: 

(Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading)

INTRO 00:00:00

SEGMENT 1 00:00:42

VOSD Beer Launch Party

Beer Launch Party 

To celebrate our 20th anniversary, we’ve collaborated with 3 Punk Ales to create a limited edition Voice of San Diego beer can. 

Come enjoy a beer with all our reporters at the official launch party.

When: Thursday, April 24 at 5 p.m.

Where: 3 Punk Ales – 259 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910

SEGMENT 2 00:01:41

Banter

SEGMENT 3 00:02:08

Mike Levin

SEGMENT 4 00:13:22

Smart Trash

San Diegans are set to pay a new fee for trash pickup — but officials dialed down the proposed price for trash pickup by 10 percent. (Union-Tribune)

SEGMENT 5 00:21:18

County vs City Sprung Structure Tent

Homeless temporary housing

SEGMENT 6 00:29:57

Student Aid Fraud

How Fraudsters Swindle Community College Financial Aid 

Community colleges have in recent years been plagued by fraudsters posing as students to swindle financial aid money. Here’s how it works.

SEGMENT 7 00:29:57

Mike Levin on DOGE Cuts

SEGMENT 7 00:57:37

Hot Takes

TRT 01:07:39

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An effort to set aside an area for homeless residents near the airport has hit another snag as the developer of Liberty Station takes the city to court. 

And the U.S Secretary of Education was in town. Jakob went to see her. 

All that and another Dear VOSD.

SHOW NOTES: 

(Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading)

INTRO 00:00:00

SEGMENT 1 00:55:20

VOSD Beer Launch Party

1. Grossmont Union accounts: 
1. https://www.instagram.com/guhsd_parent/
2. https://www.instagram.com/studentsforstaff.guhsd/ 
2. Sdbikelanes: https://www.instagram.com/sdbikelanes/ 
3. Mts lovegang: https://www.instagram.com/sdmts.lovegang/ 
4. Sdfloodsurvivors: https://www.instagram.com/sdfloodsurvivors/

SEGMENT 2 00:07:17

Dear VOSD: Luis from City Council District 4

What’s the correct number of city council districts?

SEGMENT 3 00:17:57

Southbay Election Update

Two Mayors Will Battle for Supe Seat

SEGMENT 4 00:26:23

Trash Fees

San Diegans are set to pay a new fee for trash pickup — but officials dialed down the proposed price for trash pickup by 10 percent. (Union-Tribune)

SEGMENT 5 00:33:02

Liberty Station

Liberty Station Developer Asks Judge to Halt H Barracks Safe Parking

A prominent real estate developer is asking a Superior Court judge to stop the city from opening a safe parking lot for people living in vehicles until a legal battle over the project ends.

SEGMENT 6 00:39:39

ASU + GSV Education Summit

In San Diego, Education Secretary Insists Cuts Target Bureaucracy, Not Fundingocuments show Renteria donated to Reyes’ school board campaign in 2018.

TRT 00:48:15

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happened next would leave one officer dead, another officer and a civilian ride along severely injured, a young man in a years long legal limbo and a city reeling. 

On the 40th anniversary of the incident, I have author Peter Houlahan in the studio with me. His book, “Reap the Whirlwind: Violence, Race, Justice and the story of Sagon Penn,” is a fascinating deep dive into the case, the compelling figures who drove the story and the impact it all had on San Diego and beyond. 

SHOW NOTES

10News Story: New book revisits the impact the story of Sagon Penn has had on communities of color in San Diego

You can find book from Counterpoint Press here: Reap the Whirlwind

Reap the Whirlwind - Violence, Race, Justice, and the Story of Sagon Penn
by Peter Houlahan

Book Description
The bestselling author of Norco ’80 returns with a riveting story of mid-1980s San Diego that placed one young Black man at the center of a whirlwind of crime and punishment that profoundly altered Southern California

CREDITS

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mailers are getting SPICY, and one especially pissed off a lot of people. 

Last month, Mayor Todd Gloria announced he was eliminating the position of chief operating officer and taking over the gig himself. Now, former COO Eric Dargan is suing Gloria and the city for discrimination and for breaking promises in his contract. We’ll break it down. 

Finally, why are officials at Chula Vista Elementary school trading corruption allegations? Investigative reporter Will Huntsberry joins us this week to explain.

SHOW NOTES: 

(Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading)

INTRO 00:00:00

SEGMENT 1 00:04:13
Hyperlocal IG Accounts

1. Grossmont Union accounts: 
   https://www.instagram.com/guhsd_parent/
   https://www.instagram.com/studentsforstaff.guhsd/ 
2. Sdbikelanes: https://www.instagram.com/sdbikelanes/ 
3. Mts lovegang: https://www.instagram.com/sdmts.lovegang/ 
4. Sdfloodsurvivors: https://www.instagram.com/sdfloodsurvivors/

SEGMENT 2 00:19:28
SD COO Sues SD

VOSD Mayor’s Office: Ex-COO Alleging Discrimination Was Fired

Mayor Todd Gloria’s chief of staff claims former city COO Eric Dargan, whose position was eliminated in February, was ‘terminated for cause’ in response to his lawsuit alleging discrimination and a breached contract.

SEGMENT 3 00:25:11
UCSD to Lose Funding

VOSD The Learning Curve: UCSD Could Lose Hundreds of Millions from Trump Cuts

While many in higher education are sounding the alarm on President Donald Trump’s research slashing, it has been tough to suss out exactly what the impacts will be. An email from UCSD’s Chancellor gives us a ballpark figure.

SEGMENT 4 00:32:32
Chula Vista COO Conflict of Interest

VOSDChula Vista Superintendent Allegedly Pushed for Work for Builder Who Donated to His Campaign

Superintendent Eduardo Reyes previously said he has no personal relationship with Al Renteria. Campaign documents show Renteria donated to Reyes’ school board campaign in 2018.

TRT 00:48:58

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ve got a few updates on what the city is doing to get you to pay for parking. Why San Diego is on the hook for monthly rent payment on an empty homeless shelter. And the historic San Diego Taxpayers Association has no leadership. 

Also, the hospitals are fighting. Palomar Health is borrowing money from friends and that never goes well.

SHOW NOTES: 

(Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading)

INTRO 00:00:00

SEGMENT 1 00:01:10

1. Axios Opening Day at Petco: Padres face Braves, Profar returns
2. Bella's Tarot Cards

SEGMENT 2 00:10:34

Tax Association

VOSD Politics Report: Taxpayers ‘Cash Flow Problem’

SEGMENT 3 00:15:13

Homeless Senior Center

VOSD San Diego Is on the Hook for Monthly $77,000 Payments of Shuttered Senior Shelter

SEGMENT 4 00:19:15

SD CPR

Parking Update from Bella

KPBS Charging on Sundays? Surge pricing? San Diego eyes reforms to manage parking demand

SEGMENT 5 00:27:17

Palomar Health 

VOSD Palomar Health’s Borrowing Has Ruffled Feathers at Sharp HealthCare

Michael Scott I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!!! - The Office US

TRT 00:41:52

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grossmont Union School District has had some very tense meetings. We’ll talk about a hot mic moment that went viral. 

And as part of our 20th anniversary talk, we have reflections from several of the journalists and former writers at Voice of San Diego who made a difference here.

SHOW NOTES: 

(Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading)

INTRO 00:00:00

SEGMENT 1 00:02:16

1. SD County - Registrar’s Office  First Supervisorial District Special Primary Election 
2. Luke Bergmann Resigns - VOSD County’s Top Behavioral Health Official Resigns
3. Dept of Education - NPR Trump signs order aiming to close the Education Department
4. Trash Fees - NBC San Diego City of San Diego announces how much trash pickup will actually cost

SEGMENT 2 00:19:23

Dear VOSD: Parking

Instagram  New fiscal year, same structural budget deficit

SEGMENT 3 00:34:55

GUHSD Budget Cuts

VOSD Amid Layoff Talks, School Board Member Says Librarians Are Overpaid

SEGMENT 4 00:51:34

20th Anniversary Talk with Voices

VOSD  20 Years of Impact - At 20 Years Old, We Check In with 20 Former Voicers

TRT 01:10:49

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finally, we’ve got a guest, I have been on his show many times but he’s never been on ours. Darren Smith, the best unemployed radio guy in town is here to explain us some sports and more. 

We’ll go through some headlines with him and get into it.

SHOW NOTES

INTRO 00:00:00

Intro

SEGMENT 1 00:01:48

San Diego Football Club opening day drama

1. KPBS San Diego FC announces security, messaging measures after homophobic chants
2. AXIOS SDFC confronts fans' homophobic chant that's plagued soccer for years

1. NBC San Diego Homophobic chant at San Diego FC's inaugural home match condemned by coach, sporting director

SEGMENT 2 00:13:41

COVID-19 Five Years Later

1. Guardian Article: ‘We have ignored lessons’: how Covid continues to affect lives five years later
2. Reuters:COVID-19 shut us down five years ago. Here's how its economic impact continues
3. Axios: Remembering the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in San Diego, five years later

SEGMENT 3 00:23:46

Troubled Waters

1. VOSD Why It Matters: Why Are San Diego Water Rates About to Soar?
2. City Council Meeting Item 331: Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Water Rate Increase not to Exceed 5.5% to pass through increases from San Diego County Water Authority.

• 9:04:52 - 9:05:05 “Because we are going to be using ...it's ghost water, it's water noone is going to drink.”
  
  
• 9:09:38 - 9:10:04 “I'm not comfortable ...I'll put that on the table.”

SEGMENT 4 00:39:01

SD FC & San Diego Padres

1. VOSD Tom Penn, New SD MLS Chief, Sees a Soccer Campus on the Horizon

In a Q&A, the former LAFC president talks about the youth academy the new team will build and all the other major projects he has two years to complete.

SEGMENT 5 00:53:19

NIL in College Sports

1. Cal Matters:California’s college athletes can now make millions off sponsorship deals. Here's a first look at the numbers

TRT 01:10:49

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SHOW NOTES

INTRO 00:00:00

Intro

SEGMENT 1 00:02:09

San Diego Football Club opening day drama

1. AXIOS SDFC confronts fans' homophobic chant that's plagued soccer for years

1. NBC San Diego Homophobic chant at San Diego FC's inaugural home match condemned by coach, sporting director

SEGMENT 2 00:11:13

1. Mailers D1 County Superintendent Race
   SD County San Diego County’s First Supervisorial District
   VOSD County Workers Back Imperial Beach Mayor in Supervisor Bid
   VOSD Morning Report: Housing and the Supe Race
   
   
2. San Diego’s Budget Deficit
   VOSD Morning Report: Deep Cuts Coming to City

SEGMENT 3 00:24:05

1. Henry Foster on Housing
   VOSD Morning Report: Council Spares ADU Bonus Program
   VOSD Morning Report: Mayor Cans COO
2. City of San Diego March 4, 2025 City Council Meeting

• Audio Clip: 00:36:10
  Daniel Horton, chief of staff, D 4 “Under the current rules … slave quarters or camps … is needed.” 
• Audio Clip: 00:49:45
  CM Marni Von Wilpert “Under existing regulations … when it lacks sidewalks .. does that mean the city is required to deny … very interesting.”

TRT 01:06:13

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

INTRO 00:00:00

Intro

Parent’s Guide on Instagram!

SEGMENT 1 00:00:57

Parent’s Guide on Instagram!

The wait is OVER

This year’s A Parent’s Guide to San Diego Schools is here and ready to help answer all your local education questions!

The Guide explains school choice opportunities and enrollment deadlines, what’s available for after-school care, school performance data in an easy-to-use format and much more — all for FREE!!!

Donor Thank You’s

Ways to Give

Women Leading The Conversation

San Diego’s most influential women leaders.

Thursday, March 20, 2025

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Farmer & Seahorse, Illumina Theatre

10996 Torreyana Rd., San Diego, CA

SD 101 Video and Washington Post Tik-Tok 

Dave Jorgenson on Blue Sky

Bella Ross on Blue Sky

SEGMENT 2 00:13:42

South County Endorsements

From La Prensa Story Friends Clash in County Special Election (2/3/2025) By Arturo Castañares Editor-at-Large

SEGMENT 3 00:21:36

Cannabis: How a Barber Became the Unwitting Owner of a Cannabis Company

SEGMENT 4 00:36:25

CARE Court: 

San Diego’s CARE Court Isn’t Forcing Treatment

Governor Newsom Unveils Plan to Care for Californians Struggling with Behavioral Health Challenges

TRT 00:49:34

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

Become a Member: Voice Member Benefits
Join today and receive insider access.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’ll explain the difference between eliminating a position and firing someone and what happened to the now former top bureaucrat at the city. 

And the parents guide is coming out. Jakob and Andrea here have been working hard on it. We’ll talk.

SHOW NOTES

INTRO 00:00:00

Intro

What our supporters have to say.

SEGMENT 1 00:03:00

The Reader and Alt Weeklies

KPBS: San Diego Reader ends print edition after 52 years

The Union-Tribune: A cultural shift you can’t deny’: San Diego Reader ceases printing and goes fully digital

The Times of San Diego: San Diego Reader Ends 52-Year Print Run, But Will Keep the Alt-Press Faith Online

The Reader Instagram account: Not ended, but changed. The San Diego Reader is now SanDiegoReader.com!

SEGMENT 2 00:13:15

The Chula Vista School Board Drama

VOSD: Why a Chula Vista School Board Member Ran for a Seat He Already Held

Chula Vista Elementary School District trustees Francisco Tamayo and Lucy Ugarte allegedly ‘conspired’ to take control of the district’s school board by ousting a Democratic board member they disliked and replacing her with an ally. The maneuver resulted in a Republican being appointed to the board. Now, Tamayo and Ugarte face a possible censure from their political party. 

by Jim Hinch

SEGMENT 3 00:19:12

Strong Mayor Gloria

YouTube: Mayor Gloria to Announce Operational Efficiencies, Reductions for City Budget 2/18/2025

VOSD:Mayor Gloria Tries to Save the Strong Mayor 

by Scott Lewis

VOSD: Mayor Dismisses Embattled COO and Takes Reins of City Management

Chief Operating Officer Eric Dargan is out and department executives will now report directly to the mayor. by Will Huntsberry

YouTube: “Bueller?” 

SEGMENT 4 00:40:09

The 2025 edition of A Parent’s Guide to San Diego Schools (7th Edition)

VOSD: The Learning Curve: The Schools Guide Has Arrived

The 2025 edition of A Parent’s Guide to San Diego Schools comes packed with all of the data you’ve come to rely on, plus two new exclusive metrics to help parents make sense of local schools.

VOSD: A Parent’s Guide to San Diego Schools 

(download or order a hardcopy)

Voice of San Diego’s 2025 Parent’s Guide to San Diego Schools helps families make informed decisions for their child’s education.

The Guide explains school choice opportunities and enrollment deadlines, what’s available for after-school care, school performance data in an easy-to-use format and much more. 

The Guide is generously supported by The Girard Foundation, David and Annie Malcolm, Girl Scouts San Diego, Nordson Corporation, Brian Connelly & Associates, Carmel Valley Test Prep, and all of our members.

TRT 00:50:57

Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.

Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, managing editor

Bella Ross, social media producer

Jakob McWhinney, education reporter and theme music composer.

Xavier Vasquez, podcast producer

Journalism is integral to a healthy democracy: Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.

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The city of San Diego’s budget deficit has provoked some tense conversations. A City Council budget committee hearing last week had some great clips.

And where are the kids? San Diego Unified School District is going to have to deal with another drop in enrollment.

SHOW NOTES

INTRO 00:00:00

Intro

SEGMENT 1 00:00:00

“Dear VOSD” Jim from University Heights - When it comes to parking, why is La Jolla an exception?

Parking and RIP Donald Shoup

Donald Shoup, distinguished professor emeritus whose decades of teaching and scholarship at UCLA greatly influenced the field of land-use planning as well as generations of scholars, students and urban planners, died Feb. 6, 2025, at age 86. Shoup was a titan in the fields of urban planning and specifically parking reform, and his landmark book, “The High Cost of Free Parking,” resulted in the adoption of many of his parking reform ideas in cities around the nation and world.

SEGMENT 2 00:11:47

San Diego’s Budget Deficit

City of San Diego Budget and Government Efficiency Committee

Michael Zucchet, San Diego Municipal Employees Association General Manager critiques San Diego’s budget handling.

1:03:31 - 1:03:55

1:04:00 - 1:04:13

1:08:06 - 1:08:10

1:09:25 - 1:10:02

Council Member Mike Lee 

1:39:35 - 1:39:45

“Bueller?” YouTube clip

SEGMENT 3 00:33:32

San Diego City Unnecessary Travel

Mayor has much still to reveal about his secret trip to the Philippines

San Diego Union Tribune

San Diego Unified Has Lost Nearly 12,000 Students in Past Decade

VOSD

SEGMENT 4 00:43:04

20 Years! of VOSD

20 Years of Impactful Journalism

20 Years of Voice Impact: The Investigation into SEDC

Our investigation into the Southeastern Economic Development Corp. put us on the map and taught us invaluable lessons.

Lessons After 20 Years of Voice of San Diego

TRT 01:13:16

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SHOW NOTES

2017 California Senate Bill 54, commonly referred to as "SB 54" and also known as the "California Values Act" is a 2017 California state law that prevents state and local law enforcement agencies from using their resources on behalf of federal immigration enforcement agencies

AG Says Sheriff Must Find Solution to Jail Deaths – Or Face Consequences
If death rates in San Diego jails don’t come down, Attorney General Rob Bonta said he could pursue multiple legal remedies.
by Will Huntsberry
October 10, 2023

Border Report: Understanding San Diego’s Stricter ‘Sanctuary’ Policy 
by Kate Morrissey
January 6, 2025

Proposition 36 Has Already Led to Hundreds of Arrests in San Diego
by Jakob McWhinney
February 5, 2025

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At the same time, Poway City Council has reached a telenovela level of drama, we’ll break it down.

SHOW NOTES

00:00:00 Opening 

00:04:15 Controversial Encanto ADU Policy

From KPBS

San Diego City Council repeals controversial footnote targeting Southeastern neighborhoods

Encanto neighbors say their infrastructure can’t support the ‘granny towers’ coming to backyards

Gloria 'exploring options' after surprise City Council vote seeking repeal of landmark housing program

San Diego City Council Meeting

Cue to: 3:51:00 - 3:55:00

00:29:22 Poway Telenovela

Poway City Attorney Accuses Councilmember of Harassment, Intimidation

Poway City Attorney Alan Fenstermacher accused Councilmember Tony Blain during a contentious City Council meeting of harassment, intimidation, bullying and retaliation. 

https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/01/22/poway-city-attorney-accuses-councilmember-of-harassment-intimidation/

Poway council member threatened recall effort against colleague based on how he voted

Councilmember Tony Blain was accused of trying to bribe and extort his colleague Peter De Hoff in emails.

Poway City Council Meeting where drama unfolded

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Jakob here took it and turned it into a story. It’s a bit of a downer. 

Another local government is promising to protect people from Trump’s immigration action. We’ll review the supposed protections.

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This was the tough conversations speech. The we can do hard things speech. 

The dynamic PowerPoint that went with included such rousing lists like refocus, reimagine, revisit and re-evaluate…

SHOW NOTES

00:00:00 Opening 

January 28th Event:

Meet the Beat: South County

January 28 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Free

Have you met our newest journalist Jim Hinch yet? Have refreshments and get to know the face behind Voice’s South County Report. This event is open to the public.

00:06:14 State of the City Part I

2025 State of the City Livestream

Mayor: Steep Budget Cuts Are Coming San Diego

by Will Huntsberry and Lisa Halverstadt

00:16:43 State of the City Part II

2024 State of the City Livestream

00:32:45 State of the City Part III

Morning Report: Deep Cuts Coming to City

00:37:48 County Update

San Diego Is Less Blue

Public Matters

Public Matters is led by KPBS, inewsource and Voice of San Diego. These three independent, nonprofit news organizations are partnering to share content, conversation, and events that ensure all San Diegans understand their opportunity to participate in the democratic process and that it means more than voting in an election. The initiative provides news stories on politics and governance including the areas of housing affordability, public safety, neighborhood improvements and social justice; facilitated, in-person discussions around important issues that often divide us; and resources to help you make a difference in your community. At its core, it is about reminding us that we have a shared humanity, and together we are empowered to make positive change.

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We’ve got some questions for him and he said he’s come up with a contribution to our hot takes segment at the end. 

SHOW NOTES

Segment 1 

00:02:15 Updates 

00:06:28 Fletcher Nathan Fletcher’s Accuser Drops Sexual Assault Claim — for Now

00:08:13 Vargas South County Report: Supervisor Race Takes Shape

Segment 2 

00:11:17 She Said What? 

County Supervisor Candidates Have No Love for New Immigration Policy

New San Diego Council President Wants to End SeaWorld Fireworks

00:23:55 Padres

Matthew Seidler denies allegations of wrongdoing from wife of late Padres owner Peter Seidler (Associated Press)

Matt Seidler responds to Sheel Seidler’s lawsuit, says Padres not going anywhere (Union Tribune)

Segment 3 

00:30:27 Raul Campillo Interview

00:55:21 Do you want to run for mayor?

Segment 4

01:00:57 Hot Takes

Andrea: The County’s Sanctuary City Statement

Raul: The Future of Balboa Park

Scott: SDGE’s Fire Safety Policy

Jakob: No hot take (!?)

January 28th Event:

Meet the Beat: South County

January 28 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Free

Have you met our newest journalist Jim Hinch yet? Have refreshments and get to know the face behind Voice’s South County Report. This event is open to the public.

Become a Member

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The balance of power in the county is once again up for grabs, right as the county braces for thousands more people being forced into treatment. 

What’s going to happen? Who’s going to run?

We’ll get into everything plus an update about stunning news from the San Diego Housing Commission: It has decided it no longer has the resources to dole out vouchers to specific low-income housing projects. IT’s a move that could have major implications for the Sports Arena project and other efforts to provide housing.

SHOW NOTES

Segment 1 

0:05:21 - 0:11:28

The Libby App  (app that Scott uses to read books)

The Power Broker (book)

Segment 2

0:11:33 - 0:19:26

Politics Report: Another County Supe Down

by Scott Lewis, December 21, 2024

Locate Your District (San Diego County site)

Segment 3

0:19:39 - 0:40:56

Morning Report: Another Scandal Ends in a Resignation

by Voice of San Diego, April 5, 2023

Segment 4

0:41:01 - 1:05:12

In 2025, San Diego Can’t Look Away from the Screaming

by Scott Lewis, January 1, 2025

City’s Housing Agency Won’t Issue Vouchers for New Housing Projects

The San Diego Housing Commission has decided it no longer has the resources to dole out vouchers to specific low-income housing projects, a move expected to slow the pace of new homeless housing. 

by Lisa Halverstadt, January 2, 2025

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I am in studio with the core four – Lopez, Jakob, Bella – and we have one open seat so we’re going to bring in one reporter at a time. We’ll ask them each what’s going to happen. What’s one thing they want to know "What’s going to happen?" 

I think that’s the core compelling ingredient of media of all kinds. If a piece of content makes you wonder “What’s going to happen?” you’re hooked. So prepare to be hooked.

Show Outline and Notes

You can show your support for our podcast today by going to vosd.org/podpeople.

00:00:00 Intro

00:06:56 Segment 1

What’s Going to Happen to TikTok? 
Bella Ross - Social Media Producer

Pew Research on TikTok

Book: Infinite Just

What’s Going to Happen to Forces of Gentrification on the South Bay?
Jim Hinch - South County Reporter

Gentrification Is Coming for South San Diego County

South County leaders have made it a goal to catch up to wealthier North County cities. But the race to the top risks leaving some residents behind.

Port of San Diego: Chula Vista Bayfront

Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center

00:29:12 Segment 2

What’s Going to Happen to Nathan Fletcher and His Accuser? 
Andrea Lopez-Villafaña, Managing Editor, Daily News

Who Is Nathan Fletcher? San Diego Explained

Fletcher Resigns as MTS Chair as Former Agency Employee Accuses Him of Sexual Harassment and Assault in Lawsuit

Morning Report: MTS to Release Fletcher Investigation

What’s Going to Happen to Del Mar Housing? 
Tigist Layne - North County Reporter

Morning Report: The Builder’s Remedy Prevailed in an LA Court. Will the Same Happen in Del Mar?

00:36:46 Segment 3

What’s Going to Happen to AI in San Diego Schools? 
Jakob McWhinney - Education Reporter

The Learning Curve: San Diego Unified’s AI Future Is Now

San Diego Unified paid $83,000 to integrate its high school English curriculum into an online platform and got access to an AI tool as well. Now, some teachers are using it to grade student work.

The Progress Report: AI Is in Use at San Diego Unified – But the District Doesn’t Have its Own Plan

The rise of AI-supported education technology caught San Diego Unified without a policy. Now, as teachers and students within the district have begun to use AI products in the classroom, district leaders are creating one.

What’s Going to Happen to Federal Funding and the Impact on Environmental Projects?
MacKenzie Elmer - Environment Reporter

Officials Fear Nightmare Flooding from New Tijuana River Border Wall

A lifting gate structure could impede the Tijuana River’s flow if it fails to rise during heavy rains like San Diego just experienced.

Time to Evacuate the Tijuana River Valley?

County officials said the pollution problem is far from triggering a mandatory mass exodus from South Bay, but it’s not totally outside the realm of possibilities.

00:50:43 Segment 4

What’s Going to Happen to the City of San Diego in an “Era of Austerity”? 
Scott Lewis - Editor in Chief

County Supe Slams San Diego Mayor’s Budget

City Council budget hearings will begin next week. The City Council has until June 30 to approve the budget.

Cup of Chisme: Cuts Hit Different

What’s Going to Happen to the Mega Shelter? 
Lisa Halverstadt - Homelessness

What We Know About the Mayor’s Mega Shelter Pitch

Mayor Todd Gloria unveiled a plan to convert a large warehouse near downtown into a 1,000-bed homeless shelter.

Four Big Disputes Dogging the City’s Quest to Open Its Biggest Shelter Yet

The City Council is set to vote Monday on a proposed 1,000-bed shelter and there are lots of questions and disagreements over the city’s plans.

Morning Report: Mega-Shelter Monday July 22, 2024

The 30-year lease agreement for the Middletown warehouse the city wants to turn into the city’s largest long-term homeless campus – and the concept itself – have spawned major questions: What’s the value of the building? Can the city count on the site and its potential landlord? Should the city open a big shelter and pull from housing funds to pay for it? Is it sustainable?

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Cody Petterson was just named the new school board president. He’ll guide the five member Board of Education for the District. 

He’s taking over that role from his colleague, trustee Shana Hazan. 

Both of them came into the studio to talk about all these issues and more. It was a frank and interesting exchange on some very touchy topics in education.

Show Notes

You can show your support for our podcast today by going to vosd.org/podpeople

Links

San Diego Unified School District Board of Education 

About

Shana Hazan Board President - District B Term Expires: December 2026

Cody Petterson Board Vice President - District C Term Expires: December 2026

Selected Recent VOSD Stories: San Diego Unified School District 

Oct 14, 2024

San Diego Student Test Scores Haven’t Made Up Pandemic Losses

The slow recovery from pandemic performance drop offs coupled with growing budget woes may spell trouble for districts like San Diego Unified.

Sep 12, 2024

Billions of Dollars Later, Some San Diego Unified Students Still Dealing with Hot Classrooms

Taxpayers have voted to give San Diego Unified School District $11.5 billion over the last 16 years with the express purpose of bringing working air...

Sep 5, 2024

New San Diego Schools Superintendent Didn’t Mention Misconduct or Victims in Speech to Principals

Over multiple district communications since Lamont Jackson's firing, there's been a group of people conspicuously missing.

Sep 3, 2024

Lamont Jackson Is Out as San Diego Unified Supe. What’s Next?

Fabiola Bagula, who was elevated to acting superintendent from her deputy superintendent role after Jackson's firing, seems poised to keep that role.

Aug 29, 2024

Investigation Into San Diego Unified Superintendent Substantiates Allegations of Misconduct Involving Staff

The allegations against Superintendent Lamont Jackson were levied by former San Diego Unified School District staff.

Aug 19, 2024

Feds Slam San Diego Unified’s Handling of Sexual Misconduct

A new report from the U.S. Department of Education skewers how San Diego Unified for years handled sexual misconduct complaints.

Aug 12, 2024

School Is Back in Session: 4 Education Stories to Follow

Believe it or not, most schools in San Diego County are back in session. If the new school year snuck up on you, that's likely because start dates have been…

Jun 12, 2024

The Learning Curve: San Diego Unified’s AI Future Is Now

San Diego Unified paid $83,000 to integrate its high school English curriculum into an online platform and got access to an AI tool as well.

Jun 11, 2024

San Diego Unified High Schoolers: Getting Great Grades But Troubling Test Scores

An analysis of thousands of letter grades from San Diego Unified high schoolers shows that far more students pass classes in subjects like English, math and...

May 20, 2024

San Diego Unified Investigating Superintendent Lamont Jackson

Though a district official has confirmed an investigation is occurring, no one will say what prompted it.

May 17, 2024

San Diego Unified Is Slowly Embracing Science of Reading

The district has long relied on an approach to teaching kids to read that's not back by science. Now, officials are working to change that – but it hasn't...

May 16, 2024

San Diego Unified Walks Back Majority of Teacher Layoffs

District officials announced Thursday that they had rescinded 96 percent of the layoff notices issued in March.

Feb 26, 2024

‘I Can’t Wait Until You’re 18’: Despite Years of Sexual Harassment Allegations, San Diego Unified Allowed Teacher to Quietly Retire

For years, students and faculty at Roosevelt Middle filed complaints against a middle school math teacher. Students alleged he'd grabbed their butts,...

Feb 21, 2024

San Diego Unified Board Member: Teacher Layoffs Are Coming

In June, San Diego Unified officials announced the district was projecting big deficits in the coming years. The expiration of hundreds of millions of...

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The election just ended. The election just started. We often accuse politicians of being short sighted but one thing they definitely plan far in advance is their next political move. We may have heard the first shots in the 2028 mayoral race. 

The city has a new president of the City Council and the region has a new Republican leader, same as the old one. 

And the county passed a rule about what the sheriff can and cannot do with immigration enforcement officers and the sheriff said thank you but I run my own show. 

We get into the meat and potatoes of it all.

Show Notes

San Diego's Pension Scandal:

Wikipedia San Diego pension scandal

VOSD Mayor Announces New Pension Board Nominees; Whistleblower’s Name Absent
by Andrew Donohue
February 28, 2005

La Jolla Secession:

VOSD Morning Report: In Point Loma, Talk of Secession
by Randy Dotinga
January 6, 2011

VOSD Mayor Gloria Chimes in on La Jolla Secession
‘As a Mayor, I wouldn’t recommend it,’ he said on the VOSD Podcast last week.
by Jakob McWhinney
December 10, 2024

101 Ash Street (the former Sempra building)

Wikipedia 101 Ash Street

VOSD How the City Came to Lease a Lemon
It’s likely the city never would have purchased 101 Ash St. if a developer hadn’t come along to act as middleman. But that structure also laid the groundwork for a situation that is stunningly messy even in the canon of San Diego real estate history.
by Lisa Halverstadt and Jesse Marx
August 10, 2020

San Diego City Council Meeting Item 330:  Proposed Settlement Agreement Involving Acquisition of the 101 Ash Street and Civic Center Plaza Properties

Carl DeMaio 

Carl DeMaio Won an Assembly Seat but the Road to Victory Was Vicious 
The Republican Party of San Diego County has been absorbed in a family feud centered around their newest elected official, incoming Assembly member Carl DeMaio. 
by Deborah Sullivan Brennan
December 6, 2024

Sanctuary City San Diego

Border Report: Schools, Churches Mull Sanctuary Policies
by Brooke Binkowski
December 5, 2016

Neither San Diego – Nor California – Is a Sanctuary for the Undocumented
by Scott Lewis
February 21, 2017

Border Report: What a Sanctuary City Is, and Isn’t
by Kate Morrissey
December 9, 2024

Jim Desmond's Instagram Account
What does it mean to become a “Super” Sanctuary County? To fully grasp the implications, you need to understand California’s current sanctuary state law and its impact.

San Diego County Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda Item 29
SUBJECT: ADOPTING A BOARD POLICY ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT
TO ENHANCE COMMUNITY SAFETY (DISTRICTS: ALL)
December 10, 2024
Agenda Item 29 PDF
Meeting Video on YouTube

Statement on Board of Supervisors Vote on Immigration Enforcement
Sheriff's Office to continue following state law.
Post Date:12/10/2024 5:15 PM

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For more on the issues:

Can San Diego Finally Pass a Sales Tax Increase?

Politics Report: The Civic Center Dream

101 Ash St.

Newly Homeless Residents Still Outpacing Newly Housed

Homelessness Crisis Response System 2023 Data and Performance Report

Morning Report: The Battle Against Homeless Shelters

Wendy's - 'Where's the Beef ' Ad (Original - 1984)

La Jollans Are Trying to Divorce San Diego (Again)

November 1, 2024 Podcast: 2024 Election Draft Pick (start at 16:40 for Andrea’s description of the Mayor’s pup)

Support VOSD: Member Benefits
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And we have a special guest this week, Council President Sean Elo-Rivera is here. We’ll talk about the election and some tough decisions coming up for him and his colleagues.

LINKS

For more on the issues:

Beef Week

No Longer ‘Norita.’ Some of Nora Vargas’ Constituents Sour on her Leadership

It’s Impossible to Pee Legally in San Diego

Sean Elo-Rivera Official City Webpage

Sean Elo-Rivera Instagram

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Senior investigative reporter Will Huntsberry will join us later on the show to explain why the city of San Diego has purchased at least $1 million worth of gear from a man involved in one of the largest law enforcement scandals in San Diego’s history. 

And new data about local schools just dropped. There’s some encouraging news but it’s still kind of bleak. 

For more on the issues:

Bill Walton FBI files

Pop culture in the FBI filing cabinet:

Sanctuary City rhetoric

KTLA’s Story on LA’s Sanctuary City declaration

A Man Convicted in a Major Law Enforcement Scandal Is Doing Big Business with the City

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And, where does the city of San Diego go from here? The mayor and Council President got re-elected but a sales tax failed and a deficit looms. A lot of people are worried about big cities and we get it.

For more on the issues:

Deadly Failure: A Sailor’s Struggle in a Fractured Mental Health System,

NBC San Diego VOD

VOSD Story

Election 2024
San Diego County Unofficial Election Results

The Learning Curve: Bazzo Has Likely Won – Just Barely

Politics Report: Baked Months Ago

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But we can say that San Diego incumbents did well. Mayor Todd Gloria and the City Councilmembers hoping for another term did fine. So did Terra Lawson Remer, the county supervisor who faced down millions in spending against her. 

Turns out all she had to do was all we suspected she had to do: Connect her opponent Kevin Faulconer to Trump. But like everywhere else in the country, Trump did better here than before.

For more on the issues:

Union Tribune College/Talmadge/Montezuma Rd Fire Photo

 Scott’s Twitter/X palm tree post

Jakob’s Twitter/X young voters post

Voices of the Voters

Election Results: We’re Waiting on These Races

North County Report: Election Results Are Rolling In

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We’ve got a special roundtable to go through our ranking of the best elections to watch Tuesday. Local elections that is. The Voice of San Diego elections draft and the elections contest are back. We’ll do it.

For more on the issues:

San Diego 2024 Election: What’s at Stake

Politifest 2024: News and Media

Voice of San Diego relies on reader and listener support:

Voice Member Benefits
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Is Mayor Todd Gloria overstating his creation of homeless shelter beds? Yes. Did Terra Lawson Remer use campaign funds for her kid’s preschool? Yes. She has a good defense but it’s interesting. 

And in South Bay, the chair of the County board of Supervisors has created several enemies. 

Finally, remember that fake charity that had fake volunteers selling concessions at Petco Park? Well two of its workers are now running a new charity. The thing is, we cannot figure out what the charity does.

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We’ve got more mailers here to dissect. We’ll cut through what campaigns want voters to know and what we don’t even understand like: Why are California realtors bullying a candidate for her poker playing skills?

There’s a newspaper endorsement that’s not really a newspaper endorsement … It is silly season in San Diego. 

To wrap it up, We’ll talk about a key school board race and the latest in the biggest race of them all – the District 3 County Supervisor contest. 

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The race between Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and former mayor Kevin Faulconer is easily the hottest race this year. Millions are being spent on behalf of the candidate. The mailers are getting wild. We’ll get into it. 

Speaking of mailers, we’ve got some good ones. 

Plus, the latest in the city attorneys race and can a new million dollar infusion help a cop beat the incumbent mayor in the mayor’s race?

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Also, why does Brian Maienschein, who is running for city attorney, have a campaign finance account for an attorney general race in 2030. We posted an explainer we can give you the cliff’s notes on.

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That’ll be our introduction into Politifest Week. We’ve been trying to run the show like normal while preparing for our big annual gathering. We’re going to go through some of the sessions we’re most excited to see.

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Also, we’ve got more details on the allegations of sexual harassment against former San Diego Unified Superintendent Lamont Jackson. New documents reveal the allegations against him from two former high-ranking district officials. 

And if you haven’t heard, we welcomed a new reporter this month. Jim Hinch is covering South County San Diego. He’ll join us later on the show to discuss his latest stories. 

All of that and more in this week's episode.

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Feels like the city and county are going backwards on shelter. We’ll dig into it. 

University researchers raised an alarm about a toxic gas in the Tijuana River Valley, but the county says there’s no reason to panic right now. 

And moments after we published a story about battery storage fire fears, a site in Escondido went up in flames.

All of that and more in this week's episode.

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It’s been 10 years since California banned plastic bags at grocery and liquor stores. Now a San Diego lawmaker is trying to get the state to ban plastic bags at grocery stores. Why one of the statistics is shocking. 

And we’re back with one of our favorite recurring segments: Climate change promises that are fun to make but really hard to pull off. This week? Battery facilities. Recent fires have caused a panic and may lead to bans. But where else are they going to store power for when the sun doesn’t shine.

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For months, Nathan Fletcher’s advocates have said he was wrongly accused of assault and that soon enough, they’ll have the receipts to prove it. A new court filing last week revealed text messages his accuser sent that do not help her case at all. We’ll review. 

Finally, the county quietly lifted a major barrier to building housing in unincorporated areas of San Diego because of a case involving a recycling plant. We’ll explain how that happened.

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