Voice of San Diego Podcast

Next week the San Diego City council will vote on a series of new water rate increases. But city hall is abuzz that they may not have the votes to pass them. If they don’t, we’re entering uncharted waters.  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 TELENOVELAA 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 BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on the most popular public affairs podcast in San Diego: 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 BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Violence against outstretched palms – as in hands not the trees. The curious case against Encinitas City Councilmember Luke Shaffer.  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 BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Voice of San Diego team is embarking on an ambitious pursuit: Developing a public policy for how AI should and shouldn't be used in our newsroom. And we're bringing our listeners along for the ride. 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/podpeopleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s dealmaking season at City Hall. The push for a new $25 minimum wage for some workers in the tourism and entertainment industry in San Diego is heading to a City Council vote Sept. 16. Here’s what we know about all the entities trying to get out of having to pay workers that.  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 BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

San Diego’s Sunset Cliffs are crumbling. The city’s plan to save them is … a one way street?  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 2025Politifest 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 AXIOSMeet the former mayor turned micro influencer who's making city policy go viralRichard Bailey was Coronado's mayor until last yera. Now he's weighing in on big San Diego issues. POLITICOThe House Dems bracing for redistricting sacrifices SEGMENT 3 - County ReservesVoice of San DiegoLisa HalverstadtIf County Dips Into Reserves, Millions Would go to Employee BonusesIf county supervisors vote to approve updates to the county’s reserve policy Tuesday, county employees are set to receive bonuses. SEGMENT 4 - Damn DamsVoice of San DiegoTigist LayneSan Diego Is Getting Sued Because of One of Its Troubled DamA $300 million lawsuit claims the city’s release of water from El Capitan Dam damaged a property meant for sand mining. SEGMENT 5 - Sunset CliffshangerVoice of San DiegoMacKenzie ElmerHow 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 WardBallotpediaCalifornia 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 BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Were you hallucinating too or do you also remember the city of San Diego saying pizza boxes could now go in the green bin. Also, a lot of people do not understand how to use the green bins, apparently.  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 DiegoJudge 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 MattersGavin Newsom’s redistricting plan is on its way to voters. What you need to know   Cal Matters5 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 BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the Padres are getting into politics. The team just took first place in the National League west for the first time this late in the season in 15 years. Success on the field could help them in the field of politics.  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 SewageEPA 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 ResearchTrump’s Tariffs and ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Face More Opposition Than Support as His Job Rating Slips GallupSurge in U.S. Concern About Immigration Has Abated   Migration Policy Institute Profile of the Unauthorized Population:United States   Carl DeMaioVOSDVOSD Assemblymember Carl DeMaio Is Back To Promoting Ballot Initiatives SEGMENT 6 -  El Cajon PoliceEl 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 VOSDIn 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 BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

RVs are all over Mission Bay. Why the city now feels OK about cracking down on them.  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 VOSDNew Safe Parking Site Frees City to Push Campers Out of Mission BayLegal 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 BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You may be shocked to learn that of San Diego County cities Encinitas is closest to meeting its housing goals.    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 BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s officially a new county supervisor and so there’s a new chair of the board of supervisors and they’re wasting no time making big changes.  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 1County 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 HinchJuly 22, 2025 Segment 2Why would El Cajon police ignore calls for help? A Crisis Team Responding to a Suicide Attempt Asked for Help, El Cajon Police RefusedA 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 Halverstadt10 hours ago Fearing Lawsuits, El Cajon Police Stopped Responding to Some Mental Health CallsThe 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 BalcJuly 23, 2025 Segment 2There'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 McWhinneyJuly 15, 2025 Segment 3More Water Chisme (Kinda like the budget, the story has legs) Politics Report: Water Authority Moves Onby Scott LewisJuly 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 BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mayor is just flat ignoring the budget the city council passed and will not fire the top managers the Council cut. And you thought budget drama was over.  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 BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re drowning in education news this week.  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 BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The county is back in the hands of Democrats.    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 DipsSan 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 editorBella Ross, social media producerJakob 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 BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The city has a new budget. There was a veto. A veto override and then an Instagram slam. We have a special guest, Councilmember Vivian Moreno is here. She’ll give us the insider take.  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 BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The mayor does not want a chief operating officer gosh darn it! The most dysfunctional budget cycle in the city of San Diego continues with a big list of vetos from Mayor Todd Gloria.  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.

Federal immigration agents are trying to hit their quotas of people to arrest and deport and it’s causing some distressing scenes across California. On the eve of big protests, where are we headed? We’ll grapple with it.  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 CrackdownJob Corps Trump’s Cuts Thrust San Diego Students into Chaos and HomelessnessWhen 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.

An immigration raid in the early dinner hours at a popular restaurant in South Park has led to a week of backlash among local leaders. We’ll talk about what we know.    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.

It’s memorandum time in the city of San Diego’s budget saga. Councilmembers may be headed for a historic standoff with the mayor. We’ll do a little history lesson to show how interesting it could get.    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 trackSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There had been some controversy about whether the Mayor and San Diego City Council would have to dip into reserves to handle their budget deficit – now it appears they have no choice. We’ll explain how bad the city’s finances are getting.    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 BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.