Voice of San Diego Podcast

Reporter MacKenzie Elmer dug into the city of San Diego’s first audit of its contract with SDG&E. The big takeaway? The cost of burying powerlines has gotten way out of hand. She tells us how the city is using new leverage to try and get answers. Plus, a tribute to San Diego legend Bill Walton, the latest in the search for the next county administrative officer and why there's now a bidding war for Green Oak Ranch in Vista. Subscribe to the North County report: vosd.org/northcountySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the Voice of San Diego hosts share big news on the county CAO search and the region's latest homelessness numbers. The Regional Task Force on Homelessness just dropped the data from it's annual point-in-time count, which shows the crisis is slowing down compared to last year, but remains worse than ever. Plus: Education Reporter Jakob McWhinney shares what he knows about an investigation into San Diego Unified superintendent Lamont Jackson, and the owners of Fashion Valley Mall announce plans to close a major retailer in exchange for more housing. Subscribe to the North County report: vosd.org/northcountySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the Voice of San Diego hosts have the latest on a couple big stories we've been following. But first we'll circle back to a topic we covered a while back — the regulation of street vendors — which is now creating problems for some yoga instructors and luxury picnic businesses that have been operating on public land.  Plus: Education reporter Jakob McWhinney on why all schools aren't using research-backed methods for teaching kids how to read. The hunt for a new county CAO sparks threats of a lawsuit. San Diego City Council appears unimpressed by revised lease terms for a proposed homeless shelter. Subscribe to the North County report: vosd.org/northcountySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the Voice of San Diego hosts dive into three burgeoning beefs between local politicos. The hunt for a new county CAO has become highly political, and more recently devolved into a debate over what white people are allowed to say in Spanish.  Editor Scott Lewis pulls back the curtain on the backlash from some local leaders over statements candidate Bridgette Browning directed at Chair Nora Vargas during a labor rally. Plus: South Bay leaders battle over proposed landfill. A bidding war between the supes and a local nonprofit over a Vista ranch. An update on Mayor Todd Gloria's proposed mega-shelter. Subscribe to the North County report: vosd.org/northcountySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Senior investigative reporter Lisa Halverstadt has been watching the city of San Diego's real estate deals for years. 101 Ash St. was a notorious real estate endeavor in which the the city entered a lease-to-own deal for a downtown high rise. The deal was quickly engulfed in scandal and asbestos. After years of lawsuits and a criminal investigation, taxpayers paid more than $200 million dollars and the building remains vacant. So, when Mayor Todd Gloria unveiled a big new deal for a big new building to be a new homeless mega shelter, Halverstadt dug in. This week, Halverstadt discussed how this building came to the attention of city staff and the motivations of the man trying to sell it. Plus: A new softball scandal. What "fire SDG&E" really means. Goodbye to Nate. Subscribe to the North County report: vosd.org/northcountySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It wouldn’t be a presidential election year without a massive list of ballot measures. But a big one that would have stuck it to San Diego Gas & Electric's power supremacy was stalled — in large part because of a labor union. This week, we discuss a feud between SDG&E and public power proponents that played out in front of a San Diego City Council committee. Plus: The forgotten history of Midway. Students walk out of Logan Memorial. Our fight for public records. Join the fight for public records: vosd.org/court Get the environment report: vosd.org/environmentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was always a theory that if we were going to legalize cannabis, the people who used to get in trouble for selling it should get a chance to sell it again. The city of San Diego secured a grant to give people like that a leg up. But now it looks like they'll have to send the grant money back. This week, host Andrea Lopez-Villafaña shares an update to the city's Cannabis Social Equity program. Plus: The uncanny valley of education. Big questions and budget woes decelerate Mayor Todd Gloria's homeless shelter deal. Get the environment report to avoid swimming in poop water: vosd.org/environmentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a big week for things that used to be things. The Republican Party of San Diego County, once a local political juggernaut, lost its chairwoman after an internal battle over Carl DeMaio, who is running for state Assembly against Andrew Hayes. Despite DeMaio’s efforts to drag a Democrat to the runoff, he will face Hayes, a fellow Republican. This week, we discuss the endorsement battle that threatened to splinter an already weak political faction — and ultimately led to the emergence of a new party leader. Plus: Students learning online are performing way worse than their in-person peers. SDSU isn't interested in a Mission Valley arena. Join the nature nerds with our biweekly Environment Report: vosd.org/environmentSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tiara Gray was bright. She was artsy, well-written — an old soul in a young body, people said. She was from the Appalachian region of Maryland, a small place with few prospects for what many consider "good careers." Gray scored high on an aptitude test that caught the attention of the U.S. Navy. For Gray, like many people across the country, the military offered rare opportunities. So, she joined. Through her recruitment process, Gray reportedly withheld information about her mental health. Lying is apparently common, and encouraged, during military recruitments. This week, senior investigative reporter Will Huntsberry tells Gray's story — and explains what happened after Gray was recruited, as she managed her fragile mental health while stuck in the machine of the U.S. Navy. Listener warning: This discussion happens in the final segment of the show (after the ad break) and contains discussion of self harm and suicide. If you or someone you know might be considering suicide, there is help. Call or text 988, the Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline. Plus: Mayor Todd Gloria announces plans for a 1,000-bed shelter. And the most affordable housing projects in San Diego.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For a long time, Voice has followed the tale of school in Logan Heights. The school has changed names and faces in recent years. It’s got an impressive new building. It used to be called Logan Memorial Prep, now it’s Logan Memorial Educational Campus. Logan Memorial has served generations of residents. And through that time it has modified its educational offerings and appearance. But as host Jakob McWhinney explains this week, throughout all these changes one thing remained the same: its bad reputation. It’s still one of the most avoided schools in the district. This week, we talk about what the school can do to turn things around. Plus: New theme music. Baseball and Petco Park. An update to the Fletcher saga. Join us for our spring fundraising campaign: vosd.org/giveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three propositions on the November ballot could change everything across the state of California. This week, we discuss three props that are having direct conversations with each other. They're all about taxes — and how hard it should be for voters to pass them. The outcome of these props also impacts local measures that are moving forward to boost city revenue, fund stormwater systems and roads. Plus: Baseball gloves. A new police chief. The broken border sewage plant. Support the show and get your gift matched! Support us at vosd.org/giveSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, the San Diego City Council voted to explore the creation of a special tax district. Some called it "a major subsidy" to a large-scale project that would redevelop Sports Arena and the surrounding area. This special tax district could generate extra funds to make the big project possible, especially for all the extra infrastructure needed to serve the housing units that developers promised. The specific name for this kind of setup is called an Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District. Or EIFD for short. But, c'mon. What even is that? Scott Lewis will explain it. Plus: When January flood victims suffered, local governments got caught in red tape. And even more election results. Check out our newsletters: vosd.org/newslettersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The March Primary seemed like a boring lemon but we’re going to squeeze some juice out of it. The VOSD Podcast is not the place for your Biden-Trump angst or opinions of how "feisty" the State of the Union was. This is the place for commentary on the city attorney "vibes vote," and to drill down Council districts and mayoral candidates. This week, we discuss the Primary results. Note: This podcast was recorded on Thursday afternoon. See vosd.org for the latest election info. Plus: A city auditor's report shows how much the city overpaid for a hotel during the pandemic — and why.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gird your loins! It's Primary time.  This week, on the last podcast before the March 5 election, we run through the ballot — from U.S. Senate to City Council. The electorate seems unenthused. Politico reports this election is on track for record-low turnout. And it kind of makes sense. California voters aren't tipping the scales on the Presidential election. Even the California Senate race (despite shattering spending records) is a surefire Dem win that won't affect party control in Congress. But our crew suggests you think of your vote like this: Who do you want in second place? This week: San Diego Mayor. City Council. The Cardenas siblings. And a new entry in our years-long investigation into school sexual misconduct. Support the show: vosd.org/podpeopleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, senior investigative reporter Will Huntsberry reported that some residents in southeastern San Diego have lost trust in local government. Staff at the San Diego mayor’s office called that reporting “dangerous.”  This week, we discuss the original story, how residents felt about the city's neglect during the January floods, and responses by the mayor's communication staff. Plus: City Council District 4 candidate Chida Warren Darby talks trust and allegiance. School layoffs are coming. And our school performance metric captures success and accounts for income. Get your copy of the Schools Guide (and sign up for a workshop): vosd.org/schoolsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s Mailer Season! And we are reaching novel levels of creativity. This week, we perform high-level media criticism — LOL — on recent political mailers and materials that employed new, subversive strategies. From County Supervisor to the San Diego Mayor's race, we have a new evolution of local politics playing out by mail. And billboard. And lawn sign. Plus: A preview of local races ahead of the March election. And southeast residents have lost trust in local government. Send your political mailers to Scott: scott@vosd.org The 2024 Schools Guide is here! Get your copy: vosd.org/schoolsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A throng of VOSD Podcast nerds nestled into the Modern Times Beer + Coffee outpost in Midway this week. Our pod crew was ready to dive headfirst into big city projects, taxes and fees. But first, we brought up Voice environment reporter MacKenzie Elmer and a resident she recently profiled. During the Jan. 22 storm, Jesse Preciado dove into rising floodwaters on his Southcrest street. He stripped down and got to work unclogging a vital storm drain to prevent further damage to his neighborhood homes. Elmer and Preciado discuss the storms and the state of southeast San Diego.  Hosts Scott Lewis, Andrea Lopez-Villafaña and Jakob McWhinney welcomed back Voice alum (and Axios San Diego writer) Andrew Keatts to talk about stormwater infrastructure, taxes, big city projects and big city energy. Help us celebrate 19 years of journalism: https://vosd.org/happy19See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Southeastern San Diego residents have long sought help with stormwater management. Infrastructure inequities have plagued southern neighborhoods that hug the I-5. They've pleaded to local leaders for solutions. Now, after the Jan. 22 deluge hit underserved streets — and after more rain this week — they may finally see momentum. This week, we discuss San Diego's stormwater system deficit. And San Diego City Council President Sean Elo-Rivera proposed a solution: a ballot measure to fund stormwater projects. Plus: MTS dropped its big report into former County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher and former MTS employee Grecia Figueroa. See you next Thursday! We'll be at Modern Times for a live show. Get tickets: vosd.org/eventsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Late last week, we got new filings in a lawsuit against former County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher — including Instagram messages between Fletcher and the woman who accused him of sexual harassment and sexual assault. The two exchanged hundreds of messages and planned ways they could be alone. The messages show the woman, Grecia Figueroa, expressed interest on several occasions, including after the encounters she said were abusive. This week, we review the messages to try to answer a question we've had since the scandal broke: What happened between Figueroa and Fletcher? Further, we try to determine why the Metropolitan Transit System fired Figueroa. (MTS released its report the day after we recorded this show. We wrote about it here.) Plus: The rain that rocked San Diego, destroyed homes and will be a new crisis for leaders to manage. Join us on Feb. 8 for a live show: vosd.org/eventsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next week, volunteers with the Regional Task Force on Homelessness will sweep county streets to try to count all unhoused residents. It's a critical event that offers a broad view of our foremost crisis for 2024. But where do we stand now? This week we discuss the city of San Diego's new homelessness fundraising campaign — and what it could do to alleviate the crisis. Plus, we review current County numbers and what the U.S. Supreme Court could decide about camping bans. Lisa's story: "What Happened After the Ban" Tickets to our Feb. 8 live podcast: vosd.org/events The Sacramento Report returns: vosd.org/sacSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.