Voice of San Diego Podcast Voice of San Diego
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- News
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This is Voice of San Diego’s weekly spitfire roundup of news. We cover local and regional politics, the environment, education, the border and more. This show features our investigative reporting and interviews with lawmakers and other special guests.
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Trash Talk
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/northcounty
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The Man Behind the Mega Shelter
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/northcounty
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. -
Power Struggles
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/environment
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The Cannabis Equity Program Got Smoked
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/environment
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Things That Used to Be Things
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/environment
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Caught in the Navy Machine
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.
Customer Reviews
best sd podcast
GreatA
Very great pod
So great to hear insights! The Qanon episode helped so much to try to get at least a small understanding of what this group is about.
Overall great but poor October 1
I’ve learned so much listening to this podcast over the past 2 years but I was frustrated listening to the October 1st podcast because, after 15 minutes spent poking fun at the “return of the Mack” parody issued by Mayor Gloria, I learned nothing about why it’s done, who pays, is there any benefit to the city or a charity or is it just a silly tradition? Please remember to explain all of the details next time! Thank you!