Voice of San Diego Podcast Voice of San Diego

A bill that passed quietly last year, signed by the governor with no meaningful opposition, has completely upended campaign finance and is causing confusion across the state.

This week, we unpack SB 1439, which requires elected officials to recuse themselves from votes involving anyone who gave them more than $250 in campaign contributions.

Also a year ago, a San Diego city ordinance went into effect to curb street vendors. Vendors now say vending is practically impossible.

Finally, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria is gearing up for a big vote on an ordinance that could ban camping in most public spaces. We assess his latest messaging on that front.

Plus: Andy Keatts has some news.

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Last week, we brought in KPBS reporter Andrew Bowen to talk about his new podcast, "Freeway Exit," dedicated to the past, present and future of freeways.

This is the full unabridged version of that interview — where Bowen and host Andrew Keatts are free to unleash their unbridled passion for freeways and transportation.

Here, they dig into the archival footage Bowen found to inform his series. They discussed a freeway decommissioning that's in the works in San Diego right now. And, some history: How President Dwight D. Eisenhower championed freeways and their proliferation throughout the country. They also discussed freeway revolts by local communities and a glimpse into a possible future of freeway use in the region.

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The County Board of Supervisors voted this week to approve loans to help the city of San Diego to buy property to house homeless San Diegans.

But it wasn't without controversy.

Local Republicans, including Supervisor Jim Desmond, argued housing alone won't solve the homelessness crisis. They say housing is only part of the solution and must be tied to drug and addiction treatment.

This week, we explain the arguments swirling around the once wonky policy debate over “housing first" — and how it has become a political wedge issue.

Plus: KPBS reporter Andrew Bowen discusses his new podcast about the past, present and future of freeways.

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It was a momentous week in San Diego sports.

A Thursday press conference at Snapdragon Stadium made it official: Major League Soccer is coming to San Diego.

This week, host Scott Lewis described the scene before a "resplendent" stadium, where MLS and a gaggle of bigwigs (local and international) declared that in 2025, the highest level of men's soccer would branch out to San Diego

Scott and co-hosts Andrea Lopez-Villafaña and Andrew Keatts review how the city arrived at this big sports moment and the players who made it happen.

Plus: Workers in San Diego's urban core have learned police are slow or unresponsive for potentially violent interactions with homeless residents. And MTS is losing money on its ticketing app.

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It was a packed house at Whistle Stop Bar this week. The homey "Greater Golden Hill" establishment has long been the heart of our live podcasts and this was our first show back since the pandemic — in front of a sold out crowd.

Hosts Scott Lewis, Andrew Keatts and Andrea Lopez Villafaña spoke with our special guests about homelessness, low riders, the Metropolitan Transit System, the Nathan Fletcher scandal — and the past, present and future of San Diego soccer. It was a great show! Enjoy.

Guests:National City Councilmember and MTS Board Member Marcus BushSan Diego Loyal Soccer Club President Ricardo Campos

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This week, the County Board of Supervisors decided how to replace Supervisor Nathan Fletcher. The board announced a special election, which will take place on Aug. 15. If no one captures more than 50 percent of the vote, then the contest will go to a general election on Nov. 7.

However, Fletcher's position is not yet vacant and we've heard no word from him since he resigned as MTS chair following allegations of sexual harassment and assault and announced he would resign from the Board in May. His office says he's been at a treatment center with no outside contact.

If Fletcher's resignation comes to pass, this special election will be triggered. In this episode, we discuss the board's decision and the current candidates.

Plus: The expiration of a federal order could allow more asylum seekers into the country (and San Diego). Is the region ready? And education reporter Jakob McWhinney explains some big shakeups at San Diego Unified.

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