Voice of San Diego Podcast

Voice of San Diego
  • 4.7 (187)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Voice of San Diego Podcast

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.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Strong Mayor Energy

    If you listened last week, you were set up for the big news this week. The mayor is flexing his muscles.    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. Become a Member: Voice Member BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min

  2. FEB 14

    'Is Anybody Running This City?'

    It’s the 20th anniversary of the launch of Voice of San Diego, the greatest nonprofit news organization go live in 2005. We launched before YouTube. We’ll reminisce a bit with a sort of special guest.  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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 13m

  3. FEB 7

    The Sheriff Takes Our Questions

    Coming up on the show today, a special interview with San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez. She is ready to talk about deaths in county jails, local law enforcement’s relationship with federal immigration agents and more.    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 ConsequencesIf death rates in San Diego jails don’t come down, Attorney General Rob Bonta said he could pursue multiple legal remedies.by Will HuntsberryOctober 10, 2023 Border Report: Understanding San Diego’s Stricter ‘Sanctuary’ Policy by Kate MorrisseyJanuary 6, 2025 Proposition 36 Has Already Led to Hundreds of Arrests in San Diegoby Jakob McWhinneyFebruary 5, 2025   Become a Member   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1 hr

  4. JAN 31

    Much ADU at City Council

    Is it the end of San Diego’s decidedly pro-housing majority? There was an earthquake at City Hall this week about ADUs  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 Become a Member See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    47 min

  5. JAN 24

    Everything's on Fire

    Our annual Parents Guide to San Diego Schools is almost done. We have added a new metric this year and it reveals how well schools recovered, or didn’t, from COVID.  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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    54 min

  6. JAN 17

    2025 Broke City Energy

    San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria gave his state of the city speech. If last year was the everything is awesome speech, this year was the everything is definitely not awesome speech. 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. Become a Member   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    47 min

  7. JAN 10

    The Meat and Potatoes with Raul Campillo

    We are going to go through some updates to stories but we’ve got a special co-host today, San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo. 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   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 14m

  8. JAN 3

    Another Supervisor Vanishes

    This is our first show of 2025 and it is already starting with some huge news: We finally will discuss the incredible news that County Supervisor Nora Vargas will not be taking the oath of office for her re-election.    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   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 6m
See All (102)

4.7
out of 5
187 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Voice of San Diego
  • Years Active
    2011 - 2025
  • Episodes
    102
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Voice of San Diego
  • Show Website
    Voice of San Diego Podcast

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