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 Benefits
Join 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 1
County 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 Hinch
July 22, 2025

Segment 2
Why would El Cajon police ignore calls for help?

A Crisis Team Responding to a Suicide Attempt Asked for Help, El Cajon Police Refused
A 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 Halverstadt
10 hours ago

Fearing Lawsuits, El Cajon Police Stopped Responding to Some Mental Health Calls
The 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 Balc
July 23, 2025

Segment 2
There'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 McWhinney
July 15, 2025

Segment 3
More Water Chisme (Kinda like the budget, the story has legs)

Politics Report: Water Authority Moves On
by Scott Lewis
July 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 Benefits
Join 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 Benefits
Join 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 Benefits
Join 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 Dips
San 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 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 Benefits
Join 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 Benefits
Join 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 Crackdown
Job Corps

Trump’s Cuts Thrust San Diego Students into Chaos and Homelessness
When 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 track

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.