Voice of San Diego Podcast

By Voice of San Diego

What's Voice of San Diego Podcast 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.

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Voice of San Diego Podcast episodes:

05.03.2024
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....
04.26.2024
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...
04.19.2024
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...
04.12.2024
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...
04.05.2024
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...
03.29.2024
Old School Problems
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...
03.22.2024
The Taxes That Define Us
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...
03.15.2024
The Midway 'Subsidy,' Explained
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...
03.08.2024
Primary Election Juice
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...
03.01.2024
The Race for Second Place
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...
02.23.2024
Lost Trust
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...
02.16.2024
2024 Mailer Season is Here
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...
02.09.2024
Live! Big Taxes and Big Projects
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...
02.02.2024
Stormwater Scars and Solutions
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...
01.26.2024
Going Down in the DMs
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...
01.19.2024
The Big New Homelessness Campaign
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...
01.12.2024
'Stronger Every Day'
This week, we pull apart San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria's State of the City address— reviewing his biggest talking points and assessments of the city's crises, including: Reforming Prop 47 Retail theft Homeless shelter solutions Expediting permit applications Potholes and roads In his speech, Gloria declared...
01.05.2024
State of the City Preview
We're gearing up for the State of the City address. Next week, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria will explain his vision for the city. So this week, we review the last address and make predictions for this year. We're thinking: Homelessness....
12.29.2023
Music Happy Hour
Content warning: This episode contains explicit language. In preparation for the dawn of 2024, we've made a playlist by some of San Diego's finest music nerds. In addition to the songs, this episode is full of CBD kombucha, old friendships and...
12.22.2023
The New Supe, Monica Montgomery Steppe
This week, host Andrea Lopez-Villafaña drops her interview with new County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe. This conversation happened fresh off a big week for Montgomery Steppe. She served on the San Diego City Council until the election for Council President, casting...
12.15.2023
The Biggest Politics Story of 2023
Arguably the biggest local politics story of the year was the collapse of former County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher. He was one of the most powerful elected officials in the region, on the fast track for state Senate. But he resigned from...
12.12.2023
Happy Hour: Jan. 6, Rats and Rising Costs
We want to make sure your podcast feed is full for all the time off and travel you've got coming up. So this week, we have an extra episode for you — another Happy Hour with a few of our...
12.08.2023
Stop Trying to Make Sunbreak Ranch Happen
Former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer is making more news these days as he seeks a seat on the County Board of Supervisors. And this week he opined on some big homelessness ideas. Sunbreak Ranch is a farfetched plan that the city...
12.01.2023
It's Beef Week
Scott Lewis, Andrea Lopez-Villafaña and Jakob McWhinney are cooking up the hottest beef that dropped this week. We revived a reporting series dedicated to the feuds that light up public affairs and demonstrate how the region works. We call it Beef...
11.17.2023
Big New Housing Plan, Big New Problems
Two women face eviction from their Golden Hill duplex. The building owner seeks to redevelop their building into a dense residential structure. It’s a crappy situation for the current residents. But the project could turn four units into 108. That’s in...
11.10.2023
Who's Really Staffing San Diego's Biggest Venues
Senior investigative reporter Will Huntsberry is back with a new revelation about the nonprofits that staff concession stands for the region's biggest events at places like Petco Park and Snapdragon Stadium. At least one nonprofit, he recently found, didn't really exist....
11.03.2023
The U-T Sale Explained
Former Voice of San Diego editor Andrew Donahue called us up this week. He dove into the sale of the Union-Tribune and has resurfaced to explain his findings. In short: It's the beginning of the end for the U-T. In this...
10.27.2023
H Barracks Could Be Huge
Throughout San Diego, neighborhoods are struggling to balance police enforcement, homeless camps and homeless solutions. One proposed homeless shelter near Point Loma is alarming some residents — due, in part, to its size. This week, we discuss that proposed site known...
10.26.2023
The Big Homelessness Study with Dr. Margot Kushel
We're in your podcast feed early this week with another Politifest 2023 drop: "What We Know About Homelessness" with Dr. Margot Kushel. Kushel, one of the nation's foremost experts on health and homelessness, sat down with Voice of San Diego senior...
10.20.2023
The Cops Are Running
At least three people in law enforcement are running for local elected office. Two police officers seek to unseat the San Diego mayor and City Council President. Another is aiming for Poway City Council. This week, we discuss the candidates —...
10.18.2023
Live! with Attorney General Rob Bonta at Politifest 2023
Politifest 2023 was dedicated to housing and water, California's foremost crises. The public affairs extravaganza featured lively debates and discussions dedicated to these complex issues — aiming to make break news and inform the public. Now, we'll be dropping some...
10.13.2023
No One Knows What 'Suitable Shelter' Means
Another Politifest has come and gone. News was broken. Acronyms explained. Sweat shed. Now we're left with a treasure trove of public affairs content. Strap on your bibs. This week, we review some highlights: A special election debate for County Supervisor An...
09.29.2023
SANDAG Killed the Driving Fee
This week, one of the most controversial plans in local politics was quashed. The San Diego Association of Governments board voted to remove the driving fee from all future plans. The fee was devised as a funding source to supplement gas...
09.22.2023
Gun Sighting Shocks San Diego School
Last month, students at Correia Middle School in Point Loma reported seeing a classmate brandish a gun. The following week, more allegations surfaced about the classmate in question. School Facebook groups blew up; parents spun. And in the aftermath, families demanded...
09.15.2023
How the City Attorney Could Change
There's an election for San Diego City Attorney in 2024. Current City Attorney Mara Elliott is termed out. Running to replace her are Deputy City Attorney Heather Ferbert and Assemblyman Brian Maienschein. The 2024 ballot could ask voters to choose not...
09.08.2023
Live! With San Diego City Councilman Kent Lee
This week, San Diego City Councilman Kent Lee joined us for a live show in North Park. Cozied up to the beer fermenters in Original 40 Brewing, hosts Scott Lewis, Andrea Lopez-Villafaña and Jakob McWhinney spilled the tea on local public...
09.01.2023
Fake Charity Scored Big at Petco Park
Senior investigative reporter Will Huntsberry joins us to discuss his new investigation. He revealed a fake nonprofit that operated concession stands in Petco Park for nine years, earning a cut of the profits. A snapshot of the earning potential just this...
08.25.2023
The End of San Diego Loyal
San Diego’s men’s soccer team — San Diego Loyal of the United Soccer League — announced this will be their final season. In May, a coalition of investors bought into Major League Soccer and had their own announcement: a new team...
08.18.2023
Ridin' High
San Diego City Councilwoman Monica Montgomery Steppe is commanding a big lead in the special election to replace Nathan Fletcher on the Board of Supervisors. Amy Reichert is also going to the November runoff election. On the podcast, we discuss the...
08.11.2023
Rage Against the (Water) Machine
This week, environment reporter MacKenzie Elmer explains some of the drama going down in water politics. It all started when a couple farming communities tried to divorce the San Diego Water Authority. Now, rural districts seek to change the whole voting...
08.09.2023
Happy Hour: Guns, Fat Leonard and ‘Selling Sunset’
Few joys in life match a breezy summer night gossiping with good friends over cold drinks. And in this first-ever “Happy Hour” special episode, that’s what we’ve got for you. Hosts Scott Lewis and Andrea Lopez-Villafaña chat with guests Alain Stephens,...
08.04.2023
Week One of the New Camping Ban
Monday was the first day San Diego police could enforce the homeless camping ban — made to crack down on specific areas of the city where street camping has proliferated. Voice reporter Lisa Halverstadt has been following this ban since its...
07.28.2023
City of San Diego is The Region's Real Homekey Player
A few weeks ago, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria asked a question — daring reporters to find out, "What other jurisdictions are applying for Homekey dollars?" "Homekey" is a state project doling out big money for new housing. Local municipalities can...
07.21.2023
The Art of Political Mailers
"Mailers are like the core concentrate of local politics. If you boil down politics, you're left with mailer content." This week, our hosts discuss political mailers. While mailers are objectively annoying inbox filler that most people throw, they are created by...
07.14.2023
The Union-Tribune Sold Again
Los Angeles' richest man, Patrick Soon-Shiong, sold the San Diego Union-Tribune and the LA Times to MediaNews Group, owned by Alden Global Capital. The U-T has had six owners since 2009. Soon-Shiong at the start of his tenure promised "stability." Now...
07.07.2023
Camp Sites, Wealthy Landowners and Those Caught in the Middle
This week, we've got updates from the highly anticipated safe camping site put in place by the city of San Diego. The city opened the site to provide unhoused residents a safe place to camp, made to be more attractive than...
06.30.2023
The First Big Safe Camping Lot Is Open
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria and other city leaders announced the opening of a safe camping site for homeless residents. It's first of two in the coming months — along with a new ban on camping, which narrowly passed the...
06.23.2023
'It's Gonna Blow'
This week's co-host, Jakob McWhinney, shared in this episode a framework he often uses to consider San Diego's present state and future: "It's gonna blow." The Padres are going to acquire huge stars and take off. San Diego's going to be...
06.16.2023
The Controversial Camping Ban Is Here
After hours of public discussion and debate, the San Diego City Council narrowly approved a law that would ban camping on public land. The ban would bar homeless camps in public spaces at all times when shelter is available. And when...
06.16.2023
Bonus: Mayor Todd Gloria on Addressing Homelessness
Days before the San Diego City Council voted on a camping ban pushed by Mayor Todd Gloria, he joined us in the Voice of San Diego studio to discuss his approach to homelessness. Host Scott Lewis had a lot of questions...

What's Voice of San Diego Podcast about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Voice of San Diego Podcast episodes:

The Man Behind the Mega Shelter

Power Struggles

The Cannabis Equity Program Got Smoked

Things That Used to Be Things

Caught in the Navy Machine

Old School Problems

The Taxes That Define Us

The Midway 'Subsidy,' Explained

Primary Election Juice

The Race for Second Place

Lost Trust

2024 Mailer Season is Here

Live! Big Taxes and Big Projects

Stormwater Scars and Solutions

Going Down in the DMs

The Big New Homelessness Campaign

'Stronger Every Day'

State of the City Preview

Music Happy Hour

The New Supe, Monica Montgomery Steppe

The Biggest Politics Story of 2023

Happy Hour: Jan. 6, Rats and Rising Costs

Stop Trying to Make Sunbreak Ranch Happen

It's Beef Week

Big New Housing Plan, Big New Problems

Who's Really Staffing San Diego's Biggest Venues

The U-T Sale Explained

H Barracks Could Be Huge

The Big Homelessness Study with Dr. Margot Kushel

The Cops Are Running

Live! with Attorney General Rob Bonta at Politifest 2023

No One Knows What 'Suitable Shelter' Means

SANDAG Killed the Driving Fee

Gun Sighting Shocks San Diego School

How the City Attorney Could Change

Live! With San Diego City Councilman Kent Lee

Fake Charity Scored Big at Petco Park

The End of San Diego Loyal

Ridin' High

Rage Against the (Water) Machine

Happy Hour: Guns, Fat Leonard and ‘Selling Sunset’

Week One of the New Camping Ban

City of San Diego is The Region's Real Homekey Player

The Art of Political Mailers

The Union-Tribune Sold Again

Camp Sites, Wealthy Landowners and Those Caught in the Middle

The First Big Safe Camping Lot Is Open

'It's Gonna Blow'

The Controversial Camping Ban Is Here

Bonus: Mayor Todd Gloria on Addressing Homelessness