On the latest episode, our hosts tackle everything from Comic-Con building wraps to California’s housing crisis.

First up! A proposal to give Chula Vista City Council members raises crashed and burned following public outcry and quid pro quo allegations from the mayor.

Then: While special education enrollment numbers explode everywhere, a school district in Del Mar is seeing a 43 percent drop. Jakob McWhinney explains the trend.

Finally, Will Huntsberry joins the show to explain why it takes years and a lot of money to build affordable housing. Plus, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal to streamline affordable housing funding.

00:00:00 - Salad Scares, Cold Shrimp, & Comic-Con Building Wraps
00:09:13 - Chula Vista's Failed Charter Reform & Cardenas Rumors
00:25:12 - PoliticsFest, Mailbag, & Set Updates
00:28:18 - Del Mar’s Unprecedented Special Education Drop
00:41:04 - Fixing the High Cost of California Affordable Housing

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There's nothing worse than needing a restroom and not being able to find one. San Diego just made it a lot harder to find one. 

On this edition of the podcast, Scott Lewis was back and wanted to share his thoughts on how bad the cities decision is to close down public restrooms. The crew also discussed why public restrooms are so important with the recent outbreak of Cyclospora across the country. 

Finally, we talk about a rushed charter reform effort in Chula Vista backed by a major labor union. The proposed measure would extend council term limits and increase council members' salaries to $110,000, all with minimal public input.

• 00:00 - Intro: Cyclospora & Explosive Diarrhea  
• 03:20 - Meet the Team & The Parking Ticket  
• 04:26 - The Truth About the Lettuce Parasite 
• 07:55 - The Public Restroom Crisis & Mission Bay  
• 15:10 - The Voice of San Diego Summer Playlist  
• 22:25 - Politifest Announcement & Donor Shoutouts  
• 24:40 - County Contracting Embezzlement Scandal  
• 30:45 - Chula Vista's Rushed Charter Reform  
• 39:10 - Outro & Credits  

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When the world gives you solar panels, you must use them. But not if the power companies have anything to say about it.

Environment reporter MacKenzie Elmer drops in to discuss SB 868, a bill that would legalize easy, plug-in balcony solar panels for renters and condo owners. Local utility companies like SDG&E are pushing back, citing worker safety concerns regarding power "back-feeding" into lines, despite zero documented injuries on record.

• 00:00 - Intro & Mexico's Soccer Loss
• 07:35 - Measure C & Homelessness Funding
• 17:42 - San Diego Unified's $3.5B School Bond
• 33:00 - Plug-In Solar Panels & Utility Pushback
• 44:42 - Politifest Announcement
• 48:20 - Listener Shoutouts & Kelly Davis Tribute

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The federal government has made some big promises but can it deliver?

On the latest episode of the VOSD Podcast, co-host Jakob McWhinney reveals that San Diego schools are experiencing a boom in special education enrollment.

At the same time, there are fewer kids enrolled at local schools today than 10 years ago. That means many schools are seeing a drop in funding. Those two trends are putting a lot of pressure on schools, McWhinney explains.

The feds at some point promised to help schools with the cost of special education, but some wonder if that will ever happen.

Also on the show: Seventy-five years ago, the feds admitted that the jetties they built for a military base were contributing to Oceanside’s disappearing beaches.

Now, for the first time in a long time, they seem to be moving forward with a plan to restore sand to the city's beaches. North County reporter Tigist Layne joins us on the show to explain. 

 

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Robots are now coming for our schools.

OK, maybe not yet. But education reporter Jakob McWhinney did find one school that's giving them a shot.

The hybrid charter network Altus Schools recently spent half a million dollars on two ChatGPT-powered humanoid robots called Ameca. School officials say they're not trying to replace teachers, but some experts have flagged a whole slew of concerns about the mechanical intrusion into education.

Here is what Jakob learned:

"People who develop technology have long said the goal is never to replace teachers until it is. But these sorts of systems do supplant teachers," McWhinney said.

Also on the show: Co-host Scott Lewis explains a complex deal struck over state ballot measures. The crew also gabs about a company working to eradicate the algae that has infested Washington D.C.'s Reflecting Pool and why it may ring a bell with locals.

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The VOSD Podcast crew was back in their usual episode structure but this time breaking in their brand-new Alice and Doug Diamond Studio in downtown San Diego! 

On this week's episode, investigative reporter Jim Hinch joins the podcast to unpack his extensive reporting on the abrupt, messy exit of Chula Vista's highly esteemed police chief, Roxana Kennedy. What started as a seemingly harmless incident at a workplace Christmas party spiraled into a multi-layered legal war and involved another twist no one saw coming. 

Also on the show: La Jolla secession moves towards the ballot, the county knew of an executive's embezzlement history, and much more! 

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The VOSD Podcast crew took the show on the road and had a LIVE podcast at Soda Bar and had special guest District 9 City Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera along for the episode. 

They discussed Measure A and the results, the Padres opposing local minimum wage increases, and whether or not he is considering running for mayor.

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In the latest episode of the Voice of San Diego podcast, the crew takes a deep dive into the aftermath of the recent primary elections. From Ammar Campa-Najjar declaring an end to his political career to shifts in local political power, we break down what the results actually mean for the future of San Diego and California.

Want to discuss the results in person? The crew is hosting a live podcast recording on June 11th at the Soda Bar in City Heights, featuring special guest Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera and a Padres ticket giveaway. Go to voiceofsandiego.org/events to get your tickets!

 

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year! For us at least. 

It’s California Primary season and we bring back our Voice of San Diego Primary Election draft. Each of our hosts went through and picked the races they were most curious and interested in. 

Andrea highlights the wide-open City Council District 8 race featuring four Democratic candidates. 

Jakob tracks how the California Teachers Association is spending millions to back Richard Barrera.

Bella is watching the proposed tax on non-primary and corporate-owned homes and thinks it will pass due to anti-billionaire sentiment, despite a lot of realtor pushback.

Scott details how Carl DeMaio is using strategic expenditures and deceptive voter guides in the State Senate District 50 and Board of Supervisors District 5 races to settle political grudges.

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In this weeks episode of the VOSD Podcast we tackle some tough subjects and reveal a surprsiing deal the city made in regards to the trash fee.

Islamic Center Tragedy: We discuss a horrific terrorist attack at an Islamic Center in Clairemont, where two teenagers killed three men before taking their own lives. The victims—a security guard, a neighbor, and a store manager—were praised as heroes for stopping the shooters and saving the approximately 140 children attending school inside the mosque.

Major City Hall Compromise: We break down a massive political deal regarding the city's contentious trash fee and paid parking at Balboa Park. The city agreed to return free parking to Balboa Park by the end of the year and reduce the planned trash fee increase, capping it at $38.75 a month by 2027 instead of $55. In exchange, the Lincoln Club and local attorneys agreed to drop their ballot measure repeal campaign and end their ongoing litigation against the city.

 

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