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. SB 43. Sales tax. Road repair love. A big development project reveal.

We'll be watching the address closely and will have takeaways in the next day's Morning Report. Don't miss it: vosd.org/morning

Other talking points: The fin whale murder mystery. U-T en Español is done. Pandemic-era school funding will expire soon.

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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 reflection of the region's music scene.

Host Jakob McWhinney brought in some of his favorite local luminaries to discuss the past, present and future of San Diego music — and the meaning of "It's Gonna Blow!"

Guests and their songs:

Bill Perrine
"Everywhere with Sally" by Mark Tucker

Tim Pyles
"Lost in Loneliness" by Power Paws

Makeda "Dread" Cheatom
"Es Lo Que Es" by Boostive

Art Mitchell ("DJ Artistic")
"Back At Cha" by LPSD

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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 the deciding vote to secure Sean Elo-Rivera's position.

Then she was sworn in as Supervisor, replacing Nathan Fletcher to represent District 4 in the heart of the county. Her first big vote in that role was on SB 43 — a state law that expands definitions and use of conservatorship.

In this episode, Montgomery Steppe talks about her time on the City Council, how she pushed the Council to own its authority and how she wants to govern on the Board of Supervisors.

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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 the Board of Supervisors and as Metropolitan Transit System board chair after he was accused of sexual harassment and assault by an MTS employee.

This scandal spawned two big stories that shaped San Diego politics this year: 

• The special election to replace Fletcher on the Board of Supervisors
• The MTS investigation and lawsuit by the accuser

This week, we have an update in the saga and discuss questions still unanswered.

Other talking points: When palm trees fight back. Who's going to replace Monica Mongtomery Steppe on the San Diego City Council? Sunbreak drama.

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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 friends.

We're joined by USA Today reporter (and Voice alum) Will Carless and local entrepreneur, brewer and podcaster, Steve Garcia.

Talking points:

• Humane Society pets sold as snake food
• The rising cost of everything
• Failure, softball and you
• Jan. 6 from the front row
• A San Diego murder mystery

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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 of San Diego could create a camp — far from residential areas — to provide shelter and services to unhoused folks. The idea gained steam as local philanthropists got behind it. And now, Faulconer's in.

Through his spokesman, Faulconer also indicated he does not support one of the city's current big ideas to build services and shelter at "H Barracks," which could accomodate 300 to 700 people.

On the podcast this week, we unpack the dueling plans — and the new conservatorship law with senior investigative reporter Lisa Halverstadt.

Plus: FBI and DA's office are investigating stadium scandals. Sean Elo Rivera narrowly kept Council Presidency. County Supes postpone conservatorship.

See the stadium concessions investigation at vosd.org/concessions

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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 Week. (Credit to Voice Podcast alum Sara Libby.) Let's fire 'em up:

• Everyone vs. Todd Gloria
• Pickleball vs. Tennis
• Palomar Health vs. Board Members
• San Diego Water Authority vs. Rainbow, Fallbrook

Plus: The latest on San Diego City Council's new housing plan. San Diego's innovative ADU approach.

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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 the works due to the city of San Diego’s Complete Communities plan from 2020. This week, we discuss the new version of the plan that came to the City Council this week — and why it failed.

Plus: Our recent Politics Report about cannabis and Jesus Cardenas and Councilman Stephen Whitburn made waves. Chula Vista's Amphitheater knew about a shady concession situation years ago. Our funny dispensary stories.

No show next week. We'll see you after Thanksgiving for Beef Week: vosd.org/beef

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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. And the once ad-hoc system to staff awkward schedules for sport seasons has morphed into something shady. Nonprofits, which get a cut of the revenue, need a lot of volunteers to feed a stadium of people hotdogs and beer. So, who are these volunteers? This week, we find out.

Plus: Monica Montgomery Steppe won the special election for County Supervisor. Cardenas siblings continue to face fallout after the District Attorney announced charges of fraud against them. Downtown is average.

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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 episode, Donahue reveals new details from the day of the sale — how a rep for the new owners, Alden Global Capital, quickly appeared and started to pull apart the paper.

We also review the U-T's recent owners, its attempt to adapt to newer subscriber models and its likely future of pushing out papers till it bleeds dry.

Plus: Cardenas siblings charged with felonies. San Diego leaders float new affordable housing ideas. Santa Anas, am I right?

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