Voice of San Diego Podcast

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.

There had been some controversy about whether the Mayor and San Diego City Council would have to dip into reserves to handle their budget deficit – now it appears they have no choice. We’ll explain how bad the city’s finances are getting. South County is now home to a massive hotel and convention center many years in the making. The mayor of Chula Vista like all south bay officials was proud. But he quickly distanced himself from his real estate company that appears ready to cash in on an adjacent project. And Jakob’s got an update from the telenovela that is Grossmont Union High School District. SHOW NOTES: (Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading) San Diego County Grand Jury Findings VOSD: Grand Jury Finds Faults in San Diego Unified’s Bond Program Among the report’s findings, the grand jury concluded the district had ‘consistently failed to inform,’ voters of bond-induced tax rate increases or provided detailed lists of projects. San Diego Budget Crisis KPBS: San Diego’s highest paid city employees? Cops racking up overtime and earning over $400,000 City of San Diego City of San Diego Public Hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026 Draft Budget and May Revision. Chula Vista Mayor and Amara Bay VOSD: Chula Vista Mayor Distances Himself from His Own Real Estate Company Chula Vista Mayor John McCann’s real estate company filed paperwork enabling it to do business under the same name as a high-profile bayfront redevelopment project McCann has promoted as mayor. After Voice of San Diego asked about the arrangement, McCann said he was divesting himself from the company. GUHSD Drama Continues to Unfold VOSD: Grossmont Board Gives Final ‘Yes,’ to Layoffs, Inks Six Figure Resignation Settlement with Chief of Staff After months of uproar, Grossmont Union’s board did what everyone was scared they would – they finalized layoff notices. Later that night they also approved a settlement agreement with a district administrator whose journey back to Grossmont sparked concerns of serious conflicts of interest. 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 of San Diego is officially at legal war with La Jolla separatists. Why a ballot measure push a couple years ago is related. The mayor’s revised budget is still pretty ugly and still gets rid of beach bonfire rings. And finally the budget also has set up an nasty little standoff between the city and county over a homeless shelter in the Midway area. They have stopped letting people into the tent and the operator is furious. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week the crew brought their notes and their game to Soda Bar where they recorded the podcast before packed house, as Scott, Andrea, Jakob and Bella welcomed Keene Simonds, the Executive Officer of the Local Agency Formation Commission, to the lively LIVE podcast recording session. Recorded live at Soda Bar, Wednesday May 6, 2025. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week we sat down for an in depth interview with San Diego County Water Authority General Manager Dan Denham. He filled us in with some deep water knowledge during this week’s show. SHOW NOTES: (Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading) VOSD: San Diego Council Bashes County Water Authority Over Costs Councilmembers say they want to see steep cuts in spending by the region’s major water buyer. One suggested refusing to pay the city’s water bills. by MacKenzie Elmer January 17, 2025 The Truth About the Cost of Water: Dismantling the Water Authority Would Harm All San Diegans by Jim Madaffer April 28, 2025 Axios: Elo-Rivera to San Diego Water Authority: Lower rates, or else Andrew Keatts See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We have another guest this week. Hot off her state of the county speech, County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer is joining us. Our South Bay reporter did a deep dive into what happened after Chula Vista Mayor John McCann helped secure the release of a woman convicted of fraud several years ago. She’s being sentenced today on another charge. And we had a story this week out of Encinitas where a homeless service provider is being attacked online and blamed for the increasing visibility of homelessness in the beach town. SHOW NOTES: (Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading) INTRO 00:00:00 SEGMENT 1 00:00:53 Spring Fundraising Campaign One week left Goal - 100 new members and $150k by April 29 All gifts will be matched up to $10k thanks to a generous anonymous donor. Donate at vosd.org/podpeople and leave a message about why you support Voice. Here’s what our members said about why they donate: Leticia S. wrote, “Your paper has been the only one we as latinos have been able to count on to tell our story on various issues important to our small community of Fallbrook. You don't ignore us and you tell the truth.” Martha D. said, “No one else is focusing on the areas that you do. Also your reporting is succinct, explanatory, and free from rambling opinion. Thank you for continuing to do what you do!” Marjorie W. wrote, “you are increasingly a sane voice in this chaotic world” Thank you to those who have supported our work! You can become a supporter too by going to vosd.org/podpeople. Leave us a message about why you support and we’ll read a few in the next episode. Again, that’s vosd.org/podpeople Brews and News Live Podcast Brews and News Live Podcast is back! It's time to embrace your inner news nerd and talk about the latest scoops with our pod crew on Wednesday, May 7 at Soda Bar. Brews and News Live Podcasts are opportunities to meet our journalists, play audience games, enjoy a beer and listen to San Diego’s most popular public affairs podcast live. If you missed our beer launch party, you can still try our anniversary beer at Brews and News. Plus, every Brews and News attendee will be entered to win one of two baseballs signed by our Padres favorite - Manny Machado and Jackson Merrill. You won’t want to miss out. Buy your tickets now and learn more at vosd.org/livepod. Again that’s v-o-s-d.org back slash l-i-v-e-p-o-d. SEGMENT 2 00:04:54 Banter SEGMENT 3 00:09:14 John McCann Chula Vista Mayor Helped Free a Felon Who’s Going Back to Prison with Her Brother – A Lot Happened in Between SEGMENT 4 00:11:12 County Supervisors: Unvited GOP County Supes: Dem Didn’t Invite Us to State of County Speech SEGMENT 5 00:13:01 DOGE Effects on the County The State of the County Resistance SEGMENT 6 00:25:58 Terra Lawson-Remer on Gloria’s Homeless Critique Politics Report: The ‘Era of Austerity’ Is Here SEGMENT 7 00:28:39 Encinitas Gets Ugly with Homeless Blame Anonymous Account, Neighbors Target Provider as Homelessness Surges in Encinitas SEGMENT 8 00:38:11 Terra’s Activism Past SEGMENT 9 00:44:00 Hot Take: Leave Fire Pits Alone (From the archives) San Diego Council Seeks to Snub Out Some Beach Bonfires San Diego’s City Council wants to clarify that open fires are only allowed in concrete fire pits. Beachgoers could still cook on propane-powered grills. by MacKenzie Elmer May 23, 2022 TRT 00:51:26 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 have a guest co-host today, Congressman Mike Levin is here with some reports from D.C. where things are normal and not very interesting at all. He was supposed to bring a hot take. Jakob did a story about how some classrooms in local colleges are filled with fake people. We’ll break down how that works and how much it’s costing. And we have more trash talk. The new fee for San Diego homeowners is probably coming but it’s got to go through a big hurdle. SHOW NOTES: (Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading) INTRO 00:00:00 SEGMENT 1 00:00:42 VOSD Beer Launch Party Beer Launch Party To celebrate our 20th anniversary, we’ve collaborated with 3 Punk Ales to create a limited edition Voice of San Diego beer can. Come enjoy a beer with all our reporters at the official launch party. When: Thursday, April 24 at 5 p.m. Where: 3 Punk Ales – 259 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910 SEGMENT 2 00:01:41 Banter SEGMENT 3 00:02:08 Mike Levin SEGMENT 4 00:13:22 Smart Trash San Diegans are set to pay a new fee for trash pickup — but officials dialed down the proposed price for trash pickup by 10 percent. (Union-Tribune) SEGMENT 5 00:21:18 County vs City Sprung Structure Tent Homeless temporary housing SEGMENT 6 00:29:57 Student Aid Fraud How Fraudsters Swindle Community College Financial Aid Community colleges have in recent years been plagued by fraudsters posing as students to swindle financial aid money. Here’s how it works. SEGMENT 7 00:29:57 Mike Levin on DOGE Cuts SEGMENT 7 00:57:37 Hot Takes TRT 01:07:39 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 South Bay County Supervisor runoff is set. Two mayors will race for the future of the county. An effort to set aside an area for homeless residents near the airport has hit another snag as the developer of Liberty Station takes the city to court. And the U.S Secretary of Education was in town. Jakob went to see her. All that and another Dear VOSD. SHOW NOTES: (Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading) INTRO 00:00:00 SEGMENT 1 00:55:20 VOSD Beer Launch Party https://www.instagram.com/guhsd_parent/https://www.instagram.com/studentsforstaff.guhsd/https://www.instagram.com/sdbikelanes/https://www.instagram.com/sdmts.lovegang/https://www.instagram.com/sdfloodsurvivors/ SEGMENT 2 00:07:17 Dear VOSD: Luis from City Council District 4 What’s the correct number of city council districts? SEGMENT 3 00:17:57 Southbay Election Update Two Mayors Will Battle for Supe Seat SEGMENT 4 00:26:23 Trash Fees San Diegans are set to pay a new fee for trash pickup — but officials dialed down the proposed price for trash pickup by 10 percent. (Union-Tribune) SEGMENT 5 00:33:02 Liberty Station Liberty Station Developer Asks Judge to Halt H Barracks Safe Parking A prominent real estate developer is asking a Superior Court judge to stop the city from opening a safe parking lot for people living in vehicles until a legal battle over the project ends. SEGMENT 6 00:39:39 ASU + GSV Education Summit In San Diego, Education Secretary Insists Cuts Target Bureaucracy, Not Fundingocuments show Renteria donated to Reyes’ school board campaign in 2018. TRT 00:48:15 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.

On Sunday, March 31st, 1985, a group of young Black men drove back to southeastern San Diego after visiting Balboa Park. It was just after 6:00 PM and the sun was retreating into the horizon. As a truck driven by 23-year-old Sagon Penn pulled into a driveway on a quiet street in Encanto, they were followed by two police cars. What happened next would leave one officer dead, another officer and a civilian ride along severely injured, a young man in a years long legal limbo and a city reeling. On the 40th anniversary of the incident, I have author Peter Houlahan in the studio with me. His book, “Reap the Whirlwind: Violence, Race, Justice and the story of Sagon Penn,” is a fascinating deep dive into the case, the compelling figures who drove the story and the impact it all had on San Diego and beyond. SHOW NOTES 10News Story: New book revisits the impact the story of Sagon Penn has had on communities of color in San Diego You can find book from Counterpoint Press here: Reap the Whirlwind Reap the Whirlwind - Violence, Race, Justice, and the Story of Sagon Penn by Peter Houlahan Book Description The bestselling author of Norco ’80 returns with a riveting story of mid-1980s San Diego that placed one young Black man at the center of a whirlwind of crime and punishment that profoundly altered Southern California CREDITS 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.

Coming up on the show, we are in the final stretch of the District 1 County Supervisor race. The mailers are getting SPICY, and one especially pissed off a lot of people. Last month, Mayor Todd Gloria announced he was eliminating the position of chief operating officer and taking over the gig himself. Now, former COO Eric Dargan is suing Gloria and the city for discrimination and for breaking promises in his contract. We’ll break it down. Finally, why are officials at Chula Vista Elementary school trading corruption allegations? Investigative reporter Will Huntsberry joins us this week to explain. SHOW NOTES: (Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading) INTRO 00:00:00 SEGMENT 1 00:04:13 Hyperlocal IG Accounts https://www.instagram.com/guhsd_parent/ https://www.instagram.com/studentsforstaff.guhsd/https://www.instagram.com/sdbikelanes/https://www.instagram.com/sdmts.lovegang/https://www.instagram.com/sdfloodsurvivors/ SEGMENT 2 00:19:28 SD COO Sues SD VOSD Mayor’s Office: Ex-COO Alleging Discrimination Was Fired Mayor Todd Gloria’s chief of staff claims former city COO Eric Dargan, whose position was eliminated in February, was ‘terminated for cause’ in response to his lawsuit alleging discrimination and a breached contract. SEGMENT 3 00:25:11 UCSD to Lose Funding VOSD The Learning Curve: UCSD Could Lose Hundreds of Millions from Trump Cuts While many in higher education are sounding the alarm on President Donald Trump’s research slashing, it has been tough to suss out exactly what the impacts will be. An email from UCSD’s Chancellor gives us a ballpark figure. SEGMENT 4 00:32:32 Chula Vista COO Conflict of Interest VOSDChula Vista Superintendent Allegedly Pushed for Work for Builder Who Donated to His Campaign Superintendent Eduardo Reyes previously said he has no personal relationship with Al Renteria. Campaign documents show Renteria donated to Reyes’ school board campaign in 2018. TRT 00:48:58 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 Padres are playing their opening game as we record. We’ll explain a new minimum wage increase they are fighting. We’ve got a few updates on what the city is doing to get you to pay for parking. Why San Diego is on the hook for monthly rent payment on an empty homeless shelter. And the historic San Diego Taxpayers Association has no leadership. Also, the hospitals are fighting. Palomar Health is borrowing money from friends and that never goes well. SHOW NOTES: (Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading) INTRO 00:00:00 SEGMENT 1 00:01:10 Opening Day at Petco: Padres face Braves, Profar returns SEGMENT 2 00:10:34 Tax Association VOSD Politics Report: Taxpayers ‘Cash Flow Problem’ SEGMENT 3 00:15:13 Homeless Senior Center VOSD San Diego Is on the Hook for Monthly $77,000 Payments of Shuttered Senior Shelter SEGMENT 4 00:19:15 SD CPR Parking Update from Bella KPBS Charging on Sundays? Surge pricing? San Diego eyes reforms to manage parking demand SEGMENT 5 00:27:17 Palomar Health VOSD Palomar Health’s Borrowing Has Ruffled Feathers at Sharp HealthCare Michael Scott I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!!! - The Office US TRT 00:41:52 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’ve got a Dear VOSD response finally on the city’s history of charging for parking. Grossmont Union School District has had some very tense meetings. We’ll talk about a hot mic moment that went viral. And as part of our 20th anniversary talk, we have reflections from several of the journalists and former writers at Voice of San Diego who made a difference here. SHOW NOTES: (Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading) INTRO 00:00:00 SEGMENT 1 00:02:16 First Supervisorial District Special Primary ElectionCounty’s Top Behavioral Health Official ResignsTrump signs order aiming to close the Education DepartmentCity of San Diego announces how much trash pickup will actually cost SEGMENT 2 00:19:23 Dear VOSD: Parking Instagram New fiscal year, same structural budget deficit SEGMENT 3 00:34:55 GUHSD Budget Cuts VOSD Amid Layoff Talks, School Board Member Says Librarians Are Overpaid SEGMENT 4 00:51:34 20th Anniversary Talk with Voices VOSD 20 Years of Impact - At 20 Years Old, We Check In with 20 Former Voicers TRT 01:10:49 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.

SHOW NOTES INTRO 00:00:00 Intro SEGMENT 1 00:01:48 San Diego Football Club opening day drama San Diego FC announces security, messaging measures after homophobic chants SDFC confronts fans' homophobic chant that's plagued soccer for years Homophobic chant at San Diego FC's inaugural home match condemned by coach, sporting director SEGMENT 2 00:13:41 COVID-19 Five Years Later ‘We have ignored lessons’: how Covid continues to affect lives five years laterCOVID-19 shut us down five years ago. Here's how its economic impact continuesRemembering the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in San Diego, five years later SEGMENT 3 00:23:46 Troubled Waters Why It Matters: Why Are San Diego Water Rates About to Soar?Item 331: Public Hearing Regarding Proposed Water Rate Increase not to Exceed 5.5% to pass through increases from San Diego County Water Authority. “Because we are going to be using ...it's ghost water, it's water noone is going to drink.” “I'm not comfortable ...I'll put that on the table.” SEGMENT 4 00:39:01 SD FC & San Diego Padres VOSD Tom Penn, New SD MLS Chief, Sees a Soccer Campus on the Horizon In a Q&A, the former LAFC president talks about the youth academy the new team will build and all the other major projects he has two years to complete. SEGMENT 5 00:53:19 NIL in College Sports California’s college athletes can now make millions off sponsorship deals. Here's a first look at the numbers TRT 01:10:49 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.

What exactly happened at City Council this week? We have one of them here, Councilmember Henry Foster joins us to talk about housing, ADUs, land use, the city’s deficit and more. SHOW NOTES INTRO 00:00:00 Intro SEGMENT 1 00:02:09 San Diego Football Club opening day drama SDFC confronts fans' homophobic chant that's plagued soccer for years Homophobic chant at San Diego FC's inaugural home match condemned by coach, sporting director SEGMENT 2 00:11:13 San Diego County’s First Supervisorial District County Workers Back Imperial Beach Mayor in Supervisor Bid Morning Report: Housing and the Supe Race Morning Report: Deep Cuts Coming to City SEGMENT 3 00:24:05 Morning Report: Council Spares ADU Bonus Program Morning Report: Mayor Cans COOMarch 4, 2025 City Council Meeting Audio Clip: “Under the current rules … slave quarters or camps … is needed.” Audio Clip: 00:49:45 CM Marni Von Wilpert “Under existing regulations … when it lacks sidewalks .. does that mean the city is required to deny … very interesting.” TRT 01:06:13 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.

SHOW NOTES INTRO 00:00:00 Intro Parent’s Guide on Instagram! SEGMENT 1 00:00:57 Parent’s Guide on Instagram! The wait is OVER This year’s A Parent’s Guide to San Diego Schools is here and ready to help answer all your local education questions! 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 — all for FREE!!! Donor Thank You’s Ways to Give Women Leading The Conversation San Diego’s most influential women leaders. Thursday, March 20, 2025 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Farmer & Seahorse, Illumina Theatre 10996 Torreyana Rd., San Diego, CA SD 101 Video and Washington Post Tik-Tok Dave Jorgenson on Blue Sky Bella Ross on Blue Sky SEGMENT 2 00:13:42 South County Endorsements From La Prensa Story Friends Clash in County Special Election (2/3/2025) By Arturo Castañares Editor-at-Large SEGMENT 3 00:21:36 Cannabis: How a Barber Became the Unwitting Owner of a Cannabis Company SEGMENT 4 00:36:25 CARE Court: San Diego’s CARE Court Isn’t Forcing Treatment Governor Newsom Unveils Plan to Care for Californians Struggling with Behavioral Health Challenges TRT 00:49:34 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.

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 Benefits Join today and receive insider access. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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 Consequences If death rates in San Diego jails don’t come down, Attorney General Rob Bonta said he could pursue multiple legal remedies. by Will Huntsberry October 10, 2023 Border Report: Understanding San Diego’s Stricter ‘Sanctuary’ Policy by Kate Morrissey January 6, 2025 Proposition 36 Has Already Led to Hundreds of Arrests in San Diego by Jakob McWhinney February 5, 2025 Become a Member See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.