Voice of San Diego Podcast

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...

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...

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 th...

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...

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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...

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 C...

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...

When you have questions about county reform, you go straight to the source. This week on the Voice of San Diego Podcast, Scott Lewis, Jakob McWhinney, and Bella Ross are joined by San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair Terra Lawson-Remer to discuss massive county charter reforms, infrastructure lockboxes, and what it’s really like navigating dating apps as a public official. Plus: The c...

There will be one very mad podcast host if the Tijuana River Sewage problem is not resolved by 2036. That podcast host is Scott Lewis. We bet you’ll be shocked to learn signature gatherers could not answer a reporter’s question about the change they were seeking. We talk about why they can’t explain what’s happening with the Tijuana River crisis at the border. Also on the s...

San Diego's budget could be in a lot of trouble if voters repeal the city's trash fee. City leaders say if that happens, their only option would be to cut up to $150 million from city services like stormwater, fire and police departments. Our hosts explain what's at stake. Also on the show: The county governance reforms are marching forward. But one state Senator says her fellow Democrats need to...

On the latest episode, our hosts talk about some local issues that impact us all. First : County supervisors have officially put a measure on the ballot that will extend term limits of county supervisors. But it’s way more interesting than that. We explain. Next: The mayor of San Diego has put out a new proposed budget. It’s got some folks mad. But it was always going to do that. We'll...

On the latest show, our podcasts hosts discuss the topic of broken promises. First up: A temporary fire station in San Diego is still temporary 11 years after elected officials promised to deliver a permanent fire station in Skyline. Next: School district officials promised to fix the plumbing at a local school, but three different campaigns for tax increases later and it’s still not fixed....

San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson Remer wants to stay in office longer and wants other reforms that would “improve transparency.” On this week's show, our podcast hosts explain the whole package she plans to propose to San Diego voters. It’s all coming at a time when county officials continue to fight us on the release of public records. We are suing the county and our hos...

When your neighbors don't like nudity, head to a nudist colony! On today's episode, Andrea, Bella, and Jakob talked about a lot of different topics today and even got to mention yellow thong bikini bottoms. In the first season of HBO's TV show Neighbors, episode six features a local man who believes he is being wronged by his neighbors and others around San Diego. Why? He likes to work out in the...

With Andrea and Bella out, Scott Lewis, Jakob McWhinney, and Will Huntsberry held it down.  Former County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher is re-emerging post-controversy, holding a press conference, giving speeches, and launching a Substack, "Grounded," about his life on a family ranch. The Padres' strong season and high franchise value ($3.5B+) fuel sale rumors. Potential bidders include Dan Frie...

It has been nearly two years since Scott Wahl became San Diego top cop. For the latest VOSD Podcast episode, our hosts Scott Lewis and Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña sat down with Chief Wahl to discuss policing and more. With the federal governments immigration enforcement efforts, what is the San Diego Police Department's the role? Are officers prepared for possible attacks from Iran? License pl...

Who knew selling hot dogs at Petco Park was such a money making venture? After two years and lots of investigating, VOSD's Will Huntsberry saw the finish line for his story which uncovered a fake nonprofit running concessions at Petco Park - and pocketing around $2 million. He explains what the news is and what it feels like to make a difference.  Also on the show: We get into a really big ne...

On this week's episode Scott Lewis and Jakob McWhinney sit down with San Diego Unified School Board members Cody Petterson and Shana Hazan. They talk about the current challenges facing San Diego schools, declining enrollment, budget issues, and how they want to make San Diego schools succeed.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode we span all over the news world from sports, to politics, to parking meters.  The second home tax is back. This time it spares vacation rentals. However, it’s on a fast track to the ballot. We tell you how it will work.  Lisa Halverstadt had a big update after prosecutors said they believe a nonprofit executive may have misallocated even more funds meant to s...

Is it time we take a serious look at "slopulism?" Let us explain. The New York Times featured San Diego's Amy Reichert in a story after she teamed up with Youtuber Nick Shirley to try to uncover fraud in San Diego child care facilities. Shirley's previous coverage of the topic went viral in Minneapolis. The newspaper defined their political posts as slopulism. Related: After Shirley's visit to San...

When someone tells you they don't have information, dig a little deeper. On this week's episode the VOSD Podcast crew broke down Jakob McWhinney's reporting on some startling stats on how empty San Diego Unified School district schools are. Yet another chapter in the enrollment crisis they refuse to discuss.  The Republican Party in San Diego used to have big meetings and lots of influence in...

Changing term limits may not just be a national news story. San Diego now has an attempt to change term limits. Our own Lisa Halverstadt dug in and reported on a county supervisor considering pushing reforms that may include electing a county mayor. In other words there’d be a mayor and a mayor. Our hosts tells you what everything means and what has to happen.  The Epstein Files are pro...

The temperature seems to be rising, and it has nothing to do with weather. Whether it's immigration or short-term rentals, things are heating up.  In this week's episode our hosts were joined by chair of the San Diego Democratic Party, Will Rodriguez-Kennedy to discuss issues we will likely talk about in 2026.  First, last Friday activists barricaded themselves in Mayor Todd Gloria's off...

San Diego’s mayor had one message for the city: We are at a pivotal point in San Diego's history. On the latest episode, our hosts talk about Todd Gloria's State of the City address and the topics he covered. Can the city move the needle on redeveloping the Sports Arena and Golden Hall? Are the convention center's modernization plans going to be actual modern improvements? Our hosts break it...