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 labor union. This week, we discuss a feud between SDG&E and public power proponents that played out in front of a San Diego City Council …

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 give people like that a leg up. But now it looks like they'll have to send the grant money back. This week, host Andrea Lopez-Villafaña shares an up…

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 Andrew Hayes. Despite DeMaio’s efforts to drag a Democrat to the runoff, he will face Hayes, a fellow Republican. T…

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 an aptitude test that caught the attention of the U.S. Navy. For Gray, like many people across the country, the mi…

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 Memorial Educational Campus. Logan Memorial has served generations of residents. And through that time it has modified its educ…

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 to pass them. The outcome of these props also impacts local measures that are moving forward to boost…

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 generate extra funds to make the big project possible, especially for all the extra infrastructure needed…

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 is the place for commentary on the city attorney "vibes vote," and to drill down Council districts and mayoral candidates. This week, …

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 turnout. And it kind of makes sense. California voters aren't tipping the scales on the Presidential …

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 about the city's neglect during the January floods, and responses b…

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 have a new evolution of local politics playing out by mail. And billboard. And lawn …

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 reporter MacKenzie Elmer and a resident she recently profiled. During the Jan. 22 storm, Jesse Preciado dove into rising f…

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 more rain this week — they may finally see momentum. This week, we discus…

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 planned ways they could be alone. The messages show the woman, Grecia Figueroa, expressed i…

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 now? This week we discuss the city of San Diego's new homelessness fundraising campaign — and what it could do to a…

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 the city is getting stronger every day. Let…

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 wi…

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 luminar…

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 i…

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 harassmen…

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 Societ…

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 …

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 Picklebal…

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 discu…

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 mo…