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 change the plan before it goes on the ballot.

Finally: Former Voice of San Diego reporter Ashly McGlone stopped by to talk about her new project Reconnaissance Man.

Before the Vietnam War America knows, James Lyle Steele, an original Marine reconnaissance man, was in it. Operating at the leading edge of a brutal, evolving conflict — poisoned bamboo, booby traps, tunnels, ambushes, and helicopter assaults— he faced a war that demanded constant vigilance. This episode offers Steele's firsthand account of the war before most Americans realized it had begun, detailing the constant, deadly reality of his experience.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 give you our thoughts.

Also on the show: The podcast crew gave you some alternative options, sort of, for the upcoming California governor election.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Also on the show: Last week when we recorded, U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell was the frontrunner in the governor’s race. But after bombshell sexual assault allegations surfaced, he’s dropped out of the race and left Congress. The canceling happened at warp speed. We give our uninformed thoughts on the governor’s race.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 hosts offer more details about our fight to get records released.

Also on the show: Could the city of San Diego lose Liberty Station? There is a real possibility this could happen. We talk about the potential outcomes.

Plus, believe it or not we have more news on the Midway district saga.

Finally, South County reporter Jim Hinch joins us to update us on Chula Vista politics!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 front yard of his property which has neighbors concerned.

San Diego Unified teachers approved a tentative agreement that grants them five percent raises over the next two years and other perks, but our Jakob McWhinney has been following some of the drama behind the deal.

Also on the show: MacKenzie Elmer joined us to discuss her story on why humans may be to blame for the orphaning of two bear cubs in Monrovia, California.

After three years of reporting...and waiting...we have one more quick Petco Park concession scandal update after the attorney general of California sued the ringleaders of the scheme to try to recover the money.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Friedkin, Jose Feliciano, Joe Lacob, and Tom Gores.

SB 958 has been filed to exempt the 4,200-home Midway Rising project (including an arena) from CEQA, bypassing potential traffic-related legal challenges.

City staff discovered that Chicano Park and a nearby property intended for the Boston Avenue Linear Park were incorrectly zoned for commercial use in the 2021 community plan. The errors came to light when community members questioned the potential sale of one of the sites by Caltrans to Soapy Joe’s car wash. City Council recently voted to correct the zoning to reflect the intended park use.

San Diego has a water surplus and is selling it, including a deal to provide 10,000 acre-feet annually to Temecula, expected to net $100 million over five years.

San Diego's One America News Network filed a restraining order against influencer Chelsea Goss (Gods) after she protested Matt Gaetz's hiring; Goss responded with an anti-SLAPP motion.

2:21 Nathan Fletcher re-ermerges
6:10 #Padres Opening Day and new potential buyer announced
22:09 Midway Rising files to be exempt from CEQA
32:25 We can't do this without you!
33:22 Chicano Park zoning issue
44:28 San Diego's selling water!
59:52 OANN vs Chelsea Gods

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 plate readers are just one of the many tools police have to investigate crimes. What do license plate readers know about us? How often are we being watched by technology? And can AI help the police department be more efficient?

Plus: How does the department handle misconduct investigations? And, what changes has Chief Wahl implemented to reduce police overtime?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode we get into a really big news week for local politics with longtime Republican Rep. Darrell Issa announcing he will not seek reelection. The podcast crew talks about what that means.

After two years and lots of investigating, VOSD's Will Huntsberry saw the finish line for his story which uncovered a fake non profit running concessions at Petco Park - and pocketing around $2 million. He explains what the news is.

Finally, the local non profit that prosecutors say stole county money has provoked questions about county oversight. A "special review" is now underway. We'll explain.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.