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 7, 2025.

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 7, 2025.

This is Voice of San Diego’s weekly spitfire roundup of news. We cover local and regional politics, the environment, education, the border and more. This show features our investigative reporting and interviews with lawmakers and other special guests.

This is Voice of San Diego&rsquo;s weekly spitfire roundup of news. We cover local and regional politics, the environment, education, the border and more. This show features our investigative reporting and interviews with lawmakers and other special guests.

Voice of San Diego Podcast

LIVE! From Soda Bar

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

 

 

 

 

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&rsquo;s show.
&nbsp;
SHOW NOTES:&nbsp; (Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading)
VOSD:
<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/01/17/san-diego-council-bashes-county-water-authority-over-costs/">San Diego Council Bashes County Water Authority Over Costs</a> Councilmembers say they want to see steep cuts in spending by the region&rsquo;s major water buyer. One suggested refusing to pay the city&rsquo;s water bills. &nbsp; by MacKenzie Elmer January 17, 2025
<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/04/28/the-truth-about-the-cost-of-water-dismantling-the-water-authority-would-harm-all-san-diegans/">The Truth About the Cost of Water: Dismantling the Water Authority Would Harm All San Diegans</a> by Jim Madaffer April 28, 2025
Axios:&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-diego/2025/04/25/elo-rivera-san-diego-water-authority-rates-reform">Elo-Rivera to San Diego Water Authority: Lower rates, or else</a>
Andrew Keatts
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

The Water Interview

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.

We have another guest this week. Hot off her state of the county speech, County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer is joining us.&nbsp;
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&rsquo;s being sentenced today on another charge.&nbsp;
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.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
SHOW NOTES:&nbsp;
(Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading)
INTRO&nbsp;00:00:00
&nbsp;
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 <a href="http://vosd.org/podpeople">vosd.org/podpeople </a>and leave a message about why you support Voice.&nbsp;
Here&rsquo;s what our members said about why they donate:
Leticia S. wrote, &ldquo;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.&rdquo;
Martha D. said,&nbsp;&ldquo;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!&rdquo;
Marjorie W. wrote,&nbsp;&ldquo;you are increasingly a sane voice in this chaotic world&rdquo;
Thank you to those who have supported our work! You can become a supporter too by going to<a href="http://vosd.org/podpeople"> vosd.org/podpeople</a>. Leave us a message about why you support and we&rsquo;ll read a few in the next episode. Again, that&rsquo;s vosd.org/podpeople&nbsp;
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&rsquo;s most popular public affairs podcast live.&nbsp;
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&rsquo;t want to miss out.
Buy your tickets now and learn more at&nbsp;<a href="http://vosd.org/livepod">vosd.org/livepod</a>. Again that&rsquo;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
<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/04/23/chula-vista-mayor-helped-free-a-felon-whos-going-back-to-prison-with-her-brother-a-lot-happened-in-between/">Chula Vista Mayor Helped Free a Felon Who&rsquo;s Going Back to Prison with Her Brother &ndash; A Lot Happened in Between</a>
SEGMENT 4 00:11:12
County Supervisors: Unvited
<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/04/18/gop-county-supes-dem-didnt-invite-us-to-state-of-county-speech/">GOP County Supes: Dem Didn&rsquo;t Invite Us to State of County Speech</a>
SEGMENT 5 00:13:01
DOGE Effects on the County
<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/04/16/the-state-of-the-county-resistance/">The State of the County Resistance</a>
SEGMENT 6 00:25:58
Terra Lawson-Remer on Gloria&rsquo;s Homeless Critique
<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/01/18/politics-report-the-era-of-austerity-is-here/">Politics Report: The &lsquo;Era of Austerity&rsquo; Is Here</a>
SEGMENT 7 00:28:39
Encinitas Gets Ugly with Homeless Blame
<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/04/21/social-media-targets-provider-as-homelessness-surges-in-encinitas/">Anonymous Account, Neighbors Target Provider as Homelessness Surges in Encinitas&nbsp;</a>
SEGMENT 8 00:38:11
Terra&rsquo;s Activism Past
SEGMENT 9 00:44:00
Hot Take: Leave Fire Pits Alone
(From the archives) <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2022/05/23/san-diego-council-seeks-to-snub-out-some-beach-bonfires/">San Diego Council Seeks to Snub Out Some Beach Bonfires</a>
<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2022/05/23/san-diego-council-seeks-to-snub-out-some-beach-bonfires/">San Diego&rsquo;s City Council wants to clarify that open fires are only allowed in concrete fire pits. Beachgoers could still cook on propane-powered grills.</a>
by MacKenzie Elmer
May 23, 2022
&nbsp;
TRT 00:51:26
&nbsp;
Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.
Andrea Lopez-Villafa&ntilde;a, 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:<a href="https://vosd.fundjournalism.org/?amount=15&amp;campaign=701f3000001Dna8&amp;frequency=monthly"> Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.</a>
Become a Member:<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/member-benefits/"> Voice Member Benefits Join today and receive insider access.</a>

Terra Lawson Remer's Fire Take

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.





 

 

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.&nbsp;
Jakob did a story about how some classrooms in local colleges are filled with fake people. We&rsquo;ll break down how that works and how much it&rsquo;s costing.&nbsp;
And we have more trash talk. The new fee for San Diego homeowners is probably coming but it&rsquo;s got to go through a big hurdle.&nbsp;
SHOW NOTES:&nbsp;
(Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading)
INTRO&nbsp;00:00:00
SEGMENT 1&nbsp;00:00:42
VOSD Beer Launch Party
Beer Launch Party&nbsp;
To celebrate our 20th anniversary, we&rsquo;ve collaborated with 3 Punk Ales to create a limited edition Voice of San Diego beer can.&nbsp;
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 &ndash; 259 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910
SEGMENT 2 00:01:41
Banter
SEGMENT 3 00:02:08
Mike Levin
&nbsp;
SEGMENT 4 00:13:22
Smart Trash
<a href="https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/04/09/san-diego-cuts-trash-pickup-price-after-residents-balk-heres-what-it-could-now-cost/#:~:text=The%20revised%20proposal%20announced%20Wednesday,services%20like%20bulky%20trash%20pickup.">San Diegans are set to pay a new fee for trash pickup &mdash; but officials dialed down the proposed price for trash pickup by 10 percent. (Union-Tribune)</a>
SEGMENT 5 00:21:18
County vs City Sprung Structure Tent
Homeless temporary housing
SEGMENT 6 00:29:57
Student Aid Fraud
<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/04/16/how-fraudsters-swindle-community-college-financial-aid/">How Fraudsters Swindle Community College Financial Aid&nbsp;</a>
Community colleges have in recent years been plagued by fraudsters posing as students to swindle financial aid money. Here&rsquo;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
&nbsp;
Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief at Voice of San Diego.
Andrea Lopez-Villafa&ntilde;a, 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:<a href="https://vosd.fundjournalism.org/?amount=15&amp;campaign=701f3000001Dna8&amp;frequency=monthly"> Support independent, investigative journalism in San Diego County.</a>
Become a Member:<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/member-benefits/"> Voice Member Benefits Join today and receive insider access.</a>
 
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

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