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;

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.