SHOW NOTES

INTRO 00:00:00

Intro

Parent’s Guide on Instagram!

 

SEGMENT 1 00:00:57

Parent’s Guide on Instagram!

The wait is OVER

This year’s A Parent’s Guide to San Diego Schools is here and ready to help answer all your local education questions!

The Guide explains school choice opportunities and enrollment deadlines, what’s available for after-school care, school performance data in an easy-to-use format and much more — all for FREE!!!


Donor Thank You’s

Ways to Give


Women Leading The Conversation

San Diego’s most influential women leaders.

Thursday, March 20, 2025

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Farmer & Seahorse, Illumina Theatre

10996 Torreyana Rd., San Diego, CA


SD 101 Video and Washington Post Tik-Tok 

Dave Jorgenson on Blue Sky

Bella Ross on Blue Sky

 

SEGMENT 2 00:13:42

South County Endorsements

From La Prensa StoryFriends Clash in County Special Election (2/3/2025) By Arturo Castañares Editor-at-Large

 

SEGMENT 3 00:21:36

Cannabis: How a Barber Became the Unwitting Owner of a Cannabis Company

 

SEGMENT 4 00:36:25

CARE Court: 

San Diego’s CARE Court Isn’t Forcing Treatment

 

Governor Newsom Unveils Plan to Care for Californians Struggling with Behavioral Health Challenges

 

TRT 00:49:34

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.

SHOW NOTES
INTRO 00:00:00
Intro
Parent&rsquo;s Guide on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DGej7d7vn9g/">Instagram!</a>
&nbsp;
SEGMENT 1 00:00:57
Parent&rsquo;s Guide on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/voiceofsandiego/">Instagram!</a>
The wait is OVER
This year&rsquo;s A Parent&rsquo;s Guide to San Diego Schools is here and ready to help answer all your local education questions!
The Guide explains school choice opportunities and enrollment deadlines, what&rsquo;s available for after-school care, school performance data in an easy-to-use format and much more &mdash; all for FREE!!!
 Donor Thank You&rsquo;s
<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/ways-to-give/">Ways to Give</a>
 Women Leading The Conversation
<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/event/women-leading-the-conversation/">San Diego&rsquo;s most influential women leaders.</a>
Thursday, March 20, 2025
5:30 &ndash; 7:30 p.m.
Farmer &amp; Seahorse, Illumina Theatre
10996 Torreyana Rd., San Diego, CA
 SD 101 Video and Washington Post Tik-Tok&nbsp;
<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:gvfubqngd6l52wpreztedpmt?ref_src=embed&amp;ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.niemanlab.org%252F2025%252F02%252Fthe-washington-posts-tiktok-guy-will-publish-a-post-produced-news-series-on-his-personal-channel%252F">Dave Jorgenson on Blue Sky</a>
<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/bellamayaross.bsky.social">Bella Ross on Blue Sky</a>
&nbsp;
SEGMENT 2 00:13:42
South County Endorsements
From <a href="https://laprensa.org/friends-clash-county-special-election">La Prensa Story</a> Friends Clash in County Special Election (2/3/2025) By Arturo Casta&ntilde;ares Editor-at-Large
&nbsp;
SEGMENT 3 00:21:36
Cannabis: <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/02/26/how-a-barber-became-the-unwitting-owner-of-a-cannabis-company/">How a Barber Became the Unwitting Owner of a Cannabis Company</a>
&nbsp;
SEGMENT 4 00:36:25
CARE Court:<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/02/27/morning-report-san-diegos-care-court-isnt-forcing-treatment/">&nbsp;</a>
<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/02/27/morning-report-san-diegos-care-court-isnt-forcing-treatment/">San Diego&rsquo;s CARE Court Isn&rsquo;t Forcing Treatment</a>
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGAvQ_YRrPE">Governor Newsom Unveils Plan to Care for Californians Struggling with Behavioral Health Challenges</a>
&nbsp;
TRT 00:49:34
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>

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

 Surprise! You Own a Pot Shop

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;

Congressman Mike Levin Brings the D.C. Tea

The South Bay County Supervisor runoff is set. Two mayors will race for the future of the county. 

An effort to set aside an area for homeless residents near the airport has hit another snag as the developer of Liberty Station takes the city to court. 

And the U.S Secretary of Education was in town. Jakob went to see her. 

All that and another Dear VOSD.

 

  

SHOW NOTES: 

(Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading)

 

INTRO 00:00:00

 

SEGMENT 1 00:55:20

VOSD Beer Launch Party
Grossmont Union accounts: 
https://www.instagram.com/guhsd_parent/
https://www.instagram.com/studentsforstaff.guhsd/ 
Sdbikelanes: https://www.instagram.com/sdbikelanes/ 
Mts lovegang: https://www.instagram.com/sdmts.lovegang/ 
Sdfloodsurvivors: https://www.instagram.com/sdfloodsurvivors/

 

SEGMENT 2 00:07:17

Dear VOSD: Luis from City Council District 4

What’s the correct number of city council districts?

 

SEGMENT 3 00:17:57

Southbay Election Update

Two Mayors Will Battle for Supe Seat

 

SEGMENT 4 00:26:23

Trash Fees

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 00:33:02

Liberty Station

Liberty Station Developer Asks Judge to Halt H Barracks Safe Parking

A prominent real estate developer is asking a Superior Court judge to stop the city from opening a safe parking lot for people living in vehicles until a legal battle over the project ends.

 

SEGMENT 6 00:39:39

ASU + GSV Education Summit

In San Diego, Education Secretary Insists Cuts Target Bureaucracy, Not Fundingocuments show Renteria donated to Reyes’ school board campaign in 2018.

 

TRT 00:48:15

 

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.

The South Bay County Supervisor runoff is set. Two mayors will race for the future of the county.&nbsp;
An effort to set aside an area for homeless residents near the airport has hit another snag as the developer of Liberty Station takes the city to court.&nbsp;
And the U.S Secretary of Education was in town. Jakob went to see her.&nbsp;
All that and another Dear VOSD.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;
SHOW NOTES:&nbsp;
(Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading)
&nbsp;
INTRO 00:00:00
&nbsp;
SEGMENT 1 00:55:20
VOSD Beer Launch Party
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Grossmont Union accounts:&nbsp;</li>
<ol>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/guhsd_parent/">https://www.instagram.com/guhsd_parent/</a></li>
<li aria-level="2"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/studentsforstaff.guhsd/">https://www.instagram.com/studentsforstaff.guhsd/</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ol>
<li aria-level="1">Sdbikelanes: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sdbikelanes/">https://www.instagram.com/sdbikelanes/</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Mts lovegang: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sdmts.lovegang/">https://www.instagram.com/sdmts.lovegang/</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Sdfloodsurvivors: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sdfloodsurvivors/">https://www.instagram.com/sdfloodsurvivors/</a></li>
</ol>
&nbsp;
SEGMENT 2 00:07:17
Dear VOSD: Luis from City Council District 4
What&rsquo;s the correct number of city council districts?
&nbsp;
SEGMENT 3 00:17:57
Southbay Election Update
<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/04/09/two-mayors-will-battle-for-supe-seat/">Two Mayors Will Battle for Supe Seat</a>
&nbsp;
SEGMENT 4 00:26:23
Trash Fees
<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 00:33:02
Liberty Station
<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/04/09/liberty-station-developer-asks-judge-to-halt-h-barracks-safe-parking/">Liberty Station Developer Asks Judge to Halt H Barracks Safe Parking</a>
A prominent real estate developer is asking a Superior Court judge to stop the city from opening a safe parking lot for people living in vehicles until a legal battle over the project ends.
&nbsp;
SEGMENT 6 00:39:39
ASU + GSV Education Summit
<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2025/04/09/education-secretary-linda-mcmahon-in-edtech-land/">In San Diego, Education Secretary Insists Cuts Target Bureaucracy, Not Fundingocuments show Renteria donated to Reyes&rsquo; school board campaign in 2018.</a>
&nbsp;
TRT 00:48:15
&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>

Liberty Station Moneybags vs Mayor

On Sunday, March 31st, 1985, a group of young Black men drove back to southeastern San Diego after visiting Balboa Park. It was just after 6:00 PM and the sun was retreating into the horizon. As a truck driven by 23-year-old Sagon Penn pulled into a driveway on a quiet street in Encanto, they were followed by two police cars.

What happened next would leave one officer dead, another officer and a civilian ride along severely injured, a young man in a years long legal limbo and a city reeling. 

On the 40th anniversary of the incident, I have author Peter Houlahan in the studio with me. His book, “Reap the Whirlwind: Violence, Race, Justice and the story of Sagon Penn,” is a fascinating deep dive into the case, the compelling figures who drove the story and the impact it all had on San Diego and beyond. 

 

SHOW NOTES

10News Story: New book revisits the impact the story of Sagon Penn has had on communities of color in San Diego

You can find book from Counterpoint Press here: Reap the Whirlwind

Reap the Whirlwind - Violence, Race, Justice, and the Story of Sagon Penn
by Peter Houlahan

Book Description
The bestselling author of Norco ’80 returns with a riveting story of mid-1980s San Diego that placed one young Black man at the center of a whirlwind of crime and punishment that profoundly altered Southern California

CREDITS

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.

On Sunday, March 31st, 1985, a group of young Black men drove back to southeastern San Diego after visiting Balboa Park. It was just after 6:00 PM and the sun was retreating into the horizon. As a truck driven by 23-year-old Sagon Penn pulled into a driveway on a quiet street in Encanto, they were followed by two police cars.
What happened next would leave one officer dead, another officer and a civilian ride along severely injured, a young man in a years long legal limbo and a city reeling.&nbsp;
On the 40th anniversary of the incident, I have author Peter Houlahan in the studio with me. His book, &ldquo;Reap the Whirlwind: Violence, Race, Justice and the story of Sagon Penn,&rdquo; is a fascinating deep dive into the case, the compelling figures who drove the story and the impact it all had on San Diego and beyond.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
SHOW NOTES
10News Story: <a href="https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/new-book-revisits-the-impact-the-story-of-sagon-penn-has-had-on-communities-of-color-in-san-diego">New book revisits the impact the story of Sagon Penn has had on communities of color in San Diego</a>
You can find book from Counterpoint Press here: <a href="https://www.counterpointpress.com/books/reap-the-whirlwind/">Reap the Whirlwind</a>
Reap the Whirlwind -&nbsp;Violence, Race, Justice, and the Story of Sagon Penn by Peter Houlahan
Book Description The bestselling author of Norco &rsquo;80 returns with a riveting story of mid-1980s San Diego that placed one young Black man at the center of a whirlwind of crime and punishment that profoundly altered Southern California
CREDITS
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
&nbsp;
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>

Surprise! You Own a Pot Shop

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