When the world gives you solar panels, you must use them. But not if the power companies have anything to say about it.

Environment reporter MacKenzie Elmer drops in to discuss SB 868, a bill that would legalize easy, plug-in balcony solar panels for renters and condo owners. Local utility companies like SDG&E are pushing back, citing worker safety concerns regarding power "back-feeding" into lines, despite zero documented injuries on record.
00:00 - Intro & Mexico's Soccer Loss
07:35 - Measure C & Homelessness Funding
17:42 - San Diego Unified's $3.5B School Bond
33:00 - Plug-In Solar Panels & Utility Pushback
44:42 - Politifest Announcement
48:20 - Listener Shoutouts & Kelly Davis Tribute

When the world gives you solar panels, you must use them. But not if the power companies have anything to say about it.
Environment reporter MacKenzie Elmer drops in to discuss SB 868, a bill that would legalize easy, plug-in balcony solar panels for renters and condo owners. Local utility companies like SDG&amp;E are pushing back, citing worker safety concerns regarding power "back-feeding" into lines, despite zero documented injuries on record.
<ul>
<li data-path-to-node="2,0,0">00:00 - Intro &amp; Mexico's Soccer Loss</li>
<li data-path-to-node="2,1,0">07:35 - Measure C &amp; Homelessness Funding</li>
<li data-path-to-node="2,2,0">17:42 - San Diego Unified's $3.5B School Bond</li>
<li data-path-to-node="2,3,0">33:00 - Plug-In Solar Panels &amp; Utility Pushback</li>
<li data-path-to-node="2,4,0">44:42 - Politifest Announcement</li>
<li data-path-to-node="2,5,0">48:20 - Listener Shoutouts &amp; Kelly Davis Tribute</li>
</ul>

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

Plug-in Blues

The federal government has made some big promises but can it deliver?

On the latest episode of the VOSD Podcast, co-host Jakob McWhinney reveals that San Diego schools are experiencing a boom in special education enrollment.

At the same time, there are fewer kids enrolled at local schools today than 10 years ago. That means many schools are seeing a drop in funding. Those two trends are putting a lot of pressure on schools, McWhinney explains.

The feds at some point promised to help schools with the cost of special education, but some wonder if that will ever happen.

Also on the show: Seventy-five years ago, the feds admitted that the jetties they built for a military base were contributing to Oceanside’s disappearing beaches.

Now, for the first time in a long time, they seem to be moving forward with a plan to restore sand to the city's beaches. North County reporter Tigist Layne joins us on the show to explain. 

 

The federal government has made some big promises but can it deliver?
On the latest episode of the VOSD Podcast, co-host Jakob McWhinney reveals that San Diego schools are experiencing a boom in special education enrollment.
At the same time, there are fewer kids enrolled at local schools today than 10 years ago. That means many schools are seeing a drop in funding. Those two trends are putting a lot of pressure on schools, McWhinney explains.
The feds at some point promised to help schools with the cost of special education, but some wonder if that will ever happen.
Also on the show: Seventy-five years ago, the feds admitted that the jetties they built for a military base were contributing to Oceanside&rsquo;s disappearing beaches.
Now, for the first time in a long time, they seem to be moving forward with a plan to restore sand to the city's beaches. North County reporter Tigist Layne joins us on the show to explain.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Feds to the Rescue?

Robots are now coming for our schools.



OK, maybe not yet. But education reporter Jakob McWhinney did find one school that's giving them a shot.



The hybrid charter network Altus Schools recently spent half a million dollars on two ChatGPT-powered humanoid robots called Ameca. School officials say they're not trying to replace teachers, but some experts have flagged a whole slew of concerns about the mechanical intrusion into education.



Here is what Jakob learned:



"People who develop technology have long said the goal is never to replace teachers until it is. But these sorts of systems do supplant teachers," McWhinney said.



Also on the show: Co-host Scott Lewis explains a complex deal struck over state ballot measures. The crew also gabs about a company working to eradicate the algae that has infested Washington D.C.'s Reflecting Pool and why it may ring a bell with locals.

Robots are now coming for our schools.
 
OK, maybe not yet. But education reporter Jakob McWhinney did find one school that's giving them a shot.
 
The hybrid charter network Altus Schools recently spent half a million dollars on two ChatGPT-powered humanoid robots called Ameca. School officials say they're not trying to replace teachers, but some experts have flagged a whole slew of concerns about the mechanical intrusion into education.
 
Here is what Jakob learned:
 
"People who develop technology have long said the goal is never to replace teachers until it is. But these sorts of systems do supplant teachers," McWhinney said.
 
Also on the show: Co-host Scott Lewis explains a complex deal struck over state ballot measures. The crew also gabs about a company working to eradicate the algae that has infested Washington D.C.'s Reflecting Pool and why it may ring a bell with locals.

Class, Your Robot Is Talking

The VOSD Podcast crew was back in their usual episode structure but this time breaking in their brand-new Alice and Doug Diamond Studio in downtown San Diego! 

On this week's episode, investigative reporter Jim Hinch joins the podcast to unpack his extensive reporting on the abrupt, messy exit of Chula Vista's highly esteemed police chief, Roxana Kennedy. What started as a seemingly harmless incident at a workplace Christmas party spiraled into a multi-layered legal war and involved another twist no one saw coming. 

Also on the show: La Jolla secession moves towards the ballot, the county knew of an executive's embezzlement history, and much more! 

The VOSD Podcast crew was back in their usual episode structure but this time breaking in their brand-new Alice and Doug Diamond Studio in downtown San Diego!&nbsp;
On this week's episode, investigative reporter Jim Hinch joins the podcast to unpack his extensive reporting on the abrupt, messy exit of Chula Vista's highly esteemed police chief, Roxana Kennedy. What started as a seemingly harmless incident at a workplace Christmas party spiraled into a multi-layered legal war and involved another twist no one saw coming.&nbsp;
Also on the show: La Jolla secession moves towards the ballot, the county knew of an executive's embezzlement history, and much more!&nbsp;

Plug-in Blues

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