Scott Lewis has called it: The Sports Arena and its surrounding land is officially a San Diego Special. (That is an intractable, San Diego-specific problem brought on by maladministration and/or crummy leadership.)

This week, we discussed the state of the current bidding process to remake the area and prioritize a new arena — while the housing crisis looms over us all.

Plus: Palm trees are a menace. The "political genius" of 101 Ash St. Charity leaders flip a house.

Join us on May 4 for our next in-person event. See details at vosd.org/events

Scott Lewis has called it: The Sports Arena and its surrounding land is officially a San Diego Special. (That is an intractable, San Diego-specific problem brought on by maladministration and/or crummy leadership.)
This week, we discussed the state of the current bidding process to remake the area and prioritize a new arena &mdash; while the housing crisis looms over us all.
Plus: Palm trees are a menace. The "political genius" of 101 Ash St. Charity leaders flip a house.
Join us on May 4 for our next in-person event. See details at <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/events/">vosd.org/events</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

Sports Arena is the New San Diego Special

Who knew selling hot dogs at Petco Park was such a money making venture?

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

Also on the show: 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. Plus, Scott Lewis wants to know why people can't put their phone down at concerts.

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

We're on YouTube now! Watch the podcast at youtube.com/voiceofsandiego.

 

Who knew selling hot dogs at Petco Park was such a money making venture?
After two years and lots of investigating, <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/03/11/petco-park-charity-scammers-plead-guilty-to-fraud-conspiracy/">VOSD's Will Huntsberry saw the finish line for his story</a> which uncovered a fake nonprofit running concessions at Petco Park - and pocketing around $2 million. He explains what the news is and what it feels like to make a difference.&nbsp;
Also on the show: 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. Plus, Scott Lewis wants to know why people can't put their phone down at concerts.
Finally, the local nonprofit that prosecutors say stole county money has provoked questions about county oversight. A "special review" is now underway. We'll explain.&nbsp;
We're on YouTube now! Watch the podcast at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/voiceofsandiego">youtube.com/voiceofsandiego</a>.
&nbsp;

Fake Charity Guys Pocketed $2 Million

On this week's episode Scott Lewis and Jakob McWhinney sit down with San Diego Unified School Board members Cody Petterson and Shana Hazan. They talk about the current challenges facing San Diego schools, declining enrollment, budget issues, and how they want to make San Diego schools succeed. 

On this week's episode Scott Lewis and Jakob McWhinney sit down with San Diego Unified School Board members Cody Petterson and Shana Hazan. They talk about the current challenges facing San Diego schools, declining enrollment, budget issues, and how they want to make San Diego schools succeed.&nbsp;

School Board Members Aren't Worried

On this week's episode we span all over the news world from sports, to politics, to parking meters. 

The second home tax is back. This time it spares vacation rentals. However, it’s on a fast track to the ballot. We tell you how it will work. 

Lisa Halverstadt had a big update after prosecutors said they believe a nonprofit executive may have misallocated even more funds meant to save people from overdoses of fentanyl and heroin.

The crew talked about former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey running for city council last week and this week Scott reached out and shared some further clarifications for Bailey's future. 

A Padres pitcher had an unfortunate injury in Spring Training but Scott Lewis decided to take this opportunity for a little PSA. 

Finally, our intern Rami Alarian joined us to talk about his story about police using helicopters to break up college house parties. 

We are on YouTube now! Watch the podcast and see Bella's videos at youtube.com/voiceofsandiego,

On this week's episode we span all over the news world from sports, to politics, to parking meters.&nbsp;
The second home tax is back. This time it spares vacation rentals. However, it&rsquo;s on a fast track to the ballot. We tell you how it will work.&nbsp;
Lisa Halverstadt had a big update after prosecutors said they believe a nonprofit executive may have misallocated even more funds meant to save people from overdoses of fentanyl and heroin.
The crew talked about former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey running for city council last week and this week Scott reached out and shared some further clarifications for Bailey's future.&nbsp;
A Padres pitcher had an unfortunate injury in Spring Training but Scott Lewis decided to take this opportunity for a little PSA.&nbsp;
Finally, our intern Rami Alarian joined us to talk about his story about police using helicopters to break up college house parties.&nbsp;
We are on YouTube now! Watch the podcast and see Bella's videos at youtube.com/voiceofsandiego,

Sports Arena is the New San Diego Special

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