A couple years ago, then-Assemblyman Todd Gloria wrote an op-ed for VOSD. In it, he coined the term "San Diego Special." We immediately became obsessed.

Its definition is rough but essentially aims to label a persistent problem in local government that should be solvable but has stuck around due to lack of vision or leadership. Think vacation rentals, the Convention Center expansion or scooters.

Now, as mayor, Gloria joins the podcast to discuss these very regionally-specific obstacles. He came prepped with a list of his top-five San Diego Specials to compare to our own.

Read all about San Diego Specials at vosd.org/specials

Thank you to everyone who's joined our fundraising campaign this week! If you haven't donated yet, now's your chance. Support this show and all our reporting at vosd.org/give

A couple years ago, then-Assemblyman Todd Gloria wrote an op-ed for VOSD. In it, he coined the term "San Diego Special." We immediately became obsessed.
Its definition is rough but essentially aims to label a persistent problem in local government that should be solvable but has stuck around due to lack of vision or leadership. Think vacation rentals, the Convention Center expansion or scooters.
Now, as mayor, Gloria joins the podcast to discuss these very regionally-specific obstacles. He came prepped with a list of his top-five San Diego Specials to compare to our own.
Read all about San Diego Specials at <a href="https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/category/san-diego-specials/">vosd.org/specials</a>
Thank you to everyone who's joined our fundraising campaign this week! If you haven't donated yet, now's your chance. Support this show and all our reporting at <a href="https://checkout.fundjournalism.org/memberform?org_id=vosd&amp;amount=15&amp;installmentPeriod=monthly&amp;campaign=701f3000001Dna8">vosd.org/give</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

The Mayor's List of San Diego Specials

There was always a theory that if we were going to legalize cannabis, the people who used to get in trouble for selling it should get a chance to sell it again.

The city of San Diego secured a grant to give people like that a leg up. But now it looks like they'll have to send the grant money back.

This week, host Andrea Lopez-Villafaña shares an update to the city's Cannabis Social Equity program.

Plus: The uncanny valley of education. Big questions and budget woes decelerate Mayor Todd Gloria's homeless shelter deal.

Get the environment report to avoid swimming in poop water: vosd.org/environment

There was always a theory that if we were going to legalize cannabis, the people who used to get in trouble for selling it should get a chance to sell it again.
The city of San Diego secured a grant to give people like that a leg up. But now it looks like they'll have to send the grant money back.
This week, host Andrea Lopez-Villafaña shares an update to the city's Cannabis Social Equity program.
Plus: The uncanny valley of education. Big questions and budget woes decelerate Mayor Todd Gloria's homeless shelter deal.
Get the environment report to avoid swimming in poop water: <a href="https://vosd.org/environment">vosd.org/environment</a>

The Cannabis Equity Program Got Smoked

It was a big week for things that used to be things.

The Republican Party of San Diego County, once a local political juggernaut, lost its chairwoman after an internal battle over Carl DeMaio, who is running for state Assembly against Andrew Hayes.

Despite DeMaio’s efforts to drag a Democrat to the runoff, he will face Hayes, a fellow Republican.

This week, we discuss the endorsement battle that threatened to splinter an already weak political faction — and ultimately led to the emergence of a new party leader.

Plus: Students learning online are performing way worse than their in-person peers. SDSU isn't interested in a Mission Valley arena.

Join the nature nerds with our biweekly Environment Report: vosd.org/environment

It was a big week for things that used to be things.
The Republican Party of San Diego County, once a local political juggernaut, lost its chairwoman after an internal battle over Carl DeMaio, who is running for state Assembly against Andrew Hayes.
Despite DeMaio’s efforts to drag a Democrat to the runoff, he will face Hayes, a fellow Republican.
This week, we discuss the endorsement battle that threatened to splinter an already weak political faction — and ultimately led to the emergence of a new party leader.
Plus: Students learning online are performing way worse than their in-person peers. SDSU isn't interested in a Mission Valley arena.
Join the nature nerds with our biweekly Environment Report: vosd.org/environment

Things That Used to Be Things

Tiara Gray was bright. She was artsy, well-written — an old soul in a young body, people said.

She was from the Appalachian region of Maryland, a small place with few prospects for what many consider "good careers."

Gray scored high on an aptitude test that caught the attention of the U.S. Navy. For Gray, like many people across the country, the military offered rare opportunities. So, she joined.

Through her recruitment process, Gray reportedly withheld information about her mental health. Lying is apparently common, and encouraged, during military recruitments.

This week, senior investigative reporter Will Huntsberry tells Gray's story — and explains what happened after Gray was recruited, as she managed her fragile mental health while stuck in the machine of the U.S. Navy.

Listener warning: This discussion happens in the final segment of the show (after the ad break) and contains discussion of self harm and suicide.

If you or someone you know might be considering suicide, there is help. Call or text 988, the Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline.

Plus: Mayor Todd Gloria announces plans for a 1,000-bed shelter. And the most affordable housing projects in San Diego.

Tiara Gray was bright. She was artsy, well-written — an old soul in a young body, people said.
She was from the Appalachian region of Maryland, a small place with few prospects for what many consider "good careers."
Gray scored high on an aptitude test that caught the attention of the U.S. Navy. For Gray, like many people across the country, the military offered rare opportunities. So, she joined.
Through her recruitment process, Gray reportedly withheld information about her mental health. Lying is apparently common, and encouraged, during military recruitments.
This week, senior investigative reporter Will Huntsberry tells Gray's story — and explains what happened after Gray was recruited, as she managed her fragile mental health while stuck in the machine of the U.S. Navy.
Listener warning: This discussion happens in the final segment of the show (after the ad break) and contains discussion of self harm and suicide.
If you or someone you know might be considering suicide, there is help. Call or text 988, the Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline.
Plus: Mayor Todd Gloria announces plans for a 1,000-bed shelter. And the most affordable housing projects in San Diego.

The Mayor's List of San Diego Specials

In 1 playlist(s)

Voice of San Diego Podcast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips