This week's episode of the VOSD Podcast covers a wide variety of very unique topics. First, the San Dieguito Union High School District is taking heat for a 24 hour live broadcast they allowed in a high school gym. The County of San Diego moved some money around to cover county bonuses. Finally, the San Diego Unified School Distract is at a loss for one of their projects.

This week's episode of the VOSD Podcast covers a wide variety of very unique topics. First, the San Dieguito Union High School District is taking heat for a 24 hour live broadcast they allowed in a high school gym. The County of San Diego moved some money around to cover county bonuses. Finally, the San Diego Unified School Distract is at a loss for one of their projects.

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

Shell Games in San Diego County

Thousands of San Diego residents recently discovered that the city had mistakenly overcharged people for trash pickup on their property tax bills.

The San Diego Union-Tribune was the first to report the story. 

On this week's show, our hosts discuss how officials are responding. 

Many residents are blaming the mayor and a lot of people want answers. Meanwhile, councilmembers are questioning Mayor Todd Gloria's leadership. 

Are you ready for the election? The episode also digs into this cycle's competitive City Council races. There are two open seats and two incumbents fighting to keep their positions from political newcomers. 

We are hosting a debate between the candidates for City Council District 2 and 4. And our journalists will lead two separate conversations with candidates running for District 6 and 8. Those sessions are going down at Politifest on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Follow Voice of San Diego on Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube, and read more at voiceofsandiego.org. Tickets for Politifest are up now at vosd.org/pf26.

We need 30 pod people to donate $50 to meet our $1,500 match. Show the power of the pod people and donate today to help us meet our match. Go to vosd.org/podpeople.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/voiceofsandiego

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voiceofsandiego/

X: https://x.com/voiceofsandiego

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/voice-of-san-diego

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceofsandiego

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/voiceofsandiego

Website: https://voiceofsandiego.org

Politifest: https://vosd.org/pf26

0:00 Trash Fee Billing Fiasco & Court Settlement
4:43 "Do the Basics Right" – Council Pushback
8:19 The Mayor's Fix & Accountability Language
37:28 Housing Op-Ed: "Half-Baked Solutions" & ADUs
42:33 Trump Ties & Immigration Enforcement Comments
44:41 How This Race Compares to Past City Fights
46:07 Voter Frustration With City Hall

Thousands of San Diego residents recently discovered that the city had mistakenly overcharged people for trash pickup on their property tax bills.
The San Diego Union-Tribune was the first to report the story.&nbsp;
On this week's show, our hosts discuss how officials are responding.&nbsp;
Many residents are blaming the mayor and a lot of people want answers. Meanwhile, councilmembers are questioning Mayor Todd Gloria's leadership.&nbsp;
Are you ready for the election? The episode also digs into this cycle's competitive City Council races. There are two open seats and two incumbents fighting to keep their positions from political newcomers.&nbsp;
We are hosting a debate between the candidates for City Council District 2 and 4. And our journalists will lead two separate conversations with candidates running for District 6 and 8. Those sessions are going down at Politifest on Saturday, Oct. 3.
Follow Voice of San Diego on Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube, and read more at voiceofsandiego.org. Tickets for Politifest are up now at vosd.org/pf26.
We need 30 pod people to donate $50 to meet our $1,500 match. Show the power of the pod people and donate today to help us meet our match. Go to vosd.org/podpeople.
Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/voiceofsandiego">https://instagram.com/voiceofsandiego</a>
Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/voiceofsandiego/">https://www.facebook.com/voiceofsandiego/</a>
X:&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/voiceofsandiego">https://x.com/voiceofsandiego</a>
LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/voice-of-san-diego">https://www.linkedin.com/company/voice-of-san-diego</a>
TikTok:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceofsandiego">https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceofsandiego</a>
YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/voiceofsandiego">https://www.youtube.com/user/voiceofsandiego</a>
Website: <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org">https://voiceofsandiego.org</a>
Politifest:&nbsp;<a href="https://vosd.org/pf26">https://vosd.org/pf26</a>
0:00 Trash Fee Billing Fiasco &amp; Court Settlement 4:43 "Do the Basics Right" &ndash; Council Pushback 8:19 The Mayor's Fix &amp; Accountability Language 37:28 Housing Op-Ed: "Half-Baked Solutions" &amp; ADUs 42:33 Trump Ties &amp; Immigration Enforcement Comments 44:41 How This Race Compares to Past City Fights 46:07 Voter Frustration With City Hall

Regrettable Errors

It's officially the start of San Diego’s silly season. 

Your mailboxes will start to fill up with mailers and candidates for public office will try their hardest to earn your vote. We’re here to help you make sense of their messaging and the races. 

This week's episode kicked off with the strangest kind of controversy: an AI-generated graphic that took shots at co-hosts Jakob McWhinney and Scott Lewis for something we never said on the showOur hosts walked through the whole saga including angry emails and a deleted apology.

Silly Season 

City Hall reporter Mariana Martínez Barba published a story on the San Diego City Council District 4 race between incumbent Henry Foster and challenger Martha Abraham. 

Our hosts explain how Abraham has tapped into residents’ animosity toward City Hall and the momentum she’s building in the community. Foster last week lost the endorsement of the union that represents city firefighters. 

Also, during a recent debate, District 8 candidate Gerardo Ramirez addressed an attack from his opponent Antonio Martinez about a contribution from a landowner who wants to open a landfill in Otay Mesa. Ramirez said he does not support the landfill or anything that will increase pollution in the district. 

Extra! We’re hosting a debate between Foster and Abraham, and a conversation with Antonio Martinez on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Politifest. Get your ticket here. 

The crew also has an update on the fraud charges brought against 12 individuals  accused of billing the government for daycare services that were never provided.Plus,  Jakob explains how a veteran special education teacher who was just awarded teacher of the year, lost her current job.

0:00 The "AI Slop" Meme Mishap
1:17 The NIMBY Avengers Controversy
18:31 City Council: Foster vs. Abraham in Southeastern San Diego
30:09 Another Contested Council Race Heats Up
35:26 Correction from a Previous Episode
36:01 Support the Show
36:37 Feds Charge San Diegans With Fraud
41:41 A Teacher's Position Eliminated

Follow Voice of San Diego on Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube, and read more at voiceofsandiego.org. Tickets for Politifest are up now at vosd.org/pf26.

We need 30 pod people to donate $50 to meet our $1,500 match. Show the power of the pod people and donate today to help us meet our match. Go to vosd.org/podpeople.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/voiceofsandiego

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/voiceofsandiego/

X: https://x.com/voiceofsandiego

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/voice-of-san-diego

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceofsandiego

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/voiceofsandiego

Website: https://voiceofsandiego.org

Politifest: https://vosd.org/pf26

 

It's officially the start of San Diego&rsquo;s silly season.&nbsp;
Your mailboxes will start to fill up with mailers and candidates for public office will try their hardest to earn your vote. We&rsquo;re here to help you make sense of their messaging and the races.&nbsp;
This week's episode kicked off with the strangest kind of controversy: an AI-generated graphic that took shots at co-hosts Jakob McWhinney and Scott Lewis for something we never said on the showOur hosts walked through the whole saga including angry emails and a deleted apology.
Silly Season&nbsp;
City Hall reporter Mariana Mart&iacute;nez Barba published a story on the San Diego City Council District 4 race between incumbent Henry Foster and challenger Martha Abraham.&nbsp;
Our hosts explain how Abraham has tapped into residents&rsquo; animosity toward City Hall and the momentum she&rsquo;s building in the community. Foster last week lost the endorsement of the union that represents city firefighters.&nbsp;
Also, during a recent debate, District 8 candidate Gerardo Ramirez addressed an attack from his opponent Antonio Martinez about a contribution from a landowner who wants to open a landfill in Otay Mesa. Ramirez said he does not support the landfill or anything that will increase pollution in the district.&nbsp;
Extra! We&rsquo;re hosting a debate between Foster and Abraham, and a conversation with Antonio Martinez on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Politifest. Get your ticket here.&nbsp;
The crew also has an update on the fraud charges brought against 12 individuals &nbsp;accused of billing the government for daycare services that were never provided.Plus, &nbsp;Jakob explains how a veteran special education teacher who was just awarded teacher of the year, lost her current job.
0:00 The "AI Slop" Meme Mishap 1:17 The NIMBY Avengers Controversy 18:31 City Council: Foster vs. Abraham in Southeastern San Diego 30:09 Another Contested Council Race Heats Up 35:26 Correction from a Previous Episode 36:01 Support the Show 36:37 Feds Charge San Diegans With Fraud 41:41 A Teacher's Position Eliminated
Follow Voice of San Diego on Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube, and read more at voiceofsandiego.org. Tickets for Politifest are up now at vosd.org/pf26.
We need 30 pod people to donate $50 to meet our $1,500 match. Show the power of the pod people and donate today to help us meet our match. Go to vosd.org/podpeople.
Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/voiceofsandiego">https://instagram.com/voiceofsandiego</a>
Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/voiceofsandiego/">https://www.facebook.com/voiceofsandiego/</a>
X:&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/voiceofsandiego">https://x.com/voiceofsandiego</a>
LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/voice-of-san-diego">https://www.linkedin.com/company/voice-of-san-diego</a>
TikTok:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceofsandiego">https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceofsandiego</a>
YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/voiceofsandiego">https://www.youtube.com/user/voiceofsandiego</a>
Website: <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org">https://voiceofsandiego.org</a>
Politifest:&nbsp;<a href="https://vosd.org/pf26">https://vosd.org/pf26</a>
&nbsp;

It's Silly Season

This week, the Voice of San Diego crew was joined by Joey Safchik, host of NBC San Diego's "Politically Speaking," and there was a lot to get through!

First, a bittersweet news update. Reporter Jakob McWhinney broke a story last week about an organization embedded in San Diego's law enforcement community that hired a controversial figure. After the outrage, the hire got rescinded. But it didn't stop there – the whole organization has since dissolved entirely. No one says you can’t redeem yourself, but in the end you have to own what got you there. 

Also on the show: Our intern Naomi Granata released an article revealing the staggering amount Airbnb spent on lobbying in San Diego, all to kill a proposed tax on vacation rentals and vacant second homes. We dug through the numbers. 

Finally, we dive into the midterm election ballot.

We covered a few races worth watching:
48th Congressional District: Democrat Marni Von Wilpert faces Republican Jim Desmond in one of ten House races nationally that could flip control of Congress.
State Senate, District 40: Former City Attorney Mara Elliot and nonprofit leader Kristie Bruce-Lane, who’s backed by controversial conservative Carol DeMaio, battle it out to replace termed-out Republican Brian Jones.
San Diego City Council, District 2: Former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey faces off against Deputy City Attorney Nicole Crosby. Bailey just confirmed he voted for Trump in 2024. Could that have an impact on voters? 
San Diego City Council, District 4: Incumbent Henry Foster is challenged by political outsider Martha Abraham, who's making the case that a Foster win could leave the council without a single woman.
Prop 40:The billionaire tax — a one-time, 5 percent tax on California's billionaires to fund healthcare. This would be the first time the state has ever taxed assets, as opposed to income and property. It’s complicated and many people are split on it. 

 

This week, the Voice of San Diego crew was joined by Joey Safchik, host of NBC San Diego's "Politically Speaking," and there was a lot to get through!
First, a bittersweet news update. Reporter Jakob McWhinney broke a story last week about an organization embedded in San Diego's law enforcement community that&nbsp;<a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/08/28/ex-deputy-convicted-of-assaulting-women-now-chaplain-for-christian-cop-group/">hired a controversial figure</a>. After the outrage, the hire <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/09/02/ex-deputy-convicted-of-assaulting-women-out-at-christian-group/">got rescinded</a>. But it didn't stop there &ndash; the whole organization has since dissolved entirely. No one says you can&rsquo;t redeem yourself, but in the end you have to own what got you there.&nbsp;
Also on the show: Our intern Naomi Granata released an article revealing <a href="https://voiceofsandiego.org/2026/09/08/airbnbs-spending-against-one-tax-made-up-a-quarter-of-san-diego-expenditure-lobbying-since-2019/">the staggering amount Airbnb spent on lobbying</a> in San Diego, all to kill a proposed tax on vacation rentals and vacant second homes. We dug through the numbers.&nbsp;
Finally, we dive into the midterm election ballot.
We covered a few races worth watching:
<ul>
<li>48th Congressional District: Democrat Marni Von Wilpert faces Republican Jim Desmond in one of ten House races nationally that could flip control of Congress.</li>
<li>State Senate, District 40: Former City Attorney Mara Elliot and nonprofit leader Kristie Bruce-Lane, who&rsquo;s backed by controversial conservative Carol DeMaio, battle it out to replace termed-out Republican Brian Jones.</li>
<li>San Diego City Council, District 2: Former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey faces off against Deputy City Attorney Nicole Crosby. Bailey just confirmed he voted for Trump in 2024. Could that have an impact on voters?&nbsp;</li>
<li>San Diego City Council, District 4: Incumbent Henry Foster is challenged by political outsider Martha Abraham, who's making the case that a Foster win could leave the council without a single woman.</li>
<li>Prop 40:The billionaire tax &mdash; a one-time, 5 percent tax on California's billionaires to fund healthcare. This would be the first time the state has ever taxed assets, as opposed to income and property. It&rsquo;s complicated and many people are split on it.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

Shell Games in San Diego County

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