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Coming up on the show, we are in the final stretch of the District 1 County Supervisor race. The mailers are getting SPICY, and one especially pissed off a lot of people. Last month, Mayor Todd Gloria announced he was eliminating the position of chief operating officer and taking over the gig himself. Now, former COO Eric Dargan is suing Gloria and the city for discrimination and for breaking promises in his contract. We’ll break it down. Finally, why are officials at Chula Vista Elementary school trading corruption allegations? Investigative reporter Will Huntsberry joins us this week to explain. SHOW NOTES: (Links to VOSD articles mentioned during the show and links for further reading) INTRO 00:00:00 SEGMENT 1 00:04:13Hyperlocal IG Accounts 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 00:19:28SD COO Sues SD VOSD Mayor’s Office: Ex-COO Alleging Discrimination Was Fired Mayor Todd Gloria’s chief of staff claims former city COO Eric Dargan, whose position was eliminated in February, was ‘terminated for cause’ in response to his lawsuit alleging discrimination and a breached contract. SEGMENT 3 00:25:11UCSD to Lose Funding VOSD The Learning Curve: UCSD Could Lose Hundreds of Millions from Trump Cuts While many in higher education are sounding the alarm on President Donald Trump’s research slashing, it has been tough to suss out exactly what the impacts will be. An email from UCSD’s Chancellor gives us a ballpark figure. SEGMENT 4 00:32:32Chula Vista COO Conflict of Interest VOSDChula Vista Superintendent Allegedly Pushed for Work for Builder Who Donated to His Campaign Superintendent Eduardo Reyes previously said he has no personal relationship with Al Renteria. Campaign documents show Renteria donated to Reyes’ school board campaign in 2018. TRT 00:48:58 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 BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria gave his state of the city speech. If last year was the everything is awesome speech, this year was the everything is definitely not awesome speech. This was the tough conversations speech. The we can do hard things speech. The dynamic PowerPoint that went with included such rousing lists like refocus, reimagine, revisit and re-evaluate… SHOW NOTES 00:00:00 Opening January 28th Event: Meet the Beat: South County January 28 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Free Have you met our newest journalist Jim Hinch yet? Have refreshments and get to know the face behind Voice’s South County Report. This event is open to the public. 00:06:14 State of the City Part I 2025 State of the City Livestream Mayor: Steep Budget Cuts Are Coming San Diego by Will Huntsberry and Lisa Halverstadt 00:16:43 State of the City Part II 2024 State of the City Livestream 00:32:45 State of the City Part III Morning Report: Deep Cuts Coming to City 00:37:48 County Update San Diego Is Less Blue Public Matters Public Matters is led by KPBS, inewsource and Voice of San Diego. These three independent, nonprofit news organizations are partnering to share content, conversation, and events that ensure all San Diegans understand their opportunity to participate in the democratic process and that it means more than voting in an election. The initiative provides news stories on politics and governance including the areas of housing affordability, public safety, neighborhood improvements and social justice; facilitated, in-person discussions around important issues that often divide us; and resources to help you make a difference in your community. At its core, it is about reminding us that we have a shared humanity, and together we are empowered to make positive change. Become a Member See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Registrar of Voters made us wait six days for an update on the vote count from November 5 – 16 days ago. The main local race we're still watching is the Oceanside mayoral race. Just 31 votes separated the incumbent and her challenger. Senior investigative reporter Will Huntsberry will join us later on the show to explain why the city of San Diego has purchased at least $1 million worth of gear from a man involved in one of the largest law enforcement scandals in San Diego's history. And new data about local schools just dropped. There's some encouraging news but it's still kind of bleak. For more on the issues: Bill Walton FBI files Pop culture in the FBI filing cabinet: Sanctuary City rhetoric KTLA's Story on LA's Sanctuary City declaration A Man Convicted in a Major Law Enforcement Scandal Is Doing Big Business with the City Voice Member BenefitsJoin today and receive insider access. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mayor Todd Gloria didn't speak at this year's Democratic National Convention, but it's no secret that he's tight with Vice President Kamala Harris. The crew talks about their friendship and whether Gloria could be headed to Washington if Harris wins in November. Jakob also takes a look back at Harris' record as attorney general of California, and senior investigative reporter Will Huntsberry discusses his latest reporting on foster care charity New Alternatives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Voice of San Diego's environment reporter MacKenzie Elmer joins the show to talk about a spate of recent bird deaths in the city. Advocates say fireworks are to blame. She also has the latest on the flood prevention measure that just got pulled from the November ballot. Senior investigative reporter Will Huntsberry is back again this week, this time with north county reporter Tigist Layne. They've got a two-part series out now about a youth gymnastics scandal in Santee. You can read their stories here and here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Voice of San Diego's Will Huntsberry joins the show this week to discuss his new profile on Rep. Sara Jacobs. She's defied expectations with her voting record and is poised to become very powerful in Washington. Reporter Lisa Halverstadt also comes on to give an update about the Hope @ Vine mega shelter, which is facing a crucial City Council vote on Monday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Last week, senior investigative reporter Will Huntsberry reported that some residents in southeastern San Diego have lost trust in local government. Staff at the San Diego mayor's office called that reporting “dangerous.” This week, we discuss the original story, how residents felt about the city's neglect during the January floods, and responses by the mayor's communication staff. Plus: City Council District 4 candidate Chida Warren Darby talks trust and allegiance. School layoffs are coming. And our school performance metric captures success and accounts for income. Get your copy of the Schools Guide (and sign up for a workshop): vosd.org/schoolsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Senior investigative reporter Will Huntsberry is back with a new revelation about the nonprofits that staff concession stands for the region's biggest events at places like Petco Park and Snapdragon Stadium. At least one nonprofit, he recently found, didn't really exist. And the once ad-hoc system to staff awkward schedules for sport seasons has morphed into something shady. Nonprofits, which get a cut of the revenue, need a lot of volunteers to feed a stadium of people hotdogs and beer. So, who are these volunteers? This week, we find out. Plus: Monica Montgomery Steppe won the special election for County Supervisor. Cardenas siblings continue to face fallout after the District Attorney announced charges of fraud against them. Downtown is average.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Senior investigative reporter Will Huntsberry joins us to discuss his new investigation. He revealed a fake nonprofit that operated concession stands in Petco Park for nine years, earning a cut of the profits. A snapshot of the earning potential just this year shows the nonprofit, "Chula Vista Fast Pitch," worked enough concession stands to pull in $370,000. On the show this week, we review the story — including the nature of nonprofit vendor work at Petco (and Snapdragon Stadium), how this fake nonprofit came to be, who was behind it, who's ultimately responsible and the fallout after the story broke. Plus: Chronic absenteeism has exploded for kindergartners. San Diego homeless encampments changed a lot this summer. Tony Gwynn. See you soon! Get your tickets to our next live show at vosd.org/eventsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The new point-in-time count numbers are in. The annual homeless census showed a record surge in homelessness, reaching its highest point in 12 years. On the podcast this week, we review the new data and particularly distressing increases among the senior population and in chronic homelessness. We also have a story this week about the old data: According to a report by our Will Huntsberry, before the 2023 figures came out, the regional census (while an imperfect system of measure) actually showed a 10-year decline. Meanwhile homelessness has become more visible, and tragic, than ever. These stories all come ahead of a highly-anticipated vote next week that aims to transform homelessness in the city of San Diego, further enforcing San Diego's ban on street camping while pushing residents toward shelters and safe camping sites. Plus: Water politics is boiling. Andy is leaving. Join the VOSD Podcast crew! Support our fiscal year-end campaign at: vosd.org/podpeopleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More uncertainty looms over the Metropolitan Transit Agency. In this episode, we discuss this week's votes at MTS to try to install a permanent board chair after the Nathan Fletcher scandal. San Diego City Councilman Stephen Whitburn, in Fletcher's absence, is acting chair. But no one got enough votes to clinch the gig. It was a harsh rebuke of Whitburn by his Council colleagues — two of whom sit on the board, and one acting as an alternate for the mayor, voted against him. Per MTS rules, Whitburn will be interim chair for another month before voting resumes. Plus: San Diego City Councilman Kent Lee asks a lot of questions about the homeless camping ordinance. And reporter Will Huntsberry lays out his new investigation. Watch the podcast: youtube.com/voiceofsandiego Join us for a live recording: vosd.org/eventsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Voice journalists Jesse Marx and Will Huntsberry unleash an authoritative account of Covid: Year Two. Two years ago, we had to sue the county to gain access to county death records that mentioned Covid as a cause. Marx and Huntsberry led a team to analyze those records to grasp the toll of Covid in various communities and demographics in the county. Their recent slate of stories revealed how the vaccine changed things in the second year of the pandemic. About half as many San Diego residents died in the second year, compared to the first. Further, Marx and Huntsberry reveal how localized public health initiatives, anti-vaxx sentiment and misinformation molded San Diegans' behavior, and ultimately, their lives. See the series at vosd.org/yeartwo Also this week: Why San Diego still doesn't have a safe campground for unhoused Downtown residents. Support local investigative journalism and this podcast at vosd.org/podpeopleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Standardized testing has long been derided as an imperfect way to measure a school's performance. But it's a metric that's easy to access and easy to understand. This week, education reporter Will Huntsberry explains a new metric for understanding and evaluating test scores. It takes into account poverty levels, a crucial factor that heavily influences a school's test scores. Plus: Climate change, local vaccination requirements and city real estate problems can't stop, won't stop. Find Will's newsletter, The Learning Curve at vosd.org/newsletters See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Standardized testing has long been derided as an imperfect way to measure a school's performance. But it's a metric that's easy to access and easy to understand. This week, education reporter Will Huntsberry explains a new metric for understanding and evaluating test scores. It takes into account poverty levels, a crucial factor that heavily influences a school's test scores. Plus: Climate change, local vaccination requirements and city real estate problems can't stop, won't stop. Find Will's newsletter, The Learning Curve at vosd.org/newsletters See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Carlos Turner Cortez was on the job for one day when VOSD education reporter Will Huntsberry called him up for an interview. Cortez's new gig is chancellor for the San Diego Community College District — overseeing roughly 100,000 students and 8,000 employees. This week on the VOSD Podcast, Cortez lays out the state of the district at the tail end of a pandemic and some big ideas he has for serving the most vulnerable San Diegans through community college. Plus: The latest on 101 Ash St. and police oversight. +++++++++ Are you involved in local government as an elected official or passionate citizen? Then we want to hear your origin story! Tell us how you got started as part of a new special project from VOSD. voiceofsandiego.org/originstory See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Carlos Turner Cortez was on the job for one day when VOSD education reporter Will Huntsberry called him up for an interview. Cortez's new gig is chancellor for the San Diego Community College District — overseeing roughly 100,000 students and 8,000 employees. This week on the VOSD Podcast, Cortez lays out the state of the district at the tail end of a pandemic and some big ideas he has for serving the most vulnerable San Diegans through community college. Plus: The latest on 101 Ash St. and police oversight. +++++++++ Are you involved in local government as an elected official or passionate citizen? Then we want to hear your origin story! Tell us how you got started as part of a new special project from VOSD. voiceofsandiego.org/originstory See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week's podcast, Scott Lewis, Andrew Keatts and Sara Libby ran down three items in the news that were pushing their buttons. First: Several local Republican politicians seized on a local agency's call for teachers to volunteer to conduct some lessons for the migrant girls being temporarily housed at the Convention Center to try and stoke resentment and anger toward the girls. In doing so, they also publicized some outright falsehoods. Meanwhile, as vaccinations continue and life starts inching back toward normal, scooters are making a comeback. We recalled how, pre-pandemic, this was an issue that many San Diego civic leaders actually took seriously. And finally, VOSD's Will Huntsberry reported this week that Lincoln High's leadership team is being shaken up once again. The district responded to the story by doubling down on the narrative that everything is great at Lincoln and that suggesting otherwise demonstrates something sinister, a kind of gaslighting that benefits no one. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week's podcast, Scott Lewis, Andrew Keatts and Sara Libby ran down three items in the news that were pushing their buttons. First: Several local Republican politicians seized on a local agency's call for teachers to volunteer to conduct some lessons for the migrant girls being temporarily housed at the Convention Center to try and stoke resentment and anger toward the girls. In doing so, they also publicized some outright falsehoods. Meanwhile, as vaccinations continue and life starts inching back toward normal, scooters are making a comeback. We recalled how, pre-pandemic, this was an issue that many San Diego civic leaders actually took seriously. And finally, VOSD's Will Huntsberry reported this week that Lincoln High's leadership team is being shaken up once again. The district responded to the story by doubling down on the narrative that everything is great at Lincoln and that suggesting otherwise demonstrates something sinister, a kind of gaslighting that benefits no one. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Darren Breaks Down The Debate For The Congressional Seat In The 50th District With Guests VOSD's Will Huntsberry, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells & Escondido Mayor Paul McNamara
We break down the story behind an alleged charter scam that cost California $80 million. In this episode of Good Schools for All, Will Huntsberry sits down with host Scott Lewis to unveil the culture and mechanics behind A3 Education. You can follow all of our school stories at vosd.org/learningcurve. Talk to us onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We break down the story behind an alleged charter scam that cost California $80 million. In this episode of Good Schools for All, Will Huntsberry sits down with host Scott Lewis to unveil the culture and mechanics behind A3 Education. You can follow all of our school stories at vosd.org/learningcurve. Talk to us onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Voice of San Diego has been investigating sexual misconduct in schools for two years now. It all started with one teacher at one school in La Jolla. Kayla Jimenez and Ashly McGlone, who've been reporting the series, sit down with Will Huntsberry to talk about the case that kicked things off. You can follow all of our school stories at vosd.org/learningcurve. Talk to us onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Voice of San Diego has been investigating sexual misconduct in schools for two years now. It all started with one teacher at one school in La Jolla. Kayla Jimenez and Ashly McGlone, who've been reporting the series, sit down with Will Huntsberry to talk about the case that kicked things off. You can follow all of our school stories at vosd.org/learningcurve. Talk to us onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pre-K is more important than ever. But access to it remains elusive for many parents. In this episode, Will Huntsberry visits a preschool and its parent organization to try to get some answers about the future of universal pre-K. You can follow all of our school stories at vosd.org/learningcurve. Talk to us onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Pre-K is more important than ever. But access to it remains elusive for many parents. In this episode, Will Huntsberry visits a preschool and its parent organization to try to get some answers about the future of universal pre-K. You can follow all of our school stories at vosd.org/learningcurve. Talk to us onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram.
This year, Will Huntsberry revealed some serious problems plaguing an elementary school in San Diego's South Bay. We take a close look at the school after it was put on a list of California's lowest-performing schools. You can follow all of our school stories at vosd.org/learningcurve. Talk to us onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This year, Will Huntsberry revealed some serious problems plaguing an elementary school in San Diego's South Bay. We take a close look at the school after it was put on a list of California's lowest-performing schools. You can follow all of our school stories at vosd.org/learningcurve. Talk to us onTwitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Good Schools For All, our education podcast, returns next week with a new host and a new style. VOSD's Scott Lewis and Will Huntsberry will be bringing you the biggest education stories from the last year — and stories based on your suggestions. This is the trailer. We'll release new episodes every two weeks starting Sept. 25. Subscribe wherever you're listening now.
We're back! In this new season of Good Schools For All, Voice of San Diego's Scott Lewis and Will Huntsberry dig in to the biggest stories our team has uncovered in the last year. Plus, we're accepting your ideas for new episodes. Tell us your story — or what you want to hear — at vosd.org/goodschools New episodes start Sept. 25. Subscribe now. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
We're back! In this new season of Good Schools For All, Voice of San Diego's Scott Lewis and Will Huntsberry dig in to the biggest stories our team has uncovered in the last year. Plus, we're accepting your ideas for new episodes. Tell us your story — or what you want to hear — at vosd.org/goodschools New episodes start Sept. 25. Subscribe now.
Voice of San Diego education reporter Will Huntsberry joined Andrew Keatts to discuss San Diego Unified Trustee John Lee Evans' decision to not seek re-election. Huntsberry also gave us some background on his reporting about a group of San Diego Unified high school principals who sent a series of memos calling out district leaders for not providing enough resources to run their programs. In the second half of the show, Voice’s Adriana Heldiz discusses her recent photo essay about slashed bus routes in the San Ysidro School District.
We delve into a charter school scam so enormous, so audacious that it requires charts and graphs to explain. Special guest: Voice of San Diego’s Will Huntsberry.
VOSD education reporter Will Huntsberry joins the podcast to talk about his recent series on the problems at Porter Elementary School, and the plan to fix it. And the problems with the plan. The interview with Huntsberry starts at 23:30 Also, SB50 — the state bill to increase housing near transit — has been shelved for the year. And Scott Lewis got a call that was really exciting for him. Donate during our spring fundraising campaign at voiceofsandiego.org/donate. Subscribe to our daily newsletter at vosd.org/morningreport. Talk to us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Schools are back in session. Good Schools for All hosts Scott Lewis and Laura Kohn introduce Voice of San Diego's new education reporter Will Huntsberry, and the trio unpacks the latest education news you might have missed over summer break. Huntsberry discusses the misuse of Associated Student Body funds in San Diego Unified schools, new developments in the district's 2016 graduation rate controversy and offers his take on what makes education reporting in San Diego unique. The crew also discuss teacher misconduct and the slow-moving state system that allowed two Poway Unified teachers to continue working in education even after being forced out of schools for having romantic relationships with students. What's Working Immediate Access: It's a new program at San Diego State University that allows students to access course material, such as e-textbooks, for free by the first day of school. If students decide to stay in the class for the rest of the semester, they can buy the material at a reduced price. SDSU officials estimate the new program could save students close to $2 million. Number of the Week 10 percent: That's the percentage of educators who rent out their homes on Airbnb. In San Diego alone, educators reportedly made $2.7 million using Airbnb. Got thoughts, opinions or experiences with this? Call 619-354-1085 and leave your name, neighborhood and story so we can play the voicemail on future episodes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Schools are back in session. Good Schools for All hosts Scott Lewis and Laura Kohn introduce Voice of San Diego’s new education reporter Will Huntsberry, and the trio unpacks the latest education news you might have missed over summer break. Huntsberry discusses the misuse of Associated Student Body funds in San Diego Unified schools, new developments in the district’s 2016 graduation rate controversy and offers his take on what makes education reporting in San Diego unique. The crew also discuss teacher misconduct and the slow-moving state system that allowed two Poway Unified teachers to continue working in education even after being forced out of schools for having romantic relationships with students. What's Working Immediate Access: It's a new program at San Diego State University that allows students to access course material, such as e-textbooks, for free by the first day of school. If students decide to stay in the class for the rest of the semester, they can buy the material at a reduced price. SDSU officials estimate the new program could save students close to $2 million. Number of the Week 10 percent: That's the percentage of educators who rent out their homes on Airbnb. In San Diego alone, educators reportedly made $2.7 million using Airbnb. Got thoughts, opinions or experiences with this? Call 619-354-1085 and leave your name, neighborhood and story so we can play the voicemail on future episodes.
We listen to stories from the second annual Oak City Bard Brawl. Storytellers include Billy Warden, Joel Frady, Will Huntsberry, and last year's winner Peggy Beach. The third annual Bard Brawl is hosted by Raleigh Public Record and Little Raleigh Radio. It will be April 8 at Kings Barcade. Tickets are $10 at the door. For more information: http://raleighpublicrecord.org/events/bard-brawl-2014-call-for-storytellers/
For today's Crizzlecast, I went to a friend's house to talk to the guests for this particular episode, Indy Week staff writers Vernal Coleman and Will Huntsberry. As we all gathered around a table, drinking Maxwell House vanilla caramel international coffee with some Evan Williams bourbon in it, we pretty much lost our gotdamn minds. Just here are some of things we discussed: journalism, women, raccoons, smoking crack, cross-dressing, the meaning of the term "caking," Keith Carradine, Dallas, New Journalism, New Orleans, light-skinned black people vs. dark-skinned black people, messing up on-camera, race and a particular actress who may or may not be a guest on this podcast soon. At some point, the actual owner of the house showed up at the end to throw in his two cents. I did this one just a couple of days ago, and I couldn't wait to post it. You'll hopefully find out why. Yeah, this episode is pretty epic!