Outstretched Palms

Violence against outstretched palms – as in hands not the trees. The curious case against Encinitas City Councilmember Luke Shaffer.  San Diego County Water Authority leaders may have thought the chatter about dissolving their agency may be in the past then came LAFCO. The funny agency nobody knew about is making headlines again.  And guests to the Zoo spend a bunch of money in San Diego. The Zoo and the city want them to spend a bit more. SHOW NOTES   SEGMENT 1 - Promos Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025 Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego. Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest   SEGMENT 2 - Palm Trees Are Not Trees There’s a particular palm tree making its mark on Southern California... and not in a good way. The Mexican fan palm — those tall, classic pseudo-trees along with other invasive species — isn’t native to Southern California, but nonetheless maintains a death grip on its ecological landscape. Within the past year, San Diego has seen multiple canyon fires propelled by these pesky out-of-towners. And within weeks of the smoke clearing, they’re already resprouting, providing fuel for another fire before native plants are able to regenerate. While fire is a natural to California’s ecosystem, necessary for many native plants to survive, it can be detrimental if it occurs too frequently. This is one of many reasons San Diego won’t be planting them on public land anymore. Our intern, Tessa Balc, sat down with the executive director of @sdcanyonlands to see how we can nurture San Diego’s native landscape. 🎥: Tessa Balc   SEGMENT 3 - Nathan Fletcher is Returning to the News Cycle ICYMI: Judge Dismisses Suit Against Nathan Fletcher by Scott Lewis and Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña - August 8, 2025 SEGMENT 4 - YES We’re Talking About Minimum Wage in San Diego Again ICYMI: Politics Report: Zoo Freed from Minimum Wage Push by Scott Lewi - August 30, 2025  SEGMENT 5 - Shaffer and the Outstretched Palms Incident North County Report: Inside Luke Shaffer’s First Day in Court County prosecutors are going after the Encinitas councilmember for an alleged hit-and-run. Here’s what went on during his first court appearance.   by Tigist Layne - September 10, 2025   Segment 6 - LAFCO and the Water Authority Blowing Up the Water Authority Isn’t Off the Table at LAFCO The group that rubber stamped a divorce from the agency plans to look at getting rid of the agency altogether.   by MacKenzie Elmer - September 9, 2025   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.

The Voice of San Diego team is embarking on an ambitious pursuit: Developing a public policy for how AI should and shouldn't be used in our newsroom. And we're bringing our listeners along for the ride. Tap in for an unfiltered conversation where co-hosts Scott Lewis, Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña, Jakob McWhinney, Will Huntsberry and Bella Ross grapple with our concerns surrounding this new technology, and how we may consider using it to deliver more, better journalism.  Should this include public disclaimers when AI is deployed? What is the bar for such a disclaimer? Are certain kinds of writing more sacred than others? We hope to answer these questions over the course of a few episodes -- with your help! We encourage listeners to share your thoughts about all of this as we continue to work on a policy that is both ethical and forward-thinking. Please email [email protected] to weigh in before our next episode! Support the show at vosd.org/podpeopleSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s dealmaking season at City Hall. The push for a new $25 minimum wage for some workers in the tourism and entertainment industry in San Diego is heading to a City Council vote Sept. 16. Here’s what we know about all the entities trying to get out of having to pay workers that.  Prop 50 mailers are hitting mailboxes and the ads are on TV. We’ve talked about it the last two podcasts but now it’s already set a congressional race in motion.   SHOW NOTES Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025 Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego. Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest SEGMENT 2 - Subscriptions Gone Wild The Atlantic wrote about Alden Global Capital, the U-T’s owners, four years ago. “What threatens local newspapers now is not just digital disruption or abstract market forces. They’re being targeted by investors who have figured out how to get rich by strip-mining local-news outfits. The model is simple: Gut the staff, sell the real estate, jack up subscription prices, and wring as much cash as possible out of the enterprise until eventually enough readers cancel their subscriptions that the paper folds, or is reduced to a desiccated husk of its former self,” the magazine wrote. Bottom line: I think the U-T’s journalism is worth $2,000 a year, if it were a philanthropic cause and I could afford that. We have lots of donors who make bigger contributions than that. But this is not the way and it’s hurting trust. Nieman Lab  Alden Global Capital is miffed that The Dallas Morning News won’t offer itself up for disembowelment The hedge fund threatens to shift their takeover bid to shareholders — while trying to sweet-talk the only shareholder that matters.   SEGMENT 3 - Minimum Wage, the Cost of Living, and the Padres SD Chamber teams up with Padres SEGMENT 4 - Congressional Race - The (potentially) Redrawn 48th District Mason Herron ran numbers: Congressional District 48 - Issa Trump +15.3% Trump: 56.4% | Harris: 41.1% Harris +2.6% Trump: 47.4% | Harris: 50.0%   Congressional District 49 - Levin Harris +7.8% Trump: 44.7% | Harris: 52.5% Harris +12.1% Trump: 42.5% | Harris: 54.6%   Congressional District 50 - Peters Harris +29.6% Trump: 33.6% | Harris: 63.1% Harris +17.5% Trump: 39.7% | Harris: 57.2%   Congressional District 51 - Jacobs Harris +23.5% Trump: 36.7% | Harris: 60.2% Harris +18.0% Trump: 39.6% | Harris: 57.5%   Congressional District 52 - Vargas Harris +21.2% Trump: 38.1% | Harris: 59.3% Harris +16.8% Trump: 40.3% | Harris: 57.1%   San Diego City Councilwoman Marni von Wilpert announces congressional campaign "I've spent my career fighting for workers, women's rights and safety for everyone — the very priorities Darrell Issa and Donald Trump attack at every turn," she said. "This will be a must-win seat to take Congress back from Trump, and I'm the only Democratic candidate running who has won an election, flipped a seat from red-to-blue and actually delivered for working people." Early endorsements include State Senators Catherine Blakespear and Steve Padilla, Assemblymembers Tasha Boerner and Chris Ward, San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer and her council colleagues Stephen Whitburn and Jen Campbell, among others.   Ammar Campa-Najjar has also found a hat to throw into the ring "This campaign is about making sure that all families, from San Diego to Riverside, have a representative who works for them," Campa-Najjar said in a statement released Friday. "That's why I've officially filed to run in CA- 48. If the proposed maps are approved, I'll be on the ballot, ready to represent this community and fight for a fair economy, affordable health care, and take on corruption."   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’s Sunset Cliffs are crumbling. The city’s plan to save them is … a one way street?  The County Board of Supes has officially voted to tap into previously off-limits county reserves, but thanks to a labor agreement nearly half of those funds are already spoken for.  Also, why an aging north county dam has one company saying “Damn!” And finally, Assemblyman Chris Ward is calling into to talk about a controversial housing bill and the redistricting ballot measure he supported.   SHOW NOTES SEGMENT 1 - Promos Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego. Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest SEGMENT 2 - Richard Bailey and Scott Peters give slightly committed running for office vibes AXIOSMeet the former mayor turned micro influencer who's making city policy go viralRichard Bailey was Coronado's mayor until last yera. Now he's weighing in on big San Diego issues. POLITICOThe House Dems bracing for redistricting sacrifices SEGMENT 3 - County ReservesVoice of San DiegoLisa HalverstadtIf County Dips Into Reserves, Millions Would go to Employee BonusesIf county supervisors vote to approve updates to the county’s reserve policy Tuesday, county employees are set to receive bonuses. SEGMENT 4 - Damn DamsVoice of San DiegoTigist LayneSan Diego Is Getting Sued Because of One of Its Troubled DamA $300 million lawsuit claims the city’s release of water from El Capitan Dam damaged a property meant for sand mining. SEGMENT 5 - Sunset CliffshangerVoice of San DiegoMacKenzie ElmerHow the City Will Save Sunset Cliffs from Sea Level Rise The city is proposing to move cliff parking onto the street and eliminate a lane of traffic at the southern point at Sunset Cliffs.   SEGMENT 6 - Redistricting with Chris WardBallotpediaCalifornia Proposition 50, Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment (2025) 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.

Were you hallucinating too or do you also remember the city of San Diego saying pizza boxes could now go in the green bin. Also, a lot of people do not understand how to use the green bins, apparently.  We haven’t had a chance yet to talk about it but we should: A judge dismissed the sexual harassment case against Nathan Fletcher that ended his career. But he’s still got one going against the accuser.  And we have a special guest here co-hosting – Congressman Scott Peters is in the studio. We’ve got a lot to discuss with him.    SHOW NOTES   SEGMENT 1 - Promos   Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025   Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego. Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest SEGMENT 2 - Banter   The City The Chips Fall as Rivals Fry the Mayor The jokes and jabs are flying as Eric Adams’ closest aides was slapped with new criminal charges the day after another of his longtime allies offered a reporter cash inside a potato chip bag. SEGMENT 3 - Organic Waste Voice of San Diego MacKenzie To Compost or Not to Compost: The Pizza Box Whether you can put pizza boxes in your green bin is largely dependent on who picks up your trash. SEGMENT 4 - Nathan Fletcher NBC7 San DiegoJudge dismisses Nathan Fletcher sexual harassment lawsuit The lawsuit by former MTS public relations specialist Grecia Figueroa was set to go to trial next month, but Superior Court Judge Matthew Braner ruled that too much evidence had been deleted or not turned over to the defense for the case to go before a jury. SEGMENT 5 - Redistricting and the California Democratic Party Cal MattersGavin Newsom’s redistricting plan is on its way to voters. What you need to know   Cal Matters5 things to know about Gavin Newsom’s plan to redraw California’s election maps The Assembly just passed the first vote that would pave the way for mid-decade redistricting. Some background on our independent commission.   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.

This week, the Padres are getting into politics. The team just took first place in the National League west for the first time this late in the season in 15 years. Success on the field could help them in the field of politics.  We’ve got a special guest host today, former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey is in the studio. He’s now become something of a conservative tiktok pundit weighing in mostly on city of San Diego politics. He’ll explain why you should care.  And finally, El Cajon stopped having police respond to some mental health calls and a big debate has erupted there since our story about it. We’ll break down the latest.    SHOW NOTES SEGMENT 1 - Promos Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025 Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego. Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest SEGMENT 2 - Banter VOSD Politics Report: Padres Do Some Polling   Fox5 San Diego Tickets available soon for San Diego Rodeo at Petco Park SEGMENT 3  The Coronado News The Coronado News’ second anniversary   New Revenue Hub We support journalism that improves lives — and fights misinformation.   Tijuana/ US SewageEPA United States and Mexico Reach Agreement to Permanently and Urgently End Decades-Long Tijuana River Sewage Crisis   Enivronment California RELEASE: Pathogen risks found at 79% of California beaches tested in 2024   SEGMENT 5 -  Trump Policies Pew ResearchTrump’s Tariffs and ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ Face More Opposition Than Support as His Job Rating Slips GallupSurge in U.S. Concern About Immigration Has Abated   Migration Policy Institute Profile of the Unauthorized Population:United States   Carl DeMaioVOSDVOSD Assemblymember Carl DeMaio Is Back To Promoting Ballot Initiatives SEGMENT 6 -  El Cajon PoliceEl Cajon Official: Want Cops to Back Up County Crisis Teams? Pay Up.El Cajon councilmembers reviewing their police department’s shift on crisis call responses had a lot of questions about San Diego County’s crisis call policies. Development VOSDIn Whose Backyard   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.

RVs are all over Mission Bay. Why the city now feels OK about cracking down on them.  Mack is Back! Mackenzie Elmer our environment reporter is dropping in to discuss bobcats that have been terrorizing the Wild Animal Park. And why the big news about a big Mexico/USA deal on the border sewage crisis is deja vu.  Finally hospitals used to panic that SB 43 would flood them with patients with drug and menthal health challenge who were being committed against their will. But so far that has’n’t happened. We’ll explain why.   SHOW NOTES   SEGMENT 1 - Promos Meet our South County reporter, Jim Hinch, on August 13 at the Civic Center Branch Library in Chula Vista for a discussion about his latest investigations and how they impact residents in South County. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.   RSVP at vosd.org/event to reserve your spot.   The City of Chula Vista Public Library does not advocate nor endorse the views or positions expressed by the users of its facilities.   Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025   Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego. Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest SEGMENT 2 - Pricey Petco Parking on City Streets   Union-Tribune $10-an-hour parking comes to Petco Park next month This week, city crews are installing around 400 signs on curbs downtown to let drivers know about the new parking-meter rates taking effect Sept. 1   Instagram Richard Bailey on the parking fee increase around the ballpark SEGMENT 3 - Border Sewage and Bobcats with Mackenzie   VOSD South County Report: EPA Visits Tijuana River   VOSD Environment Report: That Time Bobcats Dined on San Diego Zoo Animals   A USDA report shows bobcats broke into zoo facilities three times and made birds and antelope their dinner. SEGMENT 4 - Mission Bay Parking VOSDNew Safe Parking Site Frees City to Push Campers Out of Mission BayLegal hurdles had forced police to stop ticketing RVs in Mission Bay. But now police are beginning to crack down again.   SEGMENT 5 - SB43  Forced Treatment Hasn’t Flooded Hospital Emergency Rooms – Yet County supervisors postponed implementation of a conservatorship state law in response to fears that hospitals could be inundated with new patients. 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.

You may be shocked to learn that of San Diego County cities Encinitas is closest to meeting its housing goals.    That’s right. The bad boy of North County with a history of failing to follow housing laws is actually building homes. Housing, or lack of, is among the top issues in our region and senior investigative reporter Will Huntsberry has spent months analyzing housing data. He’s here to dish on his findings.    Also, we’ve gone over how there are far fewer kids in San Diego schools than there were a decade ago. We’ll explain what school leaders are doing to address enrollment decline.   SHOW NOTES SEGMENT 1 VOSD Events Meet our South County reporter, Jim Hinch, on August 13 at the Civic Center Branch Library in Chula Vista for a discussion about his latest investigations and how they impact residents in South County. This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.   RSVP at vosd.org/event to reserve your spot.   The City of Chula Vista Public Library does not advocate nor endorse the views or positions expressed by the users of its facilities.   Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025 Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego. Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest SEGMENT 2 The Tsunami Warnings KPBS 8.8 magnitude quake strikes off Russia's Far East. Tsunami waves reach Japan, Hawaii and California   BBC Waves reach US west coast after Russian earthquake as Japan lifts tsunami warnings   SEGMENT 3  In Whose Backyard? In Whose Backyard? Is our new series that tackles housing in San Diego County. And it is a stat lover’s cornucopia of information.    The Places in San Diego Meeting Their Housing Goals Will Blow Your Mind by Will Huntsberry 17 hours ago Encinitas, shockingly, is closer to meeting its state-mandated housing number than any other city in San Diego County.   San Diego Is Building a Lot of New Homes, But Not Always in Places That Need Them Most by Jake Gotta / KPBS July 30, 2025   San Diego Housing Data Reveal Fastest Growth in Urban Core by Andrew Bowen / KPBS July 29, 2025 In Whose Backyard? Where Homes Are Being Built in San Diego by Will Huntsberry July 28, 2025   Coronado and Imperial Beach Haven’t Produced a Single Affordable Home in Years by Will Huntsberry July 16, 2025   El Cajon Lags Behind Rest of Cities in Home Building Per Capita by Will Huntsberry July 7, 2025 SEGMENT 4 Education The Progress Report: How Some Schools Are Trying to Counter Enrollment Decline Despite having little control over the unwieldy factors driving enrollment decline, school leaders are taking steps to push back on the frightening trend. 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.

There’s officially a new county supervisor and so there’s a new chair of the board of supervisors and they’re wasting no time making big changes.  El Cajon police have stopped responding to calls when a person says they’re going to hurt themselves. They blame lawyers but it’s complicating the response of civilian teams as well, we’ll explain. And we talked about school enrollment plunging across the county but there are a couple schools in particular seeing major surges in enrollment. How two charter schools are racking up their numbers.  Plus an update on the water drama. Always fun.    SHOW NOTES Segment 1County Supervisors swear in a new Sup and waste no time getting started. Aguirre Cements Democrats’ Control of County Government Newly elected South County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre took office Tuesday promising to clean up the Tijuana River and prioritize the needs of working San Diegans. She and fellow Democrats on the Board of Supervisors moved swiftly to implement their agenda. by Jim HinchJuly 22, 2025 Segment 2Why would El Cajon police ignore calls for help? A Crisis Team Responding to a Suicide Attempt Asked for Help, El Cajon Police RefusedA June incident where El Cajon police repeatedly declined to help a civilian crisis response team emphasizes the challenges tied to the department’s decision to stop responding to some crisis calls. by Lisa Halverstadt10 hours ago Fearing Lawsuits, El Cajon Police Stopped Responding to Some Mental Health CallsThe decision means county mental health teams sometimes also can’t respond to crisis calls involving a threat to a single person or lack police support when they do. by Lisa Halverstadt and Tessa BalcJuly 23, 2025 Segment 2There's another reason why enrollments are declining county wide San Diego County’s Schools Have 27,000 Fewer Students Than a Decade Ago. It Will Get Worse.Over the past decade, enrollment at San Diego County public schools has declined by about five percent. That means there are 27,000 fewer students in local schools. State officials are projecting rates of decline will only get worse, which will force educators to make some hard decisions. by Jakob McWhinneyJuly 15, 2025 Segment 3More Water Chisme (Kinda like the budget, the story has legs) Politics Report: Water Authority Moves Onby Scott LewisJuly 19, 2025   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.

The mayor is just flat ignoring the budget the city council passed and will not fire the top managers the Council cut. And you thought budget drama was over.  Local water managers are demanding an apology from one of their colleagues. Apologies after demands for apologies are always the best apologies. We’ll explain why this matters.  And Jakob published an extraordinary analysis and maps this week of how many fewer kids there are in San Diego schools. Why that is.   SHOW NOTES SEGMENT 1  Meet the Beat: Voice in North County Join our North County reporter, Tigist Layne on July 24 at the Escondido History Museum at 6 p.m. to talk about the stories she’s watching that impact residents in North County. Seats are limited. RSVP at vosd.org/events. Politifest Buy Your Tickets for Politifest 2025 Politifest is back on Oct. 4, and this won’t be our usual public affairs summit.  This year, we’re bringing together community leaders to go head-to-head in our first ever Solutions Showdown. Hear their ideas and cast your vote on which proposals you think could solve the biggest issues facing San Diego. Save on tickets with early bird pricing at vosd.org/politifest SEGMENT 2 San Diego City Budget Mayor: Nah, I Won’t Be Laying Staff Off by Mariana Martínez Barba July 15, 2025 SEGMENT 3  Where’d the Kids Go San Diego County’s Schools Have 27,000 Fewer Students Than a Decade Ago. It Will Get Worse. Over the past decade, enrollment at San Diego County public schools has decline by about five percent. That means there are 27,000 fewer students in local schools. State officials are projecting rates of decline will only get worse, which will force educators to make some hard decisions.  by Jakob McWhinney July 15, 2025 SEGMENT 4 Water Wars Water Managers Want Apology by Scott Lewis July 9, 2025 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.