The Hardest Conversations for SDPD Chief

It has been nearly two years since Scott Wahl became San Diego top cop. For the latest VOSD Podcast episode, our hosts Scott Lewis and Andrea Sanchez-Villafaña sat down with Chief Wahl to discuss policing and more. With the federal governments immigration enforcement efforts, what is the San Diego Police Department's the role? Are officers prepared for possible attacks from Iran? License plate readers are just one of the many tools police have to investigate crimes. What do license plate readers know about us? How often are we being watched by technology? And can AI help the police department be more efficient? Plus: How does the department handle misconduct investigations? And, what changes has Chief Wahl implemented to reduce police overtime?  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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,See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it time we take a serious look at "slopulism?" Let us explain. The New York Times featured San Diego's Amy Reichert in a story after she teamed up with Youtuber Nick Shirley to try to uncover fraud in San Diego child care facilities. Shirley's previous coverage of the topic went viral in Minneapolis. The newspaper defined their political posts as slopulism. Related: After Shirley's visit to San Diego, our reporters explained what he did and did not find here. Top story: Our Lisa Halverstadt broke the news that Amy Knox, who had managed the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego’s finances, was charged with three felony counts of misappropriation of public money and three felony counts of fraudulent appropriation for allegedly using nonprofit funds for plastic surgeries, high-end clothes, a vacation to Hawaii and more. Also on the show: Former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey announced he is going to be running for San Diego City Council.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When someone tells you they don't have information, dig a little deeper. On this week's episode the VOSD Podcast crew broke down Jakob McWhinney's reporting on some startling stats on how empty San Diego Unified School district schools are. Yet another chapter in the enrollment crisis they refuse to discuss.  The Republican Party in San Diego used to have big meetings and lots of influence in town. Now, not so much. We give our thoughts on the state of the Republican party in San Diego. Also on the podcast: Bad Bunny's Super Bowl hafltime show was controversial, but we think President Donald Trump could have used to this to score some points. Also, we talk about the guy who touched off chaos in Minnesota with his video alleging widespread fraud. He came to San Diego. We tell you what we know about what he actually found and did not find.  We are on YouTube now! Watch our podcasts every Friday by visting youtube.com/voiceofsandiego.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Changing term limits may not just be a national news story. San Diego now has an attempt to change term limits. Our own Lisa Halverstadt dug in and reported on a county supervisor considering pushing reforms that may include electing a county mayor. In other words there’d be a mayor and a mayor. Our hosts tells you what everything means and what has to happen.  The Epstein Files are proving to include many, many, many high profile "leaders". Jakob McWhinney went down the rabbit hole and explained why one of San Diego's own was found in the files, and what was being alleged. Also on the show: Sheel Seidler drops majority of claims in her lawsuit which should pave the way for a sale of the team. We discussed the H barracks parking situation and found a little more information as to why people can't park there during the day.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The temperature seems to be rising, and it has nothing to do with weather. Whether it's immigration or short-term rentals, things are heating up.  In this week's episode our hosts were joined by chair of the San Diego Democratic Party, Will Rodriguez-Kennedy to discuss issues we will likely talk about in 2026.  First, last Friday activists barricaded themselves in Mayor Todd Gloria's office to protest ICE presence in San Diego. Bella Ross broke down what the role of SDPD is if and when a similar situation to Minneapolis descends on San Diego.  There is a growing problem in San Diego in regards to a housing shortage in San Diego while short term rentals are being bought up by public investment firms. Our hosts discuss what the city needs to do to protect housing while allowing these businesses to operate.  Finally, Will Rodriguez-Kennedy gave his thoughts on some of the upcoming political races in 2026. He also gave a little behind the scenes look into how political candidates are handled when it may be time to drop out of their respective race.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

San Diego’s mayor had one message for the city: We are at a pivotal point in San Diego's history. On the latest episode, our hosts talk about Todd Gloria's State of the City address and the topics he covered. Can the city move the needle on redeveloping the Sports Arena and Golden Hall? Are the convention center's modernization plans going to be actual modern improvements? Our hosts break it down. Also on the show: San Diego Unified’s longtime school board trustee is ready to get a promotion. He’s eying the state superintendent seat.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just three weeks into 2026 and the VOSD Podcast is firing on all cylinders. Today's episode features many different topics, including a look into something host Scott Lewis could not believe was happening, and may even think it provides some vindication for one San Diego figure. It's the most wonderful time of the year! Ok, maybe not, but with 2026 underway we were all looking ahead to Mayor Todd Gloria's State of the City address. Our own Will Hunstberry published a deep look into how leaders of San Diego feel Mayor Gloria has done since last year's State of the City address. Bella Ross took a look at the San Diego River and the developments built on the flood plain, which can cause major problems for homes and businesses when San Diego gets heavy rain. Plus, why is there always one person who gets stuck in a flooded street near Fashion Valley?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.