Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 2d

Should the San Diego Police Department merge with Harbor Police?

Mayor Todd Gloria says it’s worth considering.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/07/m...

Mayor Gloria Says Absorbing Harbor Police Could Ease San Diego’s Officer Shortage

The San Diego Police Department has a staffing shortfall of about 200 officers.

voiceofsandiego.org

2 2

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 2d

A huge THANK YOU to everybody who joined us at Politifest this weekend 🧡

Didn’t make it? Catch up on what you missed here:
voiceofsandiego.org/politifest-2...

1

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 2d

The future of a beloved community garden in the Tijuana River Valley is in question after the county installed signs warning residents about pollution threats.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/07/f...

Farmers Say Supervisor’s Sewage Efforts Cost Them Their Livelihood

For more than two decades, small-scale farmers and community gardeners have grown fresh fruits and vegetables, native plants, flowers and other produce at the Tijuana River Valley Community Garden, a…

voiceofsandiego.org

1 3

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 3d

The Cajon Valley superintendent said that, against all traditional political wisdom, he plans to get involved in his district’s school board races.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/06/c...

Cajon Valley Superintendent Will ‘Play an Active Role’ in School Board Races

It’s rare for district superintendents to dip their toes into the often-partisan politics of school board elections.

voiceofsandiego.org

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 3d

Do voters trust the city of San Diego to manage a public electric grid?

Supporters of a plan to “fire SDG&E” are learning this may be their biggest obstacle.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/07/s...

Supporters of Public Power and Opponents Agree They Can’t Trust City of San Diego with Another Utility

‘Do you actually trust the City Council of this city to take over the electric grid?’ one speaker at Politifest said.

voiceofsandiego.org

1 4

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 3d

Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera has a whole host of ideas on how the city can get tourists and wealthy residents to pay their “fair share.”
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/07/e...

Elo-Rivera Wants Tourists and Wealthy to Pay 'Fair Share'

The councilmember wants to charge fees for tourists accessing Mission Bay and Torrey Pines Golf Course, as well as tax second homes.

voiceofsandiego.org

1 3

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 3d

After five years, the courts have finally decided that San Diego’s 2020 hotel tax did, in fact, pass.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/06/a...

Appeals Court Just Gave San Diego a Major Boost by Upholding Measure C

The city of San Diego began collecting the hotel tax in May but could not spend those dollars.

voiceofsandiego.org

1 1 5

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 4d

With Councilmember Henry Foster’s re-election bid looming, questions are arising about the city’s decision to fire him from a program manager role in 2016.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/03/n...

Now up for Re-Election, Councilmember Faces Past Firing from City He Now Helps Lead

Henry Foster just launched his campaign for re-election and now one of his former bosses and former colleagues are speaking out about his previous job at the city, and why the city fired him.

voiceofsandiego.org

2 5

Reposted by Voice of San Diego

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 4d

🧵Tuesday's @voiceofsandiego.org news blast is packed with interesting stuff.

First up: my story revealing that San Diego County will dig into department budgets - rather than reserves - to pay nearly $25M in staff bonuses this month.

Morning Report: County Relying on Budget for $25 Million Staff Bonuses

Weeks ago, our Lisa Halverstadt revealed that Democratic county supervisors’ affirmative vote to change the county’s reserve policy would trigger bonuses for county employees. County officials initial...

voiceofsandiego.org

1 1 2

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 7d

Politifest 2025 is finally here!

Don't have tickets? Come buy some at the door or sign up to stream the event for free ☀️
voiceofsandiego.org/event/politi...

Politifest | Oct. 4, 2025

Politifest 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the University of San Diego's Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies. This annual public affairs summit, organized by Voice of San Diego,…

voiceofsandiego.org

1 3

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 8d

It’s not too late to grab your ticket to tomorrow's Solutions Showdown at USD!

Hope to see you there 👀 🎟️
voiceofsandiego.org/event/politi...

Politifest | Oct. 4, 2025

Politifest 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the University of San Diego's Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies. This annual public affairs summit, organized by Voice of San Diego,…

voiceofsandiego.org

2

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 8d

San Diego County’s chief pharmacy officer also advises pharmaceutical companies for a New York-based law firm.

Officials refuse to release documents meant to disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/02/c...

County’s Pharmacy Chief Also Works at a Law Firm

San Diego County’s full-time chief pharmacy officer also works as a partner at a New York-based law firm that advises pharmaceutical companies.

voiceofsandiego.org

2 3

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 8d

San Diego Unified’s plan to transition the district to a new class schedule was put on ice following rocky meetings with staff and parents.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/01/t...

The Learning Curve: San Diego Unified Kicks 4x4 Can Down the Road

After weeks of rocky meetings with school staff and parents, district officials' plan to transition its high schools to a controversial new class schedule is on hold – for now.

voiceofsandiego.org

1

Reposted by Voice of San Diego

MacKenzie Elmer, journalist. @journomack.bsky.social · 9d

Sweetwater Authority, which already buys very little water from @sdcwa, is looking to get completely off the teat with a groundwater desalination project reports @voiceofsandiego.org @jimhinch voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/01/s...

Sweetwater Authority Joins Stampede Away from County Water Authority

The agency supplying drinking water to a large swath of South San Diego County is exploring a groundwater desalination project that could reduce or even eliminate the agency’s dependence on expensive…

voiceofsandiego.org

2 1

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 9d

East County Supervisor Joel Anderson is considering a bid for county treasurer-tax collector — paving the way for a potential opening on the Board of Supervisors.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/30/j...

Joel Anderson for Treasurer-Tax Collector?

East County Supervisor Joel Anderson is mulling a run for county treasurer-tax collector.

voiceofsandiego.org

1

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 9d

The Sweetwater Authority is the latest agency to express interest in distancing itself from the region's main water supplier.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/10/01/s...

Sweetwater Authority Joins Stampede Away from County Water Authority

The agency supplying drinking water to a large swath of South San Diego County is exploring a groundwater desalination project that could reduce or even eliminate the agency’s dependence on expensive…

voiceofsandiego.org

1

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 9d

Voters will soon receive ballots to vote on Proposition 50, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s partisan redistricting scheme.

Here’s what you need to know.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/30/e...

Everything You Need to Know About Prop. 50

Our friends at CalMatters have created a helpful voter guide with everything you need to know about Proposition 50, California’s redistricting measure. Check it out below. Bonus! On Saturday, Oct. […]

voiceofsandiego.org

1

Reposted by Voice of San Diego

MacKenzie Elmer, journalist. @journomack.bsky.social · 11d

Hearing a lot of concerns from San Diegans about the high cost of rent, electricity, water and childcare at City Council today. - If that speaks to you, join us for @voiceofsandiego.org Solutions Showdown this Saturday at #Politifest2025 voiceofsandiego.org/event/politi...

Politifest | Oct. 4, 2025

Politifest 2025 is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the University of San Diego's Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies. This annual public affairs summit, organized by Voice of San Diego,...

voiceofsandiego.org

4 3

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 10d

Amid a slew of fee increases, the San Diego City Council postponed consideration of a major water rate hike until the end of the month.

But it’s still unclear how they plan to get around it.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/30/m...

Mayor’s Water Rate Increase ‘Dead on Arrival’

San Diego city councilmembers join forces to stall a proposed rate increase even though city staff warn too much delay could risk staff layoffs or falling behind on debt repayments.

voiceofsandiego.org

3 1 3

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 10d

These candidates vying to replace Rep. Darrell Issa if Proposition 50 passes don’t live in the district they hope to represent.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/26/t...

Top Candidates for the 48th Congressional District Live Outside Its Borders

While members of Congress aren’t required to live in their districts, most San Diego-area representatives do, and one candidate says home base matters.

voiceofsandiego.org

1 1 3

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 10d

County data shows 30 percent of new homes in the region’s unincorporated areas are accessory dwelling units.

Some local officials are questioning whether this is the right approach.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/29/a...

ADU Construction Is Fueling the County’s Housing Production

At a time when traditional developers deem county policies hostile to development, granny flats are fueling county progress on state housing goals.

voiceofsandiego.org

1 1 3

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 10d

California’s Coastal Commission, an increasingly controversial state agency, is standing in the way of UC San Diego’s growing housing ambitions.

A new bill aims to change that.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/26/s...

Sacramento Report: The State Agency that Punches Above its Weight Class

This week, I set out to learn about the California Coastal Commission, the 49-year-old governing body responsible for hundreds of miles of the state’s coastline that has an outsized importance […]

voiceofsandiego.org

1 1 4

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 11d

San Diego’s top finance official just got a new job at the port.

Meanwhile, the city's still grappling with the fallout of this summer’s budget negotiations.
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/25/a...

All Eyes on Mayor as San Diego’s Chief Financial Officer Gets Job at Port

The city of San Diego’s chief financial officer, Matt Vespi, is headed to the Port of San Diego.  Vespi will be joining the Port as its new chief administrative officer […]

voiceofsandiego.org

3

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 11d

What happens if the San Diego City Council refuses to increase water rates today, or even decides to stop paying its water bills entirely?
voiceofsandiego.org/2025/09/29/e...

Environment Report: San Diego ‘Better Have My Money’

What happens if the City Council decides to go nuclear on a proposed water rate increase Tuesday?

voiceofsandiego.org

3

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 11d

How do we build more housing that people can afford?

Three local housing leaders will hash out one of the biggest questions facing our region at this year’s Politifest on Oct. 4.

Buy your tickets now: voiceofsandiego.org/event/politi...

2