Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

LightNews

Lisa Halverstadt

@lisahalverstadt.bsky.social

1.3K followers 450 following 710 posts

@voiceofsandiego.org senior investigative reporter digging into San Diego County government & our homelessness, housing & behavioral health crises. 📧[email protected]

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · May 29

🧵Career highlight I hope will have many positive ripples: @poynterinstitute.bsky.social just published a guide to homelesness reporting that I've spent months creating with an impressive group of journalists across the country with years of experience on the beat.

When homelessness rises, so do the stakes of getting the story right - Poynter

This new guide helps journalists navigate the ethical and human challenges of reporting on homelessness

www.poynter.org

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 1h

ICYMI, here's my scoop on how ADU construction is fueling housing production in San Diego County. ADUs have made up 30% of permitted units outside cities over the last four years.

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

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 1h

About that regional ADU boom:
Per @sandiegouniontribune.com, ADUs made up more than a quarter of permitted units in the city of San Diego last year.

I reported last week that ADUs also made up 45% of housing units that @sandiegocounty.bsky.social permitted in 2024.

sandiegouniontribune.com.web.brid.gy @sandiegouniontribune.com.web.brid.gy · 15h

‘A ton of work still to do’: San Diego housing progress slows as city OKs fewer new homes

ADUs accounted for more than a quarter of all the new homes approved last year. But this year the City Council rolled back an incentive to build more of them.

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 17h

Also, PSA that if you want to watch this panel or others - or even read presenters' slides - you can do that here. 👇

Kudos to my colleague Paris Giles for putting together this awesome page!

Politifest 2025: News and Media

Politifest 2025: Solutions Showdown Solutions Showdown A rapid-fire series of conversations focused entirely on answers — not problems. Topics Cross-Border Sewage Crisis Affordable Electricity Afforda...

voiceofsandiego.org

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 17h

Discussions about homeless residents struggling with addiction and mental health challenges often quickly devolve into complications. Our #Politifest2025 panel sure dropped lotsa potential solutions.

6 Things San Diego Could Do to Aid Homeless People with Behavioral Health Challenges

Politifest speakers agreed that San Diego County government should take the lead on delivering solutions to aid homeless residents grappling with addiction and mental health conditions.

voiceofsandiego.org

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 18h

Your monthly reminder: For most of the last few years, local efforts to house homeless residents haven't kept up with the flood of people losing their homes. That equation must change to dramatically reduce homelessness.

More on this topic:

Newly Homeless Residents Still Outpacing Newly Housed

San Diego’s efforts to house homeless San Diegans aren’t keeping up with the number of people losing their homes.

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 18h

New homelessness data: The number of people becoming homeless in San Diego County continued to outpace the number moving into homes in September. @rtfhsd.bsky.social reports that 1,106 people became homeless for the first time and 1,032 exited homelessness.

Reposted by Lisa Halverstadt

sandiegouniontribune.com.web.brid.gy @sandiegouniontribune.com.web.brid.gy · 2d

San Diego County’s top election official to retire after redistricting special election

Registrar of Voters Cynthia Paes led an overhaul of how elections work in the county, including the move to large 'vote centers.'

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 3d

Gotta say: The @voiceofsandiego.org team really delivers.
If you want to keep up on San Diego news, I highly recommend signing up for our free Morning Report. 📧🌅https://voiceofsandiego.org/morning-report-newsletter/

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 3d

@jakobmcwhinney.bsky.social also broke the news on the Cajon Valley school district superintendent's admission that he'll be taking a more active role in school board elections to try to keep his job.

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

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 3d

We're also rolling out takeaways from #politifest2025.

@willhuntsberry.bsky.social detailed Councilmember @seanelorivera.bsky.social's push to get tourists and wealthy San Diegans to "pay their fair share."

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

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 3d

@bgirledukate.bsky.social's latest Border Report spotlights Immigration and Customs Enforcement's test of an unorthodox new deportation tactic.

Border Report: A New Tactic that Targets Immigrant Children

The Trump administration has launched a new operation to try to get children to give up their rights and leave the United States.

voiceofsandiego.org

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 3d

Plus: Mariana Martínez Barba has the details on a city of San Diego hotel-tax hike that scored a legal victory expected to deliver more cash for homelessness and road repairs.

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

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 3d

The decision to rely on department budgets to cover the nearly $25M bonuses increases the prospect of cuts at a time when San Diego County faces other financial uncertainties. For now, county officials say their existing budget can cover the bonuses.

County Digs into Department Budgets – Not Reserves – For Staff Bonuses

County officials expect to rely on existing department budgets to pay $25 million in county staff bonuses this month, not the county’s big reserve account.

voiceofsandiego.org

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 3d

🧵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

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 3d

Scoop: San Diego County officials expect to rely on existing department budgets to pay $25M in staff bonuses this month, not the county’s big reserve account.

County Digs into Department Budgets – Not Reserves – For Staff Bonuses

County officials expect to rely on existing department budgets to pay $25 million in county staff bonuses this month, not the county’s big reserve account.

voiceofsandiego.org

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 5d

Thanks so much for joining us today, Margot! Getting lots of good feedback on our discussion.

Reposted by Lisa Halverstadt

Margot Kushel MD @mkushel.bsky.social · 5d

Always good to spend time with @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social — one of the best journalists working on homelessness. #Politifest2025

Reposted by Lisa Halverstadt

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 6d

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

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 6d

Via @inewsource.org: "San Diego County hasn’t figured out a plan to maintain social service programs that San Diegans rely on without draining county reserves."

San Diego County braces for $300M in federal cuts

San Diego County cut $5.2M from nutrition programs as federal law could shift $300M in costs and force 1,000 new hires.

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 7d

PSA: @voiceofsandiego.org's got a great line-up of solutions-focused discussions at #Politifest2025 tomorrow - and it's not too late to get your ticket!

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

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 8d

ICYMI.

Voice of San Diego @voiceofsandiego.org · 8d

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

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 8d

Your regular reminder: @voiceofsandiego.org's Morning Report is a great way to keep up with local news - and it's free!

You can sign up to get it here:

The Morning Report | Voice of San Diego

San Diego news and info you need to take on the day. From us to you, Monday through Friday.

voiceofsandiego.org

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 8d

@jakobmcwhinney.bsky.social also delivered the latest on San Diego Unified School District's plan to change high school schedules.

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

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 8d

Also in today's Morning Report: The city of San Diego's latest housing production numbers and a new video on how homelessness-related enforcement draws unsheltered residents to the San Diego River.

Morning Report: County Official Moonlights at Law Firm

Dr. Emily Do is the county’s full-time chief pharmacy officer, collecting a more than $230,000 annual salary. She’s held that job since 2019. Do’s also got a side gig working […]

voiceofsandiego.org

Lisa Halverstadt @lisahalverstadt.bsky.social · 8d

Today's @voiceofsandiego.org news blast leads with my story about Dr. Emily Do's dual roles.

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