A new months-long investigation by KPBS follows the money going to some county supervisors' offices.

It finds some tapped influential companies, associations and individuals for monetary gifts. Some of the entities had business before the county at the time. We discuss the details.

Plus, we explore whether the melting pot metaphor is accurate in the U.S. today ahead of its 250th anniversary.

Plus, "Local News Day," a national effort to highlight the work of local newsrooms, was this week.

We sit down with three local storytellers to discuss their community-oriented approach to journalism.

Guests:

• Scott Rodd, investigative reporter, KPBS
• Gustavo Solis, investigative border reporter, KPBS
• Kate Morrissey, co-founder and reporter, Daylight San Diego
• Drew Sitton, community reporter, Times of San Diego
• Yamir Aguilar, reporter, Calexico Chronicle, Imperial Valley Weekly

Links:

• New SNAP rules push more San Diegans to find no-cost groceries - Daylight San Diego
• ‘No Data Center’ Chants Ring Out at Imperial County Board Meeting - Calexico Chronicle
• For trans San Diegans, lack of public restroom access is causing lasting medical harm - Times of San Diego
• San Diego woman says her credit card information was stolen while she was in ICE custody - Daylight San Diego
• Most immigrants no longer qualify for CalFresh. Agencies ‘scrounging’ for food - Times of San Diego
• Movimiento Celebracion and March Honor Farmworkers, Not Idols - Times of San Diego

San Diego's North County isn't exactly known for housing affordability.

But one North County city — San Marcos — is exceeding its state-mandated housing goals.

From new housing projects to school board meetings, we sit down with three North County reporters to talk about their reporting and what it's like to cover the beat.

Plus, a new KPBS series introduces us to some of San Diego's most interesting and underrated museums.

Guests:

• Alexander Nguyen, multimedia producer for North County, KPBS
• Tigist Layne, North County reporter, Voice of San Diego
• Katie Futterman, community reporter covering North County, inewsource
• John Carroll, reporter and anchor, KPBS

San Diego County has hired an independent auditor to review how it works with contractors.

The audit was announced in light of recent charges against a former executive at the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego, who misappropriated large sums of money meant for behavioral health care.

We talk about how San Diego County is re-examining its oversight of contractors.

Plus, California is one of 13 states where certain terminally ill patients can request medication to end their life. New KPBS reporting shares the story of one woman's end of life journey.

Then, why concert tickets are more expensive than ever, as part of a series on the high price of living in San Diego.

And, a look into one of San Diego's home kitchen businesses.

Guests:

• Lisa Halverstadt, senior investigative reporter, Voice of San Diego
• Heidi de Marco, health reporter, KPBS
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and host of The Finest podcast, KPBS
• Carlos Castillo, video journalist, KPBS

Stories mentioned:

• "After Contractor Scandal, County Announces Outside Contracting Audit" by Lisa Halverstadt, Voice of San Diego
• "California moves to strengthen end-of-life decisions, but gaps in access remain" by Heidi de Marco, KPBS
• "From $20 to $1,200: How San Diego concert ticket prices got out of control by Julia Dixon Evans, KPBS
• "From family recipes to a home business" by Carlos Castillo, KPBS