Episodios

  • North County reporters' roundtable; Museum a Month
    Apr 3 2026

    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
    Más Menos
    46 m
  • Embezzlement case prompts audit; medical aid in dying; rising concert prices
    Mar 27 2026

    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
    Más Menos
    46 m
  • César Chávez news fallout; I-5 artillery explosion findings; Padres season preview
    Mar 20 2026

    The New York Times this week published an investigation revealing shocking sexual abuse allegations against labor leader and civil rights activist César Chávez.


    California lawmakers announced that they intend to change the name of César Chávez Day — just weeks away — to Farmworkers Day.


    As the gravity of the allegations settle in, many are asking what comes next. We sit down with two journalists to talk about their coverage of the ongoing fallout from the stunning revelations.


    Plus, a new Marine Corps report found that a rare fuse malfunction caused an artillery shell to explode over Interstate 5 last fall.


    Plus, we bring you a Padres season preview ahead of opening day next week.


    Guests:

    • Gustavo Arellano, columnist, Los Angeles Times
    • Farida Jhabvala Romero, labor correspondent, KQED
    • Andrew Dyer, military and veteran affairs reporter, KPBS
    • Jesse Agler, play-by-play radio broadcaster, San Diego Padres

    Stories mentioned:

    • "The grief behind the cascade of online Dolores Huerta photos" by Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times
    • "And just like that, the Cesar Chavez myth is punctured. What’s next?" by Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times
    • "César Chavez Was a Hero to Farmworkers. Now They Confront the Pain of Alleged Abuse" by Farida Jhabvala Romero, KQED
    • "'One in a million' defect led to October I-5 artillery explosion, Marines say" by Andrew Dyer, KPBS
    Más Menos
    46 m
  • Charity fraud scheme; Mexicali farmers demand payouts; Port of Entry podcast
    Mar 13 2026

    Two men behind a charity fraud scheme pleaded guilty to federal charges this week.


    The case involved a scheme to siphon money from concession stands at some of San Diego's most well-known stadiums, including Petco Park — the home of the San Diego Padres.


    The scheme was originally uncovered through reporting from Voice of San Diego. We sit down with the lead reporter for more details.


    Plus, farmers in Mexicali are protesting low payouts as part of an international agreement where they agreed to conserve Colorado River water.


    And, we sit down with the hosts of the KPBS podcast "Port of Entry" to learn about what drives them to tell cross-border stories about the San Diego-Tijuana region.


    Guests:

    • Will Huntsberry, assistant editor, Voice of San Diego
    • Mackenzie Elmer, energy and environment reporter, Voice of San Diego
    • Vicente Calderón, founder and editor in chief of Tijuanapress.com
    • Natalie Gonzalez Rodriguez, co-host, Port of Entry
    • Alan Lilienthal, co-host, Port of Entry
    Más Menos
    46 m
  • Empty homes tax, trash fees; Military reporters roundtable; Local Persian magazine
    Mar 6 2026

    On Tuesday, the San Diego City Council voted to add a measure to the June primary ballot that would tax empty second homes. Also this week, paperwork was submitted for a measure that would stop trash fees for San Diego homeowners.


    We break down the upcoming ballot measures and the state of the city's budget.


    Then, we sit down with two military reporters to discuss the week on their beat after the U.S. and Israel began their attacks on Iran.


    Plus, we feature Peyk Magazine — a local arts and culture publication highlighting Persian culture, events and news in San Diego.


    Guests:

    • Andrew Bowen, metro reporter, KPBS
    • David Garrick, reporter, The San Diego Union-Tribune
    • Andrew Dyer, military and veterans affairs reporter, KPBS
    • Jeff Schogol, senior Pentagon reporter, Task & Purpose
    • Soheil Bigdeli, editor, Peyk Magazine
    Más Menos
    46 m
  • Fallout after killing of Mexican cartel leader; ICE monitors activists; bighorn sheep
    Feb 27 2026

    Mexico has settled from the unrest that struck parts of the country earlier this week. Vehicles were burned, blocking roads. Some buildings were set ablaze.


    All of this comes in reaction to the killing of a high-ranking cartel leader — "El Mencho" — on Sunday.


    We talk about the continued fallout in Mexico and what comes next with a longtime Tijuana journalist.


    Also this week, immigration officials detained at least four volunteers documenting arrests at the federal building downtown. And, new reporting reveals an operation by authorities to monitor activists supporting immigrants in San Diego. We talk to a reporter who covered both those stories.


    Plus, how the border fence is impacting natural habitats near the Jacumba mountains — especially the endangered bighorn sheep.


    Guests:

    • Vicente Calderón, founder and editor in chief of Tijuanapress.com
    • Kate Morrissey, immigration reporter and co-founder, Daylight San Diego
    • Tammy Murga, environment reporter, KPBS
    • Matthew Bowler, photojournalist, KPBS
    Más Menos
    45 m
  • ICE community patrols; Public transit fare evasion; SDFC season preview
    Feb 21 2026

    Federal agents arrested at least 5,000 people in San Diego last year.


    That's an average of 20 people each day.


    We talk about the network of volunteers organizing community patrols to watch out for immigration enforcement in their neighborhoods.


    Plus, more North County transit riders are evading fares amid a "hands off" enforcement strategy from the North County Transit District. We talk about fare evasion and increased safety concerns on public transit.


    And, a familiar San Diego voice breaks down what it means to be a play-by-play announcer ahead of San Diego FC's upcoming season.


    Guests:

    • Gustavo Solis, investigative border reporter, KPBS
    • Elaine Alfaro, reporter, KPBS
    • Adrian García Márquez, broadcaster and play-by-play announcer, San Diego FC
    Más Menos
    46 m
  • ICE's rapid expansion; RV dwellers fight tickets; LoveLitCon in San Diego
    Feb 13 2026

    A new investigation by WIRED magazine reveals a secret campaign by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to expand their physical presence across the country.


    Federal records show that more than 150 leases on office spaces for new facilities in nearly every state — including a facility in San Diego.


    We discuss the findings and what this could mean for ICE's expansion moving forward.


    Plus, some RV dwellers are protesting newly issued tickets from the city following the opening of the H Barracks safe parking site.


    And, a romance literature convention, LoveLitCon, is celebrating love in San Diego just in time for Valentine's Day.


    Guests:

    • Leah Feiger, senior politics editor, WIRED
    • Blake Nelson, homelessness reporter, The San Diego Union-Tribune
    • Leslie Gonzalez, web producer, KPBS
    Más Menos
    46 m