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Voice of San Diego
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Investigative journalism for a better San Diego ☀️
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The local political establishment had big visions for Mayor Todd Gloria, maybe even going beyond City Hall.

But five years into his mayorship, allies and adversaries alike say he’s dropped the ball.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/14/t...
Disappointment Follows Gloria Into Sixth Year
The San Diego mayor came into office with high expectations and a Democratic super majority. Even his supporters are baffled by how little he has done.
voiceofsandiego.org
In a new op-ed, Michael Zucchet of the San Diego Municipal Employees Association responds to claims by former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey about the city of San Diego’s budget crisis.

"Coronado and San Diego are obviously very different cities."
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/21/o...
Opinion: San Diego’s Budget Challenges Deserve Less Rhetoric and More Data-Driven Analysis
Former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey missed the mark with his rhetoric-reliant analysis of San Diego's budget crisis.
voiceofsandiego.org
January 22, 2026 at 5:02 PM
We asked members of the San Diego City Council what their top policy priorities are for 2026.

Here’s what they had to say ⬇️
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/21/r...
Roads, Police and Cost of Living: San Diego’s Councilmembers’ Top Priorities
Last week, Mayor Todd Gloria laid out his plan for 2026.   He plans to prioritize addressing the budget deficit, building more homes and getting projects across the finish line, he […]
voiceofsandiego.org
January 21, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Member Exclusive: Here’s a deeper look into our latest conversation with Mayor Todd Gloria as he enters his sixth year in office.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/17/p...
Members Only Access
Thank you for your interest in Voice of San Diego. You’re trying to access information that is available only to our members.  If you would like to receive access to […]
voiceofsandiego.org
January 21, 2026 at 5:02 PM
In this week’s Cup of Chisme, we have the latest on the drama surrounding Mayor Todd Gloria’s annual speech, as well as a clap back between SDPD’s police chief and new union president.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/18/c...
Cup of Chisme: No Smiles Here
On Thursday, Mayor Todd Gloria delivered a speech about what’s next for the city. We tried to predict on the podcast what he would say during the State of the […]
voiceofsandiego.org
January 20, 2026 at 11:41 PM
A groundbreaking ceremony for a permanent supportive housing project in Chula Vista has fueled hope in the city’s battle against homelessness.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/15/s...
South County Report: Hotel Project Marks Inflection Point for Chula Vista Homelessness Efforts
Tuesday morning, an assembly of Chula Vista city leaders and local builders of affordable housing stood in a row in front of a dilapidated motel near the Palomar Street trolley […]
voiceofsandiego.org
January 19, 2026 at 5:02 PM
Assemblymember David Alvarez is on a crusade to free up billions of dollars in funding for environmental efforts.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/16/s...
Sacramento Report: Environmentalists Flock to Chula Vista Lawmaker’s Bill to Cut Climate Dollars Loose
In other news: Mayor Todd Gloria looks past the Newsom administration on additional homelessness funding.
voiceofsandiego.org
January 19, 2026 at 3:00 AM
June’s primary election will be here before we know it.

Here are some North County races to watch 👀 👇
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/14/n...
North County Report: Election Races We’re Watching This Year
Plus, new ICE arrest data is in.
voiceofsandiego.org
January 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM
In his annual State of the City speech, Mayor Todd Gloria doubled down on his aspirations for three local developments.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/16/m...
Morning Report: Mayor Defiant on Progress
Mayor Todd Gloria gave his State of the City address Thursday, just two days after we published our account of widespread disappointment with his administration.  The state of the city […]
voiceofsandiego.org
January 17, 2026 at 5:00 PM
A speech, a seating clash and a “sexist comment.”

Here’s what happened behind the scenes at Thursday's State of the City speech.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/16/a...
After Seating Clash at Speech, Mayor Told Councilmember to ‘Smile’
“He told me that I could smile, which I found to be a very sexist comment,” said Councilmember Vivian Moreno.
voiceofsandiego.org
January 17, 2026 at 2:19 AM
Public power rates are going up, but they still beat SDG&E on cost and share of renewable energy.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/14/p...
Price of Public Energy Shoots Up, Still Undercuts SDG&E
San Diego Community Power’s governing board will vote on the proposed rate increases at its Thursday meeting.
voiceofsandiego.org
January 16, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Opinion: Limiting housing growth outside the boundaries of local cities has led to many San Diegans being “exported" to more affordable areas.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/14/s...
Opinion: Developers and Environmentalists Agree – More Housing Is Needed Outside City Boundaries
To meet housing needs, we need to build homes in parts of unincorporated San Diego identified in the 2011 General Plan Update.
voiceofsandiego.org
January 16, 2026 at 3:00 AM
The local political establishment had big visions for Mayor Todd Gloria, maybe even going beyond City Hall.

But five years into his mayorship, allies and adversaries alike say he’s dropped the ball.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/14/t...
Disappointment Follows Gloria Into Sixth Year
The San Diego mayor came into office with high expectations and a Democratic super majority. Even his supporters are baffled by how little he has done.
voiceofsandiego.org
January 15, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Longtime San Diego Unified leader Richard Barrera made his case for a major union endorsement this week as part of his bid for state superintendent.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/13/b...
Barrera for State Supe Faces Make-or-Break Moment
Longtime San Diego Unified board member Richard Barrera’s campaign for state superintendent faces its first, and perhaps most consequential, vote this week.
voiceofsandiego.org
January 15, 2026 at 8:13 PM
In a new op-ed, former Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey makes the case for why the city of San Diego needs to cut back on spending and middle managers.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/13/o...
Opinion: San Diego Doesn’t Have a Revenue Problem. It Has a Management Problem.
Despite having more middle managers than ever, San Diegans are getting far less from their government. And they're paying more for it.
voiceofsandiego.org
January 14, 2026 at 8:27 PM
San Diego County supervisors are considering another proposal to expand protections for local immigrants.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/12/b...
Border Report: County Leaders Push to Restrict Cooperation with Immigration Officials 
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors will hold a preliminary vote Tuesday on an ordinance that seeks to restrict cooperation with federal immigration officials. 
voiceofsandiego.org
January 14, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Gov. Gavin Newsom is, once again, scaling back homelessness funding as he tries to navigate the state’s $3 billion budget deficit.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/09/s...
Sacramento Report: Newsom Tells Counties ‘No More’ On Homelessness Funding
San Diego lawmakers also get ahead on more funding for the sewage crisis as the Legislature reconvenes.
voiceofsandiego.org
January 13, 2026 at 10:00 PM
The news cycle held no punches the first week of 2026.

Here’s what happened locally 👇
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/11/c...
Cup of Chisme: Parking Drama
2026 is off to an interesting start. From vandalized parking meters to traumatized marine animals at local tide pools, local news headlines this week had me down. (Not to mention […]
voiceofsandiego.org
January 13, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Later this month, housing developers will pitch their visions for the future of numerous San Diego Unified-owned properties.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/07/t...
The Learning Curve: What San Diego Unified's Housing Workshop Will Look Like
After a surprise postponement, developers will present their proposals to the district’s trustees over two nights later this month.
voiceofsandiego.org
January 12, 2026 at 7:01 PM
A recent audit revealed a local housing nonprofit was quietly dipping into its reserves to cover operating expenses.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/09/a...
Audit Shows Solutions for Change Improperly Used Affordable Housing Reserve Funds for Operating Expenses
A newly released audit shows multiple withdrawals from the nonprofit’s reserve accounts meant for housing projects.
voiceofsandiego.org
January 12, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Electricity bills from SDG&E increased with the new year for most San Diegans.

Here’s what you need to know 👇
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/08/s...
SDG&E Prices Rising Again This Month
Electricity bills from San Diego Gas and Electric for the vast majority of San Diegans went up 7.4 percent beginning Jan. 1.
voiceofsandiego.org
January 12, 2026 at 4:00 AM
Horses or soccer fields?

That’s the question bogging conversations about the future of South Bay’s beloved Rohr Park.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/08/s...
South County: Park Dispute Pits Competing Visions for Chula Vista
Chula Vista park officials are planning a major overhaul of Rohr Park, a historic 60-acre green space on the city’s northeast side.
voiceofsandiego.org
January 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Catherine Blakespear hasn’t been the mayor of Encinitas since 2022, yet she remains a political lightning rod.

Why haven’t residents moved on?
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/08/e...
Encinitas Still Blames Former Mayor Catherine Blakespear for Many of Its Troubles
Years after leaving Encinitas, the former mayor remains a political lightning rod as residents and leaders continue to tie the city’s biggest issues to her leadership.
voiceofsandiego.org
January 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Opinion: As a 17-year-old San Diegan, my future in this city relies on plans to expand housing and public transportation.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/05/s...
Opinion: Denser Housing Near Transit Routes Will Help People Like Me Stay in San Diego
As a 17 year old proud of where he lives, my ask is for San Diego to invest in the future of its youth and the health of our climate across the globe.
voiceofsandiego.org
January 10, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Voice of San Diego corrected a story regarding the resignation of the Chula Vista Elementary School District's assistant superintendent of HR.

We regret the errors and any lack of clarity.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/09/c...
Correction: Chula Vista Elementary Assistant Superintendent for HR Resigned
Last month, we published a story discussing Lizcett Porras, a principal of a troubled South Bay school. It was titled, “Principal at Troubled School Had Little Experience, Key Connections.” Prior […]
voiceofsandiego.org
January 10, 2026 at 1:54 AM
San Diego County officials are taking a step back from plans to explore more options for increasing revenue.
voiceofsandiego.org/2026/01/08/c...
County Halts Request for Lobbyists to Lay Groundwork for Tax Hikes
County officials this week canceled a controversial callout for bids from lobbyists to help the county push changes to state law to pave the way for it to pull in […]
voiceofsandiego.org
January 9, 2026 at 11:00 PM