Cup of Chisme: A Better San Diego
EM - News Moderator 
Note: I had Friday brain and scheduled my newsletter on the wrong day. Happy Monday!
It can feel pretty bleak here.
The roads are bad. It’s nearly impossible for many of us to own homes. And a walk through downtown streets puts the region’s homelessness crisis right in your face.
It’s tough. Voice of San Diego is known for highlighting these challenges. That’s why we get a rep for only focusing on the bad. The truth is, someone needs to, how else can you push leaders to do better for San Diego?
Over the next few days, we’re going to encourage you to join us at Politifest 2025 on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the University of San Diego for our Solutions Showdown. We’ve challenged city leaders, experts and community groups to identify solutions to San Diego’s most pressing problems.
Not only that, they will present their solution and defend it against others, so you, the audience, can vote on what’s best for San Diego.
I’ve asked our reporters to preview the discussions they are moderating. You’ll see those in the Morning Report throughout the week. If you want to learn more about the panels or get your ticket, you can find that information here.
I’ll see you there.
After Our Story, San Diego Unified Takes Back One Middle School Closure
Here’s one example of why focusing on bad news can bring good news.
Two weeks ago, Jakob McWhinney broke the news that San Diego Unified School District was going to close the middle school grads of four K-8 schools. The decision was made without consulting teachers or parents.
After our story published, McWhinney spoke with the district’s superintendent about the closures. Fabiola Bagula told him that she wasn’t sure about one of the closures.
That was Bethune K-8. As the news spread, parents, students and faculty rallied for their school. At a packed community meeting the district organized, supporters of the school advocated to keep the middle school grades at Bethune. The district did.
“Please know, we’re not touching Bethune,” Bagula said.
The other three schools will phase out their middle school grades. They aren’t performing well and they don’t offer the extracurriculars Bethune does, officials said.
McWhinney notes in his story how it’s not common for the district to criticize its schools. This change is interesting and we will be following it. Read the full story here.
My Favorite Novela Could Never
My all-time favorite telenovela has all the twists and turns that make a Mexican soap opera worth watching: lies, betrayal and death.
A new story by our Jim Hinch does too.
What started out as a development dispute in National City, has exploded into an unbelievable saga full of accusations, betrayal and allegations of mishandled human remains. The drama has slowed business in City Hall and brought on two separate lawsuits.
Sorry Rubí, I can’t binge watch you today I’m going to be busy re-reading this story.
Grab some cafecito and read the full story here.
More Chisme to Start Your Week
- A question for my readers: Do you enjoy reading my newsletter on a weekly or bi-weekly basis? I know I’ve missed a couple, so I’m curious. Would love your feedback. Email me at andrea.sanchez@voiceofsandiego.org.
- We are going to be watching a big vote at San Diego City Hall on Tuesday. The City Council will decided whether to increase your water bill. Our MacKenzie Elmer is following the vote. She reported that ahead of the vote, city staff tried to deflect the rising costs from the city’s water recycling project.
- ICYMI: We have a new Sacramento reporter. Nadia Lathan has hit the ground running. In her latest newsletter, she unpacks how legislators are trying to make it easier to build along the coast. I’ll have a Q&A with her for you soon. Read her latest Sacramento Report here.
- On the federal side, Voice contributor Alan Berube explains in a new column how Medi-Cal cuts could hit San Diego. Read more here.
- Tigist Layne reports that some of the top candidates running for the 48th Congressional seat don’t live in the district. It’s not a requirement. Do you live in the district? I’m curious to hear what you think. Send me a note.
- City Hall reporter Mariana Martínez Barba joined city workers recently as they worked to clear homeless encampments along a downtown freeway. She reports that the encampment crackdown has resulted in some people getting shelter, but often people clear out only to return a few hours later. Read the story here.
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