Council President Joe LaCava, Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, former Mayor Kevin Faulconer and former City Attorney Mike Aguirre gather to announce a trash fee deal on May 20, 2026. / Mariana Martínez Barba

In this weeks episode of the VOSD Podcast we tackle some tough subjects and reveal a surprising deal over San Diego’s trash fee.

Islamic center tragedy: Our hosts discuss the horrific attack at an Islamic Center in Clairemont, where two teenagers killed three men before taking their own lives. The attackers were driven by white supremacist ideology and the “great replacement” theory. The victims — a security guard, a neighbor, and a store manager — were praised as heroes for stopping the shooters from hurting more people.

Major City Hall compromise: We break down a massive political deal regarding the city’s contentious trash fee and paid parking at Balboa Park. The city agreed to return free parking to Balboa Park by the end of the year and reduce the planned trash fee increase. In exchange, the Lincoln Club and local attorneys agreed to drop their ballot measure repeal campaign and end their ongoing litigation against the city.

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