Episodes

We break down San Diego and national news stories here in the John Riley Project. Topics include the SANDAG mileage tax, Uber, public restrooms, minimum wage for fast food, CA Bullet Train update, Target shutting down stores, Amazon monopoly?, and the looming Government Shutdown. Got a question or comment? You can drop your take in the live chat on Facebook or YouTube to get involved in the San Diego Community Forum. It’s Wednesday, September 27, 2023. Here’s what John Riley thinks: SANDAG Mil...

Can you believe these San Diego gas prices? It’s over $6/gallon. Who is to blame for this mess? It’s expensive to live in San Diego. Water rates are going up 20%. Don’t get me started on housing prices in America’s Finest City! We also discuss Coach Prime’s deal with Blenders Eyewear in Pacific Beach, Poway Politics, self-driving trucks, government run grocery stores and the Pledge of Allegiance. It’s Friday, September 22, 2023. Here’s what John Riley thinks: $6/gallon – San Diego gas prices I...

I’m back! I took a 2-month vacation but now I am back with my San Diego Local News podcast. We will cover Poway Road Canyonization, San Diego Housing Crisis, Micro Units, Vacant Homes, Pt Loma Gay Marriage, Ben Kalasho in El Cajon, Escondido Joor Muffler Man, National City Bike Lanes, Snapdragon Stadium, CA’s Flavored Tobacco Ban Backfiring and more! It’s Wednesday September 6, 2023. Here’s what John Riley thinks: Poway Road Canyonization Powegians are freaking out about all the development al...

We have lots of San Diego topics on the table including a federal fraud case in Poway, winners and losers in CA budget, the future of Coronado mayor Richard Bailey, Jim Desmond and Congestion Pricing on Freeways, and much more. It’s Wednesday June 28, 2023. Here’s what John Riley thinks: Poway Social Security Fraud A Poway man defrauded the Social Security system and the VA system of over $830,000 over 3 decades as he schemed to collect using his dead mother’s name. WTF? Crazy story. Social Se...

No Limits podcaster Ed Franklin is back on the John Riley Project. Always great having Ed as he offers so much to help us improve our personal and business lives. No Limits – Overcoming Limitations We can often be our own worst enemy. We create our own roadblocks that prevent us from succeeding. Sometimes it is driven by fear. Other times laziness. But most often, it’s due to not doing what is best for yourself. Clarity – What do you want? It’s not easy figuring out what you really want. Yet s...

Last night I attended the Poway City Council meeting. I have lots to talk about including Poway banning homeless encampments, the replacement of Barry Leonard, money in politics, and Life Time Fitness at The Farm. Plus, we discuss Archie Moore, San Diego Roads, Steve Garvey for CA Senate, Ed Franklin, and more. We will take your comments and questions in the San Diego Community Forum. It’s Wednesday June 7, 2023. Here’s what John Riley thinks: Poway City Council Observations I hadn’t been to a...

Today we will be discussing the Debt Ceiling Circus in Washington DC, a new rule with local govt campaign finance that may play a huge role in future elections, the replacement for Poway Councilmember Barry Leonard, Bally Sports and the Padres, and the future of the Santee Drive In. Plus, we will take your comments and questions in the San Diego Community Forum. It’s Wednesday May 31, 2023. Here’s what John Riley thinks: Debt Ceiling Circus: Republicans and Democrats Fiscally Irresponsible All...

We have a laundry list of topics to discuss in this John Riley Project episode. We will discuss the controversial vote in Carlsbad to ban flags, including the Gay Pride Flag. La Mesa tried this as well and got a different result. Carlsbad went a step further and banned prayer too. We’ll also discuss San Diego Supervisor Jim Desmond, homelessness, housing subsidies, Rancho Bernardo sink hole, tattoos in Santee and cannabis in Lemon Grove. It’s Wednesday May 24, 2023. Here’s what John Riley think...

When a corporation donates to a non-profit that is run by a politician, then are they donating to a worthy cause or buying influence? That’s the question facing La Mesa vice mayor Colin Parent in La Mesa. We also discuss the KUSI sale and term limits in Poway. It’s Wednesday May 10, 2023. Here’s what John Riley thinks: La Mesa Vice Mayor Colin Parent Facing Conflict of Interest Accusations Colin Parent runs an organization called Circulate San Diego that works to support sustainable neighborho...

Poway’s City Council is under fire for the possibility of violating the voter’s will. Now we have a Poway resignation on the city council. The Drama! Escondido has a serious problem with their parks and budget. Imperial Beach wants to change their election rules. Plus, there’s more to the Nathan Fletcher saga. So much happening in San Diego County! It’s Thursday May 4, 2023. Here’s what John Riley thinks: Poway Resignation: Councilman Barry Leonard Steps Down In a surprise, Barry Leonard has d...

Poway Unified is in the news…. Again! Now a free speech case is coming before the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, politicians are trying to protect renters and protect the homeless, but their policies end up making the housing crisis even worse. It’s Wednesday, April 26, 2023. Here’s what John Riley thinks: Poway Unified School District first amendment case before Supreme Court Poway School Board members Michelle O’Connor-Ratcliff and TJ Zane (no longer in office), blocked their constituents from sp...

SDGE wants to base their electricity prices on your personal income. How can they do that? Meanwhile, mass transit in CA is facing a huge fiscal cliff as ridership is way down and COVID relief money is drying up. It’s as if all rationality has left the discussion in the economy. It’s about feelings rather than reason. It’s Wednesday, April 12, 2023. Here’s what John Riley thinks: SDGE electricity rates based on your income level. SDGE plans to create a flat rate based on your income level, but...

The Good: Aztecs in March Madness. The Bad: Nathan Fletcher, homelessness, San Diego schools declining, Poway Unified schools deteriorating, La Mesa dysfunction, Rancho Bernardo residents upset over cannabis. What is going on in San Diego? It’s Wednesday, April 5, 2023. Here’s what John Riley thinks: Aztecs make San Diego Proud So much love for the San Diego State men’s basketball team as they make the March Madness finals, but lose to UConn. Can you feel the energy in San Diego around this te...

Can you feel the excitement in San Diego? Everywhere San Diegans are buzzing about the Aztecs in the Final Four and the Padres about to start their 2023 season. Now they are also buzzing about Nathan Fletcher. It’s Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Here’s what John Riley thinks: Aztecs/Padres Buzz Wherever you go there are people wearing Aztec gear and Padres gear. Shirts and hats are flying off the shelves as San Diego gets ready for a big sports weekend. The San Diego State Aztecs made their first ...

It’s springtime in San Diego! We’re covering the La Jolla quest for independence from San Diego, the controversy in Poway of a fitness center at The Farm, and Todd Gloria declaring Juneteenth a paid holiday for San Diego workers. It’s Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Here’s what John Riley thinks: La Jolla Independence The rich people in La Jolla want to secede! They want to leave San Diego. What could be driving them to do this? Is there plan even achievable? We break it all down including taking a...

Pete Neild joined me to cover a wide range of topic in this San Diego News Update podcast episode. We cover Poway/Rancho Bernardo issues, San Diego regional news, Joe Biden’s visit to San Diego, and US foreign policy issues with China and Russia. Poway Cronyism We saw so much money flowing into Poway’s November election. Turns out that one of the main people behind one of the most influential Political Action Committees ends up getting appointed by Mayor Vaus to a city committee. Rancho Bernar...

David Leland has the Aztecs advancing to the Sweet 16 in March Madness David Leland joined me to discuss the San Diego State Aztecs as they enter the NCAA Tournament in 2023. We break down the Aztecs roster, their strong 2022-23 season, and how far we project the Aztecs to advance. Plus, we share some of our own March Madness bracket picks. David has the San Diego State Aztecs getting to the Sweet 16 and Texas winning it all. Thinks this could be the year for the San Diego Padres David also sh...

San Diego County leaders are pushing for major changes in our region. Look in the crystal ball and we can see plans for more housing, more trolleys, more busses, more people, and now a per mile mileage tax. Can San Diego accommodate more growth? What do think of their plans to make this happen? It is Wednesday, February 22nd. Here is a roundup of news stories in and around San Diego County. Here is what John Riley thinks: Is SANDAG’s Mileage Tax moral or practical? This mileage tax proposed by...

I was a guest on the Ed Franklin No Limits podcast on January 25th. We discuss individualism, 2022 Year in Review, COVID policies and gyms, genealogy, and a wide range of other topics. Ed Franklin, No Limits Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/edfranklin-nolimits/id1553490805 https://www.youtube.com/@edfranklin1962 #sandiego #poway #individualism #2022 #geneology Get San Diego news and newsmaker updates, plus proven and easy-to-implement strategies to pursue your happiness. Sign up ...

There are housing issues up and down and all-around San Diego County. The San Diego City Council calls housing a fundamental human right. But is it? It’s Wednesday, January 25th. Here’s a roundup of news stories in and around San Diego County. Here’s what John Riley thinks: Sorry San Diego. Housing is not a Human Right. The City of San Diego’s City Council unanimously passed a resolution declaring housing as a fundamental human right. How can that be without violating the rights of others to ...

It’s Friday, January 13th. Here’s a round up of news stories in and around San Diego County. Here’s John Riley’s outlook: Poway 2023 Plans Mayor Steve Vaus: public safety, water infrastructure, Lake Poway upgrades. Deputy Mayor Barry Leonard: ramp up new council members Peter DeHoff and Brian Pepin, water infrastructure, commercial amenities at The Farm in Poway, Poway Center for the Performing Arts. Councilmember Caylin Frank: Poway Community Park improvements, expanding programming and ser...

It’s Tuesday, January 10th. Here’s a roundup of news stories in and around San Diego County. Here’s what John Riley thinks: San Diego: The Need for more Water Infrastructure The feast and famine cycle of droughts and floods in California Assemblyman Vince Fong https://www.kusi.com/san-diego-leaders-call-for-critical-investment-into-water-infrastructure/ Positive Developments in San Diego County with Desal Plant, Pure Water recycling, expansion of San Vicente Dam. Some cities installing cis...

Captain Charles R. MacVean U.S. Navy (Ret.), PhD joined Pete Neild and I to discuss submarine stories and his new book Down Deep. Submarine life is not easy. Tight quarters. Disciplined schedules. Everyone depending on someone else. It takes a high degree of trust and teamwork to make for a successful mission. Charlie shared many great stories involving his crew and some of his missions. It seemed that Admiral Hyman Rickover came up frequently in our discussions. Rickover was a demanding leade...

It’s Friday, December 16th. Here’s a roundup of news stories in and around San Diego County. Here’s what John Riley thinks: Carlsbad: Skyrocketing water desalination costs due to environmental regulations San Diego Beaches: No more beach fires? Imperial Beach: Mayor Aguirre bringing the fun back Carmel Mountain Ranch: Carmel Mountain Road is a disgrace Border: Governor Newsom rips the GOP on immigration Thank you! #carlsbad #poseidon #desalination #purewater #beachfires #imperialbeach #ca...