Scott Rodd
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Articles by Scott Rodd
Medi-Cal cuts; San Diego caregivers owed stolen wages; Public backlash to data centers
S1: Hey , there's San Diego. It's time for KPBS roundtable. I'm Scott Rodd in for Andrew Bracken on today's show. State and federal Medicaid cuts could double California's uninsured rate over the next four years. A new documentary explores how hospitals are coping with these cuts and the human toll of losing coverage. Then San Diego caregivers are owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen wages.
Fired Animal Services official sues San Diego County, claiming sexual harassment and defamation
A former Department of Animal Services official who oversaw shelter management is suing San Diego County over alleged defamation, whistleblower retaliation and sexual harassment. Rachael Borrelli was fired from her assistant director role in January. The county had placed her on leave last September, as KPBS was preparing to publish a story about Borrelli sending a profane voice message that disparaged shelter dogs and called for more canine euthanasias.
Dog euthanasia rate and staff turnover improve at county shelters, but other problems persist
Over the past year, The San Diego County of Animal Services has acknowledged problems in its shelters and taken steps to make improvements. Most notably, the dog euthanasia rate dropped substantially in the last six months of 2025, according to the county’s most recent data. The department also reduced its staff turnover rate by about half in the last year. Yet other problems remain.
Dog euthanasia rate and staff turnover improve at county shelters, but other problems persist
5 hours ago You're overpaying for expertise you don't need. Every month, thousands disappear into retainers for work that machines handle better. The consultants you hired years ago made sense then. They don't anymore. Your business changes, AI changes, and the gap between smart spending and wasted money grows …
Fired animal services official filed claim against San Diego County, seeking $8.5M
Scott Rodd Rachael Borrelli, the former Department of Animal Services assistant director, has filed a claim against San Diego County alleging her termination earlier this year was an act of retaliation. Borrelli oversaw operations at the county's two animal shelters. The county placed her on leave in September after KPBS revealed she sent a profanity-laced voice memo that disparaged shelter dogs and complained of too few euthanasias.
Fired Animal Services official filed claim against San Diego County, seeking $8.5M
Rachael Borrelli, the former Department of Animal Services assistant director, has filed a claim against San Diego County alleging her termination earlier this year was an act of retaliation. Borrelli oversaw operations at the county’s two animal shelters. The county placed her on leave in September after KPBS revealed she sent a profanity-laced voice memo that disparaged shelter dogs and complained of too few euthanasias.
Supervisores del condado usaron un fondo opaco para recaudar más de $100 mil de donantes influyentes desde el 2024
Las ceremonias de toma de protesta de los supervisores del condado suelen ser eventos sencillos, incluso se podría decir que aburridos. En años recientes, los funcionarios recién electos tomaban protesta durante reuniones regulares de la Junta de Supervisores dentro del edificio de administración del condado y daban unas breves palabras ante una pequeña audiencia. El verano pasado, la supervisora demócrata Paloma Aguirre tomó un rumbo distinto.
County supervisors used obscure events fund to solicit over $100K from influential donors since 2024
Swearing in ceremonies for county supervisors are typically unassuming — one might even say dull — affairs. In recent years, newly elected officials took the oath of office during regular Board of Supervisor meetings inside the county administration building and gave brief remarks before a small audience. Last summer, Democratic Supervisor Paloma Aguirre took a different approach.
State auditor will review law enforcement fusion centers in California
The California State Auditor announced it will audit law enforcement fusion centers in California after state lawmakers raised concerns about transparency and oversight. Fusion centers emerged following the 9/11 terrorist attacks with the goal of breaking down information silos in law enforcement. Local, state and federal agencies that participate say the centers allow them to share intelligence and investigation leads more easily.
North County Transit District beset by surging fare evasion, faces dwindling revenues
On a Friday afternoon in January, Doug Gillingham and Dana Friehauf jumped on the North County Transit Coaster in Old Town. They were heading back to Solana Beach after a long day of bike riding. They gladly paid the $6.50 fare for their train ride home. “I like supporting mass transit even though the fares we pay don't fully support the operating costs of the train,” Doug said.
Back in the saddle: Nathan Fletcher returns to politics as a statehouse lobbyist
Nathan Fletcher has dipped his toes back in the political world — this time as a lobbyist. The former chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors is lobbying the state Legislature on behalf of an organization that supports psychedelic-assisted therapy for veterans. Fletcher left public office in 2023 after former Metropolitan Transit System employee Grecia Figueroa filed a sexual misconduct lawsuit against him. He also terminated his run for state Senate.
Apology letter raises new questions about county animal shelter official’s profane voice message
KPBS obtained a letter from a high-ranking San Diego County Department of Animal Services official who apologized for a recording of her using profane language and calling for more dogs to be euthanized. In September, KPBS obtained the recording sent last year by Rachael Borrelli, the department’s assistant director. “In Carlsbad, they don’t euthanize anything — even if the dog fucking bit a kid,” Borrelli said in the voice message that KPBS confirmed came from her phone.
San Diego County police agencies access many private license plate readers with minimal oversight
The nondescript black cameras are mounted near each entrance of the Las Americas Premium Outlets, capturing the license plate, make and model of every car that enters the mall parking lot. “As soon as you come in, it's in the system,” said a former worker with Simon Property Group. The company is the largest owner of shopping malls in the country, including Las Americas, the sprawling complex next to the San Ysidro border crossing.
Watch Duty app is revolutionizing how residents, firefighters stay updated on wildfires
A notification popped up on Liam Winstead’s computer screen, alerting him to a potential grass fire. “It looks like it's near the mall in Carlsbad along the 78,” said Winstead, a staff reporter with Watch Duty, a nonprofit fire information app. The clock started ticking for him to confirm if it was a real fire and whether it posed any danger. Winstead pulled up live lookout cameras in the area to search for smoke.
Animal shelter supervisor ‘out of the office’ after revelation of profane recording
The head of San Diego County’s Department of Animal Services told staff last week that the department’s second-in-command would be “out of the office for the near term,” but did not elaborate further. Director Vaughn Maurice sent the all-staff email last Thursday, just as KPBS was set to publish a story about a profanity-laced voice message sent by assistant director Rachael Borrelli.
County official overseeing animal shelters complained of 'shit dogs,' too few euthanasias in voice message
In a crude and profanity-laced voice message sent late last year, a top official in San Diego County's Department of Animal Services complained that a county-run animal shelter was not euthanizing enough dogs. Rachael Borrelli was promoted to assistant director in the department last June, according to her LinkedIn profile, after serving as the volunteer coordinator for over six years. She oversees operations at the Carlsbad and Bonita animal shelters and regularly signs off on dog euthanasias.
Fletcher rompe el silencio y descarta regresar a un cargo público tras la desestimación de la demanda
El ex supervisor del condado de San Diego, Nathan Fletcher, organizó una conferencia de prensa el viernes para dar sus primeras declaraciones públicas desde que un juez desestimó una demanda por acoso sexual en su contra el mes pasado. Fletcher se quebró varias veces mientras hablaba frente a una fila de cámaras. “Con esto detrás de nosotros, tenemos un peso que se ha levantado que nos permite disfrutar la vida, mirar hacia adelante”, dijo con su esposa, Lorena González, a su lado.
Fletcher breaks silence, rules out return to public office after lawsuit dismissal
Former San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher organized a press conference Friday to deliver his first public remarks since a judge dismissed a sexual harassment lawsuit against him last month. Fletcher choked up several times as he spoke before a row of cameras. “With this behind us, we have a weight that’s been lifted to allow us to enjoy life, to look ahead,” he said with his wife, Lorena Gonzalez, by his side.
Buried audit found major problems at San Diego County animal shelters. Issues still persist
In 2023, the San Diego County Department of Animal Services hired an outside consultant to audit its two animal shelters and identify areas for improvement. The shelters in Carlsbad and Bonita serve the county’s unincorporated areas. Early on, Austin-based consultant Kristen Hassen had leadership close the Bonita facility for a day after observing serious issues. Some of the most urgent problems involved the kennels, where dogs spend nearly all of their time.
New contract between Marine Corps, Frontwave Credit Union provides more protections for recruits
Marine recruits will now have more authority over their personal finances when heading to bootcamp in San Diego. A KPBS investigation last year revealed the Marine Corps has had an exclusive arrangement with Oceanside-based Frontwave Credit Union going back decades. The agreement funneled thousands of Marine recruits into the credit union every year in order to process their direct deposits during boot camp.
New series explores San Diego's housing crisis
S1: Hey , San Diego. It's time for KPBS roundtable. I'm Scott Rod. A new reporting series through our Public Matters partnership looks at where new homes are being built in the region. S2: The greatest growth is of San Diego is happening in the urban core. We are becoming more of a city. S1: We'll also discuss why some development efforts are facing pushback. Plus our roundup of other stories from the week. That's all ahead on KPBS roundtable.
As dog euthanasias spike in San Diego County shelters, former employees say the system is broken
Jeanne Miller didn’t want to say goodbye to Franklin, the four-year-old Great Pyrenees she adopted a few days earlier from a San Diego County-run animal shelter. Franklin did exactly what Great Pyrenees are bred to do. The large, fluffy dog patrolled the fenceline at Miller’s Carlsbad home and kept predators from the family’s chicken coop. “You could tell he had a good disposition,” Miller said last month, sitting on her back patio at sunset.
San Diego Police officer allegedly embezzled thousands of dollars from school safety patrol program
As the saying goes, sometimes public officials get caught with their pants down. San Diego police Officer Curtis Doll, on the other hand, was allegedly caught with his pants on. That’s according to recent testimony from San Diego Police Department (SDPD) detective Robert Korbecki in a criminal case against Doll. Prosecutors allege Doll used a department bank account to purchase an array of personal items. Doll served as director of SDPD’s School Safety Patrol program.
FAA didn't issue key notice about malfunctioning airport weather observation system before deadly San Diego crash
Leading up to the fatal plane crash near Montgomery Field Airport early Thursday morning, the Federal Aviation Administration didn't issue a notification to pilots that a key weather observation system at the airport was malfunctioning, according to a review of agency notification records. The small Cessna jet crashed into military housing near the San Diego’s Tierrasanta neighborhood. The six people who were on the plane are presumed to be dead, according to authorities.
Montgomery Field Airport weather instruments not functioning properly at time of plane crash
Editor's note: This is a developing story. More details will be added as they become available. The airport weather instrumentation that pilots rely on to safely land planes has not functioned properly at Montgomery Field Airport since Tuesday, the National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed with KPBS. A small Cessna jet crashed into military housing near the San Diego’s Tierrasanta neighborhood in the early morning hours on Thursday, killing two and injuring eight others.
San Diego’s highest paid city employees? Cops racking up overtime and earning over $400,000
For years, San Diego’s highest-paid city employees have been the same group of police officers who work thousands of hours of overtime and earn substantially more than top city officials, according to a KPBS analysis of city salary records. The highest-paid city employee in 2023 — the most recent year with complete compensation data — was a cop who worked upwards of 3,000 hours of overtime and earned over $430,000 in total compensation. By comparison, the mayor earned $234,000 that year.
Marine Corps renews contract with Frontwave Credit Union, despite scrutiny from US lawmakers
Last week, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren called on the Marine Corps to pause renewing its contract with Oceanside-based Frontwave Credit Union, after the company came under scrutiny for collecting millions in overdraft fees from Marines. “Frontwave owes service members and the American public an explanation for its deeply exploitative overdraft practices that harm service members and their families,” the Massachusetts Democrat stated in a letter to the U.S. Department of Defense.
Proposed tariffs may impact San Diego's farm industry, California high speed rail inches along
S1: Coming up on KPBS roundtable. The Trump administration's proposed tariffs are sowing apprehension in the San Diego region's robust farming sector. Many farmers are taking a wait and see approach , but the impacts could be far reaching. S2: It's the citrus , it's the avocados. It's all this other food that farmers here grow. That's what could really be a problem down the road. S1: Plus , California's high speed rail ambitions have been scaled back significantly in recent years.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren calls on Marine Corps to pause contract with Oceanside-based Frontwave Credit Union
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren is calling for closer scrutiny of the Marine Corps’ relationship with Oceanside-based Frontwave Credit Union, which handles direct deposits for thousands of Marine recruits every year.
EPA chief visits San Diego amid sewage crisis; a look at big spending by California lobbyists
S1: Coming up on KPBS roundtable. Environmental Protection Agency head Lee Zeldin visited San Diego's South Bay this week. He wanted to see firsthand the impacts of the cross-border sewage crisis in the region. We discuss his plans to address the problem and put more pressure on Mexico to find a fix. S2: I think that was a big deal , particularly for these communities that have been asking for more federal officials that are all the way in the East Coast to come and witness that crisis close up.
San Diego Zoo workers push for higher wages as executive pay skyrockets
Workers at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park say they’re struggling to make ends meet as executives at the company rake in hefty salary increases. The zoo workers’ latest union contract expired in January. Since then, employees — from zookeepers to admissions clerks to groundskeepers — have been pushing for higher wages and guaranteed pay increases to keep up with inflation.
Supervisor race heads to run off; push to reform state environmental law
S1: Coming up on KPBS roundtable. Polls have closed , and the majority of votes are counted in the county Board of Supervisors special election. The contest now heads to a runoff. S2: This race is going to decide whether Democrats or Republicans have a majority on that county board of supervisors. S1: We'll take a closer look at the two South Bay mayors who will face off in July. Then state legislators are looking to reform a longstanding environmental law.
Dr. Bronner’s settles wrongful death lawsuit filed by family of former employee
Dr. Bronner’s, the Vista-based soap company, has settled a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of former employee Denise Lozano, who died of an accidental overdose in December 2022. The suit alleged the company fostered a risky culture of drug use among some leaders and employees, which led to Lozano’s death. Over the last 77 years, Dr. Bronner’s has grown into a powerhouse brand known for embracing progressive causes.
Departamentos de policía de California podrían estar eludiendo una ley diseñada para erradicar a policías con mala conducta
Cientos de agencias de seguridad en todo California, incluidas algunas en el condado de San Diego, han reportado pocos —si acaso alguno— casos de mala conducta grave al sistema de decertificación de oficiales del estado, lo que genera preocupación de que muchos departamentos estén eludiendo una vía crítica para la rendición de cuentas policial.
Police departments across California may be shirking a law aimed at rooting out bad cops
This is part two of a two-part series about California’s officer decertification system. Read part one here. Hundreds of law enforcement agencies throughout California, including some in San Diego County, have reported few — if any — serious misconduct cases to the state’s officer decertification system, raising concerns that many departments are bypassing a critical avenue for police accountability.
San Diego officers among hundreds in California stripped of their badges under recent law, but large backlog remains
This is the first of a two-part series. In May of 2020, 23-year-old Amaurie Johnson was waiting for some friends outside of an apartment building in La Mesa when officer Matthew Dages started questioning him. This was just two days after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. And what happened next would become a local flashpoint in the broader reckoning over racial justice. Johnson, who is Black, answered the officer’s questions. And then Dages, who is white, grabbed Johnson’s shirt.
City tweaks granny flat program, cross-border sewage bill changes course
S1: Coming up on KPBS roundtable. San Diego City Council made changes last week to the rules for a backyard apartments. They're looking to rein in large multi-unit developments for certain parts of the city. We'll discuss what's changed and what it could mean for housing production in San Diego. S2: But they basically rolled it back a bit , and they discussed rolling the program back even more significantly over the next few months.
Separating fact from fiction in immigration enforcement; new challenges for high-speed rail
S1: Coming up on KPBS roundtable this week , Trump has continued his tough talk on immigration. But on the ground in San Diego , it's been relatively quiet. We separate fact from fiction when it comes to immigration enforcement in the region. S2: The fear is real , and I think people spreading these rumors have a good intention , but they're misinformed and they inadvertently cost more harm than good.
San Diego police shooting of teenager draws scrutiny
An expert on police behavior is questioning the legality of an officer-involved shooting that occurred in downtown San Diego late last month. The San Diego Police Department released footage last week of an officer shooting and killing a teenager near the Santa Fe Depot transit stop on Jan. 28. The video can be found here.
Family claims Dr. Bronner’s fosters a risky culture of drug use that led to employee’s accidental overdose death
Since its founding 77 years ago, Dr. Bronner’s evolved from a niche soap company favored by hippies and homemakers to a powerhouse brand that trades on the progressive ideals of sustainability, free expression and social justice. The family-run company based in Vista saw its annual revenues balloon from $4 million to $200 million in the last 25 years.
Trump's transgender military ban, a city zoning change for Southeast San Diego
S1: Coming up on KPBS roundtable this week , President Trump attempts to ban transgender soldiers from serving in the military. We take a closer look at the legal challenges that followed and how the new administration is trying to transform the military. S2: While the order is not an immediate ban , it is an order for the Pentagon to institute a ban. S1: And San Diego's city council removed a controversial zoning rule for parts of southeast San Diego.
California's insurance troubles, San Diego homeless deaths
S1: Coming up on KPBS roundtable. California's insurance industry has faced significant instability in recent years. S2: S1: Then around 500 San Diegans experiencing homelessness died in 2024 on the streets , marking the region's first decrease in years. Plus , a look at other stories we've been following in the roundup. That's ahead on KPBS roundtable. The full impact from the deadly fires in Los Angeles may not be known for weeks or even months , but we do know the losses are devastating.
Nueva presentación muestra que Fletcher gastó más de $878,000 en fondos de campaña para combatir demanda por acoso sexual
El exsupervisor del condado de San Diego, Nathan Fletcher, ha gastado más de $878,000 de su campaña abandonada para el Senado estatal para enfrentar una demanda por acoso sexual, según sus archivos de financiamiento de campaña más recientes. El gasto ha reducido a cero el saldo de fondos de la campaña. Esto ocurre mientras la acusadora de Fletcher ha desestimado algunas de sus acusaciones más serias contra él, a medida que el caso avanza hacia un juicio.
New filing shows Fletcher spent over $878,000 in campaign funds to fight sexual harassment lawsuit
Former San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher has spent over $878,000 from his abandoned state Senate campaign to fight a sexual harassment lawsuit, according to his most recent campaign finance filings. The spending has reduced the campaign’s fund balance to zero. This comes as Fletcher’s accuser has dismissed some of her most serious allegations against him, as the case winds its way toward a trial.
New conservatorship law takes effect in San Diego
S1: Welcome to KPBS roundtable. I'm Scott Rodd. San Diego County is rolling out the state's expanded conservatorship law. That means adults with severe addiction can be involuntarily detained or ordered into treatment. S2: The concern has been that there are , you know , increasing challenges in our communities that are often very visible to the community of people suffering with mental health and addiction challenges on the street.
Drivers beware: New parking law impacts 16,000 San Diego intersections, but only 100 have updated signs or red curbs
A new state law will prohibit parking within 20 feet of intersections with marked or unmarked crosswalks. The practice is called “daylighting” because it increases visibility at crosswalks. The state law will go into effect on Jan. 1. Over the next two months, the city of San Diego will issue warnings to drivers who violate the new parking law. It will start issuing $77.50 citations starting in March. Drivers will have to stay extra vigilant.
Leader of San Diego’s civilian police oversight commission to resign, only 6 months into job
The leader of San Diego’s civilian police oversight board announced his resignation last week — just six months after taking the job. The city hired Paul Parker as executive director of the Commission on Police Practices in June. He has a background in law enforcement and for over three years led the San Diego County Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board. Parker’s last day as executive director will be Jan. 3.
County expands power of civilian oversight board
0:03: Welcome to K PBS Roundtable. 0:05: I'm Scott Rod. 0:07: San Diego. 0:07: County leaders are pushing for more civilian oversight of its jails in an effort to reduce in custody deaths. 0:14: What new investigative powers will the oversight board have? 0:24: A number of the deaths that have occurred inside the jails are due to lapses in medical treatment or mental health treatment.
Cómo una mujer de San Diego recuperó su donativo a la campaña de Nathan Fletcher
La residente de San Diego, Yvonne Elkin, estaba decidida a recuperar sus 100 dólares. Elkin, quien ha estado políticamente activa la mayor parte de su vida, donó el dinero al ex supervisor del condado de San Diego, Nathan Fletcher, a principios del año pasado cuando anunció su candidatura para el Senado estatal. Ella estaba impresionada con su liderazgo como presidente de la Junta de Supervisores durante la pandemia de COVID-19.
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