KUSI News: Mark My Words!

El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells has been calling out San Diego County for their "inequitable" distribution of motel vouchers, as El Cajon is clearly taking in the large majority of the county's homeless. Wells' comments resulted in California AG Rob Bonta telling him to stop enforcing crimes committed by the members of the homeless communities, specifically at these shelters. Wells isn't going to do that, and shares why he knows he the support of the people, and will continue to do what he can to keep El Cajon safe.

If you are a sports fan in San Diego, you already know Chris Ello. Ello and KUSI's Mark Mathis discussed the state of San Diego as a so-called, "sports town." Ello detailed how San Diego's leadership has failed to create adequate sports facilities that would be able to showcase professional leagues of all kinds. Specifically how our current leadership wants to build a new arena in the Midway District, but doesn't want to make it big enough to host the Final Four, NBA, NHL or any other big franchises.

Ello attended college at San Diego State University, where he was teammates with Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn. He remembered what it was like to play on the same team as Gwynn, and how the style of baseball has changed from back then to now.

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Attorney Michael Curran has dedicated his time to represent business owners who faced losing their livelihoods due to government overreach.

Fast forward to July 2022, and Curran is now focusing on helping unvaccinated City of San Diego workers, including San Diego Police Department officers from losing their jobs over Mayor Todd Gloria's vaccination mandate.

In this episode of KUSI's Mark My Words podcast, Curran explained in detail how Mayor Todd Gloria plans to enforce a strict vaccination mandate for all City of San Diego employees.

The owner of McGregor's Grill in Mission Valley, Ian Linekin, discussed what it takes to run a small business in San Diego, California post COVID-19 pandemic. From making sure bartenders have certifications, to keeping customers from coming back, Linekin and KUSI's Mark Mathis touched on everything going on related to California's business regulations.

KUSI News Director Steve Cohen joined Mark Mathis on the Mark My Words podcast to discuss the style of KUSI broadcasts to San Diegans. Cohen has worked in many markets, both big and small, and as dealt with politicians from his position as a news director through it all. In 2022, it is common for politicians to avoid media outlets that will ask tough questions, and hold them accountable. Cohen explains that is the case here in San Diego, as people like Mayor Todd Gloria and Chair Nathan Fletcher refuse to appear on KUSI because we will ask questions that the people want to hear answers to.

Cohen explained how and why it is so rare to see media outlets giving the people a voice, instead of siding with the politicians who have all the power in the region. Nevertheless, KUSI News will continue to stand up for the people and hold our elected officials accountable for their policies. Cohen and Mathis also discussed a variety of current events including the Second Amendment and turning parking spaces into bike lanes all over San Diego.

In the aftermath of the Uvalde mass shooting, President Joe Biden has proposed a variety of gun control measures he claims will prevent these tragic events from happening in the future. But in the United States, there are tens of millions of law-abiding gun owners who own firearms for protection, thanks to their Second Amendment right. So will the gun control measures Joe Biden is proposing be successful in stopping future mass shootings?

Executive Director of the San Diego County Gun Owners PAC, Michael Schwartz, detailed what Biden's proposals mean, and why he and other Second Amendment supporters are opposed to them. 

On the local level here in San Diego County, the Board of Supervisors has passed a measure to sue gun manufacturers, and distributors (local stores included), for deaths caused by firearms. Schwartz called out Supervisor Nathan Fletcher's hypocrisy for having his own security detail, paid for by the taxpayers, while pushing to disarm law-abiding Americans. Schwartz said the measure to sue gun manufacturers will never hold up in court, and Fletcher is doing it to be politically rewarded by members of the Democrat party.

In this edition of KUSI's Mark My Words podcast, we sat down for an extended conversation with KUSI's News Director, Steve Cohen. Cohen went over the complicated SCOTUS opinion on Roe vs. Wade, and what exactly the opinion says, they did not debate beliefs about abortion, rather just what it legally means to give the decision making back to the states. Here in California, this ruling will have no impact. Next, KUSI's Mark Mathis asked Cohen about the media as a whole, and how technological advances have changed the way he runs a newsroom, and how he continues to make a difference in the San Diego community through KUSI's coverage and dedication to local news.

Amy Reichert, a co-founder of ReOpen San Diego, is now campaigning against San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher. Reichert has no political experience, but explains how her campaign is gaining popularity as she hopes to replace Chair Fletcher.

KUSI News reporter & weekend anchor, Matt Prichard, discusses his career journey, including his first job in a small market in Georgia, to working in Washington D.C., to coming back to Southern California to do what he loves. 

Jenny Milkowski recently joined the KUSI News team, and has been working alongside Paul Rudy and Mark Mathis on Good Morning San Diego. Milkowski joined Mark My Words! to share some insight into her career, and how she ended up here in America's Finest City! Jenny has built a huge following on her social media platforms, as she is very active posting engaging content to interact with our audience.

Friday (12/10/21), SANDAG is scheduled to vote on their $163 BILLION Regional Transportation Plan. The proposed plan essentially changes the entire framework of San Diego County, as it brings construction of enormous public transit projects across the county. Many critics say supporters of the plan want people out of their cars, and to begin using public transit methods regularly.

To pay for it, the plan includes various tax INCREASES, including a per-mile tax that San Diego drivers will be expected to pay based on how many miles they drive in a year. County Supervisor Jim Desmond has been a vocal opponent to the plan, as he is against any tax hikes, and doesn't believe heavy investment into public transportation projects is the best future for America's Finest City. Desmond detailed how the plan came about, and what problems he sees with it in a lengthy discussion with KUSI's Mark Mathis.

Russ T. Nailz is a well-known name in the San Diego community. Once a popular radio personality, comedian and entertainer of many different forms, Russ T. Nailz has had a very impressive career. He joined KUSI's Mark Mathis on Mark My Words! to share what it was like earning a living from these occupations and the lifestyle that came with it. Coronavirus and political correctness changed the entertainment industry drastically. Russ T. Nailz and Mathis discussed what it was like finding gigs as the regulations were constantly changing, and why he's been loving his musical performances as of late. Russ T. Nailz performs most Sunday afternoons at the Del Mar Plaza. You can follow him for his detailed schedule at russisfunny.com.

Michelle Metter is responsible for setting up the upcoming San Diego Food & Wine Festival, where thousands of people will enjoy their weekend discovering some of San Diego's finest food and beverages. The events industry was decimated last year, especially here in California, where it was the first industry to shut down, and the last to reopen. Metter and KUSI's Mark Mathis spoke on the difficulties she experienced planning a large event post-coronavirus pandemic, and what she and her team did to accommodate some people's safety concerns to ensure a wonderful experience at this year's event.

Sal Busalacchi is a well-known restaurant owner in San Diego. And as we all know, the restaurant industry was among the hardest hit as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. But what restaurant owners are dealing with in the aftermath of the destructive lockdowns, is not as well-known in the community.

Busalacchi joined KUSI's Mark Mathis to detail the hardships he and almost every other restaurant owner is dealing with from staffing shortages resulting from continued unemployment benefits, workers not even showing up when they are hired, and the exhausting effort of continuing the provide their customers with a great experience as they battle to keep prices low.

KUSI's Good Evening San Diego anchor Ginger Jeffries joined Mark Mathis on Mark My Words! to discuss her outstanding reporting on various cold cases in the San Diego area. Some of the recent cold cases Jeffries has covered were resolved after decades, others quickly, and one continues to shape headlines.

Rebecca Zahau was found hanging at the Spreckels Mansion in Coronado, California on July 13, 2011, and pronounced dead by first responders called to the residence. Zahau's death occurred two days after 6-year-old Max Shacknai, the son of her boyfriend Jonah Shacknai, had fallen from the staircase of the mansion and was in critical condition in a hospital. Rebecca Zahau and her younger sister Xena were the only people present at the time of Max's fall.

The most recent development from the Zahau case was that the Zahua family filed an amendment to their lawsuit against the Sheriff's Department. The sheriff's department maintains that Zahau committed suicide. However, the family believes their investigation is not complete. KUSI's Ginger Jeffries breaks it down in this in-depth discussion.

Ilima-Lei Macfarlane is a Hawaii native, who now lives in San Diego, California. Ilima-Lei is a very successful MMA fighter, and former 5x Bellator MMA Flyweight Champion. But what you may not know, is she is contemplating a possible run for office back in her home state of Hawaii. Macfarlane and KUSI's Mark Mathis spoke in-depth about her fighting career and why those close to her believe she should run for some sort of political position. 

On this episode of Mark My Words!, KUSI’s Mark Mathis speaks with KUSI Meteorologist Francella Perez about her job, attention to detail, and work that goes into creating a weather forecast, even in sunny Southern California. Francella explained her love for San Diego’s microclimates, and explained how forecasting the region’s weather is much more complicated than what meets the eye. An interesting conversation takes a behind the scenes glance at two of the best meteorologists in America’s finest city.

KUSI's Kacey McKinnon reports live on Good Morning San Diego every weekday. On this episode of Mark My Words, KUSI's Mark Mathis speaks with McKinnon about her job, and what its like venturing all around the county meeting people every morning. They started with Kacey's collegiate career, where she played lacrosse for the University of North Carolina, and won the NCAA National Championships. 

After graduating, Kacey began working as PPR Red Jacket, where she got her first on-camera experiences under Paul Rudy. She then worked the weekends on Good Morning San Diego, and shortly moved to weekdays. Now, you can see Kacey reporting from all around San Diego County every single weekday on San Diego's favorite morning news show.

The coronavirus pandemic impacted every aspect of our lives, and some parents believe our children's upbringing may be one of the most detrimental in the long-term. Schools were closed across the nation in 2020, and California's were the last to reopen for in-person learning. It's been about a year and a half since the pandemic began, and California's young students are still being forced to wear masks in the classroom. To fight back against these mandates, Sharon McKeeman, started the 'Let Them Breathe' group for parents to show opposition to the state mask mandates. McKeeman has been outspoken in the fight for mask choice, and says she has tremendous support from other parents, but they are simply hesitant to be public about it, so she is speaking for all of them. McKeeman and KUSI's Mark Mathis spoke in depth about the long road of battles McKeeman has led over the last year and a half on this episode of Mark My Words.

June 24, 1984 was Fred Swift's first day working for KUSI. Swift was originally hired as the Transmitter Supervisor, but is now KUSI's Chief Engineer. At the time, USIU, also known as United States International University owned the license to the transmitter signal, but did not have the capabilities or funds to put the station on the air. That's when KUSI's current owner, Mike McKinnon Sr., partnered with them, and got the station on the air. Eventually, USIU's financial situation worsened, and McKinnon Sr. bought them out. KUSI first went on the air in 1982, and started broadcasting news a few years after. Swift looks back on the beginning days of his career at KUSI, and how technology has changed, for better and worse, as KUSI continues broadcasting quality news to the San Diego community. 

As we know, restaurant owners went through an incredibly difficult year amid the coronavirus pandemic, especially in California. The government, under Gavin Newsom, was ordering them to close, reopen, close, reopen, and it never seemed like there was a solid justification for doing so. Thousands of restaurants across the state were forced to permanently close, and some were lucky to make through. McGregor's Ale House in Allied Gardens has been a staple of the community for decades. Establishing itself as a community gathering place, McGregor's was able to make it through the shutdowns. Ian Linekin, a co-owner of McGregor's, joined KUSI's Mark Mathis on Mark My Words! to explain the difficulties he experienced running a restaurant, and what it was like having to lay off his employees, one of which has worked at McGregor's for over 20 years.

Sal Busalacchi, the owner of Trattoria Don Pietro in Old Town, joined KUSI’s Mark Mathis on Mark My Words to discuss the “year of hell” restaurateur’s like himself have gone through. Busalacchi opened his restaurant in August 2020, but explained they had to close and reopen so many times, he doesn’t really know when the grand opening really was. Here in San Diego County, indoor dining was closed for a good portion of the year, leaving many restaurants with no choice but to build outdoor patios to accommodate the demand for outdoor dining. Busalacchi spent around $100,000 building an outdoor patio at Trattoria Don Pietro’s, but now the City of San Diego is threatening restaurant owners with fines up to $10,000 per day, if they keep their newly constructed outdoor patios that they now say could be in violation of the code. Busalcchi explained his patio is in compliance, but spoke about the hardships many other restaurant owners continue to deal with as the coronavirus continues.

ReOpen San Diego, Let Them Breathe, and San Diego Rise Up joined forces with other members of the San Diego community and voiced their opposition to San Diego County's COVID-19 response, and medical mandates of any kind. In what is likely the most attended County Board meeting ever, San Diegans spent their Tuesday waiting hours to give a 2-minute speech during public hearing. Many of the speakers directly called our Sup. Nathan Fletcher and Dr. Wilma Wooten, some even called for their resignation. The speeches went on for 4.5 hours, and some people waited the entire time and didn't even get a chance to speak. This episode of KUSI's Mark My Words features a montage of some of the speeches given by members of the San Diego Community. 

Little Tommy Sablan is widely known throughout San Diego. Growing up in San Diego, specifically Chula Vista, Tommy Sablan began his career working in the radio business at an early age. He slowly moved up the ranks, and was the first ever radio producer to be inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame for his work on the highly successful Jeff & Jer Show. Sablan still hasn't stopped working in radio, but is now employed at KUSI News. Sablan joined the Mark My Words podcast to reflect on his incredible career, share some memorable stories about what happened along the way like when 50,000 people showed up to create a human flag at San Diego Stadium to honor the victims of 9/11, and the one time he stole Jimmy Buffett's shorts. 

San Diegan, Shaun Frederickson recently voiced his opposition to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors during public hearing at one of their recent meetings. Frederickson specifically called out Dr. Wilma Wooten for using the coronavirus data in way that was designed to intentionally scare people, something Frederickson described as propaganda. The video of his speech quickly went viral, and Frederickson became a recognizable face in San Diego. 

He appeared on KUSI's Good Morning San Diego to speak about his motivation for attending the Board of Supervisors meeting in-person, and explained the support he has received from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. KUSI's Mark Mathis then hosted Frederickson again to discuss his speech, the response, and what he has planned for the future as we see parts of the country re-implement the very coronavirus restrictions he was warning about.

KUSI's Anchor and Reporter Hunter Sowards moved to San Diego from Nacogdoches, Texas, where she grew up. Hunter also attended college in Nacogdoches, so her move to San Diego to work for KUSI News was the first time she moved to a city away from the rest of her family. Hunter discusses some of the original mistakes she made when first arriving in San Diego, like renting a $2,500/month apartment, since she did not know the area. Hunter and Mark Mathis also talk about some of the stories she has been covering, and explained why she wants another chance to interview pro surfer, Rob Machado.

Civil & Human Rights Leader/Organizer, Social Campaigns & Organizing Strategist, Ordained Minister and Founder of the People's Association of Justice Advocates, Shane Harris, joined KUSI's Mark Mathis and Paul Rudy for an in-depth discussion about local politics, and the controversial tortilla throwing incident after the Championship basketball game between Coronado High School and Orange Glen High School.

In this episode of KUSI's Mark my Words, Mark Mathis and Paul Rudy sit down with none other than Lauren Phinney who has always been our women of the decade but now discusses her women of the year as she was most recently named. Mark and Paul discuss her journey to becoming one of San Diego’s most beloved news anchors and people. Lauren recently became the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's 2021 Woman of the Year.

In the inaugural episode of KUSI's Mark my Words, Mark Mathis and Paul Rudy sit down with KUSI News Director, Steve Cohen. Steve Cohen was a maverick for CBS News and NBC in his early career. Working along side Walter Cronkite and being next door to the devastating John Lennon murder, Cohen has literally lived through our country’s best and worst events. His discussion with Mark and Paul is not only fascinating and educational but informative on the history of television news. (31:04-59:44).