KPBS Midday Edition

Research shows that during the summer, the average student loses between 17% to 34% of what they learned the previous school year. That trend is even more pronounced for economically disadvantaged students. On Midday Edition Wednesday, we speak with members of two local literacy programs working to combat summer learning loss and promote a love for reading. Guests: Jose Cruz, CEO, San Diego Counci...

Elsa Sevilla wears many different hats — journalist, filmmaker, speaker, business owner. She also hosts the award-winning documentary series, "Historic Places with Elsa Sevilla" that airs on KPBS. Now she's an author. On Midday Edition Thursday, Sevilla talks about her journey to the spotlight in her new memoir, "Camera Ready: From Hardship to the Spotlight — A Story of Determination and Rise." Th...

As immigration raids continue, it’s become more important than ever to know your rights. On Midday Edition Wednesday, we talk with two local theater groups about using improv to help educate the community and the intersection between art, law, activism and community. Guests: Annie Rios, executive director, Uprise Theater and human rights attorney/legal advocate Guillermo Mendez, organizer, Voces U...

Food support programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are facing cuts as a result of the passage of President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill. Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear from a local food support organization on the state of hunger in San Diego County today. Guest: Bob Kamensky, CEO, Feeding San Diego

Former National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Alex Tardy joined Midday Edition to discuss extreme weather preparedness in San Diego County following the deadly floods that hit Texas. Tardy previously worked as a warning coordination meteorologist for the NWS. He explained how weather forecasts become warnings, and how recent cuts to the National Weather Service could impact the accuracy of f...

In an effort to spur housing production, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law major changes to the state's environmental protection rules last week. On Midday Edition Monday, we hear more about the reforms made to the California Environmental Quality Act , or CEQA, and how it will likely impact housing production in San Diego County. Guest: Andrew Bowen , metro reporter, KPBS

Last Friday, President Trump signed into law his new tax and spending bill, which creates new eligibility requirements and drastically reduces funding for social safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP. On Midday Edition Monday, we hear from County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer on what this consequential bill could mean for the region's most vulnerable residents and how the Board of Supervisors...

Each year, about 150,000 students from high schools across the country compete in regional competitions for musical theatre. Only 110 of those make it to the prestigious National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards . On Midday Edition Thursday, we hear from one nominee about his Jimmy Awards experience and his musical theatre journey thus far. Snapseed.jpg (6000x4000...

A new multimedia project from KPBS looks into the challenges that come from parenting in the digital age. ScreenTime looks at evolving research on social media, cyberbullying and video games, to detail its impact on children and provide resources for parents. Guest: Andrew Bracken , producer/host, KPBS

San Diego's wildfire season is growing longer and more dangerous. On Midday Edition Wednesday, we have a conversation with a wildfire researcher on what we can do to better protect our homes, how to be prepared to evacuate with our pets and what should go into a " go bag. " Guest: Luca Carmignani , assistant professor, San Diego State University Resources: https://readyforwildfire.org/ https://ibh...

After a period of intense campaigning, the District 1 special election is finally coming to a close — and the results are in. Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre has come out on top, defeating Chula Vista Mayor John McCann in the special election for the county supervisor seat. Midday Edition Wednesday, we sit down with KPBS' South Bay reporter to talk more about this consequential election and wh...

June is Men's Health Month. Life expectancy for men lags five years behind the life expectancy for women in the United States. Even though men face many specific health challenges, there's a lack of awareness and disease prevention early on. Researchers say there's a need for more attention to men's health. On today's show, we discuss how men can better care for their physical and mental health —...

The local impacts of President Donald Trump's mass deportation plan are unfolding before our eyes. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agents are targeting anyone who is suspected of being in the country illegally. Over the weekend, a video went viral of a woman being arrested by ICE agents in a Mission Valley hotel parking lot. KPBS has also documented cases of a grandmother , a soccer...

Binational artist collective AMBOS Project has been supporting migrant communities in our border region through arts and crafts programs and mutual aid. Thursday on Midday Edition, we sit down with AMBOS Executive Director Natalie Godinez to talk about how their art is building bridges on both sides of the border. Also, summer blockbuster season is in in full swing! We sit down with our Midday Mov...

The Supreme Court lifted a ban on sports betting in 2018. Since then, the industry has boomed, and much of that growth has come from online sports betting. Nearly half of American men under the age of 50 have an account with at least one online sports book. You can hardly watch a game, sports show or listen to a sports podcast today without hearing about overs, unders, props and other topics of sp...

Under California law, police departments cannot share license plate data with federal authorities and other out-of-state agencies. But, that law has been routinely violated .  In 2024, the San Diego Police Department shared data with federal agencies 62 times, according to the department’s annual surveillance report . SDPD stopped sharing data after state Attorney General Rob Bonta's office t...

Summer is here in San Diego and so are the tourists. With our near perfect weather and beaches, it's no surprise that our city is a big travel destination. But if you live here — it can be easy to take it all for granted. This summer, you might consider taking a staycation instead. From luxury hotels to beautiful campsites, San Diego has plenty of options for you to take a trip right here at home....

The Trump administration has cut funding to programs that provide direct aid to communities affected by HIV and AIDS. That includes the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which provides much of the funding to AIDS relief efforts abroad. Science Magazine Senior Correspondent Jon Cohen reported on how two countries in southern Africa, Eswatini and Lesotho,...

You may know it as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Black Independence Day — or Juneteenth. On this day in 1865, word of liberation finally made its way to Galveston, Texas — where the last people still enslaved under the Confederacy were held. The news didn't come until two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. On today's show, we discuss the history and enduring significance of Jun...

Experts say there are several barriers that men face when accessing therapy and other mental health services. That includes stigma and bias — specifically around couples counseling. For Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, we speak with two San Diego psychologists about navigating men's issues in couples counseling and how they help men build healthier relationships with their partners. Guests: Da...

As the Trump administration continues its effort to cut back on science spending, researchers all over the country are sounding the alarm. Neuroscientist and biologist Ardem Patapoutian is one of those scientists working to raise awareness on the impact of these cuts. In 2021, he and his research partner David Julius earned the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for discovering how humans sens...

After federal immigration agents raided a busy South Park restaurant in late May, a wide coalition of leaders spoke out — including faith leaders. Religious leaders across the country have vocalized opposition to the Trump administration's immigration policies. That includes the travel ban announced last week. It bars people from 12 countries from entering the U.S. Still others are working to keep...

Over the weekend, we saw "No King's Day" protests from San Diego to New York City. The demonstrations were part of a nationwide action against President Trump's military parade. In downtown San Diego, 60,000 people marched to protest President Trump's recent policies. Many were motivated by recent immigration raids throughout Southern California. On today's show, we sat down with two local attorne...

A new limited podcast series " Embedded: The Network " tells the story of how a community of women and activists worked to make abortion access easier and safer in Latin America. On Midday Edition Monday, podcast hosts Victoria Estrada and Marta Martínez give us a preview and share why they wanted to tell this particular story. Guests: Victoria Estrada , co-host, "Embedded: The Network" Marta Mart...

When an eldest son is called home after his father's car accident, he finds his family in shambles — and his youngest brother in debt to dangerous criminals. It's the intriguing premise of " King of Ashes ," the latest Southern crime thriller from bestselling author S.A. Cosby. He'll discuss and sign his book at the University of San Diego on Saturday. On Midday Edition, we sit down with the autho...