KPBS Roundtable

After primary ballots have been sent to voters, KPBS is breaking down all the races. Among the most competitive is the race for the newly redrawn 48th Congressional District. On KPBS Roundtable, we hear more about political makeup of the district, the candidates, and the issues at the center of the race. Then, is San Diego prepared for a large-scale federal immigration crackdown? We look at the ci...

Primary ballots for California's governor race are on their way to voters next week. If you haven't settled on a candidate yet — you're not alone. A recent poll from CBS News found 26% of registered voters remain undecided. We talk about where the race stands after this week's debate. Plus, California's small businesses are struggling from tariff confusion and higher costs, amid the U.S.-Israel wa...

It’s been quite a busy week in military coverage amid ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a reported plan to send Afghan refugees and their families to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a local congressional candidate found in violation of Pentagon rules. Friday on Roundtable, we check in on the latest military reporting coming out of the KPBS newsroom. Then, Roundtable has always been a...

It’s been one week since the story broke that now former Rep. Eric Swalwell allegedly sexually assaulted a former staffer. On KPBS Roundtable, we sit down with one of the journalists who broke the story and talk more about the rigorous investigative process and reporting behind it. Then, for many bike riders, San Diego’s Velodrome has become a place to come together and connect through sports. But...

A new months-long investigation by KPBS follows the money going to some county supervisors' offices. It finds some tapped influential companies, associations and individuals for monetary gifts. Some of the entities had business before the county at the time. We discuss the details. Plus, we explore whether the melting pot metaphor is accurate in the U.S. today ahead of its 250th anniversary. Plus,...

San Diego's North County isn't exactly known for housing affordability. But one North County city — San Marcos — is exceeding its state-mandated housing goals. From new housing projects to school board meetings, we sit down with three North County reporters to talk about their reporting and what it's like to cover the beat. Plus, a new KPBS series introduces us to some of San Diego's most interest...

San Diego County has hired an independent auditor to review how it works with contractors. The audit was announced in light of recent charges against a former executive at the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego, who misappropriated large sums of money meant for behavioral health care. We talk about how San Diego County is re-examining its oversight of contractors. Plus, California is one of 13...

The New York Times this week published an investigation revealing shocking sexual abuse allegations against labor leader and civil rights activist César Chávez. California lawmakers announced that they intend to change the name of César Chávez Day — just weeks away — to Farmworkers Day . As the gravity of the allegations settle in, many are asking what comes next. We sit down with two journalists...

Two men behind a charity fraud scheme pleaded guilty to federal charges this week. The case involved a scheme to siphon money from concession stands at some of San Diego's most well-known stadiums, including Petco Park — the home of the San Diego Padres. The scheme was originally uncovered through reporting from Voice of San Diego. We sit down with the lead reporter for more details. Plus, farmers...

On Tuesday, the San Diego City Council voted to add a measure to the June primary ballot that would tax empty second homes. Also this week, paperwork was submitted for a measure that would stop trash fees for San Diego homeowners. We break down the upcoming ballot measures and the state of the city's budget. Then, we sit down with two military reporters to discuss the week on their beat after the...

Mexico has settled from the unrest that struck parts of the country earlier this week. Vehicles were burned, blocking roads. Some buildings were set ablaze. All of this comes in reaction to the killing of a high-ranking cartel leader — "El Mencho" — on Sunday. We talk about the continued fallout in Mexico and what comes next with a longtime Tijuana journalist. Also this week, immigration officials...

Federal agents arrested at least 5,000 people in San Diego last year. That's an average of 20 people each day. We talk about the network of volunteers organizing community patrols to watch out for immigration enforcement in their neighborhoods. Plus, more North County transit riders are evading fares amid a "hands off" enforcement strategy from the North County Transit District. We talk about fare...

A new investigation by WIRED magazine reveals a secret campaign by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to expand their physical presence across the country. Federal records show that more than 150 leases on office spaces for new facilities in nearly every state — including a facility in San Diego. We discuss the findings and what this could mean for ICE's expansion moving forward. Plus, some RV dw...

San Diego is known to be one of the most expensive cities . A new KPBS series looks to tackle San Diego's high cost of living, and the various of ways it impacts daily life. Then, the journalism landscape is rapidly shifting amid mass lay-offs and the changing consumption of news. On KPBS Roundtable this week, we hear from some of San Diego's student journalists about their outlook on the current...

Gregory Bovino has become one of the most recognizable faces of President Trump’s mass deportation efforts. But after the latest killing by immigration officers in Minneapolis — the second this month — multiple reports say Bovino is now returning to El Centro to lead the Border Patrol sector there. On KPBS Roundtable this week, we talk about how community members there are pushing back. Then, a ne...

The first year of Donald Trump's second term has upended the rules of immigration enforcement. In San Diego, enforcement has included an ICE raid at an industrial paint business in El Cajon , arrests at green card appointments and yet another raid at Buona Forchetta in South Park . We've also seen student visas revoked and arrests at their immigration court hearings . KPBS reporting has found that...

This week, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria delivered his annual State of the City speech. We talk about where the city is and where it's headed. Plus, a former San Diego sailor is sentenced for selling Navy secrets to China. And, we check in on the state of San Diego sports ahead of San Diego FC's upcoming season. Guests: Andrew Bowen , metro reporter, KPBS Mariana Martínez Barba , City Hall reporter,...

New fees to park in Balboa Park implemented this week were met with confusion and frustration after a series of mistakes and lack of information for city residents. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria has since defended the Balboa Park fees in response to a memo earlier this week calling the parking system "haphazard." We break down the parking saga and what you should know. Plus, we discuss how Los Angel...

"Housing First" has been the preferred approach to tackling homelessness in recent years. It involves getting people into housing quickly with as few hurdles as possible. But even though Housing First shows promise for keeping people housed, the model is facing challenges. We discuss the latest. Plus, a new set of California state laws took effect at the start of 2026, covering everything from art...

As the year comes to a close, we reflect on some of the biggest KPBS stories of the year with the reporters who covered them. We discuss the changing landscape of immigration enforcement and mass deportation. Plus, the local housing picture in San Diego — from ADUs to the effects of statewide legislation. Then, we talk about the top stories on the science and technology beat this year, including a...

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released a Ukrainian immigrant who was arrested last week after her green card interview. Viktoriia Bulavina said she was held for days inside a federal building in downtown San Diego, where ICE officers put her and other women in shackles and chains. We talk about Bulvina's story and the broader picture of immigration enforcement in San Diego. Then, we si...

The San Diego FC inaugural season has officially come to an end. This week on Roundtable, we recap Saturday’s 3–1 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps with local soccer experts, unpacking the team’s success both on the scoreboard and in the stands. Then, a new report from UC San Diego shows a sharp rise in first-year students lacking high school math proficiency. At UC San Diego — where more than half...

For public radio listeners, NPR voices often become part of our morning ritual. A Martínez, NPR Morning Edition and Up First co-host, is one of those personalities. He joins KPBS Roundtable to talk about his public media journey, from covering sports all the way to hosting public radio’s morning flagship. Then, we dig into how immigration lawyers are filing habeas corpus petitions to protect their...

In case you missed it, there was a special election this week in California. We take stock of Proposition 50 and other political headlines from the week, including Nancy Pelosi's retirement announcement after a 20-term career in Congress. Plus, National City this week rejected a proposed biofuel depot project over air quality concerns. And, we sit down with our colleagues at "The Finest" podcast t...

Water bills are going up for San Diegans. Despite ongoing cost of living concerns, San Diego’s city council voted this week to increase water and sewer rates by 31% over the next two years. We talk about what that means for you and your water bill. Plus, for Halloween, local horror writers talk about their approach to telling scary stories, and why we love to be scared. Guests: Mackenzie Elmer, en...