KPBS Midday Edition

April is Autism Acceptance Month — a time to recognize and celebrate what it means to live with autism. It's an experience that looks a little different for everyone. On KPBS Midday Edition, we highlight local groups creating space and sharing resources in San Diego. We hear from people with the Autism Society San Diego and Revision , an inclusive art space in Hillcrest and La Mesa. Plus, an excer...

Local arts advocates are protesting a proposed city budget that would slash hundreds of programs and eliminate $11.8 million in funding. That's an 85% decrease from the previous year. Organizations from San Diego Comic-Con to cultural centers and museums are affected. We sit down with arts advocate and professor Alessandra Moctezuma to understand how the community is responding. Then, our weekend...

Earth Day invites us to pause, appreciate and celebrate the planet we all call home. It's also a moment to talk about environmental conservation and climate solutions. Marine biologist and author Ayana Elizabeth Johnson explores those solutions in her book, " What if We Get it Right?: Visions of Climate Futures. " We sit down with Johnson ahead of an event this Friday at UC San Diego's Scripps Ins...

On Sunday, a San Diego-based warship fired on an Iranian cargo ship attempting to run a United States-imposed blockade on Iranian ports. Tuesday on Midday Edition, we talk about the warship's connections to San Diego and what the action could mean for peace efforts between the U.S. and Iran. Then, one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran closed i...

April 30 of this year marks the 51st anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and the Fall of Saigon. A new podcast shares the story of a Marine's experience in that conflict— and the family connection that helped tell the story. On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear from the creator of the series on how she balanced her role as both journalist and granddaughter to share retired Marine James Steele'...

April 20 or "420" has long been commemorated as an unofficial holiday for cannabis — but how did it get started? And what place does it hold in popular culture today? Monday on Midday Edition, we look at how April 20 became the cultural phenomenon it is today, the holiday's activist roots, and the current landscape for cannabis at a national, state and local level. Then, it's been 30 years since C...

The owners of the San Diego Padres are reportedly nearing an agreement to sell the team to private equity billionaire Jose E. Feliciano and his wife Kwanza Jones. The expected $3.9 billion sale, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, would be a record price for a Major League Baseball team. On Midday Edition Monday, we talk more about who is involved in the sale, and what it could mean for the...

A new exhibition headed to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego comes from the personal collection of two names you'll recognize — musical icons Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz. The "Giants" exhibit features works from 37 Black American and diasporic artists making waves in the art space. We sit down with a local curator then arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans to hear more about the exhibit. Plus, we...

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria on Wednesday unveiled his proposed budget for the coming fiscal year, outlining his plans to help close the city's nearly $150 million deficit. The wide-ranging cuts proposed by Gloria include cuts to local arts groups, as well as to libraries and recreation centers across the city. On Midday Edition, we take a closer look at the proposed cuts and talk about what comes...

It could be a good opportunity to look up at the skies as this week marks International Dark Sky Week. It's a global movement that aims to explore the celestial night sky, bring awareness to the impact of artificial lighting on communities and wildlife, and curb light pollution. Wednesday on Midday Edition, we explore more about dark skies and how people can manage their own light use. Guest: Eddi...

This week, the President launched a series of social media attacks against Pope Leo XIV. He also offended Catholics and Christians worldwide with an AI-generated photo portraying him as a Jesus-like figure. He also called the American-born pope "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy." The pope responded by saying he will continue to advocate against war and promote peace. Guest: Rebecca...

Air pollution near the Tijuana River Valley is threatening the health of residents who live there. A new bill by California State Senator Steve Padilla would strengthen regulations around one pollutant — hydrogen sulfide. We break down the bill and what it could mean for the pollution problem in the South Bay. Guest: Mackenzie Elmer , environment and energy reporter, Voice of San Diego

California's race for governor faces new uncertainty after one of the leading candidates dropped out of the race. Democrat Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign this weekend after multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct were made public. Swalwell also resigned from his seat in Congress on Tuesday. On Midday Edition, we discuss the allegations and how the race for California's next Gov...

Food costs are continuing to squeeze San Diegans' pocketbooks, and that means accessing healthy food is getting harder for families. The San Diego Hunger Coalition found that as of December 2025, more than 1 in 4 San Diegans are nutrition insecure . Local community gardens have helped fill in that gap, giving people the space to grow their own fresh produce while also giving it back to the communi...

At least 48 people have died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since President Donald Trump returned to office last January. Last year, 33 people died while in ICE custody — the highest since the agency was created in 2003. A new investigation by the San Francisco Chronicle poured through detention data, ICE death reports, autopsies and more to reveal a series of medical de...

California Republican party leaders were unable to agree on a candidate to endorse in this year's governor's race. Delegates split their vote between Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco and businessman Steve Hilton at the California Republican Party Spring Convention this weekend in San Diego. On Midday Edition Monday, we hear more about the changing dynamics of the race for governor after leading Democ...

NASA's Artemis II will splash down in San Diego after a 10-day mission around the moon. It's the first time in 50 years that American astronauts have been to the moon. On Midday Edition, we sit down with former astronaut and NASA administrator Major General Charles Bolden Jr. to hear about his career and his insights about the significance of the Artemis II mission. Guest: Major General Charles Bo...

One of the biggest coffee industry events in the United States is coming to San Diego this weekend — and coffee lovers are in for a treat. World of Coffee will be kicking off at the San Diego Convention Center Friday, bringing together specialty coffee shops, roasters, educators and experts from all across the globe. Thursday on Midday Edition, we sit down with a local business owner and a coffee...

We've now seen parts of the moon no human has ever seen before. That's thanks to the four-person crew of NASA's Artemis II mission — and plenty of other scientists here at home, on Earth. It's a story many of us have been following over the past week, marking humanity's return to the moon after more than 50 years. Later this week, the Artemis II crew will be splashing down right off the coast of S...

Ballots for California's Gubernatorial Primary Election will be in your mailbox within weeks. On Midday Edition Wednesday, we take a closer look at some of the many candidates vying to be California's next governor. On the congressional side, we talk about the race for California's newly redrawn 48th District seat. Guest: Carl Luna , professor of political science at Mesa College; visiting profess...

The Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) found that two sheriff's deputies engaged in criminal conduct in connection with the death of Bobby Ray Patton, who died in the Vista Detention Facility. Patton died in the jail on Dec. 28, 2024 after hours of struggling to breathe and complaining of chest pain. The civilian watchdog panel sustained allegations of criminal negligence against the d...

For nearly 20 years, National Public Radio's " Planet Money " has been telling enlightening stories about the economy in unexpected and creative ways. Now, the team behind the popular podcast is out with a new book. We hear from members of the Planet Money team about their new book "Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life" and how they brought their unique storytelling st...

A federal judge last week struck down a central part of President Trump’s executive order that targeted federal funding for public media. The District Court ruling said the order violated broadcasters' First Amendment rights. On Midday Edition Monday, we hear what the ruling means to the future of public media, and explore other trends across the media landscape. Guests: David Loy, legal director,...

For more than 400 years, 12.5 million people in Africa were ripped from their homes and families, chained in pairs, packed into cargo holds at the bottom of ships and trafficked to the Americas. On the other side of the two-month journey through the middle passage was the horror of chattel slavery. Today, the continued impacts of that reality are all around us. In America, we see it reflected in e...

For years, Alma Rodriguez and her late daughter Ana Rodriguez brought the Beatles Fair to San Diego's North Park. This year, it's coming to the desert. The new location is one of several ways Alma is honoring her daughter. The festival is also supporting Alma's new advocacy mission around pedestrian safety. On Midday Edition Thursday, we talk to Anna about the inspiration behind this year's event....