KPBS Midday Edition

The Tijuana River Estuary carries both historic and cultural significance for the indigenous Kumeyaay people. But for decades, the river has suffered from environmental degradation, rampant pollution and an ongoing sewage crisis. A new Kumeyaay play called "Shuuluk Wechuwvi – Where Lightning Was Born” debuts this Saturday. It uses theater and comics to tell the story of the Tijuana River Valley, h...

Bob Marley's 1977 song "Jamming" isn't just a catchy tune — it's a celebration of togetherness, community, peace and mutual respect. MarleyZiggy ap1 c.jpg (3912x4890, AR: 0.8)The iconic song is also the inspiration behind the latest children's book by Bob Marley's eldest son, Ziggy Marley. The book is called "Pajammin': A Reggae Pajama Party for the Whole Family."Ziggy Marley is a nine-time Grammy...

California's attorney general says police agencies that share license plate reader data with out-of-state and federal law enforcement agencies may be violating a state sanctuary law. But in El Cajon, the police department continues to share data with out-of-state agencies. That's led to a disagreement between the police department and the state over how to define a "public agency."On Midday Editio...

A new youth-led podcast called "Voices del Valle" features stories about growing up in the rural border region of Imperial Valley. Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear from some of the young people behind the series as they reflect on what makes "el Valle" so unique.“Voices del Valle” is part of the KPBS Explore Local Content Project. Guests:Evan Harper, co-host, "Voices del Valle"Grace Estelle Nava...

San Diego County's unemployment rate hit a four-year high, according to state labor data released last week, all while the region has the highest inflation rate in the United States. On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear from a local economist on what that means for the regional economy heading into the fall months. Guests:Daniel Enemark, chief economist, Policy & Innovation Center

The fight for redistricting continues in California and Texas. California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that he will move forward with his proposed ballot measure that, if approved by voters in November, could temporarily redraw California's congressional maps. Monday on Midday Edition, we hear from a local political scientist who breaks down what this measure means for the state and for the...

Bestselling author, political strategist and former Georgia State Representative Stacey Abrams will headline the inaugural KPBS San Diego Book Festival on Aug. 23. Abrams joined Midday Edition on Thursday to talk about her latest book, "Coded Justice," which dives into the ethical questions around the use of AI in the healthcare industry. "What I want us to think about with AI is that it's an extr...

Wildfires are becoming bigger, deadlier and even more destructive across California. Firefighting efforts are also intensifying in response. On Midday Edition Wednesday, we hear from Jordan Thomas, anthropologist and author of the book “When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World," about his experience fighting fires as a Los Padres Hotshot and his deep-dive into the cultural histories...

Writer and director Larry Charles has been an influential voice in American comedy for decades. From his groundbreaking work on TV series such as “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” to films like “Borat” and “The Dictator,” you likely have laughed at his work over the years. But his lifelong dedication to laughter comes with a life-and-death seriousness, which he explores in his new memoir "Come...

Environmental groups are celebrating a ruling from the California Supreme Court related to rooftop solar panels. The California Public Utilities Commission reduced financial incentives for homeowners to install solar power in 2022.The court's ruling does not change those incentives, but will allow for the appeals court to revisit the commission's authority to make changes to credits for rooftop so...

San Diego County’s longtime treasurer Dan McAllister suddenly retired this month after more than two decades in office. While the county has praised McAllister’s service over that time, court records reveal that two sexual harassment lawsuits were filed against him during his tenure. One of those cases had gone unreported until recently, and resulted in the county paying out a six-figure settlemen...

Building better public transit is difficult and expensive in California. Even with the right funding and voter approval, some transit projects can't seem to get off the ground. A new report from Circulate San Diego, "The Powerless Brokers: Why California Can't Build Transit" looks at one factor behind these delays — permitting challenges — and what it might take for California to get better at bui...

Friday marks the beginning of the San Diego Black Pride festival, a three-day event that celebrates Black queerness and joy in San Diego. On Midday Edition, we hear about how San Diego Black Pride is continuing to build safe and affirming spaces for Black LGBTQ+ people across the region. Then, in San Diego, summer is a season of Shakespeare. In this month's edition of Midday Movies, our critics sh...

One of San Diego's most beloved attractions turned 100 this year. The Giant Dipper roller coaster at Belmont Park carried its first riders on July 4, 1925.The amusement park is still bustling a century later, holding a lot of history within it. On Midday Edition, we sit down with the park's general manager to hear how they're celebrating 100 years. Guest:Steve Thomas, Belmont Park general manager

Public radio fans know a thing or two about language. Especially those who listen to the weekly talk show, "A Way with Words."Co-hosts Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett take calls about slang, dialects and family expressions — celebrating the nuance of words and speech. Now, Barnette is out with a new book about her career, built on a love of linguistics. It's called "Friends with Words: Adventure...

Across cultures, food traditions play a central role in family gatherings. For some Mexican American families, that gathering — along with laughter and love — may include the flavorful beef soup: menudo. For San Diego writer María Dolores Águila, this tradition became the subject of her new children’s book. Today on Midday Edition, a local author joins us to explore her new bilingual picture book,...

Around 3 in 4 U.S. adults say the future of our nation is a significant source of stress in their lives. Many are troubled by the onslaught of federal policies tackling immigration and anti-civil rights legislation. A panel of local therapists join us to discuss how this political moment is affecting their work with clients. Guests:  David Peters , marriage and family therapist with a private...

San Diego County jails have long been under scrutiny for alleged civil rights violations. In 2022, the jail system had 19 deaths — a record high for San Diego County jails. A complaint filed that year has since expanded to a class action lawsuit challenging nearly every aspect of jail operations — including medical and mental health practices. We discuss the latest insights into the legal proceedi...

Immigration detention facilities are a key part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign, which pushes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to meet arrest quotas of 3,000 people a day. A new KPBS investigation looks into overcrowding within San Diego County's Otay Mesa Detention Center. Immigration lawyers report that detainees are sleeping on the floor and receiving defer...

A new KPBS investigation uncovers problems within San Diego County's animal shelters, leading to a spike in dog euthanasias. Last fiscal year, the shelters made the decision to euthanize 426 dogs. That meant canines entering the shelter system had a more than 1-in-10 chance of being put down. On Midday Edition, we sit down with the journalists behind the investigation to unpack the full story. Gue...

Each year, celebrities, creators and fans from all across the world converge in San Diego for Comic-Con to celebrate all things related to fandom, pop culture, art, and so much more. Thursday on Midday Edition, we take you live inside the convention center to discuss what makes America's Finest City a special place to host the pop culture juggernaut. Plus, hear from different creators across art,...

Comic-Con season is well underway. Two local events are coinciding with the main convention and are spotlighting comics creators and stories underrepresented in the mainstream. Wednesday on Midday Edition, we hear about the inaugural Indigi-Con , which celebrates and amplifies indigenous stories through art and comics, as well as Afrofuturism Lounge , which connects Black creators across disciplin...

On the eve of San Diego Comic-Con, we take a closer look at the local economy — and how the convention impacts it. A local economist shares insights on what a jump in unemployment means for the region, and how tourism remains a bright spot. Guest:Daniel Enemark, chief economist, San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center

Amid funding cuts for public media, stations all across the country — including KPBS — are bracing for impact of the Trump administration’s rescissions package . This includes $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) — which effectively cuts all federal support for NPR and PBS programs. Marco Werman, host of Public Radio Exchange’s The World and journalist-in-residence at UC...

Basketball and skateboarding are powerful tools for building community across cultures.  For tribal communities, these sports provide a unique avenue for cultural expression and mentorship.  Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear from the author of the new book " Rezballers and Skate Elders: Joyful Futures in Indian Country " about his research into sports culture among tribal communities. W...