KPBS Midday Edition

The U.S. Postal Service released a new commemorative set of stamps honoring lowrider culture on Friday. The stamps, which highlight five classic lowrider cars, are the latest recognition for lowriding as an important form of expression in Mexican-American communities across the Southwest. Lowriding also faced bans in many communities, including a ban in National City until it was repealed in 2023....

The California legislature has been on a housing blitz, passing major housing policy reforms in recent years. Now, Congress is finalizing a package of housing bills — some of the proposed changes were inspired by California. Some experts say it would be the federal government's most significant housing reform in decades. We talk about what the bill package could mean for housing affordability movi...

On Tuesday, the San Diego City Council will be voting on adopting a new working definition of antisemitism. Councilmember Stephen Whitburn is proposing adopting a definition crafted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, also known as the IHRA. The definition has been widely adopted by countries, states, cities and schools. But critics say it's imprecise and could have broader implic...

Last Tuesday, the city of San Diego recognized 10 local women for their leadership and service, as part of its “Women of Distinction” event. Mayor Todd Gloria named immigration attorney Maria Chavez as this year’s citywide honoree. Monday on Midday Edition, we sit down with Chavez to talk about the recognition, her career journey and how current policies and immigration enforcement are impacting h...

Back in January, the City of San Diego implemented paid parking in Balboa Park, incurring both anger and confusion from residents and organizations based out of the park. The city responded with a grace period followed by reductions in fees for city residents and free parking in certain lots. KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando checked in with arts organizations in the park about how the parking pol...

Gov. Gavin Newsom last week announced the latest allocation of more than $1 billion for mental health treatment projects and shelter beds. The funding comes through Proposition 1. Passed in 2024, the measure created a $6.4 billion bond to remake California's behavioral health system and expand the availability of treatment beds statewide. A CalMatters report, however, found that none of the progra...

What does it mean to reconnect to one's ancestral homeland? Thursday on Midday Edition, we hear from the director of a new documentary, "Dear Alaska," which explores reconnection and interconnection through the lens of the Indigenous Tlingit people of the Pacific Northwest and San Diego's Native community. Then, the Old Globe is currently staging a new adaptation of Herman Melville's 1853 short st...

The federal government is requiring the California DMV to cancel commercial drivers licenses for roughly 13,000 truck drivers without permanent legal status. That includes drivers with some work visas, refugee or asylum status, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) — among other work authorizations. The DMV says it's allowing affected drivers to submit new license applications, but the...

You might have seen the social media buzz over Korean beauty products, also known as K-Beauty. It remains a booming industry — South Korea exported a record $11 billion in cosmetics in 2025. Now, K-Beauty has a new hub in San Diego: the skincare store Seoul Glow Lab. Wednesday on Midday Edition, we sit down with the founder of Seoul Glow Lab and one of its estheticians to talk about the boom in Ko...

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Tuesday over access to the Otay Mesa Detention Center. Last month, federal and county officials were turned away when they tried to inspect the center. They issued an ultimatum to DHS last week — let them into the facility, or face legal action. We discuss where the lawsuit stands and what happens next. G...

What does it take to heal from the past and build a life and future you actually want? Licensed therapist and author Katherine Woodward Thomas digs into personal transformation, manifestation and more in her most recent book, “What’s True About You: 7 Steps to Move Beyond Your Painful Past and Manifest Your Brightest Future.” Thomas will be at the San Diego Writer's Festival later this month . She...

As the Iran war stretches into its second week, concerns are growing around the impact the conflict will have for the global economy. Much of that attention has been on energy prices — particularly, the price of oil and gas . But its impacts can go far deeper. Plus, processing the news and reality of war in the Middle East and immigration enforcement here in the U.S. can weigh on anyone's psyche....

UC San Diego is hosting the 25th Annual Kyoto Prize Symposium this week. The esteemed award is given for lifetime achievement in the fields of technology, science and the arts. One of this year's honorees is Carol Gilligan. Her groundbreaking work highlights how women and girls were excluded in psychological research. In books such as " In a Different Voice ," Gilligan explored women's and girls'...

The American-Israeli war on Iran has entered its second week. More than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society. Many fear this could be another "forever war," like the U.S. invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. We speak to a local professor who recently published an op-ed exploring that question . He also outlines San Diego's connections to the war. Plus,...

Longtime Rep. Darrell Issa announced Friday he will not seek reelection in 2026 after serving in Congress for more than two decades. San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond also announced last week that he will run for Issa’s seat in the 48th Congressional District, reshaping a race with national implications . Voice of San Diego's Scott Lewis joins Midday Edition Monday to talk about the role new...

Each year, the San Diego Public Library honors former children's librarian Clara Breed's legacy through its annual Clara Breed Civil Liberties lecture . Breed is known for advocating for Japanese American youth who were incarcerated during World War II. Author Maggie Tokuda-Hall will be delivering this year's address. She joined Midday Edition Thursday to talk about exploring the history of Japane...

As fighting in Iran and beyond continues into its fifth day , many military families in San Diego are grappling with new stress and uncertainty. On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear more about the impacts on local military families. Then, the Department of Veterans Affairs released new data last month on veteran suicides. Though the report did see a minor decline in deaths by suicide between 2022 an...

San Diego's population continues to grow older. That demographic shift brings concerns over how to best help seniors thrive in their later years. Exercise remains an essential element to maintaining health as we age. In his book "Move for Life," San Diego personal trainer Damien A. Joyner shares advice for older adults on ways to stay active and strong, and have fun while exercising. Guest: Damien...

For many in San Diego's Muslim community, Ramadan is a time to pray, fast and reflect on one's faith. Tuesday on Midday Edition, we talk about the cultural and spiritual significance of Ramadan and how it is being honored locally. Guest: Imam Taha Hassane, imam of the Islamic Center of San Diego

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling Monday has put a California state law on gender privacy in schools on hold. The SAFETY Act, passed into law in 2024, prohibits schools from sharing information on student gender identity without student approval. On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear more about what the ruling means for California schools, students and parents. Guest: Katie Anastas , education reporter, KP...

Israel and Iran continued to trade airstrikes Tuesday, four days into a war that U.S. President Donald Trump would last several weeks but perhaps longer . Iranians in San Diego are grappling with mixed emotions as they celebrate the death of Ayotallah Ali Khamenei while processing what may come next. On Midday Edition, we sit down with one Iranian organizer who helps us put this week's events in h...

Despite recent record-high temperatures across the San Diego region this weekend, the official start of spring is still weeks away. Gardening expert Nan Sterman joins Midday Edition Monday to talk about planting for spring in the wake of our warmer winter. Sterman gives tips on everything from how to choose the right citrus tree to plant, to how to help young children develop a passion for gardeni...

The Epstein files include the names of many of the world's most rich and powerful. One of them is a prominent figure in San Diego: bestselling author and wellness guru Deepak Chopra . He's mentioned in the files more than 4,000 times. UC San Diego told CNN that Chopra's association with Epstein was "regrettable" and said his affiliation with the school will end at the end of June. “UC San Diego is...

The United States and Israel's coordinated attacks on Iran that started over the weekend continue to escalate. Among the ships involved in strikes include a San Diego-based aircraft carrier — the USS Abraham Lincoln . At least four American soldiers have died in the conflict so far . President Donald Trump says the conflict could take four to five weeks, or far longer. On Midday Edition, we break...

Olympic bobsledder Kaillie Humphries is coming home to Carlsbad with two new medals after the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games, bringing six medals total. She's widely considered one of the best bobsledders in the history of the sport. We sit down with Humphries to hear more about her journey through the sport and motherhood. Plus, a local student magazine highlighting arts and culture reports back aft...