KPBS Midday Edition

Federal officials said Americans are projected to receive larger tax refunds this season. That's after several changes to the tax code under what the White House calls the "One Big Beautiful Bill." How much you get back will depend on many factors, though. We break down what to expect and how to navigate your taxes this season. Guest: Mary Beth Storjohann , financial planner and CEO, Allora Wealth

What does it take to live a happier, healthier and longer life? The city of San Marcos is exploring that question through its recent partnership with the Blue Zones project. The term "Blue Zone" refers to a community where residents live longer. Wednesday on Midday Edition, we hear from a San Marcos-based physician about what the initiative entails, what it means to be a "Blue Zone" community and...

February is Black History Month. This year, there's even more reason to celebrate — as we recognize 100 years of commemoration. Black History Month began in 1926 when Black historian Carter G. Woodson created a week to celebrate the vast achievements of Black men and women. That week eventually grew into the monthlong celebration we know today. On Midday Edition, we discuss the evolution and perse...

Across the globe, more than one billion people are celebrating Lunar New Year — ushering in the Year of the Fire Horse with good food and good company. We discuss local celebrations including the upcoming San Diego Tết Festival , featuring traditional performances and cultural activities. Also, we sit down with two restaurateurs to learn about the culinary traditions of Lunar New Year from a Vietn...

Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson died Tuesday at the age of 84. Over his decades long career in activism and politics, Jackson advocated for disenfranchised communities across a range of issues, building an inclusive "rainbow coalition" in the process. On Midday Edition Tuesday, we take a look back at Jackson's memorable visit to the San Diego-Tijuana border in the summer of 1984, and how is...

President Donald Trump last week announced the repeal of a major Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation on greenhouse gasses — the 2009 "Endangerment Finding." For the past 16 years, the scientific conclusions that: greenhouse gases in the atmosphere threaten public health and greenhouse gases from motor vehicles contribute to pollution threatening public health, have guided EPA emission...

Throughout Black History Month, we are profiling Black trailblazers with San Diego ties who have made an impact in their respective fields. Monday on Midday Edition, we sit down with a community leader who is fighting for racial and economic justice through her work at the San Diego nonprofit, Center on Policy Initiatives. Then, photographer Atiba Jefferson has captured some of the biggest cultura...

The city of San Diego has officially recognized Feb. 13 as Sew Loka Day. Founded in 2013, the sewing shop and studio has been at the helm of San Diego's growing slow fashion movement. Thursday on Midday Edition, we sit down with Sew Loka's founder to talk about the significance behind the recognition, what Sew Loka means to the community, and her own journey through fashion. Then, Black Comix Day...

The psychological impacts of President Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign are far and wide. On our Wellness Wednesday show, we hear from a local psychologist on the mental health impacts she is seeing in immigrant communities. Then, a recently filed lawsuit alleges Costco misled shoppers about ingredients used in its popular rotisserie chickens. We hear more about what people need to know to...

The 2026 midterm elections are nine months away. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said the federal government should " nationalize " or "take over" some state elections. California officials are resisting those calls. They say they're ready to fight back. We sit down with California Secretary of State Shirley Weber to hear about state officials' plans to counter federal interference. Guest: S...

Writer Jamaica Kincaid joins Midday Edition Tuesday to talk about her work, and how her childhood in Antigua continues to impact her writing. She will be appearing at the 31st annual Writer's Symposium by the Sea on Feb. 26.

Each year, the Prebys Foundation recognizes local leaders who are making a lasting impact on the community, from arts and culture and youth success to health and wellbeing. Monday on Midday Edition, we sit down with Carmen Chavez, executive director of the nonprofit Casa Cornelia Law Center and one of the 2026 Prebys Leadership Award recipients. She talks about her work providing legal aid to thos...

Bad Bunny's historic Super Bowl halftime show brought us 13 minutes of lively music , bold dancing, vibrant storytelling — and even an actual wedding . The performance provided a history lesson of his home, Puerto Rico. It was also a celebration of all Americans, beyond borders. We break down the significance of the show and what it means in today's political climate with Jean Guerrero, award winn...

In November, a whistleblower within the San Diego Association of Governments — or SANDAG — was awarded millions of dollars after being fired in 2023. Lauren Warrem was a former finance official who raised questions about flaws in SANDAG's toll collection system. Now, SANDAG is being ordered to pay Warrem's attorneys more than $1.7 million. We break down the latest in the toll collection saga and w...

The convention Indigi-Con is returning for its second year, with a focus on connecting Native creators and celebrating Indigenous-led stories past, present and future. Thursday on Midday Edition, we hear about how Indigi-Con is amplifying Indigenous stories across all disciplines and bringing together tradition and futurism. Then, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando previews The Old Globe Theatre's...

As Black History Month kicks off, we are sitting down with San Diego trailblazers making an impact in their communities. Wednesday on Midday Edition, Cheryl Morrow, daughter of Black hair care pioneer Willie Morrow , talks about how she has championed her family's legacy and paved a path of her own in the world of hair, beauty, and media. Guest: Cheryl Morrow, CEO of California Curl, owner of Morr...

In San Diego County, Black murder defendants are charged with a special circumstance at a higher rate than white murder defendants. Data show that the gap grew significantly wider when the current district attorney took office and is bigger than in nearby counties. New reporting from KPBS dives deep into the data and highlights how California's controversial special circumstance murder law has imp...

As the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown continues, local therapists say that community members are feeling mental health impacts as a result, including right here in San Diego. Wednesday on Midday Edition, we hear from a South Bay-based therapist about the impact she is seeing on her clients, and how she and other mental health care professionals are responding to the moment...

San Diego is a special place for whale watching. Blue whales, humpbacks, and gray whales are among the species San Diegans can see at various times of year. The waters off San Diego serve as a migratory corridor for many whale species, as well as a place for others to feed. On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear from local whale experts Nicole Schriber and Domenic Biagini to learn more about some of t...

" Race: Power, Resistance & Change " at the Museum of Us in Balboa Park opened late last year and is expected to remain on display on a semi-permanent basis. A group of artists, researchers, community members and museum staff began working on the exhibit nearly a decade ago. It centers on how race has shaped laws and daily life in San Diego. Brothers Einar and Jamex De La Torre, who live and w...

Last week, San Diego County leaders approved the use of nearly $9 million in county reserves for new Tijuana River sewage fixes . The funds will pay for a pipeline extension project in the Tijuana River Valley designed to mitigate airborne contaminants, provide additional air purifiers for households exposed to the pollution, and support long-term public health studies. Supervisor Paloma Aguirre,...

Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that it is seeking interest from states to host sites that would support the full nuclear fuel lifecycle, including reprocessing spent fuel and storing nuclear waste. The department is seeking input through April 1. U.S. Rep. Mike Levin, D-CA-49, has been urging the federal government to establish a safe and long-term management program for spent...

Last week, independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were arrested by federal agents after covering an anti-ICE protest Jan. 18. Fort and Lemon were released from custody Friday. But journalism organizations and free speech advocates are sounding the alarm. "It's an unprecedented assault on freedom of speech and freedom of the press to say that reporting the news is a crime," said David L...

San Diego economist Daniel Enemark joins Midday Edition to talk about the state of the economy, as new data highlights the difficulties many San Diegans face in getting by. One major concern for Enemark is the disconnect between median income and housing costs. "The real challenge is will incomes rise faster than housing prices?" he said. "If that's the case, then we could see some relief, albeit...

Acclaimed author and activist Don Winslow thought he would retire from writing after his last novel, "City in Ruin" came out in 2024. But this year, he marks his return to fiction with a collection of six novellas, "The Final Score." Thursday on Midday Edition, Winslow talks about exploring identity in his latest work, his decision to return to writing, and his advocacy in the current political mo...