KPBS Midday Edition

For years, residents in the Chollas Creek community have been living alongside two cancer-causing chemicals. A state order warns about the danger of these chemicals — which are used in aerospace manufacturing. But some residents are just now learning about the contamination. We talk about what's being done to mitigate the pollution and the harm to the Chollas Creek community. Guest: Philip Salata...

Earlier this year, a KPBS investigation revealed the owner of an ICE detention facility had received at least $6 million in tax breaks typically reserved for charities. That investigation got the attention of state leaders. California lawmakers recently passed legislation to end the Welfare Exemption , the state credit used by the owners of the Imperial Regional Detention Facility for years. Gover...

Old sections of the Tijuana-San Diego border fence at Friendship Park are being transformed into tables as part of a new art exhibit. The exhibit, "The Traveling Tables of Amistad" will be on display at the Museum of Us in Balboa Park from Sept. 9 to 16. We hear about about the exhibit ties into the history of Friendship Park and cross-border connection. Then, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando pre...

The San Diego-based carrier docked in Thailand Wednesday, providing a moment of respite for crew members after reports of grueling conditions and supply shortages aboard the ship.

The process of egg freezing is gaining mainstream popularity, with several female politicians sharing their experiences publicly. We sit down with a fertility expert to talk about what you should know, from cost to timeline.

A new crime thriller by a former professional football player explores a different side of San Diego, away from what the public usually sees. " Tear the City Down ," the debut novel from Andre Hardy, tells the story of a fixer named Coltrane Davis as he navigates San Diego's underworld, searching for a missing football star— and redemption. On Midday Edition Tuesday, we speak with Hardy about what...

Here in California, the San Andreas Fault is a constant presence in our daily lives whether we think about it or not. But this century has been a relatively quiet one for the 800-mile fault line. New research from the University of Hawai'i suggests that the San Andreas fault has reached its highest stress level in 1,000 years. On Midday Edition, we talk about what a hypothetical earthquake scenari...

A North Carolina teenager was indicted Monday in connection to the Islamic Center of San Diego shooting back in May, which killed three people. KPBS Midday Edition host Jade Hindmon sits down with Imam Taha Hassane, the director of the Islamic Center of San Diego, to discuss how the community is reacting and the impact of Islamophobia, anti-Muslim bias and radicalization online. Guest: Imam Taha H...

What would happen if a weaponized pathogen was inadvertently released on the world? A new book from best-selling author and investigative journalist Annie Jacobsen asks that question in " Biological War: A Scenario." The answers she finds are concerning for not only the U.S., but for all of humanity. On Midday Edition Monday, Jacobsen shared how the book centers on science rather than science fict...

The city of San Diego is dealing with a budget deficit. Some efforts to cut costs have been met with public scrutiny — like the recent decision to close bathrooms in Mission Bay Park. A new investigation from The San Diego-Union Tribune takes us to Ocean Beach, where the Barnes Tennis Center sits along the shoreline. They find that the club is collecting millions in revenue, while paying $50 a mon...

Each day, millions of gallons of raw sewage and toxic waste flow through the Tijuana River and are then dumped into the Pacific Ocean. The pollution continues to be a major environmental and health concern on both sides of the border — and policymakers, scientists and community groups have been trying to address the issue for decades. KPBS Midday Edition host Jade Hindmon sits down with one of the...

For the longest time, author Sona Movsesian had her own ideas of what an ideal mom should be like — until she became pregnant with her two twin boys. In her newest book, "The World's Worst Mom," Movsesian embraces the imperfections and messiness that comes with motherhood by taking readers through her own parenting journey. KPBS Midday Edition host Jade Hindmon sat down with Movsesian to talk abou...

Californians have a tool to help them remove personal data collected by data brokers. The web platform, called the Delete Request and Opt-out Platform (DROP,) allows California residents to make a single request to delete their data being used by data broker companies. Those companies then have 45 days to comply with the request before facing penalties or fines. On Midday Wednesday, we learn more...

Recent policy changes at the Pentagon show that senior leadership is prioritizing grooming standards — especially when it comes to shaving. We hear about what the shaving policy entails, why it could disproportionately impact Black servicemembers and what it signals about present-day military culture. Guest: Andrew Dyer, military and veteran affairs reporter, KPBS

The Supreme Court this week sided with President Donald Trump's executive order to restrict mail-in voting — at least for now. The high court's ruling wasn't about the legality of President Trump's order; rather, the legal path that states took to try and block it. A new lawsuit filed Wednesday by Democratic states challenges a new U.S. Postal Service rule, which limits who may receive mail ballot...

Concerns over food safety are growing this summer after a massive cyclospora outbreak linked to contaminated iceberg lettuce. There have been recent reports of other food safety scares, including salmonella in eggs and jalapeños , E. coli in frozen blueberries and more. Tuesday on Midday Edition, we discuss the outbreaks and what it reveals about our current food system. Then, new research from UC...

What is your relationship to the ocean? Here in San Diego, we are lucky to be in close proximity to the Pacific Ocean. But you don't have to live close to the water to be impacted by it. Monday on Midday Edition, we sit down with one of the speakers at this year's TEDxSanDiego , to discuss our connection to the ocean and what we can do to protect it. Guest: Christina Connett Brophy, president and...

The 2026 One Book, One San Diego selections are officially out. On Midday Edition Monday, we speak with the author Stephen Graham Jones about his book "The Buffalo Hunter Hunter," chosen as this year's adult One Book selection. We also catch up with one of the author's of this year's children's book selection, "Books on Bikes," and learn about the real-life inspiration behind it.

In many Latinx households, "la chancla" or "the flip flop" is an iconic cultural symbol of parental punishment. For many adults who grew up with that style of discipline, it's something to laugh about. In a new book, "Chancla: Healing Our Families, Ourselves, and Our Culture through Nonviolent Parenting," author Leslie Priscilla asks if we should take chancla culture more seriously and offers a pe...

The KPBS San Diego Book Festival is returning Saturday to the University of San Diego, featuring more than 145 authors. On KPBS Midday Edition, we speak with two authors who will be in attendance. We get tips for mindful motherhood, and learn about the power of humor to cope with everyday life. The KPBS Book Festival is open to the public and general admission is free. Guests: Cassidy Freitas , li...

San Diego is known for its consistent weather. But that may change this winter, as the El Niño intensifies. Forecasters are dubbing it the "Super El Niño." We check in with our resident weather expert about what this could mean for temperatures, rainfall and conditions in San Diego County. Then, is the city prepared for the potential impacts of a Super El Niño? We hear about a new effort that offi...

California has long been known as a place where people come to remake their lives and look to achieve big dreams. But the postcard image of California doesn't tell its full history. On Midday Edition Tuesday, we speak with award-winning journalist and author Michael Hiltzik about the more complex history he writes about in his book "Golden State: The Making of California." Hiltzik will be at this...

In recent weeks, at least seven U.S. states have been hit with cyberattacks that appear to be targeting critical infrastructure — like water and wastewater utilities. The FBI is investigating the attacks and has not publicly identified a culprit. However, many experts say Iranian-backed hackers are responsible. We sit down with a cybersecurity expert about what makes water systems vulnerable to at...

Over two decades ago, California voters passed a law that opened the way for the criminalization of people with connections to gangs. The documentary “California Story” unravels the impact of those laws and gang documentation — the practice of tracking suspected gang members by law enforcement — on communities across the state, including Southeast San Diego. We hear from two people involved with t...

For years, San Diego’s approach to homelessness has been built on a “Housing First” model. That means trying to get people housed with limited barriers or conditions. From there, proponents argue, it becomes easier to get them connected to other services, including addiction treatment. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. visited San Diego last week to announce a new federal a...