KPBS Midday Edition

Everyday San Diegans drive past cameras that capture their license plates in real-time, collect the data and send it to a third-party database. Many of these automated license plate readers (ALPRs) are made by third-party vendor Flock. Flock cameras continue to be the subject of scrutiny nationwide, as police, privacy rights activists and lawmakers debate the use of the technology. As community gr...

There’s nothing like a good book that keeps you at the edge of your seat. The New York Times Book Review recently put out a list of the 50 best thrillers of the 21st century — all voted on by devotees of the genre. Thursday on Midday Edition, we talk about the list, what makes a great thriller and why people are drawn to the genre today. Then, FilmOut , San Diego’s LGBTQ+ Film Festival, returns ne...

Every eight years, the state of California requires cities and counties to set goals for new housing development. But almost none of those jurisdictions are on track to meet those goals by 2030, according to new reporting by CalMatters. On KPBS Midday Edition, we talk about the trend and how San Diego compares to other municipalities across the state. Guest: Ben Christopher , housing reporter, Cal...

An unlikely friendship between a Vietnam War veteran and a manta ray is the subject of an award-winning documentary called "The Last Dive." The film will be coming to San Diego on Aug. 19 and Aug. 20. Wednesday on Midday Edition, KPBS' Andrew Bowen sits down with the director to talk about the friendship at the heart of the documentary, and how it explores themes of redemption, ocean conservation...

Family members of sailors and Marines aboard the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln are reporting dangerous conditions — from lack of food and hot water, to a limited supply of basic essentials. The aircraft carrier's long deployment is raising concerns about safety, as the ship sets a record for the most continuous days at sea. On KPBS Midday Edition, we talk about the reported conditions and wh...

It has been over 80 years since more than 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly removed from their homes, detained and incarcerated during World War II. For many Japanese Americans, the hurt and trauma from that period in history is still felt today. Some have drawn parallels to the Trump administration's immigration policy, amid continuing mass detentions and deportations. Tuesday on Midday Ed...

The pencils are sharpened. The backpacks are packed. It's the first day of school for students in the San Diego Unified School District. This year, screen use is top of mind for school administrators, teachers, parents and students. San Diego Unified has placed new limits on classroom technology. On KPBS Midday Edition, we sit down with three education reporters to hear about the stories they're f...

Readers, listen up: the KPBS Book Festival returns to the University of San Diego on Saturday, Aug. 22. As we gear up for the event, we're revisiting past conversations with some of the featured authors — including professors and labor activists Kelly Mayhew and Jim Miller, who co-wrote the book, "Under the Perfect Sun: The San Diego Tourists Never See." Then, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando pre...

Wednesday marks the official termination of temporary protected status (TPS) for Haitian migrants in the United States. A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from ending TPS in February. But after a Supreme Court ruling in June gave the federal government the green light to revoke the status, the judge determined that the February order was "no longer in effect." The decision leaves 350...

The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station has been shut down for more than 20 years. But millions of pounds of nuclear waste is still there — right next to the ocean. Now, a new energy plan that involves "nuclear campuses" in five states could offer a possible solution for nuclear waste . On KPBS Midday Edition, we discuss the details of the plan and talk through the unanswered questions. Guests:...

In July, the city of San Diego closed nearly half of the public restrooms in Mission Bay Park due to budget cuts. The closures have caused frustration among parkgoers, who have brought up concerns about public health and accessibility. Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear from a local nonprofit about how visitors are responding to the closures and what solutions could be on the table. Guest: Bradley...

A new Trump administration tactic boosts deportations by fast-tracking immigration hearings with little notice. Federal data show that immigration judges nationwide issued more than 50,000 deportation orders for people who did not show up to court last month. On KPBS Midday Edition, we talked about the so-called "mega master" calendar hearings and how they're impacting San Diegans. Plus, it's been...

A new children's book is using academic research, poetry and illustrations to teach readers about ecology at the San Diego-Tijuana border. It is called "Alas al Borde" or "Borderland Wings." Thursday on Midday Edition, we hear from one of the professors who helped conceptualize and illustrate the story. Then, two new plays — a horror comedy and a feminist musical — are opening in San Diego this we...

California and six other states that rely on the Colorado River have been unable to agree on how to divide its water for years. Now, the federal government is stepping in to decide. As early as this week, the federal government may adopt new rules for sharing water on the drought-stricken river. The Lower Basin states, which include California, are expected to face major cutbacks. KJZZ reporter Al...

It may be hot outside, but a storm is in session. Hurricane Genevieve is sending powerful ocean swells to San Diego. The Category 4 hurricane is hundreds of miles southwest of Baja California. But it's making waves up in San Diego, which means safety concerns around swells at local beaches. We break down the forecast and discuss how to stay safe and vigilant at local beaches, as lifeguards keep bu...

San Diego is known for its high cost of living. But how about the cost of dying ? For many San Diego families, a loved one's death often comes with an unexpected bill that can reach well into five figures. But many families start the process without knowing their options — from flame cremation to water burial and human composting. On KPBS Midday Edition, we sit down with health reporter Heidi de M...

Port of San Diego commissioners used a new policy for naming and renaming locations to recognize the Kumeyaay people's historic ties to San Diego Bay. On July 14, commissioners approved naming an unnamed beach at Spanish Landing Park, located along Harbor Drive, Kumeyaay Beach. The move marks the first public space on the bay to acknowledge "the region's first people" and "celebrate their lasting...

Zoning changes in communities across the city of San Diego are leading to a growing trend: replacing old big-box retailers with mid- and high-rise apartments. A former Fry's Electronics in Sierra Mesa and parts of the Mission Valley mall are among the several projects. Developers say the sinking demand for commercial space, due in large part to online shopping, is one reason prompting the shift. B...

July marks Disability Pride Month — celebrating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Here in San Diego, there's all kinds of ways to celebrate disability pride. One is by getting involved with the adaptive sports community in our region. On KPBS Midday Edition, we highlight two local programs promoting access, inclusivity and community through water sports and dance. Guests:...

Midday Edition broadcasts live from the first day of Comic-Con. We walk you through what you can expect, dive into the meaning behind some of your favorite stories and give you an inside perspective on what it is like to be a voice actor.

Imagine an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility. Is "detention center" the accurate way to describe it? Political scientists and legal scholars have been asking whether we're using the right language to talk about immigration enforcement. Some argue that calling them "immigrant jails," "immigration camps," or even "concentration camps" is more accurate. But others say using the term...

An outbreak of a severe stomach illness leading to diarrhea, fatigue, and stomach pain has hit several states in the past few months, concerning public health officials across the country. Case numbers of cyclosporiasis in San Diego County remain low, with no local outbreaks detected as of yet. On Midday Edition Monday, we talk about the illness — its symptoms, treatment options, and what you can...

Inside jails across California, a controversial police practice is happening. Undercover agents pose as incarcerated people. Their goal is to get confessions out of suspects. The tactics — known as Perkins Operations — have led to hundreds of murder convictions. But critics call the pratice coercion. They also say it promotes racially-biased policing. Now, the California Supreme Court is reviewing...

Rear Adm. Amy Bauernschmidt was among several military officials whose promotions were recently blocked by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to reporting from The New York Times. The newspaper found that five of the seven Navy officers were women or people of color. Monday on Midday Edition, we hear about how Hegseth's policies and pushback against Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are...

For the last six years, the Filipino American Friendship Festival has commemorated the signing of the Treaty of Manila, an act that freed the Philippines from the U.S.'s colonial rule. Thursday on Midday Edition, we talk about how the festival is commemorating 80 years of the Philippines' independence and uplifting stories about the Filipino community. Then, director Christopher Nolan's adaptation...