KPBS Midday Edition

San Diego's wildfire season is growing longer and more dangerous. On Midday Edition Wednesday, we have a conversation with a wildfire researcher on what we can do to better protect our homes, how to be prepared to evacuate with our pets and what should go into a " go bag. " Guest: Luca Carmignani , assistant professor, San Diego State University Resources: https://readyforwildfire.org/ https://ibh...

After a period of intense campaigning, the District 1 special election is finally coming to a close — and the results are in. Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre has come out on top, defeating Chula Vista Mayor John McCann in the special election for the county supervisor seat. Midday Edition Wednesday, we sit down with KPBS' South Bay reporter to talk more about this consequential election and wh...

June is Men's Health Month. Life expectancy for men lags five years behind the life expectancy for women in the United States. Even though men face many specific health challenges, there's a lack of awareness and disease prevention early on. Researchers say there's a need for more attention to men's health. On today's show, we discuss how men can better care for their physical and mental health —...

The local impacts of President Donald Trump's mass deportation plan are unfolding before our eyes. Immigration and Customs and Enforcement (ICE) agents are targeting anyone who is suspected of being in the country illegally. Over the weekend, a video went viral of a woman being arrested by ICE agents in a Mission Valley hotel parking lot. KPBS has also documented cases of a grandmother , a soccer...

Binational artist collective AMBOS Project has been supporting migrant communities in our border region through arts and crafts programs and mutual aid. Thursday on Midday Edition, we sit down with AMBOS Executive Director Natalie Godinez to talk about how their art is building bridges on both sides of the border. Also, summer blockbuster season is in in full swing! We sit down with our Midday Mov...

The Supreme Court lifted a ban on sports betting in 2018. Since then, the industry has boomed, and much of that growth has come from online sports betting. Nearly half of American men under the age of 50 have an account with at least one online sports book. You can hardly watch a game, sports show or listen to a sports podcast today without hearing about overs, unders, props and other topics of sp...

Under California law, police departments cannot share license plate data with federal authorities and other out-of-state agencies. But, that law has been routinely violated .  In 2024, the San Diego Police Department shared data with federal agencies 62 times, according to the department’s annual surveillance report . SDPD stopped sharing data after state Attorney General Rob Bonta's office t...

Summer is here in San Diego and so are the tourists. With our near perfect weather and beaches, it's no surprise that our city is a big travel destination. But if you live here — it can be easy to take it all for granted. This summer, you might consider taking a staycation instead. From luxury hotels to beautiful campsites, San Diego has plenty of options for you to take a trip right here at home....

The Trump administration has cut funding to programs that provide direct aid to communities affected by HIV and AIDS. That includes the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which provides much of the funding to AIDS relief efforts abroad. Science Magazine Senior Correspondent Jon Cohen reported on how two countries in southern Africa, Eswatini and Lesotho,...

You may know it as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Black Independence Day — or Juneteenth. On this day in 1865, word of liberation finally made its way to Galveston, Texas — where the last people still enslaved under the Confederacy were held. The news didn't come until two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. On today's show, we discuss the history and enduring significance of Jun...

Experts say there are several barriers that men face when accessing therapy and other mental health services. That includes stigma and bias — specifically around couples counseling. For Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, we speak with two San Diego psychologists about navigating men's issues in couples counseling and how they help men build healthier relationships with their partners. Guests: Da...

As the Trump administration continues its effort to cut back on science spending, researchers all over the country are sounding the alarm. Neuroscientist and biologist Ardem Patapoutian is one of those scientists working to raise awareness on the impact of these cuts. In 2021, he and his research partner David Julius earned the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for discovering how humans sens...

After federal immigration agents raided a busy South Park restaurant in late May, a wide coalition of leaders spoke out — including faith leaders. Religious leaders across the country have vocalized opposition to the Trump administration's immigration policies. That includes the travel ban announced last week. It bars people from 12 countries from entering the U.S. Still others are working to keep...

Over the weekend, we saw "No King's Day" protests from San Diego to New York City. The demonstrations were part of a nationwide action against President Trump's military parade. In downtown San Diego, 60,000 people marched to protest President Trump's recent policies. Many were motivated by recent immigration raids throughout Southern California. On today's show, we sat down with two local attorne...

A new limited podcast series " Embedded: The Network " tells the story of how a community of women and activists worked to make abortion access easier and safer in Latin America. On Midday Edition Monday, podcast hosts Victoria Estrada and Marta Martínez give us a preview and share why they wanted to tell this particular story. Guests: Victoria Estrada , co-host, "Embedded: The Network" Marta Mart...

When an eldest son is called home after his father's car accident, he finds his family in shambles — and his youngest brother in debt to dangerous criminals. It's the intriguing premise of " King of Ashes ," the latest Southern crime thriller from bestselling author S.A. Cosby. He'll discuss and sign his book at the University of San Diego on Saturday. On Midday Edition, we sit down with the autho...

Scenes of chaos erupted in recent days as immigrant-rights activists clashed with law enforcement following the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Southern California. President Donald Trump has defied state and local officials by ordering National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles. We hear from San Diego Democratic Rep. Juan Vargas, who tells Midday Edition that Trump's actions...

As dads get ready for Father's Day this weekend, Midday Edition features a conversation on fatherhood and its connection to humor. Mal Hall is a nationally-recognized stand-up comedian. He's also a father to three kids. Hall shares how his role as a dad has shaped his comedy, and why he doesn't always align with modern parenting approaches. Guest: Mal Hall , comedian

The San Diego County Fair is partnering with the San Diego Humane Society this year to celebrate a ' Summer Pet-tacular ' for the fair's 145th anniversary. The theme is inspired by the connection between humans and pets. The Humane Society will bring adoptable dogs, cats and rabbits to the fair each day. We invited the Humane Society — along with Boy Boy, a Labrador Pit Bull mix — to the Midday Ed...

Immigration raids across the country and in San Diego are inciting fear, uncertainty and outrage in immigrant communities. Some LGBTQ+ groups say that migrants in the U.S. who have sought asylum from persecution due to their sexuality and gender identity could be at heightened risk. On Midday Edition Monday, we talk about the intersectionality of being a LGBTQ+ immigrant and what local LGBTQ+ grou...

All week, NPR is exploring solutions to the climate crisis through the lens of "Rethinking Home" — how our communities can be more resilient to climate change. On Midday Edition, we highlight ongoing efforts to fireproof our homes through the California Wildfire Mitigation Program . We hear from an expert whose home survived both the Station and Eaton fires in Los Angeles. Then, we zoom out to dis...

Over the weekend, the Trump administration deployed the California National Guard to respond to Los Angeles protests over Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids. Meanwhile, President Trump's new travel ban takes effect today — blocking people from a dozen countries from entering the United States. President Trump says the ban will improve security vetting and prevent terrorist threats. But the...

On Saturday, San Diego’s Little Saigon District is commemorating 50 years of the Vietnamese diaspora journey with a tribute concert. Many of those who fled Vietnam after the war 50 years ago came to San Diego and built the community as we know it today. On Midday Edition Thursday, we sit down with two of the organizers behind the concert to talk about their continued efforts to honor stories from...

Early voting for District 1’s runoff election is now underway. The race will decide who fills the county supervisor seat that represents much of San Diego’s South Bay. The candidates in this summer’s run-off are two South Bay mayors: Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre and Chula Vista Mayor John McCann. On Midday Edition Tuesday, we do a rundown of the race and where the candidates stand on issues...

A California high school graduation requirement for courses that teach about different cultures is now on the chopping block amid state budget cuts. Four years ago, California passed AB 101, which would require high schoolers to take an ethnic studies course before graduation. But the state's latest revised budget does not include funding for ethnic studies. Without funding, districts aren't requi...