KPBS Midday Edition

Indigenous Peoples' Day is a celebration of Indigenous resilience, culture, history, art, protest and storytelling. In San Diego County, there are 18 federally recognized tribal reservations — more than any other county in the United States. On Midday Edition, we sit down with Indigenous leaders to discuss the value of tradition, oral history and imaginative storytelling in preserving culture. Gue...

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law on Friday that allows for greater housing density near public transit stations across the state. Senate Bill 79 supersedes local zoning rules in the hopes of increasing housing production in the state. On Midday Edition Monday, we hear from one California housing advocate on why he thinks its passage is "the most significant housing bill that...

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, we are profiling trailblazers in the community about their commitment to their craft and contributions to the San Diego region. Thursday on Midday Edition, the executive director and CEO of the San Diego Museum of Art talks about her journey into the arts and what she sees for the future of San Diego's thriving, binational arts and culture scene. Then, a unique...

Many can thank youth sports for wonderful memories out in the sun — tossing a ball, scoring goals and even spraining an ankle or two. KPBS video journalist Mikey Damron explores his youth sports journey — and that of his son's — in his new video series, "Game-Time Decision." We hear the details. Plus, the culture and politics of surfing and skateboarding are the focus of a conference coming to SDS...

California's special redistricting election is underway, as ballots for Proposition 50 hit voters' mailboxes. We hear analysis from a local political scientist. Then, San Diego once had a large, thriving and tight-knit Black community in the region. But over the years, policies like redlining and other forces of displacement drove many Black San Diegans from their neighborhoods — that story is exp...

The San Diego Filipino Film Festival (SDFFF) kicks off Thursday with a four-day celebration of Filipino cinema. The festival includes films exploring themes of family, climate change, LGBTQ+ identity and more. Monday on Midday Edition, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando looks at how the festival is continuing to celebrate film and community. Guests:Benito Bautista, founder, SDFFFSami Andico, progra...

The California Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the city of El Cajon on Friday over its controversial license plate surveillance program. The lawsuit comes after KPBS reported that the El Cajon Police Department is openly defying a 2023 legal bulletin, which prohibits sharing data from license plate reader systems with outside agencies. We discuss the latest and how the lawsuit fits into t...

Hispanic Heritage Month is well underway and we are highlighting leaders in our region who have dedicated their lives to serving the community. We sit down with the CEO of MAAC San Diego, a nonprofit that runs education, health and housing programs and much more, all with a focus on economic mobility. Guest: Arnulfo Manriquez, president and CEO, MAAC

Thursday marks the 2nd annual San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival, which brings jazz luminaries from both sides of the border together in a celebration of San Diego and Tijuana's rich jazz history. Thursday on Midday Edition, we hear about some of that history and tradition from two local jazz figures behind the festival. Plus, the play “All the Men Who’ve Frightened Me,” which is curren...

The government has shutdown after Senate Republicans failed to reach an agreement on federal funding. Around 750,000 federal workers are expected to be furloughed. Many offices will be shuttered. In San Diego, tens of thousands of federal workers will be furloughed or forced to work without pay, according to figures from Democrats on the House Budget Committee. We talk about how the impacts of the...

Nearly 40,000 children are in foster care in California. Many have experienced immense challenges in their young lives. For some, that includes abuse and neglect. Giving foster youth a consistent voice to support them and help them manage the foster care system can make a big difference in their lives. On Midday Edition Tuesday, members of the nonprofit Voices for Children talks about its CASA vol...

As extremist groups become part of the political mainstream, conspiracy theories and hateful rhetoric fuel vitriol and distrust. A new series of documentary shorts out of USA Today looks into why those fringe movements have gained traction. The first episode is all about "the manosphere." It's a growing community united by male-supremacist ideologies amid record high levels of depression and suici...

San Diego County is suing two of its own jail healthcare providers following the violent killing of Brandon Yates inside the San Diego Central Jail. The lawsuit alleges that the man who killed Yates did not receive adequate mental health care from psychiatric staff. Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear the latest on the county's claims. Guest: Kelly Davis, investigative reporter, San Diego Union-Tri...

This week on KPBS Midday Edition, we shine the spotlight on Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighting local theater group Teatro Las Hermanas. We explore how they use theater, visual art and comic book illustrations to put together productions with a focus on social justice. Then, the San Diego Italian Film Festival is back for its 19th year and kicks off on Oct. 1. We sat with our Midday Movies film...

U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) is in the midst of an unprecedented hiring binge, with a goal of hiring 10,000 agents by the end of the year. In a two part series, KPBS reporters look into how ICE recruiting efforts are using white nationalist messages and imagery and relying on veterans to fill job openings. We discuss the details. Also, more immigrants are being placed in isolatio...

Each year, NPR puts on its annual Student Podcast Challenge where thousands of young people across the country transform their ideas and stories into audio. Among the middle school finalists were two students from High Tech Middle Media Arts in Point Loma, who produced a podcast about growing up in a multiracial, multiethnic family and embracing cultural ties. Wednesday on Midday Edition, we hear...

How walkable is your neighborhood? When it comes to walkability, locals have shared a range of experiences depending where they live. But what does it mean to live in a truly walkable city? Tuesday on Midday Edition, we dig into what walkability looks like in San Diego and what is being done from a policy and community standpoint to address it. Guests:Bruce Appleyard, associate professor of City P...

San Diego's unemployment rate decreased slightly to 5% in August, yet still hovers near a four-year high. Tuesday on Midday Edition, we check in with a local economist on the latest unemployment numbers. We also dig into why the Federal Reserve decided to lower interest rates, and how ongoing uncertainty around economic policy continues. Guest:Daniel Enemark, chief economist, San Diego Regional Po...

Free speech is dominating the headlines these days. Last week, ABC announced it would indefinitely suspend late-night host Jimmy Kimmel from broadcasting after he commented on Charlie Kirk's killing. On Monday, Disney and ABC announced the comedian will return to the schedule starting Tuesday night. The news comes as President Donald Trump has reached settlements with ABC and CBS over coverage. An...

On Thursday's Midday Edition, we dive into all the arts and culture happenings across the region in your weekend preview — from an upcoming jazz concert in La Jolla, to a sneak peek of what San Diego Design Week has to offer this year. Plus, Diversionary Theatre kicks off its inaugural season with a one-woman glam rock show, "MANIFEST P*SSY," from performer and writer, Shakina. KPBS arts reporter...

Artificial intelligence is becoming more commonly used in health care settings, from routine medical scans to virtual patient assistance. Wednesday on Midday Edition, we sat down with one San Diego public health expert who was recently awarded a Fulbright grant to investigate how AI is used in public health. Guests:Susan Kiene, professor of global health, San Diego State University

The 2025 U.S. Open Tennis Championships, one of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world, wrapped up earlier this month. On Wednesday's Midday Edition, we heard from two San Diego athletes who competed in the U.S. Open about their experiences and journeys through the sport. Guests: Alyssa Ahn, tennis player, Stanford UniversityDavid Wagner, wheelchair tennis player, three-time U.S. Open Single'...

Nearly two years after floods devastated San Diego neighborhoods and displaced at least 1,000 people, the legal fallout continues between the city and its residents. More than 1,500 people are suing the city, alleging it failed to maintain storm channels. And the city has now filed more than 20 cross-complaints against residents, businesses and flood victims. On Midday Edition, we discuss where th...

In new her new novel, "A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez," San Diego author María Dolores Águila writes about community efforts to combat segregation of Mexican-American students in Depression-era Lemon Grove. Midday Edition on Tuesday explores more about the Lemon Grove Incident, Águila's writing process, as well as her reaction to the book being selected for the longlist of th...

Catholic Priest Miguel Hidalgo called for Mexicans to rise up against Spanish rule on Sept. 16, 1810.This year marks the 215th anniversary of that day — now celebrated widely as Mexican Independence Day. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum made history this year as the first woman to lead Mexico's "El Grito," also known as the "Cry of Independence."Midday Edition discusses the enduring meaning of...