KPBS Midday Edition

The Trump administration continues to make significant funding cuts to medical research . On Midday Edition Monday, we sit down with a panel of scientists to dive into the impacts these funding cuts are having on research efforts in San Diego County, from local academic institutions to the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. Guests: Sarah LaMere , assistant professor, UC San Diego’s School of Med...

Grammy Award-nominated pianist and bandleader Omar Sosa will be coming to San Diego on Thursday for his local debut , as part of the Athenaeum jazz spring concert series. Sosa sat down with Midday Edition host Jade Hindmon to talk about his upcoming concert and his musical journey. "Jazz is a philosophy. And the philosophy is freedom," Sosa said. Then, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando previews a...

The San Diego State University women’s basketball team is back in the NCAA basketball tournament for the first time since 2012. They secured their trip to March Madness after a triple-overtime win over Wyoming in last week's Mountain West final. On Midday Edition Wednesday, we hear from guards Meghan Fiso and Kaelyn Hamilton about their memorable season, and how they manage the ups and downs that...

The 32nd annual San Diego Latino Film Festival kicks off Wednesday. This year's festival, which runs through Sunday, highlights films from over 20 countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The theme for this year’s festival is "Cine Sin Fronteras," or "Cinema Without Borders." On Midday Edition Wednesday, we hear about some of the films featured, as well as other events highlighting La...

Many home gardeners are working hard this spring to grow herbs, vegetables and flowers. On Midday Edition Tuesday, we’ve got you covered with tips and tricks to make your garden thrive — whether you’re a seasoned pro or a plant newbie. Guest: Nan Sterman , host of "A Growing Passion" Resources: Waterwise Gardener Upcoming Events Waterwise Gardener How To Videos Books by Nan Sterman IMG_3660.jpg (5...

Last week marked five years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic. As we look back on the past half decade, we discuss some of the most significant research developments and the continued threat of COVID-19 to public health. Plus, long COVID is impacting around 400 million people worldwide, including millions of Americans. We talk about navigating disability, the...

A new picture book from local award-winning author Matt de la Peña looks at a grander idea of home. He joined Midday Edition Thursday to talk about the inspiration behind "Home" and how his own upbringing in San Diego bleeds into his work. “When we think of home, we do think of our house or our apartment or our trailer, and I hope this book invites young people to think of home in a bigger sense,"...

Young adults in America are drinking less compared to older generations, leading some to question the prevalence and role of alcohol in daily life. On Midday Edition Wednesday, we explore San Diego's burgeoning "sober curious" scene. We hear from San Diegans building products and spaces that challenge the norms of alcohol consumption, and the social pressures that often come with drinking. Guests:...

March is colorectal cancer awareness month and the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 150,000 thousand Americans will be diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer this year. Doctors are seeing a rise in diagnoses with certain groups, including younger adults. On Midday Edition Wednesday, we hear from a local medical expert about how to prevent colorectal cancer, and what to know about s...

President Trump suspended the country’s Refugee Admissions Program on his first day in office — blocking new refugees from coming to the U.S. He then froze federal funding for refugee resettlement agencies, forcing them to lay off staff or shut down all together. Despite legal challenges to the funding freeze, the State Department has terminated all contracts with those agencies, according to NPR....

Voters in the South Bay and other parts of San Diego County will soon cast their ballots in the special primary election for the District 1 County Supervisor. On Midday Edition Monday, we take a closer look at the top candidates and issues on the front of voters' minds going into this race. Plus, a local political scientist breaks down the stakes of this election and how the supervisor seat could...

This International Women's Day, San Diego community center Centro Cultural de la Raza will bring awareness to gender-based violence. On Midday Edition Thursday, we hear about the group's plans to protest and celebrate. Also in Thursday's episode, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando sits down with cult film icon Mink Stole and San Francisco drag impresario, Peaches Christ, to talk about their upcomin...

Ahead of World Bipolar Day on March 30, Midday Edition Wednesday features one woman's personal experience navigating bipolar disorder. The mental health condition affects around 40 million people worldwide , according to the World Health Organization. J.N. Rose is a local writer who described her experience with bipolar disorder, and the impact her diagnosis had on her life. The self-published boo...

Last week, health officials announced a house cat that died earlier this year tested positive for the bird flu , becoming the first mammal to test positive in San Diego County. The cat became infected through raw pet food. Bird flu has infected seven cats in California to date. On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear tips from the San Diego Humane Society on what pet owners and animal lovers should kee...

Since Proposition 36 took effect in December, the San Diego County District Attorney’s office has filed more than 300 cases under the new law. Among those, drug cases have far outnumbered theft cases. We take a closer look at the data. Plus, we explore questions over whether San Diego County's jails can handle the influx of inmates under Proposition 36. Guests: Kelly Davis , reporter on the watchd...

The Trump administration is continuing its flurry of attacks on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, better known as DEI. That includes an ultimatum issued by the Department of Education on Feb. 14, giving schools and universities two weeks to cancel their DEI programs or risk losing federal funding. That deadline passed on Friday. That same day, the Department of Education launched an “End DEI” porta...

A new book, "Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less, and Live the Life You Actually Want" explores our relationship to rest and self-care, and how we can learn to live more gently and reduce our stress from everyday life. Plus, our Midday Movies critics close out Black History Month by celebrating Black women both on the screen and behind the camera. Then, KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans sits down wi...

Advancing racial justice includes fighting for economic mobility and equity. From employment discrimination to housing affordability, Black community members face many barriers to building generational wealth. Pamela Gray Payton has been fighting those barriers for several decades in San Diego, from her work at the University of San Diego to her current role at the San Diego Foundation. As part of...

In the first month of his second term, President Donald Trump has brought sweeping changes to the federal government. Many of his actions have scholars worried about a constitutional crisis. Democrats in Congress are clashing over how to respond to Trump’s actions, as he and Elon Musk test the limits of presidential power. On Midday Edition, we sit down with Congressman Mike Levin to hear his plan...

The 30th Annual Writer's Symposium by the Sea takes place this week at San Diego's Point Loma Nazarene University. Award-winning author Jesmyn Ward will be appearing at the event this year, along with writers Sandra Cisneros and Mitch Albom. Ward is one of the most celebrated writers in American fiction today. Two of her novels, “Sing, Unburied, Sing” and “Salvage the Bones,” have won the prestigi...

Flu season is in full swing and the surge in cases has raised alarms all across the country. Here in San Diego, there have been 105 flu deaths, making this season deadlier than the past two seasons combined . On Midday Edition Tuesday, we talk about what health care providers are seeing in local urgent care clinics and what to do if you get the flu. Guest: Laura Truman , clinical associate profess...

All month we’re profiling influential Black figures in our community — people dedicated to preserving and celebrating Black history. For many activists, college campuses are the gateway into community organizing. On Midday Edition, we sit down with a student activist who is part of an exhibit at the UC San Diego Geisel Library celebrating Black labor history. Guest : Christina Marie Green , underg...

VV-Publisher-DrJohnEWarren.jpg (525x600, AR: 0.875) All month, we are talking to the people in our community who are making Black history. Among those trailblazers is Dr. John E. Warren. He is the current publisher of the San Diego Voice and Viewpoint .  Founded in 1960, it is San Diego’s oldest and only African American newspaper and continues to serve communities all across the region. “Nob...

Black patients often experience discrimination and implicit bias from health care providers, leading to a variety of disparities. One San Diego doctor has been working to change that for more than 40 years. Dr. Rodney Hood was the first African American student to graduate from UC San Diego's medical school in 1973, and has dedicated his career to improving Black health outcomes and health care ac...

Each year, esteemed writers come to San Diego for the annual Writer’s Symposium by the Sea at Point Loma Nazarene University. This year features Jesmyn Ward, Mitch Albom and Sandra Cisneros, who is celebrating 40 years since her first novel, "The House on Mango Street," began captivating readers across the globe. Cisneros joined Midday Edition Thursday to talk about the legacy of "The House on Man...