KPBS Midday Edition

More people in San Diego County fell into homelessness than escaped it last month, according to new data from the Regional Task Force on Homelessness . January’s numbers show that 1,025 people were placed into housing, but 1,216 people fell into homelessness for the first time. Also in January, volunteers gathered data for the 2025 Point in Time Count — an annual measurement of unhoused folks in o...

In his first month back in office, President Donald Trump has enacted sweeping and controversial changes impacting many in the San Diego region. From toughening rules on immigration to targeting federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs, from an effort to ban transgender soldiers from serving in the military to a push for federal workers to resign, the scope of change can feel overwhelming....

All month, we are profiling Black trailblazers across our community and highlighting their contributions to San Diego life and culture. On this week's arts show, we sit down with Gaidi Finnie, executive director of the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art , to talk about his lifelong dedication to sharing Black arts and culture. Also, Mark Twain’s 1885 book, “Adventures of Huckleberry Fin...

From the books we read to the music we listen to, love is everywhere we look. We bring you 'Valentine's Day Edition,' exploring love stories in all their forms. We hear about KPBS' new Valentine's Day series: ' From San Diego, with love .' Also, the power of romance books and the best date spots in San Diego. Plus, our favorite 'slow jams' and heartbreak anthems. Guests: Marielena Castellanos , KP...

From the labor of enslaved people to propelling labor movements forward for fair wages, Black people have fought for equitable working conditions throughout history. America at large has received the benefits. This year, " African Americans and Labor " is the national theme for Black History Month. On Midday Edition, we discuss the connection between Black worker justice and labor rights. And, the...

Yvette.jpg (275x275, AR: 1.0) Making sense of the present means knowing the past. It also means honoring the legacy of Black history and celebrating culture. This Black History Month, we're profiling Black trailblazers and community leaders in San Diego. Yvette Porter Moore is a historian who studies genealogy and DNA research. For the past 20 years, she's been doing the work of piecing together S...

Last month, the Biden administration's Department of Energy announced that it would provide a loan of $1.36 billion to support the growth of the domestic lithium industry. But President Trump’s push to freeze federal funds could threaten that. On Midday Edition Monday, we break down the possible impact of the federal spending freeze and recent developments in Lithium Valley. Plus, a leading enviro...

Lunar New Year started last Wednesday. It’s a time to bring in good luck and prosperity, and celebrate a fresh start — specifically, the Year of the Wood Snake. There are many places to celebrate Lunar New Year in San Diego this season. We talk about the upcoming Chinese New Year Fair in downtown and how San Diego's Chinese community has historically commemorated the holiday. Also, KPBS arts repor...

Every year, 35,000 to 40,000 people in California begin the process of reentering society after prison, a process known as “reentry.” Successful reentry depends on many factors, from reliable housing to employment opportunities. Today on Midday Edition, we bring you an episode of " Imperfect Paradise ," the narrative podcast from LAist public radio. In this episode, we meet Cesar Quijano who is st...

As flames broke out across San Diego County in January, several neighborhoods were under evacuation orders. Evacuating your home can be a scary and life-changing situation. Experts say it's essential to stay prepared . On Midday Edition, we discuss essential rights for renters affected by the wildfires. Plus, how to care for a loved one or neighbor with dementia during an emergency. Plus, the role...

A new executive order by President Donald Trump would ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military. An estimated 15,000 to 25,000 transgender military personnel serve in the U.S. military. Trump’s executive order gives the Pentagon two months to change its current policy which allows trans troops to serve openly. Several lawsuits have been filed against the ban. On Midday Edition Mon...

Last week, the Department of Education dismissed 11 complaints against book bans . The announcement has drawn backlash from the American Library Association and free speech advocacy groups, who are denouncing the rhetoric calling book bans a hoax, as these bans grow across the country. While there are currently no book bans in San Diego County libraries, PEN America's report found that Escondido U...

This Saturday, the nonprofit Women of Color Roar Media will host a breakfast celebrating the accomplishments of Black women in leadership and their contributions to San Diego and this country. Plus, KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans sits down with the city of San Diego's new poet laureate, Paola Capó-García, to talk about her hopes for the role. Then finally, the 2025 Oscar nominations are out...

January is Mental Wellness Month. On Midday Edition Wednesday, we have a conversation about mental wellness in the military and veteran community in San Diego. Two local mental health experts connected to military communities talk about recent efforts to increase access to mental health care, and what challenges military members and veterans commonly face. Guests: Nick Boyd , professor, University...

Dry January is a period for people to reexamine the role alcohol plays in their lives. This January, outgoing U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called for warning labels on alcoholic beverages due their link to multiple forms of cancer. As January nears its end, we feature a conversation with a medical expert on the health risks associated with alcohol, as well as some things to keep in mind i...

In just his short time back in office, President Trump has upended policy through dozens of executive orders — among those have been several meant to reshape climate policy. On Midday Edition Tuesday, we break down some of these policy shifts and look at climate change under the new Trump era. Plus, young people are leading climate action efforts across the country. We hear from one youth climate...

Jan. 6, 2021 is a day Americans will always remember. Insurrectionists supporting Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol in an effort to overthrow the election. One police officer died, along with four Trump supporters. One of them was a woman from San Diego. Last week, Donald Trump pardoned roughly 1,500 Jan. 6 insurrectionists. On Midday Edition, we discuss the San Diego connections. Plus, we ta...

One year ago, business owners, artists, cultural workers and community members in Southeast San Diego were gearing up to celebrate Black History Month in the newly designated San Diego Black Arts and Culture District. Then floodwaters devastated the area and affected many businesses along Imperial Avenue, where the district is located. IMG_5178 (1).jpg (4284x5712, AR: 0.75) The arts community is s...

On Jan. 22, 2024, 2.73 inches of rain covered San Diego in a 24-hour period — the biggest rainstorm since 1850. The fast moving floods were devastating . More than 1,200 people were displaced and their lives forever changed. Hundreds of families have yet to recover. Some are still without a home. On Midday Edition, we discuss the state of the city's stormwater infrastructure a year after the flood...

President Donald Trump on Monday signed a slew of executive orders that sought to repeal Biden-era policies. One order repealed a provision that allows transgender people to serve in the military . The move clears the way for a complete ban on trans servicemembers, and could have a huge impact on San Diego. With more anti-trans legislation on the horizon, local LGBTQ+ groups are bracing themselves...

The fentanyl crisis continues to impact communities across the country and in San Diego. While overdose deaths from fentanyl fell between 2022 and 2023 , it is still a leading cause of death in the county. San Diego also remains a major port of entry for the drug. An illustrated reporting project from inewsource highlights the staggering loss caused by fentanyl in our region. Then, continuing our...

San Diego ranks among the most expensive cities in the country, mainly due to high housing and transportation costs, according to U.S. News and World Report. San Diegans also pay some of the highest electricity prices , according to national surveys. The San Diego City Council has voted to establish a new committee dedicated to addressing the cost of living in our region. Committee Chair Sean Elo-...

President elect Donald Trump is set to take office in less than a week. He’s promised to carry out the largest mass deportation in United States history. And, his administration has vowed to make sweeping reforms that could affect K-12 and higher education across the country. Ahead of Inauguration Day, we take a closer look at how these potential changes in federal immigration and education policy...

This Monday marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a time to honor King’s legacy and reflect on the progress and ongoing challenges in the fight for civil rights. We’ll hear about one of San Diego’s longest running events paying tribute to King, the Human Dignity Award Breakfast , which will celebrate its 40th year on Friday. Guest: Dee Sanford, event chair, board member, Jackie Robinson Family YMCA &n...

Donations are pouring in from San Diegans looking to support those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. Whether it’s monetary donations, or volunteering your time, there's a lot you can do to help those impacted. But it's important to consider what's actually helpful for survivors, and what's not. On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear a personal perspective from a survivor of the 2003 Cedar Fire in...