KPBS Midday Edition

In March, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that would cut funding for libraries and museums across the country.  California Attorney General Rob Bonta has since joined a coalition of 21 attorneys filing a lawsuit challenging the executive order. On Midday Edition Monday, we check in with local library and museum leaders about how they are bracing for the possible impact. Guest...

Last week, President Donald Trump announced a 10% baseline tax on imports from all countries and higher tariffs on dozens of nations that run trade surpluses with the United States. Markets continue to see big swings in response. On Midday Edition, we discuss what tariffs are, how they work and how San Diegans will feel the impact. Guest: Daniel Enemark , chief economist at the San Diego Regional...

The San Diego Writers Festival takes place this Saturday at Coronado High School and will feature a reading from some of our most esteemed poets here in San Diego. Including poet Katie Manning who joined Midday Edition Thursday to talk about her craft and what makes the art of poetry special for her. Plus, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando previews the San Diego Arab Film Festival , which will be...

Neither parenting nor adulthood come with a manual. So our guests on Wednesday's episode of KPBS Midday Edition, are bringing you some advice. We'll hear from a journalist, child therapist and an author about work-life balance, parenting strategies and 'adulthood secrets.' Guests: Mary Louise Kelly , co-host of NPR’s All Things Considered and author of "It. Goes. So. Fast." Jennifer Kolari , child...

On April 2, the James Beard Awards will announce the finalists across 25 categories, including Best Chef in California. Two San Diego chefs are among the semi-finalists this year : Tara Monsod, the executive chef at Animae and Le Coq, and Roberto Alcocer, the executive chef at Valle in Oceanside. Valle, which specializes in contemporary Mexican cuisine, first earned a Michelin star back in 2023. A...

The legendary radio voice for the San Diego Padres, San Diego State Aztecs and more has broadcast his final game. For over 40 years, Ted Leitner has called the great triumphs and crushing heartbreak that comes with San Diego sports fandom.  As the San Diego Padres prepare for the opening of the 2025 season, Leitner shares what moments have stayed with him over the decades, and the relationshi...

Successful solo travel (1080 x 1350 px) - 1 (1250x2000, AR: 0.625) Traveling alone, regardless of the ultimate destination, can be challenging and at times lonely. It can also be transformative — teaching travelers adaptability and confidence. On Midday Edition, we speak with an Encinitas-based author about her new book, "The Smart Woman's Guide to Successful Solo Travel." Guest: Paula Silverfarb,...

Earlier this month, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria hosted a “Women of Distinction” event to recognize exceptional women in San Diego and their contributions to the community. Among the honorees was Cori Austin, CEO of Center for Community Solutions, a nonprofit dedicated to helping survivors of intimate partner violence, or IPV. On Midday Edition Wednesday, we sit down with Austin to talk about how a...

In early March, immigration agents in New York arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a legal U.S. resident and Columbia University graduate. The Trump administration argued that Khalil's prominent role in Pro-Palestinian and anti-war protests at Columbia last spring amounted to antisemitism and support for a terrorist organization. In newly filed papers , the Trump administration also argued that Khalil failed...

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...