KPBS Midday Edition

We speak with a pediatric infectious disease doctor about the status of vaccine approval for children 5 to 12 and keeping kids safe during Halloween activities. Plus, a recent initiative put forth by the governor, the city of San Diego, and the state department of transportation aims to help homeless individuals camped along the area’s highways. Meanwhile, we meet a man who is getting help from a...

The Force Analysis Unit is tasked with reviewing use of force incidents with the aim of improving training and decreasing future incidents. Plus, mounting evidence suggests that the COVID-19 vaccine could help lessen “long COVID” symptoms. Meanwhile, earlier this month, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have decriminalized jaywalking when no cars are present. The bill was aimed at tacklin...

The city of San Diego has taken bold measures to greatly expand the number of bike lanes on its streets, a move partly in response to a number of traffic deaths that have occured in recent months. Plus, California will now study how to set up its own zero-fee public bank accounts, the latest step in the state’s exploration of public banking. And, this weekend in the arts, check out a performance f...

The Biden administration announced a new plan to help combat the nation's supply chain shortage ahead of the holiday season. Plus, San Diego has one of the highest inflation rates in the nation, according to data recently released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index for the month of September. Then, California’s Reparations Task Force met this week to explore the impact of...

The Biden administration announced Wednesday it's easing travel restrictions at land border crossings, after 19 months of closure to all but essential travel. The number of new COVID infections are finally going down in California and nationally, but Dr. Eric Topol is warning everyone not to drop their guard. Plus, the San Diego Housing Commission is out with a report on “lessons learned” from its...

Federal transportation investigators are on the ground Tuesday, trying to piece together what led to the deadly crash in Santee on Monday afternoon. Plus, in-person school just started up again and now parents have a chance to send their children to their preferred school. And, doctors and hospitals are looking at a new way to treat drug addictions, asking patients, “What do you need from us?”

A number of reforms being proposed to the county’s Citizen’s Law Enforcement Review Board would constitute the biggest changes to the board since its beginnings nearly 30 years ago. Plus, caught up in the chaos of the last days of the U.S. engagement in Afghanistan, one former interpreter is getting back to the difficult task of creating a new life in his adopted country. Also, being home to more...

A huge housing development planned for Otay Ranch has been struck down in court. A San Diego judge agreed with environmental groups and California’s attorney general in a lawsuit against the Adara at Otay Ranch project. Plus, the federal commission charged with replacing Confederate names on military bases is getting thousands of suggestions, but that's just one step in a process that will likely...

County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher discusses the ongoing effort to combat misinformation surrounding COVID-19. Plus, in light of increasing gunfire incidents at schools nationwide, KPBS education reporter MG Perez talks about local efforts to keep our schools safe. Also, Congressman Mike Levin talks about his goal of phasing out offshore oil production in light of the Orange County oil spill. Then,...

Contentions over COVID-19 mandates have school boards dealing with increased hostility to the point where Attorney General Merrick Garland ordered the FBI to look into these incidents. Plus, child and teen obesity is believed to have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, what should be done to address it? Also, Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a law intended to address racial disparities in maternal...

Much of San Diego experienced hours of thunder, lightning and pouring rain, less than 24 hours after a mild Santa Ana. Another rainstorm may be on its way at the end of the week. Plus, the oil spill in Orange County could have an environmental impact for years. Also, San Diego Nobel Prize-winner Ardem Patapoutian talks about the journey that brought him to the U.S. and a career in science. In addi...

Scripps Research scientist Ardem Patapoutian and his partner David Julius at UCSF won the award for their work in discovering how skin receptors allow people to sense temperature and touch. Plus, San Diego State receives a $15 million grant to research Latinx health disparities across San Diego and Imperial counties. Also, the military often falls short in recognizing how the “wounds of war” can l...

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday announced the nation's first coronavirus vaccine mandate for schoolchildren once they received final approval from the FDA for various grade levels. Plus, legal scholars are calling for the disbarment of a law professor who worked to keep Donald Trump in office after his election loss. And a preview of the arts happenings this weekend.

Health care workers have until today to be vaccinated, but many are not. Plus, an independent investigation into the incident at Valhalla High School where a staff member placed his knee on the neck of a Black student has concluded. The school district is moving forward with the recommendations. Also, “The Wrap” device that the Medical Examiner’s Office said contributed to Earl McNeil’s death cont...

The San Diego Unified school board voted to require COVID-19 vaccinations for school district staff and students 16 and older beginning on Dec. 20. Plus, we speak to Dr. Eric Topol about variants, testing and vaccines. Then, we bring you an interview with San Diego's independent budget analyst, Andrea Tevlin, who announced her retirement this month after working at the city for 16 years. Her offic...

While many Americans are eager to bolster their immunity against COVID-19, questions remain about who’s exactly eligible to receive the booster shot. Meanwhile, time and money is running out for San Diego’s rental assistance program. Plus, while San Diego was spared from the recent wildfires, smoke from western wildfires is causing air pollution problems and health issues far away from fire zones....

Parents of children enrolled in the San Marcos Unified School District were given cause for alarm after being informed that some students had been “attending school with known COVID-19 positive test results.” Meanwhile, COVID-19 outbreaks at schools are having big impacts on families, especially those in rural communities. Plus, both the city and county of San Diego want to right the wrongs from t...

After a year of virtual classes, UC San Diego came roaring back this week in-person, welcoming what could be the largest number of fall semester students in its history. Plus, The biggest professional tennis tournament in San Diego history is being served up next week. And, this weekend in the arts: a 21st birthday party (and exhibition) for Art Produce, Bodhi Tree Concerts, art meets science at L...

The FDA and a CDC panel approved a third dose of the Pfizer vaccine for seniors and high-risk groups. Plus, care workers who visit people’s homes are not required by the state to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Then, a private prison in Downtown San Diego remains open despite an executive order by President Joe Biden. Also, the San Diego City Council cleared the way for another attempt to revitali...

The San Diego City Council on Tuesday approved increasing water rates and a new set of sewer rates that will increase the fees for single-family homes, but decrease it for multi-family units. Plus, the latest wave of Haitian migrants heading to the United States is centered on a little town in Texas called Del Rio, but its effects could be felt in Tijuana where there’s a sizable Haitian population...

Come November travel restrictions on foreign travellers will be lifted for those who are vaccinated, what will that mean for San Diego tourism? Plus, a recent analysis shows disparities in COVID testing across San Diego Unified schools. Also, summer ends today, but the weather is still warm and many kids don't have places to swim because the city of San Diego has drastically cut back on weekend po...

Pfizer on Monday said its COVID-19 vaccine is safe for children ages 5 to 11 and plans to seek authorization for the age group soon. Plus, tensions appear to be rising between city leaders and the San Diego Housing Commision, as a recent conflict-of-interest case has come to light. Also, one man thought he was doing the right thing to become a permanent resident of the United States, but because o...

A federal judge has ruled the government must stop using a public health order to refuse entry to immigrant families at the border. Plus, critical race theory is now front and center in the ongoing culture war over what our children are learning in K-12 schools. And, this weekend in the arts: the Broadway musical that inspired “The Birdcage,” “The Rebellious Miss Breed” reopens the downtown librar...

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Mark Sawyer joins us for an update on COVID in San Diego County. Plus, the board of supervisors approved beginning the process to allow people to legally sell food from their home kitchens here in San Diego County. Then, Governor Gavin Newsom has until October 10 to decide whether to sign a bill that softens production quotas for warehouse workers. And, a new gene...

Gov. Gavin Newsom racked up a major win in the recall, with more than 60% of voters supporting the Governor. The question remains: what will Newsom do with this show of support and what happens to his recall challengers? Plus, as the nation grapples with a rise in hateful rhetoric and activity within its own borders, law enforcement and intelligence agencies are beginning to acknowledge domestic t...