KPBS Midday Edition

As expected, a regional stay-at-home order in effect across Southern California due to surging COVID-19 hospitalizations was formally extended Tuesday. Plus, the story of a transgender woman who left her native Guatemala for California and risked everything to seek asylum in the U.S. Then, the U.S. Immigration system has big problems, and there is no aspect as problematic as the way the U.S. grant...

CVS pharmacists have begun vaccinating California nursing home residents as part of a plan to inoculate 700,000 long term care patients. Plus, how the COVID-19 stimulus bill will impact your finances. And a story of how a mother of two austic boys launched her career in special education teaching. Then, bike advocates say new public policy is needed to ensure the drop in cyclist injuries during th...

A brush fire that broke out overnight near Fallbrook has grown to over 3,000 acres, prompting evacuations. A planned field hospital being built to care for COVID-19 patients on an unused floor at Palomar Hospital could provide much needed relief to overburdened Imperial County. In Los Angeles, thousands of homeless veterans were in line to move into a new housing complex. Then, a fire burned it to...

California's health care system is struggling under the strain of the nation's largest coronavirus outbreak. Experts warn the system may collapse in the coming weeks. Also, COVID-19 cases are spiking at San Diego County's jails and detention centers. The U.S. government was the victim of a major hacking effort by foreign intelligence services. How could this impact you? And in the latest episode o...

Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego talks about the $900 billion coronavirus relief bill. Plus, San Diego received its first deliveries of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Next, county records of community outbreaks obtained by KPBS show that at least 638 COVID-19 cases from late June through mid-December have been linked to seven area tribal casinos. Also, the pandemic deprived many artists of their live...

For first time the public can see COVID-19 outbreak data including specific locations in San Diego County. Since the onset of the pandemic, county officials have kept outbreak locations secret, instead only listing outbreaks by category like bar or restaurant. Also, local leaders reflect on the next steps as the Moderna vaccine begins to roll out. In the South Bay, a cooperative is looking to char...

As ICU bed capacity drops to 0% in the Southern California region of the state, we look at how hospitals in San Diego and Imperial counties are doing. Plus, a Mexican-American teenager comes to terms with her immigrant grandparents’ support of Donald Trump in this final installment of Every 30 Seconds. Finally, our picks for weekend arts events include jazz, a literary story concert and an updated...

The county is seeking clarification on a San Diego judge’s ruling allowing strip clubs and businesses with restaurant services to remain open. Plus, as we continue to see more vaccines available and more people eligible to be vaccinated — is a healthy person’s decision not to get vaccinated an ethically defensible choice? And food relief organizations are in agreement that the pandemic and related...

We’ve endured almost a full year of the world turned upside down. When we’re not concerned about our own or our families health – it’s concern about finances, missing friends and relatives, being isolated and wondering if life as we know it will ever get back to normal.

Dr. Nicholas Holmes of Rady Children’s Hospital joined Midday Edition to speak about how Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled out in San Diego County. Plus, crowded ICUs and increasing deaths are taking a toll on doctors and nurses. And County supervisor Dianne Jacob will leave office next month after representing her East County district for 28 years. Then, KPBS spoke to teachers and experts...

The first batches of Pfizer's long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine arrived in San Diego County Monday for military and civilians. Plus, KPBS Health Reporter Tarryn Mento asked the leader of Sharp HealthCare how they’re balancing resources amid demand. And San Diego researchers think plants may offer a significant way to draw down excess carbon in the air which could slow climate change. Then, you can hel...

On his first full day in office, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria discusses what he’d like to tackle in his first 100 days, including homelessness and the public health and economic crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, our arts and culture holiday picks that you can safely enjoy at home.

Todd Gloria was officially sworn in today as San Diego’s 37th mayor along with the 73rd city council, bringing a Democratic supermajority to the council chambers. Plus, COVID-19 hospitalizations more than doubled from a month ago and hundreds more are expected in the next few weeks, raising concerns about the capacity to care for them all. Also, CA Notify is a new app-based tool now available to a...

A new poll finds only about half of Americans are ready to roll up their sleeves for COVID-19 vaccines even as states frantically prepare to begin months of vaccinations that could end the pandemic. Plus, as cases of COVID-19 increase around California and the country, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians have the highest prevalence of the disease. And KPBS looks back at outgoing San Diego mayor...

The latest shutdown order from the state has put an Otay Mesa business at risk of closing permanently. Plus, the surge of positive COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations has doctors and nurses bracing for the worst. And early numbers from some large school districts in the county show a jump in D's and F's during the first full semester of distance learning. Then a federal court ruling has restored t...

As of midnight Sunday, San Diego is officially under the state's new stay-at-home order. Most non-essential businesses have been ordered closed with retail stores subject to stricter restrictions and restaurants limited to take out and delivery only. And, a fundamental part of maintaining our democracy is for citizens to have faith in it. That has been eroding among sections of the public. Last we...

San Diego Mayor-elect Todd Gloria joins Midday to talk about what actions he might take and what aid he might offer as the pandemic continues and the region faces another lockdown. Plus, KPBS reporter John Carroll brings us the second half of his series on how Balboa Park’s cherished institutions are holding up during the pandemic. And this weekend in San Diego art events: a filmed dance productio...

Newsom announced new stay-at-home rules on Thursday that will trigger when a region’s intensive care unit capacity falls below 15%. Most of the state will meet that threshold within a day or two, he said. Plus, San Diego County remained under a red flag warning for extreme fire danger Thursday, as gusty Santa Ana winds and low humidity combined to heighten the risk of wildfires. And people who los...

San Diego reaches the sad milestone of more than 1,000 COVID-19 deaths. And, with vaccine approval getting closer and closer, we’ll hear why new COVID-19 vaccine trials are still moving forward. Then, a preview of tonight’s KPBS community conversation on Keeping Our Democracy.

With coronavirus cases surging statewide and hospital beds expected to fill rapidly, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday a more sweeping stay-at-home order could soon be imposed. Plus, San Diego researchers and environmentalists are taking a close look at a pocket habitat that may become an important tool as the climate changes. And in this episode of Rad Scientist, we hear the story of UC San Diego pro...

San Diego County COVID-19 infections continue to rise, reaching a total of 80,084 cases. Plus, Pfizer has already requested emergency-use authorization, and if granted could ship its vaccines as early as Dec. 12. How will San Diego County prioritize COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Next, California’s crackdown on unemployment claims are leaving immigrant communities suffering. Additionally, the public is...

Shopping online is easier than ever and with the pandemic, more Americans are shopping at home. That’s also creating a perfect haven on online scammers. Plus, on this season of giving thanks, our film critics have some movies to be thankful for.

With record numbers of new coronavirus cases reported daily, concerns are growing about a rise in hospitalizations in San Diego and across California. Plus, the holidays can exacerbate stress triggers, so it’s important to take care of your mental health as well. Finally, a Thanksgiving tradition, Chef Bernard Guillas answers your cooking questions for the big turkey meal tomorrow.

A San Diego judge has denied a request by a group of businesses to be allowed to continue indoor operations, despite record numbers of coronavirus cases. Plus, the South Bay has been hit the hardest by coronavirus cases and those communities are also dealing with an economic crisis. Also, North County Transit is looking at a plan to extend the Coaster line to downtown San Diego, giving residents a...

As a vaccine for COVID-19 nears, memories of past injustices and present-day inequities in medical treatment, many in communities of color remain wary. Plus, the coronavirus pandemic is affecting the city of San Diego’s budget and as a result Mayor-elect Todd Gloria’s budget priorities. And, even as President Trump’s time in the White House comes to an end, many families remained fractured over hi...