KPBS Midday Edition

The San Diego Police Chief promises a full investigation of an officer's social media post about a fatal police shooting. Plus, President Trump ran roughshod over debate moderator Chris Wallace and his Democratic opponent Joe Biden — and crossed many lines in the process. And our partners at inewsource have created a guide on the major changes happening this upcoming election. Also, California kid...

The first presidential debate is high stakes. Here are six questions ahead of the debate, to be moderated by Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace beginning at 6 p.m. Plus, SUVs have been the largest cause of the increase in worldwide carbon emissions over the last decade. And COVID-19 continues to spread through our region, and contact tracers are only contacting on average 2.2 people for each perso...

Santa Ana winds are again bringing increased fire threat in an already tough fire season. Plus, some good news amid the bleak climate change forecast — restoring the climate could cost less than fighting COVID-19. Also, the silver lining for many bicyclists during the pandemic is that there are fewer accidents, but advocates want a new public policy to ensure the trend continues post coronavirus....

San Diego activists argue the database, known as CalGang, includes many people who are not actually gang members and unfairly targets people of color who live in lower-income communities. Plus, ROTC training has been mostly online but some cadets have resumed limited in-person training. And, our arts and culture picks for the weekend.

Shortly after a grand jury declined to indict any of the officers involved in Breonna Taylor’s killing, people took to the streets in San Diego to demand justice for her. Plus, California will ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, a move that Gov. Gavin Newsom says will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 35%. Also, misinformations are swirling around social media on how the wildfires on the W...

It was a welcomed surprise for many businesses in San Diego, the county remains in the red tier Tuesday under the state’s color-coded four-tier reopening plan. It was in danger of slipping into the state’s most restrictive tier. Plus, a local scientist says despite the CDC’s retracted guidance, there is evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted through the air. Also, the coronavirus has slowed the...

For many parents of young children, the pandemic has made childcare the most challenging issue of their lives. For some who have kept their kids home, caregiving has affected their ability to work. For others who don’t have the option to work at home the health risk posed by sending their child to day care has to be weighed against loss of income. And, the childcare centers and the people who oper...

The devastating wildfires around the state are causing environmental groups to lobby for California to move up its timetable for carbon-free energy. Plus, San Diego Zoo officials are changing the way they think about what’s involved when they step in to help endangered species. And this weekend’s arts events around town have a mix of in-person and virtual experiences.

San Diego State’s coronavirus cases will continue to be counted in the county’s total, the state said, because students can contribute to the spread of the disease. Plus, getting the facts right about California’s Senate Bill 145, signed into law by Governor Newsom, which will give judges expanded discretion to determine whether someone must register as a sex offender. Also, the Navy is looking in...

The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on our public education system. All students and their families are experiencing learning challenges but, the public health emergency is shedding light on a pre-existing crisis in educational equity for vulnerable student groups.

On a trip to California to survey the devastation of the recent wildfires, President Donald Trump ignored the scientific consensus that climate change is playing a central role in West Coast infernos. Plus, California State Senate President Toni Atkins reflects on this year’s legislative session and what lawmakers accomplished and left on the table. Also, a KPBS analysis of the data released by th...

Historically, hate groups have targeted the armed forces, wanting access to the skills and the prestige associated with military service. That threat has been growing in the last couple of years.

The terrible toll of California's wildfires became more evident as 10 were reported dead and others missing. Plus, while much else in San Diego has been allowed to gradually reopen amid the pandemic, playgrounds appear to be closed indefinitely. And our weekend arts and culture picks include the San Diego Blues Fest and North Coast Rep's new production of “Necessary Sacrifices.”

Freak natural disasters — most with what scientists say likely have a climate change link — seem to be everywhere in 2020. But experts say natural disasters could get worse in the future. Plus, an audit of SANDAG alleges problems with hiring, promotions and upper management’s compensation. And a new report by SDSU’s Center for Health Economics and Policy Studies estimates 260,000 COVID-19 cases ar...

In total, the fire has destroyed 20 homes and 17 other structures and resulted in two minor injuries to firefighters CalFire said. Plus, State data released Tuesday shows San Diego County is regressing in its fight against COVID-19. The county is perilously close to slipping into the "widespread" tier like much of the rest of the state. And with the threat of blackouts back in the news, some peopl...

The Valley Fire has burned thousands of acres and destroyed about a dozen homes as new evacuations have been ordered in eastern San Diego County. Also, San Diego State University is reporting hundreds of COVID-19 infections since August 24 and UC students and faculty are protesting the university’s plan to reopen its campus, local scientists are calling out the FDA commissioner saying he ‘cherry p...

The Valley Fire in the Japatul Valley exploded over the weekend, jumping from just a few hundred acres to over 10,000 with only about 1% contained on Monday morning. And while prisoners have been able to join fire-fighting crews for years, many former prisoners still find it difficult to land a professional fire-fighting job. But last week, the California legislature passed a bill that would make...

There have been 240 coronavirus outbreaks in San Diego County since the start of the pandemic, according to new information released by the county. But, the county is still keeping the specific locations of those outbreaks secret. Plus, the parts of San Diego County that have seen the highest rates of COVID-19 infection also contain the schools serving the vulnerable student groups who need in-per...

All 200 of SDSU’s in-person classes — mostly lab work classes — would move online after 64 students tested positive for COVID-19. Students who live in campus housing may move out if they want. Plus, UC San Diego Health is recruiting participants for a national clinical trial as part of an effort to develop a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 by the end of the year. And as Mayor Kevin Faulconer gets close...

In spite of unprecedented public support for police reform measures after the death of George Floyd, California legislators failed to pass a majority of the police reform bills up for a vote this week. Plus, plasma is being used to treat coronavirus patients here and across the country, with fresh encouragement from the FDA. But do plasma treatments work? Also, San Diego Police have released seven...

On the last day of session Monday night, California lawmakers passed bills for eviction relief, police oversight and accountability and COVID-19 aid. These have been sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom for approval. Plus, some UC San Diego doctors and scientists are urging county officials to delay reopening more businesses. Also, a 2019 law mandates California police departments must release videos when an...

After receiving Gov. Newsom’s go-ahead, San Diego County is reopening indoor businesses like movie theaters, gyms and museums with required safety measures on Monday. Plus, parents, teachers and students are getting ready to resume in-person class Sept. 1 in some parts of San Diego County. Also, several veterans speak about the scope and impact of racial bias in the U.S. military.

San Diego Unified School District is preparing to start off the 2020-21 school year with remote learning. However, children with learning challenges may be offered in-person sessions. Plus, 1986’s “Top Gun” inspired a boom in military recruitment. Will its 2021 sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick,” do the same despite the changing perceptions of warfare today? Also, this weekend in San Diego art events inc...

In protest against systemic racism and the police shooting of Jacob Blake, players in the NBA, MLB, WNBA and MLS have refused to play to raise the social justice awareness. Plus, after the killing of George Floyd, the U.S. military is taking a look at how it is dealing with the issues surrounding race. KPBS military reporter Steve Walsh will moderate a panel discussion Thursday at 6 p.m. with lead...

As a result of the pandemic and its fallout on the local economy, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved the county’s largest budget ever. Plus, Travis View, the San Diego-based host of podcast “QAnon Anonymous” breaks down the conspiracy theory. Also, flu shots can protect lung health during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, a petition to add minority perspectives to Coro...