KPBS Roundtable

San Diego Pride's parade and festival kicks off in less than a month. But this year, festivities are overshadowed by concerns about leadership and the overall vision for the organization. More than two dozen LGBTQ+ leaders have sent a letter to the board outlining issues like the lack of transparency and community engagement. The criticism comes weeks after a coalition of Jewish organizations, alo...

Immigration raids, the protests against them, and President Trump's deployment of troops brought dramatic scenes to Los Angeles this week. As California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta challenge the legality of Trump's actions, we discuss where immigration enforcement is headed and the military’s role in it. Plus, what does it take to bring journalism to the world of social media?...

This week, the San Diego City Council passed new rules for street parking in the city. We discuss what it means for the state of free Sunday parking, parking in Balboa Park and more. Plus, a KPBS investigation looks into three separate civil rights lawsuits in National City brought by the families of people who died after police officers confronted them. We talk through questions over how police s...

The city of San Diego's ADU bonus program may be undergoing some big changes. A new KPBS investigation looks into how the proposal could prevent construction in the city's whitest, wealthiest neighborhoods. Then, the San Diego Unified School District is easing its graduation requirements . We discuss what the changes mean for students' access to higher education. Plus, the weekly roundup of other...

We get the latest on Thursday's early morning plane crash and its impact on San Diego's military community. Then, a KPBS investigation into San Diego's highest-paid city employees: cops, and why one officer is making $430,000. Plus, a deep dive into Baja's Valle de Guadalupe as a winemaking hub in our region, and what it's like to be a travel writer. Guests: Andrew Dyer , military and veteran affa...

This week, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria released his revised annual budget . We break down what's getting more funding and what programs are facing cuts. Then, we discuss Gov. Gavin Newsom's push for California cities and counties to ban homeless encampments . All 18 cities in San Diego County have some sort of camping ban. We break down how the governor's "model ordinance" could affect local polic...

The Trump administration’s proposed tariffs are sowing apprehension in the San Diego region’s robust farming sector. Many farmers are taking a wait and see approach, but the impacts could be far-reaching. Plus, California’s high speed rail ambitions have been scaled back significantly in recent years. Yet it’s still billions over budget and no tracks have been laid. We discuss what’s really slowin...

In March, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents raided a paint company near El Cajon. United States citizens were eventually allowed to leave, but 15 people who could not prove citizenship were transported to the Otay Mesa Detention Center.  Jorge Lopez was one of them. He's now free after a month in federal detention, and shared his story with KPBS . We discuss the details. Plus,...

Environmental Protection Agency administrator Lee Zeldin visited San Diego’s South Bay this week. He wanted to see firsthand the impacts of the cross border sewage crisis in the San Diego-Tijuana region. This week on Roundtable, we discuss his plans to address the problem, and how he's looking to pressure Mexico to help fix it. Then, we take a look at recent reporting on special interest spending...

Single family homes in the city of San Diego could soon pay nearly $50 a month for trash pickup. . We break down the proposed fees — and the debate surrounding them — with Voice of San Diego's Scott Lewis. Plus, the 2028 Olympic surfing competition will be hosted at a local surf break, Lower Trestles . We talk about the significance of the spot and what to expect in the world of Olympic surfing. T...

The results are in from Tuesday's special primary election to fill the empty County Board of Supervisors seat for District 1. Chula Vista Mayor John McCann and Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre both advanced to a runoff in July. We take a closer look at the candidates, some of the top issues and what's at stake in the election. Then on KPBS Roundtable, the California Environmental Quality Act wa...

The Trump administration continues its efforts at mass deportations, upending the nation’s immigration policies in the process. Many of their actions are facing legal challenges. This week on Roundtable, we talk about the impact of the administration's efforts on the San Diego-Tijuana region. Plus, we sit down with KPBS' most recent Gloria Penner news fellow to hear her reflections on the year-lon...

We discuss a new KPBS investigation that reveals stark differences in how white and Black people were sentenced in robbery murders under a former San Diego County district attorney. Also, how San Diego veterans are organizing to fight proposed layoffs at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Plus, we take a look at this week’s top stories in the roundup. Guests: Katie Hyson , racial justice and soci...

Spring in San Diego means a whole new season of sports — from baseball to soccer. For the Padres, opening day is March 27 at Petco Park. Meanwhile, the San Diego Wave Fútbol Club is preparing for their home opener at Snapdragon Stadium on March 22. On Roundtable, we discuss what sports fans need to know from the sidelines. Guests: Ryan Finley , sports editor, The San Diego Union-Tribune Tony Sanch...

The San Diego City Council made changes last week to the rules for backyard apartments in an effort to rein in large multi-unit developments for certain parts of the city. On KPBS Roundtable, we discuss what changed, and and what it could mean for housing production in San Diego. Then we talk about a state bill to address cross border pollution changing course and raising concerns about the viabil...

Tariff whiplash and trade war talk dominated headlines this week as tariffs were put on pause. We hear how the day-to-day changes in tariffs are impacting the San Diego-Tijuana region. Then, a new series tells the story of soccer in a cross-border community. Plus, we take a look at this week’s top stories in the roundup. Guests: Phillip Molnar , senior business reporter for the San Diego Union-Tri...

President Trump's push for mass deportations have led to increased fear for many immigrant communities in San Diego. Despite the rhetoric, San Diego has not yet seen large-scale immigration raids. We hear the latest from KPBS border reporter Gustavo Solis on immigration enforcement in the region. Then, California's high-speed rail project is facing new challenges as the Trump administration announ...

San Diego FC is making its franchise debut on Sunday against LA Galaxy in Carson. Their first home game is Saturday, March 1, at Snapdragon Stadium. SDFC is the 30th team in Major League Soccer, the top division of men's soccer in the U.S. Today on Roundtable, it's San Diego FC 101: everything you need to know about the team and its significance to the San Diego-Tijuana region. Plus, how to watch...

Americans are spending more time alone, leading to what many consider an epidemic of loneliness. But does it also have a connection to politics ? Then, Voice of San Diego looks back on its first 20 years of local investigative journalism. Plus, we take a look at other stories from the week in the roundup. Guests: Amita Sharma , public matters investigative reporter, KPBS Scott Lewis , CEO/Editor i...

Results from the standardized test assessment known as the nation's report card show students across the country are falling behind on reading skills. The assessment comes roughly five years since COVID-19 first emerged as a global health threat and reflects the continued impact of the pandemic on education. While fourth graders in San Diego have seen some improvement in math , according to the ex...

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday to ban transgender soldiers from serving in the military, while also targeting diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the U.S. armed forces. Then, San Diego’s City Council removed a controversial zoning rule for parts of Southeast San Diego after community pushback. Plus, a look at other stories from the week in the roundup. Guests: Andr...

Since his inauguration Monday, President Trump has brought sweeping changes to the nation’s immigration system. We take a look at how changes to immigration rules are already impacting people in the San Diego-Tijuana border region and beyond. Then, as technology driven by AI continues to take hold in our workplaces, California labor groups look to push back to protect the future of work. Guests: K...

The ongoing devastating fires in Los Angeles have likely caused tens of billions of dollars’ in damages, with some estimates reaching far higher . What does that mean for California’s already struggling insurance market? Then, around 500 people who were homeless died in San Diego County last year. We take a look at the numbers and what they mean. Plus, a look at other stories from the week on the...

Firefighters in Los Angeles continue to battle multiple wildfires in what has become a historic week for Southern California. We hear what it’s been like covering the wildfires and the impact to the affected communities. Then, a suite of new state laws took effect in 2025. We take a closer look at some of them. Plus, on Monday, Sheel Seidler, the wife of the late San Diego Padres chairman Peter Se...

San Diego County is rolling out a new state law that expands conservatorships to people suffering from severe addiction. How ready is the county to provide services to those in need? Then, we discuss how the city of San Diego will handle its budget deficit and the demand for new housing in 2025. Plus, in the roundup, we hear about recent media trends heading into the new year. Guests Lisa Halverst...