KPBS Midday Edition

August is Transgender History Month in California.The Lambda Archive of San Diego works to preserve the history of the local LGBTQ+ community.On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear about a project the organization is working on to highlight the history of minorities and the trans community in the San Diego-Tijuana border region.Guest:Gabrielle Garcia, head archivist, Lambda Archives of San Diego

California voters this November will weigh in on Gov. Gavin Newsom's plan to redraw U.S. House districts.The goal of the new ballot initiative is to give Democrats a better chance at winning additional seats in next year's midterm elections. The move would counter an earlier Trump-backed Republican effort in Texas to do the same.Live on Midday Edition, California state Sen. Akilah Weber discusses why she supports the redistricting effort.Plus, UC San Diego political scientist Thad Kousser explains how the redistricting effort could impact the way districts are drawn in San Diego.Guests:Akilah Weber, California state senator representing the 39th districtThad Kousser, professor of political science at UC San Diego

The White House recently published a list of artworks in Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C. that it deems objectionable or “divisive,” calling out artworks or museum programs that cover themes of race, immigration and sexuality.One of the works on the list was created by local cross-border artist Hugo Crosthwaite. The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery commissioned him to create a portrait of Dr. Anthony Fauci, which was unveiled in 2022.The portrait, a stop-motion animation, tells the story of Fauci's long career, bookended by the HIV/AIDs and COVID-19 public health crises.KPBS spoke to Crosthwaite about the portrait and what's at stake when governments control art.GUEST:Hugo Crosthwaite, artist

Aug. 26 marks Women's Equality Day. On this day in 1920, the passage of the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote — in theory.For women who weren't white, it took several decades longer to gain access to the polls.Now in 2025, women are still fighting for equality, from reproductive rights to workplace protections — especially women of color.On Midday Edition, we discuss the complicated history of Women's Equality Day, which was not and is still not equal.Guest:Angela D. Coker, associate professor of Women's Studies at San Diego State University

San Diego city planners recently released a draft update to the Clairemont Community Plan.The changes would rezone many of the neighborhood's strip malls and shopping centers to allow for higher-density housing.In western Clairemont, near the Blue Line trolley stations, however, the neighborhood would remain largely unchanged.On Midday Edition Tuesday, we discuss the changes and the attitudes around them.Guest:Andrew Bowen, metro reporter, KPBS

New reporting shows a significant portion of new homes in San Diego County are being built near freeways.We discuss concerns over pollution and congestion as the county attempts to build more housing and address the affordability crisis.Plus, we discuss San Ysidro Health's social prescribing initiative, which uses a U.K.-based strategy to encourage patients to embrace arts and culture as medicine.Then, we dive into a functional medicine doctor's new manual on hormonal wellness and treating women's health through a holistic lens.Guests:Jake Gotta, social media host and reporter, KPBSDr. Priti Ojha, chief behavioral health officer, San Ysidro HealthDr. Julie Taylor, functional medicine doctor and author of "The Hormone Manual: A Straightforward Guide for Every Woman at Every Stage of Life"

The Tijuana River Estuary carries both historic and cultural significance for the indigenous Kumeyaay people.But for decades, the river has suffered from environmental degradation, rampant pollution and an ongoing sewage crisis.A new Kumeyaay play called "Shuuluk Wechuwvi – Where Lightning Was Born” debuts this Saturday. It uses theater and comics to tell the story of the Tijuana River Valley, highlighting the resilience of the land and what restoration — both ecological and cultural — might look like.Then, San Diego's LGBTQ+ film festival FilmOut celebrates 25 years. KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando sits down with FilmOut's current director and the original founder to look back at its history.Guests:Johnny Bear Contreras, public artist, founder of Eyaay Ahuun FoundationShanasia Sylman, Margaret A. Davidson graduate fellow, Tijuana River National Estuarine ResearchMichael McQuiggan, program director, FilmOutJoe Ferrelli, founder, FilmOut

Bob Marley's 1977 song "Jamming" isn't just a catchy tune — it's a celebration of togetherness, community, peace and mutual respect.MarleyZiggy ap1 c.jpg (3912x4890, AR: 0.8)The iconic song is also the inspiration behind the latest children's book by Bob Marley's eldest son, Ziggy Marley.The book is called "Pajammin': A Reggae Pajama Party for the Whole Family."Ziggy Marley is a nine-time Grammy winner, Emmy winner, musician, humanitarian and author. He'll also headline the inaugural KPBS San Diego Book Festival on Saturday.He joined Midday Edition to discuss the process behind writing the book and his love for family tradition and playfulness.Guest: Ziggy Marley, award-winning musician and author of "Pajammin: A Reggage Pajama Party for the Whole Family"

California's attorney general says police agencies that share license plate reader data with out-of-state and federal law enforcement agencies may be violating a state sanctuary law.But in El Cajon, the police department continues to share data with out-of-state agencies.That's led to a disagreement between the police department and the state over how to define a "public agency."On Midday Edition, we sat down with KPBS investigative border reporter Gustavo Solis to hear about the clash over license plate data. And, why El Cajon has become a flashpoint in the fight over immigration.Guest:Gustavo Solis, investigative border reporter, KPBS

A new youth-led podcast called "Voices del Valle" features stories about growing up in the rural border region of Imperial Valley.Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear from some of the young people behind the series as they reflect on what makes "el Valle" so unique.“Voices del Valle” is part of the KPBS Explore Local Content Project.Guests:Evan Harper, co-host, "Voices del Valle"Grace Estelle Navarro, co-host, "Voices del Valle"Dominick Ramos Felix, co-host, "Voices del Valle"

San Diego County's unemployment rate hit a four-year high, according to state labor data released last week, all while the region has the highest inflation rate in the United States.On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear from a local economist on what that means for the regional economy heading into the fall months.Guests:Daniel Enemark, chief economist, Policy & Innovation Center

The fight for redistricting continues in California and Texas. California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that he will move forward with his proposed ballot measure that, if approved by voters in November, could temporarily redraw California's congressional maps.Monday on Midday Edition, we hear from a local political scientist who breaks down what this measure means for the state and for the future of American politics.Guest:Phil Saenz, political science professor, Southwestern College

Bestselling author, political strategist and former Georgia State Representative Stacey Abrams will headline the inaugural KPBS San Diego Book Festival on Aug. 23.Abrams joined Midday Edition on Thursday to talk about her latest book, "Coded Justice," which dives into the ethical questions around the use of AI in the healthcare industry."What I want us to think about with AI is that it's an extraordinarily powerful technology that is controlled by people," Abrams said. "And that means people have to understand what's happening and that means other people have to question where it comes from, what it does and what impact it will have on us."Plus, KPBS' Beth Accomando looks at how a new all-women acting company is flipping the script on Shakespearean plays.Then, Julia Dixon Evans shares her top picks for arts events this weekend, including meteor showers, visual art about caregiving and a children's film festival.Guests:Stacey Abrams, author of "Coded Justice," former Georgia State Representative and two-time gubernatorial candidateAudrey Sweet, co-founder of the Queen's MenCharlotte B. Larson, co-founder of the Queen's MenJulia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, KPBS

Wildfires are becoming bigger, deadlier and even more destructive across California. Firefighting efforts are also intensifying in response.On Midday Edition Wednesday, we hear from Jordan Thomas, anthropologist and author of the book “When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World," about his experience fighting fires as a Los Padres Hotshot and his deep-dive into the cultural histories behind fire.Guest:Jordan Thomas, cultural anthropologist, author of “When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World"Events:Aug. 21 - Book Catapult book talkAug. 23 - KPBS San Diego Book Festival

Writer and director Larry Charles has been an influential voice in American comedy for decades. From his groundbreaking work on TV series such as “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” to films like “Borat” and “The Dictator,” you likely have laughed at his work over the years.But his lifelong dedication to laughter comes with a life-and-death seriousness, which he explores in his new memoir "Comedy Samurai: 40 Years of Blood, Guts, and Laughter."Charles will be a featured author at the KPBS San Diego Book Festival on Saturday, Aug. 23.Guest:Larry Charles — writer, director and author of "Comedy Samurai: 40 Years of Blood, Guts, and Laughter"

Environmental groups are celebrating a ruling from the California Supreme Court related to rooftop solar panels.The California Public Utilities Commission reduced financial incentives for homeowners to install solar power in 2022.The court's ruling does not change those incentives, but will allow for the appeals court to revisit the commission's authority to make changes to credits for rooftop solar customers.On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear what the ruling could mean for the future of rooftop solar in California.Guests:Malena Carollo, business reporter, CalMattersMalinda Dickenson, legal and executive director, The Protect Our Communities Foundation

San Diego County's longtime treasurer Dan McAllister suddenly retired this month after more than two decades in office.While the county has praised McAllister's service over that time, court records reveal that two sexual harassment lawsuits were filed against him during his tenure.One of those cases had gone unreported until recently, and resulted in the county paying out a six-figure settlement in 2022, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear from reporter Lucas Robinson about the details in each case and the checkered legacy McAllister left.Guest:Lucas Robinson, government and politics reporter, The San Diego Union-Tribune

Building better public transit is difficult and expensive in California. Even with the right funding and voter approval, some transit projects can't seem to get off the ground.A new report from Circulate San Diego, "The Powerless Brokers: Why California Can't Build Transit" looks at one factor behind these delays — permitting challenges — and what it might take for California to get better at building transit.Guest:Colin Parent, CEO and General Counsel, Circulate San Diego

Friday marks the beginning of the San Diego Black Pride festival, a three-day event that celebrates Black queerness and joy in San Diego.On Midday Edition, we hear about how San Diego Black Pride is continuing to build safe and affirming spaces for Black LGBTQ+ people across the region.Then, in San Diego, summer is a season of Shakespeare. In this month's edition of Midday Movies, our critics share their favorite film adaptations of the beloved bard's work.Guests:Jordan Daniels, president, San Diego Black PrideBeth Accomando, arts reporter, KPBSYazdi Pithavala, host, Moviewallas

One of San Diego's most beloved attractions turned 100 this year. The Giant Dipper roller coaster at Belmont Park carried its first riders on July 4, 1925.The amusement park is still bustling a century later, holding a lot of history within it.On Midday Edition, we sit down with the park's general manager to hear how they're celebrating 100 years.Guest:Steve Thomas, Belmont Park general manager

Public radio fans know a thing or two about language. Especially those who listen to the weekly talk show, "A Way with Words."Co-hosts Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett take calls about slang, dialects and family expressions — celebrating the nuance of words and speech.Now, Barnette is out with a new book about her career, built on a love of linguistics.It's called "Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland."Barnette will be signing copies at Warwick's in La Jolla on Thursday, Aug. 7. And, she'll be a featured author at the inaugural San Diego Book Festival on Aug. 23.On Midday Edition, we sit down with Barnette to hear all about the book and two decades of hosting "A Way with Words."Guest:Martha Barnette, co-host of "A Way with Words;" author of "Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland"

Across cultures, food traditions play a central role in family gatherings.For some Mexican American families, that gathering — along with laughter and love — may include the flavorful beef soup: menudo.For San Diego writer María Dolores Águila, this tradition became the subject of her new children's book.Today on Midday Edition, a local author joins us to explore her new bilingual picture book, "Menudo Sunday", that celebrates food, family and culture.Guest:María Dolores Águila, bilingual author

Around 3 in 4 U.S. adults say the future of our nation is a significant source of stress in their lives.Many are troubled by the onslaught of federal policies tackling immigration and anti-civil rights legislation.A panel of local therapists join us to discuss how this political moment is affecting their work with clients.Guests: David Peters, marriage and family therapist with a private practice in Mission ValleyMitzy Ruelas, associate marriage and family therapist, Che Ajal Counseling CenterAlexis Smith, licensed professional clinical counselor, Queer Corner Counseling

San Diego County jails have long been under scrutiny for alleged civil rights violations.In 2022, the jail system had 19 deaths — a record high for San Diego County jails.A complaint filed that year has since expanded to a class action lawsuit challenging nearly every aspect of jail operations — including medical and mental health practices.We discuss the latest insights into the legal proceedings and what the lawsuit has exposed about jail operations.Guest: Kelly Davis, watchdog reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune

Immigration detention facilities are a key part of the Trump administration's mass deportation campaign, which pushes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to meet arrest quotas of 3,000 people a day. A new KPBS investigation looks into overcrowding within San Diego County's Otay Mesa Detention Center.Immigration lawyers report that detainees are sleeping on the floor and receiving deferred medical care resulting hospitalizations.On Midday Edition, we discuss the details and how they reflect a national trend of overcrowding in detention facilities.Guest:Gustavo Solis, investigative border reporter, KPBS

A new KPBS investigation uncovers problems within San Diego County's animal shelters, leading to a spike in dog euthanasias.Last fiscal year, the shelters made the decision to euthanize 426 dogs. That meant canines entering the shelter system had a more than 1-in-10 chance of being put down.On Midday Edition, we sit down with the journalists behind the investigation to unpack the full story.Guests:Scott Rodd, investigative reporter, KPBSElaine Alfaro, journalist, KPBS

Each year, celebrities, creators and fans from all across the world converge in San Diego for Comic-Con to celebrate all things related to fandom, pop culture, art, and so much more.Thursday on Midday Edition, we take you live inside the convention center to discuss what makes America's Finest City a special place to host the pop culture juggernaut.Plus, hear from different creators across art, books and film about their personal journeys into their fields, and how they are continuing to represent their culture and stories.Guests:Beth Accomando, arts reporter, KPBSPatrick Ballesteros, illustrator and educatorJohn Wells III, author of "The Last Angel Warrior" and "The Heir of Ambrose," organizer of "Diversity in Fantasy" panelErnie Bustamante, director, "Street Smart: Lessons From a TV Icon"

Comic-Con season is well underway. Two local events are coinciding with the main convention and are spotlighting comics creators and stories underrepresented in the mainstream.Wednesday on Midday Edition, we hear about the inaugural Indigi-Con, which celebrates and amplifies indigenous stories through art and comics, as well as Afrofuturism Lounge, which connects Black creators across disciplines.Guests:Chag Lowry, executive director of the Indigenous Futures Institute, comic book author and publisherKatie Walkiewicz, faculty director at the Indigenous Futures Institute, literature professor at UC San Diego, enrolled member of the Cherokee NationLaWana Richmond, CEO of Grio'Neers

On the eve of San Diego Comic-Con, we take a closer look at the local economy — and how the convention impacts it.A local economist shares insights on what a jump in unemployment means for the region, and how tourism remains a bright spot.Guest:Daniel Enemark, chief economist, San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center

Amid funding cuts for public media, stations all across the country — including KPBS — are bracing for impact of the Trump administration's rescissions package.This includes $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) — which effectively cuts all federal support for NPR and PBS programs.Marco Werman, host of Public Radio Exchange's The World and journalist-in-residence at UC San Diego, discusses the impact of the defunding on public media and the value of local journalism.Guest:Marco Werman, co-host, “The World”, journalist-in-residence at UC San Diego

Basketball and skateboarding are powerful tools for building community across cultures. For tribal communities, these sports provide a unique avenue for cultural expression and mentorship. Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear from the author of the new book "Rezballers and Skate Elders: Joyful Futures in Indian Country" about his research into sports culture among tribal communities. We also discuss his work with San Diego State University's Center for Skateboarding, Action Sports, and Social Change.Guest:David Kamper, professor of American Indian Studies at SDSU, associate director of the Center for Skateboarding, Action Sports, and Social Change

A new limited podcast series "Short Wave: Sea Camp" explores the science of the sea, and how it plays a central role in sustaining life on Earth.Monday on Midday Edition, podcast hosts Regina Barber and Emily Kwong explain their approach to create stories of science that are both accessible and enriching.Guests:Regina Barber, cohost, Short Wave's "Sea Camp" seriesEmily Kwong, cohost, Short Wave's "Sea Camp" series

What does it mean to honor lineage and connect to ancestral identity, homeland and cultural memory?Four artists will explore those themes and more at a one-day performance art festival called "The Land We Carry," as part of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Emerging Artist Fellowship.KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans spoke with the curator and two artist fellows about what it means to "carry the land," and how they use art to heal.Guests:hamsa fae, artist, curator and director, AAPI Emerging Artist FellowshipC. Ryu, artist, AAPI Emerging Artist Fellowshiphaven luya, artist, AAPI Emerging Artist Fellowship

Congress last week passed a rescission package put forth by the Trump administration to eliminate about $9 billion in previously allocated funds for public media and foreign aid.That includes $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which essentially cuts all federal support for NPR, PBS, and member stations like KPBS.KPBS General Manager Deanna Mackey joined Midday Edition to discuss how the funding loss may affect this station.Guest:Deanna Martin Mackey, general manager, KPBS

San Diego's Pride Week is well underway. It is an opportunity to celebrate the rich history of the LGBTQ+ community in our border region — a history that is well-documented by the Lambda Archives, a local archive space in University Heights.20240819_145708.jpg (3000x4000, AR: 0.75)Local historian T.J. Tallie has spent the past year as the Lambda Archives' first ever community historian-in-residence. He wanted to find out: what was life like for San Diego's Black queer community in the 80's and 90's?On Midday Edition Thursday, we hear from Tallie about what he found, the intersection of Blackness and queerness, and the legacies of Black LGBTQ+ San Diegans today.Then, KPBS' Beth Accomando sits down with filmmaker Ron Najor to talk about his debut narrative feature, "Adjunct" ahead of its premiere in San Diego.And finally, KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans chats with local author Chris Baron about his latest middle grade book, "Spark" and dives into her arts and culture event picks for the weekend.Guests:T.J. Tallie, community historian-in-residence, Lambda Archives, associate professor of African history, University of San DiegoRon Najor, filmmaker, director of "Adjunct"Chris Baron, author of "Spark"Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and host of "The Finest" podcast, KPBS

From nationwide bans on gender-affirming care for minors to the shutdown of a suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ+ youth, anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation is increasingly impacting queer and transgender youth.Wednesday on Midday Edition, we hear about how anti-LGBTQ+ policies are continuing to impact young people and their families in San Diego, including access to health care and mental health services.Also, for Pride week, one program at a local LGBTQ+ theater is giving teenagers a creative means of processing the political moment and channeling it into art.Guests:Kathie Moehlig, executive director and founder, TransFamily Support ServicesLou Felipe, clinical psychologist, associate professor, University of DenverWilfred Paloma, director of education and community engagement, Diversionary TheatreGray Cohen, participant, Teen-Versionary program

Research shows that during the summer, the average student loses between 17% to 34% of what they learned the previous school year.That trend is even more pronounced for economically disadvantaged students.On Midday Edition Wednesday, we speak with members of two local literacy programs working to combat summer learning loss and promote a love for reading.Guests:Jose Cruz, CEO, San Diego Council on LiteracyDr. Marsha Spitzer, medical director, Reach Out and Read San Diego]]>

Elsa Sevilla wears many different hats — journalist, filmmaker, speaker, business owner. She also hosts the award-winning documentary series, "Historic Places with Elsa Sevilla" that airs on KPBS.Now she's an author. On Midday Edition Thursday, Sevilla talks about her journey to the spotlight in her new memoir, "Camera Ready: From Hardship to the Spotlight — A Story of Determination and Rise."Then, theater company Riot Productions is putting on "Gretel: The Musical," which reimagines the classic Brothers Grimm tale. KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando gets a preview.And finally, home cook, food content creator and "The Great American Recipe" contestant Waigal Safi talks about the process of competing in a cooking show and highlighting Afghan cuisine.Guests:Elsa Sevilla, journalist, author of "Camera Ready: From Hardship to the Spotlight — A Story of Determination and Rise"Waigal Safi, food content creator and contestant on "The Greta American Recipe"Sarah Le Clair, artistic director, Riot ProductionsWilliam BJ Robinson, director and performer, Riot ProductionsJulia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and host of "The Finest" podcast, KPBS]]>

As immigration raids continue, it's become more important than ever to know your rights.On Midday Edition Wednesday, we talk with two local theater groups about using improv to help educate the community and the intersection between art, law, activism and community.Guests:Annie Rios, executive director, Uprise Theater and human rights attorney/legal advocateGuillermo Mendez, organizer, Voces Unidas]]>

Food support programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are facing cuts as a result of the passage of President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill.Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear from a local food support organization on the state of hunger in San Diego County today.Guest:Bob Kamensky, CEO, Feeding San Diego]]>

Former National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Alex Tardy joined Midday Edition to discuss extreme weather preparedness in San Diego County following the deadly floods that hit Texas.Tardy previously worked as a warning coordination meteorologist for the NWS. He explained how weather forecasts become warnings, and how recent cuts to the National Weather Service could impact the accuracy of forecasts and the response to them.Guest:Alex Tardy, meteorologist and founder of Weather Echo, and retired warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service in San Diego County]]>

In an effort to spur housing production, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law major changes to the state's environmental protection rules last week.On Midday Edition Monday, we hear more about the reforms made to the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, and how it will likely impact housing production in San Diego County.Guest:Andrew Bowen, metro reporter, KPBS]]>

Last Friday, President Trump signed into law his new tax and spending bill, which creates new eligibility requirements and drastically reduces funding for social safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP.On Midday Edition Monday, we hear from County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer on what this consequential bill could mean for the region's most vulnerable residents and how the Board of Supervisors is preparing for the cuts.Guest:Terra Lawson-Remer, District 3 county supervisor, acting chair of San Diego County Board of Supervisors]]>

Each year, about 150,000 students from high schools across the country compete in regional competitions for musical theatre. Only 110 of those make it to the prestigious National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards.On Midday Edition Thursday, we hear from one nominee about his Jimmy Awards experience and his musical theatre journey thus far.Snapseed.jpg (6000x4000, AR: 1.5)Then, at the Old Globe, summer means Shakespeare. KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando previews two Shakespeare comedies taking place under the stars.And finally, KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans shares her top event picks in arts and culture this weekend, from an upcoming textile art exhibition to a Fourth of July concert at Rady Shell.Guests:Bruno Dominguez, Jimmy Award nominee, graduate of Coronado School of the ArtsJames Vasquez, director of "The Comedy of Errors"Peter Francis James (PFJ), director of "All's Well That Ends Well"Denja Harris, textile artistJulia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, KPBS]]>

A new multimedia project from KPBS looks into the challenges that come from parenting in the digital age. ScreenTime looks at evolving research on social media, cyberbullying and video games, to detail its impact on children and provide resources for parents. Guest: Andrew Bracken, producer/host, KPBS