Kpbs Midday Edition

Friday marks the beginning of Nowruz, also known as the Persian New Year.A new children's book, "Celebrate Nowruz!" by a local mother-daughter duo honors the holiday and its significance to millions of Iranian families across the world.Then, the San Diego Latino Film Festival kicks off its 33rd year with nearly 150 films showcasing the best in Latino cinema. KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando brings us a preview.And if you're looking for things to do this weekend, don't fret. KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans has you covered. From protest art to a musical about public toilets, we dive into all the arts events in your weekend preview.Guests:Zohreh Ghahremani, author, "Celebrate Nowruz!"Susie Ghahremani, illustrator, "Celebrate Nowruz!"Ethan van Thillo, founder, San Diego Latino Film FestivalLuis Martinez, programmer, San Diego Latino Film FestivalCatherina Cojulún, filmmakerJulia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, KPBS

There's nothing like a good friend.They're the people who make you laugh. They have your back. And, they take care of you when times get tough.But making new friends as an adult can be challenging, especially as we try to balance jobs, families and big life changes.On Midday Edition, we take a deep dive into all things friendship — how to make friends, keep friends and everything in between.Our journey takes us from Kate Sessions Park, to the therapy room, Lestat's on Adams Ave, and improv at Liberty Station.Guests: Julianna Domingo, producer, KPBSAshley Rusch, producer, KPBSMitzy Ruelas, licensed marriage and family therapistDan Singley, psychologist and director of The Center for Men's ExcellenceLauren Mapp, co-founder and journalist, Daylight San DiegoMaura Fox, communities reporter, The San Diego Union-TribuneLinks:Daylight San Diego's Third Spaces SeriesLet Me Have It! All Femme Improv Group

The U.S. Postal Service released a new commemorative set of stamps honoring lowrider culture on Friday.The stamps, which highlight five classic lowrider cars, are the latest recognition for lowriding as an important form of expression in Mexican-American communities across the Southwest.Lowriding also faced bans in many communities, including a ban in National City until it was repealed in 2023.On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear more about the rich history of lowriding and what it has meant for Chicano culture in San Diego through the years.Guest:Alberto López Pulido, professor of ethnic studies, University of San DiegoLinks:Lowrider stampsSan Diego Archival ProjectLowriding: Everything Comes from the Streets

The California legislature has been on a housing blitz, passing major housing policy reforms in recent years.Now, Congress is finalizing a package of housing bills — some of the proposed changes were inspired by California.Some experts say it would be the federal government's most significant housing reform in decades.We talk about what the bill package could mean for housing affordability moving forward, in California and beyond.Guest:Adhiti Bandlamudi, housing reporter, KQED

On Tuesday, the San Diego City Council will be voting on adopting a new working definition of antisemitism.Councilmember Stephen Whitburn is proposing adopting a definition crafted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, also known as the IHRA.The definition has been widely adopted by countries, states, cities and schools. But critics say it's imprecise and could have broader implications for freedom of speech.Tuesday on Midday Edition, we look at the history of the IHRA definition, how it's been interpreted and put into practice and competing perceptions of antisemitism.Guests:Jonathan Graubart, political science professor and chair, San Diego State University

Last Tuesday, the city of San Diego recognized 10 local women for their leadership and service, as part of its “Women of Distinction” event.Mayor Todd Gloria named immigration attorney Maria Chavez as this year’s citywide honoree.Monday on Midday Edition, we sit down with Chavez to talk about the recognition, her career journey and how current policies and immigration enforcement are impacting her work today.Guest:Maria Chavez, immigration legal director, Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans

Back in January, the City of San Diego implemented paid parking in Balboa Park, incurring both anger and confusion from residents and organizations based out of the park.The city responded with a grace period followed by reductions in fees for city residents and free parking in certain lots.KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando checked in with arts organizations in the park about how the parking policies are affecting them.Guests:Tim Shields, managing director, Old Globe TheatreMichael Warburton, executive director, San Diego Model Railroad MuseumPeter Comiskey, executive director, Balboa Park Cultural Partnership

Gov. Gavin Newsom last week announced the latest allocation of more than $1 billion for mental health treatment projects and shelter beds.The funding comes through Proposition 1. Passed in 2024, the measure created a $6.4 billion bond to remake California's behavioral health system and expand the availability of treatment beds statewide.A CalMatters report, however, found that none of the programs expected in 2025 under that measure have opened yet.On Midday Edition Monday, we hear about that and about some of the San Diego projects expanding mental health and substance abuse care through Prop. 1.Guest:Marisa Kendall, homelessness reporter, CalMatters

What does it mean to reconnect to one's ancestral homeland?Thursday on Midday Edition, we hear from the director of a new documentary, "Dear Alaska," which explores reconnection and interconnection through the lens of the Indigenous Tlingit people of the Pacific Northwest and San Diego's Native community.Then, the Old Globe is currently staging a new adaptation of Herman Melville's 1853 short story "Bartleby, the Scrivener." KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando sits down with the playwrights.Guests:Moriah Hayes/Keeyées Tláa, director, "Dear Alaska"Noah Brody, playwright, Fiasco TheaterPaul L. Coffey, playwright, Fiasco Theater

The federal government is requiring the California DMV to cancel commercial drivers licenses for roughly 13,000 truck drivers without permanent legal status.That includes drivers with some work visas, refugee or asylum status, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) — among other work authorizations.The DMV says it's allowing affected drivers to submit new license applications, but the federal government is barring them from being processed.On Midday Edition, we talk about how the policy is impacting immigrant drivers who are unable to work and anxious about their livelihoods.Guest:Gurvinder Singh, International Humanitarian Aid Director, UNITED SIKHSResources:UNITED SIKHSFreedom Drivers CoalitionSikh CoalitonAsian Law Caucus

You might have seen the social media buzz over Korean beauty products, also known as K-Beauty. It remains a booming industry — South Korea exported a record $11 billion in cosmetics in 2025.Now, K-Beauty has a new hub in San Diego: the skincare store Seoul Glow Lab.Wednesday on Midday Edition, we sit down with the founder of Seoul Glow Lab and one of its estheticians to talk about the boom in Korean beauty, along with the community and education building around it locally.Guests:Katie Hernandez, founder, Seoul Glow LabSabrina Kim, esthetician, Seoul Glow Lab, founder, Soul Care Standard

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Tuesday over access to the Otay Mesa Detention Center.Last month, federal and county officials were turned away when they tried to inspect the center. They issued an ultimatum to DHS last week — let them into the facility, or face legal action.We discuss where the lawsuit stands and what happens next.Guests: Terra Lawson-Remer, San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair

What does it take to heal from the past and build a life and future you actually want?Licensed therapist and author Katherine Woodward Thomas digs into personal transformation, manifestation and more in her most recent book, “What’s True About You: 7 Steps to Move Beyond Your Painful Past and Manifest Your Brightest Future.”Thomas will be at the San Diego Writer's Festival later this month. She joined Midday Edition on Wednesday to discuss the book and what it takes to achieve a more authentic self.Guest:Katherine Woodward Thomas, therapist and author of “What’s True About You: 7 Steps to Move Beyond Your Painful Past and Manifest Your Brightest Future”

As the Iran war stretches into its second week, concerns are growing around the impact the conflict will have for the global economy. Much of that attention has been on energy prices — particularly, the price of oil and gas. But its impacts can go far deeper.Plus, processing the news and reality of war in the Middle East and immigration enforcement here in the U.S. can weigh on anyone's psyche.For children, consuming media about war without guardrails can be dangerous.We talk about thoughtful ways parents can approach conversations with their kids about the news in today's world.Guests:Daniel Enemark, chief economist, Policy & Innovation CenterKimberly Macias, licensed professional clinical counselor, Thrive Therapy StudioResources for processing the news with kids:BBC NewsroundDOGO NewsNational Geographic KidsTIME for KidsNational Child Traumatic Stress Network

UC San Diego is hosting the 25th Annual Kyoto Prize Symposium this week. The esteemed award is given for lifetime achievement in the fields of technology, science and the arts.One of this year's honorees is Carol Gilligan. Her groundbreaking work highlights how women and girls were excluded in psychological research. In books such as "In a Different Voice," Gilligan explored women's and girls' identity and morality, and developed the concept of "the ethic of care.""I was standing with all women and girls in receiving this prize," she said in an interview with Midday Edition. "And our voices were being recognized."Gilligan joined Midday Edition Tuesday to reflect on what she's learned about the lives of women and girls over the course of her career and share her reaction to receiving the Kyoto Prize.Guest:Carol Gilligan, professor, researcher, author, New York UniversityLinks:Registration for the 25th Annual Kyoto Prize Symposium Laureate Presentations, UC San Diego, March 11-12

The American-Israeli war on Iran has entered its second week.More than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran, according to the Iranian Red Crescent Society.Many fear this could be another "forever war," like the U.S. invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan. We speak to a local professor who recently published an op-ed exploring that question.He also outlines San Diego's connections to the war.Plus, reports emerged last week alleging that military commanders are framing this war as part of "God's plan" and invoking Christian "end times" rhetoric.We discuss the relationship between Christian nationalist theology and U.S. politics, and what that looks like today.Guests:Ibrahim Al-Marashi, associate professor of Middle East History, Cal State San Marcos; visiting lecturer in journalism and media studies, San Diego State UniversityRebecca Bartel, associate professor of religion, San Diego State University 

Longtime Rep. Darrell Issa announced Friday he will not seek reelection in 2026 after serving in Congress for more than two decades. San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond also announced last week that he will run for Issa’s seat in the 48th Congressional District, reshaping a race with national implications.Voice of San Diego's Scott Lewis joins Midday Edition Monday to talk about the role new congressional maps played in Issa's decision, and to reflect on his political legacy as a Republican leader in Southern California.Guest:Scott Lewis, CEO, editor-in-chief, Voice of San Diego

Each year, the San Diego Public Library honors former children's librarian Clara Breed's legacy through its annual Clara Breed Civil Liberties lecture.Breed is known for advocating for Japanese American youth who were incarcerated during World War II.Author Maggie Tokuda-Hall will be delivering this year's address. She joined Midday Edition Thursday to talk about exploring the history of Japanese American incarceration through the lens of her family's experience and the state of book bans and censorship today.Then, a new play looks back to the night the United States launched the Vietnam War draft lottery. KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando brings us a preview.And finally, looking for things to do this weekend? KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans shares her top arts and culture picks for the weekend — plus, a preview of the latest episode of "The Finest."

As fighting in Iran and beyond continues into its fifth day, many military families in San Diego are grappling with new stress and uncertainty. On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear more about the impacts on local military families.Then, the Department of Veterans Affairs released new data last month on veteran suicides. Though the report did see a minor decline in deaths by suicide between 2022 and 2023, the numbers remain high.Over 17 veteran suicide deaths were reported on average each day in 2023.We take a look into how one local military clinic approaches providing mental health care for veterans, military members and their families.Guests:Maggie Meza, executive director, the San Diego Chapter of Blue Star FamiliesShuna Ball, regional clinic director, The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinics at VVSDResources:Blue Star Families Food Insecurity ResourcesBlue Star Families Deployment ResourcesVeterans Crisis Line988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

San Diego's population continues to grow older. That demographic shift brings concerns over how to best help seniors thrive in their later years. Exercise remains an essential element to maintaining health as we age.In his book "Move for Life," San Diego personal trainer Damien A. Joyner shares advice for older adults on ways to stay active and strong, and have fun while exercising.Guest:Damien A. Joyner, fitness expert, author, "Move for Life"