Kpbs Midday Edition

This week, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria delivered his annual State of the City speech. We talk about where the city is and where it's headed.Plus, a former San Diego sailor is sentenced for selling Navy secrets to China.And, we check in on the state of San Diego sports ahead of San Diego FC's upcoming season.Guests:Andrew Bowen, metro reporter, KPBSMariana Martínez Barba, City Hall reporter, Voice of San DiegoAndrew Dyer, military and veteran affairs reporter, KPBSRyan Finley, sports editor, The San Diego Union-Tribune

25 years ago, Point Loma’s Liberty Station began its transformation from military base to arts center.It was renamed Arts District Liberty Station — and soon became a cultural hub for the city.In fact, it was recently designated as a California Cultural District for its contribution to the arts.Thursday on Midday Edition, we talk about the place Liberty Station has in San Diego's arts and culture scene.Then, KPBS' Beth Accomando previews a documentary being screened at the 36th annual San Diego International Jewish Film Festival.Then, the KPBS arts and culture podcast "The Finest" premieres its second season. We get a special sneak peek at what is to come — from risograph printing to hometown heroes.Guests:Lisa Johnson, president and CEO, Arts District Liberty StationRachel Laing, assistant deputy director in economic development, city of San DiegoAbby Ginzberg, filmmaker, "Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold"Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and host of "The Finest," KPBSResources:Emerging

A local Indigenous-owned company is making waves in the beauty industry.N8iV Beauty is a skincare brand that draws from ancestral traditions, infusing that knowledge and plant-based ingredients — like acorn oil — into its products.Last year, the company won a 2025 “Best of Beauty” award from Allure, making them the first Indigenous-owned brand to receive that recognition.Wednesday on Midday Edition, we hear from its founder about how N8iV Beauty is reclaiming space for Native representation in the beauty world.Guest:Ruth-Ann Thorn, tribal member of Rincon Indian Band of Luiseño Indians, founder and CEO of N8iV Beauty

Many parents worry about their kids talking to strangers on the internet. What if those strangers are not human, but bots?Concerns over kids’ exposure to artificial intelligence have led to growing efforts to regulate that exposure. We sit down with one San Diego lawmaker who authored a law to put guardrails on toys with AI chatbot capabilities. Guest:State Sen. Steve Padilla, California's 18th District

It’s been nearly two weeks since lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill, and a possible health care compromise is still on the table to bring federal health care subsidies back.Last week, the House passed a bipartisan proposal that could extend the subsidies.In the meantime, health care premiums are soaring for many Americans — including right here in California.This Wednesday on Midday Edition, we hear about how rising health care premiums are impacting Californians and what you need to know if you're looking for coverage.Guests:Jessica Altman, executive director, Covered CaliforniaResources:Covered California main websiteFederal Changes to Your Health Insurance — Covered California

Child care providers are bracing for impact amid the Trump administration's efforts to freeze roughly $10 billion in child care and family assistance funding — $5 billion of which are allocated to California.This comes amid allegations from conservative activists of fraud in the child care industry.Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear from two child care experts about the domino effect this could have on California's child care sector and what protections exist for both families and providers.Then, Somali child care providers are reporting incidents of harassment and surveillance by strangers — including right here in San Diego.Guests:Max Arias, chair person, Child Care Providers UnitedStacy Lee, chief learning officer and senior managing director of early childhood, Children NowKatie Hyson, racial Justice and social equity reporter, KPBS

Take a walk through Balboa Park, and you'll find dozens of historic cottages celebrating cultures around the world.The volunteer-driven "houses" are officially called the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages. They promote education, community and cultural understanding.Now, the House of Somalia is joining them to become the first African country represented by the Balboa Park cottages. We talk about its significance and the Somali community in San Diego.Guest:Rahmo Abdi, president and co-founder, House of Somalia

In recent years, San Diego County jails have seen a sharp increase in overdose deaths. One recovery program in the Vista jail is trying to change that through medication-assisted treatment.More jails are embracing the approach amid the growing fentanyl crisis.We discuss the medication-assisted treatment program and what it could mean for drug rehabilitation in San Diego jails.Guest:Kelly Davis, investigative reporter, The San Diego Union-Tribune

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidelines for childhood vaccines last week. That advice, however, runs counter to recommendations from California and San Diego County public health officials. On Midday Edition Monday, we hear from a local infectious disease expert on the CDC's changes, and why guidance remains unchanged for families in San Diego County.Guest:Dr. Pia Pannaraj, infectious disease specialist, Rady Children’s Hospital

Under a new state law, a statewide board has designated 31 California colleges as Black-Serving Institutions.Two San Diego community colleges made the list — San Diego City College and San Diego Mesa College.On Midday Edition, we sit down with the presidents of the two colleges to talk about what the designation means and how they're serving Black students in San Diego.Guests:Ashanti Hands, president of San Diego Mesa CollegeRicky Shabazz, president of San Diego City College

“Chaotic, dusty, loud—and perfect.”That’s how writer Mariano Velez describes life in Calexico in his short story collection, “Mostly Made-Up Stories from a Small Town Nobody,” based on his own upbringing in the region during the 1970s and 1980s.Thursday on Midday Edition, we hear from Velez about the inspiration behind the book.Then, KPBS' Beth Accomando sits down with comics curator Caitlin McGurk to talk about her Eisner Award-winning book detailing the legacy of cartoonist Barbara Shermund.And finally, in your weekend preview, KPBS' Julia Dixon Evans shares her top event picks and pays tribute to San Diego musician Tim Lowman, who passed away late last year.Guests:Mariano Velez, author, “Mostly Made-Up Stories from a Small Town Nobody” Caitlin McGurk, curator of comics and cartoon art at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum, author, "Tell Me a Story Where the Bad Girl Wins: The Life and Art of Barbara Shermund"Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and "The Finest" host, KPBS

The city of San Diego is suing the federal government over their construction of wire fencing on city-owned land in Marron Valley, near the U.S.-Mexico border.The lawsuit accuses federal agencies of trespassing and causing environmental damage on protected land. "They are taking city property without telling us, without paying for it, without even communicating about it," said San Diego City Attorney Heather Ferbert. "They have to comply with the Constitution, even though they're the federal government. They're not exempt from that."On Midday Edition, we breakdown the lawsuit and the allegations.Guest: Tammy Murga, environment reporter, KPBS

Five years ago, insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol.Four died during the attack, including Ashli Babbitt from San Diego. In the days and weeks that followed, five police officers died — some by suicide. Today House Democrats held a special hearing to observe what happened that day. They called for accountability and accused President Donald Trump and his supporters of attempting to "whitewash" history. "Even five years later, there are things that I can't shake," said Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, who represents San Diego's 51st District. "Thinking through what I could use as a weapon if I needed to: pens, my high heels. Being sure that the elevator doors were going to open and someone with a machine gun was going to be right there."On Midday Edition, we discuss the legacy of Jan. 6 and the lack of repercussions for insurrectionists. Plus, San Diego connections to the violence. Guests:Will Carless, USA Today reporter covering extremism and emerging issuesCarl Luna, professor emeritus of poli

For people who live and work near the Tijuana River, raw sewage-turned-airborne pollution is a facet of daily life.Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear about a new reporting series from inewsource diving into the impact of the sewage crisis on more than 100 community members.Plus, what could Medi-Cal cuts mean for the San Diego healthcare system? We dig into the possible impacts.Guests:Philip Salata, energy and environment reporter, inewsourcePaul Sisson, healthcare reporter, The San Diego Union-Tribune

With the new year comes new resolutions, from self-care and beauty to exercise — all of which feed into this broader idea of wellness. Monday on Midday Edition, we hear from a local yoga instructor and the founder of the Block Club to talk about their respective approaches to achieving wellness and how they are starting those conversations in the community.Guests: Sally Morgan, yoga instructor, founder of Seeking Satya La Raza Webb, co-founder and chief operating officer, The Block Club

Democratic Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., joined Midday Edition on Monday to discuss why he objects to recent U.S. military action in Venezuela, and what role he sees for Congress going forward.Guest:Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., 50th District

On the last day of 2025, we’re taking a look back at some of our favorite conversations from the show this year.In this second episode of Midday Wrapped, KPBS Midday Edition host Jade Hindmon is joined by KPBS Roundtable host and Midday Edition producer Andrew Bracken to talk about a few of their favorite segments from the year.Guests:Andrew Bracken, Midday Edition producer and Roundtable host/producer

As 2025 comes to a close, the Midday Edition team is reflecting on some of our favorite conversations from the year — and we're splitting it into two parts.In this first episode of Midday Wrapped, producers Julianna Domingo and Ashley Rusch take listeners behind the scenes and share some of their favorite segments from 2025.Guests:Julianna Domingo, Midday Edition producer, KPBSAshley Rusch, Midday Edition producer, KPBS

For the past five years, crews have been dismantling the San Onofre Nuclear Plant — which was shut down in 2013.The plant is easily recognizable by its iconic twin domes along Interstate 5. But now, the domes' days are numbered, as crews prep to remove them.We discuss the decommissioning effort and what this all means for the San Diego County landmark.Guest:Alexander Nguyen, multimedia producer, KPBS

Slop. Rage bait. Gerrymandering. Aura farming.Those are just some of the top words of 2025, according to Merriam-Webster and the Oxford English Dictionary.Every December, these dictionaries release lists of the top words that defined the year. In 2025, terms related to technology and artificial intelligence took center stage.On Midday Edition, we talk with word expert Martha Barnette about the most popular phrases of 2025. And, the importance of touching grass.Guest:Martha Barnette, co-host of "A Way With Words" and author of "Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland"