KPBS Midday Edition

A new exhibit, "Clothes Story" highlights the stories of African American women over a period of nearly 80 years, with a focus on the interconnection between fashion, identity and history.Plus, FilAm Creator Con returns for its second year, showcasing artists, workshops and performances that highlight Filipino American voices in the arts.Lastly, KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans tells us about some weekend arts events and exhibitions across San Diego County. You can find details on these and more arts events on our website.Guests:Kenneth Green, cultural event director, curator, "Clothes Story"Aaron Nabus, founder, FilAm Creator ConZard Apuya, artistArthur Ebuen, artistBeth Accomando, arts reporter, KPBSJulia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, KPBS

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted Wednesday to expand the authority of the Citizens Law Enforcement Review Board, also known as CLERB.The now-approved measure allows CLERB to investigate jail health care workers and contractors in cases of in-custody deaths. Live on KPBS Midday Edition, we breakdown what that means for law enforcement accountability.Then on Midday Edition, fewer and fewer avocados are being grown in San Diego County. We hear about the challenges for avocado production in the region.And it's been 50 years since community leaders worked to preserve Cowles Mountain. We look back at the history of the peak.Guests:Kelly Davis, investigative reporter, The San Diego Union-TribuneJohn Carroll, general assignment reporter and anchor, KPBSDavid Garrick, city hall reporter, The San Diego Union-Tribune

New research from the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute is raising questions about the response to toxic air and water from the Salton Sea, and for the communities who live near it.The research highlights gaps in how pollution is measured and addressed, and how it is impacting the health of residents around the Salton Sea.Guest:Isabella B. Arzeno-Soltero, assistant professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at UCLA

The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that federal immigration agents could resume aggressive street sweeps or "roving patrols" in Los Angeles.That means, for now, immigration officials are no longer restricted from stopping and detaining people based on factors like race, accent, employment and location.Tuesday on Midday Edition, we dig deeper into what this ruling could mean for immigration enforcement in our region and beyond.Guests:Wendy Fry, California Divide reporter, CalMattersSergio Olmos, investigative reporter, CalMatters

We sit down with the authors of the children, teen and adult selections for 2025 One Book, One San Diego.

What would it take for one to venture into hell?Author Rebecca F. Kuang's latest novel, "Katabasis" explores that question and more. In the novel, two graduate students journey into the underworld to rescue their professor's soul.Thursday on Midday Edition, Kuang joins producer Julianna Domingo to talk about the hellish inspirations for "Katabasis" and writing about the absurdities of academia.And, hear ye, hear ye! The Old Globe's latest musical comedy, "Huzzah!" follows two sisters as they try to save their father's renaissance faire from financial ruin. KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando goes behind-the-scenes to speak with the director and creators.Guests:R.F. Kuang, author, "Katabasis"Nell Benjamin, lyricist, writer and composer, 'Huzzah!'Lawrence O'Keefe, composer, 'Huzzah!'Annie Tippe, director, 'Huzzah!'

For over 50 years, KSDS Jazz 88 has brought jazz music to music fans across the San Diego region and beyond. But that mission is facing new challenges as federal funding cuts hit public radio stations across the country, including at Jazz 88.On Midday Edition Wednesday, we spoke with KSDS' station manager Ken Poston on what makes the San Diego's jazz scene unique, and why preserving jazz music is so essential."I think people need to be aware of jazz and blues in particular, and where it came from," Poston said. "And why it's such an important part of our history."Guest:Ken Poston, station manager, KSDS Jazz 88

A summer COVID-19 wave is spreading across California.At the end of August, just over 12% of tests statewide came back positive — double the rate of positive tests at the end of July.In San Diego County, a similar increase shows nearly 13% of tests coming back positive.Meanwhile, several state governors are banding together to issue public health guidance amid turmoil at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Also today, Florida announced plans to end all vaccine mandates across the state.We hear about the latest COVID-19 surge and how the politicization of public health institutions is affecting health care.Guest:Rebecca Fielding-Miller, associate professor of public health at UC San Diego

A July executive order puts restrictions on how federal funding can be spent by harm reduction programs, which provide assistance to people who use drugs or struggle with addiction.Wednesday on Midday Edition, we hear how this might impact outreach in San Diego.Guest:Heidi de Marco, health reporter, KPBS

A summer COVID-19 wave is spreading across California, according to public health experts.More than 12 percent of tests statewide at the end of August came back positive — double the rate of positive tests at the end of July, according to The Los Angeles Times.A similar increase shows nearly 13 percent of tests in San Diego County coming back positive, according to the county's Health and Human Services Agency.Meanwhile, several state governors are banding together to issue public health guidance amid turmoil at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Also today, Florida announced plans to end all vaccine mandates across the state.We hear about the latest COVID-19 surge and how the politicization of public health institutions is affecting health care.Guest:Rebecca Fielding-Miller, associate professor of public health at UC San Diego

New research led by the UC San Diego Institution of Oceanography confirmed what residents in San Diego's South Bay have been saying for years: Pollution from the Tijuana River affects not just water, but also air quality.Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear more about the research and what it means for the health of South Bay residents.The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. International Boundary and Water Commission also met a key milestone recently to increase wastewater treatment for the region.Guest:Tammy Murga, environment reporter, KPBS

Last Friday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new state task force aimed at clearing encampments from the state's streets.Monday on Midday Edition, we hear about Newsom's latest effort to address the homelessness crisis and what those efforts could mean for San Diego.Guest:Marisa Kendall, homelessness reporter, CalMatters

Twenty-five years ago, Ópera de Tijuana was founded by a small group of opera lovers who brought the art form to Mexico's second-largest city.In October, they're celebrating a quarter century of passion, perseverance and community with a performance of Cavalleria Rusticana.On Midday Edition, we sit down with the artistic director and a tenor to hear about their passion for Ópera de Tijuana.Plus, La Jolla Playhouse has extended the run of the musical "The Heart" through late September. The show takes place over the course of 24 hours in San Diego, following a heart transplant after a young surfer's life is cut short.Then, our weekly preview of events coming up in the arts and culture world this weekend.Guests: José Medina, founder and artistic director of Ópera de TijuanaGerardo Gaytán, tenor with Ópera de TijuanaChristopher Ashley, outgoing artistic director of the La Jolla Playhouse, and incoming artistic director of New York's Roundabout Theatre CompanyJulia Dixon Evans, KPBS arts reporter and host of "The Finest" podcast

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