KPBS Midday Edition

The psychological impacts of President Donald Trump's mass deportation campaign are far and wide. On our Wellness Wednesday show, we hear from a local psychologist on the mental health impacts she is seeing in immigrant communities. Then, a recently filed lawsuit alleges Costco misled shoppers about ingredients used in its popular rotisserie chickens. We hear more about what people need to know to better understand what's in their food. Plus, last month's release of Chat GPT Health kickstarted a new era of AI chatbots as a tool for health care. We hear more about the ways artificial intelligence is changing how we get medical advice and treatment. Guest: Mariela ShibleyAaron GrossEric Topol

The 2026 midterm elections are nine months away. President Donald Trump has repeatedly said the federal government should "nationalize" or "take over" some state elections. California officials are resisting those calls. They say they're ready to fight back. We sit down with California Secretary of State Shirley Weber to hear about state officials' plans to counter federal interference. Guest: Shirley Weber

Writer Jamaica Kincaid joins Midday Edition Tuesday to talk about her work, and how her childhood in Antigua continues to impact her writing. She will be appearing at the 31st annual Writer's Symposium by the Sea on Feb. 26.

Each year, the Prebys Foundation recognizes local leaders who are making a lasting impact on the community, from arts and culture and youth success to health and wellbeing. Monday on Midday Edition, we sit down with Carmen Chavez, executive director of the nonprofit Casa Cornelia Law Center and one of the 2026 Prebys Leadership Award recipients. She talks about her work providing legal aid to those who have suffered human rights and civil rights abuses. Guest: Casa Cornelia Law CenterResources: All in for San Diego: 2026 Prebys Leadership Awards Celebration

Bad Bunny's historic Super Bowl halftime show brought us 13 minutes of lively music, bold dancing, vibrant storytelling — and even an actual wedding. The performance provided a history lesson of his home, Puerto Rico. It was also a celebration of all Americans, beyond borders. We break down the significance of the show and what it means in today's political climate with Jean Guerrero, award winning journalist and author. Guest: Jean GuerreroHatemonger: Stephen Miller, Donald Trump, and the White Nationalist Agenda

A judge has ordered SANDAG pay $1.7M in lawyer fees to a whistleblower who was fired in 2023.

The convention Indigi-Con is returning for its second year, with a focus on connecting Native creators and celebrating Indigenous-led stories past, present and future.Thursday on Midday Edition, we hear about how Indigi-Con is amplifying Indigenous stories across all disciplines and bringing together tradition and futurism.Then, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando previews The Old Globe Theatre's latest iteration of the play Hedda Gabler, starring Katie Holmes in the eponymous role.And finally, curious about what's going on in the arts this weekend? KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans has you covered. We also preview the latest episode of "The Finest" featuring hometown hero Jessica Sanchez.Guests:Johnny Bear Contreras, public artist, founder of Eyaay Ahuun FoundationChag Lowry, executive director of Indigenous Futures Institute, comic book creator and publisherBarry Edelstein, artistic director, The Old GlobeJulia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, host of "The Finest" podcastLinks:2026 Indigi-Con programming2026 Indigi-Con registration

As Black History Month kicks off, we are sitting down with San Diego trailblazers making an impact in their communities. Wednesday on Midday Edition, Cheryl Morrow, daughter of Black hair care pioneer Willie Morrow, talks about how she has championed her family's legacy and paved a path of her own in the world of hair, beauty, and media. Guest: Cheryl Morrow,San Diego Monitor News Network

In San Diego County, Black murder defendants are charged with a special circumstance at a higher rate than white murder defendants. Data show that the gap grew significantly wider when the current district attorney took office and is bigger than in nearby counties. New reporting from KPBS dives deep into the data and highlights how California's controversial special circumstance murder law has impacted one San Diego family. On Wednesday, KPBS reporter Katie Hyson joined Midday Edition to talk about the history of special circumstances that can lead to life without parole, what local data reveals and what advocates believe is meaningful reform. Guest: Katie Hyson

As the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown continues, local therapists say that community members are feeling mental health impacts as a result, including right here in San Diego.Wednesday on Midday Edition, we hear from a South Bay-based therapist about the impact she is seeing on her clients, and how she and other mental health care professionals are responding to the moment.Guest:Lizeth Ma, licensed marriage and family therapist

San Diego is a special place for whale watching. Blue whales, humpbacks, and gray whales are among the species San Diegans can see at various times of year. The waters off San Diego serve as a migratory corridor for many whale species, as well as a place for others to feed. On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear from local whale experts Nicole Schriber and Domenic Biagini to learn more about some of these giant marine mammals that San Diegans can experience. Right now, gray whales are passing through San Diego, and can be seen from shore. "This has been a really exciting gray whale season because it's the first one where the whales have looked healthy in about half a decade," Biagini said. Guests: Gone Whale WatchingScripps Institution of Oceanography

"Race: Power, Resistance & Change" at the Museum of Us in Balboa Park opened late last year and is expected to remain on display on a semi-permanent basis. A group of artists, researchers, community members and museum staff began working on the exhibit nearly a decade ago. It centers on how race has shaped laws and daily life in San Diego. Brothers Einar and Jamex De La Torre, who live and work in San Diego and Baja California, joined Midday Edition on Tuesday to discuss "Castaways," a mixed media piece they created for the exhibit. They also share why they believe San Diego is an important place to tell stories about race and what responsibility they believe the exhibit places on visitors. Guests:

Last week, San Diego County leaders approved the use of nearly $9 million in county reserves for new Tijuana River sewage fixes. The funds will pay for a pipeline extension project in the Tijuana River Valley designed to mitigate airborne contaminants, provide additional air purifiers for households exposed to the pollution, and support long-term public health studies. Supervisor Paloma Aguirre, whose District 1 includes the affected communities and who spearheaded the spending plan, joined Midday Edition on Tuesday to discuss a detailed breakdown of the funding and the need for an epidemiological study. Guest:

Last week, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that it is seeking interest from states to host sites that would support the full nuclear fuel lifecycle, including reprocessing spent fuel and storing nuclear waste. The department is seeking input through April 1. U.S. Rep. Mike Levin, D-CA-49, has been urging the federal government to establish a safe and long-term management program for spent nuclear fuel, of which 3.5 million pounds are stored at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. Levin joined Midday Edition last Thursday to discuss the department's call for input, whether the initiative will accelerate the removal of nuclear waste at San Onofre and the $100 million he secured for this issue. Guest:

Last week, independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort were arrested by federal agents after covering an anti-ICE protest Jan. 18. Fort and Lemon were released from custody Friday. But journalism organizations and free speech advocates are sounding the alarm. "It's an unprecedented assault on freedom of speech and freedom of the press to say that reporting the news is a crime," said David Loy, legal director of the First Amendment Coalition. "Journalism is not a crime." Monday on Midday Edition, we look at what these arrests signal about press freedom and the First Amendment in the current political moment. Guest: First Amendment Coalition Resources: "Know Your Rights" page

San Diego economist Daniel Enemark joins Midday Edition to talk about the state of the economy, as new data highlights the difficulties many San Diegans face in getting by. One major concern for Enemark is the disconnect between median income and housing costs. "The real challenge is will incomes rise faster than housing prices?" he said. "If that's the case, then we could see some relief, albeit slowly over many years." Guest: Daniel Enemark

Acclaimed author and activist Don Winslow thought he would retire from writing after his last novel, "City in Ruin" came out in 2024. But this year, he marks his return to fiction with a collection of six novellas, "The Final Score." Thursday on Midday Edition, Winslow talks about exploring identity in his latest work, his decision to return to writing, and his advocacy in the current political moment. Then, KPBS' Beth Accomando sits down with the co-founder of Riot Productions to talk about their latest play, "Audition Sides," which tells a love story between two actors stuck in a callback audition. And finally, there is plenty to do in the arts this weekend. KPBS' Julia Dixon Evans shares all the events to check out, plus a preview of what to check out in "The Finest." Guests: Riot ProductionsJulia Dixon Evans

Roughly 31,000 Kaiser Permanente nurses and healthcare workers in California and Hawaii went on strike this week. The union alleges unfair labor practices amid prolonged contract talks. Workers on the picket lines are fighting for safe staffing levels and fair wages for caregivers. We discuss what healthcare workers are fighting for, how Kaiser Permanente is responding, and what patients need to know. Guests: Heidi de Marco

Over 42 million Americans have student loan debt, with a total of more than $1.6 trillion owed.Late last year, the Trump administration announced plans to begin garnishing the wages of borrowers in default on student loans, but backtracked earlier this month. The result has created confusion for many facing student loan debt.Tuesday on Midday Edition, we breakdown some of the biggest changes in the federal student loan system and what borrowers need to know.Then, a new book chronicles the origins of the U.S. student loan system and looks at student debt as an issue of civil rights.Guests:Aissa Canchola Bañez, policy director, Protect BorrowersJamal Watson, higher education journalist, professor and associate dean of graduate studies at Trinity Washington University, author of “The Student Debt Crisis: America’s Moral Urgency"

Mass protests against the current regime in Iran have been ongoing since late December. Iranian security forces have killed thousands. Many more have been arrested. It's been called the deadliest unrest in the country since the 1979 revolution. A near-total internet blackout continues, limiting communication and adding to uncertainty. We sit down with one Iranian American in San Diego, concerned about the safety of her friends and family in Iran and grappling with anxiety about the future. Guest: Bibi Kasrai