KPBS Midday Edition

Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, we are profiling trailblazers in the community about their commitment to their craft and contributions to the San Diego region.Thursday on Midday Edition, the executive director and CEO of the San Diego Museum of Art talks about her journey into the arts and what she sees for the future of San Diego's thriving, binational arts and culture scene.Then, a unique Halloween attraction puts its own spin on the haunted maze by bringing attention to real-world issues like climate change, animal cruelty and pollution. KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando previews the socially conscious haunt.And finally, the Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center celebrates its third anniversary this weekend. KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans speaks with a local printmaker who is featured at the event and previews other events on her radar.Guests:Roxana Velásquez, Maruja Baldwin Executive Director and CEO, San Diego Museum of ArtJaidacyn Madrigal, founder, Fright for FutureJohn Hansen, haunt crew member, Fright for FutureIrie Zepeda, artist, printmaker, Por La Mano Press y Arte founderJulia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and "The Finest" host, KPBS

Many can thank youth sports for wonderful memories out in the sun — tossing a ball, scoring goals and even spraining an ankle or two.KPBS video journalist Mikey Damron explores his youth sports journey — and that of his son's — in his new video series, "Game-Time Decision." We hear the details.Plus, the culture and politics of surfing and skateboarding are the focus of a conference coming to SDSU this weekend.We sit down with Bryce Wettstein, an Olympic skateboarder and the headliner of the conference and Neftalie Williams, a moderator at the conference and the director of SDSU's Center for Skateboarding, Action Sports, and Social Change.Guests:Mike Damron, video journalist, KPBSNeftalie Williams, director of San Diego State University's Center for Skateboarding, Action Sports, and Social Change, professor of sociologyBryce Wettstein, Olympic skateboarder

California's special redistricting election is underway, as ballots for Proposition 50 hit voters' mailboxes. We hear analysis from a local political scientist.Then, San Diego once had a large, thriving and tight-knit Black community in the region. But over the years, policies like redlining and other forces of displacement drove many Black San Diegans from their neighborhoods — that story is explored in a recent exhibit at the San Diego History Center.On Midday Edition, we hear about some of the lost legacy of San Diego's Black community through both personal stories and policy, and ongoing efforts to revitalize that sense of identity in 2025.Guests:Ric Epps, political science professor, Imperial Valley CollegeGaidi Finnie, executive director, San Diego African American Museum of Fine ArtSheri Jones, co-founder, Black San DiegoIMG_7581.jpg (3024x4032, AR: 0.75)

The San Diego Filipino Film Festival (SDFFF) kicks off Thursday with a four-day celebration of Filipino cinema. The festival includes films exploring themes of family, climate change, LGBTQ+ identity and more.Monday on Midday Edition, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando looks at how the festival is continuing to celebrate film and community.Guests:Benito Bautista, founder, SDFFFSami Andico, programmer, SDFFF

The California Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the city of El Cajon on Friday over its controversial license plate surveillance program.The lawsuit comes after KPBS reported that the El Cajon Police Department is openly defying a 2023 legal bulletin, which prohibits sharing data from license plate reader systems with outside agencies.We discuss the latest and how the lawsuit fits into the larger conversation around immigration enforcement in San Diego.Guest:Gustavo Solis, investigative border reporter, KPBS

Hispanic Heritage Month is well underway and we are highlighting leaders in our region who have dedicated their lives to serving the community.We sit down with the CEO of MAAC San Diego, a nonprofit that runs education, health and housing programs and much more, all with a focus on economic mobility.Guest: Arnulfo Manriquez, president and CEO, MAAC

Thursday marks the 2nd annual San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival, which brings jazz luminaries from both sides of the border together in a celebration of San Diego and Tijuana's rich jazz history.Thursday on Midday Edition, we hear about some of that history and tradition from two local jazz figures behind the festival.Plus, the play “All the Men Who’ve Frightened Me,” which is currently running at the La Jolla Playhouse, explores the fear, uncertainty and joy that can come with becoming a parent.And finally, KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans shares her top picks for arts and culture events, from an experimental bassoon concert to San Diego Museum Month.Guests:Dan Atkinson, jazz musician, executive director, San Diego Tijuana International Jazz FestivalJulian Placencia, jazz musician, festival organizer, San Diego Tijuana International Jazz FestivalKat Yen, theater director, “All the Men Who’ve Frightened Me”Joy Guidry, bassoonistJulia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and host of "The Finest," KPBS

The government has shutdown after Senate Republicans failed to reach an agreement on federal funding.Around 750,000 federal workers are expected to be furloughed. Many offices will be shuttered.In San Diego, tens of thousands of federal workers will be furloughed or forced to work without pay, according to figures from Democrats on the House Budget Committee.We talk about how the impacts of the government shutdown will be felt by San Diegans.Plus, takeaways from President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's military meeting in Quantico, Virginia and reactions from local military personnel.Guests: Mike Levin, U.S. Representative, 49th DistrictAdam Ashton, deputy editor, CalMattersAndrew Dyer, military and veteran affairs reporter, KPBS

Nearly 40,000 children are in foster care in California. Many have experienced immense challenges in their young lives. For some, that includes abuse and neglect.Giving foster youth a consistent voice to support them and help them manage the foster care system can make a big difference in their lives.On Midday Edition Tuesday, members of the nonprofit Voices for Children talks about its CASA volunteer program and why it plays an important role in serving young people in foster care in San Diego and Riverside counties.Guests:Jessica Muñoz, president and CEO, Voices for ChildrenMatt Morscheck, CASA volunteer, Voices for Children

As extremist groups become part of the political mainstream, conspiracy theories and hateful rhetoric fuel vitriol and distrust.A new series of documentary shorts out of USA Today looks into why those fringe movements have gained traction.The first episode is all about "the manosphere." It's a growing community united by male-supremacist ideologies amid record high levels of depression and suicide among young men.Midday Edition invited USA Today's Will Carless in studio for a conversation to learn more.Guest:Will Carless, national correspondent covering extremism and emerging issues, USA Today

San Diego County is suing two of its own jail healthcare providers following the violent killing of Brandon Yates inside the San Diego Central Jail.The lawsuit alleges that the man who killed Yates did not receive adequate mental health care from psychiatric staff.Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear the latest on the county's claims.Guest: Kelly Davis, investigative reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune

This week on KPBS Midday Edition, we shine the spotlight on Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighting local theater group Teatro Las Hermanas. We explore how they use theater, visual art and comic book illustrations to put together productions with a focus on social justice.Then, the San Diego Italian Film Festival is back for its 19th year and kicks off on Oct. 1. We sat with our Midday Movies film critics, KPBS Cinema Junkie Beth Accomando and Moviewallas podcaster Yazdi Pithavala, to talk about the festival’s history and creating community around film.Guests:Mabelle Reynoso, playwright, Teatro Las HermanasZulema Reynoso, artist, Teatro Las HermanasBeth Accomando, arts reporter, KPBSYazdi Pithavala, critic, Moviewalla podcast

U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) is in the midst of an unprecedented hiring binge, with a goal of hiring 10,000 agents by the end of the year.In a two part series, KPBS reporters look into how ICE recruiting efforts are using white nationalist messages and imagery and relying on veterans to fill job openings. We discuss the details.Also, more immigrants are being placed in isolation cells in San Diego's Otay Mesa Detention Center.We talk about how the trend fits in with the use of "segregation" in detention facilities across the country.Guests:Andrew Dyer, military and veteran affairs reporter, KPBSGustavo Solis, investigative border reporter, KPBSSofía Mejías Pascoe, border and immigration reporter, inewsource

Each year, NPR puts on its annual Student Podcast Challenge where thousands of young people across the country transform their ideas and stories into audio.Among the middle school finalists were two students from High Tech Middle Media Arts in Point Loma, who produced a podcast about growing up in a multiracial, multiethnic family and embracing cultural ties.Wednesday on Midday Edition, we hear about the students' inspirations and how they captured the experiences of those with mixed backgrounds in their podcast.Guests:Abby Dutra, student, High Tech Middle Media ArtsOryan Navarrete, student, High Tech Middle Media ArtsRebecca Carnahan, 7th grade humanities teacher, High Tech Middle Media Arts

How walkable is your neighborhood?When it comes to walkability, locals have shared a range of experiences depending where they live. But what does it mean to live in a truly walkable city?Tuesday on Midday Edition, we dig into what walkability looks like in San Diego and what is being done from a policy and community standpoint to address it.Guests:Bruce Appleyard, associate professor of City Planning and Urban Design, SDSUCarlisle Dockery, director of planning and community engagement, Circulate San DiegoIsrael Hernandez, associate director for advocacy and engagement, AARP San Diego

San Diego's unemployment rate decreased slightly to 5% in August, yet still hovers near a four-year high.Tuesday on Midday Edition, we check in with a local economist on the latest unemployment numbers. We also dig into why the Federal Reserve decided to lower interest rates, and how ongoing uncertainty around economic policy continues.Guest:Daniel Enemark, chief economist, San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center

Free speech is dominating the headlines these days.Last week, ABC announced it would indefinitely suspend late-night host Jimmy Kimmel from broadcasting after he commented on Charlie Kirk's killing. On Monday, Disney and ABC announced the comedian will return to the schedule starting Tuesday night.The news comes as President Donald Trump has reached settlements with ABC and CBS over coverage. And, Congress has stripped federal funding from NPR and PBS.Over the last week, leaders and scholars have sounded the alarm about Americans' right to free speech. We discuss the details.Plus, we talk about what the latest news about "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" means for the tradition of comedy in a tense political climate.Disclaimer: This interview was recorded live on Monday, Sept. 22 at 12:06 p.m. PDT. During this broadcast, we received breaking news that "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" will return to air on Tuesday, Sept. 23.Guests:Ric Epps, professor of political science, Imperial Valley CollegeDavid Loy, legal director of the First Amendment CoalitionWalter Ford, stand-up comedianVictor Paz, comedian and founder and lead producer for Kacklez comedy company

On Thursday's Midday Edition, we dive into all the arts and culture happenings across the region in your weekend preview — from an upcoming jazz concert in La Jolla, to a sneak peek of what San Diego Design Week has to offer this year.Plus, Diversionary Theatre kicks off its inaugural season with a one-woman glam rock show, "MANIFEST P*SSY," from performer and writer, Shakina. KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando sits down with Shakina and Diversionary's artistic director to talk more about the show.And finally, the tourists are gone and kids are back in school. But that doesn't mean summer is over for San Diegans. We hear from a local journalist about all the best ways to enjoy this time of year.Guests:Sacha Boutros, jazz singer, founder of Sacha's Supper ClubJulia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, KPBSShakina, performer and writer, "Manifest P*ssy"Sherri Eden Barber, artistic director, Diversionary TheatreJackie Bryant, journalist, professor and host of Happy Half Hour podcast

Artificial intelligence is becoming more commonly used in health care settings, from routine medical scans to virtual patient assistance.Wednesday on Midday Edition, we sat down with one San Diego public health expert who was recently awarded a Fulbright grant to investigate how AI is used in public health.Guests:Susan Kiene, professor of global health, San Diego State University

The 2025 U.S. Open Tennis Championships, one of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world, wrapped up earlier this month.On Wednesday's Midday Edition, we heard from two San Diego athletes who competed in the U.S. Open about their experiences and journeys through the sport.Guests: Alyssa Ahn, tennis player, Stanford UniversityDavid Wagner, wheelchair tennis player, three-time U.S. Open Single's winner