KPBS Midday Edition

Latest Episodes:

Part Of César Chávez’s Legacy In Hands Of Supreme Court Justices Mar 31, 2021

Show notes

Nearly 30 years after César Chávez's death, a key part of his legacy is in jeopardy.The U.S. Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case surrounding a 1975 California law that affords union organizers limited access to farms to organize workers. Plus, nearly three-quarters of all inmates in California have not been convicted of any crimes and are sitting in jail waiting for their day in court. Also, it's well-known that "gang life" isn't easy. Often it leads to jail time, substance abuse or even death. How one organization is helping at-risk youth overcome their involvement. And, as more people get vaccinated against COVID-19, one company is asking for stool samples to study how the vaccine interacts with our bodies. Finally, in an excerpt of “Port of Entry” podcast, why one woman left her life in the U.S. behind to help take care of orphaned kids in Tijuana.

Biden, CDC Director Warn Of Virus Rebound If Nation Lets Up Mar 30, 2021

Show notes

In the past week, coronavirus cases have risen by as much as 12% nationwide. Will a rise happen in California too? Plus, the California Supreme court ruled that keeping people behind bars simply because they cannot pay a set bail amount is unconstitutional. And, thousands of people across the county get CalFresh, commonly known as food stamps, to help them buy food. But a KPBS investigative report found the program regularly pushes out people who are still eligible for the extra money. Then, there’s a push at the highest levels of state government to change how California goes about procuring and updating its technology. Plus, the city of San Diego and the county set aside $40 million in rental assistance last year to help low-income families. But some renters weren’t helped because their landlords didn’t take the money. Finally, a project created by a San Diego woman is recruiting the family stories from people of color who got left out of history.

Nonprofit Helping To Care For Migrant Children At San Diego Convention Center Mar 29, 2021

Show notes

The first 500 teenage girls arrived at the convention center Saturday night. Services for the teens, such as family reunification, education and health care, will be provided by a mix of government agencies and local nonprofit organizations. Plus, data gathered by The San Diego Union-Tribune revealed that police officers and sheriff’s deputies disproportionately target minorities for stops, searches, arrests and use of force. And though the Marine Corps has now integrated its two boot camps, that's just one of several hurdles it faces to fully embrace women. Then, the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, the latest attempt to stabilize the agricultural workforce, passed in the House last week. Plus, the San Diego Public Library Foundation wants the community to think about the future of its libraries. Finally, the newest episode of “The Parker Edison Project” examines sex and dating on the West Coast.

California To Open Vaccinations To Everyone 16 And Older Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

California is expanding vaccine eligibility to anyone 50 and over starting April 1, and anyone 16 and up on April 15. Plus, San Diego Unified students will return to campus either two or four days a week in April, depending on the number of families who want to participate in in-person instruction. And in San Diego weekend arts: SDMA’s Young Art exhibition, a virtual piano concert, Coronado Playhouse’s latest production, The Black Iris Project, “Contralto” and “A Shimmer of Strings.”

Two Cases Of COVID-19 Brazilian Variant Found In San Diego County Mar 25, 2021

Show notes

The Brazilian variant of COVID-19, which caused a deadly spike in cases in that country, has been found in San Diego. Plus, California assemblyman Rob Bonta has been chosen to become the state’s next attorney general. Upon his appointment, Bonta would be the first Filipino American to occupy the position. And some doctors are seeing a disturbing spike in lethal alcoholic liver disease, especially among young women. Then, the pandemic has restricted the number of clinical placements available to nursing students in hospitals, forcing them to practice their skills instead on mannequins, virtual patients, or at home with relatives and even stuffed animals. Plus, "Contralto," is a groundbreaking work of experimental documentary filmmaking and music by composer and UC San Diego music alum Sarah Hennies. Finally, a new summertime anthem about Southeast San Diego was just released called “Southeast Summers.”

San Diego Unified Superintendent Questioned By Senators In Confirmation Hearing Mar 24, 2021

Show notes

San Diego Unified School District Superintendent Cindy Marten was questioned by senators in a confirmation hearing for the position of deputy U.S. Secretary of Education Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, a group back in San Diego protested her nomination. Plus, UCSD Assistant Professor Christen Sasaki, Ph.D., joined Midday Edition to talk about the intersection of racism and sexism against Asian American women. And five candidates are now vying for the 79th Assembly District seat. Then, as public health authorities try to convince reluctant Californians to get a COVID-19 vaccination, powerful allies in that effort could be religious leaders. Plus, a recent audit of the Industrial Wastewater Control Program suggests that outdated methods and staffing concerns are the key reasons behind a failure to properly identify polluters. Finally, the podcast “Blood on Gold Mountain” tells the story of the 1871 L.A. Chinatown Massacre through the eyes of a young female Chinese refugee.

Another Mass Shooting And More Calls For Action Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

As the nation mourns another mass shooting less than a week, we ask a mass shooting survivor about the psychological consequences on a nation already in the midst of a mental health crisis. Plus, the San Diego Convention Center will be used to temporarily house unaccompanied migrant children seeking asylum in the U.S. Also, a South Bay health care leader is being recognized for her work during the pandemic during Women’s History Month. In addition, a new exhibit at the San Diego History Center shows how archaeology played a role in learning about the life of San Diego's first Black homesteader, Nathan Harrison, and is challenging ideas about local history. And, activists are again demanding the removal of former San Diego Mayor and California Gov. Pete Wilson’s statue in downtown San Diego, citing his support of anti-immigrant legislation and his stand against gay rights as the reasons. Finally, how a cross-border love story has endured despite extended separations because of the pandemic in an excerpt from the latest episode of KPBS' “Port of Entry” podcast.

San Diego State To Open COVID-19 Vaccine Site In Viejas Arena Tuesday Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

San Diego State will open a COVID-19 vaccination site at Viejas Arena Tuesday. Plus, Jacumba Hot Springs residents are fighting back against a solar panel installation project that would take up 650 acres at the edge of town. And lawmakers are considering ending protections for the critically endangered vaquita porpoise after an altercation between conservationists and fishermen turned fatal. Then, a proposed legal settlement will force the Army to review the discharges of recent veterans with mental health issues. Plus, San Diego master gardener Maria Mata joined Midday Edition to answer questions about growing your own food. Finally, a new Institute of Contemporary Art has formed in San Diego, merging the San Diego Art Institute in Balboa Park with the Lux Art Institute in Encinitas.

UCSD Researchers Estimate COVID-19 Was Around 2 Months Before First Reports Mar 19, 2021

Show notes

Researchers at UC San Diego estimate that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was likely circulating undetected for at most two months before the first human cases of COVID-19. Plus, distance learning during the pandemic has only worsened students' achievement gap from marginalized communities and those growing up in privilege. But could there be some long-term benefits to this experience? And this weekend in the arts: Cauleen Smith at the San Diego Museum of Art, outdoor Afro-Cuban jazz at Queen Bee’s, a year of virtual civic organ concerts and "There's Something About the Weather of This Place," at Best Practice gallery in Barrio Logan.

Tax Filing Deadline Pushed Back Mar 18, 2021

Show notes

The IRS is delaying the 2020 tax filing deadline until May 17. How will provisions in the latest stimulus bill will affect your taxes? Plus, Moderna has begun testing its COVID-19 vaccine in children under 12, another step to getting everyone protected. Then, San Diego’s freeways and public transportation were empty in the early days of the pandemic. Traffic and transit ridership are now recovering, but will they ever come back all the way? And, Carlsbad’s GenMark Diagnostics, developer of rapid COVID-19 testing kits, was sold for $1.8 billion — a testament to the San Diego region’s biotech industry innovation during the pandemic. Also, the controversy over how to safely move millions of pounds of nuclear waste from the shuttered San Onofre power plant is back in the headlines. And, efforts to improve the environment around the Salton Sea were widely expected to begin at Red Hill Bay in 2015 but the project remains undone. Finally, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando speaks with Turner Classic Movies host Eddie Muller about contextualizing classic films that might be problematic and often downright offensive for contemporary audiences.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected