KPBS Midday Edition

A new exhibition headed to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego comes from the personal collection of two names you'll recognize — musical icons Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz. The "Giants" exhibit features works from 37 Black American and diasporic artists making waves in the art space. We sit down with a local curator then arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans to hear more about the exhibit. Plus, we preview La Jolla Playhouse's Without Walls or "WOW" festival by hearing from San Diego artists as well as creators from across the nation and around the globe. Guests: Amy CrumJulia Dixon EvansBeth Accomando'Without Walls (WOW)' FestivalLinks: Without Walls (WOW) FestivalSan Diego Book Crawl

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria on Wednesday unveiled his proposed budget for the coming fiscal year, outlining his plans to help close the city's nearly $150 million deficit. The wide-ranging cuts proposed by Gloria include cuts to local arts groups, as well as to libraries and recreation centers across the city. On Midday Edition, we take a closer look at the proposed cuts and talk about what comes next for the budget process. Guests: David GarrickJohn Carroll

It could be a good opportunity to look up at the skies as this week marks International Dark Sky Week. It's a global movement that aims to explore the celestial night sky, bring awareness to the impact of artificial lighting on communities and wildlife, and curb light pollution. Wednesday on Midday Edition, we explore more about dark skies and how people can manage their own light use. Guest: San Diego County Chapter of Dark Sky InternationalResources: International Dark Sky Week

This week, the President launched a series of social media attacks against Pope Leo XIV. He also offended Catholics and Christians worldwide with an AI-generated photo portraying him as a Jesus-like figure. He also called the American-born pope "weak on crime" and "terrible for foreign policy." The pope responded by saying he will continue to advocate against war and promote peace. Guest: Rebecca Bartel

Air pollution near the Tijuana River Valley is threatening the health of residents who live there. A new bill by California State Senator Steve Padilla would strengthen regulations around one pollutant — hydrogen sulfide. We break down the bill and what it could mean for the pollution problem in the South Bay. Guest: Mackenzie Elmer

California's race for governor faces new uncertainty after one of the leading candidates dropped out of the race. Democrat Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign this weekend after multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct were made public. Swalwell also resigned from his seat in Congress on Tuesday. On Midday Edition, we discuss the allegations and how the race for California's next Governor has changed, as well as what the allegations reveal about politics today. Editor's note: This interview was recorded before Rep. Eric Swalwell of California submitted more information on his resignation from Congress. We has resigned his seat effective Tuesday at 2 p.m. Eastern. Guest: Jeanne Kuang, Capitol reporter, CalMatters

Food costs are continuing to squeeze San Diegans' pocketbooks, and that means accessing healthy food is getting harder for families. The San Diego Hunger Coalition found that as of December 2025, more than 1 in 4 San Diegans are nutrition insecure. Local community gardens have helped fill in that gap, giving people the space to grow their own fresh produce while also giving it back to the community. Monday on Midday Edition, we talk about how one local community garden has shaped fresh food access in southeast San Diego — and what you might need to know to start growing your own produce in your backyard. Guest: Project New VillageResources: Mt. Hope Community GardenCommunity Garden resource page

At least 48 people have died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since President Donald Trump returned to office last January. Last year, 33 people died while in ICE custody — the highest since the agency was created in 2003. A new investigation by the San Francisco Chronicle poured through detention data, ICE death reports, autopsies and more to reveal a series of medical delays and misdiagnoses while detained. We talk about their findings and what they reveal about medical treatment within immigration facilities. Guest: Ko Lyn Cheang

California Republican party leaders were unable to agree on a candidate to endorse in this year's governor's race. Delegates split their vote between Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco and businessman Steve Hilton at the California Republican Party Spring Convention this weekend in San Diego. On Midday Edition Monday, we hear more about the changing dynamics of the race for governor after leading Democratic candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. Editor's note: This interview was broadcasted several hours before Rep. Eric Swalwell of California announced he plans to resign from Congress following multiple sexual assault allegations. Guest: Jake Gotta

NASA's Artemis II will splash down in San Diego after a 10-day mission around the moon. It's the first time in 50 years that American astronauts have been to the moon. On Midday Edition, we sit down with former astronaut and NASA administrator Major General Charles Bolden Jr. to hear about his career and his insights about the significance of the Artemis II mission. Guest: Major General Charles Bolden Jr.

One of the biggest coffee industry events in the United States is coming to San Diego this weekend — and coffee lovers are in for a treat. World of Coffee will be kicking off at the San Diego Convention Center Friday, bringing together specialty coffee shops, roasters, educators and experts from all across the globe. Thursday on Midday Edition, we sit down with a local business owner and a coffee educator to talk about what it means to bring World of Coffee to San Diego, and how coffee itself is intertwined with culture and community. Then, if you're looking for more arts and culture events to check out, KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans has you covered in her weekend preview. Guests: One of One CommunitySan Diego Coffee Training InstituteResources: World of Coffee San Diego

We've now seen parts of the moon no human has ever seen before. That's thanks to the four-person crew of NASA's Artemis II mission — and plenty of other scientists here at home, on Earth. It's a story many of us have been following over the past week, marking humanity's return to the moon after more than 50 years. Later this week, the Artemis II crew will be splashing down right off the coast of San Diego. We get all the details from the San Diego Air & Space Museum and hear about their upcoming Family PJ Night Watch Party. Guest: David Neville

Ballots for California's Gubernatorial Primary Election will be in your mailbox within weeks. On Midday Edition Wednesday, we take a closer look at some of the many candidates vying to be California's next governor. On the congressional side, we talk about the race for California's newly redrawn 48th District seat. Guest: Carl Luna, professor of political science at Mesa College; visiting professor at the University of San Diego and director for USD's Institute for Civil Civic Engagement

The Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) found that two sheriff's deputies engaged in criminal conduct in connection with the death of Bobby Ray Patton, who died in the Vista Detention Facility. Patton died in the jail on Dec. 28, 2024 after hours of struggling to breathe and complaining of chest pain. The civilian watchdog panel sustained allegations of criminal negligence against the deputies, concluding that the officers failed to respond to signs that Patton needed medical attention. Wednesday on Midday Edition, we talk more about Patton's case and what this ruling could mean for similar investigations moving forward. Guest: Kelly Davis,

For nearly 20 years, National Public Radio's "Planet Money" has been telling enlightening stories about the economy in unexpected and creative ways. Now, the team behind the popular podcast is out with a new book. We hear from members of the Planet Money team about their new book "Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life" and how they brought their unique storytelling style to the world of text. Guests: Alex Mayyasi, author, contributor, "Planet Money" Sarah Gonzalez, cohost, reporter, "Planet Money"

A federal judge last week struck down a central part of President Trump’s executive order that targeted federal funding for public media. The District Court ruling said the order violated broadcasters' First Amendment rights. On Midday Edition Monday, we hear what the ruling means to the future of public media, and explore other trends across the media landscape. Guests: David Loy, legal director, First Amendment Coalition Dean Nelson, professor, Point Loma Nazarene University

For more than 400 years, 12.5 million people in Africa were ripped from their homes and families, chained in pairs, packed into cargo holds at the bottom of ships and trafficked to the Americas. On the other side of the two-month journey through the middle passage was the horror of chattel slavery. Today, the continued impacts of that reality are all around us. In America, we see it reflected in every system — from our economy to our health care system. Last month, the United Nations General Assembly passed a landmark resolution that declares the transatlantic slave trade the "gravest crime against humanity." It also calls for reparations beyond symbolic acknowledgement. We talk about what the resolution could mean for reparations proposals in California. Guest: Monica Montgomery Steppe

For years, Alma Rodriguez and her late daughter Ana Rodriguez brought the Beatles Fair to San Diego's North Park. This year, it's coming to the desert. The new location is one of several ways Alma is honoring her daughter. The festival is also supporting Alma's new advocacy mission around pedestrian safety. On Midday Edition Thursday, we talk to Anna about the inspiration behind this year's event. Plus, KPBS Cinema Junkie Beth Accomando sits down with an author about the history and evolution of Black representation in film. And, more young people are turning to so-called 'grandma hobbies' to disconnect from social media — from knitting and gardening, to pottery and needlepoint. We hear from two local crafters to hear how they're building community for hobbyists. Guests: Queen Bee’s Art and Cultural Center San Diego Beatles FairDavid F. WalkerBlack Film: A History of Black Representation and Participation in the MoviesQueer Crafting San DiegoMoMo Craft Club

A jury last week found Meta and Google designed their social media platforms to hook young users without a concern for their well being. The case was brought forth by a woman who had been using social media since the age of 6. She testified that she became addicted to social media as a child and that the addiction worsened her mental health struggles. On Midday Edition Wednesday, we talk about the case and how social media features like infinite scrolling and autoplay can lead to problematic social media use. Guest: Kristen Vacarro, associate professor of computer science and engineering, UC San Diego

Small businesses in South County, near the sewage-laced Tijuana River, are attributing years-long revenue losses to the ongoing pollution crisis. While construction projects designed to stop the flow of untreated wastewater are underway, business owners say relief cannot come sooner. This week, William Briggs, the deputy administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), visited the communities most affected, including Imperial Beach, to hear directly from business owners. He is the latest federal official to meet with people who live and work near the Tijuana River in San Diego. In February, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin also visited the region to highlight how the federal government is working with its Mexican counterparts to end the decades-long problem. Voice of San Diego reporter Jim Hinch followed along during Briggs' visit to Imperial Beach. He joined Midday Edition on Wednesday to share his biggest takeaways. Guest: Jim Hinch