KPBS Midday Edition

San Diego County’s Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board or CLERB has given support to several allegations made by a transgender woman beaten while in county jail. The board also advised the Sheriff’s department to tighten its policy regarding the placement of arrestees according to their gender identification. Then, cruising bans have generated fierce debate over whether or not they unfairly target Latino culture. Now, Mexican-American low-rider enthusiasts are working to roll back such bans. Finally, our weekend preview options range from folk art to the ballet and "Cabaret" to Comic-Con.

More than 130,000 people are expected to attend the four-day pop culture party which begins Thursday. It’s the first, full scale in-person Comic Con since 2019. We check in with some hard core cosplayers from the 501st Legion, a worldwide costuming organization run by fans dedicated to creating screen accurate bad guy costumes from the Star Wars Universe. Then, a current terrorism advisory from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warns extremist groups could exploit high-profile public events to justify acts of violence. And, court and police records from 2012 reveal mutual accusations of domestic violence by now Democratic Party Chairman Will Rodriguez-Kennedy and an ex-boyfriend. Next, a brief Hilton Bayfront Hotel strike underscores tough economic realities for San Diego workers. And, there’s a bill making its way through the state legislature that would create a new kind of court system in California with the authority to compel some people to receive mental health treatment, even if they don't want it. Finally, with a heat wave scorching the West, environmentalists are looking for ways to cool things down. One way for urban areas to beat the heat is to consider the power of shade.

an Diego county is now in the high COVID-19 tier due to increasing case numbers and hospitalizations. Everything’s on the way up and this is not a good picture because we don’t know where the peak is going to be, Dr. Eric Topol tells Midday Edition. Then, San Diego Congresswoman Sara Jacobs was one of 17 members of congress arrested yesterday during a demonstration for abortion rights outside the U.S. Supreme Court. “We will not stop fighting until we make sure that Americans across this country have the fundamental right to bodily autonomy,” she said. Plus, the department of Health and human services has launched a new number - 988 - as the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Then, with Summer in full swing, San Diego residents are flocking to the beaches. But as the county implements new water quality testing, there are concerns over whether the public should be going in the ocean. And for something a little lighter, a new bar in San Diego is offering a high-fidelity twist on the typical cocktail experience. At Part Time Lover in North Park, along with Manhattans and Martinis, patrons can enjoy a curated selection of tunes spun from vinyl records by live DJ’s. Finally, Comic-Con International returns to its first full scale, in-person summer show since 2019. KPBS explores why the pop culture convention has some dedicated fans.

A new city ordinance which tightens the use of surveillance technology was passed unanimously by the San Diego City Council Monday. Then, a KPBS review of nearly 500 use-of-force incidents shows it’s rare for local police officers to be fired or even suspended when they kill or severely injure people. Next, San Diego housing prices dropped in June for the first time this year, signaling what might be a cooling of the local housing market. Then, the National Park Sevice is employing a variety of strategies to protect California’s giant sequoia trees from wildfires and climate change. Next, an excerpt from the new podcast Imperfect Paradise: The Forgotten Revolutionary about the life of a Chicano student activist in the 1990s. Finally, what to expect at this week’s Comic-Con.

San Diego has reached the CDC’s highest level of COVID-19 activity. The highly contagious BA.5 variant is driving the current surge of the disease, and with summertime activities in full swing - including this week’s Comic Con - health officials are bracing for what could be an even more cases. Next, a new book underscores the link between a lack of affordable housing and homelessness. Then, more than 20 years of records relating to use-of-force incidents involving police in San Diego County finds a clear trend – officers are far more likely to shoot if the suspect is a person of color. Also, roadblocks and layers of bureaucracy make it almost impossible for Mexican returnees to get their U.S. coursework recognized. Then, Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a recent warning to landlords and new guidance to law enforcement handling self-help evictions. In short, landlords can’t use unlawful measures to evict or lock out tenants and law enforcement has a responsibility to protect tenants. Finally, an excerpt of the latest episode of KPBS's "Port of Entry" podcast explores how thousands of people cross the U.S.-Mexico border every year to take a psychedelic known as ibogaine - a drug that may help some people kick opiate addiction.

New images from the James Webb Space Telescope took us deep into space and 13 billion years into the past. San Diego’s Air and Space Museum used the photos to open up the wonders of galaxies to San Diego’s children. Then, the Del Mar coastline will change as work begins on a project to shore up the crumbling bluffs. And there's a multi-billion-dollar proposal to move the train tracks on top of the bluffs. Finally, this weekend in the arts: art in nine parks across the region, jazz and folk music, what's new at the Timken and a theater production during Pride.

Yesterday the FDA approved the nation’s fourth coronavirus vaccine. Unlike other previously available mRNA shots, Novavax is a protein-based vaccine. Next, this Saturday, the San Diego Pride Parade returns to the streets of Hillcrest. This and other Pride events mark the return of fully in-person festivities for the first time since the pandemic began. Plus, UC San Diego Health has opened a new headache treatment center offering a wide array of therapies for migraines and other kinds of persistent headache pain. And, a free mental health program is improving the lives of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers in San Diego. Also, San Diego is among the most sought after destinations for college students in the nation. But when it comes to keeping people around after they’ve graduated, the region doesn’t do so well in comparison to other big California metros. Finally, cannabis advocates in Tijuana are working towards a future where adult-use cannabis is finally legal in Mexico. Not only are they working to get the laws changed in Mexico, but they are also trying to change the perception of cannabis at the border - which has long been associated with Mexican drug cartels.

A limited number of monkeypox vaccines will be distributed by the county starting today. Then, KPBS Education Reporter M.G. Perez tells us about a new program to save LGBTQ lives with lessons in harm reduction. Next, the head of San Diego’s new Office of Immigrant Affairs talks about her goals for the new agency. Then, later this week, Californians who are in mental distress and thinking about suicide will be able to call or text a new three digit number to get help, but questions remain on staffing. Plus, long-time voice of the San Diego Padres Ted Leitner talks about his recent induction into the team’s Hall of Fame. Finally, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando speaks with the creator of a new series about the making of the beloved film “Star Wars.”

As Los Angeles County inches towards a possible return to an indoor masking mandate, San Diego health officials are urging similar caution. And as San Diego struggles with yet another spike in coronavirus cases, another virus has also been catching the attention of health officials in recent months. According to CDC, there have been over 750 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the U.S., with over 130 of those in California. Plus, the true-crime mystery of the 2011 death of Rebecca Zahau in Coronado took another turn late last week. The Zahau family dropped its lawsuit requesting unreleased documents about the case from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Instead, family members say they are now preparing to formally request the Medical Examiner to reclassify the death of 32-year old Zahau from suicide to homicide or undetermined. Also, people who’ve served time in prison often face big obstacles when they get out. But there are several programs in San Diego County that aim to help make that transition easier. Then, the suicide crisis among military veterans is a well-documented and deeply complicated phenomenon. This same issue among active duty servicemen, however, is increasing at an alarming rate in recent years. Finally, the KPBS podcast Port of Entry is back with new episodes. This time with a series of stories on how the border can change minds.

The United States remains on edge after its latest high-profile mass shooting on July 4th in Highland Park, Illinois, which resulted in the killing of 7 people, leaving many more injured. Stories like these beg the question - what are the motivations for these acts of violence? Plus, at least two immigrant detainees have been held in solitary confinement for about a week at the for-profit private facility where they are locked up in Bakersfield. The men and their attorney's say it's retaliation for supporting a peaceful labor strike. This weekend in the arts: Southern gothic blues at the Casbah, a last chance to see improv hip hop at The Old Globe and the Barrio Art Crawl.

A longstanding cross-border gathering place will soon be replaced with a set of 30-foot walls. Then, a technique developed at UC San Diego and Scripps to detect the Covid virus in wastewater is now being used around the world. Next, a 29-year-old Army veteran was allegedly killed by her neighbor last week at a property run by Veterans Village of San Diego. And, The death of a Navy SEAL candidate in February is raising questions about the safety of basic training. Next, collecting food waste for composting is something that often happens in backyards but now two cities are doing it in the landfill as part of new state legislation to actually keep food waste out of landfills. Finally, San Diego-based author and filmmaker Matt Rotman has new a book inspired his blog called Bonkers Ass Cinema: A Guide to the Wildest of Horror and Exploitation Cinema. It takes a deep dive into 100 films from nine genres and includes filmmaker interviews.

In an all too familiar trend, case numbers, hospitalizations and deaths are on the rise as the U.S. makes its way through another summer coronavirus surge. Next, months after a vaccine mandate went into effect for San Diego city employees, those employees who refuse both vaccines and COVID testing are starting to get Notices of Termination. Then, KPBS investigative reporter Amita Sharma tells us the story of Sara Kruzan, who was pardoned by Governor Gavin Newsom last week after being imprisoned for murder in 1995. Next, how a free yoga class in South Los Angeles came to be in the wake of protests against Black lives lost to violence. Then, KPBS North County reporter Alexander Nguyen shares the story of a San Marcos man connecting with his Nordic roots by building a Viking ship. Finally, as costs from climate related disasters continue to climb, a new book makes the case that the battle against climate change is more than an environmental issue, but also an economic one.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria joined KPBS Midday Edition Tuesday to talk about why he felt it was important to delay a city council vote on the proposed Ash Street settlement. Then, SANDAG’s long standing train track relocation plan for a 1.7 mile stretch of the Del Mar bluffs has gotten its initial funding from the state of California. Plus, a look at how a Vons closing its doors in Vista could make access fresh and healthy food more difficult. Plus, does San Diego Gas and Electric really need to keep boosting our utility rates? The state auditor is looking into it. Also, The director of the National Science Foundation, Sethuraman Panchanathan, paid a visit to San Diego last week to dedicate an upgraded earthquake shake table at UC San Diego. Finally, a horrific case of a woman enslaved by a Coronado couple unfolded in a San Diego federal court 75 years ago this summer. The case is remembered as a watershed moment for some of the Civil Rights protections we have today.

The economy may not be the first thing that comes to mind when San Diegans think of the border region. But the region known as Cali-Baja is an economic powerhouse. It produces a gross domestic product of nearly $250 million according to a recent report from the University of San Diego. That's more than 23 U.S. states. And, industries in the region from manufacturing to biotech generate thousands of jobs on both sides of the border. So today on Midday Edition we're bringing you a conversation about the cross-border economy with a panel of guests who have spent a lot of time thinking about the topic.

The Supreme Court vacated a ruling that supported California’s ban on gun magazines that hold more than 10 bullets. Then, despite the controversy, the artwork called “Three Slick Pigs” is remaining part of The Street Legacy: SoCal Style Masters exhibition at the California Center for the Arts Escondido.

The Supreme Court published two major decisions Thursday. In a 5-4 opinion, the court ruled the Biden Administration has the right to end the Trump-era ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy. And, in a 6-3 opinion, the court sided with West Virginia coal plant operators that the Environmental Protection Agency does not have the authority to change the nation’s energy producing system. Next, local health officials are encouraging masking as omicron sub-variants BA.4 and BA.5 are taking hold in San Diego and infection rates and hospitalizations are rising. Then, California’s eviction moratorium program ends Thursday, but tenants may qualify for a city of San Diego eviction moratorium starting Friday. Next, inflation is hitting every part of the economy, including local hospitals. Finally, Marvel Comics' Spider-Man celebrates his 60th anniversary this year. To celebrate his legacy, the Comic-Con Museum is opening Spider-Man: Beyond Amazing on Friday.

The state legislature approved an amendment to protect abortion rights in the California constitution, now it’s up to voters to decide in November. State Senate President Toni Atkins of San Diego is one of the leaders of the effort to secure reproductive rights in California. Next, the bodies of dozens of migrants were found Monday in the back of a tractor trailer in San Antonio. At least 53 migrants died in what is now the deadliest human smuggling case in modern U.S. history. Then, the last of California's statewide eviction protections expire on Friday. Lawmakers extended the deadline back in March to give the state more time to pay out emergency rental assistance. Plus, the long, strange saga of 101 Ash Street took yet another unexpected turn earlier this week. Just an hour before city council members were set to vote on a proposed settlement over the former Sempra Energy headquarters and the nearby Civic Center Plaza, Mayor Todd Gloria withdrew the proposal to allow for additional public comment. Also, the San Dieguito Union High School District Board fired school superintendent Cheryl James-Ward on Sunday without cause. Finally, a pop opera version of “Jekyll and Hyde,” based on the Robert Louis Stevenson Victorian classic opens Thursday night at OB Playhouse.

The U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning the constitutional right to an abortion continues to reverberate across the country. Now health care providers are expecting an influx of people coming to California to obtain an abortion from states where they are illegal. California may even help them cover the costs of traveling here. And, celebrations took place in some churches in San Diego on Sunday in response to the decision overturning Roe v. Wade while other religious groups had opposite or more measured reactions. Next, a group of parents of missing children uncovered a mass grave hidden on the eastern edge of Tijuana last week. And this isn’t the first time. Then, the big fix for the San Diego region’s U.S.-Mexico border sewage problem is several years away, but that doesn’t mean sewage will flow unabated until then. Finally, as part of KPBS’s “Influential” series, San Diego rapper Ric Scales made us a playlist of music that influenced his work.

The Supreme Court ruled Friday to strike down Roe v Wade – ending 50 years of federal abortion rights. Roughly half of states are expected to either outlaw or severely restrict abortion as a result of the decision. Next, as states across the nation brace for the impact of this ruling, legal experts are also considering what further constitutional rights may be reconsidered by the court in the near future. Finally, KPBS investigative reporter Claire Trageser tells us about some local areas considered to be “childcare deserts.”

The last major age group to be vaccinated against COVID-19 - children ages 6 months to 5 years old – are now getting their shots. How significant is this in the fight against the virus? Then, primary elections often result in a low turnout of voters and this June’s California primary was no exception. But what about November? A new UC San Diego survey tries to take the temperature of voters in California. And, we’re learning more about pollution sources from the Port of San Diego that are affecting people’s health. But the new information has left port commissioners split on how to prioritize emission-reduction projects. Next, reaction to the new rules about where sidewalk vendors can now operate in Balboa Park and downtown San Diego. And, Scientists at UC San Diego are leading what they call the biggest community science project ever, on animal communication. Dogs are touching buttons on soundboards with their paws or nose, allowing them to communicate to humans--- words, thoughts – and maybe even sentences. Finally, the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture is now open in Riverside. One of its first exhibitions on view is a retrospective of works from local border artists, brothers Einar and Jamex de la Torre.

A decision by the State could potentially add hundreds more housing units in San Diego and change the look of the city’s coastal communities. Then, the Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Topeka Board of Education ended “separate but equal” school discrimination and began the integration of American schools. But a new book tells the story of a little-known consequence and legacy of the ruling: Black teachers and principals who taught in segregated schools, lost their jobs and were replaced by white teachers. And, with abortion rights in jeopardy, many women are sharing their personal stories. For those who terminated pregnancies before it was legal in 1973, the memories can be especially painful. Finally, a preview of the film, “Neptune Frost.” The Afrofuterist sci-fi musical has been making the festival rounds but is playing exclusively at Digital Gym Cinema in East Village through Thursday.

The televised hearings into the January 6 insurrection have so far featured many of Donald Trump’s inner circle of advisors. But one person we haven’t heard from is a man with deep roots in San Diego. Then, San Diego’s Roman Catholic Diocese has made some big headlines over the past few weeks. First, its leader was tapped by Pope Francis to become a cardinal. Then San Diego’s auxiliary bishop was chosen to become Bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix, replacing a more conservative Bishop. And, we welcome the return of KPBS/Arts, the KPBS television series that highlights a wide range of local theater, music, dance, and visual art. Plus, San Diego weekend arts events including Live Arts Fest, Juneteenth at the Globe, 'Iron' and more.

An FDA advisory panel has given approval for COVID vaccines for kids aged 6-months to 5 years. Then, authorities warn that South Bay beaches may remain closed for the summer due to excess pollution levels. After that, the Fat Leonard Navy bribery scandal is about to wrap up in San Diego. Also, In the wake of constant mass shootings across the nation, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted earlier this week to find policy recommendations that would allow the county to sue gun makers for deaths caused by their firearms. Plus, potential delays to the closure of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant are being discussed to help offset energy shortages. And finally, there is a new exhibit presented by The San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art at the Quartyard which marks the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Riders; a group of activists who took bus trips across the South to protest segregation laws.

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program was initiated by President Barack Obama in 2012. But it was not supposed to last this long. Permanent immigration reform is still out of reach and the futures of DACA recipients remain uncertain. Then, the looming Supreme Court Decision on Roe v. Wade has some experts questioning whether the state of women’s health in America may be reversing course. Next, California’s wildfires have become bigger, hotter and more destructive. The firefighters themselves are suffering and many have quit. Plus, local dairies in a small community west of Fresno are pioneering promising methane reduction technology - but not everyone is sold on the benefits. Then, if math and numbers seem hard to comprehend, or even imagine, it may be because humans did not evolve to count and multiply. Also, the inaugural student member of the San Diego Unified Board of Education graduated this week and will be passing the torch to two new student board members. And finally, last week San Diego Repertory Theatre announced it would be suspending operations. Shortly thereafter the cast of its recently closed show “The Great Khan” released a statement on social media alleging racism and misogyny at the 46 year old theater.

San Diego Pride prepares for a safe celebration next month in the wake of recent threats against the LGBTQ community. Then, a rental subsidy for seniors at risk of homelessness was approved in the latest city budget. Next, some local police officers are using religious exemptions to avoid COVID testing. And, a group of San Diego high school students share their experiences hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail. They are bringing attention to the challenge faced by asylum seekers who risk their lives for freedom and opportunity in the U.S. Finally, the secretive nature of surf culture and social media clash as hidden surf breaks get more attention from Instagram photographers.

Naval Flight operations have been suspended in the wake of a series of crashes in Southern California this month. Then, inflation shows no signs of slowing down.
 Numbers released Friday show the consumer price index last month jumped 8.6% higher than a year ago. Next, San Diego is one of the biggest biotech centers in the country. Will it last? And, as families across the county celebrate their graduating students, there is one celebration that stands out. It’s a class of just about a dozen graduates who have overcome homelessness and created true hope for their future. Next, San Diego Repertory Theatre announced it would be suspending all productions and laying off its entire staff because of a financial crisis. Then on Friday, the cast of its recent show The Great Khan released a statement on social media alleging racism and misogyny at the Rep. Finally, we wrap the San Diego International Fringe Festival which closed Sunday.

An inewsource investigation finds that a renowned rehab center in San Diego is facing widespread drug use on its campus, and conditions there have become dangerous. Plus, this weekend in San Diego plenty of visual art to choose from, outdoor classical music and some all-ages punk rock.

A new report from the California’s Reparations Task Force connects the beginnings of U.S. chattel slavery in the United States and the lasting harms it caused to the oppression of Black Americans to this day. It's the task force’s first step in recommending how the state of California can repair those harms. Over the hour we’ll hear about four aspects of of the report including how oppression and discrimination of Black people throughout the nation’s history created a wealth gap, health disparities and the role of education in reparations as well as the important work of tracing your family lineage.

California held its primary election Tuesday, and while votes are still being counted across the state, there is a much clearer picture of who will be on the ballot in November in key state races. Plus, the top vote-getters for San Diego County Sheriff, California’s Assembly District 80, Chula Vista mayor and San Diego City Council District 2. Then, coronavirus cases in the county tripled between May and June led by new variants that have again made the virus more transmissible. Plus, the Salk Institute in La Jolla is raising money for a new building. It will be the second expansion of its campus since its founding in the 1960s. Finally, the La Jolla Playhouse presents the West Coast premiere of a new musical, “Lempicka.” It’s about a remarkable Polish painter who lived through two world wars.

Tuesday is primary election day in California. We hear from San Diego County’s Registrar of Voters Cynthia Paes on how the election is going and how San Diegans can cast their ballots. Then, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria signals a shift to stricter enforcement of homeless encampments. Then, a series of webinars beginning Wednesday promises to teach members of the public more about their rights. Next, California’s fast food workers are planning to walk off the job Thursday to demand better working conditions. Finally, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando speaks with composer Nicolas Reveles about creating an opera, which is a part of this year’s San Diego International Fringe Festival.

On Tuesday, election officials will begin to count the ballots for California’s primary election – setting the stage for November. Political watchers will be paying close attention to the outcomes of a handful of U.S. House seats that could help decide which party controls congress. Those seats include District 49 in San Diego County currently held by Democrat Mike Levin. Then, KPBS has one place where you can find key information about the races, get email updates, what’s on your ballot and where to drop it off. It’s the KPBS Voter hub. Next, another unwanted climate change milestone: Earth’s atmosphere contains more carbon dioxide now than at any other point in the past 4 million years. And, experts say long cross-border wait times are a drag on our regional economy. A group of binational business leaders are trying to change that. Then, California’s Reparations Task Force is exploring what reparations might consist of with community groups across the state. We hear some of what the community had to say at a listening session held recently in Oakland. Finally, there are few government subsidies for childcare, and no public school for kids under 5—so most parents are pretty much on their own. But how did it get this way?

California state legislators reached the half-way point of their legislative term while negotiations on the state budget continue, and political power-plays reveal infighting in Sacramento. Then, the San Diego International Fringe Festival kicked off Thursday. Fringe runs through June 12th at multiple locations but its home base is in Balboa Park. And, On Sunday The Old Globe Theatre kicks off its Summer Shakespeare Festival with The Taming of the Shrew. KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando speaks with director Shana Cooper about the challenges of producing a 16th century comedy that many now be perceive as sexist or even misogynistic.

A first-of-its-kind report from California’s Reparations Task Force makes recommendations on reparations. Then, a priest serving migrants in the San Diego-Tijuana border region has died under mysterious circumstances. Next, San Diego’s airport begins a major remodel during what aims to be a busy travel season. Then, Mexican culture and representation once again has a place among one of Balboa Park’s iconic attractions. Finally, San Diego International Fringe begins today and KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando speaks to Kata Pierce-Morgan who has a new show, Bones Abide, at this year's Festival.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria was elected on a promise of drastically reducing emissions through big improvements to biking and public transit infrastructure, but the mayor's commitment to those goals is being put to the test with a street project in Balboa Park. Plus, Gloria joined Midday Edition to discuss transit and a number of the city’s most serious and contentious issues. Next, state law says police must release shooting videos within 45 days, except under the narrowest of circumstances. But the San Diego Police Department kept videos from one shooting under wraps for two years—until now. Then, the Chula Vista Police Department has touted its new real-time operations center as the cutting-edge of policing. But a contract with Motorola Solutions to provide software for the center continues to alarm privacy advocates. And, the national debate on gun reform remains focused on access to assault rifles. But researchers say the data on legal gun ownership is scarce. Also, during the COVID pandemic, many childcare providers had to at least temporarily close their doors and two years later state data show many have not reopened. Finally, The San Diego Natural History Museum has a new permanent exhibition on display showcasing research done across the Baja California Peninsula to help conserve rare plants and animals, including California’s red-legged frogs.

An election special to help make voting easier. With one week left until California's Primary Election Day, Midday Edition looks at some of the key races in San Diego County and hears from Registrar of Voters Cynthia Paes.

It’s been less than a year since 13 American service members were killed in Kabul, during the final days of the US evacuation of Afghanistan. Then, for the first time in two years, hundreds of the world’s top economic, business and political leaders met in-person in Davos, Switzerland last week. Attendees say this World Economic Forum had many of the glitzy events of the Davos of old, but this time it was different. And, A little known smartphone technology used to track personal data is raising alarm bells over its use by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Then, the town of Julian is one of two Dark Sky communities in California. Borrego Springs is the other. Some tips for visitors who want to take in the Milky Way. Finally, Maestro Steven Schick will perform his final two concerts as music director and conductor of the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus this weekend.

Before even the names of the victims of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas were known, Texas Governor Greg Abbott was dismissing calls to re-examine that state’s loose gun laws. He said the issue is not access to guns, but mental health. Meanwhile, in California, Governor Newsom and state lawmakers gathered to announce new legislation to tighten gun sales and allow citizens to sue illegal gun sellers. Then, faced with a tight job market, the Navy is banking that the “Top Gun: Maverick” can help rescue naval aviation from a pilot shortage 36 years after the original film broke recruiting records. Finally, this weekend in San Diego you can find visual art from local Asian American Pacific Islander artists, a pairing of choreography and rock climbing and some Beethoven.

Hours after the deadly school shooting in Texas the California State Senate voted to allow civil lawsuits to combat illegal gun sales. Then, San Diego County residents can expect more calls for water conservation. This week the state water board approved emergency water regulations. Next, the retail cost of electricity in San Diego is already among the highest in the nation. And the latest San Diego Gas & Electric budget request is calling for those rates to go up even more. Then, Governor Newsom’s efforts to overhaul California’s mental health system cleared a hurdle this week with the passage of his CARE Court program by the State Senate. Also, UC San Diego professor and a leading figure of immigration research Tom Wong was awarded the ACLU's Presidential Prize earlier this month. His connection to the issue is also personal. Finally, Renee Westbrook brings her one-woman show “Shelter” to the San Diego Fringe Festival. Westbrook wrote the play after experiencing homelessness.

How do you balance preparing school children for possible danger but not scaring them more than they already are? Plus, parents of San Diego Unified School District students were notified this week that indoor masking requirements may be reinstated if certain COVID-19 risk levels are reached. And, if you need to communicate with someone online but want to keep it secret, an app called Signal is a good bet. But what happens when government employees start using it? Next, preschool students are expelled and suspended at rates three times higher than kids in K-12 schools. It’s a problem California lawmakers are trying to address with a new bill that would ban the practice that disproportionately impacts Black children. And finally, research has shown the Voting Rights Act of 1965 played a significant role in lowering economic inequality between Black and white Americans, but recent efforts from the U.S. Supreme Court have begun to erode some of those gains.

This year’s point-in-time count by the Regional Task Force on Homelessness found increases in the number of senior, disabled and Black San Diegans who are living without permanent shelter. The task force is setting up ad-hoc committees to find out why current programs aren’t meeting the needs of those populations and how to address those needs. Next, a new program to expand access to therapists for mothers experiencing high-risk pregnancies. Plus, a report from a real estate data analyst finds high prices are making single-family homes less attractive to outside investors. Then, “A Long Walk” highlights Filipino American veterans during WWII and how the U.S. erased their service and denied their benefits. Now the fight for recognition and justice continues. Also, starting in June, six million Californian's will face new water restrictions. For many people that'll mean watering their yards twice, or even just once a week - per regulations. Some residents are ready, others not so much. And finally, a new musical, based on David B. Feinberg's book, looks to New York in 1986 as the queer community confronts the AIDS epidemic.

A judge has blocked the Biden administration’s bid to end Title 42, a pandemic-era border policy that severely limits who can enter the country. Next, the ongoing baby formula shortage has brought a resurgence of breast milk sharing. Then, a financial literacy expert gives advice for coping with higher prices. And veterans who are state employees are fighting for employee protections with a case in the Supreme Court. Next, a state program meant to help low-income Californians remove asthma triggers from their home struggles. Finally, a new play shines a light on cancer and its survivors.

Two new and highly contagious COVID-19 variants have been detected in San Diego. This comes as more than 1,500 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the county Wednesday – the highest one-day number reported since February. And, one of the most competitive races in San Diego's June 7 primary election is the race for City Council District 2. Incumbent Jen Campbell faces five challengers. Finally, San Diego’s parks will come alive with public art this weekend. The civic initiative Park Social grew out of a desire to offer local artists financial support during uncertain times. We have details on some of the projects that will be on display.

The numbers from the annual Point In Time homeless count are in and show a sharp increase in homelessness in the county. Next, San Diego’s new ambulance provider is facing a $457,500 penalty for failing to meet the terms of its contract. Then, we get introduced to the candidates running to be the next sheriff in the county. And, six candidates are running to be the next mayor of Chula Vista. Plus, Olympic medalist and San Diegan Meb Keflezighi talks about the return of the Carlsbad 5000 after a three-year absence. Finally, the San Diego International Fringe Festival returns in June to celebrate its 10th year.

Kids ages 5-through-11 years old are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccine boosters as infection rates are increasing again nationwide. Then, the pandemic may change the way large buildings are designed to prevent airborne diseases from spreading. Next, after a series of appeals, one murder conviction set aside, an audit finding sloppy work by the San Diego crime lab, an intervention from an innocence project and preparations for a new trial, this week the San Diego County District Attorney's office announced it would not re-try Jane Dorotik. She is now free after spending 20 years in prison. Plus, Bike-to-Work Day returns to San Diego County Thursday for the first time since 2019. And finally, a play about two different generations of sisters, one set in the 1960s and another in the present day, both living in the same house. "Mud Row'' opens at Cygnet Theatre with previews starting Wednesday, and opening night on Saturday.

President Joe Biden on Tuesday called the shooting over the weekend in Buffalo, New York domestic terrorism and spoke about the dangers of white supremacy. But this is not a new problem. The alarms have been ringing for years. Then, a judge in Los Angeles struck down California’s Women on Corporate Boards law saying it violated the equal protection clause in the state constitution. Many lawmakers say they knew the law was on shaky legal ground to begin with but they point to the changes it made in corporate boardrooms. Next, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has created a vast digital surveillance program secretly amassing the personal information of millions of immigrants and U.S. citizens alike. And, the GI Film Festival returns Tuesday night with in-person screenings at the Museum of Photographic Arts. The opening night feature is a documentary that follows the filmmaker as he retraces his grandfather’s steps as a POW during World War II. Finally, the Tony award winning musical, “Come From Away” which originated at La Jolla Playhouse, is back in San Diego. It tells the true story of the small Newfoundland town of Gander that welcomed travelers stranded after 9/11.

People across the nation are coming together to fight against violent hate crimes, including here in San Diego. A vigil protest against gun violence and white supremacy is being held Monday night at the Balboa Park fountain. Then, carbon capture, removing excess carbon dioxide emissions from the atmosphere, is essential to the latest climate report from the United Nations and is an essential element in California’s new climate roadmap released by the state Air Resources Board. Next, Chinese-American parents are divided in their reactions to remarks made last month by San Dieguito Union High School District Superintendent Dr. Cheryl James-Ward about Asian students. And, a major tool to help lower the number of accidental overdoses is the naloxone. But one place where access to the life-saving medicine is not available to everyone is in local jails. That soon could change. Next, the coastal cloud cover that we call May Grey and June gloom traditionally keeps spring and early summer temperatures comfortable in San Diego. But that natural air conditioner may be disappearing. Finally, for most people turning 21 is a reason to celebrate. But for 200,000 young people here in the U.S. turning 21 catapults them into a bizarre legal limbo.

Overdose deaths in the U.S. reached a grim new record, according to new figures released earlier this week. How is this impacting San Diego County? Plus, the “godmother of air medical services in San Diego” shares what it’s like to be a flight nurse. And finally, weekend preview details visual art, experimental ballet and other arts and culture events happening this weekend in San Diego.

A federal appeals court struck down a state law prohibiting the sale of semi-automatic rifles to people under the age of 21. The law passed shortly after the 2019 Poway Synagogue shooting. Then, a national baby formula shortage is a serious issue for some San Diego families. And, two more journalists were killed in Mexico this week bringing the total deaths to 11 this year. The murders are rarely solved and investigations often lack transparency. Next, May is mental health awareness month. UC San Diego professor emeritus Andrew Scull has a new book coming out on the subject. He says the U.S. has largely failed in treating mental illness throughout its history, calling it “a riddle we must continue to strive to solve.” Finally, the San Diego Italian Film Festival will celebrate the life of its late founder Victor Laruccia with a screening of the Italian film “Loose Cannons” at the Museum of Photographic Arts on Friday.

An ex-caregiver and convicted sex offender pleaded guilty Tuesday to sexually assaulting two women in San Diego area nursing homes. Meanwhile, the California Air Resources board has just released an updated roadmap on how the state can achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. Also, COVID-19 cases seem to be on the rise again, both across the United States and here in San Diego County. In response, the Biden administration is pushing for a new round of funding to prepare for an upcoming wave of the virus that, they say, could infect 100 million Americans by fall. Then, abortion providers are hoping that the opening of the first legal abortion clinics on the Mexican side of the border will mean safer access for women seeking services. Plus, state regulators announced this week they need more time and more information before issuing new rooftop solar rules. And finally, San Diego Opera presents the West Coast Premiere of “Aging Magician,” a hybrid opera-theatre piece that combines singing, choral work, puppetry and performance art.

The county is proposing to provide on-site homeless resources including behavioral health services and public benefits assistance to any city in the region that builds new shelters. Then, despite upgrades to the state’s power grid, California energy officials say there’s a potential for energy shortfalls that could lead to power outages this summer. Next, Assembly District 80 is up for grabs on June 7, not just once, but twice. The two-for-one special election runoff and standard primary election features redrawn district lines and four candidates looking to represent San Diego’s South Bay. And, of all the candidates running for office during primaries and general elections, voters often know the least about the judicial candidates. The San Diego County Bar Association offers a bit more solid information on the judicial candidates. Then, San Diego County is now seeking to overturn a verdict or get a new trial after the family of a man who died after a 2015 arrest in Santee was awarded $85 million by a jury. Finally, a new Comic-Con Museum exhibit celebrates the late artist and former San Diego resident Dave Stevens who is best known for creating “The Rocketeer,” a comic book that became a movie in 1991.