KPBS Midday Edition

Most San Diego police officers who requested COVID vaccine exemptions due to their religious beliefs gave heartfelt reasons for their requests. But were they genuine? Also, the chair of the San Diego Democratic Party is taking a leave of absence while assault allegations against him are investigated. Then, due to an increasingly severe drought that’s drastically reduced the sierra snowpack, watering will be cut back to one day a week in parts of Southern California. Why not in San Diego? And, financial justice activists want Governor Newsom to eliminate court fees associated with late payments as part of his May budget revision. The fees disproportionately impact Black and Latino Californians hardest. Next, schools across San Diego county are expanding access to transitional kindergarten this fall. Finally, in an excerpt from the Parker Edison Project podcast, host Parker Edison dives into the world of work slang and how different occupations utilize and develop their own lingo.

State lawmakers have come out in force this week to voice their support for abortion rights in California. In addition to a package of 13 new bills aimed at strengthening reproductive rights, there’s now a push for a state constitutional amendment enshrining a woman’s right to choose in California. State Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins from San Diego has been in the forefront of many of those efforts. Plus, in this weekend arts preview, we have sound immersion, the ballet and lots of photography.

Pandemic restrictions are easing as summer approaches, a new highly infectious omicron subvariants emerge and the U.S. marks 1 million COVID-19 deaths, where are we in the progress of the disease. Plus, how raising the interest rate fights inflation and what it means for you. Meanwhile, the San Diego police union is blaming the rise in crime at city parks on police funding cuts and accuses San Diego Councilmember Monica Montgomery Steppe of orchestrating them. She says that’s false. Also, the number of unhoused individuals in San Diego doubled last year. An SDSU professor and his students are asking people living in the streets what they actually need to find a solution to the problem. And, an Old Town hotel that has been sheltering people experiencing homelessness for more than a year is terminating its contract early, leaving the county scrambling to find other willing hotels to house them through the end of June. Finally, in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, a new KPBS docuseries “Out of the Boondocks” explores the question of Asian-American identity through the lens of San Diego’s vibrant Filipino community.

San Diego Planned Parenthood officials say they are getting ready for an influx of women from other states coming to California if abortion is banned by the U.S. Supreme Court. After, while a proposal to mandate treatment for severely mentally ill people is making the rounds in Sacramento, two San Diego City Council members are proposing a local effort to mandate care for some homeless people. And, housing advocates see 48 acres of public land in the Midway District as a golden opportunity to build more affordable housing — in particular, housing for middle-income households. Then, San Diego researchers are using wearable technologies to build the largest ever research community of pregnant study participants.The data collected could be a key part of addressing the structural racism that causes Black women to be three times more likely to die during childbirth and Black infants to be twice as likely to die within their first year of life. Then, KPBS Steve Walsh reports how the Navy is banking on the film “Top Gun: Maverick,” as a recruitment tool. Finally, local band “Sure Fire Soul Ensemble,” has a new album and album release show this Saturday May 7th at the Quartyard in San Diego.

The Supreme Court is reportedly poised to overturn Roe v. Wade. The court confirmed the authenticity of a leaked draft majority opinion which reads in part, quote: “It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people's elected representatives.'' Then, people in long-term immigration detention in San Diego County can now get free legal assistance through a new county program. After, California is now offering Medi-Cal coverage to lower-income older residents who do not have legal status. Meanwhile, military leaders say they're conducting research to learn more about “long COVID” – cases of COVID-19 where the symptoms continue for months. And, San Diegans throw away everything from non-recyclable plastics to food waste. KPBS talks to a local writer whose family has been on a path to zero waste. Finally, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando speaks with Finnish filmmaker Hanna Bergholm about her feature directing debut “Hatching.”

An investigation alleges that fossil fuel companies have long known that messaging to consumers about individual responsibility for climate change is misleading and inaccurate. Next, California is now offering Medi-Cal coverage to older, lower-income residents who do not have U.S. citizenship. Then, hate incidents are on the rise in San Diego, but hate crimes are notoriously difficult to prosecute. KPBS race and equity reporter Cristina Kim reports how 911 dispatchers can help make a hate-crime case. Later, San Diego lost population for the first time in a decade. Meanwhile, San Diego author Tracy Badua's talks about her debut middle-grade novel, "Freddie vs. the Family Curse.” Finally, an Indian dish is causing a “sizzle” in South Bay.

The stabbing of a 16-year-old Black girl in Lakeside earlier this month highlighted frustration around unchecked racism in East County. And change is coming to California’s rooftop solar market, but when it arrives and what it will look like is a closely guarded secret. Plus, for our weekend arts preview, we have a new Broadway-bound musical, botanical designs at the San Diego Museum of Art and plenty of live music.

Moderna applied for emergency use authorization from the FDA for its mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for children six months to five years old. And it has been four months since a federal lawsuit forced the Biden Administration to bring back a controversial Trump-era Remain in Mexico asylum program, also known as Migration Protection Protocols. Plus, starting May 1, people 18 and younger across San Diego County will be able to ride public transportation for free. Next, a home sold under market value by an Escondido non-profit to a friend of the organization's board is raising questions about its practices. Finally, this weekend marks the fifth annual San Diego Book Crawl, a multi-day event that brings together 11 of the region's independent bookstores.

The U.S. is out of the pandemic phase of COVID-19, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci. Plus, California residents who are members of federally recognized Native American tribes, will soon be eligible for a tuition-free college education at University of California schools. After, comments from a federal judge have put plans to end Title 42 – a controversial Trump-era asylum policy – in limbo. Meanwhile, San Diego is seeing a wave of no fault evictions. Which means some people are being evicted for no particular reason and with little notice. Then, more than a quarter of SDG&E customers are behind on their utility bills. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports the unpaid bills may be a consequence of inflation, and the lingering financial effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Later, what little is known about long-COVID in children and teenagers suggests that it can be just as disabling as it is for adults. Finally, this Saturday, the San Diego Shakespeare Society and Write Out Loud present the 17th Annual Student Shakespeare Festival.

Changes by the Biden administration meant to make it easier for Ukranians to enter the United States have had the opposite effect for those stuck in Tijuana. Plus, the controversy over racially insensitive comments made by the San Dieguito Union High School District's superintendent is taking on a new dimension. Then, San Diego will soon join a growing number of California cities that prohibit retailers from selling flavored tobacco products. Later, an update on California’s high speed rail project. Meanwhile, the military is taking a hard line on troops seeking religious exemptions to the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Finally, novelist Don Winslow has used the San Diego/Tijuana border locale as the backdrop for some of his most famous crime novels. But now he’s turning to the East Coast for his latest trilogy.

As San Diego grapples with how to connect its unsheltered population with services and housing, complex questions have to be asked: What role should conservatorship laws play in helping the hardest-to-reach homeless individuals? What are the best strategies for reducing the number of people living on the street and into housing? How can you find permanent housing for so many people in one of the least affordable places in the country? KPBS posed these questions and more to a panel of experts.

On Earth Day, a look at San Diego's zero waste policy — the city’s goal to recycle, reuse and stop generating waste by the year 2040. Plus, besides a restaurant and urban garden, the business model of the nonprofit MAKE Projects in North Park is a job training center for refugees and immigrants. And it’s already making a difference. Finally, this weekend in the arts: Black Artist Collective at The Old Globe; Yolanda López and Irma Sofia Poeter; "Mother of the Maid" at Moxie; Broadway San Diego presents "Rent"; Anya Gallaccio at Quint ONE; the Symphony; and Spellling at the Casbah.

A report published by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows a world on track to push past the 1.5 degrees Celsius mark. While the IPCC is calling on political leaders to act on a national and international scale, the report authors said that work at the local level is also critical. In recent years, there’s been a shift in perspective on who is truly responsible for the sweeping changes needed to limit emissions. Meanwhile, young people are in the forefront of climate activism. Their networks span countries and continents for one goal – saving the future. Plus, San Diego researchers working to stave off the worst impacts of global warming are looking for answers in the region’s wetlands. Cattails could be part of the answer. And, California state air regulators put forth a bold proposal to move the state away from gasoline powered cars to a greener future- one led by electric vehicles. Finally, participating in clean-ups and trash pickups are always popular around this time of year as Earth Day makes people more conscious than ever about the necessity of caring for the environment. But where does the trash end up? Big questions remain about our landfills and if recycling is working.

Community members attending a meeting in Lakeside said an attack on a 16-year-old Black girl is yet another example of unchecked racism in East County. Next, San Diego’s probation department has been violating state regulations that protect juvenile offenders. Later, U.S. inflation rates are the highest they’ve been in 40 years. And in an already high-priced city like San Diego, that inflation pinch can really hurt. Midday Edition spoke to people who are trying to make ends meet about what they are paying for everyday items. Meanwhile, San Diego’s Encanto neighborhood could soon host a new Black Arts and Culture District to honor the hard work and contributions of the Black community. After, with gas prices soaring to record levels, many prospective car buyers say an EV is the way to go. But are there enough electric vehicles in California car dealerships? Then, homes with eco-friendly features are selling faster and for more money than the average home according to new data released by Zillow. Finally, the 11th annual San Diego Asian Film Festival Spring Showcase serves up eight days of what it calls "fresh Asian cinema from then and now."

Traveling in and around the country looks a lot different today than it did yesterday. Following a Florida federal judge’s ruling striking down the federal transportation mask mandate, airlines including Southwest, American Delta, United and others are making masking optional on domestic flights. Next, 25 years after the present Mission Bay drive bridge was described as “functionally deficient and obsolete” a replacement bridge is just months away from completion. After, Escondido’s historic downtown is undergoing a makeover that could make it the next Little Italy-like scene. Then, a Chula Vista outreach group is establishing a street medicine team to serve the health needs of unhoused South Bay residents. Then, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando previews this weekend's Turner Classic Movies film festival with host Alicia Malone.

On Friday, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria unveiled next year’s city budget, signaling a shift away from pandemic emergency planning. Next, antiviral treatments to help fight serious COVID-19 disease were once very hard to access. But now as COVID-19 cases start to decrease in San Diego, are there enough doses? After, Sempra Energy, the parent company of San Diego Gas & Electric, paid out its highest profits ever to its investors Friday. Some SDG&E ratepayers might be wondering if there is a connection to the massive spike in bills they’ve paid in recent months. Then, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando speaks with San Diego Comic Fest’s new president Alonso Nunez about the fest events happening this week. Finally, award-winning pianist Jeeyoon Kim is debuting a mixed-media concert to coincide with the release of her new album this week. Kim joined Midday Edition to share selections and insights from her upcoming concert.

While efforts to quickly move Ukrainian refugees through the border have been praised, it has also highlighted the difficulties of non-Ukrainian migrants at the border who have waited far longer for a chance at asylum. Plus, 1½ years ago, San Diego approved “Complete Communities,” a program that allows developers to build apartments near public transit with unlimited density and unlimited height. In exchange, they have to set aside a greater share of their homes as affordable housing. The program is showing results but there are also oppositions. And, this weekend in the arts, you'll find books, site-specific art, a string quartet, jazz and a birthday party for Shakespeare.

Law enforcement leaders are touting new guidelines for San Diego police agencies to investigate each other’s police shootings and in-custody deaths as a step toward more independent oversight. But some advocates of police reform worry that the changes will not go far enough to ensure transparency. And, San Diego is one step closer to realizing one of its biggest public transportation goals. The city and SANDAG have agreed on building direct transit connections to the San Diego airport. Plus, a second COVID-19 booster shot increases immunity against COVID infection, severe illness and hospitalization in people over 60. That’s the conclusion of a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Then, a new climate report card released yesterday gave grades to 18 cities in the San Diego region, and the results were mixed. And, there is an educational transformation happening in Logan Heights to bridge the achievement gap for underserved students. San Diego Unified made a multi-million dollar investment in the historically Latino neighborhood near downtown. Finally, The La Jolla Playhouse describes the Without Walls festival as: “An invitation to reimagine what theatre can be through intriguing and playful experiences.” We have a preview of this year’s in person WOW festival.

Closed beaches. Contaminated water, and the unfortunate stink of sewage have long been problems for coastal areas in the South Bay. But a settlement to a long-running lawsuit announced Tuesday hopes to improve the problem. Then, the Biden Administration is extending its mask mandates on airlines and public transportation until May 3. San Diego’s COVID-19 infection rate is relatively low and the county says the spread of the virus is likely decreasing. But could we see a bump in infections from the BA.2 variant? Next, a San Diego judge says he believes the county fair can go on this year, but fair officials say that may be impossible. Meanwhile, a new poll shows growing support for trash collection fees if officials provide replacement trash bins to San Diego residents. Next, part two of KPBS’s ongoing series “Let’s talk about it” looks at the art of having difficult conversations about race and equity. Finally, The Old Globe will present a new two-play adaptation of Henry VI in 2023 and is launching a yearlong program of citywide arts engagement and humanities events.

In late 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new program to dramatically speed up the state’s wildfire prevention work. But an investigation found the program hasn’t resulted in a single completed project. Next, it’s been a month since Little Italy resident Yan Li was shot and killed by law enforcement after being served with an eviction notice. Meanwhile, community members are demanding more information about what happened, while policing experts are questioning how the situation was handled and why it escalated so quickly. Then, San Diego spent 64% of federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act dollars on policing an investigation by The Guardian found. Then, an effort to ensure more safety for bicycle riders on San Diego streets was shut down in Mira Mesa last week, and its future is in doubt. After, San Diego State University scientists are working on a way to figure out if there are molecular traces of life on Mars. Finally, author Lela Lee talks about the latest installment, “Angry Little Asian Girl: Moments with My Mother,” in her popular comics series.

Migrants from Mexico and Central America are in greater danger now after the February temporary shelter closure in Tijuana. Then, KPBS’s Amita Sharma gives an update on the case of a former nursing home caregiver who sexually assaulted residents. Also, just weeks before major cities in San Diego County switch consumers to community-based energy, San Diego Gas and Electric has released its decarbonization roadmap. Meanwhile, a school in Tijuana aims to enrich the lives of young migrants and provide them with mental-health help. Next, a new crisis center in Vista is at the forefront of a new approach to mental health care in the county. Finally, San Diego-based music writer Jim Ruland is out with a new book called "Corporate Rock Sucks: The Rise and Fall of SST Records," which looks at the legendary punk rock label and the bands like Black Flag, Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr that were integral to its story.

From housing and health to transportation and education, the Legislative Analyst’s Office provides a litany of sobering climate change impacts for California legislators to address as they enact policies and set budgets. Plus, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego will reopen its La Jolla campus this weekend, after a major renovation that began in 2018. We have a preview.

Santa Ana wind conditions and unseasonably warm temperatures in April in San Diego are an unusual combination. Plus, during the pandemic shut down air quality improved across California – especially in communities where Asian and Latino Californians live. That means the opposite was true when the state opened back up. A new UCSD study suggests systemic racism could be behind the inequity. Also, scientists say climate change has created a cycle of drought that is increasingly hard to reverse and old policy models used to manage water in the West do not reflect those changes. And, new developments on the deadly shooting in Sacramento over weekend. Police now say there were five people directly involved in the shooting. Meanwhile, communities across California are having conversations about how to respond to the impacts of rising sea levels as a result of climate change. Finally, a local consignment shop has been given the distinction of best vintage store in the country by the online review site, Yelp.

PBS Midday Edition asked several San Diego climate activists to respond to the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report on mitigation of climate change released this week. After, votes are in for California’s 80th Assembly District special election, which will fill in the seat vacated by former Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez earlier this year. Later, the San Diego City Council established the city’s first privacy advisory board Tuesday. Plus, ride share and delivery drivers face a number of threats while on the road. A new report out today claims that the gig companies the drivers work for aren't doing enough to compensate the drivers when bad things happen to them. Finally, in a new podcast called “Border City” longtime San Diego border reporter Sandra Dibble reflects on the growth of Tijuana, the years it descended into violence, its renaissance in restaurants and business, its changing relationship to the US and San Diego.

The city of San Diego is moving forward with a new moratorium on no-fault evictions until Sept. 30, or 60 days after the end of the local pandemic state of emergency, whichever comes first. Next, Ukrainian nationals continue to have access to the U.S. asylum system. But people from other countries face much greater scrutiny. Later, one of the lingering effects of the Covid pandemic, has nothing to do with the virus itself. In San Diego, Rady Children’s hospital reports record numbers of young people seeking mental health treatment. Then, the City Council on Monday appointed Charles Modica to be the next independent budget analyst. The position was created during San Diego's 2004 financial crisis. Finally The Studio Door gallery in Hillcrest is hosting #WeBorrowTheEarthFromOurChildren, a new exhibit showcasing artwork about climate change by students aged 3 to 18.

While the majority of Ukrainian refugees have remained in Europe, more than a thousand have arrived in Tijuana in recent days to request asylum in the U.S. Plus, Ukrainian refugees are finding temporary respite in San Diego thanks to the efforts of a local church. Then, a temporary downtown homeless shelter got renewed for another year, and plans are in the works to open a new shelter in the Midway district. And, a story about California communities and people who are being asked to bear the costs of climate change often with little support. Later, Frequent moves are normal for members of the U.S. military. That means uprooting every two to three years… and sometimes even more often. And a preview of the play, “Reparations,” which uses Afrofuturism to imagine a time when technology allows people to access their blood memories to prove that their ancestors were victims of state-sponsored violence.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it's ending Title 42, a policy that limited asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. The change will go into effect on May 23 to give border officials time to adjust. Plus, the American digital divide is nothing new, but the COVID-19 pandemic shined a bright new light on the gap between those who could use the internet and those who couldn’t — including some seniors. And, performance and visual art pairings, some R&B and soul music, art inspired by classic literature and more in this weekend arts preview.

Farmworkers and their supporters held events across California today. They used Cesar Chavez day, the state holiday commemorating the late labor leader to bring attention to a bill they say would help them unionize. And it has been 27 years to the day since the death of Selena Quintanilla-Perez, “The Queen of Tejano.” The pop star’s life and music continue to have n impact on conversations around Mexican-American identity. Plus, the Russian invasion of Ukriane is causing food prices around the world to rise. The repercussions of this could lead to a humanitarian crisis among the world poor. Next, the city of San Diego has a massive backlog of broken streetlights. Why does it take an average of just under a year to fix each one? Then, environmentalist Bill Mckibben, founder of 350.org, says renewable energy is getting cheaper and easier to generate. And it is ready to replace fossil fuels in our warming world. Finally, a preview of this weekend's WonderCon — the first in-person show since the pandemic began.

State lawmakers are racing to extend emergency statewide eviction protections that are set to expire on Thursday. Plus, the California Taskforce on Reparations has finally answered one of its thorniest questions– who will actually be eligible for those reparations. The decision came after a long day of heated debate. After, as health officials prepare for what could be the next wave of COVID-19 infections what do we know about the BA.2 variant compared to other omicron variants? 
 Later, newly arrived Afghan immigrants are settling into their lives in San Diego, while thousands of others wait inside Afghanistan. Next, Sen. Alex Padilla, D-California has introduced a bill to help get rid of student loans for front line health care workers. Finally, a new report on safety inspections at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in San Luis Obispo County has found failures by inspectors from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

On Tuesday, the FDA authorized a fourth dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna coronavirus vaccines for everyone 50 and older. Plus, the California Supreme Court welcomed its first Latina justice, Patricia Guerrero, formerly a San Diego appellate judge. Then, a newly available drug called Evusheld would help protect people whose immune systems are unable to fight COVID-19, but not everyone who needs it can access the drug. Then, we hear about a childcare program offered to mothers experiencing homelessness through Father Joe’s Villages. Finally, a preview of "A Twisted Bargain," a new play opening this weekend at the Tenth Avenue Arts Center which was inspired by the infamous Leopold-Loeb murder case.

Recent readings from wastewater treatment plants have shown an uptick that could reflect COVID-19 infections on the rise. Plus, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination as the first Black woman to the nation’s highest court has given hope for many Black women and women of color, but the at times disrespectful tone and irrelevant questions during the hearings also illustrated how exhausting rising to such heights can be. Then, from losing loved ones to building community, San Diegans share their pandemic stories. And, there were nearly 1 million unfilled IT jobs in the U.S. last year. It’s a problem for tech companies but an opportunity for IT professionals in Mexico. Finally, San Diego Repertory Theatre kicks off its Second Annual Black Voices Reading Series Monday night with the first of four plays.

For a month straight, San Diego’s gas prices have been steadily climbing. The average price for a gallon of gas Friday is $5.99 a gallon. But if state lawmakers agree to a proposal this week from California Gov. Gavin Newsom, car owners, transit riders and long-haul truck drivers could soon see some financial relief. Plus, a preview of Gounod’s grand opera “Roméo et Juliette,” based on Shakespeare's famous tale of star-crossed lovers, at the San Diego Opera. And, the Academy Awards are this weekend. KPBS arts reporter Beth Beth Accomando and Moviewallas podcaster Yazdi Pithavala discuss all things Oscars.

Hundreds of city of San Diego employees are finding out this week that their coronavirus vaccine exemptions were approved, but some employees are still facing termination. Plus, state lawmakers from San Diego are taking the lead on legislation aimed at reducing the number of people who die in San Diego County jails. Meanwhile, many San Diego police officers are leaving for jobs at Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. COVID-19 vaccine mandates influenced those decisions but were not the only reason. Also, meet the three candidates running for Lorena Gonzalez’s vacated seat in the 80th Assembly District. Then, the Hazard Center Drive underpass through state Route 163 looks completed but the road remains closed. What gives? And, UCSD is growing its esports presence with a new state-of-the-art center and $200,000 in scholarships. Finally, to mark the 50th anniversary of “The Godfather,” KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando spoke with San Diego native and actor Robert Duvall, who played Corleone’s consigliere Tom Hagen.

Anger over high gas prices has spurred lawmakers in Sacramento to come up with some way to ease the burden. A new proposal that’s gaining traction comes from a coalition of Democrats who want to give every taxpayer a $400 check. Plus, as Oceanside transforms from its “Ocean-slime” image, residents say gentrification is killing the last affordable coastal city in San Diego County. And, a special tribute concert for Ukraine at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park, a Spanish-language translation of the Messiah and plenty more in this week’s weekend arts preview.

The Federal reserve made a move yesterday to cool down the inflationary spiral that’s made gas, food and housing prices spike by raising the rates banks use to lend money to each other. Then, the family of a man who died in custody after a 2015 arrest in Santee has been awarded $85 million by a jury. Also, in order to meet city and state climate goals more people will have to use public transit in San Diego. Why do so few people use public transit now? Plus, the city of Oceanside at one time had a derogatory nickname: “Ocean-slime.” But now it's quickly becoming the next tourist hotspot in San Diego. And, finally, we wrap up our series on the second anniversary of COVID-19 shutdowns and event cancellations, and hear about the impact these past two years have had on live music and local music venues.

As global leaders continue to drop restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19, all-too-familiar warning signs are emerging that point to the same uncomfortable reminder: this pandemic isn’t over yet. Plus, as Presiden Joe Biden directs more aids to Ukraine, more Ukrainian refugees are arriving at the US-Mexico border in hopes of making it into the United States. Meanwhile, welcome news for many sleep-deprived Americans, the Senate — in a rare display of bipartisanship — unanimously voted to make daylight saving time permanent. But many believe moving permanently to standard time — rather than daylight saving time — is a better solution. Also, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time in three years and that could mean a slow down of the San Diego housing market, but the cost to buy or rent here is still out of reach for many. And, new research shows that fear of racial discrimination weighs heavily in career decisions among some military service members of color. Finally, in part two of an ongoing series looking at the effect the pandemic has had on the local performing arts scene, we look at the state of live theater.

The Federal Reserve meets Tuesday and is expected to raise interest rates in an attempt to bring down inflation. Next, an SDSU department chair said the reassignment of a tenured professor over the use of racial epithets in the classroom is a symptom of "larger cultural deficiencies" at the university. Black students and faculty are hurting, he said. Later, as the Marines conclude the questioning of the son of a former San Diego County GOP leader who tried to join a white nationalist group, some experts say the military's new rules on extremism miss the mark. Later, Padres baseball is gearing up for the spring after a labor dispute. Finally, Midday Edition begins a series of stories on the impact of the last two years of the COVID-19 pandemic on the performing arts.

U.S. officials at the San Ysidro border are turning away Ukrainians fleeing from the Russian invasion. Next, increasing gas prices and high inflation are making Californians feel an economic squeeze. State lawmakers are proposing a tax rebate, stimulus payments and a pause on the gas tax to help ease the financial burden. We’ll hear the pros and cons of each. Later, the images from the war in Ukraine can have a profound effect on those who suffered trauma in combat. A look at one vet plagued by survivors' guilt. Then, a new initiative at the San Diego Botanic Garden will draw upon Indigious traditions to study the medicinal aspects of native plants. Finally, a local music collectors 'Love Supreme' is on display in his rare record archive. We’ll hear six songs included in Bram Dijkstra's "John Coltrane Memorial Black Music Archive."

San Diego State was praised and criticized for its decision to reassign a professor over racial epithets used in a course about language and racism. A Philadelphia-based civil rights group says SDSU violated the professor’s First Amendment rights. Also, more than 2 million people have fled Ukraine since Russia invaded, including a 94-year-old woman and her 70-year-old son thanks to social media and the help of two of Ukraine’s top athletes. And, in a preview of the arts scene this weekend, we have piñatas and craft as art, a dance performance from Monica Bill Barnes and an open house filled with music and art.

A San Diego Superior Court judge said the San Diego City Council waited too long to declare Measure C had passed. The council waited a year to determine the ballot measure needed a simple majority. At the time of the election it was thought to require a two-thirds majority and fell just shy at 65% of the vote. Plus, domestic violence crimes involving firearms in San Diego City jumped 70% last year, despite state laws aimed at taking guns away from abusers. Also, as some states ban abortions we look at a pair of proposed bills in California that would expand access to reproductive health care, including abortions. Meanwhile, San Diego officials were not pleased with the performance of their new ambulance provider, Falck. And, at least 90,000 restaurants and bars across the country have closed since the beginning of the pandemic. And while COVID-19 infection rates have dropped recently, there are still incertainties going foward, leaving restaurant owners on edge. Finally, the San Diego Latino Film Festival was forced to go virtual for two years because of the pandemic but on Thursday it returns to an in-person festival at a new location in Mission Valley.

Gov. Gavin Newsom talked about high gas prices, rising crime rates and worsening homelessnes in his State of the State address, we have analysis of the speech. And, in 2021 almost all major crimes saw increases in the city of San Diego. The cause, according to San Diego’s police chief, is frustration and anger over COVID-19 disruptions to normal life. Then, over the past two years conversations about race, gender and equity have become more mainstream and in some cases more contentious. We introduce a new series we’re calling "Let’s Talk About It" starting with an audience question about the meaning of the word “woke.” Next, on the brink of breakthrough a Black San Diego biotech CEO struggles to find funding and he’s not alone. A story about the experiences of some non-white biotech leaders. After, new insights from UC San Diego show online tutoring could help students who experienced learning loss during the pandemic. Finally, a preview of a unique multimedia father-daughter act in tribute to the late actor Victor Mature coming to the Bodhi Tree this Saturday.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria launched the “Bridge to Home” program on Monday. It’s goal: to speed up the construction of affordable housing. Next, if approved by the legislature the state will give counties money to expand the courts to focus on getting severely mentally ill and chronically addicted people off the streets and into shelters. But some mental health professionals have concerns about how the so-called Care Court would work in the real world. After, Dr. Lamont Jackson will be the next superintendent of the San Diego Unified School District. What challenges will he face as leader of the state’s second largest district? Then, a $3.5 billion mega project may soon be replacing the original Seaport Village and Central Embarcadero. And, The Old Globe introduces "El Borracho," a play which explores the realities of a Mexican American family dealing with an alcoholic family member. Finally, a preview of the 11th annual San Diego Arab Film Festival which begins Friday at the Museum of Photographic Arts.

UC San Diego’s school of Global Policy and Strategy professor Stephan Haggard previews a virtual forum being held Monday night about the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. ,Next, some scientists believe the ocean is often overlooked when evaluating the effects of climate change and its potential to offer solutions. Margaret Leinen, Director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego talks about the investment required to make the ocean more transparent to researchers. Then, with San Diego becoming the most unaffordable city in the United States, some San Diegans are heading south of the border in search of a lower cost of living. What does that mean for the Tijuanense? Next, from a citrus grove to the side of a building or in a gallery KPBS Arts producer and editor Julia Dixon Evans joins us to talk about five works of visual art you can see in San Diego County during the month of March. Finally, Chalino Sanchez was a Mexican singer whose career was cut short at his peak when he was murdered in the early 1990s. A new podcast looks at the life of Sanchez, who has deep ties to Southern California, and why his legendary story still resonates decades after his death.

The proposal would allow family members, first responders and others to refer people with debilitating psychosis to be evaluated, treated and housed before they end up in the criminal justice system. Plus, more than 2 million American children and teenagers live with a wounded or ill veteran. Many help with the veteran's care and face challenges like stress, anxiety, and social isolation. And, in this weekend arts preview, we have some contemporary ballet set to Bluegrass, visual art from the border to the desert, and a chamber concert dedicated to Ukraine.

The rising gas prices have state leaders and others searching for ways to limit their impacts on the economy. But it also brings up questions about San Diego’s reliance on gas-driven cars and climate change. Plus, a new study shows San Diego’s existing climate action measure won’t put the city on track to achieve the goal of net-zero emissions by 2035. And, the state requirement that cars be zero-emission by 2035 forces questions of what to do with hazardous waste created by batteries. Next, climate disasters are creating anxiety and fear for the future. In response, some mental health professionals are encouraging people to become active in the climate justice movement as an act of personal resilience. Meanwhile, the Biden administration dropped out of negotiations to compensate families separating migrant families at the border, surprising many advocates. Finally, a look at the La Jolla Playhouse’s world-premiere of ‘Bhangin’ It: A Bangin’ New Musical’ about a mixed-race woman involved in competitive collegiate Bhangra.

Ukrainians in San Diego watched with the rest of the nation as President Joe Biden delivered a rousing State of the Union addressing the Russian invasion. Next, we dig in to the new “test to treat” plan for COVID-19, using Pfizer antiviral pills and the new National COVID-19 Preparedness plan with Dr. Eric Topol. Later, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors passed an initiative Tuesday to provide doulas, or birth attendants, to Black moms-to-be and other women of color. And, California could become the first state in the country to expand health coverage to all low-income immigrants in the state. Then, for the first time in 27 years, Major League Baseball is canceling games due to a labor dispute. Finally, the San Diego Music Awards recently released its list of nominees for this year. And topping that list with a record five nominations including song of the year is San Diego Jazz soloist Rebecca Jade. We hear about her musical influences.

A new commission to oversee police misconduct in San Diego is one step closer to reality. Next, since December, Mobile Crisis Response teams can answer calls for mental health issues all across the county. The MCRT response does not include police, which is a significant change from the way mental health calls have been answered in the past. Then, some nonprofit leaders describe their experience dealing with Chula Vista city officials as “hitting a brick wall.” Later, San Diego leaders have often praised our cross-border partnership with Baja California as a dynamic, cultural and economic powerhouse, unlike anywhere else. A new report seems to support that claim. Finally, a message meant to cultivate honor and respect for the Kumeyaay – San Diego County’s first inhabitants — has triggered charges of political tampering at San Diego State University.

Starting Tuesday in California, masks will no longer be required but “strongly recommended" for unvaccinated individuals in most indoor settings. The same will apply to schools and childcare facilities on March 12. Then, a class-action lawsuit that blames California’s high gas prices on oil company collusion may be coming to a head in federal court. And, an oceanfront mansion on Coronado listed for sale for $36 Million dollars helps paint the picture of how unaffordable the island is. Right now Coronado is out of compliance with the state’s affordable housing laws. In March, California's reparations task force will debate who should be eligible for direct payments to compensate for slavery and its lingering effects. A story on the very last case of the enslavement of Black people in California. Finally, KPBS’s Maya Trabulsi introduces us to Boombox Chuck, known for his love of retro culture, especially the boombox.

As war threatens lives and livelihoods across Ukraine, what impact can sanctions have on the Russian invasion? Plus, as the nation recognizes Black History Month, a closer look at how far San Diego has (or hasn’t) come since the civil rights movement, through the eyes of local civil rights hero Harold K. Brown. And, in the arts this weekend, a touring dance performance full of horror and fairy tales, a one-night theatrical production celebrating Black joy and creativity,

As the people in the U.S. woke up to the news that Russia was invading Ukraine, many in San Diego’s Ukrainian community began worrying about their relatives and the fate of their native land. Plus, this year’s “Point In Time” homeless count began Thursday and could provide more insight on how many more people became homeless during the pandemic. Also, as the vast number of cases led by the omicron wave continues to subside, health providers continue to grapple with long COVID-19. In addition, NOAA’s prediction of eight inches of sea-level rise by mid-century will mean far more frequent “nuisance floods” along San Diego’s coastline. Meanwhile, the U.S. is one of the few developed nations that does not have universal health care, child care and affordable housing, among other things. And it boils down to racism, so says author Heather McGhee. And, movie musicals made a comeback last year with the release of “West Side Story,” “Tick Tick … Boom!, and the latest, “Cyrano,” opening this Friday in San Diego.