As temperatures linger in San Diego around 90 degrees or higher for another day, being homeless is even more dangerous. And, there are now more people living on the street in downtown San Diego than ever before. Then, following news that Juul labs agreed to pay nearly $440 million to settle claims that it marketed its products to teens, we talk about the health impacts of e-cigarettes. And, the start of a new school year can be especially challenging for students who are visually impaired. KPBS ...
Sep 07, 2022•45 min
SDG&E’s Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Geraghty, answers questions about why the California heatwave is straining the state’s power grid and why the flex alert is needed and if residents are reducing power use. Then, in the latest twist in the “Fat Leonard” U.S. Navy corruption scandal, federal authorities say Leonard Glenn Francis, escaped house arrest Sunday ahead of sentencing later this month. Plus, Governor Newsom has begun to sign a new package of climate action bills, including one to...
Sep 06, 2022•45 min
Amid high inflation and looming recession indicators, the U.S. still managed to add three hundred and fifteen thousand jobs during the month of August. And while San Diego continues to boast one of the lowest overall unemployment rates in the country, its overall labor force participation is down. Then, labor unions have won some high-profile victories in the last year. Here in California, but overall union membership dropped slightly last year and some doubt these sporadic victories mark a tren...
Sep 05, 2022•45 min
The wildfire that began Wednesday in San Diego’s East County near the town of Potrero has charred about 4,400 acres, jumped state route 94 and burned south toward the Tecate area. It destroyed several structures including three homes and two people have been badly burned. In other news, the last days of California’s two-year legislative session ended with a flurry of votes this week. One of the bills that did not make it would have ended the practice of transferring non-citizens to immigration c...
Sep 02, 2022•19 min
We speak with San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria about a ballot measure going before voters in November that could change how we pay for garbage collection, his support of the Midway Rising proposal for that sports arena redevelopment and the city’s homeless outreach efforts. Then while local water managers say San Diego County is mostly protected from the drought that’s squeezing water supplies in the west, if the water levels in Lake Mead continue to decline it could impact San Diego’s water supply. ...
Sep 01, 2022•46 min
The wait for an Omicron specific booster vaccine is almost over. The FDA gave emergency use authorization to the booster today and a CDC panel review is scheduled tomorrow. Then, California lawmakers passed a bill that would declare the state a refuge for transgender youth. Next, the Carlsbad city council voted unanimously on Tuesday to ratify a state of emergency in response to a rise in traffic collisions involving bicycles. And, a look into a San Diego County plan to address a shortage of men...
Aug 31, 2022•46 min
We speak to Brenda Tracy, a rape survivor who SDSU brought in last fall to speak to male athletes amid allegations of a gang rape by members of the football team. Next, forecasters say we’re in for a long stretch of very hot and unusually humid weather. Highs in the 80s, 90s and even 100s inland will feel even hotter because of the humidity. Plus, lawmakers in Sacramento have to decide on hundreds of bills before this legislative session ends Wednesday at midnight. Later, with the excitement of ...
Aug 30, 2022•45 min
California’s second largest school district, San Diego Unified, welcomed students for what may be the most normal school year since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Then, one of the three former SDSU football players accused of raping a 17-year-old girl during an off-campus party in October, was released by his current NFL team on Saturday. The other two are no longer on the SDSU roster. And, this fall, thousands of young new students are attending school for the first time. But according to county ...
Aug 29, 2022•43 min
State regulators made it official yesterday. California will stop the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by the year 2035. Then, California’s county governments would be responsible for carrying out the state’s controversial CARE Court proposal. But counties have concerns about a shortage of mental health workers and funding for the program. And in our weekend preview, visual art inspired by a mix of chemistry and long walks in the park, a Broadway show, the symphony and more.
Aug 26, 2022•19 min
Demand for monkeypox vaccines in San Diego County continues to outpace supply. There have been 239 cases of the virus reported here since June. Then, among the initiatives that make up San Diego’s Climate Action Plan is one that involves restoring 700 acres of wetlands along the coast. Environmentalists say the wetlands will help mitigate sea level rise and absorb carbon dioxide from the air. Then we head to Big Bear in the San Bernardino Mountains where hot days and air pollution are getting in...
Aug 25, 2022•45 min
Millions of Americans learned Tuesday that some or all of their student loan debt is being erased. Then, the San Diego Unified School District starts on Monday. Superintendent Dr. Lamont Jackson talks about the year ahead. And, a recent NPR/Ipsos poll found a majority of Americans believe the U.S. is experiencing an “invasion” at the southern border. We hear perspectives from San Diegans and an immigration expert about the politicized language around the issue of immigration. Next, the head of t...
Aug 24, 2022•47 min
A year after America ended its longest war, thousands of Afghans are settling into new lives inside the U.S. Though, advocates say the U.S. is not doing enough especially to help women who remained behind and are now under threat from the Taliban. Then, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria is putting his support behind the Midway Rising redevelopment plan for the 48-acre city-owned Sports Arena property. Next, middle and high students in San Diego are starting school later in the morning. A sleep researc...
Aug 23, 2022•45 min
U.S. and Mexican officials hope the new Otay Mesa East Port of Entry will shorten long wait times at the San Diego-Tijuana border when it’s open in 2024. Then, a new report finds the county needs more than 18,000 new therapists, psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists in the next 5 years, to meet demand. And, just over a week ago, a drug cartel launched a campaign of terror on Tijuana new KPBS reporting sheds light on the reasons behind the attacks. Next, one obstacle for expanding adopt...
Aug 22, 2022•47 min
Soaring temperatures across California and a request to cut back on power usage this week raised questions about the reliability of the state’s electricity grid. Governor Newsom says temporarily extending the life of California’s Diablo Canyon nuclear plant near San Luis Obispo could improve grid reliability but at a cost. Then, a series of classic children’s books is finding new life on stage and in the wilderness of East County. And, in our weekend preview, a play about a fictional female libi...
Aug 19, 2022•19 min
Thousands of students returned to San Diego County schools Wednesday, and between COVID-19 safety measures and new laws affecting public school districts, there's a lot to talk about. Then, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif. discusses his work on the Jan. 6th committee, and how the recent FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago has escalated political tensions. Plus, a new effort to beef up county jail staffing and safety measures. Then, bicycling advocates say the death of a Carlsbad mother while riding her ebike is a ...
Aug 18, 2022•45 min
We asked a number of San Diego climate scientists, activists and politicians their reaction to the groundbreaking climate legislation President Biden signed into law Tuesday. Then, 40 million people in seven Southwestern states rely on the Colorado River for their water supply. As the drought worsens, the states missed a federal deadline to come up with a drastic conservation plan. And, the CDC has relaxed its COVID-19 guidelines, San Diego Unified is relaxing its mask requirement and San Diego ...
Aug 17, 2022•45 min
Tijuana continues to recover from a traumatic weekend which saw many businesses close and residents shelter in place from threats of violence from drug cartels. Then, UC San Diego is cutting admission offers for the next school year by more than 9,000 students. Next, the U.S. Forest Service predicted for decades a wildfire could devastate Grizzly Flats. A Cap Radio and California Newsroom investigation looks at why its plan to protect the town fell short. Then, one of San Diego’s most car-depend...
Aug 16, 2022•45 min
While San Diego continues to experience hot and humid weather, climate researchers say warmer temperatures make it more likely that California will be hit by megafloods. Then, over the weekend, violent drug cartels brought cities in Baja California to a standstill. Next, a new California initiative aims to improve the disfunction plaguing some school boards. Next, a new city program gives qualifying homeowners the chance to add solar to their homes at little-to-no cost. Then, a study of accelera...
Aug 16, 2022•45 min
In the face of historic drought and worsening climate change, Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled a new plan for the future of California’s water supply. Then, dogs are considered man’s, and woman’s, best friend - especially the sweet-spirited Beagle. However, KPBS’s reports it’s a trait that has made them more likely to be used in medical research. Finally, in our weekend preview, we take a look at some visual arts, a family-friendly movie screening and the Barrio Art Crawl.
Aug 12, 2022•19 min
Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina said he met Tuesday night with Baja California officials who tentatively agreed to emergency mitigation measures to address the ongoing problem of raw sewage leaking across the border. Then, monkeypox cases have more than doubled since last week in San Diego County, a virtual town hall will be held Thursday night to answer questions about the spread of the virus. Next, San Diego County officials have stopped new admissions to Veterans Village of San Diego, after...
Aug 11, 2022•45 min
The of San Diego is proposing a $20 million fix to address flooding at a sewage pump station off Morena Boulevard which could delay the city’s Pure Water sewage recycling system project. Then, activists say a Carlsbad Community-Police Engagement Commision won’t address police accountability, biases or reforms. Plus, police departments play a key role in granting so-called U-Visa which are available to immigrants who are victims of crimes, but some police departments are more likely to approve th...
Aug 09, 2022•46 min
Congressman Mike Levin, (D-San Diego) calls the passage by the U.S. Senate Sunday of a sweeping climate, health and tax bill, “historic.” He joins Midday Edition to talk about some of the contents of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Then, we speak to veteran journalist Bob Woodward who will be in San Diego for a talk at Balboa Theatre on Aug. 14 called “How We Got Here: Lessons From Ten Presidents.” Also, KPBS has a new news director. Terence Shepherd, whose first day is Monday, shares his v...
Aug 08, 2022•46 min
California Governor Gavin Newsom is urging state legislators to make progress on climate change before the end of the current legislative session. Then, as cases of monkeypox climb and health officials scramble to contain the outbreaks, one veteran journalist sees the similarities from covering the HIV/AIDS crisis almost four decades ago. And for our weekend arts preview, we hear about some new art openings and closings, music and theater about Paris, and even some outdoor jazz.
Aug 05, 2022•19 min
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria talks about the city’s updated climate action plan and a new proposal to increase housing. And, nearly half of women in California are rent burdened. A new report by the Gender Equity Policy Institute finds the greatest impacts on Black and Latina women, single mothers and elderly women who live alone. Then, from North County to South County, you may have noticed herds of goats in open spaces. It’s not a new petting zoo: these goats are actually working to help preven...
Aug 04, 2022•45 min
Dr. Eric Topol talks about the latest news on COVID-19 and monkeypox. Then, an updated Climate Action Plan was approved by the San Diego City Council Tuesday. Its strategy to get to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 includes plans to retrofit existing buildings, including whole neighborhoods from gas to electric heating and appliances. Also, the San Diego Padres shook up the baseball world Tuesday trading the Washington Nationals for star player Juan Soto and others. Later, San Diego Cou...
Aug 04, 2022•46 min
A surprising climate deal was announced last week in the Senate and Congressman Scott Peters talks about why the passage of the climate and economic bill is important for San Diego. Then, KPBS environment reporter Erik Anderson on what local climate activists are saying about the bill. Next, a new Voice of San Diego report finds women in the military are more than twice as likely to take their own lives as civilians. Then, the Space Force is abandoning traditional physical fitness assessments an...
Aug 02, 2022•44 min
Veterans Village of San Diego is holding its 35th annual Stand Down event this weekend. The event provides food and medical care, legal assistance, employment support, housing referrals and even haircuts to veterans and veteran families experiencing homelessness. But it is being overshadowed by several deaths at the organization's rehab center for veterans including one this week. Then, it’s been seven months since California required trash haulers to start picking up and composting food waste. ...
Jul 29, 2022•19 min
Cal Fire halted the spread of the 180 acre Casner Fire overnight. The agency said the fire was started when someone was trying to clear brush from their property during the wrong time of day and during risky conditions. And, firefighters elsewhere in the state are making gains on the Oak Fire burning near Yosemite National Park, families are beginning to reckon with the devastation. Plus, the Biden administration is planning to follow the lead of the World Health Organization in declaring the sp...
Jul 28, 2022•45 min
The San Diego City Council voted Tuesday to cut its losses on the downtown real estate deal that’s turned into a fiasco. Then, to pay for trash, or not to pay for trash? The question will go before San Diego voters. And, a UC San Diego infectious disease specialist helps track down the source of COVID-19. Next, there is a new home and even more hope for teenagers who find themselves locked up in the County’s juvenile detention system thanks to a new Youth Transition Campus. And, Maya Gabeira is ...
Jul 27, 2022•47 min
The results of wastewater testing are showing a dramatic increase in the presence of the COVID-19 virus in San Diego County. Then, details on a bill Governor Gavin Newsom signed Friday that would allow private citizens to sue gun makers for deaths from firearms banned in California. Next, the U.S. Monkeypox outbreak is swiftly expanding and in these early days of its spread, people can spend days in search of the right diagnosis. And, the project to transform San Diego’s Central Embarcadero went...
Jul 26, 2022•44 min
