
Midday Edition uplifts voices in San Diego with fearless conversations about intriguing issues. Host, Jade Hindmon, cuts through the noise with questions that give listeners a deeper understanding of themselves, people and the community they live in. Guests share diverse perspectives from their expertise and lived experience. In a city and world that's rapidly changing, Jade’s interviews inspire, inform and make you think. Midday Edition airs Monday - Thursday 12pm - 1pm and again from 8pm - 9pm. You can also catch the show anytime on all podcast apps.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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A FDA advisory panel has given approval for COVID-19 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Midday Edition Team

Jade Hindmon
Host
Jade Hindmon is the host of KPBS Midday Edition. She connects San Diego through fearless conversations that inform, inspire and make you think. Prior to Midday Edition Jade was a reporter and fill-in anchor in the KPBS newsroom covering everything from politics to policing and the economy. Her award winning work spans network affiliates across the southeast and midwest. As a very proud Rattler, Jade studied broadcast journalism and political science at Florida A&M University. She takes a special interest in topics about democracy, accountability, racial justice, science and wellness.

Brooke Ruth
Senior Producer
Brooke Ruth is the senior producer for KPBS Radio News. She previously served as a producer for KPBS Midday Edition and a web producer. Before joining KPBS, Brooke was a web editor for four newspapers and a local television station. She began her career in news at the Imperial Valley Press. She has also been part of the web teams at the Napa Valley Register, North County Times, and U-T San Diego. While pursuing her undergraduate degree at UCLA in psychology, she worked on the student newspaper, the Daily Bruin.

Andrew Bracken
Producer
Andrew Bracken, KPBS Midday Edition and Roundtable producer & host of podcasts "My First Day" & "San Diego Conversations," made "Facing North," a docu-web series on San Diego-Tijuana ties, released on PBS in 2017. He's a San Diego Foundation Creative Catalyst fellow & a San Diego Film Award winner. He drums in his spare time.

Ashley Rusch
Producer
Ashley Rusch is a producer for KPBS Midday Edition. Before joining KPBS, she was an associate producer at LAist 89.3, where she worked on AirTalk with Larry Mantle, Weekend Edition and All Things Considered. At UC Santa Barbara, Ashley led KCSB-FM’s news coverage through the COVID-19 pandemic. She was also a news intern at KCBX in San Luis Obispo. Ashley grew up in South Pasadena, California.

Julianna Domingo
Producer
Julianna Domingo is a producer for KPBS Midday Edition. Before joining the station, Julianna worked at CalMatters as a College Journalism Network Fellow where she reported on higher education across the state. She got her start in journalism at The Triton, an independent student newspaper at UC San Diego. Julianna graduated from UC San Diego with a major in political science and a minor in communications.

Brandon Truffa
Media Production Specialist
Prior to joining the KPBS Midday team in 2024, Brandon worked as a board operator and producer with The Mighty 1090 in San Diego, and executive producer and sound editor at FOX Sports Radio in Los Angeles. He's a San Diego native and graduate of San Diego State University. In his spare time he enjoys watching sports, going to comedy shows and hanging out with his cats and dogs.

Ben Redlawsk
Media Production Specialist
Ben Redlawsk is a media production specialist for KPBS radio. He provides technical direction for KPBS “Morning Edition” and assists with “KPBS Midday Edition” and “KPBS Roundtable” through audio editing and recording. He got his start in radio as head audio engineer at KSDT, UC San Diego’s student-run radio station. Ben graduated from UC San Diego with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary computing and the arts with an emphasis in music technology.