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 terrible toll of California's wildfires became more evident as 10 were reported dead and others missing. Plus, while much else in San Diego has been allowed to gradually reopen amid the pandemic, playgrounds appear to be closed indefinitely. And our weekend arts and culture picks include the San Diego Blues Fest and North Coast Rep's new production of “Necessary Sacrifices.” -
Freak natural disasters — most with what scientists say likely have a climate change link — seem to be everywhere in 2020. But experts say natural disasters could get worse in the future. Plus, an audit of SANDAG alleges problems with hiring, promotions and upper management’s compensation. And a new report by SDSU’s Center for Health Economics and Policy Studies estimates 260,000 COVID-19 cases are linked to a motorcycle rally in South Dakota. Also, a virtual KPBS event delves into childcare challenges during the coronavirus pandemic. Finally, the Voices of Our City Choir is featured on KPBS’ Summer Music Series. -
In total, the fire has destroyed 20 homes and 17 other structures and resulted in two minor injuries to firefighters CalFire said. Plus, State data released Tuesday shows San Diego County is regressing in its fight against COVID-19. The county is perilously close to slipping into the "widespread" tier like much of the rest of the state. And with the threat of blackouts back in the news, some people now have questions about whether it's worth getting solar panels and energy storage batteries. Plus, a group of VA psychologists across the country have formed race-based stress and trauma support groups for veterans of color. Finally, La Jolla Playhouse’s WOW, or Without Walls, Festival moves online with “Portaleza.” -
The Valley Fire has burned thousands of acres and destroyed about a dozen homes as new evacuations have been ordered in eastern San Diego County. Also, San Diego State University is reporting hundreds of COVID-19 infections since August 24 and UC students and faculty are protesting the university’s plan to reopen its campus, local scientists are calling out the FDA commissioner saying he ‘cherry picked’ COVID-19 plasma data, the University of California has taken the lead on phasing out single-use plastics, and a guide to San Diego's first design week. -
The Valley Fire in the Japatul Valley exploded over the weekend, jumping from just a few hundred acres to over 10,000 with only about 1% contained on Monday morning. And while prisoners have been able to join fire-fighting crews for years, many former prisoners still find it difficult to land a professional fire-fighting job. But last week, the California legislature passed a bill that would make it easier for them to get a job on the outside. Also, many Latino workers are finding it difficult to stay afloat financially and maintain housing security during the pandemic, and that could impact their ability to fill out the census. During fire season, smoke becomes a problem for everyone. But, some low-income communities of color could be more vulnerable to damaging smoke-filled air. And, what does fire season mean for California’s old state parks and centuries-old trees? A profile of Big Basin Redwoods State Park serves as a reminder of just how much Californians care about their local nature. -
There have been 240 coronavirus outbreaks in San Diego County since the start of the pandemic, according to new information released by the county. But, the county is still keeping the specific locations of those outbreaks secret. Plus, the parts of San Diego County that have seen the highest rates of COVID-19 infection also contain the schools serving the vulnerable student groups who need in-person learning the most. And in San Diego art events this weekend, you'll find new plays by emerging and acclaimed voices in Latinx theater, a couple of in-person visual art experiences, and an instrumental rock performance live streamed from an empty venue. -
All 200 of SDSU’s in-person classes — mostly lab work classes — would move online after 64 students tested positive for COVID-19. Students who live in campus housing may move out if they want. Plus, UC San Diego Health is recruiting participants for a national clinical trial as part of an effort to develop a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 by the end of the year. And as Mayor Kevin Faulconer gets close to signing a new deal with a private company, activists push for “municipalization,” which means the city takes over the power grid. Also, the number of people dying at home from complications of COVID-19 are climbing in San Diego County and some victims did not get the medical care they needed or received false negative test results. Finally, San Diego songwriter Al Howard has teamed up with his mother, the artist Marian Howard to create a multimedia project: He’s writing 100 songs each accompanied by her original watercolor painting. -
In spite of unprecedented public support for police reform measures after the death of George Floyd, California legislators failed to pass a majority of the police reform bills up for a vote this week. Plus, plasma is being used to treat coronavirus patients here and across the country, with fresh encouragement from the FDA. But do plasma treatments work? Also, San Diego Police have released seven out of eight videos of police shootings since July 2019. But one video hasn't been released and it's not clear why. Finally, KPBS’ Rad Scientist podcast profiles Melonie Vaughn, a rising second year neuroscience PhD student at UC San Diego. Vaughn’s desire to study neurodevelopmental disorders stems from watching her austic brother struggle with school and social relationships. -
On the last day of session Monday night, California lawmakers passed bills for eviction relief, police oversight and accountability and COVID-19 aid. These have been sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom for approval. Plus, some UC San Diego doctors and scientists are urging county officials to delay reopening more businesses. Also, a 2019 law mandates California police departments must release videos when an officer fires their weapon. However, the videos are edited and don't contain all of the footage. And South Bay teachers are trying to bridge the digital divide for English language learners as the school year begins with distance learning. Plus, the median home price in San Diego County is rising despite widespread unemployment. Finally, Horrible Imaginings Film Festival kicks off its online event tonight. The festival is dedicated to horror, sci-fi and fantasy genre films. -
After receiving Gov. Newsom’s go-ahead, San Diego County is reopening indoor businesses like movie theaters, gyms and museums with required safety measures on Monday. Plus, parents, teachers and students are getting ready to resume in-person class Sept. 1 in some parts of San Diego County. Also, several veterans speak about the scope and impact of racial bias in the U.S. military.
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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.
