Bestselling author, political strategist and former Georgia State Representative Stacey Abrams will headline the inaugural KPBS San Diego Book Festival on Aug. 23.

Abrams joined Midday Edition on Thursday to talk about her latest book, "Coded Justice," which dives into the ethical questions around the use of AI in the healthcare industry.

"What I want us to think about with AI is that it's an extraordinarily powerful technology that is controlled by people," Abrams said. "And that means people have to understand what's happening and that means other people have to question where it comes from, what it does and what impact it will have on us."

Plus, KPBS' Beth Accomando looks at how a new all-women acting company is flipping the script on Shakespearean plays.

Then, Julia Dixon Evans shares her top picks for arts events this weekend, including meteor showers, visual art about caregiving and a children's film festival.

• Stacey Abrams, author of "Coded Justice," former Georgia State Representative and two-time gubernatorial candidate
• Audrey Sweet, co-founder of the Queen's Men
• Charlotte B. Larson, co-founder of the Queen's Men
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, KPBS

Wildfires are becoming bigger, deadlier and even more destructive across California. Firefighting efforts are also intensifying in response.On Midday Edition Wednesday, we hear from Jordan Thomas, anthropologist and author of the book “When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World," about his experience fighting fires as a Los Padres Hotshot and his deep-dive into the cultural histories behind fire.Guest:Jordan Thomas, cultural anthropologist, author of “When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World"Events:Aug. 21 - Book Catapult book talkAug. 23 - KPBS San Diego Book Festival

Writer and director Larry Charles has been an influential voice in American comedy for decades. From his groundbreaking work on TV series such as “Seinfeld” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” to films like “Borat” and “The Dictator,” you likely have laughed at his work over the years.But his lifelong dedication to laughter comes with a life-and-death seriousness, which he explores in his new memoir "Comedy Samurai: 40 Years of Blood, Guts, and Laughter."Charles will be a featured author at the KPBS San Diego Book Festival on Saturday, Aug. 23.Guest:Larry Charles — writer, director and author of "Comedy Samurai: 40 Years of Blood, Guts, and Laughter"

Environmental groups are celebrating a ruling from the California Supreme Court related to rooftop solar panels.The California Public Utilities Commission reduced financial incentives for homeowners to install solar power in 2022.The court's ruling does not change those incentives, but will allow for the appeals court to revisit the commission's authority to make changes to credits for rooftop solar customers.On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear what the ruling could mean for the future of rooftop solar in California.Guests:Malena Carollo, business reporter, CalMattersMalinda Dickenson, legal and executive director, The Protect Our Communities Foundation

San Diego County’s longtime treasurer Dan McAllister suddenly retired this month after more than two decades in office.While the county has praised McAllister’s service over that time, court records reveal that two sexual harassment lawsuits were filed against him during his tenure.One of those cases had gone unreported until recently, and resulted in the county paying out a six-figure settlement in 2022, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune.Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear from reporter Lucas Robinson about the details in each case and the checkered legacy McAllister left.Guest:Lucas Robinson, government and politics reporter, The San Diego Union-Tribune

Building better public transit is difficult and expensive in California. Even with the right funding and voter approval, some transit projects can't seem to get off the ground.

A new report from Circulate San Diego, "The Powerless Brokers: Why California Can't Build Transit" looks at one factor behind these delays — permitting challenges — and what it might take for California to get better at building transit.

Colin Parent, CEO and General Counsel, Circulate San Diego

Friday marks the beginning of the San Diego Black Pride festival, a three-day event that celebrates Black queerness and joy in San Diego.On Midday Edition, we hear about how San Diego Black Pride is continuing to build safe and affirming spaces for Black LGBTQ+ people across the region.Then, in San Diego, summer is a season of Shakespeare. In this month's edition of Midday Movies, our critics share their favorite film adaptations of the beloved bard's work.Guests:Jordan Daniels, president, San Diego Black PrideBeth Accomando, arts reporter, KPBSYazdi Pithavala, host, Moviewallas

One of San Diego's most beloved attractions turned 100 this year. The Giant Dipper roller coaster at Belmont Park carried its first riders on July 4, 1925.The amusement park is still bustling a century later, holding a lot of history within it.On Midday Edition, we sit down with the park's general manager to hear how they're celebrating 100 years.Guest:Steve Thomas, Belmont Park general manager

Public radio fans know a thing or two about language. Especially those who listen to the weekly talk show, "A Way with Words."Co-hosts Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett take calls about slang, dialects and family expressions — celebrating the nuance of words and speech.Now, Barnette is out with a new book about her career, built on a love of linguistics.It's called "Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland."Barnette will be signing copies at Warwick's in La Jolla on Thursday, Aug. 7. And, she'll be a featured author at the inaugural San Diego Book Festival on Aug. 23.On Midday Edition, we sit down with Barnette to hear all about the book and two decades of hosting "A Way with Words."Guest:Martha Barnette, co-host of "A Way with Words;" author of "Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland"

Across cultures, food traditions play a central role in family gatherings.For some Mexican American families, that gathering — along with laughter and love — may include the flavorful beef soup: menudo.For San Diego writer María Dolores Águila, this tradition became the subject of her new children’s book.Today on Midday Edition, a local author joins us to explore her new bilingual picture book, "Menudo Sunday", that celebrates food, family and culture.Guest:María Dolores Águila, bilingual author