KPBS Midday Edition

The EPA is planning several different approaches to solving the decades-long cross-border sewage spills that have been plaguing the South Bay. Plus, SANDAG is working on the next transportation plan for the region just as Congress passed a trillion-dollar infrastructure bill. Also, the infrastructure bill is expected to have a long-lasting effect in California and it won't just be fixing roads and modernizing transit projects. Meanwhile, a truck driver training school in Mission Valley is helping to ease the supply-chain bottlenecks by getting more truckers on the road. And, hunger-relief organizations are expecting to benefit from a new California law aimed at reducing food waste. Finally, will the new Padres manager save the beleaguered club?

For the first time since March 2020, Mexican citizens can cross the border for shopping, family visits or any number of reasons if they’ve been vaccinated. But proof of vaccination may be harder to obtain than expected, due to delays in official Mexican vaccine documents. Plus, the San Diego Air Pollution Control District voted unanimously last week to force local industries to drastically cut their pollution after years of spewing carcinogenic toxins at a rate far higher than elsewhere in California. Also, access to banking is an important facet of a community’s health and in Imperial County a shortage of bank branches and rising temperatures can be a dangerous mix. In addition, as the U.N. climate conference enters its second week we look at what goes on inside the conference. Meanwhile, to bring the topic home, make it more tangible, we take you to somewhere directly threatened by our planet’s changing climate. Finally, San Diego Magazine, which has been in business for more than 70 years, now finds itself under surprising new ownership — long time food writer for the magazine Troy Johnson and his wife Claire.

Thousands of unionized Kaiser nurses and other health care workers are preparing to go on strike. Plus, after 19 months of a non-essential travel ban, the U.S.-Mexico border will finally reopen Monday, but the reopening will come with expected long waits and bureaucratic hassles. And, this weekend arts preview goes from a puppetry elephant heist, to hip hop sugar plum fairies, and some interesting places in between.

Tens of millions of Americans who work at companies with 100 or more employees will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Jan. 4 or get tested for the virus weekly under government rules issued Thursday. Plus, Rep. Mike Levin on the contents of a $1.75 trillion dollar social benefits package being debated in Congress right now. Also, San Diego spent millions of dollars on contact tracing to fight the pandemic, but was it worth it? And, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando has a preview of San Diego's first ever Age-Friendly Film Festival, opening Nov. 13. Finally, five songs by San Diego musicians to discover in November.

With the CDC’s approval, kids ages 5 through 11 are able to get the COVID-19 vaccine starting today, but many parents are still reluctant to get their children vaccinated. Plus, San Diego restaurant owners react to the city initiative that will make sidewalk dining permanent. Also, a North County nonprofit is working to make reintegration back into society easier for people getting out of jail or recovery centers. And, 9 million veterans in the U.S. get medical care through the VA each year, inewsource investigative reporter Jill Castellano is back with the second of her two-part series on the federal health care system. Meanwhile, San Diego Zoo geneticists revealed two condor chicks there are the first known cases of reproduction without fertilization, called parthenogenesis, in California condors. Finally, in an excerpt of the “Cinema Junkie” podcast, guest Gary Dexter explores how the film adaptations of John Le Carré's novels offered a realistic counterpoint to James Bond.

Last week, SANDAG announced a plan to charge drivers a per-mile tax to fight climate change. The proposal caused a strong reaction from drivers, so how likely is it to move forward? Also, as San Diego works on implementing climate action in transportation, Californians at the United Nations climate conference in Scotland are working with world leaders on tackling the global threat of climate change. Plus, San Diego public health officials are urging residents to get their flu shots as soon as possible as they warn about the potential for a bad flu season ahead. Meanwhile, Veteran Affairs administrators are overruling doctors’ judgments and preventing them from sending their patients outside the VA health care system. And as the state of California is grappling with a racist past and the idea of reparations for Black descendants of slaves, CapRadio brings us the story of a Black Sacramento family and their fight to right history. Finally, Dia de los Muertos is being celebrated by many San Diegans today and tomorrow. It’s a Mexican tradition to remember and honor loved ones who have died.

Congressional leaders were delivered a bombshell yesterday when an open letter to lawmakers raised caution over the Border Patrol’s Critical Incident Teams. Plus, San Diego researchers are traveling to and watching Scotland online next week as scientists and world leaders gather there to talk about climate. And, this weekend, you can add some art and culture to your spooky weekend with outdoor performances of Shakespeare's creepiest scenes, Latin-inspired classical ballet and some artistic community ofrendas.

With trick-or-treating just around the corner, local doctors are warning that we are still not back to normal this Halloween. Plus, a new debt forgiveness program at San Diego community colleges is being called a lifeline for struggling students. And, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors direct staff to examine the feasibility of alternative energy sources, including wave, geothermal and offshore wind, in San Diego County. Also, a look at students who started med school during the pandemic. Then, the San Diego Asian Film Festival is back in person with 130 films from 20 countries screening at four venues.

Dr. Eric Topol, director of Scripps Research Translational Institute, on possible impact of vaccinating 5- to 11-year olds. Plus, tensions are rising over new district boundaries as the San Diego Redistricting Commission releases its first preliminary map. Meanwhile, finding affordable housing is difficult for many, but it is especially challenging for Black renters. Also, meet Zachary Patterson, a high school senior on a mission to make student voices heard on the San Diego Unified school board. And, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but for some living with or who have had breast cancer, it could be a constant reminder of the traumatic experience. How can those impacted cope and how can those close to them help? Finally, an excerpt from the latest episode of the “Port of Entry'' podcast: Mexican musician Javier Bátiz could have been world famous had he headed north with his good friend and bandmate Carlos Santana back in the 1960s. But now, he makes records and runs a music school in Tijuana.

Today, we bring you a special on San Diego’s housing crisis. We look at how we got here, and the role of racial discrimination in housing. We also explore where we’re going and the ways San Diego is trying to solve its housing crisis.