KPBS Midday Edition

San Diego's community leaders react to what many see as a turning point for equality following guilty verdicts for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd.

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System announced Monday that a $5.5 million settlement has been reached with the family of man who died after being restrained with knees in his back and on his neck by Transit law enforcement. Plus, two San Diego researchers hope a new peer-reviewed article helps them convince federal officials to change their opinion of how COVID-19 spreads. And with consecutive years of record high temperatures and scarce rainfall, some climate researchers are hinting at the possibility California has actually been in a protracted “mega drought. Then, people often look to their faith leaders for guidance on big decisions. These days, parishioners are asking: Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine? Plus, as thousands of migrant families cross into the United States, many are being flown to San Diego and then removed to Mexico, without any of their belongings. Finally, San Diego Opera is staging two outdoor drive-in shows this month: the first is its annual One Amazing Night concert and the second is the comic opera "The Barber of Seville."

Asian American mental health care providers in California are seeing an increase in demand for services in the wake of surging anti-Asian hate incidents.

Nonprofit and small business loans, building "sexy" streets, reducing police overtime, investing in the city's Climate Equity Fund and a focus on supporting the San Diego Convention Center are among the highlights of Mayor Todd Gloria's $4.6 billion proposed budget. Plus, a preview of the California Report’s series honoring Californians lost to COVID-19. This week’s remembrance is about Eric Warner, who died last July in San Quentin Prison. Then, our weekend arts picks include a musical tribute to legendary San Diego flautist Holly Hofmann, a new contemporary painting installation, and a conversation with the poet-in-residence at Art Produce, Julia Alvarez, author of "How the Garcia Girls Lost Their Accents."

Hundreds of thousands of San Diegans become eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines Thursday when the state expands eligibility to everyone age 16 and over. Plus, The United States will withdraw all remaining troops from Afghanistan by the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, President Biden announced Wednesday. Then, if you have a medical emergency in San Diego and call 911, a new ambulance company will be taking you to the hospital. Plus, COVID-19 was great for dogs and cats, but not all pets fared as well and local animal advocates hope to keep those animals in the spotlight. Finally, San Diego jazz pianist Joshua White shares a playlist of songs that have been influential on him.

Mayor Todd Gloria on Monday announced an empowerment policy plan for San Diego's Black community. Plus, California Department of Public Health investigators knew that certified nursing assistant Matthew Fluckiger had been accused of sex crimes by women at multiple nursing homes in El Cajon and La Mesa. Yet, the agency waited years to revoke his license. And the cost of housing, gas and food have been increasing, bringing San Diego’s inflation rate to one of the highest in the nation. Then, a decades-old policy that places a number of barriers on the region's tribes ability to acquire land will be revisited next month by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. Plus, critics lambast Substack over the “pro” program for big-name writers. Finally, in a new Port of Entry podcast episode, a Chula Vista family shares their battle with COVID-19 in hopes that their story might help others.

San Diego County is pausing use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. The announcement comes as the CDC and FDA are reviewing reports of a “rare and severe type of blood clot” that occurred in six people days after receiving the vaccine. Plus, a series of reports in the San Diego Union Tribune has been exploring bias in policing in San Diego. And ArcLight Cinemas and Pacific Theaters say they are closing all of their roughly 300 screens, including several locations in San Diego County. Then, SDSU’s Department of Sociology and Center for Community Research and Engagement will hold a talk on Acts of Hate, Immigration and the Pandemic. And community members in the Central Valley are offering street vendors patrolling and other services to help them feel less vulnerable. Finally, the San Diego Symphony is preparing to open its spectacular new waterfront venue, The Shell.

San Diego Unified, San Diego County's largest school district, welcomed students back to campus Monday. About half of the district's students opted to return to the classroom, while the other half will continue learning remotely.

A large area around the Pechanga Arena, commonly known as the Sports Arena, is slated to become a new entertainment district, with a new arena, parks, retail and housing. But guidelines implementing a new state law seem to put the city’s plans in limbo. Plus, the Pentagon ordered all service branches to conduct a stand down to discuss racial extremism. They were supposed to be done by the beginning of April and within the past couple weeks, there’s been a rush to complete them. Then, this weekend, the arts world is testing the waters of in-person live events. There's an art exhibition opening reception and live theatrical performances in a beautiful outdoor setting. But, there’s still plenty of virtual options too.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection reports 19,000 unaccompanied children and teenagers entered the U.S. last month, the largest monthly total ever. Plus, KPBS reporter Tania Thorne looks into some of the barriers preventing the Latino community from seeking mental health help. And across California, more than 200 people have died of COVID-19 in state prisons. R.J. Donovan prison in Otay Mesa has been among the most deadly. Then, for over a year, school has been online. To get a glimpse into what it’s been like for teachers, we asked a high school teacher to record an audio journal for a week. Finally, the San Diego Asian Film Festival is holding a virtual launch party for its upcoming Spring Showcase. KPBS Arts Reporter Beth Accomando got a preview of the line up.