KPBS Midday Edition

Even as the Santa Ana winds are dying down, the threat of wildfire still looms for much of San Diego County. Wildfires are also burning south of the border in Baja California where dozens of homes have burned and at least three people have died. Plus, California doctors are coming together to tackle homelessness. Also, a plan to make part of Fifth Avenue in downtown San Diego car-free is in the works. It’s modeled after Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade. And, a writer’s new memoir about the ‘wild’ story of keeping her mother’s secrets.

As the threat of wildfires continue Wednesday, 40,000 people could lose power in San Diego County because of safety shut offs. Plus, San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved turning a dilapidated property in Hillcrest into a behavioral health center that will offer a multitude of mental health services. Also, the Navy is looking at reforming its military justice programs in light of the outcome in war crimes trial of Edward Galllagher. And, NPR host Shankar Vedantam on why certain parts of the human brain remains hidden. Finally, a San Diego nonprofit is making it ‘cool’ for grandparents to join the fight against climate change.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for Tuesday night through Thursday evening, raising the threat of wildfires in the region. Plus, San Diego State has upped its offer for the Mission Valley stadium by $20 million. How California’s “Fair Pay For Play” law may impact local college athletes. Also, a former pimp turned activist is on a mission to end sex trafficking on the streets of San Diego and he’s sharing his experience in a new book. And, an iconic Air Force Chapel is closed for repairs after years of leaks and water damage. Finally, comedian Lewis Black, also known as the “king of the rant” is coming to San Diego this weekend.

Firefighters are battling conflagrations up and down California as the wildfires are forcing thousands to flee their homes. How can San Diego deal with equity when addressing climate change? That’s a topic at a conference held Tuesday. The San Diego Padres have announced the hiring of Jayce Tingler as their new manager. Tingler, like manager Andy Green whom he is replacing, has no previous big league managing experience. In “When They Come For You,” author David Kirby, echoing the famous post-war prose-poem “First they came …,” brings the message to contemporary America that when one group of people loses their rights, everyone is less secure.

Cal Fire responded to a fast-moving brush fire in Ramona that quickly burned 90 acres. Also, California regulators say that a rate-payer funded wildfire fund can move forward, and this weekend you can choose between seeing the San Diego Opera's "Aida" and New Village Art' "Toxic Avenger The Musical."

Dangerous weather conditions have prompted authorities to shut off power for thousands of customers to prevent wildfires form igniting around the county. Also, PG&E is criticized for not being more like SDG&E in managing power outages, but is that a fair comparison? Plus, the medical board has charged a San Diego doctor who has been handing out vaccine exemptions, an author explains how poetry can get kids to read, and a new book explores how public spaces can fight polarization.

Imperial County officials have declared a state of emergency for the Salton Sea, which has become surrounded by dust. Residents are concerned about air pollution coming from the dust. And, a new study finds climate change is making weather events like El Nino stronger. Plus, a Utah community celebrates the removal of toxic materials from the Colorado river. The military is testing a new drone detecting system throughout the week in San Diego. And, a scientist is racing against the clock to save her husband who is dying from a superbug.

San Diego County has released a new fire season disaster plan for residents. Also, Governor Newsom's plan to fix the state's housing crisis is facing big challenges, how scientists are helping the Navy keep their ship hulls clean. SoCal Edison to start dismantling San Onofre power plant, and an Oceanside museum unveils fingernail art on "tiny canvases."

After several small brush fires that started in canyons and open areas, San Diego City officials are urging residents to be on the alert for potential wildfires. In state after state, the Mexican government long ago relinquished effective control of whole towns, cities and regions to the drug cartels. The Culiacán incident is just the latest example. The plan to turn Horton Plaza into a tech campus downtown may be in jeopardy as Macy’s, one of the last remaining retail stores in the largely defunct mall, is suing to block the new mall’s owner from making changes. The San Diego Opera opened its season with Verdi's ‘Aida.’ KPBS arts and culture reporter Beth Accomando sits down with the opera’s general director, David Bennet, for a preview of the upcoming season.

The San Diego Police Department says surveillance video corroborates a Syrian teen’s report of being attacked on the trolley by a man shouting Islamaphobic slurs. Now, police are investigating the incident as a hate crime. It’s one of several recent incidents targeting the local Muslim community. Plus, the San Diego Opera opens its new season with Verdi’s “Aida.” This is a scaled-back version but KPBS’ Beth Accomando says it still keeps the “grand” in grand opera. And KPBS alum, and new editor of Pacific Magazine, Nina Garin, returns for a preview of the top local events happening in October, including rapper and singer Lizzo’s show at SDSU.