The 2026 midterm elections are nine months away.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly said the federal government should "nationalize" or "take over" some state elections.

California officials are resisting those calls. They say they're ready to fight back.

We sit down with California Secretary of State Shirley Weber to hear about state officials' plans to counter federal interference.

Guest:

• Shirley Weber, California Secretary of State

Each year, the Prebys Foundation recognizes local leaders who are making a lasting impact on the community, from arts and culture and youth success to health and wellbeing.

Monday on Midday Edition, we sit down with Carmen Chavez, executive director of the nonprofit Casa Cornelia Law Center and one of the 2026 Prebys Leadership Award recipients. She talks about her work providing legal aid to those who have suffered human rights and civil rights abuses.

Guest:

• Carmen Chavez, executive director, Casa Cornelia Law Center

Resources:

• All in for San Diego: 2026 Prebys Leadership Awards Celebration

Bad Bunny's historic Super Bowl halftime show brought us 13 minutes of lively music, bold dancing, vibrant storytelling — and even an actual wedding.

The performance provided a history lesson of his home, Puerto Rico. It was also a celebration of all Americans, beyond borders.

We break down the significance of the show and what it means in today's political climate with Jean Guerrero, award winning journalist and author.

Guest:

• Jean Guerrero, investigative journalist and author of "Hatemonger: Stephen Miller, Donald Trump, and the White Nationalist Agenda”

In November, a whistleblower within the San Diego Association of Governments — or SANDAG — was awarded millions of dollars after being fired in 2023.

Lauren Warrem was a former finance official who raised questions about flaws in SANDAG's toll collection system. Now, SANDAG is being ordered to pay Warrem's attorneys more than $1.7 million.

We break down the latest in the toll collection saga and what it means for SANDAG moving forward.

Guest:

• Jeff McDonald, investigative reporter, San Diego-Union Tribune

The convention Indigi-Con is returning for its second year, with a focus on connecting Native creators and celebrating Indigenous-led stories past, present and future.Thursday on Midday Edition, we hear about how Indigi-Con is amplifying Indigenous stories across all disciplines and bringing together tradition and futurism.Then, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando previews The Old Globe Theatre's latest iteration of the play Hedda Gabler, starring Katie Holmes in the eponymous role.And finally, curious about what's going on in the arts this weekend? KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans has you covered. We also preview the latest episode of "The Finest" featuring hometown hero Jessica Sanchez.Guests:Johnny Bear Contreras, public artist, founder of Eyaay Ahuun FoundationChag Lowry, executive director of Indigenous Futures Institute, comic book creator and publisherBarry Edelstein, artistic director, The Old GlobeJulia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, host of "The Finest" podcastLinks:2026 Indigi-Con programming2026 Indigi-Con registration

As Black History Month kicks off, we are sitting down with San Diego trailblazers making an impact in their communities.

Wednesday on Midday Edition, Cheryl Morrow, daughter of Black hair care pioneer Willie Morrow, talks about how she has championed her family's legacy and paved a path of her own in the world of hair, beauty, and media.

Guest:

• Cheryl Morrow, CEO of California Curl, owner of Morrow Publishing and San Diego Monitor News Network

In San Diego County, Black murder defendants are charged with a special circumstance at a higher rate than white murder defendants. Data show that the gap grew significantly wider when the current district attorney took office and is bigger than in nearby counties.

New reporting from KPBS dives deep into the data and highlights how California's controversial special circumstance murder law has impacted one San Diego family.

On Wednesday, KPBS reporter Katie Hyson joined Midday Edition to talk about the history of special circumstances that can lead to life without parole, what local data reveals and what advocates believe is meaningful reform.

Guest:

• Katie Hyson, KPBS Racial Justice and Social Equity Reporter

EDITOR’S NOTE: San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan is disputing this story. KPBS’s story relied on a data analysis from a researcher who attributed cases to DAs based on disposition date. The DA’s office provided an analysis that attributed cases to DAs based on filing date. It showed no racial disparity in making these special charges against Black and white defendants when looking only at multiple murder cases during DA Stephan’s tenure. KPBS has clarified the story to include more detail about the analysis and the data it used. Go to the story to learn more.

As the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown continues, local therapists say that community members are feeling mental health impacts as a result, including right here in San Diego.Wednesday on Midday Edition, we hear from a South Bay-based therapist about the impact she is seeing on her clients, and how she and other mental health care professionals are responding to the moment.Guest:Lizeth Ma, licensed marriage and family therapist

San Diego is a special place for whale watching. Blue whales, humpbacks, and gray whales are among the species San Diegans can see at various times of year. The waters off San Diego serve as a migratory corridor for many whale species, as well as a place for others to feed.

On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear from local whale experts Nicole Schriber and Domenic Biagini to learn more about some of these giant marine mammals that San Diegans can experience.

Right now, gray whales are passing through San Diego, and can be seen from shore.

"This has been a really exciting gray whale season because it's the first one where the whales have looked healthy in about half a decade," Biagini said.

Guests:

• Domenic Biagini, captain and owner, Gone Whale Watching
• Nicole Schriber, graduate student, UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography