Dr. Eric Topol talks about the latest news on COVID-19 and monkeypox. Then, an updated Climate Action Plan was approved by the San Diego City Council Tuesday. Its strategy to get to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 includes plans to retrofit existing buildings, including whole neighborhoods from gas to electric heating and appliances. Also, the San Diego Padres shook up the baseball world Tuesday trading the Washington Nationals for star player Juan Soto and others. Later, San Diego County officials say we’re in the midst of a mental health crisis. How are the millions of dollars in additional funding in this year’s budget being spent to address the crisis? Plus, the redevelopment of a housing project in Los Angeles is supposed to show the potential of public housing if done right. Finally, we take a virtual ride on a pirate ship that was built in San Diego but now sails around Big Bear Lake.

A surprising climate deal was announced last week in the Senate and Congressman Scott Peters talks about why the passage of the climate and economic bill is important for San Diego. Then, KPBS environment reporter Erik Anderson on what local climate activists are saying about the bill. Next, a new Voice of San Diego report finds women in the military are more than twice as likely to take their own lives as civilians. Then, the Space Force is abandoning traditional physical fitness assessments and instead outfitting troops with fitness trackers. Next, a plea in a federal case involving a pornagraphic sex trafficking ring. Finally, an excerpt of the latest episode of KPBS's "Port of Entry" podcast explores how a company of Mexican and U.S. artists use theater, music, movement and play to actively engage their audiences in conversations about life along the border.

Veterans Village of San Diego is holding its 35th annual Stand Down event this weekend. The event provides food and medical care, legal assistance, employment support, housing referrals and even haircuts to veterans and veteran families experiencing homelessness. But it is being overshadowed by several deaths at the organization's rehab center for veterans including one this week. Then, it’s been seven months since California required trash haulers to start picking up and composting food waste. But the city of San Diego is still far away from complying. And for our weekend arts preview we have chamber music, a new play from the people behind “The Laramie Project,” plus plenty of visual art and dance.

Cal Fire halted the spread of the 180 acre Casner Fire overnight. The agency said the fire was started when someone was trying to clear brush from their property during the wrong time of day and during risky conditions. And, firefighters elsewhere in the state are making gains on the Oak Fire burning near Yosemite National Park, families are beginning to reckon with the devastation. Plus, the Biden administration is planning to follow the lead of the World Health Organization in declaring the spread of Monkeypox a health emergency but for now the county is out of doses of the Smallpox vaccine. Then, California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye will not seek another term. Also, UC San Diego students have a lot at stake in the housing crisis. But some see an opportunity in University City, just east of campus. Finally, A Midsummer Night's Dream will close The Old Globe’s 2022 Summer Shakespeare Festival.

The San Diego City Council voted Tuesday to cut its losses on the downtown real estate deal that’s turned into a fiasco. Then, to pay for trash, or not to pay for trash? The question will go before San Diego voters. And, a UC San Diego infectious disease specialist helps track down the source of COVID-19. Next, there is a new home and even more hope for teenagers who find themselves locked up in the County’s juvenile detention system thanks to a new Youth Transition Campus. And, Maya Gabeira is a two-time Guinness World Record holder for big wave surfing, and seven-time World Surf League Big Wave Award winner. Her latest children’s book, ‘Maya and the Beast’ is a beautifully illustrated story of empowerment and conquering fear. Finally, San Diego playwright and hip-hip artist Miki Vale shares music that’s shaped her life as part of our Influential series.

The results of wastewater testing are showing a dramatic increase in the presence of the COVID-19 virus in San Diego County. Then, details on a bill Governor Gavin Newsom signed Friday that would allow private citizens to sue gun makers for deaths from firearms banned in California. Next, the U.S. Monkeypox outbreak is swiftly expanding and in these early days of its spread, people can spend days in search of the right diagnosis. And, the project to transform San Diego’s Central Embarcadero went before Port Commissioners and the public last week. And the verdict is--- it needs more work. Then, the latest on a plan to transform northeast Mission Bay to include a campground, open space and most importantly marshland for bird and marine life habitat. Next, the Baja California legislature overwhelmingly voted to ban the pseudoscienctific practice that claims to change people’s sexual orientation but the governor vetoed the ban in favor of regulations. Finally, Comic-Con is over but for some artists who went to portfolio reviews their work may just be beginning.

San Diego County’s Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board or CLERB has given support to several allegations made by a transgender woman beaten while in county jail. The board also advised the Sheriff’s department to tighten its policy regarding the placement of arrestees according to their gender identification. Then, cruising bans have generated fierce debate over whether or not they unfairly target Latino culture. Now, Mexican-American low-rider enthusiasts are working to roll back such bans. Finally, our weekend preview options range from folk art to the ballet and "Cabaret" to Comic-Con.

More than 130,000 people are expected to attend the four-day pop culture party which begins Thursday. It’s the first, full scale in-person Comic Con since 2019. We check in with some hard core cosplayers from the 501st Legion, a worldwide costuming organization run by fans dedicated to creating screen accurate bad guy costumes from the Star Wars Universe. Then, a current terrorism advisory from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warns extremist groups could exploit high-profile public events to justify acts of violence. And, court and police records from 2012 reveal mutual accusations of domestic violence by now Democratic Party Chairman Will Rodriguez-Kennedy and an ex-boyfriend. Next, a brief Hilton Bayfront Hotel strike underscores tough economic realities for San Diego workers. And, there’s a bill making its way through the state legislature that would create a new kind of court system in California with the authority to compel some people to receive mental health treatment, even if they don't want it. Finally, with a heat wave scorching the West, environmentalists are looking for ways to cool things down. One way for urban areas to beat the heat is to consider the power of shade.

an Diego county is now in the high COVID-19 tier due to increasing case numbers and hospitalizations. Everything’s on the way up and this is not a good picture because we don’t know where the peak is going to be, Dr. Eric Topol tells Midday Edition. Then, San Diego Congresswoman Sara Jacobs was one of 17 members of congress arrested yesterday during a demonstration for abortion rights outside the U.S. Supreme Court. “We will not stop fighting until we make sure that Americans across this country have the fundamental right to bodily autonomy,” she said. Plus, the department of Health and human services has launched a new number - 988 - as the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Then, with Summer in full swing, San Diego residents are flocking to the beaches. But as the county implements new water quality testing, there are concerns over whether the public should be going in the ocean. And for something a little lighter, a new bar in San Diego is offering a high-fidelity twist on the typical cocktail experience. At Part Time Lover in North Park, along with Manhattans and Martinis, patrons can enjoy a curated selection of tunes spun from vinyl records by live DJ’s. Finally, Comic-Con International returns to its first full scale, in-person summer show since 2019. KPBS explores why the pop culture convention has some dedicated fans.

A new city ordinance which tightens the use of surveillance technology was passed unanimously by the San Diego City Council Monday. Then, a KPBS review of nearly 500 use-of-force incidents shows it’s rare for local police officers to be fired or even suspended when they kill or severely injure people. Next, San Diego housing prices dropped in June for the first time this year, signaling what might be a cooling of the local housing market. Then, the National Park Sevice is employing a variety of strategies to protect California’s giant sequoia trees from wildfires and climate change. Next, an excerpt from the new podcast Imperfect Paradise: The Forgotten Revolutionary about the life of a Chicano student activist in the 1990s. Finally, what to expect at this week’s Comic-Con.