This week marked the first day of school for tens of thousands of kids in the San Diego Unified School District.With the promises of the new school year also come challenges for local schools and their students, from ongoing enrollment declines to how to navigate our age of smart phones and AI.We speak to three education reporters about those challenges and more.Guests:Katie Anastas, education reporter, KPBSJakob McWhinney, education reporter, Voice of San DiegoJemma Stephenson, education reporter, The San Diego Union- Tribune

Gov. Gavin Newsom is leading an effort to change district maps in California in response to redistricting efforts from GOP leaders in Texas.We discuss what it could mean for the future of political power in California and across the nation.Plus, a San Diego news startup is fighting the loss of local media by prioritizing solutions-oriented, community-focused storytelling. We hear the details.Then, the weekly roundup of other stories from the week.Guests:Alexei Koseff, reporter, CalMattersKate Morrissey, co-founder, Daylight San Diego; immigration reporter, Beyond the Border NewsLauren J. Mapp, co-founder, Daylight San DiegoBritney Cruz-Fejeran, co-founder, Daylight San DiegoAshley Rusch, producer, KPBS

San Diego is consistently ranked as one of the most expensive cities to live in the United States.

One proposed solution involves increasing the housing supply with an emphasis on affordable development mandates. But the process of permitting new homes depends on many factors.

A new KPBS and Voice of San Diego investigation digs into housing data to find out where new homes are being built. We discuss the details with the reporters behind the series.

Plus, the weekly roundup of other stories we're watching.

Guests:

• Andrew Bowen, metro reporter, KPBS
• Jake Gotta, social media host and reporter, KPBS
• Will Huntsberry, senior investigative reporter, KPBS
• Ashley Rusch, producer, KPBS

What does it take to capture the thrill of San Diego Comic-Con and share it with an even wider audience?

On KPBS Roundtable, we get the lowdown on this year’s event from a local reporter who covers the con, and a podcast host who spotlights both established and up-and-coming comic book creators and artists.

Then, how one San Diego content creator developed her passion for pop culture and fandom — and her relationship with the convention.

And finally, hear from two KPBS staff members about what they've seen at the convention so far, and the passion that fuels it.

Guests:

• Philip Molnar, senior business reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune
• Aaron Nabus, host, "Hall H" podcast
• Tiffie Starchild, content creator
• Julianna Domingo, producer, KPBS Midday Edition
• Leslie Gonzalez, web producer, KPBS

National City has made efforts to reduce its number of industrial businesses in recent years with the goal of improving air quality and resident health.

But a new new proposed biofuel depot is raining concerns in a city that has long sought to curb pollution.

Also on KPBS Roundtable, the Chula Vista City Council passed an ordinance last week with new regulations on who can ride e-bikes and where. We take a look into the city's tighter restrictions on young e-bike users.

Then, we share other stories in this week's roundup.

Guests:

• Kori Suzuki, South Bay and Imperial Valley reporter, KPBS
• Crystal Niebla, infrastructure and government accountability reporter, inewsource
• Ashley Rusch, producer, KPBS

It’s time for a mid-season report card for San Diego sports teams this week.

The Padres will enter next week’s All-Star break with a winning record. On today's show, we discuss what they need to do in the second half to make another playoff run come October.

Plus, San Diego’s soccer landscape continues to bloom. We check in on both of the major soccer teams in San Diego: San Diego FC and San Diego Wave FC.

Guests:

• Derek Togerson, NBC 7 sports anchor
• Ryan Finley, sports editor, The San Diego Union-Tribune
• Tony Sanchez, founder, SanDiego.Futbol

The Michelin Guide has revealed which California restaurants earned a "star."

Carlsbad's Lilo picked up one Michelin star. Meanwhile, Atelier Manna received a Bib Gourmand designation.

San Diego now has five Michelin-starred restaurants.

This week on Roundtable, we bring together a few journalists covering one of the things we love most about San Diego: food.

Plus, the weekly roundup of other stories from the week.

• Candice Woo, freelance journalist and editor in San Diego
• Beth Demmon, food and drink writer for San Diego Magazine
• Farley Elliot, SoCal Bureau chief, SFGATE
• Ashley Rusch, producer, KPBS

Read Candice Woo’s Guide to San Diego Dining

• Lilo - Carlsbad
• Read Beth Demmon’s Review on Lilo
• Jeune et Jolie - Carlsbad
• Addison - Del Mar
• Valle - Oceanside
• Atelier Manna - Leucadia
• Soichi - North Park

Fine dining

• Lucien - La Jolla
• Dora - La Jolla
• Fleurette - La Jolla, UTC
• Bosforo - Normal Heights
• Read Beth Demmon’s Look into Bosforo
• Vulture (Vegan & Cocktails)- University Heights
• Read Candice Woo’s Review on Vulture
• Trust - North Park
• 3131 by Deckman’s - North Park
• Trattoria Cori Pastificio - North Park

Food & casual dining

• Odie's Pizza Co - Oceanside
• New Wave Bagel - Leucadia
• Read Beth Demmon’s Review on New Wave Bagel
• Chick & Hawk - Encinitas
• Read Candice Woo’s Review on Chick & Hawk
• La Perla #3 - Point Loma
• Read Candice Woo’s Favorite Burritos in San Diego
• Wildflour Delicatessen - Liberty Station
• Read Beth Demmon’s Review on Wildflour
• Sonny’s Pizza - University Heights
• Zion Market (Food Court and Rooftop Bar) - Kearny Mesa
• Marigold Bagels - North Park
• Read Beth Demmon’s Review on Marigold Bagels
• Bica - Normal Heights

Drinks & breweries

• Happy Medium - North Park
• Read Candice Woo’s Guide to Cocktail Bars
• Green Cheek Beer Co. - Oceanside
• Artifex Brewing - Oceanside
• Brewery X - Downtown
• Asylum Brewing - North Park
• Brewjeria Taproom & Kitchen - Chula Vista
• Athletic Brewing Co.

San Diego Pride's parade and festival kicks off in less than a month.

But this year, festivities are overshadowed by concerns about leadership and the overall vision for the organization. More than two dozen LGBTQ+ leaders have sent a letter to the board outlining issues like the lack of transparency and community engagement.

The criticism comes weeks after a coalition of Jewish organizations, along with San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, have pulled out of the festival over San Diego Pride's decision to invite singer Kehlani as a headliner.

We discuss the details and what this could mean for Pride.

Then, we hear about the firsthand impacts of the Trump administration's ban on transgender soldiers — through the story of one local sailor.

Plus, the weekly roundup of other stories from the week.

• Maura Fox, communities reporter for The San Diego Union-Tribune
• Andrew Dyer, military and veterans affairs reporter, KPBS
• Ashley Rusch, producer, KPBS

Immigration raids, the protests against them, and President Trump's deployment of troops brought dramatic scenes to Los Angeles this week.

As California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta challenge the legality of Trump's actions, we discuss where immigration enforcement is headed and the military’s role in it.

Plus, what does it take to bring journalism to the world of social media? We hear about citizen journalism, news influencers and the ultimate potential for news on social media apps.

• Gustavo Solis, investigative border reporter, KPBS
• Andrew Dyer, military and veterans affairs reporter, KPBS
• Bella Ross, social media producer, Voice of San Diego, @bellamayaross
• Jake Gotta, social media reporter and host, Public Matters, KPBS, @jakegotta

This week, the San Diego City Council passed new rules for street parking in the city. We discuss what it means for the state of free Sunday parking, parking in Balboa Park and more.

Plus, a KPBS investigation looks into three separate civil rights lawsuits in National City brought by the families of people who died after police officers confronted them. We talk through questions over how police should respond to people experiencing mental health crises.

Then, our weekly roundup of some feel-good stories from the week.

• Andrew Bowen, metro reporter, KPBS
• David Garrick, reporter, The San Diego Union-Tribune
• Kori Suzuki, South Bay and Imperial Valley reporter, KPBS