KPBS Roundtable

San Diego lost a legend this week.

Billy Ray Smith passed away at 64 after a long journey with dementia. His family said it was caused by Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

On KPBS Roundtable, we remember the iconic San Diego Chargers linebacker and sportscaster with his long-time radio co-host, Scott Kaplan.

Then, we unpack why voters rallied against a union-backed initiative to overhaul local government in Chula Vista.

Plus, how pollution from the Salton Sea is impacting a nearby Little League in Calipatria. And, what high rates of childhood asthma in the region reveal about the problem.

Guests:

• Scott Kaplan, sportscaster and former co-host of "Scott and B.R." on The Mighty 1990
• Jim Hinch, South county reporter, Voice of San Diego
• Zoe Meyers, freelance photo and video journalist
• Rebecca Plevin, freelance journalist

Keep reading:

• Former Chargers linebacker Billy Ray Smith Jr. dies at 64
• Scott Kaplan Remembers Billy Ray Smith
• How a Union-Backed Bid to Overhaul Chula Vista’s Government Unraveled
• Near the Salton Sea, Little League Players Struggle to Breathe
• California’s Lithium Valley Dreams Meet Reality at the Only Restaurant in Town

Friday marks the second official day of San Diego Comic-Con, with celebrities, cosplayers, creators and pop culture fans continuing to descend on downtown.

Whether you have a badge or not, KPBS Roundtable is bringing you closer to the pop culture convention.

We check in with local journalists about their experience covering the convention so far and what you need to know, from the latest news to off-site activations.

Then, we look into the world of pop culture podcasting and how fans talk about the shows, books and movies they love.

And finally, we continue our San Diego Storytellers series by highlighting two local comics creators whose friendship and journey in the arts is the subject of a new panel.

Guests:

• Philip Molnar, senior business reporter, The San Diego Union-Tribune
• Julianna Domingo, producer, KPBS
• Mallory Rubin, director of content for The Ringer, co-host of "House of R" podcast
• Bobby Rubio, animator, comics creator, "Neighborhood Legend"
• Keithan Jones, comics creator, "Power Knights," founder of KID Comics

Keep reading:

Comic-Con agrees to stay in San Diego through 2030 — The San Diego Union-Tribune

Comic-Con activations take over downtown San Diego. Here’s how to get in — The San Diego Union-Tribune

Comic-Con library card honors San Diego libraries as a place for everyone — even space aliens — KPBS

Community members in Southeastern San Diego have lost a decades-long fight over a hilltop in Emerald Hills.

They had been pushing for a park there. But now, a housing development is coming.

We sit down with KPBS reporter Katie Hyson to hear the story, from the beginning.

Plus, California school districts are suing social media companies.

And, a tribute for Kelly Davis, an important voice in San Diego journalism and frequent guest on KPBS.

Guests:

• Katie Hyson, racial justice and social equity reporter, KPBS
• Vani Sanganeria, student health and wellbeing reporter, EdSource
• Jeff McDonald, watchdog and accountability journalist, San Diego Union-Tribune

California lawmakers have introduced new legislation to stop detention centers from claiming charitable tax breaks.

The state bill follows a KPBS investigation found that an Imperial County ICE detention center had been getting millions of dollars in tax breaks for years.

Plus, San Diego's commercial fishing industry is a small fraction compared to what it once was. We take a deep dive into the reasons for its decline and the efforts made to bring it back.

And, San Diego State University student journalists share their recent reporting exploring all things World Cup — from binational soccer fandom to San Diego's grassroots soccer scene.

Guests:

• Kori Suzuki, South Bay and Imperial Valley reporter, KPBS
• Deborah Brennan, reporter, CalMatters
• Adriana Heldiz, assistant visuals editor, CalMatters
• Niko Padilla, student journalist, San Diego State University
• Delaney Mussel, student journalist, San Diego State University

Keep reading:

• California lawmakers weigh ending charity tax break for Imperial County ICE detention center
• Many California fishermen are nearing retirement. Can the industry save its graying fleet?
• San Diego was the tuna capital of the world. Can the fleet recover?
• Pacific to plate: How the catch of the day ends up at high-end seafood restaurants
• Team USA or Team Mexico? Or both? In San Diego, World Cup fandom doesn't recognize borders
• San Diego grassroots soccer groups hope World Cup boosts access to play

The Supreme Court handed down two major immigration rulings this week.

On KPBS Roundtable, we discuss the significance of the cases, which strip temporary protected status for hundreds of thousands and give border officials the green light to turn away asylum seekers.

Plus, new rules limiting technology and screens are coming for San Diego schools after a resolution passed this week. And, why a 6'2" robot is entering some school classrooms.

We also look into the rising cost of quinceañeras and how families are adapting to keep the important cultural milestone alive.

Then, KPBS Morning Edition anchor Deb Welsh is calling it a career after more than 25 years in the market. We hear her reflections and advice for younger journalists.

Guests:

• Elliot Spagat, U.S. Immigration news editor, Associated Press
• Jakob McWhinney, education reporter, Voice of San Diego
• Marielena Castellanos, South Bay engagement producer, KPBS
• Deb Welsh, Morning Edition anchor, KPBS

A new series of investigations from inewsource outlines a pattern of concerns around medical care inside the Otay Mesa Detention Center, from isolation to medical delays.

Then, what makes a good father? We look at the science of fatherhood and how dads are changed by the experience.

And finally, we continue our San Diego Storytellers series with musician Parker Edison and talk about his journey as a rap artist and producer, elevating local hip hop history.

Guests:

• Sofía Mejías Pascoe, investigative border and immigration reporter, inewsource
• Jake Kincaid, investigative federal impact reporter, inewsource
• Darby Saxbe, psychologist and neuroscientist, University of Southern California; author of “Dad Brain: The New Science of Fatherhood and How It Shapes Men's Lives”
• Parker Edison, musician, host of "The Parker Edison Project," producer of "Rap Diego"

Keep reading:

• Isolation, delays, deterioration: Court records raise health concerns at Otay Mesa Detention Center — inewsource
• ‘I don’t wanna live anymore.’ A Type 1 diabetic’s struggles inside Otay Mesa Detention Center — inewsource
• Amid escalating medical concerns, Otay Mesa Detention Center faces a question of oversight — inewsource
• Dad Brain is Real, and It's a Good Thing — New York Times

Links:

• Parker Meridien Bandcamp page

About twice a day, San Diego law enforcement charge someone with "resisting an officer" — and nothing else.

Data show that Black San Diegans are nine times more likely to face the charge. We break down new reporting from KPBS.

Plus, San Diego's controversial license plate reader system linked the wrong man to a violent crime — even though he was miles away from the crime scene.

And, we invite a panel of LGBTQ+ journalists to talk about their approach to storytelling. And, what it means to uplift LGBTQ+ perspectives in today's environment.

Guests:

• Katie Hyson, racial justice and social equity reporter, KPBS
• Jesse Marx, freelance journalist and student media manager at San Diego State University
• Drew Sitton, community reporter, Times of San Diego
• Sam Barney-Gibbs, journalist, Daylight San Diego
• Orion Rummler, LGBTQ+ reporter, the 19th

Keep reading:

• 'Resisting arrest' charge
• Black San Diegans 9 times likelier to be charged with 'resisting an officer' — and nothing else
• ALPR Arrest
• A Flock license plate reader linked a San Diego man to a violent crime. He was five miles away.
• San Diego County police agencies access many private license plate readers with minimal oversight
• Mayor Gloria to sign City Council-passed budget, despite reservations
• LGBTQ+ journalists roundtable
• How Pride in San Diego began and why we celebrate it now
• Celebrating Pride in East County
• ‘They better take away duct tape’: Trans men say they’ll keep binding despite FDA crackdown

A few days out from primary election night, we have a clear picture of many of the races — though not a complete one. Hundreds of thousands of votes have yet to be counted.

Still, there's a lot to gather from the results on city council races, local measures, congressional seats and more.

We sit down with a roundtable of political reporters to help us make sense of local voting trends.

Plus, a preview of the 2026 FIFA World Cup ahead of next week's kickoff.

Guests:

• Shelby Bremer, reporter, NBC7
• Claire Trageser, reporter, Axios San Diego
• Scott Lewis, CEO and editor in chief, Voice of San Diego
• Héctor Trujillo, sports journalist, Times of San Diego and El Latino

Election Day is right around the corner.

On KPBS Roundtable, we continue our series breaking down primary races with a look at a new tax targeting empty homes in the city, as well as some San Diego City Council races.

Plus, we explore the meaning of Eid al-Adha — also known as the Festival of Sacrifice. The holiday is celebrated by Muslims worldwide.

We also explore how the community is coping one week after the shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego.

And, we sit down with groundbreaking journalist and activist Helen Zia to reflect on her career and the state of journalism today.

Guests:

• Andrew Bowen, metro reporter, KPBS
• Elaine Alfaro, East County reporter, KPBS
• Helen Zia, award-winning journalist, author and activist