Midday Edition

San Diego County is no longer planning to charge motorists a fee for every mile they drive. The so-called "road usage charge" had been a key component of the county's regional transportation plan. Then, when talking about emissions and climate change, the conversation often focuses on greenhouse gas emissions. Now there’s new information on the impacts aerosol emissions have on climate, and human health. Next, unauthorized immigration across the southwest border is at historic levels. What does that mean for San Diego? And, the Army Corps of Engineers is probably best known for its work on waterways. But those projects also unearth many historical artifacts the Corps must document and maintain. After, the 65th annual Monterey Jazz Festival was held this weekend. We bring you the story behind an unprecedented musical that featured a glittering array of jazz titans, including Louis Armstrong that premiered at the festival 60 years ago. Finally, for our Influential music series, San Diego Jazz pianist Joshua White picked 5 iconic local musicians whose work has impacted him and the jazz scene in San Diego and beyond.

Thousands of students across San Diego marched Friday to demand climate justice. It’s all part of a global climate strike to raise awareness and demand action from elected leaders. Then, Carlsbad police used a bean bag gun and pepper balls on two suspects last year, and it led to big changes. KPBS says the police involved were suspended, while new training is being implemented. And finally in our weekend preview, live music, dance and design.

After a sixteen day international manhunt, the Malaysian defense contractor known as “Fat Leonard” has been caught. Then, California air regulators grabbed headlines last month by banning the sale of new gas-powered cars in the state by 2035. Now, the California Air Resources Board is setting its sights on gas-powered appliances in homes and buildings. Then, why the city of San Diego is reviving its Commission on the Status of Women. Next, a new building will open on the campus of UC San Diego Friday, housing all kinds of engineers, designing products that have never been seen before. And, Author knows this more than most. At the age of 9, Javier Zamora fled the violence and chaos of the civil war in El Salvador and embarked on a three thousand-mile journey to find his mother. This journey, and the perils Zamora faced along the way, is the subject of a new memoir, “Solito.” Finally, when someone we love is sick, one of the first questions many of us have is, ‘how can I help?’ A new children’s book teaches the notion of how being helpful can be healing.

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a slew of new bills aimed at strengthening the state’s cannabis laws. We talk about why the legal cannabis industry has struggled in California and what has to happen before cannabis becomes fully legal in California. Then, elected leaders across the state have a homeless crisis on their hands, and some are turning to one possible solution: mental health conservatorships. But an investigation by our partners at inewsource found major gaps in the system. Next, as states across the country pass abortion bans, President Biden and some other Democrats want to ease federal restrictions on the procedure. Beginning in 2027, a new form of burial will be allowed in California. We’ll hear about the method, which transforms a human body into nutrient-rich soil over a 45-day period, is already available in Washington, Oregon, Vermont and Colorado. Finally, the Solento Surf Festival kicks off Thursday at the La Paloma Theater with Facing Monsters. The documentary profiles surfer Kerby Brown, who tackles the intimidating slab waves of West Australia.

San Diego, along with the rest of the nation, continues to show signs of a slowing housing market. Then, the city of El Cajon says it’s standing behind its threats to fine local motels for accepting too many homeless residents. Plus, a San Diego climate scientist says airlines need to confront their significant impact on carbon emissions by embracing solutions that may upend the industry. And, the U.S. government has renamed hundreds of peaks, lakes, streams and other geographical sites on federal lands to remove a racist slur for Native American women. Later, we hear from two Ensenada surfers trying to preserve and spread the city’s surfing history. Finally, from early pandemic mask-making to a Pulitzer finalist: A new play, "Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord, opens at La Jolla Playhouse this week, exploring lockdowns, Asian American racism, Facebook groups, invisible labor and generosity.

California is poised to add millions of electric cars to local roads in the next decade, but is there enough electricity to fuel them? Then, the San Diego County District Attorney’s office declined to file charges against county Democratic Party chair Will Rodriguez Kennedy after an investigation into sexual assault allegations made by a former boyfriend. Next, Awaken Church, which has campuses across San Diego has been known for spreading pandemic misinformation. Now it’s grassroots conservative political action group called, “The RMNNT” wants to “raise up a bold and passionate army to effectively influence politics.” Then, Banned Books Week, the annual event celebrating the freedom to read, coincides with a major increase in book banning efforts throughout the country. Finally, What a decision by SDSU to relocate its school of theater, television and film to a new campus in Chula Vista will mean for the South Bay.

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the CARE court program into law this week. We speak with a mental health advocate with a personal connection to the issue about how CARE courts might help people like her son. Then, a Navy arson trial is about to get underway, more than two years after fire destroyed the USS Bonhomme Richard. Also, for our weekend arts preview: contemporary art, some soul, dance, and kickball.

September 15 marks International Day of Democracy as designated by the United Nations. It comes at a time when democratic institutions are under threat worldwide, and with a growing sentiment that democracy is in danger. First, the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of San Diego talks about why democracy is not a partisan issue. Then, as Americans prepare to vote in November, one thing members of both the Republican and Democratic parties seem to agree on is that democracy in the U.S. is in danger. We’ll share what some San Diegans believe are the greatest threats to American democracy. And, voting is one of the most fundamental ways that people can participate in democracy. We’ll hear from an organization that works to make voting more inclusive. Then, since the integrity of elections and vote counting have come under increased scrutiny, we speak to San Diego County’s Registrar of Voters about the pressure on her office to be 100% transparent and 100% accurate. Finally, we expand the conversation to talk about how the state of American democracy compares to the rest of the world.

Tuesday, the San Diego City Council selected Midway Rising to redevelop the Sports Arena site. Then, a new COVID booster shot that targets the highly-transmissible omicron variant is now available. Next, California has a new tool to provide information on abortion access for people both in and outside of the state. And, a new study from UC San Diego and researchers in Mexico finds extortion in Tijuana is more widespread than previously thought. Then, how 3D printing has brought innovation and flexibility to the creation of goods that was never possible in traditional factories. Finally, the Broadway-bound musical ‘Come Fall in Love’ opens Wednesday night at San Diego’s Old Globe Theater.

Mayor Todd Gloria’s top pick for the Sports arena redevelopment will be considered by the full city council Tuesday. The Midway Rising proposal contains the largest number of affordable housing units on the 48-acre site, in addition to retail, open space and a new sports arena. But recent information has shown that the head of the top development company in the Midway Rising plan, made significant contributions in support of Gloria’s 2020 mayoral campaign. Then, a key element of the city’s strategy to address homelessness is its $4.6 million outreach program. Being a homeless outreach workers takes compassion, persistence and patience to convince a sometimes reluctant population that there’s a better life for them off the street.

Later, a look at how a lack of mental health professionals in schools is a big problem for today’s youth. And, last week, UC San Diego announced a $150 million gift for stem cell research not only here on Earth, but also aboard the international space station. And, a new rhino calf at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park represents another step in the effort to save a related rhino species that’s nearly extinct. Finally, we preview a new show coming to the fall line up on KPBS. This one will take you on adventures to wineries, restaurants and breweries from the comfort of your home to hear the stories of women and trailblazers of color, it's called “Fresh Glass.”