Midday Edition

A new report from the California’s Reparations Task Force connects the beginnings of U.S. chattel slavery in the United States and the lasting harms it caused to the oppression of Black Americans to this day. It's the task force’s first step in recommending how the state of California can repair those harms. Over the hour we’ll hear about four aspects of of the report including how oppression and discrimination of Black people throughout the nation’s history created a wealth gap, health disparities and the role of education in reparations as well as the important work of tracing your family lineage.

California held its primary election Tuesday, and while votes are still being counted across the state, there is a much clearer picture of who will be on the ballot in November in key state races. Plus, the top vote-getters for San Diego County Sheriff, California’s Assembly District 80, Chula Vista mayor and San Diego City Council District 2. Then, coronavirus cases in the county tripled between May and June led by new variants that have again made the virus more transmissible. Plus, the Salk Institute in La Jolla is raising money for a new building. It will be the second expansion of its campus since its founding in the 1960s. Finally, the La Jolla Playhouse presents the West Coast premiere of a new musical, “Lempicka.” It’s about a remarkable Polish painter who lived through two world wars.

Tuesday is primary election day in California. We hear from San Diego County’s Registrar of Voters Cynthia Paes on how the election is going and how San Diegans can cast their ballots. Then, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria signals a shift to stricter enforcement of homeless encampments. Then, a series of webinars beginning Wednesday promises to teach members of the public more about their rights. Next, California’s fast food workers are planning to walk off the job Thursday to demand better working conditions. Finally, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando speaks with composer Nicolas Reveles about creating an opera, which is a part of this year’s San Diego International Fringe Festival.

On Tuesday, election officials will begin to count the ballots for California’s primary election – setting the stage for November. Political watchers will be paying close attention to the outcomes of a handful of U.S. House seats that could help decide which party controls congress. Those seats include District 49 in San Diego County currently held by Democrat Mike Levin. Then, KPBS has one place where you can find key information about the races, get email updates, what’s on your ballot and where to drop it off. It’s the KPBS Voter hub. Next, another unwanted climate change milestone: Earth’s atmosphere contains more carbon dioxide now than at any other point in the past 4 million years. And, experts say long cross-border wait times are a drag on our regional economy. A group of binational business leaders are trying to change that. Then, California’s Reparations Task Force is exploring what reparations might consist of with community groups across the state. We hear some of what the community had to say at a listening session held recently in Oakland. Finally, there are few government subsidies for childcare, and no public school for kids under 5—so most parents are pretty much on their own. But how did it get this way?

California state legislators reached the half-way point of their legislative term while negotiations on the state budget continue, and political power-plays reveal infighting in Sacramento. Then, the San Diego International Fringe Festival kicked off Thursday. Fringe runs through June 12th at multiple locations but its home base is in Balboa Park. And, On Sunday The Old Globe Theatre kicks off its Summer Shakespeare Festival with The Taming of the Shrew. KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando speaks with director Shana Cooper about the challenges of producing a 16th century comedy that many now be perceive as sexist or even misogynistic.

A first-of-its-kind report from California’s Reparations Task Force makes recommendations on reparations. Then, a priest serving migrants in the San Diego-Tijuana border region has died under mysterious circumstances. Next, San Diego’s airport begins a major remodel during what aims to be a busy travel season. Then, Mexican culture and representation once again has a place among one of Balboa Park’s iconic attractions. Finally, San Diego International Fringe begins today and KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando speaks to Kata Pierce-Morgan who has a new show, Bones Abide, at this year's Festival.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria was elected on a promise of drastically reducing emissions through big improvements to biking and public transit infrastructure, but the mayor's commitment to those goals is being put to the test with a street project in Balboa Park. Plus, Gloria joined Midday Edition to discuss transit and a number of the city’s most serious and contentious issues. Next, state law says police must release shooting videos within 45 days, except under the narrowest of circumstances. But the San Diego Police Department kept videos from one shooting under wraps for two years—until now. Then, the Chula Vista Police Department has touted its new real-time operations center as the cutting-edge of policing. But a contract with Motorola Solutions to provide software for the center continues to alarm privacy advocates. And, the national debate on gun reform remains focused on access to assault rifles. But researchers say the data on legal gun ownership is scarce. Also, during the COVID pandemic, many childcare providers had to at least temporarily close their doors and two years later state data show many have not reopened. Finally, The San Diego Natural History Museum has a new permanent exhibition on display showcasing research done across the Baja California Peninsula to help conserve rare plants and animals, including California’s red-legged frogs.

An election special to help make voting easier. With one week left until California's Primary Election Day, Midday Edition looks at some of the key races in San Diego County and hears from Registrar of Voters Cynthia Paes.

It’s been less than a year since 13 American service members were killed in Kabul, during the final days of the US evacuation of Afghanistan. Then, for the first time in two years, hundreds of the world’s top economic, business and political leaders met in-person in Davos, Switzerland last week. Attendees say this World Economic Forum had many of the glitzy events of the Davos of old, but this time it was different. And, A little known smartphone technology used to track personal data is raising alarm bells over its use by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Then, the town of Julian is one of two Dark Sky communities in California. Borrego Springs is the other. Some tips for visitors who want to take in the Milky Way. Finally, Maestro Steven Schick will perform his final two concerts as music director and conductor of the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus this weekend.

Before even the names of the victims of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas were known, Texas Governor Greg Abbott was dismissing calls to re-examine that state’s loose gun laws. He said the issue is not access to guns, but mental health. Meanwhile, in California, Governor Newsom and state lawmakers gathered to announce new legislation to tighten gun sales and allow citizens to sue illegal gun sellers. Then, faced with a tight job market, the Navy is banking that the “Top Gun: Maverick” can help rescue naval aviation from a pilot shortage 36 years after the original film broke recruiting records. Finally, this weekend in San Diego you can find visual art from local Asian American Pacific Islander artists, a pairing of choreography and rock climbing and some Beethoven.