Midday Edition

In San Diego, the latest numbers reveal that Latinos represent 45% of COVID-19 related deaths and 60% of infections, even though they’re 34% of the county’s population. San Diego County has launched an outreach campaign to encourage the Latino community to take preventive measure to slow the spread of COVID-19. Plus, city residents will have a say in whether to lift the height limit in the Midway District to allow for high-rise development. Opponents of the measure say it could be a slippery slope that will lead to high rises along the coast. Also, San Diego County refuses to disclose which of the county’s 600 assisted living facilities have a COVID-19 outbreak. We hear the tragic story of an outbreak at one facility in Chula Vista. In addition, a new online platform has filled the void for active seniors who normally lead active lives but had to shelter in place because of the global health crisis. And, San Diego city residents have been improperly charged millions of dollars for industrial wastewater services while the businesses responsible have not been paying their fair share for decades. And, Comic-Con@Home starts today. KPBS Arts & Culture Reporter Beth Accomando has a preview.

President Trump on Tuesday issued a memorandum calling for unauthorized immigrants to be excluded from the census count. The Constitution requires every person living in the U.S. be counted. Plus, an experimental vaccine from Oxford University and AstraZeneca is showing promise, according to a new study. Also, California is allowing barbershops, hair and nail salons to reopen if they move their operations outside, but an industry group says some shops may not be able to get the accommodations required from their landlords, neighbors and or other businesses. And, even with aid from the state, with many businesses closed because of the pandemic, the situation for California’s undocumented workers remains perilous. Finally, during the pandemic quarantine, social media can be a lifeline that allows people to keep connected but it also can steal people’s attention in large chunks of time that can easily get out of hand.

The rate of positive COVID-19 cases keeps on increasing in San Diego and California, raising the question whether the state reopened too soon. Plus, two parents weigh in on the decision to delay the reopening of schools and how they’re preparing for more distance learning as the start of the new school year looms. Also, day care operators say COVID-related restrictions are putting them out of business. And, female veterans are much less likely than their male counterparts to get their medical care through the VA and the agency has stepped up its efforts to encourage female veterans to give VA health care a chance. Finally, hiking is one of the safest things you can do to avoid going stir-crazy at home during the pandemic. One hiking expert shares hiking advice in the time of COVID-19.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s guidelines on school re-openings will require all San Diego County school districts to continue distance learning as long as the county remains on the state’s watchlist and starts to slow the spread of coronavirus. Plus, Comic-Con is still happening this week, from the comfort of your own home. And, a preview of arts events happening this weekend, including short plays by LGBTQ playwrights to mark the state of Pride month.

How San Diego collects information from surveillance cameras around the city and what officials do with it may soon be more tightly controlled. Also, Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein of Chabad of Poway pleaded guilty Tuesday to participating in a multimillion-dollar fraud. The rabbi was wounded in a deadly shooting at the synagogue in 2019. Plus, we hear from the families of some San Diegans who lost their lives to COVID-19. And, organizers of San Diego Pride bring the massive celebration online this year. CapRadio asked outdoor experts about how safe it is to get outdoors during the coronavirus pandemic. Finally, former San Diegan Lysley Tenorio's novel “The Son Of Good Fortune” explores belonging and place.

Taxes are due today. Because of the pandemic, the IRS extended the deadline to July 15 but the agency won’t be extending again. Also, putting a name on the numbers. More than 400 people have died from COVID-19, we hear some of their stories. Plus, a former San Diego sheriff’s deputy is the first in the state to be prosecuted for use of force in a law enforcement-involved shooting. And, the USS Bonhomme Richard fire is spewing toxic chemicals in the air and advocates are concerned that not enough is being done to protect people. Finally, the pandemic quarantine is giving the team behind Apple TV’s “Mythic Quest” the creative challenge for a bonus episode.

As coronavirus cases surge in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered closures of gyms, salons, churches and other indoor operations. What has to happen before the closures are reversed? Plus, defying President Trump, San Diego Unified and LAUSD — California’s two largest school districts — announced they start the school year with distance learning. After the police killing of George Floyd demonstrators in San Diego took to the streets to call for change. But can community members and law enforcement in San Diego agree on what reform measures and policy changes are necessary?

More than 24 hours after a fire started on the USS Bonhomme Richard at Naval Base San Diego, the blaze is still raging. Officials are monitoring the air quality and advising residents to stay indoors where smoke is present. Plus, with the start of peak wildfire season, we check in with Cal Fire about how the COVID-19 pandemic may change the way fires are fought. Meanwhile, the pandemic continues to highlight long-existing health disparities in the Black and Hispanic communities. We trace back some of that history. Also, Border Patrol agents gave an asylum-seeking mother a harrowing choice: give her newly U.S.-born child to social services or return together to Mexico while her asylum case winds through U.S. courts. Finally, Comic-Con had to cancel its annual convention but it is still giving fans a taste of the action, all for free at home.

San Diego County public health officials reported 560 new coronavirus cases and nine new deaths Thursday, raising the county’s totals to 18,402 positive cases and 415 deaths. Plus, single-use plastic bags are banned again after making a brief return to grocery stores across the state due to COVID-19. But many bags are still lingering in the trash. Finally, KPBS Arts Editor Julia Dixon-Evans previews some of this weekend’s top arts events, including a performance by local rapper Ric Scales, an art show to benefit a historically poor neighborhood in Tijuana and a “fun-size” virtual performance of “Matilda” the musical.

The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled President Trump isn't "categorically immune" from having his financial records released to a New York grand jury, but pushed back against congressional subpoenas. Plus, the San Diego City Council clears the way for district-only elections for San Diego Unified School District Board. Voters will have a say in November. Also, the county Board of Supervisors approved funding for a mental health diversion program that provides treatment options for people with untreated mental illnesses who might otherwise face jail and criminal charges. And, with the county looking to change how it handles mental health crises, Palomar Health opened the first purpose-built crisis stabilization unit in San Diego County to take pressure off emergency rooms. Finally, today’s frustration and anger over racial injustice has been brewing for centuries and those feelings were masterfully conveyed in the 1973 film, “The Spook Who Sat By The Door," based on Sam Greenlee's book.