Midday Edition

Many tourists might recognize San Diego as America’s Finest City. But what happens when you look past the city’s sunny surface?

The book, “Under the Perfect Sun: The San Diego Tourists Never See,” offered up another side of San Diego history when its 2005 edition came out — one rooted in resistance and activism.

Now, 20 years later, the book has been updated with new interviews and new stories, looking at the ways the city has changed.

Thursday on Midday Edition, we hear from two of the authors about dedicating the book to the late Mike Davis, one of the book's original authors, and their own reflections on how San Diego has transformed over time.

Then, thinking about what to do this weekend? KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans has you covered with a diverse mix of visual art, theater and music in her weekend arts preview.

Guests:

• Kelly Mayhew, professor, San Diego City College, author, "Under the Perfect Sun"
• Jim Miller, professor, San Diego City College, author, "Under the Perfect Sun"
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and host of "The Finest" podcast, KPBS

As we learn more about how cell phones are impacting kids' health and wellbeing, schools across the country are trying to adapt.

More than two-thirds of U.S. states now have some restrictions over cell phone use in public schools. We hear about how efforts are going in San Diego County.

Plus, we sit down with an author of a first-of-its-kind study that looked at the effectiveness of cell phone bans in schools.

Guests:

• Katie Anastas, education reporter, KPBS
• Hunt Allcott, professor of environmental social sciences, Stanford University

The San Diego City Council was scheduled to discuss updates to its street improvement plan this week.

The city released its original plan two years ago. But cracks in that strategy appeared almost immediately, when residents pointed out concerns about equity and redlining in their neighborhoods.

Wednesday on Midday Edition, we look into the changes the city has made since the release of the initial plan and recent efforts to repair roads across the region.

Guest:

• Katie Hyson, Racial Justice and Social Equity reporter, KPBS

It's been nearly three years since the San Diego City Council passed the Unsafe Camping Ordinance, which prohibited tent encampments on public property when shelter beds are available.

The law also set rules for how the city can enforce the ban, leading to increased sweeps of homeless encampments.

Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear about a new analysis from The San Diego Union-Tribune that digs deeper into the data, revealing the financial costs to the city and the impact of repeated sweeps on those living in the encampments.

Guest:

• Kristen Taketa, watchdog and accountability reporter, The San Diego Union-Tribune

For four decades, the California Surf Museum has served as a portal into the world of surfing — capturing the history, art and culture of the sport.

On Midday Edition, we talk to the executive director of the Oceanside museum about how it tells the story of surfing.

Plus, a world surfing champion, author and motivational speaker shares lessons from a life of surfing, ahead of his event this week at the California Surf Museum.

Guests:

• Jim Kempton, executive director, California Surf Museum
• Shaun Tomson, world surfing champion, author, motivational speaker

Longtime civil rights activist and San Diego icon Harold "Hal" K. Brown passed away last week at the age of 92.

Born in York, Pennsylvania, Brown came to San Diego State University (SDSU) in 1953 on a basketball scholarship.

He was heavily involved in San Diego's Civil Rights Movement throughout the 1950's and 60's. In 1971, he became SDSU's first Black administrator, later founding what became the university's Africana Studies Department.

Monday on Midday Edition, we commemorate Brown's legacy, his lifelong commitment to racial and economic justice, and the enduring mark he has left on San Diego.

Guest:

• Adisa Alkebulan, professor and department chair of Africana Studies, SDSU

Passengers of a cruise ship struck by an outbreak of hantavirus have been flown home. Nine cases have been reported from the outbreak, including three deaths.

On Midday Edition Monday, we hear from a local medical expert to learn more about hantavirus, how it differs from coronavirus, and why he feels the public health risk remains low.

Guest:

• Dr. Stephen Munday, epidemiologist, Sharp Healthcare

Every Wednesday for six weeks at a time, adult musicians gather at the Coronado Community Center to practice their instruments. They call themselves the Coronado Terrible Orchestra.

Thursday on Midday Edition, we sit down with the director to talk about how the orchestra has provided a space for its members to celebrate the joys of music, and help them to play without judgment.

Then, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando looks at what's new with the San Diego International Fringe Festival as it expands its binational footprint with the World Fringe Congress.

And finally, there's never a shortage of things to do in San Diego. KPBS arts reporter and host of "The Finest" podcast Julia Dixon Evans shares all her top arts event picks for the weekend.

Guests:

• Cassie O'Hanlon, director, Coronado Terrible Orchestra
• Kevin Charles Patterson, founder, San Diego International Fringe Festival
• Shaun Davis, producing director, San Diego International Fringe Festival
• Holly Lombardo, managing director, World Fringe
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and "The Finest" host, KPBS

The 2026 Point-in-Time Count found a slight decline in homelessness in San Diego County, including an 11% drop in street homelessness. But the number of homeless seniors is growing.

On Midday Edition Wednesday, we talk with two leaders of local nonprofits addressing homelessness about what's working and the challenges that lie ahead.

Then, we sit down with representatives from a local group spreading awareness about mental health needs within San Diego’s Vietnamese community.

Plus, a new book from TED Radio Hour's Manoush Zomorodi looks into how our modern tech-filled lives is changing our bodies — and what we can do about it.

Guests:

• Melinda Forstey, CEO, Serving Seniors
• Greg Anglea, CEO, Interfaith Services
• Tri Nguyen, licensed marriage and family therapist, counseling faculty at San Diego State University
• Tri Luu, board director and chair of partnerships, Vietnamese American Youth Alliance
• Manoush Zomorodi, host, author, "Body Electric: The Hidden Health Costs of the Digital Age and New Science to Reclaim Your Wellbeing"

Resources:

• Vietnamese American Youth Alliance Mental Health Resources
• International Vietnamese Mental Health Association
• San Diego Access & Crisis Line - Call or text 9-8-8 OR (888) 724-7240
• Yellow Chair Collective

National Public Radio correspondent Kirk Siegler covers how climate change is impacting the American West. Siegler has covered California wildfires, water scarcity and the financial challenges facing America's farmers.

On Midday Edition Tuesday, Siegler shares how his experience growing up in Montana has shaped his reporting and more specifically on how he reports on climate change.

Guest:

Kirk Siegler, national correspondent, NPR News