Midday Edition

The California legislature has been on a housing blitz, passing major housing policy reforms in recent years.

Now, Congress is finalizing a package of housing bills — some of the proposed changes were inspired by California.

Some experts say it would be the federal government's most significant housing reform in decades.

We talk about what the bill package could mean for housing affordability moving forward, in California and beyond.

Guest:

• Adhiti Bandlamudi, housing reporter, KQED

On Tuesday, the San Diego City Council will be voting on adopting a new working definition of antisemitism.

Councilmember Stephen Whitburn is proposing adopting a definition crafted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, also known as the IHRA.

The definition has been widely adopted by countries, states, cities and schools. But critics say it's imprecise and could have broader implications for freedom of speech.

Tuesday on Midday Edition, we look at the history of the IHRA definition, how it's been interpreted and put into practice and competing perceptions of antisemitism.

Guests:

• Jonathan Graubart, political science professor and chair, San Diego State University

Last Tuesday, the city of San Diego recognized 10 local women for their leadership and service, as part of its “Women of Distinction” event.

Mayor Todd Gloria named immigration attorney Maria Chavez as this year’s citywide honoree.

Monday on Midday Edition, we sit down with Chavez to talk about the recognition, her career journey and how current policies and immigration enforcement are impacting her work today.

Guest:

• Maria Chavez, immigration legal director, Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans

Back in January, the City of San Diego implemented paid parking in Balboa Park, incurring both anger and confusion from residents and organizations based out of the park.

The city responded with a grace period followed by reductions in fees for city residents and free parking in certain lots.

KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando checked in with arts organizations in the park about how the parking policies are affecting them.

Guests:

• Tim Shields, managing director, Old Globe Theatre
• Michael Warburton, executive director, San Diego Model Railroad Museum
• Peter Comiskey, executive director, Balboa Park Cultural Partnership

Gov. Gavin Newsom last week announced the latest allocation of more than $1 billion for mental health treatment projects and shelter beds.

The funding comes through Proposition 1. Passed in 2024, the measure created a $6.4 billion bond to remake California's behavioral health system and expand the availability of treatment beds statewide.

A CalMatters report, however, found that none of the programs expected in 2025 under that measure have opened yet.

On Midday Edition Monday, we hear about that and about some of the San Diego projects expanding mental health and substance abuse care through Prop. 1.

Guest:

Marisa Kendall, homelessness reporter, CalMatters

What does it mean to reconnect to one's ancestral homeland?

Thursday on Midday Edition, we hear from the director of a new documentary, "Dear Alaska," which explores reconnection and interconnection through the lens of the Indigenous Tlingit people of the Pacific Northwest and San Diego's Native community.

Then, the Old Globe is currently staging a new adaptation of Herman Melville's 1853 short story "Bartleby, the Scrivener." KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando sits down with the playwrights.

Guests:

• Moriah Hayes/Keeyées Tláa, director, "Dear Alaska"
• Noah Brody, playwright, Fiasco Theater
• Paul L. Coffey, playwright, Fiasco Theater

The federal government is requiring the California DMV to cancel commercial drivers licenses for roughly 13,000 truck drivers without permanent legal status.

That includes drivers with some work visas, refugee or asylum status, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) — among other work authorizations.

The DMV says it's allowing affected drivers to submit new license applications, but the federal government is barring them from being processed.

On Midday Edition, we talk about how the policy is impacting immigrant drivers who are unable to work and anxious about their livelihoods.

Guest:

• Gurvinder Singh, International Humanitarian Aid Director, UNITED SIKHS

Resources:

• UNITED SIKHS
• Freedom Drivers Coalition
• Sikh Coaliton
• Asian Law Caucus

You might have seen the social media buzz over Korean beauty products, also known as K-Beauty. It remains a booming industry — South Korea exported a record $11 billion in cosmetics in 2025.

Now, K-Beauty has a new hub in San Diego: the skincare store Seoul Glow Lab.

Wednesday on Midday Edition, we sit down with the founder of Seoul Glow Lab and one of its estheticians to talk about the boom in Korean beauty, along with the community and education building around it locally.

Guests:

• Katie Hernandez, founder, Seoul Glow Lab
• Sabrina Kim, esthetician, Seoul Glow Lab, founder, Soul Care Standard

The San Diego County Board of Supervisors filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Tuesday over access to the Otay Mesa Detention Center.

Last month, federal and county officials were turned away when they tried to inspect the center. They issued an ultimatum to DHS last week — let them into the facility, or face legal action.

We discuss where the lawsuit stands and what happens next.

Guests:

• Terra Lawson-Remer, San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chair

What does it take to heal from the past and build a life and future you actually want?

Licensed therapist and author Katherine Woodward Thomas digs into personal transformation, manifestation and more in her most recent book, “What’s True About You: 7 Steps to Move Beyond Your Painful Past and Manifest Your Brightest Future.”

Thomas will be at the San Diego Writer's Festival later this month. She joined Midday Edition on Wednesday to discuss the book and what it takes to achieve a more authentic self.

Guest:

• Katherine Woodward Thomas, therapist and author of “What’s True About You: 7 Steps to Move Beyond Your Painful Past and Manifest Your Brightest Future”