Midday Edition

25 years ago, Point Loma’s Liberty Station began its transformation from military base to arts center.

It was renamed Arts District Liberty Station — and soon became a cultural hub for the city.

In fact, it was recently designated as a California Cultural District for its contribution to the arts.

Thursday on Midday Edition, we talk about the place Liberty Station has in San Diego's arts and culture scene.

Then, KPBS' Beth Accomando previews a documentary being screened at the 36th annual San Diego International Jewish Film Festival.

Then, the KPBS arts and culture podcast "The Finest" premieres its second season. We get a special sneak peek at what is to come — from risograph printing to hometown heroes.

• Lisa Johnson, president and CEO, Arts District Liberty Station
• Rachel Laing, assistant deputy director in economic development, city of San Diego
• Abby Ginzberg, filmmaker, "Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold"
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and host of "The Finest," KPBS

• Emerging Artist Residencies — Arts District Liberty Station

A local Indigenous-owned company is making waves in the beauty industry.

N8iV Beauty is a skincare brand that draws from ancestral traditions, infusing that knowledge and plant-based ingredients — like acorn oil — into its products.

Last year, the company won a 2025 “Best of Beauty” award from Allure, making them the first Indigenous-owned brand to receive that recognition.

Wednesday on Midday Edition, we hear from its founder about how N8iV Beauty is reclaiming space for Native representation in the beauty world.

Guest:

• Ruth-Ann Thorn, tribal member of Rincon Indian Band of Luiseño Indians, founder and CEO of N8iV Beauty

Many parents worry about their kids talking to strangers on the internet.

What if those strangers are not human, but bots?

Concerns over kids’ exposure to artificial intelligence have led to growing efforts to regulate that exposure. We sit down with one San Diego lawmaker who authored a law to put guardrails on toys with AI chatbot capabilities.

Guest:

• State Sen. Steve Padilla, California's 18th District

It’s been nearly two weeks since lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill, and a possible health care compromise is still on the table to bring federal health care subsidies back.

Last week, the House passed a bipartisan proposal that could extend the subsidies.

In the meantime, health care premiums are soaring for many Americans — including right here in California.

This Wednesday on Midday Edition, we hear about how rising health care premiums are impacting Californians and what you need to know if you're looking for coverage.

Guests:

• Jessica Altman, executive director, Covered California

Resources:

• Covered California main website
• Federal Changes to Your Health Insurance — Covered California

Child care providers are bracing for impact amid the Trump administration's efforts to freeze roughly $10 billion in child care and family assistance funding — $5 billion of which are allocated to California.

This comes amid allegations from conservative activists of fraud in the child care industry.

Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear from two child care experts about the domino effect this could have on California's child care sector and what protections exist for both families and providers.

Then, Somali child care providers are reporting incidents of harassment and surveillance by strangers — including right here in San Diego.

• Max Arias, chair person, Child Care Providers United
• Stacy Lee, chief learning officer and senior managing director of early childhood, Children Now
• Katie Hyson, racial Justice and social equity reporter, KPBS

Take a walk through Balboa Park, and you'll find dozens of historic cottages celebrating cultures around the world.

The volunteer-driven "houses" are officially called the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages. They promote education, community and cultural understanding.

Now, the House of Somalia is joining them to become the first African country represented by the Balboa Park cottages. We talk about its significance and the Somali community in San Diego.

• Rahmo Abdi, president and co-founder, House of Somalia

In recent years, San Diego County jails have seen a sharp increase in overdose deaths. One recovery program in the Vista jail is trying to change that through medication-assisted treatment.

More jails are embracing the approach amid the growing fentanyl crisis.

We discuss the medication-assisted treatment program and what it could mean for drug rehabilitation in San Diego jails.

• Kelly Davis, investigative reporter, The San Diego Union-Tribune

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidelines for childhood vaccines last week. That advice, however, runs counter to recommendations from California and San Diego County public health officials.

On Midday Edition Monday, we hear from a local infectious disease expert on the CDC's changes, and why guidance remains unchanged for families in San Diego County.

• Dr. Pia Pannaraj, infectious disease specialist, Rady Children’s Hospital

Under a new state law, a statewide board has designated 31 California colleges as Black-Serving Institutions.

Two San Diego community colleges made the list — San Diego City College and San Diego Mesa College.

On Midday Edition, we sit down with the presidents of the two colleges to talk about what the designation means and how they're serving Black students in San Diego.

Guests:

• Ashanti Hands, president of San Diego Mesa College
• Ricky Shabazz, president of San Diego City College

“Chaotic, dusty, loud—and perfect.”

That’s how writer Mariano Velez describes life in Calexico in his short story collection, “Mostly Made-Up Stories from a Small Town Nobody,” based on his own upbringing in the region during the 1970s and 1980s.

Thursday on Midday Edition, we hear from Velez about the inspiration behind the book.

Then, KPBS' Beth Accomando sits down with comics curator Caitlin McGurk to talk about her Eisner Award-winning book detailing the legacy of cartoonist Barbara Shermund.

And finally, in your weekend preview, KPBS' Julia Dixon Evans shares her top event picks and pays tribute to San Diego musician Tim Lowman, who passed away late last year.

• Mariano Velez, author, “Mostly Made-Up Stories from a Small Town Nobody”
• Caitlin McGurk, curator of comics and cartoon art at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum, author, "Tell Me a Story Where the Bad Girl Wins: The Life and Art of Barbara Shermund"
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and "The Finest" host, KPBS