Midday Edition

The city of San Diego is suing the federal government over their construction of wire fencing on city-owned land in Marron Valley, near the U.S.-Mexico border.

The lawsuit accuses federal agencies of trespassing and causing environmental damage on protected land.

"They are taking city property without telling us, without paying for it, without even communicating about it," said San Diego City Attorney Heather Ferbert. "They have to comply with the Constitution, even though they're the federal government. They're not exempt from that."

On Midday Edition, we breakdown the lawsuit and the allegations.

Guest:

• Tammy Murga, environment reporter, KPBS

Five years ago, insurrectionists stormed the U.S. Capitol.

Four died during the attack, including Ashli Babbitt from San Diego. In the days and weeks that followed, five police officers died — some by suicide.

Today House Democrats held a special hearing to observe what happened that day. They called for accountability and accused President Donald Trump and his supporters of attempting to "whitewash" history.

"Even five years later, there are things that I can't shake," said Congresswoman Sara Jacobs, who represents San Diego's 51st District. "Thinking through what I could use as a weapon if I needed to: pens, my high heels. Being sure that the elevator doors were going to open and someone with a machine gun was going to be right there."

On Midday Edition, we discuss the legacy of Jan. 6 and the lack of repercussions for insurrectionists. Plus, San Diego connections to the violence.

Guests:

• Will Carless, USA Today reporter covering extremism and emerging issues
• Carl Luna, professor emeritus of political science, San Diego Mesa College

For people who live and work near the Tijuana River, raw sewage-turned-airborne pollution is a facet of daily life.

Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear about a new reporting series from inewsource diving into the impact of the sewage crisis on more than 100 community members.

Plus, what could Medi-Cal cuts mean for the San Diego healthcare system? We dig into the possible impacts.

• Philip Salata, energy and environment reporter, inewsource
• Paul Sisson, healthcare reporter, The San Diego Union-Tribune

With the new year comes new resolutions, from self-care and beauty to exercise — all of which feed into this broader idea of wellness. Monday on Midday Edition, we hear from a local yoga instructor and the founder of the Block Club to talk about their respective approaches to achieving wellness and how they are starting those conversations in the community.

Guests:

• Sally Morgan, yoga instructor, founder of Seeking Satya
• La Raza Webb, co-founder and chief operating officer, The Block Club

Democratic Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., joined Midday Edition on Monday to discuss why he objects to recent U.S. military action in Venezuela, and what role he sees for Congress going forward.

Guest:

• Rep. Scott Peters, D-Calif., 50th District

On the last day of 2025, we’re taking a look back at some of our favorite conversations from the show this year.

In this second episode of Midday Wrapped, KPBS Midday Edition host Jade Hindmon is joined by KPBS Roundtable host and Midday Edition producer Andrew Bracken to talk about a few of their favorite segments from the year.

Guests:

• Andrew Bracken, Midday Edition producer and Roundtable host/producer

As 2025 comes to a close, the Midday Edition team is reflecting on some of our favorite conversations from the year — and we're splitting it into two parts.In this first episode of Midday Wrapped, producers Julianna Domingo and Ashley Rusch take listeners behind the scenes and share some of their favorite segments from 2025.Guests:Julianna Domingo, Midday Edition producer, KPBSAshley Rusch, Midday Edition producer, KPBS

For the past five years, crews have been dismantling the San Onofre Nuclear Plant — which was shut down in 2013.

The plant is easily recognizable by its iconic twin domes along Interstate 5. But now, the domes' days are numbered, as crews prep to remove them.

We discuss the decommissioning effort and what this all means for the San Diego County landmark.

• Alexander Nguyen, multimedia producer, KPBS

Slop. Rage bait. Gerrymandering. Aura farming.

Those are just some of the top words of 2025, according to Merriam-Webster and the Oxford English Dictionary.

Every December, these dictionaries release lists of the top words that defined the year. In 2025, terms related to technology and artificial intelligence took center stage.

On Midday Edition, we talk with word expert Martha Barnette about the most popular phrases of 2025. And, the importance of touching grass.

• Martha Barnette, co-host of "A Way With Words" and author of "Friends with Words: Adventures in Languageland"

The Kumeyaay creation story is the subject of a new piece of sculpture art on San Diego State University's Imperial Valley campus.The piece is part of the university's "Living Land Acknowledgement" series, which brings the words of the Kumeyaay land acknowledgement to life through art.Thursday on Midday Edition, we hear from the artist behind the piece.Then, roll out the red carpet! Filmmakers and studios are campaigning for the chance to be recognized at awards ceremonies this year. Our Midday Movies critics share their favorites for your consideration.And finally, the holiday season is chockful of things to do and events to check out, especially in the arts. We share our top picks then celebrate the best of 2025, according to KPBS staff.Guests:Johnny Bear Contreras, public artist, founder of Eyaay Ahuun FoundationBeth Accomando, arts reporter, KPBSYazdi Pithavala, critic, Moviewalla podcastJulia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, host of "The Finest," KPBSResources:What made our year: KPBS 2025 staff picks