Midday Edition

October is Filipino American History Month.Monday on Midday Edition, we dive into Filipino American activism and how local community organizers are applying lessons from the past to meet the current political moment.Then, we sit down with a local arts leader with strong ties in San Diego to learn about the thriving Philippine performing arts scene and its rich history.Guests:Amanda Solomon Amorao, director of Dimensions of Culture Program at Thurgood Marshall College, director of Asian American Pacific Islander studies program, UC San DiegoSoul Salas, organizer, Anakbayan San DiegoIan M. Seruelo, attorney and activistAnamaria Labao Cabato, executive director, PASACAT

California voters have until next Tuesday, Nov. 4, to vote on Proposition 50 — which would allow the state to temporarily redraw its congressional maps.With about a week to go before voting is done, we check in on where the race stands and how fundraising is going on both sides.Guest:Jeanne Kuang, capitol reporter for CalMatters

This Saturday, Latino authors from all over the world will converge in San Diego for the 27th annual International Latino Book Awards.

Thursday on Midday Edition, we sit down with its co-founder and a renowned author to talk about the significance of the awards and what they see for the future of Latino literature.

Plus, the La Jolla Playhouse is debuting a musical adaptation of the 1988 hit film "Working Girl" with original music by Cyndi Lauper. KPBS' Beth Accomando spoke with the team behind the musical — including Lauper — and their love for Broadway.

And finally, looking to tap into San Diego's arts and culture scene? In your weekend preview, KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans talks about a new fair focused on unconventional art, Día de Muertos events and some live music to check out.

Guests:

• Kirk Whisler, co-founder, Empowering Latino Futures
• Victor Villaseñor, writer, "Guarding StarDust"
• Cyndi Lauper, singer, composer, lyricist, "Working Girl"
• Christopher Ashley, director, "Working Girl"
• Theresa Rebeck, book writer, "Working Girl"
• Cat Gunn, artist and curator, Harvest & Gather
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and "The Finest" host, KPBS

The popular podcast "Hidden Brain" is celebrating its 10th anniversary of telling stories about how our minds influence our actions and decisions.Host Shankar Vedantam joined Midday Edition Wednesday to talk about how the show has evolved over the years, and what makes the human mind such a fascinating subject.Guest:Shankar Vedantam, host/ executive editor, "Hidden Brain"

What if you could go back and relive past regrets? That's the premise behind Mitch Albom's latest book "Twice."Albom is a bestselling author known for the celebrated bestselling memoir "Tuesdays with Morrie," "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," and "The Little Liar."He joined Midday Edition Wednesday to talk about his work and the life lessons he's picked up during his career as an author, sportswriter and philanthropist.Albom also shared what he has planned for his upcoming event in San Diego at Point Loma Nazarene University on Monday, Oct. 27.Guest:Mitch Albom, author

The city and county of San Diego are ramping up their efforts to limit local cooperation with immigration enforcement in the region.Wednesday on Midday Edition, we dive into the San Diego City Council's latest vote to restrict cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).Guest:Andrew Bowen, KPBS, metro reporter

Solitary confinement is the focus of a new court filing in a class-action lawsuit against San Diego County and the Sheriff's Office.A request for a preliminary injunction was filed in federal court last week asking a federal judge to limit how long people can be held in solitary confinement.More than a dozen people have described inhumane conditions inside separation cells in San Diego jails.We sit down with two reporters to discuss the details of the latest lawsuit and how we got here.Guests:Kelly Davis, investigative reporter, The San Diego Union-TribuneJeff McDonald, investigative reporter, The San Diego Union-Tribune

Reports of anti-Jewish bias statewide have doubled between 2021 and 2024, according to the California Department of Justice.Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a bill aiming to tackle antisemitism in schools — igniting questions over whether the government should be involved in defining antisemitism in educational settings.And, how legislators should balance the needs of Jewish communities alongside concerns about censorship.On Midday Edition, we discuss the bill's journey through the legislature and what it says about the broader conversation around antisemitism in the United States.Guests: Yue Stella Yu, politics reporter, CalMattersMikhail Zinshteyn, higher education reporter, CalMatters

Dozens of American medical workers have volunteered in the Gaza Strip since 2023. That includes local emergency room nurse Amanda Nasser. She traveled to Gaza in August and treated patients at Nasser Hospital, one of the few functioning hospitals in the region.Monday on Midday Edition, we hear about Nasser's experiences on the ground and how she is reflecting on her journey since returning from Gaza in September.Guest:Amanda Nasser, nurse practitioner

More than one billion people across India and around the world celebrate Diwali, according to survey data from Pew Research.The five-day festival symbolizes victory of light over darkness.California Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed a bill recognizing Diwali as an official state holiday.We discuss its significance with one of the bill's authors.Guests:Darshana Patel, California State Assemblymember representing the 76th District