Midday Edition

A new book, "American Pope: Leo XIV's Road from the South Side of Chicago to Vatican City," traces the life journey of Robert Prevost, from his humble beginnings on the south side of Chicago, to becoming the leader of the Catholic Church as Pope Leo XIV.

The book's authors, Scott Detrow and Daniel Burke of NPR, joined Midday Edition to talk about what they learned about Pope Leo XIV through researching his experiences growing up Catholic in working-class Chicago and his hands-on approach to faith and service.

Then, we sit down with Chicano Park muralist and co-founder, Salvador Roberto Torres, as part of our series highlighting local trailblazers for Hispanic Heritage Month.

And finally, action star Dolph Lundgren is the subject of the documentary, "Dolph Unbreakable." KPBS' Beth Accomando speaks with Lundgren as he reflects on his life and career.

Guests:

• Scott Detrow, host, "All Things Considered," NPR
• Daniel Burke, senior editor of religion and spirituality, NPR
• Salvador Roberto Torres, acclaimed muralist, co-founder of Chicano Park; co-founder of Centro Cultural de la Raza
• Dolph Lundgren, actor, "Dolph Unbreakable"

On today's Ballot Breakdown, KPBS Midday Edition talks about San Diego County's Measure B.

The half-cent sales tax increase would generate funding for everything from healthcare, to addressing the Tijuana River sewage crisis. We talk about the arguments for and against the measure, and where funding would be allocated.

You can find more voting resources on the KPBS Voter Hub.

Guest:

• Tammy Murga, environment reporter, KPBS

As San Diego continues to experience an October heat wave, the region is also preparing for the potential arrival of major storms driven by historically strong El Niño conditions.

On Midday Tuesday, we sit down with emergency officials from the city and county of San Diego to talk about what San Diegans need to know to prepare for stormy weather this winter.

Guests:

• Ashley Gain, community engagement program manager, County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services
• Robert Rezende, assistant fire chief, San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, City of San Diego's Office of Emergency Services

Resources:

County of San Diego storm preparedness resources

List of San Diego sandbag locations

Get it Done app

211- El Niño winter storm season

The ballots are out. It's officially election season.

This month on KPBS Midday Edition, we're helping you cut through the noise to better understand the top measures and races affecting your community. You can find more voting resources on the KPBS Voter Hub.

On Midday Edition Tuesday, we break down Measure A — a package of county charter reforms that includes expanding term limits for supervisors, creating an ethics commission and more.

Guest:

• Kevin Trevellyan, Public Matters reporter, KPBS

In a campaign rally Monday in Nebraska, President Donald Trump remarked that Iran can "take out" San Diego and Los Angeles — a suggestion that elected officials and political experts across California have since denounced.

"It's a small price to pay for keeping the world safe, keeping our country safe," Trump said at the rally. "They can take out a city, let 'em take out Los Angeles, let 'em take out San Diego. This is a very small price to pay."

Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear from Rep. Scott Peters and political science professor Thad Kousser about their reactions to the president's comments and the broader implications, amid the ongoing Iran war.

Guests:

• Representative Scott Peters, congressmember, California's 50th congressional district
• Thad Kousser, political science professor, UC San Diego

The U.S. healthcare system has a lot of problems.

Soaring insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs are pushing more Americans into medical debt.

Many patients wait months for important appointments. Physician burnout has also reached new highs in recent years.

On KPBS Midday Edition, we sit down with a local author to talk about his new book, "Treating a Broken System," which explores the link between physician burnout and doctor-patient communication.

Guest:

• Dr. Neil Farber, retired physician and medical researcher, UCSD; author of "Treating a Broken System: A Physician's Cure for the Healthcare Crisis"

The San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival kicks off Thursday evening. For the past three years, it has featured renowned jazz artists performing in free concerts on both sides of the border.

We hear from the festival's founders about how they are continuing to celebrate jazz music and history from across the region.

Then, Angelika Film Center Carmel Mountain is hosting its annual film series dedicated to renowned director Alfred Hitchcock. Our Midday Movies critics discuss their love for the master of suspense.

And, thinking about what to do this weekend? KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans has you covered in her weekend arts preview.

Guests:

• Daniel Atkinson, co-founder, San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival
• Julian Plascencia, co-founder, San Diego Tijuana International Jazz Festival
• Beth Accomando, arts reporter, KPBS
• Yazdi Pithavala, podcaster, Moviewallas
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and host of "The Finest" podcast, KPBS

For nearly 60 years, San Diego's Centro Cultural de la Raza has served as a hub for Chicano, Mexican, Latino and Indigenous art and culture.

Ana Hernández stepped into the role of executive director in 2024. But her commitment to social justice and community building goes back much further.

Hernández has long been an advocate for workers' rights, immigrants' rights and survivors of gender-based violence.

On KPBS Midday Edition, we sit down with Hernández as part of our series highlighting community voices for Hispanic Heritage Month. We also talk about an author event happening this weekend at Centro Cultural de la Raza.

Guest:

• Ana Hernández, executive director, Centro Cultural de la Raza

WNBA playoffs kicked off Sunday. And for many fans of women's basketball — and women's sports in general — it has long been difficult to find a dedicated public space to watch games.

But one bar in North Park is changing that.

One of Us is San Diego's first women's sports bar. While it opened just earlier this year, it reflects a long-time desire to build a safe space and community around women's sports in the city.

We talk with two of the founders behind One of Us about the explosive popularity of women's sports in recent years, and their mission to expand access around it and give back to community.

Guests:

• Kalani Millsaps, co-founder, One of Us
• Patricia Sebold, co-founder, One of Us