Midday Edition

Around 3 in 4 U.S. adults say the future of our nation is a significant source of stress in their lives.

Many are troubled by the onslaught of federal policies tackling immigration and anti-civil rights legislation.

A panel of local therapists join us to discuss how this political moment is affecting their work with clients.

• David Peters, marriage and family therapist with a private practice in Mission Valley
• Mitzy Ruelas, associate marriage and family therapist, Che Ajal Counseling Center
• Alexis Smith, licensed professional clinical counselor, Queer Corner Counseling

San Diego County jails have long been under scrutiny for alleged civil rights violations.In 2022, the jail system had 19 deaths — a record high for San Diego County jails.A complaint filed that year has since expanded to a class action lawsuit challenging nearly every aspect of jail operations — including medical and mental health practices.We discuss the latest insights into the legal proceedings and what the lawsuit has exposed about jail operations.Guest: Kelly Davis, watchdog reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune

Immigration detention facilities are a key part of the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign, which pushes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to meet arrest quotas of 3,000 people a day. A new KPBS investigation looks into overcrowding within San Diego County's Otay Mesa Detention Center.Immigration lawyers report that detainees are sleeping on the floor and receiving deferred medical care resulting hospitalizations.On Midday Edition, we discuss the details and how they reflect a national trend of overcrowding in detention facilities.Guest:Gustavo Solis, investigative border reporter, KPBS

A new KPBS investigation uncovers problems within San Diego County's animal shelters, leading to a spike in dog euthanasias.

Last fiscal year, the shelters made the decision to euthanize 426 dogs. That meant canines entering the shelter system had a more than 1-in-10 chance of being put down.

On Midday Edition, we sit down with the journalists behind the investigation to unpack the full story.

Guests:

• Scott Rodd, investigative reporter, KPBS
• Elaine Alfaro, journalist, KPBS

Each year, celebrities, creators and fans from all across the world converge in San Diego for Comic-Con to celebrate all things related to fandom, pop culture, art, and so much more.Thursday on Midday Edition, we take you live inside the convention center to discuss what makes America's Finest City a special place to host the pop culture juggernaut.Plus, hear from different creators across art, books and film about their personal journeys into their fields, and how they are continuing to represent their culture and stories.Guests:Beth Accomando, arts reporter, KPBSPatrick Ballesteros, illustrator and educatorJohn Wells III, author of "The Last Angel Warrior" and "The Heir of Ambrose," organizer of "Diversity in Fantasy" panelErnie Bustamante, director, "Street Smart: Lessons From a TV Icon"

Comic-Con season is well underway. Two local events are coinciding with the main convention and are spotlighting comics creators and stories underrepresented in the mainstream.

Wednesday on Midday Edition, we hear about the inaugural Indigi-Con, which celebrates and amplifies indigenous stories through art and comics, as well as Afrofuturism Lounge, which connects Black creators across disciplines.

• Chag Lowry, executive director of the Indigenous Futures Institute, comic book author and publisher
• Katie Walkiewicz, faculty director at the Indigenous Futures Institute, literature professor at UC San Diego, enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation
• LaWana Richmond, CEO of Grio'Neers

On the eve of San Diego Comic-Con, we take a closer look at the local economy — and how the convention impacts it.A local economist shares insights on what a jump in unemployment means for the region, and how tourism remains a bright spot.Guest:Daniel Enemark, chief economist, San Diego Regional Policy & Innovation Center

Amid funding cuts for public media, stations all across the country — including KPBS — are bracing for impact of the Trump administration’s rescissions package.

This includes $1.1 billion from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) — which effectively cuts all federal support for NPR and PBS programs.

Marco Werman, host of Public Radio Exchange’s The World and journalist-in-residence at UC San Diego, discusses the impact of the defunding on public media and the value of local journalism.

• Marco Werman, co-host, “The World”, journalist-in-residence at UC San Diego

Basketball and skateboarding are powerful tools for building community across cultures.

For tribal communities, these sports provide a unique avenue for cultural expression and mentorship.

Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear from the author of the new book "Rezballers and Skate Elders: Joyful Futures in Indian Country" about his research into sports culture among tribal communities. We also discuss his work with San Diego State University's Center for Skateboarding, Action Sports, and Social Change.

Guest:

• David Kamper, professor of American Indian Studies at SDSU, associate director of the Center for Skateboarding, Action Sports, and Social Change

A new limited podcast series "Short Wave: Sea Camp" explores the science of the sea, and how it plays a central role in sustaining life on Earth.

Monday on Midday Edition, podcast hosts Regina Barber and Emily Kwong explain their approach to create stories of science that are both accessible and enriching.

Regina Barber, cohost, Short Wave’s "Sea Camp" series

Emily Kwong, cohost, Short Wave’s "Sea Camp" series