Midday Edition

Summer is here in San Diego and so are the tourists.

With our near perfect weather and beaches, it's no surprise that our city is a big travel destination. But if you live here — it can be easy to take it all for granted.

This summer, you might consider taking a staycation instead. From luxury hotels to beautiful campsites, San Diego has plenty of options for you to take a trip right here at home.

This hour, we explore how to plan your perfect staycation in San Diego. Whether a hotel bed or sleeping bag is more your style, there's plenty of options out there.

Plus, we talk about how to make the most out of traveling with kids.

• Jackie Bryant, business development strategist at San Diego Magazine
• Shelby Stanger, host of REI podcast “Wild Ideas Worth Living"
• Jennifer Kolari, child and family therapist and founder of Connected Parenting

Hotels/Resorts

• Seabird Resort - Oceanside (kid friendly/adult)
• Mission Pacific Resort - Oceanside (kid friendly/adult)
• Gaylord Pacific - Chula Vista
• Alila Marea Resort - Encinitas
• Inn at Moonlight Beach - Encinitas
• Harrah’s Resort - Valley Center
• Lafayette Hotel - North Park (kid friendly)
• Town and Country Resort - Mission Valley - (kid friendly)
• Manchester Grand Hyatt - Downtown San Diego (kid friendly)
• Lazy H Ranch - Valley Center
• Catamaran - Mission Bay
• Bahia Resort - Mission Bay
• Bianchi Pizza and Pasta
• Hotel Marisol - Coronado
• Read more on Jackie Bryant’s Guide to Local Spa and Resorts
• The Hotel Del Coronado
• Read Jackie Bryant’s Review on the hotel's renovations
• Nobu
• Read San Diego Magazine’s look into Coronado’s Nobu
• Veranda
• Read San Diego Magazine’s look into Coronado’s Veranda

Food and Drink

• Merenda Wine Bar - https://www.sdcl.org/blogs/post/learn-a-language-with-rosetta-stone/
• Read Jackie Bryant’s Review on Merenda
• Little Fox Cups and Cones - Oceanside
• Read Jackie Bryant’s Review on Little Fox Cups and Cones
• Wrench and Rodent - Oceanside
• Read more in Jackie Bryant’s article on food trends in San Diego

The Trump administration has cut funding to programs that provide direct aid to communities affected by HIV and AIDS.

That includes the dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which provides much of the funding to AIDS relief efforts abroad.

Science Magazine Senior Correspondent Jon Cohen reported on how two countries in southern Africa, Eswatini and Lesotho, have been impacted by cuts so far, and how community members and health providers are navigating these challenges.

San Diego is home to one of the leading HIV vaccine research efforts in the country, the Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development, but its funding is now at risk due to the administration's spending cuts. We hear from one researcher about what that could mean for the future of a HIV vaccine.

Guests:

• Jon Cohen, senior correspondent, Science
• Dennis Burton, co-lead of the Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development, professor, Scripps Research

You may know it as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Black Independence Day — or Juneteenth.

On this day in 1865, word of liberation finally made its way to Galveston, Texas — where the last people still enslaved under the Confederacy were held.

The news didn't come until two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued.

On today's show, we discuss the history and enduring significance of Juneteenth in 2025.

We also get a glimpse into an upcoming celebration of Black joy, culture and freedom at Paddle for Peace's 5th annual Juneteenth barbecue.

And, we preview the San Diego Black Artist Collective's annual Juneteenth Black Arts Festival — showcasing Black excellence across music, theatre, dance, poetry and visual art.

• T.J. Tallie, associate professor of history at the University of San Diego
• Risa Bell, executive director and founder of Paddle for Peace
• Beth Accomando, arts reporter, KPBS
• Joy Yvonne Jones, president of the San Diego Black Artist Collective
• Kelsey O’Daniels, artist and poet

Experts say there are several barriers that men face when accessing therapy and other mental health services. That includes stigma and bias — specifically around couples counseling.

For Men's Mental Health Awareness Month, we speak with two San Diego psychologists about navigating men's issues in couples counseling and how they help men build healthier relationships with their partners.

• Dan Singley, psychologist, founder of The Center for Men's Excellence
• Max Maris, psychologist, Center for Men's Excellence

As the Trump administration continues its effort to cut back on science spending, researchers all over the country are sounding the alarm.

Neuroscientist and biologist Ardem Patapoutian is one of those scientists working to raise awareness on the impact of these cuts. In 2021, he and his research partner David Julius earned the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine for discovering how humans sense touch.

Patapoutian joined Midday Edition Wednesday to talk about how the Trump administration's spending cuts and policies are impacting him and his lab, and what he sees for the future of science at large.

Ardem Patapoutian, neuroscientist, biologist and professor, Scripps Research, Nobel Prize winner

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After federal immigration agents raided a busy South Park restaurant in late May, a wide coalition of leaders spoke out — including faith leaders.

Religious leaders across the country have vocalized opposition to the Trump administration's immigration policies. That includes the travel ban announced last week. It bars people from 12 countries from entering the U.S.

Still others are working to keep houses of worship safe from immigration enforcement.

On today's show, we invite a panel of local religious leaders — a pastor, a rabbi and an imam — to discuss how their faith implores them to fight for immigrant justice. And, the power of interfaith dialogue.

Guests:

• Fr. Scott Santarosa, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe parish
• Imam Taha Hassane, imam of the Islamic Center of San Diego
• Rabbi Alexis Pearce, leader of Hinenu Havurah, a progressive Jewish collective in San Diego

Over the weekend, we saw "No King's Day" protests from San Diego to New York City. The demonstrations were part of a nationwide action against President Trump's military parade.

In downtown San Diego, 60,000 people marched to protest President Trump's recent policies. Many were motivated by recent immigration raids throughout Southern California.

On today's show, we sat down with two local attorneys to discuss the rights to free speech and due process for citizens and noncitizens. And, what federal threats to those rights could mean for democracy.

• David Loy, legal director at the First Amendment Coalition of San Diego
• Tammy Lin, professor of immigration and supervising attorney at the University of San Diego's Legal Immigration Clinic

A new limited podcast series "Embedded: The Network" tells the story of how a community of women and activists worked to make abortion access easier and safer in Latin America.

On Midday Edition Monday, podcast hosts Victoria Estrada and Marta Martínez give us a preview and share why they wanted to tell this particular story.

• Victoria Estrada, co-host, "Embedded: The Network"
• Marta Martínez, co-host, "Embedded: The Network"

When an eldest son is called home after his father's car accident, he finds his family in shambles — and his youngest brother in debt to dangerous criminals.

It's the intriguing premise of "King of Ashes," the latest Southern crime thriller from bestselling author S.A. Cosby. He'll discuss and sign his book at the University of San Diego on Saturday. On Midday Edition, we sit down with the author to learn more.

Then, dancer and choreographer Jenn Freeman explores her late in life Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis through a new documentary, "Room to Move." Beth Accomando speaks with Freeman to discuss the process.

Plus, a celebration of Black joy, art, music, food and entrepreneurship is coming to Waterfront Park this Saturday for Kinfolk Fest. We find out whats in store from the organizer and art curator.

• S.A. Cosby, bestselling crime fiction author
• Jenn Freeman, dancer and choreographer
• Loren Cobbs, founder of SD Melanin
• Jo-Jo Jones, artist curator for Kinfolk Fest and founder of the Black Liberated Artist Collective

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Scenes of chaos erupted in recent days as immigrant-rights activists clashed with law enforcement following the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Southern California. President Donald Trump has defied state and local officials by ordering National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles.

We hear from San Diego Democratic Rep. Juan Vargas, who tells Midday Edition that Trump's actions are "impeachable." We discuss how he sees Congress' efforts to push back against the Trump administration.

Rep. Juan Vargas, U.S. Congressmember, California's 52 District