Midday Edition

Grammy Award-nominated pianist and bandleader Omar Sosa will be coming to San Diego on Thursday for his local debut, as part of the Athenaeum jazz spring concert series.

Sosa sat down with Midday Edition host Jade Hindmon to talk about his upcoming concert and his musical journey.

"Jazz is a philosophy. And the philosophy is freedom," Sosa said.

Then, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando previews a new "Doctor Who" exhibit at the Comic-Con Museum.

And finally, as part of the weekend arts preview, KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans sits down with the author of a new short story collection, "Alternative Facts," which looks at our post-truth era.

• Omar Sosa, musician
• Ramie Tateishi, professor, National University
• Emily Greenberg, author of "Alternative Facts"
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and podcast host, KPBS

The San Diego State University women’s basketball team is back in the NCAA basketball tournament for the first time since 2012. They secured their trip to March Madness after a triple-overtime win over Wyoming in last week's Mountain West final.

On Midday Edition Wednesday, we hear from guards Meghan Fiso and Kaelyn Hamilton about their memorable season, and how they manage the ups and downs that come from being a college basketball player.

Guests:

• Meghan Fiso, guard, San Diego State women's basketball
• Kaelyn Hamilton, guard, San Diego State women's basketball

The 32nd annual San Diego Latino Film Festival kicks off Wednesday. This year's festival, which runs through Sunday, highlights films from over 20 countries throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The theme for this year’s festival is "Cine Sin Fronteras," or "Cinema Without Borders."

On Midday Edition Wednesday, we hear about some of the films featured, as well as other events highlighting Latinx music and culture at this year's festival.

Guests:

• Maria Paula Lorgia, artistic director, San Diego Latino Film Festival
• Chris Springer, founder, The House of Music
• Rodrigo Alvarez Flores, film director, "Broken Borders" ("Soy lo que nunca fui")

Many home gardeners are working hard this spring to grow herbs, vegetables and flowers.

On Midday Edition Tuesday, we’ve got you covered with tips and tricks to make your garden thrive — whether you’re a seasoned pro or a plant newbie.

• Nan Sterman, host of "A Growing Passion"

• Waterwise Gardener Upcoming Events
• Waterwise Gardener How To Videos
• Books by Nan Sterman

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Last week marked five years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.

As we look back on the past half decade, we discuss some of the most significant research developments and the continued threat of COVID-19 to public health.

Plus, long COVID is impacting around 400 million people worldwide, including millions of Americans. We talk about navigating disability, the challenges of accessing care, and how one publication is attempting to rewrite the narrative around the disease.

Guests:

• Dr. Eric Topol, professor of medicine and executive vice president, Scripps Research Translational Institute
• Miles Griffis and Betsy Ladyzhets, co-founders of The Sick Times

Resources:

• Fan Favorite San Diego
• Resources - The Sick Times
• RECOVER Initiative

A new picture book from local award-winning author Matt de la Peña looks at a grander idea of home. He joined Midday Edition Thursday to talk about the inspiration behind "Home" and how his own upbringing in San Diego bleeds into his work.

“When we think of home, we do think of our house or our apartment or our trailer, and I hope this book invites young people to think of home in a bigger sense," de la Peña said.

Also, the San Diego Latino Film Festival returns for its 32nd year with a new theme — "Cine Sin Fronteras" or "Cinema Without Borders." KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando gets a preview.

And finally, KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans shares her top picks for the weekend, from North County art exhibits to an annual cherry blossom festival.

Mattdelapena.jpg (3024x4032, AR: 0.75)Guests:

• Matt de la Peña, author and professor at San Diego State University
• Ethan van Thillo, founder and executive director, Media Arts Center San Diego
• Giancarlo Ruiz, filmmaker and actor
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, KPBS

Young adults in America are drinking less compared to older generations, leading some to question the prevalence and role of alcohol in daily life.

On Midday Edition Wednesday, we explore San Diego's burgeoning "sober curious" scene. We hear from San Diegans building products and spaces that challenge the norms of alcohol consumption, and the social pressures that often come with drinking.

Crystal and Kaylee Clark, Good News Bar San Diego

Cale Bollman, Nunya Beverages

March is colorectal cancer awareness month and the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 150,000 thousand Americans will be diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer this year. Doctors are seeing a rise in diagnoses with certain groups, including younger adults.

On Midday Edition Wednesday, we hear from a local medical expert about how to prevent colorectal cancer, and what to know about screening for the disease. We also hear about the upcoming Screen Your Gut- Save Your Butt event on Saturday, March 29.

Dr. Samir Gupta, gastroenterologist, professor, UC San Diego Health

California Colorectal Cancer Coalition

President Trump suspended the country’s Refugee Admissions Program on his first day in office — blocking new refugees from coming to the U.S.

He then froze federal funding for refugee resettlement agencies, forcing them to lay off staff or shut down all together.

Despite legal challenges to the funding freeze, the State Department has terminated all contracts with those agencies, according to NPR.

KPBS Midday Edition unpacks what the recent federal policy changes mean for refugees and providers in San Diego.

Guests:

• Ramla Sahid, executive director of the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans
• Walter Lam, president and CEO of the Alliance for African Assistance
• Shawn VanDiver, president and founder of AfghanEvac

Resources:

• International Rescue Committee - San Diego
• Jewish Family Service
• Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego
• Majdal: Arab Community Center of San Diego
• Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans
• Alliance for African Assistance
• AfghanEvac

Voters in the South Bay and other parts of San Diego County will soon cast their ballots in the special primary election for the District 1 County Supervisor.

On Midday Edition Monday, we take a closer look at the top candidates and issues on the front of voters' minds going into this race.

Plus, a local political scientist breaks down the stakes of this election and how the supervisor seat could impact San Diego County politics moving forward.

Guests:

• Kori Suzuki, South Bay and Imperial Valley reporter, KPBS
• Carl Luna, political science professor, San Diego Mesa College

Resources:

• KPBS Voter Hub