Midday Edition

This International Women's Day, San Diego community center Centro Cultural de la Raza will bring awareness to gender-based violence. On Midday Edition Thursday, we hear about the group's plans to protest and celebrate.

Also in Thursday's episode, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando sits down with cult film icon Mink Stole and San Francisco drag impresario, Peaches Christ, to talk about their upcoming cabaret, "Idol Worship" at Diversionary Theater.

And finally, all the top arts and culture events to check out this weekend — including the Open House San Diego architectural festival.

• Ana Hernandez, executive director, Centro Cultural de la Raza
• Mink Stole, actress and host of "Idol Worship"
• Peaches Christ, drag queen and host of "Idol Worship"
• Lauren Cook, executive director, San Diego Architectural Foundation
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, KPBS

Ahead of World Bipolar Day on March 30, Midday Edition Wednesday features one woman's personal experience navigating bipolar disorder. The mental health condition affects around 40 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization.

J.N. Rose is a local writer who described her experience with bipolar disorder, and the impact her diagnosis had on her life. The self-published book is called "So Heavy, I Fell: A Journey Through Wanderland."

J.N. Rose, writer, "So Heavy, I Fell: A Journey Through Wanderland"

Last week, health officials announced a house cat that died earlier this year tested positive for the bird flu, becoming the first mammal to test positive in San Diego County. The cat became infected through raw pet food. Bird flu has infected seven cats in California to date.

On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear tips from the San Diego Humane Society on what pet owners and animal lovers should keep in mind about the evolving bird flu virus.

Dr. Zarah Hedge, chief medical officer, San Diego Humane Society

Since Proposition 36 took effect in December, the San Diego County District Attorney’s office has filed more than 300 cases under the new law.

Among those, drug cases have far outnumbered theft cases.

We take a closer look at the data.

Plus, we explore questions over whether San Diego County's jails can handle the influx of inmates under Proposition 36.

• Kelly Davis, reporter on the watchdog team at The San Diego Union-Tribune
• Yusef Miller, executive director of Saving Lives in Custody California

The Trump administration is continuing its flurry of attacks on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, better known as DEI.

That includes an ultimatum issued by the Department of Education on Feb. 14, giving schools and universities two weeks to cancel their DEI programs or risk losing federal funding.

That deadline passed on Friday. That same day, the Department of Education launched an “End DEI” portal on its website, where the public can submit complaints about DEI programs or “practices” at public K-12 schools.

On Midday Edition Monday, we hear from a legal expert about their analysis of the situation and how the Department of Education's efforts to purge DEI programs might impact California moving forward.

Guest:

• Ariela Gross, professor of law and history at UCLA School of Law

A new book, "Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less, and Live the Life You Actually Want" explores our relationship to rest and self-care, and how we can learn to live more gently and reduce our stress from everyday life.

Plus, our Midday Movies critics close out Black History Month by celebrating Black women both on the screen and behind the camera.

Then, KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans sits down with "Joy Luck Club" author Amy Tan to talk about her most recent work, "The Backyard Bird Chronicles," and what draws her to birding. Then, top event picks for the weekend.

Guests:

• Courtney Carver, author of "Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less, and Live the Life You Actually Want"
• Beth Accomando, arts reporter, KPBS
• Yazdi Pithavala, podcaster, Moviewallas
• Amy Tan, author of "The Backyard Bird Chronicles"
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, KPBS

Advancing racial justice includes fighting for economic mobility and equity.

From employment discrimination to housing affordability, Black community members face many barriers to building generational wealth.

Pamela Gray Payton has been fighting those barriers for several decades in San Diego, from her work at the University of San Diego to her current role at the San Diego Foundation.

As part of our series of profiles on Black trailblazers during Black History Month, we sat down with Payton to hear more about her journey.

• Pamela Gray Payton, vice president, chief impact and partnerships officer for the San Diego Foundation

In the first month of his second term, President Donald Trump has brought sweeping changes to the federal government.

Many of his actions have scholars worried about a constitutional crisis.

Democrats in Congress are clashing over how to respond to Trump’s actions, as he and Elon Musk test the limits of presidential power.

On Midday Edition, we sit down with Congressman Mike Levin to hear his plans to respond. Also, we hear about his stance on immigration policy, including the Laken Riley Act.

Guest:

• Mike Levin, U.S. Representative, 49th District

The 30th Annual Writer's Symposium by the Sea takes place this week at San Diego's Point Loma Nazarene University. Award-winning author Jesmyn Ward will be appearing at the event this year, along with writers Sandra Cisneros and Mitch Albom.

Ward is one of the most celebrated writers in American fiction today. Two of her novels, “Sing, Unburied, Sing” and “Salvage the Bones,” have won the prestigious National Book Award.

On Midday Edition Tuesday, she shares how she found a passion for literature, and how her upbringing in Mississippi has shaped her work.

Guest:

• Jesmyn Ward, author