Midday Edition

Flu season is in full swing and the surge in cases has raised alarms all across the country.

Here in San Diego, there have been 105 flu deaths, making this season deadlier than the past two seasons combined.

On Midday Edition Tuesday, we talk about what health care providers are seeing in local urgent care clinics and what to do if you get the flu.

• Laura Truman, clinical associate professor, director for Doctor of Nursing Practice and Nurse Practitioner Programs, University of San Diego

All month we’re profiling influential Black figures in our community — people dedicated to preserving and celebrating Black history.

For many activists, college campuses are the gateway into community organizing.

On Midday Edition, we sit down with a student activist who is part of an exhibit at the UC San Diego Geisel Library celebrating Black labor history.

Guest:

• Christina Marie Green, undergraduate student at UC San Diego; advocate at ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties; organizing intern with AFSCME 3299

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All month, we are talking to the people in our community who are making Black history.

Among those trailblazers is Dr. John E. Warren. He is the current publisher of the San Diego Voice and Viewpoint.

Founded in 1960, it is San Diego’s oldest and only African American newspaper and continues to serve communities all across the region.

“Nobody can tell our story like us so we continue to tell our story, and that’s why this paper is the guardian of the Black History in San Diego, as well as history of other places," Dr. Warren said in an interview with Midday Edition.

He sat down with Midday Edition to talk about the Voice and Viewpoint’s legacy, his multitude of careers, and his perspective on journalism and Black history today.

• Dr. John E. Warren, publisher of San Diego Voice and Viewpoint

Black patients often experience discrimination and implicit bias from health care providers, leading to a variety of disparities.

One San Diego doctor has been working to change that for more than 40 years.

Dr. Rodney Hood was the first African American student to graduate from UC San Diego's medical school in 1973, and has dedicated his career to improving Black health outcomes and health care access.

On Midday Edition, we catch up with Dr. Hood to discuss his work and why it's important now more than ever.

Guest:

• Dr. Rodney Hood, physician and president and chairman of the Multicultural Health Foundation

Each year, esteemed writers come to San Diego for the annual Writer’s Symposium by the Sea at Point Loma Nazarene University.

This year features Jesmyn Ward, Mitch Albom and Sandra Cisneros, who is celebrating 40 years since her first novel, "The House on Mango Street," began captivating readers across the globe.

Cisneros joined Midday Edition Thursday to talk about the legacy of "The House on Mango Street" and the inspiration behind her writing.

Also, the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good have landed in San Diego for the national tour of "Wicked," which comes hot off the heels of the 2024 film adaptation. KPBS Penner Fellow Elaine Alfaro went backstage to meet one of the actresses bringing Elphaba to life.

And finally, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando previews a new musical, "3 Summers of Lincoln," which takes audiences through three pivotal meetings between the president and famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

Guests:

• Sandra Cisneros, novelist
• Daniel J. Watts, co-lyricist and co-choreographer, "3 Summers of Lincoln"

More people in San Diego County fell into homelessness than escaped it last month, according to new data from the Regional Task Force on Homelessness.

January’s numbers show that 1,025 people were placed into housing, but 1,216 people fell into homelessness for the first time.

Also in January, volunteers gathered data for the 2025 Point in Time Count — an annual measurement of unhoused folks in our region. The results of that count will be released in May and determine how funding for homelessness is distributed.

To discuss the state of homelessness in 2025, Midday Edition brought together a panel of leaders supporting unhoused folks in San Diego.

• Greg Anglea, CEO of Interfaith Services
• Hanan Scrapper, regional director for People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) - San Diego
• Joshua Bohannan, chief strategy officer for Father Joe's Villages

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In his first month back in office, President Donald Trump has enacted sweeping and controversial changes impacting many in the San Diego region. From toughening rules on immigration to targeting federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs, from an effort to ban transgender soldiers from serving in the military to a push for federal workers to resign, the scope of change can feel overwhelming.

On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear from San Diego therapists on how recent events have been impacting their practices. They also share tips on what people can do to maintain mental wellness during stressful times.

Lizeth Ma, marriage and family therapist

Jan Estrellado, clinical psychologist, associate professor, Alliant International University

All month, we are profiling Black trailblazers across our community and highlighting their contributions to San Diego life and culture.

On this week's arts show, we sit down with Gaidi Finnie, executive director of the San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art, to talk about his lifelong dedication to sharing Black arts and culture.

Also, Mark Twain’s 1885 book, “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” is a beloved American classic with a controversial legacy. KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando spoke with the author behind the graphic novel, “Big Jim and the White Boy,” which reinterprets the story from Jim's perspective.

And finally, KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans previews a new play at the Old Globe about an artist returning to Japan after devastation hits her hometown. Plus, her top arts and culture picks for the weekend.

Guests:

• Gaidi Finnie, executive director, San Diego African American Museum of Fine Art
• David F. Walker, author, "Big Jim and the White Boy"
• Keiko Green, playwright of "Empty Ride"
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, KPBS

From the books we read to the music we listen to, love is everywhere we look.

We bring you 'Valentine's Day Edition,' exploring love stories in all their forms.

We hear about KPBS' new Valentine's Day series: 'From San Diego, with love.' Also, the power of romance books and the best date spots in San Diego.

Plus, our favorite 'slow jams' and heartbreak anthems.

Guests:

• Marielena Castellanos, KPBS South Bay engagement producer
• Leslie Gonzalez, KPBS web producer
• Jackie Bryant, business development strategist at San Diego Magazine
• Randy 'R Dub!' Williams, host of "Sunday Night Slow Jams"

From the labor of enslaved people to propelling labor movements forward for fair wages, Black people have fought for equitable working conditions throughout history.

America at large has received the benefits.

This year, "African Americans and Labor" is the national theme for Black History Month.

On Midday Edition, we discuss the connection between Black worker justice and labor rights. And, the ongoing fight against bigotry and systemic oppression in 2025.

Guests:

• Brisa Johnson, director of the San Diego Black Workers Center
• Anta Anthony Merritt, professor of Africana Studies at San Diego State University
• Satomi Rash Zeigler, executive director of the UC San Diego Labor Center