Midday Edition

Yvette.jpg (275x275, AR: 1.0)

Making sense of the present means knowing the past.

It also means honoring the legacy of Black history and celebrating culture.

This Black History Month, we're profiling Black trailblazers and community leaders in San Diego.

Yvette Porter Moore is a historian who studies genealogy and DNA research. For the past 20 years, she's been doing the work of piecing together San Diego’s Black History — one photo, one artifact and one DNA test at a time.

Her work will be featured in the "Missing Pieces Project" at the San Diego History Center, which will debut on Feb. 26.

Guest:

• Yvette Porter Moore, historian and genealogist with Root Digger Genealogy Research Services

Last month, the Biden administration's Department of Energy announced that it would provide a loan of $1.36 billion to support the growth of the domestic lithium industry. But President Trump’s push to freeze federal funds could threaten that.

On Midday Edition Monday, we break down the possible impact of the federal spending freeze and recent developments in Lithium Valley.

Plus, a leading environmental advocate in the Imperial Valley talks about the continued fight to ensure local communities benefit from this potentially booming industry.

Guests:

• Philip Salata, environment and energy investigative reporter, inewsource
• Luis Olmedo, executive director, Comite Civico del Valle

Lunar New Year started last Wednesday. It’s a time to bring in good luck and prosperity, and celebrate a fresh start — specifically, the Year of the Wood Snake.

There are many places to celebrate Lunar New Year in San Diego this season. We talk about the upcoming Chinese New Year Fair in downtown and how San Diego's Chinese community has historically commemorated the holiday.

Also, KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans sat down with "This American Life" creator and host Ira Glass to talk about what he's learned over the past thirty years of telling stories, ahead of a live show he is bringing to San Diego this weekend.

Then, a look ahead to Black Comix Day and other event recommendations in your weekend arts preview.

• Jacinta Wong, executive director, San Diego Chinese Historical Museum
• Ira Glass, host and show creator of "This American Life"
• Keithan Jones, comics creator, founder of Black Comix Day and KID Comics
• Beth Accomando, arts reporter, KPBS

Every year, 35,000 to 40,000 people in California begin the process of reentering society after prison, a process known as “reentry.”

Successful reentry depends on many factors, from reliable housing to employment opportunities.

Today on Midday Edition, we bring you an episode of "Imperfect Paradise," the narrative podcast from LAist public radio.

In this episode, we meet Cesar Quijano who is struggling with addiction and reentry after multiple stints in prison. He discovers ultrarunning, a hobby that turns into his addiction and salvation.

• Antonia Cereijido, host of LAist's "Imperfect Paradise"
• Lucy Copp, producer and reporter at LAist
• Cesar Quijano, ultramarathoner

As flames broke out across San Diego County in January, several neighborhoods were under evacuation orders.

Evacuating your home can be a scary and life-changing situation. Experts say it's essential to stay prepared.

On Midday Edition, we discuss essential rights for renters affected by the wildfires. Plus, how to care for a loved one or neighbor with dementia during an emergency.

Plus, the role incarcerated firefighters play in putting out wildfires across California.

• Gilberto Vera, deputy attorney and director with Legal Aid Society of San Diego
• Brooke Martindale, CEO & founder of Cheer Home Care
• Keri Blakinger, staff writer for the LA Times

• Legal Aid Society of San Diego
• Cheer Home Care
• Cheer's Dementia Caregiver Support
• What to pack in a go bag - Alzheimer's Association of San Diego
• Alzheimer's Association Trial Match
• Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline - (800) 272-3900
• Alzheimer's San Diego
• San Diego County Caregiver Support
• UC San Diego Alzheimer's Disease Research Center
• Donate to Incarcerated Firefighters (Fund for Guaranteed Income)
• Anti-Recidivism Coalition Firefighter Fund

A new executive order by President Donald Trump would ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military.

An estimated 15,000 to 25,000 transgender military personnel serve in the U.S. military.

Trump’s executive order gives the Pentagon two months to change its current policy which allows trans troops to serve openly. Several lawsuits have been filed against the ban.

On Midday Edition Monday, we discuss the implications of the order for transgender troops and veterans in San Diego County.

• Veronica Zerrer, retired U.S. Army Major; advisory council co-chair for the LGBT Center's Veterans Wall of Honor

Last week, the Department of Education dismissed 11 complaints against book bans. The announcement has drawn backlash from the American Library Association and free speech advocacy groups, who are denouncing the rhetoric calling book bans a hoax, as these bans grow across the country.

While there are currently no book bans in San Diego County libraries, PEN America's report found that Escondido Union School District banned two books in the 2023-2024 academic year.

On Midday Edition Monday, we’ll hear from experts tracking the rise of book bans across public schools and libraries and how they are advocating for the freedom to read.

Guests:

• Jennifer Jenkins, deputy director of customer experience, San Diego Public Library
• Kasey Meehan, director of Freedom to Read program, PEN America

Resources:

• PEN America Index of School Book Bans 2023-2024
• SDPL Collection Development Policy
• The Freedom to Read Statement | American Library Association (ALA)
• Library Bill of Rights | ALA
• Books Unbanned Initiative
• Books Unbanned | City of San Diego Official Website
• San Diego joins Books Unbanned to protect the freedom to read | Library Foundation SD

This Saturday, the nonprofit Women of Color Roar Media will host a breakfast celebrating the accomplishments of Black women in leadership and their contributions to San Diego and this country.

Plus, KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans sits down with the city of San Diego's new poet laureate, Paola Capó-García, to talk about her hopes for the role.

Then finally, the 2025 Oscar nominations are out! Our Midday Movies critics share their hottest takes, from biggest snubs to unexpected nominations.

Guests:

• Cheryl Alethia Phelps, chief communications officer, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of San Diego & Imperial Counties
• Angela de Joseph, founder and president, Women of Color Roar Media
• Paola Capó-García, San Diego poet laureate
• Beth Accomando, arts reporter, KPBS
• Yazdi Pithavala, podcast host, Moviewallas

January is Mental Wellness Month. On Midday Edition Wednesday, we have a conversation about mental wellness in the military and veteran community in San Diego.

Two local mental health experts connected to military communities talk about recent efforts to increase access to mental health care, and what challenges military members and veterans commonly face.

• Nick Boyd, professor, University of San Diego; principal investigator, USD Tele-Mental Health Training Clinic
• Carie Rodgers, supervising and consulting psychologist for USD Tele-Mental Health Training Clinic

• USD's Tele-Mental Health Training Clinic
• Department of Veterans Affairs
• Psycharmor
• 211 San Diego

Dry January is a period for people to reexamine the role alcohol plays in their lives. This January, outgoing U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy called for warning labels on alcoholic beverages due their link to multiple forms of cancer.

As January nears its end, we feature a conversation with a medical expert on the health risks associated with alcohol, as well as some things to keep in mind in terms of drinking.

Dr. Jennifer Au, transplant hepatologist and gastroenterologist, Scripps Cancer Center