Midday Edition

In just his short time back in office, President Trump has upended policy through dozens of executive orders — among those have been several meant to reshape climate policy.

On Midday Edition Tuesday, we break down some of these policy shifts and look at climate change under the new Trump era.

Plus, young people are leading climate action efforts across the country. We hear from one youth climate activist about her reactions to Trump’s recent executive orders and what it could mean for future generations.

• David Victor, professor of innovation and public policy at UC San Diego's School of Global Policy and Strategy
• Emma Weibel, Youth v. Oil intern, Youth4Climate at San Diego350

Jan. 6, 2021 is a day Americans will always remember.

Insurrectionists supporting Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol in an effort to overthrow the election.

One police officer died, along with four Trump supporters. One of them was a woman from San Diego.

Last week, Donald Trump pardoned roughly 1,500 Jan. 6 insurrectionists. On Midday Edition, we discuss the San Diego connections.

Plus, we talk about the political message the pardons send and what it could mean for our democracy.

• Will Carless, national correspondent covering extremism for USA Today
• Barbara F. Walter, professor of international affairs at UC San Diego and author of "How Civil Wars Start and How to Stop Them"

One year ago, business owners, artists, cultural workers and community members in Southeast San Diego were gearing up to celebrate Black History Month in the newly designated San Diego Black Arts and Culture District. Then floodwaters devastated the area and affected many businesses along Imperial Avenue, where the district is located.

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The arts community is still rebuilding from the devastation left behind by the floods. We hear from two arts organizations in the district about how they were affected and how they are continuing to move forward, one year later.

Then, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando previews local film festivals and other arts and culture events with an organizer.

• Dajahn Blevins, founder and CEO of San Diego Urban Warriors
• La Raza Webb, co-founder and vice president, The Block Club
• Beth Accomando, arts reporter, KPBS
• Brian Hu, artistic director of the San Diego Asian Film Festival, associate professor at San Diego State University

On Jan. 22, 2024, 2.73 inches of rain covered San Diego in a 24-hour period — the biggest rainstorm since 1850.

The fast moving floods were devastating. More than 1,200 people were displaced and their lives forever changed. Hundreds of families have yet to recover. Some are still without a home.

On Midday Edition, we discuss the state of the city's stormwater infrastructure a year after the floods. Plus, we hear the stories of a flood survivor and a volunteer working to rebuild homes.

Guests:

• Andrew Bowen, KPBS metro reporter
• Jessica Calix, survivor of the 2024 floods
• Juan Chavez, volunteer with San Diego Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD)

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President Donald Trump on Monday signed a slew of executive orders that sought to repeal Biden-era policies. One order repealed a provision that allows transgender people to serve in the military.

The move clears the way for a complete ban on trans servicemembers, and could have a huge impact on San Diego.

With more anti-trans legislation on the horizon, local LGBTQ+ groups are bracing themselves against continued attacks on the trans and nonbinary community. We check in with the San Diego LGBT Community Center about how they are supporting community members during this time.

Plus, there are nationwide efforts to ban gender affirming care for youth. That includes medications that block the onset of puberty for minors diagnosed with gender dysphoria and other forms of medical care.

We look at how a growing loss of coverage could affect trans and nonbinary youth and their families.

Guests:

• Gloria Cruz Cardenas, chief impact officer, San Diego LGBT Community Center
• David Vance, senior manager of advocacy and civic engagement, San Diego LGBT Community Center
• Kathie Moehlig, executive director, TransFamily Support Services
• Darlene Tando, licensed social worker and therapist, Tando Therapy Team

The fentanyl crisis continues to impact communities across the country and in San Diego.

While overdose deaths from fentanyl fell between 2022 and 2023, it is still a leading cause of death in the county. San Diego also remains a major port of entry for the drug.

An illustrated reporting project from inewsource highlights the staggering loss caused by fentanyl in our region.

Then, continuing our arts and culture coverage — we pull an interview from our archives about an exhibit highlighting youth stories and Arab American art and culture.

And finally, what to look forward to this weekend both on the big screen and elsewhere, from concerts to comics.

• Steve Breen, inewsource cartoonist and illustrator
• Beth Accomando, arts reporter, KPBS
• Ethan Van Thillo, executive director of the Media Arts Center San Diego

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-4357
• American Adoption Centers: (866) 921-2569
• Crisis Lifeline: 988
• For Narcan, call 211

San Diego ranks among the most expensive cities in the country, mainly due to high housing and transportation costs, according to U.S. News and World Report.

San Diegans also pay some of the highest electricity prices, according to national surveys.

The San Diego City Council has voted to establish a new committee dedicated to addressing the cost of living in our region. Committee Chair Sean Elo-Rivera joined KPBS Midday Edition to discuss his plans for creating a more affordable San Diego.

• Sean Elo-Rivera, District 9 City Councilmember

President elect Donald Trump is set to take office in less than a week.

He’s promised to carry out the largest mass deportation in United States history. And, his administration has vowed to make sweeping reforms that could affect K-12 and higher education across the country.

Ahead of Inauguration Day, we take a closer look at how these potential changes in federal immigration and education policy could impact San Diego County.

• Gustavo Solis, KPBS Border Reporter
• Agustina Paglayan, assistant professor at the UCSD School of Global Policy and Strategy

• Immigrants Rising's "Mental Health Connector" program
• San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium
• University of San Diego Immigration Clinic
• Legal Aid Society of San Diego
• Immigration Services - Alliance San Diego
• Immigration Legal Services Department - Jewish Family Service

This Monday marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a time to honor King’s legacy and reflect on the progress and ongoing challenges in the fight for civil rights.

We’ll hear about one of San Diego’s longest running events paying tribute to King, the Human Dignity Award Breakfast, which will celebrate its 40th year on Friday.

• Dee Sanford, event chair, board member, Jackie Robinson Family YMCA