Midday Edition

Donations are pouring in from San Diegans looking to support those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires.

Whether it’s monetary donations, or volunteering your time, there's a lot you can do to help those impacted. But it's important to consider what's actually helpful for survivors, and what's not.

On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear a personal perspective from a survivor of the 2003 Cedar Fire in San Diego.

Then, we hear from a local animal center supporting people and their pets affected by the fires.

• Sandra Younger, author of "The Fire Outside My Window" and survivor of the 2003 Cedar Fire
• Jessica Gercke, public relations director for the Helen Woodward Animal Center

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You can find an updated list of resources to help those impacted by LA wildfires here.

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles serve as a powerful reminder of the growing threat of wildfires across California.

Monday on Midday Edition, we’ll take a closer look at how to reduce wildfire risk and prepare for a wildfire.

Then, how climate change is fueling extreme weather conditions that create the perfect environment for wildfires and what that means for San Diego.

Plus, we pull an interview from our archives with author Viet Thanh Nguyen about his most recent children's book, "Simone" which explores the impact of wildfire evacuation on children.

Guests:

• Luca Carmignani, professor, San Diego State University
• Mike Cornette, Fire Captain, public information officer, CAL FIRE
• Varun Sivaram, senior fellow for Energy and Climate, Council on Foreign Relations
• Viet Thanh Nguyen, Pulitzer Prize-winning author

Resources:

• Ready for Wildfire
• UCANR Fire Network
• Alert San Diego
• Genesis Protect
• Air Now

Winds are expected to strengthen Thursday night as fire continues to devastate the Los Angeles area. Flames have torched more than 44 square miles across four separate blazes, according to the Associated Press.

Here in San Diego County, inland valleys and mountains are under a red flag warning through Friday due to Santa Ana winds and low humidity.

Today on Midday Edition, a look at wind and fire conditions for the region and what you need to know as wildfires continue to devastate parts of Southern California.

Guest:

• Alex Tardy, Warning Coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service in San Diego County

There’s no doubt — living in San Diego can get expensive. But the good news is that there are so many things to do and enjoy for free. The San Diego Union-Tribune's community guides team shares their bucket list of free events and activities across the region for 2025.

Plus, students, teachers and parents at Chula Vista High are worried about cuts to the school's experimental eight-period schedule. KPBS reporter Kori Suzuki looks at how the schedule cuts could impact the school's renowned arts program.

And finally, film lovers across San Diego are mourning the loss of Landmark Theatres’ Hillcrest Cinemas, which closed its doors this past Sunday. KPBS Cinema Junkie Beth Accomando reflects on the closure and introduces listeners to the group Popcorn Reef, which puts on alternate film programming.

Guests:

• Abby Hamblin, community guides editor, San Diego Union-Tribune
• Carlos Rico, community guides reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune
• Kori Suzuki, South Bay and Imperial Valley reporter, KPBS
• Eddie Gurrola, Popcorn Reef

As we embark on a new year, we are talking with two re-elected officials to hear about their priorities for their next terms.

U.S. Rep. Mike Levin, a Democrat, represents California’s 49th District. That includes parts of San Diego’s North County and South Orange County. He’ll join us to talk about how he plans to achieve his policy goals with both houses and the presidency being controlled by Republicans.

Plus we’ll hear from San Diego County Supervisor Terra Lawson- Remer on her priorities for the next term, which include homelessness, housing and behavioral health.

Guests:

• Mike Levin, U.S. Representative, 49th District
• Terra Lawson- Remer, San Diego County Supervisor

What are your New Year's resolutions? For many, exercising regularly and improving physical health often top the priority list. One great way to do just that is by venturing into the great outdoors and taking advantage of what San Diego has to offer.

On Midday Edition Thursday, we talk about how you can get started on your outdoor resolutions and maintain them.

Plus, last September, four local high school students traveled to a remote village in rural Alaska and produced a film about the experience. KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando sat down with the students to talk about the trip, Carlsbad High's film program, and their biggest takeaways.

And finally, KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans shares all the top arts and culture events to check out in January, from classical music to new art exhibits.

• Sydney Williams, author of “Hiking Your Feelings,” co-founder of Hiking My Feelings
• Shelby Stanger, host of REI podcast “Wild Ideas Worth Living," author of “Will to Wild: Adventures Great and Small to Change Your Life"
• Doug Green, former Carlsbad High School broadcast journalism teacher
• Maddie Mulligan, student, Carlsbad High
• Tava Valenti, student, Carlsbad High
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, KPBS

On the last day of 2024, we’re taking a look back at some of our favorite conversations from the show this year.

KPBS Midday Edition producers Andrew Bracken, Ashley Rusch and Julianna Domingo sit down to discuss some of their favorite segments and shows from the year.

Guests:

• Andrew Bracken, Midday Edition producer and Roundtable host/producer
• Julianna Domingo, Midday Edition producer
• Ashley Rusch, Midday Edition producer

Our favorite episodes of 2024:

• Andrew - Building connection through fatherhood
• Julianna - Celebrating Pride Week with San Diego drag queens
• Ashley - The love/hate relationship with dating in San Diego
• Jade - Christian nationalism and the movement of 'ex-vangelicals'

Honorable Mentions:

• Jade's picks:
• Celebrating Black Music Month with NPR Music's Tiny Desk
• Ashley's picks:
• Ghost hunting in San Diego
• The value of 'third places'
• Andrew's picks:
• San Diego declares June 21 'Slow Jams Day'
• Finding yourself and others in older adulthood
• Julianna's picks:
• How Filipino farmworkers revolutionized the labor movement
• San Diego athletes gear up for the Paralympics

On Midday Edition Thursday, we look at various art exhibits you can pop into this weekend, no paid ticket necessary.

Then, we invite you to our Christmas Smackdown edition of Midday Movies, starting with an annual holiday debate: Is "Die Hard" a Christmas movie?

Then, we look beyond "Die Hard" to pick the warmest and fuzziest, as well as most action-packed Christmas movies.

• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, KPBS
• Beth Accomando, arts reporter, KPBS
• Yazdi Pithavala, podcaster, Moviewallas