Midday Edition

It has been one week since U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested a Haitian student near the San Diego City College campus.

Elected leaders, community members and school officials have condemned ICE's actions.

It comes after the Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, for Haitian and Syrian immigrants earlier this year.

We hear from the executive director of the San Diego-based aid group Haitian Bridge Alliance about how these policies continue to affect the local community.

Guest:

• Guerline Jozef, co-founder and executive director, Haitian Bridge Alliance

Resources:

• Haitian Bridge Alliance

The youth-led podcast Voices del Valle is back with a new season of stories about growing up in the Imperial Valley.

Produced by students at El Centro's Central Union High School, the new season features stories about what it's like to be homeschooled, youth incarceration and much more.

The new season, also includes interviews with high-profile guests who grew up in the Imperial Valley, including California's Supreme Court Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero.

On Midday Edition Tuesday, we hear from some of the students behind the podcast on why centering youth voices is important, and what they learned by working on the podcast.

Guests:

• Athena Merino, student, Central Union High School; producer, Voices del Valle
• Malaki Rodriguez, student, Central Union High School; producer, Voices del Valle

Under federal guidelines, migrants should not be detained in temporary detention facilities for more than three days.

But here in San Diego, some families with children have been detained at these stations for weeks at a time.

Now, a federal judge is establishing an independent monitor to oversee facilities in San Diego, among other locations.

We discuss the data and what it means for migrants in San Diego.

Guest:

• Sofía Mejías-Pascoe, investigative border and immigration reporter, inewsource.

The San Diego District Attorney's office recently announced it will not file criminal charges against police officer Daniel Gold, who shot and killed 16-year-old Konoa Wilson in Jan. 2025.

In a 14-page letter, the District Attorney's office said there was "not a criminal charge provable beyond a reasonable doubt" in the case against Officer Gold. But some community members are questioning that decision.

This comes after the city of San Diego paid out a $30 million settlement to Wilson's family in Dec. 2025 — one of the largest settlements paid in a police wrongful death lawsuit.

We sit down with a local advocate involved with police reform and accountability to hear reactions to the decision.

Guest:

Tasha Williamson, community advocate

Links:

"Critics question decision not to criminally charge San Diego police officer who fatally shot teen" — The San Diego Union-Tribune

A new illustrated memoir for young readers takes us to the strawberry fields of California’s Central Coast.

In the book “Mexikid Dreams,” author and illustrator Pedro Martín draws on his own experiences growing up in a sharecropping family and dreaming of a life in the arts.

It is the follow up to his first book, “Mexikid,” which won the prestigious Newbery Award in 2024.

Then, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando previews a world premiere musical, "Begin Again," which reimagines the 2013 film of the same name.

And finally, it's a big weekend in the arts. KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans shares her top recommendations from local indigenous art to a commemoration of an iconic skatepark.

Guests:

• Pedro Martín, author and illustrator, "Mexikid Dreams"
• Pat Monahan, singer, Train
• Lorin Latarro, director, "Begin Again"
• Emma Busse, actor, "Begin Again"
• Patrick Heusinger, actor, "Begin Again"
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, host of "The Finest" podcast

San Diegans have been doing their best to stay cool during the region's latest heatwave, which has pushed temperatures well above normal, and at times to record highs. The heat has been exacerbated by unusually high humidity.

An extreme heat warning continues Wednesday for much of San Diego County.

On Midday Edition Wednesday, we talk about the latest heatwave, how it's impacting communities, and what people need to keep in mind to stay safe.

Guest:

Tammy Murga, environment reporter, KPBS

Links:

San Diego's Cool Zones

City of San Diego's Places to Cool Down

‘It must be the Imperial Valley’s moment:’ A renewed commitment for the decades-long New River crisis

For years, residents in the Chollas Creek community have been living alongside two cancer-causing chemicals.

A state order warns about the danger of these chemicals — which are used in aerospace manufacturing. But some residents are just now learning about the contamination.

We talk about what's being done to mitigate the pollution and the harm to the Chollas Creek community.

Guest:

• Philip Salata, environment and energy reporter, inewsource

Keep reading:

• These San Diegans live and shop among cancer-causing chemicals. What’s being done?

Earlier this year, a KPBS investigation revealed the owner of an ICE detention facility had received at least $6 million in tax breaks typically reserved for charities.

That investigation got the attention of state leaders.

California lawmakers recently passed legislation to end the Welfare Exemption, the state credit used by the owners of the Imperial Regional Detention Facility for years. Governor Gavin Newsom has until the end of September to sign the bill into law.

On Midday Edition Tuesday, we speak with KPBS reporter Kori Suzuki about the investigation that led to a bipartisan-led effort to end the loophole, and how it's playing out into wider discussions over how ICE detention facilities are being managed.

Guest:

Kori Suzuki, South Bay and Imperial Valley Reporter, KPBS

Old sections of the Tijuana-San Diego border fence at Friendship Park are being transformed into tables as part of a new art exhibit.

The exhibit, "The Traveling Tables of Amistad" will be on display at the Museum of Us in Balboa Park from Sept. 9 to 16.

We hear about about the exhibit ties into the history of Friendship Park and cross-border connection.

Then, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando previews a new immersive sound installation in Logan Heights.

And finally, thinking about what to do this weekend? KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans has you covered in her weekend preview with recommendations ranging from a toy piano concert to jazz.

Guests:

• Michael Park, artist
• Rosa Maria Hernandez, executive director, Friends of International Friendship Park
• Ess Whiteley, artist, "listening materials"
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, KPBS, host of "The Finest" podcast