This week, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria delivered his annual State of the City speech. We talk about where the city is and where it's headed.

Plus, a former San Diego sailor is sentenced for selling Navy secrets to China.

And, we check in on the state of San Diego sports ahead of San Diego FC's upcoming season.

• Andrew Bowen, metro reporter, KPBS
• Mariana Martínez Barba, City Hall reporter, Voice of San Diego
• Andrew Dyer, military and veteran affairs reporter, KPBS
• Ryan Finley, sports editor, The San Diego Union-Tribune

25 years ago, Point Loma’s Liberty Station began its transformation from military base to arts center.

It was renamed Arts District Liberty Station — and soon became a cultural hub for the city.

In fact, it was recently designated as a California Cultural District for its contribution to the arts.

Thursday on Midday Edition, we talk about the place Liberty Station has in San Diego's arts and culture scene.

Then, KPBS' Beth Accomando previews a documentary being screened at the 36th annual San Diego International Jewish Film Festival.

Then, the KPBS arts and culture podcast "The Finest" premieres its second season. We get a special sneak peek at what is to come — from risograph printing to hometown heroes.

• Lisa Johnson, president and CEO, Arts District Liberty Station
• Rachel Laing, assistant deputy director in economic development, city of San Diego
• Abby Ginzberg, filmmaker, "Labors of Love: The Life and Legacy of Henrietta Szold"
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and host of "The Finest," KPBS

• Emerging Artist Residencies — Arts District Liberty Station

A local Indigenous-owned company is making waves in the beauty industry.

N8iV Beauty is a skincare brand that draws from ancestral traditions, infusing that knowledge and plant-based ingredients — like acorn oil — into its products.

Last year, the company won a 2025 “Best of Beauty” award from Allure, making them the first Indigenous-owned brand to receive that recognition.

Wednesday on Midday Edition, we hear from its founder about how N8iV Beauty is reclaiming space for Native representation in the beauty world.

Guest:

• Ruth-Ann Thorn, tribal member of Rincon Indian Band of Luiseño Indians, founder and CEO of N8iV Beauty

Many parents worry about their kids talking to strangers on the internet.

What if those strangers are not human, but bots?

Concerns over kids’ exposure to artificial intelligence have led to growing efforts to regulate that exposure. We sit down with one San Diego lawmaker who authored a law to put guardrails on toys with AI chatbot capabilities.

Guest:

• State Sen. Steve Padilla, California's 18th District

It’s been nearly two weeks since lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill, and a possible health care compromise is still on the table to bring federal health care subsidies back.

Last week, the House passed a bipartisan proposal that could extend the subsidies.

In the meantime, health care premiums are soaring for many Americans — including right here in California.

This Wednesday on Midday Edition, we hear about how rising health care premiums are impacting Californians and what you need to know if you're looking for coverage.

Guests:

• Jessica Altman, executive director, Covered California

Resources:

• Covered California main website
• Federal Changes to Your Health Insurance — Covered California

Child care providers are bracing for impact amid the Trump administration's efforts to freeze roughly $10 billion in child care and family assistance funding — $5 billion of which are allocated to California.

This comes amid allegations from conservative activists of fraud in the child care industry.

Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear from two child care experts about the domino effect this could have on California's child care sector and what protections exist for both families and providers.

Then, Somali child care providers are reporting incidents of harassment and surveillance by strangers — including right here in San Diego.

• Max Arias, chair person, Child Care Providers United
• Stacy Lee, chief learning officer and senior managing director of early childhood, Children Now
• Katie Hyson, racial Justice and social equity reporter, KPBS

Take a walk through Balboa Park, and you'll find dozens of historic cottages celebrating cultures around the world.

The volunteer-driven "houses" are officially called the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages. They promote education, community and cultural understanding.

Now, the House of Somalia is joining them to become the first African country represented by the Balboa Park cottages. We talk about its significance and the Somali community in San Diego.

• Rahmo Abdi, president and co-founder, House of Somalia

In recent years, San Diego County jails have seen a sharp increase in overdose deaths. One recovery program in the Vista jail is trying to change that through medication-assisted treatment.

More jails are embracing the approach amid the growing fentanyl crisis.

We discuss the medication-assisted treatment program and what it could mean for drug rehabilitation in San Diego jails.

• Kelly Davis, investigative reporter, The San Diego Union-Tribune