Ballots for California's Gubernatorial Primary Election will be in your mailbox within weeks.

On Midday Edition Wednesday, we take a closer look at some of the many candidates vying to be California's next governor. On the congressional side, we talk about the race for California's newly redrawn 48th District seat.

Guest:

Carl Luna, professor of political science at Mesa College; visiting professor at the University of San Diego and director for USD's Institute for Civil Civic Engagement

We've now seen parts of the moon no human has ever seen before.

That's thanks to the four-person crew of NASA's Artemis II mission — and plenty of other scientists here at home, on Earth.

It's a story many of us have been following over the past week, marking humanity's return to the moon after more than 50 years.

Later this week, the Artemis II crew will be splashing down right off the coast of San Diego. We get all the details from the San Diego Air & Space Museum and hear about their upcoming Family PJ Night Watch Party.

Guest:

• David Neville, communications director, San Diego Air & Space Museum

The Citizens' Law Enforcement Review Board (CLERB) found that two sheriff's deputies engaged in criminal conduct in connection with the death of Bobby Ray Patton, who died in the Vista Detention Facility.

Patton died in the jail on Dec. 28, 2024 after hours of struggling to breathe and complaining of chest pain.

The civilian watchdog panel sustained allegations of criminal negligence against the deputies, concluding that the officers failed to respond to signs that Patton needed medical attention.

Wednesday on Midday Edition, we talk more about Patton's case and what this ruling could mean for similar investigations moving forward.

Guest:

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

For nearly 20 years, National Public Radio's "Planet Money" has been telling enlightening stories about the economy in unexpected and creative ways. Now, the team behind the popular podcast is out with a new book.

We hear from members of the Planet Money team about their new book "Planet Money: A Guide to the Economic Forces That Shape Your Life" and how they brought their unique storytelling style to the world of text.

Guests:

Alex Mayyasi, author, contributor, "Planet Money"

Sarah Gonzalez, cohost, reporter, "Planet Money"

A federal judge last week struck down a central part of President Trump’s executive order that targeted federal funding for public media. The District Court ruling said the order violated broadcasters' First Amendment rights.

On Midday Edition Monday, we hear what the ruling means to the future of public media, and explore other trends across the media landscape.

Guests:

David Loy, legal director, First Amendment Coalition

Dean Nelson, professor, Point Loma Nazarene University

For more than 400 years, 12.5 million people in Africa were ripped from their homes and families, chained in pairs, packed into cargo holds at the bottom of ships and trafficked to the Americas.

On the other side of the two-month journey through the middle passage was the horror of chattel slavery.

Today, the continued impacts of that reality are all around us. In America, we see it reflected in every system — from our economy to our health care system.

Last month, the United Nations General Assembly passed a landmark resolution that declares the transatlantic slave trade the "gravest crime against humanity." It also calls for reparations beyond symbolic acknowledgement.

We talk about what the resolution could mean for reparations proposals in California.

Guest:

• Monica Montgomery Steppe, San Diego County Board Supervisor, District 4

For years, Alma Rodriguez and her late daughter Ana Rodriguez brought the Beatles Fair to San Diego's North Park.

This year, it's coming to the desert. The new location is one of several ways Alma is honoring her daughter. The festival is also supporting Alma's new advocacy mission around pedestrian safety.

On Midday Edition Thursday, we talk to Anna about the inspiration behind this year's event.

Plus, KPBS Cinema Junkie Beth Accomando sits down with an author about the history and evolution of Black representation in film.

And, more young people are turning to so-called 'grandma hobbies' to disconnect from social media — from knitting and gardening, to pottery and needlepoint.

We hear from two local crafters to hear how they're building community for hobbyists.

Guests:

• Alma Rodriguez, owner of Queen Bee’s Art and Cultural Center and organizer of the San Diego Beatles Fair
• David F. Walker, author of "Black Film: A History of Black Representation and Participation in the Movies"
• Marlee Drake, co-founder of Queer Crafting San Diego
• Kimberly Molin, co-founder of MoMo Craft Club

A jury last week found Meta and Google designed their social media platforms to hook young users without a concern for their well being.

The case was brought forth by a woman who had been using social media since the age of 6. She testified that she became addicted to social media as a child and that the addiction worsened her mental health struggles.

On Midday Edition Wednesday, we talk about the case and how social media features like infinite scrolling and autoplay can lead to problematic social media use.

Guest:

Kristen Vacarro, associate professor of computer science and engineering, UC San Diego