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For many San Diegans, the San Diego Zoo is a beloved staple of the region. But lesser known is the history of the zoo, and the people who built it. A new book tells the story of a central figure in that history: Belle Benchley. For much of her 30-year career at the zoo, she was the only female zoo director in the world. A new book tells the story of Benchley's life and legacy, and her pivotal role in building the zoo we know and love today. Plus, the new musical, "Grim," which follows the story about the Grim Reaper's effort to pass the family business to his daughter, is now showing at La Jolla Playhouse. Then, our weekend preview of upcoming arts and culture events. Guests: Sandra Bonura, historian and author, "The Zoo Lady: How Belle Benchley Built the San Diego Zoo"Beth Accomando, arts reporter, KPBSSammi Cannold, director, "Grim"Julianna Domingo, producer, KPBS

This Veterans Day, a new documentary series tells the story of a local Marine unit deployed to the Sangin Valley in Helmand Province, in the fall of 2010. They suffered the highest casualty rate of any Marine unit during the war in Afghanistan. The series is called "Ronin 3: The Battle for Sangin." On KPBS Midday Edition, we sit down with KPBS' Andrew Dyer, who visited Camp Pendleton for a special screening. Then, we head to Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial in honor of Veterans Day. And, we revisit a documentary that explores a veteran's difficult transition back to civilian life, while navigating trauma and loss. Guests: Andrew Dyer, military and veteran affairs reporter, KPBSJohn Carroll, general assignment reporter, KPBSDaniel Bernardi, director, "Hope… In the Aftermath of War"Keshia Javis Jones, advisory committee member, GI Film Festival; programs director, Foundation for Women WarriorsFor more: "Ronin 3: The Battle for Sangin"

Immigration enforcement has been a central focus for President Trump's second term. The administration has implemented a campaign of mass deportations since returning to office nearly two years ago. But the results of last week’s midterm elections raise key questions about how immigration enforcement may change, as Democrats gain control of Congress early next year. On Midday Edition Wednesday, we speak with an immigration expert about how voter sentiment on immigration played a role in this year's election results, and where immigration policy goes from here. Guest: Tom Wong, political science professor, UC San Diego; founder and director, U.S. Immigration Policy CenterEvent: “What the midterm results mean for immigration policy” Thursday Nov. 12, 12pm, UC San Diego, PEB 721

For years, families donated their loved ones' bodies to UC San Diego for the purpose of medical and scientific research. But records obtained by the Times of San Diego found the university sent hundreds of bodies to the military. This reporting follows up on an investigation by student journalists at UCSD and the University of Southern California that found cadavers from the program were sold by the U.S. Navy to the Israeli military for training use. Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear about the details of the university's program and what donors' families are saying. Guests: Thomas Murphy, freelance journalistSasha Ryu, freelance journalist

On Monday, the San Diego City Council voted unanimously to move forward with a plan to redevelop the area around the San Diego Sports Arena. The Midway Rising project would build a new arena, retail space, parks and housing. The vote comes after years of delays, legal challenges and controversy. On KPBS Midday Edition, we discuss the plan and what led to the 8-0 vote after more than six hours of public comment and council deliberations. Guest: Andrew Bowen, metro reporter, KPBS

From the rising cost of living, to record-breaking gas prices and slow wage growth, economic strain is coming from many angles. Last month, U.S. inflation rose for the third straight month, to levels higher than expected. On KPBS Midday Edition, we check in on San Diego's economic picture on the heels of the midterm election. Guest: Daniel Enemark, chief economist, Policy and Innovation Center

This Sunday marks the second annual Slow Fashion Day celebration in San Diego. It's part of a larger, global movement looking to reduce the heavy environmental impacts from the fashion industry and bring greater attention to the clothes we buy and wear — and how they’re made. We hear from three local designers about their own foray into upcycling garments and how style and sustainability come together at Slow Fashion Day. Then, the San Diego Asian Film Festival kicks off Thursday. KPBS' Beth Accomando gets a preview of what the festival has to offer this year. And finally, it's a jam-packed weekend in the arts. KPBS' Julia Dixon Evans has you covered with picks ranging from a hit Broadway musical to visual art. Guests: Claudia Rodríguez-Biezunski, founder, Sew LokaChristopher Carson, founder, The Homegrown ProjectWeiyu Zhang, artist, slow fashion designerBrian Hu, artistic director, Pacific Arts MovementJulia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, host of "The Finest" podcast

Election Day has come and gone, but the tallying continues with hundreds of thousands votes still to be counted. While some races have yet to be called, we have a clear picture on some results in San Diego County. We sit down with a panel of two KPBS journalists and a political scientist for a breakdown on the local results and what it signifies about voter sentiment in San Diego. Then, we zoom out and look at some of the biggest statewide races and measures — and how they reflect the national picture. Guests: Brian Adams, professor of political science, San Diego State UniversityAndrew Bowen, metro reporter, KPBSJake Gotta, public matters reporter, KPBSMarisa Lagos, correspondent for KQED's California Politics and Government Desk, host for "Political Breakdown" podcast Links: KPBS Voter Hub: San Diego 2026 Election live results

Election Day for the 2026 midterms is here. On KPBS Midday Edition, we hear an update from the San Diego County Registrar of Voters on the state of early voting, options for voters who have yet to cast their ballots and more. Then, we talk about the U.S. Supreme Court rejection of a push by the Department of Justice to set aside thousands of California ballots and their efforts to access private voter information, including in San Diego. Then, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a bid by the Department of Justice to set aside thousands of California ballots, and to gain access to private voter information, including in San Diego. Guests: Shawn K. Brom, Registrar of Voters, County of San DiegoJake Kincaid, investigative reporter, inewsource Keep reading: Vote Center Locations — County of San Diego"The Supreme Court rejects a DOJ push to separate California ballots""San Diego County rejects DOJ request to set aside 1,709 ballots, threatens own legal action"KPBS Voter Hub

The midterm elections are being called the most expensive in U.S. history. KPBS and Voice of San Diego dug into campaign finance filings from different reporting agencies to get a sense of who is spending the most in San Diego County politics. The top spenders are the California Democratic Party, the “Yes on B” campaign, and a super PAC called California Leads. On KPBS Midday Edition, we sit down with the reporters behind the campaign finance project to learn more about their findings. Guests: Jake Gotta, Public Matters reporter, KPBSLisa Halverstadt, senior investigative reporter, Voice of San Diego

Here in San Diego, there's no shortage of so-called "haunted sites" — from the Whaley House to the Hotel del Coronado. On KPBS Midday Edition, we sit down with a local paranormal researcher to discuss lesser-known haunted locations in San Diego. Then, Halloween meets the midterm elections in this special edition of Midday Movies. We discuss films that tackle political nightmares and other real world horrors. And finally, thinking about what to do this weekend? KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans has you covered with some of her top recommendations, from classical music to Día de Muertos commemorations. Guests: Nicole Strickland, founder, The San Diego Paranormal Research SocietyBeth Accomando, arts reporter, host of "Cinema Junkie" podcast, KPBSYazdi Pithavala, host of "Moviewallas" podcastJulia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, host of "The Finest" podcast, KPBS

Civil rights icon, feminist and labor leader Dolores Huerta passed away Wednesday morning at her home in Bakersfield. She was 96. In the late 1960s, Huerta co-founded the United Farmworkers Union. She led the historic Delano Grape Strike and Boycott, which won higher wages and working conditions for farmworkers. In the decades after, she continued fighting for social justice, civil rights and fair labor practices across the country. As we look back on Huerta's life and legacy, we revisit a May 2024 conversation with her about how she first found her voice as a young activist, and her words for future labor leaders. Guest: Dolores Huerta, labor leader, activistLinks: Dolores Huerta Foundation

The San Diego County Registrar of Voters is refusing a request from the Department of Justice to hand over private information on 1,709 voters. County officials have threatened their own legal action in response. The DOJ made the demand Friday and also ordered the county to set aside the ballots of those voters until their citizenship status can be verified. The letter threatened "legal consequences" if the demands were not met. On Midday Edition Wednesday, we hear more about the ongoing dispute between the registrar and the Department of Justice over voter information, and what it means for the 2026 midterm election. Guest: Jake Kincaid, federal impact reporter, inewsource Keep Reading: San Diego County rejects DOJ request to set aside 1,709 ballots, threatens own legal actionTrump DOJ threatens San Diego election officials: Set aside ballots or face consequencesHow the DHS voter-fraud probe reached San Diego’s registrar and got reined in by a judge

In the run up to the 2026 midterm election, KPBS Midday Edition has been hosting candidate forums for key races. But we've found that some candidates have declined, or not responded to, our invitations. But we're not alone. An ABC News analysis found that fewer candidates have been participating in debates over the last several elections. On KPBS Midday Edition, we discuss some of the potential factors driving that trend. And, what they say about politicians' relationship to the media— and the public. Guests: Carl Luna, professor of political science, San Diego Mesa CollegeDean Nelson, professor of multimedia journalism, Point Loma Nazarene University

A new research center has opened at San Diego State University, dedicated to African history, culture and knowledge across the diaspora.