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A new novel for young readers takes its own spin on a classic Shakespearean love story. In the book, "Rowan and Gemma," two neurodivergent tweens meet on the first day of school and quickly become friends. Gemma, who is nonverbal, uses an Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) device to speak. Rowan and Gemma's connection, however, is threatened by a growing family feud in their small town, forcing them to keep their friendship a secret. We sit down with the author to hear about why "Romeo and Juliet" was the perfect backdrop for her story and how she wanted to convey the power of words. Then, art and noise music collective Stay Strange San Diego is putting on its annual Cemetery Creep bike ride. KPBS' Beth Accomando goes down to Mount Hope Cemetery where the bike ride will make its final stop. And finally, thinking about what to do this weekend? KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans has you covered with picks ranging from a haunted art exhibit to live music. Guests: Sally J. Pla, children's author, "Rowan and Gemma"Sam Lopez, curator, Stay Strange San DiegoJulia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, host of "The Finest" podcast, KPBS

A city council committee took the first step to cancel the city's use of Flock Safety Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology on Wednesday.

As part of our Ballot Breakdown on KPBS Midday Edition, we discuss the race to represent California's 48th Congressional District — a key race with national implications.

On Midday Edition, we are continuing to break down local races and measures on San Diego County voters' ballots. Two of those races include seats for District 5 county supervisor and California State Senate District 40. We hear more about the candidates in those races. Guest: Alexander Nguyen, North County multimedia producer, KPBS Links: KPBS Voter Hub

On Midday Edition, we are tackling some of the biggest local races on the ballot and sitting down with candidates for extended conversations. One of those races is to represent District 2 on the San Diego City Council. District 2 stretches from Point Loma to Clairemont. We hear from the two candidates about their thoughts on housing, homelessness and the city budget. Guests: Richard Bailey, former Coronado mayor, candidate for San Diego City Council District 2Nicole Crosby, deputy city attorney, candidate for San Diego City Council District 2

On Midday Edition, we are tackling some of the biggest local races on the ballot and sitting down with candidates for extended conversations. One of those races is to represent District 4 on the San Diego City Council. District 4 encompasses southeastern San Diego and includes the neighborhoods of Encanto, Paradise Hills, Emerald Hills, Chollas View, Mountain View and more. We hear from the two candidates about their thoughts on housing policy, economic disinvestment, infrastructure and what their hopes are for the district. Guests: Martha Abraham, neonatal nurse, community advocate, candidate for San Diego City Council District 4Henry Foster, incumbent, candidate for San Diego City Council District 4 Links: KPBS Voter Hub

What happens when Native American identity is commodified, and when people claim an ancestry that is not their own? The book "Who Gets to Be Indian?" explores some of those questions by looking into ethnic fraud, tribal disenrollment and cultural appropriation. Monday on Midday Edition, we hear from the author of "Who Gets to Be Indian?" ahead of a local screening of the film "You're No Indian." The film explores the impact of disenrollment on Indigenous peoples. Guest: Dina Gilio-Whitaker, author, "Who Gets to Be Indian?"

Federal officials announced charges on Monday against 28 people in California who they say illegally registered and voted in federal elections, including four people in San Diego County. The announcement comes days after the Trump administration sued California over claims of noncitizens voting. On Midday Edition Monday, we hear the latest on the federal investigation into California's voting rolls, how rare voter fraud is, and what it all means for the coming election. Guest: Jake Kincaid, investigative reporter, inewsource Keep reading: DOJ’s San Diego County subpoenas: 25 voters, 15 years of records, one request for a ballotJustice Department charges more than 2 dozen in California sweep targeting alleged noncitizen votersTrump administration sues California to block state from counting alleged noncitizen mail-in ballots

Proposition 40 is also known as the billionaire tax. It would establish a one-time, five percent sales tax on California's billionaires, to redirect money towards healthcare funding. Proposition 40 has divided California voters and Democratic leaders. There are also two countermeasures on the ballot — Proposition 41 and 42 — which would cancel out Proposition 40, even if it passes. On Midday Edition Monday, we break down what you need to know about Proposition 40 and the arguments on either side of the campaign. Guest: Nadia Lathan, politics reporter, Voice of San Diego and CalMatters

"Taxi Dancer" brings readers into the Filipino-run taxi dance halls of San Diego's Stingaree District, where male patrons paid women a dime for a dance. Then, a look at two spooky events this weekend. And, your weekend preview.

As part of our Ballot Breakdown series, we unpack Proposition 39 — which would create new voter ID and citizenship verification requirements in California.

On KPBS Midday Edition, we sit down with Jiyan Rios Zandi, artist and creator of art shop Local Brown Baby.

The U.S. Senate passed a bill to reshape rules for college athletes late last month. The Protect College Sports Act aims to tighten rules around eligibility and transferring, and formalize compensation for college athletes. The effort marks a major effort at the federal level to regulate how college athletes are paid, both by universities and also through name, image and likeness deals. On Midday Edition Wednesday, we hear from a sports law expert on the details of the bill, where it goes from here, and what it means for the future of college sports. Guest: Len Simon, attorney, sports law expert

Fifty years ago, psychologist Robert Guthrie first wrote the book, "Even the Rat was White." It provided a nuanced, historical record of psychology, looked at the role that white supremacist bias played in the field and highlighted the critical work of Black psychologists. Tuesday on Midday Edition, we look at the legacy of the book. Guests: Ricardo Guthrie, professor of social justice, Fisk UniversityJudy Sundayo, clinical psychologist, professor emeritus at Mesa College; president of Association of Black Psychologists, San Diego chapter

California's UC system has grown from a single campus in Berkeley, founded in 1868, to a 10-campus system featuring some of the leading research institutions in the world. The UC system is now the second-leading employer in California. A new book explores the rise of the UC system, and how its history connects to the state's own growth and ascension. "California Dreams: The Making and Remaking of the University of California" highlights not only the history of the UC system, but also its successes and failures in its mission to make academic excellence accessible to more Californians. On Midday Edition Tuesday, we speak with the book's author Miriam Pawel about the UC system, the founding of UC San Diego, and some of the current challenges facing universities today. Guest: Miriam Pawel, journalist, author of "California Dreams: The Making and Remaking of the University of California" Event: Miriam Pawel: California Dreams with Maria Anguiano at Warwick's, Tuesday October 13, 7:30 p.m.