KPBS Roundtable

KPBS Roundtable

KPBS Roundtable offers perspectives from those who tell San Diego’s stories. Join host Andrew Bracken for a weekly discussion with reporters, adding depth and context to the headlines driving the news in the San Diego region. KPBS Roundtable airs each Friday at 12 p.m. and again Sunday at 6 a.m. across San Diego on 89.5 FM and Imperial County on 97.7 FM. You can also catch the show on all podcast apps. New episodes drop every Friday afternoon.

Episodes

August 7, 2026 46 mins
On KPBS Roundtable, we talk about the impact of state and federal Medicaid cuts that could double California's uninsured rate over the next four years. Plus, why San Diego caregivers are owed hundreds of thousands of dollars in stolen wages. And, why communities are rallying against data center development in Southern California.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

San Diego lost a legend this week.

Billy Ray Smith passed away at 64 after a long journey with dementia. His family said it was caused by Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

On KPBS Roundtable, we remember the iconic San Diego Chargers linebacker and sportscaster with his long-time radio co-host, Scott Kaplan.

Then, we unpack why voters rallied against a union-backed initiative to overhaul local government in Chula Vista.

Plus, how...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Friday marks the second official day of San Diego Comic-Con, with celebrities, cosplayers, creators and pop culture fans continuing to descend on downtown.

Whether you have a badge or not, KPBS Roundtable is bringing you closer to the pop culture convention.

We check in with local journalists about their experience covering the convention so far and what you need to know, from the latest news to off-site activations.

Then, we look int...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Community members in Southeastern San Diego have lost a decades-long fight over a hilltop in Emerald Hills.

They had been pushing for a park there. But now, a housing development is coming.

We sit down with KPBS reporter Katie Hyson to hear the story, from the beginning.

Plus, California school districts are suing social media companies.

And, a tribute for Kelly Davis, an important voice in San Diego journalism and frequent guest on KP...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

California lawmakers have introduced new legislation to stop detention centers from claiming charitable tax breaks.

The state bill follows a KPBS investigation found that an Imperial County ICE detention center had been getting millions of dollars in tax breaks for years.

Plus, San Diego's commercial fishing industry is a small fraction compared to what it once was. We take a deep dive into the reasons for its decline and the efforts...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

The Supreme Court handed down two major immigration rulings this week.

On KPBS Roundtable, we discuss the significance of the cases, which strip temporary protected status for hundreds of thousands and give border officials the green light to turn away asylum seekers.

Plus, new rules limiting technology and screens are coming for San Diego schools after a resolution passed this week. And, why a 6'2" robot is entering some school clas...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

A new series of investigations from inewsource outlines a pattern of concerns around medical care inside the Otay Mesa Detention Center, from isolation to medical delays.

Then, what makes a good father? We look at the science of fatherhood and how dads are changed by the experience.

And finally, we continue our San Diego Storytellers series with musician Parker Edison and talk about his journeyas a rap artist and producer, elevating ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

About twice a day, San Diego law enforcement charge someone with "resisting an officer" — and nothing else.

Data show that Black San Diegans are nine times more likely to face the charge. We break down new reporting from KPBS.

Plus, San Diego's controversial license plate reader system linked the wrong man to a violent crime — even though he was miles away from the crime scene.

And, we invite a panel of LGBTQ+ journalists ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

A few days out from primary election night, we have a clear picture of many of the races — though not a complete one. Hundreds of thousands of votes have yet to be counted.

Still, there's a lot to gather from the results on city council races, local measures, congressional seats and more.

We sit down with a roundtable of political reporters to help us make sense of local voting trends.

Plus, a preview of the 2026 FIFA World Cup ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Election Day is right around the corner.

On KPBS Roundtable, we continue our series breaking down primary races with a look at a new tax targeting empty homes in the city, as well as some San Diego City Council races.

Plus, we explore the meaning of Eid al-Adha — also known as the Festival of Sacrifice. The holiday is celebrated by Muslims worldwide.

We also explore how the community is coping one week after the shooting at the ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Reading about climate change can leave us feeling helpless, anxious and disengaged.

But focusing on solutions can have the opposite effect.

For NPR's Climate Solutions Week, we're highlighting how San Diego communities are doing their part for the climate.

Plus, we continue our election series in the run-up to the June 2 primary. This week, we break down the races for Superior Court judge seats.

Then, a conversation all about the the w...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Right now, more than 5,000 people are being held in California's eight Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities.

That includes the Imperial Regional Detention Facility in Calexico.

A KPBS investigation found that the facility's nonprofit owner has received millions in tax breaks for more than a decade.

Plus, we take a look into the race for California's 75th Assembly District seat, with incumbent Carl DeMaio and challenger...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
A new KPBS investigation found the nonprofit that owns the Imperial Regional Detention Facility has received millions in tax breaks over the years. Plus, we take a look into the race for California's 75th State Assembly seat. And, the challenges faced by journalists in Tijuana.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

After primary ballots have been sent to voters, KPBS is breaking down all the races. Among the most competitive is the race for the newly redrawn 48th Congressional District.

On KPBS Roundtable, we hear more about political makeup of the district, the candidates, and the issues at the center of the race.

Then, is San Diego prepared for a large-scale federal immigration crackdown? We look at the city's plans and some of the most recen...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Primary ballots for California's governor race are on their way to voters next week.

If you haven't settled on a candidate yet — you're not alone. A recent poll from CBS News found 26% of registered voters remain undecided.

We talk about where the race stands after this week's debate.

Plus, California's small businesses are struggling from tariff confusion and higher costs, amid the U.S.-Israel war in Iran. We sit down with a re...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

It’s been quite a busy week in military coverage amid ongoing tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a reported plan to send Afghan refugees and their families to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and a local congressional candidate found in violation of Pentagon rules.

Friday on Roundtable, we check in on the latest military reporting coming out of the KPBS newsroom.

Then, Roundtable has always been a place for journalists to come ...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

It’s been one week since the story broke that now former Rep. Eric Swalwell allegedly sexually assaulted a former staffer.

On KPBS Roundtable, we sit down with one of the journalists who broke the story and talk more about the rigorous investigative process and reporting behind it.

Then, for many bike riders, San Diego’s Velodrome has become a place to come together and connect through sports.

But recent changes have led t...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

A new months-long investigation by KPBS follows the money going to some county supervisors' offices.

It finds some tapped influential companies, associations and individuals for monetary gifts. Some of the entities had business before the county at the time. We discuss the details.

Plus, we explore whether the melting pot metaphor is accurate in the U.S. today ahead of its 250th anniversary.

Plus, "Local News Day," a national effort t...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

San Diego's North County isn't exactly known for housing affordability.

But one North County city — San Marcos — is exceeding its state-mandated housing goals.

From new housing projects to school board meetings, we sit down with three North County reporters to talk about their reporting and what it's like to cover the beat.

Plus, a new KPBS series introduces us to some of San Diego's most interesting and underrated museums...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

San Diego County has hired an independent auditor to review how it works with contractors.

The audit was announced in light of recent charges against a former executive at the Harm Reduction Coalition of San Diego, who misappropriated large sums of money meant for behavioral health care.

We talk about how San Diego County is re-examining its oversight of contractors.

Plus, California is one of 13 states where certain terminally ill pa...

Listen
Watch
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.

  • Help
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AdChoicesAd Choices