Port of Entry

Hi, folks!

Port of Entry producer Julio is a passionate fútbol fan (soccer for Americans), and he’s on a mission to convince Alan and Nat why they should care about this tournament by showing them what makes it so special.

First, we talk to Luis Daniel Rodriguez, a former sports podcast host and devout World Cup enthusiast, as he prepares to leave for this year’s tournament.

Then, Julio takes the team to v...

Hola, friends!

In this episode of Port of Entry, our team traces the origins of a groundbreaking U.S. university graduation ceremony held in Mexico — an initiative that has left a lasting legacy in the California/Baja Mexico border region.

For the first time in U.S. history, the "Building Bridges" graduation ceremony, organized by San Diego State University’s Imperial Valley satellite campus, broug...

Estamos en medio de una crisis ambiental y nuestros estilos de vida urbanos a menudo chocan con los sistemas naturales que nos sostienen, especialmente en la gestión de nuestros residuos.

Detener el flujo de contaminación transfronteriza puede parecer una tarea interminable, ya que la basura parece reaparecer tan pronto como se limpia. Abordar esta crisis en la frontera requiere un enfoque multifacético, desde barreras para detener ...

En este episodio, el equipo de Port of Entry se sienta a platicar con Jorge Meraz, tijuanense y conductor del programa de viajes de PBS “Crossing South”.

Desde hace más de una década, Jorge ha estado contando otra cara de la región fronteriza — una que casi no sale en los titulares.

Nos platicó cómo fue crecer en Tijuana y cómo, con el tiempo, la vida entre dos países fue moldeando su forma de ver el mundo e inspirá...

In this episode, the Port of Entry team sits down with Tijuana native Jorge Meraz, host of the PBS travel show “Crossing South.”

For more than a decade, Jorge has been documenting a different side of the border region — one often overlooked by headlines.

He shares what it was like growing up in Tijuana, and how, over time, cross-border life shaped his perspective and inspired him to showcase the vibrant color...

En el episodio de hoy, el equipo de Port of Entry recuenta el camino que llevó a la creación del Proyecto de Ley AB 91 en California. Analizamos la importancia de esta nueva legislación y los retos a los que ahora se enfrenta.

Conversamos con los pioneros que ayudaron impulsar este proyecto y dejaron una huella en la en el sector educativo en la region: Mitzi Salgado, educadora y fundadora del Transfronterizo Ins...

In today’s episode, the Port of Entry team follows the journey of how California Assembly Bill 91 came to fruition. We explore the importance of the law and the challenges it now faces.

We meet with influential community members who pushed this bill and impacted regional education: Mitzi Salgado, educator and founder of the Transfronterizo Institute; California Assemblymember David Alvarez, ...

En el episodio de hoy, exploramos la trayectoria cinematográfica de Emilio Montiel, fundador de Producciones Montiel. Emilio es cantante, actor y productor de cine a sus 71 años,

Su historia es tan adictiva como su obra.

Si te topas con una de sus películas sin ver el número de visitas o leer los comentarios, te sorprendería saber que ha producido más de 200 películas y ha cautivado a audiencias de todo el mundo con sus l...

In today’s episode, we explore the filmmaking journey of Emilio Montiel, a 71-year-old singer, actor and film producer — and founder of Producciones Montiel.

His story is as binge-worthy as his work.

If you stumbled upon one of his films without seeing the view count or reading the comments, you might be surprised to learn that he has produced more than 200 movies and captivated audiences worldwide with his di...

Estamos en medio de una crisis ambiental, y nuestros estilos de vida urbanos a menudo chocan con los sistemas naturales que nos sostienen, especialmente cuando se trata de los materiales que usamos para construir.

Ese fue el enfoque de los primeros dos episodios de esta serie "La Escala Planetaria", Parte 1 y Parte 2.

En esta tercera edición, seguimos a Itamar “Ita” Lilienthal, un bio diseñado...

Hey friends!

2025 was a busy year for us! We featured some truly memorable stories that we were thrilled to share with you:

From the excitement of having your own MLS soccer franchise, to the touching journey of a displaced woman trying to reunite with her family, to the innovative approaches environmentalists are developing to tackle everyday challenges.

What we didn't get to share with you was how...

It’s no surprise that the first year of President Trump's second term offers much to reflect upon, both internationally and domestically, particularly regarding immigration policy and tactics. Many changes have taken place over the past year, which may be confusing for many people.

Some of those changes have directly impacted people in the border region.

To clarify and help us understand how everything has unfolded, we are join...

We're in the midst of an environmental crisis, and our urban lifestyles often clash with the natural systems that support us — especially when it comes to how we manage our waste.

Stopping the flow of cross-border pollution can feel like a Sisyphean task. With every effort to tackle it, more trash seems to appear. That's why addressing the pollution crisis at the border takes a multifaceted approach. It involves many different...

We're in the midst of an environmental crisis, and our urban lifestyles often clash with the natural systems that support us — especially when it comes to the materials we use to build. That was the focus of the first two episodes of this “Planetary Scale” series, Part 1 and Part 2.

In this third installment, we follow Itamar “Ita” Lilienthal, an emerging biodesigner and arc...

In this special Día de Muertos bonus episode, Natalie invites KPBS web producer Leslie Gonzalez to explore Tijuana’s famous Mercado Hidalgo and discover the stunning altar that’s built each year to honor the market’s founding partners who have passed away.

But there’s a twist: Leslie has never actually visited Tijuana. Her parents always warned her that it was too dangerous. Now, this trip becomes a personal ...

Like many cities, Tijuana is rich with folklore and eerie legends. One such tale is the story of Juan Castillo Morales, also known as Juan Soldado, the unofficial patron saint of migrants.

In 1938, Castillo Morales, a military private stationed in Tijuana, was convicted of the rape and murder of 8-year-old Olga Camacho, a girl who lived near the military barracks. However, many believe he was wrongfully accused.

According to local fo...