Juneteenth celebrates the day in 1865 when word of freedom spread to the last people who were enslaved in Galveston, Texas under the Confederacy.

Here in San Diego, festivities are well underway — with lots in store this weekend. Juneteenth celebrations are happening across the county, with everything from music performances to surf lessons.

On KPBS Midday Edition, we sit down with two local event organizers to give us a preview of upcoming events celebrating the holiday. We also talk about the meaning of Juneteenth and the importance of community.

But first, Onstage Playhouse is opening a new play next week called "Isaac's Eye" about renowned scientist Isaac Newton — who made significant contributions to physics, mathematics and astronomy.

Plus, our preview of local arts events happening this weekend.

Guests:

• Loren Cobbs, founder, SD Melanin
• Aiyana Reissman, program manager, Paddle for Peace
• James P. Darvas, artistic director, Onstage Playhouse
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, host of "The Finest" podcast, KPBS

The experience of parenting a child with autism can be fulfilling and life-changing. It can also bring real challenges.

Andrea Moriarty is a proud "autism mom." Her son, now an adult, was first diagnosed with autism at the age of three. Moriarty has been writing about her experience and providing advice on parenting a child with autism, throughout her time as a parent.

Her latest book, “Daffy: Laughter as Self-Care for Autism Moms with Very Little Time and No Interest in Exercise,” reflects on the journey her and other parents have gone through raising a child with autism, touching on both the challenges and the importance of laughter and joy.

Guest:

• Andrea Moriarty, author, "Daffy: Laughter as Self-Care for Autism Moms with Very Little Time and No Interest in Exercise”

Book event:

Andrea Moriarty discusses and signs her new book "Daffy" at Camino Books in Del Mar, Thurs. June 18, 6 p.m.

It's almost been one month since the tragic shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego.

Three innocent men lost their lives — Amin Abdullah, Mansour Kaziha and Nadir Awad.

We sit down with Imam Taha Hassane, director of the center, to honor their memory. We also discuss how the community is healing several weeks later. 

Guest:

• Imam Taha Hassane, director, Islamic Center of San Diego

Resources:

• Council on American-Islamic Relations
• Everytown Survivor Network
• 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

This year’s Juneteenth holiday is coming up Friday.

It’s a celebration of when enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas learned of their independence in 1865, two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

San Diego has its own history with the holiday. Wednesday on Midday Edition, we look at how San Diegans have commemorated Juneteenth in years past.

Guest:

• Kyle Brooks, assistant professor of theology and religious studies at the University of San Diego

The developer behind a proposed data center project in Imperial Valley is suing over water rights to the Colorado River.

The company behind the center — Imperial Valley Computer Manufacturing — is seeking access to 260 million gallons of Colorado River water every year through its lawsuit against the Imperial Irrigation District.

The Colorado River is the only source of fresh water in the Imperial Valley. It's facing a climate change-fueled drought.

On Midday Edition, we break down the latest lawsuit and how it fits into the controversy over the proposed data center in Imperial Valley.

Guest:

• Kori Suzuki, South Bay and Imperial Valley reporter, KPBS

The Supreme Court still has a few weeks until the end of its term, and justices have a number of important decisions to make before summer recess.

Tuesday on Midday Edition, we talk about what cases are left.

Guests:

• David Savage, Supreme Court reporter, LA Times

Links:

"Here are the big cases the Supreme Court will decide in June" — Los Angeles Times

El Niño has begun. The weather pattern, led by warmer ocean waters in the Pacific Ocean, is expected to be historically strong this year.

On Midday Edition, we hear more about this year's El Niño conditions and what they mean for the likelihood of a wetter winter in San Diego, hotter temperatures across the globe and more.

Guest:

• Alex Tardy, founder of Weather Echo; former meteorologist, National Weather Service

Think back to your U.S. history classes. What were you taught about the end of slavery?

President Abraham Lincoln is often credited with freeing enslaved Americans when he signed the final Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863.

But who gets left out of that narrative?

As Juneteenth approaches, KPBS Midday Edition host Jade Hindmon sits down with a local historian to highlight how Black leaders fought for their own liberation and unravel the prevailing narratives around emancipation and America's 250 years of independence.

Guest:

• T.J. Tallie, history professor, University of San Diego

A little over 50 years ago, the fall of Saigon marked the end of the Vietnam War — displacing millions of Vietnamese people.

San Diego author C.L. Hoang moved to the U.S. for college just six months before the fall of Saigon. It took another 14 years before he was able to reunite with his parents in California.

On KPBS Midday Edition, we sit down with Hoang to discuss his new book, recounting his family's journey of resilience and reunification.

Guest:

• C.L. Hoang, author of "Land of Dreams: An Immigrant's Journey from War-Torn Vietnam to America"

The 2026 World Cup is expected to be FIFA's biggest tournament yet. But for many fans hoping to experience it in person, the price of admission may be too high to pay.

Thursday on Midday Edition, we talk about the impact of rising ticket costs for World Cup fans, and the political climate surrounding the matches.

Then, June is Black Music Month. We sit down with a local spoken soul group Lyrical Groove to talk about how they weave culture, identity and healing into their art. It also features a special performance.

And finally, there is never a shortage of things to do in San Diego. KPBS' Julia Dixon Evans shares her top weekend event picks for dance, music and art — including a musical about SpongeBob SquarePants.

Guests:

• Kevin Baxter, reporter, Los Angeles Times
• Kendrick Dial, artist, Lyrical Groove
• Brisa Lauren Johnson, singer, Lyrical Groove
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and host of "The Finest," KPBS

Ten years ago this week, 49 people were killed in a shooting at Pulse Nightclub, an LGBTQ+ space in Orlando, Florida.

At the time, it was the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. It's a tragedy that continues to affect the community in unimaginable ways, a decade later.

The San Diego LGBT Community Center organizes an annual community ofrenda to honor the 49 lives lost. Their 10th anniversary event is Friday.

On KPBS Midday Edition, we talk about the ofrenda and the importance of remembering.

Guest:

• Gus Hernandez, senior director of communications, The San Diego LGBT Community Center

Resources:

• The Trevor Project
• Trauma Survivors Network
• Survivors Empowered
• Crisis Text Line