Elsa Sevilla wears many different hats — journalist, filmmaker, speaker, business owner. She also hosts the award-winning documentary series, "Historic Places with Elsa Sevilla" that airs on KPBS.

Now she's an author. On Midday Edition Thursday, Sevilla talks about her journey to the spotlight in her new memoir, "Camera Ready: From Hardship to the Spotlight — A Story of Determination and Rise."

Then, theater company Riot Productions is putting on "Gretel: The Musical," which reimagines the classic Brothers Grimm tale. KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando gets a preview.

And finally, home cook, food content creator and "The Great American Recipe" contestant Waigal Safi talks about the process of competing in a cooking show and highlighting Afghan cuisine.

Guests:

• Elsa Sevilla, journalist, author of "Camera Ready: From Hardship to the Spotlight — A Story of Determination and Rise"
• Waigal Safi, food content creator and contestant on "The Greta American Recipe"
• Sarah Le Clair, artistic director, Riot Productions
• William BJ Robinson, director and performer, Riot Productions
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter and host of "The Finest" podcast, KPBS

As immigration raids continue, it’s become more important than ever to know your rights.

On Midday Edition Wednesday, we talk with two local theater groups about using improv to help educate the community and the intersection between art, law, activism and community.

• Annie Rios, executive director, Uprise Theater and human rights attorney/legal advocate
• Guillermo Mendez, organizer, Voces Unidas

Food support programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, are facing cuts as a result of the passage of President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill.

Tuesday on Midday Edition, we hear from a local food support organization on the state of hunger in San Diego County today.

• Bob Kamensky, CEO, Feeding San Diego

Former National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist Alex Tardy joined Midday Edition to discuss extreme weather preparedness in San Diego County following the deadly floods that hit Texas.

Tardy previously worked as a warning coordination meteorologist for the NWS. He explained how weather forecasts become warnings, and how recent cuts to the National Weather Service could impact the accuracy of forecasts and the response to them.

Guest:

Alex Tardy, meteorologist and founder of Weather Echo, and retired warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service in San Diego County

In an effort to spur housing production, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law major changes to the state's environmental protection rules last week.

On Midday Edition Monday, we hear more about the reforms made to the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, and how it will likely impact housing production in San Diego County.

Andrew Bowen, metro reporter, KPBS

Last Friday, President Trump signed into law his new tax and spending bill, which creates new eligibility requirements and drastically reduces funding for social safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP.

On Midday Edition Monday, we hear from County Supervisor Terra Lawson-Remer on what this consequential bill could mean for the region's most vulnerable residents and how the Board of Supervisors is preparing for the cuts.

Terra Lawson-Remer, District 3 county supervisor, acting chair of San Diego County Board of Supervisors

Each year, about 150,000 students from high schools across the country compete in regional competitions for musical theatre. Only 110 of those make it to the prestigious National High School Musical Theatre Awards, also known as the Jimmy Awards.

On Midday Edition Thursday, we hear from one nominee about his Jimmy Awards experience and his musical theatre journey thus far.

Snapseed.jpg (6000x4000, AR: 1.5)Then, at the Old Globe, summer means Shakespeare. KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando previews two Shakespeare comedies taking place under the stars.

And finally, KPBS arts reporter Julia Dixon Evans shares her top event picks in arts and culture this weekend, from an upcoming textile art exhibition to a Fourth of July concert at Rady Shell.

• Bruno Dominguez, Jimmy Award nominee, graduate of Coronado School of the Arts
• James Vasquez, director of "The Comedy of Errors"
• Peter Francis James (PFJ), director of "All's Well That Ends Well"
• Denja Harris, textile artist
• Julia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, KPBS

A new multimedia project from KPBS looks into the challenges that come from parenting in the digital age.

ScreenTime looks at evolving research on social media, cyberbullying and video games, to detail its impact on children and provide resources for parents.

Guest:

Andrew Bracken, producer/host, KPBS