KPBS Midday Edition

This year's Black Music Month theme is "The Soundtrack Continues," celebrating 250 years of Black musicians' influence on American music.On KPBS Midday Edition, we invited San Diego-based hip-hop and rap collective Soul Disciples into the studio for a live performance and conversation about their music.Then, our Midday Movies critics talk about summer blockbusters, from alien encounters to low-budget horror, bringing fans to the theaters.Plus, our weekend preview of upcoming arts and culture events.Guests:Ric Scales, hip-hop artist, Soul DisciplesRay Jones, hip-hop artist, Soul DisciplesKing Cobretti, hip-hop artist, Soul DisciplesBeth Accomando, arts reporter and KPBS Cinema Junkie, KPBSYazdi Pithavala, film critic, Moviewalla podcastJulia Dixon Evans, arts reporter, host of "The Finest," KPBSListen to "Lifted Volume One" by Soul Disciples.

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.

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

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 love story involving a married woman and younger man, and a murder are at the heart of a new novel, with San Diego as the backdrop.Author Cassandra Neyenesch joined Midday Edition Monday to talk about the book and the role San Diego plays in it."I like the feeling that the bright sun is hiding darkness," she said.Guest:Cassandra Neyenesch, author, "A Little Bit Bad"Link:Cassandra Neyenesch at the Book Catapult on Tuesday June 2

The FIFA World Cup is a little over a week away, and millions of people are expected to travel into the United States over the next two months.But as the excitement grows, so are public health concerns amid an ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.Monday on Midday Edition, we hear from an infectious diseases expert about why he believes the possibility of an outbreak is low and the state of public health policy today.Guest:Dr. Davey Smith, infectious diseases doctor, virologist, professor, UC San Diego

Voters have a few days left to cast their ballots for the June primary.A key race we're watching is California's 48th Congressional District.If Democrats win, it could be what they need to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives.We continue our series interviewing candidates for the 48th District by speaking with San Diego City Councilmember Marni Von Wilpert.Find more information about candidates across all races at the KPBS Voter Hub.Guest:Marni Von Wilpert, candidate for California's 48th Congressional District