KPBS Midday Edition

One year ago today, insurrectionists swarmed the U.S. Capitol, shocking the nation, and leaving many wondering how robust our democracy really is. A new book from a local author looks at the conditions that lead to civil conflict in countries, and searches for answers to avoid them. Plus, instances of restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses temporarily closing their doors are becoming more common as the highly infectious omicron variant continues to spread at an unprecedented rate among the nation’s population. Then, KPBS Race and Equity reporter Cristina Kim says some local women are reclaiming double dutch as adults, and creating a healing space in the process. Also, a new study by Measure of America aims to provide a portrait of California by focusing less on economic measures and more on people’s well-being. And, a new show coming to KPBS TV will tell the stories of women and trailblazers of color in the winery, brewery and restaurant industries — it's called ‘Fresh Glass.’ Later, KPBS film critic Beth Accomando joins KPBS Midday Edition to look back on her top films pics for 2021.

First we’ll discuss how local schools are handling the return to the classroom after the holiday COVID-19 surge and the home testing kit shortage. After, we’ll talk to Dr. Eric Topol, director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, about some of our most pressing COVID-19 questions amidst the omicron-fueled surge. Also, while the pandemic has ravaged much of the cross-border economy, Tijuana’s maquiladora industry has flourished. Later, as the California legislature reconvenes, the California Report speaks with Scott Wilk, the leader of the Republican caucus in the state senate. Then, we speak with San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Lori Weisberg on how the minimum wage increase affects San Diegans. Finally, an excerpt from the latest “Port of Entry” podcast tells the story of a band separated by the pandemic- related border closure.

San Diego County emergency rooms are being stretched to their limits. Meanwhile, hateful slurs have been found graffitied at the campus of San Dieguito Academy in Encinitas for the second time in only a few months, which marks the third of it’s kind to occur at a San Dieguito Union campus this academic year. Then, we hear about a new kind of THC that has emerged in the past few years—it’s called Delta 8. Next, the state legislature goes back to work to confront problems like the pandemic, homelessness, housing, and growing concerns about crime and passing a new state budget. Later, KPBS discusses Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez resigning from the state assembly to take a position with California’s Labor Federation. Lastly, Digital Gym Cinema has changed locations and is set to reopen later this month with special Sundance Film Festival programming.

This morning, the FDA recommended booster shots for 12- to 15-year olds. We talk to an infectious disease doctor about the recommendation. Plus, more than a hundred San Diego Fire Department firefighters are in isolation due to potential coronavirus exposure and its having an impact on fire services. And, scientists and volunteers from San Diego to Oregon flocked to shorelines this morning to document the King Tide, which offers a look into the growing threats our state faces from climate change. Later, we revisit the story of a mother determined to make sure her son gets the education he needs. Then, California Report Magazine Host Sasha Koka revisits a piece she did about actress Juanita Moore, the third Black woman to be nominated for an Oscar. Lastly, San Diego jazz trumpet great Gilbert Castellanos tells us about the artists who shaped his musical journey.

We look ahead at new state laws that could impact your day to day life. We revisit a KPBS piece about a local organization working to empower youth through the arts. And, for our arts preview this weekend, we're shaking things up just a little, with a guide to some works of art viewable from the outdoors.

Cases of COVID-19 are once again on the rise in San Diego County. On Tuesday, the county reported more than 3,600 new cases, the highest number of new cases in a single day since last winter. Plus, a new energy storage project is rolling out across the county, with the first two sites scheduled to break ground within the next month. Then, earlier this year KPBS met a group of women living at a retirement home in Escondido, who are lightening the pain associated with mastectomy one loving stitch at a time. In July, KPBS reporter John Carroll took us to an animal sanctuary in San Diego County that is trying to bring awareness to the illegal, multi-billion dollar trade in exotic animals. And in current events, Starla Lewis, a professor of Black Studies at Mesa College and SDSU, talks about the meaning of Kwanzaa and its origin. Lastly, KPBS looks back at an interview with Charles McPherson, one of jazz's most prolific saxophonists.

It’s been a rainy week in a rainy December, and tonight another storm is expected to arrive in San Diego County, bringing even more precipitation. Plus, a new investigation by the New York Times took a closer look at the growing network of paid experts, doctors and researchers used to defend police departments when a person dies in police custody. Also, state and local water agencies are moving forward with a massive ground water rescue plan. Then, experts say more parents are reporting declining mental and physical health since the start of the pandemic. Throughout the year, we profile San Diegans making a difference. We revisit a piece about a high school student who is a member of the San Diego Unified School Board. And a piece on a Poway man who relocates rattlesnakes. Lastly, a new book of essays by local writers, "Reclaiming Our Stories in the Time of COVID and Uprising," chronicles how San Diegans' lives have changed due to the pandemic and increased calls for racial justice.

A small aircraft carrying four people crashed in flames near Gillespie Field last night. Plus, the CDC released new COVID-19 guidelines on Monday that have shortened the time people need to quarantine. Then, KPBS takes a look back at some of the stories we covered over the past year. Back in April, military reporter Steve Walsh had the story of one of Naval Aviation’s few openly gay pilots, who was on his way out. In September, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance helped hatch an Egyptian vulture. Also, in August, KPBS’s Maya Trabulsi told us about a San Diego man who has dedicated his workspace to his passion for American history. Later, marriage and family therapist Shanette Smith speaks to KPBS about the holiday blues to help us parse out some of those emotions. Lastly, a television special that first aired on HBO in 1978 called “Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas,” has returned as a theatrical production in Manhattan, and one of the puppeteers is from San Diego.

COVID-19 cases are once again on the rise in San Diego County, as are hospitalizations. Plus, this past weekend was still one of the busiest for flight travel, but it was met with trip cancellations as the coronavirus spread among flight crews. And, we revisit reporting by KPBS that showed that CalFresh regularly pushes out people who are still eligible for the extra money to help them buy food. Then, the director of UCLA’s Bedari Kindness Institute speaks about kindness and the impulse to be kind. Later, former North County Times journalist Brian Gushue discusses his new book about achieving his goal of attending 500 NFL games across the country. Also, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando spoke with Chad Patton, managing director of Material Things, which created the “NUNO: The Language of Textiles” exhibit at the Japanese Friendship Garden's Inamori Pavilion.

Good news from the pandemic is far and few in between, but the personal wealth of San Diegans grew in 2020, according to a recent report. Plus, from the archive, a $66 million performing arts center at Southwestern College will have an impact on the South Bay as well as the next generation of artists. And, some unconventional holiday music from San Diego bands — perfect music to get us through yet another unconventional holiday season.