KPBS Midday Edition

A San Diego physician who is a member of state and county vaccine advisory groups said local public health officials will be opening regional vaccination sites to quicken the pace of vaccinations. Plus, the American Legion removed its Escondido post commander from national leadership positions because of his affiliation with the Proud Boys hate group. And a former La Mesa police officer at the center of a controversial arrest of a young Black man near the Grossmont trolley station is facing a felony count of filing a false police report. Then, farmers swap out irrigation methods to keep the Colorado River from growing saltier. And the City of Stockton recently made headway in efforts to cope with climate change. Finally, KPBS film critic Beth Accomando spoke to UCSD alumni and filmmaker Marvin Choi about the journey of making his independent film “A Knight’s Tour.”

We know that healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities are first in line to receive the Coronavirus vaccine. But who's next? Plus, the COVID-19 economic hit has been personal for thousands of San Diegans for months. And months of physical distancing and pandemic anxiety has been especially tough on veterans who were already dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder and other combat-related injuries. Then, members of the Kumeyaay Nation say border wall construction in the Laguna Mountains is destroying sensitive cultural sites. Plus, virtual classrooms complicate how teachers and administrators discipline students. Finally, KPBS speaks with “The Black Panther Party: A Graphic Novel” author David F. Walker about his favorite movie and book, "The Spook Who Sat By The Door."

San Diego County public health officials confirmed one individual infected with a new, more contagious variant of the virus first discovered in the United Kingdom. Plus, Gov. Gavin Newsom offers plans to reopen in-person schools. And kindergarten remote learning shows the equity divide between families. Then, the Metropolitan Transit System got a new CEO, Sharon Cooney, after the sudden death of her predecessor in May. She spoke with KPBS about her priorities. Plus, top Marine leaders issued a call to have a conversation surrounding race in the Corps, but Marines say that conversation has never been easy. Finally, "The World of Wong Kar Wai" is a collection of seven restored films by the Hong Kong director and will be available through Digital Gym Cinema for the next month.

Epidemiologist Dr. Rebecca Fielding-Miller joined Midday Edition Wednesday to discuss the risks of attending in-person New Year's celebrations. Plus, Dr. Shirley Weber talks about her nomination as California Secretary of State and hopes for her successor. And even when its budgets are cut, SDPD has a track record of overspending. Then, San Diego Unified School District's Police Department is more likely to detain Black students than others on campuses. And the economic situation for San Diego's undocumented population remains desperate during the pandemic. Then, a social network called Stitch has filled a void for people who normally led active lives but have had to stay put because of the coronavirus. Finally, the coronavirus pandemic forced Derby United Headquarters to close. But the organization has turned their skates in a new direction in order to reopen its two-rink facility.

As expected, a regional stay-at-home order in effect across Southern California due to surging COVID-19 hospitalizations was formally extended Tuesday. Plus, the story of a transgender woman who left her native Guatemala for California and risked everything to seek asylum in the U.S. Then, the U.S. Immigration system has big problems, and there is no aspect as problematic as the way the U.S. grants — or doesn't grant — asylum.

CVS pharmacists have begun vaccinating California nursing home residents as part of a plan to inoculate 700,000 long term care patients. Plus, how the COVID-19 stimulus bill will impact your finances. And a story of how a mother of two austic boys launched her career in special education teaching. Then, bike advocates say new public policy is needed to ensure the drop in cyclist injuries during the pandemic stays that way. Plus, a “hotel of healing” is planned for Escondido to help the homeless population. And how San Diego women fought for the right to vote a century ago. Finally, Beth Accomado speaks to actor Matt Berry who plays an “energy vampire” on FX Series "What We Do in the Shadows."

A brush fire that broke out overnight near Fallbrook has grown to over 3,000 acres, prompting evacuations. A planned field hospital being built to care for COVID-19 patients on an unused floor at Palomar Hospital could provide much needed relief to overburdened Imperial County. In Los Angeles, thousands of homeless veterans were in line to move into a new housing complex. Then, a fire burned it to the ground. Then, four years of disputes over President Donald Trump and his policies have fractured some San Diego families to the point of estrangement. Finally, how screwball comedies provided an escape during the Great Depression.

California's health care system is struggling under the strain of the nation's largest coronavirus outbreak. Experts warn the system may collapse in the coming weeks. Also, COVID-19 cases are spiking at San Diego County's jails and detention centers. The U.S. government was the victim of a major hacking effort by foreign intelligence services. How could this impact you? And in the latest episode of KPBS' Port of Entry Podcast, a "blaxican" filmmaker describes her focus on cross-culture stories like her own.

Rep. Scott Peters, D-San Diego talks about the $900 billion coronavirus relief bill. Plus, San Diego received its first deliveries of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Next, county records of community outbreaks obtained by KPBS show that at least 638 COVID-19 cases from late June through mid-December have been linked to seven area tribal casinos. Also, the pandemic deprived many artists of their livelihoods, but this drag queen is finding ways to keep her art alive. Additionally, on the final episode of season three of the “Rad Scientist” podcast, how to retain underrepresented minority students so that STEM education is more equitable for all. Finally, the lessons San Diego Opera learned throughout the pandemic.

For first time the public can see COVID-19 outbreak data including specific locations in San Diego County. Since the onset of the pandemic, county officials have kept outbreak locations secret, instead only listing outbreaks by category like bar or restaurant. Also, local leaders reflect on the next steps as the Moderna vaccine begins to roll out. In the South Bay, a cooperative is looking to chart the future of urban farming, San Diego researchers warn that warming oceans threaten our giant kelp forests, how a local art space has continued to operate during the pandemic and in City Heights, one senior woman uses her singing to get through the COVID-19 lockdown.