Midday Edition

Los Angeles has discovered its first case of the new omicron COVID-19 variant in a fully-vaccinated person who recently traveled to South Africa. Health officials say the person is recovering and quarantining at home. Plus, KQED investigates the state’s failure to enforce regulations meant to protect farm workers and others exposed to wildfire smoke. Then, this weekend in the arts features an ephemeral art exhibition, Latinx poetry, a return to the stage for Voices of our City Choir and outdoor rock and roll.

Despite the confirmed presence of the new Omicron strain, President Biden indicated in today that new lockdowns or federal mandates will not be a part of the plan to fight the virus. Plus, scientists at UCSD are now using wastewater to detect the presence of the Omicron variant early. Then, the December nights celebration takes place in Balboa Park this weekend - but just like last year the event will be an in-car drive-through experience with food vendors and entertainment. Also, community college students are among those most in need of food donations. Later, California rules meant to protect outdoor workers from the dangers of wildfire smoke are almost never enforced. Lastly, for the first time since early 2020, the San Diego band Baby Bushka will return to the stage, playing a show at the Casbah this Saturday night.

Mississippi state law banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy is the biggest threat to legal abortion in decades, many legal experts say. Could the case have implications here in California? Plus, a review of death certificates in San Diego County show the wide disparities in who died from COVID-19 in the first year of the pandemic. Also, when police officers shoot a suspect, those officers are often questioned more leniently than the people they shoot, a KPBS investigation found. Meanwhile, a San Diego case is the first to test a state law banning discrimination of hairstyles associated with race in the workplace. And, some insults, disputed statistics and bad feelings have surrounded a redistricting controversy in Torrey Hills and Mira Mesa. Finally, from the archive, elephants have a multi step greeting ritual. What can we take away from knowing about animal rituals like this one?

San Diego City Council on Monday overwhelmingly reaffirmed Mayor Todd Gloria’s coronavirus vaccine mandate plan for city workers. City workers will have to show proof of full vaccination by Tuesday or face consequences. Plus, two lots being offered for redevelopment in downtown San Diego may turn an eyesore into a new model for affordable housing. Also, it’s Giving Tuesday and we wanted to tell you about a program helping the unsheltered and the incarcerated. And, as the Biden administration is preparing to reinstate the Trump-era “Remain-in-Mexico” program in the coming weeks, migrants and their advocates in Tijuana are split about what to do. Finally, in the latest episode of the KPBS Port of Entry podcast, host Alan Lillienthal introduces us to the podcast's new co-host, Natalie Gonzalez.

First detected in South Africa, the omicron variant could be more contagious and resistant to the vaccine, but researchers say much remains to be learned about this latest coronavirus variant. Plus, an appeals court has temporarily halted San Diego Unified’s vaccine mandate. Also, records show there’s a vast disparity in where police shootings occur. They tend to happen more in communities where more Black and Latino people live. And, UC and CSU applications are due tomorrow, but as with many things during the pandemic, things look a bit different this year. For one, SATs and ACTs are no longer required. Finally, in this excerpt from the Cinema Junky podcast, host Beth Accomando and guest Nora Fiore look past the iconic femme fatale character type to explore the diversity of women in noir.

There’s a new grant program in San Diego that aims to help close the racial wealth gap, and KPBS Race and Equity reporter Cristina Kim caught up with the first recipient. Plus, Comic-Con has canceled two in-person shows because of the pandemic, but today it returns to in-person events with what it is calling Comic-Con Special Edition. And, this weekend in the arts you can lose yourself in contemporary art, electroacoustic music and Palestinian poetry.

With many families gathering for the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow, health officials continue to urge Americans to get fully vaccinated, which includes a booster shot six months after the initial vaccination. Plus, for decades in San Diego and across the U.S., housing deeds with racist restrictions blocked people of color from buying or renting homes, how one San Diego family pushed back. And, as families gather (many the first time in two years), maybe you need to freshen up your Turkey Day game. Chef Brandon Sloan from Pendry Hotels answers listeners' questions and gives out tips to make your Thanksgiving meal a feast.

The Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for employees at large businesses is currently on hold as it makes its way through the courts. Plus, after serving in the interim, Cynthia Paes has been officially named as the county’s next registrar of voters. Also, a controversial Trump-era policy aimed at keeping refugees out of the U.S. during the pandemic is being continued by the Biden administration. Meanwhile, Southwestern College has been named a 2021 Equity Champion of Higher Education, getting more Black and Latinx students to continue their degrees at a four-year university. And, next season a new professional sports team will call San Diego home. Finally, what to expect from Comic-Con Special Edition this weekend.

San Diego's biggest expansion of public transit in more than 15 years is now up and running, but there are still issues accessing the new line. Plus, public health officials say there’s a disparity in who’s getting the COVID-19 booster shot. Also, an audit of the San Diego Regional Crime Laboratory has revealed major lapses in security and testing protocols over the past several years that could call into question the credibility of evidence used in previous criminal cases. Meanwhile, universal preschool is coming to California in 2025, but some believe it could have disastrous consequences for child care centers and families seeking early care, with the impact falling hardest on communities of color. And, with the proliferation of e-scooters and bikes, we take a look at the city of San Diego’s permitting system and how it plans to limit the number of operators and e-devices. Finally, with Comic-Con Special Edition happening this Friday, KPBS arts reporter Beth Accomando talks to a comic book store to find out how it has been impacted by the pandemic.

Democrats in the House are taking a victory lap today, celebrating the passage of the two trillion dollar Build Back Better social services bill. Plus, we bring you the third and final part of KPBS’s three-part series on racial covenants. KPBS Race and Equity Reporter Cristina Kim examines how people are reconciling the legacy of racial restrictions. And, in the arts this weekend, there is a new play about Van Gogh, visual art recommendations, an intimate opera performance, and even a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book reading.