Midday Edition

There are still millions in rent relief available for county residents and officials are trying to figure out why some renters are not taking advantage of the offer. Plus, the political attitudes toward marijuana have been shifting for years thanks in part through spending on local elections by the cannabis industry. And, this weekend in the arts, new dance film, last chance to see works from 30 artists living in the border region and works by emerging artists.

President Joe Biden outlined a bold economic agenda during his first major address to Congress, earning praise from fellow Democrats but many in the party are urging the president to pursue more ambitious progressive policies in office. The Republicans, however, attacked Biden’s agenda as too expensive and too socialist. Plus, marine scientists say they have found what they believe to be more than 25,000 barrels that possibly contain DDT dumped off the Southern California coast near Catalina Island. Also, the Children’s Zoo is set to reopen at the San Diego Zoo and its new hummingbird and komodo dragon exhibits highlight the latest in technology and species management. And, a look at medical tourism, which is booming right now. First, the tragic story of a California woman who died on a Tijuana operating table after crossing the border for a cosmetic procedure. Then, our “Port of Entry” podcast is beginning a series on medical tourism, starting with the story of a San Diego woman who crosses the border for alternative cancer treatments.

To make the COVID-19 vaccine available to more people and to encourage people to get vaccinated, San Diego County is offering walk-up, no-appointment-needed vaccinations at some of its county-run sites. Plus, San Diego prosecutors want to remove about 350 people who have turned their lives from the gang injunction list that San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria called “outdated” and longer serves “their alleged purpose.” Also, California will lose a congressional seat for the first time in the state’s history and many are now wondering what this means for their voice in Washington. In addition, San Diego police are sounding the alarm on what they say is the rise in ghost guns, homemade, unserialized firearms that are almost impossible to trace. A decade after Don’t Ask Don’t Tell ended, one of Naval Avaition’s few openly gay pilots says that wasn’t enough to save his career. And, video footage played a key role in both the Rodney King and George Floyd trials, but the outcomes were vastly different. What changed? Finally, a new album by Silent, a Mexicali-based band, tackles the toxicity of hate with a powerful goth-punk beauty.

The CDC updated its guidelines and mask wearing and now says people who are fully vaccinated don't need to wear a mask when they're outdoors, unless they're in a crowd. Plus, organizers of the recall effort against Gov. Gavin Newsom have collected enough valid signatures to qualify for the ballot, California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber announced Monday. Also, critics cast doubt on San Diego Gas & Electric’s plan to produce carbon neutral energy by 2045, saying fossil fuel natural gas remains a big part of the utility’s portfolio. In addition, a nonprofit is helping veterans find a new purpose following their careers in the military. And, who is considered Arab American as the nation recognizes National Arab American Heritage Month for the first time on a federal level. Finally, an excerpt from the “Parker Edison Project” podcast looks at the history of radio in San Diego and how Black DJs had to go to Mexico to broadcast in the U.S.

The conviction of Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd underscores similarities in the 2019 San Diego death of Angel Hernandez. Also, a new report shows an increase in people experiencing homelessness for the first time. Plus, plans are moving forward to connect San Diego's public transit with the airport. And a new book examines how the death of Rebecca Zahau continues to puzzle people. Lastly, the recently formed Turnkey Theatre released its first interactive audio production.

As the public continues to focus a critical eye on police departments across the nation, there are at least 10 related bills currently working their way through the California legislature to affect change in policing. Plus, local unions have lobbied lawmakers to grant eligibility to their members, secured separate supplies of vaccines and launched outreach campaigns. And after a year of pandemic lockdown, the Oscars will go ahead this Sunday - this time with a much different format.

Some scientists are now saying the only way to achieve a limit to global temperature rise is to pair emission reduction efforts with a massive investment in carbon capture technology. Plus, with a guilty verdict handed down to Derek Chauvin on all counts in the death of George Floyd, legal experts now are now analyzing what the conviction will mean for the former Minneapolis police officer's sentence. And the Tijuana River Valley is frequently swamped with sewage-tainted water, but those cross-border flows also carry trash into an ecologically sensitive region. Then in Southeast San Diego, community art spaces are few and far between. One resident is looking to remedy that with the opening of a new center in Chollas View. Finally, the Old Globe brings the politics, family sagas, ghosts and that epic sword fight in Shakespeare's "Hamlet" to radio audiences.

San Diego's community leaders react to what many see as a turning point for equality following guilty verdicts for former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the murder of George Floyd.

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System announced Monday that a $5.5 million settlement has been reached with the family of man who died after being restrained with knees in his back and on his neck by Transit law enforcement. Plus, two San Diego researchers hope a new peer-reviewed article helps them convince federal officials to change their opinion of how COVID-19 spreads. And with consecutive years of record high temperatures and scarce rainfall, some climate researchers are hinting at the possibility California has actually been in a protracted “mega drought. Then, people often look to their faith leaders for guidance on big decisions. These days, parishioners are asking: Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine? Plus, as thousands of migrant families cross into the United States, many are being flown to San Diego and then removed to Mexico, without any of their belongings. Finally, San Diego Opera is staging two outdoor drive-in shows this month: the first is its annual One Amazing Night concert and the second is the comic opera "The Barber of Seville."

Asian American mental health care providers in California are seeing an increase in demand for services in the wake of surging anti-Asian hate incidents.