The CDC today laid out its case for most Americans getting COVID booster shots, arguing there's mounting evidence that immunity from the first round of vaccines is starting to wane.

But both the timing and the rationale is seen by some as curious...........so we'll go In Depth.

We're also going to take a closer look at LA County's decision to implement mask mandates for big, outdoor events. We haven't had huge outbreaks traced back to places like Dodger Stadium ... so is this really necessary?

We'll also look at how aspirin -- simple aspirin -- might be a key ingredient in a cancer-fighting plan.

The intelligence might have been right, after all: reports are out today that the CIA warned the Trump and Biden administrations about the possibility of a swift Taliban takeover in Afghanistan.

We'll talk with an aid group that is fighting hard to get Afghan refugees out.

And the promise of nuclear fusion, the perfect renewable energy source, just got a step closer to reality.

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Are you going to get in line for your booster shot? The Biden administration is reportedly working on guidance that says most Americans should get *another* COVID vaccine. But are they really needed? More shots also means more complications -- so we'll go In Depth.

One of those complications could be the mandates that are increasingly being put in place. Would two shots qualify? Or only three?

We'll also take you to New York City, which is kicking off its "vaccine or bust" policy for restaurants, bars ... basically anything you want to do inside.

Two drought stories for you today:

- Eyes are on the state's almond farmers for how much water they're using. Some can't get enough ... and are pulling up trees.

- And the Colorado River, a major source of water, has been put in a state of emergency.

And then ... what the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan means for re-igniting the war on terrorism.

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There are two distinct policy failures we are witnessing in Afghanistan, where the Taliban seems to have completed its takeover of the country it ruled until the American invasion shortly after September 11th, 2001:

First, there's the failure of a 20-year war and over 1-trillion-dollars spent to transform Afghanistan into a democratic, stable, Western-leaning country.

Then there's the failure of the rushed withdrawal of American military and diplomatic forces there, leading to the chaos we've watched unfold in Kabul over the last 48 hours.

We'll go In Depth on all of it.

And then we'll talk with an Afghan American living here in California on her frustrations watching the Taliban regain control and set back years of progress.

It's back to school week for hundreds of thousands of kids up and down the state, we'll talk with the head of California's biggest teacher's union on what will be a very challenging, complicated year ahead.

Tesla is formally under federal investigation over its troubled autopilot system.

And at the end of today's show: it's real meat, but no animals were harmed in the process of making this unique pet food. We'll explain.......and why this same process could be repeated for your next steak dinner.

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Just about a month till the recall vote on Governor Gavin Newsom. But a pair of legal scholars say the whole thing is unconstitutional.  We'll go In Depth and find out why?

For immunocompromised people, a two-shot or one-and-done shot Covid vaccine may not be enough. Well, by the end of this week, they should be getting very good news. 

And, the 2020 census just released paints a brand new picture of an ever-changing America.

The US is putting more troops into Afghanistan even as we withdraw from that country. Yes, there's a reason and we will go In Depth to tell you why?

Our kids are eating a whole lot of ultra-processed foods. And some think this really isn't very good for them. We'll take a deep dive into that one.

And at the end of today's In Depth: 80's hair metal rocker Sebastian Bach will share his COVID cautionary tale and why he's a big believer in the vaccines.

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Hospital ICU's are reporting more pregnant women with critical COVID cases, and the CDC is once again urging vaccinations. New data shows the shots are safe and effective if you're expecting. So we'll go In Depth. 

2020 was very difficult for students, teachers and parents ... and this upcoming year will also be challenging. We have word today on a vaccine mandate for teachers. And can they do their jobs while also playing COVD cops .... enforcing all the new restrictions?

We're going to take you to Hawaii, where safety rules are going back into effect.........they're trying to balance tourism with infection rates.

Then we're off to Dallas, Texas......a city that will defy the governor when it comes to masks.

And yesterday it was ticklish rats...........today, it's lazy cats. All too happy to accept a free meal.

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Andrew Cuomo is stepping down. Though it will take him about two weeks to take those steps out of his Albany, New York office.  Been there a decade... a political shark, stubborn, persistent .... who had given no indications that he would resign .... surprisingly called it quits after allegations of sexual misconduct mounted. 

So what's next? We'll go In Depth.

Another big political story: the bipartisan, 1-trillion-dollar infrastructure bill made it through the Senate. But Democrats aren't done yet...the hard part is still to come. 

We'll take you to Florida, the epicenter of this COVID surge, where ICU beds are running low and staff is stretched thin..........again.

The Pentagon has enacted a COVID vaccine mandate for all members of the military...with about 30-percent of those serving still unvaccinated. 

And at the end of today's show: rat tickling. Yes........tickling rats.........is a thing.

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Have we crossed the Rubicon when it comes to climate change? The planet is warming and there may not be any turning back -- that's according to a new UN report on climate change. Question is: how far will we go in trying to lessen the impact? We'll go In Depth.

Along that same line: the Dixie Fire in Northern California is breaking records ... and we are just about to get into the most dangerous period of fire season.

Fifteen fully vaccinated people at a house party. And eleven come down with COVID. We'll talk with an epidemiologist -- who was one of the ones who got sick -- about what we can learn from breakthrough infections.

There are increasing worries about young children and long COVID.

And then ... NASA hiring for a very unique job: a Mars mock-up. A year in simulation.

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As if we didn't have enough problems to deal with: mosquito season is in full swing, which you'll know full well if you've spent time outside around sunset recently. So we'll buzz around on that for a while ... as we go In Depth.

The shutdown of the hydroelectric plant at Lake Oroville is a bad omen ... not just for California, but for most of the Western US where a stubborn drought is getting worse.

And we'll pull apart today's jobs report, which was a positive one.....but if employers are hiring and workers are applying, why do we still have so many staffing shortages?

We're going to bring you some positive COVID news for a change: slowly but surely, vaccination rates have been inching up.

Police officers unions in several big cities though.... are pushing back against mandates, in some cases threatening resignations.

And at the end of today's In Depth we'll go back to Tokyo to say farewell to an Olympics that managed to cross the finish line in one piece.

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Employees of LA County are under orders: go get your COVID shots.......or else! But, or else........what? What types of consequences will there be? And will the county join the city in considering vaccine mandates for all indoor, public places? We'll go in depth.

Moderna has joined Pfizer in recommending booster shots, pointing to the dangers of the Delta variant. But are there financial considerations? More shots .... more profit.

There's something happening beneath the surface of the Atlantic Ocean -- currents are shifting, moving out of balance ... and the effects could be very bad.

What you're feeding your dog might be leading to a heart condition. We'll tell you what to look for.

And then ... we're taking tomorrow off. Maybe. Because a Southern California congressman has legislation for a 4-day workweek.

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