Since the strict shelter in place order, and much of the lockdown restrictions, were lifted in L.A. County back in June, the COVID policies haven't changed much. And that has public health officials wondering about the root causes of this recent surge in cases. What went wrong? We'll go In Depth.

LA County is also trying out a new approach to contact tracing, keeping it anonymous in the hopes that more people will sign on -- will it work?

And both the CDC and FDA are starting to get serious in their preparations for vaccine distribution.

How bad is the coronavirus outbreak in the upper Midwest right now? There are at least 900 sick at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota -- 900 hospital staffers -- not patients.

Speaking of hospitals, there's new research out showing some medical centers are marking up bills like crazy, even in the midst of this pandemic.

And at the end of today's show we'll head to New York City, where schools are shut back down for in-person learning...and parents are not pleased.

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Amid the constant drumbeat of bad news on the coronavirus, there continue to be glimmers of hope when it comes to the development of vaccines. Pfizer today updated data on its vaccine candidate and it's overwhelmingly positive: a 95% effectiveness rate. So how optimistic should we be? We'll go In Depth.

There's more fuel for the fire in the face mask debate: new research out of Denmark casts some doubt on the idea that masks protect *you* rather than the people *around you.* And why, after all these months, are masks still such a polarizing issue?

And restaurants in L.A. County, already hanging on by a thread, could have their outdoor dining life-lines cut.

The 737 MAX... grounded for over a year? Well it's been cleared to start flying again.......would you get on one?

General Motors says its getting into the car insurance business. Great rates! But with a catch. They'd monitor your driving habits. 

And President Trump cheers on local Republicans attempting to void results of the election.......how much longer will his denial last?

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It's been two weeks since election day there still is no meaningful communication or coordination between the Trump administration and the Biden transition team when it comes to the rapidly growing COVID outbreak........and the country's biggest medical associations have had enough. So we'll go In Depth.

Remember Sweden? It's been used as both an example of everything to do right - and wrong - in managing coronavirus. Turns out they're in the same bad spot as the rest of us.

And Remdesivir, the antiviral that was given to President Trump, got an emergency use authorization by the FDA, but there's growing evidence it might not be that effective. And that goes to a larger issue of approvals of all kinds of therapies.

There are growing worries that record number guns circulating around the country combined with the stress we're under could bring about a surge in suicides.

A person's trash says a lot about their lifestyle, and our trash reflects on how we've been living our lives at home lately.

And at the end of the show.........Parler, the new Twitter alternative favored by conservatives: what is it? Should you care? Flash in the pan or something more?

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Despite the flood of consistently bad news on the pandemic, there are some hopeful signs on the horizon: Moderna is the second company to report some really positive results out of its COVID vaccine trial. How hopeful should we be about a vaccine coming soon........and how might the development work be used to take on other diseases? We'll go In Depth.

Schools continue to be a source of debate, with complaints in Southern California that most are stuck in remote learning, while bars and restaurants remain open -- so how safe are schools?

And if you're thinking about hosting or attending a Thanksgiving dinner.......and believe taking a test will be the key to staying infection free.........you might want to think again. 

We're almost two weeks removed from the election and President Trump is still defiant about the results. While it's pretty clear that he will be vacating the White House come January 20th, how much damage can a president do on the way out?

We'll also take a look at a new conspiracy theory on the election, involving the voting machines.

And finally, Democrats are feeling good about a President Biden...but feeling pretty lousy about a bunch of the other election results.

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We are seeing consistently bad news when it comes to the pandemic, with daily infections hitting new levels; and we're entering the holidays and the temptation to travel and gather.

So ... California, Oregon and Washington just issued travel advisories, strongly recommending you stay local. But will people listen? Will there be enforcement? We'll go In Depth.

Elon Musk has been tweeting...complaining about four contradictory COVID test results he received. We'll look at the accuracy of the tests that are out there.

And at the end of our newly extended In Depth: Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, joins us to about hopes for a COVID vaccine.

We'll also be talking with sports super-agent Leigh Steinberg about the COVID surge which is threatening to derail both the NFL and college football seasons.

And on the election: with Arizona and Georgia both being called for Joe Biden, we'll look at the final dynamics of an election that was close in some ways, but also a blowout.

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The snapshot view of the coronavirus outbreak in this country is an ugly one; and it's only going to get uglier.

Counties here in California that had managed to keep transmission rates low for months have reversed course in recent weeks. And people seem to be letting their guard down, with small gatherings of family and friends driving COVID spread.

We will go In Depth on all of it.

Later, in our newly expanded show, once a vaccine is available, if you want to go back to concerts or sporting events.....be prepared to show verification that you've had your shot.

With the Trump-to-Biden transition process stuck in neutral, there are increasing concerns that the longer this takes, the more vulnerable we are to national security threats.

The President-elect is moving ahead though; he's already named a chief of staff, and more cabinet announcements could be coming soon........we'll play Biden cabinet roulette. And what's the role of the Republican Party, now in opposition? Will the GOP work with the soon-to-be President Biden, or will opposition at all costs by the name of the game?

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It's been over a week since election day and four days since the presidential race was called for Joe Biden........and Donald Trump shows no signs of accepting the fact that he'll have to vacate the White House. Instead, Mr. Trump has insisted that mass voter fraud explains his loss........and he's been on a firing spree at the Pentagon, installing loyalists.

How will this all play out? We'll go In Depth. 

While the election debate rages on, so does the pandemic.

That fear of a surge of COVID cases overwhelming hospitals? It's back. And it's getting worse. Plus, the CDC make an especially strong endorsement of the power of face masks. 

Then at 2pm -- yes, 2pm -- we are expanding the show....because so much is happening these days. LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva has been locked in a seemingly perpetual fight with the Board of Supervisors. They're now exploring whether they can force him out. We'll talk with the sheriff.

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If President Trump is any closer to accepting an election loss, he certainly isn't showing it; and in fact, Attorney General Bill Barr is jumping into the fray, ordering Justice Department investigators to look into reports of voter fraud and election irregularities.

Cause for concern over an orderly transition, or a worthwhile investigation? We'll go In Depth.

Fast forward...and what does a post-Trump Republican Part look like? Or does it remain the party of Trump.

What happens to Fox News, which has been criticized by the president since the election? Messy divorce? And what happens to media outlets that gained prominence by opposing him?  

The top priority for President-elect Biden will be to address the pandemic, with infections surging once again. But pulling off a 180-degree turn won't be easy - can Biden pull it off? We'll talk with one of his health advisors.

And there's a new COVID threat that's just a few weeks away: THANKSGIVING!

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The headlines brimmed with optimism, and sent the stock market soaring: Pfizer, one of several pharmaceutical companies developing a vaccine against coronavirus, announced that its experimental vaccine has been more than 90% effective -- better than expected.

But beyond the headlines, it gets complicated. How solid are Pfizer's results and how trustworthy is that "90-percent" statistic?

What hurdles remain to mass manufacturing and distribution? Especially the Pfizer candidate requires everyone get TWO shots? It also needs a deep freeze.

Then: how many people will actually take a COVID vaccine? We'll go In Depth on all of it.

The transition process from President Trump to President-elect Biden is off to a rocky start, with a Trump appointee refusing to sign off on allowing the Biden team to get government files and funding.

And with overwhelming numbers of elected Republican officials staying pretty quiet, is the Republican Party anywhere close to giving up on President Trump?

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The end of a grueling presidential campaign might finally be in sight.......even after election night turned into election week. But it's 2020, so what else did we expect?

Joe Biden, after pulling ahead in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Nevada, is on the verge of clearing the 270-electoral vote threshold and will likely become the 46th president of the United States. But in a year filled with uncertainty, getting to inauguration day, January 21st, won't be easy. So we'll go In Depth on everything happening right now.

Will diehard devotees of President Trump be able to accept a loss...if he loses? What will the Republican party end up looking like? Will anyone be able to trust the election process again, after disinformation and allegations of fraud?

And what would a Biden transition to the White House look, especially with a hostile President Trump?

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