San Diego activists argue the database, known as CalGang, includes many people who are not actually gang members and unfairly targets people of color who live in lower-income communities. Plus, ROTC training has been mostly online but some cadets have resumed limited in-person training. And, our arts and culture picks for the weekend.
Sep 25, 2020•18 min
Shortly after a grand jury declined to indict any of the officers involved in Breonna Taylor’s killing, people took to the streets in San Diego to demand justice for her. Plus, California will ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, a move that Gov. Gavin Newsom says will cut greenhouse gas emissions by 35%. Also, misinformations are swirling around social media on how the wildfires on the West Coast started and whether climate change played a role. PolitiFact California fact checks the cl...
Sep 24, 2020•45 min
It was a welcomed surprise for many businesses in San Diego, the county remains in the red tier Tuesday under the state’s color-coded four-tier reopening plan. It was in danger of slipping into the state’s most restrictive tier. Plus, a local scientist says despite the CDC’s retracted guidance, there is evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted through the air. Also, the coronavirus has slowed the wheels of justice, but starting next month jury trials are scheduled to begin again with safety mea...
Sep 22, 2020•54 min
For many parents of young children, the pandemic has made childcare the most challenging issue of their lives. For some who have kept their kids home, caregiving has affected their ability to work. For others who don’t have the option to work at home the health risk posed by sending their child to day care has to be weighed against loss of income. And, the childcare centers and the people who operate them have lost income and are struggling to stay open. KPBS Investigative reporter Claire Trages...
Sep 21, 2020•45 min
The devastating wildfires around the state are causing environmental groups to lobby for California to move up its timetable for carbon-free energy. Plus, San Diego Zoo officials are changing the way they think about what’s involved when they step in to help endangered species. And this weekend’s arts events around town have a mix of in-person and virtual experiences.
Sep 18, 2020•19 min
San Diego State’s coronavirus cases will continue to be counted in the county’s total, the state said, because students can contribute to the spread of the disease. Plus, getting the facts right about California’s Senate Bill 145, signed into law by Governor Newsom, which will give judges expanded discretion to determine whether someone must register as a sex offender. Also, the Navy is looking into whether systemic racism is a part of the reason why only a handful of African Americans reach top...
Sep 17, 2020•45 min
The COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on our public education system. All students and their families are experiencing learning challenges but, the public health emergency is shedding light on a pre-existing crisis in educational equity for vulnerable student groups.
Sep 16, 2020•42 min
On a trip to California to survey the devastation of the recent wildfires, President Donald Trump ignored the scientific consensus that climate change is playing a central role in West Coast infernos. Plus, California State Senate President Toni Atkins reflects on this year’s legislative session and what lawmakers accomplished and left on the table. Also, a KPBS analysis of the data released by the county found nightlife hotspots were also hotspots for community outbreaks of COVID-19. In additio...
Sep 15, 2020•46 min
Historically, hate groups have targeted the armed forces, wanting access to the skills and the prestige associated with military service. That threat has been growing in the last couple of years.
Sep 14, 2020•43 min
The terrible toll of California's wildfires became more evident as 10 were reported dead and others missing. Plus, while much else in San Diego has been allowed to gradually reopen amid the pandemic, playgrounds appear to be closed indefinitely. And our weekend arts and culture picks include the San Diego Blues Fest and North Coast Rep's new production of “Necessary Sacrifices.”
Sep 11, 2020•20 min
Freak natural disasters — most with what scientists say likely have a climate change link — seem to be everywhere in 2020. But experts say natural disasters could get worse in the future. Plus, an audit of SANDAG alleges problems with hiring, promotions and upper management’s compensation. And a new report by SDSU’s Center for Health Economics and Policy Studies estimates 260,000 COVID-19 cases are linked to a motorcycle rally in South Dakota. Also, a virtual KPBS event delves into childcare cha...
Sep 10, 2020•44 min
In total, the fire has destroyed 20 homes and 17 other structures and resulted in two minor injuries to firefighters CalFire said. Plus, State data released Tuesday shows San Diego County is regressing in its fight against COVID-19. The county is perilously close to slipping into the "widespread" tier like much of the rest of the state. And with the threat of blackouts back in the news, some people now have questions about whether it's worth getting solar panels and energy storage batteries. Plu...
Sep 09, 2020•45 min
The Valley Fire has burned thousands of acres and destroyed about a dozen homes as new evacuations have been ordered in eastern San Diego County. Also, San Diego State University is reporting hundreds of COVID-19 infections since August 24 and UC students and faculty are protesting the university’s plan to reopen its campus, local scientists are calling out the FDA commissioner saying he ‘cherry picked’ COVID-19 plasma data, the University of California has taken the lead on phasing out single-u...
Sep 08, 2020•44 min
The Valley Fire in the Japatul Valley exploded over the weekend, jumping from just a few hundred acres to over 10,000 with only about 1% contained on Monday morning. And while prisoners have been able to join fire-fighting crews for years, many former prisoners still find it difficult to land a professional fire-fighting job. But last week, the California legislature passed a bill that would make it easier for them to get a job on the outside. Also, many Latino workers are finding it difficult t...
Sep 07, 2020•45 min
There have been 240 coronavirus outbreaks in San Diego County since the start of the pandemic, according to new information released by the county. But, the county is still keeping the specific locations of those outbreaks secret. Plus, the parts of San Diego County that have seen the highest rates of COVID-19 infection also contain the schools serving the vulnerable student groups who need in-person learning the most. And in San Diego art events this weekend, you'll find new plays by emerging a...
Sep 04, 2020•18 min
All 200 of SDSU’s in-person classes — mostly lab work classes — would move online after 64 students tested positive for COVID-19. Students who live in campus housing may move out if they want. Plus, UC San Diego Health is recruiting participants for a national clinical trial as part of an effort to develop a vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 by the end of the year. And as Mayor Kevin Faulconer gets close to signing a new deal with a private company, activists push for “municipalization,” which means th...
Sep 03, 2020•46 min
In spite of unprecedented public support for police reform measures after the death of George Floyd, California legislators failed to pass a majority of the police reform bills up for a vote this week. Plus, plasma is being used to treat coronavirus patients here and across the country, with fresh encouragement from the FDA. But do plasma treatments work? Also, San Diego Police have released seven out of eight videos of police shootings since July 2019. But one video hasn't been released and it'...
Sep 02, 2020•44 min
On the last day of session Monday night, California lawmakers passed bills for eviction relief, police oversight and accountability and COVID-19 aid. These have been sent to Gov. Gavin Newsom for approval. Plus, some UC San Diego doctors and scientists are urging county officials to delay reopening more businesses. Also, a 2019 law mandates California police departments must release videos when an officer fires their weapon. However, the videos are edited and don't contain all of the footage. An...
Sep 01, 2020•48 min
After receiving Gov. Newsom’s go-ahead, San Diego County is reopening indoor businesses like movie theaters, gyms and museums with required safety measures on Monday. Plus, parents, teachers and students are getting ready to resume in-person class Sept. 1 in some parts of San Diego County. Also, several veterans speak about the scope and impact of racial bias in the U.S. military.
Aug 31, 2020•44 min
San Diego Unified School District is preparing to start off the 2020-21 school year with remote learning. However, children with learning challenges may be offered in-person sessions. Plus, 1986’s “Top Gun” inspired a boom in military recruitment. Will its 2021 sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick,” do the same despite the changing perceptions of warfare today? Also, this weekend in San Diego art events includes San Diego Festival of Books, surf rock duo Puerto livestreaming from the Casbah’s stage, The R...
Aug 28, 2020•19 min
In protest against systemic racism and the police shooting of Jacob Blake, players in the NBA, MLB, WNBA and MLS have refused to play to raise the social justice awareness. Plus, after the killing of George Floyd, the U.S. military is taking a look at how it is dealing with the issues surrounding race. KPBS military reporter Steve Walsh will moderate a panel discussion Thursday at 6 p.m. with leaders working with the U.S. military to address racial bias. Also, scientists know a lot more about th...
Aug 27, 2020•45 min
As a result of the pandemic and its fallout on the local economy, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Tuesday approved the county’s largest budget ever. Plus, Travis View, the San Diego-based host of podcast “QAnon Anonymous” breaks down the conspiracy theory. Also, flu shots can protect lung health during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, a petition to add minority perspectives to Coronado school curriculum has gathered thousands of signatures and inspired a counter-petition. And, he...
Aug 26, 2020•45 min
A new policy causing hours-long border wait times was meant to deter unnecessary crossings but it’s affecting essential workers who cross daily. Plus, Supervisor Jim Desmond, who represents a large part of North County, has questioned the county's COVID-19 restrictions. On his podcast, he's also invited controversial guests who have made false statements about the coronavirus without being challenged. Also, the first day of kindergarten is a rite of passage for children. But the inequities in ho...
Aug 25, 2020•45 min
As the Republican National Convention starts, what voters can expect in contrast to the Democratic Convention. Plus, as the new school year begins, some students are returning to campus at San Diego State, will the university avoid the fate of other schools where young students ignored health warnings and socialized in mass gatherings? Also, a video produced 30 years ago showing a young Tony Krvaric, who is the chairman of the county Republican Party, with images of Adolf Hitler and Nazi imagery...
Aug 24, 2020•48 min
With the shortened census deadline approaching and fears about a possible undercount, the United Way of San Diego County organized a car caravan Friday to increase census participation in historically hard to count communities. Also, millions of older Californians live in wildfire prone areas and most are on their own. And, chamber music, a drive-in with a Disney film and a new cross-border mural project, it’s all happening this weekend.
Aug 21, 2020•19 min
San Diego has been off the state’s COVID-19 monitoring list for several days now but the state hasn’t provided the framework for businesses reopening. Plus, California firefighters are taxed the limit fighting the heat and wildfires. Also, when elder care homes aren't ready for a disaster, local first responders get the call for help but they're already overburdened, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, Uber and Lyft got a reprieve from the appeals court to continue operating...
Aug 20, 2020•48 min
San Diego is now officially off the state’s coronavirus watch list but what that means for local businesses remains to be seen. Plus, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill by Assemblymember Shirley Weber (D-San Diego) that requires all students at California State University to take an ethnic studies course to graduate. Also, California’s power grid manager is in the hot seat after calling for the first rolling blackouts since 2001. In addition, as the new school year starts during the pandemic, the q...
Aug 19, 2020•49 min
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy said that he will suspend controversial changes he made to the Postal Service to “avoid even the appearance of any impact on election mail.” Plus, a Black Lives Matter counter movement called “Defend East County” has swelled to more than 20,000 followers on Facebook and has contributed to the increasingly volatile faceoffs between protesters and counter protesters. Also, Gov. Gavin Newsom wants an investigation into why state power grid operators called for rolling...
Aug 18, 2020•44 min
A heat wave continues across California and Gov. Newsom is asking for an investigation into the weekend’s blackouts. The blackouts affected hundreds of thousands of households across the state as residents are being urged to stay home during the coronavirus pandemic. Plus, the head of San Diego County’s Democratic party weighs in on the Democratic National Convention, which starts tonight and runs through Thursday. Also, SANDAG presented its transportation plan for the next 30-year and it's a ma...
Aug 17, 2020•45 min
Scorching heat is expected everywhere except the coast in San Diego County Friday and a brutal stretch of temperatures is not expected to relent until the middle of next week. Also, medical professionals are not only battling the intractable coronavirus every day, they’re dealing with isolation, shifting guidelines and limited ways to recharge. Plus, author T. Jefferson Parker found inspiration for his new novel “Then She Vanished” in San Diego political scandals.
Aug 14, 2020•19 min
