Many health experts believe the omicron surge has peaked in San Diego. And Monday’s failure in the state Assembly to deliver on single payer healthcare highlights a lack of political will despite being a long-stated goal of state Democrats. Plus, San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore retired on Thursday, we have a look at the ups and downs of his tenure. And the legendary restaurant, Pernicano’s has been closed and deteriorating since the 1980’s. Now it’s gone. What’s next for the space in Hillcrest? Next, in 2020 Black parents began homeschooling their children at a rate of 5 times higher than previous years. And it’s not all due to the pandemic. Finally, the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park is streaming its 12th annual Human Rights Watch Film Festival now through Tuesday, featuring five films about issues ranging from foster youth to immigration reform.
San Diego County is seeing a decrease in positive COVID-19 tests, but a rising death toll had public health officials Thursday remind residents vaccines can save lives as the county reported 2,925 new infections and 25 deaths.
Though hospitalization rates have not reached the highs of last winter, the ongoing crush of patients is testing the resources of San Diego’s emergency departments. And California Gov. Gavin Newsom and San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria are promoting reforming conservatorship laws in an effort to address homelessness. In other news from Sacramento, state regulators are holding off on considering a proposal that would upend the state’s solar marketplace. Plus, KPBS Arts reporter Beth Accomando checks in at Comickaze, a comic book store she has been going to for decades, to see how it has overcome multiple challenges these past two years. And this year’s California Children’s Report Card has found that, from the pandemic to systemic racism, the state’s youth are under a lot of pressure and more resources are needed to address that. Finally, Jamie Deering, the CEO of Spring Valley’s Deering Banjo Company, joins KPBS Midday Edition to break down some of 2021's best in banjo music
Long waits for COVID-19 testing has prompted the state to bring in help from the California National Guard and change San Diego County’s testing guidance. Plus, San Diego’s homeless shelters struggle with coronavirus outbreaks led by the highly transmissible omicron variant. Also, military medical teams have been dispatched to hospitals across the country overwhelmed by COVID-19. Meanwhile, some hospitals are buckling under the pressure of omicron as the highly contagious variant continues to sweep through the state and a growing number of hospital staffers are testing positive. Then, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is trying to better serve veterans who are serving time by housing them together. And, the most anticipated restaurants opening in San Diego in the new year. Finally, from our archives: author Beatrize Zamora and illustrator Maira Meza tell the story of Chicano Park with pictures almost as beautiful as the park's murals.