Take Two

The pandemic hit our most vulnerable populations the hardest. We look back - and ahead on the issue of housing and homelessness. Plus, we unwind with the best tunes of 2020.

This week, we look back at 2020 - and ahead to 2021 - and today we zero in on the spread of COVID-19 and distance learning in LAUSD. Plus, some judges and prosecutors in LA are pushing back on DA Gascon's policies.

Today's show is dedicated to our Race in LA series with LAist.com where Angelenos share their personal stories of how race and ethnicity has shaped their relationship with the world.

What to know about the UK's new COVID-19 variant, coronavirus outbreaks tick up at childcare facilities and how to give this holiday season because kindness is contagious.

COVID-19 relief talks continue in congress as needs mount, ICU nurse pleads to Angelenos to stay home and author Christina Hammonds Reed on her new young adult novel, The Black Kids.

LAUSD first millennial board president Kelly Gonez joins us, California monarchs plummet to low levels and why Tom Cruise freaked out on his crew over COVID-19 protocols

It'll be several months before the general public gets access to the coronavirus vaccine but what checks will be place to make sure it's distributed equitably, LAist's Race in LA series goes back to 1956, and Disney faces pushback for some mask photos.

The first shots of the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine are administered, cops may have to be 25 before they get a badge and gun and West Hollywood relies on super heroes to stress importance of wearing masks.

How Gov. Newsom is looking to fill a number of important positions in CA's government, how the coronavirus vaccine will get distributed in LA County and some hot tips for making potato latkes.

CA is expected to get the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in just two days, a low income housing complex for veterans has been destroyed and why the NFL wants to finish the season.

How will deadly Spanish train crash affect high-speed rail plans in CA?; Law enforcement biker clubs causing trouble of their own; How does Google's Chromecast compare to competitors?; Despite need, no plans to add veterans health centers colleges; Could a beetle cause a world without avocados?; 'The End of Night' sheds light on the importance of natural darkness, plus much more.

Rumors swirl that Jeffrey Deitch will resign as MOCA director; A new Pew study shows that a growing number of Latinos get their news in English. Can Univision's new English-language channel take off? Al-Jazeera hopes to break ground in American news market; USC under investigation for handling of sexual assault cases; Peña Nieto proposes opening Mexico's oil reserves to foreign companies, plue more.

Why would Univision cancel the popular "Piolín Por La Manana" show?; Tuesday Reviewsday: Edward Sharpe, Wallpaper, Tech N9ne and more; Natural History Museum of LA discovers the true origin of a mysterious gold ring; Having a baby in the US can cost parents royally; Smithsonian spotlights fusion of Latino and Asian cultures; Chris's Collection: Retro tissue box, plus much more.

Young immigrants protest deportations, risk detention at US-Mexico border; San Jose and unions face off in court over pension reforms; Many farm employers do not comply with heat illness regulations; San Jose State pulls out of Udacity online course partnership; Could smarter forest maintenance keep wildfires in check?; Odd Hollywood Jobs: Set teacher, plus much more.

Is it worth it to develop an area susceptible to wildfires?; Idyllwild resident prepares to evacuate as Mountain Fire continues; Rallies to support, recall Mayor Bob Filner held in San Diego; Flying the Coop: Why urban farmers should do research before raising chickens; 'Naked and Afraid' tests couples' will to survive in the wild; Dodgers' Puig looks to capitalize on meteoric rise; What should a TV show do when a lead actor dies? Plus much more.

Residents, camp-goers evacuated due to Mountain fire in Riverside County; Protesters call for change to Stand Your Ground laws; The power of 'Black Twitter' to affect change; Summer Dish: How to make northern Thai 'hick food' aka Thai ceviche; Rare Western bumble bee spotted in Seattle; 'Difficult Men' traces rise of quality TV from Tony Soprano to Walter White, plus much more.

Packs of teens go on robbery spree in Hollywood; Santa Monica parters with state to improve work conditions at nail salons; US offers 'athlete' visas to League of Legends video game players; Home Run Derby viewers critical of ESPN reporter's bilingual interviews, plus much more.

Trayvon Martin rallies spur vandalism, arrests; Top Zetas cartel leader captured in Mexico; Is Gavin Newsom stuck in political purgatory as California's lt. governor?; Tracing Oscar Grant's last day in 'Fruitvale Station'; Why aren't quinoa growers keeping up with rising demand? Plus much more.

What does the Zimmerman verdict mean for race relations in the U.S.?; Talking about the Zimmerman verdict with your kids; The man behind the Spanish-language radio show, 'Piolín por la Mañana'; Study: Fracking in Salton Sea area triggers earthquakes; Beachcombing: SoCal's geologic history, as told by the sand; New abortion regulations impact the US-Mexico border, plus much more.

Today we'll get an update on day 4 of the Pelican Bay State Prison hunger strike. Then, Texas laws spur underground world of flea-market abortions; A new UN report shows that Mexico has surpassed the US as most obese country; Pentagon may reduce danger pay for nearly 56,000 troops, plus much more.

Is immigration reform bill headed for a slow death in the House?; Gay rights group plans state-by-state same-sex marriage fight; CrowdShake: Using smartphones to predict quakes and save lives; Nebraska researchers developing faster test for concussions, plus much more.