Take Two

A Southern California cold snap threatens citrus farming, plus, we take a look at L.A.'s first public fruit orchard. Then, California's prison realignment causes dangerous row of dominoes at local level, a California judge will rule if a 12-year-old boy guilty of murdering neo-Nazi father two years ago, the Los Angeles Kings skate back on the ice, and much more.

Vice President Joe Biden is meeting with film and game industries to talk gun violence. Plus, Saturday marks the 3-year anniversary of the Haiti earthquake. We check in with the ongoing relief effort there. Then, Ventura County strawberry farmers fight frost, Chinese tourism skyrockets in the U.S. and much more.

California Governor Jerry Brown will release his new budget proposal today. Will is help shrink the state's deficit? Then, an autopsy on NFL star Junior Seau shows he suffered from a brain disease caused by head trauma. The Oscar noms are out, who came out on top and who got snubbed? Then, Anglers reel in thousands of 'red devil' jumbo squid in Orange County, we run down the top LA-based crime movies, a San Juan Capistrano woman is fighting to save her beloved dinosaur statue and much more.

According to a new report, 2012 was the hottest year on record for the U.S. On the other side of the world, Australia has been suffering from a longterm heat wave and dangerous brush fires. Then, Latin American countries are reconsidering the legalization of marijuana after similar measures get voted through in the U.S. A new article explains how Tide detergent became a hot commodity in the drug trade. Florida readies for it's annual Python Challenge, where hunters from all over the country compete to rid the Everglades of the overpopulous Burmese Python, plus much more.

A new CA bill proposes the strict tracking of all bullets and shotgun shells sold in the state. Plus, a judge rules that names in the LA archdiocese sex abuse files should be public. Then, 'Awesome Tapes From Africa' blog transports obscure tunes beyond Africa's borders, the Mars500 experiment is over...How did the six volunteers fare during 500 days of solitude? Plus much more.

Kids at LAUSD campuses return to school today for the first time since the Newtown shootings. Have enhanced security measures been put in place yet? Plus, we'll check in with students and parents as they arrive to school. Plus, a new study shows classroom design can have an affect on kids' grades. Then, school citations remain high despite reforms, gadgets and gimmicks take center stage at Consumer Electronics Show, and much more.

Will policy chief Michele Flournoy be the first female secretary of defense? Plus, depictions of torture in 'Zero Dark Thirty' prompt a Senate inquiry; A biofuel-carrying train crosses the US-Canada border, reaping fraudulent carbon credit rewards; San Diego's water supply is evolving because of new demand and a massive desalination project in the works, plus much more.

The 113th Congress is to be sworn in today, ushering in 14 new faces. Then, what issues are ahead for California in 2013? President Obama's new immigration policy could ease separation time for immigrants and their American families, and dialect experts convene in Boston for a conference about the development and new trends in American English, plus much more.

Today we take a look at what's next in the wake of a fiscal cliff deal. Plus, an economist theorizes that the U.S. is nearing an end to a period of growth that began in the 18th century; LA County animal shelters managed to not euthanize any healthy animals in December; Scientists are working to save endangered frogs from a deadly fungus, plus much more.

Gay marriage and gay conversion therapy will both get their days in court this week. Plus, the OC Register's new published emphasizes print and beefs up the newsroom, Congress fails to pass the Sportsman Act, leaving the Federal Duck Stamp in limbo and much more.

The latest news about unrest in the Middle East. Plus, the ACLU has filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. military's women in combat policy. Then, a new study takes a peek inside a rapper's brain, a salmonella outbreak may cause an organic peanut butter shortage, and much more.

Today, President Obama meets with small business owners and middle-class Americans to discuss the fiscal cliff. Then, we look at why freshman Democrats and Republicans are segregated in Congress, How Tijuana kitsch is still alive and well, David Denby of The New Yorker asks "Do The Movies Have A Future," and much more.

Today we take a look at the latest news coming out of the Middle East, including Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi's latest power grab. Then, the U.S. is facing the worst drought in 25 years, California couples are turning to social media to find open adoption opportunities, John Horn of the LA Times gives us a year-end movie preview and much more.

It's holiday travel time again! We look at how airlines are working to improve their on-time statuses and how LAX workers are protesting during the busy holiday. Then, we'll look at how to put a multicultural spin on the Thanksgiving turkey, how baristas are competing for the best latte art and much more.

We'll discuss whether U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice is a good choice for Secretary Of State. Rice has come under fire following comments she made after the terrorist attacks in Benghazi. Then, a Pasadena Council OK'd the use of the Rose Bowl for NFL games, but not everyone's happy about the decision. Then, how the NHL lockout is affecting local businesses and the Kings' fanbase momentum, stolen petroglyphs shock archaeologists in Bishop, and much more.

Today we check in on the conflict between Israel and Palestine. What will motivate both sides to stop the fighting? The conflict isn't just being waged on the ground, but also via social media. Then, Wal-Mart employees nationwide are preparing for a series of protests on Black Friday. We talk to the author of "Bet The Farm" about why food prices are what they are, and much more.

An update on the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas-run Gaza. Is a ground war inevitable? Then on the show, DirecTV will now be able to air Lakers games, but we'll look at how bars and restaurants have been impacted by the Lakers blackout so far. Then we talk to Eric Deggans, author of "Race Baiter," about how the media feeds fears of the 'other,' The Dinner Party guys are here with a weekend's full of hot topics and we give you a rundown of the biggest stories in this week's Friday Flashback.

Republican Governors are meeting in Las Vegas this week to reflect on election outcome and brainstorm the future of the GOP. Then, we talk with Melissa Rosenberg, screenwriter for all five "Twilight" films about the success of the vamp series on the big screen. Plus, we take a look at the life of Wilbur K. Woo, an influential leader in L.A.'s Chinese community who passed away this week at 96. Also, a new study finds that California has the highest poverty rate in the U.S., and much more.

We look into the latest on the Petraeus scandal, and talk to an expert about how the military handles scandals that involve top military brass. Then we look at Jill Kelley, the Tampa-based socialite whose complaint began the revelation of the Petraeus-Broadwell affair. Plus, California gears up to debut its cap-and-trade emissions-reducing program, and NBC investigation looks at allegations of abuse in the Calif. National Guard, we take a look at the French Foreign legion and then we listen in to Obama's first press conference since reelection.