Take Two

The week in California politics, answering questions about that second dose of the vaccine, and music to take help you decompress from the stresses of this week.

Take Two devotes an hour to LAist's Racism 101 Project to help answer people's questions about race and facilitate conversation.

LA Supervisor Janie Hahn talks about why it's ok to reopen outdoor dining, California energy secretaries respond to Biden climate plan, Selena gets a podcast.

LA will be hit hard by rain this week, plus an audit of the state's unemployment agency finds it woefully unprepared for recession, restaurants react to re-opening

The Governor, citing flattening of curve, drops statewide stay-at-home orders, though LA still in purple tier; media literacy in 2021

We look at the future of CA's relationship with the Whitehouse, an update on L.A.'s vaccine rollout and Becerra announces a concerning "pattern and practice" by LASD.

We look at the implications of President Biden's environmental policy on the state, check in on how LA hospitals are holding up during the coronavirus surge, and look at history of Smallpox in L.A..

The historic inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, meet the mentor of the first Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman, and a reflection on the Chilean coup.

We answer the latest questions about the spread of the coronavirus in LA County, So Cal teachers get serious about civics post-insurrection, and Biden expected to push for path to citizenship

Dodger Stadium opens up as a mass vaccination site, Kemp Powers has a written two films this winter, including 'One Night in Miami,' and we profile one of LA's to citizen journalists.

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.