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Politics

Roundtable: A Look Back At The Top Stories Of 2018

VIDEO: Roundtable: A Look Back At The Top Stories Of 2018
Roundtable: A Look Back At The Top Stories Of 2018
GUESTS: Erik Anderson, environment reporter, KPBS News Andrew Bowen, metro reporter, KPBS News Jean Guerrero, border reporter, KPBS News Alison St John, North County reporter, KPBS News Subscribe to the Roundtable podcast on iTunes, Google Play or your favorite podcatcher.

The Year in politics

The 2018 midterm elections lead the year's political news. Democrats surfed a blue wave here and across the country. There were some upsets in San Diego — two San Diego City Councilmembers were unseated and a Democrat was elected to the County Board of Supervisor seat held by a Republican for 26 years. And Democrat Mike Levin grabbed the seat of retiring California Republican U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa.

RELATED: Democrat Mike Levin Wins 49th Congressional District

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The year in environmental news

It was a devastating year for California, which experienced its worst wildfire in state history when the Camp Fire decimated the Northern California town of Paradise in November. Climate change reports predict severe weather events like wildfires and hurricanes will continue. How to manage the impact of climate change on people and the environment will be a major challenge in the years ahead.

RELATED: California’s Camp Fire Becomes The Deadliest Wildfire In State History

The year in immigration news

Refugees from Central America trekked thousands of miles north to the U.S.-Mexico border hoping for a better life here. President Trump, frustrated over a lack of funding to build a border wall that he made a central theme of his 2016 election campaign, sent thousands of troops to the southern border to greet the migrants — just as the November election loomed. Now, thousands of migrants that have arrived at the border wait in Mexico for their chance to gain asylum in the U.S.

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RELATED: Caravan Migrants Settle Into New Shelter In Tijuana

The 2024 primary election is March 5. Find in-depth reporting on each race to help you understand what's on your ballot.