State Lawmakers in California announced on Monday legislation to require California students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for in-person school attendance. The bill removes a mandatory personal belief exemption. Meanwhile, a Mexican journalist was gunned down in front of her home in Tijuana on Sunday. This is the second reporter murdered there in less than a week and the third this month in Mexico. Plus, part two of a KPBS investigation into the child care staffing shortage in San Diego, and efforts to help.

Even before the pandemic, it was difficult to hire childcare staff. The positions are undervalued and poorly paid. Now, during the Great Resignation, the situation is more dire than ever. Meanwhile, more than a year after San Diego voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of an independent police oversight board, a City Council committee has finally ok’d a draft plan for the board. And, this year’s California Children’s Report Card is out and it is raising red flags for youth across the state.

The pandemic has created enormous challenges for 9-1-1 operators. Hundreds of these first responders are in San Diego this week to learn about new technology, and to find solutions to the issues the industry is facing during the pandemic. Meanwhile, veterans became eligible for a new kind of benefit last year - called “presumptive” benefits , these are post-service medical conditions that arose because of military service. But the agency is facing a huge backlog of claims. Plus, how a comic bookstore has overcome the challenges of the pandemic.

California utility regulators have quietly tabled a controversial plan that would drastically reduce the benefits provided to homeowners with rooftop solar panels. Plus, the Otay Mesa Detention Center saw a spike in covid-19 cases last week among federal immigration detainees. Plus, the federal program to order covid-19 at-home testing rolled out this week.

On Tuesday telecom giants AT&T and Verizon agreed to limit their rollout of 5G cellular service in response to concerns it could be a danger to air travel. Meanwhile, micro enterprise home kitchens may come soon, after the San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to take the first step toward allowing them. Plus, a secret staircase in southeast San Diego is getting a makeover.

Reproductive freedom, gun control and offshore oil drilling – In the past year, these national issues have become local flashpoints in votes before the San Diego County Board. Meanwhile, a controversial plan to reduce the benefits of owning solar has been quietly removed from the California Utility regulators late January agenda. But that doesn’t mean it’s gone forever. Plus, the latest update on the situation with cross-border sewage pollution near Imperial Beach.

San Diego Unified School officials are invoking emergency procedures to deal with an extreme shortage of teachers in classrooms. Meanwhile, some immunocompromised people will be eligible for additional Covid-19 shots, but is that enough protection? Plus, Turner Classic Movies has created a program of documentary shorts and features in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

There is no end in sight to the Republic Services labor strike and a public health emergency has been declared in Chula Vista as trash cans overflow. And – a few weeks ago we had a story about the use of surveillance tools in border cities like Chula Vista. Now, in part 2 of this KPBS investigation, we report that privacy and technology experts are concerned about the use of Chinese made surveillance drones by the Chula Vista police department. Plus, KPBS Cinema Junkie Host Beth Accomando’s ten best films of 2021.

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria gave his 2022 State of the City address on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the San Diego Unified school district has been forced to put its covid-19 vaccine mandate on hold until further notice. Plus, the city of Chula Vista has become known for its aggressive use of drones and other police surveillance technology. But a KPBS investigation finds that Chula Vista is giving a private corporation wide control over any data on people collected by its police surveillance systems.

Teachers in San Diego’s south bay say they’re planning a walkout over contract negotiations. Meanwhile, Governor Gavin Newsom was in the Central Valley on Tuesday promoting his plans for health care. Plus, KPBS speaks with an economist about how San Diego is fairing, and what’s behind the “great resignation.”