San Diego military bases and bases around the country increase security measures, slowing traffic and restricting base access once enjoyed by friends and family. Plus, Santa Ana winds raise risk of wildfires but winter rains have dampened the vegetative fuel. And scientist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography help populations of grouper fish in the Caribbean rebound.

San Diego Assemblywoman Shirley Weber Looks Forward As Legislative

A San Diego mother, Rocio Rebollar Gomez, 50, first entered the country illegally more than three decades ago. She was deported to Tijuana on Thursday, though her family fought for years to keep her in the United States. Plus, the city of San Diego plans to spend $100 million on sidewalk repairs. With a backlog of more than 81,000 sidewalk repair projects, the plan would make fixes within the next 10 years. And now veterans can also shop at commissaries on San Diego’s military bases.

After a long stint in the Middle East, the USS Abraham Lincoln will eventually arrive in San Diego after breaking the post-Cold War record for having the longest deployment by a U.S. carrier. Plus, Medi-Cal expands health coverage for young adults who can't prove legal assistance and the International Auto Show returns to San Diego and the San Diego Zoo announces the death of an elephant named Tembo.

Having a non-white male teacher can make a huge difference in California classrooms. Hear how a new program is helping to get more men of color into teaching. Plus, in a two-part series, KPBS highlights a group of moms helping a San Diego pastor prepare high-risk offenders to re-enter society. And starting Wednesday, minimum wage workers in California will see a hike in their paycheck. But what impact will it have on local businesses? Owners weigh in.

The holidays are the busiest time of the year for Goodwill and other second hand stores. But do those items get a second life or just a delayed trip to the dump? Plus, USO, the United Service Organizations, has entertained and boosted the morale of American troops for nearly 80 years, in every major conflict since World War II. But for an organization that's still strongly associated with entertainers of the past, such as Bob Hope, it's a constant challenge to stay relevant to today's service members. And, have you ever wanted to see flesh-eating beetles at work? You will now have your chance as the San Diego Natural History Museum serves up the Living Lab where the public can meet the creepy and crawly, slimy and slithery up close.

What can California cities struggling with homelessness learn from Chicago? A program there to help people avoid eviction seems to be working. From our California Dream collaboration, a way to keep people in their homes and off the streets. Plus, as the Christmas decorations come down, you might be tempted to just toss your Christmas tree in the trash. San Diego city has a greener solution that could benefit residents year-round. And, Thursday's cooler weather didn't stop thousands of college football fans from coming down to the waterfront for the annual parade ahead of Friday’s Holiday Bowl game between the USC Trojans and Iowa Hawkeyes.

Setting fires to save the forest? That’s what the California State Parks department is doing in San Diego’s eastern mountains as part of a reforestation project. Hear why. Plus, Louisa May Alcott's novel “Little Women” has been adapted to the screen many times and now it gets a new one this year from Greta Gerwig. KPBS film critic Beth Accomando has this review. And, pulling a story from our archives, hear how difficult it is for a group of students from the City Heights neighborhood to make a trip to Pacific Beach.

As President Donald Trump continues to negotiate a truce to his trade war with China, tariffs are still impacting the San Diego lobster industry. Prices for locally-caught spiny lobsters are down by nearly half what they were a year ago. Plus, City Heights residents will be able to get closer to nature in the coming years thanks to a state grant that will fund a restoration project along Chollas Creek. And, for Christmas, you can choose between the beloved classic “Little Women” or the edgy indie film “Uncut Gems.” KPBS film critic Beth Accomando says audiences will probably lean toward the feel-good film so she's recommending “Uncut Gems.”

Unlike alcohol, California doesn’t have a legal limit for drugged driving. So it’s up to drug recognition experts. But how do they evaluate someone they think may be under the influence? Hear the last story in KPBS’s five-part series: “High Hopes: California's Pot Experiment.” Plus, Jingle Bells, Silent Night and Joy to the World. Find out how these songs are helping veterans with lung disease get better. And meet Jonathan Hunt, librarian for the San Diego County Office of Education. He’s going to share his top 12 kids books of 2019. He says younger audiences have become more willing to address difficult topics.