Rady Children’s Hospital is seeing a record number of children testing positive for COVID-19. But most went to the hospital for a different reason. Meanwhile, some people are reporting waiting up to 13 days for COVID-19 test results. The transit testing site operator is apologizing and promising to fix turnaround times. Plus, how robotrucks could strengthen the American supply chain… and maybe threaten the livelihoods of truckers.

As hospitals fill up in the county because of COVID, emergency room delays are causing back-ups with ambulances having to wait longer to drop off patients. Meanwhile, we have more information on San Diego city employees seeking medical or religious exemptions from the covid-19 vaccine mandate. Plus, the United States has officially resumed its policy of sending asylum seekers back to Mexico as their pending cases play out.

A hearing regarding a July 2020 sinking of an amphibious assault vehicle continued on Thursday. We have the latest. Meanwhile, our partners at inewsource found that several San Diego County police agencies have been sharing license plate data across the U.S., in violation of state law. Plus, instances of restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses temporarily closing their doors are becoming more common as the highly infectious omicron variant continues to spread at an unprecedented rate among the nation’s population.

San Diego region’s largest employers - like everywhere else - are finding it hard to keep staffing levels up in the midst of the current surge of COVID-19 infections. Meanwhile, There is a new way to get around Encinitas with colorful electric bikes and docks along Coast Highway. And, last month congress threw out plans to require women to register for the draft. More on how supporters of gender-neutral registration say they'll keep working to include women.

San Diego County is seeing a big jump in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, and some hospitals are already canceling elective surgeries as staff call in sick. Meanwhile, hearings are underway regarding one of the deadliest Marine training accidents in decades - the July 2020 sinking of an amphibious assault vehicle. Plus, a story about how Tijuana’s maquiladora industry has flourished during the pandemic.

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department has issued an emergency brownout because of COVID-19. This means several units are being shut down temporarily because dozens of firefighters are in isolation. Meanwhile, for the second time in the last few months, someone has spray-painted hateful graffiti at San Dieguito Academy in Encinitas. Plus, a new variety of THC takes advantage of a “legal loophole.”

New Year’s Eve was a COVID-19 test date for San Diego Unified students. Each student was sent home before the holidays with two COVID-19 self-swab tests, to be used Friday and then again Monday morning to confirm negative results before returning to in-person classes. Meanwhile, a new law goes into effect as of January 1 that requires all wholesalers, grocery stores and food businesses to donate their leftover fresh food to hunger relief organizations. The goal is to reduce landfill emissions and waste. Plus, a new energy storage project is on its way to San Diego.

A dramatic surge in COVID-19 cases continued Thursday, with a new daily record of 5,976 infections. Public health officials are urging residents to keep New Year's celebrations small. Meanwhile, the trash truck driver strike at Republic Services is two weeks old, with no sign of progress in negotiations. Now, Mayor Todd Gloria is urging residents with trash piling up to contact the company directly for pickup services. Plus, our weekend arts events preview from the KPBS arts editor and producer.

An investigation is continuing into the crash of a small airplane that took off from John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana and slammed into a neighborhood near El Cajon, killing two nurses and two pilots aboard. Meanwhile, gyms in San Diego are seeing more business than ever before as the pandemic has spurred a fitness craze. Plus, the pandemic has been hard on kids, and parents as well. KPBS looks at the mental health of parents juggling work and kids and everything else.

The small airplane that crashed in a neighborhood near El Cajon was carrying four people and all were killed in the crash. Meanwhile, Tuesday night’s Holiday Bowl at Petco Park was canceled hours before the game kicked off due to covid-19 protocols. Plus, marriage and family therapist Shanette Smith speaks to KPBS about the holiday blues.