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The origin story of Alcatraz's name is a complicated mix of language, a history that dates back to the first Europeans to explore the coast of California, and, a flock of seabirds.

Students Gear Up for Second Year of Aspen Challenge: San Diego The Aspen Challenge returns to San Diego in February, empowering 15 student-led teams from public high schools to drive change in their communities and beyond. The Aspen Challenge, a program of the Aspen Institute and founded with the Bezos Family Foundation, is thrilled to announce the return of Aspen Challenge: San Diego for its second year. Partnering with San Diego Unified School District, the program empowers students from high schools across the city to address critical community issues through youth-led initiatives. On Tuesday, February 4 at Building 177, 15 student-led teams and educators will hear from “Expert Challengers,” leaders and innovators presenting challenges on key topics such as providing resources for the unhoused community of San Diego, combatting discrimination against LGBTQ+ population, ocean pollution, the way overuse of technology can negatively affect mental health and substance abuse. "We are thrilled to announce our partnership with the Aspen Challenge, an incredible opportunity to elevate student voice, foster leadership, and inspire civic mindedness among our young people,” said Dr. Fabi Bagula, Interim Superintendent for the San Diego Unified School District. “This initiative empowers our students to tackle real-world challenges with creativity and innovation, reminding us all that the future lies in their capable hands. Together, we are building a generation of leaders ready to shape a better world. May the youth lead the way!" After the February forum, teams will have nine weeks to create and implement innovative solutions within their communities. They will reconvene on April 15 to present their projects at the Aspen Challenge Solution Showcase. A panel of judges will then select the Grand Prize winning team, who will travel to Aspen, Colorado in June to present their work at the Aspen Ideas Festival. “It’s wonderful to be back to San Diego for the Aspen Challenge,” said Katie Fitzgerald, Managing Director of the Aspen Challenge. "I hope the country watches as the youth of San Diego once again solve some real issues we see in all communities across the country. There will be 15 mini revolutions led by teams of high school students in San Diego that will transform their community and we can't wait to witness it." Expert Challengers and speakers include Jerry Troyer, Urban Street Angels; Aaron Ngan, The San Diego LGBT Community Center; Alex Ferron, Surfrider Foundation; Eisha Buch, Common Sense Media; Courtney Esparza, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Participating Schools: Canyon Hills High School Clairemont High School Crawford High School Patrick Henry High School Logan Memorial Educational Campus Mira Mesa High School Mission Bay High School Mt. Everest Academy Point Loma High School San Diego High School San Diego Metropolitan Regional and Technical High School San Diego SOAR Academy- Youth Transition Campus Scripps Ranch High School University City High School The inaugural Aspen Challenge launched in collaboration with Los Angeles Unified School District in 2013. Since its inception, the Challenge has expanded to include partnerships with school districts in Denver, Washington D.C., Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Louisville, Miami, New Orleans, Brooklyn, and Boston. For more information on Aspen Challenge: San Diego or to attend as a covering member of the media, please contact: ben.berliner@aspeninstitute.org. The Aspen Challenge provides inspiration, tools, and a platform for young people to design solutions to some of the most critical problems humanity faces. For more information on Aspen Challenge, please visit www.aspenchallenge.org. The Aspen Institute is a global nonprofit organization whose purpose is to ignite human potential to build understanding and create new possibilities for a better world. Founded in 1949, the Institute drives change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve society’s greatest challenges. It is headquartered in Washington, DC and has a campus in Aspen, Colorado, as well as an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org. San Diego Unified School District is the second largest school district in California, with 175 schools, 95,011 students UTK-12, and over 17,000 employees. While the school district is largely influenced by its close proximity to the US-Mexico border, over 75 languages are spoken in schools situated in diverse suburban and urban communities. The district has a core focus on equity and belonging so all students and staff in San Diego Unified may thrive in school and beyond. The Bezos Family Foundation envisions a world in which all young people reach their full potential and meaningfully contribute to society. The Foundation pursues that vision by making grants and by operating their own programs, with the aim of fueling the science of learning and enabling its application in a variety of settings. The Foundation’s mission is to invest in the science of learning and the experiences that youth need from birth to high school to pursue their own path for success. For more information, visit www.bezosfamilyfoundation.org.

NPR Music's Stephen Thompson welcomes Matt Reilly, of Austin public radio station KUTX, to discuss the best albums released on March 14.

President Trump made the announcement at an investment conference in Saudi Arabia. He is also heading to Qatar and the UAE on a trip focused on big-dollar deals.

"I get goose bumps," said school principal Jamie Cook, thinking about the community rallying to support the family. The three students and their mother were arrested by immigration agents.

The Jeffrey B. Graham Perspectives on Ocean Science Lecture Series returns to Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego with a three part speaker series that provides an in-depth look at the art-science collaborations that gave rise to Birch Aquarium’s "Embodied Pacific: Oceans Unseen" exhibition beginning with Superradiance. Embodying Earth. by artists Memo Akten and Katie Peyton Hofstadter. Superradiance. Embodying Earth. is a multiscreen video and sound installation by artists Memo Akten and Katie Peyton Hofstader that serves as a centerpiece of Birch Aquarium’s "Embodied Pacific: Oceans Unseen" exhibition. Inspired by conversations between the artists and Scripps researchers, this work explores the complex interactions between land, ocean and atmosphere that shape our living planet by interweaving dance, poetry, music and generative imagery with artificial intelligence. Join us for a conversation with the artists as they describe how they use art to engage us in science, evoking a visceral and intimate connection to our living planet. Seating is limited and lectures often sell out, so advanced registration is strongly recommended. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the lecture begins at 7 p.m. Birch Aquarium at Scripps on Facebook / Instagram / X

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey argues President Trump's funding cuts to Harvard University and other universities are detrimental to the economy.

In an effort to reach across political divides, a group of veterans has been holding regular gatherings to talk about it — all over a beer. They call the events "Pints and Patriotism."

ACLU lawyers and other advocates had raised questions about whether the transfer of a man with a 21-year-old assault conviction into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody violated the state’s sanctuary law.

The potential for flooding in local beach communities continues for a second day. Plus, strengthening abortion rights is part of the agenda in a special session held by California lawmakers. And, a city fund for homeless support falls short of its goal.