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Pop culture critic Linda Holmes has been making this annual list since 2010. Big, small, inspirational, silly — what these items have in common is that they are all wonderful and brought her joy.
Abdel Kareem Hana
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AP
Photo illustration by Beck Harlan
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NPR
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The FBI detained Alexander Paffendorf on Tuesday. He was allegedly plotting a mass shooting with the Wisconsin school shooter Natalie Rupnow. Then, a controversial provision in next year’s defense budget will strip coverage for gender-affirming care for military family members under the age of 18. Plus, Sweetwater Union High School District moves forward with new cuts to the schedule at Chula Vista High. Students, parents and teachers are worried those changes will hurt the school’s arts program.
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The biggest stories on readers’ minds this year: cost of living, homelessness and the elections. -
Thomas FudgeThe store where we buy Christmas gifts is a landscape of neural stimulation that may or may not entice us to spend our money. A UC San Diego neuroeconomist explains what goes on in the brain as we decide what to buy. -
This weekend in the arts: The Natural History Museum celebrates its 150th birthday with a free party; San Diego Zine Fest brings DIY art and publishing to Bread & Salt; "Gentryfries" honors the history of family, neighborhood and food at the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego; a big dance showcase and more arts and culture events. -
KPBS StaffSan Diego's local booksellers and librarians reveal their most anticipated book releases for 2025 — perfect for fans of mystery, fantasy, nonfiction and more. -
Katie Fisher'Tis the season! Local independent bookstores share their favorite reads to give you gift ideas for the reader in your life. -
Carlos Castillo/KPBSFor the first time in nearly three years, more San Diegans found housing than became homeless in November, marking a small but significant milestone in addressing the region's homelessness crisis, officials announced Friday.
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Every year, we remember some of the writers, actors, musicians, filmmakers and performers who died over the past year, and whose lifetime of creative work helped shape our world. -
Hasan Minhaj, Ronny Chieng, Mike Birbiglia, Hannah Einbinder and Michelle Buteau all delivered specials that cracked us up this year. -
Paul Ninson had an old-school, newfangled dream: a modern library devoted to photobooks showing life on the continent. He maxed out his credit cards, injured his back — and made it happen.
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The only way migrants can plead their case for asylum in the U.S. is to make an appointment through the Biden administration's CBP One mobile app. The app has a long wait list and migrants in a Tijuana shelter are praying for an appointment before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. -
The only way migrants can plead their case for asylum in the U.S. is to make an appointment through the Biden administration's CBP One mobile app. The app has a long wait list and migrants in a Tijuana shelter are praying for an appointment before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
Sweetwater Union moves forward with threatened schedule cuts at Chula Vista High
Ramona voters reject 7th bond measure to upgrade school facilities
Migrants in limbo as Trump vows to shut down app for asylum seekers
Local senior ride-share program struggling to meet demand
USD law school training Mexican judges amidst changes in judicial system
SD County judge orders conditional release of SVP, after protests scuttled earlier attempts
Part 2: Future of Vista's Green Oak Ranch means evictions for RV community
Part 1: Future of Vista's Green Oak Ranch means evictions for RV community
With Trump back in power, advocates criticize Gloria for shuttering immigrant affairs office
Mexico devastated by 'iron river' of guns from US
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KPBS Midday Movies critics Beth Accomando and Yazdi Pithavala face off in a battle between Christmas action-horror and feel good holiday fare. The Christmas Smackdown is refereed by KPBS Midday Edition host Jade Hindmon. -
We look at the local exhibits and galleries you can check out for free this weekend. Then our Midday Movies critics share their favorite holiday films for the season, from cozy Christmas classics to festive slashers, in video podcast form.
