'SoCal Connected' returns tonight

I joined some media and blog folks at the KCET studios the other morning for a preview of the second season of "SoCal Connected," the PBS station's weekly news program. The first season grabbed a bunch of awards, but times are tough in broadcast news and I was curious how the show would hold up. Looks good so far. The staff has picked up some refugees from other media, among them Steve Proffitt and Jacob Conrad from the late "Day to Day" on NPR, and executive producer Bret Marcus says SCC has held onto enough funding (and even added some sources) to keep on trucking for 20-plus episodes. A strong piece tonight looks at driving while texting and otherwise distracted, and includes some amusing footage of staffers having their skills behind the wheel tested while legally drunk on screwdrivers. Airs at 8 p.m.