>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES.

PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AIR, RESTORATION, AND FLOOD SERVICES FOR OVER 45 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL-HOWE OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> HELLO.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M JOHN CARROLL IN FOR MAYA TRABULSI.

>>> WE START WITH THIS.

RIGHT NOW, GROUND AND AIRBORNE FIRE CREWS ARE COMBATTING A BRUSH FIRE THAT'S FORCING VACATIONS IN JAMUL.

IT'S BURNING OFF SKYLINE CHUCK TRAIL NORTHWEST OF BARRETT LAKE.

THE FIRE STARTED AROUND 3:00 THIS AFTERNOON AND HAS SPREAD TO ABOUT 20 ACRES SO FAR.

CAL FIRE SAYS IT POSES A THREAT TO AT LEAST ONE STRUCTURE.

AUTHORITIES ISSUED AN EVACUATION WARNING FOR HOMES NEAREST TO THE BURN ZONE.

THEY ALSO ADVISE RESIDENTS LIVING IN THAT AREA TO PREPARE TO CLEAR OUT ON SHORT NOTICE.

A TEMPORARY SHELTER HAS BEEN SET UP AT REGAL EDWARDS RANCHO SAN DIEGO CINEMAS.

>>> MONDAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR SAN DIEGO UNIFIED, AND THIS YEAR BRINGS A NEW CURRICULUM FOR THE DISTRICT'S PRESCHOOL PROGRAM.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER KATIE ANASTAS HAS MORE ON THE LESSONS THAT LINK LITERACY TO EVERYDAY LIFE.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO UNIFIED OFFERS PRESCHOOL AT 34 SITES.

THIS YEAR, THEY'LL ALL BE USING A NEW FRAMEWORK CALLED CREATIVE CURRICULUM.

>> THIS REALLY HELPS US PROVIDE THE SAME TYPE OF HIGH-QUALITY INSTRUCTION ACROSS EVERY SINGLE PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM IN OUR DISTRICT.

>> Reporter: SANTOS GONZALES OVERSEES EARLY LEARNING FOR THE DISTRICT.

SHE SAYS THE CURRICULUM BUILDS EARLY LITERACY SKILLS THROUGH PLAY.

FOR EXAMPLE, CREATIVE CURRICULUM HAS A WHOLE UNIT ON THE GROCERY STORE.

>> THE GROCERY STORE HAS SO MUCH FOR CHILDREN TO LEARN IN TERMS OF LANGUAGE, AND IT'S A VERY COMMON EXPERIENCE FOR THEM.

THEY GO TO THE GROCERY STORE WITH THEIR PARENTS, RIGHT?

>> Reporter: READING BOOKS ALOUD ABOUT GROCERY SHOPPING CAN HELP BUILD VOCABULARY.

THEN IT'S TIME TO PLAY.

>> SO THEN THEY CAN GO SHOPPING WITH THEIR FRIENDS, RIGHT?

WE HAVE PROPS AND THEY CAN PRETEND TO GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AND BUY ITEMS.

WE HAVE A LITTLE CASH REGISTER.

ONE OF THEM'S THE PERSON THAT WORKS THERE, ONE OF THEM'S THE CUSTOMER.

THE WHOLE TIME THEY'RE TALKING.

THEY'RE DEVELOPING THOSE SCHOOLS.

THEY'RE IMITATING CHARACTERS THEY SAW IN THEIR BOOKS.

THEY'RE USING THOSE VOCABULARY WORDS THAT THE TEACHERS HAVE TAUGHT THEM.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR LESSONS COVER WEATHER, BLOCKS, THE HUMAN BODY, AND RESTAURANTS.

ENROLLMENT IS STILL OPEN FOR NEW PRESCHOOL PARENTS.

THERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MINE.

IF THEY'RE EAGER TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH OTHER KIDS, SHE SAYS THAT'S A GOOD SIGN.

>> IF A CHILD WHEN YOU'RE READING TO THEM IS INTERESTED IN THE BOOK AND GRABBING IT AND THEN GOES TO LOOK AT BOOKS ON THEIR OWN AND IS MOTIVATED IN THAT WAY, THAT'S A CLEAR SIGN, RIGHT?

IF THEY'RE A CHILD THAT'S ALWAYS PLAYING SCHOOL, PRETENDING THEY'RE A TEACHER, PRETENDING THEY'RE AT SCHOOL, THAT REALLY SHOWS YOU A SIGN THAT THEY'RE CURIOUS ABOUT THE SCHOOLING EXPERIENCE AND WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO UNIFIED ALSO OFFERS DUE WALL LANGUAGE IMMERSION AT SOME OF ITS PRESCHOOLS.

THEY'LL USE THE SAME CURRICULUM IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH.

>>> WE'VE GOT A QUIETER NIGHT ON TAP FOR US AS WE HEAD BACK INTO THE UPPER 60s TONIGHT WITH A FEW CLOUDS, A LITTLE BIT OF HUMIDITY.

BUT THE REAL STORY CONTINUES TO BE THE HEAT.

AND THERE ARE STILL HEAT ADVISORIES AND EXTREME HEAT WARNINGS IN PLACE FOR PARTS OF THE COUNTY.

I'LL HAVE MORE IN THE FULL FORECAST COMING UP.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S E-BIKE RULES TAKE EFFECT NEXT WEEK.

AHEAD OF THAT, THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IS WARNING ABOUT E-BIKE HAZARDS AS KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN SHOWS US.

E-BIKE INJURIES HAVE INCREASED DRAMATICALLY.

>> Reporter: KIDS ARE COMING BACK TO SCHOOL, AND THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO ASK YOU FOR ONE OF THESE, AN E-BIKE.

BEFORE YOU GET THEM AN E-BIKE, YOU SHOULD HEAR WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY.

THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN KIDS RIDE E-BIKES WITHOUT A HELMET AND GET INTO AN ACCIDENT.

AND THIS IS WITH A HELMET.

THE DEMONSTRATION MIGHT BE GRAPHIC, BUT AAA SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT TO DRIVE THE MESSAGE HOME.

>> IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO USE THE PROPER HELMET THAT IS SECURED WITH A CHINSTRAP, AND ALSO THAT IT FITS PROPERLY.

>> Reporter: A RECENT STUDY BY GRADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SHOWS DRAMATIC INJURIES FROM E-BIKES HAVE RISING 1,800% SINCE 2022.

>> SEEING MORE AND MORE INJURIES.

>> Reporter: ROMEO IGNACIO IS A TRAUMA DOCTOR.

HE WAS PART OF THAT STUDY.

>> A LOT MORE FRACTURES OF THE ARMS AND LEGS.

REALLY BAD TRAUMATIC HEAD INJURIES.

SKULL FRACTURES.

EVEN FACIAL FRACTURES THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN AT RAIDY CHILDREN'S HEALTH.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE MESSAGE IS NOT ANTI-E-BIKE, BUT BIKE SAFETY.

PARENTS NEED TO TEACH THEIR CHILDREN SAFETY RULES AS WELL AS THE RULES OF THE ROAD.

E-BIKES ARE MUCH FASTER THAN TRADITIONAL PEDAL BIKES.

SOME CAN REACH 30 MILES AN HOUR.

>> THE REALITY IS PARENTS HAVE TO ASK, IS THIS THE RIGHT THING FOR MY CHILD?

DOES MY KID HAVE ENOUGH EXPERIENCE?

DO THEY KNOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD?

>> Reporter: BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN PEDIATRIC INJURIES, THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS FOLLOWING OTHERS IN THE REGION BY ENACTING E-BIKE RULES.

CHILDREN MUST BE AT LEAST 12 YEARS OLD TO RIDE AN E-BIKE.

THE NEW LAW REINFORCES HELMET REQUIREMENTS.

PARENTS COULD BE HELD LIABLE FOR VIOLATIONS BY THEIR CHILDREN.

THE NEW RULES GO INTO EFFECT NEXT THURSDAY.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S FORMER NFL TEAM MADE AN APPEARANCE IN OUR REGION THIS WEEK AT TWO TRAINING CAMPS.

KPBS REPORTER JACOB AERE SAYS WHILE THE CHARGERS MAY NOW BE BASED IN LOS ANGELES, THOUSANDS OF FANS STILL POURED INTO THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO'S TORERO STADIUM TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: FOR OVER 50 YEARS, THE CHARGERS CALLED SAN DIEGO HOME.

THEY CONTROVERSIAL LEFT THE REGION IN 2017, BUT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS THIS WEEK, IT FELT LIKE THEY WERE HOME AGAIN.

>> IMPORTANT FOR ME TO BRING HIM, BECAUSE I'M A CHARGERS FAN SINCE '78.

YOU KNOW, YES, I WANT TO GET HIM INVOLVED.

>> Reporter: DORIAN WAS AT WEDNESDAY'S TRAINING CAMP WITH DORIAN JR.

THIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THE TEAM HOSTED PRESEASON PRACTICES AT USD, BUT THE FIRST TIME IT WAS OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

>> EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE IN L.A.

NOW, WE'RE STILL GOING TO TRAVEL.

>> Reporter: TORERO STADIUM WAS FULL OF LOCALS WEARING THE SAN DIEGO-ERA NAVY AND YELLOW JERSEYS WITH SOME DONNING THE NEWER ONES.

THE JERRY OF LATE OCEANSIDE ICON AND CHARGERS GREAT JUNIOR SEAU WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE.

THE TEAM COMING BACK TO TOWN CREATED SOME COMPLICATED EMOTIONS FOR FANS.

>> AS A KID, WE'D GO TO THE STADIUM, JACK MURPHY STADIUM AT THE TIME.

I FEEL THEY HAVE A BIGGER FAN BASE NOW THAT THEY MOVED TO L.A., BUT CHARGERS FANS, WE'RE HURTING IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: STEVE ROMERO WAS WITH HIS FAMILY.

HE CO-OWNS J. FITTERS IN ESCONDIDO.

>> WHEN THEY LEFT, IT WAS A DAGGER IN THE HEART.

I IMAGINE EVERYBODY FELT THE SAME WAY.

I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND PEOPLE THAT COMPLETELY DISOWN THE TEAM, WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH THEM.

I FULLY UNDERSTAND IT.

BUT I ALSO RELATE MORE TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL FANS.

>> Reporter: FANS IN ATTENDANCE HAD ACCESS TO LIMITED-EDITION POSTERS, EXCLUSIVE MERCHANDISE, AND POST-PRACTICE AUTOGRAPHS.

ROMERO SAID IT WAS AN ELECTRIC ATMOSPHERE.

>> YOU SEE THE LOOK IN EVERYBODY'S EYES.

YOU KNOW, THE MEMORIES COMING BACK.

ALL THE TAIL FATES THAT USED TO HAPPEN.

EVERYBODY, THE NEIGHBORS HANGING OUT, BEING ABLE TO EXPERIENCE THE CHARGERS IN THEIR HOMETOWN AGAIN.

>> Reporter: THE LOCAL PRACTICE SESSIONS COME JUST AFTER THE DEATH OF LEGENDARY CHARGERS LINEBACKER AND LONGTIME LOCAL SPORTS BROADCASTER BILLY RAY SMITH JR.

HIS FAMILY SAID THE 64-YEAR-OLD DIED FOLLOWING A BATTLE WITH DEMENTIA CAUSED BY CTE.

THE TEAM HONORED HIM WITH A MOMENT OF SILENCE AND WORE HELMET DECALS WITH SMITH'S INITIALS.

ROMERO SAID HIS PASSING IS A SAD AND EYE-OPENING SITUATION.

>> WHAT THEY'RE DOING NOW AS FAR AS THE PADDED HELMETS AND KEEPING THE CONTACT AS MINIMAL AS POSSIBLE, LIKE THE KICKOFF RULE THAT HAPPENED -- IT'S NOT AS FUN TO WATCH KICKOFF ANYMORE, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT, IT'S BETTER FOR THEIR LONG-TERM HEALTH.

AND AS MUCH AS I MISS THE OLD KICKOFF, I FULLY UNDERSTAND IT.

WITH MY SON PLAYING FOOTBALL AS WELL, YOU KNOW, IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S IN THE BACK OF MY MIND, TOO.

>> Reporter: THE CHARGERS' 2026 PRESEASON KICKOFF IS NEXT THURSDAY.

THEY'LL FACE THE HOUSTON TEXANS.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> TONIGHT ON "THE NEWS HOUR," UNEXPECTED JOB LOSSES IN JULY RAISE NEW CONCERNS ABOUT THE STRENGTH OF THE U.S.

ECONOMY.

THAT'S COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER "EVENING EDITION" ON KPBS.

>>> PRESIDENT TRUMP NOW APPEARS TO ACKNOWLEDGE A SHORTER SUPPLY OF CERTAIN WEAPONS IN THE U.S.

ARSENAL AMID THE WAR WITH IRAN.

AND IT COMES AS OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST ARE BRACING FOR POTENTIAL ATTACKS.

MADDIE GANNON HAS THE LATEST FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> Reporter: MANY OF THE ATTACKS BETWEEN THE U.S.

AND IRAN THIS WEEK TOOK PLACE IN THE PUBLIC DISCORD RATHER THAN THE BATTLEFIELD.

BUT BY FRIDAY, IT STILL APPEARED THE FIGHTING COULD SPREAD.

THAT WAS EVIDENT WHEN SAUDI ARABIA, PAKISTAN, AND TURKEY CAME TOGETHER TO SIGN A MUTUAL DEFENSE PACT DECLARING THAT AN ATTACK ON ONE OF THEM IS AN ATTACK ON ALL.

AN IRANIAN OFFICIAL HAS ALREADY SAID THAT THE NEW PACT WILL NOT GUARANTEE SAUDI ARABIA'S SECURITY, AND IT COMES AS AN OFFICIAL FROM SAUDI ARABIA SAYS THE COUNTRY IS BRACING FOR ATTACKS FROM IRAQI MILITIA MEMBERS AND THE IRANIAN-BACKED HOUTHIS.

AS FOR THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ, IRAN IS INSISTING THAT AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN IRAN AND OMAN ON A TEMPORARY ROUTE FOR SHIPPING WOULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE STRAIT IS IMMEDIATELY REOPENED FOR ALL, AND IRAN'S SEMI-OFFICIAL NEWS AGENCY IS REPORTING LAWMAKERS IN THE COUNTRY HAVE DRAFTED BILLS SEEKING TO BAN CERTAIN COUNTRIES LIKE THE U.S.

AND ISRAEL FROM USING THE WATERWAY.

AND THURSDAY, WE HEARD FROM IRAN'S TOP NEGOTIATOR ACCUSING TRUMP OF FEEDER DIPLOMACY INVOLVING ENDLESS LOOPS OF THREATS AND RETREATS.

MEANWHILE, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP NOW APPEARS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGING REPORTS FROM CNN ABOUT THE PENTAGON'S DEPLETED MUNITIONS.

HE TOLD REPORTERS THAT THE SUPPLY OF SOME MUNITIONS IS, QUOTE, A LITTLE BIT TIGHTER.

BUT HE INSISTED THAT MORE IS BEING PRODUCED AND THAT THE U.S.

HAS A VIRTUALLY UNLIMITED SUPPLY OF OTHER, LESS ELITE WEAPONS.

AT THE WHITE HOUSE, I'M MADDIE GANNON.

>>> THIS MONTH MARKS FIVE YEARS SINCE AFGHANISTAN FELL BACK INTO THE HANDS OF THE TALIBAN.

A NEW REPORT SHOWS THE U.S.

GOVERNMENT STILL HAS A LONG WAY TO GO TO FULFILL THE PROMISES IT MADE TO ITS AFGHAN ALLIES DURING THE 20-YEAR OCCUPATION.

KPBS MILITARY AND VETERANS REPORTER ANDREW DYER HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO-BASED NONPROFIT AFGHAN EVAC RELEASED THE REPORT THIS WEEK THAT TRACKS THE HISTORY OF AFGHAN RESETTLEMENT TO THE GEORGE W. BUSH ADMINISTRATION.

SHARVAN IS THE COFOUNDER AND.

>> TALKING ABOUT WHERE PEOPLE ARE SUCCEEDING AND WHERE PEOPLE ARE FAILING.

>> Reporter: DURING THE WAR, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF AFGHANS WORKED WITH U.S.

OR COALITION FORCES.

THEY WERE TOLD IF THEY HELPED, THEY WOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN OR ABANDONED.

HE SAYS THE KEY TO AFGHAN RESETTLEMENT IS JUST HAVING THE WILL TO DO IT.

>> WHEN WE PUT THE WORK IN, THE SYSTEM GOES WELL.

>> Reporter: THAT SYSTEM SCREECHED TO A HALT ON PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S FIRST DAY BACK IN OFFICE.

THAT'S WHEN HE HALTED ALL REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT.

LATER, HIS ADMINISTRATION ENACTED A TRAVEL AND VISA BAN FOR AFGHANS.

ONE OF THE KEY PATHWAYS FOR AFGHAN RELOCATION IS THE SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM.

THESE SIVs WERE ISSUED TO AFGHANS WHO WORKED WITH THE U.S.

>> PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ARRIVALS FOR AFGHANS IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

THERE HAVE BEEN ZERO SPECIAL VISA -- PRINCIPAL APPLICANTS ISSUED A VISA SINCE JANUARY 1, 2026.

ZERO.

NOT A FEW, ZERO.

IT'S WILDLY OUT OF THE NORM.

>> Reporter: THE REPORT SAYS MORE THAN 175,000 AFGHANS HAVE BEEN APPROVED FOR THOSE SIVs.

BACKGROUND AND PAPERWORK CHECKS DONE.

ALL THAT'S LEFT, AN INTERVIEW.

UNTIL NOW, BASICALLY A FORMALITY BEFORE BEING ISSUED A VISA.

BUT HE SAYS THAT PROCESS HAS ALSO BEEN TURNED ON ITS HEAD.

HE SAYS THOSE INTERVIEWS ARE HAPPENING WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT'S ENCOURAGEMENT.

>> BUT, EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT GETS INTERVIEWED IS BEING DENIED BECAUSE OF THE TRAVEL BAN.

>> Reporter: WHERE DID AFGHAN EVAC GET ITS DATA?

>> EVERY NUMBER IS CITED AND SOURCED TO GOVERNMENT REPORTS, THE GOVERNMENT'S OWN INFORMATION.

>> Reporter: THE AFGHAN EVAC REPORT MAKES TEN RECOMMENDATIONS.

AMONG THEM, RESUME ISSUING SIVs.

REOPEN REFUGEE ADMISSIONS.

AND TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS TO AFGHANS.

A BIPARTISAN BILL TO EXTEND TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS TO AFGHANS IS ALREADY IN THE HOUSE.

A SENATE VERSION WAS INTRODUCED THURSDAY.

ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE LABOR DEPARTMENT IS OUT WITH THE JULY JOBS REPORT, AND IT DOES NOT PAINT A PRETTY PICTURE.

JEN SULLIVAN EXPLAINS WHAT'S CAUSING THE SUMMER HIRING SLUMP AND WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT THE OVERALL ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: SUMMER HIRING HAS SLOWED.

THE LATEST JOBS REPORT SHOWS THE U.S.

LABOR MARKET LOST 23,000 JOBS IN JULY AND UNEMPLOYMENT DROPPED .1 POINTS TO 4.1% BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE LEFT THE LABOR FORCE.

THESE NUMBERS HAVE MANY ECONOMIC ANALYSTS CONCERNED.

>> THE OTHER BIT OF REALLY KEY DATA IS THE FACT THAT YOU'VE GOT A COST OF LIVING CRISIS.

>> Reporter: WHILE INFLATION DIPPED IN JUNE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN SIX YEARS, THE COST OF MANY GOODS ARE STILL HIGH.

AND ECONOMISTS SAY EMPLOYERS TEND TO PULL BACK ON HIRING WHEN COSTS GO UP.

>> WAGES ARE NOT RISING AT THE SAME PACE AS INFLATION.

>> Reporter: TARIFFS, HIGHER OIL PRICES, AND UNCERTAINTY OVER THE WAR WITH IRAN ARE ALL CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO INFLATION.

SINCE U.S.

AND ISRAELI FORCES FIRST LAUNCHED STRIKES IN IRAN MORE THAN FIVE MONTHS AGO, OIL AND GAS PRICES HAVE SURGED.

MARITIME TRAFFIC THROUGH THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ HAS BEEN GREATLY DISRUPTED DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS IN THE REGION.

>> WE'VE CLEARLY SQUEEZED GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS, EVEN THOUGH WE MAY SEE IT AS A LOCAL/REGIONAL CONFLICT.

IT HAS GLOBAL REPERCUSSIONS.

>> Reporter: IT'S CAUSING OIL PRICES ACROSS THE GLOBE TO GO UP.

>> WE'RE ALL BUT SEEING A SHIFT TO U.S.

EAST COAST TOUCHING $10,000 FOR ONE CONTAINER ONLY.

AND WE'RE ONLY GETTING HIGHER BY THE DAY.

>> Reporter: ALL OF THESE FACTORS CAN CAUSE ANXIETY IN THE LABOR MARKET.

>> ALL THESE THINGS CREATE INFLATION, WHICH TEND TO MAKE COMPANIES PULL BACK, LOOK AT THEIR BALANCE SHEETS, SAY WE'RE MAYBE NOT GOING TO FIRE BUT WE'RE CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO HIRE.

>> Reporter: FEWER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB.

JEN SULLIVAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM RECENTLY HIRED A NEW CURATOR OF INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY, INCLUDING THE STUDY OF INSECTS, ARACHNIDS, AND CRUSTACEANS.

BETH ACCOMANDO WAS EAGER TO MEET HIM AND GET A TOUR OF THE NAT'S COLLECTIONS.

>> Reporter: SHEHAN LOVES HIS JOB.

>> I CAN SEE WORMS IN HERE.

WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE IS IN THESE SAMPLES.

SO IT'S A LITTLE TREASURE CHEST.

>> Reporter: I MEAN, HE REALLY LOVES HIS JOB.

>> IT'S LIKE THAT FEELING OF WHEN YOU WAKE UP FOR CHRISTMAS AND YOU'RE LOOKING THROUGH THE BOXES AND YOU GET THAT THING YOU WANTED, YOU KNOW?

YEAH, IT'S LIKE THAT FOR ME.

EVERY BOX HAS SOMETHING COOL IN IT.

>> Reporter: AND SOMETIMES HE CAN'T CONTAIN HIS ENTITLEMENT.

>> I TEXTED A FRIEND OF MINE WHO STUDIES THIS GROUP.

AND I SAID, WE GOT ONE.

WE HAVE ONE SPECIMEN HERE.

>> Reporter: A TINY JAR OF SEDIMENT CAN CONTAIN RICHES.

>> THERE'S PROBABLY DOZENS, MAYBE HUNDREDS OF SPECIMENS IN HERE.

WE JUST NEED THE TIME TO KIND OF SORT THROUGH IT.

>> Reporter: DER CARBADIAN IS THE CURATOR OF THE SAN DIEGO NATURAL MUSEUM.

>> MY JOB IS KIND OF TO DIRECT THE RESEARCH OF THE INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY DEPARTMENT.

WHAT WE COLLECT, WHAT PROJECTS WE'RE TAKING ON.

>> Reporter: IT USED TO BE CALLED THE DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY.

NOW IT BEARS THE TITLE OF INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY.

>> INVERTEBRATES COVER EVERY ANIMAL WITHOUT A BACK-BONE THAT IS MORE THAN A SINGLE CELL.

IT'S A LOT OF THINGS.

IT'S 90% OF LIFE ON THIS PLANET, PROBABLY.

SO THAT INCLUDES THINGS LIKE INSECTS, ARACHNIDS, ALL THE CRUSTACEANS, EVERYTHING YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT IS ALL THE LITTLE WEIRDOS, BASICALLY.

>> Reporter: ER CARBADIAN OVERSEES MILLIONS OF SPECIMENS THAT SPAN 150 YEARS.

>> THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A TIGER BEETLE BOX.

A BIN FULL OF SCORPIONS.

THIS IS OUR BEETLE DIVERSITY BOX.

THESE ARE AN UNDESCRIBED SPECIES.

WE HAVE A HORSESHOE CRAB.

THIS IS THE SECOND, I THOUGHT WE ONLY HAD ONE.

EVERY TIME I LOOK THROUGH THINGS, THERE'S NEW STUFF.

>> Reporter: IT'S ALL KEPT IN MULTIPLE TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED TEMPERATURE SPACES ACROSS THE MUSEUM.

I FOUND THE BUG THAT CHANGED MY LIFE JUST HANGING OUT IN HIS LAB.

I HEARD THAT THERE WERE SOMETHING CALLED GOLIATH BEETLES IN AFRICA THAT GREW TO SIX INCHES IN LENGTH.

AND THAT CUT SHORT MY PLANS OF WORKING IN WILD ANIMAL PRESERVES IN AFRICA.

IMAGINE SLEEPING ON THE GROUND AND ONE OF THESE JUST CRAWLS INTO YOUR SLEEPING BAG OR OVER YOUR FACE.

HIS FIELD OF EXPERTISE IS ARACHNIDS.

>> THERE'S REALLY, REALLY TINY ARACHNIDS IN THERE.

THESE ARE HARD TO FIND.

SOME THINGS YOU HAVE TO REALLY DIG DEEP.

WHETHER IT'S LEAF LITTER OR FLIP A ROCK AND HAVE TO LOOK AT THIS LESS THAN ONE MILLIMETER THING THERE.

>> Reporter: HE KEEPS LOOKING BECAUSE NOT EVERYTHING HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED YET.

>> THERE'S AN ESTIMATE OUT THERE THAT OF ALL SPECIES THAT EXIST ON THE PLANET, ONLY ABOUT 20% OF THEM HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN DESCRIBED AND STUDIED.

SO WE'RE AT 80% UNKNOWN DIVERSITY.

>> Reporter: ONE ARACHNID HE'S VERY FALL CONTRACTOR WITH IS THE TRAP DOOR SPIDER.

>> SO IT'S A SILK-LINED BURROW WITH THIS TRAP DOOR SPIDER.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN SEE IT.

AT THE VERY TIP THERE'S TWO PUNCTURE MARKS.

SO THEY USE THEIR FANGS THERE TO HOLD THE DOOR SHUT.

>> Reporter: HE TAKES ME TO A SACRED CABINET THAT HE CAREFULLY UNLOCKS.

IT CONTAINS HOLOTYPES OR THE NAME-BEARING SPECIMENS FOR AN ENTIRE SPECIES.

>> ANY SCIENTIST THAT WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THAT SPECIES LOOKS LIKE, THEY GO BACK TO THAT HOLOTYPE.

WE HAVE OUR TYPE SPECIMENS HERE, AND THIS IS PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT CASE IN OUR ENTIRE COLLECTION BECAUSE HOLOTYPES ARE IRREPLACEABLE IF SOMETHING HAPPENS.

IF THERE WAS A REASON TO EVACUATE THIS BUILDING AND THIS ROOM, I WOULD CARRY THIS CASE ON MY BACK DOWN THE STAIRS.

>> Reporter: THE CABINET ALSO CONTAINS A LACEWING THAT'S NOT A HOLOTYPE BUT IS SPECIAL FOR A VERY DIFFERENT REASON.

>> IT IS THE ONLY CHARLES DARWIN SPECIMEN IN THIS MUSEUM, AND IT IS WELL PROTECTED WITH THE MOST IMPORTANT SPECIMENS IN THIS INVERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY COLLECTION.

>> Reporter: HE TREATS EVERY ONE OF THE MILLIONS OF SPECIMENS UNDER HIS CURATORSHIP WITH CARE BECAUSE EVEN THE TINIEST OF CREATURES COULD REVEAL SOMETHING AMAZING ABOUT OUR WORLD.

>> AGAIN, IT'S CHRISTMAS AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: FROM DEEP IN THE COLLECTIONS AT THE NAT, I'M BETH ACCOMANDO FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> A LITTLE BIT OF THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY OUT THERE EARLY IN THE MORNING HOURS AND THROUGH THE OVERNIGHT IN SOME SPOTS.

MANAGED TO PICK UP .25 TO .50 INCHES OF RAIN.

THAT WON'T BE THE CASE TONIGHT.

WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT REALLY JUST THE HEAT REMAINING IN PLACE FOR THE WEEKEND.

THE HEAT DOES EASE INTO NEXT WEEK WHEN SOME OF THOSE THUNDERSTORMS MAY START TO RETURN IN SOME OF THE MOUNTAIN SPOTS.

WE'LL SEE THAT POSSIBLE SUNDAY AND INTO NEXT WEEK WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MAYBE A FEW MORE RAIN CHANCES ACROSS THE AREA.

TONIGHT, WE ARE PRETTY QUIET.

NOT A WHOLE LOT GOING ON AS WE HOLD ON TO TEMPERATURES BACK INTO THE UPPER 60s IN SAN DIEGO.

RAMONA 59.

MOUNT LAGUNA 67 FOR YOUR HIGH.

SATURDAY IS STILL HOT, AND WE ARE NOT ESCAPING THE GRIPS OF THIS HEAT.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE IT, ESPECIALLY THROUGH OUR DESERT COMMUNITIES.

NOTICE THE INTERIOR WEST REALLY DEALING WITH QUITE A BIT OF HEAT.

AND THE THUNDERSTORMS FOR THE MONSOONAL MOISTURE DOING VERY LITTLE TO CALM IT DOWN.

WE DO HAVE THE HEAT ADVISORIES, EXTREME HEAT WARNINGS IN PLACE FOR OUR DESERT COMMUNITIES AS WE CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH A LOT OF THOSE TEMPERATURES WELL ABOVE HISTORICAL AVERAGES.

TOMORROW, A HIGH OF 81 IN THE CITY AS YOU HEAD TOWARDS OCEANSIDE, 81.

NOT TOO BAD ALONG THE COAST.

THE FARTHER INLAND YOU GET, THE NUMBERS GO UP PRETTY QUICKLY.

RAMONA 97.

MOUNT LAGUNA 82.

BORREGO SPRINGS 103.

REMEMBER THAT THROUGH THIS WEEKEND, THERE WILL BE A FIRE RISK, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE GOING IN THROUGH THE INTERIOR PARTS OF CALIFORNIA.

SO THAT IS A REGIONAL RISK IF YOU PLAN ON DOING ANY CAMPING.

OUT THERE FOR THE COAST, TEMPERATURES HOLDING ON TO THE 80s.

AGAIN, STILL HAVING SOME MARINE LAYER INFLUENCE WITH A FEW CLOUDS.

BUT AS YOU LOOK INLAND, A LITTLE BIT BRIGHTER.

TEMPERATURES STILL HOLDING ON TO THE LOWER 90s TO START OFF THE WEEKEND BEFORE WE AGAIN SLOWLY EASE OUT OF THE HEAT GOING INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

MOUNTAINS, A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A SHARP CONTRAST.

LOWER 80s FOR THE WEEKEND.

AND THEN BACK TO THE MID-70s HERE MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY.

AND FOR THE DESERT COMMUNITIES, ONE 10-PLUS RANGE AS WE HOLD ON TO THE WEEKEND.

>>> WHAT'S IN A NAME?

WHEN IT COMES TO A CERTAIN VIDEO FESTIVAL, THE ANSWER IS, EVERYTHING.

CAT VIDEO FEST 2026 BEGINS TONIGHT AT THE DIGITAL GYM CINEMA IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO.

I PAID THEM A VISIT TO GET A SNEAK PEEK AT THE KITTY CAPERS ABOUT TO HIT THE BIG SCREEN.

EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT A FULL-ON CAT LOVER, WHO DOESN'T LOVE A FUNNY CAT VIDEO?

WITH CAT VIDEO FEST, YOU GET A FULL 75 MINUTES OF THEM.

>> BEST JOB IN THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: WILL BRAYDEN IS THE PRODUCER OF CAT VIDEO FEST, THE GUY WHO PUTS TOGETHER THIS CATTY COMPILATION.

>> IT'S BEEN MY FULL-TIME JOB NOW FOR A DECADE TO WATCH 20,000 CAT VIDEOS EVERY YEAR AND FIND THE BEST ONES.

>> Reporter: FELINES DOING THINGS THAT HUMANS FIND FUNNY JUST NEVER SEEMS TO GET OLD.

IN FACT, IF ATTENDANCE AT CAT VIDEO FEST IS ANY INDICATION, THE VIDEOS ARE GETTING MORE POPULAR THAN EVER.

>> IT HAS ABSOLUTELY SKYROCKETED IN ATTENDANCE.

PEOPLE ARE RUSHING TO COME SEE IT.

>> Reporter: CHRISTIAN PEREZ-FRANCO IS THE EXHIBITION SENIOR MANAGER OF THE MEDIA ARTS CENTER, SAN DIEGO, WHICH RUNS THE DIGITAL GYM CINEMA.

PEREZ-FRANCO SAYS DIGITAL GYM TYPICALLY SCREENS INDEPENDENT FILMS AND DOCUMENTARIES.

MOVIES THAT ARE OFTEN THE POLAR OPPOSITE OF CAT VIDEO FEST.

>> A LOT OF THE TIME, INDEPENDENT FILM CAN BE QUITE HEAVY OR TOUCH ON HEAVY SUBJECTS.

SO THIS IS SORT OF A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.

WE WEREN'T SURE HOW IT WAS GOING TO DO, BUT IT FIT RIGHT INTO OUR PROGRAMMING QUITE WELL BECAUSE WE ARE ONE OF THE FEW PLACES THAT YOU CAN COME SEE CAT VIDEO FEST.

>> Reporter: IN FACT, MOVIE THEATERS IN THE U.S.

AND AROUND THE WORLD ARE THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN SEE CAT VIDEO FEST.

>> WE PROBABLY WILL END UP, ALL COUNTRIES ALL TOLD, 600 OR 700 DIFFERENT CITIES AND THEATERS.

AND IT'S PRETTY EXCITING.

>> Reporter: EXCITING FOR CATS AS WELL.

SPECIFICALLY, CATS WHO NEED TO BE RESCUED.

10% OF THE PROCEEDS FROM EVERY ONE OF THOSE THEATERS GOES TO A LOCAL CAT-RELATED CHARITY.

THE THEATERS MAKE THAT DECISION, AND THIS YEAR LOS GATOS DE BARRIO LOGAN GETS THE CAT CASH.

SOME MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCES HERE WILL GET SOMETHING EXTRA.

>> THERE'S ONE THING CHRISTIAN FORGOT TO SHOW ME IN THE INTERVIEW.

>> WE HAVE CAT MASKS.

EVERYONE THAT COMES TO A CAT VIDEO FEST SCREENING WILL GET ONE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.

THEY PROBABLY WON'T GO PAST THE FIRST COUPLE SHOWS.

>> IT'S SO MUCH FUN.

MY THANKS TO VIDEOGRAPHER CARLOS CASTILLO FOR DOING THE USUAL GREAT JOB HE ALWAYS DOES.

CAT VIDEO FEST PREMIERES TONIGHT AT 7:00 AT DIGITAL GYM CINEMA.

THAT SHOW IS SOLD OUT BUT THERE ARE MORE SHOWINGS THIS WEEK AND CHRISTIAN TOLD ME HE WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF IT'S HELD OVER.

THEY'RE LOCATED ON THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE PARK AND MARKET BUILDING DOWNTOWN.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE, DIGITALGYM.ORG.

.

>>> TONIGHT, "KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK" WHERE WE REVISIT THE MOST IMPACTFUL REPORTING OF THE WEEK, EVERY FRIDAY AT 8:30 ON KPBS.

AS ALWAYS, FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES INCLUDING THE CATS AND THE BUGS ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, EVERYONE.

I'M JOHN CARROLL.

HAVE AN EXCELLENT EVENING AND A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.

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