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

FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

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

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING: AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> THE BIGGEST HOLIDAY CELEBRATION IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS GETTING UNDERWAY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MORE THAN 300,000 PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED AT THE DECEMBER NIGHTS IN BALBOA PARK.

WE SEE SOME OF THE SURPRISES AT THIS YEAR'S EVENT.

>> Reporter: THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT IS ON DISPLAY AT BALBOA PARK FOR DECEMBER NIGHTS THIS EVENING.

SANTA AND HIS REINDEER ARE PRIME FOR TAKEOFF AT THE CHRISTMAS STREET TRIMMED AND EVEN THE CANDY CANES ARE READY.

>> SO MANY FUN THINGS HAPPENING FOR THE FAMILY THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: SARAH IS A HOST AT THE HOUSE OF NORWAY.

SHE SAYS NEW THIS YEAR IS THE SAN DIEGO STYLE SKATING RINK.

THE ICE IS PLASTIC BUT THE FUN IS REAL.

THIS ALSO A SILENT DISCO AND IT EXTENDED FAMILY ZONE.

BUT THE CROWD FAVORITE SUBCULTURE TREATS FROM THE INTERNATIONAL COTTAGES.

>> VILLAGES, AUTHENTIC FLAVORS FROM OVER 31 DIFFERENT CULTURES.

AS WELL AS INTERNATIONAL SPIRIT GARDEN.

>> Reporter: AND PLENTY OF SWEET TREATS.

FAMOUS DEATH BY CHOCOLATE.

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE PERFORMANCES.

MORE THAN 1600 PERFORMERS IN 70 GROUPS WILL ENTERTAIN GUESTS ON FIVE STAGES INCLUDING THE PAVILION.

[MUSIC] AND THERE IS SPECIAL GUEST PERFORMING ON SATURDAY.

>> TO PERFORMANCE FROM SWITZERLAND.

>> Reporter: 90 1X WAS THE FIRST TO PLAY SWITCH FOOTS MUSIC 20 YEARS AGO AND WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN GETTING MEN TO PERFORM AT DECEMBER NIGHTS.

IT'S THE FIRST TIME THE EVENT WILL HAVE A MAJOR MUSICAL ACT.

>> THE SWITCH FOOT GUYS, THIS IS THEIR HOMETOWN.

THEY'VE BEEN HERE FOREVER.

THEY HAVE FAMILIES AND PARENTS HERE AND I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO PERFORM AT DECEMBER NIGHTS AT BALBOA PARK REALLY HITS THEM AT THEIR HEART.

>> Reporter: WE GOT UP THE BAND AT THEIR REHEARSAL SPACE IN CARLSBAD >> WHENEVER THEY CALL WE ANSWER THE PHONE.

>> Reporter: DRUMMER CHAD BUTLER SAYS IT'S AN HONOR TO PLAY FOR THE HOMETOWN CROWD.

>> TO BE A PART OF THIS SEPARATION FROM HOLIDAYS IS GREAT.

MAKE THE BAND RELEASED ITS FIRST CHRISTMAS ALBUM LESTER.

GUITARIST TIM FOREMAN SAID FANS CAN EXPECT THOSE SOULLESS TO BE ON THE SET LIST.

>> SOMEONE WILL SHOUT OUT A SONG FOR THE BACK ROW AND WILL TAKE IT IN AND HOLD DIFFERENT DIRECTION BUT THAT'S WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT LIVE MUSIC.

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

[MUSIC] MET BESIDE SPORE FOR HER FROM HERE, SWITCH FOOT WILL BE PERFORMING A STRIPPED-DOWN CONCERT.

>> THE AARP AND HOLIDAY CHEER GARDEN RIGHT AROUND 8:45.

GET THERE EARLY AND GET SOME HOLIDAY CHEER AND ENJOY SECOND SET FROM SWITCH FOOT FOR FREE.

>> VISIT DECEMBER NIGHTS WEBSITE.

THERE YOU CAN PLAN YOUR ATTACK FOR THE TWO-DAY EVENT.

>> TONIGHT WILL BE QUITE A THEN LAST NIGHT WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT SCATTERED SHOWERS AND SPRINKLES IN SOME AREAS.

WE WILL BE DRY TONIGHT AND GET DOWN TO ABOUT 30 AND RAMONA.

EL CAJON 43.

47 INCIDENTAL.

FORECAST BEGINS STILL RELATIVELY COOL BUT THERE WILL BE A WARMING TREND THAT TAKES OVER.

WE WOULD TALK ABOUT HOW WARM WILL GET INTO NEXT WEEK IN THE FULL FORECAST.

TONIGHT DOWN TO 33 IN MT.

LAGUNA.

BORREGO SPRINGS AT 40 DEGREES.

OVER SATURDAY'S FORECAST LOOKS PRETTY PLEASANT.

STILL A LITTLE CHILLY TO THE EAST.

>>> MONEY FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S MIGRANT WELCOME CENTER IS RUNNING UP.

NEXT TUESDAY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL CONSIDER REALLOCATING ANOTHER $3 MILLION IN AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDING.

CHAIRWOMAN NORA VARGAS AND SUPERVISOR JOEL ANDERSON ARE ASKING THE BOARD TO FIND ADDITIONAL SERVICES AS THEY CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS FOR MORE LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS.

SUPERVISOR JIM DESMOND WHO OPPOSED THE FIRST ROUND OF FUNDING SAYS THIS IS A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ISSUE THAT THE COUNTY IS PAYING FOR.

>> I THINK THE MORE WE DO THIS, THE MORE IT WILL SNOWBALL ON US.

AND THE PEOPLE DO NEED HELP GETTING TO WHERE THEY ARE GOING.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT.

>> GROUPS HELPING ASYLUM- SEEKERS WHAT MORE FUNDING BUT WANTED ALLOCATED DIFFERENTLY.

THE DIRECTOR OF AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE MONEY GOING TOWARD GROUPS HELPING MIGRANTS IN BETWEEN BORDER WALLS OR -- >> MORE PEOPLE ARE FALLING INTO HOMELESS AND AND EXITING INTO HOUSING.

ACCORDING TO NEW REPORT FROM THE REGIONAL TASK FORCE ON HOMELESSNESS.

BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2022 AND OCTOBER OF 2023, AN AVERAGE OF 10 PEOPLE FOUND HOUSING FOR EVERY 16 PEOPLE WHO BECAME UN- HOUSED FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THAT IS UP FROM THE PREVIOUS REPORT.

THE TASK FORCE DIRECTOR SAID MOST PEOPLE EXITED HOMELESSNESS BY RENTING EITHER WITH OR WITHOUT A SUBSIDY.

RATHER THAN THROUGH PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY LEADERS COULD DELAY IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW LAW THAT EXPANDS WHO CAN BE INVOLUNTARILY HELD.

SUPERVISORS ARE VOTING ON THIS NEXT WEEK.

>> Reporter: THE NEW LAW MEANS MORE PEOPLE CAN BE INVOLUNTARILY TREATED OR PUT INTO A CONSERVATORSHIP.

SENATE BILL 43 EXPANDS THE DEFINITION OF GRAVELY DISABLED TO INCLUDE THOSE WITH A SEVERE SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER WHO CANNOT PROVIDE FOR THEIR OWN SAFETY OR MEDICAL CARE.

THAT EXPANSION IS SET TO TAKE EFFECT IN JANUARY.

THE COUNTIES CAN OPT TO DELAY IMPLEMENTATION.

SOMETHING COUNTY BOARD CHAIR NORA VARGAS IS A PROPOSING WITH SUPPORT FROM LOCAL HOSPITALS.

>> IS SIMPLE.

WE DO NOT HAVE THE FACILITIES.

>> VARGAS SAYS THE COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO THE EXPANSION BUT MUST WAIT UNTIL 2025 TO DO SO POINTING TO THE ROLLOUT OF CARE CORE AND THE PROCESS OF EVOLVING STAKEHOLDERS FOR A SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION.

>> THE YEAR REALLY GIVES THIS COUNTY TIME TO PLAN AND PREPARE AND COORDINATE SO THAT WE ALL KNOW WHAT WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING AND HOW WE WILL MANAGE THIS.

THIS LAW IS SUPPOSED TO GO INTO EFFECT IN LESS THAN A MONTH.

AND NOBODY HAS HAD ANY DISCUSSION ON COORDINATION AND HOW WE WILL DO THAT.

HE MET THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION OF SAN DIEGO AND IMPERIAL COUNTY SAYS IF SB 43 GOES INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1st, THERE WILL BE INSUFFICIENT SERVICES IN PLACE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DEEMED TO MEET NEW REQUIREMENTS OF GRAVELY DISABLED.

SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA SAYS THERE'S TOO MUCH AT STAKE TO DELAY IN THE PETITION FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

HE ARGUES LIVES COULD BE LOST.

>> I BELIEVE THIS IS ONE OF THE KEY WAYS WITH THE MOST DIFFICULT CASES.

WHAT ABOUT FOLKS WHO LOST A JOB, STRUGGLING TO MAKE.

I'M TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE SEVERE DENTAL ILLNESS.

BIPOLAR.

SCHIZOPHRENIA.

AND OFTEN CO-OCCURRING SITUATIONS WITH EXTREME SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER.

THAT'S WHY I SAY THIS COULD RESULT IN MORE PEOPLE DYING.

>> I'M CONCERNED IT MIGHT COST PEOPLE'S LIVES BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE EMERGENCY ROOMS AND THEY WILL BE FULL OF PATIENTS.

WE SUPPORTIVE OF WHAT THE MAYOR WOULD LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH.

WE ARE ALSO WORRIED ABOUT OUR CAPABILITY AND CAPACITY TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS SAFELY FOR THEM AND FOR OTHER PATIENTS.

>> HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS ARE ALREADY EXTREMELY BUSY BUT GLORIA SAYS ANY CHANGE AT THIS POINT IS BETTER THAN THE STATUS QUO.

>> IF WE LEAVE THE THINGS THE WAY THEY ARE, THE PEOPLE WHO WILL BE LEFT TO SERVE AS THIS POPULATION IS LAW-ENFORCEMENT.

OUR SHELTER PROVIDERS.

AND PROBABLY MOST TRAGICALLY, THE ELDERLY AGED PARENTS OF ADULT AGED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS.

>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF KEVIN MARTIN IS SUPPORTS THE LATE IMPLEMENTATION BECAUSE SHE SAYS THE PROPER TRAINING AND INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS TO BE IN PLACE.

MARTINEZ IS A LAW REQUIRES A DIAGNOSIS OF SEVERE SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER AND THERE IS NO SYSTEM FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CURRENTLY VERIFY THAT DIAGNOSIS.

>>> ANY TIME IT RAINS IN OUR COUNTY IT'S ALMOST GUARANTEED SEWER CONTAMINATION FROM THE BORDER WILL FLOW TO OUR SOUTH BAY BEACHES.

SENATOR STEVE PADILLA INVITED LOCAL STATE AND FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES TO CHULA VISTA TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE.

HE ALSO SERVES AS CHAIR OF THE STATE SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON CALIFORNIA-MEXICO COOPERATION DONALD.

DURING A TOUR OF THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IN JUNE, HE SAID HE WAS WORKING TO GET FUNDING TO HELP LIFT THE IF THE STRUCTURE.

>> THERE HAS BEEN VASTLY INSUFFICIENT OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE FUNDING THAT LEADS TO CONNECTIONS LIKE THIS.

CONDITIONS LIKE THIS WHICH ARE UNACCEPTABLE.

>> IMPROVEMENT TO THE WATER PLANT ARE UNDERWEIGHT AND SHOULD BE COMPLETED SOMETIME THIS MONTH.

>>> HEALTH WHEN YOUR SOLAR INDUSTRY IS FACING TOUGH TIMES AFTER STATE UTILITY REGULATORS CHANGE THE RULES FOR ROOFTOP SOLAR LAST SPRING.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON SAID SALES ARE DOWN AND LAYOFFS ARE UP.

>> Reporter: ROSS WILLIAMS HAS WORKED IN SAN DIEGO'S RESIDENTIAL SOLAR INDUSTRY SINCE 2010.

HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING THIS DARK FOR AN INDUSTRY THAT ENJOYED DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH OVER THE LAST DECADE.

>> SALES HAVE BEEN 20-30% YEAR- OVER-YEAR.

AND THAT IS BRUTAL.

NO COMPANY CAN SURVIVE WHERE YOUR SALES ARE 30% OF WHAT THEY WERE LAST YEAR.

IT'S A RECIPE FOR DISASTER.

>> Reporter: AHJ SOLAR HAD FEWER THAN 10 EMPLOYEES WHEN WILLIAMS JOINED THE FIRM MORE THAN A DECADE AGO.

HE BOUGHT THE COMPANY IN 2015 IN PART BECAUSE THE FUTURE WAS BRIGHT.

WORKFORCE WELD 275 BY THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

BUT UNDER NEW SOLAR RULES, THAT TOOK EFFECT IN APRIL, WILLIAMS WAS FORCED TO CUT JOBS IN JULY AND AGAIN IN AUGUST.

SAN DIEGO COMPANY IS DOWN TO 35 WORKERS.

>> IT'S THE ABSOLUTE WORST.

OUR CULTURE IS FAMILY FIRST AND IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO TELL PEOPLE THAT I PERSONALLY HIRED WITH THAT PROMISE, LIKE WE WILL HAVE A SPOT FOR YOU AND YOU WORK WELL FOR US.

WE WILL BE THERE FOR YOU.

SAY, HEY, SORRY, YOU KNOW, CAN'T EMPLOY YOU ANYMORE.

IT'S EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.

>> REPORTER:, FOR THE SOLAR INDUSTRY EMPLOYED MORE THAN 78,000 PEOPLE IN 2023.

67,000 IN THE RESIDENTIAL ROOFTOP SOLAR SECTOR.

INDUSTRY OFFICIALS PROJECT 17,000 OF THOSE RESIDENTIAL JOBS WILL BE SNUFFED OUT BY THE FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR.

THE PROSPECTS FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR REMAIN DARK.

>> THE MARKET IN REAL TIME UNDER THE NEW NET METERING IS 80% BELOW WHERE IT WAS LAST SUMMER.

REMEMBER THAT IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CALIFORNIA SOLAR AND STORAGE ASSOCIATION.

SHE SAYS THE LAYOFFS ARE EXACTLY WHAT THE INDUSTRY WAS WARNING ABOUT WHEN REGULATORS WERE REVISING THE STATES THAT ENERGY METERING RULES.

THE RULE CHANGES/THE VALUE OF ELECTRICITY PRODUCED BY ROOFTOP SOLAR AND THAT HAS CRUSHED DEMAND.

>> WITH THE 80% IS GOT IS SALES.

MEASURED BY BOTH SALES DATA COLLECTED IN THE AGGREGATE ACROSS INDUSTRY AS WELL AS INTERCONNECTION APPLICATION.

THAT'S THE FIRST STEP OF THE INTERCONNECTION PROCESS.

>> THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS ARE ONLY PART OF THE STORE.

THE DECLINE WAS OF HER CALIFORNIA'S EFFORTS TO REACH CARBON NEUTRALITY BY 2045 THAT REQUIRES SLASHING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, CUTTING AIR POLLUTION AND DRAMATICALLY REDUCING FOSSIL FUEL CONSUMPTION.

STANFORD UNIVERSITY MARK JACOBSON SAYS ROOFTOP SOLAR WAS A POST TO WAS SUPPOSED TO ACCOUNT FOR ONE QUARTER OF THE ENERGY PRODUCTION BUT THIS YEAR'S RULE CHANGES MAY PUT THAT TARGET OUT OF REACH.

AS SOLAR ADOPTION STALLS.

>> SLOWING THAT DOWN WITH HOSTILE REGULATIONS TO MAKE IT MORE EXPENSIVE FOR PEOPLE TO PUT ON ROOFTOP SOLAR WILL JUST SLOW DOWN THE TRANSITION AND CAUSE MORE AIR POLLUTION DEATHS AND MORBIDITY IN CALIFORNIA.

AND RAISE PRICES AS WELL.

>> Reporter: JACOBSON STUDY TO ELECTRIFY THE STATE TO COME IN.

HE SAYS IT WILL REQUIRE GREATLY EXPANDING WIND ENERGY.

GEOTHERMAL ENERGY, BATTERY STORAGE AND SOLAR FROM ROOFTOPS.

HE SAID REGULATORS SHOULD BE FACILITATORS.

>> EVERY OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE REGULATORS NEED TO MAKE IT EASY TO PUT SOLAR AND NOT WERE DIFFICULT.

AND NOT LISTEN TO THESE NAYSAYERS WHO ARE TRYING TO MAKE MONEY BY OUTLYING OUT LINE THE USE OF SOLAR PEOPLE'S HOMES.

>> Reporter: THE RULE CHANGES IMPLEMENTED THIS YEAR ARE BEING CHALLENGED IN COURT.

THE SAN DIEGO-BASED PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION, THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP AS THE FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL IN SAN FRANCISCO TO FORCE REGULATORS TO RECONSIDER THE CHANGES.

THE CHALLENGE ARGUES THAT CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION FAILED TO SUPPORT SOLAR AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES AND DIDN'T ACCOUNT FOR ALL THE BENEFITS OF ROOFTOP SOLAR.

REGULATORS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO MAKE SURE THE SOLAR INDUSTRY GROWS SUSTAINABLY.

>> ALL THREE OF THOSE THINGS ARE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS IN THE PUBLIC UTILITIES CODE.

AND THE COMMISSION'S DECISION DOESN'T MEET THOSE REQUIREMENTS.

>> Reporter: THE CPUC ASKED THE COURT TO REJECT THE CHALLENGE IN A LEGAL FILING.

THE COURT DECIDED TO HEAR THE CASE.

ORAL ARGUMENTS ARE SCHEDULED FOR DECEMBER 13.

IT'S UNCLEAR WHEN A DECISION MIGHT BE RENDERED.

>>> IT'S THE MOST SEVERE FORM OF PUNISHMENT.

THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CAN HAND DOWN TO A MEMBER.

EXPULSION.

AND TODAY LAWMAKERS VOTED TO REMOVE ONE OF THEIR OWN FROM THEIR RANKS.

NEW YORK GEORGE SANTOS IS A SIX MEMBER IN HISTORY TO BE STRIPPED OF HIS CONGRESSIONAL TITLE DID WE HAVE MORE.

>> Reporter: WITH THAT CUT GEORGE SANTOS TERM AS A REPUBLICAN REPRESENTING NEW YORK'S THIRD DISTRICT IS OVER.

EXPELLED FROM THE HOUSE FRIDAY BY MORE THAN TWO THIRDS MAJORITY OF HIS FELLOW MEMBERS.

BECOMING ONLY THE SIX MEMBER IN AMERICAN HISTORY TO LOSE A SEAT THIS WAY.

AFTER HIS EXPULSION SANTOS TOLD CNN THAT THE HOUSEBOAT SETS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT ADDING WHY WOULD I WANT TO STAY HERE.

TO WITH THIS PLACE.

MINUTES LATER HE LEFT CAPITOL HILL IN A WAITING JAGUAR.

>> IT'S A SAD DAY TO REMOVE MEMBERS BECAUSE BASICALLY HE DEFRAUDED THE VOTERS OF HIS DISTRICT.

HIS LIFE WAS MADE UP AND IT WAS A LIE.

>> Reporter: REPRESENTED DAVID JOYCE OF OHIO CHAIRED THE SUB COMMITTEE THAT PUT TOGETHER THE CONFERENCE OF INSTIGATING ETHICS PROBE AGAINST SANTOS.

ACCUSING HIM OF BREAKING SEVERAL FEDERAL LAWS AND USING LIES TO WIN HIS HOUSE SEAT.

ALONG WITH FINANCIAL MISDEEDS LIKE SPENDING HIS CAMPAIGN FUNDS ON PERSONAL ITEMS.

LIKE SPA VISITS, BOTOX INDENTURED INJECTIONS AND AND ONLY GETS COPIED >> IT'S WRONG WHAT HE WAS ACCUSED OF DOING.

HE WAS ACCUSED.

HE HAS EVEN HAD HIS DAY IN COURT.

>> OR THAN TWO THIRDS OF THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND A NOT SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF AMERICAN SOFFIT TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF EXPULSION DESPITE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CONTRARY FROM THEIR LEADERSHIP.

THAT TO ME IS A SIGN OF INTEGRITY RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS.

>> Reporter: NO WORD FROM HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE JOHNSON AFTER THE BOAT.

BUT NEW YORK'S GOVERNOR ALREADY POSTING ON X, FORMALLY TWITTER, THAT SHE'S READY TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF FILLING SANTOS EMPTY SEAT.

>>> SAN DIEGO CONGRESSMAN DARRELL ISO WAS AMONG THE 112 REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED AGAINST EXPELLING SANTOS BUT THE OTHER REPRESENTATIVES FROM OUR COUNTY ALL DEMOCRATS VOTED IN FAVOR OF EXPULSION.

AS DID THE REST OF THE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVES FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

>>> CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM IN FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DeSANTIS FACED OFF ON FOX NEWS.

THE EVENT WAS BILLED AS THE GREAT RED VERSUS BLUE STATE DEBATE.

THE GOVERNOR'S BATTLED OVER THE ECONOMY, PANDEMIC RESEARCH AND AND THE BORDER WHILE TRADING BARBS.

>> I SUPPORT BORDER SECURITY.

I THINK THE ASYLUM SYSTEM IS BROKEN.

I BELIEVE -- I'M THE ONLY GUY HERE THAT THEY BORDER STATE GOVERNOR.

YOU ARE TRULY FOLKS AND TRYING TO FIND MIGRANTS TO PLAY POLITICAL GAMES TO GET NEWS TO OUTRUN THE TRUCK.

BY THE WAY, HOW'S THAT GOING FOR YOU?

RON.

YOU ARE DOWN 41 POINTS IN YOUR OWN HOME STATE.

>> HE'S JUST THROWING STUFF OUT TO SEE WHAT SIX AGAINST THE WALL.

THIS IS A SLICK, SLIPPERY POLITICIAN WHOSE STATE IS BEEN.

PEOPLE ARE LEAVING HIS STATE AND IS TRYING TO RUN INTERFERENCE FOR HIS FAILURES.

>> THE SANTOS IS RUNNING FOR THE 2024 REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION IS TRAILING FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

NEWSOM HAS NOT SAID IF HE WILL RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2028.

>>> A NEW REPORT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY HAS OUTLINED WHAT A RICH SOURCE OF LITHIUM IMPERIAL VALLEY IS.

KPBS REPORTER GOT REACTION FROM A COMPLETE THAT'S GETTING READY TO MINE IT.

>> Reporter: THE REPORT BY THE LAWRENCE BERKELEY NATIONAL LAB SAYS THERE'S AN ESTIMATED 18 MILLION METRIC THROWN TONS OF LAW RAW LITHIUM UNDER IMPERIAL COUNTY.

ENOUGH TO MAKE AND 75 MILLION ELECTRIC CAR BATTERIES.

THE REPORT CONFIRMED WHAT POLITICIANS SEE WHEN THEY CALLED IMPERIAL COUNTY LITHIUM VALLEY.

CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLYMAN EDUARDO GARCIA REPRESENTS THE AREA.

HE SAYS THE REPORT IS GOOD NEWS FOR THE VALLEY AND THE NATION.

>> TO BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT AND INDEPENDENT FROM FOREIGN NATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO THESE CRITICAL MINERALS BEING DEVELOPED AND DEPLOYED TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO-BASED ENERGY SOURCE MINERALS NEXT YEAR PLANS TO BUILD A $1 BILLION PLAN TO EXTRACT THE LITHIUM.

CEO SAYS THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY REPORT IS ACCURATE BUT DOESN'T CONSIDER THE CHALLENGE OF EXTRACTING THE LITHIUM.

>> I DO THINK THERE'S A LOT OF LITHIUM THERE.

I THINK THERE'S GEOTHERMAL POWER POTENTIAL THERE.

I THINK THE POSSIBILITY THAT IT'S ACTUALLY ALL RECOVERABLE IS A LITTLE BIT MAY BE AGGRESSIVE.

>> Reporter: UNDERGRAD NEAR THE SALTON SEA, LITHIUM IS SUSPENDED IN SCALDING HOT BRINE WATER BELOW THE SURFACE.

THE ENERGY SOURCE PLANT WILL FUNNEL THAT WATER TO THE SURFACE WHERE IT'S PUSHED THROUGH A FILTER THAT CATCHES THE LITHIUM.

THE WATER IS THEN PUMPED BACK BELOW TO THE WATER TABLE.

THEY SAY THERE WERE POOR DESCRIBES THE LITHIUM DEPOSIT SO PLENTIFUL THEY WILL BE HARD TO DEPLETE.

>> WE WILL BE DEPLETING SOME BUT THE RESERVOIR IS SO BIG THAT YOU WON'T SEE IT IN THE LIFETIME OF A SINGLE PROJECT LIKE OURS.

>> Reporter: THE ENERGY SOURCE PLANT WILL OPERATE FOR 30 YEARS AND THE ESTIMATE EXTRACT 20,000 TONS OF BATTERY GREAT LITHIUM EACH YEAR.

THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT HAS INCENTIVIZE THE CONSTRUCTION OF BATTERY PLANTS IN THE U.S.

SO IMPERIAL COUNTY LITHIUM WON'T NEED TO GO OFFSHORE TO BE PROCESSED.

>> WE GOT TO GIVE CREDIT TO THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT FOR GETTING THAT STUFF ON CHORE.

I DON'T THINK IT WAS ONLY AN INCENTIVE BUT IT WAS A BIG ONE.

THAT'S JUST GIVEN US DOMESTIC PLACES TO SELL THE LITHIUM SO WE DON'T HAVE TO SHIP IT TO KOREA OR JAPAN OR HEAVEN FORBID, CHINA.

>> Reporter: ENERGY SOURCE MINERALS NOW HAS AN AGREEMENT WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO SUPPLY THEM WITH LITHIUM.

HE SAYS FORD IS PLANNING TO BUILD SEVERAL PLANTS TO MAKE LITHIUM BATTERIES.

>>> TODAY IS WORLD AIDS DAY.

A TIME TO RAISE AWARENESS AND DESTIGMATIZE A DISEASE THAT STILL IS DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTING THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE OF COLOR.

WE HAVE MORE ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TESTING AS WELL AS THE ADVANCEMENTS MADE IN PREVENTION AND IN TREATMENT.

>> Reporter: IN THE U.S., APPROXIMATELY 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE HIV.

ABOUT 13% OF THEM DON'T KNOW IT.

>> THEY MAY NOT BECOME AWARE OF IT UNTIL LATER ON AT A POINT WHEN THE DISEASE HAS PROGRESSED AND THE ACTUALLY GET SICK.

>> Reporter: DR. CARLOS WITH THE OHIO STATE WEXLER MEDICAL CENTER SAID BECAUSE OF ADVANCEMENT OF TREATMENT THAT THOSE WHO HAVE A THEY CAN HAVE THE SAME LIFE EXPECTANCY AS EVERYONE ELSE.

BUT HE SAYS THERE IS STILL WORK TO BE DONE.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE KNOW THEIR OWN STATUS.

THAT TESTING FOR HIV IS WIDELY AVAILABLE.

MET THE CDC RECOMMENDS EVERYONE BETWEEN THE AGES OF 13 AND 64 GET TESTED FOR HIV AT LEAST ONCE AS PART OF THEIR ROUTINE HEALTHCARE.

BUT NOW HE SAYS THE STIGMA AROUND THIS DISEASE MAY PREVENT PEOPLE FROM DOING THAT.

>> EVEN THOUGH THERE'S MORE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT HIV, THAT IS STILL A LOT OF IGNORANCE ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE MEDICATIONS THAT CAN HELP PREVENT AN INFECTION BUT HE SAYS MANY PEOPLE ARE NOT AWARE OF THEM.

THERE ARE ALSO TREATMENTS THAT CAN HELP STOP THE SPREAD.

>> SOMEBODY WHO IS LIVING WITH HIV AND IS VIRALLY SUPPRESSED.

TAKING THEIR MEDICATION AND THEIR VIRUS IS COMPLETELY CONTROLLED.

THEN THEY HAVE ZERO RISK OF TRANSMITTING THE VIRUS TO A SEXUAL PARTNER.

>> Reporter: HE SAID ADDRESSING DISPARITIES AND TESTING ACCESS TO CARE IS CRITICAL.

>> WE COULD HAVE A CURE TODAY BUT IF YOU CAN'T GET IT TO THE PEOPLE THAT NEED IT, THEN IT IS POINTLESS.

>>> ABOUT CONFERENCE, WE TALKED ABOUT SOME SPRINKLES AND SHOWERS IN THE FORECAST FOR LAST NIGHT AND EARLY THIS PAST MORNING JUST IMPACTING SOME.

BUT CERTAINLY NOT ALL.

NOW WE RETURNING TO A QUIETER SPELL.

THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL SKYLIGHT SHOT.

A WARMING TREND WILL TAKE OVER THE WEEKEND INTO NEXT WEEK.

WAS THE SUNSHINE OF THE NEXT TWO DAYS AND THEN WE HAVE TO WAIT, BUT UNTIL ABOUT NEXT WEEKEND ABOUT 8-9 DAYS FROM NOW UNTIL THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY FOR SHOWERS.

THAT APPEARS TO BE THE MOST LIKELY SCENARIO.

NEXT WEEKEND WE GET INTO SOME SCATTERED SHOWERS RETURNING.

A QUIETER, DRIER SPELL.

TONIGHT, 247 WITH MAINLY CLEAR SKIES.

A LITTLE COOL OUT THERE IN THE SOUTHWEST ON SATURDAY WITH US DEALING WITH DRY WEATHER.

THERE ARE SOME SMOOTH KNOW IN COLORADO.

BIG-TIME RAIN AND ALSO TO THE NORTHWEST.

THERE'S A FRINGE OF THE RAIN NEAR READING AND CHICO CALIFORNIA.

FOR US WE ARE DRY AND LOOKING GOOD ON SATURDAY.

TIES TO THE MID TO UPPER 60s NEAR THE COAST.

67 INTO SAN DIEGO.

EL CAJON AROUND 70 DEGREES AND THE MOUNTAINS WILL HAVE LOAF ORDERS IN THE ICE.

BORREGO SPRINGS AROUND 67 DEGREES.

FUTURE SATELLITE AND RADAR SHOWING NOT MUCH TO SPEAK OF.

A VERY BRIGHT TIME AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE DAY ON SATURDAY WITH SOME CLOUDS MADE OF SHORT, IT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF CLOUD COVER INTERSPERSED WITH SOME SUNSHINE INTO THE AVENUE.

A MOSTLY SUNNY DAY OVERALL FOR US ON SATURDAY.

YOU CAN SEE THE TEMPERATURES TRENDING UPWARD.

WE GAINED FIVE DEGREES FROM SATURDAY'S UPPER 60s TO TUESDAY'S MID-70s.

LOTS OF SUNSHINE EACH OF THE NEXT FIVE DAYS.

INLAND AREAS WILL RISE FROM 69 TO 78 INTO TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

NICE WEATHER AND NO COMPLAINTS OUT THERE.

IN THE MOUNTAINS RUNNING CHILI.

43 ON SATURDAYS HI AND 50 BEGINNING ON MONDAY WITH A MIX OF SUNSHINE AND CLOUDS.

AND IN THE DESERTS HERE, ARISING FROM THE 67 ON SATURDAY AND CERTAINLY A COOL DAY.

TO AROUND 75.

A LOT SUNSHINE OUT THERE.

A GOOD STRETCH TO GET OUT AND ABOUT.

DON'T FORGET THE SUNSCREEN EVEN IN DECEMBER.

YOU CAN GET A BURN FROM THE SUN.

THANKS FOR BEING WITH US AND THIS IS KPBS NEWS.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, WHAT'S NEXT IN THE WAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS AS FIGHTING RESUMES.

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

>>> NOVEMBER WAS A GREAT MONTH FOR STOCKS AND INVESTMENTS.

RECENT GAINS AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE LARGER ECONOMY IN THE FRIDAY BUSINESS REPORT.

>>> WE ARE HEADING INTO THE HOLIDAY SPIRIT IN EARLY CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR INVESTORS.

I THINK WE SAW IN THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER THE BEST PERFORMANCE WE'VE SEEN IN A LONG TIME ON A NUMBER OF INDUSTRIES.

BOTH THE DOW GOT THE SNP AND THE NASDAQ.

IN FACT THE DOW AND THE S&P WERE UP 9% THIS PAST MONTH.

AND THE S&P ACTUALLY THE FORCE BEST MONTH THEY'VE HAD IN A DECADE AND THE SECOND IS NOVEMBER IN 40 YEARS.

BUT THE REAL MAJOR ECONOMIC FACTORS THAT ARE IMPACTING THIS IS INVESTORS, STOCK ANALYSTS AND ECONOMISTS ARE SAYING THERE'S A SHIFT IN MONETARY POLICY.

I THINK EVERYONE SEES THAT THE FED BASED ON WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IS THEY ARE SEEING POTENTIALLY LOWER VOLATILITY IN THE FUTURE.

THEY THINK THEY'RE NOT GOING TO RAISE RATES IN DECEMBER AND A LOT OF FOLKS ARE THINKING THAT THE FED MAY BE DONE RAISING RATES.

WHICH REALLY PUTS WALL STREET IN A MUCH MORE OPTIMISTIC MOOD.

>>> YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE.

KPBS.ORG.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR RESTORATION.

FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

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

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING: >> AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.