>> U IS BASICALLY FAILING THE COURSE RATHER THAN PASSING IT.

IT IS A PASS/FAIL SYSTEM.

>> THE RESEARCHER'S UNION HAS FILED TWO UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE CHARGES WITH THE STATE RELATIONS BOARD ON HIS BEHALF.

IN THOSE CHARGES, THE UNION CLAIMS PROFESSOR TO VENTRESS SAID, ESSENTIALLY, HIS HANDS WERE TIED, DUE TO THE UNIVERSITY'S GUIDANCE.

AND HE THEN THREATENED THAT THE STUDENT WILL FAIL THE COURSE AND BE REPLACED BY ANOTHER EMPLOYEE IF HE CONTINUES TO ENGAGE IN PROTECTED STRIKE ACTIVITIES.

THE UNION SAID THAT THE ALLEGED RETALIATION ALSO HAPPEN TO TEACHING ASSISTANT, KNOWN AS T A's IN THE CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT.

>> TODAY, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED AROUND 10 D.A.S WHO HAVE RECEIVED CAPITAL USE.

>> CONNOR O'HERN IS A UNION ORGANIZER AND A GRADUATE RESEARCHER WHO SAYS THE UNSATISFACTORY GRADES ARE DEVASTATING TO STUDENTS AT ANY LEVEL.

SENECA SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED A SATISFACTORY FOR THE WORK THEY DID BEFORE THE STRIKE THAT WAS COMPLETED SATISFACTORILY.

TO GIVE THE U BASED ON THEIR STRIKE PARTICIPATION, IT IS RETALIATION FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THE STRIKE.

PROFESSOR TO VENTER REFUSED COMMENT ON THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM.

INSTEAD, THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS TOLD KPBS NEWS, THAT WHILE WE ARE NOT ABLE TO DISCUSS SPECIFIC INCIDENTS, ALL EVIDENCE OF RETALIATION IS TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY.

THE STUDENT UNION WILL CONTINUE TO PURSUE THE RETALIATION COMPLAINT WHILE THEIR NEGOTIATORS CONTINUE MEDIATION MEETINGS ON THEIR CONTRACT.

MEANWHILE, DANIEL PRIMUS WILL TRY TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS.

>> SO FAR, YES, I THINK I STILL HAVE HOPE.

>> THE TRUMP-ERA IMMIGRATION POLICY KNOWN AS 42 IS SCHEDULED TO END NEXT WEEK.

THE PBS REPORTER SPOKE WITH A LOCAL ACTIVIST ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THIS CONTROVERSIAL PROGRAM.

>> HAD A 42 WAS PROBLEMATIC FROM THE START.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BEGAN USING IT AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC WITH THE STATED PURPOSE OF STOPPING THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

IT ADVOCATES LIKE PEDRO RIOS QUICKLY POINTED OUT THAT IT WAS REALLY PUT IN PLACE TO STOP MIGRATION.

>> IN THIS CASE, UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, IT WAS USED AS A -- UNDER THE PRETEXT OF THE PANDEMIC TO STOP PEOPLE FROM THE MIGHT TO MAKE AN ADDENDUM CLAIM.

>> MOST OF THE MIGRANTS THAT WERE AFFECTED WERE BROWN AND BLACK MIGRANTS.

SO THERE WAS A RACIAL COMPONENT, IN TERMS OF HOW THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION USED IT.

MATATA 42 ALLOWS BORDER PATROL AGENTS TO TURN AWAY MIGRANTS, INCLUDING ASYLUM-SEEKERS AT THE BORDER.

THIS MEANS THEY DO NOT GET A CHANCE TO PURSUE ASYLUM CASES IN IMMIGRATION COURT.

ADVOCATES SAY IT HAD ESSENTIALLY BARRED ACCESS TO ASYLUM FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

AND THE POLICY HAS OUTLIVED ANY OTHER PANDEMIC ERA TRAVEL RESTRICTION, QUARANTINE, OR MASK MANDATE.

OFFICIALS DURING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION STOP USING THE PANDEMIC AS A PRETEXT AND BEGAN DESCRIBING IT AS AN ENFORCEMENT TOOL.

>> THERE WAS A TRANSITION FROM MOVING AWAY FROM THE USE OF TITLE 42 AS A RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC AS A MEASURE TO CONTROL MIGRATION AND TO PROTECT UNREGULATED MIGRATION.

SO, TRYING TO STOP PEOPLE FROM CROSSING INTO THE UNITED STATES.

>> RIOS SAYS THAT A 42 IS NOW FRAMED AS A NECESSARY POLICY TO STOP IMMIGRATION.

BUT HE ARGUES THAT IT INCENTIVIZES ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION BECAUSE IT BLOCKED PATHWAYS TO LEGAL ACCESS TO ASYLUM.

FOR EXAMPLE, BEFORE TITLE 42, IMMIGRANTS COULD PRESENT THEMSELVES AT A TITLE AGENCY BY TELLING BORDER AGENTS THAT THEY FEARED PERSECUTION BACK HOME.

>> BUT THAT ANY OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW UP AT A PORT, -- WE HAVE SEEN THAT HERE IN SAN DIEGO, AND WE HAVE SEEN IT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE BORDER.

>> MORE THAN 850,000 MIGRANTS DIED DURING THE FISCAL YEAR WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CROSS THE BORDER ILLEGALLY, MORE THAN ANY OTHER YEAR ON RECORD.

TITLE 42 IS SCHEDULED TO FINALLY END ON DECEMBER 21st.

THAT IS WHEN A FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERED THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO END THE PRACTICE.

RIOS SAYS HE IS HAPPY TO SEE THE POLICY GO AWAY, BUT HE HAS STOPPED SHORT OF CALLING IT AN OUTRIGHT VICTORY.

THE NEGATIVES ARE TO QUALIFY SOMETHING AS A VICTORY WHEN ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN SAYING ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN HARMFUL HAS LED TO UNTOLD HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OF MIGRANTS, BOTH IN THE U.S. AND MEXICO.

AND IT HAS CREATED CONDITIONS WHERE PEOPLE ARE DYING.

>> IN SOME WAYS, THE LONG- LASTING DAMAGE IS ALREADY DONE.

RIOS SAYS THAT A 42, ALONG WITH TRUMP-ERA POLICIES AS SHIFTED THE WAY WE VIEW ASYLUM.

>> HOW THE COLLECTIVE MIND CONSIDERS ASYLUM HAS BEEN DAMAGED.

IT IS NO LONGER SEEN AS AN OBLIGATION TO WELCOME PEOPLE WHO ARE FLEEING VIOLENCE, WHO ARE FLEEING SITUATIONS THAT WOULD END THEIR LIVES.

AND NOW IT IS MORE OF A BURDEN, AND SOMETHING TO REJECT.

>>> AS HOLIDAYS NEAR A TRIFECTA, OR THEORY RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES ARE OVERWHELMING HEALTHCARE WORKERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

RSV HIT HARD, EARLY.

NOW OFFICIALS SAY COVID-19 CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE RISING.

I'M IN RODRIGUEZ REPORTS ON THE LATEST TRENDS AND STEPS THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING TO FIGHT BACK.

>> Reporter: ACROSS THE U.S., TO THE CASES AND DEATHS ARE ON THE RISE.

TO MAKE YOURS WHAT WE KNOW.

WE HAVE SEEN EACH OF THE LAST TWO WINTERS, TO THE CASES RISE UP.

TO MAKE ABOUT 40% OF THE U.S. POPULATION IS IN AN AREA THAT MEETS THE CDC CRITERIA FOR A HIGH COVID-19 AREA LEVEL.

IN DECEMBER, THE AGENCY REPORTED 3000 COVID THAT'S, THE MOST THE U.S. HAS SEEN IN MONTHS.

WHAT HAS COVID RESPONSE COORDINATOR DR. ASHISH JHA SAYS AMERICANS HAVE THE CHANCE TO DECIDE WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

>> PEOPLE GO AND GET THE FLU VACCINE, IF THEY GET THEIR UPDATED VACCINES, THINGS WILL GET BETTER.

>> LATEST PULLING FROM THE KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION 38% OF U.S.

ADULTS RECEIVED, OR PLANNED TO RECEIVE THEIR UPDATED BOOSTER AS AS POSSIBLE, WHILE A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE SAY THEY WILL WAIT AND SEE AND WILL ONLY GET IT IF REQUIRED.

DR. ELAINE SCHAPIRO SAYS ONE WAY TO BOOST VACCINATION RATES IS TO OPEN COMMUNICATIONS WITH PATIENTS.

WE HAVE SEEN MISINFORMATION, AND THIS INFORMATION HAS DISENGAGED A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS.

SADLY, WE ARE SEEING THE OUTCOMES OF THAT.

>> LATEST CDC -- A SLIGHT DROP FROM THE WEEK BEFORE, BUT STILL HIGHER FROM THIS POINT IN THE SEASON.

IT HAS BEEN IN MORE THAN A DECADE.

IVAN RODRIGUEZ, KPBS NEWS.

>> CHILDREN AT ONLY SIX MONTHS OLD CANNOT GET THE UPDATED BOOSTER.

CHILDREN AGES 5 TO 11 TO COME ELIGIBLE FOR THE BOOSTER SINCE OCTOBER.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE STILL URGING EVERYONE TO GET VACCINATED FOR BOTH COVID AND THE FLU.

COMPANIES THAT PAY EMPLOYEES TO STAY HOME AFTER GETTING COVID ON THE JOB WAS TO NOT BE OBLIGED TO PAY.

TODAY, THE CALIFORNIA OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS BOARD VOTED 6-WANT TO END THE RULE THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.

IT WAS MEANT TO STOP THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS, BUT THE RULE HAS BEEN BECOME DIFFICULT TO REINFORCE, MOSTLY BECAUSE THE VIRUS AS BECOME SO WIDESPREAD THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO TELL WHERE IT HAS CONTRACTED.

MOST WORKERS ARE NOT REQUIRED TO ISOLATE AFTER EXPOSURE WITHOUT ANY SYMPTOMS AND NEGATIVE TESTS.

REGULATORS NOW PLAN TO WORK ON PERMANENT TOOLS.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF ECONOMIC NUMBERS THIS WEEK.

NOT ALL OF THEM POINT IN THE SAME DIRECTION.

WHAT YOU HEADLINES ME FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD BUDGET?

AND WHAT SHOULD YOU KEEP IN MIND FOR THE HOME STRETCH OF HOLIDAY SHOPPING?

>> Reporter: IN THE FINAL STRETCH OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON ADDING TO A MIXED ECONOMIC PICTURE.

>> WE KNOW THE ANSWER OF THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WOULD BE ANYTHING BUT TYPICAL.

>> THE FEDERAL RESERVE RAISED INTEREST RATES THIS WEEK'S HAS PLANS TO THE U.S. ECONOMY HAS SEEMED TO HAVE AN IMPACT.

INFLATION EASING IN NOVEMBER.

>> EVEN THOUGH INFLATION NEWS IS GETTING BETTER, IT IS NOT YET GOOD.

>> Reporter: RETAIL SALES DROPPED 6% IN NOVEMBER, DESPITE BLACK FRIDAY AND EARLY HOLIDAY DEALS.

BUT RETAILERS ARE STILL ANTICIPATING A 6% TO 8% INCREASE IN HOLIDAY SALES OVER LAST YEAR, LOOKING AT STRENGTH IN THE LABOR MARKET AND OTHER AREAS.

>> WHAT IS CAUSING THAT IS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN GAINS IN BOTH JOBS AND WAGES, AND THERE IS STILL THE AVAILABILITY TO USE THE BACKLOG OF SAVINGS, ALTHOUGH IT IS DWINDLING.

>> PATIENT HAS COST AMERICANS TO TAP INTO SAVINGS MADE DURING LOCKDOWN.

UP MORE THAN 15% OVER ONE YEAR AGO.

-- WORRIES ABOUT WHAT THE END OF 2022 COULD MEAN FOR 2023.

>> I HAVE A HIGH LEVEL OF CONCERN THAT AT LEAST A LARGE NUMBER OF CONSUMERS WILL ENTER 2023 WITH A HOLIDAY SPENDING HANGOVER.

>>'S RECOMMENDATION FOR THE NEW YEAR HOLDS THAT IN ANY ECONOMIC CLIMATE, AND FOR SAFER EMERGENCIES AND RETIREMENT AND PAY DOWN DEBT.

>> IN WASHINGTON, KPBS NEWS.

>> SOME SAN DIEGO WITH OUR PACKING UP AND HEADING OUT.

NOT 48 TRIP, BUT FOR A CHANGE OF RESIDENCE.

WE LOOK AT HOW SOME PEOPLE ARE GETTING PRICED OUT AND PUSHED OUT OF THE REGION.

>> IT IS NO SECRET THAT SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS AN EXPENSIVE PLACE TO LIVE.

BUT LIFE HAS GOTTEN EXTRA-PRICEY OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

EVICTIONS ARE STRETCHING OUT MANY RENTERS.

>> WE FIGURE WHEN THE PROPERTY WAS SOLD, AT SOME POINT, WE WOULD GET A NOTICE TO VACATE.

>> THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO GEORGE WALLACE.

HE GOT THE NOTICE JUST AFTER SAN DIEGO'S KNOW EVICTION MORATORIUM WAS LIFTED IN SEPTEMBER.

HE WAS TOLD TO BE OUT OF HIS HILLCREST HOME TWO WEEKS BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

AND NOW, HIS LIVING SITUATION HAS GOTTEN A LOT MORE EXPENSIVE.

>> I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO FIND SOMETHING IN THIS MARKET.

COMING FROM WHERE WE HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, AT A REASONABLE RENT FOR 15 YEARS, AND FINDING SOMETHING NOW, MY RENT IS, LITERALLY, IT IS BEING QUADRUPLED.

>> Reporter: SITUATIONS LIKE THAT ARE MAKING MANY CONTEMPLATE THE FUTURE IN THE REGION.

ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH LOWER INCOMES.

>> I AM MOVING BACK HOME TO ARKANSAS AND SANG THE FAMILY FOR A WHILE.

I ALREADY HAVE A JOB THERE, I ALREADY GOT HIRED AT A STARBUCKS DOWN THERE.

20 WE SPOKE WITH LILA MILLER WHILE SHE WAS PACKING UP HER BELONGINGS IN CHULA VISTA.

SHE HAD FALLEN BEHIND IN RENT AND GOTTEN AN EVICTION NOTICE.

THE PRICE OF LIVING PRICED HER OUT OF LIVING ELSEWHERE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> EVERYTHING ELSE WAS JUST TOO EXPENSIVE OR TOO FAR AWAY.

A LOT OF THEM WERE $2200, $2400, ALL THE WAY UP TO $3000 FOR AN APARTMENT.

FOR A TWO BEDROOM, JUST LIKE THIS.

>> Reporter: THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO ECONOMICS PROFESSOR , ALAN JANET SAID THAT IN A HOUSING MARKET THAT IS BOTH EXPENSIVE AND IN SHORT SUPPLY -- >> THE EXPIRATION OF EVICTION WILL MAKE THE PROCESS WORSE.

PEOPLE HAD SOME PROTECTION, BUT NOW THEY COULD BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO EVICTION.

IF THAT IS THE CASE, MANY OF THEM WILL HAVE TO LEAVE THE REGION.

>> SAN DIEGO IS ONE TO THE MOST EXPENSIVE -- >> Reporter: AN ECONOMIST WITH ZILLOW, HE SAID SAN DIEGO GOT ROUGHLY 33% MORE EXPENSIVE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

IT IS NOW THE FOURTH HIGHEST PRICED METRO AREA IN THE U.S. TUCKER SAYS THAT IS WHY SAN DIEGO IS ARE MOVING TO OTHER COUNTIES AT A HIGHER RATE THAN IN THE PAST.

>> RIVERSIDE, SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES, L.A., AND THE OC.

ALL OF THESE PLACES HAVE SEEN A PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HOME SEEKERS, BOTH BUYERS AND RENTERS, COMING FROM THE SAN DIEGO AREA.

>> U.S. CENSUS BUREAU SAID THAT LAST YEAR, SAN DIEGO COUNTY LESS POPULATED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A DECADE.

TUCKER SAYS REMOTE WORK IS GIVING PEOPLE MORE FLEXIBILITY.

>> IS REALLY IS A STORY OF PEOPLE LOOKING TO FIND A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN REACH THEIR AMERICAN DREAM OF A PLACE OF THEIR OWN, MAYBE HOMEOWNERSHIP.

IN THE HOUSE THAT THAT THEIR FAMILY.

AND THAT IS INCREASINGLY INFEASIBLE IN SAN DIEGO FOR THE MIDDLE AND WORKING CLASSES.

>> THOSE WHO DO NOT LEAVE SAN DIEGO, LIKE GEORGE ROWLES ARE FINDING OTHER WAYS TO CUT BACK.

>> WE HAD A DECENT AMOUNT OF DISPOSABLE INCOME, BUT NOW, MOST OF OUR MONEY WILL HAVE TO GO TO ACTUALLY PHYSICALLY LIVING.

>> IF SHE DID NOT MOVE BACK TOWARDS ARKANSAS, SHE WOULD LIKELY END UP HOMELESS.

>> I HOPE TO COME BACK TO CALIFORNIA, I DO LOVE IT HERE.

IT IS JUST TOO EXPENSIVE.

I AM WORKING SO HARD, LIKE, I WORK 2 TO 16 HOURS A DAY SOMETIMES, AND I STILL CANNOT AFFORD TO LIVE HERE.

EVEN WITH A ROOMMATE IN A TWO BEDROOM APARTMENT.

>> YOU WANT A CLEAR ANSWER FOR THE SOLUTION.

>> WHAT IS REALLY NEEDED IS WHAT SOME PEOPLE CALL WORKFORCE HOUSING.

THAT IS HOUSING, THEN, FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THE MIDDLE.

THESE COULD BE TEACHERS, POLICE OFFICERS, YOUR NORMAL, WORKING PEOPLE WHO WANT TO LIVE IN SAN DIEGO.

BUT THEY CANNOT AFFORD IT AT THIS POINT.

>> FOR THE SHORT TERM, RENTERS ARE HOPING FOR STRONGER TENANT PROTECTIONS.

THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER AN UPDATED TENANT PROTECTION ORDINANCE EARLY NEXT YEAR.

>> JACOB AIR, KPBS NEWS.

>> VOTERS IN SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ARE SENDING A MESSAGE ABOUT POSSIBLY FORMING A NEW STATE AMIDST UNEASE WITH THE STATE POLITICS.

THE COUNTY IS HOME TO 2.2 MILLION PEOPLE.

RECENT POLLING SHOWS MOST VOTERS BELIEVE THE STATE IS HEADING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

AN ADVISORY BALLOT PROPOSAL REALLY APPROVED WILL TRIGGER RESEARCH TO LOOK INTO SUBSEQUENT STEPS.

IF APPROVED BY THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE IN CONGRESS, IT WOULD BE THE FIRST NEW STATE ESTABLISHED SINCE HAWAII.

>> CALIFORNIA AIR REGULATORS HAVE RECEIVED IN TO REACH CARBON NEUTRALITY WITH 2025.

IT IS IN LINE WITH WHAT GOVERNOR NEWSOM SIGNED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THE GOAL IS A 94% DROP IN DEMAND FOR LIQUID PETROLEUM, MAINLY DRIVEN BY A MOVE AWAY FROM GAS POWERED VEHICLES.

THE PLAN IS EXPECTED TO CREATE 4 MILLION JOBS AND SAVE SOME $200 BILLION IN COSTS FOR POLLUTION -RELATED ILLNESSES.

THE SAN DIEGO INSTITUTION CELEBRATED A MAJOR MILESTONE TODAY.

MAMA'S KITCHEN DELIVERED ITS 11 MILLIONTHS MEAL.

REPORTER JOHN CARROLL WAS THERE FOR THE MOMENTOUS OCCASION.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A BIG DAY FOR THOMAS WILLAMETTE.

HE HAS RECEIVED MEALS FROM MAMA'S KITCHEN FOR 15 YEARS NOW, BUT NOT UNTIL TODAY WAS THE DELIVERY MADE BY A MAYOR, AND THE MAMA'S KITCHEN CEO.

>> I FEEL VERY GRATEFUL AND BLESSED THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE A PART OF THIS.

>> MAMA'S KITCHEN WAS FOUNDED IN 1990, AT THE HEIGHT OF THE A.I.D.S.

EPIDEMIC.

IT HAS BEEN DELIVERING MEALS EVER SINCE, BUT IT HAS EXPANDED OVER THE YEARS.

THE NONPROFIT NOW SERVES PEOPLE WITH OTHER CRITICAL ILLNESSES.

CANCER, HEART DISEASE, TYPE TWO DIABETES, AND CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE.

>> WHAT WE DO IS NOT DONE BY ANY INDIVIDUAL.

>> ALBERTO CORTEZ HAS BEEN AT THE HELM OF MAMA'S KITCHEN FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

HE IS THE FIRST TO TELL YOU THAT IT SURVIVED DUE TO THE GENEROSITY OF SAN DIEGO AND.

>> FROM A FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE, THE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS THAT COME INTO THE ORGANIZATION, THEY ARE INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS FROM SAN DIEGO AND THAT BELIEVE IN OUR MISSION.

WE ARE ALSO DEPENDENT ON VOLUNTEERS WHO MAKE OUR MISSION HAPPEN.

THE MAKE A MISSION BROUGHT IN BAGS, CONTAINING THREE DAYS WORTH OF FOOD DELIVERED TWICE A WEEK.

>> ALL OF THIS IS WHAT IS IN THAT 11 MILLIONTHS BAG, LIKE EVERY MEAL FOR ALL OF THEIR CLIENTS, IT IS NUTRITIONALLY TAILORED.

>> I AM DIABETIC.

I HAVE CERTAIN MEDICATIONS THAT DO CERTAIN THINGS.

AND THEY TAILOR THE FOOD TO THAT, TO GET CERTAIN FOODS IN THERE THAT I NEED.

IT IS GREAT, IT IS REALLY GOOD FOOD.

>> FOR MAYOR GLORIA, TODAY'S MILESTONE WAS A MOMENT TO RELISH IN SOME CIVIC PRIDE.

>> IS A QUINTESSENTIAL EXAMPLE OF SAN DIEGO IS COMING TOGETHER AND HAVING AN IMPACT.

AND NOT JUST WITH THE NARROW INTEREST THAT MAY BE RELEVANT TO THEM.

AS FOR THOMASVILLE HEIGHTS, HE WILL ENJOY HIS NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND HE WILL GO ON DOING WHAT HE LOVES.

VOLUNTEERING AT A FACILITY THAT HELPS PEOPLE IN RECOVERY FROM DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTION.

>> I AM TRYING TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE.

PAYING IT FORWARD.

>> THE 11 MILLIONTHS MEAL FROM AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS CONSTANTLY PAYING IT FORWARD.

SAVING LIVES AND MAKING THEM BETTER EVERY DAY.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR WEATHER HEADLINES HERE.

THE SANTA ANA WINDS CONTINUING THROUGH TONIGHT.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, WE WILL SEE THOSE HIGH CLOUDS AND COOLER TEMPERATURES OVER THE WEEKEND.

BUT IT DOES LOOK LIKE A WARMING TREND WILL BE ON THE WAY AS WE HEAD INTO OUR CHRISTMAS WEEKEND.

OF COURSE, THAT IS NEXT WEEKEND.

TEMPERATURES FOR TONIGHT, WE SEE A LOT OF 30s.

OCEANSIDE IS 35.

WE DROP DOWN ABOUT 41 IN SAN DIEGO, 42 IN CHULA VISTA.

VIGO SPRINGS WILL UP TO 43.

LAGUNA CHOPPING TO THE UPPER 20s.

HEADING INTO OUR DAY ON SATURDAY , OH, PRETTY CALM CONDITIONS.

ALL OF THE COOL AIR, WE WILL SEE THOSE MILDER CONDITIONS AS WE HEAD INTO THE START OF OUR WEEKEND AND CONTINUE INTO SATURDAY, STAYING DRY.

THOSE HIGH CLOUDS, 64 IN OCEANSIDE, 66 IN CHULA VISTA.

WE CAN SEE A LITTLE MORE SUNSHINE.

AS TEMPERATURES NEAR NORMAL.

AS WE HEAD INTO OUR SUNDAY, WE WILL STILL DEAL WITH A PLEASANT WEATHER AS WE DO RAMP UP OUR WEEKEND.

AND WE WILL SEE THOSE MILDER CONDITIONS ALONG THE COAST.

LOOKING AT SOME HIGH CLOUDS FOR OUR SATURDAY, YOUR FIVE DAY OUTLOOK DOES SO MORE SUNSHINE MOVING THROUGH IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE DAY ON SUNDAY, 62.

AND AS TEMPERATURES START INTO THE LOW 60s AT THE BEGINNING OF OUR WEEK, ANYONE BACKUP AS WE HEAD INTO WEDNESDAY, INTO THE MID-60s.

HIGH CLOUDS INLAND ON OUR SATURDAY.

67, LOOKING AT A COOLER BUT SUNNIER DAY ON SUNDAY.

WE WILL SEE THAT WARMING TREND, AS PROMISED.

UPPER 60s TUESDAY, LOW 70s AS WE HEAD INTO WEDNESDAY.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, IT WILL START A BIT COOL THROUGH OUR WEEKEND.

49 WITH A BIT OF A BREEZE.

IT IS STILL CHILLY ON SUNDAY, BUT WE WILL SEE TEMPERATURE START TO CLIMB AS WE HEAD INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK, BACK TO 56 WITH SUNSET ON WEDNESDAY.

THE DESERT HAVE A WARMING TREND.

LOW 60s FOR YOUR SATURDAY.

UPPER SIXES AS WE HAD TO THE BEGINNING OF THE WEEK AND BACK INTO THE 70s BY WEDNESDAY.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I AM ARIELLA SCALISE.

>>> CIA DIRECTOR BILL BURNS ABOUT THE CHALLENGES POSED BY CHINA IN THE WAR IN UKRAINE.

COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING EDITION ON KPBS.

>>> MOVIE THEATERS HAVE REGAINED SOME OF THEIR IS LOST DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT NOT QUITE WHAT IT WAS.

A BIG RELEASE THIS WEEKEND MIGHT PROVIDE SOME MOMENTUM TO CLOSE OUT THE YEAR.

>> THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF EXPECTATION BUILD UP IN THIS MOVIE.

AVATAR WAS RELEASED IN THE FALL TO BUILD MOMENTUM.

RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE EXPECTING BETWEEN 150 AND 175 MILLION IN THE OPENING WEEKEND.

RIGHT NOW, WE WILL SEE THE BOX OFFICE THROUGH THE END OF 2022.

AND THERE IS ABOUT $7.5 BILLION STILL BELOW WHERE IT WAS PRE- PANDEMIC.

BUT THIS IS COMPARED TO $2.3 BILLION IN 2020.

THERE HAS BEEN ABOUT A 40% DECLINE IN THE NUMBER OF MOVIES RELEASED SINCE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

ANY STUDIOS SHUT DOWN, YOU CANNOT PRODUCE, YOU CANNOT FILM.

WHAT WE WILL SEE THEN IN 2003 AND 2024, WE WILL COME BACK TO NORMAL.

WE SAW THE STAYING POWER OF MOVIES, LIKE IN THE SUMMER, WITH TOP GUN MAVERICK MOVIES, THE MINIONS, DR.

STRANGE, JURASSIC PARK, THESE ARE BROUGHT PEOPLE BACK FOR THE FIRST TIME IN LARGE NUMBERS DURING THE SUMMER.

BASICALLY, THE MOVIE STUDIOS DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH INVENTORY IN THE FALL.

BUT IN 2023, BUCKLE UP.

IT WILL BE A FUN RIDE IT, IF YOU ARE A MOVIE LOVER.

>> AVATAR SET BOX OFFICE RECORDS IN 2009, BUT IS THAT MORE THAN A DECADE TO COMPLETE THE SEQUEL.

NOW AVATAR, THE WAY OF WATER HITS THEATERS AS LOGIC OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE FILMS OF ALL TIME.

KPBS FILM CRITICS ARE NOT IMPRESSED.

HE HAS OTHER SUGGESTIONS FOR WHAT TO SEE THIS WEEKEND.

>> Reporter: AVATAR : THE WAY OF WATER IS PRETTY TO LOOK AT IN THE 3-D TECHNOLOGY IS IMPRESSIVE.

THAT IS THE ONLY NICE THING I CAN SAY ABOUT JIM CAMERON'S FILM.

WELL, NOT REALLY.

THE WAY OF WATER ARRIVES MORE THAN A DECADE AFTER THE ORIGINAL FILM.

CAMERON BEGINS THE SEQUEL AS IF WE ALL JUST SAW AVATAR YESTERDAY AND REMEMBER WHERE THE FIRST FILM LEFT OFF.

BUT THE STORY FOR THE SEQUEL IS SO INSIPID THAT I GUESS IT DOES NOT MATTER IF WE REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED IN THE FIRST FILM, OR HOW JAKE BECAME A BIG, BLUE ALIEN.

PEOPLE ARE BACK IN VARIOUS FORM AND CAMERON LEAVES BEHIND THE FIRST WORLD TO DIVE INTO AN ISLAND CULTURE, WHERE HE CAN PLAY WITH UNDERWATER CGI.

THE HUNDRED 92 MINUTE LENGTH WOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE, IF THE SCRIPT SHOWED EVEN THE SLIGHTEST HINT OF ORIGINALITY OR INTEREST.

THE GORGEOUS FANTASY WORLD CREATED BY THE TALENTED VISUAL EFFECTS TEAM ONLY MAKES THE EPIC BLANDNESS OF CAMERON'S SCRIPT STAND OUT IN BOLD RELEASE.

I WAS NOT A FAN OF THE FIRST FILM.

WHILE THE SEQUEL DEFINITELY RAISES THE BAR IN COMPUTER- GENERATED TECHNOLOGY, IT SETS THE BAR EVEN THOUGH HER FOR STORYTELLING SKILLS AND CREATIVITY.

BUT, THE GOOD NEWS FOR FILMGOERS IS THAT DIGITAL CINEMA IS BRINGING BACK THE COMPLEX AND CHALLENGING FILM AS IT MAKES AN OSCAR FOR STAR CATE BLANCHETT.

AND THE EAST VILLAGE MICRO CINEMA WILL ALL GROW -- ALSO SHIFT THE HOLLYWOOD EPIC RRR.

IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THIS FILM, YOU HAVE ONLY SEEN IT ON NETFLIX, THEN I CANNOT THINK OF A BETTER WAY TO BRING OUT THE YEAR AND -- OF THE TYPO MAKING WITH THIS MOVIE.

FINALLY, I WILL BE COHOSTING THE INTO THE PITS OF AVATAR THIS WEEK AS THE CINEMA PRESENTS WEBBY.

THIS FILM IS WEIRD AND PAINFULLY LOW-BUDGET, BUT ABSOLUTELY BONKERS.

THERE IS A DO-IT-YOURSELF PASSION TO THE FILMMAKING THAT JUST BRINGS A JOY.

IT IS A CHRISTMAS MOVIE WITH A SERIAL KILLER SAMURAI GHOST.

THAT IS ALL I WILL SAY.

KPBS NEWS.

>> THERE YOU HAVE IT.

YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT STORIES ON HER WEBSITE.

KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI, GOOD NIGHT.

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE 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 ONE 800 BILL HOWE, OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.