>>> IT IS MONTHS OVERDUE.

HAD WE HAD THE APPROVAL, WE WOULD HAVE HAD TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE MORE VACCINATED BY NOW.

>> Reporter: AN ARTICLE ON "THE WASHINGTON POST" IS CAUSING THE ALARM.

IT CITES AN INTERNAL SLIDE PRESENTATION FROM THE CDC SAYING THE DELTA VARIANT SPREADS AS QUICKLY AS CHICKENPOX , AND THAT FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE CAN EASILY SPREAD IT TO EACH OTHER.

>> IT IS OVERWRITING PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

NOT A LARGE NUMBER, SMALL NUMBER, BUT THEY CAN HAVE THIS VIRAL LOAD THAT IS HIGH AND TRANSMIT THE VIRUS TO OTHERS.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE OF THAT, HE SAYS THE COMPANY'S GOAL TO GET 75% OF RESIDENTS VACCINATED IS NOT ENOUGH.

70% ARE FULLY VACCINATED NOW.

>> WE HAVE TO UP OUR DEFENSE, AND THAT MEANS GETTING AS HIGH AS POSSIBLE.

SOME ESTIMATES OF 90% NOW.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE DISTRIBUTING RAPID TESTS , AS SOME COUNTRIES IN EUROPE ARE DOING, BUT FOR NOW, HE SAYS ALL OF US, VACCINATED OR NOT, NEED TO BE MASKING UP ANYTIME WE LEAVE OUR RESIDENTS, ESPECIALLY IF WE'RE INDOORS GET ALONG WITH BEING VACCINATED, IT IS THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT OURSELVES AND OTHERS.

HE ESTIMATES THE DELTA VARIANT SHOULD BE SUBSIDING IN SIX TO EIGHT WEEKS OR AT LEAST THAT IS THE HOPE.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE SWEETWATER UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT IS CONFIRMING THE CAMPUSES WHERE COVID-19 CASES HAVE BEEN FOUND SINCE IN PERSON CLASSES STARTED LAST WEEK.

IN ALL, 47 STUDENTS AND STAFF HAVE TESTED POSITIVE AT THE 17 SCHOOL YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

THE DISTRICT SAYS IT HAS FOLLOWED THE CDC'S CLEANING AND DISINFECTION RECOMMENDATIONS AT THOSE SITES.

THE DISTRICT IS ALSO PROVIDING WEEKLY TESTING, AS WELL AS VACCINATIONS FOR ITS 40,000 STUDENTS AND STAFF.

>>> CRIES OF DISCRIMINATION WERE HEARD DURING A RALLY DOWNTOWN TODAY AT A LOCAL GROUP IS URGING BUSINESSES TO NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST CUSTOMERS WHO ARE UNVACCINATED.

KPBS NEWS REPORTER WITH MORE ON THE PROCLAMATION THAT THEY HOPE RESTAURANTS WILL ADOPT.

>> PLEASE DO NOT COMPLY WITH THIS.

PLEASE DON'T SEGREGATE PEOPLE.

PLEASE DON'T MAKE PEOPLE FEEL ASHAMED FOR NOT TAKING THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: REOPENED SAN DIEGO IS A LOCAL GROUP ADVOCATING FOR THE FULL REOPENING OF SCHOOLS AND BUSINESSES.

IT IS NOW ASKING RESTAURANTS TO ADOPT THE PROCLAMATION TODAY THEY RALLIED OUTSIDE OF CITY HALL FRIDAY, ASKING BUSINESSES TO NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST UNVACCINATED CUSTOMERS.

RESTAURANT OWNER ALONDA RUIZ SAYS EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO HER RESTAURANT, REGARDLESS OF VACCINE STATUS.

HE IS URGING OTHER RESTAURANTS TO DO THE SAME.

>> NO BUSINESS, NO POLITICIAN, NOR THE GOVERNMENT HAS ANY ISSUE REQUIRING OF PUSHING THE VACCINATION.

TRANSIT THE GROUP CALLED OUT MAYOR TODD GLORIA FOR A COMMENT HE MADE IN A TWITTER POST SUNDAY, IMPLYING THAT THE FIRST RESTAURANT TO REQUIRE VACCINE VERIFICATION DESERVED A-YEAR- OLD PROPER DESIGNATION.

>> SAYING THAT HE WANTED BUSINESSES IN SAN DIEGO TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST MY SON?

YOU SEE, VACCINES ARE EVEN AVAILABLE TO CHILDREN UNDER 12.

>> Reporter: REACHED OUT TO THE MAYOR FOR, BUT HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM HIM OR HIS TEAM.

PRESIDENT OF THE CHAMBER, JERRY SANDERS, SAYS HE'S IN FAVOR OF ASKING WORKERS FOR VACCINE VERIFICATION.

>> WE DON'T WANT TO MAKE ANYBODY ELSE SICK.

WE DON'T WANT TO BE SPREADING THE VIRUS.

WE KNOW THAT THIS CAN BE DEALT WITH GENTLY WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED, AND I DON'T THINK.

ENTER AS OF NOW, THERE ARE NO COUNTYWIDE VACCINE MANDATES, BUT THE SOUND HE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO WILL REQUIRE VACCINE VERIFICATION FOR THE EMPLOYEES STARTING MID MAGUS.

THOSE WHO ARE UNVACCINATED WILL HAVE TO UNDERGO TESTING.

THE COUNTY IS THE LATEST TO ADOPT THE VACCINE POLICY WITH UNIVERSITIES AND OTHER BUSINESSES FOLLOWING SUIT.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT IS BACK TO THE BUSINESS OF CONVENTIONS IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO.

THE CEREMONIAL REOPENING TOOK PLACE TO WELCOME BACK VISITORS AND THE BIG MONEY THEY WILL BRING TO OUR ECONOMY.

KPBS REPORTER MELISSA MING WAS THERE.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER WILL WELCOME ITS FIRST SHOW THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 1st, IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF THE COUNTY'S VACCINATION EFFORTS.

>> SAN DIEGO IS AMONG THE MOST VACCINATION OF MAJOR CONVENTION DESTINATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.

MORE THAN 70% OF OUR ELIGIBLE POPULATION IS FULLY VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: RIP IS THE SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER CEO AND PRESIDENT PETE HE SAID THAT SAN DIEGO HAS SERVED THE COMMUNITY IN OTHER WAYS FOR THE LAST 15 MONTHS.

>> WE OPERATED AS A HOMELESS SHELTER, AS AN EMERGENCY INTAKE SITE FOR CHILDREN OF -- IS UNACCOMPANIED MINOR CHILDREN, SO WE'VE HAD PROBABLY MORE EXPERIENCE THAN MOST IN OPERATING THROUGH A PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: THE CONVENTION CENTER DID AN ECONOMIC HIT .

>> WE LOST 150 EVENTS OVER THAT WINDOW, AND IT EQUATED TO $300 BILLION OF ECONOMIC IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE REOPENING COMES AMID WORRIES ABOUT THE DELTA VARIANT.

>> AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE REQUIRING MASKS INSIDE THE CONVENTION CENTER.

AT THIS TIME, WE'RE MONITORING AND DOING WHATEVER THE SAFEST GUIDELINES ARE FROM CDC GUIDANCE, ET CETERA, AND RIGHT NOW, IT'S MAKING SURE PEOPLE ARE GETTING VACCINATED, BUT IT IS NOT MANDATED.

>> Reporter: RIPITOE PROTOCOLS ARE IN PLACE TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

>> THROUGH OCTOBER 1st, ANY SHOW THAT HAS 5000 ATTENDEES OR MORE ARE REQUIRED TO SHOW THAT THEY ARE EITHER NEGATIVE TEST OR HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEMS.

WE PUT SIGNAGE IN RESTROOMS, TALKING ABOUT PERSONAL HYGIENE.

WE'VE GOT DISINFECTING STATIONS THROUGHOUT THE VENUE FOR PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THEY ALSO HAVE A CLEANING PROTOCOL THAT MATCHES THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND CAL OSHA STANDARDS, AND CLEANING IS DONE THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

SOME NOTABLE UPCOMING EVENT SCHEDULE THAT THE CONVENTION CENTER ARE THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR FATHER JOE CARROLL ON AUGUST 10th AND COMIC-CON SPECIAL EDITION WILL BE IN TOWN NOVEMBER 26th THROUGH THE 28th.

MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE FEDERAL EVICTION MORATORIUM EXPIRES TOMORROW, BUT HERE IN CALIFORNIA, A STATE LAW WILL PROTECT MOST LOW INCOME RENTERS FROM EVICTIONS THROUGH THE END OF SEPTEMBER.

THE LAW USES $5.2 BILLION IN FEDERAL MONEY TO PAY OFF 100% OF UNPAID RENT FROM APRIL 2020 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30th, 2021.

MEANWHILE, PRESIDENT BIDEN IS URGING CONGRESS TO EXTEND THE FEDERAL MORATORIUM BUT SAID HE WOULD ALLOW IT TO EXPIRE.

MORE THAN 3.6 MILLION AMERICANS ARE AT RISK OF EVICTION.

>>> AND PRESIDENT BIDEN IS STRESSING THE THREAT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND CALLING FOR MORE RESOURCES TO FIGHT WILDFIRES HERE IN THE WEST.

>> WE'RE IN FOR A LONG FIGHT YET THIS YEAR, AND THE ONLY WAY WE'RE GOING TO MEET THOSE CHALLENGES IS BY WORKING TOGETHER.

WILDFIRES ARE A PROBLEM FOR ALL OF US, AND WE HAVE TO STAY CLOSELY COORDINATED AND DO EVERYTHING WE CAN FOR OUR PEOPLE.

>> BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS ATTENDED A VIRTUAL MEETING WITH GOVERNORS OF WESTERN STATES, INCLUDING GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM.

THE INTENSE HEAT AND DROUGHT LINKED TO CLIMATE CHANGE HAS TURNED THE FIRES INTO A NATIONAL CHALLENGE, WITH SMOKE IMPACT THE AIR QUALITY AS FAR AWAY AS NEW YORK CITY.

>>> SOME GOOD NEWS FOR THOSE LOOKING TO ENJOY THE BEACH AND OCEAN IN THE SOUTH BAY.

HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE LIFTED THE WATER CLOSURE FOR BEACHES IN THE INTERNATIONAL BORDER TO THE SOUTH END OF SEACOAST DRIVE.

TESTING HAS CONFIRMED THE OCEAN WATER IS SAFE FOR RECREATIONAL USE FOLLOWING RECENT SEWAGE IMPACTS.

♪ >>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A SUMMERTIME PATTERN THAT IS SO TYPICAL FOR US THIS TIME OF YEAR.

MORE OF THE SAME WEATHER WE SAW OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS, WHICH MEANS IT'S MILD AND LARGELY DRY.

THERE'S ONLY GOING TO BE A FEW MOUNTAIN SHOWERS OUT THERE, IF WE SEE ANYTHING AT ALL.

A LOT OF THAT MOISTURE IS FURTHER NORTH, AND IT CONTINUES TO MOVE NORTH THIS TIME OF YEAR WITH THE MONSOON.

TONIGHT, 69 IN THE CITY WITH ONLY A FEW EXTRA CLOUDS OUT THERE, AND OCEANSIDE COMING IN THE 60s TOO.

64 THERE, 65 TWO MT.

LAGUNA.

THIS WEEKEND, THE PATTERN, THE TREND OF THAT MONSOON MOISTURE GETTING LOCKED IN FARTHER AND FARTHER NORTH INTO PARTS OF SOUTHERN IDAHO AND OREGON, WHERE THEY WILL HAVE THE RISK FOR FLOODING, BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF WET WEATHER HERE FOR EASTERN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, SO THAT'S GOING TO BE FAIRLY LIMITED.

SPOTTY SHOWERS IF WE SEE ANYTHING AT ALL.

ALL THINGS TO AN UPPER LEVEL HIGH IN PLACE, WHICH WILL PUT THE CITY AROUND 78 FOR TOMORROW, TO LAVISKA COMING IN AT 80, BORREGO SPRINGS COMING CLOSER TO 105.

FUTURECAST COME NOT A WHOLE LOT HAPPENING.

THOSE CLOUDS OUT THERE, AGAIN, MAYBE A SPOTTY SHOWER OR TWO.

I THINK THIS IS OVERDONE BY THE FUTURECAST MODEL HERE, BUT CAN'T COMPLETELY THROUGH IT OUT FOR THE MOUNTAINS.

STILL LOOKING PRETTY QUIET.

AGAIN, THIS UPPER-LEVEL HIGH IS GOING TO STRENGTHEN INTO MONDAY AND TUESDAY, SO ANY RAIN CHANCES WE SEE BECOME LESS LIKELY AS WE GET INTO THE EARLY START OF THE WEEK FOR OUR AREA, AND THAT'S GOING TO PUSH THOSE SHOWERS, AT LEAST THE MORE NUMEROUS ONES, FATHER TOWARD EAST.

FOR THE COAST COME LOOKING LARGELY DRY HERE.

FOG, THEN SUNSHINE FOR YOUR SET UP THIS WEEKEND COME AND TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 70s, CLOSER TO 80 BY THE MONDAY.

UPPER 80s, CLOSER TO 90 DEGREES IN THE INLAND COMMUNITIES, AND PRETTY QUIET AS WE KEEP THINGS FAIRLY BRIGHT AND REMAINING DRY.

ONCE WE WORK OUR WAY INTO SOME OF THE MOUNTAINS HERE, WE'RE TALKING MID-70s.

RAIN CHANCES, NOT VERY PROMINENT, BUT LOOK WHERE WE HAVE EXTRA CLOUDS.

THAT WOULD BE SATURDAY AS IT MOVES INTO THE DESERT LOCATIONS.

WE ARE SEEING SOME SUNSHINE BREAK OUT, AND TEMPERATURES ON THE RISE INTO THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK.

OKAY, KPBS NEWS, I AM ACCUWEATHER METEOROLOGIST, ALYSSA CONSTANZA.

>>> THE DARK HORSE BATTALION SUPPER THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF CASUALTIES OF ANY MARINE UNIT.

KPBS NEWS MILITARY REPORTER STEVE WALSH SAID THE CAMP PENDLETON MARINE UNIT IS TRYING TO RECONCILE THEIR LEGACY A DECADE AFTER THEY RETURNED HOME.

>> Reporter: AT THE TIME THE DARK HORSE BATTALION LEFT HELMAND PROVINCE IN 2011, THEY HAD 184 WOUNDED MARINES .

34 OF THEM AMPUTEES.

25 DEAD.

AMONG THEM, THE SON OF FOUR- STAR MARINE GENERAL JOHN KELLY.

IN 2013 BEFORE HE RETIRED, KELLY SPOKE AT A CEREMONY AT CAMP PENDLETON.

HE URGED THE MARINES TO HONOR THOSE WHO HAD SERVED THEIR COUNTRY.

>> THEY FOUGHT AND DIED.

YOU NEVER FORGET YOUR BUDDIES WHO NEVER MADE IT HOME.

>> GO, GO, GO.

>> Reporter: A DECADE AFTER THE SURVIVORS CAME HOME, IT IS STILL DIFFICULT TO PLACE THE LEGACY OF THE UNIT THE SUFFERED THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CASUALTIES IN THE WAR.

LOGAN STARR COLLECTED HOURS OF FOOTAGE SHOT BY HIS FELLOW MARINES, AS DARK HORSE PUSHED BACK AGAINST THE TALIBAN DURING HEAVY FIGHTING.

>> AND THIS WAS KIND OF IN THAT SWEET SO BEFORE THE MARINE FORCE STARTED HIGHLY REGULATING PEOPLE FILMING STEP HERE >> Reporter: HE CAME BACK AT APRIL , AND BY AUGUST, HE HAD LEFT THE CORP AND ENROLLED AS A STUDENT IN MICHIGAN STATE.

DURING THE WHIRLWIND, HE STARTED MAKING A DOCUMENTARY INTERVIEWING MEMBERS OF DARK HORSE .

INITIALLY, HE THOUGHT HE WAS THE ONLY ONE HAVING PANIC ATTACKS.

>> I THINK THAT'S WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE, ME SPECIFICALLY, DID NOT UNDERSTAND.

IT IS OKAY TO BE GOING THROUGH THIS.

THERE IS REASONS BEHIND ALL OF IT.

IT JUST DID NOT SEEM LIKE WE WERE REALLY GOOD AT COMMUNICATING THAT TO OUR PEERS.

>> Reporter: HIS DOCUMENTARY CALLED "FOR THE 25" IS STILL ON HIS YOUTUBE CHANNEL .

EVEN THE VETERANS OF THE MOST CELEBRATED UNITS OF THE WAR HAVE HAD A TOUGH TIME DESCRIBING THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN.

MARCUS LOST HIS LEFT LEG TO AN IED TWO WEEKS AFTER HE ARRIVED YOUR >> EVERY DAY FOR THAT FIRST YEAR WHEN I WAS BACK IN THE UNITED STATES WAS LIKE RELIVING THAT MOMENT.

IT WAS A REALLY BIG STRUGGLE TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT MY LIFE WAS GOING TO BE LIKE AFTER THAT.

>> Reporter: AFTER TWO YEARS IN THE HOSPITAL, HE IS NOW MARRIED WITH SMALL CHILDREN AND WALKING ON A PROSTATIC.

>> WE WERE THERE TO PROTECT EACH OTHER.

WE WERE THERE TO BRING EACH OTHER HOME.

WE WERE THERE TO FIGHT, YES, FOR OUR COUNTRY AND TO ACCOMPLISH OUR MISSION, BUT EVERY SINGLE DAY WAS ABOUT, "I GOT YOU.

I'M GOING TO MAKE SURE YOU GET HOME TODAY."

>> Reporter: GRETCHEN 'S SON WAS KILLED IN 2010.

>> THAT I MEAN, IT IS CONSTANTLY IN MY BRAIN AND ALWAYS THERE.

THERE ARE SOME DAYS THAT ARE HORRIBLE, AND THERE ARE SOME DAYS THAT ARE OKAY.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS IN THE AUDIENCE WHEN GENERAL KELLY SPOKE AT THE MEMORIAL AT 2013.

>> AFTER THE REMEMBRANCE CEREMONY AND SEEN THE LOOKS OF THOSE GUYS' FACES AND THEIR EYES, I THOUGHT THERE'S GOT TO BE SOMETHING THEY CAN DO.

>> Reporter: SHE MOVED FROM ILLINOIS TO TENNESSEE, WHERE THEY ARE BUILDING A QUIET RETREAT.

>> A PEACEFUL PLACE TO HANG OUT WITH PEOPLE WHO GET IT, WHO YOU CAN SPEAK WITHOUT FEAR OF OFFENDING, BUT THEY CAN TALK TO EACH OTHER.

REALLY, NOBODY CAN HELP A COMBAT VETERAN LIKE A COMBAT VETERAN.

INTO EACH BEDROOM IS NAMED AFTER 1 OF THE 25 WHO DIED.

WITH PLAQUES FOR SIX DARK WAS MARINES WHO HAVE SINCE DIED BY SUICIDE.

>> I BELIEVE THEY ARE A CASUALTY OF WAR EVERY BIT AS MUCH AS THOSE WHO WERE KILLED IN ACTION.

>> Reporter: IT IS THEIR MONUMENT TO AN ONGOING SACRIFICE IN A WAR THAT CANNOT BE EASILY EXPLAINED .

STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS.

>>> MORE THAN 200 AFGHANS ARE STARTING NEW LIVES IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE FIRST FLIGHT OF EVACUEE TRANSLATORS WHO WORK ALONGSIDE AMERICAN TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS ARRIVED IN VIRGINIA TODAY.

THEY ARE STAYING AT A HOTEL ON FT. LEE ARMY BASE .

SEVERAL MORE FLIGHTS ARE PLANNED FOR AFGHANS WHO FEAR REPRISALS FROM THE TALIBAN, AS THE LAST U.S.

TROOPS LEAVE.

CONGRESS APPROVED LEGISLATION, ALLOWING 8000 VISAS AND $500 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR THE PROGRAM.

>>> THE EASING OF COVID RELATED TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS HAS CREATED A SURGE IN DEMAND FOR PASSPORTS.

WAIT TIMES FOR NEW PASSPORTS AND RENEWALS ARE NOW UP TO 18 WEEKS.

EVEN EXPEDITED APPOINTMENTS CAN TAKE UP TO 12 WEEKS.

IN LOS ANGELES, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE CAMPED OUT OVERNIGHT THIS WEEK TO CLAIM SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS, BUT THEY WERE THEN TOLD WALK-INS WERE NO LONGER BEING TAKEN.

ONE WOMAN TRYING TO GET HER PASSPORT SHOWED HOW NO ONE IS EVEN ANSWERING THE PHONE.

>> AND YOU CAN'T GET THROUGH TO NOBODY.

AT ALL.

>> THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

>> AND IT'S GOING TO SAY, "GOODBYE."

YOU CAN'T GET THROUGH.

YOU CAN'T GET ON THEIR WEBSITE YOU CAN'T GET THROUGH THE PHONE YOU ARE DRIVING ALL THE WAY OUT HERE FOR NO REASON.

YOU ARE SITTING OUT HERE, AND NOW THEY'RE NOT GOING TO TAKE WALK-INS.

ENTER THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SAYS THE BACKLOG OF UP TO 2 MILLION PASSPORT REQUESTS MEANS APPLICATION SUBMITTED NOW PROBABLY WILL NOT BE PROCESSED UNTIL THE FALL.

>>> YOU MAY BE WONDERING IF OR WHEN YOU MIGHT NEED ANOTHER COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOT.

AS MARLEE GINTER SHOWS US, CLINICAL TRIAL UNDERWAY HERE IN CALIFORNIA MAY ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE FIRST TO ROLL UP THEIR SLEEVES, NOW READY TO DO IT AGAIN , AS UC, DAVIS HELP RESEARCHERS THE IMPACT OF A THIRD DOSE OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

WHEN WE HEAR BOOSTER SHOT, IS IT DIFFERENT THAN THE ORIGINAL SHOTS YOU HAVE RECEIVED?

>> IT IS NOT.

THEY CHOSE NOT TO DO A DIFFERENT VACCINE.

>> Reporter: DR. TIMOTHY ALBERTSON, LEADING THE LATEST CLINICAL TRIAL, SAID THIS IS A LONG HAUL FOR A DISEASE THAT HAS BEEN MUTATING QUICKLY.

DR. ALBERTSON SAYS THERE WERE ADDITIONAL VACCINES TO CONSIDER AND EVEN DISCUSSION ABOUT ONE THAT MIGHT BE A HIGHER AFFINITY FOR SOME OF THE VARIANTS, BUT INSTEAD, THIS CLINICAL TRIAL WILL BE A CONTINUATION OF THE PFIZER VACCINE TRIAL THAT STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO, WITH A PORTION OF THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED, NOW RANDOMLY GETTING A BOOSTER OR PLACEBO.

>> WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE MEASURING ANTIBODIES TO COVID.

WE'VE GOT THEIR BASELINE, WE'VE GOT THEIR BASELINE WHEN THEY STARTED NAOVELY LAST JULY, AND WE'VE GOT THE RESPONSE TO THE THERAPY.

>> Reporter: BY ANALYZING ALL THAT DATA, RESEARCHERS CAN TRACK HOW MUCH TIME PASSES BEFORE SOMEONE NEEDS ANOTHER DOSE.

AFTER ALL, OVER TIME, YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM FORGETS THE INITIAL VACCINATION.

A CRITICAL CLINICAL TRIAL OF A THIRD DOSE, WHILE SOME HAVE YET TO GET THE SHOT AT ALL YOUR DR. ALBERTSON SAYS PUTTING EVERYONE AT RISK OF THE VIRUS AGGRESSIVELY MUTATING EVEN MORE.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO SAY THEY WON'T GET THE ORIGINAL.

THAT IS THE PART I DON'T UNDERSTAND.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE RISK/BENEFIT RATIO THAT IS SO CLEAR.

>> IF YOU HAVE NOT GOTTEN YOUR FIRST OR SECOND SHOT YET, YOU CAN FIND A LOCATION NEAR YOU ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG, AND CLICK ON THE VACCINES LINK RIGHT THERE ON OUR HOME PAGE.

>>> THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES IN THE SEPTEMBER RECALL ELECTION HAVE REACHED THE THRESHOLD REQUIRED TO GET AN ENDORSEMENT FROM THE STATE PARTY.

THE RULES SAY A CANDIDATE MUST HAVE AT LEAST 200 DELICATE NOMINATIONS BY 11:59 P.M. SATURDAY TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR A PARTY ENDORSEMENT CLEARED SO FAR, ONLY TALK SHOW HOST LARRY ELDER, KEVIN FAULCONER, AND ASSEMBLYMAN KEVIN KILEY HAVE REACHED THAT NUMBER.

THE FINAL VOTE ON A PARTY ENDORSEMENT IS AUGUST 7th.

>>> THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION IS INVESTING $20 MILLION IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESEARCH AT UC SAN DIEGO.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIK ANDERSON HAS THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: UC SAN DIEGO JACOB SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING WILL HOST ONE OF 11 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INSTITUTES.

EACH INSTITUTE GOT A FIVE YEAR GRANT WITH THE GOAL OF IMPROVING VARIOUS ASPECTS OF AI.

IN SAN DIEGO, RESEARCH INTO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WILL HELP THEM OPTIMIZE THE WAY SPECIALIZED COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE IS BUILT.

>> IT IS THE SCALE AND COMPLEXITY THAT BLOCKING US TODAY, AND WE WANT TO BREAK THROUGH THE VARIOUS.

>> Reporter: UC SAN DIEGO'S ANDREW KONG SAID ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CAN HELP SIFT THROUGH MOUNTAINS OF DATA TO UNCOVER EFFICIENCIES.

WORKING WITH LOCAL COMPANIES AS PART OF THE PROCESS.

>> WE HAVE VERY NATURAL TYPE COLLABORATIONS OR RELATIONSHIPS WITH INDUSTRY, ESPECIALLY IN WHAT WE HAVE PROPOSED THAT OUR FOCUS AREAS OR USE DOMAINS.

THEY MAKE TIP DESIGN, ROBOTICS, AND COMMUNICATION NETWORKS.

>> Reporter: THE FUNDING IS THE SECOND ROUND OF FUNDING FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

THE EFFORT HAS GROWN TO INCLUDE THE WORK OF SEVERAL HUNDRED RESEARCHERS LOOKING AT SEVERAL ASPECTS OF MACHINE LEARNING.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WHILE TOP ATHLETES FROM AROUND THE WORLD ARE COMPETING FOR GLORY AT THE TOKYO OLYMPICS, ONE TEENAGER FROM ENCINITAS IS PREPARING TO REPRESENT THE U.S. AT THE PARALYMPICS.

ALSO BEING HELD IN TOKYO, IT'S AN INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION FOR ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES KPBS NEWS'S ALEXANDER NGUYEN BRINGS HIS STORY.

>> Reporter: WATCHING JOE GOMEZ ON THE TRACK, AND YOU WOULD NOT KNOW THE RECENTLY TURNED 18 YEARS OLD IS LEGALLY BRINED.

>> I HAVE HAD IT SINCE BIRTH.

IT'S A GENETIC CONDITION.

>> Reporter: IT MEANS THINGS FURTHER THAN AN ARM'S LENGTH IS A BLUR, AND HE CAN'T DIFFERENTIATE CERTAIN COLORS SUCH AS ORANGE CONES OR GREEN GRASS.

>> ONCE MY DAD WAS RUNNING ALONGSIDE ME , THEY HAD ALREADY PACKED UP AT THE END OF THE MEAT BECAUSE OUR RACE IS THE LAST RACE OF THE DAY, AS HE WAS CARRYING THE CHAIR AND HOLDING OUR DOG ON THE LEASH AND TELLING ME, "GO THIS WAY," AND THE AND THEIR INCIDENCE SAY, "PLEASE DON'T RUN WITH YOUR ATHLETES."

>> Reporter: JEWEL RAN ALONGSIDE CITED RUNNERS.

JOAL AND HIS PARENTS DID NOT EVEN KNOW ABOUT THE PARALYMPICS BUT IT WAS THROUGH A COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN, RICHARD ROBERT, BUT THE GOMEZES LEARNED ABOUT THE PARALYMPICS.

>> I WAS THE ONE WHO CONTACTED HIM WHEN THEY WOULD NOT LET JOAL WEAR SUNGLASSES AT HIS COMPETITION IN HIGH SCHOOL, SO RITCHIE ROBERT ASKED ME ON THE FIRST PHONE CALL.

HOW FAST IS HE?

HOW LEGALLY BLIND IS HE?

>> Reporter: IT WAS THROUGH THAT CALL THAT JOAL'S PARENTS ALLOWED HIM TO BE LEGALLY CLASSIFIED BLIND AT THE PARALYMPICS.

IT MEANS THAT HE CAN'T DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN SHADOWS AND FORMS.

VERY GOOD RUN BY THE AMERICAN.

TOKYO IS JOEL'S FIRST PARALYMPICS BUT HE HAS NO STRANGER TO COMPETING ON THE WORLD STAGE.

>> IN 2019, I WAS NOMINATED TO THE WORLD JUNIOR PARA-ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS, HELD IN SWITZERLAND, AND I COMPETED IN THE 1500 METERS AND 400 METERS THERE AND WON GOLD IN BOTH OFFENSE, THEN I WENT TO THE PARA-PAN AMERICAN GAMES HELD IN LIMA, PERU THAT AUGUST, AND I FINISHED SECOND IN THE 1500 METER, SO I WON SILVER IN THAT EVENT HERE >> Reporter: STILL, MAKING THE U.S. PARALYTIC'S TEAM WAS NOT A SURE THING, SO WHEN HIS NAME WAS ANNOUNCED?

IT WAS AMAZING.

>> Reporter: ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> IN TOKYO, JOEL WILL BE COMPETING IN THE 1500 AND 400 METER RACES.

THE PARALYMPICS COMPETITION STARTS AUGUST 24th AND GO THROUGH SEPTEMBER 5th.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS, NEW DATA FROM THE CDC REVEALS HOW DANGEROUS THE DELTA VARIANT IS.

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

>>> HUGE CROWDS ARE DESCENDING ON CHICAGO'S GRANT PARK FOR THE LOLLAPALOOZA MUSIC FESTIVAL.

IS EXPECTED DRAW ROUGHLY 100,000 PEOPLE EACH DAY.

TO GET IN, TEDDIES HAVE TO PRESENT VACCINATION CARDS ARE PRINTED COPY OF A NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST THAT IS NO MORE THAN 72 HOURS OLD.

EVEN THOUGH IT IS OUTDOORS, PEOPLE WHO WERE UNVACCINATED ALSO HAVE TO WEAR MASKS.

>>> DISNEYLAND AND DISNEY WORLD ARE ASKING GUESTS TO MASK UP INDOORS AGAIN STARTING TODAY.

THE RESORT IN ANAHEIM AND ORLANDO WILL REQUIRE WORKERS AND GUESTS AGES 2 AND UP TO WHERE FACE COVERINGS INDOORS.

THAT INCLUDES PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED HERE THE NEW MASKING RULES ARE IN LINE WITH THE UPDATED GUIDANCE RELEASED THIS WEEK BY THE CDC.

ALSO TODAY, DISNEY ANNOUNCED ALL ITS EMPLOYEES WILL BE REQUIRED TO GET VACCINATED.

>>> YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "KPBS EVENING EDITION " HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY EDISON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR, PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE DANNY GO CLIENTS.

EDISON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR, HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING, AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREMISE FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCOS SHYLY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

♪ ♪