"EVENING EDITION," MINIMUM PARTNERS WITH SAN DIEGO'S'S PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR RESTORATION, SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

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

AND BY THE PARIS FOUNDATION, DIALED IN MARCO SHILEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING .

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> MORE HELP IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY HISTORIC FLOODING THINK FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

AFTER THE GENERAL 22nd, IT TOOK MORE THAN FOUR WEEKS FOR FEDERAL DISASTER ASSISTANCE TO BE APPROVED FOR SAN DIEGO.

THAT WAS ON THE VERY 19th.

KPBS REPORTER , JOHN CARROLL SAYS, AS OF TODAY, TWO DISASTER ASSISTANCE CENTERS ARE OPEN WHERE FLOOD VICTIMS CAN SIGN UP FOR HELP TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES.

>> Reporter: FOR MOST OF US, THE STORM OF JANUARY 22nd IS JUST A MEMORY.

AT WORST, AN INCONVENIENCE.

FOR THE SAN DIEGANS FLOODED OUT, IT IS FRONT OF MINE.

THE NIGHTMARE FROM WHICH MANY OF YOU AT TO RECOVER.

HAPPENING AT THE MOUNTAIN VIEW COMMUNITY CENTER AND AT THE SPRING VALLEY LIBRARY, AND IT IS MEANT TO FAST-TRACK THAT PROCESS.

DISASTER RECOVERY CENTERS.

ONE-STOP SHOPPING FOR FOLKS WHO NEED ALL SORTS OF HELP TO GET BACK TO THEIR LIFE BEFORE THE STORM.

>> OUR STORAGE UNITS ALL AROUND THE APARTMENTS, AND EVERYBODY'S STORAGE UNIT GOT FLOODED.

>> Reporter: IN ROMAN MORE SIPOSS RESTORED UNITS, FAMILY MEMENTOS INCLUDING TOOLS HER LATE FATHER LEFT TO HER.

STILL, SHE SAYS, SHE'S LUCKY.

SHE LIVES IN A SECOND-FLOOR APARTMENT, SO EVERYTHING THERE STAYED HIGH AND DRY.

SHE WAS WITH A FRIEND TODAY WHO DIDN'T WANT TO TALK ON CAMERA.

HER FRIEND LOST EVERYTHING.

>> WE PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR THE DISASTER SURVIVORS FROM FEMA.

>> Reporter: FEMA, THE LEAD AGENCY CORRELATING THIS RESTRICTION AND GABRIEL GONZALEZ AS IT IS VERY MUCH A GROUP EFFORT.

>> WE ALSO HAVE LOCAL ENTITIES WHICH ASSIST WITH GRANT FROM SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC.

WE HAVE A FAITH-BASED ABOUT NONPROFITS, AND WE ALSO HAVE COUNSELING FOR THE DISASTER SURVIVORS.

>> Reporter: ALL GROUPS ARE HOUSED IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER GYM, MEDIA IS NOT ALLOWED IN.

THE FOOTAGE WAS PROVIDED TO US BY THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

SPEAKING OF THE CITY, OR WE WERE THERE, MARITIME GLORIA STOPPED BY.

ALL HE SAYS HE IS GRATEFUL TO PRESIDENT BIDEN FOR MAKING ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE, HE ALSO SAYS IT TOOK TOO LONG.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE BEEN HERE SOONER.

I KNOW A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE BEEN IN A VERY UNFORTUNATE POSITION THE LAST MONTH OF LOOK FOR SUBSTANTIAL SUPPORT TO COME THROUGH BUT IT IS NOT HERE.

I ENCOURAGE SAN DIEGO AND TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT.

>> Reporter: THE MOUNTAIN COMMISSIONER, 641 SOUTH BOUNDARY SPEED, AND THE SPRING VALLEY LIBRARY IS AT 836 KEMPTON STREET.

THIS DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER AND THE OTHER ONE IN SPRING VALLEY ARE OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

THEY'RE OPEN THROUGH AT LEAST APRIL 19th.

FEMA TELLS ME, IF THERE ARE STILL FOLKS WHO NEED HELP AT THAT.

>>>, THEY WILL STAY OPEN FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES TO GIVE SAN DIEGANS THE ASSISTANCE THEY CELLS DESPERATELY NEED.

KPBS NEWS .

>>> WINTER STORMS, MULTI- BLANKETING PARTS OF THE WEST WITH EXTREME WINDS ACCELERATING POTENTIALLY LETHAL WILDFIRE CONDITIONS IN TEXAS.

TWO PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY DIED IN THE STATE AS FIRE CREWS TRYING TO CONTAIN THE WIDESPREAD BLAZES.

LAURA GARY HAS MORE ON THE FIRE AND ICE CONDITIONS INTO THE WEEKEND.

>> OF SNUCK THE WRENCHES TO DRIVE UP HERE.

>> LONNIE JOHNSON, AMONG MANY WHO HAVE SUFFERED DEVASTATING PROPERTY LOSS, TEXAS WILDFIRES THIS WEEK.THE SMOKEHOUSE CREEK FIRE, NOW THE STATE'S LARGEST BLAZE WITH MORE THAN 1 MILLION ACRES BURNED SO FAR, COULD GROW LARGER AND EVEN FASTER IN THE HOURS AHEAD.

WITH THE LONG BY EXTREME WINDS AND DRY CONDITIONS, FORECASTED NOW THROUGH THE WEEKEND, THE STORM PREDICTION CENTER WARNS OF A CRITICAL FIRE RISK THROUGH SEVERAL STATES FROM TEXAS UP TO NEBRASKA.

>> FOR US, RIGHT NOW, WINDS ARE THE MAIN THREAT.

>> POWERFUL WINDS UP TO 75 MILES PER HOUR OR EVEN HIGHER OUR FORECAST FOR PART OF THE WEST, BLOWING IN TO MIX WITH HEAVY SNOWFALL ACROSS STATES, WARMING DANGEROUS BLIZZARD CONDITIONS, MAKING ROAD AT THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS IMPASSABLE.

>> WHAT ABOUT TIRES, THE CHAINS, IS GONE.

>> Reporter: SEVERE WINTER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED TO LAST FOR SEVERAL DAYS, DUMPING UP TO 12 FEET OF SNOW IN PLACES LIKE THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS.

NATIONAL WEATHER OFFICIALS SAY THE SAFE TRAVEL WINDOW HAS CLOSED RESIDENTS NOW SHOULD UNGER DOWN AND WAIT IT OUT.

>> I'M STOCKING UP.

MY SECOND TIME HERE TODAY.

>> Reporter: DRIVING, FOR MANY, MAY BE OUT, BUT YOU CAN GUESS WHERE THE DIEHARDS WILL GO, BLIZZARD OR NOT.

>> THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST STORM WE HAD WITH 16 YEARS.

>> Reporter: EVEN HERE, A THREAT OF A TUALIP, FOR SOME, IS STILL TOO MUCH.

>> TOOK AN EARLY BEER BREAK, BUT I THINK YOU MIGHT TAKE AN EARLY EXIT.

>> I'M LAURA GARY FOR KPBS NEWS .

>>> IT WILL BE A WET NIGHT WITH ROWS OF SHOWERS.

THIS POWERFUL PACIFIC STORM MOVES IN THROUGH CALIFORNIA.

THE WORST OF THIS STORM MR. NORTH.

THE LIST OF IMPACTS LOCALLY.

GENERALLY, UNDER AN INCH OF RAIN FOR SAN DIEGO, BUT WE WERE GOING TO SEE A BIT MORE THAN NORTH, AND JUST SPECTACULAR SNOWFALL WITH A TRUE BLIZZARD INTO THE SIERRA.

WE WILL SEE SOME SNOW IN THE HIGHEST ELEVATIONS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

STRONG WINDS AS WELL, HIGH WIND WARNINGS FOR JOLIET AND INTO PINE VALLEY.

DETAILS ARE AHEAD.

>>> NAV INVESTIGATIONS AS NEGLIGENCE BY LEADERS ON THE "USS BOXER" LED TO MAJOR DELAYS, HALTING THE SHIP'S DEPLOYMENT FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.

KPBS' MILITARY REPORTER, ANDREW DYER, OBTAINED THE INVESTIGATION AND JOINS US FROM THE NEWSROOM WITH A REPORT.

ANDREW, WORKING TELL US?

>> THE BAD PARTS FOR EVEN ALLEGATIONS OF ASSAULT, THE SHIP'S ENGINEERING BOARD.

THOSE ARE SOME ISSUES THAT KEPT IT STUCK IN PORT IN SAN DIEGO MORE THAN FOUR YEARS AFTER ITS LAST SUCCESSFUL DEPLOYMENT.

HE RECEIVED TWO SEPARATE INVESTIGATIONS UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST AFTER WE FIRST REPORTED ISSUES "THE BOXER" WAS HAVING GETTING TO SEE.

"BOXER" UNDERWENT $200 MILLION IN UPGRADES AND REPAIRS IN 2020 AFTER A FAILED ATTEMPT TO GO TO SEA IN 2022.

THE NAVY FOUND CONTRACTORS EAST DIVISION PARTS AND REPAIRS, IN AN ATTEMPT TO SAVE MONEY AND GET THAT SHIP TO MAINTENANCE QUICKLY.

INVESTIGATIONS AS CHECKPOINT IN THE PROCESS REDUCED.

IN MAY 2023, GROUP COMPLACENCY LED TO A SECOND MECHANICAL INCIDENT WHEN THE SHIP TRIED TO LIGHT ITS OILERS.

THAT WAS JUST ONE OF SEVERAL TIMES IN 2022 AND '23 "THE BOXER" TRIED TO GO TO SEA.

EACH TIME, SOMETHING WENT WRONG IN ENGINEERING.

THE FINAL INCIDENT, LAST JULY, THE SHIP'S MAIN REDUCTION GEARS RAN WITHOUT OIL FOR TWO HOURS.

THE INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE THAT THE SENIOR ENLISTED ENGINEER FAILED MISERABLY IN THEIR JOB TO LEAD AND TRAIN SAILORS.

THIS UNNAMED ENGINEER WAS ALSO THE SUBJECT OF ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS WITH THE SERVICE NOT PROVIDING DETAILS FROM THAT INVESTIGATION.

SEVERAL OF THE SAILORS INVOLVED WERE SUBJECT TO ADMINISTRATIVE OR DISCIPLINARY ACTION.

THE NAVY SAYS ENGINEERING ISSUES ON "THE BOXER" HAVE BEEN RESOLVED AND THE SHIP EXPECTED THE POISON.

>> ANDREW, DID ANY OF THE DELAYS IMPACT THE OVERALL OPERATIONS OF THE NAVY?

>> YES, MEYER, THEY ABSOLUTELY DID.

IF YOU REMEMBER, WHEN "BOXER" WENT INTO THE ARTS IN 2020, ANOTHER AMPHIBIOUS SHIP, "THE USS TRUCK," HAD JUST COME OUT.

THAT SHIP, OF COURSE, WAS THEN DESTROYED BY FIRE.

THE NAVY WAS DOWN TWO BIG DECK AMPHIBIOUS SHIPS THE LAST THREE PLUS YEARS.

IN FACT, THE INVESTIGATING OFFICER WROTE THAT THESE VALUES HAD DIRECT MEASURABLE IMPACT, AND THE PACIFIC FLEET, LESS READY AND LESS CAPABLE BECAUSE OF THE BOXER SHORTFALLS.

IN THE NEWSROOM, ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS .

>>> CALIFORNIA IS ONE OF THE STATES TAKING PART IN SUPER TUESDAY NEXT WEEK WHEN THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN KICKS INTO HIGH GEAR WITH ONE CANDIDATE WITH A MAKE OR BREAK MOMENT.

>> Reporter: DOING BUSINESS TO THE SUPER TUESDAY STATE OF TEXAS AND THE U.S. SOUTHERN BORDER WITH PUXICO THURSDAY WERE ANOTHER SIGN THAT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAVE SET THE TABLE FOR A 2020 REMATCH THIS NOVEMBER.

>> I UNDERSTAND MY PREDECESSORS TODAY, >> WHAT HE HAS DONE TO THE COUNTRIES DESTROYING THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: FROM SLICER REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER WITH FORMER SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR, NIKKI HALEY, TELLING REPORTERS SHE RAISED THE $12 MILLION IN FEBRUARY.

CRUCIAL CASH SHE TRIES TO GET A WIN ON TUESDAY WITH MORE THAN A DOZEN STATES HEADING TO THE BOWLS.

>>, AND IT COMES TO THEM TO LOSE BEFORE WE SAY, MAYBE DONALD TRUMP IS THE PROBLEM?

>> Reporter: HALEY'S PATH TO THE GOP NOMINATION NARROWS WITH EACH LOSS TO TRUMP AS THE FORMER PRESIDENT OUTPACES HER DELEGATE TOTAL.

MEANWHILE, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN HAS A ABILITY TO HAVE A MAJOR NATIONAL AUDIENCE THURSDAY WHEN HE IS POINTED TO DELIVER HIS STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS ON CAPITOL HILL.

THAT THE PRESIDENT SEES THIS AS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY, NOT JUST TO ADDRESS CONGRESS, BUT ALSO TO ADDRESS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE WHITE HOUSE IS THE ELECTION-YEAR SPEECH WILL CONTINUE TO BE DRAFTED OVER THE NEXT WEEK.

IN WASHINGTON, I'M CHARACTER.

>> WITH THE PRIMARY ELECTION NEARING, WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE AWESOMELY DISTRICT 76 RACE.

KPBS' KNOTT COUNTY REPORTER, ALEXANDER WEBS SAYS REP RECUMBENT BY MAIN SHINE HAS THREE CANDIDATES VYING FOR THE CITY.

>> IT COVERS A WIDE SWATH OF NORTH COUNTY INLAND, INCLUDING SOUTHWEST SCHOOL VALLEY TO THE SKAMOKAWA VALLEY TO THE WEST, AND SAN MARCO TO THE NORTH.

THE DISTRICT LEADS DEMOCRATIC WITH NEARLY 30% OF VOTERS REGISTERING AS A DEMOCRAT VS. 30% REPUBLICAN.

TWO DEMOCRATS ARE RUNNING TO REPLACE THE INCOME AND, RYAN AND JOHN.

>> I'M PATEL, RUNNING FOR STATUS, FOR THE 76 ASSEMBLY DISTRICT.

>> MY NAME IS JOSEPH ROCHA, DISTRICT 76.

>> Reporter: PATEL IS A RESEARCH SCIENTIST AND THE SCHOOL BOARD NUMBER.

ROCHA IS EVERY MARINE RESERVIST AND ATTORNEY.

BOTH ARE DEMOCRATS, BUT PATEL IS ENDORSED BY THE SANDBERG COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

>> AS THE COMMUNITY CANDIDATE WHO HAS SERVED THIS COMMUNITY WITH VARIOUS LEADERSHIP CAPACITIES FOR THE PAST 13 YEARS, I HAVE LEARNED THAT ENDORSEMENT FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

>> Reporter: ROCHA PREVIOUSLY RAN AS A DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR SENATE DISTRICT 40, WHICH COVERS PART OF THE CURRENT AS OF THE DISTRICT 76.

>> WHEN WE RAN FIRST IN THE DISTRICT 40, WE ACTUALLY OUTPERFORMED THOSE AREAS.

WE BEAT THE TOP REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE WITHIN THESE BOUNDARIES.

>> Reporter: POSITIONS ON HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS.

>> I THINK IT IS A SUPPLY ISSUE.

>> I THINK WE NEED TO BE INCREASINGLY OUT OF HOUSING.

THAT WILL REDUCE THE COST OF THE HOUSING.

>> WE NEED TO DELIVER A STRONG HOUSING STOCK TO MEET THE RISING DEMANDS FOR OUR WORKING FAMILIES, AND TO SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> Reporter: PATEL, A MOTHER OF THREE AND SCIENTIST, SHE SAYS, EDUCATION IS OUR NUMBER-ONE PRIORITY.

>> PUBLIC EDUCATION IS THE BACKBONE TO A STABLE DEMOCRACY.

I'M FULLY IN SUPPORT OF PUBLIC EDUCATION AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT, DESPITE DECLINING BUDGET SHORTFALLS, WE ARE ABLE TO FULLY FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION.

>> Reporter: ROCHA, WHO HAS LGBTQ+ ISSUES, AN ONGOING DEBATE WITH TRANS-RIGHT AND STUDENTS RIGHTS TO USE THEIR PREFERRED PRONOUNS IN SCHOOL, HAPPENING IN ESCONDIDO IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DISTRICT >> WE HAVE A DUTY TO CHILDREN TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE SAFE, AND TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR ACTIONS, THE ACTIONS OUT AND THEN TO THE PARENTS OR SHARING WITH THEM THAT THEY WANT DIFFERENT NOT IS ACTIVELY PUTTING THEM IN DANGER.

>> Reporter: AS FOR CHRISTIE, THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE IN THE RACE, SHE IS ENDORSED BY REFORMED CALIFORNIA, ON THE VIALS POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE.

SHE DID NOT RESPOND TO MULTIPLE REQUESTS FOR AN INTERVIEW.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> GENERAL HAVE ELECTION NIGHT COVERAGE ON ALL OF OUR PLATFORMS.

THAT INCLUDES SPECIAL BROADCAST TUESDAY AT 10:00 P.M., HOSTED BY MYSELF AND AMITA SHARMA.

WATCH ON KPBS OR STREAM ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

>> I'M GEOFF BENNETT TONIGHT ON THE NEWSHOUR.

THOUSANDS DEFY THE KREMLIN AND GATHER FOR THE FUNERAL OF RUSSIAN OPPOSITION LEADER ALEXI NAVALNY.

THAT AT 7:00 AFTER "EVENING EDITION" ON KPBS.

>>> TODAY MARKS THE BEGINNING OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.

ALL MAJOR STRIDES HAVE BEEN MADE TO WORK GETTING WOMEN INTO LEADERSHIP ROLES AND MAJOR COMPANIES ACROSS AMERICA, THERE'S STILL MORE WORK TO BE DONE MICHAEL YOSHIDA SPOKE WITH US FIRST TO DISCUSS THE HURDLES WOMEN STILL FACE WHEN REACHING FOR THE TOP JOBS.

>> Reporter: WOMEN ARE MAKING HARD-FOUGHT GAINS IN THE C SUITES TOP AMERICAN PUBLIC COMPANIES ACCORDING TO THE 2023 WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE SURVEY FROM CONSULTANTS, McKINSEY AND COMPANY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LENA.ORG.

>> WE ARE BREAKING THROUGH THE CEILING.

WE USED TO SEE ONE IN FIVE WOMEN WERE IN THE C SUITE TODAY, THAT'S ONE IN FOUR.

>> STILL, PROGRESS IS LAGGING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PIPELINE WITH A LACK OF ROUTES OF ENTRY LEVEL JOBS FOR WOMEN.

SOMETHING SHE CALLS THE BROKEN WRONG.

>> FOR EVERYONE HUNDRED MEN TO RECEIVE THE FIRST AWESOME PROMOTION IN THE UNITED STATES, ONLY 87 WOMEN USE THE SAME ODDS.

>> Reporter: THE PROBLEM, EXACERBATED WOMEN OF COLOR.

THE SURVEYS SAY THEY ARE UNDERREPRESENTED AT EVERY STAGE IN THE PIPELINE.

THEY MAKE UP ONLY 6% OF THE C SUITE.

>> SOME COMPANIES NEED A JOLT AND TO SAY, WE ARE NOT WHERE WE SHOULD BE.

>> Reporter: WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION RATED THE WORKFORCE FOR RECORD HIGHS LAST YEAR ACCORDING TO THE LABOR DEPARTMENT.

THE PAY GAP REMAINS A PROBLEM.

FEW REPORTS OF WOMEN EARNED $.82 ON THE DOLLAR IN 2022 COMPARED TO MEN.

TO WHERE IS THE FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF VILLANOVA'S McNULTY INSTITUTE FOR WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP >> WE OFTEN TELL EMPLOYERS, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS, AND REALLY DIVE DEEP, ME FROM THE PERCEPTION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO LEAVE BASED ON WOMEN'S EXPERIENCES, AND THE ONLY WAY YOU'RE GOING TO DO THAT IS BY LISTENING TO WOMEN.

>>> COST OF LIVING IS GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION THIS WEEK FROM SAN DIEGO'S RISING HOME PRICES TO A NEW PUSH TO STOP SHRINK INFLATION.

SDSU'S MARKOVIC WITH A FRIDAY BUSINESS REPORT.

>> Reporter: HOME PRICES INCREASED A PRAM.8% VS. 5 PERCENT NATIONALLY, THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2000 BY THE SAN DIEGO WAS NUMBER ONE IN THAT LIST.

RIGHT NOW, THE STUDY SHOWED THAT THE MEDIAN PRICE FOR A HOME IN SAN DIEGO IS ABOUT $949,000.

BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, A HOUSEHOLD NEEDED TO EARN ABOUT $135,000 TO AFFORD A HOME IN SAN DIEGO.

TODAY, IT'S OVER $190,000.

THIS MEANS THAT ONLY THE TOP 25% OF CONSUMERS OR RESIDENTS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA CAN ACTUALLY AFFORD TO BUY A HOME IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

ON TOP OF THAT, WITH THE MORTGAGE RATES BEING AT VERY HIGH LEVELS, OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS IN COMPARISON, IT MAKES A VERY EXPENSIVE TO BUY A HOME.

SO, THE MORTGAGE RATES REALLY DECREASE THE MONTHLY COST OF OWNING A HOME.

THIS ACT CALLED THE PREVENTION ACT FOR SHRINKFLATION CALLS ON THE COMPANIES TO REDUCE PACKET SIZE IS UNFAIR AND DECEPTIVE.

TO BE HONEST, COMPANIES HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR DECADES.

TWO CATEGORIES THAT ARE INTERESTING, ICE CREAM AND ORANGE JUICE.

IN BOTH CATEGORIES, THE PACKAGE SIZE IS 64-OUNCE CONTAINER.

TODAY, 64-OUNCE HALF-GALLON OF ORANGE JUICE IS 32 OUNCES WITH 12 OUNCES LESS YOU'RE 1/2 GALLON OF ICE CREAM IS 42 OUNCES.

CONSUMERS, NOT ONLY COMPLAINING ABOUT THOSE CATEGORIES, BUT SMALLER, FROZEN PIZZAS AND SMALLER PORTIONS OF FROZEN DINNERS.

FINANCIAL CRISIS TO THE END OF 2019 WITH INFLATION PRETTY LOW.

VERY LITTLE PRICING POWER, SO THEY WOULD SELECTIVELY KIND OF REDUCE THE PRODUCT IN THE PACKAGE BECAUSE INFLATION INCREASED.

THIS GAVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE UP FOR 12 YEARS OUT OF VIRTUALLY NO RICE INCREASES, AND IT TOOK THEM ALL OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

SO, CONSUMERS ARE JUSTIFIABLY ANGRY, BECAUSE THEY'RE PAYING THE NET 17% MORE IN THESE GROCERY PRICES TODAY THAN THEY WERE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.

>>> THE IRS EXTENDED THE FILING DEADLINE FOR TAXPAYERS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AFTER JANUARY 7TH'S DEVASTATING STORM.

DEPENDING ON CERTAIN CASES, MAY BE A GOOD IDEA TO FILE EARLY.

JENN SULLIVAN LOOKS AT SOME COMMON MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE DURING TAX SEASON AND HOW YOU CAN AVOID THEM.

>> Reporter: FILING YOUR TAXES CAN BE A COMPLICATED PROCESS.

IN THE TINIEST MISTAKE, YOU CAN THROW EVERYTHING OFF.

THE IRS SAYS COMMON ERRORS INCLUDE MISSPELLING A NAME, TYPING IN THE WRONG SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

>> REALLY IMPORTANT, MAKE SURE YOU PUT YOUR INFORMATION IN CORRECTLY.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER COMMON ERROR IS CHOOSING THE WRONG FILING STATUS AND NOT LISTING DEPENDENTS CORRECTLY.

THAT CAN PREVENT YOU FROM RECEIVING TAX CREDITS AND A BIGGER REFUND.

TYPICALLY, YOUR MARITAL STATUS, ON THE LAST DAY OF THE TAX YEAR, DETERMINED YOUR STATUS FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR.

IF FILING JOINTLY CAN MEAN A HIGHER REFUND, NEXT, DO YOU HAVE DEPENDENTS?

THAT CAN INCLUDE A CHILD OR STEPCHILD UNDER 19, OR UNDER 24 IF THEY'RE A FULL-TIME STUDENT WITH A FAMILY MEMBER DEEMED PERMANENTLY DISABLED, AND YOU CAN CLAIM THEM AS INDEPENDENT AS WELL.

IF YOUR CHILD IS UNDER 17, YOU CAN RECEIVE UP TO $2000 PER CHILD IN TAX CREDITS.

>> I WOULD JUST ENCOURAGE PEOPLE THAT HAVE KIDS THAT ARE UNDER 17, JUST STILL FILE AND GIVE THEM CREDIT.

>> USING SOFTWARE LIKE TURBOTAX OR H&R BLOCK CAN HELP GUIDE YOU THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

>> CONFER WITH A TAX PROFESSIONAL, YOU KNOW, OR USE TAX SOFTWARE WHERE YOU KNOW IT'S GOING TO GUIDE YOU THROUGH AND MAKE THOSE CALCULATIONS CORRECTLY.

>> Reporter: IF YOU FILE EARLY AND HAPPEN TO MAKE ONE OF THESE MISTAKES, YOU WILL STILL HAVE TIME TO FIX IT.

IN SOME CASES, THE IRS MAY EVEN NOTIFY YOU ABOUT THE ERROR.

FOR CONSUMER WATCH, I'M JENN SULLIVAN.

>> YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CLOSED THROUGH THE WEEKEND BECAUSE OF NATIONAL STORMS HITTING CALIFORNIA.

>>> THE BLIZZARD WILL DROP UP TO 12 FEET OF SNOW.

PARTS OF THE MOUNTAINS WILL BE LEFT BURIED IN A MATTER OF DAYS.

FORECASTERS EXPECT YOSEMITE VALLEY SEE BETWEEN 6 AND 18 INCHES OF SNOW.

THE PARK AND ITS HOTELS ARE CLOSED TODAY AND TOMORROW, BUT COULD POSSIBLY REOPEN BY SUNDAY.

HOTEL GUESTS WILL GET REFUNDS.

THE NEWS WAS DISAPPOINTING SOME PEOPLE VISITING THE PARK.

>> WE DID SEE THE STORM APPROACHING, AND IT WAS LIKE, KIND OF IFFY, BUT WE THOUGHT WE WERE IN A WINDOW OF TIME THAT WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SNEAK OUT IN TIME, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THOSE PLANS HAVE CHANGED A LITTLE BIT.

>> WE WERE REALLY DISAPPOINTED, AND WE'LL COME BACK OUT AT SOME FOUR, BUT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO HAVE SEEN MORE OF THE PARK THAT WE PLAN TO.

>> WEATHER SERVICE ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR PARTS OF THE CENTRAL SIENA NEVADA MOUNTAINS THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING.

>>> WE HAVE A VERY IMPACTFUL FORECAST, POWERHOUSE PACIFIC STORM.

THE CORE OF THIS IS PASSING TO OUR NORTH.

LOCALLY, WE WILL SEE SOME SHOWERS, PEERS OF RAIN, AND WE ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM IT AND IMPACTS IN THE SIERRA WILL BE SPECTACULAR COMPARED TO WHAT WE SEE IN FAR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND PLUS WEATHER BEGINNING NEXT WEEK.

IT IS A SIGNIFICANT STORM.

THIS WILL BE A BLIZZARD FOR THE SIERRA.

SNOW LEVELS ARE GETTING LOWER.

WE WILL HAVE STRONG WINDS AND LOCALLY, SHOWERS, PERIODS OF RAIN TOO.

WHEN IT COMES TO WEATHER ALERTS, YOU CAN SEE HIGH WIND WARNINGS THROUGH THE NIGHT AND END OF THE DAY TOMORROW THROUGH MOST OF THE AREA, AND SOME OF THE ALERTS AND WARNINGS DEEP THROUGH THE WEEKEND, BUT THAT IS THE STATUS OF THE SHORT TERM.

RAIN, DRIZZLE OUT THERE, LOWS AROUND 56 DEGREES, AND WE WILL NOTICE THAT, TOMORROW, STILL ROUNDS OF RAIN WILL BE MOVING THROUGH THE AREA.

SOME OF YOU, INTO THE WEST- FACING SLOPES OF THE FOOTHILLS WILL PROBABLY SEE AROUND AN INCH OR SO, BUT LESS THAN THAT FOR US IN THE CITY.

SEE A FRACTION OF AN INCH OUT THERE WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE 60s.

YOU CAN SEE THE BULK OF THE SHOWERS WILL BE GENTLY TO OUR NORTH AND SCATTERED WITH PERIODS OF RAIN IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD THROUGH SUNDAY AND A LITTLE BIT OF SNOW AT THE HIGHEST ELEVATIONS.

LOOK AT WHAT'S GOING ON TO THE NORTH.

ADMITTEDLY, THIS IS NOT LOCAL TO US, BUT IT'S JUST SUCH A MAJOR NEWSWORTHY EVENT.

ELSEWHERE, THE GOLDEN STATE, 6 TO 10 FEET OF SNOW AT ECHO SUMMIT.

UNFATHOMABLE AMOUNTS OF SNOW AT DONNER PASS AS WELL.

ACCOMPANIED BY WIND, AND A BLIZZARD THERE.

FEET OF SNOW, NOT INCHES.

6 10 FEET PREDICTABLE STOP.

COASTAL FORECAST, RAIN AND DRIZZLE INTO SATURDAY.

SHOWER OR TWO LEAGUERS WITH GREAT WEATHER TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

INLAND AREAS, RAIN AND DRIZZLE.

SHOWERS LINGER SUNDAY AND WINDS BACK OFF.

LATER THIS WEEKEND, BUT HER WITH A SHOWER OR TWO WEDNESDAY.

PERIODS OF RAIN ARE POSSIBLE FOR WEDNESDAY.

INTO THE MOUNTAINS, SOME ISSUES THERE TOO.

WIND AND RAIN, AND STILL A FEW SHOWERS SUNDAY.

RIGHT AND STILL CHILLY FOR MONDAY AND TUESDAY, BUT WE HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR WEDNESDAY WHEN ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM RINGS US, POTENTIALLY, ICY OR MIXED PRECIPITATION IN SOME AREAS OFF TO THE EAST FOR THE HIGH GROUND.

AS WAS THE WIND AND RAIN AS WELL , THEN WE TRY OUT A LITTLE BIT FASTER.

STILL BREEZY SUNDAY.

IS, RISING BACK INTO THE MID- 70s WITH SHOWERING WINDS TODAY.

GEOFF CORNISH FOR "EVENING EDITION" .

>> GET AN EARLY START TO THE SPRING SEASON.

CARLSBAD FLOWERS OPEN THIS DAY.

THIS IS VIDEO FROM THE LAST BLOOM.

THIS YEAR, A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE, INCLUDING LIVE MUSIC, YOGA AND WINE TASTING TOO.

FOR THE LITTLE ONES, EXPLORE THE SWEET PEA MAZE, SANTA'S PLAYGROUND, THE BUTTERFLY GARDEN , AND A TRACTOR RIDE.

OUR MEDIA PARTNER, KGB, WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER ABOUT WHAT IT TOOK TO GET TO THIS DAY.

>> IT IS A YEAR-ROUND CROP.

WE START, ACTUALLY, AT THE END.

WE KNOW THESE PLANS DOWN, THEN DIG UP THE BULBS, AND WE SELL A BUNCH OF BONES, THEN WE PREP THE SOIL, WE GET THE SEEDS IN THE GROUND.

THE FIRST SEEDS START IN SEPTEMBER, THEN EVERY TWO WEEKS, WE PLANT SEVEN ACRES UNTIL BUSINESS DAY, AND THEN THAT IS WHAT BRINGS THE COLOR OUT.

>> THE FLOWER FIELDS WILL BE OPEN FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M. UNTIL MOTHER'S DAY WEEKEND.

VISITORS NEED TO BUY TICKETS ONLINE AHEAD OF TIME.

THERE WILL ALSO BE A KIDS FREE DAY, MARCH 23rd.

THE ANNUAL SAN DIEGO FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING EXPO WAS SO BIG THIS YEAR, IT WILL BE HELD AT SNAPDRAGON STADIUM TOMORROW.

>>> AND IT'S FREE FOR EVERYONE.

AS KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER ANGIE PEREZ TELLS US, CHILDREN ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING THEIR PARENTS.

>> CHARLIE, YOU WANT TO DO SOME PET BEDDING?

>> WHAT IS PET BEDDING?

>> YOU ARE GOING TO SQUEEZE ALL OF THIS.

SQUEEZE THIS, THE LITTLE DROPPER.

>> Reporter: 4-YEAR-OLD CHARLOTTE AND HER FRIEND LEVI JUST MIGHT BE LAUNCHING THEIR SCIENTIFIC CAREERS AT SNAPDRAGON STADIUM ON SATURDAY.

THEY ARE HERE NOW TO HELP SET UP AND PREPARE FOR A FULL DAY OF SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING, ARTS, AND MATH, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE, AND EXHIBITS WITH S.T.E.M.

CHARLOTTE'S MOM WORKS FOR THE EXPO'S PRESENT IN SPONSOR.

>> OUR GOAL, BUT, HERE, IS TO CONNECT WITH LEARNERS AND TO BE ABLE TO INTRODUCE SAN DIEGANS TO THE LOVE AND INSPIRATION OF SCIENCE.

>> LOOK AT THAT.

ANYTHING LIKE THIS ON TV?

>> Reporter: GENERAL AUTOMATISM OF THE HUNDREDS OF COMPANIES THAT WILL BE SHOWING HOW SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNOLOGY CAN REALLY POP.

>> MS. CAN EXPAND REALLY QUICKLY.

NOT ONLY WILL THEY WAY THAT YOU, THEY WILL SMILE AT YOU AS THEY ARE DOING THIS.

SO -- OKAY.

>> Reporter: FRANKCLAY IS A SCIENTIST WITH 36 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE.

HE IS EXCITED TO SHARE WITH STUDENTS OF ALL AGES.

>> SCIENCE IS SIMPLY UNDERSTANDING NATURE, NATURE'S LAWS, TRY TO GET THEM INTERESTED IN IT TO UP PERPETUALLY UNDERSTANDING NATURE.

>> Reporter: WORKERS ARE STILL PREPARING DOZENS OF BOOTHS UNDER CANOPIES WITH AN ARCH PAVILION, AND IT'S ALL FREE ALL DAY.

FAMILIES USUALLY COME TO SNAPDRAGON STADIUM FOR SPORTS.

WELL-BEING OF THAT SATURDAY, BUT THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR LEARNING AND MAYBE TO FIND A CAREER.

WHICH BRINGS US BACK TO LEHIGH AND CHARLOTTE.

>> SOMETIMES, I PAINT, SOMETIMES I COLOR.

>> Reporter: SO, YOU LIKE TO BE AN ARTIST?

>> YEAH.

>> Reporter: CHARLOTTE IS TORN AT THE MOMENT BETWEEN DANCE AND SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY.

WHAT WOULD A BALLERINA SCIENTIST DO?

>> DESIGNED AND DANCE AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Reporter: THEN, THERE'S THIS BED OF NAILS IT PROVIDES AN EXPERIMENT IN DETECTING FORCE AND PRESSURE ON AN OBJECT.

>> WE WANT TO BREAK ONE OF THESE MASSIVE BLOCKS ON HIM, AND IDEALLY, ALL THE ENERGY SHOULD GO INTO THIS BRICK.

HE SURVIVED WITHOUT A SCRATCH.

THEN, MOVED ON TO A MORE TRADITIONAL SCIENCE EXPERIMENT.

>> THREE, TWO, ONE.

>> Reporter: AND BE PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

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

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

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

AND BY THE CONRAD PURVIS FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARKEL SHILEY , AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.