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

PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH HEATING, AIR, FLOOD, RESTORATION SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

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

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> THE OFFICIAL START OF SPRING IS STILL A WEEK AWAY, BUT SAN DIEGO'S WEATHER RIGHT NOW IS FEELING MORE LIKE SUMMER.

THANKS FOR JOINING US, I'M JOHN CARROLL IN FOR MAYA TRABULSI.

SOME RECORD-BREAKING TEMPERATURES MAYBE ON THE WAY.

JACOB AIR LOOKS HOW LOCALS MAY BE ADAPTING TO THIS MARCH HEAT WAVE.

>> Reporter: AT OCEAN BEACH SAN DIEGANS LAND SEAN'S AND IN BATHING SUITS AND SURF ON THE WAVES.

>> I LOVE IT.

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I CAME DOWN HERE FOR TO HAVE DAYS LIKE THIS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINTER IS WHY WE LIVE HERE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS NOT JULY OR AUGUST.

THIS IS MID MARCH IN SAN DIEGO.

SURFERS LIKE THIS ARE MAKING THE MOST OF THE UNSEASONABLY HOT WEATHER.

HE USED TO LIVE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WHERE HE SAYS IT IS MUCH COOLER THIS TIME OF YEAR.

HE PLANS TO MANAGE THIS UNEXPECTED HEAT WAVE IN THE OCEAN.

>> I WILL PROBABLY GET IN THE WATER AS MUCH AS I CAN, GET TO THE BEACH.

>> WE COULD BE TALKING ABOUT ALL-TIME HIGH TEMPERATURES.

>> Reporter: ALEX IS A LOCAL METEOROLOGIST.

>> IT IS NOT JUST A DAILY RECORD BUT AN ALL-TIME HIGH TEMPERATURE FROM THE DESERT TO THE COAST FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH.

IF THESE TEMPERATURES PAN OUT ESPECIALLY NEXT WEEK WHEN WE ARE IN THE PEAK OF THE WAVE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS NORMALLY SAN DIEGO HIGH TEMPERATURES AND MARCH ARE UPPER 60s LOW 70s.

>> THIS PARTICULAR HEATWAVE, NOT ONLY IS IT GOING TO BE HOT BUT IT WILL BE PRODUCING TEMPERATURES THAT ARE 20 TO 25 DEGREES, MAYBE EVEN 30 DEGREES ABOVE THOSE AVERAGES.

>> Reporter: HE EXPECTS THE HEATWAVE TO LAST FOR ABOUT A WEEK ACROSS THE WESTERN U.S.

HE SAYS SERIOUS HEAT THIS EARLY IN THE YEAR CAN HAVE RIPPLE EFFECTS DOWN THE ROAD INCLUDING PREMATURE SNOWMELT TIED TO WATER SUPPLY.

>> THE PREMATURE SNOWMELT IS DIFFICULT TO CAPTURE AND WE COULD LOSE SOME OF IT TO SOIL, EVAPORATION.

IT MAY NOT ALL GO INTO THE RESERVOIRS WHEN WE NEED IT.

THAT MEANS LESS WATER IN THE WATER SUPPLY AND THESE HOT TEMPERATURES ARE STRESSFUL TO VEGETATION.

WE COULD BE LOOKING AT AN EARLY FIRE SEASON.

>> Reporter: THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE ACTIVE DURING A HEAT WAVE IS THE BEACH WHERE IT IS COOLER.

LONG-TERM HE SAYS EL NIÑO WARMING OCEAN CONDITIONS AND DRY GROUND COULD LEAD TO WARM TEMPERATURES ACROSS MUCH OF THE WEST THIS SUMMER.

>>> THE HEAT CONTINUES SO ENJOY THE COOLER WEATHER AT NIGHT.

THE HEAT ADVISORY WILL BE ENDING AT 8:00 P.M.

WE ARE DEALING WITH OVERNIGHT LOWS AROUND 49.

58 INTO SAN DIEGO.

IT IS WARM OUT THERE AND IN THE SHORT-TERM WE DO STILL HAVE HEAT ADVISORIES IN EFFECT UNTIL 8:00 P.M.

THIS EVENING.

THERE WILL BE A LOT MORE HEAT TO COME.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT WHAT IS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THIS THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND INTO NEXT WEEK.

DETAILS AHEAD.

>>> A PAIR OF ATTACKS HUNDREDS OF MILES APART IS RATTLING COMMUNITIES.

A DEADLY SHOOTING IN VIRGINIA IS BEING INVESTIGATED AS TERRORISM.

MEANWHILE AN EXPLOSIVE FILLED VEHICLE RAMMED INTO A SYNAGOGUE IN MICHIGAN.

WE WALDMAN HAS THE LATEST ON THE SEPARATE ATTACKS.

>> Reporter: AS SNOWFALLS ON TEMPORAL -- TEMPLE ISRAEL IN MICHIGAN OFFICIALS ARE SENDING A MESSAGE.

>> THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL MOMENT.

THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL DEBATE.

THIS IS TARGETING BABIES WHO ARE JEWISH.

THAT IS ANTI-SEMITISM AT ITS ABSOLUTE WORST.

>> Reporter: THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IDENTIFIED THE SUSPECT BORN IN LEBANON WHO BECAME A U.S.

CITIZEN IN 2016.

OFFICIALS SAY HE DROVE HIS VEHICLE FILLED WITH EXPLOSIVES INTO THE SYNAGOGUE.

AT THE TIME MORE THAN 100 CHILDREN AGE 5 AND YOUNGER WERE ATTENDING SCHOOL AT THE SYNAGOGUE.

>> WE MUST LOWER THE RHETORIC IN THE STATE AND IN THE COUNTRY.

ESPECIALLY AT THIS MOMENT WHERE WE'VE SEEN SUCH A RISE OF ANTI- SEMITISM AND MORE ATTACKS ON THE JEWISH COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: AT LEAST 40 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR SMOKE INHALATION.

A SECURITY GUARD WHO HELPED STOP THE ATTACK WAS HIT BY THE SUSPECT VEHICLE AND IS EXPECTED TO BE OKAY.

TWO OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY STUDENTS WERE HURT AND ONE PERSON KILLED WHEN A FORMER VIRGINIA NATIONAL GUARDSMEN AND CONVICTED ISIS SUPPORTER BEGAN SHOOTING ON CAMPUS.

>> THE BRAVE ROTC MEMBERS IN THAT ROOM STEPPED IN.

IF NOT FOR THEM I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE HE MAY HAVE DONE.

>> Reporter: THE GUNMEN WHO WAS IDENTIFIED BY THE FBI WAS KILLED AT THE SCENE.

>>> A CANDIDATE WITH TIES TO A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DATA CENTER DEVELOPER IS RUNNING FOR A SEAT ON THE BOARD OF THE IMPERIAL VALLEY WATER AND POWER AGENCY.

COREY SUZUKI SAYS THE COMPANY IS SEEKING TO BUILD A MASSIVE $10 BILLION DATA CENTER COMPLEX IN THE REGION.

>> Reporter: THE CANDIDATE IS IDENTIFIED AS A COMMUNITY INFORMATION REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE DEVELOPER.

HE IS RUNNING FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICT.

THAT IS THE POWERFUL WATER AND ENERGY UTILITY.

THE DEVELOPER NEEDS THE ENERGY FOR ITS DATA CENTER PROJECT.

SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT AGREED TO DO THAT.

>> WHAT MAKES THIS UNUSUAL IS THAT USUALLY AN ESTABLISHED BUSINESS IS ALREADY OPERATING.

>> Reporter: BRIAN ADAMS IS A POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR.

HE SAID IT IS COMMON FOR COMPANIES TO INSERT THEMSELVES IN LOCAL ELECTIONS BUT THAT'S USUALLY TO PROTECT THE BUSINESS THAT IS ALREADY OPERATING.

>> YOU HAVE A BUSINESS THAT IS NOT YET OPERATING.

THE DATA CENTER HAS NOT BEEN BUILT YET.

THAT IS A BIT UNUSUAL.

>> Reporter: THE DEVELOPER SAID IN COURT FILINGS IT PLANS TO MAKE BILLIONS RENTING AT THE DATA CENTER TO AN A.I.

COMPANY.

THEY ACCUSED IED OF TRYING TO SABOTAGE THE PROJECT.

THEY HAVE DENIED THE ALLEGATIONS.

IID IS ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL GOVERNMENTAL BODIES IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY.

THEY OVERSEE THE CLAIMS OF FARMERS TO WATER FROM THE COLORADO RIVER AND DELIVER ELECTRICITY TO MORE THAN 160,000 CUSTOMERS.

THE ELECTION IS SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 2.

COREY SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.

>> IF YOU HAVE A TIP FOR THE KPBS INVESTIGATIONS TEAM YOU CAN SEND AN EMAIL TO INVESTIGATIONS AT KPBS.ORG OR MESSAGE THEM ON THE SECURE SIGNAL LINE OF THE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN 619-594-8177.

>>> SAN DIEGO LEADERS ARE CONSIDERING NEW SAFETY RULES FOR YOUNG E BIKE RIDERS.

OUR HEALTH REPORTER SAYS IT COMES AS INJURIES ON THESE FAST BIKES CONTINUE TO RISE.

>> Reporter: AS ELECTRIC BIKES HAVE BECOME MORE COMMON ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY, SO HAVE SERIOUS CRASHES FOR THOSE UNDER 18 ACCORDING TO A RECENT STUDY FROM RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

RESEARCHERS FOUND IN 2017 EPOQUE E BIKES MADE UP LESS THAN 2% OF SERIOUS CRASHES INVOLVING BIKE RIDERS TREATED AT THE HOSPITAL.

BY 2023 THE NUMBER JUMPED NEARLY 40%.

DR.

JUSTIN AS SOON TREATS E BIKE INJURIES AT RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

HE SAID IN 2021 -- >> WE HAD THREE TRAUMA ACTIVATIONS RELATED TO E BIKE ACCIDENTS.

FAST-FORWARD TO THE END OF 2025, THE NUMBER OF E BIKE TRAUMA ACTIVATIONS WAS 262.

FOR MAC A TRAUMA ACTIVATION MEANS A CHILD ARRIVES WITH INJURIES SERIOUS ENOUGH TO BRING IN AN ENTIRE EMERGENCY TEAM.

HE SAYS NOT EVERY CHILD INJURED ON AN E BIKE MEETS THE CRITERIA.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT ALL THE NUMBERS OF PATIENTS WHO PRESENTED WITH VARYING SEVERITY OF ACCIDENTS, THAT NUMBER EXCEEDS 1000 PATIENTS THIS LAST YEAR THROUGH 2025.

WE EXPECT THE NUMBER TO GO UP.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE INJURIES CAN VARY WIDELY.

>> MINOR SCRAPES TO LIFE- THREATENING INJURIES.

SEVERE BRAIN INJURIES.

>> HE SAYS THE INJURIES ARE OFTEN LINKED TO THE SPEED OF ELECTRIC BIKES.

>> WE ARE PUTTING KIDS ON MODALITIES, BIKES, THAT TRAVEL 20, 28 MILES AN HOUR.

KIDS ARE MODIFYING THE BIKES AND THEY ARE NOW GOING 45, 50 MILES AN HOUR.

>> Reporter: THIS WEEK THE CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE APPROVED A PROPOSAL TO BAN CHILDREN UNDER 12 FROM WRITING A BIKES.

THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS FOLLOW A NEW STATE LAW THAT ALLOWS CITIES TO SET THEIR OWN SAFETY RULES.

HE SAYS AWARENESS IS ALSO IMPORTANT.

ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTIVE GEAR.

>> THERE ARE DIFFERENT CLASSIFICATIONS OF HELMETS.

ONE THAT IS OUT FOR E BIKES IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT AGAINST HIGHER IMPACT COLLISIONS AND PROTECT THE BRAIN.

>> Reporter: THE CITY PROPOSAL ALSO CALLS FOR SAFETY TRAINING.

>> WE DON'T PUT A TEENAGER IN A CAR WITHOUT HAVING THEM GO THROUGH DRIVING SCHOOL, PERMITTING, A CERTAIN NUMBER OF HOURS WITH A SUPERVISOR.

>> Reporter: THE FULL CITY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO VOTE ON THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS IN THE COMING MONTHS.

HEIDI DiMARCO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> RIVERSIDE COUNTY HAS A NEW TOOL TO HELP LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CAR PURSUITS MORE SAFELY.

JOY BENEDICT SHOWS US HOW THE GRAPPLER WORKS >> Reporter: THEY ARE SCENES THAT CAN LAST FOR HOURS ON FREEWAYS AND SIDE STREET, DANGEROUS KATE -- CHASES.

WHAT IF THOSE IN PURSUIT COULD JUST REACH OUT AND GRAB IT.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS DOING WITH THE NEW DEVICE CALLED THE GRAPPLER.

>> I CONTACT THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE.

>> Reporter: CORPORAL BRIAN CONROY IS WITH THE CANINE UNIT.

HE CARRIES A DEPUTY DOG IN THE BACK AND GRAPPLER IN THE FRONT WE RODE LONG AS THEY WERE TRAINING WITH THE TOOL.

>> PROBABLY THE MOST EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT I'VE SEEN.

>> Reporter: HE'S ALREADY HAD IT A COUPLE MONTHS BUT HAS ALREADY DEPLOYED IT 10 TIMES.

>> A LOT OF OUR SUSPECTS, VIOLENT FELONS WHO ARE FUGITIVES FROM OTHER STATES.

>> Reporter: HE SAID BEFORE THE GRAPPLER IT WAS PIT MANEUVERS AND VEHICLE COLLISION TAKEDOWNS, BUT THIS IS SAFER.

>> IT IS SUPER EFFECTIVE IN STOPPING PURSUITS AND KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE AND DISABLING THE SUSPECT VEHICLE WITH MINIMAL RISK TO US AND OTHERS ON THE ROADS.

>> Reporter: THE ARMS EXTENDED LOWER.

HE CATCHES ONE OF THE WHEELS WITH THE NET.

>> I PULL IT BACK UP AND WE WILL DO IT AGAIN.

>> Reporter: THE LIEUTENANT IS IN CHARGE OF THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS.. HE SAID THEY STARTED THE PILOT PROGRAM LAST YEAR AND WERE SO SUCCESSFUL THEY ARE INSTALLING THEM ON ALL CANINE CARS.

>> WE REALIZED WE NEED A BETTER WAY OF STOPPING PURSUITS AND PREVENTING PURSUITS.

>> Reporter: HE SAID ALTHOUGH THE DEVICE CAN BE USED FOR STOPPING CHASES THEY FIND THEM MOST EFFECTIVE IN STOPPING NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS.

>> BEFORE WE EVEN PUT LIGHTS AND SIRENS ON AND WE KNOW THE PERSON IS WANTED WE WILL DEPLOY THE GRAPPLER.

THIS YEAR WE'VE HAD SEVEN GRAPPLES.

FOUR OF THEM ARE WANTED FOR MURDER.

WE GRAPPLED THE VEHICLE AND THE SUSPECT GIVE UP.

>> Reporter: HE SAID THE DAMAGE TO BOTH VEHICLES IS MINIMAL AND SO IS THE IMPACT.

>> THE OVERLAPPING TETHER IS BREAKING FREE SLOWING YOU DOWN SLOWLY.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH WE WERE ONLY TRAVELING 35 MILES AN HOUR FOR TRAINING IT HAS BEEN DEPLOYED USING SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 100 MILES AN HOUR WITH SUCCESS.

IT WASN'T VERY JARRING.

>> THIS IS FAIRLY LOW-SPEED.

THE FASTEST WE HAVE DONE IS 104 MILES AN HOUR.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW THERE ARE 165 AGENCIES ACROSS 34 STATES USING THE GRAPPLER.

THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS THE FIRST HERE IN CALIFORNIA MEANING IF YOU TRY TO RUN YOU MAY BE SURPRISED WHEN YOUR WHEELS STOP AND YOU ARE CAUGHT IN A WEB WEAVED BY THE LONG ARM OF THE LAW.

>>> SCHOOL DISTRICTS THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA ARE REVISITING THEIR CELL PHONE POLICIES AFTER THE STATE PASSED A LAW REQUIRING DISTRICTS TO LIMIT PHONE USE.

KADIAN ASKED US AT THE CORONADO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IS TAKING A CLOSE LOOK AT ITS MIDDLE SCHOOL RULES.

>> Reporter: CORONADO UNIFIED DISTRICTWIDE PHONE POLICY WAS LAST UPDATED MAY 2025.

IT ALLOWS STUDENTS TO USE PHONES DURING NONINSTRUCTIONAL TIME AND DURING EMERGENCIES.

DISTRICT LEADERS ARE CONSIDERING TIGHTER RESTRICTIONS ESPECIALLY AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL.

>> WE NEED TO FIND A BETTER SOLUTION FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: THE PRINCIPAL SPOKE TO THE SCHOOL BOARD ON THURSDAY.

SHE SAID HER SCHOOL HAS TRIED A FEW DIFFERENT WAYS TO ENFORCE THE CURRENT POLICY.

ONE REQUIRED STUDENTS TO KEEP PHONES OFF AND IN THEIR BACKPACKS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS TOO TEMPTING FOR MIDDLE SCHOOLERS AND WAS NOT SUCCESSFUL.

>> THEY ALSO TRIED PUTTING CELL PHONES AND CLASSES -- PATCHES DURING CLASS TIME.

THAT WORKED BUT THEY STILL HAVE THEM DURING BREAKS AND LUNCH.

>> THAT'S TURNED INTO A LOT OF STUDENTS ON THEIR PHONES, NOT JUST SOME MAYBE TEXTING MOM.

I ENVISIONED I WOULD TEXT MOM.

IT IS NOT JUST TEXTING MOM.

IT IS SOCIAL MEDIA.

IT IS BREAKING RULES SUCH AS NO VIDEOING, NO BEING ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

THOSE ARE THINGS WE ARE NOT ABLE TO CONTROL.

>> Reporter: BOARD MEMBERS SAID THEY ARE INTERESTED IN DIFFERENT RULES FOR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL.

AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL THEY COULD USE LOCKABLE POUCHES FOR THE ENTIRE SCHOOL DAY.

THEY WOULD COST MORE THAN $25,000.

AT APPARENT FORM THE SUPERINTENDENT SAID IT COULD HELP LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD AMONG STUDENTS.

>> WE KNOW THERE ARE FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE MADE THE DECISION TO NOT PURCHASE THEIR CHILD A SMARTPHONE UNTIL A CERTAIN AGE.

WE KNOW THERE ARE FAMILIES WHO HAVE PURCHASED DEVICES FOR THEIR CHILD BUT HAVE VERY TIGHT RESTRICTIONS AND FAMILIES WHO ALLOW THEIR CHILD UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THOSE DEVICES.

>> Reporter: HE ALSO STATED THAT PHONE BANS LEAD TO BETTER ATTENDANCE AND EXPERT SAY IT MAKES EMERGENCY OPERATIONS SAFER.

MUELLER SAYS MIDDLE SCHOOL COULD BE A GOOD PLACE TO TRY THE PATCHES.

HE SAID THEY CANNOT THEM TO THE HIGH SCHOOL LATER.

>> IF WE FEEL THAT THEY ARE FALLING SHORT OF EXPECTATIONS AND THAT THESE DEVICES ARE COMING BACK OUT, WE CAN ALWAYS EXPAND UP AND EXPAND DOWN.

>> Reporter: DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS PLAN TO BRING A FULL PROPOSAL TO THE BOARD NEXT MONTH.

THE GOAL IS TO HAVE SOMETHING IN THE PLACE AT THE START OF NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.

>>> FROM NAVIGATING BREAKUPS TO DEALING WITH REJECTION, MORE PEOPLE ARE TURNING TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO HELP THEM WITH TOUGH TALKS.

RESEARCHERS CALL IT SOCIAL OFFLOADING AND WORN THE INSTANT REPLIES COULD HAVE LONG-TERM EFFECTS.

MARIBEL GONZALES EXPLAINS WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW.

>> Reporter: FROM SEEKING ADVICE ON RELATIONSHIPS TO COMPLETING THE MOST MUNDANE TASKS.

RESEARCHERS LIKE PAT WHO STUDIES HUMAN AND A.I.

INTERACTION SAY THEY ARE SEEING MORE PEOPLE TURN TO A.I.

FOR ANSWERS.

>> THEY THINK BECAUSE A.I.

DOES NOT JUDGE THEM THE WAY ANOTHER HUMAN BEING MIGHT DO SO.

>> Reporter: THIS COULD BE STUNTING EMOTIONAL GROWTH.

THIS -- >> ADOLESCENCE IS WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE LEARNING THE UNCOMFORTABLE NUANCED SKILLS OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS THINGS LIKE HOW TO NAVIGATE A DISAGREEMENT, HOW TO READ OTHER PEOPLE'S PERSPECTIVES, THINGS LIKE MANAGING REJECTION.

>> Reporter: OFTEN TIMES HE SAYS A.I.

IS DESIGNED TO BE AGREEABLE AND MAY NOT ALWAYS BE ACCURATE.

>> THEY TELL USERS WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR RATHER THAN CHALLENGING THEM TO GROW.

IF YOU ARE A TEENAGER IT IS A FALSE FEEDBACK LOOP BECAUSE A REAL RELATIONSHIP WILL INVOLVE FRICTION AND COMPROMISE.

>> Reporter: WHILE A.I.

CAN BE HELPFUL A.I.

SHOULD BE THE BRIDGE.

>> EXPERTS RECOMMEND PARENTS AND EDUCATORS COMMUNICATE WITH TEENS ABOUT RESPONSIBLE USE.

>> YOU WANT TO SAVE SPACE BECAUSE A.I.

IS NOT THE ONLY PLACE THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE TALKING.

>>> HOUSING IS THE NUMBER ONE EXPENSE FOR MOST SAN DIEGANS.

NUMBER TWO IS TRANSPORTATION.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE BUREAU OF LABOUR STATISTICS.

IN OUR LATEST INSTALLMENT OF PRICE OF SAN DIEGO ANDREW BOWMAN LOOKS TO WHY TRANSPORTATION IS SO EXPENSIVE HERE AND WHY SOME ARE FINDING WAYS TO SAVE.

>> Reporter: MONOCOT RIDES THE BUS ALMOST EVERY DAY.

WHEN SHE MOVED BACK TO SAN DIEGO IN 2017 SHE FIGURED SHE NEEDED TO BUY A CAR.

SHE SETTLED ON A BLACK 2012 HONDA CIVIC.

>> I ONLY HAVE THE CAR FOR SIX MONTHS I JUST STARTED MAKING PAYMENTS AND JUST AS WE MOVED BACK TO SAN DIEGO I GOT IN A CRASH AND THE CAR WAS TOTALED.

>> Reporter: SUDDENLY WHAT HAD BEEN AN EXPENSE COSTING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS A MONTH TURNED INTO A PRETTY BIG CHECK.

>> MONEY WAS TIGHT AT THE TIME.

I GOT THE FULL VALUE OF THE CAR FOR MY INSURANCE, BUT WE HAD JUST MOVED TO NORTHPARK.

I HAD JUST ACCEPTED A JOB THAT WEEK AND BALBOA PARK AND OUR NEW APARTMENT WAS MAYBE ONE MILE FROM MY NEW OFFICE SO I THOUGHT MAYBE LET'S SEE HOW LONG WE CAN MAKE THIS WORK.

>> Reporter: SHE PUT THE INSURANCE MONEY IN SAVINGS, BOUGHT A BIKE OFF CRAIGSLIST AND DECIDED TO BECOME CAR FREE.

THAT WAS A AND A HALF YEARS AGO AND SHE HAS NO REGRETS.

SHE SHALL -- STILL SHARES A CAR WITH HER HUSBAND BUT SINCE THEY GOT REMOTE JOBS IN 2022 NEITHER SPENDS MUCH TIME BEHIND THE WHEEL.

HE SAID IT HELPS LIVING IN A WALKABLE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH DECENT ACCESS TO PUBLIC TRANSIT.

>> THE BENEFIT OF THE BIGGEST CHANGE I SEE YOU SPENDING MORE TIME AT HOME OR NEAR HOME INSTEAD OF FEELING I COULD GO ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME BECAUSE I COULD DRIVE THERE.

NOW THERE'S A LOT MORE THOUGHT, IS IT WORTH DRIVING THERE, IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD, ANY PLACES WITHIN FIVE MILES I DON'T REALLY WANT TO DRIVE THERE.

>> Reporter: IN TERMS OF DOLLARS AND CENTS BEING A ONE CAR HOUSEHOLD HAS HELPED THEM FEEL MORE IS FINANCIALLY SECURE .

>> KNOWING YOU HAVE A CUSHION YOU CAN GO OUT A LITTLE MORE OFTEN I KNOW THAT A HIGHER EXPENSE WON'T HURT YOUR BOTTOM LINE.

>> Reporter: CAR PAYMENTS MAINTENANCE INSURANCE AND GAS TAKE UP ALMOST A FIFTH OF THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD RIGID IN SAN DIEGO.

THE MOST RECENT CONSUMER SPENDING SURVEY FOUND SAN DIEGO HAS THE THIRD HIGHEST TRANSPORTATION COST BURDEN IN THE COUNTRY.

>> IT'S BEEN GOING UP FOR THE PAST SEVERAL DECADES.

>> Reporter: NICHOLAS KLEIN IS A PROFESSOR OF CITY AND REGIONAL PLANNING.

HE SAYS CARS CAN DEFINITELY INCREASE EARNINGS POTENTIAL, BUT THEY COME WITH HIDDEN COSTS AS HOUSEHOLDS TAKE OUT LONGER- TERM AUTO LOANS MORE MONEY IS GOING TOWARD INTEREST RATHER THAN PAYING OFF THE VEHICLE.

THE COST OF REPAIRS CAN HIT YOU LIKE A TRUCK.

>> WE CAN EXPECT THEY WILL HAPPEN AND MAYBE WE'LL CROSS OUR FINGERS AND HOPE THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT BREAK BUT IT PROBABLY WILL AT SOME POINT, BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHEN.

FOR HOUSEHOLDS THAT DON'T HAVE A TON OF MONEY IT CAN BE VERY CHALLENGING.

POOR MAGGIE SAN DIEGO'S HIGH TRANSPORTATION COSTS ARE LIKELY BECAUSE PEOPLE HERE ON MORE CARS THAN IN OTHER CITIES AND DRIVE LONGER DISTANCES.

BUILDING A CITY WITH LOWER TRANSPORTATION COSTS REQUIRES INVESTING IN ALTERNATIVES TO CAR OWNERSHIP LIKE BIKING AND PUBLIC TRANSIT.

>> THAT TAKES A LONG TIME TO REBUILD THE LANDSCAPES, ENVIRONMENT, CITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS IS NOT A QUICK FIX.

SETTING THAT IN PLACE AND BEGINNING TO INVEST IN THAT CAN HAVE LONG-TERM BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE'S BUDGETS, FOR THE CITY'S BUDGET, PUBLIC HEALTH, TRANSPORTATION OUTCOMES.

>> Reporter: MONICA NOW LIVES ON GOLDEN HILL ON THE BUS LINE AND WALKING DISTANCE TO THE TROLLEY.

>> I HAVE AN A BIKE AS WELL AS A TRADITIONAL BIKE.

ALEX HAS ANY BIKE AS WELL.

THESE ARE OUR CAR REPLACER'S.

>> Reporter: LIVING CAR FREE HAS GOTTEN EASIER IN THE LAST FEW YEARS AND DOES NOT FEEL LIKE I SACRIFICE.

SHE SAYS ONE OF THE GREATEST BENEFITS OF RIDING THE BUS IS FEELING MORE CONNECTED TO HER COMMUNITY.

>> I LOVE HOW OFTEN THERE WILL BE A YOUNG PARENT WITH A YOUNG CHILD.

THERE WILL BE OTHER PASSENGERS ON THE BUS THAT TRY TO MAKE THEM LAUGH.

IT IS REALLY NICE TO SEE.

IT'S JUST LIKE A SPONTANEOUS THING YOU DON'T EXPECT IN YOUR COMMUTE AS YOU GO TO DO ERRANDS, BUT IT FEELS WAY MORE LIKE YOU ARE PART OF A COMMUNITY AND THESE LITTLE INTERACTIONS MAKE IT FEEL WITH LIVING HERE AND THAT I AM PART OF SAN DIEGO SO MUCH MORE SO THAN WHEN I WAS ALONE STUCK IN A CAR.

>> Reporter: ANDREW BOHN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> YOU CAN FIND THAT STORY AND OTHERS IN THE PRICE OF SAN DIEGO SERIES ON OUR WEBSITE.

VISIT KPBS.ORG /PRICE OF SAN DIEGO.

>>> WE ARE LOCKED INTO A VERY WARM WEATHER PATTERN.

THE HEAT IS ON.

ENDLESS WARMTH CARE RECORD CHALLENGING HIGHS.

NOT IN ALL AREAS BUT IN MANY.

PLACES LIKE RAMONA HAVE BEEN IN RECORD TERRITORY.

THE STORM TRACK IS STAYING FOR TO THE NORTH.

RAIN AND SNOW WAY UP INTO AREAS AROUND WASHINGTON STATE.

EVEN MOST OF OREGON TRYING OUT NOW.

THE HEAT ADVISORY WILL END AT 8:00 P.M.

AND WE WILL GET SOME RELIEF TONIGHT.

IT WILL STAY VERY WARM.

HERE COMES A COLD FRONT.

YOU WILL NOTICE I WILL SHOW YOU THE SUNDAY GRAPHIC.

THAT WILL BYPASS US WELL TO THE EAST.

WE STAY VERY WARM IF NOT HOT.

73 IN SAN DIEGO.

NOT AS STEAMY AS IT WAS.

A LITTLE RELIEF ALONG THE COASTLINE BUT WE ARE STILL WORKING VERY WARM.

92 IN BORREGO SPRINGS.

SO THIS WILL RACE ACROSS THE GREAT BASIN TRIMMING THE HEAT OUT OF UTAH, OUT OF NEW MEXICO.

THEY ARE GETTING RELIEF AND WE ARE NOT.

ALL OF CALIFORNIA VERY WARM IF NOT HOT AND DRY.

SUNDAY WE ARE LOOKING AT RECORD CHALLENGING HIGHS.

THE RECORD HIGH FOR MARCH 15 IS 86 FOR 11 YEARS AGO.

IT WILL BE AROUND 88.

OUR FRIENDS IN PHOENIX TO THE EAST WILL BREAK A RECORD HIGH AS WELL.

MOST LIKELY BREAKING THE RECORD IN SACRAMENTO.

RIGHT THROUGH NEXT WEEK WE ARE LOCKED IN.

EVEN THE LATTER PART OF THE MONTH LOOKS PRETTY RELENTLESS.

AS WE LOOK AT THE COASTAL FORECAST, A LITTLE BIT OF RELIEF BACK TO THE LOW 70s.

WE WARM BACK UP TO THE UPPER 70s ALONG THE COAST.

INLAND AREAS, WE WILL SEE THE HEAT BEGIN TO RETURN BUILDING AGAIN MONDAY, TUESDAY, ESPECIALLY 91 ON TUESDAY.

INTO THE MOUNTAINS WE ARE LOOKING AT HIGHS UPPER 50s TO LOW 60s MUST DAYS.

WE WARM UP A BIT.

THE MOST DRAMATIC WARM UP WILL HAPPEN AROUND MIDWEEK NEXT WEEK.

WE WILL DEAL WITH HIGHS IN THE DESERTS.

THE BIGGEST HEAT WILL BE FELT IN THE DESERT ON WEDNESDAY.

I AM METEOROLOGIST GEOFF CORNISH FOR KPBS NEWS.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US I'M JOHN CARROLL, HAVE AN EXCELLENT EVENING AND WONDERFUL WEEKEND.

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

DIVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AIR, RESTORATION, AND FLOOD SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

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

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.