>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR, PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS AND PRIVILEGE TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR.

AND, BY THE CONRAD PREMISE FOUNDATION.

AND, BY THE FOLLOWING -- AND, BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING, IT'S FRIDAY, MARCH 5th.

, I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

AND WITH SOME GOOD NEWS FOR YOU.

WE HAVE STATE OFFICIALS WHO SAY STARTING ON APRIL 1, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL GAMES AND OTHER LIVE EVENTS WILL BE PERMITTED AND THAT ATTENDANCE LIMITS WILL BE BASED ON WHAT TIER THE COUNTY IS IN.

AND AMUSEMENT PARKS WILL BE ABLE TO OPEN AT 15 % CAPACITY AND CAN ONLY EXCEPT VISITORS FROM CALIFORNIA.

AS KB THE -- AS KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL REPORTS , THIS IS A MILESTONE.

>> Reporter: COUNTY SUPERVISOR NATHAN FLETCHER'S ENTHUSIASTIC ANNOUNCEMENT MADE CLEAR.

>> THE ONE MILLIONTH VACCINATION ADMINISTERED IN THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: THE PETCO SUPERSTATION HAS SHUTDOWN NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE IT OPENED ON JANUARY 11, USUALLY FOR A LACK OF VACCINES.

THE PROCESS OF VACCINATING THE MORE THAN 3 MILLION PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY LOOKS PRETTY GOOD WHEN COMPARED TO THE REST OF CALIFORNIA.

>> WE ARE MOVING ASKED HER THAN ANY OTHER COUNTY IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO ADMINISTER THESE VACCINES.

>> Reporter: INSIDE THE TUBMAN- CHAVEZ COMMUNITY CENTER , SCENE PLAYING OUT AT DOZENS OF COUNTY VACCINATION SITES.

SUPERVISOR FLETCHER CHECKING OUT THE PROGRESS OF THE PROCESS , OF SAVING LIVES, ONE SHOT AT A TIME.

SHARING A SPECIAL MOMENT WITH THE NEWLY VACCINATED SAN DIAGANS.

WHILE GETTING ONE AND OUT TWO DOSES IS A MILESTONE, LETTER SAYS WE COULD BE DOING SO MUCH MORE.

>> WE BUILT UP THE SYSTEM, WHERE WE COULD DO 1 MILLION VACCINATIONS A MONTH, AND WE COULD DO MORE, WE JUST NEED MORE VACCINES.

>> Reporter: ON THAT FRONT, SOME VERY POSITIVE NEWS.

>> WE EXPECT TO GET J&J VACCINES NEXT WEEK.

THAT WILL HELP IN OUR EFFORT, WE NEED MORE PFIZER, WE NEED MORE PATERNA, WE WANT TO CONTINUE THE MOMENTUM WE HAVE BUILT.

>> Reporter: PROGRESS, MOMENTUM TO THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL THE GETS A LITTLE BRIGHTER EVERY DAY.

JOHN CARROLL, K PBS NEWS.

>>> AND YOU'RE ELIGIBLE FOR A SHOT AND NOT SURE WHERE TO GO, HEAD OVER TO KPBS.ORG, JUST CLICK ON THE VACCINES TAB ON OUR PAGE AND YOU WILL FIND A MAP WITH CLINICAL LOCATIONS AND LINKS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

>>> HELP IS ON THE WAY TO GET KIDS BACK IN THE CLASSROOM ACROSS THE STATE.

TODAY GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM SIGNED A BILL THAT WILL PROVIDE $6.6 BILLION TO SCHOOLS.

HE IS JOINED ON A ZOOM CALL WITH EDUCATORS AND LAWMAKERS, INCLUDING SAN DIEGO'S TONY ATKINS WHO PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN MOVING THE PLAN FORWARD AS AN PRESIDENT.

>> WE'RE GETTING THIS THING SIGNED, AND LET'S GET THE $6.6 BILLION.

WE DIDN'T WAIT FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

WE ARE MOVING FORWARD.

WE ARE GOING TO GET THE BENEFIT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S ADDITIONAL SUPPORT COMING SOON.

>> Reporter: $2 MILLION WILL GO TO SCHOOL IF THEY OFFER IN PERSON INSTRUCTION BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

ANOTHER $4.6 BILLION IS AVAILABLE TO ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO HELP STUDENTS CATCH UP.

THE DISTRICTS MUST SPEND AT LEAST 85 % OF THAT MONEY ON IN PERSON INSTRUCTION.

>>> A HEATED DEBATE OVER SCHOOL REOPENINGS HAS LEFT ONE SAN DIEGO COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD IN CRISIS, WITH A BOARD MEMBER RECEIVING RACIST MESSAGES, AND DEATH THREATS.

KPBS REPORTER JOE HONG REPORTS ON THAT.

WARNING THIS CAN SEEMS OBSCENE LANGUAGE.

>> Reporter: AT A BOARD MEETING LAST MONTH AT THE LA MESA SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CAST THE FINAL VOTE THAT WILL OPEN SCHOOLS ON APRIL 19.

BOTH WANT TO KNOW, WAS BY CRITICIZE THE REOPENING PLAN FOR FORCING TEACHERS TO GO BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM, POSSIBLY BEFORE THEY RECEIVE THEIR VACCINATIONS.

SHE COMPARED THE OPENING TO WHITE SUPREMACY .

>> THAT SEEMS LIKE A VERY WHITE SUPREMACY IDEOLOGY FOR US TO COMPLY, CONFORM WITHOUT TAKING ABOUT ALL OF THE INTERSECTING FACTORS AND BARRIERS THAT EXIST FOR ALL FAMILIES.

THINKING ABOUT ONE TYPE OF FAMILY WHEN YOU'RE SEEKING THEM OUT.

IT'S PRIVILEGE, CHECK IT, GUYS.

>> Reporter: WHAT FOLLOWED WAS A HEATED EXCHANGE, NOT WITH OTHER BOARD MEMBERS BUT WITH BOARD MEMBER DAVID FELICIANO.

>> YOU DON'T NEED TO SPEAK WITH HIM, DAVID.

>> I CAN SPEAK WITH THEM IF I CHOOSE TO AND RIGHT NOW I CHOOSE TO.

I FIND THAT OFFENSIVE.

>> WELL DON'T SAY THAT YOU CAN SPEAK FOR OTHERS, THAT'S NOT APPROPRIATE.

>> Reporter: FOLLOWING THE BOARD MEMBER, THE BOARD MEMBER RECEIVED SEVERAL DEATH THREATS, MOBILE REBECCA McRAE SAID THAT WHILE SHE UP DISAPPROVED OF THE TENOR, SHE DISAPPROVED OF THE RACIST ATTACKS.

IN A EMAIL SHE SAID SHE DISAPPROVED OF IT.

PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE CALLING AND SCREENING OBSCENITIES AT DISTRICT STAFF.

IT IS TRULY SAD.

IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT, NOBODY WAS TO SEE STUDENTS RETURN TO SCHOOL MORE THAN TRUSTY BELL.

HER CONCERN IS ALWAYS BEEN AND REMAINS MAKING SURE EVERY STUDENT RETURNS TO THE SAFEST LEARNING ENVIRONMENT POSSIBLE.

ON THURSDAY, REFORM CALIFORNIA CHAIRMAN LAUNCHED A RECALL CAMPAIGN AGAINST THE BOARD MEMBER.?

PEOPLE WHO DECIDE TO PUT POLITICS BEFORE THE PRIORITIES OF OUR CHILDREN IN THE INTEREST OF OUR CHILDREN, THEY MUST BE CONFRONTED.

WITH PUBLIC PRESSURE, AND IF NECESSARY, WITH RECALLS FOR THAT IS OUR ONLY RECOURSE.

>> Reporter: BEFORE THE RECALL EFFORT STARTED, NEARLY 4500 PEOPLE SIGNED A PETITION TO MANDY BELFONTE NO RESIGN.

THE RECALL HOWEVER REQUIRES 13,700 SIGNATURES TO MOVE FORWARD.

JOE HONG, PBS NEWS.

>>> A LA MESA POLICE OFFICER WHO WAS FIRED AND CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONTROVERSIAL ARREST IS TRYING TO GET HIS JOB BACK.

VIDEO OF THE ARREST NEAR THE GROSSMONT TROLLEY STATION LAST MAY WENT VIRAL.

MATTHEW DAGES WAS LATER FIRED AND CHARGED WITH FALSIFYING A POLICE REPORT.

NOW, COURT FILINGS SHOW THE FORMER OFFICER IS SEEKING TO HAVE THE CITY AND APPEALS BOARD REINSTATE HIM, WITH BACK PAY.

HIS FIRING WAS UPHELD BY THE APPEALS BOARD IN DECEMBER.

>>> MEMBERS OF SAN DIEGO'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION GATHER TODAY TO DISCUSS THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, $1.9 TRILLION EMERGENCY RELIEF PACKAGE OPPOSED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN.

NOT ONLY WOULD FOCUS ON GETTING VACCINES, BUT MONEY INTO POCKETS.

$1400 FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE.

IT ALSO CALLS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

CONGRESSWOMAN, SARA JACOBS, CONGRESSMAN JUAN VARGAS AND SCOTT PETERS ALL VOTED FOR THE HOUSE VERSION, WHICH PASSED.

>> THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN HAS $33.4 MILLION IN FEDERAL AID FOR OCEANSIDE.

$26.6 MILLION FOR VISTA, $13.3 MILLION FOR CARLSBAD AND THE LIST GOES ON.

THIS FUNDING IS DESPERATELY NEEDED.

>> NOW, IT IS UP TO THE SENATE, BUT BEFORE DEMOCRATS GET A CHANCE TO VOTE ON THE RELIEF BILL, THEY WILL FACE AROUND REPUBLICAN-LED CHALLENGES.

EMILY SCHMIDT IS IN WASHINGTON WITH MORE ABOUT WHAT IS ON THE VOTE.

>> Reporter: THE SENATE IS GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF VOTES, BUT WE ARE GOING TO POWER THROUGH AND FINISH THIS BILL.

DEMOCRATS, DETERMINED TO TRY TO DELIVER WHAT COULD BE THE FINAL COVID RELIEF STIMULUS PACKAGE.

WITH CHECKS FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS, EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, BILLIONS TO BOLSTER VACCINE DISTRIBUTION, AND MORE.

REPUBLICANS, WITHOUT THE VOTES TO WIN, HOPING TO REFRAME THE DEBATE.

>> THIS IS IN A PANDEMIC RESCUE PACKAGE.

IT IS A PARADE OF LEFT-WING PET PROJECTS.

>> Reporter: SENATE RULES ALLOW SOME WAYS TO SLOW THE PROCESS.

>> SECTION 2, TABLE OF CONTENTS -- >> Reporter: LIKE A WORD FOR WORD READING OF THE 628 PAGE BILL THAT TOOK UP MUCH OF THURSDAY AND STRETCHED INTO FRIDAY.

NOW, A LONG SERIES OF AMENDMENT VOTES, REPUBLICANS CAN MAKE TO MAKE DEMOCRATS GO ON RECORD ABOUT INDIVIDUAL ISSUES.

?

BRING IT ON, WE ARE READY.

>> Reporter: THE FIRST AMENDMENT FOCUSED ON RAISING THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE TO $15 PER HOUR.

IT FAILED, SO WON'T BE IN THE FINAL BILL.

IT TAKES 51 VOTE TO PASS, AND THE SENATE IS SPLIT 50-50, WHICH MEANS EACH OF THE MORE THAN 100 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TEST PARTY UNITY.

>> THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE COUNTING ON US AND OUR NATION DEPENDS ON IT.

>> Reporter: THE BILLS SENATORS PASS HAS TO GO BACK TO THE CONGRESS AND THEN THE PRESIDENT BIDEN BEFORE ANY FAMILY CAN SEE BENEFITS.

IN WASHINGTON, EMILY SCHMIDT, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE ARE LEARNING MORE ABOUT ONE OF THE 13 PEOPLE KILLED IN AN IMPERIAL COUNTY CRASH THIS WEEK.

RELATIVES SAY 22-YEAR-OLD SANYO CARDONA WAS FLEEING VIOLENCE IN WHAT AMOUNTED FOR HOPE OF A BETTER LIFE.

SHE AND HER MOTHER WERE AMONG THE 25 PEOPLE PACKED IN THE SUV THAT WAS HIT BY A TRACTOR- TRAILER ON TUESDAY.

HER MOTHER SUFFERED A SERIOUS HEAD INJURY, BUT HAS SURVIVED.

CARDONA HAD FAMILY HERE IN CALIFORNIA, INCLUDING AN UNCLE WHO LEFT GUATEMALA 16 YEARS AGO AFTER HE WAS SHOT.

>> HER DREAM WAS TO COME HERE AND STAY WITH US.

BUT ONLY THIS KIND OF WAY SHE HAS GOT TO COME.

IT IS SO SAD, IT BREAKS OUR HEART.

>> Reporter: OTHERS KILLED IN THE CRASH WERE MEXICAN AND GUATEMALAN NATIONALS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 15 AND 53.

SIX PEOPLE WHO WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED WERE TAKEN TO TWO HOSPITALS HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

>>> OPERATION SHELTER TO HOME IS WRAPPING UP AT THE CONVENTION CENTER DOWNTOWN.

IT STARTED LAST APRIL AS AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC.

EXTRA SPACE AND A BAN ON LARGE GATHERINGS MADE IT A WIN-WIN TO GIVE PEOPLE A PLACE TO STAY WHILE KEEPING JOBS AT THE CONVENTION CENTER.

CITY OFFICIALS SAY MORE THAN 4000 PEOPLE PASSED THROUGH HERE OVER THE LAST YEAR.

1200 OF THEM HAVE FOUND PERMANENT HOUSING.

OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS, THOSE AT THE CONVENTION CENTER WILL BE MOVED BACK TO TEMPORARY BRIDGE SHELTERS, INTO GOLDEN HOME.

>> NO ONE AT THE CONVENTION CENTER WILL BE FORCED BACK ONTO THE STREETS.

SHELTER RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS, AND THE SERVICE PROVIDER STAFF WILL WORK WITH THEM IN THE COMING WEEKS TO IDENTIFY THE BEST OPTION FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN WORKING TO VACCINATE THOSE MOST AT RISK, SAYING MOST DOSES OF IT SINGLE SHOT JOHNSON & JOHNSON SHOT WILL BE PRIORITIZED FOR OLDER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THERE ALSO DISCUSSIONS ABOUT TURNING THE CONVENTION CENTER INTO A LARGE-SCALE VACCINATION SITE.

>>> CALIFORNIA SAW COVID-19 HOSPITALIZATIONS SKYROCKET AROUND THE HOLIDAYS.

AND WHEN STAFFING COULDN'T KEEP UP, THE STATE LET HOSPITALS PUT MORE PATIENTS ON A NURSES WORK LORD THAN LAW USUALLY ALLOW.

BUT IT KPBS I KNEW SOURCE INVESTIGATION FOUND MANY HOSPITALS THAT RECEIVE PERMISSION RECEIVED IN COMPLETED APPLICATIONS.

IN THE SECOND PART OF A TWO- PART SERIES, WE HEAR FROM HOSPITALS THAT SAY THEY DESPERATELY NEEDED THE RELIEF.

>> Reporter: WAS AROUND HALLOWEEN AND OUTLOOK WAS FRIGHTENING AT SCRIPPS HEALTH.

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES ERIC HOLT SAID PROJECTIONS SHOWED A SURGE OF COVID-19 PATIENTS WOULD ARRIVE BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> THAT THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS WE HAD TODAY WOULD GROW FIVE FOLD OVER THE NEXT 6-8 WEEKS.

>> Reporter: THAT MEANT ITS WORKFORCE NEEDED TO GROW, TOO.

A STATE LAW DESIGNED TO SUPPORT EMPLOYEE AND PATIENT SAFETY MANDATES A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PATIENTS.

BUT SCRIPPS STRUGGLED TO FIND ENOUGH STAFF TO MEET REQUIRED LEVELS.

THEY TRIED HIRING.

>> AND THOSE WERE INSULIN SUPPLY.

>> Reporter: THEY LOOK FOR TRAVEL NURSES.

>> VERY SLIM SUPPLY AS THE NATIONWIDE PANDEMIC AND ITS RESOURCES WERE SPREAD ACROSS THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES.

>> Reporter: AND SOME CORE STATE STAFF BECAME SICK, MAKING THE SITUATION WORSE.

>> OVERNIGHT, THE ICU CREEPS UP FIVE, SIX, SEVEN PATIENTS, I CAN'T PRODUCE AN RN OVERNIGHT TO FILL THE GAP THAT I HAVE TO MAINTAIN THE STAFFING RATIOS.

>> Reporter: HOSPITALS ACROSS THE STATE FACED SIMILAR CHALLENGES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AND THE GOVERNOR MADE IT EASIER TO STRAY FROM THE STAFFING RULES.

HOSPITALS COULD RECEIVE A TEMPORARY LABOR TO EXPAND AND NURSES WORKLOAD BY 1 TO 2 PATIENTS.

FOR SCRIPPS FACILITIES ARE AMONG 200 CALIFORNIA HOSPITALS THAT RECEIVED ONE SINCE COVID- 19 HIT.

MANY APPLY DURING THE WINTER SURGE.

>> WE HAD OVER 500 PATIENTS WITHIN HOSPITALS WITH COVID.

THAT'S MORE THAN FIVE TIMES WHAT WE HAD EARLIER IN THE YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DECLINED AN INTERVIEW, BUT SAID IN AN INTERVIEW, SAID WAIVER SHOULD BE A LAST RESORT.

THE APPLICATION SAID HOSPITALS SHOULD EXHAUST ALTERNATIVES BEFORE SEEKING THEM.

BUT THE STATE SAID IN ITS EMAIL THAT THE FACILITIES DON'T ACTUALLY NEED TO.

AND IT KPBS KNEW SOURCE ANALYSIS OF PUBLICLY POSTED WAIVERS FOUND DOZENS DID NOT DOCUMENT THEY TRIED ALL LISTED ALTERNATIVES BEFORE SEEKING THE WAIVER.

>> ARE SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH NURSES , NOT JUST IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, NOT JUST IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT NOT IN THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: CARMELA COYLE EACH BOOK TELEPHONE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

SHE SAID STAFFING SERVICES OCCURRED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, BUT CALIFORNIA HAS SET NURSE TO PATIENT RATIOS.

AND WITHOUT A WAIVER, HOSPITALS WOULD HAVE BEEN FORCED TO FORCE PATIENTS TO WAIT IN HOSPITAL ROOMS OR AMBULANCES.

>> IF RATIOS ARE PREVENTING US FROM CARING FOR MORE PATIENTS IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT, THAT IS NOT AN ANSWER THAT WE CAN ACCEPT.

>> Reporter: BUT EL CENTRO REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER CEO ADOLPH EDWARD RAISED CONCERNS, SOME FACILITIES TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE WAIVER PROCESS.

>> I WAS FORTUNATE TO RECEIVE A WAIVER AND I'M SADDENED THAT HOSPITALS WOULD ASK WITH AND WITHOUT REALLY USING THEM.

>> Reporter: EDWARDS SAYS THE HOSPITAL APPLIED AFTER STATE PROVIDED RESOURCES STILL WERE NOT ENOUGH.

THEREFORE FORM NOTED ALL ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING SETTING UP CLINICS FOR NONEMERGENCY CLINICS RESCHEDULING NONELECTIVE SURGERIES AND TRANSFERRING PATIENTS.

>> WITH THE STAFF WE HAVE, IF WE HAD NOT ASKED FOR WAIVER WE WOULD BE IN TROUBLE.

>> Reporter: TWO SCRIPPS FACILITIES DID NOT NOTE THEY TRIED ALTERNATIVES PRIOR TO THEIR FIRST APPLICATION, BUT COLE SAYS THEY DID LATER FOR AN EXTENSION.

HE SAYS WE TRY TO STAY WITHIN RATIOS AT ALL COSTS, BUT PROACTIVELY REQUESTED A WAIVER AHEAD OF THE SPIKE, IS PROJECTIONS SHOWED WAS COMING.

>> IT WOULD BE POOR PLANNING AND HARMFUL TO OUR STAFF AND PATIENTS TO NOT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A TOOL THAT IS AVAILABLE, AND USE IT SPARINGLY, WHEN IT IS ABSOLUTELY NEEDED.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR JUST LAST MONTH CANCELED THE EXPEDITED WAIVERS BECAUSE HOSPITALIZATIONS HAD DECLINED.

THE CALIFORNIA NURSES ASSOCIATION CITED THE MOVE AS A VICTORY.

BUT AT LEAST 84 HOSPITALS WERE STILL GRANTED EXTENSIONS UNTIL THE STATE PROVIDED THEM WITH MORE STAFF.

SCRIPPS SAYS IT RECEIVED THREE NURSES, AND THEIR TIME SHOULD IN LATER THIS MONTH.

BUT THAT COULD DEPEND ON PATIENT VOLUMES.

>>> THE STORY WAS CO-REPORTED BY I KNEW SOURCE REPORTER JOE CASTELLANO.

>>> VOTING WILL BEGIN MONDAY IN THE SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE 79th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT.

THE STATE WAS LEFT OPEN WHEN SHIRLEY WEBER WAS APPOINTED TO CALIFORNIA SECRETARY OF STATE.

IT COVERS SOUTHEASTERN SAN DIEGO, LA MESA, LEMON GROVE AND PARTS OF CHULA VISTA, BONITA AND NATIONAL CITY.

FOUR DEMOCRATS AND ONE DEMOCRAT ARE SEEKING TO REPRESENT THE DISTRICT INCLUDING WEBER'S DAUGHTER, AQUILLA WEBER.

VOTERS TO GET THEIR MAIL-IN BALLOTS BY MONDAY FOR THE APRIL 6 ELECTION.

>>> SAN DIEGO RESEARCHERS SAY SMOKE FROM WILDFIRES IS MUCH MORE DANGEROUS TO HUMAN HEALTH THAN TAILPIPE EMISSIONS THAT COME FROM THE STATES CARS AND TRUCKS.

HERE IS K PBS ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON.

>> Reporter: TOM CORING SAYS WILDFIRE SMOKE PUSHED OF HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS BY 10 %.

>> WE LOOK AT THE OCCURRENCE OF WILDFIRES AND WHERE THE WILDFIRES HAPPEN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND THEN USING THE AND PATTERNS, WHERE THE SMOKE WAS TRANSPORTED AND ALSO USING SATELLITE IMAGE RESULTS OF SMOKE.

WITHIN THAT TIME WE LINK THAT TO PARTICULATE MATTER THAT WAS COLLECTED BY THE EPA AND OTHER AIR QUALITY MONITORING STATIONS.

>> Reporter: CORING HAM SAYS THE WARMER CLIENT LIKELY MEANS THERE WILL BE MORE FREQUENT AND INTENSE WILDFIRES AHEAD.

HE SAYS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS SHOULD DEVISE STRATEGIES TO LOWER RISK WHEN SMOKE FILLED THE AIR.

THE FINDINGS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE CURRENT EDITION OF THE JOURNAL NATURE COMMUNICATIONS.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE ARE MANAGING TO HOLD ONTO A DRY WEEKEND, SO ENJOY BEAUTIFUL WEATHER.

WHAT I WILL SAY IS WE HAVE THIS ONSHORE FLOW WHICH OF COURSE MEANS SOME MOISTURE, SOME CLOUDS FOR US.

BUT REALLY, PRETTY QUIET TIMES.

RIGHT INTO THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK WHEN WE START TO SEE OUR NEXT CHANCE FOR RAIN.

TONIGHT, NO PROBLEMS, AS WE HAD THE 30s OR 40s IN MOST LOCATIONS.

39 IN ESCONDIDO.

A PRETTY QUIET CONDITIONS, 44 BORREGO SPRINGS AND NOTICE THERE COULD BE A FEW CLOUDS OUT THERE.

BUT I THINK WE'RE LOOKING FAIRLY CLEAR TO THE OVERNIGHT.

TOMORROW, THERE SHOULD BE SOME MORE INCREASES THAT'S MAKE INCREASING CLOUDS.

MOSTLY TO OUR NORTH HERE.

WE WILL FIND SOME COASTAL CLOUDS.

BUT THE TREND WILL BE TO GET A LITTLE MORE MOISTURE AS WE HEAD TOWARD THE WEEKEND.

SO WE'RE GONNA CALL IT A MOSTLY SUNNY DAY AGAIN.

WE COULD FIND A FEW CLOUDS OFFSHORE, 67 FOR OCEANSIDE, 68 IN SAN DIEGO, MOUNT LAGUNA IN THE MID-50s, AGAIN FAIRLY QUIET WEATHER AS WE MOVE THROUGH TIME.

FUTURECAST STARTS OUT WITH MAYBE JUST TO GET A FEW OF THOSE COASTAL CLOUDS.

NOT A LOT OF MOISTURE BUT YOU CAN SEE AT THE EDGE OF THE SCREEN GOING INTO FRIDAY AFTERNOON, THERE'S A BIT MORE MOISTURE OFFSCREEN SURE SO EVENTUALLY WE WILL BE TAPPING INTO A FEW MORE CLOUDS AS WE GET TO THE WEEKEND.

BUT REALLY IT IS JUST THE TREND OF BRINGING IN SOME COOLER AIR.

AND SATURDAY, STILL LOOKS FAIRLY QUIET FOR US.

IT IS ACTUALLY THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK WHEN WE START TO SEE A LITTLE STORMY ACTIVITY THAT WILL WORK ITS WAY IN.

WE COULD BE TALKING A FEW RAIN SHOWERS OUT THERE.

SO, FOR THE COAST, NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AGAIN WE WILL NOTICE THOSE CLOUDS KIND OF ON THE INCREASE, HEADING TO SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, TEMPERATURES IN THE 60s, FAIRLY COMFORTABLE.

MAYBE A BIT ON THE COOLER SIDE.

SHOWERS POSSIBLE BY TUESDAY AND THAT WILL BE TRUE IN OUR INLAND LOCATIONS AS WELL, GETTING INTO SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, MORE CLOUDS LIKELY THERE.

AND MOUNTAINS, WILL SEE SOME CLOUDS AS WELL.

IT WILL GRADUALLY INCREASE AS WE GET COOLER AND WINDY ON WEDNESDAY AWAITING THE NEXT STORM SYSTEM.

AND FOR THE DESERTS MAYBE JUST A FEW SHOWERS POSSIBLE INTO NEXT TUESDAY'S WELL.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I METEOROLOGIST MELISSA CONSTANZER.

>>> ALL BLOOD TYPES ARE NEEDED AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AT SAN DIEGO BLOOD-BORNE THAT WORK OR CALL THE NUMBER YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

TO BE ELIGIBLE TO DONATE YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 17 YEARS OH, WEIGH AT LEAST 114 POUNDS, AND BE IN GENERALLY GOOD HEALTH.

>>> THE LATEST MONTHLY JOBS REPORT CAME OUT TODAY AND THE RESULTS ARE BETTER THAN EXPECTED.

ERIK KOPEC HAS MORE IN THE FRIDAY BUSINESS REPORT.

>> Reporter: UNDER NORMAL STACKED CIRCUMSTANCES, 280,000 JOBS WOULD BE A CAUSE TO CELEBRATE, AND OVERALL, THAT'S A GREAT JOBS REPORT.

UNEMPLOYMENT WENT DOWN A 10th OF A POINT, AND IMPORTANTLY, WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS THE LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE, WHICH IS AN IMPORTANT MEASURE, WAS STABLE FOR TWO MONTHS IN A ROW.

JOB POSTINGS ARE UP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A WHILE.

THE LEISURE HOSPITALITY SECTOR EXPANDED BY OVER 350,000 JOBS, MOSTLY IN BARS AND RESTAURANTS, BUT EVEN IN HOTELS.

THAT SECTOR IS STILL THREE AND HALF MILLION JOBS BELOW WHERE WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

RIGHT NOW, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT IS GOING TO BE THE RELIEF BILLED THAT IS IN THE SENATE NOW.

VACCINE DISTRIBUTION ESPECIALLY SINCE THE BITE IN DOES ADMINISTRATION IS WORKING TO GET ALL ADULTS VACCINATED BY THE END OF MAY.

THIS IS GOING TO BE REALLY IMPORTANT AS WE GET INTO THE SUMMER SEASON WHERE WE COULD REALLY OPEN UP, AND ALSO THE STIMULUS CHECKS WILL DRIVE CONSUMER SPENDING WHICH WILL BOAST BOOST DDP.

>>> LEGOLAND IS OFFERING UP SOME NEW FUN FOR FAMILIES.

IT IS HOLDING WHAT IS CALLED BUILDING PLAYED A IN A SOCIALLY DISTANT ENVIRONMENT.

GUESTS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO PLAY STRUCTURES, BUILDING STRUCTURES A SCAVENGER HUNT ALONG WITH LIVE IN OR, MEET AND GREET AND MORE.

LIMITED TIME EVENT, RUNNING THROUGH MAY 5 IS ALSO ALLOWING THE PARK TO BRING BACK HUNDRED OF EMPLOYEES FURLOUGHED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>>> TRUFFLE SNIFFING DOGS, THE LINGERING LEGACY OF GUANTANAMO BAY, DETENTIONS AND GOING OFF THE GRID ARE THE SUBJECTS OF THE LATEST GROUP OF FILM RELEASES.

KPBS SINEMET JUNKIE BETH ACCOMANDO ROUNDS AT THIS DIVERSE SELECTION.

>> Reporter: THE NEW AND MANY , THE TRUFFLE HUNTERS IS BASICALLY ABOUT OLD MEN, THEIR DOGS AND THE SEARCH FOR TROUBLES.

FILMMAKERS SPENT YEARS EARNING THE TRUST OF THESE TRUFFLE HUNTERS AND NORTHERN MELODY IN ORDER TO CREATE A SWEET PORTRAIT OF A VANISHING WAY OF LIFE.

SHOTS ARE FRAMED WIDE, AND WITHOUT EDITS SO WE CAN SEE WITH THIS DELIGHTFUL, VIBRANT KELLY CHARACTERS IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT WITH THEIR DELIGHTFUL DOGS.

IT CELEBRATES DEDICATION AND MOST OF ALL PASSION.

THIS DOCUMENTARY IS AS RARE AND DELICIOUS AS THE WHITE TOLD THESE MEN SEEK.

>>> THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IS HOLDING UPWARDS OF 700 PRISONERS AT GUANTANAMO.

SINCE WHEN DO WE START LOCKING UP PEOPLE FOR THE TRIAL?

>> Reporter: THE MAURITANIAN IS NOT A DOCUMENTARY BUT IT IS BASED ON A REAL-LIFE PRISONER WHO WAS HELD AT ONE TIME TO MOW FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.

>> I WOULD LIKE YOU TO SIGN THESE LETTERS.

>> IS THIS FOR A BOOK?

?

PEOPLE NEED TO READ YOUR STORY FOR THEMSELVES.

AND IT WILL PUT PRESSURE ON THE GOVERNMENT TO GIVE US A COURT DATE.

>> Reporter: THE ILLNESS NOT FLASHY OR ARTFUL, THAT IT IS ONE FUELED BY OUTRAGE AND ROOTED IN A DEEP SENSE OF HUMANITY AND IN THE EMBASSY, THANKS TO THE PERFORMANCE OF JODIE FOSTER AS HIS LAWYER.

>> WHAT IF YOU ARE WRONG?

SPEED >> WE ARE NOT.

>> WE BUILT THIS PLACE, YOU ABANDONED ALL OF YOUR PRINCIPLES, ALL OF YOUR LAWS.

AND YOU ARE WRONG.

>> THE FILM IS A VIVID REMINDER NOT ONLY OF THE HORRIFIC INJUSTICES THE U.S. GOVERNMENT HAS COMMITTED IN HIS WAR AND TERRORISM, BUT ALSO THAT THERE ARE STILL MEN BEING HELD AT GUANTANAMO.?

WHERE I AM FROM, WE KNOW NOT TO TRUST OFFICIALS.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WITH ITS FEAR AND TERROR TO CONTROL ME.

>>> HOW ARE YOU FEELING RIGHT NOW?

WHAT ARE YOU FEELING?

>> THAT IS REALLY DIFFICULT TO BE AROUND PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: FINALLY, LAND DEALS WITH A WOMAN WHO DECIDES TO TAKE YOURSELF OFF THE GRID AS A MEANS OF DEALING WITH GRIEF OVER THE DEATH OF HER HUSBAND AND SON.

THE STORY ABOUT SELF-IMPOSED ISOLATION TAKES ON NEW LAYERS AS WE WATCH FROM QUARANTINE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

PRODUCED AND DIRECTED BY ITS STAR ROBIN WRIGHT, THE FILMS A BEAUTIFUL CONTEMPLATION ON GRIEF, AND RECONNECTING WITH OTHERS.

>> WHY ARE YOU HELPING ME??

YOU WERE IN MY PATH.

MAC SO WHAT ENJOYED THE FILMS MAY CROSS YOUR PATH THIS WEEKEND, BETH ACCOMANDO, KPBS NEWS.

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

AS FOR JOINING US, HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "KPBS EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING AND HEATING AND AIR, PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR, HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAINING TRAIN, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

AND, BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND, BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.