>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWELL FAMILY AND COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH HEATING, PLUMBING AND RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 30 YEARS.

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

BY THE PREBYS FOUNDATION, AND BY THE FOLLOWING, DARLENE MARCO SHILEY , AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> TONIGHT, WE ARE GETTING ANSWERS ABOUT THE LONG WAIT TIMES AT THE SANDY YSIDRO BORDER CROSSING.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM JADE HINES BEEN IN FOR MAYA TRABULSI.

ONE OF THE PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS HASN'T BEEN FULLY OPERATIONAL SINCE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

KPBS BORDER REPORTER ASKED OFFICIALS WHY THE CROSSING REMAINS ONLY HALF OPEN.

>> Reporter: THE PENN WEST OPENING OF 2018 WAS PART OF A $740 MILLION EXPANSION TO THE SANDY YSIDRO PORT OF ENTRY.

IT WAS HELD AS A TRUE GAME CHANGER.

IT WOULD BE OPEN 24/7, EAST OF THIS EASE TRAFFIC CONGESTION, REDUCE BORDER WAIT TIMES AND BOOST THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

IT HAS NOW BEEN MORE THAN FOUR YEARS SINCE THEN WEST HAS BEEN FULLY OPERATIONAL, CURRENTLY, ONLY PARTIALLY OPEN.

NORTHBOUND TRAVEL BETWEEN 6:00 A.M. AND 2:00 P.M., SOUTHBOUND TRAVEL, 3:00 P.M. TO 11:00 P.M..

THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE REPRESENTATIVES IS THE PARTIAL CLOSURE IS DOING LASTING DAMAGE TO LOCAL BUSINESSES.

>> IT IS MORE THAN AN INCONVENIENCE.

EVERY TIME OF THIS EVERY HOUR OF THIS AN HOUR OF HIS THAT PERSON IS NOT SPENDING THEIR MONEY SOMEWHERE, YOU KNOW, IT TOOK YOU AN HOUR TO CROSS, YOU ARE KNOW LONGER STOPPING AT STARBUCKS, MEETING STORE OR RUNNING THE OTHER ERRANDS.

>> Reporter: THE IMPACT GOES WAY BEYOND THE BORDER REGION.

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER WHETHER YOU CROSS THE BORDER OR NOT.

THESE WAIT TIMES HAVE AN IMPACT, AND IT IS GETTING TO YOU.

IT IMPACTS SAN DIEGO AS A REGION AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

>> Reporter: RECENT YEARS, CBP OFFICIALS SAID A SURGE IN ILLEGAL MIGRATION HAS DRAINED RESOURCES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN USED THE STAFF PEDWEST, BUT THE CROSSINGS ARE DROPPED DRAMATICALLY IN RECENT MONTHS.

THURSDAY, ACTING COMMISSIONER TROY A. MILLER VISITED SAN DIEGO TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF CBP'S EFFORT TO SLOW DOWN THE FLOW OF DRUGS INTO THE COUNTRY.

WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE PEDWEST CLOSURE, MILLER TOLD REPORTERS HE HAS ALREADY REQUESTED ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM CONGRESS, WE CONTINUE TO ASK FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR SANDY YSIDRO, SPECIFICALLY ON THE SOUTHWEST BORDER, AND IN GENERAL.

>> Reporter: MILLER COULDN'T SAY WHEN SAN DIEGO'S SHOULD EXPECT PEDWEST TO BE FULLY OPEN.

>>> COMMUNITY OPPOSITIONS, PLACEMENT OF SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATORS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, PROMPTING A LOCAL LAWMAKER TO REQUEST AN AUDIT OF THE STATE PROGRAM.

KPBS REPORTER GIDEON ESTES IS IN THE NEWSROOM WITH MORE ON THE REPORT.

>> SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATORS' RELEASE IS MEANT TO SAFELY TRANSITION PEOPLE BACK TO COMMUNITIES AFTER PRESENT TIME AND INPATIENT TREATMENT.

THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HOSPITALS, CONTRACTOR LIBERTY HEALTHCARE, MONITORING, AND CONDUCTING ONGOING TREATMENT.

THE CALIFORNIA STATE AUDITOR'S REPORT SAYS PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONDITIONAL RELEASE PROGRAM ARE LESS LIKELY TO REOFFEND, BUT FINDING PLACES FOR THEM TO LIVE TAKES NEARLY A YEAR AND A HALF ON AVERAGE.

FEW PROPERTY OWNERS ARE WILLING TO RENT TO THE PROGRAM.

IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, COMMUNITY OPPOSITION HAS ALSO DELAYED PLACEMENTS, AND TO REPORT SAYS THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HOSPITAL SHOULD CONSIDER STATE- OWNED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER BRIAN JONES REQUESTED THE AUDIT LAST YEAR.

HE SAYS HE SUPPORTS HOUSING SEXUALLY VIOLENT PREDATORS ON STATE PROPERTY.

>> THE EXAMPLE USED IN THE PAST ARE FIRE CAMPS, STATE PRISONS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE STATE PRISON, USING EITHER MODULAR HOMES, RV TRAILERS, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, WHERE THE STATE CAN COMPLY WITH THE SENTENCING AND PAROLE REQUIREMENTS, BUT ALSO, AT THE SAME TIME, KEEP OUR COMMITTEES SAFE.

>> Reporter: THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HOSPITALS SAID PEOPLE IN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING WOULD STILL NEED COMMUNITY PLACEMENTS EVENTUALLY.

JONES ALSO HAS CONCERNS ABOUT COSTS.

THE AUDIT SAYS COSTS HAVE GONE UP AS RENTS RISE AND MORE PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM.

LIBERTY HEALTHCARE ALSO INCREASES ITS RATES.

THE AUDIT SAYS THE DEPARTMENT COULD TRY CONTRACTING WITH DIFFERENT VENDORS FOR SPECIFIC REGIONS OR SERVICES.

THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE HOSPITALS HAS AGREED TO CONSIDER USING MULTIPLE CONTRACTS.

IT IS ALSO AGREEING TO START A REVIEW OF LIBERTY HEALTHCARE BY MARCH.

FOR KPBS NEWS, KATIE ANASTAS.

>>> HAPPY FRIDAY INTO THE WEEKEND.

TRACKING LOTS OF SUNSHINE FOR YOUR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

I WILL POINT OUT, DURING THE MORNING HOURS, THERE WILL BE A CHILLY START WITH BELOW AVERAGE TEMPERATURES INTO THE EARLY PART OF NEXT WEEK.

I AM ALSO TRACKING A PRETTY GOOD WARM-UP, WITH TEMPERATURES REBOUNDING TO ABOVE-AVERAGE NORMAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.I WILL DETAIL THAT AND MORE COMING UP RIGHT AFTER THIS.

>>> CONGRESS AUTHORIZED THE CREATION OF THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING IN 1967.

IT IS THE LARGEST SINGLE SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR PUBLIC RADIO AND TELEVISION.

KPBS' REPORT SHOWS HOW THIS IS A TARGET OF 2025, THINK TANK, THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION'S PLAYBOOK FOR THE NEXT CONSERVATIVE PRESIDENT.

>> Reporter: EVERY REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT SINCE RICHARD NIXON HAS TRIED TO END TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

PROJECT 2025 STATES, THE NEXT CONSERVATIVE PRESIDENT MUST MAKE IT HAPPEN.

WHY?

THE DOCUMENT SAYS PUBLIC MEDIA BECAME A LIBERAL FORM FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND JOURNALISM.

D NELSON, DIRECTOR OF THE JOURNALISM PROGRAM AT POINT LOMA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY SAYS IT WAS LEFT LEANING IN THE 1960'S AND '70s AS A COUNTERWEIGHT TO A CONSERVATIVE MAINSTREAM MEDIA.

>> EVERYTHING CHANGE WITH 9/11.

WHEN 9/11 OCCURRED, PUBLIC BROADCASTING CHANGED.

PEOPLE WENT TO PUBLIC TELEVISION, PUBLIC RADIO, TO TRY TO GET AN ONGOING IS TO TAKE ON WHAT WAS GOING ON.

>> Reporter: TIM FRANKLIN, DEAN AND ILLINOIS WESTERN UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM SAYS THE REALITY IS THAT REPUBLICANS CONSUME PUBLIC MEDIA AS MUCH AS DEMOCRATS.

HE ALSO SAYS THE U.S. SPENDS JUST $3 PER PERSON ON PUBLIC MEDIA, MUCH LESS THAN OTHER DEMOCRACIES.

GERMANY SPENDS $100 PER PERSON.

HE BELIEVES PUBLIC BROADCASTING WILL REMAIN EVEN IF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WINS IN NOVEMBER.

>>> THERE IS REALLY A VERY SMALL PROPORTION OF THE FEDERAL BUDGET GOING FOR PUBLIC MEDIA AND PUBLIC BROADCASTING, AND THIS IS REALLY JUST A POLITICAL TALKING POINT.

>> Reporter: THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION DECLINED AN INTERVIEW.

TRUMP HAS DISTANCED HIMSELF FROM PROJECT 2025.

HOWEVER, CNN REPORT STATES WANTED 40 MEMBERS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION HELPED WRITE THE PLAN.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS STORY IS PART OF OUR PUBLIC MATTERS OWNERSHIP.

TO WATCH THE ENTIRE SERIES ON THE LOCAL IMPACTS OF PROJECT 25, GO TO KPBS.ORG/PUBLIC MATTERS FOR THE FULL STORY FROM AMITA SHARMA.

>>> REPUBLICAN PROSECUTORS SAY 2014 BALLOT MEASURE LED TO INCREASED RETAIL THEFT AND OTHER CRIMES.

VOTERS CAN ROLL BACK THE PROPOSITION THIS YEAR.

NIGEL DURA EXPLAINS PROP 36.

>> Reporter: 10 YEARS AGO, THE WAR ON DRUGS IN CALIFORNIA, INSTEAD OF LONG SENTENCES FOR DRUG POSSESSION AND SHOPLIFTING, BUT CRYSTALS TO MAKE THOSE CRIMES ESTIMATORS.

PROSECUTORS AND POLICE, BIG-BOX RETAILERS SAYING, THOSE CHANGES HAVE MADE CRIME WORSE.

IN NOVEMBER, VOTERS CAN CHOOSE, DO THEY THINK HARSHER SENTENCES OR OPPOSING THEM WERE CUT DOWN ON HOMELESSNESS?

JUSTICE DEPORTED WITH CAL MATTERS, AND THIS IS PROP 36 IN A MINUTE.

IN THE 2000, CALIFORNIA'S GOVERNMENT HAD A PROBLEM.

THREE-STRIKE LAWS FILLED PRISONS BEYOND CAPACITIES.

IN 2014, VOTERS PASSED PROP 47, MAKING STEALING SOMETHING LESS THAN $550 INTO A MISDEMEANOR.

THE SAME THING FOR SOME DRUG CRIMES.

PROP 36 WOULD UNWIND SOME OF THAT, REINSTATING HARSHER PENALTIES FOR SOME THEFT AND DRUG CRIMES.

SUPPORTERS SAY THE MEASURE WOULD CUT DOWN ON HOMELESSNESS BY FORCING ON HOW WE PULL INTO DRUG TREATMENT.

OPPONENTS SAY THE MEASURE WILL WASTE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO LOCK UP PEOPLE WHO DON'T POSE A DANGER TO SOCIETY.

VOTE YES IF YOU WANT TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES ON SHOPLIFTING AND DRUG POSSESSION, BUT NO IF YOU WANT TO KEEP THINGS THE WAY THEY ARE.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT EVERYTHING UNDER 2024 BALLOT, GO TO CAL MATTERS.ORG.

>>> HEART OF OUR LOCAL ELECTION COVERAGE INCLUDES EXPLAINERS ON SOME OF THE KEY RACES HAPPENING IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

TONIGHT, WE LOOK AT THE MATCHUP FOR A SEAT ON THE COUNTY'S LARGEST SCHOOL BOARD.

KATIE ANASTAS TELLS US MORE .

>> Reporter: CALLING RESIDENTS OF SAN DIEGO SUBDISTRICT A.YOU DECIDE WHO REPRESENTS YOUR SAN DIEGO SCHOOL BOARD INCLUDING CLAREMONT, KEARNY MESA AND SCRIPPS RANCH.

THE BOARD MAKES A LOT OF BIG DECISIONS FOR THE SECOND LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN CALIFORNIA.

THEY DEVELOPED THE BUDGET, EVALUATE THE SUPERINTENDENT, GET UPDATES ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT, AND APPROVE CONTRACTS BETWEEN THE DISTRICT AND OTHER AGENCIES.

SABRINA GLASGOW IS RUNNING FOR REELECTION AND SAYS SHE IS OUT OF HOW DISTRICT LEADERS SAFELY BROUGHT STUDENTS BACK TO CAMPUS AFTER THE PANDEMIC, AND THAT SHE WANTS SCHOOLS TO BE WELCOMING FOR EVERYONE.

>> IF OUR FAMILIES, PARTICULARLY STUDENTS WHO ARE HARD TO REACH, FEEL MORE WELCOME, LIKE THEY'RE PART OF SCHOOL, LIKE THEY CAN COME INTO THE CLASSROOM AND HELP, THEY CAN REALLY BE A PART OF THAT COMMUNITY, WE ARE FINDING THAT IS REALLY IMPACTFUL.

>> Reporter: HER ENDORSES INCLUDE THE TEACHERS UNION AND THE SAN DIEGO DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

NONPROFIT CONSULTANT CRYSTAL TROLL, ALSO RUNNING, SAYING, SHE WAS TO MAKE SURE POLICIES LIKE RATING SYSTEMS ARE IMPLEMENTED TO ASSIST, ACROSS THE DISTRICT AND TO IMPROVE PARENTS' UNDERSTANDING OF THE BUDGET PROCESS.

SHE SAYS SHE WILL BRING A DIFFERENT DISTRICT PERSPECTIVE.

>> OF THE BOARD MEMBERS, TWO OF THEM HAVE YOUNGER KIDS IN THE DISTRICT.

I HAVE HIGH SCHOOL KIDS, A MIDDLE SCHOOLER, AND I RUN THE GAMUT OF THE EXPERIENCE OF KIDS WHO ACTUALLY ARE IN SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: ENDORSED BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF SAN DIEGO PARTY AND ACROSS THE COUNTY, SCHOOL ELECTIONS WILL HAPPEN THIS NOVEMBER.

FIND INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG .

>>> VOTERS ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY WILL DECIDE ON LOCAL TAX MEASURES THIS YEAR.

SEVERAL CITIES HAVE TAXES ON THE BALLOT.

SOME, TO INSTITUTE NEW BALANCE, SOME TO CONTINUE CURRENT ONES.

KPBS REPORTED JOHN CARROLL JOINS US NOW WITH A LOOK AT TAX PROPOSALS IN BOTH CHULA VISTA AND NATIONAL CITY.

JOHN?

>> Reporter: JADE, THE CHULA VISTA IS CALLED MEASURE P. THE CITY COUNCIL PUT IT ON THE BALLOT.

IT WOULD EXTEND THE CITY'S HOUSE AND SALES TAX.

THE CITY SAYS IT WOULD GENERATE ABOUT $337 MILLION A YEAR TO PAY FOR ROAD REPAIRS AND A NUMBER OF OTHER BASIC CITY SERVICES.ALTHOUGH THE CITY SAYS THE FUNDS GENERATED WOULD BE DIRECTED AT HIGH HARRITY AND PERCEPTION NEEDS, IT IS A GENERAL TAX.

SO, THE MONEY CAN BE USED FOR ANY LAWFUL PURPOSE.

>> YEAH, BUT THERE IS A WAY TO MONITOR HOW THE FUNDS ARE SPENT RIGHT?

>> Reporter: YOU ARE RIGHT.

THERE IS ALREADY A CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE IN PLACE THAT WOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLIANCE WITH PROVISIONS IN THE STATUTE THAT MEANS THERE WILL BE PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF ALL SPENDING.

ALL FUNDS WOULD STAY IN CHULA VISTA.

THEY COULD NOT BE TAKEN AWAY BY THE STATE.

>> AND THERE ARE EXEMPTIONS TO THIS TAX?

>> Reporter: THAT IS RIGHT.

THE CENTRAL PURCHASES, SUCH AS MOST GROCERIES, PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE, DIAPERS AND FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS ARE EXEMPT FROM THE SALES TAX.

>> Reporter: AND I UNDERSTAND THIS MEASURE HAS FAIRLY BROAD SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: YEAH, IT DOES.

IT WAS INTERESTING TO ME WHEN I DELVED INTO THE TAX MEASURES THAT THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY TAX PAYERS ASSOCIATION, WHICH WE TYPICALLY THINK OF AS BEING VERY WARY OF TAX PROPOSALS, ACTUALLY SUPPORTS MEASURE P. THE ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS NONPARTISAN, SAYS, CHULA VISTA IS ONE OF THE BEST RUN CITIES IN THE COUNTY, AND IT ALSO LIKE THE FACT THAT THIS ONE HAS A SUNSET CLAUSE.

VOTERS WOULD HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO RENEW THE MEASURE IN 2037.

IF THEY DON'T, MEASURE P WILL SUNSET IN 2026.

>> IS THERE ANY ORGANIZED OPPOSITION TO MEASURE P?

>> Reporter: THE ONLY SIGNIFICANT OPPOSITION I CAN FIND COMES FROM THE GROUP FOR CALIFORNIA, CONSERVATIVE RADIO HOST CARL DEMAIO'S ORGANIZATION.

SUPPORT FOR THE GROUP OR ANY TAX MEASURE IS IN THE REAR.

>> NATIONAL CITY VOTERS THERE HAVE A PARCEL TAX ON THE ISLAND.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THAT?

>> Reporter: MEASURE R, WOULD BE LEVIED ON CERTAIN PROPERTY OWNERS.

THAT IS THE PARTIAL PART OF IT.

THE RATE OF TAXATION WOULD BE BASED ON THE CHARACTER OF A PROPERTY.

FOR INSTANCE, MOBILE HOME OWNERS WOULD PAY $52 A YEAR.

OWNERS OF SINGLE-FAMILY PARCELS WOULD HAVE TO PAY $75.

THE COST WOULD BE 365 BUCKS FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES.

ALL THE WAY UP TO $500 FOR MULTIFAMILY UNITS.

PROPONENTS SAY THIS COULD GENERATE $1.7 MILLION A YEAR, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE FUNDS SPENT ON IMPROVING STREETS, SIDEWALKS, AND ALLEYS, ALONG WITH THE ADDITION OF STREET LIGHTING, MAINTAINING PARKS, PLAYGROUNDS, AND BUILDING NEW PARKS WOULD COME NEXT IN THE ORDER OF PRIORITY.

>> AND I UNDERSTAND, WITH THIS ONE, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF TYPES OF PROPERTY THAT WOULD BE EXEMPT.

>> Reporter: THAT IS RIGHT.

THEY INCLUDE PRIVATE, PAROCHIAL OR SPECIAL SCHOOLS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS, RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS, AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AMONG OTHERS, AND OVERSIGHT IS BUILT IN, AND ADVISORY CITIZENS COMMITTEES WOULD BE ESTABLISHED TO ENSURE FUNDS ARE SPENT PROPERLY.

THE COMMITTEE WOULD BE APPOINTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL AND WOULD CONSIST ONLY OF RESIDENTS SUBJECT TO THE PARCEL TAX.

THIS PROPOSED TAX IS PLACED ON THE BALLOT BECAUSE OF THE CITIZENS INITIATIVE THAT GATHERED A SUFFICIENT NUMBER OF SIGNATURES.

>> THIS MEASURE DOES NOT HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE SAN DIEGO CITY OF HIS OR SAN DIEGO COUNTY -- TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION.

RIGHT?

>> Reporter: THAT IS RIGHT.

THE ASSOCIATION SAYS THE MEASURE IS IN WHAT IS CALLED BALLOT BOX BUDGETING, AND THEY SAY THAT IS A BAD IDEA.

THE ASSOCIATION ALSO SAYS THE MEASURE'S TAX STRUCTURE IS DISCRIMINATORY AND DOESN'T HAVE A CLEAR ANALYTICAL BASIS REGARDING THE IMPACT ON PROPERTY OWNERS OR, FOR THAT MATTER, THE CITY'S ECONOMY.

>> DOES THE MEASURE HAVE ANY ORGANIZATION?

>> Reporter: THERE ARE THE NATIONAL CITY RESIDENTS WHO WORK TO GET THE REQUISITE NUMBER OF SIGNATURES.

ALSO, NATIONAL CITY COUNCILMAN JOSE RODRIGUEZ HAS BEEN A VOCAL SUPPORTER OF THE MEASURE.

>> JOHN, THANK YOU FOR BREAKING DOWN WHAT COULD BE CONFUSING, AND MAKING IT PLAIN.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE MATTERS AND EVERYTHING ON YOUR BALLOT ON THE KPBS VOTER HUB .

FIND IT ONLINE AT KPBS.ORG/VOTER HUB .

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, WARRING PARTIES RESIST CALLS FOR PEACE AFTER THE KILLING OF HAMAS' LEADER.

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

>>> A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR VETERAN SERVICES IS NOW UP AND RUNNING IN THE NORTH COUNTY THIS WEEKEND.

THE NORTH COUNTY VETERANS STAND DOWN IS TAKING PLACE UNTIL SUNDAY AT GREEN OAK RANCH IN VISTA, AND IT IS OPEN TO ALL VETERANS.

STAND DOWN PRESIDENT AND ORGANIZER MATT FOSTER SAYS THERE ARE A LOT OF SERVICES BEING OFFERED.

>> WHETHER IT IS DISABILITY CLAIMS THAT THEY NEED FOR THEIR INJURIES IN SERVICE, MEDICAL OFFICE WE HAVE FREE, COMPLETE DENTAL SERVICES OF HIS VISION, EYE EXAMS, AND PRESCRIPTION GLASSES.

ALL THAT STUFF IS AVAILABLE, PLUS, A HUGE LEGAL TEAM HERE.

IF THEY HAVE ANY KIND OF LEGAL ISSUES, MAYBE NEED A DISCHARGE UPGRADE, AND ANYTHING GOING ON ALL OF HIS FAMILY OR CIVIL LAW -- IT IS ALL RIGHT HERE.

>> FREE ASPORTATION TO THE EVENT CAN BE ARRANGED FROM ANY TRANSIT STATION IN NORTH COUNTY.

RESOURCES WILL BE AVAILABLE UNTIL SUNDAY.

>>> THE USDA RECENTLY DECIDED TO SHIFT THE INSPECTION OF AVOCADO IMPORTS FROM MAGICAL TO THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT.

BECAUSE OF THREATS TO THEIR INSPECTORS, KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN SHOWS US , SAN DIEGO GROWERS FEAR INCREASED PEST THREATS TO THEIR CROPS.

>> THIS IS SHOWING SIGNS OF INFECTION.

>> Reporter: ROBERT JACKSON OWNS THIS 50-ACRE AVOCADO ORCHARD IN VALLEY CENTER.

HE SAYS THE MITES WERE INTRODUCED BY INFECTED AVOCADOS FROM MEXICO.

>> THAT WAS BROUGHT IN IN THE EARLY 1990s FROM AVOCADO GROWN IN THE SILICON.

THEY WANT APPROPRIATELY INSPECTED.

THAT IS PART OF THE REASON THE AMERICAN INSPECTORS WERE BROUGHT IN.

>> Reporter: THE PESTS EAT THE LEAVES, CAUSING THEM TO FALL OFF, AND -- >> THAT FRUIT THERE IS NOT MARKETABLE.

>> Reporter: JACKSON SAYS, HAVING U.S. OFFICIALS DO THE INSPECTIONS WAS TO PROTECT CALIFORNIA GROWERS AND ALLOW MEXICO TO IMPORT AVOCADOS.

>> THE LAST THREE YEARS, WE HAD TWO DIFFERENT SHUTDOWNS OF A SYSTEM, WHERE MEXICO WAS STOPPED FROM IMPORTING AVOCADOS IN THE U.S. FOR A PERIOD OF TIME BECAUSE THEY WERE THREATENING THE U.S.

INSPECTORS .

>> Reporter: DUE TO THREATS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST USDA INSPECTORS, IT WAS ANNOUNCED LATE LAST NIGHT, THE ORGANIZATION WOULD HANDLE PEST INSPECTIONS TO THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT.

>> THE DECISION WAS UNILATERAL WITHOUT ANY CONSULTATION OF OUR DOMESTIC GROWERS.

>> Reporter: JASON COLEMAN, CHAIR OF THE CALIFORNIA AVOCADO COMMISSION, CONCERNED THAT MEXICAN INSPECTORS WON'T BE AS RIGOROUS AS THE USDA'S.

>> THE BUGS DOWN THERE ARE SOME OF THE WORST ONES WHEN IT COMES TO AVOCADO PESTS.

IT WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO OUR GROWERS.

>> Reporter: AN OPEN LETTER TO THE U.S. SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, THE COMMISSION DEMANDED TO KNOW HOW USING MEXICAN INSPECTORS WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF U.S.

GROWERS.

THE USDA'S DECISION COULD HAVE IMPLICATIONS BEYOND AVOCADOS.

THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY FARM BUREAU SAYS, THIS IS IMPORTANT CROP, AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE FARM BUREAU -- >> THE PROBLEM IS SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND EVEN CALIFORNIA WOULD LOSE, SOME DEGREE, OF SOVEREIGNTY OR LOCAL CONTROL OVER FOOD SUPPLY.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS IT IS A NATURAL CONCERN THAT THE DOMESTIC FOOD SUPPLY IS LOST.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE ARE EXPECTING SOME COOLER MORNINGS IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

DETAILS ARE COMING UP IN OUR FORECAST.

MORE BROADLY, WEATHER EXPERTS ARE GIVING AN OUTLOOK FOR THE WINTER SEASON.

MARYBEL GONZALEZ TELLS US HOW LA NINA CLIMATE PATTERN WILL PLAY A PART.

>> Reporter: THIS WINTER COULD LOOK A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN THE LAST ONE.

>> OVERALL, WE ARE EXPECTING LOWER THAN NORMAL TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE SOUTHERN TIER OF THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR, THE NATURAL CLIMATE PATTERN KNOWN AS EL NINO IN ADDITION TO FOSSIL FUEL POLLUTANTS BROUGHT LESS SNOW IN MUCH OF THE NORTHEAST AND MIDWEST, AND THIS YEAR, IT'S COUNTERPART, LA NINA, COULD BRING A WARMER AND DRIER SOUTH WITH A WHETTER NORTH.

>> ABOVE NORMAL TEMPERATURES ARE MORE LIKELY ACROSS THE SOUTHERN TIER OF THE COUNTRY, ALSO, NORTHWARD ALONG THE EASTERN SEABOARD, WITH BELOW NORMAL TEMPERATURES FAVORED FOR PARTS OF THE NORTHERN ROCKIES AND NORTHERN PLAIN.

>> Reporter: NO TWO LA NINA WINTERS ARE THE SAME, AND THEIR STRENGTH MATTERS.

THE CLIMATE PREDICTION CENTER FORECAST THIS TO BE A WEAKER EVENT.

>> WE WOULD EXPECT MORE VARIABLE WEATHER PATTERN.

SO, YOU COULD GO FROM WARM AND WET TO COLD AND DRY IN A MATTER OF TWO WEEKS.

>> Reporter: WHILE EL NINO AND LA NINA CLIMATE PATTERNS HELP GIVE A GOOD IDEA OF WHAT TO EXPECT, EXPERTS LIKE THIS CLIMATOLOGIST AT COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY SAYS OTHER NATURE WILL HAVE THE ULTIMATE SAY.

>> I LIKE TO USE THE ANALOGY WITH EL NINO AND LA NINA, IT IS LIKE PLAYING A GAME OF CARDS OR POKER WITH A FEW EXTRA ACES IN THE DECK.

I HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW THE DECK IS STACKED, BUT DOESN'T MEAN YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHEN YOU'LL GET IT.

>> Reporter: MARYBEL GONZALEZ, REPORTING.

>>> AS WE HEAD TO TONIGHT, TEMPERATURE WILL BE ABOUT 10 DEGREES BELOW FRIDAY MORNING, DIPPING TO THE MID-50s TONIGHT WITH LOW CLOUDS NEAR THE COAST, BUT CLOUDS WILL CLEAR OUT BY 9:00 TO 10:00 A.M. ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

ELSEWHERE, A MIXTURE OF 40s AND 50s, 48 TONIGHT FOR OCEANSIDE, AND ELEVATED REGIONS, DIFFICULT TO SEE CHILLIER WEATHER AS WE HEAD INTO SATURDAY, THE OVERALL SETUP, STILL WATCHING THE AREA OF LOW PRESSURE ACROSS THE FOUR CORNERS BRINGING SHOWERS, STORMS AND YES, EVEN SOME SNOWFALL NEAR THE DENVER AREA.

OVERALL, WE WILL SEE THE COOLING TREND CONTINUING FOR THE MORE INLET AREAS, BUT OVERALL, FOR YOUR SAN DIEGO FOR SATURDAY, YOU WILL SEE LOTS OF SUNSHINE, MIX OF MID TO UPPER- 70s, MID-80s, AND THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS, 50s, EVEN THE DESERT AREAS, MID-80s.

A LITTLE BIT MORE OPPRESSIVE HEAT.

FUTURE TRACK RADAR, STILL SHOWING THE AREA OF LOW PRESSURE BRINGING SHOWERS, STORMS AND SNOWFALL ACROSS THE FOUR CORNERS.

INTO SATURDAY AFTERNOON, THOUGH, LOTS OF SUNSHINE.

IT WILL BE A PERFECT SATURDAY AFTERNOON FORECAST HERE, SITTING UP FOR US, EVEN INTO LATE SATURDAY AND EARLY SUNDAY.

MOST OF THE RAINFALL WILL STAY WELL -- I MEAN WELL -- OFF TO THE EAST.

FOR THE COASTAL FORECAST, FIVE- DAY OUTLOOK, OVERNIGHT LOWS, 40s, CHILLY START FOR THE WEEKEND, BUT OVERALL, TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE 70s AND SATURDAY, AND HERE'S THE WARM-UP I WAS TALKING ABOUT.

SUNDAY INTO MONDAY, WITH EASY MID-80s FOR THE COASTAL REGIONS, INLAND TEMPERATURES CLIMB PRETTY CLOSE TO THE 90s HEADING TO THE EARLY PART OF NEXT WEEK LOWS, MIX OF UPPER- 40s, NORMAL THIS TIME OF YEAR.

MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS, LOOK AT THE WARM-UP BY MIDWEEK ON WEDNESDAY.

WE COULD BE BACK IN THE MID-70s AFTER SOME TEMPERATURES WHERE ACROSS THE DESERT AREAS, ONCE AGAIN, TRIPLE-DIGITS WITH THE BIG ONE ON ITS WAY HEADING TO THE MIDDLE PART OF NEXT WEEK.

>>> RETAILERS EXPECT HOLIDAY SALES WILL HIT A NEW RECORD, BUT AT A SLOWER PACE THAN LAST YEAR.

CONSUMERS CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH HIGHER PRICES.

KAREN KAFA HAS A LOOK AT WHAT THAT MEANS FOR HOLIDAY DEALS >> Reporter: RETAILERS EXPECT ANOTHER HOLIDAY SPENDING RECORD, BUT SALES WILL GROW AT A SLOWER PACE.

THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION SAYS CONSUMERS WILL SPEND BETWEEN 980 AND $990 BILLION IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, WITH SALES GROWTH BETWEEN TWO DOES.5 AND 3.5%, SLIGHTLY LOWER THAN LAST YEAR'S HOLIDAY GROWTH OF 3.9%.

THE VICE PRESIDENT OF INDUSTRY, AND SITES FOR NRF SAYS, IT IS IN LINE WITH PRE-PANDEMIC NUMBERS BECAUSE CONSUMERS HAVE OTHER OUTLETS FOR SPENDING.

>> THEY'RE SPENDING ON TRAVEL, SPENDING ON DINING OUT, AS WELL AS OTHER SERVICES, AND, AS A RESULT, THEY'RE MODERATING THEIR SPENDING ON GOODS.

THEY'RE RETURNING TO HOW THEY USED TO SPEND ON THINGS LIKE APPAREL, ON HOME GOODS.

>> Reporter: OTHER FACTORS, LINGERING INFLATION FATIGUE, A SHORTER SPAN BETWEEN THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR, 26 DAYS, AND THE POTENTIAL IMPACT FROM HURRICANES HELENE AND MILTON.

THE NOVEMBER RESIDENTIAL ELECTION ALSO REMAINS A WILDCARD.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF STRESSORS OUT THERE, AND WE SEE THAT CONSUMERS ARE TURNING TO THESE MOMENTS OF CELEBRATION TO FIND JOY, TO FIND MEANING.

>> Reporter::SAYS RETAILERS EXPECT DELIBERATE CONSUMERS FOCUSED ON VALUE, SOME STORES HAVE ALREADY STARTED ROLLING OUT DISCOUNTS AND DEALS THROUGHOUT THE SEASON.

IN WASHINGTON, I'M KAREN KAFA.

>>> TOMORROW, THOUSANDS WILL PUT THEIR SKILLS TO THE TEST IN AN OBSTACLE COURSE DESIGNED FOR MARINE RECRUITS FOR THE ANNUAL BOOT CAMP CHALLENGE RETURNS TO MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT.

DATA FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE SHOWS, ALMOST MILITARY BRANCHES DIDN'T REACH THEIR RECRUITMENT GOALS LAST YEAR, THE MARINES DID.

THE BOOT CAMP CHALLENGE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY AND SAN DIEGANS TO SEE WHAT MARINES GO THROUGH AND POTENTIALLY INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF MARINES.

>> I THINK IT WILL OPEN THEIR EYES.

EVERYBODY HAS THAT OBSESSION ABOUT "FULL METAL JACKET," FOR EXAMPLE, HOW IT IS.

THIS GIVES YOU A LITTLE INSIGHT, LIKE, HOW IT IS NOT REALLY LIKE "FULL METAL JACKET," IT IS MORE MOTIVATING THE RECRUITS AND THE NEXT GENERATION THAT WILL BE OUT HERE.

>> SO, THE BOOT CAMP CHALLENGE IS SOLD OUT.

YOU CAN'T GO THROUGH THE OBSTACLE COURSES, BUT YOU CAN STILL WATCH AND INTERACT WITH THE DRILL INSTRUCTORS.

THERE WILL BE, ALSO, BEER -- A BEER GARDEN -- SO, THAT IS FREE.

FIND TONIGHT STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG >>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM JADE HEINEMANN.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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