>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY : >>> HELLO, IT IS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd.

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

THE MEN ACCUSING THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT HAS COME FORWARD.

PREMO METAL REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SPOKE WITH HIM IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW.

A WARNING, THIS STORY CONTAINS A GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF AN ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND COULD BE UPSETTING TO SENSITIVE VIEWERS.

>> Reporter: OSCAR DAVID RENDON FILED A LAWSUIT THIS WEEK AGAINST WIL RODRIGUEZ-KENNEDY, CHAIRMAN OF THE ANTI-DEMOCRATIC PARTY FOR THE LOSS OF THE LEDGES RODRIGUEZ-KENNEDY TOOK RENDON HOME IN AUGUST 2021 AFTER A NIGHT OF HEAVY DRINKING, AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTED HIM.

BECAUSE OF HIS STATE OF INTOXICATION, THE LAWSUIT SAYS, RENDON DOES NOT REMEMBER THE DRIVE TO KENNEDY'S APARTMENT, AND THE MEMBERS LITTLE ELSE BEFORE WAKING AROUND 3:00 A.M., AS KENNEDY WAS PENETRATING HIM.

RENDON WAS SO INTOXICATED, HE COULD NOT RESIST.

RENDON AGREED TO AN OFF-CAMERA INTERVIEW WITH KPBS.

HE SAYS HE TOLD RODRIGUEZ -KENNEDY EARLIER IN THE EVENING, WHEN HE WAS SOBER, THAT HE DID NOT WANT TO HAVE WITH HIM.

>> I FEEL LIKE HE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ME WHEN I WAS IN A SITUATION, UNABLE TO MAKE A CONSCIOUS DECISION WHETHER I WANTED TO GO HOME WITH HIM, WHETHER I WANTED TO ALLOW HIM TO HAVE INTERCOURSE WITH ME.

THAT IS HOW I FELT.

>> Reporter: RODRIGUEZ-KENNEDY HAS BEEN ON LEAVE FROM HIS POSITION WITH THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY SINCE MAY, WHEN THESE ALLEGATIONS FIRST BECAME PUBLIC.

THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SAID LAST WEEK THAT, AFTER THEIR INVESTIGATION, THEY WOULD NOT BE FILING CRIMINAL CHARGES.

IN A PRESS CONFERENCE FRIDAY, RODRIGUEZ-KENNEDY PLAYED A ROUGHLY FIVE MINUTE AUDIO RECORDING HE SECRETLY MADE OF THE ACT IN QUESTION.

HE SAYS THE RECORDING SHOWS RENDON WAS SOBER ENOUGH TO CONSENT.

>> TODAY, I AM BEING FORCED TO SACRIFICE MY DIGNITY AND PRIVACY TO PROVE THAT MY EX-BOYFRIEND HAS FALSELY ACCUSED ME OF A CRIME THAT I DID NOT COMMIT.

IT HAS BECOME CLEAR HIS INTENT IS MALICIOUS, AND HAS BEEN DESIGNED TO CAUSE MAXIMUM EMOTIONAL AND POLITICAL PAIN.

>> Reporter: ALSO NAMED IN THE LOSS OF THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCILMEMBER STEPHEN WHITMAN, WHO IS RODRIGUEZ-KENNEDY'S ROOMMATE.

THE LAWSUIT CLAIMS WHITMAN WAS AT HOME THE NIGHT OF THE ALLEGED ASSAULT, AND FAILED TO INTERVENE.

WOODBURN'S ATTORNEY DECLINED TO COMMENT.

THE COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY SAYS IT HAS LAUNCHED ITS OWN INVESTIGATION INTO THE MATTER.

RENDON SAYS THE PARTY HAS NOT YET ASKED FOR HIS SIDE OF THE STORY.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE IS OUT OF SESSION UNTIL DECEMBER, BUT A LOCAL LAWMAKER IS ALREADY PROPOSING TO A BILL TO DEAL WITH HOMELESSNESS.

KPBS REPORTER JACOB AERE SAYS THE BILL WOULD BAN ENCAMPMENTS NEAR SIX OF THE AREAS SCHOOLS AND PARKS.

>> Reporter: WHILE SENATOR BRIAN JONES HAS NOT YET BEEN RE- ELECTED FOR A NEW TERM, IN ESCONDIDO, HE ANNOUNCED WHAT HE WOULD DO ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE NEW SESSION.

HE IS PROPOSING A BILL TO PROHIBIT HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS NEAR SENSITIVE COMMUNITY AREAS, SUCH AS SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, DAY CARE CENTERS, AND PARKS, LIKE GRAPE DAYPART, WHERE HE MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> THIS WILL HELP US PROTECT OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION, OUR CHILDREN, WHO GO TO SCHOOLS AND DAY CARE CENTERS, PLAY AND PARKS, AND READ BOOKS AND LIBRARIES.

>> Reporter: THE BILL ALSO REQUIRES LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT SLEEPING ALTERNATIVES, ALMOST ON MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND HOMELESS SHELTERS.

WHILE THIS YEARS POINT IN TIME COUNT FOUND A 10% INCREASE IN HOMELESSNESS ACROSS THE COUNTY, INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES CEO, GREG ANGEL, SAYS HE CANNOT SUPPORT THE BILL AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS.

HE DOES NOT SEE IT AS A VEHICLE TO COMPASSIONATELY CLEAR ENCAMPMENTS AND CONNECT HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS TO PROPER SERVICES.

>> IF WE CANNOT PROVIDE A SAFE PLACE, A SAFE ALTERNATIVE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE UNSHELTERED IN OUR PARKS, IF WE CANNOT PROVIDE IN A SAFE PLACE TO GO, THEN WE CANNOT MOVE THEM OUT OF HERE, IT IS INHUMANE.

WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT UNDERSTAND AND DO NOT REALIZE IS THAT THERE ARE NOT AVAILABLE SHELTER BEDS HERE, IN NORTH COUNTY.

>> Reporter: ANGEL TOLD KPBS HE SEES AS SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM.

>> WE NEED A SHORT-TERM SAFE PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO GO, SHELTERS, DAY CENTERS.

THOSE DO NOT EXIST IN ACCESSIBLE WAYS IN NORTH COUNTY.

IN THE LONG-TERM, WE SIMPLY NEED HOUSING PEOPLE CAN AFFORD.

THAT IS A VERY CHALLENGING ISSUE, WE UNDERSTAND, BUT THAT IS ULTIMATELY WHAT IS LEADING TO AN INCREASE IN HOMELESSNESS.

>> Reporter: JOLSON IS CALIFORNIA'S HOMELESSNESS CRISIS HAS TURNED INTO A PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY CRISIS.

HE SAID HIS BILL IS MODELED AFTER A RECENT MEASURE PASSED BY THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES.

IT WOULD REQUIRE A 72 HOUR WARNING BEFORE AN AND CAMERA CAN BE CLEARED.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS WAS A DAY OF CLIMATE ACTION AROUND THE WORLD.

HERE, IN SAN DIEGO, IT WAS YOUNG PEOPLE WHO TOOK THE LEAD.

THEY WERE ON STRIKE, AND MARCHING IN THE STREETS, MANY WITH SUPPORT FROM SCHOOLS.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER MG PEREZ WAS THERE.

>> WHAT DO WE WANT?

>> CLIMATE JUSTICE!

>> Reporter: ON THE STREETS OF CHULA VISTA, HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MARCHED WITH THEIR MESSAGES, DEMANDING CLEANER AIR AND NO FOSSIL FUELS.

RIGHT ALONGSIDE COLLEGE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS, TOO.

THEY ALL WANT SOLUTIONS TO GLOBAL WARMING AND NOT MORE PROBLEMS.

>> OUR HISTORY HAS BEEN WASHED AND WATERED DOWN.

>> Reporter: 22-YEAR-OLD PRISCILLA -- IS A COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENT, AND THIS YEAR'S MISS -- NATION.

SHE HAS -- ABOUT THE CLIMATE CRISIS, AND HOW IT AFFECTS HER COMMUNITY ON THE RINK ON RESERVATION.

>> LOCAL PLANT ARE NOT ABLE TO SURVIVE BECAUSE IT'S TOO HOT IN THE MOUNTAINS AND TO DRY BY THE RIVERBED.

>> Reporter: THE PROTEST SIGNS REPEAT WHAT THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION REPORTED THIS YEAR: NORTH AMERICA HAD ITS WARMEST SUMMER SUMMER EVER.

THAT WAS ENOUGH TO BRING EVEN MORE STUDENTS TO WATERFRONT PARK IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO THIS AFTERNOON.

THEY WANT THE ATTENTION OF LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL LAWMAKERS.

IN OTHER WORDS, THE ADULTS IN CHARGE OF MAKING CHANGE.

>> WE HAVE SET UP A WORLD THEY ARE GOING TO INHERIT MOST OF THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

THEIR VOICES NEED TO BE CENTERED ON THESE ISSUES SO WE CAN PROTECT THEIR FUTURES.

>> Reporter: AS DISCOURAGING AS GLOBAL WARMING STATISTICS MIGHT BE, THIS IS NOT A DEATH MARCH.

ORGANIZERS SAY THE SITUATION IS SERIOUS, BUT IT IS NOT HOPELESS.

MANY OF THESE STUDENTS ARE PUTTING THEIR EDUCATION WHERE THEIR MOUTHS ARE.

>> WE HAVE SO MANY YOUTH HERE TODAY, ADVOCATING AND MAKING SURE THIS WILL BE AN ISSUE WE TALK ABOUT, AND MAKE SURE IS DECLARED AS AN EMERGENCY, NOT JUST SEEN AS LIKE, A PASSERBY.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH THE HOPE AND THE HOLLERING, THERE IS ALSO CREATIVE THINKING AMONG THE YOUNGER GENERATION.

>> THERE YOU HAVE IT, THESE ARE -- >> Reporter: -- HARRIS GRADUATED FROM UC SAN DIEGO THIS YEAR, AND WANTS TO HELP SLOW CLIMATE CHANGE WITH HIS NEW PROTEIN FILLED FOOD, MADE FROM CRICKETS.

HE SAYS THEY WILL FEED MORE HUMANS AND REDUCE WASTE.

IT IS STILL UNDER DEVELOPMENT.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT HAS BEEN ABOUT THREE WEEKS SINCE THE NEWEST COVID-19 BOOSTER ARRIVED IN SAN DIEGO.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN SAYS, EVEN THOUGH IT PROMISES STRONGER PROTECTION AGAINST THE PANDEMIC 'S NEWEST VARIANCE, DEMAND SO FAR HAS BEEN WEAK.

>> Reporter: THE NEW BIVALENT VACCINES FROM PFIZER AND MODERNA WERE DESIGNED TO REDUCE HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATH WITH THE MORE INFECTIOUS BA 4 AND BA 5 OMICRON VARIANCE.

BUT SO FAR, SAN DIEGO'S HAVE NOT LINED UP FOR THEM IN DROVES.

HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORT SINCE THEIR ROLLOUT EARLIER THIS MONTH, SOME 72,000 DOSES HAVE GONE OUT AS OF THURSDAY.

>> THAT IS COUNTYWIDE.

SO GIVEN THE COUNTY HAS 3.1 MILLION PEOPLE -- WE HAVE A BIT TO GO.

>> Reporter: DENISE FOSTER IS CHIEF NURSING OFFICER FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY, THE ORIGINAL BOOSTER HAS BEEN TAKEN BY 1.4 MILLION SAN DIEGO'S.

SHE SAYS WE ARE ONLY IN THE FIRST FEW WEEKS OF THE BIVALENT ROLLOUT, AND IT IS BRINGING MORE PEOPLE IN TO GET BOOSTED THAN IN THE WEEKS BEFORE IT WAS HERE.

>> WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

YEAH, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE PEOPLE COMING IN.

I KNOW AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE HOLIDAYS, THEY ARE GOING TO WANT TO SPEND TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, SO, THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO GET TO.

>> Reporter: THOSE 12 AND OLDER ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE NEW PFIZER BOOSTER, WITH THOSE 18 AND OLDER FOR THE MODERNA VERSION.

THE DOSES ARE AVAILABLE AT PHARMACIES, HEALTH PROVIDERS, CLINICS, AND EVEN POP UP VACCINATION SITES.

FOSTER SAYS ACCESS AND SUPPLY IS NOT AN ISSUE.

SIMILAR TO WHEN BOOSTER WERE FIRST MADE AVAILABLE, SHE SAYS THEY ARE SEEING A HIGHER PROPORTION OF SENIORS SEEKING OUT THE UPDATED VACCINES.

>> THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE COUNTY IS STILL DELIVERING COVID-19 VACCINES, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS WINDING DOWN SOME OF ITS POSTEXPOSURE TREATMENT SITES.

THREE OF THE FOUR MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY CENTERS ARE SET TO CLOSE BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

THIS TREATMENT HELPS PREVENT SEVERE ILLNESS, BUT OFFICIALS SAY DEMAND HAS BEEN DECREASING WITH THE GROWING ACCESSIBILITY OF ANTIVIRAL TREATMENTS WHICH COME IN PILLS.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> BIG CHANGES HAVE BEEN HAPPENING AT THE CARLSBAD POLICE DEPARTMENT.

SINCE OFFICERS USED A BEANBAG GUN AND PEPPER BALLS ON TWO SUSPECTS.

KPBS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER CLAIRE TRAGUS OR SAYS THE OFFICERS INVOLVED WERE SUSPENDED, AND NOW THERE IS NEW TRAINING.

A WARNING, THIS STORY CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES.

>> Reporter: ON A SATURDAY NIGHT IN APRIL 2021, CARLSBAD POLICE OFFICER JORDAN WALKER WAS SEARCHING FOR A STOLEN KIA SUV.

>> A STOLEN RENTAL CAR.

>> Reporter: HE HEADED TO AN AREA OF TOWN NEAR THE I-FIVE, KNOWN AS A HOTSPOT FOR CRIME.

WALKER SPOTTED THE CAR.

IT WAS BEING DRIVEN BY A WOMAN WITH A MALE PASSENGER.

HE PULLED THEM OVER AND ASKED THEM TO GET OUT OF THE CAR.

>> DRIVER?

STEP OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR.

>> Reporter: THE DRIVER REFUSED, BUT THE PASSENGER LISTENS.

BUT WHEN THEY TRIED TO HANDCUFF HIM, HE FOUGHT BACK.

SO, OFFICERS TOOK HIM TO THE GROUND AND PUNCHED HIM REPEATEDLY.

CORPORAL DEREK HARVEY FIRED A BEANBAG GUN TO PUNCTURE A HOLE IN THE CAR'S REAR WINDOW.

THEN, OFFICER EDGAR RAMIREZ FIRED PEPPER BALLS AT THE WOMAN POINT 57 ROUNDS IN ALL, WHILE SHE WAS IN THE CAR.

>> I COULD PROBABLY GET PEPPER BALLS TO THAT DRIVER SIDE.

>> Reporter: AFTER SHE JUMPED OUT AND BEGAN TO RUN.

OFFICERS ENDED UP TACKLING AND ARRESTING HER INSIDE A NEARBY HOTEL.

AS FAR AS POLICE USE OF FORCE INCIDENTS GO, THIS ONE WAS NOT ALL THAT UNUSUAL.

BUT THE ACTIONS BY THE CARLSBAD POLICE DEPARTMENT FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT WERE.

THE DEPARTMENT DISCIPLINES THE OFFICERS, EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE NO COMPLAINTS FROM THE PUBLIC.

>> OFFICER RAMIREZ, HE DEPLOYED MULTIPLE ROUNDS OF PEPPER BALL GUN.

>> Reporter: CHRISTIE CALDERWOOD IS CARLSBAD'S ASSISTANT POLICE CHIEF.

>> HE WAS DEFINITELY OUT OF COMPLIANCE, BECAUSE SHE HAD NOT SHOWN VIOLENT ACTIONS.

>> Reporter: THE DEPARTMENT ALSO FAULTED THE SUPERVISOR, SERGEANT MORGAN BRIGGS, FOR NOT DE-ESCALATING THE SITUATION.

AND THE HIGH-RANKING WATCH COMMANDER, LIEUTENANT GREG WHITE, FOR NOT SHOWING UP AT ALL.

>> THAT WAS VERY CONCERNING FOR US.

HE ENDED UP LEAVING THE FORCE SHORTLY AFTER THAT.

>> Reporter: THIS LEVEL OF DISCIPLINE IS NOT TYPICAL.

JUST 3% OF LOCAL OFFICERS WHO USED ENOUGH FORCE TO CAUSE SEVERE INJURY RECEIVED ANY DISCIPLINE.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO A KPBS ANALYSIS OF LOCAL INCIDENTS SINCE 2000.

IN CARLSBAD, THE DEPARTMENT ALSO CREATED NEW TRAINING, AND REACHED OUT TO COMMUNITY GROUPS FOR INPUT ON A NEW DE- ESCALATION POLICY, INCLUDING THE NORTH COUNTY EQUITY AND JUSTICE COALITION.

YOUSSEF MILLER IS THE COFOUNDER.

>> IT WAS A REALLY EASY AND SMOOTH PROCESS.

I REALLY ENJOYED IT.

WE WERE UNDERSTOOD BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

THEY WERE UNDERSTOOD BY US, AND IT MOVED ALONG WITHOUT A LOT OF THE CONTENTION YOU SEE IN OTHER MEETINGS.

PEOPLE THROW SHOES AND BOOKS AT EACH OTHER, ALL KINDS OF STUFF.

>> Reporter: THE GIRLS THAT EQUITY COALITION HAS ALSO SEEN POLICE IMPROVE THEIR ATTITUDES.

ALY VREDENBURGH IS PRESIDENT.

>> THERE IS THIS MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT EVERYONE THAT THEY CAN.

SO, IT IS CREATING THIS MIND- SET OF REDUCING HARM TO EVERYONE, AND HAVING A REVERENCE FOR HUMAN LIFE.

>> Reporter: STILL, MILLER SAYS NONE OF THIS WOULD BE HAPPENING WITHOUT THE KILLING OF GEORGE FLOYD BY MINNEAPOLIS POLICE.

>> BEFORE GEORGE FLOYD, WE ONLY GOT THREE ANSWERS WHEN IT CAME TO DISCUSSIONS LIKE THIS.

ONLY THREE ANSWERS.

NO, NO, AND H CAPITAL ELL NO.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT THE FIRE FROM THE 2020 LED TO THE COMMON DISCUSSIONS HAPPENING TODAY.

CLAIRE TRAGESER, KPBS NEWS.

>> L.A. UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IS TAKING A DRAMATIC ACTION TO ADDRESS FENTANYL OVERDOSES IN ITS SCHOOLS.

THE DISTRICT WILL NOW PROVIDE -- IN ALL SCHOOLS BUT NALOXONE, KNOWN BY THE BRAND NAME, NARCAN, IS A DRUG THAT CAN REVERSE OPIOID OVERDOSES.

-- ULIS 17 TEENAGERS OVERDOSING, ON LIKELY DOES WITH FENTANYL OVER THE LAST WEEK, THAT INCLUDES A 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL WHO DIED ON A HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS.

>> INDIVIDUALS DIE THROUGH THE CONSUMPTION OF FENTANYL BECAUSE THEY STOP READING.

NARCAN HAS A LIMITED BUT HIGHLY EFFECTIVE WINDOW OF REVERSAL OF THAT CONDITION, ALLOWING INDIVIDUALS TO RESTORE BREATHING.

>> Reporter: THIS WAY, CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH WARNED OF SCHOOL LEADERS ABOUT "RAINBOW FENTANYL".

ACCORDING TO THE DEA, IT CAN BE FOUND IN BRIGHTLY COLORED PILLS, POWDERS, AND BLOCKS THAT RESEMBLE SIDEWALK CHALK OR CANDY , AND CAN BE DEADLY.

THE STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ALSO ENCOURAGED SCHOOLS THAT ARE INTERESTING IN DEVELOPING NALOXONE POLICIES TO APPLY FOR FREE SUPPLIES OF THE OVERDOSE ANTIDOTE.

>>> TODAY IS CALIFORNIA NATIVE AMERICAN DAY.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER TOMMY THORNE SHOWS US HOW SOME MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS CELEBRATED NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURE.

>> Reporter: STUDENT AT VALLEY CENTER MIDDLE SCHOOL PERFORMED NATIVE AMERICAN DANCERS THURSDAY, LED BY CHRISTOPHER SHAPE US.

HE IS A MEMBER OF THE -- NATION, A GUEST OF HONOR AT THE SCHOOL CELEBRATION OF CALIFORNIA NATIVE AMERICA TODAY.

>> BEING PART OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY -- IT FEELS VERY GOOD.

FIRST OF ALL, IT GETS RECOGNITION, WHERE NOT A LOT IS.

AND HAVING THAT REPRESENTATION, GROWING UP FELT GOOD WHEN IT DID HAPPEN.

IT MADE ME FEEL SPECIAL.

IT MADE ME FEEL LIKE I WAS -- LIKE I BELONG TO SOMETHING.

>> Reporter: NOT NOW, HE MAKES OTHER KIDS FEEL SPECIAL AS CULTURAL COORDINATOR FOR -- EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

>> ME DOING THIS FOR THE NATIVE COMMUNITY, IT IS ME DOING THIS FOR MY LOCAL COMMUNITY, MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THESE CONNECTIONS, MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THOSE CONNECTIONS WITH THEIR FELLOW NATIVE STUDENTS, AND HAVING THAT RECOGNITION, AND TALKING WITH THEM, HAVING THAT CONVERSATION STARTER.

>> I JUST REALLY LIKE TO BE PARTICIPATING IN MY CULTURE, AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

I LIKE TO CELEBRATE IT, AND SHOW IT OFF TO PEOPLE, SO THEY CAN GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE WE COME FROM.

>> THESE EVENTS ARE IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE THEY BRING AWARENESS, TO SHOW PEOPLE THAT YOU NEED TO RESPECT THAT WE ARE HERE.

IT LETS ME BE ABLE TO SHOW THAT SIDE OF ME, AND BE ABLE TO DANCE LIKE I DID NOW.

DANCING REALLY STOPS DURING COVID, SO, DANCING RIGHT NOW JUST REMINDED ME HOW FUN AND NICE IT WAS.

>> Reporter: STEPHANIE MARTINEZ IS WITH THE -- UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, ON A SPECIAL TEACHING ASSIGNMENT, AND WORKED WITH NATIVE AMERICAN STUDENTS AT VALLEY CENTER.

>> I THINK IT BRINGS OUR STUDENT BODY AND STAFF TOGETHER, REALIZING WE ARE ALL ONE.

WE ARE ONE CAMPUS, WE ARE COLLEAGUES, WE ARE PEERS, ALL OF IT.

SO, TO SEE SOME STUDENTS WHO MIGHT NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH OUR CULTURE, IT GIVES THEM AN EYE- OPENING EXPERIENCE AS TO WHAT WE REALLY DO, AND HOW WE CAN CELEBRATE CALIFORNIA INDIAN DAY.

>> Reporter: FIVE RESERVATIONS FEED INTO THE SCHOOL IN VALLEY CENTER, AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE SPECIAL DAY AND ON HER AGE OLD TRADITIONS.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE MCAS MIRAMAR AIR SHOW IS TAKING FLIGHT ONCE AGAIN THIS WEEKEND.

THE THEME THIS YEAR IS MARINES FIGHT, EVOLVE, WIN.

OUR MEDIA PARTNER, ABC 10 NEWS, WAS THERE YESTERDAY AS THE FAMOUS BLUE ANGELS PRACTICED THEIR ROUTINE.

THE CREW HAS BEEN TRAINING RIGOROUSLY 2 TO 3 TIMES PER DAY, UP TO SIX DAYS A WEEK FROM NOVEMBER TO MARCH.

>> WE HAVE HAD PROBABLE EXCITEMENT THIS ENTIRE SEASON, AS WE CAME OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC.

WITH ALL THE COOL THINGS HAPPENING, TOP GUN MAVERICK CAME OUT, WE HAVE NEW PLATFORMS -- >> Reporter: THE AIR SHOW WILL HAVE DAILY PERFORMANCES, DEMONSTRATIONS, EXHIBITS, AND STATIC DISPLAYS.

IT IS FREE ALL WEEKEND, UNLESS YOU WANT TO PURCHASE SPECIAL SEATING.

>>> IT MAY BE THE FIRST WEEKEND OF FALL OFFICIALLY, WHAT IT WILL FEEL MUCH MORE LIKE SUMMER IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, WITH A HOT PATTERN TAKING SHAPE OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

THAT ALSO WILL COME WITH A LOT OF DRY WEATHER, HOT, DRY WEATHER THAT WILL BE BUILDING WILDFIRE RISK IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

SO, TRY TO LIMIT AND JUST REFRAIN FROM ANY SORT OF OUTDOOR BURNING THIS WEEKEND.

THE WATER VAPOR IMAGERY SHOWS A LOT OF DRY AIR OVER MUCH OF CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ON THIS MAP.

YELLOW, ORANGE AND RED ARE ALL DRY AIR.

HARD TO MAKE ANY SORT OF PRECIPITATION WITH AN ATMOSPHERE THIS DRIVE.

THIS WILL STAY THE CASE FOR SEVERAL DAYS.

FOR FRIDAY NIGHT, MAINLY CLEAR, QUIET, 68 DEGREES WILL DO IT FOR THE OVERNIGHT LOW.

REGIONWIDE, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A FAIRLY WARM AND FAIRLY UNEVENTFUL EVENING.

UPPER 60s TO LOW 70s FOR THE TEMPERATURE RANGE, WITH JUST A FEW PASSING CLOUDS, OTHERWISE ON THE CLEAR SIDE.

IT WILL BE A CALM WEEKEND FOR WEATHER, BUT HEATING UP.

THIS UPPER AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE WILL STRENGTHEN OVER THE SOUTHWESTERN STATES, PUSHING TEMPERATURES 5 TO 15 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL, RIGHT INTO THE EARLY PART OF NEXT WEEK.

AS I MENTIONED, NOT ONLY IS IT WARM, IT WILL REDUCE AIR QUALITY AND INCREASE WILDFIRE RISK.

FOR SATURDAY, LOTS OF SUN BUT HOT.

INLAND LOCATIONS INTO THE 90s, COASTAL LOCATIONS, LOW TO MID 80s.

WE WILL KEEP THE WARM GOING INTO THE EARLY PART OF THE WEEK.

THERE ARE SOME SIGNS BY THE TIME WE GET TO WEDNESDAY, A PACIFIC SYSTEM AND A SYSTEM FROM THE ROCKIES COULD START TO TRIM THE WAND BACK, BUT THAT IS STILL A LITTLE BIT UP IN THE AIR.

FIVE-DAY FORECAST FOR THE COAST SHOWS LOTS OF SUNSHINE, TEMPERATURES IN THE LOW TO MID 80s, RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK.

INLAND, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT LOW TO MID 90s, WITH HEAT PEAKING ON MONDAY, 95 DEGREES UNDER A LOT OF SUNSHINE.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, TEMPERATURES WILL ALSO BE GENERALLY IN LOW 80s, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE, ON THE ONE SIDE, AND IN THE DESERTS AS USUAL, IT IS QUITE HOT.

MUCH MORE LIKE SUMMER, WITH TEMPERATURES AS HIGH AS 107 AND 108 SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I AM METEOROLOGIST BEN BRADFORD.

>> CALIFORNIA HAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COULD RECEIVE STUDENT LOAN DEBT FORGIVENESS.

MORE THAN 3 1/2 MILLION CALIFORNIANS ARE ELIGIBLE TO HAVE SOME STUDENT DEBT FORGIVEN.

UNDER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN.

MANY PEOPLE WILL RECEIVE UP TO $10,000 WORTH OF DEBT FORGIVENESS.

PELL GRANT RECIPIENTS WHO MEET CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS CAN GET UP TO 20,000.

WHILE THAT OFFERS SOME SUPPORT, THE AVERAGE AMOUNT OF STUDENT LOAN DEBT A CALIFORNIAN CARRIES TOPS $38,000.

>> IF A STUDENT SHOWS A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY THAT THEY ARE LOW INCOME, THAT THEY ARE POOR, THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PROVE THAT THEY ARE POOR EVERY TIME THEY GO INTO THE OFFICE TO GET AID.

>> BORROWERS MUST FILL OUT A FORM TO CLAIM STUDENT DEBT RELIEF.

APPLICATIONS WILL BE RELEASED ON THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WEBSITE IN EARLY OCTOBER.

>>> IT HAS BEEN A ROUGH WEEK FOR STOCKS.

THE LATEST INTEREST RATE HIKE IS A BIG REASON WHY.

IN THE FRIDAY BUSINESS REPORT, STS USE MIRROR -- SAYS THE FED IS NOT DONE YET.

>> THEY ARE PLANNING ANOTHER COUPLE RATE INCREASES THIS YEAR, LOOKING AT ANOTHER ONE .25 RATE INCREASE.

SO, ANOTHER THREE QUARTERS OF A POINT POTENTIALLY IN NOVEMBER, WITH A HALF-POINT IN DECEMBER.

THIS IS UNUSUAL, BECAUSE IT IS THE FIRST TIME THE FED HAS BEEN FIGHTING INFLATION AT THAT LEVEL SINCE THE EARLY 1980s, AND IF THEY INCREASE RATES TOO HIGH, IT COULD SEND THE ECONOMY INTO A RECESSION.

THAT IS WHERE THE MARKETS HAVE BEEN REALLY TRENDING OVER THE LAST COUPLE DAYS.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, FROM A CONSUMER PERSPECTIVE, YOU ARE GOING TO SEE CONTINUED INCREASE IN MORTGAGE RATES, INCREASE IN THE COST OF CAR LOANS, CREDIT CARDS, ONE THING THAT COULD BE FAVORABLE FOR CONSUMERS IS THAT RETAILERS HAVE ANNOUNCED THEY ARE REALLY GOING TO START THEIR HOLIDAY SALES MUCH EARLIER THIS YEAR.

WE MAY START SEEING CERTAIN DEALS EVEN BEFORE HALLOWEEN HITS , AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN A COUPLE YEARS, WE ARE GOING TO SEE DISCOUNT LEVELS THAT ARE GOING TO BE FAR IN EXCESS OF WHAT WE HAVE SEEN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, RUSSIA WILL HOLD DeCHAMBEAU TO THE TRY TO ANNEX THE OCCUPIED PARTS OF UKRAINE.

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

>>> LOVE IS IN THE AIR AT A NEW INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE IN NORTH PARK.

KPBS PENNER FELLOW JULIANNA DOMINGO SHOWS US HOW IT'S OWNER HOPES TO CREATE COMMUTE COMMUNITY AND BOND READERS OVER THEIR SHARED LOVE OF ROMANCE BOOKS.

>> Reporter: WALKING PAST THE BRIGHT LAVENDER STOREFRONT IN NORTHPARK, YOU MIGHT WONDER, WHAT EXACTLY LIES BEYOND THAT --?

NAMED AFTER THE POPULAR ROMANCE >> REPORTER:, MEET CUTE IS AN INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DEDICATED ENTIRELY TO ROMANCE BOOKS.

WHILE THE GENRE IS A BILLION- DOLLAR INDUSTRY, MEET CUTE IS ONE OF ONLY A HANDFUL OF ROMANCE FOCUSED BOOKSTORES IN THE COUNTRY.

>> ROMANCE READERS ARE VORACIOUS READERS, FAMOUSLY DIVE INTO AN OFFER, DIVE INTO THEIR BACKLIST, FIND READER LIKES.

>> Reporter: OWNER BECCA -- IS A LIFELONG READER OF THE GENRE.

DURING THE PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN, SHE DECIDED TO QUIT PRACTICING LAW TO OPEN A SMALL BOOKSTORE IN SAN DIEGO.

HER GOAL?

CREATE A COZY, VIBRANT SPACE FOR ROMANCE READERS TO MEET AND BOND OVER THE BOOKS THEY LOVE.

>> IN A WORLD WHERE YOU CAN BUY ALMOST ANYTHING ONLINE, A PHYSICAL STOREFRONT IS REALLY A PLACE FOR COMMUNITIES TO GATHER, AND THAT IS SOMETHING THE ROMANCE COMMUNITY LOOKS FOR.

>> Reporter: THE STORE WILL HAVE EVERY POSSIBLE THEME AND SUB GENRE, WITH DECORATED DISPLAYS WHICH -- HOPES HIGHLIGHT STORIES AND OFFERS UNDERREPRESENTED IN ROMANCE.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE A GENERAL BOOKSTORE, WE ARE ALL FIGHTING FOR SPACE ON SHELVES.

>> Reporter: THAT IS CERTAINLY, LOCAL ROMANCE AUTHORS.

FOR AUTHORS LIKE LEE, SPECIALIZED STORES LIKE MEET CUTE ARE IMPORTANT, BECAUSE ROMANCE BOOKS CAN STAND FRONT AND CENTER, INSTEAD OF COMPETING WITH OTHER GENRES.

THAT CAN BE A GATEWAY FOR MARGINALIZED AUTHORS.

>> JUST BY THAT NATURE, I THINK THERE IS MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE REPRESENTATION OF DIVERSE BOOKS TO MAKE IT ONTO THE SHELVES.

>> Reporter: AND FOR A LONG TIME, LEE SAYS, PEOPLE CONSIDERED ROMANCE A GUILTY PLEASURE.

SHE BELIEVES MEET CUTE CAN HELP SHIFT THAT PERSON PERCEPTION, AS READERSHIP GROWS.

>> THERE IS A PLACE FOR US TO STAND PROUD OF THE BOOKS WE READ, AND NOT APOLOGIZE FOR THEM.

I THINK IF YOU CAN DO THAT IN A SAFE SPACE, WE CAN EVENTUALLY DO THAT EVERYWHERE.

BE THAT AT A STORE, A LIBRARY, A BUS STOP -- >> Reporter: WHAT EXACTLY DRAWS READERS TO ROMANCE?

FOR TITLE, IT IS ALL ABOUT THE PROMISE OF A HAPPY ENDING.

BECAUSE, AT ITS CORE, ROMANCE IS ABOUT HOPE, ESPECIALLY IN TIMES WHEN THAT BECOMES INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO FIND.

>> I PRESENTLY PREFER NOT TO GO THROUGH THE EMOTIONAL RIGOR AND END UP SAD AT THE END.

THERE IS ENOUGH OF THAT FOR ME IN THE WORLD.

I THINK IT IS A HOPE GENRE, AND I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING REALLY VALUABLE, ESPECIALLY NOW.

>> Reporter: MEET CUTE WILL HAVE ITS GRAND OPENING TOMORROW.

JULIANNA DOMINGO, KPBS NEWS.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US, I'M JOHN CARROLL, HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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