♪♪ >>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AND AIR RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING 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.

>>> AND PARABLE BEACH HAS BEEN PLAGUED BY FOUL STINKY AIR AND OTHER IS A LETTER CAMPAIGN TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

KPBS REPORTER WENT TO THE SOUTH BAY TALKING TO RESIDENTS WHO ARE ASKING FOR HELP TO STOP THE STINK.

>> Reporter: THIS WEEK IS THE FIRST TIME SURFERS AND THE BORDERS CAN SAFELY ENJOY THE WATER AT IMPERIAL BEACH.

THAT'S BECAUSE A PUMP CAME BACK ONLINE DIVERTING THE RAW SEWAGE AWAY FROM THE BEACHES HERE.

BUT PUDDLES OF RAW SEWAGE REMAIN IN THE RIVER VALLEY.

>> WE DO THE STINK TEST.

CAN I BREATHE TODAY?

>> Reporter: SHE CAME TO IMPERIAL BEACH FIVE YEARS AGO TO RETIRE WITH HER HUSBAND.

SHE SAYS THE AIR IS MAKING HER SICK.

>> THERE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN WAVES OF STENCH, BUT THE HYDROGEN SULFIDE THAT IS BEING MEASURED IS REALLY DIFFICULT.

I HAVE ENDED UP WITH A LOW-GRADE INFECTION THAT ALLOWS MY LUNGS NOT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY.

>> Reporter: EARLIER THIS MONTH RESEARCHERS FROM UC SAN DIEGO AND SAN DIEGO STATE RAISED THE ALARM ABOUT THE HIGH LEVELS OF TOXIC GAS AND HYDROGEN SULFIDE.

IT IS A MAIN COMPONENT OF SEWER GAS.

COUNTY OFFICIALS SAY THE AIR IS SAFE TO BREATHE.

IMPERIAL BEACH MAYOR DISPUTES THAT.

>> PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REPORTING WATERY EYES, THROAT IRRITATION, LUNG INFLAMMATION, COUGHS, SINUSITIS, MIGRAINES, WHICH I PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN SUFFERING CHRONIC ONCE NOW FOR THE BETTER PART OF THIS LAST YEAR.

SO IT IS EXTREMELY CONCERNING.

>> Reporter: SHE RECENTLY SENT A LETTER TO THE WHITE HOUSE RENEWING HER REQUEST FOR AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION TO ADDRESS THE ONGOING SEWAGE CRISIS.

LIKE THE SIGN SAYS, STOP THE STINK.

THAT IS WHAT RESIDENTS HERE ARE DEMANDING BECAUSE IT IS AFFECTING THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

THE COUNTY HAS DECLARED A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

THE COUNTY SUPERVISOR WANTS TO DO MORE.

SHE IS ASKING FOUR CITIES, SOLANA BEACH AND CARLSBAD, TO HELP BUY AIR FILTERS FOR RESIDENTS.

>> I WAS CONTACTED BY ONE OF THE CITIES IN MY DISTRICT THAT JUST STEPPED UP AND SAID, WE WOULD LOVE TO HELP SOLANA BEACH.

THEY SAID THEY HAD BEEN TALKING TO THEIR MAYOR AND MAYBE I COULD HELP ORGANIZE TO DO A LITTLE SOMETHING.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS HER OFFICE WILL MATCH ANY MONEY RAISED THROUGH A COUNTY GRANT BUT HARRISON SAYS THE NEED GOES BEYOND AIR FILTERS.

>> WE NEED A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

I CAN'T EMPHASIZE THAT ENOUGH.

>>> IMPERIAL BEACH MAYOR IS NOT THE ONLY ONE WRITING TO PRESIDENT BIDEN ABOUT THE ONGOING SEWAGE CRISIS.

FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS, SECOND GRADERS AT SAN GLOBAL VISION ACADEMY HAVE BEEN LEARNING ABOUT THE RIVER POLLUTION IN CLASS AND TOLD OUR MEDIA PARTNER THAT THEY WANTED TO DO SOMETHING SO THEY WROTE THEIR OWN LETTERS TO THE PRESIDENT ASKING HIM TO FIX IT.

>> DEAR PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, WE HAVE A PROBLEM.

IMPERIAL BEACH IS VERY DIRTY.

>> SAVE THE OCEAN.

THE PIPES IN MEXICO HAVE BROKEN DOWN.

SEWAGE IS POURING INTO OUR OCEAN.

>> WE REALLY NEED YOU AND THE PRESIDENT OF MEXICO TO WORK TOGETHER.

SO CAN YOU PLEASE DO IT FOR OUR COMMUNITY IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

>> AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION WOULD ALLOW FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES, INCLUDING AIR FILTRATION SYSTEMS FOR HOUSEHOLDS AS WELL AS REAL-TIME AIR AND WATER QUALITY MONITORING.

IF YOU MANAGE TO STAY BY THE COAST, YOU HAVE BEEN A BIT MORE COMFORTABLE.

HIS LOW CLOUDS OVERNIGHT INTO THE MORNING HOURS.

BUT THERE IS STILL A LOT OF HEAT ELSEWHERE ACROSS OUR AREA.

I WILL BE BREAKING DOWN IF THERE WILL BE ANY CHANGES TO THAT PATTERN.

>>> TROPICAL DEPRESSION HELENE CONTINUES TO SPIN NORTH.

AT LEAST 25 ARE BEING BLAMED ON THE FORMER CAT FOUR HURRICANE.

RIGHT NOW MILLIONS ARE WITHOUT POWER.

MICHAEL YOSHIDA HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: THIS IS STILL A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION .

EVEN THOUGH SOME OF THE STORM SURGE IN FLORIDA.

BOATS ON YARDS IN FRONT OF HOMES, ROOFS TORN OFF, TREES TOPPLED, VEHICLES CRUSHED.

MANY FLORIDIANS ARE ASSESSING HELENE'S PUNISHING OVERNIGHT BLOW WHILE THE THREAT MOVES NORTH.

>> THERE IS STILL SO MUCH HAPPENING ACROSS MANY STATES.

>> Reporter: EVENTUALLY HISTORIC AND DEVASTATING FLOOD LEVELS ARE WATCHING ACROSS LARGE PARTS OF THE SOUTHEAST.

>> WE ARE ALSO TRYING TO GET MULTIPLE STRUCTURES RIGHT NOW THAT WE KNOW HAVE INDIVIDUALS INSIDE THAT WE ARE UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH.

>> Reporter: GEORGIA'S GOVERNOR CONFIRMING FRIDAY AFTERNOON THAT MULTIPLE PEOPLE REMAIN TRAPPED IN BUILDINGS.

WATER RESCUES IN THAT STATE AND OTHERS HAVE ESSENTIALLY BEEN NONSTOP SINCE HELENE'S LANDFALL.

IN NORTH CAROLINA, FORECASTERS PREDICT HELENE'S IMPACT TO BE ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT WEATHER IMPACTS EVENTS IN THE MODERN ERA.

ALREADY SATURATED FROM PRE- TRAN12 REIGNS, THERE ARE OTHER THREATS.

>> I AM WORRIED ABOUT POTENTIAL BUILDINGS FALLING AND COLLAPSES AND LANDSLIDES.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT IS SUPPOSED TO CREST TODAY.

>> TREES ARE DOWN ON ROADS EVERYWHERE.

DON'T GET OUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

>> Reporter: GOOD ADVICE ECHOED BY JUST ABOUT EVERY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL.

>> YOU NEED TO EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION.

>> Reporter: IN FLORIDA, MICHAEL YOSHIDA, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO FIRE DEPARTMENT IS SENDING MORE THAN 200 PERSONNEL TO SEARCH AND RESCUE EFFORTS IN THE WAKE OF TROPICAL STORM HELENE.

46 MEMBERS OF FEMA CALIFORNIA TASK FORCE WERE DEPLOYED -- DEPLOYED TO NORTH CAROLINA TODAY.

THE TEAM HAS NOT YET BEEN GIVEN THE NAME OF THE CITY THEY WILL DEPLOY TO.

THEY ARE TRAVELING IN SEMI TRUCKS, VANS, AND SUVs.

OUR MEDIA PARTNER ALSO REPORTS THAT THEY ARE EXPECTED TO DEPLOY MEDICS AND THE MTS FROM SAN DIEGO COUNTY TO FLORIDA FOR UP TO 14 DAYS.

>>> VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS IS TRYING TO BOOST HER CREDIBILITY ON A CAMPAIGN WEEK POINT HER OPPONENT, FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, HAS BEEN CAPITALIZING ON, WHICH IS IMMIGRATION.

SHE VISITED THE SOUTHERN BORDER IN ARIZONA TODAY.

DETAILS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> Reporter: FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS MADE IMMIGRATION A CENTRAL ISSUE DURING EACH OF HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS.

POLLING SHOWS THAT VOTERS PREFER TRUMP OVER VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS WHEN IT COMES TO HANDLING BORDER SECURITY.

HARRIS IS TRYING TO FLIP THE SCRIPT ON REPUBLICANS AND HIS VISIT IS PART OF THOSE EFFORTS.

VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS TRAVELING TO THE SOUTHERN BORDER ON FRIDAY EXPECTED TO GO ON THE OFFENSIVE AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ON THE TOPIC OF IMMIGRATION.

BY LEANING INTO HER PREVIOUS WORK AS ATTORNEY GENERAL AND SENATOR OF A BORDER STATE AND SLAMMING TRUMP FOR SCUTTLING THE BIPARTISAN BORDER DEAL.

>> Reporter: ON AS PRESIDENT I WILL BRING BACK THE BORDER SECURITY BILL THAT DONALD TRUMP KILLED AND I WILL SIGN IT INTO LAW.

>> Reporter: HER VISIT AS PART OF AN ATTEMPT TO CLOSE THE SIGNIFICANT POLLING GAP WITH TRUMP ON THIS TOPIC.

A RECENT SURVEY SHOWS VOTERS PREFER THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE WHEN IT COMES TO HANDLING IMMIGRATION.

>> THEY DO LIKE SOME OF WHAT TRUMP SAYS ABOUT THE NEED TO BE TOUGHER ON IMMIGRATION.

THEY DON'T LIKE ESPECIALLY MODERATE VOTERS, SWING VOTERS WHO ARE GOING TO BE DETERMINATIVE IN THIS ELECTION.

THEY DON'T LIKE THE HATEFUL LANGUAGE.

THEY DON'T LIKE THE SENSE OF CHAOS THAT TRUMP BRINGS.

>> Reporter: TRUMP HAS CRITICIZED HARRIS FOR NOT VISITING THE SOUTHERN BORDER IN SEVERAL YEARS AND HAS MADE BORDER SECURITY A CENTRAL ISSUE DURING EACH OF HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGNS.

>> WHY WOULD YOU GO TO THE BORDER NOW PLAYING RIGHT INTO THE HANDS OF HER OPPONENT?

>> Reporter: WHILE DEMOCRATS HAVE GRAPPLED WITH YEARS OF BORDER CRISES, THE HARRIS CAMPAIGN SEES AN OPPORTUNITY.

RIGHT NOW BORDER CROSSINGS ARE THE LOWEST THEY HAVE BEEN SINCE 2020.

>> ADVISERS TO THE VICE PRESIDENT REMAIN CONCERNED ABOUT THE GAP BETWEEN THE TWO CANDIDATES ON IMMIGRATION, BUT THEY ALSO CITE POLLING THAT SHOWS TRUMP'S LEAD ON THE ISSUE ERODING SINCE HARRIS TOOK OVER AT THE TOP OF THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET.

REPORTING AT THE WHITE HOUSE, I AM JULIA BENBROOK.

>>> WHETHER TO GIVE CITIES AT AND COUNTIES MORE POWER TO LIMIT INCREASES.

KPBS REPORTER KATIE LOOKED INTO SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION OF THE BALLOT MEASURE.

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA LIMITS RENT INCREASES TO 10% PER YEAR.

FOR TENANTS, LIVING IN APARTMENTS BUILT BEFORE 1995.

A LAW PREVENTS CITIES AND COUNTIES FROM PASSING FURTHER RENT CONTROL, LIKE FOR NEWER BUILDINGS, SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES, OR NEW TENANTS.

THE JUSTICE FOR RENTERS ACT PROPOSITION 33 WOULD REPEAL THAT LAW, ALLOWING CITIES AND COUNTIES TO CONTROL RENTS FOR ANY HOUSING.

JOSE LOPEZ IS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER IN SAN DIEGO.

HE SUPPORTS PROP 33.

>> IT MATTERS A WHOLE LOT.

ESPECIALLY FOR THE THOUSANDS OF CALIFORNIANS WHO ARE ONE RENT INCREASE AWAY FROM HAVING TO MOVE OUT OF THEIR HOMES.

>> Reporter: TYPICAL MONTHLY RENT FOR A CALIFORNIA APARTMENT HAS RISEN ABOUT $500 OVER THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.

IN SAN DIEGO, IT IS MORE THAN $2600.

HOMELESSNESS IS INCREASING.

DESPITE MORE BEING SPENT TO ADDRESS IT.

LOPEZ IS ADVOCATING FOR FAMILIES LIKE HIS OWN.

>> BECAME AN ORGANIZER.

I COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT THEY ACTUALLY WOULD PAY ME TO GO AND TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT THE THINGS THAT MOST PEOPLE TOLD ME TO JUST BE QUIET ABOUT.

>> Reporter: HE HAD BEEN PAYING A LITTLE OVER $2100 IN MONTHLY RENT.

AFTER A LEAKY SINK FLOODED THEIR HOUSE, HE SAYS THE LANDLORD EVICTED THEM, REMODELED, AND RAISED THE RENT.

HE NOW PAYS ALMOST 3800 TO LIVE A COUPLE BLOCKS AWAY.

>> I HAD TO INVITE MY BROTHER TO COME IN AND LIVE WITH US TO PAY PART OF THE RENT.

BESIDES THAT, JUST MAKING SACRIFICES.

CUTTING EXPENSES.

>> Reporter: LOPEZ AND OTHER SUPPORTERS ARE UP AGAINST A LONG LIST OF LOCAL LEADERS WHO OPPOSE PROPOSITION 33.

INCLUDING SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA AND THE MAYORS OF CARLSBAD, CHULA VISTA, AND TO MACULA, AND SENATOR TONI ATKINS.

APARTMENT AND REALTOR ASSOCIATIONS HAVE DONATED MORE THAN $67 MILLION TO FIGHT THE MEASURE.

LUCINDA LILLY RECENTLY SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RENTAL HOUSING ASSOCIATION.

>> OUR INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE FIND IT SAD THAT IT IS US VERSUS THEM.

IT'S NOT THE WAY WE SEE IT.

WE WOULD LOVE TO GET TOGETHER AND WORK OUT SOLUTIONS RATHER THAN JUST GET HAMMERED EVERY TIME SOMEBODY COMES UP WITH AN IDEA THAT SAYS, YOU OWN RENTAL HOUSING, THEREFORE YOU ARE REALLY RICH, THEREFORE YOU ARE A BAD PERSON, THEREFORE I'M GOING TO SCREW YOU OVER.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS RENT INCREASES ARE NECESSARY TO COVER REPAIRS.

MOST HOUSING IN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS MORE THAN 30 YEARS OLD.

SHE SAYS CALIFORNIA OVER REGULATES RENTAL HOUSING ALREADY AND IT IS DRIVING LANDLORDS OUT OF THE MARKET.

MORE RENT CONTROL WOULD MAKE THAT WORSE, SHE SAYS.

DISCOURAGED DEVELOPERS FROM DEVELOPING NEW HOUSING.

INSTEAD, SHE WOULD LIKE TO SEE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OFFER MORE RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

>> A LOT OF TIMES IT'S A MATTER OF MY CAR BROKE DOWN AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY MY RENT.

I JUST NEED A SHORT-TERM LOAN TO GET ME THROUGH THE NEXT MONTH.

>> Reporter: A FEW YEARS AGO RESEARCHERS ANALYZED MORE THAN A DOZEN STUDIES ON THE IMPACTS OF RENT CONTROL.

THEY FOUND IT DOES WORK TO KEEP RENT LOWER AND INCREASE HOUSING STABILITY FOR CURRENT TENANTS.

THEY SAY THERE'S NOT MUCH EVIDENCE THAT IT REDUCES NEW CONSTRUCTION OR HOUSING QUALITY, BUT IT DOES TEND TO REDUCE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF RENTAL UNITS AS OWNERS TAKE THEM OFF THE MARKET.

RICARDO FLOREZ LEADS A NONPROFIT THAT ADVOCATES FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

HE SAYS RENT CONTROL ISN'T A PERFECT SOLUTION, BUT IT IS NECESSARY.

>> YOU'VE GOT TO STOP THE CRISIS AND THEN THINK ABOUT WHERE TO GO FROM HERE.

>> Reporter: HE THINKS IT HAS TO BE DONE WITH CHANGES TO ZONING.

>> WE DON'T REALLY HAVE THE LUXURY TO SAY, LET'S DO ONE OR LET'S DO THE OTHER.

PEOPLE CONTINUE TO HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT FOOD, MEDICINE, OR RENT.

>> Reporter: SINGLE-FAMILY REZONING TAKES A 80% OF SAN DIEGO'S RESIDENTIAL LAND.

FLOREZ ARGUES THAT HAS TO CHANGE FOR ENOUGH AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO BE BUILT.

SAN DIEGO HAS A HOUSING CRISIS.

HE SAYS IT IS A SOLVABLE ONE.

>> THIS IS NOT PUTTING A MAN ON MARS OR A WOMAN ON MARS.

>> Reporter: MODERATOR PANEL WHERE YOU CAN HEAR LILY AND OTHERS DEBATE THIS MEASURE AND INFORM YOUR VOTE.

KATIE HYSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ONE OF THE OLDEST ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTRY IS SUING IMPERIAL COUNTY'S WATER AGENCY.

IMPERIAL VALLEY REPORTER KORI SUZUKI SAYS THE SIERRA CLUB IS WORRIED A NEW DEAL WILL SPEED UP THE RELEASE OF TOXIC DUST FROM THE SALTON SEA.

>> Reporter: THE NEW DEAL IS BETWEEN IMPERIAL COUNTY'S POWERFUL WATER AGENCY AND THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF RECLAMATION.

THE AGREEMENT WAS SIGNED IN MID- AUGUST AND WOULD SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT IID USES FROM THE COLORADO RIVER FOR THREE YEARS.

THAT IS GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE WHO DEPENDS ON THE COLORADO, WHICH HAS STRUGGLED BECAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE, DROUGHT, AND INTENSE WATER USE.

THE SIERRA CLUB -- TO IMPACT THEIR COMMUNITIES AROUND THE SALTON SEA, WHICH IS SLOWLY DRYING UP.

>> WHEN YOU CUT OFF 900,000 FEET OF WATER, THAT IS A LOT OF WATER THAT COULD HAVE FLOWED INTO THE SALTON SEA.

>> Reporter: RICHARD MILLER IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SAN DIEGO CHAPTER.

HE SAYS THE LOSS OF THAT WATER WILL SPEED UP THE RELEASE OF TOXIC DUST INTO THE AIR AND PEOPLE WHO LIVE NEAR THE LAKE IN GREATER DANGER OF BREATHING IT IN.

>> THE NEED TO HAVE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT THAT WILL SHOW THAT THERE IS A NEED TO MITIGATE SOME OF THESE ENVIRONMENTAL CATASTROPHES.

>> Reporter: THE GROUP ONCE IID TO COMMIT MORE RESOURCES TO RESTORING THE SALTON SEA.

OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE ALREADY DOING SOME RESTORATION WORK.

SHIELDS OVERSEES THE AGENCY'S WATER DEPARTMENT.

>> KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE BUT WE ALSO KNOW THAT WE HAVE LOST WATER FROM THE COLORADO RIVER AND IF THE RIVER FAILS, THEY WILL GET ZERO INFLOW.

>> Reporter: SHIELD SAYS THE RISK IS SOMETHING IID IS TAKING SERIOUSLY.

>>> THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM'S NEW COPPER LINE OPENS ON SUNDAY.

KPBS REPORTER KATIE SAYS OFFICIALS HOPE IT WILL MAKE EAST COUNTY TRIPS FASTER AND MORE RELIABLE AND HELP PREVENT DELAYS ACROSS THE TROLLEY NETWORK.

>> THREE, TWO, ONE.

>> THE COPPER LINE WILL SERVE FOUR STATIONS FROM EL CAJON TO SANTEE.

IT REPLACES THE SERVICE NORTH OF THE EL CAJON TRANSIT CENTER.

THE CHANGE REQUIRES PASSENGERS TO TRANSFER TO THE COPPER LINE, BUT OFFICIALS SAY IT WILL HELP PREVENT DELAYS ACROSS THE ENTIRE TROLLEY NETWORK.

THAT'S BECAUSE CURRENTLY GREEN AND ORANGE LINE TROLLEYS WAIT FOR ACCESS TO THE SINGLETRACK.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE TWO TRAINS HERE AT THE EL CAJON TRANSIT CENTER WILL NEED TO GO TOWARD SANTEE, THEY ENDED UP HAVING TO WAIT FOR EACH OTHER ON THE SINGLETRACK.

BECAUSE OF THAT, SOME OF THOSE TRAINS GOT DELAYED AND THAT DELAY RIPPLED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO DOWNTOWN AND ELSEWHERE ON THE SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: STARTING SUNDAY, THE GREEN AND ORANGE LINES WILL END AT THE EL CAJON TRANSIT CENTER.

FOR TRENT 26 CONTINUING NORTH, MTS SAYS THE COPPER LINE WILL RUN EVERY 15 MINUTES FOR MOST OF THE DAY.

>> WHAT WE HAVE DONE RIGHT HERE IS GOING TO IMPROVE RELIABILITY AND DEPENDABILITY FOR EVERY WRITER ACROSS THE SYSTEM IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

AND THAT IS ONE WAY THAT WE ARE GOING TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO TAKE TRANSIT AND IMPROVE RIDERSHIP SYSTEMWIDE.

>> Reporter: EAST COUNTY LEADERS HOPE INCREASED RIDERSHIP LEADS TO MORE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN THE AREA AND LESS CAR TRAFFIC.

THEY SAY NEARLY 5000 PEOPLE USE THE EL CAJON TRANSIT CENTER EACH DAY.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT TO ALSO POINT OUT THAT MTS WILL SAVE $1 MILLION A YEAR IN OPERATING COSTS TO INCREASE FREQUENCY AND BETTER SECURITY.

>> Reporter: MTS IS PUTTING THE THIRD TRACK AT THE EL CAJON TRANSIT CENTER COST ABOUT $40 MILLION.

ABOUT HALF OF IT WAS COVERED BY STATE GRANT MONEY.

COPPER LINE SERVICE STARTS SUNDAY AT 5:00 A.M. KATIE ANASTAS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CASES OF WHOOPING COUGH ARE ON THE RISE AND SEEM TO BE HIGHER THIS YEAR THAN WHAT WE SAW AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

MANDY GAITHER HAS WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT WHOOPING COUGH AND HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR LOVED ONES.

>> Reporter: CASES OF WHOOPING COUGH ARE SURGING IN THE U.S. FIVE TIMES HIGHER THAN THEY WERE AT THE SAME POINT LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO PRELIMINARY DATA FROM THE CDC.

>> THAT IS EVEN BEFORE WE REALLY ENTER RESPIRATORY VIRUS SEASON WHERE YOU MIGHT THINK WE ARE GOING TO SEE EVEN MORE CASES AS WE GO FORWARD.

>> Reporter: DR. DONALD WITH CLEVELAND CLINIC SAYS YEARS AGO BEFORE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A VACCINE THERE WERE MANY MORE WHOOPING COUGH CASES.

THIS YEAR'S NUMBER OF CASES IS MORE IN LINE WITH PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS, BUT FOR THOSE MOST VULNERABLE LIKE YOUNG CHILDREN AND THE ELDERLY, THAT IS CONCERNING.

>> ABOUT A THIRD OF INFANTS WILL GET HOSPITALIZED AND ACTUALLY ABOUT 1% OF INFANTS THAT DEVELOP WHOOPING COUGH WILL ACTUALLY DIE FROM THE INFECTION.

>> Reporter: EARLY SYMPTOMS CAN MIMIC A COMMON COLD ONE TO TWO WEEKS AFTER THE START THERE CAN BE RAPID VIOLENT AND UNCONTROLLED COUGHING FITS THAT CAN MAKE IT HARD FOR A PERSON TO BREATHE AND CAN LAST UP TO 10 WEEKS.

>> BLUE IN THE FACE IN THAT THERE IS A VERY SHARP INTAKE OF AIR THAT KIND OF CAUSES THIS.

>> Reporter: THE BEST PROTECTION AGAINST WHOOPING COUGH HIS VACCINATIONS TYPICALLY GIVEN TO YOUNG CHILDREN.

BUT HE SAYS IT IS RECOMMENDED FOR ADULTS WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT TOO ALONG WITH BOOSTERS AND IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR THOSE WHO ARE PREGNANT.

>> INFANTS RELY ON THEIR MOTHERS FOR THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM OVER THOSE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF LIFE.

>>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS HANDING OUT FREE COVID-19 TESTS AGAIN.

YOU CAN NOW ORDER TESTS FROM COVID TESTS.GOV.

THEY WILL BE SHIPPED STARTING NEXT WEEK AND EACH HOUSEHOLD IS ELIGIBLE TO GET FOUR AT HOME TEST KITS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAYS THEY HAVE HANDED OUT MORE THAN 900 MILLION FREE TESTS SINCE BEGINNING IN 2021.

>>> RIGHT NOW NEARLY 100 VETERANS WHO SERVED IN WORLD WAR II AND THE KOREAN WAR AND THE VIETNAM WAR ARE ENJOYING A TRIP TO THE NATION POSTED CAPITAL.

IT IS ALL COURTESY OF HONOR FLIGHT SAN DIEGO.

92 VETERANS BOARDED THE PLANE THIS MORNING AND ARE EXPECTED BACK ON SUNDAY.

THE TRIP PROVIDES A CHANCE FOR THEM TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR SACRIFICE AND FOR THEIR SERVICE.

>> MANY OF THEM WERE NOT THANKED WHEN THEY RETURNED FROM THEIR SERVICE.

THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THEM WE HAVE A GRATEFUL NATION.

THEY APPRECIATE WHAT THEY DID FOR OUR COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: THE VETERANS WILL ARRIVE BACK AT SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT SUNDAY AT 1:15 P.M. TWO IS YOUR HONOR FLIGHT PARTNERED WITH FEEDING SAN DIEGO.

THEY ENCOURAGE ALL WHO PLAN TO ATTEND THEIR HOMECOMING TO BRING NONPERISHABLE FOOD ITEMS THAT THEY CAN THEN DONATE FOR THE FEEDING HEROES INITIATIVE.

>>> AS WE GO THROUGH TIME, WE WON'T SEE TOO MANY SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO OUR PATTERN, BUT IF YOU ARE IN A FEW SPOTS WE WILL BE EASING OUT OF SOME OF THAT HEAT DURING THE LATTER PART OF THE WEEKEND KEEPING THE WARM PATTERN THOUGH AS A WHOLE ACROSS OUR AREA.

THE DESERT COMMUNITIES IN A FEW SPOTS WILL SEE THESE NUMBERS GO DOWN BE ON SATURDAY.

SO SATURDAY AND REALLY TOMORROW WITH THE PEAK OF THAT HEAT THAT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR US AND THEN WILL EASE THINGS OFF A LITTLE BIT, THOUGH IT IS STILL WARMER THAN HISTORICAL AVERAGE.

LIMITED MARINE LAYER FOUND FOR US.

SOME OF US HAVE ENJOYED IT.

IT HAS HELPED KEEP THE COAST MORE COMFORTABLE.

NOT GOING TO BE A LOT OF IT AS WE HEAD FOR THE UPCOMING DAYS.

WE WILL STAY MILD AND DRY HEADING INTO .

THERE IS NOTHING TO BEGIN CHANGES FOR MOST OF OUR INLAND AND COASTAL COMMUNITIES.

HERE WE ARE AS WE HEAD TO TONIGHT.

SAN DIEGO HAS 63 FOR THE LOW.

MOUNT LAGUNA, 64 FOR YOU.

FINDING SOME RELIEF AT 75.

THE DAY IS HOT AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FOR SOME OF OUR DESERT COMMUNITIES HERE WHERE WE DO HAVE THAT EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING LASTING THROUGH SATURDAY.

LET'S TALK NUMBERS BECAUSE IT VARIES DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE.

76, CHULA VISTA.

TOMORROW IN THE CITY AT 75.

AS YOU WORK YOUR WAY TOWARD SPRINGS, 111 FOR THE HYBRID RAMONA COMING IN AT 92.

VARIED DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE AND WHAT LOCATION YOU ARE IN.

CLOSE TO COMMUNITIES.

THE COMFORT REMAINS.

NO BIG CHANGES AS WE CRUISE TO THE WEEKEND.

KEEPING THINGS FAIRLY TAME AND SEASONABLE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR IN THE 70s AND LOWER 80s.

INLAND COMMUNITIES A LITTLE ON THE WARM SIDE, BUT I THINK WE WILL MANAGE OKAY.

PRETTY BRIGHT TOO AS WE KEEP THE MARINE LAYER LIMITED, ESPECIALLY SUNDAY INTO MONDAY.

TEMPERATURES IN THE MID TO UPPER 80s.

MIGHT TREND A TOUCH WARMER AS WE HEAD INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

FOR THE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES, IT IS MORE OF THE SAME AS WE HOLD ONTO THE MID-70s.

IT IS ACTUALLY PRETTY WARM FOR SATURDAY.

THE HEAT WILL REALLY BE FOUND IN OUR DESERT COMMUNITIES.

WE ARE AT 111 FOR THAT HIGH ON SATURDAY.

NOTE NUMBERS DROP AS WE HEAD INTO SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I AM ACCUWEATHER METEOROLOGIST MELISSA.

>>> HEARS ANOTHER LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

PART OF THE IMPERIAL BEACH SHORELINE REOPENED TO SWIMMERS THIS WEEK BUT RESIDENTS SAY THE AIR STILL STINKS OF RAW SEWAGE FROM THE TIJUANA RIVER VALLEY.

COUNTY SUPERVISOR TARA LAWSON REAMER IS ASKING THE CITIES OF DELMAR AND SONNY DOES, SOLANA BEACH, AND CARLSBAD TO HELP BUY AIR FILTERS FOR IMPERIAL BEACH RESIDENTS.

SHE SAYS HER OFFICE WILL MATCH ANY MONEY RAISED FOR THE FILTERS THROUGH A COUNTY GRANT.

>>> IMPERIAL COUNTY WATER AGENCY IS BEING SUED OVER A NEW DEAL TO REDUCE ITS WATER USE FROM THE COLORADO RIVER FOR THREE YEARS.

THE COLORADO HAS STRUGGLED WITH DROUGHT FOR YEARS AND THE SIERRA CLUB SAYS THE DEAL COULD SPEED UP THE RELEASE OF TOXIC DUST FROM THE SOLVENCY INTO THE NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES.

THE GROUP ONCE MORE RESOURCES TO GO TOWARD RESTORING THE SOLVENCY.

>>> STARTING THIS WEEKEND, BUS AND TROLLEY RIDERS IN THE EAST COUNTY CAN ENJOY SOME FASTER TRIPS AND SOME RELIABLE SERVICE BECAUSE IT IS LAUNCHING ITS NEW COPPER LINE, WHICH WILL RUN FROM SANTEE TO EL CAJON SUNDAY AT 5:00 IN THE MORNING.

>>> THE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR SAN DIEGO MAYOR WILL JOIN KPBS FOR A LIVE DEBATE ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3rd.

THAT BEGINS AT 8:00 P.M. SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA AND CHALLENGER LARRY TURNER WILL DEBATE THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES THAT ARE FACING SAN DIEGO'S AND THAT INCLUDES HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND MONEY MATTERS.

THE LIVE DEBATE WILL BE CARRIED ON KPBS TV, 89.5 FM, KPBS.ORG, AND OF COURSE ON YOUTUBE .

>> I'M JEFF BENNETT.

TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, THE SOUTHEAST REELS FROM THE RAVAGES OF HURRICANE HELENE .

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

>>> LIVE AT THE BELLY UP, OUR SIGNATURE MUSIC SERIES AIRS FRIDAY NIGHTS ON KPBS.

TONIGHT WE PREMIERE THE FIRST OF FIVE NEW CONCERTS.

HERE IS A SNEAK PEEK OF TONIGHT'S EPISODE FEATURING A LOCAL INDIE BAND, AVIATOR STASH, AND THEIR SONG, FUNKY TONGUE.

♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >>> YOU CAN WATCH LIVE TONIGHT AT 11:00 P.M. OR STREAM ALL OF THE CONCERTS ANYTIME ON THE PBS APP.

FIND TONIGHT STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

>>> THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

GOOD NIGHT.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AND AIR RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING 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!

♪ ♪