TWO GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US I AM IN FOR MAYA TRABULSI.

TONIGHT THERE IS STILL NO NEWS BETWEEN KAISER PERMANENTE AND MORE THAN 20,000 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HEALTH WORKERS.

MATT HOFFMAN SAYS NURSES AND OTHERS ARE PREPARING TO WALK OUT IN JUST A FEW DAYS.

>> WE FELT LIKE THE PRESIDENT GAVE US NO OTHER OPTION AND THIS IS THE VERY LAST STEP.

>> Reporter: THOUSANDS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA KAISER NURSES, PHARMACISTS AND OTHERS WILL GO ON STRIKE, THAT IS INCLUDING ABOUT 1000 OF THOSE HEALTHCARE WORKERS RIGHT HERE.

>> Reporter: IF WE CAN AVERT A STRIKE, THAT WOULD BE WONDERFUL.

BUT THE NURSES ARE PREPARED TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES.

NIKKI HAS BEEN A REGISTERED NURSE AT KAISER FOR 16 YEARS, ALSO A UNION OFFICER FOR THE SAN DIEGO AREA AND SAYS IF THERE IS NO AGREEMENT THE STRIKE WILL START AT 7:00 A.M. ON MONDAY, JUST AS THE NIGHT SHIFT IS GETTING OFF.

>> THE NURSES ARE READY, THEY HAVE BEEN READY FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE OFFERING UP TO 4% ANNUAL WAGE INCREASES OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS WITH NO CHANGE IN BENEFITS, BUT THE UNION SAYS THEY ARE REALLY OFFERING 2% BONUSES WITH ANNUAL BONUSES.

>> IT DOESN'T EQUAL.

OUR MATH EQUALS.

>> Reporter: A MAJOR POINT OF CONTENTION IS THE PROPOSAL TO PAY NEW HEALTHCARE WORKERS LESS THAN EXISTING ONES, THE UNION CALLS IT A TWO-TIERED PAY SYSTEM THAT WOULD DIVIDE EMPLOYEES.

>> WE ARE NOT BUDGING ON THAT.

WE WILL NOT ACCEPT A TWO-TIERED WAGE SYSTEM, IT IS VERY DIVISIVE .

>> Reporter: IN A STATEMENT, BARGAINING TEAMS HAVE BEEN MEETING AROUND THE CLOCK AND FEEL THEY ARE ON A PATH TOWARD AGREEMENT AND WOULD AVOID UNNECESSARY AND HARMFUL DISRUPTIONS TO CARE.

THE UNIONS THAT THEY ARE DOING THIS TO HELP ATTRACT TOP HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO PROVIDE THE BEST PATIENT CARE.

THE PLAN TO STRIKE HAS NO END DATE AND THE KAISER OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE CONTINGENCY PLANS TO CONTINUE CARE SHOULD WORKERS WALK OUT.

MATT HOFFMAN, K PBS NEWS.

>>> STEVE BANNON HAS BEEN INDICTED BY A GRAND JURY, FOR CONTEMPT OF CONGRESS.

THE HOUSE JANUARY SIX COMMITTEE SUBPOENA DOCUMENTS AND TESTIMONY FROM BANNON LAST MONTH, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SAID BENNETT WAS CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS, ONE FOR REFUSING TO APPEAR FOR DEPOSITION AND THE OTHER FOR REFUSING TO TURN OVER DOCUMENTS.

EACH COUNT CARRIES A MINIMUM OF 30 DAYS AND A MAX OF ONE YEAR IN JAIL.

>>> ATTENDANCE WAS AT ABOUT 48 PRESENTED TODAY FOR STUDENTS, THEY HAVE THE OPTION OF GOING TO SCHOOL OR NOT, THERE WAS PLENTY OF CONFUSION FOLLOWING THE DISTRICTS ORIGINAL PLAN, TO CANCEL CLASSES FOR A MENTAL HEALTH DAY.

AND THEN REVERSING THE DECISION, AND WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS CONTROVERSY.

>> I'M RIGHT HERE.

>> Reporter: GAVE A GREAT IS READY AND WILLING TO TAKE A COVID-19 VACCINE SHOT, JUST SO LONG AS IT IS IN HER LEFT ARM.

>> SO I DON'T HAVE TO GET COVID.

>> A NICE, LONG WEEKEND, WHAT?

>> Reporter: SHE DID NOT GO TO SCHOOL BUT CAME TO THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT EDUCATION CENTER, SO DID MANY OTHER CHILDREN AND ADULTS.

TO GET THEIR FIRST OR SINGLE DOSE OF A COVID VACCINE.

NURSES FROM UC SAN DIEGO IN A MOBILE TRUCK PUT SHOTS IN ARMS, CONSISTENTLY, THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

ATTENDING SCHOOL WAS OPTIONAL TODAY, IN THE DISTRICT.

>> WE DECIDED TO TAKE A MENTAL HEALTH DAY.

>> Reporter: AVA'S MOM IS ONE PARENT WHO WELCOMED THE OPTION TO TAKE A DAY OFF.

>> I GET THE DAY OFF MYSELF, AND IT'S IMPORTANT.

IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT QUALITY TIME TOGETHER AND, YOU KNOW, EXPLAIN WHAT WE ARE DOING AND WHY.

>> Reporter: LAST WEEK THEY PLANNED TO CANCEL CLASSES THAN THE INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT PULLED THE PLAN AFTER MANY PARENTS OBJECTED TO THE LATE NOTICE.

THE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBERS TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONFUSION AND LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.

RICHARD BARRERA, FORMER PRESIDENT, HOPES THAT WORKED OUT FOR THE BEST.

GIBBY PARRA TIME TO EITHER GET STUDENTS VACCINATED OR SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL FOR LEARNING.

THE MOBILE VACCINATION BEEN IS JUST GETTING STARTED ON A MISSION TO VACCINATE ANYONE FIVE YEARS OLD AND UP.

>> TODAY'S A GOOD DAY FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE TAKING THE DAY OFF, WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS AND, YET, WE WILL DO A LITTLE BIT BETTER JOB GOING FORWARD IN TERMS OF BEING CLEAR.

>> Reporter: TAKING COVID-19 VACCINE IS ON THE ROAD STARTED HERE, WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

IN JUST THREE HOURS MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE WERE VACCINATED.

DISTRICT OFFICIALS HOPE TO GET UNDER VACCINATED COMMUNITIES, TOO.

HORACE MANN IS ON THE LIST FOR A VACCINE VISIT FOR NEXT WEEK.

IT WAS ALSO THE CASE WITH OTHER SCHOOLS WE CHECKED WITH, THAT IT WAS PRETTY EMPTY ON CAMPUS.

MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED HAS SAID THEY FEEL A LITTLE SORE AND A LOT SAFER, NOW.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ALL FULLY VACCINATED ADULTS IN CALIFORNIA WHO WANT A BOOSTER SHOT SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET ONE.

THAT IS THE WORD FROM CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS, THEY ORDERED DOCTORS NOT TO TURN AWAY ADULT PATIENTS SEEKING BOOSTERS, OPENING UP ELIGIBILITY TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE.

DR. SMITH, AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST AT UC HAD SAN DIEGO HEALTH SAID IT COULD HELP WITH THE SPIKE IN CASES THIS WINTER.

>> MORE PEOPLE BETTER VACCINATED, AS WE MIGHT EXPECT WITH A BOOSTER, SHOULD HELP.

THAT'S IMPORTANT, I ACTUALLY THINK WE ARE STILL BEHIND PEOPLE NOT GETTING THE FIRST SERIES OF ACTIVATIONS, AND THAT IS MORE IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: DR. SMITH RECOMMENDS TALKING WITH YOUR PRIMARY CARE DR. TO DETERMINE WHETHER YOU SHOULD RECEIVE A BOOSTER SHOT.

>>> WITH YOUNGER CHILDREN NOW ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINES, THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO REMIND YOU ABOUT THE TRACKING COVID-19 INFECTION AT KPBS .ORG.

WE HAVE DETAILS ON VACCINE LOCATIONS AND ALL OF OUR LOCAL REPORTING ON THE PANDEMIC, FROM THE HOME PAGE, FIND THE DROP- DOWN NEXT TO INFECTION AND CLICK TRACKING COVID-19.

>>> THE PANDEMIC TURNED THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS UPSIDE DOWN AND NOW IT IS STRUGGLING WITH FOOD PRICES.

KPBS REPORTER MELISSA MAYS, EXPLAINS HOW FOOD SUPPLIES AND LOCAL RESTAURANTS ARE COPING WITH THE HIGHER PRICES.

>> Reporter: SPECIALTY PRODUCES ONE OF THE LARGEST FOOD SERVICE AND FRESH PRODUCE SUPPLIERS IN SAN DIEGO.

>> PRICES WILL ALWAYS GO UP, WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO BE MORE PRODUCTIVE, INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY OF PEOPLE WORKING FOR YOU, BETTER COOPERATION WITH VENDORS AND CUSTOMERS.

ALL OF THIS, WE ALWAYS DEAL WITH THIS IN THIS INDUSTRY.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE FUEL PRICES TO RUN THE STATE WITH OVER 70 DISTRIBUTION TRUCKS IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST EXPENSES.

ALONG WITH THE PRICE OF GETTING THE PRODUCTS TO THE ACTUAL WAREHOUSE.

>> THE PIPE LINE IS GOING UP, THE COST OF THE TRUCK IS UP ABOUT 40%.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN A TIME IN THE 40 YEARS I HAVE DONE THIS THAT THERE HASN'T BEEN INFLATION, I WILL BE HONEST WITH YOU, I USED TO SELL IN 1977, AVOCADOS WERE $.11 EACH.

SINCE 1977, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE AVOCADOS GONE UP IN PRICE?

>> Reporter: THEY DISTRIBUTE SUPPLIES TO OVER 1000 RESTAURANTS EACH WEEK, INCLUDING THOSE THAT ARE PART OF THE TRUST RESTAURANT GROUP.

>> FIGURED OUT BETTER WAYS TO MAKE MONEY OFF THE THINGS YOU MAY NOT HAVE SAVED MONEY ON BEFORE.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE OWNER OF A RESTAURANT, BESIDES OPERATING FIVE RESTAURANTS THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO, HE OWNS A BUTCHER SHOP AND A CATERING COMPANY.

THE RISE IN FOOD PRICES HAVE CAUSED THE BUSINESS TO BE CREATIVE.

>> WE MAKE SURE THAT EVERY PIECE OF EVERY ITEM IS BEING USED, AND IF IT IS THE FAT TRIMMED IT IS ON THIS DAY, IT IS BEING RENDERED DOWN AND PUT INTO SOMETHING FOR SALE.

WHEN YOUR BACK IS AGAINST THE WALL THAT IS WHEN YOU GET THE MOST CREATIVE.

>> Reporter: WISE TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE HIGH COST OF FOOD DOES NOT SIGNIFICANTLY IN PRIESTS PRICES FOR HIS GUESTS.

>> ALTHOUGH I HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY HIT BY THIS KIND OF TREND THAT IS HAPPENING NOW, WE ARE JUST TRYING TO BE AS AGILE AND SMART AS WE CAN ON EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: WISE'S CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN AWARE OF HIGH COST OF FOOD, AND THE HIGH COST WILL NOT STOP HIS RESTAURANTS FROM BEING THE PLACE TO MEET.

>> LET'S KEEP PUSHING FOR, ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE NEXT IN THE FUTURE IT WILL GET BETTER.

>>> SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM CELEBRATING THE GRAND OPENING OF ITS NEW OUTPATIENT CENTER.

WE HAVE MORE ON THE SERVICES THE CLINIC WILL PROVIDE.

>> I WILL RETIRE SOON.

>> Reporter: THE FIRST TIME AT THE VA OUT PATIENT CENTER, ALTHOUGH SHE GOT LOST AS SHE MADE HER WAY THROUGH THE BIG NEW BUILDING, SHE WAS AMAZED TO BE TREATED AT SUCH A NICE FACILITY.

>> IT'S A GOOD PLACE FOR A VETERAN, A BIGGER PLACE TO ROAM AROUND AND CHECK OUT WHAT SERVICES THEY HAVE HERE.

>> Reporter: THE $15 MILLION FACILITY IS TWICE THE SIZE OF THE MISSION VALLEY VA CLINIC IT REPLACES.

THE DIRECTOR WITH THE VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM SAYS THE CLINIC WILL PROVIDE SERVICE TO AT LEAST 600 VETERANS DAILY.

>> IT REPRESENTS A CONTINUATION OF VETERANS DAY TO MARK AN IMPORTANT EXPANSION AND THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE WORLD-CLASS CARE TO THE VETERANS WE SERVE.

>> Reporter: SARAH JACOBS, CONGRESSWOMAN, SAID THE CENTER WILL HELP WITH DETAILED CARE THAT IN THE PAST WAS OVERLOOKED.

>> WE RECOGNIZE NOW IN 2021, THAT VETERANS ARE SO MUCH MORE COMPLEX THAN HOW THEY WERE UNDERSTOOD WHEN THE VA WAS FIRST FOUNDED.

>> Reporter: ON TOP OF EYE CARE AND MENTAL HEALTH, VETERANS WILL HAVE ACCESS TO DOZENS OF SERVICES.

>> THE BUILDING WILL HOUSE MORE THAN 30 OUTPATIENT SERVICES WITH THINGS SUCH AS DENTAL, RHEUMATOLOGY, G.I., ORTHOPEDICS, PAIN, PODIATRY, PROSTHETICS, SLEEP, NEUROLOGY.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM SERVES MORE THAN 80,000 VETERANS IN THE SAN DIEGO AND IMPERIAL COUNTY.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE FAULK INSTITUTE IS GETTING ITS BIGGEST SINGLE DONATION EVER, UP TO $100 MILLION FROM PHILANTHROPIST JONAH NEVER JACOBS, WE FIND OUT WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE INSTITUTE.

>> Reporter: A BIG DAY AT THE SALT INSTITUTE, PHILANTHROPIST JONAH NEVER JACOBS ARE GIVING THE SCIENCE AND RESEARCH CENTER UP TO $100 MILLION.

MAKING FALSE LARGEST SINGLE DONATION TO DATE.

THE INSTITUTE CHIEF FINANCE AND DOCTORS SAID THE DONATION IS TRANSFORMATIVE.

>> 50 YEARS FROM NOW PEOPLE WILL LOOK BACK AND RECOGNIZE THIS AS A SIGNIFICANT MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY, THIS IS A LONG LASTING LEGACY AND WE ARE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL.

>> Reporter: THIS WILL GO TOWARD BUILDING A $500 MILLION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER THAT WILL BE NAMED AFTER THE JACOBS.

>> WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE PLANS FOR THE NEW BUILDING, THE WORK THAT IS GOING TO GO ON IN THAT NEW BUILDING, AND SO, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WILL HAPPEN.

AND IT WILL HAPPEN FAST ENOUGH TO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

NOT ONLY TO SELL, BUT FOR THE ENTIRE CITY.

>> Reporter: THE FOUNDER AND FORMER CEO OF QUALCOMM, AS AN ENGINEER BY TRADE, SCIENCE IS IMPORTANT TO HIM AND CONTRIBUTING TO THE CENTER THAT WILL BENEFIT MANY MEANS EVERYTHING.

>> THAT, OF COURSE, IS A MOTIVATION FOR ALL OF US.

HOW CAN WE HELP MANY PEOPLE, MOST OF THEM YOU WILL NEVER KNOW, BUT HOW CAN WE HELP THEM HAVE A MORE SUCCESSFUL, MORE HEALTHY LIFE?

AND SO, SUPPORTING THE SCIENCE HERE AND THE IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THAT.

>> Reporter: THE DONATION IS MADE ON A MATCHING BASIS, FOR EVERY TWO DOLLARS THAT SALT RAISES, THE JACOBS WILL GIVE ONE DOLLAR UP TO 100 MILLION.

>> I HOPE IT WILL SET AN EXAMPLE, THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF OUR GIVING, IS THAT OTHER PEOPLE WILL REALIZE IT IS AN IMPORTANT THING TO DO.

AND TO SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THEM AND OUR CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: THE INSTITUTE WAS FOUNDED 60 YEARS AGO BY THE POLIO POLYMER, JONAS SALK.

THIS MEANS MORE SCIENTISTS CAN WORK TOWARD CURING DISEASES, FIGHT CANCER AND PREVENT THE NEXT ILLNESS YET TO BE DISCOVERED.

HE WANTS EVERYONE TO BE A PART OF THAT.

>> EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO JOIN, WHATEVER THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE MAKES A DIFFERENCE BUT IT CAN FUND IMPORTANT PROJECTS, BUT ALSO, THE TRAINING OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> FULL DISCLOSURE, JOHN JACOBS ARE ALSO SUPPORTERS OF K PBS.

>>> CALIFORNIA CONTINUES TO LEAD THE NATION IN IMMINENT CLIMATE IMPACTS, ERIK ANDERSON HAS THE LATEST FROM THIS.

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA GETS A NEARLY PERFECT REPORT CARD, THE STATE HAS 1100 MILES OF COASTLINE THAT RANGE FROM ROCKY CLIFFS TO WIDE BEACHES.

IN THE COASTAL ZONE, IT IS ALREADY FILLING THE IMPACT OF A WARMING CLIMATE.

WITH SEA LEVEL RISE, AND STORMS PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE REGION.

>> THE CLIMATE CRISIS IS BEARING DOWN ON US AND JUST THIS PAST YEAR WE HAVE SEEN TREMENDOUS AMOUNTS OF EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS AND UNFORTUNATE PROBLEMS WITH IT COMES DOWN TO BEING MORE PROACTIVE.

>> Reporter: THE REPORT GAVE CALIFORNIA TOP MARKS FOR DEALING WITH SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT, DEVELOPMENT AND SEA LEVEL RISE AND HOW THE STATE MANAGES SEA LEVEL RISE WAS LIMITED OKAY.

THE REPORT CREDITS THE STATE LEGISLATURE, GOVERNOR AND COASTAL COMMISSION, FOR DOING THE RIGHT THING.

>> IT IS THE PROGRESSIVE NATURE OF THOSE THREE DIFFERENT THINGS, THAT ARE CONSTANTLY PROPELLING CALIFORNIA FORWARD.

CERTAINLY MANAGING OUR COASTLINE PROPERLY.

>> Reporter: THE COAST GENERATES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND HELPS CREATE BUSINESSES THAT HIRE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

THEY SAY PROTECTING THE ECONOMIC ENGINE IS CRITICAL.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> TODAY WAS ANOTHER HOT, DRY, AND GUSTY DAY A COSMOS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AS THE SANTA ANNA'S COME THROUGH.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE COULD BE IN FOR MORE OF THE SAME.

MARVIN GOMEZ HAS YOUR FORECAST.

>> HAPPY FRIDAY AND THANKS FOR TUNING INTO KPBS NEWS, MARVIN GOMEZ WITH YOUR WEATHER FORECAST.

HIGH PRESSURE IS UNDER CONTROL AND THAT MEANS SUNSHINE ACROSS OUR AREA, WE WILL BE TRACKING THAT OFFSHORE FLOW AND DRY CONDITIONS FOR US AND OF COURSE, THE TEMPERATURES THAT WILL STAY ABOVE AVERAGE FOR OUR AREA.

THIS SHOULD BE INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK, THAT IS WHAT WE WILL NOTICE CHANGES WITH ONSHORE FLOW RETURNING AND A COOLDOWN FOR MANY AREAS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT TONIGHT'S FORECAST IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, LAGUNA, HIGHER TRAIN, INTO THE LOW 50s AS WELL.

AS WE TUNE INTO THE WEEKEND, HIGH PRESSURE WILL CONTINUE TO CONTROL LIKE I SAID, THAT MEANS THAT MOST OF THE REGION WILL STAY WARM.

THE ONLY AREAS THAT WILL BE SEEING COOLER CONDITIONS ALONG THE COAST WILL BE THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE STATE.

OBVIOUSLY, HERE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY WE WILL STAY CLOUDY AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, AND SUNSHINE OVER LAREDO SPRINGS, 80 DEGREES IN THE AFTERNOON, MID-60s FOR LAGUNA, AND ALONG THE COAST, SAN DIEGO 89 DEGREES.

OCEANSIDE A LITTLE WARMER, TO 80 DEGREES FOR THE AFTERNOON.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE EXTENDED FORECAST, TEMPERATURES GRADUALLY DIMINISHING, ESPECIALLY INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK, 76 FOR THE HIGH ALMOND AND EVENTUALLY WE ARE BACK TO THE 50s FOR TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY OF NEXT WEEK.

INLAND AREAS, YOU ARE ALSO EXPERIENCING THE COOLDOWN, UPPER 80s FOR SATURDAY AFTERNOON, POTENTIALLY 90 DEGREES ON SUNDAY, AND WE ARE BACK INTO THE 70 TERRITORY FOR TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, AND CLOUDS WILL EVENTUALLY COME OUR WAY INTO THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK AND NOT A LOT OF CHANGES FOR US ON OUR END, WE ARE STAYING INTO THE UPPER 80s, LOW 90s FOR THE REST OF THE WEEKEND AND ALSO INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

BUBBLY BY WEDNESDAY, THAT IS WHAT WE MIGHT SEE SOME LOW 80s ACROSS OUR AREA.

I AM MARVIN GOMEZ, WITH YOUR KPBS FORECAST.

>>> EVERY YEAR, MILLIONS OF TONS OF PLASTIC END UP IN LANDFILLS.

NOW, BAY AREA STARTUP SAYS IT HAS FOUND A WAY TO TURN THIS PLASTIC INTO SOMETHING STRONGER.

REPORTER DAVID LEWIS SHOWS US HOW.

>> Reporter: MANY OF US RECYCLE PAPER, PLASTIC, AND CANS, A COMMITMENT MANY OF US MAKE TO BE GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS.

HOWEVER, YOU MAY BE SURPRISED TO HEAR THIS >> MOST OF THE PRODUCT IN AMERICA IS NOT GETTING RECYCLE, IT IS GOING INTO LANDFILLS WHERE IT ENDS UP GETTING BURIED.

>> Reporter: CEO AND COFOUNDER OF THIS BUSINESS, IS REPAIRING TO PLASTIC.

INCLUDING SHAMPOO BOTTLES, SHIPPING MAILERS, BUBBLEWRAP AND TARPS.

NOBLE GROUP HAS DEVELOPED TECHNOLOGY SS CAN TURN THEM INTO SOMETHING BETTER, SHE CALLS IT UP CYCLING.

>> WE PUT THIS PLASTIC INTO A SERIES OF CHEMICAL REACTIONS THAT BREAK DOWN THE PLASTIC INTO CHEMICAL BUILDING BLOCKS.

THESE LOOK LIKE A WHITE POWDER, A LITTLE BIT LIKE TABLE SALT.

>> Reporter: FROM THAT IT CREATES A PROPRIETARY MATERIAL, A POLYURETHANE MATERIAL STRONGER THAN THE ORIGINAL PLASTIC.

IT CAN BE USED FOR THE SOLES OF RUNNING SHOES, TABLE SHIELDING AND EVEN AUTO COMPONENTS.

MIRANDA WING SAYS IT CAN TAKE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS FOR PLASTIC TO DECOMPOSE.

>> WE ARE LEADING AN ENTIRE NEW ERA WHERE SOCIETY CAN LOOK AT WAYS AND SAY HEY THAT IS NOT WASTE IT CAN BECOME A SHOE, A CAR, AND COME UP WITH ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT WAYS WE CAN USE THIS MATERIAL AND KEEP IT IN PLAY.

>> Reporter: THE CHALLENGES OVER 300 MILLION PLASTICS ARE CREATED EACH YEAR, LESS THAN 9% IS RECYCLABLE, IT COULD TAKE DAYS SESSLER DECADES FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.

NOBLE GROUP HAS RAISED $10 MILLION TO CONTINUE THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SINCE IT WAS FOUNDED SIX YEARS AGO.

>>> ON TIPPING POINT, NEGOTIATORS RACED TO REACH A DEAL WITH THE UN GLOBAL CLIMATE SUMMIT.

COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER THE EVENING EDITION OF KPBS.

>>> PEOPLE ACROSS THE USF INCLUDING JOBS IN RECORD NUMBERS, TODAY THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS REPORTED THAT 4.4 MILLION PEOPLE QUIT THEIR JOBS IN SEPTEMBER.

THAT IS A NEW ALL-TIME HIGH, THE MOST JOBS WERE ONES WHERE EMPLOYEES HAVE TO WORK MOSTLY IN PERSON.

THEY WERE OBVIOUSLY VERY LOW- PAYING, AND NEARLY 10 1/2 MILLION POSITIONS WERE REPORTED OPEN IN SEPTEMBER, THAT MEANS WORKERS WERE MORE EMPOWERED TO PICK AND CHOOSE JOBS.

>>> INFLATION NUMBERS WERE RELEASED FOR OCTOBER, AND IT SITS AT 6.2%, THE HIGHEST SINCE 1990.

WE HEAR ABOUT HOW THIS COULD IMPACT HOLIDAY SHOPPING INSIDE THE BUSINESS REPORT.

>> WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN INFLATION ACROSS THE BOARD, ACROSS A LOT OF STAPLES, SO WHEN WE LOOK AT GROCERY PRICES THEY ARE UP 5 1/2% IN THE GROCERY STORE.

MEAT, BACON, PRIME RIB ARE UP OVER 20%.

GAS PRICES ARE UP SUBSTANTIALLY, YOU KNOW, NEARLY DOUBLE LAST YEAR ON THE NATIONAL AVERAGE PERSPECTIVE.

ENERGY, APPLIANCES, ELECTRONICS, TOYS, EVERYTHING WE WILL WOULD BE A THE BEST.

THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION REALLY BELIEVES THAT CONSUMER SPENDING IS GOING TO INCREASE SUBSTANTIALLY ON THE ORDER OF 8- 10% VERSUS LAST YEAR.

THIS IS A HUGE NUMBER, NORMALLY OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS THOSE INCREASES IN SPENDING FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING RANGED BETWEEN 3-5%, SO WE ARE TALKING NEARLY DOUBLE THE SPEND INCREASE VERSUS AN AVERAGE YEAR WHEN WE HAVEN'T HAD A MAJOR ECONOMIC DISRUPTION TO CONTEND WITH.

>> ANOTHER DOWNSIZE TO INFLATION, YOU CAN EXPECT TO PAY A LITTLE MORE FOR YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER THIS YEAR, THE COST OF THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY MEAL IS EXPECTED TO RISE ABOUT 3-4%.

BIRD PRICES, TURKEYS IN PARTICULAR, HAVE BEEN FLYING UPWARDS RECENTLY.

THE USDA SAYS THE PRICE OF TURKEYS ARE UP 22% FROM LAST YEAR, THE COST INCREASES ARE ALSO BEING BLAMED ON THE DROP IN PRODUCTION.

>>> PEOPLE WHO CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS USUALLY THINK ABOUT TRIMMING THE TURKEY BEFORE TRIMMING THE TREE, BUT YOU MAY WANT TO ACT FAST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, CHRISTMAS TREE FARMERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ANTICIPATE ANOTHER BUSY SEASON, AND THAT COMBINED WITH RECENT SUPPLY CHALLENGES ARE A PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: CHRISTMAS TREES ARE NEVER FAR FROM JOYCE UNDER WITH MINE.

>> YOU PUT THEM IN THE GROUND AND YOU GO TO HARVEST THEM IN NOVEMBER, DECEMBER.

IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY.

>> Reporter: PINE VALLEY CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF MARYLAND, THE JOURNEY FROM THE FIELD TO THE FAMILY'S LIVING ROOM IS A LONG ONE.

>> IT MAY TAKE 6-10 YEARS BEFORE YOU HAVE A SALABLE TREE.

>> Reporter: FROM TOO MUCH WATER TO TOO LITTLE, A LOT CAN HAPPEN, IT IS FARMERS LIKE UNDERWOOD CAN'T SIMPLY WRAP UP SUPPLY WHEN DEMAND SPIKES.

>> BECAUSE IT TAKES 7-10 YEARS, FOR YOUR CROP TO MATURE, YOU DON'T HAVE MUCH CHOICE ABOUT HOW MANY TREES YOU CAN OFFER.

>> Reporter: MORE AMERICANS STAYED HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY IN 2020 BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, SO CHRISTMAS TREES WERE IN HIGH DEMAND.

SELLERS FOUND THEMSELVES SURE, A CONSEQUENCE OF THE GREAT RECESSION MORE THAN A DECADE AGO THAT PUT FARMERS OUT OF BUSINESS.

>> WE WERE SOLD OUT ON ABOUT THE THIRD OF DECEMBER, WE HAD ANOTHER LOAD OF TREES COME IN AND IT WAS GONE IN A DAY AND A HALF.

>> Reporter: CARL HOLLOWAY SAYS HE PLANTED ABOUT 3000 TREES A YEAR ON THE FARM HIS FATHER STARTED IN 1958.

>> WE GROW A MONTEREY PIE WHICH IS A BEAUTIFUL TREE BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE WHAT THEY GREW UP WITH.

>> Reporter: HE BRINGS IN ABOUT HALF OF WHAT HE SELLS IS YOUR, MOSTLY BOTH HIM AND GRANT FOR FROM THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, WHERE TREE CROPS HAVE BEEN HIT HARD BY FIRE AND EXTREME HEAT.

IN OREGON, FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S TOP CHRISTMAS TREE PRODUCES, CUT AND SOLD 3.4 MILLION TREES IN 2020, DAN 27% FROM 2015, ACCORDING TO THE USDA.

>> BECAUSE OF THAT, THE PRICE OF TREES HAS GONE UP AT LEAST 100%.

IN THE LAST 10 YEARS.

>> Reporter: ALL AFFECTING HOLLOWAY'S BOTTOM LINE.

BUT FOR BOTH FARMERS, HEFTY SEASON IS A GOOD TRADITION.

>> I LOVE WHEN CUSTOMERS COME IN AND SAY YOU KNOW, MY CHILD WAS A BABY WHEN I FIRST STARTED COMING HERE, NOW THEY ARE BRINGING THEIR CHILDREN, AND THEIR GRANDCHILDREN.

THOSE DEEP ROOTS MAY BE INTERESTED TO APPRECIATE A LITTLE MORE THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: IN MARYLAND, TRANSFER NEWS.

>>> ANOTHER SILVER SLIPPER AWARD, GIVEN TO THE BEST HITTER IN BASEBALL AND THIS MAN HAS WHAT IT TWICE IN TWO YEARS, FORMER PADRE TONY GRANT AND BONITA'S SANTIAGO WANT MULTIPLE SILVER SLUGGER AWARDS.

THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD WILL BE ANNOUNCED NEXT WEEK.

YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, K PBS.ORG, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR, PLAN TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF K PBS, AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR, HELPING OWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING AND PLUMBING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

AND, BY THE CONRAD PREP IS ON MISSION.

DARLENE MARCOS SHYLY AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.