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DARLENE MARCO SHILEY.

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THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING, IT IS WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1st.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

>>> COVERED CASES ARE BACK UP AND THAT MEANS MASKS ARE BACK ON IN THE SOUTH THE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT.

AN UPTICK IN ILLNESSES BROUGHT BACK THE MASS MANDATE INDOORS AND OUT.

MJ PEREZ HAS THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS AN EARLY DISMISSAL DAY FOR THIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

THAT MEANS TIME TO BUY SOME TALKIES AND HEAD HOME FOR THE AFTERNOON.

OSCAR HERRERA IS HERE TO PICK UP HIS YOUNGER BROTHER.

HE IS WEARING A MASK OUTDOORS.

>> IT'S MORE SAFE, DO NOT GET THE VIRUS.

IT IS BETTER FOR THE KIDS, YOU KNOW?

SO THEY DON'T GET SICK AND DON'T COME TO SCHOOL AND LOSE MORE DAYS TO LEARN.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF DAYS LEFT BEFORE SUMMER BREAK.

IN THE SOUTH BAY UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT, THEY ARE NOW REQUIRING FACE MASKS FOR THEIR 12 SCHOOLS AND MORE THAN 6000 STUDENTS FROM PRESCHOOL TO EIGHTH GRADE.

FOLLOWING THE SIGNS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS DASHBOARD, THE NUMBER OF CASES AND POSITIVE TEST HAVE JUMPED IN THE THREE Z.I.P.

CODE AREAS THAT COVER SELF THE UNION NEIGHBORHOODS.

THE DISTRICT IS IN THE HIGH TRANSMISSION RED HERE.

EDDIE MONTALVO HAS TAUGHT HIS DAUGHTER WHY MASKS MATTER.

>> I'M NOT AGAINST OR FOR IT.

IF IT PROTECTS MY KIDS FROM WHATEVER IS OUT THERE, I AM FOR IT.

>> Reporter: THE SUPERINTENDENT IS NOT GIVING MEDIA INTERVIEWS BUT DID PROVIDE KPBS A WRITTEN STATEMENT THAT SAYS, IN PART, WE KNOW THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO THIS DEBATE AND PEOPLE FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT THEIR POSITION.

AS A SCHOOL DISTRICT, IT IS NOT OUR ROLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS DEBATE.

OUR GOAL WAS AND REMAINS TO BE TRANSPARENT IN OUR DECISION- MAKING PROCESS AND TO USE DATA PROVIDED BY PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES TO MAKE ALL DECISIONS.

THE SOUTH BAY UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT IS NOT ALONE IN THE UPTICK IN COVERED CASES.

IN THE PAST WEEK, ALMOST 8900 NEW COVID CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO THE COUNTY.

IT IS A 26% INCREASE FROM LAST WEEK.

YOU WILL GET A NEW UPDATE FROM THE COUNTY TOMORROW.

>> SOMETIMES IT'S KIND OF UNCOMFORTABLE, LIKE WHEN I HAVE TO DO ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE.

>> Reporter: VARGAS WEARS A MASK TO PICK UP HER KNEES FROM SCHOOL.

SHE WISHES COVID WAS OVER.

>> GO TO THE GYM AND YOU DON'T HAVE A MASK, OR THE BUS.

AS EVERYBODY WITH A MASK, SO I PUT IT ON.

>> Reporter: DISTRICT OFFICIALS HAVE HOPE THAT BY AUGUST, COVID NUMBERS WILL DROP SO LOW THAT STUDENTS WILL ONCE AGAIN HAVE THE OPTION OF WHETHER THEY WEAR A MASK.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HAVE BREAKING NEWS.

CALIFORNIA STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE JUST ANNOUNCED A BUDGET AGREEMENT THAT OFFERS CASH PAYMENTS AS INFLATION RELIEF.

SINGLE FILING TAX PLAYERS MAKING UP TO $125,000 AND JOINT FILERS MAKING UP TO $250,000 WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR PAYMENTS OF $200 PER PERSON, A FAMILY OF FIVE WOULD RECEIVE A $1000 REBATE.

THE BUDGET AGREEMENT EXTENDS CALIFORNIA EARNED INCOME TAX CREDITS AND PROVIDES $1.3 BILLION IN RELIEF FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS.

THERE IS NO WORD, YET, IF GOVERNOR NEWSOM WILL SIGN OFF ON THE PLAN.

>>> RIGHTING THE WRONGS OF THE PAST, THAT IS THE FOCUS OF THE FIRST REPORT FROM CALIFORNIA'S REPARATIONS TASK FORCE, RELEASED TODAY.

KPBS REPORTER JACOB AIR GOES INSIDE THE REPORT AND ITS RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> Reporter: SUPPORT OF SLAVERY, SEGREGATION, AND RACIAL TERROR ARE SOME OF THE HARMS PERPETUATED BY THE STATE, ACCORDING TO CALIFORNIA'S FIRST OF THE NATION TASK FORCE ON REPARATIONS FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS.

THE REPORT CALLS FOR ACTION TO ADDRESS THOSE WRONGS.

TASK FORCE CHAIR, CAMILLA MOORE SAYS THE RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE EXPANDED VOTER REGISTRATION, MAKING IT EASIER TO HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE, AND IMPROVING BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> WE ARE DOCUMENTING THE HARMS AGAINST THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

IN TERMS OF COMPENSATION, WE STILL HAVE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THAT, AND THE COMPOSITION ASPECT OF THIS PROGRAM WILL BE IN OUR SECOND REPORT.

>> Reporter: THE TASK FORCE VOTED TO LIMIT REPARATIONS TO DESCENDENTS OF U.S. SLAVES OR DESCENDENTS OF A FREE BLACK PERSON LIVING IN THE U.S.

PRIOR TO THE END OF THE 19th CENTURY.

IT DOES NOT INCLUDE COMPENSATION TO ALL BLACK PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA.

SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCILMAN, MONICA MONTGOMERY STEP, IS ONE OF NINE MEMBERS ON THE STATE REPARATION TASK FORCE.

SHE TOLD KPBS , THE TASK FORCE HAS MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE REPARATIONS FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS ARE CRITICAL FOR RECTIFYING SYSTEMIC DISENFRANCHISEMENT.

THIS BEGINS TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR PROVIDING A PROPOSAL TO THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE AND SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO FOLLOW.

MOORE SAYS THE REPORT IS THE FIRST GOVERNMENT COMMISSION STUDY FOCUSED ON ADDRESSING THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF THE AFRICAN- AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

SINCE THE 1960 KERR COMMISSION.

SHE SAYS A KEY RECOMMENDATION INCLUDES A SPECIAL OFFICE WITH EXPERTS IN GENEALOGY TO HELP PEOPLE DOCUMENT THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL RESTITUTION.

>> TO ASSIST THE AFRICAN- AMERICAN COMMUNITY WITH DEMONSTRATING THEIR ELIGIBILITY, BECAUSE I THINK WITH A TASK FORCE, THE BURDEN SHOULD NOT BE ON THE INDIVIDUAL.

IT SHOULD BE ON THE STATE.

>> Reporter: THIS MARKS THE HALFWAY POINT FOR THEIR WORK.

THE DRAFT REPORT DOES NOT PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE REPARATIONS PLAN, WHICH IS DUE TO LAWMAKERS BEFORE JULY 1st, 2023.

JACOB AIR, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS FAMILIES IN TEXAS LAY THEIR LOVED ONES TO REST, MANY QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT THE DEADLY ROBB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING.

WE HAVE AN UPDATE ON WHAT WENT WRONG.

>> I TOLD MY CLASS, GET ON THE GROUND, GET TO THE CORNER.

>> Reporter: HARROWING DETAILS OF SURVIVAL AND QUESTIONS, DAYS AFTER A GUNMAN ENTERED ROBB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND OPENED FIRE INSIDE TWO QUESTIONS, KILLING 19 CHILDREN AND TWO TEACHERS IN UVALDE, TEXAS.

CONTRADICTIONS AND SHIFTING NARRATIVES EMERGE ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE.

THE ONE POLICE CHIEF IS SEEN HERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME.

ACCORDING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, PETE ARREDONDO HAS NOT RESPONDED TO A REQUEST FOR FOLLOW-UP INTERVIEW WITH THE TEXAS RANGERS.

PETE ARREDONDO WILL ONLY SAY THAT THEY ARE TALKING.

>> I'M ON THE PHONE WITH THEM.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE SAYING THAT THE DOOR THE SHOOTER USED TO ENTER THE SCHOOL WAS CLOSED, BUT NOT LOCKED.

THAT IS A CHANGE FROM LAST WEEK, WHEN THE DEPARTMENT FIRST SAID THE DOOR HAD BEEN PROPPED OPEN BY A TEACHER.

WHILE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS DEMAND ANSWERS, FAMILIES MOURN.

>> I BELIEVE THEY WOULD WANT US TO BE STRONG.

SHE IS IN A BETTER PLACE.

>> Reporter: FUNERAL SERVICES WILL BE HELD FOR ONE OF THE TEACHERS KILLED, AND HER HUSBAND, WHO DIED FROM A HEART ATTACK DAYS LATER, AS WELL AS JOSE FLORES JR. SERVICES WILL BE HELD.

ALL OF THESE CHILDREN WERE 10 YEARS OLD.

>>> WATER DISTRICTS IN EAST COUNTY BROKE GROUND ON A WATER RECYCLING PLANT THAT THEY SAY WILL PROVIDE 11 1/2 MILLION GALLONS A DAY OF PURIFIED WASTEWATER.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REPORTER THOMAS FUDGE HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE WEARING BUSINESS SUITS AND HARD HATS BROKE GROUND FOR THE EAST COUNTY ADVANCED WATER PURIFICATION PLANTS.

THIS IS PART OF A PLAN BY EAST COUNTY WATER AGENCIES TO TAKE WASTEWATER THAT IS TREATED AND DUMPED IN THE OCEAN AND TURN INTO WATER THAT IS CLEAN ENOUGH TO DRINK.

>> THIS WILL CREATE 30% OF OUR WATER SUPPLY NEEDS.

IT WILL BE SOURCED, LOCALLY, AND IT WILL NOT BE IMPORTED FROM HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY, FROM THE COLORADO RIVER BASIN THAT IS UNDER STRESS, OR FROM THE DELTA IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

IT IS SIGNIFICANT FROM THAT STANDPOINT AND IS A LOCAL, RELIABLE SOURCE OF WATER.

>> Reporter: THESE PLANS FORCE WASTEWATER THROUGH FINE FILTERS.

REMAINING CONTAMINANTS ARE BLASTED WITH UV LIGHT AND MIX WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE.

THE PLANTS ARE EXPENSIVE.

THE ONE IN EAST COUNTY WILL COST $950 MILLION.

FOUR YEARS AGO, A DISTRICT ENGINEER TOLD KPBS THE ESTIMATED COST WAS AROUND 460 MILLION.

OUTGOING GENERAL MANAGER OF THE DAN DISTRICT, ALAN CARLISLE, SAYS THINGS HAVE CHANGED.

>> THE PROJECT HAS EVOLVED AND EXPANDED.

WE HAVE ADDED ENERGY RECOVERY, INCREASED THE SIZE OF THE PROJECT, AND OF COURSE, THE IMPACT OF THE WORLDWIDE PANDEMIC AND SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES, INFLATION, THOSE HAVE IMPACTED THE PRICE.

>> Reporter: CARLISLE SAYS THERE WILL BE SAVINGS ON THE COST OF IMPORTED WATER.

>> IF WE DO NOTHING, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO PAY FOR WATER, AND WHAT ARE WE GOING TO PAY FOR WASTEWATER SERVICES, COMPARED TO WHAT THOSE SERVICES WILL COST IF WE DO THIS PROJECT.

>> Reporter: OCEANSIDE ALREADY HAS MADE PURIFIED WASTEWATER PART OF THEIR WATER SUPPLY.

A BIGGER PROJECT IS BEING PLANNED FOR THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

THIS IS THE ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGER OF THE LA-BASED METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT.

HE SAYS THE EAST COUNTY WATER PROJECT IS CENTRAL TO THE REGIONAL GOALS.

>> WE PROVIDE HALF OF THE WATER USED IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

AS WE HAVE SEEN CLIMATE CONDITIONS CHANGE, AND WE HAVE SEEN GROWTH PATTERNS IN THE REGION, OUR BOARD HAS TAKEN THE POSITION THAT WE NEED TO INCREASE SELF RELIANCE ON LOCAL SUPPLIES THAT ARE DEVELOPED WITHIN THE REGION, TO REDUCE THE STRAIN ON IMPORTED SUPPLIES.

>> Reporter: METROPOLITAN IS OFFERING A FINANCIAL INCENTIVE TO EAST COUNTY THAT COULD COVER $92 MILLION OF THE COST OF THE PLANT.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE COST, $800 MILLION, WILL BE COVERED BY LOANS FROM THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH INTEREST RATES AS LOW AS 1%.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WHILE WE ARE IN THE DROUGHTS, THE LACK OF RAIN IS NOT HELPING WHEN IT COMES TO THE LONG, HOT SUMMER.

FIRE OFFICIALS GAVE OUR JOHN CARROLL AND UPDATE ON HOW THEY ARE WORKING HARD TO PREVENT, RESPOND, AND HELP PEOPLE RECOVER FROM DESTRUCTIVE FLAMES.

>> Reporter: IS CLIMATE CHANGE CONTINUES TO ALTER OUR WEATHER, CAL FIRE CAME TO THE CONCLUSION SOME TIME AGO THAT THE CONCEPT OF WILD FIRE SEASON WAS OUT OF DATE.

THIS ONE IS BURNING IN NAPA.

IT HAS GROWN TO NEARLY 600 ACRES WITH ONLY 5% CONTAINMENT AND STRUCTURES ARE THREATENED.

>> LAST YEAR'S FIRE SEASON WAS THE WORST IN OUR STATE'S HISTORY.

SADLY, IT IS NOT AN OUTLIER.

WE SAID THE SAME THE YEAR BEFORE THAT AND BEFORE THAT.

>> Reporter: SENATOR ALEX PADILLA AND OTHER STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS PROVIDED AN UPDATE ON WHAT GOVERNMENT IS DOING ABOUT WILDFIRES, TRYING TO KEEP THEM FROM HAPPENING, MAKING SURE THE RESOURCES ARE IN PLACE WHEN THEY DO, AND HELPING CALIFORNIANS RECOVER.

>> SHORING UP OUR ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE IS A KEY STRATEGY FOR MITIGATING FIRE RISK.

>> WE ARE INVESTING IN PRE- EVENT PLANNING MITIGATION AND PREPAREDNESS ACROSS THE STATE, TO BUILD RESILIENT COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: HOWEVER, WILDFIRES WILL HAPPEN.

THEY SAY THE STATE IS USING FEDERAL FUNDING THROUGH THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL, ALONG WITH MONEY FROM CALIFORNIA'S COFFERS, TO RESPOND AS QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT, FIRE, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES TO ENSURE CLOSE QUARTER NATION ACROSS ALL JURISDICTIONS.

>> Reporter: AFTER A FIRE HAS DONE THE DAMAGE, AND BEFORE THEY CAN REBUILD, MANY CALIFORNIANS FACE FURTHER CHALLENGES FACED BY FLOODING AND DEBRIS.

SENATOR PADILLA HAS INTRODUCED LEGISLATION TO HELP.

>> THE FIRE SUPPRESSION IMPROVEMENT ACT AND THE POST- FIRE, FLOOD, AND DEBRIS FLOW ACT WILL HELP US TO MAKE THE GROWING THREAT OF NATURAL DISASTER TO POST-FIRE RECOVERY.

>> Reporter: THE EPA IS WORKING WITH THE STATE TO SET UP CLEAN- AIR CENTERS FOR POPULATIONS PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE TO HARMFUL WILDFIRE SMOKE.

A MULTIFACETED APPROACH TO WILDFIRES, THAT LAST YEAR, BURNED MORE THAN 2 1/2 MILLION ACRES IN CALIFORNIA AND DESTROYED OR DAMAGED MORE THAN 3500 STRUCTURES.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CALIFORNIA INTERNAL GENERAL MADE A STOP TO DISCUSS WOMEN'S OR PROTECTIVE RIGHTS.

HE ISSUED A CONSUMER ALERT REGARDING WHAT HE CALLS CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTERS.

HE SAYS THEY ARE OFTEN MISLEADING ABOUT SERVICES PROVIDED AND HE SAYS, PREPARE TO PROSECUTE.

THOSE THAT BREAK THE RULES.

>> WE WILL USE THE FULL FORCE OF THE LAW AND THE FULL AUTHORITY OF MY OFFICE TO DEFEND YOUR RIGHTS.

I GUARANTEE YOU THAT THOSE WHO ATTEMPT TO GET IN THE WAY OF THIS, THOSE THAT ATTEMPTED TO ILLEGALLY MISLEAD OR CIRCUMVENT THE LAW, THEY WILL FACE CONSEQUENCES.

>> HE SAYS THESE FACILITIES OFTEN PRESENT THEMSELVES AS ABORTION CLINICS AND THAT THEY DON'T EVEN OFFER BIRTH CONTROL AND ARE NOT LICENSED.

HE URGED WOMEN TO DO THEIR RESEARCH, AND IF THEY HAVE BEEN A VICTIM TO CONTACT HIS OFFICE.

>>> DURING THE PANDEMIC, MANY CHILDCARE PROVIDERS HAD TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE THEIR DOORS.

KPBS INVESTIGATOR CLAIRE TRAGESER SAYS TEMPORARY CLOSURES WERE ENOUGH TO PUSH SOME OVER THE BRINK.

>> Reporter: CATALINA FESTA WALKS OVER THE CONCRETE OUTSIDE HER HOME IN SAN DIEGO CITY HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD, AND ENVISION SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT.

A PLAYSPACE FOR KIDS.

>> YOU SEE, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT.

I WANT TO PUT THE BETTER ONE, THAT WAY THE KIDS CAN BE SAFE.

AS YOU CAN SEE, I NEED A LOT OF WORK, BUT I CANNOT AFFORD IT.

I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: SHE IS A REFUGEE FROM RANDY, USED TO RUN HOME CHILDCARE FOR KIDS.

WHEN COVID STARTED, SHE HAD TO CLOSE.

HER CLIENTS WERE REFUGEES WHO WORKED IN HOTEL HOUSEKEEPING AND WERE LAID OFF.

>> I LOST MY CLIENTS BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS, YOU KNOW, THEY DIDN'T GO TO WORK.

THEY DECIDED TO STAY WITH THEIR KIDS.

I LOST MY JOB THAT WAY.

>> Reporter: HER CHILDCARE WAS ONE OF ALMOST 4000 THAT CLOSED IN CALIFORNIA AFTER COVID HIT.

DURING THE PANDEMIC, THE RATE OF CLOSURES NEARLY TRIPLED.

ON AVERAGE, ALMOST FIVE A DAY.

MANY OF THOSE BUSINESSES HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REOPEN.

>> IT WAS VERY TOUGH AND VERY DIFFICULT, FOR ME TO COME BACK TO BUSINESS, BECAUSE, AS I WAS SAYING, A LOT OF CLIENTS MOVED.

OUT OF SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: CLOSURES HIT THE MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORHOODS THE HARDEST.

WHILE THERE WAS SOME GOVERNMENT AID FOR CHILDCARE, IT DID NOT DO ENOUGH.

SHE SAYS, WITH MORE MONEY, SHE WOULD BE ABLE TO BUILD AN EXTRA ROOM AND CARE FOR KIDS WHOSE PARENTS WORK NIGHT SHIFTS.

>> MY PLAN, I WANTED TO PUT ONE MORE ROOM UPSTAIRS.

>> A LOT OF THEM COULD NOT MAKE IT.

THEY DID NOT HAVE A SAVINGS ACCOUNT THEY COULD RELY ON.

>> Reporter: CHEMICAL WILL RUNS THE CHILDCARE RESOURCE SERVICE FOR THE SAN DIEGO YMCA.

SHE SAYS A SMALL DISRUPTION IS ENOUGH TO PUT CHILDCARE PROVIDERS OUT OF BUSINESS, ESPECIALLY IN LOWER INCOME AREAS.

>> MANY COMMUNITIES AND HIGHER INCOMES COULD MAINTAIN THEIR SUPPLY OF CHILDCARE, BECAUSE THEY CAN CHARGE A HIGHER PRICE FOR THE CARE THEY PROVIDE.

>> Reporter: THOSE BUSINESSES LIKELY HAD A SAFETY NET.

SHE SAYS THAT THE COUNTRY LOST 9% OF THEIR CHILDCARE SUPPLY.

THERE WAS ALREADY A BIG DEFICIT.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> Reporter: VERY HONEST THAT A DESK IN HER APARTMENT WITH BABY CONTRAPTIONS AND ARMS REACH.

HER SIX-MONTH-OLD SON, GRIFFIN, IS STANDING IN A JUMPER, SURROUNDED BY BUTTONS THAT PLAY MUSIC.

>> I STARTED USING A FAMILY CHILDCARE HOME FOR ONE DAY A WEEK.

THE REST OF THE DAYS, I AM CHILDCARE.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS BEEN BACK AT WORK FOR A MONTH.

WELL SHE PUT GRIFFIN ON CHILDCARE WAITLIST LONG BEFORE HE WAS BORN, SHE IS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND FULL-TIME CARE.

>> MANY CENTERS DID NOT HAVE VACANCIES UNTIL THE WINTER OF 2022.

ONE CENTER TOLD ME THEY HAD OVER 100 INFANTS ON THEIR WAITLIST.

AND HE WILL BE IN PRESCHOOL BY THE TIME YOU CALL US.

>> Reporter: SHE IS ATTEMPTING TO WORK FROM HOME WHILE CARING FOR A BABY.

>> MY FIRST WEEK BACK, I STARTED MY DAYS AT ABOUT 4:00 IN THE MORNING AND HE SLEPT UNTIL 7:00.

>> Reporter: IT WAS NOT SUSTAINABLE .

NOW SHE GETS MORE SLEEP AND TRIES TO WORK WHILE HE PLAYS.

>> WE HAVE A FOOTSTOOL THAT I USE, FOR THE ROCKER.

I PARK MY LAPTOP ON THAT AND HE SAID NEXT TO ME.

>> Reporter: SHE WORKS IN PART, DOING CHILDCARE REFERRALS, SO SHE HAS BETTER ACCESS TO CHILDCARE THAN ALMOST ANYONE.

WHEN SHE WAS PREGNANT, SHE KNEW THERE WAS A CHILDCARE CRISIS.

>> ONCE YOU WERE SITTING IN IT, IT IS A CRISIS.

THERE IS A LEGITIMATE THING HAPPENING, WHERE THERE IS A HUGE DEMAND FOR INFANT CARE AND THE SUPPLY IS NOT THERE.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS IF SHE DID NOT HAVE A FLEXIBLE EMPLOYER, SHE WOULD HAVE TO QUIT HER JOB.

CLAIRE TRAGESER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> GAS PRICES ARE CLIMBING EVEN HIGHER, REACHING NEW RACK.

RECORDS.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FOR REGULAR GASOLINE JUMPED FIVE CENTS, TO $4.67 A GALLON.

PRICES ARE HIGHER IN CALIFORNIA.

OUR LOCAL AVERAGE JUMPED 3.3 CENTS TO $6.11 A GALLON.

SOARING GAS PRICES ARE LED, IN PART, BY STRONG DEMAND AS PEOPLE RAMP UP TRAVEL PLANS.

THE JUMP COMES AFTER THE EUROPEAN UNION REACHED A DEAL TO BAN IT 90% OF THE RUSSIAN OIL IMPORT BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE NOW UNDER NEW, DRAMATIC WATER RESTRICTIONS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

SOME PEOPLE IN THE L.A. AREA ARE NOW LIMITED TO WATERING THEIR LAWNS JUST ONE DAY A WEEK.

>> Reporter: WITH NO RAINFALL AND RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES EXACERBATING THE ALREADY DRY CONDITIONS, THE SOUTHWEST MEGA DROUGHT IS INTENSIFYING.

11% OF CALIFORNIA IS NOW IN EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT, THE WORST OF THE NATION, ACCORDING TO THE U.S. DROUGHT MONITOR.

ADD TO THAT, LAKE MEADE, THE NATION'S LARGEST RESERVOIR, WHICH KEEPS DRAINING TO UNPRECEDENTED LOWS.

FROM HUMAN BONES TO OLD BOATS.

THE PRECIPITOUS FALL IS REVEALING SECRET LONG HIDDEN UNDERWATER.

>> THERE ARE PROBABLY TWO V-8 ENGINES UNDER THE MUD.

>> Reporter: LAKE MEADE, WHICH SUPPLIES WATER TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN THE WEST, HAS FALLEN TO A LEVEL THAT MAY FORCE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO INSTITUTE A SECOND TIER OF UNPRECEDENTED WATER RESTRICTIONS, FOLLOWING THE FIRST ROUND OF CUTS IN JANUARY.

OFFICIALS SAY IT IS LIKELY TO DROP ANOTHER 12 FEET BY THIS FALL.

BY SEPTEMBER, 2023, THE GOVERNMENT EXPECTS THE LAKE WILL ONLY BE 19% FULL.

FOR THE SOUTHWEST, THAT COULD MEAN THE MOST SEVERE LEVEL OF WATER CUT.

>> WE ARE FOLLOWING ABOUT A FOOT A WEEK, RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE OF THE AGRICULTURAL DEMANDS.

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA IS ONE STATE THAT RELIES ON WATER FROM LAKE MEADE .

IT'S TWO LARGEST RESERVOIRS, SHASTA LAKE AND LIKE ORVILLE, ARE AT CRITICALLY LOW LEVELS.

HALF OF THEIR HISTORICAL AVERAGES.

>> WE ARE DOING BUT WE SIGNALED WAS LIKELY TO HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM HAS CALLED ON RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES TO VOLUNTARILY CUT THEIR WATER USAGE BY 15%.

IN MARCH, URBAN WATER USAGE ROSE BY 19% FROM THE SAME MONTH IN 2020.

NEWSOM PRESSURED THE LARGEST WATER SUPPLIERS TO BEEF UP WATER CONSERVATION EFFORTS OR POTENTIALLY FACE A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN WATER USE, STATEWIDE, THIS SUMMER.

IN RESPONSE, MUNICIPALITIES AND AGENCIES ARE TAKING ACTION.

THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD VOTED TO BAN WATERING ANY ORNAMENTAL TURF AT COMMERCIAL SITES.

IN LOS ANGELES, OUTDOOR WATERING IS ONLY ALLOWED TWO DAYS A WEEK.

IN THE BAY AREA, TWO WATER DISTRICTS ARE ENFORCING EXCESSIVE WATER USAGE WITH FINES.

THE EAST BAY DISTRICT IS ALSO PREPARED TO RELEASE THE NAMES OF CUSTOMERS WHO EXCESSIVELY VIOLATE THE MANDATORY RESTRICTIONS.

ALL OF THIS, AND IT IS NOT EVEN SUMMER, YET.

>>> LET'S LOOK AT THE WEATHER HEADLINES.

OUR WARM WEATHER WILL BE WITH US, THROUGH THURSDAY.

WE WILL COOL OFF INTO FRIDAY, INTO THE WEEKEND, BEFORE THE NEXT WARM-UP COMES NEXT WEEK.

THERE IS THAT COOLER AIR COMING IN.

OUR JUNE GLOOM WILL RETURN.

THOSE COASTAL LOW CLOUDS WILL PENETRATE DEEPER INTO THE INLAND VALLEYS ON FRIDAY.

AS WE GO TO THE WATER VAPOR LOOP, THAT YELLOW REPRESENTS DRY.

WE HAVE HIGH PRESSURE OVERHEAD.

THIS IS THE TROUGH, OFF TO THE WEST.

THAT WILL BE APPROACHING AND THAT WILL BRING US A LITTLE BIT OF COOLING.

HERE IS THE UPPER FLOW, INDICATIVE OF THE TROUGH, COMING ON IN FOR THE END OF THE WEEKEND, AS WE START OFF.

NOTICE WHAT HAPPENS, HERE.

WE SEE A BUILDING RIDGE, RIGHT THERE.

THAT WILL BRING BACK THE WARMING, EARLY NEXT WEEK.

OUR FORECAST, FOR TONIGHT, CLOUDS COME ROLLING IN, 63 IS THE FORECASTED LOW IN SAN DIEGO.

RIGO SPRINGS IS 71, A MILD NIGHT.

MOUNT LAGUNA, 61.

OCEANSIDE, 59.

ANOTHER QUIET DAY, HERE, ON THURSDAY.

WE HAVE CLOUDS IN THE MORNING, GIVING THE WAY TO AFTERNOON SUNSHINE.

TEMPERATURES SHOULD BE COMFORTABLE, ALONG THE COAST, CLOSE TO AVERAGE TEMPERATURES.

INLAND SECTIONS ARE RUNNING 5 DEGREES OR SO ABOVE AVERAGE.

RAMON IS 87, BORREGO SPRINGS, NICE AND HOT.

HUNDRED AND 3 DEGREES.

AS WE TAKE YOU INTO FRIDAY'S WEATHER, THE TROUGH IS MOVING THROUGH.

IT IS VERY WEAK, BUT IT WILL BRING THOSE LOW CLOUDS FARTHER INTO THE INTERIOR VALLEY.

WE WILL START OFF WITH CLOUDS AND TEMPERATURES DROP OFF INTO THE WEEKEND.

THEN, WE ARE STARTING TO SEE HINTS OF MILDER AIR, EARLY NEXT WEEK.

INLAND SECTIONS HAVE MORE CLOUDS INTO FRIDAY MORNING WITH AFTERNOONS DONE AND IT WILL BE COOLER INTO THE WEEKEND.

INTO THE MOUNTAINS, TEMPERATURES COOL DOWN, AND INTO THE DESERTS, IT STAYS HOT, JUST NOT QUITE AS HOT OVER THE WEEKEND.

KPBS NEWS .

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN COMMEMORATED THE HISTORIC SWEARING-IN OF ADMIRAL LINGA FAGAN TO LEAD THE U.S. COAST GUARD.

>> THERE IS NO ONE MORE QUALIFIED TO LEAD.

SHE WILL BE THE FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE AS COME OUT OF THE COAST GUARD, THE FIRST WOMAN TO LEAD ANY BRANCH OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

IT IS ABOUT TIME.

>> ADMIRAL LINGA FAGAN HAS 36 YEARS OF SERVICE AND HAS SERVED ON ALL SEVEN CONTINENTS.

AS THE COAST GUARD VICE COMMANDANT, SHE WAS THE FIRST FEMALE FOUR STAR ADMIRAL.

BIDEN SAYS THAT WE NEED TO SEE MORE WOMEN AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF COMMAND, ACROSS ALL OF THE ARMED FORCES.

>>> MANY OF US KNOW THIS ALREADY, BUT A NEW SURVEY FOUND SAN DIEGO IS ONE OF THE BEST CITIES IN THE U.S.

WHEN IT COMES TO RAISING A FAMILY.

AMERICA'S FINEST CITY CAME IN SIXTH, NEXT EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION, HEALTH, CHILDCARE, AND FAMILY FUN.

IT DID GET LOW MARKS ON AFFORDABILITY, NO SURPRISE THERE.

CHULA VISTA WAS 37 ON THE WALL IT HAD SURVEY.

OCEANSIDE TOOK THE 63 SPOT.

COMING IN NUMBER ONE, WAS FREMONT, IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

MORE THAN 180 CITIES WERE COMPARED, AND THE STUDY WAS DONE TO GIVE FAMILIES WHO NEED TO MOVE A SENSE OF THEIR OPTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

GOOD NIGHT.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING ADDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY DILL HOW FAMILY OF COMPANIES.

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