[MUSIC] >>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 NUMB.

DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

[MUSIC] >> ND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU, THANK YOU.

>> THE SN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS TAKING STEPS TO MOVE FORWARD WITHOUT NATHAN FLETCHER.

úTHANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

FLETCHER SAYS HE'LL RESIGN FROM THE BOARD IN MAY AMID SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS, BUT MOST OTHER OF THE SUPERVISORS WANT HIM GONE SOONER.

MATT HOFFMAN HAS MORE ON THE SPECIAL MEETING BEING HELD TOMORROW.

>> Reporter: SUPERVISOR NATHAN FLETCHER WAS ON A MEDICAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR PTSD AND ALCOHOL ABUSE WHEN A FORMER COLLEAGUE ACCUSED HIM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT.

FLETCHER DENIES THESE ALLEGATIONS BUT SAYS HE'LL QUIT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IN MAY.

NOW A NO-CONFIDENCE VOTE CALLING úFOR FLETCHER TO RESIGN IMMEDIATELY HAS BEEN DOCKETED FOR A SPECIAL BOARD MEETING TUESDAY.

>> IT IS CLEAR TO ME THAT THE ONLY WAY TO MOVE FORWARD IS WITHOUT SUPERVISOR FLETCHER ON I BELIEVE HE SHOULD RESIGN EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.

>> Reporter: BOARD CHAIRWOMAN, NORA VARGAS, SAYS THERE'S TOO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE WITHOUT DISTRACTIONS FROM THESE ALLEGATIONS.

FORMER METROPOLITAN TRANSIT EMPLOYEE GRECI FIGUEROA SAYS FLETCHER FORCIBLY KISSED AND GROPED HER.

IT'S NOT JUST FLETCHER'S SUPERVISOR INCREASING CALLING FOR HIS RESIGNATION.

A COALITIO OF COUNCIL MEMBERS FROM CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTY ALSO SAY HE SHOULD STEP DOWN NOW.

THEY SAY THAT'S TO INITIATE THE PROCESS OF REBUILDING PUBLIC TRUST, SAYING IT DOESN'T SERVE- THE PUBLIC GOOD FOR HIM TO REMAIN IN OFFICE WHILE PERFORMING NO DUTIES.

WE REACHED OUT TO FLETCHER'S OFFICE FOR COMMENT.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SUPERVISOR SAYS HE'S UNABLE TO RESPOND WHILE HE'S IN TREATMENT.

REGARDLESS OF WHEN HE RESIGNS, VARGAS SAYS THERE'S THREE OPTIONS TO FILL HIS SEAT.

APPOINTING SOMEONE FROM THE REST OF FLETCHER'S TERM, APPOINTING SOMEONE UNTIL A SPECIAL ELECTION IS HELD OR JUST HOLDING A SPECIAL ELECTION.

ú >> I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WITH INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY, THE BOARD WILL DETERMINE THE BEST DIRECTION FOR OUR COUNTY.

>> Reporter: VOTERS IN FLETCHER'S FOURTH DISTRICT ARE HIS ABSENCE LEAVES TWO DEMOCRATS AND TWO REPUBLICANS REMAINING.

SAN DIEGO STATE POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR, RYAN ADAMS, SAYS DEMOCRATS WANT THIS RESLVED QUICKLY.

>> THEY WANT OTHER DEMOCRATS.- SO THEY WANT TO FILL THAT SEAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reportr: THE SUPERVSORS' VOTE IS SYMBOLIC.

LTIMATELY, THE TIMING OF THE RESGNATION IS UP TO FLETCHER, WHICH HE'S PREVIOUSLY SAID IS MAY 15TH.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>> A STATEWIDE PROGRAM IS ALREADY OUT OF MONEY.

JACOB AERE TALKS WITH EXPERTS ABOUT WHAT OTHER HELP MIGHT BE OUT THERE TO GET THAT DOWN PAYMENT.% >> Reporter: THE CALIFORNIA HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY WANTS THE REAM FOR ALL SHARED APPLICATION LOAN PROGRAM JUST TWO WEEKS AGO.

IT QUALIFIED FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS UP TO 25% OFF THE PURCHASE PRICE WITH ZERO PERCENT INTEREST ON THE EXTRA MONEY, BUT THE SHARED EQUITY PROGRAM HAS ALREADY RUN OUT OF FUNDS AND CAN'T TAKE ON ANY APPLICANTS.

>> I GOT A LOT OF NEW CLIENT INQUIRIES WHO SAID THEY WERE INTERESTED IN THIS PROGRAM AND THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO BUY WITHOUT IT AND THOSE, PLENTY GOT PREAPPROVED, BUT THE FUNDS RAN OUT SO QUICKLY.

>> Reporter: THIS REAL ESTATE BROKER SAYS IT'S A PARTICULARLY ATTRACTIVE PROGRAM COMPARED TO OTHER SIMILAR OFFERINGS.

THE HELP WAS AVAILABLE TO HOUSEHOLDS WHOSE EARNINGS WERE BELOW THE INCOME LIMIT FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY, ALL THE WAY UP TO $211,000.

SO A LOT OF PEOPLE QUALIFIED.

BUT THAT DROVE DEMAND MUCH HIGHER THAN THE FUNDS.

VERONICA WAS ONE OF THE MANY SAN DIEGANS WHO APPLIED AND WAS APPROVED BUT DIDN'T GET THE LOA.

>> I WAS EXCITED ABOUT IT AS A SINGLE MOM.

I'VE BEEN WORKING TO GET PREAPPROVED AND INTO MY HOUSE INCE 2018 AND YET IT JUST KEEPS GETTING DELAYED FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER.

>> Reporter LAST FRIDAY, THE WEBSTE ANNOUNCED ALL THE FUNDS HAVE BEEN RESERVED.

úSHE'S TELLING HER DOZENS OR SO INTERESTED CLIENT THAT ALL IS NOT LOST, EVEN THOUGH THE- FUNDING IS GONE FOR NOW.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF CLIENTS WHO% HAD HOPE THAT THIS WAS GOING TO BE POSSIBLE FOR THEM AND THEN THEY'RE LOSING HOPE.

I'M OUT OF THE MARKET AGAIN KAY, RIGHT?

THERE ARE OTHER DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS, BUT THERE'S ALSO ALREADY TALK THERE WILL BE% MORE FUNDS COMING INTO A PROGRAM LIKE THIS, BECAUSE IT IS SO VERY NEEDED.

Reporter: STATE LAWMAKERS HAD SET ASIDE $500 MILLION FOR THE PROGRAM AS PART OF THE 2022-2023 BUDGET, BUT A DIFFICULT ECONOMIC SITUATN FOR CALIFONIA LED TO A 40% CUT AND THE PROGRAM ENDED UP WITH $300 MILLION.

THAT WAS EXPECTED TO ASSIST ABOUT 2500 HOME BUYERS.

CAL FHA TOLD KPBS THAT% ADDITIONAL FUNDS ARE DEPENDENT ON THE STATE BUDGET PROCESS WHICH WILL PLAY OUT IN THE COMING MONTHS.

>>> IT'S BEEN NEARLY SIX MONTHS, BUT TRAIN SERVICE THROUGH SAN DIEGO AND ORANGE COUNTY IS - EXPECTED TO RETURN TO NORMAL NEXT WEEK.

TODAY OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED THAT TRACKS IN SAN CLEMENTE AFFECTED BY EROSION HAVE BEEN FIXED.

THE ORANGE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHRITY SAYS THE EMERGENCY WORK POSED AN UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGE, ESPECIALY WITH THE HEAVY RAINFALL THIS SEASON.

THE AMTRAK LINER WILL RESUME FULL SERVICE NEXT MONDAY WITH TEN ROUND TRIPS EACH DAY BETWEEN LOS ANGELES AND SAN DIEGO.

>>> NEW DATA SHOW A DRAMATIC RISE IN THE SIZE AND LENGTH OF AUTO LOANS IN SAN DIEGO AND IMPERIAL COUNTIES.

úKPBS REPORTER KAY HIE LOOKED INTO HOW THIS IS AFFECTING LOW-INCOME BUYERS.

ú >> I'VE BEEN NOTICING THE CAR PAYMENTS ARE GETTING A LITTLE HIGHER AND IT'S BECOMING CONCERNING MANY CASES.

>> Reporter: FELIPE IS A COMMUNITY OUTREACH COORDINATOR FOR SAN DIEGO FINANCIAL LITERACY.

>> IT'S MAKING THEM PUT OTHER% THINGS ON HOLD, PERHAPS SAVINGS, BEING ABLE TO PURCHASE A HOME.

>> Reporter: THE AVERAGE NEW AUTO LOAN IN SAN DIEGO AND IMPRIAL COUNTIES IS OVER $10,000 MORE THAN IT WAS AT THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.- ACCORDING TO THE CALIFORNIA POLICY LAB.

CONSUMERS ARE COMPENSATING BY TAKING OUT LONGER LOANS BUT THAT MEANS PAYING A LOT MORE INTEREST OVER TIM AND THE CHAIR OF SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY'S ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT SAYS IT PRESENTS ANOTHER OBSTACLE.

>> YOU'RE INCREASING THE CHANCE THAT YOUR LOAN IS GOING TO BE UNDERWATER, MEANING THAT YOU OWE MORE ON THE LOAN THAN THE CAR IS WORTH.

THAT'S ESPECIALLY TRUE BECAUSE - NOW WE'RE STARTING TO SEE USED CAR VALUES COMING DOWN.

>> Reporter: SO WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND YOURSELF UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH AN AUTO LOAN, IT'S RECOMMENDED TO TAKE TO YOUR LENDER.

>> SOMETIMES THE LENDERS WILL HAVE PROGRAMS TO HELP YOU OUT.

REVIEW YOUR BUDGETS.

SEE IF THERE'S THINGS THAT YOU CAN CUT AND THEN IF IT'S AVAILABLE TO YOU, YOU CAN LOOK INTO POSSIBLY REFINANCING THAT AUTO LOAN.

>> Reporter: THE BIG TAKEAWAY ... >> IT'S NOT GOG TO GO AWAY IF YOU IGNORE IT.

PEOPLE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO TAKE ON THESE LOANS.

TRANSIT IS NOT A VIABLE OPTION.

KATIE HYSON, KPBS NEWS.

>> CALIFORNIA REGULATORS COULD COMPLETLY UPEND THE WAY UTILITY BILLS ARE CALCULTED IN THE STATE.

SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC HAS SUBMITTED A PLAN TO CHARGE FOR POWER BSED ON INCOME.

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS OPENED THE DOOR TO A% MAJOR OVERALL OF UTILITY PRICING WITH ASSEMBLY BILL 205.

IT REQUIRES THE CALIFORNIA% PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO DEVELOP AN INCOME-BASD MONTHLY FEE SYSTEM FOR THE STATE'S UTILITY CUSTOMERS IT IS A MOVE THAT FITS WELL WITH SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC'S VISION ON RATES.

>> WE'VE REALLY BEEN FOCUSED A LOT ON COMPREHENSIVE ELECTRIC RATE REFORM.

>> Reporter: SDG&E SCOTT CRIDER SAYS IT ROLLS ALL THE COSTS INTO THE COST OF A KILOWATT HOUR, ONE REASON WHY SDG&E CUSTOMERS PAY úALMOST 47 CENTS A KILOWATT HOUR.- THE ACTUAL COST OF ELECTRICITY IS LESS THAN HALF THAT.

THE UTILITY PROPOSAL SEPARATES THE COST OF ELECTRICITY AND THE COST OF MAINTAINING THE GRID.% >> THIS IS REALLY ABOUT TAKING OUR EXISTING RATES AND REALLY CHANGING HOW ELECTRICITY IS PRICED FOR CUSTOMERS AGAIN TO MAKE IT SIMPLER, TO MAKE IT MORE PREDICTABLE AND TO CREATE THAT SAVINGS FOR LOWER INCOME CUSTOMERS.

>>eporter: SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC'S PROPOSAL MOVES THOSE GRID, UPKEEP, AND DEVELOPMENT úCOSTS INTO A FIXED MONTHLY FEE.

THAT WOULD DRIVE DOWN THE úKILOWATT HOUR RATE FOR ELECTRICITY AND JUST LIKE THE EXISTING SYSTEM, CUSTOMERS WHO USE MORE ELECTRICITY WOULD PAY MORE.

>> WE REALLY THINK THT THAT IS A WAY TO AGAIN KEEP BILLS STABLE, MAKE IT MORE TRANSPARENT.

AND AGAIN, IT HELPS US LOWER THE COST OF ELECTRICITY BY ABOUT 42%.

>> Reporter: THE SIZE OF THE MANDATORY FEE WOULD BE BASED ON HOUEHOLD INCOME.- THE UTILITY SUGGESTS FOUR LEVELS FROM A LOW OF $24 A MONTH FOR A HOUSEHOLD OF FOUR MAKING $28,000 A YEAR TO A HIGH OF $128 A MONTH FOR HOUSEHOLDS OF FOUR MAKING MORE THAN $180,000 A YEAR.

>> THE FACT IS MIDDLE AND LOWER INCOME CUSTOMERS ON AVERAGE ARE GOING TO SAVE MONEY.

AND WE THINK THAT EVEN OUR HIGHER INCOME CUSTOMERS MAY NOT BENEFIT RIGHT AWAY BUT ARE GOING T SEE VERY SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS AS THEY BEGIN TO ADD AGAIN THOSE EV'S, THAT ELECTRIC WATER HEATER, IN RESPONSE TO ALL THE NEW STATE MANDATES HERE IN CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter:AND THE UTILITY ARGUES THAT THE LOWER ELECTRICITY RATE WOULD ENCOURAGE STATE RESIDENTS TO EMBRACE TECHNOLOGY THAT USES ELECTRICITY INSTEAD OF FOSSIL FUELS.

ITS AN IDEA A UC BERKELEY PROFSSOR OFFERED RECENTLY HE ARGUED INCOME-BASED FEES BRING MORE EQUITY INTO UTILITY RATES AND HELP ENCOURAGE CUSTOMERS TO BUY CLIMATE-FRIENDLY TECHNOLOGY.

>> SO IT WOULD DEFINITELY - IMPROVE THE ECONOMICS OF ELECTRIFICATION, WHETHER IT'S TRANSPORTATION, HOME HEATING, WATER HEATING, COOKING STOVES AND SO FORTH.

>> eporter: CUSTOMERS WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO INSTALL APPLIANCES THAT USE ELECTRICITY BECAUSE IT'S CHEAPER.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN NO PILOTS, NO EXPERIMENTS, NO TRIALS, AS THEY CALL THEM, TO SEE IF THIS EVEN WORKS.

>> Reporte A BAY-AREA ECONOMIST HAS WORKED ON UTILITY- RATES FOR DECADES AND HE SAYS CUSTOMERS WILL LIKELY FOCUS ON THE OVERALL BILL, NOT THE COST OF ELECTRICITY IN THE HIGH FIXED CHARGE SEPARATELY.

HE SAYS OVERALL, ELECTRICITY BILLS ARE WIDELY EXPECTED TO EEP GOING UP, EVEN UNDER THIS PROPOSAL, AND HE SAYS UTILITIS AROUND THE COUNTRY HAVE HAD MIXED SUCCESS ADDING EVEN SMALL FIXED CHARGES.

>> SUDDENLY TO GO FROM ZERO DOLLARS EVEN TO $25 IS A HUMONGOUS LEAP AND THEN TO GO TO% $128 AND JUSTIFY IT ON THE BASIS OF SAYING WE'RE JUST TRYING TO MAKE THE STATE MANDATE MORE AFFORDABLE?

THAT'S JUST HYPERBOLE.

ô> Reporter: THE SOLAR INDUSTR IS ALSO BRACING FOR BAD NEWS.

NEW RULES TAKING EFFECT THIS MONTH SLASH THE VALUE OF ROOF TOP-GENERAT ELECTRICITY THAT CAN BE SOLD BACK TO THE GRID.

FIXED MONTHLY FEES WOULD MAKE IT EVEN HARDER FOR RESIDENTS TO RECOVER THE COST OF INSTALLING SOLA PANELS.

SOLAR RIGHTS ALLIANCES DAVE ROSENFELD THINKS THE PLAN WILL BE GOOD FOR UTILITY BALANCE SHEETS BUT HE'S NOT SURE CUSTOMERS WILL BENEFIT.

>> IN GENERAL, HIGH FIXED CHARGES DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM EDUCING THEIR ELECTRICITY USE.

WE KNOW THAT.

THAT'S, LIKE, HANDS-DOWN A PROVEN THING.

>> Reporter: THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION IS CONSIDERING A NUMBER OF PROPOSLS AND REGULATORS WILL HAVE THE FINAL DECISION ON HOW INCOM-BASED FEES WILL BE DETERMINED AND WHERE AND WHEN THE FEES WILL BE APPLIED.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>> LOS ANGELES SCHOOLS AND UNION LEADERS HAVE REACHED A DEAL.

MEMBERS OF THE UNION REPRESENTING THOUSANDS OF WORKERS HAVE VOTED TO APPROVE A NEW CONTRACT WITH THE L.A. UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE MOVE COMES AFTER A THREE-DAY STRIKE HELD IN MARCH.

THE UNION SAYS MORE THAN 99% OF ITS MEMBERS VOTED TO APPROVE THE NEW AGREEMENT.

IT ALSO SAYS THE CONTRACT IS A MAJOR STEP FORWARD WITH SINIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS TO WAGES, WORK HOURS, AND BENEFITS.

>>> A NEW CHALLENGE TO ABORTION NEARLY ONE YEAR AFRO V AFTER ROE V. WADE WAS OVERTURNED.

NOW AS LAURA AGUIRRE REPORTS, THE CASE COULD BE HEADED TO THE SUPREM COURT.

>> Reporter: THE TEXAS RULING WHICH WOULD SUSPEND THE LONG-STANDING APPROVAL OF THE ABORTION DRUG IS ONLY ONE PART.

>> WE HAVE THIS OTHER CASE IN WASHINGTON WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY FINDING EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT THIS JUDGE IN TEXAS HAS FOUND.

>> Reporter: THE WASHINGTON RUING FRIDAY PROTECTS THE USE F THE ABORTION DRUG IN 17 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

AMONG THEM, CONNECTICUT.

AND THE MESSAGE THERE WAS CLEAR MODAY.

>> MEDICATION ABOION IS, IN CONNECTICT, LEGAL, SAFE, EFECTIVE, AND AVAILABLE, PERIOD, FULL-STOP.

>> Reporter: THEIDEN ADMINISTRATION VOWING TO USE ALL LEGAL MEANS TO FIGHT THE TEXAS RULING.

>> THE PRESIDENT'S MADE THE COMMITMENT.

WE'RE GOING TO USE EVERY AVAILABLE RESOURCE TO PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE EALTH CARE.

>> Reporter: SOUTH CAROLINA REPUBLICAN, NANCY MACE, SAYS HER BEIEFS ARE PRO-LIFE BUT ALSO COMMON SENSE.

>> 90% OF AMERICA IS SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE AND I THINK THAT 90% WOULD BE OKAY WITH LISTENING TO THE FDA RATHER THAN A JUDGE.

>> Reporter: AS THE LEGAL APPEALS FOR FRIDAY'S TEXAS RULING ADANCE THIS WEEK, REPRESENTATIVE MAYS HAS A POLITICAL APPEAL TO HER GOP COLLEAGUES.

>> WE ARE GETTING IT WRONG ON THIS ISSUE.

WE'VE GOT TO SHOW SOME WOMEN WHO'VE BEEN RAPED, BECAUSE BY AND LARGE, MOST OF AMERICANS AREN'T WITH US ON THIS ISSUE.

>>> CALIFORNIA IS TAKING ACTION TO PROTECT ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE CARE.

TODAY GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM ANNOUNCED THE STATE HAS SECURED A STOCKPILE OF ANOTHER ABORTION MEDICATION THAT CAN BE TAKEN ON ITS OWN.

MORE THAN 250,000 PILLS HAVE ALREADY ARRIVED AND THE STATE PLANS TO PURCHASE UP TO TWO MILLION DOSES AS NEEDED.

>>> A NEW STUDY FINDS THE HIGHEST RATE OF LIFE-THREATENING COMPLICATIONS DURING PREGNANCY COULD BE BASED ON WHERE YOU LIVE.

OMING UP, HOW ABORTION LAWS MAY PLAY A ROLE.

>>> SAN DIEGO IS REPAIRING AGING STREET LIGHTS ACROSS THE CITY.

3.5 MILLION HAS BEEN SET ASIDE.

MOST F THESE LIGHTS ARE MORE THAN 70YEARS OLD AND IF ONE FAILS, IT IMPACTS ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THAT CIRCUIT, RESULTING IN A LOT OF OUTAGES AL AT THE SAME TIME.

>> MANY OF US MAY REMEMBER GROWING UP OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTS WHERE ONE LIGHT WOULD GO OUT AND THE WHOLE- STRING WOULDN'T WORK.

STREET LIGHTS ARE FAILING FASTER THAN WE CAN REPAIR THEM.

>>> THE CITY SAYS THEY'LL FIX A TOTAL OF 200 STREET LIGHTS, BUT THAT'S JUST A SMALL AMOUNT OF THE 6,000 LIGHTS THAT STILL NEED REPAIRS.

MUSIC] >>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MORE IN THE WAY OF LOW CLOUDS, EVEN PERHAPS SOME WET WEATHER AS THE MARINE LAYER CONTINUE CONTINUES.

ALSO COOLER AIR ARRIVING LATER ON THIS WEEK.

THOSE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE HEADLINES.

TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE RAINFALL AMOUNTS AND THESE WILL BE HISTORICAL AVERAGES.

KEEP IN MIND THE MONTH OF MARCH AGAIN, THE HISTORICAL AVERAGE, 1.46.

WE WERE LEADS AND BOUNDS ABOVE THAT, BUT SO FAR INTO APRIL, IT'S BEEN VERY, VERY DRY, BUT YOU'RE BEGINNING TO SEE THAT TRANITION AGAIN OVER TO THE DRYER SEASON.

PARTLY CLOUDY, WE'LL BE SLIPPING DOWN INTO THE MID-50S AS WE VENTURE OUR WAY INTO THE OVERNIGHT, SO COMFORTABLE SLEEPING CONDITINS YET AGAIN.

MOUNT LAGUNA DOWN TO 50.

OCEANSIDE AND CHULA VISTA DROPPING DOWN TO RIGHT AROUND 53°.

NOT THAT MUCH IN THE WAY OF WET WILL BE SOME CLOUDS ROLLING BACK IN.

WERE GOING TO SEE SOME OF THOSE CLOUDS ROLL THEIR WAY BACK IN TOWARDS COASTAL AND EVEN SOME OF F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F F START OFF A LITTLE ON THE CLOUDY SIDE.

DENSE FOG ADVISORIES WERE OUT% EARLY THIS MORNING, COULD SEE THOSE AGAIN LATE TONIGHT AND EARLY TOMORROW MORNING, BUT ONCE THE LOW CLOUD AND THE FOG BURNS OFF, A NICE AFTERNOON.

SAN DIEGO, 67.

CHULA VISTA, BARREGO SPRINGS, BUT AS WE GO DOWN THE ROAD, COOLER AIR MOVING IN, LOW CLOUDS.

LONELY IN THE 60S, COULD EVEN SE A SHOWER THURSDAY.

AND THEN WE'LL START TO TURN THE CORNER BY THE WEEKEND.

65 BY SATURDAY.

OVER THE INTERIOR VALLEYS, LOW úCLOUDS WILL BREAK.

NOT AS WARM WEDNESDAY, EVEN A SHOWER AROUND WITH CLOUDS ON THURSDAY AND THEN WE'LL START TO TURN THE CORNER, 70S RETURNING FOR THE WEEKEND.

VER THE MOUNTAINS, ALSO LOOKING AT WIND BEING A FACTOR WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AND COOL.

SOME SHOWERS OUT AND ABOUT AND COLD ON FRIDAY.

STILL CHILLY HEADING IN TOWARDS THE START OF THE WEEKEND.

TOWARS THE DESERT, LOOKING AT TE HEAT ON TUESDAY AND THEN A TURN-AROUND WITH COOLER AIR AND BREEZES WITH A SHOWER THURSDAY.

WARMING BACK UP FRIDAYINTO SATURDAY.- I'M JUSTIN POVICK.

>>> THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS RESPONDING TO AN INCREASE IN HEPATITIS A INFECTIONS.

PULIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE HOPING TO PREVENT AN OUTBREAK LIKE WE SAW BACK IN 2017 BY PROVIDING TEN ADDITIONAL HAND-WASHING STATIONS NEAR HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS.

HEPATITIS A SPREADS THROUGH CLOSE CONTACT AND FECAL MATTER, SO GOOD HYGIENE IS KEY TO STOPPING THE SPREAD.

THE COUNTY SEES TWO TO THREE HELP A CASES PER MONTH.

EIGHT WERE REPORTED IN MARCH AND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND YEAR.

>> THAT'S HIGHTHAT'S WHY WE'RE TAKING IT SERIOUSLY.

THIS IS STILL A RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF INFECTIONS.

ITJUST HAPPENS TO BE IN A POPULATION WHICH IS UNUSUALLY VULNERABLE AND WE DON'T WANT IT TO GET OUT OF HAND.

>>> AND TWO OF THE NEW HAND-WASHING STATIONS, ONE HAD N WATER AND A CITY SPOKESPERSON SAYS THEY ARE SERVICED AND - REFILLED EVERY DAY.

>>> A STUDY FROM THE SCRIPPS RESARCH INSTITUTE SHOWS THAT- CRAVINGS FOR ALCOHOL CAN BE úMEDICALLY CONTROLLED.

IT ALLOWED PEOPLE WITH ALCOHOLISM TO REDUCE THEIR ALOHOL USE BY MORE THAN HALF.

THOMAS FUDGE SPOKE WITH RESEARCHERS AND HAS THIS REPORT.

>> Reporter: T STUDY FOCUSED% ON APREMILAST, A DRUG THAT'S BEEN APPROVED BY THE FDA FOR USE ON TH SKIN CONDITION, PSORIASIS.

SCRIPPS RESEARCH CONDUCTED A CLINICAL TRIAL WITH 50 PEOPLE WHO HAD SEVERE ALCOHOL USE úDISORDER.

BARBARA MASON IS A PROFESSOR OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE AT SCRIPPS.

>> AND WE FOUND THAT THE úINDIVIDUALS WHO WERE TREATED WIH APREMILAST REDUCED THEIR DRINKING BY MORE THAN HALF AND THE PEOPLE WHO WERE TREATED WITH PLACEBO HAD NO CHANGE IN THEIR DRINKIN.

AND THIS ACTUALLY WAS A VERY LARGE FACT.

>> Reporter: APREMILAS WHICH GOES BY THE BRAND NAME OTZELA, REDUCES CRAVINGS FOR ALCOHOL BY IHIBITING A MOLECULE IN THE BRAIN KNOWN AS PDE4.

JIM DUNFORD IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE MCALLISTER INSTITUTE AND KNOWS OF NO OTHER DRUG AIMED AT REDUCING ALCOHOL USE THAT'S SHOWN THE SAME EFFECTIVENESS AMONG PROBLEM DRINKERS.

MOUNTING A MEDICAL ATTACK ON CRAVINGS SHOULD BE PART OF ALCOHOL TREATMENT, HE SAYS.

>> CRAVINGS ARE A KEY COMPONENT OF ALCHOL DEPENDENCY.

PEOPLE SPEND INORDINATE AMOUNTS OF TIME THINKING ABOUT IT AND THE IDEA OF I GOTTA HAVE A DRINK BASICALLY STARTS TO REOCCUPY THM TO THE POINT WHERE ALL THE OTHER THINGS IN THEIR LIVES TAKE SECOND PLACE.

>> Repoter: RESEARCHERS SAY THE NEXT STEP IS TO TEST OTZELA AMONG A LARGER GROUP OF DRINKERS.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>GIVING BIRTH COULD BE MORE ANGEROUS BASED ON WHERE YOU LIVE.- A NEW STUDY SAYS THE HIGHEST RATES OF LIFE-THREATEING COMPLICATINS DURING PREGNANCY OR BIRTH ARE IN WASHINGTON D.C., CALIFORNIA, NEVADA, NEW JERSEY, AND NEW YORK.

ABORTION LAWS APPEAR TO BE PLAYING A ROLE.

>> Reporter: IDAHO PICTURE-PERFECT, IDYLLIC, A GREAT PLACE TO SKI OR SWIM OR FISH, BUT NOT A GREAT PLACE TO HAVE A BABY.

>> I JUS FOUND OUT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO VIA FACEBOOK TAT MY LOCAL HOSPITAL IS SHUTTING DOWN THEIR OB UNIT.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS SIX CHILDREN AND NOW SHE'S FIVE MONTHS PREGNANT WITH HER EVENTH.

TEN MINUTES AWAY IS BONNER úGENERAL HOSPITAL WHERE THEY'VE BEEN DELIERING BABIES FOR MORE THAN 70 YEARS, BUT NEXT MONTH, THEY'LL STOP.

THAT MEANS WHEN HER NEW BABY IS BORN THIS SUMMER, SHE'LL HAVE TO O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O WAY TO.

IT'LL TAKE 45 MINUTES.

SHE HAS A HISTORY OF FAST- LABORS.

HER SON, NOAH, WAS BORN ON THE WAY TO THE HOSPITAL.

>> MY FIFTH CHILD WAS BORN ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY.

>> Reporter: NEW MOMS IN BONNER COUNTY AREN'T ALONE.

SINCE 2011, 217 HOSPITALS IN THE U.S. HAVE CLOSED THEIR LABOR AND DELIVERY DEPARTMENTS.

IN THE PAST YEAR ALONE, HOSPITALS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE STOPPED DELIVERING BABIES.

MONEY IS ONE REASON.

THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION POINTS OUT THAT ALMOST HALF OF U.S.

BIRTHS ARE PAID FOR BY MEDICAID WHICH HAS LOW REIMBURSEMENT RATES.

EMPLOYER SPONSORED INSURANCE PAYS ABOUT $15,000 FOR A DELIVERY.

AND MEDICAID PAYS ABOUT $6,500.

BONNER GENERAL SAYS ONE REASON FOR SHUTTERING THEIR OBSTETRICS UNIT IS BECAUSE THEY WON'T HAVE NOUGH PROVIDERS CERTIFIED AND ABRTION LAWS APPEAR TO BE PLAYING A ROLE TOO.

A HOSPITAL PRESS RELEASE SAYS DUE TO IDAHO'S LEGAL AND POLITICAL CLIMATE, HIGHLY RESPECTED TALENTED PHYSICIANS ARE LEAVING.

THE IDAHO LEGISLATURE CONTINUES TO INTRODUCE AND PASS BILLS THAT CRIINALIZE PHYSICIANS FOR MEDICAL CARE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AS THE STANDARD OF CARE.

WHILE BONNER DIDN'T SPECIFICALY NAME ABORTION, THE STATE DOES HAVE ONE OF THE STRICTEST ATI-ABORTION LAWS IN THE COUNTRY, BANNING THE PROCEDURE ALMOST COMPLETELY WITH ONLY A FEW EXCEPTIONS.

NEXT MONTH, HER OBSTETRICIAN WILL STOP SEEING HER.

ú >> EVEN US EXISTING PATIENTS WILL HAVE TO FIND OTHER SERVICES.- IT JUST REALLY IS SURREAL THAT IT'S SOMETHING I HAVE TO WORRY BOUT.

>> Reporter SHE NEEDS TO FIND ANOTHER OBSTETRICIAN AND THEN FIGURE OUT WHAT SHE CAN DO TO AVOID GIVING BIRTH ON THE LONG ROAD TO THE HOSPITAL.

>> KPBS RECENTLY COVERED THE CLOSING OF A MATERNITY WARD AND YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT IT OR LISTEN TO THE STORY AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> A RECORD NUMBER OF DOGS ARE BEING CARE FOR BY THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY AND TO ENCOURAGE THE COMMUNITY TO HELP OUT, THEY'RE OFFERING A NEW INCENTIVE.

VOLUNTEERS WH FOSTER A DOG WEIGHING 50 POUNDS OR MORE FOR TWO WEEKS CAN GET A $100 GIFT CARD.

50 GIFT CARDS ARE AVAILABLE AND YOU HAVE TO PICK A DOG FROM A PRE-SELECTED LIST AND COMPLETE A TRAINING SESSION.

THE HUMANE SOCIETY IS CURRENLY HUSING 462 DOGS AT ITS FOUR CAMPUSES, PUTTING THEM AT 132% CAPACITY.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ONLINE AT SDHUMANE.ORG/FOSTER.

>> I'M JEFF BENNET.

TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, A MASS SHOOTING IN DOWNTOWN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY LEAVES MULTIPLE PEOPLE DEAD.

THE DETAILS COMING UP AT 7 AFTER EVENING EDITION ON KPBS.

[MUSIC] >>> AND HERE'S A LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON FOR TOMORROW IN THE KPBS NEWSROOM.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF BOOKS FOR PARENTING BABIES, TODDLERS, AND TEENS, BUT DOES THE WORK EVER REALLY END?

ON MORNING EDITION, AN AUTHOR SHARES HIS ADVICE FOR PARENTS WITH ADULT CHILDREN.

>> AND FROM AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO A PROPOSED BAN ON HOMELESSNESS, MIDDAY EDITION IS DIVING INTO SOME OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES FACING SAN DIEGANS.

AND YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI, GOOD NIGHT.. >> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR, RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELNG SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL-HOWE OR VISIT ILL HOWE.com.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

[MUSIC] >> AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU, THANK YOU.

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