♪ >>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWELL FAMILY OF COMPANIES.

PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR, RESTORATION, FLOODING REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL ONE-800-BILL-HOW.

THE CONGRESS CONRAD PREMISE FOUNDATION.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING, IT IS MONDAY, AUGUST 15th.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

IT WAS QUITE THE SITE IN TIJUANA AND BAJA.

CARS ABLAZE AND PEOPLE IN A PANIC AS DRAGON DRUG CARTELS TERRORIZE THE REGION.

TODAY, MANY RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ON EDGE, NOT KNOWING WHAT TO EXPECT.

WE SENT REPORTER TO FIND OUT.

>> Reporter: IF THE GOAL WAS TO TERRORIZE THE PEOPLE OF TIJUANA, THEY SUCCEEDED.

IMAGES PUBLISHED ALL OVER THE WORLD.

MARTIN HAS LIVED IN TIJUANA FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

HE'S USED TO THE HIGH MURDER RATES.

BUT FRIDAY'S VIOLENCE WAS DIFFERENT.

IT SENT A MESSAGE.

MARTIN DID NOT WANT US TO USE HIS LAST NAME.

HE SAYS THE WHOLE CITY IS AFRAID.

HE STAYED HOME THAT NIGHT.

SHE SHUT DOWN HER RESTAURANT THAT NIGHT AFTER SEEING A BUS ON FIRE NEARBY.

SHE SAYS SHE WAS TOO AFRAID TO REOPEN SATURDAY MORNING.

THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS DESERTED SATURDAY MORNING, BUT SHE SAYS THINGS WERE BACK TO NORMAL BY MONDAY.

TIJUANA MAYOR TRIED TO CALM THE CITY DOWN OVER THE WEEKEND.

SHE HAS VOWED TO PROTECT TIJUANA AND SAYS 3000 SOLDIERS AND -- LEASE OFFICERS HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED TO KEEP THE PEACE.

THE PROBLEM IS SERIOUS BUT NOT BRAVE, SHE SAYS.

NOBODY HAS BEEN MURDERED YET.

KPBS NEWS .

>>> THE FEAR DIDN'T STAY ON THE MEXICAN SIDE OF THE BORDER.

IT AFFECTED AN AREA THAT WAS JUST STARTING TO REGAIN ITS FOOTING AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

WE VISITED THE CITY ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE BORDER AND HAVE THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: MANY OF THE BUSINESSES HERE DEPEND ON EMPLOYEES WHO LIVE ACROSS THE BORDER IN TIJUANA.

THE MANAGER OF ONE OF THE LARGER STORES WHO DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE HER NAME BECAUSE SHE IS AFRAID SAYS THAT WHEN SHE WENT HOME TO TIJUANA ON FRIDAY AFTER WORK, SHE SAW A CAR ON FIRE.

SHE THOUGHT SOMEONE WAS HAVING MECHANICAL ISSUES AND DIDN'T REALIZE IT WOULD AFFECT SO MANY LIVES.

SHE SAYS, THAT NIGHT, THEY COULDN'T EVEN GO TO THE GROCERY STORE BECAUSE THEY WERE SO SCARED AND COULDN'T SLEEP BECAUSE THERE WERE SO MANY SIRENS.

SATURDAY MORNING, WHEN SHE WENT TO GO TO WORK, SHE SAW A GHOST TOWN.

EVERY DAY, ABOUT 37,000 PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN TIJUANA CROSS THE BORDER TO WORK IN BUSINESSES IN THE U.S. THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE MEXICAN MINISTRY OF ECONOMY.

THE STORE MANAGER SAID IT WAS SHOCKING TO SEE AN EMPTY BORDER CROSSING AND EVEN WORSE, TO GET TO WORK AND SEE THEIR PARKING LOTS THERE, TOO.

SHE SAID ALL THE STORES AT THE STRIP MALL WHERE SHE WORKS WERE CLOSED AND THE STRIP MALLS NEXT TO HERS TOO.

HER STORE WAS THE ONLY ONE OPEN.

SHE SAW A GROUP OF OWNERS GATHERED WHO TOLD HER THEY COULD NOT OPEN THEIR STORES BECAUSE THEIR EMPLOYEES WERE AFRAID TO CROSS THE BORDER.

WE WENT TO ANOTHER STORE NEARBY AND FOUND A YOUNG EMPLOYEE WHO STAYED HOME ALL WEEKEND OUT OF FEAR.

SHE DIDN'T WANT US TO SHOW HER ON CAMERA.

SHE SAID SHE HAD SAFETY CONCERNS.

SHE SAID SHE CALLED HER BOSS ON FRIDAY EVENING WHEN SHE HEARD ABOUT THREATS FROM CRIMINALS CALLING FOR PEOPLE TO STAY HOME, AND EVERY PERSON SHE KNOWS DID THE SAME.

THIS YOUNG EMPLOYEE ALSO DOESN'T WANT TO GIVE HER NAME, BUT SAYS SHE STAYED HOME TOO AND SO DID HER NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS.

SHE SAYS IT AFFECTED ALL PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

SHE SAYS SHE WAS SCARED AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN.

BUT SHE DID FINALLY TAKE A RISK ON SUNDAY AND WENT TO WORK, KNOWING HER CAR MIGHT GET TAKEN AND BURNED.

SHE SAYS IT'S DEFINITELY CALMER, BUT THERE IS STILL FEAR AND LIMITED TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE MANY DRIVERS ARE AFRAID THEIR VEHICLES WILL GET TAKEN AND TORCHED TOO.

AND THOSE WHO RELY ON IT TO GET ACROSS THE ORDER TO WORK OR WANT TO SHOP ARE OUT OF LUCK.

THE MANAGER OF THE STORE SAID MANY OF THE SHOPS HAD JUST GOTTEN BACK ON THEIR FEET AND ARE BARELY HANGING ON AFTER THE PANDEMIC SHUTDOWNS AND IF THIS FEAR LINGERS, THE GHOST TOWN CONDITIONS SHE SAW OVER THE WEEKEND MAY HAUNT THEM FOR YEARS AND THE LONELINESS MAKES HER SAD.

KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THOUSANDS MORE STUDENTS ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY RETURN TO SCHOOL FOR THE FALL SEMESTER THIS EVENING.

THAT INCLUDES DELMAR, SANTA FE BAY, DELMAR BEACH, AND -- MORE THAN 17,000 STUDENTS RETURN TO THE CAMPUSES.

HERE AT MOUNT MIGUEL HIGH SCHOOL, STUDENTS REPORTED AT 8:30 BECAUSE OF THE NEW LATE START LAW.

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ALSO HAS A NEW SUPERINTENDENT WHO HAS BEEN AN EDUCATOR FOR OVER 35 YEARS.

IN A VIDEO STATEMENT SENT TO PARENTS OVER THE WEEKEND, MARYBETH CAST AND SAID SCHOOL SAFETY IS HER TOP PRIORITY.

>> TEACHERS CAN'T TEACH AND STUDENTS CAN'T LEARN IF THEY DON'T FEEL SAFE.

I WILL SOON BE INTRODUCING TO YOU OUR NEW DIRECTOR OF SCHOOL SAFETY WHO WILL RECOMMEND SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS AND ENHANCE OUR TRAINING FOR STAFF.

>> THE SUPERINTENDENT ALSO ANNOUNCED EACH HIGH SCHOOL WILL HAVE AN ADDED CAMPUS SUPERVISOR THIS YEAR TO MONITOR ANY SAFETY ISSUES.

EACH CAMPUS IS ALSO GETTING A NEW THERAPIST TO OFFER MORE STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES.

THE FALL SEMESTER STARTED A FEW DAYS EARLY FOR A GROUP OF STUDENTS IN THE -- WHO ARE NOW AT COLLEGE IN RANCHO BERNARDO.

REPORTER ANGIE PEREZ EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS A RED CARPET WELCOME AND A RIBBON- CUTTING, TOO.

THIS IS THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE NEW -- MIDDLE COLLEGE.

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WHO WILL LEARN IN CLASSROOMS RIGHT NEXT TO OLDER STUDENTS ATTENDING THE RANCHO BERNARDO CAMPUS.

>> I STRUGGLED WITH AP CLASSES AND THE STRESS OF THE TESTS.

I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO DO COLLEGE CREDITS WITHOUT THE AP TESTS.

>> Reporter: THESE 43 JUNIORS COME FROM HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS THE UNIFIED DISTRICT.

MANY OF THEM LEARN AND THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.

SO FAR OUTSIDE THE BOX, THEY WERE ENROLLED TO SPEND THE NEXT TWO YEARS IN THE POWAY TO PALOMAR PROGRAM.

>> THIS IS THEIR HOME.

WHEN THEY GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL, IT IS A SEAMLESS TRANSITION FOR PALOMAR.

>> IT IS ACCESSIBLE AND IT SOUNDED LIKE A NEW WAY TO STUDY THAT WAS MAYBE LIKE NOT EASIER, BUT JUST A DIFFERENT ROUTE TO TRY.

WAIT ALONG WITH THE BENEFIT OF A NEW KIND OF EDUCATION, THE STUDENTS ARE ALSO MAKING A SACRIFICE.

THERE IS NO SCHOOL GYM OR PLANS FOR A SENIOR PROM, BUT THERE WERE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN THAT TOO.

TEACHERS HAVE INCLUDED FLEXIBILITY IN LESSON PLANS AND THE ADMINISTRATION WILL LEAVE MUCH OF THIS EXPERIENCE UP TO THE STUDENTS TO CREATE.

AS THE GRADUATING CLASS OF 2024.

>> WE KNOW THEY CAN GET A's AND B's AND MAYBE THEY HAVEN'T FOUR LIFE REASONS.

WE ARE BRINGING THEM HERE WHERE WE CAN SUPPORT THEM A LITTLE MORE.

>> Reporter: THESE STUDENTS WILL GO ON TO INTERNSHIPS WHICH COULD INCLUDE JOBS AT THE NEARBY AMAZON DISTRIBUTION CENTER OR APPLE AND HEWLETT- PACKARD.

JUST A FEW OF THE CORPORATIONS NESTLED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> I'M EXCITED BECAUSE THIS ALLOWS ME TO TAKE THOSE COLLEGE CLASSES WHICH WOULD TRANSFER OVER TO COLLEGE CREDITS WHICH CAN GET ME A DEGREE A LOT QUICKER.

>> Reporter: HERE IS TO THE CLASS OF 2024 AND THEIR NEW ADVENTURE.

KPBS NEWS .

PORT >>> WHEN YOU THINK OF NATURAL DISASTERS IN CALIFORNIA, WILDFIRES AND DROUGHT OFTEN CAME TO MIND.

WE TAKE A LOOK AT A NEW STUDY THAT SAYS THE RISK HAS INCREASED FOR DIFFERENT NATURAL DISASTER.

A MEGA FLOOD, WASHING ACROSS PARTS OF THE GOLDEN STATE.

>> Reporter: THE LIKELIHOOD OF A MEGA FLOOD OCCURRING IN CALIFORNIA HAS DOUBLED DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE, ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY.

MARTY RALPH IS THE DIRECTOR AT THE SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY.

>> THE CHANCE OF BIGGER FLOODS IS VERY REAL.

THEY ARE RARE BUT NOT AS RARE AS THEY WERE BEFORE THE CLIMATE HAS BEEN WARMING.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT NOW 200 YEAR STORMS BEING SOMETHING MORE PLAUSIBLE EVERY 50 YEARS.

>> Reporter: THE STUDY SAYS IT'S POSSIBLE PARTS OF MAJOR CITIES SUCH AS SAN FRANCISCO AND SACRAMENTO WOULD BE UNDERWATER IF THE STATE EXPERIENCED THE TYPE OF FLOODING THAT TOOK PLACE DURING THE GREAT FLOOD OF 1982.

>> SINCE THAT TIME, -- THAT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO HOLD BACK A LOT OF WATER AND ARE DESIGNED TO HOLD BACK FLOODING.

END THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE HELPS BUT MORE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES ARE NEEDED, ACCORDING TO RALPH.

EACH ADDITIONAL DEGREE OF GLOBAL WARMING INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF A MEGA FLOOD.

>> THE STORMS WILL BE LARGER AND LARGER AREAS WILL RECEIVE RAIN INSTEAD OF SNOW IN THESE STORMS AND WHEN IT COMES TO GENERATING RUNOFF IN REAL-TIME AND SHORT-TERM FROM THE STORMS, THERE WILL BE THAT MUCH MORE COMING DOWN THE RIVERS QUICKLY THAN WOULD HAVE BEEN THE CASE WHEN THE STORMS WERE COLD.

>> Reporter: IT'S ESTIMATED THAT A FLOOD LIKE THE ONE THAT HAPPENED IN 1862 COULD BE A $1 TRILLION DISASTER WHICH WOULD BE THE LARGEST IN U.S. HISTORY.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE FBI IS REPORTING AN UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER OF THREATS AGAINST THE BUREAU.

>> Reporter: IN 22 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WITH THE FBI I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS LEVEL OF THREAT.

WAIT THE FBI AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ISSUING A BULLETIN OVER THE YEAR WARNING PERSONNEL ABOUT A STEEP RISE IN ONLINE THREATS.

THE WARNING HIGHLIGHTING A PLANT THREAT TO PLANT A DIRTY BOMB IN FRONT OF FBI HEADQUARTERS AND CALLING FOR CIVIL WAR AND ARMED REBELLION.

THIS FOLLOWING THE SEIZURE OF CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS FROM FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S FLORIDA HOME, ONE WEEK AGO.

ON FRIDAY, THE NAMES OF TWO AGENTS WHO SIGNED THE SEARCH WARRANT SURFACED ONLINE BEFORE A JUDGE UNSEALED THE WARRANT.

THE COURT ALSO REMOVED INFORMATION ABOUT THE JUDGE WHO SIGNED THE SEARCH WARRANT FROM ITS WEBSITE AFTER HE BECAME THE TARGET OF VIOLENT THREATS.

>> THEY ARE THINKING THEY NEED TO BE CALLED TO DO THINGS.

AND WE NEED THAT FROM BOTH SIDES.

>> Reporter: IN CINCINNATI, A MAN SHOT DEAD AFTER ATTEMPTING TO BREACH THE FIELD OFFICE WHILE APPARENTLY ARMED WITH AN AR-15 RIFLE AND A NAIL GUN, THURSDAY.

IN PHOENIX, A GROUP OF TRUMP SUPPORTERS, SOME OF THEM ARMED, GATHERED OUTSIDE THE F VI BUILDING FOR A PEACEFUL PROTEST.

FBI DIRECTOR CHRIS RAY SENDING A MEMO TO EMPLOYEES TELLING THEM THEIR SAFETY AND SECURITY IS HIS PRIMARY CONCERN.

>> WE CAN ALL PROTEST IN PEACEFUL MANNERS.

VIOLENCE IS ALWAYS WRONG.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS .

>>> A COMPANY THAT MAKES COVID- 19 VACCINES WANTS THEM USED AS BOOSTERS TOO.

NOVAVAX GOT AUTHORIZATION TO BE USED AS A TWO DOSE PRIMARY SERIES FOR ADULTS AND TODAY IT SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION TO ALLOW A THIRD DOSE FOR THOSE 18 YEARS AND OLDER WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR BOOSTER DOSES.

NOVAVAX OFFICIALS BELIEVE IT'S -- A RANGE OF VARIANCE.

NO RESPONSE YET FROM THE FDA.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS FACING A SHORTAGE OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKERS.

ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT BY THE WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP.

CHAIR NATHAN FLETCHER COMMISSIONED THE REPORT AS A ROAD MAP TO RETAIN, TRAIN AND ATTRACT MORE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKERS.

THE REPORT FINDS 18,500 MORE MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION WORKERS ARE NEEDED BY -- ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES CITED AS COMPENSATION.

55% OF WORKERS SURVEYED REPORTED THEY ARE DISSATISFIED WITH PAY.

>> WE CAN'T HAVE A SITUATION WHERE SOMEONE WHO WORKS AT A DRUG TREATMENT FACILITY MAKES LESS MONEY THAN SOMEONE WHO WORKS AT IN-N-OUT BURGER.

WE NEED THESE FOLKS TO DO THE HARD, DIFFICULT WORK OF PROVIDING CARE TO FOLKS IN TIMES OF CRISIS AND THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO COMPENSATE THEM FAIRLY AND KEEP THEM ENGAGED.

>> THE REPORT ALSO RECOMMENDS ESTABLISHING TRAINING CENTERS, PROGRAMS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND LOANS AS WELL AS LOAN FORGIVENESS GRAMS AND IN EXCHANGE FOR PUBLIC SERVICE.

>>> IF YOUR LIFESPAN IS THE NUMBER OF YEARS YOU LIVE ON EARTH, WHAT IS YOUR HEALTH SPAN?

A STUDY OF ACCELERATED AGING SHOWS THAT A PERSON'S BIOLOGICAL AGE MAY BE VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IT SAYS ON THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATE.

REPORTER THOMAS FUDGE HAS THE STORY.

>> FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT.

>> Reporter: DANCING, HIKING, STRENGTH TRAINING.

THEY ARE THINGS PEOPLE DO TO REMAIN FIT AND STAY YOUNG.

WHILE STAYING YOUNG MAY NOT BE LITERALLY POSSIBLE BASED ON YOUR CHRONOLOGICAL AGE, THE IDEA IS NOT SO FAR-FETCHED WHEN YOU CONSIDER A PERSON'S BIOLOGICAL AGE.

THE STATE OF YOUR HEALTH.

OR, AS SAID IN A UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH STUDY, A PERSON'S EPIGENETIC AGE.

>> IT REFERS TO SOMEONE'S BIOGENETIC AGE.

IT CAPTURES THE HEALTH OF YOUR TISSUES AND CELLS AND ORGAN SYSTEMS USING THE MARKS ACROSS THE GENOME.

>> Reporter: METHYLATION MARKS.

THESE ARE MOLECULES THAT ATTACH TO YOUR DNA CAUSING SOME GENES TO BE EXPRESSED AND SOME TO NOT BE.

IN THE RESEARCH, THOSE MARKERS WERE REVEALED THROUGH BLOOD TESTS OF ABOUT 1800 WOMEN.

PROFESSOR ANDREA LaCROIX WAS THE DISSERTATION ADVISER.

>> WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO FIND IS A MARKER WE CAN EASILY MEASURE IN THE BLOOD THAT TELLS US WHETHER WE ARE AGING FASTER OR SLOWER THAN OUR CON A LOT OF CHRONOLOGICAL AGE.

>> Reporter: THEY CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF DISEASE AND ACCELERATE YOUR BIOLOGICAL AGE.

THAT HAS A PROFOUND EFFECT ON HOW LONG WE LIVE AND HOW WELL WE LIVE.

>> WHAT WE FOUND IS THAT FOR EVERY FIVE TO EIGHT YEARS OF EPIGENETIC ACCELERATION -- THAT MEANS IF YOU ARE FIVE TO EIGHT YEARS OLDER THAN YOUR CHRONOLOGICAL AGE, YOU HAD A 20 TO 30% LOWER CHANCE OF LIVING TO AGE 90 WITH INTACT MOBILITY AND -- >> Reporter: THOSE MARKERS ARE KIND OF LIKE TRAFFIC SIGNALS FOR YOUR GENES.

HOW DID THEY GET THERE?

IN THE CASE OF ACCELERATED AGING, IT COULD BE BAD LUCK, BUT SCIENTISTS SAY THAT WELL- KNOWN FACTORS LIKE LACK OF EXERCISE AND POOR DIET DO INFLUENCE YOUR HEALTH.

PUT ANOTHER WAY, THEY CAN DETERMINE YOUR HEALTH SPAN.

>> MANY OF US THINK ABOUT GROWING OLDER AND THE THING WE PERHAPS FEAR MOST ISN'T DYING, BUT LOSING THE ABILITY TO LIVE THE LIVES WE WANT TO LIVE.

AT LEAST IN SURVEYS IN THE PAST, THAT'S WHAT OLDER ADULTS HAVE TOLD US.

THEY DON'T CARE AS MUCH ABOUT LIVING TO BE THE OLDEST AGE THEY CAN BE, BUT THEY CARE A LOT ABOUT BEING ABLE TO DO THE THINGS THAT THEY LOVE DOING FOR THE LONGEST PERIOD OF TIME.

THAT'S REALLY WHAT HEALTH SPAN IS.

>> Reporter: IF ACCELERATED AGING CAN BE REVERSED OR STOPPED ALTOGETHER, THAT'S WHAT SOME OF THESE OLDER FOLKS ARE TRYING TO DO WITH THIS EXERCISE STUDIO IN LA MESA.

THIS STUDIO, PART OF SAN DIEGO OASIS WAS FILLED WITH PEOPLE TAKING A SOUL DANCING CLASS WHEN WE STOPPED BY.

ONE OF MANY EXERCISE CLASSES THEY OFFER.

>> OH MY GOSH.

IT KEEPS YOUR MIND YOUNG.

IT KEEPS YOUR HEART YOUNG.

JUST YOUR WHOLE BODY.

IT KEEPS YOU MOVING AND IT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR THE WHOLE PICTURE OF HEALTH.

>> Reporter: BETH WARMAN CLEARLY EXERCISES HERE TO KEEP HER BIOLOGICAL AGE AS LOW AS POSSIBLE.

ELEANOR SMITH, 88 YEARS OLD, IS A HEALTH INSTRUCTOR AT SAN DIEGO OASIS.

IT'S NOT JUST TO STAY YOUNG.

IT'S TO FEEL GOOD AND BE ABLE TO DO THE THINGS YOU WANT TO DO.

>> Reporter: SOME PEOPLE HAVE SEEN THEIR HEALTH SPANS RUN OUT LIKE ANDREA LACROIX'S MOTHER WHO HAS ADVANCED ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE.

>> SINCE SHE CAN NO LONGER GET OUT OF HER CHAIR, SHE CAN'T SPEAK, SHE CAN'T SAY OUR NAMES, AND WE CAN'T TELL IF SHE KNOWS US.

IF SHE KNOWS THAT WE ARE HER DAUGHTERS.

>> Reporter: LaCROIX SAYS EVERY PERSON NEEDS TO DECIDE WHAT THEIR HEALTH SPAN MEANS TO THEM AND THAT IS CRUCIAL WHEN IT COMES TO PLANNING THE FINAL YEARS OF OUR LIVES.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> NOW WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE HEAT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

MEANWHILE, EVEN THOUGH WE COULD SEE A LITTLE BIT OF A DOWNWARD TREND IN THUNDERSTORM COVERAGE OVER THE INTERIOR THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS, WE WILL START TO SEE THAT MOISTURE AND SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS INCREASE AGAIN LATER ON THIS WEEK.

THAT CAN INFLUENCE THOSE TEMPERATURES PERHAPS COMING DOWN JUST A BIT.

WATER VAPOR LOOP.

LOOK AT ALL THAT DRY AIR IN PLACE.

MONSOONS STILL IN FULL EFFECT TOWARD THE EAST.

THERE CAN BE A FEW SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

AGAIN, MAINLY OVER THE EAST THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

ALSO THE HEAT.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE HEAT THE NEXT COUPLE OF AFTERNOONS.

HEAT ADVISORY UP THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING THOSE TEMPERATURES GOING WAY UP AGAIN.

INCREASING CLOUDINESS FOR THE OVERNIGHT WILL DROP DOWN INTO THE UPPER 60s AND AS WE TAKE A LOOK AROUND THE AREA, SAN DIEGO COUNTY, NOTICE SOME OF THE NUMBERS HERE FALLING BACK TO 66.

EAST OVER BORREGO SPRINGS, DROPPING DOWN TO 80.

CHULA VISTA GOING DOWN TO 67.

HERE IS A LOOK AT FUTURECAST.

MORNING, LOW CLOUDS.

THOSE DISSOLVED AGAIN.

A SPOTTY SHOWER STORM OVER THE INTERIOR.

TIMEFRAME CANNOT BE ROLLED OUT.

THAT COULD BE THE CASE ALL THE WAY INTO WEDNESDAY.

WE ARE MAINLY GOING TO BE DRY AS WE TALK ABOUT THE COAST, THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO.

FLASH FLOODING POSSIBILITIES.

THAT'S GOING TO BE OVER SUB NEVADA BACK INTO ARIZONA.

EVEN INTO THE CENTRAL SIERRA.

TEMPERATURES CLOUDING UP TO 80.

SAN DIEGO, BORREGO SPRINGS, THERE IS THAT THUNDERSTORM AROUND MOUNT LAGUNA.

NOTICE THE NUMBERS COMING DOWN A BIT TOWARD THE COAST.

THE HUMIDITY WILL STAY UP.

THE SAME OVER THE INTERIOR.

INTO THE MID-90s AND 80s.

THUNDERSTORM CHANCES CONTINUE.

AN UPTICK IN THE MOISTURE LATER ON THIS WEEK.

THAT CAN ALSO BE SAID HERE INTO THE DESERT.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> ONE THIRD OF THE FOOD THAT WE EAT IS AT RISK BECAUSE OF THE CLIMATE CRISIS IS ENDANGERING BUTTERFLIES AND BEES.

SCIENTISTS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THE MONARCH BUTTERFLIES DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO EXTINCTION.

SOME WILDLIFE SPECIALISTS SAY LOSING POLLINATORS WOULD AFFECT THE FOOD SUPPLY.

APPLES, MELONS, BROCCOLI AND ALMONDS ARE AMONG THE FOODS MOST SUSCEPTIBLE.

SCIENTISTS SAY IF YOU CAN HELP POLLINATORS REBOUND BY PLANTING NATIVE WILDLIFE AND USING LESS PESTICIDE AROUND YOUR HOME.

>>> ORGANIZED FIREFIGHTING HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE ANCIENT ROME BUT ASPECTS OF THE PROFESSION HAVE BEEN SLOW TO ADAPT EVEN INTO MODERN TIMES.

TODAY, ONLY A FRACTION OF CAREER FIREFIGHTERS ARE WOMEN.

GONZALEZ REPORTS ON THE PUSH TO MAKE THE INDUSTRY MORE INCLUSIVE AND THE SIGNS THAT IT'S MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> Reporter: THIS IS NOT THE UNIFORM.

OLIVIA WOULD HAVE EVER IMAGINED FOR HERSELF.

SHE WILL BE THE FIRST TO TELL YOU SHE ACCIDENTALLY FELL INTO FIREFIGHTING AFTER HER LIFE VIOLENTLY CHANGED YEARS AGO, WHEN SOMEONE, TEXTING AND DRIVING, RAN HER OVER.

>> FROM THEN ON, I DECIDED I WANTED TO GIVE BACK TO MY COMMUNITY.

THEY INSPIRED ME TO PURSUE EMT AND FIRST-AID CLASSES.

>> Reporter: AT 5'2", 110 POUNDS, SHE WASN'T SURE SHE COULD KEEP UP.

ONE REASON, SOME WOMEN, MIGHT AVOID THE JOB.

>> I MIGHT NOT BE AS TALL OR STRONG AS SOME OF THEM, BUT I DEFINITELY, WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO, THE MOST IMPORTANT PART, WOULD BE TO DO THE JOB.

>> Reporter: IN A JOB NEVER INTENDED TO INCLUDE THEM, WOMEN FACE MAJOR OBSTACLES.

THE LAST MAJOR SURVEY ON THE SUBJECT, SEXUAL HARASSMENT, DISSEMINATION, AND OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE ILL FITTING UNIFORMS AND GEAR DESIGN FOR MEN.

IN HER DECADE OF FIRE SERVICE IN CALIFORNIA, WHILE THE NUMBER OF WOMEN FIREFIGHTERS IS INCREASING IT REMAINS RELATIVELY LOW ACCORDING TO THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS.

SURPASSING THE COUNT OF WOMEN IN CAREER FIREFIGHTING.

THEY MAKE UP LESS THAN 5% OF THE U.S. FIRE SERVICE.

THERE IS A PUSH ACROSS THE NATION TO TURN THAT AROUND.

2500 MILES AWAY IN ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, CAMA PETE IS SHOWING TEENAGERS WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A REAL FIREFIGHTER.

AT 18 YEARS OLD, HEATHER STRICKLAND'S HEART IS IN FIREFIGHTING.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT.

THIS CAMP SHOWS WHY.

IT'S IMPORTANT.

>> I'M A PEOPLE PERSON.

I'M A HUMANITARIAN AT HEART.

>> Reporter: SIGNS OF PROGRESS CAN BE SEEN ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP.

A WOMAN APPOINTED IN 2020 TO THE SECOND HIGHEST FIRE POSITION IN THE COUNTRY AS DEPUTY U.S. FIRE ADMINISTRATOR.

THE FOLLOWING YEAR, ANOTHER WOMAN WAS APPOINTED AS THE U.S. FIRE ADMINISTRATOR.

>> THE HARD PART FOR YOUNG FEMALES -- THEY MAY NOT SEE THEMSELVES AS BEING ABLE TO FIT IN.

>> Reporter: THAT REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

THE WORK IS NOWHERE NEAR DONE.

LACK AND BROWN WOMEN MAKE UP JUST A FRACTION OF THEIR WHITE MALE COUNTERPARTS.

THESE WOMEN FIGHT NOT ONLY FIRES, BUT ALSO FOR A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

>> I'VE GOT TO KEEP GOING.

I CAN'T STOP NOW.

>>> I AM ISABEL ROSALES, REPORTING.

>>> DOZENS OF JUNIOR LIFEGUARDS MADE A SPLASH IN OCEAN BEACH JUMPING OFF THE PIER FOR A GOOD PAUSE.

>> THREE, TWO, ONE, STEP.

>> THE SECOND ROUND OF A SUMMER FUNDRAISER AND THE ONLY TIME PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO JUMP OFF THE PIER.

THE EVENT IS HOSTED BY THE PREVENT DROWNING FOUNDATION OF SAN DIEGO TO RAISE MONEY FOR KIDS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

>> NOT EVERY CHILD HAS THE OPPORTUNITY.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE ACCESS.

THEY DON'T HAVE THE MEANS.

WE WANT TO PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EVERYONE.

IT'S A LIFE SKILL THAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LEARN HOW TO SWIM.

WE WANT TO MAKE THAT POSSIBLE.

>> ACCORDING TO THE FOUNDATION, FORMAL SWIMMING LESSONS REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF A CHILD DROWNING AT ALMOST 90%.

DROWNING IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF UNINTENTIONAL INJURY DEATHS FOR CHILDREN AGES 1-4 AND THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE FOR KIDS UNDER 14.

THEY ARE EXPECTED TO RAISE $75,000 FROM TODAY'S JUMP TO FUND SWIM CLASSES.

>>> OUR WOMEN AND GIRLS FIGHT FOR BASIC RIGHTS IN AFGHANISTAN ONE YEAR AFTER THE TALIBAN TAKEOVER.

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

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON FOR TOMORROW IN THE KPBS NEWSROOM.

ONE YEAR SINCE THE -- FIRE ERUPTED, REDUCING ONE TOWN TO ASH AND DEBRIS.

ON MORNING EDITION, HOW A STALLED U.S. FOREST SERVICE PROJECT COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE DESTRUCTION.

ON MIDDAY ADDITION, A NEW VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF MIRA MESA.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US, I'M MAYA TRABULSI , GOOD NIGHT.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE PLUMBING.

PROVIDING FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL-TRAN19 OR VISIT BILL HOWE.COM.

DARLENE MARCO SHYLY AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

♪