>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS A BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING, AND AIR APPEARED PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR, HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN TRAIN, HEATING, AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

AND BY THE CONRAD FOUNDATION.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING, IT IS MONDAY, DECEMBER 27th.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

CORONAVIRUS CASES HAVE BEEN INCREASING SINCE THE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY AND SOME SAY IT IS THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER SURGE.

THESE NUMBERS FROM THE COUNTY SHOW SUPPORT TREND.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN SPOKE WITH THE LEADER FROM ONE OF THE REGION'S LARGEST HEALTH PROVIDERS.

HE TELLS US HOW THE SYSTEM IS EXPECTED TO BE STRETCHED IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

>> WE ARE SEEING A SUDDEN INCREASE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS AND POSITIVE TESTING.

>> Reporter: SCRIPPS HEALTH CEO SAYS JUST IN THE LAST FEW DAYS, MORE AND MORE SANDY HIGGINS ARE COMING IN WITH THE VIRUS NEEDING TO BE HOSPITALIZED.

>> FROM THE 23rd, WE'VE GONE FROM 80 ADMISSIONS TO 119 ADMISSIONS BUT IT IS A HUGE INCREASE.

WE ARE SEEING THE SAME AND TESTING.

>> Reporter: THEN COURSES TESTING POSITIVITY IS ALSO INCREASING AS MANY REST TO CHECK FOR THE VIRUS BEFORE HOLIDAY GATHERINGS.

WE HAVE SEEN LONG LINES AT COUNTY SITES, A TREND ALTERNATING THE NATION.

>> SEEING HOW TOUGH IT WAS FOR SOME FOLKS TO GET A TEST THIS WEEKEND SHOWS WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID TODAY THAT OMICRON IS A CONCERN BUT ARE PREPARED AND PEOPLE SHOULD NOT PANICKED.

MORE TRANSMISSIBLE VARIANT IS LIKELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE UPTICK IN CASE.

WELL HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE INCREASING, WITH MILLIONS VACCINATED, THIS WOULD BE A DIFFERENT WINTER THERE MUST.

>> WE WILL NOT SEE HOSPITALIZATIONS LIKE IT WAS A YEAR AGO.

A YEAR AGO ON JANUARY 8, WE HAD 500 PATIENTS IN THE HOSPITAL.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO SEE THAT KIND OF HOSPITALIZATION RATES BECAUSE OF VACCINATIONS.

>> Reporter: MODELING SHOWS HOSPITALIZATIONS PEAKING IN JANUARY AND SAYS THEIR SYSTEM WILL BE STRETCHED.

>> EVERY HOSPITAL HAS STAFFING SHORTAGES RIGHT NOW.

THERE IS A HUGE AMOUNT OF BURNOUT, FATIGUE THAT, AND OUR PEOPLE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING COVID- 19 EVERY DAY FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.

>> Reporter: IF HOSPITALIZATIONS KEEP INCREASING HEALTH CARE GIANTS LIKE SCRIPPS MAY HAVE TO SCALE BACK OTHER PROCEDURES TO HELP AVOID THAT.

>> THE BEST PROTECTION IS TO GET VACCINATED OR GET POSTED.

MANY OF THE PEOPLE WITH VACCINATIONS WILL PROBABLY SEE A MILD CASE OF COVID-19.

THOSE WITHOUT VACCINATIONS HAVE A MUCH, MUCH HIGHER RISK.

>> Reporter: IN YOU AND IN THE TREATMENT FOR COVID-19 SHOULD BE ARRIVING IN SAN DIEGO SOON.

HE SAYS WHEN DUTY OF THE HOSPITALIZATIONS AND THEY ARE SEEING ARE IN THE UNVACCINATED.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> 115 USA'S TOP STARS SINCE SHE HAS COVID-19.

MIKAELA SHIFFRIN IS A GOLD MEDAL SKIER PREPARING FOR THE WINTER GAMES IN FEBRUARY.

HER POSITIVE STATUS WILL FORCE HER TO MISS WORLD CUP EVENTS THIS WEEK.

LOCALLY, THE SAN DIEGO GOALS HOCKEY TEAM IS POSTPONING TWO THINGS.

THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO PLAY TONIGHT AND WEDNESDAY.

AS OF NOW, THEY WON'T PLAY AGAIN UNTIL A ROAD GAME, FRIDAY IN TUCSON.

>>> COVID-19 IS ALSO CAUSING UNPRECEDENTED PROBLEMS FOR THE NFL.

TODAY, THE LEAGUE ANNOUNCED 106 PLAYERS ARE ON THE COVID-19 PROTOCOLS LIST, WITH 96 OF THEM TESTING POSITIVE FOR THE VIRUS.

IN RECENT WEEKS, THE HAVE SCRAMBLED TO RESCHEDULE GAMES DURING THE PLAYOFF PUSH.

>>> THOUSANDS OF LOCAL KIDS WILL BE BACK IN SCHOOL NEXT MONDAY AFTER ENJOYING ANOTHER WEEK OF HOLIDAY VACATION.

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED OFFICIALS ARE NOT TAKING A BREAK IN THE EFFORT TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 AND PROTECT STAFF AND STUDENTS.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER MJ PEREZ HAS MORE ON THE LATEST PUSH TO EDUCATE, VACCINATE, AND TEST.

>> Reporter: SEVEN-YEAR-OLD TWIN BROTHERS JUAN AND GIOVANNI LISA JUNIOR HAVE BEEN TESTED FOR COVID-19 AT LEAST 10 TIMES AS WELL.

THIS MORNING, THE FIRST-GRADERS WERE ALSO JOINED BY THEIR SISTER AND THEIR MOTHER.

THEIR FATHER BROUGHT THE FAMILY FOR TESTING BECAUSE HE FOUND HIMSELF IN THE FAMILIAR PARENTAL PREDICAMENT THESE DAYS WHEN THE BOYS STARTED WITH THE SNOW FALLS.

>> RUNNY NOSE, COUGH.

WITH THE CHANGE OF WEATHER, IT IS ALWAYS GOOD THEOLOGIES, WE DON'T KNOW.

WITH COVID-19 NOWADAYS, IT IS BETTER TO JUST GET TESTED AND PLAY IT SAFE.

>> Reporter: IT IS A CONCERN FOR VIRGINIA MESA TOO.

SHE IS A WORKING MOTHER WITH A JOB AS A SPECIAL EDUCATION ASSISTANT IN THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> WHEN THEY GET SICK OR ANYTHING THAT THEY CAN'T GO TO SCHOOL, WHO HAS TO STAY WITH THEM?

MOM.

IF WE HAVE TO WORK, WE HAVE TO ASK FOR DAYS OFF TO STAY WITH OUR KIDS.

>> Reporter: GETTING TESTED FOR COVID-19 AND VACCINATED AGAINST IT IS A HOLIDAY TRADITION MOST FAMILIES EXPECTED.

FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT COME TO THE TEST SITE, SAN DIEGO UNIFIED IS OFFERING A HOME OPTION.

MORE THAN 88,000 STUDENTS WERE GIVEN AT HOME COVID-19 TEST KITS TO USE BEFORE RETURNING TO SCHOOL JANUARY 3rd.

THE CATS ARE NOT MANDATORY BUT, WITH THE OMICRON OUTBREAK GROWING, THEY ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED.

THE DISTRICT HAS ALSO PARTNERED WITH THE SAN DIEGO LATINO HEALTH COALITION AND ALLIANCE SAN DIEGO FOR DOOR-TO- DOOR OUTREACH.

COMMUNITY WORKERS CONTINUE CANVASSING LEUKOCYTES AND TARGETING OTHER PREDOMINANTLY HISPANIC NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE VACCINATION AND COVID-19 TESTING RATES ARE LOW.

THIS IS AN EDUCATION EFFORT TO SPREAD TRUTH AND FACTS ABOUT THE PANDEMIC VIRUS AND ITS LATEST VARIANCE.

DARREN OSBORNE IS A SAN DIEGO FIREFIGHTER WHO BROUGHT HIS TWO CHILDREN TO GET TESTED.

HE AND HIS MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL LIFE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE DISTRICT SUPPORT.

>> WHEN THEY ASK THE QUESTIONS, WE TRY TO GIVE THEM THE BEST INFORMATION WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO US.

WE INCLUDE OUR OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH THIS DISEASE.

>>> DAD SEEMED TO AGREE.

>> LET THEM KNOW THAT EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE FUN.

YOU TRY NOT TO WORRY THEM.

IF YOU WERE WITH HIM MORE, IT AFFECTS THEM IN SCHOOL AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT FOR THE MESA FAMILY TODAY.

ALL THE RAPID TEST RESULTS CAME BACK NEGATIVE FOR COVID-19.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE NAVAL HOSPITAL IN SAN DIEGO IS HELPING A CIVILIAN HOSPITAL IN NEW MEXICO OVERWHELMED BY THE COVID-19.

MILITARY REPORTER STEVE WALSH SAYS IT COMES AS MORE DEADLINES APPROACH FOR TROOPS TO GET VACCINATED.

>> STARTING IN EARLY DECEMBER, MAYBE THAT IS IN READINESS AND TRAINING COMMAND IN SAN DIEGO SINCE 18 OF 22 A HOSPITAL IN NEW MEXICO.

THE STATE HAS SEEN A SPIKE IN COVID-19 ADMISSIONS.

MILITARY TEAMS HAVE BEEN DISPATCHED TO HOSPITALS IN COLORADO AND MICHIGAN, WHICH HAVE SEEN SIMILAR SPIKES.

PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID ANOTHER 1000 SERVICEMEMBERS WILL BE CALLED UP TO HELP OVERBURDENED CIVILIAN HOSPITALS AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THIS COMES AS THE MILITARY CONTINUES TO RESPOND TO COVID- 19 WITHIN ITS RANKS.

A MARINE SPOKESMAN SAYS, AS OF THIS WEEK, 169 MARINES HAVE BEEN KICKED OUT OF THE MARINE CORPS FOR REFUSING THE VACCINE.

OVERALL, THE MARINES HAVE IN VACCINATION RATE THAN THE REST OF THE MILITARY.

94% ARE FULLY VACCINATED AS OPPOSED TO 98% AMONG ALL PAGES.

THE MARINES HAVE GRADED INTENTIONS FOR REASONS SUCH AS IF A MARINE HAS HAD A REACTION TO THE VACCINE OR IF THEY ARE IN A PLACE WHERE THE VACCINE IS NOT IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE.

NEITHER THE MARINES OR THE NAVY HAVE GRADED RELIGIOUS EXCEPTIONS.

THE MARINES HAVE ALREADY FOR REALLY EJECTED MOST OF THE 100 WHO APPLIED.

THE DEADLINE HAS ALREADY PASSED FOR ALL ACTIVE-DUTY TROOPS TO BE VACCINATED.

THE NEXT DEADLINES WILL BE AT THE END OF THE YEAR FOR THE BABY AND RESERVES AND AIR NATIONAL GUARD.

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS HAVE UNTIL JUNE.

THE CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD HAS ALREADY SAID THEY WILL COMPLY WITH ALL INTERSTATE POLICIES, WHICH REQUIRE ALL TROOPS TO BE VACCINATED.

STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE PAST WEEK HAS BROUGHT CHAOS TO LIVE ON AND SPOTTER SCREENINGS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

ISABELLE ROSALES HAS THE LATEST ON A STRING OF FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS LINKED TO THE SURGEON COVID-19 IN CASE.

>> Reporter: TRAVELERS LEFT TREATED AS HOLIDAY DISRUPTIONS PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.

ACCORDING TO FLIGHT AWARE, MORE THAN 2000 FLIGHTS CANCELED GLOBALLY MONDAY.

>> WE CHANGED OUR FLIGHT ONE NONSTOP FLIGHT.

IN HOPES OF NOT HAVING ANY CANCELLATIONS.

>> Reporter: THE OMICRON.

STRIKING AIRLINE CREWS DURING ONE OF THE BUSIEST TIMES OF THE YEAR FOR AIR TRAVEL.

BY SEE, AT LEAST FOUR CRUISE SHIPS DENIED ENTRY FROM PORTS THIS WEEK OR PROHIBITED FROM DISEMBARKING AFTER POSITIVE COVID-19 CASES BOARD.

>> WHEN YOU SEE, YOU CAN'T GO ANYWHERE, GET OFF THE SHIP.

IT KIND OF FELT LIKE WE WERE TOLD NOT KNOWING ANY PEOPLE COVID-19.

>> Reporter: DEMAND FOR COVID- 19 TESTS IS SEWING.

>> I'M SUPPOSED TO WORK THIS ENTIRE WEEK SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE I HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE IF THAT IS THE CASE.

>> Reporter: AVAILABILITY A CHALLENGE.

HAS SOME PHARMACIES AND TEST SITES HAVE RUN OUT.

IN THE CASE RATES IN THE U.S. HAVE SURPASSED THE DELTA SEARCH WILL HOSPITALIZATION NUMBERS REMAIN LITERALLY NO LOW.

>> TRAN26 WAS OF CONCERN BUT IT SHOULD NOT BE A SOURCE OF PANIC.

>> Reporter: DOCTORS EXPECT THE OMICRON SURGE TO GROW IN THE U.S.

LOOKING AT NEW YEAR'S EVE, MEDICAL EXPERTS SAY SMALL GATHERINGS OF FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE ARE SAFE.

>> WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY WITH 30, 40, 50 PEOPLE CELEBRATING, YOU DO NOT KNOW THE STATUS OF THE VACCINATION, I WOULD RECOMMEND STRONGLY TO STAY AWAY FROM THAT THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, ISABELLE ROSALES, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CHULA VISTA INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF CLERMONT ARE OVERFLOWING WITH TRENDS.

THAT IS BECAUSE SANITATION WORKERS ARE STILL ON STRIKE.

FRIEND ONE HAS MORE FROM THE PICKET LINE IN CHULA VISTA.

>> Reporter: IN BRIGHT YELLOW JACKETS WITH TICKETS SIGNS IN HAND, REPUBLIC SERVICES WORKERS IN CHULA VISTA CONTINUED THE TWINS OF THEIR STRIKE, DEMANDING REPUBLIC SERVICES TO BARGAIN IN GOOD FAITH WITH TEAMSTERS LOCAL 542.

THAT UNION PRESENTS MORE THAN 200 REPUBLIC SERVICES WORKERS ACROSS THE COUNTY THAT I'M ASKING FOR A CONTRACT.

>> TO ME, IT WAS DISRESPECTFUL.

IT IS KIND OF A SLAP IN THE FACE.

>> Reporter: DONNIE CASTILLE HAS BEEN A DRIVER WITH THE COMPANY FOR FIVE YEARS.

HE SAYS REPUBLIC SERVICES AND THE UNION SAT AT THE TABLE ON CHRISTMAS EVE BUT THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE THEY WERE HOPING FOR DIDN'T COME THROUGH.

>> IT IS NOT MOVING ANYWHERE.

WE ARE GOING TO BE HERE UNTIL WE HAVE A CONTRACT ON THE TABLE.

>> Reporter: SINCE WORKERS WENT ON STRIKE ON DECEMBER 17th, RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS WHO RELY ON TRASH PICKUP HAVE BEEN OUT OF LUCK.

SOME NEIGHBORHOODS ARE STARTING TO SEE THEIR GARBAGE PILE UP.

>> THE TRASH IS OVERFLOWING.

>> Reporter: RICARDO OCHOA SINCE THE OVERFLOWING TRASH AT HIS APARTMENT COMPLEX IS UNSANITARY.

DESPITE HIS FRUSTRATION, HE AND HIS SON HELD PICKET SIGNS AND MARCHED IN SOLIDITY WITH THE SANITATION WORKERS.

>> THEY BRING THEIR JOB ON THE LINE DURING THE TIME THEY SHOULD BE AT HOME WITH FAMILY.

>> Reporter: THE DRIVER SAYS REPUBLIC SERVICES BROUGHT OUTSIDE HELP WHILE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE.

>> RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE BRINGING IN OTHER WORKERS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, OTHER STATES.

>> Reporter: IN A STATEMENT TO CUSTOMERS, REPUBLIC SERVICES APOLOGIZED FOR THE INCONVENIENCE AND GAVE RESIDENTS THE OPTION TO TAKE THEIR TRASH TO THE LANDFILL.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE PAINT SMELL OF CHRISTMAS TREES WILL SOON BE GONE IN MANY HOMES DECORATIONS GET AWAY.

KPBS WOODS COUNTY REPORTER TONYA THORNE TELLS US CHRISTMAS TREE RECYCLING LOCATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR BUSINESS.

>> CHRISTMAS IS OVER.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE TREE DOWN.

>> Reporter: DEMOCRATS PRESIDENT GREG KERR COULD HAVE TOPPED UP HIS CHRISTMAS TREE AND PUT IT IN HIS GREEN WAISTBAND.

HE FOUND AN EASIER OPTION.

>> THIS IS WAY EASIER.

OUR COMMUNITY COMMUNAL, RECYCLE BINS AND TRASH CANS ARE ALWAYS IMMENSELY PACKED RIGHT AFTER CHRISTMAS.

JUST STRAP THE TREE TO THE TOP OF THE JEEP AND BRING IT DOWN HERE.

>> Reporter: THE WASTE COMPANY HAS SET UP FREE CHRISTMAS TREES FLIGHT RECYCLING LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY.

THE SAN MARCO'S SENIOR CENTER IS ONE OF THEM.

PEOPLE CAN DROP OFF THEIR TREES TO BE RECYCLED FROM NOW UNTIL JANUARY 9th.

CLIENT CAN ALSO USE THREE CURBSIDE PICKUP BUT THE TREE NEEDS TO BE CUT UP IN PIECES.

CAN'T HAVE A STAND, TINSEL, OR ORNAMENTS.

CURBSIDE PICKUPS ARE FREE FROM NOW UNTIL JANUARY 10th ON REGULAR COLLECTION DAYS.

AS THE HOLIDAYS WRAPPED UP, AT LEAST HAVE ASKED PEOPLE TO TRY AND NOT CREATE EXTRA WASTE AND RECYCLE WHAT THE CAN.

TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS WE WRAP UP 2021, WE ARE REVISITING SOME OF OUR BEST FEATURE REPORTING.

THIS SPRING, KPBS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER TALKED TO THOSE WHO RELY ON CAL FRESH TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES AND LEARNED HOW HARD IT CAN BE TO KEEP THAT ASSISTANCE.

>> Translator: FISH, WELL, SALMON, WHICH IS AT TIMES VERY EXPENSIVE.

>> Reporter: MARIA GONZALES STANDS OUTSIDE HER EL CAJON APARTMENT AND TALKS ABOUT WHAT SHE LIKES TO BUY WITH HER OMICRON ON FOOD STAMPS.

>> Translator: SALMON, FRESH CHICKEN GREEN, ORGANIC KIND.

WE LIKE THE GOOD STUFF WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE.

>> Reporter: THE 74-YEAR-OLD HOUSECLEANER FINALLY GOT ON THE PROGRAM IN 2019.

>> Translator: IT TOOK THEM A WHILE TO REPLY BUT LET'S BE GLAD THEY DID ACCEPT ME.

I ONLY LASTED A MERE TWO MONTHS.

>> Reporter: WITHIN A MATTER OF MONTHS, HER ELATION HAD TURNED TO DISAPPOINTMENT.

GONZALEZ OCHOA WAS TOLD HER BENEFITS HAS STOPPED BECAUSE A REPORT WAS MISSING.

HOWEVER, SHE SAYS THAT IS NOT RIGHT.

>> Translator: I CALLED AND ASKED THEM IF THEY HAD RECEIVED IT AND THEY SAID YES.

BUT NOT THAT WAS THE END OF DECEMBER, I CALLED THEM AND THEY SAID IT HAD BEEN SUSPENDED.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW AND THE CAL FRESH PROGRAM, WHICH DISTRIBUTES FOOD STAMPS PAID FOR BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AN INDIVIDUAL WILL RECEIVE $234.00 A MONTH.

A TEMPORARY INCREASE DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

THIS MONEY COMES WITH A NUMBER OF STRINGS ATTACHED.

EVERY SIX MONTHS, RECIPIENTS HAVE TO PROVIDE WRITTEN PROOF OF ANY AND ALL CHANGES TO THEIR EMPLOYMENT STATUS, FAMILY SIZE, AND LIVING ARRANGEMENTS.

THEY ALSO HAVE TO SUBMIT TO AN INTERVIEW EITHER IN PERSON OR ON THE PHONE.

IF ANY OF THESE STEPS ARE MISSED, THE MONEY STOPS.

>> FAMILIES ARE SIX AND MORE LIKELY TO LEAVE THE PROGRAM IN THE MONTHS THEY HAVE TO JUMP THROUGH ONE OF THE PEOPLE GROUPS.

>> Reporter: A RESEARCH FELLOW AT UC BERKELEY CALIFORNIA POLICY LAB SAYS THE COMPLICATED PROCESS REGULARLY DRIVES OUT CAL FRESH RECIPIENTS WHO ARE STILL ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM.

IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND ACROSS THE STATE, BETWEEN HALF AND THREE QUARTERS OF THE RECIPIENTS WHO LEFT THE PROGRAM WERE STILL ELIGIBLE FOR THE BENEFITS, ACCORDING TO THE STUDY.

>> WE THINK THAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH UNDERSTAFFING AND A LACK OF TRAINING.

>> Reporter: THE CEO OF THE SAN DIEGO HUNGER COALITION, A NONPROFIT THAT HELPS PEOPLE APPLY FOR CAL FRESH.

SHE SAYS THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE COUNTY FUNDING FOR CASEWORKERS AND CALL CENTER OPERATORS WHO HELP PEOPLE GET THEIR BENEFITS.

>> WE ARE, WE WILL SEE WHETHER IT HAS BEEN JUST A LACK OF FUNDING THAT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THAT OR NOT NOW THAT WE'VE GOT MORE POLITICAL WILL TO MAKE THESE THINGS HAPPEN.

BUT WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH COMFORT WITH HOW MUCH PEOPLE SUFFER TRYING TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS DOING WHAT IT CAN TO HELP RECIPIENTS SINCE RICK WENT TO THE COUNTY DIRECTOR FOR SELF- SUFFICIENCY PROGRAMS.

>> WE DO SEND IT TO THEM BY EMAIL WITH INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO COMPLETE IT AND WHERE TO SEND IT BACK.

WE INCLUDE AN ENVELOPE WITH FREE POSTAGE ON IT.

WE ALSO SEND ALL OF OUR CUSTOMERS A TEXT MESSAGE REMINDER OF WHEN THEIR REPORT IS DUE.

THAT MESSAGE ALSO HAS A LINK WHERE THE CUSTOMER CAN ACTUALLY COMPLETE IT ELECTRONICALLY.

>> Reporter: BUT, HE SAYS SOME PEOPLE STOP THEIR BENEFITS WHILE THEY ARE STILL ELIGIBLE BECAUSE OF, "INDIVIDUAL CHOICE."

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME TEMPORARY CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM DURING COVID-19.

FOR SIX MONTHS, NO FORMS WERE REQUIRED AND THE INTERVIEW REQUIREMENT HAS BEEN SUSPENDED BUT WILL LIKELY RETURN IN JULY.

ALSO NEXT YEAR, HOUSEHOLDS WITH ONLY ELDERLY OR DISABLED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE NO EARNED INCOME WILL NOT HAVE TO SUBMIT FORMS.

THAT, THE CO-AUTHOR OF THE BERKELEY STUDY ONCE MORE.

HE SAYS ALL RECIPIENTS SHOULD ONLY FILE PAPERWORK ONCE A YEAR.

>> IT IS GOING TO BE CHEAPER FOR GOVERNMENT BECAUSE YOU DON'T ACTUALLY HAVE TO MONSTER THE RE-CERTIFICATIONS AS FREQUENTLY AND IT SAVES HOUSEHOLDS A LOT OF TIME AND STRESS.

FOR THE MOST PART, THAT TYPE OF REFORM WOULD MORE LIKELY BENEFIT A BUNCH OF ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS THEN.

>> Reporter: THAT WOULD TAKE AN ACT OF CONGRESS.

CLAIRE TRAGESER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, THE PANDEMIC PROCESS.

AMID HOLIDAY TRAVEL, HOSPITALS BODILY SURGE IN OMICRON CASES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THAT IS UP AT 7:00 RIGHT AFTER KPBS EVENING EDITION.

>>> THANKS FOR TUNING INTO KPBS NEWS.

MARVIN GOMEZ.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE WEATHER ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

HERE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO TRACK SNOW THAT WILL LEAVE ON THE CROSS THE MOUNTAINS TO OUR EAST AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE TRACKING THE COOL WEATHER.

IT IS GOING TO BE BREEZY ALSO FOR PARTS OF THE HIGHER TERRAIN .

THE UNSETTLED WEATHER PATTERN IS GOING TO STAY WITH US UNTIL THE MIDDLE OF THE WORK WEEK.

HERE IS A QUICK LOOK AT SOME OF THE OTHERS, WHICH IS ALWAYS CONTINUING TO TONIGHT FOR PARTS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THAT WILL BE OVER THE MOUNTAINS WHERE SOME AREAS COULD RECEIVE OVER 6 INCHES OF SNOW.

WE HAVE A HIGH WIND WARNING ALSO FOR THE EASTERN SIDE OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT COSTS THAT COULD PEEK OVER 60 MILES PER HOUR IN SOME CASES.

HERE IS A QUICK LOOK AT THE FUTURECAST.

SOME OF THE WET WEATHER THAT WILL COME ACROSS SAN DIEGO, CLOSER TO MIDNIGHT.

MOST OF THE ACTION SHOULD BE FURTHER SOUTH INTO MEXICO AFTER MIDNIGHT.

AS WE HEAD INTO OUR TUESDAY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO TRACK ONSHORE FLOW, WHICH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME ADDITIONAL SHOWERS, NOT JUST FOR TONIGHT ALONG THE COAST BUT ALSO FOR TOMORROW.

HERE IS A QUICK LOOK AT THE FORECAST.

MOUNT LAGUNA, 29.

VIRAGO SPRINGS AT 46.

A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN ACROSS YOUR AREA AS WE TAKE YOU INTO TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

NOTICE THOSE SHOWERS NEAR CHULA VISTA, TEMPERATURES AT 54 DEGREES.

58 FOR SAN DIEGO.

AS WE HEAD INTO WEDNESDAY, ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM WILL ONCE AGAIN BRING SOAKING RAIN FOR CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THE FORECAST ALONG THE COAST.

BUT LOTS OF SUNSHINE FOR US AND TEMPERATURES TRYING TO GRADUALLY WARM UP ONCE AGAIN INTO THE LOW 60s TOWARD THE END OF THE WEEK WEEK.

AS WE TALK ABOUT INLAND AREAS, WE ARE GOING TO NEED THE UMBRELLAS YOU AS WELL.

WILL WITH RING FOR WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY.

THERE MAY BE SOME SUNSHINE UNTIL NEXT WEEK.

HERE IS A QUICK LOOK AT THE FORECAST FOR THE MOUNTAINS.

VERY SLIPPERY TRAVEL CONDITIONS.

BE VERY CAUTIOUS IF YOU HAVE TO DRIVE THROUGH ANY OF THE PASSES.

TEMPERATURES NOT GOING ABOVE THE MID 30s.

ACROSS THE DESERTS, MOSTLY CLOUDY CONDITIONS WITH TEMPERATURES STAYING IN THE MID TO UPPER 50s FOR MOST OF THE WEEK WITH ALLITERATIVE WET WEATHER HEADING YOUR WAY TOWARD THE END OF THIS WEEK.

>>> IF YOU ARE HEADING OUT, BE SURE TO BUNDLE UP.

WITH A COLD NIGHT, LOCAL SHELTERS ARE EXTENDING CAPACITY.

EXTRA SPACE IS BEING MADE AT ALL THE DIRT VILLAGES AND THE SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION.

>>> CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS EFFECT ON OUR WEATHER IS ONE OF THE BIG STORYLINES OF 2021.

FROM CALIFORNIA STRENGTH TO EXTREME STORMS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, FEW PLACES WERE SPARED.

CHRIS BRUIN LOOKS BACK ONLY STORIES THAT ARE DEFINED THE BEST YEAR.

>> Reporter: WEATHERATE 2021 SHOWED UP IN SPREADS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

HOTTEST, COLDEST, BRIGHTEST, DRIEST, DEADLIEST.

WITH HURRICANES, ONE OF THE BUSIEST.

21 NAMED STORMS, INCLUDING 7 HURRICANES.

BACK TO BACK STORMS SLEEP TO THE NORTHEAST, SHATTERING ALL- TIME RAINFALL RECORDS.

IN AUGUST, HENRI DRENCHED PARTS OF THE NORTHEAST.

A STAGGERING AMOUNT OF RAIN IN TENNESSEE TRIGGERED FLASH FLOODING THAT KILLED AT LEAST 21 PEOPLE.

A ONE-TWO PUNCH JUST DAYS LATER.

ANOTHER HURRICANE CAME TO DO EVEN MORE DAMAGE.

HURRICANE IDA SLAMMED INTO THE LOUISIANA COAST AS A STRONG CATEGORY FOR WITH 150 MILE-PER- HOUR WINDS.

>> YOU COULD STILL JUST HEAR EVERYTHING DRIVING AND FLYING.

PEOPLE'S ROOFS WERE COMING OFF.

WE PRAYED THAT WE WOULD ALL LIVE.

>> Reporter: HURRICANE IDA WAS JUST GETTING STARTED, DUMPING TOO MUCH MONEY TOO FAST.

MORE THAN HALF A FOOT OF RAIN FELL IN JUST HOURS, CAUSING MASSIVE FLOODING.

IN NEW YORK, SUBWAY STATIONS TURNED INTO WATERFALLS, STREETS AND RIVERS, HIGHWAYS TURNED INTO SWAMPED PARKING LOT.

>> THAT TURNED INTO THE BIGGEST SINGLE HOUR OF RAIN FALLING NEW YORK CITY HISTORY WITH ALMOST NO WARNING.

>> Reporter: THE FLOODING KILLED ALMOST 60 PEOPLE ACROSS A HANDFUL OF STATES.

MANY DROWNED IN BASEMENT APARTMENTS.

LOSSES FROM HURRICANE IDA TOPPING $70 BILLION.

WHILE THE EAST HAD TOO MUCH WATER, THE WEST HAD TOO LITTLE.

A SUMMARY OF RECORD-BREAKING TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT AND SEVERE DROUGHT THE MORE THAN 100 LARGE WILDFIRES.

SMOKE SO INTENSE THAT WINDS PUSHED IT AS FAR AS NEW YORK AND CALIFORNIA ALONE, WILDFIRES SCORCHED MORE THAN 2.5 MILLION ACRES FROM JANUARY THROUGH NOVEMBER, STRAINING FIREFIGHTERS.

>> NOTHING LIKE 25 YEARS AGO WHEN I STARTED.

ALMOST EVERY FIRE WE HAVE NOW YOU ARE BRINGING IN OTHER UNITS , THE FOREST SERVICE, OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNTERPARTS.

>> Reporter: ALL HANDS ON DECK AS WORKERS AT LAKE TAHOE'S HEAVENLY SKI RESORT RESORTED TO USING SNOWBLOWERS TO WET THE AREA, HOPING TO FEND OFF CLAIMS.

CALIFORNIA'S DIXIE FIRE, THE STATE'S SECOND LARGEST EVER.

PLANS THREATEN THE WORLD'S LARGEST SEQUOIAS.

RECENT FIRES DESTROYING AS MUCH AS 18 PERCENT OF THE ICONIC TREES.

TEMPERATURES WENT TO EXTREMES.

MUCH OF THE REST SHIVERED THROUGH THE COLDEST FEBRUARY IN MORE THAN THREE DECADES.

>> IT IS ALL ABOUT SURVIVAL UNTIL IT STARTS GETTING WORN.

>> Reporter: THE POLAR VORTEX BROUGHT RICK THE COLD WEATHER TO STATES ARE ACCUSTOMED TO LOW TEMPERATURES.

IN TEXAS, DOZENS OF PEOPLE DIED BECAUSE OF THE EXTREME COLD, SNOW, AND ICE.

MONTHS LATER, THE HOTTEST SUMMER ON RECORD TIED WITH THE GOSPEL IN 1936.

>> CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?

>> Reporter: JUST DAYS BEFORE THE YEAR ENDED, A RARE AND DEVASTATING DECEMBER >>>.

AN OUTBREAK OF MORE THAN 5020 JUST TO HAVE THE DISTRACTION ACROSS EIGHT STATES, KILLING DOZENS OF PEOPLE AND LEAVING ENTIRE TOWNS IN VERMONT.

>> I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE THE LONGEST AND DEADLIEST TORNADO EVENT IN U.S. HISTORY.

>> Reporter: THE TOWN OF MAYFIELD, AND KENTUCKY, GONE.

TAKING THE FACTORY COMPLETELY LEVELED, KILLING EIGHT WORKERS.

>> I WATCHED SOME PEOPLE DIE.

MY QUESTION IS WHY?

>> Reporter: IN EDWARDSVILLE, ILLINOIS, AND AMAZON WAREHOUSE COLLAPSED, KILLING AT LEAST SIX WORKERS.

ONE TWISTER STAYED ON THE GROUND FOR MORE THAN 120 MILES, WAS 1 MILE WIDE AND HAD WIND SPEED UP TO 190 MILES PER HOUR.

THE DRASTIC U.S.

WEATHER PATTERNS MIRRORED AROUND THE GLOBE, CREATING THIS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY- GENERAL.

>> WE FACE A STARK CHOICE.

TO READ STOP IT OR IT STOPS US.

IT IS TIME TO SAY ENOUGH.

WE ARE DIGGING OUR OWN GRAVES.

>> Reporter: A WARNING ABOUT INCREASINGLY HARSH WEATHER.

I'M CHRUS NGUYEN, REPORTING.

>>> A BIG PARTY TO WELCOME THE HOLIDAY BOWL BACK TO SAN DIEGO IS JUST GETTING STARTED.

TONIGHT, THE SNAPDRAGON BOWL BASH AND CONCERT IS HAPPENING IN THE GASLAMP.

IT IS A BENEFIT FOR CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

80s BANDS "A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS," AND "THE ENGLISH BEAT."

THE HOLIDAY BOWL GAME BETWEEN NORTH CAROLINA STATE AND UCLA WILL BE PLAYED TOMORROW NIGHT AT PETCO PARK.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.