>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS.

AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

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

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

IT IS MONDAY, FEBRUARY 21.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

CALIFORNIA HAS ENTERED A NEW PHASE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19.

BUT NOT EVERYONE IS READY TO EASE INTO THE NEW NORMAL JUST YET.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN EXPLAINS.

>> I REALLY DO NOT SEE A NEW NORMAL FOR ME.

>> Reporter: FIALKO RECEIVED A KIDNEY FROM HER COUSIN A FEW YEARS AGO AND SHE HAS SINCE HAD TO TAKE AN IMMUNE COMPROMISING DRUGS TO KEEP HER BODY FROM REJECT BEING THE OREGON.

BEING HIGH RISK SHE HAS MOSTLY BEEN STAYING AT HOME DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> I DON'T WANT TO REGRET IT AT THE END OF THE DAY KNOWING THAT I HUNG OUT WITH SOMEBODY WHO WAS ACTUALLY POSITIVE AND THEY JUST FOUND OUT.

THAT SCARES ME RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THOSE THAT ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED MAY NOT GET ADEQUATE OR ANY COVERAGE FROM THE VACCINATION.

BUT SANTOS DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FEEL ABOUT TRANSITIONING INTO THE NEXT PANDEMIC PHASE.

>> WE WANT TO GET AWAY FROM A REACTIVE MINDSET AND GET CLOSER TO LIVING WITH THE VIRUS.

>> THE LAST A FEW DAYS I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT THE WORDS THAT THE WORLD HAS MOVED ON BUT THEY ARE PEOPLE LIKE ME THAT THAT UNDERGO THE SAME THINGS THAT I DO.

>> Reporter: MOVING TO AN ENDEMIC RESPONSE IS A RECOGNITION THAT THE VIRUS IS NOT GOING AWAY.

>> SOMETIMES IT IS A HARD PILL FOR ME TO SWALLOW.

IT TAKES LONGER FOR ME TO GET TO NORMAL AND I AM HAVING TROUBLE ADJUSTING TO WHAT NORMAL MIGHT BE FOR ME.

>> Reporter: WE ARE HEARING FROM STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS THAT THE PANDEMIC RESPONSE WILL CONTINUE WITH VACCINES, TESTING AND TREATMENT.

>> ALL OF THAT IS MORE OF A STATE OF PREPARING FOR THINGS THAT WE CAN PREPARE FOR LIKE, PREPARING FOR THE FLU AND FOR OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES.

>> I WOULD NOT REALLY THINK OF IT THAT WAY.

BUT FOR PEOPLE WITH NORMAL IMMUNITY, I GUESS IT IS EASY FOR THEM TO SAY THAT.

>> Reporter: SANTOS IS HOPING TO TAKE A NEW ANTIBODY TREATMENT SHOULD GIVE HER SOME IMMUNITY.

>> THERE HAS NOT BEEN MUCH GUIDANCE FOR PEOPLE SUFFERING LIKE ME.

EXCEPT FOR MY DOCTOR AND HE JUST SAYS, ABSOLUTELY NO RESTAURANTS.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW HER STRATEGY IS TO CONTINUE TO BE CAUTIOUS.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SCHOOLS IN POWAY WANT MORE GUIDANCE ON WHEN THEY CAN SAY IT IS OKAY TO NO LONGER WEAR MASKS.

ONE PARENT PUT HIS CHILD IN A PRIVATE SCHOOL PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE MASK RULES.

ANOTHER SAYS THAT PUBLIC HEALTH SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED, DESPITE THE INCONVENIENCE.

>> MASKS DON'T WORK.

IT IS ALL THEATER AND OUR CHILDREN PAY THE PRICE.

>> I WAS FRUSTRATED BY THE LETTER BECAUSE IT WAS DEFINITELY GIVING PRIORITY TO THE GROUPS THEY HAVE BEEN PROTECTING.

>> THEY SAY THE MASK ISSUE IS CAUSING MORE DEFIANCE AMONG KIDS AND HARASSMENT OF TEACHERS.

A FOR THE RULING IS EXPECTED BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

>>> WE NEED THE RAIN AND WE ARE ABOUT TO GET MORE AS WELL AS SOME SNOW.

A WINTER STORM WARNING IS BEING ISSUED AND THEY COULD LEAD TO DANGEROUS CONDITIONS IN THE COUNTY.

KPBS REPORTER KITTY ALVARADO HAS MORE.

>>> COME TUESDAY AFTERNOON, EVERYTHING WILL CHANGE.

OF THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A WINTER STORM WARNING STARTING TUESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

AFTER A MOSTLY DRY WINTER.

>> WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT GETTING THE SNOWFALL AND THE RAIN.

IT IS A DOUBLE EDGE SWORD.

WE NEED THE PRECIPITATION IN THE WATER.

BUT THAT COMES WITH OTHER ISSUES.

>> THE U.S. FOR HIS SERVICES THEY ARE PREPARING FOR SEVERE WEATHER TO HIT THE MOUNTAIN REGIONS.

THOSE HEADED UP THE MOUNTAIN SHOULD AS WELL.

THE STORM IS EXPECTED TO BRING AT LEAST EIGHT INCHES OF SNOW.

AND WITH IT, DANGEROUS TRAVEL CONDITIONS.

INCLUDING ICY ROADS AND REDUCED VISIBILITY.

THOSE WHO MUST TRAVEL TO AREAS LIKE MOUNT LAGUNA AND JULIAN ARE URGED TO WAIT FOR THE STORM TO PASS.

TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS AND HAVE EMERGENCY SUPPLIES.

>> CHAINS WILL BE REQUIRED TO GET INTO THOSE AREAS AND THEN THE I EAT CORRIDOR WILL BE DIFFICULT AS WELL.

>> YOU SHOULD HAVE BLANKETS, WATER AND EXTRA SOCKS AS WELL AS SNOW CHAINS.

>> Reporter: THE CO-OWNER OF LAGUNA MOUNTAIN LODGE SAYS THEY ARE USED TO SNOWPACK STORMS BUT PREPAREDNESS IS THE KEY WHEN THEY COME UP TO ENJOY THE WINTER WONDERLAND.

HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO WELCOMING GUESTS.

>> IT IS PRETTY SLOW UP HERE.

BUT IT WILL BE BUSY.

IT WILL MAKE THE CASH REGISTERS RING.

>> Reporter: HE JUST HOST PEOPLE EXERCISE CAUTION AND USE COMMON SENSE.

LIKE WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS AND DRESS FOR EXTREME WEATHER AS WELL AS KNOWING YOUR LIMITATIONS.

>> PEOPLE DO THINGS THEY SHOULDN'T DO OR GO PLACES WITHOUT SNOW CHAINS.

WE TRIED TO WARN THEM.

>> Reporter: HE HOPES IF YOU VISIT THAT YOU HAVE FUN AND RESPECT THE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES.

>> GO UP THERE AND HAVE A GOOD TIME BUT TAKE YOUR TRASH HOME.

>>> I'M KITTY ALVARADO FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT APPEARS THAT RUSSIA CONTINUES TO MAKE PREPARATIONS TO INVADE UKRAINE.

AN ATTACK COULD COME IN THE COMING DAYS AND WOULD BE EXTREMELY VIOLENT.

THE LATEST NOW FROM REPORTER ISABEL ROSALES.

>> Reporter: U.S. INTELLIGENCE AND SATELLITES REVEAL RUSSIA GOING AHEAD WITH MILITARY PREP.

>> WE CONTINUE TO EXHAUST EVERY POSSIBLE DIPLOMATIC OPTION HERE GOING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: IN A TV BROADCAST, VLADIMIR PUTIN ACCUSED THE WEST OF THREATS.

THE RUSSIAN PRESIDENT SAYS HE IS OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZING THE SEPARATIST REGIONS IN UKRAINE AS INDEPENDENT STATES.

HE IS AIRING HIS GRIEVANCES ABOUT THE BREAKUP OF THE FORMER SOVIET REPUBLIC.

>> UKRAINE, FROM THE BEGINNING HAS BEEN CREATED BY RUSSIA.

>> Reporter: THE U.S. AND ALLIES WARNED THAT EVERY INDICATION SHOWS THAT RUSSIA IS PREPARING TO INVADE.

>> THESE ARE NOT THE ACTIONS OF A RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT FULFILLING ITS REPEATED DECLARATIONS.

>> Reporter: THE U.S. ALSO SAYS IT HAS AUDIBLE INFORMATION ABOUT A RUSSIAN KILL LIST.

WRITING IN A LETTER TO THE UNITED NATIONS THAT RUSSIA IS IDENTIFYING UKRAINIANS TO BE KILLED OR SENT TO CAMPS.

THE KREMLIN DENIES THE CLAIM AND CALLS IT FICTION.

>> WE BELIEVE THAT TO ANY OPERATION OF THIS SIZE, SCOPE AND MAGNITUDE WOULD BE EXTREMELY VIOLENT.

IT WILL COST THE LIVES OF UKRAINIANS, RUSSIANS, CIVILIANS AND MILITARY PERSONNEL.

>> Reporter: THE ESCALATION AT THE FRONTLINES IS AT ODDS WITH WHAT VLADIMIR PUTIN HAS SAID.

HE AGREED TO A SUMMIT WITH PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.

>> HE CAN DO THE RIGHT THING BY FIGHTING A DIPLOMATIC PATH FORWARD.

>> Reporter: BIDEN ACCEPTS ON THE CONDITION THAT RUSSIA NOT INVADE UKRAINE.

>>> IT SAN DIEGO GAS PRICES HAVE STARTED TO RISE AGAIN AFTER A BRIEF WEEKEND PAUSE.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN OF KPBS TALK WITH THE BUSINESS OWNER ABOUT HOW IT IS IMPACTING HIM.

>>> IN THE REGION AS SPREAD OUT AS SAN DIEGO YOU NEED A CAR TO GET AROUND.

AND IT IS NOT AS CHEAP AS IT USED TO BE.

GASOLINE PRICES ARE AT A RECORD HIGH.

THE AVERAGE PRICE IS $4.74 PER GALLON.

>> I AM NOT MAKING ENOUGH MONEY BECAUSE I AM PAYING $40 INSTEAD OF $20.

>> Reporter: REGULAR UNLEADED IS NEARLY 5 DOLLARS PER GALLON HERE.

HE WORKS AS AN ELECTRICIAN AND TRIES TO LIMIT HIS TRIPS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> I DON'T MAKE RANDOM DRIVES ANYWHERE.

I MAKE IT A PURPOSE AND DO AS MANY STOPS AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: PART OF THE REASON FOR THE HIGH PRICES IS THE TENSION IN UKRAINE.

THE OTHER REASON IS CALIFORNIA IS TRANSITIONING TO A SUMMER BLEND FUEL AND AAA SAYS THAT IS BETWEEN $.15 AND $.20 HIGHER PER GALLON.

>> WITH FEWER COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS PEOPLE ARE DRIVING MORE CERTAIN THERE IS MORE DEMAND.

>> Reporter: DON'T EXPECT THOSE PRICES TO GO DOWN SOON.

AAA SAYS PRICES WILL REMAIN HIGH UNTIL THE UKRAINE AND RUSSIAN CONFLICT RESULTS.

>> DRIVING AROUND ALL DAY LONG JUST DOES NOT CUT IT.

>> Reporter: I'M ALEXANDER NGUYEN REPORTING FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> THERE IS AN ALARMING RISE IN TRAFFIC DOES.

KPBS REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: LAURA KEENAN SHOWS ME AROUND THE ROADSIDE MEMORIAL SHE AND OTHERS CREATED FOR HER HUSBAND, MATT.

LAST SEPTEMBER HE WAS HIT AND KILLED BY A WRONG WAY DRIVER WHILE BIKING IN MISSION VALLEY.

KEENAN IS NOW THE SINGLE MOTHER OF THEIR ONE-YEAR-OLD SON.

>> I MISS WAKING UP IN THE MORNING AND SEEING HIM CUTTING UP FRUIT FOR EVAN AND SMILING AND MAKING HAPPY NOISES.

I MISS HIM BEING ABLE TO FIND HUMOR IN THE MOST MUNDANE OR AWFUL SITUATION.

AND I MISS HOW HE MAKES ME FEEL.

>> Reporter: THE DEATH TOLL ON CITY STREETS LAST YEAR WAS 67.

THE DEADLIEST YEAR SINCE SAN DIEGO ADOPTED ITS VISION ZERO GOAL OF ENDING ALL TRAFFIC DEATHS.

SOME EXPERTS ATTRIBUTE THE WWW.KPBS.ORG/EVENINGEDITION MORE RECKLESS DRIVING DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE DRIVER WHO KILLED MATT SAID SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS ON A ONE- WAY STREET AND SHE NEVER SAW HIM COMING.

KEENAN DOES NOT BUY YET.

>> SHE DROVE INTO THE BIKE LANE.

EVEN IF YOU THOUGHT IT WAS A ONE-WAY ROAD, SOMETHING HAD TO MAKE HER DISTRACTED.

AND THAT SHOULD NOT BE THE ISSUE.

SHE SAID SHE DID NOT SEE MY HUSBAND AND HIS BRIGHT LIGHTS.

SHE NEVER HIT THE BRAKES.

YOU HIT THE BRAKES FOR A FOX IN THE ROAD BUT NOT MY HUSBAND.

SHE WAS INFURIATED WHEN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TOLD HER THEY DID NOT SEE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CHARGE THE DRIVER WITH A FELONY.

INSTEAD THE REFER THE CASE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY OFFICE AS A MISDEMEANOR.

>> HE LOST HIS LIFE.

AND, I HOPED THAT I WOULD AT LEAST FIND SOME PEACE IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: INSTEAD KEENAN FOUND A WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF PAIN AND SUFFERING.

>> THEY LOOK AT THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE DRIVER.

>> Reporter: MARK IS A CIVIL ATTORNEY WHO PREVIOUSLY PROSECUTED VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER CASES IN THE DEA AND CITY ATTORNEY OFFICES.

HE SAYS FELONY CHARGES HAVE TO INVOLVE GROSS NEGLIGENCE.

THE TERM IS IMPRECISE BUT IN PRACTICE, IT USUALLY MEANS IF THE DRIVER WAS INTOXICATED OR SHOWED RECKLESSNESS BEYOND THE NORM.

>> WHAT IT IS SIMPLE NEGLIGENCE, MAYBE SOMEBODY GOES THROUGH A STOP SIGN.

YOU LOOK TO THE LEFT BUT NOT BACK TO YOUR RIGHT AND A PEDESTRIAN WALKS OUT IN FRONT OF YOUR CAR.

STUFF LIKE THAT WILL BE SIMPLE NEGLIGENCE.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAS SEEN NEARLY 300 PROSECUTIONS OF VEHICULAR MANSLAUGHTER IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS AND ROUGHLY 2/3 WERE FELONIES.

THAT NUMBER DOES NOT INCLUDE TRAFFIC DEATHS WERE NO CRIMINAL CHARGES WERE FILED.

HE SAYS THAT PROSECUTORS MAY BE RELUCTANT TO FILE CHARGES BECAUSE OF BIAS.

>> THEY GENERALLY THINK THAT THEY THEMSELVES ARE SAFE DRIVERS.

WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN IN INCIDENTS WHICH WERE NEAR MISSES OR OTHER COLLISIONS, I THINK THEY THINK IT WASN'T THEIR FAULT.

AND SO, THE PARAMETERS THEIR MINDSET WHEN THEIR SINK IS JURORS.

>> TOO OFTEN, PEOPLE USE THE WORD ACCOUNTABILITY AS A PROXY FOR PUNISHMENT.

>> Reporter: AMANDA BERMAN WORKS FOR THE CENTER FOR COURT INNOVATION IN NEW YORK CITY.

SHE'S HEARD FROM COUNTLESS FAMILIES LIKE KEENAN WHO SAID THE LEGAL SYSTEM HAS FAILED THEM.

SO THE CENTER IS DEVELOPING A PROGRAM THAT WILL BRING DRIVERS FACE TO FACE WITH THE LOVED ONES OF THE VICTIMS THEY HAVE KILLED.

>> AND HER FROM THEM FIRSTHAND WHO THAT PERSON WAS, AND THE IMPACT IS OF YOUR ACTIONS, HOW IT HAS DESTROYED LIVES.

AND HAVING TO CONFRONT THAT AND RECKON WITH THAT IS MUCH MORE POWERFUL AND MUCH MORE LIKELY TO CHANGE BEHAVIOR.

>> Reporter: KEENAN SAYS SHE'S NOT ALL THAT CONCERNED WITH HOW MUCH TIME THE DRIVER SPENDS BEHIND BARS.

NOR DOES SHE WANT AN APOLOGY.

>> I THINK THE ONLY THING THAT WOULD GIVE ME PEACE FROM THE DRIVER IS THAT SHE DOES SOMETHING THROUGHOUT HER LIFE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

>> Reporter: AN OUTCOME SHE'S UNLIKELY TO GET FROM THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

I'M ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE NUMBER OF WILDFIRE RISK DAYS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MADE DOUBLE BY THE END OF THE CENTURY.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO A NEW STUDY OUT OF UCLA.

IF THE AVERAGE TEMPERATURE INCREASES BY 9 DEGREES BY THE YEAR 2100, THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF FIRE DAYS WILL JUMP UP TO 58 PER YEAR.

>> DRY AIR DRIES OUT THE FIELDS.

THAT WILL IGNITE THE FUELS AND BASICALLY DRIER FUELS.

IT IS A BAD COMBINATION.

>> THESE PREDICTIONS ARE DECADES AWAY BUT THERE ARE WAYS TO LOWER THE RISK.

RESEARCHERS SAY WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DECREASE GREENHOUSE EMISSIONS AND USE FIRE SAFE BUILDING MATERIALS AND CREATE MORE DEFENSIBLE SPACE AROUND STRUCTURES.

>>> MUCH COOLER AIR WILL BE MOVING IN TODAY AND TOMORROW.

WITH THAT, WE WILL HAVE RAIN FROM A STORM.

SNOW IN THE MOUNTAINS.

IT WILL BE COLD ENOUGH FOR ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL FOR THE MOUNTAINS.

ON TOP OF THAT WE HAVE GUSTING WINDS TO CONTEND WITH.

WE HAVE HIGH WIND WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES.

THOSE WILL START AT 8:00 A.M. ON TUESDAY AND LESS THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING.

WE HAVE A WINTER STORM WARNING IN THE HIGHER TERRAINS.

THAT GOES INTO EFFECT AT 4:00 P.M. ON TUESDAY AND LAST THROUGH 6:00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY.

WHEN WE LOOK AT ACCUMULATIONS WE ARE EXPECTING BETWEEN 1-3 AND POTENTIALLY EVEN 3-6 INCHES OF SNOW IN THE HIGHEST TERRINE THERE OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THIS STORM SYSTEM CERTAINLY MEANS BUSINESS.

AS WE HEAD INTO TONIGHT, TEMPERATURES WILL BE BACK DOWN INTO THE LOW AND MID 40s.

INTO RAMONA AND BORREGO SPRINGS.

40s IN MOUNT LAGUNA.

AIR WILL PRESS TO THE SOUTH AND THAT WILL BRING TEMPERATURES AROUND 50 DEGREES.

61 IN OCEANSIDE AND WE CAN TIME THIS OUT FOR YOU.

CLOUDS ARE WITH US ALL DAY ON TUESDAY BUT THAT PRECIPITATION INCREASES AS WE HEAD INTO LATE TUESDAY EVENING.

AND THE OVERNIGHT PERIOD.

THE SNOW WILL REALLY BEGIN TO CREEP INTO THE MOUNTAINS BUT THE RAIN ARRIVES IN SAN DIEGO.

EVEN THE POSSIBILITY OF SMALL HAIL.

WE CANNOT RULE THAT OUT TONIGHT OR INTO WEDNESDAY.

A LOT TO UNWRAP ALONG THE COAST.

ALONG THE COAST, TEMPERATURES IN THE 60s WAS SHOWERS ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

BEYOND THAT, TEMPERATURES WILL GO UP INTO THE MID AND UPPER 60s AT THE END OF THE WEEK.

FURTHER INLAND, MID 50s TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY AND THEN MOVING UP TO CLOSE TO 70 BY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, STRONG WIND AND SNOW.

MID 30s AND MID-20s THROUGH THURSDAY.

AND THEN IN THE DESERT, A WARMING TREND BEYOND WEDNESDAY.

FOR KPBS NEWS I AM METEOROLOGIST MELISSA CONSTANZER .

>>> THE FIRST WEEK OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL SPRING TRAINING IS OFF.

THEY ARE WITHOUT A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT AND NEGOTIATIONS ARE ONGOING.

SPRING TRAINING WILL NOT BEGIN UNTIL MARCH FOR THAT THE EARLIEST AND THE REGULAR SEASON BEGINS ON MARCH 31.

THE LAST THING PADRES FANS AND BUSINESSES AROUND PETCO PARK WANT IS ANOTHER ROUND OF CLOSURES.

>>> PAPER PROCESSING AND THE PANDEMIC.

THE IRS SAYS THIS IS CRIPPLING THEIR AGENCY AND THAT COULD IMPACT YOUR TAX RETURN.

THE IRS SAYS THEY ARE MAKING MOVES TO ADDRESS A MASSIVE BACKLOG OF TAX RETURNS.

MARY MALONEY EXPLAINS FROM WASHINGTON.

>> Reporter: THE IRS IS IN CRISIS.

>> AS BAD AS YOU THINK THE IRISES, IT IS WORSE.

>> Reporter: PLAGUED BY STAFFING SHORTAGES, OLD TECH KNOWLEDGE HE AND MORE WORK TO ADMINISTER PANDEMIC PROGRAMS LIKE STIMULUS CHECKS.

>> THIS LAST YEAR WAS THE MOST CHALLENGING YEAR WE HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED.

>> Reporter: THE IRISES STRUGGLING TO COMMUNICATE WITH TAXPAYERS.

AT A SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING, THE NATIONAL TAXPAYER ADVOCATE TESTIFIED THAT THE IRS TOLL-FREE LINE ONLY ANSWERED 11% OF CALLS THAT IT RECEIVED LAST YEAR.

THOSE THAT VISITED THE WHERE'S MY REFUND WEBSITE ONLINE REALLY GOT AN ANSWER.

>> Reporter: TAXPAYERS ARE CONFUSED.

>> THERE WAITING FOR REFUNDS FROM THE LAST FILING SEASON.

>> Reporter: TO SHRINK THE BACKLOG, AND ADDRESS CONFUSION, THE IRS IS CREATING SURGE TEAMS.

REDIRECTING EMPLOYEES INTO ENTRY-LEVEL POSITIONS.

EVEN SO, THE IRS WARNS THAT THE RETURN THIS YEAR COULD BE DELAYED.

>> THE IRS ALREADY HAS A RETURN BACKLOG.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER PROBLEM IS PAPER PROCESSING.

>> PAPER IS THE KRYPTONITE AND THE AGENCY IS BURIED IN IT.

>> Reporter: IN ORDER TO MODERNIZE THE AGENCY NEEDS MORE FUNDING AND CONGRESS WILL NOT LIKELY AGREE TO THAT.

>> THERE IS A REAL CHALLENGE FOR THE IRS HAVING THE RESOURCES TO COLLECT OUR TAXES.

>> WE GAVE OUT 3 1/10 BILLION DOLLARS AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW MUCH OF THAT MONEY IS SPENT BEFORE I CONSIDER SPENDING MORE.

>>> A 20 YEAR STUDY OF POST- 9/11 VETS SHOWED ONE OF THE MOST COMMON LINGERING INJURIES IS TONIGHT IS.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER STEVE WALSH SAYS THE IMPACT LASTS A LIFETIME.

>> Reporter: YOLANDA TAYLOR RETIRED AFTER 20 YEARS IN THE MILITARY.

SHE WAS ON A SHIP AND BASED IN SAN DIEGO.

>> IT WAS THE RINGING.

AND THEN, WITHIN THE LAST SEVEN MONTHS I HAVE POPPING TOO ALONG WITH THE RINGING.

>> Reporter: AT TAYLOR SAYS IT IS MORE THAN ANNOYING.

>> I LOSE MY FOCUS BECAUSE I HEAR IT.

AND WHEN PEOPLE ARE TALKING TO ME, SOMETIMES I JUST BLOCK IT OUT.

I HEAR YOU BUT I HEAR THIS.

>> Reporter: A STUDY SHOWS THAT 24% OF VETERANS HAVE TINNITUS.

IT IS THE MOST COMMON DISABILITY AMONG VETERANS WITH 1.5 MILLION SUFFERING VETERANS RECOGNIZED I THE VA. PAUL IS AN AUDIOLOGIST WITH THE SAN DIEGO VA. >> PROBABLY ONE OF THE TOP ONE OR TWO SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITIES FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

IT HAS REALLY BEEN A LONG- STANDING ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME FOR A LOT OF VETERANS.

>> Reporter: NOISE EXPOSURE IS A MAJOR REASON IT IS COMMON AMONG VETERANS.

, AND ALSO BECAUSE BY MEDICATION AND OTHER UNDERLYING CONDITIONS.

>> THERE IS NO DIRECT PURE.

THERE IS NO MAGIC FIX OR PILL.

THERE IS NO, TAKE THIS AND IT WILL GO AWAY.

>> Reporter: DISTRACTION IS THE KEY.

TAYLOR HAS A WHITE NOISE MACHINE TO DROWN OUT THE HOME SHE HEARS.

PATIENTS ARE TAUGHT TO STAY AWAY FROM SILENCE.

>> WHEN I GO TO BED, I MIGHT FALL ASLEEP WITHIN 10 MINUTES.

BUT WHEN I WAKE UP I HEAR IT AND I DON'T EVEN STAY IN BED.

>> Reporter: THE VA IS CURRENTLY LOOKING AT LOWERING DISABILITY RATINGS FOR THOSE WITH TINNITUS SO FUTURE VETERANS MAY FIND IT HARDER TO QUALIFY FOR BENEFITS.

STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I AM THAT JUDY WOODRUFF.

TONIGHT VLADIMIR PUTIN ORDERS MORE TROOPS TO THE BORDER OF UKRAINE.

THAT'S COMING UP TONIGHT AFTER KPBS EVENING EDITION.

>>> A NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY HAS MADE IT ONTO THE BESTSELLERS LIST AND IT CONTAINS DRAWINGS BY A SAN DIEGO ARTIST.

WE WERE THERE AS THE ARTWORK WAS SHARED AT A CLASSROOM IN EL CAJON.

>> Reporter: IT IS HARD FOR STUDENTS TO CONTAIN THEIR EXCITEMENT.

THIS COMBINATION CLASS OF SECOND AND THIRD GRADERS HERE AT JOHNSON ELEMENTARY IN EL CAJON IS STUDYING BLACK HISTORY.

THEY HAVE A SPECIAL GUEST COMING TO VISIT.

AND CARRYING SOME BLACK HISTORY OF HIS OWN.

>> EVEN IF THE STUDENT IS NOT A PERSON OF COLOR, I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT WE NEED TO HAVE DIVERSE VOICES AND THEY SHOULD BE LISTENING TO THEM AND HEARING FROM ALL TYPES OF PEOPLE.

>> WRITTEN BY VICARIOUS SELLERS AND ILLUSTRATED BY REGGIE BROWN, ME.

>> Reporter: HE HAS ILLUSTRATED SEVEN CHILDREN'S BOOKS LAST YEAR.

"WHO ARE YOUR PEOPLE?"

IS THE LATEST.

IT IS A BOOK THAT CONTAINS CHILDREN OF VARIOUS COLORS.

AND HE WROTE THIS WITH BACARI SELLERS.

>> BLACK AND BROWN KIDS CAN LEARN RESILIENCE AND DREAM BIG AND KNOW WHERE THEY COME FROM.

AND NONBLACK KIDS CAN LEARN IT EMPATHY AND GAIN UNDERSTANDING.

>> Reporter: IT TOUCHES ON THE REALITY OF RACISM AND THAT IS A LESSON THAT MANY OF THESE CHILDREN HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE WITH.

18-YEAR-OLD JORDAN WAS MOVED BY THE PAGE SHOWING A LUNCH COUNTER SIT IN.

PEACEFUL PROTEST FROM THE 1960S.

>> IT WAS ABOUT A BUNCH OF BLACK PEOPLE BUT I THINK THE MOST MESSED UP PART WAS WHEN THE WHITE PERSON DUMPED SPAGHETTI ON THE HEAD OF THE BLACK PERSON.

>> Reporter: BESIDES THE BEAUTIFUL DRAWINGS, THIS STORY IS ABOUT RACE.

PUBLISHED AT A TIME WHEN RACE RELATIONS ARE CRITICALLY CONFLICTED.

WHO ARE YOUR PEOPLE JUMPED TO NUMBER FOUR ON THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LIST SHORTLY AFTER IT WAS RELEASED IN JANUARY.

NINE-YEAR-OLD ALLISON SANTOS LOVES TO DROP.

>> WHAT IS THE BOOK ABOUT?

>> IT IS ABOUT HOW WE CAN BE DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS.

>> IS THAT OKAY?

>> YES.

>> YOU CAN MAKE ANIME.

>> Reporter: REGGIE IS HAPPY TO SHARE HIS TALENT ALONG WITH THE READING OF THE BOOK.

TEACHING YOUNG ARTISTS THAT DRAWING THEIR DREAMS CAN LEAD TO MAKING THEM A REALITY.

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

THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS.

AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

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

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

♪