>>> 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 MEETING, DRAIN, HEATING AND AIR SYSTEM SINCE 1978.

AND, BY THE CONRAD PREMISE FOUNDATION.

DARLING, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND, BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING, IT'S MONDAY, JANUARY 4th.

, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, I'M MAYA TRABULSI , AND SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS SEEING RECORD NUMBERS OF COVID-19 CASES AND DEATHS.

AND HEALTH OFFICIALS WARNED SEARCH FROM CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S IS LIKELY COMING.

TODAY, JUST OVER 3000 CASES AND SIX DEBTS WERE REPORTED FOR THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS HAVE SEEN CASES OF ABOUT 3000 AND 4000 IN TWO DAYS WITH MORE THAN 350 DEBTS.

WITH ICU CAPACITY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STILL AT ZERO PERCENT, 10 PATIENTS HAVE BEEN MOVED TO PALOMAR MEDICAL CENTER'S FIELD HOSPITAL IN ESCONDIDO.

THE STATE IS COORDINATING THE PATIENT TRANSFERS, WE ARE TOLD.

THEY'RE MOSTLY FROM IMPERIAL COUNTY, WHICH HAS ITS OWN FIELD HOSPITALS WITH 18 PATIENTS AT IMPERIAL VALLEY COLLEGE.

>> WE ARE STILL IN THAT POSITION WE CAN'T TURN THESE ON QUICKLY, SUBJECT TO AGAIN, ONE THING, STAFFING, STAFFING, STAFFING.

THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE.

FACILITIES IS ONE THING, STAFFING IS THE THING THAT IS THE ENERGY AND FOCUS.

>> GOVERNOR NEWSOM ALSO REPORTED SIX PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA HAVE NOW TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE NEW CORONAVIRUS STRAIN THAT WAS FIRST IDENTIFIED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM.

FOUR OF THOSE ARE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, INCLUDING ONE PATIENT WHO IS NOW HOSPITALIZED.

NEWSOM HAS SAID THE STRAIN MAY BE MORE CONTAGIOUS, NOT MORE SEVERE.

HE ADDED, THAT THE CDC BELIEVES THE CURRENT VACCINES WILL ALSO PROTECT AGAINST THE VARIANT.

>>> SOME ELIGIBLE HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN CALIFORNIA ARE DECLINING THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER TARRYN MENTO SAYS THE STATE IS WORKING TO CLARIFY WHO SHOULD GET THOSE OR ANY EXTRA DOSES.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM SAYS CALIFORNIA SERVING ITS HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO GET A COUNT ON WHO IS DECLINING.

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RESULTS OF THAT WHICH WILL BE THE CLOSEST APPROXIMATION TO ACTUAL DATA.

>> Reporter: AT THE LA TIMES SAYS OFFICIALS IN LA AND RIVERSIDE COUNTIES ARE ESTIMATED 20 TO 50 PERCENT OF WORKERS ARE TURNING IT DOWN.

INSEIN EAGLE COUNTY, OFFICIALS REFERRED QUESTIONS ABOUT REFUSALS TO INDIVIDUAL HOSPITALS, WHICH DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO THE DATA.

BUT THE OTHER QUESTION IS, WHERE WILL THOSE EXTRA DOSES GO?

TELEPHONE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY DR. R. KELLY SAYS THEY CAN GO DOWN THE PRIORITY LIST BUT THE STICK STATE IS WORKING TO CLARIFY THAT.

>> TO ADD MORE DESCRIPTION TO HOW WE HAVE PEOPLE LINED UP IN THE CASE OF THE EXTRA DOSES, THAT WE GET INTO THE MOST VULNERABLE, AND THOSE HE WE KNOW WOULD BENEFIT THE MOST DRAMATIC CALIFORNIA IS A MINISTERED JUST OVER 454,000 OF THE 1.2 MILLION DID RECEIVE.

NEWSOM ACKNOWLEDGED THAT WAS TOO FEW.

THEY ARE WORKING TO EXPAND WHERE AND WHO DISTRIBUTES THE VACCINE.

>> THE PHARMACY TECHS, NATIONAL GUARD, WE WILL HAVE NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYED >> Reporter: HE SAID THIS WOULD HE WILL ANNOUNCE MORE ACTIONS TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS, AND OF THE 600,000 VACCINE DOSES ARE DUE TO ARRIVE IN A COUPLE DAYS.

TARRYN MENTO, K PBS NEWS.

>>> BUSINESS LEADERS ARE URGING SMALL BUSINESSES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE STATE PROGRAM THAT IS HANDING OUT $500 MILLION IN GRANT.

KPBS REPORTER MAX RIVLIN- NADLER SAYS BUSINESS OWNERS WILL HAVE A LITTLE MORE TIME TO APPLY.

>> Reporter: THE GRANT PROGRAM LIKE LAUNCH LATE LAST WEEK FOR THE HOLIDAY IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE SURE THE ONLINE APPLICATION SYSTEM IS READY TO HANDLE THE HEAVY DEMAND, ONCE BUSINESS OWNERS RETURNED AT THE NEW YEAR.

THE MONEY, PART OF THE FEDERAL STIMULUS WAS HANDED TO THE STATE WILL REACH SMALL BUSINESSES STRUGGLING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

OFFERING THEM GRANTS BETWEEN $5000 AND $25,000, DEPENDING ON THEIR SIZE.

THESE GRANTS DON'T HAVE TO BE PAID BACK.

>> I DON'T INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT COVID-19 HAS BEEN ON OUR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW, BUSINESSES WHO DID NOTHING WRONG.

YOU WENT INTO THE PERSONAL-CARE BUSINESS, OR THE HAIR, BARBERSHOP, SALON BUSINESS OR RESTAURANT BUSINESS.

A YEAR AGO, WE NEVER WOULD HAVE CONTEMPLATED THE SITUATION.

>> Reporter: ORIGINALLY, THE DEADLINE FOR BUSINESS OWNERS WAS THIS FRIDAY BUT SENSING THE TIGHT DEADLINE, STATE OFFICIALS MOVED THE DEADLINE BACK TO WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13.

UNLIKE OTHER PANDEMIC RELIEF PROGRAMS, THIS ISN'T FIRST- COME, FIRST SERVE.

MEANING, NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED UNTIL JANUARY 14.

THE SAN DIEGO AND IMPERIAL SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER HAS DEVELOPED A SERIES OF WEBINARS AND IS OFFERING TO HELP WALK SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND NONPROFITS THROUGH THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

>> THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, NONPROFITS TO BE ABLE TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF RELIEF, AND THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA IS HERE TO SUPPORT THEM.

>> Reporter: THESE GRANTS COULD BE FOR SOME BUSINESSES LIKE PETRA FERNANDEZ, WHO OWNS THE TACO SHOP WITH HIS WIFE.

BUSINESS HAS BEEN NEARLY NONEXISTENT.

HE CLOSELY ADHERES TO THE COUNTY SAFETY RECALLS.

HE SAID HIS BUSINESS HAS BEEN BLOCKED FROM OTHER SUPPORT PROGRAMS BECAUSE HIS FAMILY TOOK OVER THE BUSINESS JUST THIS PAST JUNE.

AFTER THE PREVIOUS OWNER RAN OUT OF MONEY THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> IN ORDER TO CLAIM ANY HELP FROM THE COUNTY, WE HAVE TO HAVE FILE TAXES BEFORE UNDER THIS BUSINESS.

SO, WE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR IT, WE JUST HAVE TO WRITE IT AWAY.

WE ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANY HELP, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT, WE HAVEN'T OWNED THIS BUSINESS YOU KNOW, FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE STATE PROGRAM COMES WITH A SIMILAR REQUIREMENT, THAT THE BUSINESS OPERATES SINCE JUNE 2019, SO THE TACO SHOP WILL BE LOCKED OUT FROM HELP, ONCE AGAIN.

BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS CAN SIGN UP FOR THE PROGRAM THROUGH AN ONLINE PORTAL AT SEAVER LEE GRANT.COM.

MAX RIVLIN-NADLER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> LOOK AT THIS.

SOME RESTAURANTS UP AND DOWN COAST HIGHWAY IN THE HEART OF ENCINITAS OPENLY FLAUNTING THE RECENTLY LAUNCHED A STAY-AT- HOME ORDER.

SOME, RIGHT NEXT TO EATERIES THAT ARE ACTUALLY FOLLOWING THE RULES.

ON NEW YEAR'S EVE, VINCE ANITA ISSUED A WARNING THAT BUSINESSES COULD LOSE THEIR SIDEWALK SEATING PERMITS IF THEY REMAIN OPEN DURING THE STATE IMPOSED SHUTDOWN.

CURRENTLY, RESTAURANTS ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO OPEN FOR TAKE-OUT.

KPBS HAS REACHED OUT TO THE CITY REGARDING THE VIOLATIONS, BUT HAS YET TO HEAR BACK.

>>> THE OUTCOME OF THE 2020 ELECTIONS WILL FINALLY COME IN THE FULL FOCUS THIS WEEK.

RUNOFF ELECTIONS IN GEORGIA TOMORROW WILL DETERMINE THE BALANCE OF POWER IN THE U.S. SENATE.

AND IT TYPICALLY ROUTINE CEREMONY ON CAPITOL HILL WEDNESDAY COULD YIELD CLUES AS TO HOW MUCH SWAY PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL CARRY OVER REPUBLICANS IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

KAREN KAFA HAS THE LATEST FROM WASHINGTON.

>> 2020 IS NOT OVER UNTIL WE GET TO THE END OF TUESDAY, JANUARY 5.

>> Reporter: NEW YEAR, NEW CONGRESS.

?

WE BEGIN THIS CONGRESS DURING A TIME OF EXTRAORDINARY DIFFICULTY.

>> Reporter: SAME POLITICAL RANCOR.

2020S UNFINISHED BUSINESS DRAWING TO A CLOSE.

TWO RUNOFFS IN GEORGIA WILL DETERMINE THE BALANCE OF POWER IN THE U.S. SENATE.

>> ONE MORE DAY.

WE NEED GEORGIA TO DEFEND THE MAJORITY.

>> Reporter: BUT PRESIDENT TRUMP, SOWING DOUBT, MAKING BASELESS CLAIMS ABOUT HIS OWN NOVEMBER LOST THEIR TO GEORGIA SECRETARY OF STATE BRAD RAFFENSPERGER.

>> I JUST WANT TO FIND 11,780 VOTES, WHICH IS ONE MORE THAN WE HAVE.

>> Reporter: AND RECORDING FIRST REPORTED BY THE WASHINGTON POST, AND OBTAINED BY CNN, ROETHLISBERGER, REFERRED REPUBLICAN STANDBY ACCOUNT.

>> MISTER PRESIDENT, THE CHALLENGE THAT YOU HAVE IS THAT THE DATA YOU HAVE IS WRONG.

>> Reporter: OVER THE WEEKEND, 11 SITTING AND INCOMING REPUBLICAN SENATORS SAY THEY WILL JOIN JOSH HAWLEY IN MISSOURI TO OBJECTING TO THE CERTIFICATION OF JOE BIDEN'S WIN, MORE THAN 100 REPUBLICAN HOUSE OF MEMBERS TO DO THE SAME.

OTHERS, SKEPTICAL OF THEIR GOP COLLEAGUES.

>> DIDN'T FIND ANY FRAUD AS THEIR OWN SELECTION, BUT THEN THEY ARE ALLEGING THAT THERE IS FRAUD OR AGREEING WITH THE PRESIDENT THAT THERE IS FRAUD AS TO THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

IT SEEMS A LITTLE INCONSISTENT.

>> Reporter: THE ACT CHANGE THE ELECTION, SIMPLY PROLONG WHAT IS TYPICALLY A CEREMONIAL ACT.

IN WASHINGTON, KAREN KAFA, KPBS NEWS.

>>> NEWLY ELECTED AND RETURNING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE IN A RARE SUNDAY SESSION.

FRESHMAN REPRESENTATIVE SARAH JACOBSEN RETURNING CONGRESSMAN DEAR ISO WERE AMONG THOSE WHO WERE SWORN IN.

NANCY PELOSI WAS NARROWLY REELECTED TO A FOURTH NON- CONSECUTIVE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE ROLE.

HOUSE DEMOCRATS RETAINED CONTROL OF THE HOUSE, BUT WILL NOW HAVE A NARROWER MAJORITY.

>>> THERE ARE SOME NEW FACES IN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

THREE NEW MEMBERS ARE OFFICIALLY ON THE JOB, AFTER TAKING THE OATH OF OFFICE THIS MORNING.

TARA LAWSON REAMER REPLACES KRISTIN DASS BAR, THREE, JOEL ANDERSON REPLACES DIANE JACOB IN EAST COUNTY'S DISTRICT 2, AND NORA VARGAS IS THE NEW SUPERVISOR IN SOUTHBAY'S DISTRICT NUMBER ONE.

SHE IS ALSO MAKING HISTORY, WITH HER NEW POSITION.

>> IMMIGRANT, THE FIRST WOMAN OF COLOR, THE FIRST LATINA, AND TO SERVE IN THE HISTORY OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, I AM HUMBLED AND READY TO SERVE.

I MAY BE THE FIRST, BUT I WILL ABSOLUTELY NOT BE THE LAST.

>> DEMOCRATS NOW HOLD A MAJORITY OF SEATS ON THE BOARD.

TOMORROW, OFFICERS WILL BE CHOSEN FOR THE NEW TERM.

THE FIRST OFFICIAL BOARD MEETING WILL BE HELD NEXT WEEK.

>>> SANDY GOES FORMER MAYOR KEVIN FAULCONER IS OFFICIALLY PREPARING TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

AS KPBS RETRO METRO REPORTER TELLS US HE SHARED THE NEWS ON TWITTER TODAY.

>> Reporter: IS A REPUBLICAN IN DEEP NEW CALIFORNIA, THE ODDS ARE STACKED AGAINST FAULKNER, BUT HE SEES OPPORTUNITY AND A BUDDING EFFORT TO RECALL GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM.

>> CALIFORNIANS ARE HURTING, AND PARTICULARLY DURING THIS PANDEMIC, WHERE WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 500,000 CALIFORNIANS THAT CANNOT RECEIVE THERE ON EMPLOYMENT CHECKS.

THAT'S WHY I THINK YOU'RE SEEING THIS GROWING NOT ONLY ANGER, FRUSTRATION, BUT RESOLVED THAT SAYS WE NEED TO CHANGE THE TOPIC >> Reporter: THE RECALL CAMPAIGN GIVES FAULKNER A FAMILIAR, IF UNLIKELY PATH TO VICTORY.

WAIT FOR SCANDAL TO OUST THE INCUMBENT AND THEN HAVE A LOAD TURNOUT ELECTION.

THAT HOUSER, SAYS THAT IS HOW FAULKNER WAS ELECTED MAYOR IN 2014.

>> IF TURNOUT IS LOWER IN A RECALL THAT IS HELD IN AN ODD YEAR IN AN ODD MONTH, THEN YOU MIGHT HAVE A MORE REPUBLICAN SLANTED ELECTION, WHERE IT WOULDN'T BE AS GOOD AS MOST DEMOCRATIC ELECTORATES ARE IN CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter: COUNSELOR ADDS THAT FAULKNER FACES A TRICKY BALANCING ACT WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP WHO BESIDES LOSING THE ELECTION, IS STILL THE DOMINANT PLAYER.

FAULKNER HAS ALWAYS TRIED TO PAINT HIMSELF A MODERATE, SUPPORTING IMMIGRATION REFORM AND ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> THOSE HAVE MADE HIM DIFFERENT THAN DONALD TRUMP, BUT HE CAN'T REDIRECT TROPISM AND STILL EXPECT THE REPUBLICAN BASE TO TURN OUT FOR HIM IF HE WANTS TO ADVANCE IN CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter: BEYOND BEING A REPUBLICAN NAME OR COMMISSION, FAULKNER DOESN'T HAVE MUCH TO RUN ON ACCORDING TO GIL CABRERA WHO HAS SERVED ON SEVERAL BOARD COMMISSIONS.

HE SAYS FAULKNER MOSTLY AVOIDED MAJOR SCANDALS.

>> BUT WE ALSO HAD YOU KNOW, BUDGET DEFICITS DURING THE GROWING ECONOMY, AND IT'S ALL THE THINGS THAT REPUBLICAN WOULD NORMALLY RUN ON, I DON'T KNOW THAT HE WOULD BE ABLE TO >> Reporter: THE RECALL NEWSOM CAMPAIGN HAS 2 1/2 MONTHS TOGETHER THE 1.5 MILLION VALID SIGNATURES NEEDED TO FORCE A SPECIAL ELECTION.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE LA MESA POLICE OFFICER FIRED AFTER THE CONTROVERSIAL ARREST OF A BLACK MAN OVER THE SUMMER HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH FALSIFYING A POLICE REPORT.

KPBS REPORTER JOE HONG HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY REPORTED THAT HER OFFICE FILED CHARGES AGAINST THE FORMER LA MESA OFFICER.

MAY 20 SECOND, HE GOT INTO AN ALTERCATION WITH 23 OR LA MESA RESIDENT AUDREY JOHNSON NEAR CHARLIE'S STOCK.

HE ARRESTED JOHNSON FOR ASSAULTING A POLICE OFFICER, BUT THOSE CHARGES WERE EVENTUALLY DROPPED.

FOLLOWING JOHNSON'S ARREST, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FACED WIDESPREAD CRITICISM FOR DISCRIMINATING AGAINST BLACK PEOPLE.

THE TIMING OF THE INCIDENT ALSO COINCIDE WITH THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD AT THE HANDS THE MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER THAT ENDED WITH SOME PARTICIPANTS LOOKING DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY STEFAN ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT REGARDING THE CHARGES AGAINST HIM.

>> Reporter: WHEN SOMEONE IN THE POSITION OF TRUST SUCH AS A POLICE OFFICER COMMITS A CRIME IT CAUSES TREMENDOUS HARM AND SHAKES THE CONFIDENCE AGAINST THOSE WHO ARE CHARGED TO PROTECT THEM.

EVERYONE IS ACCOUNTABLE UNDER THE LINE AS WE'VE DONE PREVIOUSLY, WE WILL FILE CRIMINAL CHARGES WHEN THEY ARE SUPPORTED BY FACTS AND EVIDENCE. "

HE JOINED THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN 2010 BUT WAS TERMINATED AFTER THE INCIDENT.

A STATEMENT, TO KPBS, THE LA MESA POLICE DEPARTMENTS ACTING POLICE DEPARTMENT SAID "WE ARE AWARE OF THE STATEMENT MADE BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE REGARDING THE CHARGES AGAINST FORMER LA MESA POLICE OFFICER MATTHEW BADGES.

WE HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE SAN DIEGO DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE DURING THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS ON THIS MATTER.

LA MESA POLICE DEPARTMENT HOLD EACH AND EVERY MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF INTEGRITY IN ORDER TO PROTECT AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITY, AND KEEP ITS TRUST."

ACCORDING ACCORDING TO THE SPOKESPERSON, THIS MARKS THE FIFTH TIME SINCE 2009 THAT A POLICE OFFICER IN THE COUNTY IS BEEN CHARGED FOR FALSIFYING A POLICE REPORT.

HE FACES UP TO THREE YEARS IN PRISON IF CONVICTED.

JOE HONG, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I'M JUDY WOODRUFF .

TONIGHT ON THE NEWS ARE, PRESIDENT TRUMP ASKING OFFICIALS TO FIND BOATS RAISES SERIOUS DOUBTS.

COMING UP AT SEVEN AFTER EVENING CONDITION.

>>> UC SAN DIEGO STUDENTS ARE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL IN PERSON, OUTDOORS, TEACHING TENANTS WILL SHELTER A SMALL NUMBER OF CLASSES THAT WILL BE HELD OUTSIDE.

MASKS MUST BE WORN AND CLASS SIZES WILL BE CAPPED.

ALSO NEW FOR THE RENTER QUARTER, FREE COVID-19 TEST KITS, AND 11 VENDOR MACHINES SCATTERED ACROSS CANVAS FOR STUDENTS AND STAFF CAN SEND THE KIDS OFF FOR PROCESSING AND GET RESULTS IN ABOUT TWO DAYS.

>> MAKING MACHINES WERE ACCESSIBLE, ESPECIALLY WHAT WE HAVE TO DO, WE CAN COME RIGHT HERE AND GET IT.

>> Reporter: THE SCHOOL IS NOW REQUIRING STUDENTS TO GET TESTING EACH WEEK, AND THEY MUST COMPLETE AN ONLINE SCREENING EACH DAY.

>>> THE UK IS ROLLING OUT A THIRD CORONAVIRUS VACCINE TODAY AND STARTED ADMINISTERING SHOTS CREATED BY OXFORD ASTRAZENECA.

TODAY AND 80 30 MAN WAS THE FIRST TO GET UP TO THE NEW VACCINATIONS CAME THE SAME DAY AS THE PRIME MINISTER ANNOUNCED A NATIONAL LOCKDOWN TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF A NEW VARIANT OF COVID-19.

>>> THE NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW STATE LAWS.

CALIFORNIA WILL REQUIRE SOME COMPANIES TO GUARANTEE WORKERS THEIR JOBS BACK, AFTER TAKING LEAVE TO TAKE CARE OF A BABY OR SIX LOVE ONE.

COW MATTERS REPORTER LAURA ROSENTHAL EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: A SMALL PART OF ALMOST EVERY PAYCHECK IN CALIFORNIA GOES INTO THE STATES PAID FAMILY LEAVE PROGRAM.

IT ALLOWS WORKERS TO RECEIVE PARTIAL PAY WHEN THEY TAKE TIME OFF TO CARE FOR A NEW CHILD OR SICK FAMILY MEMBER.

BUT MANY PEOPLE DON'T TAKE LEAVE, BECAUSE THE LAW DOESN'T ENSURE THEY CAN GO BACK TO THEIR JOB AFTERWARDS.

THAT IS CHANGING.

I'M LAURA ROSENTHAL AND I'M GOING TO EXPLAIN TO 2021 LAW THAT PROTECTS THE JOBS FOR WORKERS WHO TAKE FAMILY.

IN JANUARY, ROUGHLY 6 MILLION ADDITIONAL CALIFORNIANS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE FAMILY LEAD, WITH THE GUARANTEE THAT THEY CAN COME BACK TO THE JOBS WHEN IT IS DONE.

THE NEW LAW, BY DEMOCRATIC HANNAH BARB JACKSON OF SANTA BARBARA EXTENDS PROTECTIONS TO EMPLOYEES AND MOST WORKERS IN CALIFORNIA.

THAT SHOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR WORKERS TO TAKE TIME OFF IF THEY ARE ALREADY PAYING FOR IT.

THE CALIFORNIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND TRADE GROUPS ARE GIVING THE NEW PROTECTIONS WOULD MAKE IT HARDER FOR SMALL BUSINESSES TO OPERATE AND COULD EXPOSE COMPANIES TO MORE LAWSUITS.

BUT SUPPORTERS, INCLUDING ADVOCATES FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN AND WORKERS, SAY PEOPLE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS WITHOUT FEAR OF LOSING THEIR JOBS.

THE NEW LAW IS PART OF WHAT GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM CALLS HIS PARENTS AGENDA, WHICH HE HOPES EVENTUALLY WILL PERMIT EVERY BABY TO BE CARED FOR BY A FAMILY MEMBER OF THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF LIFE.

TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER NEW LAWS TAKING EFFECT IN 2021, THIS ACCOUNT MATTERS.ORG.

OR, CHECK OUT OUR NEW LAWS PLAYLIST.

FOR COW MATTERS, I'M LAURA ROSENTHAL.

>>> THE PAST FEW WEEKS HAVE SEEN THE LEAST TRAVELED SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT'S GOING TO .5 MILLION PASSENGERS JUST OVER THE WEEKEND.

1.3 MILLION TRAVELED JUST ON SUNDAY, WHICH IS THE MOST SINCE MARCH.

SINCE DECEMBER 18 ALONE, THE TSA HAS SCREENED 1 MILLION PEOPLE IN A SINGLE DAY 11 TIMES.

STRENGTH IS A LOOK AT OUR WEATHER HEADLINES FOR THE UPCOMING WEEK.

IT LOOKS LIKE ALL WEEK LONG IT WILL BE DRY.

LAST WEEK WE WERE HOPING THERE WOULD BE A COUPLE OF STORMS.

IT'S NOT HAPPENING, THEY'RE ALL STAYING TO THE NORTH, SO WHAT WE WILL SEE HER DO SOME CLOUDS FROM THE STORM SYSTEMS FROM TIME TO TIME, MAINLY A HIGH LEVEL VARIETY.

DRY AND SEASONAL, TEMPERATURES WILL FLUCTUATE A LITTLE BIT WITH FLOW, SLIGHTLY ON SHORT EARLY AND WE, AND THEN STARTS TO MOVE A LITTLE OFFSHORE AND SLIGHTLY WARMER BY WEDNESDAY.

TEMPERATURES MAY DROP OFF JUST A SMIDGEN LATER IN THE WEEK.

WE SAW SOME ROUGH SURF AND WE DO HAVE SOME HIGH SURF ADVISORIES HERE, ALONG THE COASTAL AREAS, THIS CONTINUES INTO WEDNESDAY.

TEMPERATURES TONIGHT, LET'S CHECK THEM OUT.

39th IN OCEANSIDE, 48 IN SAN DIEGO, EL CAJON IS DOWN TO 44.

PAUL MONIES AT 34, MOUNT LAGUNA, 30, AND CAMPELL WILL BE FREEZING.

FOR TOMORROW, WE HAVE THE ONSHORE FLOW, SO JUST SOME PATCHES OF CLOUDS AT THE COAST, OTHERWISE SOME CLOUDS AND SUN.

AS OF THE LATEST STORM RACES EAST, CELEBRATE SNOW IN COLORADO.

HOW ARE TEMPERATURES HOVERING IN THE LOW 60s IN OCEANSIDE, MID-SIXTIES IN SAN DIEGO.

73, MID-SEVENTIES IN BORREGO SPRINGS AND LAGOON IS AT 60.

AGAIN, WEDNESDAY, DRY AND SEASONABLE, AND STORMS PASSING BY TO THE NORTH.

RAIN IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AND LOOKING AT ARE TEMPERATURES, A COOL TUESDAY AND THEN A LITTLE BIT MILDER WEDNESDAY.

NO BIG CHANGES OF TEMPERATURES LATER IN THE WEEK.

THE INLAND SECTIONS, TURNING SUNNY TUESDAY, PARTLY SUNNY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY AND THEN WE COOL IT OFF JUST A LITTLE BIT.

AND I SAY TAKE YOU TO THE MOUNTAIN, TRANQUIL SCENARIO HERE, CALLING FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY, IN THE 50s.

AS I TAKE YOU UP TO THE DESERT, IT LOOKS WONDERFUL HERE, PRETTY NICE.

EFFORT KPBS NEWS, I'M METEOROLOGIST MARK TAMAYO TO THE.

>>> WHAT HAPPENS WHEN ORGANIZATIONS WHOSE SOLE PURPOSE IS TO PERFORM IN FRONT OF A LIVE AUDIENCE WHEN THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE?

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL TALKED TO ONE SAN DIEGO AND WHO HAS HAD TO FIND ANSWERS FOR THREE ARTS ORGANIZATIONS.

>> Reporter: RUBEN VALENZUELA IS IN FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS.

IN THE STRANGEST OF TIMES.

>> AS THE MONTHS PROGRESSED, IT BECAME EVEN MORE CLEAR THAT THIS WAS A LONG, LONG HAUL.

>> Reporter: BALANCE WEILAND HAS PLAYED THE ORGAN HERE AND ALSO'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN 1000 TIMES.

BUT NOW HE PLAYS TO AN EMPTY CHURCH WITH ONLY MICROPHONES LISTENING.

BALANCE WEILAND IS THE DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AND THE ORGANIST HERE.

>> WHAT IS BEEN TAKEN WAYS THE VERY THING WHERE USUALLY DOING IS PERFORMING.

>> Reporter: SO, LIKE MANY CHURCHES ALL OVER THE WORLD HE MOVED THE MUSIC, THE ORGAN AND CHOIR TO THE VIRTUAL SPACE.

HE CALLS THOSE EARLY ONLINE DAYS , THE JURASSIC PERIOD, BUT OVER TIME, WITH SAFETY IN MIND, CHANGES WERE MADE.

THE END PRODUCT GOT BETTER.

>> THINGS STARTED TO REFINE THEMSELVES, OKAY, WE CAN GET SOME PEOPLE IN HERE IN THE BUILDING, IT'S GIVES US A PROPER ACOUSTICS, WHICH MEANS WE CAN USE THE ORGAN, WHICH MEANS THAT OKAY, I THINK THE PRODUCT WOULD BE BETTER IF WE HAD LIGHTS.

SO, SOMEBODY DONATED LIGHTS.

AND, LITTLE BY LITTLE, THE CHURCH BECAME CENTRALLY RECORDING STUDIO FOR VICTORY CHURCH.

♪ >> Reporter: BALANCE WEILAND'S MUSICAL WORLD STRETCHES BEYOND THE SACRED, HE IS ALSO CHORAL DIRECTOR FOR THE LORD CENTRAL CORAL.

THE GROUP IS MADE UP ENTIRELY OF VOLUNTEERS, SO LONG WITH MOVING PERFORMANCES ONLINE, BALANCE WEILAND HAD TO THINK ABOUT HOW TO KEEP THE GROUP ENGAGED.

>> WE HAVE SOME TIME, LET'S STOP NOW AND LOOKED AT X, Y, AND Z IN-DEPTH.

CAN'T SING IT, BUT WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT, WE CAN LOOK UNDER THE SURFACE, WE CAN LOOK AT THE HISTORY AND THE CONTEXT.

AND SO THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF OCCASION FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO HIS DUTIES AT ALL SOULS AND WITH THE SIMPLY COURSE, BALANCE WEILAND IS ALSO ARTISTIC RECTOR , HE FOUNDED THE GROUP IN 2003.

THE PANDEMIC PRESENTED HIM WITH VERY DIFFERENT CHALLENGES THAN THE OTHER GROUPS.

>> WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO NEXT?

WITH CONCERTS PLAN.

THEY GOT PULLED AND CANCELED, PEOPLE PAY FOR THINGS, WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO?

>> Reporter: SOMEHOW, BALANCE WHEEL HAS MADE IT ALL WORK.

HE HAS DONE IT BY BEING INNOVATIVE, THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX.

CALL THEM CHANGES FIRST BY THE PANDEMIC.

NEW WAYS OF DOING THINGS THAT BALANCE WEILAND SAYS WON'T ENTIRELY DISAPPEAR, ONCE THE PANDEMIC IS OVER.

>> IT WOULD BE A HUGE MISTAKE TO JUST YOU KNOW, TURN YOUR BACK ON ALL THAT IS BEEN LEARNED IN THIS YEAR WHEN EVER THE SENSE, BECAUSE THERE'S SOME VALUABLE TOOLS.

YOU NEED TO HAVE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS, THE ABILITY TO REACH OUT TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS, WHETHER THEY ARE YOUR CONGREGATION, WHETHER YOU'RE TICKET BUYERS, SUPPORTERS, DONATORS.

WHEN YOU CAN DO A LIVE PERFORMANCE.

>> Reporter: NOW, WITH VACCINES BEING DISTRIBUTED, VALENZUELA IS LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE, AND HE ADMITS TO SOME ANXIETY.

>> I FIND MYSELF LOOKING AT RINGS ON TV OR ON YOUTUBE AND I SEE PRE-PANDEMIC FOOTAGE.

AND I CRINGE.

BECAUSE I THINK WE'VE GOTTEN USED TO ANNOUNCING PEOPLE DISTANCED, PEOPLE WITH MASKS, AND CERTAINLY IN THE MUSIC ARENA.

SO I THINK IT WILL BE THAT TRIGGER WILL BE THERE FOR SOME TIME.

AND I WONDER HOW MUCH OF THAT DISTANCING ASPECT WILL LINGER.

OR EVEN LONGER THAN WE THINK.

>> Reporter: IN A VIRTUAL WAY, THE ARTS HAVE HELPED A LOT OF US GET TO THE START DAYS.

NOW THAT THE END OF THE COVID ERA IS HOPEFULLY COMING INTO VIEW, WE ARE ALL LEFT TO WONDER, WHAT FORM WITH THE ARTS TAKE IN A WORLD FINALLY FREE OF THE RAVAGES OF A ONCE IN A CENTURY PANDEMIC?

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AND HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE WARNING OF AN EXPECTED SURGEON CORONAVIRUS CASES AND DEATHS FROM HOLIDAYS.

IT COMES AS THE COUNTY REPORTS OVER 3000 CASES AND SIX DEATHS TODAY.

MEANWHILE, GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAYS CALIFORNIA IS SURVEYING ITS HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO DETERMINE WHO IS DECLINING TO GET THE VACCINE, AND WHY.

THE LA TIMES REPORTS 20-50 PERCENT OF WORKERS IN LA AND RIVERSIDE ARE TURNING IT DOWN.

ANOTHER 600,000 DOSES ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN A FEW DAYS.

>>> AND LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY FOR STATE PROGRAM HANDING OUT $500 MILLION IN GRANTS.

IT IS PART OF THE FEDERAL STIMULUS AND OFFERS GRANTS BETWEEN $5000 AND $25,000.

THE MONEY DOES NOT HAVE TO BE PAID BACK.

THE DEADLINE WAS EXTENDED TO THIS FRIDAY, AND APPLICATIONS WILL BE REVIEWED ON JANUARY 14.

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

TAKE YOU FOR JOINING US, I AM MAYA TRABULSI , HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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