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

PRACTICE ABORT THE MISSION OF KPBS AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS .

ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

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

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION.

THE DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU!

>>> GOOD EVENING, IT'S MONDAY, JANUARY 3rd.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

WAS BACK TO WORK AND SCHOOL TODAY AMID A SURGE OF NEW COVID-19 INFECTIONS.

IT WAS ALSO BACK IN LINE.

LONG LINES FOR THOUSANDS AND COUNTY RUN TESTING STATIONS AFTER THEY WERE SHUT DOWN FOR THE NEW YEAR'S HOLIDAY.

OUR COVERAGE BEGINS WITH KPBS REPORTER, ERIC ANDERSON.

>> Reporter: -- >> WE WERE ABLE TO HANG OUT WITH SOME FAMILY BUT WE GOT TOGETHER WITH BIGGER FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: HILLCREST RESIDENT, MS. PINEDA WAS IN CONTACT WITH SOMEONE EXPOSED TO COVID AND THAT IS WHY SHE WAITED IN A LINE THAT STRETCHED FOR BLOCKS.

SHE WANTED TO GET TESTED TO MAKE SURE IT IS OKAY TO BE WITH HER 4-YEAR-OLD CHILD WHO IS TOO YOUNG TO BE VACCINATED.

>> I HAVE TWO DOSES.

I'M WAITING FOR THE BOOSTER.

SO AFTER THIS I AM GETTING MY RESULTS AND LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THIS BOOSTER SHOT.

FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE TRYING TO GET TESTED IN PART BECAUSE AT HOME TESTING KITS WERE IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND LATE LAST WEEKEND THE COUNTY SHUTDOWN IN PURSING TESTING OVER THE WEEKEND.

AS DEMAND FOR TESTS ROSE SHARPLY.

>> THE ABILITY TO GIVE THEM A DAY OR TWO TO BE WITH THEIR FAMILIES GIVEN THAT THE COUNTY ONLY ADMINISTERS 10% OF THE TOTAL REGIONAL AMOUNT OF TESTING.

TO GIVE THEM A DAY OR TWO TO BE WITH THEIR FAMILIES?

I THINK IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

>> Reporter: COUNTY OFFICIALS SAY THERE WILL BE 84 IN PERSON TESTING EVENTS THIS WEEK RUN BY THE COUNTY.

AND THEIR PARTNERS.

IT IS A MIXED BLESSING FOR SOME.

>> IT WORRIES ME A LOT STANDING IN LINE.

BEING AROUND ALL OF THESE PEOPLE.

IT WORRIES ME A LOT.

>> Reporter: NORTH PARKS JENNA ROBINSON WANTS TO MAKE SURE SHE AND HER GRANDCHILDREN ARE SAFE.

>> AFTER I HAD MY HOOD UP, MY GLASSES ON.

I AM SCARED.

I HAVE SOME CHILLS.

THIS IS SCARY.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S COVID INFECTION RATE OF 65 CASES PER 100,000 PEOPLE IS CURRENTLY RUNNING HIGHER THAN THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE OF 46 CASES PER 100,000.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A TWO WEEK HOLIDAY BREAK ENDED WITH MANY FAMILIES AND SCRAMBLING TO TEST THEIR CHILDREN FOR COVID BEFORE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL TODAY.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER, ANGIE PEREZ TELLS US ABOUT ONE DISTRICT THAT STARTS BACK TOMORROW BUT ALREADY HAS PARENTS LINED UP.

>> Reporter: IT IS MOVING FASTER THAN THE USUAL CARPOOL PICK UP LINE BECAUSE THIS IS AN EXPRESSLY WHERE PARENTS IN THE LA MESA SPRING VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVE SCORED A VALUABLE BOX OF TWO AT HOME TEST KITS FOR COVID-19.

ANGEL HARDEMAN USUALLY SUBS IN THE DISTRICT AS AN ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT.

TODAY, SHE IS A DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR, HAPPY TO GIVE PARENTS WHAT THEY DESPERATELY HAVE BEEN SEEKING FOR THEIR CHILDREN.

>> I THINK THE PARENTS MAY BE READY TO SEND THEM BACK TO SCHOOL BUT OVERALL, I THINK THEY ARE THANKFUL THEY HAVE A TEST TO GET AND THEY ARE THANKFUL TO GET ONE.

THE TABLE WOULD COVID TESTS GIVEAWAY IS THE FOURTH IN THE WEEK.

LA MESA SPRING VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT WAS LUCKY TO RECEIVE TEST KITS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BEFORE THE HOLIDAY BREAK.

THE LUCK OF THE DRAW LEFT THE DISTRICT WITH A STOCKPILE FOR ITS STAFF AND STUDENTS.

>> I THINK IF YOU US SAFE SO WE KNOW, YOU KNOW, THAT WE ARE NOT SPREADING IT BECAUSE I THINK WE DO HAVE.

-- >> WE HAVE ALL HEARD STORIES OF ALL OF US KNOWING SOMEBODY WHO IS GETTING IT AND IT IS BETTER TO BE SAFE BEFORE KIDS GET BACK IN THE LOOP.

POOR RICH HAVEN IS NOT READY TO HAVE HIS SON VACCINATED BUT HE IS HAPPY TO BE IN THIS LINE.

>> YEAH BECAUSE I DON'T WANT HIM SPREADING.

HE IS GOING TO SCHOOL WITH HIS OTHER RUNS AND WE DON'T WANT TO SPREAD IT SO ABSOLUTELY TO KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE.

MAKES STUDENTS GO BACK TO SCHOOL TUESDAY MORNING THAT THERE ARE ALREADY THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WHO WENT BACK TODAY.

WHILE TESTING IN MANY CASES IS NOT MANDATORY, IT IS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT WEAPONS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19.

>> IT IS A ROLLER COASTER.

DAVID FELICIANO IS THE LA MESA SPRING VALLEY SUPERINTENDENT LEADING HIS STAFF, STUDENTS AND PARENTS THROUGH THE PROCEEDING PANDEMIC.

THE DISTRICT HAS NO MANDATES RIGHT NOW AND FOLLOWS ESTATE AND CDC GUIDELINES.

>> IT IS A TIME FOR PEOPLE TO GET EXCITED AND UNITED BEHIND THE TASK OF EDUCATION AND JUST IT NEEDS TO BE ABOUT PUTTING KIDS FIRST.

>> THESE PARENTS ARE COMMITTED TO DOING THAT.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CLASSES STARTED AT SAN DIEGO ON GROSSMONT COLLEGE BUT ONLY ONLINE.

UCSD PLANNED BEFORE THE HOLIDAY TO OPERATE ONLY FOR THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF THE WINTER QUARTER.

GROSSMONT COLLEGE ANNOUNCED ON ITS WEBSITE OUT OF AN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION ALL CLASSES AND ON- CAMPUS SERVICES ARE BEING MOVED ONLINE.

>>> VISORS BOOSTER SHOT IS NOW APPROVED FOR KIDS BETWEEN 12 AND 15.

THE FDA MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY WHICH ALSO INCLUDED REDUCING THE AMOUNT OF TIME BETWEEN A SECOND VACCINE AND BOOSTER FROM SIX MONTHS TO FIVE.

KIDS WHO RECEIVED THE MODERNA OR J&J VACCINE AS THEIR PRIMARY CAN GET THE PFIZER BOOSTER.

THE FDA ALSO ADDED AN APPROVAL FOR A THIRD PRIMARY DOSE OF PFIZER FOR CHILDREN AGED 5 TO 11 WHO ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED AN EMERGENCY BROWN OUT BECAUSE OF COVID-19.

THIS MEANS SEVERAL UNITS ARE BEING SHUT DOWN TEMPORARILY BECAUSE DOZENS OF FIREFIGHTERS ARE IN ISOLATION.

KPBS REPORTER, KITTY ALVARADO SAYS THIS IS DONE TO MAKE THE MOST OF STAFF AND RESOURCES.

>> Reporter: THE OMICRON VARIANT IS TAKEN DOWN EVEN THE BRAVEST, THE SAN DIEGO FIRE DEPARTMENT CURRENTLY HAS 100 FIREFIGHTERS AND MORE THAN A DOZEN LIFEGUARDS IN ISOLATION.

THAT MEANS THEY TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.

CHIEF COLIN STILLWELL SAYS THIS IS UNPRECEDENTED.

>> PROBABLY ABOUT THREE TIMES AS MUCH AS WE SAW DURING WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS THAN THE PEAK OF COVID FOR US.

THIS IS JUST THE NUMBERS WE WOULD HAVE NEVER IMAGINED., HE SAYS THIS IS FORCED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TO IMPLEMENT EMERGENCY STAFFING PLANS.

SINCE THE NEW YEAR, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS HAD TO SHUT DOWN SEVERAL UNITS DAILY.

>> BY US GOING INTO THE PLAN AND PICKING THE UNITS WE ARE GOING TO CLOSE DOWN WE ARE TRYING TO ENSURE THAT THE RESPONSE TIMES ARE NOT SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED AND THEY SEE LONGER WAIT TIMES.

WE HAVE MADE SURE THAT THERE ARE UNITS IN THOSE FIRE STATIONS THAT CAN STILL RESPOND TO THOSE EMERGENCIES AND IF VICE IF BY CHANCE THAT UNIT IS BUSY, AND THERE IS A SUBSEQUENT CALL, OUR ENGINES ARE CLOSE BY THAT CAN GET IN THERE QUICKLY.

>> Reporter: ADDING TO THIS THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO'S VACCINE MANDATE DEADLINE IS TODAY.

AND EMPLOYEES ARE NOT VACCINATED OR HAVE A VALID EXEMPTION THEY WILL BE SENT LETTERS OF TERMINATION.

MAYOR GLORIA SAYS THE MANDATE IS WORKING AND THAT 88%, VACCINATED EMPLOYEES ARE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH.

HE ALSO SAYS TOO ANY ARE FOCUSING ON THE IMPACTS THIS MAY HAVE ON FUTURE STAFFING LEVELS.

>> WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH A NUMBER OF CONTINGENCY PLANS CURRENTLY.

IT IS NOT ACCURATE TO SAY THAT THE VACCINE MANDATE WILL HAVE OPERATIONAL IMPACTS.

WHAT IS IN ACCURATE IS WE ARE CURRENTLY SUFFERING THROUGH IMPACTS BECAUSE OF COVID-19.

>> LORIA SO SHE IS COMFORTABLE IN THE PLAN THAT STILLWELL IS IMPLEMENTING.

>> I TRUST IS ONE HIM IN MAKING SURE OUR PERSONNEL AND APPARATUS POSITIONED SO WE CAN RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES AS THEY HAPPEN.

THIS IS FAR FROM IDEAL.

THEY WILL GET IT WRONG.

I WOULD MUCH PREFER THAT WE ARE NOT DEALING WITH THE SITUATION.

>> THE CDC HAS SHORTENED ISOLATION TIME FOR PEOPLE WHO TEST POSITIVE BUT ARE ASYMPTOMATIC TO FIVE DAYS.

STILLWELL SAYS THIS WILL HELP BUT HE EXPECTS THIS TO GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER.

>> WE DO EXPECT IT TO PROBABLY CONTINUE TO CLIMB AND HOPEFULLY WE REACH THAT PEAK OR PLATEAU SOON BUT THAT WAS REALLY OUR MOTIVATION TO CREATE THIS PLAN NOW RATHER THAN WAIT UNTIL IT IS A DIRE EMERGENCY.

>>> KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A DOUBLE DISASTER FOR MANY ON A FLIGHT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

NOT ONLY HAS COVID GROUNDED LIGHTS BUT BAD WEATHER, TOO.

>> Reporter: A WINTRY MESS AFFECTING MILLIONS.

>> THE ROADS ARE REALLY JUST SLUSHY.

THEY ARE NOT AS I SEE AS WE WERE EXPECTING.

BUT I DO HAVE A SNEAKING SUSPICION IT IS GOING TO GET A LITTLE -- PRETTY BAD.

>> THE SNOWFALL AS FAR SOUTH AS THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE.

>> IT IS SNOWING.

>> SOME AREAS OF THE NORTHEAST NORTHEAST COULD SEE FOUR TO 8 INCHES OF SNOW AND WASHINGTON, D.C., SNOWS SHUTTING DOWN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> CREWS HAVE BEEN OUT IN THE DISTRICT SINCE MIDNIGHT FOCUSED ON SALTING AND PLOWING ROADS.

>> Reporter: HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS ARE WITHOUT POWER.

THE HEAVY SNOW LEADING TO SCHOOL CLOSURES AND EVEN SOME COVID TESTING SITES ARE TEMPORARILY CLOSED.

>> IT IS KIND OF A NIGHTMARE.

>> Reporter: THE STORM DUE TO THE STAFF SHORTAGES DUE TO OMICRON CAUSING MAJOR OUTAGES.

MORE THAN 2700 FLIGHTS CANCELED NATIONWIDE ON MONDAY.

MAJOR FLIGHT DELAYS IN WASHINGTON, CHICAGO AND ATLANTA.

SOME TRAVELERS WAITING FOR DAYS TO CATCH A FLIGHT HOME.

>> I HAD TO LEAVE ON THURSDAY.

AND THEN THEY CANCELED IT AND WE TRIED TO RESCHEDULE FOR SATURDAY NIGHT AND THEY RESCHEDULED AGAIN AND CANCELED IT AND TODAY THEY CANCELED IT ON THE WAY TO THE AIRPORT.

>>> SAN DIEGO STATE MEN'S BASKETBALL GAME AGAINST FRESNO STATE IS POSTPONES BECAUSE OF COVID.

THE MOUNTAIN WEST CONFERENCE ANNOUNCED TODAY THERE ARE COVID- 19 ISSUES WITH THE FRESNO TEAM.

THE GAME SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY WOULD'VE BEEN THE AZTECS CONFERENCE HOME OPENER.

IF IT CAN'T BE RESCHEDULED IT WILL BE DECLARED A NO CONTEXT.

THE AZTECS NEXT SCHEDULED GAME IS AGAINST THE NEVADA WOLF IT BACK ON JANUARY 8th AT VA HAS ARENA.

>>> FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS SOMEONE HAS SPRAY-PAINTED HATEFUL GRAFFITI AT SYNDICATE TWO ACADEMY IN ENCINITAS.

DESPITE INVESTIGATING, MELISSA MAE SAYS PARENTS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS WANT MORE DONE.

>> Reporter: AT 3:55 A.M. JANUARY 1st A SINGLE YOUTH SPRAY-PAINTED THE FRONT OF SYNDICATE OH ACADEMY WITH RACIST AND HOMOPHOBIC SLURS.

TODAY, STUDENTS, PARENTS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS CAME TOGETHER FOR A RALLY.

>> I WASN'T SURPRISED.

I WASN'T IN SHOCK.

I HONESTLY SAID TO MYSELF, REALLY, AGAIN.

>> I WAS NOT SURPRISED BY THIS AND IT IS DISAPPOINTING TO KNOW BUT I HONESTLY FELT NO REACTION.

IT WAS DISHEARTENING BUT IT IS LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED SO MANY TIMES THAT IT HAS BECOME NOTHING NEW.

>> Reporter: THIS JR. SAYS SHE DOESN'T FEEL SAFE IN THAT DISTRICT.

>> I FEEL LIKE I NEVER KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

THIS CONSTANT RED AND ESPECIALLY THIS YEAR IT HAS FELT ROUGH TO BE MARGINALIZED IN THIS DISTRICT.

SCARY AND UNSAFE.

>> Reporter: WE ARE HERE TO -- >> WE ARE HERE TO DENOUNCE THAT HATEFUL SPEECH THAT WAS SPRAY- PAINTED ON THE WALLS OF THIS BUILDING WHICH HAS BEEN REMOVED.

THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE OF A ONE UP.

THIS IS AN ISSUE OF A SUSPENDED PROBLEM THAT IS GOING ON AT THIS SCHOOL FOR YEARS.

PUBLIC LEADERS FROM THE LGBTQ RESOURCE CENTER AND THE NAACP WERE PRESENT AT THE LEFT RALLY AND THEY ARE CALLING ON THE DISTRICT TO TAKE ACTION.

DR. WARD COULD NOT MAKE IT TO THE RALLY TODAY BUT SHE IS OPEN TO MEETING WITH ALL COMMUNITY LEADERS.

.

WE ARE BECOMING A PLACE FOR NO HATE.

WE ARE TREADING OUR TRAINING WITH THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE.

>> DAN HAS BEEN A RESIDENT FOR OVER 15 YEARS AND SAYS THE DISTRICT DOES HAVE ISSUES AND APPRECIATES THE COMMUNITIES EFFORTS.

>> I APPRECIATE THE GRASSROOTS EFFORTS BUT I DID NOT WANT TODAY TO BE POLITICAL.

IT IS NOT POLITICAL FOR ME.

IT IS ABOUT KIDS AND IT IS ENSURING KIDS GET WHAT THEY NEED.

>> Reporter: THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS WORKING TO IDENTIFY YOUTH AND THOUGH JAMES WORD CANNOT PROMISE VANDALISM WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN SHE TALKED ABOUT WHAT THE DISTRICT IS WORKING ON.

>> I CAN TALK ABOUT THE THINGS WE ARE DOING TO CHANGE.

WE HAVE DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION TRAINING HAPPENING ON ALL OUR CAMPUSES.

>> Reporter: STAFF AND STUDENT LEADERS ARE ALSO GOING TO TAKE PART IN TRAINING FROM ANTI- DEFAMATION LEAGUE.

JAFFER IS A MUSLIM ARAB- AMERICAN AND IS A MESSAGE FOR EVERYONE AFFECTED >> YOU ARE NEVER ALONE IN YOUR FIGHT I AM HERE.

WE ARE ALL HERE.

ALL THESE PEOPLE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

AND FOR YOUR FEELINGS AND IT IS OKAY TO FEEL HER.

YOU SHOULD FEEL HURT AND ANGRY AND MAD AND YOU SHOULD WANT CHANGE RIGHT NOW.

BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE NEED.

WE NEED THAT MOMENTUM.

>> Reporter: MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A PROMINENT DEMOCRATIC STATE LAWMAKER IS LEAVING SACRAMENTO.

TODAY, SAN DIEGO ASSEMBLYWOMAN LINDA REYNA GONZALES ANNOUNCED HER LAST DAY WILL BE WEDNESDAY.

IN A STATEMENT GONZALES SAID SHE IS RESIGNING FROM THE STATE ASSEMBLY TO LEAVE THE CALIFORNIA LABOR BRITISH AND FEDERATION IN JULY.

SHE SAYS HER TIME AS AN ASSEMBLYWOMAN FOR THE 80th DISTRICT WAS NEARING AN END.

FORMER SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT GOMEZ HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED SHE WILL RUN IN THE SPECIAL ELECTION TO SUCCEED GONZALES.

>>> AFTER AN UNSUCCESSFUL RECALL CAMPAIGN WE MIGHT HEAR MORE FROM KEVIN FAULCONER IN 2022.

OVER THE WEEKEND THE FORMER SAN DIEGO MAYOR TOLD AN L.A. TV STATION HE IS SERIOUSLY CONSIDERING ANOTHER RUN FOR GOVERNOR.

FAULKNER SAYS A FORMAL DECISION WILL BE MADE IN THE COMING MONTHS.

THE REPUBLICAN FINISHED THIRD LAST YEAR AMONG THOSE TRYING TO UNSEAT GAVIN NEWSOM.

>>> THE USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN LEFT SAN DIEGO THIS MORNING.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER STEVE WALSH SAYS IT'S THE FIRST TIME A U.S. CARRIER WILL BE COMMANDED BY A WOMAN.

>> Reporter: AFTER NINE MONTHS IN SAN DIEGO THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN LEFT NORTH ISLAND TICKETS COMMANDER, CAPTAIN AMY BOWERS JOINED AN ELITE GROUP, THE FIRST WOMAN TO CAPTAIN A NUCLEAR POWERED AIRCRAFT CARRIER.

SHE SAYS SHE HASN'T FELT THE EXTRA SCRUTINY.

>> THE TEAM ON BOARD NOW IS THE MOST PROFESSIONAL AND WE JUST NEED TO GET THE JOB DONE SO THEY HAVE BEEN INCREDIBLY SUPPORTIVE.

IT WAS AN INCREDIBLY SPOOF SMOOTH TRANSITION.

THEY HAVE DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB GETTING READY FOR DEPLOYMENT SO THE TEAM ON BOARD COULD NOT BE MORE AMAZING.

>> Reporter: THE NAVAL AVIATOR SAID SHE DID NOT EXPECT TO REACH THIS GOAL WHEN SHE GRADUATED THE NAVAL ACADEMY IN 1994.

>> I CONCENTRATE ON ONE STEP AT A TIME, STAYED AROUND AS LONG AS I STILL HAVE FUN AND I HAVE A GREAT TEAM TO WORK WITH AND I STILL AM HAVING A BLAST AND HAVING AN INCREDIBLE TEAM TO WORK WITH.

PUBLIC BOWERS TOOK OVER JUST WEEKS BEFORE A HELICOPTER ACCIDENT ON BOARD THE CARRIER KILLED FIVE OF THE CREW.

THE ACCIDENT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>> IT IS ALWAYS A TOUGH EXPERIENCE.

AND NO ONE IS EVER PREPARED FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT AND EVERYONE DEALS WITH IT IN THEIR OWN WAY AND PROCESS IT IN THEIR OWN WAY.

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF HELP ENSURING THAT THE SAILORS WERE PREPARED AND READY TO GO FOR THE REST OF THE TRAINING CYCLE.

IT WAS A TOUGH DAY THAT NONE OF US WANT TO FORGET.

>> Reporter: THE CARRIERS STRIKE GROUP IS HEADED TOWARD THE WESTERN PACIFIC AN UNDISCLOSED NUMBER OF SAILORS ON BOARD HAVE TESTED POSITIVE COVID.

AS THE NAVY CONTINUES TO UPDATE PROTOCOLS THEY WILL REMAIN ON BOARD IN ISOLATION.

STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE USDA'S NEW RULES FOR LABELING GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOODS TOOK EFFECT WITH THE NEW YEAR.

FOODS ON SUPERMARKET SHELVES WILL BE LABELED AS HAVING BEEN BIOENGINEERED INSTEAD OF GMO.

IN MOST CASES YOU WILL BE ABLE TO FIND MORE INFORMATION BY USING A PHONE NUMBER, WEBSITE OR QR CODE.

SOME OF THE OLD LABELS WILL REMAIN LIKE CERTIFIED USDA ORGANIC AND NON-GMO PROJECT VERIFIED.

>>> MILLIONS OF PATIENTS COULD GET FEWER SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS UNDER A NEW FEDERAL LAW.

SOME ARE RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT A PROVISION IN THE LAW AND ARE SUING.

MANDY GAITHER HAS MORE ON WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

>> Reporter: IT IS CALLED THE NO SURPRISES ACT I'M A NEW FEDERAL PROTECTIONS FOR PATIENTS AGAINST SURPRISE MEDICAL BILLS.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A PERVASIVE AND ABUSIVE BILLING PRACTICE BY SOME PROVIDERS.

THEY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A SITUATION WHERE THE PATIENT HAS NO ABILITY TO CHOOSE.

>> Reporter: THE LAW IS SET TO GO INTO EFFECT JANUARY 1st.

A REPORT FROM THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAYS IT PROTECTS PATIENTS WITH MOST INDIVIDUAL AND EMPLOYER INSURANCE PLANS BY NO LONGER ALLOWING THEM TO BE BALANCE BILLED FOR EMERGENCY AND CERTAIN NONEMERGENCY SERVICES IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES.

PATIENTS WILL ALSO NOT BE IN THE MIDDLE OF BILLING DISPUTES BETWEEN PROVIDERS AND INSURERS.

AND THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE THINKS THE LAW WILL REDUCE HEALTH INSURANCE PREMIUMS.

>> WE CANNOT GO TO EMERGENCY ROOMS AND GET EMERGENCY CARE WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT AN OUT OF NETWORK CHARGE.

>> Reporter: BUT THE AMERICAN HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION AND THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION HAS SUED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CHALLENGING A PROVISION OF THE RULE ISSUED IN SEPTEMBER AIMED AT DETERMINING FAIR PAYMENT FOR SERVICES BY OUT OF NETWORK PROVIDERS.

IN A JOINT STATEMENT THE ORGANIZATIONS SAY THE BILLING RESOLUTION PROCESS SHOULD ALSO NOT IMPEDE PATIENT ACCESS TO CARE BY MAKING FEWER CAREGIVERS AVAILABLE ON THEIR INSURANCE NETWORK.

THIS IS WHY THE AHA AND AMA ARE ASKING THE PORT COURT TO BRING THE REGULATIONS IN LINE WITH THE PATIENT FROM THE BALANCED APPROACH CONGRESS INTENDED.

THE LAWSUIT IS NOT EXPECTED TO STOP THE LAW FROM MOVING FORWARD.

FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>>> THE BIGGEST TECH EVENT OF THE YEAR WON'T BE AS BIG AS ORIGINALLY PLANNED.

THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW IN LAS VEGAS IS BEING SCALED BACK FROM FOUR DAYS DOWN TO THREE.

OPENING DAY IS ON WEDNESDAY.

A DECISION WAS MADE AFTER SOME BIG COMPANIES LIKE T-MOBILE AND FACEBOOK PULLED OUT OF THE SHOW DUE TO CONCERNS ABOUT COVID.

THOSE WHO COVERED THE INDUSTRY SAY SMALLER COMPANIES COULD LOSE OUT ON IMPORTANT NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES.

MAIL A LOT OF AMERICAN COMPANIES -- >> Reporter: THIS IS WHERE YOU COME TO MEET THE JOURNALISTS TO TELL THE STORIES TO FIND THAT MONEY AND A LOT OF THAT IS DIFFICULT TO DO VIRTUALLY BECAUSE THE RATIO IS TOO HIGH ONLINE.

>> NEARLY 200,000 PEOPLE ATTENDED CES IN 2020 BEFORE IT WENT VIRTUAL LAST YEAR.

ONCE THE CROWDS ARRIVE THIS WEEK, EVERYONE WILL NEED TO SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION AND WEAR MASKS.

>>> IF YOU STILL HAVE A CLASSIC BLACKBERRY, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO USE IT NOT EVEN TO CALL 9-1- 1 STARTING TOMORROW.

THE COMPANY SAYS IT WILL NO LONGER SUPPORT DEVICES RUNNING LECRAE 10, 7.100 AND EARLIER.

THOUGH DEVICES RUNNING ON ANDROID SOFTWARE WILL STILL WORK, IN 2012, 80 MILLION PEOPLE HAD A BLACKBERRY BUT THE COMPANY ULTIMATELY COULD NOT COMPETE WITH THE APPLE iPHONE.

IT NOW FOCUSES ON PROVIDING SECURITY SOFTWARE AND SERVICES TO ENTERPRISES AND TO GOVERNMENTS.

>>> LOOKING FORWARD TO A NICE DRY STRETCH AHEAD OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

TEMPERATURES ARE ON THE RISE AND A LITTLE BIT OF SOME MARINE LAYER INFLUENCE AT NIGHT BRINGING IN CLOUDS AND MAYBE SOME LOW HANGING CROWD CLOUDS THROUGH THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF THE COAST BUT OVERALL EXPECTING MORE IN THE WAY OF SUNSHINE AND A NICE WARMING TREND.

AS WE HEAD INTO TONIGHT IS GOING TO BE CHILLY WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE 20s IN RAMONA, 38 IN EL CAJON, 35 OUT TOWARD ESCONDIDO, SAN DIEGO DOWN TO 37 DEGREES.

AND THE BIG PICTURE STORY HERE FOR TUESDAY IS THAT STORMING IS THAT CONTINUES ACROSS PARTS OF THE NORTHWEST.

A LITTLE BIT COOL HERE FOR THE DAY ON TUESDAY BUT IT IS GOING TO BE DRY WHICH IS GOOD NEWS.

FOR YOUR TUESDAY, TEMPERATURES GETTING INTO THE UPPER 50s IN OCEANSIDE, MID 60s IN BORREGO SPRINGS, EL CAJON, 63, CHULA VISTA, 61 FOR THE DAYTIME HIGH AND WEDNESDAY, A SIMILAR STORY HERE.

A LITTLE BIT OF A MILDER DAY ACROSS THE INTERIOR SPOTS.

HERE'S SOME RAIN TRYING TO GET INTO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA BUT I THINK MOST OF IT IS GOING TO STAY TO THE NORTH.

SMALL CHANCE MAYBE FRIDAY NIGHT FOR A LITTLE BIT OF PRECIPITATION TO GET FAR INTO SOUTHERN PARTS OF CALIFORNIA BUT I DON'T THINK IT IS GOING TO AMOUNT TO MUCH IF ANYTHING AT ALL.

NEAR THE COAST, TEMPERATURES GO FROM THE UPPER 50s TUESDAY ALL THE WAY UP INTO THE MID-60s WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, AND MOVING INTO FRIDAY.

IT WILL COOL OFF A LITTLE FRIDAY BUT STILL HOLDING ONTO LOW 60s AS WE PUSH INTO THE WEEKEND.

FURTHER INLAND, TEMPS GO FROM THE LOW 60s TUESDAY INTO THE 70s BY THURSDAY.

WHAT GOES UP MUST COME DOWN AND WE WILL COOL THINGS OFF A LITTLE BIT BACK IN THE 60s FOR YOUR FRIDAY AND MOVING INTO NEXT SATURDAY.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, TEMPERATURES SITTING IN THE LOW 50s AND NOT SEEING A LOT OF CHANGE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

A LITTLE BIT OF ADDING CLOUD COVER TUESDAY AND PERHAPS NEXT SATURDAY BUT IN BETWEEN THAT IT IS ALL ABOUT SUNSHINE AND IN THE DESERTS, TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO BE UP, UP AND AWAY FROM THE 60s INTO THE LOW 70s, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AND MOVING INTO SATURDAY.

FOR KPBS NEWS I'M METEOROLOGIST, JESSICA CASS.

>>> THE NEW DISNEY+ SERIES DEBUTED LAST WEEK WITH A NEW EPISODE DROPPING WEDNESDAY.

KPBS CEMENTED CINEMA JUNKIE BUT ARMANDO EXPLORES THE HISTORY AND HAS THIS REVIEW OF THE SHOW.

>>> THE CHARACTER WAS INTRODUCED TO STARWOOD STAR WARS FANS IN THE MUCH ALIGNED 1978 STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL.

>> MAYBE I CAN HELP YOU.

>> IT BECAME A POPULAR TENOR TOUR THAT YOUR BEFORE FINALLY BECOMING A CHARACTER IN THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK IN 1980.

HOW DID A MINOR CHARACTER AND ONE THAT PUT HAN SOLO IN CARBONITE DEVELOP SUCH A CULT FOLLOWING?

HE WAS HASTILY DISPATCHED IN THE FILM FRANCHISE WHEN HE FELL INTO THE -- IN RETURN OF THE JEDI BUT HE HAS BEEN RESURRECTED FOR THE NEW SERIES BOOK OF BOBA FETT.

THE SHOW FOLLOWS THE WILDLY SUCCESSFUL AND 11 THE MANDALORIAN BUT WHILE THAT SHOW IMMEDIATELY HOOKED ME WITH ITS MYSTERIOUSLY ODDLY HONORABLE CHARACTER I'M SCRATCHING MY HEAD A BIT ABOUT HIM.

>> SPEAK FREELY.

>> Reporter: HE STILL SEEMS LIKE A SECONDARY CHARACTER AND AS YET TO PROVE HIMSELF IN THE FIRST EPISODE HE TURNS OUT TO BE A RATHER INEFFECTIVE CRIME LORD AS HE TRIES TO TAKE OVER FOR JABBA THE HUTT.

>> JABBA THE HUTT RULED WITH FEAR.

I INTEND TO RULE WITH RESPECT >> Reporter: THE FIRST EPISODE WAS UNREMARKABLY DIRECTED BY ROBERT RODRIGUEZ.

EVEN THE ACTION HE USUALLY EXCELS AT FELT UNDERWHELMING BUT HE DID GIVE US THE GREAT MAN DeLOREAN EPISODE AND JOHN FAVREAU WHO OVERSAW THAT SERIES IS ALSO OVERSEEING BOBOFET SO I'M HOPEFUL IT WILL IMPROVE.

BOBOFET HAS AN UPHILL BATTLE FOR ME TO ME THAT THE GUY THAT DELIVERED JABBA THE HUTT IN THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY IS WORTH MY TIME.

THE MAN DeLOREAN HOWEVER, BUILT UP A LOT OF GOODWILL IN ME IN THE FRANCHISE AND WHAT IT'S CAPABLE OF SO I'M DOWN FOR A FEW MORE EPISODES OF THE BOOK OF NICHOLAS McVICKER .

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

THERE WERE LONG LINES TODAY AT SAN DIEGO COVID-19 TESTING STATIONS AMID A NEW SURGE OF INFECTIONS.

THE COUNTY'S COVID INFECTION RATE OF 65 CASES PER 100,000 PEOPLE IS CURRENTLY RUNNING HIGHER THAN THE STATE AVERAGE 46 CASES PER 100,000.

COUNTY OFFICIALS SAY THERE WILL BE 84 IN PERSON TESTING EVENTS THIS WEEK.

>>> TODAY, THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTY RETURNED TO CLASSES ON CAMPUS INCLUDING THOSE IN THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

TOMORROW, STUDENTS IN VILLA MESA SPRING VALLEY WILL RETURN TO IN PERSON LEARNING.

TODAY PARENTS PICKED UP COAT COVID TEST KITS PROVIDED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

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

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI .

GOODNIGHT.

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PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

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