♪ >> Announcer: MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AIR, RESTORATION AND FLOOD SERVICES FOR OVER 45 YEARS.

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

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING -- AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

♪ >>> THOUSANDS MORE SAN DIEGO TROOPS ARE AT SEA IN HAD THE MIDDLE EAST AS THE U.S./ISRAELI WAR INTENSIFIES.

THANKS FOR JOINING US, I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THREE WERE KILLED ON BASES ACROSS THE REGION.

FEEHAN AND GONZALEZ WERE KILLED.

A THIRD SERVICE MEMBER HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER ANDREW DYER SAYS LOCAL TROOPS REMAIN IN HARM'S WAY.

>> Reporter: THE AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT SHIP "USS BOXER" CONDUCTS OPERATIONS.

LATE LAST MONTH THEY ARRIVED IN THE MIDDLE EAST JOINING THE "USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN," IN THE REGION SINCE JANUARY.

THE U.S.

HAS RAMPED UP AIR STRIKES.

TWO U.S.

SERVICE MEMBERS WERE KILLED IN IRANIAN ATTACKS IN JORDAN.

A THIRD KILLED IN IRAQ IN WHAT THE PENTAGON SAYS WAS A CONTROLLED DEMOLITION OF A IRANIAN DRONE.

DOZENS MORE TROOPS WERE INJURED.

THE PROLONGED CONFLICT THREATENS TO FURTHER STRAIN THE U.S.

CARRIER FLEET, ESPECIALLY THE LINCOLN.

THEY LEFT SAN DIEGO IN NOVEMBER.

THEY GOT A ONE DAY PORT CALL IN GUAM AND HAVE BEEN AT SEA EVER SINCE.

220-PLUS CONSECUTIVE DAYS AT SEA IS A RECORD FOR ANY U.S.

NAVY SHIP.

THE BOXER IS CARRYING 2,500 CAMP PENDLETON MARINES AND SAILORS.

>>> STILL ON THE WARMER SIDE, OVERNIGHT, 69.

MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES.

SOME CHANGES IN THE TEMPERATURES DEPENDING WHERE YOU ARE THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

COAST NOT AS MUCH.

MOUNTAINS AND DESERTS A LITTLE BIT MORE.

WE'LL TALK ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT WITH THE MONSOONAL MOISTURE THIS WEEK AS WELL.

>>> CREWS MADE PROGRESS AGAINST THE THORN FIRE BURNING IN EAST COUNTY.

IT'S 100% CONTAINED AFTER BURNING OVER 1,200 ACRES.

STARTED WEDNESDAY.

CAL FIRE SAYS IT INITIALLY SPREAD SOUTH OF INTERSTATE 8, NORTH OF CAMPO ROAD.

THE CAUSE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> THE ABILITY TO FIGHT WILDFIRES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY GOT A BIG BOOST THANKS TO MAJOR UPGRADES AT THE BASE IN RAMONA.

JOHN CARROLL.

>> Reporter: THE RAMONA AIR ATTACK BASE WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND WHEN IT OPENED IN 1957.

TODAY A GRAND REOPENING, REDEDICATION OF THE LOCAL FIREFIGHTING PUZZLE.

>> IT'S THEIR WORK, SUPPORTS THE FIREFIGHTERS ON THE GROUND.

AIRCRAFT CAN'T DO IT THEMSELVES BUT THEIR CRITICAL TO SUPPORT THE BULLDOZERS, PARTNERS AND MANAGEMENT TEAMS.

>> Reporter: ALL NEW BELOW GROUND INFRASTRUCTURE THAT FUELS STATIONS AND A MIXING STATION FOR FIRE RETARDANT THAT TRANSFERS IT RIGHT INTO THE AIRCRAFT.

THE BASE IS NOW HOME TO A NEWLY REFURBISHED C-130.

THIS BEHEMOTH CAN DROP 3,000 GALLONS OF WATER OR RETARDANT.

AND THIS CAL FIRE HAWK HELICOPTER GOES FASTER THAN ITS PREDECESSOR AND HOLDS MORE WATER OR RETARDANT, 1,000 GALLONS VERSUS 300 FOR THE OLD ONE.

CLIFF CATES IS THE PILOT.

>> WE NEED TO MATCH THE AIRCRAFT TO THE JOB.

CAN FILL OUT OF PONDS, LAKES, RIVERS, OCEAN.

WHATEVER WATER.

WE HAVE A RESCUE HOIST ALWAYS AN BOARD.

CARRYING THE EQUIPMENT AND RESCUERS ON BOARD ALL THE TIME TO SERVICE THE PUBLIC OR THE FIREFIGHTERS.

>> Reporter: IT'S EASY TO SEE WHY IT'S IN RAMONA, IT'S RELATIVELY CENTRAL, AND AIRCRAFT CAN GET NEAR AND FAR.

>> WHEN IT'S A FIRE, RESPONSE TEAMS ARE EVERYTHING.

WITH THIS BASE STAFFED AND NIGHTTIME FLYING HELICOPTER IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD, FOR MY DEPARTMENT AND SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: NIGHT FLYING CAPABILITY IS HUGELY IMPORTANT.

THIS CREW WILL BE TRAINED AND THE CHOPPER WILL JOIN THE MISSIONS LATER THIS YEAR.

THESE ARE ALL NIGHT CAPABLE AS WELL AND HELPED GETTING THE UPPER HAND ON THE THORN FIRE.

>> THE MORE THE BETTER.

AT NIGHT THE FIRE TYPICALLY SLOWS DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

IF YOU CAN HIT IT BY AIRCRAFT, YOU CAN REALLY PUT A HALT TO FORWARD PROGRESS.

>> Reporter: THE WORK CONTINUES OUT HERE.

THESE TWO HELIPADS SHOULD BE COMPLETE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

NEXT, A 17 PERSON BARRACKS WILL BE BUILT TO BASE CREWS HERE 24/7, 365 DAYS A YEAR.

THAT SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY THE END OF 2027, MAKING THE RAMONA AIR ATTACK BASE BIGGER AND BETTER AT WHAT IT DOES THAN EVER.

IN RAMONA, JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ON THE NEWS HOUR, THE PENTAGON IDENTIFIES TWO SOLDIERS KILLED IN THE WAR WITH IRAN, A LOOK AT THE RISK AFTER EVENING EDITION ON KPBS.

>>> AS YOU JUST HEARD, TENSIONS BOILED BETWEEN THE U.S.

AND IRAN OVER THE WEEKEND.

AS FIGHTING INTENSIFIES, GAS PRICES ARE ON THE RISE.

MADDIE GANNON REPORTS.

>> Reporter: THE WORLD IS WAITING TO SEE HOW THE WAR BETWEEN THE U.S.

AND IRAN PLAYS OUT IN THE DAYS AHEAD AFTER A WEEKEND OF ESCALATION.

CHIEF AMONGST THAT, THE DEATH OF THREE U.S.

SERVICE MEMBERS.

THE PENTAGON IDENTIFIED TWO KILLED.

25-YEAR-OLD FROM HAWAII AND 19-YEAR-OLD FROM TEXAS.

THEY WERE KILLED AS PART OF AN IRANIAN ATTACK ON A U.S.

MILITARY BASE IN JORDAN.

THEN ON SUNDAY WE HEARD FROM THE MILITARY A THIRD U.S.

SERVICE MEMBER WAS KILLED IN NORTHERN IRAQ TRYING TO DETONATE A DOWNED IRANIAN DRONE.

THIS MARKED THE FIRST DEATHS OF U.S.

MILITARY MEMBERS SINCE MARCH, AND BROUGHT THE TOTAL NUMBER KILLED TO 17.

WE DID HEAR FROM SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO WHO SAID THE U.S.

REMAINS OPEN TO A DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION BUT ADDED IT WOULD NOT BE GOOD FOR IRAN IF THAT FAILED.

AND WE SAW A NINTH STRAIGHT NIGHT OF STRIKES AGAINST IRAN SUNDAY.

THE IMPACT AT THE GAS PUMP, THE NATIONAL AVERAGE HIT THE $4 MARK ON MONDAY ACCORDING TO AAA.

GAS PRICES REACHED A FOUR-YEAR HIGH IN EARLY MAY AMID THE CONFLICT BUT HAD BEEN FALLING UNTIL RECENTLY.

AT THE WHITE HOUSE, MADDIE GANNON.

>>> HERE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, THE AVERAGE PRICE OF GAS ROSE FOR THE FIFTH DAY STRAIGHT.

GALLON OF REGULAR GAS, $5.55.

IT'S INCREASED 87 CENTS SINCE THE START OF THE JOINT U.S.U.S.

U.S./ISRAEL ATTACK ON IRAN IN FEBRUARY.

>>> IF YOU'RE GOALS FOR THE YEAR WERE PUSHED TO THE BACK BURNER, YOU'RE NOT ALONE.

HOW TO RESET FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR.

>> JUST LIKE HALFTIME IS A CHANCE FOR TEAMS TO REGROUP, THE EXPERT WE SPOKE WITH SAYS JULY CAN BE A HALFTIME MOMENT FOR THE REST OF US, GIVING US A CHANCE TO LOOK AT WHAT IS WORKING AND NOT WORKING IN OUR LIFE AND MAKE A FEW SMALL ADJUSTMENTS TO WIN THE REST OF THE YEAR.

JUST LIKE THAT -- WE'RE AT THE MIDPOINT OF 2026.

>> IT'S HALFTIME.

RIGHT?

WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE?

>> Reporter: AUTHOR AND LEADERSHIP COACH SAYS NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO DO A MIDYEAR REVIEW AND RESET OF YOUR GOALS.

>> A LOT OF US ARE EXHAUSTED, AI, TOUGH JOB MARKET.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO TAKE BACK OUR LIVES, NOT GIVE IT AWAY TO STRESS.

>> Reporter: STEP BACK, BE CLEAR WHAT IS WORKING AND WHAT ISN'T.

IT'S NOT JUST METRICS, IT'S NOTICING PATTERNS, GOOD AND BAD, DECIDING WHAT TO DO NEXT AND SPOTTING WHERE YOU'RE DRIFTING.

>> BEING CARRIED ALONG OF THE CURRENTS OF YOUR WORKPLACE, WHAT YOUR BOSS WANTS.

ARE RE SIGNS YOU'RE BECOMING COMPLACENT?

>> Reporter: THE TRAPS WE FALL INTO IT, NEGATIVE SELF-TALK.

KEEP IT SIMPLE, FIND A QUIET PLACE, BE HONEST.

DON'T BUILD A MASSIVE TO DO LIST.

STAY BIG PICTURE, NOTICE WHAT DRAINS YOUR ENERGY AND CHOOSE A SMALL SHIFT FOR NOW.

DOESN'T HAVE TO BE PERFECT.

>> COME BACK HOME TO YOURSELF AND WHAT MATTERS.

FOCUS ON WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT.

>> HE SAYS THE SMALL STUFF COUNTS, ONE CHOICE TODAY, OVER TIME, IT BUILDS MOMENTUM AND CAN CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF YOUR YEAR AND LIFE.

>>> THE CITY OF CARLSBAD IS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO SAVE ITS HISTORIC MOVIE THEATER.

IT'S BEEN SITTING EMPTY FOR YEARS.

THE COMMUNITY WANTS IT TO REMAIN A SPACE FOR THE ARTS.

>> Reporter: ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE CARLSBAD THEATER, THERE'S A CONCRETE BLOCK WITH A STAMP, MIRACLE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, 1928.

THE THEATER IS OLDER THAN THE SIDEWALK.

THE PLAQUE SAYS IT WAS OPENED FEBRUARY 8, 1927.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ACKNOWLEDGE OLD BUILDINGS AND ARTS.

>> Reporter: THIS NORTH COUNTY RESIDENT SAYS CARLSBAD SHOULD FOLLOW THE EUROPEAN MODEL AND PRESERVE THE BUILDING.

>> WE TEND TO TEAR THEM DOWN AND GO INTO DISREPAIR.

>> Reporter: THE CITY COUNCIL JUST LOOKED AT A MOTION.

>> IT COULD BE A NONPROFIT ARTS ORGANIZATION TO RUN IT.

>> IT'S BUSY THIS MORNING.

>> Reporter: THIS COUNCIL MEMBER BROUGHT FORTH THE MOTION.

>> IT'S BEEN POPULAR TO SAVE THE THEATER AND GET THE CITY INVOLVED BUT WE DON'T HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHAT HER MOTION IS ABOUT, CITY STAFF TO GATHER INFORMATION AND BRING IT BACK TO THE COUNCIL TO DISCUSS.

THE CURRENT OWNER HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN SELLING OR LEASING THE BUILDING SINCE IT BOUGHT IT IN 2017.

>> A GOOD TIME FOR THE CITY STAFF TO EXPLORE IT.

>> Reporter: ONE COMMUNITY GROUP IS LOOKING AT WAYS TO MAKE THIS A HUB FOR MOVIES, THEATER AND LIVE MUSIC.

>> IT WAS THE ORIGINAL ARTISTIC CULTURAL CENTER OF THE CITY.

>> Reporter: THE GROUP, SAVE THE CARLSBAD THEATER.

THEY HEARD THE CURRENT OWNER WANTS A RESTAURANT AND RETAIL SPACE.

>> WE REACHED OUT TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT, THOUGHT THE CITY WOULD BE THE PERFECT PLACE TO TAKE IT OVER.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THERE ARE PLENTY OF RESTAURANTS BUT THE CITY NEEDS A CULTURAL HUB.

>> FOR THE SAKE OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE CITY SAYS THERE'S NO TIME LINE ON THE STAFF FINDINGS, BUT PROBABLY NOT IN TIME FOR THE 100th ANNIVERSARY NEXT YEAR.

KPBS US IN.

>>> SAN DIEGO CAME SO CLOSE, ONE OF THREE CONTENDERS TO MOST THE 2029 INVICTUS GAMES, BUT THEY ANNOUNCED SOUTH KOREA AS THE PLACE FOR THE HOST CITY.

IT'S FOR MILITARY VETERANS.

SOME ORGANIZERS CAME TO SAN DIEGO TO CHECK OUT SITES.

THE COMMUNITY IS DISAPPOINTED SAN DIEGO WASN'T SELECTED BUT LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THE FIRST CITY IN ASIA TO HOST THE GAMES.

>>> SPAIN IS CELEBRATING ITS SECOND WORLD CUP CHAMPIONSHIP FOLLOWING A DRAMATIC MATCH AGAINST ARGENTINA.

REED BINYON.

>> Reporter: DEAFENING APPLAUSE AT METLIFE STADIUM AFTER SPAIN'S VICTORY OVER ARGENTINA IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL.

THE VICTORS PROUDLY ACCEPTING THE WORLD CUP TROPHY AFTER THEIR WIN.

AFTER WATCH PARTIES ALL OVER THE WORLD TEEMED WITH ANTICIPATION.

AND FANS WATCHED WITH RAPT ATTENTION.

CELEBRITIES, DIGNITARIES AND WORLD LEADERS LIKE DONALD TRUMP.

SPAIN DEFEATED ARGENTINA 1-0 TO CAPTURE THE NATION'S SECOND EVER WORLD CUP TITLE.

AT THE MOMENT OF VICTORY, FANS OF SPAIN ERUPTED IN JUBILATION SIMULTANEOUSLY AROUND THE WORLD.

>> LUCKILY AT THE LAST MOMENT WE FINALLY GOT THE NICE GOAL.

GAME OVER.

GO HOME HAPPY.

>> Reporter: FANS IN MADRID PACKED THE STREETS INTO THE EARLY MORNING.

>> I THOUGHT FIFA WAS INCREDIBLE.

>> Reporter: ARGENTINA FANS VERY DISAPPOINTED AND VISIBLYUP SET.

BUT THERE WAS SIGN OF MUTUAL RESPECT.

>> SPORT UNITES THE WORLD.

FAIR PLAY ABOVE ALL.

>> Reporter: TWO FRIENDS IN NEW YORK BACKING DIFFERENT TEAMS.

>> THE ENERGY IS GREAT, WHOEVER WINS IS A WIN FOR AMERICA.

>> AND THE WORLD CUP FINAL BROUGHT A TEMPORARY SENSE OF NORMALCY AND JOY TO COMMUNITIES DEVASTATED BY EARTHQUAKES IN VENEZUELA.

A MOMENT OF CONNECTION AMID THE HARDSHIP.

HOW PASSION FOR FOOTBALL IS HELPING SURVIVORS HEAL.

>>.

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> Reporter: HERE FOOTBALL IS MORE THAN JUST A GAME.

IT MEANS HEALING.

BRINGING JOY AND SOLACE AMIDST UNCERTAINTY IN VENEZUELA.

THE FINAL MATCH OF THE 2026 WORLD CUP GAVE ADULTS AND CHILDREN AFFECTED BY THE TWIN EARTHQUAKES A CHANCE TO REGAIN A PIECE OF THE EVERYDAY LIFE THEY LOST.

AT LEAST FOR A MOMENT.

ACCORDING TO OFFICIAL FIGURES, MORE THAN 70,000 PEOPLE LOST THEIR HOMES AND MORE THAN 20,000 ARE LIVING IN SHELTERS.

IN MANY CAMPS LIKE THIS ONE, PEOPLE HAD THE CHANCE TO GATHER AND CONNECT AGAIN.

>> Translator: WE'RE HAPPY SPAIN WON.

GO SPAIN!

>> Translator: WHAT WE SAW WAS THE COMMUNITY'S ABILITY TO BE JOYFUL IN A DIFFICULT MOMENT AND HAVE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: AND EVEN THOUGH VENEZUELA'S NATIONAL TEAM IS NOT PLAYING IN THIS TOURNAMENT, THE PASSION FOR FOOTBALL IS UNIVERSALLY SHARED.

SOME SUPPORTING SPAIN, OTHERS ROOTING FOR ARGENTINA.

WATCHING THE MATCH IS NOT AN ACT OF INDIFFERENCE IN A WORLD STRIPPED OF EVERYTHING FAMILIAR, 120 MINUTES OF FOOTBALL OFFER A FRAGILE THREAD OF NORMALCY AND RARE MOMENT OF CONNECTION AMIDST OVERWHELMING GRIEF.

>> Translator: I'M SAD, CAN'T BE HAPPY BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED IN LA GUARDDA, SO I'M SAD.

FOOTBALL MAKES ME SOMEWHAT HAPPY.

>> Translator: IT INSPIRES EMOTION TO SEE THE OTHER COUNTRIES PARTICIPATING.

>> Translator: MOTIVATION TO TAKE OUR MINDS OFF EVERYTHING AFTER WHAT HAPPENED TO US HERE.

>> Reporter: ONLY ONE OFFICIAL WINNER, BUT EVERYBODY HERE FEELS THEY WON SOMETHING.

THE CHANCE TO PUT ASIDE THE HARDSHIPS AND THE POSITIVE ENERGY OF FOOTBALL, THE SPORT THAT UNITES MILLIONS AROUND THE WORLD.

>>> TEMPERATURES ARE TRENDING MUCH CLOSER TO HISTORICAL AVERAGES, SOME A FEW DEGREES BELOW FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

BUT WE HAVE ANOTHER WARMING TREND ON THE WAY AND MORE MONSOONAL MOISTURE TO TALK ABOUT.

DOESN'T MEAN THE SAME THING FOR EVERYBODY.

BORREGO SPRINGS, LOW OF 80, YOU KNOW THAT HIGH IS WELL INTO THE TRIPLE DIGITS.

67 IN OCEANSIDE, 69 IN SAN DIEGO, 62 IN RAMONA.

AHEAD TO TUESDAY, 107 IN BORREGO SPRINGS, 70 FOR MOUNT LAGUNA, DOWN IN RAMONA.

LOW 80s CHULA VISTA TO OCEANSIDE.

WITH THE RAIN.

ALONG OUR FAR EASTERN PORTIONS OF CALIFORNIA, ALONG THE BORDER, THAT'S THE BEST CHANCES OF RAIN THE NEXT 24 TO 36 HOURS.

BUT PAY ATTENTION TO THE CLOUD COVER.

MORE MOISTURE MOVING IN.

IT DOESN'T STICK AROUND ALL DAY BUT WE START TO GET MORE WAVES OF CLOUD COVER TO INCREASE THE HUMIDITY.

MORE MOISTURE, FEEL MORE HUMID OUT THERE.

NOT AS MUCH DRY AIR.

THAT'S THE BIGGER IMPACT FOR A LOT OF YOU RATHER THAN COUPLE OF RAIN SHOWERS POSSIBLE.

ALONG THE COAST, CONTINUED COOLING TREND, 83 TO 80 BY THURSDAY.

LOWS BOUNCING AROUND A LITTLE BIT.

FURTHER INLAND, LOW 90s ACROSS THE BOARD NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.

MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS PRETTY MUCH EVERY DAY.

ON THE WARMER SIDE TUESDAY AND SATURDAY OF COURSE WITH HIGHS OF 92.

AND FACTOR IN HUMIDITY IN SOME AREAS, TOO.

MOUNTAIN REGIONS, BIGGER DIFFERENCES.

76 TUESDAY, WARM TO 79 BY FRIDAY, 85 BY SATURDAY.

AND THEN THE DESERT, WE HAVE A 110 AND ABOVE ON THE MAP.

107, 108 THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, VERY STEAMY 111.

MAKE SURE YOU'RE STAYING HYDRATED OUTSIDE FOR EXTENDED TIME.

>>> COMETIC CON KICKS OFF WEDNESDAY WITH PREVIEW NIGHT.

NOW OR NEVER COMICS HAS BEEN PREPARING FOR ALMOST A YEAR, THE ONLY STORE IN WALKING DISTANCE OF THE CONVENTION.

BETH TAKES US BEHIND THE SCENES HOW ONE SMALL SHOP PREPARES FOR AN ONSLAUGHT OF POP CULTURE FANS.

>> Reporter: TWO THINGS AGO, THINGS WERE DECEPTIVELY CALM AT NOW OR NEVER COMICS.

>> EVERYTHING IS IN BUCKETS.

HUGE TO DO LIST FOR COMIC CON.

WE HAVE TO DO LISTS, OWNERSHIP.

I ORDERED BAGS YESTERDAY.

BAGS DONE.

>> Reporter: THE CALM BEFORE THE COMIC CON STORM.

>> THIS IS THE ONLY THING I'M THIS ORGANIZED FOR.

NOT THIS ON TOP OF EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: AARON IS THE OWNER OF NOW OR NEVER COMICS.

THE GLAMOROUS OFFICE OF A COMIC BOOK STORE.

>> Reporter: WHEN HE DECIDED TO OPEN THE STORE IN SAN DIEGO, HE FACTORED COMIC CON IN THE PLANS.

>> WE'RE LESS THAN A MILE FROM HALL H.

>> Reporter: IT'S PAID OFF.

>> COMIC CON IS OUR SUPER BOWL.

>> Reporter: BUSINESS HAS BEEN SO GOOD, HE DOUBLED THE SIZE OF THE STORE TO CELEBRATE SEVEN YEARS AT THE LOCATION.

UNLIKE MANY CONVENTIONS, SAN DIEGO COMIC CON CREATES A CAMPUS TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO VENTURE OUT.

>> TO HAVE STUFF HAPPENING OUT IN FRONT IS AWESOME, WALK INTO THE GAS LAMP, SEE THE BUSINESSES TAKEN OVER.

EVERYTHING DOWNTOWN FEELS LIKE COMIC CON.

I'VE BEEN GOING TO CONVENTIONS 30 YEARS AND THERE'S NOTHING LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: SO NOW OR NEVER IS PART OF THE COMIC CON CAMPUS.

A GEEKY SPACE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.

>> FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T GET INTO THE CON IT GIVES A TASTE.

>> Reporter: HE WORKS HARD TO LURE PEOPLE INTO THE SHOPS.

>> TWO STORE EXCLUSIVE COVERS.

EXQUISITE CORPSES, ONLY AT NOW OR NEVER.

500 COPIES.

ALSO DOING A STORE EXCLUSIVE VARIANT OF GODZILLA VERSUS COMIC CON.

>> Reporter: EXCLUSIVES ARE A DRAW.

>> COMIC CON EXCLUSIVES FROM YEARS PAST.

FOLKS THAT STAY THE WEEK AFTER VISITING FROM AUSTRALIA OR ITALY, LOOKING FOR THINGS THAT THEY CAN ONLY GET IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: HE ALSO BRINGS IN TALENT FOR SIGNINGS.

>> WEDNESDAY, PATRICK HORVATH IS SIGNING.

MATT ROSENBERG IS COMING IN THURSDAY.

CORPSE TOUR CONFIRMED SATURDAY.

THOSE ARE THREE EVENTS WE HAVE 100% LOCKED DOWN.

WE'RE STILL GETTING FOLKS REACHING OUT EVERY DAY.

>> Reporter: LIKE PUBLISHERS WHO DON'T HAVE A BOOTH AT COMIC CON BUT WANT TO HOLD AN EVENT.

AND ARTISTS.

>> AN ARTIST FROM THE PHILIPPINES HAS ARTISTS THEY'RE REPPING.

>> Reporter: HE WANTS TO ACCOMMODATE BUT HE HAS SMALL SPACE.

>> I'VE GOT A 9.8 GRADED GIANT SIZED X-MEN NUMBER ONE TO SELL FOR $4,000.

WHAT'S YOUR OFFER?

>> Reporter: THAT'S THE NATURE OF THE BEAST.

>> START TO SEE THE UPTICK, WEDNESDAY, THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD.

THURSDAY, FIRST OFFICIAL DAY WILL BE THE LOWEST TRAFFIC DAY.

BUT NOT A SLOW DAY.

STILL GOING TO BE THREE TIMES AN AVERAGE THURSDAY FOR US.

>> Reporter: HE HAS A DEDICATED TEAM OF STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS, BUT COMIC CON CAN BE DAUNTING AND CHALLENGING EVEN FOR EXPERIENCED VETERANS.

>> ANYBODY HAS QUESTIONS, DON'T HESITATE TO GIVE ME A SHOUT.

MIDNIGHT THE DAY BEFORE, DON'T HESITATE, CALL, EMAIL, TEXT.

MENTION IT IN THE SHOP.

>> Reporter: COMIC CON IS LIKE A FORCE OF NATURE AND HITS TOWN WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT.

KPBS.

>> AND YOU'LL GET PLENTY OF COVERAGE IN THE DAYS AHEAD.

STARTS WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

KPBS HOSTED A LIVESTREAM ON OUR NEW ARTS YOUTUBE PAGE AND BETH AND LESLIE TALKED ABOUT OUR COVERAGE PLANS IN A CASUAL CHAT.

@KPBSARTS YOUTUBE PAGE.

TUNE IN TO "EVENING EDITION" WEDNESDAY, LIVE FROM THE CONVENTION CENTER.

AND MORE COVERAGE ON THE COMIC CON LANDING PAGE.

AND GO TO OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

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

>> Announcer: MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AIR, RESTORATION AND FLOOD SERVICES FOR OVER 45 YEARS.

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

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING -- AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

♪