♪ >>> 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!

>>> I.C.E.

HAS LAUNCHED AN IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN IN CALIFORNIA STARTING RIGHT HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THE ENFORCEMENT SURGE IS KNOWN AS OPERATION SAFE CALIFORNIA.

KPBS REPORTER ALEKSANDER NGUYEN RODE ALONG TODAY WITH COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS WHO HAVE BEEN MONITORING I.C.E.

ACTIVITY.

THEY SAY ENFORCEMENT HAS DEFINITELY INCREASED.

>> WE JUST GOT A TIP THAT THEY'RE DOWN THE STREET FROM HERE ON EL CAJON BOULEVARD.

>> Reporter: ARTURO GONZALEZ HAS BEEN MONITORING IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES SINCE 7:00 THIS MORNING, GATHERING TIPS FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH HIS RAPID RESPONSE NETWORK ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> RIGHT NOW I JUST GOT A TIP THAT THEY TOOK A MAN IN FRONT OF THE LAZY ACRES IN ENCINITAS.

HERE IS THE VIDEO CAPTURED BY THE COMMUNITY MEMBER THEY TRAPPED IN THIS PERSON'S CAR.

THEY BELIEVE THAT IT MIGHT BE ONE OF THE WORKERS FROM THE LAZY ACRES MARKET.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE HAS BEEN DOING THIS TO HELP THE COMMUNITY AND WARN VULNERABLE PEOPLE WHERE I.C.E.

AGENTS ARE CONDUCTING THEIR ENFORCEMENT.

>> AROUND SAN DIEGO, KIDNAPPING OUR NEIGHBORS.

>> Reporter: HE HAS BEEN AT THIS FOR NEARLY TWO YEARS SINCE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION STARTED CRACKING DOWN ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

>> THIS IS UNLIKE WHAT WE'VE SEEN ALL YEAR LONG.

WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IN THE LAST WEEK AND A HALF IS A COMPLETE BIG IMMENSE SURGE, THE BIGGEST SURGE I HAVE EVER SEEN SINCE I STARTED DOING THIS WORK.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO "THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER," THE ADMINISTRATION IS LAUNCHING A 45-DAY ENFORCEMENT SURGE STARTING IN SAN DIEGO.

QUOTING A SOURCE, THE NEWSPAPER SAYS AGENTS WERE INSTRUCTED TO GO AFTER ANYBODY REGARDLESS OF CRIMINAL HISTORY.

>> VERY UNFORTUNATE THAT IT IS HAPPENING AT THE -- AT THIS TIME.

>> Reporter: IAN CERILLO IS AN ATTORNEY SERVING THE FILIPINO AND TAGALOG COMMUNITY.

>> ALL THE HOPE WE RECEIVE EVERY DAY FROM MOTHERS, FAMILY MEMBERS CALLING BECAUSE THEIR FAMILY MEMBER HAS BEEN ARRESTED.

SO THE CLIMATE OF FEAR HAS REALLY INTENSIFIED.

>> Reporter: COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS TELL ME THAT I.C.E.

HAS BEEN CHANGING TACTICS SUCH AS WEARING THE SAFETY VESTS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES LIKE THIS ONE TO BLEND IN.

>> PEOPLE ARE SCARED TO TAKE THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL.

PEOPLE ARE AT THE GROCERY STORE, AND ONCE THEY HEAR US SCREAMING THAT I.C.E.

IS HERE, THEY DON'T EVEN WANT TO LEAVE THAT GROCERY STORE.

>> YOU GUYS, THEY CAUSED A COLLISION HERE.

THEY CAUSED A HUGE COLLISION HERE.

THEY CRASHED INTO SOMEONE'S CAR.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE OF THE CRACKDOWN, CIRILLO SAYS VULNERABLE PEOPLE SHOULD CARRY WITH THEM THE RED CARD EVERYWHERE THEY GO.

IT INFORMS IMMIGRANTS THEIR RIGHTS REGARDLESS OF THEIR STATUS.

>> THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT, THE RIGHT NOT TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS FROM I.C.E., THE RIGHT NOT TO PROVIDE ANY KIND OF DOCUMENTS FROM I.C.E., THE RIGHT TO HAVE AN ATTORNEY.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS PEOPLE WHO ARE STOPPED BY I.C.E.

CAN SHOW THE CARD TO AGENTS TO EXERCISE THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT'S ONLY THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER, BUT SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS SEEING TRIPLE THE NUMBER OF HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR THE FLU COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER HEIDI DE MARCO SAYS HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE URGING PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: FLU SEASON USUALLY STARTS PICKING UP AROUND THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER.

>> BUT THIS YEAR, WE ARE ALREADY SEEING FLU ACTIVITY.

WE'VE ALREADY SEEN EIGHT DEATHS, WHICH IS FOUR TIMES MORE THAN WE WERE THIS TIME THE LAST THREE YEARS.

>> Reporter: DR.

SAYONE IS THE COUNTY'S PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER.

HE SAYS ALL EIGHT PEOPLE WHO DIED WERE OVER 50 YEARS OLD AND SIX HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED.

>> WE USUALLY TELL PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED FOR FLU BEFORE BOO, MEANING THAT WE WANT PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED BY HALLOWEEN SO THAT THEY'RE PROTECTED.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS FLU VACCINES ARE EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING INFECTION 40 TO 60% OF THE TIME.

AND EVEN IF YOU DO GET THE FLU, THE VACCINE CAN STILL MAKE SYMPTOMS MILDER.

HE SAYS H1N1 IS THE MAINSTREAM CIRCULATING LOCALLY.

>> WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHY THE FLU SEASON HAS STARTED EARLIER THIS YEAR, BUT WE DO KNOW THAT WE'RE HERE, AND WE KNOW THAT THANKFULLY THE CIRCULATING STRAINS ARE ONES THAT ARE IN THE VACCINATION.

SO THERE IS AND SHOULD BE A DECENT MATCH OR A GOOD MATCH THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY IS ALSO USING A NEW FORECASTING TOOL TO ANTICIPATE HOSPITALIZATIONS.

>> THAT IS TELLING US THAT THE NEXT TWO WEEKS ARE PREDICTED TO BE HIGHER IN TERMS OF HOSPITALIZATIONS AND MORE SEVERE.

SO WHILE WE DON'T KNOW THE WHOLE REST OF THE SEASON, WE DO KNOW IT'S GOING GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER.

>> Reporter: AND THE FLU CAN AFFECT MORE THAN JUST THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM.

>> THERE IS AN ASSOCIATION BETWEEN GETTING FLU AND THESE OTHER THINGS LIKE HEART ATTACKS.

IT'S INFLAMMATION, RIGHT, TO YOUR BODY.

SO WHEN YOU'RE DEALING WITH ALL THIS MORE INFLAMMATION, THAT CAN TRIGGER OF COURSE OTHER RESPONSES.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO GET VACCINATED.

THE COUNTY RECOMMENDS A FLU VACCINE FOR EVERYONE SIX MONTHS AND OLDER.

SHOTS ARE AVAILABLE THROUGH HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, PHARMACIES AND COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH CENTERS.

HEIDI DE MARCO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CAL STATE SAN MARCOS STUDENTS ARE SPEAKING OUT FOLLOWING A SERIES OF REPORTED RAPES AND SEXUAL ASSAULTS EARLIER THIS YEAR ON CAMPUS.

KPBS REPORTER JACOB AERE SAYS THE UNIVERSITY HAS STRENGTHENED SAFETY MEASURES IN RECENT WEEKS, BUT SOME SAY IT'S STILL NOT ENOUGH.

>> Reporter: A SIXTH CASE INVOLVING RAPE OR SEXUAL ASSAULT HAS NOW BEEN REPORTED AT CSUSM STUDENT HOUSING DORMS SINCE THE START OF THE FALL SEMESTER.

THE UNIVERSITY SAYS IN RESPONSE, IT HAS INCREASED UNIVERSITY POLICE PATROLS, ADDED ADDITIONAL OVERNIGHT SECURITY, AND INCREASED FRONT DESK STAFFING AT RESIDENTIAL COMMUNITIES.

THERE ARE MIXED REACTIONS FROM STUDENTS.

>> I'M MORE FEARFUL.

I MEAN, I HAVE LIKE -- I MEAN, I FEEL LIKE EVERY WOMAN HAS PEPPER SPRAY.

I HAVE A TASER.

>> WE'VE HAD LIKE SECURITY IN THE ROOMS OR IN THE HALLWAYS.

AND THEN WE HAVE TO CHECK IN EVERY TIME.

IT FEELS REALLY SAFE, YEAH.

>> Reporter: THE SCHOOL SAYS THE REPORTED INCIDENTS ARE NOT CONNECTED, AND THERE IS NO SERIAL OR RANDOM ATTACKER TARGETING STUDENTS.

JUNIOR HANNAH HEARD THE SAFETY AND SECURITY CHANGES HAVEN'T GONE FAR ENOUGH.

>> I THINK IT IMPACTS HOW I -- HOW SAFE I FEEL ON THIS CAMPUS, BUT ALSO LIKE I'VE SEEN LIKE KIND OF THE SENSE OF EVERY WOMAN THAT I'VE TALKED TO HAS A FEAR ON CAMPUS AND WHY IS THIS BEING NORMALIZED.

>> Reporter: FRESHMAN LARISSA AND FAY DUMONT LIVE IN THE BLACK OAK HALL WHERE SOME OF THE ASSAULTS TOOK PLACE.

>> WE KNOW SOME OF THE VICTIMS.

WE KNOW SOME OF THE PERPETRATORS, WHICH IS REALLY INTENSE.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY THEY'VE NOTICED A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE WITH SAFETY AND SECURITY IN THEIR DORM AND ARE PROUD OF HOW THE SCHOOL HAS RESPONDED.

>> IT'S JUST A LITTLE SCARY FOR FRIENDS JUST TO KIND OF LIKE BE NERVOUS ABOUT LIKE ARE WE IN A SAFE SPACE, BUT HONESTLY, I THINK THE MOST FRUSTRATING PART FOR ME IS A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE TURNED AROUND AND SAID THAT SAN MARCOS ISN'T A SAFE CAMPUS AND THAT THEY'RE NOT DOING ENOUGH.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CAMPUS CRIME DATABASE, CSUM HAS TRACKED CASES OF RAPE AND VIOLENT ASSAULT ON CAMPUS SINCE 2014.

IT SHOWS THE SCHOOL REPORTED THE MOST CASES IN 2015 AND 2023.

THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF FONDLING WAS IN 2023.

SO FAR IN 2026, THERE HAVE BEEN 10 REPORTED RAPES ON CAMPUS AND 4 FONDLINGS.

HURD SAYS WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT CAL STATE SAN MARCOS AND OTHER UNIVERSITIES LIKE CORNELL IS WHY HIGHER EDUCATION NEEDS TO CHANGE THE WAY SEXUAL ASSAULTS ARE REPORTED AND HANDLED.

SPECIFICALLY, SHE SAYS THE TITLE IX REPORTING PROCESS FALLS SHORT.

>> IT DOESN'T START A JUDICIAL PROCESS FOR STUDENTS.

IT DOESN'T START LIKE THE WAY OF GOING THROUGH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> GOING THROUGH THE TITLE IX PERSONALLY MYSELF, THE TITLE IX PROCESS COULD LAST UP TO THREE SEMESTERS.

AND THAT DOESN'T GUARANTEE YOU A SUCCESS IN YOUR CASE AT ALL.

AND IT'S VERY HARD TO GO THROUGH.

>> Reporter: FOURTH YEAR STUDENT ANITA RODRIGUEZ DID NOT WANT TO SHOW HER FACE ON CAMERA.

RODRIGUEZ SAID SHE AND OTHER YOUNG WOMEN WANT TO FEEL SAFE ON CAMPUS.

>> WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE MOTIVATION TO COMPLETE OUR ACADEMICS WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT OUR SAFETY OR GOING THROUGH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES BECAUSE WE WERE AFFECTED BY SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

>> Reporter: CSUSM SAYS IT'S IMPLEMENTED ADDITIONAL EDUCATIONAL MEASURES REGARDING SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND CONSENT.

THE UNIVERSITY IS ALSO ENCOURAGING ALL STUDENTS TO DOWNLOAD CSUSM COUGAR SAFE, THE SCHOOL'S OFFICIAL SAFETY APP.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A STATE LAWMAKER IS PUSHING FOR OVERSIGHT HEARINGS ON CONDITIONS AT DONOVAN STATE PRISON AFTER REPORTING BY KPBS.

LAST MONTH, OFFICIALS AT THE PRISON IMPOSED LOCKDOWNS DURING AN INTENSE HEATWAVE.

>> JUST BECAUSE SOMEONE HAS COMMITTED A SERIOUS CRIME AND MIGHT BE DOING TIME AT DONOVAN DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY SHOULD BE SUBJECT TO CRUEL AND UNUSUAL CONDITIONS.

>> AND KPBS REPORTER KORI SUZUKI HAS BEEN COVERING THIS STORY, AND HE JOINS ME NOW.

KORI, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, MAYA.

>> SO TO START, CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED AT DONOVAN LAST MONTH.

>> RIGHT.

THIS IS RICHARD J. DONOVAN CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

IT'S A STATE PRISON.

IT SITS IN THE OTAY MESA AREA OF SAN DIEGO KIND OF DOWN ALONG THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER.

AND IN SEPTEMBER, AS I'M SURE YOU ALL REMEMBER, THERE WAS THIS BRUTAL AND REALLY HUMID HEATWAVE.

AND WHAT WE LEARNED, SPEAKING WITH THREE PEOPLE WHO ARE CURRENTLY INCARCERATED AT DONOVAN IS THAT AT THE SAME TIME, CORRECTIONAL STAFF AT THE PRISON IMPOSED THESE LOCKDOWNS, CONFINING PEOPLE TO THEIR CELLS AND RESTRICTING ACCESS TO COOLING MEASURES, THEY SAY LIKE ICE WATER, COOLER AREAS IN THE PRISON, AND FANS.

>> WHAT WE'VE LEARNED IS THAT THIS IS NOT JUST A LOCAL ISSUE.

THIS IS PART OF A BROADER ISSUE.

IS THAT RIGHT?

>> RIGHT.

EXACTLY.

I SPOKE TO FOR THIS STORY FOR OUR REPORTING LAST WEEK CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER WHO HAS WORKED ON ONGOING LITIGATION AGAINST CDCR, THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION.

I SPOKE WITH A FORMER OVERSIGHT OFFICIAL WHO THEN MOVED TO LEAD THE DEPARTMENT, AND I ALSO SPOKE WITH AN ADVOCATE WHO WORKS ON POLICY IN THE BAY AREA.

AND WHAT ALL THREE OF THEM SAID IS THAT CDCR IS REALLY EXPERIENCING THESE STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES WITH KEEPING PEOPLE WHO ARE INCARCERATED SAFE.

AS CLIMATE CHANGE BRINGS MORE INTENSE AND MORE FREQUENT HEATWAVES TO CALIFORNIA, YOU HAVE AGING PRISONS THAT WEREN'T BUILT TO WITHSTAND THESE TEMPERATURES AND THAT REALLY AREN'T PROTECTING EITHER INCARCERATED PEOPLE OR IN SOME CASES CORRECTIONAL STAFF AS WELL.

AND THEN YOU ALSO HAVE A LOT OF THESE BUILDINGS THAT DON'T HAVE AIR CONDITIONING TOO.

THREE OUT OF FOUR PRISONS, STATE PRISONS IN CALIFORNIA DON'T HAVE AIR CONDITIONING.

SO THERE ARE KIND OF THESE STRUCTURAL CHALLENGES THE DEPARTMENT IS FACING AS IT'S TRYING TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

>> YEAH, AND THOSE CONDITIONS BECOME MORE BRUTAL AS THE HEAT RISES.

SO WHAT ABOUT SAFETY PROCEDURES?

WHAT -- DOESN'T CDCR HAVE ANYTHING IN A PLAN FOR THAT?

>> RIGHT, THEY DO.

THAT'S A GREAT POINT.

CDCR HAS WHAT THEY CALL A HEAT PLAN.

IT'S A SAFETY PROTOCOL WHERE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO TAKE THESE DIFFERENT STEPS AS TEMPERATURES HIT DIFFERENT THRESHOLDS OUTSIDE AND THEN INSIDE THEIR PRISONS.

BUT WHAT ADVOCATES SAY IS THAT THIS PROTOCOL IS REALLY VAGUE IN SOME PLACES.

IT WAS DEVELOPED IN THE '90s, AND MANY PEOPLE LIKE IT HASN'T KEPT UP WITH THESE MORE INTENSE HEATWAVES OF TODAY.

IT ALSO, FOR EXAMPLE, DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR WHAT TO DO DURING LOCKDOWNS OR HOW DURING A LOCKDOWN THIS HEAT SAFETY PLAN, THESE STEPS SHOULD INTERSECT WITH THOSE OTHER PROTOCOLS.

SO THERE ARE REALLY I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE THAT IT COULD USE SOME MORE STRICT UPDATES.

>> Reporter: SO CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE RESPONSE THAT YOU'VE HAD TO THIS STORY.

A STATE LAWMAKER IS CALLING FOR MORE OVERSIGHT HEARINGS.

SO TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THAT.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> RIGHT.

EARLIER IN THIS CONVERSATION WE HEARD FROM NICK SCHULTZ, WHO IS AN ASSEMBLY MEMBER, DEMOCRATIC FROM BURBANK.

AND SCHULTZ IS THE CHAIR OF THE ASSEMBLY'S PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE.

AND WHAT HE SAYS IS THAT HE WANTS TO HOLD HEARINGS WHERE LAWMAKERS CAN ASK THESE QUESTIONS TO CDCR, CAN QUESTION THEM ABOUT CONDITIONS AT DONOVAN, AND REALLY, IN PARTICULAR, HE WANTS TO LOOK AT SOME OF THESE SPECIFIC PIECE.

CDCR'S HEAT PLAN, WHETHER OR NOT IT NEEDS MORE AGGRESSIVE UPDATES TO BE BETTER PREPARED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF TODAY, WHETHER THAT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED SO THAT THERE IS SPECIFIC LANGUAGE WHEN IT INTERACTS WITH OTHER PROTOCOLS LIKE LOCKDOWNS.

SO HE'S REALLY LOOKING PRETTY CLOSELY AT THIS.

HERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT HE SAID.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT ANYONE WHO IS WATCHING THIS OR HEARS OF THIS WHO IS IN CUSTODY AT CDCR LIKE DONOVAN OR ANY OF OUR FACILITIES, OR WHO HAS LOVED ONES OR ANY CONNECTION TO IT, I WOULD SIMPLY SAY YOUR CONCERN, YOUR PLEAS FOR HELP ARE NOT GOING UNANSWERED, AT LEAST SPEAKING FROM MY LITTLE CORNER OF THE WORLD.

I HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR.

>> SCHULTZ SAYS HE'LL PUSH FOR THOSE HEARINGS WHEN THE LEGISLATURE RECONVENES IN JANUARY.

>> KORI, AS USUAL, THIS IS GREAT REPORTING.

WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOUR TIME HERE.

>> THANK YOU, MAYA.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>>> I'M GEOFF BENNETT.

FEDERAL AGENTS SEARCH THE HOME OF ILHAN OMAR RAISING NEW QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TIMING AND MOTIVATIONS.

THAT'S AT 7:00 AFTER "EVENING EDITION."

>>> 8th DISTRICT RACE IS ON THE BALLOT.

TWO DEMOCRATS ARE VYING FOR THE OPEN SEAT COVERING THE SOUTH BAY.

>> COUNCIL DISTRICT 8 INCLUDES LOGAN HEIGHTS, SOUTHCREST, SAN YSIDRO AND OTAY MESA.

VIVIAN MORENO IS THE CURRENT COUNCILMEMBER.

SHE IS TERMED OUT AND HER CHIEF OF STAFF IS RUNNING TO REPLACE HER.

>> FOR A VERY LONG TIME DISTRICT 8 HAS BEEN LEFT BEHIND.

I'M TALKING DECADES.

>> Reporter: GERARDO RAMIREZ SAYS HIS WORK HAS GIVEN HIM INSIDER KNOWLEDGE OF HOW CITY HALL OPERATORS.

HE SAYS SAN DIEGO IS FACING YEARS OF DEFICITS.

>> AND THAT'S A PROBLEM BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF BACK LOGS OF STREETLIGHTS, OF STREET RESURFACING, OF SIDEWALKS THAT NEED TO BE A PLACE, THEY NEED TO BE IMPLEMENTED.

SO IF YOU DON'T HAVE THAT, THAT EXPERIENCE, AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU GO IN THERE, THAT'S A PROBLEM.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A STRATEGY, AND YOU HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO WORK YOUR WAY AROUND IT.

>> Reporter: ALSO ON THE BALLOT ON DISTRICT 8 IS ANTONIO MARTINEZ.

HE IS A BOARD MEMBER OF THE SAN YSIDRO SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A FORMER STAFFER FOR CONGRESSMAN JUAN VARGAS.

>> I'M NOT A CITY BUREAUCRAT.

I'M COMING FROM THE OUTSIDE IN.

>> Reporter: HE RAN IN 2018 AND 2022.

AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, HE IS THE CANDIDATE WITH MORE EXPERIENCE DIRECTLY ENGAGING WITH HIS COMMUNITY.

>> I'VE BEEN AN ELECTED OFFICIAL SINCE 2012 IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOODS THAT I'M RUNNING IN, AND I'VE ALSO LIVED AND WORKED IN THE COMMUNITY MY ENTIRE LIFE.

SO I'M PREPARED AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHAT'S GOING TO DISTINGUISH US IN THE END.

AND REALLY ONE OF THE REASONS WE CAME IN FIRST PLACE IN THE PRIMARY.

>> Reporter: WHILE MARTINEZ WON THE PRIMARY ELECTION WITH 28%, IT WAS FAR FROM A LANDSLIDE.

BOTH CANDIDATES HAVE MONEY THE SPEND AND DOORS TO KNOCK ON TO GET THEIR NAME AND MESSAGE OUT.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> MORE THAN A THIRD OF AMERICANS TURN TO SOCIAL MEDIA FOR HEALTH INSURANCE, ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE PEW RESEARCH CENTER, BUT DOCTORS WARN SOME OF WHAT THEY FIND THERE CAN BE DANGEROUS.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER HEIDI DE MARCO SHOWS US WHY.

>> Reporter: A "NEW YORK TIMES" ARTICLE CAME OUT THAT GOES THROUGH SOMETHING THAT'S VERY SADLY COMMON, AND IT'S WHEN A PATIENT WHO HAS CANCER OR ANY OTHER SERIOUS ILLNESS FEELS UNHEARD BY THEIR DOCTORS AND THEN THEY GO ONLINE SO THEY CAN HAVE MORE CONTROL.

THAT'S DR.

NIKKI ROW.

SHE IS A PALLIATIVE HEALTH CARE AT SHARP HOSPITAL.

>> SADLY MANY FIND MISINFORMATION THAT COULD WORSEN THEIR PROGNOSIS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS "THE NEW YORK TIMES" STORY REMINDED HER OF ONE OF HER OWN PATIENTS.

>> I REMEMBER A PATIENT, AND I'LL NEVER FORGET IT WHERE SHE SOUGHT KIND OF AN ALTERNATIVE THERAPY FOR HER LUNG CANCER.

SHE WAS TOLD TO NOT GET ANY MORE IMAGING, NOT GO TO HER ONCOLOGIST AND SHE PUT THESE ELECTRODES ALL OVER HER BODY, KIND OF LIKE A TENS MACHINE.

SHE USED UP ALL HER LIFE SAVINGS AND THEN CAME INTO OUR HOSPITAL WITH CANCER EVERYWHERE.

I HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING SO BAD.

SHE UNFORTUNATELY PASSED AWAY DAYS LATER.

THE PERSON WHO SCAMMED HER NEVER HAD TO DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES BUT WE DID.

RAO SAYS ACKNOWLEDGED THE NEED FOR HEALTH CARE INFORMATION.

SHE STARTED POSTING AT PALLIATIVE CARE DOC.

>> I WANT TO EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE -- >> Reporter: SHE TALKS ABOUT HOSPICE, PALLIATIVE CARE, AND A SERIOUS ILLNESS.

>> I DON'T WANT THE FIRST TIME THAT PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT PALLIATIVE CARE TO BE IN THE HOSPITAL WHEN THEIR LOVED ONE IS HAVING A REALLY SERIOUS SITUATION.

>> Reporter: HER ACCOUNT NOW HAS ABOUT 8,000 FOLLOWERS ON TIKTOK, INSTAGRAM, AND FACEBOOK.

SHE KNOWS OTHER LOCAL DOCTORS DOING THE SAME THING.

>> HI, THERE FRIENDS.

IF YOU'RE NEW HERE, WELCOME.

IF YOU'VE BEEN AROUND FOR A WHILE, HELLO AGAIN AND THANK YOU.

I'M DR.

-- >> Reporter: DR.

WILLOW JENKINS IS A CHILD SICK TRYST AT RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

SHE STARTED POSTING IN 2023 AND HAS GAIN IN ORDER THAN 600,000 FOLLOWERS ACROSS ALL PLATFORMS.

>> MY PATIENTS ARE THE GREATEST INFORMERS OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE LATEST TRENDS BECAUSE I GET TO HEAR ALL ABOUT IT.

>> THIS IS A MYTH.

PRESCHOOLERS CAN HAVE HDHD.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THOSE TRENDS IS SELF DIAGNOSIS.

.

THERE IS A LOT OF ABOUT HDHD, A TOPIC QUITE POPULAR ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

PEOPLE WILL SELF-IDENTIFY AND THINK I MIGHT HAVE HDHD.

I FORGET THINGS ALL THE TIME.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS DOCTORS CAN ALSO USE THESE VIDEOS TO START CONVERSATIONS WITH PATIENTS.

>> SO I ACTUALLY FEEL VERY RELIEVED WHEN THEY BRING TO IT ME AND HEY, I SAW.

THIS WHAT DO YOU THINK?

BECAUSE THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT, TAKING THAT INFORMATION AND THEN HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH A PROFESSIONAL SO THEY CAN INDIVIDUALIZE IT.

>> Reporter: RESEARCH FROM UC SAN DIEGO SUGGESTS THAT ATTENTION-GRABBING HEALTH CONTENT CAN BE MORE ENGAGING, BUT MAINLY ABOUT IMPORTANT CONTEXT ABOUT HOW STUDIES WERE DONE AND WHAT FINDINGS ACTUALLY MEAN.

THAT'S WHY JENKINS SAYS SHE WORKS WITH THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION TO AMPLIFY HEALTH INSURANCE ONLINE.

>> AND SO THAT REALLY HELPS ELEVATE KIND OF MY CREDIBILITY BEYOND JUST THE I'M A DOCTOR BECAUSE I SAY SO TYPE SENTIMENT YOU FIND ONLINE.

>> Reporter: RAO SAYS CREDIBILITY CAN BE COMPLICATED ONLINE.

A WHITE COAT DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY MAKE A VIDEO TRUE, AND MILLIONS OF FOLLOWERS DON'T MAKE SOMEONE AN EXPERT.

>> YOU CAN GO VIRAL JUST BY BEING CONFIDENT ONLINE.

AND CONFIDENCE DOESN'T ACTUALLY MEAN THAT YOU'RE ACCURATE.

AND SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO VET YOUR SOURCES.

THE MOMENT SOMEONE STARTS SELLING YOU SOMETHING AS A TREATMENT, YOU REALLY WANT TO BE THINKING ARE THEY GAINING SOMETHING FROM THIS.

>> Reporter: A NEW PEW RESEARCH CENTER ANALYSIS LOOKED AT MORE THAN HALF A MILLION POSTS FROM HEALTH AND WELLNESS INFLUENCERS.

NEARLY 4 IN 10 PROMOTED A PRODUCT, SERVICE, OR SUBSCRIPTION.

AND JUST 9% OF R OF POSTS MAKING A HEALTH CLAIM REFERRED TO AN OUTSIDE SOURCE.

JENKINS SAYS SOCIAL MEDIA HAS CHANGED THE WAY SHE PRACTICES MEDICINE.

>> SO IT TRULY IS PART OF EVERY TIME I MEET A PATIENT AND FAMILY, WHAT ARE YOU CONSUMING ONLINE, WHAT DID YOU LOOK UP?

WHAT DID THE AI AGENT TELL YOU ABOUT WHAT WE SHOULD TALK ABOUT TODAY?

BECAUSE THAT TRULY IS THE NORM.

AND I THINK AS A PHYSICIAN, I HAVE TO EMBRACE THAT.

>> Reporter: RAO SAYS THE GOAL ISN'T TO TELL PATIENTS TO STAY OFF SOCIAL MEDIA.

IT'S TO BE THERE ONLINE AND TRY TO CUT THROUGH THE NOISE.

>> YOU CAN REACH SO MANY MORE PEOPLE ONLINE THAN YOU CAN IN PERSON.

AND IF WE TRULY WANT TO MAKE AN IMPACT, WE SHOULD MEET THEM WHERE THEY'RE AT.

>> Reporter: THAT MEANS DOCTORS MAY HAVE TO LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE.

SHORT VIDEOS, STRONG OPENINGS, A LITTLE PERSONALITY, AND INFORMATION THAT CAN COMPETE WITH EVERYTHING ELSE APPEARING ON A PHONE SCREEN.

HEIDI DE MARCO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WELL, THE IMPACTS OF WHAT WE WERE CALLING TROPICAL RAINSTORM RACHEL WERE SEVERE AND SIGNIFICANT IN SOME PARTS OF THE AREA, AND EVEN UP INTO AREAS LIKE LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA, A LOT OF COASTAL FLOODING HAS LED TO DAMAGE FOR SEVERAL HOMES THERE.

OUR COASTAL FLOOD THREAT CONTINUES.

THE TOP RAIN REPORT, BY THE WAY, WAS AN IMPRESSIVE 6.2 INCHES OF RAIN AT PALOMAR MOUNTAIN.

TOP WIND GUST REPORTS TWO SPOTS GUSTED TO 62 MILES PER HOUR.

SILVERWOOD WEST AND CRESTWOOD.

BOTH OF THOSE LOCATIONS WELL OVER 4,000 FEET IN ELEVATION.

THE PALOMAR OBSERVATION OVER 6,000 FEET.

THERE HAS BEEN SOME EARLY SEASON SNOW IN SOME OF THE ABSOLUTE HIGHEST ELEVATIONS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

TONIGHT, THOUGH, 60 DEGREES YOUR LOW.

PARTLY CLOUDY.

WE STILL HAVE THAT COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY FOR A COUPLE MORE HIGH TIDE CYCLES CONTINUING UNTIL 2:00 P.M.

TUESDAY.

THAT'S IN EFFECT HERE FOR SAN DIEGO, ORANGE, AND LOS ANGELES UP INTO VENTURA COUNTY AS WELL.

ALONG THE COASTLINE.

SO THE FLAVOR OF TUESDAY TURNING DRYER FOR US.

THE INTERIOR STILL WIDESPREAD RAIN SHOWERS, AND EVEN SOME THUNDERSTORMS FOR SOME.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE TURNING DRYER.

AS WE LOOK LOCALLY HERE, WE DO EXPECT TO SEE A BRIGHTER SKY.

IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT COOLER AS WELL THAN WE WOULD BE IF NOT FOR THIS RECENT STORM SYSTEM.

73 IN BORREGO SPRINGS.

73 ESCONDIDO AND SAN DIEGO AS WELL.

RAMONA IN THE UPPER 60s.

WEDNESDAY THE RAIN AND A LITTLE BIT OF HIGH ELEVATION SNOW TAKE THAT WAS STEP FARTHER AWAY TO THE EAST AND PLEASANT WEATHER BECOMES EVEN MORE ESTABLISHED ACROSS THE FAR SOUTHWESTERN U.S.

WE'LL KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE SANTA ANA WINDS TO RETURN THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY.

FIRE DANGER WILL BE ELEVATED, BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK TERRIBLY HIGH.

PARTLY BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN SO WET.

THANKFULLY, WE WILL BE BREEZY AND WINDY WITH THE OFFSHORE WIND.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE RISING QUICKLY AFTER THIS COOL START TO THE WEEK.

HERE WE ARE GOING FROM 73 TUESDAY TO 92 FRIDAY.

WHAT A CHANGE THE WIND SHIFT WILL MAKE.

17 TO 19-DEGREE CHANGE FOR A LOT OF US.

INLAND AREAS GOING ABOUT 73 TO 89.

SO EVEN 90.

THAT'S A 17-DEGREE BUMP FOR YOU IN THE INLAND AREAS.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, 47 RISING RAPIDLY INTO THE UPPER 60s.

ABOUT A 22-DEGREE JUMP FROM THE BEGINNING TO THE END OF THE WEEK FROM TUESDAY TO SATURDAY.

AND THE DESERTS HERE, YOU'RE GOING TO BE RISING ABOUT 20 DEGREES FROM 73 ON A COOL TUESDAY TO 93 WITH THAT OFFSHORE DOWN SLOPING WIND ON FRIDAY.

I'M ACCUWEATHER METEOROLOGIST GEOFF CORNISH FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> OCTOBER IS THE SEASON FOR GHOST STORIES.

THERE IS PLACE IN CITY HEIGHTS WHERE YOU CAN HEAR THOSE STORIES EVERY WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND SHARE SOME OF YOUR OWN.

IT'S CALLED POP-UP WINONA.

BETH ACCOMANDO EXPLAINS WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT THERE.

>> Reporter: AS THE LIPS DRAG ICON, TUTTI IS EXTREMELY ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND LOVES WHAT POP-UP WINONA BRINGS TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> POP-UP WINONA IS A COMMUNITY-ACTIVATED LOT IN CITY HEIGHTS.

ON THE BOULEVARD WE HAVE A LOT OF THESE UNDERUTILIZED PARKING LOTS AND BUILDINGS.

AND SO WE TAKE THEM AND REVAMP THEM INTO A COMMUNITY SPACE.

>> Reporter: THIS MONTH, TOOTIE WANTS TO INVITE PEOPLE TO GATHER AROUND A CAMPFIRE TO SHARE STORIES OF GHOST, HAUNTINGS, AND THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT.

>> EVERYBODY IS INVITED.

THIS IS AN OPEN EVENT.

IT'S FREE.

WE ALSO GIVE OUT FREE COFFEE AND COOKIES AND THAT SORT OF THING.

BUT WE DO INVITE SOME PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD REALLY FANTASTIC GHOST STORIES.

AND I LOVE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE BRAVE ENOUGH TO COME OUT AND CHECK IT OUT.

THAT MAKES IT SPECIAL FOR ME, SHARING THAT LITTLE FALL MOMENT THAT WE ALL HAVE WHERE THE VEIL IS THIN AND GHOSTS CAN COME BACK TO VISIT.

>> Reporter: ANDREW PRINGLE HAS BEEN CONSULTING ON GHOST STORIES AND HAS SHARED SOME OF HIS OWN EXPERIENCES AT GATHERINGS.

>> A LOT OF US HAVE THESE EXPERIENCES BY OURSELVES.

SO IT'S REALLY NEAT TO GET TO EXTERNALIZE THEM WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE RECEPTIVE.

YOU START SEEING THESE OVERLAPPING SCENARIOS WHERE WOW, THAT'S VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT I EXPERIENCED IN THIS PLACE.

AND IT KIND OF MAKES IT ALL TEAM THAT IT'S MORE LIKELY THAT IT'S REAL WHEN THEY'RE ALL VERY SIMILAR.

>> Reporter: ROSA SANCHEZ HAS ATTENDED MULTIPLE EVENTS, BUT SHE WAS SKEPTICAL ABOUT SHARING HER FIRST STORY.

>> BECAUSE I'M LIKE EHH, AIN'T NOBODY GOING TO BELIEVE ME.

BUT YOU SEE ON MY MOTHER'S SIDE, HER DAD HAD SOME KIND OF POWERS.

AND WE WERE TOLD THAT WE HAVE SOME KIND OF POWERS, BUT I'M AFRAID OF THAT.

I DON'T WANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THAT.

BUT THE EVENT THAT HAPPENED TO ME IS ABOUT THAT, THE LLORONA.

>> WE TELL GOETZE STORIES, MAYBE THINGS PEOPLE HAVE HEARD FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE.

AND I ESPECIALLY LOVE GREAT STORYTELLERS BECAUSE THEY TAKE US DOWN THAT ROAD, THE BEAUTIFUL PART OF A GHOST STORY IS THE AH-HA MOMENT.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN BRING YOUR OWN GHOST STORY OR JUST LISTEN TO OTHERS, EVERY WEDNESDAY IN OCTOBER AT POP-UP WINONA AT 4951 EL CAJON BOULEVARD.

BETH ACCOMANDO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> 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!

♪