♪ >>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR, RESTORATION, FLOODING AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 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.

>>> GOOD EVENING, IT'S MONDAY SEPTEMBER 19th.

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

IS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC OVER?

IN AN INTERVIEW, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAYS IT IS, DRAWING SOME CRITICISM FROM HEALTH EXPERTS.

THE PRESIDENT SAYS THE VIRUS IS STILL A PROBLEM FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOT PROTECTED.

>> Reporter: JOHN HOPKINS UNIVERSITY SAYS MORE THAN 12,700 PEOPLE DIED OF COVID IN THE U.S. OVER THE LAST 28 DAYS, BUT ON 60 MINUTES ON SUNDAY, PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID THE PANDEMIC WAS OVER.

HE DID SAY IT IS STILL A PROBLEM AND HIS ADMINISTRATION IS DOING A LOT OF WORK, BUT THEN HE REPEATED THAT IT'S OVER.

SOME HEALTH EXPERTS SAY IT'S NOT QUITE THAT SIMPLE.

>> WE SHOULDN'T FORGET THAT THERE ARE STILL HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE DYING EACH DAY FROM COVID, BUT IT IS TRUE WE ARE DEFINITELY DOING BETTER THAN WE'VE DONE IN A VERY LONG TIME.

I THINK IT IS BETTER TO SAY THE SITUATION CONTINUES TO CHANGE.

>> Reporter: THAT IS DR. CAMERON KAISER, THE DEPUTY PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

HE SAYS COVID HAS NOW SHIFTED TO BEING ENDEMIC, MEANING THE VIRUS IS STILL WIDESPREAD.

THE DIFFERENCE, HE SAYS, IS WE HAVE THE TOOLS TO KNOW HOW TO CONTROL IT.

>> COVID IS NOT JUST A FLU AND NEVER HAS BEEN.

WE ARE STILL GOING TO BE STRUGGLING WITH IT.

>> Reporter: NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO FORGET THE LESSONS LEARNED.

>> A GOOD PART OF WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW IS PEOPLE STEPPING UP.

PROTECTING THEIR VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS AND COWORKERS I WEARING MASKS AND TAKING OTHER SENSIBLE CAUTIONS.

>> Reporter: A BIG PART OF THAT INCLUDES BEING VACCINATED AND BOOSTED.

BOOSTERS WILL NEED TO BE UPDATED REGULARLY.

>> WE ARE STARTING TO MOVE TOWARD A FLU SHOT MODEL WHERE WE MAKE SMALL CHANGES OVER TIME WHERE PEOPLE CAN START TREATING COVID SHOTS LIKE FLU SHOTS AND PEOPLE CAN HAVE ONGOING PROTECTION WITHOUT HAVING TO GET SICK AGAIN.

>> Reporter: THE NEW BOOSTER OR BIVALENT VACCINE IS AVAILABLE NOW.

EVERYONE 12 AND UP IS AVAILABLE FOR THE PFIZER BOOSTER WHILE THOSE 18 AND UP CAN GET THE MODERNA SHOT.

>> EVERYONE SHOULD GET THE NEW ONE.

IF YOU ARE A KID UNDER 12, YOU CAN STILL GET THE OLD BOOSTER IF YOU NEVER GOT ONE.

WHETHER YOU'VE GOTTEN A WHOLE BUNCH BEFORE OR NEVER RECEIVED A SINGLE ONE, YOU SHOULD STILL GET THIS ONE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS WE SHOULD ALL DO OUR PART TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.

>> PEOPLE THOUGHT THAT THE ENDEMIC MEANS BUSINESS AS USUAL.

IT'S HERE TO STAY.

>> Reporter: BUSINESSES ARE STILL OPEN BUT MAY SHIFT BECAUSE THEY ARE STATE-FUNDED AND MORE PEOPLE ARE TESTING AT HOME.

>>> CITY OF SAN DIEGO EMPLOYEES WHO REFUSED COVID VACCINES ON RELIGIOUS GROUNDS USED TO BE REQUIRED TO TAKE WEEKLY COVID TESTS, BUT NO MORE, SAYS CITY SPOKESPERSON, NICOLE DARLING.

>> EMPLOYEES WHO RECEIVED MEDICAL OR LOGISTIC EXEMPTIONS FROM THE CITY'S VACCINATION POLICY ARE NO LONGER REQUIRED TO SUBMIT TO WEEKLY COVID-19 TESTING.

>> BEFORE THE REQUIREMENT WAS LISTED, SOME EMPLOYEES REFUSE TO TAKE TESTING.

THEY SAID TESTING WAS AGAINST THEIR RELIGION.

THEY CAN REINSTATE THE COVID TESTING PROGRAM AT ANY TIME AND EMPLOYEES IN THE DISCIPLINE PROCESS FOR REFUSING TO TEST WILL CONTINUE IN THAT PROCESS.

>>> WHAT A MOMENT TODAY IN MEXICO.

JUST AN HOUR AFTER A EARTHQUAKE DRILL, A REAL ONE STRUCK IN A BIG WAY.

A 7.6.

ACCORDING TO THE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY, THERE ARE NO REPORTS OF MAJOR DAMAGE.

THE EPICENTER WAS A FEW MILES FROM THE COAST.

MEXICO CITY IS HUNDREDS AWAY BUT SOME WERE EVACUATED AS A PRECAUTION.

TODAY ALSO MARKS THE ANNIVERSARIES OF TWO MAJOR EARTHQUAKES IN MEXICO IN 1985 AND 2017.

>>> A GROUP OF MIGRANTS LOCKED UP IN IMPERIAL COUNTY SAY THEY ARE BEING NEGLECTED, MEDICALLY, RETALIATED AGAINST, AND MADE TO STAY IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT.

GUSTAVO'S AT LEAST TALK TO ONE OF THE MEN WHO DECIDED TO SPEAK OUT.

>> Reporter: FOR FIVE MONTHS, DONALD TOLD MEDICAL STAFF AT THE DETENTION CENTER THAT HE SUFFERED FROM SEVERE PAIN IN HIS HIPS, BACK TO MY SHOULDER, AND JOINTS.

HE SAYS THE PAIN GOT SO BAD HE NEEDED A CANE TO HELP HIM WALK.

>> I WAS IN PAIN.

IT WAS AGONIZING TO DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU NORMALLY NEED TO DO ON A DAILY BASIS.

>> INSTEAD OF GIVING HIM TREATMENT, HE SAYS THE MEDICAL STAFF DISMISSED HIS COMPLAINTS.

>> IF YOU REQUEST MEDICAL HELP, ALL THEY DO IS TAKE YOU TO THE MEDICAL SECTION.

TAKE YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE.

CHECK YOUR WEIGHT.

AND IF YOU TYLENOL AND SEND YOU BACK.

>> Reporter: WHEN HE WAS FINALLY TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL, DOCTORS TOLD HIM HE NEEDED EMERGENCY SPINAL CORD SURGERY.

AFTER THE SURGERY, HE SAYS STAFF AT THE DETENTION CENTER TOOK AWAY INSTRUCTIONS DOCTORS HAD GIVEN HIM TO FOLLOW AS PART OF HIS RECOVERY.

>> TOOK EVERYTHING AWAY AND SENT ME TO A MEDICAL SECTION TO SPEND TWO DAYS THERE AND THEN THEY SENT ME TO WHAT THEY CALL -- TO SOLITARY AGAIN FOR ANOTHER NINE DAYS.

>> Reporter: FERNANDEZ IS ONE OF SEVERAL MEN IN THE DETENTION CENTER WHO FILED A FEDERAL COMPLAINT LAST WEEK.

MTC, THE PILOT COMPANY THAT OPERATES THE DETENTION CENTER.

ONE OF SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS WHO FILED THE COMPLAINT.

>> WE WOULD LIKE THE AGENCIES TO DO A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION TO NOT LET THE PRIVATE CONTRACTORS AND NOT LET ICE EVADE SCRUTINY.

>> Reporter: WHAT HAPPENED TO FERNANDEZ IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.

HE HAS HEARD SIMILAR STORIES >> IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND AGAIN.

PEOPLE ARE LOCKED UP IN SOLITARY OR WRITTEN UP FALSELY.

WE SEE A CLEAR PATTERN.

PUT BACK MIGRANTS WHO SPEAK OUT OFTEN FACE RETALIATION.

PEOPLE LIKE FERNANDEZ ARE BRAVE FOR TELLING THEIR STORIES.

>> PEOPLE SEE THE ABUSE, TALK ABOUT THE ABUSE, AND THEY FACE RETALIATION FOR SPEAKING OUT AND STILL CONTINUE TO SPEAK OUT.

WAIT FERNANDEZ SAYS HE DECIDED TO SHARE HIS STORY TO HELP OTHER MIGRANTS IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS.

>> IF NO ONE TALKS ABOUT IT, NO ONE KNOWS WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> Reporter: ICE DID NOT RESPOND TO QUESTIONS FOLLOWING THE COMPLAINT.

GUSTAVO SOLIS, KPBS NEWS READ >>> EL CAJON CITY PUSHING BACK AGAINST A PROGRAM THAT GIVES HOTEL ROOMS TO THE HOMELESS.

MATT HOFFMAN REPORTS COUNTY OFFICIALS SAY THE MOVE BY EL CAJON WILL ONLY PUT MORE PEOPLE ON THE STREETS.

>> THEY ARE INTIMIDATING PRIVATE BUSINESS OWNERS WHO VOLUNTARILY CHOOSE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROGRAM AND THEY ARE INTIMIDATING THE RESIDENCE AND IT IS A REALLY UNFORTUNATE TIME.

>> Reporter: SUPERVISOR NATHAN FLETCHER SAYS IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE FOR THE CITY OF EL CAJON TO TRY TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE HOTEL VOUCHER PROGRAM.

HE SAYS 30% OF THE HOMELESS RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN CONNECTED TO PERMANENT HOUSING.

HE IS CALLING OUT THE MAYOR, BILL WELLS, DIRECTLY.

>> IF THIS GOES THROUGH, THERE WILL BE HUNDREDS OF MORE HOMELESS PEOPLE IN EL CAJON.

THAT IS A GREAT DISSERVICE, NOT JUST TO THE UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS.

THAT IS A DISSERVICE TO EVERY NEIGHBOR WHO WILL HAVE THESE INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> Reporter: WELLS PUSHES BACK AGAINST THAT AND SAYS THE COUNTY IS SENDING TOO MANY PEOPLE TO HOTELS WHICH THEN CREATES PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES.

>> I'M WORKING FOR THE PEOPLE OF EL CAJON.

PEOPLE ELECTED ME BECAUSE THEY WANT ME TO PROTECT THEIR INTERESTS.

ANECDOTALLY, WE ARE HEARING THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE OF THE EAST COUNTY AREA.

I WOULD CURIOUS TO GET HARD NUMBERS ON THOSE STATISTICS.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY PROVIDED HARD NUMBERS AND THEY SAY 64% OF THE HOMELESS IN THE VOUCHER PROGRAM ARE FROM EL CAJON WITH NEARLY 100% FROM THE EAST AREA.

>> THEY DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT OVER THE LAST YEAR.

THIS PROGRAM IS OVER A YEAR OLD BUT ONLY NOW DO THEY HAVE A PROBLEM.

BACK WELLS SAYS THEY AREN'T KICKING ANYONE OUT DESPITE TELLING HOTELS TO REDUCE CAPACITY AND ISSUING THEM NOTICES WITH POTENTIAL FINES FOR ILLEGALLY OPERATING AS SHELTERS.

>> FRANKLY, WE ARE WORKING WITH PEOPLE.

I DON'T THINK WE ARE GOING TO END UP FINDING ANYBODY.

THEY HAVE TO COMPLY WITH HAVING LESS THAN 25%.

>> Reporter: WELLS SAYS ONE OF THE HOTELS WAS NEARLY COMPLETELY FULL AND HE WANTS MORE COMMUNICATION ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING.

PEOPLE USING THE VOUCHERS SAY THEY ARE A LIFESAVER, ESPECIALLY THOSE LIKE LOCAL RESIDENT DON DISNEY, WHO IS DIABETIC.

>> I HAVE TO TAKE INSULIN NOW AND THEY HAVE TO KEEP IT COLD.

I CAN'T BE OUTSIDE.

YOU KNOW?

IT'S JUST FRUSTRATING.

WHY WOULD YOU NOT WANT YOUR -- WHY WOULD YOU NOT WANT TO HOTELS TO BE HELPING HOMELESS PEOPLE?

>> Reporter: WELLS SAYS HE THINKS A COMPROMISE CAN BE FOUND.

COUNTY OFFICIALS HAVE ANOTHER MEETING TO DISCUSS THE PROGRAM LATER THIS WEEK.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> OCEANSIDE IS AMONG THE LATEST BATCH OF CITIES WHERE EXCESS ESTATE PROPERTY MIGHT BECOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

A LIST ISSUED TODAY BY GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM INCLUDES FIVE SITES.

THE OCEANSIDE LOCATION INCLUDES A CALTRANS PROPERTY.

IT IS THE CLOSEST TO OUR AREA.

THE STATE HAS WORKED THE PAST THREE YEARS TO IDENTIFY LOCATIONS THAT MIGHT BE ATTRACTIVE TO DEVELOPERS.

MORE THAN ONE DOZEN NEW DEVELOPMENTS ARE NOW IN THE WORKS.

>>> THE UC SAN DIEGO SCHOOL OF MEDICINE HAS FOUND THAT OF MANY SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RISK FACTORS, HOUSING INSECURITY WAS THE ONE MOST STRONGLY LINKED TO DEATH AMONG CANCER PATIENTS.

K PS REPORTER, THOMAS FUDGE, HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 1200 CANCER PATIENTS.

AMONG THOSE WHO EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTIES, HOUSING INSECURITY WAS THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF MORTALITY.

THE STUDY CO-AUTHOR, MATTHEW, IS DIRECTOR FOR THE CENTER OF HEALTH EQUITY AND RESEARCH IN UC SAN DIEGO.

>> WHAT THIS SHOWS IS THAT COMPARED TO PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE HOUSING INTERESTS IN STABILITY, THOSE WHO DO HAD ABOUT A TWOFOLD GREATER RISK OF MORTALITY OR DEATH WHEN WE ACCOUNT FOR THESE OTHER SOCIAL FACTORS AS WELL AS OTHER PATIENT DEMOGRAPHIC AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS.

>> Reporter: THE OTHER RISK FACTORS CONSIDERED WERE FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, FOOD INSECURITY, AND TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS.

THEY SAID THE STUDY DID NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION OF WHY HOUSING INSTABILITY WAS MOST LIKELY TO LEAD TO DEATH AMONG CANCER PATIENTS, BUT HE SAID HAVING INADEQUATE HOUSING IS A MULTIFACETED PROBLEM.

FOR EXAMPLE, IS IT THE FACT THAT AGAIN, THEY DON'T HAVE A STABLE SHELTER OVER THEIR HEAD?

OR IS IT THAT THEY DON'T HAVE UTILITY IN THEIR HOUSE?

THERE'S SEVERAL THINGS THAT COULD GO INTO BEING HOUSING UNSTABLE.

>> Reporter: OTHER SOCIAL RISK FACTORS ARE NOT ALWAYS CONSIDERED BY MEDICAL PRESCRIPTIONS.

FOR INSTANCE, IT IS NOT PRACTICAL TO PRESCRIBE THE USE OF A MEDICAL DEVICE IF THERE IS NO PLACE AT HOME TO PLUG IT IN.

>> SOCIAL RISK FACTORS REFLECT CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ARE INFLUENCED BY WHERE WE LIVE.

WHERE WE WORK.

BY WHERE WE INTERACT ON THE DAILY.

WE KNOW THAT ALL OF THOSE CONDITIONS ARE GOING TO IMPACT US AS INDIVIDUALS AND THE WAY THAT WE ENCOUNTER LIFE ON A DAY TO DAY BASIS.

I THINK IT MAKES SENSE FOR US TO SAY, HEY, IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT THESE RISK FACTORS -- SOCIAL RISK FACTORS -- ALSO INFLUENCE OUR HEALTH.

>> Reporter: HE SAID THE STUDY WAS ONE WAY TO POINT THAT OUT.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS ON HIS WAY BACK TO THE U.S. AFTER ATTENDING THE FUNERAL FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH II IN LONDON.

ISABEL ROSALES REPORTS ON THE FAREWELL TO THE KINGDOM'S LONGEST-SERVING MONARCH.

>> Reporter: A SOMBER DAY FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM AS THE WORLD SAYS GOODBYE TO A QUEEN WHOSE REIGN SPANNED MORE THAN SEVEN DECADES.

THE LONGEST REIGNING MONARCH IN REDDISH HISTORY.

>> THE GRIEF FELT NOT ONLY BY THE LATE QUEENS FAMILY BUT ALL AROUND THE NATION, THE COMMONWEALTH, AND THE WORLD, ARISES FROM HER ABUNDANT LIFE AND LOVING SERVICE.

NOW GONE FROM US.

>> Reporter: WESTMINSTER ABBY'S TENOR BELL CHIMING ONCE A MINUTE FOR 96 MINUTES, MARKING EACH YEAR OF QUEEN ELIZABETH II'S LIFE.

ROUGHLY 2000 PEOPLE ATTENDED, INCLUDING WORLD LEADERS LIKE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN, FIRST LADY, JILL BIDEN, AND MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY.

FOLLOWING THE SERVICE, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE LINED THE STREETS OF LONDON AS THE QUEEN'S COFFIN PASSED BUCKINGHAM PALACE FOR THE FINAL TIME.

>> WE ADORE HER AND THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE.

>> Reporter: THE CROWDS CHEERING AS HER COFFIN LEFT LONDON.

THE QUEEN LAID TO REST IN WINDSOR CASTLE NEAR HER HUSBAND OF 73 YEARS, PRINCE PHILIP.

IN LONDON, ISABEL ROSALES, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT HAS BEEN QUITE A WEEK AS THE WORLD SAID GOODBYE TO QUEEN ELIZABETH.

OUR COVERAGE INCLUDES A PERSONAL STORY FROM REPORTER JOHN CARROLL WHO WAS THERE WHEN HIS FATHER LED A SERVICE ATTENDED BY THE QUEEN HERE IN SAN DIEGO AND YOU CAN STREAM THAT STORY ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

>>> THE NAVY ARSON TRIAL RELATED TO THE 2020 FIRE ON THE USS BONHOMME RICHARD IS UNDERWAY.

APPRENTICE RYAN SAWYER MAYS IS CHARGED WITH ARSON AND ENDANGERING A SHIP.

PROSECUTORS CLAIM HE WAS A DISGRUNTLED SAILOR WHO WASHED OUT OF SEAL BASIC TRAINING AFTER TWO DAYS.

DEFENSE LAWYERS QUESTION WHETHER THE ARSON CASE CAN BE PROVEN AND POINT TO OTHER UNSOLVED SHIP FIRES INCLUDING ONE ON THE USS ESSEX THAT SAME MORNING.

ANOTHER FIRE WAS FOUND ON THE USS BONHOMME RICHARD A MONTH EARLIER.

>>> CRUISE SEASON IS OFFICIALLY HERE WITH THE FIRST SHIP ARRIVING THIS MORNING.

THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO EXPECTS HALF 1 MILLION TRAVELERS IN THE COMING MONTHS.

UP 45% FROM LAST YEAR AND IT IS EXPECTED TO BE THE BUSIEST SEASON SINCE WELL BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

VACCINE REQUIREMENTS VARY BY CRUISE LINE.

ONE COUPLE, FROM SOUTH CAROLINA, SAYS THEY PLAN TO MAKE ANOTHER TRIP TO SAN DIEGO.

>> TIRED OF BEING HOUSEBOUND, BASICALLY.

WE WERE READY.

>> COMING BACK IN FEBRUARY OR MARCH AND MAKING PLANS NOW SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY GET THE TICKETS AND BOOK THE TOURS.

>> Reporter: IF YOU ARE DOWN BY THE WATERFRONT, YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE A CRUISE SHIP EVERY FEW DAYS.

THE SEASON RUNS THROUGH MAY AND SAN DIEGO IS EXPECTING MORE THAN 100 DIFFERENT CRUISES TO PASS THROUGH.

>>> CALIFORNIA IS POLICED TO ADD MILLIONS OF ELECTRIC CARS TO ROADS IN THE NEXT DECADES BUT IS THERE ENOUGH ELECTRICITY?

ERIC ANDERSON LOOKS AT WHETHER THE GRID CAN HANDLE THE LOAD.

>> Reporter: THE GENTLE HUM OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES COULD SOON OVERTAKE THE RUMBLE OF INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES IN CALIFORNIA.

CLEANER REGULATORS SAY ALL NEW CARS IN THE STATE WILL BE ELECTRIC OR ZERO EMISSIONS BY 2035.

CALIFORNIA'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE POWER GRID IS FRAUGHT WITH UNCERTAINTY.

IN FACT HIGHLIGHTED BY A LATE SUMMER HEAT WAVE.

>> BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT WEDNESDAY WE ARE GOING TO BE EXPERIENCING A PROLONGED HEAT MOMENT.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM'S CALLS FOR CONSERVATION WERE ANSWERED AND THE THREAT OF ROLLING BLACKOUTS WAS AVERTED BUT GOVERNOR NEWSOM WAS ROASTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA AFTER POWER GRID OFFICIALS ASKED RESIDENTS NOT TO CHARGE THEIR TVs DURING THE EVENING.

STILL, CALIFORNIA REMAINS COMMITTED TO SHRINKING ITS CARBON FOOTPRINT AS A WAY TO AVOID MORE INTENSE WILDFIRES AND DROUGHT, HALLMARKS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> WE NEED TO ELIMINATE EMISSIONS FROM THE CALIFORNIA ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: DAVID VICTOR IS A POLICY RESEARCHER AT UC SAN DIEGO.

>> THE BIGGEST SOURCE OF EMISSIONS IN CALIFORNIA COMES FROM TRANSPORTATION.

YOU'VE GOT TO TACKLE THAT AREA THE LEADING SOLUTION IS ELECTRIFYING.

ESPECIALLY CARS.

>> Reporter: VICTOR SAYS NO ONE WANTS THE ELECTRIC GRID TO BECOME LESS RELIABLE AND HE SAYS THERE IS TIME FOR THE STATE TO ABSORB THE COMING DEMAND.

HE SAYS EVs ARE ARRIVING IN THE MIDST OF A ENERGY TRANSITION.

SOLAR AND WIND ARE RISING IN ENERGY PROMINENCE BUT THAT ALSO CALLS FOR MORE ENERGY STORAGE CAPACITY AND THE GRID WILL HAVE TO BE BUILT UP TO ACCOUNT FOR THE EXTRA DRAW FROM EVs.

>> PRETTY MUCH EVERY STUDY SHOWS SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN DEMAND FOR ENERGY IN CALIFORNIA AS A RESULT OF THIS.

MANY STUDIES SUGGEST THAT CARS ARE GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAYBE A ONE QUARTER INCREASE IN THE DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY BETWEEN NOW AND 2045.

>> Reporter: WHILE MILLIONS OF NEW TREND 24 WILL BE FEEDING OFF THE GRID IN COMING YEARS, THE CHANGE ISN'T IMMEDIATE.

SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC SAY THEY CAN HANDLE THE DEMAND FOR MORE POWER AS MORE EVs HIT THE ROAD.

JENNY REYNOLDS IS SAN DIEGO DIRECTOR OF CLEAN TRANSPORTATION.

>> IT'S MUCH MORE COMPLICATED.

WHEN YOU START GETTING INTO THE SPECIFICS OF WHEN THAT LOAD IS GOING TO HIT, HOW IT'S GOING TO HIT, WHAT TYPE OF NEW TECHNOLOGY AND BATTERY STORAGE WE HAVE TO HELP, THAT IS MORE COMPLEX.

>> Reporter: REYNOLDS SAYS THE UTILITY CAN BUILD THE REQUIRED POWERLINES AND TRANSFORMERS.

THAT'S WHAT UTILITIES DO.

THE COMPANY ALSO NEEDS TO BUILD UNDERSTANDING AMONG ITS EV CUSTOMERS.

RIGHT NOW, ENERGY USAGE PEAKS BETWEEN 4:00 AND 9:00 P.M.

THE UTILITY ONCE EV CHARGING TO HAPPEN DURING THE DAY OR OVERNIGHT.

>> IF WE CAN GET THAT CHARGING DURING THOSE TIMES, THE BUILD OUT ISN'T GOING TO BE AS MUCH.

WE HAVE CAPACITY.

IT'S HOW DO WE INCENTIVIZE CUSTOMERS TO USE THAT CAPACITY.

AND HOW WE, AS CONSUMERS, ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO OWN OUR ENERGY TRANSITION.

>> Reporter: VEHICLE TO GRID IS AN EMERGING TECHNOLOGY BEING TESTED IN THE CAJON VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

ELECTRIC BUSES CAN FEED POWER IN THEIR BATTERIES BACK TO THE GRID FOR A PREMIUM PRICE WHEN ELECTRICITY IS IN SHORT SUPPLY.

EVs COULD BECOME A HUGE RESERVOIR OF STORED ENERGY.

-- SAYS THAT TECH ISN'T QUITE READY YET.

>> THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS.

TECHNOLOGY NOT BECOMING TOO EXPENSIVE.

THE BATTERY MANUFACTURER AGREEING THAT THIS IS SOMETHING -- >> Reporter: DEVELOPING WAYS TO MANAGE THE POWER DEMAND FROM MILLIONS OF HOUSEHOLD DEVICES AND EVs WILL KEEP THE GRID RELIABLE.

>> COMPUTING SYSTEMS CAN HELP US DO THINGS IN TIME LIKE SCHEDULING, BUT STILL, YOU DON'T MAKE THE LOAD GO AWAY.

YOU SHIFT IT.

>> Reporter: SHIFTING THE LOAD, SHIFTING PEOPLE'S HABITS, AND SHIFTING THE POWER SUPPLY TO RENEWABLES WHILE ADDING CAPACITY TO THE GRID ARE KEY TO MAKING SURE THE FLOOD OF EVs DON'T SWAMP THE POWER GRID THAT IS ALREADY FEELING IT'S LIMITATIONS.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE DEMAND FOR LITHIUM IS SURGING AS BATTERY-POWERED CARS BECOME THE FUTURE.

OUR REGION COULD PLAY A PART IN EXTRACTING IT.

SAN DIEGO-BASED ENERGY SOURCED MINERALS IS DEVELOPING A MINE NEAR THE SEA.

THE COMPANY PRESIDENT SAYS EXTRACTING LITHIUM FROM UNDERGROUND IS AN EFFECTIVE USE OF GEOTHERMAL PLANTS AND THE REGION WILL LIKELY BECOME A MAJOR SOURCE OF THE METAL.

>> I THINK IT IS COMING.

I THINK IT WILL HAPPEN.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO PROVE IT.

AND WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO HELP OTHERS CAUSE THE SALT SEA TO BE DEVELOPED AS A POWER RESOURCE AND LITHIUM RESOURCE.

>> HE EXPECTS HIS COMPANY'S FACILITY TO ULTIMATELY MINE 20,000 TONS OF LITHIUM PER YEAR.

>>> THE U.S.

TERRITORY OF PUERTO RICO IS DEALING WITH YET ANOTHER MAJOR HURRICANE, FIVE YEARS TO THE WEEK HURRICANE MARIA HIT THE ISLAND.

AS MICHAEL REPORTS, THIS STORM IS LESS SEVERE BUT STILL DOING PLENTY OF DAMAGE.

>> Reporter: AFTER THE FURY OF FIONA, MORE THAN 1000 RESCUERS ACROSS PUERTO RICO, NEARLY FIVE YEARS TO THE DAY AFTER HURRICANE MARIA TOOK AIM AT THE ISLAND.

KNOCKING OUT THE POWER GRID.

OFFICIALS SAY THE FLOODING MAY BE WORSE.

PUERTO RICO'S GOVERNOR, PEDRO SAID THE ENTIRE ISLAND WAS AFFECTED BY HEAVY RAIN AND PERHAPS FOR THAT VERY REASON, PEOPLE CAN SAY THIS TIME THE FLOODS ARE WORSE THAN MARIA.

CARLOS VEGA TOOK THIS VIDEO OUTSIDE HIS HOME.

THE FLOODWATERS ARE NEAR THE RIVER, WHICH IS AT AN ALL-TIME RECORD HEIGHT OF NEARLY 30 FEET.

HELP IS COMING FROM THE MAINLAND.

NEW YORK SPENDINGS SPANISH- SPEAKING POLICE OFFICERS.

>> 100 TROOPERS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ON THEIR WAY TO PUERTO RICO OVER THIS NEXT WEEK.

AS THE NEED CONTINUES TO RISE WE ARE READY TO OFFER OTHER RESOURCES.

>> Reporter: FIONA DELIVERED AND ISLANDWIDE BLACKOUT AREA MORE THAN 1 MILLION PEOPLE IN PUERTO RICO WERE STILL WITHOUT POWDER.

IN EASTERN PORTIONS OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, FORECASTERS SAY LIFE-THREATENING FLASH AND FLOODING IS LIKELY THROUGH TUESDAY.

EXPECTED TO STRENGTHEN IN THE COMING DAYS NEAR BERMUDA BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER CALLS FOR FIONA TO REACH CATEGORY THREE BY WEDNESDAY, MAKING IT THE FIRST MAJOR HURRICANE OF THE YEAR IN THE ATLANTIC.

MIKE VALERIO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE ARE DEALING WITH PRETTY COMFORTABLE WHETHER OVERALL FOR US HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

WE WILL TURN A LITTLE WARMER ON TUESDAY, BUT THERE ARE SOME PATCHY COASTAL CLOUDS IN THE MORNING.

NOTHING TOO FAR OUT OF THE NORM FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

A BIG DEVIATION FROM WHAT IS TYPICAL FOR SEPTEMBER IN OTHER PARTS OF CALIFORNIA THOUGH, WITH OUR CALIFORNIA STORM STAYING NORTH.

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA AND NORTHERN GETTING SOME RAIN AND A LITTLE HINT OF SOME LATE SUMMER SNOW, MAINLY UP ABOVE NINE OR 10,000 FEET INTO THE SIERRA.

GOOD TO SEE SOME OF THAT AND SOME OF OUR FRIENDS TO THE NORTH GETTING A LITTLE DROUGHT RELIEF.

WE SAW A LOT OF RAIN FROM HURRICANE KAY A WEEK AGO.

THEY DIDN'T SEE THAT.

MAYBE IT IS THEIR TURN PERHAPS.

SEA LEVEL AROUND 9500 FEET.

FOR US, PARTLY CLOUDY, 60 DEGREES, A TAME, QUIET NIGHT FOR US.

INTERIOR AREAS.

CAMPO 52.

A COOL SPOT.

6070 DEGREES.

LOW CLOUDS LURKING EARLY IN THE MORNING.

IT IS TIME TO PROGRESS DEEPER INTO TUESDAY AFTERNOON.

SON RETURNS AND WE ARE LOOKING GOOD AND QUIET.

YOU NOTICE PERSISTENT DAYTIME CLOUDS STAY FURTHER NORTH AND WE ARE DEALING WITH DRY WEATHER LOCALLY.

TEMPERATURES ARE IT LOW 80s FOR SOME IN RAMON AND ESCONDIDO.

EL CAJON, 86.

SPRINGS 87.

DOUBLE DIGITS.

FOR THE COASTLINE, UPPER 70s.

A LITTLE WARMER OUT THERE.

FURTHER EAST FOR THE TRUE HEAT.

THERE ARE THE SHOWERS TUESDAY AS OUR PACIFIC STORM BEGINS TO LIFT NORTH AND WEDNESDAY, NOT AS WARM AS TUESDAY WILL HAVE BEEN.

AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE COASTAL FORECAST HERE, A GOOD DEAL OF SON.

A LITTLE BREEZY OUT THERE ON WEDNESDAY.

KEEP AN EYE ON ANY FIRE DANGER.

WHENEVER WE ARE DRY AND GET A BREEZE WE HAVE TO KEEP AN EYE ON THAT.

MOUNTAINOUS AREAS ARE WARMING INTO THE 80s BY THE END OF THE WEEKEND FOR THE DESERTS, HERE WE SPIKE BACK AT AROUND 101 DEGREES ON SATURDAY.

SUMMER WEATHER.

THE HEAT IS NOT FULLY OVER QUITE YET.

I METEOROLOGIST GEOFF CORNISH FOR KPBS NEWS.

>> I'M JUDY WOODWORTH.

ON THE NEWS TONIGHT, PUERTO RICO IS LABELED BY ANOTHER DEVASTATING STORM NEARLY FIVE YEARS TO THE DAY AFTER HURRICANE MARIA.

COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING EDITION AT KPBS.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

AT NIGHT.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES.

PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR, RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES, FOR OVER 40 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.

♪ ♪