>>> 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.

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

AND BY THE CONRAD FOUNDATION.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING -- AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

IT'S THURSDAY, APRIL 1st.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

WE BEGIN WITH BREAKING NEWS.

JUST MOMENTS AGO THE PADRES KICKED OFF OPENING DAY WITH A BIG WIN.

FOR THE TEAM, FOR THE FANS, FOR THE BUSINESSES AROUND PETCO PARK, THINGS ARE OFF TO A GREAT START.

KPBS REPORTER JACOB AERE IS OUTSIDE PETCO PARK WHERE EXPECTATIONS WERE HIGH FOR TODAY'S GAME.

JACOB?

>> Reporter: THANKS, MAIA.

THE SAN DIEGO PADRES BEGAN THE 2021 SEASON TODAY WELCOMING FANS BACK INTO THE STANDS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A YEAR AND A HALF.

LAST YEAR THEY CAME IN SECOND IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE WEST.

OPTIMISM IS HIGH AMONGST VANS.

THE PADRES WON 8-7 PROPELLED BY HOME RUNS FROM OUTFIELDER WIL MYERS AND FIRST BASEMAN ERIC HOSMER.

I SPOKE EARLIER IN THE DAY WITH SEASON TICKET HOLDER MARIO RODRIGUEZ WHO HAS BEEN A FAN SINCE 1972.

HE WATCH THE OPENING DAY GAME INSIDE PETCO PARK.

>> BEING THAT SOME OF THE FANS AREN'T ABLE TO COME IN, I FEEL GOOD.

I FEEL LUCKY.

MY SEAT IS WAITING FOR ME.

IT HAS MY NAME ON IT.

I EARNED IT.

>> Reporter: TODAY'S HOME OPENER AGAINST THE ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS ONLY ALLOWED FOR 8400 FANS BECAUSE OF COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS.

THAT IS CAUSING SKY-HIGH TICKET PRICES WHICH HAVE RANGE FROM $200-$2000 WITH SEASON TICKET HOLDERS GETTING PRIORITY.

FOR PADRES FANS WHO CAN'T GET INTO THE BALLPARK LIKE GLENN FAVOR, OPENING DAY CELEBRATIONS EXTENDED BEYOND PETCO.

>> WE NEEDED TO BE HERE, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT IN THE PARK.

IT'S OKAY.

WE ARE STILL AMONGST THE PADRES FANS AND WE ARE STILL TOGETHER.

IT'S NOT JUST A GAME TO US ANYMORE.

IT'S AN ANNUAL TRADITION FOR US AND WE NEEDED TO BE HERE.

>> Reporter: FOR THOSE WHO GOT SEATS INSIDE PETCO PARK, THE ROWS HAVE BEEN BLOCKED OFF AND SEATS WERE GROUPED IN PODS.

FANS DIDN'T HAVE TO LINE UP BY CONCESSION STANDS BUT ORDERED FOOD AND DRINK FROM AN APP.

AS THE SEASON GOES ON, SAN DIEGO COULD SEE MORE FANS BACK AT PETCO PARK UNDER THE ORANGE TEAR RESTRICTIONS.

33% CAPACITY COULD BE POSSIBLE.

YELLOW TIER, THE NUMBER MOVES TO 67%.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AN ESTIMATED SAN DIEGANS CAN SIGN UP HER SHOTS NOW THAT COVID-19 SHOTS ARE AVAILABLE TO CALIFORNIANS AGE 50 AND OLDER.

THAT DOES NOT MEAN EVERYONE WHO WANTS ONE WILL BE ABLE TO GET ONE RIGHT AWAY.

KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN SAYS THIS WEEKEND THERE'S A PUSH TO VACCINATE A COMMUNITY HIT HARD BY THE PANDEMIC.

>> IT'S BEEN CHALLENGING TO GET APPOINTMENTS.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE MAKING IT EASY, ESPECIALLY FOR A COMMUNITY WHERE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE EXIST.

PEOPLE DON'T HAVE AS MUCH ACCESS TO THE INTERNET.

IF THEY HAVE A COMPUTER AT HOME.

>> Reporter: THE FORMER SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCILMAN IS GOING DOOR TO DOOR.

TELLING RESIDENCE IN A COMMUNITY HARD-HIT BY THE PANDEMIC ABOUT A POP-UP VACCINATION EVENT THIS WEEKEND THAT IS TARGETING THOSE IN THE 92113 ZIP CODE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HEARD MISINFORMATION.

PEOPLE SAY I STILL DON'T QUALIFY AND YET THEY DO.

>> Reporter: THEY REGULARLY DO UP TO 800 VACCINATIONS AT THE LOGAN HEIGHTS SITE AND IT'S PARTNERING WITH AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE TO DO MORE THIS SATURDAY.

>> WE ARE HOPING TO VACCINATE UP TO 2000 PEOPLE, FOCUSING ON PEOPLE HERE LIVING IN THE 92113 ZIP BOARD.

>> Reporter: THIS DR. WITH FAMILY HEALTH CENTER SAYS THERE HAS BEEN HESITANCY TO GET VACCINATED AND SHE'S BEEN FIELDING QUESTIONS LIKE IF THERE WERE PEOPLE OF COLOR IN VACCINATION TRIALS.

>> THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF RACISM IN HEALTHCARE OVER THE YEARS.

IT'S NATURAL THERE WOULD BE SKEPTICISM.

>> Reporter: NOW ALL SITES COUNTYWIDE ARE TAKING APPOINTMENTS FOR THOSE 50 AND OVER NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

>> IN TWO WEEKS WE WILL EXPAND THAT EVEN BIGGER.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHEN ALL CALIFORNIANS BECOME ELIGIBLE.

THE SUPPLIES WILL BE INCREASING AND OUR SUPPLY HAS INCREASED BY 25% THIS WEEK.

>> I WISH IT WAS 50% HIGHER.

BUT 25% HIGHER IS BETTER.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS AREN'T PREDICTING AN INCREASE, THE SUPERVISOR SAYS THAT CAN ALWAYS CHANGE.

>> WE ARE ENCOURAGED AND WE ARE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

REMEMBER AT THE BEGINNING WE HAD EGG AMOUNTS AND THEN WE HAD SIGNIFICANT SHORTAGES.

WE HAVE TREMENDOUS INSTABILITY WEEK TO WEEK AND WHAT WE ARE GETTING.

THAT SEEMS TO HAVE STABILIZED AND WE ARE GENERALLY HEADED IN A FLAT OR UP TRAJECTORY.

>> Reporter: JUST LIKE THE 30 COUNTY SPONSORED SITES THEY ARE DELIVERING AROUND 12,000 DAILY DOSES.

THAT'S NOT COUNTING VACCINATIONS FOR THE MILITARY, VETERANS OR OTHER PROVIDERS.

THOSE IN THE 92113 ZIP CODE NEED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THIS SATURDAY AND HAVE TO BE CURRENT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE GET THEIR COVID VACCINATIONS, THE COUNTY SAYS WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS IN MOVING TOWARD THE LESS RESTRICTIVE ORANGE TEAR.

AT TODAY'S NEWS CONFERENCE SUPERVISOR NATHAN FLETCHER SAID THE COUNTIES COVID NUMBERS REMAIN STABLE.

THE ISSUE NOW IS THE AMOUNT OF VACCINES THAT HAVE BEEN ADMINISTERED STATEWIDE.

THE NUMBER NEEDS TO REACH 4 MILLION AND THEN FLETCHER SAYS IF THE NUMBERS CONTINUE AS THEY ARE, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE QUICKLY OUT OF THE RED TEAR WE ARE IN NOW.

>> ONCE WE HIT THE 4 MILLION, THE TEAR NUMBERS REVISE.

SAN DIEGO WOULD BE ELIGIBLE TO DESCEND INTO THE ORANGE TIER.

PERHAPS AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK, WE ARE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> FLETCHER CONGRATULATED SAN DIEGANS FOR CONTINUING TO ABIDE BY SAFETY PROTOCOLS.

WITH THIS BEING OPENING DAY AT PETCO PARK ALONG WITH PLACES LIKE LEGOLAND EXPANDING THEIR REOPENING, THEY ASKED EVERYONE TO CONTINUE TO DO THEIR PART TO HELP US MOVE TO THAT ORANGE TIER.

>>> WILL THE CHARGERS BE UP FOR SALE?

THE SISTER OF THE OWNER DEAN SPANO'S HOPES SO.

SHE FILED A PETITION IN L.A. COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT TODAY ARGUING THAT MOUNTING DEBT HAS IMPERILED THE FAMILY'S FINANCES AND THE ONLY SOLUTION IS TO PUT THE TEAM ON THE MARKET.

THEY ALLEGE THE TRUST DEBTS AND EXPENSES EXCEED $353 MILLION AND THE TRUST DOES NOT HAVE A PLAN TO PAY MORE THAN $22 MILLION.

IT HAS PLEDGED TO CHARITIES.

WHEN THE CHARGERS MOVED IN 2017 THEY FACE THE DAUNTING TASK OF PAYING OFF A $650 MILLION RELOCATION FEE TO THE NFL.

>>> AHEAD OF EASTER SUNDAY, A PROGRAM TO BRING COVID-19 TESTING TO BLACK CHURCHES IS LAUNCHING IN SAN DIEGO.

KPBS REPORTER MELISSA MAY SAYS IT'S A CALL TO ACTION WITH A MISSION OF SAVING LIVES.

>> Reporter: NEW COVID TESTING SITES ARE COMING TO BLACK CHURCHES ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY THANKS TO A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE TABERNACLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND THE AFRICAN- AMERICAN COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT COUNCIL.

REVEREND JUDY WORTHAM IS TABERNACLE DEVELOPMENTS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DIRECTOR FOR THE COVID-19 TESTING PROGRAM.

SHE SAYS THE BLACK COMMUNITY MAY BE NERVOUS TO GET TESTED, BUT THE WALK UP TESTING SITES WELCOME ALL.

>> NO NEED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

NO NEED TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE.

NO NEED TO BE AFRAID TO GET TESTED AT THE ONE PLACE TRUSTED BY AFRICAN-AMERICANS, OUR BLACK CHURCHES.

>> Reporter: CHURCH LEADERS SAY BLACK CHURCHES ARE WELL POSITIONED TO INFORM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF COVID-19 TESTING AND TO PROVIDE A KNOWN SAFE SPACE FOR ACCESSING TESTING.

BISHOP WILLIAM A BENSON OF THE TOTAL DELIVERANCE WORSHIP CENTER IS GRATEFUL THE CHURCH IS SEEN AS A VALUABLE PARTNER IN FIGHTING AGAINST COVID-19.

>> WE HAVE JOINED WITH SUCH A MARVELOUS GROUP OF PROFESSIONAL INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE TEACHING US TO RID THE PARANOIA'S OF FEAR OF DOCTORS AND PROCEDURES.

>> Reporter: COMMUNITY-BASED TESTING REMAINS A CORE STRATEGY TO REDUCING VIRUS TRANSMISSION AND MORTALITY.

>> WE WANT TO BE HEALTHY.

WE WANT OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY TO BE HEALTHY.

WE DEFINITELY WANT OUR PARISHIONERS TO BE HEALTHY.

>> Reporter: THREE NEW SITES WILL OPEN TODAY AT THE WORSHIP CENTER, BETHEL CHURCH AND THE BAYVIEW BAPTIST CHURCH.

THE PROGRAM GOAL IS TO TEST 150 INDIVIDUALS DAILY AT EACH LOCATION THROUGH JUNE 31st.

MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ARSON INVESTIGATORS ARE LOOKING INTO WHAT SPARKED A FIRE IN A MOUNTAIN VIEW HOME WHERE THREE PEOPLE WERE FOUND DEAD.

LAMES AND SMOKE WERE REPORTED AROUND 615 THIS MORNING AT THE HOUSE ON SOUTH 38th STREET BETWEEN SUPERIOR STREET AND FRANKLIN AVENUE.

NEIGHBORS TOLD FIREFIGHTERS THAT PEOPLE WERE INSIDE AND WHEN CREWS FORCED THEIR WAY IN THEY FOUND THREE BODIES.

NO INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIC ROOMS HAS YET UNRELEASED.

>>> A BIPARTISAN BILL IS IN THE WORKS TO TRY TO SOLVE THE CRISIS AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

THE LEGISLATION WOULD ESTABLISH A $1 BILLION FUND FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES.

TOGETHER THEY WILL DEVELOP A PLAN TO RESPOND TO THE GROWING NUMBER OF MIGRANTS CROSSING THE U.S. AND MEXICO BORDER.

IF PASSED, THE FUNDING COULD PREVENT CHILDREN FROM BEING HELD IN BORDER CUSTODY FOR LONGER THAN THEY SHOULD.

>>> COUNTY JAILS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PLACES WHERE PEOPLE ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH CRIMES ARE HELD FOR A BRIEF TIME WHILE THEY MAKE BAIL OR AWAIT THEIR DAY IN COURT.

BUT KPBS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER CLAIRE SAYS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AT LEAST 380 PEOPLE HAVE SPENT MORE THAN A YEAR IN COUNTY JAILS.

>> I WAS FEARFUL FOR HIS LIFE.

>> Reporter: GINA BURNS IS TALKING ABOUT HER SON BERNARD WHO HAS BEEN IN JAIL WAITING FOR HIS TRIAL TO FINISH HER ALMOST 3 YEARS.

>> YOU KEEP TELLING THEM THAT HE NEEDS HELP, THIS AND THAT.

THEY JUST IGNORE IT.

THEY IGNORE IT.

>> Reporter: HE'S ONE OF 380 PEOPLE WHO HAVE SPENT MORE THAN A YEAR IN SAN DIEGO JAILS ACCORDING TO RECORDS OBTAINED BY THE NEWS ORGANIZATION CAL MATTERS.

THEY ARE EITHER WAITING FOR TRIALS TO BEGIN OR AWAITING ADDITIONAL HEARINGS OR SENTENCING.

UNLIKE THE MAJORITY OF DEFENDANTS, THEY ARE DOING THAT WAITING NOT FROM HOME, IN JAIL.

THE RECORDS SHOW THAT THREE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN SAN DIEGO JAILS FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS.

20 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN JAIL FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS.

>> THESE PRETRIAL DETENTIONS CAN BE ABSOLUTELY DEVASTATING.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL IS THE MANAGING ATTORNEY FOR THE CALIFORNIA INNOCENCE PROJECT.

>> WHEN YOU HAVE SENTENCE SOMEONE TO PRISON IN THE PAST, THERE WOULD BE A YARD.

THERE'S EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND THERE'S JOBS.

IT'S ALL SET UP FOR LONGER-TERM LIVING.

THE JAILS ARE JUST NOT SET UP FOR THAT.

THINKING ABOUT KEEPING PEOPLE IN PRETRIAL DETENTION FOR THESE LONGER PERIODS OF TIME, IT'S NOT REALLY MEANT FOR THAT PURPOSE.

AND SO YOU ARE REALLY SITTING AROUND NOT ABLE TO DO ANYTHING.

IT SUPER DETRIMENTAL.

>> Reporter: IN CALIFORNIA DEFENDANTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO A TRIAL THAT BEGINS WITHIN 60 DAYS FOR A FELONY, 30 DAYS FOR A MISDEMEANOR.

ACCORDING TO THE CAL MATTERS REPORT THERE ARE SEVERAL REASONS WHY PEOPLE MIGHT WAIT IN JAIL FOR MUCH LONGER.

DEFENSE ATTORNEYS WEIGHED THEIR CLIENTS RIGHT TO A SPEEDY TRIAL TO GET EXTRA TIME TO PREPARE.

OR STACKED COURT SCHEDULES LEAD TO DELAYS.

ALL OF THIS HAS BEEN EXACERBATED BY THE PANDEMIC.

EMERGENCY ORDERS ALLOW JUDGES TO DELAY TRIAL DATES AND JURY TRIALS CANNOT BE DONE VIRTUALLY.

RACHEL SO LOVE IS A CHIEF DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY FOR SAN DIEGO.

>> WE HAD A PERIOD OF TIME WHERE THE COURT WAS SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY FOR TRIALS.

SINCE THE END OF LAST YEAR WE HAVE BEEN BACK DOING TRIALS, BUT IT'S SLOW GOING BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE AS MANY COURT ROOMS TO DO TRIALS IN AS WE DID PRE- COVID.

THE COVID COURTROOMS IS WHAT WE CALL THEM HAD TO BE RETROFITTED WITH SAFETY FEATURES SO THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DO A TRIAL IN THOSE COURTROOMS.

>> Reporter: THE TRIAL BACKLOG COULD CONTINUE LONG INTO THE FUTURE.

CLAIRE TRAGASER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ANOTHER MASS SHOOTING, THIS TIME HITTING CLOSER TO HOME.

INVESTIGATORS ARE STILL TRYING TO PIECE TOGETHER WHAT LED A GUNMAN TO KILL FOUR PEOPLE IN AN OFFICE COMPLEX IN ORANGE COUNTY.

THE SUSPECT KNEW THE VICTIMS EITHER THROUGH BUSINESS OR PERSONALLY.

AND THEN HE CHAINED THE GATES TO THE COMPLEX CLOSED BEFORE OPENING FIRE YESTERDAY.

THE VICTIMS IDENTITIES HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED, BUT WE DO KNOW THAT ONE WAS A NINE-YEAR-OLD BOY.

TODAY THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY CALLED IT ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE SENSELESS GUN VIOLENCE THAT OCCURS ALL TOO FREQUENTLY.

>> IT UNDERSCORES THE NEED TO EXPAND BACKGROUND CHECKS.

IT HAS WORKED ITS WAY THROUGH THE HOUSE AND THE PRESIDENT SUPPORTS TO BAN ASSAULT WEAPONS AND HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINES AND REMOVE LIABILITY PROTECTIONS FOR GUN MANUFACTURERS.

THERE IS AN ONGOING REVIEW OF EXECUTIVE ACTIONS AND SOMETHING THAT HE IS CERTAINLY PERSONALLY COMMITTED TO.

>> REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE ARE EXPECTED TO OPPOSE THE MEASURES PASSED BY THE HOUSE.

AS THE DEBATE CONTINUES, THE FBI SAID 4 MILLION AMERICANS INITIATED BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR GUN PURCHASES LAST MONTH.

THAT'S A 36% INCREASE FROM FEBRUARY.

AND A NEW RECORD.

IT FOLLOWS MASS SHOOTINGS IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA AND BOULDER, COLORADO.

>>> EMOTIONAL TESTIMONY IN THE TRIAL OF DEREK CHAUVIN, THE FORMER MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH KILLING GEORGE FLOYD.

ON DAY 4 THE COURT HEARD DETAILS ABOUT FLOYD'S PERSONAL LIFE FROM SOMEONE VERY CLOSE TO HIM.

CAMILLA BURNELL IS IN MINNEAPOLIS WITH MORE.

>> Reporter: TEARFUL TESTIMONY FROM THE GIRLFRIEND OF GEORGE FLOYD.

>> THERE IS THIS GREAT DEEP SOUTHERN VOICE >> Reporter: FOR THE FIRST TIME THE COURTROOM HEARD ABOUT FLOYD'S LIFE FROM THE PERSON HE DATED FOR NEARLY 3 YEARS UNTIL HIS DEATH.

>> HE ASKED ME IF HE COULD GET MY NUMBER AND WE HAD OUR FIRST KISS IN THE LOBBY.

>> Reporter: THEY SHARED A STRUGGLE.

>> WE BOTH SUFFERED WITH OPIOID ADDICTION.

IT'S A CLASSIC STORY OF HOW MANY PEOPLE GET ADDICTED TO OPIOIDS.

WE BOTH SUFFERED FROM CHRONIC PAIN.

WE GOT ADDICTED AND TRIED REALLY HARD TO BREAK THAT ADDICTION MANY TIMES.

>> IT WAS YOUR BELIEF THAT MR. FLOYD STARTED USING AGAIN ABOUT TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO HIS DEATH, CORRECT?

>> I NOTICED A CHANGE IN HIS BEHAVIOR, YES.

>> Reporter: FLOYD DIED FROM DRUG USE AND A HEART CONDITION, NOT FROM DEREK CHAUVIN KNEELING ON HIS NECK.

THE FORMER MINNEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER WAS STILL RESTRAINING FLOYD WHEN PARAMEDICS ARRIVED.

>> IN LAY TERMS, I THOUGHT HE WAS DEAD.

>> Reporter: AFTER THEY PUT HIM IN AN AMBULANCE CHAUVIN DEFENDED HIS ACTIONS.

>> YOU'VE GOT TO CONTROL THIS GUY BECAUSE HE SIZABLE.

>> Reporter: IN MINNEAPOLIS, CAMILLE VON KAENEL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> MANY OF CALIFORNIA'S 1200 NURSING HOMES MORPHED INTO COVID-19 DEATH TRAPS OVER THE LAST YEAR.

KPBS SAYS THE ALARMING DEATH RATE HAS PROMPTED A SLEW OF STATE BILLS AIMED AT MAKING THE HOMES SAFER AND THEIR OWNERS MORE ACCOUNTABLE.

>> Reporter: THE MAJORITY OF THE DEATHS THAT OCCURRED IN NURSING HOMES IN CALIFORNIA OCCURRED IN FACILITIES THAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN OPERATING IN THE FIRST PLACE.

ONE IN 4 DEATHS IN CALIFORNIA WERE IN NURSING HOMES.

ADVOCATES SAY THE BLAME RESTS ON CHRONIC UNDERSTAFFING, POOR INFECTION CONTROL, WEAK OVERSIGHT AND OPAQUE OWNERSHIP THAT PUTS PROFITS OVER PEOPLE.

NOW LAWMAKERS HAVE RELEASED A PACKAGE OF BILLS THAT AMONG OTHER THINGS WOULD STIFFEN PENALTIES FOR NURSING HOME MISCONDUCT, EXPAND LIABILITY FOR PATIENT RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND MANDATE THAT OWNERS BE FINANCIALLY TRANSPARENT.

>> THIS TO ME IS OUR ONE SHOT AT GOING BIG.

DOING SOMETHING COMPREHENSIVE AND SUFFICIENTLY AGGRESSIVE.

THE POLITICS ARE NOT IN OUR FAVOR TYPICALLY.

IT TOOK THIS LEVEL OF OUTRAGE TO ACTUALLY BUILD US THE POLITICAL SPACE TO MOVE THIS KIND OF REFORM THROUGH.

THESE TRAGEDIES DIDN'T JUST START WITH COVID.

ON THE HEELS OF THAT CRISIS, WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT.

>> Reporter: STATE LAWMAKERS SPONSORING THE BILL EXPECT THE NURSING HOME INDUSTRY TO LOBBY HARD AGAINST THE REFORM PACKAGE.

THE ASSEMBLYMAN SAYS IT'S A THOUGHT STRATEGY.

>> I DON'T THINK THE NURSING HOMES OR NURSING FACILITIES WANT TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE THEY HAVE TO SAY THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO PROVIDE THAT ARE QUALITY CARE FOR THEIR PATIENTS.

I HAVE BEEN BATTLE WORN AND BATTLE TESTED.

I AM READY FOR THE FIGHT.

>> Reporter: A STATEWIDE NURSING HOME GROUP DECLINED COMMENT.

>>> A SHOT IN THE ARM TODAY FOR GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM.

THE 53-YEAR-OLD BECAME ELIGIBLE TO GET HIS COVID-19 VACCINE NOW THAT THE AGE REQUIREMENT DROPPED TO 50.

>> TODAY IS AN IMPORTANT DATE OBVIOUSLY WITH THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE MY AGE THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING AND ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS.

FOR MANY MONTHS.

>> HE GOT THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON ONE SHOT AT A CLINIC IN THE L.A. AREA.

NEWSOM HAD PROMISED TO WAIT HIS TURN LIKE EVERYONE ELSE.

HE PLANS TO MAKE THE VACCINE AVAILABLE TO ALL CALIFORNIANS WHO ARE AT LEAST 16 IN TWO WEEKS'.

>> JUST BECAUSE YOU ALLOW THE ACCESS, DOESN'T MEAN EVERYBODY CAN RUSH AND GET A RESERVATION AND CAN GET A SCHEDULE TO GET THE ADMINISTRATION OF DOSES.

OUR BIGGEST CONSTRAINT CONTINUES TO BE MANUFACTURED SUPPLY.

>> IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHEN IT'S YOUR TURN AND WHERE TO GET YOUR SHOT, HEAD TO KPBS.ORG.

GO TO OUR HOMEPAGE AND CLICK ON THE VACCINES TAB TO FIND CLINIC LOCATIONS AS WELL AS LINKS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

>>> SOME BIG NEWS FOR A COVID- 19 VACCINE.

PFIZER SAYS NEW TRIAL DATA GIVES A GLIMPSE INTO HOW LONG IT'S VACCINE PROTECTION LASTS AND HOW EFFECTIVE IT IS AGAINST ONE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VIRUS VARIANT.

HERE IS MANDY GAITHER.

>> Reporter: NEW NUMBERS FROM PFIZER.

>> IT'S JUST ICING ON THE CAKE FOR GOOD NEWS.

>> Reporter: THE COMPANY SAYS IT'S ONGOING PHASE THREE CLINICAL TRIAL THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE CONFIRMS ITS PROTECTION LASTS AT LEAST SIX MONTHS AFTER THE SECOND DOSE AND APPEARS TO BE FULLY EFFECTIVE AGAINST THE CONCERNING VIRUS VARIANT FIRST IDENTIFIED IN SOUTH AFRICA.

>> I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED AT ALL IF MODERNA AND ALL OTHER COMPANIES THAT DID THE SAME THING WOULD GET SIMILAR RESULTS.

>> Reporter: MORE GOOD NEWS.

PFIZER ALSO SAYS IT'S VACCINE IS WELL TOLERATED WITH AN EFFICACY OF 100% IN THOSE AGES 12 TO 15.

>> THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR GETTING BACK TO SCHOOL AND ALSO FOR US REACHING HERD IMMUNITY AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE VACCINE MAKER WILL SUBMIT THE DATA TO THE FDA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE HOPING FOR AN EXPANDED EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION OF THE TWO DOSE VACCINE.

>> I THINK THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET THE VACCINES AUTHORIZED IN TIME FOR THE START OF SCHOOL SO THAT THESE OLDER TEENS AT LEAST ARE ABLE TO GET THE VACCINES BY LATE SUMMER OR EARLY FALL.

>> Reporter: A SEPARATE STUDY OF THE PFIZER VACCINE IN CHILDREN'S AGES SIX MONTHS TO 11 YEARS LAUNCHED LAST WEEK.

THE COMPANY AIMS TO ENROLL MORE THAN 4600 CHILDREN IN THE TRIAL AND EXPECTS RESULTS BY THE END OF 2021.

MODERNA IS ALSO TESTING ITS COVID-19 VACCINE IN ADOLESCENTS AND CHILDREN IN TWO CLINICAL TRIALS IN CHILDREN'S AGES 12 TO 17 AND THOSE AGED SIX MONTHS TO 11 YEARS.

FOR HEALTH MINUTE, MANDY GAITHER.

>>> AMERICANS WHO LOST THEIR JOBS LAST YEAR AND HAVE ALREADY FILED THEIR TAX RETURNS WILL HAVE ONE LESS HEADACHE TO DEAL WITH.

THE IRS WILL AUTOMATICALLY RECALCULATE THE RETURNS TO ACCOUNT FOR THE NEW STIMULUS TAX BREAK.

THAT'S ON THE FIRST $10,200 OF UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION RECEIVED IN 2020.

REFUNDS WILL BE SENT DIRECTLY TO TAXPAYERS STARTING IN MAY.

IT'S PART OF THE $1.9 TRILLION STIMULUS PACKAGE THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED LAST MONTH.

>>> APRIL 1st IS TYPICALLY THE DAY WHEN CALIFORNIANS SNOWPACK IS THE DEEPEST, BUT NOT THIS YEAR.

NOT EVEN CLOSE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES SAYS STATEWIDE THE SNOWPACK SNOW WATER EQUIVALENT IS JUST 16.5 INCHES.

59% FOR AVERAGE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

THE NORTHERN AND CENTRAL SIERRA, THE SNOWPACK IS 70% OF AVERAGE THANKS TO A SERIES OF COLDER THAN USUAL STORMS.

BUT RAIN IS BELOW 50% OF AVERAGE WHICH TIES THIS YEAR FOR THE THIRD DRIEST YEAR ON RECORD.

>>> AFTER SOME SCORCHING HEAT THE LAST COUPLE DAYS WE DO HAVE COOLER AIR WORKING INTO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THANKS TO AN ONSHORE FLOW THAT WILL BE DEVELOPING.

THAT MEANS THE MARINE LAYER WILL BE COMING BACK WITH SOME FOG HERE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF NIGHTS AND EARLY MORNINGS.

EVEN WITH SOME OF THAT MOISTURE OUR RAIN CHANCES WILL STAY QUITE LOW, EVEN THOUGH WE DO NEED SOME RAINFALL BECAUSE OF HOW DRY IT HAS BEEN.

THE FORECAST FOR TONIGHT, A COUPLE PASSING CLOUDS.

SAN DIEGO DROPPING BACK TO 57.

RAMONA WILL BE IN THE MID 40s.

EL CAJON 52 YORK WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY AND THE OVERALL SET UP ISN'T GOING TO CHANGE.

WE HAVE THE BOARD UP IN THE JET STREAM.

WITH THAT ONSHORE FLOW, IT WILL KNOCK THE TEMPERATURES BACK 10 OR 15 DEGREES COMPARED TO WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN THE LAST SEVERAL AFTERNOONS.

THAT PUTS US AROUND 70 IN SAN DIEGO.

CLOSE TO 80 IN RAMONA.

THAT IS WHERE THE CORE OF THE HEAT IS GOING TO BE.

HIGH TEMPERATURES IN THE LOW TO MID 90s WITH SUNSHINE.

FUTURE CASH SHOWING THAT MARINE LAYER ALONG THE COAST FOR FRIDAY MORNING.

IT MOVES FARTHER AWAY FOR THE AFTERNOON BEFORE IT COMES BACK IN AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY NIGHT AND EARLY SATURDAY MORNING.

THE SET UP DOESN'T CHANGE THROUGH THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

WE STILL HAVE A NORTHWARD BUMP IN THE JET STREAM KEEPING THINGS DRY.

THE COOLER AIR REMAINS ALONG THE COAST WITH THE HEAT ACROSS THE INTERIOR DESERT.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE 10 OR 20 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL.

THE FIVE-DAY OUTLOOK FOR THE COAST.

KEEPING THE SUNSHINE AROUND EACH AFTERNOON.

EASTER SUNDAY HAS A COUPLE CLOUDS IN THE MORNING.

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

VACCINATIONS ARE NOW OPEN TO CALIFORNIANS 50 AND OVER MEANING AN ESTIMATED 400,000 MORE SAN DIEGANS CAN SIGN UP FOR SHOTS.

OFFICIALS ARE WARNING THAT SUPPLY IS STILL NOT KEEPING UP WITH DEMAND SAYING APPOINTMENTS WILL BE HARD TO FIND.

THE GOOD NEWS IS WEEKLY VACCINE ALLOCATIONS ARE UP ABOUT 25%.

AT THE 30 OR SO COUNTY SPONSORED SITES, ABOUT 12,000 DOSES ARE GOING OUT EVERY DAY.

>>> IT WAS AN EXCITING OPENING DAY FOR THE PADRES KICKING OFF THE SEASON WITH A WIN.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN OVER A YEAR AND A HALF, FANS WERE BACK IN THE STANDS AT PETCO PARK BECAUSE OF COVID RESTRICTIONS, ONLY 8400 FANS WERE ALLOWED INSIDE AND SEASON-TICKET HOLDERS ARE GETTING PRIORITY.

IF THE COUNTY ADVANTAGE INTO THE ORANGE DEER CAPACITY WILL BUMP UP TO 33%.

>>> ON THIS APRIL FOOLS' DAY, A LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTER HOLD A LIGHTHEARTED PRANK ON LINE.

HELEN WOODWARD ANIMAL CENTER TWEETED THIS PICTURE SAYING THEY ARE LOOKING FOR HOMES FOR A GROUP OF PET ROCKS.

THAT'S RIGHT, PET ROCKS.

THERE WAS EVEN A LINK FOR PEOPLE TO FILL OUT THEIR INFORMATION FOR A CHANCE TO ADOPT ONE OF THE ROCKS.

BELOW THE PICTURES ARE THE NAMES AS WELL.

WHEN YOU ENTER THE FORM THEY REVEALED IT'S ONLY A JOKE.

THEY REMINDED PEOPLE THAT THEY DO STILL HAVE PLENTY OF ADOPTABLE ANIMALS AVAILABLE.

THAT'S A GOOD ONE.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.