>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY.

>>> GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

WE ALL KNOW IT IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM BUT AGRIPPA CALIFORNIA MAYORS INCLUDING SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA ARE PROPOSING A NEW SOLUTION.

WITH OVER 160,000 PEOPLE WITHOUT A HOME THE EFFORT WILL BE A COSTLY ONE.

>> WE CAN'T SOLVE THIS PROBLEM IN ONE YEAR IT'S A REPEATED COMMITMENT OF STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL LEADERSHIP TO GET THE JOB DONE.

>> Reporter: THEY ASKED THE STATE FOR $20 BILLION INVESTMENT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS.

>> WE ARE CALLING ON OUR STATE LEADERS FOR PARTNERSHIP.

THIS IS A ONCE IN A GENERATION OPPORTUNITY TO FUND HOUSING AND SERVICES WE KNOW THAT WORK FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS AND TO MAKE A LASTING IMPACT ON THIS CRISIS THAT I BELIEVE ALL OF US WERE ELECTED TO SOLVE.

>> Reporter: THE NUMBER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING DOUBLED IN 2020 AND RACIAL DISPARITY CONTINUES .

BLACK PEOPLE WHO MAKE UP 5% OF THE COUNTIES POPULATION ACCOUNT FOR UP TO 30% OF THE HOMELESS POPULATION.

A NONPROFIT THAT WORKS WITH SAN DIEGO'S HOMELESS COMMUNITY.

HE THINKS THE PUSH FOR MORE HOMELESS RESOURCES IS A GREAT STEP TO SCALE UP EXISTING SERVICES.

>> THE SOLUTIONS WORK AND ARE AFFECTED BUT WE JUST NEED MORE OF IT.

WHAT WE ARE NOT LOOKING AT IS HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO NOT IMPLEMENT THE SERVICES, WHAT IS THE COST THERE?

THERE IS A BIG PUSH WITHIN THE CITY AND COUNTY TO REALLY EXPAND STREET OUTREACH.

THE WAY YOU BEGIN TO WORK WITH PEOPLE BY BUILDING RELATIONSHIP AND GOING OUT TO WHERE PEOPLE ARE.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR ALLOCATED OVER $10 MILLION TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS INCLUDING $1 MILLION TO ASK AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS.

HE SAYS EVERYTHING IS ON THE TABLE BUT HE KNOWS WHAT WORKS AND WHAT HE WANTS THE FUND.

>> I'D LIKE TO SEE GROW THE NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE CITY.

HOUSING PLUS SERVICES.

>> Reporter: THE SENATE SUPPORTS THE $20 BILLION PROPOSAL.

THE GOVERNOR WILL READ RELEASES NEWLY REVISED BUDGET IN MID-MAY.

>>> ONE WEEK AFTER THE DEADLY MASS SHOOTING, THE MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING A MAN AND INJURING FOUR OTHERS APPEARED IN COURT.

HE PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO MURDER AND ATTEMPTED MURDER AND ASSAULT CHARGES.

IF CONVICTED HE FACES LIFE IN PRISON AND REMAINS IN CUSTODY WITHOUT BAIL.

TWO EMPLOYEES WERE SHOT AND KILLED IN FRONT OF THE SAN DIEGO HOTEL, THE SHOOTER THEN WALKED DOWN FIFTH AVENUE AND THEN CONFRONTED A GROUP OF MEN, SHOOTING FOUR OF THEM.

NO MOTIVE HAS BEEN DISCLOSED.

>>> RESTAURANT STILL STRUGGLING TO STAY IN BUSINESS COULD GET SOME RELIEF FROM THE COUNTY.

THIS WEEK THE SUPERVISOR WILL BE ASKING THE BOARD TO SUPPORT WAVING PERMIT FEES OR RESTAURANTS.

HE SAYS THAT WOULD SAVE BUSINESSES ABOUT $1000-$2000 EACH YEAR.

WITH THE COUNTY AND THE ORANGE TIER RESTAURANTS CAN SERVE THEIR CUSTOMERS INDOORS AT 50% CAPACITY ALONG WITH OUTDOOR SEATING.

SOME BUSINESS OWNERS SAY IT DOESN'T MEAN BUSINESS WILL PICK UP.

>> I TRY TO COME IN EVERY DAY WITH A SMILE ON MY FACE, NOT KNOWING IF I'M GOING TO BE HERE NEXT.

>> THIS OPENING AND CLOSING WAS HARD FOR A LOT OF US.

IT MADE IT TOUGH.

THE DECISIONS WE HAD TO MAKE.

BILLS DON'T STOP, HEALTH INSURANCE DOESN'T STOP.

>> THE PROPOSAL TO WAIVE PERMIT FEES WILL BE HELD WEDNESDAY AT THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING.

>>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN MADE AN URGENT PLEA TO ALL ELIGIBLE AMERICANS TO GET A VACCINATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

WITH SUPPLY OUTPACING DEMAND THE CHALLENGES CONVINCING THOSE WHO ARE HESITANT TO GET THE SHOT.

THIS COMES AS NEW CASES DECLINE IN MANY STATES BUT THE THREAT OF NEW VARIANTS REMAIN.

>> OVER GET THE VACCINATION.

>> Reporter: SHOTS AND ARMS NEEDED TO IN THE PANDEMIC INCLUDING YOUNGER AMERICANS AND THOSE WHO ARE STILL HESITANT.

CONVINCING THEM IS NOW THE CHALLENGE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> IT IS LOCAL DOCTORS, CLERGY, CIVIC LEADERS.

THIS IS WHY OUR INVESTMENT IS FOCUSED ON EMPOWERING THOSE LOCAL VOICES BECAUSE WHEN YOUR NEIGHBOR GET THE VACCINE, YOUR FRIEND ACROSS THE STREET GET THE VACCINE YOU'RE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO GET IT.

>> Reporter: VACCINE SUPPLY UPDATES THE DEMAND IN THE U.S.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE IN THE REST OF THE WORLD.

IN INDIA DISTRAUGHT FAMILIES ARE MOURNING THEIR DEAD.

PEOPLE BEING TURNED AWAY FROM HOSPITALS THAT HAVE RUN OUT OF BEDS AND OXYGEN.

THE NUMBER OF NEW CASES RISES TO RECORD LEVELS.

>> IS ANYBODY GOING TO TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THOUSANDS THAT ARE DYING?

IT IS NOT JUST INDIA.

>> Reporter: SEVERAL COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD USING SPIKES IN DAILY CASE COUNTS.

IS THE WEEKLY NUMBER OF NEW CASES IS ON THE RISE FOR THE NINTH WEEK IN A ROW.

MANY HEALTH EXPERTS IN THE U.S. WORRY ABOUT MORE VARIANTS SPREADING AT HOME.

>> IF IT WERE TO DEVELOP THOSE NOT COVERED BY CURRENT VACCINES WE WOULD ALL BE IN DEEP TROUBLE.

>>> NATIONAL CITY CONTINUED ITS 100 DAY VACCINATION CAMPAIGN TODAY WITH A SPECIAL CLINIC AT SWEETWATER HIGH SCHOOL.

THE CLINIC OFFER THE PFIZER VACCINE WHICH IS APPROVED FOR USE 16 AND OLDER.

THE VACCINE WAS ADMINISTERED TO HUNDREDS OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TODAY.

NATIONAL CITY FIRE BATTALION SAYS AND ASSISTED AT THE CLINIC AND THEY SAID IT WAS INCREDIBLY POSITIVE.

>> THEY ARE INFLUENCING THEIR FEDERAL FELLOW STUDENTS TO SAY ARE YOU ON THE FENCE, THIS IS A GREAT IDEA TO CREATE THAT HERD IMMUNITY SO THEY ARE ACTUALLY INFLUENCED AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

>> ORGANIZERS SAY THEY HOPE THIS EFFORT ENCOURAGES OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO VACCINATE THEIR ELIGIBLE STUDENTS.

>>> IF YOU WANT TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR YOUR TEAM YOU CAN FIND A VACCINE LOCATION CLOSE YOU AT KPBS.ORG.

JUST CLICK ON THE VACCINE LINK WHEN YOU GET THERE.

>>> PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT IS DOWN ACROSS THE STATE BUT THE NUMBER OF ENGLISH LEARNERS STUDENTS HAVE DROPPED EVEN MORE THIS PAST YEAR IN BOTH THE STATE AND THE COUNTY.

EDUCATION REPORTER SPOKE WITH EXPERTS AND EDUCATORS ABOUT THIS DECLINE AND HOW IT COULD HARM SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> THE NUMBER OF ENGLISH LEARNERS ENROLLED STATEWIDE DROPPED ABOUT A PERCENT THIS SCHOOL YEAR WHICH IS THE LARGEST DROP IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.

IN SAN DIEGO THE DROP WAS EVEN MORE DRAMATIC.

THE DECLINE CAN BE EXPLAINED BY ECONOMIC CONDITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN WORSENED BY THE PANDEMIC.

STUDENTS WHOSE FIRST LANGUAGE IS IN ENGLISH ARE MORE LIKELY TO COME FROM LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WHO ARE HIT HARD DURING THE PANDEMIC YEAR.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS WHO WERE BEING PRICED OUT, RENTS ARE STILL NOT AFFORDABLE OR CONTROLLABLE.

THEIR RESEARCH PIECES OUT THERE COUNTRY SHOWING THE REGION OF THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING CLASS ARE THE WORKING POOR.

>> Reporter: THE CHULA VISTA HAD THE GREATEST DROP IN THE ENGLISH LEARNER ENROLLMENT.

THEY DROPPED ABOUT 3% WHILE ENGLISH LEARNER ENROLLMENT DROPPED ABOUT 90% .

ONE REASON FOR THE BIG DROP IS MORE STUDENTS HAVE MASTERED THE LANGUAGE AND NO LONGER QUALIFY AS ENGLISH LEARNERS.

THE MANY OF FALLEN THROUGH THE CRACKS ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> THIS YEAR NOT ONLY OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT BUT ACROSS THE NATION, REGISTRATION PROCESS OCCURRED ONLINE.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT CHALLENGES THAT COULD IMPEDE HOW WE ACCURATELY IDENTIFY THOSE ENGLISH LEARNERS.

>> WHILE THE NUMBER OF ENGLISH LEARNERS IS SMALLER THEY WILL NEED EXTRA ATTENTION TO RECOVER ACADEMICALLY AFTER A YEAR OF DISTANCE LEARNING.

>>> THE PANDEMIC WILL IMPACT OUR MENTAL HEALTH LONG AFTER IT IS FINALLY OVER.

ESPECIALLY FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT LIFE EVENTS.

KPBS TELLS US ABOUT ONE GROUP OF CITY HEIGHTS TEENS LOOKING TO REACH OUT TO SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER IN A TIME OF DISTANCE.

>> KEPT APART DURING THE PANDEMIC TEENAGERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY OF FELT ISOLATED.

MISSING EVENTS LIKE THEIR SENIOR YEAR IN HIGH SCHOOL OR FIRST YEAR IN COLLEGE.

ADVOCATES OF CHANGE TODAY TO ADDRESS SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES THAT IS TRYING TO BRIDGE THE GAPS THAT HAVE SPRUNG UP AND WHERE DESPAIR MIGHT'VE SET IN.

>> OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO RUN CAMPAIGNS TO REACH PEOPLE ABOUT YOUTH AND DRUG USE BECAUSE THAT SEEMS TO BE OVERLOOKED AND I COME AS A MEMBER OF MY COMMUNITY I'M TIRED OF IT.

>> Reporter: A TOWNHALL BRINGS TOGETHER SPEAKERS FROM THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE OF MENTAL ILLNESS ON THE SAN DIEGO BOYZ II MEN MENTORING NETWORK.

>> IT WOULD BE NICE FOR PEOPLE TO KNOW THEY ARE NOT ALONE ESPECIALLY DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

EVEN THOUGH WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN PROBLEMS, OUR OWN LIVES OSF TO REMEMBER WE ARE NOT BY USHER OURSELVES.

WE ARE NOT ALL SUFFERING ALONE.

WE ALL HAVE EACH OTHER TO LOOK AFTER.

>> THE YOUTH ORGANIZERS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE PROGRAMMING FOR MONTHS HOPING TO GENERATE THE NEXT GENERATION OF COMMUNITY LEADERS.

ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE GROUP OVER A DECADE AGO NOW WORKS AT THE STATE SAN DIEGO FOCUSING ON THE WELL-BEING OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT YOUNG PEOPLE TO KEEP THE LEGACY GOING.

SO WE ENCOURAGE SOME OF THE TIME, THEY REALLY ARE THE FUTURE LEADERS.

>> Reporter: THE HOPE NEXT YEAR IS SIMILAR TOWNHALL CAN BE IN PERSON AS THE WORLD AND YOUNG PEOPLE BECOME CLOSER TO ONE ANOTHER ONCE AGAIN.

>>> THE TEEN TOWNHALL IS ONGOING RIGHT NOW.

IT ALL IN HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CAN GO TO THE ADVOCATES FOR CHANGE TODAY FACEBOOK PAGE FOR LOGIN DETAILS.

>>> AS THE WEATHER GETS WARMER HERE IN SAN DIEGO MORE MUD PEOPLE WALKED TO THE BEACHES BUT OFFICIALS ARE WARNING BEACHGOERS, NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED BUT THE DANGER OF THE LOSS REMAINS.

A CONSTRUCTION WORKER THE TAXES LUNCH BREAKS OFTEN THERE AND SEES PEOPLE VERY CLOSE TO THOSE BLUFFS.

>> THE CITY PUTS THE SIGNS UP AND I PERSONALLY FEEL IT IS OUR JOB AS CIVILIANS TO PAY ATTENTION AND THE CITY IS DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB BUT WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB OF PAYING ATTENTION.

>> COASTAL EROSION RESEARCHERS TOLD US THAT BLUFFS FAILURES HAPPEN OFTEN GO UNREPORTED.

BEACH VISITORS SHOULD KEEP AWAY FROM THE BLAST TO AVOID ANY ACCIDENTS.

>>> GOOD EVENING WE ARE TALKING HEADLINES FIRST BEFORE WE GET INTO THE FORECAST.

SO CALIFORNIA LOOKS GREAT BUT IF YOU LIKE THE WARMTH THIS IS YOUR WEATHER.

ABOVE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES FOR THE FIRST HALF OR INTO THE FIRST HALF OF THE WEEKEND.

SEASONABLE WEATHER, TEMPERATURES WILL BE SHOULD BE THIS TIME OF YEAR COMING BY SUNDAY.

AS FOR SATELLITE RADAR WE JUST HAVE SOME CLOUDS OVER THE PACIFIC AND THEN WE ARE LOOKING DRY IS A REALLY BIG RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE IS IN PLACE.

TONIGHT MAINLY CLEAR AND THE METRO, LOW 60s AND WE WILL BE QUIET.

OTHER CITIES OR TOWNS AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOODS WE ARE TALKING TEMPERATURES IN THE LOW 50s FOR OCEANSIDE, MILE 70 DEGREES IN THIS AREA.

THEY GO FROM A MILD START TO REALLY HOT FINISH.

SAN DIEGO, YOU'LL BE NEAR 80 BUT STILL VERY NICE DAY BUT ONCE YOU HEAD OVER TO THE HILLS AND FOR THE TO THE COUNTRY WHERE TALKING MID 90s FURTHER INLAND NOT TOO FAR WE ARE TALKING MILES AWAY.

HAVE THE COOLER SPOT, LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THESE TEMPERATURES.

FURTHER INLAND WE ARE TALKING TRIPLE DIGITS IN PALM SPRINGS WERE AVERAGES FOR PALM SPRINGS SHOULD BE IN THE UPPER 80s THIS TIME OF YEAR.

HAVE A COOL FRIEND COMING DOWN THAT SUNDAY THAT'S GOING TO BRING SOME BIG CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHWEST.

SO GET READY FOR A COOL DOWN.

TALKING COAST-TO-COAST.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE IN THE 70s INTO SATURDAY AND SUNDAY UPPER 60s.

WE GO IN THE 90s ON FRIDAY TO 70 ON SUNDAY FURTHER INLAND.

THAT'S WHEN WE SEE THE BIG TIME CHANGES AND IN THE MOUNTAINS.

MOUNTAINS WILL BE DIPPING BACK INTO THE 60s WITH OVERNIGHTS INTO THE 40s.

THE DESERT IS HANGING ON TO SOME WARMTH BUT BACK INTO THE LOW 90s BY SUNDAY.

>>> A PROPOSAL FOR HUNDREDS OF HOMES ON AN ABANDONED GOLF COURSE TOOK A STEP FORWARD TODAY.

WE HAVE MORE ON THE PROJECT CALLED THE JUNIPERS.

>> Reporter: THIS GOLF COURSE WENT OUT OF BUSINESS IN 2015.

THE PROPERTY HAS BEEN VACANT EVER SINCE.

THE DEVELOPER PLANS ON BUILDING 536 HOMES ON THE LAND.

50% OF THEM AFFORDABLE FOR LOW INCOME SENIORS.

SEVERAL NEIGHBORS CALLED INTO A PLANNING COMMISSION HEARING BOTH IN SUPPORT AND OPPOSITION.

OPPONENTS SAY THE ADULT POPULATION WOULD MAKE FIRE EVACUATIONS MORE DIFFICULT.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO LIVE OUT MY LIFE IN MY HOME BUT NOT IF A HIGH DENSITY PUTS ME AT HIGH DANGER.

THIS MUST HAPPEN BEFORE THE PLANS FOR THE JUNIPERS PROJECT IS RECOMMENDED TO THE CITY COUNCIL.

>> Reporter: SUPPORTERS PRAISE THE DEVELOPER FOR ITS COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND MORE AFFORDABLE HOMES ON SITE IN THE MID CITIES MINIMUM OF VARMINTS.

PLANNING COMMISSIONERS ALSO NOTED THE OFFICIAL ANALYSIS SHOWS THE PROJECT WILL IMPROVE WHILE FIRE EVACUATION TIMES.

>> WE HAVE A CRYING NEED FOR HOUSING.

WE NO LONGER HAVE A CRYING NEED FOR GOLF COURSES AS WAS MENTIONED.

I AM CONVINCED THAT THIS PROJECT DOES NOT PROVIDE GREATER FIRE DANGER I THINK IT HELPS TO MITIGATE FIRE DANGERS THAT ALREADY EXIST.

>> Reporter: THEY VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT WHICH IS EXPECTED TO GET A FINAL VOTE AT THE CITY COUNCIL IN JUNE.

>>> SAN DIEGO HOME PRICES ARE AMONG THE SECOND-HIGHEST INCREASING IN THE NATION RIGHT BEHIND PHOENIX.

HOW THE HOUSING MARKET IS CHANGING IN THE SOUTH BAY?

>> Reporter: THE SOUTH BAY IS SEEN A CHANGE OF DEMOGRAPHICS AND PEOPLE MOVING IN.

A LOT OF YOUNG PROFESSIONALS AND ENTREPRENEURS ARE MOVING SOUTH BUT IT CONTINUES TO BE THE MOST DESIRABLE LOCATION FOR FAMILIES DUE TO AFFORDABILITY.

>> ARE YOU SEEN MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILIES MOVING IN TOGETHER SO THEY CAN AFFORD A HOME?

>> SOUTHBAY, I SEE THE MARKET, I SEE THAT TRENDING RIGHT NOW, FAMILY MEMBERS HELPING EACH OTHER TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD A BIGGER HOME.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME MAINTAINING THE ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO PAY THE MORTGAGE.

>> Reporter: HOME PRICES IN THE SAN DIEGO METROPOLITAN AREA UP 70% AS OF FEBRUARY.

THIS ACCORDING TO A NEW REPORT.

IS THE FASTEST INCREASE SAN DIEGO HOMES HAVE SEEN IN NEARLY 16 YEARS.

>> STATEWIDE, IT IS 800,000.

>> THE HIGH PRICE TAG ON HOMES IS MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR BUYERS TO OUTBID THE COMPETITION.

>> THE COMPETITION IS VERY STEEP FOR FIRST HOME BUYERS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE EXTRA CASH TO PUT IN.

RIGHT NOW ASKING PRICES THIS MUCH.

COMPETITION IS STEEP SO THEY GO OVER.

>> THE COMPETITION IS DUE TO HOUSING SHORTAGE.

THE OW AVERAGE HOME IS ONLY ON THE MARKET SIX DAYS.

SHE SAYS PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO BIDDING WARS.

>> IT TOOK US FOUR MONTHS AND ABOUT 30 BIDS TO BE ABLE TO WIN THAT OFFER.

>> OVERALL THEY SAY NATIONAL HOME PRICES ARE UP 12% WHICH IS THE HIGHEST IN 15 YEARS.

HOWEVER RECORD LOW MORTGAGE RATES ARE ENTICING HOMEBUYERS.

>>> THE FDA IS TAKING STEPS TO BAN MENTHOL FLAVORED CIGARETTES AND ALL FLAVORED CIGARS WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR.

THE GOAL IS TO REDUCE DISEASE AND DEATH FROM THOSE PRODUCTS.

MENTHOL IS THE LAST FLAVOR CURRENTLY ALLOWED IN CIGARETTES.

MORE THAN A THIRD OF ALL THE CIGARETTES SOLD IN THE U.S.

IN 2018 WERE MENTHOL FLAVORED.

RESEARCH SHOWS PEOPLE OF COLOR, LOW INCOME AND LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS ARE MORE LIKELY TO USE THOSE PRODUCTS AND SUFFER RELATED ILLNESSES.

>>> A NEW STUDY IS HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPACT CLIMATE CHANGE IS HAVING ON HER AIR QUALITY.

IT FINDS MORE THAN 40% OF PEOPLE LIVE IN AREAS WITH UNHEALTHY AIR QUALITY AND AS MARY REPORTS PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE THE MOST NEGATIVELY AFFECTED.

>>> FOUR OUT OF 10 PEOPLE IN THE U.S. ARE BREATHING POLLUTED AIR AND PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE SUFFERING THE MOST.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION.

THE STATE OF THE AIR REPORT FOUND MORE THAN 135 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE U.S. LIVE IN COUNTIES WITH UNHEALTHY AIR QUALITY.

THE AIR THEY ARE BREATHING HAS HIGH LEVELS OF PARTICULATE MATTER KNOWN AS SET OR OZONE OR SMOG.

THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION SAYS THESE POLLUTANTS CAN LEAD TO ISSUES WITH ASTHMA AND IN SOME EXTREME CASES, LUNG CANCER.

>> WE ARE THE ONES CAUSING THIS UNHEALTHY AIR BY FACTORIES, MOTOR VEHICLES, EVEN CERTAIN CLIMATE CHANGES THAT ARE CAUSING THIS.

>> Reporter: THE REPORT FOUND 61% OF PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE MORE LIKELY TO LIVE IN A COUNTY WITH THE POLLUTED AIR.

>> PEOPLE AFRICAN-AMERICANS, PERSONS OF COLOR COMING FROM FACTORIES INTO THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, SOME OF THAT IS INTENTIONAL STRUCTURAL RACISM THAT IS ALLOW THAT TO OCCUR.

>> THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION SAYS COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE COMMUNITY IS NEEDED TO FIND SOLUTIONS.

>>> THE CRUISE INDUSTRY MIGHT BE ABLE TO SET SAIL AGAIN IN THE U.S.

WATERS THIS JULY.

THE CDC IS VERIFYING RESTRICTION PROCESS ELIMINATING RISK ON CRUISES IS THAT POSSIBLE.

SO THE IDEA IS TO MITIGATE IT.

CRUISE OPERATORS NEED TO VERIFY THAT 90% OF CREWMEMBERS AND 95% OF PASSENGERS ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

THE CDC SUGGESTS A CONTRACT CONDUCT TRIAL VOYAGES TO TEST THE NEW PROCEDURES BEFORE FORMALLY SETTING SAIL.

>>> IT IS BEEN MORE THAN TWO YEARS SINCE THE CHILDREN'S ZOO CLOSE FOR A MAJOR RENOVATION AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO.

NEW HUMMINGBIRD AND KOMODO DRAGON EXHIBITS HIGHLIGHT NEW HIGH-TECH AND SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES.

>> THIS CORNER OF THE ZOO IS A BUNDLE OF ACTIVITY.

CONSTRUCTION CREWS ARE WORKING TO GET THE OLD CHILDREN'S ZOO AREA READY FOR VISITORS.

THE SOUTHEAST CORNER HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE FEBRUARY 2019.

THE CHILDREN'S ZOO ISN'T THE ONLY RENOVATION PROJECT UNDERWAY.

CREWS ARE PUTTING FINISHING TOUCHES ON A NEW SUSTAINABLE HUMMINGBIRD HABITAT.

THE CURATOR SAYS SAN DIEGO IS AMONG A HANDFUL OF ZOOS THE KEEP HUMMINGBIRD COLLECTIONS.

>> HUMMINGBIRDS IS A FEW BIRD WHERE EVEN IF YOU'VE NEVER SEEN ONE YOU KNOW THAT AT THE HUMMINGBIRD.

>> Reporter: THEY THRIVE IN SAN DIEGO BUT DON'T EXIST IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD.

THE NEW HABITAT OFFERS A CHANCE FOR PEOPLE TO SEE THE BIRDS UP CLOSE.

>> GREEN WALLS LIKE THIS WILL ONLY ENHANCE THE EXPERIENCE BUT IS ALSO BETTER FOR THE HUMMINGBIRDS A LIVE HERE.

KEEPING THE BIRDS ON DISPLAY REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT EFFORT.

>> IT IS NOT AN EASY SPECIES TO KEEP.

THEY EAT MORE OFTEN THAN ANY OTHER TYPE OF BIRD.

THEY FEED MAINLY ON NECTAR THAT HAS TO BE REPLENISHED TWICE A DAY AND FRUIT FLIES.

SO WE RAISE FRUIT FLIES FOR THEM TO EAT, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE RAISING BABIES.

>> THE NEW HABITAT WILL HELP.

>> THIS IS DOUBLE LAYER WITH AIR IN BETWEEN AND SO THAT ALSO HELPS US REGULATE THE THERMAL CONTROL AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE PROJECTS ARCHITECT, SHE SAYS THE ENCLOSURES WERE DESIGNED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SAN DIEGO'S UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT TO HELP REGULATE THE HABITAT.

SHE SAYS AS PART OF THE SUSTAINABILITY UNDERPINNING OF ALL MAJOR PROJECTS AT THE ZOO.

>> SUSTAINABLE DESIGN IS BECOMING MORE PREVALENT MUCH MORE COMMON PRACTICE IN A LOT OF AREAS.

>> THE SUSTAINABILITY DISCUSSION WAS UNDERWAY.

AND THE PROCESS TOOK EVERYTHING INTO ACCOUNT.

>> WE BOUGHT TREES AND SAFELY PUT THEM IN LOCATIONS SO WE CAN BRING THEM BACK IN.

WITH DEMOLITION INSTEAD OF TAKING IT ALL OUT WE SEPARATED IT INTO CONCRETE, GLASS, STEEL.

THAT'S ALL RECYCLABLE AND WE SENT IT TO A SOURCE CLOSE BY.

>> DESIGNERS, BUILDERS AND KEEPERS ALL GOT TOGETHER EARLY ON TO DISCUSS WHAT NEW HABITATS WOULD NEED TO SERVE THE ANIMALS HOUSE THERE.

FOR KOMODO DRAGONS HEAT IS IMPORTANT.

THE CURATOR SAYS HEAT ROCKS INFRARED LIGHTS AND EVEN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT WILL HELP KEEP THE LIZARDS TOASTY.

>> YOU COULD TELL US A LITTLE OVERCAST, IN INDONESIA MIGHT NOT BE THIS COOL SO WE MIGHT ALLOW THEM TO SPEND MORE TIME INDOORS IN A NICE WARM ENVIRONMENT.

>> THE NEW ENVIRONMENT WILL HAVE AN INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SPACE AND A NESTING AREA IN THE BACK.

I WILL GIVE THE KOMODO DRAGONS A CHOICE.

>> THE NEW HABITATS REQUIRE INDICATED SYSTEMS THAT COULD BE CONTROLLED BY A SMART PHONE.

THOUGH MAKE IT EASIER FOR KEEPERS TO MANAGE THE TWO NEW EXHIBIT SPACES BUT THAT EASE OF OPERATION MASKS THE CHALLENGE OF MAKING THE HABITATS WORK.

>> THE CHALLENGING PART OF THE COMPLEXITY.

IS NOT FOUR WALLS AND A ROOF PALM THAT JUST REPEAT THAT CONSTRUCTION PROCESS, WE ARE DEALING WITH LIVE ANIMALS AND THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT NEEDS AND THE COLLECTION IS VERY DEAR TO US.

>> Reporter: THE EXHIBIT IS EXPECTED TO BE OPEN THIS SUMMER.

>> YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I AND MAYA TRABULSI, HAVE A GOOD EVENING.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE IN PARTS OF PART BY.