>>> 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.

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

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION AND DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING .

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU, THANK YOU.

>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US I'M JOHN CARROLL IN FOR MAYA TRABULSI THE ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS, SANDAG BROKE GROUND ON TWO PROJECTS IN THE CITY.

FRESH BIKE LANES AND TRAFFIC SAFETY SANDAG IS BUILDING WITH A CALL COMPLETE STREETS ON ORANGE AND CENTRAL AVENUES.

PART OF AN EFFORT TO CONNECT THE MED CITY AND ORANGE NEIGHBORHOODS.

THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT IS VICE CHAIR OF THE SANDAG BOARD AND HE EXPLAINS WHY THEY ARE CALLED COMPLETE STREETS.

>> THE PROJECTS RANGE FROM PAVEMENT AND POTHOLES TO BUFFERED AND SEPARATED BIKE LANES.

ALL KEY TO IMPROVING SAFETY, ACCESSIBILITY AND MOBILITY FOR ALL THE USERS ON THE ROADWAY.

>> THE PROJECT WILL ALSO ADD ROUNDABOUTS, RAISE CROSSWALKS AND OTHER FEATURES THAT SLOW DOWN TRAFFIC.

WHEN COMPLETED THEY WILL CONNECT TO OTHER BIKEWAYS ON UNIVERSITY AVENUE, LANDIS AND MEAD STREET.

THESE WILL CREATE A LARGER NETWORK OF BIKE ROUTES THAT CONNECTED DOWNTOWN AND THE REST OF THE URBAN CORRIDOR.

>> ORANGE AND CENTRAL AVENUE ARE KEY PIECES THAT ALLOW PEOPLE TO TRAVEL AROUND THE MED CITY AREA WITH GREATER SAFETY WITHOUT EXPERIENCING GAPS.

>> THE BIKE FACILITY ON ORANGE WILL LOOK SIMILAR TO THOSE HERE ON MEAD AVENUE.

SANDAG CALLS THESE BIKE BOULEVARDS, BIKE ADVOCATES SAY THEY ARE A GREAT OPTION FOR RESIDENTIAL ROADS.

>> BECAUSE THE VEHICLES ARE FORCED TO SLOW DOWN LIKE THEY DO ON MEAD AND LIKE THEY WILL DO ON ORANGE, IT IS A MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE EXPERIENCE WITHOUT HAVING TO HAVE DEDICATED PROTECTED BIKE LANES.

>> THIS COUNCIL MEMBER WHO REPRESENTS THE AREAS THAT THESE PROJECTS WILL MAKE THE NEIGHBORHOOD MORE WALKABLE AND ENJOYABLE FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.

>> ORANGE AVENUE AND CENTRAL AVENUE ARE LIFELINES TO THE COMMUNITY.

THEY CONNECT FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS, PARKS, AND EACH OTHER.

AND RIGHT NOW, THESE CORRIDORS DON'T REFLECT THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS.

>> THE TO COMPLETE STREETS PROJECTS WILL COST ROUGHLY $21 MILLION.

CONSTRUCTION ON CENTRAL IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE IN 2027 AND WORK ON ORANGE AVENUE SHOULD BE DONE BY 2028.

>>> WE HAVE A VERY WARM PATTERN CONTINUING IN THE OVERNIGHT RELIEF IS ONLY COMING IN A LIMITED FASHION DOWN TO 73 IN SAN DIEGO, BORREGO SPRINGS, ONLY DROPS TO 82.

THESE HEAT ALERTS CONTINUE UNTIL 8:00 FRIDAY, EXTREME HEAT WARNINGS FOR MOST INLAND AREAS AND HEAT ADVISORIES CONTINUE THROUGH THE COAST.

WE WILL TELL YOU HOW CLOSE WE GET TO RECORD HIGHS LIKE RAMONA AND SAN DIEGO, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, COMING UP.

>>> ANY VEGETATION FIRE IS BURNING IN THE BIG SUR AREA, IT'S ABOUT 30 MILES SOUTH OF THE TIMBER FIRE WHICH HAS GROWN TO NEARLY 18,000 ACRES.

THE NEW FIRE IS EAST OF THE COMMUNITY OF PLASKETT.

MORE NOW FROM FELIX CORTEZ.

>> THE LAST THING FIREFIGHTERS NEEDED WAS ANOTHER FIRE TO BREAK OUT IN THE BIG SUR AREA.

BUT THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED.

AROUND 9:30 WEDNESDAY MORNING, THE PLASKETT FIRE NOW BURNING ROUGHLY 30 MILES SOUTH OF THE TIMBER FIRE.

THAT PROXIMITY PLAYING A KEY ROLE IN CREWS IMMEDIATELY BEING DISPATCHED TO THE NEW FIRE.

>> FORTUNATELY, WITH THE AMOUNT OF EQUIPMENT WE HAVE AT THE TIMBER INCIDENT WE WERE ABLE TO SURGE EQUIPMENT IN HERE QUICKLY AND GET AN ASSESSMENT ON THE FIRE.

ALREADY HEARD THE INITIAL ORDERS FOR HERE TOMORROW WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK THIS AS IT CONTINUES TO COME OUT OF THE CANYON.

>> THAT FIRE IS BURNING BETWEEN THE TOWN OF CORRIDOR TO THE SOUTH AND PLASKETT TO THE NORTH, AND SIMILAR TERRAIN AS THE TIMBER FIRE.

A STEEP AND RUGGED, THE FIREFIGHT, MOSTLY HAPPENING FROM THE AIR.

>> THERE'S CURRENTLY NINE FIXED WINGS WORKING THE INCIDENT, SIX HELICOPTERS AND MULTIPLE CREWS MAKING THEIR WAY UP.

>> MORE THAN A DOZEN INSTRUCTIONS ARE THREATENED AND NEW EVACUATION ORDERS AND WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED FOR THE AREA.

>> ALL THE STRUCTURES HAVE BEEN EVACUATED.

WE DON'T SEE ANY FIRE IMPINGEMENT OFF OF THE STRUCTURES ON PLASKETT RIDGE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAINTAIN OUR FOOTPRINT OFF THE ROAD AND WORK FROM THE FIRES PERIMETER UP TOWARDS THE STRUCTURE THROUGH THE NIGHT.

>>> FELIX CORTEZ REPORTING.

POLICE DEPARTMENT ARE INCREASINGLY USING DRONES AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL BUT THERE ARE ALSO CONCERNS ABOUT PRIVACY.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN TAKES A LOOK AT THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE'S TEST PROGRAM WHICH THEY SAY HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL THEY WANT TO EXPLANT IT AND MAKE IT PERMANENT.

>> IN MARCH THIS YOUNG MAN ASSAULTED A WOMAN IN DOWNTOWN OCEANSIDE.

HE FLED ON THIS BUS.

BECAUSE OF THE DRONE EXPRESS RESPONDER PROGRAM, OFFICERS WERE ABLE TO TRACK HIM AND MAKE AN ARREST.

>> THIS PERSON WAS FOUND GUILTY, SENTENCED TO SEVERAL MONTHS IN JAIL.

>> THE POLICE LIEUTENANT IS IN CHARGE OF THE PROGRAM.

HE SAYS THIS IS ONE OF THE SUCCESS STORIES.

WITHOUT THE DRONE, HE SAYS, THE PERPETRATOR WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUGHT QUICKLY.

>> WE WOULD HAVE SEEN ANOTHER PERSON ASSAULTED BY THE ACTIVITY UNTIL HE WAS CAUGHT.

>> SINCE THE PILOT PROGRAM LAUNCHED, THE DRONE HAS BEEN DEPLOYED MORE THAN 1300 TIMES.

AND ABOUT 400 OF THOSE TIMES, THE DRONE'S PRESENCE ALONE HELPED DE-ESCALATE THE SITUATION WITHOUT AN OFFICER BEING CALLED TO THE SAME.

>> WE HAVE CALLS WHERE THE SUBJECT IS REFUSING TO LEAVE, THE DRONE WILL RESPOND, THE SUBJECT KNOWS THAT IF THEY DON'T LEAVE, THE BUSINESS OWNER HAS ASKED THEM TO LEAVE, THAT, OFFICERS WILL BE COMING.

>> HE SAYS SITUATIONS LIKE THAT SAY POLICE TIME AND RESOURCES THAT COULD BE USED MORE PRODUCTIVELY ELSEWHERE.

THE DEPARTMENT WANTS TO MAKE THE PROGRAM PERMANENT.

IT WANTS TO ADD ANOTHER DRONE, SPECIFICALLY TO COVER THE EAST SIDE OF THE CITY.

THAT JUSTIFICATION DOESN'T HOLD WATER FOR SETH, HE IS THE COFOUNDER OF THE GROUP, SAN DIEGO PRIVACY.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF PRIVACY CONCERNS.

>> HE SAYS RESIDENTS HAVE NO WAY TO KNOW WHETHER THE DRONE FLYING OVERHEAD IS A POLICE DRONE OR A PRIVATE ONE.

>> THERE WILL BE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO ABOUT SEEING THOSE DRONES, SO, RIGHT AWAY, IT APPEARS TO PEOPLE AS BEING KIND OF AN INVASION OF THEIR PRIVACY, EVEN IF THEY ARE NEAR THEIR HOME OR OUT YOU KNOW, ON THE STREET NEAR THEIR HOME.

>> OCEANSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT ADDRESSED THE CONCERN BY LOGGING EVERY DRONE FLIGHT ON THE WEBSITE THAT THE PUBLIC CAN CHECK AND THEY CAN ALSO REQUEST THE VIDEO.

>> IF THEY HAVE A REAL CONCERN THAT THERE'S A DRONE SPYING ON THEM THEY CAN GET A LAW VIOLATION AND THAT SOMETHING OUR DRONE PILOT CAN CONFIRM WITH THEM TO SAY YES THIS IS US, OR NO, THAT'S NOT.

>> OCEANSIDE RESIDENT ALLISON IS LEERY ABOUT THE PROGRAM, TOO.

SHE HADN'T HEARD ABOUT IT UNTIL NOW.

>> I THINK IT HELPS THEM DO THEIR JOB BETTER IT'S FINE BUT I DO THINK THAT IT'S A LOT OF TRUST WITH PRIVACY CONCERNS.

>> THE EXPANSION WILL COST THE CITY AROUND $100,000.

THEY WILL PRESENT THEIR FINDINGS TO THE CITY COUNCIL NEXT MONTH.

THE PUBLIC WILL GET TO WEIGH IN.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY RELEASED EMPLOYEE MISCONDUCT RECORDS THIS WEEK, AND WITHIN MINUTES, THE COUNTY ALSO ANNOUNCED THE DEPARTURE OF ITS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIRECTOR.

THE MOVE COMES MORE THAN A YEAR AFTER OUR PUBLIC MATTERS PARTNER VOICE OF SAN DIEGO, SUED THE COUNTY FOR NOT RELEASING THE RECORDS.

VOICE OF SAN DIEGO SENIOR REPORTER LISA HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING THE MATTER AND SHE JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT IT, WELCOME.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> THE COUNTY IS NOT DIRECTLY SAID WHY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIRECTOR NADIA OPERA VARA LEFT BUT COULD YOU TELL US WHAT WE KNOW NOW, AND WHY THIS DEPARTURE IS SO SIGNIFICANT?

>> WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT THE COUNTY RELEASED AN ANNOUNCEMENT LATE ON TUESDAY, SAYING THAT THEY WERE RELEASING THESE RECORDS ALTHOUGH THEY WERE PUBLICLY POSTED, AND THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER EBONY SHELTON, SAID THERE WERE CONCERNS ABOUT YOU KNOW, RACISM AND SEXISM.

THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THEY CONDONE THE COUNTY AND THERE WAS A NEED TO MAKE A LEADERSHIP CHANGE.

AND THEY ARE LOOKING AT YOU KNOW, MAKING CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS.

THEY DID NOT SPECIFICALLY SAY WHY NADIA LEFT THE COUNTY.

WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT, BUT ONE COULD SURMISE THE RECORDS WERE RELEASED, HIGHER-UPS AT THE COUNTY BECAME AWARE OF SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT MAY HAVE BEEN AT THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL AND THEY DECIDED THERE WAS A NEED FOR CHANGE.

>> NOW THAT YOU HAVE THE RECORDS, YOU'VE LEARNED ABOUT AN ALLEGED INCIDENT WITH A COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST, MAKING A RACIST REMARK.

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT?

>> YES, SO, ONE OF THE INVESTIGATIONS THAT WAS RELEASED LATE TUESDAY, SHOW THAT AN ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST AT THE COUNTY WAS IN A DIVERSITY TRAINING SESSION ONLINE WITH ABOUT 75 PEOPLE, AND SHE MADE A RACIST COMMENT DURING THAT SESSION.

SHE BELIEVED THAT SHE WAS MUTED.

SHE WAS NOT.

AND WHEN MY SUBSEQUENT REPORTING HAS SHOWN WAS THAT SHE WAS PROMOTED AFTER THAT INCIDENT.

>> OH, OKAY.

YOU REQUESTED THESE RECORDS MORE THAN A YEAR AGO, SO WHAT HAS HAPPENED?

>> SO MUCH.

FIRST OFF, TUESDAY WAS A CRAZY DAY BECAUSE I WAS JUST SITTING IN THE OFFICE, HAVING A PHONE CONVERSATION WITH A SOURCE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY PHONE STARTS BLOWING UP AND I'M GETTING A BUNCH OF EMAIL'S.

I FOUND OUT THAT COUNTY WAS RELEASING THESE RECORDS, AND, THE COUNTY ALSO WAS PUTTING OUT AN ANNOUNCEMENT SIMULTANEOUSLY, DESCRIBING THAT IT WAS PUTTING OUT THESE RECORDS BUT THEY DIDN'T REALLY EXPLAIN IN THEIR ANNOUNCEMENT WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THAT.

WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING UP TO THIS POINT IS THE VOICE OF SAN DIEGO HAS BEEN FIGHTING IN COURT FOR MORE THAN A YEAR TO UNEARTH THESE RECORDS AND SUDDENLY, THEY CAME OUT AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE CREATED AN UPROAR.

>> SO THAT COUNTY ADMIN OFFICER SAID THEY ARE EXPECTING ADDITIONAL SUBSTANTIATED FINDINGS.

WHAT DOES THAT TELL US ABOUT THE POTENTIAL SCALE OF MISCONDUCT IN ALL OF THIS?

>> SO MY REQUEST WAS MADE IN MARCH 2025, AND IT COVERED MISCONDUCT RECORDS FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS.

WHAT THAT TELLS ME IS, PERHAPS SOME THINGS HAVE HAPPENED SINCE THAT LAST REQUEST, SOME ADDITIONAL INVESTIGATIVE FINDINGS.

SO I CAN ANNOUNCE ON THE SHOW RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW THAT I HAVE PUT IN ANOTHER REQUEST TO TRY TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED SINCE MY MARCH 2025 REQUEST, TO TRY TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING, AND OTHER SORTS OF MISCONDUCT.

BUT I HAVE MANY QUESTIONS FOR THE COUNTY.

>> I'LL BET.

HOPEFULLY IT DOESN'T TAKE ANOTHER YEAR.

WE KNOW YOU ARE HAVING INVESTIGATIONS, SO WHAT QUESTIONS ARE YOU STILL HOPING TO GET ANSWERS TO?

>> CERTAINLY ON THE CASE OF THE EMPLOYEE THAT GOT PROMOTED AS I MENTIONED.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, WAS NADIA INVOLVED IN APPROVING THAT PROMOTION?

ALSO, WHO WERE THE DECISION- MAKERS WITH REGARD TO A LOT OF THESE MISCONDUCT CASES THAT I'VE BEEN LOOKING AT, WHICH THERE WILL BE MORE IN VOICE OF SAN DIEGO.ORG SOON IF NOT ALREADY.

I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COUNTY'S HANDLING OF THESE CASES, INITIALLY, THE COUNTY SAID TO ME, YOU KNOW, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE DETAILS ON WHAT WE DID BUT TRUST US, YOU KNOW, WE TOOK ACTION.

BUT IT JUST RAISES A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND I THINK AND PORTLY, TOO, I THINK IN FAIRNESS TO NADIA, WE SHOULD SAY THAT NADIA ONLY BECAME THE ACTUAL DIRECTOR, NOT JUST ACTING DIRECTOR BECAUSE THAT WAS A TEMPORARY POST, THIS JANUARY, SHE BECAME ACTING DIRECTOR IN APRIL 2025.

MOST OF THE INVESTIGATIONS THAT I'VE SPENT THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS REVIEWING AS QUICKLY AS I CAN, ALL BUT ONE OF THEM IN FACT, WERE CONDUCTED BEFORE SHE TOOK OVER AS ACTING DIRECTOR, SO SOME OF YOU MAY REMEMBER LUKE BERGMAN THE FORMER DIRECTOR, I KNOW HE WAS ON KPBS OFTEN.

HE WAS AT THE HELM DURING THAT TIME, SO I ALSO HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT LUKE BERGMAN, AND ALSO QUESTIONS AND THIS WILL COME OUT IN MY ADDITIONAL REPORTING JUST HOW ABOUT THE COUNTY IS CARING FOR EMPLOYEES AND PATIENTS AT THESE FACILITIES.

>> TIPS DON'T EVER TELL A REPORTER, JUST TRUST US.

>> VERY TRUE.

>> IT DOES NOT WORK.

>> IT MAKES ME WANT TO DIG AND MORE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, LISA, FOR YOUR WORK AND FOR JOINING US.

VOICE OF SAN DIEGO IS ONE OF OUR PARTNERS FOR THE PUBLIC MATTERS INITIATIVE.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT PUBLIC MATTERS AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, RESCUE TEAMS IN THE PALL SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS OF THE DEVASTATING FLASHLIGHTS.

THAT'S COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING EDITION ON KPBS.

>>> ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS PRESIDENT TRUMP DID WHEN HE RETURNED TO OFFICE WAS REINSTATE A BAN ON TRANS PEOPLE IN THE MILITARY.

MILITARY REPORTER ANDREW DYER HAS THE LATEST ON HOW CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO ASSIST THOSE FORCED OUT.

>> ASSEMBLY BILL 1775 WOULD EXPAND SOME STATE VETERAN PROGRAMS TO CERTAIN TRANSIT SERVICE MEMBERS FORCED OUT OF THE MILITARY AND WOULD HELP THEM PAY FOR FEES ASSOCIATED WITH UPGRADING THEIR DISCHARGE STATUS SHOULD THE PENTAGON'S POLICY CHANGE IN THE FUTURE.

SAN DIEGO FAMILY MEMBER CHRIS WARD, A DEMOCRAT SPONSORED THE BILL.

HE DISAGREES WITH THE MILITARY'S BAN ON TRANS PEOPLE.

>> THERE IS NO CREDIBLE EVIDENCE THAT THEY ARE UNDERMINING READINESS OR EFFECTIVENESS.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT CALIFORNIA IS DOING EVERYTHING IT CAN TO SUPPORT THEM WHEN WASHINGTON FAILS THEM.

>> CATHERINE COLE SERVED AS A CAPTAIN IN THE ARMY AND TESTIFIED IN SACRAMENTO IN FAVOR OF THE BILL.

>> IT HELPS BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND YOU KNOW, LIVING AS A CIVILIAN CALIFORNIAN.

>> SHE'S A BOARD MEMBER OF SPARTA PRIDE, AND HAVE A SECRET -- ADVOCACY GROUP.

SHE SAID EVEN THOUGH THE STATE CAN'T CHANGE FEDERAL POLICY, THE IMPACT OF LEGISLATION LIKE THIS HELPS.

>> IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE WE HAVE PEOPLE AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS WHO ARE ACTIVELY THINKING ABOUT US.

EACH OF THESE PIECES IS SMALL INDIVIDUALLY BUT IT LINKS TOGETHER, TO MAKE IT SO THAT BEING TRANSGENDER, YOU KNOW, DOES NOT INFLUENCE HER STATUS AT ABOUT -- AS A VETERAN.

>> THE LEGISLATION IS IMPORTANTLY -- SAN DIEGO HAS ONE OF THE LARGEST COMMUNITIES OF SERVICEMEMBERS AND TRANSGENDER SERVICEMEMBERS, SO WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF CONSTITUENTS THAT ARE FACING UNCERTAINTY RIGHT NOW AND NEED TO KNOW CALIFORNIA WILL STEP UP FOR THEM.

>> THE BILL PASSED THE STATE LEGISLATURE WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

IT'S NOW AWAITING GOVERNOR NEWSOM'S SIGNATURE.

ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AMERICANS ARE HANGING OUT LESS THAN THEY USED TO.

IT'S NOT JUST TEENAGERS, THE NUMBERS SHOW IT ACROSS EVERY AGE GROUP.

IVAN RODRIGUEZ TALKED TO A PSYCHOLOGIST AFTER DIGGING INTO THE DATA.

>> THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS TRACKS HOW WE SPEND OUR DAYS AND IN ITS NEWEST SURVEY FOUND AMERICANS ARE DOWN TO JUST 35 MINUTES A DAY SOCIALIZING IN 2025 COMPARED TO 41 MINUTES A DECADE AGO.

>> 15 YEARS AGO THE YOUNGER PEOPLE, 15 TO 24, HAVE THE BEST MENTAL HEALTH AND NOW THEY HAVE SOME OF THE WORST.

>> FIND THAT TEENS ARE SPENDING AN AVERAGE OF FIVE HOURS A DAY ON SOCIAL MEDIA APPS LIKE TIKTOK, INSTAGRAM AND SNAPCHAT, TIME THAT USED TO GO TO PEOPLE, NOW GOING TO SCREENS.

MARISSA FRANCO SAID IT'S ALMOST LIKE WE ARE GETTING FED SMACKS OF CONNECTION INSTEAD OF AN ENTIRE MEAL.

>> WE ARE FINDING OURSELVES LOOKING TO FULFILL THAT NEED FOR CONNECTION AND TURNING TOWARD SOCIAL MEDIA, WHICH IS GIVING THEM ENOUGH OF THAT OR EVEN DISTRACTION FROM THE UNDERLYING FEELINGS OF LONELINESS THAT THEY DON'T ULTIMATELY HIT ROCK BOTTOM ENOUGH TO REACH OUT AND FIND CONNECTION.

>> FRANCO SAID THE ULTIMATE COST ISN'T ONLY MEASURED IN MINUTES AND IT SHOWS UP IN THE BODY.

>> THE MOST COMMONLY CITED STATISTIC, CHRONIC LONELINESS IS AS TOXIC AS SMOKING 15 CIGARETTES A DAY.

WHO IS SMOKING 15 CIGARETTES A DAY BUT PEOPLE ARE SPENDING WEEKS ON AND FEELING LONELY.

>> OF THERE'S ONE THING WE CAN DO FOR A MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH, FINDING SOCIAL CONNECTION, FRANCO SAID.

>> IT'S CRITICAL, IF THE OXYGEN THAT WE NEED.

>> I'M OTT IVAN RODRIGUEZ REPORTING.

>>> EVERYONE KNOWS THE LIBRARY IS A PLACE TO CHECK OUT BOOKS AND MAYBE EVEN GET WORK DONE.

SAN DIEGO LIBRARIES OFFER A LOT MORE.

PATTY CORTES IS THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE FOR THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION.

SHE SAID A LIBRARY CARD OPENS THE DOOR TO PROGRAMS LIKE 1000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN.

>> IT'S REALLY WORKING WITH PARENTS TO FEEL LIKE THEY UNDERSTAND THAT READING BOOKS TO PREPARE THEIR YOUTH TO START KINDERGARTEN IS REALLY ESSENTIAL.

>> IS ALSO DO YOUR HOMEWORK AT THE LIBRARY.

THE PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE AT 10 LOCATIONS WHERE STUDENTS CAN GET HELP WITH DIFFERENT SUBJECTS.

IF THEY CAN'T MAKE IT IN PERSON, LIVE ONLINE TUTORING IS ALSO AVAILABLE.

THE LIBRARY OFFERS PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS, TOO.

>> FAMILIES FOR LITERACY IS A PROGRAM THAT LOOKS LIKE IT'S DESIGNED FOR THE YOUTH BUT IT'S DESIGNED TO SUPPORT THE ADULT LEARNER LEARNING TO READ.

>> A LIBRARY CARD CAN GET YOU A NATURE BACKPACK FILLED WITH SUPPLIES FOR A HIKE.

THAT'S JUST A SAMPLING OF WHAT IS AVAILABLE.

SEPTEMBER IS LIBRARY CARD SIGN- UP MONTH.

SHE SAYS GETTING A LIBRARY CARD IS QUICK AND EASY.

>> SO IT'S PRIMARILY, FILL OUT THE LIBRARY CARD APPLICATION FORM, GO TO THE SERVICE DESK TO GET IT ACTIVATED, AND PRESENT LIKE THE IDENTIFICATION, IF IT'S NEEDED OR THE PARENT SIGNATURE, AND YOU GET A LIBRARY CARD WITHIN FIVE MINUTES OR LESS.

>> CLOSE TO 300,000 YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE LIBRARY CARDS.

THE NUMBER HAS REMAINED STEADY BUT SHE SAYS THE FOUNDATION IS TRYING TO REACH MORE PEOPLE BY TAKING THE LIBRARY OUTSIDE ITS WALLS.

>> THE LIBRARY HAS BEEN DOING A CONCERTED EFFORT TO DO POP UP LIBRARY CARD REGISTRATION AND THAT HAS BEEN REALLY BENEFICIAL IN TERMS OF CONNECTING TO COMMUNITIES, PEOPLE UNDERSTANDING THE LIBRARY CARD IS FREE AND YOU CAN COME TO ANY OF GAME AND HEADED OUT SPECIAL EDITION CARDS.

>> I KNOW WE ARE PROMOTING LIBRARY CARD MONTH BUT IF YOU DON'T COME THROUGH IN SEPTEMBER, PLEASE COME AT ANY TIME TO YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY AND JUST KNOW THE GOING TO GIVE YOU ACCESS TO SO MUCH MORE.

AND IF YOU HAVEN'T CONNECTED WITH LIBRARIES, COME BACK AND RECONNECT.

I PROMISE YOU WILL FIND SOMETHING THAT WILL SUPPORT YOUR INTEREST OR YOUR NEEDS.

>>> THE FINEST RELEASED ITS 50th PODCAST EPISODE TODAY.

IT FEATURES OUR LIVE EVENT AT THIS MONTH SAN DIEGO BOOK FESTIVAL.

ONE PLACE TO FIND IT IS THE FINEST SD.ORG.

IT'S A BRAND-NEW SITE THAT EXPANDS ON THE PODCAST.

IT'S YOUR GUIDE TO THE ARTS, CULTURE, OUTDOORS, FOOD AND EVIDENCE THAT MAKE SAN DIEGO, SAN DIEGO.

FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING BY DATE OR NEIGHBORHOOD.

THERE'S A LOT TO EXPLORE.

AGAIN THE SITE IS THE FINEST SD.ORG.

>>> WE ARE FACING SOME PRETTY WIDESPREAD HEAT.

THE HEAT HOLDS, IT WON'T BE TOO MUCH LONGER BEFORE WE FIND RELIEF, HINTS OF RELIEF ROLE IN SUNDAY AND MONDAY BUT IT'LL STILL BE WARM.

AND WE ARE NOT FAR FROM RECORD HIGHS.

LOOK OUT FOR SPOTTY THUNDERSTORMS WELL INLAND AND SOME OF THE DESERTS BUT THE CHANCE FOR ANY OF THAT NEAR THE COASTLINE, VERY SLIM.

IT'S A LITTLE MORE HUMID OUT THERE, 73 TONIGHT, AND YOU CAN SEE THE HEAT WARNINGS, EXTREME HEAT WARNINGS IN THE DEEP MAROON AND A HEAT ADVISORY IN THE ORANGE.

THEY CONTINUE TILL 8:00 P.M.

FRIDAY.

THE DANGEROUS HEAT IS ESPECIALLY INTENSE INTO THE INTERIOR DESERT, WITH MANY FACING HIGHS, 110+ AND THE WORST OF THE HEAT.

WE CAN SEE BRAY GO SPRINGS IS IN THAT CLUB, 111 DEGREES ON FRIDAY.

98 IN EL CAJON, ESCONDIDO, 96.

SAN DIEGO, 85.

SOME AREAS OF THE SOUTHWEST WILL BE FLIRTING WITH RECORD HIGHS.

THESE ARE SPECIFICALLY FOR AUGUST 28.

IN RAMONA, AUGUST 28 OF 1991 AND NINE YEARS AGO WE HIT 105.

WE WILL BE AROUND 100.

I KNOW IT'S HOT BUT WE ARE NOT QUITE TWO RECORDS.

LONG BEACH, FOUR DEGREES SHY BUT THERE MAY BE AREAS LIKE ALBUQUERQUE AND GRAND JUNCTION THAT TIE IT.

RELIEF NORTH BUT NOT FOR US YET ON SATURDAY IN FACT, SAN DIEGO, RECORD HIGH 88 FROM 1996, 2009 AND LAST YEAR.

WILL BE THREE DEGREES SHY OF THAT.

PRETTY HOT BUT NOT A RECORD FOR US HERE ON SATURDAY.

SUNDAY, THE HEAT DOES BEGIN TO BACK OFF JUST A SMIDGE.

I WANT TO MENTION FIRE DANGER REMAINS A BIG CONCERN THROUGH SUNDAY, WILDFIRE RISKS ON THE MAP EVEN THOUGH IT'S GREATER TO OUR NORTH AND SURFERS, SWIMMERS BEWARE, ROUGH SURF THROUGH THE END OF AUGUST WITH ALL THE TRAFFIC IN THE PACIFIC.

LOTS OF TROPICAL SYSTEMS OUT THERE.

MID 80s SATURDAY, A LITTLE LESS HOT FOR THE COAST AND MORE CLOUD COVER ON TUESDAY.

BUT INLAND, 97 FRIDAY, BACK DOWN TO THE MID-80s MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CHANGE.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, VERY WARM, MOST OF US STAY DRY, COULD BE A STRAY THUNDERSTORM AND IN THE DESERTS, MOST OF US STAY DRY.

THE BULK OF THE MONSOON STAYS FURTHER EAST.

111 FRIDAY BUT BACK DOWN TO 101 ON MONDAY AND KOHLER ON TUESDAY.

IMPROVEMENT WILL BE HERE SOON AND THEY ARE JUST NOT HERE YET.

>>> MORE THAN 50,000 FANS ARE EXPECTED TO DESCEND ON SAN FRANCISCO FOR THE 2026 POKIMON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS AND THE INAUGURAL POKIMON XP FAN CONVENTION.

EVENT ORGANIZERS SAY THEY ARE EXPECTING VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND SUZANNE HAS MORE.

>> THE CITY HAS EMBRACED THIS.

IT'S KIND OF CRAZY.

>> CRAZY FOR POKIMON.

HUNDREDS, THOUSANDS OF FANS ARE LINED UP ON THIS WEDNESDAY OUTSIDE OF MOSCONEY WEST.

GREG IS IN TOWN FOR THE POKIMON CHAMPIONSHIPS.

>> I'M PLAYING POKIMON GO AND THIS IS MY SECOND YEAR QUALIFYING FOR THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

>> HE SPENT 2 TO 4 HOURS A DAY.

>> SEPARATIST GOES HOSTING THE FIRST EVER FAN CONVENTION, POKIMON XP.

>> IT'S LIKE A MINI COMIC CON JUST FOR POKIMON, WHICH IS AWESOME.

>> BECAUSE OF POKIMON, PEOPLE HAVE COME FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD TO SEE SAN FRANCISCO FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

THIS COMPETITOR IS FROM PERU.

>> I AM VERY EXCITED.

MY NAME IS ALSO FRANCISCO.

>> THESE GUYS ARE FROM JAPAN.

AND THEY ARE ALL CHECKING OUT WHAT SAN FRANCISCO HAS TO OFFER.

>> I WILL BE ALSO GOING TO ALCATRAZ.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL, THE GOLDEN GATE IS CRAZY.

>> ON THIS WEDNESDAY, AS FANS CHECKED IN AND GOT THEIR GRAB BAG, THE TRAVEL IMPACT SUMMIT KICKED OFF.

THE MAYOR APPLAUDED THE CITY.

>> THIS YEAR ALONE, SAN FRANCISCO WELCOMED SUPER BOWL LX, THE PRO BOWL, THE FIFA WORLD CUP, AND, YES, THIS WEEKEND, POKIMON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS.

>> THE MAYOR SAID 54,000 TICKETS WERE SOLD FOR POKIMON, MORE THAN THE DREAM FORCE CONFERENCE.

SF TRAVEL ASSOCIATION APPLAUDS THE DIVERSE CROWD THAT POKIMON IS BRINGING.

>> IT'S A BIG WIN FOR US.

THEY WILL BE ALL OVER THE CITY WHICH IS GREAT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND RETAIL, SO YOU WILL SEE THEM EVERYWHERE.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US, EVERYBODY, I'M JOHN CARROLL, HAVE YOURSELF 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.

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

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