>>> 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.

ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

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

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

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

IT IS THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17.

THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

>>> JUST A SHORT TIME AGO GOVERNOR NEWSOM ANNOUNCED HIS PLANS TO MOVE THE STATE INTO THE NEXT PHASE OF THE PANDEMIC.

KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE ENDEMIC PLAN IS ABOUT BALANCE.

IT IS A MESSAGE OF HOPE AND PREPAREDNESS.

AS WE WORK OUR WAY THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND ENDEMIC NEEDS THAT ARE NOT GOING AWAY ANYTIME SOON.

IT IS CALLED THE S.M.A.R.T.E.R.

PLAN.

EACH LETTER REPRESENTS A WORD.

SHOTS, MASKS, AWARENESS, READINESS, TESTING AND EDUCATION AS WELL AS HER EX.

M IS FOR MASKS AND STATE OFFICIALS SAY THERE MAY BE A TIME, DEPENDING ON VARIANTS WHERE WE MAY ALL NEED TO WEAR MASKS AGAIN.

THE LETTER A STANDS FOR AWARENESS.

R IS FOR READINESS TO TACKLE A NEW VARIANT.

THE T STANDS FOR TESTING AND THE E IS EDUCATION.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS SCHOOLS WILL NEED TO BE OPEN BUT THEY NEED TO BE SAFE FOR IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION.

I FINALLY, THE R IS FOR RX TREATMENT.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS THAT SCIENCE AND EQUITY WILL GUIDE THIS PLAN.

>> AND SO, AGAIN, IT IS IN THAT SPIRIT OF OPTIMISM THAT WE NOW MOVE INTO A NEW PHASE OF ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES AND REALITIES OF THIS DISEASE.

WE MOVE OUT OF THE PANDEMIC PHASE AND WE MOVE INTO A PHASE WHICH SHOULD ALLOW YOU CONFIDENCE THAT WE ARE NOT WALKING AWAY.

THAT WE ARE TAKING THE LESSONS LEARNED AND WE ARE LEANING INTO THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: THERE WILL BE METRICS FOR WHAT COULD TRIGGER RESTRICTIONS AGAIN.

THAT INCLUDES CASE COUNTS AND HOSPITALIZATION RATES.

THE GOVERNOR'S TOP DOCTOR SAYS THAT TIERS ARE HOPEFULLY A THING OF THE PAST.

STATE OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL BE WORKING CLOSELY WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ON THIS.

WE DID JUST RECEIVED WORD FROM THE SAN DIEGO CHAIR NATHAN FLETCHER THAT THIS IS A RESPONSIBLE APPROACH TO TURNING THE PAGE ON THE CRISIS MINDSET THAT HAS DEFINED COVID-19.

WHILE THE VIRUS WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST WE MUST LIVE LIVE WITH A SENSE OF NORMALCY.

I'M MATT HOFFMAN FROM THE NEWSROOM FOR KPBS NEWS.

AND >>> IT COMING UP ON EVENING EDITION, WHY THE CDC SAYS IT IS STILL TOO EARLY FOR KIDS TO UNMASK.

>>> A DIRE WARNING FROM JOE BIDEN WHEN ASKED IF THE INVASION OF UKRAINE IS IMMINENT.

HE SAID HE FEELS IT WILL HAPPEN WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.

CHRIS REPORTER WIN HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: MORE TENSION ALONG THE UKRAINE AND RUSSIA BORDER.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN WARNING THAT AN INVASION OF UKRAINE COULD HAPPEN WITHIN THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.

>> EVERY INDICATION THAT WE HAVE IS WE NEED TO BE PREPARED.

>> DESPITE THE CLAIMS OF THE CRIME OF THAT THEY HAD PULLED FORCES BACK, IT APPEARS THAT THEY HAVE ADDED 7000 NEW TROOPS.

THESE ESTIMATES WOULD PLACE THE TOTAL NUMBER OF TROOPS NORTH OF 150,000.

>> THE BASIC PRINCIPLES OF PEACE AND SECURITY, PRINCIPLES ENSHRINED AFTER TWO WORLD WARS ARE BEING THREATENED.

>> Reporter: RUSSIA PLANS TO MANUFACTURE A PLAN TO INVADE UKRAINE.

RUSSIA HAS EXPELLED THE SENIORMOST DIPLOMAT AT THE U.S. EMBASSY IN MOSCOW IN WHAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION VIEWS AS AN ESCORT TO REMOVE.

THIS IS THE KREMLIN SENT A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO PROPOSALS THAT SAY THAT INCREASING THE U.S. AND NATO MILITARY ACTION IS ALARMING, ACCORDING TO THE RUSSIAN STATE MEDIA.

>> IT WILL BE MR. PUTIN WHO WILL BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SUFFERING AND THE IMMENSE SACRIFICE THAT ENSUES.

>> Reporter: CHRIS NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE SITUATION IN UKRAINE AND REFINERY ISSUES ARE PLAYING A PART IN RISING GASOLINE PRICES.

IN OUR COUNTY THEY ARE AT RECORD HIGHS.

JOHN CARROLL FOR KPBS SAYS THINGS COULD GET WORSE.

>> IT IS HORRIBLE.

HORRIBLE.

I HATED.

WE ARE GOING BROKE.

>> Reporter: FORGET PAYING AT THE PUMP.

THIS IS MORE LIKE SHEER AGONY.

>> IT IS RIDICULOUS.

>> Reporter: WE ARE NOW PAYING AN AVERAGE OF $4.74 IN SAN DIEGO.

AT LEAST WE ARE NOT PAYING THE HIGHEST AVERAGE PRICES IN THE STATE.

THAT TO HONOR FALLS TO SAN LUIS OBISPO AT $4.91 PER GALLON.

CONTRAST THAT TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE OF $3.51 PER GALLON.

THE PRICE OF GASOLINE HAS BEEN, CLIMBING STEADILY SINCE THE END OF 2020.

>> CALIFORNIA IS NUMBER ONE IN THE NATION FOR THE HIGHEST STATEWIDE AVERAGE.

>> SO WHY IS THAT?

>> Reporter: THERE ARE MANY REASONS.

IS >> THE AGGRESSION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE IS INCREASING CRUDE OIL PRICES.

WE ARE SEEING A DEMAND FOR FUEL AND THE MORE EXPENSIVE SUMMER BLEND FEE WILL.

IT >> Reporter: WE MADE ASSESSING THE END OF RISING PRICES.

ESPECIALLY IF RUSSIA INVADES UKRAINE.

>> SUMMER SING WE COULD SEE PUMP PRICES INCREASE.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY THAT THEY DON'T EXPECT THERE WILL BE A CUTBACK IN DRIVING.

>> PEOPLE STILL NEED TO GET TO WHERE THEY NEED TO BE.

ESPECIALLY DRIVING TO WORK OR TO CARE FOR LOVED ONES.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR SAVING GAS.

LIGHTEN THE LOAD AND MAKE SURE YOUR TIRES ARE INFLATED PROPERLY.

AVOID JACKRABBIT STARTS AND DON'T SPEED.

THERE IS A FREE MOBILE APP THAT WILL SHOW YOU THE CHEAPEST PRICES IN YOUR AREA.

WITH PRICES LIKE THESE, ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO EASE THE AGONY AT THE PUMP IS WORTH IT.

I AM JOHN CARROLL WITH KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO CONGRESSMAN JUAN VARGAS JOINED THOSE THAT ARE CRITICIZING JOE BIDEN RELATED TO THE TREATMENT OF IMMIGRANTS AT THE BORDER.

>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO IMPLEMENT TO CONTROVERSIAL POLICIES.

TITLE 42 IS ONE OF THEM.

A LETTER HAS BEEN SIGNED ASKING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO STOP THE PROGRAMS.

IT FORCES ASYLUM-SEEKERS TO LIVE IN MEXICO WHILE THEIR CASES ARE ADJUDICATED.

A FEDERAL JUDGE RULED THAT BIDENS ENDING OF THAT VIOLATOR PROCEDURE.

>> WE NEVER SHOULD HAVE DONE IT.

WE SHOULD HAVE TOLD THE COURT NO.

>> Reporter: VARGAS IS ONE OF 33 DEMOCRATS WHO SIGNED A LETTER FOR THE CDC TO END TITLE 42.

IT IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ORDER THAT ALLOWS BORDER PATROL AGENTS TO TURN PEOPLE AWAY WITHOUT REASON.

BUT IT HAS STAYED IN PLACE.

>> LET'S GET BACK TO NORMAL.

LET'S NOT USE THESE THINGS THAT WE THINK HAVE BEEN VERY DAMAGING >> Reporter: VARGAS IS THE ONLY MEMBER OF THE DELEGATION TO SIGN BOTH LETTERS.

I AM GUSTAVO SAID LUIS FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> NEARLY ALL OF THE E LEGAL CANNABIS DISPENSARIES HAVE BEEN SHUT DOWN IN THE EAST COUNTY.

KATIE ALVAREZ HAS MORE.

>>> THEY ARE OPERATING IN NEIGHBORHOODS NEXT TO SCHOOLS AND EVEN ADVERTISING.

HE SAYS THEY WERE CRIME-RIDDEN OPERATIONS.

>> BRIGHT NEXT TO YOUR HOUSE IS SOMEBODY WITH A SAWED-OFF SHOTGUN OR SOMEBODY WITH AN AK- 47.

THERE ARE ALL SORTS OF LEGAL WEAPONS AND WE HAVE MURDERS.

WE HAVE GANG MEMBERS COMING DOWN HERE TO PRAY ON THIS AND WE ARE PUTTING A STOP TO IT.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAVE EXPANDED THEIR TEAM AND NOW THE DISPENSARIES HAVE NEARLY DISAPPEARED IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF EAST COUNTY.

THE DA SAYS HER OFFICE HAS PROSECUTED 70 PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THESE OPERATIONS.

CHARGES INCLUDE ROBBERY, MURDER AND EXTORTION.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS HEARTBREAKING IS ALL OF THE CRIME THAT COMES ALONG WITH THE ILLEGAL DISPENSARIES.

YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THE MURDER IN SPRING VALLEY.

THE FACT THAT YOUNGSTERS FROM LOS ANGELES WERE COMING DOWN TO PRAY ON THE COMMUNITY.

WITH ILLEGAL DISPENSARIES BEING A HUB FOR CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR.

>> Reporter: IN 2021 WE HAD 50 CASES AND 93 GUNS WERE RECOVERED.

127 ARRESTS WERE MADE AND OVER $440,000 IN ILLEGAL PROCEEDS WERE RECOVERED.

>> Reporter: THE ACTING SHERIFF SAYS THEY ALSO SEIZED OVER 36,000 POUNDS OF ILLEGAL MARIJUANA AND OTHER PRODUCTS.

SOME TARGETING CHILDREN WITH PACKAGING THAT LOOKS LIKE CANDY.

INSTEAD THEY ARE THC INFUSED EDIBLES.

>> THE OPERATORS OF THESE DID NOT DISCRIMINATE.

THEY OFTEN LOOK LIKE LEGITIMATE BUSINESSES.

>> Reporter: NATHAN FLETCHER HAD A STERN WARNING FOR ANYBODY OPERATING AN ILLEGAL DISPENSARY OR THINKING ABOUT IT.

>> WE ARE GOING TO KEEP OUR AREA SAFE.

IF YOU ARE AN ILLICIT OPERATION WE WILL SHUT YOU DOWN AND PROSECUTE YOU.

>> Reporter: KATIE ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> BURNOUT ISRAEL BUT SO IS THE RISK OF COVID-19.

THE CDC SAYS IT IS STILL TOO SOON TO DROP MASKS IN SCHOOLS.

BRENT CONWAY EXPLAINS WHY.

>> WE ARE FIGHTING AGAINST A BURNING DESIRE TO GET THIS OVER WITH.

>> Reporter: 75% OF AMERICANS SAY THEY ARE OVER THE PANDEMIC.

THEY ARE BURNED OUT.

BUT AN OPINION ON WHETHER WE SHOULD LEARN TO LIVE WITH COVID- 19 OR CONTINUE TO FIGHT IT IS SPLIT.

HEALTH EXPERTS SAY IT HAS TO BE BOTH.

FIGHT IT BUT IT IS NOT GOING TO DISAPPEAR.

>> THE BEST WE CAN HOPE FOR IS GET IT DOWN SO LOW THAT WE CAN SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, WE HAVE A VIRUS IN THE COMMUNITY BUT IT DOES NOT DISRUPT DURING OUR FUNCTION AND I BELIEVE WE CAN GET THERE.

>> Reporter: WE ARE NOT THERE YET BUT NEW CASES NATIONWIDE, OVERALL HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS ARE DROPPING.

THAT IS WHAT CITIES AND STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE LOOKING AT.

ONLY A FEW STATES HAVE ANNOUNCED AN END TO MASK MANDATES.

>> IT WILL BE BASED ON THE DATA AND THE SCIENCE.

>> Reporter: THE SAME GOES FOR KIDS IN SCHOOL.

THEY SAY IT IS TOO SOON TO STOP MASKING.

>> IT IS NOT PRUDENT TO PULL MASKS OFF OF CHILDREN.

YOU COULD CREATE A RISK THAT YOU WOULD SEE AN INCREASE IN INFECTIONS.

>> Reporter: BUDGET IS NOT UP TO OFFICIALS IN DC.

>> WE KNOW THAT INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS WILL MAKE WHAT JUDGMENT THEY THINK IS BEST.

WE HOPE THAT LOCAL OFFICIALS WILL CONSIDER ALL OF THE SIGNS.

>> Reporter: I AM BRITT CONWAY REPORTING.

>> Reporter: WE GOT SOME MUCH- NEEDED RAIN OVER THE WEEKEND.

WE TYPICALLY SEE THE MOST RAIN IN JANUARY.

EXPERTS ARE CALLING THE SITUATION A MEGA DROUGHT.

THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY IS CONFIDENT ABOUT OUR WATER SUPPLY BECAUSE OF STEPS TAKEN 30 YEARS AGO TO EXPAND TO MULTIPLE REGIONS.

>> EVEN IF WE DON'T HAVE SNOW IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, WE ARE FINE.

LAST YEAR WE GOT LESS THAN 1% OF OUR WATER OUT OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

WE DO MONITOR IT AND IT IS PART OF THE BIG PICTURE BUT WE HAVE SET OURSELVES UP TO HAVE A GOOD SUPPLY SO IT DOESN'T IMPACT IS HERE.

>> THEY ALSO SAY THAT CONSERVATION EFFORTS HAVE HELPED IS OUR SUPPLY.

>>> THE WINDS WILL BE WEAKENING DOWN TONIGHT AS WE TALK ABOUT SOME MILD WEATHER HEADING THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

BY THE END OF THE WEEKEND WE WILL START TO SEE THE PATTERN CHANGE COMING INTO NEXT WEEK AND THAT WILL MEAN MORE CLOUDS FOR US AND EVEN COOLER WEATHER.

POSSIBLY EVEN A FEW SHOWERS.

WE'RE LOOKING QUIET ACROSS THE REGION.

43 WILL BE THE LOW.

OCEANSIDE WILL BE 43.

MOUNT LAGUNA WILL BE 36.

A FRIDAY IS MILD, DRY AND NOT MUCH HAPPENING.

IT IS NOT JUST US FEELING THE QUIET CONDITIONS.

WE ARE AT 74 DEGREES FOR THE HIGH AND 71 IN OCEANSIDE YORK TRANSFER BORREGO SPRINGS WILL BE IN THE MID-70s.

WE WILL HAVE SOME OFFSHORE FLOW BUT, OTHER THAN A FEW CLOUDS, MAYBE SLIGHTLY COOLER TEMPERATURES TOWARDS THE COAST.

WE OURS BILL LARGELY STAYING DRY AND QUIET.

AS WE GET INTO SUNDAY WE WILL SEE AND MIKE INCREASE IN CLOUDS.

TEMPERATURES WILL EASE OFF FOR THE COASTAL LOCATIONS.

WE COULD BE LOOKING AT A STORMY PATTERN TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY NEXT WEEK.

THAT IS WHY WE STAY IN THE LOWER 60s AND AT A CHANCE OF SHOWERS.

SO THAT IS GOOD NEWS AS WE GO TOWARDS MARCH.

VENTURING INTO THE 70s HERE.

MID 70s THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND.

IT IS REALLY NEXT WEEK WHEN THE HEAVY AIR TAKES HOLD.

A STORM SYSTEM WILL BE WORKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE WEST, INCLUDING SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THAT IS WHY WE SEE TEMPERATURES INTO THE UPPER 30s AND POSSIBLY SOME SNOW SHOWERS MIXING IN ON TUESDAY.

QUIET THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND THE SAME THING IN THE DESERTS.

IN THE 80s ON SUNDAY BEFORE WE START TO COOL DOWN NEXT WEEK.

FOR KPBS NEWS I AM ACCUWEATHER METEOROLOGIST MELISSA CONSTANZER .

>>> MORE EMPLOYEES SAY THEY WOULD PREFER TO COME CONTINUE TO WORK REMOTELY.

60% WOULD LIKE TO KEEP WORKING FROM HOME ALL OR MOST OF THE TIME.

MANY STILL FEAR BEING EXPOSED TO COVID-19 BUT OTHERS SAY THEY JUST PREFER IT.

64% THAT REMOTE WORK HAS IMPROVE THEIR WORK LIFE BALANCE.

OTHERS SAY IT SAVES THEM MONEY ON GASOLINE AND COMMUTE TIME.

ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RAISE.

17% HAVE ALSO RELOCATED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

>>> LOTS OF PEOPLE ADOPTED DOGS OVER COVID-19 AND THEY LET THOSE DOGS RUN FREELY AT PARKS AND SCHOOL FIELDS.

BUT NOW, A NEW PROGRAM IS AIMING TO PUT THOSE DOGS BACK ON LEASH WITH COSTLY CITATIONS FOR DOG OWNERS.

>> Reporter: CRR SPOTS IN FROM THE PARKING LOT.

LOOSE PITBULL RUNNING AROUND A FENCED IN BASKETBALL COURT.

SHE PARKS HER SUV AND HOPS OUT.

>> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF FINES THAT I SEE NOW.

THAT DOG HAS TO BE ON THE LEASH.

>> Reporter: THE OWNER OF THE DOG IS NOT HAPPY TO SEE HER.

>> WE HAVE BEEN DOING IT.

>> SINCE I AM SPEAKING WITH YOU I AM GOING TO TELL YOU TO PUT THE DOG ON THE LEASE FOR MY SAFETY.

>> Reporter: SHE LISTENS TO THE WOMAN WITH A CALM AND GENTLE DEMEANOR BUT STAYS FIRM.

SHE WRITES A TICKET AND IT COULD COST HER ALMOST $300.

>> YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.

>> Reporter: JUST ANOTHER DAY AT THE OFFICE FOR DAIQUIRI WHO LOOKS A LOT LIKE A POLICE OFFICER IN HER NAVY BLUE UNIFORM, TIGHT BUN AND UTILITY BELT.

BUT SHE IS NOT EMPLOYED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

IT IS THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY.

SHE IS PART OF A PARKED PATROL ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM THAT WAS STARTED IN 2021 TO ADDRESS A PANDEMIC ERA PROBLEM.

THE NUMBER OF DOG OWNERS BALLOONED.

>> ONCE THEY REOPEN PEOPLE FLOODED BACK TO THE PARKS AND THE BEACHES.

PEOPLE HAVE A LOVE OF OUTDOORS AGAIN.

>> Reporter: THE HUMANE SOCIETY IS GIVING OUT ABOUT 200 CITATIONS PER MONTH.

THAT IS A FIVE FOLD INCREASE SINCE BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

DAIQUIRI SAYS THEY PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO SCHOOL FIELDS.

>> SOME SPECIFIC JOINT USES HAVE BEEN LIKE UNOFFICIAL DOG PARKS.

>> Reporter: THAT CREATES PROBLEMS WITH THE DOGS DIGGING HOLES AND LEAVING THAT KIDS STICK STEP IN.

>> THERE IS ALSO THE RISK OF SOMEBODY BEING ATTACKED AND BIT.

>> Reporter: ALL OF THE SUDDEN, A DOG GRABBED HER THREE-YEAR- OLD DAUGHTER.

THIS WAS AT TROLLEY BARN PARK.

>> WE WENT TO THE HOSPITAL.

SHE WAS TRAUMATIZED.

>> Reporter: SHE HAD TO GET STITCHES AND NOW STRUGGLES WITH A DEEP FEAR OF DOGS.

PEOPLE INSIST THAT THEIR DOG IS FRIENDLY AND WELL BEHAVED BUT, ALBA DOES NOT KNOW THAT.

>> IT REALLY CHANGED OUR WHOLE FAMILY DYNAMIC AND THE WAY WE SPEND OUR FREE TIME.

WE COULD NOT COME HERE BECAUSE, MY DAUGHTER WAS TRAUMATIZED WITH WHAT HAPPENED HERE.

AND THEN GOING TO ANY OTHER PARK, WE FOUND THAT, IT IS THE SAME.

>>> ON A RECENT WEDNESDAY EVENING, SEVERAL DOGS RUN FREELY ADD A FIELD AT ALLIED GARDENS THAT IS USED FOR KIDS SOCCER AND BASEBALL GAMES.

>> FOR THE MOST PEOPLE MOST PART THE PEOPLE THAT COME DOWN HERE CONTROL THEIR DOGS.

MY DOG IS BARKING BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO RUN AND PLAY BUT OUTSIDE OF THAT, MOST DOGS HERE ARE WELL BEHAVED.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE DOES WORRY ABOUT GETTING A CITATION.

>> DOGS NEED EXERCISE AND THERE ARE VERY FEW DOG PARKS IN THE AREA.

>> Reporter: BACK ON PATROL, DAIQUIRI ROLLS THROUGH A BUSY PARK AND SPOTS TWO PEOPLE WATCH THEIR DOGS RUN OFF LEASH.

>> THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: SHE WALKS UP TO THE COUPLE AND WRITES THEM A CITATION.

THE COUPLE SHEEPISHLY EXCEPTS THEIR $300 TICKETS AND PROMISES THEY WON'T BREAK THE RULES AGAIN.

CLAIRE TRAGESER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I AM JUDY WOODRUFF.

IT TONIGHT ON THE NEWS WHY THEY SAY SHELLING IN EASTERN UKRAINE COULD PROVIDE A FALSE PRETEXT FOR RUSSIA TO INVADE.

THAT'S COMING UP ON KPBS.

>>> THEY ARE NOT AN OLYMPIC CATEGORY, AT LEAST NOT YET.

BUT ESPORTS HAVE BEEN GROWING IN POPULARITY.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT VIDEOGAMES ORGANIZED AS A TEAM SPORT.

AND THEY CAN PROVIDE A PATHWAY TO COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

THERE IS A NEW GAMING FACILITY AT HOOVER HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: AN ALREADY THRIVING ESPORTS TEAM GOT AN UPGRADE.

IN REAL LIFE.

THERE IS A NEW SPACE DESIGNATED FOR COMPETITIVE GAMING AND IT IS FULLY STOCKED WITH GAMING CHAIRS, HIGH-END COMPUTERS AND MORE.

>> THE MOST POPULAR GAME RIGHT NOW IS STILL ROCKET LEAGUE, SUPER SMASH PROS AND --.

>> Reporter: HENRY SAYS THE NEW ROOM IS A HUGE IMPROVEMENT.

>> WHEN I FIRST JOINED THE ESPORTS CLUB DURING MY SOPHOMORE YEAR, WE HAD AN UNDERGROUND DUNGEON AREA.

WE USUALLY PLAYED ON THE SCHOOL COMPUTERS.

WE NEVER HAD THE LUXURY OF TRYING TO BUILD ONE.

>> Reporter: FOR EVERY SPORTS TEAM THERE IS A COACH.

THE ESPORTS CLUB IS RUN BY JACK WETZEL.

HE ALSO TEACHES MATH AND COMPUTER SCIENCE AT THE SCHOOL.

HE HAS BEEN IN CHARGE OF THE PROGRAM SINCE 2016.

>> I THINK ESPORTS IS JUST A ANYTHING RANGING FROM CHESS TO COMPETITIVE FIRST PERSON SHOOTERS.

HERE AT HOOVER, IT IS REALLY A COMMUNITY.

IT IS ABOUT HAVING A SAFE PLACE WITH LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE TO COLLABORATE AND BE FRIENDS WITH.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS ESPORTS PROVIDE AN ESCAPE FROM REAL- WORLD DIFFICULTIES WHILE HE SPENDS TIME WITH HIS FRIENDS.

AND THAT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

>> I DIDN'T REALLY HAVE PEOPLE TO TALK TO SO I WOULD JUST PLAY GAMES.

AND NOT NECESSARILY HAVE SOCIAL INTERACTION.

>> Reporter: HOOVER HIGH IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE BLOOMING ESPORTS PROGRAMS.

NEW TINLEY WILL BE A PROFESSOR AT AN UPCOMING SCHOOL.

HE SAYS THEY OFFER COMPETITION FOR ALL AND ARE MORE INCLUSIVE THAN TRADITIONAL SPORTS.

>> IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU ARE BLACK OR WHITE OR AN OLD MAN OR AN OLD WOMAN.

HIGH IQ OR LOW IQ.

PHYSICAL DISABLED.

ALL CAN COMPETE IN THE SAME WAY.

AND WE NEED THIS.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY THE NEW ROOM IS JUST A START.

THEY HAVE COMPETITIONS IS SET UP WITH OTHER SCHOOLS FROM AROUND THE AREA AND HE PLANS TO TRY TO MAKE ESPORTS A LETTER SPORT IN HIGH SCHOOL.

>>> ESPORTS LEAGUE IS THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION THAT IS HELPING TO GATHER EVERYBODY TOGETHER AND THEY ACTUALLY HOST THOSE GAMES.

FROM THERE, THE COLLEGES LOOK ON THE WEBSITES TO SEE WHICH TEAMS ARE SCORING HIGHEST AND DOING WELL THROUGHOUT THE COMPETITIONS.

>> Reporter: PROFESSOR LEE SAYS THE FUTURE OF ESPORTS IS VERY BRIGHT.

HE SAYS THE NEW SDSU ESPORTS PROGRAM IS A GATEWAY INTO SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS FIELDS.

>> SOME PEOPLE MIGHT FEEL LIKE, THEY ARE NOT A PROFESSIONAL GAMER BUT MAY BE THEY CAN BE REALLY GOOD AT IT.

SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE PROUD OF.

>> Reporter: PROFESSOR LEE SAYS THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FOR THE ESPORTS INDUSTRY IS THE NEED TO INTRODUCE MORE WOMEN.

HE SAYS IT IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF A NUMBER OF PLAYERS CREATING A TOXIC ENVIRONMENT IN ONLINE GAMING CIRCLES.

THERE ARE EFFORTS UNDERWAY, SUCH AS CREATING MORE COLLABORATIVE AND LUST VIOLENT VIDEOGAMES TO BRIDGE THE GENDER GAP AND OPEN THE VIRTUAL DOOR TO ALL.

I AM JACOB AERE FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG/EVENINGEDITION THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.. >>> 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.

ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

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

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

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

♪ ♪