>>> 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'STHURSDAY, JANUARY 20.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.. WE BEGIN WITH THE RISE OF AND FALL OF OMICRON.

WHILE THE SPREAD MAY BE STARTING TO SLOW DOWN IN SAN DIEGO, WEEK AFTER WEEK, COVID- 19 HOSPITALIZATIONS HAS CONTINUED TO CLIMB.

MATT HOFFMAN HAS A LOOK AT WHERE THINGS STAND NOW.

>> WE ARE STILL PARTLY VERY FULL.

WE HAVE 350 PATIENTS IN THE HOSPITAL WITH COVID.

>>> DR. SHERIFF SAYS RIGHT NOW THEY ARE DISCHARGING PATIENTS AS QUICKLY AS THEY CAN.

SHE ESTIMATES THAT IF THEY DID NOT KEEP PACE, NUMBER WITH BE COMPARABLE TO LAST WINTER'S SURGE.

>> SOME STAFF IN THE CLINIC HAVE RAISED THEIR HANDS AND SAID WE WILL COME IN AND HELP YOU AND PULLING EXTRA SHIFTS.

OTHERWISE WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO KEEP UP THE PACE.

>> Reporter: 1300 SAN DIEGANS ARE CURRENTLY HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID-19.

THAT'S COMPARED TO ABOUT 1800 THIS TIME A YEAR AGO, THEY HAD 30 54 POSITIVE CASES INSIDE THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT.

>> THEY ARE ON VENTILATOR.

OMICRON IS - - WE STILL HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE ON BREATHING MACHINES.

>>> YOU'RE ESTIMATING HOSPITALIZATIONS WILL PEAK WITHIN TWO WEEKS.

BUT WITH MORE THAN 350 COVID PATIENTS ADMITTED RIGHT NOW, OTHER SURGERIES ARE BEING CANCELED DAILY WITH EMERGENCY CASES BEING PRIORITIZED.

>> THAT STUFF IS IF YOU DELAY CARE, PATIENTS CAN GET SICK OVER TIME AND THAT CAUSES ANOTHER BACKLOG.

>> Reporter: THE DEMAND FOR TESTING IS STILL HIGH TO HELP MEET THE NEED, THE COUNTY IS EXPANDING ACCESS, THEY JUST OPENED IN PALOMAR ESCONDIDO.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR TEST.

>> PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING IS OMICRON, IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING GOOD, DON'T - - JUST STAY HOME.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU COULD DO TO THE NEXT PERSON THAT YOU SPREAD IT TOO.

>> Reporter: THOSE WHO ARE UNVACCINATED ARE SIX TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE HOSPITALIZED AFTER A COVID-19 INFECTION.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

SUB TODAY, MARKS TWO YEARS SINCE THE FIRST CASE OF COVID- 19 WAS CONFIRMED IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT HAPPENED IN WASHINGTON STATE, TWO WEEKS AFTER THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS WAS FIRST IDENTIFIED IN CHINA.

MORE THAN 68 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE TESTED POSITIVE ACROSS THE U.S.

THE INFECTION HAS CLAIMED MORE THAN 855,000 LIVES.

ISABEL ROSALES REPORTS ON THE NEW TREND AND THE STARK WARNING HEALTH EXPERTS TO NOT LET DOWN OUR GUARD.

>> Reporter: AS THE OMICRON WAVE WINNING OR QUESTING?

>> WE SHOULD NOT ASSUME THE PANDEMIC IS OVER.

>> Reporter: DEFENSE ON WHERE YOU LIVE.

>> NATIONALLY RIGHT NOW, 14 STAYS ACROSS MOSTLY THE EASTERN SEABOARD ARE SEEING A CASE DROP BY AT LEAST 10% COMPARED TO LAST WEEK.

26 OTHER STATES, SOME CASES GO UP BY AT LEAST THE SAME AMOUNT.

>> THIS PANDEMIC IS NOWHERE NEAR OVER AND WITH THE INCREDIBLE GROWTH FROM GLOBALLY NEW VARIANTS ARE LIKELY TO EMERGE.

>> Reporter: HEALTH EXPERTS PREDICT MOST STATES WILL BE PASSED THE PEAK BY MID-FEBRUARY.

AND THOSE HARDER HIT STATES, NO REST IN THE HIGH-STAKES BATTLE AGAINST OMICRON EVEN IN THE CLASSROOM.

NEW MEXICO'S GOVERNOR SET TO BECOME A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER LAUNCHING A LICENSING PROGRAM TO HELP WITH THE SEVERE STAFFING SHORTAGE.

>> I EXPECT THAT BY THE WEEKEND, I WILL BE CLEARED AND I WILL BE AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: TO THE POLICE OFFICER SUBBED IN AS TEACHERS AND ONE OKLAHOMA SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> WE WILL GO AHEAD AND START WITH YOUR FACE.

>> Reporter: BACK TO SCHOOL WITH THIS BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER MECHANIC.

NUMBER OF THE NATIONAL GUARD, BECOMING CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS TO SUPPORT THE HOSPITALS AND NURSING HOMES.

>> TAKE TAKES A TEAM TO FIX A HELICOPTER AND TO KEEP THE HOSPITALS RUNNING.

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS GIVING $103 MILLION TO HEALTH CARE WORKERS TO HELP PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND FIGHT BURNOUT.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES IS THE MONEY IS FUNDED BY THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN.

SOME $28 MILLION WILL GO TOWARD ESTABLISHING IMPROVING OR EXPANDING PROGRAMS TO PROMOTE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING.

ANOTHER SIX $8 MILLION WILL GO TOWARD TAYLOR TRAINING DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE HEALTH PROFESSION.

>>> HUNDREDS OF EXPERTS ARE IN SAN DIEGO THIS WEEK TO LEARN ABOUT NEW TECHNOLOGY AND FIND SOLUTIONS THE ISSUES THEY ARE FACING DURING THE PANDEMIC KATY ALVARADO SAYS COVID HAS LEFT MANY DISPATCH CENTERS UNDERSTAFFED AND OVERWORKED.

>> Reporter: WHEN YOU CALL 911, YOU WILL SOON ASSUME SOMEONE WILL BE THERE TO ANSWER THE CALL DURING YOUR HOUR OF NEED.

>> STAFFING WILL BE A BIG PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: HUNDREDS OF CENTER LEADERS ACROSS THE NATION ARE MEETING IN SAN DIEGO FOR THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY NUMBER ASSOCIATION.

THE PANDEMIC IS ON THE FOREFRONT >> THERE'S NEVER BEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN OUR LIFETIME.

>> Reporter: THAT IS APRIL, THE 911 OPERATIONS DIRECTOR WITH ME NOW, DURING THE PANDEMIC, BEING THERE IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> OVERWHELMINGLY, THE AVERAGE 911 CENTER STAFFING WISE, IS DOWN ABOUT 30% ALL THE WAY TO VERY LARGE 911 CENTERS IN URBAN AREAS THAT WERE MORE THAN 50% STAFFING CRISIS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS BECAUSE OF THE NEW NORMAL, VIRTUAL TECH KNOWLEDGE HE IS ON THE CUSP OF BECOMING MAINSTREAM TO HELP MORE DISPATCHERS WORK FROM HOME.

IT'S NOT AS SIMPLE AS IT SOUNDS.

>> THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS IN THE CENTER THAT YOU CANNOT RE- CREATE IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT AND YOU REALLY HAVE TO HAVE SECURITY, BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY , FOR THOSE VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS TO WORK.

>> Reporter: A DISPATCH SUPERVISOR FROM THE INDIO POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT'S CRITICAL THEY ATTEND THE CONFERENCES THAT KEEP THEM ON THE FOREFRONT OF NEW TECHNOLOGY.

>> WE ARE NO LONGER IN THE DAYS WHERE YOU THERE NUMBER ONE CALL IS CONNECTED TO A TELEPHONE CENTRAL STATION AND DELIVERED VIA PHONE LINE TO THE DISPATCHER.

>> Reporter: EVERYTHING FROM APPS TO CARS CAN COMMUNICATE WITH 911.

OUR DEPARTMENT PROVIDES SAFETY AND EMERGENCY OPERATIONS ARE ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS MUSIC EVENTS IN THE WORLD.

THE COACHELLA VALLEY MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL.

THEY ARE ALREADY PLANNING MORE EFFICIENT WAYS FOR OVER 250,000 MUSIC FANS TO ACCESS THEIR 911 SYSTEM IN THE FUTURE.

>> WE WILL BE ABLE TO DRAW A GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARY AROUND THE CONCERT AND SAY, ALL 911 CALLS THAT HAPPEN WITHIN THIS AREA, WE WANT TO BRING TO OUR COMMAND POST AT THE CONCERT AS OPPOSED TO GOING BACK TO THE CENTER.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN CHALLENGING, IT'S ALSO BEEN A TIME OF INCREDIBLE LEARNING AND INNOVATION FOR THE INDUSTRY THAT WILL BENEFIT MANY GENERATIONS TO COME.

>> WE WILL BE SO MUCH BETTER PREPARED IF FOR SOME REASON, SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS AGAIN.

>>> THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU IS SOUNDING THE ALARM OF AN UNAUTHORIZED POP-UP COVID CUT TESTING CLINIC.

COMING UP, WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR THAT COULD PUT YOUR HEALTH, MONEY AND PERSONAL DATA AT RISK.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF BILL GORE SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HE IS RETIRING IN TWO WEEKS HAS LEFT SOME TO.

HE WAS TRYING TO INFLUENCE THIS YEAR'S ELECTION.

METRO REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN HAS MORE.

>> GORE WAS APPOINTED SHERIFF BY COUNTY SUPERVISORS IN 2009 AFTER HIS PREDECESSOR ALSO RETIRED EARLY.

THAT APPOINTMENT GAVE HIM THE ADVANTAGE OF INCUMBENCY WHEN HE RAN FOR A FULL TERM IN 2010 SOME MORE CONCERNED GORE WAS ORCHESTRATING A SIMILAR PLAN TO GET HIS ENDORSED CANDIDATES FOR SHERIFF, KELLY MARTINEZ HER OWN INTERIM APPOINTMENT.

BUT MARTINEZ QUICKLY SAID SHE WOULD NOT ACCEPT THAT POST.

POLITICAL STRATEGIST ABEL POZNER SAYS THAT WILL MAKE THE ELECTION MORE FAIR.

>> IT WASN'T LONG AGO THAT THE ELECTION WAS A CHALLENGE AND PEOPLE COULD DID NOT KNOW THEY COULD VOTE FOR SHERIFF LET ALONE HAVING A TRUE CHOICE IN THE MATTER THAT HAS NOT ALREADY BEEN PREDETERMINED BY A SMALL GROUP ON THE SPORT OF SUPERVISOR.

>> GORE HAD A LONG CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WORKING 32 YEARS IN THE FBI AND SUPPORTERS CREDIT HIM WITH REDUCING RECIDIVISM AND IMPROVING THE PROCESS FOR ISSUING CONCEALED WEAPON PERMITS, BUT CRITICS SAY HE FAILED TO ADDRESS THE HIGH RATE OF INMATE DEATHS AND COUNTY JAILS.

THE SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE EDITORIAL BOARD WROTE WEDNESDAY MORE THAN 150 PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN CUSTODY DUE TO POOR HEALTH, SUICIDE, OVERDOSES AND HOMICIDE SINCE GORE BECAME SHERIFF.

SOME CASES REFLECT THAT ACREAGE IS CALLOUSNESS FROM DEPUTIES TOWARD INMATES.

SUFFERING DRUG WITHDRAWALS OR LACKING THE MEDICINE THEY NEEDED FOR SEVERE MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAIR NATHAN PLETCHER SAID THAT THE BOARD TO APPOINT AN INTERIM SHERIFF WILL COME IN MARCH AFTER THE FILING DEADLINE TO RUN FOR SHERIFF.

A HANDFUL OF CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING WITH MARTINEZ AND RETIRED SHERIFF DEPUTY DAVE MYERS EMERGING AS FRONT RUNNERS.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE CHULA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS A NEW SUPERINTENDENT TONIGHT, COMES FROM OUTSIDE THE DISTRICT, ALTHOUGH HE HAS DEEP SOUTH BAY ROOTS, KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER ANGIE PEREZ HAS DETAILS ON THE SEARCH AND THE MAN APPOINTED TO THE TOP JOB.

>>> I BELIEVE WE MADE THE BEST CHOICE FOR OUR DISTRICT.

>> Reporter: WITH THAT, ONCE IN THAT, THE CHULA VISTA SCHOOL BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO NAME THEIR NEW SUPERINTENDENT, HE IS STOCK TO EDUARDO REYES, CURRENTLY DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND THE NEIGHBORING SWEETWATER UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT.

HE'S ALSO A FORMER TEACHER READY TO DEAL WITH TEACHERS IN THE CHULA VISTA DISTRICT HAD BEEN WORKING WITH THE EXPIRED CONTRACT SINCE LATE LAST JUNE.

>> LEARNING HAPPENS IN THE CLASSROOM.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE GOOD WORKING CONDITIONS.

AND THAT THE CONTRACT IS RESPECTED.

>> Reporter: DR. REYES IS A FAMILIAR FACE IN THE DISTRICT.

FIRST AS A PARENT AND A FORMER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER.

IT'S HIS CONNECTION TO SWEETWATER UNION THAT SOME SAY COMPLICATES HIS NEW JOB ASSIGNMENT.

CHULA VISTA BOARD PRESIDENT AND BOARD MEMBER CESAR FERNANDEZ ARE TEACHERS IN THE SWEETWATER DISTRICT WHERE REYES HAS BEEN HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES FOR MORE THAN A YEAR NOW.

REYES RESIGNED FROM THE CHULA VISTA BOARD IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT DECISION.

HE SEES IT THIS WAY.

>> THE PRACTICE OF GOING FROM ONE DISTRICT TO THE NEXT IS COMMON PRACTICE.

TO BE HONEST, MY GOAL AND MY FOCUS IS IN TEACHING AND LEARNING.

>> Reporter: PARENTS WE TALK WITH WHO BROUGHT THEIR CHILDREN TO THE DISTRICT'S COVID TESTING CENTER THIS MORNING ARE FRUSTRATED WITH THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION AND THE SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT'S APPOINTMENT COMING FROM THE TROUBLED SWEETWATER UNION DISTRICT.

>> I FEEL LIKE THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO SAID EXPLICITLY THEY DID NOT WANT HIM TO COME TO - - WE CANNOT PULL PARENTS OUT OF THE WORKFORCE.

>> WHAT IS THE SITUATION FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY?

>> THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I MISSED WORK AS A REPORT.

>> AS A SUPERINTENDENT, I MY ONLY FOCUS IS ENSURING THAT THE BEST FOR OUR STUDENT AT THIS DISTRICT.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE MORE THAN 20,000 OF THOSE STUDENTS FOR DR. REYES TO SUPPORT.

HE BEGINS HIS NEW JOB FEBRUARY 22nd.

BY THE WAY, THE DISTRICTS OFFICIAL PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT AND PRESS RELEASE DID NOT INCLUDE ANY MENTION OF THE SWEETWATER UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT.

ANGIE PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IN THE UNIFIED DISTRICTS PLANNING A ONE-TIME COMMUNITY EVENT FOR PUBLIC INPUT AND THE FIGHT WAS FOR SUPERINTENDENT ONE IS INTERIM DR. LAMONT JACKSON WHO HAS BEEN WITH THE DISTRICT ALMOST 30 YEARS AFTER GROWING UP A SAN DIEGO UNIFIED STUDENT.

THE OTHER CANDIDATE IS DR. SUSAN ENFIELD WHO IS CURRENTLY SUPERINTENDENT IN HIGHLINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN THE SEATTLE AREA.

>>> THE COMMUNITY OF - - IS NOW 90 MINUTES VERSUS THE 60 THAT WAS PLANNED PRIOR AND THE STUDENTS WILL STILL HAVE TWO SESSIONS IN WHICH TO TALK TO THE FINAL CANDIDATE.

>> IT WILL BE HELD AT WILSON MIDDLE SCHOOL IN NORMAL HEIGHTS STARTING AT NOON ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 26th.

RESERVATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED AND CAN BE MADE ON THE DISTRICTS WEBSITE.

>>> CALIFORNIA REGULATORS ARE HOLDING OFF ON CONSIDERING A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD UPEND THE SOLAR MARKETPLACE.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER, ERIK ANDERSON SAYS DELAYED LIKELY MEANS CHANGES TO THE CONTROVERSIAL PLAN ARE IN THE WORKS.

>>> THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION DELIVERED GRIM NEWS FOR THE STATE SOLAR AND'S INSTALLERS LAST MONTH.

>> IT'S SO BAD.

>> Reporter: BERNADETTE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THERE OF THE ASSOCIATION.

>> WE THINK THE PROPOSED DECISION THE BONES ARE SO ROTTEN THAT IT WILL NOT HOLD.

>> Reporter: PUBLIC AGENCY RECOMMENDED SLASHING HOW MUCH OF HOMEOWNERS ARE PAID FOR ELECTRICITY VENERATED BY THE SOLAR PANELS AND A PROPOSED A STEEP INCREASE IN GRID ACCESS CHARGES FOR A TYPICAL SOLAR CUSTOMER.

ABOUT $60 A MONTH.

THE PLAN IS ESSENTIALLY NEGATES THE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR HOMEOWNERS TO PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO ADD SOLAR PANELS TO THEIR ROOFS.

SOLAR INDUSTRY ADVOCATES SAY THE CHANGES COULD DRY UP DEMAND FOR THE GREEN ENERGY OPTION AND THROW THOUSANDS OF SOLAR INSTALLERS OUT OF WORK.

THAT GOT SOLAR WORKERS TO A RALLY IN LOS ANGELES LAST WEEK.

>> THE MESSAGE WAS AIMED AT THE CPUC SATELLITE OFFICE IN L.A.

THE SOLAR WORKERS LIKE REVAMPED ENERGIES OWNER, JAY CUTTING SAYS HIS BROWN AND BLACK WORKERS NEED THE SUPPORT OF COMMISSIONERS.

>> WE WOULD HATE TO SEE ALL THE HARD WORK AND PROGRESS WE MADE BEING KILLED BY THIS BILL AND THE SOLAR TAX.

WE CAME TO SHOW OUR SUPPORT AND SAY SAVE OUR JOB.

>> Reporter: THE COMMISSION IS NOT THE ONLY TARGET.

SOLAR INDUSTRY BACKERS WORKED HARD TO GET THE ATTENTION OF GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM AND HENCE THAT THEIR CAMPAIGN IS WORKING CAME AND NEWSOM ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROPOSAL UP DURING THE BUDGET - - >> THE DRAFT PLAN THAT WAS RECENTLY RELEASED AND HAD JUST HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW AND I WILL SAY THIS, WE STILL HAVE SOME WORK TO DO >> Reporter: WHEN ASKED AGAIN LATER, HE WAS VAGUE AND DID SUGGEST THE PROPOSAL WOULD NOT SURVIVE IN ITS CURRENT FORM.

>> I THINK MY ANSWER SAYS WELL, DO I THINK THAT CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE, I YES, I DO.

>> RECENT DEVELOPMENTS SAYS CHANGE MIGHT BE COMING, THEY FELT THAT THE ITEM IN THE JANUARY 20 AGENDA AFTER PLANNING A VOTE FOR MORE THAN A YEAR.

IT'S UNCLEAR IF THE ISSUE IS JUST BEING PUSHED BACK A COUPLE WEEKS OR LONGER.

>> THERE'S NO QUESTION THE COMMISSION NEEDS MORE TIME ON THIS.

FOR SOLAR INDUSTRY BACKERS NOT READY TO CALL THE DELAY OF VICTORY ESPECIALLY WITH THE COMMISSION INFLUX THE CPUC PRESIDENT HAS ONLY BEEN IN OFFICE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR AND ANOTHER OF THE PANELS FIVE SEATS REMAIN UNFILLED.

>> IT'S UNPRECEDENTED THE SHAKEUP OF THE LEADERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION RIGHT AT THE FIVE YARD LINE OF THE ONE OF THE BIGGEST DECISIONS THEY WILL HAVE MADE THIS DECADE.

>> Reporter: IT HAS REMAINED QUIET ON THE ISSUE SINCE EARLY LAST YEAR.

THE UTILITY CALLED THE PROCESS SENSITIVE UNTIL KPBS THEY WILL NOT BE COMMENTING UNTIL AFTER REGULATORS MAKE THEIR DECISION.

YET UTILITY BACK GROUPS CONTINUE TO RUN ADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> TO SUBSIDIZE WEALTHIER HOMEOWNERS WHO CAN.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE SURROGATES MAKING THEIR CASE.

KATHY FAIRBANKS RUNS THE UTILITY FUNDED GROUP, AFFORDABLE ENERGY FOR ALL, >> IT'S UNFAIR AND WE UNDERSTAND WHY THE SOLAR INDUSTRY IS OBJECTING TO THESE REFORMS.

IT MEANS CUTS TO THEIR PROFITS.

IT MEANS CUTS TO EXECUTIVE SALARIES.

AND BONUSES.

IT MEANS CUTS IN THEIR SHAREHOLDERS.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE BACKERS SAY IT IS UTILITIES THAT ARE MOTIVATED BY GREED, MORE - - MAKING ONLY MINOR TWEAKS AFTER A MORE SWEEPING UTILITY FRIENDLY PROPOSAL WAS REJECTED.

IT REMAINS UNCLEAR IF THAT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> GLAD TO HAVE YOU WITH US HERE ON KPBS NEWS, I'M MARVIN GOMEZ.

LET'S TALK ABOUT CONDITIONS FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY IN THE UPCOMING DAYS.

TODAY IT WAS AN WARMER THAN YESTERDAY.

MOVING FORWARD, WE WILL KEEP THE WARM CONDITIONS IN PLACE.

THE WIND WILL BE A PROBLEM ACROSS THE HIGHER TERRAIN.

THAT IS GOING TO BE STARTING TOMORROW AFTERNOON AND LASTING ALL THE WAY THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

THAT IS WHY MOST OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND INLAND AREAS OVER THE MOUNTAINS MORE SPECIFICALLY, HIGH WIND WATCH IS IN EFFECT.

SANTA ANA WINDS WILL BE WHIPPING BECAUSE OF A SYSTEM THAT WILL BE FARTHER INLAND.

FIRST, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE QUIET CONDITIONS FOR TONIGHT.

ALONG THE COAST, TEMPERATURES COMING DOWN TO 41 ACROSS OCEANSIDE.

SAN DIEGO DOWNTOWN AREA, 49.

INLAND, MT.

LAGUNA, DROPPING INTO THE LOW 40s AS WELL.

A LOOK AT A FRIDAY, DRY AND IN MILD, BREEZY CONDITIONS, SPECIALLY OVER IN THE HIGHER TERRAIN AND HEADING INTO TOMORROW AFTERNOON, LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS FOR BARAGA SPRINGS, 74, SAN DIEGO, IN THE MID 60s.

THIS WILL BE THE FEATURE, WE HAVE A TROUGH OF UPPER-LEVEL LOW THAT WILL BRING COOLER CONDITIONS AND SNOW ACROSS THE FOUR CORNERS.

THE GUSTY WINDS OFF THE OFFSHORE FLOW, SANTA ANA WINDS GOING TO BE WHIPPING ACROSS THE REGION.

ALONG THE COAST, TEMPERATURES STAYS IN THE 70s, AN ACTIVE PATTERN IN THE UPCOMING EIGHT DAYS.

TEMPERATURES 72 DEGREES WITH MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES.

ACROSS THE HIGHER TERRAIN, FLUCTUATING A BIT MORE HERE AND THOSE WINDS WILL BE A PROBLEM FOR SOME OF THE PASSES MOVING FORWARD.

SPECIALLY FRIDAY AFTERNOON INTO SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

THE DANCERS, 74 ON FRIDAY, TEMPERATURES WILL BE DROPPING INTO THE UPPER 60s SATURDAY AND EVENTUALLY WARMING BACK UP INTO THE UPPER 70s FOR MONDAY OF NEXT WEEK.

FOR KPBS NEWS, MARTIN GOMEZ.

>>> KIDS UNDER FIVE YEARS OLD ARE THE ONLY GROUP NOT APPROVED FOR COVID VACCINE BY THE FDA.

THAT COULD SOON BE CHANGING.

PFIZER STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT DOES HAS AN ADEQUATE IMMUNE RESPONSE.

DR. ANTHONY FAUCI SAYS HE HOPES OF AXING COULD BE AVAILABLE WITHIN A MONTH BUT EXPECT IT COULD TAKE LONGER.

THE TIMEFRAME IS UP TO THE FDA AND PFIZER STILL DETERMINING THE CORRECT DOSE.

>>> UC SAN DIEGO SCIENTISTS WANT TO SOLVE THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST MYSTERIES SURROUNDING COVID-19, HOW MUCH IMMUNITY IS ENOUGH TO FIGHT THE VIRUS?

THAT IS WHY THEY CREATED A NEW STUDY CALLED ZAP COVID-19 FOR NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODY PROJECT.

RESEARCHERS ARE ASKING UCSC STUDENTS AND STAFF FOR A BIGGER OF BLOOD WHEN THEY TAKE THE REQUIRED TEST FOR COVID AND THAT BLOOD WILL BE TESTED FOR ANTIBODIES AND COMPARED AGAINST THE VACCINE OR INFECTION HISTORY.

>>> TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH PROTECTION YOU DO GET FROM A NATURAL INFECTION FROM THE VACCINE AND FROM BOOSTERS.

WILL THE ANTIBODIES WAYNE WIN TIME AND IT DOES THE VACCINE PRODUCE ANTIBODIES THAT LAST THREE MONTHS AS THE STUDY SUGGESTS, IS THERE A REASON TO DO A FOURTH OR FIFTH BOOSTER OR SHOULD WE WAIT FOR A VERY SPECIFIC BOOSTER?

>> HOPING THAT WILL HELP THE RISK LEVELS FOR CONTRACTING THE VIRUS WHICH COULD HELP WITH BOOSTER RECOMMENDATIONS.

THE STUDY IS WELL AND - - >>> MAKES MORE PEOPLE WANT TO PARTICIPATE.

>>> THE FEDERAL BUSINESS BUETOW IS ISSUING A WARNING ABOUT FOUR COVID-19 TESTING SITES.

IT COMES AS HIGH DEMAND FOR THE TEST IS LEADING A SURGE IN MOBILE TESTING TEST AND VANS IN STREET CORNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

JENN SULLIVAN HAS THE RED FLAGS TO WATCH OUT FOR.

>> Reporter: NOT ALL TESTING CENTERS ARE CREATED EQUAL.

THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU ISSUING A WARNING ABOUT FAKE TESTING SITES POPPING UP ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> WE NOTICE AND UPTICKS IN COMPLAINTS AND REVIEWS AT VARIOUS DIFFERENT SITES AROUND THE UNITED STATES.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY HIGH DEMAND FOR TEST AND SCARCE SUPPLY HAS OPENED THE DOOR FOR BAD ACTORS.

THAT'S PUTTING CONSUMERS AT RISK FOR IDENTITY THEFT, INACCURATE AND MISSING TEST REPORTS AND FINANCIAL LOSSES.

>> PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION AND THEN TAKE THAT AND TRY TO GET MORE MONEY OUT OF YOU.

THIS IS REALLY SOMETHING THAT GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STEP IN TO DEAL WITH.

>> Reporter: SOME STATES HAVING A HARD TIME KEEPING THEIR OVERSIGHT, HOW DO YOU AVOID GETTING SCAMMED?

THEY RECOMMEND YOU DO THESE THREE THINGS.

NUMBER ONE.

DO YOUR RESEARCH.

CHECK YOUR STATE AND LOCAL DEPARTMENTS WEBSITE TO FIND AUTHORIZED NO-COST TESTING SITE IN YOUR AREA.

NUMBER TWO, READ THE FINE PRINT ON ANY DOCUMENTATION YOU ARE ASKED TO SIGN.

>> IF IT APPEARS THAT THEY ARE REQUESTING THINGS SUCH AS SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, DRIVER'S LICENSE, INSURANCE CARD, YOU MIGHT WANT TO START ASKING QUESTIONS.

>> Reporter: FINALLY, WATCH OUT FOR LOOK-ALIKE WEBSITES.

FAKE FACILITIES OFTEN SPOOF SITES TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE WELL- KNOWN TRUSTED COMPANIES.

YOU CAN REQUEST FREE COVID TEST FROM THE GOVERNMENT.

I'M JENN SULLIVAN.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, A LOOK AT PRESENT BY THE SUCCESSES AND SETBACKS, EXACTLY ONE YEAR AFTER HE TOOK OFFICE.

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

>>> SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES HAVE REACHED A NEW LOW.

THE NEW GIRL SCOUT COOKIES ARE FACING A SHORTAGE BECAUSE OF LABOR DISRUPTIONS.

THE CARAMEL FLAVORED CREAM COOKIES ARE MUCH MORE POPULAR THAN EXPECTED.

GIRL SCOUTS HAVE BEEN ASKED TO DISCONTINUE THE SALE OF THE COOKIE FOR IN PERSON ORDERS.

THEY CAN STILL BE PURCHASED ONLINE.

GIRL SCOUTS OF AMERICA USED TO DECREASE ONE OF WHICH IS EXPERIENCING A SHORTAGE OF LABOR LEADING TO THE SUPPLY PROBLEM.

THE GOOD NEWS IS SOME OTHER CLASSIC FAVORITES LIKE THE MEN'S AND TAGALONG'S ARE JUST AS ACCESSIBLE AS EVER.

>>> WE AND OUR SHOW WITH A LITTLE CUTENESS.

WE MEAN LITTLE, PENGUIN AWARENESS DAY TODAY.

BIRCH AQUARIUM SHARED BEHIND THE SCENES PARADE TO SHOW OFF LITTLE BLUE PENGUINS.

THESE GUYS STAND AT ONLY 8 TO 10 INCHES TALL AND WEIGH LESS THAN THREE POUNDS.

BASICALLY TO PUT THEIR MINIATURE SIZE INTO PERSPECTIVE, THEY ARE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A BOWLING PIN OR A CALIFORNIA BURRITO.

THEY ARE ALSO KNOWN TO DIVE ABOUT 800 TIMES A DAY WHILE HUNTING AT SEA.

THEY ARE SCIENTIFIC NAMES MEAN GOOD LITTLE DIVER.

THEY WILL BE READY TO GREET YOU THIS SUMMER.

HOW CUTE YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE KPBS.ORG THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY, I'M MAYA TRABULSI..

I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT NIGHT .

>> 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.