>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES , PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR, RESTORATION, FLOOD, AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

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

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 JULY 28th.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MATT HOFFMAN HENEFER MAYA TRABULSI.

$68 MILLION SAN DIEGO IS REAPING THE REWARDS FROM A HEFTY BUDGET SURPLUS, AND TODAY LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW OFF WHERE ALL THAT MONEY IS GOING.

>> Reporter: MAYOR TODD GLORIA GATHERED WITH STATE AND LOCAL LEADERS AT THE OAK PARK LIBRARY .

THE CITY GOT $20 MILLION FROM THE STATE TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT A NEW LIBRARY HERE COME ALONG ON THE COMMUNITIES WISH LIST.

LURIA SAYS THE CITY CAN'T FIND ALL ITS INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS ALONE.

>> THERE ARE SO MANY COMPETING NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY, TOO MANY FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND ARE STRAPPED BUDGETS.

THAT IS WHAT IT IS SO CRITICAL THAT WE HAVE EFFECTIVE REPRESENTATION IN THE STATE TECH CAPITAL TO GET THESE PROJECTS DONE FOR OUR PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: THE BUDGET SURPLUS THIS YEAR REACHED A RECORD $97 BILLION.

THE STATE SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM SAYS THAT SHOWS CALIFORNIA'S SYSTEM OF PROGRESSIVE TAXATION IS WORKING.

>> THE WEALTHY PAY THEIR SHARE, MAKING RECORD AMOUNTS OF FUNDING AVAILABLE.

THE STATE'S FISCAL HEALTH IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO PROVIDE TRANSFORMATIONAL INVESTMENTS IN CRITICAL PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE.

>> Reporter: THE STATE BUDGET ALSO ALLOCATES MORE THAN $29 MILLION TO PARKS AND RECREATION PROJECTS IN SAN DIEGO, INCLUDING $8 MILLION TO EXTEND WARD CANYON PARK.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> NEWLY RELEASED DATA IS FUELING RECESSION FEARS AS MANY FAMILIES ARE ALREADY DEALING WITH HIGHER PRICES.

ON THE FLIPSIDE, JOBS ARE BEING CREATED AND FILLED, LEADING SOME EXPERTS TO BELIEVE A RECESSION IS NOT IMMINENT.

IS ABOUT ROSALES THAT THE BALANCING ACT UNDERWAY TO KEEP THE ECONOMY ROLLING.

>>> MAKE SURE THE BUTTER DOESN'T MELT.

>> Reporter: DON CAN'T IMAGINE THINGS GETTING WORSE UNDER A RECESSION.

THE UNEMPLOYED MOTHER OF FOUR ALREADY RELIES ON HER LOCAL SOUTH L.A. FOOD BANK TO FEED HER KIDS.

>> YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WOULD DO, WHAT ANYBODY IS GOING TO DO BECAUSE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT WOULD BE SUFFERING.

>> Reporter: BUT SOME ECONOMISTS SAY WE COULD ALREADY BE IN A RECESSION, POINTING TO BLEAK ECONOMIC DATA RELEASED THIS WEEK.

>> ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL 48 HOURS FOR THE U.S. ECONOMY IN RECENT MEMORY.

>> Reporter: U.S.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT DATA SHOWED THE ECONOMY SHRUNK FOR THE SECOND QUARTER IN A ROW.

THAT MEETS THE HISTORIC DEFINITION OF A RECESSION, BUT THE GROUP OF ECONOMISTS WHO CAN FORMALLY DECLARE IT AND LOOK AT MULTIPLE FACTORS CAN TAKE MONTHS TO ACT.

>> RECESSIONS ARE NEVER GOOD.

AND THERE IS GOING TO BE SOME PAIN INVOLVED, MEANING HIGHER UNEMPLOYMENT ABOUT LAWSON INCOME, THE ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: IT COMES ONE DAY AFTER THE FED BUMPED UP INTEREST RATES AGAIN.

>> THESE ARE THE BLUEBERRIES.

>> Reporter: AT HIGHER COSTS AT THE GROCERY STORE ARE ALREADY EATING UP TOO MUCH OF HER BUDGET.

>> I SPENT CLOSE TO $400, AND IT WAS NOT HARDLY ON MEAT.

IT WAS BREAD, JUICE, SO FOR MY KIDS, SNACKS.

>> Reporter: IF THERE IS A DOWNTURN, REVEREND NORMAN JOHNSON SAYS THE ALREADY STRUGGLING LAKE COMMUNITY HE SERVES WILL BE HIT HARD.

>> THE ISSUE IS INFLATION, NOT SO MUCH THE SHORTAGE OF FOOD.

IT IS THE FACT PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD IT.

MACKEY HAS SEEN AN UPTICK IN THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES SHOWING UP TO THE WEEKLY FOOD BANK, AND ANTICIPATES A BIGGER INFLUX IF A RECESSION IS BAD ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE START LOSING JOBS.

>> WE REALLY THOUGHT IN THE PANDEMIC, AND THE ETHNIC VARIETY CHANGED.

IT WASN'T JUST BLACK AND BROWN.

WE HAD ASIAN, ANGLO, AND SO FORTH, FINDING THEIR WAY DOWN TO SOUTH L.A. TO GET FOOD.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE THE FED HAS ENDED MORE INTEREST RATES ARE COMING, THAT MEANS SOARING BORROWING COSTS FOR FIRST TIME HOMEBUYERS.

>> IT IS SCARY BECAUSE WE WILL BE PAYING MORE IN INTEREST.

>> Reporter: HE WAS APPROVED FOR A LOAN AND APRIL WITH A 4.75 INTEREST RATE BUT IS NOW CHOOSING TO WAIT UNTIL HIS GIRLFRIEND FINISHES NURSING SCHOOL TO REAPPLY JOINTLY.

>> NOW WE SEE INTEREST RATES AS HIGH AS 6%.

>> Reporter: THE FEAR AND HESITATION ISRAEL AMONG HOME LOAN APPLICANTS.

NEW AMERICAN FUNDING REPORTS MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS ARE DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY IN JULY, COMPARED TO THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

>> ABOUT 30% DROPS IN REGARDS TO PURCHASES.

>> IT'S CREATING A SENSE OF FEAR AND A LOT OF CONSUMERS.

>> Reporter: IS ABOUT ROSALES, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE WHITE HOUSE DISAGREES THAT WE ARE IN A RECESSION.

THEY POINT TO A STRONG LABOR MARKET NOT REFLECTED IN THAT NEGATIVE GDP NUMBER.

AND EMPLOYMENT NUMBERS ARE ALREADY LOW AT 3.6%, AND COMPANIES ARE STILL HIRING.

>>> HIGHER INTEREST RATES ARE NO DOUBT PLAYING A FACTOR IN HOME SALES, BUT WHAT ABOUT CARS?

WE SPEAK WITH LOCAL DEALERSHIPS ABOUT SALES, AND THE IMPACT IT HASN'T ALL OF US.

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION COULD SOON DECLARE THE SPREAD OF MONKEYPOX A HEALTH EMERGENCY.

IT COULD HELP BRING MORE VACCINES TO SAN DIEGO.

THERE IS A NATIONAL SHORTAGE AS CASES CONTINUE TO RISE IN THE U.S. LATEST NUMBERS ARE SHOWING 4600 INFECTIONS, ABOUT 800 OF WHICH ARE IN CALIFORNIA.

20 CASES HAVE BEEN FOUND IN SAN DIEGO, AND HEALTH OFFICIALS ATTRIBUTE THEM ALL TO TRAVEL.

ANYONE CAN CONTRACT MONKEYPOX, BUT THOSE MOST AT RISK RIGHT NOW INCLUDE HOMOSEXUAL OR BISEXUAL MEN, AND THAT IS WHERE VACCINES ARE BEING TARGETED LOCALLY.

2200 DOSES HAVE BEEN SECURED SO FAR.

>> NO ARGUMENT THAT THE AMOUNT OF VACCINE AVAILABLE IS NOT ENOUGH.

THAT SAID, I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE SUPPLY CRUNCH WITH THE VACCINE IS NOT PRIMARILY THE STATES FAULT.

THERE IS A NATIONAL SUPPLY SHORTAGE JUST GENERALLY, AND UNFORTUNATELY IT WILL BE A WHILE BEFORE THAT CHANGES.

I CAN SAY THAT THE COMMUNITY UNEQUIVOCALLY THAT ALL THE DOSES WE GET YOU ARE GOING TO GET.

THAT IS A PROMISE.

>> TARGETED VACCINATION EVENTS WILL CONTINUE AS SUPPLY COMES IN.

MONKEYPOX USUALLY DOES NOT SEND PEOPLE TO THE HOSPITAL.

IT CAN CAUSE FLULIKE SYMPTOMS OR BASHES, AND IT IS SPREAD THROUGH CLOSE CONTACT.

>>> LOS ANGELES COUNTY WILL NOT BRING BACK AN INDOOR MASK MANDATE AFTER ALL.

THE COUNTY ANNOUNCED TWO WEEKS AGO THAT L.A. COULD AGAIN REQUIRE FACE COVERINGS IF TRENDS IN HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS CONTINUED, BUT TODAY HEALTH OFFICIALS SAID HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE ACTUALLY STABILIZED, WHILE COVID-19 INFECTIONS HAVE STEADILY DECLINED.

POTENTIALLY SIGNALS THE BEGINNING OF A DOWNWARD TREND.

>>> THE BORDER PATROL IS MOVING FORWARD WITH PLANS TO BUILD HUGE WALLS IN FRIENDSHIP PARK.

REPORTER TANIA THORNE SAYS SUPPORTERS OF THE PARKER HOPING THEY CAN AT LEAST SLOW THE PROJECT DOWN.

>> Reporter: THE 30 FOOT TALL WALLS ALONG THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER ARE NOTHING NEW, AND THOSE WALLS ARE NOW EXPECTED TO EXPAND TO FRIENDSHIP PARK.

ADVOCATES FOR THE PARK MET WITH THE BORDER PATROL LATE WEDNESDAY.

>> THE BORDER PATROL OFFICIALS BEGAN THE MEETING BY CONFIRMING THEIR PLANS TO BUILD 230 FOOT WALLS ACROSS THE FACE OF FRIENDSHIP PARK.

>> Reporter: JOHN WITH FRIENDS OF FRIENDSHIP PARK SAYS THE 30 FOOT BOLLARD STYLE WALLS ACTS AS A DESECRATION OF THIS UNIQUE LOCATION.

>> FRIENDSHIP PARK IS NOT JUST ANY OTHER LOCATION ON THE BORDER.

IT IS A SITE OF UNIQUE HISTORIC, CULTURAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND SOCIAL SIGNIFICANCE, AND IT IS A SYMBOL OF THE TRUTH THAT THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO ARE FRIENDS, NOT ENEMIES.

>> Reporter: WHILE ORDER PATROL CONFIRMED THE NEW PLANS DO INCLUDE LOCAL ACCESS, LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS SHOULD'VE BEEN INCLUDED ABOUT THE CHANGES.

>> THEY DID NOT SPECIFY ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT THE DESIGN OF GATES, OR ACCESSIBILITY.

IT WAS A VERY GENERAL PRESENTATION WITHOUT THE SCHEMATICS THAT WE HAD BEEN PROMISED PREVIOUSLY.

>> Reporter: THEY FEAR THAT MAKING FRIENDSHIP PARK LOOK LIKE THE REST OF THE BORDER WALL WILL DISCOURAGE ITS USE.

IN A LETTER, FRIENDS OF FRIENDSHIP PARK REQUESTED THAT 120 DAY PAUSE ON CONSTRUCTION.

>> THAT WAY A MEANINGFUL PROCESS OF CONSULTATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO BE UNDERTAKEN.

SUCH CONSULTATION HAS NOT TAKEN PLACE.

>> Reporter: THE COALITION WILL HOLD A STAKEHOLDERS SUMMIT AT THE END OF THE MONTH, AND HOPES TO CONTROL OFFICIALS WILL PAUSE CONSTRUCTION BY THAT TIME.

IN A PREVIOUS STATEMENT, THEY SAID CONSTRUCTION WAS EXPECTED TO START IN SEPTEMBER.

FRIENDS OF FRIENDSHIP PARK SAY THEY EXPECT THE RESPONSE ABOUT THE REQUEST TO PAUSE CONSTRUCTION BY NEXT WEEK.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> TONIGHT , ALL EVACUATION WARNINGS AND THE FIRE NEVER MET I HAVE BEEN LIFTED.

THE FIRE BURNED 180 ACRES ALONG STATE ROUTE 78.

IT WAS IN THE FOOTPRINT OF THE WITCH CREEK FIRE BACK IN 2007.

AT LAST CHECK, IT WAS 35% CONTAINED, AND FIREFIGHTERS ARE STILL WORKING TO PREVENT ANY FLAREUPS.

CAL FIRE SAYS THEY HAVE BENNETT PEAK STAFFING SINCE JUNE, AND WERE ABLE TO QUICKLY DEPLOY DOZENS OF CRUISE.

THEY ALSO CALLED AN EXTRA AIRCRAFT FROM RIVERSIDE COUNTY.

INVESTIGATORS DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS SPARKED BY EQUIPMENT.

>> THIS WAS SOMEBODY WHO WAS TRYING TO CLEAR THEIR PROPERTY.

THEY WERE TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING, AND UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS WARM YESTERDAY, AND IT WAS ENOUGH TO TAKE OFF ON THEM AND REACH A POINT WHERE THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO STOP THEMSELVES.

>> IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT HOMEOWNERS CLEAR BRUSH BEFORE 10:00 A.M. DON'T DO IT ON HOT, DRY, OR WINDY DAYS, AND BE EXTRA CAUTIOUS.

CAL FIRE SAYS FROM NOW THROUGH DECEMBER, IT IS PEAK FIRE SEASON, AND THE CONDITIONS WILL ONLY GET WORSE UNTIL WE GET SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT THE WEATHER HEADLINES.

REALLY NO BIG CHANGES GOING ON RIGHT NOW, BUT OVER THE WEEKEND, WE DO THINK THERE WILL BE SOME SIGNIFICANT CHANGE TO TALK ABOUT.

FOR NOW WE ARE STILL DEALING WITH THE MORNING CLOUDS.

WE WILL START TO SEE SOME THUNDERSTORMS ERUPTING IN THE MOUNTAINS AND INTO THE INLAND AREAS BY THE WEEKEND.

MAYBE IF YOU COULD TRICKLE TO THE COAST.

AND TEMPERATURES STILL REMAIN NEARLY STEADY.

NO BIG CHANGES TEMPERATURE WISE.

WE DO SEE THIS MONSOONAL MOISTURE SITTING OFF TO THE EAST, RIGHT THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK.

THAT WILL SUPPLY MOISTURE UP THROUGH ARIZONA.

SOME OF THAT HAS BEEN SNEAKING OFF TO THE WEST.

WE SEE MORE CLOUDS MOVING INTO OUR AREA.

FLOW FOR THE WEEK AND WILL TURN MORE SOUTHEASTERLY, WHICH WILL ALLOW SOME THUNDERSTORMS TO HEAD OUR WAY AND DEVELOP TO THE WEST.

OVERNIGHT NO BIG CHANGE.

LOW OF 67.

IN THE AREA DRY.

RED SPRINGS 80.

MOUNT LAGUNA 65.

EL CAJON AT 70.

OCEANSIDE AT 66.

FOR FRIDAY, THAT DEEP MONSOONAL MOISTURE STILL OFF TO THE EAST WILL KEEP IT DRY HERE.

REALLY NO BIG CHANGES.

WE START OFF WITH MORNING CLOUDS GIVING WAY TO SUNSHINE.

BUTCHERS HOVERING IN THE MID- 70s NEAR THE COAST.

MID-80s AND LOW 90s IN THE END, AND HERE YOU SEE BORREGO SPRINGS UP IN THE TRIPLE DIGITS.

AS WE TAKE YOU INTO SATURDAY, SPOTTY AFTERNOON STORMS.

THOSE START TO DEVELOP INTO THE MOUNTAINS AND DESERTS.

WE WILL SEE INCREASED CLOUD COVER AS WELL.

AS I SAID EARLIER, THERE COULD BE A STRAY SHOWER STORM SNEAKING OUT TOWARDS THE COAST AT ABOUT ANY TIME OF THE DAY OVER THE WEEKEND, BUT WE AREN'T EXPECTING MUCH.

A BIT MORE SIGNIFICANT IN THE INLAND AREAS COME UP BUT THERE COULD BE A STORM OR TWO ON THE PROWL.

A BETTER CHANCE IN THE MOUNTAIN REGIONS.

EVEN THE DESERTS, YOU CAN'T RULE OUT A STRAY STORM WITH TEMPERATURES STAYING LOW AVERAGE.

>>> THE MARINES ARE LOOKING AT WHY WAVES CAPSIZED IS LATEST VERSION OF ITS SEABORNE TROOP TRANSPORT.

STEVE WALSH EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: A VIDEO POSTED BY THE INDEPENDENT NONPROFIT NAVAL INSTITUTE SHOWS SEVERAL MARINES JUMPING OUT OF ONE OF THE NEW AMPHIBIOUS COMBAT VEHICLES AS THE VEHICLE WAS TOSSED BY HIGH WAVES NEAR THE SHORE AT CAMP PENDLETON.

A VEHICLE EVENTUALLY TIPPED ON ITS SIDE AND BECAME DISABLED.

THE MARINES PAUSED ALL WATERBORNE EXERCISES FOR THE ACV WHEN THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED LAST WEEK.

NO ONE WAS INJURED.

VEHICLES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE OPEN OCEAN PEER TRAINING HAS SINCE BEEN ALLOWED TO ATTEND YOU IN THE BOAT BASIN.

MARINES ARE JUST ROLLING OUT THE NEW ACV, WHICH LOOKS LIKE A FLOATING TANK, AND CARRIES MARINES FROM SHIP TO SHORE.

LAST YEAR, THE MARINE SUSPENDED WATERBORNE OPERATIONS WITH THE NEW ACV PROBLEMS WITH THE TOW ROPES CAUSED ANOTHER VEHICLE TO OVERTURN IN THE SURF.

THE ACV IS A LONG-AWAITED REPLACEMENT FOR THE AGING AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT VEHICLE.

IN 2020, IT MARINES AND A SAILOR DROWNED WHEN ONE OF THOSE VEHICLES THINK IN THE WATERS OFF OF SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND.

DEVOS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE CAR INDUSTRY HAS BEEN GOING THROUGH SOME DRAMATIC CHANGES SINCE THE PANDEMIC HAD, FROM SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUES TO CHIP SHORTAGES AND LOW INVENTORY, SO WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW, AND HOW IS THAT AFFECTING THE CITY THAT RELIES ON TAX REVENUE FROM THOSE SALES?

KITTY ALVARADO BREAKS IT ALL DOWN.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE HAULING A FULL LOAD OF CARS OUT OF THE MARINE TERMINAL LOT IN NATIONAL CITY.

HE HAS BEEN A CAR HAULER SINCE 2007.

>> IT WAS TOUGH.

>> Reporter: UP UNTIL RECENTLY, REGULAR TRIPS AND A FULL LOAD HAVE BEEN A RARITY BECAUSE THE PANDEMIC SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUES AND A CHIP SHORTAGE.

>> WE'VE BEEN DROPPING ABOUT 1 TO 2 CARS PER YEAR, AND TO MAKE A FULL LOAD YOU HAVE TO DO ABOUT FIVE DROPS.

IT HAS BEEN ALL RIGHT FOR THE LAST TWO MONTHS.

IT'S BEEN PICKING UP THE LAST TWO MONTHS, BUT NOW I DON'T KNOW, BUT THE LAST TWO MONTHS IT'S BEEN PICKING UP.

BACKING OUT IS AN AVERAGE OF TWO FULL LOADS PER DAY.

THIS ONE IS HEADED FOR SANTA ANA, JUST A FEW MILES AWAY IS A MILE OF CARDS.

ONE OF THE OLDEST CAR ASSOCIATIONS IN THE COUNTRY.

IT WAS STARTED IN THE 1900s.

>> IT IS CLEARLY AN INSTITUTION IN THE CITY.

HER BACK NATIONAL CITY'S CITY MANAGER BRAD RALSTON SAYS IT IS NOT ONLY AN INSTITUTION IN THE CITY, BUT IT AND OTHER CAR DEALERSHIPS HELP BRING IN ABOUT $10 MILLION PER YEAR, A BIG PART OF THE CITY'S REVENUE THAT PROVIDES SERVICES LIKE PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> ABOUT A QUARTER TO A THIRD OF OUR SALES TAX REVENUE THAT WE DEPEND ON TO PROVIDE CORE SERVICES.

WITH COVID, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE, OF COURSE , AND WHEN I SAY SIGNIFICANT, YOU KNOW, I WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, 40 TO 50% OF A DECREASE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS FORTUNATELY THE DEALERSHIPS SUPPLEMENTED WITH USED CAR SALES, AND THAT DECREASE ONLY LASTED ABOUT A QUARTER.

NOW THEY ARE SEEING A STEADY 3 TO 5% INCREASE IN THAT REVENUE.

>> WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DATA, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEGREGATE NEW CARS VERSUS USED CARS.

>> IS NOT 2008 IN 2009 WAS CRAZY WITH GM AND CHRYSLER FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY, AND SALES DROPPED 50%, AND YOU SAID NOTHING LIKE THAT CRAZINESS COULD EVER HAPPEN IN MY CAREER AGAIN.

>> Reporter: BRIAN MAASS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE CALIFORNIA NEW CAR DEALERS ASSOCIATION, HAS SEEN A LOT IN THE MORE THAN TWO DECADES HE HAS WORKED IN THE AUTO INDUSTRY, BUT THEN HE SAYS COVID BROKE EVERYTHING.

>> THERE IS NOT ENOUGH INVENTORY TO GO AROUND.

YOU ARE WAITING DAYS OR WEEKS OR MONTHS FOR A PARTICULAR VEHICLE.

PRICES ARE GOING CRAZY, BOTH IN USED CARS AND NEW CARS.

IT IS REALLY UNPRECEDENTED.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE OVERALL PICTURE WITH NEW CAR SALES HAS STABILIZED SOMEWHAT, DESPITE THE INITIAL DROP COME UP AND NOW THEY ARE ABOUT 10 TO 15% BELOW PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

>> THAT IS NOT BECAUSE THERE ISN'T DEMAND.

THERE IS SIGNIFICANT DEMAND FOR VEHICLES, WHICH IS WHY YOU HAVE SEEN A PRICE OF NEW CARS GO UP CONSIDERABLY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, OR A YEAR, YEAR AND A HALF, BUT IT IS REALLY A QUESTION OF NOT HAVING THE SUPPLY OF CARS TO FULFILL THE NEEDS OF CONSUMERS.

>> Reporter: WHILE WE MAY HAVE SEEN ROWS AND ROWS OF NEW TRUCKS AT THE PORT IN NATIONAL CITY, NOT ALL MAKES AND MODELS ARE HAVING THE SAME LUCK WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPLY, AND THAT MAY CONTINUE TO BE AN ISSUE THROUGH 2023, BUT HE IS OPTIMISTIC, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO PRICES.

>> HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THROUGH IT, AND GET TO MORE NORMALCY IN THE COMING MONTHS.

>> Reporter: AND THAT WILL BE A GOOD THING, NOT JUST FOR CUSTOMERS, BUT FOR CALL HAULERS AND FOR CITIES LIKE NATIONAL CITY RELYING ON THIS INDUSTRY.

KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> TODAY SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA ANNOUNCED HIS SELECTION FOR THE CITY'S NEW CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER.

ERIC DARKEN WAS CHOSEN FOR A NATIONAL SEARCH THAT FIELDED NEARLY 200 CANDIDATES.

HE CURRENTLY SERVES AS THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.

HE HAS WORKED IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THE FOURTH LARGEST CITY IN THE COUNTRY, FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

HE WILL BE TASKED TO CARRY AT THE MAYORS PLANS TO INVEST IN INFRASTRUCTURE, INCREASE HOUSING, AND IMPROVE SERVICES.

>> WERE THINKING WORKING WITH THE MAYOR, I THINK THIS WILL BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO LOOK AT NEW IDEAS, NEW PROCESSES, NEW PROCEDURES, INNOVATIVE ACTIONS THAT CAN REALLY BRING A NEW FLAVOR TO THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

>> THE CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR HIS APPOINTMENT AS COO IS SCHEDULED FOR THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 12th.

IF CONFIRMED, SHE WILL TAKE OVER ON NOVEMBER 1st.

>>> UC SAN DIEGO STUDENTS HAVE A LOT AT STAKE IN THE HOUSING CRISIS.

WITH THE SHORTAGE OF HOMES BOTH ON AND OFF CAMPUS, BUT SOME SEE OPPORTUNITY IN UNIVERSITY CITY JUST EAST OF UCSD.

THE CITY'S PLANNING DEPARTMENT IS PREPARING TO UPDATE THAT NEIGHBORHOOD ZONING TO ALLOW FOR MORE DESTINY.

AND YOUR BOWEN SAYS MANY STUDENTS ARE FRUSTRATED WITH THE SYSTEM THAT SEEMS DESIGNED TO EXCLUDE THEM.

>>> EASE OF ACCESS IS REALLY GOOD.

>> Reporter: ANDREW SHOWS ME AROUND UCSD'S DOING HOUSING DEVELOPMENT FOR GRAD STUDENTS, JUST ACROSS THE I-5 FREEWAY FROM THE MAIN CAMPUS.

THE PHD CANDIDATE AND APPLIED OCEAN SCIENCE HAS LIVED HERE SINCE 2019.

>> IT'S REALLY EASY TO GET TO CAMPUS AND FOOD AND THINGS LIKE THAT, AND WITH A NEW TROLLEY LINE OPENING, THE BLUE LINE HAS BEEN AMAZING TO BE UP TO GET DOWNTOWN.

>> Reporter: STUDENT HOUSING IS IN HIGH DEMAND, AND THE WAITING LIST KEEPS GETTING LONGER.

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING IS AND ANY EASIER.

MORE STUDENTS ARE BEING FORCED INTO LONGER AND LONGER COMMUTES TO FIND HOUSING THEY CAN AFFORD.

THAT IS WHY HE WANTS THE CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO ZONE FOR AS MUCH HIGH DENSITY HOUSING IN UNIVERSITY CITY AS POSSIBLE.

>> WE NEED TO FIND WAYS TO BE FRIENDLY WITH THE CLIMATE, AND TO REDUCE OUR EMISSIONS AT THE SAME TIME.

HIGH DENSITY HOUSING, PUBLIC TRANSIT, ALTERNATIVE TRANSIT WILL ACHIEVE THAT.

>> Reporter: HE IS ALONE STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE ON THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP, A VOLUNTEER BODY WHERE THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT DOES MOST OF ITS OUTREACH.

HE SAYS THE GROUP AND ATTENDANCE AT ITS MEETINGS IS DOMINATED BY HOMEOWNERS, LIKE LINDA, WHO HAD THIS TO SAY AT A MEETING IN MARCH.

>> ALLOWING TRANSIENT UCSD STUDENTS TO HAVE AS MUCH SAY AS PEOPLE HAVE INVESTED HERE IS NOT A TRUE REPRESENTATION OF RESIDENT DESIRES.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A SAY.

WE ARE NOT TRANSIENT.

>> Reporter: LEANNA IS A JUNIOR AT UCSD WHO HAS BEEN ORGANIZING HER CLASSMATES TO GET MORE ENGAGED IN THE ZONING DEBATE.

SHE SAYS THE STAKES FOR STUDENTS DEALING WITH THE HOUSING SHORTAGE OUR HIGH.

A NATIONAL SURVEY RECENTLY FOUND 17% OF COLLEGE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN HOMELESS IN THE PAST YEAR, AND ALMOST HALF OF THEM FACE HOUSING AND SECURITY.

>> WE SURF ON PEOPLE'S COUCHES.

THEY MIGHT SECURE HOUSING FOR THREE MONTHS, BUT WHAT ABOUT AFTER THAT.

THESE ARE PROBLEMS THAT STUDENTS HAVE TO FACE WHILE HAVING OTHER STUDIES AND ALL THEIR EXTRACURRICULARS, AND THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: IT'S HARD WORK TRYING TO GET STUDENTS MORE INVOLVED IN THE PLANNING PROCESS, AND THERE ARE STRUCTURAL BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION.

STUDENTS WHO LIVE ON CAMPUS AREN'T ALLOWED TO VOTE IN PLANNING GROUP ELECTIONS, AND SHE SAYS SHE HAS NEVER SEEN THE PLANNING GROUP DO ANYTHING ON CAMPUS.

>> THERE IS JUST NOT ENOUGH AVERAGE TO BEGIN WITH FOR PEOPLE TO EVEN KNOW THAT THEY CAN GET ENGAGED, AND WHEN PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED, AND THEY WANT TO JOIN THESE SPACES, THEY ARE FACED WITH THAT NEGATIVITY.

>> STUDENTS HAVE A CRITICAL POINT TO PLAY IN THE PROCESS.

>> Reporter: ANDY SITS ON THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP, AND RUNS THE MEETINGS, FOCUS ON HOW MUCH NEW HOUSING SHOULD BE ALLOWED.

HE SAYS HE DOES HIS BEST TO PROMOTE CIVILITY AND ACTIVE LISTENING IN MEETINGS, AND HE SAYS THE FOLKS WHO DON'T WANT STUDENTS AROUND I'LL HAVE TO GET USED TO THEM.

MANY STUDENTS STICK AROUND AFTER GRADUATION, AND EVEN WHEN THEY DON'T -- >> PEOPLE LIKE THEM WILL BE HERE .

WE KNOW THAT.

AND MORE OF THEM WILL BE HERE.

AND THEIR VIEWS REPRESENT WHAT WE CAN IMAGINE TO BE THE CONCERNS, YOU KNOW, OF THEIR PEERS TO COME.

>> Reporter: HE DOESN'T ALWAYS AGREE WITH STUDENTS.

FOR EXAMPLE, HE OPPOSED A PROPOSAL TO ALLOW MEDIUM DENSITY TOWNHOMES IN PARTS OF SOUTH UNIVERSITY CITY, WHERE THE CURRENT ZONING ALLOWS ONLY LOW DENSITY DETACHED HOMES.

HE FEARS THAT WILL DISPLACE EXISTING RESIDENCE.

>> TO THE EXTENT THAT THAT PROPOSAL LOOK LIKE A DISPLACEMENT PROPOSAL, I THINK IT WAS ILL CONSIDERED.

>> Reporter: CORTEZ SAYS SOUTH UNIVERSITY CITY IS A WEALTHY AREA, AND HOMEOWNERS THERE ARE NOT AT RISK OF DISPLACEMENT.

>> WE ARE TEARING PEOPLE'S HOUSES DOWN.

WE ARE JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE THERE IS ENOUGH SPACE FOR EVERYONE TO LIVE HERE.

>> Reporter: THE CITY EXPECTS TO HAVE A DRAFT OF THE NEW UNIVERSITY CITY COMMUNITY PLAN SOMETIME NEXT YEAR.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO GREW UP IN FOSTER CARE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY WILL BENEFIT THE SCHOOL YEAR FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN NEW STATE FUNDING.

EDUCATION REPORTER MG PEREZ HAS THEIR STORY.

>>> THAT'S A GOOD AREA TO HANG OUT, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE COMPANY.

>> Reporter: ROBERTO LOPEZ IS HAPPY TO SHOW OFF WHERE HE LIVES.

HE RENTS ONE OF THE APARTMENTS HERE AT WESLEY HOUSE ON THE CAMPUS OF SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY.

IT IS AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMPLEX THAT MAKES ROOM FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE A LOW INCOME, AND OFTEN GREW UP IN FOSTER CARE.

>> I CAME FROM A PLACE WHERE WE DIDN'T HAVE ROLE MODELS OR ANYONE TO LOOK UP TO, SO LIFE WAS UNDERSTANDING IT ON YOUR OWN.

I MADE A LOT OF MISTAKES THROUGHOUT MY TIME POINT >> Reporter: LATE LAST MONTH, GOVERNOR NEWSOM SIGNED THE NEWEST CALIFORNIA BUDGET, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE THAT INCLUDES AN ADDITIONAL $48 MILLION IN THE NEXT YEAR TO SUPPORT FOSTER YOUTH AND COLLEGE, STARTING WITH THE NEED FOR HOUSING.

>> THIS IS OUR OPEN PANTRY.

>> Reporter: AT WESLEY HOUSE, THERE IS FREE FOOD OFFERED TO RESIDENTS, AND A COUPLE OF HUNDRED OTHER STUDENTS THAT NEEDED EVERY MONTH.

THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SECURITY OFFERED HERE FEEDS THE SPIRIT OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO NEVER HAD THE SUPPORT OF A FAMILY.

THE PROGRAM'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHARED THE REALITY OF ONE OF HER RECENT RESIDENCE.

>> THEY REALLY NEVER THOUGHT A COLLEGE EDUCATION WAS FOR THEM.

THEY THOUGHT ONLY WEALTHY PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO ATTEND COLLEGE, AND THIS PERSON WILL BE GRADUATING IN THE FALL.

>> Reporter: IF IT REALLY DOES TAKE A VILLAGE TO RAISE A CHILD, FOSTER YOUTH NEED EVEN MORE SUPPORT.

ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS, OF THE FOSTER KIDS WHO GET INTO A UNIVERSITY LIKE SAN DIEGO STATE, ONLY 8% WILL GRADUATE.

SAN DIEGO PROMISES TO KIDS IS THE ONLY FOSTER CARE ORGANIZATION IN THE U.S. THAT SUPPORTS THOSE CHILDREN IN NEED FROM BIRTH THROUGH ADULTHOOD.

THEY NEVER AGE OUT OF THE PROMISES PROGRAMS, AND THE LIFETIME MENTORSHIP THEY NEED.

>> WHAT TYPE OF CANCER DO THEY HAVE THAT'S ADVISING THEM?

WHO ARE THE PEOPLE IN THEIR LIVES TO MAKE SURE THEY GO TO SCHOOL AND DO THEIR HOMEWORK?

ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE REQUIRED TO STAY ON TOP OF YOUR ACADEMICS, AND BUILD IT INTO WHAT YOU SEE YOURSELF DOING IN THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: THEY CAME TO THE U.S. FROM JAMAICA ALONE WHEN HE WAS 16, AFTER BEING ABANDONED BY HIS FATHER AND ABUSED BY HIS MENTALLY ILL MOTHER.

MORE STATE FUNDING MEANS HE WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP HIS APARTMENT, AND GRADUATE FROM SDSU NEXT SPRING WITH A DOUBLE MAJOR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT WANT TO HEAR YOU.

THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT WANT TO RESPECT HER STORY, AND THAT WOULD LOVE TO BE A PART OF YOUR LIFE AND JOURNEY.

>> Reporter: JOURNEY FOR STUDENTS LIKE THESE THAT THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA JUST MADE A LITTLE BIT EASIER.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON TOMORROW INSIDE OF THE KPBS NEWSROOM.

ON MORNING EDITION, KEEPING FOOD SCRAPS OUT OF LANDFILLS.

HOW SAN DIEGO IS WORKING TO COMPLY WITH CALIFORNIA STATE LAWS TO RECYCLE ORGANIC WASTE, AND WHAT IS STANDING IN THEIR WAY.

>>> SAN DIEGO PRIDE AND COMIC- CON HAVE COME AND GONE, BUT THERE IS STILL PLENTY TO DO THIS WEEKEND.

ON MIDDAY ADDITION, OUR PICKS FOR THE BEST IN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT.

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

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

HAVE 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 AND AIR, RESTORATION, FLOOD, AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

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

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

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.