>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING & AIR , PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS , AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING & AIR , HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN TRAIN, 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, JULY 8.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH ANOTHER CONCERN ABOUT THE MORE CONTAGIOUS THAT DOES A VARIANTS NOW DOMINATING NEW CORONAVIRUS CASES IN CALIFORNIA.

NEW RESEARCH NOW SUPPORTS THAT JUST A SINGLE DOSE OF THE COVID- 19 VACCINE DOES NOT FULLY PROTECT AGAINST IT.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN EXPLAINS.

4 NEW NUMBERS SHOW THE DELTA VARIANT IS GOING, REPRESENTING YURI HALF OF ALL SEQUENCED CASES IN THE STATE LAST MONTH, BUT IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, IT REPRESENTED LESS THAN 10% OF SEQUENCED CASES.

>> THOSE CASES ARE JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.

>> Reporter: DR. CHRISTIAN RAYMER'S WITH FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS OF SAN DIEGO SAYS TO KEEP IN MIND THAT SEQUENCING DATA COULD BE NEARLY A MONTH DELAYED.

>> THE STUFF WE SEE COMING IN AS REPORTS IS LATE.

THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED 3 WEEKS AGO.

I SAY THAT I THINK EVERYTHING IS DELTA NOW, BECAUSE THE SPEED WITH WHICH IT HAS TAKEN OVER HAS BEEN REALLY STRIKING.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS RELEASED NEW DATA SHOWING 100 40,000 RESIDENTS HAVE SKIPPED SECOND DOSES OF THE MODERNA OR PFIZER VACCINES, SOMETHING THAT COULD HAVE DEADLY CONSEQUENCES.

>> EARLY ON, WE GO BACK TO LAST YEAR BUT THERE WEREN'T ALL THE VARIANTS AROUND, AND THE INFORMATION SAID ONE DOSE LOOKS LIKE IT WAS PRETTY GOOD.

IT'S NOT TRUE ANYMORE WHEN YOU BRING DELTA INTO THE EQUATION.

>> Reporter: WHILE ONE .9 MILLION COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE VACCINATED, THAT MEANS THERE ARE MORE THAN 1 MILLION PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN ONE OR BOTH SHOTS, OR THEY ARE MINORS NOT ELIGIBLE YET.

>> THE VIRUS LOOKS FOR PLACES TO GO AND PEOPLE TO INFECT.

AS LONG AS YOU ARE IN A PLACE WHERE THERE IS AN AND VACCINATED PEOPLE IT WILL FIND THEM, AND THE DELTA VARIANT IS BETTER AT FINDING THEM THAN ANY VARIANTS THUS FAR.

>> Reporter: SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, MORE THAN 99% OF COVID-19 RELATED DEATHS HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND CASES ARE FROM THE UNVACCINATED.

>> WE ARE NOW LIVING IN A WORLD WHERE IT IS TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT POPULATIONS, THOSE WHO ARE VACCINATED, NO SYMPTOMS, AND 99% OF THE HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS ARE IN UNVACCINATED PEOPLE.

THE DECISION TO BEING UNVACCINATED IS GETTING TO BE A MORE DANGEROUS DECISION AS WE MOVE FORWARD.

>> Reporter: HE WAS SPEAKING TO US FROM ONE OF THE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENT CENTERS.

THE ANTIBODY THERAPY IS USED TO NEWLY DISCOVERED CORONAVIRUS CASES, IT IS PROVEN TO REDUCE HOSPITALIZATIONS.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> PFIZER SAYS IT IS SEEKING AUTHORIZATION FOR A THIRD DOSE OF ITS COVID-19 VACCINE.

THE COMPANY BELIEVES IT COULD DRAMATICALLY BOOST IMMUNITY, AND MAY OFFER ADDITIONAL PROTECTION FROM THE VIRUS VARIANTS.

PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS WILL STILL HAVE TO DECIDE IF A THIRD SHOT IS NEEDED.

>>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT VACCINATIONS AND WHERE TO GET ONE, VISIT OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG POINT WE'VE MADE IT EASY TO FIND, WITH THE VACCINES LINK RIGHT ON OUR HOMEPAGE.

>>> TODAY PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ANNOUNCED THE U.S. MILITARY MISSION IN AFGHANISTAN WILL END ON AUGUST 31st.

IT COMES AS THE TALIBAN ADVANCES IN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY LEADING SOME TO CALL FOR AN EXTENSION TO THE NEARLY 20 YEAR WAR.

PRESIDENTS BIDEN HAD THIS QUESTION FOR THEM.

>> HOW MANY THOUSANDS OF MORE AMERICAN DAUGHTERS AND SONS ARE YOU WILLING TO RISK?

HOW LONG WOULD YOU HAVE THEM STAY?

ALREADY, WE HAVE MEMBERS OF OUR MILITARY WHOSE PARENTS FOUGHT IN AFGHANISTAN 20 YEARS AGO.

I WILL NOT SEND ANOTHER GENERATION OF AMERICANS TO WAR IN AFGHANISTAN, WITH NO REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF ACHIEVING A DIFFERENT OUTCOME.

>> HE ADDED THAT THE U.S. DID NOT GO TO AFGHANISTAN TO NATION BUILD, SAYING THAT THAT RESPONSIBILITY FALLS ON THE AFGHAN PEOPLE.

THE PRESIDENT ALSO PROMISED TO RELOCATE AFGHANS WHO HELPED IN THE U.S. MISSION, INCLUDING INTERPRETERS AND THEIR FAMILIES COME UP BEFORE THE TROOP WITHDRAWAL IS COMPLETE.

>>> GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM IS ASKING CALIFORNIANS TO REDUCE WATER USE AS THE WESTERN UNITED STATES FACES A DROUGHT THAT IS AFFECTING OUR WATER SUPPLY.

REPORTER ALEXANDRA RANGEL HAS MORE ABOUT THE EMERGENCY ORDER SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR .

>>> A SECOND STRAIGHT DRY YEAR HAS STRAINED OUR WATER SUPPLIES.

>> Reporter: WATER RESERVOIRS ARE QUICKLY DRYING OUT IN CALIFORNIA MISS A GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM IS DECLARING A DROUGHT EMERGENCY IN NINE ADDITIONAL COUNTIES.

>> THEY INCLUDE SAN LUIS OBISPO, MARINE COUNTY, INYO, MONTEREY, SANTA BARBARA, SANTA CLARA, OTHER COUNTIES.

>> Reporter: IS ALSO ASKING CALIFORNIANS TO VOLUNTARILY REDUCE WATER USE BY 15%.

>> WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT PEOPLE WILL TAKE THAT MINDSET THAT WE HAVE BROUGHT INTO MOTHER PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA WILL TAKE THE MINDSET THEY BROUGHT INTO THE LAST DROUGHT AND EXTENDED FORWARD MAMA WITH A 15% VOLUNTARY REDUCTION.

>> Reporter: THE VOLUNTARY ORDER ALSO APPLIES TO INDUSTRIAL, COMMERCIAL, AND AGRICULTURE BUSINESS SECTOR OTHERS.

HE'S ASKING EVERYONE TO DO THEIR PART, AS 42% OF THE STATES POPULATION LIVES IN A COUNTY UNDER THE DROUGHT EMERGENCY.

THE STATE SECRETARY OF NATURAL RESOURCES SAYS THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ARE MORE EVIDENT THAN EVER.

>> IN THE PAST WEEK, TEMPERATURES AS HIGH AS 17 DEGREES ABOVE AVERAGE HAVE EXACERBATED DROUGHT CONDITIONS ACROSS THE ENTIRE AMERICAN WEST.

>> Reporter: IS THE WEST DEALS WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES FROM A HISTORIC HEAT WAVE, THE GOVERNOR SAYS A HISTORIC AMOUNT OF MONEY WILL GO TOWARDS RESOURCES.

HE SAYS MORE THAN $5 BILLION WILL BE ALLOCATED TO SUPPORT THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY DURING THE DROUGHT.

ALEXANDRA RANGEL , KPBS NEWS .

>>> A FAST ACTION HELPED PREVENT ANOTHER BOAT INCIDENT FROM TURNING DEADLY.

RESCUE TEAMS WERE ON HAND AROUND 5:00 THIS MORNING AT MOONLIGHT BEACH IN ENCINITAS WHEN 8 PEOPLE WERE ROUNDED UP AFTER THE SUSPECTED SMUGGLING BOAT THEY WERE ON HAD CAPSIZED.

ONE PERSON WAS GIVEN CPR, AND RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL.

THE SEVEN OTHERS ALSO RECEIVED TREATMENT FOR HYPOTHERMIA.

>> 18 LIFE VESTS WERE LOCATED ON THE BEACH, WHICH INDICATE TO US THAT THERE WERE UP TO 18 PASSENGERS INSIDE OF THE BOAT.

PEOPLE WERE IDENTIFIED WALKING UP THE STREETS MAMA LEAVING THE AREA.

THAT IS WHAT OFTENTIMES HAPPENS.

>> SO FAR THIS FISCAL YEAR, MORE THAN 1300 MIGRANTS HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED ILLEGALLY ENTERING THE U.S. FROM THE OCEAN.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, 3 PEOPLE DIED WHEN A SMUGGLING BOAT BROKE APART AT POINT LOMA.

>>> IN APRIL, KPBS REPORTED THAT CALIFORNIA REGULATORS ALLOWED AN ACCUSED SEXUAL PREDATOR TO WORK IN LOCAL NURSING HOMES WHILE THEY INVESTIGATED HIM.

NOW, THE STATE HAS CHARGED THOSE FACILITIES WITH VIOLATIONS RELATED TO THE CASE, BUT ADVOCATES ARGUE THAT THE FINES ARE TOO LOW TO CHANGE BEHAVIOR.

>> Reporter: THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH HAS IMPOSED A $16,000 FINE AGAINST PARKWAY HILLS NURSING HOME IN LA MESA.

THAT IS WHERE THE X CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANT IS ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING A RESIDENT TWICE IN ONE HOUR.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, REGULATORS CYCLED CITED THE NURSING HOME FOR RELAXED BACKGROUND CHECKS, AND NOT MONITORING INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR BY STAFF.

OFFICIALS ALSO SLEPT A $2000 FINE ON AVOCADO POSTACUTE IN EL CAJON, WHERE THE SAME IN IS ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ASSAULTING ANOTHER WOMAN.

THE STATE SAYS THEY FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY REPORT THE ALLEGED INCIDENT.

>> I CAN'T EXPLAIN THE LEVELS OF THE FINES IN EITHER OF THOSE CASES.

YOU BOTH SEEM INCREDIBLY LOW.

>> Reporter: SCOTT FIKE SAYS A LAWYER REPRESENTING ONE OF THE ALLEGED VICTIMS.

HE AND OTHER ADVOCATES FOR NURSING HOME RESIDENTS SAY THAT SUCH LIGHT FINES ARE NOT ENOUGH TO CHANGE BEHAVIOR INSIDE OF THESE HOMES.

>> THE PURPOSE OF THE FINE IS TO PUNISH THE PERSON WHO HAS PERFORMED A WRONGFUL ACT, AND DEMONSTRATE OTHER PEOPLE THAT IF YOU PERFORM THAT KIND OF ACT, THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES.

$16,000 DOESN'T STOP ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS STATE REGULATORS SHOULD PUBLICLY EXPLAIN WHY THEY ARE SO LOW.

AN INTERVIEW WAS DECLINED BY CDP AGE, BUT TOLD US IN AN EMAIL THAT THE MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR THE PARKWAY HILLS VIOLATIONS WAS $20,000.

THE $2000 FINE AGAINST AVOCADO WAS THE MAXIMUM PENALTY CALIFORNIA LAW ALLOWS FOR FAILING TO REPORT SEXUAL ABUSE IN A TIMELY WAY.

KPBS NEWS .

>>> A CONTROVERSIAL NEW ALZHEIMER'S DRUG IS GETTING PRESCRIBING INSTRUCTIONS THAT ARE LIKELY TO LIMIT ITS USE.

THE FDA SAYS THE CHANGES INTENDED TO ADDRESS CONFUSION OVER WHO SHOULD GET THE DRUG.

THE UPDATED LABEL SAYS THE DRUG IS A APPROPRIATE FOR PATIENTS WITH EARLY OR MILD ALZHEIMER'S RED WHEN IT WAS APPROVED LAST MONTH, AND SAID IT WAS SIMPLY FOR THOSE WITH THE DISEASE IN GENERAL.

THE DRUG HAS BEEN CRITICIZED FOR ITS PRICE, AND QUESTIONABLE BENEFITS.

>>> A COVID-19 OUTBREAK AT CALIFORNIA STATE CAPITAL HAS PROMPTED THE RETURN OF FACEMASKS THROUGHOUT THE BUILDING.

THERE WILL BE OTHER ROLES AS WELL.

>>> IT'S ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL.

>> Reporter: ANTHONY RENDON TALKED TO US ABOUT THE INCREASED MASK AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS AT THE CAPITOL TODAY.

>> WE TAKE HEALTH AND SAFETY SERIOUSLY, SO FOR US, WE ARE STRENGTHENING THE MASK MANDATE.

>> Reporter: ONCE AGAIN, FACEMASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR ANYONE COMING INTO THE CAPITAL AT ALL TIMES, SO PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED, WORKING IN PRIVATE OFFICES IN THE CAPITAL YOU WILL HAVE TO MASK UP NOW, ACCORDING TO NEW RULES FOR THE ASSEMBLY AND SENATE.

THE SECRETARY OF THE SENATE SEND OUT THIS NOTICE, SAYING THAT THERE WERE NINE CONFIRMED COVID-19 CASES AT THE CAPITAL LAST WEEK, FOR INVOLVING FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE.

STILL, SPEAKER BRENDAN EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING VACCINATED.

>> WE KNOW THE VACCINATIONS WORK, AND WE KNOW THAT WHEN THERE ARE THOSE BREAKTHROUGH CASES, WE KNOW THE VACCINATIONS REDUCE THE IMPACT OF COVID.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS ABOUT 84% OF ASSEMBLY STAFF ARE VACCINATED.

ANYONE WORKING IN THE CAPITAL WHO IS AND WILL NOW HAVE TO TEST FOR THE TWICE PER WEEK.

RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS WILL BE ADMINISTERED IN THE CAPITAL BASEMENT EVERY MONDAY AND THURSDAY.

>> DOWNSTAIRS ON SITE MAKES IT EASIER FOR STAFF.

>>> AGAIN, WHILE FOUR OF THE CASES WERE IN PEOPLE WHO WERE FULLY VACCINATED, STATE DATA SHOWS SUCH CASES ARE RARE.

LESS THAN HALF OF 1% OF VACCINATED PEOPLE HAVE CONTRACTED THE VIRUS.

>>> I'M JUDY WOODRUFF.

TONIGHT ON "THE NEWS HOUR," 4 MILLION, A NEW MILESTONE IN THE PANDEMIC IS A NEW VARIANT SPREADS, COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER "EVENING EDITION" ON KPBS.

>>> CREWS ARE BATTLING SEVERAL WILDFIRES IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THE HIGH HEAT IS NOT HELPING MATTERS, EITHER.

CAMPGROUNDS AT HOMES AROUND FRENCHMAN LAKE IN THE SIERRA NEVADA ARE UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS DUE TO A PAIR OF LIGHTNING SPARKED FIRES.

ABOUT 20 SQUARE MILES HAVE BURNED IN PLUMAS COUNTY, AND OVERALL CONTAINMENT IS ONLY 35%.

>>> NEW ANALYSIS FROM A TEAM OF SCIENTISTS FINDS A RECENT DEADLY HEAT WAVE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST WOULD HAVE BEEN VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE WITHOUT CLIMATE CHANGE.

THEY SAY THE RECORD HEAT WAS AT LEAST 150 TIMES MORE LIKELY BECAUSE OF FOSSIL FUEL EMISSIONS.

WHILE IT IS A ONCE IN A MILLENNIUM EVENT NOW, SCIENTISTS WARNED IT COULD SOON HAPPEN EVERY 5 TO 10 YEARS IF CARBON POLLUTION CONTINUES.

>>> WE ARE STEPPING INTO A HOT WEEKEND, ALL BECAUSE TEMPERATURES ARE ON THE RISE AS A HIGH-PRESSURE SYSTEM STRENGTHENS OVERHEAD.

THIS HIGH WILL KEEP US LARGELY DRY AS WE WOULD EXPECT.

IT WILL START TO WEAKEN HEADING INTO THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK.

WE WILL GET EASING OF THE HEAT THEN, BUT UNTIL THEN, HEAT ADVISORIES AND EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNINGS IN PLACE FOR SOME OF THE LOCATIONS BECAUSE OF THE NUMBERS HEADED UP INTO SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

AROUND THE AREA TONIGHT, NOT TOO BAD IN SAN DIEGO.

68 FOR THE LOW.

BORREGO SPRINGS, MID-80s, MT.

LAGUNA, 74.

AS WE VENTURE INTO TOMORROW, THIS HIGH IS JUST STARTING TO STRENGTHEN.

AS IT DOES SO THAT MEANS THE TEMPERATURES WILL BE ON THE RISE.

THERE WILL BE A FEW SPOTTY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS, MOSTLY THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS UNDERNEATH THE HIGH.

SOME OF THAT COULD TRANSFER INTO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THE CHANCE FOR A SHOWER IS FEW AND FAR BETWEEN, BUT THERE IS A SMALL POSSIBILITY AS WE VENTURE THROUGH TIME.

TOMORROW, DRY AND QUIET IN SAN DIEGO.

77 FOR THE HIGH AS WE VENTURE TOWARDS BORREGO SPRINGS, 113.

LACES LIKE ESCONDIDO IN THE MID- 80s, DEEP IN UPPER 80s.

FUTURECAST TAKING US THROUGH TIME.

TOMORROW MORNING, STARTING OFF WITH A FEW OF THE COASTAL CLOUDS.

THEY GIVE WAY TO MORE AFTERNOON SUN.

BUT LOOK AT THIS, THE MOUNTAINS TRYING TO SPUR THAT SHOWER OR THUNDERSTORMS.

NOT LIKELY, BUT AS WE VENTURE INTO SATURDAY, YOU WILL NOTICE MORE OF THE SAME STORY AS WE SHOULD STAY MORE COMFORTABLE TOWARDS THE COAST, THE START OF THE WEEKEND, BUT THE HIGH IS STRENGTHENING, AND THAT MEANS THE TEMPERATURES WILL BE ON THE RISE BECAUSE OF IT.

BE PREPARED.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE WATER HANDY.

TEMPERATURES HAD INTO THE UPPER 70s, CLOSE TO 80 DEGREES FOR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

ALONG THE COAST, TEMPERATURES WILL BE BACK TO THE MID-70s FOR MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

MEANWHILE, CLOSE TO 90 DEGREES FOR OUR INLAND LOCATIONS.

STARTING TO NOTICE MORE OF THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE.

MOUNTAIN LOCATIONS, HIGHER THAN WE WANT TO BE, BUT UPPER 70s, CLOSE TO 80s.

STILL PRETTY PLEASANT WEATHER.

STAYING DRY AND BRIGHT RIGHT INTO THE DESERTS, WERE TEMPERATURES BE UP TO 115 DEGREES.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I AM METEOROLOGIST MELISSA CONSTANZER.

>>> CALIFORNIA LOST A CONGRESSIONAL SEAT FROM A POPULATION DROP , AND SOME HIGH- PROFILE RESIDENTS, BUT UC SAN DIEGO RESEARCHERS SAY REPORTS OF AN EXODUS MAY HAVE BEEN GREATLY EXAGGERATED, BY A NEARLY 2-1 MARGIN, CALIFORNIANS IN THE STUDIES SAY THEY STILL BELIEVE IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND RAISE A FAMILY.

LATINOS, AFRICAN-AMERICANS, AND ASIAN-AMERICANS ARE MORE OPTIMISTIC.

WHITE RESPONDENTS, OLDER RESIDENTS, AND REPUBLICANS ARE MORE PESSIMISTIC.

MIDDLE-CLASS CALIFORNIANS, MAKING BETWEEN 50,000 AND $100,000 ARE THE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THE STATE TODAY, AS WELL AS ITS FUTURE.

>> OUR HUNCH THERE, AND THIS FITS WITH DATA THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN MANY OF THESE OTHER STUDIES, THAT IS WHERE PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING TO BUY A HOME IN CALIFORNIA.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CAN BUY A HOUSE IN MANY STATES, BUT REALLY STRUGGLE FOR HOMEOWNERSHIP IN PLACES LIKE SAN DIEGO, L.A., THE BAY AREA, AND I THINK THAT IS A POLICY WORTH ADDRESSING.

>> RESEARCHERS SAY WELL IN THE NEAR TERM WE AREN'T EXPECTING A RUSH OUT OF CALIFORNIA, THE STUDY SHOWS AREAS OF CONCERN, LIKE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

>>> WHAT IS OLD IS NEW AGAIN.

TAXI DRIVERS SAY THEY ARE SEEING AN INCREASE IN BUSINESS BECAUSE RIDESHARE SERVICES ARE GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE.

AMY HOLLYFIELD HAS MORE ON THE SHIFT.

>> Reporter: YOU HAVE PEOPLE IN SAN FRANCISCO WHO THEY CALL WHEN THEY NEED A RIDE, AND YOU HEAR A LOT OF THIS.

>> UBER.

>> LYFT.

>> WHICHEVER IS CHEAPER.

>> Reporter: WITH THE HABIT OF CATCHING A RIDESHARE MAYBE WHEN YOU WANT TO RECONSIDER.

IF YOU CHECK THE PRICES, THEY HAVE GONE UP.

>> I'VE NOTICED WHERE TO GO 5 TO 10 MILES, IT IS $60.

ONE TIME IT WILL BE $60 WITH UBER, AND A GO AT LYFT AND IT WILL BE $12.

IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER, YOU HAVE TO LOOK.

>> Reporter: THE PRICE ISSUE IS PUSHING PEOPLE TO GO OLD-SCHOOL AND GRAB A CAB.

>> IN ONE WORD, IS JUST WONDERFUL.

THESE DRIVERS HAVE REALLY BEEN HIT HARD OVER THE PAST YEAR.

>> Reporter: CONCERT KIM SAYS HIS TAXICAB APP COMPANY FLYWHEEL HAS SEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN BUSINESS, AS TRAN37 AND LYFT CHARGE MORE FOR RIDES.

>> WE ARE SEEING A RECORD NUMBER OF DOWNLOADS THE PAST FEW WEEKS , AND MAINLY BECAUSE UBER AND LYFT HAVE BEEN SURGE PRICING THEIR RIGHTS, WHICH IS ALIENATED A LOT OF THEIR CUSTOMERS.

>> Reporter: IN A STATEMENT TO KPBS NEWS , LYFT SAID THAT DEMAND IS OUTPACING SUPPLY.

WE BEGAN TO SEE FOR THE DEMAND FOR RIDES THAT PAYS THE NUMBER OF AVAILABLE DRIVERS.

WE HAVE ADDED THOUSANDS OF DRIVERS IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS, AND IT'S ALREADY LEADING TO A BETTER EXPERIENCE, WITH WAIT TIMES DOWN MORE THAN 15% NATIONWIDE.

AND LUCKY FOR UBER AND LYFT, NOT EVERYONE HAS NOTICED IT, SO THEY CAN POSSIBLY GET MORE DRIVERS ON THE ROAD , AND GET THE PRICE ISSUES SORTED OUT BEFORE THINGS REALLY GET BACK TO NORMAL.

>> I HAVE NOT TAKEN A LYFT SINCE THE PANDEMIC, SO I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE PRICES.

>>> THAT WAS AMY HOLLYFIELD REPORTING.

THE DRIVER SHORTAGE COMES AS MANY LEFT RIGHT SHARES TO FIND NEW WORK DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND HAVE YET TO RETURN.

IT IS A PROBLEM FOR MANY STUDENTS.

DATA FROM THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SHOWS THERE WERE 9.2 MILLION JOB OPENINGS IN MAY, ABOUT THE SAME AS IN APRIL.

MEANWHILE, EMPLOYERS ONLY HIRED 5.9 MILLION WORKERS, LEAVING A LARGE GAP BETWEEN LABOR SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

>>> THEME PARK STOCKS ARE HOT, AS PEOPLE VENTURE BACK OUT FOR SUMMER FUN.

SIX FLAGS HAS SEEN ITS STOCK SHOOT UP ALMOST 25% THIS YEAR, AND IT HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS.

AND THE NEWS IS EVEN BETTER FOR SEAWORLD, WHICH ALSO OWNS BUSH GARDENS AND SESAME PLACE.

THAT COMPANY STOCK HAS GONE UP A WHOPPING 205% OVER THE PAST YEAR.

MORE THAN 50% IN 2020 WHEN ALONE.

>>> A LOCAL NONPROFIT HAS RECEIVED A NO STRINGS ATTACHED A DONATION FROM ONE OF THE RICHEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.

KPBS REPORTER MELISSA MAE TELLS US ABOUT THE GROUP HELPING AT RISK YOUTH THROUGH THE ARTS.

>>> ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: A STUDENT PLAYS AN ORIGINAL SONG IN A RECORDING STUDIO AND THE DAVID'S HEART FOUNDATION, AN ORGANIZATION THAT'S ABOUT MORE THAN JUST MUSIC.

>> WHAT WE OFFER IS A SAFE SPACE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO COME, TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW, BUT ALSO TO MEET SOMEBODY NEW.

>> Reporter: WRITTEN STEP IS THE FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF DAVID'S HARP, BRINGING AT RISK USED TOGETHER THROUGH THE ARTS SINCE 2007.

HE SAYS IT ALL STARTED WITH THE MUSIC STUDIO HE BUILT IN HIS FATHER'S GARAGE IN SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO.

>> EVENTUALLY I LET YOUNG PEOPLE COME IN AND TRADE GOOD GRADES FOR STUDIO TIME IN THAT SPACE.

WHAT I GOT TO SEE IS THAT.

WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE GOT INTO THAT SPACE, THEY WERE DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: THAT STUDIO GARAGE GREW INTO A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT STARTED BRINGING MUSIC INTO SCHOOLS, TEEN SHELTERS, AND EVENTUALLY TO THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THE FOUNDATION IS NAMED AFTER THE BIBLICAL DAVID, AND THE HARPY PLAYED TO LIFT THE TORMENT OF THE KING.

HE SAYS JUST LIKE THE KING, MANY OF THE STUDENTS ARE TORMENTED WITH POTENTIAL GANG INVOLVEMENT, HOMELESSNESS, AND EVEN SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

>> WHEN THEY CAME INTO THAT STUDIO SPACE AND INTERACTED WITH MUSIC, IT'S LIKE THE TORMENT WOULD BE GONE.

>> Reporter: THAT IS RILEY PLAYING SOME BEATS FOR US.

HE DOESN'T WANT HIS FULL NAME USED BECAUSE HE IS STILL ON PROBATION.

HE WAS IN JUVENILE DETENTION WHEN HE CONNECTED WITH DAVID'S HARP.

>> WHEN THEY CAME, IT'S LIKE A LITTLE LIGHT CAME WITH THEM.

STRAIGHT UP, WHEN THEY CAME, THERE WAS NO ARGUMENTS, NO NOTHING.

WE JUST WANTED TO BE HERE WITH THE MUSIC AND THE GOOD PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: RILEY NOW WORKS FOR THE FOUNDATION, AND KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS TO AT RISK YOUTH.

>> IT'S CRUCIAL.

IT HELPS KIDS OUT BECAUSE IT HELPS THEM GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

IT HELPS THEM BY SURROUNDING THEM BY GOOD PEOPLE AND EQUIPMENT.

YOU CAN'T GO WRONG.

>> Reporter: A DAVID'S HARP SUCCESS STORY WHO CAME FROM A FAMILY DISTRESS BY DRUGS, AND CAME UP IN A GROUP HOME.

>> I WOULD'VE BEEN A MENACE TO MY OWN SOCIETY.

I THINK I DEFINITELY WOULD'VE BEEN PART OF THE PROBLEM, NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION.

>> Reporter: AND ADVOCATE CONNECTED HIM TO DAVID'S HARP BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE FOR MUSIC.

HE NOW SERVES ON THE FOUNDATION'S BOARD.

>> DON'T EVER PAY IT BACK, PAY IT FORWARD.

JUST UNDERSTANDING THE VALUE OF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I TOOK FROM THIS PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: HE SPENT 3 YEARS IN THE PROGRAM, NOW GRADUATING EARLY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF LUVERNE WITH PLANS TO BECOME AN ATTORNEY, BUT MUSIC WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF HIS LIFE.

>> MUSIC IS FOREVER MY PLACE OF PEACE.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST PEACE.

THE STUDENTS ARE ALSO LEARNING SOME IMPORTANT JOB SKILLS.

>> WE INITIALLY START WITH ART, SO WE ARE TEACHING AND PEOPLE MUSIC PRODUCTION, VIDEOGRAPHY, AUDIO ENGINEERING, APPLIED PHYSICS, LIGHT AND COLOR AND SOUND.

>> Reporter: THE WORK ATTRACTED THE ATTENTION OF BILLIONAIRE PHILANTHROPIST McKENZIE SCOTT.

SHE GAVE DAVID'S HARP A DONATION OF $1 MILLION.

>> I HAVE NO CLUE HOW McKENZIE SCOTT FOUND OUT ABOUT US, HONESTLY.

WE ARE A SMALL NONPROFIT, BUT WHAT I KNOW IS THE COMMUNITY IS VERY AUTHENTIC, AND THE WORD HAS SPREAD KIND OF QUICKLY, NATIONALLY.

>> Reporter: DAVID'S HARP IS NOW IN THE WAREHOUSE IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO.

>> IT WAS THE PERFECT SPACE, BECAUSE HERE IT IS, ALONG THE TROLLEY TRACKS, WHERE PEOPLE CAN ACCESS IT.

IT'S IN A GANG NEUTRAL AREA, WHICH IS ESSENTIAL.

>> Reporter: THE DONATION WILL HELP BUILD CREATIVE CENTERS IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTY.

THE FOUNDATION WANTS TO PARTNER WITH MORE COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO FOSTER MORE CREATIVE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

A LONG WAY FROM THAT STUDIO, AND A STAND DIEGO GARAGE.

MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS .

>>> WHEN THE OLYMPIC GAMES BEGIN IN TOKYO IN 2 WEEKS, ATHLETES WILL BE COMPETING IN EMPTY STADIUMS AND ARENAS.

FANS WERE BANNED AFTER THE CAPITAL WAS PUT UNDER A STATE OF EMERGENCY BECAUSE OF RISING COVID INFECTIONS, AND THE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS DELTA VARIANT.

THAT MEANS THE OLYMPICS WILL BE A LARGELY TV ONLY EVENT.

>>> SAN DIEGANS WILL BE REPRESENTING TEAM USA AND SKATEBOARDING.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER TONYA THORNE HAS REACTION FROM SOME LOCAL SKATERS.

>> Reporter: FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME, SKATEBOARDING WILL BE A PART OF THE SUMMER GAMES.

HAYDEN, AN AVID SKATEBOARDER IN OCEANSIDE, IS EXCITED TO SEE THE SPORT HIT THE BIG LEAGUES.

>> IT'S CRAZING.

WE HAVE BEEN WANTING SKATEBOARD OLYMPICS AND SKATEBOARDING HAS BEEN A THING.

IT'S INSANE FOR US TO SEE IT ON THE BIG SCREEN.

EVERYONE'S GOING TO BE WATCHING IT.

IT WILL BE SICK.

>> Reporter: REPRESENTING TEAM USA, 23 EAGER SKATEBOARDERS READY TO HEAD TO TOKYO TO COMPETE.

EIGHT OF THEM ARE FROM SAN DIEGO.

THE THREE COMPETITORS FOR THE WOMEN'S SKATEBOARD PARK DIVISION ALL HAVE TIES TO NORTH COUNTIES.

HIS GAIT IN OCEANSIDE AND IS EXCITED TO SEE SOME LOCALS ON THE TEAM.

>> I THINK IT IS AWESOME.

KEEPING IT LOCAL IS GREAT, ESPECIALLY IN NORTH COUNTY, THAT'S GREAT.

YEAH.

>> Reporter: BRIGHTON FROM ENCINITAS WILL TURN 17, JUST IN TIME TO COMPETE IN THE OLYMPICS, AND IS THE YOUNGEST EVER X GAMES COMPETITOR.

BRYCE AND JORDAN HAVE ALSO HAVE NORTH COUNTY TIES, AND BECOME HOUSEHOLD NAMES IN THE SKATEBOARDING COMMUNITY.

>> I'M JUST EXCITED TO BE WATCHING PRICE ON TV, AT THE OLYMPICS.

4 NORTH COUNTIES GATORS ARE EXCITED TO SEE SOME OF THEIR OWN MAKE IT TO TOKYO.

>> I GOT TO MEET THEM, AND THEY ARE SO NICE.

I AM HYPED THEY ARE REPRESENTING OUR STATE AND COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: SKATEBOARDING COMPETITIONS WILL MAKE THEIR DEBUT ON JULY 25.

ALTHOUGH THE TOKYO GAMES ARE TAKING PLACE THIS YEAR, THEY WILL BE REFERRED TO AS THE 2020 OLYMPICS.

THE OPENING CEREMONY WILL BE ON JULY 23.

TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS .

>>> HEARS ANOTHER LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS RELEASED NEW DATA SHOWING SOME 140,000 RESIDENTS HAVE SKIPPED THEIR SECOND DOSES OF THE MODERNA AND PFIZER VACCINES.

WITH A HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE DELTA VARIANT SPREADING, DOCTORS WARN A SINGLE DOSE DOES NOT OFFER ENOUGH PROTECTION.

COUNTY DATA SHOWS THAT SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR, MORE THAN 99% OF COVID-19 RELATED DEATHS, HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND CASES WERE AMONG THE UNVACCINATED.

>>> GOVERNOR NEWSOM IS ASKING CALIFORNIANS TO CUT WATER USE BY 15% AMID THE WORSENING DROUGHT.

FOR NOW, IT'S A REQUEST, NOT AN ORDER.

THE DROUGHT AND CONTINUED HOT WEATHER IS RAPIDLY PRODUCING RESERVOIRS.

HE ALSO ADDED 9 COUNTIES TO THE STATES EMERGENCY DROUGHT PROCLAMATION, ALTHOUGH SAN DIEGO COUNTY WAS NOT ONE OF THEM.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING & AIR , HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING, AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

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THANK YOU.