>>> GOOD EVENING.

THIS THURSDAY, JUNE 16.

I MAYA TRABULSI.

>>> NEARLY 800 UNHOUSED PEOPLE DIED LAST YEAR IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND THAT'S ACCORDING TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER.

AS KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL SHOWS US, A VIGIL IS BEING HELD TONIGHT TO BRING ATTENTION TO THIS CRISIS.

>> Reporter: IN THE MIDST OF ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE NEIGHBORHOODS IN SAN DIEGO.

>> EVERYBODY WANTS A FAIR SHOT OF THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

>> Reporter: A CALL TO ACTION TO HELP THOSE WHO HAVE NO PERMANENT PLACE TO LIVE IN SAN DIEGO.

ESPECIALLY PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> 5% OF OUR POPULATION IN SAN DIEGO ARE BLACK.

AND YET, 24% OF OUR HOMELESS POPULATION ARE BLACK.

THAT IS NOT AN ACCIDENT.

>> Reporter: ON THE LAWN OF WATERFRONT PARK, THE SAN DIEGO EMERGENCY HOUSING ALLIANCE KICKED OFF ATTENTIVE VIGIL.

THE THIRD SUCH EVENT TO BE HELD THIS YEAR.

THE DATA SHOWING HOW MUCH OF THE HOMELESS POPULATION HERE IS BLACK COMES FROM THE MOST RECENT POINT IN TIME COUNT.

YOUSEF MILLER WITH THE EQUITY AND JUSTICE COALITION, AS WELL AS THE CALIFORNIA FOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGNS IS THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IS NOT WHAT MOST OF US MIGHT THINK.

>> IS IS A PROBLEM OF FUNDING?

I SAY NO.

IS THIS A PROBLEM OF FACILITIES?

I ALSO SAY NO.

IS THIS A PROBLEM PROCESSES?

I SAY NO.

THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM IS OUR SOUL.

THE HEART OF THE PROBLEM IS OUR COMPASSION FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS, OUR SIBLINGS ON THE STREETS.

>> Reporter: THE ORGANIZERS OF THIS 10 VIGIL SAY IS MEANT TO BE IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE NATIONAL COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION AGAINST SWEEPS, AS IN SWEEPING AWAY HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS TO BE HELD THIS WEEKEND IN WASHINGTON, DC.

THE POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN IS ALSO SAID TO HOLD ITS MORAL MARCH ON WASHINGTON AND TO THE POLLS THE SATURDAY.

THIS LINE OF TENTS PRESENTS A FEW DIFFERENT MESSAGES.

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE PERMANENT HOUSING, THIS IS THE WAY A LOT OF THEM LIVE.

AND THERE ARE MESSAGES SPELLED OUT ON THEM.

ON ONE SIDE, AND CRIMINALIZATION.

ON THE OTHER, HOUSING, NOT HANDCUFFS.

AS THE SUN SETS TONIGHT, LIGHTS WILL BE PLACED IN EACH OF THEM.

A SIGN OF HOPE, PERHAPS, THAT SOON WE MAY FINALLY BE ABLE TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

ALONG THE EMBARCADERO, JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> RECOVERY EFFORTS ARE STILL UNDERWAY IN MISSION BEACH.

LIFEGUARDS ARE STILL LOOKING FOR AN 18-YEAR-OLD HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE WHO WAS PULLED UNDER THE WATER VIA RIP CURRENTS ON TUESDAY WHILE CELEBRATING WITH FRIENDS.

THOSE TWO FRIENDS WERE RESCUED, BUT FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF WOOD LANE SACHET ARE WAITING FOR WORD AS THEY PUT TOGETHER A MEMORIAL AT THE BEACH FOR THE TEAM.

LIFEGUARDS ARE USING DIVE TEAMS AND SONAR TECHNOLOGY IN THEIR EFFORTS TO FIND HIM.

>> WE HAVE TWO SCANS ON OUR SNOW AND WHEN THAT'S CALLED THE TOTE FISH THAT'S A SUBMERSIBLE, AND IT GOES UNDER THE SURFACE AND SCANS THE BOTTOM.

WE GET OUR BEST VISUAL FROM THAT ONE.

>> CHIEF GARTLAND ADDED THERE'S NO TIMELINE AS TO HOW LONG THE RECOVERY EFFORTS WILL LAST.

>>> THE PROSPECT OF MORE SUMMERTIME BEACH CLOSURES IN THE SOUTH COUNTY HAS BEACH COMMUNITIES AND COUNTY OFFICIALS AT ODDS.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: IMPERIAL BEACH OFFICIALS ARE FACING A SUMMER CLOSE TO BEACHES AND THAT HITS THE SOUTH COUNTY COMMUNITY IN THE POCKETBOOK.

POLLUTED WATER POSTINGS ARE UP SHARPLY AT IMPERIAL BEACH IN CORONADO SINCE MAY.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THAT TESTING IS REVEALING MORE POLLUTION.

BUT IMPERIAL BEACH MAYO SURGE DID YOU KNOW ONCE YOU TALK TO COUNTY OFFICIALS ABOUT WHETHER THE NEW TEST RESULTS WERE MEAN THE WATER IS UNSAFE FOR BEACHGOERS.

SWEEPING THE COUNTY WILL DOUBT A NEW TESTING METHODOLOGY.

THEY'RE CLOSING BEACHES WHEN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO, THE TESTING SHOWS THE BEACHES ARE CLEAN.

>> Reporter: HE WANTS ADDITIONAL FACTORS LIKE OCEAN CURRENTS FIGURED IN BEFORE POLLUTION WARNING SIGNS GO UP.

HE SAYS HE'S REACHED OUT TO THE COUNTY WOULD HASN'T GOTTEN A RESPONSE.

>> WE SHOULD'VE BEEN MEETING WITH THE COUNTY WEEKS AGO WHICH WAS REQUESTED AND WE STILL HAVE NOT MET WITH THE COUNTY ABOUT HAVING THAT DISCUSSION.

FRANKLY I'VE NEVER BEEN MORE DISRESPECTED AS A CITY AND AS SOMEONE WHO DOES ENVIRONMENTAL WORK AND HAS WORKED WITH THE COUNTY FOR 35 YEARS.

I'VE NEVER SEEN THEM ATTEMPT TO AVOID HAVING STAKEHOLDERS OF THE ROOM TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

>> Reporter: COUNTY ENVIRONMENT OFFICIALS SAY THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

THEY SAY FOR THE PAST NINE YEARS, THEY HAVE BEEN PREPARING STAKEHOLDERS FOR THE NEW, FASTER WATER QUALITY TESTS.

THEY EXPECTED MORE POSITIVE POLLUTION TESTS BUT ARE SURPRISED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY BEACH CLOSURES IN THE SOUTH COUNTY.

>> THESE ARE THE ONLY BEACHES WHERE WE ARE EXPERIENCING THESE INCREASED CLOSURES.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY'S HEATHER BONOMO SAID THEY FOUND DNA FRAGMENTS AND SAMPLES INSTEAD OF THE OLD METHOD OF CULTURING SAMPLES AND SEEING WHAT GROWS IN THE LAB.

SHE SAYS SAFETY STANDARDS WERE CREATED BY STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS AND THEY WILL NOT BE CHANGED.

BONOMO SAYS THE ATTENTION SHOULD BE ON THE WATER, NOT THE TESTS.

>> THERE'S SO MUCH CONTAMINATION IN THE WATER AND WE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS ON THE ROOT CAUSE OF THIS ISSUE WHICH IS THE SEWAGE CONTAMINATION.

THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO FOCUS OUR EFFORTS.

>> Reporter: NONETHELESS, CLOSING BEACHES IS A CRUSHING BLOW TO COMMUNITIES THAT RELY ON TOURIST TRAFFIC DURING THE SUMMER.

DEENA LIKENS IT TO CLOSING MAIN STREET IN HIS TOWN.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> COVID VACCINES FOR THE YOUNGEST KIDS COULD BE GOING INTO ARMS AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN HAS MORE ON RECENT AUTHORIZATION BY THE FDA.

>> Reporter: FEDERAL REGULATORS SAY THE BENEFITS OF COVID VACCINES IN KIDS AS YOUNG AS FIVE OUTWEIGH ANY RISKS.

AS WITH ADULTS, THE DOSES ARE FOUND TO GIVE PROTECTION AGAINST SERIOUS ILLNESS AND DEATH.

>> THE DOSE IS LOWER, BUT IT'S EXACTLY THE SAME IN EVERY OTHER WAY.

>> Reporter: THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST DR. MARK SAWYER SAT ON THE FDA COMMITTEE THAT AUTHORIZED VACCINES FOR KIDS UNDER FIVE.

PENDING CDC APPROVAL, CHILDREN COULD BE RECEIVING THE DOSES AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.

SOMETHING THAT SOME PARENTS HAVE BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME FOR.

>> THERE'S A SUBSET OF PARENTS WHO CONTINUE TO BE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT COVID AND COVID EXPOSURES.

SO MUCH SO THEY HAVE ISOLATED THEIR CHILDREN FROM ALL OF THE REGULAR ACTIVITIES.

THIS VACCINE IS GOING TO PROVIDE REASSURANCE.

>> Reporter: SIDE EFFECTS AND YOUNGER KIDS ARE SIMILAR TO ADULTS, INCLUDING SORE ARMS AND FATIGUE.

RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IS GETTING READY TO ADMINISTER DOSES AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK, BUT THERE HAS BEEN HESITATION AMONG MANY PARENTS TO GET YOUNGER KIDS VACCINATED.

IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, JUST 44% OF KIDS AGES FIVE TO 11 HAVE GOTTEN THEIR SHOTS.

>> THE IMPORTANT POINTS THAT I WANT THOSE PARENTS TO THINK ABOUT AS THEY MAKE THE DECISION IS THAT ALTHOUGH COVID IS GENERALLY NOT SEVERE IN YOUNG CHILDREN, IT CAN BE SEVERE.

WE HAVE HAD DOZENS AND DOZENS OF CHILDREN HOSPITALIZED HERE AT RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

>> Reporter: SAWYER SAYS HIS THREE GRANDCHILDREN WILL GET THE VACCINE AS SOON AS IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

RIGHT NOW, HE DOESN'T SEE SCHOOLS MANDATING VACCINES BROADLY BECAUSE THEY AREN'T DESIGNED TO COMPLETELY PREVENT INFECTIONS.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> TODAY IS JANUARY 6th CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE HEARING FOCUSED ON THE PRESSURE FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP BUT ON THE VICE PRESIDENT, MIKE PENCE, TO OVERTURN THE 2020 ELECTION RESULTS.

HENCE DID NOT APPEAR ON CAPITOL HILL BUT AS KAREN KISTLER REPORTS, TWO OF HIS CLOSE LEGAL ADVISERS DID.

>> Reporter: A FORMER FEDERAL JUDGE WHO ADVISED MIKE PENCE AHEAD OF JANUARY 6th, 2021, OUTLINING A STARK SCENARIO THE COUNTRY COULD HAVE FACED IF THE FORMER VICE PRESIDENT SUCCUMBED TO PRESSURE TO FROM FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

>> TANTAMOUNT TO A REVOLUTION.

>> Reporter: IN VIDEOTAPED TESTIMONY IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING THE INSURRECTION, THE CAMPAIGN WRONGLY INSISTED THAT PENNS WAS IN HIS BOUNDS TO OVERTURN THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION DURING THE CERTIFICATION ON JANUARY 6th.

>> A REVIEW OF TEXT HISTORY AND FRANKLY JUST COMMON SENSE, ALL CONFIRMED THE VICE PRESIDENT'S FIRST INSTINCT ON THAT POINT.

THERE IS NO JUSTIFIABLE BASIS TO CONCLUDE THAT THE VICE PRESIDENT HAS THAT KIND OF AUTHORITY.

>> Reporter: WINS THIS SATRAP WAS TOLD REPEATEDLY THAT THE PLAN FOR PENCE TO OVERTURN THE ELECTION WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

MARK SHORTS THAT HE WAS CONCERNED ENOUGH THAT HE ALERTED THE SECRET SERVICE ON JANUARY 5th.

>> I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE HEAD OF THE VICE PRESIDENT SECRET SERVICE WAS AWARE THAT LIKELY, AS THESE BECAME MORE PUBLIC, THAT THE PRESIDENT WOULD LASH OUT IN SOME WAY.

>> Reporter: CHARLIE BEFORE PENNS WAS AT THE CAPITAL FOR THE CEREMONIAL ROLE, HE RELEASED AN HONOR SAYING HE WOULD NOT HONOR TRUMP'S WISHES.

PENNS AND HIS FAMILY WERE FORCED INTO HIDING WHEN THE PRO- TRUMP MOB ENTERED THE BUILDING.

IN WASHINGTON, I'M KAREN K FOR.

>>> IT'S THE LARGEST SCANDAL IN HISTORY.

MORE THAN TWO DOZEN NAVAL OFFICERS TOOK BRIBES TO DEFRAUD THE NAVY.

AS THE COURT CASES WRAP UP AFTER NEARLY A DECADE, WATCHDOGS SAY THE NAVY'S CULTURE HASN'T CHANGED.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER STEVE HAS THE REPORTER AS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: IT WAS THEY SCANDAL OF EPIC PROPORTIONS.

MALAYSIAN DEFENSE CONTRACTOR LEONARD FRANCIS USED U.S. NAVY OFFICERS TO STEER SHIPS TO HIS PORTS IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC.

GREASING THE WHEELS WITH GIFTS OF SIX WORKERS AND LAVISH PARTIES WITH SCANTILY CLAD WOMEN.

VICE ADMIRAL GREG FULLER ATTENDED AT LEAST ONE PARTY AS A SHIP'S CAPTAIN.

SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN PRESSED HIM ABOUT IT DURING A CONFIRMATION HEARING IN 2018.

>> WHAT DO YOU SAY TO WOMEN OFFICERS WITH AC THAT THIS IS THE KIND OF EVENT YOU HAVE ATTENDED?

>> SENATOR, I'VE ALWAYS HAD THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR ALL SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN.

>> Reporter: THE NAVY CLEARED HE AND OTHER OFFICERS OF WRONGDOING.

HE PLEADED GUILTY TO DEPARTING THE NAVY OF AT LEAST $35 MILLION.

THEN RAZOR IS WITH THE GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT AND SAYS THAT HUNDREDS OF OFFICERS WATCH FRANCIS LAY OUT THE LEG RED CARPET.

>> IT WAS THE WAY BUSINESS WAS DONE WITHIN THE SEVENTH FLEET AND THE LONGER IT WENT ON, THE MORE PEOPLE GOT INVOLVED IN IT AND THE MORE NORMALIZED THE BEHAVIOR BECAME.

SO WE ENDED UP WITH A MASSIVE SCANDAL THAT WE HAVE.

>> Reporter: AMONG THE NAVY OFFICIALS ON FRANCIS' PAYROLL WAS AN AGENT FOR THE NAVY'S CRIMINAL SERVICE WHO PLEADED GUILTY TO TAKING BRIBES TO KEEP FRANCIS UP-TO-DATE ON THE NAVY'S OWN INVESTIGATIONS.

STILL, SENATOR WARREN EXCHANGE IS ONE OF ONLY A HANDFUL OF TIMES THE SO-CALLED FAT LEONARD CASE HAS COME UP ON CAPITOL HILL DURING THE DECADE-LONG PROBE.

AGAIN, THEN RAZOR.

>> IT'S SHOCKING HOW LITTLE PEOPLE EVEN TODAY IN WASHINGTON REALLY EVEN KNOW ABOUT FAT LEONARD.

IT REALLY MAKES THE NEWS HERE.

>> Reporter: ONCE THE SCANDAL BROKE, THE NAVY TOOK AWAY SOME OF THE AUTHORITY OFFICERS HAVE TO DECIDE WHICH PORTS TO USE.

THOUGH THE NAVY TIGHTENED UP THE PAPERWORK, IT HASN'T TAKEN A HARD LOOK AT THE UNDERLYING CULTURE WHICH ALLOWED OFFICERS TO CONDONE THE PARTY ATMOSPHERE.

PAULINE KAREN TEACHES ETHICS AT THAT WERE COLLEGE.

>> IT'S NOT SOMETHING IN MY CIRCLES THAT THE NAVY IS TALKING A LOT ABOUT SO I'M NOT SURE WE HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS FOR NAVY CULTURE.

FRANCIS WAS ARRESTED IN SAN DIEGO IN 2013, BUT PAULINE SHANK RAN SAYS IT STILL HASN'T INCORPORATED A CASE STUDY ABOUT THE MASSIVE BRIBERY SCANDAL INTO ITS ETHICS CURRICULUM.

WE MET WHEN CAESAR LEADER SAYS TO ME, I KNOW PEOPLE WHO WERE INVOLVED.

AND I HEARD FROM OTHER SENIOR LEADERS THINGS LIKE, WELL, I HAVE A FRIEND, A GOOD FRIEND WHOSE CAREER WAS RUINED BECAUSE OF THIS.

SO I THINK THERE'S JUST A REAL -- PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: WHEN STUDENTS TALK ABOUT IN CLASS, THEY TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT SPANKS FOR DIFFERENT RANKS.

THE NOTION THAT HIGHER RANKING OFFICERS WERE TREATED DIFFERENTLY.

RON CARR, A RETIRED NAVY CAPTAIN SAYS THE CASE CAST A LONG SHADOW OVER EVERYONE WHO SERVED IN THE PACIFIC DURING THE 2000'S AND EARLY 2010.

SEE MEGAN REALLY HAS PUT MUD FOR ALL OF US WHO WERE NOT INVOLVED IN THIS BECAUSE THERE'S ALWAYS THAT ASSUMPTION THAT POTENTIALLY MAY BE WE JUST DIDN'T GET CAUGHT.

>> Reporter: CAR WAS THE LOGISTICS OFFICER ABOARD THE USS BLUE RIDGE.

IS THE FLEXION FOR THE U.S. PACIFIC FLEET, THE BLUE RIDGE WAS AT THE CENTER OF THE FEDERAL INDICTMENTS.

GIVEN THE SIZE OF THE PROBLEM, CARR IS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE FAT LEONARD CASE DIDN'T SHINE A BRIGHTER LIGHT ON NAVY CORRUPTION.

>> I THINK THE CHALLENGE IS THAT IT'S A STRUGGLE FOR SO LONG.

WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION NOW WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED NINE YEARS AGO.

>> Reporter: NEARLY A DECADE LATER, AS THE FAT LEONARD CASE DRAWS TO A CLOSE, IT'S UNCLEAR HOW MUCH THE SCANDAL HAS CHANGED NAVY CULTURE.

STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS.

>>> GAS PRICES KEEP HITTING NEW RECORD HIGHS AND SMALL BUSINESSES ARE HAVING A HARD TIME KEEPING UP.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER TONYA THORNE TAKES A CLOSER LOOK.

>> Reporter: ONE OWNS 24 HOUR VISTA.

NO MATTER WHAT THE PRICE OF THE PUB READS, HE RELIES ON HIS TRUCK TO GET HIS WORK DONE.

>> THIS TRUCK, I WILL SAY AROUND 240, $250.

>> Reporter: BEFORE GAS WAS AVERAGING $6 PER GALLON, HE SAYS HE COULD FILL UP HIS MOVING TRUCKS WITH ABOUT HALF OF WHAT HE'S PAYING NOW.

>> THAT'S REALLY THE HARD PART, RUNNING OUR BUSINESS.

WHEN YOU HAVE TO GO TO SAN DIEGO FOR A MINIMUM CALL SERVICE THAT'S THREE HOURS.

SO YOU ONLY GET PAID FOR THREE HOURS, AND SO IT'S A TWO HOUR DRIVE BACK AND FORTH.

ALL THE MONEY THAT YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO MAKE AND KIND OF STAYS WITH THE GAS PRICE AND ALSO THE EMPLOYEES.

SO IT'S NOT MUCH MONEY THAT COMES TO THE OWNERS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE HASN'T RAISED HIS PRICES BECAUSE HE KNOWS HIS CLIENTS ARE ALSO DEALING WITH HIS ECONOMY, AND HIGHER RATES COULD SCARE BUSINESS AWAY.

WHAT WHERE HE HAS SEEN AN INCREASE IN BUSINESS, OUR OUT- OF-STATE MOVES.

>> MORE PEOPLE ARE MOVING OUT OF CALIFORNIA THE PEOPLE MOVING INTO THEY SAY THEY ARE LEAVING BECAUSE OF THE HIGH PRICE OF LIVING IN SAN DIEGO.

IS NOT AFFORDABLE.

SOME PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD ANY MORE TO LIVE HERE.

>> Reporter: FERNANDEZ OWNS LANDSCAPE AND MAINTENANCE.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ].

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE WANTS TO RAISES RATES IN ORDER TO KEEP UP WITH THE PRICE OF GAS.

BUT HE NOTICES CLIENTS THEN THINK TWICE ABOUT HIRING HIM OR LOOK FOR CHEAPER SERVICE.

>> NONINVESTMENT MORNING # >> Reporter: HE SAYS NEW CLIENTS CALL HIM BUT IF THE DISTANCE IS TOO FAR, HE HAS TO CHARGE YOUR OR SOMETIMES HE TURNS THE JOB DOWN BECAUSE THERE IS NO PROFIT AFTER HAVING TO FILL UP.

ASIDE FROM HIS WORK TRUCKS, HIS MACHINERY ALSO RUNS ON GAS.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ].

>> Reporter: AS MUCH AS HE WOULD LIKE TO SWITCH HIS EQUIPMENT TO A LETTER, THEY ARE TOO EXPENSIVE.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ].

>> Reporter: YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS DOING ABOUT LOWERING PRICES BECAUSE THE SITUATIONS ISN'T GETTING ANY BETTER.

BLANCA PEREZ IS A HOUSECLEANER.

SHE SAYS SHE FEELS LUCKY THAT SHE HAS ENOUGH WORK FOR THE WEEK.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ].

REBECCA BUT HER COST FOR GAS HAS DOUBLED AND HER INCOME HAS STAYED THE SAME.

SHE SAYS SOME CLIENTS HAVE BEEN OKAY WITH SMALL RATE INCREASES.

BUT OTHERS HAVE CANCELED THEIR CLEANING SERVICES.

>> SHE SAYS SHE ALSO LOST BUSINESS TO CLIENTS MOVING OUT OF STATE.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: PEREZ SAYS SHE'S CONSIDERING GETTING A SECOND JOB IN ORDER TO KEEP UP THEIR EXPENSES.

SHE HOPES THE GOVERNOR IS WORKING ON LOWERING GAS PRICES AND THE COST OF LIVING BECAUSE SHE THINKS THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS HURTING THE LOWER AND MIDDLE CLASSES THE MOST.

TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

SIR MET WITH THE OFFICIAL START OF SUMMER DAYS AWAY, SCIENTISTS SAY A MEGA DROUGHT ACROSS THE WESTERN U.S. COULD GET EVEN WORSE.

SOME FARMERS ALREADY HAVE HAD THEIR WATER SOURCES CUT OFF AS THE DRUG FUELS DEVASTATING WILDFIRES.

MICHAEL VALERIO EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: AS SCARCE WATER SHOWERS SHADES OF GOLD ACROSS BROWNING FIELDS, THE PREDICTIONS ARE DIRE.

>> IT'S SCARY TO THINK THAT WE MAY NOT FAILED TO DO THIS BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE WATER TO DO IT.

>> Reporter: RICHARD IS A FOURTH-GENERATION FARMER IN HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA.

HIS FIELD, FARM AND FAMILY ARE FACING THE U.S. MEGA DROUGHT WHICH SCIENTISTS SAY IS THE WORST WESTERN DRY SPELL IN 1200 YEARS.

MORE THAN 90% OF THE WEST IS IN A DRUG.

AND BIANCHI'S MOST RELIABLE WATER SOURCE IS NOW SHUT OFF.

SO TO BE CLEAR, RICHARD, YOU'RE GETTING NO WATER, ZERO PERCENT WATER FROM YOUR SOURCE.

>> CORRECT.

>> Reporter: HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THAT TO SOMEBODY OUTSIDE OF HOLLISTER?

>> IT'S LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF GROUND THAT WE CAN FORM.

IT'S LIMITING THE AMOUNT OF THE INTENSITY THAT WE CAN FORM.

>> Reporter: BEYOND SHE HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO PUMP LOW-QUALITY GROUNDWATER INTO HIS FIELDS AND HE'S NOT SURE HOW LONG THAT WILL LAST.

LESS WATER LIMITS OF THE COPS HE CAN GROW AND IT TELLS US THAT REDUCES OUR CHOICES OF THE GROCERY STORE.

ECONOMISTS SAY LESS SUPPLY PUSHES PRICES EVEN HIGHER.

MORE PAIN ON TOP OF SKY HIGH INFLATION.

THE DROUGHT LEAVES THE FIELDS FOLLOW AND SCIENTISTS SAY FUELS HISTORIC INFERNOS.

DRIVERS ALL AROUND US TO LONGER MORE SEVERE WILDFIRE SEASONS.

IN FACT, THE FIRES IN NEW MEXICO STARTED MUCH EARLIER THIS YEAR THAN IN YEARS PAST AND RIGHT NOW, IT'S ONLY SPRING.

FEDERAL OFFICIALS TELL US THE NIGHTMARE IS ALREADY HERE.

UP TO THREE QUARTERS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA'S FARMING FIELDS COULD STAY FOLLOW, GROWING NOTHING THIS SUMMER.

FOR BIANCHI, WHETHER THERE'S A FUTURE FOR A FIFTH GENERATION OF HIS FAMILY 'S FARMERS IS NOW IN DOUBT.

>> WILL HAVE WATER IN TWO, THREE YEARS OUT OF OUR AQUAPHOR ?

NOBODY CAN SAY THAT.

>> Reporter: IN HOLLISTER, CALIFORNIA, I MIKE VALERIO REPORTING.

>>> WE HAVE HAD SOME WARMER DAYS THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS, BUT NO COOLING WILL START TO SPREAD.

WE HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED THAT RIGHT ALONG THE COAST AND THAT WILL WORK ITS WAY FURTHER INLAND FOR YOUR FRIDAY AND/OR SATURDAY.

THEN WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS APPROACHING LOW-PRESSURE SYSTEM.

THIS TROUGH THAT WILL ALSO BRING STRONG AND GUSTY SOUTHWEST TO WEST WINDS ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS AND THE DESERTS ARE THEN IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR WARMTH ONCE AGAIN, THE WARMER TEMPERATURES ARRIVING BACK FOR YOUR SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

BUT WE WILL ALSO DEAL WITH THE THICKENING MARINE LAYER SO THAT MEANS LOW CLOUDS ONCE AGAIN FOR TONIGHT.

HOLDING TEMPERATURE STEADILY INTO THE LOWER 60s.

MORE INTERIOR OR YOU WON'T SEE SOME OF THOSE CLOUDS RAMONA FALLING BACK TO THE 50s.

ESCONDIDO 58.

MOUNT LAGUNA 64.

CAMPO 52.

BORREGO SPRINGS FALLING BACK TO AROUND 74.

LET'S TALK FRIDAY.

WE WILL SEE SOME MOISTURE START TO DEVELOP PEER WHICH IS SOME GOOD NEWS FOR THE WILDFIRE SITUATIONS WHEN IT COMES TO THAT BUT BAD WHEN IT COMES TO BURN SCARS BECAUSE I COULD EASILY CAUSE SOME MORE DAMAGE AS WELL.

THAT'S SOMETHING TO WATCH YOUR FROM GRAND JUNCTION DOWN TO ALBUQUERQUE HE.

ACROSS THE GREAT BASIN, I MENTIONED THAT COOLING WITH THE TROUGH WORKING ITS WAY ON SHORE.

SO HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE FIVE TO 15 DEGREES LOWER THAN WHAT THEY WERE FOR TODAY.

HERE'S THAT THICK CLOUD COVERAGE, THE MARINE LAYER WE WILL BE DEALING WITH A GOOD DEAL OF THE DAY FOR SAN DIEGO, CHULA VISTA, OCEANSIDE AS WELL.

EVENTUALLY SOME OF THOSE CLOUDS WILL WORK THEIR WAY FURTHER INLAND.

SO YOU WILL START TO SEE SOME INCREASING CLOUD COVERAGE.

RAMONA GETTING 281.

EL CAJON 78.

IT'S MUCH COOLER FOR THE WEEKEND.

MORE OF YOU STARTING TO EXPERIENCE THAT WHEREAS ACROSS THE DESERT SOUTHWEST, IT REMAINS SEASONABLY HOT.

YOU SEE THE WARMING TREND KICK BACK INTO GEAR ALONG THE COAST STARTING ON SUNDAY.

SAME FOR THE INLAND AREAS.

YOU WILL SEE IT RAMPING UP BY SUNDAY AS WELL BUT BACK TO THE UPPER 80s BY TUESDAY.

FURTHER INLAND YOU GO AND EVEN FOR THE MOUNTAINS YOU WILL SEE 70s BY THE TIME WE GET TO MONDAY.

AS FOR THE DESERT, YOU GET A BIT OF A BREAK FROM THE TRIPLE DIGITS, IF ANYTHING ON SATURDAY AND BACK TO TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT BY THE TIME HE WRAP UP THE WEEKEND ON SUNDAY.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M METEOROLOGIST MICHELLE ROTELLA.

>>> CHULA VISTA REMOVED THE CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS STATUE FROM DISCOVERY PARK AND NOW IS LOOKING TO GET RID OF IT FOR GOOD.

A TASK FORCE IS SEEKING STATEMENTS OF INTEREST TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF THE STATUTE TO ANY MUSEUM, HISTORICAL SOCIETY OR EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION.

SUBMISSIONS MUST DETAIL WHERE IT WOULD BE DISPLAYED AND WHAT HISTORICAL INFORMATION WOULD BE INCLUDED.

THE TASK FORCE WILL REVIEW ALL SUBMISSIONS AND MAY INVITE APPLICANTS TO INTERVIEW AT A PUBLIC MEETING.

THE CITY COUNCIL WILL HAVE THE FINAL SAY ON WHERE THE STATUTE WILL END UP.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO GALLERY IS FEATURING AND SELLING ART MADE BY UKRAINIANS IN AN EFFORT TO HELP FAMILIES WHO ARE STILL THERE IN THE MIDST OF A WAR.

KPBS REPORTER KITTY ALVARADO VISITED THE EXHIBIT THAT WE HAVE A WARNING, THE IMAGES YOU WILL SEE IN THIS STORY INCLUDE GRAPHIC AND VIOLENT DEPICTIONS OF WAR.

>> Reporter: RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE AND THE HORRORS OF WAR ARE ON FULL DISPLAY INSIDE THE BREAD AND SALT ART GALLERY IN BARRIO LOGAN.

EVERY PIECE OF ART WAS MADE BY ARTISTS IN UKRAINE DURING THE DARKEST TIME IN THEIR LIVES.

THE PAIN EVIDENT IN EVERY INCH OF CANVAS, PAPER AND SCREEN.

PAIN THAT EUGENIA BRODSKY, THE CURATOR, SAYS MUST BE SEEN AND HEARD.

>> SILENCE IS ALSO VIOLENCE.

SO ALL OF US, ALL OF THE UKRAINIANS START TO BE VERY LOUD.

ALL OF THIS IS LIKE A SCREEN.

SHE SAYS THAT SCREAM INCLUDES A CRY FOR HELP.

>> THE WAR CAN BE LIKE SILENT.

YOU CAN'T JUST HAVE A COMFORTABLE LIFE AND NOT SEE WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE WAR BECAUSE SOMETHING IN THIS SYSTEM BROKE.

MET THE ART, LIKE THE SCREAM, IS ALSO PURPOSEFUL AND CATHARTIC.

A RELEASE FOR UKRAINE'S MOST CREATIVE TO SHOW THE WORLD WHAT THEY HAVE SEEN, WHETHER PEOPLE HAVE ENDURED, AND ARE STILL LIVING THROUGH.

JENNY PRISCO SAYS SEEING THIS ART IS EMOTIONAL.

>> IT'S SO REAL THAT I IMMEDIATELY FELT THE PAIN OF THE PAINTERS AND OF THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE.

IT COMES RIGHT OUT AT YOU IN THE PAINTINGS.

THEY ARE STARK AND THEY DEPICT THE ABJECT PAIN THAT THEY ARE FEELING.

WHETHER THEY BE IN SHELTERS WHETHER THEY ARE RUNNING FROM BOMBS.

WHETHER THEY ARE LIVING AFRAID OF THE RUSSIAN INVASION.

THESE ARE VERY, VERY REAL.

>> Reporter: THE EXHIBIT IS A SALE WITH ALL PROFITS GOING TO 25 PRESCREENED FAMILIES WHO ARE STILL IN UKRAINE AND IN DESPERATE NEED OF HELP.

>> VERY OFTEN THE FUNDS ARE NOT FUNNELED WHERE THEY SHOULD BE IN THE FACT THAT 100% IS GOING TO A UKRAINIAN FAMILY, I'M DELIGHTED.

>> Reporter: BRODSKY AND HER FAMILY CAME TO SAN DIEGO AFTER BEING STUCK ABROAD WHILE ON VACATION.

SHE MAY BE MORE THAN 6000 MILES AWAY, BUT SHE SAYS SHE FEELS THE HEART ACHE OF HER PEOPLE AND HAD TO DO SOMETHING TO RAISE AWARENESS AND FUNDS.

SHE HOPES OTHERS ARE MOVED TO HELP TOO.

>> WHAT IS YOUR MISSION IN THIS LIKELY TO HELP SOMEONE OR CAN YOU FEEL THIS LOVE?

>> Reporter: THE EXHIBIT ENDS FRIDAY.

KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO ZOO IS WELCOMING A NEW ADDITION.

SO TAKE A LOOK.

THIS AARDVARK CUB IS THE FIRST TO BE BORN AT THE ZOO IN MORE THAN 35 YEARS.

THE FEMALE CUB WHO DOESN'T HAVE A NAME YET AND HER MOTHER ZOLA WON'T BE ON EXHIBIT FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS WHILE THE BOND.

NATIVE TO SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA, THE AARDVARK IS MOSTLY NOCTURNAL, SPENDING THE DAY IN THEIR BURROWS.

AN ADULT AARDVARK MAY EAT UP TO 50,000 INSECTS IN A SINGLE EVENING.

HOW ABOUT THAT?

SO CUTE.

>>> YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON HER WEBSITE.

KPBS.ORG.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

GOOD NIGHT.