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

CALL 800-BILL-HOWE.

>> AND BY THE CONRAD FOUNDATION.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU, THANK YOU.

>> IT IS THURSDAY, JUNE 19TH.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

WE START WITH BREAKING KNOWS IN EAST COUNTY WHERE A NEW WILDFIRE IS BURNING.

THERE IS A FIRE THAT STARTED JUST AFTER 2:30 P.M. TODAY IN AN AREA AT LAKE JENNINGS PARK ROAD.

THIS IS VIDEO FROM CAL FIRE A SHORT TIME AGO.

THEY SAID THE SIZE IS 51 ACRES AND CONTAINMENT IS AT 5% WITH A FORWARD PROGRESS.

IT HAS BEEN STOPPED.

THE WALMART NEAR INTERSTATE EIGHT IS THE DESIGNATED EVACUATION SITE.

THE FIRE IS BURNING NOT FAR FROM THE MONTE FIRE WHICH IS ALSO AT LAKESIDE.

THE LATEST UPDATE FROM CAL FIRE SHOWS MORE THAN 1000 ACRES HAVE BURNED.

CONTAINMENT IS AT 25%.

EVACUATION ORDERS ARE IN EFFECT FOR NEARBY AREAS.

THERE ARE NO REPORTS OF DAMAGE TO STRUCTURES.

>>> TODAY, THE JUNETEENTH FLAG WAS FLOWN FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE SAN DIEGO BLACK ARTS AND CULTURE DISTRICT.

ORGANIZERS TELL KPBS REPORTERS THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE.

>> THE JUNETEENTH FLAG, WITH ITS RED, WHITE AND BLUE AND THE BURSTING STAR REPRESENTING TEXAS AND THE FREEDOM OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS AT ALL 50 DATES HAS FLOWN OVER SAN DIEGO CITY HALL, THE COUNTY BUILDING AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

IT IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS FLOWN HERE AT THE NATIONAL BLACK CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION BUILDING AT THE START OF THE BLOCK ARTS AND CULTURE DISTRICT.

>> IT MAKES ME FEEL PROUD.

LIKE I'M PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER THAN MYSELF.

>> FULL COLEMAN IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE CLUB, BASED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DISTRICT.

THIS SPACE IS A FIRST OF ITS KIND TO OPEN SINCE THE DISTRICT WAS FORMED IN 2022.

>> FOR US TO ALSO BE ABLE TO SHOWCASE AND HIGHLIGHT WHY JUNETEENTH IS IMPORTANT TO THE COMMUNITY AND SHARE THAT WITH OTHER MEMBERS FROM COMMUNITIES THAT SURROUND US, WE ARE ECSTATIC FOR THAT TO HAPPEN AND WE THINK THAT IT IS A POINT THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO REFLECT ON FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

>> ORGANIZERS SAY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE FLIGHT TO BE FLOWN HERE AT THE MIDDLE OF THE BLACK ARTS AND CULTURE DISTRICT BECAUSE IT CELEBRATES COMMUNITY ACHIEVEMENTS.

>> WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE.

WE ALSO MUST LEAN IN.

WE MUST LEAN AND ON THE REALITIES.

AND THE REALITY ON WHICH OUR GREAT NATION WAS FOUND.

AND THAT WAS SLAVERY.

>> LET'S BE CLEAR.

WE BUILT THIS NATION.

>> COUNCILMEMBER HENRY FOSTER SAID THE STRUGGLE IS NOT OVER AS HE FIGHTS TO KEEP LIBRARIES AND PARKS OPEN IN THE DISTRICT, REFERRING TO THE CURRENT BUDGET FIGHT AT CITY HALL.

SHANE HARRIS WAS AN ASSOCIATION OF JUSTICE ADVOCATE AND HELPED ORGANIZE THE EVENT.

HE SAID HE WANTED TO BRING THE JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION BACK HOME.

>> EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN ALL OF THAT, IT SHOULD BE RAISED EVERY SINGLE YEAR WITH A CEREMONY THAT LAUNCHES JUNETEENTH STRAIGHT OUT OF THE CITY'S BLACKROOTS AND CULTURE DISTRICT.

>> COLEMAN SAID THE EVENT INSPIRES HIM TO WORK HARDER TO IMPROVE THE DISTRICT.

>> IT INSPIRES ME TO KEEP GOING AND WORK HARDER.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE DOING JUST AS MUCH WORK, IF NOT MORE.

>> KPBS NEWS.

>> TODAY IS AN IMPORTANT DAY FOR AMERICAN HISTORY.

COMING UP, WE WILL HAVE MORE ON THE BLACK EXPERIENCE IN AMERICA.

OUR ARTS REPORTER WILL TELL US ABOUT THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD QUILTS THAT CAN BE SEEN THIS WEEKEND AT BALBOA PARK.

>> IT HAS BEEN NICE.

WE ARE TRENDING THE NUMBERS DOWN IN THE DAYS TO COME WHICH MEANS WE ARE EASING OUT OF THE HEAT.

AND WE WILL FIND THE TEMPERATURES BELOW HISTORICAL AVERAGES.

TONIGHT IS A QUIET NIGHT.

TYPICAL FOR US.

63 IS THE LOW.

I WILL TELL YOU WHERE THE WIND HAS IMPACT AS NUMBERS COME DOWN RIGHT INTO THE WEEKEND.

THE FORECAST AHEAD.

>>> THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD RELEASED A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION REPORT INTO LAST MONTH'S FATAL PLANE CRASH IN SAN DIEGO.

KPBS SAYS THE REPORT REVEALS NEW INFORMATION ABOUT MALFUNCTIONING AIRPORT EQUIPMENT.

>> THIS CESSNA JET CRASHED EARLY IN THE MORNING MAY 22nd AS IT APPROACHED THE MONTGOMERY GIBBS EXECUTIVE AIRPORT, KILLING ALL SIX PEOPLE ON BOARD.

THE PLANE CAUSED DAMAGE TO MILITARY HOUSING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE NTSB'S PRELIMINARY REPORT SAID THE PLANE APPROACHED THE AIRPORT BELOW THE REQUIRED ALTITUDE AND STRUCK A POWER LINE.

>> THEY NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN THAT LOW.

>> THIS MAN IS A LOCAL RETIRED PILOT WITH DECADES OF FLYING EXPERIENCE.

>> I DON'T THINK THEY COULD HAVE FOUND THE GLIDE SCOPE WHICH GIVES YOU GUIDANCE GOING DOWN FOR THE DISSENT.

>> KPBS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED THE AIRPORT'S WEATHER OBSERVATION SYSTEM AND RUNWAY LIGHTS ARE OUT OF SERVICE AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH.

THE NTSB REPORT SAID THEY HAD BEEN OUT OF SERVICE SINCE 2022.

THEY SAY INVESTIGATORS WILL LIKELY LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF FATIGUE ON THE PILOT'S DECISION- MAKING.

THE CRASH HAPPENED BETWEEN 3:00 AND 4:00 A.M. >> THE BIG THING WILL BE, WAS THERE AN ISSUE OF EXHAUSTION?

THAT SEEMS TO BE ONE OF THE PRIME SUSPECTS IN THIS CASE.

>> U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY SEAN DUFFY TALKED ABOUT THE CRASH DURING HIS VISIT TO SAN DIEGO TODAY.

>> IN THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION BEFORE THE FINAL REPORT COMES OUT, IF THERE IS A CONCERN FOR SAFETY, WE WORK WITH THE NTSB AND WE WILL TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION.

>> THE NTSB INVESTIGATION INTO THE CRASH REMAINS ONGOING.

SCOTT ROHDE, KPBS NEWS.

>> U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY SEAN DUFFY TOOK A TOUR OF AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER AT SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO SEE THE CONDITION AT THE FACILITY.

OUR KPBS REPORTER SAID THE SECRETARY BELIEVES FUNDING FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP'S "ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL WILL" IS KEY TO IMPROVING THE OUTDATED TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM.

>> AFTER A PRIVATE TOUR INSIDE OF A SAN DIEGO TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER, THE U.S. TRANSPORTATION THE GREAT TERRY SEAN DUFFY SPOKE TO MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA, URGING CONGRESS TO PASS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S "ONE BIG YOU TO FULL BILL" ACT.

>> THERE IS ONE AREA BROKEN.

>> INCLUDED IN THE BILL ARE TAX CUTS, MEDICAID CUTS AND GREEN ENERGY CUTS AMONG OTHER CHANGES.

ANOTHER KEY COMPONENT IS THE $12.5 BILLION INVESTMENT IN UPGRADING THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION'S AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM.

IT FOLLOWS SEVERAL HIGH-PROFILE PLANE CRASHES ACROSS THE COUNTRY THIS YEAR.

THEY SAY THE SAN DIEGO OUTDATED TOWER IS NOT A STANDALONE CASE.

>> THIS IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN AMERICA ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT IS LONG OVERDUE THAT WE PUT THE MONEY, PUT THE RESOURCES INTO FIXING THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM.

>> DUFFY SAID THE UPGRADE WOULD HELP TOLKIEN INDICATIONS FROM COPPER WIRES TO FIBER AND PROVIDE FUNDS FOR NEW RADIOS, VOICE SWITCHES, RADAR TECHNOLOGY AND SOME TOWER UPGRADES.

>> IT IS A CRITICAL NEED FOR US.

THE CHALLENGES FACING OUR NATION'S AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM DID NOT ARISE OVERNIGHT.

BUT THEY ARE HERE TODAY.

>> ALL HOUSE DEMOCRATS UNANIMOUSLY OPPOSED THE BILL.

IN A MAY PRESS RELEASE, LOCAL DISTRICT 49 CONGRESSMAN MIKE LEVEN SAID THAT THE BILL WOULD RIP HEALTHCARE FROM 14 MILLION AMERICANS BY CUTTING MEDICAID AND THAT IT WOULD TAKE FOOD ASSISTANCE AWAY FROM 10 MILLION AMERICANS AS WELL.

HE SAID IT WOULD ALSO DRIVE UP ENERGY BILLS WERE NEARLY 80 MILLION MORE AMERICANS.

CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS ARE HOPING TO HAVE THE BILL TO PRESIDENT TRUMP'S DEATH BY JULY 4th.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> DODGER STADIUM BECAME A FOCUS TODAY FOR THE UNREST IN LOS ANGELES OVER I.C.E.

RAIDS YOUR PROTESTERS SHOWED UP WHEN FEDERAL AGENTS RESPONDED OUTSIDE THE STADIUM.

THE DODGERS LATER PUT OUT A STATEMENT SAYING THAT THE TEAM DENIED A REQUEST FROM I.C.E.

TO ACCESS ITS PARKING LOT.

FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ARRESTS WERE CARRIED OUT IN SEVERAL LA LOCATIONS TODAY.

THE DODGERS SAY TONIGHT'S GAME AGAINST THE SAN DIEGO PADRES WILL GO ON AS SCHEDULED.

>>> IT HAS BEEN A WEEK SINCE CALIFORNIA SENATOR ALEX PADILLA WAS FORCIBLY REMOVED FROM A DHS PRESS CONFERENCE.

NOW THE AGENCY IS TAKING MORE STEPS TO RESTRICT ACCESS TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

NEW GUIDANCE TELLS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO GIVE 72 HOURS NOTICE IF THEY WANT TO VISIT THE I.C.E.

DETENTION CENTER.

IN RECENT WEEKS, SEVERAL LAWMAKERS TRIED TO CHECK ON DETAINEES AND CONDITIONS INSIDE FACILITIES, ONLY TO BE TURNED AWAY.

CURRENTLY, LAW DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY NOTICE FROM A NUMBER OF CONGRESS.

>>> FINANCIAL PRIVACY ADVOCATES ARE WORRIED ABOUT A NEW TAX BURIED IN PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BUDGET BILL.

IT TARGETS PEOPLE THAT SEND MONEY TO FRIENDS OR FAMILY ABROAD.

ONE KPBS REPORTER SAID PEOPLE CAN AVOID THIS TAX AS A COST TO THE PRIVACY.

>> EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION UNVEILED A FEDERAL REGULATION THAT WOULD HAVE TRIED THE NAMES AND ADDRESSES THE OF PEOPLE THAT LIVE ALONG THE BORDER AND SENT MORE THAN $200 FOR FRIENDS OF FAMILY OUTSIDE THE U.S.

THIS MAN IS WITH THE CATO INSTITUTE AND SAID THE REGULATION WAS STRUCK DOWN IN COURT.

>> THE LATEST PIECE OF THIS IS THAT THE COURTS HAVE STOPPED THE SURVEILLANCE FROM TAKING PLACE INSTEAD OF THE REMITTANCES.

>> IT IS CONSIDERED A WIN.

>> IT IS SOMETHING NICE TO SEE.

THE JUDGE SPECIFICALLY SAID THAT IT OVERREACHES AND THAT IT IS UNREASONABLE.

EVEN GOING SO FAR AS TO SAY THAT IT LIKELY VIOLATES THE FOURTH AMENDMENT.

>> NOW, ANTHONY IS WORRIED ABOUT ANOTHER ATTEMPT BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO USE FINANCIAL REGULATIONS TO INCREASE SURVEILLANCE ON IMMIGRANTS.

>> THEY ARE STILL TARGETING THE MONEY THAT PEOPLE SENT TO THEIR HOME COUNTRIES KNOWN AS REMITTANCES.

THIS TIME IT IS A 3.5% TAX ON REMITTANCES, BURIED INSIDE PRESIDENT TRUMP'S BIG BEAUTIFUL BUDGET BILL.

>> THEY CREATED AN EXCEPTION SAYING THAT IF YOU ARE AN AMERICAN, YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY THE TAX.

JUST PROVE YOU ARE AN AMERICAN.

>> ANTHONY SAID THAT EXCEPTION IS A WAY FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO COLLECT THE PRIVATE INFORMATION OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO PAY THE TAX.

>> THIS CREATES A WHOLE NEW LAYER OF PROBLEMS WHERE IT KIND OF SEEMS MORE LIKE A DATABASE FOR COLLECTING INFORMATION AND IDENTIFYING US AND IDENTIFYING PEOPLE WHO HAVE RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS THE BORDER.

>> THE BUDGET BILL PASSED THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ALONG PARTISAN LINES INMATE.

IT IS CURRENTLY BEING DELIBERATED IN THE SENATE.

KPBS NEWS.

>> I'M JEFF BENNETT.

TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, PRESIDENT TRUMP PROMISES TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT DIRECT U.S. INVOLVEMENT IN IRAN WITHIN TWO WEEKS.

THAT IS AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING ADDITION ON KPBS.

.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS GIVING DETAILS ABOUT A RECENT IN CUSTODY DEATH.

THE WOMAN WAS FOUND UNRESPONSIVE IN HER JAIL CELL AT THE DETENTION FACILITY LAST WEEK.

TODAY, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IDENTIFIED HER AS LINDA BAGBY, A 53-YEAR-OLD RESIDENT TO ALCOHOL.

A SHIRTS OFFICE SAID THAT BAGBY HAD TO BE IN JAIL SINCE JANUARY.

THE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER IS WORKING TO DETERMINE HER CAUSE OF DEATH.

>>> A NEW COVID VARIANT IS SHOWING UP IN CALIFORNIA.

IT IS CALLED THE NIMBUS VARIANT.

PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO CALL IT RAZOR BLADE SENGéN BECAUSE OF THE PAIN IT CAUSES IN THEIR THROATS.

RIGHT NOW, THE STATE HEALTH DATA TRACKER HAS THIS AS THE MOST COMMON VARIANT BUT ALSO THE FASTEST GROWING.

OUR MEDIA PARTNER SPOKE WITH THE DOCTOR WHO SAID THE NUMBER OF CASES LOCALLY IS PRETTY SMALL BUT PEOPLE WHO ARE HIGH RISK SHOULD BE CAREFUL.

>> THIS PARTICULAR VARIANT, EVEN THOUGH IT IS RELATIVELY MILD, IT IS VERY INFECTIOUS.

>> COVID HAS BECOME THE COMMON FLU OR OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES .

IT IS PART OF LIFE.

AND JUST LIKE THE FLU, THERE WILL BE NASTY STRAINS AND SOMETIMES MILD.

YOU JUST HAVE TO BE CAREFUL.

>> DOCTORS SAY THE CURRENT VACCINES ARE EFFECTIVE AGAINST THE STRAIN.

HE ADVISES PEOPLE TO CONSIDER GETTING ONE THIS SUMMER BECAUSE WE TYPICALLY SEE COVID PEAK IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER.

>>> WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR IT.

A COOL DOWN.

AND WE ARE GETTING JUST THAT.

A COOLDOWN IN A MASSIVE WAY AS THEY GO INTO THE WEEKEND.

SATURDAY, WE HAVE TEMPERATURES WELL BELOW THE HISTORICAL AVERAGE BY ABOUT 10 DEGREES AND MANY SPOTS.

AND WITH THE COOLDOWN, YOU HAVE TO CHANGE SOMETHING.

THE ONSHORE FLOW COMING IN.

THE MARINE LAYER IS PERSISTENT AND STRONG AND IT ALSO MEANS THAT WE WILL HAVE SOME GUSTY TIMES THROUGHOUT THE MOUNTAINS AND THE DESERT COMMUNITIES.

WHILE IT IS AN ONSHORE FLOW WITH MORE HUMIDITY, FIRE DANGER COULD BE AGITATED ACROSS THE AREA SO THAT WILL BE UP IN SOME AREAS BECAUSE OF THE ONSHORE FLOW.

THANKFULLY, IT IS AN ONSHORE FLOW.

TONIGHT, 63 IS THE LOW IN THE CITY.

AS WE HEAD THROUGH FRIDAY, THERE IS A WHOLE STORM PATTERN PUSHING INTO THE WESTERN U.S.

IT IS DRIVING THE COOL AIR IN.

IT IS NOT JUST OUR AREA EXPERIENCING IT.

BUT A WIDESCALE HERE FOR NOT ONLY CALIFORNIA BUT ALSO INTO OREGON AND WASHINGTON AS WELL.

FOR US, WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

IT MEANS 70 IS THE HIGH THROUGHOUT THE CITY TOMORROW WHICH MEANS WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE FOR THE DAY ESCONDIDO, 79.

THE NUMBERS DO STAY PERSISTENT TOWARD THE COAST AS WE KEEP THE EXTRA CLOUDS INTO SATURDAY.

NUMBERS IN THE MID-70S.

WORKING OUR WAY TO THE INLAND COMMUNITIES, WE GO OFF INTO THE MID-70S FOR HIGHS STILL, DEALING WITH MORNING CLOUDS FADING AWAY TO SOME AFTERNOON SUNSHINE.

MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES, IT IS BRIGHT BUT COOL.

LOOK AT SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

ALL HANGING OUT IN THE MID-60s.

THAT IS A COOL TREND FOR WE WARM-UP LATER NEXT WEEK.

FOR THE DESERT COMMUNITIES, IT MEANS WE FALL OUT OF THE TRIPLE DIGITS.

WE ARE IN THE MID-90S.

SO SOME POOR COMFORT GOING INTO THE WEEKEND.

FOR KPBS NEWS,.

>>> TODAY IS JUNETEENTH, MARKING THE DATE IN 1865, WHEN THE LAST ENSLAVED PEOPLE IN TEXAS WERE FREED.

THE SAN DIEGO CULTURAL CENTER CELEBRATE WITH EVENTS LIKE A HARRIET TUBMAN WALK AND QUILT MAKING.

OUR ARTS REPORTER HAS MORE.

>> THE WORLD CULTURAL FOUNDER LAUNCHED THE THREADS OF FREEDOM PROGRAM LAST JUNETEENTH.

IT USES QUILTS TO TEACH AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

>> SO MUCH FUN.

TONS OF SEWING MACHINES AND KIDS LEARNING THIS.

WE WERE SO BLESSED WITH KIM TEACHING THE KIDS.

>> LAST YEAR, I VOLUNTEERED BUT I ALSO HELPED WITH THE CREATION OF THE COMMUNITY QUILT.

THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF THREADS OF FREEDOM.

>> KIM VALENTINE LANE IS THE DIRECTOR OF THREADS OF FREEDOM.

SHE IS A QUILTER THAT LOVES DISCUSSING THE ART, CRAFT AND HISTORY OF QUILT MAKING.

>> YOU CAN SEE THE VARIATIONS OF COLORS.

QUILTS WERE MADE FROM SCRATCH.

AFRICAN-AMERICANS MADE QUILTS FROM COTTON SACKS AND FLOUR SATS AND OLD CLOTHES.

>> ALSO HANDSTITCHED.

THAT IS HOW MY MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER AND THOSE BEFORE HER MADE THE QUOTES.

>> THREADS OF FREEDOM STRIVES TO CONNECT THE PAST AND THE PRESENT.

>> MANY OF US SAW OUR GRANDMOTHERS OR GREAT- GRANDMOTHERS MAKING THE QUILTS.

AND WE FELT SO SPECIAL AND LOVED BECAUSE IT IS SOMETHING FROM THEIR HOME.

>> THAT IS WHY THEY ENCOURAGED CHEATHAM TO BRING IN THE FAMILY HEIRLOOM.

>> I SAID TO BRING THE QUILT OUT.

>> WE WANT EVERYBODY TO COME OUT AND LEARN HOW TO MAKE THESE AGAIN.

>> AND THE DESIGNS THEMSELVES TELL STORIES.

LANE POINTS TO A QUILT SHE MADE.

>> THIS IS AN UNDERGROUND RAILROAD SAMPLER QUILT.

>> SHE REFERS TO THE PATTERN SQUARES AS CODES FOR THOSE USING THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.

>> EACH BLOCK IS A CODE TO RELAY TO THE SLAVES THAT WERE IN THEIR JOURNEY.

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT.

IT WAS TAKING A JOURNEY FROM SLAVERY TO FREEDOM.

AND IN TAKING THAT JOURNEY, QUILT BLOCKS WERE THE ROADMAPS.

>> I MADE THIS QUILT.

THIS IS A HISTORY BOOK THAT YOU CAN BREAK DOWN BY THE COLOR OR THE FABRIC.

YOU CAN BREAK IT DOWN BY THE DESIGN .

>> WHILE THE QUILTS AND THE EXHIBIT REFLECT A DEEP CONNECTION TO BLACK HISTORY, SOME SCHOLARS QUESTION WHETHER UNDERGROUND RAILROAD QUILTS AND THEIR SECRET CODES ACTUALLY EXISTED.

THE QUILT CODE THEORY WAS INTRODUCED IN A 1999 BOOK CALLED HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW, WHICH REFERENCED A SINGLE STORY PASSED DOWN TO ONE OF THE AUTHORS.

>> WHEN IT WAS PUBLISHED, IT CREATED THIS FRENZY WHICH, IN SOME WAY, WAS GOOD, BECAUSE IT GOT FOLKS LOOKING AT QUILTS MADE BY BLACK FOLKS.

>> TRACY MANLEY IS A QUILTER AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF BLACK STUDIES AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY.

>> ON ITS SURFACE, IT IS QUITE A CAPTIVATING STORY.

THERE WERE WAYS IN WHICH THOSE THAT WERE ATTEMPTING TO ESCAPE ENSLAVEMENT HAD THESE CODES.

IT IS THIS UNSPOKEN THING.

AND THAT THEY WERE BEING LED TO FREEDOM.

IT IS A REALLY FEEL-GOOD, TRIUMPHANT STORY.

I WON'T ASSERT THAT IT IS NOT TRUE.

BUT UP UNTIL THIS POINT, MAJOR HISTORIANS WHO DEVOTED THEIR LIVES WORKED TO STUDY EVERY ASPECT OF ENSLAVED LIFE OF AMERICA.

AND CAN FIND NO EVIDENCE.

>> THEN THERE IS THE QUESTION OF MATERIALS.

>> TODAY HAVE THE LUXURY OF THE TEXTILES TO MAKE THESE DESIGNS?

NO.

THE ECONOMICS DON'T SUPPORT IT.

>> BUT THE STORY OF THESE QUILT CODES PERSISTS AND IT IS EASY TO UNDERSTAND WHY.

>> THOSE WHO HAVE ANCESTORS THAT DIRECTLY SUFFERED AT THAT TIME, THE GENERATIONS OF THEIR FAMILIES SUFFERED.

TO SAY THAT SOMEONE HOW TO QUILT OUT THAT LED TO THEIR POTENTIAL ESCAPE FROM THIS.

OR THERE WAS SOME AGENCY OR HEROISM IN THAT.

>> AND YET, THERE MIGHT STILL BE VALUE IN THESE MODERN UNDERGROUND RAILROAD QUILTS.

IT IS AN ENGAGING TOOL TO CREATE AWARENESS ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY.

AND THERE IS ALWAYS A VALUE IN USING QUILTS TO REFLECT THE ESSENCE OF AMERICA.

>> YOU TAKE BITS AND PIECES THAT ARE ODD AND FIT TOGETHER AND ARE A DIFFERENT COLOR PATTERN.

YOU PUT THEM TOGETHER AND YOU HAVE THIS BEAUTIFUL THEME.

I THINK THAT IS A WAY TO USE QUILTS AND TALK ABOUT AMERICA.

WE LOVE STORIES WERE THE PEOPLE WHO WE THINK ARE THE GOOD GUYS WILL TRIUMPH.

BUT IT DOESN'T MAKE IT TRUE AND I DON'T THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN ERASED.

IT IS SOMETHING -- THE EVIDENCE TELLS ME IT IS SOMETHING THAT NEVER WAS WAS.

>> THREADS OF FREEDOM IS ONE PART OF THE CULTURAL CENTER'S JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION AND JUST ONE PIECE OF ITS YEAR-ROUND MISSION TO HONOR BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURE.

>> IT IS OUR HISTORY.

WE ALL HAVE TO BE PART OF KEEPING OUR HISTORY.

BECAUSE IT IS BEING ERASED.

PLACES LIKE THIS CULTURAL CENTER ARE KEEPING OUR CULTURE AND WE ARE TELLING THE STORY.

>> KPBS NEWS.

>> READY FOR A TRIP BACK IN TIME?

IT HAS BEEN MORE THAN THREE QUARTERS OF A CENTURY SINCE A SAN DIEGO MAN BECAME AN INTERNATIONAL SENSATION BY MAKING THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME IN HIS CAR.

WE SEE HOW IT HAPPENED IN THIS STORY ABOUT SAN DIEGO.

>> A QUICK VISIT HERE TO THE SAN DIEGO AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM AT BALBOA PARK AND INSIDE PAST THE VINTAGE AND LATER MODEL CARS, IS A VERY STRANGE PIECE OF SAN DIEGO HISTORY THAT IS TRULY ONE- OF-A-KIND.

LET'S IMAGINE IT IS 1947.

IN POSTWAR AMERICA, WHEN IT CAME TO CARS, THE GOLD STANDARD WAS CADILLAC.

AND IN SAN DIEGO, THIS MAN BUT ONE.

THE VERY ONE AT THE MUSEUM TODAY.

LOUIS THOUGHT OF HIS CADILLAC IS MUCH MORE THAN A CAR.

TO HIM, IT WAS A CHALLENGE HE WONDERED, HOW FAR COULD HE DRIVE THIS CAR AND NOT STOP?

NOT FOR GAS.

NOT FOR FOOD, BATHROOM OR ANYTHING.

NONSTOP.

>> FOR YEARS, THE STREAM MADE HIM A TELEVISION CELEBRITY.

HE HAD TO BUILD A CAR THAT HE AND HIS CREW COULD LIVE IN FOR WEEKS WHILE THEY WERE CONTINUOUSLY DRIVING AND PULL A TRAILER TOO WITH FOOD AND TOOLS.

THE CADILLAC WAS INCREDIBLE AND FEBRUARY.

>> BY MAKING THE BACK SEAT CUSHIONS REMOVABLE, LOUIS COULD INSTALL A NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLD CONVENIENCES.

>> AROUND THE WORLD, THIS FABULOUS CAR WAS A MEDIA SENSATION.

BUT DID HE REALLY DRIVE IT NONSTOP?

YES, HE DID.

IN 1952, FROM SAN DIEGO TO NEW YORK AND BACK, ROUND-TRIP.

>> 1954, WE WENT FROM ALASKA TO MEXICO CITY.

>> THAT IS A LONG TIME AND A LOT OF MILES IN THIS CAR, NEVER STOPPING.

HOW DID HE DO IT?

THEY REFUELED AND TOOK ON WATER FOR THE 50-GALLON TANK AND YOU NEED WATER FOR THE SHOWER.

>> HOW IS THE WATER?

HOT OR COLD?

>> FINE.

>> IT IS HOT.

>> INSIDE, YOU CAN SEE TODAY THAT THERE IS THAT CLOTHES WASHER AND AN IRON AN ELECTRIC STOVE HE LOVED TO SHOW OFF ALL THE CUSTOM COMFORTS.

>> THIS IS A MEDICINE CABINET.

YOU HAVE ELECTRIC LIGHTS AND 110-VOLT OUTLETS IF YOU WANT TO SHAVE.

YOU HAVE A BEAUTIFUL MIRROR TO LOOK AT YOURSELF.

>> BUT LOUIS USED TO SAY THAT THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE FOR HIS FABULOUS CAR WAS CHANGING A TIRE WHILE THE CAR WAS MOVING DOWN A HIGHWAY, WHICH HE HAD TO DO EVERY NOW AND THEN.

SO HOW COULD THAT POSSIBLY BE DONE?

HERE IS THE TRICK.

A WALKWAY WAS EXTENDED OUT FROM THE CAR AND THEN A SMALL AIRPLANE WHEEL WAS LOWERED TO LIFT THE TIRE.

THEN, IT WAS TIGHTLY CHOREOGRAPHED.

A PLATFORM WAS FIXED.

>> OFF COMES THE HUBCAP.

THE FLAT TIRE IS REMOVED.

>> THE NEW ONE IS PUT ON AND IT IS JUST LIKE THAT.

>> THE FABULOUS CAR KEEPS GOING ON ALL OF ITS TIRES.

>> THIS CAR IS A MASTERPIECE OF ENGINEERING.

WITH THE PUSH OF A BUTTON, LOUIS COULD CHANGE THE OIL IN ROUTE AND ANOTHER ONE REFILLED THE RADIATOR.

IT TOOK HIM SEVEN YEARS TO BUILD IT AND A YEAR OF PLANNING TO ARRANGE FOR POLICE ESCORTS THROUGH CITIES AND ACROSS BORDERS.

HIS FABULOUS CAR MADE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINES.

OVER THE DECADES, HE SHOWED IT OFF PROUDLY TO ANYBODY THAT WOULD ASK.

>> I JUST HAD IT PAINTED 50 YEARS AGO.

>> THE QUESTIONS WERE ALWAYS THE SAME.

WAS THERE TOILET ON BOARD?

YES.

AND ALL THE HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRICAL LINES, DID HE DO THAT ?

YES.

WAS THEIR LIQUOR ON TOP?

NO.

NOT WHILE DRIVING.

>> ONE THING MORE.

THROUGH ALL THE INTERVIEWS ON TELEVISION, WHEN HE WOULD TOUR WITH THE CAR, HE ALWAYS BOASTED THAT SAN DIEGO WAS HIS HOME.

HE FELT LIKE AN AMBASSADOR FROM OUR CITY.

SO IT IS FITTING THAT THIS CADILLAC HAS A PERMANENT HOME AT THE AUTOMOTIVE YOU MUSEUM.

A TRIBUTE TO HIS SHEER ENDURANCE.

THE CAR, SOMETHING THAT WAS AND IS FABULOUS ABOUT SAN DIEGO.

>> INGENUITY INDEED.

WE HAVE A HALF-HOUR OF STORIES EVERY WEEK ABOUT SAN DIEGO.

YOU CAN SEE THEM THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 8:00 RIGHT HERE ON KPBS.

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

>> THE USC'S THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS.

TRAINING THEM CAN TAKE YEARS.

WE VISIT ONE SCHOOL THAT TRIES TO GET AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS WORKING FASTER.

AND WE HAVE SOME OF THE BIGGEST STORIES OF THE WEEK INCLUDING THE CONTROVERSY AT THIS YEAR'S SAN DIEGO PRIDE.

YOU CAN FIND THE STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE ON KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

GOOD NIGHT.

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

CALL 800-BILL-HOWE.

AND BY THE CONRAD FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCO SHYLY.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU!