♪ >>> 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, AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL ONE 800 BILL HOWE OR VISIT HOWE.COM.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREMISE FOUNDATION.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

♪ ♪ AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> A SNAPSHOT OF HOMELESSNESS IN SAN DIEGO, THE PICTURE IS NOT A GOOD ONE.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE LATEST POINT IN TIME, SHOWS OVER 10,000 PEOPLE HAD NO SHELTER ON A SINGLE NIGHT AND WE ARE TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS.

KPBS REPORTER BEGINS COVERAGE WITH THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY APPOINTED TIME COUNT IS DONE EACH YEAR ON A DAY IN JANUARY.

THE GOAL IS TO COLLECT DATA ON THE NEEDS OF UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUAL VISUALS AND GET A SNAPSHOT OF THE POPULATION OF THE COUNTY.

THAT SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA TALKING ABOUT THIS YEAR'S COUNT.

THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS RESIDENTS IN THE COUNTY SPIKED BY 22% FROM A YEAR AGO.

A TOTAL OF 10,264 PEOPLE WERE COUNTED ON JANUARY 26th OF THIS YEAR.

UP FROM 8427 AND 2022.

ACCOUNT BREAKDOWN OF THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS PEOPLE THAT ARE SHELTERED IN UNSHELTERED.

IN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO, THE JANUARY COUNT FOUND 3285 UNSHELTERED RESIDENTS COMPARED TO 2994 IN 2022.

A 32% JUMP.

GLORIA SAYS ONE PEOPLE IS HIGH IS BECAUSE OTHER PLACES ESSENTIALLY EXPERT THEIR HOMELESS PEOPLE TO THE CITY.

>> THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO STAYS ALONE WHEN IT COMES TO TAKING THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY AND WE NEED OTHER CITIES THAT STEP UP AND HELP IN THIS REGARD.

ACTUALLY HOUSE THEIR OWN INDIVIDUALS FOR COMING UNSHELTERED RATHER THAN PASSING THEM ON TO THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR PAT SAN DIEGO.

A STATEWIDE HOMELESS SERVICE ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO END HOMELESSNESS FOR INDIVIDUALS FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.

>> WE ARE NOT THAT SURPRISED, WE ARE SEEING AND.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE CLEAR REASONS WHY HOMELESS NUMBERS HAVE RISEN IN THE REGION.

>> IT'S THE HOUSING INVENTORY AS WELL AS HOUSING OF AFFORDABILITY.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE PAYING 80-90% OF THEIR INCOME TOWARDS RENT.

AND THAT MEANS YOU CANNOT REALLY SUSTAIN ON THAT INCOME.

>> Reporter: THE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS WILL NOT BE SOLVED UNTIL COMMUNITIES WORK TOGETHER.

>> ALMOST AS DOES NOT FALL ON ONE PERSON OR ONE ENTITY.

I THINK THAT IT REALLY TAKES ALL OF US AS A COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER AND ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS.

>> Reporter: CERTAIN GROUPS REALLY STOOD OUT FOR SCRAPPER.

THE INCREASE IN UNSHELTERED PEOPLE 55+ AND THOSE WHO ARE NEWLY HOMELESS.

>> REPORTING THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE NEWLY HOMELESS, THAT MEANS THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS OR HAVE NOT TOUCHED THE SYSTEM INTO YEARS HAVE BEEN BACK ON THE STREET.

>> Reporter: THE FIRST STEP TO SOLVING HOMELESS SITUATION IS THERE PREVENTION SERVICES.

MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE POINT IN TIME COUNT AND SAN DIEGO NORTH COUNTY REGION SHOWED LOWER NUMBERS IN SOME CITIES AND SPIKES AND OTHERS.

NORTH COUNTY REPORTER TONYA THORNE BREAKS IT DOWN.

>> Reporter: REJOINED THEM ON A EARLY JANUARY MORNING WHEN THE COUNT WAS TAKING PLACE.

HE TOLD US THEN, HE ANTICIPATED THE DATA WOULD SHOW AN INCREASE IN HOMELESSNESS IN THE NORTH COUNTY.

AND HE WAS NOT WRONG.

HOMELESSNESS JUMPED 67% FROM 2022.

ACCORDING TO THE POINT IN TIME COUNT DATA.

LAST YEAR, 182 PEOPLE WERE COUNTED.

THIS YEAR, 304.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THE DATA REAFFIRMS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING ON THE GROUND EVERY DAY.

THAT HOMELESSNESS IS INCREASING , AND IN PARTICULAR, UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS HAS INCREASED IN THE NORTH COUNTY COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: THE CEO OF INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES.

THE ONLY PROVIDER OF LOW BARRIER SHELTERS FOR ALL GENDERS IN NORTH COUNTY.

BUT, SOME NORTH COUNTY CITIES SO I DROP IN NUMBERS.

THEY HAD A 91% DROP, COUNTING 23 UNSHELTERED PEOPLE IN 2022 AND ONLY 2 IN THIS YEAR.

IN SAN MARCO'S, NUMBER DROPPED FROM 12, THREE THIS YEAR.

THE DATA SHOW CLOSE TO NORTH COUNTY CITIES DELMAR ENCINITAS I WANT TO LEAVE THE SPEECH, ALSO SHAW DROPS IN THE PERCENTAGES.

A ROUGH ESTIMATE.

AND OFTEN, INACCURATE.

MANY HOMELESS PEOPLE GO UNACCOUNTED FOR.

DROPS THE NUMBERS COULD BE THERE WERE LESS BUILT ON THE GROUND THE DAY OF ACCOUNT.

>> THE COUNT IS CARRIED OUT LARGELY BY VOLUNTEERS WHO GO OUT AT ONE TIME EARLY IN THE MORNING AND IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH VOLUNTEERS TO COVER CERTAIN AREAS, THEN THE AREA IS GOING TO HAVE A REDUCTION IN NUMBERS.

PREMEDITATED DOES HELP ORGANIZATIONS AND MUNICIPALITIES GET A SENSE OF THE PROBLEM.

>> THE POINT IN TIME COUNT IS DONE ANNUALLY.

AND IT RAISES THE AWARENESS OF HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING ON STREETS.

BUT FOR MOST OF US, THEY ARE EXPERIENCING THAT STRUGGLE EVERY NIGHT.

EVERY DAY.

AND, IT IS SOLVABLE FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL.

>> Reporter: THE SOLUTIONS REQUIRE FUNDING.

FOR WRAPAROUND SERVICES, AND MORE SHELTERS.

THEY ARE ALSO PART OF THE POINT IN TIME COUNT DATA.

IN TOTAL, 10,264 HOMELESS PEOPLE WERE COUNTED IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

ABOUT HALF FOR ENZYME, AND A HALF OR UNSHELTERED.

TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE NTSB BOARD OF DIRECTORS MET TOGETHER TO DISCUSS THE DRIVERS DESTROYED.

ANDREW BOWEN SAYS THE RESOLUTION COULD STILL BE WEEKS AWAY.

>> Reporter: BUS DRIVERS WHO WORK FOR THE PRIMARY CONTRACTOR, TRAINED STAFF, HAVE BEEN ON STRIKE FOR MORE THAN THREE WEEKS.

ON THURSDAY THEY GOT THEIR FIRST CHANCE TO PLEAD THEIR CASE DIRECTLY TO NTSB.

THE WORKERS ARE HELPING FOR MORE SCREEN AND TO SECURE BATHROOMS AND THEY WANT TO WORK FEWER SPLIT TRIPS.

WHEN THE WORKDAY IS SPREAD OUT 12+ HOURS WITH NO BREAK.

VERONICA ORTIZ HAS WORKED FOR TRAINED STAFF FOR 18 YEARS AND HAS WATCHED HER PAY STAGNATE WHILE THE COST OF LIVING KEEPS GOING UP.

>> WE HAVE WORKERS AT HOME.

THEY LIVE IN THEIR CARS.

RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR PROPERTY, BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD IT.

SO, THAT'S WHAT WE ARE SAYING.

NOW, THEY KNOW ALL ABOUT THIS.

AND THEY CHOOSE TO DO NOTHING.

THEY DON'T CARE.

>> Reporter: ORTIZ AND MANY OF THE COLLEAGUES WANT NTS TO CANCEL ITS CONTRACT WITH THEM AND BRING ALL OF ITS BUS OPERATIONS IN HOUSE.

BUT THE NTS BOARD DECIDED THAT IT IS NOT READY TO DO THAT.

AFTER A DISCUSSION BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, HE DECIDED TO OFFER AN EXTRA $1 MILLION TO HELP MEET THE BUS DRIVERS DEMANDS.

>> WE SEEN THE HIGH COST OF LIVING, AND DIEGO.

A JOB MARKET, THAT HAS SEEN WAGE INCREASES.

THIS IS ATTRACTING INVADING BUS OFFERS US, BUT WE NEED TO FIND A RESOLUTION FOR BOTH SIDES.

OUR WRITERS DEPEND ON IT.

>> Reporter: THE BOARD HAS TO MEET AGAIN NEXT WEEK FOR MAKING IT OFFICIAL.

AND THEY ONLY GET THE MONEY IF THEY CAN AND THE STRIKE BY JUNE 23rd.

THAT COULD MEAN ANOTHER TWO WEEKS OR MORE OF TRANSIT RIDERS BEING STRANDED.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> GOVERNOR NEWSOM IS PROPOSING A CHANGE TO U.S. CONSTITUTION TO COMBAT GUN VIOLENCE.

THE PROPOSAL WOULD CREATE A 28 AMENDMENT, THAT WOULD LEAVE THE SEVEN AMENDMENT CONTACT BUT WOULD ADD FOR GUN SAFETY PRINCIPLES.

AND THOSE ARE RAISING THE FEDERAL MINIMUM AGE TO 21, MANDATING UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS, WAITING PERIOD FOR PURCHASES, AND ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN'S.

FOR NEW AMENDMENT TO PASS, THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION WOULD NEED TO CONVENE AND THAT WOULD WIRE TWO THIRDS OF ALL STATES TO CALL FOR IT.

>>> PRIDE MONTH IS IN FULL SWING BUT THE FESTIVITIES, AFTER SAFE FEDERAL LAWMAKERS TARGETING LGBTQ RIGHTS, WE SHOW HOW THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY IS CONTINUING ITS FIGHTS FOR AUDI.

QUALITY.

♪ ♪ WE MET WITH PRIDE MONTH UNDERWAY, NUMBERS AND ALLIES OF THE LGBT YOU PLUS COMMUNITY ARE COMING TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE.

>> Reporter: YET FOR SOME, A FEELING OF ANXIETY PERMEATES THE AIR.

>> I'M SCARED FOR US, I'M SCARED WE WILL USE THE RIGHTS.

>> Reporter: THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION ART MUSEUM IN WASHINGTON.

THEY WORRY ABOUT WHAT COUNTING CLINICAL ATTENTION AROUND THE ISSUES MEANS FOR THE FUTURE.

>> CUT IT OUT WITH THE PREJUDICE.

CUT IT OUT WITH THE CHANGING LAWS.

WE ARE JUST PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE UNION IS TRACKING MORE THAN 400 ANTI- LGBTQ BILLS LIKE THOSE RESTRICTING GENDER AFFIRMING CARE, DRAG PERFORMANCES, AND PRONOUN USAGE.

>> FLORIDA HAS TAKEN A STRONG STAND AGAINST THE IMPOSITION OF GENDER IDEOLOGY IN OUR SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: WHILE NOT ALL BILLS ARE EXPECTED TO BECOME LAW, ADVOCATES ARE FEARFUL.

IN A HISTORIC MOVE TUESDAY, THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN IN THE NATIONAL STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR LGBTQ PLUS AMERICANS, ADMITS THE ONSLAUGHT OF SUCH LEGISLATION AND WRESTLING COMMUNITY.

>> ONE IN FIVE OF ALL HATE CRIMES ARE MOTIVATED BY ANTI- BIAS.

>> Reporter: KELLY ROBINSON SAYS SAYS THERE IS MORE WORK TO BE DONE.

>> THIS IS NOT A MOMENT TO PUT OUT WITH RAINBOW FLAGS.

THIS IS A MOMENT TO MAKE CLEAR WERE ALL OF US STAND BECAUSE THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS DO NOT SUPPORT THESE EXTREMIST ATTACKS ON THE LIVES OF THESE PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: TENS OF THOUSANDS ARE ATTENDING THE ANNUAL PRIDE PARADE.

INCLUDING PROUD PROTESTERS.

FOR EVENT ORGANIZERS, SAFETY IS THE TOP CONCERN.

>> IT FEELS LIKE WE ARE GOING BACK IN TIME.

WE NEED TO BE WILLING TO CREATE THESE SPACES FOR ALL PEOPLE.

THE FEEL OF VALUE.

AND THAT'S WHAT PRIDE IS ABOUT.

>> Reporter: THE PHILLIPS, WERE ALL ARE WELCOME.

♪ ♪ >> Reporter: AND CELEBRATED.

>> WE ARE NOT LETTING ANY OF THE HATRED OR THE BIGOTRY STOP US FROM DOING WHAT WE ARE DOING IN THE WE ARE.

>> Reporter: FINDING COMFORT AND CULTURE AND COMMUNITY.

IN WASHINGTON, REPORTING.

>>> IF YOU ARE A PERSON OF COLOR IN SAN DIEGO, YOU MIGHT QUALIFY FOR UP TO $40,000 TO HELP PURCHASE A HOME.

KPBS REPORTER LOOKING TO THE NEW PILOT PROGRAM FROM THE SAN DIEGO HOUSING COMMISSION.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM OFFERS GRANTED THE FOR LOANS TO HELP WITH DOWNPAYMENTS.

MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS OF COLOR, WILL NOT OWNED A HOME IN THE LAST THREE YEARS.

THE HOUSING COMMISSION'S VICE PRESIDENT OF SINGLE-FAMILY FINANCE SHE ASKED AND ASSISTED 80 TO 100 HOMEBUYERS.

>> IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN SAN DIEGO WHERE WE HAVE A CONSCIOUS PROGRAM THROUGH A GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

>> Reporter: NON-ASIAN HOUSEHOLDS OF COLOR IN SAN DIEGO HAVE LOWER THAN AVERAGE HOMEOWNERSHIP RATES.

RACIST PRACTICES IN HOUSING LIKE REDLINING, AND RACIAL COVENANTS HELP CREATE THIS GAP.

THIS IS NOT BUDGED IN THE LAST DECADE.

RYAN KLEMPERER IS THE VICE CHAIR OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION'S BOARD.

HE SAYS THIS PROGRAM IS ONE STEP TOWARDS CLOSING THAT GAP.

>> IT WILL HELP FAMILIES OF COLOR ACHIEVE THE DREAM OF HOMEOWNERSHIP THAT HISTORICALLY HAS BEEN DENIED AND KEPT OUT OF REACH FOR MANY OF THEM.

HOMEOWNERSHIP BRINGS WITH IT THE OPPORTUNITY TO ESTABLISH GENERATIONAL WEALTH THAT HAS POSITIVE IMPACT ON FAMILIES FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> Reporter: THE FUNDS ARE FIRST COME FIRST SERVE, AND HE SAYS THAT THEY'VE ALREADY RECEIVED MANY INQUIRIES.

VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

>>> MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY REMAIN AT RISK FOR INHALING POTENTIALLY HARMFUL AIR, AS WILDFIRE SMOKE FROM CANADA KEEPS ROLLING IN.

KAREN KAFA HAS THE LATEST ON WHERE THE BIGGEST AIR DANGEROUS ARE NOW AND WHERE THEY ARE HEADING NEXT >> I CAN FEEL IT IN MY LUNGS AND WHEN I'M WALKING AROUND.

IT'S PRETTY BAD.

>> Reporter: THE NATION'S CAPITAL NOW IN THE THICK OF THE HAZARD ASSAYS.

>> I COULDN'T BREATHE.

I COULDN'T CATCH MY BREATH.

>> Reporter: THE WILDFIRE STORE HAS BEEN PUSHING ACROSS THE NORTHEAST, PLACES LIKE D.C., PHILADELPHIA, SUFFERING AIR QUALITY RANGING FROM UNHEALTHY TO A VERY UNHEALTHY.

>> THE FINE PARTICLES CAN PENETRATE DEEP INTO YOUR LUNGS.

CAUSING SYMPTOMS INCLUDING COUGHING, SHORTNESS OF BREATH, AND WHEEZING.

>> Reporter: NEW YORK SLIGHTLY IMPROVING THURSDAY DOWN READY TO UNHEALTHY FROM HAZARDOUS ON WEDNESDAY.

THERE IS AIRPORTS ARE EXPERIENCING GROUND STOPS OR DELAYS DUE TO LOW VISIBILITY.

THE FAA LISTING THE CHANGING CONDITIONS THAT FLY.

THE SOUTH MY IMMUNE CITIES LIKE RALEIGH, AND LOUISVILLE KENTUCKY, EXPERIENCING MODERATE OR UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS.

>> CHILL OUT, TAKE A BREAK, WATCH SOME TELEVISION.

WRITE A BOOK.

>> Reporter: THIS SMOKE IS TO GO TO THE WEEKEND, THE NEW STORM SYSTEM FROM THE WEST NEXT WEEK SHOULD BRING SUBSTANTIAL RELIEF.

IN WASHINGTON, D.C., KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT MIGHT NOT SEEM LIKE IT NOW BUT EL NINO HAS OFFICIALLY ARRIVED.

NWS OFFICIALS EXPECT EL NINO TO INCREASE, TO BE THE WARMEST YET ON RECORD.

THEY ALSO FORECAST EL NINO INFLUENCE TO THE WEEK DURING A SUMMER BUT STARTER IN THE FALL.

THAT COULD BE WETTER THAN AVERAGE CONDITIONS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

>>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S START OFF WITH THE WEATHER HEADLINES, WHAT WE CAN EXPECT AS WE WRAP UP THE WEEKEND.

WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THE PERSISTENT MARINE LAYER, THAT'S GOING TO HOLD ON FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

HEADS UP AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, GUSTY WINDS AND SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS.

MEANWHILE, WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK.

MOVE OF THE TEMPERATURES AS WE GOING TO TONIGHT, DRIVE DOWN TO ABOUT 60, OCEANSIDE.

SAN DIEGO, DROPPED TO 62.

LOW 60s, AND VISTA.

57 IN BORREGO SPRINGS, AND IN LAKE LUNA, BACK INTO THE LOWER 50s AND THE OVERNIGHT TIME PERIOD.

WE LOOK AT THE MAIN PATTERN ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST, LOTS GOING ON.

STILL SOME OF THOSE SOUTHERN THUNDERSTORMS.

WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY, MEANWHILE, HOT CONDITIONS BACK IN TOWARDS ARIZONA AND NEW MEXICO.

AND WE STILL HAVE A BIT OF THAT COOLING THINKS THAT ONSHORE FLOW IN THE MARINE LAYER STICKING AROUND.

TEMPERATURES IN THE LOWER 70s, 69 FOR SAN DIEGO, AND ABOUT 79 FOR CHULA VISTA.

NOW MUCH OF A CHANGE ON SATURDAY, THINGS LOOK PRETTY SIMILAR HERE WITH THUNDERSTORMS POPPING UP.

THROUGHOUT NEVADA, MEANWHILE WE CAN STILL REMAIN COOL AROUND THE COAST.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

HE IS WITH THE FIVE DAY OUTLOOK LOOKS LIKE, GOING AROUND THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND.

AS WE HAD THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, THINGS WILL TURN A LITTLE BIT NICER.

FIVE DAY OUTLOOK IN LAND, WE WILL HAVE THE LOWER TEMPERATURES WEATHER ON SUNDAY, AND THEN WE WILL STAY CLOUDY AND COOL TO START THE WEEK BUT MORE SUNSHINE AND HIGHER TEMPERATURES BY TUESDAY.

INTO THE MOUNTAINS, WE TAKE A DIP WITH TEMPERATURES ON SUNDAY, HIGHS INTO THE UPPER 40s.

BUT WHEN WE HAD THE WORK WEEK, BACK INTO THE 60s AND WE LEAVE YOU WITH A DESERT FORECAST, MUCH COOLER INTO SUNDAY BUT THEN BACK THE 90s BY TUESDAY.

I AM REPORTING FOR KPBS.

>>> A SAN DIEGO AUTHOR SHOWING HIS PASSION FOR WRITING FANTASY IN FAIRYTALES WITH CHILDREN ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

HE STARTED A BOOK SERIES FOR YOUNG READERS THAT FEATURES CHARACTERS WHO ARE ENDURING AND DIVERSE IN EVERY WAY.

KPBS REPORTER ANGIE PEREZ TELLS THE STORY ABOUT THE HERO.

>> Reporter: JOHN WELLS, III, IS A MAN ON A MISSION.

WEARING A BACKPACK, AND LOADING BACKPACKS OF BOOKS.

ON THIS DAY, HE'S TRAVELING THE HALLS OF HARVEST HILLS STEAM ACADEMY, IN RIVERSIDE COUNTY.

A SCHOOL OF 1300 STUDENTS, THREE GRADE.

FIRST STOP IS A THIRD GRADE CLASSROOM, WHERE WELLS STARTS HIS A STORYTELLING, WITH AN UNEXPECTED PERSONAL CONFESSION.

>> I HATED READING.

I HATED IT!

>> Reporter: NOT TO WORRY, THAT CHANGED FOR HIM AFTER HE ATTENDED HIS FIRST BACKFIRE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND FOUND FANTASY.

THE GENRE THAT EXPIRED THE MOST.

>> I DID TELL ALL OF THE STUDENTS THAT I HAD POWERS, SUPERPOWERS.

>> Reporter: HE NEVER LOST A SUPERPOWERS IN HIS IMAGINATION.

EVENTUALLY, MOTIVATING HIM TO START WRITING AS A YOUNG ADULT IN COLLEGE.

THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE ABOUT THIS SAN DIEGO AUTHOR THAT YOU WANT YOU TO KNOW.

HE IS PART OF THE COMMUNITY, WHICH STANDS FOR BLACK INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF COLOR.

HE DESPERATELY WANTED TO SEE HIMSELF REPRESENTED IN THE PAGES OF THE BOOKS THAT HE READ.

>> I ALWAYS SAW THE CHARACTERS IS THE BEST FRIEND, THE COMIC RELIEF.

EVEN A VILLAIN.

BUT NEVER AS THE HERO.

I'M TELLING YOU, THERE IS SOMETHING WEIRD ABOUT THAT GUY.

>> Reporter: WELLS BEGAN WRITING OF THE CALEB ANDERS CHRONICLES, AS THE COVID PANDEMIC PROCEEDED IN 2020.

IN THE FIRST BOOK, THE LESS WARRIOR, WE NEED TO HERO, CALEB, A 16-YEAR-OLD ADOPTED BIRACIAL TEENAGER, STRUGGLING WITH HIS IDENTITY.

TWO MORE BOOKS NOW THAT WELLS REACHED THE CHILDREN, WHO CAN SEE THEMSELVES IN THE STORY.

>> IT SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO CONTINUE TO STAND OUT, STAND UP, AND SHOW THE WORLD THAT HEY, WE ARE HERE.

HEY, WE MATTER.

OUR STORIES MATTER.

OUR REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

>> Reporter: THE MESSAGES BEING RECEIVED BY STUDENTS LIKE NINE- YEAR-OLD, CREDE ABRAMS.

>> BOOKS LIKE THIS INSPIRE ME TO LET'S SAY, DO DIFFERENT THINGS AND THINK ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY.

>> I LIKE TO READ ANIME BOOKS, FANTASY, ROMANCE.

>> Reporter: NINE-YEAR-OLD GINA BROOKS IS ANOTHER THIRD-GRADER WHO SEES HERSELF OF THE PAGES OF THE ANGEL WARRIOR.

>> I LOVE THAT PART OF THE BOOK WHERE THEY FIND A STRANGER IN THE DARK ALLEY.

IT ADDS UP AND GIVES THE BOOK A SOMETHING SOMETHING.

>> Reporter: JOHN WELLS KEEPS READING AND WRITING.

>> HE LOOKS AT TERROR IN HIS EYES.

>> Reporter: HE PLANS FOR MORE BOOKS, AND HE IS ADDING MORE DIVERSITY AND CHARACTERS.

ALONG WITH ANOTHER LETTER FROM THE ALPHABET.

>> Q STANDS FOR .

QUEER.

>> Reporter: HARVEST HILLS STEAM ACADEMY IS HOME TO STUDENTS OF ETHNIC AND ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS.

THEY ARE ALSO SURVIVORS OF THE COVID SHUTDOWNS, AND LEARNING LOSS.

PRINCIPAL PHIL SUMNER AGREES THAT A ESCAPE THEIR FANCY BOOKS HEALTH AND HEALING.

>> A LOT OF KIDS SUFFER GREATLY DURING THAT TIME, NOT JUST FROM THE SECLUSION AND BEING OUT OF SCHOOL, BUT A LOT OF THEM ENDURE TRAUMA.

THEY LOST LOVED ONES AND THEY HAD A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENS IN AND THAT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN TO KIDS.

>> I HEARD THE SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS, AS IF SOMEBODY WAS WALKING BEHIND ME.

>> Reporter: WELLS IS HAPPY TO HELP IN THE HEALING, THROUGH HIS SERIES OF BOOKS.

THEY WILL AND IN A MEANINGFUL WAY.

>> I WILL CALL IT HAPPY, I WILL CALL IT SAID.

AND I WILL SAY THAT THE ENDING THAT IS PLANNED IS THE ENDING OF THE STORY REQUIRES.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE LAST WORD FOR NOW.

>> THAT'S THE END OF THE CHAPTER.

>>> SO MANY DOGS NEED FOREVER HOMES, BUT SOMETIMES, GOOD DOGS IN SHELTERS GET OVERLOOKED.

NOT ON GABRIEL FAY PTOSIS WATCH.

HE VOLUNTEERS, AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY.

AND THAT IS WHERE HE GIVES DOGS LIKE GRAHAM GRAHAM A SHOWSTOPPING MAKEOVER.

>> WE ARE GIVING GRAHAM GRAHAM SOME LEOPARD SPOTS.

SHE IS 11 YEARS OLD, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE SHE MAKES IT LOOK LIKE SHE'S YOUNG AND FRESH.

>> THAT IS QUITE A LOOK.

GABRIEL SAYS THE DOG AT HIS STORE IS SAFER DOGS.

THEY CAN COST BETWEEN $500 AND $1200.

BUT THE SHELTER GETS THE SERVICES FOR FREE.

THEY ALSO DO STANDARD GROUPING.

>>> UNDER CRANK PRODUCTION, CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF PRESERVING AND REVITALIZING SILENT FILM, KPBS ARTS REPORTER BETH ALESSANDRO WILL KEEP THIS ALIVE.

>> Reporter: SILENT FILMS WERE NEVER MEANT TO BE LOST IN SILENCE.

>> I THINK THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN WATCHING A SILENT FILM WITHIN THAT SCORE IS WATCHING ONE WITH NO SCORE WHATSOEVER.

>> Reporter: THE CAREER PATH WAS SET WHEN HE WAS FORCED TO WATCH SILENT MOVIES IN DEAD SILENCE IN COLLEGE.

IT WAS SUCH A PAINFUL EXPERIENCE THAT HE OFTEN A COPY COPIED ON PIANO.

>> I WANT TO HELP THE MOVIES NOT DIE AND ACTUALLY LIVE AGAIN.

AND THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE WATCHING THE MOVIE AND NOT REALLY ME, I THINK YOU GOT ME PAST ANY NERVOUSNESS THAT A I HAD.

I WAS HELPING THESE MOVIES, IT WAS SATISFACTORY.

>> Reporter: THAT TO THIS DAY.

>> THE MUSIC IS THERE TO HELP THE AUDIENCE GET INTO THE MOOD OF EACH PARTICULAR SCENE, CLUE THEM INTO AN EMOTIONAL STATE THAT MAY BE HAPPENING.

BUT IT IS A COMPONENT OF WHAT IT IS.

I AM WATCHING THE SCREEN.

THAT IS LIKE MY SHEET MUSIC.

>> Reporter: MODELL PRODUCES SILENT FILMS ON IT DVD AND BLU- RAY THROUGH HIS BOUTIQUE HOME ENTERTAINMENT LABEL.

>> WHAT I'M DOING FOR THESE PRODUCTIONS, FILL OUT THE LANDSCAPE, TO BRING THE FILMS OF THE STARS, AND SO WHILE THEY WERE WAITING FOR THE NEXT RENT- A-CAR FILM, OR THE NEXT WHATEVER, -- >> Reporter: AND UPCOMING RELEASE THAT WILL FEATURE ONE OF THE SCORES.

>> I WATCHED THE FILM, YOU KNOW IT'S A FILM I KNOW PRETTY WELL.

I WILL MAKE STORY NOTES, WHETHER THERE IS A SURPRISE OR SUDDEN SHIFT IN MOOD, ET CETERA.

THAT WAY I AM PREPARED, SO I DO NOT WANT TO BE LATE, BECAUSE THAT CAUSES ATTENTION TO THE SCORE.

>> Reporter: DURING THE PANDEMIC, HE PROVIDED AN OASIS OF JOY WITH A SILENT COMEDY WATCH PARTY.

>> THE RESPONSE WAS OVERWHELMING, NOT BECAUSE THIS WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL SHOW, BUT THE ENTIRE PLAN WAS SO READILY STRESSED OUT, AND THE INS OPPORTUNITY TO LAUGH WHILE WALKING TO YOUR HOME, IT'S SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE NEEDED.

>> Reporter: HE CONTINUES THAT PROGRAM WHICH ALLOWS PEOPLE TO APPRECIATE SILENT FILMS BROUGHT TO LIFE THE MUSIC.

>> IT IS NOT LOOKING AT, PER SE, BUT IT IS KIND OF LIKE JAZZ MUSICIANS.

WHEN THE IMPROVISE, THEY ARE DRAWN ON A MUSICAL VOCABULARY THEY DEVELOPED.

THERE STILL ALSO BEING PRESENT IN THE MOMENT SO THAT OTHER NEW THINGS CAN HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: MOST PEOPLE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE SILENT FILM, COMPANIED BY A PIANO.

BUT MODELL HAS ALSO PLAYED A THEATER ORGAN FOR LIVE PERFORMANCES, AND USE A SOFTWARE FOR RENOVATING THAT SOUND FOR UNDER PRODUCTIONS.

♪ ♪ >> ALLOWS ME TO HAVE THAT MOVIE PALACE SOUND, WITHOUT LEAVING MY LIVING ROOM.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN ENJOY HIS DELIGHTFUL WORK ON YOUTUBE, OR TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE 10th ANNIVERSARY SALE ON UNDER PRODUCTIONS WEBSITE THIS MONTH.

THESE FILMS WERE BRIGHT YOUR DAY, GUARANTEED.

>>> AND, HERE IS A LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON FOR TOMORROW.

NPR MORNING EDITION FOLLOWING BREAKING NEWS, FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP SAYING HE WAS INDICTED ON FEDERAL CHARGES IN THE MAR-A- LAGO CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS CASE, AND YOU CANNOT FIND THE NIGHTS STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG .

YOU WE APPRECIATE YOU JOINING US TODAY, THANK YOU , AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING ADDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY KNOW-HOW FAMILY OF COMPANIES.

PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR, RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

VISIT BILLHOWE.COM AND BY THE CONRAD PREVICE FOUNDATION.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

♪ ♪ AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ >> [ EVENT CONCLUDED ]