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

ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR SINCE 1978.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREFACE FOUNDATION.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

IT IS THURSDAY MARCH 11.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

WE BEGIN WITH BREAKING NEWS.

THOMAS AGO PRESIDENT BIDEN BEGAN HIS FIRST NATIONWIDE ADDRESS TO THE NATION.

IN IT, HE LAID OUT HIS NEXT STEPS AND HOW TO DEAL WITH THE PANDEMIC GOING FORWARD.

HE KICKED OFF THE DAY THOUGH SIGNING INTO LAW THE HISTORIC $1.9 TRILLION COVID RELIEF BILL.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL IS LIVE IN THE NEWSROOM WITH MORE ON THE BILL AND THE PRESIDENT ADDRESSED.

JOHN?

>> MEYER, THE PRESIDENT WAS ORIGINALLY SUPPOSED US FIND THE BILL TOMORROW BUT THEY ARE KEENLY AWARE THAT MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE HURTING AND THEY NEED THAT $1400 CHECK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

EARLIER TODAY THE PRESS SECRETARY SAID AMERICANS TO EXPECT THE CHECKS TO START ROLLING IN THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS THIS WEEKEND.

PRESIDENT OBAMA WANTS TO GET THE VACCINES INTO THE ARMS OF EVERY AMERICAN WHO WANTS ONE.

>> WE WILL HAVE ENOUGH VACCINE SUPPLY FOR ALL ADULT IN AMERICA BY THE END OF MAY.

THAT IS MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE.

WE ARE MOBILIZING THOUSANDS OF VACCINATED IS TO PUT THE VACCINES IN ONE'S ARM, CALLING ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY, FEMA, RETIRED DOCTORS AND NURSES, ADMINISTRATORS, TO ADMINISTER THE SHOTS.

>> THE ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO HAVE A WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING BY MAY FIRST TO ASSIST AMERICANS IN FINDING OUT WHERE VACCINES ARE AVAILABLE.

MAYA, TONIGHT IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF A MAJOR WEEKS LONG PUSHED BY THE ADMINISTRATION TO SELL THE STIMULUS BILL TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

THE PRESIDENT SAID IF THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS ARE VACCINATED OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS AND WE CONTINUE TO WHERE MASKS AND PRACTICE PHYSICAL DISTANCING AND WASH HANDS, HE SAYS WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE BACK TO THE POINT WHERE WE CAN IN SMALL GROUPS ENJOY SOMETHING RESEMBLING A NORMAL FOURTH OF JULY, MAYA.

>> THE PRESIDENT REALLY DIDN'T VENTURE BEYOND TALKING ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE BUT THERE ARE SOME GOALS THERE ROLLING OUT HERE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

>> THEY CERTAINLY DO, THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE PUSHING FOR A MAJOR EFFORT TO REBUILD THE NATION'S INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE THE COVID RELIEF BILL , IT WILL LEAD TO THE CREATION OF A LOT OF JOB AND YET MORE MONEY WHEN IT COMES TO THE ECONOMY, MAYA.

>> YOU SO MUCH, JOHN.

>>> GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAYS THE MASSIVE NEW FEDERAL CORONAVIRUS RELIEF BILL WILL PUMP MORE THAN $150 BILLION INTO THE STATE'S ECONOMY.

NEARLY HALF OF THAT MONEY WILL GO TO THE $1400 CHECKS AND EXPANDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND ANOTHER 26 BILLION TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

$16 BILLION WILL GO TO LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

THAT FUNDING WILL BE SPLIT BETWEEN CITIES AND COUNTIES.

DIRECT PAYMENTS ARE ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO LOW INCOME FAMILIES.

>> THIS TYPE OF MONEY ALLOWS PEOPLE TO NOT ONLY PAY THEIR RENT BUT TO BE ABLE TO FEED THEIR FAMILIES AND ALSO GIVES PEOPLE A SENSE OF SECURITY THAT THE ECONOMY IS DOING OKAY.

>> NEWSOM WILL ANNOUNCE HIS PLANS FOR THE STATES PORTION OF THE MONEY IN MID-MAY.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS WANT IT TO GO TOWARDS HELPING PEOPLE IN SMALL BUSINESSES.

CALIFORNIA IS LOOSENING RESTRICTIONS ON BUSINESSES THAT SERVE ALCOHOL AS WELL AS SUMMER CAMPS.

BREWERIES, WINERIES, AND DISTILLERIES ARE ALLOWED TO OPEN OUTDOORS AND THEY WILL BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE INDOORS WITH REDUCED CAPACITY, BARS ARE STILL CLOSED BUT WILL BE ALLOWED TO OPEN OUTDOORS IN ORANGE AND INDOORS IN THE YELLOW AND BEGINNING JUNE FIRST, SLEEP AWAY CAMPS WILL BE ALLOWED TO RESUME IN ALL BUT THE PURPLE TIER.

25% OF SAN DIEGAN RESIDENCE HAVE GOTTEN THE COVID-19 SHOP.

>> THE COUNTY HAVE 30 VACCINATION PODS AND SUPERSTITIONS TO ADMINISTER COVID-19 VACCINES.

OVERALL THE REGION HAS PUT IN 1.12 MILLION DOSES OF COVID VACCINES INTO THE ARMS OF SAN DIEGANS.

ALMOST 25% OF SAN DIEGANS HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE DOSE IN ONE SHOT BUT THERE ARE SHORTAGES.

THE BULK OF WHAT IS BEING HONORED RIGHT NOW OUR SECOND THOSE APPOINTMENTS.

WE HONOR THOSE FIRST AND WHAT IS LEFT WE MAKE THE APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE.

>> FLETCHER SENT OUT A TWEET EARLIER TODAY SAYING WE HAVE OFFERED A FIRST DOSE OF VACCINE TO ALL OF OUR TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS THAT IN MAYA -- SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

IT IS A PART OF THE FEDERAL RETAIL PHARMACY PROGRAM.

>> WE ARE READY AT THE COMPANY TO DELIVER 20 TO 25 MILLION SHOTS A MONTH ACROSS OUR COMPANY AND WE DEFINITELY HAVE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE TO BE ABLE TO DO SO, BUT WHO IS GETTING SHOTS IS A PART OF THE LARGER ISSUE OF VACCINE EQUITY.

THE COUNTY IS TRYING TO ADDRESS THE ROADBLOCK THROUGH DIFFERENT INITIATIVES.

>> THERE ARE PILOT WALKUP SITES AND I'M REALLY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT THESE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL, AND THEY ARE WORKING.

>> VACCINE ELIGIBILITY WILL EXPAND AGAIN THIS TIME TO PEOPLE AGES 16 TO 64 WITH UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS SUBJECT TO VACCINE AVAILABILITY.

TO BOOK AN APPOINTMENT, CHECK THE COUNTY'S WEBSITE OR PHARMACIES NEAR YOU.

>>> WE ARE TRACKING THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS AT WWW.KPBS.ORG/EVENINGEDITION.

CLICK ON THE VACCINES TAB TO FIND CLINIC LOCATIONS AS WELL AS LINKS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

>> A PHOTO CIRCULATING ONLINE APPEARS TO SHOW A SAN DIEGO POLICE OFFICER POINTING A GUN AT AN EIGHT-YEAR-OLD BOY.

NOW THE SD PD HAS RELEASED A BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE TO DISPUTE THAT.

>>> A TRAFFIC STOP OCCURRED TUESDAY AFTERNOON AFTER POLICE THAT A MOTORIST WAS DRIVING 70 MILES PER HOUR THROUGH A STREET WITH A 40 MILE PER HOUR SPEED LIMIT.

THE DRIVER DID NOT IMMEDIATELY STOP AFTER POLICE TURNED ON THEIR SIRENS.

THE SD PD SPOKESMAN SAYS HE WAS TREATED AS HIGH RISK.

AFTER THE DRIVER WAS DETAINED, THE CHILD IS SEEN EXITING THE VEHICLE.

>> IN THE BACKGROUND, THE DRIVER PLEASE WITH OFFICER CANNOT POINT HIS GUN AT THE BOY HOWEVER THE VIDEO SHOWS THAT THE GUN IS POINTED AT THE VEHICLE AND NOT THE CHILD.

THE SD PD RELEASED BY THE CAMP FOOTAGE AFTER A PHOTO MADE IT APPEAR AS IF THE OFFICER WAS POINTING THE GUN AT THE CHILD BUT ACCORDING TO AN SD PD SPOKESPERSON, THE OFFICER NEVER POINTED THE GUN AT THE EIGHT- YEAR-OLD.

GO TO WWW.KPBS.ORG/EVENINGEDITION TO SEE THE SEVEN MINUTE VIDEO IN ITS ENTIRETY.

THE INCIDENT SPARKED SMALL PROTESTS ON WEDNESDAY EVENING.

THOSE ATTENDING DEMANDED TO KNOW WHY OFFICERS POINTED THEIR WEAPONS TOWARDS THE CHILD.

A SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCILWOMAN WANTS TO REVIEW HOW CHILDREN ARE TREATED AT TRAFFIC STOPS.

IN A WRITTEN STATEMENT SHE SAYS AS WE WORK TO REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR CITY YOU MUST ACKNOWLEDGE WHEN TRAUMA HAS BEEN INFLICTED ON OUR RESIDENTS.

ACCORDING TO THE SD PD, THE CHILD WAS NOT HANDCUFFED DURING THE TRAFFIC STOP.

THE DRIVER WAS ISSUED A MISDEMEANOR CITATION AND THE VEHICLE WAS IMPOUNDED.

>>> THIRD-DEGREE MURDER CHARGES ARE BACK ON THE TABLE IN THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD.

THE FORMER NEAPOLIS POLICE OFFICER IS FACING SECOND DEGREE MANSLAUGHTER CHARGES ALL OF WHICH HE HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO.

DEREK CHAUVIN WAS SEEN ON THE VIDEO HOLDING FLOYD DOWN BY HIS NECK FOR EIGHT MINUTES WHILE FLOYD SAID HE COULD NOT BREATHE.

THE THIRD-DEGREE MURDER CHARGE HAD BEEN THROWN OUT IN OCTOBER BUT IN APPELLATE COURT CONVINCED THE JUDGE TO REINSTATE THE CHARGES CITING A SIMILAR CASE.

JURY SELECTION IS STILL IN PROGRESS.

>>> MORE THAN 100,000 ENCOUNTERS AND ARREST OF MIGRANTS HAVE TAKEN PLACE IN THE LAST FOUR WEEKS.

THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CHILDREN NOW IN BORDER PATROL CUSTODY.

WE HAVE A LOOK AT SOME OF THESE KEY NUMBERS.

>> SOME ARE WAITING IN MEXICO.

BUT OTHERS ARE TAKING THE RISK AND CROSSING OVER.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW, YOU HAVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE CROSSING ILLEGALLY IN THE UNITED STATES EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> REPUBLICANS CALLING IT A CRISIS BLAMING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

THE WHITE HOUSE IS REFUSING TO USE THE SAME TERMINOLOGY.

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU CALL IT.

IT IS AN ENORMOUS CHALLENGE AND SOMETHING THAT IS FRONT AND CENTER FOR THE PRESIDENT.

>> MORE THAN 100,000 MIGRANTS WERE ENCOUNTERED AT THE US- MEXICO BORDER MAKING IT THE HIGHEST LEVELS FOR THE SAME TIMEFRAME IN FIVE YEARS.

>> TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON FIRST AND IS REALLY SOMETHING IN FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSPECTIVE AND POLICE CHIEF PERSPECTIVE, WE WANT SAFE COMMUNITIES, AND WE WANT TO HELP PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE, THIS IS A REAL ISSUE.

>> THE ADMINISTRATION WILL ALSO HAVE TO DEAL WITH A RECORD NUMBER OF MIGRANT CHILDREN HELD IN BORDER PATROL CUSTODY.

>> THERE IS A VARIETY OF ACTIONS UNDER CONSIDERATION, INCLUDING ASSESSING OTHER LICENSED FACILITIES FOR THESE CHILDREN.

>> THE GOVERNMENT CONSIDERING A NASA SITE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA AS A TEMPORARY HOUSING FACILITY FOR THE CHILDREN, BUT IT IS UNCLEAR IF THAT WILL HELP LONG-TERM.

>> THREE PARENTS ARE SUING THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT OVER A LACK OF IN PERSON LEARNING.

THE DISTRICT HAS OFFERED ON- CAMPUS LEARNING LABS TO SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS BUT THE SUIT ALLEGES SOME AMOUNT OF IN PERSON INSTRUCTION MUST BE OFFERED TO ALL STUDENTS UNDER STATE LAW.

IT CLAIMS DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS HAVEN'T BEEN PROVIDED THE SAME ACCESS TO DISTANCE LEARNING.

THE DISTRICT HAS NOT RESPONDED TO THE LAWSUIT.

DOZENS OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN FOSTER CARE ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING THEIR HOME.

TONYA THORNE EXPLAINS WHY THEY WANT TO CLOSE THE ACADEMY.

>> IS LOCATED IN ESCONDIDO A IN IS THE FIRST PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES A HOME IN SCHOOL FOR FOSTER YOUTH.

CURRENTLY, THERE ARE 70 FATHER -- FOSTER YOUTH YOUTH LIVING THERE.

>> SPOT IS LIKE A SECOND CHANCE FOR ME, BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY CHANCES OF THEIR IN THE REAL WORLD.

>> THE ACADEMY IS A PILOT PROGRAM THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO RUN UNTIL DECEMBER BUT THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA WANTS TO END IN OCTOBER.

THE SCHOOL STAFF AND STUDENT LEARNED ABOUT THE PLAN ABRUPTLY , SO I CALLED THE OFFICE AND SAID IS FAR CLOSING DOWN AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT IT.

NONE OF US WERE NOTIFIED OF IT.

>> THE DECISION CAME AFTER A NEW FEDERAL LAW DISCOURAGED FOSTER CARE FACILITIES.

IF SPOT IS CLOSED, THE COUNTY WILL NEED TO FIND NEW HOMES FOR THE YOUTH LIVING THERE.

ADVOCATES ARE ASKING TO KEEP SPOT OPEN UNTIL JUNE 2022.

>> IT IS A BOARDING SCHOOL, AND IT SHOULD BE CARVED OUT AS A BOARDING SCHOOL.

WE HAVE BOARDING SCHOOLS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

THAT IS NOT ILLEGAL.

>> HAWKINS HOPES THAT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL KEEP IN MIND HOW THE CLOSURE IMPACTS THE YOUTH LIVING AT SPA.

>> IT IS LIKE A HUGE FAMILY, YOU KNOW.

WE CREATE BONDS HERE, YOU KNOW.

AND WHEN YOU TAKE THOSE BONDS AWAY, IT IS JUST TOO MUCH.

>> THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS EXPECTED TO CONSIDER THE LETTER NEXT WEEK.

TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WITH THE SNOW COMES THE CROWDS AND NEIGHBORS IN MOUNT LAGUNA ARE ASKING VISITORS TO BE PREPARED.

THE AREA GOT 12 INCHES OF SNOW THIS MORNING AND MORE IS EXPECTED.

>> SNOWPLOWS AS VISITORS STOPPED FOR A SNOW DAY.

A REMINDER IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO MAKE YOUR WAY UP THE MOUNTAIN, CHAINS ARE REQUIRED AND SO IS YOUR PATIENCE.

>> SOMETIMES IT GETS REALLY MESSY.

WE HAVE ACCIDENTS AND CONGESTION.

YOU MIGHT BE WAITING IN YOUR CAR FOR A LONG TIME BECAUSE THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY IN AND OUT.

THE ROADS ARE REALLY WHINY AND NARROW, SO PLEASE ACT RESPONSIBLY AND BE SAFE.

>> LOOKS LIKE THE SNOW AND THE RAIN COULD BE STICKING AROUND FOR ANOTHER DAY.

>>> KEEPING WITH THE COOL PATTERN WE HAVE HAD, THE SHOWERS ARE STICKING AROUND AND EVEN SOME MOUNTAIN SNOW.

THE GOOD NEWS IS WE DO GET A QUIETER WEEKEND OUT OF THE DEAL, SO WE HAVE TO KEEP THE DREARY WEATHER AROUND AS THIS SLOW MOVING SYSTEM EVENTUALLY WORKS HIS WAY OFF TO THE EAST.

UNTIL THEN, WE ARE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT MORE MOUNTAIN SNOW .

IN HIGHER ELEVATIONS, THEY CAN PICK UP MORE THAN THREE INCHES OF SNOW WITH SOME PLACES AS MUCH IS 10 TO 15 INCHES FOR THE HIGHEST ELEVATIONS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HERE, SO WE'VE GOT THE COOL AIR IN PLACE.

48 IS BELOW FOR SAN DIEGO WITH THE CHANCE FOR RAIN.

STILL SOME WASTER, STILL THE MOUNTAIN SNOW SHOWERS, SO THAT IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO DEVELOP ACCUMULATING SNOW.

HEAVY RAIN POSSIBLE OVERNIGHT EVEN INTO TOMORROW MORNING WHERE THE LOW IS JUST STARTING TO WORK ITS WAY THROUGH CALIFORNIA INTO NEVADA AND ARIZONA.

AS IT DOES THIS, YOU GUESSED IT, MORE CLOUDS AND MORE SHOWERS FOR US FOR TOMORROW.

TOMORROW, WE KEEP THE TEMPERATURES IN THE 50s, 30 IN MOUNT LAGUNA WITH SOME OF THOSE SNOW SHOWERS.

OFF TOWARDS THE EAST, IT IS NOT AS QUITE ACTIVE BUT WE HAVE MOISTURE THROUGH FRIDAY WITH A CHANCE FOR RAIN AND SNOW SHOWERS DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE AS FAR AS ELEVATION.

ONCE WE GET INTO LATE FRIDAY NIGHT/EARLY SATURDAY MORNING, WE SEE SOME OF THE LAST BITS OF MOISTURE WORKING ITS WAY ON HIM.

WE KEEP CLOUD COVER THROUGH EARLY SATURDAY, DRYER AIR IS WORKING ITS WAY ON IN BEHIND THE STORM SYSTEM, WHICH IS MOVING OFF TOWARDS THE EAST.

SO EVENTUALLY WITH TIME, WE DRY OUT THROUGH SATURDAY AFTERNOON WITH MORE SUNSHINE BUT UNTIL THEN, IT IS GOING TO BE A BIT OF A SLOW GO WITH THE CHANCE FOR RAIN ON FRIDAY WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 50s.

WE CLIMBED BACK INTO THE 60s TOWARDS THE COAST AND EVEN THE MID 60s TOWARDS THE INLAND LOCATIONS SO THERE IS MILD AIR TO COME.

WE HAVE TO GET THROUGH THIS STORMY PATTERN WHICH DOES KEEP TRAVEL IMPACTED THERE.

THE DESERTS WILL EVEN HAVE AT LEAST SOME SHOWERS OUT THERE.

>>> THE RAIN AND SNOW IS NEEDED AFTER A MOSTLY DRY WINTER, BUT HE CREATED SOME CHALLENGING CONDITIONS FOR OUR NEIGHBORS UP NORTH.

THE PACIFIC STORM CAUSED FIRE RAVAGED AREAS IN THE SANTA ANA MOUNTAINS TO EXPERIENCE HEAVY MUD FLOW THAT SURROUNDED CARS AND HOMES IN ORANGE COUNTY.

RESIDENTS HELPED DIG THROUGH THE MUDSLIDES.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, MY RENTER NEXT DOOR, HIS CAR IS BURIED IN THE MUD.

WHEN YOU SHOVE THAT SHOVEL IN, IT IS LIKE ROCK, SO IT IS A LOT OF WORK.

>> THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED BUT WITH CONTINUED RAIN, THE ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ORDERED EVACUATIONS IN SILVERADO CANYON AS WELL AS TWO OTHER CANYONS.

NOT EVERYONE IS ON BOARD WITH GOVERNOR NEWSOM'S PLAN TO CENTRALIZE THE STATES COVID-19 DELIVERY SYSTEM.

SANTA CLARA OFFICIALS ARE REFUSING TO SIGN A CONTRACT THAT WOULD GIVE BLUE SHIELD CONTROL OVER DISTRIBUTION.

>> COUNTY LEADERS ARE PUSHING BACK AGAINST A PLAN THAT WOULD REQUIRE THEM TO HANDLE LOCAL CONTROL AND VACCINE DISTRIBUTION TO BLUE SHIELD OF CALIFORNIA.

>> IN AN INTERVIEW WITH ABC'S 7 NEWS, THE BAY AREA'S LARGEST COUNTY IS NOW IN TALKS WITH THE STATE AND ARE HOPEFUL FOR A FIRM OUTCOME BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

THE COUNTY WANTS TO RECEIVE ITS VACCINE SUPPLY DIRECTLY FROM THE STATE AND RATHER THAN GOING THROUGH BLUE SHIELD AND THEY WANT TO CONTINUE TO USE THE COUNTY'S CURRENT APPOINTMENT SYSTEM, WHICH THEY SAY IS FAR SUPERIOR TO THE ONE THAT WAS DEVELOPED BY THE STATE.

>> SOME COUNTIES NEED HIM ILLUSTRATIVE STRUCTURES AND OTHERS JUST NEED THE VACCINES.

>> WE LEARNED THAT SANTA CLARA COUNTY WAS SHORTED NEARLY 12,000 DOSES THAN WHAT THEY EXPECTED FROM THE SAFE PLACE THIS WEEK.

>> MY SUSPICION IS THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DIVERT AS MUCH OF THE VACCINE TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AS POSSIBLE, AND THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE THINK IS ACCEPTABLE.

>> THAT IS BECAUSE THE STATE RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT 40% OF VACCINES WOULD BE SET ASIDE FOR LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES BASED ON THE HEALTHY PLACES INDEX, THE MAJORITY OF WHOM ARE IN THE SOUTH.

DESPITE THE BACKLASH FOR THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN FOR BLUE SHIELD TO TAKE OVER VACCINE DISPUTE TRADITION, SOME SAY IT MAKES SENSE.

>> THEY UNDERSTAND THE DYNAMICS OF WORKING WITH THESE DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS IN HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS LIKE KAISER PERMANENTE, STANFORD, UCLA, USC, AS WELL AS THE PHARMACY.

>> SO FAR, THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAY DOZENS OF PROVIDERS HAVE ALREADY SIGNED ON TO WORK WITH BLUE SHIELD.

>> THAT WAS AMERICA STILL FACING A JOB CRISIS ONE YEAR SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED.

THE LABOR DEPARTMENT REPORTED 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE APPLIED FOR FIRST-TIME BENEFITS LAST WEEK WITHOUT SEASONAL ADJUSTMENTS.

THAT INCLUDES THE 712,000 WHO FILED FIRST-TIME JOBLESS CLAIMS IN THE 478,000 WHO FILED FOR BENEFITS UNDER THE PLAN TO MAKE UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

TODAY, THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM BOARD VOTED TO BRING BACK THE BUS AND TROLLEY TRANSFERS.

IT IS A PART OF A FAIR SYSTEM OVERHAUL COMING THIS SUMMER.

>> NTS BOARD MEMBERS AND NM SLEEP APPROVE THE SYSTEM CALL PRONTO WHICH INCLUDES A PAY-AS- YOU-GO FUNCTION THAT ASSURES PASSENGERS NEVER PAY MORE THAN THE COST OF A DAILY OR MONTHLY PASS, EVEN IF THEY PAY THEIR BUS AND TROLLEY FEARS WITH ONE- WAY TICKET.

THE BOARD VOTED TO LOWER ONE- WAY YOUTH FARES FROM 250 TO 125.

CAROLINA MARTINEZ SAYS THOSE MOVES BRINGS JUSTICE TO PUBLIC TRANSIT >> IT IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR COMMUNITY, A DECREASE AFFAIRS AND TRANSFER COSTS IS IN LINE WITH THE MUCH-NEEDED LONG-TERM STRATEGY TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES AND REBUILD THE REGION'S ECONOMY.

NCS CONSIDER RAISING FARES TO PAY FOR THE SYSTEM UPGRADES, BUT THE BOARD ULTIMATELY DECIDED TO USE FEDERAL TRANSIT SUBSIDIES INCLUDED IN THE COVID- 19 RELIEF HILLS.

THE NCS BOARD MEMBER VIVIAN MARINO SAYS THERE INCREASES WOULD'VE HURT RIDERSHIP ALREADY SUFFERING DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

>> I THINK FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, WE ARE GOING TO BE DEPENDING MORE THAN USUAL ON SUBSIDY FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BALANCE OUR BUDGET.

IN THIS CONTEXT, IT MAKES MORE SENSE TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN WITHIN REASON TO BOOST OUR RIDERSHIP CLOSE TO PRE- PANDEMIC LEVELS.

>> IF APPROVED BY THE TRANSIT PLANNING AGENCY, THE FEAR CHANGES WILL TAKE EFFECT WITH THE NEW FAIR SYSTEM LUNCH THIS SUMMER.

.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> EAST VILLAGE JUST GOT A LITTLE BIT GREENER, THE MAYOR CELEBRATED THE OPENING OF THE 14th STREET GREENWAY PROJECT.

EIGHT PARKING SPACES WERE REMOVED TO CREATE THE GREEN SPACE WHICH INCLUDES MORE THAN 200 PLANTS AND IMPROVED L.E.D.

LIGHTING.

HISTORICAL IMAGES OF THE ARTIFACTS ALSO LINED THE BLOCK ENCOURAGING PEOPLE WALKING BY TO STOP AND TAKE IT ALL IN >> IT HELPS MEET OUR CITIES CLIMATE ACTION PLAN GOALS AS WELL AS THE GOALS OF OUR DOWNTOWN MOBILITY PLAN.

THIS IS THE FIRST OF SIX INTERCONNECTED GREENWAYS LOCATED ALONG 14th STREET AND EXTENDS 11 CITY BLOCKS FROM C STREET TO COMMERCIAL STREET >> THE PROJECT COSTS JUST OVER $2 MILLION.

THE FIRST PHASE WAS FUNDED BY A GRANT AS WELL AS FEES PAID BY DEVELOPERS.

>>> SAN DIEGO WITH NEED TO SPEND $264 MILLION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO FIX AND UPGRADE STREETLIGHTS.

AS THE INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER MARY PLUMMER EXPLAINS, IT IS MONEY THE CITY DOESN'T HAVE AND SOME RESIDENTS ARE NOT HAPPY.

>> IT IS HOME TO ONE OF THE BEST VIEWS IN THE COUNTY.

EACH EVENING PEOPLE FLOCK TO THE COASTLINE TO WATCH THE SUN DIP BELOW THE PACIFIC OCEAN.

RESIDENTS AND VISITORS SAY REPAIRS ARE NEEDED ALONG A BUSY STRETCH OF ROAD THAT HAS MULTIPLE STREETLIGHTS OUT.

>>> THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW NIGHTS WHERE MY HUSBAND AND I HAVE COME AND WALKED, AND WE DID NOTICE HOW MUCH DARKER IT IS, AND YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE FEWER STREETLIGHTS.

>> ACROSS THE CITY, ABOUT 8% OF THE CITIES 54,000 STREETLIGHTS HAVE OPEN FIX-IT REQUEST.

THERE IS NOT AN EASY SOLUTION THE STREETLIGHTS ARE TOUGH TO FIX AND EXPENSIVE SINCE SAN DIEGO COUNCILMEMBER JOEL LOOK,.

>> THIS IS ONE ELEMENT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PICTURE IN OUR CITY THAT REALLY HAS SOME VERY DAUNTING NUMBERS.

>> SPOKE TO RESIDENTS WHO SAY THEY HAVE BEEN REPORTING BROKEN LIGHTS FOR SEVERAL MONTH -- MONTHS WITH NO HELP FROM THE CITY.

EVEN WITH A TAX INCREASE, IT WON'T BE ENOUGH TO COVER THE FULL COST.

>>> I AM JUDY WOODRUFF.

TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED THE HISTORIC COVID ECONOMIC RELIEF BILL INTO LAW.

COMING UP AT SEVEN AFTER EVENING EDITION ON KPBS.

>>> MARCH 19th MARKS ONE YEAR SINCE CALIFORNIANS WERE ORDERED TO STAY AT HOME TO COMBAT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 .

IN OUR SERIES, PANDEMIC LIFE ONE YEAR ON, KPBS TAKES A LOOK AT THE IMPACT OF THE VIRUS ON OUR COMMUNITIES AND WHERE WE GO FROM HERE.

OUR WEEKLONG COVERAGE BEGINS MONDAY, MARCH 15th ON KPBS RADIO , TV, AND WWW.KPBS.ORG/EVENINGEDITION.

>>> SNOW FALLING AT BIG BEAR LAKE ISN'T STOPPING APPEAR OF BALD EAGLES FROM TENDING THEIR NEST.

FRIENDS OF BIG BEAR VALLEY OPERATES A WEBCAM NEAR THE NEST IN A PINE TREE THAT IS 145 FEET IN THE AIR.

JUST THIS MORNING THE MALE EAGLE RETURNED IN MOMENTS LATER THE FEMALE FLEW AWAY LEAVING THEM TO WATCH THE TWO EGGS.

THE EGGS ARE EXPECTED TO HATCH THIS MONTH.

>>> YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, WWW.KPBS.ORG/EVENINGEDITION.

THANKS FOR JOINING US, I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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

ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR HELPING HOMEOWNERS RETAIN COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

AND BY THE CONRAD CREVICE FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCO SHYLY , AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.