>>> 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 PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

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

AND BY THE CONRAD CREVICE FOUNDATION, DARLENE SHELLEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU, THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING IT IS THURSDAY, MARCH 18th.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES.

WITH MORE COVID RESTRICTIONS ON BUSINESSES LIFTED AND MORE -- THINGS ARE STARTING TO LOOK UP BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN THE VIRUS IS NOT STILL TAKING A TOLL.

TODAY PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE REPORTING 439 NEW INFECTIONS AND EIGHT DEATHS.

AS KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN EXPLAINS , MORE SAN DIEGANS ARE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE AND THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE A HARD TIME FINDING AN APPOINTMENT.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS GOING TO BE A SHORTAGE OF FIRST DOSE APPOINTMENTS.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY SUPERVISOR NATHAN FLETCHER SAYS THAT IS BECAUSE VACCINE ALLOTMENTS ARE NOT KEEPING UP WITH DEMAND SAYING THE COUNTY'S MOST RECENT DELIVERY WAS A 10% BUMP.

>> IT IS NOT THE INCREASE WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

WE WOULD RATHER HAVE A DOUBLING OF VACCINES BUT I THINK IT DOES BEGIN TO SHOW THE SUPPLY IS BEGINNING TO UPTICK.

>> Reporter: NEARLY 30% OF SAN DIEGANS OVER THE AGE OF 16 HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE DOSE WHILE 70% ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

THIS WEEKEND THE BUSIEST VACCINATION STATE IS CLOSING PERMANENTLY TO MAKE WAY FOR POTTERY .

ICE WHEN WE SET IT UP WE KNOW BY APRIL 1st IT WOULD HAVE TO CEASE OPERATIONS AND SO THIS WAS A PART OF THE PLANT OPERATION.

THEY WILL SEE THROUGH THE REST OF THE SECOND DOSE APPOINTMENTS.

>> Reporter: MILLIONS OF CALIFORNIANS THIS WEEK BECAME ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINATIONS BUT THERE ARE STILL SENIORS WHO NEED SHOTS.

>> I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO IS HELP THEIR NEIGHBOR, PARENT, GRANDPARENT, FRIEND, TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.

>> Reporter: THEIR FOUNDING IT FINDING IT CHALLENGING TO REACH HOMEBOUND SENIORS.

HEALTHCARE TEAMS ARE WORKING TO VACCINATE HOMEBOUND SENIORS AND RESIDENTS CAN CALL TO ONE WANT TO GET ON A LIST OFFICIALS ACKNOWLEDGE PROGRESS HAS BEEN SLOW.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO GET BACK ON TRACK AND MOVING FASTER.

>> Reporter: THIS WEEK RESTRICTIONS FOR INDOOR OPERATIONS AT RESTAURANTS, GYMS, AND OTHER BUSINESSES LIKE MOVIE THEATERS WILL RELAX FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MONTHS.

>> WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO BE CAUTIOUS AND CAREFUL.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A SMOOTH AND STEADY RECOVERY.

>> Reporter: MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AND IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE AND WHERE TO GET YOUR SHOT, HEAD TO WWW.KPBS.ORG AND GO TO OUR HOMEPAGE AND CLICK ON THE VACCINES TAB DEFINED QUALIFYING ETHICAL CONDITIONS, CLINICAL LOCATIONS, AS WELL AS LINKS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

>>> THIS SATURDAY MARKED THE 100 DAYS THAT GLORY HAS TAKEN OVER AS MAYOR OF SAN DIEGO.

HE IS TAKING ACCOUNT OF ALL THE THINGS HE SAID STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE, CREATING A BUDGET THAT IS BALANCED AND EQUITABLE AND ADDRESSING THE RISING GUN VIOLENCE AND HOMELESSNESS.

MAYOR GLORIA WHO WAS PART FILIPINO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF VIOLENCE AGAINST ASIAN AMERICAN PEOPLE FOLLOWING THE MURDER ON TUESDAY OF SIX ASIAN WOMEN IN ATLANTA.

>> THIS IS A TIME OF GREAT CHALLENGE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE RECOGNIZE WHILE THE ACTS OF EXTREME HATE MAY NOT HAVE HAPPENED HERE YET WE DON'T WANT THEM TO COME HERE AND THE CITY STAND SQUARELY WITH HER ASIAN- PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY IN SAYING NO TO HATE, VIOLENCE, AND WE WILL STAND UP AGAINST IT EVERY SINGLE CHANCE WE GET.

>> LAST NIGHT SAN DIEGANS SENT A MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY TO THE ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY.

THEY GATHERED AT SEAPORT VILLAGE LIGHTING CANDLES AND HELD A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO WERE KILLED.

>>> AUTHORITIES IN GEORGIA ARE STILL TRYING TO DETERMINE THE MOTIVE AND THE KILLING OF EIGHT PEOPLE INCLUDING SIX ASIAN WOMEN.

POLICE SAY THEY AREN'T RULING OUT THAT IT WAS A HATE CRIME.

AS CAMILLE EXPLAINS, THE DEADLY SHOOTINGS ARE HIGHLIGHTING THE FEAR, THE HATE AND VIOLENCE MANY ASIAN AMERICANS ARE EXPERIENCING AMID THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS SAY IT IS TOO EARLY TO KNOW IF THE ATLANTA SHOOTINGS WERE RACIALLY MOTIVATED.

BUT THIS COMMENT FROM CAPTAIN J BAKER IS SPARKING OUTRAGE IN THE ASIAN COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.

>> WE UNDERSTOOD THE GRAVITY OF IT AND HE WAS PRETTY MUCH SET UP AND AT THE END OF HIS ROPE AND YESTERDAY WAS A REALLY BAD DAY FOR HIM AND THIS IS WHAT HE DID.

>> Reporter: THE COMMENT HAS MANY DIGGING INTO BAKER'S SOCIAL MEDIA WERE A PHOTO ALLEGEDLY POSED BY BAGEL LAST YEAR SHOWS SHIRTS WITH ANTI- ASIAN MESSAGES ABOUT COVID-19.

WHEN ASKED BY CNN ABOUT THE POST, BAKER HAD NO COMMENT.

SINCE THE START OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC ASIAN AMERICAN GROUPS SAY THEY ARE EXPERIENCING A RISE IN INCIDENTS OF HATE AND VIOLENCE.

>> THERE IS INCREASED FEAR AMONGST OUR COMMUNITY BUT THERE IS ALSO DEEP PAIN AND ANGER.

>> Reporter: LAWMAKERS IN WASHINGTON ARE EVEN HOLDING A PREVIOUSLY SCHEDULED COMMITTEE MEETING TO ADDRESS THESE FEARS.

>> I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT ALL ASIAN AMERICANS WERE UNDERSTANDABLY FEELING HURT AND AFRAID RIGHT NOW AND WONDERING WHETHER ANYONE ELSE IN AMERICA CARES.

CONGRESS SEES YOU.

>> Reporter: ADVOCATES SAY THEY WELCOMED THE RESPONSE FROM LEADERS AROUND THE COUNTRY, BUT ALSO SAY MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> NOW IS NOT THAT TIME TO BE SILENT.

NOW IS REALLY THE TIME TO RAISE MORE AWARENESS OF WHAT IS GOING ON AND TO DEMAND THAT THINGS CHANGE.

>> Reporter: CAN BE LIMBER NOW, KPBS NEWS.

>>> FOR THE FIRST TIME THE HOUSE IS PASSED LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW DREAMERS A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP.

THE VOTE GIVES DEMOCRATS A WIN AND THE FIRST VOTE ON IMMIGRATION THAT IT COULD BE AN UPHILL CLIMB IN THE SENATE BECAUSE REPUBLICANS ARE DEMANDING BILLS INCLUDE TOUGHER BORDER SECURITY.

THE BILL OFFERS LEGAL STATUS TO AROUND 2 MILLION DREAMERS WHO WERE BROUGHT TO THE U.S.

ILLEGALLY AS CHILDREN AND TO OTHERS.

PASSAGE SEEMS IMMINENT ON A SECOND BILL OFFERING LEGAL STATUS TO 1 MILLION IMMIGRANT FARMWORKERS.

>>> CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS A NEW JOB.

TODAY THE SENATE CONFIRMED BECERRA AS PRESIDENT BIDEN'S HEALTH SECRETARY.

THE SON OF MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS, HE IS THE FIRST LATINO TO HAVE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND ZERO WILL PLAY A KEY ROLE IN THE CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE AND ITS PLANS TO LOWER DRUG COSTS AND EXPAND INSURANCE COVERAGE.

GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM HAS NOT YET NAMED A REPLACEMENT FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL.

>>> THE CDC RELEASED MORE EXTENSIVE GUIDANCE WHEN IT COMES TO CORONAVIRUS TESTING IN SCHOOLS AND WORKPLACES AS WELL AS HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.

OFFICIALS ARE CALLING IT A CRITICAL PART OF THE APPROACH TO STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

WE HAVE A LOOK AT THE UPDATED RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> Reporter: IN THE WAR ON COVID-19 IT IS A WEAPON TO HELP GET CLOSER TO THE END OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> RELIABLE AND WIDELY AVAILABLE TESTING IS A CRUCIAL PART OF OUR EFFORTS TO STOP THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

>> Reporter: THE CDC SAYS ANYONE WITH SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 SHOULD CONTINUE TO GET SWABBED DURING TESTING AND THE AGENCY ALSO SAYS RAPID TESTS AT DIFFERENT POINTS IN TIME, ALSO KNOWN AS SERIAL SCREENING, CAN HELP CATCH ASYMPTOMATIC INFECTIONS ALLOWING FOR QUICK IDENTIFICATION AND ISOLATION OF AN INFECTED PERSON.

IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT WHEN THERE IS A LARGE NUMBER OF CASES OF THE COMMUNITY OR HIGH RISK OF COVID-19 SPREADING.

>> TO END THIS PANDEMIC EVERYONE MUST HAVE EQUAL ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE AND TIMELY TESTING.

WITH FAST TURNAROUND TIME FOR RESULTS.

TO IDENTIFY INFECTIONS AND REDUCE COMMUNITY SPREAD.

>> Reporter: THE GUIDANCE IS INTENDED FOR USE BY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND HEALTH OFFICIALS AND THOSE DOING TESTING IN PLACES LIKE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WORKPLACES, HOMELESS SHELTERS, AND DETENTION FACILITIES.

THE CDC ALSO SAYS GETTING A CORONAVIRUS VACCINE WILL NOT AFFECT THE RESULTS OF A COVID- 19 VIRAL TEST.

FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I AM ANDY GAITHER.

>>> AN ENDURING IMAGE FROM THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC WHERE SAN DIEGO'S OPEN FREEWAY THAT THE EMPTY TROLLEYS, TRAFFIC AND TRANSIT RIDERSHIP RECOVERING.

WILL THEY EVER COME BACK ALL THE WAY?

AS PART OF OUR SERIES PANDEMIC ONE YEAR METRO PORTER ANDREW BOWEN CONSIDERS COVID-19'S LASTING IMPACT ON TRANSPORTATION.

>> SO THIS IS OUR LIVING ROOM/DINING ROOM/KITCHEN.

>> Reporter: LIKE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ANDREW HAS BEEN WORKING FROM HOME FOR THE PAST YEAR.

>> MOST MORNINGS I START MY DAY ON THE SOFA WITH COFFEE, BLANKET, AND MY CAT AND WATCH THE NEWS.

>> Reporter: HE WORKS FOR THE NONPROFIT SAN DIEGO WORK FORCE PARTNERSHIP AND HE MISSES SEEING HIS COLLEAGUES IN PERSON BUT LIKES THE FLEXIBILITY REMOTE WORKING OFFERS.

HE SPENDS MORE TIMES WITH HIS CAT, WINSTON.

HE SAVED A BOATLOAD ON GAS OCCUR INSURANCE AND HE SAVE TIME.

PRE-PANDEMIC, HIS 10 MILE COMMUTE WOULD TAKE UP TO AN HOUR ONE WAY.

NOW?

>> MY COMMUTE IS ALL OF 20 FEET.

IT TAKES ME, YOU KNOW, TWO MINUTES TO GET MY BEDROOM TO THE LIVING ROOM WHEREVER I WILL BE PARKED FOR THE DAY.

>> Reporter: EVEN AS MORE PEOPLE GET VACCINATED AND RETURN TO SOME VERSION OF THEIR PRE-PANDEMIC WORK LIVES HE SAYS HIS JOB WILL LIKELY STAY REMOTE, AT LEAST PART OF THE WEEK.

>> PEOPLE ARE REALLY KEEN TO HAVE FLEXIBILITY AND I THINK WITH THE PANDEMIC HAS PROVEN IS IN MANY INDUSTRIES IT CAN BE AS PRODUCTIVE OR MORE PRODUCTIVE IN A REMOTE ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: IT IS A VERY DIFFERENT STORY FOR RODDY DRONE.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Reporter: HE PROVIDES IN- HOME SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY AND DISABLED.

WORK THAT CANNOT BE DONE REMOTELY.

HIS COMMUTE FROM WORK FROM SANTEE TO BACK HOME IN CITY HEIGHTS STARTS ON A BICYCLE FOLLOWED BY A TROLLEY AND BUS.

IT TAKES AN HOUR AND A HALF OR MORE EACH WAY.

JEROME LIKES MOVING AROUND.

HE DOES NOT WANT TO WORK FROM HOME.

HE JUST WISHES HIS COMMUTE WERE FASTER.

>> I WANT DIRECT SERVICE.

I WANT TO DIRECT WAY OF GETTING HERE INSTEAD OF HAVING TO TRANSFER FROM A BUS TO TROLLEY.

THAT WOULD MAKE IT A LOT EASIER.

>> Reporter: THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CARD AND DRUMS PANDEMIC COMMUTES REPRESENT A GREATER TRUTH.

THE BENEFITS OF REMOTE WORKING HAVE MANN MOSTLY TO JOBS THAT ARE HIGHER PAID AND MORE LIKELY TO BE HELD BY WHITE PEOPLE.

THE JOBS WHERE REMOTE WORKING WAS NEVER AN OPTION TENDED TO PAY LOWER WAGES AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE HELD BY PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> THAT MADE US ACTUALLY THINK HARDER ABOUT SOCIAL EQUITY, SOCIAL JUSTICE, ABOUT GETTING RID OF THE SINS OF THE PAST WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSPORTATION.

>> Reporter: HE IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SANDAG, THE COUNTY'S TRANSPORTATION AGENCY.

WE MEET AT THE SITE OF A FUTURE LIGHT RAIL STATION DUE TO OPEN IN MAY OF THIS YEAR.

>> THIS IS A TEASER OF WHAT WILL COME.

>> Reporter: THE SINS OF THE PAST HE SAYS INCLUDE BULLDOZING COMMUNITIES OF COLOR TO BUILD FREEWAYS.

SANDAG IS CURRENTLY UPDATING ITS LONG-TERM TRANSPORTATION PLAN WITH A MANDATE TO SLASH GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

HE SAYS THE PANDEMIC HAS MADE CLEAR THE NEW PLAN TO PUT THE NEEDS OF DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES FIRST.

>> WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

IT MEANS IF YOU PUT THE GROUP PROJECTS AND ONE PROJECT IS BUILDING AN INTERCHANGE FOR FREEWAY AND THE OTHER IS BUILDING A BICYCLE PATH, THE INTERCHANGE FROM THE FREEWAY MIGHT HAVE THE MONEY AND SEEM LOGICAL, IT IS THE SOCIAL -- YOU SHOULD DO THE BIKEWAY AND WE WILL DO THE BIKEWAY.

THAT WILL UPSET SOME PEOPLE BUT THAT IS HOW YOU GET RID OF THE SINS OF THE PAST.

>> Reporter: IS SANDAG ACCOUNTING FOR THE PANDEMICS POTENTIAL TO FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE OUR DAILY COMMUTES?

BUS AND TROLLEY TRIPS ARE DOWN BY ABOUT 60% SINCE FEBRUARY 2020 AND ALTHOUGH CAR TRAFFIC HAS RECOVERED FASTER, HER SHOWER STILL ISN'T WHAT IT USED TO BE.

HE SAYS IT WOULD BE FOOLISH TO BASE A GENERATION OF TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ON A ONE-TIME EVENT NO MATTER HOW DRAMATIC IT MIGHT BE IN THE SHORT TERM.

>> THEN IT WILL BE OVER.

WE CANNOT AS A SOCIETY MOVE FORWARD LIKE THIS.

KIDS CANNOT CONTINUE TO BE AT HOME.

THEREFORE IT IS SHORTSIGHTED TO SAY SCRAP EVERYTHING AND START OVER AGAIN BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE OTHER SIDE WILL LOOK LIKE.

BUT WE CAN ANTICIPATE THAT IT WILL BE BACK TO NORMAL.

>> Reporter: SANDAG PREDICTS REMOTE WORKING WILL CURB GREENHOUSE GASES BUT NOT ENOUGH GIVEN THE SCALE OF THE CLIMATE CRISIS.

WHEN ROBBIE JEROME LOOKS BEYOND THE PANDEMIC HE STILL SEES BETTER PUBLIC TRANSIT IS KEY TO HIS LIVELIHOOD AND A HEALTHIER PLANET.

>> WE TRY TO REDUCE OUR GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO OUR CLIMATE ACTION PLAN.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE IT BETTER.

YOU HAVE TO MAKE PEOPLE WANT TO GET OUT OF THEIR CARS.

IF THEY CAN'T DO THAT IT WON'T HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> TOMORROW WE CONTINUE OUR SERIES PANDEMIC LIFE ONE YEAR ON WITH THE STORY ABOUT THE IMPACT VIRTUAL LEARNING HAS HAD ON STUDENTS ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>>> EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND THE SALTON SEA WERE WIDELY EXPECTED TO BEGIN AT RED HILL BAY IN 2015.

THAT GROUNDBREAKING PROJECT REMAINS UNDONE AS KPBS ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON EXPLAINS, AIR QUALITY OFFICIALS HAVE PULLED INTO A FIGHT WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS.

>> Reporter: THE ROUGHLY 400 ACRES OF RED HILL BAY ON THE EASTERN EDGE OF THE SALTON SEA USED TO BE UNDERWATER.

A STATE-FUNDED PROJECT WOULD RETURN WATER TO THE FLAT PLAYA TRAPPING DANGEROUS DUST UNDER THE WATER AND PROVIDING HABITAT.

IT IS ALL IN A BID TO PROTECT -- BUT THE LAKEBED REMAINS BONE DRY.

>> FIVE YEARS LATER AFTER MANY OF THESE RED RIBBON CUTTINGS AND UNVEILING'S THAT HAPPENED THERE HAS BEEN LITTLE ACTION ON THE GROUND AT RED HILL BAY.

>> Reporter: IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICT DIRECTOR JB SAYS THAT TO YOUR PROJECT EVER GOT FINISHED AND THE DISPUTE HAS LANDED IN FRONT OF THE IMPERIAL COUNTY AIR POLLUTION CONTROL DISTRICT.

>> IS A STANDARD -- >> Reporter: KATIE BURNS WORTH SAYS THE EXPOSED LAKEBED HAS BEEN A SOURCE OF PARTICLE POLLUTION FOR YEARS.

LOCAL CLEANER OFFICIALS -- CITATION WOULD PUSH THE IDD TO FINISH THE PROJECT.

>> WE HAD TO GO THE STRONG ENFORCEMENT ROUTE BECAUSE NOTHING WAS GETTING DONE.

>> Reporter: THE REGION AS WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUES WITH AIR QUALITY AND ASTHMA.

IMPERIAL COUNTY FAILS TO MEET FEDERAL CLEANER STANDARDS FOR PARTICULATE POLLUTION AND WHEN THE WIND KICKS UP THE DRY LAKE BED BECOMES A MAN-MADE SOURCE OF SMALL PARTICLES KNOWN AS PM- 10.

>> THE SCARIEST THING ABOUT THE PLAYA IS WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS IN IT.

THINGS THAT WE DO KNOW ABOUT THE PLAYA IS THAT IT IS POTENTIALLY SCARY -- >> Reporter: EVERYONE WORRIES THERE IS TOXIC INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION WASHED INTO THE LAKE AND MIXED IN WITH THE SEDIMENTS.

THE IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LAND BECAUSE THEY OWN IT.

IIID SAYS THE HEARING COULD'VE BEEN AVOIDED.

>> WE NEED TO GET TOGETHER AND GET ON THE SAME PAGE AND FINISH THE PROJECT, NOT CONTINUE TO FIGHT.

>> THE IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICT WORRIES ABOUT POTENTIAL RICH UNDERGROUND RESOURCES AND CAL ENERGY HAS A CONTRACT TO EXPLORE GEOTHERMAL ENERGY AND MY LITHIUM RED HILL BAY.

THE DISTRICT WORRIES A RESTORATION PROJECT WOULD COMPLICATE ACCESS TO THE AREA.

TWO THEY ARE SAYING WE DON'T WANT TO DO THESE PROJECTS NOW.

>> Reporter: LUIS OLMEDO IS A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE FIGHTING FOR CLEAN AIR IN THE REGION.

>> WE WANT TO SEE WHAT KIND OF INDUSTRY WE CAN BRING INTO THESE EXPOSED AREAS.

THE TIME IS UP.

THERE IS NO TIME FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS READY TO STEP IN AND TAKE OVER THE PROJECT BUT THEY NEED SOME SECURITY ABOUT THE LAST FUTURE.

THE U.S.

FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE HAS THE FUNDING TO FINISH THE RESTORATION PROJECT BUT FEDERAL OFFICIALS WON'T INVEST THE CASH UNTIL THEY CAN SECURE A LONG-TERM LEASE FROM THE IID AND HE SAYS THE PUBLIC AGENCY IS RESISTING.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE GOVERNMENT HAS STEPPED UP AND SAYS WE WILL FUND THIS.

WE WILL PAY FOR THIS AND MAINTAIN IT AND WE WILL DO MAINTENANCE INTO PERPETUITY.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS FOR ONCE IT IS LOCAL OFFICIALS THE IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICT HOLDING UP PROGRESS ON THE SALTON SEA PROJECT.

THE IMPERIAL VALLEY CANNOT AFFORD TO WAIT.

THE IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICTS JB HAMBY SAYS IT IS NOT THAT SIMPLE.

>> THERE ARE COMPLICATIONS WITH THE LITHIUM AND THE GEOTHERMAL RELEASES AND MINERAL RIGHTS.

THERE IS FISH AND WILDLIFE WITH CERTAIN LEASES THEY HAVE OR DON'T HAVE.

THE ELEVATION, THE ALAMO, THE WATER QUALITY AND A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER THINGS.

>> Reporter: AIR QUALITY REGULATED KATIE BURNWORTH SAYS IF THERE IS NOT PROGRESS SOON THERE COULD BE SIGNIFICANT FINES COMING.

>> THERE IS AN ABATEMENT ORDER.

IT IS USED AS A TOOL TO KEEP EVERYBODY ON TASK AND THE TIMELINE BECAUSE WHAT IS MISSING AT THE SALTON SEA IS A REFEREE AND A TIMER.

>> Reporter: FINDS COULD LEAD TO LITIGATION AND I COULD HOLD UP THE PROGRESS EVEN LONGER.

KATIE BURNWORTH SAYS REGULATORS WOULD RATHER SEE THE KIND OF PROGRESS THE STATE IS MAKING ON A NEARBY 4000 ACRE PROJECT THAT WILL COVER EXPOSED LAKEBED ON THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF THE SALTON SEA.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HAVE A DRY PATTERN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

THAT IS THE GOOD NEWS BUT THERE IS GOING TO BE A FRONT MISSING US TO THE NORTH WHERE THERE WILL BE SOME MOISTURE SNOW FOR THE SIERRA NEVADA'S AND IT DOES TURN A BIT COOLER AND BREEZY THIS WEEKEND AS WE GET THE IMPACTS BEHIND THE COLD FRONT BUT NOT MUCH OF THE MOISTURE ALONG THE FRONT.

FOR TONIGHT NO SURPRISE, JUST A FEW PASSING CLOUDS ALSO TOWARD THE COAST IS WHERE WE WILL FIND A LOT OF THAT ACTIVITY.

TEMPERATURES DROPPING TO THE LOWER 40s IN SOME SPOTS.

ESCONDIDA, 42.

45 AND MOUNT LAGUNA.

THROUGH FRIDAY, A COLD FRONT COMES THROUGH.

THIS WILL PASS THROUGH HEADING INTO SATURDAY FOR US.

BUT WE DON'T GET THE MOISTURE.

THAT WILL BE CONFINED TO THE MOUNTAINS, MOSTLY SIERRA NEVADA'S.

SO MOUNTAINS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BUT REALLY THE STORY IS MUCH FARTHER TO THE NORTH AND THEN WE GET THE COOL AIR BEHIND IT.

THAT IS THE CHANGE WE WILL SEE FROM THE FRONT.

FOR TOMORROW, TEMPERATURES ARE STILL FAIRLY MILD.

67 IN SAN DIEGO.

AS WE LOOK AROUND BORREGO SPRINGS BACK TO THE MID-80s FOR YOUR AFTERNOON HIGH TEMPERATURES.

THERE WILL BE CLOUDS OUT THERE TO START OFF THE MORNING RIGHT OFFSHORE BUT I DO THINK WE GET A GOOD AMOUNT OF SUNSHINE AND THAT FRONT YOU CAN SEE IT NEARING INTO THE EVENING HOURS.

WE WILL PICK UP A FEW EXTRA CLOUDS EARLY ON THROUGH THE EVENING AND CONTINUE OVERNIGHT.

IT IS GOING TO BE A COOLER DAY AS WE START OFF THE WEEKEND AND A LITTLE BIT BREEZY AS SOME OF THAT COOL AIR WORKS ITS WAY IN.

THE COAST, MID 60s FOR YOUR HEIGHT.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, ONLY A FEW DEGREES COOLER BUT IT WILL BE NOTEWORTHY.

SOME PERIODS OF CLOUDS AS WE WORK OUR WAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

A LITTLE BREEZY, BE AWARE THERE IS THAT CHANCE FOR GUSTY WINDS BUT TEMPERATURES, TRENDING A BIT COOLER WITH THAT ONE FLOW COME UPPER 60s EVEN MID 60s FOR AFTERNOON HIGHS BY SUNDAY.

THE MOUNTAINS WILL FALL TO THE UPPER 30s FOR SUNDAY AND THAT IS COMING DOWN FROM THE MID-50s FOR TOMORROW.

ONCE WE GET INTO THE DESERTS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MID 80s AND THEN WE GO BACK TO THE MID-70s FOR PORTIONS OF SUNDAY.

I METEOROLOGIST MELISSA CONSTANZER.

>>> TOMORROW SDSU KICKS OFF THE RUN FOR MARCH MADNESS TOURNAMENT.

KPBS REPORTER JAKE A SAYS AFTER LAST YEAR'S TOURNAMENT GOT CANCELED THEY ARE BACK AND RIDING A HOT STREAK.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE THE NUMBER SIX SEED IN THE MIDWEST REGION PLAYING AGAINST 11th RANKED SYRACUSE IN THEIR FIRST GAME OF THE MARCH MADNESS TOURNAMENT ON FRIDAY, MARCH 19th, AT 6:40 P.M.

THE 2021 TOURNAMENT WILL TAKE PLACE IN AND AROUND INDIANAPOLIS WITH SDSU'S FIRST GAME AT THE INGLE FIELDHOUSE.

THIS YEAR MEANS A LOT FOR HIS AZTECS TEAMS WERE HIGHLY TOUTED AS A POTENTIAL ONE SEED FOR THE TOURNAMENT IN 2020 BUT NEVER GOT TO PLAY DUE TO COVID-19.

>> WE FEEL AWFUL FOR THE TEAM THAT DID NOT GO LAST YEAR BUT THE GUYS THE RETURN FROM LAST YEAR'S TEAM WOULD TAKE GREAT PLEASURE THAT WE CAN FIGHT OUR WAY BACK INTO THE FIELD AGAIN THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE LAST TIME THE AZTECS WERE PART OF THE TOURNAMENT WAS BACK IN 2018.

TODAY FANS LIKE SDSU STUDENT SEAN IS HOPEFUL AS THEY HEADED TO THE TOURNAMENT AS ONE OF THE HOTTEST TEAMS IN THE NATION WINNING THEIR LAST 14 GAMES.

>> IT HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE ON THEM ALL YEAR TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT COVID AND THE QUARANTINE BUT RIGHT NOW I SAW -- LONG TIME SO IT IS AWESOME FOR THE STUDENTS IN THE ALUMNI AND GIVES THEM SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO HAS MET SYRACUSE TWICE IN PROGRAM HISTORY WITH LOSSES IN BOTH GAMES BUT HE SAYS THEY'RE READY FOR THE CHALLENGES OF SYRACUSE'S FAMED DEFENSE.

>> EVEN THOUGH IT IS A ZONE IT IS NOT THE SAME ZONE ALL THE TIME SO WE HAVE PREPARED A COUPLE DIFFERENT WAYS TO ATTACK IT AT A THICK WE HAVE SOME GOOD IDEAS BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, WHAT YOU STEP ON THE DOOR IT IS A WHOLE OTHER STORY.

>> Reporter: IF THEY ADVANCED TO THE SECOND ROUND GAME WOULD BE SOMETIME ON SUNDAY, MARCH 21st.

JACOB AIR, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT LOOKS LIKE A COACHELLA FESTIVAL IS BEING POSTPONED AGAIN.

WHILE THERE ARE NO DATES OFFICIALLY POSTED ON THE FESTIVALS WEBSITE IS REPORTEDLY MOVING FROM OCTOBER TO APRIL OF NEXT YEAR AND THAT WOULD MARK THE FOURTH DELAY FOR THE EVENT THAT TYPICALLY DRAWS 100,000 PEOPLE.

THE COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL STAGECOACH WHICH TAKES PLACE THE WEEKEND AFTER COACHELLA FINISHES UP AND WILL BE DELAYED AS WELL.

>>> AS WE ARRIVE AT THE ONE- YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE PANDEMIC, AMONG THOSE WHO STRUGGLE THE MOST ARE OWNERS OF SMALL BUSINESSES.

TODAY TOMMY WALKER TALKS ABOUT HIS WRENCHING DECISION TO CLOSE THE PARADISE HILLS COFFEE SHOP PROJECT RIO COLLECTIVE AND HIS PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.

>> PROJECT RIO COLLECTIVE STARTED IN 2017 WITH THE IDEA OF CREATING A SPACE THAT NEIGHBORS COULD GET TOGETHER AND HANG OUT AND GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER.

WE WENT INTO 2020 WITH THE SAME GOALS.

HOW CAN WE DO A BETTER JOB AS FAR AS COMMUNITY GOES?

WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES CAN WE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF?

THAT IS WHEN THE WHOLE SOCIAL DISTANCING HIT AND WITH THE UNKNOWN AND EVERYBODY JUST TAKING A STEP BACK, WE LOOKED AT THE INNER CIRCLES AND MAKE DECISIONS THAT WAS BEST FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES SO THE TEAM DECIDED TO CLOSE THE DOORS OF PROJECT RIO COLLECTIVE AROUND THE END OF MARCH BEGINNING OF APRIL.

THAT WAS A TOUGH ONE.

THAT WAS REALLY TOUGH BECAUSE WE REALLY TRIED DIFFERENT WAYS, LIKE HOW CAN WE MAKE THIS WORK?

HOW CAN YOU MAKE IT HAPPEN?

THE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS DEFINITELY, I DON'T WANT TO USE THE TERM UPSET BUT THEY WANTED TO DO WHATEVER IT TOOK TO KEEP THE PLACE OPEN SO MY WIFE AND I, WE HAVE BEEN ENTREPRENEURS SO THERE IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER COMMUNITY COFFEE SPACE IN THE PARADISE HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD, THE NEW COFFEE SHOP IS CALLED THE MENTAL BAR.

GOING THROUGH THAT PROCESS HAS BEEN QUITE THE JOURNEY.

WE ARE IN AN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY AND IT IS NOT LIKE THE BUILDINGS IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE UP TO CODE AND HAVE ALL THE UPGRADES THAT YOU SEE IN OTHER COMMUNITIES AND OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS SO DEALING WITH THE FINANCIAL -- GET THE BUILDING UP TO CODE AND TO HAVE A SAFE LOCATION THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN REALLY ENJOY.

>> LIVING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, WORKING IN A NEIGHBORHOOD, MAKING IT A NEIGHBORHOOD ESTABLISHMENT AND CONTROLLING THE NARRATIVE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, IT STARTS FROM WITHIN.

FROM THE INSIDE OUT IT IS ALWAYS A BETTER MOVE THAN WATCHING SOMEBODY FROM THE OUTSIDE COME IN.

>> THAT STORY WAS PRODUCED BY KPBS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER CLAIRE TRAGESER AND NICK VICAR.

KITTEN SEASON IS ALMOST HERE IN THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY IS ASKING FOR HELP TO GET READY.

IT IS HOLDING A VIRTUAL KITTEN SHOWER TO COLLECT THE SUPPLIES NEEDED TO CARE FOR THOUSANDS OF AROUND-THE-CLOCK.

THE HUMANE SOCIETY IS ASKING FOR DONATIONS AND THAT INCLUDES FORMULA, BOTTLES, HEATING PADS, SCALES AND BLANKETS.

YOU CAN FIND THE REGISTRIES ONLINE AT SD HUMANE -- KITTEN SHOWER.

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

THANK YOU 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 PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

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

AND, BY THE CONRAD FOUNDATION.

DARLENE SHELBY AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND, BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.