>>> 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 1-800-BILL-HOWE, OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

AND, BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING -- AND, BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU!

>>> THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA IS FACING LEGAL CLAIMS FROM ITS POLICE CHIEF.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

KENNEDY HAS BEEN ON MEDICAL LEAVE FOR MONTHS, SHE SAYS CITY LEADERS ARE TRYING TO GET HER TO LEAVE HER JOB.

KPBS REPORTER JACOB AERE HAS THE DETAILS OF HER CLAIMS.

>> Reporter: THE LEGAL CLAIMS FILED ON BEHALF OF CHULA VISTA POLICE CHIEF ROXANNE KENNEDY ALLEGED DEFAMATION, BREACH OF PRIVACY, AND A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT.

KENNEDY ALSO CLAIMS DISCRIMINATION BASED ON AGE AND RACE.

COREY BRIGGS IS KENNEDY'S ATTORNEY.

HE SAYS THE ACTIONS AND THE CLAIMS DATE BACK PRINCIPALLY TO A POLICE UNION HOLIDAY PARTY LAST DECEMBER.

HE SAID, AFTER THE PARTY, CITY MANAGER TIFFANY ALLEN MADE UNFOUNDED CLAIMS AGAINST THE CHIEF.

>> TIFFANY ALLEN WAS OUT SAYING FALSE THINGS TO AT LEAST ONE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC, ABOUT THE CHIEF'S JOB PERFORMANCE.

>> Reporter: BRIGGS SAYS THERE WAS ALSO A RETALIATORY INVESTIGATION BY THE CITY'S DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES, TONYA TOMLINSON, AUTHORIZED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN LATE FEBRUARY.

>> THIS FALSE ACCUSATION AGAINST THE CHIEF, LIKE SHE DID SOMETHING WRONG AT THE HOLIDAY PARTY, AND THE SUBSEQUENT INITIATION OF AN INVESTIGATION AGAINST HER, BASED ON FALSE PRETENSES, THAT IS RETALIATION, AND HARASSMENT.

>> Reporter: BRIGGS ALLEGES THE CLAIMS WERE MADE AGAINST KENNEDY TO MAKE HER JOB UNPLEASANT SO SHE WOULD RESIGN OR RETIRE.

SHE SAYS ALLEN'S ACTIONS HAD APPROVAL FROM AT LEAST THREE COUNCILMEMBERS, WHO HE DID NOT IDENTIFY.

KPBS REACHED OUT TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE, BUT IN A STATEMENT, THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA SAID, IT HAS RECEIVED THE CLAIMS, DENIES THE ALLEGATIONS, AND WILL ADDRESS THE COMPLAINTS IN THE APPROPRIATE VENUE.

>> HER 30 YEAR RECORD IS JUST A STERLING RECORD, SO THIS IS A LITTLE UPSETTING TO US, NOT JUST FOR HER SAKE BUT FOR THE COMMUNITY'S SAKE.

>> Reporter: BISHOP MARK HODGES IS ONE OF A DOZEN CLERGY MEMBERS WHO WENT TO RECENT CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF CHIEF KENNEDY.

>> CHULA VISTA DOES NOT NEED MORE DIVISION RIGHT NOW.

WE NEED STABILITY, WE NEED UNITY, WE NEED STEADY LEADERSHIP, WHICH WE HAVE ENJOYED FOR THE LAST NINE PLUS YEARS AND CHIEF KENNEDY HAS PROVIDED THAT FOR US.

>> Reporter: BRIGGS SAYS THE CITY HAS 45 DAYS TO RESPOND TO THE TWO LEGAL CLAIMS BEFORE KENNEDY FILES A LAWSUIT.

WE ALSO ASKED THE U.S.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION TO INVESTIGATE THE MATTER.

BRIGGS SAYS KENNEDY HAS BEEN ON MEDICAL LEAVE SINCE JANUARY AND THAT LEAVE HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL APRIL.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WELL, TECHNICALLY, IT IS STILL WINTER, BUT WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A HEAT WAVE THAT IS MAKING IT FEEL LIKE WE SKIPPED SPRING AND WENT RIGHT INTO SUMMER, AS REID BINION REPORTS, RECORD HIGHS ARE BEING SHATTERED ACROSS THE WEST.

>> IT WAS REALLY HOT.

TODAY, IT'S GOING TO BE THE SAME.

>> IT'S HOT.

I'M MELTING RIGHT NOW AS WE SPEAK, SO IT WILL ONLY GET HOTTER AS THE DAY GOES ON.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SMOLDERING IN TRIPLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES IN SOME PLACES AMID A RARE MARCH HEAT WAVE.

>> THE FAN BLOWS, BUT YOU HAVE NO HEIR.

>> Reporter: THE HEAT ALSO HAVING A POTENTIAL IMPACT ON AGRICULTURE IN SOME PARTS OF THE GOLDEN STATE.

>> IT IS WARM, BUT IT'S NOT KILLING PLANTS WARM, RIGHT?

NO HUGE NEGATIVES RIGHT NOW, IT JUST EXTENDS OUT A COUPLE EXTRA DAYS, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU CAN BE SEEING PROBLEMS.

>> Reporter: THE HEAT WAVE EXTENDING TO OTHER SOUTHERN STATES, AS WELL.

PHOENIX THIS WEEK BROKE ITS RECORD FOR ITS EARLIEST TRIPLE DIGIT TEMPERATURE DAY, EVER.

>> WE SHOULD BE SEEING HIGHS AROUND 80 DEGREES, BUT INSTEAD WE ARE TALKING 20, 25 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL GETTING INTO THE 100s.

>> Reporter: WEDNESDAY WAS ALSO THE BEGINNING OF A DAYS LONG HEAT WARNING FOR AREAS AROUND LAS VEGAS.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CITED DANGEROUSLY HIGH TEMPERATURES THAT COULD REACH NEAR 30 DEGREES ABOVE NORMAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

THE WARNING COVERS PARTS OF NORTHWEST ARIZONA, SOUTHEAST CALIFORNIA, AND SOUTHERN NEVADA AND WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING.

THE NATIONAL RECREATION AREA CLOSED SEVERAL TRAILS DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS DURING THE HEAT WAVE.

OFFICIALS CITED DANGEROUS CONDITIONS WITH A HIGH RISK OF HEAT -RELATED ILLNESS, I AM REID BINION REPORTING.

>>> IT IS A WARM NIGHT FOR MARCH, LOOK AT THIS!

WE ARE STAYING IN THE 60s, WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A HEAT WAVE, HERE.

TEMPERATURES STAYING ELEVATED AT NIGHT BUT VERY WARM IF NOT HOT FOR MANY OF YOU IN THE INTERIOR DURING THE DAY.

NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, HEAT WILL BE EXPANDING EASTWARD WITH RECORD BREAKING TEMPERATURES IN THE PLANES.

IT WILL HOLD FOR MOST OF US IN PARTS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, BUT THERE WILL BE A HIT OF RELIEF AMONG THE OLD MEDIA COASTLINE AND THAT WILL BE TO OUR BENEFIT, IN SAN DIEGO.

WE WILL HAVE THE BENEFITS AHEAD.

>>> AND IT'S NOT JUST TEMPERATURES RISING, WE ALREADY PAID THE HIGHEST PRICE IN THE NATION FOR GAS AND IT HAS ONLY BEEN GETTING WORSE SINCE THE CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST BEGAN.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL CHECKED IN ON SAN DIEGO GAS PRICES TODAY AND HE HAS MORE FROM THE NEWSROOM.

>> Reporter: WE NEED A NEW CLICHI, BECAUSE "PAIN AT THE PUMP" DOESN'T REALLY CAPTURE WHAT IS HAPPENING, NOW.

NOW THAT WE ARE IN THE 20th DAY IN THE WAR WITH IRAN, THE PAIN AT THE PUMP HAS BECOME MORE ALONG THE LINES OF EXCRUCIATING.

HOW IS $6.09 FOR PAIN?

REALLY, $6.10 IF YOU ROUND UP A 10th OF A CENT.

YES, THAT IS PREMIUM, BUT EVEN WITH REGULAR, GOOD LUCK FINDING ANYTHING RESEMBLING CHEAP GAS ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY NOWADAYS.

>> TODAY, WE ARE PAYING AN AVERAGE PRICE OF $5.61.

THAT IS $.25 MORE FROM A WEEK AGO, AND $.96 HIGHER THAN THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

>> Reporter: AAA'S JANE VANEGAS SAYS NATIONWIDE, TRACES ARE INCHING UPWARDS TOWARD FOUR DOLLARS PER GALLON, BUT NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE -- >> WE ARE KIND OF TELLING DRIVERS TO PREPARE FOR THE WORST.

>> Reporter: EVEN IF THERE WAS NO CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST, GAS PRICES WOULD BE RISING THIS TIME OF YEAR, IN CALIFORNIA.

>> WE HAVE THE HIGHEST STATE GASOLINE TAXES AND ALSO FEES IN THE NATION, AND THE STATE ALSO REQUIRES A SPECIALIZED, MORE EXPENSIVE TO PRODUCE, CLEANER BURNING BLEND THAN OTHER STATES.

>> Reporter: THAT SUMMER BLEND HASN'T ENTERED THE MARKET, YET.

BUT, IT WILL SOON AND VANEGAS SAYS IF HISTORY IS A GUIDE, WE CAN EXPECT PRICES TO SPIKE AGAIN.

>> THE SUMMER GASOLINE ENTERS THE MARKET APRIL 1st, AND PRICES USUALLY DO GO UP, BETWEEN $.20 AND $.25 PER GALLON WHEN THE SUMMER BLEND GAS ENTERS THE MARKET.

>> Reporter: AS PRICES CONTINUES TO RISE, VANEGAS SAYS USING APPS TO LOOK FOR THE CHEAPEST GAS IN YOUR AREA IS ONE GOOD WAY TO SAVE MONEY.

SHE SAYS TO MAKE SURE YOUR TIRES ARE CORRECTLY INFLATED AND THAT YOUR CAR IS IN GOOD RUNNING CONDITION.

IT ALL HELPS.

A COUPLE MORE TIPS, IF YOUR OWNERS MANUAL SAYS PREMIUM GASOLINE IS RECOMMENDED RATHER THAN REQUIRED, GO WITH REGULAR.

AND IT IS ALMOST ALWAYS CHEAPER TO PAY WITH CASH THAN CREDIT.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND AS THOSE PRICES MOVE FROM PAINFUL TO EXCRUCIATING.

IN THE NEWSROOM, JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CALIFORNIA IS ONE OF SEVERAL STATES TRYING TO STOP MEDIA CONSOLIDATION THAT WOULD AFFECT TV STATIONS IN SAN DIEGO.

OUR PUBLIC MATTERS TEAM HAS COVERED THE RECENT PROPOSAL BY NEXT ARE TO PURCHASE STATIONS OWNED BY TEGNA.

A NEW LEGAL CHALLENGE QUESTIONS WHETHER THE MERGER WOULD VIOLATE FEDERAL ANTITRUST LAWS THAT RELATE TO MEDIA OWNERSHIP.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE FCC HAS INDICATED THAT HE WOULD APPROVE THE PLAN WHICH WOULD EXTEND NEXSTAR'S REACH TO NEARLY 85% OF U.S.

HOUSEHOLDS.

IN SAN DIEGO, NEXSTAR OWNS KUSI AND FOX 5 AND CURRENTLY OWNS THE PBS AFFILIATE.

THERE IS A PUSH TO RENAME CESAR CHAVEZ DAY FOLLOWING SEXUAL ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE LEADER.

LAWMAKERS PROPOSED CHANGING THE MARCH 31st HOLIDAY TO BE KNOWN AS FARMWORKERS DAY.

GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM TODAY SAID HE WILL MOVE QUICKLY ON THE RENAMING LEGISLATION IF IT PASSES.

>> WHAT IT REPRESENTED WAS A MOVEMENT, THE FARM WORKERS MOVEMENT, THE LABOR UNION MOVEMENT AND IT IS RIGHT TO CELEBRATE THAT MOVEMENT, SO I AM CERTAINLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE DIRECTION THAT MANY ARE PROMOTING, INCLUDING THOSE IN THE LEGISLATURE, AND WE WILL LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING THAT ALONG IN AN EXPEDITIOUS WAY.

>> ADDITIONALLY, THERE ARE ALSO CALLS TO CHANGE MEMORIALS HONORING THE COFOUNDER OF THE UNITED FARM WORKERS OF AMERICA UNION INCLUDING ONE IN SACRAMENTO ACCORDING TO AN INVESTIGATION BY "THE NEW YORK TIMES," CHAVEZ ALLEGEDLY ABUSED AND MOLESTED MULTIPLE WOMEN AND GIRLS OVER THE COURSE OF DECADES.

>>> IN NORTH COUNTY BOARDING SCHOOL FOR FOSTER YOUTH HAS SEEN ITS POPULATION SHRINK OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

NOW, SAN DIEGO COUNTY WANTS INPUT ON ITS FUTURE.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER KATIE AND ESTES SAYS CHANGES IN THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM HAVE PROMPTED THE COUNTY TO REIMAGINE HOW TO USE THE CAMPUS.

>> Reporter: SAN PASQUALE ACADEMY HAS PROVIDED HOUSING, A HIGH SCHOOL, MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AND MORE FOR FOSTER YOUTH SINCE 2001.

SHANE HARRIS WENT THERE AFTER LEAVING A FOSTER HOME AT AGE 16.

>> NOBODY WANTED TO TAKE SOMEONE WHO WAS CLOSE TO GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL IN.

SO, SAN PASQUALE ACADEMY WAS THE ONLY PLACE AND THE ONLY OPTION FOR ME.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE ESCONDIDO CAMPUS SURROUNDED BY ORANGE GROVES WAS A SAFE HAVEN.

>> MY HIGH SCHOOL GPA HAD BEEN FAILING, THERE WAS A LOT THAT WAS GOING ON AND SAN PASQUALE SORT OF GAVE ME THE CHANCE TO REGROUND MYSELF.

>> Reporter: ENROLLMENT AT THE SCHOOL PEAKED AT 195 STUDENTS IN 2009.

NOW, THE COUNTY SAYS THERE ARE 44 STUDENTS.

THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN ENTERING THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM IS DOWN AND MORE OF THOSE WHO DO ENTER THE SYSTEM GET PLACED WITH RELATIVES.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO ALFREDO CORDANO.

HE DIRECTS SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S FAMILY AND CHILD WELL-BEING DEPARTMENT.

>> SAN PASQUALE ACADEMY MIMICS WHAT WE HAVE SEEN AT THE LARGER CHILD WELFARE LEVEL.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS STATE AND FEDERAL LAW HAVE SHIFTED FOSTER CARE AWAY FROM GROUP CARE AND TOWARD PLACING YOUTH WITH RELATIVES OR FOSTER FAMILIES.

THAT SHIFT NEARLY LED TO SAN PASQUALE'S CLOSURE.

IN 2021, THE STATE SAID IT WOULD NO LONGER DEDICATE FUNDING TO THE SCHOOL.

SUPPORTERS FILED A LAWSUIT IN THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS KEPT IT OPEN.

CORDANO SAYS THE SCHOOL IS ALMOST ENTIRELY PAID FOR WITH LOCAL FUNDS, AS THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS DECLINES, HE SAYS THERE MIGHT BE OTHER WAYS TO USE THE CAMPUS' 238 ACRES.

>> WHAT ARE SOME OF THE POTENTIAL OPTIONS WE HAVE HERE AT SAN PASQUALE ACADEMY?

WELL, WE ARE KEEPING THE FOCUS ON YOU, MAXIMIZING THE ENTIRETY OF THE CAMPUS, AND MAKING SOMETHING THAT IS FISCALLY SUSTAINABLE.

>> Reporter: IN 2022, THE BOARD APPROVED A PLAN TO ADD MORE SERVICES TO THE CAMPUS.

THAT INCLUDED A FOSTER FAMILY AGENCY AND TRANSITIONAL HOUSING.

HARRIS SAYS HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING STAY.

>> ONCE I GOT INTO TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, MY WHOLE LIFE CHANGED.

AND I THINK FOR A LOT OF KIDS, THAT YEAR OR TWO YEARS THAT YOU ARE IN TRANSITIONAL HOUSING, WHERE YOU CAN PAY A PRORATED RENT, WHERE YOU CAN ACCRUE SAVINGS, WHERE YOU CAN GO TO SCHOOL, WORK A JOB WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT THE STRESS OF PAYING THE RENT THAT SAN DIEGANS PAY, IS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY OF VALUE FOR SOMEONE WHO WENT THROUGH ALL OF THE CHALLENGES OF THE SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: HARRIS HAS ALSO PROPOSED ADDING HOUSING AT THE CAMPUS FOR FOSTER FAMILIES.

THE COUNTY ONLINE SURVEY CLOSES ON MARCH 30th.

KATIE KPBS NEWS.

>>> IN OUR PROGRAM THAT PLACES SCULPTURES ON PEDESTALS AROUND THE CITY, BUT SOME OF THOSE PEDESTALS SAT EMPTY FOR MONTHS BECAUSE OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS COULDN'T AGREE ON WHAT QUALIFIES ART.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER ARTY McAFEE SHOWS US HOW NEW GUIDELINES SET OUT BY THE ARCH COMMISSION AIM TO CHANGE THAT.

>> Reporter: IN 2024, ARTIST BELLA BOWENS SUBMITTED A PIECE FOR THE ENCINITAS PUBLIC ART SCULPTURE PROGRAM.

HER SCULPTURE FEATURES TWO MUSHROOMS WITH FACES HANGING OFF OF A TOWER IN PINGS AND REDDENS, SHE CALLS IT FUN GUYS.

SHE SAYS HER SCULPTURE MET ALL THE INITIAL CRITERIA TO BE CONSIDERED A FINALIST, BUT THIS DOES NOT GUARANTEE A SPOT.

>> IT WAS ALREADY INSTALLED IN THE CITY OF VISTA FOR YEARS PRIOR BY THE CITY ARTS COMMISSION, AS WELL.

SO, I THOUGHT, HEY, LET'S GET ENCINITAS ON THE MAP.

>> Reporter: WHEN IT CAME DOWN TO THE FINAL VOTE AT A COUNCIL MEETING, THE PIECE WAS REJECTED USING A FIVE-STAR RATING SYSTEM SIMILAR TO AMAZON REVIEWS.

BOWMAN RECEIVED THREE STARS.

ENCINITAS MAHER, BRUCE EHLERS, THEN A COUNCILMEMBER, OPPOSED THE PIECE.

HERE IS WHAT HE SAID AT THAT MEETING.

>> IT'S RIGHT NEXT TO THE ROAD, IT'S RIGHT NEXT TO A BEAUTIFUL NATIVE OAK TREE THAT IS PROBABLY ABOUT 25 FEET TALL, DRIVING WITHIN 10 FEET OF IT, AND THAT IS THE BACKDROP TO THIS.

THIS SCULPTURE, YOU KNOW, I WILL BE POLITE.

SO, IN THIS CASE, THE COLOR IS WRONG.

IT DOESN'T BELONG THERE.

>> Reporter: AS AN ARTIST, BOWEN IS NOT NEW TO REJECTION, BUT SHE FELT THE COMMENTS WERE UNCONSTRUCTIVE.

>> I THINK, STICKING TO, "HEY, THESE ARE THE CRITERIA WE PUT, THIS DOESN'T ALIGN WITH THAT," I THINK LEAVING ALL SORT OF EMOTION OUT OF IT BECAUSE A LOT OF PERSONAL COMMENTS WERE MADE, LIKE, DISCREDITING IT EVEN EXISTING AS A PIECE OF ART, LIKE "NO, THIS ISN'T ART."

>> Reporter: SON VISTA PARK IS WHERE BOWENS ART WOULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.

TODAY, EHLERS SAYS REGARDLESS OF HIS VIEWS ON THE PIECE, HE DOESN'T THINK THE LOCATION OF THE PEDESTAL IN SUN VISTA WAS A GOOD LOCATION TO BEGIN WITH.

>> I PERSONALLY THINK THIS IS SET TO CLOSE TO THE ROAD, IT KIND OF DETRACTS FROM THE ARTWORK.

IT'S KIND OF HARD TO ENJOY IT OUT HERE.

>> Reporter: BACK IN 2024 WHEN THE COUNCIL REJECTED BOWEN SCULPTURE AND COULDN'T AGREE ON ANOTHER PIECE, THE PEDESTAL REMAINED VACANT FOR 10 MONTHS.

AYLER SAYS IT WAS EMPTY TO LEAVE IT EMPTY UNTIL A BETTER FIT CAME ALONG.

>> I KNOW THAT ART IS THERE TO PROMOTE THOUGHT AND CONTROVERSY AND, YOU KNOW, IT IS NOT -- IT IS NOT THE JOB OF THE CITY TO PROVOKE CITIZENS, IT IS THE JOB OF THE CITY TO MAINTAIN THE CITY, IMPROVE THE CITY.

>> Reporter: KATIE FOX IS THE ENCINITAS ARTS COMMISSION CHAIR.

SHE SAYS THEY BEGAN ASKING THE PUBLIC BROAD QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT ROLE ART PLAYS IN THE COMMUNITY.

FROM THOSE RESPONSES, A MISSION STATEMENT WAS CREATED.

>> PUBLIC ART IN ENCINITAS TELLS A STORY THAT SHIFTS THE MOMENT IN AN UPLIFTING WAY, THAT UNIFIES US IN NEW PERSPECTIVES, AND ALSO REFLECTS ENCINITAS' UNIQUE CULTURE.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER CHANGE TO THE SCULPTURE PROGRAM IS HOW THE PUBLIC WILL INTERACT WITH ART.

THEY WILL PLACE BLOWN UP IMAGES OF THE SCULPTURES AROUND ENCINITAS.

>> AND DISPLAY THEM IN MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS SO PEOPLE CAN INTERACT WITH THEM A BIT OVER TIME AND THEN SEND THEIR COMMENTS INTO THE CITY.

AND IT'S NOT JUST OPEN COMMENTS, IT'S REALLY SAYING, HERE IS THE MISSION STATEMENT, DO YOU THINK THAT THESE ARE A FIT?

>> Reporter: FOX SAYS THAT THE ART WILL NO LONGER BE ANONYMOUS, GIVING THEM A CHANCE TO EXPLAIN THEIR ART AT A COUNCIL MEETING BEFORE A FINAL VOTE.

SHE HOPES THIS NEW PROCESS WILL ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO APPLY AND ALLOW THOSE PREVIOUSLY REJECTED TO TRY AGAIN.

>> IF YOU HAVE EVER FELT LIKE THE DOOR HAS BEEN CLOSED TO YOU, THE DOORS ARE WIDE OPEN RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: BOWEN SAYS SHE WOULD SUBMIT TO THE PROGRAM AGAIN, UNTIL THEN, FUN GUYS CURRENTLY STANDS AT OCEANSIDE.

SHE ADVISES OTHER ARTISTS NOT TO BE DISCOURAGED BY REJECTION.

>> DON'T LET IT MAKE OR BREAK YOU.

A LOST IT AND MAKE YOU, A WIN SHOULDN'T MAKE YOU, YOU JUST KEEP GOING IN PURSUIT OF SOMETHING THAT IS BIGGER THAN YOU AS AN ARTIST.

THAT IS WHY WE CREATE.

>> Reporter: ARTY McAFEE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> LIFE EXPECTANCY IS GROWING, ACCORDING TO NEW DATA FROM THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO, BUT THE NUMBERS ALSO SHOW DISCREPANCIES BASED ON RACE AND LOCATION.

OVERALL, COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY A CHILD BORN IN 2024 HAS A LIFE EXPECTANCY OF 81.5 YEARS.

THAT IS SLIGHTLY MORE THAN THE STATE AVERAGE, AND TWO YEARS LONGER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

WOMEN LEAD MEN IN LIFE EXPECTANCY, 84 TO 79 YEARS.

LOCAL NUMBERS AMONG RACE AND ETHNICITY GIVE ASIANS THE LONGEST SPAN AT 87 YEARS.

BLACKS INDIA AIKINS HAVE THE LOWEST EXPECTANCY AT 75 YEARS AND AMONG GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS, CORONADO HAD THE LONGEST LIFE EXPECTANCY AT 87 YEARS, WITH LEMON GROVE RESIDENCE AT 78 YEARS.

THE COUNTY SAYS CANCER REMAINS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH.

>>> MARCH IS ENDOMETRIOSIS AWARENESS MONTH AND IT AFFECTS MILLIONS OF U.S.

WOMEN AND NOT ONLY CAUSES SEVERE PELVIC PAIN AND FATIGUE BUT IT IS ALSO LINKED TO INFERTILITY, BUT THERE ARE WAYS TO IMPROVE CHANCES OF PREGNANCY.

MANDY GAITHER HAS A NEW MOMS MESSAGE.

>> Reporter: LESS THAN THREE WEEKS AGO, SAMANTHA GROVES AND HER HUSBAND, WELCOMED THEIR SUN, COOPER JEAN COME INTO THE WORLD.

AND THERE WAS A TIME WHEN THEY FEARED THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN.

>> I WAS ABSOLUTELY HEARTBROKEN AND REALLY, HONESTLY, JUST STRESSED ABOUT IT EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> Reporter: AT THE AGE OF 28, AFTER YEARS OF ENDURING PAIN AND SYMPTOMS BEING DISMISSED, GROVES WAS THIS DIAGNOSED WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS, SURGERY CONFIRMED IT WAS STAGE TWO OF THE DISEASE AND GAVE HER RELIEF, BUT THEN HER FOCUS TURNED TO FERTILITY.

SHE FOUND OUT ENDOMETRIOSIS OFTEN MAKES IT HARDER TO GET PREGNANT.

>> THIS IS ALL WE WANT TO.

>> Reporter: GROSS TRAVEL TO NEW YORK GYNECOLOGY SURGERY AND ENDOMETRIOSIS, THE SAME DOCTORS WHO DID HER SURGERY ALSO GUIDED HER THROUGH FERTILITY THEORIES.

>> WE HAVE MANY PATIENTS WHO HAVE UNDERGONE SURGERIES AND HAVE SUCCESSFUL IVF AFTER SURGERY, VERSUS BEFORE SURGERY, THEY HAVE MULTIPLE FAILURES.

>> Reporter: GROSS' DOCTORS SAY THAT CHRONIC INFLAMMATION, SCAR TISSUE, AND DECLINING EGG QUALITY IN PATIENTS WITH ENDOMETRIOSIS CAN MAKE IT HARDER TO CONCEIVE.

>> THE PROBLEM, TOO, IS THESE PATIENTS, IT TAKES 7 TO 10 YEARS TO BE DIAGNOSED.

MOST PEOPLE GET PREGNANT BETWEEN THE AGES OF 25 TO 35 OR 40.

AFTER THE AGE OF 35, YOUR FERTILITY STARTS GOING DOWN.

>> Reporter: BUT, GROSS WILL TELL YOU THAT PREGNANCY IS POSSIBLE.

FERTILITY TREATMENTS HELPED MAKE HER DREAM OF A FAMILY A REALITY.

>> IT IS SOMETHING I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE.

>> Reporter: FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>>> YOU CAN HAVE A GREAT DAY AT THE BEACH, BUT DON'T BURY YOURSELF OR DIG TOO DEEP IN THE SAND, THAT IS THE MESSAGE AT DELMAR AS KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDER WINN SHOWS US, THE CITY HAS AN ORDINANCE BANNING HAZARDOUS HOLES ON THE BEACH.

>> Reporter: DIGGING HOLES AND BUILDING SAND CASTLES IS A CORE MEMORY FOR ANY KID VISITING THE BEACH, BUT STARTING NEXT WEEK, DELMAR WILL HAVE THE NEW ORDINANCE THAT WILL PUT A DAMPER ON ANYONE LOOKING TO DIG A BIG HOLE LIKE THIS ONE.

THE NEW LAW SPANS DIGGING HOLES BIGGER THAN TWO FEET ON CITY BEACHES.

>> FAMILIES COME TO THE BEACH TO PLAY IN THE SAND AND PART OF THAT IS MAKING SAND CASTLES, AND DIGGING, AND DIGGING VERY DEEP.

>> Reporter: VISITING FROM LAS VEGAS FOR SPRING BREAK.

SHE WAS HELPING HER DAUGHTER BUILD A SAND CASTLE.

>> SHE IS 4 SO I DOUBT SHE WOULD EVEN BE ABLE TO DIG THAT DEEP.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO BANNING BIG HOLES, DEL MAR WILL REQUIRE BEACHGOERS TO FILL THE HOLES THEY HAVE DUG.

>> SO FILLING THOSE HOLES IS MORE ATTAINABLE THAN SAYING DON'T DO IT AT ALL.

>> Reporter: AND DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT BURYING YOUR SELF IN THE SAND, LIKE CHRISTOPHER WHITE, HERE.

THE ORDINANCE BANS THAT, TOO.

>> IT'S THE BEACH.

BUT PEOPLE HAVE A GOOD TIME.

>> Reporter: THE CITY SAYS IT IS FOR SAFETY REASONS.

THEY CAUSE TRIPPING HAZARDS AND MAKE IT TOUGH FOR LIFEGUARDS OR EMERGENCY TRUCKS TO GET THROUGH.

>> YOU DON'T WANT TO BE THE ANNOYING GUY SAYING, "NO DIGGING HOLES," BUT IF YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE BEACH, JUST MAKE SURE IT GETS FILLED AFTERWARDS, I THINK THAT'S FAIR.

>> IT'S A VERY DEL MAR THING TO DO BUT I TOTALLY GET IT.

>> Reporter: TYLER WAS A JUNIOR LIFEGUARD IN DEL MAR, SO HE UNDERSTANDS THE SAFETY CONCERN.

>> I KNOW THE LIFEGUARDS HAVE TO FILL IN THE HOLES, AND IT IS PRETTY SKETCH TO HAVE DEEP HOLES BECAUSE ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE LIFEGUARD HITS THEM OR SOMEBODY ELSE FALLS INTO IT.

>> Reporter: DEL MAR SAYS THEY ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WITH THIS TYPE OF ORDINANCE.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY AND THE CITIES OF NEWPORT BEACH, LAGUNA BEACH, AND HUNTINGTON BEACH, ALL HAVE THE SAME POLICIES.

THEY SAY IT IS ALL ABOUT SAFETY.

THE CITY SAYS THIS ISN'T ABOUT FINING PEOPLE, THEY JUST WANT PEOPLE TO BE SAFE AT THE BEACH, SO YOU, YOUR KIDS, OR YOUR DOG DIG HOLES AT THE BEACH, JUST MAKE SURE YOU FILL THEM UP BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

ALEXANDER GWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE HEAT IS ON, FOR SURE.

VERY HOT SPELL, HERE.

RECORD-BREAKING HEAT FOR MANY.

MANY INLAND AREAS HAVE BROKEN MONTHLY RECORD HIGHS.

IDLEWILD, AREAS LIKE BORREGO SPRINGS, AND OTHER SPOTS NEAR PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, BREAKING MONTHLY RECORD HIGHS.

HOTTEST MARCH DAYS IN THE RECORD BOOKS HERE OVER THE LAST DECADE OR TWO SO IT IS MAINLY INLAND WHEN THE MONTHLY RECORDS ARE FALLING.

WE DID HAVE A HIGH IN SAN DIEGO YESTERDAY, MORE RECORDS ARE TO COME ESPECIALLY INLAND, BUT THERE IS SOME RELIEF FROM THE HEAT NEXT WEEK.

SO, LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

FOR NOW, LOTS OF HEAT OUT THERE, RECORD SHATTERING HEAT HERE, INLAND AREAS 10 TO 15 DEGREES ABOVE HISTORICAL NORMS FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

MONTHLY RECORD HIGHS IN JEOPARDY.

DANGEROUS HEAT BUT ALSO THE RISK FOR COLD-WEATHER SHOCK.

IT IS WARM OUT THERE, SO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN THE WATER AND THAT WATER IS COLD SO THAT IS A CONCERN.

EXTREME HEAT IS STILL AN ISSUE, HERE.

SO, EXTREME HEAT WARNINGS IN THE INLAND DESERTS, EXTREME HEAT ADVISORIES CONTINUE THROUGH THE END OF FRIDAY FOR MOST OF SAN DIEGO AND ORANGE COUNTY.

IT IS WARM AT NIGHT, 64 IS AS LOW AS WE GO, CLEAR SKIES, BUT WARM WEATHER CONTINUING AND THE HEAT EXPANDS THROUGH SATURDAY.

IT IS GOING TO BE MORE EXPENSIVE HERE IN THE PLAINS, AS WELL.

SO, A LARGE HEAT WAVE HERE AND A LOT OF DAILY RECORD HIGHS ARE BEING BROKEN AND MONTHLY RECORD HIGHS IN SOME PARTS OF THE SOUTHWEST.

SIZZLING IN THE DESERTS THIS FRIDAY, AGAIN, JUST A LITTLE HIT OF COVERAGE ALONG THE COASTLINE, SO WE ARE LOOKING, IT IS GOING TO BE WARM NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE BUT 85 IN SAN DIEGO, WARM THIS TIME OF YEAR, FLIRTING RECORDS WITH THE COAST, SHATTERING RECORDS INLAND, 97 IN RAMONA, MOUNT LAGUNA, 78.

IT IS GOING TO BE STEAMY AND ONLY RELIEF WILL BE IN THE MOUNTAINS AND COAST ON SATURDAY.

RECORD CHALLENGING WARMTH HOLDS ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST.

LARGE-SCALE PATTERN HERE LATE MARCH, WE ARE GOING TO HOLD ONTO THE HEAT HERE LOCALLY AND AGAIN THIS WARM PACIFIC AIR KIND OF FLOODING THE CENTRAL PARTS OF THE NATION, AS WELL.

STORM TRACK AWAY TO THE NORTH SO WE ARE NOT GOING TO SEE ANY RAIN, WE WILL STAY DRY FRIDAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND, STRONG, PERSISTENT RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE, YOU COULD SEE LITTLE OR NO PRECIPITATION, WE WILL SEE NO PRECIPITATION LOCALLY AND THE DROUGHT PARTS OF THE INTERIOR GETTING A BIT WORSE, SO WE ARE STILL HOT ON FRIDAY.

AND MARCH STANDARDS ARE ON MARCH STANDARDS, MID-80s, VERY WARM.

WE WILL FIND SOME RELIEF THEN, UPPER 70s RETURNING BEGINNING SATURDAY FOR THE COAST.

INLAND AREAS, VERY HOT ON FRIDAY, 95.

SOME RELIEF BACK INTO THE 80s, STILL HOT FOR MARCH, FOR SURE, AND IN THE MOUNTAINS, YOU WILL GO FROM THE UPPER 70s BACK INTO THE MID-60s SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

A LITTLE BIT OF RELIEF THERE BUT STILL WARM FOR MARCH AND IN THE DESERT, THIS IS WHERE YOU HAVE TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT, 104 ON FRIDAY, THE PEAK OF THE HEAT.

SATURDAY STILL 100 DEGREES, 97, SUNDAY.

95, MONDAY, 99, TUESDAY.

SO, IT IS GOING TO BE SWELTERING OUT THERE, IT IS LIKE JUNE OR JULY HERE IN MARCH.

I AM ACCUWEATHER METEOROLOGIST GEOFF CORNISH FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN SAN DIEGO'S POST- BASKETBALL SEASON.

THE WOMEN'S TEAM WILL TAKE ON TCU WOMEN IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT TOMORROW.

WHILE THERE ARE NO LOCAL TEAMS IN THE MEN'S MARCH MADNESS TOURNAMENT, FIRST-ROUND GAMES WILL RETURN TO SDSU'S HOUSE ARENA.

VIDEO JOURNALIST MIKEY DAMRON BRINGS US THE SIGHTS AND THE SOUNDS FROM THE ARENA.

♪ >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, ONCE AGAIN, WELCOME TO SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.

>> IT IS ALWAYS NICE, WE USUALLY PLAY BETTER AT A HOME ARENA AND IT IS NICE THAT WE HAVE PLAYED IN THIS GYM THREE OR FOUR TIMES, AT LEAST I HAVE, BUT IT WILL BE NICE JUST TO HAVE SOME FAMILIARITY.

I REMEMBER WATCHING SAN DIEGO STATE A COUPLE YEARS AGO, I WAS ROOTING FOR THEM ALWAYS, YOU KNOW.

>> I WAS EXCITED, YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY MADE MARCH MADNESS.

HE HAS WANTED TO COME OUT FOR A COUPLE SEASONS AND IT JUST DIDN'T WORK OUT, SO WHEN IT HAPPENED THIS YEAR, WE WERE ABLE TO TRAVEL WITH THE TEAM, BUT YOU KNOW, IT HAS BEEN -- YOU KNOW, IT'S -- YOU CAN'T PUT WORDS IN IT, BUT JUST WATCHING HIM SOAK IT ALL UP, RIDE AROUND WITH THE TEAM, BE HERE, YOU KNOW, SEE THIS WITH BIG, BRIGHT EYES, IT'S ACTUALLY ONE OF THE BEST MOMENTS THAT WE HAVE HAD TOGETHER, SO REALLY EXCITED.

>> YEAH, HE IS A GREAT PLAYER.

>> DOES HE WORK HARD?

>> HE WORKS REALLY HARD IN PRACTICE.

>> AND THAT STORY WAS PRODUCED BY MIKEY DAMRON.

18 TEAMS WILL BE PLAYING IN SAN DIEGO WITH FOUR GAMES SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW AND TWO MORE ON SUNDAY.

THOSE TEAMS INCLUDE THE TOP SEED IN THE WEST BRACKET, UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA.

AS ALWAYS, YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES FROM TONIGHT ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

ENJOY YOUR EVENING.

>>> 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 1-800-BILL-HOWE, OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

AND, BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING -- AND, BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU!

♪