♪ >>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWELL FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AND AIR ESTHER -- RESTORATION.

CALL 1-800- BILL HOW OR VISIT BILLY HOWLE.COM.

AND BY THE CONRAD FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCO, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TODAY TO BEGIN DISMANTLING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

WHILE ENTIRELY SHUTTERING THE DEPARTMENT REQUIRES AN ACT OF CONGRESS, THE PRESIDENT IS DIRECTING THE EDUCATION SECRETARY TO TAKE STEPS TOWARD ITS CLOSURE.

AS LAURA AGUIRRE REPORTS, MILLIONS OF TEACHERS, FAMILIES, AND STUDENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS FOR THEM.

THAT'S MY ADMINISTRATION WILL TAKE ALL LAWFUL STEPS TO SHUT DOWN THE DEPARTMENT, WE ARE GOING TO SHUT IT DOWN AND SHUT IT DOWN AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS NEVER MINCED WORDS ABOUT HIS PLANTED DISMANTLE THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

TODAY, HE MOVED EVEN CLOSER TO THAT GOAL, BY SIGNING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO THAT EFFECT.

>> WE ARE GOING TO BE RETURNING EDUCATION VERY SIMPLY BACK TO THE STATES WHERE IT BELONGS.

>> Reporter: EDUCATION SECRETARY LINDA McMAHON CONFIRMING ON FOX NEWS, SHE IS COMPLETELY ON BOARD.

>> THAT WAS THE PRESIDENT'S MANDATE, DIRECTED TO ME.

IT CLEARLY IS TO SHUT DOWN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WHICH WE KNOW WE WILL HAVE TO WORK WITH CONGRESS TO GET THAT ACCOMPLISHED.

>> Reporter: THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS SECRETARY APPEARED TO CLARIFY BETWEEN A TOTAL DEPARTMENT SHUTDOWN AND SERVICES REDUCTION AHEAD OF TODAY'S SIGNING.

>> THE PRESIDENT'S EXECUTIVE ORDER DIRECTED LINDA McMAHON TO MINIMIZE THE AGENCY.

WHEN IT COMES TO STUDENT LOANS AND PELL GRANTS, THOSE WILL STILL BE RUN OUT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

SHE ALSO SAID FUNDING FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH THE DISABILITY ACT AND TITLE ONE FOR LOW INCOME SCHOOLS WOULD ALSO NOT BE IMPACTED.

>> Reporter: >> ANY CRITICAL FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT SUCH AS THAT WILL REMAIN.

>> Reporter: THERE HAS BEEN A WAVE OF PROTEST AGAINST THE POTENTIAL CLOSING OF THE DEPARTMENT AND SOME EDUCATORS UNIONS FEEL THEIR VOICES AREN'T BEING BURIED.

>> I'M JUST SURPRISED THAT THE PRESIDENT IS NOT WORKING WITH THE TEACHERS AND CLASSROOMS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY, AS REPRESENTED BY THEIR UNION, TO MAKE THINGS BETTER.

>> Reporter: THE EXECUTIVE ORDER IS EXPECTED TO SPARK A LITANY OF LEGAL OPPOSITION.

I AM LAURA AGUIRRE FOR KPBS NEWS.

>> AND LOCAL EDUCATORS ARE REACTING TO THE MOVE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PROVIDES THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH MONEY TO FUND PROGRAMS THAT HELP OUR MOST VULNERABLE STUDENTS, SPECIFICALLY THOSE WITH DISABILITIES, LOW INCOME STUDENTS, AND MILITARY FAMILIES.

SCHOOLBOARD VICE PRESIDENT RICHARD BARRERA SAYS CALIFORNIA HAS ALREADY SUFFERED FROM UNDERFUNDING FOR YEARS, AND HE SAYS IF CONGRESS ALLOWS PRESIDENT TRUMP TO COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN THE DEPARTMENT, IT COULD PUT CRUCIAL FUNDING FOR THEIR SCHOOLS IN JEOPARDY.

>> IT AFFECTS OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS, NOT SIMPLY THE STUDENTS THAT WERE FUNDED BY THOSE SPECIFIC PROGRAMS.

SO, THE CONVERSATION NEEDS TO BE ABOUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOING MORE, NOT LESS, AND NOT OPERATING IN SORT OF THE CHAOS THAT WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS COMING OUT OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

>> THE CALIFORNIA TEACHER ASSOCIATION SAYS 2400 PUBLIC K- 12 EDUCATORS IN THE STATE HAVE ALREADY BEEN LAID OFF.

>>> SURVEYS CONSISTENTLY SHOW THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE IS VIEWED FAVORABLY BY A VAST MAJORITY OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC, BECAUSE THE WORKERS SAY THAT USPS IS UNDER THREAT BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND THE SO-CALLED DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY.

JOHN CARROLL IS IN THE NEWSROOM WITH MORE ON THE ALARM BEING SOUNDED BY USPS EMPLOYEES.

JOHN, WHAT CAN YOU TELL US?

>> Reporter: MAYA, RALLIES WERE HELD AT POST OFFICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY TODAY, INCLUDING A FEW HERE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

UNIONIZED POSTAL WORKERS SAY THE ADMINISTRATION AND ITS ALLIES ARE ATTEMPTING A HOSTILE TAKEOVER OF THE POSTAL SERVICE.

ONE OF THOSE RALLIES WAS HELD OUTSIDE THE MESA POST OFFICE THIS MORNING.

THE WORKERS ARE CALLING ON MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO STAND UP AND PROTECT THE USPS.

THEY SAY THE ADMINISTRATION'S ATTEMPTS TO IGNORE THE JOBS OF MORE THAN 6000 WORKERS.

THEY ACCUSED THE ADMINISTRATION OF TRYING TO PRIVATIZE THE POSTAL SERVICE, WHICH THEY SAY IT WOULD LEAD TO HIGHER COSTS AND DIMINISHED SERVICE, ESPECIALLY TO RURAL AREAS.

BOB WATERHOUSE IS PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN POSTAL WORKERS UNION SAN DIEGO LOCAL.

HE SAYS THE USPS AS FACED ATTACKS BEFORE, BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS.

>> NOW WE'RE LOOKING AT AN ADMINISTRATION THAT DOES NOT CARE ABOUT RULES, DOES NOT CARE ABOUT LAW, ALREADY PUT PEOPLE IN PLACE IN THE COURTS AND SAYS HE IS ABOVE THE LAW.

HE IS GOING TO GO IN AND DO WHATEVER HE WANTS, WE NEED PEOPLE TO STOP HIM COMING IN HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Reporter: A BIT OF AN ODD JUXTAPOSITION TODAY.

AT THE SAME TIME THE RALLIES WERE GOING ON, THE POSTAL SERVICE WAS DOING A HIRING EVENT AT THE MAIN POST OFFICE IN THE CARMEL MOUNTAIN AREA.

A PERSON THERE TOLD ME THEY WERE HIRING FOR A VARIETY OF POSITIONS, BUT HE SAID HE COULDN'T SPEAK ABOUT THE STEAMING CONTRADICTION BETWEEN POTENTIAL JOB CUTS AND ADDING NEW JOBS.

MAYA?

>> AND JOHN, I DO UNDERSTAND YOU DID TRY TO GET AN ANSWER FROM A POST OFFICE SPOKESPERSON, SO TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> Reporter: YEAH, I DID MY MEDIA REPRESENTATIVE EMAIL ME THE FOLLOWING: WE ARE HOSTING THE HIRING FERRET TO ASSIST APPLICANTS TO APPLY FOR NEEDED POSITIONS WITHIN THE SAN DIEGO REGION.

THESE INCLUDE CARRIERS AND AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIANS.

HE DID NOT ANSWER MY QUESTION AS TO THE SEEMING CONTRADICTION BETWEEN THE TWO EVENTS.

MEANTIME, THE POSTAL WORKERS ARE PLANNING ANOTHER RALLY THIS SUNDAY AT THE MIRA MESA POST OFFICE.

MAYA?

THANKS SO MUCH FOR THAT REPORT, JOHN, WE APPRECIATE IT.

>>> TONIGHT, WE ARE FAIRLY QUIET AND A LITTLE BIT COOL, MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES OUT THERE.

TEMPERATURES FALLING TO 49, AND WE WILL KEEP THINGS KIND OF BACK AND FORTH FOR THE UPCOMING DAYS, THERE IS A PATTERN CHANGE FOR US HEADING INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK, WHICH I WILL BE BREAKING DOWN THE FULL FORECAST, COMING UP.

>>> TOURISTS WILL HAVE TO SPEND A LITTLE BIT MORE TO STAY IN AMERICA'S FINEST CITY THIS SUMMER.

THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS RAISING THE HOTEL ROOM TAX.

THE TRANSIENT OCCUPANCY TAX WAS APPROVED BY VOTERS AS MEASURE C IN 2020, BUT WAS CHALLENGED IN COURT.

THE CITY EXPECTED TO GENERATE ABOUT $82 MILLION IN FISCAL YEAR 2026.

OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, THE MONEY WILL GO TOWARD CONVENTION CENTER IMPROVEMENTS AND OPERATIONS, AS WELL AS EFFORTS TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS.

>>> A NEW REPORT SHOWS CHULA VISTA HAS ISSUED PERMITS ON THOUSANDS OF HIGH END HOMES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

KPBS SOUTHBAY REPORTER KORI SUZUKI SAYS THE CITY IS AND MAKING THE SAME KIND OF PROGRESS WHEN IT COMES TO MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> Reporter: IN 2021, CHULA VISTA SET A GOAL OF BUILDING 11,000 NEW HOMES BY THE END OF THE DECADE.

WITH MORE THAN 40% OF THEM AIMED AT LOW INCOME AND VERY LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

THIS WEEK, NEW CITY REPORT ON CHULA VISTA HAS ALREADY PASSED ITS GOALS OF WRITING, HOUSING, BUT IS MAKING MUCH SLOWER PROGRESS ON MORE AFFORDABLE HOMES.

>> I THINK IT IS VERY DISCOURAGING TO SEE THE NUMBERS.

>> Reporter: JOSE LOPEZ IS THE SAN DIEGO DIRECTOR OF THE TENANTS RIGHTS [ INAUDIBLE ].

CITY OFFICIALS SAY IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH YEAR TO FIND FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

STACY CURTIS IS THE CITY'S DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS SERVICES.

>> RIGHT NOW, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF CHANGES IN THAT FINANCIAL LANDSCAPE, AND SO, IT IS MUCH MORE COMPETITIVE RIGHT NOW TO GET FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> Reporter: CHULA VISTA HAS TAKEN SOME STEPS, INCLUDING TIGHTENING ITS REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPERS TO INCLUDE AFFORDABLE UNITS IN THEIR PROJECTS.

THE CITY HAS ANOTHER FIVE YEARS TO MEET THOSE HOUSING GOALS.

IN CHULA VISTA, KORI SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.

♪ >>> PIECE IS BREWING IN PARTS OF SAN DIEGO BETWEEN A GROUP WHOSE COLORS ARE BLUE AND ANOTHER WHO WEARS RED.

DECADES ON SWORN ENEMIES, THE CRIPS AND THE BLOODS ARE TALKING.

SHARMA SAYS VETERANS FROM BOTH GANGS HOPE THAT THE DIALOGUE WILL TRUMP THREATS AND BADLY NEEDED RESOURCES WILL REPLACE GUNFIRE.

AND SHE JOINS ME NOW, WELCOME.

>> IT IS GOOD TO BE WITH YOU, MAYA.

>> IT HAS BEEN COMMON KNOWLEDGE FOR A LONG TIME THAT THERE IS THIS VIEWED BETWEEN THE CRIPS AND THE BLOODS, BUT WHY DID THEY START TALKING?

>> [ INAUDIBLE ] IS SIMPLE.

THE SHEER BODY COUNT OF GANG MURDER AFTER GAINING MURDER AFTER GAINING MURDER LETS THE COMMUNITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS OF PARADISE HILLS, SKYLINE, SOME OF THE OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS IN THAT COMMUNITY TRAUMATIZED, AND IT WASN'T JUST THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS WHO WERE AFFECTED, IT WAS NEIGHBORS, IT WAS ENTIRE COMMUNITIES.

SO, A FEW YEARS AGO, A NONPROFIT BY THE NAME OF PILLARS OF THE COMMUNITY DECIDED TO REACH OUT TO THE CRIPS AND BLOODS AND GET THEM TO STOP THE KILLING, AND THEY REACHED OUT TO LONGTIME GANG MEMBERS FIRST, PEOPLE LIKE RICKY BIEBER, WHO IS 62 YEARS OLD.

HE HAS SPENTAND HE WAS READY FOR DIALOGUE.

>> BECAUSE I REALIZED THAT DEATH [ INAUDIBLE ] BEFORE, I DIDN'T CARE IF I LIVED, I DIDN'T CARE IF I DIED, I DIDN'T CARE, YOU KNOW, I HAD NO FEAR.

SO, YOU KNOW, YOU JUST LEARNED THAT DEATH IS FINAL, IT IS OVER.

WHETHER YOU ARE YOUNG, OLDER, IN THE MIDDLE, WHATEVER.

AND YOU SEE MOTHERS CRY.

SO, WE JUST SAID, HEY, WE DON'T WANT OUR MOTHERS TO CRY THIS SUMMER.

>> Reporter: WEAVER IS IN HIS 60s, THE ACTIVE GANG MEMBERS ARE A LOT YOUNGER.

HE CONVINCES THE YOUNGER CRIPS TO TALK TO BLOODS BY CHANGING HIS LANGUAGE.

HE SAYS HE NO LONGER BEATS HIS CHEST AND VOWS TO KILL THE BLOODS.

THAT ALONE CARRIES WEIGHT, HE SAYS, BECAUSE HE IS ONE OF THEM.

HE SAYS HE KEEPS HIS EAR TO THE STREETS, AND THAT VIOLENCE IS LOOMING BETWEEN THE CRIPS AND BLOODS, HE REQUESTS A ONE-ON- ONE WITH THE INVOLVED GROUP AND ASKS IF THERE IS ANOTHER WAY.

IT CAN BE A HARD SELL, BECAUSE SO MANY OF THE CRIPS' FRIENDS HAVE BEEN PUT IN THE GRAVEYARD BY BLOODS, AND VICE VERSA.

LYNELL BROWN 54 IS A BLOOD.

HIS BROTHER WAS KILLED BY A CRIP.

HIS COUSIN ALSO DIED IN A GANG ATTACK.

BUT HE SAYS HE HAS TRANSCENDED THE HATE BRED BY THOSE KILLINGS.

>> AND MY LESSON IS, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING, TRIED TO PROSPER AND GET YOUR EDUCATION, GET YOUR MONEY RIGHT, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING?

JUST FIGHTING PEOPLE FOR NO REASONS, THAT IS FOR THE BIRDS, IT'S FOR ANIMALS AND SAVAGES.

YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING QUESTION THAT WE ARE HUMAN AND WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO LIVE IN A SOCIETY WITHOUT YOUR OF EACH OTHER JUST BECAUSE OF OUR SKIN COLOR AND THE CLOSE THAT WE WEAR.

THERE'S GOT TO BE SOMETHING BETTER, THERE HAS GOT TO BE.

AND IF WE WANT EVERYTHING THAT LA JOYA HAS GOT, LET'S TRY TO ACT LIKE THEM.

THEY'RE NOT FIGHTING EACH OTHER AND KILLING EACH OTHER.

>> Reporter: THAT MESSAGE MIGHT BE RESONATING.

IN THE EIGHT YEARS BEFORE THE CRIPS AND BLOODS STARTED TALKING, THERE WERE 15 GANG- RELATED MURDERS ON THEIR TURF, MAKING UP 25% OF GANG KILLINGS ACROSS THE CITY.

THEN IN 2023 AND 2024, THERE WERE ZERO IN THIS SAME NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT 10 ACROSS THE CITY.

ST PD LIEUTENANT LOU MacHI SAYS HE WOULD LIKE TO THINK PART OF THE REASON FOR THE DROP IS DUE TO SEVERAL LARGE-SCALE POLICE OPERATIONS TARGETING SOME OF THE MOST BRUTAL GANGS AND CRIMINALS IN THE CITY THAT HAVE "PUT A LOT OF VERY VIOLENT PEOPLE IN JAIL."

STILL, 42-YEAR-OLD SHEREE HAMPTON, WHO WAS IN A BLOOD AFFILIATED GANG, SO IS OUTSIDE OF THE MASSIVE DIP INTERESTS, THE BIGGEST EFFECT OF THE CRIPS AND BLOODS MEETING REGULARLY IS AN UNDERSTANDING.

>> THAT WE ARE THE SAME, WE WANT THE SAME THINGS IN THIS COMMUNITY.

IF WE WASN'T COMING TOGETHER, WE WOULD NEVER KNOW WHAT THEY WANT AND WHAT WE WANT.

WHEN WOULD THIS CONVERSATION EVER COME ABOUT TO BE LIKE, OH, WHAT CAN WE DO TO HELP THE COMMUNITY?

WHO WAS GOING TO DO THAT?

WHO WAS GOING TO START TRYING TO BUILD AND REBUILD OUR COMMUNITY?

IT IS UP TO US.

REMEMBER THEY'RE ALSO WORKING TO OPEN TWO DROP-IN CENTERS, ONE IN STOCKTON MEMORIAL, AND ANOTHER IN OCEANVIEW, WHERE PEOPLE INCLUDING CURRENT AND FORMER GANG MEMBERS CAN ACCESS CAREER COUNSELING, JOB TRAINING, CHILD CARE, AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

MELISSA HERNANDEZ WAS A MEMBER OF A GANG TIED TO THE CRIPS.

SHE SAYS THE SERVICES ARE VITAL TO ENTERING THE BLOOD-CREPE VIOLENCE FOREVER.

>> BECAUSE THERE IS NOT NO BROKEN CYCLE YET, HE KEEPS GOING ON AND ON AND ON, AND I'M SEEING THIS EVEN WITH YOUNG KIDS.

YOU KNOW, I WAS A YOUNG ONE, SO ME BEING THE YOUNG ONE, NOBODY WAS THERE FOR ME.

AND THE ONES THAT WERE, THEY GAVE UP TOO SOON.

>> Reporter: AND MAYA, ONE FINAL AND LARGER POINT, THAT EACH OF THE FOUR PEOPLE YOU JUST HEARD TALKING TO ME WAS THE FOLLOWING, WAS THAT IF THE CRIPS AND BLOODS CAN SIT DOWN AND FIND COMMON GROUND FOR A BETTER FUTURE, THEN AMERICANS CAN TAKE A PAGE FROM THEIR BOOK AND CAN LEARN A LESSON FROM THEM.

IN THESE DIVIDED TIMES, I THINK ONE OF THE WOMEN I SPOKE WITH SAID, YOU KNOW, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATIC GROUPS, THEY SHOULD COME AND SIT WITH US AND SEE HOW WE ARE DOING IT.

WE CAN DO IT, THEY CAN, TOO.

>> INTERESTING PARALLEL WE SHOULD ALL STUDY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

THE STORY IS PART OF OUR PUBLIC MATTERS INITIATIVE.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE AT KPBS.ORG/PUBLIC MATTERS.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNS AN ORDER AIMED AT DISMANTLING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

THAT IS COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING EDITION ON KPBS.

♪ >>> SAN DIEGO IS PREPARING TO UPDATE AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT CALLED THE STREET DESIGN MANUAL.

THE GOAL IS TO PRIORITIZE SAFETY OVER SPEED.

THE KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SAYS WHEN IT COMES TO INSTALLING NEW CROSSWALKS, NOT MUCH WILL CHANGE.

>> Reporter: WALK AROUND SAN DIEGO AND YOU WILL SEE THEM EVERYWHERE.

NO PEDESTRIAN CROSSING SIGNS.

THEY'RE OFTEN AT INTERSECTIONS WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO CROSS THE STREET, WHERE THE CITY WANTS TO DISCOURAGE IT.

THE SIGNS CAN FORCE PEDESTRIANS INTO LONG DETOURS JUST TO GET FROM ONE SIDE OF THE STREET TO THE OTHER.

>> PEOPLE ARE GOING TO CROSS WHERE IT IS CONVENIENT FOR THEM, AND THE STREET DESIGN SHOULD REFLECT WHERE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO CROSS.

>> Reporter: LAURA KEENAN FOUNDED FAMILIES FOR SAY STREETS SAN DIEGO AFTER HER HUSBAND, MATT, WAS KILLED BY A DRIVER WHILE HE WAS SPIKING IN 2021.

SHE SAYS NO CROSSING SIGNS ARE A CLEAR EXAMPLE OF THE CITY PRIORITIZING CARDS OVER PEDESTRIANS.

THAT'S PEDESTRIANS HAVE JUST AS MUCH RIGHT TO OUR STREETS AND SIDEWALKS AS EVERYBODY ELSE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE STAYING SAFE.

>> Reporter: EARLIER THIS MONTH, A 47-YEAR-OLD MAN WAS CROSSING SIXTH AVENUE FROM BALBOA PARK INTO BAKER'S HILL.

AN ONCOMING DRIVER FAILED TO YIELD AND STRUCK THE MAN, LEAVING HIM WITH LIFE- THREATENING INJURIES, INCLUDING FRACTURED BONES AND A SEVERE BRAIN BLEED.

HE WAS AND WHAT IS CALLED AN UNMARKED CROSSWALK.

THERE ARE RAMPS GUIDING PEDESTRIANS INTO THE STREET, BUT THERE IS NO PAINT OR SIGNAGE TELLING DRIVERS TO WATCH OUT.

>> HAD THERE BEEN A CROSSWALK THERE, HIS CHANCE OF SURVIVAL -- HIS CHANCE OF GETTING HIT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT LESS.

IDEALLY, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SOME SORT OF LIGHT TO PUSH TO INDICATE THAT HE WOULD BE CROSSING, BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE BROAD USE OF CROSSWALKS IN OUR CITY.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO RECENTLY RELEASED A DRAFT UPDATE TO ITS STREET DESIGN MANUAL.

IT HAS SOME NEW GUIDANCE ON HOW TO DESIGN CROSSWALKS, BUT IT MAKES NO CHANGES TO THE CITY'S POLICY ON WHERE TO INSTALL NEW CROSSWALKS.

THAT POLICY HAS A COMPLEX POINT SYSTEM, BUT IT DOESN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT IF THE LOCATION HAS A HISTORY OF DRIVERS HITTING PEDESTRIANS ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THE VACANT DISTRICT 1 SEAT ON THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.

RESIDENTS THERE SAY THE DECADES LONG SEWAGE CRISIS WILL BE TOP OF MIND WHEN THEY CAST THEIR VOTES.

OUR MEDIA PARTNER CAGEY TO BE STUCK WITH A COUPLE WHO HAS LIVED IN SOUTH BAY FOR DECADES.

EDWARD AND GAYLENE SAY THEY BOTH SUFFER FROM RESPIRATORY ISSUES.

OVER THE YEARS, THEY HAVE SEEN MANY DISTRICT 1 SUPERVISORS TRIED TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

>> I COMMENDED BRIAN FOR HIS EFFORTS TO STOP THE POLLUTION WAY BACK IN THE 70s, BUT SINCE THAT TIME, THERE IS NOTHING BUT BAND-AID FIXES AND PROMISES.

>> WE WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE EVERYBODY OVER HERE AND HAVE A EASTER EGG HUNT, BUT IT ALREADY SMELLS LIKE ROTTEN EGGS, SO WE CAN'T DO IT.

WE JUST CAN'T.

>> AND A COUPLE ADS THAT THEY FEEL STRENGTHENED COOPERATION BY THE U.S. AND MEXICO IS NONNEGOTIABLE.

THE SPECIAL ELECTION FOR DISTRICT 1 SEAT BEGINS ON APRIL 8th AND EARLY VOTING IS ALREADY UNDERWAY.

AND A REMINDER, YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE VOTER HUB AT KPBS.ORG.

YOU CAN FIND ANSWERS TO COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS, INCLUDING HOW DO I KNOW IF I LIVE IN DISTRICT ONE?

AND YOU CAN TAKE A QUIZ TO SEE HOW THE CANDIDATES ALIGN WITH YOU ON IMPORTANT ISSUES.

>>> SPRING IS HERE AND THE CARLSBAD FLOWER FIELDS ARE BLOOMING, BUT AS KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTED ALEXANDER NGUYEN SHOWS US, THERE IS MORE TO SEE THERE THAN JUST ACRES OF FLOWERS.

>> Reporter: THE ROWS AND ROWS CREATE A COLLAGE OF COLORS, MUCH LIKE AN ARTIST'S PALETTE.

MARKETING MANAGER TYLER MAAS SAYS THAT AS PART OF THE REASON WHY THE FLOWER FIELDS STARTED PARTNERING WITH ARTISTS TWO YEARS AGO.

>> WE JUST WANTED TO KIND OF SEE WHAT THEY COULD OFFER, HOW THEY COULD BRING AN EXTRA EXPERIENCE TO OUR GUESTS.

>> Reporter: IT STARTED WITH A LOCAL ARTIST JENNIFER COBURN AND BUTTERFLY SCULPTURES.

>> THEY ACTUALLY MOVED WITH THE WIND, SO THE HAD MOVEMENT, WHICH WAS REALLY NICE.

AND LAST YEAR, WE HAD MICHAEL SUMMERS, LOCAL MURALIST, AND PAINT AS A MURAL, WHICH WAS AMAZING.

>> Reporter: AND THIS YEAR, IT IS ALEX.

>> THIS CAME TOGETHER MAGICALLY AND I WAS VERY HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

>> Reporter: A TUCSON BASED STEEL AND GLASS STRUCTURE ARTIST, BUT SHE GREW UP IN CORONADO.

HER EXHIBIT IS CALLED GLASS IN FLIGHT.

>> THEY ARE ABOUT POLLINATORS AND INSECT AND FLOWERS AND THE LOVE OF COLOR AND OUR PLANET.

>> Reporter: MADE FROM A SPECIAL GLASS, [ INAUDIBLE ] >> IT IS INCH THICK AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES IT UNUSUAL.

>> Reporter: IT LOOKS LIKE STAINED GLASS, THAT'S BECAUSE IT WAS PROMINENTLY USED FOR STAINED-GLASS WINDOWS IN THE '50 IS '60s BUT IT TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE COLORFUL GLASS BY PLAYING WITH LIGHTS.

>> WE PLACED THE SCULPTURES THROUGHOUT THE GARDEN, SO AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY, A DIFFERENT SCULPTURE WOULD LIGHT UP, AND WHEN YOU CAN SEE A SCULPTURE WITH THE SUN DIRECTLY SHINING BEHIND IT IT IS A MAGICAL MOMENT.

>> Reporter: AND THAT MEANS EVERYONE GETS THEIR OWN MAGICAL MOMENT, REGARDLESS OF WHEN THEY VISIT THE FLOWER FIELDS ARE OPEN FROM NOW UNTIL MAY 11th.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> THE FLOWER FIELDS ALSO DONATED THE PROFITS FROM THE OPENING WEEKEND TO THE L.A. FIRE RELIEF, RAISING ABOUT $10,000.

♪ >>> AS WE TALK ABOUT THE HOURS TO COME, REALLY, IT IS NOTHING TOO UNUSUAL FOR US.

WE WILL BE A BIT BACK AND FORTH AS WE KEEP THINGS DRY, BUT THE FLOW IS WE CANNOT WHERE WE WILL HAVE BASICALLY AN ONSHORE FLOW AT TIMES, AN OFFSHORE FLOW AT TIMES, IT IS VERY SUBTLE HERE AS FAR AS THE CHANGES WE WILL SEE IN UPCOMING DAYS.

MEANWHILE, IT DOES WARM UP INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK, AND FOR SOME OF US, MONDAY WILL BE THE ONE DAY.

FOR OTHERS, TUESDAY WILL BE THE WARM DAY, BUT IT IS HIGH PRESSURE REBUILT ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST.

HERE WE ARE, 49 FOR THE LOW IN THE CITY.

AS YOU WORK YOUR WAY TOWARDS ESCONDIDO, 43.

AND IN THE SPRINGS, MAKING IT INTO THE LOWER 50s OVERNIGHT.

CHULA VISTA WILL HIT 48.

VERY DRY SET UP ON YOUR FRIDAY, WE MISS OUT ON ALL OF THE ACTION THAT HAS BEEN EITHER NORTHERN CALIFORNIA OR NORTH OF THAT THROUGH THE NORTHWEST AS WE HAVE GONE LATE FOR THE WEEK HERE, SO NO HUGE CHANGES WITH ANYTHING AS FAR AS OUR PATTERN IS CONCERNED.

TOMORROW, 68, THE HEIGHT AND THE CITY.

OCEANSIDE, 69 FOR YOU.

AND MOUNT LAGUNA TOPPING OUT IN THE MID-50s THERE.

CAMPO HEADED TO 70 DEGREES FOR A HIKE.

AS WE LOOK AT THE COAST, NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS HERE, REALLY NOT ANY HUGE CHANGES FOR US, RIGHT FOR THE WEEKEND.

A FEW EXTRA CLOUDS MAY BE FOR THE WEEKEND, BUT OVERALL, VERY QUIET, DRY PATTERN.

MONDAY, WE GO INTO THE UPPER 60s, THAT IS KIND OF OUR WARMEST DAY OF THE WEEK, AND THAT IS GOING TO BE TRUE FOR SOME OF OUR INLAND COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS WE HAD THE UPPER 70s FOR HIGHS WITH PLENTY OF SUNSHINE OUT THERE.

REALLY, THE PATTERN FOR US WILL COME AS WE HOLD ONTO THE 70s INLAND, GO UP INTO THE 50s FOR SOME OF THOSE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES.

SUNSHINE, DRY WEATHER.

IN FACT, TUESDAY, OUR WARMEST DAY HERE AS WE TALK ABOUT IN THE LOWER 60s, THAT'S WHEN THAT BRIDGE REALLY BUILDS, TAKES HOLD WITH A HIGH-PRESSURE SYSTEM SETTING UP OVERHEAD, AND THERE'S JUST ENOUGH OF A STILL SET UP, NOT AS MUCH OF AN ONSHORE FLOW, AT LEAST FOR THE MOUNTAINS, TO REALLY HAVE AN IMPACT HERE.

IF YOU'RE IN THE DESERT COMMUNITIES, 95 ON TUESDAY, THAT IS GOING TO BE OUR WARMEST DAY, AND KIND OF A GRADUAL BUILD UP UNTIL THAT POINT.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I AM UROLOGIST [ INAUDIBLE ].

>> TONIGHT, UC SAN DIEGO MEN'S BASKETBALL ENTERS MARCH MADNESS.

IT IS THE TEAM'S FIRST EVER NCAA DIVISION I TOURNAMENT GAME.

UCSD IS FACING MICHIGAN AND A FIRST ROUND GAME IN DENVER.

THE TRITON'S ARE UNDERDOGS, HOWEVER THERE ENTERING THE TOURNAMENT ON A 15 GAME WINNING STREAK.

TIPOFF IS AT 7:00.

>>> HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 5 THAT SOMETHING MIGHT BE MISSING?

AS KEN KRAMER SHOWS US, IT IS A FREEWAY MYSTERY, UNLESS YOU KNOW THIS STORY ABOUT SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: SOUTHBOUND INTERSTATE 5, WANT TO GO WEST TO OCEAN BEACH.

THERE IS THE SIGN FOR I ATE EASTBOUND.

GOT IT, BUT WAIT, WHERE IS THE OFF RAMP FOR I ATE WESTBOUND?

YOU MEAN THERE ISN'T ONE, THEY NEVER BUILT ONE?

HOW STRANGE IS THAT.

WE WENT TO CALTRANS WHERE CATHERINE BRUCE JOHNSON DID SOME RESEARCH.

SHE SAYS IF YOU GO BACK A HALF- CENTURY, INTERSTATE 5 EAST FROM ARIZONA, THAT WAS IT.

>> SO, WHEN IT WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNATED, THERE IS NOT AN INTERSTATE 8 WEST OF I-5.

>> OKAY, WELL, WE WONDERED WHEN THEY DID BUILD IT WEST TOWARD OCEAN BEACH, THEY DIDN'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD WANT TO GO FROM SOUTH FIVE 28 WEST?

SHE SAYS IT WASN'T A QUESTION OF MONEY.

>> THEY DID NOT BUILD THE EXTENSIVE STRUCTURES, AND THERE REALLY WASN'T A NEED FOR THEM AT THE TIME.

IT WAS A DIFFERENT TIME IN THE 1960s.

>> Reporter: AND OCEAN BEACH WAS A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE.

>> WE WERE SORT OF NOT A PART OF SAN DIEGO.

WE WERE SORT OF IGNORED.

PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH US.

>> Reporter: AND RUMORS BEGAN TO SPREAD, THE FACT THAT THERE WERE NO OFF RAMPS FOR PEOPLE COMING DOWN FROM L.A. NO SIGNS ON INTERSTATE 5 TO TELL DRIVERS HOW TO GET TO OCEAN BEACH.

WAS IT ALL AN ATTEMPT TO ISOLATE OCEAN BEACH FROM THE REST OF SAN DIEGO?

>> WE HAVE HEARD LOTS OF STORIES ABOUT IT, AND SOME PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT ANYBODY TO COME TO OCEAN BEACH.

>> Reporter: DEBBY KNOX IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE OCEAN BEACH MAIN STREET ASSOCIATION, A GROUP OF AREA MERCHANTS AND PROFESSIONALS WHO REALLY GET INTO INDUSTRY AND ARE AT THEIR CORE OCEAN BEACH PEOPLE.

SHE CHECKED WITH ALL HER SOURCES, POLITICAL FIGURES, ANY TRUTH TO THIS?

>> WELL, WE LIKE A GOOD CONSPIRACY HERE AT OCEAN BEACH, BUT THAT IS PROBABLY NOT TRUE.

>> Reporter: BACK AT CALTRANS, THEY HAVE SOME METAL ARTWORK ON THE FRONT GATE, AND GUESS WHAT IT DEPICTS?

THAT VERY INTERCHANGE, I-5 AND I-8.

SO, IN THE RESEARCH, THERE IS NOTHING TO THE OLD STORY, ALL THE RUMORS?

>> I DIDN'T COME ACROSS ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: BUT THE NEXT TIME YOU ARE ON I-5 SOUTH, LOOK FOR THE NONEXISTENT RAMP TO 8 WEST.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT FOR DECADES THE HUSBAND IS NOT A CONSPIRACY, AT LEAST A LITTLE CURIOSITY ABOUT SAN DIEGO.

>> AND THE WONDERFUL KEN KRAMER HAS A HALF HOUR OF STORIES EVERY WEEK ABOUT SAN DIEGO, WHICH YOU CAN SEE THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 8:00 RIGHT HERE ON KPBS.

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

AN NPR INVESTIGATION HELPED LEAD TO 15,000 VETERANS BEING SAVED FROM LOSING THEIR HOMES, BUT SOME IN CONGRESS WANT TO KILL THE RESCUE PROGRAM.

>>> AND FROM THE SAN DIEGO PADRES TO THE WAVE FC, KPBS ROUNDTABLE IS TALKING SPORTS AND WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE COMING SEASONS.

YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, 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 BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AND AIR RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL ONE 800 BILL HOWE OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

♪ AND BY THE CONRAD FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCO, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

♪