>>> MAJOR SOMETHING FOR KPBS EVENING ADDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION , DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING.

IT'S THURSDAY, MARCH 24.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

>>> WE COULD THEY KEPT TOMORROW TO THE UNSIGHTLY IMAGE OF THE SIX DOLLARS A GALLON FOR GASOLINE.

FOR 30 STRAIGHT DAYS, PRICES HAVE CLIMBED.

THE GOVERNOR HAS PUT FORTH HIS PLAN, BUT LAWMAKERS, ARE THEY READY TO TAKE ACTION?

HERE IS JOHN CARROLL.

>> Reporter: THE ALL TOO FAMILIAR PAIN AT THE PUMP IS NOT GETTING ANY LESS PAINFUL FOR SAN DIEGANS.

>> $5.80.

IT USED TO BE, WHAT, $3.50?

>> Reporter: THE AVERAGE PRICE OF GAS ROSE FOR THE LAST 30 DAYS.

OVER THE LAST MONTH, THE AVERAGE PRICE HAS RISEN $1.23 A GALLON.

>> $100 FOR EACH VEHICLE.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE MAIN PORTION OF THE PROPOSAL.

IT ALSO INCLUDES $750 MILLION FOR FREE PUBLIC TRANSIT.

600% -- 300 MILLION FOR DIESEL.

$523 MILLION TO POSSE INFLATION ADJUSTMENT FOR GAS AND DIESEL EXCISE TAX.

THE $400 FOR REGISTERED VEHICLES WOULD COME IN THE FORM OF TWO DEBIT CARDS.

>> THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.

I MEAN, AND HAVING TO PHILIP EVERY FOUR DAYS.

IT'S LIKE $60 TWICE A WEEK.

>> Reporter: WHAT THE GOVERNOR DIDN'T SAY IN HIS TWITTER VIDEO IS THAT THE RELIEF WOULDN'T ARRIVE UNTIL JULY AT THE EARLIEST.

PEOPLE WE TALKED TO DID LIKE THAT PART SO MUCH.

>> WE NEED IT NOW.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICANS POUNCED ON THE DELAY IN RELIEF, ASSEMBLY MINORITY LEADER JAMES GALLAGHER SAYING, CALIFORNIANS ARE STRUGGLING AND CAPITOL DEMOCRATS ARE DRAGGING THEIR FEET.

HOW COULD IT POSSIBLY TAKE THAT LONG?

BUT FROM DEMOCRATIC ASSEMBLY MEMBER CHRIS WARD OF SAN DIEGO, AN ACCUSATION THAT REPUBLICANS ARE JUST USING SMOKE AND MIRROR TACTICS.

WARD POINTING OUT THAT REPUBLICAN PROPOSAL TO SUSPEND THE GAS TAX WOULD CAUSE THE STATE TO DEFAULT ON PAYMENTS TO FIND ROAD REPAIR, AND WORD SAYS, GAS STATIONS WOULDN'T HAVE TO LOWER THEIR PRICES ANYWAY.

ONE DOESN'T NEED TO BE A FORTUNETELLER TO SEE THAT THIS WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY BE AN ISSUE IN THIS FALL'S STATE ELECTIONS.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ALL EYES ARE ON BRUSSELS AS PRESIDENT BIDEN MEETS WITH NATO LEADERS.

'S VISIT COMES AS RUSSIAN AGGRESSION INTENSIFIES.

ISABELLA REPORTS ON THE NEW WAVE OF SANCTIONS AND MILITARY ASSISTANCE ANNOUNCED.

>> Reporter: STANDING UP TO RUSSIA.

>> NATO HAS NEVER, NEVER BEEN MORE UNITED THAN IT IS TODAY.

>> Reporter: NATO HEADQUARTERS, HIGH-STAKES EMERGENCY SUMMIT.

WORLD LEADERS UNVEILING THE NEXT PHASE TO HIT BACK AT MOSCOW.

>> PUTIN IS GETTING EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE WHAT HE INTENDED TO HAVE AS A CONSEQUENCE OF GOING INTO UKRAINE.

>> Reporter: FRESH SANCTIONS ARE ON THE WAY.

WORLD LEADERS AIM TO TIGHTEN THE ECONOMIC NEWS ON THE KREMLIN.

ALLIES, SENDING UKRAINE MILITARY ASSISTANCE.

ON YOUR'S IS IN FLIGHT, NATO BOLSTERING ITS OWN DEFENSE.

>> NO MATTER HOW THIS WAR ENDS, THE SECURITY ENVIRONMENT HERE IN EUROPE HAS CHANGED.

>> Reporter: UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY IS PLEADING FOR MORE.

>> I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE ALLIANCE CAN SAVE UKRAINIAN LIVES.

>> Reporter: ON THE FRONT LINES, RUBBLE AND HUMAN DEVASTATION.

WIDESPREAD DESTRUCTION AND DESERTED STREETS.

THE ONCE- THRIVING PORT CITY OF MARIUPOL, 18 TO WITNESSING THE DEATH OF HIS MOTHER.

>> I JUST REMEMBER, LIKE, I WOKE UP.

I SEE THE BROKEN CAR.

I SEE MY MOTHER GOING ON FIRE.

>> Reporter: A MONTH INTO THE INVASION, UKRAINIAN TROOPS COUNTERATTACKING.

UKRAINIANS SUCCESSFULLY PUSHED BACK RUSSIAN TROOPS OUTSIDE KYIV.

UKRAINIAN NAVY SAYS IT HAS DESTROYED A RUSSIAN WARSHIP.

AND AN RUSSIA PRIDE 2010, UKRAINIAN FLAG OVER CITY HALL, A SUMMER OF HOPE AND DEFIANCE.

IN WASHINGTON, KPBS NEWS.

>> THE UNITED STATES IS TAKING A STEP TOWARD EASING THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS IN EUROPE.

UP TO 100,000 REFUGEES FROM UKRAINE WILL BE ALLOWED TO ENTER OUR COUNTRY.

POLISH OFFICIALS WERE MOST VOCAL ABOUT SPEEDING UP THE PROCESS TO BRING UKRAINIANS HERE.

THE U.N. UKRAINIAN REFUGEE AGENCY SAYS MORE THAN 3 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY FLED UKRAINE.

TRUCK ALSO, AN OVERHAUL OF THE U.S. ASYLUM SYSTEM IS UNDERWAY BY THE BY THE ADMINISTRATION .

EVERY YEAR, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE COME TO THE U.S. TO SAVE THEMSELVES FROM PERSECUTION OR VIOLENCE.

THE WHITE HOUSE IS NOW WORKING ON NEW REGULATIONS THAT WOULD SETTLE CLAIMS MORE QUICKLY AND HELP WITH THE MASSIVE BACKLOG IN IMMIGRATION COURTS.

THE PLAN IS TO LET ASYLUM OFFICERS DECIDE WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN INSTEAD OF HAVING TO WAIT ON A JUDGE.

IT'S ESTIMATED 1.7 MILLION CASES ARE STILL PENDING.

>>> THOUSANDS OF SAN DIEGANS WILL SOON BE GETTING ELECTRICITY FROM A NEW GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN HAS MORE ON HOW TO SPOT THE DIFFERENCE ON YOUR ENERGY BILL.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY POWER IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SIX CITIES PLUS THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND IS SPEEDING UP THE TRANSITION TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

RIGHT NOW, THE AGENCY IS SERVING ABOUT 70,000 HOMES AND BUSINESSES.

BUT THAT CUSTOMER BASE WILL INCREASE MORE THAN TENFOLD OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS AS THE AGENCY ENROLLS HOMES IN ENCINITAS, CHULA VISTA, AND SAN DIEGO.

CUSTOMERS WON'T NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCE ACCEPT OR A LINE ITEM ON THEIR BILL.

>> WE ONLY CONTROL ELECTRICITY GENERATION PIECE OF THE BILL.

WHICH IS MAYBE A QUARTER OF YOUR BILL TOTAL.

>> Reporter: CODY IS SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY POWER IS THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER.

MOST WHAT CUSTOMERS PAY ON THEIR ENERGY BILL IS FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF ELECTRICITY, WHICH SDG INDY IS STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR.

BUT FOR GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY -- >> THE PIECE THAT WE CONTROL, THE RATES ARE ABOUT TO PRESENT CHEAPER THIS YEAR.

THEY ARE ALSO ABOUT 19% CLEANER.

IT IS 50% RENEWABLE POWER.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY POWER HAS IN MY TOOL SO YOU CAN SEE HOW MUCH YOU MIGHT SAVE UNDER THE NEW SYSTEM.

>> CLICK ON YOUR CHOICE OF THE TOP AND GO TO COMPARE SERVICE PLANS.

>> Reporter: FOR ME, THE SAVINGS WAS ONLY ABOUT $0.13, AGAIN, FOR CLEANER ELECTRICITY.

AND FOR ABOUT A QUARTER MONTH, I CAN BOOST TO 100% RENEWABLE.

SHE GIVES ME THE SALES PITCH AND WINS ME OVER.

CUSTOMERS CAN COMPARE RATES AND BOOST THEIR HOME'S ELECTRICITY TO 100% RENEWABLE ON THE AGENCY'S WEBSITE.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SDG&E CUSTOMERS WILL GET A BREAK ON THEIR BILL.

ENABLE, NATURAL GAS CUSTOMERS WILL SEE THEIR BILL REDUCED BY ABOUT $43.

LATER THIS YEAR, WITH ELECTRICITY CUSTOMERS, THEY WILL GET BACK ABOUT $64 ON THEIR AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER BILLS.

THE CREDIT ALSO APPLIES TO ENERGY CHOICE CUSTOMERS AND WILL BE APPLIED AUTOMATICALLY.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN HAS BEEN INACTIVE FOR OVER TWO DECADES, BUT NOW IT IS BEING REVIVED.

KPBS REPORTER KITTY EL DORADO SHOWS US THAT AS LONG WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT, WOMEN WHO ATTENDED HAVE A LOT TO CELEBRATE.

>> THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS REVIVING ITS COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR STOOD IN FRONT OF THE WOMEN'S MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA THAT IS IT TO OPEN ITS DOORS TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN WILL ONCE AGAIN BE LOOKING INTO WHAT WOMEN NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL, AND COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS SO THEY CAN THRIVE IN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

GLORIA SAID, AS MUCH PROCESS AS HAS BEEN MADE, THERE IS MUCH MORE TO.

>> DESPITE THE ESSENTIAL PROCESS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL DECADES, LIMITING GIRLS CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE INEQUALITY IN OUR SOCIETY.

>> Reporter: THE COMMISSION WAS STARTED IN 1973, BUT HAS BEEN INACTIVE FOR OVER TWO DECADES.

FELICIA, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE WOMEN'S MUSEUM SAID, SHE WAS PROUD TO HOST THE EVENT THAT WAS LONG OVERDUE.

SHE HAS HIGH HOPES FOR THIS COMMISSION.

>> TO START FOCUSING ON SOLUTIONS, STRATEGIES, YOU KNOW, NOT JUST A LOT OF TALK, BUT REALLY GETTING OUT THERE AND FIGURING OUT WHERE WE STUCK AND COMING UP WITH SOLUTIONS TO KEEP WOMEN MOVING OR.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL MEMBER VIVIAN MORENO ACKNOWLEDGED THE IMPORTANCE OF IT BEING REBORN DURING WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH.

SHE TOLD THE PERSONAL STORY OF WHY THE COMMISSION IS STILL NEEDED.

>> WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR OFFICE IN 2018, I WALKED 1000 DOORS TO GET ELECTED.

ONE OF THE STORES THAT I NOT, A MAN TOLD ME, CAN A WOMAN BE CITY COUNCILMEMBER?

GUESS WHAT?

A WOMAN CAN BE A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, AND SHE CAN DO IT PREGNANT, TOO.

>> Reporter: ONE WOMAN IN PARTICULAR WAS TOP OF MIND DURING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.

SUPREME COURT JUSTICE NOMINEE, JUDGE KETANJI BROWN JACKSON.

>> AS AN AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMAN, I AM SO PROUD TO SEE WHERE SHE IS TODAY.

SHE STANDS ON THE SHOULDERS OF A LOT OF WOMEN WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE HER, TRYING TO OPEN DOORS .

THAT IS WHAT WE WANT TO DO.

I THINK THE COMMISSION SHOULD TRY TO OPEN MORE DOORS FOR ALL WOMEN.

>> Reporter: NOMINATIONS FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE NOW OPEN.

KITTY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> NEW SAN DIEGO COUNTY HIRES MONT HAVE TO BE VACCINATED FOR COVID-19 STARTING NEXT MONTH.

THE MOVE ALSO GETS RID OF A WEEKLY TESTING REQUIREMENT FOR COURT UNVACCINATED EMPLOYEES.

SUPERVISOR NATHAN FLETCHER SAYS THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME TO REMOVE THE RESTRICTIONS.

>> THIS WAS ALWAYS DESIGNED TO BE TEMPORARY.

OUR EMPLOYEE VACCINATION IS VERY HIGH.

HIGHER THAN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY AVERAGE.

I AM PROUD OF OUR WORKERS.

AND AGAIN, I THINK THIS IS ANOTHER STEP IN THE PROGRESS AROUND THE GRADUAL EASING AND LIFTING RESTRICTIONS.

RECOGNIZING WE WILL HAVE TO BE MINDFUL, KEEP AN EYE ON WHAT IS HAPPENING AT WORK TO BE SAFE.

IT IS AN APPROPRIATE STEP TO TAKE.

>> FLETCHER SAYS THEY ARE NOT CHANGING THE RULES BECAUSE THEY CANNOT FILL OPEN POSITIONS.

THE ADJUSTMENTS TAKE PLACE ON APRIL 4.

PSYCH YOU COULD BE FLYING MASSLESS SOON IF A GROUP OF AIRLINES HAS ITS WAY.

10 AIRLINES ARE CALLING ON THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO GET RID OF THE FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION MASK MANDATE.

THE UNION THAT REPRESENTS FLIGHT ATTENDANTS FOR SOUTHWEST AIRLINES SAYS, ENFORCING IT IS, QUOTE, ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT JOBS WE HAVE EVER FACED.

THE FAA SAYS, OUT OF THE NEARLY 1000 UNRULY PASSENGER INCIDENTS THIS YEAR, MORE THAN HALF THE MASK-RELATED.

THE CURRENT MANDATE EXPIRES ON APRIL 18.

THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS IT'S INSULTING THE CDC ABOUT LIFTING IT EARLIER.

>>> NAVAL BASE NORTH ISLAND IS ON A LIST OF BASIS BEING VISITED BY A NEW COMMISSIONING INVESTIGATING MILITARY SUICIDES.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER STEVE WELLS HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: SUICIDES IN THE MILITARY BOTH 16% IN 2020.

CONGRESS MANDATED THE PENTAGON TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL CAUSES.

HE IS WITH THE CENTER FOR AMERICAN PROGRESS, WHICH RECENTLY LOOKED AT SUICIDES AMONG MILITARY AND VETERANS.

A HIGHER RATE OF GUN OWNERSHIP IS A MAJOR FACTOR.

>> MECHANISMS, WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SUICIDE, THEY DO MATTER.

AND GUNS MATTER IN THIS REGARD.

NUMEROUS STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT WHEN YOU ANALYZE THE DIFFERENT MECHANISMS BY WHICH PEOPLE ATTEMPT TO COMMIT SUICIDE, GUNS IS THE MOST LETHAL.

>> Reporter: THE CONNECTION BETWEEN GUNS AND SUICIDE IS WELL-KNOWN.

THE PENTAGON JUST STARTED A NEW GUN SAFETY PROGRAM FOR PERSONAL FIREARMS.

THE DATA FROM PENTAGON RESEARCHERS ALSO FOUND ANOTHER RISK FACTOR.

>> A PREVIOUS PHYSICAL CHALLENGE OR PHYSICAL CONDITION, MEANING PHYSICAL INJURIES.

THAT WAS A VERY IMPORTANT COMPONENT THAT WE DID SEE IN ANALYSIS THAT RELATES TO BARON SUICIDES AND MILITARY SUICIDES.

BUT IT DOESN'T RELATE TO THE SUICIDES OF THE OVERALL POPULATION.

>> Reporter: THIS WEEK ON THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, LLOYD AUSTIN, FIND A MINNOW THAT LOOK AT THE SUICIDE RATE.

THEY WILL VISIT NINE U.S.

BASES NO LATER THAN AUGUST.

THE ONLY DAVEY BASED ON THE LIST IS NORTH ISLAND.

A PENTAGON SPOKESMAN DID NOT RELEASE CRITERIA OF WHITESPACE WAS SELECTED.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS KEEP HAPPENING.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO FIGHT THE PROBLEM.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER TANIA THORNE TELLS US ABOUT THE INITIATIVE.

>> Reporter: LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HOLD A MEETING EVERY MONTH TO DISCUSS A PROBLEM IMPACTING ALL SAN DIEGO CITIES.

CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS.

THE AGENCIES ARE PART OF THE TASK FORCE CALLED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER INITIATIVE.

DETECTIVE CHRIS JAMES OF THE OCEANSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT STARTED THE TASK FORCE.

>> PROBLEMS, SHORTFALLS, HOW TO TACKLE THE PROBLEMS.

WE GOT THE DAs OFFICE ON BOARD, INDICATE GROWING.

>> Reporter: NORTON COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE JOINED BY THE SAN DIEGO SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, CHULA VISTA POLICE, UC SAN DIEGO POLICE, AND EVEN LARGER AGENCIES.

>> WE HAVE PEOPLE FROM THE FBI WORKING WITH US.

THE NATIONAL CRIME BUREAU.

>> Reporter: JAMES SAYS THE INITIATIVE AND HELPED ALL THE AGENCIES INVOLVED COMMUNICATE, DISCOVER PATTERNS, AND COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS.

>> WE ARE TAKING THIS FROM MANY FRONTS.

CONTACTING SUSPECTS, TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE WHOLE ENTERPRISE OF THE CRIME AND ALSO THROUGH OUR JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: THE TO THE PANDEMIC, THIEVES ARE OFTEN RELEASED WITH A CITATION AND NEVER RESTED.

BUT THE INITIATIVE'S TEAMWORK HAS HELPED PASS HARSHER LAWS.

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS PURSUING CHARGES ON CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFTS.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE CITY OF CARLSBAD PAST THE COUNTY'S FIRST CATALYTIC CONVERTER LAW, MAKING IT ILLEGAL FOR ANYONE OTHER THAN A RECYCLER TO BE IN POSITION OF A CONVERTER WITHOUT PROOF OF OWNERSHIP.

>> IT SUPERSEDES THE ORDINANCE, BUT IT IS A SAFETY NET IN THE EVENT THAT THEY AREN'T CHARGED BY THE DAs OFFICE FOR SOME REASON.

THEY DO NOT GET CHARGED WITH A CRIME FOR WHATEVER REASON, OUR CITY ATTORNEY CAN GO AFTER THE INDIVIDUAL FOR OUR CITY ORDINANCE, WHICH IS PUNISHABLE BY UP TO A YEAR IN JAIL AND A THOUSAND DOLLAR CRIME.

>> Reporter: HER DATA SHOWS THAT THE ARE NOT SLOWING DOWN AND ARE UP 36% WHEN COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

THIS IS DUE TO THE INCREASE IN THE VALUE OF METALS.

>> JUST IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS, THE COST OF PALLADIUM, RHODIUM, AND PLATINUM HAVE GONE UP BY BETWEEN EIGHT AND 38%.

THAT'S A HUGE DUMP.

>> Reporter: DETECTIVE JAMES SAYS THE REGIONAL TASK FORCE IS ATTACKING THE PROBLEM THAT HAS VICTIMIZED MANY SAN DIEGO RESIDENTS.

>> I KNOW PEOPLE FEEL FRUSTRATED, LIKE WE ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING.

THE FACT IS, THAT THE COUNTY, THERE ARE PEOPLE, PD, SHERIFFS, AND HERE IN OCEANSIDE, THAT EMPATHIZE WITH VICTIMS.

WE WANT TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP THEM.

>> Reporter: TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE RECORD GAS PRICES ACROSS CALIFORNIA HAVE HIT RIDE SHARE AND DELIVERY DRIVERS ESPECIALLY HARD.

OF WE ARE SHOWN, TODAY THEY MADE THEIR VOICES HEARD IN LOS ANGELES.

>> I NEED MORE MONEY.

>> Reporter: LYFT AND OTHER RIDE SHARE DRIVERS RALLIED ALONGSIDE AMAZON FLEX DRIVERS TODAY DEMANDING WERE PAID DURING THIS UNPRECEDENTED GAS PRICES.

THEY ARE ALL INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS, WHICH MEANS THEY MAINTAIN THEIR OWN CARS AND COVER THE COSTS.

>> UBER DOESN'T PAY FOR OUR GAS OR MILEAGE.

>> Reporter: MANY CONTRACTOR GIANTS HAVE STARTED OFFERING GAS SURCHARGES ARE TEMPORARILY INCREASED EARNINGS TO HELP.

AMAZON FLEX HAS NOT.

WORKERS CALLING FOR CHANGE RALLIED LAST WEEK AT THE AMAZON WAREHOUSE AND ARE PLANNING MORE PROTESTS.

IN RESPONSE, THE COMPANY RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING, THEY PAID DELIVERY PARTNERS OVER $26 PER HOUR ON AVERAGE AND HAVE ALREADY MADE SEVERAL ADJUSTMENTS THROUGH PRICING SURGES IN IMPACTED AREAS.

THAT'S THE OFFERING OF SOME HIGHER-PAID SHE IS.

RICHARD MASON REMAINS AMAZON FLEX'S AVERAGE PAY IS LOWER.

HE RECENTLY STOPPED DRIVING FOR THEM AND TOOK ANOTHER JOB.

>> IT'S NOT ACCURATE.

THAT'S AN EVERY SO OFTEN OCCURS.

IT'S NOT CONSISTENT.

MOST AVERAGES UNDER MINIMUM- WAGE.

>>> JOBLESS CLAIMS HAVE DROPPED TO A 53-YEAR LOW.

THE NUMBERS SHOW JUST 187,000 PEOPLE FILED FOR INITIAL WEEKLY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS LAST WEEK, MUCH LOWER THAN EXPECTED.

IT'S A BRIGHT SPOT FOR THE ECONOMY RIGHT NOW AS WE DO WITH HIGHER OIL AND GAS PRICES AND OTHER INFLATION PRESSURES.

THE STRONG JOBS NUMBERS, HOWEVER , COULD LEAD THE FEDERAL RESERVE TO STEP UP ITS PACE OF INTEREST RATE HIKES AS A WAY TO KEEP INFLATION IN CHECK.

>>> SAN DIEGO DURING SPRING BREAK INEVITABLY MEANS SOME BEACH TIME.

LOCALIZED GUARDS AND POLICE WANT YOU TO STAY STAY, SO THEY ARE INCREASING PATROLS.

THE MESSAGE TO BEACHGOERS, FOLLOW THE RULES IN THE POSTED SIGNS.

CLOSE TO PORTLAND, THEY ARE ASKING FOR PEOPLE TO BE CAUTIOUS WHILE IN THE WATER WHILE ON A WATERCRAFT OR SWIMMING.

>> IF YOU HERE LIFEGUARD, LISTEN TO WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO.

THEY ARE NOT HARASSING YOU.

THEY JUST WANT TO MOVE OUT OF THE AREA.

WE ARE TRAINED OBSERVERS.

WE CAN SEE WHERE THE RECURRENCE ARE.

WE KNOW YOU ARE IN DANGER BEFORE YOU ARE IN DANGER.

>> THEY ALSO TO REMIND EVERYONE THAT ALCOHOL IS NOT ALLOWED AND TO LEAVE YOUR GLASS CONTAINERS AT HOME.

>>> WE HAVE BEGUN THE COOLDOWN.

TEMPERATURES TRENDING DOWN, AND COASTAL CLOUDS ACTUALLY RETURNING FOR US, WHICH MEANS WERE GETTING READY FOR SOME THE CHANGES.

IN FACT, A NEW STORM SYSTEM PRINT WORK IN NEXT WEEK, WHICH COULD BRING US SOME PRETTY NOTABLE RING.

VERY WELCOME SET UP FOR THAT.

FOR NOW, WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME OF THE COASTAL CLOUDS CONTINUING TO WORK THE WAY BACK TOWARD TONIGHT.

64 FOR THE LOW.

OCEANSIDE DOWN TO 50.

IF YOU ARE AND MALAGA, MID-50s FOR YOU.

OF COURSE, IT HAS BEEN WARM, AND HE CONTINUES TO REMAIN WARM FOR SOME OF OUR INLAND AREAS, ESPECIALLY AS HE PUSHED HER WAY THROUGH THE INTERIOR SOUTH WEST.

BUT WE ARE GOING TO GET SOME OF THE COASTAL COMING BACK.

SOME MORNING CLOUDS TO START TOMORROW, GIVING WAY TO AFTERNOON SUNSHINE.

ONLY TOPPING OUT AT LOWER 70s FOR THE CITY.

CHULA VISTA, 75.

MARONA, 85.

PARETO SPRINGS HOLDING ONTO THE MID-90s FOR THE AFTERNOON.

FURTHER INLAND, THE MORE HEAT YOU WILL FIND HEADING INTO SATURDAY.

BY SUNDAY, ALL SORTS OF THINGS ARE CHANGING.

WE ARE REALLY GOING TO NOTICE TEMPERATURES DOWN.

LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM COMING IN.

THIS ONE IS GOING TO TRY TO BRING US SOME RAIN.

WE DO HAVE THAT THREAT SUNDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY WHERE YOU CAN SEE, THE ICON IS OUT, THE RAIN.

TEMPERATURES IN THE MID-60s.

A BIG DIFFERENCE.

MEANWHILE, YOUR FRIDAY, MOST PLACES STILL DEALING WITH PRETTY MILD WEATHER.

CLOUDS GIVING WAY TO MORE SUNSHINE TOWARDS THE COAST.

AS YOU WORK YOUR WAY THROUGH TIME HERE, ADDING IN ONE OF THOSE CLOUDS THROUGH SUNDAY WHERE WE WILL ACTUALLY FIND RAIN ADVANCING SUNDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY.

STILL KEEPING THINGS COOL AND CLOUDY INTO TUESDAY FOR MANY SPOTS, INCLUDING THE MOUNTAINS WHERE THEY WILL ONLY BE IN THE MID-40s.

ONCE THE RAIN MOVES IN, LOWER 40s FOR HIGHS ON MONDAY.

THIS IS THE CHANGE OF PACE FOR US.

WELCOMED MOISTURE IN MANY SPOTS.

CAN'T RULE OUT MAYBE A FLAKE OR TWO FOR HIGHEST ELEVATION, BUT MOSTLY RAIN FOUR DESERT COMMUNITIES STAIN COPPER SATURDAY THEN COOLING OFF AS WE HAVE MORE CLOUDS INTO MONDAY.

FOR KPBS, I AM MELISSA CONSTANZER.

>>> SOME SAN DIEGO COUNTY FARMERS ARE FIGHTING THE WATER DISTRICT OVER WHO MUST PAY FOR KEEPING WATER ON THEIR AVOCADOS AND GRAPES.

OUR NEW REPORTER EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: THE RAMONA MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT DECIDED TO STOP THE WATER SYSTEM USED BY FARMERS IN THE HIGHLAND VALLEY NEAR ESCONDIDO BECAUSE IT WOULD COST MILLIONS TO UPKEEP FOR FEWER AND FEWER SALES.

THE DISTRICT GAVE CUSTOMERS A CHOICE.

LOSE THE WATER OR PAY THOUSANDS IN FEES TO CONNECT TO ANOTHER SYSTEM.

SOME FARMERS ARE FIGHTING BACK.

HE IS A LONGTIME AVOCADO GROWER WHO SAYS THE COST MIGHT FORCE HIM TO QUIT.

>> IT IS KIND OF AN END OF AN ERA FOR.

I SHARE THE FRUSTRATION OF A LOT OF FARMERS IN THIS STATE, THAT WE ARE KIND OF BEING PUSHED OUT.

>> Reporter: THE WATER DISTRICT PUSHED ITS DEADLINE BACK NEARLY 2 YEARS AS IT CONSIDERS THE RISK IT WILL GET SOON.

>>> OUR NEW SOURCES AN INDEPENDENTLY FUNDED PARTNER OF KPBS.

>>> COLLEGE SPORTS MIGHT NOT ALWAYS BE WORKING UP A SWEAT.

THE GROWING PRESENCE OF E-SPORTS AT UC SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: THERE IS A PLACE ON CAMPUS WHERE ROWS OF COMPUTERS AND PADDED CHAIRS MAKE IT A PERFECT PLACE TO STUDY ?

NOT QUITE.

THIS PLACE IS CALLED THE TECH, THE TRITON E-SPORTS CENTER.

THIS IS THE ANNEX AT UC SAN DIEGO.

IT'S THE NEW HOME OF THE E- SPORTS TEAM.

THEY HAVE GRAND OPENING ON MARCH 4.

ONE PERSON THERE ON A WEEKDAY MORNING WAS VARSITY E-SPORTS GAMER SAM.

HE GOES BY THE NICKNAME BLUE.

HE WAS PLAYING A GAME WITH HIS TWIN BROTHER.

IMAGINE ROCKET PROPELLED CAR IS PLAYING SOCCER.

WE ASKED HIM IF E-SPORTS IS REALLY A SPORT.

>> DEFINITELY, YES.

THERE IS PRACTICE.

THERE'S TEAM COMMITMENT.

YOU HAVE TO PUT IN THE WORK JUST LIKE ANYTHING ELSE.

>> Reporter: THE E-SPORTS TEAM AT UC SAN DIEGO WAS FOUNDED ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE SPORTS, CHRIS, SAYS THE TEAM HAS HAD A LOT OF MILESTONES LATELY, LIKE WINNING FIRST PLACE IN JANUARY IN THE GAME, LEAGUE OF LEGENDS, AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA E-SPORTS INITIATIVE.

>> LEAGUE OF LEGENDS IS A MASSIVE ONLINE BATTLE ARENA.

THERE ARE FIVE PEOPLE ON EACH TEAM CONTROLLING DIFFERENT CHAMPIONS WITH DIFFERENT ABILITIES FOR THE COMMON GOAL OF DESTROYING THE ENEMY TEAM'S NEXUS.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE ABOUT 100 STUDENTS IN THE E-SPORTS AT UCSD.

LIZ HENRY SAYS THAT'S NOT ALL.

JUST THIS YEAR, THE ADMINISTRATION PUT SOME SERIOUS CASH INTO RECRUITMENT OF TALENT.

>> RECENTLY, OUR CHANCELLOR COMMITTED $200,000 TO E-SPORTS SCHOLARSHIPS, WHICH IS HUGE, AND THE STUDENTS GOT TO SEE THAT.

IS REALLY PUSHING THIS MOMENTUM AND SUPPORT FOR THE STUDENTS NOT ONLY TO BE ACADEMICALLY SUCCESSFUL, BUT TO AWARD THEM FOR THEIR PASSION.

>> Reporter: EVERYBODY HAS A STORY ABOUT THE PASSION.

SAM, HER GAMER NAME IS SAM I AM , IS THE PRESIDENT OF TRITON GAMING, WHICH EXHAUSTED PRIOR TO THE E-SPORTS.

I WOULD ALWAYS LOOK OVER MY BROTHER'S SHOULDER WHEN HE PLAYED VIDEO GAMES AS A KID.

THE PARENTS GOT HIM A PLAYSTATION BACK IN THE DAY.

I STRANGELY BECAME MORE INTERESTED IN HIM AND HE WAS.

>> Reporter: SINCE THEN, IT'S BECOME A WAY TO GET TO KNOW PEOPLE.

>> I HAS ALWAYS SEEN IT AS A WAY TO CONNECT WITH FRIENDS.

>> Reporter: EVERYBODY HAS A NICKNAME.

>> MOST GAMERS DON'T USE THEIR REAL NAMES AND ACTUAL GAMES.

WE USE GAMER TAGS, OR NICKNAMES.

>> Reporter: JOSH IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE E-SPORTS TEAM.

HE SHOWS HIS GAMER TAG WRITTEN ON THE BACK OF HIS SHIRT.

IT IS LOLO.

>> I CAME UP WITH IT ON A WHIM IN THE THIRD GRADE.

>> Reporter: E-SPORTS MAYBE A SPORTS IN FACT, BUT IT IS NOT OFFICIAL.

AT UCSD, THE TEAM IS COVERED BY RECREATION, NOT ATHLETICS.

THE NCAA HAS SHOT AWAY FROM BRACING E-SPORTS FOR A PARTICULAR REASON.

>> THEY HAVE DECIDED THAT WITH THE WEIGHT E-SPORTS IS GENERALLY PLAYED, AND THOSE TYPES OF STUDENTS THAT GENERALLY COME FROM IT, TYPICALLY SPEAKING, THE HIGHEST INDIVIDUALS IN COLLEGIATE E- SPORTS HAVE ALREADY GONE PRO.

IN THE NCAA, THAT IS ACTUALLY NOT ALLOWED, TO HAVE A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE ON YOUR TEAM.

>> Reporter: E-SPORTS IS A BIG INDUSTRY REQUESTER, REVENUES EXCEEDED A BILLION DOLLARS.

ALL THIS BECOMES CLEAR WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NAMES OF THE COMPANIES ON THE WALL OF THE TRITON E-SPORTS CENTER THAT HELPED SPONSOR THE UCSD TEAM.

NAMES LIKE TURTLE BEACH.

HE IS A BIOLOGY MAJOR.

HE IS NOT A TOP GAMER.

EVEN THOUGH, HE SAYS HIS FUTURE MIGHT BE IN E-SPORTS, WHICH LIKE ALL INDUSTRIES, RELIES ON A LOT OF PROFESSIONS.

>> GRAPHIC DESIGNERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS, VIDEO PRODUCERS, LIVE CASTERS.

ALSO EVEN PEOPLE ON THE PARTNERSHIP SIDE TO TALK TO COMPANIES TO ESTABLISH CONTRACTS.

>> Reporter: NEXT UP, THE UNIVERSITY WILL HOST THEIR ANNUAL GAMING CONVENTION, THE TRITON GAMING EXPO, MAY 29.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE ABOUT OTHER STORIES ON HER WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

GOOD NIGHT.

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