>> MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR, RESTORATION.

VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS YOU.

THANK U.

>> WE BEGIN THIS EVENING WITH BREAKING NEWS.

DONALD TRUMP IS THE FIRST-EVER FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT TO FACE CRIMINAL CHARGES.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

HE HAS BEEN INDICTED BY A GRAND JURY IN NEW YORK ON SO-CALLED USH PAYMENTS.

SPECIFIC CHARGES HAVE NOT YET BEEN MADE PUBLIC.

HIS LAWYERS MAINTAIN THEY ARE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED, AND MORE AS IT DEVELOPS.

AND NOW ROCKING SAN DIEGO COUNTY, NATHAN FLETCHER IS RESIGNING HIS SEAT ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AMONG ACCUSATIONS OF ASSAULT.

>> ON WEDNESDAY, A FORMER METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SPOKESPERSON FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST FLETCHER.

ACCUSES HIM OF STALKING HER ON SOCIAL MEDIA IN 2021 AND SEXUAL ASSAULTING HER TWICE LAST YEAR, AND CLAIMS THEY FAILED TO PREVENT IT AND ENGAGED IN WHISTLEBLOWER RETALIATION.

LAWSUIT SAYS SHE WAS ABRUPTLY FIRED ON FEBRUARY 6TH, THE SAME DAY FLETCHER ANNOUNCED HIS CANDIDACY FOR A STATE SENATE SEAT.

HE ADMITTED TO HAVING A CONENSUAL EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIR WITH HER.

HE IS MARRIED TO THE HEAD OF THE CALIFORNIA LABOR FEDERATION AND A FORMER ASSEMBLY MEMBER.

LAST WEEKEND BEFORE THE LAWSUIT BECAME PUBLIC FLETCHER SAID HE WAS DROPPING OUT OF THE STATE SENATE RACE, AND IS SEEKING TREATMENT FOR PTSD AND ALCOHOL ABUSE.

FLETCHER'S RESIGNATION IS EFFECTIVE MAY 15.

SINCE HE ONLY JUST BEGAN HIS SECOND FOUR-YEAR TERM, HIS DEPARTURE WILL LIKELY TRIGGER A SPECIAL ELECTION.

THE REMAINING SUPERVISORS CAN APPOINT FLETCHER'S SUCCESSOR, BUT THEY ARE EVENLY SPLIT BETWEEN DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, AND MAY STRUGGLE TO AGREE ON A REPLACEMENT.

HIS DISTRICT INCLUDES MOST OF CENTRAL SAN DIEGO, AS WELL AS LA MESA AND LEMON GROVE.

WHEN WOULD A SPECIAL ELECTION TAKE PLACE, THAT'S UP TO THE REMAINING SUPERVISORS.

THEY COULD SAVE MONEY BY WAITING UNTIL THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION ON MARCH 5TH OF NEXT YEAR, BUT THAT WOULD LEAVE CONSTITUENTS WITHOUT REPRESENTATION FOR ALMOST A YEAR.

OFF CYCLE ELECTION WOULD FILL THE SEAT SOONER, BUT WOULD LIKELY SEE LOWER VOTER TURNOUT.

KPBS NEWS.

>> MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL OPENING DAY AND EXPECTATIONS ARE HIGHER THAN EVER FOR THE PADRES.

IT WAS DELAYED DUE TO THE WET WEATHER BUT FANS ARE PACKING INTO PETCO PARK, AND JACOB AERE JOINS THEM FROM OUTSIDE THE STADIUM.

WHAT'S IT LIKE OUT THERE?

>> THE WEATHER STILL IS NOT GREAT, MAYA, AS YOU CAN SEE BEHIND ME, FANS ARE FINDING THEIR WAY INTO THEIR SEATS.

THIS COMES AFTER AN OFF SEASON WHERE THE PADRES SPENT SOME SERIOUS MONEY TO FURTHER IMPROVE THEIR ROSTER AFTER A DEEP 2022 PLAYOFF RUN.

ALL THE FANS WE TALKED TO SAID THIS IS THE PADRES YEAR TO WIN IT ALL.

GOING TO THE TEAM STORE AND GATHERING AT RESTAURANTS AND BARS TO CELEBRATE THE NEW SEASON.

WE SPOKE WITH FAMILIES AND FRENDS WHO GOT THE DAY OFF, IN SOME CASES TRAVELED HOURS TO ATCH THEIR FAVORITE TEAM AND HEARD FROM THE PLAYERS WHO ARE NOT FAZED BY THE HIGH EXPECTATIONS.

>> PLAY BASEBALL, NO PRESSURE FOR US.

PRESSURE FOR THEM, THEY HAVE TO BEAT US.

WE AREGOING TO PLAY HARD.

>> WE ARE EXCITED, WE ARE PUMPED AND I FEEL IT'S OUR YEAR.

>> WORLD SERIES, BABY, ALL THE WAY, ALL THE WAY.

>> WE ARE EXCITED, HERE FOR THEM, THEY ARE GOING ALL THE WAY.

>> THE PADRES KICK OFF THE SEASON AGAINST THE COLORADO ROCKIES TONIGHT AND THIS SATURDAY THERE WILL BE AN OPENING WEEKEND BLOCK PARTY AHEAD OF THE GAME.

PADRES ARE EXPECTING SELLOUT CROWDS FOR ALMOST ALL THE HOME GAMES, SO EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO MAKE IT OUT FOR OPENING WEEKEND, YOU CAN WATCH ALL SEASON LONG.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>> AND IT'S A BIG WEEKEND FOR SAN DIEGO SPORTS FANS.

COMING UP, WE CHECK IN WITH THE - AZTEC MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM AS THEY PREPARE FOR THE FINAL FOUR GAME IN HOUSTON.

NORTH COUNTY RESIDENTS GOT A BIT OF A JOLT WHEN THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ISSUED A TORNADO WARNING FOR VALLEY CENTER.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIK ANDERSON HAS THE DETAILS.

>> A COLD FRONT PUSHED A STRONG CELL OF THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH SAN DIEGO COUNTY ABOUT 10:30.

OUTSIDE VALLEY COUNTRY FEED AND PET STORE GOT VERY DARK.

>> VERY COLD, HAIL WATER MIX, HAIL AND WATER AND DOWNPOUR, PROBBLY FOR 10, 15 MINUTES AND pTHEN IT KIND OF SLOWED DOWN AND HEN SECOND ROUND AGAIN.

>> THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAYS A LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM OFF THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA BROUGHT STEADY RAIN TO THE REGION YESTERDAY AND TODAY IT PUSHED SOME STRONG STORM CELLS THROUGH THE NORTH COUNTY.

>> WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING THOSE AND SOME OF THEM HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF SPIN IN THEM, AND WE WERE MONITORING THAT AND LOOKS LIKE ONE OF THEM NEAR VALLEY CENTER HAS SOME ROTATION IN IT.

SO, WE DECIDED TO ISSUE THAT TORNADO WARNING JUST BASED ON THAT WEAK ROTATION THAT WE SAW ON THE RADAR.

>> THE TORNADO WARNING WAS ONLY ACTIVE FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES, IT WAS THE FIRST ONE SEEN IN THE COUNTY SINCE 2016.

BUT VALLEY CENTER SCHOOL FFICIALS MOVED KIDS AWAY FROM - THE WINDOWS AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ANYWAY.

THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY TORNADO WARNING COMES AFTER A TORNADO RUMBLED INTO THE LOS ANGELES SUBURB OF MONTEBELLO.

BRIEFLY TOUCHED DOWN IN AN INDUSTRIAL PARK INJURING ONE PERSON AND CAUSING DAMAGE.

>> BEHIND THE STORM SYSTEMS IT'S COLDER, THE ATMOSPHERE KIND OF HAS MORE, YOU KNOW, MORE OR LESS MOISTURE WITH IT, AND SOME SEVERE WEATHER ELEMENTS AS WELL, INSTABILITY.

>> TORNADOES USUALLY HAPPEN WHEN A BODY OF COLD DRY AIR MIXES WITH WARMER HUMID AIR AND CREATES A ROTATION IN THE CLOUDS.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>> A BENEFIT DRAG SHOW WAS CANCELED AT THE LAST MINUTE AFTER A VEILED THREAT WAS MADE TO THE BAR WHERE THE EVENT WAS BEING HELD.

ANIA THORNE SPOKE TO THE ORGANIZERS.

> 400 TICKETS SOLD FOR THE DISNEY EDITION DRAG SHOW AT THE BELLY UP IN SOLANA BEACH.

ô> PRIDE BY THE BEACH, HOSTED ON JUNE 3RD, SO WE WERE EXPECTED TO -- WE WERE ABOUT $10,000 IN ON THIS FUNDRAISER.

>> LISA NAVA IS THE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS FOR THE NORTH COUNTY LGBTQ RESOURCE CENTER.

SHE SAYS THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN THE FOURTH BENEFIT DRAG SHOW THEY PUT ON, THE FIRST THEY HAD CANCEL.

>> WE WERE AWARE OF A YOUTUBE VIDEO, I DID THEN SEND IT TO OUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT WE WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH, OCEANSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND THEN THEY FORWARDED IT ON TO THE SHERIFF.

>> NAVA SAID IT MADE NO DIRECT THREAT TO THE CENTER OR PERFORMERS BUT SAID SOMETHING HAD BEEN PLANTED AT THE BELLY UP.

p>> AT THE END OF THE YOUTUBE VIDEO, IT SAID WE HAVE ALREADY PUT THINGS AT THE VENUE.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THOSE THINGS WERE, DID NOT DIRECTLY SAY IT WAS A BOMB OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT THE SHERIFFS TOOK IT SERIOUSLY.

>> THE BELLY UP CLOSED FOR THE DAY WHILE SWAT TEAMS SEARCHED - FOR THREATS BUT FOUND NOTHING.

>> WE JUST DECIDED IN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE SWAT TEM WOULD FIND THERE, IT WAS NOT THE RIGHT NIGHT TO DO THIS3 THE DAY AFTER THE NASHVILLE SHOOTING.

>> ON MONDAY, A SHOOTER KILLED SIX PEOPLE AT NASHVILLE'S COVENANT CHRISTIAN SCHOOL BEFORE BEING KILLED BY POLICE.

NAVA SAYS THIS CANCELLATION IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW DRAG QUEENS AND CULTURAL ARTS PERFORMERS ARE SUFFERING NATIONWIDE.

>> THEY ARE GOING INTO VENUES AFRAID OF WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN AND WE DID NOT WANT TO PUT ANYBODY IN THAT POSITION FOR ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION.

>> NAVA SAYS THE SHOW WILL GO ON, AND THIS IS A COMMUNITY THAT WON'T BE SHUT OUT AGAIN.

>> WE ARE NOT GOING TO LET FEAR DICTATE HOW WE OPERATE EVERY DAY, BUT I HAVE TO SAY, TANIA, THAT IN THIS CLIMATE IT IS CHANGING THE WAY WE DO BUSINESS AND HOW WE ARE THINKING ABOUT WHERE WE ARE GOING TO GO AND WHAT SPACES WE ARE IN.

THERE'S JUST NO GETTING AROUND THAT BECAUSE OUR SAFETY IS CRITICAL.

>> THE BELLY UP AND NORTH COUNTY LGBTQ RESOURCE CENTER ARE METING TO SET A FUTURE DATE AHEAD OF OCEANSIDE'S PRIDE BY THE BEACH IN JUNE.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>> NEW LEGISLATION TO END A SEVEN-YEAR BAN TO STATES THAT CALIFORNIA SAYS IS DISCIMINATORY WITH LGBTQ PEOPLE.

THE CURRENT BAN INCLUDES 23 STATES SEEN LISTED ON THE SCREEN AND APPLIES TO STATE AGENCIES, DEPARTMENTS AND SCHOOLS IN THE CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.

POWAY MEDICAL CENTER DELIVERING BABIES FOR MORE THAN 45 YEARS.

BUT IN JUST A FEW MONTHS, THOSE SERVICES ARE BEING STOPPED AD MOVED TO ESCONDIDO.

- WHY AND WHAT'S NEXT.

>> POWAY MEDICAL CENTER OPENED BABIES BORN THERE EVERY YEAR.

THE NUMBER HAS BEEN DROPPING AND NOW PALOMAR HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY pCLOSER TO 800 A YEAR, OR TWO NEWBORNS PER DAY.

>> UNFORTUNATELY THE VOLUME OF BIRTHS HAS DIMINISHED SIGNIFICANTLY.

>> TWO BIRTHS A DAY IS NOT SUSTAINABLE.

AND THE UNIT WAS IN NEED OF UPGRADES.

ô> WITHOUT IT BEING VIABLE AND SUSTAINABLE FROM A FINANCIAL STANDPOINT, IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO MAKE THAT INVESTMENT UNTIL WE KNOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE VOLUME TO SUPPORT IT.

>> THE BIRTHING CENTER SET TO CLOSE IN EARLY JUNE.

PALOMAR SAYS IT WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO THE ESCONDIDO HOSPITAL.

>> STAFFING TWO UNITS INDIVIDUALLY, THAT'S THE CHALLENGE.

IT'S THE STAFFING, IT'S THE SUSTAINABILITY FROM A FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE, HOW DO WE USE OUR FACILITIES AND RESOURCES MUCH SMARTER THAN WE HAVE IN THE PAST MAYBE.

I'M NOT WILLING TO SAY WE WILL NEVER HAVE OB AGAIN IN POWAY, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUITY TO REINTRODUCE OB SERVICES IN POWAY.

RIGHT NOW IT'S NOT SUSTAINABLE.

>> MELVIN RUSSELL SAYS THE 2 PHYSICANS THAT DRIVE THE - MAJORITY OF BIRTHS IN POWAY WILL BE MOVING.

EVERYONE FROM THE LABOR AND DELIVERY UNIT HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO STAY WITH PALOMAR HEALTH, WHETHER TRAINING FOR ANOTHER UNIT OR TRAINING.

>> STRAIGHT ACROSS THE 15, DOWN THE 15 TO THE ESCONDIDO CAMPUS, TRANSITIONING ONE DAY I'M GOING T WORK HERE, NEXT DAY WORK HERE AT A DIFFERENT FACILITIES.

>> NURSES IN POWAY ARE REPRESENTED BY THE CALIFORNIA NURSES ASSOCIATION.

CHIEF REPRESENTATIVE IS SUSAN ADAMS, ALSO A LABOR AND DELIVERY NURSE IN ESCONDIDO.

SE SAYS THE UNIT WAS CAUGHT OFF GUARD BY THE UNEXPECTED CLOSURE ANNOUNCEMENT THIS YEAR.

SHE IS HAPPY TO SEE THEY ARE GIVING STAFF AN OPPORTUNITY TO STAY WITH THE COMPANY BUT DOES WORRY ABOUT THE EXTRA DRIVE FOR EXPECTING MOTHERS THAT WILL HAVE TO GO TO ESCONDIDO.

ABOUT 11 MILES FROM POWAY, AND THE DISTANCE CAN HAVE A HUGE IMPACT.

>> IT'S FURTHER AWAY AND YOU KNOW, THAT'S ALWAYS A CONCERN.

WE'LL PROBABLY SEE A FEW MORE STOP AND DROPS ON THE FREEWAY, THAT IS WOMEN GIVING BIRTH BEFORE THEY ARRIVE TO US BECAUSE THEY ARE THAT MUCH FURTHER AWAY.

>> PALOMAR HEALTH CEO SAYS THE LABOR AND DELIVERY DEPARTMENT IN POWAY MAY NOT BE GOING AWAY FOR GOOD.

ADAMS HAS QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.

>> I'M CONCERNED IF THEY THINK IT MIGHT COME BACK, WHAT ARE ALL THE HOOPS THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH TO GET IT BACK, YOU KNOW.

THINK ONCE THEY CLOSE IT, I DON'T KNOW, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IT'S REALLY HARD TO GET THE WHEELS ROLLING AGAIN.

>> PARADISE VALLEY HOSPITAL IN NATIONAL CITY CLOSED THEIR LABOR AND DELIVERY DEPARTMENT BACK IN MID 2021.

ASO CITING A DROP IN DEMAND.

HANSON SAYS MANY HOSPITALS ARE HAVING TO MAKE TOUGH FINANCIAL DECISIONS RIGHT NOW.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THAT'S JUST THE STORY OF TODAY AS HEALTH SYSTEMS STRUGGLE AND TRY TO MAINTAIN SOME FINANCIAL VIABILITY, THESE ARE THE DECISIONS, UNFORTUNATELY, THAT HAVE TO BE MADE.

A HANSON SAYS IN POWAY THEY ARE INVESTING IN A NEW INTENSIVE CARE UNIT AND EXPANDING THE EMERENCY DEPARTMENT.

THOSE ARE THE MOST IN DEMAND SERVICES THERE BUT IT'S NOT CERTAIN THAT EVERYONE WHO WAS GOING TO HAVE THEIR BABIES IN POWAY WILL WANT TO GO TO ESCONDDO.

>> THAT IS ALWAYS THE RISK.

THE IDEA TO PROVIDE THE SAME EXPERIENCE THEY HAD AT POWAY.

>> PALOMAR HEALTH HAS LOST SEVERAL MEDICAL STAFF OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS IN POWAY AND pRECRUITING NEW PHYSICIANS THERE HAS BEEN CHALLENGING.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>> THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO HAS CLOSED CHOLLAS LAKE PARK A TOTAL OF FOUR WEEKS SINCE JANUARY.

WHY AND HOW IT'S IMPACTING SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO.

>> WE GET OUT OF THE HOUSE BECAUSE MY DAD PASSED AWAY IN 2018, AND SO I HAVE A LOT OF MEMORIES HERE IN CHOLLAS LAKE.

>> ACCESSIBLE OUTDOOR SPACE FOR NEIGHBORS LIKE HIM.

HE COMES A FEW TIMES A WEEK.

>> SOCIAL INTERACTION SINCE COVID.

BUT IN RECENT RAINY MONTHS, ROUTINE HAS BEEN THROWN OFF.

>> ME AND MY MOM WOULD CRUISE BY HERE AND A SIGN AND THE GATES ARE CLOSED.

>> EVEN ON SUNNY DAYS, IT % SOMETIMES PLAYS ON THE PARK VOICE MAIL.

>> TODAY THE PARK IS CLOSED DUE TO UNSAFE TRAIL CONDITIONS.

>> THE RANGER SAYS THAT'S BECAUSE WET GROUND CAUSES ACCESS ISSUES.

CHOLLAS LAKE DOES NOT HAVE PAVED ROADS, AND IT LACKS INDOOR FACILITIES >> IF WE CAN'T GET EMERGENCY VEHICLES AROUND THE PARK AND TO SOME OF THE AREAS THAT ARE MORE HAZARDOUS, IT JUST CREATES ANOTHER SAFETY CONCERN.

>> HISTORICALLY SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO HAS BEEN PARK POOR COMPARED TO SAN DIEGO'S WEALTHIER NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND 2021 CITY RECREATION AUDIT FOUND THAT PARKS IN SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO HAD HALF THE NUMBER OF PROGRAMS OF THE PARKS IN AREAS TO THE NORTH AND WEST.

SAYS THEY DO PLAN TO IMPROVE THE WALKING TRAIL AND CURRENTLY INSTALLING SOME LIGHTING.

FOR NOW, HICKS AND HIS NEIGHBORS BRACE FOR MORE RAIN, AND CLOSED PARK GATES.

KPBS NEWS.

>> STORM SYSTEM RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR TURBULENT WEATHER, THE RAIN, THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS, MOUNTAIN SNOW, THAT WILL BE PULLING OUT TONIGHT AND WE WILL SEE IMPROVING CONDITIONS SO WE'LL START TO DRY OUT AND THEN FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, IT WILL pBE DRY AND A LITTLE BIT WARMER EACH DAY, BUT THEN CHANGES COME pOVER THE WEEKEND.

WE'LL SEE THE COOLING RETURN ON SUNDAY TO THE COAST AND INTERIOR VALLEYS AS THE MARINE LAYER STARTS TO COME IN, ONSHORE FLOW.

AND NEXT WEEK, MUCH COOLER AND SHOWERS AROUND.

ANOTHER STORM SYSTEM APPROACHING.

OVERNIGHT, DOWN TO 50 IN THE METRO.

LOOKING AT TEMPERATURES AROUND THE AREA, RAMONA, 37.

OCEANSIDE, 43.

- AND MOUNT LAGUNA, DOWN TO 28°.

HERE IS THE WAY IT LOOKS ON OUR FUTURECAST.

ANY SHOWERS WILL BE DIMINISHING THIS EVENING, AND THEY CAN SEE HOW WE DRY OUT LATER TONIGHT AND THEN FOR TOMORROW IT SHOULD BE A pDRYER DAY, A COUPLE OF CLOUDS AROUND.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THE FORECAST FOR TOMORROW.

CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE, TEMPERATURES HOVERING IN THE LOWER 60s, SAN DIEGO, TO OCEANSIDE, THEN 60s ESCONDIDO, BOREGO SPRINGS, 72.

OOKING FORWARD TO THE WEEKEND, NICE ON SATURDAY.

SHOULD BE DRY AND COMFORTABLE.

THEN ON SUNDAY WE START TO SEE THE CHANGE, ONSHORE FLOW RETURNS, CLOUDS COOLER HERE AND THE NEXT SYSTEM APPROACHES EARLY NEXT WEEK.

COOL AND BREEZY, CAN'T RULE OUT A SHOWER OR TWO.

pTAKING YOU TO THE INLAND AREAS, LOOKS NICE INTO SATURDAY, COOLER ON SUNDAY.

AND MUCH COOLER AND BREEZY EARLY NEXT WEEK.

THE SHOWERS IN THE VICINITY.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, TEMPERATURES ON THE RISE ON SUNDAY AND THEN WINDY AND COLDER, AND HEAD TO THE DESERT, GRADUAL WARMING TO SUNDAY.

AND THEN MONDAY AND TUESDAY INCREASINGLY WINDY AND MUCH COOLER.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M METEOROLOGIST MARK MANCUSO.

>> THE WEATHER IN HOUSTON IS - WINDY AND WARM BUT RED HOT INSIDE NRG STADIUM, WHERE THE SAN DIEGO STATE MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM IS PREPARING FOR A SHOWDOWN IN THE NCAA FINAL FOUR THIS WEEKEND.

>> THE AZTECS ARE IN ACTION.

THIS IS THE ROOM WHERE IT HAPPENS.

HOUSTON'S NRG STADIUM IS SO BIG IT DWARFS THE HISTORIC ASTRODOME THAT IT REPLACED.

72000 SEATS WILL BE FILLED SATURDAY NIGHT AS THE SAN DIEGO STATE MEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM RIES TO ELIMINATE FLORIDA ATLANTIC.

>> WITH THE ELEVATED CORE, MARCH MADNESS EVERYWHERE, LOGOS EVERYWHERE INSANE.

>> IT'S HARD TO REALIZE IT'S JUST A BASKETBALL COURT, IN THE MIDDLE OF SUCH A BIG ARENA.

IT'S TWO HOOPS, SO -- >> AS THE NCAA SLOGAN GOES, THE ROAD ENDS HERE IN HOUSTON, TURNS OUT TO BE FAMILIAR TERRITORY FOR SOME MEMBERS OF THE AZTEC TEAM.

HOUSTON IS NAMED AFTER ONE OF THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL AND COLORFUL FIGURES IN TEXAS HISTORY, GENERAL SAM HOUSTON, POINTED TROOPS TO VICTORY AND INDEPENDENCE FROM MEXICO.

JASON LADINE GREW UP HERE AND TRIED TO TELL HIS TEAMMATES WHAT TO EXPECT.

>> IT'S AWESOME, REAL, REAL SOUTHERN, LAID BACK, TELL EVERYBODY, THEY TRIED TO GET ME TO EXPLAIN HOUSTON TO THEM, IT'S FEEL, YOU HAVE TO GO AND FEEL IT OUT.

I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT TO YOU.

>> AZTECS FORWARD AND HIS FAMILY ESCAPED TO HOUSTON 20 YEARS AGO AS REFUGEES FROM THE WAR-TORN AFRICAN NATION OF SUDAN.

>> WHERE IT ALL STARTED AND THEY LOST EVERYTHING, CAME TO A FOREIGN LAND, A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND WILLING TO SACRIFICE THAT JUST FOR THE OPPORTUNITY FOR - THEIR CHILDREN TO HAVE A BETTER LIFE, AND SO BEING HERE BACK IN HOUSTON, I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK ABOUT MY PARENTS.

>> COME SATURDAY, THE BRACKETS AND BASKETBALL WILL MATTER MOST.

pFOR NOW, THESE PLAYERS ARE ENJOYING THE SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY.

>> OVERALL, IT'S BEEN A GREAT CITY, THEY HAVE BEEN TREATING US WELL.

>> CAN WE GET A YEE-HAW?

>> YEE-HAW.

>> AND IF YOU ARE LOOKING TO CATCH A MOVIE THIS WEEKEND, THERE ARE PLENTY OF BIG HOLLYWOOD RELEASES BUT BETH WOULD LIKE TO STEER YOUR ATTENTION TO TWO UNIQUE CINEMATIC EXPERIENC.

>> IF "JOHN WICK CHAPTER 4" ADRENALIN PUMPING BEST, THEN TIS IS THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SPECTRUM, SLOW, HAUNTING TALE BUT I LOVED BOTH FILMS.

BUT "INNES MEN" MAY ONLY BE IN THEATERS THIS WEEKEND, AND SHOW TIMES AND THEN PULLED IT, PROVES HOW DIFFICULT IT COULD BE FOR INDY FILMS.

BUT IT DESERVES THE SACREDNESS OF A CINEMA SPACE.

TRAPPINGS OF A FOLK HORROR FILM BUT LEAVES IT BEHIND LIKE SEDIMENTARY ROCK TO GO THROUGH LATER.

CONTEMPLATION AND THEMES OF LOSS AND GRIEF TO EMERGE.

TIME IS FLUID HERE, YOU ARE NEVER SURE WHAT IS PAST, PRESENT OR FUTURE.

THEY ALL EXIST ON A STRANGE PLAIN THAT SOMETIMES FEELS REAL, p>> SHOT ON 16 MILLIMETER FILM STOCK, IT FEELS LOST IN TIME AND ARRIVES LIKE A FOUND ART I FACT.

PACE AND DELIVERED AMBIGUITY MEAN IT'S NOT FOR EVERYONE, BUT UNIQUE AND BOLDLY ORIGINAL, I URGE YOU T SEEK THIS ONE OUT.

AND SPEAKING OF 16 MILLIMETER, MICHAEL RETURNS TO DIGITAL GYM CINEMA ON SATURDAY TO SHARE ANOTHER ONE OF HIS GLORIOUS 16 MILLIMETER FILM PRINTS.

ARRIVES WITH HIS OWN PROJECTOR, SETS UP INSIDE, AND PROJECTS FILMS LIKE "NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD."

THE PROJECTOR NOISE MAY ANNOY SOME BUT TO ME, IT'S A PURR WATCHING A FILM TRAVELED TO DIFFERENT THEATERS BEFORE ARRIVING HERE AND AROUND FOR DECADE.

AND WILL SHARE A WES CRAVEN MOVIE, WILL ONLY BE REVEALED ON SATURDAY.

>> I COMPARE IT TO LISTENING TO LIKE AN ORIGINAL RECORD.

THERE ARE HISS, POP, IT'S NOT PERECT, BUT THAT EXPERIENCE OF SEEING IT ON FILM ON THE BIG SCREEN, IT'S A MAGICAL FEELING THAT YOU REALLY CANNOT GET ANYWHERE ELSE THESE DAYS.

I TRULY BELIEVE THAT IT'S A SPECIAL EVENT ANY TIME THAT FILM IS ABLE TO BE PROJECTED ON TO A BIG SCREEN.

>> IT'S A WONDERFUL REMINDER OF HOW FILM IS MEANT TO BE ENJOYED AS PART OF A COMMUNITY.

A COMMUNITY OF STRANGERS SITTING IN THE DARK AND ALL REACTING TO A STORY BEING TOLD, JUST LIKE PEOPLE HAVE BEN DOING FOR CENTURIES.

BUT INSTEAD OF THE GLOW OF A FIRE TO GATHER AROUND, WE HAVE FLCKERING IMAGES ON A SCREEN TO ENTHRALL US.

THE KPBS NEWS.

>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, pFORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP INDICTED OVER HUSH MONEY PAYMENTS TO COVER UP AN ALLEGED AFFAIR.

THAT'S COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER "EVENING EDITION" ON KPBS.

>> AND HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

COUNY SUPERVISOR NATHAN FLETCHER IS RESIGNING AMID ACCUSATIONS OF SEXUAL HARASENT AND ASSAULT.

FLETCHER SAYS IT WAS A CONSENSUAL AFFAIR HE REGRETS AND WOULD RESIGN EFFECTIVE ON MAY 15 AFTER HE COMPLETES TREATMENT FOR PTSD AND ALCOHOL ABUSE.

THE REMAINING FOUR COUNTY - SUPERVISORS CAN APPOINT FLETCHER'S REPLACEMENT BUT THEY ARE EVENLY SPLIT BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRAT, MEANING THE LIKELYEST SCENARIO IS A SPECIAL ELECTION.

AND WE ARE A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR FROM FIRST PITCH ON OPENING DAY AT PETCO PARK.

PADRES FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON AGAINST THE COLORADO ROCKIES, IT WAS DELAYED BECAUSE OF THE WET WEATHER BUT FANS STILL CAME OUT IN FORCE.

THEY ARE HOPING THE TEAM CAN BUILD OFF THE PLAYOFF RUN LAST SEASON.

THIS SATURDAY AN OPENING WEEKEND BLOCK PARTY IN THE GAS LAMP.

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

MORNING EDITION WILL FOLLOW THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS ON THE INDICTMENT OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP IN NEW YORK, AND A BAN OF HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTES IS CAUSING A STIR.

KPBS ROUNDTABLE IS DIVING INTO THE ISSUE WITH A PANEL OF JOURNALIST, AND FIND MORE INFO ON KPBS.ORG.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI, GOOD NIGHT.

>> FUNDING HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANY, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR, RESTORATION, FLOODING AND REMODELLING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 pYEARS.

800-BILLHOWE.

AND THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, AND BY THE FOLLOWING --