>>> GOOD EVENING IT IS THURSDAY MARCH 31st THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

ON THE DAY CALIFORNIA HONORS THE LATE LABOR LEADER CESAR CHAVEZ, MEMBERS OF THE UNION HE COFOUNDED TOOK TO THE STREETS IN PROTEST.

LEADERS OF THE UNITED FARMWORKERS ARE DEMANDING TO MEET WITH GOVERNOR NEWSOM.

MJ PEREZ HAS MORE FROM CHICANO PARK.

>> Reporter: IT'S THE BATTLE CRY AMPLIFIED FROM THE 1960s UNTIL TODAY.

THE PUBLIC HOLIDAY HONORING THE BIRTH OF CESAR CHAVEZ.

THE LEGACY OF THE UNITED FARM WORKERS UNION THAT FOLLOWED HIS DEATH.

DANIEL HERNANDEZ WAS 12 YEARS OLD WHEN HE STARTED WORKING IN THE FIELDS OF THE IMPERIAL VALLEY.

>> WHEN PEOPLE SAY, THANK YOU JESUS, IT SHOULD BE BECAUSE A LOT OF FARMWORKERS ARE PUTTING FOOD ON THE TABLE.

>> Reporter: CESAR CHAVEZ WAS COFOUNDER OF THE UFW THAT NOW REPRESENTS 10,000 WORKERS ACROSS WASHINGTON STATE, OREGON, AND CALIFORNIA.

THE UNION HAS MADE PROGRESS BUT NO MEMBERS WANT THE ADDED PROTECTION OF VOTING FROM HOME THROUGH THE MAIL.

THESE REPORTERS ARE JOINING OTHERS ACROSS THE STATE IN CELEBRATION AND PROTEST.

THE GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM WILL NOT MEET WITH THEM TO DISCUSS NEW LEGISLATION THAT WOULD STOP INTIMIDATION OF FARMWORKERS.

>> WHEN IT COMES TO CASTING A VOTE, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO SO WITHOUT FEAR OF ANY CONSEQUENCES FROM SUPERVISORS OR OTHER FOLKS THAT MAY HAVE A WATCHFUL EYE.

>> THE THOUGHT THAT THE VOTERS VOTED FOR THE GOVERNOR AND HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE FROM HOME, WHY SHOULDN'T FARMWORKERS HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY?

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR GOVERNOR NEWSOM VETOED SIMILAR LEGISLATION BECAUSE HE SAID THE BILL HAD INCONSISTENCIES AND PROCEDURAL ISSUES.

HE WAS UNAVAILABLE FOR COMMENT TODAY BECAUSE HE IS OUT OF THE COUNTRY ON SPRING BREAK WITH HIS FAMILY.

IF THE GOVERNOR IS NOT LISTENING OTHERS ARE.

EIGHT-YEAR-OLD LORENZO GONZALES BAMBINO, WHO IS HERE REPRESENTING YOUNGER GENERATION STILL LEARNING ABOUT THE HISTORIC LEADER.

>> HE WAS A FARMWORKER THAT WORKED REALLY HARD AND HE STOOD UP TO SAY WE NEED MORE JUSTICE.

>> Reporter: THE CHAVEZ BATTLE CRY IS STILL ALIVE AND WELL.

>> IT'S AN AFFIRMATIVE ACT AND NO MATTER THE CHALLENGE WE WILL OVERCOME IT.

>> Reporter: OF THESE REPORTERS HAVE THEIR WAY THEY WILL BE DONE.

>>> MOST SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED TODAY IN HONOR OF CESAR CHAVEZ.

TANIA THORNE SHOWS US HOW SOME STUDENTS AT CAL STATE SAM MARCOS SHE CHOSE TO SPEND THE DAY GIVING BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THERE WERE NO CLASSES TODAY AT THE CAL STATE SAN MARCOS CAMPUS BUT MORE THAN 200 VOLUNTEERS SHOWED UP RIGHT IN EARLY FOR A DAY OF SERVICE IN HONOR OF CESAR CHAVEZ.

>> WE ARE HERE TO GET OUR HANDS IN ISRAEL TODAY AND DO SOME ON THE GROUNDWORK.

>> Reporter: -- AS AN ETHNIC STUDIES PROFESSOR.

HE JOINED VOLUNTEERS AT ONE OF THE SEVEN SERVICE SITES.

SITES INCLUDED THE -- LAGOON, -- ACADEMY, THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, AND COMMUNITY ROOTS FARM IN OCEANSIDE.

VOLUNTEERS HELP WITH DIFFERENT PROJECTS.

WHATEVER WAS NEEDED AT EACH SITE.

HERE IS WHAT SOME OF THEM HAD TO SAY.

>> WE ARE HERE TO EXPERIENCE SERVICE WITH THE GIRLS AND CELEBRATE CESAR CHAVEZ DAY.

>> AS A LATINO IT MEANS A LOT TO ME.

MY FAMILY CAME HERE AND THEY WORKED TIRELESSLY TO GET BETTER LIVES, TO FEED THEIR CHILDREN.

TO GIVE ME A LIFE.

>> IT HAS BEEN A MINUTE SINCE I HAVE LEARNED THE HISTORY OF CESAR CHAVEZ BUT EVEN JUST BEING HERE AND HEARING EVERYONE SPEAK ABOUT IT AND SEEING HOW INSPIRATIONAL IT IS, IT INSPIRES ME OVERALL.

>> VOLUNTEERING YOUR TIME AND GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY IS VERY IMPORTANT.

>> I'M HAVING A LOT OF FUN.

I GOT TO MEET A NEW FRIEND.

AND I AM REALLY EXCITED TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE NINTH YEAR THE SCHOOLS OF CELEBRATED CESAR CHAVEZ DAY WAS SERVICE.

THIS IS THE FIRST EVENT WERE VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET ON-SITE SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

-- SAID HE'S GRATEFUL COMMUNITY MEMBERS SHOWED UP TO HONOR THE LEGACY OF CESAR CHAVEZ BY GIVING BACK.

HE SAID IT IS ALSO A REMINDER OF THE FIGHT THAT CONTINUES.

>> I HOPE TODAY ALSO INSPIRES US TO CONNECT TO THE CURRENT STRUGGLE IN THE FIELDS.

TODAY WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF EXPLICATION AND PROBLEMS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN OUR FOOD SYSTEM.

I HOPE TODAY IS ALSO A REMINDER THAT EVERY TIME WE EAT FOOD WE HAVE TO GIVE THANKS TO THE FARMWORKERS.

>>> A HISTORIC ANNOUNCEMENT FROM PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY AS HE LOOKS TO BRING DOWN RECORD GAS PRICES.

THE U.S.

RELEASED AN UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT OF CRUDE OIL FROM THE STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVES.

CHRIS WYNN EXPLAINS WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR WALLET.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN MAKING UNPRECEDENTED MOVES TO RELIEVE PAIN AT THE PUMP.

>> YOUR FAMILY BUDGETS TO FILL IT TAKE, NONE OF IT SHOULD HINGE ON WHETHER A DICTATOR DECLARES WAR.

>> Reporter: RELEASING A RECORD 1 MILLION BARRELS A DAY FROM THE STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVES IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE GAS PRICES AND PUT PRESSURE ON OIL COMPANIES TO INCREASE SUPPLY.

>> THIS IS THE TIME, THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO SIT ON RECORD PROFITS.

IT IS TIME TO STEP UP FOR THE GOOD OF YOUR COUNTRY.

AND THE GOOD OF THE WORLD TO INVEST IN IMMEDIATE PRODUCTION.

WE NEED TO RESPOND TO VLADIMIR PUTIN.

>> Reporter: FOLLOWING RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE THE U.S. PRICE OF REGULAR GASOLINE SPIKED HITTING A RECORD HIGH AVERAGE OF $4.33 A GALLON EARLIER THIS MONTH.

>> IT'S RIDICULOUS.

WE CANNOT AFFORD IT.

>> Reporter: BIDEN PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED A RELEASE OF OIL WITH OTHER NATIONS.

THE PRESIDENT IS HOPING TO SEND A POLITICAL MESSAGE AMID A DIFFICULT ELECTION YEAR.

>> I WILL CONTINUE TO USE EVERY TOOL AT MY DISPOSAL TO PROTECT YOU FROM THE PRICE HIKE.

>>> ANOTHER DROP IN GAS PRICES HERE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY BROUGHT US UNDER THE SIX DOLLAR MARK.

TODAY THE AVERAGE PRICE FOR A GALLON OF REGULAR GAS FELL NEARLY 2 CENTS TO $5.98.

THE OIL PRICE INFORMATION SERVICE ATTRIBUTED THE DECREASE TO THE ARRIVAL OF IMPORTED GASOLINE USING CONCERNS ABOUT SUPPLY.

WE COULD SEE FURTHER PRICE DROPS AS LONG AS WHOLESALE PRICES DON'T SWING BACK UP.

>>> WITH CALIFORNIA'S BAN ON EVICTIONS JUST HOURS FROM EXPIRING THE STATE LEGISLATURE PASSED A BILL EXTENDING PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS.

THOSE WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR STATE ASSISTANCE AND ARE WAITING TO RECEIVE THEIR MONEY WILL BE ABLE TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES FOR AT LEAST THE NEXT THREE MONTHS.

TODAY IS ALSO THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR COVID-19 RELATED ASSISTANCE.

THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR SIGNED THE BILL INTO LAW BECAUSE GOVERNOR NEWSOM IS VACATIONING OUT OF THE COUNTRY.

AS ACTING GOVERNOR SHE BECAME THE FIRST WOMAN IN CALIFORNIA TO SIGN A BILL INTO LAW.

>>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ENCOURAGING MORE OLDER ADULTS TO GET COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS.

AT THE SAME TIME LOCAL VACCINATION SITES ARE CLOSING IN FUTURE FUNDING FOR OUR PANDEMIC RESPONSE IS IN JEOPARDY.

HERE IS MATT HOFFMAN.

>> Reporter: THE JACOB CENTER HAS BEEN BEEN DELIVERING COVID- 19 VACCINES FOR NEARLY A YEAR IN SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO BUT THAT IS ENDING ON THURSDAY.

COUNTY OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT CLOSING THE VACCINATION SITES THAT HAVE LOW VOLUME AND SHIFTING EFFORTS TO MOBILE TEAMS AND LOCAL PROVIDERS.

>> THESE SITES ARE NOT BRINGING IN THE NUMBERS WE INITIALLY HAD.

WE DEFINITELY HAVE DROPPED OFF.

AND IN SOME SITUATIONS IN PARTICULAR JACOBS CENTER WHERE WE ARE SEEING WELL BELOW 20 VACCINES A DAY.

>> Reporter: DENISE FOSTER IS THE COUNTY'S CHIEF NURSING OFFICER.

SHE SAID ONLY 10% OF THE REGION'S VACCINATIONS ARE HAPPENING AT COUNTY SITES.

THE BULK OF THEM ARE GIVEN OUT AT PHARMACIES, HOSPITALS, AND CLINICS.

>> WE ARE LOOKING TO GO TO THE MODEL THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD, WHICH IS THE SAFETY NET FOR THOSE THAT ARE MOST IN NEED AND UNDERSERVED IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THERE HAS BEEN A SLIGHT UPTICK IN VACCINATION APPOINTMENTS HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

THIS WEEK THE CDC RECOMMENDED THOSE OVER 50 COULD GET A SECOND BOOSTER SHOT BUT THERE IS AN ISSUE.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAID MORE PANDEMIC FUNDING IS DESPERATELY NEEDED.

>> WE HAVE ENOUGH SUPPLY TO GIVE BOOSTER SHOTS TO THOSE NEWLY ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.

BUT IF CONGRESS FAILS TO ACT WE WILL NOT HAVE THE SUPPLY WE NEED THIS FALL TO ENSURE THE SHOTS ARE AVAILABLE FREE, EASILY ACCESSIBLE, FOR ALL AMERICANS.

>> Reporter: THE LACK OF FUNDING IS ALREADY IMPACTING THE PANDEMIC RESPONSE.

FEDERAL OFFICIALS ARE CUTTING ALLOCATIONS WERE POTENTIALLY LIFE-SAVING TREATMENTS AND WITHOUT FUNDING WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN THE CAPACITY BEYOND THE MONTH OF JUNE.

>> IF WE FAIL TO INVEST WE LEAVE OURSELVES PORTABLE IF ANOTHER WAVE OF THE VIRUS HITS.

>> Reporter: EXPERTS ARE PREDICTING AN INCREASE IN CASES.

DR. ERIC TOPOL IS DIRECTOR OF THE RESEARCH TRANSLATIONAL INSTITUTE IN MOYER.

>> THIS IS THE LAST TIME THE WORLD CUT FUNDING.

THE ESSENTIAL FUNDING.

WHETHER IT IS TESTING, VACCINES, ANTIBODY TREATMENTS.

THIS IS CRAZY.

IT SHOULD NOT BE TOLERATED.

THIS IS RIDICULOUS COMPLACENCY IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING WHAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THE PRIORITY REMAINS ENSURING EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY OR INSURANCE STATUS HAS ACCESS TO TESTING AND VACCINES.

THEY SAY COVID-19 SERVICES SHOULD BE BASED ON NEED NOT SPECIFIED FUNDING SOURCES.

>>> THE COST OF NAVY SHIPS WITH A LONG HISTORY IS NOW ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK.

STEVE WALSH SAYS THE LCS NEVER WORKED THE WAY THE NAVY EXPECTED.

>> Reporter: THE COMBAT SHIP WAS DESIGNED TO BE SMALL AND FAST SO COULD OPERATE CLOSE TO SHORE.

THE NAVY ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK IT WANTS TO DECOMMISSION NINE LCS IS EARLY, ALL OF THEM FROM THE SHIPS FREEDOM CLASS.

>> THE SHIPS OF A BOTTLE PROBLEMS.

SHIPS OF HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO PORT AND UNABLE TO GO ON DEPLOYMENT.

SHIPS HAVE BEEN STRANDED.

THOSE OF ALBAN PROBLEMS WITH THE FREEDOM CLASS.

>> Reporter: OVERALL THE LCS PROGRAM WAS SUNK BY COST OVER RUNS AND HAVING THE SHIP TRACKED SUBMARINES TO DETECT MINES TO KEEP SHIPYARDS IN WISCONSIN AND ALABAMA RUNNING THE NAVY EVEN KEPT BUILDING TWO TYPES OF THE SAME SHIP ALL OF THE LESS TROUBLED INDEPENDENCE CLASS OR HOME PORTED IN SAN DIEGO.

>> THE INDEPENDENCE CLASS SEEMS TO BE PERFORMING WELL.

IT'S ON DEPLOYMENT RIGHT NOW TO THE SOUTHEAST ASIA REASON.

THEY HAVE AN EFFECTIVE AND DON'T HAVE PROPULSION PROBLEMS.

THEY ARE CARRYING THESE LONGER- RANGE CRUISE MISSILES.

I THINK THE NAVY SEES THE INDEPENDENCE CLASS ARE USEFUL GOING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO WAS OFTEN THE TEST LAB FOR THE LCS IS THE NAVY TRIED TO WORK OUT THE BUGS.

THE NAVY HAS SINCE WORKED ON IN SAN DIEGO WILL BECOME THE HOME FOR 16 OF THE INDEPENDENCE CLASS SHIPS AFTER THE LAST OF THE LCS ARE DELIVERED.

IF CONGRESS AGREES WITH THE NAVY A FEW REMAINING FREEDOM CLASS SHIPS WILL BE BASED IN FLORIDA.

>>> PEOPLE LIVING IN SAN DIEGO HAVE PROBABLY SEEN A BROKEN STREET LETTER TO.

MAYBE A FEW DOZEN.

THE CITY HAS A MASSIVE BACKLOG OF BROKEN STREET LIGHTS AND IT TAKES AN AVERAGE OF JUST UNDER A YEAR TO FIX EACH ONE.

ANDREW BOWEN DIGS INTO WHAT IS BEHIND THAT PROBLEM AND HOW THE CITY IS TRYING TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON.

>> WE GEAR UP AND PUT A HARNESS ON.

FALL PROTECTION.

>> Reporter: AARON GUMBALLS STRAPS HIMSELF INTO A TRUCK THAT LIFTS HIM UP TO A STREETLIGHT IN SAN DIEGO'S BAY TERRACE NEIGHBORHOOD.

A RESIDENT REPORTED THE STREETLIGHT BROKEN BUT WHEN HE RUNS A QUICK TEST ON IT THE LIGHT TURNS ON.

HIS SUPERVISOR SAYS THE LIGHT IS PROBABLY ON IT'S LAST LEG BUT STILL WORTH REPLACING WITH A NEWER MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT L.E.D.

LIGHT.

DESPITE WAS REPORTED OUT JUST UNDER A YEAR AGO.

THAT IS A TYPICAL WAIT TIME FOR A CITY THAT HAS ABOUT 70,000 STREETLIGHTS AND ONLY EIGHT ELECTRICIANS TO MAINTAIN THEM.

>> RIGHT NOW WE ARE FUNCTIONING ON HALF THE CREW WE WOULD NORMALLY HAVE.

>> Reporter: MAC OVERSEES THE CITIES PAIR DIVISION.

MORE THAN 5000 STREETLIGHTS ARE REPORTED BROKEN IN SAN DIEGO.

>> WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO DO MORE FOR LESS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE SLOPE PACE OF REPAIR IS DUE TO SUPPLY CHAIN DELAYS.

AND STAFFING IS A BIGGER ISSUE.

ELECTRICIANS CAN TYPICALLY MAKE MORE MONEY WORKING IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

>> ON THE FLIPSIDE, THE CITY IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO WORK FOR.

YOUR SALARY IS GUARANTEED AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING SENT HOME BECAUSE IT IS RAINING OR WHATEVER.

YOU HAVE YOUR JOB HERE IN YOUR JOB SECURITY.

>> EACH ONE OF THESE DOTS ON THIS PARTICULAR MAP REPRESENTS A REPORT THAT IS COME IN ABOUT A STREETLIGHT THAT HAS BEEN OUT.

>> Reporter: KIRBY BRADY IS THE CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER.

SHE IS SHOWING ME A PHONE APRA DEPARTMENT IS DEVELOPING FOR THE STREETLIGHT REPAIR TEAM.

>> THIS IS MORE OF AN EFFICIENCY TOOL FOR THEM SO THEY UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY ARE AT RELATIONSHIP TO THE WORK ORDERS.

>> Reporter: TOOK IT TAKE YEARS FOR SAN DIEGO TO FILL ALL OF THE VACANT ELECTRICIAN JOBS.

IN THE MEANTIME BRADY IS TASKED WITH HELPING THE EXISTING STAFF BE MORE EFFICIENT.

SHE DEVELOPED AN ALGORITHM THAT HELPS THE TEAM DECIDE WHICH REPAIRS ARE THE MOST URGENT.

>> WITH THE STREETLIGHT WE CAN TELL HOW CLOSE IT IS TO A SCHOOL, TO A PARK, OF COURSE THESE ARE IMPORTANT FOR SAFETY.

WE WANT IT SAFE FOR PEOPLE TO WALK BIKER DRIVE.

IF A PARTICULAR STREET LIGHT IS WHERE THERE ARE HIGH-TRAFFIC COLLISIONS THAT SHOULD FACTOR INTO THE URGENCY OF THE REPAIR.

>> Reporter: THE SYSTEM IDENTIFIES CLUSTERS OF REPAIRS SO THE CRUISE CAN SPEND LESS TIME DRIVING ACROSS THE CITY INTO THE NEXT JOB.

RADY SAID DATA ALONE WILL NOT FIX THE BACKLOG OF BROKEN STREETLIGHTS.

BUT DRAWING ATTENTION TO HOW BIG THE PROBLEM IS COULD CONVINCE CITY OFFICIALS, EVEN VOTERS TO PUT MORE MONEY TOWARDS FIXING IT.

>> IN ANY GIVEN YEAR THE CITY NEVER HAS ENOUGH MONEY TO THROW IT ALL THE DEPARTMENTS TO FIX THINGS BUT OUR HOPE IS BY SPOTLIGHTING SOME OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY REQUESTED AREAS WE CAN FUNNEL RESOURCES THERE AND IMPROVE SERVICES.

>> Reporter: IT APPEARS TO BE IMPROVING EMPLOYEE MORALE.

REPAIR CREWS FEEL THERE IS LOGIC BEHIND THEIR ASSIGNMENTS.

>> BEFORE THE SYSTEM CAME OUT WE WERE JUMPING AROUND AND JUST WHOEVER WAS MAKING THE MOST NOISE WAS WHERE WE WERE GOING.

THAT'S WHERE THE MANAGEMENT WOULD SEND US.

BUT THE SYSTEM I THINK IS A PERFECT SYSTEM FOR US.

>> Reporter: FIXING A BROKEN STREETLIGHT IS NOT ALWAYS AS SIMPLE AS CHANGING A LIGHT BULB.

SOMETIMES THE UNDERGROUND WIRING IS A CENTURY OLD AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT.

THAT CAN TAKE WEEKS IF NOT MONTHS.

IN THE MEANTIME THE CITY PLANS ON EVALUATING THE SUCCESS OF ITS DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH TO STREET BIKE REPAIR LATER THIS YEAR.

>>> HAPPY THURSDAY AND THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN TO KPBS NEWS.

WE WERE REALLY NOT SEE MUCH SUNSHINE TOMORROW OR EVEN SATURDAY.

TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO STAY ON THE COOL SIDE.

THE ONE BIT OF SUNSHINE, OR THE ONE RAY OF HOPE YOU'RE AT THE END IS GOING TO BE THE FACT THAT NEXT WEEK WE WILL HAVE A SLIGHT WARM-UP INTO THE BEGINNING OF THE WEEK.

HERE IS A QUICK LOOK AT SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEADING INTO TONIGHT MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES FOR OCEANSIDE.

TEMPERATURES COOLING DOWN TO 53 DEGREES FOR YOU.

HERE IS THE FUTURECAST SHOWING ALL OF THE CLOUDY CONDITIONS ALONG THE COAST THROUGHOUT THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

WE WILL WAKE UP TO THE CLOUDY CONDITIONS INTO OUR FRIDAY MORNING.

DRY AND SEASONAL CONDITIONS AND WE WILL STAY DRY ACROSS MOST OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

IT WILL JUST BE THE STUBBORN CLOUDS THAT ARE REALLY GOING TO BE HARD TO GET RID OF THE HEADING INTO THE AFTERNOON.

EVENTUALLY WE WILL SEE BITS OF SUNSHINE ESPECIALLY NEAR OCEANSIDE.

66 FOR YOUR AFTERNOON.

ONCE AGAIN CLOUDS WILL BE HARD TO GET RID OF.

HERE IS THE NEXT FIVE DAYS.

WE WILL HAVE CLOUDS UNTIL TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK UNTIL TEMPERATURES WILL BE BACK IN THE 70s.

INLAND AREAS WE ARE IN THE 60s.

CLOUDS FOR THE MORNING.

IT WILL BE UNTIL TUESDAY WERE NUMBERS WILL BE CLAMMING UP ABOVE, ABOUT 10 DEGREES WARMER THAN WHAT WE EXPECT FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

FOR THE MOUNTAINS THERE WILL BE SUNSHINE.

MID-50s FOR YOUR AFTERNOON.

ACROSS THE DESERTS, MID-80s WILL BE VERY CONSISTENT AND POSSIBLY 90 DEGREES FOR EARLY NEXT WEEK.

I MARVIN GOMEZ WITH YOUR FORECAST.

>>> HELPING THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE IS TOP PRIORITY FOR MUCH OF THE WORLD BUT HELPING DISPLACED PETS IS AS WELL.

SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY PRESIDENT DR. GARY WEITZMAN FLEW OUT TO THE REGION ON SUNDAY ON AN EXPLORATORY TRIP TO HELP UKRAINIAN ANIMALS.

HE IS ON A 10 DAY MISSION AT THE BORDER BETWEEN POLAND AND UKRAINE.

HE HAS BEEN SENDING PHOTOS AND VIDEO DOCUMENTING HIS TIME THERE AND SHOWED SOME OF THE VETERINARY SUPPLIES THEY HAVE AT THE BORDER.

>> THE PHARMACY IS RIGHT OVER HERE.

IT IS PRETTY WELL-STOCKED.

FLUIDS AND PAIN MEDICATION.

BACK HERE IS THE SLEEPING QUARTERS.

IT IS REALLY FIRST-CLASS THAT YOU CAN SEE.

>>> GREATER GOOD CHARITIES AND INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR ANIMAL WELFARE WERE ALREADY ON THE GROUND THAT THE BORDER AND WERE LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL VETERINARY SUPPORT.

THE HUMANE SOCIETY IS ALSO ARRANGING FOR MORE VETERINARY STAFF TO HELP ANY PETS IMPACTED THE WAR.

>>> ON THIS TRANSGENDER DAY VISIBILITY CHANGES ARE IN THE WORKS TO MAKE TRAVELING IN THE U.S. MORE INCLUSIVE.

THE TSA IS SETTING NEW STANDARDS FOR TRANSGENDER, GENDER NONCONFORMING, AND NON- BINARY TRAVELERS.

GENDER IDENTIFICATION WILL NO LONGER BE CONSIDERED RELEVANT FOR I.D.

VERIFICATION AT CHECKPOINTS.

WHILE WORKING ON ENHANCEMENTS TO ITS ADVANCED IMAGING TECHNOLOGY, SCREENING WILL BE LESS INVASIVE FOR PASSENGERS.

MEANWHILE THE STATE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCED STARTING APRIL 11th U.S. CITIZENS CAN SELECT X AS THEIR GENDER ON PASSPORT APPLICATIONS.

>>> THE SPRING TRAVEL SEASON IS HERE AND THERE ARE NEW DEVELOPMENTS RELATED TO COVID- 19.

AMY KILEY HAS SEVERAL UPDATES TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR NEXT TRIP.

>> COVID-19 NO LONGER CONTROLS OUR LIVES.

>> Reporter: THAT MEANS THE RELAXATION AND MORE RESTRICTIONS AND GUIDANCE INCLUDING RELATED TO TRAVEL, THE CDC SAID CRUISES DO NOT POSE THE TRAVEL RISK BUT SUGGESTS CHECKING OUT INDIVIDUAL SHIP AND GETTING FULLY VACCINATED.

THE FDA EXPANDED THE EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FOR A SECOND ROUND OF PFIZER AND MODERNA BOOSTERS FOR PEOPLE 50 AND OLDER.

THE PRESIDENT NOW HAS HIS BUT THE CDC CLARIFIES PEOPLE DO NOT NEED THE EXTRA SHOT TO BE CONSIDERED UP-TO-DATE ON THEIR COVID-19 VACCINATIONS.

>> IF YOU ARE OVER THE AGE OF 50 OR YOUNGER THAN THAT AND HAVE AN IMPORTANT COMORBID CONDITION YOU SHOULD GET BOOSTED.

>> Reporter: AND OTHER TRAVEL NEWS 21 STATES ARE SUING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO AND THE TRANSPORTATION MASK MANDATE BEFORE IT EXPIRES APRIL 18th.

THAT IS IN ADDITION TO OTHER LAWSUITS FROM GROUPS OF PILOTS AND FLIGHT ATTENDANTS.

TRAVELERS NOW CAN GET PANDEMIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE PLACES THEY PLAN TO VISIT IN THE U.S. OR WHERE THEY LIVE ON COVID- 19.GOV.

AMID THESE CHANGES EXPERTS SAY TO BE READY THE OMICRON SUB VARIANT MAY INCREASE CASES.

>> CASE RATES HAVE BECOME FLAT IN THE LAST WEEK.

IF WE SPEAK NEXT WEEK AT THIS TIME WE WILL TALK ABOUT HOW THEY ARE STARTING TO RISE.

>> CONGRESS HAS TO PROVIDE THE FUNDING AMERICA NEEDS TO FIGHT COVID-19.

IF WE FAIL TO INVEST WE LEAVE OURSELVES VULNERABLE IF ANOTHER WAVE HITS.

>>> WONDER CON IS COMIC-CON SISTER CONVENTION AND SERVES UP A SMALLER AND LESS CROWDED POP- CULTURE EVENT.

>> Reporter: NATHAN'S SNEAKER MEN IS A SUPERHERO.

HE IS CAPTAIN AMERICA AND HAN SOLO AND WHILE HE MIGHT BE DISGUISED AS A MILD-MANNERED PROGRAMMER HE DOES DISPLAY SUPERPOWERS AND FABRICATING SPECTACULAR COSTUMES OUT OF THIN AIR.

>> I AM A PROGRAMMER AS A DAY JOB.

BUT PROGRAMMING IN THE BACKGROUND LENT ITSELF IMMEDIATELY TO BEING A 3-D MODELER.

SO YOU START TO DRIVE YOUR OWN STUFF AND YOU START TO PRINT IT OUT.

I HAVE A PLAN TO DO SOMETHING NEW AND UNUSUAL, WE WILL CALL IT A CLONE.

>> Reporter: DOING A MASHUP OF STAR WARS CHARACTERS WILL BE THE TOPIC OF A FRIDAY PANEL HE IS ON.

>> THE SAMURAI AND STAR WARS UNIVERSE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE IMPACT OF SAMURAI ARMOR CULTURE ON STAR WARS UNIVERSE VARIED ONE OF THE THINGS I WILL TALK ABOUT SPECIFICALLY IS A SAMURAI CAPTAIN FOR ASTHMA ARMOR.

>> Reporter: HE WAS COMMISSIONED TO BUILD A LIFE SIZE VERSION OF THE TOY INSPIRED BY THE FORCE AWAKENS.

THE STUNNING CREATION HE MADE MAKES THE JAPANESE ARMOR TECHNIQUES WITH DO-IT-YOURSELF INGENUITY AND MODERN MATERIALS.

THE RESULT LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE THE TOY MASHUP.

BUT IT CAN ALSO BE WORN EIGHT HOURS AT A CONVENTION.

EACH PROJECT REPRESENTS A JOURNEY.

>> I HAVE LEARNED HOW TO DO SOMETHING.

I HAVE DONNA PRESENTED IT.

I HAVE RECEIVED APPRECIATION FOR THE WORK IN THE STORYTELLING.

AN INVITATION TO DO CHARITY EVENTS AND MAYBE DO SOME COMMISSION.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH COMIC-CON HAS COSPLAY, WONDER CON MAY OUTDO ITS SISTER CONVENTION.

THE SPOKESPERSON DAVID LANDER SAID THE COSPLAY COMMUNITY IS GREAT.

>> WHEN THE DOORS CLOSE AT 5:00 ON SUNDAY AND EVERYBODY IS BEING USHERED OUT, THE COSPLAYERS STAY IN THE COURTYARD AREA AND TAKE PICTURES.

NOBODY WANTS TO LEAVE.

I DON'T BLAME THEM.

>> Reporter: THIS WEEKEND'S WONDER CON IS THE NONPROFITS FIRST FULL-FLEDGED SHOW SINCE THE PANDEMIC HIT.

IT IS ALWAYS BEEN A SMALLER SHOW THAN COMIC-CON SO YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO BYPASS US AT THE SHOW.

THE ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER WILL THE FORDS ROOM TO EXPAND.

>> WE HAVE ENOUGH SPACE TO ACCOMMODATE A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: MASKS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN POPULAR BUT THIS YEAR IT WILL BE MANDATORY FOR COVID-19 AS WELL AS PROOF OF VACCINATION .

PEOPLE ARE ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO COMIC-CON'S RETURN THIS SUMMER.

THE SHOW IS ESSENTIALLY SOLD OUT BECAUSE TICKETS WERE PURCHASED IN 2019 AND THEY HAVE BEEN ROLLED OVER.

>> AS WE WRAP WONDER CON WE WILL LOOK AT A COMIC-CON AND DECIDE IF THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO.

>> Reporter: WE NEED A CONVENTION TARDIS THAT IS BIGGER ON THE INSIDE AND CAN FIT MORE PEOPLE.

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

INCIPIT JOINING US AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.