>>> 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 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.

>>> A NEW REPORT IS SHEDDING LIGHT ON SAN DIEGO COUNTY HOUSING CRISIS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

THE COMPANY HAS IN PARTNERSHIP SAYS MORE THAN 134,000 LOW INCOME RENTERS IN OUR REGION CAN'T FIND AN AFFORDABLE HOME.

KPBS REPORTER MELISSA MAY EXPLAINS WHY THESE FINDINGS ARE IMPORTANT AS LOCAL AND STATE BUDGETS ARE FINALIZED.

PART MARK >> Reporter: MARCO BLESSES FORMERLY HOMELESS.

SHE NOW WAS HOUSING AND SAID IT WAS VERY HARD TO FIND A PLACE TO RENT.

>> WHEN I AM ONLY MAKING $16 PER HOUR THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE, TO MAKE THREE TIMES THE RENT OF 22, AN AVERAGE OF $2200 A MONTH FOR RENT, AND YOU CAN'T GET ANYTHING.

I HAD TWO CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: NOW WITH THE HOMELESS EXPERIENCED ADVOCACY AND LEADERSHIP NETWORK, SHE SAYS HAVING A PLACE TO LIVE IS CRITICAL FOR MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.

>> IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE A HOME WHERE YOU CAN HAVE A DECENT MEAL, YOU CAN CLEAN YOURSELF.

>> Reporter: THE AVERAGE SAN DIEGO RENT IS $2479 PER MONTH.

THE CALIFORNIA HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS ANNUAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING NEEDS REPORT SAYS RENTERS NEED TO EARN NEARLY 3 TIMES THE CITIES MINIMUM WAGE, OR $47.67 PER HOUR TO AFFORD THE AVERAGE RENT.

THAT IS UP 10% FROM 2022.

>> THESE ARE PEOPLE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

THESE ARE PEOPLE'S LIVES AND PEOPLE WHO GO TO BED WITH ANXIETY EVERY NIGHT BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: THEY INCLUDE MANY FRONT-LINE WORKERS.

THE AVERAGE WAGE FOR SAN DIEGO CHILDCARE WORKERS FOR EXAMPLE IS $18.24 PER HOUR, AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE EARN $23.37 PER HOUR ON AVERAGE.

SAN DIEGO HOUSING FEDERATION PRESIDENT STEPHEN RUSSELL SAYS MARITIME GLORIOUS PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS TO THE CITY'S HOUSING COMMISSION COULD MAKE THE PROBLEM WORSE.

>> IF THEY MAKE SOME OF THE CUTS THEY ARE PROPOSING SOME OF THE SERVICES WOULD BE DENIED TO FOLKS THAT ARE CURRENTLY RELIANT ON SUBSIDIES.

HE WOULD SEE AN INCREASE IN HOMELESSNESS AS A RESULT OF SOME OF THE CUTS, AND HE WOULD SEE A LOWERING OF PRODUCTION ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, NEW PROJECTS WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL COULD SEE A REVISED BUDGET AS SOON AS NEXT WEEK.

MELISSA MAE , KPBS NEWS.

>>> CHANGES ARE COMING TO YOUR POWER BILL THAT COULD EITHER SAVE YOU MONEY OR COST YOU MONEY.

THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION VOTED TODAY TO APPROVE A CONTROVERSIAL PLAT ELECTRICITY RATE.

CALIFORNIANS WILL PAY A FIXED COST TO MAINTAIN THE GRID.

LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS PAY UP TO $12, AND EVERYONE ELSE PAYS ABOUT $24 PER MONTH.

CUSTOMERS WILL BE BILLED A LOWER USAGE RATE.

>> EVEN IF YOU HAVE A NEW $24 CHARGE, YOUR BILL WILL BE GOING UP BY $24.

YOUR BILL COULD BE GOING DOWN BY FIVE DOLLARS, OR UP BY TWO DOLLARS.

DEPENDING ON HOW MUCH ELECTRICITY YOU USE.

>> CUSTOMERS WHO USE A LOT OF ENERGY FOR THINGS LIKE AIR CONDITIONING OR CHARGING ELECTRIC CARS WILL LIKELY SEE SAVINGS, BUT THOSE WHO USE LESS ELECTRICITY OR GENERATE THEIR OWN THROUGH SOLAR COULD SEE THEIR BILL INCREASE.

COMPONENTS SAY WITH UTILITIES TURNING RECORD PROMINENCE -- PROFITS, THEY DON'T TRUST THEM OR REGULATORS TO KEEP THE RATES LOWER.

>> NEXT YEAR THAT'S GOING TO GO UP, AND THE YEAR AFTER IT'S GOING TO GO UP, BECAUSE WE SEE THEM BASICALLY RUBBERSTAMP EVERYTHING THAT THEY PUT FORWARD.

>> THE NEW CHANGE IS SET TO TAKE EFFECT LATE NEXT YEAR.

>>> I KNOW IT HAS BEEN A LITTLE CLOUDY HERE.

SOME OF THOSE CLOUDS HAVE EVEN SPREAD THROUGH THE VALLEYS.

NOW TONIGHT WE ARE STILL TRACKING THOSE INCREASING CLOUDS.

NOW WE ARE GOING TO DROP DOWN TO A LOW OF 59.

OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS WE'RE GOING TO TRACK HOW TEMPERATURES SWING, AND ALSO WHEN WE COULD MAYBE SEE HER NEXT CHANCE FOR RAIN.

>>> CALIFORNIA IS WORKING TO HARNESS THE POWER OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.

TODAY THE STATE ANNOUNCED NEW AGREEMENTS WITH FIVE COMPANIES.

THEY WILL CREATE GENERATIVE AI TOOLS TO PREVENT TRAFFIC JAMS, MAKE ROADS SAFER, AND PROVIDE TAX GUIDANCE.

IT IS NOW A SIX MONTH INTERNAL TRIAL WHERE THE STATE WILL TEST THE TOOLS BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO LAUNCH THEM.

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING A RULE THAT WOULD CRACKDOWN ON MIGRANTS WHO ARE INELIGIBLE TO CLAIM ASYLUM.

JULIA BENBROOK IS AT THE WHITE HOUSE WITH A CLOSER LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL POLICY SHIFT.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS TRYING TO TOUGHEN HIS ADMINISTRATION'S POSITION ON THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER, AND FLIPPED THE SCRIPT ON REPUBLICANS WHO CONTINUE TO CRITICIZE HIS IMMIGRATION POLICIES AHEAD OF THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

IT IS A DIFFERENT APPROACH AFTER THE BIPARTISAN BORDER DEAL FAILED TO MAKE IT OUT OF THE SENATE EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>> IT IS CLEAR AS DAY, REPUBLICANS ARE ADDICTED TO USING THE ISSUE OF IMMIGRATION AS A POLITICAL TOOL.

THEY ARE ALLERGIC TO SOLVING THE PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: THE NEW PROPOSED RULE FIRST REPORTED BY POLITICO WOULD TIGHTEN THE CURRENT SYSTEM BY ALLOWING IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS TO QUICKLY REJECT THE MIGRANTS FROM CLAIMING ASYLUM EARLIER IN THE PROCESS IF THEY ARE FOUND TO BE INELIGIBLE.

THE REGULATION WOULD STILL NEED TO GO THROUGH A PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD.

TENANT DEMOCRATS ACKNOWLEDGED WEDNESDAY THAT THE PRESIDENT WAS PURSUING ASYLUM CHANGES, BUT NOTED THAT WITHOUT A BILL FROM CONGRESS, MAKING FULL- SCALE CHANGES TO THE ASYLUM SYSTEM IS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT.

>> I KNOW THE ADMINISTRATION IS LOOKING AT WHAT THEY CAN DO ADMINISTRATIVELY, BUT THEY AND US AGREED THAT THE BEST THING TO DO TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM ON THE BORDER IS PASSED LEGISLATION.

>> Reporter: THE WHITE HOUSE THAT IN FEBRUARY THAT BIDEN WAS CONSIDERING EXECUTIVE ACTION TO RESTRICT THE ABILITY TO SEEK ASYLUM AT THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER.

IMMIGRATION REMAINS A KEY ISSUE AHEAD OF THE 2024 RESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

A RECENT SURVEY FOUND THAT 24% SAID IT WAS AN EXTERNALLY IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THEIR VOTE.

REPORTING AT THE WHITE HOUSE, I AM JULIA BENBROOK.

>>> AN ESTIMATED 8500.GOV RECIPIENTS LIVE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

STARTING ON NOVEMBER 1st, THEY CAN APPLY FOR HEALTH COVERAGE ON THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

HEIDI DiMARCO TELLS US THAT SOME ADVOCATES QUESTION HOW MANY WILL ACTUALLY ENROLL.

>> Reporter: DADDY WAS BROUGHT TO THE UNITED STATES FROM MEXICO BY HER PARENTS WHEN SHE WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD.

SHE WAS RAISED IN ESCONDIDO AND SAID SHE IS PROUD OF HER SAN DIEGO ROOTS.

>> I AM A SAN DIEGANS, WEST COAST REPRESENT ALL THE WAY.

>> Reporter: A CHILDHOOD SPLEEN SURGERY WEAKENED HER IMMUNE SYSTEM.

THAT FUELED HER FEAR OF BEING UNINSURED MOST OF HER LIFE, ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> IT WAS A SCARY TIME BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, AND I THOUGHT IF I GOT COVID, I CANNOT PAY FOR EMERGENCY VISITS TO THE E.R.

.

>> Reporter: VELAZQUEZ IS A DACA RECIPIENT AND HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR IMMIGRANT HEALTHCARE EXPANSION FOR YEARS.

SHE SAYS A NEW RULE ANNOUNCED BY THE WHITE HOUSE ON FRIDAY EXPANDING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT TO INCLUDE DACA RECIPIENTS IS LONG OVERDUE.

>> I KNOW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO FEEL SO MUCH RELIEF.

HER MAC MINI DACA RECIPIENTS LIKE VELAZQUEZ GET HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH THEIR JOBS.

A RECENT SURVEY BY THE NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER SAYS 27% REPORT BEING UNINSURED.

CRITICS CALL THE RULE AN UNFAIR COST BURDEN AND A POSSIBLE STRATEGIC MOVE TO BOOST THE PRESIDENT'S SUPPORT, PARTICULARLY AMONG HISPANIC VOTERS WHOSE APPROVAL HAS DECLINED SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE.

SAN DIEGO RISSMAN JUAN VARGAS DISAGREES.

>> IT MAKES NO SENSE TO HAVE AN UNHEALTHY POPULATION THAT IS UNINSURED.

YOU WANT A HEALTHY POPULATION THAT IS ALL INSURED.

THE BIGGER THE GROUP THE BETTER , ESPECIALLY YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE THIS.

IT ACTUALLY BRINGS DOWN THE COST FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: DESPITE VIEWING THE ROLE AS PROGRESS, TOM WONG OF THE U.S. IMMIGRATION POLICY CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO SAYS THE NEXT STEP IS EDUCATION.

>> APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER OF DACA RECIPIENTS ARE NOT COVERED BY ANY SORT OF HEALTH INSURANCE.

OVER HALF OF UNINSURED DACA RECIPIENTS TO LEAVE THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR HEALTH INSURANCE BECAUSE OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS.

THESE JOHN CARROLL -- TRAN20 FOR RECIPIENTS CANAL RETAIN COVERAGE.

NOW IT LEADS TO LEGAL UNCERTAINTY SURROUNDING DACA.

>> Reporter: AN ESTIMATED 100,000 UNINSURED DACA RECIPIENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ENROLL.

VELAZQUEZ IS AMONG THOSE WHO THINK SOME MAY FAIL TO APPLY OUT OF FEAR.

>> WE ARE WORRIED IT MAY IMPACT THE POTENTIAL FOR US TO APPLY FOR CITIZENSHIP WHEN THAT TIME COMES.

YOU TRY NOT TO GET ANY SORT OF HELP, BECAUSE THAT MIGHT REFLECT NEGATIVELY ON YOUR APPLICATION.

4 HEIDI DiMARCO, KPBS NEWS .

>>> TODAY, STUDENTS AT CSU SAN MARCOS JOINED IN THE ANTIWAR PROTESTS WE HAVE SEEN ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THE GROUP CALLED STUDENTS FOR JUSTICE IN PALESTINE HELPED ORGANIZE THIS EVENT.

THEY MARCHED THROUGHOUT CAMPUS CALLING FOR A CEASE-FIRE IN THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR.

THEY TOLD OUR PARTNER THAT THEY WERE INSPIRED BY PROTESTS AT UC SAN DIEGO AND ALSO WANTED TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD.

ONE STUDENT SAYS HER PARENTS GREW UP IN GAZA, AND SHE HAS MANY FAMILY MEMBERS STILL THERE.

>> MY MESSAGES JUST YOU NEED TO SHOW UP.

I FEEL VERY HONORED TO BE HONEST .

I AM TRYING MY BEST TO SHOW UP FOR MY PEOPLE AND SHOW UP FOR MY FAMILY OVER THERE, TELLING THEM THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE.

>> AT SACRAMENTO STATE, THE UNIVERSITY HAS AGREED TO REVIEW ITS INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RETURN FOR A PRO-PALESTINIAN ENCAMPMENT TO BE CLEARED ON CAMPUS.

THE AGREEMENT CALLS FOR SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT.

THE POLICY WHICH DOES NOT SPECIFICALLY MENTION ISRAEL ALSO SAYS THAT SAC STATE WILL NOT BENEFIT FROM COMPANIES THAT PROFIT FROM ETHNIC CLEANSING, GENOCIDE, OR HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS.

STUDENTS ARE HOPING THE WHOLE CSU SYSTEM WILL FOLLOW SUIT.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION HAS MADE HISTORY APPOINTING ITS FIRST WOMAN AS SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.

GLORIA WILL LEAD THE COUNTY SUPPORT FOR MORE THAN HALF 1 MILLION STUDENTS.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER MG PEREZ HAS HER STORY OF PERSEVERANCE AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: DR. GLORIOUS ARIZA HAS AN APPRECIATION FOR ARTWORK THAT SPEAKS TO HER SOUL, EXAMPLES OF IT HANG IN HER WORKSPACE AT THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION.

>> HERE IS THIS BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY REALLY HOLDING THE WORLD IN HER HANDS.

>> Reporter: AMONG FAMILY PHOTOS ON HER DESK, THERE IS A PICTURE OF THIS YOUNG GIRL, 5- YEAR-OLD GLORIA ENJOYING CORONADO BEACH, A SPECIAL PLACE SHE SHARES WITH HER MOTHER EVEN NOW.

>> BOTH MY MOTHER AND MY FATHER ARE FROM TIJUANA.

I AM THE FIRST GENERATION BORN HERE IN THE U.S.

I REMEMBER DISTINCTLY WHAT THAT WAS LIKE TO HELP MY MOM STUDY FOR HER CITIZENSHIP TEST, AND TO WATCH HER GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS TO BECOME AN AMERICAN CITIZEN.

>> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> Reporter: IN A UNANIMOUS VOTE LAST NIGHT, THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION APPOINTED CIRIZA AS SUPERINTENDENT, THE FIRST WOMAN IN THE DEPARTMENTS 76 YEARS HISTORY TO HOLD THE JOB.

>> I RECOGNIZE THAT HALF OF OUR POPULATION ARE LATINO, AND TO BE MEXICANA AND BE IN THIS POSITION I FEEL VERY PROUD.

HER BACK SHE HAS A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT STARTING JULY 1 WITH A BASE SALARY OF JUST OVER $370,000 A YEAR.

THE JOB INCLUDES IMPROVING SCHOOL DISTRICT BUDGETS, CALLING THEIR ELECTIONS, AND HELPING WITH EMERGENCIES.

SHE HAS BEEN THE COUNTY'S ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT OF STUDENT SERVICES AND PROGRAMS, SUPPORTING SCHOOLS IN ALL 42 DISTRICTS.

SHE STARTED AS A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER IN NATIONAL CITY, LATER BECAME A CREDENTIALED TEACHER, AN ADVANCED DEVICE VISIBLE IN THE PALAIS DISTRICT.

IT WAS HER FIRST WEEK ON THE JOB WITH THE COUNTY IN MARCH OF 2021 THAT DIVIDED THE ULTIMATE TEST.

THAT IS WHEN HUNDREDS OF UNACCOMPANIED MINORS SEEKING ASYLUM WHERE MOVED FROM FEDERAL DETENTION CAMPS TO THE SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER IN HOPES OF BEING REUNITED WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

>> WHEN I STOOD IN THAT SPACE AND I WATCHED ALL OF THOSE GIRLS WALK THROUGH THE DOOR, TIRED, HUNGRY, AFRAID, UNSURE ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, AND THEY ALL LOOK LIKE ME.

>> Reporter: NOW CIRIZA FACES THE CHALLENGE OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVING TO CUT BUDGETS AND LAY OFF TEACHERS AS FEDERAL COVID MONEY RUNS OUT AND ENROLLMENT DROPS.

SHE WILL FOCUS ON GROWING THE COMMUNITY SCHOOL MODEL, USING STATE MONEY TO BRING MORE OUTSIDE COMPANIES AND NONPROFITS ON CAMPUS.

>> THERE IS A SCHOOL BUILDING IN EVERY SINGLE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND SO HOW CAN WE SORT OF RALLY AROUND THOSE SCHOOL BUILDINGS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THERE THAT ARE IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS HAVE ACCESS TO ALL OF THE RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

>> Reporter: IT IS AN AMBITIOUS PLAN AT A TIME WHEN THE COUNTRY AND EDUCATION SYSTEM ARE CHALLENGED LIKE NEVER BEFORE.

SO, WHERE IS HER HOPE?

>> WHERE DO I FIND MY HOPE?

THIS GOES BACK TO THE QUESTION ABOUT ALL OF THE LITTLE GIRLS.

SO, WHERE DO I FIND THE HOPE?

IT IS IN KIDS.

>> Reporter: AND NOW ANYMORE KIDS WILL HAVE A CHAMPION THEY CAN RELATE TO AND WHO LOOKS LIKE THEM.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS .

>>> WE HAVE A CORRECTION TO A STORY WE AIRED YESTERDAY ABOUT THE LAWSUIT FILED BY VICTIMS OF THE JANUARY FLOODS.

THE STORY SAID MOUNTAIN VIEW APARTMENT RESIDENTS HAD ALSO SUED THE CITY.

THOSE RESIDENTS HAVE NOT YET FILED THEIR LAWSUIT.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE "NEWS HOUR" ISRAEL BOMBARDS RAFAH AS ITS LEADERS RESPOND WITH DEFIANCE TO PRESIDENT BIDEN FREEZING SOME WEAPONS DELIVERIES.

THAT IS COMING UP AFTER "EVENING EDITION" ON KPBS .

>>> KPBS HAS BEEN PROUD TO PRESENT THE G.I.

FILM FESTIVAL SHOWCASING THE STORIES OF OUR MILITARY AND VETERANS.

TONIGHT, THERE IS A SCREENING OF INTERPRETERS WANTED, EXAMINING THE IMPORTANT ROLE INTERPRETERS PLAYED IN THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN.

>> BUT WHEN I WAS DOING WAS VERY GOOD, AND I WAS PROUD OF IT.

I WAS HELPING MY PEOPLE, MY COUNTRY, AND AS WELL THE U.S. MILITARY TO DO GOOD THINGS.

>> THE FILM FOLLOWS TWO AFGHAN BROTHERS WHO SERVED WITH THE U.S. ARMY BACK IN 2009, AND THEIR STRUGGLE FOR SAFETY UNDER THE TALIBAN HANDS RULE.

ROBERT HAMM DIRECTED AND PRODUCED THE FILM AND SAID HE BECAME CLOSE FRIENDS WITH THE BROTHERS, WHEN THEY FAILED TO RECEIVE THEIR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISAS THAT WOULD GET THEM ACCESS TO AMERICA, THEY REACHED OUT WANTING HELP.

HAMM SAYS INTERPRETERS PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE DURING THE WAR.

>> WE DON'T KNOW THE CULTURE.

WE DON'T KNOW THE LANGUAGE.

AND SO, THERE IS LITERALLY NO WAY TO CONNECT WITH THE PEOPLE WITHOUT THESE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WERE ON THE FRONT LINES WITH US.

>> THE FESTIVAL RUNS THROUGH SATURDAY AT THE MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS IN BALBOA PARK.

FOR A SCHEDULE OF EVENTS, YOU CAN VISIT G.I.

FILM FESTIVAL SD.ORG.

>>> WEEDS INVESTING CANALS IS A CONSTANT BATTLE IN IMPERIAL COUNTY, SO IT'S MAIN WATER PROVIDER IS CALLING FOR REINFORCEMENTS.

COREY SUZUKI SAYS THE AGENCY IS RAISING AN ARMY OF TINY, UNDERWATER GARDENERS.

>> Reporter: TO FIGHT THE WEEDS, THE IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICT IS CREATING A NEW GENERATION OF GRASS CARP, A PLANT EATING RIVER FISH ORIGINALLY FROM EAST ASIA.

THE CARP CAN EAT A TON, MORE THAN TWICE THEIR BODY WEIGHT IN A DAY, MAKING THE MORE EFFICIENT THAN SCRAPING THE CANALS WITH HEAVY MACHINERY.

PABLO CORTEZ IS WITH THE DISTRICT.

>> WE PUT THEM INTO THE CANAL AND BASICALLY THEY BECOME WORKERS, BECAUSE AT THAT POINT THEY GO STRAIGHT INTO THE CANALS, AND THEN THEY CONSUME, HOPEFULLY CONSUME THE AQUATIC VEGETATION.

>> Reporter: IN THE WILD, GRASS CARP ARE CONSIDERED A MAJOR INVASIVE SPECIES.

THEY CAN SPREAD UNCHECKED AND WRECKED ECOSYSTEMS, BUT CORTEZ'S TEAM RAISES THEIR CAR BETTER HATCHERY IN EL CENTRO.

HERE THEY USE A SPECIAL PROCESS, FERTILIZING THE EGGS UNDER INTENSE PRESSURE.

THAT ALTERS THEIR GENETIC MATERIAL, BLOCKING THEIR ABILITY TO REPRODUCE.

USING STERILIZED GRASS CARP TO CONTROL WATER WEEDS MIGHT SOUND FUTURISTIC, BUT IT IS PRETTY COMMON IN PARTS OF THE COUNTY.

THE DISTRICT HAS BEEN DOING IT SINCE THE 80s.

SOME EXPERTS THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE RESEARCH ON THE BROADER ECOLOGICAL IMPACT.

>> WE NEED MORE RESEARCH IN LOOKING AT DIRECT AND INDIRECT IMPACTS THAT AN AGENT LIKE GRASS CARP GOING INTO A SYSTEM HAS IN ORDER TO BETTER EVALUATE WHAT IT IS ACTUALLY DOING, AND THE IMPACTS IT IS GOING TO DO THAT THE COMMUNITY YOU INTRODUCE IT TO.

>> Reporter: STILL IS IS IS GOOD THAT STATES LIKE CALIFORNIA TIGHTLY REGULATE THE USE OF GRASS CARP AND CORTEZ SAYS THE TEAM IS CAREFUL TO BLOOD TEST EACH BATCH OF FITCH TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE STERILIZED BEFORE RELEASING ANY OF THEM INTO THE CANALS.

COREY SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS .

>>> LET'S GET YOU RIGHT DOWN TO IT.

LET'S START YOU OFF WITH YOUR WEATHER HEADLINES, WHAT YOU WOULD NEED TO KNOW OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO STAY RELATIVELY STEADY WEST OF THE MOUNTAINS, EVEN AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

NOW, YOU ARE GOING TO FEEL A LITTLE WARMER THERE IF YOU ARE IN THE MOUNTAINS OR DESERTS, THOUGH THANKFULLY IT IS GOING TO STAY DRY HERE THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND.

I DO TO TAKE US OUT TO THE AREA TONIGHT JUST TO SHOW YOU WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE DROPPING DOWN TO.

OCEANSIDE 55, SAN DIEGO 59.

BORREGO SPRINGS 61.

MOUNT LAGUNA 44 TONIGHT.

AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY, AGAIN WE WILL BE WARMER, ESPECIALLY FOR THE MOUNTAINS AND DESERTS AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

YOU AREN'T GOING TO NOTICE TOO MUCH OF A SHIFT CLOSER TOWARDS THE COAST, BUT OVERALL IT IS STILL GOING TO BE NICE AND COMFORTABLE.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, TOMORROW'S FORECAST HERE.

OCEANSIDE 70.

SAN DIEGO 68.

MOUNT LAGUNA 57 POINT BORREGO SPRINGS YOU ARE IN THE 90s.

LIKE I SAID, TEMPERATURES STAYING STEADY ALONG THE COAST.

YOU WILL SEE A SLIGHT BOOST IN THE MERCURY.

WE ARE STILL TACKLING SOME AREAS OF LOW CLOUDS OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

HEADS UP IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE OUT REALLY LATER REALLY EARLY.

YOU MAY RUN INTO LOWER VISIBILITY.

BY SUNDAY 72.

MONDAY TOPPING OFF AT 69.

STILL FLIRTING WITH 70.

SIMILAR STORY AS WE HEAD INTO TUESDAY.

FURTHER INLAND, WELL TEMPERATURES A LITTLE WARMER BY THE END OF THE WEEKEND.

NOT A BAD MOTHER'S DAY ON TAP.

WE WILL HAVE SOME SUNSHINE.

IT WILL BE NICE, EVEN PUSHING 80 ALMOST.

WE WILL START TO FALL BACK ON AGAIN MONDAY AND TUESDAY, BUT OVERALL REALLY NOT TOO BAD FOR THOSE AREAS FURTHER INLAND WITH A HIGH OF 75 MONDAY AND 72 ON TUESDAY.

LET'S TAKE YOU INTO THE DESERT WHERE I TOLD YOU YOU WILL START TO FEEL A BIT OF THAT WARMTH THAT YOU SEE IT WITH THE NUMBERS.

57 FRIDAY.

58 SATURDAY.

WE ARE UP TO 60 BY SUNDAY.

IT WILL BASICALLY STAY THE SAME AS WE HEAD INTO MONDAY WITH A HIGH OF 57, BUT WE REALLY START TO WARM UP AS WE HEAD INTO TUESDAY WITH A HIGH OF 71.

FOR THE DESERTS YOU WILL NOTICE AGAIN THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEKEND WE ARE GRADUALLY WARMING, FLIRTING WITH THE TRIPLE DIGITS AGAIN BY THE END OF THE WEEKEND.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE STAYING HYDRATED, DRINKING PLENTY OF WATER.

IT WILL BE SUNNY AS WELL.

>>> LOUISIANA'S FAMOUS MUSIC, FOOD, AND LIFESTYLE ARE COMING TO SAN DIEGO ONCE AGAIN.

KPBS REPORTER JACOB AERE SAYS IT WILL FEEL LIKE MARDI GRAS IN MAY AT THE FIRST ANNUAL GATOR BY THE BAY FESTIVAL.

>> ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: THERE IS PLENTY OF BAYOU CULTURE ON TAP FOR THE WEST COAST, WITH A STRONG LOUISIANA KICK OF SIGHTS, SMELLS, AND SOUNDS.

>> ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: THE BAYOU BROTHERS ARE A LOCAL BAND WHO HAVE BEEN PROUDLY PLAYING AT THE GATOR BY THE BAY FESTIVAL SINCE ITS INCEPTION OVER TWO DECADES AGO.

>> YOU CANNOT BE SAD WHEN YOU ARE LISTENING TO THE MUSIC.

IT MAKES YOU MOVE.

MAKES YOU WANT TO DANCE.

THAT IS WHY I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE MUSIC.

>> Reporter: AND THAT REGIONAL SOUND HAS SOME DISTINCT FEATURE.

>> IT'S NOT A ZYDECO BAND UNLESS YOU HAVE A REP BOARD AND AN ACCORDION.

SO THESE ARE THE UNIQUE FEATURES FOR A ZYDECO BAND.

WE HAVE ALSO THE DRUMMER AND THE BASS PLAYER AND THE GUITAR PLAYER.

>> Reporter: AS FOR THE FLAVOR OF THE FESTIVAL, LOCAL BUSINESSES LIKE THE GUMBO POT WILL BE SERVING UP THEIR CAJUN AND CREOLE SPECIALTIES SAYS CHEF AND OWNER RICHARD TAYLOR.

>> YOU CAN EAT THIS AND COOK IT AT HOME AND HAVE A GOOD MEAL THEM ABOUT MAN, WHEN YOU EAT THIS CREOLE CAJUN FOOD AND YOU HAVE THE MUSIC, I MEAN, THAT IS WHAT NEW ORLEANS IS ALL ABOUT.

>> Reporter: 10,000 POUNDS OF CRAWFISH ARE BEING TRUCKED IN FROM LOUISIANA FOR THE FESTIVAL.

>> I HAVE TWO PARENT SAUCES.

CREOLE RED SAUCE, MOTHER SAUCE, AND THEN A BROWN SAUCE, THE FATHER SAUCE.

FROM THESE SAUCES I CREATE THE WHOLE MENU.

>> Reporter: TAYLOR WAS COOKING HIS TAIL SIGNATURE THREE DISHES , GUMBO, JAMBALAYA, AND RED BEANS AHEAD OF THE EVENT.

THEY WERE MADE WITH AN ASSORTMENT OF MEATS, SEAFOOD, AND VEGETABLES, AND THE DISHES TIEBACK TO HIS FAMILY.

>> MY FAMILY IS FROM NEW ORLEANS.

MY GRANDMOTHER IS FROM A SMALL TOWN GOING NORTH TOWARD BATON ROUGE.

IT WAS ON THE RIVER ROAD.

IF YOU GO BUY IT NOW YOU WOULD JUST DRIVE PAST IT, BUT IT IS A LITTLE SMALL TOWN AND THEN THEY MIGRATED TO LOS ANGELES.

>> Reporter: TAKING PLACE AT SPANISH LANDING PARK ACROSS FROM SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, THE STAGE IS SET FOR THE 4 DAY FESTIVAL WHICH KICKS OFF THURSDAY, SAYS EVENT PRODUCER PETER OLIVER.

>> THIS IS THE NEW DEGRAW STAGE.

IT USED TO BE ALL COVERED IN A BIG TENT, AND WE DECIDED TO OPEN IT UP BECAUSE THE KIND OF MUSIC WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AT THE STAGE REALLY WARRANTS IT.

>> Reporter: NOW IN ITS 21st YEAR, THE FESTIVAL IS STILL GROWING AND CHANGING.

THIS YEAR, THEY ARE EXPECTING OVER 15,000 ATTENDEES.

>> THIS IS A BUMP UP FROM WHAT WE STARTED AND HAVE IN DOING FOR THE LAST 10 TO 15 YEARS.

>> Reporter: THERE WILL BE MORE THAN 100 MUSICAL ACTS ON SEVEN STAGES, INCLUDING AWARD-WINNING BLUES, CAJUN, AND ZYDECO ARTISTS AND OTHER MUSICAL GENRES.

MANY OF THE BANDS WILL BE LOCAL, AND OTHERS ARE COMING FROM THE SOUTH.

LIKE THE FOOD IT IS ONE BIG MELTING POT.

>> FOR MUSICIANS, WE PLAY OUR GIGS AND GO HOME, BUT HERE WE GET TOGETHER.

IT IS KIND OF LIKE A BIG PARTY.

EVERYBODY HAS SUCH A GOOD TIME.

>> Reporter: OLIVER IS WITH PLENTY OF COLORFUL FUN, THE FESTIVAL IS IS ABOUT AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN GET TO LOUISIANA CULTURE OUTSIDE OF THE STATE ITSELF.

>> YOU GET EXCITED AFTER YOU HAVE WALKED AROUND FOR A BIT AND SAY DANG, I WANT TO GET SOMETHING TO EAT AND DANCE A LITTLE BIT.

I WANT TO SHAKE IT UP AND I WANT TO HAVE FUN.

I WANT TO CAUSE A COMMOTION.

THAT IS WHAT WE DO.

WE OFFER EVERYBODY THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAUSE A COMMOTION.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR'S GATOR BY THE BAY FESTIVAL RUNS FROM MAY 9 TO 12.

KIDS UNDER 18 GET IN FOR FREE WITH A PAYING ADULT, AND OLIVER SAYS ALL WHO COME WILL EXPERIENCE A SENSE OF JOIE DE VIVRE, THE JOY OF LIFE.

>> ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED AT GATOR BY THE BAY.COM.

JACOB AERE , KPBS NEWS .

>> ♪ ♪ >> THAT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF FUN.

IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT EVENTS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND, YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE KPBS MID-DAY EDITION PODCAST, BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE YOU WILL FIND THE WEEKEND PREVIEW WITH A ROUND UP OF ALL OF THE BEST IN ARTS AND CULTURE AROUND THE COUNTY.

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

OTHER STREAMERS ARE TRYING LIVE SPORTS, BUT NETFLIX IS EXPERIMENTING WITH LIVE COMEDY AND A TALKSHOW.

THE NPR MORNING EDITION IS TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS BEHIND THE PIVOT AND WHETHER IT IS WORKING.

AND KPBS ROUNDTABLE IS SPEAKING TWO TWO STUDENT JOURNALISTS COVERING THE ENCAMPMENT AND ANTIWAR PROTESTS ON THEIR OWN CAMPUSES.

YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT STORIES ON HER WEBSITE KPBS.ORG .

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

GOODNIGHT.

>>> 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 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.