♪ >>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AIR, RESTORATION, AND FLOOD SERVICES FOR OVER 45 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL-HOWE OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND FOR JOINING US.

I'M JACOB AERE IN FOR MAY AV TRABULSI.

EL NINO BRINGS WARMER WATER TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THAT INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF MORE INTENSE WINTER STORMS.

AND AS KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN TELLS US SCIENTISTS SAY THIS WEATHER PHENOMENON COULD BE THE MOST DANGEROUS ON RECORD.

>> Reporter: TAMARACK STATE SBAECH A STARK EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN UNUSUALLY HIGH TIDES COMBINE WITH BIG STORM SWELLS.

>> THAT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING IT WASN'T USUALLY ALWAYS LIKE THIS.

>> Reporter: THE BEACH LOST MOST OF ITS SANDS BETWEEN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, LEAVING ONLY PEBBLES BEHIND.

THAT DOESN'T MAKE FOR A FUN BEACH EXPERIENCE, ESPECIALLY FOR SURFERS.

>> IT'S PRETTY LIKE CHAOTIC WITH ALL THE ROCKS AND STUFF GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE WATER.

>> Reporter: FINN NOONAN IS A SURFER IN SKARLZ BAD, AND HE'S WORRIED THAT EL NINO COULD WORSEN BEACH EROSION.

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO DAMAGE MORE OF THE BEACHES LIKE AROUND US TOO BECAUSE NOT JUST THIS BEACH, THERE'S ALSO BEACHES DOWN BY TURNMAR AND ALL THOSE PLACES AND IT'S LIKE AFFECTING THE CLIFFS AND EVERYTHING.

I THINK SOMETHING COULD CAUSE AN IMPACT.

>> Reporter: BUT THERE'S A HIDDEN DANGER FROM EL NINO THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT.

IT'S CALLED A KELVIN WAVE.

>> HAVE YOU HEARD OF SOMETHING CALLED A KELVIN WAVE?

>> NO, I HAVE NOT.

>> Reporter: NORMALLY TRADE WINDS BLOW EAST TO WEST BUT DURING EL NINO YEARS THOSE WINDS DIE DOWN.

ERIC SNORUM IS AN OCEANOGRAPHY PROFESSOR AT MIRA COSTA COLLEGE.

>> AND WHEN THAT SLOWS DOWN THAT ALLOWS THE WARM WATER THAT'S USUALLY IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC NEAR JAPAN TO KIND OF SLOSH BACK VERY SLOWLY OVER TO OUR EASTERN PACIFIC WHERE WE ARE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: UNLIKE NORMAL WAVES WHERE YOU CAN SEE IT CRESTING AND CRASHING THE BEACH BUT THE KELVIN WAVE ISN'T LIKE A NORMAL WAVE.

IMAGINE IF YOU WILL A TUB OF WATER WHERE THE WATER IS SLOSHING BACK AND FORTH.

>> Reporter: SNORUM SAYS THAT COULD RAISE SEA LEVELS AROUND SIX INCHES.

WHILE THAT MAY NOT SOUND LIKE MUCH IT'S ENOUGH TO CAUSE SEVERE DAMAGE.

>> THAT ALLOWS FOR HIGHER POTENTIAL FOR STORMS AND THEREFORE MORE CONSISTENT POTENTIALLY LARGER WAVES.

AND THOSE WAVES, HIGH ENERGY HITTING THE OCEAN, HITTING OUR COASTS, LEADS TO MORE EROSION.

>> I'M CONCERNED IT WILL GET WORSE.

BECAUSE AS LIKE THE TIDES DEFINITELY COME IN AND WITH THESE BIG WAVES THAT THE EL NINO BRING I THINK IT WILL JUST KEEP GETTING WORSE.

>> Reporter: AND MORE EROSION MEANS WE'LL SEE MORE BEACHES LIKE THIS WITH PEBBLES EVERYWHERE.

>> WALKING ON THESE ROCKS REALLY SUCKS.

IT HURTS MY FEET.

YOU KNOW, ESPECIALLY GOING INTO THE WATER.

>> Reporter: IN CARLSBAD ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I'M ARIELLA SCALESE.

COMING UP TONIGHT, 67 DEGREES UNDER PARTLY CLOUDY SKY.

IT'S STILL STAYING HUMID AND WE ARE GETTING READY FOR A LONG DURATION HEAT WAVE.

WE'LL SHOW YOU WHO'S GOING TO FEEL THE BIGGEST IMPACTS AND WHEN AND IF THERE'S GOING TO BE ANY RELIEF SOON.

WE'LL HAVE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE FORECAST COMING UP.

>>> STARTING THIS MONTH SOME CALFRESH RECIPIENTS COULD LOSE THEIR FOOD BENEFITS FOR NOT MEETING NEW FEDERAL WORK REQUIREMENTS.

IT'S A RESULT OF THE ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT SIGNED IN 2025.

ALTHOUGH THE REQUIREMENTS BEGAN IN JUNE, OCTOBER IS THE FIRST MONTH SOME RECIPIENTS COULD LOSE BENEFITS.

JOINING ME NOW TO BREAK DOWN WHAT ALL OF THIS MEANS IS THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK'S COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MANAGER KAYLA THOMPSON.

KAYLA, THANKS FOR BEING HERE.

>> HI.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> SO HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE THESE FOOD BENEFIT CHANGES IMPACTING HERE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY?

>> RIGHT NOW THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO'S ESTIMATING THAT 1,700 NEIGHBORS IN SAN DIEGO COULD RHYS ARING LOSING THEIR BENEFITS.

THIS IS JUST THE FIRST WAVE IN A SERIES OF POTENTIAL LOSSES.

SO THAT IMPACT COULD CONTINUE AS MORE RESIDENTS, CALFRESH CASES COME UP FOR REVIEW.

>> AND WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE DETAILS OF THE FEDERAL WORK AND VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS?

WHAT ARE THEY AND WHO DO THEY ACTUALLY APPLY TO?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO UNDER HR-1 THOSE EXPANDED CALFRESH WORK REQUIREMENTS ARE GOING OUT TO FOLKS THAT WERE FORMERLY EXEMPT.

SOME OF THOSE POPULATIONS INCLUDE FOLKS LIKE VETERANS AND PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

THE WORK REQUIREMENTS VARY ACROSS DIFFERENT POPULATIONS.

BUT GENERALLY SPEAKING, FOLKS MUST COMPLETE AT LEAST 20 HOURS PER WEEK OF WORK OR OTHER EXEMPTING ACTIVITIES.

OR ABOUT 80 PER MONTH.

>> AND THEN WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT IMPACT WHAT SORT OF IMPACT ARE THESE CHANGES TO THE WORK REQUIREMENTS ACTUALLY HAVING ON PEOPLE WHO RECEIVE FOOD ASSISTANCE NOW THAT WE'RE HERE IN OCTOBER?

>> 100%.

SO CALFRESH SIMPLY PUT HELPS PEOPLE PURCHASE FOOD.

WHEN THOSE BENEFITS STOP THE NEED FOR FOOD DOES NOT.

IT'S PUTTING ADDITIONAL STRAIN ON OUR NEIGHBORS AT A TIME WHEN THEY'RE ALREADY FACING A LOT OF STRIFE.

SO A PERSON FACING A LOSS IN THEIR CALFRESH BENEFITS MAY LOOK TO ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, ACCESSING FOOD DISTRIBUTION LIKE THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK MAY BE JUST ONE OF THOSE.

ZBLL .

>> OKAY.

AND WHAT HAVE WE SEEN SINCE THE WORK REQUIREMENTS BEGAN IN JUNE, BOTH THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK AND THE OTHER LOCAL FOOD ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATIONS YOU GUYS SOMETIMES PARTNER WITH?

>> 100%.

SO RIGHT NOW 1 IN 4 SAN DIEGANS IS NUTRITION INSECURE.

SO THAT'S A STAGGERING NUMBER IN SAN DIEGO.

800,000 PEOPLE.

RIGHT NOW SOME OF OUR NON-PROFIT PARTNERS ARE REPORTING A JUMP AS MUCH AS 20% IN THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT ARE ARRIVING TO THEIR DISTRIBUTIONS.

SO ON THE GROUND A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY, SOME CONFUSION.

IT'S A SCARY TIME WHEN YOU'RE A NEIGHBOR IN NEED OF FOOD AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE YOUR NEXT MEAL MAY BE COMING FROM.

>> OKAY.

AND THEN THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE WHAT DO THESE NEW REQUIREMENTS AND POTENTIAL LOSS OF SOME BENEFITS FOR CERTAIN RESIDENTS MEAN FOR THE FOOD BANK AND THESE OTHER FOOD ASSISTANCE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTY GOING FORWARD?

>> YEAH.

AS I MENTIONED, WHEN FOLKS ARE LOSING ACCESS TO THAT FOOD ASSISTANCE LIKE CALFRESH, A LOT OF TIMES THEY'RE COMING TO SOMEWHERE LIKE A FOOD DISTRIBUTION FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

SO THEY MAY COME SEEKING FOOD AND THEN THEY'RE ALSO INQUIRING ABOUT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.

SO KEEPING OUR NON-PROFIT PARTNERS AS WELL AS OUR STAFF UP TO DATE ON SOME OF THOSE CHANGES IS EXCEPTIONALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK.

AND THEN AGAIN THE REALITY IS THAT SNAP OR CALFRESH PROVIDES NINE MEALS FOR EVERY ONE MEAL THAT A FOOD BANK CAN PROVIDE.

SO WHILE WE'RE GETTING MORE FOOD OUT THERE WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR NON-PROFIT PARTNERS, THAT MEAL GAP IS A CHASM AND A REAL CHALLENGE FOR US TO TRY AND TACKLE.

>> WELL, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THIS INFORMATION.

KAYLA, IT'S BEEN GREAT CHATTING WITH YOU.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>> TODAY CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB BONTA ANNOUNCED A $272.5 MILLION SETTLEMENT WITH LYFT.

THE COMPANY MISCLASSIFIED DRIVERS AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS INSTEAD OF EMPLOYEES.

BONTA SAYS WORKERS MISSED OUT ON EMPLOYEE BENEFITS THEY WERE ENTITLED TO.

>> NO OVERTIME.

NO MATTER HOW MANY HOURS THEY SPENT BEHIND THE WHEEL.

NO PAID SICK DAY WHEN THEIR CHILD WAS HOME SICK.

NO WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

IF THEY WERE HURT ON THE JOB.

NO REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE MILES THEY PUT ON THEIR OWN CAR.

>> SAN DIEGO DRIVERS WHO WORKED FOR LYFT BETWEEN 2016 AND 2020 MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A IMT PA.

A WEBSITE IS IN THE WORKS FOR AFFECTED DRIVERS TO ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT ELIGIBILITY.

>>> ANOTHER LAWSUIT CHALLENGING A CONTROVERSIAL DEVELOPMENT COMING TO EMERALD HILLS.

KPBS REPORTER KATIE HYSON SAYS THIS ONE CLAIMS RACIAL DISCRIMINATION BY THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: 123 HOMES ARE COMING TO A HILLTOP NEIGHBORS HAVE LONG HOPED WOULD BE A PARK.

ANDREA HATEYRU LED THE COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP OPPOSING IT.

SHE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE DEVELOPMENT WAS ALLOWED.

THE AREA WASN'T ZONED FOR THAT DENSITY.

IT SENT HER DOWN A RABBIT HOLE.

>> DID I THINK IT WAS GOING TO TAKE 2 1/2 YEARS OF MY LIFE, HUNDREDS OF HOURS?

YOU KNOW, NOT GOING TO SLEEP FOR HOW MANY DAYS HAVE I NOT HAD ANY SLEEP AT ALL OVER FOOTNOTE 7 AND PARTICULARLY THIS ISSUE.

HECK, NO.

>> Reporter: ARE FOOTNOTE 7 IN CITY CODE WAS PASSED IN 2019.

IT ALLOWED FOR MUCH DENSER DEVELOPMENT ONLY IN THE MOSTLY BLACK, LATINO AND LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS IN SOUTHEASTERN SAN DIEGO.

HETHERU AND HER NEIGHBORS DISCOVERED AND FOUGHT THE FOOTNOTE.

THE CITY COUNCIL REPEALED IT.

BUT ALREADY APPROVED DEVELOPMENTS WERE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE.

THEIR APPEAL WAS REJECTED IN JULY.

ANOTHER RESIDENT IS SUING TO OVERTURN THAT REGISTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REASONS.

HETHERU SAYS THAT'S VALID BUT IT'S NOT THE COMMUNITY'S CORE ISSUE WITH THE PROJECT.

RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.

>> I JUST DIDN'T WANT TO SEE THAT DISAPPEAR FROM THE JUDICIAL RECORD.

NOW, CAN I CARRY THIS CASE BY MYSELF?

INDEFINITELY.

ABSOLUTELY NOT.

>> Reporter: SHE FILED SUIT HERSELF BUT SAYS THAT'S JUST TO BUY TIME TO FIND PRO BONO LEGAL HELP.

THE COMMUNITY ALREADY TRIED FUND-RAISING FOR LEGAL FIGHTS RELATED TO THE FOOTNOTE.

HETHERU SAYS THEY RAISED $35,000 OVER TWO YEARS.

IT WASN'T ENOUGH.

THEY RAN OUT OF MONEY ON ANOTHER SUIT AND HAD TO DROP IT.

>> EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THE DECK IS STACKED IN FAVOR OF THE PARTY WHO CAN SUSTAIN THE FIGHT THE LONGEST.

IN THE COURT.

>> Reporter: IT'S AN UPHILL BATTLE.

FOR RESIDENTS OF A LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS.

THE CITY DECLINED TO COMMENT ON PENDING LITIGATION.

KATIE HYSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I'M AMNA NAWAZ.

TONIGHT ON THE "NEWSHOUR," A BOTCHED EXECUTION OF A WOMAN IN TENNESSEE RENEWS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DEATH PENALTY.

THAT'S COMING UP AFTER "EVENING EDITION" ON KPBS.

>>> SAN DIEGO VOTERS WILL SOON DECIDE WHETHER TO EXTEND COUNTY SUPERVISOR TERM LIMITS AND GIVE THE ELECTED OFFICIALS MORE POWER.

KPBS "PUBLIC MATTERS" REPORTER KEVIN TREVELLYAN SAYS THE UPCOMING BALLOT MEASURE IS ALSO PITCHED AS A WAY TO MAKE COUNTY GOVERNMENT MORE ACCOUNTABLE.

>> Reporter: MEASURE A WOULD REFORM THE COUNTY CHARTER TO CREATE NEW INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT OFFICES AND REQUIRE MORE PUBLIC DISCLOSURES OF COUNTY SPENDING.

DURING A JUNE MEETING SUPERVISOR TARA LAWSON REMER SAID THE PACKAGE WOULD HELP MODERNIZE A COUNTY GOVERNMENT THAT'S GROWN DRAMATICALLY IN RECENT YEARS TO SERVE 3.3 MILLION RESIDENTS.

>> THIS MEASURE GIVES THE PUBLIC STRONGER TOOLS TO SEE HOW MONEY IS SPENT, WHETHER PROGRAMS ARE WORKING AND WHETHER GOVERNMENT IS MEETING THE STANDARDS THAT PEOPLE DESERVE.

>> Reporter: THE MEASURE WOULD ALLOW SUPERVISORS TO SERVE THREE FOUR-YEAR TERMS INSTEAD OF THE CURRENT TWO-TERM MAXIMUM.

IT WOULD APPLY TO MEMBERS CURRENTLY ON THE BOARD.

THE MEASURE WOULD GIVE SUPERVISORS MORE POWER TO HIRE AND FIRE COUNTY STAFF LIKE TO HIS IN CHARGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH OR EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

BUT SUPERVISOR JIM DESMOND SAID COMBINING ALL THOSE REFORMS AMOUNTS TO A, QUOTE, POWER GRAB.

>> THE VOTERS I THINK ARE BEING DECEIVED BY USING THE ATTRACTIVE LANGUAGE SUCH AS TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT.

WE SHOULD BE DOING THOSE THINGS ALREADY.

>> Reporter: THE UNION TRIBUNE POLL RELEASED THIS WEEK FOUND VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY SUPPORTED THE OVERSIGHT MEASURES.

BUT 3/4 OF RESPONDENTS ALSO WANTED TO KEEP THE CURRENT TWO-TERM MAXIMUM FOR SUPERVISORS, NOT GIVE THEM ANOTHER ONE.

STILL UC SAN DIEGO POLITICAL SCIENTIST THAD COWSER HAS STUDIED TERM LIMITS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND SAYS THERE ARE LEGITIMATE REASONS FOR EXTENDING THEM.

HE SAYS CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SETTLE MORE INTO THEIR ROLES AFTER VOTERS RELAXED THEIR TERM LIMITS IN 2012.

>> AND ALL OF THAT HAS KIND OF BROUGHT A LITTLE BIT MORE CALM AND EXPERTISE INTO CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT AND MOVED US AWAY FROM A FAIRLY CHAOTIC PERIOD THAT WE HAD IN THE IMMEDIATE WAKE OF THESE REALLY SHORT TERM LIMITS.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, SUPERVISORS HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF DETAILS TO SORT OUT WITH MEASURE A'S OTHER REFORMS IF VOTERS PASS IT.

RYAN ADAMS, A POLITICAL SCIENTIST AT SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY, SAYS THAT PROCESS WOULD ULTIMATELY DETERMINE WHAT KIND OF TEETH THE ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES HAVE.

>> THE DEVIL'S ALWAYS IN THE DETAILS AND THERE'S ALWAYS MATTERS ABOUT IMPLEMENTATION.

IF THESE THINGS ARE IMPLEMENTED WELL IT COULD IMPROVE COUNTY GOVERNANCE.

BUT THERE'S NO GUARANTEE OF THAT.

>> Reporter: MAIL BALLOTS GO OUT NEXT WEEK AND VOTERS WILL HAVE UNTIL NOVEMBER 3rd TO WEIGH IN ON MEASURE A. KEVIN TREVELLYAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> PUBLIC MATTERS IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH KPBS, I NEWS SOURCE AND VOICE OF SAN DIEGO.

YOU CAN SEE MORE OF OUR STORIES AT KPBS.ORG/PUBLICMATTERS.

>>> GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM HAS SIGNED A BILL LEGALIZING SO-CALLED BALCONY SOLAR PANELS THAT ARE SMALLER, CHEAPER AND EASIER TO INSTALL.

SUPPORTERS SAY THE NEW LAW WILL MAKE RENEWABLE ENERGY MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR RENTERS AND OTHER HOUSEHOLDS COMPARED TO CONVENTIONAL SOLAR.

BERNADETTE DEL CHIARO WITH THE NON-PROFIT ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF BALCONY SOLAR DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE IN THE BAY AREA TODAY.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMMEDIATE, CONCRETE, TANGIBLE REAL AND AFFORDABLE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO START TO GET CONTROL OF OUR HIGH ENERGY COSTS BUT ALSO SAVE OUR PLANET.

>> IN SAN DIEGO ELECTRIC BILLS HAVE ALMOST DOUBLED OVER THE LAST DECADE.

THEY'RE FAR HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

THE NEW CALIFORNIA LAW GOES INTO EFFECT JANUARY 1st.

>>> ANOTHER FORM OF RELIEF MAY BE ON THE WAY FOR CALIFORNIA DRIVERS.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM SUSPENDED THE STATE'S SUMMER GASOLINE REQUIREMENT TO ROLL OUT WINTER BLEND A FEW WEEKS EARLY.

IT COMES AT A TIME REGULAR GAS PRICES ARE 60 CENTS MORE PER GALLON COMPARED TO A MONTH AGO.

THE AVERAGE PRICE TODAY IN SAN DIEGO WAS $6.43.

THAT'S THE HIGHEST SINCE SETTING THE RECORD ON OCTOBER 5th, 2022.

>> 15 CENTS MORE THAN A WEEK AGO.

$1.66 MORE THAN A YEAR AGO.

NOW, WE ARE NOTICING THAT GAS PRICES HAVE BEEN DROPPING IN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

HERE IN CALIFORNIA WE HAVEN'T SEEN THAT YET.

BUT WE DO EXPECT THEM TO BEGIN FALLING IN THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS AS THE STATE TRANSITIONS TO THE LESS EXPENSIVE WINTER BLEND GAS.

>> A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TOLD OUR MEDIA PARTNER KGTV IT COULD TAKE DRIVERS ABOUT TWO WEEKS TO SEE THE WINTER BLEND BENEFIT AT THE PUMP.

IT COULD MAKE ABOUT A 10 TO 20-CENT DIFFERENCE IN THE PRICES.

BUT ESTIMATED SAVINGS CAN BE TOUGH TO GAUGE PENDING CRUDE OIL PRICES HINGING ON THE IRAN WAR.

>>> WORKERS HOPING TO SNAG A HOLIDAY JOB SHOULD APPLY NOW.

OPPORTUNITIES THIS YEAR COULD BE LIMIT LIMITED.

KARYN CAIFA IS IN WASHINGTON WITH A LOOK AT WHY HOLIDAY HIRING MAY BE SLUGGISH.

>> Reporter: HOLIDAY JOB SEEKERS SHOULD BE PREPARED AND EXPECT SOME COMPETITION.

ONE FORECAST POINTS TO ANOTHER WEAK HOLIDAY SEASON FOR HIRING WHILE ANOTHER INDEX INDICATES THAT THE PEAK HOLIDAY HIRING WINDOW IS ABOUT TO KICK OFF.

THE CALENDAR SAYS FALL BUT CAREER EXPERTS SAY 'TIS THE SEASON TO APPLY FOR END OF YEAR HOLIDAY JOBS.

>> OCTOBER IS THE PEAK HIRING SEASON.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT SEASONAL HIRING STOPS IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER BUT IT SLOWS DOWN BECAUSE OCTOBER IS THE SWEET SPOT FOR SEASONAL HIRING.

>> Reporter: BUT GLOBAL OUTPLACEMENT FIRM CHALLENGER GRAY & CHRISTMAS OBSERVES THAT HEADING INTO THE PEAK PERIOD FOR HOLIDAY HIRING ONLY A HANDFUL OF MAJOR RETAILERS HAVE MADE THEIR HIRING TARGETS PUBLIC.

AND CHALLENGER FORECASTS RETAIL JOBS WILL FALL BELOW LAST YEAR'S LEVEL OF 461,500 JOBS TO 450,000 DURING THE FOURTH QUARTER OF THE YEAR.

CHALLENGER DOES NOTE RETAILERS MAY TAKE A WAIT AND SEE APPROACH TO HIRING AS THEY GAUGE CONSUMER APPETITE FOR HOLIDAY SPENDING AND WHETHER THEY NEED MORE HANDS ON DECK THROUGH THE SEASON.

THAT'S ONE REASON THAT VICKY SALEMI, CAREER EXPERT FROM MONSTER, SAYS EVEN THOUGH THEIR DATA SHOWS OCTOBER AS THE PEAK HIRING MONTH JOB HUNTERS SHOULD KEEP APPLYING THROUGH DECEMBER.

>> IF YOU MISS OCTOBER AND THE SWEET SPOT, YOU'RE STILL NOT TOO LATE BECAUSE THERE'S ATTRITION, SOMETIMES COMPANIES NEED MORE -- JUST MORE WORKERS.

SO YOU'RE NOT TOO LATE.

>> Reporter: SALEMI ALSO SAYS WORKERS WHO SNAG A ROLE SHOULD MAXIMIZE THE OPPORTUNITY BEYOND THE PAYCHECK.

>> YOU PROBABLY WANT TO PURSUE IT TO EARN MORE MONEY BUT ALSO ACQUIRE NEW SKILLS, MAKE NEW CONTACTS, POTENTIALLY GET YOUR FOOT IN THE DOOR, SO IT COULD BE A WIN-WIN.

>> Reporter: AND WHILE RETAILERS WAIT FOR CUES FROM CONSUMERS ABOUT HOW EXACTLY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON WILL PLAY OUT, EXPERTS RECOMMEND BROADENING THE HOLIDAY JOB SEARCH TO INCLUDE JOBS IN TRANSPORTATION, IN DELIVERY, IN HOSPITALITY AND TRAVEL.

IN WASHINGTON I'M KARIN CAIFA.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO PADRES ARE MOVING ON IN THE PLAYOFFS.

YESTERDAY THE TEAM FINISHED THE SWEEP OF THE CHICAGO CUBS IN TWO STRAIGHT GAMES IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL'S WILD CARD SERIES.

>> YEAH!

♪ >> THAT'S WHAT THE PADRES CLUBHOUSE LOOKED LIKE AFTER THE WIN.

THE TEAM WON BOTH GAMES IN THE BEST OF THREE SERIES IN FRONT OF A HIGH-ENERGY SOLD OUT CROWD AT SAN DIEGO'S PETCO PARK.

NOW THE PADRES WILL TAKE ON NUMBER ONE SEEDED MILWAUKEE BREWERS IN THE BEST OF FIVE NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION SERIES.

THE PLAYOFF ROUNDS KICK OFF IN MILWAUKEE SATURDAY OCTOBER 3. rd AND THE PADRES WILL PLAY THEIR FIRST HOME GAME IN THE NLDS TUESDAY OCTOBER 6th.

>>> EVERY CITY LIKES TO BE KNOWN FOR SOMETHING.

IT'S A SOURCE OF LOCAL PRIDE.

ESCONDIDO IS PUTTING A LOT OF EFFORT INTO SOMETHING IT HOPES WILL BECOME A PERMANENT PART OF ITS REPUTATION.

KEN KRAMER SHOWS US WHAT'S GOING ON.

>> Reporter: ESCONDIDO, GO BACK INTO HISTORY IT WAS MOSTLY AGRICULTURE.

GRAPES AND THEN LEMONS.

BUT TIMES HAVE CHANGED.

>> ESCONDIDO HAS ITS ROOTS IN AGRICULTURE.

PRIMARILY CITRUS.

BUT THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO THIS CITY, AND ART AND CULTURE IS DEEP IN OUR ROOTS HERE.

>> Reporter: WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE HISTORY FUTURE GENERATIONS HERE WILL CELEBRATE, I'M PRETTY SURE DAYS LIKE THIS WILL BE IMPORTANT.

HERE'S WHAT'S HAPPENING.

A PART OF A POPULAR WALKWAY HAS BEEN BEAUTIFIED WITH PUBLIC ART.

LOOK AT THEM.

THE MURALS, ORIGINAL, IMAGINATIVE AND BEAUTIFUL.

AND LOOK AT THEM, THE ARTISTS WHO CREATED IT ALL AND THE BEAMING PROUD MAYOR DANE WHITE WHO TOLD US ABOUT IT.

>> WE PUT A CALL OUT FOR ART A FEW MONTHS BACK.

HAD 44 SUBMISSIONS.

AND WE WHITTLED IT DOWN TO SIX THAT YOU CAN SEE HERE.

AND IT'S AWESOME.

>> Reporter: IT REALLY IS.

THESE SIX MURALS ARE POSITIONED ALONG WHAT'S CALLED THE ESCONDIDO CREEK TRAIL.

CAROL ROGERS HEADS UP THE CITY'S PUBLIC ART COMMISSION.

>> THE THEME IS FLORA AND FAUNA.

AND I THINK THE WONDER OF THAT THEME IS THE ARTISTS DO A TREMENDOUS JOB OF INTERPRETING THAT.

>> Reporter: WHERE A CENTURY AGO THERE WERE CITRUS GROVES, THERE IS NOW IN SO MANY SPOTS AROUND TOWN ART.

AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR RELATIVE NEWCOMERS TO GET THEIR START IN IT.

>> HELLO.

MY NAME IS ANDRES MARIN.

>> Reporter: IT'S ONE OF HIS FIRST MURALS IN THE CITY.

HE SAYS IF YOU'RE AN ARTIST AND YOU'RE LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITY, ESCONDIDO IS THE PLACE.

WAS FOR HIM.

>> MY PAINTING IS CALLED "TUNAS DORADAS."

IT CAME TO ME AS I WAS DOING A RUN DURING THE SAN PASQUAL RIVER VALLEY.

JUST ALL THE COLORS AND VIBRANCY IN THE VALLEY MADE ME FEEL SOME HOPE THAT WHAT I WAS DOING WAS NOT IN VAIN, I COULD CONTINUE GOING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: IT'S NOT WELL ENOUGH KNOWN I THINK THAT IN THIS CITY THERE IS SO MUCH PUBLIC ART.

AT A COUPLE OF SPOTS HERE ALONG THE CREEK TRAIL AND IN THE ALLEYS OFF GRAND AVENUE AND EVEN ON TRAFFIC SIGNAL BOXES THAT RECALL THE GRAPE DAYS.

IT'S A MUNICIPAL COMMITMENT TO CELEBRATE IMAGINATION AND POSITIVE AESTHETICS AND BEAUTY FOR ITS OWN SAKE.

>> AND IT JUST ENHANCES THE EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE CITY OF ESCONDIDO.

>> Reporter: WHERE THERE IS A HEART FOR ART.

>> KEN KRAMER HAS A HALF HOUR OF STORIES ABOUT OUR COUNTY.

HIS SHOW CALLED "KEN KRAMER'S ABOUT SAN DIEGO," CAN BE SEEN EVERY THURSDAY EVENING AT 8:00 HERE ON KPBS.

YOU CAN ALSO WATCH THEM ALL RIGHT NOW ON THE KPBS PLUS APP.

>>> ALL RIGHT.

WE'VE GOT A BIG STRETCH OF HOT WEATHER, TEMPERATURES RUNNING WELL ABOVE THE HISTORICAL AVERAGE.

PROBABLY NOT WHAT YOU WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN THE FIRST FEW DAYS IF NOT WEEK OF ACT F OCTOBER.

SOME DAJSZ HEAT AS WE HEAD INTO THE DAY FRIDAY.

THE HOTTEST TEMPERATURES IN GENERAL AND ALSO COMPARED TO THE HISTORICAL AVERAGE IS GOING TO BE FOR THE COAST AND INLAND VALLEYS.

AND THEN YOU ADD SOME OF THOSE SANTA ANA WINDS THAT ARE GOING TO RETURN ESPECIALLY ON SATURDAY, WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT JUST THE STRENGTH OF THOSE AND ISSUES THAT WE COULD FEEL.

ACROSS SAN DIEGO EVEN THE NIGHTTIME TEMPERATURES, ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND INTO NEXT WEEK, THOSE WILL STAY ELEVATED.

THAT'S WHAT CAN BE SO DANGEROUS WITH A HEAT WAVE AS WELL, THAT YOU DON'T GET ANY OF THAT RELIEF AT NIGHT.

TONIGHT'S NOT HORRIBLE.

WE'RE DOWN TO 67 IN SAN DIEGO.

58 STILL IN OCEANSIDE.

65 IN CHULA VISTA.

BORREGO SPRINGS 67 AND MOUNT LAGUNA 56.

BUT REMEMBER THAT EXTREME HEAT WATCH?

WELL, NOW AS WE'RE GETTING CLOSER TO THE START OF THE HEAT WAVE NOW AN EXTREME HEAT WARNING.

THAT KICKS OFF TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00 AND GOES NEARLY A WEEK.

8:00 P.M.

ON THURSDAY.

SO DAY IN AND DAY OUT THAT'S WHEN THE HEAT EXHAUSTION CAN REALLY START TO KICK IN.

WE'RE TALKING TRIPLE-DIGIT HEAT FOR THE INLAND VALLEYS AND THE COAST INTO THE 90s.

THE DESERTS AND THE MOUNTAINS ARE NOT GOING TO BE AS IMPACTED BY THIS AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEK.

HOT STRETCH ON THE WAY HERE.

TEMPERATURES 10 TO 20 DEGREES ABOVE THE HISTORICAL AVERAGE.

HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES AND EVEN A HIGHER THAN AVERAGE FIRE RISK.

WE WILL SOME GUSTY WINDS AS WE HEAD INTO THE DAY ON SATURDAY.

40 TO 60 MILES PER HOUR.

SO LOTS TO LOOK OUT FOR.

WE WILL BE STAYING DRY TOO.

THAT WILL ADD TO THE ADDITIONAL FIRE RISK HERE AS WE CONTINUE TO SEE THAT HEAT BUILDING ALONG THE COAST THIS WEEKEND AND SLOW DROP BY EARLY NEXT WEEK.

A STRETCH OF FIVE DAYS AT LEAST FOR THE INLAND VALLEYS WITH TEMPERATURES AT OR ABOVE 100 DEGREES.

IN THE MOUNTAINS TEMPERATURES WILL BE MORE COMFORTABLE.

BUT EVEN BY NEXT TUESDAY INTO THE 80s.

AND GOSH, THE DESERTS HAVE NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD, ALTHOUGH BY NEXT TUESDAY WE'RE AT 107.

FOR KPBS NEWS I'M ARIELLA SCALESE.

>>> A LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR STARTED WITH A HAIR CARE LINE AND NOW HE'S CREATING DOLLS FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER AUDY McAFEE SPOKE TO THE CEO OF CURLS POPPIN' ABOUT HIS NEW LINE OF MALE DOLLS.

>> Reporter: ASHLEY HEAD IS THE FOUNDER AND CEO OF CURLS POPPIN' HAIR PRODUCTS AND DOLLS.

THE IDEA OF MAKING A DOLL CAME TO HIM WHILE HE WAS LIVING IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

HE SAYS THE LACK OF DIVERSE DOLLS HE SAW THERE MOVED HIM INTO ACTION.

>> I SAID YOU KNOW WHAT?

THIS IS NARCISSISTIC BUT WHAT IF I MADE A DOLL OF MYSELF AND SOLD IT IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

>> Reporter: AFTER TRIAL AND ERROR WITH DIFFERENT MANUFACTURERS FORCED HIM TO TABLE THE IDEA, HEAD CREATED HIS FIRST DOLL IN 2018.

HE NAMED HER OLIVIA.

THE DOLL'S SUCCESS GAVE HIM THE CONFIDENCE TO KEEP GOING.

NOW HEAD IS EXPANDING THE LINE WITH MEN OF CULTURE, WHICH HE DESCRIBES AS THE FIRST ALL-MALE DOLL LINE FEATURING PEOPLE OF COLOR.

>> SO I FEEL THAT IT'S NECESSARY IN 2026 THAT SOMEONE FINALLY TAKE THE REINS AND CREATE A DOLL LINE THAT THE WORLD CAN APPRECIATE.

NOT JUST BLACK PEOPLE BUT PEOPLE OF ALL COLORS.

>> Reporter: THE LINE WILL INCLUDE 12 DOLLS, WITH THE FIRST RELEASE PLANNED FOR DECEMBER.

THE DOLLS ARE BASED ON REAL PEOPLE.

THE FIRST IS EMMANUEL RODRIGUEZ, WHOSE LIKENESS HAS BEEN TURNED INTO A DOLL NAMED MANNY.

HEAD WAS RODRIGUEZ'S TEACHER IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC.

THE TWO STAYED IN TOUCH, AND RODRIGUEZ BECAME ONE OF THE FIRST MODELS FOR THE CURLS POPPIN' HAIR LINE.

>> IT WOULD BE LIKE HAVING A NEXT BEST FRIEND.

I HAD TOYS WHEN I WAS YOUNGER.

IT'S LIKE YOU'RE FRIENDS WITH YOUR TOYS.

AND I HAVE SOMEBODY THAT LOOKS LIKE ME.

SO I'M CARRYING YOU EVERYWHERE.

YOU'RE GOING EVERYWHERE WITH ME.

>> Reporter: RODRIGUEZ SAYS THE DOLL HAS ALSO CHANGED HOW HE FEELS ABOUT HIS OWN IDENTITY.

>> THERE WERE CERTAIN PARTS WHERE GROWING UP YOU'RE LIKE OH, I'M SCARED TO SAY I'M THIS BECAUSE I MIGHT BE JUDGED THIS WAY.

BUT I'M A DOLL NOW.

LOOK.

EVERYBODY WANTS YOU OR YOU CAN BE ANY WAY YOU WANT, ANYBODY YOU WANT TO BE.

SO IT'S PRETTY AMAZING AND IT GIVES ME A LOT OF CONFIDENCE TO SAY WHERE I'M FROM AND THIS IS WHO I AM.

>> Reporter: HEAD SAYS HE WANTS MEN OF CULTURE TO SHOW HIS SONS THAT THEY CAN FOLLOW THEIR OWN DREAMS.

>> WHAT MY ENTREPRENEURIAL JOURNEY HAS DONE FOR MY FAMILY, FOR MY BOYS, IT'S SHOWN THEM YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DO.

AND DON'T LOOK TO THE REST OR TO THE RIGHT ON ANYBODY'S OPINION.

I'M A BLACK MAN MAKING DOLLS AND PEOPLE ARE LIKE WHY ARE YOU MAKING DOLLS?

WELL, THIS IS THE VISION THAT I GOT FROM GOD, SO I'M FOLLOWING IT.

SO IF THEY HAVE A VISION, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS, DON'T EVEN COME TO ME OR YOUR MOTHER.

FOLLOW THAT VISION.

SEE IT ALL THE WAY THROUGH AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

BECAUSE IF YOU DO MAGIC CAN HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: AUDY McAFEE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> HERE'S A LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON FOR TOMORROW.

ON NPR'S MORNING EDITION THE LABOR DEPARTMENT OFFERS AN UPDATE ON THE STRENGTH OF THE U.S.

JOB MARKET.

THE NEWS COMES AS LONG-TERM INTEREST RATES HAVE BEEN CLIMBING.

YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M JACOB AERE.

HAVE A WONDERFUL 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, AIR, RESTORATION, AND FLOOD SERVICES FOR OVER 45 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.

♪ ♪ ♪