♪ >>> 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!

>>> AFTER A RECORD-BREAKING DEPLOYMENT, THE USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS BACK HOME IN SAN DIEGO.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

IT'S THE DAY THOUSANDS OF MILITARY FAMILIES HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.

THE LINCOLN SAILED INTO SAN DIEGO BAY AT ABOUT 11:00 THIS MORNING, MAKING ITS SLOW WAY TO NAVAL STATION NORTH ISLAND, HOME AGAIN AFTER MORE THAN TEN MONTHS AT SEA.

IT'S AMONG THE MOST CLOSELY WATCHED AND ANTICIPATED SHIP HOME COMINGS IN RECENT MEMORY.

CAPTAIN DANIEL KEELER IS THE LINCOLN'S COMMANDING OFFICER.

HE SAYS HIS CREW ROSE UP TO THE CHALLENGES THE SHIP FACED ON DEPLOYMENT.

>> WE LEFT ON A DEPLOYMENT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE, YOU KNOW, A SIX-MONTH WESTERN PACIFIC PATROL.

AND HALFWAY -- NOT EVEN HALFWAY, ABOUT TWO MONTHS IN, A NEW MISSION WAS CREATED, AND WE WERE SENT TO FIFTH FLEET AND ULTIMATELY FOUND OURSELVES IN MAJOR COMBAT OPERATIONS.

>> AIRCRAFT FROM THE LINCOLN WERE AMONG THE FIRST TO STRIKE IRAN IN FEBRUARY.

THE CREW ENDURED SHORTAGES OF FOOD AND OTHER SUPPLIES AND SPENT MORE THAN EIGHT CONSECUTIVE MONTHS AT SEA WITHOUT STOPPING IN PORT.

KPBS ASKED THE CAPTAIN WHY THEY WENT SO LONG WITHOUT STOPPING.

>> IT'S PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD.

THEY WERE NOT SAFE.

THEY WERE UNDER THREAT.

AND SO WE WERE AT AN ACTIVE COMBAT.

SO FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CREW AND THE SHIP AND TO REMAIN IN THE FIGHT, THE MISSION REQUIRED US TO STAY AT SEA.

AND THEN THERE IS THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE REGION AND HOW BIGAMY AIRCRAFT CARRIER IS LIMITS WHERE I CAN GO.

>> THE LINCOLN IS DUE TO TRANSFER HOMEPORTS TO BREMERTON, WASHINGTON IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

NAVY OFFICIALS SAY THE CREW CAN EXPECT SOME EXTRA DOWNTIME NOW THAT THEY'RE BACK IN SAN DIEGO, BUT SOON THEY'LL BE BACK AT WORK GETTING READY FOR THE MOVE UP TO WASHINGTON.

AIRCRAFT CARRIER HOME COMINGS ARE NOT THAT UNUSUAL AT NAS HOME COMING.

BUT TODAY'S RETURN OF THE USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN WAS DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL TALKED TO SOME FAMILY MEMBERS WHO WAITED FOR MONTHS TO BE REUNITED WITH THEIR LOVED ONCE.

>> Reporter: GREAT EXPECTATION.

TREMENDOUS THRILL, UNBOUNDED JOY, JUST A FEW WAYS TO DESCRIBE THE VIBE PIERSIDE AS FAMILIES FROM ALL ACROSS SAN DIEGO AND ALL OVER THE COUNTRY GATHERED TO WELCOME HOME THEIR PERSONAL HEROES.

>> WE'RE WAITING FOR OUR DAD.

HE'S A MASTER CHIEF, AND HIS NAME IS LAVELLE CLARK.

>> Reporter: KAYLA CLARK AND HER SIBLINGS, LIKE OTHER FAMILY MEMBER HERE HAD NO IDEA THEIR LOVED ONE WOULD BE GONE SO LONG.

AND THEN THERE WERE THE STORIES COMING IN FROM THE LINCOLN.

NEWS REPORTS OF PLUMBING PROBLEMS, INSUFFICIENT SUPPLIES, LESS THAN DESIRABLE FOOD.

>> WE WERE VERY SHOCKED LIKE WHAT?

THE SHIP?

THAT'S ACTUALLY CRAZY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, I'M JUST GLAD THEY'RE RETURNING NOW AND THINGS CAN PROBABLY GET BETTER FOR THEM.

>> HE IS AN AVIATION TECHNICIAN.

>> Reporter: THE HE LOUISA IS RESPONDING TO IS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO HER, SO TO SPEAK.

IT'S HER HUSBAND, JAKE BRUNOLA.

THE TIME AWAY HAS BEEN HARD ON HIM AND HER.

>> IT'S SO HARD FOR ME BECAUSE ME AND MY DAUGHTER ONLY AT HOME.

SO NOBODY WITH US, EVEN OUR FAMILY.

SO IT'S VERY HARD FOR ME TO DO EVERYTHING IN THE HOUSE ALONE WITH MY 5-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHAT PEOPLE TOLD US, BUT YOU REALLY DIDN'T NEED TO SPEAK WITH ANYONE TO GET AN IDEA OF THE FEELINGS HERE.

THEIR SIGNS SAID IT ALL.

BUT AS THE HOURS AND MINUTES PASSED, THE EMOTIONS THESE PEOPLE HAVE ALL BEEN THROUGH EVAPORATED.

FINALLY, THE BIG MOMENT ALMOST HERE.

THE CROWD GETTING MORE AND MORE ELECTRIC AS THE SHIP GOT CLOSER AND CLOSER.

THE BEHEMOTH UNDERSTANDABLY LOOKING A BIT WORSE FOR THE WEAR, BUT THOSE ON IT CLEARLY JUST AS OVERJOYED AS THOSE WAITING ON SHORE.

THAT INCLUDES ISABELLA.

>> DAD, DAD!

>> Reporter: THE DAUGHTER OF LINCOLN CAPTAIN DAVID HOLLAND.

SHE HAS GROWN A FEW INCHES TALLER SINCE SHE LAST SAW HER DAD.

>> FIRST DEPLOYMENT FOR HER FOR BEING ABLE TO BE HERE ON THE PIER.

IT MEANS A TON.

JUST LIKE THE ADMIRAL AND EVERYBODY SAID, BROUGHT ALL OF THE SAILORS AND MARINES HOME, AND EVERYBODY JUST PERSEVERED.

WE DO HARD THINGS.

WE DO THEM TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: TOGETHER.

THAT MIGHT BE THE ULTIMATE WORD TO DESCRIBE THE FEELING HERE TODAY, TOGETHER AGAIN AT LAST.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>> HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE GATHERED ALONG SHELTER ISLAND'S SHORELINE TO WATCH THE LINCOLN COME INTO SAN DIEGO BAY.

JACOB AERE SAYS WHILE MANY PEOPLE WERE CELEBRATING THE HOMECOMING, SOME WERE ALSO PROTESTING THE CONDITIONS SAILORS EXPERIENCED ABOARD THE SHIP AND VOICING OPPOSITION TO THE WAR IN IRAN.

>> YOU DESERVE BETTER!

>> YOU DESERVE BETTER!

>> Reporter: JUST BEFORE NOON, A LOUD CROWD FULL OF AMERICAN FLAGS AND VETERANS WELCOME HOME THE USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND ITS THOUSANDS OF SAILORS AFTER ONE OF THE LONGEST DEPLOYMENTS IN U.S.

MILITARY HISTORY.

>> WE ALL DESERVE BETTER.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A BITTERSWEET MOMENT FOR NAVY VETERAN TYLER ROAM MERO.

HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE REPORT.

>> I THINK THEY WERE OUT FOR AN EGREGIOUS AMOUNT OF TIME AND THEY SHOULD HAVE RETURNED A LONG TIME AGO, YOU KNOW.

LAUNDRY FIRES, TOILETS OVERFLOWING, SERVICE MEMBERS HAVING TO SLEEP WHEREVER THEY CAN BECAUSE IT'S JUST FILTHY ON THAT SHIP, MULTIPLE SUICIDE ATTEMPTS.

I MEAN, IT'S OUTRAGEOUS, REALLY, AND IT'S DISGUSTING.

>> Reporter: HE WAS ONE OF A COUPLE OF DOZEN VETERANS OR FAMILY MEMBERS OF THOSE IN SERVICE PROTESTING IN THE LARGE CROWD.

OCTAVIO SIFUENTES WAS THERE DOING THE SAME.

HE IS A NAVY VET WHO SERVED ON TWO SEVEN-MONTH DEPLOYMENTS.

HE IS ALSO HEAD OF THE CHAPTER OF LOCAL VETERANS FOR PEACE.

>> WE'RE HERE TO STAND ALONGSIDE THEM TO DEMAND BETTER CONDITIONS, TO DEMAND THAT THEY STOP BEING PUT IN HARM'S WAY FOR NO GOOD REASON.

>> Reporter: ALONGSIDE THE PROTESTERS WERE MANY OTHER PEOPLE SIMPLY CHEERING AND WELCOMING HOME THE SAILORS, LIKE THOSE FROM THE POINT LOMA OPTIMIST CLUB.

JEFFREY FISHBECK IS PART OF THE ORGANIZATION.

HE IS ALSO A VETERAN WHO COMMANDED DECADES AGO.

>> WE'RE ALL HERE TO SHOW WE'RE THANKFUL AND SUPPORT AND FLAGS WHICH THAT WOULD NEVER SHOW ON ROSECRANS.

SO WE WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE LISTENED TO THE PROTESTERS.

AND WHILE THEY MAY HAVE DIFFERING OPINIONS ON SOME MATTERS, FISHBECK AGREES THAT LONG DEPLOYMENTS ARE CHALLENGING IN MANY WAYS.

HE SAYS THE HARDEST THING IS MISSING FAMILY.

HE RECALLED HIS DEPLOYMENT WHEN HIS DAUGHTER WAS 6 MONTHS OLD.

SHE WASN'T YET TALKING.

>> WHEN I FINALLY GOT THE CALL HOME FROM AUSTRALIA, MY WIFE SAID THERE'S SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO TALK TO YOU, AND THERE IS MY DAUGHTER WHO SAID, "DADDY, I LOVE YOU!"

YOU KNOW, I MISSED FOUR MONTHS.

AND, YEAH, THAT'S THE TOUGH PART.

>> Reporter: FISHBECK SAYS A SILVER LINING FOR THE ISSUES BROUGHT TO LIGHT ABOARD THE USS LINCOLN IS THE PUBLIC ATTENTION IT'S BROUGHT TOWARDS THE SACRIFICES YOUNG SAILORS AND THEIR FAMILIES MAKE ON BEHALF OF OUR COUNTRY.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I'M ARIELLA SCALESE, AND COMING UP TONIGHT, THE TEMPERATURES ARE SLOWLY LOWERING, BUT THE HUMIDITY IS STAYING HIGH.

AND STILL SOME DANGEROUSLY LARGE WAVES AND ROUGH SURF.

HEADS UP THIS WEEKEND AS MOISTURE FROM RACHEL SENDS US RAIN AND SOME WIND DER CONDITIONS.

ALL THE DETAILS ARE COMING UP.

>>> A RECORD-SHATTERING HURRICANE, ESAIAS IS TAKING AIM AT THE GULF COAST THIS WEEKEND.

MARYBEL GONZALEZ HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: SATELLITE IMAGERY SHOWS FLURRIES OF LIGHTNING FLASHING THROUGH ESAIAS' SWIRLING CLOUDS.

>> THE WATER IN THE GULF IS VERY WARM, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF UPPER-LEVEL WIND SHEARS.

THAT'S GOING HELP PREVENT THIS STORM FROM GETTING TOO STRONG HOPEFULLY.

>> Reporter: IT COULD NEAR CATEGORY 3 STRENGTH BEFORE WEAKENING AHEAD OF A POSSIBLE NORTH GULF COAST LANDFALL.

THE STORM IS EXPECTED TO BECOME LOP SIDE BRINGING LIFE-THREATENING STORM SURGE, HEAVY RAIN, TORNADOES AND DESTRUCTIVE WINDS TO PARTS OF THE SOUTH.

>> WE'LL BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE FULL THROTTLE ON.

>> LARGE DUFFEL BAGS, PUT THEM IN THE ROLL PACKS.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS HAVE DECLARED STATES OF EMERGENCY FOR PARTS OF FLORIDA AND ALABAMA, WITH MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDERS ISSUED IN TWO COUNTIES IN THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE.

LOCATIONS ON THE COAST FROM EASTERN MISSISSIPPI TO ALABAMA COULD SEE FLOODING AND DAMAGED STRUCTURES.

>> WE HAVE A NUMBER OF RUBBER INFLATABLE BOATS, RAFTS, DRY SUITS, LIFE JACKETS, AND WE'LL ALSO HELP WITH HIGH WATER VEHICLES AND ASSIST THE LOCAL AGENCY WITH EVACUATIONS.

>> Reporter: ESAIAS' IMPACT COULD BE FELT AS EARLY AS FRIDAY.

>> WENT AND GOT DOG FOOD THAT I NEEDED.

SO, YES, JUST TAKING ALL THE PRECAUTIONS THAT I CAN.

AND I HAVE A EVACUATION PLAN AS WELL.

>> Reporter: MARYBEL GONZALEZ, KPBS NEWS.

>> WITH POTENTIAL HEAVY RAIN IN THE FORECAST ACROSS SAYING COUNTY, THE COUNTY AND CAL FIRE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT RESIDENTS ARE PREPARED.

THEY'RE OFFERING FREE SANDBAGS TO RESIDENTS IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS AT THE FIRE STATIONS YOU CAN SEE ON YOUR SCREEN RIGHT NOW.

THESE ARE SOME OF THE LOCATIONS OFFERING BOTH SAND AND THE BAGS.

OTHERS ARE OFFERING JUST THE BAGS.

SO BE SURE TO DOUBLE-CHECK AVAILABILITY BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT THERE.

YOU SHOULD ALSO BRING A SHOVEL.

YOU CAN FIND A FULL LIST OF LOCATIONS ON THE COUNTY'S ALERT SAN DIEGO WEBSITE.

YOU CAN ALSO VISIT THE COUNTY'S EL NINO 2026 INFORMATIONAL HUB FOR MORE GUIDANCE ON PREPARING FOR THE STORM.

>>> THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION TODAY APPROVED A ZONING CHANGE FOR PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT NEAR PONTO BEACH IN CARLSBAD.

IT'S THE LAST VACANT COASTAL PIECE OF LAND IN THAT CITY.

AS KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN SHOWS US, MANY RESIDENTS WERE OPPOSED TO THE DEVELOPMENT.

>> YOU HAVE A TOTAL OF 93 SPEAKERS.

>> Reporter: THE COMMISSIONERS SEEMED SYMPATHETIC TO RESIDENTS' CONCERN IN KEEPING THE AREA AS PARKLAND, BUT SAY THAT WAS NOT WITHIN THE COMMISSION'S PURVIEW.

>> WE'RE HERE TO IDENTIFY COASTAL RESOURCE AND NOT COMPEL, I THINK, MAKE A DECISION TO CREATE A PARK.

>> Reporter: NEARLY 100 RESIDENTS SPOKE ON THE ISSUE, WITH MOST OPPOSED TO THE DEVELOPMENT.

THEY SAY THE AREA NEEDS A PARK.

THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT SITS NEAR THE COAST.

BECAUSE OF THAT, IT NEEDS A ZONING CHANGE, AND THE COASTAL COMMISSION'S APPROVAL.

IT IS OFFICIALLY KNOWN AS PLANNING AREA F. DEVELOPER AG FENTON WANTS TO BUILD 120 TOWN HOMES HERE WITH 24 AFFORDABLE UNITS.

DAVE GASSY IS WITH AG FENTON.

HE SAYS THE ENTIRE AREA IS NOT BEING DEVELOPED FOR HOUSING.

>> TWO PROJECTS AT THE MOMENT.

F WEST IS APPROXIMATELY 3.8 PARCEL THAT WILL BE SEPARATED INTO THREE PLANNING AREAS AND PROVIDE DATA HABITAT PRESERVATION, THE INVOLVEMENT OF PUBLIC TRUST, VISITOR SERVING COMMERCIAL USES, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY IS DESIGNED FOR FUTURE ADAPTABILITY.

>> Reporter: MANY RESIDENTS SAY SOUTH CARLSBAD HAS NO COASTAL PARK.

THE CLOSEST PARK IS MORE THAN TWO MILES AWAY.

MICHAEL IS WITH PEOPLE FOR PONTO.

>> THERE ARE OVER 2,000 HOMES HERE THAT DON'T REALLY HAVE ANY WALKABLE OR EVEN BIKABLE ACCESS TO A PUBLIC PARK.

>> Reporter: THE CITY SAYS THE PROPERTY IS PRIVATELY OWNED AND DESIGNATING THE AREA AS PARKLAND DOES NOT GUARANTEE A PARK WILL BE BUILT.

ERIC LARDI SAYS STATE LAW PREVENTS THE CITY FROM DENYING THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT.

>> IF WE WERE TO TAKE THE RESIDENTIAL DESIGNATION AND DOWN ZONE IT, SPECIFICALLY SP.

330, YOU CANNOT DOWN ZONE ANY RESIDENTIAL SITE UNLESS YOU CAN CURRENTLY UPZONE ADDITIONAL HOUSING SITES.

>> Reporter: THE CITY SAYS IT HAS NO OTHER LAND TO OFFSET THE LOSS.

DESPITE THE APPROVAL, RESIDENTS WILL KEEP FIGHTING FOR A PARK IN THE AREA.

THE PRODUCT STILL NEEDS COUNCIL APPROVAL.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> LATINO VOTERS GAVE REPUBLICAN DONALD TRUMP A BOOST IN 2024.

EXPERTS SAY THEY COULD BE KEY IN COMPETITIVE RACES IN NOVEMBER, BUT AS MADDIE GANNON REPORTS, THERE ARE SIGNS THEY MAY BE CASTING THEIR BALLOTS FOR A DIFFERENT PARTY THAN TWO YEARS AGO.

>> Reporter: WITH THE CLOCK TICKING TO NOVEMBER 3rd, REPUBLICANS SEEM TO BE STARING DOWN HEADWINDS WITH CERTAIN KEY VOTING BLOCS.

POLLS THIS WEEK FOUND SUPPORT FOR THE GOP SLIPPING AMONG GOP LATINO VOTERS.

>> MY NUMBERS ARE GREAT.

AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS LOOK AT THE CROWDS WE'RE DRAWING.

AND EVERY TIME I LEAVE, THAT CANDIDATE WILL BE LOSING.

AND BY THE TIME I LEAVE, THEY'RE WINNING.

>> Reporter: MULTIPLE POLLS THIS WEEK FOUND LATINO VOTERS PREFERRING DEMOCRATS OVER REPUBLICANS TO WIN CONTROL OF CONGRESS BY A WIDE MARGIN.

AN NBC NEWS/TELEMUNDO POLL FOR INSTANCE FOUND THAT MARGIN TO BE 24 POINTS.

THAT MARKED A NOTABLY HIGHER NUMBER THAN THIS SAME POINT BEFORE THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL RACE WHEN LATINO VOTERS WERE CONSIDERED TO HAVE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN TRUMP'S PATH BACK TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

AND THIS YEAR EXPERTS SAY THE VOTING BLOC COULD BE KEY IN TIGHT RACES IN STATES WITH A LARGE LATINO POPULATION.

LAST MONTH, WE SAW THE REPUBLICAN INCUMBENT RUNNING FOR REELECTION IN A HEAVILY HISPANIC HOUSE DISTRICT IN FLORIDA PUT OUT AN AD DIRECTLY CRITICIZING TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION AGENDA.

THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE CHALLENGING INCUMBENT GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT IN TEXAS, MEANWHILE, CALLED LATINO VOTERS ESSENTIAL TO WINNING IN NOVEMBER.

>> LISTEN, LATINOS JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE ARE UPSET ABOUT THIS HIGH COST ECONOMY.

IT IS REALLY HARD TO MAKE IT IN TEXAS.

AND SO THAT'S WHY YOU SEE POLLS SWINGING BACK AWAY FROM TRUMP.

>> Reporter: THE SHARE OF ELIGIBLE HISPANIC VOTERS HAS ALSO BEEN ON THE RISE IN RECENT YEARS.

IN THE SWING STATE OF GEORGIA, A REPORT FOUND THAT THE LATINO ELECTORATE GREW BY NEARLY 30% BETWEEN THE WENT TO 2020 AND 2024 ELECTIONS.

AT THE WHITE HOUSE, I'M MADDIE GANNON.

>>> THE ELECTION IN SAN DIEGO'S FOURTH CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT COULD BE A CLOSE ONE.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SAYS THE TOP TWO FINISHERS IN THE JUNE PRIMARY WERE SEPARATED BY JUST 12 VOTES.

>> Reporter: DISTRICT 4 COVERS SOUTHEAST SAN DIEGO, INCLUDING OAK PARK, ENCANTO, AND PARADISE HILLS.

INCUMBENT HENRY FOSTER III WON A SPECIAL ELECTION IN 2024 AND IS NOW SEEKING A FULL FOUR-YEAR TERM.

>> I FEEL I AM VERY WELL VERSED IN HOW THE CITY CONDUCTS THE BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: PRIOR TO THE COUNCIL, FOSTER WORKED FOR 12 YEARS AT THE CITY.

HE SAYS HE KNOWS WHAT LEVERS TO PULL TO DELIVER FOR HIS CONSTITUENTS.

>> WHERE THE SHORTFALLS ARE, HOW TO WORK WITHIN THE.

SYSTEM, WHETHER IT'S DEALING WITH THE OPERATION STAFF, DEALING ON THE LEGISLATIVE SIDE OF THE HOUSE, AND SO I THINK THAT'S WHAT I BRING TO THE TABLE.

>> Reporter: FOSTER'S CHALLENGER, MARTHA ABRAHAM IS A NURSE WHO GOT INVOLVED IN POLITICS OPPOSING SEVERAL LARGE DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS.

SHE SAYS DISTRICT 4 NEEDS MORE INVESTMENT AND BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THAT WEALTHIER PARTS OF THE CITY SHOULD BE BUILDING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

>> WE HAVE TO REALLY ADDRESS HOW WE LOOK AT, YOU KNOW, CREATING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION.

IF THEY WANT TO LIVE HERE, GREAT, WE'LL CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE HERE.

BUT IF THEY WANT TO LIVE IN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS, THEN THEY SHOULD HAVE THAT OPTION TOO.

>> Reporter: FOSTER'S CAMPAIGN HAS MORE MONEY AND MORE HIGH PROFILE ENDORSEMENTS, BUT ABRAHAM'S STRONG PERFORMANCE IN THE PRIMARY SHOWS THE RACE FOR DISTRICT 4 IS FAR FROM SETTLED.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE KPBS VOTER HUB.

THAT'S WHERE YOU ARE GOING TO FIND WHAT'S ON YOUR BALLOT, REGISTER TO VOTE, AND YOU CAN SEE ANSWERS TO SOME OF THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

YOU CAN ALSO STAY UP TO DATE ON SOME OF OUR ELECTION NEWS.

THE VOTER HUB IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN SPANISH.

LOOK FOR THE LINK ON OUR HOME PAGE, KPBS.ORG.

>>> RESPIRATORY VIRUS SEASON IS IN FULL SWING RIGHT NOW THE LATEST DATA FROM THE CDC SHOWS RSV ACTIVITY IS, QUOTE, VERY LOW IN MOST AREAS OF THE COUNTRY.

WHILE SEASONAL FLU ACTIVITY IS STILL CONSIDERED LOW, CASES ARE STARTING TO RISE.

MANDY GAITHER TALKS TO A DOCTOR ABOUT WHAT SHE IS SEEING FIRSTHAND IN HER PATIENTS AND WHY IT'S CAUSING CONCERN FOR THE REST OF THIS VIRUS SEASON.

>> Reporter: IT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR THE U.S.

TO START SEEING RESPIRATORY VIRUSES IN OCTOBER, BUT CONSIDERING THE SEASON TENDS TO PEAK BETWEEN DECEMBER AND FEBRUARY, THERE IS A CONCERN ABOUT WHAT SOME U.S.

DOCTORS ARE ALREADY WITNESSING.

>> THE PROCESS IS STARTING OF SEEING INFLUENZA POSITIVE.

>> Reporter: AT CLEVELAND CLINIC, DR.

VIEZ IS ALREADY SEEING HIGHER THAN EXPECTED RATES OF INFLUENZA A. SHE SAYS THAT'S A BIT EARLIER THAN SHE TYPICALLY SEES.

NATIONWIDE, THE CDC SAYS SEASONAL FLU ACTIVITY REMAINS LOW, BUT IS INCREASING.

THE LATEST DATA SHOWS MORE THAN 33,500 SPECIMENS TESTED FOR FLU WITH A POSITIVITY RATE OF 3.4%.

>> THAT SAID, WE STILL SEE A CONSISTENT AND STEADY RATE OF THE ENTEROVIRUSES AND THE RHINOVIRUSES, WHICH ARE PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, AS WELL AS COVID VIRUSES.

>> Reporter: VYAZ SAYS THE BEST PROTECTION AGAINST SEVERE DISEASE FROM RESPIRATORY VIRUSES LIKE INFLUENZA IS VACCINATION, AND SINCE CASES ARE ALREADY STARTING TO CLIMB, SHE SAYS THE BEST TIME TO GET IMMUNIZED IS NOW.

>> THE EARLY FACTOR DOES MAKE US WONDER WHAT THE REST OF THE SEASON HOLDS.

>> Reporter: VYAZ SAYS IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN IT WILL BE A LONGER OR MORE SEVERE FLU SEASON, BUT PREVENTION IS KEY, ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG CHILDREN, OLDER ADULTS, AND THOSE WITH PREEXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS WHO ARE VULNERABLE TO GETTING REALLY SICK.

>> IMPORTANT TO VACCINATE THEM AS WELL AS VACCINATE YOURSELF TO PROTECT OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: FOR HALF MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>>> BETTER LUCK NEXT YEAR, PADRES FANS.

THE FRIARS' SEASON CAME TO AN END LAST NIGHT AS THE TEAM FELL TO THE TOP-SEEDED MILWAUKEE BREWERS 3-1.

FERNANDO TATIS JR.

SCORED THE SOLE POINT FOR THE PADRES TO TIE THE GAME WITH A 429 HOMER TO START THE THIRD INNING.

AND MANNY MACHADO NEARLY TIED IT AGAIN WITH A TWO-RUN HOMER IN THE EIGHTH.

BUT THE BREWERS MADE THE CATCH AT CENTER FIELD.

THE BREWERS GO ON TO FACE THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS IN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES.

>>> WELL, THIS OCTOBER HEAT HAS BEEN RELENTLESS.

WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH TRIPLE-DIGIT TEMPERATURES, HIGH HUMIDITY.

NOT A WHOLE LOT OF RELIEF AT NIGHT.

AND EACH DAY THE RISK OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES INCREASES.

THIS HAS BEEN A LONG DURATION HEATWAVE.

SO STILL SCORCHING THROUGH FRIDAY WHICH MEANS THE EXTREME HEAT WARNING HAS BEEN EXTENDED ANOTHER 24 HOURS UNTIL 8:00 P.M.

ON FRIDAY.

SO HANG IN THERE.

STILL QUITE WARM AND HUMID THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, WHICH KEEPS OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURES SLIGHTLY ELEVATED.

SAN DIEGO 69.

OCEANSIDE 66.

CHULA VISTA 68 TONIGHT.

BORREGO SPRINGS DOWN TO 71, AND MOUNT LAGUNA DOWN TO 60.

ALL RIGHT.

TEMPERATURES EACH DAY HAVE COME DOWN A BIT.

INLAND VALLEYS WE'RE INTO THE LOWER 90s.

ALONG THE COAST, 80s.

INTO THE DESERTS, TRIPLE DIGITS AND LOWER 70s ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN REGIONS.

ROUGH SURF.

THAT DOES CONTINUE AS WELL, CONTINUING TO SEE THE DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS AND BEACH EROSION AND COASTAL FLOODING.

AND AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, WE'RE KIND OF WATCHING A ONE-TWO PUNCH HERE AS MOISTURE FROM RACHEL GETS DRAWN NORTH.

BIG DIP IN THE JET STREAM HERE, AND THAT'S GOING SEND US SOME WINDY CONDITIONS AND PERIODS OF SHOWERS AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT HOW THAT SHAPES UP FOR THE NEXT FIVE DAYS ACROSS THE COAST.

SUNSHINE, SOME CLOUDS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH OUR TROPICAL RAINSTORM ON SUNDAY AND A COUPLE OF SHOWERS STILL LINGER FOR MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

BUT TEMPERATURES COME DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE DAY ON FRIDAY, INLAND STILL HOT IN THE VALLEYS, AND THEN SHOWERS START TO MOVE THROUGH AS EARLY AS SATURDAY.

THE BIGGEST IMPACTS WITH RAIN AND WIND COME ON SUNDAY, BUT STILL SOME LINGERING SHOWERS EARLY NEXT WEEK, SO GOSH, WHAT CHANGE IN THE PATTERN.

ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS, YOUR TEMPERATURES COOL DOWN BY SATURDAY WE'RE DRYER, BUT BIGGER IMPACTS.

LOOK AT MONDAY, YUCKY, JUST 48 WITH SHOWERS.

AND WE HEAD TO THE DESERTS WHERE FINALLY A BREAK FROM THE HEAT.

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS TEMPERATURE HERE AS RAIN AND WIND MOVE IN FOR THE WEEKEND.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M ARIELLA SCALESE.

>>> A QUINCEANERA IS AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE, MARKING A TRANSITION FROM CHILDHOOD TO ADULTHOOD, AND IT CAN BE PRICE IT IS.

KPBS WEB PRODUCER RILEY ART CHER LOOKED AT WHAT FAMILIES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY ARE SPENDING AND HOW THEY MAKE IT WORK.

>> SO THE COWBOY THING IS IN STYLE.

>> Reporter: CARMEN MONTOYA REYES STARTED SAVING FOR HER DAUGHTER AASIYA'S QUINTANILLA WHEN SHE TURNED 12.

HER INITIAL BUDGET WAS $5,000.

FRIENDS AND FAMILY ALSO HELPED DOUBLE HER BUDGET WITH DOAN NATIONS.

>> ONE OF THE FIRST THING THAT WE HAD TO DO IS CUT OUT SOME OF THE EATING OUT.

ANOTHER THING IS TRANSPORTATION.

I GOT AN OLDER ELECTRICAL CAR.

BECAUSE I OWN MY HOME, IT'S EASY TO JUST CHARGE IT.

SO IT CUT OUT $400 A MONTH OF GAS JUST ON THAT.

AND THEN I DECIDED TO INSTEAD OF GOING TO WORK, I'M A HAIRSTYLIST BY TRADE, I'VE BEEN DOING HAIR FOR 38 YEARS.

AND GOING TO WORK, THAT COST AN EXTRA EXPENSE.

THEN I DECIDED YOU KNOW WHAT?

LET ME GO BACK TO WORK FROM HOME SO THAT I COULD SAVE ON THE GAS, COY SAVE ON THE CAR EXPENSES, I COULD SAVE ON CLOTHING.

I HAVEN'T BOUGHT MYSELF ANYTHING NEW FOR LIKE A LONG TIME, TWO OR THREE YEARS.

CUTTING OUT ALL OF THOSE THINGS REALLY GAVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE VERY EASY ON THE BUDGET, YOU KNOW.

IT'S LIKE IT WASN'T THAT SACRIFICIAL.

♪ >> ASIA LEARNED FOUR CHOREOGRAPHED DANCES FOR HER QUINCEANERA IN MAY, EACH REQUIRING MONTHS OF REHEARSALS AND DANCE INSTRUCTORS.

>> BECAUSE IT'S A CHANCE TO SHOW THAT I'M BECOMING AN ADULT AND I'M TRANSITIONING FROM A TEENAGER TO AN ADULT.

AND I WANT THE DAY TO BE A SPECIAL DAY.

>> Reporter: PROFESSIONALS RECOMMEND PLANNING WITH AS MUCH TIME AS POSSIBLE.

BUT PLANNING TOO EARLY CAN ALSO BE A PROBLEM.

>> THE DRESS WAS A LITTLE BIT OF AN ISSUE BECAUSE ONE OF THE BIGGEST PARTS IS YOU KIND OF HAVE TO ORDER THE DRESS A YEAR AHEAD OF TIME FOR IT TO GET ORDERED AND COME IN.

SO IF YOU PAY FOR THE DRESS AND YOU ORDER IT AND THEN IT COMES IN, THAT'S NOT WHAT'S IN FASHION ANYMORE.

YOU WOULD THINK HOW MUCH CAN IT CHANGE?

IT DOES.

COLORS CHANGE, A LOT CHANGES.

♪ >> Reporter: LET LETICIA HAS BEEN PLANNING HER DAUGHTER'S QUINCEANERA SINCE THE DAY SHE WAS BORN.

>> I DIDN'T HAVE ONE GROWING UP.

I TOLD MYSELF IF I EVER -- IF I EVER HAVE A GIRL, I AM GOING TO DO WHATEVER I CAN TO GIVE HER THAT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS HER ORIGINAL BUDGET WAS $10,000, BUT SHE ENDED UP PAYING DOUBLE THAT.

>> I'M A SINGLE MOM, AND, YOU KNOW, DOING IT ALL.

BUT WHEN IT CAME DOWN TO, I HAD MY BINDER AND RECEIPTS AND EVERYTHING THAT I WAS PAYING, I PROBABLY PAID ABOUT 22 OR SO.

>> Reporter: OSMAN NARANJO IS A DRESS DESIGNER AND THE CO-OWNER OF CYNDERELLA IN CHULA VISTA.

HE SAYS DRESSES CAN COST UPWARDS OF $3,000.

>> 80 TO 90% ARE 1700 TO $2,000.

THAT'S THE MAJORITY.

THERE ARE DRESSES THAT ARE A LOT MORE ELABORATE THAT ARE MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE, CLOSE TO 3,000, ALMOST 3,500.

AND THERE ARE SOME DRESSES THAT ARE A LOT LESS ELABORATE, SO THEY'RE AROUND 900, A THOUSAND, 1200.

FROM 17 TO $2,000, THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT.

>> Reporter: TO SAVE ON BIG TICKET ITEMS LIKE THE EVENT HALL AND THE GOWN, PAYMENT PLANS AND LAY-AWAY ARE AVAILABLE.

>> THEY CAN START THE LAY-AWAY PLAN WITH $200 AND MAKE A MONTHLY PAYMENT.

>> Reporter: STICKING TO A BUDGET IS THE BEST WAY TO KEEP COST DOWN.

AND LETTING THE BIRTHDAY GIRL HELP PLAN MAKES THE CELEBRATION MUCH MORE SPECIAL.

♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ♪ >> SO REALLY LISTENING TO YOUR KID'S WANTS, AND THAT WAY YOU'LL GET TO KNOW YOUR KID MORE.

THAT'S MY BIGGEST RECOMMENDATION FOR YOUR DAUGHTER'S QUINCE.

>> Reporter: FOR MANY FAMILIES THE CELEBRATION IS WORTH THE EXPENSE BECAUSE OF THE MEANING BEHIND IT.

>> AW, DOESN'T SHE LOOK GREAT.

THAT STORY FROM RILEY ARTHUR AS PART OF OUR PRICE OF SAN DIEGO SERIES.

CHECK IT OUT ONLINE AT KPBS.ORG/PRICE OF SAN DIEGO.

FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES TONIGHT ON THAT WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING ME.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

ENJOY YOUR EVENING.

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