>>> CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION ONCE AGAIN CLOSED THE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING IN SAN ISIDRO TODAY.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I MAYA TRABULSI.

KPBS BORDER REPORTER GUSTAVO SALISH SAYS THE CLOSURE DISRUPTED MORNING COMMUTES AND WOUNDS THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS GOING TO BE CLOSED.

I WAS WAITING ON MY SON TO COME UP.

SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO PICK UP HER SON THURSDAY MORNING ON THE SAN DIEGO SIDE OF THE PED WEST BORDER CROSSING.

THE CLOSURE IS FORCED HER SON TO USE ANOTHER CROSSING IN SAN ISIDRO OR WAIT TIMES CAN BE FOUR HOURS LONG.

SEAM I HAVE TO GO OVER TO THE REGULAR, THE EAST SIDE AND PICK HIM UP AND HE DOESN'T HAVE A PHONE.

>> Reporter: APART FROM DISRUPTING MORNING COMMUTES, EXPERTS FEAR THAT THE CLOSURES COULD ALSO IMPACT THE REGIONAL ECONOMY.

SEEM THAT WE ARE DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR THIS NEWS.

>> Reporter: SHE IS WITH THE SAN DIEGO REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

SHE SAYS THE CLOSURE COULD IMPACT JOBS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

>> IS A HUGE SETBACK AND HONESTLY, NOT ONLY A CHALLENGE, BUT IT'S A THREAT TO OUR ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: IN A STATEMENT, CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION SAY THEY HOPE TO OPEN PED WEST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BUT OFFERED NO TIMELINE.

CBP SAID THE CLOSURES CAN PUT TWO AND IMMIGRANTS AND ASYLUM- SEEKERS.

THEY ARE BEING HELD AT A MAKESHIFT CAP BETWEEN A PRIMARY AND SECONDARY BORDER WALLS, HOWEVER THE AGENCY DIDN'T CLOSE PED WEST DURING A SIMILAR SURGE IN MIGRATION EARLIER THIS YEAR.

ASYLUM-SEEKERS CROSSING INTO THE U.S. FOR THE FIRST TIME THURSDAY MORNING WERE GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

JUAN LLOYD FROM CUBA.

>> HE SAYS HE'S HAPPY TO FINALLY BE IN THE U.S. AND PLANS TO JOIN RELATIVES IN MIAMI.

>> Reporter: GUSTAVO SALISH, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION HAS BEEN DROPPING TROOPS OF ASYLUMS ACRES OFF AT THE OCEAN CHIDE TRANSIT CENTER.

ONE GROUP WAS DROPPED OFF YESTERDAY AND ANOTHER TODAY.

THE MIGRANTS CAME FROM COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE WORLD AND MANY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THEY WERE.

THIS COLOMBIAN COUPLE GOT REUNITED AT THE OCEANSIDE STATION AFTER BEING HELD IN DIFFERENT CBP FACILITIES AND DIDN'T WANT TO SHARE THEIR NAMES.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> THEY SAID THEY'RE GRATEFUL TO BE TOGETHER AND OF THE U.S. LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS WERE INFORMED OF THE DROPBOX AHEAD OF TIME AND HELPED MIGRANTS WITH RESOURCES LIKE FOOD AND WATER, CLOTHES AND POWER TO CHARGE THEIR PHONES.

THEY WERE ALSO HELPING THEM COORDINATE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS TO THEIR SPONSORS.

CBP SAID THE DROP OFFS ARE A STANDARD PROCESS TO QUICKLY DECOMPRESS THE AREAS ALONG THE SOUTHWEST BORDER.

THE BORDER PATROL IS NOT SAYING HOW MANY PEOPLE THEY ARE TRANSFER WORDING OR WHERE THEY FIRST CROSSED THE BORDER.

>>> SUPERVISOR JIM DESMOND WHO'S COVERING MUCH OF NORTH COUNTY ISN'T HAPPY WITH THE GOVERNMENT DROPPING A FOUR MIGRANTS AT THE STATION.

HE SAYS 500 PEOPLE ARE AMONG THE LATEST TO BE LEFT WITH FEW RESOURCES.

PART OF A STATEMENT ISSUED BY SUPERVISOR DESMOND REED'S, THIS ISN'T HUMANE.

IT ISN'T COMPASSION.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS FAILING IN ITS OBLIGATION TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THIS SYSTEM IS BROKEN OR WAS OUR REGION AT RISK.

IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WANTS TO PROCESS ASYLUM-SEEKERS, IT MUST PROVIDE ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO MANAGE PEOPLE AND TRAIN OUR AREA.

>>> MEXICO IS BACK ON THE LIST OF COUNTRIES THAT MEET THE HIGHEST SAFETY STANDARDS FOR AIR TRAVEL.

THE FAA MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY AFTER A TWO YEAR LONG MORATORIUM ON NEW SERVICE ROUTES TO U.S. AIR FORCE.

THE FAA DOWNGRADED MEXICO'S INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENT RATING TO CATEGORY TWO IN MAY OF 2021.

THAT'S AFTER FINDING THE COUNTRY DID NOT MEET INTERNATIONAL CIVIL AVIATION ORGANIZATION SAFETY STANDARDS.

>>> HURRICANE LEE, CURRENTLY A CATEGORY ONE STORM IS TURNING PAST BERMUDA JUST EAST OFF OF NEW ENGLAND SHORES.

WE HAVE THE LATEST ON HOW RESIDENTS ARE WRAPPING FOR A STORM IN A FEW DAYS.

>> BRENNAN FRANKLIN SAID IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL.

THAT MESSAGE REVERBERATING AMONG PLANNERS ALONG THE NORTHERN U.S. EAST COAST THURSDAY.

>> EVEN IF IT'S NOT A DIRECT HIT, ARE WE GOING TO EXPERIENCE TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS?

>> Reporter: HURRICANE LEE IS TURNING PAST BERMUDA AND TROUBLES NORTH.

STILL FORECASTERS PREDICT IT WILL BRING HIGH WINDS, HEAVY RAIN AND COASTAL FLOODING AS IT BARRELS NEAR OR OVER MAINE BY SATURDAY.

STORM SURGE ALERTS UP TO THREE FEET STRETCH ALONG MUCH OF NEW ENGLAND'S COAST.

EVEN HIGHER IN PLACES LIKE CAPE COD AND NANTUCKET MASSACHUSETTS.

MANY RESIDENTS SAY THEY WILL WRITE IT OUT.

SWING THAT YOU GET TO THE POINT WHERE YOU QUESTION HOW MUCH MORE CAN IT TAKE, BUT WE HAVE BUILT IT BACK UP EACH TIME.

>> Reporter: IN MAINE, AND ARMY CORPS OF WILL RESTORE THE ROSHAN, BUT IT HASN'T AUTHORIZED FEDERAL FUNDS TO BE SENT YET.

>> BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING, WE ARE DEFENSELESS.

>> Reporter: SYMPTOMS ARE TAKING BEFORE PICTURES OF THE COASTAL AREAS.

>> DOCUMENTING WHAT THE PROPERTY LOOK LIKE PRE-STORM VERSUS POST-STORM ITSELF YOU HAVE TO PUT IN ANY TYPE OF INSURANCE CLAIM.

>> Reporter: AS OF THURSDAY, HURRICANE FORCE WINDS STRETCHED NEARLY 100 MILES FROM THE CENTER.

EVEN AT SEA, THIS STORM PACKS A PUNCH.

I'M LAURA FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE CONTINUE TO WATCH HER TEMPERATURE ROLLER COASTER OF COOLING, WARMING AND COOLING AGAIN.

PLUS A FEW LOW GLOSS TO START THE NEXT SEVERAL MORNINGS AND NIGHTS.

EVEN A LOOK AT THE FORECAST IS COMING UP.

>>> SAN DIEGO STATE AND COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE INVESTING A POTENTIAL EXPOSURE DUE TO TUBERCULOSIS ON CAMPUS.

THE UNIVERSITY NOTIFIED STUDENT, STAFF AND FACULTY OF COULD CONFIRMED CASE OF IT IN AN EMAIL TODAY.

OFFICIALS SAY THE POTENTIAL EXPOSURE HAPPENED BETWEEN FEBRUARY 22nd AND JUNE 22nd OF THIS YEAR.

PRIMARILY OF THE CHARLES B BELL JUNIOR PAVILION.

NO CLASSROOMS WERE IMPACTED THUS FAR.

THE ONLY CONFIRMED CASE INVOLVED AN EMPLOYEE WHO NO LONGER WORKS AT THE UNIVERSITY.

STRIKE THE CDC SAYS U.S.

HOSPITALS CAN SUCK THE BURDEN FROM THIS YEAR'S RESPIRATORY VIRUS SEASON TO BE SIMILAR TO LAST YEAR'S, BUT THE CDC SAID WITH THE ADDITION OF COVID, EVEN AN AVERAGE RESPIRATORY SEASON CAN PLACE SIGNIFICANT STRAIN ON THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

THE ANALYSIS FINDS AT THE PEAK OF THE SEASON, THERE COULD BE BETWEEN 15 AND 25 NEW WEEKLY HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR EVERY 100,000 PEOPLE IN THE U.S.. COVID WILL PROBABLY ACCOUNT FOR HALF OF THOSE NEW HOSPITALIZATIONS.

>>> A CALIFORNIA APPEALS COURT HAS AGREED TO HEAR A CHALLENGE TO THE STATE'S RECENTLY ADOPTED SOLAR RULES.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON HAS DETAILS.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO'S PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AS PART OF THREE GROUPS WHICH ASKED THE FIRST DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL IN SAN FRANCISCO TO INTERVENE.

THE GROUP ARGUED THE NEW RULES DO NOT RECOGNIZE ALL THE BENEFITS OF SOLAR.

DO NOT ENCOURAGE SOLAR ADOPTION AND DO NOT EXPAND SOLAR AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.

A LEGAL PETITION ASKED THE COURT TO THROW OUT THE DECISION.

>> I HAVE SEEN THESE ORDERS COME OUT WITH ONE SENTENCE.

THE COURT DECLINED TO HEAR THE CASE.

THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED HERE.

THE COURT HAS DECIDED TO HEAR THE CASE.

THE COURT WILL REVIEW THE COMMISSION AND DETERMINE WHETHER IT WAS AWFUL.

IT'S VERY EXCITING FOR US.

>> Reporter: THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION VOTED UNANIMOUSLY LAST DECEMBER TO APPROVE THE NEW RULES.

IT TOOK EFFECT IN APRIL.

THE RULES/THE VALUE OF SOLAR GENERATED ELECTRICITY WHEN HOMEOWNERS SELL IT BACK TO THE GRID.

IT ALSO IMPOSED A MONTHLY FEE OF $15 FOR NEW ROOFTOP SOLAR SYSTEMS.

IT'S UNCLEAR WHEN THE COURT WILL TAKE UP THE ISSUE.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> KPBS REACHED OUT TO THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION AND THEY POINTED TO THEIR LEGAL FILING AGAINST THE COURT TO DENY THE PETITIONER'S REQUEST.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, THE LATEST ON THE INDICTMENT OF HUNTER BIDEN ON FEDERAL GUN CHARGES.

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

>>> SOME CALIFORNIA PARENTS ARE AT ODDS WITH HER SCHOOL DISTRICT OVER A CONTROVERSIAL GENDER IDENTITY POLICY.

THE CHINO VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PASTORAL REQUIRING SCHOOLS TO NOTIFY PARENTS OF THEIR CHILD REQUESTS TO CHANGE THEIR GENDER IDENTITY OR THEIR PRONOUNS.

THE JUDGE TEMPORARILY BLOCKED THAT DECISION.

CAMILLA PURNELL HAS DETAILS.

>> MY OLDEST PAYTON, AND THEN MADISON.

>> Reporter: SIX CHILDREN ALL HAVE ATTENDED THE CHINO VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

MOM NOW GOES TO EVERY SINGLE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

MANY GETTING EXTREMELY CONTENTIOUS AND EVEN VIOLENT.

THE ISSUE OF THE CENTER OF THE FIGHT, A TRANSGENDER NOTIFICATION POLICY REQUIRING SCHOOLS TO NOTIFY PARENTS WHEN CHILDREN CHANGE THEIR GENDER IDENTIFICATION OR PRONOUNS.

>> IF WE ARE KEEPING THIS FROM PARENTS, WHAT ELSE IS GOING TO BE KEPT FROM US?

>> Reporter: THOSE FIGHTING FOR THIS POLICY SAY THOSE IN CALIFORNIA HAVE HELPED CHILDREN SOCIALLY TRANSITION WITHOUT TELLING THE PARENTS.

THEY BECAME THE FIRST IN THE STATE TO PASS A POLICY OF THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> THE MOTION PASSES.

>> Reporter: WET PARENTS AND ADVOCATES ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ISSUE SAY THE COMMUNICATION ALREADY EXISTED.

CHRISTIE HURST IS A MOM OF THREE, A FORMER TEACHER AND THE COFOUNDER OF A NONPROFIT HELPING PARENTS FIGHT AGAINST ISSUES LIKE THE TRANSGENDER NOTIFICATION POLICY.

>> IT ASSUMES THAT TEACHERS ARE TRYING TO KEEP SECRETS FROM PARENTS WHICH IS NOT TRUE, AND IT PROMOTES AN ATMOSPHERE OF DISTRUST BETWEEN THE SCHOOL AND FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: AFTER CHINO, FIVE DISTRICTS IN CALIFORNIA HAVE FOLLOWED SUIT.

TO STOP THE TREND, THE CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST CHINO VALLEY.

THIS WEEK, A JUDGE AGREED.

ISSUING A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER.

SCHEMA YOU CANNOT TARGET, SINGLE OR INVADE THE PRIVACY RIGHTS OF STUDENTS.

US WITH THIS POLICY DOES.

>> Reporter: THE SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT SONJA SHAW SAYS THEY WERE DISAPPOINTED BUT NOT SURPRISED BY THE RULING.

>> WE KNOW WE ARE GOING TO WIN IN CALIFORNIA BECAUSE WHO IS ELECTED AND WHO IS APPOINTED HERE IN CALIFORNIA.

BUT WE KNOW AT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT LEVEL, WE CAN WIN THIS.

>> Reporter: SIDES SAY THIS IS NOT JUST HAPPENING IN CALIFORNIA .

>> THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 200 LAWS IN OVER 40 STATES INTRODUCED TO STRIP AWAY AND HURT AND DISCRIMINATE AGAINST LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND TO TAKE AWAY THEIR RIGHTS.

>> ALL IN FAVOR?

>> Reporter: AS A LEGAL FIGHTS PLAY OUT IN CALIFORNIA AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARENTS SEEMS UNLIKELY.

>> I THINK THE MIDDLE GROUND ALREADY EXISTED AND THEY HAVE BEEN MANIPULATED TO THINK IT DIDN'T.

AS LONG AS THIS IS AN ISSUE AND THEY ARE TRYING TO BREAK UP FAMILIES, I'M IN THIS FIGHT.

WE DON'T COPARENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT.

>>> THE NEXT HEARING ON THE ISSUE IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 13th.

>>> THE NATION'S THREE BIGGEST AUTOMAKERS HAVE UNTIL MIDNIGHT TO REACH A DEAL WITH UNITED AUTO WORKERS UNION.

THESE STRIKES ACROSS THE INDUSTRY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND COULD CREATE A DOMINO EFFECT FOR HUNDREDS OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES.

GLORIA REPORTS.

>> WE ARE PREPARING TO STRIKE THESE COMPANIES IN A WAY THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

>> Reporter: READY FOR THE PICKET LINE.

THOUSANDS OF U.S. AUTOWORKERS COULD WALK OFF THE JOB FRIDAY AT MIDNIGHT, LAUNCHING A SERIES OF TARGETED STRIKES OF INDIVIDUAL PLANS RUN BY SOME OF THE NATION'S LARGEST AUTOMAKERS.

KNOWN AS THE BIG THREE, GENERAL MOTORS, FORD AND SO LANTUS ARE FACING DEMANDS FROM THE AUTO WORKERS UNION.

AN IMMEDIATE 20% RAISE IN HOURLY PLAY PAY FOLLOWED BY TWO ADDITIONAL RAISES OF 5% OVER FOUR YEARS.

THEY ALSO WANT RETIREE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE AND JOB PROTECTIONS.

ONE WORKER SAYS THE TOLA FACTORY RICK IS SOMETHING YOU CAN'T MEASURE IN DOLLARS.

'S WE MET WE WEAR OUR BODIES OVER THESE COMPANIES AND IT'S PART OF OUR STORY, BUT WE DESERVE TO BE COMPENSATED.

>> Reporter: COMPANY EXECS SAY THEY ARE NEGOTIATING IN GOOD FAITH.

TO BE MET WE MADE OUR FIRST OFFER ALMOST TWO WEEKS AGO TO THE UAW.

WE MADE THREE OFFERS SINCE THEN AND WE HAD NO GENUINE COUNTER OFFER ON ANY OF THOSE.

>> Reporter: IS THE DEADLINE QUICKLY APPROACHES, HOPE FOR A DEAL IS DWINDLING.

>> THEY SPENT MORE MONEY ENRICHING SHAREHOLDERS IN A YEAR THAN THEY SPENT ON US IN THE ENTIRETY OF THE LAST CONTRACT CYCLE.

THEY WANT TO SCARE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE INTO THINKING THAT AUTOWORKERS ARE THE PROBLEM.

WE ARE NOT THE PROBLEM.

>> >> Reporter: GLORIA HAS MENO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WITH A STRIKE LOOMING, ONE QUESTION YOU MAY BE ASKING IF YOU'RE IN THE MARKET FOR A NEW CAR IS THIS THE RIGHT TIME TO BUY?

ACCORDING TO ANALYSTS, IT SAYS IT COMES DOWN TO INVENTORY.

IT JUST DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU'RE BUYING.

>> THERE'S STILL A SHORTAGE ON THE MOST POPULAR MODELS AND THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE AND PLACES THAT WERE REALLY GOING TO FEEL IT THE MOST.

TRANCELIKE THE STILL LANTUS BRAND, THE DODGERS AND THE JEEPS AND THE RAM TRUCKS.

THERE'S PLENTY OF SUPPLY.

>> SAY, IF YOU'RE WILLING TO BE FLEXIBLE, YOU WILL HAVE OPTIONS BUT IF YOU'RE PICKY ABOUT THE CAR YOU WANT, YOU MIGHT WANT TO WAIT TO BUY UNTIL THE FINANCIAL STRIKE IS OVER.

>>> FOR THIS TIME, THIS YEAR, OIL PRICES HAVE HIT THAT $90 PER BALE MARK.

IS BECAUSE SAUDI ARABIA AND RUSSIA SURPRISED THE MARKET LAST WEEK BY EXTENDING SUPPLY CUTS TO THE END OF THE YEAR.

ALSO CATASTROPHIC FLOODING HIT LIBYA LEADING TO SUPPLY DISRUPTIONS.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, IT COSTS NEARLY $5.60 ON AVERAGE FOR A GALLON OF GAS.

>>> AN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE IS MULLING OVER PROPOSALS THAT WOULD DRAMATICALLY CHANGE THE WAY CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS PAY FOR ELECTRICITY.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON SAYS AN UNAVOIDABLE MONTHLY FEE AND LOWER PER KILOWATT RATES ARE LIKELY COMING, BUT THE DETAILS ARE BEING SORTED OUT.

>> Reporter: A CHANGE IN THE CITY STATE UTILITY CODE REQUIRES AN CREATE A MONTHLY FLAT FEE FOR MOST OF THE STATE'S RESIDENCE.

THE RANGE OF THE PROPOSALS IS HUGE FROM $10 A MONTH TO 100 DOLLARS A MONTH.

UTILITIES HAVE NEVER FACED FLAT FEES ON INCOME AND MOST PROPOSALS ASK FOR LARGE MONTHLY FEES.

>> EVEN HAVING $20 A MONTH AS A FEE CHARGED IS VERY, VERY RARE.

MOST OF THEM ARE UNDER $15.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGES AROUND $11.

BASED ON A SAMPLE OF 173 OF UTILITIES ACROSS THE U.S. >> Reporter: THE STATE'S THREE LARGE UTILITIES, GAS AND ELECTRIC OFFERED A JOINT PROPOSAL THAT COVERS ABOUT 80% OF THE STATE'S RESIDENCE.

SDG E ASKED FOR UNAVOIDABLE MONTHLY FEES RANGING FROM 24 TO $128 DEPENDING ON INCOME.

THEY SAY THE PROPOSAL CUSSLER PER KILOWATT HOUR COST BY ABOUT 40%.

>> THIS IS NOT A RATE INCREASE AND WE ARE ALSO NOT ASKING TO COLLECT ANY MORE MONEY FROM OUR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS.

AND SDGE IS NOT GOING TO MAKE ONE SINGLE PENNY MORE AS PART OF THIS PROPOSAL.

>> Reporter: BUT SDGE RECAPTURES REVENUE FROM ABOUT 20% OF ITS CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE ROOFTOP SOLAR.

THE UTILITY SAYS THAT MONEY WILL BE USED TO PUSH DOWN THE COST OF THE KILOWATT HOUR.

>> EVEN SOLAR CUSTOMERS, THEY ARE STILL GOING TO SAVE MORE COMPARED TO NOT HAVING SOLAR ON THE ROOF.

SO WE THINK THERE'S STILL A LOT OF VALUE THERE.

>> Reporter: THE SIERRA CLUB HAS LONG OPPOSED FLIGHT UTILITY FEARS.

BUT THE GROUP POSITION HAS CHANGED.

THEY PLAN AVERAGE MONTHLY RATES , LESS THAN $40 BUT THE CHARGE FOR HIGH INCOME CUSTOMERS IS MORE THAN $140 A MONTH.

THE SYRIAC CLUB SEES A CHANCE TO MAKE THE BURDEN OF ELECTRIFICATION MORE EQUITABLE.

>> ELECTRIFICATION AND AFFORDABILITY IS A PROMISE, BUT ALSO CONSERVING -- PRESERVING THE EXISTING INCENTIVES IN VOLUMETRIC RATES TO CONSERVE ENERGY, PURSUE ENERGY EFFICIENCY MEASURES, AND DISTRIBUTE ENERGY RESOURCES.

REP MY THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ALLIANCE, A JOINT PROPOSAL FROM THE UTILITY REFORM NETWORK AND NATURAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL AND ONE FROM THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC ADVOCATES OFFICE FALL IN THE MIDDLE RANGE .

AVERAGE FLAT PLIES THAT ARE BETWEEN 20 AND $40 AND FLAT FEES FOR THE HIGHEST INCOME BRACKETS RANGING FROM $40-$80.

PER KILOWATT RATES ONLY GO DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

>> WE MADE A MODEST PROPOSAL TO THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION ON JUST HOW HIGH THE FEE IS, THE SPREAD BETWEEN THE INCOME GROUPS, AND THEN HOW WE WOULD VERIFY THE INCOME.

>> Reporter: ACRES SAYS THERE'S PRESSURE TO MAKE IT EASIER TO ELECTRIFY THE STATE'S ECONOMY AND LOWER FEES IN PER KILOWATT RATES CAN DO THAT.

'S ME THAT WE HAVE TO ADDRESS THE ABILITY TO ELECTRIFY WHICH REALLY DEPENDS ON THE PER UNIT PRICE OF ELECTRICITY AND WE ARE STARTING TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE IT IS BECOMING UNECONOMICAL TO CERTAINLY ELECTRIFY YOUR HOUSE.

AT SOME POINT IT WILL BE UNECONOMICAL TO ELECTRIFY YOUR CAR.

SO WE REALLY NEED TO GET A HANDLE ON THAT SO THAT WE CAN ELECTRIFY OUR ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: THE PROPOSAL FOR THE SMALLEST FAT LOT FEE COMES FROM THE SOLAR ENERGY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION.

THEIR PROPOSAL SUGGESTS BEES FALL RIGHT AROUND $10 A MONTH WITH SMALL REDUCTIONS IN THE VOLUMETRIC RATE.

THEY ARGUE THAT SMALL FEES ARE THE RIGHT PLACE TO START AS COSTS WILL ONLY GO UP.

'S WE MET THE VOLUMETRIC RATES ARE GOING TO COME DOWN IN A ONE TIME FASHION AND THEN THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE BACKUP AND THEN TAKE UP AND CONSUMERS ARE GOING TO LOSE REALLY THEIR ABILITY TO CONTROL THEIR MONTHLY ENERGY BILLS.

>> Reporter: THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE WILL DESIGN A FINAL PROPOSAL FROM THESE RECOMMENDATIONS.

BE THE OUTRIGHT ADOPTION OF ONE PLAN, A BLEND OF SEVERAL IDEAS, OR A PLAN THAT INCLUDES ELEMENTS FROM ALL.

THE PROPOSED DECISION IS EXPECTED NEXT BRING WITH STATE RULES:FOR A WHILE RULING BY NEXT SUMMER.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT OUR WEATHER HEADLINES HERE.

TEMPERATURES GRADUALLY WARMING, COOLING AND WARMING AGAIN.

A BIT OF A ROLLER COASTER RIGHT HERE.

WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE MARINE LAYER OF SOME NIGHT AND MORNING COASTAL LOW CLOUD AND THEN SOME ROUGH SURF AND RIP CURRENTS.

HEADS UP IF YOU HAVE ANY BEACH PLANS AS THE WATER COULD BE A BIT ROUGH.

AS WE HEAD INTO TONIGHT, TEMPERATURES DROPPING INTO THE 60s WERE OCEANSIDE, SAN DIEGO 67 IN CHULA VISTA, TEMPERATURES DROPPING INTO THE LOW 60s.

BORREGO SPRINGS DOWN TO 71 AND THAT WAS YOUR TEMPERATURES DROPPING INTO THE UPPER 50s.

HEADING INTO THE DAY TOMORROW, WE START TO WARM UP A BIT MORE AS WE GET INTO OUR FRIDAY, BUT HIGH PRESSURE IS KEEPING US DRY.

ANY THUNDERSTORMS WILL STAY WELL TO THE EAST.

DENVER DOWN IN ALBUQUERQUE COULD BE GETTING THUNDERSTORMS.

IN AND AROUND SAN DIEGO TO WRAP UP THE WEEK.

TEMPERATURE WISE, A LITTLE WARMER.

BORREGO SPRINGS BACK TO 99 DEGREES.

MOUNT LAGUNA 66, CHULA VISTA 66 AND SAN DIEGO ON FRIDAY, 74 AND OCEANSIDE, YOU'LL GET UP TO 77 AS WE WRAP UP THE WEEK.

ON THE WEEKEND, A LITTLE COOLER CONDITIONS ON THE COAST FARTHER NORTH INTO CALIFORNIA.

MEANWHILE, THINGS PRETTY CLOSE TO THE HISTORICAL AVERAGE FOR US AT THE END OF THE DAY ON SATURDAY, AND MORE OF THE WARM STARTS TO MOVE INTO NEVADA, INTO UTAH AND ARIZONA AS WE HEAD INTO THE DAY ON SATURDAY.

WAS TAKE YOU THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS ALONG THE COAST IS TEMPERATURES WILL I GO INTO THE UPPER 70s FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AND A SLIGHT DROP IN TEMPERATURE BACK TO 76 SUNDAY INTO TUESDAY.

FURTHER IN LAND, WE WILL SEE TEMPERATURES FLUCTUATING A BIT.

80 DEGREES ON FRIDAY AND THEN WE WILL SLOWLY START TO SEE TEMPERATURES DROP A FEW DEGREES SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

AND MONDAY LOOKS LIKE THE COOLEST OF THE NEXT FIVE DAYS AT 76.

INTO MOUNDS WE GO OR TEMPERATURES WILL BE DIPPING AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND FROM 66 ON FRIDAY TO 61 ON SATURDAY AND BACK TO THE LOWER 60s AS WE HEAD INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE WEEKEND AND START OF NEXT WEEK.

NOW TEMPERATURES WILL BE DROPPING ON SATURDAY, CLIMBING ON SUNDAY AND THEN DROPPING ON MONDAY.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M METEOROLOGIST.

, YOU CAN CHOOSE BETWEEN THE LIBERACE DOOR OR THE PERSNICKETY FRENCH DETECTIVE AT THE CINEMA.

THERE TO HELP YOU DECIDE KPBS CINEMA JUNKIE BETH OKAMOTO.

>> Reporter: IN MEXICAN WRESTLING, HE CROSSED DRESSES AND ASSUMES FEMININE CHARACTERISTICS SECOND CHALLENGE THE MACHISMO OF THE SPORT AND CULTURE.

IN THE 1980s, EXOTICS WERE OFTEN CAMPY.

>> YOU THOUGHT ABOUT BEING ATHLETIC OH?

>> NO.

>> EXOTIC OH.

WE MET BY THE OPENLY SAUL ARMENDARIZ DECIDED TO FORCE THE SCRIPT.

HE CHALLENGED THE CONVENTIONS OF WHAT IT COULD BE WHEN HE TOOK ON THE WRESTLING PERSONA OF CASSONDRA AND DID NOT WANT TO MERELY BE THE COMIC RELIEF THAT ALWAYS HAD TO LOSE.

IN THIS BIOPIC, PLAYED BY THE DAZZLING GAIL GARCIA, HE CAPTURES THE BRAVADO OF A WRESTLER WELL REVEALING THE MORE FOLDABLE NATURE OUTSIDE THE RING.

THE FILM OFFERS AN INSPIRING STORY OF HARD-FOUGHT SUCCESS, BOWEN ALSO CHANGED WITH BITTERSWEET EMOTION.

WITH THE HUNTING OF VENICE, KENNETH BRENNER RETURNS FOR THE THIRD TIME TO PLAY AGATHA CHRISTIE'S FAMOUS RANCH DETECTIVE, POOR ROW.

THIS TIME AROUND, THE CASE HE'S THROWN INTO INVOLVES A GRIEVING MOTHER'S ATTEMPT TO HOLD A SCNCE TO COMPETE CAN TALK WITH HER DAUGHTER.

BUT AS YOU WOULD EXPECT, THINGS TAKE A NASTY TURN.

THE OLD HOUSE IS NOT THE ONLY CREEPY THING IN THIS FORMULATED MYSTERY.

THE HUNTING IN VENICE IS NOT A BADLY MADE FILM.

THE CAST IS MORE THAN CAPABLE.

THE VENICE LOCALE IS GORGEOUS, AND THIS IS A TRAGEDY CHARTED A CREEPY MANSION.

BUT IT HAS A VISION AS A COIF.

HAS THE TRAPPINGS OF A STYLISH MYSTERY, BUT JUST FEELS HOLLOW INSIDE.

RONNA WHO ALSO DIRECTS GEARS THE ATTIC OF THE CHRISTIE ADAPTATIONS AND IT KEEPS THE AUDIENCE FROM HAVING FUN.

>> I HAVE SEEN TOO MUCH OF THE WORLD.

COUNTLESS CRIMES.

TWO WARS.

THE BITTER EVIL OF HUMAN INDIFFERENCE AND I CONCLUDE, NO.

NO, GOD.

NO GHOST.

WE RESPECT NO MEDIUMS WHO CAN DEAD.

>> RAN AS POIROT IS A BIT TOO DRY AND UPTIGHT TO ENGAGE HER KARMA.

MICHELLE YO AS A MEDIUM IS A DELIGHT, BUT SHE'S ENTIRELY UNDERUSED.

>> YOU ARE SAYING.

>> Reporter: A HUNTING IN VENICE DELIVERS NO REAL SURPRISES BUT IS THE COMFORT OF A GLOSSY FORMULA IS WHAT YOU SEE THEN THIS WILL DO.

THIS WEEKEND, YOU CAN ALSO FIND LORD OF THE RINGS, THE TWO TOWERS BACK ON THE BIG SCREEN IN EXTENDED FORMAT.

AS DIGITAL JIM RETURNS TO MIDDLE EARTH TO CELEBRATE PETER JACKSON'S ACCLAIMED TRILOGY, THERE ARE MANY DIVERSE TRACES TO TEMPT YOU BACK INTO A CINEMA THIS WEEKEND.

BETH, KPBS NEWS.

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

THAT MORNING EDITION IS TALKING ABOUT A RECENT REPORT BY NASA ON THE GROWING NATIONAL DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER WE ARE ALONE IN THE UNIVERSE.

>>> KPBS ROUNDTABLE IS TALKING ABOUT THE HEALTH OF THE U.S. DEMOCRACY.

IT'S PART OF OUR ONGOING COVERAGE FOR TOMORROW'S INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.