>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING ADDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR, HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAINING THEIR HEATING, TRAINING, AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREMISE FOUNDATION.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING IT'S THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABUSI.

IMAGINE BEING STUCK IN AFGHANISTAN, SEPARATED FROM YOUR FAMILY, AND WONDERING IF YOU EVER SEE THEM AGAIN.

TONIGHT WE ARE HEARING STORIES OF SURVIVAL FROM SAN DIEGO RESIDENTS WHO MANAGED TO ESCAPE BUT ONE FAMILY REMAINS THERE.

OUR REPORTER ALEXANDRA RANGEL.

>> WHY ARE YOU LEAVING AFGHANISTAN?

WHERE ARE YOU STAYING HERE WITH US?

>> THE INTERROGATIONS THE TALIBAN AND ASKED THIS MAN AS HE TRIED TO CROSS THE GATE TO GO TO THE AIRPORT WITH HIS WIFE AND FIVE CHILDREN IN HAND.

HIS FAMILY IS ONE OF THE EIGHT FAMILIES IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THE TRAVEL TO AFGHANISTAN OVER SUMMER BREAK.

AFTER BEING STRANDED THERE FOLLOWING THE TELE BANDS TAKE OVER, THESE EIGHT FAMILIES SOUGHT HELP FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND THE CONGRESSMAN DARRELL ISIS OFFICE TO COME BACK HOME.

>> WE WANT TO SEE OUR FAMILY.

WITHOUT THIS WAS THE LAST CHANCE WE WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE OUR FAMILY.

>> ISAAC WASN'T EXPECTING THE TALIBAN TO ENTER KABUL UNTIL THE 21st.

THE TROOPS WERE SET TO EVACUATE.

HE AND HIS FAMILY RETURNED HOME.

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS THREE OF THE STUDENTS ARE STILL IN AFGHANISTAN AND NEED HELP.

ON THURSDAY THE CONGRESSMAN WENT AND MET WITH THE FAMILIES.

>> WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY HAVING FAILED TO GIVE THEM A SECULAR DEMOCRACY THAT LASTED.

>> Reporter: THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT SAYS THAT THEY HOPE TO SOON BE REUNITED WITH THE THREE STUDENTS WHO ARE STILL IN AFGHANISTAN.

THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE RETURNED HOME ARE GRATEFUL BUT THEY ASKED THAT THE DOOR NOT BE CLOSE TO THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO ARE STILL AT RISK.

>> THEY ARE MOVING EVERY NIGHT TO DIFFERENT PLACES.

>> THERE IS CHAOS COMING BEFORE THESE THINGS START SO WE NEED TO EVACUATE THEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: ALEXANDRA RANGEL KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR FIVE CREWMEMBERS.

ONE SAILOR WAS PULLED FROM THE WATER AFTER THE AIRCRAFT WENT DOWN ON TUESDAY.

THIS HAPPENED DURING ROUTINE FLIGHT OPERATIONS OFF THE DECK OF THE USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

THOSE HURT IN THE ACCIDENT WERE TAKEN ASHORE FOR MEDICAL CARE.

THREE OTHER PERSONNEL HAD MINOR INJURIES AND WERE TREATED ON THE SHIP.

THE MILITARY IS INVESTIGATING WHAT CAUSED THE HELICOPTER TO CRASH.

>>> THE DEATHS, HOSPITALIZATIONS ALL FROM COVID-19 RISING ACROSS THE COUNTY TONIGHT.

TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE MANY MEDICAL OFFICIALS FEAR THAT THERE'S ANOTHER HOLIDAY GET AWAY WITH THE UPCOMING FLU SEASON WHICH COULD MAKE THINGS MORE HECTIC.

OUR REPORTER MELISSA MAE WITH MORE ON THE POTENTIAL WITH WHAT OUR CALLING SOME ARE CALLING A TWIN PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: THE AGENCY SAYS 40 NIGHT COVID-19 DEATHS HAVE BEEN REPORTED OVER THE LAST WEEK.

DOUBLING THE 25 REPORTED THE WEEK PREVIOUSLY.

UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH NOTICING A RISE IN COVID CASES AMONG THE VACCINATED WORKFORCE SENDING A LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE ABOUT THEIR FINDINGS.

>> THE MESSAGE FROM THE ARTICLE, IT SAID THE EFFECTIVENESS AGAINST INFECTION IS WANING.

THE EFFECTIVENESS AGAINST HOSPITALIZATION DEATH ISN'T SO WE WANT MORE PEOPLE TO CONTINUE GETTING VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: THE ASSOCIATE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER FOR UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH AND CO-AUTHOR OF THAT LETTER.

HE SAYS NEARLY EVERY CASE WAS COMMUNITY ACQUIRED AND THIRD OF THE PATIENTS WERE RECEIVING THE VIRUS FROM A CHILD.

THE DELTA VARIANT AND THE REOPENING OF THE STATE IN JUNE ARE FACTORS FOR THE COVID RESURGENCE.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO BE CLEAR AGAIN, IT'S NOT WANING OF IMMUNITY AGAINST SEVERE DISEASE BUT WANING IMMUNITY AGAINST THE ABILITY TO PREVENT INFECTION AND TRANSMISSION.

>> THEY ASKED THE OKAY TO GET BOOSTERS TO FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS.

THE STATE DEFERRED THIS TO THE CDC WHICH HAS SAID THE BOOSTERS WILL BEGIN TO BE ADMINISTERED ON SEPTEMBER 20 BUT OF NOT ISSUED ANY GUIDELINES.

>> BASED ON OUR DATA AS WELL AS OTHER PUBLISHED DATA, WE THINK HEALTHCARE WORKERS SHOULD BE BOOSTED WITH A THIRD SHOT AS THIS MAY HELP TO PREVENT FURTHER INFECTION AND TRANSMISSION.

MAC THE SURGE OF COVID IS NOT THE ONLY THING THE DOCTORS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT.

A FLU SURGE IS POSSIBLE THIS WINTER.

>> IT'S UNLIKELY WE WOULD EVER LOCKED DOWN HER DISTANCE THE WAY WE DID LAST YEAR BUT IF WE GET TO A POINT WHERE WE'VE GOT INDOOR MASKING MANDATES AGAIN THIS COULD HELP TO POTENTIALLY STAVE OFF THIS POTENTIAL TWIN PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: DOCTOR LONGHURST SAYS EMPLOYEE MANDATES AND PUBLIC HEALTH MANDATES WERE VACCINES IN COVID TESTING COULD BE WHAT IT TAKES TO GET PEOPLE VACCINATED.

MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS COVID CASES PILE UP ACROSS THE COUNTRY THE CDC HAS A WARNING FOR THOSE THINKING ABOUT TRAVELING THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND.

MORE ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS COMING UP ON EVENING ADDITION.

>>> STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS INVESTIGATING A MASSIVE ATTEMPTED SCAM OF FINANCIAL AID FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS INVOLVING MORE THAN 65,000 FAKE APPLICATIONS BY PEOPLE WHO CLAIM TO BE STUDENTS SEEKING MONEY TO ATTEND COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

OUR EDUCATION REPORTER HAS DISCOVERED AT LEAST ONE LOCAL CAMPUS IS INVOLVED.

>> Reporter: THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT OFFICIALS ARE LOOKING INTO FRAUD COMMITTED BY SUPPOSED STUDENTS WANTING TO ATTEND CLASSES ON THEIR TWO E. COUNTY CAMPUSES.

A SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE DISTRICT HAS IDENTIFIED 200 CENTRAL FAKE STUDENTS WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR FINANCIAL AID .

>> PEOPLE TRYING TO PROFIT OFF OF THAT AND TAKE THAT FROM US .

IT'S KIND OF LIKE STICKING US IN A HOLE AND BURYING US WITH THE DIRT ON TOP.

>> IT BREAKS MY HEART ESPECIALLY FOR STUDENTS WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO COME HERE OR NEED EXTRA HELP.

TO FIND OUT THAT THEY ARE GETTING SCAMMED, IT'S HEARTBREAKING.

>> Reporter: THE FAKE APPLICATION SEEMED TO BE COMING IN FROM SIMILAR PEOPLE, FIRST TIME APPLICANTS TO THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES UNDER THE AGE OF 30 MAKING LESS THAN $40,000 A YEAR.

ON THE CAMPUSES OF THE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICTS THE FRAUD WAS IDENTIFIED BEFORE IT HAPPENED.

STATE OFFICIALS SAY MANY OF THE CAMPUSES AROUND CALIFORNIA DISCOVERED THE FRAUD BEFORE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL AID PAYMENTS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO THE SCAMMERS.

WE RECEIVED A STATEMENT FROM A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DISTRICT TO SAYS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MANY OF THE 116 CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES SINCE THEY ARE ENROLLING THROUGH THE STATES APPLIED WEBSITE.

THEY SAW THIS HAPPENING EARLY ON AND PUT IN SAFEGUARDS TO DISCOURAGE IT WHICH HAVE BEEN EFFECTIVE IN QUICKLY IDENTIFYING THE FAKE STUDENTS AND DROPPING THEM FROM CLASS ROSTERS.

IT IS BELIEVED THAT MANY OF THE ONLINE SCAMMERS WERE ACTUALLY AUTOMATED BOTS PROGRAMMED BY HUMANS WITH MALICIOUS INTENT.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THINGS CHANGE ON SATURDAY FOR THOUSANDS OF SAN DIEGO RESIDENTS COLLECTING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, THEY WILL END WHICH COULD MEAN $300 LESS PER WEEK.

RESIDENTS STILL RECEIVING UNEMPLOYMENT AFTER SATURDAY WILL BE COLLECTING THEIR BENEFITS ON THE STANDARD 26 WEEK SCHEDULE WHICH COULD PAY UP TO $450 EACH WEEK.

THE BENEFITS THAT ARE ENDING ARE PART OF A STIMULUS PACKAGE PASSED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BOOST WEEKLY PAYMENTS.

THE PAYMENT STARTED AT $600 THEN DROPPED TO $300.

SOME BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED THAT THE EXTRA UNEMPLOYMENT ENCOURAGE WORKERS TO STAY HOME.

THE COUNTY'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS 6.9%.

>>> THE SUPREME COURT HAS DENIED AN EFFORT TO STOP A TEXAS LAW BANNING ABORTIONS AFTER SIX WEEKS.

THE RESTRICTIVE BAN DOESN'T MAKE EXCEPTIONS FOR ASSAULT OR INCEST AND ALLOWS FOR PRIVATE CIVIL SUITS FOR THOSE SEEKING AN ABORTION.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE STRICTEST ABORTION BANS IN THE NATION WILL REMAIN THE LAW ON ONE OF THE LARGEST STATES IN THE COUNTRY.

>> THE SUPREME COURT FORMALLY DENYING A REQUEST FROM THE PROPORTION PROVIDERS AFTER SIX WEEKS BEFORE MANY PEOPLE KNOW THAT THEY ARE PREGNANT.

>> RIGHT NOW ROE V WADE IS A DEAD LETTER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

MAC THE MAJORITY WROTE WHILE THE PLAINTIFFS RAISE SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF THE TEXAS LAW THAT THEY HADN'T MET A BURDEN WHICH WOULD ALLOW THE COURT TO BLOCK IT AT THIS TIME.

JOHN ROBERTS JOINED THREE LIBERALS IN DISSENT ARGUING THAT THE COURT NEEDS MORE TIME TO EXAMINE THESE STATUTES WHILE A JUSTICE EXPRESSED DEEP FRUSTRATION.

TAKING TOGETHER THE ACT IS A BREATH OF DEFIANCE OF THE CONSTITUTION, OF THE PRECEDENTS OF THE COURT, AND THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN SEEKING ABORTIONS THROUGHOUT TEXAS.

JOE BIDEN SLAMMING THE COURTS MOVE IN A STATEMENT THURSDAY MORNING AS AN UNPRECEDENTED ASSAULT ON A WOMAN'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS.

THE WHITE HOUSE LAUNCHING A GOVERNMENT EFFORT IN THE WHITE HOUSE RESPONSE.

>> WE HAVE AN EXPECTATION THAT THE LEADERS WHO HAVE CAPACITY WILL SEEK EVERY WAY THAT THEY CAN, ALL MEANS THAT THEY CAN TO PROTECT A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO CHOOSE.

>> Reporter: PROPONENTS ARE CALLING FOR FEDERAL ACTION.

>> ALL EYES ARE ON ALL BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT.

THEY CAN DO SOMETHING TO PROTECT WOMEN AND PREGNANT PEOPLE ACROSS THE NATION.

THAT IS UP TO CONGRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE.

>>> FIREFIGHTERS BATTLING THE FIRE NEAR LAKE TAHOE MIGHT GETTING A BREAK FROM MOTHER NATURE.

GUSTER WINS GUSTY WIND FORCING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO EVACUATE, NOW THE WIND HAS BEEN FORECASTED TO DIE DOWN GOING INTO THE WEEKEND BUT FIREFIGHTERS SAY THEY AREN'T OUT OF THE WOODS JUST YET.

>> THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS.

FIREFIGHTERS ARE TIRED AND DRAINED.

THEY ARE BUSY AT THEIR HOME DEPARTMENTS AND ARE COMING OUT AND DOING THIS ON TOP OF THAT.

THEY MAY DEFINITELY BE FATIGUED.

>> THE FIRE HAS BURNED AT LEAST 700 HOMES AND OTHER BUILDINGS THREATENING AT LEAST 33,000 OTHERS.

THE PRESIDENT DECLARING AN EMERGENCY ORDERING FEDERAL ASSISTANCE TO BOOST EFFORTS TO BATTLE THE FIRE.

>>> HURRICANE IDA MAY NO LONGER BE A HURRICANE BUT IT'S STILL A DEADLY AND DESTRUCTIVE STORM LEAVING BEHIND HISTORIC FLOODING BACK EAST.

THE DEATH TOLL IS RISING AS WELL AS THE WATER AS RESCUE TEAMS SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS.

>> Reporter: ITEM PACKING A DEADLY FORCE, JUST DAYS AFTER BATTERING THE GULF COAST AS A CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE, THE REMNANTS OF IDA UNLEASHING HAVOC ACROSS THE NORTHEAST AND MID-ATLANTIC.

>> IT'S WITHIN 5-10 MINUTES , IT'S TERRIBLE.

WHOLE HOUSES HAVE BEEN TORN UP.

>> Reporter: DUMPING RECORD RAINFALL LEADING TO RECORD FLASH FLOODING.

THE POWERFUL RUSHING WATER TURNING THE STREETS INTO GUSHING RIVERS AND HIGH WATER TRAPPING PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES AND CARS.

>> IT'S TERRIFYING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

IF YOU AREN'T IN THE RIGHT PLACE THEN YOU'RE GONE.

>> Reporter: ACTIVE RESCUE IS UNDERWAY IN THREE STATES.

NEW JERSEY AND PARTS OF NEW YORK WHERE THEY RECEIVED THE FIRST EVER FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

IN PENNSYLVANIA WHERE THE RESCUERS BECAME THE RESCUED.

>> A NUMBER OF FIREFIGHTERS WERE PINNED UP AGAINST A BRIDGE PIER BY MOVING WATER.

THEY HAD TO BE RESCUED THEMSELVES.

THEY WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR EVALUATION.

IT'S DANGEROUS WORK.

MAC THE STORM ALSO SPOTTING TORNADOES AND LEAVING BEHIND AN EXTENSIVE PATH OF DESTRUCTION.

THE PRESIDENT EXPECTS TO GET A FIRST-HAND LOOK OF THE DAMAGE ON FRIDAY AND PLEDGED FEDERAL SUPPORT TO THOSE AFFECTED AREAS.

>> WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AND THE NATION IS HERE TO HELP.

THAT'S THE MESSAGE I'VE MADE CLEAR TO THE MAYORS , THE GOVERNORS.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

>>> QUIET SUMMER WEATHER CONTINUING.

WE REMAIN DRY AND BRIGHT GOING TO THE DAYS TO COME.

SOME FIRE DANGER OUT THERE WHICH WILL BE ONE OF THE CONCERNS WE HAVE BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS WE AREN'T TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF WIND THAT WE ARE USED TO SEEING.

WE ARE JUST BATTLING DRY AIR IN PLACE.

OVERNIGHT WE GET SOME OF THE COASTAL CLOUDS.

IN THE 50s, MID-70s FOR ALOW.

THIS STORM CONTINUES INTO TOMORROW WHERE THERE'S THE DRY AIR, NOTHING GOING ON HERE KENNY MOISTURE WOULD BE WELL INTO PARTS OF NEW MEXICO AND COLORADO.

MAY BE A LITTLE BIT IN EASTERN ARIZONA BUT MISSING OUT ON THE RAIN CHANCES HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

KEEPING THINGS QUIET THROUGH THE WEEKEND, TOMORROW AGAIN, HOLDING ONTO THE MID-70s WITH DRY CONDITIONS AND SUNSHINE.

SOME MARINE LAYER FADING AWAY.

MAKING IT INTO THE MID-70s AND NOW LAGUNA MID-70s WITH PLENTY OF QUIET WEATHER.

THAT HOLDS TO THE START OF THE WEEKEND.

SATURDAY, DRY AND ON THE HOT SIDE FURTHER TOWARD THE COAST.

GRADUALLY UPPING TEMPERATURES THROUGH THE WEEK.

NOTICE SOME OF THAT THROUGH A LOT OF THE IN LAND LOCATIONS.

TEMPERATURES ARE WORKING THEIR WAY THROUGH THE MID-70s THROUGH THE LOW 80s FOR THE WEEKEND.

BEAUTIFUL KID MISSION BEAUTIFUL CONDITIONS.

IN LAND LOCATIONS WORKING THEIR WAY UP TO 90 DEGREES WITH SUNSHINE MOVING THROUGH WITH SUNNY CONDITIONS.

SOME CLOUDS OUTSIDE, BRINGING BACK THE SUNSHINE INTO TUESDAY.

NOT TOO MUCH IN THE WAY OF FLUCTUATION.

MOUNT LOCATIONS IN CLOUDS OUTSIDE.

HOLDING ONTO THE MID-70s THROUGHOUT.

WORKING TOWARD OUR DESERT LOCATIONS IN THE TRIPLE DIGITS.

NOTHING TOO UNUSUAL BUT WE WILL RETURN TOWARD THE 110DEGREE RANGE GOING INTO MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

FOR KPBS, I'M YOUR METEOROLOGIST.

>>> MANY ARE PLANNING TO TRAVEL OVER THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND, BUT THE CDC URGES THOSE WHO ARE UNVACCINATED TO STAY HOME.

>> Reporter: A WARNING TO THOSE UNVACCINATED GOING INTO THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, THE CDC SAYS ANYONE NOT PROTECTED BY COVID- 19 VACCINE IS AT HIGHER RISK OF BEING INFECTED.

>> IF YOU'RE NOT VACCINATED WE RECOMMEND NOT TRAVELING.

MAC FOR THOSE FULLY VACCINATED IF YOU'VE TRAVELED THE CDC SAYS TO WEAR YOUR MASK AND TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE U.S. HAS SURPASSED AN AVERAGE OF 160,000 NEW COVID-19 CASES PER DAY.

>> GIVEN WHERE WE ARE WITH DISEASE TRANSMISSION RIGHT NOW, WE WOULD SAY PEOPLE WOULD NEED TO TAKE THESE RISKS INTO THEIR OWN CONSIDERATIONS AS THEY THINK ABOUT TRAVEL.

>> Reporter: WHEN IT COMES TO GATHERING THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND THE CDC SAYS REMAINING OUTDOORS WITH THOSE WHO ARE VACCINATED WILL HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 AND WHEN INDOORS TO WEAR A MUSK MASK.

>> IT'S THE EASIEST WAY FOR ANYONE, REGARDLESS OF YOUR VACCINATION STATUS TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF THE DISEASE.

>> Reporter: A CASE STUDY SHOWS THE IMPACT THAT LARGE GROUPS OF UNVACCINATED PEOPLE GATHERING TO ILLINOIS CHURCH EVENT THAT DIDN'T REQUIRE VACCINATION, IT WAS LINKED TO 180 COVID-19 CASES INCLUDING FIVE HOSPITALIZATIONS.

HEALTH OFFICIALS CONTINUE TO SAY THAT VACCINATION IS THE BEST PROTECTION AGAINST THE VIRUS.

>> TALK WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO AREN'T VACCINATED ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF THE VACCINE AND CONSIDER TAKING THEM TO GET VACCINATED WITH THE LONG HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

>> FOR HEALTH MINUTE , REPORTING.

>> Reporter: THE SHUTDOWN WAS CHALLENGING FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS WHO NOW RETURN TO CLASSES IN PERSON AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR AFTER NOT BEING AROUND THEIR TEACHERS AND FRIENDS.

OUR EDUCATION REPORTER INTRODUCES US TO ONE MOTHER DETERMINED TO MAKE SURE HER SON GETS THE EDUCATION HE NEEDS.

>>> ALEJANDRA OH IS A GOOD SPELLER.

IT'S SOMETHING HE'S LEARNED WITH HIS MOTHER'S HELP HERE AT THE DINING ROOM TABLE.

>> I KNOW I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF MY SON.

I LOVE MY SON WITH ALL MY HEART.

AS HIS MOTHER I HAVE TO DO EVERYTHING THAT'S WITHIN MY POWER TO PUT HIM FIRST SO HE WILL BE OKAY.

>> Reporter: RHEA LOPEZ IS A SINGLE MOTHER RAISING HER SON WITH HELP FROM HIS GRANDMOTHER WHO HE CALLS MOM AND MARIA IS HIS MOMMY.

HE LIKES TO BE CALLED ALEX.

MONDAY MORNING HE JOINED OTHER STUDENTS IN SAN DIEGO UNIFIED FOR THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

HE'S NOW A FRESHMAN AT MADISON HIGH SCHOOL AND ON SEPTEMBER 19 HE TURNS 14 YEARS OLD.

HIS MOTHER REMEMBERS THE DELIGHT AND THE DISTRESS OF THE DAY THAT HE WAS BORN WHEN THE DOCTOR GAVE HER THE NEWS.

>> I WAS LIKE HOPING HE WAS FINE AND THAT I WOULD SEE HIM WHEN I SAW HIM HE WAS SO BEAUTIFUL.

HE TOLD ME HE HAD DOWN SYNDROME.

>> Reporter: WITH THE DIAGNOSIS ALEX HAS RECEIVED SPECIAL EDUCATION, SUPPORT, AND THERAPY THROUGHOUT HIS ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS INCLUDING ANNUAL INDIVIDUAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS A FEDERAL LEGAL DOCUMENT THAT OUTLINES GOALS AND SERVICES FOR EACH STUDENT WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

REGULAR MEETINGS FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS ARE PART OF THE PROGRAM.

THE SHUT DOWN FORCED TEACHERS TO SCRAMBLE AND TO HOLD IEP MEETINGS ONLINE OR BY PHONE.

>> I THINK THEY THOUGHT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD COME IN AND GIVE THEM A PASS FOR ALL OF THIS.

>> Reporter: JENNIFER TAUGHT SPECIAL EDUCATION FOR 30 YEARS AND SHE'S A SPECIAL EDUCATION ADVOCATE WHO SUPPORTS PARENTS DURING IEP MEETINGS WITH SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AND TEACHERS.

>> REALLY PARENTS WANT TO KNOW WHERE THEIR KIDS ARE AT , IF THEY'VE REGRESSED DURING THIS TIME OR IF THEY'VE MADE PROGRESS WITH VIRTUAL LEARNING, THEY JUST WANT ANSWERS.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO UNIFIED IS OFFERING ONLINE LEARNING THROUGH ITS VIRTUAL ACADEMY PROGRAM AND WILL ALSO OFFER A CHOICE OF ONLINE OR IN PERSON IEP MEETINGS.

WHILE ALEX MADE PROGRESS WHILE LEARNING AT HOME HIS MOTHER IS HAPPY THAT HE IS AT MADISON HIGH SCHOOL NOW WHERE HE HAS FRIENDS.

>> I WANT THE BEST FOR HIM .

I KNOW THAT HE CAN LEARN A LOT.

IF YOU WORK WITH HIM, HE CAN DO A LOT OF THINGS.

WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> Reporter: LATER ON FOR THIS YOUNG MAN AFTER HE AGES OUT OF THE SCHOOL SUPPORT SYSTEM AS AN ADULT THIS IS YEARS AWAY FOR ALEX.

MARIA LOPEZ SAYS THAT EVERY SEMESTER COUNTS AND FEELS COMFORTABLE EXPRESSING THE LOVE SHE HAS FOR HER SON IN HER FIRST LANGUAGE.

>> Reporter: LOVE, MODELED AND LEARNED IN THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON OF ALL.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> A STATEWIDE POLL SHOWS GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM GAINING SUPPORT IN THE RECALL ELECTION, THE PUBLIC POLICY INSTITUTE OF CALIFORNIA SAYS 50% OF THE NEARLY 1100 LIKELY VOTERS SURVEYED RECENTLY SAY THAT THEY WILL VOTE NO ON THE RECALL.

ONLY 39% SAID YES.

THE POLL FOUND 75% OF LIKELY DEMOCRATIC VOTERS SAYING THAT THE OUTCOME IS IMPORTANT, CONTRARY TO FEARS THAT THE GOVERNOR'S OWN PARTY IS LESS ENGAGED THAN OTHERS.

3000 VOTERS HAVE ALREADY CAST THEIR BALLOTS.

>>> FORMER MAYOR KEVIN FALCONER IS TRYING TO OVERTAKE THE CURRENT REPUBLICAN FRONT-RUNNER IN A FIELD WITH DOZENS OF CANDIDATES.

>> Reporter: IN A RECALL ELECTION AT TIMES MORE CIRCUS THAN CONTEST, THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE SELLING SKILL OVER SPECTACLE.

>> YOU WIN BY GETTING REPUBLICANS AND INDEPENDENTS AND DEMOCRATS WHO BELIEVE THE FUNDAMENTAL CHANGE THAT YOU ADVOCATE FOR.

>> IS THERE ENOUGH TIME TO GET THE MESSAGE OUT?

>> WE ARE WORKING 24-7 AND WE AREN'T STOPPING .

>> IT'S GREAT TO BE WITH YOU, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON THIS AFTERNOON.

>> Reporter: THE CLOCK TICKING DOWN TO RECALL THE ELECTION DAY BEFORE THAT THE SAN DIEGO MAYOR IS HITTING CITY AFTER CITY BY BUS HIGHLIGHTING PROBLEMS LIKE HOMELESSNESS AND EMPHASIZING HIS PLANS.

THIS IS WHAT VOTERS USUALLY WANT, RIGHT?

>> I LIKE THAT HE WAS THE MAYOR OF A HUGE CITY IN CALIFORNIA .

>> Reporter: WHO HAVE YOU CONSIDERED?

>> LARRY ELDER, I FOLLOWED HIM FOR YEARS.

MAC LARRY ELDER, A CONSERVATIVE RADIO HOST FOR DECADES IN CALIFORNIA WITH NO POLITICAL EXPERIENCE BUT LEADING THE CHALLENGERS.

>> EVERYONE ELSE MAY AS WELL DROP OUT AS FAR AS THE POLLING SEEMS TO SHOW.

>> Reporter: 46 CANDIDATES FIGHTING TO BREAK THROUGH AS A REPLACEMENT CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM IS RECALLED.

THERE ARE ALSO CELEBRITY CANDIDATES.

AND THERE ARE ALSO NON-CELEBRITIES LIKE JOHN COX.

TAKING AN UNCONVENTIONAL PATH ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL IN AN EFFORT TO BE HEARD.

>> THIS IS CALIFORNIA.

WE LOVE A CIRCUS AND A GOOD ENTERTAINING SHOW.

IS A GOOD CANDIDATE.

THIS ELECTION WILL BE ABOUT TURNING YOUR FACE OUT, ELDER IS DOING THAT.

>> Reporter: HIS FRONT-RUNNER STATUS IS WHY KEVIN FALCONER IS INCREASINGLY ON THE ATTACK.

>> YOU CALLED LARRY ELDER TO LEAVE THE RACE?

>> HIS ATTACKS AGAINST WORKING WOMEN IS UNCONSCIONABLE.

THEY ARE OFFENSIVE, WRONG, IT'S BACKWARD.

HE DOESN'T HAVE THE CHARACTER, THE JUDGMENT, SKILL SET, OR EXPERIENCE TO BE THE GOVERNOR.

>> ALL EXPERIENCE OVER THE CIRCUS.

>> WE ARE RISING UP IN A VAST MAJORITY THE OTHERS HAVEN'T MADE UP THEIR MIND.

>> GAVIN NEWSOM WILL HAVE A HIGH PROFILE DEMOCRATIC FIGURE CAMPAIGNING WITH HIM ON SATURDAY.

SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN IS EXPECTED TO ACCOMPANY HIM TO A RALLY IN LOS ANGELES.

>>> IDA'S WRATH DEADLY FLOOD ACROSS THE NORTHEAST AS THE EXTENSION GOES FAR BEYOND THE GULF COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER THE EVENING EDITION OF KPBS.

>>> ANOTHER LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

LOCAL FAMILIES IN AFGHANISTAN SHARING DETAILS ABOUT THEIR JOURNEY HOME AFTER THE TALIBAN TAKE OVER.

ONE REFUGEE SAID HE WAS INTERROGATED AS HE TRIED TO GET TO THE AIRPORT WITH HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN.

IT FAMILIES FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TRAVELING TO AFGHANISTAN OVER SUMMER BREAK, ONE OF THE FAMILIES WITH THREE CHILDREN IS STILL STRANDED.

ONE REPUBLICAN COVERS MINUTE STILL CALLING FOR THEM TO EXPEDITE THE ARRIVAL OF THE REFUGEES.

>>> 49 COVID-19 DEATHS WERE REPORTED NEARLY DOUBLING IN THE PAST WEEK.

A DOCTOR AT UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH SAYS THE DELTA VARIANT AND STATES REOPENING IN JUNE ARE FACTORS IN COVID-19'S RESURGENCE AND ALSO SAYS EVIDENCE SUGGESTS WANING IMMUNITY FROM THE VACCINE.

YOU COULD FIND TONIGHT STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABUSI .

>> FUNDING POSSIBLE IN PART BY, ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREMISE FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCOS SHYLY.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.