>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION 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 MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

AND, BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING-AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> HELLO, IT'S THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 23rd.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING.

I AM JOHN CAROL IN FOR MAYA TRABULSI.

IT'S A DECISION MANY HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR, AC/DC PANEL PROVING THE PFIZER COVID- 19 BOOSTER SHOTS FOR THOSE 65 AND OLDER.

THOSE LIVING IN NURSING HOMES AND EVERYBODY OVER THE AGE OF 18 WITH UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS ARE GOOD TO GO.

KPBS REPORTER MG PEREZ HAS MORE ON THE LOCAL IMPACT .

>> 81-YEAR-OLD DENNIS DOOLEY NOW QUALIFIES FOR A THIRD DOSE OF THE PFIZER VACCINE.

>> I NEED ALL OF THESE PROTECTIONS THAT THEY OFFERED THROUGH MEDICATION, SO I HAD THE VACCINATION, AND I WILL HAVE THE BOOSTER ALSO.

>> Reporter: HE COMES TO THE SERVING SENIOR CENTER DOWNTOWN EVERY WEEKDAY TO PICK UP HIS MEALS.

SENIOR CITIZENS WHO COME HERE ARE REQUIRED TO SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION.

68-YEAR-OLD MacY TURLEY IS VACCINATED, AND READY FOR HIS BOOSTER SHOT.

>> I FEEL GOOD BECAUSE WE DO NEED THIS.

I THINK BOOSTERS WILL BE BETTER .

>> ARE YOU DIABETIC?

>> YES.

>> Reporter: THAT PUTS YOU IN A SPECIAL CATEGORY.

THE CDC AUTHORIZED BOOSTERS FOR THE ELDERLY LIVING IN BOOSTER HOMES AND ANYBODY OVER THE AGE OF 18 WITH UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS.

THE FACT IS THOUSANDS OFHAVE ALREADY GOTTEN COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOTS BEFORE THE CDC ANNOUNCEMENT.

IN THE TRUE SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY, THOSE BOOSTERS WERE AVAILABLE AT NEIGHBORHOOD LOCATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

>> MOSTLY AT PHARMACIES LIKE CVS, ACCORDING TO HEALTH DEPARTMENT NUMBERS, MORE THAN 13,003RD DOSES HAVE BEEN GIVEN AT CVS STORES, INTENDED FOR A SPECIFIC POPULATION OF PEOPLE WITH SERIOUSLY COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEMS.

A STATEMENT FROM A CVS HEALTH SPOKESPERSON SAYS WE ARE FULLY PREPARED TO MEET ANY INCREASE IN DEMAND, RESULTING FROM FULL FDA APPROVAL OF THE PFIZER, BIONTECH VACCINE AND EXPECTED REGULATORY APPROVAL OF THE VACCINE FOR BOOSTER SHOTS AND CHILDREN AGE 5 TO 11 YEARS.

WE HAVE ADMINISTERED MORE THAN 34 MILLION COVID-19 VACCINES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND IMMEDIATELY BEGAN OFFERING THIRD DOSES TO IMMUNOCOMPROMISED INDIVIDUALS WHEN AUTHORIZED TO DO SO.

FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS OF SAN DIEGO HAS WAITED FOR THE CDC APPROVAL BEFORE OFFERING COVID- 19 BOOSTERS.

EXPERTS WARN PEOPLE TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE ELIGIBLE BEFORE THE EXTRA SHOT.

>> ADVERSE EVENTS ARE RARE BUT IF SOMETHING BAD WERE TO HAPPEN, YOU AS THE PATIENT OR PERSON GIVING YOU THE VACCINE ISN'T COVERED BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FOLLOWING PUBLISHED GUIDELINES.

>> Reporter: DENNIS DOOLEY IS ELIGIBLE AND READY.

HE PLANS TO MEET WITH HIS SOCIAL WORKER TOMORROW TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT.

M.G.

PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> HEALTH OFFICIALS SAID GETTING THE ACCIDENT TO THEIR FIRST SHOTS REMAINED THE FIRST TYPE AUTHORITY.

IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, 70% ELIGIBLE ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

>>> FOR THE LATEST ON THE PANDEMIC AND RESOURCES, CHECK OUT THE TRACKING COVID-19 SECTION AT KPBS.ORG .

YOU CAN GET THERE BY CLICKING THE LINK ON OUR HOMEPAGE.

>>> IT IS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE COUNTRY, A MOVE TO GET SO-CALLED GHOST GUNS OFF THE STREETS OF SAN DIEGO.

TODAY, MAYOR TODD GLORIA SIGNED THE LAW THAT HAD THE BEGINNINGS BACK IN APRIL WHEN A GUNMAN OPENED FIRE IN THE GASLAMP WITH DEADLY RESULTS.

>> IT IS APPROVED OR VETOED, I WILL SIGN ON THE APPROVED LINE.

LET ME DO THAT RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: WITH COUNSEL MENDER MARTY AND GUN SAFETY ADVOCATES LOOKING ON, MAYOR TODD GLORIA SIGNED A ORDINANCE MEANT TO CRACK DOWN ON GHOST GUNS.

THE NAME OF THE NEW LAW IS ENOUGH, ENOUGH, ELIMINATE UNCIVILIZED, UNTRACEABLE FIREARMS.

VAN WILMERT BEGAN WORKING ON THIS NOT AFTER LIE AFTER A SHOOTING IN THE GASLAMP QUARTER IN APRIL .

>> THE MAN WHO WAS LEGALLY PROHIBITED FROM OWNING A GUN WAS ABLE TO COMMIT THIS CRIME, KILLING FELLOW SAN DIEGO AND INJURE OTHERS BECAUSE HE GOT A GHOST GUN.

>> THIS LOADED VAN WILMERT TO ASK SAN DIEGO TO RELEASE TO ADDRESS HAVE BIGGER PROBLEM GHOST GUNS ARE IN THE CITY.

THE RESULTS WERE EYE-OPENING, A PROBLEM THAT IS BAD AND GETTING WORSE.

POLICE DEPARTMENT DATA SHOWS THAT IS 169% INCREASE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF THIS YEAR IN THE AMOUNT OF GHOST GUNS USED TO COMMIT CRIME IN THE CITY WITH GHOST GUNS ACCOUNTING FOR MORE THAN 25% OF THE MORE THAN 500 ILLEGAL GUNS CONFISCATED THIS YEAR.

>> TODAY, WE ARE TAKING ACTION TO CLOSE THE LOOPHOLE, WHICH ALLOWS PEOPLE WHO CANNOT SAFELY POSSESS A FIREARM TO OBTAIN WITHOUT A BACKGROUND CHECK GOING AROUND OUR GUN SAFETY LAWS .

>> PEOPLE CAN BUY KITS TO MAKE GHOST GUNS ON THE INTERNET.

IT'S UNCLEAR HOW THE LOCAL IMPACT THOSE SALES.

THE LAW GOES INTO EFFECT OCTOBER 14th.

>>> MAYOR GLORIA SAID TODAY HE IS INSTALLING NEW PROTECTED BIKE LANES ON A DEADLY ROAD THAT CUT THROUGH BALBOA PARK.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN HAS MORE .

>> Reporter: PERSON DRIVE WAS THE SITE OF TWO FATAL COLLISIONS OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS.

THE MOST RECENT CRASH LAST SATURDAY KILLED 35-YEAR- OLD JONATHAN, HE WAS WRITING SCOOTERS WITH HIS FAMILY.

IN JULY, 57-YEAR-OLD WILL RUSH IN WAS ALSO KILLED BY ANOTHER DRIVER WHILE BIKING ON THE SAME STRETCH OF THE SAME ROAD.

GLORIA ORDERED THE INSTALLATION OF TEMPORARY PROTECTED BIKE LANES ON PERSHING DRIVE BY EARLY NEXT MONTH.

PLANS TO ADD A PERMANENT SEPARATED BIKE PATH HAVE BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR NEARLY A DECADE, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN DELAYED UNTIL 2024.

GLORIA SAID IN A STATEMENT TRAVELING AROUND OUR CITY WITHOUT A CAR SHOULD NOT BE LIFE-THREATENING.

I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK TO MAKE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION SAFE FOR ALL RESIDENTS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> A TOP U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY TO HAITI HAS RESIGNED CRITICIZING WHAT HE CALLS THE INHUMANE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE DECISION TO DEPORT THOUSANDS OF HAITIAN REFUGEES FROM THE US-MEXICO BORDER.

FOR DAYS NOW, THOUSANDS OF GREMLINS, MOSTLY FROM HAITI, HAVE CAMPED ALONG THE TEXAS BORDER WAITING TO GET PROCESSED.

REPORTER CAMILO BURNELL HAS THE UPDATE.

>> Reporter: THE WATER IS HIGH BUT HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS CONTINUE TO CROSS.

THEY SAY THE SITUATION IS BAD.

THE NUMBER OF MIGRANTS PEAKED OVER 14,000, BUT BORDER PATROL AGENTS SAY THEY BEGIN TO NOTICE THE INCREASE IN HAITIAN IMMIGRANTS THIS SUMMER.

THEY ASK FOR EXTRA RESOURCES TO MORE RAPIDLY PROCESS MIGRANTS AS FAR BACK AS JUNE AND THEY DID NOT GET IT.

>> I HAVE TELLING THE ADMINISTRATION AND THE TRANSITION IS DECEMBER 11th OF LAST YEAR AND THERE ARE FOLKS GETTING THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS BORDER WILL BE OPENED.

>> Reporter: AN INVESTIGATION AFTER VIDEO FROM AL JAZEERA, A BORDER PATROL AGENT ON FOR SPECIAL, APPEARED TO SHOW THEM AGGRESSIVELY CONFRONTING MIGRANTS.

>> WE FEEL THOSE ARE HORRIBLE AND HORRIFIC.

WE WILL NOT BE USING HORSES IN DEL RIO.

THAT IS A POLICY CHANGE THAT WAS MADE IN RESPONSE.

>> Reporter: WHILE MANY IN THE U.S.

WERE DIVIDED ON HOW TO HANDLE THE INFLUX OF MIGRANTS, DEPORTATION FLIGHTS TO HAITI CONTINUE.

THE U.S. SPECIAL ENVOY FOR HAITI HANDING HIS RESIGNATION TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE SAYING HE WILL NOT BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNITED STATES INHUMANE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE DECISION TO DEPORT THOUSANDS OF HAITIAN REFUGEES.

>> IT'S VERY CLEAR THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT MANY OF US WOULD HAVE LIKED TO SEEN HAPPENED DIFFERENTLY.

>> Reporter: CAMILO BURNELL, KPBS NEWS .

>>> GOVERNOR NEWSOM, TODAY, SIGNED THE LARGEST PACKET IN STATE HISTORY, $250 BILLION.

HE DID THAT AT THE SET OF THE MASSIVE KMP WILDFIRE IMPLANTS FIRE IN SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK.

THE LEGISLATION TACKLES A WIDE VARIETY OF TACKLE ISSUES FROM FIRE PREVENTION TO JOE CONCERNS TO SEA LEVEL RISE.

>> I'M OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE DONATION CAN DO AND WHAT THE WORLD CAN DO AND WHAT CALIFORNIA CAN DO, THE SIMULTANEOUS RESPONSIBILITY, NOT JUST CRISIS, ADDRESSED THE ISSUES HEAD ON WITH WILDFIRE PREVENTION, MORE TECHNOLOGY AND MORE PERSONNEL, MORE SUPPORT.

>> HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS WILL BE RALLYING TOMORROW ON THE INFO OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

EVENTS TAKE PLACE AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS INCLUDING THE UC SAN DIEGO CAMPUS AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING AT 1:00 IN THE AFTERNOON.

>>> WE ARE COOLING OFF A LITTLE BIT.

WE HAD A LOT OF HEAT ADVISORIES OVER THE PAST WEEK BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THINGS ARE GETTING MORE VARIABLE WITH US FOR SOME RAINFALL.

THOSE ARE EXTRA CLOUDS WE HAVE, SOME MOUNTAIN SHOWERS ARE POSSIBLE.

THIS PATTERN WILL CONTINUE TOWARD THE WEEKEND.

THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS ARE NOT TRYING TO BE TOO DAMP BUT WATCH OUT FOR THE THUNDERSTORM THREAT, YOU CAN FIND IT IN MT.

LAGUNA.

TEMPERATURES ARE UPPER 50s BUT 66 FOR THE CITY.

OCEANSIDE IS HOLDING ON TO UPPER 50s.

THIS UPPER LEVEL LOW HANGING ON HERE BRINGING MOISTURE INTO PARTS OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA AND INCLUDING AROUND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

IT'S NOT A LOT OF WHAT WEATHER BUT THERE IS THE CHANCE FOR A FEW MOUNTAIN SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS TOMORROW.

WE WILL FIND THAT AROUND MT.

LAGUNA AND TEMPERATURES ARE MID- 60s.

75 IS THE HIGH FOR THE CITY AND BORREGO SPRINGS WITH A SHOWER OR TWO AT 91 FOR THE AFTERNOON.

THAT IS NOT NEARLY AS HOT AS WE AVOID TRIPLE DIGIT.

WE START OFF WITH A MARINE LAYER TOWARD THE COAST, BUT MOVING THROUGH TIME, WE WILL WATCH SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS BLISTER IN EVERY NOW AND THEN OVER THE MOUNTAINS.

THAT IS AS WE GO INTO TOMORROW EVENING OR AFTERNOON I SHOULD SAY AND THROUGH TOMORROW EVENING EVEN INTO TOMORROW NIGHT.

WE WILL HAVE THAT ACTIVITY IN PLACE.

THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE UPPER LEVEL LOW HOLDING ON FOR THE WEEKEND.

NOT A LOT OF WHAT WEATHER BUT AT LEAST A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS GETTING INTO SATURDAY.

COASTAL CONDITIONS HERE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS IN MID-70s.

WE HAVE EXTRA CLOUDS AROUND.

WE ARE NOTICING THAT AT THE COAST BUT OUR INLAND COMMUNITIES DEALING WITH EXTRA CLOUDS BUT THAT DOES GET BRIGHTER TOWARD THE END OF THE WEEKEND.

HIGHS VENTURE INTO UPPER 70s AND FALLING OFF A LITTLE BIT.

MOUNTAIN LOCATIONS HAVE A CHANCE FOR RAIN HOLDING ON INTO THE START OF THE WEEKEND FOR US, MID-60s BUT WE SHOULD BE DRIER BY SUNDAY, STILL STAYING BRIGHT AND HOLDING ON TO MID 60s AND FOR DESERT LOCATIONS, WE COULD SEE STRETCHER AND THUNDERSTORM TOMORROW.

AVOIDING THE TRIPLE DIGITS UNTIL MAYBE MONDAY.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I AM ACCUWEATHER METEOROLOGIST MELISSA CONSTANZER .

>>> IT WAS BACK TO CLASS TODAY AT UC SAN DIEGO.

THE FIRST DAY OF THE FALL QUARTER OFFICIALLY GOT UNDERWAY THIS MORNING.

FOR MANY, IT'S THE FIRST TIME ON CAMPUS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING TO LIMIT COVID-19 INCLUDING PROOF OF VACCINATION, MASK WEARING, TESTING , EVEN STUDYING THE SEWAGE WATER FOR COVID-19 RESULTS .

>>> CALIFORNIA IS THE FIRST STATE TO BAR MEGA-RETAILERS FROM FIRING WAREHOUSE WORKERS FOR MISSING QUOTAS THAT INTERFERE WITH BATHROOM AND REST BREAKS.

THE LEGISLATION STEMS FROM AMAZONS DRIVE TO SPEED GOODS TO CONSUMERS.

LOCAL ASSEMBLYWOMAN LORENA GONZALEZ OFFERED THE BILL.

THE LAW GOES INTO EFFECT ON JANUARY 1st, 2022.

BUSINESSES HAVE 30 DAYS TO DISCLOSE PRODUCTION QUOTAS FOR.

>>> HOLIDAY SHOPPERS SHOULD GET STARTED NOW, THAT'S THE ADVICE FROM THE BOARD OF LOS ANGELES.

REPORTER CHRIS HOLMSTROM SHOWS US WHY.

>> Reporter: IT'S A BOTTLENECK AT THE L.A. AND LONG BEACH PORT.

IT IS RECORD-BREAKING, 65 CARGO SHIPS ARE SITTING THERE WAITING TO BE UNLOADED.

RYAN PETERSON IS THE CEO OF THE GLOBAL TRADE COMPANY FLEX BOARD.

HE SAYS DURING THE PANDEMIC, THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE WITH CONSUMER SPENDING.

YOU TYPE THAT WITH A SHORTAGE OF TRUCKS, DRIVERS AND WAREHOUSES AND YOU GET THIS.

>> THERE IS TOO MUCH VOLUME COMING INTO THE PORT THAT THE PORT WORKERS AND CRANES AND EVERYTHING HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO HANDLE THAT.

IT HAS CREATED A BACKLOG.

CONTAINERS ARE STACKED UP, IT IS TAKING TRUCKS FOREVER TO GET IN.

>> Reporter: ALL OF THOSE WILL CREATE DELAYS FROM FURNITURE TO ELECTRONICS TO HOLIDAY TOYS.

>> I THINK THAT WILL BE TIGHT GETTING PARKER'S FOR CHRISTMAS.

CONSUMERS ARE TRYING TO FIND A PRODUCT.

NOBODY CAN GET A PLAYSTATION FIVE NOW BUT YOU ARE SEEING MUCH MORE MUNDANE THINGS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE CARGO ON EACH SHIP IS EQUAL TO ABOUT $1 BILLION OF MERCHANDISE.

THE LATEST STATS SHOW THE TOP FIVE IMPORTS WERE FURNITURE, AUTO-PARTS, APPAREL, ELECTRONICS AND PLASTICS.

>> RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE SEVERAL HUNDRED HALLOWEEN COSTUMES THAT WE COULD SELL, NOT RIGHT NOW, STUCK IN THE HARBOR.

>> Reporter: CHARLIE WAS THE CEO OF MEGA TOYS.

HE HAS BEEN DOING WITH IT FOR MONTHS, THESE DELAYS COULD COST HIS COMPANY MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

>> BECAUSE OF CONGESTION, THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MERCHANDISE TO READ THE CONSUMER DEMAND.

THE COST HAS GONE UP.

WE HAVE A SORT THE COSTS BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO ESTIMATE HOW MUCH IT COSTS AND HOW MUCH PRICE HAS GONE UP AND HOW MUCH THE PRICE WILL CONTINUE TO GO UP.

>>> AS MANY RESTAURANTS EASE BACK TO FOR THE OPENING, HOPES ARE THAT A YEARLY TRADITION WILL DROP MORE CUSTOMERS BACK.

AS KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDER WIND TELLS US, RESTAURANTS ARE STILL FACING A STAFFING SHORTAGE.

>> Reporter: RESTAURANT WEEK IS BACK WITH WHEN MORE THAN 100 PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS SPENDING THE COUNTY, ANDY BAUMAN SAYS IT IS A CHANCE FOR PEOPLE TO EXPAND A CULINARY HORIZON.

HE IS THE OWNER OF TOM'S HAM LIGHTHOUSE ON SHELTER ISLAND.

>> IF THERE IS A WAY FOR SOMEBODY TO GET A DISCOUNT, BECOME A FAN OF OURS FOREVER, THAT IS WHY THIS IS OUR 17th YEAR.

>> Reporter: PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS OFFER PREFIX MENUS RANGING FROM $10.00 TO $25.00 FOR LUNCH AND $20.00 TO $60.00 FOR DINNER.

ONE PARK IS OFFERING THREE COURSES FOR $40.00.

WITH ALL OF THE PIVOTING RESTAURANTS HAVE DONE IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS OR SO, THE OWNER WAS WORRIED ABOUT HOW TO SUPPORT HER STAFF.

SHE SAYS JUST HAVING RESTAURANT WEEK IS A WELCOME CHANGE.

>> WITH RESTAURANT WEEK OPENING BACK UP WITH RESTAURANTS, IT HAS BEEN GREAT TO HAVE THAT WORRY ALLEVIATED.

>> Reporter: WHILE MANY ARE EXCITED ABOUT EATING OUT AGAIN, RESTAURANT OWNERS ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO BE PATIENT BECAUSE THEY'RE HAVING A HARD TIME WITH SERVICE.

>> THERE ARE TIMES WHEN YOU WALK IN THE DOOR AND YOU CAN SEE EMPTY TABLES AND WE WILL NOT SEE YOU.

THAT IS BECAUSE WE CANNOT DO IT.

>> Reporter: THE STAFFING SHORTAGE AT THE RESTAURANT INDUSTRY IS ESPECIALLY HARD.

ANDY BAUMANN IS HAVING A HARD TIME HIRING FOR PEOPLE FOR POSITIONS SUCH AS DISHWASHERS.

RESTAURANT OWNERS HAVE INCREASED WAGES, BUT SOME DO NOT WANT TO GO BACK TO WORK JUST YET.

WHILE THE DINING EXPERIENCE IS WHAT MANY ARE USED TO PRE- PANDEMIC HOMEOWNERS SAID CUT YOUR SERVER SOME SLACK AND ENJOY THE EXPERIENCE.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> RESTAURANT WEEK STARTS THIS SUNDAY.

THAT LASTS THROUGH OCTOBER 3rd.

FOR A LIST OF PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS, JUST VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT KPBS.ORG .

>>> THE SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE HAS DONE SOMETHING NO OTHER NORTH AMERICAN ZOO HAS MANAGED TO DO.

WILDLIFE SPECIALIST HAVE HELPED HATCH AN EGYPTIAN VOTER, THAT IS AN ENDANGERED CARRIED A THAT TRAVELS BETWEEN EUROPE AND AFRICA.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON TAKES US INSIDE THEIR EXHIBIT.

>> Reporter: DAISY RIVAS WALKS BETWEEN LARGE WIRED ENCLOSURES IN A QUIET AREA ON THE EASTERN EDGE OF THE SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK.

THIS OFF EXHIBIT AREA IS HOME TO A PAIR OF STRIKING WHITE VOTERS WILL.

THE MAIL WITH FLUFFY WHITE BLUE MAKES IT ON A PERCH SURVEYING RIVAS.

THE FEMALE IS ON THE GROUND BUT AT A DISTANCE.

>> THEY ARE SUCH SPECIAL VULTURES.

THEY ARE THE ONLY SMART BIRDS, THE USE ROCKS TO BREAK UP AN OSTRICH EGGS, THEY TAKE A LOT OF DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE CARCASS THAT LARGER BIRDS CANNOT GET TO.

THEY HAVE A IMPORTANT PART IN THE ECOSYSTEM WITH.

>> Reporter: ENTEROCOLITIS IS LIMITED BECAUSE RIVAS WANTS THE BIRD TO KEEP THEIR HEALTHY DISTRUST OF PEOPLE.

MUCH OF THE MONITORING HAPPENS INSIDE A SAID OUT OF THE BIRDS SITE.

THERE IS A CABINET WITH VIDEO SCREENS THAT MONITOR ALL OF THE ENCLOSURES.

>> WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT A LOT OF THE BIRDS BEHAVIOR WITHOUT DISTURBING THEM TOO MUCH.

WE HAVE CAMERAS ON OUR NESTING AREAS.

THIS IS A GREAT VIEW OF OUR NESTING AREA FOR THE EGYPTIAN VULTURES.

>> Reporter: AN ELEVATED SQUARE BOX SERVES AS A NEST THAT BIRDS TYPICALLY CLEAR A FLAT, ROCKY AREA TO LAY AN EGG.

INSIDE THE PLYWOOD SHELTER, THERE IS A BARRIER TO KEEP THE EGGS FROM FALLING.

THAT NEST IS SCREENED FROM A PAIR OF TERRITORIAL POHLMAN VULTURES IN THE NEXT ENCLOSURE.

>> IT IS ALSO GOOD FOR THEM TO NOT SEE THESE GUYS WHEN THE ASSISTANCE SO THEY DON'T GET DISTRACTED, BUT THEY CAN SEE THEM ANYWHERE IF THEY ARE PERCHING, AND THEY CAN MAKE SURE THEY ARE PROTECTING THE AREA FROM OTHER BIRDS NEARBY.

>> Reporter: THE MATING PAIR HAS DONE SOMETHING NOT ACCOMPLISHED BEFORE IN NORTH AMERICA, THEY PRODUCED AND FERTILIZE AN EGG, WHICH HATCHED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

PARKS LEAD CONDOR CARE SPECIALIST, RON, SHOWED US THE TRAILER WHERE THE ENDANGERED CHICLETS PUPPETS AND.

JAMILA, AS SHE WAS NAMED, HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE FEEDING STATION IN A SMALL WHITE BOWL FILLED WITH SNUGGLY ANIMAL HERE.

THE FAINT SQUEAKS TOLD KEEPERS THAT SHE WAS HUNGRY AND READY TO EAT.

>> WE HAVE A ONE-WAY WINDOW IN HERE.

AS LONG AS THIS LIGHT IS ON AND THIS LIGHT IS OFF, SHE CANNOT SEE US.

WE CAN SEE HER.

>> Reporter: THE FEEDINGS STARTED WITH A SIMPLE SOCK PUPPET AND A PAIR OF TWEEZERS.

>> VULTURES TAKE MORE FOOD FROM THEIR BEAKS.

THEY WILL EAT THROUGH REGURGITATION, BUT THEY TAKE LITTLE BITS.

WE CAN PICK UP PIECES OF FOOD AND HAND IT TO THEM.

>> Reporter: AS THE BIRD GREW, THE SOCK PUPPET WAS REPLACED BY A MORE REALISTIC ONES THAT STAFF USED TO CARE FOR CONDOR TAKES.

>> WHEN THEY ARE YOUNG, IT'S EASY.

WHEN THEY ARE OLDER, THEY START PULLING ON THEM.

>> Reporter: THAT TINY, TANTRIC IS NOW FULLY FLEDGED AND A BIT NERVOUS WITH HUMAN VISITORS.

JAMILA GRABS THE FENCE AND PUMPS HER WINGS AS IF TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW THIS IS HER TERRITORY.

HER DR. BROWN PLUMAGE WILL BECOME WHITE LIKE HER PARENTS.

VULTURES ARRIVAL IS BEING CHEERED BY INTERNATIONAL CONSERVATION GROUPS.

>> YES, IT IS VERY WELL COMMON TO HAVE A BROADER NETWORK OF ZOOS THAT HAVE THAT SPECIES AND CAN POTENTIALLY PROVIDE BIRDS FOR RELIEF PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: STEFAN IS A CONSERVATION SCIENTIST FOR THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF THE PROTECTION OF BIRDS.

HE SAYS MORE THAN HALF OF THE VOTERS POPULATION HAS BEEN LEFT TO HUNTING, POISON AND ELECTROCUTION IN THE LAST 14 YEARS.

CAPTIVE BREEDING ONLY HAPPENS IN A HANDFUL OF LOCATIONS IN EUROPE AND ISRAEL.

THOSE EFFORTS PRODUCE A SMALL NUMBER OF BIRDS EACH YEAR.

THE POPULATION CONTINUES FALLING IN PARTS OF EUROPE AND AFRICA, BUT THERE ARE CONSERVATION SUCCESSES.

>> IN SOUTHERN FRANCE AND NORTHERN SPAIN AND ON THE CANARY ISLANDS, INTENSIVE CONSERVATION PROGRAMS HAVE MANAGED TO REVERSE THE FORTUNE OF THE EGYPTIAN VOTER, BUT THEY ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH COMMUNITIES BY CHANGING THE WAY WE BUILD ELECTRICITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> Reporter: WHILE IT'S TOUGH TO HELP CORRECT THE CHALLENGES THE BIRDS ARE FACING IN THE WILD, HALF A WORLD AWAY, RIVAS HELPS THE BREEDING EFFORT, AND SAN DIEGO, WILL GROW HERE AND EXPAND TO OTHER NORTH AMERICAN ZOO IS.

SHE SAYS THAT WILL STRENGTHEN THE SPECIES CHANCES FOR SURVIVAL.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS .

>>> SAYING THANKS FOR THE MILITARY SERVICES NICE ENOUGH BUT THE PADRES TODAY WENT FURTHER FOR ONE LOCAL LETTER.

CHECK THIS OUT, THEY GAVE RETIRED U.S. MARINE CORPS GUNNERY SERGEANT PAUL McKWEEG AND CAR, THE PAYMENT IS FREE 2021 CRV IS A THANK YOU FOR HIS MILITARY SERVICE AND HIS WORK WITH LOCAL MILITARY AND VETERAN RELATED NONPROFITS.

>> YOU HEAR ABOUT STORIES AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.

WE ARE HAPPY FOR THEIR FAMILIES THAT SOMETHING HAPPENED LIKE THIS TO THEM.

WHEN THAT HAPPENS TO YOU, IT'S LIKE WOW, WHAT DID I DO TO REALLY DESERVE SOMETHING AS GREAT AS THIS AND BENEFICIAL AS THIS?

>> McQUIGG SERVED 20 YEARS AND RECEIVED A PURPLE HEART.

HE WAS HONORED WITH TWO COMBAT ACTION RIBBON'S FOR HIS DEPLOYMENT IN TURKEY AND IRAQ AND AN IRAQ CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH FOUR CAMPAIGN STARS.

>>> IN HARD TIMES, MUSIC CAN SOOTHE OUR WORRIED MINDS, AND THERE IS NOTHING QUITE LIKE GOSPEL MUSIC TO UPLIFT YOUR SPIRIT.

FOR OUR LAST INSTALLMENT OF THE KPBS SUMMER MUSIC SERIES, WE ARE HEARING FROM SAN DIEGO'S ON MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COMMUNITY CHOIR.

♪ >> HI, I AM KEN ANDERSON, I AM THE DIRECTOR OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COMMUNITY CHOIR OF SAN DIEGO, MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS THE NOK CHOIR.

I DIRECT THE CHOIR AT UCSD.

COMMUNITY CHOIR OTHER THAN SINGING OF COURSE AS AN ANY CHOIR DOES IN CONCERTS, WE HAVE A ROLE OF SUPPORTING AND PROMOTING THE ARTS.

WE PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS CONTINUING EXCLUSIVELY INDIVIDUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.

♪ >> FROM THE NEGRO SPIRITUALS, JAZZ, SWING, BLUES, ROCK 'N ROLL, AMERICAN COUNTRY MUSIC, SOUL, POP, DISCO, DOWN TO HIP- HOP AND RAP, ALL OF THESE STYLES, MANY OF THESE CAME OUT OF A STYLE THAT CAME FROM THE NEGRO SPIRITUALLY.

THEY FIND THEIR ROOTS BACK IN THE NEGRO SPIRITUAL.

♪ ONE THING ABOUT IT, THERE IS ONE STYLE OF MUSIC COMING FROM THE NEGRO SPIRITUAL, GOSPEL.

ONE THING ABOUT WORKING WITH MLK CHOIR, THAT AFFORDS ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH A LOT OF SINGERS, PERHAPS WHO WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PASS AN AUDITION TO GET INTO SOME OF THESE OTHER FINE CHOIRS.

THEY GET TO BECOME A PART OF A CHOIR AND DEVELOP AND ESSENTIALLY BECOME A CHOIR THEMSELVES.

I LOVE THAT, HOW GOSPEL MUSIC AFFORDS A SINGER ON ANY MUSICAL LEVEL, BUT EVERY MUSICIAN IS GREAT.

♪ >> JOYFUL NOISE TO BE SURE.

YOU CAN FIND OUR FULL STORY ON MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. COMMUNITY CHOIR SAN DIEGO, AND ALL OF TONIGHT'S STORIES OUR NOW, YOU KNOW THAT BY NOW, KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US AND HAVE YOURSELF A GREAT EVENING.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION 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 MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

AND, BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING-AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.