>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION, HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWELL FAMILY OF COMPANIES.

PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR, RESTORATION, AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL-TRAN05.

AND, BY THE CONRAD PREMISE FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING .

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING, IT'S TUESDAY, APRIL 19th.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THE MASK MANDATE FOR MASS TRANSPORTATION IS NO MORE THANKS TO A JUDGES RULING.

FOR NOW, THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS DECLINING TO APPEAL UNLESS THE CDC BELIEVES THE REQUIREMENT IS STILL A THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH.

AS KPBS REPORTER KATIE ALVAREZ TELLS US -- KATIE ALVARADO TELLS US, YOU MIGHT WANT TO KEEP YOUR MASK CLOSE AT HAND.

>> Reporter: THE SUN IS SHINING AND OLDTOWN, SAN DIEGO.

A PERFECT DAY TO RIDE THE TROLLEY.

IT IS THE DAY AFTER A FEDERAL JUDGE SCRAPPED THE MASS TRANSIT MASK MANDATE, MEANING WEARING A MASK ON PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS NOW OPTIONAL.

FOR SAN DIEGO CITIZEN DAVID MORRISON, THIS MAKES NO DIFFERENCE.

>> WE ARE STILL IN A PANDEMIC.

I AM NOT GOING TO GO RIDING ON THE BUS, TROLLEY, THE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, THE AIRLINES, AND TAKE MY MASK OFF.

JUST BECAUSE EVERYBODY THINKS OH, IT'S FINE TO DO THAT.

I DON'T TRUST IT TOOK >> Reporter: TO BE CLEAR, THE TROLLEY RUN BY THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM STILL REQUIRES MASKS, BUT THE NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT DOES NOT.

THIS SHOWS WHY THE FEDERAL RULING IS SURE TO CONFUSE PEOPLE.

IT ALLOWS EVERY TRANSIT SYSTEM AND AIRLINE TO MAKE THEIR OWN RULES.

JAMES REITMAN SAYS HE DOESN'T LIKE WEARING A MASK AND SAYS HE THINGS IT SHOULD BE A PERSONAL CHOICE.

>> PEOPLE CAN USE THEM IF THEY WANT TO.

IN OTHER COUNTRIES, PEOPLE WHO YOU HAVE USED THEM FOR YEARS.

I THINK THAT'S HOW IT SHOULD BE.

IF YOU FEEL YOU NEED AND AFTER LAYER OF PROTECTION THAN USE IT.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IS PACKED, AND ALMOST BACK TO PRE- PANDEMIC CROWDS.

WELL YOU CAN HEAR THE LOUDSPEAKERS ANNOUNCE CDC SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES, WEARING A MASK IS OPTIONAL IN THE CONCOURSES, AND THE TSA WILL NO LONGER REQUIRE THEM.

MOST MAJOR AIRLINES DID AWAY WITH THEIR MASK MANDATES AS SOON AS THE RULING WAS MADE, BUT LOOKING AROUND THE TERMINALS, IT'S A MIXED BAG WITH A MAJORITY OF PEOPLE NOT WEARING MASKS.

>> I'M HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO FLY WITHOUT A MASK FOR ONCE.

LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

>> BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY.

I'M VISITING FAMILY WERE HAVE SOME YOUNGER KIDS WHO AREN'T ABLE TO GET THE VACCINE AND I ALSO HAVE SOME OLDER FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> WE UNDERSTAND IT IS A VERY CONFUSING TIME FOR TRAVEL.

>> Reporter: AIRPORT SPOKESPERSON SABRINA PICCOLO SAYS EVEN THOUGH THEY DON'T REQUIRE THEM HERE, IT IS REQUIRED TO CALL THE AIRLINE.

>> THERE WILL BE DIFFERENT RULES DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE TRAVELING.

DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE AND SOME RESEARCH BEFORE YOU ARRIVE AT THE AIRPORT.

>> Reporter: THE CDC IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE RULING BECAUSE OFFICIALS ARE MONITORING A NEW, MORE CONTAGIOUS COVID VARIATE.

KATIE ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> RUSSIAN FORCES ARE RAMPING UP ATTACKS IN EASTERN UKRAINE, LAUNCHING MORE MISSILES, TODAY.

IN TURN, A LARGE NUMBER OF UKRAINIANS ARE FLEEING THE AREA.

REPORTER CHRIS LAMB WITH THE STRUGGLE TAKING PLACE IN THE REGION.

>> Reporter: IN UKRAINE, RUSSIAN FORCES ARE RAMPING UP ATTACKS IN DONBAS, A SPRAWLING REGION THAT BLANKETS THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTRY.

THE BATTLE FOR CONTROL OF THE TERRITORY, WHICH HAS BEEN THE FRONT LINE OF UKRAINE'S CONFLICT WITH RUSSIA SINCE 2014, HAS DEFIED VLADIMIR PUTIN'S INVASION AFTER FORCES HAVE BEEN REPELLED ACROSS MUCH OF UKRAINE.

AS TROOPS ADVANCE, THOUSANDS OF CIVILIANS ARE TRYING TO FLEE BUT UNSURE OF WHERE TO GO NEXT.

>> OVER THE LAST DAYS, THERE HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS INCREASE IN THE SHELLING, AND ATTACKS.

>> Reporter: IN THE SOUTHERN CITY OF MAGLEV, CIVILIANS DESCRIBE THE CHAOS.

>> THE SOUND WOKE ME UP AND I WAS PARALYZED, WITHIN THREE SECONDS THERE WAS THIS EXPLOSION.

YOU HAVE NO TIME TO RUN, YOU JUST HAVE TO LEAVE THROUGH THE EAST.

>> Reporter: UKRAINIANS DEVASTATED BY WAR AT THE HANDS OF THE RUSSIAN MILITARY.

>> Reporter: RUSSIA CONTINUED ITS BOMBARDMENT OF CITIES, WITH AT LEAST FOUR MISSILE STRIKES REPORTED IN THE WESTERN CITY OF LVIV, WHERE AT LEAST SEVEN PEOPLE WERE KILLED ACCORDING TO UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS.

IN WASHINGTON, CHRIS WIN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WITH THE RISE OF GUN VIOLENCE IN SAN DIEGO AND ACROSS THE STATE, CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS ARE CONSIDERING A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW CALIFORNIANS TO SUE GUN MAKERS AND SELLERS.

AB 1594 WOULD MAKE CHANGES TO LAWS OVER GUN LIABILITY.

IT WAS INTRODUCED BY ASSEMBLY MEMBER PHIL TANG AT THE END OF MARCH AND WAS DISCUSSED TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME BY THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.

>> I THINK IT IS NOT VERY FAIR THAT THE TOY INDUSTRY HAS MORE LIABILITY THAN THE GUN INDUSTRY .

IN CALIFORNIA WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON HAVING FAIRLY STRICT GUN CONTROL LAWS.

WE HAVE DONE BETTER THAN OTHER STATES, BUT IT IS STILL NOT GOOD ENOUGH.

>> WHILE MANY GUN VIOLENCE SURVIVORS AGREE WITH THE BILL, SOME GUN RIGHTS ADVOCATES SAY THE BILL IS TOO BROAD AND THAT ALMOST ANYONE CAN TAKE ACTION AGAINST THE INDUSTRY.

>>> TAILGATE PARK IS A 5+ ACRE PARKING LOT THAT HAS BEEN USED FOR PARKING FOR PADRES GAMES FOR YEARS.

BUT, LATE THIS AFTERNOON, THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO SELL THE LOT AND DEVELOP IT INTO A MIXED-USE COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL AREA.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL IS LIVE DOWNTOWN, WHERE THE CITY COUNCIL IS CONSIDERING THE MATTER.

JOHN?

>> Reporter: THAT'S RIGHT, MY A. I AM MONITORING THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON A LAPTOP COMPUTER OVER THERE.

THEY ARE STILL DISCUSSING IT RIGHT NOW.

COUNCILMEMBERS ARE ASKING QUESTIONS OF CITY STAFF.

HERE IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

YOU TALK ABOUT IT IN THE LEAD IN, THIS IS TAILGATE PARK, OVER FIVE ACRES.

THIS IS WHAT IS CALLED THE EAST VILLAGE CORNER.

IT IS THE NAME OF THE DEVELOPMENT.

THE PADRES WANT TO DO WITH A COUPLE OF OTHER DEVELOPERS.

THE $1.5 BILLION PROJECT IS SLATED TO BUILD A COLLECTION OF HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS, 50,000 SQUARE FEET OF RETAIL SPACE, AND THE PUBLIC WORK.

THE PROJECT IS A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN THE PADRES AND TO OTHER DEVELOPMENT COMPANIES.

IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE LAST MONTH.

BUT A CONTROVERSY SURROUNDS THE DEAL.

SOME PUBLIC HOUSING ADVOCATES SAY THE CITY SHOULD BE PRIORITIZING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, NOT SELLING CITY-OWNED LAND TO DEVELOPERS TO BUILD MORE EXPENSIVE UNITS.

VERY FEW PEOPLE SHOWED UP IN CHAMBERS FOR THIS, BUT THERE WERE QUITE A FEW WHO GAVE THEIR VIEWPOINTS IN PUBLIC TESTIMONY VIRTUALLY.

BUT, THERE WAS ONE MAN THERE, WE TALKED TO HIM ABOUT WHY HE IS OPPOSED TO THE PROJECT.

>> I SUPPORT THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE OF SAN DIEGO'S ASSETS.

WHEN IT COMES TO TAILGATE PARK, I DON'T THINK THE CURRENT SALE AGREEMENT IS IN THE LONG-TERM BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY.

>> NOW WE ARE BACK OUT LIVE AND I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT THE PADRES DID AGREE TO SPEAK WITH ME, BUT ONLY AFTER THE VOTE WAS TAKEN, AND AS I AM STILL MONITORING IT NOW, THEY'RE NOT THROUGH THE VOTE YET.

THE LAND IS BEING SOLD FOR $35.1 MILLION DUE TO A PROCEDURE SET UP WHEN GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN WAS IN OFFICE.

YOU MAY RECALL HE ABSOLVED ALL THE STATES REDEVELOP AGENCIES DURING A PARTICULARLY BAD FINANCIAL CRUNCH, AND, THE UPSHOT OF THAT IS THAT THE $35 MILLION HAS TO BE SPLIT BETWEEN SEVERAL DIFFERENT ENTITIES, AND WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, SAN DIEGO WILL ONLY GET 17%, WHICH COMES OUT TO ABOUT $6 MILLION.

THERE IS YET ANOTHER FLY IN THE OINTMENT, THE DEAL MUST BE COMPLETELY WRAPPED UP BY THE END OF THE YEAR, OR IT BECOMES VOID, AND THE CITY HAS TO GO BACK TO SQUARE ONE.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, FORMER CITY ATTORNEY CANDIDATE COREY BRIGGS HAS SAID THAT OF THE CITY IS VIOLATING A STATE LAW CALLED THE SURPLUS LAND ACT, THAT REQUIRES GOVERNMENT SELLING LAND TO BUILD A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MORE THAN IS IN THIS PLAN RIGHT NOW.

THE CITY OF COURSE DISAGREES WITH THAT ASSESSMENT.

WE WILL BE FOLLOWING IT, THEY MAY BE VOTING RIGHT NOW.

WE WILL FOLLOW IT AND BRING YOU THE LATEST ON KPBS RADIO LATER THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING AND ON KPBS RADIO TOMORROW MORNING AS WELL AS KPBS.ORG.

LIVE DOWNTOWN IN THE EAST VILLAGE, JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A SITE WHERE AN ABANDONED FACTORY USED TO STAND IN SOUTHEASTERN SAN DIEGO IS NOW BEING LOOKED AT AS A MODEL FOR COMMUNITY-BASED REDEVELOPMENT.

CITY HEIGHTS REPORTER JACOB AERE EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: THE EUROPEAN LAND INSTITUTE, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LAND-USE EXPERTS HOSTED A PLAZA ON TUESDAY.

THE DEVELOPMENT IS BEING TOUTED AS THE FIRST PROJECT IN THE U.S. TO BE DESIGNED, BUILT, AND PARTIALLY OWNED BY NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS.

THE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT IS PARTIALLY OWNED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND HAS TAKEN PLACE OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS.

IT INCLUDES HOUSING, RETAIL, EDUCATION, AND PUBLIC USE SPACES, LIKE TORIES CREEK.

THE GOAL OF THE LONG-TERM CONSTRUCTION IS TO CREATE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY WITHOUT DISPLACING LOCALS OR FUELING INEQUITIES.

JACOB CENTER FOR NEIGHBORHOOD INTERVENTION DARLENE COOPER IS ONE OF THE INITIAL INVESTORS.

>> THE MALL WAS BUILT AFTER THE COMMUNITY SAID, WE NEED A NATIONAL GROCERY STORE.

THERE WAS NO GROCERY STORE IN THE REGION.

WE WANT A BANK, WE WANT A STARBUCKS.

SO, THERE WERE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WERE SPECIFICALLY HIGH PRIORITIES FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: ONE TOPIC THAT CAUSED DISAGREEMENT WAS HOW TO ADDRESS HOUSING IN THE AREA.

ACCORDING TO TONY YOUNG, THE PRESIDENT OF RIDE SAN DIEGO, >> HOW DO WE FIND THE BALANCE TO BUILD PRODUCT THEY CAN AFFORD, WITHOUT CREATING A WHOLE BUNCH OF LOW INCOME HOUSING THAT MAY BE CREATE MORE DIFFICULT ISSUES.

BUT ALSO WELCOME PEOPLE TO BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY, ALSO, IN THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: NOT EVERYONE IS EXCITED ABOUT THE CHANGES.

KPBS SPOKE WITH A WOMAN SHOPPING AT MARKET CREEK PLAZA, WHO WANTED TO ONLY BE IDENTIFIED AS DEBORAH.

SHE GREW UP IN THE COMMUNITY, AND SAYS INCOMES FOR PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AREN'T KEEPING UP WITH THE RISING COST OF LIVING.

>> CHANGES AS FAR AS PROVIDING MORE SERVICES TO US IS GOOD.

BUT, THE PRICE THAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS NOT GOOD.

NOT FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THIS AREA.

>> Reporter: THE DEVELOPMENT WILL CONTINUE TO BE BUILT IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS, BUT GENTRIFICATION IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE MINDS OF LOCAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A NORTH COUNTY COMMUNITY IS ALSO UNDERGOING A TRANSFORMATION.

COMING UP ON EVENING EDITION, A LOOK AT THE PROJECT REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN ESCONDIDO.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY SUPERVISORS WILL SOON BE VOTING ON WHETHER TO APPROVE SPENDING $16 MILLION ON A NEW FIREFIGHTING HELICOPTER.

CHAIR NATHAN FLETCHER SHOWED OFF THE TO AN ENGINE HELICOPTER AT GILLESPIE FIELDS TODAY.

HE WILL BE ASKING HIS FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS TO APPROVE BUYING IT.

FLETCHER SAYS SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S PILOTS EXPLAINED TO HIM JUST HOW VALUABLE ADDING A TWIN-ENGINE CHOPPER TO THEIR FLEET COULD BE.

>> TWO ENGINES, IF ONE ENGINE GOES DOWN THE OTHER ONE IS STILL WORKING SO YOU CAN FLY IT AND WE HAVE A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE NEED THESE HELICOPTERS UP FIGHTING FIRES.

>> TWIN ENGINES ALSO CARRY MORE WATER AND CAN PICK UP MORE WATER FROM MORE PLACES.

A CHOPPER LIKE THIS WAS PROPOSED BY FORMER COUNTY SUPERVISOR DIANNE JACOB ABOUT A DECADE AGO, BUT THE IDEA WAS NEVER APPROVED.

THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS WILL CONSIDER THE PROPOSAL AT THEIR MEETING NEXT WEEK.

>>> CALIFORNIA IS MAKING UPGRADES TO ITS POWER GRID TO PREVENT ROLLING BLACKOUTS LIKE WE HAVE SEEN IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.

THIS WEEK, A MAJOR ENERGY STORAGE FACILITY IN MONTEREY BAY WENT ONLINE, AND AS ARIANNA JOHNSON REPORTS, IT COMES FROM A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN PG&E AND TESLA.

>> Reporter: MOSS LANDING, NOW HOME TO TO ENERGY STORAGE FACILITIES.

>> REALLY MAKING MONTEREY BAY THE SORT OF HUB OF BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE AROUND THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: ON MONDAY, PG&E ANNOUNCED THEIR TESLA MEGA PACK BATTERY IS ONLINE.

AND NOW, CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF THE LARGEST UTILITY OWNED LITHIUM-ION BATTERY STORAGE SYSTEMS IN THE WORLD.

>> THE SYSTEM IS REALLY INTENDED TO HELP INTEGRATE RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES ON THE GRID.

SUCH AS SOLAR.

>> Reporter: THE SYSTEM TAKES ADVANTAGE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES, AND SCORE STORES THAT ENERGY TO BE USED WHEN DEMAND GOES UP.

THAT IS GOAL NUMBER ONE.

>> SOLAR PRODUCTION IS VERY HIGH IN CALIFORNIA, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY.

THESE BATTERIES ARE CHARGING.

REALLY, THIS IS A GREAT RESOURCE FOR HELPING TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT CAPACITY AND ELECTRICITY ON THE GRID.

>> Reporter: GOAL NUMBER TWO, SAVING MONEY IN THE LONG RUN.

ACCORDING TO PG&E, THEY ARE ABLE TO STORE FOUR HOURS WORTH OF POWER WHEN FULLY CHARGED, AND CAN ADD JUST OVER 180 MATTAWA MEGAWATTS TO THE POWER GRID EACH HOUR.

>> THIS WILL OFFSET OUR NEED TO GO OUT AND PROCURE NATURAL GAS AT TIMES OF PEAK DEMAND, AND INSTEAD BE ABLE TO DISCHARGE THIS RENEWABLE ENERGY WHICH HAS BEEN STORED IN THESE BATTERIES.

>> Reporter: THE POWER COMPANY SAYS IT IS A WIN-WIN FOR CUSTOMERS WHEN IT COMES TO RELIABILITY AND COST SAVING.

>> THIS ALLOWS US TO CAPTURE THAT SOLAR ENERGY AT LOWER PRICES WHEN DEMAND IS NOT HIGH, AND THEN DISCHARGE THAT TO THE GRID DURING PEAK DEMAND IN THE EVENINGS.

>> Reporter: IN ESSENCE IT WILL LESSEN CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS WHICH WILL BE VITAL IN THE COMING HOT SUMMER MONTHS.

>> WHEN ENERGY DEMAND IS HIGH, EVERYONE IS USING AIR CONDITIONING, AND SO, THIS WILL BE A NEW RESOURCE, AND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES LIKE THIS TO HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THOSE CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS FOR ALL CALIFORNIANS.

>> THAT WAS ARIANNA JASSO REPORTING.

SDG IS WORKING ON THEIR OWN BATTERY STORAGE FACILITIES, THEY JUST FINISHED ONE OF FOUR PLANNED IN REMOTE HIGH FIRE THREAT AREAS.

>>> WE ARE IN FOR A BIT OF A CHANGEUP OVER THIS NEXT WEEK, AS WE CONTINUE ON.

WE ARE LOOKING AT A COOLING TREND THROUGH FRIDAY.

WE WILL BE LOOKING AT GUSTY WIND, AS WELL, IN THE MOUNTAINS AND ACROSS THE DESERT.

SOUTHWEST WIND GUSTING UP TO 45 MILES PER HOUR THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY., MINOR RAIN CHANCES ARE THERE, BUT, THEY WILL BE PRESENT THROUGHOUT WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, AND EVEN INTO FRIDAY.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT, TOO.

HERE IS A LOOK AT YOUR WIND ADVISORIES HERE FROM PERRIGO SPRINGS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO PINE VALLEY, KEEP THAT IN MIND, SOUTHWEST WIND GUSTING UP TO 45 MILES PER HOUR THROUGHOUT THE DAY TODAY, THAT DOES CONTINUE ON TO LATER THIS EVENING, AND TEMPERATURES ARE TAKING IT DOWN TO THE 50s AND EVEN SOME 60s FOR SAN DIEGO.

CLEARING OUT FOR YOUR EVENING, AND THEN INTO TOMORROW, EXPECTING TEMPERATURES TO BE IN THE 60s.

MID-60s, POSSIBLY 70s IN EL CAJON.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT 71 FOUR PARETO SPRINGS.

83 DEGREES IN MOUNT LAGUNA.

IT WILL BE A COOLER DAY FOR YOU ABOUT 54 WHEN YOU ADD ON THE WIND IT MIGHT FEEL COOLER THAN THAT, TO.

BY THE TIME WE HEAD INTO WEDNESDAY, WATCH THIS WAVE OF ENERGY DIVER FURTHER SOUTH.

RAIN CHANCES WILL BE PICKING UP ACROSS THE COAST.

YOU COULD SEE A 10th OF AN INCH, AND INTO HIGHER ELEVATIONS WE COULD SEE A QUARTER OF AN INCH FOR RAIN.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE FIVE DAY FORECAST ALONG THE COAST, TEMPERATURES STAYING AROUND SEASONABLE.

WE DO START SEEING AN ABOVE AVERAGE TREND BY THE TIME WE GET INTO ON SUNDAY.

THIS WILL BE A SIMILAR TREND WE SEE IN LAND, AS WELL.

TEMPERATURES AT OR AROUND AVERAGE THIS TIME OF YEAR BY THE WEEKEND.

WE GO ON THE UP AND UP ON THAT ABOVE-AVERAGE SWING.

BY SUNDAY, YOU ARE BACK INTO THE MID-80s.

ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS, TAKING A DIP WITH WINDY CONDITIONS MUCH COOLER FOR YOUR FRIDAY.

TEMPERATURES IN THE 30s, YOU WILL START TO SEE THE WARMING TREND PICK BACK UP BY SATURDAY AND FOR THE DESERT, TAKE A LOOK AT TEMPERATURES TAKING A DIP ONCE AGAIN BY FRIDAY.

BY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY WE WILL SEE TEMPERATURES BACK IN THE LOW TO MID 80s.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M METEOROLOGIST MICHELLE ROTELLA .

>>> SOME COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS AUTHORIZED LAST YEAR TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES MAY BE OFF THE TABLE.

$2 BILLION THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN DISPERSED ARE ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK BY CONGRESS.

THE MONEY IS LEFT OVER FROM AID PROGRAMS, AND PART OF A LARGER $10 BILLION PACKAGE THAT WOULD HELP BUSINESS OWNERS PAY FOR COVID-19 VACCINES, TESTING, AND TREATMENTS.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS ASKED CONGRESS FOR MORE FUNDING TO FIGHT COVID.

SENATE REPUBLICANS WANT NEW FUNDING TO BE OFFSET BY RELIEF MONEY ALREADY PASSED BY CONGRESS.

>>> WITH GAS PRICES AT RECORD HIGHS AND INFLATION STILL RISING, FEEDING SAN DIEGO HELD A FOOD DISTRIBUTION EVENT TO HELP FAMILIES.

TODAY WAS THE 18th EVENT SINCE BEGINNING MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION DURING COVID RELATED SHUTDOWNS.

THE SPOKESPERSON SAYS LINES ARE EVEN LONGER, NOW.

>> FOOD CASTS BEING SO HIGH, WE CAN HELP PROVIDE FOOD FOR PEOPLE THAT NEED HELP, AT LEAST IT IS ONE LESS THING THEY HELPFULLY HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT.

>> SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2021, DISTRIBUTIONS HAVE SERVED MORE THAN 11,000 FAMILIES AND ALMOST 40,000 PEOPLE.

FEEDING SAN DIEGO HAS DISTRIBUTED MORE THAN 600,000 POUNDS OF FOOD, PROVIDING MORE THAN 1.5 MILLION MEALS.

>>> ESCONDIDO'S HISTORIC DOWNTOWN IS UNDERGOING A MAKEOVER THAT COULD HELP IT TURN INTO ANOTHER LOCAL ITALY.

COUNTY REPORTER TANIA THORNE TELLS US THE PROJECTS THAT ARE REVITALIZING ESCONDIDO'S GRAND AVENUE.

>> Reporter: DUST, DRILLING, AND CONSTRUCTION WORKERS HAVE FILLED GRAND AVENUE IN ESCONDIDO, WHERE THE GRANTEE ROOM IS LOCATED.

WHILE T AND CONSTRUCTION ARE NOT THE BEST COMBO, LISA, THE OWNER OF THE TEA ROOM, SAYS SHE DOESN'T MIND.

>> IT'S BEEN A COUPLE OF MONTHS, YEAH, BUT IT'S OKAY.

WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE END RESULT.

>> Reporter: SHE IS TALKING ABOUT THE GRAND AVENUE VISION PROJECT, A PLAN TO IMPROVE ESCONDIDO'S HISTORIC GRAND AVENUE.

DRIVING MORE VISITORS AND BUSINESSES INTO THE CITY.

THE IMPROVEMENTS CAME FROM REQUEST MADE IT TO THE CITY BY BUSINESS OWNERS ON GRAND.

>> WE GIVE THEM IDEAS, YOU KNOW?

WIDEN THE SIDEWALKS AND PUT IN MORE PLANTS, YOU KNOW, JUST SOME DIFFERENT IDEAS.

SO, WE WERE SUPER EXCITED WHEN WE FOUND OUT THEY WERE ACTUALLY LISTENING, AND DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: DEN JENNIFER WISHON INC. IS THE DIRECTOR OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY.

SHE SAYS CHANGES TO GRAND AVENUE WILL BE IMPLEMENT IT IN PHASES.

>> THE GRAND AVENUE VISION CONSTRUCTION PROJECT IS REALLY THE FIRST PHASE IN REVITALIZING DOWNTOWN ESCONDIDO.

THE BENEFITS FROM THIS PROJECT, ARE GOING TO HELP DRAW PEOPLE TO DOWNTOWN, HELP BUSINESSES EXPAND THEIR OPERATIONS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS OUTDOOR DINING HELPED MANY BUSINESSES SURVIVE THE PANDEMIC.

THE WIDER SIDEWALKS WILL MAKE THE PATIOS PERMANENT.

>> DURING THE PANDEMIC, WE WERE ABLE TO ISSUE TEMPORARY USE PERMITS FOR ALL THE RESTAURANTS THAT WANTED TO HAVE AN OUTDOOR DINING OPTION, AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE DEFINITELY WANT TO CONTINUE, WITH THE IMPROVEMENTS HAPPENING ON GRAND AVENUE.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO WIDER SIDEWALKS, TRAFFIC ON GRAND WILL NARROW TO ONE LANE IN EACH DIRECTION.

PARKING SPACES WILL BE ADDED, AND STRING LIGHTING WILL GO UP.

CHANGES WILL ONLY BE SEEN ON THE NORTH SIDE OF GRAND AVENUE, BEFORE CONSTRUCTION COMES TO A PAUSE.

RIGHT BEFORE THE ANNUAL GRAND CLASSIC CAR MEET RESUMES FROM MAY TO SEPTEMBER.

>> CRUISING GRAND IS A IMPORTANT EVENT IN OUR DOWNTOWN AREA AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EVENT ORGANIZERS FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THE STATE OF GRAND AVENUE, WHEN THAT EVENT STARTS.

>> Reporter: THEN, CONSTRUCTION FOR THE NEXT PHASE IS PLANNED TO START AGAIN IN EARLY 2023.

GENIC SAYS THE COMPLETION DATE FOR THE FULL GRAND AVENUE VISION PLAN IS YET TO BE DETERMINED, BECAUSE ONLY ABOUT HALF OF THE $15 MILLION PROJECT HAS BEEN FUNDED.

MOST OF THE BUSINESSES ON GRAND AVENUE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING HERE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA, BUT THERE IS ANOTHER PROJECT THAT HAS A BIG PART IN ESCONDIDO'S REVITALIZATION PROGRESS PROJECT IS TAKING PLACE ON THE END OF GRAND AVENUE WHERE PALMER HOSPITAL USED TO BE.

IT IS NOT THERE ANYMORE, AND IT HAS MADE WAY FOR PALMER HEIGHTS, A NEW DEVELOPMENT THAT WILL BE CATERED TO NEW RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.

>> IF YOU STAND AT THE ESCONDIDO SIGN AT THE END OF GRAND AND YOU LOOK DOWN HISTORICALLY, YOU WOULD SEE THE LARGE NINE STORY TOWER OF THE HOSPITAL.

AND NOW THAT IT HAS BEEN DEMOLISHED, WE WANTED TO CREATE ANOTHER LANDMARK, CREATE ANOTHER BEACON.

>> Reporter: HAMMOND WORKS WITH INTEGRAL COMMUNITIES.

THE DEVELOPERS ARE REPLACING PALMAR HOSPITAL WITH PALOMAR HEIGHTS.

IT IS A MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT AND THE PLAN CALLS FOR 500 HOMES.

SOME LUXURY, AND SOMEWHAT THE DEVELOPERS CALL ATTAINABLE HE PRICED.

>> OUR IDEA WAS TO BRING PRODUCT TYPE TO THE MARKET THAT WAS SMALLER IN SIZE, AND, LOWER IN BEDROOM COUNT, TO TRY TO CREATE A PRODUCT THAT WAS ATTENTIVELY -- WHAT WE DESCRIBED THAT IS AS AN ENTRY- LEVEL BUYER.

>> Reporter: 90 ENTRY-LEVEL UNITS WILL SPECIFICALLY BE FOR SENIORS 85 AND OVER, AND IT ALSO INCLUDES RESTAURANTS.

>> THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WE TRIED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF RETAIL THAT WE INCORPORATED.

WE REALLY DIDN'T -- WE WANTED IT TO BE ADDITIVE AND NOT CANNIBALIZE EXISTING RETAIL.

>> Reporter: HAMMOND SAYS CONSTRUCTION OF THE DEVELOPMENT WILL TAKE BETWEEN 3 TO 5 YEARS.

IN THE BACK OF THE GRANTEE ROOM, LISA IS LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT IS AHEAD.

>> WE ARE HOPING THAT WITH ALL THE IMPROVEMENTS GOING ON, AND WITH PALOMAR HEIGHTS BUILDING THOSE APARTMENTS AND CONDOS, THAT DRAWS MORE BUSINESSES TO WANT TO MOVE INTO DOWNTOWN IN ADDITION TO THE CUSTOMERS.

>> Reporter: TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> MODERNA SAYS ITS FIRST BIVALENT COVID-19 BOOSTER SHOT IS SHOWING PROMISE.

BIVALENT STIMULATE AN IMMUNE RESPONSE AGAINST TWO DIFFERENT ANTIGENS.

OFFICIALS SAY THE CURRENT VACCINE HAS NEW UPDATES BASED ON THE BETA VARIANT, IT INTRODUCES NEW RESPONSES AGAINST OMICRON AND OTHER VERSIONS OF THE VIRUS IN COMPARISON TO THE ORIGINAL BOOSTER SHOT.

A SIMPLE BIVALENT BOOSTER CANDIDATE, THIS ONE WITH AN OMICRON SPECIFIC VACCINE IS LIKELY TO COME OUT FIRST, POSSIBLY LATER THIS YEAR.

>>> SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASES HAVE BEEN ON THE RISE FOR YEARS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY INCLUDED.

RATES OF CHLAMYDIA AND GONORRHEA ARE TWO TIMES AND THREE TIMES WHAT THEY WERE IN THE YEAR 2000.

SYPHILIS HAS SEEN AN EVEN GREATER RESURGENCE.

AS JAKE HARPER OF INESWSOURCE REPORTS, SEXUAL HEALTH EXPERTS ARE CONCERNED.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT A GRAPH OF THE LATEST STD FIGURES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, YOU WILL SEE THAT THEY DIP IN 2020, BUT EXPERTS SAY THOSE NUMBERS ARE PROBABLY A FLUKE, CAUSED BY COVID.

>> Reporter: REMEMBER, CLINICS CLOSED OR REDUCED SERVICES IN 2020.

PEOPLE DIDN'T GO TO THE DOCTORS AS MUCH.

DR. WINSTON TILLMAN, WHO MANAGES STD PREVENTION FOR THE COUNTY, SAYS DOCTORS MAY HAVE WRITTEN PRESCRIPTIONS TO TREAT STDs WITHOUT ACTUALLY ORDERING LAB TESTS, WHICH IS HOW THE COUNTY KEEPS TRACK.

>> I IMAGINE THAT THE NUMBERS WERE LINKED TO DECREASED TESTING, AND SO PROBABLY UNDERESTIMATES THE ACTUAL BURDEN OF SDIS IN 2020.

>> Reporter: AS DATA COMES IN, HE EXPECT THE NEW NUMBERS TO CONTINUE GOING UP.

PEOPLE OF COLOR, MANY HAVE SEX WITH MEN, AND TRANSGENDER WOMEN ALL HAVE INCREASED RISK.

MEANWHILE, NATIONWIDE, THESE DISEASES COST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS PER YEAR.

ERIK WELSHMAN , A RESEARCHER AT SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY, SAYS MORE PUBLIC HEALTH SPENDING IS CRUCIAL, AND IT HASN'T COME THROUGH, PARTLY BECAUSE OF STIGMA.

>> ANOTHER THING WE NEED TO BE FIGHTING, THAT STIGMA, EVEN TALKING ABOUT IT, AND MAKING IT A PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITY.

>> Reporter: FOR KPBS, I'M INESWSOURCE REPORTER JAKE HARPER.

>> INESWSOURCE IS AN INDEPENDENT PARTNER OF KPBS.

>>> TURTLE REEF IS BACK OPEN AT SEA WORLD, GIVING GUESTS NEW WAYS TO EXPLORE AND LEARN.

THE HABITAT HAVE BEEN CLOSED SINCE LAST OCTOBER FOR UPDATES.

GUESTS CAN GET AN UP CLOSE LOOK AT THREATENED MARINE AND LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLES, AS WELL AS TROPICAL FISH.

SEA WORLD IS HOSTING DAILY TURTLE TALKS WHICH STARTS ON APRIL 23rd.

TO SHARE INFORMATION, RESCUE STORIES, AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SPECIES.

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

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

GOOD NIGHT.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR, RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES, FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL ONE 800 1-800-BILL-HOWE , OR VISIT BILLTRAN05.COM.

>>> FUNDING HAS ALSO BEEN PROVIDED BY DARLENE MARCO SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.