>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EASING ADDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR, PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS , AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE CITIGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR, HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

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

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

IS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RELIEF IS ON ITS WAY TO CALIFORNIANS, AND BUSINESSES ARE DEVON STATED BY THE PANDEMIC.

THAT HOFFMAN SAYS SOME OF THE EIGHT INCLUDES DIRECT PAYMENTS FOR LOW INCOME RESIDENTS.

>> I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK ABOUT THE SMALL BUSINESSES BACK HOME IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: STATE SENATOR TONY ATKINS REPRESENTING SAN DIEGO WAS THERE AS GOVERNOR NEWSOM SIGNED SPENDING BILLS TOTALING $7.6 BILLION IN RELIEF FOR CALIFORNIANS.

THAT COUPLED WITH FUTURE TAX RELIEF COULD BRING THE TOTAL PACKAGE TO AROUND $10 BILLION.

>> THAT IS BIG EVEN BY CALIFORNIA STANDARDS.

>> MAKE NO MISTAKE, CALIFORNIA BEING IN THE POSITION TO PUT $10 BILLION INTO OUR ECONOMY, WHERE WE NEEDED THE MOST, IS SOMETHING BIG.

>> Reporter: SIMILAR TO FEDERAL STIMULUS CHECKS, MILLIONS OF LOW INCOME CALIFORNIANS WILL GET $600 IN DIRECT PAYMENTS.

THAT IS NOW BEING EXTENDED TO UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS, PREVIOUSLY NOT ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL TAX.

LANES OF DOLLARS ARE ALSO BEING POURED INTO THE STATES SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF PROGRAM.

>> $2,075,000,000 THAT WILL START TO GO OUT BUILDING ON THE $500 BILLION OF GRANTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN GOING OUT, SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS.

I WILL REMIND YOU, GRANTS, NOT LOANS.

A PROFOUNDLY IMPORTANT DISTINCTION.

>> Reporter: BUSINESSES ARE ALSO HAVING SOME FEES WAIVED, LIKE THOSE PAYING ANNUAL A CALL IT BEVERAGE CONTROL LICENSES.

>> THE 59,000 BUSINESSES THAT HAVE ABC LICENSES, SOME OF THOSE FEES ARE AS MUCH IS $1235.

WE ARE WAITING THOSE FEES, NOT ONCE, BUT OVER A 2 YEAR.. >> Reporter: LICENSING RELIEF WILL BENEFIT BARBERSHOPS AND HAIR SALONS.

WILL KEEP CALIFORNIA GOING AS A BURGER WAY OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY IS SMALL BUSINESS.

WE RECOGNIZE THE STRESS AND STRAIN.

>> Reporter: FOOD BANKS ACROSS THE STATE ARE ALSO GETTING A FUNDING BOOST AND SOMEBODY IS GOING TO PROVIDING DIAPERS FOR FAMILIES THAT NEED THEM.

$100 MILLION IN FINANCIAL AID IS BEING PUT UP FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS, AND WHILE A DEAL TO REOPEN GREAT SCHOOLS IS STILL BEING NEGOTIATED, MONEY TO EXTEND CHILDCARE FOR ESSENTIAL WORKERS THROUGH NEXT YEAR IS ON THE WAY.

THE FUNDS WILL ALSO PROVIDE STIPENDS FOR STATE SUBSIDIZED CHILDCARE.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT IS THE NEWS MANY FAMILIES HAVE BEEN WAITING TO HEAR.

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS FINALLY SET A DATE FOR BRINGING ALL OF ITS STUDENTS BACK TO CAMPUS.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER JOE HONG HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: CITIGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS TO LAUNCH HYBRID INSTRUCTION FOR ALL GRADES BEGINNING APRIL 12th.

IT WILL ALLOW STUDENTS IS BUT THEIR TIME BETWEEN VIRTUAL AND IN PERSON LEARNING.

AND PREPARATION, THE COUNTY WILL START VACCINATING DISTRICT EMPLOYEES THIS COMING MONDAY.

THE PRESIDENT SAID THE TIMELINE IS CONTINGENT ON THE STAFF BEING VACCINATED IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY BEING OUT OF THE PURPLE TEAR FOR COVID-19 INFECTION RATES.

>> WE KNOW MANY PARENTS WILL MAKE THE DECISION TO KEEP THEIR STUDENTS HOME.

WE WILL CONTINUE WITH DISTANCE LEARNING FOR STUDENTS, OR AT HOME, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO MEET THESE TARGET DATES, WE WILL OPEN IT UP TO IN PERSON LEARNING FOR ALL STUDENTS IN ALL GRADE LEVELS.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR SAID LAST FRIDAY THE BEGINNING OF MARCH, CALIFORNIA PLANS TO SET ASIDE 10% OF VACCINE DOSES FOR EDUCATORS, SCHOOL STAFF, AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS.

THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS CHAIRMAN NATHAN FLETCHER RELEASED A STATEMENT TUESDAY MORNING, APPLAUDING THE DISTRICT AND TEACHERS UNION FOR REACHING AN AGREEMENT ON THE TIMELINE FOR HYBRID INSTRUCTION.

HE SAID THE DISTRICT WILL SERVE PARENTS TO GET A MORE ACCURATE SENSE OF MORE MANY STUDENTS WILL BE ON CAMPUS, WHICH WILL HELP OFFICIALS DETERMINE THE DETAILS.

JOE HONG, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE PETCO PARK VACCINATION SITE IS BACK UP AND AGAIN AFTER CLOSING FOR THE SECOND TIME BECAUSE OF DELAYED VACCINE SHIPMENTS.

NOW THE PUSH BEGINS TO CATCH UP ON MISSED APPOINTMENTS.

THE CDC RECOMMENDS GETTING THE SECOND SHOT 21 TO 28 DAYS AFTER THE FIRST, BUT IT SAYS IT CAN BE AS LATE AS 42 DAYS.

SOME PEOPLE WORRY THEIR RESCHEDULED APPOINTMENT IS TOO CLOSE TO THE DEADLINE.

>>> THERE ARE WEATHER INCIDENTS LIKE WE JUST HAD, AND THERE PROBABLY WILL BE MORE, THERE IS NO WAY TO ENSURE THAT THE VACCINE THAT IS PRODUCED IS GOING TO GET TO THE PLACES WHERE I CAN GET INTO THE ARM.

>>> UC SAN DIEGO SAYS THE SCHEDULERS ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE.

PEOPLE WHO ARE CLOSEST TO THE END OF THE 42 DAY INTERVAL IT PRIORITY FOR THEIR APPOINTMENT.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY SET A GOAL TO FULLY VACCINATE 70% OF THE REGION'S POPULATION BY JULY.

HEALTH REPORTER TARYN MENTOS TELLS US HOW MUCH PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE AMID THE MANY SUPPLY DELAYS AND LIMITATIONS.

>> Reporter: AT LEAST 6.7% OF THE REGION'S POPULATION IS NOW FULLY VACCINATED.

THAT IS AN INCREASE FROM 2 WEEKS AGO WHEN OFFICIALS REPORTED ONLY ABOUT 2.6% WERE FULLY VACCINATED.

THE REGION HAS ALSO SEEN MULTIPLE DELAYED VACCINE SHIPMENTS THIS MONTH THAT TEMPORARILY CLOSED DOWN SOME VACCINATION SITES.

DR. JEFFCOAT IS A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE CALIFORNIA PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION.

HE SAID REACHING THE 70% GOAL IS KEY TO ACHIEVING HERD IMMUNITY.

>> WOULD BE CALCULATED AS WE NEED ROUGHLY 75% OR GREATER PEOPLE TO BE IMMUNE, WHETHER THAT BE THROUGH VACCINE OR NATURAL IMMUNITY, BUT PRIMARILY THROUGH VACCINATION, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE MORE LIVES.

ONCE WE GET TO ABOVE 70%, THAT IS GENERALLY MATHEMATICALLY THE THRESHOLD WHEN YOU START TO TERMINATE AN OUTBREAK.

>> Reporter: WELL VACCINATIONS SLOWLY INCREASE, ANOTHER KEY METRIC IS DECLINING.

THAT IS THE RATE OF NEW COVID-19 CASES PER 100,000 SAN DIEGANS.

MORE BUSINESS OPERATIONS COULD RESUME IF THAT FIGURE REACHES 7 PER 100,000.

SOME YOUTH SPORTS CAN BEGIN AGAIN IF IT HITS 14.

THE STATE ANNOUNCED TUESDAY THE FIGURE HAS DROPPED, BUT ONLY TO 15.

TARYN MENTO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION AT KPBS.ORG .

JUST CLICK ON THE VACCINES TAB ON THE HOMEPAGE AND YOU WILL FIND A SEARCHABLE MAP WITH CLINIC LOCATIONS AND LENGTHS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE.

>>> BREAKING NEWS NOW.

I HEAR SONG STALEMATE OVER SHORT-TERM HOME RENTALS IN SAN DIEGO APPEARS TO BE COMING TO A CLOSE.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SAYS THE CITY COUNCIL JUST APPROVED REGULATIONS FOR THE INDUSTRY.

>> Reporter: WEBSITES LIKE AIRBNB AND VERBAL HAVE LED TO A DECADE-LONG BOOM IN SHORT-TERM HOME RENTALS, BUT FOR YEARS, CITY OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO AGREE ON HOW TO REGULATE THEM , OR WHETHER TO BAN THEM ENTIRELY.

THE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT HAS PROPOSED A COMPROMISE THAT WOULD ISSUE LICENSES THAT COULD BE REVOKED IF THE RENTALS GET FREQUENT COMPLAINTS OF NOISE OR ILLEGAL ACTIVITY, OR FOR FAILURE TO PAY HOTEL TAXES.

>> SAN DIEGO HAS PASSED EFFORTS TO REGULATE SHORT-TERM RENTALS HAVE ENDED IN FAILURE.

SUFFER FROM THIS FAILURE WEEK AFTER WEEK, BUT WE HAVE LEARNED FROM THAT FAILURE AND WE NOW HAVE A COMPROMISE THAT IS THE BEST WAY FORWARD.

>> Reporter: THE ORDINANCE INCLUDES FOUR LICENSE TYPES.

THE FIRST WOULD COVER ANY HOME RENTED OUT FOR FEWER THAN 20 DAYS PER YEAR.

THE SECOND WOULD COVER HOME SHARING, LIKE WHEN YOU RENT OUT IF SPARE BEDROOM OR SECOND UNIT IN A DUPLEX.

THE THIRD COVER VENTING OUT AN ENTIRE HOME FOR MORE THAN 20 DAYS PER YEAR.

IN THE FOURTH WOULD COVER WHOLE HOME RENTALS ONLY IN MISSION BEACH.

THE NUMBER OF THE THIRD CLASS OF LICENSE WOULD BE CAPPED AT 1% OF THE CITY'S TOTAL HOUSING SUPPLY.

THE FOURTH WOULD BE KEPT AT 30% OF THE HOMES IN MISSION BEACH.

CAMPBELL'S COUNSEL DISTRICT INCLUDES MISSION PEAK, PACIFIC BEACH, AND OCEAN BEACH.

NEIGHBORHOODS WITH THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS.

MANY RESIDENTS IN THE DISTRICT HAVE LONG ADVOCATED FOR AN ALL- OUT BAN, AND SEE HER PROPOSAL AS A BETRAYAL.

ELIZABETH IS A RESIDENT OF OCEAN BEACH.

>> I WANT TO HAVE NEIGHBORS, NOT OUT-OF-STATE OWNERS AND VACATION RENTAL OWNERS, BUT RENTERS AND OWNERS WHO LIVE IN THE COMMUNITY, SUPPORT THE SCHOOLS, THE LIBRARY, AND THE OTHER THINGS THAT MAKE OUR COMMUNITY WONDERFUL, AND ARE THERE WHEN I NEED THEM, OR THEY NEED ME.

>> Reporter: THE LAST ATTEMPT AT REGULATING SHORT-TERM RENTALS FAILED UNDER OPPOSITION FROM AIRBNB AT ITS PEERS.

THOSE COMPANIES, AND MANY OF THE HOSTS ON THE PLATFORMS, NO SUPPORT CAMPBELL'S PROPOSAL.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> THAT PROPOSAL PASSED THE CITY COUNCIL AND AND 8-1 VOTE.

IT MUST COME BACK FOR A SECOND READING LAST MONTH FOR FINAL APPROVAL.

>>> XAVIER BECERRA, PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PICK FOR HEALTH SECRETARY, FACES HIS FIRST DAY OF SENATE HEARING.

HE CURRENTLY SERVES AS CALIFORNIA'S ATTORNEY GENERAL.

TODAY HE WAS ASKED ABOUT THE GUIDELINES FOR REOPENING SCHOOLS, AND WHETHER THEY MIGHT PREVENT FULL IN PERSON LEARNING THIS YEAR, AND POSSIBLY INTO NEXT YEAR.

>> LET SCIENCE GUIDE US, AND LET THE EXPERTS DETERMINE WHEN IT IS SAFE.

REMEMBERING THAT SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION ARE A LOCAL ISSUE, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS A PARTNERSHIP, WE PROVIDE THE GUIDANCE, WE SHOULD NOT BE THE ONES MAKING THE FINAL DECISION ON HOW AND WHEN A SCHOOL WILL REOPEN.

>> OF CONCERNED, HE WOULD BE THE FIRST LATINO TO LEAD THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

>>> THE POSSIBILITY OF VIOLENCE.

THAT IS WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS EXPECTED ON JANUARY 6, BUT INSTEAD POLICE OFFICERS WERE ATTACKED BY AN ANGRY MOB AS INSURRECTIONIST STORMED THE CAPITAL.

TODAY THE HEADS OF SECURITY TESTIFIED ABOUT WHAT WENT WRONG ON THAT DEADLY DAY.

EMILY SCHMIDT REPORTS FROM WASHINGTON.

>> Reporter: UNAWARE.

>> I LOOK AT THIS AS AN INTELLIGENCE PROBLEM THAT IMPACTED THIS EVENT.

>> Reporter: UNPREPARED.

>> WE NOW KNOW THAT WE HAD THE WRONG PLAN.

>> Reporter: AND OVERWHELMED.

>> THESE CRIMINALS CAME PREPARED FOR WAR.

>> Reporter: THOSE IN CHARGE OF PROTECTING CONGRESS ON JANUARY 6 TESTIFIED TO THE SENATE ABOUT SECURITY FAILURES DURING THE DEADLY CAPITAL ATTACK.

>> WE HAD PLANNED FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF VIOLENCE, THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME PEOPLE BEING ARMED, NOT THE POSSIBILITY OF A COORDINATED, MILITARY STYLE ATTACK INVOLVING THOUSANDS AGAINST THE CAPITAL.

>> Reporter: THE CHIEF OF THE CAPITOL POLICE, WHO RESIGNED AFTER THE RIOT, SAID THE FBI HAD INFORMATION THAT WARNED WAR MAY BE WAGED ON THE CAPITAL, BUT THAT MESSAGE NEVER MADE IT TO LEADERSHIP, OR THE OFFICERS ON THE FRONT LINES.

SOME OF WHOM CONTINUE TO SUFFER.

>> I RECEIVED CHEMICAL BURNS TO MY FACE THAT STILL HAVE NOT HEALED TO THIS DAY.

>> Reporter: WASHINGTON'S METRO POLICE CHIEF ALSO POINTED TO THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT FOR NOT QUICKLY SENDING IN THE NATIONAL GUARD.

>> THE RESPONSE WAS MORE FOCUSED ON, IN ADDITION TO THE PLAN, THE OPTICS.

I WAS JUST STUNNED.

I HAVE OFFICERS THAT WERE OUT THERE LITERALLY FIGHTING FOR THEIR LIVES.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO THE COLOSSAL COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN, THE SECURITY OFFICIALS SAID SOME POLICE FORCES WERE NOT TRAINED TO HANDLE THE MAGNITUDE OF VIOLENCE, AND DID NOT HAVE THE PROPER GEAR TO RESPOND ON THAT DEADLY DAY.

>> THE FOCUS GOING FORWARD NEEDS TO BE ON THE EFFORT TO IMPROVE INTELLIGENCE AND COORDINATION OF SECURITY MEASURES BETWEEN ALL INVOLVED AGENCIES.

>> Reporter: AND WASHINGTON, EMILY SCHMIDT, KPBS NEWS .

>>> FAMED GOLFER TIGER WOODS IS SERIOUSLY HURT AFTER DRIVING OFF OF A WINDING ROAD IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY.

ACCORDING TO THE L.A. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, WOODS WORLD HIS SUV THIS MORNING IN THE RANCHO PALOS VERDES AREA.

FIREFIGHTERS HAD TO USE AN AXE AND OTHER TOOLS TO BREAK HIM FREE FROM THE WRECKED.

HE SUFFERED LIKE INJURIES, AND UNDERWENT SURGERY.

THE CRASHES UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> MORE THAN A DECADE AGO, THE MARINE CORPS ESTABLISHED WOUNDED WARRIOR BATTALIONS FOR MARINES WITH THE WORST MENTAL AND PHYSICAL INJURIES, BUT THOSE BATTALIONS ARE NOT ADDRESSING ONE OF THOSE TROOPS MOST COMMON ISSUES -- THE MARINES WHO ARE SUICIDAL OR SUFFER PTSD ARE STILL BEING DISCHARGED FOR MISCONDUCT.

HERE IS MILITARY REPORTER STEVE WALSH.

>> Reporter: STAFF SERGEANT ROMEO HAS MULTIPLE COMBAT TOURS STARTING IN IRAQ IN 2004, AND LATER IN HELMAND PROVINCE IN AFGHANISTAN.

WHEN HIS OUTPOST WAS ATTACKED FROM A NEARBY VILLAGE.

>> FIREFIGHTS.

WHEN I GOT BACK, I NOTICED THAT I WAS NOT THE SAME.

>> Reporter: A FEW YEARS LATER AS AN INSTRUCTOR, HE REMEMBERS SAVING A MARINES LIFE.

THE YOUNG MARINE THROUGH A LIVE GRENADE AND IT BOUNCED BACK, LEADING IN BETWEEN THEM.

THE MARINE FROZE AND HE DROVE ON TOP OF HIM.

>> I REMEMBER EVERYTHING AND SO MOTION.

BY THE TIME I GRABBED THAT MARINE, I REALLY THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO LOSE MY LEG.

>> Reporter: IT'S ALSO WHERE HE RECEIVED A TBI DRAMATIC BRAIN INJURY.

>> I START GETTING HEADACHES.

>> Reporter: HIS 18 YEAR CAREER AS A MARINE CAME TO AN ABRUPT END AFTER A DUI IN OKINAWA.

HEARING VOICES, HE WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR SUICIDAL THOUGHTS AND FLOWN BACK TO THE NAVAL HOSPITAL IN SAN DIEGO.

HE SPOKE FOR A WOUNDED WARRIOR BATTALION AT CAMP PENDLETON AS HE WAS FIGHTING TO STOP THE MARINE CORPS FROM KICKING HIM OUT OF THE SERVICE.

>> I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO TRY TO PUT ME ON THE STREETS, WITH NO HELP.

>> Reporter: CHRISTOPHER GOLDSMITH SAYS IT'S A COMMON STORY.

IT HAPPENED TO HIM.

>> I WAS KICKED OUT OF THE ARMY IN 2007 AFTER SURVIVING A SUICIDE ATTEMPT.

HER BACK HE HAS GONE ON TO FORM HIGHER GROUND, WHERE HE ADVOCATES FOR CHANGING THE LAW SO THAT FEWER TROOPS GET DISCHARGED FOR MISCONDUCT IN THE FIRST PLACE, WHICH AFFECTS THEIR VETERANS BENEFITS.

HE SAYS IT IS STILL HAPPENING AS OFTEN AS IT DOES BECAUSE IT IS TOO EASY FOR COMMANDERS TO SEPARATE SERVICE MEMBERS.

>> IT IS BECAUSE THERE IS NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

OFFICERS CAN DISCHARGE PEOPLE AND RUIN THEIR LIVES BY STRIPPING PEOPLE WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM PTSD FROM ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, AND THAT OFFICER JUST GETS TO MOVE ON WITH THEIR LIFE.

>> Reporter: HE WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE THE LAW SO THAT WHEN COMMANDERS KICK SOMEONE OUT OF THE SERVICE, IT HURTS THEM WHEN THEY COME UP FOR PROMOTION.

AT CAMP PENDLETON'S WOUNDED WARRIOR BATTALION WHERE PECK TORRES WAS ASSIGNED, THE COMMANDER BOUGHT ADDRESS INDIVIDUAL CASES.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL BRIAN HEISMAN SAYS MOST MARINE TO AND APPEAR ARE ON THEIR WAY OUT OF THE CORE.

MANY VOLUNTARILY.

>> WE ARE AWARE OF LEGAL ISSUES.

WE ARE AWARE OF THAT AS THOSE ARE GOING ON, BUT OUR FOCUS MINUTE THIS TIME.

>> Reporter: HE'S A FORMER INFANTRY OFFICER WITHOUT A MEDICAL BACKGROUND.

WOUNDED WARRIOR BATTALIONS ARE MARINE UNITS, NOT MEDICAL UNITS.

THEY COORDINATE TREATMENT AND CONNECT WITH THAT THE A BENEFITS SYSTEM FOR THOSE MARINES BEING DISCHARGED BECAUSE OF ILLNESS OR INJURY.

IT WAS THE COMMANDER BACK IN OKINAWA WHO WANTED PECK TORRES TO BE INVOLUNTARILY DISCHARGED FOR MISCONDUCT EVEN THOUGH HE'S UNDERGOING TREATMENT.

AT THE 11th HOUR, HE HIRED A PRIVATE ATTORNEY, J SULLIVAN, TO TRY TO STOP HIM FROM BEING DISCHARGED.

>> HE CANNOT DO THIS ALONE.

HE NEEDS A LOT OF HELP.

THIS DISORDERS HE HAS ARE PERMANENT, AND HE WILL BE STRUGGLING FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS IT IS MORE THAN A POTENTIAL LOSS OF BENEFITS.

IT IS A SENSE OF ABANDONMENT.

>> I HAD MY INTERVIEW WITH THE SERGEANT MAJOR YESTERDAY, AND I COULD NOT CONTROL MY EMOTIONS, SO I JUST STARTED BREAKING DOWN .

>> Reporter: A FEW DAYS AFTER THIS LAST INTERVIEW, THE STAFF SERGEANT TEXTED THAT HIS INVOLUNTARY DISCHARGE WAS FINAL .

HE HAD TO LEAVE THE WOUNDED WARRIOR BATTALION AT CAMP PENDLETON AND HEAD HOME TO TEXAS, WHERE HE FACES AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE.

STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS .

>>> DRIER WEATHER IS IN OUR FUTURE RIGHT THROUGH THE WEEK, AND THE WEEKEND.

WE DO SEE A FAIRLY STRONG SYSTEM COMING DOWN OVER THE WEEKEND WHICH WILL BRING SIGNIFICANT COOLING, ESPECIALLY SUNDAY.

BEFORE THEN, WE HAVE A WIND EVENT COMING AT US WEDNESDAY NIGHT, INTO THURSDAY.

A BURST IN THE SANTA ANA.

TEMPERATURES TONIGHT, SAN DIEGO 50.

EL CAJON 45.

RAMON, 39.

52 BORREGO SPRINGS PIER 39 AND CAMPO.

OCEANSIDE AROUND 43.

WEDNESDAY'S WEATHER, WE SHOULD SEE COMFORTABLE READINGS HERE.

WE SEE SOME CLOUDS GIVING AWAY TO SUNSHINE AT THE COASTAL AREAS.

OCEANSIDE 66, SAN DIEGO 68.

THE MORNING HOURS ARE KIND OF GRAY OUT THERE.

THERE YOU CAN SEE ESCONDIDO, RAMON AT 74 AND 78 IN EL CAJON.

BORREGO SPRINGS CRACKS 80, UP TO 83.

LAGUNA AT 53 WITH SUNSHINE.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT TO THURSDAY, WE SEE A WIND EVENT COMING AT US.

IT WILL COME IN FROM THE NORTHEAST.

40 TO 60 MILE PER HOUR GUSTS, ESPECIALLY TROUBLESOME THROUGH THE CANYONS AND PASSES.

LOOKING OUT OUR TEMPERATURES, THEY WILL BE MILD, RIGHT INTO THURSDAY.

AND FOR THE WEEKEND, YOU CAN SEE HOW IT STARTS TO COOL OFF JUST A BIT, ESPECIALLY SUNDAY.

HERE IN THE INLAND SECTIONS, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE.

LOOK AT FRIDAY'S HIGH.

THEN WE START TO COOL OFF.

LOW 60s ON SUNDAY.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, STRONG WIND, AND COOL BREEZES.

BY THE WEEKEND, IT IS CHILLY ON SUNDAY.

EVEN THE DESERTS WILL SEE THE TEMPERATURES DROPPING OFF BIG- TIME INTO THE 50s ON SUNDAY.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I AM METEOROLOGIST MARK MANCUSO.

>>> SAN DIEGANS ARE USED TO SEEING WETSUITS ON SURFERS AND SCUBA DIVERS, BUT HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ONE ON A TURTLE?

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL GIVES US A LOOK AT SOME INNOVATIVE THERAPY BEING USED AT A SOUTH BAY WILDLIFE CENTER.

>> Reporter: THE LIVING COAST DISCOVERY CENTER IN CHULA VISTA IS HOME TO ALL SORTS OF BIRDS AND MARINE LIFE, SOME HAVE BEEN INJURED IN THE WILD AND ARE BROUGHT TO THE CENTER FOR TREATMENT AND RECOVERY.

OTHERS CANNOT RETURN TO THE WILD, AND LIVE THEIR LIVES OUT AT THE CENTER.

SUCH IS THE CASE WITH SAPPHIRE.

WHEN WE ARRIVED THIS MORNING, THE 200 POUND LOGGERHEAD TURTLE WAS TAKING A NAP, HEAD DOWN, TAIL UP.

THAT IS UNTIL ANIMAL CARE SPECIALIST DANNA REITMAN SHOWED UP WITH SOME FRESH SMELT AND SQUID.

IT IS A DIET SAPPHIRE HAS BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO SINCE COMING HERE TO LIVE IN 2014.

SHE CAME FROM FLORIDA WHERE SHE HAD BEEN HIT TWICE BY BOATS.

SHE LOST SIGHT IN AND I, AND ONE OF HER FLIPPERS IS PARTIALLY PARALYZED, BUT SHE RECOVERED AND HAD BEEN DOING FINE.

THEN IN APRIL LAST YEAR, STAFF YOUR STARTED NOTICING THAT SAPPHIRE WAS HAVING BUOYANCY PROBLEMS.

NOT JUST IN THE WAY YOU MIGHT THINK COMING UP FOR AIR, BUT ALSO BEING ABLE TO STAY DOWN IN THE WATER WHERE SHE FEEDS, AND AS YOU CAN SEE, WHERE SHE SLEEPS.

>> SHE WAS NOT COMFORTABLE, AND THAT IS WHERE WE SAW THE DECREASE IN UPPER APPETITE AND OVERALL QUALITY OF LIFE.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE SHE WAS COMFORTABLE AND EXHIBITING NATURAL BEHAVIORS.

>> Reporter: THE CHALLENGE WAS TO HELP SAPPHIRE REGAIN CONTROL OF HER BUOYANCY.

SHE ALREADY HAD WEIGHTS GLUED ONTO HER SHELL, BUT THE PART OF HER BODY WERE HER BUOYANCY COMES FROM SHIFTS, SO THE WEIGHTS CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH.

REISMAN HAD AN IDEA, A WETSUIT WHERE WEIGHTS CAN BE ADDED AS NEEDED.

THE IDEA STARTED OUT WITH THESE LITTLE PROTOTYPES USED ON A SMALL TURTLE, THEN THIS BLUE ONE WITH A POCKET SEWN ON.

FORTUNATELY, SHE KNEW SOME PEOPLE AT THE O'NEILL WETSUIT COMPANY IN SANTA CRUZ WHO WERE HAPPY TO HELP MAKE A CUSTOM WEB SUIT, ALLOWING FOR MUCH MORE TARGETED THERAPY.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT PART ARE THE POCKETS WHERE WE CAN PUT THE WEIGHTS IN.

IT'S A NICE SNUG FIT, JUST LIKE IT WOULD BE FOR US, TO STAY CLOSE TO HER BODY AND SIMULATE WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE IF WE WERE TO GLUE WEIGHTS CLOSER.

THAT HELPS US DOWN THE LINE, FIGURING OUT WHERE WE MAY NEED TO PUT A PERMANENT WEIGHT IN THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: DURING HER WETSUIT THERAPY, SAPPHIRE WAS MOVED INTO THIS SHALLOW POOL TO MAKE IT EASIER TO GET HER IN AND OUT OF THE WETSUIT.

THEY ARE OF COURSE KEEPING THE WETSUIT SHOULD SHE NEED MORE THERAPY DOWN THE LINE, BUT THINGS HAVE GONE SO WELL THAT SHE HAS RETURNED TO THE BIG POOL, WHERE SHE IS NOW BACK TO SWIMMING, EATING, AND NAPPING, CONTENT, ONE HOPES, WITH HER LIFE HERE AT THE LIVING COAST DISCOVERY CENTER.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SINCE LIVE PERFORMANCES ARE STILL NOT ALLOWED, LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE CONTINUES TO RELEASE NEW DIGITAL WITHOUT WALL SHOWS ONLINE.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER BETH TAKEMOTO HAS A LOOK AT THE LATEST OFFERING.

>> Reporter: LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE IS BIDDING TRUTH TO POWER WHILE THAT OFFERS A PERFECT WAY TO CLOSE OUT BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

>> IS A THREE-PART INTERGENERATIONAL MUSICAL POEM THAT IS THE UNIT AND THE GANG, THAT IS THE ANCIENT AND THE NEW, THE MALE AND THE FEMALE.

IT'S AN INTERGENERATIONAL PIECE THAT WAS CREATED BY TWO ARTISTS, ELLIE SMITH COOPER, AND OCTOGENARIAN, AND SHANI DEAN, A MILLENNIAL PEER OR BACK SHE'S ONE OF THE PRODUCERS IS BIDDING TRUTH TO POWER, WHICH USES IMAGES MY MUSIC, AND SPOKEN WORD IN THE WEST AFRICAN TRADITION OF GRILLO.

>> IT'S THE WEST AFRICAN TRADITION OF STORYTELLING, BUT THE ORAL STORYTELLING OF CARRYING ON OUR HISTORY THROUGH ORAL STORYTELLING, AND THROUGH MUSIC.

IS THE MUSIC AND THE WORDS THAT ARE CARRYING ON THIS HISTORY.

AS YOU WILL SEE IN THE FIRST PIECE, THE SERMON, IT REALLY IS A LOOK BACK AT WHAT WE HAVE OVERCOME, THE HISTORY OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> WE LIVE TO EMBRACE THE SEED OF RACISM.

BLIND TO OUR COMMON CREATION.

WE ARE THE AGENCY OF ABOLITION.

>> Reporter: THE OCTOGENARIAN POET WANTED TO ADDRESS AN INTERGENERATIONAL CONNECTION, AND SHE FELT A POP COULD HELP.

>> HIP-HOP IS MUSIC, PUTTING IT TO MUSIC AS A WAY TO GET FOLKS TO LISTEN TO THE STORY OF THEIR HISTORY.

THAT IS PART ONE, THE SERMON.

THE SECOND PART IS LITERALLY A PRAYER.

IT'S A PRAYER FOR JUSTICE, A PRAYER FOR RESOLUTION.

IT'S A PRAYER FOR RESURRECTION.

>> PLEASE WATCH OVER THE FAMILIES WHOSE CHILDREN HAVE PASSED.

>> THE THIRD PART IS THE COMING TOGETHER, A FOLLOWING OF THE ANCESTORS, AND REALIZING THAT WE JUST HAVE TO LISTEN TO OUR HISTORY.

WE HAVE TO FEEL THE POWER OF THE PATH THAT THE ANCESTORS HAVE LAID FOR US.

>> THE PLAN TO MANIPULATE US.

>> WE APPROACH THIS PROJECT LIKE A FILM, VERSUS A PIECE OF THEATER.

IT FELT LIKE WE HAD GONE BACK TO WORK FOR JUST A BRIEF MOMENT.

I FELT LIKE WE WERE DOING WHAT WE DO AGAIN, INSTEAD OF BEING IN FRONT OF THE SCREEN.

>> Reporter: THE PLAYHOUSE WANTS TO CONNECT WITH ITS VIRTUAL AUDIENCE, SO IT IS INVITING PEOPLE TO TAKE THE SERMON CHALLENGE.

>> THE SERMON EXCITES THE HISTORY AND THE PASSION, AND WHAT WE NEED IN ORDER TO MOVE FORWARD.

SO WHAT WE ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO DO IS RESPOND TO THAT.

WHAT DOES THAT IGNITE IN YOU?

>> Reporter: THE PLAYHOUSE WILL EVEN PROVIDE YOU WITH THE MUSIC TO CREATE YOUR OWN VERSION OF THE SERMON VIDEO.

>> IT'S SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PIECE.

ALL THREE PARTS ALTOGETHER ARE 9 MINUTES.

IT WILL BE THE MOST POWERFUL 9 MINUTES OF YOUR YEAR THUS FAR.

I CAN GUARANTEE YOU.

>> Reporter: FIND 9 MINUTES AND GET INSPIRED.

KPBS NEWS.

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

GOVERNOR NEWSOM SIGNED OFF ON MORE THAN $7.5 BILLION IN DIRECT RELIEF FOR CALIFORNIANS, SIMILAR TO FEDERAL STIMULUS CHECKS.

5.7 MILLION LOW INCOME CALIFORNIANS WILL GET $600 PAYMENTS.

$2 BILLION IS BEING POURED INTO THE STATES SMALL BUSINESSES RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM.

>>> SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT PLANS TO LAUNCH HYBRID INSTRUCTION FOR ALL GRADES BEGINNING APRIL 12th.

THAT MEANS STUDENTS HAVE THE OPTION TO SPLIT THEIR TIME BETWEEN VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON LEARNING.

THE SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT SAYS THE TIMELINE IS CONTINGENT ON STAFF BEING VACCINATED, AND THE COUNTY BEING OUT OF THE PURPLE TEAR FOR COVID-19 INFECTION RATES.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI , HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING ADDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING & AIR , PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS , AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING & AIR , HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING, AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION , AND EIGHT, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

>>> AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

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