>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "KPBS EVENING EDITION" 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.

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 TO THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE -- DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND, BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU, THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING, IS TUESDAY, JANUARY 18th.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

TRASH STARTED BEING PICKED UP TODAY.

AFTER A MONTH-LONG STRIKE.

KPBS REPORTER KATIE ALVARADO TELLS US, WHILE EMPLOYEES ARE HAPPY TO BE BACK AND THAT WORK WITH THE NEW CONTRACT, THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE STILL UNHAPPY.

>> Reporter: BACK AT WORK IN CHULA VISTA AFTER BEING ON STRIKE FOR A MONTH.

>> I AM HAPPY AND BLESSED TO HAVE A JOB.

ROMANTIC TRASH PILED UP AS THE STRIKE WENT ON.

THINGS THAT'S ABOUT, THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA EVEN DECLARED A LOCAL EMERGENCY.

AND MANY, LIKE THE OWNER OF SKYLINE CONVENIENCE WERE SO DESPERATE TO GET RID OF TRASH, THEY PAID HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO PRIVATE COMPANIES TO HAUL IT AWAY.

>> IT STINKS.

AND THIS IS A NICE, CLEAN AREA.

IT'S BAD FOR BUSINESS TOO.

>> Reporter: FOR PUBLIC SERVICES AND LOCAL -- THE UNION THAT REPRESENTS MARTINEZ IN OVER 250 OF HIS COWORKERS, CAME TO AN AGREEMENT LATE MONDAY AFTERNOON, AFTER BEING AT A STALEMATE AS PART OF THEIR NEW CONTRACT, EMPLOYEES WILL RECEIVE A $1000 BONUS.

NO BACKPAY.

CASTILLO SAYS IT'S NOT A LUXURY AS THEY WENT THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS EARNING ONLY A SMALL PORTION OF THEIR SALARIES.

>> I THINK A LOT OF MY BROTHERS UNDERSTOOD, MY COWORKERS UNDERSTOOD THAT SACRIFICE.

>> Reporter: PUBLIC SERVICES SAID THAT THEY WELCOME THEIR EMPLOYEES BACK, AND THANK THEIR CUSTOMERS FOR THEIR PATIENCE.

BUT MANY CUSTOMERS ARE NOT HAPPY AND WANT TO BE REIMBURSED.

NOT JUST FOR THE MONTH THEY WENT WITHOUT TRASH COLLECTION, BUT FOR HAVING TO HIRE HELP TO HAUL IT AWAY.

>> FOLKS HAVE SUFFERED.

AND THEY ARE ANGRY.

>> Reporter: CHULA VISTA COUNCILMEMBER JOE GALVEZ SAYS THAT THEY ARE FIGHTING FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR RESIDENTS IN THE CITY.

>> IT HAS NOT BEEN CHEAP AND WE WILL BE BUILDING REPUBLIC SERVICES FOR EVERY DOLLAR THAT WE SPENT COLLECTING SUPPLEMENTAL TRASH AND WE WILL ALSO BE FIGHTING AND PENALIZING THEM.

>> Reporter: SANITATION WORKERS SET UP GOFUNDME ACCOUNTS.

BUT SINCE ONE OF THEIR COWORKERS SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK, THAT PUT HIM IN A COMA, THEY DECIDED TO GIVE THAT MONEY TO HIM.

GALVEZ ASKS THE COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER AND HELP SUPPORT THIS WORKER.

>> I HOPE FOLKS THAT HAVE A HEART, THEY WANT TO DO SOMETHING TO HELP AND SAY THANK YOU.

>> Reporter: CASTILLO ALSO HOPES THAT THE COMMUNITY SEES THEM IN A NEW LIGHT COME AFTER THE STRIKE.

>> I'M HOPING THAT THE COMMUNITY SEES WHAT IT IS THAT WE DO.

THEY DON'T JUST SEE IT AS A STINKY, TRASH TRUCKS COMING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

THAT THEY SEE THE HUMAN PART OF IT, THE PEOPLE THAT ARE INSIDE.

>> Reporter: KENNY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS COVID CASES BEGIN TO RISE, THE OMICRON VARIANT COUNTS FOR ALMOST ALL OF THE INFECTIONS.

THE CDC IT SAYS THAT IT IS CAUSE 95% OF THE NEW CASES IN THE LAST WEEK.

IN THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER, IT ACCOUNTED FOR LESS THAN 1% OF CASES, BUT JUMPED TO 89% BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

WITH THIS RAPIDLY SPREADING, THERE'S A DEBATE OVER WHETHER SCHOOL WILL STAY OPEN NO MATTER WHAT OR VIRTUAL LEARNING IS BEST RIGHT NOW.

REPORTER GERALD FORD JUST HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: COVID-19 CONTINUES TO TAKE ITS TOLL NATIONWIDE.

ACCORDING TO JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY, THE U.S. IS CURRENTLY AVERAGING OVER 685,000 CASES PER DAY.

FOR SOME STATES, LIKE NEW YORK, NEW CASES HAVE BEGUN TO SLOW DOWN.

SOME EXPERTS SAY WE ARE NOT IN THE CLEAR JUST.

>> I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH.

WE HAVE TO STOP THE HAPPY TALK ABOUT OMICRON.

IS A VERY SERIOUS PATHOGEN.

>> Reporter: DO TO POSITIVE COVID CASES, SOME DISTRICTS, LIKE -- IN KANSAS HAVE CANCELED CLASSES SO FAR THIS WEEK.

>> IS A VERY TRICKY TIME RIGHT NOW IN OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE THE SPREAD IS SO HIGH.

>> Reporter: A NEW REVIEW OF STUDIES RELEASED ON THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION'S SHOW SCHOOL CLOSURES AND SOCIAL LOCKDOWN DURING THE EARLY MONTHS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC WERE ASSOCIATED WITH ADVERSE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEMS LIKE DISTRESS, AND ANXIETY AMONG CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.

BUT SOME TEACHERS HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THEIR OWN HEALTH.

COMPLICATING THE DECISION TO RETURN TO IN PERSON LEARNING.

>> I KNOW TEACHERS WANT TO BE IN SCHOOL, BUT THEY WANT TO BE IN SCHOOL WHERE IT IS SAFE AND HEALTHY.

>> Reporter: SOME STAY IN HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO KEEP SCHOOLS OPEN.

IN MASSACHUSETTS, THE GOVERNOR ANNOUNCED A ROLLOUT OF FREE AT- HOME TESTS FOR TEACHERS AND STUDENTS.

>> SCHOOL HAVE A CHOICE.

THEY CAN CHOOSE TO OPT INTO THIS NEW RAPID PROGRAM IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE TEST AND STATE PROGRAM, OR THEY CAN STAY WITH THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN OPERATING OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST TWO YEAR.

>> Reporter: DARRELL FORGES, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE FOR FREE COVID TESTS IS UP AND RUNNING.

COVID -- COVIDTEST.GOV WENT LIVE TODAY TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE NO TECHNICAL PROBLEMS.

COMING UP NEXT, HOW IT WORKS AND THE OTHER WAYS THAT YOU CAN GET FREE TESTS.

>>> TODAY, HELICOPTER GIANTS AND AT&T -- KPBS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REPORTER THOMAS FUDGE HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: 5G TECHNOLOGY WILL ALLOW SMART PHONES AND OTHER WIRELESS DEVICES TO COMMUNICATE A LOT FASTER.

AN ENGINEERING PROFESSOR AT UC SAN DIEGO CALLS 5G EFFICIENT AND ESSENTIAL.

>> IT WILL TOTALLY REVOLUTIONIZE AGRICULTURE, INDUSTRY, SHIPPING, TRANSPORTATION, HOTELS, EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: BUT THIS COMMUNICATIONS REVOLUTION HAS A PROBLEM.

IT'S WIRELESS SPECTRUM IS UNCOMFORTABLY CLOSE TO THAT OF THE RADAR THEY AIRPLANES USED TO LAND IN LOW VISIBILITY CONDITIONS.

AIRPORTS NEED TO MAINTAIN BUFFERING ZONES, SUCH THAT 5G TOWERS CAN OPERATE WITHIN TWO MILES OF AN AIRFIELD.

AND SAYS IT'S JACK'S STICK.

IN AN FAA LIST OF AIRPORTS THAT HAVE AN ADEQUATE 5G BUFFER ZONE DOES NOT INCLUDE THE SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL PUT OUT A STATEMENT, SAYING COMPANIES OPERATING AT THE AIRPORT HAVE NOT IMPLEMENTED 5G.

AND THOSE COMPANIES HAVE AGREED TO WORK WITH THE FAA TO ENSURE CONTINUED OPERATIONS IN AFFECTED AIRPORTS.

FOR ITS PART, IT HAS VOLUNTARILY AGREED NOT TO -- TOWERS NEAR AIRPORT RUNWAYS IN THE US.

IT ADDED A JOB AT THE FAA, SAYING THAT THE AGENCY DOES NOT RESPONSIBLY USE THE TWO YEARS THAT IT HAS HAD TO PLAN FOR THIS DEPLOYMENT.

DAVE SAYS HE AGREES THAT THE PARTY SHOULD HAVE WORKED OUT THE PLAN.

HE SAYS ONE POSSIBLE SHORT-TERM SOLUTION, AND IT IS NOT A GOOD ONE FOR ALL AIRPORTS IS TO DIAL DOWN THE 5G AS AIRPLANES APPROACH.

>> SENSING TECHNOLOGIES, WHICH CAN SENSE THE -- COMING IN.

>> Reporter: LONG-TERM, IT'S MORE DIFFICULT TO SAY.

BUT A SOLUTION IS NEEDED IF AIR TRAVEL IN THE POWER IN THE SPEED OF 5G ARE GOING TO COEXIST IN URBAN AMERICA.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THERE IS NEW HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY FOR CALIFORNIA COLLEGE STUDENTS STRUGGLING TO PAY FOR THEIR EDUCATION.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER ANGIE PEREZ HAS MORE ON THE PROGRAM LAUNCHED TODAY THAT INCLUDES TWO SAN DIEGO UNIVERSITIES.

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA HAS A FAMILIAR IDEA.

YOUNG PEOPLE, DOING SERVICE WORK IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND EARNING AS MUCH AS $10,000.

TO PAY FOR THEIR HIGHER EDUCATION.

STUDENTS RECEIVED DETAILS ON SOCIAL MEDIA THIS MORNING AS STATE LEADERS LAUNCHED THE PATHWAY OF HOPE AND OPPORTUNITY.

>> MIDWEST CALL ON YOUNG PEOPLE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY AND THEN, GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITIES TO ACTUALLY DO SO IN A MEANINGFUL WAY.

AND WE MUST DO THIS WHILE KEEPING THEM ON TRACK TO GRADUATE, BUILDING THEIR SKILLS, AND HELPING MAKE COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE.

>> Reporter: THE ONLINE EVENT INCLUDED THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF 45 COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES THAT WILL PARTNER WITH THE STATE TO OFFER SUPPORT WITH THEIR STUDENTS.

THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO, AND UC SAN DIEGO MADE THE CUT.

STARTING THE SKULL, STUDENTS ON THOSE CAMPUSES CAN APPLY FOR A YEAR OF SERVICE THAT COULD INCLUDE CLIMATE ACTION, TUTORING, SUPPORTING FOOD BANKS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY LEADS.

STUDENTS ON PELL GRANTS COULD USE THE $10,000 TO PAY THEIR HALF OF THE REMAINING FINANCIAL COST OF TUITION INSTEAD OF BORROWING IT.

IN CALIFORNIA IS, AND ALWAYS SHOULD BE A PLACE WHERE EDUCATION TURNS DREAMS INTO REALITY.

WHERE PEOPLE FROM ALL BACKGROUNDS AND WALKS OF LIFE CAN SUCCEED.

>> Reporter: THAT INCLUDES THE SO-CALLED DREAMERS, BROUGHT TO THE U.S. IS VERY YOUNG CHILDREN, BY THEIR UNDOCUMENTED PARENTS.

UNLIKE THE FEDERALLY FUNDED -- VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION, CALIFORNIA'S COLLEGE CORE WILL ACCEPT ELIGIBLE DREAMERS INTO STATE SERVICE.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES CAN BE TAILOR-MADE TO A STUDENT'S TALENT OR INTEREST, LIKE IAN CHAVEZ.

A JUNIOR IN SAN DIEGO STATE WHO SPOKE ONLINE THIS MORNING ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER WORK HE DID MONDAY FOR THE MLK HOLIDAY.

>> I'M NOT THE BEST AT SELLING, BUT I HOPE THAT THEY LIKE -- AND THIS WILL BE GIVEN TO REFUGEES IN THE AREA.

>> Reporter: THE COLLEGE CORE HAS $146 MILLION OF STATE FUNDING TO START CREATING COMMUNITY, AND FUTURE SUCCESS STORIES.

MG PEREZ, KPBS.

>>> FACING A WALL OF REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION AND KEY DEFECTIONS WITHIN ITS RATES, SENATE DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO PUSH NEW VOTING RIGHTS THROUGH WASHINGTON.

>> Reporter: ON CAPITOL HILL, THE SENATE BEGAN TO DEBATE TUESDAY ON VOTING RIGHTS LEGISLATION THAT COMBINES TWO SEPARATE BILLS ALREADY PASSED THE HOUSE.

>> WE HAVE NOT REACHED A PLACE WHERE EVERY PERSON CAN VOTE EASILY.

AND OPENLY, AND HONESTLY.

>> Reporter: THE FREEDOM TO VOTE ACT WOULD ESTABLISH NATIONWIDE STANDARDS FOR BALLOT ACCESS, INCLUDING ALLOWING EARLY VOTING AND VOTE BY MAIL.

IT WOULD ALSO MAKE ELECTION DAY A FEDERAL HOLIDAY.

THE SECOND MEASURE, NAMED AFTER THE LATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN LEWIS WOULD RESTORE PARTS OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965 THAT WERE WEAKENED BY THE SUPPORT OF DEMOCRATS.

JOE MANCHIN AND KIERSTEN CINEMA ARE AGAINST THIS BILL.

>> REPUBLICAN, WHEN THEY SHOW UP, THEY SHOW UP WITH AN AX.

DEMOCRATS SHOW UP WITH A BUTTER KNIFE.

>> Reporter: -- >> OUR FUTURE HINGES ON YOUR DECISION, AND HISTORY WILL REMEMBER WHAT CHOICE YOU MADE.

>> Reporter: BUT OPPONENTS ARE CALLING THE PROPOSAL PARTISAN OVERREACH, WITH SOMETHING THAT MORE ATTENTION SHOULD BE PLACED ON THE ELECTORAL COUNT ACT.

>> LET'S HAVE A BIPARTISAN EFFORT, RATHER THAN POLITICIZING AND USING JANUARY 6th AS A POLITICAL WEAPON.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, CHRIS WHEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THERE'S AN OLD SAYING THAT ALL POSITIVE -- ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL.

HOLDING VOTES ON NATIONAL ISSUES.

HOW THEY REFLECT OUR INTENSELY PARTISAN TIMES.

>> Reporter: IN SEPTEMBER, LAST YEAR, THE COUNTY SUPERVISORS LISTEN TO ALMOST 3 HOURS OF PUBLIC COMMENT.

THE ISSUE AT HAND, ABORTION RIGHTS.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT THAT ALL SAN DIEGANS NO THAT SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS A CHAMPION FOR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM.

>> Reporter: THE VOTE WAS ONE OF SEVERAL IN RECENT TIMES ON NATIONAL ISSUES THAT DON'T HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNANCE OF THE COUNTY.

IN APRIL, THE SUPERVISORS VOTED TO SUPPORT STATE AND FEDERAL GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION.

IN NOVEMBER, TO SUPPORT A BAN ON OFFSHORE OIL DRILLING.

>> THE MOTION PASSES.

>> Reporter: THESE ARE VERY MUCH PARTISAN ISSUES, AND THE BOARDS AND DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY CHOSEN FOR A REASON.

USUALLY, THE TO REPUBLICANS ON THE BOARD, JIM DESMOND AND JOEL ANDERSON WERE EITHER ABSENT, OR VOTED NO.

THE VOTES ARE LIKELY DONE WITH AN EYE ON FUTURE ELECTIONS.

SAYS -- A POLITICS PROFESSOR AT UC SAN DIEGO.

>> THEY ARE DESIGNED TO SET UP CAMPAIGN MAILERS AND TV ADS IN THE NEXT ELECTION.

AND PART OF THE JOB, AS A POLITICIAN IS BEING ABLE TO TAKE A STAND, AND EXPLAIN THAT TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS.

>> Reporter: SUCH TACTICS ARE NOTHING NEW.

THE BERKELEY CITY COUNCIL ONCE VOTED ON NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT.

AND SUPPORT OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN MYANMAR.

THEY BECOME INCREASINGLY COMMON IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

NOT JUST AT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, BUT LOCAL CITY COUNCILS TOO.

COWS ARE SAYS, WHILE THESE VOTES MAY NOT BE OBVIOUS POLITICAL PLOYS, THERE ARE BENEFITS TO THEM.

FOR ONE, THEY TEND TO INCREASE ENGAGEMENT IN LOCAL POLITICS.

>> WHAT WE OFTEN WORRY ABOUT IS A DEMOCRATIC DEFICIT, WHERE THE COUNTY SUPERVISORS, LOCAL CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS, PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW WHO THEY ARE.

THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT POSITIONS THEY ARE TAKING.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHETHER THEY REFLECT THEIR VALUES.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT THE ONLY PROBLEMS ARISE WHEN THESE ISSUES INTERFERE WITH THE ISSUES OF THE COUNCIL.

THE COUNCIL BEGAN TAKING VOTES ON SEVERAL NATIONAL ISSUES FROM TRANSGENDER BATHROOMS TO SANCTUARY STATE LAWS.

>> I JUST SAID, I WAS NOT ELECTED TO DO THIS.

I DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ AND SEE ALL OF THE DEBATES REGARDING SENATE BILLS, OR COURT CASES.

AND THE NUANCES OF THE MALL.

SO I JUST TOOK A REALLY CROSS THE BOARD POSITION OF, I'M JUST NOT GOING TO VOTE ON THEM.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT THIS IS PETTY POLITICS AND THE VOTES DON'T RESONATE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., WHERE SOMETHING CAN ACTUALLY BE DONE ABOUT THEM.

>> I DON'T THINK THEY WOULD SAY OH, THE SANITY OF SAN DIEGO'S LETTER ON THIS ISSUE REALLY SEALED THE DEAL IN DC.

I'VE NEVER GOTTEN A PHONE CALL.

>> Reporter: BUT LOCAL LEADERS SHOULD TAKE A STAND ON NATIONAL ISSUES BECAUSE HERE AND ELSEWHERE, BASIC CIVIL LIBERTIES LIKE VOTING RIGHTS, LGBTQ RIGHTS, AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS ARE UNDER ATTACK.

SO SAYS WILL RODRIGUEZ KENNEDY, CHAIRMAN OF THE SAN DIEGO DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT THE PEOPLE IN DEMOCRATIC STATES, OR JUST PLAIN STATES THAT RESPECT HUMAN AND SOME RIGHTS DO THINGS TO SORT OF COUNTERBALANCE THAT NATIONAL NARRATIVE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HOLDING THESE VOTES AND FORMS THE PUBLIC ON THE ISSUES THEY CARE ABOUT.

>> THE PUBLIC SHOULD KNOW WHO IS IN POWER AND WITH THEIR IDEOLOGY AND THEIR VALUES ARE.

AND IF THEIR VALUES DO NOT MATCH WITH THEIR OWN PERSONAL VALUES, THE VALUES OF FAMILIES THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO, WHAT THEY DISCUSS AT THE KITCHEN TABLE, THEN THEY SHOULD NOT ELECT THEM.

>> Reporter: CADE SAYS THAT THAT HAS NOT BEEN HIS EXPERIENCE.

>> THAT HAS NEVER BEEN A PRIORITY FOR US.

WHERE SOMEONE WENT OUT OF THEIR WAY TO ASKED ME, WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON THIS FEDERAL ISSUE?

THAT I HEAR ABOUT ON FOX NEWS OR MSNBC OR ANYTHING ELSE.

IT'S NEVER BEEN THAT WAY AT ALL.

IT'S WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO FIX MY STREET?

WHY IS MY WATER BILL SO HIGH?

>>> THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED THE REQUEST AS CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRES ARE HAPPENING.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS MAKING PLANS TO STAVE OFF THOSE WILDFIRES BY THINNING THE FORESTS.

THE AREAS ARE TYPICALLY AT THE CUSP OF WHERE NATURE AND RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS MEET.

OFFICIALS WANT TO REDUCE VEGETATION THAT FUEL THESE FIRES BY MORE THAN DOUBLING CONTROLLED BURNS AND LOGGING OPERATIONS.

THE PLAN IS TO FOCUS ON AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN DEVASTATED BY WILDFIRES, INCLUDING CALIFORNIA'S SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS AND COLORADO'S ROCKY MOUNTAINS FOOTHILLS.

>>> LAST NIGHTS RAINFALL HAS PROMPTED A GENERAL WATER ADVISORY.

TO AVOID WATER CONTENT AT ALL COASTAL AREAS.

THE DE HQ ISSUED THE ADVISORY TO REMIND SWIMMERS AND SURFERS ABOUT THE HIGHER BACTERIA IN THE WATER ESPECIALLY NEAR STORM DRAINS, CREEKS, RIVERS, AND LAGOONS.

THE CLOSURE AREA RANGES FROM THE BEACHES AT INTERNATIONAL -- TO 500 FEET NORTH OF CARNATION AVENUE.

CONTACT WITH THE WATER SHOULD BE AVOIDED FOR 72 HOURS AFTER A RAIN EVENT.

>>> WE ARE GOING TO WATCH, AS OUR WINDS TURN OFFSHORE THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, WHICH MEANS, TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO BE ON THE RISE, AND WE ARE GOING TO STAY MAINLY DRY.

AHEAD TOO, WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF SOME SPRINKLES OUT THERE YESTERDAY.

MAYBE EVEN EARLIER THIS MORNING, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, WE SEE MORE IN THE WAY OF SUNSHINE IN THE FORM OF TEMPERATURES TOO.

LOOKING AHEAD, TONIGHT, 40 DEGREES IN OCEANSIDE.

MT.

LAGUNA, STILL HEADING DOWN TO THE 30s FOR THE OVERNIGHT LOWS.

WEDNESDAY, SAME OLD STORY.

LOOKING TO STAY TRANQUIL AND MILD, THE TEMPERATURES ACTUALLY GOING TO BE A GOOD BIT ABOVE AVERAGE THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD TOWARDS THE LATER PART OF THE WORKWEEK.

TEMPERATURES GETTING UP INTO THE MID-60s FOR YOU, OUT TOWARDS SAN DIEGO.

66 FOR A DAYTIME HIGH ON WEDNESDAY.

74 IN -- 47 FOR YOU IN MT.

LAGUNA.

NOT REALLY MUCH OF A CHANGE HERE, THURSDAY.

REALLY, THE ENTIRE WESTERN HALF OF THE COUNTRY FOR THE MOST PART IS LOOKING TO STAY PRETTY QUIET OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS, ESPECIALLY AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

NEAR THE COAST, TEMPERATURES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, GOING FROM LOW 60s ON WEDNESDAY INTO THE LOW 70s ON THURSDAY, YOU COULD SEE A BRIEF DROP INTO THE 60s FRIDAY.

BUT LOOKING TO STAY NICE AND MILD THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

LOW-MID-70S BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

FURTHER INLAND, TEMPERATURES FALLING THE SAME TREND FOR MID- 60s INTO THE MID-70s ON THURSDAY.

AND THEN, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY WILL HOLD NICE AND STEADY WITH A LOW-MID-70S AND PLENTY OF SUNSHINE ON THE BOARD.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, UPPER 40s AND LOW 50s.

THURSDAY FRIDAY, LITTLE BIT OF A DROP OFF HERE WITH SOME BREEZY WINDS AND TEMPERATURES GETTING BACK INTO THE 40s OR YOU SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

AND THEN, IN THE DESERT, TEMPERATURES NOT CHANGING MUCH HERE DAY TODAY.

LOOKING TO STAY NICE AND STEADY IN THE LOW TO MID 70s.

AGAIN, NO RAIN IN THE FORECAST.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M METEOROLOGIST JESSICA PATCH.

STORY >>> THIS WEEK, MEASURES ARE BEING PUT IN PLACE FOR AMERICANS TO GET A COVID TEST EASIER.

AMANDA GAITHER HAS MORE ON WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

>> Reporter: HOSPITAL STILL STRUGGLING AND WHEN IT COMES TO COVID-19 TESTS, AN UNPRECEDENTED DEMAND.

>> THAT'S WHY WE'VE HAD TO TAKE MORE MEASURES.

SO THE PEOPLE CAN ORDER THROUGH THE WEBSITE.

>> Reporter: THAT WEBSITE, COVID TESTS -- COVIDTESTS.GOV.

THEY ARE EXPECTED TO BE SHIPPED WITHIN 7-12 DAYS WITH THEM BEING ORDERED.

NO SHIPPING COST.

MOST AMERICANS WITH PRIVATE INSURANCE CAN ALSO NOW BY AT- HOME TESTS AT HOME OR IN STORES.

MAKE SURE TO KEEP YOUR RECEIPT IN CASE IT'S NEEDED.

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW, YOU WILL NOT NEED A DOCTOR'S ORDER OR PRESCRIPTION TO GET THE FREE TESTS.

INSURERS MUST PAY FOR UP TO 8 TESTS FOR A COVERED PERSON PER MONTH.

YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO GET REIMBURSED FOR ANYTHING BEFORE THE 14th.

IF YOU ARE ON MEDICARE, COVID- 19 TESTING DONE IN A LAB COMES AT NO CHARGE.

THOSE ENROLLED IN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS SHOULD CHECK WITH INSURERS TO SEE IF AT-HOME TESTS COSTS WILL BE COVERED.

ENROLLEES SHOULD CONTACT THEIR STATE AGENCIES FOR SPECIFIC COVERAGE DETAILS.

FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>>> CAN FIND THAT LINK TO ORDER FREE COVID TESTS ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

WE ARE FOLLOWING ALL OF THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN TRACKING COVID-19.

YOU WILL FIND THAT UNDER THE NEWS TAB, RIGHT THERE ON OUR HOMEPAGE.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS RECENTLY VOTED TO ALLOW MICRO-ENTERPRISE HOME KITCHENS.

KPBS PEAK CITY HEIGHTS REPORTER JACOB AYRES SAYS THE LAW COULD OFFICIALLY CHANGE BY LATE FEBRUARY.

WITH SOME LOCAL HOME KITCHEN OWNERS ALREADY BEING SHUTDOWN.

>> JUST SOUTH OF THE 94 FREEWAY IN SAN DIEGO'S EMERALD HILLS NEIGHBORHOOD IS WHERE ROSALYN JOHNSON LIVES.

ORIGINALLY FROM LEWIS MISSOURI, JOHNSON LOVES TO COOK SOUL FIELD STAPLES FROM HER HOMETOWN.

SHE DECIDED TO SHARE HER PASSION WITH THE COMMUNITY AFTER SHE GOT LAID OFF BY HER JOB.

EVEN HELPING TO SERVE SENIORS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

THAT WAS UNTIL SHE GOT A CEASE AND DESIST LETTER JUST LESS THAN A YEAR AGO.

>> I DID SOME RESEARCH, ACTUALLY, AND I FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS OKAY FOR YOU TO DO IT.

I GOT MY BUSINESS LICENSE.

I GOT MY FOOD CERTIFICATION.

AND MY SELLERS PERMIT.

I THOUGHT THAT I WAS READY TO GO.

AND, I FOUND OUT THAT I WAS NOT.

>> Reporter: IN PARADISE HILL, THERE'S A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT STORY FOR DELILAH DAVIS AND HER SOCAL CAFE DELIVERY BUSINESS.

SHE'S BEEN COOKING AND SELLING FOOD FROM HER HOME FOR SEVERAL YEARS TO A SELECT FEW TRUSTED CUSTOMERS.

IS STILL ILLEGAL TO RUN A MICRO- ENTERPRISE HOME KITCHEN, ALSO KNOWN AS A MICO.

>> IN FURTHER RESEARCH, FINDING OUT THAT THEY HAD SEVERAL BUSINESSES OUT ALREADY, OPERATING SUCCESSFULLY UNDER THE WILL, I WAS READY LITERATELY TO SELL MY HOUSE THIS YEAR.

I WAS GOING TO SELL MY HOME, AND FIND ANOTHER -- FOR RIVERSIDE COUNTY.

JUST SO I COULD GO UP THERE, AND BE PART OF THAT.

>> Reporter: DAVIS AND JOHNSON BOTH WANT THEM TO BE HELD TO THE SAME SAFETY STANDARDS.

BUT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE MAY BE SOME CHALLENGES AT THE BEGINNING.

PARTICULARLY IN DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.

THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE START UP COSTS.

>> THIS IS LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO GO INTO BUSINESS.

GENERATE CASH FLOW, IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH A BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: THE SECOND ORDINANCE, ALLOWING THE MICRO KITCHENS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY WILL COME JANUARY 26.

AT THE BOARD THAN THOSE IN FAVOR, MICO'S WILL BE ABLE TO OPERATE FOR AT LEAST TWO YEARS IN THE COUNTY AFTER THAT.

JAKE HEBERT, KPBS NEWS.

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

JOSH STARTED BEING PICKED UP AGAIN TODAY.

CHULA VISTA AND OTHER COMMUNITIES SERVED BY REPUBLIC SERVICES AFTER A MONTH LONG STRIKE.

THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA PLANS TO FINE THE COMPANY AND ASK IT TO PAY BACK THE MONEY THE CITY SHELLED OUT TO KEEP FROM DROWNING IN TRASH.

OFFICIALS ALSO WANT CUSTOMERS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE MONTH THEY WENT WITHOUT SERVICES.

>>> TODAY, THE TELECOM INDUSTRY AGREED TO LIMIT THEIR 5G TECHNOLOGY.

THE WIRELESS SPECTRUM IS VERY CLOSE TO THE RADAR THAT AIRPLANES USE TO LAND IN LOW VISIBILITY CONDITIONS.

THAT AIRLINE HAS SAID THAT 5G TOWERS CAN OPERATE WITHIN TWO MILES OF AN AIRFIELD.

IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THE SAN DIEGO ZOO IS CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF A SUMATRAN ORANGUTAN.

A CRITICALLY ENDANGERED SPECIES.

AS YOU ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT THE HEALTH EMAIL WAS BORN ON JANUARY 4th.

AND RELEASED THIS ADORABLE PICTURE OF HIM.

HE HAS BEEN NAMED CODGER, AFTER AN ISLAND IN THE INDONESIAN PART OF BORNEO.

IT'S THE FIRST ORANGUTAN BIRTH AT THE ZOO SINCE 2014.

OH MY GOODNESS.

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

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M KPBS.ORG.

I HOPE THAT YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "KPBS EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE IN 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.

DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND, BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.