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

HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAINED RAIN, HEATING, AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

IT IS TUESDAY, JANUARY 26.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>>> WITH THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER LIFTED SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS BACK IN PURPLE.

THAT IS GOOD NEWS BECAUSE IT MEANS A NUMBER INSTANCES CAN REOPEN WITH RESTRICTIONS AND MODIFICATIONS.

HAIR AND NAIL SALONS ARE AMONG THOSE THAT CAN NOW OPENING DOORS WHILE RESTAURANTS AND BREWERIES CAN SERVE DINERS OUTDOORS.

JOHN CARROLL HAS THE REACTION FROM BUSINESS OWNERS.

>> NOW WE START OVER AGAIN.

>> Reporter: JEFF OWNS THIS RESTAURANT IN NORTH PARK.

HE CAN RETURN TO SERVING CUSTOMERS OUTDOORS, BUT HE'S NOT AS HAPPY AS YOU MIGHT THINK BECAUSE OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED THAT LED UP TO THIS POINT.

>> WHEN YOU WANT A RESTAURANT AND THEY SHUT YOU DOWN, YOUR INVENTORY GOES DOWN AND YOU HAVE TWO CHOICES.

GIVE IT AWAY OR THROW IT AWAY.

THAT IS WHAT WE DID.

SEVEN TIMES.

>> Reporter: HE WOULD HAVE BEEN READY TO GO WITH A TENT ON PART OF HIS PARKING LOT BUT MOTHER NATURE GAVE A CRUEL BLOW ON SUNDAY.

IT IS NOW A MESS.

>> THE GOD NOBODY WAS IN THERE.

>> Reporter: HE WAS FORTUNATE THAT HIS RESTAURANT HAS BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME WITH A LOT OF LOYAL CUSTOMERS.

>> WE MISS SEEING OUR GUESTS ON PREMISES.

>> Reporter: STEPHEN CO-OWNS THE POTPIE COMPANY AND UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS.

THOUGH HE IS HAPPY THAT THEY MAY SOON BE ABLE TO RETURN, HE HAS BEEN LUCKIER THAN MOST BECAUSE OF HIS BUSINESS MODEL.

>> TAKEOUT AND DELIVERY.

>> Reporter: HE DID NOT HAVE TO LAY OFF ANY EMPLOYEES.

EVEN SO, HE SAID THE LAST 10 MONTHS HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT.

>> IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE FOR ALL OF US PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, EMOTIONALLY.

>> Reporter: THERE OTHER BUSINESSES THAT HAVE BEEN CLOSED COMPLETELY SINCE THE ORDER WAS ISSUED IN LATE NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR.

HERE IN POINT LOMA THE LAST TIME THIS NAIL SPA WAS OPEN THEY WERE DOING IT IN A TENT.

WITH THE STAY-AT-HOME ORDER LIFTED AND THE REQUIRED SAFETY MODIFICATIONS IN PLACE, THEY CAN SERVE CUSTOMERS.

FOR THE SPOT OWNER OPERATING LIKE THIS IS NOT ANYTHING LIKE IT WAS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

SHE HAS TO SPACE APPOINTMENTS OUT MEANINGLESS CUSTOMERS OVERALL.

HER HOPE FOR THE FUTURE IS TEMPERED BY WHAT SHE HAS BEEN THROUGH.

>> WE ARE STILL IN A BUBBLE BUT WE TRY HARD.

LIKE EVERYBODY, I THINK.

>> Reporter: FOR THESE BUSINESS OWNERS AND SO MANY MORE LIKE THEM, THINGS ARE A LITTLE BIT BETTER EVEN AS THE COVID ROLLER COASTER RIDE ROLES ON.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS RAMPING UP DISTRIBUTION OF VACCINES TO STATES AFTER COMPLAINTS OF SHORTAGES AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> WE WILL INCREASE OVERALL WEEKLY DISTRIBUTION OF VACCINES TO STATES, TRIBES, AND TERRITORIES FROM 8.6 MILLION DOSES TO A MINIMUM OF 10 MILLION DOSES.

STARTING NEXT WEEK THAT IS AN INCREASE OF 1.4 MILLION DOSES PER WEEK.

>> HEARING CALIFORNIA HEALTH OFFICIALS ANNOUNCED A NEW PLAN AND UNVEILED A WEBSITE THAT THEY HOPE WILL ADDRESS FRUSTRATIONS ABOUT THE SLOW PACE OF VACCINE DISTRIBUTION.

>> THESE FILES CONTAIN FIVE DOSES EACH.

>> Reporter: ONLY ABOUT 5% OF CALIFORNIANS HAVE RECEIVED THEIR FIRST DOSE OF THE VACCINE.

STATE OFFICIALS TODAY EXPLAINED NEW INITIATIVES THAT COULD EXPEDITE DISTRIBUTION AND REDUCE CONFUSION.

THE EFFORTS WILL BE LED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AGENCY.

>> WE UNDERSTAND THAT VACCINE SUPPLY IS LIMITED, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO ADDRESS THAT THE SUPPLY THAT WE HAVE NOW NEEDS TO GET AS OF ADMINISTERED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: THE FIRST INITIATIVE IS THE LAUNCH OF A WEBSITE WHERE CALIFORNIANS CAN CHECK WHETHER THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO GET THE VACCINE.

IT WILL ALSO BE USED TO SCHEDULE VACCINATIONS.

>> LET'S BE REASONABLE.

BECAUSE THE VACCINE IS A LIMITED IF YOU USE THE TOOL RIGHT NOW YOU WILL SEE THAT YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE.

IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET NOTIFIED AS SOON AS IT IS AVAILABLE.

>> Reporter: THEY ANNOUNCED PLANS TO BUILD A STATEWIDE VACCINATION EFFORT THAT INCLUDES COMMUNITY CLINICS, POP UP SITES AND PHARMACIES THAT WILL HELP DISTRIBUTE THE VACCINE IS MORE DOSES BECOME AVAILABLE.

>> WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT NOTHING SLOWS DOWN THE ADMINISTRATION OF VACCINE OTHER THAN THE PACE IN WHICH IT ARRIVES IN THE STATE.

>> Reporter: SHE DID NOT SAY WHEN IT WOULD BE UP AND RUNNING.

THIS ALL COMES AFTER GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM ANNOUNCED THAT THE STATE IS PRIORITIZING RESIDENTS OVER 50 IN THE NEXT PHASE.

THEY HAD ORIGINALLY PLANNED ON VACCINATING GROUPS LIKE TRANSPORTATION WORKERS, PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, AND INCARCERATED PEOPLE IN THE NEXT PHASE.

>> THE SUPERSTATION AT PETCO PARK WILL REOPEN AFTER SHUTTING DOWN FOR TWO DAYS.

HIGH WIND AND HEAVY RAIN FORCED THE SITE TO CLOSE.

EVEN THOUGH THE WEATHER IS BETTER TODAY, COUNTY OFFICIALS HAD TO REPAIR TENTS THAT WERE BLOWN OVER.

4000 APARTMENTS HAD TO BE RESCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY.

STEVE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CHANGE BUT CANNOT MAKE IT ON THURSDAY.

HE WAS HOPING THAT THE SITE WOULD BE OPEN TODAY.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT BUT I JUST WANT TO GET IT DONE.

>> APPOINTMENTS THAT HAD TO BE SCHEDULED FOR TODAY WERE MOVED TO SATURDAY.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH SAYS IF A PERSON CANNOT MAKE THE RESCHEDULED APPOINTMENT TIME, THEY CAN MAKE ANYONE.

WE HAVE ALL OF THE LATEST INFORMATION ON VACCINES AT KPBS.ORG.

WE ARE TRACKING HOW MANY DOSES HAVE ARRIVED AND BEEN ADMINISTERED IN OUR REGION.

YOU CAN FIND LOCATIONS TO GET A SHOT AND LINKS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE.

A REMINDER THAT HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND EVERYONE 65 AND OLDER IS NOW ELIGIBLE.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL HAS APPROVED YET ANOTHER EVICTION MORATORIUM FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES SUFFERING UNDER THE PANDEMIC.

ANDREW BOWEN SAID IT IS STRONGER THAN PREVIOUS MEASURES.

>> Reporter: PAST EVICTION MORATORIUM'S CAME WITH AN EXPIRATION DATE THAT KEPT GETTING PUSHED BACK AS THE PANDEMIC DRAGGED ON.

THIS MEASURE HAS NO FIXED END DATE AND WILL EXPIRE 60 DAYS AFTER THE LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY IS LIFTED.

A COUNCILMEMBER SAID THAT MANY BUSINESSES ARE STILL CLOSED AND PEOPLE ARE OUT OF WORK.

>> THE COMMUNITIES IN MY DISTRICT HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE HARDEST HIT.

WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT RESIDENTS HAVE SOME SECURITY AND KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE LOSING THE ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD WHILE WE CONTINUE TO BATTLE THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS ARE EXPECTED TO VOTE ON A STATEWIDE EVICTION MORATORIUM NEXT WEEK THAT WOULD SUPERSEDE THIS ONE.

ONE COUNCILMEMBER TOLD US THAT RESIDENTS AND LANDLORDS NEED CLARITY ON WHAT IS ALLOWED.

>> I DO ASK AS MENTIONED BY THE STAFF PRESENTATION THAT WE MOVE QUICKLY AND PROVIDE EXPANDED EDUCATION AND OUTREACH AS WELL AS A SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR THOSE WHO MUST NAVIGATE THIS DIFFICULT BUREAUCRATIC SYSTEM.

AND ORDINANCES NOT ENOUGH.

PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHAT PROTECTIONS ARE IN PLACE FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: THE COUNCIL ALSO VOTED ON TUESDAY TO KEEP THE HOMELESS SHELTER AT THE CONVENTION CENTER OPEN AT LEAST THROUGH THE END OF MARCH AT A COST OF MORE THAN $15 MILLION.

>> THIS PROJECT ALTHOUGH WORTHWHILE IS EXPENSIVE.

WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS CREATES OPPORTUNITY COST AND WE WILL NO LONGER HAVE THOSE FUNDS AVAILABLE TO SERVE OTHER HOMELESSNESS RELATED NEEDS.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION THE CITY WILL SOON DISTRIBUTE MORE THAN $42 MILLION IN AID TO LOW- INCOME RENTERS THANKS TO THE RELIEF BILL PASSED BY CONGRESS IN DECEMBER.

>>> EQUITY IS THE FOCUS OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SIGNED TODAY AS THE SENATE PUSHES AHEAD WITH THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL FOR FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

HERE IS MORE FROM WASHINGTON.

>> DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR?

>> Reporter: SENATORS FORMALLY SWORN IN AS JURORS FOR THE SECOND IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

>> WE WILL PROCEED WITH THE ACTIVE IMPEACHMENT AGAINST DONALD JOHN TRUMP THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

>> Reporter: MR. TRUMP IS CHARGED WITH INCITING INSURRECTION AFTER THOUSANDS STORMS THE CAPITOL BUILDING ON JANUARY 6.

>> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE CANNOT TOLERATE.

WE HAVE TO HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE.

>> I CAN'T TAKE OF SOMETHING LESS HEALING AND MORE DIVISIVE THAN FOLLOWING THROUGH ON THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF A PRIVATE CITIZEN.

>> Reporter: IT IS SET TO BEGIN THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 8.

MEANWHILE PRESIDENT BIDEN IS FORGING AHEAD WITH HIS AGENDA SIGNING ANOTHER ROUND OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

THE THEME FOR TUESDAY WAS RACIAL EQUALITY.

>> WE WILL BE TROUBLED AS LONG AS SYSTEMIC RACISM IS ALLOWED TO PERSIST.

>> Reporter: THIS WILL CREATE A POLICE COMMISSION AND EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES AND ADDRESS COVID RELATED RACISM IMPACTING ASIAN AMERICANS.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE EQUITY AND JUSTICE PART OF WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY.

>> Reporter: THE CABINET IS SLOWLY COMING TOGETHER.

HIS PICK FOR SECRETARY OF STATE WAS CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE.

JANET YELLEN WAS OFFICIALLY SWORN IN AS THE FIRST FEMALE TREASURY SECRETARY.

>> CONGRATULATIONS MADAM SECRETARY.

>>> A FEDERAL JUDGE IN TEXAS HAS TEMPORARILY BLOCKED PRESIDENT BIDEN'S 100 DAY PAUSE ON DEPORTATIONS.

THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE ORDER WHICH TOOK EFFECT ON FRIDAY.

HE ARGUED THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SHOULD HAVE CONSULTED THE STATE BEFORE MAKING THE DECISION.

IT PUTS THE POLICY ON HOLD FOR TWO WEEKS.

>>> THE BIDEN JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS FORMALLY RESCINDED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICY FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

IT RESULTED IN THE SEPARATION OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN FROM THEIR FAMILIES.

LAWYERS ARE STILL UNABLE TO REACH THE PARENTS OF 611 CHILDREN WHO WERE TAKEN BY U.S. BORDER OFFICIALS BETWEEN 2017 AND 2018.

>>> THE CALIFORNIA SUBSTITUTE TEACHER SHORTAGE HAS BEEN MADE WORSE BY THE PANDEMIC.

A NORTH COUNTY NONPROFIT IS RALLYING PARENTS TO HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: THE PARENT ASSOCIATION OF NORTH COUNTY SAN DIEGO WANTS TO PUT PARENTS IN THE CLASSROOM AS TEMPORARY SUBSTITUTE TEACHERS.

THEY WOULD ACT AS CLASSROOM SUPERVISORS.

>> WE CAN PROCTOR OR SUPERVISE THE CLASSROOM WHILE THE TEACHER TEACHES FROM HOME.

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS.

EVERYBODY GETS A CHOICE.

THE KIDS CAN COME TO CLASS WITH THEIR PEERS AND BE ENGAGED SOCIALLY AND EMOTIONALLY.

THE TEACHER WOULD CONTINUE TO TEACH FROM HOME AND THE STUDENTS WOULD HAVE THEIR LAPTOPS AND BE ABLE TO GET THE CONTENT FROM THEIR TEACHER.

>> Reporter: PARENTS WOULD HAVE TO GET AN EMERGENCY 30 DAY SUBSTITUTE TEACHING PERMIT.

THEY NEED A BACHELORS DEGREE AND WOULD HAVE TO PASS A BACKGROUND CHECK.

THE EFFORT HAS GAINED MOMENTUM AND HAS DOZENS OF PARENTS WORKING TO FILL THE TEACHING GAPS.

THIS PARENT HAS A WEBSITE THAT HELPS PARENTS SIGN UP TO SUBSTITUTE TEACH WITH A PROCESS THAT TAKES JUST A COUPLE WEEKS.

>> THEY WENT FROM A POOL OF LESS THAN 10 TO ABOUT 60.

I HAVE ABOUT 40 PARENTS WHO HAVE CONTACTED ME THROUGH THE WEBSITE I BUILT AND THEY ARE ALL IN PROGRESS RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: WHILE MANY CHILDREN HAVE COME BACK TO IN PERSON LEARNING ACROSS THE COUNTRY, CALIFORNIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE BEEN HELD BACK WITH STRICTURE REOPENING AND SAFETY POLICIES.

THIS IS ONE PARENT WHO HAS STARTED THE PROCESS.

SHE SAID THERE IS A WAY TO SAFELY REOPEN SCHOOLS AND HELP THE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL AND ACADEMIC WELL-BEING OF THE STUDENTS.

>> WE BELIEVE THAT WITH THE VACCINES AND NOW THAT WE HAVE LEARNED WAYS TO SAFELY DISTANCE AND HAVE KIDS WEAR MASKS AND TAKE THE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WE JUST WANT THEM BACK IN SCHOOL IN A SAFE AND HEALTHY WAY OVERALL.

>> Reporter: THEY NOTED THAT SOME STUDENTS AND FAMILIES MAY WANT TO REMAIN IN DISTANCE LEARNING AND THIS WOULD ALLOW FOR THAT OPTION.

ULTIMATELY, GETTING STUDENTS BACK IN SCHOOL WILL DEPEND ON THE EFFORTS OF THE STATE, COUNTY, AND LOCAL DISTRICTS.

>>> THE STORM HITTING ERIC COUNTY BROUGHT SNOW TO UNUSUALLY LOWER ELEVATIONS.

SNOW FELL IN MANY AREAS, INCLUDING ALPINE OVERNIGHT.

IT MADE FOR TREACHEROUS CONDITIONS AND A CLOSURE THAT LEFT PEOPLE STUCK FOR HOURS.

CHAINS ARE STILL REQUIRED AND THE DANGER ON THE ROAD WILL COME BACK LATER AS THE SNOW MELTS AND FREEZES AGAIN WHEN TEMPERATURES DROPPED.

THOSE WHO MADE IT UP THE MOUNTAIN WERE GREETED BY A PICTURE AS SETTING AND SOME FOUND A LOT OF SHOVELING TO DO.

>> I LOOKED AT SOME OTHER HOUSES THAT I THOUGHT MIGHT BE A LITTLE LESS WORK AND THIS IS THE ONE THAT MY WIFE WANTED.

THIS IS WHAT WE GOT.

>>> THE LATEST STORM HAS CLEARED OUT, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER ONE IS ON THE WAY.

HERE IS YOUR FORECAST.

>> COLD AND DRY CONDITIONS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS BUT IT LOOKS LIKE WET WEATHER COULD RAPIDLY RETURN ON THURSDAY.

IT COULD CONTINUE THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY MORNING.

THAT COULD GET HEAVY LATE THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY MORNING AND WE WILL START TO TRY IT OUT ON SATURDAY WITH A WARMING TREND THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND INTO NEXT WEEK.

AS WE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR WEATHER TONIGHT WE SEE DRY WEATHER WITH TEMPERATURES GOING TO 37 IN OCEANSIDE.

SAN DIEGO IS 45 AND DOWN TO 30 AND RAMONA.

WE WILL BE DIPPING DOWN TO 22 IN MOUNT LAGUNA.

LOOKING AT WEDNESDAY'S WEATHER, WE ARE STILL DRY.

NORTH LOS ANGELES IS STARTING TO SEE SOME RAIN WITH AN ATMOSPHERIC RIVER SETTING UP SHOP IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA.

INTENSE SNOW IS MOVING INTO THE SIERRA.

LOW 60s IN OCEANSIDE AND SAN DIEGO.

MID-50s AND RAMONA.

EL CAJON IS 64.

MOUNT LAGUNA IS 43.

TEMPERATURES ARE A BIT BELOW AVERAGE.

ON THURSDAY, THE RAIN CONTINUES TO MOVE SLOWLY DOWN THE COAST.

IT SHOULD ARRIVE HERE LATE IN THE DAY.

YOU CAN SEE THE TRANSFER PRECIPITATION.

MOST SIGNIFICANT RAIN AND MOUNTAIN SNOW COMES IN THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY.

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST.

WE WILL BE LOOKING AT A COOL DAY ON WEDNESDAY AND THE HEAVY RAIN COMES IN LATE THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY MORNING.

TEMPERATURES CREEP UP OVER THE WEEKEND.

THE INLAND SECTION HAS THE SAME SCENARIO.

COOL AND THE RAIN COMES IN THURSDAY NIGHT INTO FRIDAY.

THE WEEKEND WILL BE DRIER AND TEMPERATURES SLOWLY RISING.

IN THE MOUNTAINS A VERY WINDY WITH RAIN AND SNOW MAINLY ABOUT 5000 FEET.

THE SNOW LEVELS WILL START TO LOWER SUMMERTIME.

AS WE TAKE IT TO THE DESERTS FRIDAY IS THE WEATHER TODAY.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY SUPERVISORS TODAY LIFTED A NEARLY QUARTER-CENTURY BAN ON NEEDLE EXCHANGES.

THE SERVICES WILL BE PART OF A SUBSTANCE USE HARM REDUCTION PLAN THAT WILL INCLUDE OTHER STRATEGIES LIKE HANDING OUT EMERGENCY OVERDOSE MEDICATION AND HIV AND HEPATITIS C TESTING.

RESEARCH PRESENTED TO THE BOARD SURE THAT SYRINGE SERVICES CAN GREATLY REDUCE THE RATES OF HIV AND HEPATITIS C. >> WE ARE THE ONES THAT REMIND THEM THAT THEY MATTER.

WE ARE THE ONES THAT THEY TRUST TO GET THEM INTO TREATMENT.

WE BUILD RELATIONSHIPS DURING A VERY VULNERABLE REACTION WHERE INDIVIDUALS ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DRUG USE.

THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE THINGS THEY DO AROUND THEIR DRUG USE.

THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT SEXUAL PARTNERS AND ALL OF THE THINGS.

THEY DO NOT HAVE TO LIE AND THEY DO NOT FEEL STIGMATIZED.

>> THEY WILL PRESENT HARM REDUCTION PLAN THAT INCLUDES THE SERVICES WITHIN 90 DAYS.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN IS EXPECTED TO REOPEN ENROLLMENT FOR THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT ON THURSDAY AS PART OF A SERIES OF EXECUTIVE ACTIONS ON HEALTHCARE.

IT COMES AT A TIME WHEN MORE AMERICANS COULD BE FACING THE LOSS OF HEALTH COVERAGE BECAUSE OF PANDEMIC RELATED ECONOMIC TURMOIL.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CUT OPEN ENROLLMENT IN HALF TO SIX WEEKS.

IT ENDED ON DECEMBER 15.

PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS THE POWER TO OPEN IT BACK UP.

>>> COVID-19 CASES ARE PLATEAUING ACROSS MOST OF THE U.S. WITH NEW VARIANTS OF THE VIRUS OUT THERE, VACCINE MAKERS ARE SCRAMBLING TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE WHO GET THE SHOTS REMAIN PROTECTED.

MANDY GAITHER HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: AS STATES ARE GIVING OUT MORE VACCINATIONS, RATES OF NEW COVID-19 CASES ARE TRENDING DOWN ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE VARIANCE OF THE VIRUS ARE CAUSING CONCERN.

>> THE SOBERING NEWS IS THAT WE CANNOT LOSE THE INTENSITY OF BEING ABLE TO USE THE PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES TO PREVENT THE FURTHER SPREAD.

IF THE VARIANT THAT HAS GREATER DEGREE OF TRANSMISSIBILITY BECOMES DOMINANT WE WILL BE FACED WITH ANOTHER CHALLENGE OF A VIRUS THAT HAS A MORE EFFICIENT CAPABILITY OF SPREADING.

>> Reporter: MODERNA SAID THAT IT'S COVERED VACCINE CREATED ANTIBODIES THAT NEUTRALIZE THE VARIANCE FIRST FOUND IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND NOW CIRCULATING IN THE U.S. ANOTHER VARIANT WAS FIRST IDENTIFIED IN SOUTH AFRICA BUT NOT YET DETECTED IN THE U.S.

HOWEVER, THERE ARE CONCERNS THAT THE VACCINE MAY HAVE DECREASED EFFICACY AGAINST THAT STRAIN SPOTTED IN SOUTH AFRICA.

BECAUSE OF THAT MODERNA IS WORKING ON A BOOSTER AIMED AT FIGHTING IT.

AS FOR THE DROP IN CURRENT CASES, EXPERTS SAY IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE RELATED TO THE VACCINE.

>> I DO NOT THINK THE DYNAMICS OF WHAT WE ARE SEEING NOW WITH THE PLATEAUING IS SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCED YET.

IT WILL BE SOON, BUT NOT YET BY THE VACCINE.

IT IS THE NATURAL COURSE OF PLATEAUING.

>>> JOHNSON & JOHNSON COULD SHARE PHASE 3 VACCINE DATA AS EARLY AS THIS WEEK.

DEVELOPER SAID IT IS BEING TESTED IN SOUTH AFRICA, THE U.S., AND BRAZIL.

RESULTS MAY FIND INSIGHT ABOUT HOW WELL IT WORKS AGAINST EMERGING VARIANCE.

>>> A GROUP OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL ASK THE SCHOOL BOARD TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST OIL DRILLING IN CALIFORNIA.

OUR ENVIRONMENT REPORTER HAS DETAILS.

>> Reporter: STUDENT ACTIVISTS ARE NOT HAPPY THAT CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM CONTINUES TO ISSUE NEW PERMITS TO DRILL FOR OIL IN THE STATE.

THEY SAY THERE WERE MORE PERMITS LAST YEAR THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR AND THAT IS BAD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> WE ARE ASKING THE GOVERNOR TO STOP ISSUING NEW OIL AND FRACKING PERMITS AND CREATE A SOLID PLAN FOR PHASING OUT OIL DRILLING IN CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter: THE STUDENT SAID THEY HAD TO TAKE A STAND BECAUSE THEIR FUTURE DEPENDS ON ROLLING BACK THE USE OF FOSSIL FUELS NOW.

THEY HOPE THAT CONVINCING THE BOARD WILL HELP CONVINCE THE GOVERNOR TO CHANGE COURSE.

>> WE FEEL THAT ADULTS HAVE NOT DONE A GOOD JOB IN ENSURING THAT WE WILL HAVE A SAFE AND HEALTHY FUTURE, SO WE WILL TAKE THIS INTO OUR OWN HANDS.

WE MET WITH BOARD MEMBERS AND PUT THIS RESOLUTION TOGETHER OURSELVES.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS WILL LOBBY TO PASS SIMILAR RESOLUTIONS.

DEREK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AFTER A NEARLY TWO-MONTH CLOSURE, THE SAN DIEGO ZOO AND SAFARI PARK WENT TO REOPEN ON SATURDAY.

THEY SAID THAT THEY WILL MAKE A FEW MODIFICATIONS AS THEY REOPEN IN STAGES.

RETAIL OUTLETS WILL HAVE 25% CAPACITY.

REDUCE NUMBER OF GUESTS, ONE MIGHT HAVE MODIFICATIONS, AND ROBUST CLEANING BY THE STAFF.

RESERVATIONS WILL BE REQUIRED AND FACE COVERINGS WILL BE MANDATORY, REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS.

THEY SAID THAT SEA WORLD WILL ALSO OPEN SOON, NO SPECIFIC DATE HAS BEEN SET.

>>> FOOD INSECURITY HAS GROWN ACROSS THE WORLD AND HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

AS PART OF OUR PANDEMIC FILE SERIES, WE LEARNED ABOUT THE LEMON GROVE MAN WHO WHISPERED TO ACTION.

>> Reporter: 46-YEAR-OLD DARNELL WILLIAMS SAW THE LINES FOR FOOD DISTRIBUTION GROWING DURING THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> I WAS SITTING AT HOME DURING THE LOCKDOWN WATCHING THE NEWS AND I SAW A LINE OF CARS AT THE STADIUM.

I WAS WONDERING WHAT THEY WERE THEREFORE.

THEY SAID THAT THE PEOPLE WERE THERE FOR A BOX OF FOOD.

>> Reporter: HE DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

ALONG WITH SOME FRIENDS HE BEGAN COLLECTING FOOD.

>> WE SET UP TABLES IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE AND WE MADE HANDMADE SIGNS THAT SAID TAKE WHAT YOU NEED.

THAT DAY, MORE PEOPLE CAME BY TO TAKE PICTURES OF IT THAN TO TAKE FOOD.

>> Reporter: ONCE WORD BEGAN TO SPREAD, THOSE IN NEED BEGAN TO SHOW UP.

BY SPRING, HE HAD MOVED TO THE CORNER OF UNIVERSITY AVENUE AND FAIRMONT AVENUE.

IT RUNS FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M. PEOPLE CAN PICK UP GROCERIES THAT THEY NEED FOR THE WEEK, NO QUESTIONS ASKED.

HE GOES TO LOCALLY OWNED GROCERY STORES TO SPEND THE MONEY THAT IS DONATED.

>> I BUILT A REPORTING RELATIONSHIP WITH MANAGERS OF GROCERY STORES TO GIVE ME A GOOD DEAL ON ITEMS.

SOME OF THE GROCERY STORES.

I WAS A HOARDER.

>> Reporter: HE WORKED IN INSURANCE BEFORE BEING LAID OFF DURING THE PANDEMIC HIMSELF.

HE RECALLED HIS OWN UPBRINGING DEALING WITH DAYS WERE HIS SINGLE MOTHER DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH FOOD FOR THE TWO OF THEM.

>> AS A CHILD MY MOM AND I FOUND OURSELVES LIVING ON THE STREET.

THE STREETS OF LOS ANGELES WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG.

THERE WAS A TIME WHERE WE NEEDED A PROGRAM LIKE THIS AND THAT QUESTION IS CAN THAT PROGRAM WAS IN NO QUESTIONS ASKED PROGRAM OUT OF THE CHURCH.

>> Reporter: LAST WEEK HE WAS HONORED WITH AN MVP AWARD FROM THE BOULEVARD IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.

>> PEOPLE THAT DO WHAT I DO DO NOT DO IT FOR AWARDS.

TOLD THEM LAST NIGHT THAT MVP TO ME STANDS FOR MORE VEGETABLES, PLEASE.

I WOULD RATHER HAVE A CASE OF CANNED CORN TO GIVE OUT TO PEOPLE THAN AN AWARD.

>> Reporter: HE HAS BEGUN A NONPROFIT TO KEEP THE WORK GOING FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

>> THAT'S WHY WHEN I LOOK AT A YOUNG KID COMING IN WITH HIS MOM IT REMINDS ME OF WHERE WE ARE.

I SAY MAYBE ONE DAY THIS KID WILL REMEMBER THIS PROGRAM AND HELP SOMEBODY ELSE.

>> Reporter: HE SAID THAT PEOPLE CAN HELP SUPPORT FOOD DISTRIBUTION THROUGH THEN MOW.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES ITS FLURRY OF EXECUTIVE ACTIONS.

I SPOKE WITH SUSAN RICE, A KEY ADVISOR DRIVING EQUITY.

THAT IS AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING EDITION.

>>> HEARS ANOTHER LOOK AT OUR TOP STORIES.

BUSINESSES ARE BREATHING A SIGH OF RELIEF AND STARTING TO REOPEN AFTER THE GOVERNOR LIFTED THE STATEWIDE STAY-AT- HOME ORDER.

HAIR AND NAIL SALONS ARE AMONG THOSE THAT CAN OPEN INDOORS WITH MODIFICATIONS.

RESTAURANTS AS WELL AS WINERIES AND BREWERIES THAT SERVE FOOD CAN OPERATE OUTDOORS.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL EXTENDED AN EVICTION MORATORIUM FOR RENTERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

QUALIFYING TENANTS CANNOT BE EVICTED FOR UNPAID RENT DUE TO FINANCIAL HARDSHIP RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC.

IT STARTS ON MONDAY AND WILL AND 60 DAYS AFTER THE CITY'S EMERGENCY DECLARATION ENDS.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING 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.

HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING, AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.