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

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

AND BY THE CONRAD WWW.NOMISANDIEGO.ORG FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCO SALLY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING, IT IS TUESDAY JANUARY 5th.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

IT IS NOT AN UNCOMMON SIDE ACROSS THE COUNTY.

RESTAURANTS, DEFINED THE COVID- 19 RESTRICTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO DINING.

RIGHT NOW, ONE LOCAL CITY COUNCIL IS REACHING OUT FOR PUBLIC INPUT, AS LEADERS THERE HOPE TO IMPLEMENT STRICTER ENFORCEMENT.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL SAYS, CARLSBAD COUNCIL HAS ALREADY GOTTEN AN EAR FULL FROM RESIDENTS WHO WANT OUTDOOR DINING TO CONTINUE.

>> Reporter: EVER SINCE THE STATE'S STATE HOME ORDER WENT INTO EFFECT ON DECEMBER 5th, SOME RESTAURANTS IN THE COUNTY HAVE CHOSEN TO DEFY IT AND STAY OPEN.

THIS IS FOR OUTDOOR DINING AT LEAST.

IN CARLSBAD, A HANDFUL OF RESTAURANTS HAVE SHOWN WHERE THEY STAND, BY KEEPING THEIR DOORS OPEN AND PUTTING SIGNS UP THIRD MICHAEL KERN REPRESENTS A COUPLE HUNDRED RESTAURANTS, GYMS AND SALONS ACROSS THE COUNTY, INCLUDING IN CARLSBAD.

HE SAYS, STAYING OPEN IS NOT AN ACT OF DEFIANCE.

RATHER, IT IS JUST PEACEFUL PROTEST.

HE SAYS, UP UNTIL NOW, CARLSBAD POLICE HAVE BEEN HANDLING THOSE PROTESTS THE RIGHT WAY TOO CARLSBAD POLICE ARE PRETTY MUCH COME IN AND SAID, WE ARE AWARE OF THESE ORDERS.

YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FOLLOWING THEM.

WE SEE THAT YOU ARE NOT.

WE SEE THAT YOU ARE IN THE MIDST OF PEACEFUL PROTESTS.

USE MASKS, HAVE A NICE DAY.

>> Reporter: THAT CAN NOW CHANGE.

UP UNTIL NOW, THE CARLSBAD CITY COUNCIL HAD JUST FOUR NUMBERS ON IT.

WHEN THEY LAST VOTED ON ENFORCING PUBLIC HEALTH REGULATION, IT WAS A TIE.

NOW, THERE IS A FIFTH NUMBER ON THE COUNCIL.

COUNCILMEMBER COREY SCHUMACHER CALL FOR TODAY'S SPECIAL ZOOM MEETING.

>> THIS IS ABOUT GETTING TO A POINT WITH THE FIVE-MEMBER COUNCIL WHERE WE CAN GIVE CLEAR DIRECTION ON WHAT WE EXPECT OUT OF OUR STAFF, AND WHAT WE EXPECT FROM OUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHEN IT COMES TO TAKING CARE OF EACH OTHER DURING A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS.

>> Reporter: IF EMAILS TO THE COUNCIL IN ADVANCE OF TODAY'S MEETING ARE ANY INDICATION, SCHUMACHER AND HER COLLEAGUES COULD FACE SOME STIFF OPPOSITION TO STRICTER ENFORCEMENT.

PLEASE DON'T RUN US OUT OF CARLSBAD, WE RELY ON THESE RESTAURANTS TO KEEP US SANE.

WE WILL ALL JUST GO TO ENCINITAS OR OCEANSIDE TO DINE IF YOU SHUT THEM DOWN.

FROM ANOTHER, I REALLY DON'T WANT GIANT CORPORATIONS TO OWN EVERYTHING IN CARLSBAD OR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

PLEASE SUPPORT ALLOWING RESTAURANTS TO REMAIN OPEN AND HAVE OUTDOOR DINING.

THERE IS NOTHING SCIENTIFIC THAT SAYS, EATING OUTSIDE AND FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES SPREAD STRANDED.

THERE WAS ALSO SUPPORT FOR INCREASED ENFORCEMENT.

PLEASE FULFILL YOUR DUTY AND ENFORCE STATE AND COUNTY HEALTH ORDERS REGARDING CLOSURE OF BUSINESSES AND LIMITING RESTAURANTS TO TAKE OUT ONLY.

OUR HEALTH DEPENDS UPON IT, ESPECIALLY WITH THE NEW TREND A VARIANCE SURFACING IN OUR COUNTY.

COUNCILWOMAN SCHUMACHER SAYS, THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN 28 CEASE AND DESIST ORDERS ISSUED BY THE COUNTY IN HER DISTRICT ALONE.

IF STRICTER ENFORCEMENT IS APPROVED, FINES COULD RANGE FROM $100-$500 PER VIOLATION.

JOHN KERRY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> NEW DEVELOPERS TONIGHT IN ENCINITAS.

THIS CONCERNS BUSINESSES VIOLATING THE REGIONAL STAY AT HOME ORDER.

AS WE REPORTED YESTERDAY, OFFICIALS THERE AND ISSUED FORMAL WARNINGS.

TODAY, THE CITY SAYS, IT MAY MOVE FORWARD WITH PROVOKING PERMITS.

RESTAURANTS, WE ARE TOLD, LAST WEEK, THEY COULD LOSE THEIR SIDEWALK SEATING PERMITS IF THEY REMAINED OPEN DURING THE STATE-IMPOSED SHUTDOWN.

CURRENTLY, RESTAURANTS ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO OPEN FOR TAKE-OUT'S.

>>> ANOTHER DEADLY DAY FOR THE PANDEMIC IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, WITH 56 DEATHS AND MORE THAN 1800 TREND EDGE CASES.

HEALTH OFFICIALS ALSO REPORTED ADDITIONAL INSTANCES OF THE NEW, MORE CONTAGIOUS STRAIN.

24 CONFIRMED, AND 24, PROBABLE.

ONE WOMAN WAS HOSPITALIZED, BUT IS NOW RECOVERING AT HOME.

NEWLY-CONFIRMED PATIENTS ARE FROM SAN DIEGO, CHULA VISTA, LA MESA AND LAKESIDE.

THEY ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE NO TRAVEL HISTORY, AND COME FROM 19 DIFFERENT HOUSEHOLDS.

THE INVESTIGATION AND CONTACT TRACING ARE ONGOING.

>>> THE STATE IS ALLOWING DENTISTS TO ADMINISTER VACCINES IN ORDER TO CLOSE THE GAP BETWEEN THE VOLUME OF DOSES RECEIVED AND THOSE ACTUALLY ADMINISTERED.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER TARRYN MENTO SAYS, THE COUNTY IS TAKING LOCAL ISSUES TO EXPAND VACCINE ACCESS FOR PRIORITIZED GROUPS.

>> Reporter: NEARLY 200,000 VACCINE DOSES MADE THEIR WAY TO SAN DIEGO COUNTY FACILITIES.

BACKSLIDERS HAVE ONLY ADMINISTERED ABOUT 47,000.

DR. RODNEY HOOD IS A SAN DIEGO PHYSICIAN WHO SITS ON STATE AND COUNTY VACCINE ADVISORY GROUPS.

HE SAYS, THE CHALLENGE IS NOT ALL FACILITIES THAT NEED THE VACCINE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO STORE IT.

>> EVEN IF YOU ARE ABLE TO STORE IT, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER IT WITH PPE AND EXPERTISE OF STAFF TO BE ABLE TO VACCINATE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS, THE COUNTY IS LAUNCHING REGIONAL VACCINATION SITES TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PRIORITIZED GROUPS TO ACCESS A VACCINATION.

>> IT IS EASIER TO HAVE STRATEGIC PODS, RATHER THAN TRYING TO GET IT TO SMALL PRACTICES.

PRESENTLY, THERE ARE STORAGE ISSUES.

>> Reporter: THE LOCAL ADVISORY GROUP THAT HOOD HELPS CHERRIES MEETING TO DISCUSS A VACCINATION FOR CRITICAL WORKERS, OLDER ADULTS AND THOSE WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

THERE ARE STILL MANY MORE VACCINATIONS TO BE DONE BEFORE WE REACH THOSE PUBLISHES.

THE SCHEDULE RIGHT NOW PARADISES THOSE IN HEALTHCARE OR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

TARRYN MENTO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A SAN DIEGO COUNTY SPOKESWOMAN DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO QUESTIONS ABOUT WHEN THE REGIONAL VACCINATION PONDS WILL BE LAUNCHED, OR WHERE.

>>> CONTROL OF THIS AND WILL BE DECIDED BY GEORGIA VOTERS FOR THE SENATE.

MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR THE TWO RUNOFF RACES AND POLLS ARE NOW CLOSED.

NADIA ROMERO IS IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA, WHERE THE COUNT IS UNDERWAY.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE CROWD THE POLLS.

>> THE ENTIRE COUNTRY IS LOOKING AT GEORGIA RIGHT NOW.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT OUR DECISION IS GOING TO BE HER >> Reporter: TO MAKE THE PICS IN THE HIGH-STAKES RUNOFF RACES, SENDING IN BALLOTS FOR THE CONTROL OF THE UNITED STATES SENATE.

>> IT'S UP TO US, DO WE WANT TO TAKE IT TO OVER?

>> Reporter: IF BOTH DEMOCRATS WIN, EACH PARTY WOULD HAVE ENOUGH THE SENATE HEATS WITH INCOMING INCOME AND,, HARRIS, IT WOULD EASE THE PATH OF THE BIDEN AUNT.

>> THIS IS THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST THIS RADICAL SOCIALIST AGENDA.

IT IS OUR LAST OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT ANYTHING THAT TRUMP HAS ACCOMPLISHED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

>> Reporter: ALREADY, MORE THAN 30 MILLION VOTING BALLOTS HAD BEEN CAST EARLY.

>> THIS IS HISTORY UNFOLDING IN GEORGIA RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THE MEMBERS ELECTION IS ANY INDICATION, IT WILL BE A NAIL-BITER OF A RACE.

>> ARGUMENT TO SHOW AMERICA THAT GEORGIA IS A RED STATE?

>> Reporter: MORE THAN HALF $1 BILLION EVANS BENT ON ADS.

>> GEORGIA IS ON EVERYBODY'S MIND.

>> Reporter: THESE VOTERS SAY, IS NOT THE MONEY THAT MATTERS, IT'S THE POTENTIAL FOR THE FUTURE.

>> MORE COMMUNITY, MORE JUSTICE, EQUALITY.

I CANNOT NAME THE REASONS OF HOW IMPORTANT THIS ELECTION IS.

>> GOD GAVE US A VOICE TO BE HEARD, TO SPEAK FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE IN.

IT'S LEFT UP TO US TO USE IT.

>> Reporter: IN ATLANTA, NADIA ROMERO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE EFFECTS OF THE PASSAGE OF PROPOSITION 22 ARE STARTING TO TAKE THEIR FORM.

ALBERTSON'S HAS ANNOUNCED, IT PLANS TO FIRE HIS GROCERY DELIVERY DRIVERS AT ITS VONS AND PAVILION STORES IN CALIFORNIA, AND INSTEAD WILL USE THIRD-PARTY SERVICES.

THE UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIALS INTERNATIONAL UNION TODAY CONDEMNED THE GROUP IN A STATEMENT.

THE UNION SAID, IT IS COMICAL, CALLING ON ALBERTSON'S TO IMMEDIATELY HALT THESE PLANS TO PUT HEALTH OF THEIR CUSTOMERS FIRST BY PROTECTING THE JOBS OF THESE BRAVE ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN A TIME WHEN OUR COMMUNITIES NEED THEM MOST.

CALIFORNIA VOTERS PASSED PROPOSITION 22 IN NOVEMBER, IT EXAMS AT-BASED GIG COMPANIES FROM TREATING THEIR WORKERS AS EMPLOYEES, ALLOWING THEM TO CONTINUE CLASSIFYING THEM AS INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.

THE CHANGE IS SET TO TAKE EFFECT FEBRUARY 27th.

>>> THE NEW FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE CONTAINS ABOUT $54 BILLION FOR K-12 SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE.

HOW MUCH WILL FLOW TO SAN DIEGO'S SCHOOLS?

KPBS' EDUCATION REPORTER JOE HAHN EXPLAINS HOW THIS MONEY COULD HELP SCHOOL DISTRICTS STAY AFLOAT, AS THE POTOMAC ENTERS ITS SECOND YEAR.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY SCHOOL THIS WILL BEGIN A ABOUT $390 MILLION MYSTERIOUS PACKAGE THAT CONGRESS PASSED AT THE END OF 2020.

ABOUT $120 MILLION IS GOING TO THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE COUNTY'S LARGEST DISTRICT WILL NEED EVEN MORE MONEY IF IT WANTS TO HEAL THE ACADEMIC WOUNDS CAUSED BY DISTANCE- LEARNING.

>> IT IS A GOOD FIRST STEP.

>> Reporter: RICHARD BURR, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE SCHOOL BOARD IN SAN DIEGO UNIFIED.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, BUT THAT THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL, TO GET SCHOOLS THE RESOURCES THAT WE WILL NEED OVER THE COURSE OF THIS NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> Reporter: BREWER SAID, TO REALLY ADDRESS THE LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF THE PANDEMIC ON SCHOOLS, THE DISTRICT WILL NEED TO FUND AN EXTENDED SUMMER SCHOOL IN 2021, HIGHER MORE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND SHRINK CLASS SIZES FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL SCHOOL YEARS.

THAT SAID, THIS LATEST SURGE OF FEDERAL AID WILL HELP AVOID THE MORE IMMEDIATE DISASTER OF STAFF LAYOFFS.

>> IS IMPORTANT, CRITICALLY IMPORTANT, TO PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING SO HARD TO EDUCATE OUR KIDS RIGHT NOW.

THE LAST THING WE NEED TO DO IS GIVE THEM A SENSE OF ANXIETY, THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU MAY NOT HAVE THEIR JOBS FOR NEXT YEAR.

>> Reporter: A STATEWIDE EDUCATION EXPERT AGREE WITH FARAH, THAT ADDITIONAL ROUNDS OF FEDERAL FUNDING ARE NEEDING NOW.

SHE URGED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO GET MORE MONEY, ESPECIALLY WITH SERVING MORE STUDENTS OF COLOR, STUDENTS OF LOW INCOME BACKGROUNDS AS WELL.

>> WHAT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT THE FUNDING IS HOW IT IS SPENT.

>> Reporter: ALICIA SMITH IS THE DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION WEST, A BAY AREA-BASED THINK TANK AND ADVOCACY GROUP.

>> WE ALWAYS TALK TO STUDENTS AND FAMILIES TO ACTUALLY USE THIS AS A MOMENT WHERE WE ACCELERATE STUDENT LEARNING.

WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS, IT IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH TO USE THIS MONEY ONLY TO GO BACK TO HOW THINGS WERE.

SHE IS URGING STATE AND RURAL OFFICIALS IS FUNDED SERVICES THAT WOULD ADDRESS THE PRE- EXISTING INEQUITIES IN EDUCATION THEY WERE EXACERBATED BY THE PANDEMIC.

JOE HONG, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE LATEST GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL INCLUDES OVER $1 BILLION IN BORDER WALL SPENDING.

KPBS REPORTER MAXWELL DiNARDO TELLS US, THIS HAS OPPONENTS OF THE BORDER WALL WORRIED, THAT DESPITE PROTESTS FROM DEMOCRATS, WHILE CONSTRUCTION STILL HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: SINCE THE START OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, NEW BORDER WALL AND BORDER WALL REPLACEMENT HAVE STRETCHED ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

ALL THE WHILE, LOCAL DEMOCRATIC POLITICIANS HAVE CRITICIZED THE BORDER WALL, SAYING, IT DOESN'T KEEP PEOPLE SAFE.

AND, IT PUSHES PEOPLE DETERMINED TO CROSS THE BORDER TO DO SO IN DANGEROUS AND ISOLATED AREAS.

LAST MONTH, CONGRESS APPROVED OVER $1 BILLION FOR BORDER WALL FUNDING, WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, INCLUDING ALL OF SAN DIEGO'S DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.

>> HONESTLY, IT DID NOT SURPRISE ME, GIVEN THAT WE HAVE SEEN BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR BORDER WALL FUNDING AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN PRIOR ADMINISTRATIONS.

>> ENTER ORIOS TO THE U.S.- MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM.

HE SAYS, WHILE PRESIDENT-ELECT BIDEN HAS PLEDGED NOT TO BUILDING MORE BORDER WALL, THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY MEAN HE WILL NOT FOLLOW THROUGH ON EXISTING CONTRACTS OR FIND OTHER WAYS TO SPEND MONEY ON BORDER BARRIERS, INCLUDING REPLACING EXISTING BORDER WALL .>> OFTENTIMES, IT WILL BE REPLACED AND THIS IS KNOWN AS NORMANDY THAT'S BARRIERS, WHICH ARE PRETTY SHORT.

THEY ARE MEANT TO STOP VEHICLES.

THEY COULD DO THIS WITH 30-FOOT TALL WALL-STYLE FENCING THAT WILL BE CATASTROPHIC TO THE ENVIRONMENT AND COULD POSSIBLY BE DAMAGING, NOT ONLY TO THE ENVIRONMENT, BUT TO PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN THE AREA.

>> Reporter: THE BIDEN TRANSITION TEAM IS TOLD KPBS, IT WOULD SEND A NATIONAL EMERGENCY ALONG THE SOUTHERN BOARDING, ALLOWING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TO HAS LENGTHY CULTURAL HERITAGE AND ENVIRONMENT REVIEWS TO EXPEDITE BORDER WALL CONSTRUCTION.

>> LOOKING AT HOW THAT FAST- TRACKING CIRCUMVENTS THE LAW, IT DOESN'T DO JUSTICE TO ANY SORT OF DUE PROCESS.

IT REALLY UNDERMINES CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS THAT BORDER COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE.

>> Reporter: A PROPOSED BORDER WALL REPLACEMENT PROJECT IN TENNESSEE JOE IS SET TO BEGIN IN THE COMING WEEKS, UNLESS THE INCOMING BIDEN AUNT INTERVENES FIRST.

MAXWELL MATHER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE RIBBON IS CAUGHT ON A LONG-AWAITED ADDITION TO SAN DIEGO'S BEACH COMMUNITY'S.

THE NEW WEST MISSION BAY BRIDGE WILL ALLOW CARS, BIKES AND PEDESTRIANS TO TRAVEL BETWEEN THE MIDWAY DISTRICT AND MISSION BEACH.

FEDERAL DOLLARS COVERED MOST OF THE COST.

TRAFFIC WILL BE DIVERTED FROM THE OLD BRIDGE OVER THE COMING DAYS.

SAN DIEGO'S NEW MAYOR, TODD GLORIA, THANKED CONSTRUCTION CREWS FOR THEIR WORK.

>> FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, YOU WILL TAKE YOUR KIDS, GRANDKIDS, GREAT GRANDKIDS, TO SEE WHAT YOU BUILT.

YOU CAN SAY, I DID THAT.

THAT KIND OF PRIDE IS MORE THAN A PAYCHECK, THAT IS ABOUT BUILDING A GREAT CITY, WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE A PART OF HERE TODAY.

>> THE OLD BRIDGE WILL SOON BE DEMOLISHED.

IN ITS PLACE WILL RISE A SECOND NEW BRIDGE TO HANDLE SOUTHBOUND TRAFFIC.

THE CITY MUST WEBSITE HAS A LIVE CAMERA, DOCUMENTING THE PROGRESS.

>>> HIGH SEASONAL WEATHER CONTINUES FOR THIS WEEK IS WELL IS NEXT WEEK.

NEXT WEEK COULD BE WARMER.

WE WILL SEE CLASS FROM TIME TO TIME, WITH PATCHY CLOUDS ALONG THE COAST.

HIGH CLOUDS FOR OTHERS.

WINDS, SHIFTING FROM SLIGHTLY ON SHORT TO SLIGHTLY OFFSHORE.

COULD SEE THE WINDS INCREASE A LITTLE BIT HERE, SAY FRIDAY NIGHT INTO SATURDAY.

THERE YOU CAN SEE OUR TEMPERATURES, SLIGHTLY WARMER THURSDAY AND WEDNESDAY.

COOLER ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

ONE THING WE CAN TELL YOU FOR SURE, THE SURF IS GOING TO BE UP.

WE HAVE HIGH SURF ADVISORIES HERE.

THAT CONTINUES THROUGH SATURDAY.

TEMPERATURES TONIGHT, DIPPING DOWN TO 38 IN OCEANSIDE .46, SAN DIEGO.

WE HAVE A NICE ONE, A WARM JACKET?

WE ARE GOING OUT TO 44.

WEATHER TOMORROW, MOISTURE STAIN TO THE NORTH.

WE ARE LEFT WITH THE DRY CONDITIONS HERE.

FORECAST HIGH, 66, OCEANSIDE.

SAN DIEGO, 66.

EL CAJON, QUITE COMFORTABLE, 75.

AT RAMON, 71.

BORREGO SPRINGS, 75.

PLEASANT, 63.

MT.

LAGUNA IS A 63.

ANOTHER PLEASANT THURSDAY WITH MOISTURE STAIN TO THE NORTH.

WE KNOW THE DRILL.

HE WAS A LOOK AT OUR FORECAST FOR YOU.

HARTLEY MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES WITH US THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

HERE IS WHERE WE GET A LITTLE WARMER HERE BY SUNDAY.

INLAND SECTIONS, QUITE COMFORTABLE.

STAYING CLOSE TO 70 OR BELOW 70'S.

CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE HERE IN THE MOUNTAINS.

LOW-60S AND UPPER-50S ON SATURDAY.

CHECKING OUT THE DESERT, LOOKS BEAUTIFUL HERE.

NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, DAMAGES, SLOWLY ON THE RISE.

AMATEURS, BACK UP A LITTLE BIT OVER THE WEEKEND.

THERE, YOU CAN SEE IT, PARTLY- TO-MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES.

DRY WEATHER CONTINUES.

UNFORTUNATELY, LOOKS AT THE DRY WEEK PROBABLY IS AHEAD INTO NEXT WEEK.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M METEOROLOGIST ARNIE CARUSO.

>> Reporter: IN LOS ANGELES, HOSPITALS ARE SO OVERWHELMED WITH CORONAVIRUS PATIENTS, THEY ARE BEING TOLD TO AMBULANCES, PATIENTS CANNOT BE TAKEN IF IT CAN BE RESUSCITATED IN THE FIELD.

ACROSS HEART-HIT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AMBULANCES ARE BEING FORCED TO WAIT TO BRING IN PATIENTS.

WE FOLLOWED A EMERGENCY RESPONSE CREW MONDAY NIGHT IN MARIN COUNTY.

>> Reporter: RESPONDED TO ANOTHER CALL, EMT JIMMY WEBB TAKES UP A PATIENT IN GARDEN GROVE, JUMPS IN THE BACK AND CONTINUES TO THE MEDICAL CENTER AND CONTINUES TO WAIT WE ARE WAITING TWO OR THREE HOURS.

IT USED TO BE A 7, 10 MINUTE DRIVE TO THE HOSPITAL.

NOW, WE HAVE TO DRIVE TO 10 HOSPITALS ARE OPEN, SINCE EVERY THING IS CLOSING, COULD TURN INTO A 30-MINUTE DRIVE JUST TO GET TO THE HOSPITAL BUT THEN, YOU HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER THREE HOURS.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER PATIENT IS WHEELED TO THE DOOR, ONLY TO WAIT.

FINALLY, WEB RIGHT PATIENT IS TREATED IN THE TENTS OUTSIDE.

>> THIS HAPPENED IN MAY.

>> Reporter: BACK IN THE DISPATCH CENTER AT CAROLINE'S NORTH, RUNNING ONE OF THE LARGEST FLEET OF EMINENCES IN THE SOUTHLAND -- >> THEY ARE SO BUSY THAT WE HAD TO SEND AN AMBULANCE FROM DOWN THE STREET UP THERE TO HELP THEM OUT WITH THE CALLS IN L.A. >> 39 COPY, HEAD OF 4.

>> Reporter: A FULL STAFF OF DISPATCHERS CAN BARELY KEEP UP WITH THE AMBULANCE DEMAND.

>> DESKTOP, FIVE RUN.

THE ONLY UNIT RUNNING NOW.

>> IT IS THE CALL AFTER CALL AFTER CALL.

ONE AFTER THE OTHER, HARD TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND OF THE AMBULANCES.

THE AMOUNT OF 911 CALLS WE RECEIVE AND SEND OUR AMBULANCES TO IS JUST OUT OF CONTROL.

>> Reporter: FOR THE FIRST TIME, THE THEY RELIED ON THIS NEW DASHBOARD, WHICH SHOWS HOW LONG WAIT TIMES ARE AT Mc HOSPITALS.

AT KAISER WELLMANN PARK, A SIX- HOUR WAIT FOR THE AMBULANCE TO DROP OFF A PATIENT.

>> THIS IS THE PEAK.

THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS, WE ARE GETTING MORE.

I THINK WE WILL BE IN SOME TROUBLE.

>> Reporter: CARE IS OFFERING HELP TO WEBB IN THE EMTs FIRST IN LINE.

>> I HAD ONE WHO DIED THIS MORNING.

WE GRADUATE TOGETHER AND HIS BROTHER PASSED FROM THE SAME THING, JUST TWO MINUTES LATER.

IT'S REAL, IT'S DEADLY.

IT IS KILLING PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE APPLICATIONS AND HEALTH CONDITIONS.

>> NOT GOING TO LIE, I'M NERVOUS.

I AM, AFTER MY RESEARCH, IT IS A RISK THAT I'M DEFINITELY WILLING TO TAKE.

I KNOW THERE ARE SOME SIDE EFFECTS THAT CAN HAPPEN.

I THINK THE BENEFITS OUTWEIGH THEM.

>> THAT WAS STACY BUTLER REPORTING .>>> IN AN EMERGENCY, 911 IS THE FIRST AND FASTEST CALL TO MAKE.

WHAT IF CALLING ON THE PHONE ISN'T AN OPTION?

SAN DIEGO RESIDENT TO PLUG IN OUR TEXT 911 FOR HELP FROM POLICE, FIRE AND EMS SERVICES.

TEXTING IS A BETTER OPTION FOR THOSE WHO ARE DEAF, HARD OF HEARING, OR HAVE DIFFICULTY SPEAKING.

IN AN EMERGENCY, YOU CAN TEXT THE LOCATION AND THE NATURE OF THE EMERGENCY AND A DISPATCH WILL FOLLOW UP WITH QUESTIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS.

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS CANNOT BE SENT.

THE SERVICE IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AT THIS TIME.

>>> COUNTY SUPERVISOR NATHAN FLETCHER IS TAKING OVER LEADERSHIP OF THE BOARD.

SUPERVISORS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY FOR FLETCHER TO SERVE AS THEIR NEW CHAIRMAN.

THE NEWLY-ELECTED VARGAS WILL SERVE AS BOARD VICE CHAIRWOMAN AND JOE ANDERSON, AS CHAIRPERSON.

FLETCHER LISTED HIS PRACTICE FOR THE COUNTY, INCLUDING TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE PANDEMIC, IMPROVING RACIAL JUSTICE, BUILDING MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND PROVIDING QUALITY HEALTHCARE.

>> I'M JUDY WOODRUFF.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, VIOLENCE A POWER IN GEORGIA VOTERS.

THEY CAN DECIDE CONTROL THE SENATE, AND MUCH OF THE BIDEN AGENDA.

COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING EDITION ON KPBS.

>>> ARTS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN HIT HARD BY THE PANDEMIC.

AS KPBS ARTS REPORTER BETH O'CONNOR TELLS US, SAN DIEGO OPERA DISCOVERED THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM EARLIER FINANCIAL CRISES AND HOW THEY HAVE PROVEN USEFUL DURING THIS CURRENT CHALLENGING TIMES.

>> Reporter: BACK IN MARCH, SAN DIEGO OPERA WAS PLANNING TO STAGE THE "AGING MAGICIAN," WITH THE YOUTH FORCE.

COVID-19 PREVENTED CHILDREN FROM TRAVELING.

>> WE WERE THE FIRST OPERA IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE A POSTPONED OR CANCELED PERFORMANCE DUE TO COVID-19 AGE.

IT HIT US VERY EARLY IN MARCH.

THEN, WE HAD TO POSTPONE THE REST OF OUR SEASON.

AND SO, SINCE THEN, ALL WE HAVE DONE IS THINK ABOUT BEING INVOLVED AND PIVOTING, AND TRYING TO FIND WAYS TO EXPLORE PRODUCING OPERA FOR SAFETY.

>> Reporter: DAVID BENNETT TOOK ON THE ROLE OF SAN DIEGO'S GENERAL OPERA DIRECTOR IN 2019, AMIDST YEARS OF CLOSURE.

LITTLE DID HE REALIZE, THE RESPONSE TO THOSE FINANCIAL CHALLENGES, AND WHAT THE COMPANY LEARNED FROM IT, WOULD BE HELPFUL DURING THIS CURRENT PANDEMIC.

>> AS A RESULT OF THE NEAR- CLOSER, WE WERE DOING MISSION STATEMENTS.

WE HAVE CORE VALUES THAT CAME ABOUT AT THAT POINT.

THROUGH MINIMAL ADAPTATION TO THE CHANGING MARKETPLACE, WE PRESERVED THE FUTURE OF THE SAN DIEGO MARKET.

THAT WAS, PARTIALLY IN RESPONSE TO A FINANCIAL CHANGING MARKETPLACE.

THE FACT THAT WE OWNED THESE PLOTS.

BOY, THERE IS NOT TRUER WORDS THAT CAN BE SPOKEN ABOUT WHERE WE ARE LIVING RIGHT NOW AS A COMPANY, RIGHT?

>> Reporter: THE OPERA HAS PROVEN NEXT DREAMILY ADAPTABLE.

IN OCTOBER, APPLETON OUTDOOR STAGE IN THE SPORTS ARENA PARKING LOT, SO THEY CAN BE ONE OF THE FIRST OPERA COMPANIES IN THE U.S. TO RETURN TO LIVE PERFORMANCES.

IT PRODUCED AN INNOVATIVE DRIVE- IN VERSION OF "LA BARET.".

>> APRIL CALL ESTABLISH WAS AN OUTER PERFORMANCE, WHICH WE DID.

EACH SINGER HAD TO HAVE 120 SQUARE FEET OF THEIR OWN SPACE.

YOU COULDN'T ENCROACH IN THE SPACE OF ANOTHER SINGER.

THAT WAS A CHALLENGE.

IT WAS DEFINED BY 15 FEET IN FRONT OF YOUR MOUTH, AND THE NEXT SINGER.

THEN, 4 BE ON THE SITE.

OF COURSE, IF THE SINGER TURNED, YOU HAD TO INCREASE THAT BASED ON 15 FEET.

THAT WAS A CHALLENGE.

WE HAD TO COME UP WITH SOME CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO MAKE SURE WE TOLD THE STORY, "LA BARET.

", WITHIN THE RESTRAINTS.

>> Reporter: RESTRICTION SO WHAT KIND OF PERFORMANCES SAN DIEGO OPERA CAN DO, LIKELY TO GENERATE THE INCOME AS SOME TICKET SALES THAT THEY USED TO HAVE IN RECENT YEARS.

EVEN THAT HAS LED TO SOME NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

>> BUT WE DID FIND WAS THAT WE HAD SOME NEW SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES THAT CAME TO US BECAUSE WE WERE DOING SOMETHING OUTDOORS, THEY REALLY REACHED THE WHOLE COMMUNITY IN A WAY THAT IT DIDN'T DO A CIVIC THEATER.

>> Reporter: SO FAR, SAN DIEGO OPERA HAS NOT HAD TO LAUGH ANY STAFF THANKS TO THE ARTS EARLIER FINANCIAL CRISIS.

NOW, A PANDEMIC IS CHALLENGING THE COMPANY.

IT IS DEMANDING NEW INNOVATIONS THAT, IN TURN, CAN BE USED AFTER LIFE RETURNS TO NORMAL.

THIS INCLUDES TAKING ADVANTAGE OF SAN DIEGO'S CLIMATE, TO PERFORM OUTDOORS.

>> THAT IS OUR FIRST BIG LEARNING EXPERIMENT, I WOULD SAY.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT POST TRAIN DIG.

CHALLENGES CAN GIVE YOU A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES.

>> BENNETT KNOWS, 2021 WILL BE A CHALLENGING YEAR.

>> [ SCREAMING ] >> HOW LONG YOU CAN BE IN OPERA, NOT PRODUCING OPERA AND STILL STAY IN BUSINESS IS ANOTHER CHALLENGE.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE'VE BEEN VERY LUCKY, BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T HAD A FURLOUGH OR LIMITED FUNDS.

WE RECEIVED THE PPP FUNDS THAT CAME THROUGH DURING THE SUMMER.

THEY HELPED US RETAIN EMPLOYEES.

WE HAVE STILL BEEN IN A SITUATION THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD TO DO THAT.

IT HAS JUST BEEN PROJECTIONISTS AND TERRIFIC.

>> Reporter: BENNETT AND SAN DIEGO OPERA READY FOR WHATEVER CHALLENGES THE NEW YEAR'S HOSES AND A LOOK FORWARD TO WHEN THEY CAN STAGE LIVE OPERA WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS, SO THEY CAN BRING SHOWS LIKE "THE AGING MAGICIAN," TO A THEATER WHERE IT BELONGS.

BETH ACCOMANDO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IN A LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES, 56 DEATHS FROM THE CORONAVIRUS AND OVER 1800 CASES WERE REPORTED TODAY.

THE NUMBER OF CASES OF THE MORE CONTAGIOUS STRAIN IS GOING.

HEALTH OFFICIALS REPORTED 24 CONFIRMED CASES AND 4 PROBABLE ONCE, BRINGING THE LOCAL TOTAL TO 32.

THEY ARE FROM SAN DIEGO, CHULA VISTA, LA MESA AND LAKESIDE.

THEY ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE NO TRAVEL HISTORY AND COME FROM 19 DIFFERENT HOUSEHOLDS.

>>> THE CARLSBAD CITY COUNSELING, CONSIDERING STRICT REGULATIONS BANNING INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING.

SOME RESTAURANT HAVE CHOSEN TO DEFY STAY-AT-HOME ORDERS THAT WENT INTO EFFECT LAST MONTH.

A LAWYER VISITING RESTAURANTS, GYMS AND SALONS ACROSS THE COUNTY SAYS, STAYING OPEN IS AN ACT OF PEACEFUL PROTESTS.

IF STRICTER ENFORCEMENT IS APPROVED, FINES COULD RANGE FROM $100-$500 PER VIOLATION.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS TAKING STEPS TO EXPAND VACCINE ACCESS FOR PRIORITIZED GROUPS, WITH PLANS TO LAUNCH POP-UP CLINICS.

ONLY ABOUT ONE THIRD OF CALIFORNIA'S AVAILABLE COVID-19 SHOTS HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN ADMINISTERED SO FAR.

OLDER ADULTS AND THOSE WITH MEDICAL CONDITIONS ARE NEXT IN LINE, BUT RIGHT NOW, THE PRIORITY IS STILL THOSE IN HEALTHCARE, OR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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

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

AND BY THE CONRAD PREVIS FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCO SHYLY AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.