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

TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS , AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR HELPING HOMEOWNERS WITH TRAINING, HEATING, COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

>>> AND BY THE CONRAD PREMISE FOUNDATION DARLENE MARKERS SHYLY.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND, BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> COULD EVEN GET TO THE, JUNE 29th.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

CRITICISM, CONTROVERSY, AND A LOT OF CASH, TONIGHT A MAJOR NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THAT 101 ASH STREET DEBACLE.

SEEKING SECRET PAYMENTS IN THE LEASE TO OWN THE BUILDING TO OPEN MORE ON THIS BREAKING STORY FROM KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN.

>> Reporter: THIS BUILDING BEHIND ME HAS COST CITY TAXPAYERS TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

NOW CITY OFFICIALS SAY THEY THINK THEY HAVE A PLAN TO GET BACK AT LEAST SOME OF THAT MONEY.

WARMER MAYOR KEVIN FALCONER SOUGHT TO RENT AND PURCHASE THE BUILDING.

IN AN EFFORT TO SAVE MONEY AND OFFICE SPACE FOR CITY WORKERS.

BUT THE DEAL WAS A DISASTER, AND NEEDED TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RESERVATIONS, AND ASBESTOS GOT DISLODGED INTO THE AIR, AND THE BUILDING HAS BEEN UNINHABITABLE EVER SINCE.

TODAY, CITY ATTORNEY AMARI ELLIOTT SAYS A REALISTIC WORKER NAMED JASON HUGHES WAS ADVISING THE CITY, WHILE ALSO GETTING PAID TO REPRESENT THE BUILDINGS SELLERS.

SHE SAID IN A STATEMENT TODAY IT'S NOW CLEAR WHY THE DEAL HAS BEEN SHROUDED IN SECRECY, AT ITS HEART IS A MASSIVE BETRAYAL OF THE PUBLIC TRUST, AND A CLEAR VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA'S ANTICORRUPTION LAWS.".

THIS IDIOT HERSEY SAYS JASON HUGHES RECEIVED $9.4 MILLION FROM THE COMPANY THAT SOLD THE BUILDING, THOUGH HE CLAIMED TO BE WORKING ON THE CITY'S BEHALF.

ELLIOTT'S LAWSUIT SEEKS TO VOID THE TRANSACTION, AND RECOUP MORE THAN $44 MILLION SPENT ON THIS BUILDING, AND ANOTHER ONE WHERE HUGHES ACTED IN A SIMILAR CAPACITY.

LAWSUITS OF THIS NATURE CAN TYPICALLY TAKE YEARS TO BE RESOLVED, IN THE MEANTIME, THE CITY SAYS IT WILL CONTINUE INVESTIGATING THE DEAL FOR ANY FURTHER EVIDENCE OF WRONGDOING.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> 250,000 LOW INCOME PEOPLE IN CALIFORNIA NOW HAVE ACCESS TO LOW OR NO COST HEALTHCARE, THAT DIDN'T HAVE IT BEFORE.

AS KPBS REPORTER JOHN McCARROLL EXPLAINS, THE NEW STATE BUDGET EXPANDS MEDI-CAL TO COVER ANY 150 AND OLDER.

INCLUDING UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE.

>> WHAT A GREAT DAY IN CALIFORNIA .

>> Reporter: LOS ANGELES STATE SENATOR MARIA ELENA COULD BARELY CONTAIN HER JOY ON TUESDAY MORNING, AS SHE KICKED OFF A ZOOM CONFERENCE TO TALK ABOUT A MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT, THE EXPANSION OF MEDI-CAL, A 1.3 BILLION DOLLARS EXPENDITURE OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

>> WE HAVE TAKEN A HUGE STEP FORWARD.

BY SECURING HEALTHCARE ACCESS FOR QUARTER OF 1 MILLION CALIFORNIANS.

>> Reporter: THE NEW BUDGET ALSO ELIMINATES THAT THE ASSET TEST FOR MEDI-CAL ELIGIBLE SENIORS, BEFORE THE CHANGE OF SENIORS HAD $2000 OR MORE IN SAVINGS, THEY WERE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR MEDI-CAL.

>> THIS IS AMAZING AND IT'S A WONDERFUL STEP FOR OUR UNDOCUMENTED FAMILIES.

TO NANCY IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CHICANO FEDERATION WHICH SERVES ABOUT 25,000 LOW INCOME FAMILIES IN THE SAN DIEGO REGION EVERY YEAR.

SHE SAYS MAKING MEDI-CAL AVAILABLE TO ALL LOW INCOME PEOPLE 50 AND OLDER IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT AS WE EMERGE FROM THE PANDEMIC.

>> HEALTH AND WELLNESS IS SO INTERTWINED.

AND JUST HAVING ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE, BEING ABLE TO HAVE A HEALTHCARE HOME FOR OUR FAMILIES PARTICULARLY UNDOCUMENTED FAMILIES, CAN REALLY BE LIFE-CHANGING.

>> Reporter: AMONG THE UNDOCUMENTED, ESSENTIAL WORKERS ARE ESPECIALLY DESERVING OF QUALITY HEALTHCARE, PEOPLE ON THE FRONT LINE DURING THE PANDEMIC .

INCLUDING THOSE WHO PICK OUR FOOD.

>> THEY ARE OUT IN 117 DEGREE HEAT, STILL GOING TO WORK, STILL DOING THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO DO SO THAT YOU AND I HAVE FOOD ON OUR TABLE.

>> Reporter: THE STATES UNEXPECTEDLY STRONG FINANCIAL CONDITION IS PARTLY WHAT MADE THE EXPANSION OF MEDI-CAL POSSIBLE.

SUPPORTERS SAY THERE IS STILL WORK TO BE DONE.

THEY SAY NOW IS THE TIME FOR CALIFORNIA TO EXTEND COVERAGE, TO EVERYONE.

>> OUR STRUGGLE IS NOT DONE UNTIL WE CAN END THE EXCLUSION BY EXPANDING HEALTHCARE TO ALL WHO CALL THIS STATE HOME.

>> Reporter: A BILL TO ACCOMPLISH THAT DOES EXIST, IT'S ASSEMBLY BILL 4 IT'S BEEN AROUND SINCE MAY OF 2019, A REMINDER OF HOW DIFFICULT IT IS TO PASS THIS KIND OF LEGISLATION, AND WHAT A BIG DEAL THIS NEW EXPANSION OF MEDI- CAL REALLY IS.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ALSO INCLUDED IN THE LATEST BUDGET, REBATES OF UP TO 1100 DOLLARS FOR MOST TAXPAYING ADULTS, FREE PRESCHOOL FOR FOUR- YEAR-OLDS AS WELL AS FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM ALSO SIGNED ALONG TO EXTENSION OF THE STATES EVICTION MORATORIUM WHICH WAS SET TO EXPIRE TOMORROW.

>>> TODAY THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ADOPTED A 7.2 BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

IT CALLS FOR SPENDING ROUGHLY $2.7 BILLION FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

$2.2 BILLION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, AND A $600 BILLION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS.

MONEY IS ALSO INCLUDED FOR PROGRAMS AIMED AT REDUCING HOMELESSNESS, AND REFORMING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>>> PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS HAVE MOSTLY BEEN LIFTED ACROSS CALIFORNIA, AND SUMMER TAURUS ARE PACKING SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

BUT, MANY RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS CAN'T FIND THE STAFF TO KEEP UP WITH THE RISE, AND DEMAND.

JACOB EYRE EXPLORES THE SITUATION IN NORTH COUNTY.

>> Reporter: MANY HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE U.S. ARE STRUGGLING TO HIRE WORKERS THEY LOST DURING THE PANDEMIC INCLUDING HERE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

ERIC SOTO MANAGES THE CAFE, AND HAS BEEN WORKING THERE OVER A DECADE.

HE SAYS THEY'VE HAD TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF TABLES THAT THEY SEE AND INCENTIVIZE JOB UP SINCE.

>> WITH HIM TO THE STARTING WAGE A COUPLE OF DOLLARS ESPECIALLY WITH MINIMUM WAGE GOING UP BACK IN JANUARY, AND YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO IN TURN, RAISE PRICES, OUR MARGINS ARE SMALL AT RESTAURANTS, NOT AT- LARGE, SO YOU RAISE WAGES A BIT COMING UP TO PASS IT ON TO CONSUMER.

WE MET JUST ON THE ROAD THEY ARE FACING A SIMILAR PROBLEM, SHE SAYS THE PROBLEMS COINCIDE WITH RISING FOOD COSTS, DURING THE BUSIEST SEASON.

>> SOMETHING DRASTIC NEEDS TO HAPPEN, WE NEED TO HAVE MORE STAFF, AND WE ARE ACTUALLY STARTING TO TRAIN SOMEBODY NEW TOMORROW, SO WE ARE HOPING IT STARTS PICKING UP AND MORE PEOPLE WANT TO APPLY NOW.

BECAUSE THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE ARE GOING TO WANT TO DO FOR THE REST OF THE SUMMER.

>> Reporter: MANY OF THE TRENDS OF THE SAME, ANTHONY WORKS AT LA COSTA RESORT AND SPA IN CARLSBAD, HE SAYS GUESS ARE COMING BACK IN BIG NUMBERS.

THEY REDUCE CAPACITY, AND CHANGED SOME HOURS OF OPERATION FOR THE TIME BEING, IN ORDER TO DELIVER THE SAME EXPENSE.

>> IN OUR PEAK SEASONS WE WOULD TYPICALLY HAVE ABOUT 1002 AT THOUSAND 200 PEOPLE AT MOST.

AND, OBVIOUSLY DUE TO COVID, AND THE SHUTDOWN AND ALL OF THE RESTRICTIONS AND BUSINESS, THAT IMPACTED US TO THE .

WHERE RIGHT NOW, EVEN AFTER MANY MONTHS OF SLOWLY REOPENING THINGS, WE ARE AT ABOUT 650 EMPLOYEES RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THESE BUSINESS OWNERS AREN'T EXACTLY SURE WHERE THEY CAN'T FIND ENOUGH WORKERS, SOME SAY THEY MIGHT BE WORRIED ABOUT CONTRACTING COVID- 19, OTHERS MENTIONED THAT EMPLOYEES MAY HAVE LEFT TO THE INDUSTRY FOR MORE STABLE AND FLEXIBLE JOBS, AND SOME SAY THEY MIGHT STILL BE HAPPY TO STAY AT HOME, WITH EXTRA GOVERNMENT BENEFITS STILL AVAILABLE.

JACOB EYRE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> EVERYONE SHOULD BE WEARING MASKS INDOORS REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY WITH THAT'S WORD FROM HEALTH OFFICIALS THERE AMID CONCERNS ABOUT THE DELTA VARIANT.

IT'S NOT A MANDATE BUT RATHER A STRONG RECOMMENDATION TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF THE HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE VARIANT OF THE CORONAVIRUS.

THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION IS MAKING THE SAME RECOMMENDATION.

BUT, THE CDC AND STATE GOVERNMENT HAVE NOT CHANGED THEIR MASKING GUIDELINES.

DR. CHRISTIAN TOLD MIDDAY ADDITION WE'VE MOVED FROM GOVERNMENT MANDATES TO INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY.

>>> TODAY, THE COUNTY SAID IT IS NOT CHANGING MASK GUIDANCE IN A STATEMENT SUPERVISOR CHAIR NATHAN FLETCHER SAID THE BEST ACTION YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT YOURSELF, IS TO GET VACCINATED ADDING ALMOST 95% OF DELTA VARIANT CASES ARE FROM THOSE NOT FULLY VACCINATED.

STARCROSSED OR THOUSANDS OF SAN DIEGO AND GOT THE COVID-19 VACCINE IS NOW CLOSED, THEY WEPT OF ITS WORK TODAY AT THE DELMAR FAIRGROUNDS, IT IS THE LAST VACCINATION SUPER SITE TO CLOSE.

SCRIPTS WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE VACCINES AVAILABLE, AT ITS HOSPITALS, AND ASKED AND IT IS.

FOR THE 115,000 COVID-19 SHOTS WERE GIVEN AT THE DELMAR SITE SINCE FEBRUARY.

AND THERE ARE STILL PLENTY OF PLACES TO GET A CORONAVIRUS VACCINATION IF YOU NEED ONE, YOU CAN FIND ALL OF THE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

JUST CLICK ON THE VACCINES LINK ON OUR HOMEPAGE.

>>> SAN DIEGO HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST DEATH RATES FOR PEOPLE IN CUSTODY AT COUNTY JAILS.

OUR REPORTER HAS MORE ON LOCAL ACTIVISTS WHO ARE CALLING ACCOUNTABILITY FOR WHAT THEY SAY IS NEGLIGENCE AT COUNTY JAILS.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 150 PEOPLE HAVE DIED IN THE CUSTODY OF THE SAN DIEGO SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT SINCE 2009.

>> Reporter: WITH SUPPORT FROM LOCAL ACT TO THIS, AQUILLA WEBER IS ASKING FOR TRANSPARENCY, AT SAN DIEGO COUNTY JAILS.

WEBER WILL BE REQUESTING A FULL AUDIT OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE THE STATE LEGISLATIVE AUDIT COMMITTEE ON WEDNESDAY, COMMUNITY ASKED ACTIVISTS, HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE TUESDAY, OUTSIDE THE DETENTION FACILITY WERE 24-YEAR- OLD ALISA DIED BACK IN NOVEMBER, HE'S HOPING LOCALS WILL TAKE PART IN WEDNESDAY'S HEARING.

>> WE ARE STANDING UP FOR ALISA, WHO LOST HER LIFE RIGHT HERE IN THE DETENTION CENTER.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE FILED A LAWSUIT WHILE IN CUSTODY AT THE FACILITY COME IN 2019, AN INVESTIGATION BY THE SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE FOUND THAT THE COUNTY'S JAIL MORTALITY RATE IS AMONG THE HIGHEST IN CALIFORNIA.

>> WE ARE HERE TO SAY THAT HER LIFE MATTERS AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN CUSTODY MATTERS.

OF COURSE, WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT CANCER DEATHS, OF COURSE WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT STROKE DEATHS, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PREVENTABLE, NEGLIGENCE.

>> Reporter: GENEVIEVE JONES RIGHT COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR JUST AN ROYAL GOVERNANCE SAYS INCARCERATION SHOULD NOT BE A DEATH SENTENCE .

>> BUT I ALSO DEMAND THAT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF OUR CLARE COUNTY PROSECUTE SHERIFF DEPUTIES WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATHS OF HER.

TO THE AUDIT COMMITTEE HEARING SCHEDULED FOR WEDNESDAY.

BECAUSE SENDING YOUR TESTIMONIES, OF IN CUSTODY DEATHS THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THIS AREA.

>> Reporter: KPBS EAST PITTSBURGH OF THE SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS CONTINUES AT THE SITE OF THE PARTIALLY COLLAPSED CONDO BUILDING IN SOUTH FLORIDA.

TODAY, 12th BODY WAS FOUND, AND 149 PEOPLE ARE STILL MISSING.

BUT, JUST WHAT CAUSED THE BUILDING TO CRUMBLE?

ISABELLA HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: IS DAY 6 OF THE DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS SEARCH THROUGH THE RUBBLE OF THE CONDOS IN SURFSIDE FLORIDA.

WHILE THE PANCAKES AND COLLAPSE, LEFT FEW THE LEADS FOR POTENTIAL SURVIVORS, RESCUERS AND OFFICIALS ARE NOT GIVING UP.

>> NOBODY IS GIVING UP HOPE HERE, NOBODY IS STOPPING, THE WORK GOES ON.

>> Reporter: THE DANGEROUS SEARCH AND RESCUE WORKERS COMP LOCATED BY BURSTS OF RAIN, MORE THAN 800 RESPONDENTS FROM 60 AGENCIES INCLUDING RESCUERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, ARE WORKING 12 HOUR SHIFTS AROUND THE CLOCK.

>> WE ARE DEDICATED TO GET EVERYONE OUT OF THAT PILE OF RUBBLE.

>> Reporter: CNN OBTAINED A LETTER IN WHICH THE BUILDINGS BOARD PRESIDENT HAD THE SUBSTANTIAL DECAY SINCE THE 2018 EXPANSION.

THE CONCRETE DETERIORATION IS ACCELERATING, AND OBSERVABLE DAMAGE IS "SIGNIFICANTLY WORKS".

INVESTIGATORS ABLE TAKE MONTHS OR LONGER TO KNOW WHY THE BUILDING EXACTLY COLLAPSE.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS GOING TO SURFSIDE ON THURSDAY WHERE HE WILL MEET WITH FAMILIES, AND FIRST RESPONDERS.

FOR THOSE HOPING FOR ANY SIGNS OF POSITIVE NEWS, THE WEIGHT GOES ON.

>> WE ALSO ARE VERY AWARE OF THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION, AND THE TIME IT.

I MEAN IT'S DAY 6.

AND YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT THEY AREN'T FINDING PEOPLE IS A TREMENDOUS CONCERN.

>> Reporter: IN SURFSIDE FLORIDA, KPBS NEWS .

>>> TWO YEARS AGO SAN DIEGO COUNTY SET ASIDE 1 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS TO HELP BACKCOUNTRY RESIDENTS MAKE THEIR HOMES MORE FIRE RESISTANT.

BUT LAST YEAR, COUNTY OFFICIALS DECIDED SPEND THE MONEY ELSEWHERE, OUR NEWS SOURCE REPORTER?

PLEASE .

>> Reporter: THE CEDAR FIRE TORE THROUGH THIS REGION IN 2003.

THE FIRES FLYING EMBERS GOT INTO DAVID RUSS'S HOME AND BUILT BURNT IT DOWN.

BUT, HE REBUILT.

TO AVOID LOSING EVERYTHING AGAIN HE KNEW EMBER RESISTANT VENTS INSTALLED THIS MONTH.

>> WE ARE PARANOID ABOUT FIRE ON HER.

>> COUNTY SUPERVISORS WANTED HELP MORE PEOPLE PROTECT THEIR HOMES BY GIVING GROUND -- GRANTS TO REPLACE OLD VENTS.

THE PROJECT THAT SCREAMED AFTER THE COUNTY FAILED TO FIND A CONTRACTOR TO RUN IT.

OFFICIALS DECIDED IT WOULD BE BETTER SPENT ON SAFETY PROJECTS LIKE CLEANING BRUSHES INSTEAD.

HE WAS ABLE TO PAY THROUGH HIS VENTS THROUGH A PROGRAM THAT ONLY SOME BACKCOUNTRY RESIDENTS QUALIFY FOR.

FOR KPBS, I AM REPORTER --.

>> THAT IS AN INDEPENDENT LIEN ON PROFIT PARTNER OF KPBS.

>>> SOME MUCH NEEDED MOISTURE SLOWLY GOING TO CREEP WESTWARD.

AND PERHAPS, BRING A COUPLE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AT THE HIGHER TERRAIN LIKELY IN THE MOUNTAINS IS WHERE MOST OF THAT IS GOING TO BE CONFINED TO.

HOWEVER, CONSUMER IT OF CLOUD COVER DOWN INTO THE METRO .

TEMPERATURES FOR THE MOST PART, ARE GOING THROUGH ABOVE AVERAGE AS WE GO THROUGH THESE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

FOR TONIGHT NOTION SIDE, GETTING DOWN TO 65 DEGREES, BORREGO SPRINGS, 76 DEGREES BUT AGAIN, MT.

LAGUNA MAY BE SEEING A BIT OF THUNDERSTORM ACTIVITY DOWN THERE.

BIG PITCHER SHOWING THIS AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE, DIRECTING THE MOISTURE FURTHER AND FURTHER WEST.

IT'S KIND OF HARD TO SAY WHETHER IT'S GOING TO MAKE IT AS FAR WEST AS SAN DIEGO, I DON'T THINK SO.

HOWEVER, HE WILL LIKELY STILL SEE A LITTLE BIT MORE IN THE WAY OF CLOUD COVER.

WE WILL BRING A LITTLE BIT OF LOW HANGING CLOUDS AND FOG.

82 DEGREES FOR THE DAYTIME HIGH, IN ESCONDIDO FOR TOMORROW.

RAMONA, GETTING UP TO 88 .

STILL TALKING ABOUT THE HEAT IN BORREGO SPRINGS ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT QUITE AS HOT AS IT HAS BEEN IN RECENT DAYS.

AGAIN, TIMING OF YOUR WEDNESDAY HERE FOR YOU, YOU CAN SEE A LITTLE BIT OF SOME GREEN POPPING UP THERE, IN THE HIGHER TERRAIN THROUGH THE DAY ON WEDNESDAY, AND BIG PITCHER AGAIN SHOWING SCATTERED STORMS, MAINLY A LITTLE BIT MORE IN THE INTERIOR SECTIONS HERE OF THE SOUTHWEST.

BUT, SOME OF THAT COULD CREEP A LITTLE BIT FURTHER WEST, AND AGAIN BRING A FEW SPOTTY SHOWERS, MAYBE A THUNDERSTORM INTO THE HIGHER TERRAIN.

YOUR WEDNESDAY NEAR THE COAST, TEMPERATURES ARE IN THE LOW 70s, WE ARE GOING TO CLIMB UP INTO THE MID-70s OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

NOT A WHOLE LOT OF CHANGE THERE.

IN LENGTH, MID-80s ON THE PORTRAIT A LITTLE BIT OF PATCHY FOG EARLY IN THE MORNING, ON THURSDAY.

OTHERWISE, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK, AND HEADING INTO YOUR FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND.

THE MOUNTAINS, TEMPERATURES GO FROM THE UPPER 70s, DOWN INTO THE LOW 70s THIS FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND.

HEAT IS ON IN THE DESERT, WE ARE GOING TO BE CLIMBING BACK UP TO 108 AND EVENTUALLY 112 BY YOUR FOURTH OF JULY.

FOR KPBS NEWS I'M METEOROLOGIST JESSICA .

>>> ANOTHER TWIST IN CALIFORNIA'S RECALL ELECTION.

GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM IS SUING SHIRLEY WEBER WHO REAPPOINTED JUST MONTHS AGO, WEBER IS REFUSING TO CORRECT A FILING MISTAKE THAT COULD RESULT NEWSOM APPEARING ON THE BALLOT THAT DEMOCRATIC PARTY LISTED NEXT TO HIS NAME.

YESTERDAY STATE LAWMAKERS PASSED A BILL THAT WOULD WAIVE CERTAIN RECALL THE RULES, AND ALLOW THE ELECTION TO BE HELD EARLIER THAN EXPECTED.

NEWSOM IMMEDIATELY SIGNED INTO LAW.

REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARGUE THE GOVERNOR SHOULD NOT TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE PROCEDURES, AFFECT HIS OWN ELECT JEN.

>>> FIREWORKS COULD BE RETURNING TO LA JOLLA ON JULY 4th IF ORGANIZERS CAN OVERCOME A LEGAL CHALLENGE FROM PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT SEA LIONS.

ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON HAS THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: LA JOLLA .

IS ONE OF THE RARE PLACES WHERE NATURE OFFERS PEOPLE A GLIMPSE OF LIFE USUALLY TUCKED OUT OF VIEW.

SEA LIONS ARE COMFORTABLE AND APPEARED TO GIVE BIRTH, AND TO RAISE THEIR YOUNG.

PUPS CAN'T SWIM RIGHT AFTER BIRTH AND THEY DON'T TO DO IT WELL FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.

BUT, THEY CAN BE SEEN AS SNUGGLING AND PLAYING WITH THEIR MOMS ON THE ROCKS.

MOST OF THE ADORING CROWDS KEEP THEIR DISTANCE BUT BUT, SOME LIKE TO SNEAK CLOSER, FOR IT BETTER LOOK OR PITCHER.

>> PEOPLE OFTEN MUST BE SURPRISED THAT YOU KNOW, THAT THERE IS SO LITTLE GUIDANCE, AND THERE IS SO LITTLE OVERSIGHT OF THIS AREA.

>> Reporter: CARRIE IS ENCOURAGED THAT SAN DIEGO HAS PROMISED BETTER SIGNAGE AND A MORE VISIBLE RANGER PRESENCE.

BUT, THE SIERRA CLUB WORRIES ABOUT ANOTHER THREAD .

>> WE ARE GREATLY ALARMED ABOUT THE FIREWORKS.

>> Reporter: RICHARD MILLER SAYS LOCAL BOOSTERS WANT TO BRING BACK A FOURTH OF JULY FIREWORKS DISPLAY, SOMETHING THAT WAS A STAPLE HERE FOR DECADES.

THOSE FIREWORKS WILL BE LAUNCHED FROM THE PARK, RIGHT BESIDE THE SEA LION ROOKERY.

>> IF THEY HAVE FIREWORKS THAT WILL FLUSH EVERY SINGLE SEA LION OFF THE .

AND THERE PUPS, AND ONCE AGAIN, THERE IS THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE LOSE AN ENTIRE GENERATION OF SEA LIONS JUST FROM HAVING FIREWORKS IN.

TO THE CONCERNS ARE UNFOUNDED, DEBORAH IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY FIREWORKS FOUNDATION, SHE SAYS THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY IS AN IMPORTANT COMMUNITY WELDING EVENT.

>> EVERYONE HERE LOVES WHERE WE LIVE, OUR COMMUNITY, OUR ENVIRONMENT, IF WE EVER THOUGHT WE WERE DOING ANY TYPE OF HARM BY CELEBRATING OUR INDEPENDENCE DAY, BY SHOOTING OFF FIREWORKS, THE SHOW WOULD NOT GO ON.

>> Reporter: THE SHOW HASN'T ACTUALLY HAPPENED SINCE 2017.

HER GROUP FOUGHT OFF LEGAL CHALLENGES IN 2010, AND 2014.

THEY RAISE CONCERNS ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THE SHOW.

>> THERE WAS NO MERIT, THEY ALSO PROVED THAT THE FIREWORKS WHICH HAPPENS ONE DAY A YEAR ON JULY 4th, AND IT'S A 25 MINUTE SHOW REALLY HAS NEVER CAUSED ANY HARM .

>> Reporter: THE LAWSUITS NEVER CANCELED THE FIREWORKS DISPLAY, BUT SHE SAYS THE LEGAL FIGHT IMPACTED FUNDRAISING, THERE SIMPLY WASN'T ENOUGH MONEY FOR SHOWS IN 2018, AND 2019.

>> SOME MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WANTED TO BRING IT BACK FOR 2020, AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FUNDRAISING AND WE WERE READY TO GO WITH THE 2020 SHOW, AND THEN THE PANDEMIC IT.

>> Reporter: THE SHOW IS UNDER FIRE FOR ANOTHER LAWSUIT THAT SHE SAYS IS THE SAME AS EARLIER CHALLENGES.

BUT, THE ANIMAL PROTECTION AND RESCUE LEAGUE SEES IT DIFFERENTLY.

THE ATTORNEY BRIAN PEASE WHO SITS ON THE GROUPS BOARD, FILED SUIT IN SUPERIOR COURT.

>> THERE IS A MARINE MAMMAL ROOKERY RIGHT THERE, WHICH IS ONLY BEEN SINCE 2019 DECLARED UNDER FEDERAL LAW TO EXIST.

SO, PRIOR TO 2019 IT WASN'T THE SAME LEGAL LANDSCAPE PERSONNEL WE HAVE THE OFFICIAL DESIGNATION, BEING A SEA LION ROOKERY, WITH THE NATIONAL SERVICE IS GOING TO ENFORCE THAT OR NOT, I DON'T KNOW, THE MARINE ANIMAL PROTECTION ACT DOES NOT HAVE A PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION.

VIOLATING A FEDERAL LAW IS SEEN AS AN UNFAIR BUSINESS PRACTICE IN CALIFORNIA, AND THAT IS THE LEGAL AVENUE THEY ARE PURSUING, THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE HAS NO OPINION ON THE LEGAL ACTION OR THE FIREWORKS SHOW, COULD BE MANY MONTHS BEFORE THE LAWSUIT IS RESOLVED.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, THE NEW COBRA THREAD, WE DISCUSSED THE ONGOING PANDEMIC RECOVERY, AND THE DELTA VARIANT WITH DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, HUMMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING EDITION ON KPBS.

>>> TODAY THE FIRST TROLLEY CARS GLIDED ALONG THE TRACKS OF THE MIDCOAST EXTENSION OF THE UC SAN DIEGO BLUE LINE.

THE NEW STATION IS ONE OF THE ADDED STOPS ON THE LINE FROM DOWNTOWN UP TO UNIVERSITY TOWN CENTER, CONSTRUCTION STARTED IN 2016.

THE EXTENSION WON'T BE IN OPERATION UNTIL NOVEMBER.

BUT TODAY MARKS THE BEGINNING OF THE TRAINED TESTING PHASE.

MAYOR KAPLAN BLAKE SPEAR SAYS IT'S AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY FOR NORTH COUNTY COMMUTERS.

>> THIS IS A LINE THAT GOES TO THE NORTH, GOES TO UCSD, GOES TO THE VA MEDICAL CENTER GOES TO THE JOBS UP THERE.

AND IT WILL ALLOW PEOPLE TO TRANSPORT THEMSELVES TO THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO DO FOR THEIR MEDICAL APPOINTMENT, THEIR WORK, THEIR SCHOOL.

>> THEY ARE TAKING OVER THE PROJECT FROM SANDAG IN AND OVERSEEING THE TESTING TO ENSURE EVERYTHING IS READY FOR FULL OPERATION IN THE FALL.

>>> AAA SAYS MORE THAN 43 MILLION AMERICANS WILL HIT THE ROAD THIS FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND, AND IF YOU ARE ONE OF THEM, IT MIGHT BE TOUGH TO FIND GAS.

A SHORTAGE OF TANK TRUCK DRIVERS ALONG WITH TRAVEL SURGE, IS CAUSING SUPPLY-CHAIN BOTTLENECKS FOR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST ARE ALREADY REPORTING GAS SHORTAGES FOR THE TRADE GROUP NATIONAL TANK TRUCK CARRIERS REPORTS IS SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 20 TO 25% OF TANK TRUCKS ARE SITTING IDLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THERE WERE DRIVER SHORTAGES BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, BUT THE LOCKDOWNS FORCED MANY DRIVERS TO RETIRE OR EVEN CHANGE JOBS.

>>> BACK IN BUSINESS, THE FIRST CRUISE SHIP SAILED OUT OF A U.S.

PORT OVER THE WEEKEND, AFTER SITTING IDLE DURING THE PANDEMIC, AS MANDY GAETA REPORTS, THE CRUISE INDUSTRY LEADERS HOPING THEY ARE HEADING TOWARD RECOVERY.

>> Reporter: SOME 15 MONTHS .

>> THAT'S HOW EXCITED I AM.

>> Reporter: CELEBRITY EDGE SETS SAIL ONCE AGAIN FROM THE U.S. FOR THE FIRST SHIP TO DO SO WITH A GREEN LIGHT FROM THE CDC SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

OPERATING AT 40% GUEST CAPACITY, THE CRUISE LINE ALSO CLAIMED TO HAVE A 99% VACCINATION RATE ON BOARD.

>> I HOPE THEY HAVE IT FIGURED OUT, AND I HOPE THEY KEEP US ALL SAFE.

>> Reporter: THE AGENCY STILL ADVISES THAT ALL UNVACCINATED TRAVELERS AVOID GOING ON CRUISE SHIPS.

>> THIS HAS BEEN A HORRIBLE 15 MONTHS, AND THE LOSSES ARE HUGE.

>> Reporter: WITH THIS SHIP SETTING SAIL, CREW LEADERS HOPE TO BE HEADING TOWARDS RECOVERY, ABORT A CELEBRITY EDGE, STAGGERED ARRIVAL AND PARTNER TIMES HOPING TO AVOID LARGE CROWDS, MOST PASSENGER CABINS ARE SPACED OUT AND CREWMEMBERS HAVE THEIR OWN CABINS BECAUSE OF REDUCED CAPACITY.

MEALS ARE STILL BEING OFFERED, BUT SERVED BY CREW, RATHER THAN SELF-SERVICE, THE SHIP ALSO HAS ADDITIONAL MEDICAL RESOURCES ON BOARD, IN CASE OF AN OUTBREAK, INCLUDING CAPACITY FOR 33 PATIENTS, AND 4 ICU BEDS.

>> THE EVIDENCE IS THAT THERE IS A PENT-UP DEMAND, THE EVIDENCE IS THAT PEOPLE WANT TO GET OUT OF THEIR HOMES, PEOPLE WANT TO GO PLACES AND WANT TO DO THINGS.

AND SO, I THINK THE FUTURE IS VERY BRIGHT.

>> Reporter: FOR CONSUMER WATCH, I AM MANDY GAITHER .

>>> THE COUNTRY'S PREMIER ACTION SPORTS COMPETITION IS COMING BACK TO SAN DIEGO, THE X GAMES WILL BEGIN ON JULY 14th, LAST YEAR'S EVENT WAS WIPED OUT BY THE PANDEMIC, THERE WILL BE SOME MODIFICATIONS THIS YEAR, THE BIGGEST BEING NO FANS IN ATTENDANCE.

EVENTS WILL BE HELD IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS INCLUDING MOTOCROSS, IN RAMONA, VISTA WILL HOST SKATEBOARDING, AND VMX.

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

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT, I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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AND BY THE CONRAD PREMISE FOUNDATION.

DARLING MARCO SHYLY.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING -- ♪ ♪ AND, BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

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