>>> GOOD EVENING, IT'S TUESDAY, MAY 11, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

HE CALLS IT A HISTORIC PLAN TO SOLVE A BIG PROBLEM.

TODAY, GOVERNOR NEWSOM CAME TO SAN DIEGO TO LAUNCH A 12 MILLION DOLLAR PROPOSAL TO TACKLE THE STATES HOMELESS CRISIS.

>> Reporter: THE GOVERNOR STOP AT THE CORNER VISTA APARTMENTS TODAY WAS TO HIGHLIGHT HIS COMMITMENT TO FIGHTING THE HOMELESS CRISIS.

>> THIS IS NOT JUST DOUBLING DOWN ON STRATEGIES WE KNOW WORK.

THIS IS AN ORDER OF MAGNITUDE, INVESTMENTS, INTO TRANSFORMING THE HOMELESS CRISIS IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA >> Reporter: THIS PART OF PROJECT HOME KEY, A PROGRAM THAT TURNS HOTELS, MOTELS, AND APARTMENTS INTO HOMES FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING OR AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.

THIS RESIDENT WAS HOMELESS, PREGNANT AND AN ADDICT AND SHE WAS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE INTO THESE APARTMENTS.

>> THE HOUSING COMMISSION ALLOWED TO LET ME LIVE HERE AND I GOT MY DAUGHTER BACK.

I'M 18 MONTHS SOBER AND SHE WILL BE 19-MONTH-OLD THE 22nd OF THIS MONTH AND I'M BE GONE GRATEFUL.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO MAYOR FULLY SUPPORTS PROJECT HOME KEY.

>> THIS IS MORE THAN A HOME, IT'S THE SERVICES THAT WILL KEEP PEOPLE HOUSED AND ULTIMATELY BREAK THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS, PROVIDING THINGS LIKE CASE MANAGEMENT, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING, AND EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS SAW A SHARP RISE LAST YEAR.

THE REGIONAL TASK FORCE ON THE HOMELESS FOUND MORE THAN 38,000 PEOPLE RECEIVED SOME FORM OF HOUSING AND SERVICES, THE MOST EVER.

THE COUNTY PROPOSES $85 MILLION TO MATCH THE COMMITMENT TO END HOMELESSNESS BY THE STATE.

>> WITH THE RECALL ELECTION OF GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM OF ALL BUT CERTAIN TO HAPPEN THIS FALL, CANDIDATES WHO WON HIS JOB ARE DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO STAND OUT.

RANCHO SANTA FE BUSINESSMAN JOHN COX IS BRINGING KODIAK BAIRD TO SET CAMPAIGN STOPS INCLUDING ONE HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

THE CANDIDATE WAS GREETED WITH PROTESTERS.

>> THE THEME OF REPUBLICAN JOHN COX'S CAMPAIGN IS RIGHT THERE ON HIS BUS AND THIS IS THE BEAST IN QUESTION, A KODIAK BEAR .

>> THE REASON THE BEAR IS HERE IS TO DEMONSTRATE THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE A BEAST TO TACKLE THE SPECIAL INTEREST.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS GOVERNOR NEWSOM IS CAPTIVE TO SPECIAL INTEREST.

HE POINTED TO NEWSOMS DINNER AT THE EXCLUSIVE FRENCH RESTAURANT LAST NOVEMBER WITH TWO LOBBYISTS FROM THE CALIFORNIA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.

NEWSOM LATER APOLOGIZED SAYING ATTENDING THE DINNER WAS A MISTAKE.

HE HAD COMPANY FOR THIS NEWS CONFERENCE, ANIMAL ACTIVISTS FROM LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS WHO ONLY HAD ONE ISSUE IN MIND.

>> IT'S TIME TO STAND UP AND BE THE ANIMALS VOICE AND STOP USING ANIMALS.

>> Reporter: THIS WOMAN FOUNDED AND NOW RUNS LIONS, TIGERS, AND BEARS, AND ANIMAL SANCTUARY IN ALPINE.

>> THESE ANIMALS ARE PULLED AS BABIES FROM THEIR MOTHER AND USED FOR NOTHING MORE THAN EXACTLY THIS, TO BE TRAINED AND CARTED AROUND FROM PLACE TO PLACE AND AN ENCLOSED TRAILER FOR NOTHING MORE THAN PROFIT AND EXULTATION.

>> I'M AN ANIMAL LOVER AND I BELIEVE IN TAKING CARE OF ANIMALS.

GOD GAVE THEM TO US TO ENJOY THIS PARADISE OF A NURSE.

>> Reporter: JOHN COX SAYS IT'S TIME TO LOOK FORWARD AND LOOK THE ON WHAT IS A FAILED GOVERNOR, HE SAYS GOVERNOR NEWSOM HAS MISHANDLED A NUMBER OF ISSUES INCLUDING HOMELESSNESS AND THE STATE EXPOSURE TO WILDFIRES, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO THE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS, JOHN COX IS THE ONE LIVING IN THE PAST.

>> THIS IS THE OLD DAYS AND WE DON'T NEED TO USE ANIMALS FOR THIS ANYMORE.

THE PUBLIC DOESN'T KNOW THOUSANDS OF THESE ANIMALS ARE USED LIKE THIS AND THEN DUMPED.

>> Reporter: WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A 30 DAY PERIOD WERE PEOPLE WHO SIGNED THE RECALL PETITION CAN WITHDRAW THEIR SIGNATURES.

IF ENOUGH REMAIN AFTER THE WITHDRAWAL PERIOD, THE RECALL ELECTION WILL MOVE FORWARD, PROBABLY IN NOVEMBER.

FIVE PREVIOUS ATTEMPTS TO RECALL GAVIN NEWSOM HAVE FAILED.

>>> 36 PERCENT OF CALIFORNIA VOTERS SUPPORT RECALLING GOVERNOR NEWSOM ACCORDING TO THE LATEST POLL FROM UC BERKELEY INSTITUTE OF GOVERNMENTAL STUDIES.

THE FORMER SAN DIEGO MAYOR AND JOHN COX EACH HAVE ABOUT 22 PERCENT SUPPORT FOR REPLACING NEW SOME AND REALITY STAR CAITLIN JENNER HAS ONLY SIX PERCENT.

>>> GOVERNOR NEWSOM HAS PROPOSED ANOTHER ROUND OF STIMULUS PAYMENTS FOR UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS IN CALIFORNIA.

OUR REPORTER TELLS US HOW PREVIOUS PAYMENTS HAVE HELPED IMMIGRANT WORKERS IN SAN DIEGO AND WHY MANY BELIEVE THEY ARE STILL NOT ADEQUATE.

>> Reporter: THIS NORTHPARK RESIDENT HAD BEEN OUT OF WORK SINCE BEING LAID OFF FROM A RESTAURANT LAST YEAR AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

HE IS UNDOCUMENTED SO WE ARE PROTECTING HIS FULL NAME.

HE WAS ONE OF THE 1000 UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE WHO GOT AN EMERGENCY $500 DEBIT CARD FROM THE STATE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

SINCE THEN, HE IS NOT RECEIVED ANY FURTHER SUPPORT FROM THE GOVERNMENT, EVEN THOUGH HE PAID TAXES IN THE UNITED STATES FOR SIX YEARS.

UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE DON'T QUALIFY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

IT WAS TOUGH FOR HIM TO FIND WORK, EVEN AFTER BUSINESSES BEGAN TO REOPEN.

ON MONDAY, GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM ANNOUNCED A NEW $500 ROUND OF STIMULUS PAYMENTS FOR UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE.

ON TOP OF A $600 PAYMENT APPROVED BY THE LEGISLATURE EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THE MAN SAID IF HE WAS TO RECEIVE THE TOTAL ADDITIONAL $1100, HE WOULD SAVE IT, BECAUSE HE STILL DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO AND IMPLEMENT INSURANCE.

>> I WANT TO BE ABLE TO SAVE THE MONEY IN CASE IN THE FUTURE SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS.

WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: THIS LACK OF SECURITY FOR UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS WON'T BE SOLVED BY THESE CHECKS WITH THE CENTRAL COAST ALLIANCE FIRST SUSTAINABLE ECONOMY, THIS GROUP HAS BEEN PUSHING FOR LARGER CHECKS TO THE STATES 2 MILLION UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE WHILE THE STATE RUNS A HUGE BUDGET BUDGET SURPLUS.

>> A ONE-TIME $500 PAYMENT IS IMPORTANT AND NEEDED BUT IT'S NOT EVEN ENOUGH TO MAKE ONE MONTHS RENT FOR FOLKS WHO ARE REALLY STRUGGLING WITH JOB LOSS AND NOWHERE TO TURN.

>> Reporter: THE MAN HAS GONE BACK TO WORK IN RECENT WEEKS AT A DIFFERENT RESTAURANT FROM HIS OLD ONE, OFTEN WORKING MORE THAN 45 HOURS A WEEK.

HE HAS WATCHED AS HIS OLD COWORKERS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED ALL YEAR BY ON EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE.

>> THEN YOU FEEL ANGRY.

>> Reporter: HE IS HOPING CALIFORNIA WILL USE SOME OF ITS RECORD-BREAKING SURPLUS TO BETTER COMPENSATE UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS LIKE HIMSELF.

>>> TODAY SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT CINDY MARTIN WAS CONFIRMED AS THE COUNTRY'S NEXT DEPUTY EDUCATION SECRETARY.

SHE WILL OVERSEE THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SERVING UNDER THE SECRETARY.

A FORMER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL, MARTIN HAD BEEN SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SUPERINTENDENT SINCE 2013.

>>> TOMORROW, PFIZER'S COVID-19 VACCINE SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR THE KIDS AS YOUNG AS 12 IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THE CDC ADVISORY COMMITTEE'S IMMUNIZATION PRACTICES IS EXPECTED TO RECOMMEND THE SHOT FOR 12 TO 15-YEAR-OLDS BY THE EARLY AFTERNOON.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE AT RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SAYS IT'S ANOTHER STEP TOWARD HERD IMMUNITY.

>> WE'VE GOT 165,000 KIDS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY BETWEEN THE AGES OF 12 AND 15, AND IF WE CAN IMMUNIZE THEM ALL, THEN THE PROPORTION OF PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY WHO ARE IMMUNE AND WON'T SPREAD THE VIRUS INCREASES SUBSTANTIALLY.

>> WELL NO CHILDREN IN OUR COUNTY HAVE DIED FROM THE VIRUS, THEY CAN SPREAD IT WITHOUT SYMPTOMS AND PUT FAMILY MEMBERS AT RISK OF SERIOUS DISEASE AND HOSPITALIZATION.

DOCTOR BRADLEY SAYS ANOTHER BENEFIT IS THAT KIDS WOULD BE ABLE TO GO OUT WITH THEIR FRIENDS IF THEY ARE ALL IMMUNIZED.

>>> A REMINDER, WE ARE TRACKING THE COUNTY'S COVID-19 VACCINATIONS ONLINE.

IF YOU WANT TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT FOR YOURSELF OR FOR AN ELIGIBLE FAMILY MEMBER YOU CAN FIND A LOCATION QUITE EASILY BY GOING TO KPBS.ORG.

>>> A TREATMENT IS BEING OFFERED IN SAN DIEGO, BUT IS IT BEING FULLY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF.

OFFICIALS ARE TRYING TO GET THE WORD OUT.

>> Reporter: FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS IS EXPANDING ACCESS TO A COVID-19 THERAPY THAT REDUCES SYMPTOMS OF THE VIRUS.

>> AS SOON AS THEY TEST POSITIVE WE WOULD LIKE TO GET THEM TREATED RIGHT AWAY.

>> Reporter: PAULINE IS DIRECTOR OF NURSING AT FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS AND SHE SAYS THE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENT IS SIMPLE AND FAST REQUIRING JUST ONE VISIT TO DELIVER PROTEINS THAT AFFECT THE VIRUS.

>> IT TAKES ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO INFUSE AND WE OBSERVE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO ALLERGIC REACTIONS.

>> Reporter: SINCE DECEMBER, AROUND 250 PEOPLE HAVE COME IN FOR THE TREATMENT BETWEEN THIS FACILITY IN CHULA VISTA AND ANOTHER IN HILLCREST.

FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS CAN DO MUCH MORE AND IT'S ALSO BEING OFFERED FREE FOR THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE INSURANCE.

>> WE HAVE DESIGNED THIS TO BE AS ACCESSIBLE TO OUR PATIENTS AND TO OTHERS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

THE KEY IS TO GET EVERYBODY TREATED, THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY REASON FOR PATIENTS TO GET ADMITTED TO HOSPITALS IF WE HAVE THIS DRUG AVAILABLE FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: THIS RESIDENCE AS THE TREATMENT WAS EASY.

>> IT WAS GOOD, I DIDN'T FEEL ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS REACHED OUT TO HER AFTER RECENTLY TESTING POSITIVE.

>> I FEEL GOOD BUT I TOOK IT TO PREVENT A MUCH WORSE DISEASE.

>> Reporter: THE TREATMENT IS GEARED FOR THOSE MOST AT RISK AND CAN BE USED IN KIDS AS YOUNG AS 12.

>> THE PROCESS WAS EASY.

>> Reporter: 14-YEAR-OLD LESLIE HERNANDEZ TESTED POSITIVE AFTER MOM, DAD, AND GRANDMOTHER'S CONTRACTED THE VIRUS.

SO FAR SHE'S HAD MILD SYMPTOMS INCLUDING A SORE THROAT AND SOME HEADACHES BUT SAYS THE TREATMENT HAS REALLY HELPED HER MOM.

>> SHE'S OKAY NOW, SHE'S MUCH BETTER SINCE LAST WEEK.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO FAMILY HEALTH CENTERS, OTHER LOCATIONS ARE OFFERING THE TREATMENT.

>>> THE PANDEMIC HAS TAKEN A MAJOR TOLL ON TOURISM AND A RECENT REPORT SAYS FULL RECOVERY COULD BE UP TO FOUR YEARS AWAY.

OUR REPORTER BREAKS DOWN WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE WORKERS IN SAN DIEGO'S LARGEST ECONOMIC SECTOR.

>> Reporter: PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, SAN DIEGO'S TOURISM INDUSTRY WAS THE SECOND LARGEST EMPLOYER IN THE REGION AND WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ABOUT 200,000 JOBS.

SINCE COVID-19 ARRIVED IN 2020, SOME 70,000 LOCAL TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY WORKERS LOST THEIR JOBS ACCORDING TO A REPORT, THAT'S ROUGHLY 37 PERCENT OF ALL JOB LOSSES IN THE REGION.

AMONG HISPANIC WORKERS WHO LOST THEIR JOBS, HALF WORKED IN THE TOURISM SECTOR ACCORDING TO THE REPORT.

>> I WAS SO BUSY WORKING AND I HAD A VERY GOOD INCOME AND THEN DO NOTHING, IT WAS VERY SCARY.

>> Reporter: THIS WOMAN IS A SINGLE MOTHER OF TWO AND A BANQUET SERVER WHO WORKED FOR SEVEN DIFFERENT HOSPITALITY COMPANIES IN SAN DIEGO.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC HITS, ALL OF HER INCOME STREAMS WERE CUT AND SHE APPLIED FOR UNEMPLOYMENT AND NOW SHE SAYS EVEN THAT INCOME IS UNRELIABLE.

>> IT'S VERY STRESSFUL.

WORKING FEW HOURS HERE AND THERE AND TRYING TO LOOK FOR A BABYSITTER, IT'S VERY OVERWHELMING.

>> Reporter: BRIDGET BROWNING IS THE PRESIDENT OF LOCAL 30, A LABOR UNION FOR HOTEL AND HOSPITAL WORKERS.

>> EVEN IF BUSINESS COMES BACK TO 2019 LEVELS, I DON'T BELIEVE EMPLOYMENT WOULD COME BACK TO 2090 LEVELS EVER.

>> THEY'RE GOING TO CUT BACK ON AMENITIES THEY FEEL LIKE THE GUESTS DON'T CARE ABOUT WHICH MEANS THEY WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY LESS JOBS.

>> Reporter: WHAT A COVID-19 VACCINE ROLLOUT IS ALLOWING THE ECONOMY TO GRADUALLY REOPEN, A NEW TOURISM AUTHORITY REPORT FOR THE REGION PREDICTS TOURISM WILL NOT FULLY RETURN TO 2019 LEVELS UNTIL 2024.

>> I'M REALLY HOPING IN MY HEART THAT NEXT YEAR WE GO BACK A LITTLE MORE TO NORMAL.

I COULD SEE MYSELF WORKING AGAIN, MAYBE NOT THE SEVEN JOBS, BUT WORKING AT LEAST FIVE.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE TOURISM REPORT, TOTAL VISITATION IN THE COUNTY IS EXPECTED TO GROW 74 PERCENT THIS YEAR COMPARED TO 2020.

>>> ONE OF THE PADRE STAR PLAYERS HAS TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19.

THE PADRE SAY FERNANDO TUTTY'S JUNIOR TESTED POSITIVE DURING THE TEAM'S ROAD TRIP.

THEY ARE CURRENTLY IN DENVER, TWO TEAMMATES ARE ALSO OUT OF THE MIX DUE TO CONTACT TRACING.

IT MIGHT BE A COUPLE WEEKS BEFORE THEY CAN ACTUALLY RETURN.

THE PADRE SAY HE IS FEELING WELL AND NOT EXPERIENCING ANY SYMPTOMS.

>>> PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS SAY FREE COVID-19 TESTING IS KEY TO MONITORING THE PANDEMIC GOING FORWARD, SO WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE STILL PAYING HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR TESTS.

OUR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: WHEN CARMEN WAS EXPOSED TO COVID-19 IN OCTOBER, HIS EMPLOYER TOLD HIM HE NEEDED A NEGATIVE TEST OR A TWO WEEK QUARANTINE.

HE IS A WAITER WHO HAS BEEN LAID OFF FOUR TIMES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

HE COULDN'T AFFORD ANOTHER PAY CUT SO HE SPENT ALMOST $200 ON A RAPID TEST AT A PLACE CALLED COVID CLINIC.

>> THEY ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO HAVE TO SHOW UP TO WORK.

>> Reporter: A SURVEY COMMISSIONED FOUND MORE THAN 20 TESTING PROVIDERS IN THE COUNTY INCLUDING COVID CLINIC DID NOT BILL INSURANCE IN SOME OR ALL CASES MEETING CUSTOMERS HAVE TO PAY UP FRONT AND TRY TO GET REIMBURSED BY INSURANCE LAYER.

ONE HEALTHCARE EXPERT AT GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY SAYS THOSE UPFRONT COSTS COULD DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM SEEKING TESTING.

THAT CAN MAKE IT HARDER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS TO MONITOR INFECTION LEVELS AND ISOLATE PEOPLE WITH THE VIRUS.

>> IN ORDER TO STEM THE TIDE OF A POTENTIAL FOURTH WAVE FROM VARIANTS OR JUST THE REMAINING COVID THAT IS STILL ACTIVELY CIRCULATING IN THE COMMUNITY, WE STILL NEED TO DO WIDESPREAD TESTING.

>> THE COUNTY RUNS MANY FREE TESTING SITES BUT THE RESULTS COULD TAKE DAYS AND SOME RESIDENTS TURNED TO EXPENSIVE PROVIDERS FOR A FASTER TURN AROUND TIME.

THE CEO OF COVID CLINIC SAYS IT HAS HIGHER PRICES BECAUSE OF THE MANY STARTUP COSTS OF BEGINNING A NEW BUSINESS.

>>> FOR MORE ABOUT COVID TEST PRICES, GO TO I NEWS SOURCE.ORG.

THAT'S AN INDEPENDENTLY FUNDED NONPROFIT PARTNER OF KBPS >>> IS MORE AMERICANS GET VACCINATED SUMMER ALSO GETTING FRUSTRATED WITH FEDERAL RECOMMENDATIONS THAT COULD SEEM OUTDATED.

>> Reporter: AS PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN MEETS VIRTUALLY WITH A GROUP OF GOVERNORS, SOME OF THE YOUNGEST AMERICANS 12 TO 15- YEAR-OLDS GOT VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19.

>> I WILL BE ABLE TO GO MORE PLACES WITHOUT BEING SCARED OF GETTING COVID-19.

>> Reporter: CDC DATA SHOWS THAT AS OF MONDAY, NEARLY HALF OF ALL AMERICANS RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE DOSE OF A COVID-19 VACCINE.

>> IF WE CONTINUE TO VACCINATE PEOPLE AT THE RATE WE ARE DOING, WE WILL BEGIN TO RETURN TO NORMALITY THAT ALL OF US DESIRE SO MUCH.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE ARE ALREADY STARTING TO GO OUT MORE AND WEAR MASKS LESS.

ACCORDING TO A NEW POLL, 54 PERCENT SAID THEY WENT TO A RESTAURANT IN THE LAST WEEK, THAT THE PANDEMIC HIGH, AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WEARING MASKS WHENEVER THEY LEAVE THE HOUSE IS DOWN TO 58 PERCENT, THE LOWEST POINT SINCE LAST JUNE.

>> WE KNOW MASKS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN DOORS BUT THEY DON'T OUTDOORS.

>> Reporter: THE CDC'S IS LESS THAN 10 PERCENT OF COVID-19 INFECTION STUDIED OCCURRED OUTSIDE BUT REVIEW FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES FOUND NO DOCUMENTED COVID INFECTION ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD FROM CASUAL OUTDOOR INTERACTIONS SUCH AS WALKING PAST SOMEONE ON THE STREET OR EATING AT A NEARBY TABLE.

>> THE CONFLICTING, CONFUSING GUIDANCE FROM YOUR AGENCY HAS UNDERMINED PUBLIC CONFIDENCE.

>> Reporter: NOW, SOME LAWMAKERS URGE THE CDC TO RETHINK MASK MANDATES AND UPDATE OTHER COVID GUIDANCE QUICKLY.

IN WASHINGTON, KBPS NEWS.

>>> THE STATEWIDE DROUGHT IS GETTING WORSE.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM HAS NOW EXPANDED A DROUGHT EMERGENCY TO INCLUDE 39 ADDITIONAL COUNTIES IN THE CENTRAL AND NORTHERN REGIONS OF THE STATE.

REPORTS SAY ABOUT 98 PERCENT OF THE STATE IS NOW EXPERIENCING DROUGHT CONDITIONS WITH NEARLY 75 PERCENT SEEING EXTREME CONDITIONS.

THE GOVERNOR IS CALLING ON CALIFORNIANS TO DO THEIR PART TO SAVE WATER.

>>> WE ARE GOING TO RINSE AND REPEAT WITH THE FOGGY CLOUDY MORNINGS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT PLANNING AND OF BRIGHT AND SUNNY AFTERNOONS COME ALONG WITH IT, BUT WE WILL BE FEELING A BIG-TIME COOLDOWN FOR SOME OF YOU AS WE GET INTO THE WEEKEND.

TEMPERATURES FOR NIGHT DROPPING OFF INTO THE LOW 60s SO NOT A BAD NIGHT.

INCREASING CLOUD COVER AND SOME FOG AS YOU ARE WAKING UP EARLY ON YOUR WEDNESDAY MORNING.

OCEANSIDE DROPPING OFF INTO THE UPPER 50s FOR TONIGHT, LOW 60s IN CHULA VISTA, STILL IN THE UPPER 50s AND LOW 60s OUT THERE AS WELL AND AGAIN YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THE CLOUD COVER BUILDING IN WITH THE FOG DURING THE OVERNIGHT PERIOD SO AS YOU ARE WAKING UP IT'S PROBABLY NOT GOING TO LOOK SO GREAT OUT THERE FOR SOME OF THE COASTAL REGIONS BUT IT WILL IMPROVE AS WE GET INTO THE AFTERNOON.

WEDNESDAY LOOKING LIKE A NICE WARM DAY ALL ACROSS THE GOLDEN STATE, IT'S GOING TO BE BRIGHT, SUNNY, AND NICE DAY FOR US FOR THE MIDDLE OF THE WORK WEEK.

IT GETS EVEN HOTTER OUT THERE AS WE GET INTO THURSDAY, SO HIGHS ON WEDNESDAY GETTING INTO THE MID-70s IN ESCONDIDO, LOW 80s TOWARD RAMONA, WARMING UP TO 99 DEGREES FOR THE MIDDLE OF YOUR WORK WEEK AND THEN WE GET THIS RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE, THIS BUMP IN THE JET STREAM AND THAT MEANS THAT IT'S GOING TO HEAT UP EVEN MORE FOR SOME OF YOU BY THE TIME WE GET INTO THURSDAY.

NEAR THE COAST, TEMPERATURES WILL BE DROPPING OFF FROM THE LOW 70s AND DOWN INTO THE UPPER 60s THIS WEEKEND AS WE GET THIS PIECE OF ENERGY THAT SLIDE SOUTH BRINGING A LITTLE COOLDOWN FOR THE WEEKEND.

FURTHER INLAND YOU WILL NOTICE A LITTLE MORE OF A DRAMATIC CHANGE FOR THE MID TO UPPER 70s WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, AND FRIDAY, LOW 70s BY SATURDAY, UPPER 60s BY SUNDAY.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, MUCH OF THE SAME, ABOUT A 10 DEGREE DROP BETWEEN ABOUT WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY BY THE TIME WE GET TO SUNDAY, AND THE HEAT IS ON IN THE DESERT.

100 DEGREES FOR YOUR HIGH ON THURSDAY BUT DROPPING OFF QUICKLY AS WE GET INTO THE WEEKEND, BY SUNDAY WE COULD BE ONLY IN THE 80s FOR THOSE DAYTIME HIGHS.

>>> TODAY THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO CONSIDERED A PLAN THAT AIMS TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF POLLUTION PORTSIDE BUSINESSES PUT IN THE AIR.

AS OUR ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER EXPLAINS, THE DRAFT POLICY IS NOT GETTING A WARM RECEPTION FROM COMMUNITY ADVOCATES.

>> Reporter: SYLVIA SAYS IT WAS SCARY WHEN HER DOCTOR FIRST DIAGNOSED HER SEVEN YEARS AGO.

>> WHEN YOUR AIRWAYS SHUT DOWN AND YOU CAN'T BREATHE, THAT'S VERY DIFFICULT.

YOU GET A LOT OF ANXIETY.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS LIVED IN NATIONAL CITY FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES AND HER FAMILY ROOTS RUN DEEP.

>> MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER LIVED HERE, MY GRANDMOTHER CURRENTLY LIVES HERE.

>> Reporter: SHE REMEMBERS LIVING BY PAINT SHOPS AND SEEING TRUCKS RUMBLING THROUGH HER NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> WE COULD SEE THAT THE SMELL THE DIESEL AND THAT AFFECTS OUR BODIES.

JUST HERE IN PARADISE CREEK THERE WERE OTHER TRUCKS PASSING BY AND THAT SMOKE IS OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: THE TRUCKS ARE EASY TO FIND EVEN TODAY.

THEY ROLL IN AND OUT OF THE PORTS MARINE FACILITY JUST ABOUT A HALF MILE OR SO FROM THIS WOMAN'S PARADISE CREEK HOME.

BACK IN FEBRUARY, THE PORT ORDERED STAFF TO DEVELOP SOMETHING CALLED MARITIME CLEAN- AIR STRATEGY.

THE COMMISSION CHAIRS THAT HE WANTED SOMETHING MORE THAN JUST A SPIRITED DISCUSSION IN A BOARD ROOM.

>> WHAT IS THE PLAN?

HOW WILL WE DO THIS?

HOW ARE WE GOING TO TRANSITION IN A WAY THAT MAINTAINS THE ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND MAINTAINS THE GOOD BUT LIMITS OR IN SOME CASES ELIMINATES THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES WITH RESPECT TO CLEAN-AIR?

>> Reporter: COMMISSIONERS DIRECTED STAFF TO PUT THE IDEAS INTO WRITING.

THEY ASKED FOR A POLICY THAT HAD SPECIFIC MEASURABLE GOALS WITH CLEAN-AIR TARGETS AND THE MECHANISMS TO ENFORCE COMPLIANCE.

THE VICE PRESIDENT SAYS THE CHALLENGE LIES IN BALANCING TWO OBJECTIVES.

>> FOCUS EFFORT WHICH IS PRIMARILY THE NEXT GENERATION OF HOW WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS CLEAN-AIR AND BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR WHILE AT THE SAME TIME DRIVING FORWARD THE ECONOMY.

IT'S ESSENTIALLY GOING TO BE A POLICY DOCUMENT THAT WILL SET THE FOUNDATION IN WRITING IN TERMS OF WHAT WILL BE THE PORTS INITIATIVES AND STRATEGIES MOVING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: THE RESULTING DRAFT DOCUMENT GOT A COOL RECEPTION FROM COMMUNITY ADVOCATES, THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION SAYS THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION FALLS SHORT OF WHAT THE COURT COMMISSIONERS ASKED FOR PUBLICLY.

HE SAYS THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD LANGUAGE ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND CLEAN AIR IN THE DOCUMENT.

>> WHEN YOU GET INTO THE DETAILS AND THE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, THE MEAT OF THE DOCUMENT, IT IS CLEAR THAT IT'S INADEQUATE AND WILL NOT SUFFICIENTLY ALTER OR CHANGE.

>> Reporter: THE PORT PLAY NEEDS TO BE SPECIFIC ABOUT GOALS, TIMELINES, AND HOW THE PORT WILL GET THERE.

>> DEVELOP A CLEAN TRUCKS PROGRAM BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE PORT SEEMS RECEPTIVE.

THE COMMISSIONER SAYS THE PUBLIC CONCERNS HAVE BEEN HEARD IN THE PORT IS PLANNING ANOTHER ROUND OF PUBLIC INPUT.

>> I THINK THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF A PUBLIC AGENCY NOT JUST PUT IN A DOCUMENT OUT FOR COMMENT BY THE PUBLIC AND THEN DOING WHAT THEY WANT ANYWAY.

THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF AN AGENCY PUTTING A DOCUMENT OUT, WE GOT A LOT OF PUBLIC COMMENT AND WE ARE GOING TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THAT COMMENT.

>> Reporter: THE THEY ARE COMPILING THE COMMENTS SOMETIME THIS SUMMER.

A WORKING PLAN REPRESENTS A HUGE CHANGE IN PORT OPERATIONS MOVING FORWARD.

TRUCK TRAFFIC IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE PORT AND HOW IT DOES BUSINESS, BUT NOW THE PORT WILL ALSO BE LOOKING AT MANAGING CLEAN-AIR.

>>> YOU CAN ENJOY THE CARLSBAD FLOWER FIELDS FOR LONGER THIS YEAR THANKS TO COOLER SPRING WEATHER.

THE BLOOMING SEASON HAS BEEN EXPENDED.

THERE ARE ABOUT 14 ACRES CURRENTLY IN BLOOM.

MORE GOOD NEWS FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO VISIT, TICKETS WILL BE DISCOUNTED BY HALF.

THE SEASON WILL NOW AND MAY 16.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.