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♪ >> AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU!

>>> GOOD EVENING.

IT IS TODAY, OCTOBER 26th.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

>>> THE FIRST LAWSUIT TONIGHT OVER THE VACCINE MANDATE THE LOCAL SCHOOLS.

IT COMES AS THE FDA ROLLS OUT A CRITICAL VOTE ON COVID VACCINE FOR KIDS AS YOUNG AS 5.

ISABEL ROSALES CONTINUES OUR COVERAGE ON WHEN PARENTS CAN EXPECT TO SIGN THEIR KIDS UP YOUR >> Reporter: FIGHTERS COVID-19 VACCINES IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO BECOMING AVAILABLE TO AT YOUNGEST PATIENTS YET.

>> WE HAVE BEEN FEELING AND URGENCY FOR CHILDREN FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

ENTER AND INDEPENDENT FDA ADVISORY COMMITTEE VOTED TUESDAY TO RECOMMEND SHOTS FOR KIDS 5 TO 11 YEARS OLD UNDER EMERGENCY USE.

>> A TEAM VOTED -- >> Reporter: AFTER WEIGHING POTENTIAL BENEFITS TO POSSIBLE RISKS.

IF AUTHORIZED BY THE FDA, IT WOULD BE THE SAME VACCINE ADULTS RECEIVED BUT SMALLER.

2 DOSES, 21 DAYS APART, EACH DOSE, 10 MICROGRAMS , A THIRD USED FOR THE PEOPLE AGED 12 AND OLDER.

IT'S VACCINE GENERATED A ROBUST ANTIBODY RESPONSE IN KIDS 5 TO 11 AND SAYS IT IS SAFE AND 90.7% EFFECTIVE AGAINST SYMPTOMATIC COVID-19 IN THAT AGE GROUP.

>> ONE SHOULDN'T DISCOUNT THE FACT THAT KIDS CAN GET PRETTY SICK WITH COVID-19.

SADLY, MORE THAN 700 CHILDREN HAVE DIED OF COVID SINCE THIS PANDEMIC BEGAN.

THIS WOULD BE ONE SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN GETTING OUR COUNTRY REALLY IN A BETTER PLACE YOUR >> Reporter: THE FDA SAYS SHOTS CARRY A THEORETICAL RARE RISK FOR THE AGE GROUP OF INFLAMMATION OF THE HEART MUSCLE AND LINING, BUT THE RISK OF COVID-19 IS HIGHER IF ENOUGH VIRUS IS CIRCULATING.

NOW, IT IS UP TO THE FDA TO MAKE THE FINAL DECISION, AND NEXT MONTH, THE CDC WILL VOTE WHETHER TO RECOMMEND IT.

WITH THE DIRECTOR'S OKAY, VACCINES COULD BE AVAILABLE TO YOUNGER CHILDREN BY EARLY NOVEMBER.

IN WASHINGTON, ISABEL ROSALES, KPBS NEWS.

>> PFIZER'S VACCINE IS ONLY AUTHORIZED UNDER EMERGENCY USE FOR CHILDREN 12 TO 15 AND IS FULLY APPROVED FOR THOSE 16 AND OLDER.

J&J AND MODERNA HAVE NOT YET REQUESTED EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FOR THEIR SHOTS FOR YOUNGER CHILDREN.

>>> NOW, TO THAT FIRST LOCAL LAWSUIT OVER THE VACCINE MANDATE.

THE FAMILY OF A SCRIPPS RANCH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IS SUING SAN DIEGO UNIFIED FOR RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION.

HERE IS KPBS NEWS REPORTER KITTY ALVARADO.

>> Reporter: THE 16-YEAR-OLD STUDENT IS ONLY BEING IDENTIFIED AS JILL DOE.

HE CLAIMS SAN DIEGO UNIFIED'S VACCINE MANDATE VIOLATES HER RELIGIOUS RIGHTS.

>> WHAT THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT HERE IS PUTTING OUR CLIENTS IN A POSITION WHERE THEY EITHER HAVE TO TAKE A VACCINE, THAT VIOLATES THEIR SINCERE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, OR THEY HAVE TO WITHDRAW FROM SPORTS, ENGAGE IN REMOTE, DISTANCED LEARNING AND BASICALLY LEAVE SCHOOL.

AND URGE PAUL JONAS, REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FAMILY.

HE POINTS OUT TEACHERS ARE ALLOWED RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS AND STUDENTS CAN GET MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS.

>> IF THEY'RE GOING TO OFFER EXEMPTIONS LIKE MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS, THERE ARE OTHER GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE THE VACCINE RIGHT AWAY, AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO OFFER RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS.

>> Reporter: THE SUIT CLAIMS THAT THE VACCINES HAVE ABORTED FETAL TISSUES, WHICH SHE CLAIMS VIOLATES OR BELIEVES.

THE COMPANY USED STEM CELL LINES FROM FETUSES FROM DECADES AGO.

THE VATICAN HAVE DECLARED THE VACCINES MORALLY ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE THE CONNECTION TO THOSE ABORTIONS IS SO REMOTE.

THEY ALSO SAY THE VACCINES ARE A BENEFIT TO SOCIETY.

>> THE REALITY IS THAT PUBLIC HEALTH IS NOT PERSONAL CHOICE.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS THREE CHILDREN IN THE DISTRICT .

SHE SAYS MISS INFORMATION AND POLITICIZATION OF THE VACCINE ARE PROLONGING THE PANDEMIC AND COMPROMISING THE HEALTH OF THE MOST HONORABLE.

>> MY HUSBAND IS IMMUNOCOMPROMISED, AND MY CHILDREN UNDERSTAND THAT AND ARE WORRIED ABOUT THEIR DAD.

AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF SAN DIEGO UNIFIED DID NOT WANT TO COMMENT, STATING IT IS THE DISTRICT'S POLICY NEVER TO COMMENT ON PENDING LITIGATION.

KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IF YOU HAVE BEEN ELIGIBLE AND WANTING THAT BOOSTER SHOT , YOU ARE ALL CLEAR TO GET IT TO THE CDC APPROVED THE BOOSTER SHOT FOR ALL THREE VACCINES LAST WEEK.

THOSE ELIGIBLE INCLUDE ANYONE 65 AND OLDER, 18 AND OLDER IN LONG-TERM OR HIGH-RISK SETTINGS OR WITH UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS.

IF YOU GOT TWO DOSES OF PFIZER ARE MODERNA COVID-19 VACCINE, YOU CAN GET A BOOSTER SIX MONTHS AFTER YOUR LAST SHOT.

FOR THOSE WHO GOT THE JOHNSON & JOHNSON COVID-19 VACCINE, BOOSTER SHOTS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR THOSE WHO WERE VACCINATED AT LEAST TWO MONTHS AGO.

IT IS RECOMMENDED YOU STICK WITH THE SAME VACCINE AS YOUR INITIAL DOSES, BUT YOU CAN CHOOSE A DIFFERENT ONE IF NECESSARY.

>>> A LITTLE MORE THAN TWO WEEKS AGO, THE QUIET OF A SANTEE NEIGHBORHOOD WAS SHATTERED WHEN A SMALL TWIN ENGINE PLANE CRASHED INTO TWO HOUSES.

TODAY, A COMMUNITY REACHED OUT TO HELP THE SURVIVORS.

TWO FAMILIES THAT LOST THEIR HOMES.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL SAYS WE'VE ALSO GOT MORE INSIGHT TODAY AS TO WHAT HAPPENED, LEADING UP TO THAT CRASH.

>> Reporter: AT THE WENDY'S ON MISSION GORGE ROAD IN SANTEE, BIG CROWDS ON THIS TUESDAY, MANY OF THEM HERE FOR MORE THAN JUST THE FOOD.

>> ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP , I AM THERE.

>> Reporter: SANTEE RESIDENT JACKIE BROWN HEARD ABOUT A FUNDRAISING HAPPENING HERE, MONEY RAISED FOR THE TWO FAMILIES IMPACTED BY THE OCTOBER 11th CRASH .

MARIA AND PHIL MORRIS LIVED IN THIS HOUSE ON THE CORNER, AND NEIGHBORS PULLED THEM TO SAFETY.

THEY ARE STILL IN THE HOSPITAL RECOVERING.

THE OTHER FAMILY, CODY AND COURTNEY CAMPBELL, WHO WENT HOME AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH, THEY SPENT PART OF THEIR MORNING AT THIS WENDY'S , WHERE ALL PROCEEDS, NOT JUST PROFIT, WAS BEING DONATED TO THE TWO FAMILIES.

>> THERE IS NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE THIS SUPPORT.

THANK YOU 1000 TIMES DOESN'T EVEN COME CLOSE.

>> TO COME UP WITH THIS ON THEIR OWN HERE?

LIKE, CODY SAID, IT LEADS YOU KIND OF SPEECHLESS.

>> WE REALLY WANTED TO STEP UP AND HELP OUR NEIGHBORS OUT.

INTO RYAN'S FATHER OWNS ALL THE WENDY'S RESTAURANTS IN THE SAN DIEGO AREA.

HE SAID HE GOT A CALL FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THIS WAS SHORTLY AFTER THE CRASH, WONDERING HOW THEY CAN HELP.

>> Reporter: THAT LED TO THIS FUNDRAISER.

IT STARTED AT 6:30 THIS MORNING WHEN THE RESTAURANT OPENED.

IT WILL END AT 10:00 TONIGHT WHEN IT CLOSES.

>> WE HAVE TO PAY TAXES ON THE PURCHASES, BUT OTHER THAN THAT, THE 100% WILL GO TO THE 2 FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: THIS COMES ON THE SAME DAY THE NTSB RELEASED ITS INITIAL FINDINGS ON THE CRASH.

THE NTSB REPORT IS PRELIMINARY , BUT IT DOES GIVE US A WINDOW INTO WHAT WAS GOING ON JUST MOMENTS BEFORE THE CRASH.

IT MAKES IT CLEAR THAT THE PILOT WAS OFF COURSE AND FLYING WAY TOO LOW.

A TRANSCRIPT OF THE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE PILOT DR. SUDHATHA DOSS.

OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MINUTES, THE CONTROLLER CONTINUES TO ORDER COURSE AND ALTITUDE CORRECTIONS UNTIL FINALLY AT ABOUT 12:13, HE AGAIN TELLS SANTEE THAT THE WRONG ALTITUDE AND ORDERS HIM TO CLIMB IMMEDIATELY.

LESS THAN TWO MINUTES LATER, THE PLANE SLAMMED INTO THE HOMES AT JEREMY AND GREENCASTLE STREETS.

NOW, MEMORIALS MARK THE PLACE WHERE THIS TRAGEDY HAPPENED COME A WANT TO THE U.P.S.

DRIVER STEVE KRUEGER, ANOTHER TO THE MORRIS' DOG, ROXIE, WHO DID NOT SURVIVE.

BACK AT THE WENDY'S, THE LINES INSIDE AND OUT WERE ONLY GROWING.

CODY AND COURTNEY CAMPBELL TOLD ME THEY HAD TO LOOK AT A RENTAL HOME AND A PLACE TO STAY WHILE THEIR HOME IS REBUILT.

THEY DO HAVE INSURANCE, BUT IT WON'T COVER EVERYTHING.

COURTNEY SAYS SEEING ALL THESE PEOPLE HERE REASSURES HER THEY CHOSE THE RIGHT PLACE TO LIVE.

>> WE GREW UP HERE.

WE DECIDED TO STAY HERE FOR A REASON, AND THIS COMMUNITY, EVERYTHING THEY ARE DOING TO HELP SUPPORT US, IT JUST REMINDS US, YOU KNOW, WE MADE THE RIGHT CALL.

>> Reporter: THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY, A SILVER LINING TO THE UNIMAGINABLE TRAGEDY OF LOSING ONE'S HOME.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> LINCOLN HIGH SCHOOL WILL NOT PLAY FRIDAYS FOOTBALL GAME WITH CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC OVER THE RACIST INCIDENT BETWEEN THE TWO SCHOOLS BACK IN APRIL.

A STATEMENT FROM LINCOLN'S COACH AND COPRINCIPAL SAID THEY ARE NOT PLAYING IN THE UPCOMING GAMES WITH CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC TO, QUOTE, SHIELD STUDENT ATHLETES FROM FURTHER ABUSE AND DISCRIMINATION.

THE STATEMENT ACKNOWLEDGED CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC HAS MADE AN EFFORT TO CONNECT WITH LINCOLN BUT SAYS MORE IS NEEDED.

>>> SAN DIEGO LAW ENFORCEMENT IS LAUNCHING A TRAINING PROGRAM TO HELP END HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

THE TRAINING IS AIMED AT EMPLOYEES IN THE TOURISM INDUSTRY.

KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDRA RANGEL HOWELL HAS MORE ON THE NEW INITIATIVE.

>> Reporter: FROM HOTEL WORKERS AND AIRPORT WORKERS, ANYONE WHO WORKS IN THE HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM INDUSTRY, SAN DIEGO OFFICIALS SAY THESE WORKERS CAN SERVE AS A GREAT LINE OF DEFENSE TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

JUST IN THE LAST FEW DAYS, A 13- YEAR-OLD WAS RECOVERED THAT WAS BEING IN SEX TRAFFICKING.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S DAHMER STEFAN SAYS SAN DIEGO IS A HOT SPOT FOR SEX TRAFFICKING.

THE HELP STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING PROGRAM WAS CREATED BY THE SAN DIEGO HARBOR POLICE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DA'S OFFICE.

THE PROGRAM IS A SERIES OF 20 MINUTE TRAINING VIDEOS TAILORED TO TOURISM INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES.

>> BECAUSE WHAT THE TRAININGS WILL PROVIDE OUR EYES AND EARS THAT CAN DETECT THE RED FLAGS.

>> ACCORDING TO THE U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, IN MOST CASES, IT IS NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO DETECT THE FIRST CLUES OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING, BUT EMPLOYEES LIKE HOUSEKEEPING AND FRONT DESK WORKERS.

HARBOR POLICE CHIEF MARK EXPLAINS WHY SAN DIEGO IS THE IDEAL HUB FOR CRIMINALS OPERATING UNDERGROUND.

>> IT HAS TO DO WITH TOURISM TRIANGLE BETWEEN SAN DIEGO, LOS ANGELES, LAS VEGAS, AND BEING A BORDER CITY IT A HUGE TOURIST HUB , WE SEE A LOT OF THE RESULT OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING HERE IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> Reporter: WORKERS WHO TAKE PART IN THE TRAINING WILL LEARN HOW TO RECOGNIZE SIGNS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

ALEXANDER RANGEL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE POWERFUL STORM THAT SWEPT THROUGH CALIFORNIA SET RAINFALL RECORDS.

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.

THE TOWN DOWN FOR BROUGHT YOSEMITE FALLS ROARING BACK TO LIFE .

IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SOME RAINFALL TOTAL SURPASSED ONE FOOT, BUT MUCH OF THE STATE EXPERIENCING EXTREME OR EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT, WAS THE RAIN ENOUGH TO MAKE A DENT?

HERE IS REPORTER SPENCER CHRISTIAN.

>> Reporter: THE WEEKEND STORE MAY HAVE CREATED OVERNIGHT LAKES ON ROADWAYS ACROSS THE BAY AREA , BUT AS FAR AS OUR CRITICAL RESERVOIRS ARE CONCERNED, LOCAL WATER MANAGERS SAY THERE IS STILL A LONG WAY TO GO.

>> WE NEED A SERIES OF THESE.

ONE OR TWO IS NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH.

>> Reporter: THE RECRUITMENT OF THE SANTA CLARA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT, SAID THE STORM RESULTED IN AN IMPROVEMENT OF ONE HALF OF 1% IN THEIR SYSTEM, WHICH INCLUDES LEXINGTON RESERVOIR NEAR LOS GATOS .

>> WE WENT FROM 88% EMPTY 287.5% EMPTY, SO IT HAS NOT MOVED THE NEEDLE APPRECIATIVELY.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS EARLY- SEASON STORM WATER OFTEN HAS DIFFICULTY PENETRATING THE SOIL UNTIL THERE IS MORE SATURATION FROM A SERIES OF STORMS.

SKY 7 CAVITIES IMAGES OF OF RUSHING SPILLOVER IN THE ALPINE LAKE RESERVOIR AND MARIN COUNTY, WITH THE SIGHT OF WATER WAS MORE THAN WELCOME SIGHT.

MANAGERS WITH THE SAN FRAN PUBLIC UTILITY DISTRICT SAY THEIR TOTAL SYSTEM WHICH INCLUDES THE HETCH HETCHY RESERVOIR, HAS SEEN AN INCREASE OF ALMOST 3% COME BUMPING LEVEL TO ALMOST 70% CAPACITY.

BUT WITH THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE, OBSERVERS LIKE SAVE THE BAY'S DAVID LEWIS SAID DRENCH AND DRY CYCLES MAY BE THE NEW NORMAL FOR CALIFORNIA.

>> IS GOING TO BE MORE VARIABILITY IN OUR WEATHER, AND THAT'S GOING TO ME MANY YEARS OF DROUGHT.

>> Reporter: EXPERTS SAY IT WILL BE CRITICAL NOT ONLY TO CAPTURE MORE WATER IN THE FUTURE BUT USING MORE EFFICIENTLY WITH CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING.

BACK AT VALLEY WATER, GARY KREMEN IS HOPING THE STORM SEASON DELIVERS A MAJOR IMPACT IN THE SIERRA.

>> THE BEST TYPE IS THE ONE THAT STAYS IN THE SIERRAS AND TURNS INTO SNOW, SO WE GET SNOW PACK AROUND JUNE AND JULY, AND THAT'S WHAT WE REALLY NEED.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW, THOUGH, MANY ARE HOPING THE SIGHT OF RAINS RETURNING WITH SUCH FORCE IS AT LEAST A STRONG BEGINNING.

>>> SAN DIEGO GOT SOAKED YESTERDAY, AND WITH THE STORM CAME HIGH WAVES THAT FORCED LIFEGUARDS TO SHUT DOWN THE OCEAN BEACH.. A HIGH SURF ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT WEDNESDAY.

THEY PUDDLED THE AREA WOULD 5 TO 8 FEET WITH SOME POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE PIER.

MORE THAN 3000 OF CUSTOMERS AND OCEAN BEACH , AND OTHER SURROUNDING AREAS HAVE NO POWER.

THE COMPANY SAID THE OUTAGE WAS BECAUSE THE WEATHER IMPACTS THERE IMPACT THEIR EQUIPMENT.

>>> WE'RE LOOKING AT A PRETTY QUIET STRETCH OF WEATHER FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK AS WE GRADUALLY WARMED THINGS UP FOR US.

ONSHORE FLOW SHOULD NOT RETURN UNTIL WE GET TO WHAT'S THE END OF THE WORK WEEK FRIDAY INTO THE WEEKEND, SO THINGS ARE GOING TO BE PRETTY QUIET THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

HERE IS THE VIEW ACROSS SAN DIEGO.

AS WE HEAD TO TONIGHT, WE'RE LOOKING AT 54 FOR THE LOW.

INTO THE SURROUNDING AREAS, WE COULD BE IN THE 40s, OCEANSIDE 44 FOR YOU, AND FOR WEDNESDAY, KEEPING THINGS PRETTY QUIET OUT THERE.

TOMORROW'S SUNSHINE, A COUPLE OF CLOUDS OUT THERE CERTAINLY POSSIBLE, BUT A PRETTY DRY, DRY AND QUIET TAKE FOR SO MUCH OF THE SOUTHWEST, AS THAT OLD STORM SYSTEM MOVES AWAY AND WE GET A BIG, NICE BREAK HERE FOR A GOOD CHUNK OF THE WEEK.

TOMORROW, WE MAKE IT TO 77 FOR THE HIGH, 77 IN OCEANSIDE, CHULA VISTA GOING TO 79, MT.

LAGUNA IN THE LOWER 60s.

PRETTY COMFORTABLE TREND EVEN INTO THURSDAY, DESPITE GETTING A LITTLE BIT WARMER FOR MOST OF US.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE ANY PROBLEMS AS FAR AS ANYTHING TOO HOT OR UNCOMFORTABLE.

COASTAL COMMUNITIES HEADED UP TO THE LOWER 80s HERE AS WE GET INTO THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, WHILE WE STAY IN THE MID-70s.

A COULD COOL DOWN WITH THE ONSHORE FLOW KICKING IN FOR THE WEEKEND, THAT IS WHY WE WILL THE EXTRA CLOUDS.

TEMPERATURES FALLING INTO THE 70s AND 60s.

INLAND COMMUNITIES, WE MAKE IT TO THE 90s OR MID-80s HERE FOR THE LATER PART OF THE WEEK HERE PLENTY OF SUNSHINE OUT THERE.

NOT A WHOLE LOT HAPPENING.

WE DO NOTICE MORE OF THOSE CLOUDS AS WE GET INTO THE WEEKEND.

THE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES, TEMPERATURE STAYING IN THE 60s HERE, SO WE START IN THE LOWER 60s, MAYBE CLIMB OUT A WAY TO WHAT'S A MID-60s.

THURSDAY, ONE OF THE WARMER DAYS OF THE WEEK, BUT OVERALL, WE KEEP A TORI AT TRENT AND FAIRLY COMFORTABLE.

WE NOTICE EXTRA CLOUDS PEWTER DESERTS LOOKING GOOD HERE AS WE HOLD ONTO THE LOWER 90s GETTING INTO FRIDAY.

A QUIET TRENT TO THE REST OF THE WEEK.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M ACCUWEATHER METEOROLOGIST, MELISSA CONSTANZER.

>>> EXPANDED OUTDOOR DINING IS BECOMING PERMANENT IN SAN DIEGO.

IT IS CALLED THE SPACES AS PLACES PROGRAM.

IT STARTED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC TO HELP RESTAURANTS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES GET BY WHILE INDOOR RESTRICTIONS WERE AT THEIR TOUGHEST.

A COUNCIL COMMITTEE ALREADY APPROVED THE PROGRAM, AND THIS AFTERNOON IT WAS SIGNED OFF ON BY THE FULL COUNCIL.

>>> THE PROPOSAL TO LOWER THE AGE OF SAN DIEGO UNIFIED'S COVID-19 VACCINATION MANDATE CAME FROM ONE OF THE DISTRICT'S HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

HIS NAME IS ZACHARY PATTERSON, AND HE IS A VOTING MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER ANGIE PEREZ INTRODUCES US TO THIS REMARKABLE YOUNG MAN ON A MISSION.

>> DID HE ACTUALLY WORK WITH HIS FATHER, OR IS THAT IT AND DIRECT CONNECTION?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

>> Reporter: ZACHARY PATTERSON IS A STUDENT WHO LIKES TO ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

ON THIS DAY, THE QUESTIONS COME IN THE ENGLISH LITERATURE CLASS .

HERE AT UNIVERSITY CITY HIGH SCHOOL, ZACHARY IS A SENIOR, AND LIKE MANY OF HIS CLASSMATES PREPARING FOR GRADUATION, HE IS STRESSED.

>> I AM IN AP CLASSES.

A STUDENT IS WORKING HARD, BUT HANDS DOWN, IT TAKES A TOLL ON MY MENTAL HEALTH.

IT DOES TAKE A TOLL ON ME BEING ABLE TO DO THIS.

I GUESS I DO IT BECAUSE I LOVE IT.

>> Reporter: HE'S NOT JUST TALKING CLASS ASSIGNMENTS.

HE HAS ANOTHER LOVE.

>> RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND REPEAT AFTER ME.

I, STATE YOUR NAME -- >> I, ZACHARY PATTERSON -- >> Reporter: IN JUNE, HE WAS ONE IN FOR HIS SECOND TERM FOR THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL BOARD OF ED.

THE CURRENT DEPUTY SECRETARY OF EDUCATION DID THE HONOR ONLINE HERE SHE IS ONE OF ZACHARY'S MENTORS.

>> I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO GO UP TO DC, WORKING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WITH MY SUPERVISOR, MY OLD SUPERINTENDENT, MY GOOD FRIEND CINDY BARTON HERE THAT WOULD BE AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW COME HE'S COMMITTED TO SERVE THE MORE THAN 100,000 STUDENTS IN THE SAN DIEGO DISTRICT.

HE IS THE FIRST EVER STUDENT BOARD MEMBER, A POSITION HE STARTED CAMPAIGNING FOR IN SEVENTH GRADE.

WITH THE HELP OF OTHERS, HE CREATED A STUDENT ADVISORY BOARD FIRST BEFORE BEING ELECTED TO THE SCHOOL BOARD IN 2019.

>> I GET TO SPEAK AS A BOARD MEMBER, BUT IN THE END, 95% OF MY EXPERIENCES ARE FORMED RIGHT HERE ON MY CAMPUS, IN TALKING TO STUDENTS, IN THAT RELATIONSHIP I HAVE NOT AS A BOARD MEMBER TO CONSTITUENTS, BUT AS STUDENT TO STUDENT, AS PEER TO PEER.

>> WHAT IS THE PROGRAM?

IS THERE A PROGRAM EN ESPANOL?

>> Reporter: ZACHARY IS FLUENT IN SPANISH.

THIS IS WHERE HE COLLECTS INFORMATION AND CONCERNS FROM STUDENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS TO TAKE BACK TO THE SCHOOL BOARD.

>> [ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: ALONG WITH CAMPUS TOURS, THERE ARE PRESS CONFERENCES TOO.

>> WE GET VACCINATED.

WE SEND A MESSAGE THAT WE BELIEVE IN SCIENCE.

>> Reporter: A MONTH AGO, ZACHARY WAS THE BOARD MEMBER WHO PROPOSED LOWERING THE AGE OF THE COVID VACCINATION MANDATE FOR STUDENTS AS YOUNG AS 12 YEARS OLD.

FOLLOWING THE SCIENCE AND THE LEAD OF THE LOS ANGELES AND OAKLAND SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

HE IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATION OF A STUDENT BILL OF RIGHTS AND LEADING THE EFFORT TO ADD A MENTAL HEALTH CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS.

ZACHARY SAYS COMPETING ON HIS HIGH SCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY TEAM HELP HIS MENTAL HEALTH, ALONG WITH MEDICATION AND WATCHING A PARTICULAR TV SHOW THAT REFLECTS HIS LIFE.

HE IS A "PARKS AND REC" FAN.

>> I WILL DRAW PARALLELS BETWEEN THE CRAZINESS OF THE GOVERNMENT'S FEAR WORKING WITH PEOPLE, SO I THINK THAT IS SUPER FUNNY AND I LAUGH AS I WATCH THE SHOW.

>> Reporter: MIKE PAREDES IS THE NEW PRINCIPLE OF UNIVERSITY CITY HIGH SCHOOL, WHO FIRST MET ZACHARY ON A ZOOM CALL AND NOTICED HIS LEADERSHIP SKILLS BEAMING THROUGH THE SCREEN RIGHT AWAY.

>> I'M AMAZED BY HIS ABILITY TO NAVIGATE THE WAY HE DOES BETWEEN THE ADULT WORLD AND COME BACK TO SCHOOL AND BE A KID, BUT HE DOES IT WITH EASE.

HE DOES IT WITH -- LIKE A SEASONED VETERAN.

>> Reporter: ZACHARY PATTERSON IS MUCH A YOUNG MAN ON A MISSION , TO MEASURE STUDENT VOICES ARE HEARD, BUT THAT MISSION IS REALLY JUST GETTING STARTED.

AS THE SAYING GOES, IT IS A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT.

HEAT TEXT WITH DEPUTY SECRETARY OF EDUCATION MARTIN ON A WEEKLY BASIS AND HAS APPLIED TO 16 COLLEGES, MOSTLY ON THE EAST COAST, HOPING TO GET AS CLOSE TO WASHINGTON, D.C. AS POSSIBLE.

HE WON'T BE A TEACHER, BUT WANTS TO STUDY EDUCATION POLICY AND HOW HE CAN IMPROVE IT.

HE HAS ALREADY MADE HIS MARK.

>> EVERYONE WHO RUNS FOR THIS OFFICE IN THE FUTURE AND SITS IN HIS OFFICE IN THE FUTURE IS GOING TO HAVE NOW CONFIDENCE FROM YOUR EXAMPLE THAT THEY CAN LEAD.

>> WE DESERVE AN EDUCATION SYSTEM FOR THE STUDENTS AND BY THE STUDENTS, AND I PROMISE THAT I'M GOING TO SPENT EVERY DAY THAT I SERVE ON THIS BOARD OF EDUCATION AND BEYOND FIGHTING FOR JUST THAT.

>> Reporter: THAT IS SOMETHING NO ONE QUESTIONS.

M.G.

PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS CONGRESS DEBATES THE DETAILS OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S BILL BACK BETTER PLAN, HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE ANXIOUS TO SEE TO RECEIVE ENOUGH MONEY TO MAKE MUCH-NEEDED INFRASTRUCTURE PREPARES ON THEIR CAMPUSES.

CRYSTAL LYNN HAS THE STORY FROM WASHINGTON.

>> Reporter: AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY , AN ONGOING PROTEST IS DAMPENING THE MOOD DURING HOMECOMING WEEK.

>> WE WERE SOLD THIS DREAM.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS LIKE SOPHOMORE, CALLING ATTENTION TO POOR LIVING CONDITIONS WHICH THEY SAY INCLUDE RATS, ROACHES AND MOLD.

VIDEOS PROVIDED BY STUDENTS OFFER A GLIMPSE INTO THE SITUATION.

>> WE HAVE BEEN SO CONDITIONED ABOUT THE IMAGE AND THE PRESTIGE , WE KIND OF FORGET WE DO DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS.

ANSWER IN A RECENT LETTER TO THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY, UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL WROTE THEY INVITED THE BUILDING INSPECTOR TO TOUR THE RESIDENCE HALLS AND THAT NO REGULATORY FINDINGS OR FINES WERE ADMINISTERED TO THE UNIVERSITY ORC TO ITS HOUSING PROVIDER.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN STOPPING BY TO SUPPORT THE STUDENTS.

>> YOU ARE HUMAN FIRST BEFORE SOMEONE WHO'S GOING TO BE WORKING IN THE WORK FIELD, AND HUMAN CONDITIONS NEED TO BE MET HERE >> Reporter: USING DATA FROM GORDIAN, RECENT ANALYSIS FROM EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES ASSOCIATION ESTIMATES THAT FIRE AND CAMPUSES FACED A MAINTENANCE BACKLOG OF MORE THAN $112 BILLION GET EXPERTS SAY THE PROBLEMS ARE WORSE AT HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES SUCH AS HOWARD COMPARED TO THEIR WEALTHIER AND PREDOMINANTLY WHITE SERVING COUNTERPARTS.

HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES LIKE BLACK PEOPLE, HAVE BEEN UNDERFUNDED AND UNDER INVESTED IN SINCE THEIR INCEPTION.

THAT IS WHY YOU WENT CF, ALSO KNOWN AS THE UNITED NEGRO COLLEGE WENT IS PUSHING O LAWMAKERS TO ALLOCATE MORE MONEY FOR HBCUs AS PART OF PRESIDENT BIDEN BUILD BACK BETTER PLAN.

>> I'M INSPIRED TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE INSTITUTIONS CAN ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH IF THEY ACTUALLY HAVE THE PROPER INVESTMENT.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO MUCH-NEEDED REPAIRS, THE FUNDS COULD HELP SCHOOLS OR MODERNIZE RESEARCH LABORATORIES AND UPGRADE THEIR NETWORKS.

>> YOU WANT TO MAKE THE SCHOOL A BETTER PLACE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF STUDENTS COMING IN.

>> Reporter: A PUSH TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>>> MODERNIZING TRANSPORTATION IN OUR REGION IS TOP OF MY FOR TRANSIT OFFICIALS IN SAN DIEGO A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FREE YOUTH PASSES WHICH WAS APPROVED BY THE BOARD FOR THE SPRING COULD CREATE A PATH FOR WAIVING FARES FOR ALL RIDERS.

AS PART OF $160 BILLION BLUEPRINT FOR IT, THEY ARE CONSIDERING COLLECTING REVENUE FOR A FEE FOR DRIVERS THAT COULD BE IN PLACE STARTING IN THE YEAR 2030.

FUNDING COULD BE AN ISSUE FOR THE PLANS.

THE AGENCY SAYS IT WOULD NEED ANOTHER TAX HIKE AND FUNDING FROM THE ROAD CHARGES TO BE FULLY FUNDED IN THE LONG-TERM.

A PUBLIC BOARD MEETING IS SET FOR THIS FRIDAY.

>>> I'M JUDY WOODRUFF TONIGHT ON "THE NEWS HOUR."

>>> BOMB CYCLONE.

FLOODS AND TORNADOES, COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER "EVENING EDITION" OF KPBS.

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

>>> AN FDA ADVISORY PANEL HAS ENDORSED SMALLER DOSES OF PFIZER'S COVID-19 VACCINE FOR CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 5.

THE FDA IS EXPECTED TO MAKE ITS OWN DECISION IN THE COMING DAYS.

ONCE EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATION IS GRANTED, SHOTS COULD BEGIN AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.

>>> THE FAMILY OF A SCRIPPS RANCH STUDENT IS SUING FOR RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION OVER THE COVID-19 VACCINE MANDATE PAID HER ATTORNEY CLAIMS THE DISTRICT IS PUTTING HER IN A POSITION WHERE SHE HAS TO TAKE A VACCINE THAT VIOLATES HER RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OR WITHDRAW FROM SPORTS AND LEAVE SCHOOL FOR REMOTE LEARNING.

THE DISTRICT IS NOT COMMENTING ON THE PENDING LITIGATION.

>>> A TRIP TO DISNEYLAND JUST GOT MORE EXPENSIVE.

AGAIN.

FOR THE FIFTH TIME IN FIVE YEARS, THE ANAHEIM THEMEPARK IS RAISING TICKET PRICES.

A ONE DAY, ONE PARK TICKET WILL RUN BETWEEN $104 TO $154, DEPENDING FOR DEMAND.

WEEKENDS AND HOLIDAYS, THEY ARE GOING TO COST MORE.

DISNEYLAND OFFICIALS SAID THE PARK IS ROLLING OUT MORE ATTRACTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN CLOSED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC SUCH AS THE TRAMS, WHICH WILL RETURN NEXT YEAR.

THE MONORAIL WENT BACK IN OPERATION LAST WEEK.

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

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

I HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>>> 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 SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND 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!

♪ ♪