>>> 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.

>> IT IS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21st.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

IS WHEN IT COMES TO COVID-19, RATES OF CORONAVIRUS INFECTIONS ARE SELLING STATEWIDE.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER HAVE MET HOFFMAN'S AS COMPARED TO THE NATION, CALIFORNIA IS LEADING THE WAY .

>> Reporter: CDC DATA SHOWS EVERY STATE IN THE U.S. HAS A HIGH LEVEL OF VIRUS TRANSMISSION EXCEPT CALIFORNIA.

>> I THINK IT'S A REFLECTION THAT THE STATE AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS DONE A GOOD JOB OF GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT AND IMPLEMENTING RESTRICTIONS WHEN THEY WERE NEEDED.

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA IS THE MOST POPULOUS STATE, BUT LEVEL OF COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION IS LISTED A SUBSTANTIAL WITH AN AVERAGE OF 95 CASES PER 100,000 RESIDENTS.

DR. MARK SAWYER IS AN INFECTIOUS DISEASE SPECIALIST AT UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH AND RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

WAS UNDER 70% OF CALIFORNIANS FULLY VACCINATED, HE IS PREDICTING MORE SPIKES IN CASES .

>> I'M CONFIDENT WE ARE OVER THE WORST OF THINGS PARTICULARLY IN CALIFORNIA BECAUSE WE HAVE A HIGH VACCINE RATE.

>> Reporter: SAWYER SITS ON THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WITH BOOSTER SHOTS FOR THOSE OVER 65 AND WITH HIGH RISK OF CATCHING THE VIRUS LIKE HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

HE EXPECTS A ADVISORY PANEL TO FOLLOW THEIR LEAD LATER THIS WEEK.

>> MY ANTICIPATION IS THAT CDC WILL FOLLOW THE LEAD IN THE FDA COMMITTEE AND RECOMMEND THAT AT LEAST WE START GIVING BOOSTERS TO SEE THAT AND OTHER HIGH-RISK GROUPS.

ONCE THAT RECOMMENDATION BECOMES PUBLIC INFORMATION, THE VACCINE IS OUT THERE.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY'S OWN CASE RATE TRACKER SHOWS MAJORITY OF THE REGION WITH A HIGH TRANSMISSION RATE WITH SUBSTANTIAL AND MODERATE TRANSMISSION IN SOME AREAS.

MET HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> STUDENTS AT UC SAN DIEGO START CLASSES THURSDAY IN PERSON FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE COVID-19 SHUTDOWN IN MARCH 2020.

TODAY WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE MOVEMENT TO ON-CAMPUS HOUSING.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER MG PEREZ WAS THERE AND TOLD US MORE ABOUT LIFE AT THE UNIVERSITY MID PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: IN THE SEA OF STUDENTS FLOODING THE UC SAN DIEGO CAMPUS TODAY, THERE ARE CLEAR SIGNS EVERYWHERE AND COVID-19 IS STILL WITH US.

THIS FALL, MASKS AND MANDATES ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS STUDYING A GRADE-POINT AVERAGE.

18-YEAR-OLD JUSTIN LEON IS A FRESHMAN MOVING INTO THE DORMS WITH HELP FROM HIS MOTHER AND FATHER.

THEY ARE A FULLY VACCINATED FAMILY WHO TRAVELED HERE FROM THEIR HOME IN THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA.

>> I AM EXCITED TO BE LEARNING IN PERSON AND GETTING THE EXPERIENCE I DID NOT HAVE MY LAST YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: JUSTIN IS MORE THAN 32,000 STUDENTS ENROLLED THIS SEMESTER.

THEY ARE REQUIRED TO BE VACCINATED WITH LIMITED MEDICAL EXCEPTIONS.

UNIVERSITY IS MOVING SOME CLASSES OUTDOORS, TESTING WASTEWATER FOR COVID-19 AND MASKS ARE NOT NEGOTIABLE.

THAT BRINGS COMFORT TO JUSTIN'S MOTHER.

>> THAT IS THE THING I'M WORRIED ABOUT IS MY SON BEING IN KANSAS BUT AT THE SAME TIME I'M EXCITED HE GETS TO BE FRIENDS.

>> Reporter: UCSD HAS TAKEN A LEAD IN COVID-19 PROTOCOLS SINCE THE INITIAL CALL IN 2020.

THAT LEADERSHIP CONTINUES THIS FALL.

EVEN VACCINATED STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE A COVID-19 TEST ONCE A WEEK WITH THE FIRST MONTH OF CLASSES.

UNVACCINATED STUDENTS WILL BE TESTED TWICE A WEEK.

>> I'M CONFIDENT BECAUSE WE ARE IN COMMUNITY THROUGH THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR FACULTY AND STAFF AND ADAPTING BASED ON WHAT WE LEARNED FROM SCIENCE.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE HAPPY THEIR SON IS PART OF THIS COMMUNITY WHERE HE WILL STUDY CHEMICAL ENGINEERING.

HIS MOTHER LEAVES HIM WITH SIMPLE ADVICE.

>> ALWAYS MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION, BE SMART AND WE ARE ALWAYS HERE FOR HIM.

>> Reporter: THIS IS REASSURING WORDS IN A CHALLENGING TIME OF UNCERTAINTY.

MG PEREZ, .

KPBS NEWS .

>>> THE CHULA VISTA SCHOOL DISTRICT IS MAKING CHANGES TO ITS MASKING ROLES.

THE DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD HAS APPROVED TEACHERS TO REMOVE THEIR MASKS WHEN ALONE IN THEIR CLASSROOMS OR OFFICES.

TEACHERS TEACHING VIRTUAL STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO REMOVE THEIR MASKS IF THERE ARE TWO IN THE ROOM.

THOSE CLASSROOMS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SECOND AIR FILTER.

THE BOARD APPROVED ALLOWING STUDENTS TO TAKE OFF THEIR MASKS WHILE INSIDE AT RECESS, EP, EXERCISING OR PLAYING.

AS OF SEPTEMBER 17, THE DISTRICT REPORTED FIVE COVID-19 CASE AMONGST AND 39 AMONG STUDENTS.

>>> THE SUBJECT OF MASCULINE DISTRACTED THE BOARD MEETING A UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT EARLIER THIS MONTH.

THOSE MEETINGS WILL TAKE PLACE STRICTLY ONLINE.

THE DISTRICT CITED THE SAFETY OF ITS STAFF AND BOARD MEMBERS.

ON SEPTEMBER 10th, PROTESTERS FORCE THEIR WAY INTO DISTRICT OFFICES REFUSING TO LEAVE THE DISTRICT MEETING.

THE BOARD PLANNED TO TALK ABOUT SAFETY PROTOCOLS IN PUBLIC HEALTH GUIDANCE UPDATES BEFORE THE DISRUPTION.

THE NEXT BOARD MEETING WILL BE HELD VIRTUALLY ONLINE ON OCTOBER 14th.

>>> FROM COVID-19 TO CLIMATE CHANGE, PRESIDENTS JOE BIDEN URGED LEADERS TO RALLY TOGETHER.

HE DID SO ADDRESSING THE UNITED NATIONS ASSEMBLY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE TAKING OFFICE.

CHRIS WIND HAS MORE ON THAT AND THE WITHDRAW FROM AFGHANISTAN AND OTHER MAJOR ISSUES.

>> Reporter: CALLING IT A DECISIVE DECADE FOR OUR WORLD, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN DELIVERED HIS FIRST SPEECH TO THE UNITED NATIONS SINCE TAKING OFFICE PRESENTING HIS LONG-TERM VISION FOR THE GLOBAL COMMUNITY.

>> NO MATTER HOW CHALLENGING OR COMPLEX THE PROBLEMS YOU WILL FACE, GOVERNMENT BY AND FOR THE PEOPLE IS STILL THE BEST WAY TO DELIVER FOR ALL OF OUR PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE GATHERING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AMOUNTING TO A MAJOR CREDIBILITY TEST FOR THE PRESIDENT FACING INTERNATIONAL BLOWBACK OVER AMOUNTING ISSUES INCLUDING THE U.S.

WITHDRAW FROM AFGHANISTAN.

BY AND DEFENDED THE DECISION WHILE LOOKING AHEAD.

>> WE HAVE ENDED 20 YEARS OF CONFLICT IN AFGHANISTAN.

AS WE CLOSE THIS PERIOD OF RELENTLESS WORK, WE ARE HOPING DIPLOMACY.

>> Reporter: REASSERTING AMERICA'S LEADERSHIP ON ISSUES LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE, GLOBAL HEALTH AND FIGHTING HUNGER AND HOME FROM ABROAD.

>> AS WE LOOK AHEAD, WE WILL LEAD ON THE GREATEST CHALLENGES OF OUR TIME FROM COVID-19 TO CLIMATE, PEACE AND SECURITY, HUMAN DIGNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS, BUT WE WILL NOT GO ALONE .

>> Reporter: THE U.N. SECRETARY- GENERAL CALLING THIS A MOMENT OF TRUTH URGING NATIONS TO UNITE.

>> THIS IS MISSING IN ACTION JUST WHEN WE NEED IT MOST.

>> INSPIRING HOPE FOR THE GREATER GOOD.

>> MANY HAVE SHOWN WE HAVE GREAT TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, CHRIS WIND, KPBS NEWS .

>>> SAN DIEGO WILL SOON PAY FOR WATER.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SAYS THE CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A NEW SET OF WATER AND SEWER RATES THAT WILL SEE SOME FOLKS PAYING LESS.

>> Reporter: WATER IS AN INCREASINGLY SCARCE RESOURCE IN SAN DIEGO AND IT'S GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE.

THE 3% INCREASE WITH THE WATER RATES IS TO COMPENSATE FOR RISING RATES CHARGED BY THE WATER WHOLESALERS AND THE CONTINUING NEED TO REPAIR AGING PIPELINES.

>> I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WILL NOT BE EASY FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

I KNOW WE HAVE TO MAINTAIN OUR SYSTEMS BECAUSE IT COULD BE A LOT WORSE IF WE DO NOT.

>> Reporter: THE CHANGES TO THE SEWER FEES ARE MORE COMPLICATED.

RIGHT NOW, SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES ARE CHARGED LOWER WASTEWATER RATES THAN APARTMENTS OR BUSINESSES.

THE CITY DETERMINES THAT WAS UNFAIR SO IT'S LOWERING SEWER RATES FOR BUSINESSES AND APARTMENT.

THEY WILL PAY THE SAME RATE AS SINGLE-FAMILY HOMEOWNERS WHO WILL START PAYING MORE.

>> IT'S DIFFICULT TO INCREASE RATES, ASKING THEM TO CONTRIBUTE ANOTHER PENNY IS NOT IDEAL BECAUSE WE LIVE IN ONE OF THE LEAST AFFORDABLE REGIONS IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE HAVE A DUTY OF ELECTED OFFICIALS TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS THAT COUNCILS FAILED TO DO WHICH IS TO PRESENT THE PUBLIC WITH THE CURRENT REALITY.

>> Reporter: THE CURRENT REALITY IS THE WATER AND WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE IS IN BAD SHAPE.

THE CITY NEEDS MORE MONEY TO FIX THAT.

RATE CHANGES WILL TAKE EFFECT IN JANUARY WITH INCREASES FROM 2025.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE DYING FROM OVERDOSES OF METH AND FENTANYL IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL HAS MORE ON THE STAGGERING NUMBERS AND WHAT THE COUNTY IS DOING ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: DURING A PANDEMIC, IT'S EASY TO OVERLOOK LISTENING TO SAN DIEGO COUNTY CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER DR. STEVEN KAPLAN FOCUSES THE MIND ON A CRISIS IN OUR MIDST.

>> THE NUMBER OF DEATHS DUE TO METHAMPHETAMINE IS CONTINUING TO INCREASE MORE DEATHS THIS YEAR THAN BEFORE.

THE DEATHS WITH FENTANYL HAS INCREASED HUGELY.

>> Reporter: HIS CALM DEMEANOR BELIES THE MAGNITUDE OF THE PROBLEM.

THE INFORMATION COMES FROM THE JUST-RELEASED REPORT CARDS FROM THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE TASK FORCE AND THE BEST STRIKEFORCE.

OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, TOTAL METH CAUSE DEATHS COME FROM 377 TO 722, A 92% INCREASE.

THE SITUATION WITH FENTANYL IS MORE DIRE, 33 DEATHS AND 2016 UP TO 462 IN 2020, A STAGGERING 1300% JUMP.

DR. KAMPMANN SAID PEOPLE BY FENTANYL INJECTED INTO COUNTERFEIT PILLS OF OXYCODONE OR XANAX.

THAT HIGHLIGHTS A LARGER CAUTIONARY TALE THAT YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GETTING WHEN YOU BYE DRUGS ON THE STREET.

>> WE HAVE SEEN PEOPLE WHO THOUGHT THEY BOUGHT COCAINE AND DIED OF FENTANYL TOXICITY AND THERE WAS NO COCAINE IN THEM ALL.

>> Reporter: OVERDOSES FROM METH AND FENTANYL PRIMARILY KILL MEN FROM THEIR MID-30s TO THEIR MID-60s BUT PERHAPS MORE DISTURBINGLY, THE CRISIS IS NOT LIMITED TO ADULTS.

>> THE HOSPITALS HAVE SEEN INFANTS AND LITTLE KIDS IN THE EMERGENCY ROOMS EXPERIENCING FENTANYL TOXICITY.

>> Reporter: IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION OR KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS, HELP IS AVAILABLE.

GO TO THE WEBSITE YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN, OR YOU CAN CALL 888-724-7240 AND THAT INFORMATION WILL BE IN OUR WEB VERSION OF THIS STORY AT KPBS.ORG.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS .

>>> CONDITIONS AT THE US-MEXICO BORDER EXPECTED TO CHANGE DRAMATICALLY IN THE NEXT 96 HOURS.

THIS, ACCORDING TO THE U.S.

HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY, AS THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS GROWS IN TEXAS.

WE HAVE MORE FROM CAMILLA BURNELL.

>> Reporter: MORNING PATROL AGENTS ON HORSEBACK APPEARING TO USE AGGRESSIVE TACTICS WHEN CONFRONTING MIGRANTS.

THIS VIDEO IS CAUSING CONCERN WITHIN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

>> I WAS HORRIFIED BY WHAT I SAW, I WILL LET THE INVESTIGATION RUN ITS COURSE BUT THE PICTURES I OBSERVED TROUBLED ME PROFOUNDLY.

>> Reporter: THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS, MANY ARE HAITIAN, STILL GATHERED UNDER THE THE REAL INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE IN TEXAS.

>> IT IS AN IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION WHICH HAS TO BE CORRECTED WITH A POLICY CHANGE.

>> Reporter: HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD INVESTIGATE THE SITUATION AND IS THAT A DRAMATIC CHANGE AT THE BORDER IS EXPECTED IN THE NEXT 48 TO 96 HOURS.

>> WE ARE MOVING MORE MIGRANTS QUICKLY TO OTHER PROCESSING CENTERS SO WE CAN ENSURE THERE IS SECURITY AND SAFETY AND THE SECURITY AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: MONEY IS HOPING TO ADDRESS IMMIGRATION BEYOND THE CURRENT SITUATION.

>> THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE ENFORCEMENT OF OUR CURRENT LAWS, BUT THEY NEED TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN AT A QUICKER RATE.

AT THIS POINT, WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND WE NEED TO GET THROUGH THIS CRISIS TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: CAMILLA BURNELL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL HAS BEEN TAKING A MAJOR HIT DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT NEW GUIDELINES MIGHT GIVE THE INDUSTRY THE JUMPSTART IT HAS BEEN WAITING FOR.

JENN SULLIVAN HAS A CLOSER LOOK AT THE NEW RULES AND HOW THAT COULD IMPACT THE ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: NEW TRAVEL GUIDELINES EXPECTED TO GIVE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL A MAJOR BOOST AFTER LAGGING BADLY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE U.S. IS NOT LEAVING RESTRICTIONS ON FULLY VACCINATED FOREIGN TRAVELERS FROM THE UK AND EUROPEAN UNION AMONG OTHER COUNTRIES ENTERING THE U.S.. >> WE ARE HAPPY ABOUT THIS.

WE HAVE BEEN PUSHING ON THIS FOR ALMOST 18 MONTHS.

>> Reporter: THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF TRAVEL ADVISERS ARE JOINING OTHER INDUSTRY GROUPS IN PRAISING THE CHANGES.

STARTING IN NOVEMBER, ALL INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS MUST SHOW THEIR FULLY VACCINATED BEFORE BOARDING A PLANE TO THE U.S. AND PROVIDE PROOF OF A NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST WITHIN THREE DAYS OF THE FLIGHT .

UNDER THE RULES, THEY WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO QUARANTINE.

>> IN OUR VIEW, THE SCIENCE HAS BEEN THERE TO SUPPORT A SYSTEM LIKE THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

>> Reporter: THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY IS CELEBRATING THE NEWS, AIRLINES AND TRAVEL AGENCIES ALL HOPING THIS WILL HELP THEM RECOVER FROM HUGE ECONOMIC LOSSES.

>> THIS WILL SUPERCHARGE THE TRAVEL INDUSTRIES RECOVERY.

THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THE KEY PARTS OF RECOVERY AS WE START INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SYSTEM ON WHICH SO MANY OF OUR MEMBERS DEPEND.

>> Reporter: THIS MIGHT NOT BE JUST A BOOST FOR THE U.S. ECONOMY, THE HOLIDAYS ARE AROUND THE CORNER.

THIS TRAVEL BAN SEPARATED FAMILIES EXTENDED WAS PUT INTO PLACE ONLY 2020 TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

>> THIS IS IMPORTANT ECONOMICALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY FOR FOLKS TO LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING FRIENDS AND FAMILY AFTER 18 MONTHS.

>> Reporter: FOR CONSUMER WANTS, I AM JENN SULLIVAN.

>> IN ADDITION TO VACCINATIONS, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT'S TAKING OTHER STEPS TO MITIGATE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS THROUGH TESTING, CONTACT TRACING AND MASKING.

THE CDC PLANS TO ISSUE A CONTACT TRACING ORDER REQUIRING AIRLINES TO COLLECT PHONE NUMBERS AND EMAIL ADDRESSES FROM TRAVELERS IN CASE OF POTENTIAL EXPOSURE.

>>> THE CAR IN YOUR DRIVEWAY IS IN HIGH DEMAND IF YOU ARE WILLING TO SELL.

CAR DEALERS HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH A SHORTAGE OF PARTS FOR MONTHS.

IT HAS NOT GOTTEN BETTER IN RECENT WEEKS.

LOCALLY, PRICES HAVE JUMPED SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR AN AVERAGE USED CAR NOW APPROACHING $25,000.

>> NEW CARS COULD GET BACK TO NEW-CAR DEMAND THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE CURRENT CARS, LOOKING TO TRADE THEM IN BUT START TREATING THEM INTO GET THE NEW CAR AND USED CAR SUPPLY WOULD GO UP.

IT TRACKS BACK TO THE MICROCHIP SHORTAGE.

>> IF YOU NEED A NEW OR USED CAR NOW, EXPERTS SAY TO CAST A WIDE NET AND BE PREPARED TO TRAVEL 100 OR 200 MILES AWAY FOR A VEHICLE IN HIGH DEMAND.

>>> HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA IMPACTED BY THE WILDFIRE SCHOOL DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT LOSING THEIR PROPERTY INSURANCE POLICIES FOR THE NEXT YEAR.

STATE LAW TEMPORARILY BANNED INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM DROPPING COMPANIES AND ZIP CODES NEXT TO OR WITHIN AREAS OF THE CLEARED WILDFIRE DISASTER.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM HAS ISSUED SIX STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARATIONS SINCE LATE JULY COVERING 22 COUNTIES.

ABOUT 325,000 POLICYHOLDERS LIVE NEAR THE WILDFIRES.

>>> SUMMER IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS GOING OUT WITH A BANG, A HEAT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT THROUGH TOMORROW NIGHT AND TEMPERATURES ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTY COULD ALSO BE ABOVE AVERAGE.

RELIEF COULD BE ON THE WAY.

JESSICA PASS HAS YOUR FORECAST.

>> TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN QUITE WARM FOR THE REST OF TODAY AND INTO YOUR DAY ON WEDNESDAY.

WITH THAT, HEAT ADVISORY'S REMAIN IN EFFECT.

WE WILL SEE SOME CHANGES HERE LATER IN THE WEEK, WE WILL GET MOISTURIZING WITH THE SYSTEM MOVING ONSHORE AND ALONG WITH IT, SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE POSSIBLE BUT THEY WILL BE ISOLATED IN NATURE SO NOTHING WIDESPREAD IN THE FORECAST.

HEAT ADVISORIES ARE IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY EVENING, NOT ONLY THROUGH TODAY BUT TOMORROW.

TEMPERATURES WILL DROP OFF.

FOR TONIGHT, WE DROP TO UPPER 50s IN OCEANSIDE, UPPER 50s IN OCEANSIDE AND BORREGO SPRINGS ARE OVERNIGHT LOWS.

WE WILL SEE THE WARMTH INTO WEDNESDAY.

THAT HIGH IS IN CONTROL HERE.

THE HEAT CONTINUES TO BUILD ON IN.

CHANGES ARE ON THE WAY AS WE MOVE TOWARD THURSDAY.

OCEANSIDE IS 83 FOR A HIGH ON WEDNESDAY, 83 IN SAN DIEGO AS WELL, EL CAJON GETTING UP TO 97, MID-70s IN THE MOUNTAINS AT MT.

LAGUNA.

WE WILL BE WATCHING THIS LOW- PRESSURE COMING ONSHORE, STEERING WINDS OFF OF THE PACIFIC BRINGING IN SOME MOISTURE BUT IT LOOKS LIKE FOR THE MOST PART, IT WILL BE A MOISTURE START SYSTEM.

WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF RAIN.

WE WILL SEE GUSTY WINDS AND LIKELY GOOD LIGHTNING AND ALONG WITH THAT, THE RISK FOR NEW WILDFIRES TO SPREAD ACROSS THE SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF CALIFORNIA.

A LITTLE DOUBLE EDGE SWORD WHERE SOME LOOK AT THE RAIN AND OTHERS GET INCREASED RISK FOR FIRE DANGER.

TEMPERATURES FALL FROM LADIES ON WEDNESDAY INTO THE MID-70s BY THE TIME WE GET TO WATCH FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

NOT A LOT OF CHANGE WHEN THAT COMES TO CLOUD COVER BUT WE WILL DROP FROM THE MID-90s AND LOW 80s BY THE TIME WE GET INTO THE WEEKEND.

WE HAVE A COUPLE STORMS IN THE MOUNTAINS ON THURSDAY.

IS A COOLING TREND FROM THE 70s FROM WEDNESDAY BACK INTO THE 60s FOR THE WEST AND IN THE DESERT, TEMPERATURES DROP OFF INTO UPPER 90s FOR THE MOST PART OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS WITH A THUNDERSTORM POSSIBLE THURSDAY.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I AM METEOROLOGIST JESSICA PASH .

>>> IT HAS BEEN HOT IN SAN DIEGO THIS SEPTEMBER, BUT FOR FAMILIES HOPING TO COOL OFF AT ONE OF THE 13 PUBLIC POOLS, THEY ARE OUT OF LUCK.

KPBS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER CLAIRE TO REGISTER FOUND THE CITY HAS DRASTICALLY CUT BACK IT'S WEEKEND POOL HOURS SINCE 2019.

>> DO YOU WANT TO GO BACKWARDS OR FORWARDS?

>> SHARON AND HER 3-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, CLAIRE, ARE PRACTICING THEIR SWIMMING AT A PUBLIC POOL HERE.

IT IS PAST 5:00 ON A FRIDAY AND CLAIRE'S LIPS ARE TURNING A LITTLE BLUE.

IT IS LATE IN THE DAY FOR SWIMMING, BUT THEY ARE FITTING THAT IN WHEN THEY CAN.

THAT IS BECAUSE THIS POOL IS NOT OPEN ON WEEKENDS.

>> SATURDAY SWIMMING WOULD BE GREAT BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT WITH WORK SCHEDULES, SCHOOL SCHEDULES TO GET SWIM SELECTIONS DURING THE DAY.

>> Reporter: ACROSS THE CITY, THERE ARE HARDLY ANY WEEKEND POOL HOURS FOR KIDS IN SWIM.

THAT IS A BIG CUTBACK FROM PREVIOUS YEARS.

THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO HAS 13 PUBLIC POOLS.

IN SEPTEMBER 2019, ALL BUT ONE OF THEM HAD WEEKEND RECREATIONAL SWIM HOURS.

IN TOTAL, ACROSS CITY POOLS, THERE WERE 50 HOURS WHEN KIDS COULD SWIM ON THE WEEKENDS.

POOLS WERE MOSTLY CLOSED LAST SUMMER DUE TO COVID-19 AND THIS SEPTEMBER, THERE ARE THREE POOLS WITH RECREATIONAL SWIM HOURS.

IN CLERMONT, LA JOLLA AND SENT CATHEDRAL, EACH POOL IS OPEN FOR 2 1/2 TO 5 HOURS TOTAL EACH WEEKEND.

>> I WAS PLANNING TO GO ON SATURDAY.

I THOUGHT I SHOULD CALL TO SEE IF IT'S OPEN.

>> Reporter: SCOTT RECENTLY BROUGHT HIS 4-YEAR-OLD SON, FELIX, TO THE CITY POOL ON A SATURDAY IN ARIZONA.

THE WEBSITE SAID IT WAS OPEN, BUT IT WAS NOT.

>> THERE IS A LEVEL OF FRUSTRATION WITH IT NOT BEING OPEN, BUT THERE IS FRUSTRATION ABOUT LACK OF COMMUNICATION.

>> Reporter: THE POOL SWITCHED FROM SUMMER HOURS TO FALL HOURS BUT DID NOT CHANGE THE WEBSITE.

MANY PUBLIC POOLS ENDED THEIR WEEKEND HOURS AFTER LABOR DAY.

THAT IS DESPITE THE FACT THAT SEPTEMBER IS NORMALLY ONE OF THE HOTTEST MONTHS IN SAN DIEGO WITH HIGHER AVERAGE TEMPERATURES THEN IN JUNE OR JULY.

IN PREVIOUS YEARS, CITY POOLS STAYED OPEN ON WEEKENDS IN SEPTEMBER.

>> HE IS A HEALTH PROFESSOR AT SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY.

HE SAYS CHILDREN OF COLOR AND CHILDREN IN LOWER INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS ARE LESS LIKELY TO KNOW HOW TO SWIM, AND LESS LIKELY TO BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE OVERALL.

>> IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT DEPENDING ON WHERE A CHILD LIVES, THAT DETERMINES IF THEY HAVE ACCESS TO A POOL, CAN THEY HAVE ACCESS TO SPORTS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS EXERCISE HELPS KIDS PHYSICALLY, BUT ALSO IMPROVES THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND PERFORMANCE IN SCHOOL.

CITY IS SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING FACILITIES TO THEIR RESIDENTS.

>> CITIES ARE RESPONSIBLE TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES IN DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AND LOOK AT EQUITY.

>> Reporter: A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO WOULD NOT DO AN INTERVIEW ABOUT THE CHANGE IN MY POOL HOURS, BUT HE SENT AN EMAIL SAYING THE CHANGES BECAUSE THE CITY IS SHORTSTAFFED.

THIS IS A NATIONWIDE ISSUE NOT ONLY WITH POOLS AND LIFEGUARDS BUT WITH MANY BUSINESSES THAT UTILIZE YOUNG WORKERS TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THEIR CUSTOMERS, HE SAID.

THE REALITY IS WITHOUT THE AQUATIC STAFF TO PROVIDE PROGRAMMING AND PULL GUARD DUTIES, IT'S NOT POSSIBLE TO KEEP THE FACILITIES AS OPEN AS LONG AS WE WOULD LIKE AND PROVIDE A SAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR THE PUBLIC.

THE CITY PAYS FOR LIFEGUARDS 15- $17 AN HOUR TO STAFF WEEKEND POOLS AT PREVIOUS LEVELS WOULD COST MUST AND $10,000 A YEAR ACCORDING TO THE MOST RECENT CITY BUDGET.

SHARON, THE RESIDENT, IS ALSO THINKING ABOUT COSTS.

SINCE SHE CANNOT GO TO HER LOCAL CITY POOL ON THE WEEKENDS, SHE IS LEFT WITH BUYING DAY PASSES AT PRIVATE POOLS, WHICH COULD COST $60.00 FOR HER FAMILY OF FOUR, OR JOINING THE YMCA.

>> THE CITY POOLS ARE FUN, THEY HAVE GREAT FACILITIES.

>> Reporter: HER DAUGHTER WOULD LIKE TO USE THE SPLASH PAD AT THE TERRA SANTA POOL, BUT IT'S ONLY OPEN A FEW DAYS A WEEK FROM 12:00 TO 3:00, WHEN CLAIRE IS IN SCHOOL.

CLEAR TRAGUS OR, KPBS NEWS .

>> KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL AND KPBS INVESTIGATIVE ASSISTANT CASEY STEGALL CONTRIBUTED TO THIS.

>>> SCIENTISTS HAVE CREATED A PAINT THAT THEY SAY CAN HELP FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE.

THESE TWO TITLES MIGHT LOOK THE SAME TO YOU, BUT ONE IS ACTUALLY THE ROADS WHITEST PAINT .

RESEARCHERS AT PURDUE UNIVERSITY WHO CREATED IT SAY THE PLANES CAN WORK LIKE AN AIR CONDITIONER.

IT WAS MADE TO REFLECT 90% OF SUNLIGHT, MORE THAN IT ABSORBS.

THAT MAKES THE SURFACE COOLER THAN ITS SURROUNDINGS.

MOST PAINTS ON THE MARKET REFLECT ABOUT 80% OF SUNLIGHT, AND THEY GET WARMER INSTEAD OF COOLER.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN ADDRESSES THE U.N., WE TALK WITH BILL GATES ABOUT COVID-19 AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

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

>>> HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES, CALIFORNIA NOW HAS THE LOWEST COVID-19 TRANSMISSION RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

CDC DATA SHOWS THE STATEWIDE LEVEL OF COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION LISTED AS SUBSTANTIAL AT AN AVERAGE OF 95 CASES PER 100,000 RESIDENTS.

EVERY OTHER STATE HAS A HIGH LEVEL OF TRANSMISSION.

EXPERTS ATTRIBUTE CALIFORNIA'S SUCCESS IN PART TO ITS HIGH VACCINATION RATES, JUST UNDER 70%.

>>> TODAY WAS THE BEGINNING OF A MASSIVE MOVEMENT TO ON-CAMPUS HOUSING AT UC SAN DIEGO.

IN PERSON CLASSES ARE THURSDAY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE COVID-19 SHUTDOWN.

THE UNIVERSITY IS TAKING SEVERAL PRECAUTIONS INCLUDING MOVING SOME CLASSES OUTDOORS, TESTING WASTEWATER FOR COVID-19 AND MANDATORY MASKING .

ALL STUDENTS MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED IN ORDER TO ATTEND CLASSES ON CAMPUS.

>>> SAN DIEGOANS WILL SOON PAY MORE FOR WATER.

THE 3% INCREASE WAS APPROVED TODAY BY THE CITY COUNCIL TO COMPENSATE FOR RISING RATES CHARGED BY WATER WHOLESALERS AND THE NEED TO REPAIR AGING PIPELINES.

CHANGES TO THE CITIES SEWER FEES MEAN SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES, BUSINESSES AND APARTMENTS WILL ALL PAY THE SAME RATE FOR WASTEWATER.

THE CHANGES TAKE EFFECT IN JANUARY.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

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.