>>> IT WAS BACK TO SCHOOL TODAY FOR STUDENTS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S THIRD-LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THEY BEGAN THE FALL SEMESTER WITH CHALLENGES FACING MOST DISTRICTS RIGHT NOW.

OUR EDUCATION REPORTER WAS ON CAMPUS FOR THE FIRST DAY.

>> IT IS A HI5 KIND OF MORNING.

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR MORE THAN 35,000 STUDENTS IN THE DISTRICT.

HERE IT IS ALREADY THE BEGINNING OF A CAMPAIGN SEASON.

FOR FIFTH-GRADERS WHO WANT TO BE ELECTED TO LEAD THE MONTHLY FRIDAY FLAG AWARDS ASSEMBLY OR TAKE ON OTHER IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES.

>> THEY ARE BASICALLY WHERE YOU HELP KINDERGARTNERS AND READ TO THEM AND STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> STUDENT COUNCIL KIND OF HELPS THE SCHOOL MAKE DECISIONS TO MAKE THE SCHOOL BETTER.

>> THEY ARE KNOWN FOR THE ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL MUSIC VIDEO FEATURING STUDENTS FROM MANY OF ITS 41 CAMPUSES.

THE THIRD LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

COMMITTED TO ANOTHER COMEBACK YEAR FROM COVID.

>> WE ARE OVER COVID, BUT NOW WE WILL REALLY NEED TO RAISE OUR ACADEMICS.

WE HAD A LITTLE GAP, BUT NOW IT'S GOING TO BE HITTING IT HARD WITH ACADEMICS.>> STUDENT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCES STRONG IN THE DISTRICT WHICH PRODUCED A 94% GRADUATION RATE LAST YEAR.

ALONG WITH ALMOST 80% OF STUDENTS MEETING OR EXCEEDING STATE STANDARDS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS.

>> WE HAVE SOME OF THE BRIGHTEST STUDENTS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

THEY RANK NATIONALLY NUMBER ONE ROBOTICS TEAM.

OUR STAFF.

OUR AWARD-WINNING IN THEIR OWN RIGHT AND EVERY RESPECTIVE FIELDS.

>> THIS YEAR SENIORS WERE FRESHMEN WHEN THE COVID SHUTDOWN HAPPENED IN MARCH 2020.

EVERY YEAR SINCE HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE WITH THE HOPE FOR A NEW BEGINNING EACH SEMESTER.>> SOME OF THE SENIORS LETTER ORIENTATION THIS MORNING.

WELCOMING FRESHMEN ON THEIR FIRST DAY.

>> I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS LIKE 14.

IT WAS FREAKING ME OUT I WOULD GO TO SCHOOL WITH 18-YEAR-OLDS AT MY SCHOOL.

IS REALLY AWESOME TO BE ABLE TO CREATE THIS WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT.

>> HIS 14-YEAR-OLD FRESHMAN HEARD THAT WELCOME LOUD AND CLEAR.

>> KPBS NEWS.

>>> VOTING FOR WHO WILL FILL THE VACANCY IN THE SAN DIEGO FOURTH SUPER BY SURREAL DISTRICT HAS CLOSED, BUT AS OUR REPORTER REPORTS, THE POSITION MAY BE HEADING TO A RUNOFF VOTE IN NOVEMBER.

>> THE FIRST SET OF UNOFFICIAL RESULTS TO FILL THE DISTRICT FOR SUPERVISOR VACANCY CAME IN SHORTLY AFTER 8:00 TUESDAY NIGHT.

>> FOR THIS PARTICULAR SPECIAL VACANCY ELECTION WE DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO COMPARE IT TO.

WE HAVE NOT HAD A SPECIAL VACANCY ELECTION.

>> THERE ARE ABOUT 394,000 REGISTERED VOTERS IN DISTRICT 4 AND CURRENTLY ABOUT 20% OF THEM VOTED.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS SENT THE ONE TO DESCRIBE THE THE ACCOUNT IS GOING.

>> WHEN ALL OF THEY REPORTED AND WE TABULATED ALL OF THOSE VOTES WE WERE ESTIMATING 20,000 OUTSTANDING BALLOTS, SO THAT IS AN ESTIMATE.

>> THE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT IS CURRENTLY IN THE LEAD WITH 46% OF THE VOTES WITH THE FOUNDER OF REOPEN SAN DIEGO IN SECOND PLACE WITH 29%.

THE MARINE VETERAN IS IN THIRD WITH 25.32%.

AS IT STANDS NONE OF THE CANDIDATES HAVE RECEIVED A MAJORITY VOTE, SO THE SEED WILL REMAIN VACANT.

>> IN THE SPECIAL PRIMARY IF A CANDIDATE RECEIVED 50% PLUS ONE VOTE THAT MAJORITY THEN THERE WOULD NOT BE A RUNOFF, AND WE WOULD HAVE A WINNER.

IF THAT DOES NOT HAPPEN WE GO TO A SPECIAL RUNOFF ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 7 OF THIS YEAR SO THE TOP VOTE GETTERS WOULD GO TO THAT RUNOFF.

>> THE OFFICE ESTIMATES THE COST OF BOTH OF THE SPECIAL ELECTIONS IS $5.2 MILLION.

THE NEXT RELEASE OF RESULTS IS EXPECTED THURSDAY BY 5:00 P.M. AND MUST BE CERTIFIED BY SEPTEMBER 14.

>> WELL THINGS ARE CERTAINLY HEATING UP.

THAT IS THE BIG STORY BUT WE DO HAVE HEAT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT.

A LITTLE BIT FURTHER INLAND.

TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO SOAR AND IS GOING TO BE EVEN HOTTER AS WE MOVE EVEN FURTHER EAST INTO THE DESERTS WHERE IS AND EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN PLACE, SO WE ARE GOING TO BE TRACKING WHERE TEMPERATURES GO AND WHEN THEY WILL START TO COOL DOWN.

WE ARE DEALING WITH MONSOONAL AND TROUBLED INFLUENCES BE WHEN WE COULD SEE THE RAIN IS COMING UP.

>>> NOW TO THE LATEST IN MAUI WHERE THE DEATH TOLL HAS SURPASSED 100 PEOPLE.

IDENTIFYING THOSE KILLED WILL LIKELY TAKE WEEKS, AND THIS ALL COMES AS NEW SECURITY CAMERA VIDEO APPEARS TO SHOW A POWERLINE SPARK IGNITING FLAMES.

>> A CADAVER DOGS BARK PERPETUATE THE PAINSTAKING SEARCH AND RECOVERY EFFORTS IN THE ASHES OF MAO'S BURN ZONES.

>> JUST HAVE TO WORK THROUGH IT .

IF WE DO NOT DO OUR JOB THE FAMILIES CAN'T GET ANY CLOSURE.

>> CLOSURE FOR MANY SURVIVORS AND FAMILIES WILL AND IN A FACILITY LIKE THIS ONE.

THE NATIONAL EXPERTS HAVE ARRIVED TO ASSIST LOCAL CORNERS.

>> IF YOU ARE LUCKY IN A CIRCUMSTANCE LIKE THIS YOU GET TO SEE FINGERPRINTS.

>> DNA WILL BE KEY TO IDENTIFYING THE VICTIMS AND COULD TAKE WEEKS.

>> THIS IS MUCH LIKE YOU SEE IN A WAR ZONE OR WHAT WE SAW WITH 9/11.

>> NO OFFICIAL CAUSE FOR THE FIRE HAS BEEN RELEASED YET, BUT NO SECURITY CAMERA VIDEO OUT WEDNESDAY FROM A MAUI BIRD SANCTUARY APPEARS TO SHOW A POWERLINE SPARK AND THEN FLAMES ERUPTING.

THE SAME NIGHT THE DEADLY BLAZES WERE IGNITED.

OFFICIALS SAY IT WAS NOT NEAR THERE BUT MAY ILLUSTRATE ONE POSSIBLE CAUSE.

>> WHILE THEY IGNITED WE MEASURED 122 INDIVIDUAL FAULTS ON THE UTILITY GRID.

ANY ONE OF WHICH COULD BE PRODUCING A SIMILAR RESULT TO WE SEE ON THE VIDEO.

>> SOME SURVEYS ARE SAY THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE IS STILL LACKING.

>> IT IS BEEN AN OBVIOUS SIGN OF NEGLECT.

ESPECIALLY WITH THE RESOURCES THE UNITED STATES HAS.

>> IN MANY CASES IT'S LOCALS HELPING EACH OTHER.

>> THE STRENGTH OF THIS COMMUNITY CAN DO THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE ALREADY ON IT.

>> MAUI IS NOT CLOSE TO TOURISTS, BUT SOME THINK IT SHOULD BE.

COMING UP.

THE DEBATE OVER WHETHER PEOPLE SHOULD BE VISITING THE ISLAND DURING FIRE RECOVERY EFFORTS.

>>> AUTHORITIES ARE STILL INVESTIGATING WHAT CAUSED A PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLINIC TO BURN DOWN AND IT WAS THE ONLY REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE CLINIC IN ALL OF THE COUNTY.

AS OUR HEALTH REPORTER TELLS US, IT PROVIDED SERVICES FOR PEOPLE COMING FROM OUT OF STATE AND SOUTH OF THE BORDER.

>> A DEVASTATING FIRE HAS NEARLY BURNED PLANNED PARENTHOOD'S HEALTH CENTER TO THE GROUND.

FIREFIGHTERS SAY THE CAUSE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION, BUT BUT THEY BELIEVE IT STARTED NEARBY SALVATION ARMY DONATION CENTER BEFORE ENGULFING THE AREA'S PRIMARY SEXUAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDER.

>> ONE OF THE PATIENTS DID NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE.

THEY HAVE LOW INCOMES.

THEY NEED TO GET CARE HERE, SO WE ARE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO RESTORE IT.

>> SHE SAYS THE LOSS IS DEVASTATING, BUT THEY WILL REOPEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> WE WILL BE BACK AND WE WILL BE HERE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

WE DO NOT HAVE A TIMELINE YET.

IT COULD OBVIOUSLY TAKE SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR.

WE ARE NOT SURE EXACTLY HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE, BUT WE ARE COMMITTED TO REBUILDING.

>> THE CLINIC NOT ONLY SERVE RESIDENTS OF IMPERIAL VALLEY, BUT UP TO 50% OF THE PATIENTS CAME FROM OUT-OF-STATE OR MEXICO OR PLANNED PARENTHOOD OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN MOVING APPOINTMENTS TO CENTERS IN SAN DIEGO OR RIVERSIDE WELL THEY TRY TO FIGURE OUT TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS.

>> WE ACTUALLY HAD SEVERAL PATIENTS SCHEDULED YESTERDAY AND ALL OF THEM WERE ABLE TO GET CARE ELSEWHERE.

WE ARE HAPPY THAT WAS ABLE TO HAPPEN BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY IT'S REALLY TIMELY FOR THEM AND THEY HAVE TO TAKE TIME OFF OF WORK.

THEY HAVE TO FIGURE OUT TRAVEL AND CHILDCARE.

WAITING AN EXTRA DAY SOMETIMES IS NOT AN OPTION FOR PEOPLE.

>> WE WERE THERE IN 2015 WHEN THE CLINIC FIRST OPENED.

LIKE OTHER PLANNED PARENTHOOD LOCATIONS, IT HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF PROTESTS.

THE CLINIC OFFERS SERVICES LIKE ABORTIONS, BIRTH CONTROL, CANCER SCREENINGS, AND SEXUALLY- TRANSMITTED TREATMENT AND SCREENINGS.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AN UPDATE IN THE LEGAL BATTLE OVER EXPANDED USE OF AN ABORTION MEDICATION.

A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT RULED TO RESTRICT ACCESS.

THEY FOUND IT WAS NOT LAWFUL TO ALLOW THE DRUG TO BE TAKEN LATER IN PREGNANCY.

MAILED DIRECTLY TO PATIENTS OR PRESCRIBED BY HEALTHCARE WORKERS OTHER THAN DOCTORS.

AN EARLIER SUPREME COURT DECISION GUARANTEES THE DRUGS AVAILABILITY, BUT YESTERDAY'S DECISION IS LIKELY TO BE APPEALED BACK TO THE JUSTICES FOR A FINAL DECISION.

>>> ABOUT ONE IN 10 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS REPORTED USING E-CIGARETTES IN A RECENT NATIONAL SURVEY.

NOW A NEW STUDY SHOWS SERIOUS RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS MAY NOT TAKE LONG TO APPEAR AFTER A YOUNG PERSON STARTS VAPING.

MANDY HAS A LOOK AT THE RESEARCH.>> THE HEALTH RISKS OF LONG-TERM E-CIGARETTE USE ARE STILL BEING STUDIED, BUT NEW RESEARCH IS A SHINING A LIGHT ON THE IMPACT OF THE RESPIRATORY HEALTH OF YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> THEY ARE BY NO MEANS RISK- FREE.

THAT CARRY A POTENTIAL RESPIRATORY RISK.

>> SHE AND HER COLLEAGUES CARRIED OUT A STUDY LOOKING AT SYMPTOMS YOUNG PEOPLE REPORTED IN SCHOOL-BASED SURVEYS AFTER ABOUT A MONTH OF E-CIGARETTE USE.

>> THIS STUDY FOUND PAST THREE DAYS IT WAS ASSOCIATED WITH SYMPTOMS OF SHORTNESS OF BREATH AND SYMPTOMS OF BRONCHITIS.

>> THOSE SYMPTOMS WERE REPORTED AFTER E-CIGARETTE USE REGARDLESS OF THE USE OF CANNABIS.

TRADITIONAL CIGARETTES OR SECONDHAND SMOKE EXPOSURE, WHICH SIGNALS THAT VAPING IS HARMFUL ON ITS OWN.

>> ANY YOUNG PERSON WHO IS NOT USING ANY OTHER PROJECTS REALLY SHOULD BE AWARE AND MAKE A THOUGHTFUL CHOICE BEFORE INITIATING THE E-CIGARETTE USE.

>> MOST CONTAINED NICOTINE, WHICH IS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE AND CAN ALSO HARM THE DEVELOPING BRAIN OF A YOUNG PERSON AND IMPACT THEIR ABILITY TO PAY ATTENTION, LEARN, CONTROL IMPULSES, AND HAVE A NEGATIVE EFFECT ON THEIR MOOD.

>> THE RESEARCHERS ARE NOW GOING BEYOND GETTING INFORMATION FROM SURVEYS.

STUDYING BIOMARKER IS FROM YOUNG PARTICIPANTS TO LOOK AT DAILY USE AND HOW IT AFFECTS THE LONG FUNCTION.

WE ARE BRINGING YOU A SERIES OF STORIES ABOUT PUBLIC ART.

FOR THIS INSTALLMENT OUR REPORTER SOUGHT OUT THE TRUE STORY BEHIND ONE LEMON GROVE MURAL.

>> MY FATHER AND MY MOTHER AND MOST OF THE COMMUNITY I GREW UP WITH WAS REPRESENTED HERE.

>> WHAT DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THIS FROM YOUR PARENTS?

>> NOTHING.

>> THE INCIDENT WAS NEARLY LOST TO TIME.

NOT UNTIL THEY EARNED THE PHD FROM STANFORD THAT HE DISCOVERED THE HISTORY.

HE WAS INTERVIEWING OLDER FAMILY MEMBERS AND ONE PHRASE KEPT COMING UP.

THE SCHOOL THING.

>> THAT WAS WHEN THE SCHOOL THING HAPPENED.

I STARTED TO THINK WHAT IS THE SCHOOL THING.

>> THE SCHOOL BOARD TRIED TO SEND THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS TO SEPARATE CLASSES.

IN AN OLD BARN.

>> WE ALWAYS THINK ABOUT JIM CROW.

I THINK IT WAS JOSE CROW.

>> THE PARENTS WON THE LAWSUIT TO THE FOR SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL DESEGREGATION CASE.

23 YEARS BEFORE ROUND VERSUS THE BOARD OF EDUCATION.

ALVAREZ'S FATHER WAS THE LEAD PLAINTIFF, BUT ALVAREZ JUNIORS OF THE OLDER GENERATIONS NEVER SPOKE ABOUT IT.

>> IT JUST BE HUMBLE AND THANKFUL WE WON THE CASE.

LET'S GO BACK TO BEING WHO WE WERE.

>> THEY WANTED TO TELL A DIFFERENT STORY ABOUT IMMIGRANTS.

THE RESEARCH HE READ IN ACADEMIA.

>> THEY WERE NOT POWERFUL, BUT BASICALLY PONDS BEING PUSHED AROUND.

EVEN FROM THAT POINT OF TIME I SAID THIS IS NOT WHAT WE WENT THROUGH.

>> HE WANTED TO SHOW THEIR AGENCY, SO HE WROTE HIS DISSERTATION ABOUT THE LEMON GROVE INCIDENT.

HE IS HUMBLE ABOUT THAT TOO.

HE SAYS PEOPLE DO NOT READ ACADEMIC PAPERS.

>> THE MURAL IS HERE .

IT'S NOT GOING AWAY.

IT IS IN OUR FACES AND PEOPLE CAN SEE IT.

>> A CHILD SCROLLED A MESSAGE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE MURAL.

BAKE YOU FOR OUR RIGHTS, GREAT GRANDPA.

WE ARE ALL EQUAL.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> TO SEE MORE ON THE SERIES GO TO KPBS.ORG/PUBLIC ART.

>>> THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN VISITORS TO MAUI IN THE PAST WEEK, AND SOME HOPE IT STAYS THAT WAY.

OTHERS SAY THE EYELID NEEDS TOURISM MORE THAN EVER.

DESPITE PUSHBACK FROM MAUI, RESIDENTS TOPPLE WHY OFFICIALS ARE WELCOMING TOURISTS TO THE ISLAND FOLLOWING THE DEADLY FIRE.

>> MORE ON THE GROWING DEBATE.

AS THE CREWS CONTINUE THEIR SEARCH THROUGH THE RUBBLE FOR THE MISSING ABOUT 20 MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE SCENE COULD NOT BE MORE DIFFERENT ARE THE VISITORS FLOCKING TO BLUE OCEAN WATERS START CONTRAST FROM THE GRIM REALITY DOWN THE COAST.

>> MY HEART GOES OUT TO EVERYBODY.

>> THE FAMILY VISITING FROM NORTH CAROLINA SAYS THEY DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE FIRES UNTIL THEY LANDED TUESDAY NIGHT.

THE ORIGINAL PLAN TO VISIT, BUT WERE FORCED TO CHANGE THOSE PLANS.

>> DID NOT EXPECTED TO BE WHAT WE EXPERIENCE.

>> AT THIS RESTAURANT EMPLOYEES SAY IT'S CLEAR MORE PEOPLE ARE VACATIONING.

SPINNER WITH THIS TRAGEDY WE ARE PROBABLY UP INTO THE 600 OR 700 PEOPLE PER DAY.

>> NORMALLY THIS IS WELCOMED BY STAFFING SHORTAGES ARE HAMPERING BUSINESS WITH WORKERS FROM WEST VALLEY DEALING WITH THE WILDFIRE AFTERMATH.

>> WE ARE OF EMPLOYEES THAT ARE STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ISLAND THAT CANNOT GET OVER HERE.

>> SOME LOCALS ARE URGING VISITORS TO HOLD OFF ON VACATIONS.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE STILL GRIEVING THE LOSS OF LOVED ONES AND EVERYTHING THEY OWN, BUT IT'S OKAY FOR PEOPLE TO COME IN AND ENJOY OUR HOME RIGHT NOW.

>> ALTHOUGH THERE HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT DROP FROM THE NEARLY 7000 DAILY ARRIVALS DOWN TO ABOUT 2000 SOME BELIEVE THERE IS STILL TOO MANY VISITORS.

WE ASKED HELP STATE AND COUNTY OFFICIALS ABOUT THE CONCERNS.

SOME FIELD THOSE WHO REMAIN ARE HAMPERING RELIEF EFFORTS BY THE COMMUNITY.

DO YOU FEEL IT IS TIME FOR THEM TO LEAVE FOR THE TIME BEING?

>> ALL OF OUR PEOPLE WILL NEED TO SURVIVE, AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE NO JOBS OR NO FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN.

WHEN YOU RESTRICT TRAVEL TO A REGION HE REALLY DEVASTATE ITS OWN LOCAL RESIDENTS.

>> I DO NOT THINK ANYBODY HAS A PROBLEM WITH VISITORS.

I THINK THEY HAVE PROBLEMS WITH RUDE VISITORS.

NOW HE IS NOT CLOSE.

>> A TALE OF TWO WORLDS IN THE AFTERMATH OF A HISTORIC TRAGEDY.

>> THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY IS URGING THEM TO RESCHEDULE UPCOMING TRAVEL TO FIRE RAVAGED WESTMOUNT TO THE AGENCY SAYS VISITORS HAVE LARGELY HEEDED THE CALL TO LEAVE THE ISLAND.

>>> OCEAN WATER IN THE GULF OF MEXICO IS THE HOTTEST ON RECORD ACCORDING TO THE WASHINGTON POST AND REPEAT HURRICANE SEASON APPROACHING THERE ARE CONCERNS THE EXTREME HEAT WILL INTENSIFY STORMS TO BOTH HOUSTON AND NEW ORLEANS RECORDED THEIR HOTTEST PERIODS OF HER WITHIN THE LAST WEEK.

LOUISIANA'S GOVERNOR DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY ON MONDAY.

OFFICIALS CITED A JUMP IN HEAT -RELATED EMERGENCY ROOM VISITS INCREASING DROUGHT.

ALSO UNRELENTING HEAT.

>> LET'S START OFF WITH YOUR WEATHER HEADLINES.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS, AND WE DO HAVE A LOT OF WEATHER TO TALK ABOUT, SO BUCKLE UP THE FIRST ON THE LIST.

GOING TO PEEK THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK.

I KNOW IT HAS BEEN PRETTY HOT AS YOU MOVE FURTHER INLAND.

WE ARE GOING TO BE DRIER THURSDAY AND FRIDAY FOR THESE AREAS WHERE WE HAVE AN EXPERIENCE POP-UP THUNDERSTORMS.

THOUGH THAT HEAT IS GOING TO START TO COME DOWN A LITTLE BIT WITH WAY TO BE COOLING AS WE DO HAVE INFLUENCES.

NOT JUST FROM MONSOONAL MOISTURE BUT ALSO TROPICAL INFLUENCES THAT ARE GOING TO BE BRINGING RAIN BACK INTO OUR FORECAST, SO HERE WE HAVE IT.

THE HEAT FIRST.

WE HAVE A HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR AREAS INLAND FROM BEAUMONT DOWN TO PINE VALLEY.

AS WE GO FURTHER INLAND THROUGH BORREGO SPRINGS AND WESTMORELAND EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNINGS IN EFFECT.

MAKE SURE YOU ARE TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF IN THE HEAT.

IT IS INTENSE AND DANGEROUS.

TAKE PLENTY OF COOLING BREAKS.

TONIGHT WE'RE DROPPING DOWN TO 69 AROUND SAN DIEGO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

IS YET INTO THE DAY TOMORROW HIGHS ARE GOING TO PEEK IN THE 80s AND 90s ALONG THE COAST.

OCEANS AND HITTING A HIGH OF 80.

AS WE MOVE FURTHER INLAND AND 98.

EVEN BORREGO SPRINGS COMING IN WITH A HIGH OF 111.

IT'S GOING TO BE QUITE TOASTY.

NUMBER GOOD I HITTING A HIGH OF 75.

IF YOU WANT TO ESCAPE THE HEAT MAYBE THAT IS YOUR DESTINATION TO GO TO.

WE DO HAVE FUTURE HILLARY GOING TO BE ON THE WAY THAT WILL GIVE US TROPICAL INFLUENCES AS THEY CONTINUE TO SKIRT ALONG THE MEXICAN COAST OF AND ACTING BAJA, CALIFORNIA.

WITH THAT IN THE INCREASING MOISTURE FROM MONSOON WE ARE GOING TO BE EXPECTING SOME MODERATE RISK TO LIVES AND PROPERTY THAT WILL EXTEND ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DOWN THROUGH BAJA.

FLASH FLOODING, MUSLIMS, AND WASHOUTS WILL BE A CONCERN FOR EVEN AS FAR NORTH AS LAS VEGAS.

YOUR ALONG THE COAST WE ARE GOING TO BECOME MORE UNSETTLED WITH THE RAIN POSSIBILITY AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, AND A SIMILAR STORY FURTHER INLAND.

TEMPERATURES RANGING IN THE 80s THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE WEEK.

MOUNTAINS REACHING HIGHS IN THE 60s AND 70s.

GOING TO COULD ON SIGNIFICANTLY AS THOSE SHOWERS PUSH THROUGH.

A SIGNIFICANT COOLING FOR THE DESERTS AS WELL.>>> THERE IS A VINTAGE UPRIGHT PIANO AT LIBERTY STATION RIGHT NOW THAT IS CREATING COMMUNITY AND OPPORTUNITY FOR A SPECIAL KIND OF MUSICAL MESSAGE.

OUR EDUCATION REPORTER INTRODUCES US TO A COUPLE OF YOUNG MUSICIANS WHO TURNED TO SCHOOL PROJECT TO A VALUABLE LESSON OF HOPE AND HEALING.

>> THIS 14-YEAR-OLD AND HIS LIFELONG FRIEND HAVE A CREATIVE CONNECTION THAT THEY MOST RECENTLY USED IN A COLLABORATION TO REVIVE IN AGING POND UPRIGHT PIANO.

>> THIS IS SIGNIFICANTLY OLDER.

AND HAS LIVED ABOUT THREE LIFETIMES.

>> AN ACCOMPLISHED PIANO PLAYER AND SINGER.

LIAM PLAYS THE ELECTRIC GUITAR.

TOGETHER THEY MAKE MUSIC AND CREATE ART, WHICH BRINGS US TO THE PIANO PROJECT THEY STARTED LAST OCTOBER.

TO EARN COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS AT SCHOOL.

THE PIANO WAS HEADED TO THE JUNKYARD, BUT THE BOYS WERE SURE IS STILL HAD VALUE AND A REASON TO PLAY ON.

THAT IS WHEN THEY REACHED OUT TO THE NATIONAL SCENE FOR HOPE ORGANIZATION.

A NEW YORK CITY-BASED NONPROFIT THAT USES ARTISTS EVERYWHERE TO BRING HOPE, HEALING, AND INSPIRATION THROUGH ART TO PEOPLE WHO NEED IT MOST.

STARTING WITH RESTORED PIANOS.

SOMEONE PAINTS A PIANO AND IT'S BUT IN THE PUBLIC FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS.

THAT IS WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW IS IN THE PUBLIC DISPLAY SECTION PICKETS DONATE TO A FOREVER HOME LIKE A HOSPITAL OR COMMUNITY CENTER.

EVEN SOMEPLACE LIKE THIS.

>> THE PIANO HAD LIVED IN THIS CORRIDOR AT THE CORNER IN LIBERTY STATION.

ITS KEYBOARD, AVAILABLE TO ANYONE PASSING BY.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF SIGNATURE DOODLES AND SKATEBOARDS AND WAVES.>> HE IS ALSO A TALENTED ARTIST WHO USED HIS ACRYLIC PAINT AND MARKERS TO DRAW.

THE PIANO BECAME HIS CANVAS.

HONORING HIS BELOVED OCEAN BEACH COMMUNITY.

>> IT IS A SON WITH RAYS SHOOTING OUT LIKE THIS ONE, AND A LARGE-SCALE OCEAN BEACH HERE WITH A BUNCH OF WAVES BREAKING.

>> THERE IS A DEEPER MESSAGE IN HIS MUSIC INSPIRED BY THE LEGENDARY PIANO MAN.

>> TO COME DOWN HERE YOU WILL SEE THE KIDS ON THE PIANO.

MAYBE THAT COULD INSPIRE SOMEONE TO TAKE LESSONS AND TO BECOME THE NEXT BILLY JOEL OR SOMETHING.

>> LAST YEAR THIS INCOMING HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN WAS NAMED ONE OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S MOST REMARKABLE TEENAGERS FOR HIS COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING AND FOR HIS BILLY JOEL -LIKE TALENT TOO.

HE ALSO HELPS SAVE LIVES AS A JUNIOR LIFEGUARD ALONG THE BEACHES.

HERE HE USES A SURFBOARD AND HIS TRAINING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, BUT WITH THE SOUND OF THE WAVES YOU CAN ALSO HEAR THE PASSION OF HIS MUSICAL TALENT AND HOW HE USES IT TO HELP OTHERS.

>> COULD HAVE BEEN HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE OR WHAT EVER.

THEY WALK BY A PIANO LIKE THIS AND HEAR SOME OF PLAN OR SIT DOWN AND PLAY IT, AND THAT PREVENTED THEM FROM DOING WHATEVER THEY WERE GOING TO DO AND JUST CONNECTING THROUGH THE ART I THINK IS THE MOST AND PART OF THIS PROJECT.

>> WE TALKED WITH THE COFOUNDER OF SING FOR HOPE IN NEW YORK CITY ABOUT THEIR PIANO PROJECT.

SHE GIVES THEM AN A+ ON THE MESSAGE THEY CREATED THROUGH THE MUSIC.

>> IT BREAKS DOWN THOSE BARRIERS AND I THINK THAT CONNECTION WITH A SPARK OF INNOVATION WAS SOMETHING THAT WE ALL NEED.

LIFELONG LEARNERS HAVE TO BE REENGAGED WITH THE SPIRITS OF CREATIVITY.

>> FOR NOW, THEY WILL ALLOW THE BOYS PIANO TO STAY UNTIL THEY CAN FIND IT'S FOREVER HOME.

>>> TONIGHT.

THE DEATH TOLL FROM THE MAUI WILDFIRES RISES AS SEARCH CREWS CONTINUE TO COMB THE DISASTER AREA.

COMING UP AFTER EVENING EDITION ON K PBS.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON FOR TOMORROW IN THE NEWSROOM.

TURNING DEATH ROW INTO A MODEL FOR REHABILITATION.

NPR'S MORNING EDITION DIVES INTO THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN TO TRANSFORM THE SAN QUENTIN STATE PRISON.

BE SURE TO GET THE LATEST FROM THE NEWS DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

BREAKING NEWS AND ARTS AND OUR TOP HEADLINES ARE ALL AVAILABLE AS NEWSLETTERS.

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

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

GOOD NIGHT.