>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES .

PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR, RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILLHOWE OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY , AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY FOR ANOTHER UNPRECEDENTED MOMENT IN AMERICAN HISTORY.

TOMORROW FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WILL BE ARRAIGNED ON CHARGES HE TRIED TO OVERTURN THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

HE IS EXPECTED TO TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON, D.C. TO ANSWER THE CHARGES IN PRISON.

-- PERSON.

>> THE ATTACK ON OUR NATION'S CAPITOL JANUARY 6, 2021, WAS AN UNPRECEDENTED ASSAULT ON THE SEAT OF DEMOCRACY.

>> Reporter: IN THIS INDICTMENT THE FORMER PRESIDENT FACES FOUR COUNTS OF CONSPIRACIES RELATED TO OBSTRUCTING THE PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER.

FORMER VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE AND HIS CHIEF OF STAFF POINTED TO HIS FAILED ATTEMPTS TO PROVE ELECTION FRAUD.

>> THE PRESIDENT MAINTAINS THAT DATE AND HAS SAID OVER AND OVER AGAIN SINCE THEN IS COMPLETELY FALSE.

>> IF HE HAS THE EVIDENCE ALL THESE CHARGES WOULD GO AWAY.

THAT IS NOT THE CASE THAT YOU HEAR THE DEFENSE TEAM PRESENTING.

>> WE WILL FOCUS ON THE FACT THAT WHAT WE HAVE NOW IS AN ADMINISTRATION THAT HAS CRIMINALIZED THE FREE SPEECH AND ADVOCACY OF A PRIOR ADMINISTRATION DURING THE TIME THAT THERE IS A POLITICAL ELECTION GOING ON.

>> Reporter: THE FEDERAL JUDGE HAS BEEN RANDOMLY SELECTED TO TRY THE CASE.

GIVEN THE VIOLENCE THAT ROCKED THE CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6, 2021, THE DEFENSE TEAM MAY SEEK TO MOVE THE TRIAL TO ANOTHER LOCATION.

>> WEST VIRGINIA IS CLOSE BY.

THERE ARE OTHER AREAS.

>> Reporter: SIX CO- CONSPIRATORS ALSO MENTIONED BUT RENAMED -- REMAIN ON THE NAMED.

>> THE INDICTMENTS WILL SOMEDAY FILL HISTORY BOOKS WITH DETAILS OF THIS UNPRECEDENTED MOMENT.

OUR EDUCATION REPORTER WAS ON CAMPUS AT SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE FOR REACTIONS THERE.

>> Reporter: CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW STUDENT UNION BUILDING CONTINUES AT SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE DURING THE SUMMER SESSION.

CAMPUS IS NOT AS CROWDED WITH STUDENTS RIGHT NOW BUT THOSE WHO ARE HERE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THE FORMER PRESIDENT AND INDICTMENTS MAKING HISTORY.

>> AS ADULTS WE ARE ALL ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR ACTIONS.

I DEFINITELY THINK IF HE IS GUILTY HE SHOULD BE SENTENCED.

>> OUR STUDENTS ARE PROBABLY SICK AND TIRED OF THE WAY THINGS HAVE BEEN GOING AND THE EXTREMISM.

>> Reporter: THIS EXTREMISM HAS BEEN BUILDING FOR MORE THAN JUST A FEW ELECTION CYCLES.

WE SPOKE TO A POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR WITH 33 YEARS EXPERIENCE TEACHING FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE STUDENTS ABOUT THE DELICATE AND DESTRUCTIVE DEMANDS OF DEMOCRACY NOW CHALLENGED BY THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

>> WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TAKE A STEP BACK AND BE OBJECTIVE, LISTEN TO ALL THE INFORMATION AND ALLOW THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO WORK.

>> Reporter: NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, HISTORY IS BEING MADE IN REAL TIME.

THERE ARE SOME STUDENTS WHO ARE PAYING CLOSE ATTENTION TO WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN NEXT.

>> FOR US TO BE THE LEADERS OF TOMORROW WE NEED TO START BEING THE LEADERS OF TODAY.

>> Reporter: LEONARDO IS A FORMER STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT AND CURRENT POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR.

HE WILL VOTE IN HIS FIRST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION NEXT YEAR.

>> WE NEED MORE PEOPLE INVOLVED, MORE PEOPLE TO VOTE AND MORE PEOPLE TO BE ACTIVE AND KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: HOPE WILL ALSO VOTE NEXT YEAR.

HERE IS WHAT SHE WANTS TO KNOW.

>> MORALS AND WHY THEY CHOOSE TO RUN AND THE THINGS THEY SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE LIST OF REQUIREMENTS SHE WILL CONTINUE TO BUILD ON UNTIL ELECTION DAY.

>>> MORE THAN 50 MILLION PEOPLE ARE UNDER HEAT ALERTS ACROSS 10 STATES AS A RAGING WILDFIRE THREATENS THE LANDSCAPE OF A POPULAR CALIFORNIA TOURIST DESTINATION.

>> Reporter: AS THE YORK WILDFIRE RAGES ON THE CALIFORNIA/NEVADA BORDER, THE ACRES OF LAND SCORCHED BY THE INFERNO WAS GROWING.

>> I WILL LOSE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF JOSHUA TREES.

IT WILL TAKE A LIFETIME TO GET THEM BACK.

>> Reporter: IN TEXAS, THE FAST- MOVING FLAMES OF THE POWDER KEG FIRE FORCING PEOPLE FROM THEIR HOMES.

>> EVERY SUMMER WHEN IT GETS DRY IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME.

>> IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

AS QUICK AS THEY GET ON IT THEY CAN CONTROL IT.

>> THEY HAVE REALLY GOOD RESOURCES OUT THIS TIME.

>> Reporter: EXTREME HEAT IS ALSO A BUCKLING PAVEMENT IN TULSA.

THE HEAT HAS KILLED AT LEAST SEVEN PEOPLE IN THE HOUSTON AREA SINCE JUNE.

THE TEMPERATURES ARE NOT JUST DEADLY TO HUMANS, THEY ARE ALSO KILLING HONEYBEES WITH HIVES MELTING AND ARIZONA.

>> IT COLLAPSES.

OFTEN TIMES THE QUEEN CAN BE CRUSHED.

IF THAT HAPPENS THERE IS NO OTHER BE THAT CAN REPLACE HER.

THE COLONY WOULD JUST DIE.

>>> AFTER GETTING SCRAPED BY MONSOON MOISTURE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL DAYS, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DRYING OUT WITH LOWERING HUMIDITY.

IT IS SMOOTH SAILING IN THE PRECIPITATION DEPARTMENT INTO THURSDAY BUT THAT MEANS THAT TEMPERATURES WILL BE HEADED UP IN THE COMING DAYS.

WE DO NOT HAVE HEAT ALERT IN PLACE AS OF NOW BUT THAT COULD BE CHANGING BEFORE THE WEEK IS DONE.

HOW HIGH OUR TEMPERATURES GOING?

WE WILL HAVE THAT ANSWER LATER IN THE BROADCAST.

>>> SAN DIEGO DRIVERS ARE DEALING WITH GAS PRICES THAT SEEM TO BE CLIMBING ALONG WITH THE TEMPERATURES.

ERIC ANDERSON SAID THE AVERAGE PRICES UP OVER $5.00 PER GALLON.

>> Reporter: CONSUMERS WHO ARE FILLING UP GAS TANKS ARE FEELING THE PINCH.

THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A GALLON OF GAS IN SAN DIEGO IS $5.10, HIGHER THAN THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE AND $1.30 OVER THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

>> WE ARE SEEING WHOLESALE PRICES UP FOR THE LAST WEEK TO LEVELS WE HAVE NOT SEEN SINCE NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR.

>> Reporter: PRICES ARE UP $0.15 OVER THE PAST NINE DAYS WITH THE AVERAGE JUMPING NEARLY ZERO DOLLARS TO SINCE TUESDAY.

>> THIS IS A TIME TO AGGRESSIVELY SHOP AROUND FOR THE LOWEST PRICE.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF STATIONS THAT ARE CLOSE TO $0.50 OR MORE LOWER THAN THE AVERAGE PRICE.

>> Reporter: THE INCREASES KEEP CALIFORNIA GAS AS SOME OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE IN THE NATION.

WHILE RISING INTERNATIONAL OIL PRICES ARE DRIVING SOME OF THE INCREASES, THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS IN PLAY.

THE SUMMER FUEL BLEND IS MORE EXPENSIVE TO MAKE AND EVERY GALLON OF GAS SOLD IN CALIFORNIA INCLUDES $1.26 IN TAXES AND CLIMATE RELATED FEES.

>> THOSE PROGRAMS THAT ARE SPECIFIC TO CALIFORNIA LIKE THE CAP AND TRADE AND FUEL STANDARD AND SPECIAL BLENDS, THAT'S WHAT WE OFTEN SEE WHEN WE COMPARE IT TO OTHER STATES.

WE WILL BE HIGHER BECAUSE OF THE REGULATORY PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA IS NOT FEELING THE HEAT LIKE THE REST OF THE COUNTRY WITH REFINERY OUTAGES LINKED TO HOT WEATHER PUSHING UP PRICES AT A FASTER CLIP.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL HAS GIVEN THE GO-AHEAD FOR POLICE TO START USING STREETLIGHT CAMERAS TO DETER AND INVESTIGATE CRIME.

THOMAS FUDGE HAS MORE ON THE APPROVAL OF THIS CONTROVERSIAL MEASURE.

>> Reporter: THE QUESTION OF STREETLIGHT CAMERAS HAS PITTED PRIVACY RIGHTS ADVOCATES AGAINST THOSE THAT SEE THE CAMERAS AS A VITAL CRIME- FIGHTING TOOL.

THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO ALLOW SAN DIEGO POLICE TO MOVE AHEAD WITH A PLAN TO INSTALL 1000 CAMERAS AND 500 PLACES AROUND THE CITY.

ONE COUNCILWOMAN THAT VOTED IN FAVOR GAVE THE EXAMPLE OF A WOMAN WHO WAS MURDERED IN 2019 WHILE WORKING AT A CHURCHES CHICKEN.

>> WITHOUT THE FOOTAGE FROM STREETLIGHT CAMERAS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO SOLVE THE CRIME.

WITH THIS TECHNOLOGY, HER MOTHER WAS FOUND, ARRESTED AND SENTENCED TO 146 YEARS TO LIFE IN PRISON.

THIS IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE.

THERE ARE MANY OTHERS THAT DEMONSTRATE THAT THIS TECHNOLOGY HAS A CRITICAL ROLE TO PLAY.

>> Reporter: STREETLIGHT CAMERAS WERE USED IN THE PREVIOUS DECADE BUT THEY WERE PUT OFF LIMITS TO POLICE DUE TO CONCERNS ABOUT PRIVACY AND EQUITY.

THOSE THAT SUPPORT THE CAMERAS SAY THERE IS NO REASONABLE EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY ON A PUBLIC STREET.

OTHERS ARGUE THAT THE CAMERAS CAN PEER INTO PRIVATE PLACES.

MANY PEOPLE SIMPLY DO NOT TRUST THE POLICE TO USE THE CAMERAS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

>> THEY WILL USE THIS TO CONTINUE TO ARREST BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE.

WITH THIS TECHNOLOGY THE POLICE NO LONGER HAVE TO SIT AND WAIT FOR ME TO DRIVE BY THEM AND STALK ME LIKE A KILLER ON HIS PREY.

NOW THEY JUST HAVE TO RELY ON TECH TO PINPOINT ME OR OTHERS THAT LOOK LIKE ME THAT ARE IN THE WRONG COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER CITY COUNCILMAN WAS ONE OF TWO VOTES AGAINST THE PLAN.

HE SAID THE COUNCIL NEEDS MORE TIME TO EXAMINE IT AND BE SURE THERE ARE ENOUGH SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT LAW-ABIDING PEOPLE.

>> I DON'T FEEL I CAN GO BACK TO THE FOLKS IN MY COMMUNITY AND SAY DON'T WORRY.

IT IS NOT A SLIGHT OF THE POLICE.

THERE ARE TOO MANY UNANSWERED QUESTIONS.

>> Reporter: MOST OF THE PUBLIC COMMENTS WERE OPPOSED TO THE USE OF STREETLIGHT CAMERAS.

ULTIMATELY THE CAUSE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TESTIMONY OF CRIME VICTIMS WON OUT.

ONE TOLD THE COUNCIL THAT HER YOUNGER BROTHER WAS MURDERED DOWNTOWN AND THE KILLER WAS CAUGHT WHEN THE CAMERA REVEALED HIS IDENTITY.

>> HE HAD THE PERFECT CRIME UNTIL HE WALKED SEVEN BLOCKS AND TOOK HIS MASK OFF IN FRONT OF THE SMART STREET CAMERA TO REVEAL HIS FACE.

FOR A WHOLE WEEK MY FAMILY WAITED IN URINE AGONY -- FEAR AND AGONY AS MY BROTHER'S KILLER WAS STILL WALKING OUR CITY STREETS.

FINALLY WE GOT THE CALL THAT HE WAS CAUGHT.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR TWEETED HIS SUPPORT TO THE CAMERA SHORTLY AFTER THE VOTE.

WITH THE MAYOR'S APPROVAL POLICE CAN BEGIN WORKING WITH VENDORS TO SET UP THE SYSTEM AND BEGIN USING THE SURVEILLANCE VIDEO.

>>> YOUR CAR COULD BE SHARING YOUR DATA.

STATE REGULATORS WANT TO PUT AN END TO IT.

MUST-HAVE SENSORS AND CAMERAS THAT TRACK WHAT IS GOING ON IN AND OUTSIDE OF THE CAR.

INSURANCE COMPANIES USE IT TO TRACK RATES.

THEY ARE LOOKING INTO PERSONAL INFORMATION INCLUDING HOW THE DATA IS COLLECTED.

THEY WILL DECIDE WHETHER IT FOLLOWS STATE LAW.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, WE SPEAK WITH DONALD TRUMP'S LAWYER ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS IN THE LATEST INDICTMENT AGAINST THE FORMER PRESIDENT.

THAT IS COMMAND OUT AT 7:00.

>>> AMERICA'S CREDIT RATING IS DOWNGRADED.

THE DECISION IS UNSETTLING AND CONTROVERSIAL FOR MARKET WATCHERS.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOU?

MIKE VALERIO BREAKS IT DOWN.

>> Reporter: THE U.S. HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO PAY ITS BILLS.

>> THE U.S. HAS BEEN AMONG THE SAFEST CREDIT RISKS IN THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: THIS CREDIT AGENCY IS WORRIED THAT IT COULD BE A RISKIER BET, SUBSEQUENTLY DOWNGRADING THE DEBT RATING ON TUESDAY.

U.S. HAS ONLY ENDURED A DOWNGRADE ONCE BEFORE IN 2011 WHEN A DEBT CEILING STANDOFF SIMILAR TO THE ONE THIS SUMMER BROUGHT THE COUNTRY TO THE BRINK OF DEFAULT.

THEY BELIEVE THAT POLARIZATION AND UNCERTAINTY IS ON THE RISE AND ERODING CONFIDENCE.

>> WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE, THE NATIONAL DEBT?

THERE ARE SOME PURELY ECONOMIC ANGLES LIKE THE RECESSION EVERYBODY HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS THAT HAS NOT ARRIVED.

>> Reporter: THE RECESSION MAY NEVER COME.

BANK OF AMERICA ABANDONED ITS RECESSION FORECAST AS ATTITUDES ARE BRIGHTENING AMID A STRONG JOBS MARKET AND COOLING INFLATION.

>> THEY ARE SAYING MAYBE THEY CAN COOL IT OFF AND BRING INFLATION DOWN WITHOUT CAUSING A RECESSION.

>> Reporter: WHILE THIS COULD LEAD TO A TIGHTENING OF CREDIT, THEY SAID IT IS UNLIKELY CONSUMERS WILL FEEL THE PINCH.

>> THERE ARE SOME THINGS PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT.

I DO NOT THINK AT LEAST IN THE NEAR TERM THIS AFFECTS EVERYDAY PEOPLE.

>>> $727 BILLION IS THE VALUE OF ALL TAXABLE PROPERTY IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THAT IS UPS 7% FROM LAST YEAR.

THE ASSESSMENT ALSO SHOWED A SAVINGS OF MORE THAN $275 MILLION WHICH IS ANOTHER RECORD.

IT IS THE 11th CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF RECORD-SETTING REVENUE.

>>> SAILORS ARE TRAINING TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE FIRST MANNED MOON MISSION IN MORE THAN 50 YEARS.

ANDREW DYER HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: WHEN THE CREW OF THE ORION SPACECRAFT SPLASHES DOWN IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN AFTER CIRCLING THE MOON IT WILL BE SAN DIEGO NAVY CREWMAN RECOVERING THE SPACECRAFT AND ASTRONAUTS.

IT WILL BE THE SECOND FLIGHT OF THE NEW ARTEMIS PROGRAM AND THE FIRST TO CARRY ASTRONAUTS.

ALTHOUGH IT WILL NOT LAND THERE JUST YET IT WILL ALSO BE THE FIRST TIME HUMANS HAVE BEEN TO THE MOON SINCE THE FINAL APOLLO MISSION IN 1972.

>> THE MISSION IS ALL ABOUT GOING BACK TO THE MOON AND STAYING THERE.

>> Reporter: WE SPOKE TO THE LANDING AND RECOVERY EXPERT.

IT'S HER JOB TO COORDINATE WITH THE NAVY AND AIR FORCE TO RECOVER ORION AND THE CREW.

OVER THE LAST WEEK, OFFICIALS TESTED THE PROCESS FROM THE AMPHIBIOUS TRANSPORT DOCK.

CORONADO BASED NAVY DIVERS PRACTICED RECOVERING THE CREW WITH SAILORS SUBBING IN FOR THE ASTRONAUTS WHO HAVE YET TO TRAIN FOR RECOVERY.

>> WE DO NOT HAVE THE ASSETS AND CAPABILITY AND THE GLOBAL REACH THAT THE NAVY AND DOD HELP WITH.

>> Reporter: THE MASTER DIVER FOR THE EXPEDITIONARY SUPPORT UNIT IN CORONADO SAILORS ARE TRAINING ALONGSIDE A HELICOPTER SQUADRON.

>> WE HANDLE EVERYTHING ON THE OPEN WATER.

>> Reporter: THEY WILL MAKE CONTACT, ASSESS THE ASTRONAUTS AND GUIDE THEM TO THE HELICOPTER.

THE CAPSULE WILL BE RECOVERED BY ONE OF THE SEVERAL AMPHIBIOUS TRANSPORT DOCS.

>> WE KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THEM WITH CALM AND EASE.

>> Reporter: THEY WILL CIRCLE THE MOON IN 2024 AND IN 2025 NASA PLANS TO LAND ASTRONAUTS ON THE MOON FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY.

>>> THE THEME FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK AND THE UPCOMING WEEKEND, LESS HUMIDITY BUT THAT MEANS MORE HEAT.

WE HAVE A BIT OF A TRADE-OFF.

A DRY PATTERN WILL REMAIN IN PLACE OVER THE WEEKEND.

NO THREAT OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS EVEN ON THE HIGH GROUND.

AS MENTIONED THE HUMIDITY LEVELS ARE DROPPING AND THE HEAT IS COMING BACK.

YOU CAN GET SOME RELIEF BUT NOT AS MUCH AS THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS.

THAT WARMTH WILL BE CREEPING WESTWARD OVER THE WEEK.

IT WILL FEEL PRETTY COMFORTABLE .

DURING THE DAY ON THURSDAY, SUNSHINE TO GO AROUND.

STILL IN THE 70s BUT YOU DON'T HAVE TO GET FAR INLAND TO SEE 80s AND THEN TRIPLE DIGITS.

THE TEMPERATURES ALL AROUND WILL BE GRADUALLY COMING UP OVER THE COMING DAYS.

WE ARE SMOOTH SAILING IN THE PRECIPITATION DEPARTMENT.

RELATIVE COMFORT FOR ABOUT ONE MORE DAY BEFORE THE HEAT STARTS TO BUILD.

WE ARE STILL CONSIDERING A PLEASANT AS YOU GET FAR ENOUGH WEST.

HERE COMES THE HEAT.

BY THE TIME WE GET TO FRIDAY AND MORE NOTABLY SO INTO THE WEEKEND.

AT THE COAST STILL COMFORTABLE.

70s AND 80s ESPECIALLY CLOSING IN ON THE MID-EIGHTIES BY THE END OF THE WEEKEND.

80s GIVE WAY TO 90s OVER THE WEEKEND.

ONCE AGAIN HERE COMES THE HEAT.

OVERNIGHT LOWS CLIMBING INTO THE 60s.

IN THE MOUNTAINS HERE IS THE BEST BET FOR RELIEF.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE AROUND 70 DEGREES.

AS ALWAYS BIG TIME HEAT IN THE DESERT CLOSING IN ON 110 BY THE TIME WE GET TO SUNDAY.

>>> DID YOU KNOW THERE ARE CURRENT OR FORMER POLICE WITH SPECIAL JOBS AT BASEBALL GAMES?

THEY ARE NOT THERE AS SECURITY BUT CHECKING BALLS, BATS, AND OTHER ITEMS FROM THE GAMES.

MATT HOFFMAN FOLLOWED ALONG WITH TWO OFFICIAL AUTHENTICATORS.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE SOUND OF WILLIAMS STEPPING UP FOR HIS MAJOR-LEAGUE AT-BAT.

THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES INFIELDER IS MAKING HIS MAJOR- LEAGUE DEBUT AT PETCO PARK.

IT'S A MOMENT HE WILL NEVER FORGET.

>> IT WAS AWESOME TO DO IT IN MY HOMETOWN AND HAVE SO MANY FAMILY AND FRIENDS COME OUT TO SUPPORT.

IT WAS AMAZING.

>> Reporter: DEBUTS DO NOT HAPPEN EVERY DAY IN BASEBALL.

WHEN THEY DO IT IS A MOMENT THAT MAJOR-LEAGUE BASEBALL WANTS TO OFFICIALLY MARK.

HOURS BEFORE HIS BIG MOMENT, AUTHENTICATOR JC SMITH WAS PREPARING.

>> HE WILL WANT A LOT OF ITEMS AUTHENTICATED.

>> Reporter: SMITH IS PART OF THE TEAM TO AUTHENTICATE ITEMS FROM EACH GAME.

THEY WATCH EVERY PITCH, SWING, HIT, AND OUT VERY CAREFULLY.

IF ANYTHING SIGNIFICANT HAPPENS FROM A MAJOR MILESTONE TO A NO- HITTER TO A FIRST-EVER AT-BAT THEY WILL TRACK THE BALL AND OTHER EQUIPMENT.

>> WE WATCH BASEBALL DIFFERENTLY THAN THE AVERAGE FAN BECAUSE WE ARE FOLLOWING THE BALL.

WE KEEP TRACK OF EVERYONE WHO TOUCHES THE BALL, WHERE IT GOES AND HOW IT COMES OUT OF PLAY.

>> Reporter: AUTHENTICATORS MAY VERIFY UP TO 40 BALLS A NIGHT.

IT IS NOT JUST THE BALLS THEY ARE WATCHING.

ANYTHING FROM BROKEN BATS, TO BASE PANTS, TWO JERSEYS COULD COME THEIR WAY.

THEY LABOR -- LABEL IT WITH A HOLOGRAM STICKER TO IDENTIFY IT.

THEY ALSO DETAIL HOW IT WAS USED DURING THE GAME.

>> WE HAVE TO SEE SOMETHING TO AUTHENTICATE.

>> Reporter: STEVE HAS BEEN AN AUTHENTICATOR SINCE 2006.

HIS DAY STARTS WITH HELPING TO OVERSEE THE CERTIFICATION OF THE GAME BALLS THAT WILL BE USED IN THE GAME.

THEN HE HEADS BACK THROUGH THE TUNNEL AND OUT ONTO THE FIELD TO AUTHENTICATE THE LINEUP CARD.

>> MY HOLOGRAM IS ON IT.

IT IS AN OFFICIAL LINEUP CARD.

>> Reporter: SOME ITEMS WILL GO BACK TO PLAYERS OR THE TEAM.

SOME OF IT WILL BE SOLD TO FANS.

THE PADRES HAVE A STORE AT PETCO PARK WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET THINGS LIKE BALLS, JERSEYS, OR EVEN HATS.

AUTHENTICATORS ALSO VERIFY THAT AUTOGRAPHS ARE REAL.

IF IT HAS THE SHINY SILVER HOLOGRAM STICKER IT IS LEGIT.

>> THE AUTHENTICATION IS EVERYTHING.

I WOULD NEVER GET A SIGNATURE WITHOUT THAT AUTHENTICATION.

>> Reporter: SEAN PURCHASED A REPLICA LINEUP CARD FOR HIS SON.

IT HAS AN AUTOGRAPH FROM ONE OF THEIR FAVORITE PLAYERS, CJ ABRAMS.

HE HAS PEACE OF MIND KNOWING THAT THE SIGNATURE IS REAL.

HE CAN GO ONLINE AND READ ABOUT THE BACK STORY.

>> YOU CAN SCAN THE QR CODE.

IT WILL TAKE YOU TO THE SITE AND TELL YOU THE CONTEXT.

THIS INNING, THIS AT-BAT AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Reporter: THE PROGRAM COVERS EVERY TEAM IN THE LEAGUE BUT GOT STARTED HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

IN THE LATE 90s AND EARLY 2000'S, TONY GWYNN NOTICED HIS SIGNATURE WAS BEING FORGED.

HE HELPED TO LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION THAT REVEALED A MASSIVE FORGERY SCANDAL THAT WAS UNCOVERED THE F GUY.

-- FBI.

>> IT WAS THE TOUCHSTONE MOMENT WHERE EVERYBODY REALIZED THERE WAS A PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL LEADS THE AUTHENTICATION PROGRAM.

HE SAID IT WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE FAKING AUTOGRAPHS AND CLAIMING THAT ITEMS CAME FROM GAMES WHEN THEY DID NOT.

>> IF THERE IS NO WAY TO PUT A STAMP ON IT AND SAY THIS IS IT AND HERE WAS THE PROCESS, PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FORGE IT BECAUSE THERE IS A VACUUM IN THE SPACE.

GENERALLY WHEN THERE IS A VACUUM BAD ACTORS COMING.

WE HAVE BEEN VERY PROACTIVE ABOUT TRYING TO KEEP THEM OUT OF THE BUSINESS.

THE IDEA NOW IS NOT JUST AUTOGRAPHS.

IT IS TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS WITH GAME USED PRODUCTS BECAUSE THEY ARE SOUGHT AFTER.

>> Reporter: THE MLB ONLY HIRES CURRENT OR FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT TO BE AUTHENTICATORS.

THEY DO THAT BECAUSE OF THEIR TRAINING ON HANDLING EVIDENCE.

SMITH WORKED FOR THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AND DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

VILLALOBOS WAS WITH SAN DIEGO POLICE FOR TWO YEARS.

>> WE HAVE TO DOCUMENT.

IT'S THE SAME THING AS EVIDENCE.

PEOPLE CALL AND SAY THAT THEY HAVE A JERSEY SIGNED BY SOMEONE AND ASKS FOR IT TO BE AUTHENTICATED.

I CAN'T AUTHENTICATE IT IF I DON'T SEE IT.

I HAD TO WATCH THE JERSEY COME OFF WILLIAMS WHEN HE CAME OFF THE FIELD BECAUSE THEY CANNOT JUST GIVE US ANY JERSEY AND SAY THIS WAS THE ONE HE WAS WEARING.

I HAVE TO SEE IT.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE IN COURT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE HAVE TO TESTIFY THAT WE SAW THE EVIDENCE AND WHERE IT CAME FROM.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE SPENT NEARLY 20 YEARS AUTHENTICATING BASEBALL MEMORABILIA.

THEY ESTIMATE THEY HAVE CHECKED AROUND 25,000 ITEMS.

SOME ARE MORE UNIQUE THAN OTHERS.

IT IS THE MILESTONE MOMENTS THAT REALLY STAND OUT TO THEM LIKE BARRY BONDS TYING THE HOME RUN RECORD.

>> THAT MIGHT BE IT.

BACK TO THE WALL AND IT IS GONE.

>> Reporter: OR TREVOR HOFFMAN GETTING HIS 500th SAVE.

>> 500 SAVES.

HE DID IT.

>> I DON'T WANT TO MISS ANYTHING.

COOL STUFF HAPPENS AT THE BALLPARK AND IF YOU ARE A MAN YOU WANT TO SEE IT.

YOU SAW WHERE WE SIT.

IT IS UNBELIEVABLE TO BE PART OF IT.

YOU ARE PART OF HISTORY WHEN YOU AUTHENTICATE ITEMS THAT WERE USED IN A SPECIAL GAME.

>> Reporter: THE SMALL HOLOGRAM STICKERS PLACED ON THE AUTHENTICATED ITEMS HAVE A UNIQUE SERIAL IT NUMBER ENEMY TO BE TAMPERPROOF.

MORE THAN 6 MILLION ITEMS HAVE BEEN AUTHENTICATED SINCE 2001.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

GOOD NIGHT.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR, RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILLHOWE OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.