>>> 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.

>> GOOD EVENING.

IT'S WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25th.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI .

AN URGENT PLEA IS MADE BY A GROUP OF LOCAL DOCTORS AND HEALTH EXPERTS.

THEY ARE PETITIONING COUNTY LEADERS TO CALL FOR IN YOUR MASKING AGAIN.

AS OUR MELISSA MAY REPORTS, THAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST FOR US ALL.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS THE LARGEST COUNTY IN CALIFORNIA THAT HAS NOT REINSTATED A MASCULINE DATE.

>> WE SHOULD HAVE A MASK MANDATE .

>> DR. ERIC TOPOL IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE RESEARCH TRANSLATIONAL INSTITUTE AND SAYS THE DELTA VARIANT IS HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE BETWEEN PEOPLE, EVEN IN OUTDOOR SECONDS.

THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS CURRENTLY STRUGGLING THROUGH ITS FOURTH WAVE OF COVID-19.

>> THERE IS SO MUCH OF REGULATING VIRUS TO DO WITH.

THE BEST THING IS TO UP OUR PROTECTION TO THE MASKS.

WE ARE NOT DOING THAT AND THAT'S A PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: HE IS NOT THE ONLY MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WHO THINKS THE COUNTY NEEDS TO MASK UP AGAIN.

THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY AND THE HOSPITAL SOCIETY OF SAN DIEGO AND IMPERIAL COUNTIES ARE CALLING ON THE COUNTY TO REINSTATE METH MANDATES, EVEN THE SUPERIOR COURT HOUSES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY NOW REQUIRE EVERYBODY TO WEAR A MASK INSIDE.

BACK WE ARE DOING THAT TO HELP EVERYBODY THAT ACCESSES THE COURT.

>> Reporter: PRESIDING GEORGE FROM THE COURT CITES THE DELTA VARIANT FOR MASKING UP HER COURTROOM.

>> WE CANNOT BE OPEN IF WE DO NOT HAVE OUR EMPLOYEES HERE.

IF THE JUDGES CANNOT COME IN, IF THE DEPUTIES AND DEFENDANTS AND THE LITIGANTS, WE NEED TO KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE.

THE BEST WAY DURING THIS DELTA SURGE IS TO KEEP EVERYBODY IN MASKS.

>> Reporter: WE ASKED SAN DIEGO COUNTY WHETHER A MASK MANDATE WOULD BE REINSTATED.

THEY TOLD US THEY CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION.

FOREMOST IN PERSPECTIVE, MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR THOSE WHO ARE VACCINATED AND RECOMMENDED FOR THOSE WHO ARE VACCINATED.

MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR EVERYBODY IN PUBLIC TRANSIT, K- 12 SCHOOLS AND HEALTHCARE.

MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWEST.

>>> IT'S OFFICIAL AND MANDATORY, ALL U.S. MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS MUST GET THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD AUSTIN IS IMPOSING THE MANDATE AFTER THE FDA FULLY APPROVED FIVE EUROS VACCINE.

HE WANTS MILITARY DEPARTMENTS TO IMPLEMENT THE POLICY IMMEDIATELY.

RIGHT NOW, THE PENTAGON SAYS 68% OF FORCES ARE FULLY VACCINATED, MORE THAN 76% HAVE RECEIVED THE FIRST DOSE.

>>> MODERNA HAS COMPLETED THE FULL APPROVAL OF ITS COVID-19 VACCINE.

IT'S REQUESTED PRIORITY REVIEW BUT I COULD STILL TAKE MONTHS.

THE COMPANY HAS FILED A EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST FOR CHILDREN AS YOUNG AS 12.

>>> MORE CASES AND MORE HOSPITALIZATIONS, MORE DEATHS FROM COVID-19 ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AS BRETT CONNOLLY REPORTS, NOW THE VIRUS IS TAKING A TOLL ON CHILDREN IN A WAY WE HAVE NOT SEEN SINCE JANUARY.

>> Reporter: WE ARE DEALING WITH A MUCH MORE TRANSMISSIBLE VIRUS.

>> THAT'S SPREADING QUICKLY INCLUDING OUR CHILDREN.

>> WE HAVE THE MOST NUMBER OF CHILDREN HOSPITALIZED YET AFTER THIS PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: NEW DATA SHOWS KIDS ARE TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 AT LEVELS WE HAVE NOT SEEN SINCE LAST WINTER SURGE.

ALREADY THIS WEEK, MISSISSIPPI REPORTED THE STATES ONLY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL HAS A RECORD NUMBER OF PEDIATRIC COVID-19 CASES.

IN SOUTH CAROLINA, THE ACLU FILED A LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THE GOVERNOR'S BAN ON FACE MASK MANDATES IN SCHOOLS.

IN KENTUCKY AFTER COURT ORDER, THE GOVERNOR THERE RESENT HIS SCHOOL MASK MANDATE.

>> A DISTRICT IN KENTUCKY THAT WENT ON FOR THREE DAYS, MASKING OPTIONAL, THAT HAD 700 QUARANTINES.

>> Reporter: FLORIDA, SO FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR, AMONG THE 50 LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT HAD MORE THAN 14,000 STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEE COVID-19 CASE IS.

THERE WERE NEARLY 30,000 PEOPLE QUARANTINED.

FOR TENNESSEE- BASED BALLOT HEALTH- >> MORE THAN A THIRD OF THE POSITIVE TESTS WE ARE DOING OUR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18.

AS THAT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AND THEY ARE SPENDING IN SCHOOLS, SOME ARE BRINGING THAT HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: THERE IS NO APPROVED VACCINE FOR KIDS UNDER 12.

>> IN THE MEANTIME, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO INCREASE VACCINATIONS FOR ADULTS.

>> Reporter: EXPERTS HOPE THE FDA APPROVAL FOR PFIZER'S VACCINE 16 AND UP WILL HELP MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

I AM BRITT CONWAY REPORTING.

>>> WITH LESS THAN A WEEK TO GO BEFORE THE AUGUST 31st WITHDRAW DEADLINE, U.S.

EVACUATION EFFORTS ARE RAMPING UP IN AFGHANISTAN.

MILITARY FLIGHTS OF INCREASED TO ONE EVERY 14 MINUTES.

AS ISABELLA ROSALES SHOWS US, MORE THAN 10,000 PEOPLE PACKED KABUL'S AIRPORT.

>> Reporter: HEIGHTENED CONCERNS ABOUT SECURITY AROUND KABUL AIRPORT.

>> WE HAVE A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT IN A SECULAR COUNTRY CONTROLLED BY THE TALIBAN WITH THE VERY REAL POSSIBILITY OF AN ISIS CONTACT.

>> Reporter: THE U.S.

BELIEVES ISIS KAY, A SWORN ENEMY OF THE TALIBAN, WANTS TO CREATE MAYHEM AT THE AIRPORT.

THE GROUP IS CAPABLE OF AND PLANNING TO CARRY OUT MULTIPLE ATTACKS ACCORDING TO A U.S. DEFENSE OFFICIAL.

>> WE KNOW ISIS KAY IS SEEKING TO TARGET THE AIRPORT AND ATTACKED U.S. AND ALLIED FORCES AND INNOCENT CIVILIANS.

>> Reporter: THAT IS ONE BIG REASON PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SAYS HE IS STICKING TO THE AUGUST 31st DEADLINE TO WITHDRAWAL ALL U.S.

TROOPS.

MAJOR PROGRESS AT THE AIRPORT, 19,000 PEOPLE EVACUATED IN A PERIOD OF 24 HOURS.

THOUSANDS OF OTHERS ARE WAITING ON A FLIGHT INCLUDING THE FAMILY OF A FORMER EMPLOYEE OF THE U.S. EMBASSY.

WE ARE NOT SHOWING HIS FACE BECAUSE HE FEARS FOR THEIR SAFETY.

>> I AM SURE THAT MOST OF THE PEOPLE THEY LEFT BEHIND AND THAT IS ONE THING THAT THEY SAY THEY WILL KEEP THEIR PROMISE BUT THAT CANNOT HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: OUTBREAK IN WASHINGTON AFTER UNNAMED CONGRESSMEN MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT TO AFGHANISTAN AS A U.S. MILITARY BASES TO EVACUATE AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.

>> THIS IS DEADLY SERIOUS.

WE DO NOT WANT MEMBERS TO GO.

>> Reporter: A LAWMAKERS, WHO ARE BOTH VETERANS, SAID IN A STATEMENT THEY TRAVELED THERE TO CONDUCT OVERSIGHT ON THE MISSION TO EVACUATE AMERICANS AND ALLIES.

IN WASHINGTON, ISABELLA ROSALES, KPBS NEWEST.

>>> SECRETARY OF THEY ANTHONY BLINKEN SAYS AS MANY AS 1500 AMERICAN CITIZENS MAY NEED TO BE EVACUATED FROM AFGHANISTAN.

HE ADDS THE U.S. WILL USE EVERY DIPLOMATIC AND ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE TOOL TO ANSWER ANYONE THAT WANTS TO LEAVE PAST AUGUST 31st CAN DO SO.

>>> MEXICO WELCOME AFGHAN JOURNALISTS AND OTHER WORKERS TO ITS COUNTRY, 124 IN ALL INCLUDING THEIR FAMILIES AND CHILDREN APPLYING FOR HUMANITARIAN VISAS DUE TO THE RECENT TURMOIL IN AFGHANISTAN.

FIVE MEMBERS OF THE AFGHAN ROBOTICS TEAM ARRIVED.

THEY ARE KNOWN FOR CREATING LOW-COST VENTILATORS MADE FROM USED CAR PARTS TO CARE FOR COVID-19 PATIENTS.

>>> ASYLUM-SEEKERS CAN BE FORCED TO REMAIN IN MEXICO FOLLOWING A NEW ORDER BY THE SUPREME COURT.

KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDER RANHAUL HAS MORE ON THE HIGH COURT'S RULING.

>> Reporter: THE U.S. SUPREME COURT SAYS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS TO REINSTATE A ERA POLICY KNOWN AS REMAIN IN MEXICO FORMALLY KNOWN AS MICRO PROTECTION PROTOCOLS.

THE POLICY SAYS MIGRANTS HAVE TO STAY IN MEXICO WHILE THEY WAIT FOR THE U.S. IMMIGRATION COURT DATES.

PRESIDENT BIDEN LIFTED THAT POLICY SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFFICE.

NOW THE SUPREME COURT HAS SEEN BIDEN'S ADMINISTRATION TO END THAT WAS ARBITRARY AND CAPRICIOUS.

>> THIS IS THE SAME STANDARD THEY USED BACK WHEN TRUMP WAS TRYING TO GET RID OF DR., THE SAME STANDARD WAS USED TO NOT MAKE THIS A COMPELLING ENOUGH ARGUMENT AS TO WHY SHOULD DISORDER BE LIFTED.

>> Reporter: SIMAN, A LOCAL IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY, SAID CLIENTS HAVE TO STAY IN MEXICO.

MANY ARE LIVING IN SHELTERS IN TIJUANA.

THE COURT'S DECISION WAS LAWSUIT FILED BY TEXAS AND MISSOURI WHO SAID LIFTING THE POLICY PLACED A BURDEN ON THE GOVERNMENT FACED WITH AN INFLUX OF MIGRANTS.

SMAN NASSERI SAID SOME PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE.

>>'S AND PEOPLE WERE GETTING PAROLED IN AND ABLE TO CREATE THEIR CASES ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, IT HAS BEEN HECTIC.

>> Reporter: HE SAID THE PANDEMIC HAS PLACED MANY OBSTACLES FOR ASYLUM-SEEKERS INCLUDING A BACKLOG IN THE COURTS.

>> SOME HAVE NOT SEEN A JUDGE FOR OVER A YEAR TO HAVE THEIR CASE CALLED.

WE ARE GOING BEYOND THE PANDEMIC PEOPLE WAITING FOR A COURT DATE AND THEY ARE STILL WAITING.

THEIR CASE NUMBER HAS NOT BEEN CALLED.

>> Reporter: SAMAN NASSERI SAYS THERE IS WORK LINE YOU HAD WITH THOUSANDS WAITING FOR THE IMMIGRATION CASES TO BE HEARD.

>> YOU HAVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN THE U.S. WHO ARE WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS FIGHTING IMMIGRATION ON MORE THAN ONE FRONT OR >> Reporter: ALEXANDER RANHAUL, KPBS NEWEST .

>>> WHEN IT COMES TO EARTHQUAKES, IN CALIFORNIA, IT IS NOT A QUESTION OF IF BUT WHEN.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL HAS DETAILS ON A NEW WAY TO BE NOTIFIED OF WHEN A EARTHQUAKE IS ABOUT TO HIT.

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA, THE LAND OF SANDY BEACHES, TOWERING MOUNTAINS, BOUNTIFUL AGRICULTURE , AND THE LAND OF FIRES, FLOODS AND OCCASIONAL STRONG DESTRUCTIVE EARTHQUAKES.

>> EVEN A FEW SECONDS NOTICE, IN ADVANCE OF AN EARTHQUAKE, CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> Reporter: THERE IS A NEW WAY TO BE WARNED WHEN THE EARTH IS ABOUT TO SHAKE, IT IS CALLED SHAKE READY SB, A FREE APP PROVIDED BY SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> THAT CAN GIVE YOU A NUMBER OF SECONDS TO MOVE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS INTO A SAFE PLACE TO HELP THE BOARD SERIOUS INJURY.

>> THE FIRST IN THE STATE AS A RESULT OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.

>> LEVERAGING MORE THAN THE 700 AND 90 U.S. PS SENSORS THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA, THOSE SECONDS COULD ALLOW YOU TO TAKE TIME TO TAKE PROTECTIVE ACTION.

>> Reporter: THE SYSTEM WILL BE TRIGGERED WHEN THAT THE TEXT SHAKING WITH A MAGNITUDE OF 4.5 OR GREATER.

IT WILL WORK NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE IN CALIFORNIA AND IT IS EASY TO GET.

JUST GO TO THE APP STORE AND COAST WHICH AS THE EMERGENCY AT .

IT IS NOT AN EXAGGERATION TO SAY THE FEW SECONDS THE SYSTEM WILL GIVE YOU CAN EASILY MEAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWEST.

>>> THERE ARE SO MANY FIRES BURNING IN THE U.S.

RIGHT NOW THAT'S EVIDENCE DATE ARE UNDER AIR LICHTY ALERT.

THE CALENDAR FIRE, ONE OF THE NATION'S LARGEST ACTIVE WILDFIRES IS DEVASTATING NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

AS BEEN SIMON REPORTS, PEOPLE LIVING NEARBY ARE EXPERIENCING THE WORST AIR QUALITY IN THE COUNTRY.

>> I GRABBED MY DOG AND PUT MY PHONE OUT OF THE WALL AND I WAS OUT OF THERE WITHIN 10 MINUTES.

>> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN A WEEK SINCE GARY HAD TO WEAKLY LEAVE HIS HOME IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, THE CALDOR FIRE DESTROYED GRIZZLY FLAT AND IT IS FEARS OF THE WORST YET TO COME LEAVING THOUSANDS OF EVACUEES IN LIMBO.

THE FIRE BEARING DOWN ON THE LAKE TAHOE AREA, A POPULAR TOURIST HAVEN KNOWN FOR STUDY MOUNTAINS AND EMERALD BLUE WATERS.

TODAY, IT IS OBSCURED BY SMOKE.

>> THE FIRE HAS SHOWN THE WEATHER WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCE AND THE FUEL FROM THE DROP THAT IT HAS A MIND AND BEHAVIOR OF ITS OWN.

>> Reporter: THE CALENDAR FIRE HAS SCORCHED MORE THAN 126,000 ACRES AND 461 SINGLE HOMES IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS.

THE URGENCY TO STOP THIS IS SO GREAT THAT THE REST FIRE CHIEF SAYS IT HAS BEEN THE NUMBER ONE FIREFIGHTING PRIORITY IN THE NATION.

>> THE HARDEST THING HAS BEEN THE DEPRESSION OF WHETHER YOU WILL NOT LOSE ANYTHING OR NOT.

>> Reporter: GARY AND OTHER EVACUEES ARE TAKING REFUGE IN A WALMART PARKING LOT.

>> WHERE ARE YOU SLEEPING?

>> I AM SLEEPING IN THE BED OF MY PICKUP TRUCK AND THE COMMUNITY HAS BEEN FANTASTIC.

SOMEBODY DONATED AIR MATTRESSES SO I DON'T HAVE THE RIDGES GRINDING AGAINST MY BACK.

>> Reporter: AT LEAST NINE LARGE FIRES ARE BURNING IN CALIFORNIA FORCING THE EVACUATION OF MORE THAN 37,000 PEOPLE.

EXPERTS SAY THE DEVASTATION BROUGHT ON A HISTORIC DROUGHT DRIVEN BY CLIMATE CHANGE.

PRESIDENT BIDEN, HUNTER THE, APPROVING GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM'S REPORT FOR A DISASTER DECLARATION.

92 LARGE WILDFIRES ARE BURNING ACROSS THE U.S., SEVEN STATES ARE UNDER AIR QUALITY ALERTS.

IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, ALL OF THESE THOUGHTS OF PURPLE SHOWING WHERE THE AIR IS HAZARDOUS TO BRIEF.

OVER RENO, THE CITY RECORDED ITS ALL-TIME WORST LEVEL, PEOPLE ADVISED TO STAY INDOORS AND SCHOOLS CANCELED.

>> SOME SYMPTOMS WILL BE BURNING, WATERY EYES, SCRATCHY THROAT, BURNING CHEST.

>>> WEATHER SYSTEMS ARE PUSHING SMOKE FROM THE FIRES BURNING UP NORTH INTO OUR REGION.

THE SMOKE APPEARS AS A HAZE IN THE SKY.

AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS SCG AND BE ALERT WILDFIRE CAMERA, IT HAS BEEN OVER US FOR A FEW DAYS.

AS NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE METEOROLOGIST ALEX ARE DISPLAYED ON KPBS MIDDAY ADDITION, THE SMOKE IS STARTING TO SETTLE.

>> THE AREAS WE WILL SEE THE MOST SMOKE WILL BE THE MOUNTAINS, THE INLAND VALLEY LIKE RAMONA, THE DESERTS LIKE BORREGO BUT EVEN THE MOUNTAINS LIKE MT.

LAGUNA, THOSE AREAS WILL NOTICEABLY SEE THE SMOKE.

>> HE SAYS THE AIR QUALITY HAS BEEN DETERIORATING AND EXPECTED TO BE AT ITS WORST TODAY AND TOMORROW.

HE ADVISES LIMITING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WITH ASTHMA AND ALLERGIES.

>>> THE WARM TIMES KEEP COMING AS WE WATCH THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS.

WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT TEMPERATURES ABOVE AVERAGE AND STAYING QUITE DRY.

ANY MONSOONAL IMPACT WE WILL SEE COMING TO THE SOUTHWEST WILL BE WELL OFF TO OUR EAST.

WE MISS OUT ON RAIN CHANCES AS WE STAY DRY AND COOL DOWN INTO NEXT WEEK.

COOL AIR TRYING TO DIVE THROUGH.

THE PROBLEM WITH THIS IS THE NORTHERN PART OF OUR STATE CREATING GUSTY WINDS.

THIS WOMEN PROBLEMS AS FAR AS FIRE RISK THROUGH PARTS OF CALIFORNIA.

WE ARE FURTHER SOUTH.

WE WILL HAVE GUSTY WINDS, THAT WILL NOT BE TOO DRAMATIC HERE ACROSS OUR AREA.

69 IS THE LOW FOR SAN DIEGO, 60 IN OCEANSIDE.

AT LEAST A FEW COASTAL CLOUDS AS WE TRANSITION INTO TOMORROW, WE ARE WARM AND DRY, THE STORY REPEATS ITSELF.

MONSOON MOISTURE INCREASE IS ACROSS PARTS OF NEW MEXICO AND COLORADO BUT IT WILL HAVE LIMITED IMPACT.

FOR US, WE MISS OUT ON THE ACTIVITY.

82 IS THE HIGH AND AS WE VENTURE TO CHULA VISTA, MT.

LAGUNA COMING IN AT 82.

COULD BE SMOKY SKIES.

WE HAVE SEEN THAT VENTURE FOR THE SOUTH AND THROUGH OUR MOUNTAINS.

WE WILL NOT BE SURPRISED IF YOU SEE HAZE BECAUSE OF THAT.

TEMPERATURES TOWARD THE COAST STAYING IN THE 80s, MORNING CLOUDS GIVING AWAY TWO AFTERNOON SUNSHINE AND LOOKING GOOD FOR THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

IF YOU ARE IN THE RANCH, WE ARE TALKING MID-90s.

IT WILL BE MILD AS WE CLOSE OUT THE WORK WEEK COOLING THINGS DOWN SLIGHTLY INTO SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AND TOWARD THE START OF NEXT WEEK.

MOUNTAIN LOCATIONS, IT'S THE 80s FOR YOU AND SOME HAZY SKIES WITH WILDFIRE SMOKE HAVING IMPACTS.

THAT WILL HELP TO TRY TO DRY OUT A LITTLE BIT SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, WE COOL INTO THE MID- 70s WHILE THE DESERT LOCATIONS, PROBABLY WILL NOT GET OUT OF THAT UNTIL MONDAY.

FOR KPBS, I AM ACCUWEATHER METEOROLOGIST MELISSA CONSTANZER .

>>> SAN DIEGO OFFICIALS ARE TAKING MORE STEPS TO ADDRESS CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS.

PLANS ARE UNDERWAY TO OPEN HARM REDUCTION MODEL SHELTERS, SOMETHING THAT HAS NOT BEEN DONE YET.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN HAS MORE ON THE UPCOMING COUNTY AND THE PARTNERSHIP.

>> I THINK EVERY SAN DIEGOAN SEES THE PROBLEM IS NOT GETTING BETTER.

AS A CONSEQUENCE, WE NEED TO TRY DIFFERENT APPROACHES.

>> SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA AND COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE WORKING TO OPEN NEW HOMELESS SHELTERS, ONES THAT AIM TO HELP THOSE WITH SEVERE SUBSTANCE ADDICTIONS.

>> THIS IS NOT A TIME TO TELL PEOPLE WHO ARE RAISING THEIR HAND TO ACCEPT SERVICES THAT THEY CANNOT COME IN HERE.

IF THAT MEANS BRINGING SOMEBODY IN THAT IS HEAVILY INTOXICATED OR AND OTHER KINDS OF ACTIVE CONDITIONS THAT ARE HISTORICALLY BURIED INTO ADMITTING THEM IN SERVICE, THE COUNTY AND THE CITY ARE SAYING NO, WE WANT TO WORK WITH YOU.

>> Reporter: THE NEW REDUCTION SHELTERS FOLLOWING OUTREACH PUSH IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

SAN DIEGO ALREADY HAS SEVERAL BRIDGE SHELTERS WERE 100 OR MORE ARE IN GROUP SETTINGS.

THESE NEW SHELTERS CALLED SAFE HAVENS ARE DESIGNED TO BE SMALLER HOUSING 25 TO 50 PEOPLE IN INDIVIDUAL ROOMS.

>> TO BRING ON A NEW CAPACITY.

>> COUNTY SUPERVISOR NATHAN PLETCHER IS PARTNERING WITH GLORIA TO MAKE THIS A REALITY.

HE SAYS NOW, MANY SHELTERS WILL NOT LET THOSE IN THE ARE COMMITTED TO BEING SOBER.

HE SAYS DRUG USE IS NOT ALLOWED IN THESE NEW SHELTERS.

>> PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BREAK THE LAW AND A GOVERNMENT FUNDING LOCATION, BUT IT IS HAVING A MORE OPEN POLICY SAYING, AS YOU ARE.

WHATEVER STATE OF MIND YOU ARE IN, WE WELCOME YOU AND WE WILL INFUSE THAT LOCATION WITH SERVICES.

>> Reporter: FLETCHER SAID PEOPLE MY STAY THERE FOR A SIGNIFICANT PERIOD OF TIME.

>> I DO NOT KNOW IF SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN ON THE STREETS WHO HAVE CHRONIC DRUG ADDICTION, IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME.

THAT IS WHY WE DID THE INITIAL FIVE YEAR INVESTMENT IN THIS PROJECT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE THAT INVESTMENT .

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY COMMITTED TO SPECIALIZED OUTREACH TEAMS AND WILL SPLIT OPERATING COSTS WITH THE CITY.

>> WE WENT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS.

IT'S CHALLENGING.

EVERYBODY WANTS YOU TO SOLVE HOMELESSNESS AS LONG AS YOU DO NOT DO IT ANYWHERE NEAR THEM.

THIS IS DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY LOCATIONS AND FIND LOCATIONS.

>> Reporter: CITY OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN TASKED WITH FINDING LOCATIONS FOR THE NEW SHELTERS, NOTHING HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED BUT COMMUNITY BUY-IN IS KEY FOR THEIR SUCCESS.

>> I PROMISE WE CAN ACCOMMODATE US INTO A COMMUNITY THAT IMPROVES THE NEIGHBORHOOD, REDUCES ON SHELTER IS.

I BELIEVE WE CAN DO THIS TO UPLOAD THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Reporter: GLORIA SAID THESE SHELTERS HAVE BEEN THE MISSING INGREDIENT FOR SUCCESS.

>> WE KNOW THAT WHEN WE DO THAT, IT WILL BREAK THE CYCLE OF ADDICTION AND ADDRESS HEALTH CONCERNS AND GET THIS PERSON STABLY HOUSE AND OFF THE STREETS.

THAT IS A NOTION OF WHEN I SAY I WANT TO END CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS.

THIS IS HOW.

>> Reporter: DISTRICT IS USING AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FOR THE FAITH HELD IN SHELTERS.

GLORIA WANTS TO APPROACH THE CITY COUNCIL TO FUND THEM LONG- TERM.

>> THIS IS A PART OF WHY WE DO NOT SEE THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE IN EVERY ONE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE ARE NOT GETTING THE RESULTS WE WANT.

WE WANT DIFFERENT RESULTS WE ARE CHOOSING TO EMPLOY DIFFERENT TOOLS.

I THINK WE WILL BE PROVEN SUCCESSFUL.

>> HE SAYS THE PILOT SHELTER PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO GIVE PEOPLE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS OFF THE STREETS, A GOAL SHARED BY FLETCHER.

>> WE KNOW THAT IF WE BRING YOU IN AND WE MAKE THAT HELP TO SAY WE CARE ABOUT YOU AND WANT TO GET YOU SOME HELP, THAT WILL LEAD TO THE OUTCOMES WE THINK ARE BEST.

THAT IS A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

>> Reporter: THE CITY AND COUNTY WANT TO OPEN SHELTERS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

RIGHT NOW, THE TIMELINE IS FLUID.

GLORIA SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET THEM RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

>> THIS COULD BE A CITY-OWNED FACILITY STAFFED I COUNTY WORKERS.

IT COULD BE PRIVATELY OWNED WITH CITY AND COUNTY TEAMS WITH NONPROFIT PARTNERS AS WELL.

WE ARE OPEN ON THAT BECAUSE AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE NEED TO GET THIS UP AND RUNNING.

WE NEED TO START GETTING FOLKS SERVED AND LEAVE SAFE HAVENS.

>> Reporter: MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT WAS A FINAL FAREWELL WHERE THE OF A LOCAL WAR HERO.

TODAY, A CELEBRATION OF LIFE WAS HELD ON THE U.S. MIDWAY FOR PEARL HARBOR SURVIVOR STU HEADLEY, THE LONGTIME SAN DIEGOAN RECENTLY DIED OF COVID- 19.

THE 99 YEAR WAS WELL KNOWN FOR NEVER LETTING PEOPLE FORGET WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT FATEFUL DAY IN 1941.

>> WHAT A AMAZING STORYTELLER.

CHARISMATIC, KIND AND GIVING, HE HAD THE ABILITY TO MAKE ALL OF US SEEM LIKE WE WERE HIS BEST FRIEND AND WE WERE IMPORTANT.

>> STU HEADLEY MADE HUNDREDS OF SPEAKING APPEARANCES USUALLY WITH A LEI AROUND HIS NECK AND A HAWAIIAN SHIRT ON.

MAYOR TODD GLORIA CALLED STU HEADLEY A TRUE HERO.

>>> THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO FIRST TEETH AND EQUITY OFFICER BEGAN HER NEW ROLE THIS WEEK.

KPBS RAISING EQUITY REPORTER CHRISTINA KIM SPOKE WITH KIM DESMOND ON HER SECOND DAY ON THE JOB TO DISCUSS WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE NEW OFFICE OF RACE AND EQUITY.

>> Reporter: THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO ESTABLISHED THE OFFICE LAST YEAR AFTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD BROUGHT RACIAL EQUALITY AND JUSTICE.

A YEAR LATER, KIM DESMOND IS TAKING THE HELM AS THE OFFICE AS LEADER.

SHE SAYS WELL THE PROTESTS ON THE STREETS COOLED DOWN, THE WORK SHE HOPES TO DO IS BEGINNING.

>> IT IS OUR JOB TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE BREAKING DOWN IN THIS STRUCTURAL RACISM INTO FOURTH OUTCOMES.

THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS ONE WAY.

WE SEE AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT FOLKS ARE DEMANDING LIBERATION AND DEMANDING EQUITY FROM THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES SHE EXPECTS TO FACE IS GETTING EVERYONE TO SEE WHAT EQUITY MEANS.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF QUESTION AROUND HOW WE DEFINE EQUITY.

THAT IS ABOUT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, THERE MIGHT BE DIFFERENT NEEDS.

YOU WANT SOMEBODY TO RESPOND TO YOUR NEED.

THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS WHO NEED DIFFERENT HOUSING OPTIONS.

THERE ARE NEIGHBORHOODS WHO NEED DIFFERENT RECREATION HOURS.

>> Reporter: DESMOND HELD A PREVIOUSLY ROLE IN DENVER.

SHE OUTLINED A 100 A PLAN THAT BEGINS WITH CREATING A TRAINING MODULE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES.

>> MY FIRST 100 DAYS INCLUDES BUILDING A RACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR EMPLOYEES.

WE NEED FOR ALL OF OUR CITY EMPLOYEES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS TO DO EQUITABLE WORK AND WHAT THAT MEANS TO UNPACK AND UNDERSTAND SYSTEMIC RACISM.

>> Reporter: BLACK WOMEN PLAYED A VITAL ROLE WITH DEMOCRACY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.

THEY WERE ASKED TO SOLVE PROBLEMS LIKE RACISM THAT THEY THEMSELVES DID NOT CREATE.

DESMOND SAYS IT'S UP TO EVERYBODY.

>> WE ARE DEALING WITH A COMPLEX PROBLEM.

WE CAN'T EXPECT ONE RACIAL GROUP TO CARRY THE BURDEN AND PRESSURE OF THAT.

AS A BLACK WOMAN IN THIS WORK, IT IS HEAVY TO CARRY ON MY SHOULDERS.

I EXPECT TO PARTNER WITH ALL OF MY WHITE COLLEAGUES TO ENSURE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THEIR ROLE IN CARING FOR THE WORK WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

>> Reporter: DESMOND KNOW THERE ARE CRITICS WHO QUESTION THE NEED OF OFFICE OF RACE AND EQUITY, BUT SHE SAYS SHE IS READY TO GET PEOPLE ON BOARD.

>> OUR GOAL FOR PEOPLE QUESTIONING THIS OFFICE, I WOULD SAY THAT DO YOU WANT SOMEBODY TO RESPOND TO YOUR NEEDS.

IF THE ANSWER IS YES, MAYOR GLORIA IS ENSURING A CITY WERE ALL OF US AT CAN FIVE.

>> Reporter: OVER THE NEXT MONTH, DESMOND WILL WHOLE TOWN MEETINGS TO KNOW THE COMMUNITIES AND BEGIN HER WORK WITH CITY EMPLOYEES.

CHRISTINA KIM, KPBS NEWS .

>>> WE LEFT TOURISTS, JUST DO NOT COME RIGHT NOW.

THAT IS BASICALLY THE MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR OF HAWAII ASKING PEOPLE NOT TO VISIT AMID A COVID-19 SEARCH.

HE IS NOT IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS AND CRITICS SAY IF HE WANTS TO STOP TOURISTS, HE SHOULD.

>> THEY ARE BEING VINDICTIVE ACROSS THE COMMUNITY.

AT THE SAME TIME, THEY ARE ALLOWING TOURIST TO DO WHATEVER THEY WANT.

>> SPURRED BY THE DELTA VARIANT, HAWAII HAS NEW CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS THAN IT HAD IN ANY POINT IN THE PANDEMIC.

>>> THERE IS A NEW WAY TO VISIT DISNEYLAND, NEW MAGIC KEY PASSES WENT ON SALE TODAY.

THERE ARE FOUR DIFFERENT KINDS OF KEYS OFFERING DIFFERENT FEATURES.

PERKS HAVE LEVELS OF ACCESS, THEY ARE REPLACING THE OLD PASSES, YET THEY DO PARK ALWAYS TO VISIT WITHOUT PURCHASING A TICKET EACH TIME THEY.

THE LEVEL AND PRICE OF A KEY DEPENDS ON HOW OFTEN THEY WILL VISIT THE PARK.

GET THE DETAILS ON THE DISNEYLAND APP OR THEIR WEBSITE .

YOU CAN FIND OUR STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE AT KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

GOOD NIGHT.

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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.