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>>> GOOD EVENING IT'S WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31st.

WE BEGIN WITH SOME BREAKING NEWS.

A WILDFIRE BURNING IN THE SOUTHEAST COUNTY AND HOMES IN DANGER.

THE WILDFIRE IS IN THE SOUTHERN POUND PART OF SOUTHERN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

IT'S NORTHWEST OF TOCCATA A ROUGHLY THREE MILES FROM THE BORDER.

IT HAS CHARRED MORE THAN 300 ACRES AND CAL FIRE REPORTS ONE STRUCTURE HAS BEEN DESTROYED.

OTHERS THREATENED AND EVACUATION ORDER IS IN EFFECT FOR THE BARRETT JUNCTION ROAD AREA.

ALSO AROUND POTRERO ROAD.

ROAD CLOSURES ARE ALSO TAKING PLACE DUE TO THE SMOKE, FLOWS IN THE AREA.

THIS FIRE BROKE OUT AROUND 2:30.

THE CAUSE STILL NOT KNOWN AND CONDITIONS ARE HOT.

QUITE WINDY AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE EVENTS OUT THERE AND BRING YOU ANY OF DATES AS WE GET THEM.

>>> TONIGHT TENSES HAVE CLOSED OFF HARBORSIDE PARK IN CHULA VISTA.

BULLDOZERS MOVED IN THIS MORNING AS PART OF A CITY EFFORT TO CLEAN UP THE SITE WHICH SITS NEXT TO AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

KPBS REPORTER ANGIE PEREZ WAS THERE WHEN DOZENS OF HOMELESS PEOPLE WHO CAMPED AT THE PARK FOUR MONTHS WERE FORCED OUT.

>> Reporter: EVERYONE WAS ON THE MOVE THIS MORNING.

CONTRACTORS WITH THE SOUTH BAY FENCE COMPANY JOINED CHULA VISTA CITY WORKERS IN DEPLOYING CITY COUNCIL ORDERS TO DEMOLISH THE GROWING TENSE COMMUNITY HERE IN HARBORSIDE PARK.

DOZENS OF HOMELESS PEOPLE WERE MOVED OUT QUICKLY.

SOME OF THEM PRAYED FOR A MIRACLE AND HELP.

THIS WOMAN IS HERE FROM TIJUANA TRYING TO FIND A HOME FOR THE CHILDREN SHE HAS LEFT BEHIND.

>> THE GIRLS CRY EVERY DAY BECAUSE THEY WANT TO BE WITH ME.

EVERYTHING, THIS IS BAD.

>> Reporter: WHILE THE SHUTDOWN HAPPENED THERE WERE LOCAL COMMUNITY AGENCIES ON-SITE TO OFFER OPTIONS.

>> WE ARE OFFERING HOUSING.

EVERYTHING IS PROVIDED.

HYGIENE, SHOWERS, A BED, RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: HARBORSIDE PARK HAS DETERIORATED INTO A PLACE OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND RISKS TO PUBLIC HEALTH.

HARBORSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IS NEARBY.

WITH YOUNG CHILDREN INCLUDING VERONICA RIPPLING AND HER FOUR- YEAR-OLD GRANDDAUGHTER ANNABELLE.

>> I AGREE THERE IS A HOMELESS PROBLEM AND WE NEED TO ADDRESS IT, BUT THEY SHOULD BE LIVING IN A PUBLIC PARK WHERE OTHER PEOPLE WANT TO GO OR SPEND TIME AND WE CAN GO THERE.

>> Reporter: THE CHULA VISTA SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPPORTS THE CITY'S ACTIONS AND THE SUPERINTENDENT DOES NOT MINCE WORDS.

>> OUR COMMITMENT IS TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELFARE OF EVERY SINGLE STUDENT AND THAT'S OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

WE WILL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: THE CHULA VISTA CITY ATTORNEY SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT THE DECISION TO TEMPORARILY CLOSE HARBORSIDE PARK WAS APPROVED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE LAWS.

IT WILL REMAIN CLOSED FOR AT LEAST 90 DAYS.

THAT MEANS BULLDOZING LIVES THAT ARE ALREADY ON THE EDGE.

THE CITY COULD EXTEND THE PARKS CLOSURE LONGER AS OFFICIALS TRY TO FIGURE OUT THE BEST WAY TO MAKE THIS SPACE SAPER AND AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE.

IT'S A HEARTBREAKING CHALLENGE ESPECIALLY FOR ADVOCATES WHO WANT TO HELP THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.

>> WE KNOW STUFF HAPPEN AND IT GOES ON BUT I SEE PEOPLE TRYING THEIR BEST TO LIVE.

>> Reporter: THE NEXT STEP IN THEIR LIVES WILL NO LONGER BE HERE.

KPBS NEWS.

>> ANOTHER CLEANUP IS IN THE WORKS IN MISSION BAY PARK.

169 DECAYING MOBILE HOMES WILL BE REMOVED FROM DAN'S APPOINTMENT AS A REPORTER TELLS US WHAT EXACTLY WILL HAPPEN WITH THE LAND AT YOUR IT'S CLEARED IS STILL UNCLEAR.

>> Reporter: TARA VISTA MANAGEMENT HAS RUN CAMP LAND AT MISSION BAY PARK FOR YEARS AND THEY ARE THE COMPANY THAT'S CLEANING UP THIS MESS.

THEY PLAN ON TURNING IT INTO CAMPSITES WITH SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VIEWS IMAGINABLE.

>> INSTALLING NEW CAMPSITES WHICH UTILIZE THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN HERE AND THEN MAKING REALLY NECESSARY, LONG DEFERRED REPAIRS TO THIS INCREDIBLE BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN PATH THAT GOES AROUND THE COAL.

LANDSCAPING, REMEDIATION, ROAD REPAIR, THAT SORT OF THING.

>> Reporter: IS A MONUMENTAL TASK PURELY NEARLY 170 ABANDONED MOBILE HOMES IN VARIOUS STATES OF DECAY.

>> $8 MILLION WORTH OF WORK.

IT INVOLVES THE ABATEMENT OF THESE HOMES MOST OF WHICH HAMS HASLETT AND HIS FESTUS.

>> NO ONE HAS LIVED HERE SINCE 2019 AFTER PANDEMIC RELATED DELAYS AND LOTS OF REGULATORY HURDLES TO JUMP OVER, TARA VISTA FINALLY RECEIVED APPROVAL FROM THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION TO CLEAN THE PLACE UP.

AS THEY HAVE FOR YEARS CAMP LAND IS FACING OPPOSITION FROM SOME ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, INCLUDING THE SAN DIEGO AUDUBON SOCIETY WHO SAY THERE TO BE A LOT MORE WETLAND RESTORATION HERE AND THAT WILL MEAN GETTING RID OF SOME OF CAMP LAND.

>> KENDALL FROST MARSH WE ARE LOOKING AT HERE IS THE ONLY REMAINING HABITAT WE HAVE IN MISSION BAY FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES, FOR WATER QUALITY PROTECTION, AND FOR ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY SPACE LIKE THIS.

>> Reporter: MYERS SAYS THE AUDUBON SOCIETY IS NOT AGAINST CAMPING, IN FACT THEY SAY THEY FAVOR CAMPING OPPORTUNITIES BUT THE CITY'S MASTER PLAN NOW CALLS FOR 700 ACRES OF WETLANDS BY 2035 AND HE SAYS THIS AREA IS THE BEST AREA TO GET MANY OF THAT WESTLING WETLAND RESTORATION.

>> THEY HAVE THE POWER TO SAY CAMPING SHOULD STAY, HERE'S WHAT WE WANTED TO LOOK LIKE AND IT SHOULD BE RIGHT HERE.

>> Reporter: CITY LEADERS HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO USE CAMP LAND PROPERTY FOR WETLANDS AND HOW MUCH.

MEYER ALSO SAYS THE CUMIN TRIBE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AS THIS WAS ALL THEIR NATIVE ANCESTOR LAND.

FOR NOW, BOTH SIDES WAIT ON THE CITY'S DECISION, ONE THAT MAY VERY WELL MOVE THE ULTIMATE FATE OF THIS LAND TO BE DECIDED BY THE COURTS.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>> WE ARE ALL BEING ASKED TO CURB OUR ENERGIES DURING THIS PROLONGED HEAT WAVE.

CALIFORNIA POWER GRID OPERATORS ARE ASKING CONSUMERS TO SAY POWER NOW UNTIL 9:00 TONIGHT AND MORE FLEX ALERTS ARE POSSIBLE.

THEY WARNED THERE COULD BE A SHORTAGE OF ENERGY IF THINGS GET WORSE THEY ARE TAKING STEPS TO BRING ALL ENERGY RESOURCES ONLINE.

THEY OFFERED WAYS TO REDUCE YOUR ENERGY USAGE DURING THIS TIME.

>> RAISING YOUR THERMOSTAT TO 70 DEGREES.

AVOIDING THE USE OF LARGE APPLIANCES IN TURNING OFF UNNECESSARY LIGHTS.

IF YOU HAVE AN ELECTRICAL VEHICLE THAT NEEDS TO BE CHARGED WE ASK YOU TO DO SO BEFORE 4:00 P.M.

WHEN WE HAVE PLENTY OF SOLAR ENERGY ON THE SYSTEM.

>> THEY SAY THAT CURBING INDIVIDUAL ENERGY USE HAS MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE PAST.

FORECASTERS SAY THAT WE CAN EXPECT TRIPLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES WITH VERY LITTLE RELIEF IN THE EVENING HOURS.

WE WILL HAVE YOUR COMPLETE FORECAST COMING UP LATER IN THE NEWSCAST.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY SUPERVISORS ARE PUSHING FORWARD WITH THEIR CLIMATE FRIENDLY PLAN TO RESHAPE LIFE IN THE COMMUNITY.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER SAYS MAJOR CHANGES ARE COMING.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY'S EFFORT TO REDUCE CARBON AND GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IS MOVING FORWARD.

SUPERVISORS WANT TO CUT BACK ON THINGS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO A WARMING CLIMATE THAT COULD DRAMATICALLY CHANGE LIFE IN THE COUNTY, THAT MEANS DECOLONIZING POWER, TRANSPORTATION, AND AGRICULTURE.

>> LOOKING AT A HEALTHIER AND REALLY MORE ENJOYABLE WAY OF LIFE.

IF WE MOVE FORWARD.

>> Reporter: THE FRAMEWORK CALLS FOR MORE ELECTRIC VEHICLES, ELECTRIFYING BUILDINGS INCLUDING PEOPLE'S HOMES AND CHANGING THE WAY PEOPLE GET AROUND.

>> WE NEED TO INVEST IN ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS LIKE CYCLING, WALKING, AND TAKING PUBLIC TRANSIT.

>> Reporter: ESSENTIALLY THE COUNTY WANTS TO REDUCE HOW MUCH CARBON DIOXIDE IS RELEASED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE, ELIMINATE SUPER POLLUTANTS LIKE SUCH AND DEVELOP NATURAL SYSTEMS THAT CAN CATCH CAPTURE AND STORE CARBON.

COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE DETERMINED TO DO IT WITHOUT WRECKING THE ECONOMY.

>> WE CANNOT SIMULTANEOUSLY SAVE THE PLANET AND DESTROY THE MIDDLE CLASS.

WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE DO BOTH OF THOSE THINGS.

WE ALSO SPENT A LOT OF TIME ON THIS BOARD ADDRESSING ISSUES.

>> Reporter: THE OVERARCHING GOAL IS TO GET THE COUNTY AND EVERY LOCAL CITY TO WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE A NET ZERO FUTURE.

THAT MEANS ONLY ADMITTING AS MUCH CARBON AS THE REGION CAN TAKE BACK IN.

LOCAL BUILDERS WANT TO MAKE SURE AXING THE CLIMATE CRISIS DOESN'T MAKE THE REGION'S HOUSING PINCH WORSE.

>> WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT THE ACTIONS THAT WE TAKE, THAT YOU TAKE ALSO INCLUDE SOME ROBUST INCENTIVES TO TRY TO OFFSET THE NEGATIVE IMPACT THAT THIS WILL HAVE ON HOUSING COSTS AND HOUSING PRODUCTIONS.

>> Reporter: STATE LEGISLATION CALLS FOR CALIFORNIA TO HIT NET ZERO CARBON EMISSIONS BY 2045.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS AIMING FOR A 40% CUT BY 2030 AS THEY WORK TOWARDS HITTING THE STATES GOAL.

THE PLANNING DOCUMENT COULD BE FINALIZED EARLY NEXT YEAR.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>> ONE HURDLE HAS NOW BEEN CLEARED FOR NEW COVID-19 VACCINES.

THE FDA GAVE A GREEN LIGHT TO UPDATED BOOSTERS AIMED AT THE MOST DOMINANT VARIANCE.

OUR MANDY GAITHER REPORTED TOP HEALTH OFFICIALS RESPONDED TO CRITICISM THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS MOVING TOO QUICKLY ON THESE BOOSTERS.

>> Reporter: IN THE U.S. BA.5 CONTINUES TO BE THE DOMINANT VARIANCE CAUSING NEARLY NINE OUT OF 10 NEW COVID INFECTIONS ACCORDING TO CDC ESTIMATES.

>> I REALLY WOULD LOVE TO BE AHEAD OF THIS THIS SEASON.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHAT THE UPDATED COVID-19 BOOSTERS ARE AIMED AT DOING.

IT CONTAINS MRNA ENCODING FROM THE ORIGINAL CORONAVIRUS SPIKE PROTEIN TOGETHER WITH MRNA ENCODING FROM THE SPIKE PROTEIN IN THE OMICRON BA.4 AND BA.5 VARIANCE.

>> AS WE ARE UPDATING THESE BOOSTERS, THE DATA THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IS RELATED TO VERY SMALL CHANGES IN THE MRNA SEQUENCE AND REALLY SHOULDN'T IMPACT SAFETY AT ALL.

>> Reporter: BOTH MODERNA AND PFIZER HAVE BEEN GIVEN AN INITIAL EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATIONS FROM THE FDA FOR THEIR UPDATED BOOSTERS, THERE IS SOME CRITICISM THAT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT IS MOVING TOO QUICKLY AND WITHOUT ENOUGH HUMAN DATA.

>> THERE'S ALWAYS A QUESTION HERE OF BEING TOO SLOW VERSUS TOO FAST AND I THINK ONE OF THE CHALLENGES IS IF WE WAIT FOR THOSE DATA TO EMERGE IN HUMAN DATA, NOT JUST MICE, WE WILL BE USING WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER TO BE A POTENTIALLY OUTDATED VACCINE.

>> Reporter: CDC DIRECTOR DR. ROCHELLE WALENSKY SAYS THE STRATEGY NOW IS TO TAILOR VACCINES THAT WOULD HAVE THE GREATEST EFFECT, IDEALLY ONE THAT WOULD HAVE LEFT LESS WAITING OVERTIME BY TARGETING THE VARIANCE THAT ARE TAUGHT DOMINANT NOW.

FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I AM MANDY GAITHER.

>> IS NOW UP TO AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE WITH THE CDC TO RECOMMEND A BOOSTERS.

THE AGENCY'S DIRECTOR WOULD NEED TO ACCEPT THAT RECOMMENDATION FOR THE NEW VACCINES WOULD BE AVAILABLE.

THAT VOTE IS EXPECTED TO HAPPEN TOMORROW.

>>> LIFE EXPECTANCY IN THE UNITED STATES IS AT ITS LOWEST POINT IN DECADES.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO CDC DATA PUBLISHED TODAY.

LIFE EXPECTANCY NOW STANDS AT JUST ABOVE 76 YEARS.

AT THE LOWEST IT'S BEEN SINCE 1996 AND THE BIGGEST TWO YEAR DECLINE IN A CENTURY.

IT DROPPED BY NEARLY A YEAR BETWEEN 2020 AND 2021 AND BY MORE THAN 2 1/2 YEARS OVERALL SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE CDC SAYS DEATHS FROM COVID- 19 CONTRIBUTED TO HALF OF THE DECLINE.

>> THIS REALLY DESERVES A LOT OF ATTENTION.

IT'S NOT JUST A PANDEMIC, ALTHOUGH THAT'S A DOMINANT FACTOR, WE DON'T HAVE A UNIVERSAL HEALTH SYSTEM WITH THE ACCESS THAT WE NEED AND THIS IS SHOWING UP IN OUR RESULTS.

>> INJURIES, HEART DISEASE, CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE, DRUG OVERDOSE DEATHS, AND SUICIDE ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE LIFE EXPECTANCY DECLINE.

>>> LIKE IN MANY PLACES RATES OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE ARE SKYROCKETING IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND AT THE SAME TIME THE REGION IS FACING A SHORTAGE OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKERS.

KPBS HELP REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN HAS MORE ON A NEW PLAN THAT AIMS TO CLOSE THE GAP .

>> OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WE NEED TO RECRUIT MORE PEOPLE THEN CURRENTLY WORK IN THIS FIELD.

THAT'S A VERY, VERY TALL ORDER.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO WORKFORCE CHIEF ECONOMICS HELPED THE REPORT THAT HE CALLS ONE OF A KIND.

IT INCLUDED SURVEYING SOME 1600 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKERS AND STUDENTS.

RESULTS FOUND THAT THE MAJORITY OF JOBS ARE UNDERPAYING.

>> THIS IS A PROBLEM.

WE CAN'T RECRUIT AND RETAIN PEOPLE IF WE AREN'T PAYING THEM.

>> Reporter: THE WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP PRESENTED THEIR FINDINGS TO LOCAL PROVIDERS HURLING A RECENT BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYMPOSIUM.

OFFICIALS ESTIMATE BETWEEN THE PRIVATE, PUBLIC, AND NONPROFIT THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH WORKERS TO SERVE.

>> THE CURRENT WORKFORCE IS MEETING A LOT OF THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS BUT NOT ALL OF IT.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE PARTNERSHIP TO MEET THE GROWING NEED AND REPLACE PEOPLE LEAVING THE FIELD, ABOUT 18,000 MORE WORKERS NEED TO BE HIRED IN THE SAN DIEGO REGION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

THAT INCLUDES EVERYTHING FROM PURE SUPPORT SPECIALIST TO COUNSELOR SOCIAL WORKERS, PSYCHIATRIST, AND OTHER HOSPITAL STAFF.

>> I WOULD SAY NOWHERE IN AMERICA HAS BUILT UP THE SYSTEM OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE TO PRIDE PROVIDE THE RIGHT CARE TO THE RIGHT PERSON AT THE RIGHT TIME AND I WANT SAN DIEGO TO BE THE FIRST.

>> CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COMMISSIONED THIS STUDY AND HE SAYS NO ONE ENTITY CAN FIX THIS GAP OVERNIGHT, BUT MANY HAVE TO CHIP IN.

>> WE ARE HOPING TO LEVERAGE OUR FRIENDS IN FOR LAST THREE PHILANTHROPY BUT TO HAVE THE COUNTY AND STATE JOIN.

WE ARE GOING TO WASHINGTON TO ADVOCATE FOR FUNDING THERE BECAUSE WE HAVE TO DEVELOP A SYSTEM THAT GETS PEOPLE THE RIGHT CARE AT THE RIGHT TIME.

WE ARE INVESTING IN PEOPLE AND IN THE WORKFORCE AND THAT'S A VITAL COMPONENT.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY HAS BEEN DOING MORE IN RECENT YEARS.

THE LAST FOUR BUDGET CYCLES HAVE RESULTED IN A TOTAL $230 MILLION INCREASE IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES.

WITH THE OVERALL BUDGET NOW APPROACHING $900 MILLION.

FOR FLETCHER THIS ISSUE IS PERSONAL.

HE SAYS HE HAD A TURBULENT AND TRAUMATIC CHILDHOOD, THEN AS A MARINE HAD MULTIPLE COMBAT DEPLOYMENTS.

>> I WATCHED THE IMPACT OF COMBAT ON ME AND MY FRIENDS AND I KNOW HOW SERIOUS THAT IS.

THE REALITY OF TRAUMA IS IT'S NOT JUST MARINES AND NAVY SEALS AND WAR WHO GO THROUGH THAT.

TRAUMA IS TRAUMA.

ANYONE WHO SURVIVED A SEXUAL ASSAULT OR WHO HAVE BEEN IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION CAN BE EXPERIENCING THAT.

>> Reporter: COUNTY ISSUES CONTRACT TO LOCAL NONPROFITS WHO THEN PROVIDE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE REGION.

SOME ARGUE THAT SYSTEM IS OUTDATED AND DOESN'T KEEP PACE WITH RISING COSTS OF LIVING.

>> RIGHT NOW THE COUNTY IS ALLOWING US TO DO HIGHER ON BONUSES BUT WE ALSO NEED TO DO RETENTION BONUSES.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO REWARD THE STAFF THAT HAS STUCK WITH US THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: CATHERINE MacARIO IS CEO SAN DIEGO CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS AND THEY WORK WITH UP TO 40,000 SAN DIEGANS EACH YEAR .

SHE SAYS SOME OF HER STAFF ARE LEAVING THE FIELD BECAUSE OF BURNOUT.

>> INDIVIDUALS ARE ALSO LEAVING FOR HIGHER-PAYING JOBS WITHIN THE SAME INDUSTRY SINCE THERE IS SUCH A WORKFORCE SHORTAGE WHAT WE ARE SEEING HAPPENING IS PEOPLE ARE LEAVING FOR ONE OR TWO DOLLARS MORE IN OUR AND LITERALLY GIVING NO NOTICE LIKE SAYING HEY, TODAY'S MY LAST DAY.

I WILL START TOMORROW.

>> Reporter: THE WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP ESTIMATES THE PRICE TAG FOR HIRING AND TRAINING 18,000 ADDITIONAL WORKERS WOULD BE AROUND $424 MILLION.

THEY ARE RECOMMENDING A DOWN PAYMENT STRATEGY.

IT CALLS FOR INVESTING ABOUT A THIRD OF THAT TO BRING ON THOUSANDS OF WORKERS OVER THE NEXT 5 TO 10 YEARS.

THIS WOMAN IS PART OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE THAT AIMS TO PUT THESE GOALS INTO ACTION.

>> THIS IS WHERE THE WORK BEGINS.

WE DON'T WANT US TO GO UP ON A SHELF AND GATHER DUST.

WE HAVE TO GET A CORE GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS TOGETHER THAT OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS WE CAN MAKE SURE THIS IS CONTINUING.

>> Reporter: WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP ALSO RECOMMENDS DEVELOPING A REGIONAL TRAINING HUB TO HELP CREATE A STEADY PIPELINE OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKERS.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>> LOTS OF HEAT ON THE WAY OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS THAT WILL SPAN THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO STAY DRY, IN FACT, HEADING INTO THE UPCOMING WEEKEND, SUNDAY SOME SPOTS WILL BE APPROACHING RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES.

WHILE THIS MAP LOOKS THE SAME AS YESTERDAY, JUST SHOWING THE NATURE OF THE EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNINGS I WILL STEP OUT OF THE WAY AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ALMOST ALL AREAS.

THE EXCEPTIONS WOULD BE CATALINA ISLAND, SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND AND THAT STRETCH FROM SANTA MONICA TO LONG BEACH CALIFORNIA.

THOSE ARE THE ONLY AREAS REALLY NOT IN THE EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING.

WATER VAPOR LOOP JUST A TON OF DRY AIR IN PLACE.

THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME ENERGY LIFTING ITS WAY INTO THE NORTHWEST AS WE WORK OUR WAY INTO LATE WEEKEND.

THAT FLIGHT IS WAY EVEN FURTHER AWAY AND WE WILL SEE THE HEAT BUILDING NEXT WEEK.

MAINLY CLEAR AND THE HUMIDITY WILL BE ANOTHER FACTOR HERE IN THE COMING DAYS.

OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURE DROPPING DOWN TO 71.

OCEANSIDE, 67.

CHULA VISTA, 71.

REGULAR SPRINGS ONLY FALLING OFF INTO THE MID-80s.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS THURSDAY INTO WEDNESDAY OF NEXT WEEK.

LIKE I SAID SOME SPOTS WILL SEE RECORD TEMPERATURES ESPECIALLY THE SAN JOAQUIN AND SACRAMENTO VALLEY.

WE WILL SEE THAT WARM ALL THE WAY TO THE COAST.

ALL RIGHT.

SAN DIEGO, 83.

BORREGO SPRINGS, 111.

OCEANSIDE, INTO THE MID-80s.

FUTURECAST, QUIET, NOT GOING TO BE FOLLOWING SHOWERS OR DOWNPOURS SO LET'S GET TO THOSE TEMPERATURES.

AT THE COAST, HEAT COMING IN SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

RECORD HIGHS.

WE TALK ABOUT INLAND ZONES, TRIPLE DIGITS ON THE WAY.

FIVE WAYS TO STAY COOL.

IMPORTANT TO STAY HYDRATED AND BE SURE TO CHECK ON THE PETS.

WE WILL BE WELL INTO THE 80s AND IN THE DESERTS, I MONDAY, 114.

FOR KPBS NEWS I'M METEOROLOGIST JUSTIN POVICK.

>>> MANY CHILDREN SKIPPED KINDERGARTEN DURING THE PANDEMIC BUT A NEW BILL COULD MAKE IT MANDATORY.

SENATE BILL 70 WOULD MAKE IT A REQUIREMENT FOR KIDS TO COMPLETE THE GRADE BEFORE MOVING UP TO FIRST GRADE STARTING IN THE 2024 ACADEMIC YEAR.

THE BILL IS HEADED TO GOVERNOR NEWSOM'S DESK BUT IT IS UNCERTAIN WHETHER HE WILL FIND IT AFTER HIS DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE EXPRESSED OPPOSITION BECAUSE OF HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST.

19 OTHER STATES REQUIRE KINDERGARTEN.

ATTEMPTS TO INQUIRE IT IN CALIFORNIA HAVE FAILED.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM HAS UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30th TO MAKE HIS DECISION.

>>> THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION IS ISSUING A WARNING ABOUT SCAMMERS POSSIBLY USING THE RECENT NEWS ABOUT STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS AS BAIT.

COLE HIGGINS HAS SOME TIPS FROM THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

>> Reporter: UNSOLICITED CALLS AND EMAILS, IT'S HOW SCAMMERS WILL LIKELY USE THE LATEST NEWS ABOUT THE LOAN FORGIVENESS DEBATE NEW VICTIMS.

>> SCAMMERS WILL PROMISE FAST FORGIVENESS.

WHETHER IT IS ADDITIONAL BENEFITS, FASTER BENEFITS, ERASING YOUR STUDENT AT.

ALL OF THOSE ARE EMPTY PROMISES THAT WILL LEAD TO AN EMPTY POCKETBOOK.

>> Reporter: THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU IS BRACING FOR A SPIKE IN CALLS AND/OR REPORTS AFTER THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION ISSUED A CONSUMER ALERT ABOUT POTENTIAL SCAMS INVOLVING STUDENT LOANS.

LAST WEDNESDAY, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO ADDRESS STUDENT LOAN DEBT INCLUDING DEBT FORGIVENESS FOR CERTAIN BORROWERS.

THE BBB SAYS SCAMMERS MAY KNEW USE THE NEWS TO DEFRAUD BORROWERS BEFORE ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION.

>> IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT ALLOWED TO CALL YOU ABOUT YOUR STUDENT LOANS UNLESS YOU HAVE GIVEN PERMISSION.

>> Reporter: THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU HAS THESE TIPS.

UNDERSTAND THAT THESE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS ARE FREE TO SIGN UP FOR AND THAT ANYONE OFFERING YOU HELP FOR A FEE IS A RED FLAG.

KNOW THE INS AND OUTS OF YOUR STUDENT LOAN.

KNOW THE TERMS AND DON'T FALL FOR IT IF A SCAMMER PROMISES YOU BENEFIT THE GOVERNMENT OR YOUR LOAN PROVIDER HASN'T ALREADY OFFERED YOU.

DO YOUR RESEARCH.

LOOK UP THE LENDER OR COMPANY REACHING OUT TO YOU TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS A SCAM ARTIST ON THE OTHER END OF THE LINE.

LOOK TWICE BEFORE YOU CLICK.

THE BBB SAYS SOME IMPOSTERS OFTEN CREATE LOOK-ALIKE GOVERNMENT WEBSITES, SO PAY ATTENTION TO THE URL.

FINALLY, PROTECT YOUR PRIVATE DATA.

DON'T GIVE OUT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, TITLE STUDENT AID I.D.

OR ANY OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION.

FOR TODAY'S CONSUMER WATCH I AM COLE HIGGINS.

JACK AND JUDY WOODRUFF ON THE NIGHT.

THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SPENT SPELLS OUT THE LENGTH IT WENT TO GET CLASSIFIED DOCUMENTS FROM FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

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

>>> WE HAVE A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE.

A WILDFIRE BURNING IN THE SOUTHEAST COUNTY HAS NOW GROWN TO OVER 1400 ACRES.

THE WILDFIRE IS AN AREA KNOWN AS BARRETT JUNCTION AND OFF OF STATE ROUTE 94.

CAL FIRE REPORTS ONE INSTRUCTOR HAS BEEN DESTROYED AND OTHERS ARE THREATENED AND AN EVACUATION ORDER IS IN EFFECT FOR THE BEAR LAKE ROAD AREA, COYOTE HOLLER ROAD AREA AND AROUND POTRERO ROAD.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS FIRE AND WE WILL BRING YOU UP TO UPDATES ON KPBS RADIO AND KPBS.ORG.

>>> MAJOR-LEAGUE BASEBALL IS FINALLY COMING TO MEXICO CITY THREE SEASONS AFTER GAMES WERE CANCELED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE SAN DIEGO PADRES AND SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS WILL PLAY A TWO GAME SERIES THERE ON APRIL 29th AND APRIL 30th.

THE PADRES WILL BE THE HOME TEAM.

SPRING GAMES HAVE BEEN PLAYED IN MEXICO CITY, THESE WILL BE THE FIRST REGULAR-SEASON GAMES.

>>> LOTS OF SMILES AND WAGGING TAILS IN OKLAHOMA TODAY AS A FLIGHT HEARING MORE THAN 100 RESCUED EAGLES ARRIVED SAFELY.

KPBS REPORTER KITTY ALVARADO SAID THE DOGS WILL SOON BE READY FOR THEIR FOREVER HOMES.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WATCH AS PRECIOUS CARGO ARRIVES AT GILLESPIE FIELD.

108 RESCUED BEAGLES.

THEIR ARRIVAL WAS FILLED WITH HAPPINESS AND EXCITEMENT.

PRESIDENT OF THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY, DR. GARY WEITZMAN, UNLOADED THE FIRST PUPPY OFF THE PLANE.

>> SHE'S REALLY EXCITED.

SHE DESERVES TO BE.

FIRST TIME SHE'S BEEN OUT OF A RESEARCH LAB.

THIS IS GREAT NEWS.

>> Reporter: AND THESE ARE NO ORDINARY RESCUES.

THEY ARE THE LAST BATCH OF 4000 BEAGLES SAVED FROM A VIRGINIA- BASED COMPANY THAT BREEDS AND SELLS ANIMALS FOR USE IN SCIENTIFIC TESTING.

THEIR RESCUE CAME AFTER THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FILED A LAWSUIT.

ONE BY ONE, THE PRECIOUS PUPS WERE PACKED UP AND QUICKLY SHUTTLED TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY EL CAJON ANIMAL CAMPUS WERE DOZENS OF STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN WORKING OVERTIME GETTING READY TO WELCOME THE SPECIAL DELIVERY.

>> WE HAVE POOLS SET UP SO THEY CAN HAVE A WATER PARTY BECAUSE IT WILL BE SO HOT TODAY.

>> Reporter: THEY WILL NEED DONATIONS TO SUPPORT THEIR CARE UNTIL THEY ARE WELL ENOUGH TO GO FOR THEIR FOREVER HOMES.

>> WE ARE ECSTATIC TO BE ABLE TO HELP THEM GET INTO BACKYARDS AND LIVING ROOMS AND A FAMILY THAT THEY LOVE.

>> Reporter: KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>> SWEET LITTLE PUPPIES.

YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT STORIES ON HER WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU MUCH FOR JOINING US.

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