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

CALL ONE 800 BILL HOWE OR VISIT THE WEBSITE.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION , DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING: >> AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> MILLIONS WILL BE TRAVELING THROUGHOUT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS HOLIDAY SEASON BUT A LOOMING STORM COULD COMPLICATE THINGS IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

ARE REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN BEGINS OUR COVERAGE.

>> Reporter: THE HOLIDAY TRAVEL RUSH IS NEARLY HERE AND AAA IS FORECASTING FROM SATURDAY TO THE NEW YEAR UNDER 10 MILLION PEOPLE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WHO WILL TAKE A TRIP OF 50 MILES OR MORE UP COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

>> THE REASON WE ANTICIPATE A RECORD NUMBER OF TRAVELERS IS BECAUSE WE HAVE A SEEN GROWTH ALL YEAR LONG AND TRAVEL WITH MEMORIAL DAY AND FOURTH OF JULY, THANKSGIVING AND ALL AT EITHER RECORD OR NEAR RECORD TRAVEL VOLUMES.

WHAT THAT TELLS US IS PEOPLE FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE AGAIN WITH TRAVEL.

TOOK MOST PEOPLE WILL BE GETTING THERE BY CAR, BUT YOU CAN EXPECT THE AIRPORT TO BE BUSY AS WELL WITH OFFICIALS ANTICIPATING 700,000 PEOPLE ARRIVING AND DEPARTING NOW THROUGH THE FIRST AND WITH CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY AT TERMINAL 1 ARRIVE EARLY.

IF YOU PARK AT THE AIRPORT, RESERVISTS BOTTOM LINE.

SOMETHING ELSE THAT COULD COMPLICATE TRAVEL PLANS IN THE COMING DAYS AS THE ARRIVAL OF A WINTER STORM THAT IS ALREADY HITTING THE VENTURA AND SANTA BARBARA AREA AND IS HEADED TO SAN DIEGO.

>> THE RAIN DOESN'T EVEN COME IN UNTIL THURSDAY NIGHT OR EARLY FRIDAY MORNING WHEN MOST OF US ARE ASLEEP AND NOT TRAVELING.

SO IF YOU TRAVEL ON THURSDAY OR FRIDAY, TAKE OFF THURSDAY MORNING.

>> THEY ESTIMATE THE COUNTY WILL SEE A FEW INCHES OF RAIN THIS WEEK AND FORECASTERS ARE ISSUING A FLOOD WATCH FOR COASTAL AND INLAND VALLEY AREAS.

>> IF YOU ARE TAKING A ROAD TRIP THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, INSPECTOR VEHICLE AND MAKE SURE IT IS READY FOR THE TRIP AND CHECK YOUR TIRE TREAD AND INFLATION AND IT IS IMPORTANT IF YOU'RE TRAVELING ON WHAT ROADS BECAUSE YOUR TIRES KEEP THE TRACTION ON THE ROADWAY.

>> Reporter: AS FAR AS A WHITE CHRISTMAS GOES FOR THE MOUNTAIN AREAS -- >> NOT IT MOUNT LAGUNA OR PARAMORE MOUNTAIN AND WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL JANUARY TO SEE SOME SNOW IN THE MOUNTAINS.

>> Reporter: THEY DO SAY THAT CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS DAY LOOK A DRY RIGHT NOW, BUT THERE COULD BE ANOTHER STORM COMING SHORTLY AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.

>> THE WEATHER WILL CONTINUE TO BE A STORY THAT AFFECTS SCHEDULES IN THE DAYS AHEAD AND COMING UP LATER YOU CAN SEE THE DAMAGE DONE BY STORMS IN THE NORTHEAST INCLUDING A RISE IN FLOODWATERS THREATENING HOMES.

>>> WET WEATHER WILL INCREASE LATER ON TONIGHT AS WE WORK OUR WAY INTO THURSDAY AND THE HEAVIEST OF THE RAIN WOULD BE LATE THURSDAY EVENING INTO THURSDAY NIGHT AND EARLY FRIDAY MORNING.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, WE DO HAVE SOME WEEKEND SUNSHINE IN THE FORECAST AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT AS WELL AS THE TEMPERATURES AND MORE JUST AHEAD.

>>> A REMINDER THAT SANDBAGS ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

YOU CAN PEEL -- PICK THEM UP AT SOME REC CENTERS AND KEEP IN MIND THAT THE GIVEAWAY IS JUST FOR EMPTY BAGS AND THE SAND ISN'T INCLUDED AND THOSE WHO PROVE RESIDENCY CAN GET 10 BAGS PER PERSON.

>> WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF HEAVY RAIN THIS WEEK, THE HOMELESS SHELTERS ARE GETTING READY TO TAKE PEOPLE IN.

THIS IS ONE OF FOUR OVERNIGHT SHELTERS THE CITY OPENS WHEN THE WEATHER GETS COLDER STORMY AND ALL FOUR LOCATIONS ARE SPREAD OUT ACROSS DOWNTOWN AND ACCEPT ANYBODY WHO SHOWS UP AT THEIR DOOR.

>> THEY COME IN AT 8:00 AND WE HAVE HOT COCOA AND WE SERVE DINNER AND WE LET THEM GET SETTLED AND WE LET THEM GO OUT AND SMOKE UNTIL 10.

>> THEY DECIDE EACH MORNING WHETHER TO OPEN THE SHELTERS FOR THE NIGHT AND WITH THAT IN MIND VOLUNTEERS RECOMMEND CALLING THE 211 HOTLINE TO SEE WHICH LOCATIONS ARE OPEN BEFORE SHOWING UP.

>>> THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM IS PLANNING INCREASING FREQUENCIES AND THAT IS THANKS TO AN INFLUX OF STATE FUNDING.

>> Reporter: LIKE MOST TRANSIT AGENCIES, MTS HAD A CUT BACK SERVICE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

IT IS STILL RECOVERING.

THE STATE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR STEPPED IN TO HELP PROVIDING MORE THAN $5 BILLION IN ONE- TIME FUNDING TO TRANSIT AGENCIES ACROSS THE STATE AND THEY PLAN ON USING ITS SHARE OF ABOUT $284 MILLION TO REDUCE WAIT TIMES AT TRANSIT STOPS.

MANNY RODRIGUEZ IS THE PLANNING MANAGER FOR THE CITY HEIGHTS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

>> HERE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ONE AND SEVEN AND 10 INTO 15 AND 235 BUSES WILL SEE INCREASED FREQUENCIES THAT INCREASED HOURS OF OPERATIONS WHICH MEANS LESS WAITING AT THE BUS AND YOU CAN USE IT EARLIER IN THE MORNING AND LATER AT NIGHT.

>> Reporter: THEY WILL ALSO USE SOME OF THE FUNDING TO BUILD A CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ITS GROWING FLEET OF ELECTRIC BUSES .

IT WILL ALSO START AND OVERNIGHT EXPRESS BUS FROM THE BORDER CROSSING TO DOWNTOWN.

>> THE BLUE LINE TROLLEY DOESN'T RUN 24/7 SO HAVING THIS BORDER CONNECTION IS CRUCIAL FOR EARLY MORNING AND LATE NIGHT WORKERS TO MAKE IT TO AND FROM DOWNTOWN TO MAKE THEIR LIVINGS.

>> Reporter: MOST OF THE BUS AND TROLLEY IMPROVEMENTS ARE SLATED TO TAKE EFFECT IN THE SUMMER OF 2025 TO GIVE MTS ENOUGH TIME TO HIRE MORE DRIVERS AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS THIS MONTH ASKED THE AGENCY STAFF TO ACCELERATE THAT TIMELINE AND IMPLEMENT THE IMPROVEMENTS BY NEXT SUMMER.

>>> THE SAN MARCUS PROJECT IS ABOUT TO REACH A MAJOR MILESTONE.

ARE REPORTER SAID THAT THE VERA CRUZ BRIDGES OPENING UP WHICH WILL HELP TRAFFIC AND BUSINESSES AHEAD OF THE STORMY WEATHER IN THE HOLIDAYS.

>> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN A FEW MONTHS SINCE PEOPLE COULD COST THE CREEK BETWEEN THE BOULEVARD TO DISCOVERY STREET.

LAST FRIDAY THE CITY HELD A DEDICATION CEREMONY AND SAID THE NEW BRIDGE WOULD BE OPEN THIS WEEK AND NOW, THE CITY'S ENGINEER SAID IT IS HAPPENING.

>> AT THE END OF TODAY WE WILL BE OPENING UP TO TRAFFIC.

TRUCK BUSINESS OWNERS ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REOPENING AND TIM DANIELS OF TOWN JEWELERS SAID SALES HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY THE CLOSURE AND USUALLY THE HOLIDAYS ARE HIS BUSIEST TIME OF YEAR.

>> THE BUSINESS HAS BEEN DOWN 70% IN THE LAST THREE MONTHS.

BUT WE WILL SURVIVE BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN HERE 46 YEARS AND HAVE A LOT OF CLIENTS.

>> Reporter: THE NEW BRIDGE IS ONE OF THE FINAL COMPONENTS OF THE $100 MILLION PROJECT AND IT ADDED INFRASTRUCTURE TO REDUCE FLOODING AND IN PROVE TRAFFIC FLOW AND RESTORE HABITAT.

THE NEW BRIDGE IS HIGHER THAN THE PREVIOUS ROAD AND THERE ARE FOUR LANES PLUS SIDEWALKS AND BIKE LANES.

>> BEFORE THIS THERE WAS A SMALL TWO-LANE BRIDGE OVER THE CREEK THAT FREQUENTLY FLOODED.

>> Reporter: WHILE IT HAS BEEN A STRUGGLE FOR THE BUSINESSES NEARBY, HE IS EXCITED ABOUT LONG-TERM BENEFITS.

>> I THINK IT IS A POSITIVE FOR THE CITY OF SAN MARCUS THAT WE NEEDED IT AND I KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR MANY YEARS AND IT DID COST A LOT OF MONEY TO DO IT, BUT IT IS WORTH IT BECAUSE THIS IS WHERE -- WE ARE A MAJOR CITY RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THE 214 ACRE AREA HAS BEEN UNDER CONSTRUCTION SINCE EARLY 2020 AND THE FINAL STEPS INCLUDE MORE ROADWORK ON BENT AVENUE AND THE COMPLETION OF PASS SALE PARK EXPECTED TO OPEN IN 2024.

>>> ESTATE WIDE STRIKE HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR CFA MEMBERS AT CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES HAPPENING JANUARY 22- 26 AT THE BARGAINING TEAM WORKS ON NEGOTIATING OVER PAY EQUITY AND WORKING CONDITIONS WITH MANAGEMENT.

THIS IS VIDEO FROM EARLIER THIS MONTH AND AMONG THE BARGAINING POINTS ARE 12.5% PAY RAISE AND EXPANDING PAID PARENTAL LEAVE AS WELL AS GENDER INCLUSIVE RESTAURANTS.

>>> IN TIJUANA THE MEXICAN SIDE OF THE BORDER WALL USED TO HAVE HUNDREDS OF MURALS BUT THEY WERE LOST WHEN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION BUILT A TALLER FENCE.

ARE REPORTER SPOKE WITH LOCAL ARTISTS WHO HAVE PLANS FOR THE NEW WALL.

>> Reporter: THE BIDEN MINISTRATION IS CURRENTLY REPLACING LARGE SECTIONS OF THE WALL IN FRIENDSHIP PARK SO GONE ARE THE COLORFUL MURALS THAT ONCE DECORATED THE MEXICAN SIDE OF THE WALL AND MOST OF THEM TALKED ABOUT THEMES OF MIGRATION AND BORDER LIFE AND BROUGHT ATTENTION TO CAUSES LIKE DEPORTED VETERANS OR MIGRANT THEFTS AND NOW THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH A TALL AND GRAY AND BEAR FENCE.

BUT NOT FOR LONG.

>> HE IS AN ARTIST WHO HAS SPENT THOUSANDS OF HOURS PAINTING MURALS ALONG THE BORDER AND HE SAID THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY WAS SAD TO SEE THIS GET TAKEN DOWN BUT NOW THAT THE NEW WALL IS UP HE AND OTHER ARTISTS ARE EXCITED TO GET BACK TO WORK ON THEIR NEW CAMPUS.

>> Reporter: A SMALL GROUP OF ARTISTS HAVE ALREADY COMPLETED THE FIRST MURAL AND IT IS AN HOMAGE TO T1'S MIGRANT CULTURE FEATURING A BLOOD RED HEART WITH BLUE WINGS AND MEANT TO BE A TRIBUTE TO THE RESILIENT PART OF THE MIGRANT AND HE SAID THE NEW BORDER WALL WON'T STAY BEAR FOR LONG AND IN JANUARY MORE THAN 20 ARTISTS FROM ALL OVER MEXICO WILL COME TO TIJUANA.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ]4 >> HE SAID THEY ARE EXCITED TO BRING COLOR BACK TO THE BORDER.

>>> A MAJOR RETAILER WILL STOP USING FACIAL RECOGNITION SOFTWARE AS PART OF A FEDERAL SETTLEMENT AND THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION SAID RIGHT AID USE THE TECHNOLOGY TO UNFAIRLY TARGET PEOPLE OF COLOR AND ACCORDING TO THE ALLEGATIONS, THEY USE FACIAL RECOGNITION TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL SHOPLIFTERS AND THE SETTLEMENT CALLS FOR THEM TO STOP USING SOFTWARE FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

>>> A LOCAL HERO OF THE YEAR RECEIVED A $90,000 GRANT FROM THE SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION.

DOCTOR STEWART RECEIVED THIS CNN HONOR THIS YEAR FOR FOUNDING PROJECT STREET THAT HELPING PETS OF THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

HE SAID HE WILL SPLIT THE AWARD WITH THE OTHER FINALISTS AND THIS IS FROM THE LINDA SEAT SCOTT FUND FOR ANIMAL WELFARE AT SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION.

>>> A CENTRAL FIGURE IN ONE OF THE BIGGEST BRIBERY CASES IN THE U.S. MILITARY HISTORY IS BACK IN AMERICA.

LEONARD FRANCIS IS AMONG THOSE INCLUDED IN A PRISONER SWAP THAT THE UNITED STATES NEGOTIATED WITH VENEZUELA.

HE WAS FOUND THERE AFTER ESCAPING HOUSE ARREST LAST YEAR FACING A 25 YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR BRIBING MAY BE -- MAYBE OFFICIALS TO STEAL BUSINESS TO A COMPANY HE OWNED IN SINGAPORE.

>>> CALIFORNIA'S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WANTS TO FOLLOW COLORADO'S LEAD AND BAND PRESIDENT TRUMP FROM THE 2024 BALLOT.

SHE SAID SHE DID SEND A LETTER TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO EXAMINE HOW IT CAN BE DONE AND THE DECISION WOULD NEED TO BE MADE BEFORE NEXT WEEK'S DEADLINE TO FINALIZE THE PRIMARY BALLOT.

WE HAVE MORE REACTION TO THE COLORADO RULING.

>> Reporter: THE COLORADO SUPREME COURT RULED A 4-3 THAT FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP CAN'T BE ON THE BALLOT IN THE STATE BECAUSE OF HIS ACTIONS ON JANUARY 6 OF 2021 CITING THE 14th AMENDMENT'S BAN ON INSURRECTIONISTS HOLDING PUBLIC OFFICE.

>> I BELIEVE THAT DONALD TRUMP INCITED THE RESURRECTION -- INSURRECTION AND IT'S UP TO THE COURT WHETHER IT DISQUALIFIES HIM FROM FURTHER HOLDING OFFICE UNDER THE CONSTITUTION AND THIS ISN'T SUCH A CLEAR-CUT CASE IN THAT WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF CASE LAW AND IT IS UNPRECEDENTED.

>> Reporter: HIS CAMPAIGN SAID IT WOULD SWIFTLY FILE AN APPEAL WRITING WE HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE THAT THE SUPREME COURT WILL QUICKLY RULE IN OUR FAVOR AND FINALLY PUT AN END TO THESE UN- AMERICAN LAWSUITS.

THE RULING DRAWS STRONG REACTION FROM VOTERS.

>> WE NEED TO PREVENT SOMETHING LIKE THAT FROM HAPPENING AND IT IS BENEFICIAL FOR ALL AMERICANS.

>> I DON'T SEE THE RIGHT TO INTERJECT.

TRUCK THIS IS LIKELY TO BECOME A RALLYING CRY FOR REPUBLICANS IN 2024 AND EVEN THE PRIMARY COMPETITORS OF TRUMPER SPEAKING OUT AGAINST THE DECISION.

>> WE DON'T NEED JUDGES MAKING DECISIONS AND WE NEED VOTERS DOING THAT.

>> I THINK IT WOULD CAUSE A LOT OF ANGER IN THIS COUNTRY IF PEOPLE HAD THE CHOICE TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM.

>> Reporter: TRUMP SPOKEN IOWA TUESDAY NIGHT AFTER THE RULING DROPPED BUT HE DIDN'T MENTION THE DECISION.

>>> RAIN IS EXPECTED TO ARRIVE TONIGHT AND LAST THROUGH FRIDAY IN SAN DIEGO IN THIS ISN'T THE ONLY PLACE WHERE WEATHER IS AN ISSUE AND WE SHOW YOU THE FLOODING IN THE NORTH EAST THREATENING HOMES DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS.

>> I HAVE A NINE-YEAR-OLD WHO IS FREAKING OUT AND SAID WHAT IF I HAVE TO LEAVE AND I SAID I WOULD CARRY YOU ON MY BACK.

TRUCK THEY ARE ASSESSING DAMAGE AS FLOODWATERS CONTINUE TO RISE AROUND THEM.

>> WE HAD QUITE A BIT OF WATER.

>> Reporter: MAINE IS THE HARDEST HIT STATE WITH ROADS CLOSED.

>> AS A RESULT OF DOWNED TREES AND POWER LINES AND FLOODING AND SIGNIFICANT INFRASTRUCTURE DAMAGE.

>> Reporter: SOME OF EVACUATED AHEAD OF THE FLOODS BUT MANY STAYED PUT AND WATER RESCUE BY BOAT AND HELICOPTER ARE UNDERWAY.

>> WE HAVE TO PUT RESCUERS IN EXTREME RISK AND GET THEM OUT.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY MANY RIVERS WILL STAY IN A MAJOR FLOOD STAGE OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS WITH DANGEROUS CURRENT LIKE HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE WHERE A WATER DEPARTMENT TRUCK WAS TURNED INTO TWISTED METAL AFTER BEING SWEPT BY FLOODWATERS INTO A BRIDGE AND THIS HOME IS HOLDING ON WITH TEMPORARY WOODEN BEAMS.

>> THIS WHOLE EMBANKMENT HAD CHAIN-LINK OFFENSES AND ROCK'S TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THE LAND AND IT PEELED RIGHT BACK LIKE IT WAS PAPER.

>> Reporter: WITH FLOODWATERS RISING AND TEMPERATURES FALLING, MANY ARE RACING TO SALVAGE WHAT THEY CAN AS THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND NEARS.

>> I THINK IT IS WORKING OUT AND I AM ON OUR THREE AND I THINK THERE IS ANOTHER HOUR LEFT AND IT WILL BE DONE.

>>> HERE COMES THE WET WEATHER AND SO FAR TO DATE THE AVERAGE RAINFALL FOR THE MONTH IS RIGHT AROUND AN INCH AND WE COULD SEE MORE THAN A MONTH WORTH OF RAIN OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT TWO DAYS BUT NOT TONIGHT WITH SHOWERS INCREASING AND TEMPERATURES DROPPING INTO THE MID-50s AND MAYBE SOME STEADIER SHOWERS FURTHER NORTH TO RIVERSIDE COUNTY AND ESPECIALLY OUT TOWARD SANTA BARBARA WHERE THEY SEE SOME VERY HEAVY RAINFALL TONIGHT INTO THURSDAY AND HERE 36 AND THIS IS A PLUME OF MOISTURE THAT WILL DELIVER HEAVY RAIN IN A SHORT TERM BUT AS WE GO THROUGH THURSDAY WE WILL SEE THAT BEGIN TO SLIDE ITS WAY FURTHER IN OUR DIRECTION AND BY THE TIME WE GET INTO THE AFTERNOON AND EVENING, THE RATES WILL BE ON THE INCREASE AND CONTINUE AS WE GO INTO FRIDAY.

SO LET'S BREAK IT DOWN.

TEMPERATURE -WISE IT IS 70 IN OCEANSIDE AND 60 AND CHULA VISTA AND THE HEAVIEST IS COMING IN LATER ON DURING THE DAY WHICH IS WHY THERE IS A FLOOD WATCH OUT AREAWIDE THAT STARTS THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND GOES INTO FRIDAY AFTERNOON AND THE TIMING IS THURSDAY EVENING INTO THURSDAY NIGHT AND WE COULD SEE A FEW INCHES OF RAIN WITH HIGHER TOTALS OVER THE HIGHER TERRAIN ESPECIALLY LIFTING UP TO THE NORTH AND LOS ANGELES AND LOOKING AT SEVERAL INCHES AND ALSO SANTA BARBARA LOOKING AT 3 TO 6 INCHES OF RAIN AND AS WE TALK ABOUT THE COAST, AND INCH OR SO OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS WHICH IS A MONTHS WORTH AND WE SEE SUNSHINE RETURNING AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND AND THE SAME FOR THE INTERIOR VALLEYS WITH WET WEATHER ON THURSDAY TAPERING FRIDAY AS A STRAY SHOWER MIGHT BE HERE SATURDAY AND IT DOES GET FUNNY.

THE SNOW LEVELS COULD BE PRETTY HIGH IN THE SUNSHINE IS BACK WITH US LATER ON THIS WEEKEND AND EVEN THE DESERT WILL SEE SOME RAIN THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.

>>> THIS CHRISTMAS MAY BE REMEMBERED FOR THE LIGHT DISPLAY CAUSED BY AN ACTIVE VOLCANO AT LEAST FOR PEOPLE IN ICELAND.

WE HAVE AN UPDATE AS SOME RESIDENTS WAIT TO RETURN TO THEIR HOMES.

>> Reporter: UP CLOSE AS THE EARTH SPEWS MOUNTAINS OF LAVA AND ICELAND REMAINS IN THE STATE OF EMERGENCY IS THE VOLCANIC ERUPTION CONTINUES.

>> THIS IS AS CLOSE AS THE ICELANDIC AUTHORITIES WILL ALLOW US TO THE FISHERS WHERE THE ERUPTION IS HAPPENING AND I WILL SAY WE ARE LESS THAN A MILE AWAY FROM IT.

THINGS HAVE CALMED DOWN A LITTLE BIT BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE DANGER IS THERE IN THE AUTHORITIES FEAR THERE COULD BE NEW EVENTS OPENING UP OR POP UP WHERE LOVER -- LAVA COULD COME TO THE SURFACE IN FOUNTAINS LIKE WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE PAST DAY AND A HALF.

SO WELL THINGS HAVE GOTTEN MUTED, THE DANGER ISN'T OVER.

>> Reporter: IN THE EARLY STAGES OF THE ERUPTION, A WALL OF LAVA SPEWING HUNDREDS OF FEET INTO THE AIR.

THE UNDERGROUND MAGMA TUNNEL DOES REMAIN DANGEROUS.

>> IT IS COMING UP AND IT IS 1200 DEGREES WHEN IT COMES TO THE SURFACE AND IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR IT TO COOL DOWN.

>> Reporter: THE AREA AROUND THE ERUPTION ZONE REMAINS CORDED OFF AND THE WORLD FAMOUS BLUE LAGOON HOT SPRINGS CLOSED.

>> Reporter: IT IS SO DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU SEE THE VOLCANIC ACTIVITY HERE BUT IF YOU PAN OVER HERE, OVER THERE IS A GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE ELECTRICITY HERE IN THIS AREA AND THE AUTHORITIES ARE TRYING TO PROTECT THAT BY BUILDING A BERM AGAINST ANY LAVA FLOWS.

>> Reporter: FOR THE LOW GOAL RESIDENTS -- >> WE WERE EVACUATED IN NOVEMBER AND WE HAVE BEEN BUYING FLATS FOR THE RESIDENTS SO WE HAVE FLATS THAT PEOPLE CAN MOVE INTO BEFORE CHRISTMAS WHICH IS THE MOST PEOPLE IN MOST DIRE NEED OF HOUSING.

>> Reporter: IT LEAVES MANY WONDERING IF THEY WILL EVER SEE THEIR HOMES AGAIN.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, SEVERAL AMERICANS HELD IN VENEZUELA WERE RELEASED IN A PRISONER SWAP WHICH IS COMING UP AFTER THE EVENING EDITION ON KPBS.

>>> AS WE WRAP UP 2023, WE LOOK BACK ON SOME OF THE BEST STORIES OF THE YEAR.

THIS SUMMER WE WENT TO LIBERTY STATION AND FOUND A PIANO CREATING COMMUNITY AND AN OPPORTUNITY.

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

>> ♪ HERE COMES THE SUN.

HERE COMES THE SUN AND I SAY, IT IS ALL RIGHT.

>> Reporter: FORT TEEN-YEAR-OLD McKENNA AND HIS LIFELONG FRIEND LIAM HAVE A CREATIVE CONNECTION THAT THEY MOST RECENTLY USED IN A COLLABORATION TO REVIVE AND AGING UPRIGHT PIANO.

>> THIS IS SIGNIFICANTLY OLDER AND HAS LIVED ABOUT THREE LIFETIMES.

>> Reporter: HE IS AN ACCOMPLISHED PIANO PLAYER AND SINGER AND LEO 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 AND THE PIANO WAS HEADED TO THE JUNKYARD, BUT THE BOYS WERE SURE IT STILL HAD THE VALUE AND A REASON TO PLAY ON IT.

THAT IS WHEN THEY REACHED OUT TO THE NATIONAL THING 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 THE MOST STARTING WITH RESTORED PIANOS.

>> SOMEBODY PAINTS A PIANO AND IT IS PUT IN THE PUBLIC FOR ABOUT THREE WEEKS WHICH IS WHERE WE ARE NOW.

AND THEN IT IS DONATED TO A FOREVER HOME LIKE A HOSPITAL OR SCHOOL OR COMMUNITY CENTER OR EVEN PLACES LIKE THIS.

>> Reporter: SINCE JULY THE PIANO HAS LIVED HERE ON THE CORNER OF DEWEY IN DECATUR AND ITS KEYBOARD AVAILABLE TO ANYBODY PASSING BY.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF MY SIGNATURE DOODLES AND THERE ARE SKATEBOARDS AND WAVES ALL OVER THE PAN UP.

>> Reporter: HE IS A TALENTED ARTIST AND THE PIANO BECAME HIS CANVAS HONORING HIS BELOVED OCEAN BEACH COMMUNITY.

>> IT IS A SON WITH RAISED SHOOTING OUT LIKE THIS ONE FROM THE SUN AND A LARGE SCALE OCEAN BEACH WITH WAVES BREAKING.

>> Reporter: FOR McKENNA THERE IS A DEEPER MESSAGE INSPIRED BY THE LEGENDARY PIANO MAN.

>> IF YOU COME DOWN HERE YOU WILL SEE KIDS TINKERING AROUND ON THE PIANO AND WHO KNOWS MAYBE IT COULD INSPIRE SOMEBODY TO TAKE LESSONS AND BECOME THE NEXT BILLY JOEL OR SOMETHING.

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

>> Reporter: McKENNA ALSO HELPED SAVE LIVES AS A JUNIOR LIFEGUARD ALONG SAN DIEGO'S BEACHES AND HERE HE USES A SURFBOARD IN TRAINING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH THE SOUND OF THE WAVES, YOU CAN ALSO HEAR THE PASSION OF HIS MUSICAL TALENT AND HOW HE USES IT TO HELP OTHERS.

>> THEY COULD HAVE HAD THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE OR WHATEVER AND THEY WALKED BY A PIANO LIKE THIS AND THEY HEARD SOMEBODY PLAYING OR THEY SAT DOWN AND PLAYED IT AND IT PREVENTED THEM FROM DOING WHATEVER THEY WERE GOING TO DO AND JUST CONNECTING THROUGH THE ARTS I THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS PROJECT.

>> Reporter: WE TALKED WITH CAMILLE, THE COFOUNDER HERE IN NEW YORK CITY ABOUT McKENNA AND LEO AND THEIR PROJECT AND SHE GIVES THEM AN A+ FOR THE MESSAGE THEY HAVE CREATED THROUGH THEIR MUSIC.

>> IT EXPANDS OUR MINDS AND BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS.

I THINK THAT CONNECTION WITH THAT SMART INNOVATION IS SOMETHING WE NEED AND AS LIFELONG LEARNERS, WE HAVE TO BE REENGAGED WITH THE SPIRIT OF CREATIVITY.

>> ARE YOU THE PIANO BOY?

>> THAT IS NOT FOR ME TO SAY.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW LIBERTY STATION WILL ALLOW THE VOICE PIANO TO PLAY DASH NEXT DAY UNTIL THEY FIND IT'S FOREVER HOME.

>>> THE PIANO LATER FOUND A HOME AT MARCY HIGH SCHOOL WHICH IS AN ALTERNATIVE LEARNING COMMUNITY FOR STUDENTS WITH SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SPECIAL NEEDS.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON FOR TOMORROW IN THE NEWSROOM WITH INTENSE RAIN CAUSING FLOODING IN THE NORTHEAST THIS WEEK AND ON THE MORNING EDITION, CLIMATE SCIENTISTS ARE FINDING THAT THESE EVENTS ARE GETTING MORE COMMON IN MOST CITIES AND THEY AREN'T PREPARED TO HANDLE ALL OF THAT WATER.

>> OUR MIDDAY EDITION IS WRAPPING UP A LOOK BACK AT THE BEST INTERVIEWS OF 2023 AND TOMORROW WE WILL FOCUS ON ARTS AND CULTURE INCLUDING THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIP-HOP AND YOU CAN FIND STORIES TONIGHT 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 FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL ONE 800 BILL HOWE OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

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

♪ AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.