>>> 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 IS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 16.

THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

>>> WE BEGIN WITH THE INDOOR CALIFORNIA MASK MANDATE.

IT IS NOW GONE.

THE GOVERNOR NOW WANTS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT WHERE THE STATE IS GOING WITH THE ENDEMIC.

KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: DOCTOR ERIK TOPOL FROM THE SCRIPPS INSTITUTE HAS REVIEWED THE GOVERNOR'S ENDEMIC PLAN.

>> IT COULD BE BETTER.

COULD BE MORE COMPREHENSIVE.

>> Reporter: WILL PROMOTE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES IN THE PREVENTION OF A NEW VARIANT.

BUT HE SAYS HE WISHES IT FOCUSED ON TRACKING THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS.

>> I THINK WHAT WE SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT IS, DO WE HAVE VIRUS CONTAINMENT AT LOW LEVELS?

AND WHAT ARE WE DOING TO KEEP IT THAT WAY ONCE WE GET THERE?

WE ARE NOT THERE YET.

WE ARE NOWHERE CLOSE.

>> Reporter: TRANSITIONING TO AN ENDEMIC PHASE IS ACKNOWLEDGING THE VIRUS IS NOT GOING AWAY.

>> WE COULD SEE A NEW STRAIN OF VIRUS THAT COULD HAUNT US IN THE MONTHS AHEAD, SO LET'S BE CAREFUL ABOUT THINKING, WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF THIS.

THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

>> Reporter: THE CDC REPORTS 97% OF COUNTIES HAVE HIGH OR SUBSTANTIAL TRANSMISSION RATES BUT PLANNING IS HAPPENING AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL FOR THE NEXT PHASE.

>> WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A TIME WHEN WE CAN PROTECT AND PREVENT AGAINST IT.

>> Reporter: IT IS A PREPAREDNESS PLAN BECAUSE THE ENDEMIC DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE ARE MOVING ON FROM COVID-19.

I AM MATT HOFFMAN FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE CDC AND OTHER TOP COVID- 19 EXPERTS ARE WEIGHING IN ON WHETHER OR NOT TO LOOSEN MASK RESTRICTIONS.

HERE IS THAT KARIN CAIFA.

>>> IS MASK MANDATES ARE USED, THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION SAYS NEW GUIDANCE COULD BE COMING SOON.

>> IF IT HAPPENS, IT WILL BE CLEAR AND IT WILL BE BASED ON DATA IN SCIENCE.

>> Reporter: DESPITE A DROP IN THE NUMBER OF CASES, FEDERAL DECISIONS WILL PUT ANOTHER METRIC IN FOCUS.

>> WE MUST CONSIDER HOSPITAL CAPACITY AS A BAROMETER.

HOSPITALS NEED TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE WITH HEART ATTACKS AND STROKES.

PEOPLE WITH EMERGENT ISSUES SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE.

>> Reporter: MASKS IN SCHOOLS IS ANOTHER AREA.

>> I THINK THE JOB OF THE CDC IS TO MAKE SURE THAT SCHOOLS ARE SAFE AND KIDS CAN BE IN SCHOOL AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS SAY THAT TRENDS ARE NOT A REASON TO LET UP.

>> THE GAME CLOCK IS STILL TAKING.

WE CAN'T PAUL IS AND WE CAN'T STOP MOVING.

>>> AN ENSEMBLE FORECAST PREDICTS A DECLINE IN COVID-19 RELATED DEATHS OVER THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE DECEMBER.

I AM IT KARIN CAIFA REPORTING FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> IN SAN FRANCISCO IS KNOWN FOR ITS PERFECT WEATHER AND DIVERSITY BUT THAT CARRIES A COST.

KPBS REPORTER TANIA THORNE SHOWS US THE COST.

>> Reporter: TALK WITH ANY SAN DIEGO RESIDENT AND THEY WILL TELL YOU, IT IS NOT CHEAP.

THE COST OF LIVING IS GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE AND SO ARE THE HOMES.

A RECENT STUDY SAYS THAT SAN DIEGO TOPS THE LIST AS FAR AS UNAFFORDABLE HOUSING MARKETS.

THEY LOOKED AT LOCAL INCOMES AND HOME PRICES.

THE MEDIUM HOME PRICE ROSE 14.3% .

WHEN THEY LOOK AT THE MEDIAN HOME PRICE AND LOCAL INCOMES IT TOOK THE ON AFFORDABILITY SCORE TO THE TOP OF THE LIST, SURPASSING SAN FRANCISCO.

>> WE HAVE SEEN A MAJOR DETERIORATION OF HOMEOWNERSHIP IN SAN DIEGO.

IT WAS NOT AFFORDABLE TO BEGIN WITH BUT IT GOT A LOT WORSE DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: A SENIOR ECONOMIST WITH ZILLOW SAYS HOUSEHOLD INCOMES ARE NOT INCREASING AS FAST AS HOUSE PRICES.

>> NOT SEEING THE INCREASE IN SALARIES AND INCOMES TO MATCH THE COST OF HOMES MAKES IT A PROBLEM.

THE COST OF HOMEOWNERSHIP IN SAN DIEGO IS BECOMING WILDLY UNAFFORDABLE.

CHRISTOPHER THORNBURG SAYS AFFORDABILITY IS NOT THE ROOT OF THE CONVERSATION.

IT IS THE LACK OF SUPPLY.

>> IF YOU HAD MORE HOUSES FOR SALE, THE PRICE WOULD GO DOWN.

IF YOU HAD MORE APARTMENTS FOR RENT, THE PRICE WOULD GO DOWN.

HOW DO WE HAVE MORE SUPPLY?

WE DO EVERYTHING IN SAN DIEGO THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO DO.

YOU NEED DENSIFICATION AND YOU NEED HEIGHT LIMITS TAKEN BACK.

YOU NEED MORE LAND BEING USED FOR HOUSING.

>> Reporter: MANY INDUSTRIES FIND SAN DIEGO ATTRACTIVE AND THAT IS HELPING TO DRIVE THE INCREASE IN PRICES.

IM TANIA THORNE FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE HEAD OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN SAN DIEGO ONCE HIS FLOCK TO BE USED AS FAR AS HER CONCERN REGARDING A PRIEST WHO BAPTIZED PEOPLE TWO DECADES AGO.

>> I BAPTIZE YOU IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.

>> Reporter: FOR CATHOLICS, BAPTISM IS THE MOST IMPORTANT RIGHT.

THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.

>> LET'S WELCOME MELISSA AND INTO THE FAMILY.

>> Reporter: BUT THOUSANDS OF CATHOLICS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY JUST FOUND OUT THAT THEIR BAPTISMS ARE CONSIDERED INVALID BY THE CHURCH BECAUSE THE FATHER USED THE WORD WE INSTEAD OF I WHEN SAYING THE MOST IMPORTANT LINE.

HE INSERTED THE COLLECTIVE COMMUNITY WHEN IT IS ONLY CHRIST WHO GIVES A SACRAMENT.

THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED BY THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF PHOENIX, HE WAS MOST RECENTLY ASSIGNED.

>> HE USED THE WORD WE INSTEAD OF I.

>> Reporter: INGRID IS A DEVOUT CATHOLIC IN SAN DIEGO AND SHE SAYS, FOR THE FAITHFUL WHO IS AFFECTED, THIS IS UNIMAGINABLE.

>> I WOULD BE MORE DEVASTATED THAN UPSET.

HOW CAN THIS HAPPEN?

HOW CAN THEY LET A PRIEST DO THAT?

>> Reporter: THOSE THAT WERE BAPTIZED BY HIM DURING HIS CAREER SHOULD CONTACT YOUR DIOCESE.

WE SPOKE WITH --.

>> IT IS UNIQUE.

YOU DON'T HEAR ABOUT THIS HAPPENING OFTEN.

>> Reporter: THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO SAYS THEY ARE NOT SURE HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE BAPTIZED BY HIM.

>> HE WAS NOT INVOLVED ON CAMPUS MUCH.

>> Reporter: EVERY BISHOP HAS A DIRECT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE POPE AND BISHOP McENROE WROTE A STATEMENT THAT THIS WAS A PASTORAL DILEMMA AND NOT A MATTER OF CHURCH LAW.

>> THE BISHOP SAID IT THE BEST.

HE SAID THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE AT EASE AND THAT EVERYTHING WILL WORK OUT.

>> Reporter: BUT HE SAYS THAT ANYONE WHO IS CONCERNED SHOULD CONTACT THE BISHOP.

>> HE WOULD BE HAPPY TO TALK WITH THEM AND GIVE THEM WHATEVER THEY NEED.

IF THEY WANT TO BE REBAPTIZED THEY MAY.

>> Reporter: BUT THEY SAY THAT GOD IS NOT BOUND BY THE LIMITATION OF THE SACRAMENTS.

>> Reporter: WHILE HE REMAINS IN GOOD STANDING, HE APOLOGIZED AND RESIGNED.

I AM KATIE ALVAREZ FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> KPBS REPORTER TOM CARROLL IS TAKING A LOOK AT THE WILD WEATHER.

>>> LET'S START WITH SATURDAY.

IT WAS A RECORDBREAKER OF THE FIRST-ORDER.

>> SAN DIEGO REACHED 91 DEGREES AND THAT IS AN ALL-TIME HIGH FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY.

>> Reporter: OVER THE LAST 24 HOURS, THE WEATHER HAS GIVEN ITSELF OVER TO A LITTER RATIONS LIKE WILD, WEIRD AND WACKY.

SO, WHAT IS GOING ON?

THE BLAZING HOT WEATHER CAME FROM A METEOROLOGICAL COMBINATION.

FIRST OF ALL, SANTA ANA WINDS.

>> WE ALSO HAD A BIG DOME OF HIGH PRESSURE OR A DOME OF HEAT SITTING OVER US ALONG THE COAST.

THE COMBINATION OF THE TWO BASICALLY REMOVES THE SEABREEZE AND THE MARINE AIR AND WE BECOME THE DESERTS.

>>> THEN, TUESDAY, BRINGING THE BIG CHANGE, HEAVY RAIN FALLING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY THANKS TO A COLD ARCTIC SYSTEM.

>> WHAT THAT MEANS ARCHAEOLOGICALLY IS A LOT OF INSTABILITY.

THERE WERE 190 STRIKES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THOSE ARE CLOUD-TO-GROUND STRIKES.

AT ANOTHER 160 IN THE CLOUD.

>> Reporter: ACROSS LARGE PARTS OF INLAND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THERE IS SOMETHING RARELY SEEN.

HAIL.

>> THAT IS A REFLECTION OF THE REALLY COLD AIR THAT CAME DOWN FROM ALASKA.

>> Reporter: IN THE MOUNTAINS THAT MEANT SNOW.

AS OF TODAY IT WAS STILL ON THE GROUND IN JULIAN AND MOUNT LAGUNA.

HE SAYS THE STORM ON TUESDAY WAS NOT A DROUGHT BUSTER BUT PRECIPITATION HELPS.

IT MEANS THE HIGH FIRE DANGER OF LAST WEEK IS NOW GONE.

AND, TODAY, IT WAS BACK TO FAIRLY STANDARD WINTER WEATHER.

SUNNY AND HIGHS IN THE 60s.

AND ANOTHER MILDER SANTA ANA DEVELOPING TONIGHT INTO TOMORROW.

I AM IT JOHN CARROLL FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> TRASH CANS, OR LACK THEREOF HAVE BEEN CAUSING PROBLEMS IN THE CITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT OF CITY HEIGHTS.

LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE MIXED REACTIONS TO THE CURRENT STATE OF CLEANLINESS ON UNIVERSITY AVENUE.

>> Reporter: UNIVERSITY AVENUE HAS BUSINESSES LINING THE CORRIDOR AND PEOPLE GO ON FOOT, PUBLIC TRANSIT AND BY CAR.

IT PRODUCES INEVITABLE TRASH.

BUT THE OWNER OF ONE STORE SAYS THERE IS A LACK OF TRASH CANS TO DEAL WITH DEAL WITH IT.

>> IT IS BECOMING A PROBLEM BECAUSE, PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHERE TO PUT THE TRASH.

IT JUST SEEMS EASIER TO PUT IT ON THE GROUND.

>> Reporter: A CITY HEIGHTS BUSINESS ASSOCIATION PURCHASED AND INSTALLED OR THAN 100 TRASH CANS IN A BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA BUT THE ASSOCIATION STARTED MOVING THEM.

NOW, SEVERAL DOZEN ARE SITTING EMPTY.

CBH A AMBASSADORS SAYS THAT THE ORGANIZATION REMOVED THE TRASH CANS DUE TO IMPROPER USE.

>> SOME BUSINESSES COMPLAINED ABOUT THE TRASH GOING INTO THEIR STORES.

OTHERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THEM BEING VANDALIZED.

OWNERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THEIR OWN NEIGHBORS.

THERE ARE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS ABUSING THOSE TRASH CANS.

>> Reporter: ONE PERSON THAT COMPLAIN WAS JOSI.

HE SAID MUCH OF THE PROBLEM WAS OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE ILLEGALLY DUMPING TRASH.

HE IS HAPPY SOME OF THEM ARE GONE AND HE DOES NOT WANT THEM BACK BUT, FOR DIAZ, HE DOESN'T WANT THEM BACK.

HE SAYS HE NEVER USED TO HAVE TO DO THIS WHEN TRASH CANS WERE NEARBY.

>> WE TRY TO PICK UP EVERY SINGLE DAY BED IT IS OVERWHELMING.

WE CLEAN AND WE CLEAN AND IT JUST DOES NOT STOP.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE CREW MAINTAINS THE TRASH CANS EVERY WEEK.

HE ALSO ADDED THE ORGANIZATION IS WILLING TO ACCOMMODATE REQUESTS FOR THE FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES FOR ADDITIONAL TRASH CANS IN THE AREA.

>>> IT INFLATION IS HITTING SOME AMERICANS HARD.

MANY FAMILY SAY THEY ARE SPENDING HUNDREDS OF EXTRA DOLLARS EACH MONTH, JUST TO KEEP UP.

>>> ACROSS AMERICA, FAMILIES ARE SPENDING $276 MORE PER MONTH , ON AVERAGE, BECAUSE OF INFLATION.

BUT HERE IN CODE TAMPA, FLORIDA, THEY ARE FEELING THE SQUEEZE EVEN MORE.

>> DOES THAT NUMBER SOUND RIGHT TO YOU?

>> I WOULD SAY IN THAT BALLPARK IS PRETTY ACCURATE.

>> DO YOU ESTIMATE YOU MAY SEE EVEN MORE?

>> Reporter: YES.

>> Reporter: JULIE AND HER FAMILY LIVE JUST OUTSIDE OF TAMPA.

THE INFLATION RATE IS SOARING TO 6.9%.

>> IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BE SLOWING DOWN.

>> Reporter: SHE IS FEELING IT WITH DAYCARE.

>> IT WENT UP BY $30 PER WEEK.

>> Reporter: AT THE GROCERY STORE.

>> EGGS ARE ONE DOLLAR MORE AND THEN I LOOKED AT MILK AND THAT IS $1.50 MORE.

>> Reporter: AND AT THE PUMP.

>> I PAID $4.09 TODAY FOR GAS.

>> Reporter: IS THAT THE HIGHEST YOU HAVE PAID?

>> YES.

>> Reporter: BUT THE WORST IS THAT HER FRANCHISE THAT SHE JUST BOUGHT.

>> HAVE YOU BEEN TO READ AS BEFORE?

YOU ARE IN FOR A TREAT.

>> Reporter: SHE IS GETTING READY FOR HER SUPPLY COST TO GO UP.

>> THE PRICE IS GOING TO GO UP BY 20%.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS SHE DOES NOT WANT TO RAISE PRICES BUT SHE HAS CUT HER ENTIRE SALARY.

>> IT HAS GOT TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE AND, IT IS A REALLY TOUGH POSITION TO BE IN IS A BUSINESS OWNER.

SO, I WILL JUST TAKE IT FROM ME.

>> Reporter: MANY HAVE SEEN THE STEEPEST RISE IN LIVING COST AND THE GROWING LATINO POPULATION IN TAMPA IS OUTPACING THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

IN DECEMBER, CATHERINE BAEZ SAYS HER RENT WENT UP BY $400.

I ASKED HER WHAT SHE THOUGHT?

SHE SAYS, "I CAN'T PAY IT.

I CAN'T."

SO SHE MOVED AND IS NOW PICKING UP ODD JOBS JUST TO KEEP UP WITH THE RISING COST.

HER ONE-WOMAN BEAUTY SERVICE IS NOT COVERING THE BILLS.

>> I HAVE HAD TO CLAIM HOMES AND OFFICES.

IT IS NOT VERY COMFORTABLE BUT IT HAS TO BE DONE.

TRYING TO KEEP UP FOR HER AND HER SON IS NOT EASY.

I ASKED HER HOW IT HAS BEEN EMOTIONALLY.

>> Reporter: THERE IS UNCERTAINTY BECAUSE, WHEN THE DAY FOR PAYING THE BILL ARRIVES AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE FULL AMOUNT, YOU FEEL ANGUISHED.

IS THE SOLE PROVIDER AND SINGLE MOTHER, IT IS DIFFICULT.

>>> THE U.S. HAS SUSPENDED AVOCADO IMPORTS FROM MEXICO AFTER A U.S. OFFICIAL WAS THREATENED.

A FOOD INSPECTOR RECEIVED A THREATENING PHONE CALL TO HIS CELL PHONE ONE STATE GROWERS SAYS CALIFORNIA AVOCADO PRODUCERS CANNOT KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND.

>> THERE IS A HINT THAT IT WILL NOT GET SETTLED AND IT COULD TAKE AS LONG AS A COUPLE OF MONTHS.

AND IF THAT HAPPENS, YOU WILL SEE PRICES SKYROCKET.

>>> IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS ONE OF SEVERAL TOP GROWERS AND THEY MAKE UP ONLY 10% OF THE NATIONAL AVOCADO NEED.

>>> THE COLDEST YEAR IS BEHIND US.

WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME WARMER DAYS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER BIG DROP NEXT WEEK.

BEFORE WE GET TO THAT, SOME GUSTING WINDS ARE GOING TO BE PICKING UP THROUGHOUT THE DAY ON THURSDAY.

OFFSHORE FLOW RETURNS AND THAT WILL BRING A BIT OF A WARM-UP OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

WIND ADVISORIES HAVE BEEN POSTED.

THEY GO INTO EFFECT THURSDAY MORNING AND WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

TEMPERATURES FALL DOWN INTO THE 30s.

44 DEGREES IN SAN DIEGO AND OUT TOWARDS CHULA VISTA.

THURSDAY, A WARMER DAY ACROSS CALIFORNIA.

IT WILL BE WARMING UP ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN THE COMING DAYS.

TEMPERATURES BACKUP CLOSE TO 70 DEGREES.

UPPER 60s IN RAMONA AND LOW 70s IN VIRAGO SPRINGS.

THAN A CALM DRY DAY IN THE FORECAST.

A TRANQUIL PATTERN FRIDAY INTO SATURDAY.

THEY WILL FILL THE CHANGES SUNDAY, MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

TEMPERATURES IN THE LOW 70s ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AND THEN 70s AND UPPER 60s SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

FURTHER INLAND, TEMPERATURES IN THE LOW 70s AND UPPER 70s ON FRIDAY.

WE ARE HOLDING ONTO THE WARMTH THAT BEFORE DROPPING DOWN TO 69 ON SATURDAY.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, TEMPERATURES GO UP INTO THE UPPER 40s.

FRIDAY, SATURDAY, MID AND UPPER 40s.

WINDS PICK UP WITH THE TROUGH GOING TO THE SOUTH ON THE NEW WORKWEEK ON SATURDAY.

WE ARE NOT SEEING MUCH OF A CHANGE THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY BUT WE WARM-UP SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY AND THEN WE COOL OFF GOING INTO THE WORK WEEK.

FOR KPBS NEWS I AM METEOROLOGIST JESSICA PASCH.

>>> AN APPELLATE JUDGE HAS BEEN NOMINATED AS THE FIRST LATINA EVER TO SERVE ON THE SUPREME COURT.

SHE IS AN IMPERIAL VALLEY NATIVE WHO SERVES IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS.

SHE IS A FIRST GENERATION CALIFORNIAN.

LATINAS MAKE UP 40% OF THE CALIFORNIA POPULATION AND MANY ARE PRAISING THE NOMINATION.

THEY FEEL LIKE WOMEN ARE ABSENT FROM THIS BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT.

>>> A FREE MANY CONVENTION, BLACK COMIX DATE WAS TODAY.

>>> BLACK PANTHER GAVE PEOPLE A BLACK SUPERHERO THEY COULD CELEBRATE.

>> YOU SEE ALL OF THESE BIG MOVIES BUT YOU DON'T REALLY SEE THE FOLKS WHO CREATED THESE.

THIS UNCOVERS THAT A BIT.

>> Reporter: IT UNCOVERS THE BREATHTAKING DIVERSITY OF CHARACTERS BEYOND BLACK PANTHER.

THAT MARVEL SUPERHERO WAS CREATED BY TWO WHITE BEEN.

BUT BLACK COMIX DAY FOCUSES ON BLACK COMIC BOOK WRITERS.

>> THEY WILL SEE THEMSELVES NOT ONLY IN THE WORK BUT THE CREATIVE FORCE BEHIND IT.

>> I THINK THAT HE IS MY SUPERHERO.

>> Reporter: NIKITA IS THE DIRECTOR OF WORLDBEAT CENTER.

>> TO SEE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE INVOLVED IN THIS GENRE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ALL PEOPLE.

>>> WITH ITS FOCUS, IT PROVIDES THE PERFECT BACKDROP.

>> THIS IS MORE OF A FOCUS ON BLACK CREATORS WHERE YOU CAN MEET, GREET AND INTERACT WITH THEM.

SEE THE STUFF THEY HAVE BEEN PRODUCING.

>>> FOR BLACK CHILDREN TO SEE THAT THEY DON'T JUST HAVE TO BE CONSUMERS OF THIS CONTENT, THEY CAN BE CREATORS AS WELL.

AND SEEING SO MANY UNDER ONE ROOF HELPS TO DRIVE THAT POINT HOME.

>> Reporter: IT IS ABOUT MORE THAN SHOWING YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> IT CREATES POSSIBILITIES IN THEIR MIND.

IN LIFE IN GENERAL.

>> Reporter: RICHMOND WILL BE IN TWO PANELS AT THE CONVENTION.

ONE CALLED AND POWERED LOOKS AT THE CHALLENGES OF BEING A BLACK CREATOR.

>> Reporter: SOMETIMES YOUR FAMILY WANTS YOU TO GET A REAL JOB.

>> BUT SOMETIMES A REAL JOB IS YOUR DREAM JOB.

>> THIS IS A GOOD OLD-FASHIONED FANTASY.

>> I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND IT IS NOT EASY.

THE LONG HOURS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THAT WORK, WHICH MEANS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU WORK OTHER JOBS, IT CAN BE TOUGH STEALING TIME FOR A PASSION PROJECT.

I WANTED A BOOK THAT CENTERED AROUND A BLACK CHARACTER.

YOU HAVE A STORY IN YOUR HEART AND YOU WANT TO TELL IT, DO IT.

PUT PENCIL TO PAPER, BE A WRITER AND AN ARTIST.

WHATEVER YOU CAN DO TO CREATE THAT STORY THAT YOU IMAGINE YOU CAN CREATE.

>> Reporter: JONES IS PROOF OF THAT.

HE FREELANCES AS AN ARTIST AND PUBLISHES A COMIC BOOK, "POWER NIGHTS."

HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT SHOWCASING THE CONTENT COMING FROM BLACK CREATORS.

>> EVERY ARTIST IS DIFFERENT AND HAS A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW.

EVERYTHING YOU WOULD SEE IN YOUR LOCAL COMIC BOOK SHOP IS HERE AND IT IS CREATED BY BLACK CREATORS.

THAT REALLY IS THE ONLY DIFFERENCE AND IT IS FROM THEIR POINT OF VIEW.

THAT IS WHERE I THINK THE UNIQUENESS OF IT COMES FROM.

WHETHER IT IS FICTION OR NONFICTION, IF YOU PUT A PIECE OF YOURSELF IN IT, THAT IS WHERE THE ORIGINAL ELEMENT COMES FROM AND THAT MAKES FOR GOOD ART.

>> Reporter: THAT IS ALSO WHAT MAKES BLACK COMIX DAY PART OF THE CONVENTION.

>> THEY ARE COMING HERE TO EXPERIENCE SOMETHING OUTSIDE OF THEIR OWN CULTURE.

IF YOU ARE BLACK, IT IS OUTSIDE OF WHAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY BEEN EXPOSED TO.

SO, ON THAT ALONE COME I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO COME AND HAVE THAT DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE.

THE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND TO HAVE FUN AND BE ENTERTAINED.

>> Reporter: AND DISCOVER THAT SUPERHEROES EXIST NOT ONLY ON THE BIG SCREEN BUT ALSO BEHIND ARTIST TABLES AT BLACK COMIX.

I AM IT BETH ACCOMANDO FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> BLACK COMIX DAY TAKES PLACE ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AT WORLDBEAT CULTURAL CENTER IN BALBOA PARK.

>>> IF YOU MISSED OUT ON THE CORPSE FLOWER BLOOMING EARLIER THIS MONTH, THERE IS A SMALLER RELATIVE OF THE PLANT CALLED A COGNAC PLANT.

IT IS ALSO CALLED A VOODOO LILY OR AN ELEPHANT YAM.

IT EMITS A ROTTING FLESH SENT.

IT DOES THAT TO ATTRACT THE CARCASS EATING INSECTS THAT POLLINATE IT.

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

THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> 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.

♪