>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING ADDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS.

AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVED SAN DIEGO CLIENT.

ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

HELPING HOMEOWNERS HELP MAINTAIN SYSTEM SINCE 1978.

>>> AND, BY THE CONRAD PREVOST FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCO SHYLY.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

>>> AND, BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

IT IS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3rd.

THANKS FOR JOINING UP JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

TONIGHT, NEW CORONAVIRUS INFECTIONS ARE DOWN.

BUT DEATH REMAIN HIGH AS VACCINATIONS EXPAND TO RURAL AREAS.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY REPORTED 54 DEATHS AND 968 CASES.

THE SECOND DAY BELOW 1000 AND WEEKS.

KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN SHOWS US HOW THE VACCINE IS GETTING DISTRIBUTED , IN THE FAR REACHES OF OUR COUNTY.

>> IT DIDN'T EVEN HURT.

WE WERE WONDERING, OH, MY GOD.

WERE GOING TO HAVE LINES WRAPPED AROUND THE BUILDING.

NOTHING.

LOVELY.

>> Reporter: 80-YEAR-OLD TARA PARKER WAS ABLE TO GET VACCINATED TODAY IN JULIAN.

NOT BY A NURSE BUT BY A FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC.

>> YOU WILL BE THERE FOR 15 MINUTES, JUST TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY REACTIONS TO THE VACCINATION.

AND THEN YOU WILL SIGN OF YOUR BOOSTER SHOT.

>> Reporter: CAL FIRE AND MORE THAN 20 LOCAL AGENCIES ARE RUNNING OPERATION COLLABORATION.

INSTEAD OF FIGHTING FIRES ON THE FRONT LINES, THESE CREWS ARE DELIVERING VACCINES IN RURAL AREAS AND NURSING HOMES.

>> IT IS A LARGE OPERATION WITH SEVERAL COOPERATORS INVOLVED.

NOT JUST CAL FIRE SAN DIEGO, BUT OTHER AGENCIES SUCH AS -- WE HAVE MEMBERS OF THE CERT TEAM, WHICH IS A VOLUNTEER TEAM OF PEOPLE THAT HELP PROTECT THE COMMUNITY AND HELP US IN TIMES OF NEED.

>> 123.

GOOD JOB.

>> THAT IS IT.

>> Reporter: BACKCOUNTRY RESIDENT THAT OFFICIALS ARE BRINGING VACCINATIONS DIRECTLY TO THEM.

>> I HAVE FRIENDS IN LOS ANGELES WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND APPOINTMENTS.

AND IT WAS SO EASY HERE.

I THOUGHT, I SHOULD TELL THEM, DRIVE THREE HOURS.

IT WAS THE FIRST AVAILABLE SITE THAT I COULD GET.

HUNDRED FARRAGO FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS.

AFTER WE TRIED SAN MARCUS AND CARLSBAD AND ALL THOSE PLACES.

>> Reporter: YOU DO NEED AN APPOINTMENT TO GET A VACCINATION THAT ONE OF THESE CAL FIRE SITES.

TODAY, THEY WERE HOPING TO DELIVER AROUND 250 VACCINATION.

CREWS WILL BE IN -- THIS WEEKEND AND RAMONA OVER THE WEEKEND.

>> I WILL SET YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: COUNTY OFFICIALS SAY BETWEEN THESE MOBILE SITES, SUPERSTITIONS AND SMALLER VACCINATION POTS, THEY CAN DELIVER 20,000 DOSES PER DAY.

RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE DOING HALF OF THAT.

>> THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE NOW IS OUR EFFORTS HAVE FAR OUTPACED THE SUPPLY OF VACCINES.

>> Reporter: A LITTLE MORE THAN HALF 1 MILLION TOTAL DOSES HAVEN'T SHIPPED TO CANNED, SAN DIEGO.

BUT THE DASHBOARD SHOWS JUST 2% OF SAN DIEGO'S HAVE GOT TO DOSES.

>> WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO GET A 65 AND OLDER POPULATION VACCINATED.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE TWO, BECAUSE THIS AGE GROUP HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE AND IMPACTED BY THIS VIRUS.

>> Reporter: COUNTY SITES ARE STILL AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE 65 AND OLDER AND HEALTHCARE WORKERS.

CAL FIRE OFFICIALS SAY OPERATION COLLABORATION HAS ALREADY DELIVERED MORE THAN 7000 DOSES TO SAN DIEGO'S.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> >> THE FIRST FLU DEATH OF THE SEASON IS BEING REPORTED.

COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY A 65-YEAR-OLD EAST COUNTY MAN DIED.

HE WAS ALSO DIAGNOSED WITH CORONAVIRUS, AND HAD UNDERLYING HEALTH CONDITIONS.

THEY ALSO REPORT HE HAD BEEN VACCINATED AGAINST THE FLU.

TO DATE, 677 FLU CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN THE REGION, COMPARED TO MORE THAN 11,000 THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR.

WITH 108 PEOPLE DYING.

>>> VACCINE DELIVERY IS ABOUT TO ACCELERATE.

SPEAKING TODAY IN OAKLAND, GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM ANNOUNCED, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, THE OPENING OF PILOT MASS COMMUNITY VACCINATION SITES.

>> Reporter: AS PART OF 100 SITES NATIONWIDE, THE CALIFORNIA LOCATIONS ARE IN OAKLAND, ALAMEDA AND CAL STATE, LOS ANGELES.

THESE COMMUNITIES HAVE A DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED BY COVID-19.

AND ARE HOME TO ESSENTIAL WORKERS.

NEWSOM SAID THE FRAMEWORK IS SET UP TO MAKE SURE THAT COMMUNITIES THAT ARE OFTEN LEFT BEHIND ARE PRIORITIZED.

>> THE WHOLE IDEA IS TO SPEED UP THE THROUGHPUT.

THE EFFICIENCY, MAINTAIN AN EQUITABLE LENS, IN TERMS OF THE APPLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE VACCINES.

EQUITY IS THE CALL.

OF THIS MOMENT.

>> Reporter: THE SITES WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ON FEBRUARY 16th.

AND RUN BY FEMA AND THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES.

NEWSOM SAYS THE AIM TO DISTRIBUTE A MINIMUM OF 600 DOSES PER DAY.

>> FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOESN'T HAVE THE DOSES TO SUPPORT STATES LIKE OURS AT THE SCALE WE ALL WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

WE ARE LIMITED ON THE BASIS OF SUPPLY.

THIS WEEK, WE WILL RECEIVE 1,060,000 DOSES OF THE VACCINE.

THAT IS ENCOURAGING.

>> Reporter: THE NEW SHIPMENT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

REGISTRATION FOR APPOINTMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE THROUGH THE MY TURN APP IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

>>> AND, THE MY TURN WEBSITE STARTED AS A PILOT PROGRAM HERE IN SAN DIEGO AND LOS ANGELES.

IT IS EXPECTED TO BE ROLLED OUT ACROSS THE STATE SOON.

>>> WE HAVE A NEW FEATURE AT KPBS.ORG .

A MAP THAT SHOWS VACCINATION CLINIC LOCATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

YOU CAN GET TO IT BY GOING TO THE TRACKING COVID-19 BANNER ON OUR HOME PAGE, THEN CLICKING ON THE VACCINES TAB.

YOU WILL ALSO FIND LINKS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN HUDDLED WITH CONGRESSIONAL ALLIES TODAY ON HIS NEARLY $2 TRILLION COVID- 19 RELIEF PROPOSAL.

DEMOCRATS WANT TO MOVE QUICKLY, BUT THEY HAVE OTHER MAJOR ITEMS ON THEIR TO DO LIST.

KAREN K FOR HOUSE THE LATEST FROM WASHINGTON.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT BIDEN ARE INVITING TOP CENTER -- FOR COVERT ECONOMIC RELIEF PLAN.

>> I TELL THEM WELL, HOME.

THIS IS THEIR NEW HOME.

FOR A WHILE, ANYWAY.

>> Reporter: ON MONDAY, BIDEN HEARD FROM A GROUP OF SENATE REPUBLICANS PITCHING A SMALLER PLAN AND BIPARTISAN COMPROMISE.

ON A CALL TUESDAY HE TOLD SIMET SENATE DEMOCRATS THE GOP NUMBER IS JUST TOO LOW TO MEET THE MOMENT.

>> I DON'T THINK THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO GO TO BIG TO DEAL WITH THIS CRISIS.

THE PROBLEM IS WE ARE GOING TO GO TO SMALL.

>> Reporter: WITH HIS DRESS LESSON, DEMOCRATS ARE READY TO GO AT IT ALONE, AND QUICKLY.

>> HE WILL DO HIS BEST.

BUT, UNITY DOES NOT MEAN UNANIMITY.

AND UNITY DOES NOT MEAN LETTING THE MINORITY PARTY BLOCK PROGRESS IN THE SENATE.

>> Reporter: SENATE MINORITY LEADER, REPUBLICAN MITCH McCONNELL, SAYS HE WON'T LET THE DEMOCRATS MOVE TOO FAST.

>> THE RUSHED BUDGET PROCESS THAT WILL PLAY OUT THIS WEEK IS EXACTLY, EXACTLY THE WRONG PATH TOWARD MAKING LAW.

>> Reporter: THE SENATE ALSO SAID TO BEGIN THE IMPRESSIVE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF FORMER PRESIDENT NEXT WEEK CREATING A BALANCING ACT.

>> WE ARE CONFIDENT THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO WALK AND CHEW GUM AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Reporter: WEDNESDAY BROUGHT A FLURRY OF ACTIVITY ON BIDEN'S CABINET NOMINEES, WITH MULTIPLE COMMITTEE HEARINGS, WILL NEWLY CONFIRM HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY AND TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY, PETE BOOTY JUDGE, WERE SWORN IN.

>>> IN WASHINGTON, KAREN KAFA, KPBS NEWS.

>>> TO SUPREME COURT INVOCATION CASES HAVE BEEN POSTPONED.

ONE OF THE CASES DEALS WITH THE LEGALITY OF THE FUNDING OF THE BORDER WALL CONSTRUCTION.

THE OTHER CASE DEALS WITH WHERE NON-MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS WAIT FOR THEIR U.S. COURT DATES.

THE DELAYS WERE REQUESTED BY THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AFTER SIGNING EXECUTIVE ORDERS.

THE CASES ARE NOW SET FOR MARCH 1st.

>>> LOCAL LEADERS ARE ASKING FOR HELP TO BRING A VANDAL TO JUSTICE.

THE CALL COMES ALONG WITH NEW EVIDENCE THAT COULD HELP IDENTIFY WHO SPLATTERED PAINT ACROSS BLACK LIVES MATTERS SIGNS AT A CHURCH AND A BAR IN HILLCREST.

HERE IS KPBS REPORTER, JACOB AIR.

>> Reporter: COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE SEEKING THE PUBLIC HELPS TO IDENTIFY A SUSPECT WHO VANDALIZED TWO BLACK LIVES MATTERS SIGNS IN HILLCREST.

-- SAYS THESE TYPE OF CRIMES WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN SAN DIEGO.

AS MAYOR OF THIS GREAT CITY, I WANT TO BE EXTREMELY CLEAR.

THERE IS NO ROOM FOR HATE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: THIS WAS MORE THAN AN ACT OF VANDALISM.

IT WAS AN ATTACK ON OUR COMMUNITY AND ON THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN OUR CITY.

AND WE WILL NOT OVERLOOK OR MARGINALIZE THESE TYPE OF ACTIONS.

WE WILL ADDRESS THEM HEAD-ON.

>> Reporter: THE PAINT ON THE BLACK LIGHT MATTER AT HILLCREST UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH AND, AN RICHES SAN DIEGO NIGHTCLUB WAS FIRST DISCOVERED ON JANUARY 24th.

TODAY, POLICE RELEASED A STILL PHOTO OF THE SUSPECT THEY OBTAIN FROM POLICE FOOTAGE.

>> I WANT TO STRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF REPORTING INCIDENTS, EVEN IF YOU THINK THEY ARE SMALL IN NATURE.

HATE HAS NO PLACE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, HAS NO PLACE IN HILLCREST.

HAS NO PLACE IN ANYWHERE IN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO OR THE WORLD, FOR THAT MATTER.

>> Reporter: THE VANDALISM CAME TWO DAYS AFTER SOMEONE REMOVED BRIGHTLY COLORED DOORS.

THE DOORS WERE RECOVERED AND PUT BACK IN PLACE AS PART OF AN INSTALLATION THAT STATES, GOD'S DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN.

THE PAINT VENTILATION COME THREE WEEKS AFTER SOMEONE SPLUTTERED YELLOW PAINT ON THE BLM SIDE.

IT IS STILL UNCLEAR AT THE SEPARATE EVENTS ARE CONNECTED.

>> IT IS OUR DEEPEST THAT SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL CAN BE CREATED FROM THE HEAT THAT HAS OCCURRED HERE IN HILLCREST.

GUYS, WE KNOW THAT AS LONG AS WE HOPE, AND AS LONG AS WE LOVE, BEAUTY IS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: REVEREND LINE SAYS THE CHURCH IS RESPONDING TO HATE CLIMBS BY STREAMING A PERFORMANCE CALLED COLORS OF LOVE ON VALENTINE'S DAY AND SUPPORTING A SPECIAL PROJECT FOR LGBT Q ARTISTS AND ARTISTS OF COLOR.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE VANDALISM SHOULD CONTACT THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT AT 619-531-2000.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SEVERAL BLACK LIVES MATTER PROTESTERS ALLEGE THAT SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES NOT ONLY IGNORE MEGA COUNTER PROTESTERS ASSAULT THAT RALLIES, BUT SEEM TO SYMPATHIZE.

KPBS'S MATE THE SHAMUS IS SHERIFF BILL GORE DENIES ANY BIAS BY DEPUTIES.

>> Reporter: RANCHO BERNARDO HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR GABRIELA -- NORTH MORRISES WHEN SHE HEARD STUDENTS AT A NEARBY CAMPUS HAD ORGANIZED BML RALLY IN PARAGUAY IN NOVEMBER, SHE WANTED HIM.

>> IT IS JUST IMPORTANT TO ME THAT THE STUDENTS KNOW THAT THEY ARE BEING HEARD AND THEY ARE BEING LISTENED TO, AND WE ARE GOING TO FIGHT FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: -- DID NOT EXPECT TO EXPERIENCE THIS.

A COUNTER POST ESTHER SHOUTING WHITE POWER.

THE 17-YEAR-OLD SAYS SOME OF THE MEGA COUNTER PROTESTERS ALSO PUSHED 18 BLM SUPPORTER TO THE STREET.

SHE SAYS SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES ON THE SCENE DID NOT ACT.

>> SHE WAS CRYING AND SHE WAS TRYING TO TALK TO THE POLICE AND ASK FOR HELP AND TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO THE POLICE WHAT HAPPENED.

BUT THE POLICE ENDED UP TELLING HER THAT BECAUSE SHE WAS A MINOR AND SHE DIDN'T HAVE A PARENT THERE, THEY WEREN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: SHERIFF BILL GORE SAYS HE IS UNFAMILIAR WITH THAT INCIDENT.

SO FAR, HE SAYS DEPUTIES HAVE FILED 11 REPORTS STEMMING FROM BLM PROTESTS AND IN POWELL LICENSE MAY.

HE COULD NOT PROVIDE A BREAKDOWN OF HOW MANY WERE ON BEHALF OF BLM PROTESTERS OR MEGA COUNTER PROTESTERS.

MOORE SAYS THE DEPARTMENT SCREENS ALL DEPUTY APPLICANTS FOR TIES TO WHITE SUPREMACIST OR FAR RIGHT GROUPS.

AND, HE SAYS, THE VENTING CONTINUES ONCE THEY ARE ON THE FORCE AND AS OF YET, HE HAS FOUND A NO DEPUTIES INVOLVED WITH EXTREMISTS.

>> WE WORK ON IT CONSTANTLY.

WE TALK ABOUT EQUITABLE, FAIR, AND UNBIASED POLICING.

>> Reporter: JENNIFER, WHO ONLY WANTED HER FIRST NAME USED BECAUSE SHE FEARS RETRIBUTION, WONDERS IF SOME DEPUTIES HAVE ACTUALLY ABSORBED THAT TRAINING.

JESUS ONE DAY IN NOVEMBER, SHE SAW RACIST MEMBERS OF THE GROUP DEFEND EAST COUNTY OR DC DC, SOME WEARING KNIVES AROUND THEIR WAIST AND CARRYING A NOISE MACHINE AND CIRCLING THE TEAM PROTESTERS.

DEPUTIES CLOSE BY APPEARED UNMOVED.

>> THE ATTITUDE WAS, IF YOU COME OUT HERE, TO PROTEST, THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

>> Reporter: LATER THAT DAY, JENNIFER SAYS A DEPUTY REFUSED TO FILE A REPORT AFTER COUNTER PROTESTERS SHOVED A TWENTYSOMETHING BLM PROTESTER ONTO THE STREET.

>>'S POSITION WAS, UNTIL ALL OF YOU LEAVE AND THE SQUIRREL IS THE ONLY PERSON LEFT, I AM NOT DOING ANYTHING.

I REFUSE TO CALL ANOTHER OFFICER.

>> Reporter: GORE SAYS THE DEPUTY DID NOT FILE THE REPORT BECAUSE HE LACKS SUFFICIENT BACK.

>> TO THE LIMITED MANPOWER WE HAD, TO GO IN AND TRY TO TAKE A POLICE REPORT WOULD HAVE FURTHER INFLAMED THE SITUATION.

>> Reporter: JENNIFER SAYS A VIDEO OF THAT SAME DEPUTY TOP TALKING TO MEGA DC PEOPLE JUST MOMENTS LATER SHOWED HE IS BIASED TOWARD ONE SIDE.

GORE SAYS THE VIDEO MUST BE VIEWED IN CONTEXT.

THE SHERIFF SAYS THE DEPUTY WAS TRYING TO KEEP BOTH SIDES APART WHILE LISTENING TO A COMPLAINT FROM A DC COUNTER PROTESTER.

>> THE DEPUTY, BEST I COULD TELL IS SAYING, I GOT THIS.

I GOT IT.

ANOTHER WAS, WERE GOING TO SEPARATE THEM AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IT.

THAT IS HOW I INTERPRETED.

THAT IS WHAT THE DEPUTY SAYS HIS INTENTIONS WERE.

>> Reporter: STILL, SANCHEZ MOORE SAYS SHE CAN'T SHAKE HER BELIEF THAT SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES FAVOR THE FAR RIGHT.

>> THEY SAW A GROUP OF MEGA SUPPORTERS TALKING TO THE COPS AND -- AND SHAKING HANDS AND LAUGHING.

>> Reporter: COURSES THE GLADHANDING WAS REALLY INTEL GATHERING.

>> AND SOMEBODY COMES UP AND THEY WANT TO FIST BUMP YOU, IT IS HARD TO PUT YOURSELF IN A DEPUTIES POSITION WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO DEVELOP A RAPPORT WITH THESE INDIVIDUAL GROUPS.

TO SAY GET AWAY FROM ME, I CAN'T TALK TO YOU.

I CAN SEE HOW IT COULD BE INTERPRETED AS OH, THEY ARE FRIENDLY WITH ONE SIDE.

>> Reporter: UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO LAW SCHOOL PROFESSOR, SAMUEL JONES, WHO SPECIALIZES IN POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY, SAYS THAT KIND OF PUBLIC DISPLAY DISCREDIT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

>> -- BY APPEARING TO IGNORE THE RIGHTS OF ANY AMERICAN IN FAVOR OF ANOTHER AMERICAN, THEY ACCENTUATE CONDUCT UNBECOMING OF A POLICE OFFICER.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE DEPARTMENT'S HANDLING OF THE PROTESTS AND COUNTER PROTESTS COULD DISSUADE BLM SUPPORTERS FROM ATTENDING RALLIES.

AS WAS THE CASE WITH GABRIELA SANCHEZ MOORE.

>> IT IS REALLY DIFFICULT, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW THAT IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO ME, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HELP I WOULD RECEIVE.

>> Reporter: ROW SAYS HE IS DISHEARTENED BY THE SENTIMENT.

>> -- WE TRY TO HANDLE THE RESOURCES THERE SO THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN.

SO, DO FEEL SAFE.

I CAN'T MAKE THEM SAFE FROM HATEFUL THINGS OR HURTFUL THINGS THAT ARE SET.

BUT I CAN PROTECT THEIR PHYSICAL DANGER.

IF WE WERE UNABLE TO DO THAT IN A PARTICULAR SITUATION, I WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

>>> AN EFFORT TO RECALL SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT, JENNIFER CAMPBELL, BECAME OFFICIAL TODAY.

A NOTICE OF INTENT WAS PUBLISHED.

AND NOW, RECALL LEADERS MUST WAIT 21 DAYS TO BEGIN COLLECTING SIGNATURES.

CAMPBELL HAS THAT TIME TO PUBLISH A REBUTTAL.

HEARD DISTRICT INCLUDES PACIFIC BEACH, OCEAN, AND MISSION BEACH.

POINT LOMA AND PART OF CLERMONT.

BACKERS SAY CAMPBELL HAS BEEN TOO LENIENT TOWARD VACATION RENTALS, AND DON'T APPROVE OF HER STAND ON HEIGHT LIMITS IN THE MIDWAY DISTRICT.

HER SUPPORTERS DESCRIBE HER AS A PROGRESSIVE LEADER, NOT AFRAID TO TAKE ON CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES.

>>> SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC, ALONG WITH SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY, ARE EXPANDING A RELATIONSHIP THAT IS DESIGNED TO UNDERSTAND REAL-WORLD IMPACTS OF A CHANGING CLIMATE.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON HAS DETAILS.

>> Reporter: THE REGIONS INVESTOR-OWNED UTILITY IS EXPANDING A RELATIONSHIP WITH RESEARCHERS AT UC SAN DIEGO.

THEY ARE HOPING TO TAP INTO ONGOING RESEARCH OF EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS THAT ARE HAPPENING BECAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

-- ALONG THE COACHES JUST ONE AREA OF CONCERN.

>> THAT WILL REALLY HELP US UNDERSTAND, ARE WE AT RISK OF A COMPOUNDING COASTAL FLOODING ISSUE HERE IN SAN DIEGO GOING FORWARD?

YOU KNOW, HOW IS THAT GOING TO AFFECT OUR INFRASTRUCTURE?

HOW WILL THAT AFFECT SAN DIEGO AT-LARGE?

>> Reporter: -- HAS LONG STUDIED WILDFIRE RISKS IN THE BACK COUNTRY.

IS PART OF A $1 BILLION UPGRADE THEY BUILT AND -- THE MOST EXTENSIVE MONITORING SYSTEM IN THE WORLD.

SCRIPPS POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER, ANGELICA >> Reporter: IS SAYS RESEARCHERS ARE NOW ABLE TO TAP INTO THAT SYSTEM TO STUDY EVENTS LIKE LAST MONTH'S STORMS.

>> THERE WERE INCREDIBLY INTENSE WINDS.

SO, HAVING THAT DATA AVAILABLE TO LOOK AT IMMEDIATELY AFTER IS PRETTY VALUABLE IN DETERMINING THE SORTS OF EVENTS THAT WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT IN OUR MODELS.

>> Reporter: IMPROVING MODELS IMPROVES PROJECT PREDICTIONS.

THAT'S WHERE THE VALUE LIES FOR SDG&E.

MONITORING WILDFIRE LISK, RISKS HAS LONG BEEN A PRIORITY.

THE UTILITY ALSO WANTS TO KNOW WHAT CLIMATE CUTS THE RISK.

>> AMOUNTS OF RAINFALL THAT WE NEED TO REALLY PUT OUT THE FIRE SEASON FOR GOOD.

HOW CAN WE ACTUALLY QUALIFY WHEN FIRE SEASON IS OVER AND WE CAN KIND OF BACK OFF ON THE RESOURCE ALLOCATION?

>> Reporter: CURRENT CLIMATE RESEARCH SUGGESTS THERE WILL BE EVEN MORE EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AS THE PLANET AND THE REGION WARM.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> DRY WEATHER AHEAD.

RIGHT TO THE END OF THE WEEKEND AND INTO THE WEEKEND.

WE HAVE SOME MILD TEMPERATURES FOR YOU.

AND PLENTY OF SUNSHINE.

FIRST, WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH SOME WIN.

BLOWING OFFSHORE ON THURSDAY.

AND THE WINDS WILL START TO DIMINISH SOME ON FRIDAY.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE FORECAST FOR TONIGHT.

MID-40s OCEANSIDE.

LOW 50s IN SAN DIEGO.

LITTLE CHILEAN RAMONA.

34 EL CAJON AT 45.

KAMPL AT 37.

-- SPRINGS, 48.

THURSDAY, PLEASANT TEMPERATURES HERE.

WE WILL HAVE THE OFFSHORE FLOW.

THAT MEANS WE DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH CLOUDS.

WE WILL HAVE PLENTY OF SUNSHINE.

THE WINDS WILL BE FEISTY FOR SOME.

BUT THEY SHOULD NOT GET OUT OF CONTROL.

HIGH TEMPERATURES, 65 IN OCEANSIDE IN SAN DIEGO.

RAMONA IS AT 67.

EL CAJON IS AT 71.

BORREGO SPRINGS AT 71 AND KAMPL AT 60 DEGREES.

>> FRIDAY, THE OFFSHORE FLOW WILL BE MUCH WEAKER.

AND STILL DRY AND BRIGHT.

ON SATURDAY, NEVER TOO EARLY TO TALK ABOUT THE WEEKEND, IS IT?

IT SHOULD BE DRY AND PLEASANT.

LET'S CHECK OUT THE FORECAST FOR THE COAST.

SUNSHINE RETURNS THURSDAY.

MAYBE A FEW MORNING CLOUDS VERY EARLY.

AFTER THAT, LOOKS GREAT.

AND WE WILL BE ENJOYING THE SUNSHINE.

PLEASANT TEMPERATURES INTO THE WEEKEND.

INLAND AREAS TURNING SUNNY.

BUT TEMPERATURES RISING TO THE LOW 70s BY SATURDAY AND SUNNY AND PLEASANT ON YOUR SUNDAY.

HERE IN THE MOUNTAIN AREAS, SUNSHINE RETURNS THURSDAY.

YOU SEE PLENTY OF SUN OVER THE WEEKEND.

TEMPERATURES CREEPING UP JUST A LITTLE BIT.

INTO THE DESERTS, LOOKS VERY NICE.

COOLEST DAY WILL BE THURSDAY.

TEMPERATURES START TO RISE.

THAT MID TO UPPER 70s OVER THE WEEKENDS.

>> FOR KPBS NEWS, I AM METEOROLOGIST --.

>>> SCHOOLS CAN REOPEN SAFELY.

EVEN IF TEACHERS ARE NOT VACCINATED.

THAT IS THE OPINION FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE CDC.

PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS PLEDGED TO ENSURE NEARLY ALL K -8 SCHOOLS WILL REOPEN FOR IN PERSON INSTRUCTION IN THE FIRST 100 DAYS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION.

SOME TEACHERS UNIONS ARE PUSHING BACK AT RESUMING IN PERSON INSTRUCTION BEFORE TEACHERS ARE INOCULATED.

TEACHERS ARE PRIORITIZED AS ESSENTIAL WORKERS UNDER THE CDC'S VACCINATION PLANS.

THOUGH MANY HAVE YET TO RECEIVE DOSES AS THE NATION CONTINUES TO FACE A SUPPLY SHORTAGE.

>> THERE IS INCREASINGLY DATA TO SUGGEST THAT COOLS, SCHOOLS CAN SAFELY REOPEN AND THAT SAFE REOPENING DOES NOT SUGGEST THAT TEACHERS NEED TO BE VACCINATED IN ORDER TO REOPEN SAFELY.

>> TODAY, GOVERNOR NEWSOM SAYS HE AGREES WITH THE CDC DIRECTOR'S ASSESSMENT.

HE SAID WHILE MANY SCHOOLS ARE ALREADY OPEN ON A LIMITED BASIS ACROSS THE STATE, ONLY 87 CASES WERE REPORTED IN SCHOOLS LAST MONTH.

>> WE CAN SAFELY REOPEN SCHOOLS AS WE PROCESS A PRIORITIZATION TO OUR TEACHERS OF VACCINATIONS.

AND STILL KEEP OUR TEACHERS, OUR PARAPROFESSIONALS, WHICH MEANS BUS DRIVERS, OUR CAFETERIA WORKERS, JANITORS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS, TO MAKING OUR SCHOOLS WORKED.

SAFE, AND KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE AT THE SAME TIME.

'S >> NEWSON HAS ADVANCED A STATEWIDE REOPENING PLAN THAT DEPENDS ON MORE THAN $6 BILLION IN FUNDING TO PROVIDE PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, COVID TESTING AND OTHER SAFETY MEASURES.

THE STATE SKYLINE CALL FOR CAMPUSES TO REOPEN FOR YOUNGEST STUDENTS WHEN INFECTION RATES DROP TO A SEVEN DAY AVERAGE OF 25 NEW CASES PER 100,000 RESIDENTS.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S CASE RATE IS HIGH ABOVE THAT AT 42.

>>> THERE IS A GROWING CONCERN ABOUT VARIANCE OF THE CORONAVIRUS, AS ONE HEALTH EXPERT SAYS, EVEN IF YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN INFECTED WITH COVID-19, YOU MAY NOT BE FULLY PROTECTED FROM THE LATEST MUTATIONS OF THE VIRUS.

MANDY GAITHER EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: ACROSS MUST OF THE U.S., CORONAVIRUS CASES CONTINUE TO PLATEAU.

BUT THE VIRUS IS STILL CIRCULATING.

AND WHILE IT'S VARIANCE ARE NOT THE DOMINANT STRAINS GOING AROUND THE U.S. AT THIS TIME, THOSE MUTATIONS, ESPECIALLY THE ONE FIRST IDENTIFIED IN SOUTH AFRICA, ARE CONCERNING.

>> IF IT BECOMES DOMINANT, THE EXPERIENCE OF OUR COLLEAGUES IN SOUTH AFRICA INDICATE THAT EVEN IF YOU HAVE BEEN INFECTED WITH THE ORIGINAL VIRUS, THAT THERE IS A VERY HIGH RATE OF REINFECTION TO THE POINT WHERE PREVIOUS INFECTION DOES NOT SEEM TO PROTECT YOU AGAINST REINFECTION.

>> Reporter: >> HEALTH EXPERT SAY IT IS IMPORTANT AS EVER TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE VACCINATED FOR THE CORONAVIRUS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A DIMINISHED PROTECTION AGAINST THE VARIANCE, IT IS ENOUGH PROTECTION TO PREVENT YOU FROM GETTING SERIOUS DISEASE, INCLUDING HOSPITALIZATION AND DEATHS.

SO, VACCINATION IS CRITICAL.

WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE, GET VACCINATED.

>> THE VACCINES ARE NOT THE ONLY KEYS TO SLOWING THE SPREAD OF COVID-19.

>> WE ALSO DON'T KNOW FOR SURE THE VACCINES PROTECT AGAINST TRANSMISSION.

SO, CAN A PERSON GET WHO IS BEEN VACCINATED ACTUALLY TRANSMIT THE VIRUS TO ANOTHER PERSON?

WEARING MASKS, KEEP A SOCIAL DISTANCING, WASHING HANDS ARE STILL CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

WHILE PEOPLE ARE GETTING VACCINATED AS WELL.

>> Reporter: FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I AM ANDY GAYNOR.

>> THE RISE OF VARIANCE IS HEIGHTENING THE URGENCY OF GETTING SHOTS INTO ARMS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

NOW, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS SHIPPING VACCINES DIRECTLY TO THOUSANDS OF PHARMACIES.

CVS PLANS TO HAVE SHOTS AVAILABLE AT 100 STORES ACROSS CALIFORNIA, INCLUDING CARLSBAD, CHULA VISTA, LA JOLLA AND SAN DIEGO.

SOME COULD HAVE VACCINES AVAILABLE BY FEBRUARY 11th.

AND YOU CAN BOOK APPOINTMENTS ONLINE STARTING ON FEBRUARY 9th.

>> THIS WILL PROVIDE MORE SITES FOR PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.

AND IT IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT TO DELIVERING VACCINES EQUITABLY.

BUT I WANT TO SET EXPECTATIONS APPROPRIATELY.

DUE TO THE CURRENT SUPPLY CONSTRAINTS, THIS WOULD BE LIMITED WHEN IT BEGINS NEXT WEEK.

>> A TOTAL OF 1 MILLION VACCINE DOSES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

21 PHARMACY CHAINS WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE INITIAL PHASE OF THE PROGRAM.

INCLUDING WALGREENS, CVS, AND WRITE A.

>>> SAN DIEGO RECENTLY ANNOUNCED A GOAL OF VACCINATING 1.8 MILLION PEOPLE BY JULY.

WHAT WILL IT TAKE TO REACH THAT GOAL?

JOIN KPBS HEALTH REPORTER, TARRYN MENTO TOMORROW NIGHT FOR A VIRTUAL EVENT FEATURING LOCAL EXPERTS.

YOU CAN RSVP AT KPBS .ORG/EVENTS.

>> AND JUDY >> REPORTER:.

ON TONIGHT THE NEWSHOUR AS LAWMAKERS PAY RESPECT TO A FALLEN CAPITOL HILL POLICE OFFICER.

REPUBLICANS FACE A DEFINING MOMENT FOR THE PARTIES FUTURE.

COMING UP AT 7:00, AFTER EVENING ADDITION ON KPBS.

>>> HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

INSTEAD OF FIGHTING FIRES, LOCAL CREWS ARE FIGHTING ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE PANDEMIC.

CAL FIRE SAN DIEGO AND MORE THAN 20 LOCAL FIRE AGENCIES ARE BRINGING THE CORONAVIRUS VACCINE TO PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS OF THE COUNTY.

TODAY, THEY WERE ENJOYING IN.

THEY WILL BE IN -- LATER THIS WEEKEND RAMONA OVER THE WEEKEND.

APPOINTMENTS CAN BE BOOKED THROUGH THE COUNTY'S WEBSITE.

>>> COMMUNITY LEADERS ARE SEEKING HELP TO IDENTIFY A VANDALISM SUSPECT IN HILLCREST.

PINK PAINT WAS SPLATTERED ON BLACK LIVES MATTER BANNERS AT UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN CHURCH AND RICHES SAN DIEGO NIGHTCLUB.

TODAY, SAN DIEGO POLICE RELEASED A PHOTO OF THE SUSPECT FROM SECURITY FOOTAGE.

IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE CASE, CALL THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING ADDITION 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 SYSTEM SINCE 1978.

>> AND, BY THE CONRAD CREVICE FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCO SHYLY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

>>> AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.