>>> YOU COULD BE IN FOR STICKER SHOCK WHEN YOUR UTILITY BILL ARRIVES THIS MONTH.

SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC SAYS NATURAL GAS PRICES ARE SPIKING AND PASSING THAT COST ON TO CUSTOMERS.

>> SOARING COMMODITY PRICES ARE EXPECTED TO MORE THAN DOUBLE THE NATURAL GAS BILLS FOR CUSTOMERS.

LAST YEAR'S TYPICAL BILL IN JANUARY WAS $105.

THOSE USING THE SAME AMOUNT OF GAS THIS YEAR WILL BE BILLED $225.

UTILITIES SAY MOST OF THE PRICE HIKE IS OUT OF THE UTILITIES CONTROL.

>> THEY BY THE NATURAL GAS IN THE OPEN MARKET ON BEHALF OF OUR CUSTOMERS.

THE PRICE THAT WE PAY FOR THE NATURAL GAS IS NOT MARKED UP.

>> THEY STARTED TO TALK ABOUT RAISING RATES IN OCTOBER, BUT THEY DID NOT EXPECT THE COST OF THE COMMODITY TO RISE SO HIGH.

THEY CREDIT A NUMBER OF FACTORS.

>> IN JANUARY PEOPLE TEND TO USE A LOT MORE NATURAL GAS.

BECAUSE IT IS COLDER, AND THAT IS ALSO TRUE IN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

YOU ARE SEEING HIGHER DEMAND IN GENERAL.

BASIC ECONOMIC SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

>> FUTURES MARKET FOR NATURAL GAS SUGGEST THE PRICE FOR THE COMMODITY IS DECLINING AND THAT COULD EASE THE PRESSURE ON THE UTILITIES MORE THAN 800,000 CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE A GAS HOOKUP.

>> AT THE END OF THE MONTH THEY PUBLISH THE NATURAL GAS REPORT NEXT MONTH BASED ON THE CONDITIONS.

IT HAS JUST BEEN REALLY EXTRAORDINARY IN TERMS OF HOW HIGH THE MARKET HAS GONE OVER THE LAST YEAR.

>> NATURAL GAS PRICES ARE ALSO DRIVING UP THE COST OF ELECTRICITY RECOVERED BILLS ARE EXPECTED TO CLIMB $25 PER MONTH TO REFLECT THE HIGH PRICES.

>> ONE DAY AFTER A JURY FOUND THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE WRONGFULLY FIRED HIM IN 2020 A FORMER DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER SAYS HE HOPES THE VERDICT SPARKS CHANGE.>> I HAD FAITH THAT THE COMMUNITY WOULD SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED, AND THAT THEY WOULD AGREE WITH IT.

>> WHEN HE SPEAKS OF THE COMMUNITY HE IS TALKING ABOUT THE 12 MEMBER JURY AND ITS FINDING MONDAY THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE FIRED HIM BECAUSE OF HIS GENDER EXPRESSION AND FOR COMPLAINING ABOUT WHAT HE BELIEVES WILL BE RACIST CONFERENCE FROM A SUPERVISOR TOWARDS A BLACK LATINO COLLEAGUE.

BUT HE CONCEDES HIS CONFIDENCE WAS LACED WITH ANXIETY.

DIVERTED HERE ALLOWING HIM TO FINALLY EXHALE.

IT WAS IN HIS WORDS A CALL MEAN BOND.

>> PERFECT STRANGERS.

CHOSEN FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTY.

THEY STOOD UP AND SAID THIS IS NOT RIGHT.

THEY CANNOT GET AWAY WITH IT.

>> THEY AWARDED A TOTAL OF $2.6 MILLION.

$640,000 IN LOST WAGES AND $2 MILLION FOR EMOTIONAL SUFFERING.

THE ALLEGED THE SUPERVISORS TRADED HIM FOR TELLING HIM -- THEY HAD NOT ALWAYS WELCOMED HIM AND OTHER GAYE PEOPLE.

HE SAID HE BEGAN HEARING DISPARAGING TALK ABOUT HIS NAIL POLISH, HAIR, AND PIERCED EARS.

THE PROBLEMS WORSENED WHEN HE ASKED FOR THE SUPERVISOR RECEIVED DIVERSITY TRAINING AND BE DEMOTED AFTER SHE ALLEGEDLY USED THE WORD LYNCH WHILE WERE BERATING A BLACK LATINO LAWYER IN THE OFFICE.

THAT SUPERVISOR WAS A PART OF THE TENURE REVIEW PANEL.

HE HOPES THE VERDICT ENCOURAGES PUBLIC DEFENDER STILL WITH THE OFFICE TO SPEAK PUBLICLY ON WHAT THEY TELL HIM PRIVATELY ABOUT THEIR CURRENT WORK ENVIRONMENT.>> DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT.

A FEAR OF RETALIATION.

THERE IS A CULTURE OF FEAR THAT IS SO PREDOMINANT THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO STAND UP FOR THE CLIENT AND DO THE RIGHT THING ARE SHUT DOWN.

>> IN A STATEMENT THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER CALLS THE VERDICT DISAPPOINTING AND SAID IT DOES NOT ALIGN WITH THE OFFICES MISSION AND VALUES.

ADDED WE WILL ASSESS THE VERDICT AND REMEDIES.

THE LAWYER TOLD KPBS THEY CONTRACT FOR AN APPEAL BUT BASED ON WHAT THE JURORS TOLD HIM AN APPEAL WILL BE FUTILE.

>> ONE OF THE CONSTANT REFRAINS WAS THAT THE VERDICT WASN'T EVEN CLOSE.

IT WASN'T CLOSE IN THEIR MIND.

THEY FELT THAT PRACTICALLY ALL OF THE WITNESSES WHO TESTIFIED ON THE COUNTY'S BEHALF HAD SERIOUS CREDIBILITY PROBLEMS.

SEVERAL BLATANTLY SAID THEY FELT THEY WERE LIARS.

>> EARLY TUESDAY MORNING PUBLIC DEFENDER AT THE OFFICES ADVISORS SENT A NOTE TO DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDERS THAT READ IN PART OUR MISSION IS TOO VITAL FOR US TO BE DISTRACTED OR SPLINTERED.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO A HEALTHY AND RESPECTFUL DIALOGUE IN THE CREATION OF THE BEST PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE WE CAN BE.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS BEHIND THE BRIBERY SCANDAL WAS SENTENCED TODAY TO 3.5 YEARS IN PRISON.

HE WAS ALSO ORDERED TO PAY $10 MILLION IN RESTITUTION.

THE IRS -- PLEADED GUILTY IN 2019 TO CHARGES STEMMING FROM HIS SCHEME TO GET CHILDREN OF WEALTHY PARENTS INTO USC, UCLA, AND OTHER TOP COLLEGES.

2 HOLLYWOOD ACTRESSES WERE AMONG DOZENS OF PARENTS WHO ADMITTED TO PAYING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS.

>>> THE DRUM ON CAPITOL HILL CONTINUES TONIGHT.

THE HOUSE IS RECONVENING RIGHT NOW IN AN ATTEMPT TO END THE STANDOFF OVER ELECTING KEVIN McCARTHY AS SPEAKER.

IT COMES AFTER THREE MORE FILLED VOTES EARLIER TODAY.>> ON CAPITOL HILL A PARTY DIVIDED.

THE REPUBLICAN REPRESENTATIVE KEVIN McCARTHY OF CALIFORNIA ENTERING CONGRESS WEDNESDAY STILL FIGHTING FOR THE SPEAKERSHIP.

THE 118 CONGRESS BEGAN ON TUESDAY WITH INFIGHTING IN OPEN.

McCARTHY WAS UNABLE TO CLINCH THE SPEAKER'S GAVEL AFTER THE FIRST TWO ROUNDS OF VOTING.

BLOCKED BY GOP HARDLINERS.

>> THEY LOVE GOOD LOCKS AND CHAOS.

THAT IS WHAT WE CAN SEE GOING ON.

>> JOE BIDEN OFFERED THIS PERSPECTIVE.

>> IT IS NOT A GOOD LOOK OR A GOOD THING.

I HOPE THEY GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER.

>> IT IS BEEN A CENTURY SINCE THEY TOOK MULTIPLE VOTES WHEN THE REPUBLICAN OF MASSACHUSETTS WAS ELECTED AFTER NINE BALLOTS.

THIS TIME AROUND SOME SAY THE POWER STRUGGLE IS ABOUT DECENTRALIZING THE SPEAKER'S OFFICE.

>> YOU WILL SEE A MESSY TWO YEARS IN WASHINGTON BECAUSE EVERYBODY IS GOING TO GET A SAY SO IN A WAY THEY HAVEN'T.

>> DONALD TRUMP COMING TO McCARTHY'S DEFENSE HOURS BEFORE THE HOUSE RECONVENED SAYING REPUBLICANS DO NOT TURN A GREAT TRIUMPH INTO A GIANT EMBARRASSING DEFEAT.>>> GOVERNOR NEWSOM DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY TODAY AHEAD OF HEAVY RAIN AND POSSIBLE FLOODING EXPECTED ACROSS THE STATE.

THE DISTINCTION ALLOWS THE STATE TO CUT THROUGH SOME OF THE RED TAPE WHEN COORDINATING WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES TO GOVERNANCE OFFICES SOME RESOURCES ARE ALREADY POSITIONED IN TROUBLE SPOTS.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WILL GIVE THE FIRST STORM WHEN IT ARRIVES TOMORROW MORNING.

>>> LOCAL BEACHES ARE DUE FOR SOME POUNDING SURFACES.

DAMP AND WINDY DAY IN PLACES LIKE MISSION DISTRICT LIFEGUARDS AND BUSINESSES ARE WORKING TO GET THINGS READY FOR WHAT COULD BE SIGNIFICANT WAYS AND POSSIBLE BEACH EROSION.

ONE PERSON DESCRIBES HOW THE FAMILY IS TRYING TO GET IN ONE MORE DAY OF FUN EVEN AFTER CREWS ARE HARD AT WORK.

>> WE HAVE A WHOLE PLAN WE MADE A LIST OF BEACH ACTIVITIES FOR WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN OLYMPICS BETWEEN THE KIDS AND ADULTS AND DO ALL SORTS OF RELAY RACES AND SANDCASTLE BUILDING.

>> WAVES ARE EXPECTED TO REACH AS HIGH AS 10-16 FEET DUE TO THE UPCOMING STORM TO RELY MORE ON THE RAIN COMING UP IN YOUR COMPLETE FORECAST.

>>> COVID AND OTHER ILLNESSES ARE AMONG THE REASON FOR THE SHORTAGE OF BLOOD BANKS.

OUR REPORTER SHOWS US AN EVENT TO GET MORE SANDY AKINS TO ROLLUP THEIR SLEEVES.

>> WINTER IS A TOUGH TIME TO GET BLOOD DONATIONS.

>> COMING OUT OF THE HOLIDAYS PEOPLE ARE SICK UNFORTUNATELY.

THE COLLEGES AND HIGH SCHOOLS THAT HOST BLOOD DRIVES AREN'T ANYMORE BECAUSE THEY ARE STILL OUT FOR THE SEASON AND THAT ACCOUNTS WERE ABOUT 20% OF ALL THE BLOOD WE COLLECT.

>> TO MAKE UP FOR THE SHORTFALL THE SAN DIEGO BLOOD BANK BLOOD DRIVE HAD SEVEN SAN DIEGO CREDIT UNION LOCATIONS ACROSS SAN DIEGO AND IN COSTA MESA.

>> THERE IS NO SYNTHETIC SUBSTITUTE.

THE ONLY CHANCE HOSPITAL PATIENTS ARE NEEDED HAVE OUR PEOPLE COMING IN TO DONATE BLOOD.

>> LOCAL ONES CURRENTLY HAVE ENOUGH BLOOD, BUT BLOOD BANKS SAY THERE IS A NATIONAL BLOOD SHORTAGE.

THE SUPPLY IS LOW HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> TODAY WE ARE DOWN TO LESS THAN A DAY SUPPLY OF ALMOST EVERY TYPE.

MOST IMPORTANTLY WELL WE NEED ALL TYPES TYPE O IS HARD TO COLLECT.>> ONE KIND OF BLOOD CAN SAVE UP TO THREE PEOPLE.

>> THERE ARE THREE COMPONENTS TO A BLOOD DONATION.

EACH OF THE COMPONENTS CAN GO INTO A DIFFERENT PATIENT TO HELP THEM.

IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD.

IT FEELS LIKE WHAT I AM DOING MATTERS.

>> SHE HAS BEEN DONATING BLOOD FOR ALMOST FOUR YEARS AND HAS DONATED ABOUT SIX GALLONS OF BLOOD.

AND ONE DONATION WAS EXTRA SPECIAL.

>> A FRIEND OF MINE HAD BLOOD CANCER, SO I DONATED FOR HER.

THEY WERE ABLE TO USE MY DONATION IN HER SURGERY BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE SHE KNEW WHERE THE BLOOD CAME FROM.

>> FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE NERVOUS TO DONATE.

>> JUST KNOW THAT IT IS OKAY AND THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A LONG TIME.

>> THERE ARE OTHER WAYS IF YOU WANT TO DONATE TO GIVE TO BE AT LEAST 17 YEARS OLD AND 114 POUNDS.

IF YOU HAVE HAD COVID RECENTLY YOU HAVE TO WAIT AT LEAST 10 DAYS FROM YOUR LAST SYMPTOM.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE AT SAN DIEGO BLOOD BANK.ORG.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN SAYS HE WILL SOON MAKE HIS FIRST VISIT TO THE US-MEXICO BORDER SINCE TAKING OFFICE.

IT WILL COME DURING HIS TRIP NEXT WEEK TO THE NORTH AMERICAN LEADERS SUMMIT IN MEXICO CITY.

SO FAR THERE IS NO WORD ON WHERE ALONG THE BORDER HE WILL STOP.

>>> THE DAY THEY HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR IS ALMOST HERE.

THE PEDESTRIAN CROSSING AT THE PORT OF ENTRY IS SET TO REOPEN NEXT MONDAY.

FOR NOW IT WILL RESUME LIMITED HOURS OF OPERATION FROM SIX IN THE MORNING UNTIL TWO IN THE AFTERNOON.

'S POSTER REOPENED DECEMBER 21, BUT WAS POSTPONED.

>>> SOUTHWEST IS STARTING THE YEAR WITH A LONG TO DO LIST NOTE THAT THIS WILL TAKE LONGER TO REUNITE PASSENGERS WITH THEIR LOST LUGGAGE.>> A NEW YEAR AND THE SAME ISSUES.

SOUTHWEST IS DEALING WITH SEVERAL LINGERING CONCERNS FOLLOWING THE HOLIDAY TRAVEL MELTDOWN THAT LEFT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AND THEIR LUGGAGE STRANDED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

>> YOU WANT TO BE ANGRY BUT YOU KNOW THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO AND YOU ARE AT THEIR MERCY.

>> SHE IS STILL WAITING FOR SOUTHWEST TO RETURN HER ITEMS AS THEY SAID IN AN INTERNAL MEMO MANY BAGS ARE STILL IN LIMBO AND WILL HIRE SEVERAL MORE DAYS TO REUNITE PASSENGERS WITH THEIR LOST ITEMS.

SOUTHWEST IS AIMING TO MAKE AMENDS FOR LAST WEEK'S CANCELLATION THAT DISRUPTS COUNTLESS HOLIDAY PLANS.

THE ILLINI OFFERS 25,000 FREQUENT-FLIER BONUS POINTS WORTH ABOUT $300 IN ADDITION TO REIMBURSEMENT AND REFUNDS.

>> WE WILL END UP FIXING THIS GOING FORWARD.

>> THE OFFER COMES AS THEY FACE A GROWING LIST OF SERIOUS MATTERS TO TACKLE IN 2023 INCLUDING MULTIPLE INVESTIGATIONS, HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY FROM INVESTORS AND OF THESE DAY LAWSUIT OVER A CANCELLATION OF NEARLY 16,000 FLIGHTS AT A PEAK HOLIDAY TRAVEL TIME.

THE CHAOS HAS SOME QUESTIONING THEIR TRUST IN THE AIRLINE.>> I DO NOT THINK I WILL EVER USE SOUTHWEST.

I LOVE SOUTHWEST, BUT THIS HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE.

>> WHILE THEY.

TO HAVE RECOVERED SOME OF THE WORKERS SAY THE AIRLINES SHOULD FOCUS ON REPAIRING THE BACKEND INFRASTRUCTURE THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROBLEMS IN THE FIRST PLACE.>> DEFINITELY GOING TO BE VERY HARD TO GET THINGS FIXED.>>> IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WAITING ON A DECISION OF A STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS YOU WILL HAVE TO WAIT QUITE A BIT LONGER.

IT WON'T LIKELY COME BEFORE JUNE AS SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR LEGAL ARGUMENTS.

ABOUT 26 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE APPLIED, WHICH WOULD POTENTIALLY FORGIVE UP TO $20,000 IN FEDERAL STUDENT DEBT AND IN THE MEANTIME THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS EXTENDED A PAUSE ON LOAN REPAYMENTS AGAIN.

THE ONLY ISSUE IS RESOLVED.

>>> STORMY WEATHER IS ON THE WAY.

LOOKS LIKE ANOTHER ROUND OF HEAVY RAIN AND POWERFUL WIND AND HIGH ELEVATION SNOW IS COMING ON THURSDAY.

WE ARE PREPARED FOR FLOODING AGAIN AS THE LATEST ATMOSPHERIC RIVER SLIDES DOWN THE CALIFORNIA COAST.

AFTER THIS IT SHOULD BE TRANQUIL FOR THE WEEKEND.

NEXT WEEK IT LOOKS LIKE THE WEATHER PATTERN DOES CONTINUE.

HERE IS THE SETUP.

THERE IS A POWERFUL STORM OFF THE COAST.

THE BOMB CYCLONE IS REALLY GETTING INTENSE.

DRAGGING IN THE MOISTURE.

THAT MEANS HEAVY PRECIPITATION IS ON THE WAY.

WE HAVE WIND ADVISORIES THAT CONTINUE THURSDAY.

ALONG THE COAST WE HAVE GAIL WARNINGS AND EFFECT.

WE ALSO HAVE HIGH SURF WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES.

ALONG THE COAST WE ALSO HAVE A COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY.

FLOOD WATCHES ARE OUT TOO.

MAINLY UP TO THE NORTH AND THE HIGHER TERRAIN ABOVE 7000.

TONIGHT, JUST A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN WITH SOME CLOUDS AROUND YOUR TEMPERATURES IN THE 50s.

HERE IS THE ATMOSPHERIC RIVER.

THE POWERFUL FRONT SWEEPING DOWN THE COAST OVERNIGHT.

DURING THE DAY TOMORROW THE HEAVY RAIN SHIFTS RIGHT ACROSS OUR AREA.

WE WILL SEE TENSE RAIN AND STRONG ON THE WAY.

LOOKS LIKE A WET AND COOL DAY THURSDAY.

RAINFALL AMOUNTS RIGHT HERE COULD BE ON THE ORDER OF 1-2 INCHES.

HERE ON FRIDAY BETRAYER AIR COMES IN.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THE FORECAST.

AFTER THIS IT IS TRANQUIL INTO THE WEEKEND.

INLAND AREAS ARE COOL WITH THE RAIN.

DRYING OUT IN THE MOUNTAINS.

WE WILL SEE SOME RAIN AND GUSTY WINDS.

SNOW LEVELS ABOVE 7000 FEET AND IN THE DESERTS WE WILL SEE LITTLE AFTERNOON RAIN ON THURSDAY AND THEN QUIET FOR THE WEEKEND.>>> A WEEK OF RITUALS OF REMEMBRANCE AT THE VATICAN.

THE POPE IS LYING IN STATE FOR ONE MORE DAY BEFORE FUNERAL SERVICES BEGIN ON THURSDAY.

CARDINALS, BISHOPS, AND POLITICAL DELEGATIONS ARE AMONG THOSE PAYING RESPECTS TODAY.

THE FORMER PUBLIC BODIES WILL BE PLACED HERE WHEN OCCUPIED BY THE PREDECESSOR.

>>> A PIONEER OF AMERICAN APOLLO SPACE PROGRAM HAS DIED.

PASSING AWAY TUESDAY.

90 YEARS OLD.

OUR REPORTER WENT TO THE SAN DIEGO AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM TO SEE HOW HE IS BEING REMEMBERED.>> WE HAVE IGNITION.

COMMIT LIFTOFF.

WE HAVE LEFT OFF.

>> THAT WAS ONE OF THE MOST AMBITIOUS AND MOST SUCCESSFUL FIRST TEST FLIGHTS OF ANY NEW FLYING MACHINE EVER.

>> THIS VIDEO ATTRIBUTES TO THE STORY OF HIS CAREER.

THE HIGHLIGHT WITH THE APOLLO 7 MISSION IN OCTOBER 1968 TO THE FIRST APOLLO MISSION TO FLY INTO SPACE WITH A CREW WHERE THEY CONDUCTED THE FIRST TEST OF THE COMMAND AND SERVICE MODULE.

AT SAN DIEGO'S AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM YOU CAN SEE PLENTY OF EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT MOMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF AIR AND SPACE TRAVEL AND YOU CAN SEE HUNDREDS OF PORTRAITS OF THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO MADE THOSE MOMENTS HAPPEN.

ON THIS WALL OF AIR AND SPACE LUMINARIES INCLUDING WELL-KNOWN NAMES LIKE SAN DIEGO'S CHRISTA McAULIFFE THERE IS AN EMPTY SPACE.

THIS IS USUALLY WHERE YOU FIND THE PORTRAIT OF WALT CUNNINGHAM.

'S PORTRAIT IS NOT BEING DISPLAYED CLOSE TO THE ENTRANCE OF THE MUSEUM SO PEOPLE SEE THE REMARKABLE ASTRONAUT AS SOON AS THEY WALK IN.

>> HE WAS A PILOT YOU WOULD TRUST WITH YOUR LIFE ANYTIME AND ANYWHERE THAT IS THE BIGGEST COMPLIMENT YOU COULD PAY.

>> THE PRESIDENT AND CEO WAS A CLOSE FRIEND.

WE INTERVIEWED HIM IN FRONT OF THE APOLLO 9 CAPSULE.

HE SHOWED US SEVERAL ITEMS OF MEMORABILIA WITH A CONNECTION TO CUNNINGHAM.

THIS FOLDING SEAT FROM APOLLO 7 SIGNED BY CUNNINGHAM AND THIS ELABORATE CUSTOM-MADE GUITAR.

ATTRIBUTE TO ALL THE APOLLO MISSIONS SIGNED BY A LOT OF PEOPLE ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE MISSIONS.

INCLUDING CUNNINGHAM.

>> THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY WE CURRY CARRY EVERY DAY.

THAT IS HUGE.

THERE IS AN EXPECTATION WE WILL DO IT BIGGER AND BETTER AND FASTER, BUT HE WAS ONE OF THOSE THAT SET THE TONE FOR THE FUTURE.

>> THE NEAR FUTURE IS THE ARTEMIS PROGRAM THAT WILL BRING HUMANS BACK TO THE MOON.

ARTIST I COMPLETED IT SUCCESSFULLY LAST MONTH.

THREE IS EXPECTED TO PUT PEOPLE ON THE LUNAR SURFACE IN 2025.

THE FIRST LUNAR LANDING SINCE APOLLO 17 IN 1972.

THE ENTIRE PROGRAM BUILT ON THE KNOW-HOW GAINED ON THOSE MISSIONS LONG AGO.

FOR HIS MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS HE WAS INDUCTED INTO THE INTERNATIONAL AIR AND SPACE HALL OF FAME IN 2011.

FOR PEOPLE WHO WEREN'T AROUND FOR THE APOLLO MISSIONS I ASKED WHAT ELSE THEY SHOULD KNOW ABOUT HIM.

>> HE WAS ALWAYS IN GOOD HUMOR.

JUST A GREAT HUMAN BEING.

WHEN THE MISSION REQUIRED IT HE WAS GOING TO DO IT.>> WALT CUNNINGHAM HAD THE RIGHT STUFF.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS .

>>> IT IS A WINTER OF WAR IN UKRAINE.

SAN DIEGO'S HOUSE OF UKRAINE PARTNERED WITH THE HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATION TO BRING HOLIDAY JOY TO CHILDREN CAUGHT UP IN THE CONFLICT.

>> THE SEASON OF GIVING IS MEANINGFUL IN UKRAINE.

IT SPANS THROUGH.

THIS WINTER THEY HAVE BEEN PLAGUED BY CONSTANT SHELLING, POWER OUTAGES, MISSING LOVED ONES, SOME THAT FLOOD AND OTHERS ARE FIGHTING, AND SOME HAVE BEEN KILLED.

ALL A RESULT OF RUSSIA'S WAR.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR UKRAINIANS RIGHT NOW WHO ARE CELEBRATING THE HOLIDAYS WITHOUT ELECTRICITY OR HEAT IN BOMB SHELTERS KNOWING THAT OTHER PEOPLE ACROSS THE OCEAN CARE ABOUT THEM.

>> THAT CARE IS BEING SHUNNED BY A SAN FRANCISCO-BASED NONPROFIT.

THE GROUPS USUAL MISSION IS TO REMOVE LANDMINES AND RESTORE AGRICULTURAL LAND, BUT AFTER SEEING THE STORIES OF CHILDREN THAT WERE COVERING IN SAN DIEGO AFTER LOSING THEIR LIMBS IN THE WAR ON UKRAINE THEY REACHED OUT TO THE HOUSE OF UKRAINE.

>> WE LOST CHRISTMAS MIRACLE CAMPAIGN.

IT WAS OUR FAMILIES BY CIVILIAN CHILDREN WHO LOST THEIR LEGS IN THE WAR.

THIS IS WHY IT IS A SYMBOLIC REPRESENTATION OF HELPING UKRAINE.

SPIRIT THIS 11-YEAR-OLD LOST BOTH OF HER LEGS IN A MISSILE ATTACK IN A TRAIN STATION IN UKRAINE.

HER MOTHER ALSO LOST A LEG IN THE ATTACK, AND HER GRANDMOTHER WAS KILLED.

THIS 16-YEAR-OLD LOST HIS LEGS WHEN A RUSSIAN TANK ATTACKED HIS FAMILY.

HIS STEPFATHER DIED IN THE SAME ATTACK.

CHRISTMAS MIRACLE CAMPAIGN IN THEIR HONOR IS COLLECTING SMALL BUT PRICELESS STOCKING STUFFERS LIKE THERMAL BLANKETS, HAND AND FEET WARMERS, EMERGENCY POWER BANKS, AND THE TYPE OF THINGS NEEDED DURING POWER OUTAGES TO KEEP WARM AND CHARGE PHONES.

>> THE CHRISTMAS MIRACLE CAMPAIGN IS ABOUT SENDING A FEW ITEMS TO UKRAINE THAT A SMALL BUT VERY VALUABLE AND SOME OF THEM CAN ACTUALLY SAVE LIVES.

>> THEY ARE BOTH THRIVING IN SAN DIEGO.

SHE IS IMPRESSED DAILY BY THE SPIRITS.

>> THE PROGRESS MADE HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE.

GOING THROUGH THE SURGERIES.

HE IS AN INCREDIBLE KID.

>> SHE SAYS WHEN SHE CALLS LOVED ONES BACK HOME THEY END UP COMFORTING HER AND SHE IS ALWAYS MOVED BY THE UKRAINIAN SPIRITS.>> PEOPLE ARE VERY OPTIMISTIC.

I KNOW ALL THE TIME WHEN I CALL TO MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS THEY ARE SO HAPPY.

OF COURSE WE DO NOT HAVE ELECTRICITY ALL THE TIME.

SOMETIMES I CRY AND THEY SAY WHY ARE YOU CRYING?

WE ARE GOOD.

>> GIVING THEM HOPE AND KNOWING THAT WE AMERICANS AND THE REST OF THE WORLD STAND WITH UKRAINE AND THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING THEM.>> I BELIEVE IN OUR COUNTRY.

>>> HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES FOR SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC IS TELLING CUSTOMERS TO BRACE FOR HIGHER BILLS.

THAT IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR NATURAL GAS PRICES THAT COULD DOUBLE THIS MONTH COMPARED TO PRICES LAST YEAR.

THIS IS DUE TO HIGHER COMMODITY PRICES AND THAT PRICES COULD BE LOWERED NEXT MONTH AS THE NATURAL GAS MARKET FLUCTUATES.

>>> A FORMER COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER WILL RECEIVE MORE THAN $2.5 MILLION AFTER HE LOST HIS JOB IN 2020.

THIS WEEK THEY CITED THE FACT HE SAYS THE SUPERVISORS RETALIATED HIS GENDER EXPRESSION AS A GAME IN AND FOR THE WAY HE SPOKE UP ABOUT ALLEGED RACIST COMMENTS BY A SUPERVISOR.

THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE SAYS THEY ARE DISAPPOINTED WITH THE VERDICT AND IS CONSIDERING AN APPEAL.

>>> TONIGHT.

REPUBLICANS FAILED TO ELECT A HOUSE SPEAKER FOR A 2nd STRAIGHT DAY.

THAT IS COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING EDITION ON KPBS.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON FOR TOMORROW.

NPR MORNING EDITION IS KEEPING AN EYE ON THE STORMS MOVING INTO CALIFORNIA.

THEY WILL HAVE A REPORT ON POTENTIAL FLOODING AND POWER OUTAGES ACROSS THE STATE.

WHAT MAKES A CITY BLOCK A BOWL?

OUR MID-DAY EDITION TALKS WITH THE CITY PLANNER AND AUTHOR ABOUT WHAT CITIES CAN DO TO ENCOURAGE ZERO EMISSION TRAVEL.

>>> WE WANT TO END WITH AMAZING VIDEO.

WILL WATERS OFF THE COAST SPOTTED A GRAY WHALE AND WASHED IT GIVE BIRTH RIGHT BEFORE THEIR EYES.

THE VIDEO SHOWS THE MOTHER AND THE BABY SWIMMING TOGETHER AROUND AND UNDER THE 24 FOOT BOAT.

THEY HAVE BEEN KNOWN TO GIVE BIRTH ALONG THEIR WINTER JOURNEY FROM ALASKA TO MEXICO, HOWEVER IT IS VERY RARE FOR THE MOMENT TO BE CAPTURED LIKE THIS ON CAMERA.

AMAZING.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

GOOD NIGHT.