>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING & AIR , PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS , AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING & 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, JULY 7.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THE EMERGENCE OF THE IS RAISING AWARENESS AND CONCERN TONIGHT.

HEALTH OFFICIALS ONCE AGAIN URGING EVERYONE TO GET A COVID- 19 VACCINATION .

AS KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDRA RANGEL TELLS US, TECHNOLOGY IS NOW HELPING TO SUPPORT EFFORTS TO CONTROL THE CORONAVIRUS.

>>> FITNESS TRACKERS A REALLY UNIQUE, BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE CONTINUOUSLY WEARING THEM.

>> Reporter: BY SIMPLY WEARING YOUR SMART WATCH, RESEARCHERS ARE ABLE TO IDENTIFY A POSSIBLE HEALTH IMPACT YOU MAY HAVE.

THIS IS HOW THE DETECT HEALTH STUDY, CONDUCTED BY THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH TRANSLATIONAL INSTITUTE WAS ABLE TO COLLECT DATA OVER 38,000 PEOPLE THROUGH A HEALTH APP.

JENNIFER VADEN, A LEAD RESEARCHER IN THE STUDY, SAYS THEY ANALYZED PARTICIPANTS HEART RATES, SLEEP, AND ACTIVITY LEVELS USING SENSORS AND ACTIVITY TRACKERS.

>> SENSORS MAY ACTUALLY GIVE US AN EARLY WARNING THAT SOMETHING IS IMPACTING SOMEONE'S HEALTH, AND THAT MAYBE AN INDIVIDUAL NEEDS TO STAY AT HOME, OR BE MORE AWARE OF THEIR HEALTH, AND ANY SYMPTOMS THEY MAY DEVELOP IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS YOU CAN LEARN A LOT FROM A PERSON'S HEART RATE, AS IT TENDS TO INCREASE WITH VIRAL INFECTIONS.

SHE SAYS A SUBTLE CHANGE IN HEART RATE CAN HELP DETECT INFECTION, EVEN BEFORE SYMPTOMS PRESENT THEMSELVES.

THE DETECT STUDY ALSO TRACKED HOW LONG IT TOOK PEOPLE TO RECOVER FROM COVID.

RESULTS SHOWED ON AVERAGE IT TOOK PEOPLE TO DO 3 MONTHS TO RETURN TO THEIR HEALTHY BASELINE.

THE ONGOING STUDY IS WORKING TO IDENTIFY FUTURE OUTBREAKS.

>> THIS CAN GIVE US AN EARLY WARNING THAT PERHAPS VIRAL ACTIVITY IS INCREASING IN A CERTAIN REGION, AND THIS CAN GIVE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS A HEADS UP SO THEY CAN HELP RESPOND TO THE OUTBREAK FASTER, EARLIER.

>> Reporter: IS RESEARCHERS WORK TO DEVELOP NEW TRACKING METRICS FOR RESPIRATION RATE, TEMPERATURE, AND BLOOD PRESSURE, SHE SAYS THEY NEED MORE PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE STUDY.

THOSE INTERESTED CAN DOWNLOAD THE MY DATA HELPS PHONE APP TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE STUDY.

ALEXANDRA RANGEL , KPBS NEWS .

>>> THE DELTA VARIANT IS NOW THE DOMINANT VARIANT IN CALIFORNIA.

HEALTH EXPERTS WARNED IT IS SPREADING QUICKLY IN PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED.

TODAY SAN DIEGO COUNTY CONFIRMED 54 CASES OF THE VARIANT, UP FROM 25 AT LAST REPORT.

THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND ONE DEATH.

THE DELTA VARIANT IS SURGING IN SOME AREAS WITH LOW VACCINE RATES, BUT RIGHT NOW THE COUNTY ISN'T ANTICIPATING ANY CHANGES TO MASK GUIDANCE OR REOPENING.

>> WE WILL FOLLOW CDC GUIDANCE, THOSE HAVEN'T CHANGED.

AGAIN, I HAVE TO REITERATE, THE WAY YOU PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE DELTA VARIANT IS YOU GET A VACCINE.

>> UNDER CALIFORNIA'S GUIDANCE, VACCINATED PEOPLE MUST CONTINUE TO WEAR MASKS AND DOORS TO HELP PROTECT AGAINST THE RISK OF INFECTION.

>>> ONE CHALLENGE TO OVERCOME IS THE DELTA VARIANT SPREADS , VACCINE HESITANCY.

COMING UP, THE AGE GROUP THAT IS HOLDING OFF ON GETTING THE SHOT, AND WHY.

>>> FOR YEARS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES INVESTIGATED WHEN AN OFFICER SHOT AND KILLED AN UNARMED SUSPECT.

DISTRICT ATTORNEYS DECIDED ON THE CHARGES.

THAT IS UNTIL NOW.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL TELLS US ABOUT A NEW LAW THAT PUTS THE STATES JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IN CHARGE.

>> Reporter: LIKE ANY MAJOR AMERICAN CITY, SAN DIEGO HAS HAD ITS SHARE OF OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTINGS THAT RESULTED IN THE DEATH OF AN UNARMED PERSON, BUT A NEW LAW, ASSEMBLY BILL ONE 506 NUMBER CHANGES THE WAY THOSE FATAL SHOOTINGS ARE PROCESSED.

>> WE MUST HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY.

>> Reporter: FOR THE CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL, AB 1506 IS PERSONAL.

HE CO-AUTHORED THE LEGISLATION IN THE ASSEMBLY.

HE SAID IT'S ALL ABOUT BUILDING TRUST BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE, ESPECIALLY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

>> IMPARTIAL THERE INVESTIGATIONS, AND INDEPENDENT REVIEWS OF OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTINGS ARE AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT FOR ACHIEVING THAT.

>> I THINK IT WILL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE ON THE BUILDING OF TRUST IN THE COMMUNITY, AS WELL AS ACTUAL JUSTICE.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY JONES SAYS SHE THINKS THE SAN DIEGO DISTRICT ATTORNEY WILL WELCOME THE STATE INVOLVEMENT.

WE REACHED OUT TO THE DAS OFFICE A FEW TIMES TODAY AND DID NOT GET A RESPONSE.

THOUGH JONES WRITES THAT THE DAS PUBLIC STATEMENTS WILL PROBABLY BE POSITIVE, SHE ALSO SAYS THE PROOF WILL BE IN THE PUDDING.

>> WHAT THE DAS OFFICE ACTUALLY CHANGE THE WAY THAT THEY PURSUE JUSTICE OR NOT PURSUE JUSTICE AND OTHER CASES INVOLVING LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> Reporter: TWO INVESTIGATIVE TEAMS ARE NOW IN PLACE, ONE IN SACRAMENTO AND ONE IN LOS ANGELES.

THEY WILL IMMEDIATELY BE CALLED AND WHEN AN OFFICER SHOOTS AND KILLS AN UNARMED PERSON.

THEN THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE WILL ISSUE A DECISION ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

>> EITHER THROUGH A WRITTEN REPORT, EXPLAINING WHY CHARGES ARE NOT APPROPRIATE, OR WE WILL FILE CRIMINAL CHARGES.

>> Reporter: HE EXPECTS 40 TO 50 INCIDENTS EACH YEAR REQUIRING STATE INVOLVEMENT.

THE INVESTIGATIVE TEAMS ARE ON THE GROUND NOW AND READY TO GO.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS .

>>> CALIFORNIA POWER MANAGERS CANNOT SAY WITH CONFIDENCE THAT THERE WILL BE ENOUGH POWER AVAILABLE THIS SUMMER TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON, AND AIR- CONDITIONERS BLOWING.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ALEXANDRA RANGEL HAS DETAILS.

>> Reporter: LAST SUMMER WAS BRUTAL FOR CALIFORNIA ELECTRICITY PROVIDERS.

FIVE TIMES THEY HAD TO ASK THE PUBLIC FOR EMERGENCY CONSERVATION IN AN EFFORT TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON.

IT FELL SHORT TWICE, AND SAN DIEGO DEALT WITH ROLLING POWER OUTAGES.

THE POWER SUPPLY PICTURE DOES NOT LOOK MUCH BETTER THIS YEAR.

>> WE HAVE SEEN THAT SOME OF THE RESOURCES PROCURED HAVE RUN INTO SOME SUPPLY-CHAIN ISSUES.

>> Reporter: THE GRID MANAGER SAYS RESERVES THAT EVENTUALLY WERE UNAVAILABLE HELPS CAUSE LAST SUMMER'S ROLLING BLACKOUTS.

HE SAYS WILDFIRES, DROUGHT, AND WIDESPREAD HEAT ONLY MAKE THINGS WORSE.

>> WE STILL IMPORT ABOUT A QUARTER OF OUR ELECTRICITY FROM OUT OF STATE.

WHEN IT GETS SIMULTANEOUSLY HOT IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST AND IN THE DESERT SOUTHWEST, THE AMOUNT OF POWER AVAILABLE TO CALIFORNIA CAN GET STRESSED.

>> Reporter: THE UTILITY HAS BOUGHT MORE BACKUP POWER, ADDED BATTERY STORAGE, AND UTILITY MANAGERS HOPE CONSERVATION KEEPS THINGS FROM GETTING WORSE THAN LAST SUMMER.

>> LAST AUGUST OUR CUSTOMERS REALLY SHOWED UP AND CONSERVES ENERGY.

CUSTOMERS MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE WHEN THE GRID IS STRAINED.

>> Reporter: THEY ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL GRID AND OTHER REGIONS COULD ALSO IMPACT LOCALS.

OFFICIALS SAY THE SUPPLY PROBABLY WON'T CHANGE MUCH OVER THE SUMMER, SO THEY WILL HAVE TO RELY ON CUSTOMERS TO PICK UP THE SLACK.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS .

>>> THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS OUTFITTING EIGHT OF ITS REC CENTERS FIRE AND POLICE STATIONS WITH SOLAR PLANT OILS AND GIANT BATTERIES.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SAYS THE GOAL OF THE SO- CALLED MICRO GRIDS IS TO INCREASE POWER RELIABILITY IN THE FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>>> RIGHT HERE, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A BANK OF BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE.

>> Reporter: LINDSAY WALKS ME AROUND THE MEMORIAL REC CENTER IN SAN DIEGO'S LOGAN HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD, OR NEXT YEAR, THE CITY WILL INSTALL ITS OWN RENEWABLE POWER GENERATING SYSTEM.

ROOFTOP SOLAR PANELS WILL POWER THE LIGHTS, COMPUTERS, AND POOL PUMPS.

AND IF THERE IS EVER A BLACKOUT, THE BUILDING CAN RUN ON THE BATTERIES INDEPENDENT FROM THE ELECTRICAL GRID.

>> WE KNOW WITH CLIMATE CHANGE, DISRUPTIONS TO THE ENERGY SUPPLIER INCREASING.

WHETHER IT BE A PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUT OFF, OR A WILDFIRE MAMA OR SOME OTHER DISASTER, THE QUESTION ISN'T IF, IT IS WHEN.

WE WANT TO BE PREPARED.

>> Reporter: THE MICROCREDIT MODEL, DECENTRALIZED ENERGY GENERATION AND STORAGE, IS INCREASINGLY POPULAR NATIONWIDE.

THE COMPANY BUILDING THE CITY'S MICRO GRIDS, GRIDS GAVE, SAID THE APPROACH CAN HELP BUSINESSES SAVE MONEY, AND BE MORE RESILIENT.

>> WE NEED A SOLUTION THAT IS MORE DISTRIBUTED IN NATURE MUST THAT THERE IS NO SINGLE POINT OF FAILURE, AND MICRO GRIDS PROVIDE YOU WITH THAT.

WE LITERALLY NEED MILLIONS OF THESE TO MAKE OF THE GRADE SO THAT IT BECOMES STABLE, AND MEET EVERYBODY'S NEEDS.

>> Reporter: CONSTRUCTION ON THE MICRO GRIDS IS EXPECTED TO START IN MAY OF NEXT YEAR.

CITY OFFICIALS ESTIMATE THEY WILL SAVE TAXPAYERS $60 MILLION IN ENERGY COSTS OVER 25 YEARS.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAS CREATED AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE CONSUMER GUIDE WEBSITE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT BENEFITS, COSTS, INCENTIVES, AND A LINK TO SHOP FOR VEHICLES.

IT IS PART OF THE EV ROADMAP TO BUILD CHARGING STATIONS MY ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO BUY ELECTRIC VEHICLES, AND REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

THE COUNTY IS ALSO WORKING WITH UC SAN DIEGO TO CREATE A STRATEGY FOR ZERO CARBON EMISSIONS BY 2035.

>>> THE PRICES AT THE PUMP CONTINUED THEIR STEADY CLIMB AS A SUMMER TRAVEL IS IN FULL SWING.

CALIFORNIA HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST GAS PRICES IN THE COUNTRY, AND AS RACHEL KIM REPORTS, THEY ARE NOT EXPECTED TO FALL ANYTIME SOON.

>>> THAT'S WHY I KNOW THEY ARE GETTING HIGH.

>> Reporter: MELANIE GOT TO SEE FOR HERSELF THAT GAS PRICES ACROSS THE SOUTHLAND ARE NOW AT ITS HIGHEST POINT SINCE 2012.

AAA REPORTS THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A GALLON OF REGULAR IN THE L.A. METRO AREA IS $4.33, WHILE SHE FILLED UP AND BEVERLY GROVE, RUBIO GOT STICKER SHOCK IN CHINATOWN.

>> I JUST DROVE 3.5 HOURS, AND I SEE HERE ALMOST SIX DOLLARS PER GALLON.

>> Reporter: PATRICK IS THE HEAD OF PETROLEUM ANALYSIS AT GAS BUDDY.COM.

HE SAYS PRICES ARE GOING UP BECAUSE OF RISING DEMAND AS THE ECONOMY REOPENS.

>> AMERICANS TAKING TO THE ROAD FOR JULY 4th AND THE SUMMER MONTHS IS PUSHING DEMAND UP TO NEAR NORMAL LEVELS.

BUT DUE TO THE PANDEMIC, WHICH CAUSED OIL PRODUCTION TO DECLINE, WE ARE FACED WITH BASICALLY A SHORTAGE OF SUPPLY.

>> Reporter: HE ALSO SAYS COMPARED TO EVERYONE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY, CALIFORNIA HAS THE NATION'S HIGHEST GASOLINE TAXES.

THE MOST RECENT HIKE TOOK EFFECT JULY 1st TO PAY FOR BRIDGE AND ROAD REPAIRS.

>> IT HAS THE DUBIOUS DISTINCTION OF BEING ONE OF THE FEW PLACES IN NORTH AMERICA THAT HAS A CARBON MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, THAT IS A COST ON CARBON EMISSIONS.

IT HAS THE NATION'S MOST STRINGENT TYPES OF GASOLINE REQUIRED BY THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD'S.

NOT ONLY THAT, BUT A LACK OF ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE, PIPELINES IN THIS CASE, THAT COULD HELP ALLEVIATE SOME OF THE HIGH PRICES BY BRINGING IN PRODUCT FROM OTHER AREAS.

>> THE TAXES ALREADY HIGH ENOUGH.

I THINK WE SHOULD BE PAYING MORE FOR GAS.

>> Reporter: WHEN WILL PRICES START TO FALL?

NOT UNTIL SOMETIME IN THE FALL.

>> AS GASOLINE DEMAND CONTINUES TO IMPROVE, WE MAY SEE DEMAND GO UP UNTIL LATE JULY, EARLY AUGUST, AND ALONG WITH IT, GAS PRICES MAY GO UP FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF HURRICANE SEASON WHICH CAN IMPACT PRICE.

>> IT'S JUST CRAZY.

IT'S A RIPOFF.

>>> HERE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A GALLON OF REGULAR GAS IS $4.29, THE HIGHEST AVERAGE SINCE MAY OF 2014.

IT HAS RISEN ALMOST $1.11 SINCE THE START OF THE YEAR.

>>> TROPICAL STORM ELSA IS BRINGING HEAVY RAIN, FLOODING, AND HIGH WENT TO NORTH FLORIDA'S GULF COAST.

AS CAMILO BURNELL EXPLAINS, THE STORM IS PREDICTED TO PACK A PUNCH, AS IT MOVES UP THE EASTERN SEABOARD.

>> Reporter: WITH MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS OF 65 MILES PER HOUR, TROPICAL STORM ELSA MADE LANDFALL WEDNESDAY MORNING.

>> TROPICAL STORMS, IF SLOW- MOVING, CAN FLOOD WORSE AND SOME FAST-MOVING STORMS.

>> Reporter: THE STORM NOT SCARING AWAY SOME TOURISTS TO THE SUNSHINE STATE.

ELSA REACHED PEAK STRENGTH AS A CATEGORY 1 HURRICANE ON TUESDAY, BUT WEEKEND BEFORE COMING ASHORE.

STILL, AUTHORITIES ONE THE STORM COULD BE DANGEROUS.

>> TORNADOES ARE A CONTINUED CONCERN, AND THEY WILL BE POSSIBLE ACROSS NORTHEAST FLORIDA.

>> WE COULD HAVE FLOODING.

SURF THAT PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE IN OUT AT THE BEACHES.

>> Reporter: THE NORTH GULF COAST IN FLORIDA IS EXPERIENCING HEAVY RAIN AND POWER OUTAGES.

>> WE HAVE MORE THAN 10,000 RESTORATION PERSONNEL PREPARED TO RESPOND TO THE ADAGES AS SOON AS IT IS SAFE TO DO SO.

>> Reporter: AND NOW, AS ELSA MOVES INLAND, MORE WIND DAMAGE AND FLOODING ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.

>> WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO BE OVERCONFIDENT, AND IN THEIR CARS AND POTENTIALLY DRIVING INTO FLOODING.

YOU CAN HAVE DOWNED POWER LINES WITH WIND.

THERE'S A LOT OF POSSIBILITIES THAT COULD HAPPEN IN THESE STORMS.

>> Reporter: ELSA IMPACTING NORTHERN FLORIDA, PARTS OF GEORGIA, AND THE CAROLINAS.

IT IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE ALONG THE MID-ATLANTIC COAST, AND MAYBE RESTRENGTHEN INTO A TROPICAL STORM IN THE NORTHEAST BY FRIDAY MORNING.

>> MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THOSE CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE STORM RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS >>> CALIFORNIA'S WILDFIRE SEASON IS ON PACE TO EXCEED 2020, WHICH WAS ONE OF THE MOST DISASTROUS IN THE STATES HISTORY.

ACCORDING TO CAL FIRE, 4600 FIRES HAVE BURNED THIS YEAR, COMPARED TO 3800 FIRES THAT BURNED ABOUT 49 SQUARE MILES IN THE SAME FRAME FRAME LAST YEAR.

CAL FIRE SAYS THE INCREASED WILDFIRE ACTIVITY IS BEING DRIVEN BY HOT AND DRY CONDITIONS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>>> WE ARE WATCHING STRONG HIGH PRESSURE BUILD AND AGAIN ACROSS THE INTERIOR SECTIONS OF THE SOUTHWEST, WHICH MEANS THE HEAT IS ON.

EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCHES ARE ALREADY POSTED.

IT IS GOING TO WARM UP A LITTLE BIT, BUT IS GOING TO STAY COMFORTABLE NEAR THE COAST.

HERE ARE THE EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCHES IN EFFECT SATURDAY MORNING, LASTING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING FOR THIS WEEKEND, FOR A PLACE LIKE RED SPRINGS AND MT.

LAGUNA.

AGAIN, MAINLY OUT TOWARDS THE DESERT REGIONS.

TONIGHT IN THE METRO, TEMPERATURES DROP OFF INTO THE UPPER 60s UNDER PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

OCEANSIDE, 64 DEGREES FOR THE OVERNIGHT LOW.

BORREGO SPRINGS, 81.

CHULA VISTA, 64 FOR THE OVERNIGHT LOW.

THURSDAY FEATURES ANOTHER HOT DAY.

HERE'S THE UPPER LEVEL HIGH.

THE HEAT REALLY BUILDS IN MORE TOWARDS THE INTERIOR SECTIONS OF THE SOUTHWEST, BUT WE WILL STILL BE TALKING ABOUT IT AGAIN AND SOME OF THE DESERT REGIONS IN AND AROUND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, MORE SO IN THE DAYS TO COME.

FOR TOMORROW, OCEANSIDE, 76.

EL CAJON, 91.

RAMONA, 94.

TRIPLE DIGITS ONCE AGAIN FOR BORREGO SPRINGS AT 110 FOR THE DAYTIME HIGH.

FRIDAY, NOT A WHOLE LETTER CHANGE IN THE FORECAST.

THAT UPPER-LEVEL RIDGE, THAT HIGH WILL ONLY INTENSIFY.

FURTHER EAST, SPOTTY SHOWERS AND STORMS POSSIBLE IN THE HIGHER TERRAIN, BUT WE WILL LIKELY STAY DRY NEAR THE COAST.

TEMPERATURES WARMING UP JUST A LITTLE BIT INTO THE UPPER 70s.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY COOLING-OFF INTO THE WORK WEEK ON MONDAY.

FURTHER INLAND, A BIT OF A WARM- UP, WITH TEMPERATURES GENERALLY GETTING UP INTO THE UPPER 80s, PEAKING ON SATURDAY AT 89 DEGREES.

AFTER THAT, A SLOW BUT STEADY DROP THROUGH THE LIST OF THE WEEKEND.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, TEMPERATURES CLOSE IN ON THE 80s, AND WE GET UP THERE ON MONDAYS.

IN THE DESERTS, TRIPLE DIGITS, CLOSE TO 120 DEGREES BY SUNDAY.

FOR KPBS NEWS , I AM METEOROLOGIST JESSICA PASH.

>>> HEALTH EXPERTS ARE WORRIED ABOUT COVID-19 FAXING HESITANCY AMONG YOUNG ADULTS , AS THE DELTA VARIANT CONTINUES TO SPREAD.

AS MARY MALONEY REPORTS , NEW DATA SHOWS THE SAME GROUPS THAT HAVE BEEN MOST AFFECTED BY THE VIRUS ARE ALSO THE ONES WITH THE LOWEST VACCINATION RATES.

>> Reporter: VACCINATIONS AMONG YOUNG ADULTS HAVE BEEN LOWER AND INCREASINGLY MORE SLOW COMPARED TO OTHER AGE GROUPS.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO A RECENTLY PUBLISHED CDC REPORT WORRYING HEALTH EXPERTS.

>> EVEN INDIVIDUALS WITH MILD ILLNESS COULD HAVE LONG-LASTING SYMPTOMS.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR HAIR, WHO CONTINUE TO HAVE LOSS OF TASTE OR SMELL.

>> Reporter: THE CDC REPORT FOUND THE WEEKLY RATE OF NEWLY VACCINATED ADULTS 18 TO 29 YEARS OLD SLOWED TO 2% FROM 3.6% BETWEEN APRIL 19th AND MAY 22nd.

PRESIDENT BIDEN URGING THEM TO GET THE SHOT, CITING THE DELTA VARIANT EDITS ALARMING RATE OF SPREAD .

AND BY SAYING AMERICANS DYING OF COVID-19 ARE OVERWHELMINGLY UNVACCINATED.

>> THIS SHOULD CAUSE RECONSIDERATION IN YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE WHO DIED OF COVID-19 IN MAY WERE YOUNGER AND MORE DISPROPORTIONATELY BLACK THAN THOSE WHO DIED OF THE VIRUS THREAT THE PANDEMIC.

THAT IS BASED ON AN ANALYSIS OF DATA FROM THE CDC AMOUNT WHICH ALSO REVEALS LESS THAN 9% OF BLACK PEOPLE ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

YET SOME PEOPLE, LIKE 21-YEAR- OLD DESTINY BRIDGE, SAY THEY ARE SKEPTICAL.

>> I NEED TO MAKE SURE IT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR SOME TIME, WHERE I KNOW SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE SIDE EFFECTS ARE POINT >> Reporter: SHE SAYS HER HESITATION IS CAUSED IN PART BY THE LEGACY OF THE TUSKEGEE SYPHILIS STUDY, AND CONCERNS ABOUT THE VACCINES POTENTIAL RARE SIDE EFFECTS.

>> HOW DO I KNOW THAT SMALL PERCENTAGE WILL BE ME?

>> Reporter: FOR TODAY'S HEALTH MINUTE, I AM MARY MALONEY.

>>> IF YOU WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT VACCINATIONS AND WHERE TO GET ONE, YOU CAN FIND THE INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG , AND CLICK ON THE VACCINES LINK ON OUR HOMEPAGE.

>>> THE SANYO CEDRO TRANSIT CENTER HAS BEEN INADEQUATE FOR YEARS.

NOW THERE IS HOPE THAT SOMETHING MIGHT BE DONE ABOUT IT.

JENNIFER BOWMAN HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: AT THE SOUTHERNMOST TROLLEY STOP IN SAN CEDRO IS ONE OF SAN DIEGO'S MOST POPULAR.

IT SERVES AS THE CITY'S FRONT PORCH TO ONE OF THE WORLD'S BUSIEST BORDER CROSSINGS, TOO BUSY DESIGN AND TROLLEYS, THE STATION HAS NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS FOR A LONG TIME.

>> WHAT IS WELCOMING OUR CUSTOMERS AND WORKERS, AND REALLY, RIGHT NOW, I DON'T THINK IT DOES IT JUSTICE.

I DON'T THINK THE WELCOMING IS A GOOD WELCOME.

>> Reporter: FOR YEARS, COMMUNITY LEADERS HAVE URGED TRANSIT OFFICIALS TO ASK, BUT THEY HAVE A COTTON FAR.

NOW, THE LATEST REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLAN MIGHT HAVE AN ANSWER.

SAN YSIDRO WOULD GET WHAT THE AGENCY IS CALLING A MOBILITY HUB.

THE $200 MILLION PROJECT WOULD UPDATE THE STATION BY 2035.

>> THESE ARE THE DENSER AREAS WHERE PEOPLE TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS COME TOGETHER.

THAT'S ALREADY HAPPENING IN SAN YSIDRO, SO WE CAN CAPITALIZE ON THAT.

>> Reporter: IT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT OFFICIALS HAVE FACED BEFORE.

IT NEEDS FUNDING.

FOR KPBS, I AM I NEW SOURCE REPORTER JENNIFER BOWMAN.

>>> I NEWS SOURCE IS AN INDEPENDENTLY FUNDED NONPROFIT PARTNER OF KPBS.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS SPENDING MORE THAN $1 MILLION TO SET UP AN OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE JUSTICE.

SUPERVISOR NORA VARGAS ASKED TO CREATE THE OFFICE, AND ALL OF HER FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS AGREED.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIK ANDERSON SAT DOWN WITH VARGAS RECENTLY TO DISCUSS THE ISSUE.

>> FOR ME IT WAS IMPORTANT TO CREATE AN OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE JUSTICE THAT REALLY WAS GOING TO ENSURE THAT FOLKS THAT WERE GOING TO BE LOOKING EVERY DAY, THEIR JOB WAS TO WAKE UP AND LOOK AT THE WORLD FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL AND CLIMATE JUSTICE LENS, WHICH MEANS LOOKING AT ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM IN OUR COMMUNITIES, WHICH MEANS LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, THE TOXINS IN OUR REGION, YOU KNOW, CONTAMINATION.

IT WAS PART OF MY BIGGER ENVIRONMENTAL PACKAGE, BUT FOR ME IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAD AN OFFICE THAT REALLY IS GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE DEDICATED TO LOOKING AT THE WORLD FROM THAT LENS.

>> Reporter: HELP ME DEFINE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AS YOU PERCEIVE IT.

>> WE ARE REALLY PROUD OF BEING A BINATIONAL COMMUNITY, BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS FROM THE LONG HOURS OF FOLKS WAITING AT THE BORDER, ALL OF THESE ISSUES ARE IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY, THAT BECAUSE OF THEIR ZIP CODE, HAVE BEEN, YOU KNOW, GREATLY, I THINK, HURT THESE POLICIES, THEY DIDN'T REALLY TAKE THEM INTO CONSIDERATION.

>> Reporter: CAN YOU GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THIS COUNTY OFFICE MIGHT IMPACT A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT THE SUPERVISORS WOULD CONSIDER?

>> IT'S THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, ENVIRONMENT OF JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS, THAT HAVE BEEN DOING THE WORK THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD'VE BEEN DOING IN THE BEGINNING.

SO WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW AS GOVERNMENT IS TAKING THAT RESPONSIBILITY AND ENSURING THAT FOLKS HAVE THE INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED, AND THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET THEIR INPUT AS WE ARE MAKING , YOU KNOW, THE POLICIES MOVING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: WHY DO YOU THINK THE SUPERVISORS WERE READY TO MAKE THE CHANGE?

>> I CAME HERE TO DO A JOB ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING.

THIS IS A NEW BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

WE HAVE THE WILL TO REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND WE HAVE A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME TO DO IT.

WE HAVE NO TIME TO WASTE.

>> Reporter: COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN RAISING THESE ISSUES, BUT WHY IS IT NOW THAT THIS IS SORT OF COALESCING IN ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE CHANGE?

>> I THINK IT GOES BACK TO DECADES OF ORGANIZING IN OUR COMMUNITIES, RIGHT?

I STARTED THIS WORK 25 YEARS AGO , AND WE HAVE ALL WORKED SIDE- BY-SIDE IN TERMS OF DOING THE EQUITY MINDED WORK.

WHETHER IT IS HEALTHCARE, THE ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMIC JUSTICE ISSUES, TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING, WE KNOW THEY ARE ALL INTEGRATED.

I THINK IF ANYTHING THE LAST ADMINISTRATION DEMONSTRATED HOW IMPORTANT MAKING DECISIONS BASED ON SCIENCE IS FOR OUR COMMUNITIES, RIGHT?

I THINK ABOUT HOW COVID, I THINK , HAS, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE IMPACT OF COVERED, PARTICULARLY IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, THE LATINO COMMUNITY, ACROSS THE COUNTIES OF SAN DIEGO, AGAIN, IT WAS THE ISSUE OF WHERE YOU LIVED THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE ON WHETHER OR NOT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE ACCESS TO VACCINES OR ACCESS TO TESTING.

WE SHIFTED THAT AROUND IN A REALLY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME BECAUSE WE LOOKED AT THE DATA, AND WE LOOKED AT THE HEALTH EQUITY INDEX AND WE DECIDED THAT THAT IS WHAT WE WERE GOING TO PRIORITIZE, BECAUSE THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO IS THE SAFETY NET FOR SO MANY FOLKS THAT FOR MANY REASONS HAVEN'T HAD ACCESS, YOU KNOW, FOR YEARS.

FOR ME I THINK, IT REALLY IS A NEW DAY IN THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO, AND I THINK, FOR WHAT YOU ARE SEEING IN GOVERNMENT, IT IS A REAL, TRUE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, AND ADVOCATES, AND I DO BELIEVE THAT THE WILL OF COUNTY STAFF IS WE WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND THEY'VE BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN HELPING IN THIS TRANSITION.

>>> FOR SOME SAN DIEGANS TODAY, GETTING MARRIED WAS AS EASY AS WALKING UP AND ASKING TO SAY "I DO."

THE PANDEMIC CAUSED A SLOWDOWN IN NUPTIALS, BUT NOW THERE ARE 1600 PEOPLE ON THE COUNTIES WAITING LIST.

TO MEET DEMAND, THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE STARTED WALK UP WEDNESDAY SERVICES AT THE MARRIAGE HUT AT WATERFRONT PARK.

COUPLES CAN GET A LICENSE, AND GET MARRIED, WITHOUT AN APPOINTMENT.

>> WANTED TO GET UP, WANTED TO GET MARRIED, YOU CAN GET UP, COME DOWN, GET MARRIED.

YOU KNOW, LOVE IS A THING THAT IS THERE FOR YOU.

>> IT IS A FAST, LOW-COST WAY TO GET HITCHED, AND YOU CANNOT ASK FOR A BETTER SCENIC LOCATION.

THE MARRIAGE HUT IS A CONVERTED CONCESSIONS BOOTH AT THE PARK, THAT RECENTLY WON AN ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES FOR INNOVATIVE IDEAS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

VERY COOL.

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

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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