>>> 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 CONTAIN 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.

>>> A GOOD EVENING.

IT IS WEDNESDAY, JULY 14.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

DAY AFTER DAY FOR THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS CASES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAVE BEEN ON THE RISE.

THIS COMES AS PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY VACCINE HESITANCY IS BECOMING A CONCERN.

KPBS REPORTERS ALEXANDRA RANGEL HAS MORE ON HOW THE COUNTY PLANS TO SPEND MILLIONS ON RESPONSE TO THE VIRUS.

>> Reporter: ON TUESDAY, THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ACCEPTED A $24 MILLION GRANT THAT WILL BE USED TO ADDRESS COVID-19 DISPARITIES AMONG UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS.

THIS COMES AS CASES ARE ON THE RISE.

THE COUNTY IS NOW SEEING DOUBLE THE CASES THAT A MONTH AGO, AND HOSPITALIZATIONS HAVE INCREASED BY 46%.

IN A PRESS CONFERENCE ON WEDNESDAY, GOVERNOR NEWSOM PLEADED FOR RESIDENTS TO GET VACCINATED.

>> PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO HAVEN'T BEEN VACCINATED.

THOSE ARE IN THE HOSPITALS, AND THOSE THAT HAVE DIED ARE OVERWHELMINGLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT BEEN VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: VACCINE HESITANCY CONTINUES TO BE A BARRIER IN FIGHTING THE VIRUS.

WE SPOKE TO THE PRESIDENT OF F AND THREE RESEARCH.

THEY CONDUCTED THE RECENT COUNTY SURVEY ABOUT RESIDENT VIEWS ON THE VACCINE.

>> 1 AND 5 ADULTS TELL US THAT NOT ONLY ARE THEY NOT VACCINATED YET, BUT A MAJORITY THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF GETTING VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: IS HESITANT HER YOUNGER FOLKS WHO DO NOT SEE COVID AS A THREAT.

THEY ALSO ARE NOT CONFIDENT IN THE VACCINE.

>> THEY LACK CONFIDENCE IN THE SAFETY OF THE VACCINE.

THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS, THAT DEVELOPMENT WAS TOO RUSHED, AND ARE UNCERTAIN WHAT LONG-TERM IMPACTS MIGHT BE.

>> Reporter: ROBERT GILLESPIE IS THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR THE BLACK NURSES ASSOCIATION.

HE SAYS VACCINATION EFFORTS NEED TO BE FOCUSED ON THOSE OPEN TO GETTING THE VACCINE.

>> WE HAVE TO FOCUS FIRST OF ALL ON THE 20% OF PEOPLE IN VACCINATED WHO STILL FEEL THEY ARE VERY LIKELY TO GET VACCINATED.

LONG-TERM CONDITIONS AND ISSUES THAT CAN OCCUR IF THESE PEOPLE AREN'T VACCINATED, FOCUS ON HOW THIS CAN IMPACT THEIR LIVES.

>> Reporter: ALTHOUGH 44% OF THOSE SURVEYED SAY THEY ARE VERY UNLIKELY TO GET THE VACCINE, THE COUNTY CONTINUES TO MAKE MOVES TO IMPROVE MESSAGING AND VACCINE ACCESS IN AREAS WITH LOW VACCINATION RATES.

ALEXANDRA RANGEL , KPBS NEWS .

>>> COVID CASES ARE SURGING IN 46 STATES, AND HEALTH EXPERTS ARE BLAMING THE DELTA VARIANT.

THE CDC SAYS IT ACCOUNTED FOR NEARLY 58% OF NEW CASES SINCE JULY 3rd.

THE DEATH RATE ALSO WROTE IN THE LAST WEEK, MORE THAN 99% OF THE DEATHS IN JUNE WERE UNVACCINATED PEOPLE.

IN THE HARDEST HIT AREAS, THE VIRUS IS SPREADING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IS A BIG CONCERN AHEAD OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

>> PARENTS WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A SITUATION WHERE THEIR CHILDREN ARE AS PROTECTED AS THEY CAN BE , BUT THAT REQUIRES EVERYBODY TO DO THEIR PART, WHERE MASKS WHEN APPROPRIATE, AND THEN GET VACCINATED.

>> THE CDC REPORTS SO FAR ABOUT 25% OF 12 TO 15-YEAR-OLDS ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

>>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT VACCINATIONS AND WHERE TO GET ONE, VISIT THE WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG GRADE WE'VE MADE IT EASY TO FIND THEM A WITH A VACCINES LINK RIGHT ON THE HOMEPAGE.

>>> CALIFORNIA IS HELPING RESIDENTS WHO ARE BEHIND ON THEIR RENT AND UTILITY BILLS TO PAY OFF 100% OF WHAT THEY OWE.

KPBS REPORTER MELISSA MAE DESCRIBES THE PROGRAM , AND HOW PEOPLE CAN APPLY.

>> Reporter: THE LAST 15 MONTHS HAVE BEEN VERY CHALLENGING FOR THOSE WHO STRUGGLE TO PAY THEIR RENT.

ON JUNE 28, GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM SIGNED AB 832 TO HELP CALIFORNIANS GET BACK ON TRACK.

>> WE PUT A PROGRAM UP, THE LARGEST NOW IN THE NATION, $5.2 BILLION, TO PAY 100% OF YOUR BACK RENT TO APRIL OF LAST YEAR , AND TO PAY 100% OF YOUR RENT THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30th OF THIS YEAR, IF YOU HAVE BEEN IMPACTED DIRECTLY BY COVID-19.

>> Reporter: TODAY, NEWSOM GAVE AN UPDATE OF THE PROGRAM AND ITS IMPACT.

>> $1.02 BILLION AS OF THIS MORNING HAVE BEEN REQUESTED UNDER THIS PROGRAM.

WE HAVE OVER 108,000 APPLICATIONS.

>> Reporter: JENNIFER ESTRADA IS BENEFITING FROM THE PROGRAM.

>> ON THE 30th, I WENT TO APPLY, AND IT WORKS, AND IT'S REAL.

THEY PAID FOR MY BILLS.

THEY PAID 2 MONTHS RENT I WAS BEHIND, PLUS THEY ARE PAYING THROUGH SEPTEMBER.

PEOPLE DON'T BELIEVE IT, BUT IT DOES WORK.

IT'S TRUE.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH RENT RELIEF, THERE IS ALSO A PROGRAM TO HELP PAY UTILITY BILLS, INCLUDING INTERNET.

>> AN ADDITIONAL $2 BILLION THAT PROVIDES SUPPORT TO PAY OFF YOUR UTILITIES.

>> Reporter: HERE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, FOR COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS HAVE PARTNERED WITH THE STATE TO HELP ANYONE WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION.

THEY ARE ALSO AVAILABLE BY PHONE, AND IN-HOME VISITS.

THERE ARE COMPUTERS AND TABLETS AVAILABLE AT EACH LOCATION.

>> THESE ARE LONG FEDERAL APPLICATIONS COMBINED WITH STATE AND LOCAL RULES AND REGULATIONS.

WE HAVE TEAMS OF PEOPLE NOW HELPING IN THAT PROCESS.

>> Reporter: RELIEF GETS PAID RECTALLY TO LANDLORDS.

>> NOBODY COULD BE THINKING THEY ARE GOING TO JUST STEAL MONEY, OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

I AM ONE OF THE ONES THAT HAS PROVED THAT THE HOUSING FOUNDATION DOES WORK, AND THERE IS MONEY OUT THERE TO GET HELP, AND WE GET TO SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT.

>> Reporter: GOVERNOR NEWSOM ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO APPLY BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30th.

>> AFTER SEPTEMBER 30th, THE LIKELIHOOD WE WILL EXTEND AN EVICTION MORATORIUM IS VERY MODEST.

>> ANYONE WHO IS INCOME ELIGIBLE CAN APPLY.

THE STATES GOAL IS TO DISPERSE RENT RELIEF MONEY 30 DAYS AFTER THE COMPLETION OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

GO TO HOUSING IS KEY.COM TO FILL OUT THE APPLICATION.

MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS .

>>> LOW INCOME SAN DIEGANS ARE MISSING OUT ON MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CASH ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

KPBS MEASURE REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN HAS MORE ON THE RESULTS OF A STUDY RELEASED TODAY.

>> Reporter: THE REPORT FROM THE UC BERKELEY-BASED CALIFORNIA POLICY LAB ANALYZED DATA FROM CAL FRESH, THE STATES FOOD STAMPS PROGRAM.

MANY COW FRESH RECIPIENTS MAKE SO LITTLE MONEY, THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO FILE A TAX RETURN, BUT YOU NEED A TAX RETURN TO RECEIVE A CALIFORNIA EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT, WHICH GIVES CASH ASSISTANCE TO THE STATES POOREST RESIDENTS.

THE AID CAN GO A LONG WAY TOWARD HELPING PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY.

>> THE CONCERN IN THE SHORT- TERM IS THE GOLDEN STATE STIMULUS, OR THIS NEWLY EXPANDED CHILD TAX CREDIT, THE MOST VULNERABLE ARE MOST AT RISK OF NOT RECEIVING THESE PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: THE REPORT FOUND SANDY GO CANTY'S POOREST RESIDENTS MISSED OUT ON $5.5 MILLION IN UNCLAIMED TAX CREDITS IN 2017, THE MOST RECENT YEAR WITH AVAILABLE DATA.

HE RECOMMENDS CALIFORNIA EXPAND FREE TAX FILING ASSISTANCE, TO ASSURE EVERYONE ENTITLED TO THE TAX CREDIT RECEIVES IT.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN, YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXPANDED CHILD TAX CREDIT.

COMING UP ON "EVENING EDITION", HOW YOU CAN MAKE SURE YOU DON'T LEAVE MONEY ON THE TABLE.

>>> THE SANDIA POLICE DEPARTMENT SAYS ABOUT 1 AND EVERY 5 GUNS IT SEEMS DONE AT CRIME SCENES IS A GHOST GUN.

IS ACCORDING TO NEW NUMBERS RELEASED AT A CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE MEETING TODAY.

A GHOST GUN IS A HOMEMADE GUN THAT DOES NOT HAVE A SERIAL NUMBER, AND IS NOT REGISTERED WITH THE STATE.

SO FAR IN 2021, 233 HAVE BEEN SEIZED, MORE THAN ALL OF LAST YEAR.

STATE LAW REGULATES HOMEMADE FIREARMS, AND THE LEGISLATURE IS LOOKING INTO BILLS TO MAKE THOSE REGULATIONS MORE STRICT.

SOME COUNCILMEMBERS WANT THE CITY TO CREATE ITS OWN LAWS ON GHOST GUNS.

>> I WANT OUR CITY COUNCIL TO ACT, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THE NEW CALIFORNIA REGULATIONS WILL BE IN PLACE FOR ANOTHER YEAR, JULY OF 2022, AND I DON'T WANT US TO WAIT A YEAR TO ACT LOCALLY HERE.

>> RIGHTS ADVOCATES SAY EXISTING LAWS ARE RESTRICTIVE ENOUGH, AND THE FACT THAT GHOST GUN NUMBERS ARE ON THE RISE ANYWAY PROVES THAT MORAL LAWS WON'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

>>> I'M JUDY WOODRUFF.

TONIGHT ON "NEWS HOUR" THE ROAD AHEAD FOR CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE LEGISLATION, AS IT MOVES CLOSER TO VOTES IN CONGRESS.

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

>>> EVACUATIONS ARE SET TO BEGIN FOR AFGHAN WORKERS THAT HELPED THE U.S. MILITARY EFFORT IN THE NEARLY 20 YEAR WAR.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS SET UP FLIGHTS AS PART OF OPERATION ALLIES REFUGE.

THOSE MILITARY HELPERS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATIONS, PART OF THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR U.S. RESIDENCY.

PRESIDENT BIDEN HAD FACED POLITICAL PRESSURE FROM LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES TO BRING THE AFGHAN WORKERS HERE AHEAD OF NEXT MONTH'S U.S. MILITARY WITHDRAWAL.

>>> FOR MANY IN THE PUBLIC, AFGHANISTAN WAS AMERICA'S BACK BURNER WERE FAR AWAY, OFTEN OVERSHADOWED BY THE WAR IN IRAQ.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER STEVE WALSH TELLS US HOW A SAN DIEGO COUPLE IS STILL COPING WITH THE LOSS OF THEIR SON IN A HELICOPTER CRASH 15 YEARS AGO.

>> Reporter: THEY WERE 24 YEARS OLD WHEN THEY ENLISTED IN THE ARMY.

HE HAD GRADUATED COLLEGE.

HIS PARENTS, PAT AND PAM, STILL HAVE HIS PICKUP TRUCK OUT FRONT.

THEY DROVE DOWN TO SAN DIEGO AFTER VISITING HIM AT FT.

DRUM JUST BEFORE HE DEPLOYED TO AFGHANISTAN IN 2006.

>> WE TOOK THEM OUT TO DINNER AT HIS FAVORITE CHINESE RESTAURANT, WHICH HE LOVED, AND THAT IS THE LAST TIME WE SAW HIM ALIVE.

>> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN 15 YEARS SINCE HE DIED IN A FIERY HELICOPTER CRASH, ALONG WITH NINE OTHER SOLDIERS.

>> FATHERS ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BURY CHILDREN.

THERE IS NO CLOSURE FOR THAT.

THERE IS AN INTERNAL KERNEL OF YOU THAT IS STILL FILLED WITH GRIEF.

>> Reporter: JUSTIN WAS A CALVARY SCAT WITH THE 10th MOUNTAIN DIVISION.

HIS PLATOON WAS ON A MOUNTAIN AT NIGHT NEAR THE PAKISTANI BORDER.

ONE OF JUSTIN'S PLATOON MATES, NICK, SAID THE LANDING ZONE WAS ONLY LARGE ENOUGH FOR THE GIANT REAR WHEELS TO TOUCHDOWN.

ON THE THIRD TRY, THOUGH REAR ROTOR STRUCK A TREE TOP.

>> IT JUST TUMBLED, AND EXPLODED .

IT WAS JUST MASS CARNAGE, BASICALLY.

>> Reporter: THEY HAD BEEN IN THE FIELD FOR WEEKS, PART OF OPERATION MOUNTAIN LION.

THE GOAL WAS TO RETAKE TERRITORY CAPTURED BY AL QAEDA AND THE TALIBAN.

>> IT WAS SO HOT WE COULD NOT GET DOWN IN THERE, SO WE ARE YELLING, IF YOU ARE HURT AND STILL ALIVE, YOU KNOW, MOVE OR MAKE A SOUND, SOMETHING, AND WE WILL COME DOWN AND GET YOU.

>> Reporter: IN THE MORNING, THE SURVIVORS CAME DOWN TO RECOVER THE BODIES.

PELOSI WAS INJURED AFTER HE WAS KNOCKED OUT OF THE HELICOPTER DURING AN EARLIER ATTEMPT TO LAND.

>> AT THIS POINT, I DON'T REALLY KNOW, I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

>> Reporter: HE LEFT THE ARMY AFTER THAT FIRST 18 MONTH DEPLOYMENT.

HE IS NOW LIVING ON A FARM IN UPSTATE NEW YORK, NEAR WHERE HE GREW UP.

>> THE DAMAGE THAT COMES FROM THIS STUFF IS UNBELIEVABLE.

YOU KNOW, NONE OF THESE FAMILIES ARE EVER GOING TO BE THE SAME AFTER THIS.

>> Reporter: JUSTIN LEFT ONE LAST VOICEMAIL BEFORE HEADING INTO THE MOUNTAINS IN AFGHANISTAN.

JUST TO TELL HIS PARENTS HE WAS OKAY.

THEY ARE A MILITARY FAMILY.

JUSTIN'S FATHER SPENT HIS CAREER IN THE NAVY.

HIS BROTHER, KYLE, IS A NAVY PILOT.

HIS MOTHER, PAM, SAYS SOME DAYS ARE HARDER THAN OTHERS.

>> I DON'T, I DON'T AGREE WITH THE WAR, BECAUSE I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE GOT KILLED, A LOT OF BOYS GOT KILLED FOR NO REASON.

WE DIDN'T WIN ANYTHING FOR ANYBODY, YOU KNOW?

WHY WERE WE THERE?

I DON'T KNOW ANYMORE.

>> Reporter: THEY SAT AROUND THE SAME DINING ROOM TABLE WHERE ARMY OFFICERS SAID TO TELL THEM THE FINDINGS OF THE CRASH NEARLY 15 YEARS AGO.

>> WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, OUR SON STILL DIED.

>> Reporter: THE ARMY ROLLED THE CRASH AND ACCIDENT, AND A HEAVILY REDACTED COPY SAYS THAT TWO SERGEANTS TOLD THEIR LEADERSHIP THAT THEY CONSIDER THE NIGHT LANDING HIGH RISK, AND IT DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT WAS BEING ATTEMPTED.

REGARDLESS, THE EFFECTIVE END OF THE WAR IN AFGHANISTAN DOES NOT OFFER ANY SOLACE TO THEM.

>> YOU MOVE ON WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, AND YOU DON'T FORGET.

YOU DON'T IGNORE.

YOU DON'T LET IT SLIDE BY.

I HAVE IN A COMPARTMENT IN ME THAT IS JUSTIN.

>> Reporter: AMERICA HAS EVER HAD A CONFLICT THAT STRETCHED ON FOR SO LONG THAT THE PARENTS OF FALLEN SOLDIERS WERE STILL WATCHING THE WAR ON TV, LONG AFTER THEIR CHILDREN HAD DIED.

AS THE AFGHAN WAR FINALLY COMES TO AN END, PAM AND PAT ARE MOVING FORWARD, WITHOUT MOVING ON.

STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS .

>>> MIGRANT ADVOCATES IN SAN DIEGO, CALLING ON THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO END SEPARATIONS OF ASYLUM SEEKING FAMILIES AT THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER.

THE AMERICAN THE LIBERTIES UNION OF SAN DIEGO AND IMPERIAL COUNTIES, ALONG WITH JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE, SENT A LETTER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY SECRETARY.

THEY SAY THEY HAVE ENCOUNTERED 19 FAMILIES BETWEEN JANUARY AND MAY THAT WERE SEPARATED WHILE DETAINED UPON ENTERING THE U.S..

THE ORGANIZATIONS RECOMMENDED HALTING TITLE 42 EXPULSIONS, AND ADOPTING A NEW DEFINITION OF WHAT CONSTITUTES A FAMILY UNIT, TO KEEP FAMILY MEMBERS TOGETHER.

>>> A STATE OF EMERGENCY DUE TO A FIRE BURNING SOUTH OF YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK.

THE RIVER FIRE IS NOW ABOUT 15 SQUARE MILES, IT IS ONLY 15% CONTAINED.

COUNTY OFFICIALS SAY FOUR BUILDINGS HAVE BURNED, AND THE HOT AND DRY WEATHER IS MAKING FOR A TOUGH FIGHT.

>>> WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME COOLER DAYS FOR SOME OF YOU, BEFORE THINGS COULD WARM-UP IT AGAIN.

THE COAST, THINGS STAY NICE AND COMFORTABLE.

THEY ARE THE WINNERS OF THE FORECAST FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

HIGH PRESSURE WILL BUILD IN LATER THIS WEEKEND, AND FOR SOME, THAT COULD MEAN A BIT OF MOISTURE AND COOLER TEMPERATURES.

FOR OTHERS, IT MEANS HEAT AND DRY CONDITIONS.

TONIGHT IN THE METRO, TEMPERATURES FALL OFF INTO THE UPPER 60s WITH CLOUDY SKIES, AS WE ARE USED TO GETTING OVERNIGHT.

OCEANSIDE 65 DEGREES.

CHULA VISTA 66.

ALCOHOL AND 65.

BORREGO SPRINGS WILL ALLOW 80s FOR THE OVERNIGHT LOWS.

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, WE SEE THE MOISTURE MAINLY OVER THE FOUR CORNERS THROUGH REGION, BUT AS THE HIGH PRESSURE BEGINS TO DEVELOP RIGHT AROUND HERE, IS GOING TO TRY TO WRAP IN SOME MOISTURE FURTHER AND FURTHER WEST, AS WE LOOK AHEAD OF THE WEEKEND.

FOR YOUR HIGHS ON THURSDAY, AND RAMONA, 89 DEGREES.

CLOSING AND RIGHT ON THE 90 DEGREE MARK.

109 AND BORREGO SPRINGS.

TOWARD SAN DIEGO, 76 DEGREES FOR THE DAYTIME HIGH.

AGAIN, THAT HIGH WILL BE STRENGTHENING, MOVING WESTWARD.

IT WILL TRY TO BRING IN SOME MOISTURE FOR THIS WEEKEND, AT LEAST INTO SOME OF THE HIGHER TERRAIN.

IT'S A QUESTION OF HOW FAR WEST THE MOISTURE IS ACTUALLY GOING TO GET.

NEAR THE COAST, TEMPERATURES REALLY NOT CHANGING A WHOLE LOT, JUST A COUPLE OF DEGREES OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, WITH HIGHS IN THE MID TO UPPER 70s.

FURTHER INLAND, TEMPERATURES WARM UP JUST A BIT AS WE START OFF THE NEXT WORK WEEK, CLOSING IN ON THE 90s I THE TIME HE GETS HERE NEXT MONDAY.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, TEMPERATURES STARTING OFF TOMORROW IN THE MID-70s, AND THEN WE FINISH OFF THE WEEKEND IN THE LOW 70s.

AGAIN, NOT A WHOLE LOT OF CHANGE.

PLENTY OF SUNSHINE IN THE FORECAST FOR YOU.

IN THE DESERT, WE COULD SEE JUST A LITTLE BIT OF DROP OFF.

IT'S A QUESTION OF WHETHER MOISTURE BEGINS TO WORK ITS WAY TO THE PICTURE OVER THE WEEKEND, AS TEMPERATURES FALL BACK DOWN TO 102 IN THE DESERT, THEN A BIT OF A BUMP AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK AGAIN.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M METEOROLOGIST JESSICA PASH.

>>> MORE THAN 2 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP FOR AFFORDABLE CARE ACT COVERAGE DURING THE SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD.

ENROLLEES NOW PAY NO MORE THAN 8.5% OF THEIR INCOME TOWARD COVERAGE, DOWN FROM NEARLY 10%.

ALSO, MEDICAID ENROLLMENT HIT AN ALL-TIME HIGH OF 81 MILLION IN FEBRUARY.

FAMILIES OF 4, WITH A COMBINED INCOME OF A LITTLE OVER $100,000 ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE FOR THE FIRST TIME.

THE ACA SPECIAL ENROLLMENT ENDS ON AUGUST 15, BUT IT MAY BE EXTENDED.

>>> MORE MONEY IN THE BANK FOR MILLIONS OF FAMILIES, THE 1st PAYMENTS FROM THE EXPANDED CHILD TAX CREDIT ARE SET TO ARRIVE THIS WEEK, AND THE IRS AND OTHER FINANCIALLY MINDED GROUPS ARE DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO GET THE WORD OUT TO ALL WHO ARE ELIGIBLE.

WE BREAK DOWN WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

>> Reporter: FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICAN FAMILIES -- >> THOSE OF YOU IN THAT SITUATION WILL START TO SEE THAT COME IN BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.

>> Reporter: MONTHLY PAYMENTS OF UP TO $300 PER CHILD UP TO AGE 6, AND $250 PER CHILD UNDER AGE 17 ARE UNDERWAY, THE RESULT OF A POSSIBLY TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF THE CHILD TAX CREDIT, PART OF THE MASSIVE COVID RELIEF PACKAGE SIGNED BY JOE BIDEN IN MARCH.

2020 OR 2019 FEDERAL INCOME TAX RETURNS, AND THE REGULAR CHILD TAX CREDIT MALAGA PAYMENTS AUTOMATICALLY.

FAMILIES ARE ELIGIBLE EVEN IF THEY DID NOT MEET THE INCOME PARTIAL TO FILE.

>> IF YOU HAVE A CHILD LIVING IN YOUR HOME FOR MORE THAN HALF OF THE YEAR, ALSO IMPORTANT THAT IS LONG AS THE CHILD HAS THE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE TAX CREDIT.

>> Reporter: THE IRS AND GROUPS THAT HELP LOW INCOME FAMILIES ARE WORKING TO GET THAT WORD OUT FIRST.

>> THOSE FAMILIES THAT TRADITIONALLY HAVE NOT FILED A TAX FORM CAN JUST GO ONLINE, ENTER THEIR INFORMATION, JUST BASIC INFORMATION, WHO YOU ARE, WHERE YOU LIVE, AND WHERE CAN THE MONEY BE SENT TO.

>> Reporter: FAMILIES CAN SEEK A GROUP OFFERING FREE SUMMER TAX HELP IN AND AROUND BALTIMORE .

>> FOLKS DO TAXES FOR FREE IN YOUR AREA, AND THAT IS THE IDEAL PLACE TO GO.

THE OTHER THING IS WORKING WITH NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS, TRUSTED ADVISORS THAT MAY BE ABLE TO HELP YOU TO NAVIGATE.

>> Reporter: THEY ALSO ADVISE PREPARING FOR FUTURE PAYMENTS.

>> OPEN AN ACCOUNT WITH EITHER A CREDIT UNION OR A BANK.

LET'S NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY BECAUSE YOU MIGHT BE ON BANKS OR UNDER BANK.

LET'S BE SURE THE MONEY GETS DIRECTLY DEPOSITED INTO YOUR ACCOUNT.

>> Reporter: TAX CREDIT PAYMENTS ARE SCHEDULED AROUND THE 15th OF EACH MONTH UNTIL THE END OF 2021.

>>> THE SAN PASQUALE ACADEMY WILL REMAIN OPEN THROUGH THE END OF JUNE 2022.

THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED EXTENDING THE ACADEMY'S CONTRACT, LOCATED IN ESCONDIDO.

IT'S A RESIDENTIAL EDUCATIONAL CAMPUS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR FOSTER YOUTH.

IT WAS SLATED TO CLOSE IN OCTOBER BECAUSE OF DECLINING ENROLLMENT.

>>> A MAJOR MILESTONE TODAY IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF AZTEC STADIUM IN MISSION VALLEY.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL WAS THERE FOR THE CEREMONIAL TOPPING OUT CEREMONY.

>> Reporter: UNDER A HOT JULY SUN, WORK MOVED AHEAD ON AZTEC STADIUM IN MISSION VALLEY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

WHILE A BIG CEREMONY PLAYED OUT ON WHAT WILL BE KNOWN AS BASHER FIELD, SAN DIEGO STATE PRESIDENT .

>> WHAT AN AMAZING COMPLIMENT WE HAVE HERE.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA GETTING IN SOME CIVIC BOOSTERISM.

>> THE ENTIRE MISSION VALLEY EXPANSION OF STSU'S CAMPUS IS BIG AND BOLD AND EXCITING.

IT'S THE KIND OF STUFF AT THE EIGHTH LARGEST CITY IN THE COUNTRY SHOULD BE DOING.

>> Reporter: AFTER THE SPEECHES, THE BIG EVENT, THE RAISING OF A STEEL BEAM, LADEN WITH SIGNATURES FROM EVERYBODY WHO WANTED TO SIGN, AN AMERICAN FLAG AND A TREE ON TOP.

THE TREE, AND ANCIENT SYMBOL OF GOOD LUCK AND CONSTRUCTION.

SAN DIEGO STATE SCHOOL SONG PLAYED AS THE BEAM ROSE.

WE WILL SPEED THINGS UP SO YOU CAN SEE HIS ENTIRE JOURNEY TO THE TOP.

LOOKING AROUND THIS UNFINISHED STADIUM, ONE COULD BE FORGIVEN FOR BEING SKEPTICAL, BUT IS GOING TO BE OPEN AND READY BY SEPTEMBER 3rd OF NEXT YEAR, BUT THE SAN DIEGO STATE PRESIDENT ISN'T ONLY CONFIDENT OF THAT, SHE IS SURE OF IT.

>> I'M WILLING TO BET ON IT, THAT IS HOW MUCH I'M WILLING TO SAY I AM CONFIDENT ABOUT IT.

EVERYTHING IS HAPPENED.

THE STARS HAVE ALIGNED.

>> WITH ALL OF THE EXCITEMENT IT'S EASY TO FORGET THERE IS MUCH MORE TO THIS PROJECT.

IT WILL ALSO BE HOME TO A NEW RIVER PARK, A RESEARCH AND INNOVATION DISTRICTS, 4000 NEW HOMES, AND THOUSANDS OF SDSU STUDENTS, WHICH LEADS TO A PRETTY OBVIOUS QUESTION.

TRAFFIC IS ALREADY HORRIBLE MUSCLE HOW WELL THE STRAINED TRANSPORTATION NETWORK HANDLE ALL OF THOSE EXTRA PEOPLE?

>> WE DON'T WANT A LOT OF HOUSING WITH THE DEGRADATION OF DAILY LIFE.

YOU THINK ABOUT THOUGHTFUL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT.

>> Reporter: SEPTEMBER 3, 2022, THAT IS THE DATE THE STADIUM IS SET TO OPEN.

THE AZTEC FOOTBALL TEAM TAKE ON THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, AND THE GAME IS ALREADY SOLD OUT.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS .

>>> THE WHITE HOUSE IS HOPING TO GET A BOOST FROM POPSTAR OLIVIA RODERIGO, ALL IN THE HOPES OF ENCOURAGING YOUNG PEOPLE TO GET THAT CRUCIAL SHOT IN THE ARM.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS, ENCOURAGING ALL COMMUNITIES TO GET VACCINATED, AND ACTUALLY GET TO A VACCINATION SITE, WHICH YOU CAN DO MORE EASILY THAN EVER BEFORE.

>> THE 18-YEAR-OLD ACTRESS AND SINGER FROM TO MACULA VISITED THE WHITE HOUSE TODAY TO MEET WITH THE PRESIDENT AND DR. ANTHONY FAUCI.

SHE WILL ALSO BE RECORDING VIDEOS, AND ANSWERING QUESTIONS.

>>> THE FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN JEROME POWELL IS TESTIFYING ON INFLATION, AS PRICES FOR NEARLY EVERYTHING CLIMB HIGHER.

SOME LAWMAKERS ARE CONCERNED THAT THE FED IS NOT DOING ENOUGH TO HELP THE ECONOMY RECOVER FROM THE PANDEMIC.

MANDY GAITHER HAS A LOOK AT THE TESTIMONY, AND HOW POWELL IS ADDRESSING CRITICISM.

>> Reporter: IN THE HOT SEAT, FEDERAL RESERVE CHAIRMAN JEROME POWELL ADDRESSING SURGING INFLATION BEFORE THE HOUSE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MESSING HE EXPECTS INFLATION TO STAY HOT IN THE COMING MONTHS, BEFORE COOLING OFF.

>> INFLATION HAS INCREASED NOTABLY AND WILL LIKELY REMAIN ELEVATED BEFORE IT MODERATES.

>> Reporter: THE TEST WHEN IT COMES AMID GROWING CONCERNS THAT OUT-OF-CONTROL INFLATION COULD JEOPARDIZE THE CURRENT HEALTH OF THE ECONOMY, AS IT ROARS BACK FROM COVID-19 SHUTDOWNS.

>> LET'S BE CLEAR, INFLATION IS A TAX HIKE ON EVERY DAY CONSUMERS AND SMALL BUSINESSES.

INFLATION IS ACCELERATING AT THE FASTEST PACE IN 13 YEARS.

>> Reporter: POWELL ADDRESSING LAWMAKER CONCERNS, SAYING INFLATION METRICS ARE BEING EXAGGERATED BY THE FACT THAT PRICES COMPLETELY CRASH LAST SPRING WHEN THE PANDEMIC ERUPTED.

HE SAID RAPID PRICE HIKES ARE TEMPORARY, AND WILL PARTIALLY REVERSE AS THE BOTTLENECKS EASE IN THE COMING MONTHS.

HE ALSO PROMISED THAT THE FED IS READY TO ACT IF NECESSARY, IF THEY NOTICED SIGNS THAT INFLATION EXPECTATIONS ARE PERSISTENTLY ABOVE THE CENTRAL BANK'S GOALS.

THEY SAID THE ECONOMY IS A WAYS OFF FROM WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE FOR THE CENTRAL BANK TO CHANGE HIS CURRENT POLICY.

HOWEVER, HE DID SAY THAT FED OFFICIALS ARE DISCUSSING WHETHER IT SHOULD SCALE BACK ITS ASSET PURCHASES, SAYING THEY ARE LOOKING AT SEVERAL METRICS TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS.

>> IT'S REALLY A BROAD RANGE OF THINGS, INCLUDING WAGES, UNEMPLOYMENT, LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT, PARTICIPATION, ALL THOSE THINGS.

>> Reporter: FOR TODAY'S CONSUMER WATCH, I AM MANDY GAITHER.

>>> WE HAVE AN UPDATE ON OUR TOP STORY.

SENECA COUNTY JUST REPORTED ANOTHER 275 CORONAVIRUS CASES, AND 4 TEST.

AS CASE NUMBER'S RISE AGAIN, PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY VACCINE HESITANCY IS A CONCERN.

RECENT COUNTY SURVEY FOUND 1 AND 5 ADULTS SURVEYED SAY THEY HAVE NO INTENTION OF GETTING VACCINATED, OVER CONCERNS ABOUT SIDE EFFECTS, AND THAT THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS WAS RUSHED.

>>> THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IT APPROVED A $24 MILLION GRANT TO ADDRESS DISPARITIES IN VACCINE ACCESS.

>>> YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THE STORIES FROM TONIGHT ON KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

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