>>> 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 21.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

>>> IT'S A LOT OF MONEY, A COUPLE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLARS.

TODAY LOCAL AND STATE LAWMAKERS GATHERED AT THE BEACH TO ANNOUNCE WHAT THEY PLAN TO DO WITH IT .

THE WINDFALL IS PART OF THE MASSIVE BUDGET SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR, AND AS KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL SHOWS US , IT WILL GO TO GOOD USE.

>> Reporter: THE NEW STATE BUDGET IS THE BIGGEST IN STATE HISTORY, $262.5 BILLION.

SAN DIEGO'S SHARE, MORE THAN $220 MILLION THAT WILL BE SPENT ON PROJECTS LARGE AND SMALL, UP AND DOWN THE COUNTY.

>> THE STATES LEADERSHIP AND FINANCIAL STRENGTH OF PUT US IN A GREAT POSITION TO BUILD BACK BOLDLY FOR THE PANDEMIC, AND TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY IN ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA WAS JOINED BY STATE AND LOCAL LAWMAKERS WEDNESDAY MORNING.

THEY STOOD ON THE OCEAN BEACH PIER, WHICH IS GETTING IT $.5 MILLION TO HELP WITH WHAT IS EXPECTED TO BE AN OVERALL COST OF MORE THAN $40 MILLION TO COMPLETELY REPAIR THE LANDMARK.

>> MANY WILL GET JOBS WHO DESPERATELY NEED THEM, AND A LOT OF OUR DESTINATIONS WILL LOOK A LOT BETTER.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO'S PURE WATER SEWER RECYCLING SYSTEM IS A GREAT FISH AREA OF THIS BUDGET.

$50 MILLION TO HELP BUILD THE MASSIVE PROJECT.

$18 MILLION FOR CLEAN ENERGY STORAGE.

$3 MILLION TO PREVENT DILUTED STORMWATER FROM FILING THE CREEK, AND TURNING 20 ACRES INTO A REGIONAL PARK.

MORE THAN $3.5 MILLION FOR RENOVATIONS TO CASA DEL PRADO AND BALBOA PARK.

MORE THAN $27 MILLION TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS.

>> THAT'S WELL OVER $200 MILLION THAT WE ARE BRINGING INTO SAN DIEGO COUNTY, ONE-TIME FUNDS FOR ONE-TIME PROJECTS.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE OF THE STATE SURPLUS AND FEDERAL AID, THE SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY WILL GET A NEW $35 MILLION RESEARCH VESSEL.

$30 MILLION TO REPLACE THE AGING UCSD MEDICAL CENTER IN HILLCREST.

THIS IS A BIG STATE BUDGET TO BE SURE, BUT STATE SENATOR TONI ATKINS OF SAN DIEGO SAYS IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT SPENDING MONEY, IS ABOUT SAVING SOME AS WELL.

>> WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE A RAINY DAY FUND AND A RESERVE.

WE ARE PRESERVING $26 BILLION IN ALL OF OUR ACCOUNTS THAT ARE THERE FOR WHEN WE NEED IT.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE STILL SOME PARTS OF THE BUDGET THAT AREN'T COMPLETE.

NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR HAPPENING NOW TO WRAP THINGS UP IN THE COMING WEEKS, BUT WITH MONEY EVER SO MANY THINGS ALREADY AGREED ON, STATE AND LOCAL LAWMAKERS ARE MORE THAN EAGER TO TALK ABOUT HOW THEY HAVE BROUGHT HOME THE BACON.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS .

>>> THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS IN THE SOUTH BAY ARE BACK ON CAMPUS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 16 MONTHS.

KPBS REPORTER MELISSA MAE SHOWS US HOW SCHOOLS IN THE SWEETWATER UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT ARE PROTECTING THEIR STUDENTS AND STAFF.

>> Reporter: TODAY, THE SWEETWATER UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT RETURNED TO IN PERSON LEARNING, WELCOMING BACK MORE THAN 36,000 STUDENTS 224 MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUSES.

>> IT'S WONDERFUL TO SEE THE EXCITEMENT AND POSITIVE ENERGY, THE RETURN TO A LITTLE BIT OF NORMALCY TO OUR LIVES.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT SAID IT WAS A DAY OF EXCITEMENT, TEMPERED WITH PREPAREDNESS.

>> IT WILL BE IN AN ADJUSTMENT FOR ALL THE STUDENTS COMING BACK, BUT WE ARE DOING IT IN A WAY THAT IS SAFE, WITH THE GUIDANCE WE ARE RECEIVING.

>> Reporter: HE'S GOTTEN A MIXED BAG OF REACTIONS FROM STUDENTS ABOUT RETURNING TO SCHOOL.

>> SOME OF THEM ARE EXCITED, AND OTHERS ARE DISAPPOINTED.

I CAN'T BE IN MY PAJAMAS ANYMORE.

>> Reporter: PARENTS ARE ALSO EXCITED AND GRATEFUL.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF THANK YOU, WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE THE KIDS BACK IN SCHOOL, AND LEARNING.

THERE'S A NEWFOUND APPRECIATION FOR ALL THE WORK THAT TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS DO.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT IS NO LONGER ENFORCING SOME SAFETY PROTOCOLS, LIKE SOCIAL DISTANCING, BUT IT IS STILL REQUIRING MASKS AND DOORS REGARDLESS OF VACCINATION STATUS, AND LIMITING THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN BATHROOMS.

DRINKING FOUNTAINS HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED WITH WATER BOTTLE FILLING STATIONS, AND EVERY CLASSROOM AND OFFICE SPACE HAS BEEN EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR PURIFICATION SYSTEM.

HE KNOWS A LOT OF STUDENTS EXPERIENCED THE TRAUMA OF LIVING A LOVED ONE TO COVID-19, AND SCHOOL STAFF IS ON HAND TO HELP.

>> THE STUDENTS KNOW THERE ARE ADULTS ON CAMPUS THEY CAN TALK TO.

WE MAY NEED TO WEAR A FACE MASK, BUT WE CAN BE THERE IN PERSON TO SUPPORT THEM.

>> Reporter: ABOUT 300 STUDENTS HAVE OPTED TO CONTINUE WITH VIRTUAL LEARNING THROUGH THE DISTRICTS ACADEMY.

MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT WAS ALSO THE 1st DAY BACK TO FULL-TIME IN PERSON LEARNING FOR THE CHULA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

STUDENTS MUST WEAR A MASK IN THE CLASSROOM, WHICH ARE OUTFITTED WITH NEW AIR FILTERS.

EVERY 2 WEEKS, STUDENTS WILL BE TESTED FOR FIT, AND THEN THEY WILL GET LESSONS AND HYGIENE.

ONE STUDENT WE SPOKE TO HAD A POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON RETURNING TO SCHOOL.

>> I THINK I'M GOING TO HAVE A GREAT TIME, AND MEET SOME NEW FRIENDS, AND PLAY WITH MY OTHER FRIENDS.

>> THE SUPERINTENDENT VISITED CAMARENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THIS MORNING.

WHILE THERE, CONCERNED ABOUT THE DEATH OF GOVERNMENT, HE SAID THAT EVERY STAFF MEMBER AND STUDENT SHOULD WEAR A MASK TO HELP KEEP THEM SAFE, AND KEEP SCHOOLS OPEN.

>>> ACROSS OUR COUNTY, THE STATE, AND THE NATION, WITH EACH PASSING DAY, THE NUMBER OF COZY CASES ARE RISING.

AND WITH THE DELTA VARIANT AND SPIKE IN HOSPITALIZATION RATES, THERE IS TASK TALK OF MASK MANDATES AGAIN.

>> Reporter: COVID NUMBERS SOARING NATIONWIDE.

THE CDC SAYS MORE THAN 91 MILLION AMERICANS LIVE IN A COUNTY CONSIDERED TO HAVE HIGH COVID-19 TRANSMISSION.

>> IN OUR ICUs, WE ARE SEEING YOUNGER PEOPLE INTUBATED WHO ARE VERY SICK, OR WHO ARE ON THE FLOORS AND ARE VERY SICK.

THAT SHOULD BE A GIGANTIC WAKE- UP CALL.

>> Reporter: CITIES LIKE AUSTIN, TEXAS ARE URGING PEOPLE TO MASK UP INDOORS.

L.A. COUNTY IS MAKING IT MANDATORY.

>> I'M NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT, BUT WE NEED TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

THE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP AGAIN.

>> Reporter: WHEN IT COMES TO THE MASK MANDATES, SOME HEALTH EXPERTS SAY IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE, STARTING FROM THE TOP.

>> I HOPE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HITS THE RESET BUTTON.

>> Reporter: THE FORMER U.S.

SURGEON GENERAL JEROME ADAMS ECHOED THOSE CONCERNS, SAYING, QUOTE, THE CDC URGENTLY NEEDS TO REVISE THE GUIDANCE TO VACCINATE AND MASK IN PLACE FOR CASES ARE RISING.

YET VACCINATION RATES REMAIN LOW.

SOME OFFICIALS ARE ADAMANT AND FOCUSED ON GETTING AS MANY PEOPLE VACCINATED AS POSSIBLE.

>> THE THING THAT STOPS THE DELTA VARIANT, THE THING THAT TURNS THE TIDE AND SAVES LIVES IS THE VACCINE.

>> Reporter: AT LEAST NINE STATES HAVE BANNED MASK MANDATES AND SCHOOLS COME UP WITH THE DELTA VARIANT MAKING HAVOC ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THERE IS CONCERNS THAT THE VIRUS COULD SPREAD IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> WE ARE SEEING CLOSURES AND DAY CARE'S.

WE ARE SEEING CLOSURES AND SUMMER CAMPS.

ALL THAT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT IN A SETTING WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE STRICT MITIGATION, THAT IT WILL SPREAD VERY QUICKLY, LIKE OUR SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS .

>>> GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM LEFT OPEN THE POSSIBILITY OF NEW STATEWIDE HEALTH RESTRICTIONS, SUCH AS MASKING, IF CASES CONTINUE TO SPIKE, AND HOSPITALS REACH CAPACITY.

HE'S URGING PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT GOTTEN VACCINATED TO GET THE SHOT.

>> WE CAN END THIS THING QUICKLY IF EVERYBODY JUST WENT OUT AND GOT VACCINATED.

IT'S FREE.

NO REQUIREMENT, COST, STATUS.

YOU GET THAT SECOND SHOT IN A FEW WEEKS, A MONTH OR SO, AND THIS COULD SUBSTANTIALLY, AT LEAST IN CALIFORNIA, BE BEHIND US.

>> HE SAYS THE STATE IS WORKING WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS, CHURCHES, AND MEDICAL PRACTICES TO REACH PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL HESITANT.

SO FAR, ABOUT 75% OF CALIFORNIANS AGE 12 AND OVER HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE DOSE.

>>> FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT VACCINATIONS, AND WHERE TO GET ONE, VISIT OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

JUST CLICK ON THE VACCINES LINK RIGHT ON THE HOMEPAGE.

>>> THIS IS ALONG THE U.S.- MEXICO BORDER WILL BE SUBJECT TO AT LEAST ANOTHER MONTH OF RESTRICTIONS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TODAY MADE THE DECISION TO NOT LIFT RESTRICTIONS ON TRAVEL THAT IS DEEMED NONESSENTIAL.

THE RESTRICTIONS WERE FIRST IMPOSED IN MARCH OF 2020, AND HAVE BEEN EXTENDED EACH MONTH SINCE THEN.

DHS SAYS THAT SUSTAINED HUMAN TRANSMISSION, COUPLED WITH THE RISK OF NEW VARIANT, INCREASES THE RISK FOR PERSONNEL WORKING AT PORTS OF ENTRY, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO TRAVEL THROUGH THEM.

CROSSINGS ARE ALLOWED FOR U.S. CITIZENS AND PERMANENT RESIDENTS, PEOPLE WITH WORK VISAS, AND THOSE TRAVELING FOR MEDICAL OR EDUCATIONAL REASONS.

>>> SAN DIEGO IMMIGRANTS WHO HELPED AMERICANS IN AFGHANISTAN SAY THE U.S. IS STILL NOT DOING ENOUGH MY EVEN AS PLANS TAKE SHAPE TO BRING SOME INTERPRETERS INTO THE COUNTRY.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER STEVE WALSH HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: HE IMMIGRATED FROM AFGHANISTAN TO SAN DIEGO IN 2016 WITH HIS WIFE.

AN INTERPRETER WHO WORKED WITH THE MARINES, HE HAS WATCHED NERVOUSLY AS THE U.S. PULLS OUT OF AFGHANISTAN WITHOUT ANNOUNCING ITS FINAL PLANS FOR THOUSANDS OF AFGHAN CITIZENS WHO WORKED WITH THE U.S. >> THE SYSTEM ITSELF IS JUST A CRIPPLED SYSTEM.

IT'S NOT WORKING.

I AM HAPPY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE COMING.

>> Reporter: HE ASKED THAT HIS FACE BE ABSURD TO PROTECT HIS EXTENDED FAMILY, INCLUDING HIS PARENTS AND NINE SIBLINGS IS STILL IN AFGHANISTAN.

THE PENTAGON ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT 2500 PEOPLE WILL BE HOUSED AT FORT LEE, VIRGINIA, WHILE THEY COMPLETE THE NATURALIZATION PROCESS.

>> WE ARE KEEPING OPEN THE POSSIBILITY THAT THERE MAY NEED TO BE ANOTHER SITE OR SITES AVAILABLE.

>> Reporter: IS A FRACTION OF THE 20,000 PEOPLE WHO HAVE APPLIED FOR THE SPECIAL IMMIGRATION VISAS COMMAND THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THOUSANDS OF FAMILY MEMBERS.

>> AM AFRAID THAT YOU WILL SEE IN MONTHS AND YEARS THAT PEOPLE ARE BEING HANGED OR TORTURED OR KILLED BECAUSE OF THE ASSOCIATION WITH THE U.S. MILITARY.

AND WILL ANYBODY IN THE FUTURE TRUST THE U.S. MILITARY WITH THAT ON THE INTERNET?

>> Reporter: THEY WANT TO PULL THE U.S.

FORCES OUT OF AFGHANISTAN WITHIN A MONTH.

THEY SAY THEY WILL RELOCATE PEOPLE HAVE APPLIED.

BUT HE SAYS IT'S A FRACTION OF THE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY MAY BE TARGETED.

THE PENTAGON SAYS THEY PLAN TO HAS OTHER PEOPLE, ONCE THEY ARE ASKED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT.

STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS .

>>> FOR BETTER PAY AND LEGAL STATUS, RIDE-SHARE DRIVERS IN SAN DIEGO JOINED OTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN A ONE-DAY STRIKE.

THE GROUP ORGANIZING THE STRIKE, RIDE-SHARE DRIVERS UNITED SAYS THAT UBER AND LYFT HAVE REDUCED MILEAGE RATES, LOWER COMMISSIONS MIGHT HAVE DECREASED FLEXIBILITY FOR DRIVERS.

THERE ALSO CALLING FOR THE PASSAGE OF PRO ACTS, OR PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO ORGANIZE.

THIS WOULD INCREASE PROTECTIONS FOR WORKERS WHO WANT TO UNIONIZE.

IT HAS ALREADY PASSED THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES , IT IS SUPPORTED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN.

>>> EXTREME HEAT AND DRY CONDITIONS ARE ONLY FUELING RAGING WILDFIRES HERE IN THE WEST.

78 LARGE FIRES ACROSS 13 STATES LAZING THROUGH MORE THAN 1 MILLION ACRES.

ISABEL ROSALES REPORTS ON THE FORCED EVACUATIONS AND SMOKE NOW VISIBLE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTRY.

>>> I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY ABOUT THIS.

WE'VE LOST EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: OREGON'S MASSIVE BLUE LAKE FIRE, CAUSING POWER OUTAGES, PROMPTING EVACUATIONS, AND TEARING THROUGH HOMES.

>> THAT WAS US.

THERE IS OUR YARD.

>> Reporter: THE STATE SUFFERING RECORD-BREAKING TRIPLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES, AND A SEVERE DROUGHT.

OFFICIALS SAY THIS IS A FIRE SEASON UNLIKE ANY THEY HAVE SEEN BEFORE.

>> THIS IS NOT GOING TO RETURN TO NORMAL ANYTIME SOON.

>> Reporter: NEARLY 475,000 ACRES SCORCHED IN OREGON ALONE.

THE BOOTLEG FIRE, ONLY ABOUT 30% CONTAINED, IT IS SO LARGE, IT IS CREATING ITS OWN WEATHER.

>> THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO QUESTION THAT CLIMATE CHANGE IS PLAYING OUT BEFORE OUR EYES.

>> Reporter: THE DIXIE FIRE IN CALIFORNIA IS ONLY 15% CONTAINED.

NEAR THE NEVADA LINE, THE TAMARAC FIRE SLOWLY MOVING TOWARD A COMMUNITY.

>> AFTER I LOOKED OUTSIDE AND SAW THE FLAMES COMING OVER THAT TREE, IT WAS TIME TO BURN RUBBER.

>> Reporter: THICK WILDFIRE SMOKE BLOWING THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY.

IN NEW YORK CITY, A SKY HAZY AND ORANGE AT SUNRISE.

MORE THAN 20,000 FIREFIGHTERS AND SUPPORT PERSONNEL ARE BATTLING THE RAGING WILDFIRES.

THE MISSION MIGHTY, BUT SEEMINGLY NO END IS IN SIGHT YET.

ISABEL ROSALES, KPBS NEWS .

>>> THE MONSOON MOISTURE WILL CONTINUE TO BRING A BIT OF RAIN SHOWER ACTIVITY IN THE MOUNTAIN REGIONS OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, AND INTO THE WEEKEND.

WITH THAT WE WILL TALK ABOUT TEMPERATURES COOLING OFF, BRINGING ANYWHERE FROM NEAR TO BELOW AVERAGE TEMPERATURES FOR SOME OF YOU, ESPECIALLY NEAR THE COAST.

TONIGHT, TEMPERATURES FALL OFF TO 67 IN OCEANSIDE.

65 IN ESCONDIDO.

63 TOWARDS RAMONA.

AGAIN, MT.

LAGUNA 69.

82 OUT TOWARDS BORREGO SPRINGS.

EVEN AS WE HEAD INTO TONIGHT, YOU NOTICE TEMPERATURES FOR SOME WILL BE COOLER OUT THERE.

THEN LOOKING INTO THURSDAY, WE MAKE UP THE TEMPERATURES IN THE 60s AND 70s FOR SAN DIEGO.

YOU GET BACK UP CLOSE TO 80 DEGREES FOR THE HIGH ON THURSDAY.

BORREGO SPRINGS, 107.

MT.

LAGUNA, 77.

WHAT YOU WILL SEE THE TREND SHOWS TEMPERATURES DROPPING OFF OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE MONSOON MOISTURE.

WE WILL GET IN THAT SOUTHEASTERLY PUSH OF AIR THAT WILL BRING SOME SHOWERS TO THE DESERT REGION, AND PERHAPS INTO THE MOUNTAINS.

WHILE IT IS BENEFICIAL RAINFALL, IT DOES BRING THE POSSIBILITY OF LOCALIZED FLASH FLOODING, DRY LIGHTNING FIRE RISKS, WIND GUSTS, A BIT OF A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD.

BUT WE WILL TAKE ANY MOISTURE WE CAN GET IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

NEAR THE COAST, TEMPERATURES FALLING OFF FROM CLOSE TO 80 DEGREES, BACK DOWN TO THE MID- 70s, PRETTY MUCH IN LINE WITH WHAT IS AVERAGE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

FURTHER INLAND, WE GO FROM CLOSE TO 90 DEGREES ON THURSDAY, BACK DOWN INTO THE 70s FOR YOUR SUNDAY.

LOOK AT THAT BIG-TIME DROP OFF.

I KNOW IT IS CLOSE TO 80 DEGREES , BUT IT IS STILL A PRETTY BIG DROP IN TEMPERATURES.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, HERE'S WHERE WE COULD HAVE A FEW SHOWERS AND STORMS, SUNDAY HEADING INTO MONDAY.

TEMPERATURES ONLY IN THE MID 60s FOR YOUR SUNDAY.

IN THE DESERT, TEMPERATURES FALLING OUT OF THE TRIPLE DIGITS .

BY THE TIME I GET TO SUNDAY AND MONDAY, ONLY IN THE UPPER 90s FOR THE DAYTIME HIGHS.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I AM METEOROLOGIST JESSICA PASH.

>>> CORONADO WITH ITS BEAUTIFUL BEACHES AND HISTORIC HOTEL IS ONE OF CALIFORNIA'S TOP TOURIST DESTINATIONS, BUT FOR THE MANY LOW-WAGE WORKERS WHO KEEP THE ISLAND RUNNING, LIVING THERE IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE.

STATE OFFICIALS LAST YEAR ORDERED THE CITY TO PLAN FOR A LOT MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT AS KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN EXPLAINS, THE CITY IS NOT ON BOARD WITH THAT CHANGE.

>> Reporter: SHE KISSES HER 10- YEAR-OLD SON, RICARDO, GOODBYE AS SHE LEAVES FOR WORK.

SHE LIVES WITH HER HUSBAND AND 3 KIDS IN A SMALL MOBILE HOME IN CHULA VISTA.

SHE WORKS AS A ROOM ATTENDANT AT THE HOTEL DEL CORONADO.

SHE SAYS SHE WOULD LOVE TO LIVE IN A COMMUNITY WHERE SHE WORKS, WHICH WOULD LET HER DITCH THE COMMUTE ACROSS THE BRIDGE, AND BIKE OR WALK TO HER JOB.

>> I LOVE THIS PLACE.

IT IS BEAUTIFUL, QUIET, CLEAN.

WE HAVE THE BEACH.

EVERYTHING IS AWESOME HERE.

>> Reporter: ADD TO THOSE PERKS THE LOW CRIME RATE AND GOOD SCHOOLS AND PARKS, BUT ON A HOTEL WORKER SALARY, THERE IS NO WAY THAT SHE COULD AFFORD TO LIVE IN CORONADO, WERE FINDING A TWO BEDROOM HOME FOR LESS THAN $3000 PER MONTH IS A STEEL.

AS SOON AS SHE IS OFF WORK -- >> I FEEL LIKE I HAVE TO LEAVE AND COME BACK TO MY HOME, BUT THIS IS LIKE MY SECOND HOME, BECAUSE I PASSED MORE HOURS ON THE ISLAND THAN MY HOME, BUT I CANNOT LIVE HERE.

I JUST COME, WORK, THEN I HAVE TO GO BACK.

>> Reporter: HER CIRCUMSTANCES HARDLY UNIQUE.

CORONADO IS ONE OF MANY HIGH END TOURIST DESTINATIONS IN CALIFORNIA, WHERE LOW-WAGE WORKERS STAFF PRICEY HOTELS, SHOPS, AND RESTAURANTS, BUT CANNOT AFFORD TO LIVE WHERE THEY WORK.

STATE LAWMAKERS HAVE TRIED TO FIX THIS BY REQUIRING CITIES TO ZONE FOR DRAMATICALLY MORE HOUSING THAN EVER BEFORE.

LAST YEAR, THE STATE ORDERED CORONADO TO PLAN FOR 912 NEW HOMES OVER THE NEXT 8 YEARS.

MORE THAN HALF OF THOSE HOMES ARE MEANT TO BE AFFORDABLE FOR LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

>> THAT WE ARE ESSENTIALLY TRYING TO COMPLY WITH AN ABSURD AND NOT SENSIBLE STATE LAW -- >> Reporter: THE ORDER FROM SACRAMENTO TO ADD MORE HOUSING WAS NOT WELL RECEIVED IN CORONADO.

MAYOR RICHARD BAILEY AND THE CITY COUNCIL LAST MONTH VOTED TO DRAFT A SMALLER HOUSING PLAN.

ON TUESDAY, THE COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A PLAN WITH ABOUT A THIRD OF THE HOMES THAT ARE REQUIRED.

HE SAID AT LAST MONTH'S COUNCIL MEETING, THE NUMBER THE CITY PICKED IS REALISTIC.

>> IT'S NOT BASED ON A PIE IN THE SKY NUMBER FROM THE STATE.

THEY HAVE NO BASIS IN REALITY WHATSOEVER, DID NOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE EXISTING LAND-USE.

THIS NUMBER DOES THAT.

>> Reporter: CORONADO SUE TO GET A SMALLER HOUSING AT ALLOCATION, BUT LOST.

IN THE MEANTIME CAR AUTO IS KNOWING THAT THE STATE HOUSING LOT CAN CARRY RISK.

THIS TAKEN TO THE CITY AND TO COMPLIANCE, BUT ONE COUNCILMEMBER ADMITTED THE CITY IS TRYING TO RUN OUT THE CLOCK.

>> WITH OUR ACTIVE LAWSUIT AND WITH OTHER THINGS GOING ON IN THE PROCESS.

WE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE A FEW YEARS BEFORE THEY MIGHT GET SERIOUS ABOUT THAT.

>> WHAT HAPPENS IN SAN DIEGO IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF A FORESHADOWING OF WHAT HAPPENS THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

>> Reporter: JOHN WAS IT IS WITH THE SAN FRANCISCO-BASED NONPROFIT WHICH SUED CITIES TO ENFORCE THE STATE HOUSING LAWS.

HE SAYS THAT SMALL HEALTHY CITIES ACROSS CALIFORNIA ARE PREPARING SIMILAR FIGHTS TO GET OUT OF THEIR HOUSING OBLIGATIONS, BUT SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS THE FIRST REGION TO GO THROUGH THAT PLANNING PROCESS.

THAT MEANS CORONADO COULD BE A TEST CASE FOR HOW AGGRESSIVELY THE STATE CRACKS DOWN ON SCOFFLAW CITIES.

FOR WIZARD, IT IS NOT JUST A QUESTION OF FOLLOWING THE LAW, BUT A QUESTION OF FAIRNESS AND EQUITY.

>> WHEN CORONADO SAYS WE DON'T HAVE TO DO WITH THE STATE TOLD US, WE DON'T HAVE TO DO OUR FAIR SHARE OR PULL HER WEIGHT, BUT EVERYBODY ELSE DOES, CORONADO IS SAYING THAT THEY ARE SPECIAL, AND THAT THEY DON'T BELIEVE THAT YOU DESERVE TO LIVE HERE.

>> Reporter: THE HOTEL WORKER WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE IN CORONADO HAS A SIMILAR MESSAGE FOR THE CITY'S LEADERS.

>> I WOULD SAY TO THEM THAT EVERYBODY DESERVES A VERY NICE HOME, BECAUSE WE ARE WORKING HARD, AND OUR FAMILIES DESERVE A VERY GOOD PLACE TO LIVE.

>> Reporter: ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> A SHORTAGE OF HOUSING HAS PARENTS OF UC SAN DIEGO SETTING OFF.

THE UNIVERSITY JUST ANNOUNCED A RECORD 41,000 STUDENTS ACCEPTED FOR THE FALL.

HOWEVER, AMID COVERED CONCERNS, THE NUMBER OF ON-CAMPUS BEDS HAS BEEN REDUCED BY SEVERAL THOUSAND TO JUST OVER 17,500, ALL OF WHICH ARE SPOKEN FOR.

THAT LEAVES SOME 3200 STUDENTS ON THE WAITING LIST.

>> JUST DESPAIR, WHAT AM I GOING TO DO, HOW MY GOING TO DO THIS, AND THE THOUGHT OF MOVING DOWN THERE, WITHOUT ANY OF THAT SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT THE COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCE, ABYSMAL.

SHE AND I ARE BOTH ONLINE DAILY.

EVERYTHING IS BOOKED.

>> AS SOON AS YOU SEE THAT IT'S LISTED AND EVEN JUST EMAILING OR CALLING FOR AN APPLICATION, THEY WOULD FIND OUT THE UNITS WERE ALREADY GONE.

>> MANY PARENTS ARE ASKING THE UNIVERSITY TO EASE ITS COVERT RESTRICTIONS.

A CAMPUS SPOKESPERSON SAYS THEY ARE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES, AND UNDERSTAND THE ANXIETY THAT STUDENTS AND PARENTS ARE GOING THROUGH.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER IS ABOUT TO REOPEN, AFTER 15 MONTHS SERVING AS AN EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR HOMELESS SAN DIEGANS, AND A HOUSING FACILITY FOR UNACCOMPANIED MINORS SEEKING ASYLUM.

IT'S BACK TO CONVENTION BUSINESS AUGUST 1st.

DURING THE PANDEMIC, 150 EVENTS WERE CANCELED AT AN ECONOMIC LOSS OF $2.3 BILLION.

THAT'S ABOUT $50 MILLION IN LOST TAX REVENUE FOR SAN DIEGO.

30 EVENTS ARE NOW SCHEDULED BETWEEN AUGUST AND DECEMBER, ALL ADHERING TO STATE COVID GUIDELINES.

>>> PRIDE FESTIVITIES CONTINUE THIS WEEKEND, THIS TIME IN NORTH COUNTY, WHERE THE CELEBRATION IS A FIRST FOR THE CITY OF ESCONDIDO.

WE HAVE MORE ON THE HISTORIC EVENT.

>> Reporter: DAMON MOORE IS A PRE-K TEACHER IN SAN MARCOS.

HE'S EXCITED TO FINALLY HAVE A PRIVATE EVENT IN THE NORTH INLAND AREA.

IT WOULD BE HELD AT KIT CARSON PARK IN ESCONDIDO ON SATURDAY.

>> I THINK IT'S A GREAT STEP MOVING FORWARD.

I KNOW WE NORMALLY HAVE PRIDE IN THE HILLCREST AREA AND SAN DIEGO AREA, BUT NOW THAT IT'S MOVING OVER HERE TOWARD ESCONDIDO, I THINK IT'S A GREAT THING FOR EVERYONE OUT HERE.

>> Reporter: OTHER THAN OCEANSIDE'S PRIDE BY THE BEACH, THERE IS NO PRIDE CELEBRATION FOR THE INLAND AREAS.

ESCONDIDO IS THE NIGHTLIFE AND CULTURAL HUB FOR THE AREA.

THE MAYOR PAUL McNAMARA IS ALSO EXCITED.

HE SAYS THIS IS ANOTHER SIGN THE CITY IS SHEDDING ITS CONSERVATIVE IMAGE.

>> WE ALWAYS WANTED THE CITY TO BE AN OPEN, INCLUSIVE, TOLERANT CITY.

HAVING AN EVENT LIKE THIS, I THINK WE ARE ALL VERY HAPPY ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: IN SOME WAYS, THE CITY STILL HAS A LONG WAY TO GO TO BECOME FULLY INCLUSIVE.

>> I DO HEREBY PROCLAIM JUNE 2020 PRIDE MONTH.

>> Reporter: THE CITY ISSUED ITS FIRST PRIDE PROCLAMATION LAST YEAR, BUT THIS YEAR DURING THE PROCLAMATION CEREMONY, TO CITY COUNCILMEMBERS WOULD NOT TAKE A PHOTO WITH THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY MEMBERS, MAKING ESCONDIDO MORE INCLUSIVE IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY LEO IS PULLING TOGETHER THIS EVENT.

SHE IS THE FOUNDER OF WE THE PEOPLE ESCONDIDO.

IT IS A GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION WORKING FOR CHANGE AGAINST INJUSTICE.

>> I THINK HAVING PRIDE IN ESCONDIDO FOR THE FIRST TIME IS A HUGE STEP FORWARD.

IS DEFINITELY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WE ARE SEEING ESCONDIDO IS READY FOR THE CHANGE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS KIT CARSON PARK.

RIGHT NOW IT'S A BIT EMPTY BECAUSE IT'S THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY, BUT THIS WEEKEND IT WILL BE FILLED WITH FAMILIES ENJOYING THE CITY'S FIRST PRIDE EVENT.

>> THE DAY OF, YOU CAN EXPECT TO MEET A LOT OF GREAT ORGANIZATIONS.

YOU CAN COME AND SEE A LOT OF GREAT PERFORMANCES, PLAY GAMES.

THERE IS A FAMILY PICNIC ZONE SO YOU CAN SET UP WITH LOVED ONES.

>> Reporter: IN ESCONDIDO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ESCONDIDO PRIDE STARTS AT 2:00 P.M. AND GOES UNTIL 7:30 P.M. ON SATURDAY.

ADMISSION IS FREE.

>>> I'M JUDY WOODRUFF.

TONIGHT ON "NEWS HOUR" INVESTIGATING JANUARY 6.

HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI REJECTS TWO REPUBLICAN PICS TO EXAMINE THE INSURRECTION , COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER "EVENING EDITION" ON KPBS.

>>> HEARS ANOTHER LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA JOINED A STATE AND LOCAL LAWMAKERS TO BREAK DOWN HOW MUCH MONEY THE COUNTY IS GETTING FROM THE RECENTLY SIGNED STATE BUDGET.

MORE THAN $220 MILLION WILL BE USED TO PAY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS, INCLUDING $50 MILLION FOR THE PURE WATER SEWAGE RECYCLING PROJECTS, AND OVER $8 MILLION TO REHABILITATE THE OCEAN BEACH PIER.

>>> THE SWEETWATER UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT RETURNED TO IN PERSON LEARNING TODAY.

STUDENTS AND STAFF ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS AND DOORS, REGARDLESS OF COVID VACCINATION STATUS.

ALSO, DRINKING FOUNTAINS HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH WATER BOTTLE FILLING STATIONS, AND EVERY CLASSROOM AND OFFICE SPACE HAS BEEN EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR PURIFICATION SYSTEM.

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

THANK YOU FOR SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> 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.