>>> GOOD EVENING.

IT'S WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

>>> IT WAS MEANT TO BE A CELEBRATION ABOUT GRADUATION, BUT SADLY, DAY AT THE BEACH TURNED TRAGIC FOR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLERS.

DANGEROUS RIP TIDES PROVED TOO MUCH FOR ONE SENIOR GRAD BUT LUCKILY TWO OTHERS WERE SAVED FROM THE SEA BY LIFEGUARDS.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL WITH THE LOSS OF A LOVED ONE AND WORDS OF WARNING.

>> Reporter: IN FRONT OF MISSION BEACH LIFEGUARD STATION 16 TODAY, HOPE HAD TURNED TO RESIGNATION.

THE PEOPLE GATHERED HERE, FRIENDS OF THE STILL UNIDENTIFIED 18-YEAR-OLD WHO DROWNED IT YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AND THE WATER OF JERSEY COURT, A FEW BLOCKS NORTH OF BELMONT PARK.

IT ALL HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY AFTER THREE YOUNG MEN WENT INTO THE WATER.

>> THEY STEP OUT OF THE SANDBAR AND INTO A RIP CURRENT AND STARTED GETTING PULLED IN.

>> Reporter: CHIEF GARTLAND SAYS A LIFEGUARD SAW WHAT HAPPENED AND HE IMMEDIATELY ALERTED A LIFEGUARD RESCUE BOAT AND A COAST GUARD VESSEL THAT WERE NEARBY.

>> THE VESSEL GOT THERE WITHIN 10 SECONDS FOR THE VEHICLE FOLLOWED RIGHT UP AFTER THAT.

WE WENT OUT AND RESCUED TWO OF THE FOLKS, AND THEN ONE PERSON SLIPPED UNDER THE SURFACE AND SUBMERGED.

>> Reporter: AT MISSION BEACH TODAY, A MEMBER OF THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED POLICE DEPARTMENT DID HIS BEST TO COMFORT PEOPLE KEEPING WATCH, AS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S NEW SUPERINTENDENT, LAMONTE JACKSON LOOKED ON.

IN AND ON THE WATER, CHIEF GARTLAND SAYS THEY ARE BRINGING EVERYTHING THEY HAD TO BEAR TO FIND THIS YOUNG MAN.

>> WE HAVE TWO TEAMS OUT THERE SEARCHING THE VISIBILITY IS VERY LOW.

IT'S ABOUT TWO TO THREE FEET TODAY INSIDE THE SURFLINE AND MAYBE SIX FEET OUTSIDE OF THE SURFLINE.

SO RIGHT NOW, WE ARE DIVING AND WE ARE ESSENTIALLY DRAGGING AND MAPPING THE BOTTOM, THE SONAR FOR POSITIVE TARGETS.

WE HAVE THE U.S. COAST GUARD.

SOME OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES HELPING US OUT.

>> Reporter: CHIEF GARTLAND HAS FAMILIAR ADVICE TO AVOID TROUBLE IN THE OCEAN.

DON'T GO ALL THE WAY INTO THE WATER UNLESS YOU ARE A STRONG OCEAN SWIMMER.

AND IF YOU DO FIND YOURSELF CAUGHT IN A RIPTIDE, JUST FLOAT ON THE SURFACE AND CALL FOR HELP.

AS FRIENDS WAIT FOR A RESOLUTION TO THIS RECOVERY, A MEMORIAL STANDS SILENT WATCH, TESTIMONY TO A YOUNG LIFE CUT WEIGHT TOO SHORT.

IN MISSION BEACH, JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> COVID VACCINES ARE ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO BEING RULED OUT FOR CHILDREN AGED SIX MONTHS TO FIVE YEARS OLD.

TODAY, ALL 21 VACCINE ADVISERS VOTED IN FAVOR OF EXPANDING EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION OF THE MODERNA AND PFIZER VACCINES TO THE YOUNGER KIDS.

THE NEXT STEPS ARE FOR THE FDA AND CDC TO SIGN OFF ON THE RECOMMENDATION.

ONCE BOTH AGENCIES GIVE THE GO-AHEAD, SHOTS COULD START AS EARLY AS NEXT WEEK.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE IDENTIFIED TWO PROBABLE CASES OF MONKEYPOX.

IT'S CONFIRMED -- IF CONFIRMED BY THE CDC, THEY WOULD BE THE FIRST CASES IN OUR COUNTY.

MONKEYPOX IS A VIRAL INFECTION THAT CAN SPREAD THROUGH CONTACT A BODILY FLUIDS, SORES ON THE BODY OR SHARED ITEMS.

SYMPTOMS ARE SIMILAR TO, BUT MILDER THAN SMALLPOX, INCLUDING FEVER, HEADACHE, CHILLS AND RASH.

ANYONE WHO THINKS THEY MAY HAVE SYMPTOMS OF MONKEYPOX, INCLUDING UNUSUAL RASHES SHOULD CONTACT A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER RIGHT AWAY.

>>> INTEREST RATES ARE GOING UP AGAIN.

TODAY, THE FEDERAL RESERVE RAISED ITS KEY RATE 0.75% IN ORDER TO FIGHT FIGHT INFLATION.

AS THE BIGGEST INCREASE SINCE 1994.

KPBS REPORTER JACOB AERE LOOKS AT WHAT THE RISING COSTS MEAN FOR SAN DIEGANS.

>> Reporter: WITH HOUSING AND RENTAL MARKET NEAR ALL-TIME HIGHS, AND THE COST OF GRACE PROCESS, FOOD AND UTILITIES ALSO SKYHIGH, MANY SAN DIEGANS ARE STARTING TO CUT BACK AND THAT'S EXACTLY THE GOAL OF THE FEDERAL INTEREST RATE HIKES WHICH WILL AFFECT COSTS FOR MORTGAGES, CREDIT CARDS AND CAR LOANS.

>> THEY ARE MAKING MANY MORE EXPENSIVE SO YOU WILL SPEND LESS.

YOU WILL BORROW LESS.

WE ARE STARTING TO SEE THE HOUSING MARKET SLOW OFF.

>> Reporter: THE DEAN OF STRATEGY AND GLOBAL POLICY SAYS THE FEDERAL RESERVE HAS TO BE CAREFUL THAT THEY DON'T CREATE DRASTIC CHANGES WITH THE RATE HIKES.

>> WHAT COULD VERY WELL HAPPEN IS IF INTEREST RATES GO UP TOO FAST, IT PUTS US INTO RECESSION.

IF INTEREST RATES DON'T GO UP FAST ENOUGH, INFLATION CONTINUES.

SO IT'S A REALLY, REALLY DELICATE BALANCE TO GET IT RIGHT.

>> Reporter: REAL ESTATE BROKER SAYS IT HAS SOME OF HIS CLIENTS SHIFTING INTO THE RENTAL MARKET.

IT'S CREATING LOTS OF COMPETITION FOR A LIMITED SUPPLY OF RENTALS.

EVEN THOUGH THE HOUSING MARKET IS STARTING TO COOL OFF.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY 20 YEAR CAREER, TENANTS ARE SAYING I KNOW YOU WANT 2500, BUT I WILL GIVE YOU 2700.

THEN SOMEBODY ELSE, I WILL GIVE YOU 2800.

NOW THEY ARE OUTBIDDING EACH OTHER BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SKIP THE LINE AND GET THE PROPERTY.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE.

>> Reporter: INFLATION IS HITTING LOW INCOME EARNERS THE HARDEST.

IT COULD LEAD TO MORE PEOPLE GOING HUNGRY AND EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

>> WE HAVE NOT SEEN WAGES GOING UP COMMENSURATELY WITH PRICES.

SO AS A RESULT, THE REAL WAGES DECLINING AND THAT'S REALLY, REALLY HARD ON LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

SHE SAYS THERE HASN'T BEEN INFLATION RATES LIKE THIS SINCE THE 1970s AND 80s.

WHILE THERE ARE PARALLELS TO THAT TIME PERIOD, SHE SAYS THE BIG DIFFERENCE IS THIS TIME, INFLATION WAS DRIVEN BY THE PANDEMIC AND GOVERNMENT STIMULUS PAYMENTS I PUT MORE MONEY INTO THE MARKET.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> FOR MANY THIS SUMMER TRAVEL SEASON IS IN FULL SWING AND THAT MEANS ROAD TRIPS.

BUT FOR OTHERS, THE HIGH COST OF THE PUMP IS PUTTING THE BRAKES TO GAS GUZZLING GETAWAYS.

PRICES LOCALLY JUMPED AGAIN.

THE 19th TIME IN 20 DAYS TO $6.37 A GALLON FOR JUST REGULAR UNLEADED.

THAT'S A $.35 INCREASE OVER THAT PERIOD.

>>> TODAY MARKS THE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF DACA.

THE PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED PROTECTION FROM DEPORTATION TO MORE THAN 800,000 DOCUMENTED PEOPLE WHO WERE BROUGHT TO THE U.S. AS CHILDREN.

KPBS REPORTER GUSTAVO SOLIS LOOKS BACK AT THE PROGRAM'S IMPACT AND SHORTCOMINGS.

>> Reporter: WHEN PRESIDENT OBAMA CREATED THE PROGRAM IN 2012, IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A TEMPORARY SOLUTION.

THE GOAL WAS TO KEEP SOME UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS FROM BEING DEPORTABLE THEY WAITED FOR CONGRESS TO PASS COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM.

THE HUMAN RIGHTS MENTORSHIP FOR ALLIANCE SAN DIEGO SAYS MILLIONS OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE CONFIDENCE OF REFORM.

>> IS NOT REALLY THE SOLUTION WE WANT AND IT NEVER HAS BEEN.

A BAND-AID SOLUTION TO A BIGGER PROBLEM BECAUSE DR.

RECIPIENTS THEMSELVES ARE NOT THE ONLY UNDOCUMENTED POPULATION HERE IN THIS COUNTRY.

NONETHELESS, HE SAYS DACA HAS IMPROVED THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WHO WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE IN THE PROGRAM.

SPEAKER PEOPLE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR OWN FAMILIES IN THEIR OWN WAY THAT'S LEGAL AND THAT'S WITHOUT ANY FEAR OF DOING SOMETHING WRONG.

JUST THAT.

BEING ABLE TO HOLD A JOB.

BEING ABLE TO ACCESS AN EDUCATION HAS BEEN HUGE AND LIFE-CHANGING FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: TENURES INTO THE PROGRAM, DACA FACES SERIOUS LEGAL CHALLENGES.

A COURT RULING IN TEXAS NOW PREVENTS NEW APPLICANTS FROM ENROLLING IN THE PROGRAM.

AN APPEAL IS PENDING IN THAT SUIT.

MEANWHILE, MANY YOUNG PEOPLE IN SAN DIEGO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR A PROGRAM THEY NO LONGER HAVE ACCESS TO.

THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE ALREADY KNOW ARE ELIGIBLE, BUT FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER, MAYBE THEY NEVER GOT AROUND TO DOING IT OR MAYBE THEY WERE 14, 13 YEARS OLD WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND THEY WEREN'T ELIGIBLE UNTIL A CERTAIN AGE.

>> Reporter: THEIR FUTURES, ALONG WITH THE PROSPECT OF IMMIGRATION REFORM, REMAIN DEEPLY IN DOUBT.

GUSTAVO SOLIS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE SUPREME COURT HAS REJECTED AN APPEAL IN A CASE INVOLVING A PUBLIC CHARGE IMMIGRATION POLICY.

THE CASE CENTERED ON WHETHER THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION FOLLOWED PROPER PROCEDURES WHEN IT SET OUT TO REVERSE THE CONTROVERSIAL RULE PUT IN BY FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THAT RULE MADE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR IMMIGRANTS TO OBTAIN LEGAL STATUS IF THEY USE PUBLIC BENEFITS SUCH AS MEDICAID, FOOD STAMPS AND HOUSING VOUCHERS.

>>> SAN DIEGO AREA CONGRESSMAN MIKE LEVIN IS SPEAKING OUT ABOUT SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC 'S PLAN TO RAISE RATES IN 2024.

HE SAYS AVERAGE BILLS WILL TOP $230 A MONTH IF CALIFORNIA REGULATORS APPROVE THE COMPANY 'S 2024 BUDGET.

THE DEMOCRAT IS TAKING THE UTILITY TO TASK FOR ASKING FOR HIGHER ELECTRICITY RATES WHILE A QUARTER OF THEIR CUSTOMERS CAN'T PAY THEIR BILLS ON TIME.

LEVIN SAYS HE HOPES STATE OFFICIALS HE HEAR HIM.

>> AS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION NOT TO BE FIGHTING FOR BIG CORPORATIONS.

NOT TO BE FIGHTING FOR THEIR STOCKHOLDERS, BUT TO FIGHT FOR THE AVERAGE CONSUMER IN OUR DISTRICT AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'M GOING TO DO.

>> HE ALSO SAYS THEY SHOULD PRIORITIZE CUSTOMERS OVER EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

THE CONGRESSMAN SAYS THE UTILITY 'S HIGHEST-PAID EXECUTIVE EARNED $10 MILLION.

>>> DANGEROUS AND DEADLY WEATHER CONDITIONS AFFECTING SOME 88 MILLION PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

EVEN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK REMAINS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING WITH SNOWMELT THREATENING TO MAKE MATTERS EVEN WORSE.

MIKE VALERIO HAS MORE.

>> VERY VERY HOT.

IF YOU'RE LIKE US ON OUT HERE.

FROM MICHIGAN TO FLORIDA, TEMPERATURES SOARING AS HIGH AS 20 DEGREES ABOVE AVERAGE.

ADDING TO THE DANGER ABOUT A QUARTER MILLION CUSTOMERS, STILL WITHOUT POWER IN THE MIDWEST FOR ANOTHER DAY.

IN OHIO, >> HOW HOT IT IS INSIDE YOUR HOUSE.

>> IS ABOUT 88, 89 RIGHT NOW.

WE HAD AIR CONDITIONING RUNNING.

WE WERE TRYING TO COOL OFF.

TRYING TO BRIEF BUT IT'S TOO HOT TO JUST SIT DOWN IN THE HOUSE.

>> Reporter: POWER SYSTEMS ARE STRAINED.

THE TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY AND TEXAS RECORDING ALL-TIME RECORD DEMAND THIS WEEK.

IN THE MEANTIME, DOCTORS WEREN'T GETTING SICK FROM THE HEAT CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS HEART OR EVEN KIDNEY DISEASE IN A MATTER OF DAYS OR MONTHS.

>> WHEN YOU'RE NOT MAKING SWEAT ANYMORE, THAT MEANS YOU'RE MOVING TO A NEW PHASE BECAUSE YOUR BODY ISN'T RESPONDING THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO RESPOND.

>> Reporter: IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WITH RAPID SNOWMELT IN THE MOUNTAINS AND LARGE AMOUNTS OF RAIN, THOUSANDS OF VISITORS HAVE LEFT .

THE NATIONAL GUARD HELPING EVACUATIONS.

UNPRECEDENTED FLOODING NOW FORCING THE PARK TO CLOSE ALL ENTRANCES.

OFFICIALS SAY WARMER TEMPERATURES COULD CAUSE EVEN MORE SNOWMELT, ADDING TO FLOODING ALONG THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER.

>> IT'S STILL A WILD RIVER, IT'S A NATIONAL TREVOR, BUT IT HAS A TEMPER TOO.

>>> IT WAS NEARLY A YEAR AGO GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM ASKED CALIFORNIANS TO CUT THEIR WATER USE BY 15%.

IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

TOUGHER WATER RESTRICTIONS ARE NOW IN PLACE ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY WHICH IS LEAVING A LOT OF PEOPLE TO PULL OUT THEIR LIES.

TONIGHT, KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL SHOWS US THE COLORFUL OPTIONS FOR REPLACING THAT LAWN AND THE FINANCIAL INCENTIVES THAT CAN HELP.

>> Reporter: FOR DECADES, THEY HAVE BEEN PART OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE.

BUT VERDANT LAWNS ARE DISAPPEARING MORE AND MORE THANKS TO SHRINKING WATER SUPPLIES.

THE GOLDEN STATE IS NOW IN ITS THIRD YEAR OF DROUGHT IN FACT, A STUDY RELEASED IN FEBRUARY BY THE GROUP NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE, FOUND THIS IS THE WORST DROUGHT IN WHAT IS NOW THE WESTERN U.S., IN 1200 YEARS.

SO IT'S IMPORTANT WE ALL DO WHAT WE CAN TO CONSERVE WATER.

BUT DOES THAT MEAN YANKING OUT YOUR LAWN?

NOT NECESSARILY.

>> WE CAN REDUCE IRRIGATION USE ON ANY PROPERTY BY 50 TO 70% WITH PROPER IRRIGATION TOOLS.

>> Reporter: THE OWNER OF GOT LAWN, HE SAYS IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KEEP YOUR LAWN, YOU CAN USE A LOT LESS WATER BY USING THESE MPR STREET ROTORS AND GOOD OLD DRIP IRRIGATION.

BUT MORE AND MORE, HE SAYS PEOPLE ARE OPTING FOR EITHER TURF AND DROUGHT RESISTANT PLANTS, ALONG WITH HARD SCAPE THAT IS DECORATIVE ROCKS AND PAVERS WHEN IT COMES TO TURF.

THIS IS NOT YOUR DAD'S ASTROTURF.

>> THE FIBERS NOW, THEY HAVE COME UP WITH WAYS TO TWIST THE FIBERS AND GIVE IT RIGIDITY AND CUSHIONING THAT YOU ARE NOTICING.

AND IT LOOKS NATURAL.

>> Reporter: IF YOU'RE READY TO MOVE ON FROM THE LONG, THERE IS AN AMAZING ARRAY OF COLORFUL PLANTS THAT USE VERY LITTLE WATER.

THAT AFOREMENTIONED ARRAY CAN BE FOUND HERE IN THE SUMPTUOUS SETTING OF THE WATER CONVERSATION GARDEN AT?

MARCO COLLEGE.

THIS IS WHERE WE MET EFREN LOPEZ, A WATER RESOURCE SPECIALIST WITH THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY.

3 SAN DIEGANS HAVE DONE A GREAT PART IN CONTINUING WITH WATER USE EFFICIENCY BUT THERE'S ALWAYS MORE WE CAN DO.

>> Reporter: ADMITS THE WINDING TRAIL OF THIS FIVE-ACRE GARDEN, WE TALKED TO LOPEZ ABOUT INCENTIVES TO GET MORE WATER WISE.

WE MET WE HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST REBATES IN CALIFORNIA TO TAKE OUT YOUR TURFGRASS.

TO REPLACE AN IRRIGATION CONTROLLER.

TO REPLACE YOUR WASHING MACHINE.

WE HAVE REALLY SOME OF THE BEST REBATES IN THE STATE.

>> Reporter: WHEN IT COMES TO THE DRUG, SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS IN A BETTER PLACE THAN MOST OF THE STATE.

YEARS OF INVESTMENT IN LOCALIZING OUR WATER SUPPLY, THINK THE BIG LAND IN CARLSBAD, ARE PAYING OFF.

THE REGION HAS ALSO INVESTED IN EXPANDING HOW MUCH WATER CAN BE STORED LOCALLY.

IN ADDITION, PURE WATER PROJECTS THAT CONVERT WASTE WATER INTO PURE DRINKABLE WATER ARE EITHER BEING CONSTRUCTED OR ARE ONLINE.

THE FIRST PHASE OF SAN DIEGO MAST PROJECT IS ACCEPTED COME ONLINE NEXT YEAR AND WILL PROVIDE 15 MILLION GALLONS OF PURIFIED WATER EVERY DAY.

THE SECOND PHASE IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 2035.

ONCE FINISHED, THE SYSTEM IS SLATED TO PROVIDE 83 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER A DAY.

ABOUT A THIRD OF THE CITY'S FUTURE WATER SUPPLY.

AS LOPEZ POINTS OUT, SAN DIEGANS HAVE DONE A REMARKABLE JOB OF CONSERVING WATER OVER THE PAST THREE DECADES, AS THE POPULATION HAS GROWN.

LOPEZ SAYS WATER USE HAS DECREASED BY ABOUT 40%.

THE WATER AUTHORITY SAYS WE ARE WATER SECURE FOR THE NEXT FEW DECADES.

THE BIGGEST USE OF WATER HERE HAPPENS OUTDOORS, SO TURNING TO PLANTS LIKE THESE HERE IN THE WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN HELPS A LOT.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE INTERESTED IN DROUGHT RESISTANT BUNTING IDEAS TO VISIT THE WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN.

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL, SERENE PLACE THAT IS DEFINITELY WORTH YOUR TIME.

BUT THERE IS ANOTHER PLACE NOT FAR FROM HERE THAT HAS ITS OWN EXAMPLES OF DROUGHT RESISTANT PLANTINGS THAT ARE A LITTLE MORE MANAGEABLE.

>> RESERVED 277,000 CUSTOMERS IN THE CITIES OF LA MESA, EL CAJON AND LEMON GROVE.

ALSO PORTIONS OF THE SURROUNDING UNINCORPORATED AREAS.

MICHELLE CURTIS IS THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS SUPERVISOR WITH THE HELIX WATER DISTRICT.

>> IN 2020, WE DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO SHOWCASE WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGING OUR CUSTOMERS TO DO.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT PULLED OUT THE IV ENTRIES THAT USED TO SURROUND HER HEADQUARTERS AND INSTALLED THREE DEMONSTRATION GARDENS.

MEDITERRANEAN, DESERT AND NATIVE CALIFORNIAN.

FIRST, THE MEDITERRANEAN.

SEE THAT THEY HAVE SOFT COLORS.

A LOT OF TEXTURE.

ALSO A LOT OF FRAGRANCE.

SO IT'S A NICE SENSORY EXPERIENCE.

B TELL ME ABOUT THIS GARDEN.

>> ON THE SIDE OF OUR BUILDING, WE HAVE OUR DESERT LANDSCAPE.

MORE CACTUS AND SUCCULENT BASES ON THE MEDITERRANEAN SIDE.

>> Reporter: LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE CALIFORNIA NATIVE GARDEN.

>> WE HAVE SOME CLEVELAND SAGE.

WE HAVE SOME DIFFERENT TYPES OF FLAX LILIES, BUT IT'S REALLY VERY TEXTURAL.

SO IF YOU'RE OUT HERE, ESPECIALLY IF THE WIND IS BLOWING, YOU WILL SEE ALL THE GRASSES BLOWING IN THE WIND.

BUT THIS IS ALSO GOING TO BE OUR LOWEST WATER USE GARDEN.

THE LOWEST WATER USE GARDEN.

THAT'S BECAUSE YOU ARE PLANTS THAT WERE AROUND IN CALIFORNIA BEFORE GREEN LAWNS AND PALM TREES.

PLANTS THAT DEVELOPED SURVIVE IN AN ARID CLIMATE.

PLANTS THAT CARRY A MESSAGE FOR HOW WE CAN ALL ADAPT IN OUR DAY AND AGE, AS WATER BECOMES MORE PRECIOUS BY THE DAY.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ARE WARMING PATTERN THAT WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THAT CONTINUES ALL THE WAY THROUGH THURSDAY.

WE HAVE A SYSTEM I WILL BE BRINGING US SOME COOLER WEATHER AS WE HAD TO OUR FRIDAY.

LOOKING FOR THE WARMTH ONCE AGAIN.

LOOK TO THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK.

FOR TONIGHT WITH A SWARMING PATTERN, WE HAVE PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES AND AGAIN, PAST THE METRO AREA, WE WILL SEE SOME OF THOSE CLASSES WILL HELP TEMPERATURES ACT AS A BLANKET AND KEEPING THINGS ON THE MILD SIDE.

DROPPING TO 63 OVERNIGHT.

IF YOU LOOK FURTHER INLAND, YOU HAVE LESS CLOUD COVERAGE SO THAT MEANS TEMPERATURES WILL BE FALLING FROM PLACES LIKE RAMONA, DOWN TO 56 DEGREES.

BORREGO SPRINGS FALLING BACK TO THE 70s.

NOT LAGUNA 66.

CAMPBELL WILL BE 56 DEGREES OVERNIGHT.

THE SEARING HEAT CONTINUES.

NEAR RECORD HIGHS FOR OUR THURSDAY.

ESPECIALLY FOR PLACES LIKE VEGAS, PHOENIX, ALBUQUERQUE.

VERY HOT AS WELL.

THIS WILL BE VERY DRY AND STORE IN PLACES LIKE SALT LAKE CITY, GRAND JUNCTION.

YOU WILL BE GETTING WARM AS WELL.

ACROSS THE SIERRA NEVADA, YOU WILL BE EXPERIENCING WARMER WEATHER TOO.

THIS MEANS THE DRUG WILL WORSEN AND WE ALSO HAVE ELEVATED FIRE DANGER THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE CONTENDING WITH.

WE HAVE THOSE MORNING CLOUDS AND THOSE LATER EVENING CLOUDS AS WELL THAT LINGER RIGHT AROUND THE COASTAL AREAS DURING THE DAY.

YOU CAN SEE HOW THEY BREAK AWAY THEY FADE AWAY.

YOU GET SOME SUNSHINE AND YOU'LL BE SEEING THE WARMING TREND CONTINUE.

ESCONDIDO GETTING UP TO 82.

RAMONA 90.

EL CAJON 85.

SAN DIEGO GETTING UP TO SOME 70s.

BY THE TIME WE GET TO FRIDAY, EYES WILL BE ABOUT FIVE TO 15 DEGREES LOWER THAN WHAT WE HAD FOR OUR THURSDAY.

ESPECIALLY IF YOU LOOK AT PLACES LIKE FRESNO AND READING.

ACROSS THE GREAT BASIN.

IT'S WINDY AND HOT AND SOME FIRE WEATHER CONCERNS WILL REMAIN WITH US.

LET'S LOOK AT THE COAST WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE DROP-DOWN AND TEMPERATURES OVER THE WEEKEND BEFORE WE START TO SEE ANOTHER SURGE OF WARMTH BY THE TIME WE GET TO THE END OF THE WEEKEND OF THE START OF NEXT WEEK.

THAT TREND CARRIES RIGHT ON OVER INTO THE MOUNTAINS AS WELL.

AS OUR DESERTS, TRIPLE DIGITS WILL BE BACK AROUND SUNDAY AND CONTINUE INTO MONDAY.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M METEOROLOGIST MICHELLE ROTELLA.

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS TAKEN NEW STEPS TO SAFEGUARD CLEAN DRINKING WATER.

THEY ARE TAKING AIM AT CHEMICALS CALLED P FAA'S.

P FAS KNOWN AS FOREVER CHEMICALS SINCE THEY ACCUMULATE AND TAKE A LONG TIME TO BREAK DOWN.

THE CHEMICALS ARE LINKED TO A NUMBER OF HEALTH PROBLEMS AND FUNDING IS BEING MADE AVAILABLE TO STATES TO COMBAT THE PROBLEM AND PAY FOR TESTING, AND NEW WATER TREATMENT FACILITIES.

>>> MAYOR TODD GLORIA IS IN WASHINGTON, DC CELEBRATING LGBTQ PRIDE MONTH.

GLORIA WAS THE FIRST LGBTQ PERSON WHO'S BEEN ELECTED SAN DIEGO BEAR WAS INVITED TO THE WHITE HOUSE BY THE PRESIDENT AND FIRST LADY.

TODAY, PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM CONVERSION THERAPY AND SAFEGUARD PROGRAMS TO PREVENT YOUTH SUICIDE.

THE ORDER ALSO CREATES A NEW INITIATIVE TO PROTECT OUR YOUTH.

>> OUT MY MESSAGE TO ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE, JUST TO BE YOU.

YOU ARE LOVED.

YOU ARE HEARD.

YOU ARE UNDERSTOOD.

YOU DO BELONG.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT AS YOUR PRESIDENT, ALL OF US ON THIS STAGE HAVE YOUR BACK.

WE HAVE YOUR BACK.

>> THIS EXECUTIVE ORDER COMES A SOME REPUBLICAN-LED STATES HAVE INTRODUCED LAWS THAT COULD LIMIT THE RIGHTS OF LGBTQ PEOPLE.

>>> SURVEYS SHOW MOST EMPLOYEES PREFER TO WORK FROM HOME.

SINCE REOPENING THEIR OFFICES, MANY COMPANIES HAVE OFFERED A FLEXIBLE HYBRID SCHEDULE TO RETAIN AND ATTRACT TALENT, BUT WITH THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CLIMATE AND INCREASING INFLATION, BUSINESSES HAVE MORE LEVERAGE TO IMPLEMENT IN PERSON WORK AGAIN.

GABE COHEN REPORTS.

>> Reporter: AS SHANNON ARCHULETA HUNTS FOR A NEW TECH JOB, DESERTING HER HOME OFFICE AND SPENDING LESS TIME WITH HER FATHER HAS BECOME A DEALBREAKER.

>> I WILL ONLY WORK REMOTE.

I HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE THINGS AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES THAT I NEED TO, WHILE BEING PRODUCTIVE FOR THE WORKFORCE.

>> Reporter: IS A GROWING SOURCE OF TENSION BETWEEN EMPLOYEES AND MANAGEMENT.

SURVEYS SHOW MILLIONS OF WORKERS WANT TO STAY HOME AND WOULD LIKELY QUIT THEIR JOB, RATHER THAN GO BACK TO A DAILY COMMUTE.

NOW, MORE EXECUTIVES MAY TEST THAT.

ELON MUSK IS THE LATEST, DEMANDING TESLA WORKERS RETURN TO THE OFFICE FULL-TIME, OR QUIT.

GOLDMAN SACHS IS ALREADY BACK FULL-TIME AND 90% OF J.P. MORGAN'S U.S. STAFF IS THERE AT LEAST THREE DAYS A WEEK.

THEIR CEO JAMIE DIAMOND SAYING WORK FROM HOME DOESN'T WORK FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO HASSLE, ACCORDING TO REUTERS.

>> I'M TRYING TO FEEL THIS.

>> Reporter: TELLING CITY WORKERS TO GET BACK TO THE OFFICE TO RE-ENERGIZE THE CITY 'S ECONOMY.

THE MAY SURVEY FOUND 76% OF HIGH UP EXECUTIVE SAY IN PERSON WORK IS CRITICAL.

OVERALL, AS OF THIS WEEK, EMPLOYEE OFFICE VISITS ARE BARELY OVER 40% OF PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

BECAUSE IN THIS HOT JOBS MARKET WITH 11 MILLION OPENINGS, WORKERS HAVE LEVERAGE.

>> IF THE EMPLOYERS PUT A FIRM STAKE IN THE GROUND AND SAY YOU MUST COME BACK, THERE IS THAT RISK THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO MOVE TO A NEW JOB.

3 >> Reporter: APPLE DELAYED ITS RETURN TO OFFICE PLANS AFTER BACKLASH FROM EMPLOYEES, AS DID CONFIDENCE AND WHO HELPS OPERATE GOOGLE MAPS AFTER MORE THAN 100 WORKERS SIGNED A PETITION.

SOME THREATENING TO STRIKE IF FORCED TO RETURN.

'S WE MET WE HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY PRODUCTIVE AND SUCCESSFUL IN THESE LAST TWO YEARS, SO IT'S A HUGE WIN FOR US.

REBECCA SURVEY TRUCKING REMOTE WORK SINCE THE EARLY PANDEMIC SHOWS MORE COMPANIES ARE COMING AROUND ON A POST PANDEMIC HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE, WITH, ON AVERAGE, 30% OF WORKDAYS DONE FROM HOME.

COMPARED TO 5% PRE-PANDEMIC.

>> IN THIS CASE, IT'S VERY CLEAR THAT HYBRID IS HERE TO STAY.

>> THIS WILL BECOME ONE MORE DIFFERENTIATING FACTOR AMONG EMPLOYERS.

>> Reporter: ONE LOOMING WRINKLE, PROJECTIONS OF A MARKET COOLDOWN AND POSSIBLE RECESSION IN THE MONTHS AHEAD.

WHICH COULD TILT THE TABLES AND GIVE EMPLOYERS MORE LEVERAGE.

>> OVER THE NEXT 90 TO 100 AND 20 DAYS, WE FULLY SUSPECT IT WON'T BE JUST THE ELON MUSK'S OF THE WORLD, THERE WILL BE A LOT OF CEOs THAT WILL DEMAND THAT EMPLOYEES COME BACK TO WORK, AT LEAST PARTLY.

>> THAT WAS GABE COHEN REPORTING.

>>> PEOPLE HAVE AND JUST CHANGE THE WAY THEY WERE DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT WHERE THEY WORK.

RESEARCH SHOWS MILLIONS OF PEOPLE BOUGHT HOMES FURTHER AWAY FROM THEIR OFFICES BECAUSE THEY WERE WORKING REMOTELY.

>>> I'M JUDY WOODRUFF, HOW THE FEDERAL RESERVE'S LATEST MOVE TO CURB INFLATION COULD AFFECT AMERICAN'S POCKETBOOKS.

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

>>> HUNDREDS OF MAJOR-LEAGUE BASEBALL PROSPECTS WERE VISITING SAN DIEGO.

THE MLB COMBINED FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE ATHLETES IS HAPPENING AT PETCO PARK.

TODAY, ORGANIZERS SHOWED A GROUP OF 10 PLAYERS A DIFFERENT WORLD, JUST MINUTES FROM THE DUGOUT.

THEY TOURED THE ALPHA PROJECT BRIDGE 10 OFFERING 300 BEDS AND SERVICES TO THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED.

MLB ORGANIZERS WANT THE STUDENT ATHLETES TO UNDERSTAND HOMELESSNESS IS NATIONWIDE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF EMPATHY AND GIVING BACK.

>> WHEN THEY'RE GETTING STARTED IN THEIR CAREER, THEY SHOULD SEE WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND THEM.

A LOT OF TIMES WE GET IN THE BASEBALL BUBBLE AND YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE GOING THROUGH.

>> IT'S EYE-OPENING AND IS A HUMBLING EXPERIENCE TO SEE WHAT PEOPLE GO THROUGH THAT YOU DON'T NECESSARILY SEE EVERY DAY.

>> NEARLY 300 BASEBALL STANDOUTS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY WILL GET TO SHOWCASE THEIR SKILLS AT THE MAJOR LEAGUE TEAMS, TWO MAJOR LEAGUE TEAMS AT PETCO PARK AND THE EVENT RUNS THROUGH MONDAY.

, THE FOURTH TIME IS A CHARM FOR NASA WITH ITS McCRIMMON MARKET GETS READY TO MAKE A FINAL ATTEMPT AT ITS PRELAUNCH TEST.

THE SPACE AGENCY WILL CONDUCT THE CRUCIAL TEST ON ARTEMIS ONE ON SATURDAY.

THE ON CRUDE ROCKET WILL BE PLACED ON THE LAUNCHPAD AT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER IN FLORIDA AND EVERY STAGE OF THE LAUNCH WILL BE SIMULATED, EXCEPT FOR THE ACTUAL LIFT OFF.

THE TEST WILL BE USED TO DECIDE WHEN THE ROCKET CAN LAUNCH FOR ITS MISSION BEYOND THE MOON.

WITH THE ARTEMIS PROGRAM, NASA PLANS TO LAND THE FIRST WOMAN IN PERSON OF COLOR ON THE MOON BY THE YEAR 2025., YOU CAN TONIGHT STORIES ON HER WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

GOOD NIGHT.