>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAINS AND PLUMBING SYSTEM SINCE 1978.

AND BY THE CONRAN PREVACID FOUNDATION.

DARLING MICHAEL SHELLEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

>> ♪ >> AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> ♪ >>> GOOD EVENING.

IT'S WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16th.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI TWO SUPERPOWERS, ONE ON ONE.

RESIDENT BIDEN SQUARES OFF WITH RUSSIA'S VLADIMIR PUTIN.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THEIR MEETING IN A MOMENT.

>>> BUT THIS FROM HEALTH OFFICIALS LOCALLY AND NATIONWIDE.

COVID 19, AND ITS VARIANTSS STILL A MAJOR CONCERN.

HERE IS KPBS HEALTH REPORTER, MATT HOFFMAN.

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA AND OTHER STATES ARE REOPENING BUT CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION ARE CALLING THE DELTA STRAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR THOUSANDS OF DEATHS IN AIR INDIA A VARIANT OF CONCERN.

A MORE CONTAGIOUS STRAIN IN THE UK MAKES UP 90% OF CASES AND IS MORE LIKELY TO HOSPITALIZE INFECTION PEOPLE.

>> THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE UNITED STATES AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE U.S.

SURGEON GENERAL ESTIMATES THE VARIANT MAKES UP ABOUT 10% OF ACES CASES NATIONWIDE.

>> THAT WILL INCREASE IN THE WEEKS AHEAD.

>> Reporter: THE PFIZER VACCINE HAS NEARLY 90% PROTECTION FROM THE VARIANT WHEN BOTH DOSES ARE COMPLETED BUT THE SAME ANALYSIS FOUND JUST ONE DOSE WORKED SUBSTANTIALLY LESS AT 33%.

>> IF PEOPLE HAVE ONLY GOTTEN ONE DOSE AND THEY ARE HESITANT, NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO GET A SECOND DOSE.

>> Reporter: REBECCA FIELDING MILLER IS AN EPIDEMIOLOGIST AND PROFESSOR AT UC SAN DIEGO.

SHE SAYS 75% OF SAN DIEGANS GETTING THEIR FIRST DOSE IS A HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT BUT.

>> 25% OF PEOPLE HAVE NOT GOTTEN VACCINATED AND NOBODY HUNDRED 12 HAS BEEN VACCINATED.

MUCH IS AS.

>> >> Reporter: SHE SAYS GETTING TO 'HERD IMMUNITY' -- COVID-19 IS NOT GOING AWAY AND ON SOME LEVELS, HOSPITALIZATIONS AND DEATHS WILL CONTINUE ESPECIALLY IN AREAS THAT DON'T HAVE HIGH VACCINATION RATES.

>> EVERY INFECTION IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A NEW VARIANT THAT COULD POTENTIALLY ESCAPE THROUGH VACCINES WE ALREADY HAVE AND THAT WOULD BE TERRIBLE TO SETBACK ALL OF OUR HARD WORK THAT FAR.

>> Reporter: NATIONWIDE, JUST OVER HALF THE PEOPLE AGED 12 AND OVER HAVE GOTTEN ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE.

MATT HOP IN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I DID WHAT I CAME TO DO.

THAT IS HOW PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN DESCRIBED HIS SUMMIT WITH RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR PUTIN.

WITH RELATIONS BETWEEN THE COUNTRIES DESCRIBED AT A LOW POINT , EMILY SCHMIDT REPORTS ON WHAT IS AT STAKE.

>> Reporter: IN AN 18TH-CENTURY GENEVA CHATEAU, A CHANCE TO CHECK THE FIRMNESS OF A 21st CENTURY FOUNDATION.

>> THIS IS ABOUT HOW WE MOVE FROM HERE.

>> I DON'T THINK THERE WAS ANY KIND OF HOSTILITY.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID EARLIER THIS WEEK HIS PLAN WITH PUTIN WAS .

>> VERIFY FIRST AND THEN TRUST.

>> Reporter: STRAINED BY ISSUES LIKE RUSSIA'S HANDLING OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND RANSOMWARE ATTACKS IN THE U.S.

LAUNCHED A RUSSIAN BASE CRIMINALS.

>> RESPONSIBLE COUNTRIES NEED TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST CRIMINALS WHO CONDUCT RANSOMWARE ACTIVITIES ON THEIR TERRITORY.

>> AS FAR AS CYBER SECURITY IS CONCERNED, WE AGREED WE WOULD BOTH AGAIN CONSULTATIONS ON THAT ISSUE AND I BELIEVE THAT IS EXTRAORDINARILY IMPORTANT.

OBVIOUSLY, BOTH SIDES HAVE TO ASSUME CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS THERE.

>> Reporter: THE LEADERS A GREAT TO RETURN U.S. AND RUSSIAN AMBASSADORS TO THEIR POSITIONS.

THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN COUNTRIES HAD BEEN SO DIFFICULT , THERE WAS NO AMBASSADOR IN PLACE IN WASHINGTON OR MOSCOW.

>> EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE RELATIONSHIP WAS INITIATED -- BY THE USA.

>> Reporter: I TOLD PUTIN MY AGENDA WAS NOT AGAINST RUSSIA OR ANYONE ELSE >> IT IS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE SPIN CAME FROM ONE LEADER, THEN THE OTHER.

EACH TRYING TO GET THE LAST WORD ON THE NEXT CHAPTER OF U.S./RUSSIAN RELATIONS.

EMILY SCHMIDT, KPBS NEWS.

>>> GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM IS URGING CALIFORNIA TO GET VACCINATED TODAY, HE MADE IT CLEAR NOT TO LET UP AND SAYS HE BELIEVES HIS INCENTIVES TO BATTLE THE CORONAVIRUS ARE WORKING.

>>> THESE INCENTIVES HAVE WORKED.

CALIFORNIA IS ONE OF THE FEW STATES THAT HAVE SEEN A WEEK OVER WEEK INCREASE IN VACCINATION DOSES.

1.13 MILLION PEOPLE RECEIVED AT LEAST A DOSE OF THE VACCINE OVER THE LAST SEVEN DAYS.

>>> THE GOVERNOR SAID IT IS ENCOURAGING TO SEE THE REOPENING AND HE ALSO SAID IT GIVES PEOPLE HELP.

>>> IF YOU ARE ELIGIBLE, TO GET A SHOT, BUT HAVEN'T YET, WE HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW AND WHERE TO GET ONE ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

CLICK ON THE VACCINES LINKED TO OUR HOME PAGE TO FIND A LOCATION CLOSE TO YOU.

>>> AS CALIFORNIA REOPENS, MANY ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT RULES REMAIN.

AND SOME ARE JUST NOT READY TO DITCH THEIR MASK.

>>> I FELT REBELLIOUS.

>> Reporter: TO WEAR OR NOT TO WEAR A MASK.

EVEN THOUGH CALIFORNIA HAS NOW LIFTED ITS MASK MANDATES FOR MOST BUSINESSES, MANY PEOPLE ARE UNSURE WHAT TO DO.

MINDY FICA WAS THE ONLY PERSON WE SAW WALKING INTO TRADER JOE'S WITHOUT HER MASK ON.

>> I FELT LIKE EVERYONE WAS LOOKING AT ME AND THEY WERE AND I KEPT LOOKING AROUND LIKE BE ONE OTHER PERSON AND I EVEN HAD TO FEEL LIKE I HAD TO JUSTIFY.

AND THEY WERE LIKE, YOU ARE GOOD.

I'M LIKE, I KNOW BUT IT FEELS WEIRD.

>> Reporter: WE TALK TO OTHER SHOPPERS INSIDE.

IT APPEARS A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING TO OTHERS JUST DECIDE WHAT TO DO.

DENNIS TOLD US HE WAS READY TO TAKE HIS MASK OFF TWO WEEKS AGO BUT STILL HAS NOT.

>> I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE TAKEN IT OFF IF THERE WERE MORE THAN ONE PERSON BUT EACH TIME I HAVE COME IN HERE, I HAVE ONLY SEEN THAN ONE PERSON WITHOUT A MASK.

>> Reporter: MANY CUSTOMERS INSIDE WENT IN BAREFACED.

THE SIGN SAYS MASKS REQUIRED UNLESS FULLY VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: AT THIS NAIL SALON IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD, THEY ARE NOT CHANGING RULES JET.

THE OWNER SAYS SHE IS WAITING FOR THE GUIDANCE THAT COMES OUT OF THE STATE OFFICE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY MEETING THURSDAY.

>> WE CHOOSE TO KEEP THEM AS HIS, THE SAME WAY CUSTOMERS COME IN WITH MASK ON.

STAFF AND EMPLOYEES WITH MASKS ON.

>> Reporter: SHE IS GETTING MIXED REACTIONS FROM CUSTOMERS WHO SAID THEY WOULD NOT COME IN UNLESS MASK REQUIRE ALL OTHERS ARE READY TO TAKE THEIRS OFF.

>> TODAY I HAVE BEEN HERE IN THE LAST PLACE AND THEY REQUIRE MASKS.

IF I AM ALLOWED NOT TO WEAR IT, I DON'T WANT TO.

>> Reporter: SOME PLACES STILL REQUIRE MASKS IN CALIFORNIA.

AMONG THEM, HOSPITALS AND MEDICAL FACILITIES, K-12 SCHOOLS AND INDOOR CHILD CARE, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AS WELL AS PRIVATE BUSINESSES AT THEIR DISCRETION UNLESS AN EMERGENCY SHELTERS AND COOLING CENTERS.

>>> AS BUSINESSES STRUGGLE TO FILL JOB OPENINGS, A NEW SURVEY SUGGESTS WORKERS NOW HAVE THE UPPER HAND IN THE JOB MARKET KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER, TANIA THORNE TELLS US WHAT SOME ARE CALLING THE GREAT RESIGNATION.

>> Reporter: JOB FAIRS, HEALTH HELP-WANTED SIGNS AND SIGNING BONUSES ARE BEING SEEN THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO AS BUSINESSES RUSH TO HIRES STAFF AND ALL THE SIGNS SCREAM NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL INCLUDING PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY WORKING.

A NEW SURVEY SAYS ONE IN FOUR SAN DIEGO WORKERS PLAN TO LOOK FOR NEW JOB IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS >> THIS SHOULD BE ON EMPLOYERS' MINES ON HOW TO REDUCE TURNOVER.

AND IT IS BEING CALLED THE GREAT RESIGNATION.

ONE IN THREE PEOPLE NATIONWIDE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO QUIT >> Reporter: JOHN IS A SAN DIEGO VICE PRESIDENT OF ROBERT HALF, A GLOBAL PROFESSIONAL STAFFING FIRM THAT CONDUCTED THE SURVEY.

SAN DIEGANS SURVEYED SAID THEY ARE LOOKING FOR SALARY BOOST, CAREER ADVANCEMENT AND POSSIBILITY.

THEY WANT TO WORK FOR ORGANIZATIONS THAT ALIGN WITH PERSONAL VALUES.

EMPLOYERS NEED TO ASSESS WHAT THEY ARE OFFERING, HE SAYS BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE MORE OPTIONS THAN EVER.

>> THEY CAN USE INTENTIONAL STEPS TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE FADE AT OR ABOVE MARKET.

THEY ARE GIVEN THE FLEXIBILITY TO DO THEIR WORK WHEN AND HOW AND WHERE THEY WANT TO IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.

AND THAT THEY HAVE A PLAN TO GET TO THE NEXT PART OF THEIR ROLE.

>> Reporter: ERIC IS CEO OF THE SAN DIEGAN DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.

HE SAYS SEVERAL ARE HIRING.

>> WORKERS HAVE OPTIONS AND I THINK YOU WILL SEE WORKERS LOOK AROUND OR AT THINGS THAT PROVIDE THEM OPPORTUNITIES.

>> Reporter: ONE OPPORTUNITY THAT COULD MAKE PEOPLE MAKE A JOB CHANGE ARE SHORTER COMMUTES.

>> GREAT COMPANIES ALONG THE 78 CORRIDOR.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE 30 TO 50 MINUTES AND FIGHT THROUGH THE MARCH.

>> Reporter: AS PEOPLE ASKED FLOOR EXPLORE OPTIONS, THERE WILL BE CHANGES IN THE FALL AS CHILDCARE FACILITIES AND SCHOOLS OPEN.

>>> A GROUP OF CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, PARENTS AND THEIR CHILDREN GATHERED AT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, PUSHING FOR A PAY INCREASE.

CHILDCARE PROVIDERS SAY SINCE THE PANDEMIC HIT, THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES SIGNING UP HAS DROPPED THEIR EXPENSIVE EXPENSES HAVE GONE UP WITH COVID-19 PROTOCOLS IN PLACE.

SEAN TERRY BROWN OWNS HAPPY TIME LEARNING ACADEMY AND SHE SAYS A COST ABOUT $1300 PER MONTH TO OPERATE.

SHE ALSO SAYS IT HAS BEEN HARD TO HIRE AND KEEP STAFF WITH MINIMUM WAGE CHILDCARE PROVIDERS ARE GETTING.

>>> THEY CAN BARELY AFFORD THEIR OWN SALARY TO COVER THEIR OWN BILLS.

SO IF YOU GET A RAISE IT WILL ENABLE MORE PROVIDERS TO HAVE MORE ASSISTANCE AND MORE HELPERS.

>>> UNION LEADERS SAY THIS PAYRAISE WILL BE DISCUSSED IN SACRAMENTO AGAIN TOMORROW.

>>> AS THE SEVERE HEAT CONTINUES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, PEOPLE CAN CHILL AND SAVE MONEY BY HEADING TO A COOL ZONE SITE KPBS REPORTER, MELISSA MAY VISIT A FEW SITES AND ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE OPPORTUNITY.

>> Reporter: EL CAJON RESIDENT, RAYMOND GONZALEZ AND JOYCE LUNCH AT THE LAKESIDE COMMUNITY CENTER.

>> IT IS THE BEST THING AROUND ANY CENTER OF THIS TIME KIND IS ONE OF THE BEST SO WE CAN ENJOY IT.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS MAKING IT EASIER TO BEAT THE HEAT.

NINE COMMUNITY CENTERS AND LIBRARIES IN SOME HOTTEST AREAS OF THE COUNTY HAVE BEEN DESIGNATED COOL ZONE SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A C AND A SAFE SPACE, LOOK FOR ONE OF THESE SIGNS.

THE SITES AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SHARE AIR CONDITIONING DURING THE HEAT OF THE DAY.

THAT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT NOW THAT THE AGENCY RUNNING THE STATE'S ELECTRIC HAS ISSUED A FLEX ALERT FOR TOMORROW, CALLING ON CALIFORNIANS TO CONSERVE.

THE SPRING VALLEY COMMUNITY CENTER IS ANOTHER COOL ZONE.

JOE AND MAGRI IS THE SUPERVISOR AND CC IMPACT A COOL ZONE HAS.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT ARE LOW INCOME AND CAN RUN AIR- CONDITIONERS OR CAN'T HAVE AIR- CONDITIONING SO FOLKS CAN COME TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER.

WE SET THERMOSTATS COOL SO YOU CAN ENJOY READING BOOKS OR PLAYING CARDS OUT OF THE EXTREME HEAT.

>> Reporter: ARIZONA RESIDENT, ALICE ORTIZ ENJOYS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES WITH AIR- CONDITIONING.

>>> IT IS NICE TO COME TO THE CENTER HERE BECAUSE THEY DO HAVE AIR-CONDITIONING.

THEY HAVE THINGS TO DO FOR SENIORS AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE SO LONELY AT HOME.

>> Reporter: ALL LOCATIONS PROVIDE A SPACE TO READ OR PLAY GAMES.

OTHER LOCATIONS PROVIDE MOVIES AND COMPUTERS.

THIS IS A GREAT SPACE FOR PEOPLE WORKING FROM HOME WITHOUT AC.

>> PEOPLE WILL COME IN AND SET UP THEIR REMOTE WORKSTATION AND HANG OUT FOR FIVE OR SIX HOURS TO ENJOY COOL TEMPERATURES.

>> Reporter: THE COOL ZONES SERVE ANOTHER IMPORTANT FUNCTION.

>> SOME BENEFITS ARE SOCIAL INTERACTION.

WE HAVE BEEN WITHOUT THAT INTERACTION, THAT FACE-TO-FACE EXPERIENCE FOR OVER A YEAR SO IT'S A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO COME OUT AND HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO INTERACT.

>> Reporter: TO FIND THE CLOSEST COOL ZONE TO YOU GO TO COOL ZONES.ORG OR CALL 800-339- 4661.

MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE COULD SEE MORE FIRES IN THE COMING MONTHS AFTER A VERY DRY SPRING SEASON.

SAN DIEGO FIRE RESCUE PRESENTED ITS 2021 FIRE SEASON UP LOOK TO THE CITY COUNCIL'S PUBLIC SAFETY AND LIVABLE NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE TODAY.

THEY PREDICT THE NUMBER OF LARGE FIRES FOR JULY AND AUGUST IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS WILL BE ABOVE NORMAL THIS YEAR.

>> WHEN MEAT WE AS FIREFIGHTERS SEE THAT, IT IS UP TO US, WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR A VERY LARGE, HOT FIRE, WINDS THAT WILL MOVE QUICKLY AND IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH FIREFIGHT.

>> STATE OFFICIALS ARE KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR POTENTIAL BLACKOUTS.

THE CALIFORNIA INDEPENDENT SYSTEM OPERATOR HAS ISSUED A FLEX ALERT FOR TOMORROW.

THEY ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO REDUCE THEIR ELECTRICITY USE TWEEN 5:00 AND 10:00 P.M. TO EASE THE STRAIN ON THE POWER GRID.

>>> ANOTHER DAY OF KEEPING AN EYE ON THE POSSIBILITY OF RECORD HOT TEMPERATURES YET AGAIN.

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNINGS STILL REMAIN IN EFFECT AND UNFORTUNATELY, THERE IS NO RAIN IN SIGHT AND NO RELIEF FROM THIS HEAT INSIGHT ANYTIME SOON.

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNINGS REMAIN IN PLACE FOR EL CAJON, MOUNT LAGUNA THROUGH THE END OF THE WEEK.

SOME OF THESE LAST UNTIL FRIDAY NIGHT AND SOME LAST THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

TEMPERATURES FOR TONIGHT REALLY NOT COOLING OFF A LOT WE GET DOWN INTO THE MID 60s FOR OCEAN SIDE AND MOUNT LAGUNA ON GETTING DOWN INTO THE UPPER 70s.

IT IS ANOTHER SIZZLING HOT DAY OUT THERE FOR YOUR THURSDAY.

AGAIN, THE POTENTIAL RECORD HIGH TEMPERATURES WILL BE POSSIBLE HERE AS WE HEAD INTO YOUR THURSDAY.

NOT A WHOLE LOT OF CHANGE EVEN FOR FRIDAY.

TEMPERATURES ON THURSDAY, 77 IN OCEANSIDE, 90 IN ESCONDIDO, 97 IN RAMON, EL DORADO SPRINGS, TRIPLE DIGITS OUT THERE FOR YOU YET AGAIN.

GET READY.

THIS HEAT IS GOING TO STICK AROUND FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF DAYS.

THIS AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE IS GOING TO BE WEAKENING OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AND YOU WILL STILL SEE COASTAL COMFORT IN THE FORM OF A MARINE LAYER THAT WILL TRY TO KEEP HIS A LITTLE COOLER NEAR THE COAST.

TEMPERATURES STILL ABOVE AVERAGE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

HIGHS ARE GOING TO BE IN THE MID TO UPPER 70s.

WE WILL GET THAT COOL DOWN AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK BACK DOWN TO 73 DEGREES FOR THE DAYTIME HIGH WHICH IS BACK TO BASICALLY AVERAGE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

FURTHER INLAND, TEMPERATURES ARE STILL IN THE LOW TO MID 90s THROUGH SUNDAY.

THEN AFTER THAT, WE FINALLY SEE A DROP OFF BACK DOWN INTO THE UPPER 80s.

STILL IN THE MOUNTAINS, PRETTY TOASTY OUT THERE.

WE WILL SEE A DROP OFF POTENTIALLY ON SUNDAY TO THE 70s BUT MONDAY, STILL LOOKING WARM OUT THERE.

THE DESERT SOUTHWEST REMAINS VERY, VERY HOT.

NO RELIEF IN SIGHT FROM THAT TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M METEOROLOGIST, JESSICA PASH.

>>> SAN DIEGO CONSERVATIONISTS ARE ASKING THE CITY TO DO MORE TO PROTECT THE LION CUBS.

HERE IS KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER, ERIK ANDERSON.

>> Reporter: THE MARINE MAMMALS HAVE BEEN GIVEN BIRTH SINCE MEMORIAL DAY AND THE CROWDS ARE DRAWN TO THE SITE OF SEA LION MOMS AND THEIR PUPS.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN ONE DAY ALONE.

VIEWING THIS AND ENJOYING IT BUT AT THE SAME TIME, THEY HAVE NO IDEA THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BE DOWN THERE TOUCHING AND TRYING TO GET SELFIES.

>> Reporter: THE PUPS CAN'T SWIM FOR THE FIRST FEW MONTHS SO THEY LIVE ON THE ROCKY SHORELINE.

FEDERAL RULES PROHIBIT THE HARASSMENT OF MARINE MAMMALS BUT NOT EVERYONE KNOWS THE RULES.

PEOPLE WHO VOLUNTEER TO MONITOR OUR WITH STORIES OF UP CLOSE ENCOUNTERS BETWEEN SEA LIONS AND PEOPLE.

>> YOU GET TOO CLOSE TO HER MOTHER AND ABLE AND THAT IS 300 POUNDS COMING AT YOU SO SOMETIMES PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE THE RISK THEY ARE TAKING KIDDING CLOSE TO THEM.

A SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCILMAN PROMISED MORE SIGNAGE TOKES WEEKS AGO TO URGE RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AT THE SEA LION NURSERY.

SIERRA CLUB'S SEAL SOCIETY WANTS THE ROOKERY CLOSED TO PEOPLE JUST LIKE THE NEARBY HARBOR SEAL NURSERY.

THEY HAVE COUPLE OF SUGGESTIONS.

SOME OF ONE STRATEGY IS TO BLOCK THESE STAIRS WHICH GIVE PEOPLE EASY ACCESS TO THE BEACH.

>> Reporter: THE SOCIETY WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE SIGNAGE SO VISITORS GET GUIDANCE ABOUT APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHEN THE PROMISED SIGNAGE WOULD GO UP.

THEY WANT TO SEE METAL HANDRAILS ON TOP OF A SHORT WALL.

>> WHAT WE ARE ARGUING IS THAT ALL OF THIS AREA IS A VERY LOW WALL.

PEOPLE WILL OFTEN COME DOWN OVER THIS AREA.

YOU CAN SEE THE EROSION THAT COMES FROM THAT.

AND DIRECTLY, THEY ARE INTO AN AREA WITH A LOT OF SEA LIONS.

>> Reporter: THE SIERRA CLUB IS ASKING THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO TO INTERVENE TO DETECT FLEDGLING PUPS.

KPBS REACHED OUT TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE SEEKING COMMENT.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE ALL KNOW HOME PRICES ARE HIGH.

NOW WE CAN TACK ON ANOTHER 3%.

THAT IS THE INCREASE THIS PAST MONTH ON MEDIAN PRICED HOMES IN OUR COUNTY.

IT READY FOR THIS.

808 THOUSAND $260.

A YEAR AGO, THE MEDIAN PRICE, $655,000 WHICH IS A 39% JUMP IF YOU ARE COUNTING.

AND AS USUAL, A LACK OF INVENTORY IS BEING GIVEN AS THE MAIN REASON LAST MONTH HOME SALES DECLINED 3.2% COUNTYWIDE.

BUT WE ARE A WHOPPING 76% HIGHER YEAR OVER YEAR ACCORDING TO THE CALIFORNIA REALTORS ASSOCIATION.

>>> IF YOU HAVE PETS AT HOME, THEY MAY HAVE GOTTEN USED TO HAVING YOU AROUND FOR THE PAST 15 MONTHS.

BUT NOW, AS MORE OF US RETURNED TO WORK, THOSE PETS WILL HAVE TO ADJUST TO THEIR OWNERS BEING AWAY.

MIDDAY EDITION SPOKE WITH A MAN THAT WAS WITH AMANDA KOLSKY, DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AT THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY.

SHE SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT TO GIVE YOUR DOG OR CAT TIME TO GET USED TO THE NEW ROUTINE.

PRACTICE LEAVING THE MORON -- THEM ALONE FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME AND SET UP A CAMERA TO SEE HOW THEY ARE DOING.

YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR PET WITH A FROZEN TREAT WHICH HELPS TO ENRICH THEIR DAY.

>> LEAVING YOUR PET A POPSICLE WHEN YOU LEAVE SO THEY HAVE SOMETHING A LITTLE LONGER- LASTING BUT THEY CAN FORAGE FOR THAT FOOD.

IT HELPS STIMULATE THEIR MINDS.

>>> IF YOUR DOG LOVES BEING AROUND OTHER DOGS, DAY CARE PROGRAMS COULD PROVIDE SOCIAL INTERACTION AND EXERCISE AS WELL.

OR YOU COULD CONSIDER HIRING A DOG WALKER SO YOUR CUP ISN'T ALONE FOR EIGHT OR 10 HOURS WHILE YOU ARE AT WORK.

>>> IN THE HEIGHTS SERVES UP A RARE COMMODITY.

A BIG-BUDGET HOLLYWOOD MUSICAL CREATED BY PUERTO RICAN AMERICAN DIRECTED BY AN ASIAN AMERICAN AND FEATURING A RACIALLY DIVERSE CAST.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER, BETH ACCOMANDO EXPLORES WHAT A FILMLIKE THIS COULD MEAN FOR THE LATINO AND LET NEXT IMMUNITIES.

LATIN X COMMUNITIES.

>>> IT IS A LOVE LETTER TO THIS TYPE OF WORK.

I WAS IN WASHINGTON HEIGHTS AND I GREW UP THERE.

>> Reporter: IN THE HEIGHT, FROM THE FIRST TIME HE HEARD ABOUT LYNN MANUAL MIRANDA'S SHOW SET IN THE LARGELY DOMINICAN COMMUNITY OF WASHINGTON HEIGHTS.

>> THE IMPORTANT THING IS THE HEIGHTS IS CHANGING WITH GENTRIFICATION AND A LOT OF US CAN'T AFFORD TO BE THERE ANYMORE.

IT IS A DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOOD SO EVEN THAT WILL BECOME A TIME CAPSULE.

>> SAVE IT SO IT DOESN'T DISAPPEAR.

>> WASHINGTON HEIGHTS.

>> Reporter: "IN THE HEIGHTS" TELLS A PARTICULAR STORY ABOUT ONE COMMUNITY.

THE PLAYWRIGHT SAYS THAT IS NOT HOW HOLLYWOOD SEASON >> THEY PUT US ALL IN THIS ONE HOMOGENOUS GROUP, YOU KNOW AND IT IS JUST VERY UNFORTUNATE.

>> Reporter: UNFORTUNATE AND PROBLEMATIC SAYS ETHAN VAUGHN TAYLOR FOUNDER OF THE SAN DIEGO LATINO FILM FESTIVAL.

>> THE PROBLEM IS WE PUT TOO MUCH PRESSURE ON THESE MOVIES BECAUSE IT'S THE ONE FILM OF THE WHOLE YEAR.

THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES I HAVE SEEN THIS OVER THE YEAR.

ALL THIS PRESSURE PUT ON ONE FILM AND IF IT IS NOT A SUCCESS THEY SAY THAT IS WHY.

THE AUDIENCE DON'T WANT TO THE MOVIES.

WE PUT A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THEM BECAUSE WE WANT THEM TO REPRESENT ALL OF OUR FEELINGS.

ALL OF OUR HISTORY.

ALL OF OUR NUANCES.

>> THAT IS JUST IMPOSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: BOTH HAVE GROWN JADED ABOUT HOLLYWOOD TELLING THEIR STORIES.

>> I HEAR A LOT OF PEOPLE CELEBRATE, OH MY GOD, "IN THE HEIGHTS" IS GOING TO BE A BIG CHANGE IN WE WILL SEE MORE LATINOS IN FRONT OF THE SCREEN.

I HAVE HEARD THAT BEFORE AND WE HAVE SEEN THAT WITH OTHER FILMS >> Reporter: FILMS LIKE "ZOOT SUIT" WHICH CHALLENGED STEREOTYPES 40 YEARS AGO.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO COME BEFORE US AND FILMS LIKE "ZOOT SUIT" PAVE THE WAY FOR THESE TO BE MADE AND BE MADE IN HOLLYWOOD.

>> Reporter: FOR A YOUNG LATINO FILMMAKER LIKE LUIS MARTINEZ, THE FILM WAS A MIXED BAG.

>> I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN A LOT NEXT A LATIN X DIRECTOR BUT IT MADE ME FEEL GOOD THAT HE STUDIO PUT ITS MONEY BEHIND THE PROJECT LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: "IN THE HEIGHTS" WHICH OPENS IN THEATERS AND STREAMING ON HBO MAX UNDERPERFORMED IN THE BOX OFFICE IN HOLLYWOOD'S EYES BUT MARTINEZ SAYS THAT'S AN EASY STORY TO PITCH TO A DIRECTOR.

>> THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE REAL NEXT PROBLEM TOO PROJECT WILL GET THE REAL STREAMING NUMBERS FROM HBO MAX.

EVERY HBO MAX PASS IS BEING USED BY THREE OR FOUR LATINO FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: NO MATTER HOW THE FILM PERFORMED AT THE BOX OFFICE, THE LATINO COMMUNITY IS EXCITED ABOUT IT NEXT JUST SEEING HOW ALREADY FAMILIES ARE REACTING VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.

THIS SENSE OF PRIDE AND SEEING ONESELF ON THE BIG SCREEN.

>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE REACTING EMOTIONALLY BECAUSE WE DON'T SEE OURSELVES WE JUST DON'T SEE OURSELVES ON FILM.

WE HAVE TONS OF STORIES BUT THEY ARE JUST NOT REPRESENTED >> Reporter: A LACK OF AFRO- LATINO REPRESENTATION IN THE FILM STIRRED WITTICISM BUT WITH SO FEW FOCUSED ON LATINO CHARACTERS, MARTINEZ SUGGESTS SUPPORTING THE FILM AND RECOGNIZING ITS SHORTCOMING.

WE ARE STILL SUPPORTING IT SO ARTIST CREATING CONTENT AND TELLING STORIES IN ALL GENRES HAVE THE CHANCE TO MAKE MORE FILMS.

THAT IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE COME OUT OF THIS.

>> Reporter: "IN THE HEIGHTS" PLACE TRIBUTE TO OLD MGM MUSICALS AND THE BIG PRODUCTION NUMBERS ARE WORTHY OF THE BIG- SCREEN.

>> BIG, EXPLOSIVE HIM A BIG NUMBERS.

THE WAY HE OPENS IT AND USES HIS IMAGINATION.

BACK CAN WE MAKE A LITTLE NOISE TONIGHT?

>> THE WAY IT IS SHOT AND TO HEAR IT IN THE ADOBE THEATER.

IT DOESN'T HAPPEN OFTEN.

NOT AT ALL.

>> Reporter: DETAILS THAT TELL THE WORLD WE ARE NOT INVISIBLE.

BETH ACCOMANDO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ON THE NEWS HOUR, FACE-OFF.

PRESIDENT BIDEN MEETS WITH AUTOMATIC PUT IN ON CYBER WARFARE AND MORE.

COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING EDITION OF KPBS.

>>> HERE IS ANOTHER LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

CALIFORNIA IS REOPENING AND IT COMES AS THE CDC IS CALLING THE DELTA STRAIN OF THE CORONAVIRUS A VARIANT OF CONCERN.

THE MORE CONTAGIOUS STRAIN ORIGINATED IN INDIA AND NOW MAKES UP MORE THAN 90% OF THE CASES IN THE UK.

THAT IS WHY DOCTORS ARE URGING EVERYONE TO GET VACCINATED SO WE CAN REACH 'HERD IMMUNITY'.

>>> AND IT IS BEING CALLED THE GREAT RESIGNATION.

A NEW SURVEY FINDS MORE THAN ONE IN FOUR SAN DIEGO WORKERS PLAN TO LOOK FOR A NEW JOB IN THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS.

THE ROBERT HALL RESEARCH FOUND EMPLOYERS SHOULD PREPARE FOR THE WAVE AND THAT WORKERS WANT BETTER PAY AND BETTER OPPORTUNITIES.

MANY LOCAL WORKERS ALSO WANT A FULLY REMOTE JOB AS WELL AS FULL-TIME CONTRACTING AND AN ORGANIZATION THAT AN ALLIANCE WITH THEIR PERSONAL VALUES.

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

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

I HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING ADDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS.

AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1988 >>> AND BY THE CONRAD PURVIS FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCOS SHYLY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

>> ♪ ♪ >> AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU!

>> ♪ ♪ ♪