>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES , PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR, RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL-HOWE , OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

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 JUNE 27th.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

FROM OUR BEACHES TO BALBOA PARK, WE'VE HEARD A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT PEOPLE SELLING PRODUCTS ON SIDEWALKS, AND WE ARE JUST HOURS INTO NEW ROLES AND THAT THING IN AND OUT THE OVERCROWDING.

WE WENT TO SEE IF IT'S WORKING.

>> Reporter: BALBOA PARK BEFORE, CROWDED WITH STREET VENDORS.

BALBOA PARK AFTER A NEW ORDINANCE WENT INTO EFFECT TODAY , THE SCENE IS VERY DIFFERENT.

THE VENDORS WERE VISIBLE, BUT YOU COULD STILL SEE SOME OF THE TRACES OF THEIR PRESENCE.

>> RIGHT NOW ON IS THE, I SWEAR I WAS LOOKING AROUND FOR THEM.

THERE IS NOTHING.

>> Reporter: SHE FREQUENTS THE PARK WITH HER FAMILY PICS >> I LOVE THE STREET VENDORS.

EVERY TIME WE ARE HERE, WE MAKE SURE TO GRAB ANOTHER TAKE, AND THE CHURROS.

IT SUCKS THAT THEY ARE NOT HERE ANYMORE.

IT IS A LOT CHEAPER THEN BUYING THE $10 DIPPIN' DOTS.

>> Reporter: PARK RANGERS ARE AT BALBOA TO EDUCATE BUT NOT YET FINE THE VENDORS, BUT IN THE BEACH AREAS, THEY CANNOT GET ENFORCED TO THE SAME DEGREE, DUE TO THE PENDING STATUS OF THE ORDINANCE, AND THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION.

CANDY HOGAN LIVES IN MISSION BEACH, AND SAYS ENFORCEMENT IS NEEDED NOW.

>> THEY ARE ALL NICE PEOPLE, AND I APPRECIATE THEIR TRY TO MAKE A LIVING, JUST DO IT AT THE EXPENSE OF ALL THE OTHER FAMILIES THAT LIVE ENGLAND, YOU KNOW, AND WANT TO COME AND ENJOY THE PARK.

>> Reporter: HOGAN SAYS SOME VENDORS BLOCK THE PATHWAYS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.

>> THEY ARE RIGHT WHERE VEHICLES ARE SUPPOSED TO GO INTO THE STAND OF SOMEONE IS DROWNING, OR IF THEY NEED TO GET THAT AMBULANCE DOWN HERE TO GIVE THEM OXYGEN, THEY CAN'T.

THEY HAVE SET UP IN THE ENTRANCE TO THE OCEAN.

>> Reporter: ERIC IS A VENDOR IN MISSION BEACH WHO SEES THE SCENE FROM A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW.

HE USED TO OWN A BRICK AND MORTAR STORE, BUT THAT HE WASN'T GETTING ENOUGH SALES.

HE SAYS THAT HIS CHANGED NOW.

>> I DON'T NEED TO TELL YOU INFLATION IS OUT OF CONTROL RIGHT NOW.

IF I WAS WORD WORKING I JEVON HADN'T RETIRED, I'D BE BROKE.

I THINK IT IS A GOOD THING.

WE DO NEED REGULATIONS HERE, BECAUSE IT HAS KIND OF BEEN LIKE THE WILD WEST AT TIMES.

HOWEVER MOTHER FACT THAT THEY KICK US OUT OF HERE AND DON'T WANT US HERE AT ALL, I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT.

>> Reporter: BUT BACK IN BALBOA PARK, MUSICIAN CHET HARRISON SAYS HE FEELS MIXED EMOTIONS ABOUT THE NEW RULES.

>> IT DOES CAUSE ME A BIT OF COGNITIVE DISSONANCE, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, HERE I AM, KIND OF DOING THE SAME THING, YOU KNOW, IT IS JUST THAT I AM PROVIDING A FREE SERVICE AS WELL, BECAUSE NOBODY HAS TO TIP ME IF THEY DON'T WANT TO.

>> Reporter: THE PARK RANGERS SAY THEY WILL KEEP EDUCATING VENDORS, BUT EVENTUALLY THEY PLAN TO START ISSUING CITATIONS.

KPBS NEWS .

>>> LOCAL GAS PRICES CONTINUE TO GO IN THE DOWN DIRECTION, ALBEIT SLOWLY PICK ACCORDING TO AAA, THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A GALLON OF REGULAR IS DOWN FOR THE SEVENTH STRAIGHT DAY.

IT IS NOW $6.31, AND THAT'S ONLY ABOUT SIX CENTS CHEAPER THAN THE AVERAGE FROM LAST WEEK, WHICH WAS A RECORD $6.37.

>>> RESIDENT BIDEN NOW WANTS CONGRESS TO TEMPORARILY SUSPEND THE FEDERAL GAS TAX, AND FOR STATES TO DO THE SAME.

KITTY ALVARADO TELLS US ABOUT THE SUPPORT THIS IDEA IS GETTING IN CALIFORNIA.

>>> TODAY AND CALLING ON CONGRESS TO SUSPEND THE FEDERAL GAS TAX FOR THE NEXT 90 DAYS, THROUGH THE BUSY SUMMER SEASON, BUSY TRAVEL SEASON.

RESIDENT BIDEN IS URGING CONGRESS TO GIVE AMERICANS A TAX BREAK FOR THE HOLIDAY.

HE ALSO CALLED OUT OIL COMPANIES, AND ASKED THEM TO LOWER PRICES.

>> YOUR CUSTOMERS, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, THEY NEED RELIEF NOW.

>> Reporter: AND HE IS CALLING ON STATES TO SUSPEND THEIR TAXES AS WELL.

IT IS SOMETHING MANY HAVE BEEN ASKING GOVERNOR NEWSOM TO DO FOR MONTHS, INCLUDING REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR BRIAN DALI, WHO IS RUNNING AGAINST NEWSOM FOR GOVERNOR.

>> THIS WOULD REDUCE NOT ONLY THE COST PER GALLON, BUT ALSO THE COST OF YOUR FOOD.

EVERYTHING THAT IS GROWN IN CALIFORNIA IS MOVED BY TRUCKS, AND DIESEL TRACTORS, THAT FARM, AND THAT IS ALL DRIVING THE COST MOVING UP.

IT IS A TWO FOLD OPPORTUNITY IF YOU REDUCE THAT TAX.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS IT'S A BETTER OPTION THAN THE $400 PER VEHICLE REBATE THAT NEWSOM PROPOSED WHEN LAWMAKERS WERE COOL TO THE IDEA OF PAUSING THE PLANNED JULY 1st INCREASE IN THE CALIFORNIA GAS TAX.

>> HE WOULD'VE SAVED OVER THIS YEAR APPROXIMATELY $2500 SO FAR THAT YOUR FAMILY WOULD HAVE SAVED IF WE WERE TO REDUCE THE GAS TAX A YEAR AGO.

>> Reporter: ALAN JANE IS AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO.

HE SAYS SUSPENDING STATE AND FEDERAL GAS TAXES WILL HELP, ADDING UP TO A SAVINGS OF ABOUT $.70 PER GALLON.

HE SAYS PAUSING THE FEDERAL TAX ALONE WILL GIVE THE LOCAL ECONOMY A BIG BOOST.

>> MY ESTIMATE IS THAT FOR EVERY SINGLE SENT THAT THE PRICE OF GASOLINE GOES DOWN, THAT WOULD ADD $1 MILLION PER MONTH TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY, SO IF THIS ENTIRE $0.18 COULD BE PASSED ON, THAT WOULD BE ANOTHER $18 MILLION A MONTH IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: AND HE SAYS THERE IS A RISK THE SAVINGS WILL BE PASSED ON TO CONSUMERS.

IN THAT SENSE, HE SAYS A REBATE CHECK FROM THE STATE WOULD BE BETTER.

>> IF YOU CUT THE TAX, GAS STATIONS WOULD HAVE TO PAY LESS OF THE TAX TO THE GOVERNMENT, BUT THEY ARE NOT FORCED TO GIVE IT ALL BACK TO CONSUMERS AT A LOWER PRICE.

SO THAT IS WHERE THE REBATE COMES IN.

IT WOULD GIVE ALL THE MONEY TO CONSUMERS THAN IN THAT CASE.

>> Reporter: SO YOU COULD TAKE CONSUMERS A LONG TIME BEFORE THEY SEE RELIEF AT THE PUMP.

KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS .

>>> A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF SENATORS HAS REACHED WHAT IS BEING CALLED A LANDMARK COMPROMISE ON GUN SAFETY, AND IT COMES AS GRIEF STRICKEN PARENTS IN TEXAS ARE STILL COMING TO GRIPS ON THE FAILURE THERE TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN.

WE HAVE MORE ON THAT, AND WHAT IS IN THE GUN DEAL.

>> Reporter: UVALDE PARENTS ONCE PARALYZED BY GRIEF NOW ANIMATED BY ANGER AND DISBELIEF.

>> I JUST DON'T GET HOW YOU CAN HEAR THESE KIDS, YOU KNOW, CRYING, AND ASKING FOR HELP.

>> Reporter: ANGEL GARZA LOST HIS DAUGHTER, HIS PAIN DRIVEN DEEPER AFTER TEXAS IS TOP TROOPER REVEALED OFFICERS WERE ON THE SCENE WITHIN THREE MINUTES OF THE GUNMEN ENTERING THE SCHOOL.

>> THE OFFICERS HAD WEAPONS AND THE CHILDREN HAD NONE.

THE OFFICERS HAD BODY ARMOR AND THE CHILDREN HAD NUMB.. >> Reporter: HE SAYS THEY DIDN'T EVEN TRY TO OPEN THE UNLOCKED CLASSROOM DOOR.

MEANTIME THE GUNMAN WAS INSIDE FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR.

>> THE KIDS WERE PROBABLY LAYING THERE, JUST THINKING WHERE THEIR PARENTS WERE.

AND WE WERE RIGHT OUTSIDE.

>> THE MOTION IS AGREED TO.

>> Reporter: FROM THE AVERAGE TO A BREAKTHROUGH ON CAPITOL HILL.

>> A GUN SAFETY BILL THAT CAN BE DESCRIBED WITH THREE WORDS, COMMON SENSE, BIPARTISAN, LIFESAVING POINT >> Reporter: A LANDMARK COMPROMISE WITH $750 MILLION FOR CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAMS, CLOSING THE BOYFRIEND LOOPHOLE, AND GUNS TAKEN FROM SOME PEOPLE CONVICTED OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST AN UNMARRIED PARTNER.

>> I BELIEVE THIS GETS TO THE PRESIDENT'S DESK BY THE END OF JULY.

>> Reporter: THERE WERE ALSO REQUIREMENTS FOR MORE SELLERS TO REGISTER AS FEDERALLY LICENSED FIREARMS DEALERS, AND NEW STATUTES AGAINST GUN TRAFFICKING.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> GUN VIOLENCE ON MASS TRANSIT IN SAN FRANCISCO LEFT ONE PERSON DEAD THIS MORNING.

CITY LEADERS SAY ANOTHER PERSON SURVIVED AFTER BEING SHOT ON A SUBWAY TRAIN.

POLICE HAVE NOT MADE AN ARREST.

>>> A NEW ALERT TIP LINE IS NOW IN USE IN THE CITY OF PA WAY.

THAT COUNSEL THERE APPROVED A SIX MONTH TRIAL THAT WILL ALLOW RESIDENTS TO REPORT ANY SAFETY CONCERNS.

THE MAYOR HOPES THE OTHER LINE WILL HELP PREVENT AN ACT OF MASS VIOLENCE IN HIS CITY.

>> A COMBINATION OF UVALDE AND BUFFALO AND BOULDER AND CHARLOTTESVILLE AND PITTSBURGH , AND EVEN POWER, WE WANT TO SAY NO TO THAT IN THIS CITY.

SO WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO MAKE THIS CITY A LITTLE MORE SAFE, WE ARE GOING TO TRY.

>> THE MAYOR ADDS THE 85 556 ALERT NUMBER ONE REPLACE 911, AND THAT IT IS SIMILAR TO THE UNIFIED TIP LINE HE CREATED FOUR YEARS AGO FOR ANY SCHOOL RELATED THREATS.

THE LINE AS EXCLUSIVE TO THE TOWN, AND CAN BE ANONYMOUS.

>>> THIS WEEK, KPBS HAS BEEN REPORTING ON THE COVID VACCINE ROLLOUT FOR KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 5.

IT COMES AS NEW CASE NUMBERS SHOW AN IMPROVEMENT.

THE COUNTY'S LATEST REPORTING SHOWS DAILY CASES IN RECENT DAYS BELOW 1000 AFTER SPENDING THE PAST WEEK ABOVE THAT THRESHOLD.

THE PEAK WITH MORE THAN 1800 NEW CASES ON JUNE 15th, AND THESE NUMBERS DON'T INCLUDE AT- HOME TESTS THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL TAKING.

>>> THE GLOBAL MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK IS AT 3000 CASES WORLDWIDE, AND GROWING.

AT LEAST 156 CASES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN THE U.S., AND IS KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN TELLS US, OFFICIALS ARE TRACKING A FEW CASES HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: SO FAR HEALTH OFFICIALS HAVE IDENTIFIED THREE PROBABLE CASES OF MONKEYPOX IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THEY SAY THE RISKS TO THE COMMUNITY IS VERY LOW.

>> THERE IS NO INDICATION AT THIS TIME THAT THERE IS COMMUNITY SPREAD.

THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED IN OTHER PLACES, BUT WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT HERE IN SAN DIEGO JUST YET.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY MEDICAL DIRECTOR SAYS ALL THREE CASES ARE TIED TO INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, AND THEY ARE NOT RELATED.

THE CASES ARE THE FIRST KNOWN INSTANCES OF MONKEYPOX IN SAN DIEGO, AND THEY ARE PART OF A LARGER, GLOBAL OUTBREAK.

THE VIRUS IS FROM THE SAME FAMILY THAT CAUSES SMALLPOX, AND IT CAN LEAD TO RASHES AND FLULIKE SYMPTOMS.

>> WHAT WE ARE FINDING IN THIS CURRENT OUTBREAK IS THAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE JUST, OFTEN THEY PRESENT WITH EVEN JUST A RASH.

ORAL LESIONS, SCATTERED PARTS OF THE BODY, SO NOT YOUR TYPICAL WHAT WE CALL THIS RASH THAT PEOPLE SEE.

THEY CAN BE VERY SUBTLE FINDINGS.

THEY CAN LOOK LIKE ALMOST, THERE IS CONCERN IT COULD LOOK LIKE ACNE.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY IS ASKING LOCAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS TO BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR THE VIRUS.

CDC OFFICIALS SAY IT IS A MUCH MORE DIFFICULT DISEASE TO TRANSMIT COMPARED TO COVID-19.

REQUIRES CLOSE, PHYSICAL CONTACT.

>> TOUCHING SOMEONE WHO HAS ACTIVE LESIONS, OR THE BODILY FLUIDS, BASICALLY INTIMATE TYPE CONTACT, WHETHER PHYSICAL CONTACT OR SEXUAL CONTACT.

>> Reporter: NO ONE HAS NEEDED TO BE HOSPITALIZED IN SAN DIEGO.

OFFICIALS SAY EARLY DETECTION IS KEY.

>> THEN WE CAN DO PROPER CONTACT TRACING, AND HELP PREVENT DISEASE AND THOSE WHO WERE EXPOSED.

>> Reporter: DR. FRANCESCA TORI ANNA FROM UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH SAYS THE MONKEYPOX STRAIN WE ARE SEEING IS LESS SEVERE.

>> ALL OF THE STRAINS IN THIS VERY LARGE MONKEYPOX OUT TO IN THE WORLD ARE FROM WEST AFRICA.

THERE ARE TWO CIRCULATING STRAINS, BUT THIS IS THE MILDER TRANSMISSION OF THE DISEASE, THE MILDER FORM OF THE DISEASE.

>> Reporter: MONKEYPOX SYMPTOMS CAN LAST UP TO FOUR WEEKS.

THE CDC SAYS PRIOR VACCINATION AGAINST SMALLPOX MAY PROVIDE PROTECTION.

COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE UPDATING THE LOCAL SITUATION EVERY FRIDAY.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR e- CIGARETTES ON THE MARKET MIGHT SOON BE PULLED FROM STORES.

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORTS THE FDA CAN MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT AS SOON AS TODAY.

JUUL HAS RECEIVED CRITICISM IN RECENT YEARS FROM HEALTH EXPERTS WHO SAY THE PRODUCT IS AN ENTRY POINT TO SMOKING FOR TEENS.

THE COMPANY STOPPED SELLING FLAVORED e-CIGARETTES IN 2019, SHORTLY BEFORE THE FDA BANNED THE PRODUCTS.

>>> I AM JUDY WOODRUFF, TONIGHT ON "NEWS HOUR" PRESIDENT BIDEN ASKS CONGRESS TO SUSPEND THE FEDERAL GAS TAX TO CURB RISING PRICES.

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

>>> THESE PICTURES FROM CAL FIRE SHOW SOME OF THE 70 ACRES BURNED NEAR THE MEXICAN BORDER.

THIS IS EAST OF OTAY MESA.

TODAY FIRE CREWS ARE IN MOP UP DUTY AFTER STOPPING THE SPREAD.

SOME OF THE DAMAGE EXTENDED INTO MEXICO, BUT THIS IS MILES FROM ANY BUILDINGS.

FIREFIGHTERS DON'T KNOW THE CAUSE YET.

THE WEATHER HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN RECENT DAYS, WITH A CHANCE FOR THUNDERSTORMS.

>>> WE'VE HAD SOME CLOUDS AND SHOWERS, AND EVEN IF YOU ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS MUCH OF THE SOUTHWEST, EVEN INTO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THE GOOD NEWS IS WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE SOME DRYING THROUGH EVERY THURSDAY.

HOWEVER, WE CAN'T RULE OUT A POSSIBLE SHOWER ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN OR DESERTS THROUGHOUT THE DAY ON THURSDAY.

IT DOES TURN DRY PEER CONDITIONS BECOME MORE STABLE, ESPECIALLY AS WE ENTER THE WEEKEND ON FRIDAY, AND EVEN FOR SATURDAY.

FOR TODAY, THIS IS THE SET UP WITH HAD.

IT'S BEEN COMFORTABLE ACROSS THE GREAT BASIN.

WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH SOME PRETTY HEAVY RAIN SHOWERS ACROSS THE FOUR CORNERS, ESPECIALLY NEW MEXICO.

HERE IS THAT WEEK EDDIE THAT WE HAVE BEEN WATCHING, THE COASTAL LOW THAT HAS BROUGHT SOME CONDITIONS TO SOME AREAS AND COOLER TEMPERATURES RIGHT AT THE COAST, BUT IT HAS ALSO BROUGHT SOME CLOUDY CONDITIONS WITH THAT THICK MARINE LAYER.

NOTICE TEMPERATURES TONIGHT, 67 , NOT A LOT OF COOLING.

GIVEN FURTHER INLAND, YOU WILL STILL HAVE BUT IS AROUND 61 IN RAMONA.

SO, WE START TO SEE THINGS CHANGE UP.

WE STILL HAVE SPOTTY SHOWERS THEM OF THIS MOIST FLOW DOES WEAKEN ACROSS THE FOUR CORNERS.

IT'S VERY HOT ACROSS THE SIERRA NEVADA.

WILL STILL BE WEAK WITH THAT ONSHORE FLOW, AND IT WILL KEEP WITH THE CLASS ACROSS THE AREA FOR YOUR THURSDAY MIGHT EVEN ACROSS SAN DIEGO.

YOU MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT OF SUNSHINE AS WE GO ON THROUGHOUT THE AFTERNOON HOURS AND GET SOME CLEARING.

THAT SHOULD WARM YOU UP A LITTLE BIT TO AROUND 26, 94 BORREGO SPRINGS.

THIS IS WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FOR THE FIVE-DAY A LOOK AT THE COAST.

TEMPERATURES WILL REMAIN STEADY.

THEY WILL ALSO REMAIN PRETTY STEADY INTO THOSE UPPER 80s.

WE DON'T START TO SEE SOME LOWER 90s BACK IN THE PICTURE UNTIL WE HAD TO SEND A.

THIS IS STILL GOING TO BE INLAND, AND THEN OF COURSE INTO SOME HIGHER ELEVATIONS ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS, AND SLIGHTLY COOLER.

LOOK AT THE HUGE JUMP UP IN TEMPERATURE THAT WE SEE WITH THE BIG WARMING TREND, ESPECIALLY ON MONDAY, 92 DEGREES ACROSS THE DESERT.

TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT ALL THE WAY THROUGH NEXT MONDAY.

>>> PART OF CALIFORNIA'S CENTRAL COAST WILL BE CLOSED THE REST OF THE WEEK AFTER A SHARK ATTACK.

IT HAPPENED THIS MORNING IN THE CITY OF PACIFIC GROVE NEAR MONTEREY.

FIRST RESPONDERS IS A GOOD SAMARITANS HELPED THE MAN WHO WAS BITTEN.

HIS INJURIES ARE DESCRIBED AS SERIOUS.

IT'S UNCLEAR WHAT TYPE OF SHARK WAS INVOLVED, BUT MORE GREAT WHITES HAVE BEEN SPOTTED IN THE AREA IN RECENT YEARS.

>>> WITH SUMMER NOW IN FULL SPRING, LOCAL BEACHES WILL BE A POPULAR PLACE TO BE THE HEAT.

TODAY THE ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP HEAL THE BAY RELEASED ITS LATEST REPORT CARD.

ERIC ANDERSON HAS THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 90% OF THE REGIONS BEACHES GOT A NIGHT LETTER A GRADE FOR QUALITY.

THE NUMBER ROSE TO 94% WHEN THEY WERE ADDED TOGETHER.

MUST RAIN OVER THE WINTER HELPED KEEP POLLUTION FROM FILING THE OCEAN, BUT THERE ARE TROUBLE SPOTS, INCLUDING SOUTH COUNTY BEACHES JUST NORTH OF THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER.

>> THOSE TEND TO HAVE ELEVATED LEVELS OF BACTERIA, BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH SEWAGE ENTERING THE OCEAN, SO WE HAD ONE OF THOSE SITES ON THE BEACH BUMMER LIST THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: IS CONFIDENT CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS AND TOURISTS WILL HAVE CLEAN OCEAN WATER FOR RECREATION THIS SUMMER.

HE SAYS CHOOSING THE RIGHT BEACH CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> A BIG WIDE OPEN BEACH WHERE THERE ARE NO OBSTRUCTIONS, LIKE A SEAWALL OR LANDMASS BLOCKING THE BEACH FROM THE OPEN OCEAN, THOSE PLACES, THERE ARE WAVES AND CURRENTS THAT ARE CONTINUOUSLY FLUSHING CONTAMINANTS AWAY FROM THE SHORELINE.

THE WATER IS ALWAYS MOVING, SO IF YOU POUR SOMETHING INTO THE WATER, YOU WILL SEE IT AS QUICKLY MOVED TO A DIFFERENT AREA.

>> Reporter: WINTER GRADES WERE SLIGHTLY LOWER ACROSS THE BOARD BECAUSE RAIN TENDS TO FLUSH CONTAMINANTS OUT OF URBAN AREAS AND INTO THE OCEAN, RAISING CHANCES THAT A BEACH WILL BE POSTED FOR POLLUTION.

ERIK ANDERSON , KPBS NEWS.

>>> SOME SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS ARE WORKING HARD THIS SUMMER TO SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT.

THEY ARE INTERNS IN A PROGRAM RESEARCHING LOCAL BAYS AND THE OCEAN.

HERE IS KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER MG PEREZ.

>> Reporter: THAT IS ABOUT 1.5 INCHES OF CLAM MOTHER PERFECT SIZE FOR THIS EXPERIMENT.

>> AND LOOKING AT SEAGRASS, HOW IT IS AFFECTED BY THE LIGHT AND TEMPERATURE, AND ITS INTERACTION WITH CLAIMS.

JESSICA GRIFFIN IS A SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY PHD CANDIDATE STUDYING MARINE ECOLOGY.

TURNS OUT CLAMS OR POSSIBLE FILTERS TO CLEAN AWAY ALGAE THAT KILLS SEAGRASS, AND THERE IS SEAGRASS ALL ALONG THE CALIFORNIA COAST.

IT STOPS UNDERWATER EROSION, SLOWS DOWN DESTRUCTIVE STORM SURGE, AND SERVES AS A NURSERY FOR BABY CRABS AND SPINY LOBSTERS.

THAT IS WHY SHE IS CONDUCTING EXPERIMENTS, AND ENCOURAGING YOUNGER STUDENTS TO ENTER THE FIELD.

>> IS CLIMATE CHANGE BECOMES MORE SEVERE, HABITAT DESTRUCTION CONTINUES COASTAL POLLUTION, ESPECIALLY IN URBAN AREAS, IS STILL A BIG CONCERN, SO I THINK THAT THERE IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE A DEMAND.

>> Reporter: SOMETIMES THESE THINGS COME HOME WITH US BACK TO THE LAB, AND WE DON'T NECESSARILY MEAN IT, AND THEY DON'T WANT TO DIE.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE STUDENTS FROM MIRAMAR COLLEGE, INTERNING HERE AT THE COASTAL MARINE INSTITUTE LAB FOR THE SUMMER.

THEY ARE WORKING WITH GRIFFIN AND OTHER MENTORS TO PREPARE FOR THEIR PROFESSIONAL CAREERS IN SAVING THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> YOU DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE NEXT STEP IS, WHAT IS THE NEXT BEST STEP SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OF MAKING OUR PLANET HEALTHY AGAIN.

>> IT IS BECOMING SUCH A HUGE PROBLEM THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL BE LEFT WITH, AND WE NEED TO DO OUR PART NOW TO STOP THESE EFFECTS THAT IT IS HAVING.

>> Reporter: THERE ONLY FIVE COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO WERE ACCEPTED AS INTERNS, AND THEY ARE DOING RESEARCH EVERY DAY JENSEN EVEN HELPED HARVEST THAT VALUABLE SEAGRASS IN THE WATERS OFF OF SHELTER ISLAND.

BY NEXT SUMMER, THERE IS HOPE THAT EVEN MORE COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS FROM ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY COULD END UP USING SAN DIEGO BAY FOR THIS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, AND ADMINISTRATORS HAVE APPLIED FOR STATE MONEY IN THE FORM OF SOMETHING APPROPRIATELY CALLED A CALIFORNIA SEA GRANT.

THAT WOULD BRING $75,000 TO THIS RESEARCH, AND OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSERVED STUDENTS.

>> TO LITERALLY GET THEIR HANDS AND FEET WET DOING FIELDWORK, AND DOING ACTUAL SCIENCE IN THE LABORATORY, AND GETTING THIS KIND OF DIRECT REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES.

>> Reporter: THEIR LOVE OF NATURE AND ANIMALS WILL HELP TO.

>>> SCIENTISTS AT UC SAN DIEGO ARE LEADING WHAT THEY CALL THE BIGGEST COMMUNITY SCIENCE PROJECT EVER ON ANIMAL COMMUNICATION.

DOGS ARE TOUCHING BUTTONS ON SOUNDBOARDS WITH THEIR PAWS OR THEIR NOSE, ALLOWING THEM TO COMMUNICATE TO HUMANS WORDS, THOUGHTS, AND MAYBE EVEN SENTENCES.

WE HAVE THE STORY.

>> Reporter: AGENT COLLOQUIUM AT UC SAN DIEGO WAS HELD TO RECOGNIZE THE COMMUNITY SCIENCE PROJECT ON ANIMAL COGNITION THE EVENT WAS CATERED, BUT NOT WITH ANY DOG FOOD.

TOO BAD FOR OSKY AND MILA, WHO YOU COULD ARGUE WERE GUESTS OF HONOR.

TAYLOR ARCO IS THE OWNER OF MILA, WHO HAS A LOT TO SAY.

>> SHE USES ATTENTION WORDS LIKE SCRATCHES, OR LOVE YOU, A LOT.

SHE ALSO LIKES TO ASK FOR POCKET, AND SHE NEVER LET US FORGET WHEN IT IS TIME TO EAT.

>> Reporter: SHE'S TALKING ABOUT THE BUTTONS THAT HER DOG PUSHES ON A SOUND BOARD ON THE FLOOR TO TELL HUMANS WHAT IS ON HER MIND.

THE SOUNDBOARD HAS AN ARRAY OF BUTTONS SENT INTO PLASTIC TILES THAT OWNERS CAN ARRANGE HOWEVER THEY WANT.

WHEN PUSHED, THE BUTTONS SAY THINGS LIKE PLAY, OUTSIDE, EAT, AND SCRITCHES, WHICH ARE SCRATCHY CARESSES DOCS LIKE.

MILA IS A HUSKY COLLIE MIX WHO TAYLOR SAYS USES 31 WORDS.

SHE HAS ABOUT 240,000 FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM.

>> OUR GOAL WAS NEVER TO HIT A CERTAIN WORD COUNT, OR A CERTAIN NUMBER OF FOLLOWERS.

OUR GOAL WAS JUST TO IMPROVE HER QUALITY OF LIFE, SO WE ONLY ADD BUTTONS THAT WE THINK SHE IS REALLY GOING TO USE ON A DAILY BASIS, AND THINGS THAT WILL BENEFIT HER.

SO LONG AS SHE HAS A NEED TO COMMUNICATE, OR A NEED FOR A NEW WORD, WE WILL CONTINUE.

>> Reporter: ARCO IS ONE OF 1200 PEOPLE IN 47 COUNTRIES EXPECTED TO PROVIDE DATA ABOUT THEIR DOGS ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE .

THIS SCIENCE PROJECT IS LED BY UC SAN DIEGO COGNITIVE SCIENTIST FEDERICO ROSSANO .

HE SAYS STUDYING COGNITION IN ANIMALS HELPS US UNDERSTAND WHAT IS UNIQUELY HUMAN THINKING, AND WHAT IS SHARED WITH OTHER CREATURES, AND GIVING DOGS A TALKING SOUNDBOARD -- >> WE TRY TO SEE WHETHER THEY CAN LEARN SYMBOLS, LIKE CHILDREN FOR EXAMPLE COULD, AND WANT TO TEACH THEM THIS, WHAT KIND OF USE TO THE MAKE OF THESE TOOLS.

DO YOU START SEEING THINGS LIKE WHAT A CHILD WOULD DO MY WHICH IS ONCE YOU GET TO 40 OR 50 WORDS, YOU START PUTTING THEM TOGETHER INTO SENTENCES.

>> Reporter: CAN DOGS FORM SENTENCES?

BASED ON THE EVIDENCE HE HAS SEEN SO FAR, ROSSANO GIVES A QUALIFIED YES .

IT IS HIS WORKING HYPOTHESIS.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, MONEY, THE MOST FAMOUS, WOULD SAY THINGS LIKE DOG WANT CAT DOWN, TO BASICALLY SAY I WANT THE CAT THAT IS SITTING UP THERE TO COME DOWN THE MUSCLE IT WOULD LITERALLY PUSH ALL THOSE BUTTONS ONE AFTER THE OTHER.

>> Reporter: BUNNY, THE FAMOUS TALKING DOG.

SHE IS A SHEEP-A-DOODLE IN WASHINGTON STATE WITH MILLIONS OF TIKTOK'S FOLLOWERS.

IN ONE VERY WELL-KNOWN VIDEO, BUNNY TELLS HER OWNER SOMETHING IS WRONG.

SHE PRESSES THE BUTTONS FOR MAD AND THEN OUCH.

>> WHERE IS YOUR OUCH?

>> Reporter: BUNNY RESPONSE BY PRESSING THE BUTTON THAT SAYS PAUL .

>> IN YOUR PAW?

LET ME SEE YOUR PAW.

>> Reporter: THEN HER OWNER FIND A SMALL WOODEN FRONT SPIKE OF A FOX TAIL STUCK IN BUNNY'S LEFT PAW.

THERE IS A RISK IN STUDYING ANIMAL INTELLIGENCE AND OVER INTERPRETATION, WHICH MEANS SEEING WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE IN IN ANIMALS BEHAVIOR.

LEO IS THE CEO OF FLUENT PET, THE COMPANY THAT MAKES THE SOUNDBOARDS THAT BUNNY AND MANY OF THE DOGS USE.

SPEAKING OF OVER INTERPRETATION, HE CITES THE FAMOUS EXAMPLE OF HANS THE HORSE , WHO PEOPLE THOUGHT COULD DO MATH.

YOU'D ASK HIM WHAT IS THREE PLUS SEVEN, AND HE WOULD STAMP HIS FOOT 10 TIMES.

PEOPLE WOULD SOON REALIZE THAT HIS OWNER OR THE AUDIENCE WOULD EXHALE, OR ADOPT A SATISFIED EXPRESSION WHEN HE REACHED THE CORRECT ANSWER.

>> THAT CREATES THE CLEVER HANS AFFECT, WHICH IS ANIMALS PAY ATTENTION TO SUBTLE CUES THAT WE MIGHT NOT RECOGNIZE WE ARE GIVING OFF IN ORDER TO PROVIDE US WITH ANSWERS WE MIGHT WANT TO SEE.

>> Reporter: ROSSANO SAYS ANSWERS NEED MORE DATA AND CAREFUL ANALYSIS.

HE SAYS DOGS HAVE TO BE ABLE TO REPEAT THE SAME REQUEST IF THEY SEE THE HUMAN DOESN'T RESPOND THE FIRST TIME.

HE ADDS THAT THIS RESEARCH COULD LEAD TO BENEFITS FOR DOGS AND HUMANS PEER COURT OF A DOG THAT WORKS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT COULD INSPECT LUGGAGE UNTIL YOU, SMELLED DONE, OR SMELL BOMB .

ONE OF THE DOG OWNERS IN THE UC SAN DIEGO STUDY SAID SHE WISHES HER DOG OSKY COULD DO WHAT BUNNY DOES AND TELL HER WHEN IT HURTS.

>> TO GET HIM TO PRESS OUT OR HELP, OR PRESS HURT OR SAD, JUST BECAUSE IT WOULD BE REALLY NICE FOR HIM.

I DON'T WANT HIM TO SUFFER OR BE IN PAIN.

>> Reporter: WITH COMMUNICATION LIKE THAT, WE COULD BRING OUR AGE-OLD SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH DOGS TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL.

WITH COOPER, I AM THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> GREAT STORY.

HERE IS A LOOK ON WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON FOR TOMORROW IN THE KPBS NEWSROOM.

MORE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ARE EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED TOMORROW.

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>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI .

GOODNIGHT.

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