>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS MADE BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING & AIR , PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS, AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SANDED OUR CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING & AIR , HELPING HOMEOWNERS CONTAIN TRAIN, 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, JUNE 23.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM IN FOR MY A TRIPLE SEE.

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH BREAKING NEWS.

EVACUATION WARNINGS HAVE BEEN ISSUED, AND A HIGHWAY IS CLOSED AS FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE A BRUSH FIRE IN PALO MESA.

IT STARTED THIS AFTERNOON OFF OF STATE ROUTE 76, ABOUT A MILE WEST OF THE SPA RESORT.

CAL FIRE ADJUST UPDATED THE FIRE'S ESTIMATED SIZE FROM 30 TO 75 ACRES WITH A DANGEROUS RATE OF SPREAD.

YOU CAN SEE THE SMOKE FROM THE FIRE IN THIS LIVE CAMERA FROM THE ALERT WILDFIRE WEBSITE.

PEOPLE WHO LIVED NEARBY HAVE BEEN TOLD TO PREPARE TO EVACUATE .

TEMPORARY EVACUATION POINTS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED AT THE CASINO, AS WELL AS THE PARK AND RIDE AT 15 AND 76.

WE WILL BRING YOU UPDATES AS SOON AS WE GET THEM.

>>> FIREFIGHTERS TOOK QUICK ACTION TO STOP THE SPREAD OF A BRUSH FIRE THAT THREATENED HOMES IN MIRA MESA.

IT BURNED ABOUT 2 ACRES IN A CANYON NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF BLACK MOUNTAIN AND MERCY ROADS.

THE FIREFIGHTER RESCUE DEPARTMENT SAYS CRUZ KNOCKS DOWN THE FIRE, BUT WILL REMAIN IN THE AREA FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS MAKING NATIONAL HEADLINES AFTER TORTILLAS WERE THROWN AT A PREDOMINANTLY LATINO SCHOOL DURING A CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL GAME.

LAST NIGHT, THE CORONADO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT TOOK DECISIVE ACTION.

RACE AND EQUITY REPORTER CHRISTINA KIM HAS MORE ON WHAT IS NEXT, AND HOW THE COMMUNITY IS RESPONDING.

BACK AFTER LISTENING TO COMMUNITY TESTIMONY LAST NIGHT, THE CORONADO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNING BOARD UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TERMINATE J.D.

LAAPERI AS HEAD COACH OF CORONADO HIGH SCHOOL'S BASKETBALL TEAM.

>> IN A VOTE 5-0 TO RELEASE THAT CODE POINT >> Reporter: IT COMES ON THE HEELS OF A RACIST INCIDENT THAT TOOK PLACE SATURDAY DURING A BASKETBALL GAME BETWEEN CORONADO HIGH AND ESCONDIDO SWORDS GLENN HIGH SCHOOL.

TENSIONS WERE RUNNING HIGH BEFORE THE MEETING, WITH MANY ORGANIZATIONS AND ORANGE LAND PARENTS CALLING FOR LAAPERI, WHO ALLEGEDLY YELLED PROFANITIES AT ORANGE GLENN'S COACH, TO BE FIRED.

>> THIS WHOLE CHAOS WAS CREATED BY COACH LAAPERI.

IT'S DISGUSTING.

I AM CALLING FOR HIS FIRING.

>> Reporter: THE NIGHT OF THE INCIDENT, COACH J.D.

LAAPERI TWEETED, UNFORTUNATELY A COMMUNITY MEMBER BROUGHT TORTILLAS AND DISTRIBUTED THEM, WHICH WAS UNACCOUNTABLE AND RACIST IN NATURE.

I DON'T CONDONE THIS BEHAVIOR.

CORONADO HIGH SCHOOL DOES NOT CONDONE THIS BEHAVIOR AND IS TAKING APPROPRIATE ACTION.

THE CORONADO SCHOOL DISTRICT DID NOT MAKE ANY DECISION ON HOW STUDENTS INVOLVED WOULD BE DISCIPLINED.

THEY ARE WORKING WITH THE CORONADO POLICE IN AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION OF THE INCIDENT.

AND ORANGE GLENN ALUMNI AND FORMER CHEERLEADER IS PLEASED WITH CORONADO'S DECISION, BUT WANT TO SEE MORE HAPPEN.

>> THIS IS A GREAT INITIAL FIRST STEP.

THE KIDS DESERVE JUSTICE.

WE ARE WORKING AT THE BARE MINIMUM, RIGHT?

KIDS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE DEALING WITH THE DRAMATIC CONSEQUENCES THAT ARE NOW GOING TO BE CORE MEMORIES OF THEIR HIGH SCHOOL EXPERIENCE AM I RIGHT?

FOR SOME OF THESE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, THIS IS THE LAST EXPERIENCE THEY WILL HAVE OF HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: NOW COMMUNITY ORGANIZER, VELASQUEZ SAYS SHE EXPERIENCED THESE TYPES OF INCIDENTS AS A STUDENT.

ALL SCHOOLS NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB TEACHING KIDS ABOUT RACE AND RACISM.

>> OUR SCHOOL IS EQUALLY RESPONSIBLE IN ENSURING THAT KIDS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED.

WE SHOULD BE PROACTIVE IN FIXING THESE ISSUES.

ETHNIC STUDIES, THAT IS CORE STUFF THAT WE NEED TO HAVE IN OUR SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: THE ESCONDIDO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT HELD A REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETING LAST NIGHT WHICH DREW MORE THAN 140 COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

THE ESCONDIDO SCHOOL BOARD HAS SCHEDULED A SPECIAL MEETING FOR THURSDAY AT 5:45 TO BRING FORTH A RESOLUTION DENOUNCING RACISM, AND SUPPORTING EQUITY MEASURES.

CHRISTINA KIM, KPBS NEWS .

>>> ETHNIC STUDIES AND ANTIRACISM WILL SOON BE TAUGHT IN THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE SCHOOL BOARD UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE PLAN AT LAST NIGHTS MEETING.

FACED OPPOSITION FROM SOME WHO CALLED IT CRITICAL RACE THEORY , WHICH HAS BECOME A HOT BUTTON TOPIC AROUND THE COUNTRY.

THE THEORY TEACHES THAT MUCH OF AMERICA'S HISTORY AND POLICIES ARE INFUSED WITH SYSTEMIC RACISM.

OTHERS VOICED THEIR SUPPORT, SAYING IT WILL PROMOTE BETTER UNDERSTANDING.

>>> A CORONAVIRUS VARIANT FIRST IDENTIFIED IN INDIA IS POISED TO BECOME THE DOMINANT STRAIN IN THE U.S. AS MANDY GAITHER REPORTS, THE TOP U.S. OFFICIAL ON HEALTH ARE CONCERNED IT COULD CAUSE RESURGENCE IS OF COVID-19 ACROSS THE COUNTRY THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: IT MAY ALREADY ACCOUNT FOR 1 IN EVERY 5 COVID- 19 INFECTIONS IN THE U.S.. >> THE DELTA VARIANT IS CURRENTLY THE GREATEST THREAT IN THE U.S. TO OUR ATTEMPT TO ELIMINATE 19.

>> Reporter: NEW RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT THE VARIANT IS SPREADING MORE QUICKLY THROUGH AREAS WHERE FEWER AMERICANS ARE VACCINATED, AND TOP U.S. HEALTH OFFICIALS BELIEVE IT WILL BE THE PREDOMINANT VARIANT IN THE U.S.

IN THE MONTHS, IF NOT WEEKS AHEAD.

>> THIS IS THE MOST TRANSMISSIBLE OF ALL OF THE VARIANTS THAT WE HAVE SEEN AND WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED IN THE UK AM AWARE IT OVERTOOK THE ENTIRE NATION.

I'M WORRIED THAT WILL HAPPEN IN THE U.S. >> Reporter: A RECENT MODEL FINDS THE DELTA LIKE VARIANT THAT IS ASSUMED TO BE 60% MORE TRANSMISSIBLE THAN THE ALPHA VARIANT FIRST IDENTIFIED IN THE UK, COUPLED WITH 75% OF ELIGIBLE AMERICANS GETTING VACCINATED, CAN RESULT IN COVID- 19 BOUNCING BACK FROM SUMMER LOWS TO CAUSE MORE THAN 3000 DEATHS PER WEEK AT VARIOUS POINTS DURING THE FALL AND WINTER ARE COINCIDING WITH CHILDREN RETURNING TO SCHOOL, AND WHETHER IT PUSHES PEOPLE BACK INDOORS.

OFFICIALS SAY THE COVID-19 VACCINES DO PROVIDE PROTECTION AGAINST THE DELTA VARIANT.

BECAUSE OF THAT, DR. ANTHONY FAUCI SAYS IT IS UNLIKELY THERE WILL BE A RETURN IN THE SURGE OF COVID-19 CASES SEEN IN 2020, BUT HE SAYS THERE COULD BE LOCALIZED SURGES AS SUMMER CONTINUES AND PLACES WHERE VACCINATION RATES ARE LOWER.

>> WE HAVE THE TOOLS, SO LET'S USE THEM AND CRUSH THE OUTBREAK AREA >> Reporter: FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I AM MANDY GAITHER.

>>> THE U.S. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION IS PREPARING FOR BOOSTER SHOTS OF COVID-19 VACCINES .

THE NEWS CAME DURING TODAY'S MEETING OF THE CDC'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON IMMUNIZATION PRACTICES.

>> WE IN AN INTER-AGENCY WE ARE PLANNING TO BOOST BECAUSE QUITE HONESTLY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF WE SEE MORE DISEASE OUT THERE, WE HAVE A MECHANISM AND ARE FULLY READY TO COMBAT IT.

TODAY WILL BE A SCIENTIFIC DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW THOSE DECISIONS SHOULD BE MADE.

I DON'T BELIEVE WE ARE PLANNING ON ANY DECISION ABOUT WHEN THE BOOSTERS WILL COME.

>> THE CDC DIRECTOR SAYS SHE DOES NOT SEE THE AGENCY HAS ENOUGH DATA ON BOOSTERS TO MAKE A DECISION ABOUT TIMELINES JUST YET.

>>> WE WANT TO CLARIFY SOMETHING WE REPORTED ABOUT SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S VACCINATION RATE.

IN LAST NIGHTS "EVENING EDITION" WE SAID 86% OF THE POPULATION WAS FULLY VACCINATED.

WE SAID HAVE SAID 86% OF PEOPLE 12 YEARS AND OLDER HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED.

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

CLICK ON THE VACCINE LINK ON OUR HOMEPAGE TO FIND A LOCATION CLOSE TO YOU.

>>> EASIER ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE FOR VETERANS IS THE IDEA BEHIND THE NEW TROLLEY STOP NEAR THE SAN DIEGO VA. MATT HOFFMAN SAYS THE STATION WAS DESIGNED WITH SERVICEMEMBERS IN MIND.

>>> ♪ BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT ♪ WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HAILED ♪ >> Reporter: IN LA JOLLA, TRANSIT OFFICIALS ARE DEDICATING AN MTS TROLLEY STATION TO HONOR THE MILITARY AND ALL WHO HAVE SERVED.

>> THIS IS PART OF THE BLUE LINE EXPANSION, JUST STEPS AWAY FROM THE VA MEDICAL CENTER, WHICH TREATS TENS OF THOUSANDS OF VETERANS.

>> IT WOULD'VE BEEN A MISSED OPPORTUNITY TO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE VETERANS WHO WILL UTILIZE THE STATION MORE THAN ANYBODY ELSE.

>> Reporter: THE HEALTH SYSTEM DIRECTOR DR. ROBERT SMITH SAYS FEDERAL OFFICIALS LOBBIED FOR THE STOPS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE BLUE LINE EXPANSION PROJECT.

>> IT ORIGINALLY WAS NOT IN THE PLANS.

>> Reporter: THEN SUPERVISOR AND VETERAN NATHAN FLETCHER WANTED TO HONOR THE PEOPLE USING IT.

>> WE CADRE DECIDED, AND THEY SAID WE COULDN'T.

WE CAN REDESIGN THE TROLLEY STOP.

HE WILL SEE THE INLAYS OF HONOR, COURAGE, COMMITMENT.

>> Reporter: THERE'S ABOUT A 50,000 VETERANS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, AND THE MEDICAL CENTER ALONE SEES NEARLY 1 MILLION PATIENT VISITS PER YEAR.

THIS ISN'T JUST FOR VETERANS.

>> IS ALSO A GREAT DAY FOR THE SPOUSES, FAMILIES, FRIENDS, AND CAREGIVERS THAT ACCOMPANY THEM TO THEIR CARE HERE.

THIS IS GOING TO MAKE IT AN EASY TRACK TO GET HERE AREA >> Reporter: THE STOP IS PART OF AN 11 MILE EXPANSION FROM DOWNTOWN TO UC SAN DIEGO THAT HOPES TO BE IN SERVICE COME NOVEMBER.

>> I HOPE THERE WILL BE A LOT OF USE OUT OF IT.

I CERTAINLY EXPECT THAT.

>> Reporter: THE VA PARTNERS WITH UCSD TO TRAIN MORE THAN 1000 MEDICAL STUDENTS EVERY YEAR, PLUS THEY HAVE MORE THAN THREE DOZEN OF THEIR OWN EMPLOYEES.

>> WITH A VERY TIGHT CAMPUS HERE.

WE ARE ACTUALLY SHUTTING DOWN A LOT OF OUR SURFACE PARKING TO DO SOME CONSTRUCTION.

SO, ALL OF OUR STAFF PARK OFF- SITE, AND WE SHUTTLED THEM IN AND OUT TO THE MEDICAL CENTER.

THAT IS A MAJOR TO SATISFY HER.

I'M SURE THERE ARE MANY OF THEM WHO WILL TAKE THE TROLLEY.

HER BACK THE VA ALSO RENTS SOME OF IT OWN TRANSIT PROGRAMS, AND ASSORTED BOSS ABOUT THE MEDICAL CENTER.

THE TROLLEY STATION AS PART OF A $2.1 BILLION EXPANSION THAT OFFICIALS SAY IS ON TIME AND BUDGET.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS IS MAKING HER FIRST TRIP TO THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER SINCE TAKING OFFICE.

THE VISIT TO EL PASO IS PLANNED FOR THIS FRIDAY.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT FOLLOWS CRITICISM OF HARRIS BY SOME LAWMAKERS FOR NOT VISITING THE BORDER SINCE TAKING A LEAD ROLE IN THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S RESPONSE TO AN INCREASE IN CROSSINGS.

HARRIS VISITED GUATEMALA AND MEXICO EARLIER THIS MONTH, WHERE SHE URGED CENTRAL AMERICANS NOT TO COME TO THE U.S. BORDER.

>>> MAKING PUBLIC COMMENTS AT A GOVERNMENT MEETING CAN BE TIME- CONSUMING.

YOU OFTEN HAVE TO WAIT HOURS JUST TO TALK FOR 2 TO 3 MINUTES.

ANY PROPOSAL CAN CHANGE ALL OF THAT.

REPORTER JOHN CARROLL SAYS IT IS ABOUT HARNESSING EVERY DAY TECHNOLOGY TO DO AWAY WITH THE WEIGHT.

>> Reporter: THE PEOPLE ARE NOT PRIORITIZED THAT HER PUBLIC MEETINGS HELD BY OUR COUNTY BOARDS, AND ARE CITY COUNCILS.

>> Reporter: CIVIL RIGHTS ADVOCATE SHANE HARRIS SAYS THAT IS BECAUSE IF YOU WANT TO VOICE YOUR OPINION AT A PUBLIC MEETING, YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR YOUR ITEM TO COME UP.

THAT CAN MEAN HOURS OF MONITORING A MEETING BEFORE IT IS YOUR TURN TO SPEAK.

BUT HARRIS SAYS THERE IS AN EASY SOLUTION.

IT WOULD ENTAIL FOUR OF THE COUNTY'S LARGEST GOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS MAKING A SIMPLE TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE TO HOW THEY DO BUSINESS.

>> ADOPT A TEXT MESSAGE NOTIFICATION SYSTEM INTO THEIR PUBLIC MEETINGS, SO THAT IF SOMEBODY IS SET TO SPEAK ON AN AGENDA ITEM, THEY CAN GET A TEXT MESSAGE WHEN THEIR AGENDA ITEM COMES UP.

>> Reporter: HE CALLS HIS PROPOSAL BOOST DEMOCRACY, MAKING THINGS EASIER FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOTS OF OBLIGATIONS IN LIFE, WHO DON'T HAVE THE TIME TO SIT AROUND WAITING FOR A PARTICULAR ITEM TO COME UP.

>> BUT IT SHOULD BE MADE EASIER AND MORE EFFICIENT FOR THE CONSTITUENTS OF THIS COUNTY, NOT HARDER.

>> Reporter: HARRIS WAS SURROUNDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, RANGING FROM BUSINESS TO EDUCATION, ALL OF WHOM SAY THE TEXT MESSAGE IDEA IS SPOT ON.

>> WE ABOUT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY ON BOARD WITH THIS.

THIS IS ONLY GOING TO BOOST AND INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN OUR GOVERNMENT MEETINGS.

HER BACK SO FAR, ONLY SAN DIEGO UNIFIED HAS COMMITTED TO ADOPTING THE TEXT SYSTEM.

HARRIS SAYS HE IS STILL WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO, THE COUNTY, AND THE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION AS TO WHETHER THEY WILL FOLLOW SUIT.

AND THAT BRINGS US TO WHY BUZZ LIGHT YEAR WAS ON HAND.

HARRIS SAYS HIS IDEA ISN'T ROCKET SCIENCE, JUST COMMON SENSE.

HE SAYS HE HOPES ALL OF THE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES WILL ADOPT HIS PROPOSAL BY THE FIRST WEEK OF JULY.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS .

>>> CALIFORNIA VOTERS WILL BE DECIDING WHETHER TO KICK GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM OUT OF AWESOME OFFICE, THAT MUCH IS CERTAIN, BUT WHEN EXACTLY THE RECALL ELECTION WILL TAKE PLACE IS THE SUBJECT OF PARTISAN DEBATE IN SACRAMENTO.

DEMOCRATS UNVEILED NEW LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ALLOW THE RECALL TO BE HELD AS EARLY AS AUGUST THE 24th, BUT THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF CLERKS AND ELECTION OFFICIALS IS RAISING CONCERNS.

CYNTHIA PAZ, THE INTERIM REGISTRAR OF VOTERS FIRST INDIGO CANDY EXPLAINED WHY.

THAT WAS ON KPBS MIDDAY EDITION.

>> PRETTY UNANIMOUSLY MY THEY WERE SAYING AND AUGUST ELECTION DATE WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE FOR THESE VENDORS TO HAVE ENOUGH PAPER TO SUPPORT US IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION.

>> A NEW LAW REQUIRES ELECTION OFFICIALS TO MAIL ALL ACTIVE REGISTERED VOTERS A BALLOT IN THE MAIL.

PAZ SAYS THEY NEED TO HAVE YOUR GRADE OF PAPER FOR THE ELECTION BALLOTS AND ENVELOPES, AND A LATE AUGUST ELECTION WOULD ALSO REQUIRE OVERTIME , CAUSING COSTS TO EXCEED THE $215 MILLION ALREADY BUDGETED.

>>> ANOTHER DROP IN THE BUCKET TO HELP SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S DROUGHT.

WE SAW SCATTERED SHOWERS THIS MORNING IN PARTS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THIS VIDEO WAS SHOT IN LA MESA, BUT WILL WE SEE ANY MORE RAIN THIS WEEK?

METEOROLOGIST JESSICA PASS HAS YOUR FORECAST.

>>> THIS STORY HAS BEEN THE HEAT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, BUT EARLIER TODAY, WE GOT A LITTLE RAIN SHOWER ACTIVITY AROUND THE METRO REGIONS, BUT TODAY LIKELY GOING TO BE THE BEST DAY FOR ANY KIND OF RAIN SHOWER ACTIVITY.

AFTER THAT THINGS WILL DRY UP.

WE SEE MORE OF A DAY ON THURSDAY FOR MANY.

TEMPERATURES WILL DROP OFF A COUPLE OF THE AGREES, BUT JUST A LITTLE BIT, AND THEN WE WILL WARM UP JESSICA AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

BIG PICTURE, HERE IS A LOW PRESSURE OFF THE SHORE HERE, AND IT IS CYCLING IN A BIT OF MOISTURE.

THAT IS WHAT YOU CAN SEE IN THE BLUE COLORS AND WHITES AS WELL.

ALL OF THAT HAS BEEN ALLOWING FOR SOME RAIN SHOWERS TO DEVELOP SO FAR TODAY.

HEADING INTO TONIGHT, WE STILL SEE A GOOD AMOUNT OF CLOUD COVER, ESPECIALLY FOR THE COASTAL REGIONS.

THE MARINE LITTORAL STATES THAT GOT THERE AND TEMPERATURES WILL DROP OFF INTO THE 60s.

OCEANSIDE, UPPER 50s TOWARDS ESCONDIDO.

TOMORROW, STILL LOOKING LIKE A WARM DAY, BUT TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO BE MUCH CLOSER TO WHAT IS NORMAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

AS YOU GET FURTHER SOUTH, YOU GET INTO CALIFORNIA, THE MORE LIKELY IT WILL BE WARMER, ESPECIALLY TOWARDS THE DESERT SOUTHWEST, BUT WE SHOULD STILL SEE AT LEAST A LITTLE BIT OF A COOL DOWN FOR SOME OF YOU AS WE HEAD INTO YOUR THURSDAY.

TEMPERATURES ARE AGAIN GETTING UP IN THE MID TO UPPER 70s GREAT ESCONDIDO, 73 OUT TOWARD SAN DIEGO.

EL CAJON, LOW 80s.

STILL IN TRIPLE DIGITS FOR A PLACE LIKE BORREGO SPRINGS.

FRIDAY, THE WAVE OF LOW PRESSURE IS STILL HANGING OUT OFFSHORE.

IT WILL STAY WARM AND DRY HERE, BUT AGAIN, FURTHER SOUTH, IF YOU THINK WE WILL BE WARMING THINGS UP OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

NEAR THE COAST, TEMPERATURES FOR YOU, LOW 70s, BUT BY THE WEEKEND, WE WILL BE CLOSING IN ON THAT 80 DEGREE MARK.

MEANWHILE FURTHER INLAND, TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO BE WARMING UP INTO THE 90s BY THE TIME WE GET TO THE END OF THE WEEKEND.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, 60s, 70s, 80s TO START OFF THE NEXT WORK WEEK, AND THE TRIPLE DIGIT HEAT CONTINUES IN THE DESERT.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I AM METEOROLOGIST JESSICA PASH.

>>> AND WE HAVE A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE.

THE MESA FIRE BURNING NEAR PALA CASINO HAS EXPLODED IN SIZE, GROWING TO 260 ACRES.

CAL FIRE SHARED THIS PICTURE OF THE FIRE ON TWITTER.

AT LAST REPORT, IT IS 0% CONTAINED.

STATE ROUTE 76 IS CLOSED FROM HORSE CREEK RANCH TO PALA CASINO.

REVERSE 911 CALLS HAVE BEEN GOING OUT, TELLING PEOPLE WHO LIVED NEARBY TO PREPARE TO EVACUATE.

TEMPORARY EVACUATION POINTS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED AT VALLEY CENTER HIGH SCHOOL, AS WELL AS THE PARK AND RIDE AT THE 15 AND 76.

WE WILL STAY ON TOP OF THE STORY ON HER WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG .

>>> PARTS OF OREGON AND WASHINGTON STATE ARE FACING AND EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH.

THIS ONLY MAKING THINGS WORSE FOR THE WEST COAST, WHERE EXTREMELY LOW RAIN AND SNOWFALL OVER THE PAST YEAR HAS LEFT THE AREA IN HISTORIC SEVERE DROUGHT, AND AT A HIGH RISK FOR WILDFIRES.

CAMILO BURNELL EXPLAINS HOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS RESPONDING.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 40 ACTIVE WILDFIRES BURNING MORE THAN 500,000 ACRES ACROSS 10 STATES.

THE WORST DROUGHT CONDITIONS IN AT LEAST 20 YEARS, AND NOW HEARTS OF THE WEST COAST RACING FOR A POSSIBLY RECORD-BREAKING HEAT WAVE.

>> ADDING THIS HEAT TO IT IS JUST GOING TO MAKE CONDITIONS WORSE UNTIL WE SEE SOME MORE RAIN, OR COOLER TEMPERATURES.

>> Reporter: TEMPERATURES ARE LIKELY TO HIT TRIPLE DIGITS IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, WITH LITTLE RELIEF AT NIGHT.

>> WHICH IS UNUSUAL, AND THAT IS WHAT INCREASES THE HEAT RISK .

WHEN TEMPERATURES REMAIN SO WARM DURING THE DAY, AND THEY DON'T COOL OFF DURING THE NIGHT.

>> Reporter: LEAVING MANY IN THE AREA VULNERABLE.

>> I'M WORRIED ABOUT ELDERLY FOR FAMILIES, DISABLED IS A BIG ONE.

>> CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW WE ARE STOCK PILING ICE AND WATER FOR THE WEEKEND.

THESE ARE TO LOOK AT FOR NEIGHBORS.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN ALREADY MET WITH FEMA THIS WEEK, AND WILL HOST ANOTHER MEETING NEXT WEEK WITH GOVERNORS OF WESTERN STATES TO DISCUSS THESE EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS.

>> FIRES HAVE STARTED ALREADY, SO WE ARE IN FOR A TOUGH SEASON, BUT I THINK WE ARE PREPARED WITH ALL THE RESEARCH AVAILABLE.

>>> A NEW EVENT AT SEAWORLD IS EXPECTED TO CREATE THOUSANDS OF JOBS, AND BRING MORE TOURISM TO SAN DIEGO.

ALEXANDRA RANGEL HAS A PREVIEW .

>> Reporter: C WERE JUST UNVEILED ITS NEWEST NIGHTTIME HALLOWEEN EVENT.

IT STARTS THIS SEPTEMBER, AND WE GOT A CLOSER LOOK THE FEAR IS NEAR AT SEAWORLD'S FIRST EVER NIGHTTIME EVENT, HALLO-SCREAM .

>> GUESTS CAN COME INTO THE PARK, GET SCARED, GO THROUGH SCARE ZONES AND HAUNTED HOUSES.

>> ♪ I TRAVELED THE WORLD IN THE SEVEN SEAS ♪ THAT THE VP OF MARKETING SAYS HALLO-SCREAM IS A SEPARATE TICKETED EVENT, AND TICKETS ARE ON SALE STARTING NOW.

>> HALLO-SCREAM IS A MATURE AUDIENCE EVENT, SO WE SUGGEST THAT YOU COME WITHOUT YOUR LITTLE ONES.

>> Reporter: HOWEVER, SEAWORLD ANNUAL SPECTACULAR EVENT THAT OFFERS DAYTIME TRICK-OR- TREATING FOR THE FAMILY WILL STILL GO ON.

THE SAN DIEGO TOURISM AUTHORITY SAYS SEAWORLD HAS A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF ATTRACTING NEW TOURISM TO THE COUNTY, AND THE LOCAL TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY NEEDS AN INCREASE IN BUSINESS AS IT BEGINS TO RECOVER.

>> IT WILL BENEFIT ALL OF OUR PEOPLE HERE IN SAN DIEGO AND IN OUR REGION IN SO MANY WAYS.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY SEAWORLD IS LOOKING TO HIRE THOUSANDS OF WORKERS.

>> WE ARE HIRING RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE HOLLOWING THE HALLO- SCREAM SCARE SQUAD.

GET YOUR APPLICATIONS IN.

WE ARE HIRING THOUSANDS OF POSITIONS.

>> Reporter: HALLO-SCREAM BEGINS OCTOBER 17 AND RUNS THROUGH OCTOBER 31st.

ALEXANDRA RANGEL , KPBS NEWS .

>>> VISTA IS NOW THE SIXTH CITY IN THE COUNTY WITH A PLASTIC BAND.

THEY VOTED 4-1 YESTERDAY TO PASS THE ORDINANCE.

BUSINESSES IN VISTA WON'T BE ABLE TO HAND OUT SINGLE-USE PLASTIC UTENSILS, STRAWS, OR STIR STICKS UNLESS REQUESTED BY CUSTOMERS.

IT GOES INTO EFFECT AUGUST 1st.

THE BAN ON STYROFOAM FOOD CONTAINERS GO INTO EFFECT JULY OF 2023.

>>> A LITTLE SLICE OF CLASSIC SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HABITAT IS GETTING LONG-TERM PRODUCTION IN SAN DIEGO'S NORTH COUNTY.

ERIC ANDERSON SAYS THE ESCONDIDO CREEK CONSERVANCY HAS WRANGLED MORE THAN $2 MILLION TO BUY 79 ACRES OF HILLY LAND.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE WALKING IN THIS HILLY UNDEVELOPED POCKET OF LAND MAY CATCH A WHIFF OF SAGE OR MINT.

SHORT STUBBY FLOWERS REACH SKYWARD FROM ROCKHARD EARTH THAT HAS BEEN DRIED OUT BY THE SUN.

GOLDEN GRASSES CATCH THE WIND, AND OFTEN THE DISTANCE, A BIRD OR TWO MAKES ITS PRESENCE KNOWN.

THIS POCKET HABITAT SITS PRETTY CLOSE TO HOME SITES TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEARBY LOFTY VIEWS.

>> LOTS OF DEVELOPMENT IN HUMAN ACTIVITY IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter: LEONARD'S HAT SHADES HIS EYES FROM THE EARLY MORNING SUN.

HE'S THE ESCONDIDO CREEK CONSERVANCY'S BOARD PRESIDENT.

>> THERE ARE PATCHES OF WHAT CALIFORNIA WAS, AND THIS IS ONE OF THEM.

WE ARE TRYING TO PRESERVE THOSE FOR THE WILDLIFE, BUT ALSO FOR THE HUMAN RESIDENCE.

>> Reporter: THIS PATCH OF WHAT WAS IS IDYLLIC HABITAT FOR THE ENDANGERED CALIFORNIA GNATCATCHER.

THE TINY BIRD FORAGES FOR INSECTS IN THE LOW- LYING SHRUBS.

THEY RAISE THEIR YOUNG IN NESTS JUST A FEW INCHES OFF THE GROUND, BUT THOSE NESTS ARE TUCKED INSIDE DENSE SHRUBBERY.

IT IS THE PRESENCE OF THE BIRDS THAT HELP MAKE THIS PRESERVER POSSIBLE.

>> THE MONEY THAT PURCHASED THIS PROPERTY CAME LARGELY FROM THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOARD, AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT, SO THAT AS A SOCIETY WE HAVE DECIDED TO SET MONEY ASIDE TO CONSERVE LAND LIKE THIS.

>> Reporter: OVERALL, THE CONSERVANCY HAS HELPED BUY AND PROTECT ROUGHLY 7000 ACRES OF WILD HABITAT IN THE CREEKS WATERSHED.

THE CONSERVATION DIRECTOR SAYS THIS PLOT OF LAND IS A GREAT SLICE OF COASTAL SAGE SCRUB HABITAT, BUT IT IS ALSO MUCH MORE.

>> THE 79 ACRE PRESERVE, IS NOT ENORMOUS, BUT IT FUNCTIONS LIKE A PUZZLE PIECE, LINKING LARGER PRESERVED PIECES OF LAND.

>> Reporter: FITTING AN IMPORTANT PUZZLE PIECE INTO THE INTERWOVEN LETTUCE OF HOMES AND HABITAT HELPS CREATE BRIDGES FOR LARGER SPECIES.

>> IT'S A PIECE THAT WILL FACILITATE A CONNECTION BETWEEN THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF OPEN SPACE IN THE CITY OF CARLSBAD, AND THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF OPEN SPACE ALONG ESCONDIDO CREEK AND THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: MOUNTAIN LIONS, BOBCATS, COYOTES, ALL REQUIRE ROOM TO ROAM, HUNT, AND BREED.

HABITAT LIKE THIS STRENGTHENS THE CONNECTIONS.

IT ALSO BUILDS THE CONNECTIONS WITH PEOPLE WHO LIVE NEAR THE PRESERVE.

THE CONSERVANCY SAYS THIS PLOT OF LAND CAPTURES A SLICE OF THE REGION AS IT USED TO BE.

>> ALL OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA USED TO LOOK LIKE THIS, AT LEAST AS PART OF COASTAL CALIFORNIA, AND THIS WILL GIVE THEM A PICTURE OF THE PAST, BUT ALSO A PICTURE OF THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: HABITAT IS BEING SQUEEZED OUT OF THE REGION BY HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS, AND THAT PRESSURE IS NOT DIMINISHING.

>> AND INSPIRES ME TO CONTINUE ON.

I'M A NATIVE CALIFORNIAN, AND THIS IS ONE OF THE TIMES I FEEL LIKE I'M GIVING BACK TO CALIFORNIA.

SORRY.

I DID NOT KNOW THAT WOULD MAKE ME FEEL EMOTIONAL.

THIS IS A PLACE THAT IS VERY SPECIAL.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SPECIAL TO ME.

>> Reporter: HABITAT IS FOUND IN DRY COASTAL ZONES AND INLAND VALLEY IS CLOSE ENOUGH TO THE OCEAN TO BE EXPOSED TO THE MARINE LAYER.

THE UTILITY SERVICE ROAD HAS BROUGHT INVASIVE WEEDS AND GRASSES TO PART OF THE PRESERVE, BUT THAT WILL BE ADDRESSED.

>> WE WILL BE DOING A VERY FUN EVENT, WEEDING, REMOVING WHAT DOES NOT BELONG HERE, AND LETTING THE NATIVE HABITAT REPLACE ITSELF.

>> Reporter: CLEANING UP THIS PRESERVE IS AN IMMEDIATE PRIORITY FOR THE CONSERVANCY.

ADDING TO THE COLLECTION OF PRESERVED LANDS AND TEACHING PEOPLE THE IMPORTANCE OF NATURAL HABITAT AS PART OF THE LONG-TERM AGENDA.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS .

>>> A YOUNG FEMALE MOUNTAIN LION REHABILITATED BY THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY HAS BEEN RELEASED BACK INTO THE WILD.

THE NOW 10-MONTH-OLD CUP AND HER SISTER WERE TAKEN TO THE RAMONA WILDLIFE CENTER AFTER THEIR MOTHER WAS HIT BY A CAR IN ORANGE COUNTY.

THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE SAYS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE YOUNGER FEMALE LION HAS BEEN RELEASED INTO THE WILD.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING & AIR, HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING, AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

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