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

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

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION , DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY , AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

>>> AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

IT IS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

SAN DIEGO HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE REPORTING TWO NEW CASES OF A POTENTIALLY MORE INFECTIOUS STRAIN OF THE FIBERS CALLED THE BRAZILIAN VARIANT.

ONE CASE IS AMONG A RESIDENT, WHILE ANOTHER DOESN'T LIVE HERE.

THIS IS THE DAY THE CASE COUNT REMAINS LOW.

WITH SPRING BREAK UPON US, MATT HOFFMAN SAYS THAT COULD BE CHANGING.

>>> EVEN LOOKING FROM MONTH TO MONTH, WE ARE SEEING AND INCREASE OF PASSENGERS.

>> Reporter: TRAVEL IS UP NATIONWIDE, AND THE TREND IS HITTING THE SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

THIS PAST SUNDAY WAS THE BUSIEST FLYING DAY SINCE THE PANDEMIC WAS FIRST DECLARED.

>> IN MARCH, THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT SPRING BREAKS HAPPENING.

TRADITIONALLY, IT'S A POPULAR TIME TO TRAVEL.

>> Reporter: TRAFFIC WAS DOWN 95% LAST APRIL COMPARED TO 2019, BUT THEY ARE MAKING GAINS.

RIGHT NOW IT IS DOWN ABOUT 60% COMPARED TO THIS TIME TO MAKE YEARS AGO, AND SO IS THE HOTEL INDUSTRY.

NUMBERS HAVE STEADILY INCREASED TO AROUND 50,000 DAILY BOOKINGS.

IT'S AN IMPROVEMENT, BUT NOT COMPARABLE TO PRE-PANDEMIC NUMBERS.

WE ARE NOT SEEING HUGE SPRING BREAK CROWDS, BUT A LOT OF LOCAL KIDS ARE STILL YET TO GO ON SPRING BREAK.

LOCAL BUSINESSES IN THIS AREA TELL ME THEY ARE STARTING TO SEE AN UPTICK IN CUSTOMERS.

>> WE ARE SEEING SUMMIT TOURISTS FROM ARIZONA, OUR TYPICAL TOURISTS, BUT IT HAS DROPPED A LOT, SIGNIFICANTLY.

>> Reporter: ALMOND PARK IS A STAPLE AT MISSION BEACH.

DANIELA BAUER SAYS SPRING BREAK IS THERE SECOND BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR.

>> IN PREVIOUS YEARS IT WOULD BE PACKED.

THIS YEAR, NOT QUITE THAT MUCH.

>> Reporter: THEY EXPECT AN INCREASE OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

BECAUSE WE ARE IN THE REOPENING TIER, AMUSEMENT PARKS AND STADIUMS CAN REOPEN ON APRIL 1st.

BELMONT PARK IS DOING THAT, AND PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY TO REOPEN ALL OF THE RIDES.

>> IT'S DEFINITELY A HUGE DEAL FOR US.

>> Reporter: CDC HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE STILL ADVISING AGAINST TRAVELING, WARNING OF A POTENTIAL SURGE IN CASES ESPECIALLY IF UNVACCINATED PEOPLE ARE MIXING.

>> DO IT RESPONSIBLY.

WE ARE A YEAR IN, AND FOLKS KNOW THE INDIVIDUAL STEPS AND ACTIONS.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS SAY THERE ARE NO 19 RESTRICTIONS FOR TRAVELING RESIDENTS COMING BACK, BUT NATHAN FLETCHER SAYS WE ARE ON A GOOD TRAJECTORY AND WE WANT TO STAY THERE.

WE COULD SEE MORE RESTRICTIONS RELAX, BUT REMINDING THOSE TRAVELING OF A STATEWIDE ADVISORY.

>> ENCOURAGING CALIFORNIANS TO AVOID NONESSENTIAL TRAVEL MORE THAN 120 MILES FROM SOMEONE'S PLACE OF RESIDENCE.

>> IT ALSO RECOMMENDS THOSE TRAVELING OUT OF STATE THE QUARANTINE FOR 10 DAYS WHEN THEY RETURN.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> VACCINE ELIGIBILITY RECENTLY EXPANDED.

IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT IF IT IS YOUR TURN, AND WHERE TO GET YOUR SHOT, HAD TO KPBS.ORG.

JUST GO TO OUR HOMEPAGE, AND CLICK ON THE VACCINES TAB TO FIND CLINIC LOCATIONS, AS WELL AS LINKS TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT.

>>> SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT IS PRESIDENT BIDEN'S PICK TO BE THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF EDUCATION.

TODAY SHE WAS GRILLED BY U.S.

SENATORS DURING HER CONFIRMATION HEARING.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER JOE HONG SAYS HER SUPPORTERS AND CRITICS HAD THEIR SAY.

>> Reporter: MUCH OF THE QUESTIONING DURING HER 2 HOUR- LONG HEARING CENTERED AROUND THE PANDEMIC'S IMPACT ON SCHOOLCHILDREN, RESPONDING TO QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER SHE WAITED TOO LONG TO REOPEN SCHOOLS AT SAN DIEGO UNIFIED.

SHE SAID SHE RELIED ON LOCAL EXPERTS AND DATA.

>> EVERY DECISION WE MADE WAS ROOTED IN SAFETY BEING OUR STRATEGY, AS THE SCIENCE WAS EVER EVOLVING.

AS IT EVOLVES, WE INVOLVED IN OUR IMPLEMENTATION.

>> Reporter: THE TONE AND TENOR WERE LARGELY DIVIDED ACROSS PARTISAN LINES.

SHE RECEIVED PRAISE FROM DEMOCRATS ON HER ACHIEVEMENTS, PARTICULARLY FOR HER WORK WITH MARGINALIZED STUDENTS.

>> UNDER HER TENURE, THE DISTRICT ACHIEVED THE FASTEST READING GROWTH IN LARGE URBAN DISTRICTS NATIONWIDE, AND HAVE THE HIGHEST GRADUATION RATE OF ALL BIG-CITY DISTRICTS IN CALIFORNIA LAST YEAR.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICAN SENATORS WERE MORE SKEPTICAL, ESPECIALLY IN REGARDS TO HER LACK OF EXPERIENCE IN HIGHER EDUCATION.

BILL CASSIDY FROM LOUISIANA QUESTIONED HER ABOUT STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS, AND WAS FRUSTRATED BY THE LACK OF CLEAR ANSWER.

>> IF CONFIRMED, IT IS SOMETHING I WOULD WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT AND ENGAGE IN THE APPROPRIATE DIALOGUES WITH APPROPRIATE STAFF AS IT MOVES FORWARD.

>> THAT SOUNDS LIKE A REHEARSED ANSWER.

IN FACT, IT SOUNDS ENTIRELY LIKE YOU WERE PREPPED FOR THAT.

I GUESS WHAT I WANT IS THE UNCAPPED ANSWER.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS BEING QUESTIONED, ABOUT A DOZEN PARENTS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS GATHERED IN FRONT OF THE DISTRICT OFFICE TO PROTEST HER NOMINATION, AND PARTICULARLY CALLED HER OUT FOR THE DISPROPORTIONATE EXPANSION AND EXPULSION RATES FOR BLACK STUDENTS.

DURING THE HEARING, SHE DID NOT ADDRESS RACIAL DISPARITIES IN SCHOOL DISCIPLINE, BUT SAID SHE HAS SEEN SUCCESS IN ADDRESSING ACHIEVEMENT GAPS BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE STUDENTS IN LITERACY AND MATH SKILLS.

>> WHEN I STARTED, OUR EIGHTH- GRADERS WERE ACHIEVING AN AVERAGE ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AMONGST THE BIG-CITY DISTRICTS.

IN 2019, WE WERE FIRST IN THE NATION.

SECOND IN MATH.

THEY HAVE NOT YET SET A DATE FOR HER CONFIRMATION VOTE.

MEANWHILE, SHE WILL FINISH THE SCHOOL YEAR AT SAN DIEGO UNIFIED, AND LaMONT JACKSON WILL THEN LEAD SAN DIEGO UNIFIED ON AN INTERIM BASIS WHILE IT SEARCHES FOR A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN COMMITTED TO REOPENING SCHOOLS IN HIS FIRST 100 DAYS IN OFFICE.

NOW HE IS BACKING UP THAT PROMISE BY OPENING UP $81 BILLION IN FUNDING TO SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THAT MONEY IS COMING FROM THE LATEST COVID RELIEF PACKAGE.

THE PRESIDENT MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY DURING THE NATIONAL SAFE SCHOOL REOPENING SUMMIT, ATTENDED BY REPRESENTATIVES FROM DISTRICTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE HOME VALLEY UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT WAS AMONG THEM TO SHARE THEIR SUCCESSES.

>> WHAT WE REALIZE IS THAT IT HAS BEEN HERE FOR HOPE, FOR SHIFTING OUR MINDSET WITH REGARDS TO HOW WE REPROACH OUR NUMBER ONE CUSTOMER, OUR STUDENTS, OUR FAMILIES, AND OUR COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

WE HAVE TO CREATE RELATIONSHIPS AND FOCUS EVERYTHING ON THE RELATIONSHIP.

THE REALITY IS THAT SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING CANNOT BE EMBEDDED.

IT HAS TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF WHAT WE DO, IT HAS TO BE EVERYTHING.

>> THE DISTRICT HAS BEEN OPEN FOR HYBRID INSTRUCTION FOR KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE SINCE LAST FALL.

THE PLAN IS FOR ALL GRADES TO RETURN TO PRE-PANDEMIC 5 DAY PER WEEK IN PERSON LEARNING ON APRIL 12.

>>> TODAY, GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM ANNOUNCED HIS PICK FOR THE STATES NEXT ATTORNEY GENERAL.

ROBERT BONTA, AND ASSEMBLY MEMBER FROM THE BAY AREA, WOULD BE CALIFORNIA'S FIRST FILIPINO ATTORNEY GENERAL.

HE HAS AUTHORED SEVERAL BILLS FOCUSING ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM, INCLUDING ANDY CASH BAIL, PHASING OUT PRIVATE PERSONS, AND EXPUNGING MARIJUANA CONVICTIONS.

IF CONFIRMED, HE SAYS HE WOULD WORK TO PROTECT THOSE FACING THE FORCES OF HATE, AND SEEK JUSTICE.

>> NOW MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED LEADERS IN GOVERNMENT, AND LEADERS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHO WILL BUILD BRIDGES AND COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN, THAT HAVE BEEN OTHER, PERSECUTED, THAT HAVE BEEN TARGETED.

IF I HAVE THE HONOR OF BEING CONFIRMED AS ATTORNEY GENERAL, THAT WOULD BE ONE OF MY TOP PRIORITIES.

>> HE WOULD REPLACE XAVIER BECERRA, WHO IS NOW THE FEDERAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY.

>>> A DEMAND TO STOP IT AGAINST MEMBERS OF THE ASIAN-AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY COULD SOON BECOME POLICY.

AS KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL TELLS US, IT IS UP TO ALL OF US TO SEE IT THROUGH.

>>> WE ARE HERE TODAY TO STAND AND SPEAK WITH ONE VOICE.

>> Reporter: THE CHAIRMAN OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S BOARD OF SUPERVISORS NATHAN FLETCHER BEGAN A MORNING NEWS CONFERENCE WITH A CLARION CALL FOR EVERYONE TO WORK TOGETHER TO STAND AGAINST DISCRIMINATION, AND THE VIOLENCE IT BREEDS AGAINST MEMBERS OF THE AAPI COMMUNITY.

KENT LEE IS ON THE BOARD OF THE SAN DIEGO AAPI COALITION.

>> I HAVE BEEN APPALLED, AND ALL OF US HAVE BEEN APPALLED, AT THE INCIDENCE WE HAVE SEEN NOT JUST IN THIS LAST WEEK IN ATLANTA, BUT ALSO THE COURSE OF THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, OVER THE COURSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: THE MURDERS IN ATLANTA, EIGHT PEOPLE, SIX OF THEM ASIAN WOMEN, GUNNED DOWN WHILE AT WORK.

AND THERE ARE SO MANY MORE INCIDENTS ACROSS THIS COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY OVER THE PAST YEAR.

HERE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, FROM THE DAY THE STATE WENT INTO THE COVID LOCKDOWN TO THE END OF LAST YEAR, 42 INCIDENTS OF DISCRIMINATION REPORTED AGAINST MEMBER OF THE AAPI COMMUNITY.

MORE THAN HALF OF THOSE VERBAL, AND NEARLY 10% RESULTING IN PHYSICAL VIOLENCE.

AND OF COURSE, THOSE ARE JUST THE ONES THAT WERE REPORTED.

>> WORDS HAVE POWER.

WORDS HAVE POWER TO UPLIFT, AND WORDS HAVE POWER TO HURT.

>> Reporter: LIKE EVERYONE ELSE AT THIS MORNING'S NEWS CONFERENCE OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, KAREN CALLED ON ALL SAN DIEGANS TO STEP UP.

DO NOT LET RACIST COMMENTS PASS WITHOUT BEING CHALLENGED, AND SHE VOICED SUPPORT FOR ACTION THAT WILL COME BEFORE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS NEXT MONTH.

FLETCHER AND VICE CHAIR SUPERVISOR MARCUS ARE WORKING WITH THE AAPI COMMUNITY ON THE WORDING OF A RESOLUTION, AND A NEW POLICY, WORDS THAT SHE SAYS TURN INTO ACTION.

>> THESE ACTIONS WILL INFORM POLICY.

THESE ACTIONS WILL INFORM PROGRAMS COME UP PRACTICES, LAWS, TO GIVE ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES THE CARE AND THE COMPASSION THAT WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR LONG BEFORE THIS PANDEMIC.

>> A CRIME AGAINST ANY COMMUNITY, IS A CRIME AGAINST ALL OF US.

IT IS UNACCEPTABLE, AND IT MUST STOP NOW.

>> Reporter: ELLEN NASH CHAIRS SAN DIEGO'S HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION.

SHE SUMMED UP HER REMARKS SAYING HATE HAS NO PLACE IN AMERICA'S FINEST CITY.

THE RESOLUTION AND PROPOSAL FOR CHANGES IN COUNTY POLICY WILL BE TAKEN UP BY THE SUPERVISORS ON APRIL 6.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS .

>>> AS THE COMMUNITY IN BOULDER, COLORADO MOORE'S THE LOSS OF 10 PEOPLE SHOT AT A SUPERMARKET, NATIONWIDE, MANY ARE CALLING ONCE AGAIN FOR ACTION ON GUNS.

DARRELL FORGES HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: SUZANNE FOUNTAIN.

>> SHE WOULD LIGHT UP THE ROOM.

>> SHE WAS THE MOST AMAZING PERSON I HAVE MET AND MY LIFE.

>> RIKKI OLDS.

>> SHE HAD DREAMS, AMBITIONS, SHE WAS ONE-OF-A-KIND.

>> Reporter: A PORTRAIT PAINTED BY FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF SOME OF THE PEOPLE KILLED IN A SENSELESS ACT OF VIOLENCE THAT HAS DEVASTATED THE COMMUNITY.

>> THERE'S A HOLE IN OUR FAMILY THAT WON'T BE FILLED.

>> Reporter: AND INVESTIGATION IS UNDERWAY INTO MONDAY'S MASS SHOOTING AT KING SOOPERS IN BOULDER, COLORADO.

>> THIS IS GOING TO TAKE TIME.

WE WILL SEE JUSTICE PREVAIL.

>> Reporter: THE SUSPECT IS SET TO MAKE HIS FIRST COURT APPEARANCE THURSDAY AS QUESTIONS MOUNT OVER THE MOTIVE.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHY HE WOULD CHOOSE THIS WAY TO GET HIS POINT ACROSS?

>> Reporter: THE CALLS FOR ACTION ON GUNS IS RESONATING THROUGHOUT COLORADO.

>> WE HAVE MASS SHOOTING AND MASS SHOOTING, AND CONGRESS HAS FAILED TO ASK.

>> Reporter: THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS ECHOING THE CALL.

>> IF WE WANT SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE LASTING, WE NEED TO PASS LEGISLATION.

>> Reporter: WHILE MANY REPUBLICANS ARGUE STRICTER GUN LAWS ARE NOT THE SOLUTION.

>> WITH REGARD TO THE GUN LEGISLATION IN THE HOUSE, I DON'T THINK IT WOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR OF BOULDER SAYS AND ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN MAY HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN HIS CITY.

>> IT WOULD NOT HAVE HURT.

AND PROBABLY WOULD'VE HELPED.

>> Reporter: IS SITTING AT HOME TO GROWING MEMORIALS FOR THE 10 COMMUNITY MEMBERS LOST DUE TO GUN VIOLENCE.

IN BOULDER, DARRELL FORGES, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HAVE LEARNED THAT UP TO 1400 UNACCOMPANIED MIGRANT CHILDREN COULD BE HOUSED AT THE SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER, ACCORDING TO AN EMAIL FROM THE OFFICE OF REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ASKED THE COUNTY TO USE THE SITE, WHICH HAS OPERATED AS A HOMELESS SHELTER SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

IT COMES AS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE ARRIVING AT THE BORDER, AND SPACE IS RUNNING OUT TO SAFELY HOUSE THEM.

>>> PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN HAS TAPPED VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS TO LEAD THE WHITE HOUSE AND ITS INTEGRATION EFFORTS.

SHE SAYS SHE WILL WORK WITH NUMEROUS COUNTRIES, INCLUDING MEXICO.

SHE ALSO REPEATED THE ADMINISTRATIONS MESSAGE THAT MIGRANTS SHOULD NOT TRAVEL TO THE U.S. NOW, AND SAYS THE NATION NEEDS TO ADDRESS THE MAIN PROBLEMS WITH MIGRATION WHILE ENFORCING THE LAW.

>>> THE SEED FOR THE 79th ASSEMBLY DISTRICT WHICH RUNS FROM OTAY RANCH ALL THE WAY UP TO LA MESA IS NOW VACANT AFTER DR. SHIRLEY WEBER WAS CONFIRMED AS CALIFORNIA'S SECRETARY OF STATE.

WITH EARLY VOTING ALREADY UNDERWAY, WE LOOK AT WHO IS IN THE RUNNING.

>> Reporter: THE SPECIAL ELECTION COMES AT A PIVOTAL TIME FOR THE HEAVILY DEMOCRATIC 79th DISTRICTS.

WHEN FEDERAL COVID RECOVERY MONEY WILL NOW FLOW THROUGH THE STATE TO COMMUNITIES THAT DESPERATELY NEEDED.

MICHAELA WEBER IS A DOCTOR, LA MESA CITY COUNCILMEMBER, AND DAUGHTER OF THE WOMAN SHE IS NOW RUNNING TO REPLACE.

SHE SAYS SHE WILL BE UP TO THE TASK OF MAKING SURE THE FUNDS HELP A COMMUNITY THAT IS HURTING, BECAUSE SHE IS ALREADY WORKING IN GOVERNMENT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS BENEFICIAL ABOUT BEING AN ELECTED OFFICIAL AT THIS TIME IS THAT I HAVE ALREADY THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT ACTUALLY GOVERN THESE INDIVIDUAL AREAS, AND THESE INDIVIDUAL CITIES.

>> Reporter: A LIFELONG ORGANIZER IN SAN DIEGO, WHO HAS WORKED ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC EMPLOYEES UNION FOR THE PAST 16 YEARS.

SHE THINKS RELATIONSHIPS AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL WILL PROVE VALUABLE TO DISTRIBUTING MUCH- NEEDED RESOURCES IMMEDIATELY.

>> WHEN I LOOK AT THE SHORT- TERM IMPACT TO SMALL BUSINESSES, MY APPROACH IS GOING TO BE BEING ABLE TO LEVERAGE PUBLIC FEDERAL STATE RESOURCES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROVIDE IMMEDIATE INJECTION OF RELIEF TO OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, WHERE THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEM REOPEN THEIR DOORS, THAT WE ARE THERE TO SUPPORT THEM.

>> Reporter: CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ADVOCATE, WHOSE PREVIOUS RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE WAS DERAILED BY A CANCER DIAGNOSIS.

SHE MUST MAKE SURE THAT COMMUNITIES KNOW HOW BENEFICIAL POLICIES IN BOTH WASHINGTON AND SACRAMENTO ARE IMPACTING THEM AND THEY FEEL THOSE IMPACTS.

>> THESE COMMUNITIES NEVER ACTUALLY FEEL THE POLICY CHANGES.

THEY NEVER ACTUALLY SEE THE RESULTS OF WHAT WAS CREATED FOR THEM TO CHANGE AND MAKE THEIR LIVES BETTER.

I THINK WE HAVE TO DO A BETTER JOB OF REALLY EVALUATING HOW WE ARE IMPLEMENTING AND BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE TO RULE OUT THESE POLICIES.

>> Reporter: TWO OTHER CANDIDATES, ARE ALSO RUNNING FOR THE SEAT.

EARLY VOTING BEGAN ON MARCH 8.

WITH THE PRIMARY ELECTION CONCLUDING ON APRIL 6.

IF NO CANDIDATE WINS THE MAJORITY OF VOTES, A RUNOFF WILL BE HELD ON JUNE 8.

EITHER WAY, THE ASSEMBLY MEMBER WILL HAVE MISSED THE BULK OF AN IMPORTANT LEGISLATIVE SESSION, AND WILL NEED TO GET UP TO SPEED QUICKLY.

THAT IS WHERE SHE BELIEVES SHE HAS AN ADVANTAGE, AS ONLY A VETERAN OF WHAT GOES INTO DEALMAKING AND SACRAMENTO.

>> I FEEL THAT I'M PREPARED AND EXPERIENCED, AND I HAVE BEEN A CHAMPION FOR WORKERS.

>> Reporter: WEBER SAYS HER FOCUS WOULD BE HELPING TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH, THROUGH TACKLING LONG-STANDING SOCIAL PROBLEMS LIKE SCHOOL FUNDING.

>> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SOCIAL DETERMINANTS, WE TALK ABOUT THINGS LIKE CLOSING THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT GAP, MAKING SURE THAT RESOURCES AND FUNDING ARE EQUITABLY DISTRIBUTED, AND MONEY IS ABLE TO BE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO NEED MORE, SO THAT SCHOOLS, WHATEVER SCHOOL YOUR CHILD GOES TO, REGARDLESS OF YOUR ZIP CODE, OR THE ZIP CODE OF YOUR HOME OR YOUR SCHOOLS, THAT EVERY CHILD HAS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A HEALTHY FUTURE.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE BOTH PICKED UP COVETED ENDORSEMENTS AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM LOCAL POLITICAL LEADERS AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS.

GLASS BLAKE FEEL SICK OR POLITICAL OUTSIDER STATUS WILL ALLOW HER TO MORE DIRECTLY SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

>> I WANT TO BYPASS ALL OF THE POLITICS WITHIN POLITICS.

MANY TIMES WE DON'T GET THAT SUSTAINABLE CHANGE BECAUSE OUR POLITICIANS ARE BOUGHT AND PAID FOR.

>> Reporter: DR. SHIRLEY WEBER PASSED A SERIES OF POLICE REFORM BILLS, WHICH WON HER ACCOLADES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

EACH CANDIDATE SAYS THEY WILL CONTINUE HER WORK IN THEIR OWN WAY.

FOR DR. AQUILLA WEBER, THE PROTESTS FROM OVER THE SPRING, AND THE RIOT IN HER HOMETOWN OF LA MESA, REMINDED HER THAT SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES IN THE DISTRICT MUST BE CONTINUALLY LISTENED TO AND ADDRESSED AT THE STATE LEVEL.

>> WHAT WE SAW IN MAY AND JUNE, THE ACTIONS, IT WAS NOT DUE TO A SINGLE INCIDENT.

IT WAS DUE TO YEARS OF PEOPLE NOT BEING HEARD.

IT WAS DUE TWO YEARS OF PEOPLE FEELING MARGINALIZED AND TREATED DIFFERENTLY.

>> Reporter: THREE OF THE FOUR DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES WILL PARTICIPATE IN A FORUM WEDNESDAY EVENING, FOCUSING ON GUN VIOLENCE IN THE DISTRICT, ORGANIZED BY SAN DIEGANS FOR GUN VIOLENCE PROJECTION.

IT BEGINS AT 6:00 P.M. KPBS NEWS .

>>> THE SIGNATURES HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED, AND IN A FEW WEEKS, CALIFORNIANS WILL FIND OUT IF THE PETITION TO RECALL GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM WILL GET ON THE BALLOT.

RANDY CUMMINGS HAS MORE ON WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

>> Reporter: A COUNTY BY COUNTY BREAKDOWN GIVES A CLEARER PICTURE OF HOW SOME CALIFORNIANS FEEL ABOUT A COVENANT ORIOLE RECALL.

ACCORDING TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE, AS OF MARCH 11, MORE THAN 1.8 MILLION SIGNATURES HAD BEEN RECEIVED STATEWIDE.

SO FAR, MORE THAN 1.4 MILLION HAVE BEEN VERIFIED.

OF THOSE, MORE THAN 1.1 MILLION ARE VALID.

THE POSITION NEEDS MORE THAN 1.4 MILLION, OR 307,000 MORE VALID SIGNATURES TO QUALIFY TO GET ON A PALLET.

LAST WEEK WAS THE DEADLINE TO COLLECT AND SUBMIT SIGNATURES HOWEVER, THERE IS STILL MORE THAN 380,000 SIGNATURES THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN SUBMITTED, PLUS ANY THAT WERE SUBMITTED BETWEEN MARCH 11 AND THE 17, ALL OF THOSE STILL NEEDING TO BE VERIFIED.

NOW LOOK AT THIS MAP.

IT SHOWS WHERE SIGNATURES WERE SUBMITTED.

THE DATA COMPILED BY OUR PARTNERS AT SF GATE.

AMADOR COUNTY SUBMITTED THE MOST SIGNATURES PER REGISTERED VOTER AT 16.5%.

SACRAMENTO COUNTY, 7.1%.

POTTER COUNTY, 14.2%.

10.9% IN EL DORADO COUNTY.

KEVIN RIGGS SAYS THESE NUMBERS SHOW THE TRADITIONAL POLITICAL SPLIT IN CALIFORNIA BETWEEN CONSERVATIVE AND PROGRESSIVE.

>> I THINK IT IS PROBABLY NO SURPRISE THAT THE RED COUNTIES IN CALIFORNIA WOULD HAVE THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE OF SUPPORT FOR THE RECALL.

>> Reporter: DO YOU BELIEVE THAT SHOULDN'T GET ON THE BALLOT HE WILL BE RECALLED?

>> I DO THINK HE IS RELATIVELY WELL SITUATED TO SURVIVE THE RECALL AT THIS POINT.

ESPECIALLY COMPARED TO WHAT HAPPENED IN 2003 WITH GRAY DAVIS.

THERE ARE FAR MORE REGISTERED DEMOCRATS TODAY IN CALIFORNIA THAN THERE WAS THEN.

>> Reporter: IN RESPONSE, GAVIN NEWSOM HAS LAUNCHED AN AGGRESSIVE CAMPAIGN THAT CAN RAISE AN UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF MONEY.

>> BECAUSE IT IS A BALLOT MEASURE, AND IS NOT CANDIDATE CENTERED, IT MEANS THAT HE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE GOVERNED BY ANY KIND OF A FUND-RAISING LIMIT.

>> Reporter: WITH THE RECALL LOOMING, THERE IS EVEN MORE TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT GAVIN NEWSOM HAS TO WATCH FOR AND WORRY ABOUT IS IF ANOTHER PROMINENT DEMOCRAT GETS INTO THE RACE TO REPLACE HIM.

POLITICAL INSIDERS SAY VOTERS SHOULD EXPECT AN ELECTION IN OCTOBER OR NOVEMBER, AND BE PREPARED TO SEE DOZENS OF NAMES ON THE BALLOT.

>>> THAT WAS BRANDY CUMMINGS REPORTING.

A HANDFUL OF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES HAVE ENTERED THE RACE, INCLUDING THE FORMER SAN DIEGO MAYOR KEVIN FAULKNER, JOHN COX, AND DOUG OC.

>>> CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS ARE BRACING FOR A DRY SUMMER, BUT LOCAL WATER MANAGERS SAY THERE IS ENOUGH WATER FOR THE REGION.

STATE WATER MANAGERS HAVE CUT THEIR WATER PROJECTIONS AND HALF FROM EARLY PREDICTIONS BECAUSE OF PERSISTENT DRY CONDITIONS THIS YEAR IN THE SIERRA NEVADA.

THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY'S JEFF STEVENSON SAYS THE COUNTY DOESN'T RELY TOO MUCH OF THAT WATER, AND A PREDICTIVE RELIABLE LOCAL SUPPLY.

>> WE HAVE SUFFICIENT WATER SUPPLY, WHETHER IT IS A NORMAL YEAR, WHICH MEANS NORMAL RAINFALL, A SINGLE DRY YEAR, OR A PERIOD OF FIVE STRAIGHT DRY YEARS.

UNDER ALL OF THOSE SCENARIOS, WE HAVE MORE THAN SUFFICIENT WATER SUPPLIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE REGION.

>> HE CREDITS LOCAL EFFORTS TO DIVERSE AWAY DIVERSIFY WATER SOURCES.

THEY ONLY GET ABOUT 10% OF THEIR WATER FROM THE STATE WATER PROJECT.

THE REST COMES FROM THE COLORADO RIVER, THE CARLSBAD DESALINATION PLANT, AND OTHER LOCAL SOURCES.

>>> MUCH COOLER AIR ON THE WAY THURSDAY.

WE SEE SHOWERS AND STRONGEST EVENT.

PRECIPITATION WILL BE ON THE LIGHT SIDE.

UP IN THE HIGH MOUNTAINS, A COUPLE OF INCHES OF SNOW.

THEN IT PULLS OUT, AND FOR THE WEEKEND WE ARE LOOKING DRY.

IT WILL BE WARMER.

HERE IS A CHECK ON THE WEATHER FOR TONIGHT.

TEMPERATURES DIPPING DOWN TO MID 40s IN OCEANSIDE.

50s IN SAN DIEGO.

30s AND RAMONA AND EL CAJON.

43 MT.

LAGUNA.

NOW FOR THURSDAY, A FAMILIAR PATTERN.

IN OTHER CHILE TROUGH?

DOWN INTO THE WEST.

IT WILL COAX A STRONG ONSHORE FLOW HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

WE WILL SEE A LITTLE BIT OF WET WEATHER.

WE GO TO THE FUTURE RADAR, AND WE TAKE YOU THROUGH THE DAY.

YOU CAN SEE HOW THE SHOWERS WILL BE DEVELOPING, WHILE BEING MOSTLY ON THE LIGHT SIDE AS THAT MOISTURE MOVES UP INTO THE MOUNTAINS.

THE HIGH MOUNTAINS WILL SEE SOME SNOW.

FORECAST HIGHS, 61 IN OCEANSIDE, 62 IN SAN DIEGO.

WE KEEP IT IN THE 50s, ESCONDIDO, RAMONA, BORREGO SPRINGS 67.

50 IN CAMPO.

FRIDAY, THAT SYSTEM SLIPS ITS WAY TO THE EAST.

WE SEE SOME IMPROVING WEATHER HERE.

AS WE GO TO OUR EXTENDED FORECAST, QUITE COOL THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY, BUT JUST IN TIME FOR THE WEEKEND.

THE SUN IS BACK.

AND THE TEMPERATURES WILL RISE TO THE LOW 70s ON SUNDAY.

INLAND SECTIONS, SOME RAIN WILL BE AROUND MY AND PERHAPS A SHOWER FRIDAY.

THEN THE WARM-UP.

LOOK AT THAT.

80s ON SUNDAY.

INTO THE MOUNTAINS, VERY WINDY.

RAIN AND HIGHER TERRAIN SNOW, THEN OVER THE WEEKEND SUNSHINE, TEMPERATURES ON THE RISE.

IN THE DESERTS, IT WILL BE A LITTLE COOL FOR THE END OF THE WEEK BUT LOOK AT THE WEEKEND.

IT WILL BE SUNNY AND WARMER.

FOR KPBS NEWS , I'M METEOROLOGIST MARK MANCUSO.

>>> SEAWORLD IS NOW ALLOWING VISITORS TO RETURN TO ITS INDOOR ANIMAL EXHIBITS.

THE PARK ALSO PLANS TO OFFER NIGHTLY FIREWORKS LATER THIS WEEK, AND THAT IS THE FIRST TIME IN MORE THAN A YEAR.

COME APRIL 1st, LARGE THEME PARKS WILL BE PERMITTED TO REOPEN, INCLUDING THE RIDES.

ALTHOUGH AT MUCH REDUCED CAPACITY.

SEAWORLD WHICH IS OPERATING UNDER A RESERVATIONS SYSTEM IS NOT ANNOUNCING YET WHEN IT WILL MOVE TO REOPEN, AND OTHER THRILL RIDES.

>>> GOOD NEWS FOR PEOPLE WHO LIKE TO SEE MOVIES ON THE BIG SCREEN.

REGAL CINEMAS IS REOPENING ITS U.S.

THEATERS NEXT MONTH, ABOUT HALF A YEAR AFTER THEY WERE SHUT DOWN.

EIGHT HERE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY WILL OPEN ON APRIL 2.

THEIR PARENT COMPANY SAID THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE A PROFIT ONCE CAPACITY RESTRICTIONS EXPAND TO AT LEAST 50%.

>>> A VERY TOUCHING MOMENT PLAYED OUT IN CHULA VISTA INVOLVING A COUPLE MARRIED FOR 72 YEARS.

BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC, FRANCIS AND ROBERTA DORIAN HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO VISIT IN PERSON FOR A YEAR, BUT FINALLY AFTER BOTH GOT VACCINATED, THAT LONG-AWAITED EMBRACE FINALLY TOOK PLACE.

>> WHEN I CAN BE WITH HER, NEXT TO HER, THE MORE MEMORY I CAN BRING HER OUT.

SHE IS REMEMBERING MORE OFTEN BECAUSE I AM NOT THERE.

>> DUE TO HER HEALTH, ROBERTA HAD BEEN STAYING AT A CARE FACILITY SO THEY RELIED ON DAILY PHONE CALLS AND VIDEO CHATS UNTIL NOW.

FRANCIS SAID HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DAY WHEN THEY CAN SPEND ALL DAY EVERY DAY TOGETHER.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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

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

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION , DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY , AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.