>>> 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 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'S WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9th.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

AS GUEST PRICES CONTINUE TO SOAR, DEMANDS FOR HELP FROM LEGISLATORS IN SACRAMENTO ARE GETTING LOUDER.

GOVERNOR NEWSOME TOUCHED ON THAT IN HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS BUT KPBS REPORTER, JOHN CARROLL SAYS THE GOVERNOR WAS SHORT ON SPECIFICS.

>> Reporter: RUNNING A STATE WITH THE FIFTH LARGEST ECONOMY IN THE WORLD MEANS CONTENDING WITH ALL SORTS OF ISSUES AND GOVERNOR NEWSOME TOUCHED ON LOTS OF THEM TUESDAY NIGHT FROM THE STATE ECONOMY TO ACCESS TO ABORTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT, NEWSOM SAID THE STATE WAS IN GOOD SHAPE.

WHEN IT COMES TO CALIFORNIA'S HIGHEST IN THE NATION GAS PRICES, THE GOVERNOR DID NOT HAVE A LOT TO SAY AFTER MENTIONED HIS PROPOSAL TO PAUSE THE NEXT HIKE IN THE GAS TECH TO ABOUT THREE CENTS PER GALLON.

HE WENT ON TO SAY THIS.

>> NOW IT IS CLEAR WE HAVE TO GO FURTHER AND THAT IS WHY WORKING WITH LEGISLATIVE LEADERSHIP I WILL BE SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL TO PUT MONEY BACK IN THE POCKETS OF CALIFORNIANS TO ADDRESS RISING GAS PRICES.

>> Reporter: WITH A STATE SURPLUS ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT 75 BILLION AND $35 MILLION, THE STATE HAS THE ABILITY TO DO SOMETHING.

THERE COULD BE A POSITIVE THE STATE GAS TAX THAT WOULD SAY $.51 A GALLON OR COULD COME IN THE FORM OF A REBATE TO TAXPAYERS.

THAT IS WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS TO WORK OUT WITH LAWMAKERS.

BEFORE THE GOVERNOR'S BEACH, STATE SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM TONY ATKINS ACKNOWLEDGED THE COST OF GAS IS EXORBITANT.

>> THE SPEAKER AND I AND OUR LEGISLATIVE HOUSES HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN ASSIST CALIFORNIANS.

WITH MORE IN ADDITIONAL STIMULUS.

>> Reporter: REPUBLICANS WENT AFTER NEWSOM WENT AFTER GAS PRICES.

REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR, BRIAN JONES WHO REPRESENTS AN AREA INCLUDING EL CAJON AND ESCONDIDO RELEASED A YOUTUBE VIDEO.

HERE IS WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> IF THERE IS A WAY TO LOWER GAS PRICES IN CALIFORNIA BY ONE DOLLAR, AND I KNOW THAT WON'T SOLVE ALL OF YOUR FINANCIAL TROUBLES BUT IT IS A HUGE PRICE DECREASE.

THE CALIFORNIA STATE LEGISLATURE HAS THE POWER TO SUSPEND THE GAS TAX FOR A FEW MONTHS, A YEAR OR PERMANENTLY.

PERMIT FROM CHAIR JUST ABOUT JESSICA MALONE PATTERSON, CALIFORNIA HAS THE HIGHEST ON IMPLEMENT RATE, HIGHEST GAS PRICES AND AFTER TAKING OFF OTHER ISSUES SHE SEES AS NEWSOM'S RESPONSIBILITY, WENT ON TO SAY THAT LIFELONG CALIFORNIANS ARE MOVING TO STATES WHERE THEY CAN AFFORD TO LIVE.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> MAJOR DEVELOPMENTS UNFOLDING AS THE U.S. IS NOW SHOWING UP ITS DEFENSES BY SENDING MORE MILITARY EQUIPMENT TO POLAND PREPARING FOR POSSIBLE WAR IN EUROPE.

THIS COMES AS NEW ACCUSATIONS ARE BEING MADE ABOUT RUSSIA.

REPORTER, ISABEL ROSALES.

>> MY HOMETOWN ALWAYS WAS A PEACEFUL TOWN AND NOW IT IS FULLY DESTROYED BY RUSSIAN SOLDIERS.

>> Reporter: A MASS EXODUS.

THE U.N. SAYS MORE THAN 2 MILLION UKRAINIANS HAVE LEFT HOME TO ESCAPE VIOLENCE.

>> THERE ARE NO RULES.

HOW MANY SCHOOLS, PRESCHOOLS DESTROYED.

>> Reporter: RUSSIA'S LATEST AGREEMENT WILL ALLOW EVACUATIONS MET WITH INTERNATIONAL SKEPTICISM.

A UKRAINIAN MATERNITY HOSPITAL BOMBED.

UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS LAME RUSSIA.

THEY ACCUSE RUSSIAN TROOPS OF BLOCKING 50 EVACUATION BUSES OUT OF A KEY OF SUBURB.

VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS IS ON HER WAY TO POLAND UNDER A CLOUD OF UNCERTAINTY.

THE U.S.

CAUGHT OFFGUARD AND REJECTING POLAND'S PROPOSAL TO TRANSFER FIRE JETS TO THE U.S. TO THEN GIVE TO UKRAINE.

>> THE PROSPECT OF FIGHTER JETS AT THE DISPOSAL OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT DEPARTING FROM A U.S. NATO BASE IN GERMANY TO FLY INTO AIRSPACE CONTESTED WITH RUSSIA OVER UKRAINE RAISES SERIOUS CONCERNS FOR THE ENTIRE NATO ALLIANCE.

>>> MEANWHILE NATO WRAPPING UP DEFENSE DEPARTMENT TO COUNTER A THREAT TO NAIL NATO ALLIES.

THE U.S. SENDING TWO HIGH-END DEFENSE PATRIOT MISSILE BATTERIES TO POLAND.

COMPANIES ARE ALSO HITTING BACK IN MOSCOW.

STARBUCKS, McDONALD'S AND COCA- COLA JOIN A GROWING LIST OF WESTERN COMPANIES PULLING OUT OF RUSSIA.

>> HIS ECONOMY IS IN TATTERS.

THE WEST IS UNIFIED AND DETERMINED.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, ISABEL ROSALES, KPBS NEWS.

>>> PRESIDENT BIDEN SAID THAT GAS PRICES WILL CONTINUE TO GO UP IN LIGHT OF MORE SANCTIONS ON RUSSIA BUT EXPERTS SAY IT IS NOT JUST GAS PRICES THAT WILL INCREASE.

KPBS REPORTER, KITTY ALVARADO LOOKS AT WHAT THIS MEANS FOR EVERYDAY AMERICANS AND IF THIS CONTINUED INFLATION WILL TRIGGER A RECESSION.

>> Reporter: THE OWNERS OF THIS MEXICAN CUISINE RESTAURANT HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD SERVING UP AUTHENTIC DELICIOUS MEXICAN DISHES TO THE COMMUNITY IN HILLCREST FOR ALMOST 2 DECADES.

THEY HAVE ALSO BEEN WORKING HARD TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN SINCE THE PANDEMIC HIT.

>> WHEN THE PANDEMIC STARTED, IT WAS THE HARDEST YEARS WE HAD TO LIVE THROUGH.

>> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN ONE HIT AFTER THE NEXT.

NOW THAT THE PANDEMIC IS EASING, INFLATION AND GAS PRICES ARE CLAWING INTO THEIR PROCESS.

>> THE MEAT, TO GO BOXES, TORTILLAS.

EVERYTHING IS GOING UP.

>> WE WERE ALREADY STRUGGLING UNDER HIGH PRICES BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND ALL OF THESE THINGS.

NOW, THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING IS 100% POSITIVE GOING UP.

>> Reporter: THEY DON'T WANT TO RAISE PRICES BUT MENU PRICES ARE A TICKET TRICKY THING TO INCREASE.

>> A BULLY OR PLATE OF ENCHILADAS I CAN GO UP TO $22 SO I HAVE TO HAVE A SET PRICE SO FOR US WITH THE FOOD, WE ARE KIND OF STUCK.

>> HONESTLY I'M AFRAID TO RAISE PRICES.

IF I RAISE THE PRICES, THE BUSINESS IS GOING TO GO DOWN.

>>> ALLEN, AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO SAYS RUSSIA'S INVASION OF UKRAINE WILL RESULT IN CONTINUED INFLATION, IMPACTING CONSUMERS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES THE MOST.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE TRANSLATED INTO THINGS LIKE THE PRICE OF PRODUCTS.

WITH GAS PRICES UP, DIESEL PRICES UP, THAT WILL EVENTUALLY BE BUILT INTO THE PRICE OF PRODUCTS SO UNFORTUNATELY, IT IS GOING TO KEEP INFLATION RELATIVELY HIGH.

>> HE SAYS BECAUSE THE ECONOMY IS STRONG, IT WON'T HAVE A LASTING IMPACT OR TRIGGER A RECESSION UNLESS IT DRAGS ON.

>> A LOT WILL DEPEND, THEN, ON HOW LONG THAT CONFLICT GOES ON.

WE ARE BELOW 4% UNEMPLOYMENT NATIONWIDE.

THAT MEANS THAT AGAIN, THE ECONOMY IS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE RIGHT NOW.

EVEN THIS CONFLICT TO THE SUMMER, I THINK THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE ENOUGH TO TIP THE ECONOMY INTO A RECESSION.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW, THEY SAY THEY WILL KEEP WORKING HARD AND REMAIN HOPEFUL THEY CAN CONTINUE TO DO WHAT THEY LOVE.

KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> PLAYERS AND OWNERS OF MAJOR-LEAGUE TEAMS STRUCK OUT AGAIN LATE TODAY AND GETTING A LABOR AGREEMENT GUN AND DONE AND THAT MEANS OPENING DAY WILL BE PUSHED BACK AGAIN, THIS TIME TO APRIL 14th.

SOURCES SAY THIS PLAYERS REJECTED THE LATEST OPTIONS AND SENT BACK A COUNTER PROPOSAL THAT WENT NOWHERE.

FANS ON SOCIAL MEDIA ARE SLIMING BOTH SIDES FOR BEING GREEDY ESPECIALLY AT A TIME WHEN MANY AMERICANS ARE FACING FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES.

>>> ORGANIZATIONS WANT TO MAKE SURE WORKERS KNOW ABOUT THEIR RIGHT TO PAID COVID-19 SICK LEAVE.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER, TANIA THORNE BUT WITH ORGANIZATIONS TODAY CONTINUING OUTREACH EFFORTS.

>> Reporter: WHILE COVID-19 CASES SLOWLY DECREASED, THE RISK OF GETTING SICK STILL EXISTS.

SOME GROUPS CONTINUE OUTREACH EFFORTS TO EDUCATE COMMUNITIES ON VACCINES, PAID SICK LEAVE AND TESTING.

A COUPLE OF NONPROFITS AND STATE AGENCIES MET TODAY AFTER THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO OFFICES IN ESCONDIDO LAUNCHED THE WORKER WEEK OF ACTION AIMED TO INCREASE AWARENESS TO WORKERS RIGHTS WHEN IT COMES TO COVID- 19.

ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS WITHOUT THE MEETING.

ALVAREZ, WITH THE GROUP, SAYS VOLUNTEERS HAVE REACHED OVER THE HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE THROUGH THEIR OUTREACH.

>> WE DROPPED WHAT WE WERE DOING AND ANSWERED THE CALL TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR TARGET INDUSTRIES AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR NEIGHBORS, ESPECIALLY FRONT LINE ESSENTIAL WORKERS, HAVE THE ACCESS THEY NEEDED TO VACCINES, VACCINE INFORMATION, AND TO ENSURE THAT EVERY PERSON IN OUR COUNTY WHO WANTED OUR VACCINE HAD ACCESS TO ONE.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS WORKED TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE INFORMATION GOT DISTRIBUTED IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES.

ESPECIALLY TO MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES.

>> IT WAS AVAILABLE IN 24 LANGUAGES, ALLOWING OUR MESSAGE TO REACH INDIVIDUALS WHO NORMALLY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.

>> -- >> Reporter: THE LATEST MESSAGE ORGANIZATIONS ARE PUSHING OUT TO COMMUNITIES IS THEIR RIGHT TO PAID COVID-19 SICK LEAVE FOR CALIFORNIA WORKERS REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS.

THIS WOMAN WITH THE LABOR OFFICES WORKERS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PAID SICK LEAVE.

>> SUPPLEMENTAL PAID SICK LEAVE LAW FOR COVID-19 COVERS WORKERS AND BUSINESSES WITH 26 OR MORE EMPLOYEES WHO CANNOT WORK FROM HOME.

THE LAW APPLIES TO COVID- RELATED SICK LEAVE FROM JANUARY 1st TO SEPTEMBER 30th 2022.

>> TAURUS SAYS IT IS ILLEGAL FOR EMPLOYERS TO FIRE, REDUCE HOURS OR RETALIATE AGAINST WORKERS FOR ASKING TO USE THE PAID SICK LEAVE.

WORKERS CAN CALL THE LABOR COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE AT 833-L C O-CAPI I N C O.

-- TO FOLLOW WAGE CLAIM OR RETALIATION COMPLAINT.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S NEW AMBULANCE PROVIDER WAS GRILLED BY CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TODAY AFTER AN EARLY REVIEW FOUND THEY WERE REGULARLY UNDERSTAFFING AMBULANCES.

THE FIRE DEPARTMENT SAYS THEY WILL BE PURSUING FINANCIAL PENALTIES.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER, THAT HOFFMAN HAS MORE ON WHY CITY OFFICIALS ARE UPSET.

>> Reporter: AMBULANCES HAVE BEEN ON THE STREETS IN SAN DIEGO FULL TIME FOR ABOUT THREE MONTHS NOW.

THE COMPANY WON THE CITY'S FIVE YEAR 9-1-1 CONTRACT AFTER BEATING OUT THE PREVIOUS PROVIDER, AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE.

FELT PROMISED MORE STAFFING AND NEW LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT.

>> THE RAMP UP PROCESS WAS CHALLENGING.

>> Reporter: JEFF RUNS SAN DIEGO OPERATIONS.

THE COMPANY SPENT SIX MONTHS BUILDING UP BEFORE TAKING OVER JUST AFTER THANKSGIVING.

HE ACKNOWLEDGES STAFFING REQUIREMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN MET >> THEY WERE SLIGHTLY BELOW THAT LEVEL.

IT IS DAY TO DAY.

THERE ARE CHALLENGES.

BUT WHEN HE SAYS THE MOST RECENT COVID-19 SURGE COMP LOCATED OPERATIONS.

>> WE JUST CAME ON THE OVER OTHER SIDE OF THE OMICRON VARIANT JANUARY WAS CHALLENGING AND 25% OF OUR EMPLOYEES WERE OUT AT SOMETIME SICK WITH COVID.

>> Reporter: DATA FROM THE CITY OF SANGHA SAN DIEGO SHOWS FALCON HASN'T QUITE MET THEIR MONTHLY STAFFING REQUIREMENT.

>> WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS MEETING THE GOAL WE SAID WE WOULD MEET AND WE ARE IN A BETTER POSITION TODAY THAN WE WERE WHEN WE STARTED.

>> Reporter: FEWER STAFF MEANS SOME HAS TO PULL EXTRA SHIFTS AND THE CITY IS WORRIED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR BURNOUT.

>> WE CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THE REQUIREMENTS AND FALC AS I MENTIONED IS MAKING ACHIEVEMENTS WITH EACH REQUIREMENT.

>> JODI PIERCE IS THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES FOR THE SAN DIEGO FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT.

SHE SAYS THE CITY RUNS THE 9-1- 1 SYSTEM WITH FALC PROVIDING AMBULANCE TRANSPORTS.

>> EACH FIRE APPARATUS HAS A FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC AND A SECOND MEDIC COMING FROM FELT ENGLANDS -- FALC AMBULANCE PROVIDING THE TRANSPORT FROM THE HOSPITAL TO THE INCIDENT.

>> Reporter: TO THEIR KNOWLEDGE, EVERYONE HAS GOT WHAT THEY NEEDED IN THE THREE MONTH REPORT CARD DOESN'T SHOW THE ACCURATE PICTURE.

FALC IS FOLLOWING THROUGH ON OTHER CONTRACT OBLIGATIONS LIKE RINGING IN NEW AMBULANCES.

AT LEAST HALF OF THE FLEET IS BRAND-NEW AND FALC SAYS ALL THE VEHICLES WILL BE IN BY APRIL.

>> YOU CAN NEVER GO WRONG WITH BRAND-NEW HEIRLOOM AMBULANCES.

MARCUS A PARAMEDIC SUPERVISOR FOR FALC WHO HAS WORKED HE MAGICALLY -- EMERGENCY RESPONSE FOR 20 YEARS.

>>> SD, MSC, EMR AND NOW FALC.

>> THE AMBULANCES COME WITH NEW TECH THAT HELPS FIRST RESPONDERS AND PATIENTS LIKE POWER LOADING GURNEYS.

>> HELP SAVE OUR BLACK OUR BACK AND WITH THESE GURNEYS IT IS SUITABLE FOR HEAVIER PATIENTS BUT A BIG FACTOR IN THE GURNEYS IS IT PREVENTS INJURIES.

>> IT IS NOT JUST ONE PERSON INSTEAD OF SOMETIMES TWO OR THREE.

JENNY IS A 9-1-1 PARAMEDIC WITH FALC.

SHE SAYS AMBULANCES HAVE LUCAS DEVICES THAT DELIVER AUTOMATIC CHEST COMPRESSIONS.

>> IT IS EASY TO USE.

AND THEN IT WILL BASICALLY START COMPRESSIONS.

IT ALLOWS ONE MORE PERSON TO DO OTHER THINGS RATHER THAN COMPRESSIONS.

IT ACTUALLY FREES UP TWO PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: WHILE THEY HAVE NEW EQUIPMENT, STAFFING ISSUES PROCESS.

RESPONSE TIMES ARE AT OR NEAR 90% ACROSS THE STATE.

>> WE ARE PROUD OF OUR PARAMEDICS AND IN ENTS RESPONDING AND MAKING SURE WE GET THERE AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

IT HAS BEEN REALLY UNDER TREMENDOUS STRAINS IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS WITH COVID AND FOLKS BEING OUT ILL AND THEY ARE JUST WORKING REALLY HARD AND WE ARE PROUD OF THEM.

I WANT THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE WORKING REALLY HARD FOR THEM AS WELL.

>> Reporter: FALC COULD BE FINED BY THE CITY IF THEY DON'T MEET REQUIREMENTS.

THE SAN DIEGO FIRE RESCUE WILL WORK WITH THE AMBULANCE COMPANY TO DELIVER THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF EMERGENCY SERVICES.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A PROPOSED BILL INTRODUCED BY SAN DIEGO-BASED ASSEMBLY MEMBER COULD CREATE A TAX PENALTY FOR CERTAIN INVESTORS.

IT WILL HAVE MADE IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR MANY FAMILIES TO BUY A HOME.

THE CALIFORNIA HOUSING SPECULATION ACTOR ASSEMBLY BILL 1771 WAS MITTEN WRITTEN BY ASSEMBLY MEMBER WARD AIMED AT SHORT-TERM INVESTORS WHO OFTEN OUTBID FAMILIES WITH CASH OFFERS.

THE BILL WOULD IMPOSE A TAX UP TO 25% ON INVESTORS NET CAPITAL GAIN FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE UNTIL THE FINAL SALE OR EXCHANGE OF A PROPERTY.

>> MAKING GOBS OF YOU KNOW TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, TAKING THEM OUT OF OUR COMMUNITY FROM ALL THESE TRANSACTIONS IS NOT FAIR EITHER BECAUSE THE PEOPLE STRUGGLING ARE PEOPLE WHO GET OUTBID 30 TIMES TRYING TO GET INTO THEIR HOME.

>> WARD BELIEVES THE BILL WOULD DISCOURAGE INVESTORS OR SLOW DOWN SPECULATORS SO POTENTIAL HOMEOWNERS CAN HAVE A FAIR CHANCE.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S EFFORTS TO EXPAND THE CONVENTION CENTER SUFFERED A LEGAL SETBACK THIS WEEK KPBS METRO REPORTER, ANDREW BOWEN SAYS A JUDGE DECLARED THE BALLOT MEMBER MEASURE TO FUND THE PROJECT DEAD.

>> Reporter: MEASURE C ON THE MARCH 2020 BALLOT WOULD HAVE RAISED THE CITY'S HOTEL TAX TO FUND AN EXPANDED CONVENTION CENTER, HOMELESSNESS PROGRAM AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

IT GOT ALMOST BUT NOT QUITE A 2- 3 MAJORITY.

THAT KICKED OFF A LONG AND COMPLEX LEGAL BATTLE OVER WHAT THRESHOLD THE MEASURE NEEDED FOR APPROVAL AND WHETHER THE CITY WAITED TOO LONG BEFORE DECLARING THE MEASURE PASSED.

THE NONPROFIT, ALLIANCE, SAN DIEGO, SUED THE CITY OVER MEASURE C. >> THIS CASE COULD'VE BEEN ABOUT ANY BALLOT MEASURE.

OUR CONCERN WAS ABOUT THE POWER TAKEN BY THE CITY COUNCIL TO IGNORE ELECTION LAW AND MANIPULATE THE ELECTION TO GET THE RESULTS THAT THEY WANTED.

>> Reporter: MAYOR TODD GLORIA SENT KPBS THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT."

THIS RULING IS AN UNFORTUNATE DELAY BUT WE ARE UNDETERRED IN SEEKING THE COURTS VALIDATION OF MEASURE C. WE WILL FIGHT TO SECURE THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR HOMELESSNESS AND ROAD REPAIR THAT A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF SAN DIEGANS VOTED FOR.

THE CITY COUNCIL WILL HAVE TO VOTE ON WHETHER TO THE CASE UP TO THE COURT OF APPEAL."

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO MAYOR, TODD GLORIA WANTS TO LOWER SPEED LIMITS ON SOME SAN DIEGO STREETS.

PREVIOUSLY, CITIES IN CALIFORNIA HAD TO FACE THEIRS BE LIMITS ON THE ACTUAL SPEEDS THAT MOST DRIVERS GO.

THAT FORCED SOME CITIES TO REPEATEDLY RAISE SPEED LIMITS EVEN ON DANGEROUS STREETS.

BUT A NEW STATE LAW GIVES CITIES MORE DISCRETION OVER SPEED LIMITS AND MAYOR GLORIA WANTS TO MAKE USE OF IT.

PARTICULARLY WITH TRAFFIC DEATHS ON THE RISE.

>> OBVIOUSLY A WAY YOU CAN REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN INJURY OR FATALITY WHEN VEHICLES ARE MOVING AT SLOWER SPEEDS, THAT DEFINITELY REDUCES THE LIKELIHOOD OF THAT TERRIBLE THING HAPPENING.

IT IS A NEW ROLE WHEN IT COMES TO HOW PEOPLE ARE GETTING FROM A TO BE AND WE HAVE TO BE DYNAMIC AND MAKE CHANGES NOT JUST FOR LEADERSHIP WHETHER THE MAYOR OR TRANSPORTATION DIRECTOR BUT THE WAY THAT WE GOVERN OUR STREETS WITH THOSE LOWER SPEED NUMBERS.

>> 72 PEOPLE DIED IN TRAFFIC CONDITIONS COLLISIONS ON CITY STREETS LAST YEAR.

THAT IS A 41% INCREASE COMPARED TO 2019.

>>> CALIFORNIA NOW HAS THE AUTHORITY TO SET ITS OWN TOUGH EMISSIONS STANDARDS FOR CARS AND SUVs.

TODAY THE EPA APPROVED A WAIVER ALLOWING THE STATE TO SET STRICTER POLLUTION RULES, REVERSING A TRUMP ADMINISTRATION POLICY.

CALIFORNIA WILL ALSO BE ALLOWED TO IMPOSE MANDATES FOR ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES THAT DO NOT CONTRIBUTE TO GLOBAL WARMING.

AT LEAST 15 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HAVE SIGNED ONTO THE SAME VEHICLE STANDARDS.

>>> >> THERE ARE A FEW COOL DAYS AHEAD IN THE FORECAST.

I EMPHASIZE THE FEW BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO BE ONLY ABOUT TWO DAYS AND TEMPERATURES WILL WARM UP AGAIN AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

A FEW SHOWERS POSSIBLE ON THURSDAY.

BUT AGAIN, IT'S GOING TO BE VERY SPORADIC HERE AND NOT WIDESPREAD.

JUST A COUPLE OF SHOWERS IN THE FORECAST FOR YOU TOO THURSDAY.

THERE ARE WIND ADVISORIES THAT WILL GO INTO EFFECT ON THURSDAY.

THAT WILL BE MAINLY OFF TO THE NORTH AND EAST BUT GUSTY WINDS POSSIBLE FROM TIME TO TIME.

EVEN OUTSIDE OF THOSE AREAS THAT ARE UNDER THE WIND ADVISORY.

SOMETHING TO WATCH CLOSELY AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

TEMPERATURES TONIGHT GETTING BACK DOWN INTO THE 30s AND 40s.

43 DOWN INTO RAMONA.

49 IN EL CAJON, 36 IN MOUNT LAGUNA.

SAN DIEGO, NOT A BAD NIGHT, 57 DEGREES FOR THE OVERNIGHT LOW.

THURSDAY, COOLER TREND ACROSS MUCH OF THE INTERIOR SOUTHWEST.

TEMPERATURES WELL BELOW NORMAL FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

SOME SPOTS DROPPING 20 TO 30 DEGREES FROM WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY BUT WE ARE NOT REALLY GOING TO FEEL ALL THAT MUCH OF A CHANGE TO THE COAST.

ACROSS THE INTERIOR PARTS OF CALIFORNIA, WE MAY SEE A BIT OF A CHANGE HERE BUT EVEN THEN, IT'S GOING TO QUICKLY REBOUND AS WE MOVE INTO THE WEEKEND.

A COUPLE OF SHOWERS FOR YOUR DAY THURSDAY.

LOW 60s IN RAMONA, MID 60s IN EL CAJON, 64 OUT TOWARDS ESCONDIDO AND FRIDAY, MILDER AIR STARTS TO MAKE A RETURN HERE ACROSS MENTAL CALIFORNIA.

MOVING TOWARD THE COAST, TEMPERATURES IN THE MID 60s.

THURSDAY MORNING SHOWERS AND SUNSHINE RETURN.

THEN WE GET BACK INTO THE UPPER 60s AND LOW 70s.

FURTHER INLAND, TEMPERATURES GO FROM THE MID 60s ON THURSDAY INTO THE 70s AND EVEN UPPER 70s BY THE TIME WE GET INTO SATURDAY.

20 OF SUNSHINE ON THE WAY.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, WE GO FROM THE 40s BACK INTO THE 50s AND EVEN CLOSER TO 60 DEGREES AS WE LOOK AHEAD TO THE START OF THE NEXT WORK WEEK.

PLENTY OF SUNSHINE ON THE WAY.

AND IN THE DESERTS, TEMPERATURES WARMING FROM THE 70s INTO THE 80s AND MAYBE EVEN MID 80s AT THAT.

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

>>> TRANSGENDER PEOPLE FROM MEXICO LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES CANNOT GET CERTIFICATES AND PASSPORTS THAT AFFIRM THEIR NAME AND GINGER.

GUSTAVO SOLIS TELLS US WHY THIS MEANS SO MUCH TO THE CROSS- BORDER LGBTQ COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: BEFORE THIS YEAR, TRANSGENDER MEXICAN NATIONALS WHO WANTED TO CHANGE THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR PASSPORT TO REFLECT THEIR NAME AND GENDER HAD TO OVERCOME A SERIES OF BUREAUCRATIC, DISCRIMINATORY OBSTACLES.

THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF MEXICO IN SAN DIEGO DESCRIBES THE OLD PROCESS.

>> UNTIL NOW, YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO MEXICO GO IN FRONT OF A JUDGE, AND CLAIM THROUGH LITIGATION FOR THE RECOGNITION OF THE RIGHT OF IDENTITY.

OBVIOUSLY, THAT IN ITSELF IS DISCRIMINATORY BUT NOW EVERY MEXICAN CONSULATE ALLOWS CHANTED TRANSGENDER PEOPLE TO UPDATE DOCUMENTS.

>> Reporter: THREE LOCAL ACTIVISTS WERE FIRST TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS IN SAN DIEGO.

JAMIE IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE PROJECT TRANSLATE TINA ADVOCACY GROUP AND POSTED A VICTORY IN A YEARS LONG BATTLE.

>> NOW WE CAN SHOW THEIR PASSPORT OR I.D.

TO SAY OH, THIS IS ME, MY REAL ME.

>> Reporter: WITH THESE PROPER 80s, TRANSGENDER PEOPLE FROM MEXICO WILL NOT FACE THE SAME LEVELS OF'S DISCRIMINATION IN SAN DIEGO THAT THEY EXPERIENCED BEFORE.

THIS IS GUSTAVO SOLIS FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE BIDEN MINISTRATION IS CANCELING MORE THAN $6 BILLION WORTH OF FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN DEBTS .

THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAID IT HAS IDENTIFIED 100,000 BORROWERS ELIGIBLE FOR THE PUBLIC OFFICE SERVICE LAW FORGIVENESS PROGRAM.

THE PROGRAM, LAUNCHED 15 YEARS AGO, BUT THE BIDEN MINISTRATION MADE CHANGES IN OCTOBER.

NOW, SOME BORROWERS HAVE UNTIL OCTOBER TO APPLY FOR THE FORGIVENESS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON STUDENT LOAN DEBT CANCELLATION, GO TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S WEBSITE AT ED.GOP.

>>> THE NEW CONGRESSIONAL SPENDING BILL DOES NOT INCLUDE AN EXTENSION OF SCHOOL LUNCH WAIVERS AUTHORIZED AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC.

THE WAIVERS THAT SCHOOLS DISTRIBUTE FREE WILL MEALS TO ALL STUDENTS WITHOUT VERIFYING THEIR FAMILY'S INCOME.

THE USDA REPORTS ABOUT 30 MILLION STUDENTS NOW RECEIVE FREE SCHOOL MEALS AND THAT IS UP FROM ABOUT 20 MILLION CHILDREN WHO QUALIFIED BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

SOME LAWMAKERS ARE PUSHING TO EXTEND THE WAIVERS FOR ANOTHER YEAR.

>>> CONCUSSIONS MAY LEAD TO A HIGHER RISK OF KIDS DEVELOPING MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEMS.

ANDY GAITHER HAS A LOOK AT THE NEW RESEARCH AND WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW.

>>> CONCUSSIONS AND KIDS MENTAL HEALTH.

NEW RESEARCH SUGGESTS A LINK BETWEEN THE TWO.

>> SOME OF THE PRIMARY SYMPTOMS AFTER A CONCUSSION CAN INCLUDE THINGS LIKE CHANGES IN MOOD, ANXIOUS THOUGHTS, CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR, IRRITABILITY, THAT SORT OF THING.

>> Reporter: THE CANADIAN STUDY PUBLISHED EXAMINED RECORDS OVER A TEN-YEAR PERIOD BETWEEN 2010 AND 2020 OF KIDS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 5 AND 18 WHO HAD A CONCUSSION OR ORTHOPEDIC INJURY.

NONE HAD A MENTAL HEALTH DIAGNOSIS BEFORE BEING HURT.

RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT CONCUSSED YOUTH HAD A 40% INCREASED RISK OF DEVELOPING A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE COMPARED WITH CHILDREN THE SAME AGE AND SEX WITH AN ORTHOPEDIC INJURY.

THOSE WHO HAD A CONCUSSION ALSO HAD AN INCREASED RISK OF SELF HARMING AND UNDERGOING PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALIZATION COMPARED TO THOSE WITH AN ORTHOPEDIC INJURY.

KELLY McNALLY, CODIRECTOR OF THE CONCUSSION CLINIC AT NATIONWIDE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SAYS PARENTS SHOULD BE AWARE.

>> THE PRIMARY THING FOR PARENTS TO DO IS TO KEEP THAT CONVERSATION ROLLING WITH THEIR CHILDREN SO IF THEY HAVE HAD AN INJURY ASKED THEM HOW THEY ARE FEELING, HOW ARE THEY DOING EMOTIONALLY, HOW ARE THEY COPING.

>> Reporter: IF THERE ARE ANY RED FLAGS SUCH AS MOOD CHANGES, BEING WITHDRAWN OR YOUR CHILD IS NOT ENJOYING ACTIVITIES THEY ONCE DID, McNALLY SAYS GET HELP.

>> YOU DON'T WANT PARENTS TO BE AFRAID FOR THEIR CHILDREN TO PLAY SPORTS BUT IT DOES PROVIDE INFORMATION TO PARENTS TO HELP EMPOWER THEM TO GET THE RIGHT HELP FOR THEIR CHILDREN IF THEY ARE SEEING MENTAL HEALTH SYMPTOMS AFTER SOMETHING LIKE A CONCUSSION.

>>> FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M ANDY GAITHER.

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

CALIFORNIANS HAVE BEEN PAYING THE HIGHEST PRICE IN THE NATION FOR GAS FOR SOME TIME NOW.

IN HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM SAID HE WOULD SOON PUT SUBMIT A PROPOSAL TO PUT ANY BACK IN DRIVERS' POCKETS BUT NO SPECIFICS WERE GIVEN.

TODAY, THE AVERAGE PRICE OF A GALLON OF REGULAR GAS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY ROSE NEARLY $.12 TO $5.60.

>>> A COUPLE OF NONPROFITS AND STATE AGENCIES CAME TOGETHER IN ESCONDIDO TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF WORKERS RIGHTS WHEN IT COMES TO COVID.

THAT INCLUDES PAID SICK LEAVE AS WELL AS FREE TESTING AND VACCINES.

IT IS ALSO ILLEGAL FOR EMPLOYERS TO FIRE, REDUCE HOURS OR RETALIATE AGAINST WORKERS FOR ASKING TO USE THE PAID SICK LEAVE.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

GOODNIGHT.

>>> 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 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 !