>>> 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 SANDY TO 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.

>>> THAT EVENING, IT IS WEDNESDAY MAY 19.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

IT IS NEARLY A $300 MILLION BOOST TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY THAT SAILED AWAY WITH THE PANDEMIC, BUT TODAY A POSITIVE SIGN THE CRUISE INDUSTRY IS ON ITS WAY BACK.

MELISSA MAY WAS DOCKSIDE AS SHIP EMPLOYEES AND THE ECONOMY GOT A MUCH-NEEDED SHOT IN THE ARM.

STOMACH I WOULD LIKE TO THANK -- >> Reporter: DR. HANK DRAPER OF THE HOLLAND AMERICA LINE IS EAGER TO -- >> IT BACK TO DOING WHAT WE DO BEST, WHICH IS GIVING OUR BEST.

>> Reporter: IN 2020, CRUISE SHIPS WERE DR.

STUCK OUT AT SEA WITHOUT ANY GUEST'S.

137 CRUISE SHIPS WERE SCHEDULED TO STOP IN SAN DIEGO AND WERE CANCELED.

IN AN EFFORT TO JUMPSTART THE CRUISE SEASON AS EARLY AS OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR, THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO AND SHARP HEALTHCARE HAVE PARTNERED TO VACCINATE CREWMEMBERS ON THIS SHIP, AND TO SHIPS OFF OF THE COAST.

>> OVER 400 CREWMEMBERS GOT THEIR FIRST DOSE OF THE COVID- 19 VACCINE.

>> THIS IS A MAJOR STEP TO OPENING UP THIS INDUSTRY, AND IT IS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT INDUSTRY FOR THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO AND THE CYNICAL REGION.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO IS THE THIRD BUSIEST CRUISE PORT AND CALIFORNIA.

THE CRUISE COMMISSIONER KNOWS THAT THIS INDUSTRY -- >> CREATES THOUSANDS OF GOOD JOBS, IN A RESTAURANT, LODGING, TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRIES, LONGSHORE WORKERS, WORKING WATERFRONT WORKERS.

>> Reporter: EXECUTING A VACCINATION EVENT LIKE THIS ONE WAS A TEAM EFFORT.

>> IN CLOSE COORDINATION WITH OUR LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL PARTNERS, SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC WITH A ORDINATE VERY CLOSELY.

>> Reporter: McLEAN THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND COO OF SHARP HEALTHCARE DESCRIBED THEIR PANDEMIC EFFORTS SO FAR.

>> AS OF THIS MORNING, WE HAVE VACCINATED APPROXIMATELY 542,000 SAN DIEGANS.

WE ARE TRANSITIONING AND PIVOTING FROM THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING IN OUR VACCINATION SITES, TO PARTNERING WITH COMMUNITY INDUSTRY, AS WELL AS AGENCIES, TO BE ABLE TO BRING BACK VACCINATIONS TO PLACES WHERE PEOPLE WORK.

>> Reporter: THEY ALSO HEADED OUT ON BOATS TO VACCINATE THE CRUISE OF A PRINCESS SHIP TODAY.

TOMORROW THEY SAIL OUT ONE MORE HOLLAND AMERICA SHIP TO VACCINATE THAT CREW.

MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A REMINDER, IF YOU WANT TO SET UP A VACCINATION APPOINTMENT FOR YOURSELF, OR FOR AN ELIGIBLE FAMILY MEMBER, YOU CAN FIND A LOCATION CLOSE TO YOU BUT GOING TO OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG , AND CLICKING ON THE VACCINES LINK ON OUR HOMEPAGE.

>>> DUST OFF YOUR PASSPORT.

THE EU IS TAKING A MAJOR STEP TODAY TO MAKE EUROPEAN SUMMER GETAWAYS A REAL POSSIBILITY THIS SUMMER.

BUT AS EXPLAINED, THIS OPTION IS LIKELY ONLY AVAILABLE TO VACCINATED TRAVELERS.

>>> MY KITTY WOULD BE SO MAD IF I BROUGHT YOU HOME.

>>> I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT, WE WILL TRY TO GET BACK TO THAT STORY LATER ON.

>> ACTIVISTS ARE CALLING FOR THE MAYOR TO CALL OFF THE CITY'S POLICE BUDGET.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN EXPANDS WHY.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT SAW NO BIG CHANGES IN GLORIA'S FINAL BUDGET PROPOSAL RELEASED YESTERDAY.

LAST MONTH, GLORIA PROPOSED $19 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL POLICE FUNDING AMONG MOSTLY TO COVER RISING PENSION COSTS.

CAREY PEÑA OF THE PROGRESSIVE THINK TANK CENTER ON POLICY INITIATIVES SAYS WILL GLORIA HAS CALLED FOR MORE OVERSIGHT AND REFORMS OF POLICE POLICIES, THAT ISN'T ENOUGH.

>> NONE OF THOSE ARE REFLECTED IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET, SO I THINK THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THIS FOR A LONG TIME MAMA NOT SEEING THAT FUNDING BEHIND THAT IS DISAPPOINTING.

>> Reporter: GLORIA SAYS HE WANTS OTHER TYPES OF FIRST RESPONDERS TO HELP WITH HOMELESSNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISES, NOT POLICE, BUT DARWIN FISHMAN OF THE RACIAL JUSTICE COALITION OF SAN DIEGO SAYS GLORIA HAS NOT YET BACKED UP THAT RHETORIC WITH ACTION.

>> MY BIGGEST CONCERN ABOUT MAYOR GLORIA IS ACTUALLY THE ISSUE ABOUT COURAGE.

QUITE OFTEN HE SAYS THE RIGHT THINGS AT THE RIGHT TIME, BUT IT'S A REAL ISSUE ABOUT CAPABILITY.

>> Reporter: HE HAS PROPOSED A $4 MILLION CUT TO POLICE OVERTIME SPENDING, WITH SOME OF THOSE SAVINGS INVESTED IN A NEW POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION AND YOUTH GANG PREVENTION PROGRAMS.

THE CITY COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS THE LATEST SPENDING PLAN ON THURSDAY, AND THE FINAL DEADLINE TO APPROVE THE BUDGET IS JUNE 15.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS NEWS .

>>> THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS TAKING STEPS TO EASE MORE THAN A YEAR OF ASYLUM RESTRICTIONS.

PANDEMIC RELATED POWERS HAVE LED BORDER AUTHORITIES TO RAPIDLY DISPEL SINGLE ADULTS AND MANY MIGRANT FAMILIES WITH OLDER CHILDREN.

NOW THE ADMINISTRATION HAS AGREED TO LEAD IN ABOUT HUNDRED 50 PEOPLE PER DAY THROUGH BORDER CROSSINGS TO SEEK REFUGE IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT IS ALSO AGREED TO STOP FLYING FAMILIES ACROSS THE BORDER TO BE EXPELLED.

AN ATTORNEY FOR THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION SAYS THE CHANGES ARE THE RESULT OF NEGOTIATIONS TO SETTLE A LAWSUIT.

>>> HOME PRICES IN CALIFORNIA CONTINUE TO SOAR, AND COMPETITION FOR A LIMITED SUPPLY OF SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES IS THE NEW NORMAL.

WE LOOK INTO THE REASONS FOR THE SKYHIGH PRICES, AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> Reporter: THE MEDIAN PRICE OF AN EXISTING SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED HOME IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY ROSE TO $825,000 IN APRIL.

AN INCREASE FROM 800,000 A MONTH AGO, AND OVER $150,000 MORE THAN THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR, ACCORDING TO THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS.

THOSE NUMBERS MIRROR A STATEWIDE TREND IN INCREASING HOUSING PRICES.

A SAN DIEGO REAL ESTATE ROCHER VOLTAIRE SAYS THIS KIND OF MARKET GROWTH IS UNPRECEDENTED IN THE REGION.

>> IS VERY LITTLE INVENTORY, RIGHT?

LAST YEAR AT THE SAME TIME THERE WERE OVER 5000.

IN A NORMAL MARKET, THERE ARE BETWEEN 6 TO 800 HOMES FOR SALE, AND IT CAUSES MULTIPLE BUYERS PER PROPERTY.

>> Reporter: FOR SOME THE SWELLING MARKET HAS MADE THEIR DREAMS OF BUYING A HOME UNAFFORDABLE, PARTICULARLY FOR FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS.

>> WE WERE LOOKING AT BUYING A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME, BUT IT IS WAY TOO COMPETITIVE.

SO WE ACTUALLY LOOKS, WE TALKED TO A LENDER COME AND WE LOOKED AT OPTIONS FOR MULTIFAMILY HOMES, SO I THINK WE WILL GO THAT ROUTE.

>> Reporter: FOR THOSE WHO CAN AFFORD THE SKYHIGH PRICES, THE SUPPLY IS IN SUCH SHORT DEMAND, THAT FOREGOING APPRAISAL CONTINGENCIES AND BIDDING WARS HAVE BECOME COMMONPLACE.

THAT MEANS HOMES IN SAN DIEGO HAVE RECENTLY BEEN SELLING FOR WELL ABOVE THE ASKING PRICE, ESPECIALLY IN NORTH COUNTY.

>> NORTH COUNTY, IT STARTS AT 50,000, AND IT GOES UP TO 150,000.

SO, YOU KNOW, NORTH COUNTY, IT IS VERY COMPETITIVE, AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT IT IS WORTH, AND WHAT PEOPLE ARE PAYING FOR IS HIGHER.

>> Reporter: IN APRIL, CALIFORNIA HOME SALES INCREASED FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE MONTH.

EVERYTHING OVER 65% FROM A YEAR AGO, WHILE THE MEDIAN NUMBER OF DAYS IT TOOK TO SELL A CALIFORNIA SINGLE-FAMILY HOME HAD A RECORD LOW OF JUST 7 DAYS.

HE SAID HE EXPECTED HOME PRICES IN THE REGION TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE THROUGHOUT THE REST OF 2021, AS LONG AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT KEEPS INTEREST RATES LOW.

KPBS NEWS .

>>> WE WANT TO GET BACK TO THAT STORY ABOUT TRAVEL OPENING UP IN EUROPE.

>>> THE EUROPEAN UNION FINALLY OPENING ITS BORDERS AFTER ALMOST 1 YEAR OF CLOSURES.

>> IT WILL NOT BE A FULL RECOVERY OF THE ECONOMY WITHOUT RECOVERY OF TRAVEL.

POOR MEGAN THERE STILL A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE AFTER DIFFICULT MONTHS OF THOSE IN BUSINESS IN THE U.S. AND ABROAD.

>> THE PANDEMIC REMAINS AKIN TO A CATEGORY FIVE HURRICANE.

>> Reporter: BUT THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

THE EU AGREED TO ALLOW ENTRIES OF VACCINATED TRAVELERS FROM COUNTRIES WITH LOW INFECTION RATES, AND WHILE EXACT RULES BY EU MEMBER STATES ARE BEING DECIDED, OFFICIALS ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT THEY WILL GO INTO EFFECT IN JUNE, JUST IN TIME FOR A SUMMER VACATION.

>> OBVIOUSLY THE PENT-UP DEMAND IS REAL.

RIGHT NOW TRAVEL IS BEING DRIVEN BY POLICY.

IF YOU TAKE SOMETHING AWAY FROM HUMAN BEINGS THAT THEY TOOK FOR GRANTED, IT WILL TURBOCHARGE.

>> Reporter: A FORMAL ADAPTATION OF THE EU CHANGES ARE GOING INTO EFFECT, BUT THEY'RE ASKING FOR LESS DISTRACTIONS.

>> THEY HAVE PAINTED MOST INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS WITH RED WARNING TAPE, EVEN THOUGH THE CDC ISSUED NEW GUIDANCE THAT MASKING IS NOT NEEDED FOR THE FULLY VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS >>> COMMUNITY COLLEGES FACED A GRIM YEAR AS ENROLLMENT PLUMMETED ACROSS THE STATE MAMA BUT LOCAL COLLEGE OFFICIALS ARE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT POST PANDEMIC RECOVERY.

>> Reporter: IN SAN DIEGO, MANY COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS DECIDED TO PUT THEIR EDUCATION ON PAUSE DURING THE PANDEMIC CREATED SANDY THE CITY COLLEGE, ENROLLMENT DROPPED BY NEARLY 15% BETWEEN THE FALL 2019 AND FALL 2020 SEMESTERS.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE COLLEGE OF CONTINUING EDUCATION.

>> THE DISTRICT ITSELF IS ABOUT EIGHT PERCENT UNDER ENROLLED FROM THE TARGET.

THAT IS A DIRECT CONSEQUENCE OF THE PANDEMIC WE BELIEVE.

WE HAVE MOVED ALL OF OUR PROGRAMMING ONLINE, AND IN THE ONLINE ENVIRONMENT, IT'S NOT IDEAL FOR SOME STUDENTS, AND FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: THE PANDEMIC DID HAVE SOME POSITIVE OUTCOMES MAMA AND HE SAYS ENROLLMENT FOR VOCATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAMS LIKE WELDING ACTUALLY INCREASED.

>> WE HAVE OVER 75 FREE DROP TRAINING CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS.

YESTERDAY WE WERE AT OUR ENROLLMENT, AND WE ARE 17% OVER THE TARGET.

SO, WE ARE POPPING AT THE SEAMS IN TERMS OF ENROLLMENT.

>> Reporter: THIS TREND MAKES SENSE.

JOB-TRAINING PROGRAMS ARE WHAT THE LABOR FORCE NEEDS FOR THE ECONOMY TO RECOVER.

AT SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE IN CHULA VISTA, THE ENROLLMENT BUMP WAS DUE TO ECONOMIC FACTORS, ACCORDING TO THE COLLEGE PRESIDENT, MARK SANCHEZ.

>> MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS LOST THEIR JOBS, OR HAVE HAD THEIR HOURS CUT, BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN SHUT DOWN OR SEVERELY REDUCED.

THEIR PRIORITY IS EMPLOYMENT, RATHER THAN TRYING TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AT THIS POINT.

>> Reporter: THEY SAY ENROLLMENT DROPPED DISPROPORTIONATELY FOR STUDENTS OF COLOR.

AT SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE, WHILE THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN JOB-TRAINING PROGRAMS INCREASED, THE NUMBER OF BLACK AND LATINO STUDENTS IN THOSE PROGRAMS WENT DOWN.

KPBS NEWS .

>>> BOTH SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE AND THE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT WILL REQUIRE ALL STUDENTS AND STAFF RETURNING IN THE FALL TO BE FULLY VACCINATED AS SOON AS THE FDA APPROVES THE VACCINES.

>>> CDC NUMBERS SHOW NEW COVID- 19 CASE RATES ARE DOWN ACROSS THE U.S., CAUSING CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM AMONG TOP HEALTH OFFICIALS.

THEY SAY THAT HE TO KEEP US GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION MAY FALL ON YOUNG AMERICANS.

WE HAVE A LOOK ON WHERE WE STAND IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST THE CORONAVIRUS.

>> Reporter: IN THE WAR AGAINST COVID-19, SOME GOOD NEWS.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE PANDEMIC BEGAN, COVID CASES ARE DOWN IN ALL 50 STATES.

>> Reporter: TOP U.S. HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY VACCINES HAVE LED TO A DRAMATIC DECLINE IN CASES, HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND DEATHS.

THAT PROGRESS PUTTING US ON A PATH OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC.

>> WE SHOULD ALL HAVE CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM.

CASES HAVE CONTINUED TO DECREASE, AND HAVE NOT BEEN THIS LOW SINCE SPRING OF LAST YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE KEY TO KEEP US GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION MAY LIE WITH YOUNG AMERICANS.

>> WE ARE WINNING THE WAR ON THE VIRUS, AND WE NEED YOU TO HELP US FINISH THE JOB.

MY MESSAGE TO YOUNG PEOPLE IS SIMPLE.

GET VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN A WEEK AGO, THE FDA GIVE EMERGENCY USE AUTHORIZATION FOR THE PFIZER VACCINE IN THOSE AS YOUNG AS 12 .

SINCE THEN, THE CDC SAYS MORE THAN 600,012 TO 15-YEAR-OLDS HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE, BUT THE NUMBERS SHOW VACCINATION RATES IN GENERAL WERE LOWER IN RURAL AREAS.

>> THIS WAS TRUE FOR COUNTIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ACROSS ALL AGE GROUPS, AND AMONG MEN AND WOMEN.

>> Reporter: THERE CONTINUING TO WORK TO NARROW THE DIFFERENCES, AND MAKE SURE VACCINE COVERAGE IS EQUITABLE REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOU LIVE.

>> IF YOU HAVE NOT YET BEEN VACCINATED, OR HAVE CONSIDERED A REASON TO CELEBRATE.

>> Reporter: I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>>> DESPITE CALLS FROM THE UNITED STATES TO WIND DOWN THE MILITARY OPERATION IN THE GAZA STRIP, THE ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER NETANYAHU HAS VOWED TO PRESS AHEAD.

HIS COMMENTS MARKED THE PURSED PUBLIC RIFT BETWEEN THE TWO CLOSE ALLIES, AND COULD COME LOCATE INTERNATIONAL EFFORTS TO REACH A CEASE-FIRE.

HUNDREDS HAVE DIED SINCE THE FIGHTING BEGAN LAST WEEK.

ISRAEL CONTINUED TO POUND TARGETS IN GAZA WITH AIRSTRIKES TODAY, WHILE PALESTINIAN MILITANTS BOMBARDED ISRAEL WITH ROCKET FIRE.

>>> SOME BREAKING NEWS, AFTER MONTHS OF A STALEMATE, THE HOUSE JUST VOTED TO CREATE AN INDEPENDENT 9/11 STYLE COMMISSION.

ITS MISSION WILL BE TO INVESTIGATE THE INS AND OUTS OF THE VIOLENCE ON THE U.S. CAPITAL THAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6.

35 HOUSE REPUBLICANS JOINED DEMOCRATS AND VOTED TO CREATE A BIPARTISAN COMMISSION, BUT AS ISABEL ROSALES REPORTS, SENIOR REPUBLICANS ARE MAKING CLEAR THEY HAVE LITTLE INTEREST IN A SWEEPING INVESTIGATION.

>> Reporter: A KEY VOTE IN THE HOUSE TO INVESTIGATE THE DEADLY ATTACK ON THE U.S. CAPITAL.

>> WE HAVE TO PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY.

>> Reporter: THE BILL PASSES, AND THE BIPARTISAN COMMISSION WILL TAKE SIX BACK MONTHS IN THE PRO, AND COULD FOCUS ON FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

ON HIS ACTIONS BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER WRITERS STORMED THE CAPITAL.

>> HE'S A VERY KEEN INDIVIDUAL.

>> Reporter: REPRESENTATIVE LIZ CHENEY RECENTLY OUSTED FROM REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP EXPECTS KEVIN McCARTHY TO BE SUBPOENAED .

THE NUMBER ONE REPUBLICAN IN THE HOUSE REPORTEDLY HAD A FIERY EXCHANGE WITH PRESIDENT TRUMP AS THE VIOLENCE HEATED UP.

>> HE VERY CLEARLY SAID PUBLICLY THAT HE HAS INFORMATION ABOUT THE PRESIDENT'S STATE OF MIND THAT DAY.

>> Reporter: McCARTHY MEANWHILE REJECTS THE DEAL.

>> WHAT THEY REALLY WANT TO START TALKING ABOUT IS GETTING BACK TO WORK, BACK TO SCHOOL, BACK TO HEALTH.

>> Reporter: THE TOP REPUBLICAN IN THE SENATE MITCH McCONNELL AGREES, INSISTING THE SCOPE OF THE INVESTIGATION IS POLITICALLY LIMITED.

>> I MADE THE DECISION TO IMPOSE THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS SLANTED AND UNBALANCED PROPOSAL.

>> WHAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE DOING, THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS, IS BEYOND CRAZY.

>> Reporter: THE BILL NEEDS NO PUBLICAN SUPPORT IN THE HOUSE, BUT DOES NEED 10 REPUBLICAN SENATORS TO SURVIVE A FILIBUSTER IN THE SPLIT CHAMBER.

>> THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WILL SEE FOR THEMSELVES WHETHER OUR REPUBLICAN FRIENDS STAND ON THE SIDE OF TRUTH, OR ON THE SIDE OF DONALD TRUMP'S BIG LIE.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY SUPERVISORS ARE CREATING AN OFFICE OF CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.

THE PANEL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO CREATE AN OFFICE THAT WILL HELP ENSURE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IS PART OF THE COUNTY'S PLANNING PROCESS.

DISTRICT 1 SUPERVISOR NORA VARGAS SAYS THE COUNTY NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIVE TO ALL OF ITS RESIDENTS.

>> IN MY OWN DISTRICT, RANKED IN THE TOP 5% OF AIR POLLUTION IN THE STATE, AND CHILDREN'S ASTHMA HOSPITALIZATIONS STATE ARE THREE TIMES MORE THAN THE AVERAGE.

AS A RESULT, THE RESIDENTS ARE EXPOSED TO POLLUTION FROM VEHICLES THAT WAIT HOURS AT THE PORTS OF ENTRY.

>>> THE OFFICE WILL FOCUS ON HELPING THE COUNTY REDUCE AIR POLLUTION, AND THE EXPOSURE OF TOXIC CHEMICALS, PARTICULARLY IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

>>> ENERGY REGULATORS SAY CALIFORNIA IS BETTER PREPARED TO AVOID LAST SUMMER'S ROLLING BLACKOUTS, BUT THE POWER GRID IS STILL VULNERABLE TO EXTREME HEAT WAVES.

STATE OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE ACQUIRED AN ADDITIONAL 3500 MEGAWATTS OF CAPACITY THIS YEAR.

ONE MEGAWATT IS ENOUGH POWER TO POWER HUNDREDS OF HOMES.

HOWEVER, THAT DOES NOT GUARANTEE WE WILL AVOID BLACKOUTS, WITH THE RISK OF HEAT WAVES INCREASING, DEMAND FOR POWER BEYOND WHAT THE GRID CAN HANDLE.

>>> OUR NEXT SYSTEM IS BEGINNING TO PUSH ON IN, AND ALONG WITH IT, IT IS BRINGING SOME STRONG AND GUSTY WIND THAT WILL LIKELY LAST THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING.

A DRAMATIC COOLDOWN IS ON THE WAY, ESPECIALLY FOR SOME DESERT LOCATIONS, AND UP INTO THE HIGHER TERRAIN, WHERE TEMPERATURES WILL COOL OFF ANYWHERE FROM 10 TO 15 DEGREES FROM YESTERDAY, TO SAY THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.

HERE ARE THE WIND ADVISORY SAID REMAIN IN EFFECT, MAINLY IN THE HIGHER TERRAIN, WHERE THE WIND WILL GUST UP TO 45 MILES PER HOUR.

BUT WE COULD SEE ISOLATED WIND GUSTS OF UP TO 55 MILES PER HOUR.

AGAIN, MAINLY UP INTO THE HIGHER TERRAIN.

FOR TONIGHT, TEMPERATURES DROP OFF INTO THE LOW 60s.

THE CLOUDS WILL BE INCREASING.

EXPECT SICK MORNING FOG.

TEMPERATURE WISE NOT TOO BAD NEAR THE COAST.

LOW 60s.

ESCONDIDO, 57 DEGREES.

BORREGO SPRINGS, 61 DEGREES.

HERE'S A COLD FRONT COMING SOUTHWARD FOR YOUR THURSDAY, BRINGING THE COOL PUSH OF AIR DOWN INTO SOUTHERN PORTIONS OF CALIFORNIA.

AGAIN, YOU WILL LIKELY FEEL IT ON THURSDAY, AND IN SOME SPOTS AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY.

WE ARE DOWN TO 70 DEGREES IN ESCONDIDO FOR YOUR HIGH TOMORROW.

BORREGO SPRINGS, BACK INTO THE 80s FOR HIGHS.

THAT IS NOT YOUR COOLEST AIR JUST YET.

IT WILL GET EVEN COOLER FROM THE MID TO UPPER 90s THAT YOU ARE USED TO.

FRIDAY, UNSETTLED FOR MUCH OF NEVADA, UP INTO NORTHERN PORTIONS OF CALIFORNIA.

FOR US DOWN HERE, WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE GUSTY WIND ONLY.

NOT MANY CHANGES NEAR THE COAST.

TEMPERATURES GENERALLY STAYING IN THE UPPER 60s AND THE 70s.

DO EXPECT SICK MORNING FOG OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

FURTHER INLAND, TEMPERATURES DROPPING OFF INTO THE UPPER 60s, BUT WE REBOUND QUICKLY, BACK INTO THE 80s BY MONDAY.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, WE ARE DOWN INTO THE 40s FOR HIGHS.

TEMPERATURES QUICKLY REBOUNDING THROUGH THE WEEKEND, AND IN THE DESERT, OUR COOLEST DAY LOOKS LIKE FRIDAY.

AFTER THAT WE WARM UP INTO THE UPPER 80s BY THE END OF THE WEEKEND.

>>> BEFORE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE TOLD YOU ABOUT A NEW POLICY AT THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY.

THE NONPROFIT IS RELEASING CATS BACK TO THE STREETS INSTEAD OF KEEPING THEM TO BE ADOPTED OR EUTHANIZED.

NOW WE HAVE FOUND THAT PRACTICE IS RAMPING UP, DESPITE A LAWSUIT FROM ANIMAL-RIGHTS ACTIVISTS.

>> Reporter: THERE COULD BE AS MANY AS HALF 1 MILLION STRAY CATS ON COUNTY STREETS, ACCORDING TO THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY.

TO DEAL WITH ALL OF THESE FREE- ROAMING FELINES COME OF THE NONPROFIT IS RUNNING A PROGRAM WHERE FERAL CATS ARE BROUGHT IN, SPAYED OR NEUTERED, AND THEN RELEASED BACK TO THE STREETS.

IN MARCH, THEY EXPANDED THE PRACTICE UNDER WHAT THEY CALL A COMMUNITY CAT PROGRAM, WHERE EVEN FRIENDLY CATS WILL BE RELEASED.

>> THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF FRUSTRATION ON THE PART OF SMALL NONPROFITS, AND INDIVIDUAL ANIMAL RESCUERS, WHO ARE SEEING THIS TREND TOWARDS ABANDONING FRIENDLY, DOMESTICATED CATS ON THE STREETS.

>> Reporter: THIS DOES NOT SIT RIGHT WITH BRIAN, AN ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND ATTORNEY.

HE HAS FILED A LEGAL COMPLAINT AGAINST THE HUMANE SOCIETY TO FORCE THEM TO STOP.

HE AND HIS CLIENTS HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH MANAGING POPULATIONS OF FERAL CATS BY TRAPPING AND BRINGING THEM TO A CLINIC, OR TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY TO BE SPAYED OR NEUTERED, AND THEN RETURNING THEM TO THEIR HABITAT.

>> BUT THEN WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING, WHERE WE HAVE CATS THAT THEY KNOW WERE PREVIOUSLY OWNED AND WERE ABANDONED BY THEIR OWNERS, OR CATS THAT ARE IN DANGEROUS AREAS, CATS THAT ARE INJURED, AND CERTAINLY SHOULD NOT JUST BE PUT BACK OUT ON THE STREET.

>> Reporter: IN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO BETWEEN JULY 2019 AND DECEMBER 2020, THE HUMANE SOCIETY RELEASED MORE THAN 1300 CATS TO THE STREETS.

THAT IS ALMOST DOUBLE THE NUMBER FROM THE FIRST 16 MONTHS OF THE PROGRAM.

KERRY WEITZMAN, CEO OF THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY, SAYS IT IS MORE HUMANE TO RELEASE CATS RATHER THAN KEEPING THEM IN A SHELTER.

>> THOSE CATS ARE HELD HERE FOR MEDICAL EXAMS.

THEY ARE IN HOLDING CAGES.

NO MATTER HOW EASY WE MAKE THE ENVIRONMENT FOR THEM, THEY ARE STRESSED TO THE MAX.

CONSIDER THOSE SAME CATS DID REALLY WELL OUTDOORS, BEING CARED FOR BY THE COMMUNITY, ENJOYING THE ENVIRONMENT, NOT IN DANGER, THOSE CATS DID REALLY WELL.

WHY DON'T WE JUST PAY AND NEUTER THEM, PREVENT THEM FROM GETTING RABIES AND DISTEMPER, AND LET THEM GET BACK TO ENJOY THEIR LIFE.

>> Reporter: ANY CAT WITH A SIGN OF OWNERSHIP, INCLUDING A COLLAR OR MICROCHIP WOULD NOT BE RELEASED., BUT IS NOT ALWAYS EASY TO TELL WHETHER A CAT HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY OWNED OR NOT.

SO SAYS PAM HARRIS, A LONGTIME ANIMAL SHELTER VOLUNTEER WHO IS WORKING ON THE LEGAL COMPLAINT AS WELL.

>> THEY SAY THAT ANY CAT WITH SIGNS OF OWNERSHIP NOT BE PUT IN THE COMMUNITY CAT PROGRAM.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, IF A CAT COMES IN MICROCHIPPED, OR WEARING A HARNESS.

THAT CAT WON'T BE PUT BACK.

HOWEVER, MOST PEOPLE WHO HAVE INDOOR CATS DON'T PUT COLLARS ON THEM, AND PROBABLY MOST OF THE CATS WHO ARE PETS ARE NOT MICROCHIPPED.

THAN THE SAFETY OF THE CATS IS ONE CONCERN.

THE OTHER IS THE IMPACT THEY HAVE ON THE OVERALL ECOSYSTEM, SPECIFICALLY BIRD POPULATIONS.

THE CONSERVATION DIRECTOR AT THE SAN DIEGO AUDUBON SOCIETY DESCRIBES THE CATS AS AN INVASIVE SPECIES.

>> THERE ARE HUGE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS THAT WE KNOW.

EACH CAT TAKES SEVERAL BIRDS PER MONTH.

>> Reporter: HAS IDEAL SOLUTION TO THE STRAY CAT ISSUE WOULD BE TO CREATE GIANT WAREHOUSES WHERE CATS COULD LIVE.

>> WE ARE SEEING THESE DAYCARE CENTERS FOR PETS YOU KNOW, WHERE THEY HAVE INDOOR FACILITIES AND TOYS AND EXERCISE FOR THEM AND STUFF.

IF THEY ARE GOING TO KEEP ANIMALS, THEY OUGHT TO BE KEPT INDOORS.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS .

>>> TONIGHT ON "NEWS HOUR" THE WAR BETWEEN ISRAELI FORCES AND HAMAS IN GAZA CONTINUES AS CALLS FOR A CEASE-FIRE GROW.

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

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

A FIRST STEP TOWARDS GETTING CRUISE SHIPS SAILING AGAIN.

THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO PARTNERED WITH SHARP HEALTHCARE TO VACCINATE OVER 400 CREWMEMBERS FROM ONE PRINCESS CRUISE SHIP AND TO HOLLAND AMERICA SHIPS.

THEY GENERATE ALMOST $300 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT AND CREATE THOUSANDS OF JOBS.

>>> ACTIVISTS CALLING FOR THE SANDY KHMER TODD GLORIA TO CUT THE CITY'S POLICE BUDGET AND INVEST MORE IN SOCIAL SERVICES.

WE ARE DISAPPOINTED THIS WEEK.

GLORIA RELEASED HIS FINAL BUDGET PROPOSAL TUESDAY WITH NO SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO POLICE SPENDING.

LAST MONTH HE PROPOSED $19 MILLION IN ADDITIONAL FUNDING, LOOSELY TO COVER RISING PENSION COSTS.

THE CITY COUNCIL WILL DISCUSS THE LATEST SPENDING PLAN TOMORROW.

>>> AND THE MEDIAN PRICE OF A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY ROSE TO $825,000 IN APRIL.

THAT IS $150,000 MORE THAN THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR.

THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS SAYS THERE IS VERY LITTLE INVENTORY, LEADING TO MULTIPLE OFFERS, AND THEN BIDDING WARS.

REALTORS EXPECT HOME PRICES TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE AS LONG AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT KEEPS INTEREST RATES LOW.

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

TAKE YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

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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