family of companies.

>>> Major funding for KPBS evening edition has been made possible in part by Bill Howell family of companies and by the Conrad credit foundation, Darlene Marco shyly and by the following.

>> AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> CLAPPER GATE IS HEADING TO COURT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

A SENIOR AT DEL NORTE HIGH SCHOOL AND HER FAMILY HAVE FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE UNIFIEDSCHOOL DISTRICT AND ITS SUPERINTENDENT.

THE LAWSUIT ACCUSES MIRIAM PHELPS OF RETALIATING AGAINST THE STUDENT FOR A PERCEIVED SLIGHT AGAINST PHELPS' DAUGHTER.

JOHN CARROLL SAYS IT ALL STARTED AT THE SOFTBALL AWARDS BANQUET EARLIER THIS YEAR.

>> THIS IS VIDEO OF THE BANQUET PROVIDED TO KPBS BY THE PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEY.

IT SAYS THE LEAD UP TO THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS SOFTBALL TEAM BEING GIVEN TO SUPERINTENDENT PHELPS' DAUGHTER, WHO WE ARE NOT NAMING.

THE APPLAUSE OR LACK THEREOF IS AT THE CRUX OF THE MATTER.

>> THIS HAS BEEN VERY TRAUMATIC FOR MY CLIENT FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS.

IT IS A DAILY, EMOTIONAL TOLL ON HER.

>> JUSTIN REID'S CLIENT WHO IS REFERRED TO IN THE LAWSUIT AS JANE DOE, SAID THE PROBLEM STARTED LATER IN THE EVENING OF THE BANQUET.

THESE ARE TEXTS THAT SHE SAYS THAT THE SUPERINTENDENT CENTER ASKING TO TALK.

THERE IS ANOTHER SCREENSHOT SHOWING THE TWO DID TALK FOR MORE THAN HALF AN HOUR.

READ SAID PHELPS ACCUSED JANE DOE AND HER FRIENDS ON THE SOFTBALL TEAM OF NOT CLAPPING LOUD ENOUGH WHEN HER DAUGHTER RECEIVED THE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD.

ALTHOUGH JANE DOE SUBSEQUENTLY APOLOGIZED, THE LAWSUIT SAID PHELPS ORDERED SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO INVESTIGATE THE INCIDENT AS A CASE OF BULLYING.

THE LAWSUIT SAYS THAT JANE DOE AND HER FAMILY WERE TOLD THEY NEEDED TO SIGN A STATEMENT ACKNOWLEDGING THE ATTEMPT TO BULLY THE DAUGHTER OF PHELPS.

THEY DIDN'T AND THAT IS WHEN THEY SAY THAT THE INVESTIGATION BEGAN.

AFTER THAT, THE LAWSUIT SAID PHELPS INTIMIDATED JANE DOE AND OTHER SOFTBALL PLAYERS.

IT SAID SHE RETALIATED BY HARASSING AND THREATENING JANE DOE.

THEY SAID THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF PHELPS WAS TO PREVENT DOE FROM COMPETING AGAINST HER DAUGHTER TO BE A PITCHER ON THE TEAM.

>> IT WAS A REALLY BRUTAL SUMMER FOR HER.

>> BRUTAL HE SAYS, BECAUSE DOE WAS PUNISHED AS A RESULT OF THE INVESTIGATION.

>> SHE WAS EXCLUDED FROM ALL EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES WHEN THE SEASON STARTED.

SHE WAS NOT ALLOWED TO GO TO DANCES OR TO FOOTBALL GAMES.

>> EVERYTHING BLEW UP AT THIS MEETING AT THE POWAY SCHOOL BOARD ON NOVEMBER 9th.

>> SHE USED HER POWER AND INFLUENCE TO BULLY OUR STUDENTS AND ESSENTIALLY BREAK UP THE SOFTBALL PROGRAM AT DEL NORTE.

I THINK IT IS TIME WE ASK OURSELVES WHO THE REAL BULLY IS IN THIS SITUATION.

>> WE WERE NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT THIS INCIDENT.

>> JUSTIN REID SAID MIRIAM PHELPS SHOULD RESIGN OR THE BOARD SHOULD FIRE HER.

BUT SHE RECENTLY TOLD THE MEDIA PARTNER, 10 THENEWS, THAT SHE DID NOTHING WRONG.

>> WE REACHED OUT TO PHELPS AND THE DISTRICT FOR THE COMMENT BUT NO ONE RESPONDED.

THE ATTORNEY WOULD NOT SAY WHETHER DOE AND HER FAMILY WOULD DROP THE LAWSUIT OF PHELPS RESIGNS OR IS PUSHED OUT.

IF THE LAWSUIT GOES TO TRIAL, READ SAID THEY WILL DECIDE ON WHAT THE LAW MONETARY DAMAGES ARE AT THAT POINT.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>> THE DEADLY SECTION OF WEST POINT LOMA BOULEVARD IN SAN DIEGO WAS DO TO GET A PROTECTIVE BIKE LANE THIS YEAR BUT BIKE ADVOCATES SAY THAT THOSE PLANS FELL APART BECAUSE OF STATE REGULATORS.

OUR KPBS METRO REPORTER HAS THAT STORY.

>> PEOPLE WANT TO BE ABLE TO WALK AND BIKE AND SAFELY CROSS THE STREET.

>> I MET STEPHEN VANCE ON WEST POINT BOULEVARD.

CARS WERE SPEEDING BUY AND MANY WELL ABOVE THE SPEED LIMIT OF 40 MILES AN HOUR.

YEARS AGO, LOCAL RESIDENTS AND CITY OFFICIALS AGREE THAT THIS ROAD NEEDS PROTECTED BIKE LANES.

THE PLAN WAS FOR A SO-CALLED ROAD DIET, PUTTING BIKE LINKS BY THE CURVE USING STREET PARKING IS PROTECTION AND REMOVING ONE LANE OF TRAVEL IN EACH DIRECTION.

THAT WOULD DISCOURAGE SPEEDING AND SHORTEN THE CROSSING DISTANCE FOR PEDESTRIANS.

THE PROBLEM, WEST POINT LOMA BOULEVARD IS NEAR THE COAST AND FOLLOWS THE JURISDICTION OF THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION.

THE STATE AGENCY IS TASKED WITH MAINTAINING COASTAL ACCESS.

THEY TOLD CITY OFFICIALS THAT IF THEY WANT TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF LANES, EVEN TO IMPROVE SAFETY, THEY HAVE TO ANALYZE THE TRAFFIC IMPACT FIRST AND AMEND THE LOCAL COASTAL PROGRAM.

>> RESURFACING AND RESTRIPING IS A SIMPLE THING FOR THE CITY TO DO.

WHEN YOU THROW IN THOSE OTHER BUREAUCRATIC PROCESSES, IT BECOMES ANOTHER BALL GAME AND MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE CITY TO DO PROJECTS LIKE THIS.

>> THE CITY DID NOT BUDGE AT THE TIME OR MONEY TO JUMP THROUGH ALL THE HOOPS.

SO IT RECENTLY RESTRIPED THE ROAD TO ITS ORIGINAL DESIGN WITH NO BIKE LANES.

JUST ONE MONTH AGO, A WOMAN WAS BIKING HERE WHEN A DRIVER STRUCK HER FROM BEHIND RIGHT WHERE THE NEW BIKE LANES WOULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED.

SHE WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH A BROKEN PELVIS.

VANCE SAID THE COASTAL COMMISSION IS PUTTING BUREAUCRACY AHEAD OF COMMON SENSE.

>> LET'S BE REASONABLE ABOUT WHAT WE DO AND PROTECT THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE AT THE SAME TIME.

>> THE COASTAL COMMISSION SENT KPBS A STATEMENT BLAMING THE CITY FOR NOT ACTING SOONER.

IT SAID, "THE COMMISSION STRONGLY SUPPORTS BIKE LANES AS AN IMPORTANT FORM OF PUBLIC ACCESS.

WE ARE STILL COMMITTED TO EXPEDITING THE PROJECT AND WORKING WITH THE CITY TO GET IT APPROVED QUICKLY AND CONSISTENT WITH THE LAW."

."

>>> IT IS DAY SIX IN THE TRUCE BETWEEN THE WAR BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS AND AT CRITICAL DEADLINE IS AT HAND.

WE HAVE MORE AS THE FAMILY OF THOSE IN CAPTIVITY WAIT TO SEE IF THEIR LOVED ONES WILL COME HOME.

>> NEGOTIATORS SAY THEY ARE OPTIMISTIC THAT DAY SIX OF THE TRUCE WON'T BE THE LAST.

SO FAR, DOZENS OF HAMAS HELD HOSTAGES HAVE BEEN FREE.

MOSTLY WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

JOYFUL REUNIONS HELD AGAINST THE BACKDROP OF RISING FEAR FOR THOSE STILL IN HAMAS CONTROL.

>> THERE ARE MANY HOSTAGES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED AND ARE NOT HOME WITH THEIR LOVED ONES.

>> BELIEVED TO BE HELD IN GAZA ARE MEMBERS OF THE BEVIS FAMILY WHICH INCLUDES THE YOUNGEST ISRAELI HOSTAGE, A 10-MONTH-OLD BOY AND HIS 4-YEAR-OLD BROTHER.

>> WE DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THE FAMILY IS STILL ALIVE.

>> THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES ARE ASSESSING HAMAS CLAIMS, MADE WITHOUT EVIDENCE WEDNESDAY, THAT THE MOTHER AND TWO YOUNG SONS WERE KILLED IN THE ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE.

THE STATUS OF THEIR FATHER, UNKNOWN.

IDF FORCES WERE ON THE MOVE THIS WEEK WITH TANKS ROLLING INTO A PALESTINIAN REFUGEE CAMP ON THE OCCUPIED WEST BANK TUESDAY, CONDUCTING, THEY SAY, COUNTERTERRORISM ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA.

WITH THE TRUCE EVER FRAGILE, MANY HOSTAGE FAMILIES SAY THEY CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON TWO THINGS.

PEACE AND FREEDOM.

>> IT GIVES US HOPE TO SEE THAT THE FRAMEWORK IS WORKING.

WE HOPE TO CONTINUE SEEING PEOPLE COMING HOME TO THEIR LOVED ONES WHERE THEY BELONG.

>> KPBS NEWS.

>>> WET WEATHER LINGERS THROUGHOUT THE OVERNIGHT AND EVENING TO THURSDAY.

WE DO HAVE DRY CHANGES COMING UP AND WARMER CHANGES.

A WARMING TREND AS WE WORK OUR WAY DOWN THE ROAD.

THE QUESTION AT THIS POINT OF THE WEEK IS THE WEEKEND, RIGHT?

COULD WE SEE CONTINUED CHANGES OR WILL THE WARMTH AND THE SON STICK AROUND.

WE WILL LET YOU KNOW COMING UP IN A BIT.

>>> TODAY'S MISTY WEATHER LET THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO OPEN ADDITIONAL SHELTER SPACE FOR THOSE EXPERIENCE AND HOMELESSNESS.

THE CITY ACTIVATED ITS INCLEMENT WEATHER SHELTER PROGRAM TODAY.

THOSE EXPENSING HOMELESSNESS CAN SHOW UP AT THE LOCATIONS ON THE SCREEN.

BEDS ARE AVAILABLE ON A FIRST- COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS.

SHELTERS STOP ACCEPTING PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE FULL.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> FIVE AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS MIGHT BE GETTING A 15 MILLION-DOLLAR BOOST IN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

THE MAYOR ANNOUNCED THE PROJECTS HAD BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR FUNDING UNDER THE BRIDGE TO HOME INITIATIVE.

AND THEY ARE EXPECTED TO CREATE 400 NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES IN FIVE DIFFERENT CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS.

96 OF THOSE HOMES WOULD BE SET ASIDE AS PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR SAN DIEGANS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

>> I HAVE BEEN ON THE STREETS WAY TOO LONG.

FOR LIKE NINE YEARS OF.

>> THE RECOMMENDER PROJECTS INCLUDE 97 AFFORDABLE HOMES IN HILLCREST, A 72 FAMILY UNIT PROJECT IN CITY HEIGHTS, 78 AFFORDABLE HOMES IN THE NESTER COMMUNITY AND 59 THE SINGLE ROOM UNITS IN PACIFIC BEACH AND 94 UNITS DESIGNED FOR SENIORS IN CLAREMONT.

>>> A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CREDIT UNION HAS LONG BUILT ITSELF TO BE A COMMUNITY BASED ALTERNATIVE TO COMMERCIAL BANKS.

YET, OUR KPBS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER FOUND THAT WHEN IT COMES TO CHARGING OVERDRAFT FEES, THEY HAVE SIMILAR PRACTICES.

>> TONY BRUMFIELD HAS USED CREDIT UNIONS MOST OF HIS ADULT LIFE.

HE APPRECIATES THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND CONNECTION TO THE COMMUNITY.

SO HE WAS SURPRISED WHEN I TOLD HIM THE CREDIT UNIONS IN CALIFORNIA COLLECTED $250 MILLION LAST YEAR AND OVERDRAFT FEES.

>> YOU THINK OF THEM AS BEING A LOCAL SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> AND THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE IN THIS TO MAKE THE BIG BUCKS.

JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET LIKE THE REST OF US.

>> CUSTOMERS ARE HIT WITH AN OVERDRAFT FEE WHEN THEY MAKE A PURCHASE AND THEIR CHECKING ACCOUNT DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO COVER IT.

CONSUMER ADVOCATES, PHYSICAL WATCHDOGS AND EVEN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HAVE HAD A LEAK CRITICIZED BIG FOR THE BILLIONS THEY COLLECT AND OVERDRAFT FEES AND IT TURNS OUT THAT IT IS BIG BUSINESS FOR CREDIT UNIONS TOO.

LAST YEAR, CREDIT UNION STARTED IN CALIFORNIA BROUGHT IN A QUARTER BILLION DOLLARS OF REVENUE AND OVERDRAFT PENALTIES.

ACCORDING TO A KPBS ANALYSIS OF DATA COLLECTED BY THE STATE.

>> REGULATORS SHOULD TREAT OVERDRAFT AS THE FIVE ALARM FIRE THAT IT HAS BURNING THROUGH LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

>> AARON KLEIN IS THE SENIOR FELLOW AT THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION, A DC-BASED THINK TANK.

HE SAYS OVERDRAFT FEES ARE NEARLY.

PROFIT FOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTING CUSTOMERS LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

FOR YEARS, BIG BANKS HAVE HAD TO DISCLOSE REVENUE FROM OVERDRAFT FEES.

BUT CREDIT UNIONS, WHICH ARE TECHNICALLY NOT-FOR-PROFIT BUSINESSES, HAVE AVOIDED THIS REQUEST REQUIREMENT.

>> CREDIT UNIONS HAVE ESCAPED SCRUTINY AND OVERDRAFT BY A COMBINATION OF WRAPPING THEMSELVES IN THE GOOD GUY FLAG IS A NONPROFIT ORIENTED ENTITY.

AND BY NOT RELEASING DATA TO THE PUBLIC.

>> THAT IS, UNTIL THIS YEAR IN CALIFORNIA, AFTER LAWMAKERS PASSED THE FIRST LAW IN THE COUNTRY REQUIRING THE DISCLOSURE FROM STATE CHARTERED FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION RANKED SECOND HIGHEST AMONG THE STATE'S 100 PLUS CREDIT UNIONS, COLLECTING $18 MILLION IN OVERDRAFT FEES LAST YEAR.

THAT IS SURPRISING FOR A CREDIT UNION THAT HAS LONG MARKETED ITSELF AS THE ANTI- BIG BANK.

FOR YEARS, THE CREDIT UNION RAN A SERIES OF ADDS HAMMERING GREEDY BANKS AND THEIR EXCESSIVE FEES.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ORDER CHECKING ACCOUNT.

>> YOU OFFER FREE CHECKING?

>> THE BANKERS AND THE ADS COULD ONLY SAY ONE WORD.

>> MONEY.

>> THE CAMPAIGN OVER SCORES ITS MESSAGE IN THE END.

>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION DECLINED AN INTERVIEW REQUEST AND DID NOT RESPOND TO MULTIPLE FOLLOW-UP INQUIRIES.

OTHER CREDIT UNIONS COLLECTED LESS IN OVERDRAFT FEES BUT THE REVENUE MADE UP A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE INCOME.

CONSIDER OCEANSIDE BASED FRONT WAVE CREDIT UNION.

THEY COLLECTED NEARLY $8 MILLION IN OVERDRAFT FEES LAST YEAR.

THAT AMOUNTED TO 12% OF THE COMPANY'S OVERALL INCOME AND 140% OF THE NET INCOME.

IN OTHER WORDS, FROM WAIT EASILY COULD HAVE LOST MONEY LAST YEAR WITHOUT REVENUE FROM OVERDRAFT FEES.

>> WE CALL IT A SERVICE.

>> BILL BERNIE IS THE CEO OF FRONT WAY.

USES MANY FRONT WITH MEMBERS WILL AND OVERDRAFTS AT THE END OF THE MONTH AS A BRIDGE FOR THE NEXT PAYDAY.

THE CREDIT UNION HAS REBRANDED IT AS COURTESY PAY FOR FRONT WAY OF CHARGES $20 PER OVERDRAFT AND UP TO FIVE TIMES A DAY FOR EACH NEGATIVE BALANCE PURCHASE.

THAT MEANS A FRONT WITH CUSTOMER COULD BE HIT WITH $100 IN FEES IN ONE DAY.

>> IT IS AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF INCOME TO US.

I JUST DON'T THINK WE DO IT IN A PREDATORY WAY.

>> CONSUMER WATCHDOGS ARE NOT BUYING THIS ARGUMENT.

KIARA LAUGHLIN AS A RESEARCHER AND POLICY ADVOCATE AT THE SAN DIEGO-BASED CENTER ON POLICY INITIATIVES.

SHE SAYS THAT OVERDRAFT FEES ARE INHERENTLY ONEROUS, EVEN IF THEY ARE REBRANDED TO SOUND LIKE A BENEFIT.

>> I WOULD SAY ANY BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION THAT IS PROFITING OFF OF EXPLOITING OTHER FOLKS AND THEIR VULNERABILITIES IS NOT HELPING PEOPLE.

IT IS HURTING PEOPLE.

>> THE SCRUTINY ON BIG BANKS HAS MADE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, THEY REPORTED THE OVERDRAFT FEE POLICIES.

SOME ALLOW REPAYMENT GRACE PERIODS AND OTHERS HAVE DONE AWAY WITH THE FEES ALTOGETHER.

IT IS UNCLEAR IF CREDIT UNIONS PLAN TO DO THE SAME ANYTIME SOON.

SCOTT ROD, KPBS NEWS.

>>> COMING UP ON FRIDAY, KPBS FOUND CREDIT UNIONS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOOSTED CEO PAY WHILE CHANGING AND CHARGING MILLIONS IN OVERDRAFT FEES.

WILL HAVE THAT PART OF THE STORY ON THE RADIO AND ON OUR WEBSITE ON KPBS.ORG.

>>> WE ARE HEARING FROM THE MAN WHO WILL TAKE THE HOME OF THE SAN DIEGO STATE FOOTBALL TEAM.

SEAN LEWIS WAS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED AS THE AZTECS NEW HEAD COACH.

IS TAKING OVER THE POSITION VACATED BY BRADY HOUCK.

HE HAS LEWIS AHEAD OF HIM AS THE AZTECS ARE COMING OFF OF A DISAPPOINTING SEASON WITH JUST FOUR WINS.

HE SHARED HIS VISION FOR THE PROGRAM AT A PRESS CONFERENCE EARLIER.

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO BRINGING THAT EXCITEMENT AND THAT BRAND OF FOOTBALL.

WHERE WE ARE PLAYING FAST.

>> I'M CHALLENGING THE YOUNG MEN THIS MORNING THAT WE WILL EXPECT THEM TO CHASE EXCELLENCE IN ALL PHASES OF THEIR LIVES IN THE CLASSROOM AND IN ATHLETIC ENDEAVORS.

>> I EXPECT EXCELLENCE IN ALL PHASES OF THE FOOTBALL PROGRAM.

>> LEWIS WAS MOST RECENTLY PART OF THE COACHING STAFF AT COLORADO.

>> THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY IS TRYING TO LEARN WHO ABANDONED TWO HORSES LAST WEEK AND THE TIJUANA RIVER VALLEY REGIONAL PARK.

OUR KPBS REPORTER SAYS ONE OF THE ANIMALS DID NOT SURVIVE.

>> THE VOICES WERE ABANDONED JUST DAYS APART AT A STAGING AREA CORRAL AT A REGIONAL PARK.

REGINA PRICE FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT, SAID THE FIRST HORSE WAS FOUND WITH A NOTE THAT SAID, BRING ANIMAL CONTROL.

>> BOTH TIMES, THE HORSES HAD NO FOOD OR WATER.

>> THE FIRST HORSE WAS FOUND LATER THIS PAST SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26TH.

BOTH HORSES WERE IN POOR CONDITION AND TAKEN TO THE ESCONDIDO CAMPUS FOR IMMEDIATE TREATMENT.

>> WE HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THEY CAME FROM THE SAME OWNER OR RANCH.

BUT PUTTING THEM NEAR THE CAMPUS, THEY APPEARED TO BE FAMILIAR WITH EACH OTHER.

>> THE FIRST RESCUED HORSE WILL REMAIN AT THE ESCONDIDO CAMPUS UNTIL HE IS HEALTHY AND THE NEXT STEPS CAN BE DETERMINED.

BUT THE SECOND HORSE HAD TO BE EUTHANIZED BECAUSE OF SEVERE PAIN.

IT WAS LAYING ON ALL FOUR LEGS.

>> THE COST OF PAY ALL ESCALATED.

>> AUDREY REYNOLDS HAS BEEN RESCUING HORSES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOR OVER A DECADE.

SHE SAID THAT HER SAVING HORSES ORGANIZATION HAS DEALT WITH A HIGHER LEVEL OF NEGLECT SINCE THE PANDEMIC.

AS THE PRICE OF CARING FOR HORSES HAS GONE UP.

>>> RESCUES ARE FULL AND UNDERFUNDED.

PRIOR TO COVID, WE DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE A PROBLEM RAISING FUNDS.

NOW IT SEEMS NOBODY WANTS TO PUT THEIR HAND IN THEIR POCKET TO HELP US OUT.

>> UNDER CALIFORNIA LAW, IT IS ILLEGAL TO ABANDON AN ANIMAL.

>> IT IS POSSIBLE THAT FINANCIAL LAYING, THEY WERE STRUGGLING.

BUT IT IS HARD TO SAY.

WE DON'T KNOW.

SOMEONE MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR THESE HORSES WHERE THEY COULD HAVE BEEN STOLEN.

>> ANYONE WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE ABANDONMENT OF THE TWO HORSES IS ASKED TO CALL SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY'S HUMANE LAW ENFORCEMENT.

KPBS NEWS.

>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE REPORTING INCREASED CASES OF WHOOPING COUGH.

KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN SAID CHILDREN MAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF THE CASES.

>> THE NUMBER OF PERTUSSIS OR WHOOPING COUGH CASES ARISING TO 12 AND SEPTEMBER TO 57 AND OCTOBER.

AND THAT IS ONLY THOSE WHO GET TESTED FOR IT.

>> WE ARE SEEING THE COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION FOR PERTUSSIS PICKING UP.

IT IS DEFINITELY OUT THERE.

IT IS DEFINITELY IN THE SCHOOLS.

KIDS CANNOT GET VACCINATED UNTIL THEY ARE A FEW MONTHS OLD SO THE YOUNGEST ARE AT THE HIGHEST RISK AND PREVENTION IS KEY.

WHILE BOOSTER DOSES ARE MANDATED FOR KIDS IN SCHOOL, COUNTY OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE SEEN SOME DROP-OFF.

>> WE WORRY ABOUT IT BECAUSE THESE ARE DISEASES THAT ARE EASY TO PREVENT WITH VACCINES AND THEY HAVE SERIOUS OUTCOMES.

>> THE MAJORITY OF CASES ARE WITH KIDS AND PARENTS ARE BEING NOTIFIED OF CLOSURES THAT SCHOOLS.

>> TAKE THEM TO GET UPDATED FOR ALL VACCINES.

YOU CAN GET THEM AT THE SAME TIME.

IS A GOOD TIME TO DO ONE STOP SHOPPING.

THE SEASON HAS STARTED AND IT IS NOT GOING TO GO DOWN.

WE ARE STILL JUST IN THE BEGINNING OF THE WINTER SEASON.

>> BRADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OFFICIALS ARE ALSO NOTICING INCREASES IN KIDS WITH WHOOPING COUGH.

>> MORE KIDS ARE TESTING POSITIVE AND WE HAVE CASES WITH PERTUSSIS INCLUDING INTENSIVE CARE.

>> DR. EDMUND WILDER SAID WHOOPING COUGH CAN BE HARD TO IDENTIFY AT FIRST BECAUSE IT STARTS OUT LIKE A COMMON COLD.

>> OVER TIME, AFTER A WEEK OR TWO OF THE COMMON COLD SYMPTOMS, THIS BECOMES A PROMINENT SYSTEM WITH THE COUGH AND THEN IT CAN BECOME TRUE TRAUMATIC.

>> THEN YOU GET THESE STRETCHES OF COUGHING.

>> AND YOU COUGH SO MANY TIMES IN A ROW THAT YOU LOST YOUR BREATH AND YOU CAN OFTEN TURN COLORS.

AND THEY TAKE IT DID BIG DEEP BREATH IN TO CATCH UP.

>> COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS SAID THEY SEE INCREASES IN WHOOPING COUGH EVERY FEW YEARS, EXPECTING MOMS TO GET VACCINATED WHILE PREGNANT TO PASS ALONG PROTECTION.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AFTER A BUSY HOLIDAY TRAVEL WEEKEND, RESPIRATORY VIRUSES ARE RAMPING UP ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE CDC PREDICTS THAT IT WILL BE AROUND THE SAME AMOUNT OF HOSPITALIZATIONS AS LAST SEASON.

MANDY GAITHER HAS A LOOK AT THE LATEST DATA AND HOW TO KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HEALTHY.

>> ACROSS THE U.S., FLU, COVID AND RSV ARE SPREADING.

>> IT IS THAT TIME OF THE YEAR AND WE KNOW THAT ALL OF THE RESPIRATORY VIRAL ILLNESSES ARE STARTING TO RAMP UP.

>> FLU CASES ARE RISING ACROSS MOST OF THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY IN LOUISIANA, EMMA BOUMA, MISSISSIPPI, GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA.

COVID HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT VISITS ARE ON THE RISE AGAIN AFTER A FEW WEEKS OF DECLINE.

>> I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL ON CALL THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND AND I'M STARTING TO SEE MORE PEOPLE BEING HOSPITALIZED WITH COVID.

>> DR. CHRISTIAN ENGLAND OF THE CLEVELAND CLINIC SAID IT IS NOT TOO LATE TO PROTECT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THROUGH VACCINATION.

MORE THAN A THIRD OF ADULTS AND CHILDREN HAVE GOTTEN THE FLU SHOT THIS YEAR.

WHEN IT COMES TO THE NEW COVID VACCINE, 16% OF ADULTS AND 6% OF CHILDREN HAVE GOTTEN IT AND NEARLY 15% OF ADULTS AGES 60 AND UP HAVE GOTTEN THE NEW RSV VACCINE.

>> VACCINATIONS WILL ALWAYS BE THE KEY WAY TO PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION OF ANY OF THESE RESPIRATORY VIRAL ILLNESSES.

>> FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I MANDY GAITHER.

>>> KEEP THE RAIN GEAR HANDY THIS EVENING AND INTO TONIGHT IF YOUR TRAVELS TAKE YOU OUT AND ABOUT.

THERE WILL BE SOME WET AREAS OF CHULA VISTA.

THE INTERIOR, NOT AS ACTIVE.

DROPPING INTO THE MID-30S OVER THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

THAT IS WHERE WE SEE CLEAR SKIES.

HERE IS WHERE THE MOISTURE WILL LINGER.

THE INTERIOR VALLEYS, ESPECIALLY TOWARD THE SHORE LINE.

TAKING YOU TO YOUR THURSDAY, NOT LOOKING TO BE QUITE AS ACTIVE AS WE WORK OUR WAY DOWN THE ROAD AS WE SEE BREAKS IN THE CLOUD DECK.

LET'S WORK OUR WAY THROUGH TONIGHT AND THURSDAY.

WE HAVE A BIT OF A CHILL IN THE AIR WITH LINGERING SHOWERS AROUND.

NOT LOOKING OVERLY ACTIVE.

WORKING OUR WAY DOWN THE ROAD, WE WILL SEE CHANGES CAKING IN TERMS OF SUNSHINE.

66, OCEANSIDE.

CHULA VISTA, 65.

GOING TO THE MOUNTAINS AND DESERTS, SOME SUNSHINE TO ENJOY THROUGHOUT THURSDAY.

AT THE COAST, LOOK AT THAT!

SUNDAY, 70.

THE WEEKEND LOOKS GOOD.

MID-70S GOING IN THE MONDAY.

OVERNIGHT LOWS THEY PUT INTO THE 40s.

THE INTERIOR VALLEYS ARE LOOKING AT SHOWERS AS WE GO THROUGHOUT YOUR THURSDAY.

CLIMBING UP INTO THE 70s ON SUNDAY.

IT LOOKS NICE OUT THERE.

LOOK AT THAT STRETCH SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN GRADUALLY CLIMBING OUT OF THE 30s.

COLD THURSDAY AND A SHOWER AROUND FRIDAY.

DRY AND PRESSING TOWARD 50 BY NEXT WEEK.

OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURES STAYING DOWN INTO THE 30s WITH DRY AIR.

AS WE CHECK OUT THE DESERTS, WE WILL BE INTO THE 60s.

SLOWLY CLIMBING.

SLOW IS THE KEY WORD.

WE COULD SEE SHOWERS WORKING OUR WAY THROUGHOUT FRIDAY.

OTHER THAN THAT, A DRY STRETCH.

MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND MONDAY WITH OVERNIGHT LOWS CLIMBING INTO THE MID-40s.

FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> SCAMMERS ARE WORKING OVERTIME TO RIP UP HOLIDAY SHOPPERS.

ACCORDING TO THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, SCAMS ARE NOT AS EASY TO SPOT AS PREVIOUS YEARS.

WE BREAK DOWN WHAT YOU NEED TO WATCH OUT FOR WHILE SHOPPING ONLINE.

>> THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON IS IN FULL SWING AND WEBSITE HOSTING ONLINE SALES ARE ALSO A HOTSPOT FOR SCAMMERS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, SCAMMERS FOLLOW US AROUND LIKE MARKETERS.

>> THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU SAID SCAMMERS ARE WORKING OVERTIME TO RIP OFF THE EAGER CONSUMERS AND IT IS GETTING HARDER AND HARDER FOR CONSUMERS TO SPOT THE SCAMS.

>> IF YOU THINK ABOUT THE WAY PEOPLE ONLINE SHOP, MOST OF THE TIME, THEY ARE ON A DEVICE.

THEY ARE NOT ON A LAPTOP OR DESKTOP COMPUTER WHERE THEY MIGHT HAVE A BETTER VISUAL FIELD OF THOSE RED FLAGS.

>> THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION IS FORECASTING THAT ONLINE AND NON- STORE SALES WILL CLIMB AS HIGH AS 9% THIS YEAR AND SCAMMERS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE GROWING TREND.

THE BBB HAS FIVE TIPS TO HELP YOU AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM.

NUMBER ONE, RESEARCH BEFORE CLICKING BUY.

GOOGLE THE COMPANY NAME WITH THE WORD SCAM, REVIEWS AND COMPLAINTS TO SEE WHAT OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE SAYING.

>> IT USUALLY STARTS WITH, I SAW AN AD FOR XYZ AND THEY HAVE NO CONFIRMATION OR PURCHASE.

>> THEN NUMBER TWO.

BUY FROM LEGIT WEBSITES.

SCAMMERS OFTEN MIMIC THE URL OF A POPULAR RETAILER TO GET YOU TO BUY COUNTERFEIT OR FAKE ITEMS.

AND DON'T BE FOOLED BY FAKE GOODS ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> WE HAVE SEEN SOME INFLUENCERS HAVE VIDEOS HIJACKED BY SCAMMERS TRYING TO SELL THE PRODUCT ON A FAKE WEBSITE.

>> AND DON'T CLICK ON LINKS FROM RANDOM TEXTS OR E-MAILS.

AND FINALLY, THE BBB SAID THAT IF THE SALE OR PROMOTION SEEMS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS.

FOR YOUR CONSUMER WATCH, I'M COLE HIGGINS.

>> THE BBB RECOMMENDS CHECKING THE "ABOUT US" OR "CONTACT US" SECTION ON THE COMPANY'S WEBSITE.

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