>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES , PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR, RESTORATION, FLOOD, AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL-HOWE OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM .

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

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> GOOD EVENING.

IS WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 30th THERE I AM THAT HOFFMAN AND MAYA TRABULSI.

TONIGHT THOUSANDS OF ACADEMIC WORKERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA CAMPUSES ARE STILL STRIKING FOR BETTER PAY.

NOW WITH FINALS APPROACHING, SOME UC SAN DIEGO STUDENTS ARE WORRIED THAT IT COULD AFFECT THEIR GRADES.

HERE IS REPORTER KITTY ALVARADO.

>> Reporter: THE LAST WEEK OF INSTRUCTION AT UC SAN DIEGO, AND THE STUDENTS HURRIED OFF TO CLASS OLIVER CAMPUS.

HE WILL ALSO FIND GROUPS OF UC ACADEMIC WORKERS ON STRIKE.

TYPICALLY THEY'D BE INSIDE OF CLASSROOMS AND LABS DOING A MULTITUDE OF TASKS, AMONG THEM GIVING INSTRUCTION, RUNNING DISCUSSIONS, GRADING PAPERS, AND PREPARING STUDENTS FOR NEXT WEEK'S FINALS.

FOURTH-YEAR STUDENT KAYLA GUZMAN SAYS SHE DOESN'T REALLY KNOW HOW HER GRADES WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE STRIKE, BECAUSE THERE HASN'T BEEN MUCH CLARITY.

>> IT IS KIND OF SCARY PICKET SUCKS THAT WE ARE SO LATE IN THE QUARTER AND EVERYTHING IS UP IN THE AIR.

I JUST KEEP GOING TO CLASS AND I TRY TO DO THE BEST THAT I CAN DESPITE EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: WE WONDERED HOW HAS CLASS BEEN WITHOUT THEM.

>> NOT REALLY GREAT.

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE OUR TA'S IN CLASS WITH US TO ASK QUESTIONS, AND GET FEEDBACK ON OUR ASSIGNMENTS.

IT IS A BETTER LEARNING PROCESS WHEN THEY ARE THERE.

>> Reporter: ANNIE MEYER SAYS HER EDUCATION IS SUFFERING WITHOUT THE ACADEMIC WORKERS.

>> WE MISS OUR TA'S SO MUCH.

THEY RUN THE UC'S.

WE AREN'T FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY WITHOUT THEM.

>> Reporter: BOTH STUDENTS ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THE ACADEMIC WORKERS, AND SAY THEY SHOULD GET PAID MORE FOR THE AMOUNT OF WORK THEY DO.

>> I DO HOPE THEY GET THE WAGES THEY DESERVE TO IN TERMS OF THE GRADING, IT SHOWS HOW MUCH THEY REALLY HELP AND EVERYTHING.

>> WE NEED THEM BACK, BUT THEY NEED TO BE PAID MORE.

>> Reporter: A COMPUTER LAB RESEARCHER AT UC SAN DIEGO IS AMONG THE 48,000 ACADEMIC WORKERS ON STRIKE ACROSS THE UC SYSTEM.

HE SAYS HE FEELS FOR THE STUDENTS WHO HAVE WORKED HARD FOR THEIR GRADES.

>> I THINK I DEFINITELY UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN THAT SOME STUDENTS ARE FEELING, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT ME AND A LOT OF MY COLLEAGUES ARE BASICALLY LIVING IN POVERTY, AND THE UNIVERSITY AT ANY POINT HAS THE ABILITY TO END THAT.

>> Reporter: HE ALSO FIND SOME HOPE IN THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENT THE UC REACHED WITH POSTDOCTORAL'S COLLEGE AND RESEARCHERS, BECAUSE FOR THOSE 12,000 WORKERS, THE STRIKE COULD END AS EARLY AS THE END OF THE WEEK, OR AS SOON AS THEY SIGN THEIR CONTRACTS.

>> KNOW THAT THAT IS OUT OF THE WAY, WE CAN NEGOTIATE EVERY DAY , AND SEE SOME MOVEMENT ON HER OWN CONTRACTS.

>> Reporter: THE UC SAYS NEGOTIATIONS ARE ONGOING, AND THEY LOOK FORWARD TO SETTLING THE CONTRACTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HAS VOTED TO AVOID A FREIGHT RAIL STRIKE THAT COULD CRIPPLE THE NATION'S SHIPPING INDUSTRY.

THE BILL NOW GOES TO THE SENATE, WHICH WILL HAVE TO WORK FAST BEFORE A TENTATIVE STRIKE DATE OF NOVEMBER NINTH, DECEMBER 9th, EXCUSE ME.

MIKE VALERIO HAS THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT MADE IT PRETTY CLEAR THAT THE RAMIFICATIONS FOR THE COUNTRY AND WORKERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY IF WE DON'T GET THIS DONE.

>> Reporter: THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APPROVED LEGISLATION IN A TWO PART YESTERDAY TO BLOCK MORE THAN 100,000 RAIL WORKERS FROM WALKING OFF THE JOB NEXT WEEK.

THE BILL IS NOW IN THE HANDS OF SENATORS WHO NEED TO PASS IT BEFORE A STRIKE SET FOR DECEMBER 9th.

FOR MONTHS THERE HAS BEEN A STALEMATE BETWEEN THE WORKERS UNIONS AND THE RAILROADS REPORTING RECORD PROFITS LAST YEAR, WITH ONE STRIKE AVERTED IN SEPTEMBER AFTER A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WAS REACHED.

>> ONCE THE MEMBERS LOOKED AT IT , SOME OF THE UNIONS RATIFIED IT AND SAID THIS IS ENOUGH, BUT A LOT OF UNION MEMBERS FELT PARTICULARLY IN THE WAKE OF THE PANDEMIC THAT PAID SICK LEAVE WAS SOMETHING THAT THEY HAD TO HAVE.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AS TOP LEADERS IN CONGRESS TO GET INVOLVED THIS WEEK AFTER PREVIOUSLY BEING RELUCTANT TO STEP INTO THE FIGHT , BUT ULTIMATELY HE DECIDED THE ECONOMIC UPHEAVAL A STRIKE WOULD CAUSE COULDN'T BE IGNORED.

BUSINESS GROUPS FEAR A FREIGHT RAIL STRIKE WITH THE TO WIDESPREAD SHORTAGES OF FOOD AND GOODS, TO PRICES SPIKING AND COMMUTER TRAIN INTERRUPTIONS.

ONE ECONOMIC GROUP ESTIMATES OF THE COST THE U.S. ECONOMY $1 BILLION IN JUST THE FIRST WEEK.

UNIONS SAY WALKING OFF THE JOB AS A LAST RESORT, BUT WHEN THEY ARE WILLING TO TAKE SO RAIL WORKERS CAN GET THEIR DEMANDS MET.

>> THEY WORK REALLY HARD AT VERY DANGEROUS JOBS.

MANY OF THEM WORK OUTSIDE EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS, TO CHEMICALS, MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES, AND THEY NEED PAID SICK LEAVE.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

>>> FOR YEARS, SOLVING HOMELESSNESS HAS BEEN ONE OF SAN DIEGO'S BIGGEST CIVIC CHALLENGES.

JOHN CAROL TELLS US ABOUT A MAJOR CONFERENCE UNDERWAY THAT IS GENERATING HIGH HOPES FOR NEW SOLUTIONS.

>>> BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION BECAUSE YOU ARE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

>> Reporter: SHE'S HOPING FOR LOTS OF REDUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS TO TAKE PLACE DURING THIS 2 DAY FIRST OF ITS KIND CONFERENCE, SOLUTIONS FOR SAN DIEGO.

>> THE PROBLEM IS SO LARGE THAT WE NEED EVERYONE UNDERSTANDING HOW WE ARE DOING IT, WHY WE ARE DOING IT, THE SUPPORT OF ELECTIVES, THE SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAM.

THIS BRINGS EVERYBODY TOGETHER CENTRALLY TO HEAR THE MESSAGE CLEARLY.

>> Reporter: DOZENS OF PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY WORKING TO SOLVE HOMELESSNESS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES ARE JOINING WITH HUNDREDS OF FOLKS HERE WORKING TOWARD THAT SAME GOAL.

DESPITE MAJOR EFFORTS FROM THE CITY AND COUNTY, THE PROBLEM IS ACTUALLY GETTING WORSE.

SHE SAYS FOR EVERY 10 PEOPLE WHO GET HELP TO GET OFF THE STREET, ANOTHER 13 PEOPLE FALL INTO HOMELESSNESS.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE COASTAL CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES, THAT IS WHERE THERE IS DISPROPORTIONATE HOMELESSNESS.

>> Reporter: IS A KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR A VERY GOOD REASON.

HE WROTE THE BOOK "HOMELESSNESS IS A HOUSING PROBLEM" WHERE HE LAYS OUT THE CASE THAT AMONG THE MANY FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, A LACK OF HOUSING IS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.

>> HOMELESSNESS THRIVES WHEN HOUSING ISN'T AVAILABLE.

>> Reporter: LIKE IN HIS HOMETOWN OF SEATTLE, HOUSING IN SAN DIEGO IS EXPENSIVE, BUT FROM WHAT HE'S SEEN SO FAR, THIS CONFERENCE HAS HUGE POTENTIAL TO MAKE BIG STRIDES TOWARDS SOLUTIONS.

>> I WALKED INTO THE SESSION THIS MORNING AND WAS BLOWN AWAY WHEN I SAW HOW FULL THAT BALLROOM WAS.

I'M REALLY IMPRESSED THAT THE GROUP HERE HAS PULLED THE MANY PEOPLE TOGETHER FOR THIS EVENT.

>> WHAT'S WORKING, WHAT'S NOT WORKING, AND WHAT SHOULD WE STOP DOING.

LET'S FIGURE IT OUT.

HER BACK THIS CONFERENCE WINDS UP TOMORROW, AND AT THAT POINT THE LOCALS AND HANDING IT WILL GO BACK TO THEIR JOBS WITH NEW IDEAS, AND PERHAPS A NEW DETERMINATION TO FINALLY SOLVE SAN DIEGO'S LONGEST TERM SEEMINGLY MOST UNSOLVABLE PROBLEM.

FROM DOWNTOWN, JOHN CAROL, KPBS NEWS .

>>> NINE SAILORS WERE INJURED IN A FIRE ABOARD THE USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER WAS ABOUT 30 MILES OFF OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COAST WHEN THE FIRE BROKE OUT YESTERDAY MORNING.

IT WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CREW , AND ALL OF THE INJURED SAILORS WERE TREATED ON BOARD THE SHIP.

THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> MEXICO IS DEPLOYING HUNDREDS OF NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS INTO WANNA TO COMBAT RISING CRIME, BUT DATA SHOWS THAT CRIME HASN'T DECREASED.

GUSTAVO SOLIS X LOWERS THE IMPACT OF TIJUANA'S GROWING MILITARY PRESENCE.

>> Reporter: YOU'VE PROBABLY SEEN THIS BEFORE, OR A VARIATION OF IT.

IT IS OF A MAN AND A WOMAN WALKING DOWN THE STREET HOLDING HANDS.

THE MAN COX SAID ANOTHER WOMAN PASSING BY, AND HIS PARTNER JUST STARES AT HIM MY MOUTH WIDE OPEN IN UTTER SHOCK.

THERE IS A VERSION OF THE MEME CIRCULATING ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND TIJUANA.

IN IT, THE MAN IS REPRESENTED BY THOUSANDS OF NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS DEPLOYED IN BAJA CALIFORNIA TO TACKLE THE SPIKING HOMICIDE RATE.

THE GIRLFRIEND, TIJUANA RESIDENCE THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTED BY THE NATIONAL GUARD.

THE OTHER WOMAN REPRESENTS TIJUANA FLEA MARKETS.

SHE MAKES HER LIVING IN THE CITIES FLEA MARKETS.

SHE SELLS SECONDHAND CLOTHES, AND SHE LAUGHED WHEN I ASKED HER TO EXPLAIN THIS TO ME.

SHE SAYS THAT THE NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS COME FROM PARTS OF MEXICO WHERE AMERICAN GOODS LIKE NIKES AND LEVI'S ARE HARD TO COME BY, SO THEY LIKE TO SHOP AROUND IN THE FLEA MARKETS WHILE THEY ARE IN TIJUANA .

AND WHILE THE TROOPS SHOP, CORTEZ AND OTHER SAY THE NEIGHBORHOODS IN TIJUANA REMAIN BESIEGED BY VIOLENCE.

THERE WERE MORE THAN 1900 HOMICIDE LAST YEAR AND TIJUANA.

FIRST RESIDENTS WERE HAPPY THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS FINALLY TAKING ACTION.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: BUT THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN MORE THAN 1700 MURDERS IN TIJUANA THIS YEAR , ON TRACK TO SURPASS LAST YEAR'S TOTAL.

THE NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS STATIONED IN TIJUANA DID NOT RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME MEXICO IS TURNED TO THE MILITARY TO FIGHT CRIME.

A RESEARCHER AT UC SAN DIEGO TRACES TODAY'S EFFORTS BACK TO 2006.

>> THE ARGUMENT THAT WAS MADE ABOUT 2006 WAS BECAUSE THERE WAS CORRUPTION IN CIVILIAN LAW ENFORCEMENT INSTITUTIONS, WE NEEDED TO DEPLOY THE ARMED FORCES IN A WAY WHICH THEY HAD NOT BEEN INVOLVED BEFORE UNTIL THESE OTHER INSTITUTIONS WERE DEVELOPED ENOUGH AND CORRUPTION WAS ROUTED OUT OF THEM.

IT WAS ALWAYS TO BE A TEMPORARY SOLUTION.

>> Reporter: NOW TWO DECADES LATER, CITY AND STATE POLICE FORCES ARE STILL CONSIDERED CORRUPT AND ILL-EQUIPPED TO TACKLE CARTEL -RELATED VIOLENCE.

IN SEPTEMBER, THE MEXICAN PRESIDENT DOUBLED DOWN ON THE MILITARIZATION STRATEGY.

HE PASSED A LAW THAT FORMALLY MADE THE FEDERAL POLICE FORCE PART OF THE MILITARY.

SO FAR THE DATA SHOW THAT THIS HASN'T WORKED.

>> DESPITE THIS DEPLOYMENT, WE DON'T SEE SECURITY CONDITIONS IMPROVING IN MEXICO.

>> Reporter: SHE DOESN'T NEED DATA TO KNOW HER NEIGHBORHOOD IS A DANGEROUS PLACE.

SHE RECENTLY GAVE ME A TOUR.

SHE POINTED OUT THE HOUSE OR THE LOCAL METH DEALER LIVES, AND THE PLAYGROUND PEOPLE USED TO SHOOT UP HEROIN.

THEY OPERATE IN THE OPEN, AND CORTEZ SAYS THE NATIONAL GUARD STILL DOES NOTHING TO STOP THEM.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE SOLDIERS ARE EITHER SCARED, OR THEY JUST DON'T WANT TO BOTHER.

TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, SOLDIERS AND OTHER PARTS OF MEXICO HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS.

THIS IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT ISN'T NEW.

>> WHAT HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED OVER THE YEARS, ESPECIALLY BY HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS IS THAT UNFORTUNATELY THESE DEPLOYMENTS TEND TO REALLY ERODE HUMAN RIGHTS.

>> Reporter: MARTINEZ IS A RESEARCHER FOR A THINK TANK.

SHE HAS SPENT YEARS CONDUCTING FIELDWORK IN NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE THE ONE WHERE MARIA CORTEZ LIVES.

SHE SAYS THE CURRENT CONDITIONS ARE SO BAD THAT PEOPLE ARE ACTUALLY WILLING TO SACRIFICE SOME OF THEIR OWN CIVIL RIGHTS FOR MORE PROTECTION.

>> MY RIGHTS, FOR CITIZENS, MY RIGHTS HAVE BEEN DEGRADED EVERY SINGLE MINUTE AND EVERY SINGLE DAY BY THE ORGANIZED CRIME OR ANY OTHER CRIMINAL, SO I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE HUMAN RIGHTS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS IT'S ONLY ACCEPTABLE IF THE ARMED FORCES BROUGHT HERE TO PROTECT THEM ACTUALLY ACCOMPLISH THEIR MISSION.

KPBS NEWS .

>>> SAN DIEGO POLICE ARE GOING TO START ENFORCING THE CITY'S STREET VENDING LAW IN SOME AREAS THIS WEEKEND.

JACOB AERE TELLS US WHY THAT IS , AND WHAT IS COMING NEXT.

>> Reporter: SINCE JUNE, SAN DIEGO HAS HAD A LAW AGAINST STREET VENDING AND HIGH-TRAFFIC AREAS, LIKE BALBOA PARK IN THE GASLAMP QUARTER, BUT ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN A MIXED BAG DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE.

PARK RANGERS AND CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS HAD BEEN IN CHARGE OF ENFORCEMENT, BUT THEY GASLAMP QUARTER ASSOCIATION MICHAEL TRIMBLE SAYS IT HASN'T WORKED IN HIS DISTRICT, SO THE POLICE GOT INVOLVED TWO WEEKS AGO.

>> THE POLICE HAVE BEEN MAKING COMMUNICATION AND CONTACT WITH EACH OF THESE VENDORS, LETTING THEM KNOW THERE IS NO PENDING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS MANY OF THE DOZENS OF GASLAMP STREET VENDORS HAVE NUMEROUS HEALTH AND SAFETY VIOLATIONS ON THEIR CARDS THAT HAVE LED TO SOME CATCHING ON FIRE.

A LOCAL SANDY AIKEN AND STREET VENDOR AT THE BROADWAY PEER SAYS HE IS PERFECTLY AVOIDING GASLAMP.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: THIS WEEKEND, POLICE OFFICERS WILL START HANDING OUT CITATIONS TO ILLEGAL STREET VENDORS IN THE GASLAMP.

>> WHETHER IT BE TICKETS, CITATIONS, WHATNOT, IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE POLICE FEEL IS ACCEPTABLE AT THE MOMENT POINT >> Reporter: OUTSIDE OF THE GASLAMP, ENFORCEMENT WILL SOON INCLUDE THE BEACHES AND OTHER COASTAL AREAS.

ONCE AN AMENDED VERSION OF THE LAW TAKES EFFECT, HE SAYS HE'S NOT SURE WHAT TO DO.

YOU MIGHT TAKE A JOB AT A RESTAURANT TO TAKE CARE OF HIS FAMILY.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: THE ENFORCEMENT EXPANSION TO COASTAL AREAS IS EXPECTED TO TAKE EFFECT EARLY NEXT YEAR.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE VOLCANIC ERUPTION IN HAWAII HAS INTERRUPTED A KEY LONG-RUNNING SCIENTIFIC RECORD OF AIRBORNE CARBON DIOXIDE.

ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIK ANDERSON HAS DETAILS.

>> Reporter: LAVA FLOWS FROM ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST VOLCANOES HAVE CUT OFF ACCESS TO A RESEARCH OBSERVATORY THAT'S RECORDED CARBON DIOXIDE LEVELS IN THE AIR FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS.

THOSE MEASUREMENTS RECORD STEADILY RISING CO2 LEVELS, A SCIENTIFIC RECORD WIDELY KNOWN AS THE KEELING CURVE.

IT WAS STARTED BY THE SCRIPPS INSTITUTE OF OKINAWA RICKY CHARLES KEELING WHO DIED IN 2005, AND IS NOW MAINTAINED BY HIS SON RALPH KEELING.

THE STATION ISN'T EXPECTED TO BE OPERATING ANYTIME SOON.

>> THEY HAVE TO LET THE LAVA COOL.

THEY HAVE TO BUILD A NEW ROAD OVER IT.

THEY HAVE TO PUT NEW POWER POLES OVER IT.

THAT IS MONTHS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE'S LOOKING FOR A NEARBY LOCATION THAT IS SUITABLE TO TAKE MEASUREMENTS UNTIL THE OBSERVATORY IS BACK ONLINE.

HE SAYS MAUNA LOA IS A SPECIAL SPOT.

>> THERE ARE SOME OTHER VOLCANOES ON MAUI THAT ARE GETTING UP PRETTY HIGH MY BUTT IS JUST THOSE VOLCANOES ARE THE ONLY THINGS STICKING UP IN THE ATMOSPHERE IN A REMOTE SPOT.

IT'S AN AMAZING LOCATION, AND UNIQUE, AND REALLY VALUABLE FOR ATMOSPHERIC WORK.

>> Reporter: A TEMPORARY SITE WOULD HAVE TO BE UPWIND OF THE ERUPTING VOLCANO, BECAUSE VOLCANOES CAN BE A MAJOR SOURCE OF CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS.

THE KEELING CURVE IS WIDELY REGARDED AS A WARNING SIGN ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING.

ERIK ANDERSON , KPBS NEWS .

>>> A FEDERAL GRANT WILL HELP ENSURE SAN DIEGO'S HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS THE STAFFING AND TECHNOLOGY TO CONTINUE COMBATING THE PANDEMIC AND OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

YESTERDAY THE CDC ANNOUNCED $3 BILLION IN FUNDING.

IT IS MEANT TO BOLSTER THE NATION'S PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY WILL RECEIVE $33 MILLION OF THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

THAT MONEY ALLOWS THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO KEEP ON 60 POSITIONS THAT WERE ADDED DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> THAT IS SIGNIFICANT FOR US.

WE ARE GRATEFUL.

EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS.

THERE ARE ALSO OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES THAT CONTINUE TO FLARE UP, BUT THAT WE ARE RESPONDING TO.

THIS FUNDING REALLY SUSTAINS THAT SURGE STAFFING THAT WE NEED IN ORDER TO BE NIMBLE AND RESPONSIVE.

>> COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS APPLIED FOR THIS MONEY BACK IN AUGUST.

WILL ALSO HELP WITH MUCH-NEEDED TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES, INCLUDING THOSE INSIDE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY.

>>> IN THE AFTERMATH OF COVID, THIS FALL SEMESTER HAS CREATED MANY CHALLENGES AS SCHOOLS RETURN TO FULL-TIME LEARNING ON CAMPUS.

THAT INCLUDES THE STATES NEW TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE FOUR YEARS TO IMPLEMENT, BUT AS KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER ANGIE PEREZ SHOWS US, WHEN LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT IS ALREADY WAY AHEAD.

>>> WE ARE GOING TO PALE OUR BANANAS.

THE GORILLA SAYS -- >> Reporter: THERE IS LOTS OF LEARNING HAPPENING IN MISSES REYES TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN CLASS, WITH LESSONS AND MASTERING LETTERS, A NEW ONE EVERY WEEK.

THESE 4-YEAR-OLDS AND SOME OF THEIR 5-YEAR-OLD CLASSMATES ARE STUDENTS AT CREEKSIDE EARLY LEARNING CENTER IN THE ALPINE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THEIR TEACHER AND TEACHER AIDES GUIDE THEM AND HOW TO BE FIRST- TIME LEARNERS.

>> THEY LEARN HOW TO WORK IN GROUPS LIKE THIS.

THEY LEARN HOW TO SIT AND LISTEN TO A STORY, HOW TO TAKE TURNS AND SHARE AND GET ALONG WITH OTHERS.

>> Reporter: THIS FALL, CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS STARTED ROLLING OUT TK PROGRAMS FOR 4- YEAR-OLDS UNDER A NEW STATE LAW THAT WILL TAKE UNTIL 2026 TO REACH ALL OF THEM, BUT ALPINE UNION HAS ALREADY BEEN EDUCATING THESE YOUNG CHILDREN FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS.

SHE HAS BEEN HERE SINCE THE BEGINNING.

>> WE AREN'T THE TYPE THAT JUMPS ON THE BANDWAGON.

WE CREATE THE BANDWAGON AND EVERYBODY ELSE JUMPS ON BOARD WITH US.

WE'VE ALWAYS BEEN TRENDSETTERS INSERTING THINGS.

>> Reporter: IN FACT, CREEKSIDE EARLY LEARNING CENTER IS THE ONLY SCHOOL IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY JUST FOR TK AND KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS.

THIS FALL, THERE WERE 250 STUDENTS ON CAMPUS.

>> I REALLY LIKE TO DO COMPUTERS AND COOKING THE BEST.

>> Reporter: 5-YEAR-OLD GLENN IS ONE OF THEM.

ALL OF THE STUDENTS HERE ARE ALSO ENROLLED IN A DUAL ENGLISH- SPANISH PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: WHAT OTHER WORDS DO YOU KNOW?

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: JEANETTE KIRBY IS GWEN'S MOTHER.

>> I DIDN'T REALIZE HOW LUCKY WE WERE TO ALSO HAVE THE TK PROGRAM.

IT'S AN AMAZING FOUNDATION FOR KIDS TO LEARN AM I NOT JUST ACADEMICALLY COME UP AND SOCIALLY AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE ALPINE DISTRICT IS SO ADVANCED IN ITS EARLY CHILDHOOD CURRICULUM WITH A COMPLEMENT OF 15 CERTIFICATED FULL-TIME TEACHERS AT CREEKSIDE ALONE.

THE SCHOOL WILL BE READY TO OFFER TK CLASSES TO 3-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN WHO TURN FOUR BY NEXT SEPTEMBER 1st.

THREE YEARS BEFORE THE STATE PROGRAM.

>> I THINK WE'VE LEARNED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS WHEN PEOPLE WANT MOST AND WHAT STUDENTS NEED MOST, CONNECTION HERE GETTING THEM IN SCHOOL EARLY, BUILDING THE FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS.

>> Reporter: WHEN IS ALREADY CLEAR ON WHAT SHE WANTS TO BE WHEN SHE GOES UP.

>> EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: AND NO ONE DOUBTS HER.

ANGIE PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT LOOKS LIKE OUR COOL WEATHER IS GOING TO STAY WITH US FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK.

WE SEE SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR A LITTLE BIT OF PRECIPITATION.

WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEATHER HEADLINES.

WE HAVE THE DEEP MARINE LAYER, SO A LOT OF CLOUDS AROUND ESPECIALLY NEAR THE COAST.

WE WILL HAVE SOME BELOW AVERAGE TEMPERATURES.

THE WIND WILL BE ON THE INCREASE THURSDAY AS A STRONG SOUTHWESTERLY FLOAT DEVELOPS AS A FRIEND APPROACHES.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE HEAVIEST OF THE RAIN WILL STAY TO THE NORTH.

ANY PRECIPITATION SHOULD BE RATHER LIGHT.

FOR TONIGHT, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES.

THE LOW 51 DEGREES.

WE WILL SEE AVERAGE TEMPERATURES DROPPING DOWN INTO THE 40s.

ESCONDIDO, EL CAJON, BORREGO SPRINGS, AND DOWN TO THE 30s IN MOUNT LAGUNA.

LOOKING AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, WE SEE PLENTY OF CLOUDS NEAR THE CLOSED.

THEY WILL BREAK UP DURING THE AFTERNOON, BUT TEMPERATURES WILL STAY COOL.

TEMPERATURES RUNNING A GOOD 4 TO 8 DEGREES BELOW AVERAGE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

HERE IS HOW IT LOOKS ON THE FUTURE SATELLITE AND RADAR.

THE MAIN AREA OF RAIN COMING DOWN THROUGH CENTRAL AND NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, AND MOUNTAIN SNOW.

IT IS A WEAKENING ATMOSPHERE FOR EVERYONE BY THE TIME IT GETS DOWN HERE.

IT'S GOING TO BE FALLING APART.

WE AREN'T BULLISH ON EVERY EVERY ANY HEAVY PRECIPITATION HERE.

IT WILL BE NORTH OF LOS ANGELES.

NORTH OF IT, GOOD RAIN AND HEAVY MOUNTAIN SNOW.

HERE IS A LOOK AT THE FORECAST ALONG THE COAST.

LOW CLOUDS, A LITTLE DRIZZLE WITH US HERE THURSDAY, MOSTLY CLOUDY SKIES FRIDAY.

PERHAPS A SHOWER.

NOTICE THE APPROACH ON SUNDAY WITH A VERY WEAK OPPORTUNITY FOR SHOWERS.

INLAND AREAS, A PASSING SPRINKLE THURSDAY.

THEN ON SUNDAY, YOU CAN SEE THAT SHOWER LATER IN THE DAY.

INTO THE MOUNTAINS IT WILL BE RATHER BREEZY AND CHILLY.

AND LOOKING AHEAD TO THE NEXT SYSTEM SUNDAY, THEY WILL HAVE SOME WIND, AND IN THE DESERTS IT STAYS DRY.

THE TEMPERATURES RISING TO THE LOWER 70s.

FOR KPBS NEWS , I'M A NEUROLOGIST MARK MANCUSO.

>>> THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON IS OFF TO A SOLID START DESPITE INFLATION.

NEW REPORTS SHOW AMERICANS ARE SPENDING IN RECORD NUMBERS, BUT ALSO THAT THEY AREN'T FEELING GREAT ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

JENN SULLIVAN BREAKS IT ALL DOWN.

>> Reporter: THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON IS IN FULL SWING , AND WHILE AMERICANS ARE SPENDING IN RECORD NUMBERS, THEY ARE ALSO NOT FEELING GREAT ABOUT THE ECONOMY.

>> MANY CONSUMERS ARE TELLING US THAT THIS IS A REALLY IMPORTANT TIME OF YEAR FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: A NEW REPORT FROM ADOBE ANALYTICS FOUND ONLINE BLACK FRIDAY SALES IN THE U.S. SET A NEW RECORD, WITH SALES REACHING $9.12 BILLION.

THAT IS DESPITE INFLATION, HIGHER INTEREST RATES, AND RECESSION FEARS.

THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION SAYS DESPITE ALL OF THAT, AMERICANS ARE EAGER TO SHOP.

>> 62% SAID SPENDING AROUND THE HOLIDAYS IS CRITICAL FOR THEM HIM A A PRIORITY, SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE THESE CELEBRATIONS MEANINGFUL FOR THEMSELVES OR THEIR FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: NEW DATA RELEASED TUESDAY SHOWS U.S. CONSUMER CONFIDENCE FELL IN NOVEMBER TO A FOUR MONTH LOW, INDICATING AMERICANS ARE FEELING GLOOMY ABOUT THE ECONOMY, AND FINANCIAL EXPERTS WARN IF YOU DON'T REIN IN YOUR FINANCES, YOU WILL END UP WITH TOO MUCH HOLIDAY DEBT.

>> IT SO EASY TO GO OVERBOARD AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

HER BACK SHE HAS THESE THREE TIPS.

IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, CREATE A SINKING FUND AND STICK TO THAT AMOUNT EARMARKED FOR HOLIDAY SPENDING.

TWO, MAKE A SHOPPING LIST, TRIM IT DOWN, AND DECIDE WHO WILL GET GIFTS FROM YOU THIS YEAR.

>> SO YOU AREN'T SHOPPING AT HAWK AND REALIZING MAYBE I OVERSPENT.

>> Reporter: THREE, USE CASH SAVINGS APPS THAT ALLOW YOU TO MAKE MONEY WHILE SPENDING MONEY.

>> THESE ARE APPS THAT YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THAT WILL GIVE YOU POINTS OR CASH BACK WHENEVER YOU MAKE A PURCHASE ONLINE.

>> Reporter: I'M JENN SULLIVAN.

>>> I'M JUDY WOODRUFF.

TONIGHT ON "NEWS HOUR" CONGRESS TAKES A NEW STEP TO AVOID A MASSIVE RAILROAD STRIKE COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER "EVENING EDITION" ON KPBS .

>>> ♪ ♪ ♪ >> FLEETWOOD MAC IS CHRISTINE McVIE HAS DIED AT THE AGE OF 79.

THE BRITISH-BORN SINGER, SONGWRITER, AND KEYBOARD PLAYER WAS BY MANY OF THE BANDS HITS INCLUDING "LITTLE LIES EVERYWHERE," AND "YOU MAKE LOVING FUN."

SHE PASSED AWAY PEACEFULLY AT A HOSPITAL AFTER A BRIEF ILLNESS.

FLEETWOOD MAC RELEASED A STATEMENT SAYING THAT ENTITY FIVE WAS THE BEST MUSICIAN ANYBODY COULD HAVE IN THEIR BAND, AND THE BEST FRIEND ANYONE COULD HAVE IN THEIR LIFE.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON TOMORROW.

MEXICO AT THE WORLD CUP.

NPR'S MORNING EDITION TELLS US ABOUT THE TEAM'S EARLY EXIT FROM THE TOURNAMENT, SOMETHING THAT HASN'T HAPPENED SINCE THE 1970s.

AND KPBS MIDDAY ADDITION HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH UCSD'S SUSAN SHERK ABOUT HER NEW BOOK ON CHINA AS THE COUNTRY FACES TO PROTESTS BY ITS CITIZENS.

>>> THE VOTES ARE IN, IT WAS A CLOSE ONE.

SAN DIEGO'S NEW ELECTRIC MINIS TREAT SWEEPER WILL BE NAMED SWEEPY.

THE CITY SAYS OVER 1000 VOTES WERE CAST IN THIS MONTH-LONG CONTEST.

THE SECOND-PLACE NAME WAS TESS , STANDING FOR THE ELECTRIC SUITE STREET SWEEPER.

IT LOST OUT TO SWEEPY BY 11 VOTES.

THIS NAMING CONTEST WAS PART OF A CAMPAIGN TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF STREET SWEEPING , AND FOR QUALITY OF LIFE IN NEIGHBORHOODS, AND PREVENTING OCEAN POLLUTION.

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

YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES , PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR, RESTORATION, FLOOD, AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL-HOWE OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM .

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

>> AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.