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

>>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

RESIDENTS ARE RALLYING OUTSIDE THE ENCINITAS CITY HALL AHEAD OF TONIGHT'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

THE COUNCIL IS SET TO DECIDE WHETHER TO RESCIND THE EMERGENCY ACTION IT TOOK LAST MONTH FOLLOWING AN I.C.E.

ARREST NEAR A LOCAL SCHOOL.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN IS LIVE AT CITY HALL.

ALEX, WHY IS THE COUNCIL HEARING THIS ITEM AGAIN?

>> Reporter: HI, MAYA.

AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S RAINING RIGHT NOW.

IT STILL DIDN'T STOP THESE PEOPLE FROM COMING OUT TO PROTEST THE ITEM.

AND THE REASON WE ARE HERE TODAY IS BECAUSE OF A COMPLAINT BY A RESIDENT.

HE SAYS THAT THE ACTION THE COUNCIL TOOK LAST MONTH VIOLATED THE BROWN ACT BECAUSE THE ITEM DID NOT MEET THE RISE TO THE LEVEL OF AN EMERGENCY.

>> THERE IS NO JUDICIAL -- IF YOU HAD A WARRANT YOU WOULD SHOW US RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE ARREST THAT PROMPTED THE EMERGENCY ACTION TAKEN BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON AUGUST 20th.

A MAN WAS ARRESTED BY IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT NEAR PARK DER LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

HE WAS ON HIS WAY TO WORK.

>> NO JUSTICE, NO PEACE!

>> Reporter: THAT PROMPTED A BACKLASH FROM THE COMMUNITY, WHO RALLIED IN FRONT OF CITY HALL AND PACKED THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS DEMANDING ACTION FROM THE CITY TO PROTECT UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS.

THAT NIGHT THE COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO DIRECT STAFF TO COORDINATE WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ON A KNOW YOUR RIGHTS CAMPAIGN AS WELL AS LOOKING INTO LIMITING MASK WEARING BY I.C.E.

OFFICIALS IN THE CITY.

FOLLOWING THE MEETING RESIDENT GARVIN WALSH SENT A LETTER SAYING THE EMERGENCY ACTION VIOLATED THE BROWN ACT, THE STATE'S OPEN MEETING LAW, WHICH REQUIRES A PUBLIC NOTICE TO ALLOW RESIDENTS LIKE HIM A CHANCE TO VOICE THEIR CONCERNS.

HE SAYS OPPOSITION TO THE ARREST IS NOT AN EMERGENCY.

>> A POLITICAL CONTROVERSY IS NOT AN EMERGENCY UNDER THE LAW, AND THE BROWN ACT DEFINES WHAT IT TAKES TO BE AN EMERGENCY, AND IT WASN'T IT.

>> Reporter: HE WANTS THE CITY TO RESCIND THE DECISION AND REHEAR THE ITEM.

>> I THINK THE ACTION WAS TAKEN UNDER DURESS IN A SENSE, THAT THE COUNCIL WAS BUFFALOED IN MY OPINION BY SORT OF AN ANGRY MOB.

>> Reporter: JEREMY ROSS WITH THE GROUP ENCINITAS PROUD DISAGREES.

HE THINKS THE ARREST AND THE COMMUNITY'S REACTION TO IT CONSTITUTE AN EMERGENCY.

>> IT WAS AN EMERGENCY THEN.

IT'S STILL AN EMERGENCY.

VERY URGENT PUBLIC AND HEALTH RISK.

SAFETY RISK.

FOR THE COMMUNITY THEN.

AND IT CONTINUES TO THIS POINT TODAY.

>> Reporter: IN RESPONSE TO WALSH'S LETTER AN ATTORNEY FOR THE CITY SAYS THE ACTION COMPLIES WITH STATE LAW BUT BECAUSE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MATTER THE CITY WILL REHEAR THE ITEM TONIGHT.

YEAH, BACK HERE LIVE, AS YOU CAN SEE, THE CITY COUNCIL -- I'M SORRY, THE CITY MANAGER IS RECOMMENDING THE CITY COUNCIL RESCIND THE DECISION, BUT ROSS AND THE PEOPLE BEHIND ME OPPOSES THAT.

THEY SAY THE CITY COUNCIL SHOULD STICK TO THEIR GUNS AND NOT RESCIND THEIR ACTION.

LIVE IN ENCINITAS, ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IMMIGRATION IS ALSO UP FOR DISCUSSION IN OCEANSIDE.

THE CITY IS CONSIDERING A PROPOSAL TO LIMIT HOW IT WORKS WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AGENCIES, AND UNDER THE PROPOSAL FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO CARRY OUT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT IN PRIVATE AREAS OF CITY PROPERTIES WITHOUT A JUDICIAL WARRANT.

THE CITY ALSO WOULD NOT SHARE ANY SENSITIVE OR PERSONAL DATA WITH AGENCIES LIKE I.C.E.

UNLESS REQUIRED BY LAW.

COUNCIL MEMBER JIMMY FIGUEROA PUT THE IDEA ON THE CITY'S AGENDA.

HE TOLD OUR MEDIA PARTNER KGTV THAT OCEANSIDE HAS MANY FAMILIES WITH MIXED LEGAL STATUS.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY FOR MIXED STATUS FAMILIES THOSE THAT ARE LEFT BEHIND, THEY'RE HERE IN OUR CITY.

AND IT'S UP TO US TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP THE FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION HAS TO GO BEFORE CITY COUNCIL AND THERE ARE A FEW MORE STEPS NEEDED BEFORE ANY CHANGES TO OCEANSIDE IMMIGRATION POLICY TAKE EFFECT.

>>> WELL, WE ARE SEEING A RAINY AND STORMY COUPLE OF DAYS REALLY, TEMPERATUREWISE TONIGHT WE'RE DROPPING DOWN TO 70.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO SEE THOSE SHOWERS AND OF COURSE THE HUMIDITY STICKING AROUND.

BUT I'LL TELL YOU WHAT TO EXPECT AS FAR AS HOW LONG THE RAIN IS GOING TO LAST, AND WE'LL TAKE AN EARLY LOOK AT THE WEEKEND COMING UP.

>>> THE CONTRACT FOR MORE THAN 5,700 REGISTERED NURSES AT SHARP HOSPITALS WILL EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

THIS MORNING SOME OF THEM RALLIED AND PRESENTED THEIR DEMANDS TO MANAGEMENT IN PERSON.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL HAS MORE ON WHAT THE NURSES WANT AND WHAT SHARP SAYS ABOUT THOSE DEMANDS.

>> Reporter: YOU COULD TELL WHO THEY WERE BY THE SHIRTS THEY WERE WEARING.

DOZENS OF NURSES GATHERING OUTSIDE SHARP CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN KEARNY MESA WITH A MESSAGE FOR SHARP MANAGEMENT.

>> THEY JUST NEED TO MEET US HALFWAY.

AND SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT DONE THAT.

>> Reporter: ANDREA MUIR IS A REGISTERED NURSE WHO HEADS UP SHARP PROFESSIONAL NURSES NETWORK.

SHE SAYS THE UNION IS PRIMARILY ASKING FOR BETTER, WHAT SHE DESCRIBES AS MORE COMPETITIVE WAGES, AND A CHANGE IN SHARP'S SICK LEAVE POLICY.

>> IT'S A HIGHER LIKELY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE EXPOSURE TO ILLNESS.

RIGHT?

SO THE OTHER EMPLOYERS THAT ARE HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS IN THIS AREA RECOGNIZE THAT.

THEY GIVE DOUBLE THE STATE MINIMUM.

SHARP DOESN'T FEEL THAT THAT'S NECESSARY.

>> Reporter: WE ASKED SHARP TO PROVIDE SOMEONE FOR AN INTERVIEW SO WE COULD ASK QUESTIONS.

INSTEAD THEY PROVIDED A STATEMENT THAT SAYS IN PART, "THE PARTIES HAVE BEEN ENGAGED IN COLLABORATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL BARGAINING SESSIONS OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS WITH THE JOINT AIM OF REACHING A FAIR CONTRACT.

SHARP'S STATEMENT ALSO SAYS THE UNION'S PROPOSAL IS NOT FEASIBLE, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE FINANCIAL HEADWINDS FACING NOT FOR PROFIT HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS INCLUDING SHARP.

[ APPLAUSE ] AFTER RALLYING OUTSIDE, THE NURSES MARCHED INTO THE LOBBY OF SHARP HEADQUARTERS TO PERSONALLY DELIVER THEIR PETITIONS TO MANAGEMENT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Reporter: SHARP EXECUTIVE DAN ROLLINS ACCEPTED THE PETITIONS, AND HE SAID THIS.

>> WE KNOW THAT THIS IS STILL PART OF THE PROCESS AND WE HOPE TO RESOLVE THIS CONTRACT AS RAPIDLY AND AS FAIRLY AS WE CAN.

>> Reporter: THE NURSES HAVE FIVE BARGAINING DAYS SET TO BEGIN THIS THURSDAY, AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30th, WHEN THEIR CONTRACT EXPIRES.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT IF THEY HAVEN'T REACHED A CONTRACT WE'LL JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

IN KEARNY MESA JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CALIFORNIA HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE RECOMMENDING COVID-19 VACCINES TO ALL STATE RESIDENTS SIX MONTHS AND OLDER WHO WANT THE PROTECTION.

THIS GUIDANCE IS DIFFERENT FROM WHAT THE U.S.

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THE FEDERAL AGENCY LIMITED THE FALL COVID-19 BOOSTER TO PEOPLE 65 AND OLDER AND THOSE WITH HIGH RISK HEALTH CONDITIONS.

GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM SAYS THE STATE IS REJECTING U.S.

HEALTH SECRETARY ROBERT F. KENNEDY'S, QUOTE, ANTI-SCIENCE AGENDA.

>> VACCINES, THEY SAVE LIVES.

THEY PROTECT YOU.

YOUR LOVED ONES.

AND THEY STOP THE RETURN OF DEADLY DISEASES WE BEAT DECADES AGO.

AND THAT'S WHY I'M PROUD TO JOIN OUR WEST COAST STATES IN STANDING UP FOR SCIENCE, HEALTH AND TRUST.

>> THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY IS PART OF A COORDINATED EFFORT BETWEEN CALIFORNIA, OREGON, WASHINGTON AND HAWAII TO PROVIDE VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS AS THE VIRUS SEASON BEGINS AND THE FEDERAL POLICIES SHIFT.

NEWSOM ALSO SIGNED ASSEMBLY BILL 144 INTO LAW TODAY.

THE BILL LETS CALIFORNIA RELY ON INDEPENDENT MEDICAL GROUPS FOR VACCINE GUIDANCE INSTEAD OF THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON IMMUNIZATION PRACTICES.

THAT COMMITTEE IS SET TO MEET TOMORROW.

>>> THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE CDC TESTIFIED ON CAPITOL HILL TODAY.

IN HER TESTIMONY THE EX-DIRECTOR TOLD SENATORS HEALTH SECRETARY KENNEDY PUT POLITICS BEFORE PUBLIC HEALTH.

AND AS MICHAEL YOSHIDA REPORTS, SHE SAYS SHE WAS FIRED BECAUSE SHE REFUSED TO DO THE SAME.

>> Reporter: DR.

SUSAN MONAREZ TESTIFYING AFTER HER TENURE AS DIRECTOR FOR THE U.S.

CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION LASTED JUST 29 DAYS.

>> I WAS FIRED FOR HOLDING THE LINE ON SCIENTIFIC INTEGRITY.

>> Reporter: DR.

MONAREZ THE FIRST CONFIRMED CDC DIRECTOR WAS OUSTED LAST MONTH.

AMID CLASHES WITH U.S.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR.

OVER VACCINE POLICIES AND STAFFING.

THE EX-DIRECTOR SAYING KENNEDY DEMANDED ALL CDC POLICY AND PERSONNEL DECISIONS BE CLEARED BY POLITICAL STAFF AND ASKED HER TO COMMIT IN ADVANCE TO APPROVING VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS AND FIRE WITHOUT CAUSE CAREER OFFICIALS RESPONSIBLE FOR VACCINE POLICY.

>> I RESPONDED THAT I COULD NOT PREAPPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS WITHOUT REVIEWING THE EVIDENCE AND I HAD NO BASIS TO FIRE SCIENTIFIC EXPERTS.

HE TOLD ME HE HAD ALREADY SPOKEN WITH THE WHITE HOUSE SEVERAL TIMES ABOUT HAVING ME REMOVED.

>> Reporter: SECRETARY KENNEDY, WHO PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED DR.

MONAREZ AS A PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERT WITH UNIMPEACHABLE CREDENTIALS, SAID THIS EARLIER IN THE MONTH WHEN ASKED BY SENATORS ABOUT THE FIRING.

>> I TOLD HER THAT SHE HAD TO RESIGN BECAUSE I ASKED HER, ARE YOU A TRUSTWORTHY PERSON?

AND SHE SAID NO.

>> Reporter: ALSO TESTIFYING WEDNESDAY, DR.

DEBRA HOURIE, WHO STEPPED DOWN FROM HER ROLE AS THE CDC'S CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER IN PROTEST AFTER MONAREZ'S OUSTER.

>> I RESIGNED BECAUSE CDC LEADERS WERE REDUCED TO RUBBER STAMPS SUPPORTING POLICIES NOT BASED IN SCIENCE AND PUTTING AMERICAN LIVES AT RISK.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON MICHAEL YOSHIDA, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A SAN DIEGO MAN WHO TWICE ILLEGALLY LANDED A PLANE ON SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND PLEADED GUILTY THIS WEEK TO FELONY CHARGES IN A LOS ANGELES FEDERAL COURT.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER ANDREW DYER HAS MORE ON THIS STRANGE STORY.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO PROSECUTORS, IN 2023 ANDREW WHITE FIRST LANDED HIS GLASTAR AIRPLANE ON SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND AND WAS GIVEN A WARNING.

THE ISLAND IS PART OF NAVAL BASE CORONADO AND IS OFF LIMITS TO THE PUBLIC.

BUT IN APRIL HE AGAIN FLEW TO THE ISLAND, WHERE HE STOLE A NAVY PICKUP TRUCK AND WENT FOR I AJOYRIDE, BARRELING R. BARRELING THROUGH LOCKED GATES AROUND THE ISLAND UNTIL THE VEHICLE GOT STUCK.

SAN CLEMENTE ISLAND IS HOME TO THE ONLY SHIP TO SHORE LIVE FIRE RANGE ON THE WEST COAST AND RUGGED TRAINING FACILITIES FOR MARINES AND NAVY S.E.A.L.s.

BIOLOGISTS ALSO WORK THERE WITH PROTECTED AND ENDANGERED PLANTS AND ANIMALS.

WHITE PLEADED GUILTY TO FELONY THEFT OF GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AND A MISDEMEANOR COUNT OF ILLEGAL ENTRY.

HE REMAINS IN FEDERAL CUSTODY AFTER CUTTING OFF HIS ANKLE MONITOR EARLIER THIS YEAR.

HE'S SET TO BE SENTENCED LATER THIS MONTH AND FACES UP TO TEN YEARS IN PRISON.

ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I'M AMNA NAVAZ.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE LOWERS ITS KEY INTEREST RATE AMID PRESSURE FROM PRESIDENT TRUMP.

THAT'S COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER "EVENING EDITION" ON KPBS.

>>> SOME WELCOME NEWS TO CONSUMERS.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE ANNOUNCED TODAY IT IS CUTTING INTEREST RATES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2025.

THE MOVE COMES AS THE FED CONTINUES TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TARIFFS.

CREDIT SCORES ARE ALSO FALLING AT THE FASTEST PACE SINCE THE GREAT RECESSION.

THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FICO SCORE DROPPED BY TWO POINTS THIS YEAR, THE MOST SINCE 2009.

>>> SOME SAN DIEGO STUDENTS ARE HAVING TO CHANGE THEIR PLANS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL.

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SAYS IT WILL REMOVE MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES FROM FOUR TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE SCHOOLS STARTING NEXT YEAR.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER KATIE ANASTAS SAYS SOME PARENTS ARE PUSHING BACK.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO UNIFIED HAS 11UTK THROUGH 8th GRADE SCHOOLS.

AFTER THIS SCHOOL YEAR THE DISTRICT PLANS TO REMOVE MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES FROM THREE OF THEM.

AUDUBON, FULTON AND GOLDEN HILL.

SUPERINTENDENT PFAFFIO BAGULA SAYS SCHOOL LEADERS TOLD HER IN 2023 THAT THEY WERE WORRIED THEY WEREN'T OFFERING THE SAME STUDENT EXPERIENCE AS MIDDLE SCHOOLS.

>> VARIOUS SUPERINTENDENTS SAID THE SAME THING.

I WENT TO TALK TO THE PERSON THAT WAS IN CHARGE OF OUR INSTRUCTION.

SHE SAID YES, I'M CONCERNED, I DON'T THINK WE'RE OFFERING THE SAME SORT OF BENEFITS OF THE SCHEDULE AND ALL OF THE ELECTIVES TO OUR K-8s.

>> Reporter: ON FRIDAY AREA SUPERINTENDENT STEVEN DORSEY TOLD AUDUBON AND FULTON FAMILIES THAT THEY COULD ATTEND BELL MIDDLE SCHOOL NEXT YEAR.

HE SAID IT WOULD GIVE STUDENTS ACCESS TO MORE COURSE OFFERINGS AND PROGRAMS CURRENTLY NOT OFFERED AT OUR SMALLER K THROUGH 8 SCHOOL SITES.

PEGULA ALSO LOOKED AT HOW MANY STUDENTS WERE GRADUATING FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND MEETING THE STATE'S COLLEGE ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS.

SHE SAYS THE PERCENTAGE WAS HIGHER AMONG BELL GRADUATES.

>> WHEN I'M THINKING ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE THAT OUR STUDENTS ARE HAVING ACROSS OUR SCHOOLS, IT'S NOT EQUITABLE.

AND WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS I'M SEEING THE NUMBERS COME IN FOR PREPAREDNESS FOR GRADUATION.

AND THAT'S WHAT I'M REALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO BECAUSE ULTIMATELY OUR JOB IS TO MAKE SURE THAT CHILDREN GRADUATE AND ARE ABLE TO LIVE A CHOICE-FILLED LIFE AT THE END OF THIS.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT ALSO TOLD FAMILIES AT BETH UNITK8 SCHOOL THEY'LL LOSE MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADES IN TWO YEARS.

THOSE STUDENTS WOULD ALSO ATTEND BELL.

BETH UNI'S SCHOOL COMMUNITY IS PUSHING BACK.

EIGHTH-GRADER AMANI RAY PATTERSON SAYS HER SCHOOL FOSTERS CONNECTIONS BETWEEN OLDER AND YOUNGER STUDENTS.

>> WE HAVE LIKE FRIENDS THAT I WAS FRIENDS WITH IN KINDERGARTEN I STILL HAVE AND NOW I'M IN EIGHTH GRADE.

SO I JUST HAVE THAT LIKE ONE GROUP OF FRIENDS AND THROUGHOUT MY WHOLE ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS.

AND I THINK IT'S LIKE -- IT'S REALLY HELPFUL BECAUSE THEY KNOW YOU AND THEY HELP YOU THROUGH EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: HER FAMILY HAS DEEP TIES TO THE SCHOOL.

HER YOUNGER SISTER IS IN THIRD GRADE.

THEIR MOM NADINE TRESERI ALSO ATTENDED.

>> I HAVE TWO NIECES AND A NEPHEW.

THEY ALL GRADUATED AND ATTENDED BETHUNE FROM K TO 8.

THEY ARE NOW AT UCSD.

THEY ALL GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOLS WITH 4.4s, 4.7s.

>> Reporter: SHE ALSO POINTS TO BETHUNE'S TEST SCORES.

IN THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AT BETHUNE OUTPERFORMED THOSE AT BELL, AUDUBON AND FULTON ON STATE MATH AND ENGLISH TESTS.

PEGULA SAYS THE DECISION ABOUT BETHUNE ISN'T SET IN STONE.

SHE PLANS TO MEET WITH THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY ON WEDNESDAY.

>> I WANT TO HEAR FROM THEM, AND I'M KEEPING AN OPEN MIND THERE.

>> Reporter: BETHUNE'S PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION IS ALSO ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO SPEAK AT THE NEXT SCHOOL BOARD MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 30th.

KATIE ANASTAS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CARLSBAD IS THE LATEST CITY TO SET STRICTER RULES ON E-BIKES.

CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO ADOPT A MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT OF 12 FOR RIDING E-BIKES.

SOME PARENTS TOLD OUR MEDIA PARTNER KGTV THAT THEY ARE ALL FOR THE ORDINANCE AND THINK IT COULD EVEN GO FURTHER.

>> I THINK 12 THEY'RE STILL FIGURING IT OUT AND NOT QUITE READY TO BE TAKING A MOTORIZED VEHICLE AROUND TOWN.

BUT I THINK 15 WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE.

EVEN OLDER.

>> YOU CAN DRIVE AT 16.

YOU BUT MAYBE LIKE 13, 14?

12 STILL SEEMS PRETTY YOUNG TO ME.

>> AND THE RECENT PASSAGE OF A CALIFORNIA BILL ALLOWS CITIES IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS TO ESTABLISH A MINIMUM AGE OF 12 FOR RIDING E-BIKES.

THE CITY OF CARLSBAD SAYS BECAUSE OF THIS BILL THE CITY IS NOT ABLE TO MAKE AN ORDINANCE WITH A DIFFERENT AGE.

GET THE LATEST FROM KPBS DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

WE HAVE A VARIETY OF NEWSLETTERS INCLUDING DAILY HEADLINES, KPBS ARTS, STREAMING PICKS AND OUR NORTH COUNTY FOCUS.

GO TO KPBS.ORG AND LOOK FOR THE NEWSLETTER SECTION YOU'LL FIND ON THE TOP OF YOUR SCREEN AND FROM THERE YOU CAN SIGN UP WITH YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS.

>>> WELL, THE RAIN AND THE THUNDERSTORMS FROM WHAT WAS AT ONE POINT TROPICAL STORM MARIO, THOSE ARE HERE.

WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE THIS CONTINUE AT LEAST INTO FRIDAY.

WE COULD STILL SEE SOME SHOWERS INTO NEXT WEEKEND.

AND -- OR THIS WEEKEND AND INTO NEXT WEEK.

ALL OF THIS DOES BRING A FLASH FLOODING RISK.

SO SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND.

OVERALL FOR THE WEEKEND IT IS WARMER AND DRYER.

HOWEVER, WE'RE WATCHING A COUPLE OF THINGS TO SEE HOW LONG THIS RAIN LASTS.

LET'S TALK ABOUT TONIGHT FIRST, THOUGH.

WE MOSTLY ARE SEEING THE RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS REALLY ACROSS THE BOARD HERE.

TEMPERATURES IN THE MID 60s IN OCEANSIDE.

70 FOR SAN DIEGO WHERE IT'S 78 THERE IN BORREGO SPRINGS.

WE LOOK AHEAD TO TOMORROW.

NOT MUCH IS CHANGING.

TAKE A LOOK.

WE'RE ALL STILL SEEING RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS.

94 IN BORREGO SPRINGS.

88 IN RAMONA.

81 FOR SAN DIEGO FOR OUR HIGH TOMORROW.

AND JUST REMEMBER, HUMIDITY IS A FACTOR HERE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF MOISTURE IN THE AIR.

SO YOUR ACCUWEATHER REAL FEEL TEMPERATURES A LITTLE BIT HIGHER THAN WHAT YOU ARE SEEING THERE WITH THE FORECASTED AIR TEMPERATURES.

BUT HERE'S HOW IT ALL PLAYS OUT ON FUTURE RADAR.

YOU'LL NOTICE WE GO THROUGH THE EVENING, HEAVY RAINFALL ALONG THE COAST.

ONE CHANGE WE'RE GOING TO SEE AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW AND REALLY KIND OF THROUGHOUT THE DAY TOMORROW, WE SEE MORE ACTION FURTHER INLAND AND ESPECIALLY WE GET TO OUR DESERT, OUR MOUNTAIN REGIONS.

THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF THIS CONTINUE INTO THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

THIS ALSO TRANSITIONS A LITTLE BIT FARTHER TO THE NORTH.

THURSDAY 7:00 P.M.

NOW MUCH MORE SCATTERED IN NATURE.

A LITTLE BIT LESS LIKELIHOOD OF FLASH FLOODING AS WE SEE KIND OF EARLIER ON.

BUT JUST MORE AND MORE RAIN ON TOP OF GROUND THAT'S GOING TO GET EASILY SATURATED AS WE RUN INTO A LOT OF THESE ISSUES.

SO OVERALL OUR RAINFALL TOTALS FOR SAN DIEGO ITSELF WE'RE TALKING HALF AN INCH TO AN INCH.

HIGHER TOTALS AS WE GET INTO OUR DESERT AND MOUNTAIN REGIONS A LITTLE BIT FURTHER INLAND.

YOUR ACCUWEATHER LOCAL STORM OVERALL IS FIVE INCHES OF RAIN.

NOW, I WAS TALKING ABOUT INTO NEXT WEEK.

THERE IS A CHANCE WE STILL SEE SOME RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS.

HOWEVER, IT'S SOMETHING WE'RE WATCHING VERY CLOSELY.

WE COULD SEE THE FORECAST CHANGE A LITTLE BIT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AS WE'RE KIND OF IN A WAIT AND SEE PERIOD TO SEE EXACTLY THE TRACK THAT THIS MOISTURE TAKES.

THE AGAIN REMNANTS OF TROPICAL STORM MARIO.

TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR FIVE-DAY OUTLOOK HERE, JUST REMEMBER, FRIDAY THE WEEKEND, MAYBE WE STILL SEE SOME SHOWERS.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO TRIGGER THAT ICON ON OUR FIVE-DAY.

TEMPERATUREWISE WE STAY RELATIVELY CONSISTENT.

INLAND WE SEE OUR TEMPERATURES GO FROM 88 THURSDAY TO 85 BY THE TIME WE GET TO SATURDAY.

AGAIN, CAN'T COMPLETELY RULE OUT SOME SHOWERS INTO FRIDAY AND SATURDAY EVEN INTO SUNDAY.

IN OUR MOUNTAIN REGIONS WE MIGHT CONTINUE TO SEE SOME OF THOUGH THOSE SHOWERS, NOT ENOUGH TO TRIGGER THE ICONS BUT VERY SCATTERED IN NATURE.

TEMPERATUREWISE WE'RE SEEING THE 60s TILL WE JUMP BACK TO 80 BY THE TIME WE GET TO MONDAY.

TRIPLE DIGITS RETURN IN OUR DESERT REGIONS BY THE WEEKEND AS WE SEE LESS OF THE CLOUDS AND THUNDERSTORMS THAT KEEP THOSE TEMPERATURES DOWN.

AGAIN, JUST LIKE ALL THE OTHER REGIONS, CAN'T RULE OUT SOME SHOWERS FRIDAY INTO THE WEEKEND BUT MUCH MORE SCATTERED IN NATURE.

FOR KPBS NEWS I'M ACCUWEATHER'S ANNA AZALIAN.

>>> DON'T LET THAT RAIN LET YOU LET YOUR GUARD DOWN BECAUSE SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH.

IS YOUR HOME READY IN THE CASE OF A WILDFIRE?

IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IT'S NOT A MATTER OF IF BUT WHEN, ESPECIALLY IN HIGH FIRE RISK AREAS.

I RECENTLY TAGGED ALONG WITH CAL FIRE AND SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE ON A WALK AROUND INSPECTION AT A HOME IN JAMUL.

>> FIRE HAD START OVER ON THE OTHER ID SOO OF HERE AND RAN DOWN THAT CANYON ACROSS THE TOP OF THAT AND DOWN THROUGH.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE BAA STALLION CHIEF CAL HENDRY HAS DEFENDED THESE JAMUL HOMES FOR YEARS.

HE SAYS HE FEELS DESPAIR WHEN HE SEES HOMES WITHOUT DEFENSIBLE SPACE CLEARING.

>> IF IT DIDN'T GIVE THE HOUSE A CHANCE BY GIVING A DEFENSIBLE SPACE CLEARING, IT'S GOING TO BE AN UPHILL BATTLE.

>> Reporter: AND HE MEANS THAT LITERALLY AS FIRE CAN TRAVEL UP A HILL JUST AS QUICKLY AS WATER FLOWS DOWN, WHICH IS WHY HARDENING A HOME AGAINST FIRE IS I APRIORITY IN THE CAL FIRE SAN DIEGO DEFENSIBLE SPACE PROGRAM.

>> WE'RE NOT ALLOWING ANYTHING COMBUSTIBLE.

ANY WOOD, PLASTIC, WHATEVER, WITHIN FIVE FEET OF ANY OF THE PERIMETER OF THE HOME OR DECK HAS TO BE CLEARED DOWN TO BARE MINIMUM SOIL OR HARDSCAPE WITH ROCK OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: HOMEOWNERS THERESA AND DARREN GREENHILL ARE TAKING IT FURTHER.

THEIR HOUSE IS ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE AS IT IS FLANKED BY OPEN SPACE.

>> STATE-OWNED HOLLENBECK RANCH PRESERVE.

THERE'S A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WILDFIRE DANGER.

IN THIS PARTICULAR PART OF JAMUL.

>> NOW WE'RE HAVING TO REDO THINGS AND RETHINK THINGS BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THAT NEW ZERO TO FIVE-FOOT ZONE.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE CLEARING THEIR HOME IN COMPLIANCE WITH EMBER-RESISTANT ZONE ZERO, WHICH PROHIBITS ITEMS LIKE FURNITURE, DEBRIS OR FENCING WITHIN FIVE FEET OF A STRUCTURE.

BUT EVEN A NEWLY BUILT FIRE-SAFE HOME LIKE THEIRS NEEDS WORK.

TODAY THE GREENHALLS ARE GETTING A CAL FIRE INSPECTION OF THEIR PROPERTY.

>> WORK IS NEVER DONE.

I AM SURE THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE THINGS THAT SHE'S GOING TO PUT ON THE LIST THAT I'M GOING TO HAVE TO ADD TO MY LIST.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO LET'S TAKE A WALK AROUND AND THAT WAY WE CAN POINT OUT ANY VIOLATIONS THAT YOU HAVE.

>> Reporter: CAL FIRE FOREST TECHNICIAN BRANDY McLAUGHLIN INSPECTS HOMES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY FOR THE DEFENSIBLE SPACE PROGRAM.

>> SO WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR, IT IS ESPECIALLY IN SAN DIEGO IS WE HAVE OUR FIRST ZONE, WHICH IS ZONE 1, AND IT'S THAT FIRST 50 FEET OF CLEARANCE.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT FIRST ALONG WITH THE EXTENSION OF ZONE 2, WHICH IS YOUR 50 TO 100-FOOT ZONE.

>> OVER HERE EVERYTHING LOOKS GREAT.

YOU HAVE SEPARATION BETWEEN SOME OF YOUR PLANTS.

EVERYTHING IS NOT BUNDLED TOGETHER.

YOU HAVE GREAT SEPARATION.

>> WORKING IN THESE AREAS SINCE 2000, I'VE SEEN MOST OF THIS HILLSIDE BURN AND THEN THE VEGETATION COMES BACK, AND THEN IT WILL BURN AGAIN.

THEN IT WILL COME BACK.

AND SO THAT'S WHY WE NEED THAT DEFENSIBLE SPACE BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT FIRE WILL ALWAYS COME BACK.

>> YOU ALSO HAVE YOUR EAVES.

THEY'RE ALL ENCLOSED.

WHICH IS GREAT.

YOU HAVE FOR YOUR OUTER -- YOUR LOG-TYPE WOOD.

IT'S NOT GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT CATCHES ON FIRE EASILY.

>> Reporter: JUST AS AN EMBER FINDS THE WEAK POINTS OF A HOME, HER JOB IS TO DO THE SAME.

SHE SAYS VENT HOLES ARE THE EASY WAY IN.

>> I HAVE ALL OF THIS SPACE, AND SO I'M GOING TO BE OKAY.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE HOPE.

THAT'S WHY WE WANT THAT 100-FOOT DEFENSIBLE SPACE.

HOWEVER, SOMETIMES ERRATIC WINDS, A LOT OF EMBERS WILL FLY AND THEY'LL GET INTO THESE TEENY LITTLE CREVICES.

AND THEN THAT'S WHERE THAT FIRE STARTS.

>> SO JUST IMAGINE THOSE EMBERS THAT CRAWL ACROSS THE GROUND AND THEY GET INTO THOSE VENTS.

THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO HAVE THE GRATE TO WHERE IT'S 1/8.

EVEN THE PLASTIC, I'D REMOVE THE PLASTIC FROM EVEN BEING THAT CLOSE TO THE HOUSE.

>> Reporter: GREENHALL SAYS HE MADE IMPROVEMENTS EVEN BEFORE THIS INSPECTION.

THINGS HE'S ALREADY CHECKED OFF THE LIST INCLUDE INSTALLING DOUBLE-PANED WINDOWS WITH TEMPER-ED GLASS, METAL VENTS, GLUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS.

>> THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THAT.

WHEN THIS HOUSE WAS BUILT THIS WAS PLASTIC.

NOW IT'S METAL.

AND NOW IT'S IN COMPLIANCE.

>> ALTHOUGH YOU STILL HAVE SOME BUSHES BUT THEY'RE SEPARATED AND WE DON'T HAVE THE CONTINUOUS VEGETATION TO MAKE THAT CONTINUOUS LINE OF FIRE.

SO THAT'S GREAT.

YOUR SLOPE IS REALLY WELL MAINTAINED.

YOU DO HAVE ONE DEAD BUSH THAT WE NEED TO GET RID OF.

THAT PARTICULAR ONE RIGHT THERE.

OTHER THAN THAT YOUR DISTANCE IS GOOD AGAIN ON GETTING THAT 100 FEET.

>> Reporter: PLACING TRASH CANS BEHIND A BLOCK WALL INSTEAD OF UP AGAINST THE HOUSE, A PRACTICE CAL FIRE SAYS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE OF COMBUSTIBLE ITEMS THAT COULD EASILY IGNITE.

>> SO WHEN IT COMES TO PROPANE TANKS, WE WANT TO HAVE THAT BARE MINERAL SOIL CLEARED TEN FEET THIS WAY, THIS WAY, THAT WAY, THIS WAY, ANYTHING THAT'S HANGING OVER, BE IT THE TREES, THOSE HAVE GOT TO BE LIMBED UP AND REMOVED ALSO.

SO A LOT OF YOUR PROPANE TANK IS RELATIVELY CLEAR.

HOWEVER, YOU DO HAVE ENOUGH OF THE DUFF THAT WE NEED TO GET RID OF THAT.

SO I'VE GOT A SIX-FOOT WINGSPAN.

SO I ALWAYS KIND OF GAUGE IT -- YEAH.

AT LEAST -- ANYTHING THAT'S WOOD, COMBUSTIBLE, TOUCHING THE HOME, WE WANT TO GET RID OF.

WOOD FENCING, VINYL FENCING.

>> Reporter: THE GREENHALLS ALSO ADDED REFLECTIVE BOT DOTS TO THEIR DRIVEWAY TO MAKE IT EASY TO FIND THEIR WAY OUT IN SMOKY OR DARK CONDITIONS AS WELL AS FOR FIRE CREWS TO MAKE THEIR WAY IN AND SPOT TWO HYDRANTS ON THE PROPERTY.

>> I LOVE THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY.

SO I FEEL LIKE I'M CAPABLE OF DOING ENOUGH PREVENTATIVE THINGS TO KEEP IT SAFE.

>> Reporter: THERESA IS ALSO PART OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE COMMUNITY RESPONSE TEAM, OR CERT.

>> FOR ME MY BIG MESSAGE IS REGISTERING FOR ALERTS AND PREPARING FOR ERUPTIONS.

>> Reporter: SHE TESTED HOW FAST I COULD REALISTICALLY PACK A BAG IN AN EMERGENCY.

THE PLASTIC BOX FULL OF EVERYDAY ITEMS SHE SAYS REPRESENTS MY HOUSE.

>> YOU GET A KNOCK ON THE DOOR, YOU HAVE 15 SECONDS TO PACK WHAT YOU NEED TO PACK TO EVACUATE QUICKLY WITH VERY SHORT NOTICE.

GO.

>> Reporter: AND SHE CALLS TIME.

>> FLASHLIGHT.

OH, OKAY.

YOU PACKED REALLY GREAT STUFF WHICH I'M REALLY PROUD OF YOU FOR PACKING.

>> THANK YOU.

>> BUT COULD YOU HAVE REALLY GONE TO THE KITCHEN THE BEDROOM AND THE BATHROOM AND PACT WHAT YOU NEEDED IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME OR WOULD IT BE READY TO HAVE A BAG READY TO GO THAT YOU JUST ARE RUNNING OUT THE DOOR WITH?

>> Reporter: NO ARGUMENT THERE.

THERESA WORRIES PEOPLE MAY HAVE BECOME TOO COMPLACENT.

>> I THINK BECAUSE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT'S BEEN SO QUICK TO RESPOND AND THEY'RE SENDING EVERYTHING OUT.

BUT STILL YOU NEED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR PETS.

>> Reporter: AND HARDENING YOUR HOME FOR YOURSELF, YOUR NEIGHBORS AND FIREFIGHTERS IS THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE.

>> GOOD ADVICE THERE.

AND HERE IS A LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE FOR YOU FOR TOMORROW IN THE KPBS NEWSROOM.

NPR'S MORNING EDITION IS DISCUSSING THE FEDERAL RESERVE'S DECISION TO LOWER INTEREST RATES FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR.

AND HAVE YOU HEARD THAT SEPTEMBER IS -- IN SAN DIEGO IS KNOWN AS LOCALS SUMMER?

WELL, KPBS MIDDAY EDITION IS TALKING ABOUT HOW YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SEASON.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

GOOD NIGHT.

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

♪ ♪ ♪