Says >>>MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR, PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING HEATING AND AIR, HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

AND, BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING-AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING, IT'S WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8th.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH ANOTHER GRIM MILESTONE IN THE COVID-19 CRISIS, MORE THAN 40 MILLION CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED NATIONWIDE, AND INFECTIONS AMONG CHILDREN ARE SPIKING.

KPBS REPORTER MELISSA MAE SHOWS US THE EFFORTS TODAY TO GET OUR COMMUNITY VACCINATED.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 250,000 CASES WERE REPORTED LAST WEEK, MORE THAN A QUARTER OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CASES REPORTED OVER THAT PERIOD.

>> IT NEEDS TO GO DOWN CLICK OR WE CANNOT END THIS ANYTIME SOON.

>> Reporter: AS MORALE IS A 10th GRADER AT STEELE CANYON HIGH SCHOOL IN SPRING VALLEY WHERE 11 CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED AMONG CASES AS OF TODAY.

NOW THAT SHE IS BACK IN SCHOOL, SHE DECIDED TO GET THE VACCINE.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP OTHERS SAFE.

>> Reporter: SHE GOT HER SHOT AT SEWELL SAN DIEGO.

THE THEME PARK PARTNERED WITH SAN DIEGO AND THE HEALTHCARE OFFERED THE VACCINES.

ERICA IS THE VP OF MARKETING FOR SEAWORLD AND WAS HAPPY TO SEE PEOPLE LINING UP TO GET VACCINATED.

>> EVERYBODY KNOWS WHERE WE ARE LOCATED.

PARKING IS AMPLE AND FREE AND ON TOP OF THAT, WE WANT TO GIVE BACK.

>> FOR ANYBODY GETTING VACCINATED, THEY GET NOT ONE BUT TWO FREE TICKETS TO SEE THE HOLO- SCREEN EVENTS, THEIR FIRST EVER NIGHTTIME HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS TWO LITTLE ONES OF HER OWN.

>> AS A FAMILY, WE TRY TO STAY AS SAFE AND HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE.

WE DON'T WANT TO MAKE OTHERS AROUND US SICK OR EVEN OUR CHILDREN'S GRANDPARENTS WHO ARE OLDER AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY STAY HEALTHY.

>> DR. ANTHONY BOUCHER, THE WHITE HOUSE TO THE MEDICAL ADVISOR IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE CHILDREN WHO MIGHT BE TOO YOUNG TO GET VACCINATED.

>> WE HAVE TO GET THE SCHOOL SYSTEM ASKED IN ADDITION TO SURROUNDING CHILDREN WITH VACCINATED PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: WITH CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS ON THE RISE, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN PLANS TO ADDRESS THE NATION ON THURSDAY ABOUT THE NEXT STEP IN HIS PANDEMIC RESPONSE.

MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS .

OLE TODAY, STEELE CANYON HIGH SCHOOL UPDATED ITS NUMBER OF COVID-19 CASES AMONG STUDENTS.

IT'S NOW AT 13.

>>> FOR THE LATEST ON THE PANDEMIC AND RESOURCES, CHECK OUT THE TACKING COVID-19 AT KPBS.ORG INCLUDING VACCINES, THE LATEST CASE NUMBERS AND OUR LOCAL REPORTING.

GET THERE BY CLICKING THE LINK THAT YOU CAN FIND ON OUR HOMEPAGE.

>>> COUNTY LEADERS ARE ANNOUNCING A NEW FRAMEWORK TO ADDRESS DRUG USE AND MENTAL HEALTH IN JAILS.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER HAD MET HOFFMAN SAYS THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO STOP THE CYCLE OF DRUG USE, WHICH OFFICIALS SAY WILL SAVE LIVES AND MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES SAFER.

>> IF WE DO NOT HAVE THIS INVESTMENT IN ALL THE OTHER THINGS WE ARE DOING WILL NOT BE NEARLY AS EFFECTIVE AS THEY SHOULD.

>> COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE SHIFTING WHAT THEY DO IN JAILS SPENDING $25 MILLION TO ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF ADDICTION AND MENTAL HEALTH DURING AND CONTINUALLY AFTER INCARCERATION.

>> WE HAVE LIMITED MEDICAL ASSISTANT TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN THE JAILS FOR PREGNANT FEMALES.

>> Reporter: SHERIFF KELLY MARTINEZ SAYS AROUND 160 HEALTHCARE WORKERS WILL BE BROUGHT INTO JAILS OFFERING TREATMENT TO INMATES WHO HAVE SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES PICKS BACK RIGHT NOW, THEY DON'T HAVE ANY PROGRAM BRINGING THEM OFF THE DRUGS.

THEY JUST HAVE TO COME OFF ON THEIR OWN.

THIS WILL PROVIDE THEM OTHER MEDICATIONS TO MAKE THAT EASIER.

>> Reporter: IT CALLS FOR PEOPLE TO BE SCREENED FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND OFFERED PARTICIPATION IN THE TREATMENT PROGRAM.

COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES DIRECTOR LUKE PEOPLE EXCEPT, THEY WILL BE OFF HER MEDICATION PRESCRIBED BY A DOCTOR.

>> THAT MEDICATION HAS HUGE AMOUNTS OF EVIDENCE.

IT REALLY REALLY WORKS.

IT WORKS IN COMMUNITY SETTINGS, EVIDENCE DEMONSTRATES THAT.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HAVING PEOPLE GOING THROUGH WITHDRAWALS IS NOT IDEAL.

>> THEY WILL OFTEN BE AT ELEVATED RISK OF RELAPSE IF THEY HAVE HAD OPIOID USE DISORDER AND ELEVATED RISK OF OVERDOSE AND OVERDOSE DEATH.

>> Reporter: SUPERVISOR NATHAN FLETCHER WHO HELPED GET STAFFING A HYPOTHETICAL EXAMPLE OF A HEROIN USER GOING THROUGH WITHDRAWALS IN JAIL.

>> THERE IS NOTHING DEALING WITH A UNDERLYING ISSUE.

WHEN THEY GET RELEASED, THEY BACK OUT ON THE STREET.

THE FIRST THING THEY HAVE TO DO IS FIND HEROIN.

THEIR TOLERANCE HAS BEEN LOWERED BECAUSE OF INCARCERATION.

THE MORTALITY TABLES WILL SHOW YOU THE ARE LIKELY MORE TO OVERDOSE IN JAIL.

>> Reporter: PART OF THE PROGRAM OFFERS TREATMENT AFTER JAIL.

THE CHANGES HAVE NOT STARTED YET.

OFFICIALS SAY THAT WILL TAKE TIME TO IMPLEMENT THE COUNTYWIDE.

MET HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> A BILL AIMED AT ANY THE CAREERS OF GOD LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IS WAITING GOVERNOR NEWSOM'S SIGNATURE.

STATE LAWMAKERS GAVE THE FINAL APPROVAL TODAY A YEAR AFTER AN EARLIER EFFORT FAILED AFTER REACHING A FINAL.

THE LEGISLATION CREATE A NEW MANDATORY STATE LICENSE OR CERTIFICATION THAT COULD BE PERMANENT AND REVOKED.

THAT ALLOWS FOR SUSPENDING THE LICENSE AND REQUIRES TWO THIRDS VOTE FOR THE CERTIFICATION.

>>> ONE OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S FORMER TOP DOCTORS IS SUING ALLEGING HE WAS RETALIATED AGAINST AND FIRED DUE TO DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION.

DR. NICK WAS THE COUNTY'S CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER FOR MORE THAN A DECADE.

ONE OF THE MOST AVAILABLE LEADING THE RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC EARLY ON, HE SAYS AFTER WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK RELATING TO THE COVID-19 RESPONSE, HE BROKE DOWN SUFFERING DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY WHICH RESULTED INTO HIM TAKING MEDICAL LEAVE .

>> WHEN I RETURNED, IT WAS CLEAR THAT I WAS VIEWED BY THE COUNTY AS DAMAGED GOODS.

WITH IN A FEW MONTHS, THE COUNTY FIRED ME BECAUSE I HAD THOUGHT SOME EMOTIONAL AND REFUGE.

>> HIS ATTORNEYS ALLEGE AFTER THE MEDICAL LEAVE COUNTY OFFICIALS DEMANDED HE TAKE A FITNESS TEST, WHICH WAS NOT COMPLETED BEFORE HE WAS LET GO.

DR. NICK IS SEEKING DAMAGES RELATED TO LOSS OF HIS JOB, EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AND EMBARRASSMENT.

A COUNTY SPOKESPERSON SAID THEY DO NOT COMMENT ON PENDING LITIGATION.

>>> THIS WEEK IS RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY AS SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK.

THE BURDENS OF THE PANDEMIC HAVE WEIGHED HEAVY ON MANY, WHICH IS WHY THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO IS ASKING PEOPLE TO CHECK IN ON THEIR LOVED ONES.

KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDER RANHAUL HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY SUICIDE PREVENTION COUNCIL RELEASED ITS ANNUAL REPORT ON THE STATUS OF SUICIDES.

THE COUNTY RECORDED A TOTAL OF 490 DEATHS BY SUICIDE LAST YEAR.

THAT IS LOWER THAN THE PREVIOUS YEAR WITH A TOTAL OF 429 SUICIDE DEATHS.

MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS WITH THE COUNTY FAITH WAS IS ONE OF THE FEW LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH THAT IS PREVENTABLE.

COUNTY SUPERVISOR NATHAN FLETCHER SAYS ERASING THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL HEALTH IS WHERE IT BEGINS.

>> TO GET TO A PLACE AS A SOCIETY WHERE PEOPLE ARE COMFORTABLE GETTING HELP OR TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION AS THEY ARE FOR DIABETES, A PLACE WHERE WE RECOGNIZE SCHIZOPHRENIA IS NOT DIFFERENT THAN HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY MADE EFFORTS TO IMPROVE CRISIS RESPONSE BY DISPATCHING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EXPERTS TO EMERGENCY CALLS INSTEAD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE COUNTY OUTLINED THE BENEFITS, TELEHEALTH PLATFORMS HAVE CREATED BY INCREASING ACCESS TO SERVICES DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THE COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIRECTOR DR. LUKE BERGMAN SAID THEY EXPOSED THE INEQUITIES CORRELATED WITH HEALTH.

>> THAT WAS WITH LOWER INCOME BRACKETS ARE ESPECIALLY HIGH BOTH DURING THE PANDEMIC AND IN PREVIOUS YEARS.

>> Reporter: ACROSS DEMOGRAPHICS, DR. LUKE BERGMANN SAYS PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS WAS 200 TIMES RESONATES TO THE PANDEMIC.

SEVERE DEPRESSION ALSO SKYROCKETED.

>> RATES OF SEVERE DEPRESSION ARE 500% HIGHER THAN PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

>> Reporter: DR. LUKE BERGMANN IS MOST IMPORTANTLY, CHECK IN WITH OTHERS.

>> WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS TO MOST LIKELY TO PREVENT SUICIDE ARE MY FAMILY, FRIENDS AND SOCIAL NETWORKS.

>> Reporter: IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS HELP, CALL THE ACCESS AND CRISIS LINE FOR SUPPORT AT 888-724-7240 .

ALEXANDER RANHAUL, KPBS NEWS .

>>> WITH LESS THAN A WEEK BEFORE THE RECALL ELECTION, VICE PRESIDENT, HARRIS CAMPAIGNED WITH GOVERNOR NEWSOM IN THE BAY AREA.

THE FORMER CALIFORNIA SENATOR RETURNED TO HER HOMETOWN OF OAKLAND TODAY TO ENERGIZE NEW SUMS BASED.

SHE HAS THE LATEST HIGH-PROFILE LAWMAKER TO STAND FOR THE GOVERNOR TO ALLEVIATE CONCERNS ABOUT DEMOCRATIC TURNOUT.

>> WE FIGHT FOR ORGANIZED LABOR, WE FIGHT FOR DREAMERS, WE FIGHT FOR WOMEN, WE FIGHT FOR VOTING RIGHTS, AND WE STAND AT DEMOCRATS SAYING WE ARE PROUD TO DO ALL OF THAT AND MORE.

>> THOUSANDS OF BALLOTS HAVE BEEN CAST ACROSS THE STATE AHEAD OF THE SEPTEMBER 14 ELECTION THEY.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS EXPECTED TO CAMPAIGN WITH NEWSOM EARLY NEXT WEEK.

>>> HE SHOULD STAY IN PRISON, THAT IS WHAT THE WIFE OF THE ROBERT KENNEDY'S MURDER SAYS CONCERNING THE RELEASE OF SIRHAN.

THE 93-YEAR-OLD DIFFERS FROM THE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS CONCERNING THE FUTURE OF THE MEN CONVICTED OF KILLING HER HUSBAND IN CALIFORNIA BACK IN 1968.

TWO OF HIS SONS SUPPORT HIS RELEASE FROM DONOVAN PRISON, AN EAST SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THE CALIFORNIA PAROLE BOARD FOUND LAST MONTH THAT SIRHAN SIRHAN NO LONGER POSES A THREAT TO SOCIETY.

A FINAL DECISION CAN COME NEXT MONTH.

OF SAN DIEGO STAFF COUNTY EVICTION PROTECTION ENDED A FEW WEEKS AGO ON AUGUST 14th.

TENANTS ARE FEELING THE EFFECTS.

KPBS RACE AND EQUITY REPORTER CHRISTINA KEMP SAYS TENANTS ARE BEING ILLEGALLY PLACED OUT AS INVESTORS LOOK TO CAPITALIZE ON THE REGION'S RISING RENTS.

>> Reporter: FRANCIS AND HER DAUGHTER VANESSA ARE PACKING UP EVERYTHING THEY OWN.

>> IT IS PACKED UP TO LEAVE.

I HAVE CLOSE IN THE CLOSET.

WE HAVE TO GET MORE BOXES TO PUT OUR THINGS IN.

THAT'S ABOUT IT.

THAT'S ALL WE HAVE BEEN DOING SINCE THEY TOLD US WE HAVE TO MOVE.

>> Reporter: LAST MONTH, THEIR NEW LANDLORD SAID THEY HAD TO LEAVE THEIR EL CAJON APARTMENT.

THEIR APARTMENT COMPLEX WAS SOLD TO A NEW OWNER THIS SUMMER.

SHORTLY AFTER, THEY ALONG WITH THEIR NEIGHBORS, MOST OF IMMIGRANTS ARE SENIOR CITIZENS ON FIXED INCOMES, WERE TOLD THEIR LEASES WERE TERMINATED TO REMODEL APARTMENTS.

VANESSA HOUSTON THINKS THERE IS ANOTHER REASON.

>> THEY CANNOT SAY EVICT, IF YOU ARE DOING LIKE KOVACH OR SOMETHING, BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN SUE.

THEY ARE SAYING LET'S REMODEL AND GET THESE PEOPLE OUT AND RAISE THE RENT.

>> Reporter: UP UNTIL MID AUGUST, SUNDAY THE COUNTY HAD A BAN THAT FROM PLEASANT PEOPLE OUT FOR FREE REASONS LIKE REMODELING.

THAT EXPIRED AND THE STATEMENT EVICTION BANS PRODUCTIONS DO NOT GO AS FAR.

HOUSTON PAYS $1100 A MONTH AND CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE 1550 THE APARTMENT WILL COST AFTER RENOVATIONS.

RAISING RENTS AFTER FIXING UP A PLACE IS COMMON PRACTICE AND PERFECTLY LEGAL SAYS TERRY MARK, A LANDLORD AND THE CO- OWNER OF ACI, A SAN DIEGO INCOME PROPERTY BROKERAGE FIRM.

>> FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS, THE TEXTBOOK SOLUTION WAS EYE THE BUILDING WITH THE RIGHT THINGS WRONG WITH IT.

WHAT ARE THE RIGHT THINGS?

IF IT HAS UGLY PAINT OR LOUSY MANAGEMENT OR POOR LANDSCAPING, THAT IS THE RIGHT THING WRONG WITH IT.

YOU FIX THAT AND YOU CAN RENT IT.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW, HE SAYS THINGS ARE DIFFERENT.

AFTER 30 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS, HE HAS NEVER SEEN A HIGH DEMAND FOR APARTMENT COMPLEXES.

HE SAYS RENTS WILL CONTINUE TO RISE AND BELIEVE THAT THE MORE COMPLEX AS WILL WERE HIGH COSTS BUT NOT ANYTIME SOON, AND NOT IN TIME FOR EVERYONE.

>> THINGS ARE EXPENSIVE IN CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter: ACROSS THE COUNTY IN CHULA VISTA, MORE RESIDENTS ARE PLACED OUT.

CHARLES, A STUDENT AND HIS MOTHER, GLORIA HAVE LIVED IN THE APARTMENT FOR 12 YEARS.

>> I WAS BORN IN THE HOSPITAL RIGHT NEXT TO OUR HOUSE.

I ATTENDED BASIS SQUARE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN FRONT OF OUR DOOR >> Reporter: LIKE THE HOUSTON IN EL CAJON, THEIR OPPONENT WAS SOLD AND THEY WERE ASKED TO LEAVE.

HE SAYS THE NEW LANDLORD TOOK DOWN THEIR DOOR NUMBERS, TOOK AWAY DOORBELLS AND ROUTINELY TURNS AFTER WINTER WITHOUT PROPER MORNING.

WE REACHED OUT TO THE COMPANY BUT THEY REFUSED TO COMMENT.

HE IS WORRIED ABOUT THE TOLL IT IS TAKING ON HIS PARENTS.

>> MY MOM GOT SICK AND SHINGLES BECAUSE OF THE STRESS.

THAT IS WHAT WORRIES ME THE MOST.

>> CANIZALEZ DOES NOT WANT TO GO AWAY.

THEY JOIN A LOCAL TENANTS GROUP AND ARE DEMANDING STRONGER TENANT PROTECTIONS.

CANIZALEZ WANTS PEOPLE TO JOIN TOGETHER.

SHE SAYS HELP IS OUT THERE AND IT'S VITAL COMMUNITY MEMBERS RELY ON EACH OTHER DURING THESE HARD TIMES BECAUSE UNITED, THEY ARE STRONG.

IN EL CAJON, THE HOUSTON'S ARE STILL PACKING UP TO LEAVE.

VANESSA IS HER MOTHER'S PRIMARY CARETAKER AND HER FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT CHECK ENDED LAST WEEK.

>> WE ARE PAYING THE BILLS ON TIME AND DOING EVERYTHING REQUIRED BUT WE HAVE TO LEAVE.

I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO.

>> Reporter: SHE IS WORRIED HER CREDIT SCORE IS TOO LOW TO GET ANOTHER APARTMENT.

SHE FEARS HER AND HER MOTHER CANNOT FIND A PLACE TO LIVE.

WITH THE LAST OF THE STATEMENT EVICTION EXPECTED TO EXPIRE AT THE END OF THE MONTH, THE HOUSTON'S COULD BE FIRST OF MANY DISPLACEMENTS ON THE HORIZON.

CHRISTINA KEMP, KPBS NEWS .

>>> ON SEPTEMBER 11, 20 YEARS AGO, NEARLY 3000 WERE KILLED WHEN TERRORISTS CRASHED PLANES INTO THE WORLD TRADE CENTER, THE PENTAGON AND A FIELD IN PENNSYLVANIA.

THE GOVERNMENT BELIEVES MORE PEOPLE DIED OF 9/11 RELATED ILLNESSES THAN THOSE KILLED IN THE ATTACK.

A SPECIAL REPORT WAS RELEASED BY THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT ON THE 9/11 VICTIM COMPENSATION FUND ON TUESDAY.

THE O'JAYS HAS MORE THAN 18,000 PEOPLE WHO FILED A CLAIM LISTED 911 RELATED CANCERS AS ONE OF THEIR ELIGIBLE CONDITIONS FOR COMPENSATION.

THAT AMOUNTS TO 40% OF THE CLAIMS FILE.

TO DATE, THE FEDERAL FUND HAS PAID NEARLY $9 MILLION FOR MORE THAN 40,000 PEOPLE.

>>> THIS YEAR, THE EVENTS OF 9/11 MIGHT CAUSE MORE DISTRESS IN THE AMERICANS WITH FEELINGS OF SADNESS, GRIEF AND ANXIETY.

AND THE ANNIVERSARY AFFECT.

MAYBE GAITHER HAS MORE ON HOW TO COPE.

>> IT IS ONE OF THOSE DEFINING MOMENTS IN TIME TO CHANGE THE WAY WE THINK ABOUT THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: 20 YEARS AGO, THE DAY AMERICA WAS ATTACKED, AS WE COUNT DOWN TO SEPTEMBER 11th, THE MEMORIES AND THE IMAGES MIGHT BE OVERWHELMING.

>> IT REALLY DOES HIT YOU HARDER, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE BIG NUMBERS.

>> Reporter: IT IS CALLED THE ANNIVERSARY AFFECT, AN INCREASE IN DISTRESS OR A TRAUMATIC EVENT.

DIRECTOR OF THE STRESS, AND RESILIENCE PROGRAM AT OHIO STATE WEXNER MEDICAL CENTER SAYS THIS 9/11 ANNIVERSARY MIGHT BE EVEN MORE TROUBLING ESPECIALLY WITH THE TURMOIL IN AFGHANISTAN.

IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING TO COPE, YEAGER SAYS ACKNOWLEDGE THE FEELINGS, TALK TO SOMEONE YOU TRUST.

>> ALL OF THESE ARE NATURALLY OCCURRING EMOTIONS AND RATHER THAN TRYING TO AVOID THEM, IT IS PROBABLY MORE IMPORTANT TO NAME THEM AND CALL THEM OUT.

>> Reporter: WITH 9/11 AND IN ANY TRAGIC SITUATION, YEAGER SAYS USING COPING SKILLS CAN HELP.

>> TAKING A WALK AND GIVING YOURSELF TIME TO TAKE THAT PERHAPS BREATHS OR DOING SOMETHING TO COMMEMORATE THE TRAGIC LOSS THAT HAS OCCURRED ON THAT DAY.

>> Reporter: AS A NEW GENERATION IS EXPOSED TO 9/11, YEAGER SAYS REMEMBER TO TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN, HELP THEM WORK THROUGH ANY FEELINGS THAT MIGHT COME UP.

FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I AM MAYBE GAITHER.

>>> WITH IN HOURS OF THE 9/11 ATTACKS, THE SAN DIEGO FIREFIGHTERS WERE ON THEIR WAY TO MANHATTAN TO HELP.

TOMORROW, ON EVENING EDITION, WE HEAR FROM TWO OF THEM AS THEY REFLECT BACK ON A TIME THAT CHANGED THEIR LIVES AND AMERICA FOREVER.

>>> SAN DIEGO INNS AND MILLIONS OF CALIFORNIANS ARE FEELING THE HEAT AND WITH THE HIGH TEMPERATURES COME POWER USE WARNINGS.

A FLEX ALERT IS UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW AND LASTS UNTIL 9:00 TONIGHT.

STATE POWER GRID OFFICIALS ARE CALLING FOR VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION.

KEEP YOUR THERMOSTATS AT 78 DEGREES OR HIGHER IF HEALTH PERMITS, AVOID USING NATURE APPLIANCES AND UNNECESSARY LIGHTS.

>>> WE ARE LOOKING AT HOT DAYS AHEAD HERE ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WITH HEAT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT AND LITTLE TO NO MONSON MEISTER MAKING THAT INTO THE PICTURE.

AS WE LOOK AT THE WEATHER ALERT, WE HAVE THE HEAT ADVISORY THAT WERE SOMEWHAT EXPANDED SINCE YESTERDAY BUT THEY REMAIN IN EFFECT FOR PLACES LIKE RAMONA, ESCONDIDO, MT.

LAGUNA ALL THE WAY THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING.

TEMPERATURES AS WE MOVE INTO TONIGHT FALL BACK DOWN INTO 60s OVER, GETTING DOWN INTO THE LOW 70s IN SAN DIEGO, EL CAJON GETTING DOWN TO 68, THE BIG PICTURE STORY FOR THURSDAY WILL BE THE DRY HEAT ACROSS MUCH OF NEVADA AND UTAH, BUT SPOTTY STORMS POPPING UP ACROSS ARIZONA.

SOME WILL TRY TO WORK THEIR WAY INTO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, BUT WE WILL NOT SEE A WHOLE LOT IN THE WAY OF SHOWER AND STORM ACTIVITY.

AS WE LOOK AHEAD TO TOMORROW, WE ARE LOOKING AT 95 OVER RAMONA, 106 IN BORREGO SPRINGS, MT.

LAGUNA IS 78 DEGREES.

A WEAK TROUGH ARRIVES INTO FRIDAY.

THAT ONLY IMPACTS NORTHERN PORTIONS OF CALIFORNIA.

LOOKS LIKE WE WILL HOLD ONTO THE HEAT FOR FRIDAY ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

NEAR THE COAST, TEMPERATURES WILL BE LOW TO MID 80s, WHICH IS A GOOD LITTLE BIT OF DEGREES ABOUT WHAT IS AVERAGE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR.

FURTHER INLAND, WE WILL BE IN THE 90s.

I DO NOT SEE A DROP OUT OF THE 90s UNTIL WE GET INTO THE START OF THE NEXT WORK WEEK.

WE HAVE HOT DAYS AHEAD.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, TEMPERATURES GO INTO UPPER 70s FOR YOUR THURSDAY, BACK DOWN TO MID 70s WITH A THUNDERSTORM POSSIBLE ON FRIDAY AND LOW 70s SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND INTO THE NEW WORK WEEK ON MONDAY.

IN THE DESERT, THERE IS NOT MUCH IN THE WAY OF SHOWERS.

STORM ACTIVITY IN THE FORECAST, TEMPERATURES ARE IN THE TRIPLE DIGITS.

HOT DAYS ARE AHEAD.

FOR KPBS, I AM METEOROLOGIST JESSICA PASH .

>>> CREWS HAVE THE UPPER HAND ON THE ARUBA FIRE BURNING NEAR RAINBOW.

THE WILDFIRE BROKE OUT ON SUNDAY FORCING EVACUATIONS IN THE NORTH COUNTY AREA.

EVERYBODY HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO TURN.

CAL FIRE SAYS CONTAINMENT IS AT 90%.

ALL ABOUT 54 ACRES BURNED.

THE CAUSE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> MORE PEOPLE WHO FLED THE CALDOR FIRE RETURNING TO THEIR HOMES NEAR SOUTH LAKE TAHOE.

CAL FIRE IS DOWNGRADING PARTS OF EL DORADO COUNTY TO EVACUATION ORDERS.

AT LAST CHECK, THE FIRE IS 50% CONTAINED, THAT HAS BEEN MORE THAN 217,000 ACRES.

CAL FIRE SAYS THE CALDOR FIRE IS STILL THREATENING MORE THAN 24,000 STRUCTURES .

>>> THREE ADDITIONAL WILDFIRES IGNITED IN CALIFORNIA OVER THE WEEKEND ADDING TO THE RECORD- BREAKING FIRE SEASON.

IN ADDITION TO MAJOR FIRES, DROUGHT IS THREATENING SOME OF THE STATES MOST UNIQUE NATURAL WONDERS.

THE GIANT SEQUOIA TREES, STEPHANIE E LAMB REPORTS.

>> Reporter: FROM THEIR SITE, GENERAL SHERMAN'S 275 FEET TALL, HOLY COW.

TO THEIR LONGEVITY- >> BEFORE ANCIENT ROME, BEFORE CHRIST, THESE TREES WERE MATURE.

>> Reporter: MUCH ABOUT GIANT SEQUOIA TREES IS ON A GRAND SCALE.

WITH THE DISTINCTIVE RED BROWN BARK COVERING THEIR THICK TRUNKS, SO CLEAR TO CAN ONLY BE FOUND IN CALIFORNIA SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS.

>> THIS IS A RESILIENT THREE.

THEY ARE TOUGH.

ALMOST NOTHING CAN KILL THEM.

>> Reporter: CLIMATE CHANGE IS CHANGING THAT, SHRINKING THE GIANT SEQUOIA'S FOOTPRINT.

>> A GIANT SEQUOIA THAT WAS WEAKENED BY DROUGHT, WAS THEN SUBJECT TO IMPACTS BY THE BARK BEETLE, WHICH THEN FURTHER WEAKEN THE TREE AND MADE IT MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO MORTALITY FROM FIRE.

>> Reporter: THE STATURE HE IS SAID TO BE THE FIFTH LARGEST TREE IN THE ENTIRE WILL.

IT HAS LIVED MORE THAN 3000 YEARS.

YET, WE SEE WILDFIRE IS THREATENING THESE GIANT SEQUOIA'S MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.

>> THE CASTLE FIRE WAS A WAKE- UP CALL, AN ESTIMATED 7500 TO 10,600 TREES WERE DESTROYED IN THE ONE FIRE ALONE.

>> Reporter: STARTED BY LIGHTNING, IN AUGUST 2020, THE CASTLE FIRE WAS PART OF THE SEQUOIA COMPLEX THAT BURNED MORE THAN 174,000 ACRES SCORCHING SEVERAL SEQUOIA GROVES.

>> IT WAS DEVASTATING, HEARTBREAKING, EVERYTHING HAD BEEN INCINERATED.

IT WAS A FIELD OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST BURNED UP TOOTHPICKS.

>> Reporter: AFTER DECADES OF SUPPRESSING FOREST FIRE, OTHER TREES AND BRUSH HAVE GROWN RAPIDLY AROUND THE SEQUOIAS.

>> THE FIRES THAT USED TO BURN EVERY 5 TO 10 YEARS, ON THE SIERRA, WOULD KEEP DOWN THE COMPETITION AND REDUCE THE FUEL NATURALLY.

>> Reporter: ON LAND OWNED BY SAVE THE REDWOODS LEAGUE, WE HIKED OUT TO SEE HOW DEADLY THE CASTLE FIRE WAS HERE.

>> FOR US TO SEE 10 TO 14% OF THE TOTAL OF GIANT SEQUOIA IS ALIVE, KILLED IN WHEN YOU'RE IN ONE FIRE, THERE IS NOTHING TO COMPARE THAT TO.

>> Reporter: FIRE IN AND OF IT HEALTH IS NOT THE ENEMY OF THE GIANT SEQUOIA.

>> THEIR HOMES OPEN UP AND THEIR SEEDS GERMINATE AFTER A FIRE.

>> Reporter: NEAR THOSE LAST GIANTS, WHERE THE FIRE WAS NOT TOO INTENSE, SMALL SHOOTS OF HOPE TAKE ROOT.

>> WHAT I SEE IS A LOT OF THESE BABY GIANT SEQUOIA THAT HAVE SPROUTED SINCE THE FIRE HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: WITHOUT AN URGENT RESPONSE TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS, AND INCREASED FOREST MAINTENANCE, EXPERTS WORRY MORE OF THE ONES SEEMINGLY IMPERVIOUS SEQUOIAS WILL BE LOST.

>> THE BIGGEST WORRY FOR ME AS WE HAVE TWO FIRES BURNING NOW THAT ARE THREATENING GROVES THAT WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TREAT.

THE RISK IS THERE.

>> Reporter: STEPHANIE E LAMB, CNN, IN THE SIERRA NEVADA MOUNTAINS.

>>> FILL OUT SAN DIEGO'S LGBTQ FESTIVAL RETURNS TO AN IN PERSON EVENT TOMORROW NIGHT WITH A FILM FROM ESTONIA CALLED FIREBIRD.

KPBS CINEMA JUNKIE BETH OKAMOTO HAS THIS PREVIEW.

>> FIREBIRD WILL BE THE IN PERSON OPENING THE FEATURE FOR FILM OUT SAN DIEGO'S LGBTQ FILM FESTIVAL REPORT ACTOR WRITER PRODUCER TOM PRYOR IS EXCITED TO COME TO THE FESTIVAL AND SEE THE FILM WITH A LIVE AUDIENCE.

>> THAT IS AMAZING TO EXPERIENCE PEOPLE ACTUALLY RESPONDING TO THE FILM AND FINDING THESE MOMENTS THAT THE FILM HOLDS PEOPLE AND SURPRISES THEM OR MAKES THEM GASP.

IT IS, I AM GRATEFUL WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO COME TO OPEN THE FESTIVAL.

>> THE FILM BEGINS IN 19 THE 77 AT A SO THE AIR FORCE BASE WERE A YOUNG SOLDIER, PLAYED BY PRAYER, FALLS IN LOVE WITH A DASHING FIGHTER PILOT.

>> THEY DID NOT MENTION THE NAME .

>> PRYOR WAS DRAWN TO THE ROLE WHO WAS BASED ON A REAL PERSON.

>> THEY ARE DANCING WITH EACH OTHER.

>> IT APPEALED TO ME IN THE KIND OF FASCINATION OF WHERE FRIENDSHIP BECOMES SOMETHING MORE.

THAT HAS BEEN A-LINE THAT IS FASCINATING TO ME, TWO PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF THEIR ORIENTATIONAL BACKGROUND BUT KIND OF GETTING LIKE HOW DOES THIS BECOME SOMETHING ELSE OTHER THAN WHAT IT APPEARS TO BE?

THE STORY IS CURIOUS AND HOW TWO SOULS COME TOGETHER AND ARE IN THE INTERTWINED LIVES AND IT IS UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

>> FILL OUT K-CUP TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE SAN DIEGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM AND CONTINUES THROUGH SUNDAY AT THE MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ART WITH DOCUMENTARIES, SHORTS AND FEATURES AROUND THE GLOBE.

BETH OKAMOTO, KPBS NEWS .

>>> YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBS NIGHT, KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

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