♪ >>> 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!

>>> ELECTED OFFICIALS IN SAN DIEGO CONDEMNED THE LATEST SHOOTING BY FEDERAL AGENTS IN MINNEAPOLIS OVER THE WEEKEND.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THEY'RE CALLING THE INCIDENT A TURNING POINT.

LOCAL CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS ARE RENEWING CALLS TO IMPEACH SECRETARY KRISTI NOEM, THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

JAKE GOTTA WITH "PUBLIC MATTERS" REPORTS.

>> THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE TO SAY ABOUT IT.

THAT WAS MURDER.

IT WAS COLD-BLOODED MURDER.

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THAT.

>> Reporter: ALEKS x WAS SHOT AND KILLED BY FEDERAL AGENTS ON SATURDAY IN MINNEAPOLIS.

HE IS THE SECOND PERSON TO BE KILLED BY FEDERAL AGENTS IN THE CITY THIS MONTH.

>> I SAW THE VIDEO, LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

AND THEN I SAW THE STATEMENTS THAT WERE MADE BY KRISTI NOEM.

I SAW THE PRESIDENT'S POST ON TRUTH SOCIAL.

SOME OF THE OTHER STATEMENTS, AND THERE IS JUST NO CORRELATION BETWEEN WHAT YOU SEE ON THAT VIDEO FROM MULTIPLE ANGLES AND THE CLAIMS BEING MADE BY THE ADMINISTRATION.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO CONGRESS MEMBERS JUAN VARGAS AND MIKE LEVIN TOLD KPBS THEY ARE RENEWING CALLS TO RECALL KRISTI NOEM OVER THE WEEKEND.

>> WE HAVE TO CALL FOR THE IMPEACHMENT OF NOEM.

SHE HAS TO BE REMOVED OR LEAVE ON HER OWN VOLITION.

IF SHE REFUSES TO DO SO, SHE NEEDS TO BE IMPEACHED BY THE CONGRESS AND REMOVED.

>> I THINK SHE MUST BE IMPEACHED.

I THINK WHAT SHE HAS DONE IS HORRIBLE.

I THINK IT'S IMPEACHABLE.

AND I HAVE TO SAY -- I HATE TO SAY THIS, BUT SHE IS AN IDIOT.

SHE IS A TOTAL IDIOT.

>> Reporter: WHILE THEY UNDERSTAND THE POLITICAL CHALLENGE THIS POSES WHILE REPUBLICANS CONTROL BOTH HOUSES OF CONGRESS, THEY WERE RESOLUTE ABOUT THE NECESSITY.

>> FOR KRISTI NOEM TO BE OUT THERE PARADING WITH HATS AND PARADING AROUND SAYING "OH, NO, THESE ARE TERRORISTS, THEY CAME TO MURDER PEOPLE" IS THE MOST OUTRAGEOUS LIE.

SHE HAS TO BE IMPEACHED FOR NOT ONLY WHAT SHE HAS DONE, BUT WHAT SHE WILL DO.

>> I'M NOT TRYING TO BE, YOU KNOW, UNREALISTIC HERE, BUT WE HAVE TO USE EVERY TOOL WE HAVE.

THE FOUNDERS GAVE US IMPEACHMENT AS A TOOL.

YOU KNOW, FOR MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES THAT CLAIM TO CARE ABOUT LAW AND ORDER, CLAIM TO CARE ABOUT THE RULE OF LAW, WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

>> Reporter: SENATE DEMOCRATS HAVE VOWED TO BLOCK ANY MORE MONEY FOR DHS, POTENTIALLY SETTING UP ANOTHER GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IF A SPENDING BILL IS NOT PASSED BY FRIDAY THIS WEEK.

JAKE GOTTA, KPBS NEWS.

>> IN RECOGNITION OF THE DEATHS OF RENEE GOOD AND ALEXEI NAVALNY IN MINNEAPOLIS, SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD SHARE TARA LAWSON-REMER ORDERED FLAGS SET AT HALF-STAFF.

COMING UP, WE SEPARATE FACT FROM FICTION.

>>> A LITTLE BIT OF A NIP IN THE AIR TONIGHT.

IT'S GOING TO BE CHILLY OUT THERE.

RAMIREZ, ESCONDIDO, 37 DEGREES.

BUNDLE UP.

WE'RE DOWN TO FREEZING IN MOUNT LAGUNA.

CAMPO 35, WITH THE DESERT FLOOR 44 AT ORREGO SPRINGS.

IT'S A COLD TIME TONIGHT.

OVERALL, DRY WEATHER PREVAILS FOR US.

WE HAVE TO SEARCH, BRING OUT THE MAGNIFYING GLASS TO FIND THE SHOWERS.

THERE THEY ARE, WAY, WAY UP TO THE NORTH, NORTH OF THE AREA OF SAN FRANCISCO, CLOSER TO EUREKA.

WE WILL HAVE YOUR FULL FORECAST COMING UP.

>>> AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR STAFF IS ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT AT THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

KPBS REPORTER JACOB AYER IS LIVE AT THE EDUCATION CENTER WHERE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS WILL HEAR PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPING DISTRICT PROPERTIES INTO HOMES.

JACOB?

>> HI, MAYA.

THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED BOARD OF EDUCATION IS HOLDING SPECIAL MEETINGS TONIGHT AND TOMORROW TO DECIDE THE FUTURE OF FOUR DISTRICT PROPERTIES.

THE GOAL IS TO BRING 1500 AFFORDABLE APARTMENTS FOR ITS EMPLOYEES.

EARLIER TODAY, I SPOKE WITH SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT RICHARD BARRERA.

HE SAYS THE DISTRICT IS INTERESTED AT PROPOSALS THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR EMPLOYEES AT DIFFERENT INCOME LEVELS FROM CUSTODIANS TO TEACHERS.

>> THE DEFINITION OF AFFORDABLE THAT WE'VE BEEN CLEAR ABOUT IS WE DON'T WANT OUR EMPLOYEES TO PAY MORE THAN 30% OF THEIR FAMILY INCOME ON RENT.

BUT WHICH, YOU KNOW, OF THAT GROUP OF EMPLOYEES, YOU KNOW, WOULD BE KIND OF PRIORITIZED?

THE DIFFERENT DEVELOPERS CAME WITH DIFFERENT IDEAS AROUND THAT.

>> Reporter: OVERALL, THE FIVE PROPERTIES THE DISTRICT PLANS TO DEVELOP ARE THE REVERE CENTER IN LINDA VISTA, THE FREEDOM SLRK BALLARD, THE MEDIA CENTER AND THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY IN LOGAN HEIGHTS.

THE LARGEST OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS IS HERE AT THE EDUCATION CENTER, ALSO THE DISTRICT'S HEADQUARTERS.

EACH OF THE PROPOSALS FOR THIS SITE IS AT LEAST 700 HOUSING UNITS.

THE BOARD PLANS TO SELECT THE DEVELOPER FOR THIS HITE SITE AS WELL AS ONE OTHER TONIGHT, COME BACK TOMORROW AND DECIDE THE DEVELOPER FOR THE REMAINING TWO PROPERTIES.

REPORTING LIVE FROM THE EDUCATION CENTER, JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT, JACOB.

>>> FRONTLINE HEALTH CARE WORKERS AT KAISER PERMANENTE FACILITIES WALKED OFF THE JOB TODAY IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THEIR LAST STRIKE WAS IN OCTOBER.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER HEIDI DE MARCO SAYS THEY ARE PART OF WALKOUTS HAPPENING ACROSS HAWAII AND CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter: OUTSIDE KAISER PERMANENTE'S SAN DIEGO MEDICAL CENTER, UNION NURSES AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS MARCHED ON THE PICKET LINES.

THE UNION SAYS MORE THAN 2,000 WORKERS ARE PART OF THE STRIKE.

THEY ACCUSE THE COMPANY OF FAILING TO STAFF HOSPITALS SAFELY AND REFUSING TO BARGAIN IN GOOD FAITH.

NATE POLIAKOFF IS AN EMERGENCY ROOM NURSE.

HE SAYS NEGOTIATIONS HAVE STALLED SINCE LAST YEAR.

>> IF KAISER WANTED TO, WE COULD END THIS RIGHT NOW AND BE DONE BACK IN THERE, TAKING CARE OF THE PATIENTS.

>> Reporter: THE UNION FILED UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES LAST MONTH, ACCUSING KAISER OF WALKING AWAY FROM THE BARGAINING TABLE.

>> THE BIG ISSUE IS KAISER KEEPS MAKING CHOICES THAT END UP DRAGGING THIS PROCESS OUT.

>> Reporter: LAST WEEK, KAISER FILED A FEDERAL LAWSUIT THAT COULD FORCE UNIONS TO NEGOTIATE SIMPLY AT EACH HOSPITAL INSTEAD AS ONE NATIONAL GROUP.

A UNION SPOKESPERSON CALLS THE LAWSUIT ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO AVOID BARGAINING FOR FAIR LABOR AGREEMENTS.

IN A STATEMENT, KAISER SAYS THE STRIKE IS UNNECESSARY AND DISRUPTS PATIENT CARE.

THEY SAY THEIR LATEST OFFER INCLUDES WAGE INCREASES TOTALLING MORE THAN 21% OVER FOUR YEARS.

POLIAKOFF SAYS IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT PAY.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF THIS IS SAFE STAFFING AND BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE THE BEST PATIENT CARE, HAVE THE RESOURCE THAT YOU NEED.

>> Reporter: UNION LEADERS SAY THE STRIKE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL A CONTRACT IS REACHED.

THE STRIKE ALSO COMES THE SAME MONTH KAISER AGREED TO PAY $600 MILLION IN LEGAL SETTLEMENTS.

KAISER SAYS HOSPITALS AND MOST CLINICS WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING THE STRIKE.

THEY SAY TEMPORARY STAFF WILL COVER SHIFTS, BUT PATIENTS COULD SEE LONGER WAIT TIMES.

POSTPONED NON-EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, OR APPOINTMENTS MOVED TO VIRTUAL CARE.

HEIDI DE MARCO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> DEVELOPERS OF THE BIG MIDWAY RISING PROJECT INSIST THEIR PLANS ARE STILL LEGAL, EVEN AFTER A COURT REINSTATED THE 30-FOOT BUILDING HEIGHT LIMIT FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

FOR OUR WEEKLY WHY IT MATTERS SEGMENT, VOICE OF SAN DIEGO'S SCOTT LEWIS REPORTS CITY LEADERS MAY BE LOOKING TO CHANGE STATE LAW TO PUSH THE PROJECT FORWARD.

♪ >> MIDWAY RISING'S LEADERS, REPRESENTING STAN KROENKE WHO OWNS THE LOS ANGELES RAMS INSISTED THEY DO NOT NEED VOTERS TO APPROVE THE HEIGHT LIMIT SECTION SINCE THEY ARE BUILDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING STATE LAW ALREADY ALLOWED THEM TO GO HIGHER THAN 30 FEET.

IT'S CALLED "DENSITY BONUS," AND THIS WOULD BE THE BIGGEST TEST OF IT THIS YEAR.

AT HIS STATE OF THE CITY SPEECH THIS MONTH, MAYOR TODD GLORIA DECLARED THE PROJECT WOULD GO FORWARD.

>> PUBLIC LAND SHOULD SERVE THE PUBLIC.

AND RIGHT NOW SERVING THE PUBLIC MEANS BUILDING MORE HOMES.

SO THIS SPRING, I WILL BRING THIS PROJECT FORWARD FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS AND A VOTE FROM THE CITY COUNCIL.

>> Reporter: THOSE HEARINGS WOULD COVER THE CITY'S LEASE DEAL WITH THE DEVELOPERS AND THE APPROVAL OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT.

BUT CRUCIALLY, THE MAYOR AND CITY ATTORNEY HAVE NEVER SAID THAT THEY AGREED WITH DEVELOPERS THAT CURRENT STATE LAW SUPPORTS THEIR PROJECT.

INSTEAD, THE CITY IS IN DISCUSSIONS WITH STATE LAWMAKERS ABOUT WHETHER THEY COULD PASS A LAW SPECIFICALLY EXEMPTING THE PROJECT FROM THE CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT, OR SEQUA.

SEQUA LAWSUITS CAN CALL PROJECTS.

BUT RAMS OWNER KROENKE HAS A NOTABLE RECORD OF AVOIDING THEM.

THE CITY MAY BE HOPING FOR WHAT KROENKE GOT WHEN HE BUILT SoFi STADIUM IN INGLEWOOD.

THAT VENUE WHERE THE CHARGERS NOW PLAY REMAINS THE MOST EXPENSIVE STADIUM EVER BUILT.

TO MAKE SURE IT HAD NO TROUBLE GETTING APPROVED, STATE LAWMAKERS EXEMPTED THE WHOLE PROJECT FROM SEQUA.

THEY'VE DONE THAT FOR OTHER STADIUMS AND ARENAS TOO.

SAN DIEGO LEADERS ARE HOPING THEY'LL DO IT FOR MIDWAY RISING.

BUT THE DEVELOPERS DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO WAIT.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THEY RESOLVE THAT I'M SCOTT LEWIS FOR VOICE OF SAN DIEGO, AND THAT'S WHY IT MATTERS.

>> AND VOICE OF SAN DIEGO IS ONE OF OUR PARTNERS FOR THE PUBLIC MATTERS INITIATIVE.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE AT KPBS.ORG/PUBLICMATTERS.

>>> I'M JEFF BENNITT TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR.

THE NATIONWIDE FALLOUT FROM THE FATAL SHOOTING OF A U.S.

CITIZEN IN MINNEAPOLIS.

THAT'S AT 7:00 ON KPBS.

>>> PRESIDENT TRUMP WITHOUT EVIDENCE BLAMED THE KILLING OF A MAN THIS WEEKEND IN MINNEAPOLIS ON SANCTUARY CITIES.

KPBS REPORTER GUSTAVO SOLIS SEPARATES THE FACTS FROM FICTION IN THIS BORDER BRIEF.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS COMING AFTER SANCTUARY CITIES.

FOR YEARS HE HAS SAID THEY PREVENT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM DEPORTING MURDERERS AND RAPISTS, THAT THEY MAKE AMERICANS LESS SAFE.

AND NOW HE WANT TOTS WITHHOLD FEDERAL FUNDING FROM SANCTUARY JURISDICTIONS.

>> THEY DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO PROTECT CRIMINALS AT THE EXPENSE OF AMERICAN CITIZENS, AND IT BREEDS FRAUD AND CRIME AND ALL OF THE OTHER PROBLEMS THAT COMES.

SO WE'RE NOT MAKING ANY PAYMENT TO ANYBODY THAT SUPPORTS SANCTUARY CITIES.

>> BUT LIKE WHAT SO MUCH TRUMP SAYS ABOUT IMMIGRATION, THOSE STATEMENTS ARE NOT SUPPORTED BY THE FACTS.

SANCTUARY CITIES ARE NOT MORE DANGEROUS THAN NONSANCTUARY CITIES.

IN FACT, STUDIES SHOW THE OPPOSITE IS TRUE.

IN THIS EPISODE OF THE BORDER BRIEF, I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU THE TRUTH ABOUT SANCTUARY CITIES.

LET'S START WITH THE WHITE HOUSE POSITION.

>> THEY LED US INTO A DAMN JAIL AND STOPPED BEING A SANCTUARY CITY WE COULD ARREST THE BAD GUY IN THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF A JAIL.

BUT BECAUSE THEY KNOWINGLY RELEASE THEM, NOW WE GOT TO GO INTO THE COMMUNITY AND FIND THEM.

THEN THEY'RE MAD WE'RE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> THAT'S NOT TRUE.

IN CALIFORNIA, THE SANCTUARY LAW SPECIFICALLY SAYS LOCAL JAILS CAN TRANSFER UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS TO I.C.E.

CUSTODY AS LONG AS THEY HAVE ONE OF MORE THAN 30 QUALIFYING CONVICTIONS IN THEIR RECORD.

AND THE QUALIFYING CONVICTIONS INCLUDE ALL THE VIOLENT CRIMES THAT TRUMP IS TALKING ABOUT -- MURDER, RAPE, DRUG DEALING, ROBBERY, THE WORST OF THE WORST.

FOR EXAMPLE, IN SAN DIEGO, LOCAL SHERIFFS HAVE TRANSFERRED DOZENS OF INMATES TO I.C.E.

CUSTODY.

AS YOU CAN SEE, THE LIST HAS DUIs, ASSAULT, MURDER, DRUG POSSESSION, AND PEOPLE WITH FEDERAL WARRANTS.

SO IT'S NOT ACCURATE TO SAY THAT SANCTUARY POLICIES PREVENT I.C.E.

FROM DEPORTING DANGEROUS CRIMINALS.

IT'S ALSO NOT ACCURATE TO SAY THAT SANCTUARY CITIES ARE SOMEHOW MORE DANGEROUS THAN NONSANCTUARY CITIES.

IN 2017, A PROFESSOR AT UC SAN DIEGO MEASURED CRIME AND ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SANCTUARY CITIES AND COMPARED THEM TO NONSANCTUARY CITIES.

HE ANALYZED DATA FROM THE FBI AND THE U.S.

CENSUS, RAN IT THROUGH AN ADVANCED STATISTICAL ANALYSIS, AND FOUND THAT ON AVERAGE, SANCTUARY CITIES ACTUALLY HAVE LOWER CRIME RATES AND HIGHER HOUSEHOLD INCOMES.

AND A FOLLOW-UP STUDY FROM 2020 REACHED A SIMILAR CONCLUSION, THAT SANCTUARY CITIES DO NOT EXPERIENCE HIGHER VIOLENT OR PROPERTY CRIME RATES THAN NONSANCTUARY CITIES.

SO KEEP THIS IN MIND NEXT TIME YOU HEAR DONALD TRUMP OR ONE OF HIS OFFICIALS TALK ABOUT HOW DANGEROUS SANCTUARY CITIES ARE.

SOMETIMES THE FACTS CONTRADICT THE NARRATIVE.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M GUSTAVO SOLIS.

>>> PRESIDENT TRUMP IS PUSHING FOR A 10% CAP ON CREDIT CARD RATES.

IT'S HIS LATEST ATTEMPT TO ADDRESS AFFORDABILITY CONCERNS WHILE AMERICANS WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM RECORD HIGH CREDIT CARD DEBT MAY WELCOME THE INTEREST RATE REDUCTION, THE BANKING INDUSTRY IS AGAINST IT.

MARYBEL GONZALEZ EXPLAINS THE POTENTIAL ECONOMIC IMPACT.

>> I'M ASKING CONGRESS TO CAP CREDIT CARD INTEREST RATES AT 10% FOR ONE YEAR.

>> Reporter: IN AN EFFORT TO BOOST AFFORDABILITY, THE PRESIDENT IS URGING BIG CUTS TO CREDIT CARD INTEREST RATES.

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST BARRIERS TO SAVING FOR A DOWN PAYMENT HAS BEEN SURGING CREDIT CARD DEBT.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW, AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS ARE FACING THE MOST CREDIT CARD DEBT ON RECORD, GOING BACK TO 1999.

ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK, OUTSTANDING CREDIT CARD BALANCES HIT MORE THAN $1.2 TRILLION IN THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2025.

>> THE BIG BENEFIT FOR ANYBODY WHO HAS CREDIT CARD DEBT IS YOU'LL JUST SIMPLY SPEND A LOT LESS.

>> Reporter: YET THE BANKING INDUSTRY SAYS THE PRESIDENT'S PROPOSAL WOULD MAKE THINGS WORSE.

>> IT WOULD BE AN ECONOMIC DISASTER.

IT WOULD REMOVE CREDIT FROM 80% OF AMERICANS.

>> Reporter: SOME FINANCIAL EXPERTS AGREE.

>> BANKS MIGHT REALLY PULL BACK ACCESS TO CREDIT, ESPECIALLY FOR CONSUMERS WITH LOWER CREDIT SCORES.

THEY DO NOT WANT TO TAKE ON THE RISK.

>> Reporter: WITH FEWER PEOPLE BEING APPROVED -- >> CONSUMERS LOSE ACCESS TO CREDIT, WHICH IS ANTICIPATED IF THIS RATE CUT GOES IN.

THEY OFTEN REDUCE THEIR SPENDING ON ESSENTIALS LIKE HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, FOOD AND ARE MORE LIKELY TO FALL BEHIND ON BILLS.

>> Reporter: THE AVERAGE INTEREST RATE ON CREDIT CARDS JUST UNDER 20% THOUGH ACCORDING TO BANK RATE, SOME RATES ARE MUCH HIGHER.

WHY?

>> THERE IS NO PHYSICAL ASSET, NO HOUSE, NO CAR THAT THE BANK CAN TAKE FROM YOU IF YOU FAIL TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON YOUR LOAN.

AND SO THAT PRESENTS A HIGHER RISK FOR LENDERS.

>> Reporter: I'M MARYBEL GONZALEZ REPORTING.

>>> JACUMBA RESIDENTS SAY THEY ARE SEEING MORE DUST GENERATED FROM A SOLAR FARM PROJECT CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION ABOUT ONE THOUSAND FEET FROM HOMES.

KPBS REPORTER ELAINE ALFARO SAYS SOME RESIDENTS ARE REPORTING HEALTH ISSUES.

>> Reporter: JACUMBA RESIDENTS ARE NO STRANGER TO WINDS AND DUST IN THE DESERT TOWN.

BUT COMMUNITY MEMBERS SAY THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MORE THAN 600-ACRE SOLAR PROJECT IS KICKING UP A LOT MORE DUST THAN USUAL.

THIS DESPITE REQUIREMENTS TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT.

IT'S BECOME A SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUE FOR STEF TONKIN.

SHE LIVES IN THE TRAILER PARK NEXT TO THE SOLAR PROJECT AND HAS COPD.

>> FOR LIKE ME, I'M ON OXYGEN.

AND THE AMOUNT OF DUST, IT WAS -- IT WAS NOTICEABLE PRIOR TO THEM EVER BREAKING GROUND.

BUT IT WAS DEALABLE.

I HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED SEVERAL TIMES RECENTLY BECAUSE OF HAVING FLARE-UPS WITH MY COPD BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF DUST AND DIRT.

>> Reporter: MOST DAYS SHE STAYS INSIDE, ALONG WITH HER PARTNER AND HER PETS.

>> YOU DON'T KNOW MY VOICE, BUT THIS IS REALLY KIND OF CHUNKY-SOUNDING FOR ME, CONGESTION AND SUCH.

AND IT'S BEEN LIKE THIS FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS NOW, ONCE THEY STARTED MOVING ALL THAT STUFF.

>> Reporter: THE MASSIVE PROJECT HAS BEEN CONTROVERSIAL FROM THE START.

RESIDENTS SAY IT WILL DAMAGE THE CHARACTER OF JACUMBA, KNOWN FOR ITS RUSTIC LANDSCAPES, HOT SPRINGS AND SPIRITUAL VIBE.

IN APPROVING THE PROJECT, THE COUNTY REQUIRED STEPS TO BE TAKEN TO KEEP THE ST AT MINIMUM, INCLUDING PAUSING CONSTRUCTION ON ESPECIALLY WINDY DAYS.

RESIDENTS AND BUSINESS OWNERS SAY THE DEVELOPER, BAYWA AMERICAS HAS NOT ALWAYS ABIDED BY THIS AGREEMENT.

THIS IS THE OWNER OF THE JACUMBA HOT SPRINGS HOTEL, THE TOWN'S TOP ATTRACTION.

>> YOU GUYS STOPPED THE GRADING BECAUSE OF THE NEW WIND THUS FAR?

>> NOT THAT I'VE SIGN, I HAVE A GAS STATION RIGHT HERE IN TOWN.

SINCE NOVEMBER 1st, THERE'S BEEN 16 DAYS WITH GUSTS OVER 25 MILES AN HOUR.

>> Reporter: KPBS REQUESTED AN INTERVIEW WITH THE COMPANY.

THE COMPANY DECLINED BUT SENT RESPONSES TO EMAILED QUESTIONS.

THEY SAY THEY MONITOR WIND CONDITIONS WITH DAILY FORECASTS FROM PUBLICLY AVAILABLE WEATHER SERVICES AND AN ONSITE WIND TRACKER.

THE COMPANY CLAIMS THERE HASN'T BEEN WIND EXCEEDING 25 MILES PER HOUR SINCE THE CONSTRUCTION BEGAN IN NOVEMBER.

THEY ALSO SAY THEY WATER DOWN THE SITE MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY.

BUT OSBOURNE QUESTIONS THEIR MONITORING.

HE RECENTLY SHOWED KPBS HOW HE CHECKS THE WIND CONDITIONS ON HIS COMPUTER THROUGH THE HOTEL'S TRACKING SYSTEM.

>> THIS IS OUR WEATHER STATION.

SO IT HAS AN ONLINE HISTORICAL, YOU KNOW, WEATHER READOUT HERE.

AND YOU CAN TRACK BOTH THE AVERAGE WIND SPEED, WIND GUSTS, AND THE MAX GUSTS.

HERE IS THREE DAYS IN A ROW, ALL DAYS THEY PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE STOPPED CONSTRUCTION, ACCORDING TO THE DUST MITIGATION PLAN.

>> Reporter: ON FRIDAY, COUNTY OFFICIALS TOLD KPBS THEY WOULD MONITOR THE WEATHER STATION AT THE JACUMBA AIRPORT AND ALERT THE DEVELOPER WHEN WINDS EXCEED 25 MILES PER HOUR.

ELAINE ALFARO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HAVE A VERY QUIET PATTERN, FOR THE MOST PART HERE, AT LEAST WHEN IT COMES TO AVOIDING RAIN.

WAY EASIER TO DEAL WITH OUR WEATHER HERE, COMPARED TO WHAT THEY'RE FACING IN PARTS OF THE EASTERN AND SOUTHERN U.S.

IN RECENT DAYS.

IT WILL BE A LITTLE BREEZY TONIGHT IN THE CANYONS AND PASSES.

THERE ARE A FEW THINGS GOING ON.

CHILLY NIGHTS, UNUSUALLY NIPPY OUT THERE TONIGHT.

AN EXTENDED DRY STRETCH PREVAILS.

TONIGHT ON THE ROAD TO 43 IN THE METRO.

SOME ON THE DESERT FLOOR WILL GET DOWN CLOSE TO FREEZING IN PLACES LIKE BORREGO SPRINGS AND WILL BE IN THE 30s IN MANY PLACES LIKE ESCONDIDO.

SHOWERS STAY WAY UP TO THE NORTH, FAR NORTHERN CALIFORNIA'S COAST.

SOME RAIN AND SHOWERS HERE AND THERE.

BUT WE'RE DRY.

VERY, VERY COLD AIR.

SOME RECORD LOWS AGAIN LATE TONIGHT AND TOMORROW MORNING INTO DALLAS, TEXAS, EAST OF THE ROCKIES, IT IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE'RE FACING HERE IN THE WESTERN U.S.

A NICE DAY AFTER THAT CHILLY START.

BACK UP TO 71 AT BORREGO SPRINGS.

ABOUT A 37, 38-DEGREE RISE, NEARLY A 40-DEGREE JUMP FROM EARLY MORNING TO AFTERNOON.

WE CAN COULD THAT IN THE DESERTS.

73 IS ESCONDIDO AND RAMONA.

DRY WEDNESDAY.

THE WEDNESDAY MAP VERY SIMILAR TO TUESDAY'S.

SHOWERS JUST KIND OF PESTERING AREAS UP NEAR EUREKA, AND ON THURSDAY BRIGHT, WE'RE DRY OUT THERE.

LET'S GET INTO THE FIVE-DAY FORECAST HERE.

REGION BY REGION.

OVERNIGHT, WE'RE GOING TO GET DOWN INTO THE 40s AGAIN FOR THE COASTAL AREAS.

BACK UP TO 70 IN THE AFTERNOON.

THERE WILL BE MORE CLOUDS ON WEDNESDAY.

SO THERE IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT OF DAY TO DAY CHANGE, AND THEN WE'RE GOING RETURN TO PARTLY SUNNY, VERY NICE SETUP.

IT WILL BE A LITTLE COOL FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS.

COOLEST WEDNESDAY.

THEN WARMER THURSDAY, FRIDAY, AND SATURDAY.

INLAND AREAS EXTRA CLOUD COVER AS WELL ON WEDNESDAY.

AND THEN TEMPERATURES RISE INTO THE MID-80s ON FRIDAY.

A PRETTY WARM STRETCH COMING UP LATER THIS WEEK.

IN THE MOUNTAINS WE GO.

MORE CLOUD COVER WEDNESDAY.

BRIGHTER LATER IN THE WEEK.

TEMPERATURES HOVERING BACK INTO THE 50s.

EVEN MAKING A RUN TO 60 ON SATURDAY.

AND IN THE DESERTS, YOU'RE GOING THE SEE CLOUD COVER AS WELL ON WEDNESDAY WITH MORE SUNSHINOR DAYS.

TEMPERATURES RISING UP TO NEAR 81 ON SATURDAY.

I'M ACCUWEATHER METEOROLOGIST GEOFF CORNISH FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS WE MOVE FURTHER INTO THE 21st CENTURY, REMNANTS OF THE OLD FRONTIER OF THE AMERICAN WEST ARE GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO FIND.

BUT THERE IS A PLACE IN EAST COUNTY WHERE YOU CAN IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THAT TIME AND THAT PLACE.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL TAKES US THERE ON JANUARY'S MUSEUM A MONTH.

♪ >> WHEN I PAINT A BROKEN HORSE, I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO RIDE A BUCKING HORSE.

WHEN I PAINT A COWBOY BUCKING OFF A HORSE, I KNOW THAT TOO.

>> Reporter: THAT IS OLAF WIGHORST IN 1974, ACCEPTING AN HONOR FROM THE COWBOY HALL OF FAME IN OKLAHOMA CITY.

HE KNEW WHAT IT FELT LIKE BECAUSE HE WAS A COWBOY LONG BEFORE HE BECAME A WESTERN ARTIST.

>> OH LAG WIGHORST LOVED HORSES.

>> Reporter: THE MUSEUM WAS FOUNDED IN 1989 IN AN OLD GOODWILL STORE IN EL CAJON.

THE STORY OF WIGHORST IS RIGHT OUT OF HOLLYWOOD, A BOY FROM DENMARK THAT MADE HIS WAY TO THE UNITED STATES, ALWAYS WORKING WITH AND AROUND HORSES.

>> WHEN THE SHIP DOCKED, HE JUMPED SHIP AND GOT OFF IN NEW YORK.

A TEENAGER, A COUPLE DOLLARS IN HIS POCKET, DIDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH, DIDN'T KNOW ANYBODY.

>> Reporter: WIGHORST ENDED UP IN THE U.S.

CAVALRY.

AND IN THOSE DAYS, IF YOU STAYED IN THREE YEARS, YOU AUTOMATICALLY BECAME A U.S.

CITIZEN.

AFTER THAT, HE WORKED AS A COWBOY IN TEXAS, AND EVENTUALLY MADE HIS WAY WEST, ENDING UP IN EL CAJON IN 1945.

THERE HE HONED HIS SKILLS AS AN ARTIST, SPECIALIZING IN THE AMERICAN WEST.

HIS LOVE OF HORSES SHINING THROUGH MOST OF HIS WORKS.

HIS PAINTINGS APPEARED IN A COUPLE OF JOHN WAYNE MOVIES, AND SO DID HE, WITH A COUPLE OF BIT PARTS IN FILMS LIKE "EL DORADO."

♪ SKY TO THE MOON ♪ >> Reporter: YOU CAN SEE ALL OF THAT AND MORE IN THE MUSEUM RIGHT IN EL CAJON'S ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT.

>> AND IT GIVES YOUNGER GENERATIONS WHO WEREN'T EXPOSED TO THAT PART OF HISTORY A LITTLE INFLUENCE TO PRESERVE THE WESTERN HERITAGE OF THIS COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: JOHN STAUFFER IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE MUSEUM'S BOARD.

>> OLAG WIGHORST SPENT HALF OF HIS LIFE IN EL CAJON.

THIS IS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR THE MUSEUM TO BE.

BEING THAT THE MUSEUM IS LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF TOWN, IT IS KIND OF AN IDEAL I WOULD SAY JEWEL OF WHAT THERE IS TO SEE IN EL CAJON.

>> Reporter: THIS MUSEUM IS UNIQUE IN A NUMBER OF WAYS, BUT PROBABLY WHAT STANDS OUT ABOUT IT MOST IS THEY HAVE OLAG WIGHORST'S ACTUAL HOUSE THAT HE LIVED IN FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS, AND THERE ARE SOME REALLY COOL THINGS TO SEE INSIDE.

YOU ENTER THROUGH THE GARAGE AND THEN INTO THE KITCHEN.

>> WE DIDN'T HAVE TO CHANGE MUCH INSIDE THE HOUSE.

YOU KNOW, THEY HAD TO DO SOME CODE ISSUES FOR SAFETY, BUT THE HOUSE IS THE WAY IT WAS.

IT'S THE WAY THEY LIVED.

>> Reporter: HERE IN THE LIVING ROOM OF THE HOUSE, THERE IS A SPACE THAT IS EMBLEMATIC OF THE MAN.

THIS IS OLAF'S STUDIO WITH ITS NORTH-FACING WINDOW, HE WOULD GET INDIRECT DIFFUSED LIGHTING, WHICH HELPED HIM TO GET THE COLORS IN HIS PAINTINGS EXACTLY RIGHT.

HERE ON THE WALL, SOMETHING UNINTENTIONAL AND VERY SPECIAL.

>> AND SO YOU CAN SEE LITTLE FLECKS OF PAINT ON THE WALL WHERE HE WOULD FLICK HIS BRUSH.

>> Reporter: JOHN WAYNE WAS A FREQUENT VISITOR.

STAUFFER SAYS HE AND WIGHORST LIKED TO DRINK WHISKEY TOGETHER.

BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE MUSEUM, A PERFECT PLACE TO PAUSE AND THINK ABOUT THE WESTERN PART OF THIS COUNTRY SURROUNDED BY PLANTS THAT ARE NATIVE TO THE REGION.

>> I ORIGINALLY STARTED TO VOLUNTEER WITH THE GARDEN.

>> Reporter: MIKE BOSTWICK IS NOW THE CURATOR OF THIS BOTANICAL GARDEN, AND HE HAS THE KIND OF EXPERIENCE YOU WANT IN THAT ROLE.

HE RETIRED AS CURATOR OF HORTICULTURE AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO.

HE SAYS THIS GARDEN HAD ABOUT 650 PLANT SPECIES IN THE GROUND WHEN HE TOOK OVER.

IT NOW HAS ABOUT ONE THOUSAND.

>> IT REALLY SHOWS THE BOTANICAL WORLD THAT WE ACTUALLY LIVE IN.

IT'S PRETTY SPECTACULAR.

>> Reporter: FROM THE HOUSE WHERE YOU CAN SEE HOW OLAF WIGHORST LIVED TO THE BEAUTIFUL BOTANICAL GARDEN WITH ITS SOUTHWEST DESERT VIBE, TO THE MUSEUM ITSELF, FULL OF THE WORKS PRODUCED BY A MAN NOW CONSIDERED TO BE AMONG THE FINEST WESTERN ARTISTS EVER.

THE OLAF WIGHORST MUSEUM IS WORTH A TRIP TO EL CAJON TO TAKE A JOURNEY INTO THE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN WEST.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>> WHAT A TERRIFIC STORY BY JOHN.

>>> WELL, HERE IS A LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON FOR TOMORROW IN THE KPBS NEWSROOM.

ON NPR'S "MORNING EDITION," WHAT SHOULD TIKTOK USERS IN AMERICA EXPECT FROM THE SOCIAL MEDIA APP NOW THAT IT'S UNDER U.S.

OWNERSHIP HERE?

YOU CAN FIND MORE STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

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, 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!

♪