♪ >>> 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 45 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!

♪ >>> MORE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIANS ARE TRAVELING FOR THE HOLIDAYS THIS WEEKEND.

THANKS FOR JOINING US, I AM JACOB AERE IN FOR MAYA TRABULSI.

ACCORDING TO AAA, MORE THAN 5.4 MILLION PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO HIT THE ROAD THIS JULY.

AS KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN SHOWS US, SAN DIEGO IS A TOP DESTINATION FOR MANY OF THOSE TRAVELERS.

>> BY CAR, BY TRAIN, OR BIPLANE, MORE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIANS ARE TRAVELING FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND.

>> WE ARE EXPECTING TO SEE RECORD TRAVEL ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter: JANE VANEGAS IS WITH AAA, SHE SAYS MORE PEOPLE WILL DRIVING DESPITE GAS PRICES BEING HIGHER THAN THEY WERE A YEAR AGO.

>> THEY ARE FINDING WAYS TO MAKE IT WORK, THEY ARE ADJUSTING, SO MAYBE THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND MORE AFFORDABLE HOTELS OR MAYBE THEY ARE STAYING AT A FRIENDS OR A FAMILY MEMBER'S HOUSE.

>> Reporter: AAA SAYS FOURTH OF JULY TRAVEL IS UP HALF A PERCENT SINCE LAST YEAR BUT IT IS 8% HIGHER THAN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.

A LOT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TRAVELERS ARE HEADING HERE, TO SAN DIEGO, AND SAN DIEGANS ARE HEADING TO THESE DESTINATIONS.

>> PALM SPRINGS, LAS VEGAS, THE GRAND CANYON.

IN FACT, ONE OF THE BUSIEST FREEWAYS IS GOING TO BE THE 15th, FROM SAN DIEGO TO PALM SPRINGS.

>> Reporter: AT SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, OFFICIALS ARE EXPECTING 800,000 PASSENGERS TO PASS THROUGH SINCE LAST SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

>> WE ARE EXPECTING ABOUT A 10% INCREASE COMPARED TO LAST YEAR AT THIS TIME.

>> Reporter: AIRPORT SPOKESPERSON SAYS AIRLINES ARE OFFERING MORE FLIGHTS.

>> I THINK PEOPLE WANT TO GO TO SAN DIEGO AND THEY WANT TO GO TO DESTINATIONS, PARTICULARLY DOMESTIC DESTINATIONS IS WHAT WE ARE SEEING IN SAN DIEGO.

>> I LOVE SAN DIEGO, THIS IS OUR THIRD TIME COMING.

>> IT'S BEAUTIFUL, REALLY LIKED IT, GREAT PLACE TO GO.

>> Reporter: WITH SUNDAY AND MONDAY BEING THE BUSIEST TRAYS OF THE TRAVEL SEASON, AIRPORT OFFICIALS SAY THAT YOU SHOULD GIVE YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME TO AVOID CONGESTION.

>> I HAVE NEVER SEEN A RENTAL CAR LINE THAT LONG AND MAYBE IT IS JUST A PRODUCT OF THE HOLIDAY, BUT WE WERE JUST IN A LINE THAT WAS PROBABLY 60-80 YARDS LONG.

>> Reporter: ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IF YOU PLAN TO CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY LOCALLY AND LIVE IN NORTHERN COUNTY, HERE IS AN IMPORTANT WARNING AHEAD OF THE FESTIVITIES.

RIGHT NOW, ALL FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL IN ESCONDIDO.

THIS YEAR, THE CITY PLANS TO INCREASE SURVEILLANCE AND PENALIZE PEOPLE WHO BREAK THE LAW.

LAST MONTH, ESCONDIDO PASSED AN ORDINANCE THAT INCREASED FINES FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS FROM $120 TO $1000 PER INCIDENT.

>> IT IS ESPECIALLY THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I FIND MY PTSD ISN'T LARGELY TRIGGERED IF I AM ABLE TO ANTICIPATE IF I CAN WATCH THE FIREWORKS.

IF I CAN'T ANTICIPATE THEM HAPPENING, IT'S A VIOLATION OF MY PIECE.

IT'S A VIOLATION OF MY HEALTH.

IT MAKES ME FEEL LIKE I CAN'T TRUST MY OWN NEIGHBORS.

>> THE ORDINANCE ALSO ALLOWS POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO USE DRONES FOR ENFORCEMENT.

THE CITY OF ESCONDIDO SAYS THERE ARE SEVERAL CITYWIDE EVENTS HAPPENING WHERE PEOPLE CAN ENJOY FIREWORKS WITHOUT HAVING TO SHOOT OFF THEIR OWN.

>>> A FEW MORE CLOUDS TONIGHT, THE TEMPERATURE STAYING ABOUT THE SAME AS WE HAVE BEEN THE LAST SEVERAL NIGHTS.

WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE OUR SLOW CLIMB OF A WARMING TREND, EVEN INTO NEXT WEEK, BUT MAKES FOR A PRETTY COMFORTABLE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND.

I WILL BREAK DOWN EXACTLY WHAT TO EXPECT AND WHERE THINGS STAND WITH OUR FIRE DANGER, COMING UP.

>>> NEW SLEEP CABINS IN PACIFIC BEACH WILL SOON HOUSE SIX PEOPLE WORKING THEIR WAY OUT OF HOMELESSNESS.

KPBS PENNER FELLOW AMY BURRIS EXPLAINS HOW THE PROGRAM IS HELPING PEOPLE ENTER PERMANENT HOUSING.

>> Reporter: THE NEW SLEEP CABINS WILL GIVE SIX PEOPLE WHO WERE PREVIOUSLY UNHOUSED A ROOM TO CALL THEIR OWN.

THIS GROUP IS ALREADY PART OF A PROGRAM WHERE THEY WORK TO CLEAN A PUBLIC STREETS WHICH INCLUDES SIDEWALK SLEEPING, LANDSCAPE AND GRAFFITI REMOVAL.

A CASE MANAGER CHECKS IN WITH THEM WEEKLY TO ASSIST WITH SECURING FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT AND PERMANENT HOUSING.

DAN HICKEY GRADUATED FROM AN EARLIER VERSION OF THE PROGRAM.

HE NOW WORKS AT COSTCO AND HAS HIS OWN APARTMENT.

HE TOLD KPBS ABOUT HIS CASE MANAGER HELPING HIM ACHIEVE HIS GOALS.

>> WHEN YOU AREN'T SURE WHAT TO DO NEXT, SHE IS THERE TO GUIDE YOU, YOU KNOW?

IT'S A GREAT PROCESS, I MEAN -- >> Reporter: KAREN BORTA AND IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY SERVICES.

THE ORGANIZATION BOTH EMPLOYS THE GROUP AND WILL SOON HOUSE THEM.

SHORELINE WILL HAVE SIX PEOPLE IN THE PROGRAM AT ANY GIVEN TIME.

PROVIDING THEM WITH TEMPORARY HOUSING WAS THE MISSING PIECE.

SHE SAYS, MORE PEOPLE APPLY THEN THEY CAN ACCEPT.

>> WE LOOK AT THOSE APPLICATIONS VERY INDIVIDUALLY.

TO SEE, HOW INTERESTED ARE YOU IN GETTING OFF THE STREET?

AND ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 10, IF YOU ARE AN EIGHT, NINE, OR 10, YOU WILL PROBABLY SUCCEED IN THIS PROGRAM.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO FUNDED THE BUILDING OF THESE CABINS, BUT THE ORGANIZATION IS FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR OPERATING THEM.

TWO ADDITIONAL SLEEP CABINS WILL OPEN EARLY NEXT YEAR IN EAST COUNTY.

SHE SAYS PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS ARE EAGER TO MOVE INTO THEIR NEW HOMES.

AMY BURRIS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> PUBLIC MATTERS IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH KPBS, I NEWS IS, AND VOICE OF SAN DIEGO.

YOU CAN SEE MORE OF OUR STORIES AT KPBS.ORG/PUBLICMATTERS.

>>> AN AMBITIOUS EFFORT TO CATALOG THE TINY SPECIES LIVING ALONG CALIFORNIA'S COAST IS UNDERWAY.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER TAMMY MURGA SAYS THE YEAR-LONG SAMPLING PROJECT IS STARTING IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> THESE ARE CALLED MINUTE TOAD WORMS AND THEY ARE REALLY A FRACTION OF AN INCH LONG AND LIVE WITHIN THE SAND GRAINS.

YOU WOULD NEVER SEE THEM.

>> Reporter: WORMS, TINY SEA STARS, AND ANIMALS THAT LOOK LIKE A MOUND OF MOSS.

SO MANY OF THESE BACKBONES-LESS SPECIES ARE ABUNDANT IN CALIFORNIA.

HE IS LEADING THE PROJECT, HE IS A RESEARCHER AT SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY.

>> WE THINK THERE ARE ABOUT 3000 ANIMAL SPECIES IN -- INVERTEBRATE ANIMALS -- ALONG UPPER CALIFORNIA COAST AND ABOUT 1000 ALGAE SPECIES.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE THEY ARE SO SMALL, RESEARCHERS BELIEVE THERE MAY ACTUALLY BE 10 TIMES THAT, THEY JUST DON'T KNOW FOR SURE.

BUT, THAT'S ABOUT TO CHANGE.

SCIENTISTS ARE BEGINNING TO CREATE A RECORD OF THEM.

THEY SAY, IT'S CALIFORNIA'S FIRST DNA LIBRARY OF MARINE INVERTEBRATES.

>> IT GIVES US A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT THE CURRENT DIVERSITY IS FOR CALIFORNIA IN A PERIOD WHEN THE WARMING OF OCEANS IS GOING TO CHANGE THEIR DISTRIBUTIONS.

>> Reporter: THEY ALREADY KNOW THAT WARMING IS CAUSING SOME ANIMALS TO MIGRATE NORTH.

>> WE ARE GETTING SPECIES THAT PREVIOUSLY WERE ONLY KNOWN IN MEXICO.

>> Reporter: THE PROCESS LOOKS LIKE THIS -- SCIENTISTS GET UP EARLY IN THE MORNING AND FILL UP BUCKETS OF SAND AND TURN OVER ROCKS ALL ALONG THE SAN DIEGO COASTLINE.

>> AND THEN, WE PUT IT UNDER ALL KINDS OF MICROSCOPES TO PICK UP THOSE LITTLE INDIVIDUALS IN THE TAXONOMIC EXPERT HELP US IDENTIFY WHAT THEY ARE.

>> Reporter: THE SPECIMENS ARE THEN STORED IN RESEARCH TO COLLECTIONS AND MOST GET DNA BARCODES.

THAT WILL MAKE IT EASIER TO IDENTIFY AND PROTECT THEM.

>> IT IS REALLY HELPFUL TO KNOW, IF OUR BIO DIVERSITY IS CHANGING, HOW IT IS CHANGING, AND WHAT WE CAN SORT OF UNDERSTAND FROM THOSE CHANGES.

>> Reporter: ADDITIONAL SURVEYS ARE PLANNED AT SITES ALONG THE CALIFORNIA COAST OVER THE NEXT YEAR.

TAMMY MURGA, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I AM GEOFF BENNETT.

TONIGHT, ON "THE NEWS HOUR," RUSSIA BOMBARDS UKRAINE'S CAPITAL IN RETALIATION FOR OIL INFRASTRUCTURE STRIKES.

THAT IS AFTER SEVEN AT AFTER "KPBS EVENING EDITION" ON KPBS.

>>> WHILE WE ARE ENJOYING SEASONAL TEMPERATURES HERE IN SAN DIEGO, NEARLY HALF OF AMERICANS ARE FACING PROLONGED, EXTREME HEAT IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

IF YOU PLAN TO HEAD EAST FOR THE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND, MARIBEL GONZALES HAS EXPERT TIPS ABOUT HOW TO STAY SAFE IN THOSE HOT CONDITIONS.

>> THE TEMPERATURES IN SOME SPOTS IN THE EASTERN U.S., LIKE U.S.

NEW YORK CITY AND WASHINGTON, D.C.

COULD BE THE HOTTEST IN OVER A DECADE AND EVEN AFTER NIGHTFALL, THERE COULD STILL BE VERY LITTLE RELIEF FROM THE HEAT.

WHILE WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD HEAT WAVES, THAT IS PART OF SUMMER WEATHER.

BUT, AS CLIMATE CHANGES DECADE BY DECADE, THOSE HEAT WAVES ARE GETTING MORE FREQUENT AND THEY ARE GETTING MORE INTENSE.

THE U.S.

IS EXPERIENCING A BLAST OF PUNISHING HEAT, PARTICULARLY IN THE EAST, WITH MILLIONS FACING RECORD HOT TEMPERATURES AND HIGH HUMIDITY.

EXPERTS SAY HEAT DOMES -- THAT IS STUBBORN AREAS OF HIGH PRESSURE THAT LOCKS HOT AIR IN PLACE -- ARE TO BLAME AND ARE NOW MORE INTENSE, DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> THE REASON IS, ONE, BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN DIGGING UP AND BURNING MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF COAL AND GAS AND WHEN WE BURN THEM, THEY CREATE HEAT TRAPPING GASES THAT ARE BUILDING UP IN THE ATMOSPHERE, WRAPPING AN EXTRA LINK IT AROUND THE PLANET.

>> Reporter: THE COMBINATION OF HIGH TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY INCREASED HEAT RELATED HEALTH RISKS.

>> INCREASED HEAT DOESN'T ALWAYS STRIKE PEOPLE AS AN EMERGENCY, BUT IT IS ACTUALLY THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF WEATHER RELATED FATALITIES IN THE U.S.

>> Reporter: HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES CAN COME ON QUICK.

>> THE THINGS TO LOOK FOR ARE HEAT CRAMPS AND THAT LOOKS LIKE HEAVY SWEATING AND MUSCLE FATIGUE, THAT IS YOUR BUDDIES SIGN IT NEEDS A BREAK.

>> Reporter: HYDRATION AND SEEKING COOL SHELTER IS KEY, EVEN AT NIGHT.

>> HIGH HUMIDITY MEANS THAT DAYTIME TEMPERATURES OFTEN DON'T DROP AS MUCH AS THEY WOULD IN A DRIER CLIMATE, SO IT IS STILL DANGEROUS.

>> Reporter: OVER 300 RECORD WARM OVERNIGHT LOWS COULD BE CHALLENGED THROUGH THE WEEKEND, AND THAT IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP THESE SAFETY TIPS IN MIND, EVEN AFTER THE SUN GOES DOWN.

REPORTING IN LOS ANGELES, I AM MARIBEL GONZALES.

>>> ANDY ACOSTA IS COMING HOME TO SING WITH TIMOTHY LAUGHLIN THE SHOW RUNS JULY 10th THROUGH 12th AT THE BOROUGH THEATER.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER AUDY McAFEE SPOKE WITH THE SAN DIEGO NATIVE ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO PERFORM THE PRODUCTION IN HIS HOMETOWN AS SAN DIEGO CELEBRATES PRIDE.

>> ♪ LAST NIGHT ♪ HOW MANY KISSES ♪ LAST NIGHT ♪ >> Reporter: BORN AND RAISED IN SAN DIEGO, ANDY ACOSTA HAS ALWAYS WANTED TO PERFORM WITH THE SAN DIEGO OPERA.

THIS YEAR MARKS HIS SECOND TIME.

>> SAN DIEGO OPERA HAS ALWAYS BEEN A COMPANY I RESPECT, TRUTHFULLY.

EVEN ONE I WAS A LITTLE BABY, YOUNG ARTIST, I WAS LIKE, "OH, MY GOD, I WISH I COULD SING AT THAT COMPANY," AND I DID.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR MARKS HIS 10th TIME OF STARTING IN THE ADAPTATION OF "YOUNG TRAVELERS."

>> I WILL NEVER FORGET I WAS A YOUNG ARTIST AND I WAS IN MY COLLEGE APARTMENT, [ LAUGHTER ] AND I READ THROUGH IT, BEGINNING TO END, AND I WAS JUST IN TEARS BECAUSE FOR ME, IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I SAW THAT RENDITION OF MYSELF IN THE ART FORM THAT I LOVE.

>> Reporter: THE STORY FOLLOWS COLLEGE GRADUATE, TIMOTHY, WHO MOVES TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

TO JOIN THE FIGHT AGAINST COMMUNISM.

THERE, HE FALLS INTO A SECRET RELATIONSHIP WITH STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIAL HAWKINS FULLER, DURING THE ANTI-GAY KNOWN AS THE "LAVENDER SCARE."

LIKE TIMOTHY, ACOSTA IS A GAY MAN WHO STRUGGLED GROWING UP IN A CATHOLIC HOUSEHOLD, HE SAID HE IS GRATEFUL TO STEP INTO THE ROLE.

>> EVERY TIME I REVISIT THIS PIECE, I GET TO STAND IN MY OWN SHOES, AS WELL AS PRESIDENT TRUMP FIVES ISSUES, AS WELL AS THE SHOES OF THE PEOPLE THAT I STAND ON THE BACK OF YOU GIVE ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO WHAT I LOVE.

SO, I AM JUST SO, SO INCREDIBLY HAPPY TO DO IT EVERY TIME, AND IT CHANGES EVERY TIME, AND I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO TELL THE STORY MORE AND MORE EVERY TIME.

>> Reporter: DAVID BENNETT IS THE CEO OF THE SAN DIEGO OPERA, HE SAYS STORIES LIKE THIS MATTER BECAUSE -- >> THIS IS A GAY STORY WHICH IS NOT VERY COMMON IN OPERA, YOU KNOW?

THERE ARE CERTAINLY CHARACTERS, BUT STORIES THAT FOCUS ON A GAY COUPLE ARE VERY RARE, SO I'M THRILLED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY.

>> Reporter: BENNETT ALSO HOPES PEOPLE WON'T FEEL INTIMIDATED BY OPERA.

>> IT'S DEVASTATING, THE MUSIC IS GORGEOUS, IT'S A STORY OF OUR TIME, IT'S AN AMERICAN STORY OF OUR TIME.

AND IT'S THE STORY OF TWO MEN WHO ARE IN LOVE, SO THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WE DON'T OFTEN FIND IN OPERA, AND I WALKED AWAY FROM IT JUST SO EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO BRING THIS TO SAN DIEGO, AND HAVE PEOPLE SEE WHAT THIS KIND OF OPERA CAN BE LIKE.

>> Reporter: ACOSTA SAYS HE WANTS TO SHOW TO ENTERTAIN AUDIENCES, BUT ALSO TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO THINK A LITTLE DEEPER ABOUT QUEER HISTORY.

>> I WANT PEOPLE TO BE MORE CURIOUS, I WANT PEOPLE TO -- I LOVE IT WHEN PEOPLE SAY, "OH, WOW, I HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT THE SCARE, TELL ME MORE ABOUT THAT."

>> Reporter: HISTORIANS ESTIMATE MORE THAN 5000 PEOPLE LOST THEIR JOBS DURING THE LAVENDER SCARE AND MANY ALSO TOOK THEIR OWN LIVES.

THE LAVENDER NAMES PROJECT COLLECTS STORIES OF TRENT 26 PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR JOBS BECAUSE OF DISCRIMINATION.

THEIR PORTRAITS APPEAR AT THE END OF EACH "FELLOW TRAVELERS" PERFORMANCE AS A LIVING MEMORIAL.

>> 10 YEARS AGO WHEN IT WAS ORIGINALLY PRODUCED, THAT WAS ALL STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY, BUT NOW EACH PORTRAIT IS A PERSON WHO ACTUALLY LOST THEIR JOBS BECAUSE OF BEING OPENLY GAY, AND MANY OF THEM IN THIS PRODUCTION THAT YOU WILL SEE ON STAGE ARE PEOPLE FROM SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: ACOSTA SAYS HE HOPES THE SHOW WILL MAKE PEOPLE FEEL SEEN.

>> MY HOPE, ALWAYS, THAT SOME PERSON COMES INTO THIS SHOW AND SAYS, "OH, MY GOD, THIS REMINDS ME OF MYSELF."

OR, "I WISH I WOULD HAVE SEEN THIS YEARS AGO."

OR, "I WAS THAT PERSON ON THAT STAGE."

OR, MAYBE, YOU KNOW, "IS THIS WHAT MY SON IS GOING THROUGH?"

OR, "MAYBE, I SHOULD COME BACK AND BRING MY NEPHEW, WHO I KNOW, MAYBE IS EXPLORING THEMSELVES, BUT ISN'T -- HASN'T QUITE SEEN THAT IN THEMSELVES REFLECTED."

>> Reporter: AUDY McAFEE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> MEMBERS OF THE DESCENDENTS OF EARLY SAN DIEGO CAN TRACE THEIR FAMILY LINEAGE TO THE FIRST SPANISH SETTLERS IN THE OLD TOWN AREA.

PUBLIC MATTERS SUPPORTER JAKE GOTTA SAYS THAT THE GROUP IS WORKING TO PRESERVE THAT HISTORY.

>> Reporter: IN THE HOWARD J BAUER PARENT CENTER IN OLD TOWN, MEMBERS OF THE DESCENDENTS OF EARLY SAN DIEGO GATHERED ON SATURDAY TO HONOR THEIR SHARED PAST.

>> SO, WE ARE PART OF THE FOUNDING FAMILIES OF CALIFORNIA, AND OUR ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN AROUND FOR 44 YEARS NOW, AND IT HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON HISTORY, PRESERVATION, AND EDUCATION, AND KEEPING A LOT OF OUR HERITAGE ALIVE.

>> Reporter: THE GROUP'S CHAIR, CONNIE RASCO AND GUNTER, SAYS THAT THE FAMILIES THERE CAN TRACE THEIR LINEAGE BACK TO THE FIRST BAND OF SETTLERS WHO CAME TO SAN DIEGO, POSTER BOARDED WITH FAMILY TREES, SHOWING HOW LIVING DESCENDENTS WERE CONNECTED FROM GENERATIONS THROUGH THEIR ANCESTRAL ROOTS.

>> FAMILIES CALLED LEATHER JACKET SOLDIERS THEY CAME IN 1700s, AND THEY WERE SENT ESTABLISHING PRESIDIO'S AND THE MISSIONS THROUGHOUT THE CALIFORNIA COAST.

>> Reporter: DANIEL RIOS FROM THE TO ME I NATION WAS THERE, REPRESENTING THE FIRST SAN DIEGANS WHO WERE HERE WHEN THE SPANISH ARRIVED.

>> WE HAVE SEEN EVERY SINGLE YOU KNOW, CHANGE IN SAN DIEGO, FROM THE SPANISH, TO THE MEXICAN SPIRIT, TO THE AMERICAN, AND NO, WE ARE STILL HERE TODAY AND WE ARE THRIVING.

>> Reporter: RASCO AND GUENTHER SAYS IT IS THAT SHARED HISTORY OF RESILIENCE THAT HAS EVOLVED THROUGH DIFFERENT NATIONS AND GOVERNMENTS THAT BRINGS THEM ALL TOGETHER.

>> MY GRANDMA IS HER COUSIN.

>> Reporter: AND AS THEY SHARE THEIR STORIES WITH EACH OTHER, THEY FEEL THEY CAN KEEP THAT HISTORY ALIVE.

>> WE ARE LEARNING TO BE CORDIAL TO EACH OTHER, AND PRESERVE THOSE STORIES, THE GOOD AND THE BAD, AND CONTINUE TO TELL OUR STORIES SO THAT WE CAN LEARN FROM OUR MISTAKES AND CONTINUE TO BUILD OUR COUNTRY AS A COUNTRY WE WANT TO HAVE FREEDOM IN.

>> Reporter: JAKE GOTTA, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS WE APPROACH THE 250th BIRTHDAY OF OUR COUNTRY, ONE MAN IN SOLANA BEACH WILL BE CAMPAIGNING FOR CHANGE, WHAT HE WANTS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH POLITICAL PARTIES OR ELECTED OFFICE.

HE SAYS HE WANTS TO CHANGE OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM.

WELL, SORT OF.

IT IS JUST A LITTLE TWEAK THAT, HE BELIEVES, WILL MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

KEN KRAMER HAS THE STORY ABOUT SAN DIEGO.

♪ >> Reporter: SOLANA BEACH, NESTLED BETWEEN SALINAS AND DELMAR, ADJACENT TO FLETCHER COVE, AN OCEAN HE, HEALTHY HIGHWAY 101 HOME TO ABOUT 13,000 PEOPLE, INCLUDING DR.

ED SIEGEL, PSYCHIATRIST AND MUSICIAN, I MEAN, REALLY TALENTED PIANO PLAYER, WHO, JUST BY WAY OF INTRODUCTION, HERE, HE CAME UP WITH A MELODY TO A LITTLE SONG ABOUT SOLANA BEACH.

WANT TO HEAR A LITTLE BIT OF IT?

OKAY.

>> ♪ PEOPLE COME BY TRAIN ♪ IT'S A PLACE WE CANNOT HIDE ♪ THERE IS TEACHING, GOLFING, BICYCLES ♪ AND SONGS FAR AND WIDE ♪ SOLANA BEACH ♪ A CITY PROUD ♪ WE ARE SMALL ♪ BUT SELF-CONTAINED ♪ WE LIVE OUR LIVES ♪ AND HOPE WE PROVE OUR FAITH ♪ HEY!

♪ >> Reporter: PRETTY CATCHY, RIGHT?

PUTS THE BEAUTIFUL TOWN OF SOLANA BEACH IN YOUR MIND, JUST LIKE THE BIG CITIES.

THEY ALL HAVE SONGS.

>> PEOPLE IN CHICAGO, YOU KNOW, ♪ CHICAGO, CHICAGO ♪ OR, ♪ NEW YORK, NEW YORK ♪ OR, ♪ WAY DOWN YONDER IN NEW ORLEANS ♪ I LEFT MY HEART IN SAN FRANCISCO ♪ THESE ARE SONGS EVERYBODY KNOWS, BUT LET'S JUST SAY THIS IS JUST FOR SOLANA BEACH.

>> Reporter: OKAY, SO, THAT IS HIS SOLANA BEACH SONG, SO NOW YOU KNOW ED, HE MAY BE FROM A SMALL TOWN IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, BUT HE THINKS BIG BIRD >> HEY!

>> Reporter: FAR BIGGER THAN SOLANA BEACH, AND HAS COME UP WITH A BIG IDEA, THIS TIME, YOU SEE A NATIONAL ONE THAT HAS GOTTEN HIM INTO "THE NEW YORK TIMES," NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES, AND TV, ALL ACROSS AMERICA.

>> WELL, THIS IS KATIE COURIC, AND THIS IS LESTER HOLT, AND HERE, I AM PLAYING, YOU KNOW, IN THE ROCKEFELLER PLAZA.

>> DR.

ED SIEGEL IS HERE WITH HIS KEYBOARD.

HI, EDDIE.

HOW ARE YOU?

>> Reporter: AND WHAT IS AMAZING, IS THIS IDEA IS SO SIMPLE.

WE HAVE ALL AT LEAST THOUGHT ABOUT IT.

>> I EXPECT THAT IF THIS DOESN'T CATCH ON RIGHT NOW, I WILL PROBABLY BE FAMOUS AFTER I DIE.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Reporter: BECAUSE, YOU SEE, ED WANTS TO CHANGE THE WAY WE SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

NO KIDDING!

>> ♪ OSEI ♪ CAN YOU SEE ♪ >> Reporter: "THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER" IS BEAUTIFUL, BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM.

HAVE YOU NOTICED, THE KEY IS ALWAYS PERFORMED IN, IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYBODY HAS TO STRUGGLE TO HIT THE HIGH NOTES.

>> THIS IS THE KEY IT IS WRITTEN IN.

♪ O SAY, CAN YOU SEE ♪ LAW, LAW, LAW ♪ >> Reporter: HE SAYS, WHAT IF WE ALL STARTED THE SONG LOWER?

LET'S START IN A LOWER KEY?

>> ♪ LAW, LAW ♪ >> Reporter: SIMPLE, RIGHT?

HE GOT COMMUNITY GROUPS IN SAN DIEGO TO START SINGING AT LOWER AND, IN FORT COLLINS, COLORADO -- YOU LOOK AT THAT, ISN'T THAT SOMETHING?

>> Reporter: THE SYMPHONY INVITED HIM TO LEAD THE AUDIENCE.

>> ♪ AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE ♪ >> BUT, IT WENT VIRAL AND THE NEXT THING I KNEW I WAS ON THE FRONT PAGE OF "THE NEW YORK TIMES," THEY WROTE IT OFF AS ONE OF THE BEST IDEAS OF THE YEAR.

>> Reporter: SO, WHY DON'T WE CHANGE?

BANDAGES AND FIND THE HIERARCHY EASIER TO PLAY, HE SAYS, AND HE SAYS, THIS IS ALL FINE FOR MEN, THEY HAVE A LOWER VOCAL RANGE.

IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE IT, MAKE THE START OF THE SONG TOO LOW FOR WOMEN?

>> NO, THEY ARE MORE ALTOS AND BARITONES THAN THERE ARE SOPRANOS AND TENORS.

>> Reporter: OKAY, I WONDERED, ED, HOW DO YOU GET THIS IDEA TO CATCH ON?

>> OH, I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU THAT!

[ LAUGHTER ] LITTLE, OLD ME SITTING HERE IN SOLANA BEACH.

>> ♪ BY THE DAWN'S EARLY LIGHT ♪ >> Reporter: WELL, SO, HE HAS BEEN TRYING IT OUT AND IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE PEOPLE SING IT OUT MORE, ENJOY IT MORE, WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE TO REACH SO FAR FOR THE HIGH NOTES.

>> ♪ AND THE ROCKETS ♪ RED GLARE ♪ THE BOMBS BURSTING IN AIR ♪ GAVE PROOF THROUGH THE NIGHT ♪ THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE ♪ >> EVERYBODY!

>> ♪ O SAY ♪ DOES THAT ♪ STAR-SPANGLED BANNER ♪ YET WAVE ♪ O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE ♪ AND THE HOME ♪ OF THE BRAVE ♪ >> CHERRY GOOD!

>> Reporter: SO, THAT'S THE STORY OF HOW ED SIEGEL, CREATOR OF A BOUNCY, LITTLE SONG ABOUT SOLANA BEACH, HOUSE NOW SET OUT TO CHANGE, IF NOT, THE ENTIRE LAND OF THE FREE, AT LEAST THE KEY OF FRANCIS SCOTT KEY.

AND IF IT IS ONE OF OUR OWN THAT MAKES IT HAPPEN, WOULDN'T THAT BE SOMETHING REMARKABLE ABOUT SAN DIEGO?

>> WHAT A GREAT STORY, THERE.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF KEN KRAMER'S STORIES ABOUT SAN DIEGO, YOU CAN WATCH HIS HALF- HOUR EPISODES EVERY THURSDAY EVENING AT 8:00, HERE ON KPBS.

>>> WELL, OVERALL, WE ARE LOOKING AT A COMFORTABLE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND, AS WE CONTINUE TO CLIMB OUR TEMPERATURES BACK CLOSER TO HISTORICAL AVERAGES.

OUR MARINE LAYER CONTINUES TO GET SHALLOWER AND SHALLOWER, SO FEWER OF OUR VALLEY AREAS ARE GOING TO SEE THOSE MORNING LOW CLOUDS.

OUR FIRE DANGER, THOUGH, NOTHING REALLY IS CHANGING THERE, FOR SOME OF US, IT'S NOT AN ISSUE, FOR OTHERS, WE REMAIN WITH THAT ELEVATED STATUS.

WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT IT IN SECOND, BUT OUR OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURES IN THE MID 60s FOR VIRAGO SPRINGS, 50s FOR MOUNT LAGUNA, MID TO LOW 60s ALONG THE COAST, HERE.

WE LOOK OUT TO TOMORROW, UPPER 80s FOR RAMONA, BACK INTO THE TRIPLE DIGITS, UNFORTUNATELY, IN VIRAGO SPRINGS, BUT HEY, THAT IS ABOUT WHERE WE SHOULD BE THIS TIME OF YEAR WHEN WE COMPARE TO HISTORICAL AVERAGES.

VERY COMFORTABLE ALONG THE COAST, THOUGH, 74 IN OCEANSIDE, 73 FOR SAN DIEGO.

HERE IS THE FIRE DANGER I WAS TALKING ABOUT.

AS WE GO FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, WE REALLY SAY THEY'RE THE SAME.

FURTHER INTO THE SOUTHWEST, MAINLY INTO UTAH, AND INTO PORTIONS OF COLORADO, WE COME DOWN FROM THAT VERY HIGH TO JUST HIGH, BUT FOR US, WE HAVE BEEN IN MODERATE THIS WHOLE TIME, THERE IS REALLY NOT A WHOLE LOT THAT IS CHANGING ABOUT THE AREA, SO SOMEWHERE LIKE SAN DIEGO ITSELF NOT PART OF THIS ELEVATED FIRE DANGER BUT FURTHER INLAND ESPECIALLY INTO OUR MOUNTAIN, DESERT REGIONS, THIS IS WHERE WE HAVE THAT RISK.

AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK, WE HAVE A BIT OF A PATTERN CHANGE, HIGH PRESSURE WILL PARK ITSELF OVER THE SOUTHWEST, WHICH HELPS WITH FIRE DANGER, BUT ANY SMOKE OR HAZINESS THAT WE HAVE IS GOING TO JUST STAY PUT.

AGAIN, NOT EVERYBODY SEES THIS.

BUT, JUST KEEP THIS IN MIND ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE FURTHER INLAND, A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE STATE BORDER, HERE, AND ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE RESPIRATORY ISSUES, KEEP IN MIND, AIR QUALITY WILL LIKELY BE A CONCERN.

LOOKING AT OUR NEXT FIVE DAYS ALONG THE COAST, NOT A LOT OF TEMPERATURE VARIATION, HERE.

WE GET TO 75, BY THE TIME WE GET TO MONDAY.

THEN, WE VARY A LITTLE BIT, DEGREE BY DEGREE, DAY BY DAY.

FURTHER INLAND, WELL WE ARE HANGING OUT IN A 80s FOR THE MOST PART, THE BIGGER CLIMB OF THE SLOW WARMING TREND IS HAPPENING INTO OUR MOUNTAIN REGIONS AND ARE DESERT REGIONS, SO WE ARE 71 FOR YOUR FRIDAY.

BY MONDAY, WE GET TO 73, THEN BIG JUMP TO 77 FOR YOUR TUESDAY.

DESERT REGIONS, THIS WEEKEND, BACK IN THE BALLPARK FOR WHERE WE SHOULD BE THIS TIME OF YEAR WHEN WE COMPARE TO HISTORICAL AVERAGES, THEN AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK, DAY BY DAY, DEGREE BY DEGREE, WE CONTINUE TO WARM UP.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I AM ACCUWEATHER'S AND AZALEA.

>>> IT TURNS OUT WORLD CUP FEVER IS A GAME CHANGER FOR A SECTOR OF U.S.

TRADE.

A NEW ANALYSIS INDICATES RECORD SOCCERBALL IMPORTS IN THE FIRST FOUR MONTHS OF THIS YEAR.

"USA TODAY" REVIEW OF CENSUS TRADE DATA PUTS THEIR VALUE AROUND $40 MILLION.

THAT IS THE LARGEST AMOUNT EVER, BASED ON STATISTICS GOING BACK TO 2002.

SOCCER GEAR IS ALSO SCORING BIG WITH IMPORTERS, ACCORDING TO THE DATA.

>>> IN OTHER FOOTBALL NEWS, THE U.S.

MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM IS MOVING ON IN THE WORLD CUP.

UP NEXT, THEY WILL FACE BELGIUM IN THE ROUND OF 16.

THE MATCH IS SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY NIGHT IN SEATTLE.

MALIK TILLMAN SCORED A GOAL IN LAST NIGHTS WIN, HE DID SO WITH A BLOODY SOCK AFTER HE WAS STEPPED ON EARLIER IN THE MATCH.

>> FOR ME, I AM A DIFFERENT TYPE OF PERSON ON THE PITCH.

OF COURSE, MAYBE YOU KNOW IT, YOU DON'T REALLY SEE MY EMOTIONS.

BUT, I THINK, ALSO, YOU KIND OF SAW MY EMOTIONS, AND THEN, IT IS A GREAT FEELING, AND OF COURSE, -- >> TEAM MEXICO IS ALSO IN THE ROUND OF 16, THEY WILL PLAY ENGLAND ON SUNDAY.

THE BARRIO LOGAN ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCED IT WILL HOST A WATCH PARTY FOR THE MATCH UNDER THE BARRIO LOGAN GATEWAY SIGNED IT STARTS AT 4:00 P.M.

AND ADMISSION IS FREE.

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

AND A PROGRAMMING NOTE, THE KPBS NEWSROOM WILL BE OFF TOMORROW IN OBSERVANCE OF INDEPENDENCE DAY.

"EVENING EDITION" WILL BE BACK ON MONDAY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM JACOB AERE.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING AND HOLIDAY WEEKEND.

>>> 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 45 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!

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