♪ >>> 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!

>>> THE FALLOUT OVER THE MARINES 250th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT CAMP PENDLETON CONTINUES THIS WEEK.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

>>> MOST OF CALIFORNIA'S DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION IS DEMANDING ANSWERS ABOUT WHY THE MARINES FIRED LIVE ARTILLERY OVER INTERSTATE 5 ON SATURDAY.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER ANDREW DYER SAYS THEY'RE ASKING DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH THE SAME QUESTIONS A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ASKING.

>> Reporter: HOW DID THE MARINES PREPARE FOR SATURDAY'S EVENT?

WHO OKAYED ARTILLERY FIRE OVER THE FREEWAY?

WHO DECIDED INTERSTATE 5 COULD REMAIN OPEN WHILE LIVE HIGH EXPLOSIVE ROUNDS WHIZZED OVERHEAD?

THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS OUTLINED IN THE LETTER TO DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH THIS WEEK.

>> NEVER IN MY WILDEST IMAGINATION DID I EXPECT THEY WOULD FIRE OVER THE FREEWAY, PARTICULARLY ON A SATURDAY, WHICH IS AN EXTREMELY BUSY DAY FOR THE I-5.

>> Reporter: REPRESENTATIVE MIKE LEVIN'S DISTRICT INCLUDES CAMP PENDLETON.

HE SAYS MARINES FOLLOW ORDERS.

>> IT APPEARS THE ADMINISTRATION HEARD SAFETY WARNINGS FROM THE MARINE CORPS AND COMPLETELY IGNORED THEM.

>> Reporter: THE AUTHORS POINT TO A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY REPORT THAT ONE OF THOSE ARTILLERY ROUNDS EXPLODED PREMATURELY OVER A CLOSED I-5 AND STRUCK TWO OF THEIR VEHICLES.

>> CLEARLY, THE MARINE IN CHARGE OF OUR SECTOR FOR THE CHP, HE'S A RETIRED MARINE, CLEARLY MADE THE RIGHT CALL, YOU KNOW, TO CLOSE THE FREEWAY DOWN ON SATURDAY AS EVIDENCED BY WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT PATROL CAR.

>> Reporter: THE MARINES REGULARLY FIRE ARTILLERY EAST OF I-5 AT CAMP PENDLETON.

BASE GUIDELINES SHOW NO AUTHORIZED AREAS WEST OF THE 5.

MARINE OFFICIALS HAVEN'T ANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER THEY'VE EVER SHOT ARTILLERY OVER THE 5.

AFTER THE EVENT HEGSETH VISITED THE TOP GUN SCHOOL AT NAVAL AIR STATION IN NEVADA.

DEFENSE DEPARTMENT VIDEO SHOWS HIM RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT OF AN FA-18 SUPER HORNET AS IT MANEUVERS OVER THE DESERT.

LEVIN SAYS THE VIDEO SENDS THE WRONG MESSAGE TO TROOPS.

>> NO LEADER SHOULD BE USING THE MILITARY FOR PERSONAL VANITY, FOR SPECTACLE.

>> Reporter: A SPOKESPERSON FOR HEGSETH DECLINED COMMENT AND SAYS ALL QUESTIONS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TOWARD THE MARINES AND CAMP PENDLETON.

A TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SPOKESPERSON ALSO DECLINED TO COMMENT.

ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE ARE LEARNING MORE ABOUT AN I.C.E.

PURSUIT THAT ENDED WHEN A SUSPECT RAMMED INTO GOVERNMENT VEHICLES IN BAY PARK ON DAKOTA STREET YESTERDAY.

THREE OFFICERS WERE SENT TO THE HOSPITAL.

ACCORDING TO I.C.E., OFFICERS WERE TRYING TO ARREST A MAN WITH A FINAL ORDER OF DEPORTATION.

FIELD OFFICE DIRECTOR PATRICK DEV ER SAYS THE SUSPECT NARROWLY MISSED A BYSTANDER AND STRUCK OFFICERS BEFORE CRASHING.

SEVERAL NEIGHBORS WHO SPOKE TO OUR MEDIA PARTNER KGTV CRITICIZED THE HEAVY LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE.

>> NO MATTER WHAT THE OFFENSE WAS, THE RISK TO PUBLIC SAFETY IN THIS STREET AND THE AMOUNT OF -- AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS UNWARRANTED, UNNECESSARY, DANGEROUS, AND RECKLESS.

>> DEVER SAYS THE MAN IS WANTED IN KUWAIT AND HAS A HISTORY OF VIOLENT CRIMES, BUT DID NOT SPECIFY WHAT CRIMES.

I.C.E.

SAYS IT WILL PURSUE CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST THE MAN FOR ASSAULTING AND RESISTING FEDERAL OFFICERS.

>>> WEATHER HEADLINES AS WE HEAD THROUGHOUT THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS, OVERALL I'M TRACKING SUNNY SKIES, MILD CONDITIONS HERE ACROSS THE REGION, GREAT WEATHER HERE AS WE HEAD THROUGHOUT YOUR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AS WELL.

I'LL GIVE YOU AN UPDATED LOOK ON THAT.

TRACKING IT NICE, IT WILL BE LOW, BUT I'M TRACKING OUR NEXT CHANCE OF RAIN IN THE FORECAST.

I'LL HAVE AN UPDATE TO LOOK AT THAT EXTENDED FORECAST COMING UP.

>>> HEALTHCARE PREMIUMS ARE SET TO RISE FOR NEARLY 150,000 SAN DIEGO COUNTY RESIDENTS WHO ARE INSURED THROUGH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER HEIDI de MARCO SAYS IF CONGRESS FAILS TO EXTEND FEDERAL SUBSIDIES, MOST COULD SEE THEIR MONTHLY COSTS SKYROCKET.

>> Reporter: COVERED CALIFORNIA SAYS ABOUT 125,000 SAN DIEGANS DEPEND ON FEDERAL SUBSIDIES TO MAKE THEIR MONTHLY PREMIUMS MORE AFFORDABLE.

THEY WARN IF CONGRESS DOESN'T EXTEND THOSE SUBSIDIES -- >> THE RESULT OF THAT IS THAT MANY OF OUR ENROLLEES WILL RECEIVE MUCH LESS TAX CREDIT THAN THEY'RE CURRENTLY RECEIVING AND THIS IS WHAT MAKES THE MONTHLY COST AFFORDABLE FOR MOST MARKETPLACE ENROLLEES AND SOME OF OUR ENROLLEES WILL NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE FOR TAX CREDIT AT ALL.

>> Reporter: JESSICA ALTMAN RUNS THE AGENCY THAT OVERSEES THE STATE'S AFFORDABLE CARE ACT MARKETPLACE.

SHE SAYS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY THE AVERAGE INCREASE IS SLIGHTLY LESS THAN THE REST OF THE STATE.

>> BUT A 76% COST INCREASE FOR YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE IS STILL ASTRONOMICAL FOR MOST PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE IMPACT WILL VARY BY REGION.

IN HIGHER INCOME AREAS LIKE LA JOLLA AND RANCHO SANTA FE PREMIUMS COULD RISE AROUND 65%, BUT IN SOUTH BAY CITIES LIKE CHULA VISTA AND IMPERIAL BEACH INCREASES COULD EFFECTIVELY DOUBLE PREMIUM COSTS.

ALTMAN SAYS THE LOSS OF SUBSIDIES WILL HURT ENROLLEES WITH THE LOWEST INCOMES THE MOST.

>> SO THIS IS SOMEONE MAKING 20,000, $22,000 A YEAR OR SO AND SMALL CHANGES IN COSTS FOR SOMETHING THAT'S A NECESSITY LIKE HEALTHCARE CAN HAVE A REALLY BIG IMPACT.

>> Reporter: SHE ESTIMATES ABOUT ONE IN FOUR ENROLLEES WILL NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD COVERAGE AND THOSE WHO STAY INSURED MAY HAVE TO MAKE TOUGH CHOICES.

>> MORE PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO CHOOSE A LESS GENEROUS HEALTH PLAN TO BRING THAT MONTHLY COST WITHIN BUDGET FOR THEM AND THAT CAN ALSO HAVE IMPACTS FOR HEALTH AND FINANCIAL WELL- BEING.

>> Reporter: ENROLLMENT BEGINS NOVEMBER 1st.

ALTMAN SAYS CONSUMERS SHOULD PAY ATTENTION AS A DEBATE OVER FEDERAL FUNDING CONTINUES.

>> THERE'S NEW NEWS IT SEEMS LIKE EVERY DAY ON THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND THESE TAX CREDITS ARE TIED INTO THAT AND SO THINGS COULD CHANGE AND IT'S IMPORTANT YOU BE AWARE OF THAT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS COVERED CALIFORNIA'S COMMUNITY ENROLLMENT PARTNERS ARE READY TO HELP CONSUMERS NAVIGATE THEIR OPTIONS.

HEIDI de MARCO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> DOZENS OF EMERGENCY VEHICLES WERE ON THE RUNWAY AT McCLELLAN PALOMAR AIRPORT THIS MORNING FOR AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE EXERCISE.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN HAS THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM THE SCENE.

THE STAGING IS GRAPHIC WE WANT TO WARN YOU, BUT IT'S JUST A DRILL.

>> Reporter: A PASSENGER PLANE HAS VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY.

DEBRIS STRUNG EVERYWHERE, DOZENS INJURED.

SEVERAL DEAD.

>> SO THIS DRILL THAT YOU SEE BEHIND YOU IS A TESTING OF THAT EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: AIRPORT OPERATIONS MANAGER JOHN OTTO SAYS IT'S PART OF THE FAA REQUIREMENT FOR COMMERCIAL AIRPORTS.

UNTIL THIS YEAR PALOMAR HASN'T HAD A COMMERCIAL FLIGHT IN MORE THAN TEN YEARS.

>> WE STILL PERFORM THESE DRILLS BECAUSE IT'S A PART OF OUR 139 CERTIFICATE.

SO WE PRACTICE EVEN THOUGH THERE WASN'T A COMMERCIAL AIRLINE HERE KNOWING THAT ONE DAY A COMMERCIAL AIRLINE WOULD RETURN.

>> Reporter: AND RETURN THEY DID.

AMERICAN AIRLINES RETURNED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND UNITED IS EXPECTED TO RETURN NEXT YEAR.

>> WE'LL BE DOING THIS AGAIN IN 2028.

>> Reporter: THIS DRILL HAPPENS EVERY THREE YEARS.

THE GOAL IS TO BECOME SO FAMILIAR WITH IT BECOMES PART OF YOUR MUSCLE MEMORY.

>> WE'RE PROACTIVELY READY FOR AN EVENT AT THIS AIRPORT, BUT IT ALSO ENHANCES OUR MULTICASUALTY INCIDENT AND TRIAGE CONCEPTS FOR ANY TYPE OF OTHER SETTING WE MAY ENCOUNTER.

>> Reporter: CAL FIRE CAPTAIN CHRIS MATTHEWS SAYS THE EXERCISE ALSO HELPS FIRST RESPONDERS TO QUICKLY ASSESS A CHAOTIC SCENE AND TEND TO THE VICTIMS.

>> AND TRANSPORT THEM ESSENTIALLY EXACTLY WHERE THEY NEED TO GO.

>> Reporter: COUNTY SUPERVISOR JIM DESMOND WAS ALSO THERE TO OBSERVE THE DRILL.

AS A FORMER COMMERCIAL AIRLINE PILOT, HE SAYS THIS TRAINING IS INVALUABLE.

>> THAT'S THE BEST PART OF TODAY IS MAKING SURE THEY'VE GOT THE SKILLS AND THEY COORDINATE WITH EACH OTHER WHEN SOMETHING LIKE THIS POTENTIALLY HAPPENS.

>> Reporter: AS THE SAYING GOES, TRAIN FOR THE WORST, BUT HOPE FOR THE BEST.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I'M JEFF BENNETT.

TONIGHT ON "THE NEWS HOUR," THE FBI ARRESTED MORE THAN 30 PEOPLE IN CONNECTION TO A SPRAWLING NBA GAMBLING RING INVOLVING THE MAFIA.

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

>>> ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HAS A FOOTHOLD IN ALL ASPECTS OF OUR LIVES.

KPBS SCI-TECH REPORTER THOMAS FUDGE HAS THIS LOOK AT HOW SOME SAN DIEGANS ARE MANAGING A.I.

IN OUR SCHOOLS, OUR WORKPLACES, AND IN THE GAMES WE PLAY.

>> Reporter: THE VIDEO YOU'RE SEEING IS THE WORK OF SORA, ONE OF THE FEATURES OF CHATGPT.

THE FEMALE ELF AND THE SECURITY GUARD ARE CHARACTERS IN A DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS CAMPAIGN CREATED BY DUNGEON MASTER McCAULEY BULESS.

HE PLAYS THE GAME TO GET PEOPLE INTO CHARACTER.

>> I ADDED THAT INTO AN INTRO VIDEO I PLAY BEFORE OUR SESSIONS, SO MY PLAYERS CAN SEE THEIR CHARACTER IN THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: McCAULEY LEARNED TO USE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE WHILE WORKING FOR AMAZON WEB SERVICES.

WHEN HE GOT INTO D AND D, CHATGPT BECAME HIS EDITOR BUDDY WHO GIVES HIM IDEAS BASED ON HIS GAME SCENARIOS AND HELPS HIM COME UP WITH STORIES SET IN SAN DIEGO.

A.I.

ISN'T GOING TO REPLACE McCAULEY UNLESS HIS D AND D FRIENDS REALLY WOULD RATHER HANG OUT WITH AN ALGORITHM ON WEEKEND NIGHTS, BUT IS MAKING McCAULEY A BETTER DUNGEON MASTER THE KIND OF OUTCOME WE WANT TO SEE IN OUR WORKPLACES?

WILL A.I.

MAKE US WORK BETTER OR WILL IT REPLACE US?

THAT'S A QUESTION HUGO VILLAR HAS SPENT A LOT OF TIME WITH.

>> WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO USE IT AND HOW TO ENHANCE THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE BY LETTING IT DO CERTAIN TASKS.

THAT WILL REQUIRE RETHINKING LARGE ASPECTS OF OUR SOCIETY, FOR SURE.

>> Reporter: VILLAR IS DEAN OF EXTENDED STUDIES AT UC SAN DIEGO.

HE SAYS ROUTINE JOBS THAT REQUIRE LOTS OF ATTENTION TO DETAIL ARE ON THE LIST OF PROFESSIONS ALREADY BEING REPLACED BY A.I.

>> COMPUTER SCIENTISTS ARE BEING REPLACED BY A.I.

BECAUSE OF HIGHER SKILLED PROGRAMMERS CAN USE A.I.

TO DO WHAT WAS BEFORE THE REALM OF HAVING HUNDREDS OF PROGRAMMERS PROGRAMMING INDIVIDUAL PIECES OF THE CODE TO CREATE THE SOFTWARE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS BLUE COLLAR JOBS ARE CERTAINLY IN DEMAND FOR BUILDING AND MAINTAINING IN THE DATA CENTERS AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SUPPORT A.I., BUT EXPECT THAT TO ALSO CHANGE IN THE FUTURE.

>> EVENTUALLY THEY WILL BE AFFECTED AT THE TIME WHEN A.I.

CONVERGES WITH ROBOTICS BECAUSE THAT'S AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT SET OF THINGS AND THERE THE TOOLS WILL BECOME INTELLIGENT AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO DO ALL SORTS OF THINGS THAT RIGHT NOW WE NEED A HUMAN BEING TO DEAL WITH.

>> Reporter: A.I.

MAY BE A MODERN SOLUTION FOR MUNDANE TASKS, BUT AT UCSD IT'S TAKEN A TURN TO HELP STUDENTS LEARN WITH AN A.I.

CHATBOT NAMED KENNEN.

HE IS DESIGNED TO DRAW OUT STUDENTS WITH QUESTIONS.

KENNEN IS THE WORK OF PAUL HEDGY PIERCE.

HE AND I ASKED THE BOT TO WRITE A HISTORY ESSAY FOR ME.

>> IT'S DESIGNED IN A WAY TO KIND OF GIVE YOU A LITTLE NUDGE.

SO IT SAYS, "I UNDERSTAND THAT ESSAYS CAN BE OVERWHELMING SOMETIMES.

HOWEVER, WE REALLY WANT YOU TO DEVELOP YOUR OWN SKILLS AND IT'S AGAINST THE ACADEMIC INTEGRITY GUIDELINES OF THIS COURSE, BUT I WILL BRAINSTORM WITH YOU."

>> Reporter: THEN I SAY OKAY.

HOW DID THE COLD WAR START?

>> GREAT QUESTION.

THE START OF THE COLD WAR IS A MAJOR TURNING POINT AND IT ASKS YOU SOME QUESTIONS BACK.

>> Reporter: AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR AND EDUCATION SPECIALIST AT UC SAN DIEGO, HE SAYS TODAY'S STUDENTS REGARD A.I.

IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> THEY'RE A MIXED BAG.

SO SOME STUDENTS ARE INTERESTED AND EXCITED TO USE IT.

THEIR SKILLS ARE A LITTLE BIT MORE ADVANCED, RIGHT?

OTHERS HAVEN'T TOUCHED IT.

>> Reporter: UCSD HAS CREATED AN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MAJOR IN COMPUTER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, BUT HE SAYS IT'S MADE A.I.

LITERACY A GOAL FOR STUDENTS IN ALL FIELDS.

HE'S BEEN PART OF A GROUP OF FACULTY THAT'S CREATED A CURRICULUM TO HELP STUDENTS ACHIEVE THAT.

WHEN IT COMES TO A.I.

'S ROLE IN LEARNING, HE GIVES THE EXAMPLE OF A STUDENT WHO WAS EXPECTED TO ANALYZE A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF SOURCES FOR A TERM PAPER.

SHE USED A.I.

TO SUMMARIZE THEM SO SHE COULD FOCUS ON THE TWO THAT SHE WANTED TO EXAMINE MORE DEEPLY.

>> AND I THINK THE LEARNING HAPPENS NOT FROM THE AMOUNT OF SOURCES, BUT THE QUALITY OF THE ANALYSIS.

>> Reporter: CREATING A PLACE FOR TECHNOLOGIES LIKE A.I.

IS NOTHING NEW SAYS HUGO VILLAR.

HE CHOOSES TO SEE THE GLASS HALF FULL.

>> WE SHOULDN'T BE SCARED ABOUT THAT.

WE DID IT BEFORE IN DIFFERENT TIMES IN HUMAN HISTORY.

SO I AM OPTIMISTIC.

I THINK WE WILL FIND THINGS WHERE HUMANS ARE STILL NEEDED AND THEY HAVE A PLACE.

>> Reporter: DUNGEON MASTER McCAULEY BULESS SAYS HE THINKS WE NEED GUARDRAILS TO PROTECT PEOPLE, BUT HE THINKS A.I.

CAN HELP PEOPLE DAY TO DAY AND HELP MAKE LIFE A LITTLE EASIER.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN HAS MET ITS 23rd DAY, MAKING IT THE SECOND LONGEST IN U.S.

HISTORY, AND IT'S IMPACTING SEEMINGLY ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE, INCLUDING THE DREAMS OF MANY HOMEBUYERS.

LEE WALDMAN SHUT DOWN.

>> THE GOVERNMENT SHUT DOWN AND MY LENDER SAID UNFORTUNATELY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO CLOSE UNTIL THE GOVERNMENT REOPENS.

>> Reporter: CHASE MARTIN HAD EVERYTHING SET, INCLUDING A U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE BACKED MORTGAGE TO BUY A HOME.

THAT'S NOW COME TO A SCREECHING HAT.

>> THERE WAS ANGER, FRUSTRATION, WHY IS THIS HAPPENING NOW?

>> Reporter: HE'S NOT ALONE.

ANTHONY SMITH, SENIOR ECONOMIST WITH REALTOR.COM, SAYS HOMEBUYERS ALL OVER THE U.S.

ARE FEELING THE IMPACT OF THE SHUTDOWN.

>> IT WILL BE A DIFFICULT POSITION TO BE PUT IN AS A FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYER BECAUSE THAT'S GOING TO BE REALLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST COHORTS IMPACTED BY THIS.

>> Reporter: BEFORE THE SHUTDOWN THE SKYROCKETING PRICES OF HOMES BROUGHT THE HOUSING INDUSTRY TO A SLOWDOWN, BUT THE FIRST GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN IN NEARLY SEVEN YEARS IS IMPACTING BOTH RURAL AND URBAN AREAS.

>> THE HOUSING MARKET WAS DEFINITELY SOMEWHAT FRIGID AND SO THIS ADDED MORE CHILL TO A SITUATION THAT DIDN'T NEED ANY MORE COOLING OFF ALTOGETHER.

>> Reporter: THE LONGER THIS SHUTDOWN STRETCHES ON, SMITH SAYS THE GREATER IMPACT IT'S GOING TO HAVE ON THE INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE AND THE MORE UNCERTAINTY IT WILL BREED.

AS FOR FRANKLIN, HE'S GOT A CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE LAWMAKERS IN D.C.

>> RECOGNIZE THAT THE DECISIONS THAT YOU ARE MAKING ARE IMPACTING FAR MORE PEOPLE THAN YOU REALIZE AND THAT THE DECISIONS THAT YOU'RE MAKING ARE ALSO AFFECTING VOTERS WHO WILL REMEMBER THIS WHEN IT COMES AROUND TO ELECTION SEASON.

>> Reporter: IN NEW YORK, I'M LEE WALDMAN.

>>> THIS MONTH FIVE TRIBES ARE LAUNCHING A COMMISSION TO SAFEGUARD THE NEW NATIONAL MONUMENT.

THE DESERT LANDSCAPE IS FACING AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WEIGHS ROLLING BACK ITS NEW ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTIONS.

>> Reporter: THE MONUMENT WAS ONE OF PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S FINAL ACTS IN OFFICE.

IN JANUARY HE GRANTED SWEEPING FEDERAL PROTECTIONS TO THE HIGH DESERT REGION ON THE BORDER OF IMPERIAL AND RIVERSIDE COUNTY.

AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE INTERIOR SECRETARY DEB HAALAND STOOD BESIDE HIM.

>> TODAY I'M GRATEFUL FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN'S LEADERSHIP.

I'M GRATEFUL HE HAS LISTENED TO TRIBES AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND HAS COMMITTED OUR ADMINISTRATION TO CONSERVING THE PLACES THAT ARE CORE TO OUR IDENTITIES AND TO OUR SHARED EXPERIENCES.

>> Reporter: IN PARTICULAR, BIDEN PLEDGED THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD WORK WITH TRIBES TO MANAGE THE LANDSCAPE, WHICH IS SACRED TO A NUMBER OF TRIBAL NATIONS WHO TRACE THEIR ORIGINS TO THE REGION ALONG THE COLORADO RIVER.

>> THIS IS ACTUALLY, I BELIEVE, ONE OF THE FIRST OF ITS KIND, THIS INTERTRIBAL COMMISSION.

>> Reporter: ZION WHITE IS A COUNCIL MEMBER OF ONE OF THE TRIBES THAT SIGNED ONTO THE TRIBAL COMMISSION.

HE SAID THEIR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THEIR VOICES ARE HEARD IN WASHINGTON.

>> ALL TRIBES THAT STILL EXIST WITHIN THE U.S.

HAVE BEEN STEWARDING THIS LAND SINCE TIME IMMEMORIAL.

SO WE KNOW A THING OR TWO.

THE MORE WE CAN INCORPORATE THIS KNOWLEDGE, THE GREATER IT WILL BE.

>> Reporter: WHITE SAID THEY'LL SET OUT CLEAR GUIDELINES FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT COMES AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CONSIDERED REVOKING THE MONUMENT'S PROTECTIONS.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR DECLINED COMMENT CITING THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

KORI SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS WE HEAD INTO TONIGHT, I WILL BE TRACKING LOW CLOUDS NEAR THE COAST.

OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURES WILL DIP INTO THE 50s, SO THAT MEANS IT IS GOING TO BE A CHILLY START HERE AS YOU'RE HEADING OUT THE DOOR.

SOME AREAS WILL EVEN DIP INTO THE 40s, DOWN TO 46 TONIGHT IN ESCONDIDO, 50 TONIGHT FOR OCEANSIDE AND CAMP PENDLETON.

SO YES, AS YOU'RE HEADING OUT TOMORROW, IT'S DEFINITELY GOING TO BE LIGHT JACKET KIND OF WEATHER.

THE GOOD NEWS IS THE JACKET YOU WEAR IN THE MORNING, YOU WON'T HAVE TO WEAR THEM VERY LONG.

AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY AFTERNOON, LOTS OF SUNSHINE IN THE FORECAST.

THERE WILL BE THE CLOUD COVER ALONG THE COASTAL AREAS AS THE SUN COMES UP, BUT AFTER THAT THE SUN WILL START TO PEEK OUT AND OVERALL IT'S GOING TO BE A NICE FRIDAY AFTERNOON EVEN THOUGH WE'LL HAVE A CHILLY START THERE.

BY ABOUT MIDDAY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE SUN STARTS TO PEEK THROUGH THE CLOUDS, THAT'S WHEN WE'LL SEE NICE CONDITIONS.

72 DEGREES, PICTURE PERFECT WEATHER DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO, AND THOSE 40s IN ESCONDIDO, WE'LL SEE AFTERNOON HIGHS CLIMB INTO THE 80s.

HEADING INTO SATURDAY, OVERALL STILL A VERY NICE FORECAST.

I WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT NEXT CHANCE OF RAIN, BUT IF YOU WANT THAT RAIN, YOU HAVE TO GO WELL TO THE NORTH HERE TO SEE IT, SAN FRANCISCO UP THROUGH REDDING, NORTHERN PARTS OF CALIFORNIA, THE COASTAL AREAS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, THAT'S WHERE THE RAINFALL IS GOING TO BE.

HERE'S AN EXTENDED LOOK AT YOUR COAST FIVE-DAY OUTLOOK.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU IS HIGHS IN THE 70s, LOTS OF SUNSHINE.

WE'LL SEE REALLY NICE WEATHER FOR YOUR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU IS IF YOU HAVE OUTDOOR PLANS THIS WEEKEND, THE WEATHER WILL ABSOLUTELY COOPERATE.

FOR THE INLAND FORECAST, WE'LL SEE THE WARMEST CONDITIONS THERE ON FRIDAY.

TEMPERATURES WILL TAKE A LITTLE DIP THERE SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, BUT STILL IF YOU HAVE WEEKEND PLANS, NO WORRIES.

FOR THE MOUNTAIN FORECAST, WE'LL SEE A PRETTY DECENT WARM- UP AS WE HEAD INTO THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK, BUT IN THE MEANTIME CHILLY STARTS, MILD AFTERNOONS AND THEN ACROSS THE DESERTS WE'LL SEE TEMPERATURES IN THE 90s THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS.

TEMPERATURES TAKE A LITTLE DIP, BUT THEY REBOUND EARLY NEXT WEEK.

>>> CHECK OUT THE KPBS PODCAST, THE FINEST, THE LATEST EPISODE OUT TODAY EXPLORING THE SCIENCE OF THE SUPERNATURAL, PSYCHICS, CULTS AND WHY WE BELIEVE.

YOU CAN LISTEN NOW AT KPBS.ORG OR WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> A LOCAL NONPROFIT GROUP IS MAKING NOSTALGIA, A RAILWAY TRIP THAT TAKES YOU BACK MORE THAN THREE-QUARTERS OF A CENTURY.

KEN KRAMER TAKES US ALONG FORM THE RIDE IN THIS STORY ABOUT SAN DIEGO.

>> NOW ANNOUNCING THE GOLD STATE LIMITED, ALL ABOARD.

>> Reporter: COME ALL ALONG FOR AN ADVENTURE, A TRIP INTO SAN DIEGO HISTORY AND ONTO THE RAILS.

ALL ABOARD THE GOLDEN STATE LIMITED YOU SEE IS A FULL-SIZE TRAIN.

RANDY HOUCK IS AT THE CONTROLS TODAY.

>> BRAKEMAN HAS CONTROL, 15 WEST.

HERE WE GO.

>> Reporter: LEAVING THE STATION AT CAMP O, HIS ENGINE BEGINS PUSHING A COUPLE OF TRAIN CARS WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME OUT TO THE DESERT FOR A RIDE THAT IS AN ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE EXPERIENCE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

LITTLE BACKGROUND, THE OLD CAMPO TRAIN STATION DATES BACK TO 1916 AND IS NOW HOME TO WHAT'S CALLED THE PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RAILWAY MUSEUM.

INSIDE ITS DISPLAY BUILDING ARE EXHIBITS THAT DESCRIBE HOW CROSSING SIGNALS WORK, A CLASSIC OLD RAILWAY EXPRESS MAIL SORTING CAR, EVEN A STEAM ENGINE THAT ONCE SERVED ON THIS VERY RAILROAD CONNECTING SAN DIEGO WITH EL CENTRO AND THAT'S WHERE THE HISTORY COMES IN.

THIS TRACK IS PART OF WHAT 100 YEARS AGO ALMOST EVERYBODY THOUGHT WAS AN IMPOSSIBLE RAILROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, EVERYBODY, THAT IS, EXCEPT THIS MAN, JOHN D.SPRECKLES.

>> DROVE THE LAST GOLD SPIKE TO COMPLETE THE RAILROAD.

>> Reporter: THE WEALTHIEST PERSON IN SAN DIEGO WAS UNDAUNTED BY THE ENGINEERING OBSTACLES.

MR.

SPRECKLES BUILT DOZENS OF TRAILS AND TURNS.

THE RAIL EVEN JOGS ACROSS MEXICO AND BACK ACROSS THE BORDER AND WHEN HE WAS DONE, HIS SAN DIEGO AND ARIZONA RAILROAD DIRECTLY TO AND FROM THE EAST TOOK 15 HOURS FOR A PASSENGER TO GET FROM EL CENTRO TO SAN DIEGO, BUT THEN THERE WERE FLOODS AND FIRES AND THAT WAS JUST THE BEGINNING FOR THE SD AND A MUSEUM PRESIDENT DIANA HYATT SAYS.

>> THE RAILROAD WAS CONSTANTLY RIDDLED WITH PROBLEMS, SO MUCH SO IT WAS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS THE SLOW, DIRTY, AND AGGRAVATING.

>> Reporter: PASSENGER SERVICE STOPPED IN THE 1950s.

THERE HAVEN'T BEEN FREIGHTS GO THROUGH HERE IN YEARS, BUT EVERY WEEKEND THE MUSEUM TAKES RIDERS A FEW MILES FROM CAMPO DOWN THE TRACK TOWARD MEXICO.

>> THE PORTION THAT WE RUN ON IS STILL VERY NICE SCENERY.

THIS IS THE UPPER DESERT THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH THAT IS MOUNTAINOUS, BUT IT'S STILL SOMEWHAT DESERT AS WELL.

>> Reporter: IT'S LIKE GOING BACK TO THE 1930s.

THE CARS RUMBLE AND ROCK AND THERE'S ALL THE SOUNDS OF RAILROADING THAT HAVE BEEN LOST TO TIME.

>> AND HERE'S THE CLICKETY CLACK OF THE RAIL THAT A LOT OF THE KIDS' BOOKS TALK ABOUT.

>> Reporter: A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE BORDER THE TRAIN STOPS.

>> WE'RE GOING TO REVERSE DIRECTION AND WE'LL BE HEADING EAST BACK TO THE CAMPO DEPOT.

>> Reporter: NOW THE ENGINE, A RELIC OF THE 1960s SOUTHERN PACIFIC, IS IN FRONT.

ITS WHISTLE IS A SWEET MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT TO THE PASSING DESERT COUNTRYSIDE.

AN OLD BAGGAGE CAR FROM 70 YEARS AGO HAS DOORS OPEN TO THE WIND AND THE SOUND.

AND A LITTLE BONUS TODAY, WE'LL GO PAST THE DEPOT AND A BIT BEYOND, OUR RIDE EXTENDED, THE HISTORY EVERYWHERE, THE SCENERY STARK AND PRETTY.

AND FINALLY, ONE MORE PUSH BACK TOWARD THE DEPOT.

IT'S A WONDERFUL THING, THIS MUSEUM, ALL VOLUNTEERS WHO SERVE AS CREW, MAINTAIN THE TRACK, EVERYTHING.

DIANA, WHO HAS COME HERE ALMOST EVERY WEEKEND FOR 17 YEARS, SAYS SHE STILL FEELS THIS LITTLE TRAIN THROUGH THE DESERT IS THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN SAN DIEGO.

>> AND THERE'S STILL PEOPLE WHO HAVE LIVED HERE 30, 40 YEARS THAT HAVEN'T HEARD ABOUT US.

>> Reporter: SO HEAR THIS.

A LITTLE SECTION OF JOHN D. SPRECKLES IMPOSSIBLE RAILROAD LIVES EVEN YET ON A TRAIN THAT EVERY WEEKEND GOES BACK AND FORTH A FEW MILES AROUND CAMPO.

IT'S A FUN RIDE AND A LESSON IN HISTORY ABOUT SAN DIEGO.

>> AND THE PACIFIC SOUTHWEST RAILWAY MUSEUM OPERATES ON A WEEKEND SCHEDULE AND OFFERS SPECIAL SEASONAL TRAINS.

SO IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT YOU CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE.

IF YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF KEN KRAMER'S STORIES ABOUT SAN DIEGO, HIS HALF HOUR SHOW AIRS TONIGHT, EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT, IN FACT, AT 8:00 RIGHT HERE ON KPBS.

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

THE SCARIEST PART OF HALLOWEEN THIS YEAR MAY BE THE CANDY PRICES.

NPR'S MORNING EDITION BREAKS DOWN THE PRICE INCREASES FOR COST OF LIVING.

>>> SAN DIEGO FC MADE THE PLAYOFFS THE FIRST TIME THIS SEASON.

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

THANK YOU 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!

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