>>> 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!

>>> DAYS AFTER A MAN DIED AT THE OTAY MESA DETENTION CENTER, IMMIGRANTS RIGHTS ORGANIZERS GATHERED OUTSIDE THE FACILITY TO HOLD A VIGIL FOR DIA DE LOS MUERTOS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

KPBS'S KORI SUZUKI SAYS THEY HONORED THE DOZENS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED AT THE HANDS OF I.C.E.

THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: AS THE ORGANIZERS SET UP THE OFRENDA, PEDRO RIOS AND ADHAHRAN THAT HASO LAY OUT THE MARIGOLDS.

THE BRIGHT ORANGE PETALS STAIN THEIR FINGERTIPS.

>> WE'RE BREAKING UP THE FLOWER, THE MARIGOLDS, AND CREATING A PATH FROM THE OTAY MESA DETENTION CENTER TO THE ALTAR.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE WITH THE AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMUNITY.

THEY'RE CREATING A PATHWAY OUTSIDE THE OTAY MESA DETENTION CENTER IN SAN DIEGO.

THE PATHWAY LEADS TO THE OFRENDA.

IT'S DECORATED WITH CANDLES, AND MONARCH BUTTERFLIES.

DOZENS OF PHOTOGRAPHS SHOW PEOPLE WHO I.C.E.

AGENTS HAVE SHOT WHO HAVE DIED IN THE AGENCY'S CUSTODY THIS YEAR.

>> IT WAS NOT THE TIME FOR THEM TO LEAVE THEIR FAMILIES, TO LEAVE THEIR RELATIONSHIPS.

AND SO THE SPACE AND THE INTENTION IS TO REMEMBER THEM, BUT ALSO TO HONOR THEM.

>> Reporter: JUST LAST WEEKEND, AN IMMIGRANT FROM GUATEMALA, GUILLERMO PASCUAL VERGANZA DIED INSIDE OTAY MESA.

I.C.E.

SAYS HIS DEATH IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE DEMANDING AN OUTSIDE PROBE.

IN THEIR STATEMENTS, THEY SAY I.C.E.

HAVE TRIED TO CRIMINALIZE HIM.

>> THEY LEFT OUT THE FACT THAT HE WAS A PERSON.

THEY LEFT OUT THE FACT THAT HE WAS A FATHER.

THEY LEFT OUT THE FACT THAT HE WAS A PARTNER TO SOMEONE, A SON OF SOMEONE, AND THEY LEFT OUT SO MANY OTHER THINGS THAT WE ARE SURE WE'RE GOING TO FIND OUT WITH TIME.

>> Reporter: JASSO SAYS THEIR GOAL FOR DIA DE LOS MUERTOS IS TO REMIND EVERYTHING THAT VERGANZA AND EVERYONE WHO DIED IN CUSTODY WAS A PERSON TOO.

>> 48.

>> Reporter: KORI SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AND WE HAVE AN UPDATE TONIGHT ON THE LATEST PERSON TO DIE IN I.C.E.

CUSTODY IN SAN DIEGO.

LATE LAST EVENING, THE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER IDENTIFIED A DETAINEE WHO DIED WHILE IN CUSTODY AT THE OTAY MESA DETENTION CENTER.

IT WAS A DIFFERENT NAME THAN WHAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT RELEASED.

KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN LOOKS INTO THIS CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY AND HOW IT UNFOLDED.

>> Reporter: WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED ON OCTOBER 9th, HE TOLD A VOLUNTEER WITH THE RAPID RESPONSE NETWORK WHO WAS RECORDING THE VIDEO THAT HIS NAME WAS ROBERTO.

WHEN HE DIED ON OCTOBER 24th, U.S.

IMMIGRATION CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT IDENTIFIED HIM AS ROBERTO JIMENEZ GUTIERREZ, A 43-YEAR-OLD MAN FROM GUATEMALA.

IT TURNS OUT HE IS 43 AND FROM GUATEMALA, BUT THOSE FACTS APPEAR TO BE THE ONLY FACTS I.C.E.

GOT RIGHT.

LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT, THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER OFFICIALLY ID'd HIM AS GUILLERMO PASCUAL VERGANZA.

THAT CONFIRMS WHAT HIS FAMILY TOLD US YESTERDAY.

>> Reporter: THAT'S HIS NIECE, WHO DIDN'T WANT TO BE IDENTIFIED OR APPEAR ON CAMERA FOR FEAR OF RETRIBUTION.

TODAY AN I.C.E.

SPOKESPERSON SAYS HE PROVIDED FALSE INFORMATION AND USED SEVERAL ALIASES TO MISLEAD LAW ENFORCEMENT.

HIS NIECE AND NEPHEW DON'T NIGH NOE WHY HE IDENTIFIED HIMSELF AS ROBERTO.

IN ITS PRESS RELEASE I.C.E.

SAID HE HAS A CRIMINAL HISTORY INCLUDING SPOUSAL ABUSE AND CHILD ABUSE, CHARGES HIS FAMILY DENIES.

>> Reporter: THAT CALLS INTO QUESTION THAT LONG LIST OF CRIMINAL CHARGES.

SINCE WEDNESDAY, KPBS HAS SENT OUT MULTIPLE EMAILS TO U.S.

IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE ALLEGED CHARGES.

THE GOVERNMENT DID NOT ANSWER ANY OF OUR QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED INSIDE THE DETAINEE'S CELL.

WE ALSO ASKED HOW I.C.E.

CONFIRMS THE IDENTITY OF THOSE IN ITS CUSTODY.

WE GOT NO RESPONSE.

SALVADOR SARMIENTO IS AN ATTORNEY.

HE SAYS THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

>> AT BEST, IT'S OUTRAGEOUS AND EVEN POSSIBLY A CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE.

IT'S CRUEL AND CARELESS VIOLATION OF THEIR DUTY OF CARE.

DEFINITELY FOR THIS INDIVIDUAL, BUT IT CALLS INTO QUESTION HOW THEY'RE MEETING THEIR DUTY OF CARE FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN I.C.E.

CUSTODY TODAY.

>> Reporter: THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE SAYS IT RAN HIS FRIENDSHIPS THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND CAL ID TO CONFIRM HIS IDENTITY.

A SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE M.E.

ALSO USED HIS GUATEMALAN PASSPORT TO DOUBLE-CHECK AND TOOK THE EXTRA STEP OF HAVING HIS FAMILY POSITIVELY IDENTIFY THE BODY FROM A PHOTO.

>> IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE I.C.E.

THESE DAYS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THEY LIE.

WE KNOW THAT THEY MANIPULATE INFORMATION, AND WE UNDERSTAND VERY CLEARLY THAT PART OF THE GOAL IS TO SLANDER THE INDIVIDUAL.

>> Reporter: BENJAMIN PRADO WITH THE AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICES COMMITTEE SAYS THE FAMILY HAS REACHED OUT ASKING FOR HELP RETURNING VERGANZA'S BODY TO GUATEMALA.

VERGANZA'S FAMILY CONFIRMS THEY'RE IN TOUCH WITH THE GUATEMALAN CONSULATE IN LOS ANGELES.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS.

>>> ENCINITAS IS MOVING FORWARD WITH A PLAN TO RESTRICT I.C.E.

ACTIVITY IN THE CITY.

LAST NIGHT THE COUNCIL DISCUSSED RULES TO RESTRICT FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ON CITY PROPERTY, AROUND SCHOOLS AND PLACES OF WORSHIP.

RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR THESE STEPS FOR WEEKS.

COUNCILMEMBER JOY LYONS WHO BROUGHT THIS PROPOSAL FORWARD SAID ACTIVITY HAS INCREASED SINCE EARLY THIS MONTH.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS EVEN REPORTED UNMARKED VEHICLES NEAR LOCAL SCHOOLS DURING DROP-OFF TIMES.

>> Reporter: OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS, I'M OUT THERE WATCHING THE CRUEL ESCALATION OF I.C.E.

TACTICS IN PRESCHOOL PARKING LOTS.

>> IT IS OUR COMMUNITY THAT IS BEING DAMAGED HERE.

THAT HAS BEEN PUT IN A STATE OF FEAR.

>> BUT YOU SHOULD PROVE TO US IN THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU ARE NOT THOSE PEOPLE WITH THOSE SAME CHOICES AND GOING TO MAKE THOSE SAME DECISIONS.

>> WHATEVER YOU'VE BEEN LOOKING AT ALREADY ISN'T HAPPENING AND ISN'T WORKING.

THANK YOU.

>> THE CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A SIX-POINT PLAN TO PROTECT RESIDENTS AND DEMAND FOR TRANSPARENCY FROM FEDERAL AUTHORITIES.

THEIR PLAN INCLUDES DRAFTING ORDINANCES THAT COULD RESTRICT I.C.E.

ON CITY PROPERTY REDOING DUE PROCESS AND PROTECTIONS FOR COMMUNITY SPACES.

CITY STAFF WILL ALSO EXPLORE LEGAL OPTIONS IF I.C.E.

VIOLATES THAT ORDINANCE IF IT PASSES.

>>> I'M ARIELLA SCALESE.

COMING UP TONIGHT, TEMPERATURES ARE TUMBLING INTO THE WEEKEND AS WE WELCOME SHOWERS AND THEN SOME MORE STEADIER RAIN, BUT GOOD NEWS IS WARMER WEATHER RETURNS AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE FORECAST IS COMING UP.

>>> THE U.S.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HAS ISSUED SUBPOENAS TO ELECTION OFFICIALS IN CALIFORNIA CALLING ON THEM TO APPEAR IN COURT THE DAY AFTER THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

IT'S PART OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S CAMPAIGN TO PROVE NONCITIZENS ARE ON THE STATE'S VOTER ROLLS.

A FEDERAL JUDGE HAS REJECTED A DEMAND TO SEGREGATE BALLOTS FOR TUESDAY'S ELECTION, AND NOW HE HAS APPOINTED A SPECIAL MASTER TO EVALUATE THE ADMINISTRATION'S CLAIMS.

STATE OFFICIALS HAVE ALREADY SAID THE ADMINISTRATION'S LIST OF LIKELY NONCITIZENS IS UNRELIABLE.

>>> AND WITH DAYS STILL TO GO UNTIL NOVEMBER 3rd, TRACKING SERVICES SAY THERE HAS BEEN A RECORD AMOUNT OF MONEY SPENT ON CAMPAIGN ADS THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

ADVERTISING IS DOMINATING IN THE STATES WITH THIS YEAR'S MOST COMPETITIVE RACES.

MADDIE GANNON EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: IT CAN BE EASY TO GET LOST IN THE DOLLAR FIGURES AND FLOOD OF CAMPAIGN MESSAGES, BUT WHERE AND WHEN MONEY IS BEING SPENT IS OFTEN STRATEGIC, AND IT PROVIDES A GLIMPSE INTO HOW EACH PARTY IS FEELING ABOUT THEIR CHANCES IN KEY STATES AND RACES.

THE AVALANCHE OF TV ADS.

IT'S AN AMERICAN ELECTION SEASON STAPLE.

THIS YEAR IS NO EXCEPTION.

>> RADICAL JIM TALARICO WANTS TO SET IT ABLAZE.

>> KEN PAXTON IS THE MOST CORRUPT POLITICIAN IN TEXAS.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN $11.3 BILLION HAS ALREADY BEEN SPENT ON ADS FOR THIS MIDTERM ELECTION, ACCORDING TO AD IMPACT.

THAT SURPASSES THE PREVIOUS RECORD SET DURING THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

>> HERE IN MICHIGAN WE KNOW THAT CANADA IS NOT OUR ENEMY.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE MESSAGES HAVE BROKEN THROUGH TO THE PUBLIC DISCOURSE, LIKE THE REPUBLICAN SENATE CANDIDATE IN MICHIGAN, MIKE ROGERS, PUSHING BACK ON THE PRESIDENT'S TARIFF POLICIES.

BUT BEHIND THE MESSAGES THERE'S MORE TO GLEAN.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENS, PARTICULARLY IN THE LAST WEEK OF THE ELECTION, YOU SEE A LOT OF NEGATIVE CAMPAIGN ADS.

AND THOSE NEGATIVE CAMPAIGN ADS ARE REALLY TARGETING UNDECIDED VOTERS.

>> Reporter: AD IMPACT DATA SHOWS SPENDING HAS SURGED IN SOME RED STATES IN THE HOME STRETCH.

THERE IS MORE MONEY SLATED TO FUND THE FINAL WEEK ON THE RACES IN KANSAS AND SOUTH CAROLINA THAN THOSE IN GEORGIA AND NORTH CAROLINA, TWO BATTLEGROUND STATES WHERE DEMOCRATS FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT THEIR CHANCES.

>> IT'S SO SATURATED HERE IN A WAY I'VE NEVER SEEN.

I THINK AT SOME POINT, THE VOTERS JUST TUNE THOSE OUT.

>> Reporter: OVERALL, AD SPENDING HAS TOPPED A BILLION IN BOTH CALIFORNIA AND TEXAS, WHILE OHIO, MICHIGAN, AND GEORGIA HAVE ALL SEEN MORE THAN $500 MILLION SPENT ON ADS THIS CYCLE.

IN JUNE, AD IMPACT SAID IT EXPECTED $11.6 BILLION TO BE SPENT IN ADS IN TOTAL THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

THERE IS STILL FIVE DAYS LEFT IN THIS CAMPAIGN CYCLE FOR AD SPENDING TO POTENTIALLY REACH THAT TOTAL.

AT THE WHITE HOUSE, I'M MADDIE GANNON.

>>> STAY UP TO DATE ON OUR LATEST ELECTION COVERAGE WITH THE KPBS VOTER HUB AS THE MIDTERMS DRAW NEAR, THE VOTER HUB HAS EXPLAINERS ON CITY, COUNTY AND STATEWIDE RACES.

YOU CAN ALSO FIND DETAILS FOR BALLOT DROP BOXES AND IN-PERSON VOTING CENTERS.

THE KPBS VOTER HUB IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN SPANISH AND IT IS ALL FEATURED ON OUR HOME PAGE AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> DEFENSE SPENDING IS A BIG PART OF SAN DIEGO'S ECONOMY, BUT WITH THE MILITARY RAMPING UP INVESTMENT IN NEW TECH, COMPETITION IS HEATING UP.

ANDREW DYER SAYS THE REGION LEADS THE COUNTRY IN ONE KEY SECTOR, AND THERE IS A RENEWED EFFORT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

>> Reporter: WHEN IT COMES TO OVERALL PENTAGON SPENDING, THE SAN DIEGO REGION RANKS TENTH IN THE NATION.

BUT A NEW REPORT SAYS IN ONE SECTOR, SAN DIEGO BEATS ALL OTHERS, AND IT ISN'T EVEN CLOSE.

THAT'S AUTONOMOUS TECHNOLOGIES, DRONES.

>> AS COMPANIES AND AS TECHNOLOGIES MATURE, THE SPEED WITH WHICH THEY NEED TO GROW JOBS AND BUILD FACTORIES IS -- IS A MOMENT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO MEET AS A REGION .

>> Reporter: NAKIA CLARK.

PARTNERED WITH OTHER DEFENSE SPENDERS IN A NEW EFFORT TO MAKE SURE INVESTMENT IN SAN DIEGO'S NEW TECHNOLOGY SECTOR CONTINUES TO GROW.

>> WE CAN KEEP THOSE INNOVATORS HERE, IF WE CAN KEEP THE JOBS HERE, THAT'S WHAT REALLY ENABLES US TO TAKE SORT OF THE TECHNOLOGIES THAT WE HAVE HERE AND TURN THEM INTO JOBS, REAL JOBS, AND REAL OUTCOMES AND REAL LIVELIHOODS FOR SAN DIEGANS.

>> Reporter: THE REGIONAL EDC RELEASED ITS DEFENSE INNOVATION ROAD MAP THIS WEEK.

IT BRINGS TOGETHER NEW DATA MEANT TO SHOWCASE SAN DIEGO AS PLACE WHERE CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN THE LATEST DEFENSE TECH MAKES SENSE.

THE CONFLICT IN UKRAINE HAS DEMONSTRATED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF DRONE ATTACKS.

THE AP REPORTS UKRAINE SPENT THE SUMMER LAUNCHING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DRONES AT RUSSIAN TARGETS, RESULTING IN A NATIONWIDE GAS PRICE SIS.

U.S.

CONFLICTS WITH HOUTHI REBELS IN YEMEN AND IRAN HAVE THE PENTAGON INVESTING IN UNMANNED COUNTER DRONE WEAPONS SYSTEMS.

JUST LAST WEEK IT ASKED PRIVATE COMPANIES TO SUBMIT THEIR UNMANNED VESSEL DESIGNS THAT COULD RESULT IN NEW SYSTEMS IN THE FIELD IN A MATTER OF MONTHS.

CONGRESSWOMAN SARA JACOBS REPRESENTS SAN DIEGO AND SITS ON THE HOUSE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE.

SHE SAYS SAN DIEGO ISN'T AT RISK OF LOSING ITS TRADITIONAL MILITARY ROLE -- >> BUT DEFENSE IS ING FAST, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT SAN DIEGO CONTINUES TO LEAD IN THIS INNOVATIVE SPACE.

BUT WE CAN'T GET COMPLACENT.

AND WE CAN'T THINK THAT THESE CONTRACTS AND COMPANIES WILL ALWAYS KEEP KNOCKING ON OUR DOOR, ESPECIALLY WHEN OTHER REGIONS ARE STARTING TO COMPETE.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN FIND THE REPORT ONLINE AT SAN DIEGOBUSINESS.ORG.

WE'LL ALSO LINK IT ON OUR SITE, KPBS.ORG.

ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE FINAL SNAPSHOT OF THE U.S.

ECONOMY BEFORE ELECTION DAY DROPPED TODAY.

THE COST OF LIVING WILL BE TOP OF MIND AS VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS.

NEW FEDERAL DATA SHOWS STRONG ECONOMIC GROWTH AND ROBUST CONSUMER SPENDING, BUT THE RATE OF INFLATION IS RISING FASTER THAN WAGES CAN KEEP UP WITH.

IVAN RODRIGUEZ BREAKS IT DOWN.

>> Reporter: AS AMERICANS HEAD TO THE POLLS, ONE ISSUE IS CLEARLY TOP OF MIND.

>> PRICES ARE HIGH.

>> AFFORDABILITY.

>> MAN, WELL, IT'S ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: AN ECONOMY THAT ACCORDING TO FEDERAL DATA OUT THURSDAY IS SHOWING SOLID GROWTH, GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT ACCELERATING FASTER THAN EXPECTED IN THE THIRD QUARTER.

>> THE U.S.

ECONOMY CONTINUES TO REALLY AMAZE WITH ITS RESILIENCE.

>> Reporter: BUT WITH THE GROWTH COMES SOME REAL PAIN FOR CONSUMERS.

>> THEY'RE TIRED OF INFLATION, AND YET THEY HAVE CONTINUED TO SUFFER THE ECONOMIC SLINGS AND ARROWS OF PRICES WHICH HAVE GONE TO HIGHER LEVELS.

>> Reporter: THE FEDERAL RESERVE'S PREFERRED INFLATION GAUGE ROSE HALF A PERCENT IN SEPTEMBER, PUSHING ANNUAL INFLATION TO 3.6%, WELL ABOVE THE CENTRAL BANK'S 2% TARGET.

BUT THE FED IS WALKING A FINE LINE BETWEEN TAMING PRICES AND PROTECTING JOBS, HOLDING INTEREST RATES STEADY WEDNESDAY TO GIVE THE SEPTEMBER RATE HIKE MORE TIME TO RIPPLE THROUGH THE ECONOMY.

>> INTEREST RATES GET IN THE CRACKS.

INTEREST RATES AFFECT DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ALMOST EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: THAT INCLUDES HIRING, DESPITE WHAT APPEARS TO BE A ROBUST LABOR LANDSCAPE, HIRING LAB ECONOMIST WARNS THE HEADLINE NUMBERS CAN MASK HEADWINDS FOR JOB SEEKERS.

>> WHEN THERE IS UNCERTAINTY IN THE MARKET, IT'S POSSIBLE THAT EMPLOYERS KIND OF START TO FEEL LIKE THEY DON'T WANT TO HIRE AS MUCH.

>> Reporter: WITH THE FED SET TO MEET AGAIN IN DECEMBER, IT'S LIKELY ANOTHER RATE HIKE WILL CLOSE OUT THE YEAR.

>> WAGES ARE NOT GROWING AS FAST AS PRICES HAVE BEEN RISING, AND THAT MEANS SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE.

>> Reporter: IVAN RODRIGUEZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES BROKE GROUND TODAY ON ANOTHER AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN THE EAST VILLAGE.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SAYS IT MAKES USE OF AN ECOFRIENDLY BUILDING MATERIAL.

>> Reporter: THE PROJECT AT 16th AND ISLAND IS THE FIRST AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT IN SAN DIEGO TO BE BUILT WITH MAST TIMBER.

THAT'S AN ENGINEERED WOOD PROJECT MADE BY JOINING SMALLER PIECES OF WOOD TOGETHER TO FORM LARGE STRUCTURAL PANELS AND BEANS.

MASS TIMBER TAKES FAR LESS ENERGY TO PRODUCE THAN STEEL AND CONCRETE.

THE PROJECTS A DEVELOPER SAYS THE CHOICE OF MASS TIMBER WASN'T JUST ENVIRONMENTAL.

IT ALSO LOWERED THE DEVELOPMENT COSTS AND SHORTENED THE CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE.

>> A LOT OF THESE COMPONENTS ARE OFFSITE BUILT.

SO ONE THAT ALLOWS FOR SIMULTANEOUS WORK TO BE HAPPENING ON-SITE AND OFF SITE, AND ALSO IN THE END, RELIES ON FEWER PEOPLE TO PUT EVERYTHING TOGETHER IN THE FIELD.

>> Reporter: THE EIGHT-STORY DEVELOPMENT WILL OFFER 124 APARTMENTS, MOSTLY STUDIOS AND ONE BEDROOMS WITH RENTS SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW THE MARKET RATE.

FATHER JOE'S CEO DEACON JIM VARGAS SAYS FOR MANY SAN DIEGANS, ONE RENT INCREASE OR MEDICAL BILL CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KEEPING THEIR HOUSING OR LOSING IT.

>> THIS IS WHAT DRIVES HOMELESSNESS.

ADDRESSING HOUSING IS HOW WE WILL END IT.

EVERY AFFORDABLE HOME WE BUILD IS ONE MORE PERSON OR FAMILY THAT FINDS STABLE HOUSING INSTEAD OF ENDING UP OR STAYING ON THE STREETS.

>> Reporter: THE PROJECT WILL ALSO HAVE ONSITE HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES AND ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSES.

IT'S SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION IN MARCH 2028.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY TWO CHILDREN DIED OF THE FLU THIS MONTH.

ONE WAS A 6-MONTH-OLD WITH COMPLEX MEDICAL CONDITIONS, BUT THE OTHER WAS AN 11-YEAR-OLD WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY HEALTHY.

THE COUNTY SAYS THERE HAS BEEN A SHARP INCREASE IN POSITIVE INFLUENZA TESTS, PARTICULARLY AMONG CHILDREN AGES 5 TO 17.

THE COUNTY REPORT SAYS OVERALL 11 PEOPLE HAVE DIED OF THE FLU SO FAR THIS SEASON, AND 516 HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED.

AT THIS TIME LAST YEAR, THERE HAD BEEN TWO DEATHS AND 86 HOSPITALIZATIONS.

>>> AS SOBER OCTOBER COMES TO AN END, WE'RE LOOKING AT WHY SOME ARE CUTTING BACK ON ALCOHOL FROM ITS IMPACT ON SLEEP TO CERTAIN CANCERS.

MARYBEL GONZALEZ SPOKE TO EXPERTS ABOUT WHAT EVEN A SHORT BREAK FROM DRINKING CAN MEAN FOR YOUR HEALTH.

>> YOU KNOW, WITH LESS OR NO ALCOHOL IN THEIR LIVES, IT CAN REALLY BE LIFE-CHANGING.

>> Reporter: AUTHOR THOSE TAKING PART IN SOBER OCTOBER, EXPERTS SAY A SMALL CHANGE CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE FOR THEIR HEALTH.

>> USING THE LIVER AS AN EXAMPLE, WE KNOW THAT ALCOHOL CAUSES FAT IN THE LIVER.

AND EVEN AFTER A COUPLE WEEKS OF STOPPING DRINKING, THE FAT GOES AWAY.

>> Reporter: ABSTAINING FROM ALCOHOL IS PART OF A LARGER TREND, SAYS DR.

BRIAN P. LEE, A HEPATITISTOLOGY AND LIVER TRANSPLANT SPECIALIST INLATION.

HE FOUND HEAVY DRINKING AMONG U.S.

ADULTS DECLINED FROM 2022 TO 2024.

HOWEVER, THE RATES ARE STILL HIGHER THAN THEY WERE IN 2018.

>> WE FOUND DIFFERENCES ACCORDING TO AGE.

SO WHO IS LEADING THIS CHARGE ON THIS DECLINE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE.

SO GEN Z, MILLENNIALS ARE DRINKING LESS.

ACTUALLY THOSE ABOVE 50 AND SPECIFICALLY 50 TO 64 ARE DRINKING MORE.

>> Reporter: EXPERTS SAY THIS SHIFT IS DUE IN PART TO MORE AWARENESS ABOUT THE LONG-TERM HEALTH EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL, INCLUDING LINKS TO CERTAIN CANCERS.

TECHNOLOGY MAY ALSO PLAY A ROLE.

>> A LOT OF YOUNG ADULTS AND ADULTS GENERALLY ARE WEARING A LOFT FITNESS TRACKERS NOWADAYS, AND THEY'RE STARTING TO SEE THAT CORRELATION THEMSELVES THAT WHEN THEY DRINK A LOT, THEY MIGHT HAVE A WORSE SLEEP SCORE OR NOT SLEEP AS WELL PER THEIR DEVICE.

>> Reporter: RESEARCHERS STRESS YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT SOBRIETY CHALLENGE TO CUT BACK ON EXCESS CONSUMPTION.

>> SOMETHING THAT IS REALLY MODIFIABLE.

ANY AMOUNT COUNTS.

>> Reporter: I'M MARYBEL GONZALEZ REPORTING.

>>> ALL RIGHT.

SHOWERS STARTING TO MOVE ON THROUGH TONIGHT, STRETCHING FROM THE COAST TO INLAND VALLEYS, THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS.

AREAS IN THE DESERTS MAY STAY DRYER FOR TONIGHT, DOWN TO 58 IN BORREGO SPRINGS.

BUT THANKS TO CLOUDS AND THE MOISTURE, TEMPERATURES STAY ELEVATED AROUND THE COAST.

NOW HEADING INTO THE DAY FRIDAY, YOU'LL NOTICE SHOWERS RETURNING ACROSS SOUTHERN PARTS OF CALIFORNIA AND A COOLER AIR MASS WITH STEADIER THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF THE SOUTHWEST.

BUT EVENTUALLY, WE'LL START TO SEE THAT INCREASE IN MOISTURE THIS WEEKEND AS WELL.

ALL RIGHT.

TOMORROW'S FORECAST SUNNY STILL ACROSS THE DESERT LOCATIONS WITH SOME CLOUDS, BUT SHOWERS STRETCHING FROM THE MOUNTAINS, INLAND VALLEYS TOWARDS THE COAST HERE AS WE CONTINUE TO BE WATCHING THAT WET WEATHER MOVE IN.

HERE WE GO AS WE TRACK A PLUME OF TROPICAL MOISTURE BACK TOWARDS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND THE SOUTHWEST HERE.

AN ATMOSPHERIC RIVER THAT'S GOING BRING SIGNIFICANT RAINFALL POTENTIAL.

DROUGHT RELIEF FOR SOME, BUT A FLASH FLOODING RISK FOR OTHERS.

HEAVIEST RAIN WILL BE ACROSS UTAH AND INTO ARIZONA.

CITIES THAT WERE JUST GETTING SOME HEAVIER THUNDERSTORMS LAST WEEK.

BUT FURTHER SOUTH HERE, 1 TO 2 INCHES OF RAIN WILL BE POSSIBLE.

SO THAT CAN BE PRETTY SIGNIFICANT FOR US, ESPECIALLY AFTER WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THE COASTAL FLOODING.

SHOWERS ON THE WAY FOR FRIDAY.

SATURDAY WITH PERIODS OF RAIN.

ON SUNDAY, SUNNY AND BEAUTIFUL AS WE HEAD INTO MONDAY AND TUESDAY.

A THREE-DAY STRETCH BEFORE WE GET DRYER WEATHER NEXT WEEK.

INLAND VALLEYS, A PARTLY CLOUDY SKY WITH SHOWERS TOMORROW.

SHOWERS CONTINUE SATURDAY, AND RAIN FOR SUNDAY.

AND THEN IT TURNS WARMER, DRYER AND PLEASANT AS WE HEAD INTO MONDAY AND TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK.

ALL RIGHT.

ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS, IT WILL BE COOL WEATHER TO BRING US FRIDAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

HIGHS ONLY INTO THE UPPER 40s.

OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURES DROPPING INTO THE 30s.

THEN WE GET SUNSHINE WITH 50s ON MONDAY AND BACK TO THE 60s AS WE HEAD INTO THE DAY ON TUESDAY.

ALL RIGHT.

DESERT LOCATIONS, YOU STAY DRY THE LONGEST.

FRIDAY WILL BE TONS OF CLOUDS.

SHOWERS ON SATURDAY.

BUT THEN SOME RAIN MOVES IN BEFORE COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURES AS WE HEAD INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M ARIELLA SCALESE.

>>> A LEGENDARY LOCAL GUITAR MAKER HAS RECENTLY TRANSFORMED HOW ONE TYPE OF WOOD IS SOURCED AND USED.

IT'S AN EFFORT THAT TOOK HIM FROM EL CAJON TO THE FORESTS OF CAMEROON.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER JULIA DIXON EVANS TAKES US INSIDE THE TAYLOR GUITARS FACTORY TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ITS SURPRISING SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS.

♪ >> Reporter: WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHERE A GUITAR COMES FROM, YOU MIGHT NOT THINK OF ELEPHANT POOP.

>> WE USE EBONY FOR THE FINGER BOARD AND THE BRIDGE ON NEARLY EVERY GUITAR WE MAKE.

AND IT'S A WOOD THAT'S BEEN AROUND SINCE THE PHARAOHS.

>> Reporter: THAT'S BOB TAYLOR, FOUNDER AND CEO OF TAYLOR GUITARS.

THE COMPANY WAS FOUNDED IN 1974 AND IS STILL HEADQUARTERED IN EL CAJON.

EBONY IS A HARDWOOD PRIZED IN GUITAR MAKING FOR ITS TONE DAMPING AND DURABILITY.

IT'S ALSO TRADITIONALLY JET-BLACK.

>> SO IT USED TO BE THAT PEOPLE WOULD ONLY BUY EBONY FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS IF IT WAS AS CLOSE TO JET BLACK AS POSSIBLE.

THE DARKER, THE BETTER, RIGHT?

>> Reporter: IN 2011, BOB TAYLOR BOUGHT AN EBONY SAWMILL IN CAMEROON.

IT WAS A RISKY MOVE.

THE MILL WAS IN SERIOUS DISREPAIR.

BUT WHAT REALLY SHOCKED TAYLOR WAS THAT MORE THAN HALF THE EBONY TREES CUT DOWN WERE WASTED BECAUSE THE WOOD COULDN'T BE SOLD.

>> WE'RE JUST HAVING A LITTLE MEETING.

AND I SAID WELL, HOW'S IT GOING?

WELL, NOT SO GOOD, SIR.

HOW COME?

BECAUSE IT'S REALLY HARD TO GET THE HIGH QUALITY WOOD.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THE HIGH QUALITY?

WELL, THE BLACKWOOD.

OKAY.

HOW MUCH OF IT IS NOT BLACK?

SIX OUT OF TEN TREES, EIGHT OUT OF TEN TREES.

>> Reporter: THE MARKET HAS ALWAYS DEMANDED PURE BLACKWOOD.

BUT LOGGERS DON'T KNOW IF THE EBONY IS BLACK UNTIL THEY CUT DOWN THE TREE.

>> SO WE CUT IT, AND WE SEE WHAT COLOR IT IS, WE LEAVE IT IN THE FORCE.

YOU CUT IT DOWN, YOU WALK AWAY?

YEP, THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

>> THE EBONY THAT IS NOT BLACK HAS A STRIPED VARIEGATED COLOR PATTERN.

IT'S ACTUALLY BEAUTIFUL.

>> IT'S ALL THE SAME WOOD.

>> Reporter: THE COLOR OF THE EBONY DOESN'T CHANGE HOW THE INSTRUMENT SOUNDS OR ITS STRUCTURAL DURABILITY.

SO TAYLOR DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING RADICAL.

PUT THAT DISCARDED WOOD ON ITS NICEST GUITARS.

PEOPLE KEPT BUYING THEM, AND OTHER GUITAR MAKERS FOLLOWED SUIT.

TAYLOR DIDN'T STOP WITH REDUCING EBONY WASTE.

HE JOINED FORCES WITH UCLA BIOLOGIST TOM SMITH TO SUPPORT FOREST CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH.

>> THE GOAL AT FIRST, HE SAID IF YOU FUND THIS, GIVE ME A HALF A MILLION DOLLARS, AND WE'LL PLANT 15,000 TREES OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS, AND WE'LL GIVE YOU BACK THE RESEARCH.

>> Reporter: THEY SOON FOUND THAT PLANTING TREES ISN'T AS SIMPLE AS THROWING SEEDS IN THE GROUND.

THEY NEEDED TO UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT HOW THE WHOLE ECOSYSTEM SUPPORTS EBONY FOREST GROWTH.

EVENTUALLY THEY HAD A BREAKTHROUGH.

ONE KEY THEY FOUND IS ELEPHANTS.

EBONY SEEDS THAT PASS THROUGH AN ELEPHANT'S DIGESTIVE SYSTEM ARE MORE LIKELY TO THRIVE.

>> IT'S THE MAIN SEED DISPERSER.

SO IMAGINE IT'S A BIG FRUIT.

AN EBONY TREE IS THE PERSIMMON FAMILY, AND THEY'RE SWEET.

AND SO ELEPHANTS EAT THESE BIG THINGS.

THEY WALK ALONG AND THEY POOP IT OUT.

AND WHEN WE FIND PIECES OF THEIR DUNG OUT IN THE FOREST, THAT TREE SPROUTS AND LIVES BECAUSE IT'S PROTECTED FROM THE PREDATORS, THE RATS AND THE SQUIRRELS AND THE LITTLE THINGS AREN'T DIGGING THROUGH THE ELEPHANT DUNG TO GET TO THAT SEED.

BUT IF IT'S JUST LAYING ON THE GROUND, THAT SEED HAS EVERYTHING IN IT THAT IT NEEDS TO BECOME AN EBONY TREE.

AND NOW IT'S PROTECTED BY ELEPHANT DUNG.

>> Reporter: AS OF 2025, THE PROJECT HAD PLANTED NEARLY 50,000 EBONY TREES AND HELPED LOCAL VILLAGES MANAGE THEIR OWN FORESTS.

>> THESE ARE ALL THINGS WE WANT TO SAVE, THE ELEPHANT, THE FOREST.

>> Reporter: ALL BECAUSE OF A PIECE OF WOOD ON A GUITAR.

JULIA DIXON EVANS, KPBS NEWS.

♪ >> WOW, THAT WAS A GREAT STORY THERE BY JULIA DIXON EVANS.

AND TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TAYLOR GUITARS ALSO CHANGED MUSIC, YOU CAN LISTEN TO THE FULL PODCAST EPISODE ON "THE FINEST.""

HERE'S A LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON FOR TOMORROW IN THE KPBS NEWSROOM.

MORE YOUNG BLACK VOTERS ARE MOBILIZING IN THE SOUTHERN U.S.

THIS YEAR.

REDISTRICTING BY REPUBLICANS IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY.

MORE ON NPR'S "MORNING EDITION."

AND ON "KPBS ROUNDTABLE," WE CONTINUE OUR ELECTION COVERAGE.

WE DISCUSS IMMIGRATION POLICY.

WE'LL ALSO BREAK DOWN PROPOSITION 38.

YOU CAN FIND MORE ON OUR STORIES TONIGHT ON KPBS.ORG.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

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 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!

♪