>>> 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.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU!

>>> A NEW LAWSUIT CLAIMS SAN DIEGO'S SAFE SLEEPING SITES FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE NOT SO SAFE AFTER ALL.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THE SUIT WAS FILED BY PEOPLE LIVING AT THE CITY RUN CAMP SITES WHO CALL THE CONDITIONS THERE INHUMANE.

KPBS REPORTER TAMMY SAYS THEY ARE DEMANDING IMPROVEMENTS.

>> Reporter: LAURA SAYS SHE CAN'T SURVIVE WITHOUT HER WALKER.

SHE IS ON HER FOURTH ONE.

SHE SAYS BECAUSE THE CRACKED AND HOT ASPHALT PEELS THE WHEELS AT THE CAMP.

SHE HEARS RATS OUTSIDE HER TENT AND HAS EXPERIENCED HARASSMENT.

>> SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT THESE PLACES.

AT TIMES I FELT I WAS SAFER SLEEPING ON THE STREET THAN I AM IN THERE.

>> Reporter: SHE AND SEVEN OTHER HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE SUING THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO AND TWO ORGANIZATIONS IT HIRED TO RUN ITS SAFE SLEEPING CAMPS.

RESIDENTS ALLEGE IN THE LAWSUITS THAT THE CAMPS ARE RODENT INFESTED AND LACK ADEQUATE FOOD, SHADE, AND SHELTER.

>> WE ARE HERE TO SHED LIGHT ON A GRAVE INJUSTICE.

>> Reporter: ANNE IS AN ATTORNEY REPRESENTING THE RESIDENTS.

>> SHOWERS ARE FULL OF RUST.

THE ONE DISABLED SHOWER WAS BROKEN FOR TWO MONTHS.

CAUSING SERIOUS HEALTH PROBLEMS FOR DISABLED RESIDENTS WHO HAD NO WAY OF STAYING CLEAN.

>> Reporter: IN AN EMAILED STATEMENT, SPOKESMAN MATT HOFFMAN COLD KPBS THE CITY TAKES ANY CLAIMS OF UNSAFE CONDITIONS SERIOUSLY.

HE SAYS THEY HAVE INCREASED PEST CONTROL SERVICES AND HAVE CLEANED UP PARTICLES AT THE SITES.

HE DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LAWSUIT.

ZELETA JUST GOT APPROVED FOR PERMANENT HOUSING.

SHE HOPES SPEAKING OUT WILL LEAD TO IMPROVEMENTS FOR FUTURE RESIDENTS.

>>> FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY 15 YEARS, SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS GETTING NEW FIRE HAZARDS SEVERITY MAPS.

COUNTY SUPERVISORS ARE SET TO APPROVE THE CHANGES TODAY.

THE UPDATE SHOWS A 26% INCREASE IN LAND NOW CONSIDERED AT VERY HIGH RISK.

THE FIRE MARTIAL SAYS EVEN SOME COASTAL COMMUNITIES ARE BEING AFFECTED.

THAT IS PARTLY DUE TO THE NEW EMBER MODEL USED FOR THESE MAPS.

>> WHEN IT TRANSITIONS FROM WHAT WE CALL WILD LAND, NONWILD LAND WHERE VEGETATION TRANSFERS INTO DENSER COMMUNITIES AND DEVELOPED AREAS, THAT IS WHERE THAT EMBER MODEL TAKES OVER.

DEPENDING ON THE ADJACENT VEGETATION AND THE WEATHER AND THE WIND, THAT IS HOW FAR THOSE EMBERS WILL TRANSMIT INTO THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT.

>> CAL FIRE IS REMINDING ALL WE ARE STILL IN PEAK FIRE SEASON.

DUE TO ALL THE HEAT THIS SEASON, VEGETATION IS DRY AND READY TO BURN.

>>> WE ARE CONTINUING TO TALK ABOUT THE MONSOONAL MOISTURE BRINGING SHOWERS, EVEN SOME THUNDERSTORMS, WE HAVE HAD SOME SEVERE WEATHER THE LAST DAY OR TWO.

WE COULD SEE ANOTHER DAY OF SOME SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS AND FLASH FLOODING BUT I WILL BREAK DOWN EXACTLY WHAT TO EXPECT AND WHERE WE DRY OUT ONCE AGAIN.

COMING UP.

>>> THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY IS IN SAN DIEGO THIS WEEK VISITING SAILORS AND MARINES ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SECRETARY JOHN FALON HAS SPOKE TO SAILORS ON THE USS SOMERSET.

HE WANTS TO HEAR FROM TROOPS HOW THINGS ARE GOING.

>> BUT I'M HOPING TO LEARN FROM THEM, WHAT I WANT TO UNDERSTAND IS WHY DID YOU JOIN.

ARE YOU GOING TO STAY?

WHAT CAN WE DO TO KEEP YOU?

WHAT ARE THE GOOD PARTS OF THE JOB, WHAT ARE THE BAD PARTS OF THE JOB?

HOW DO WE GET BETTER?

HOW DO WE ITERATE AND IMPROVE?

>> IN HIS COMMENTS TO THE SAILORS HE TALKED ABOUT PLANS TO INCREASE THE SHIPBUILDING AND THE ROLE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE NAVY.

THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, THE SECRETARY PLANS TO VISIT SAILORS AT NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND AND TOUR MARINE BARRACKS IN CAMP PENDLETON.

>>> AN AUDIT IN 2023 FOUND SERIOUS ISSUES IN ANIMAL SHELTERS RUN BY SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THE AUDIT WAS BURIED AND THE PROBLEMS PERSIST.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY'S DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES HIRED AN OUTSIDE CONSULTANT TO EXAMINE THE TWO SHELTERS AND RECOMMEND IMPROVES.

THE CONSULTANT WAS ALARMED AT WHAT THEY FOUND.

OVERWORKED EMPLOYEES WERE CLEANING KENNELS WITH A HOSE WHILE THE DOGS WERE STILL INSIDE.

EXPERTS WERE DISMAYED.

THE ASSOCIATION OF SHELTER VETERINARIANS CALLS THE PRACTICE UNACCEPTABLE.

>> WHICH YOU ARE DOING THIS, YOU NEED TO STOP IMMEDIATELY.

>> Reporter: BUT TWO YEARS LATER, THE SHELTER IS STILL HOSING DOWN KENNELS WITH DOGS INSIDE.

>> THE FACT THAT THEY ARE STILL DOING AN UNACCEPTABLE PRACTICE EVEN AFTER THE AUDIT HIGHLIGHTED THAT IT REALLY PAINTS KIND OF HOW MUCH THEY ARE STRUGGLING THERE.

>> Reporter: THE AUDIT ALSO FOUND DOGS WITHOUT BEDS LEAVING THEM TO SLEEP ON CONCRETE FLOORS.

KPBS CONFIRMED DURING A RECENT VISIT TO THE SHELTER THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF DOGS STILL DO NOT HAVE BEDS.

LONG TIME LAW ATTORNEY BRUCE WAGMAN SAID THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN AN EASY FIX.

>> THEY SHOULD HAVE BEDS.

EVERYBODY SHOULD HAVE A BED.

AND THAT DOESN'T SOUND TO ME LIKE A BIG EXPENSE OR ANYTHING YOU CAN'T DO.

>> Reporter: COUNTY SPOKESPERSON TAMMY GLEN CONFIRMED IN AN EMAIL THAT THE AUDIT NEVER MADE IT BEYOND THE ANIMAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

THE COUNTY SUPERVISORS AND OTHER OFFICIALS DID NOT RECEIVE A COPY.

IN A STATEMENT, GLEN SAID, QUOTE, SOME INITIAL IMPROVEMENTS WERE MADE BASED ON THE OBSERVATIONS OF THE CONSULTANT DURING VISITS TO THE SHELTERS.

THE DEPARTMENT LOOKS FORWARD TO IDENTIFYING ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES.

>> AND JOINING ME NOW IN STUDIO IS KPBS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER SCOTT.

TO DISCUSS THIS STORY FURTHER.

>> THANKS MAYA.

>> ALARMING STUFF.

BUT THIS BUILDING ON AN INVESTIGATION YOU PREVIOUSLY DID LAST MONTH THAT LOOKED INTO DOG EUTHANASIA IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTERS.

CAN YOU REMIND US WHAT THAT INVESTIGATION FOUND?

>> WE LOOKED AT EUTHANASIA RATES IN THE TWO SHELTERS IN CARLSBAD AND BONITA.

GOING INTO THE PANDEMIC, THE EUTHANASIA RATE WAS DECLINING.

COMING OUT OF IT, THERE WAS A SHARP SPIKE AMONG DOGS WITH THE EUTHANASIA RATE.

IT MORE THAN DOUBLED.

SO WE FOUND THAT LAST YEAR, THE RATE WAS 12% FOR DOGS.

IT HAD DROPPED A LITTLE BIT FOLLOWING THAT TO ABOUT 10%.

AND WE FOUND THAT THE MAJORITY OF THESE CASES WERE ACTUALLY DOGS THAT HAD BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS AND THE NUMBER OF FORMER EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS RAISED CONCERNS TO US ABOUT THE RATIONALE FOR EUTHANIZING SOME OF THESE DOGS.

SOME OF THEM WERE MAYBE GROWLING AT SOMEONE OR HAD FEAR OR SEPARATION ANXIETY.

AND WE JUST HEARD FROM FOLKS THEY WERE CONCERNED THAT THE RATIONALE DIDN'T ALWAYS RISE TO THE LEVEL OF JUSTIFYING EUTHANASIA.

>> NOW, HOW DID YOU DISCOVER THIS AUDIT FROM TWO YEARS AGO?

>> AFTER OUR INVESTIGATION CAME OUT, I HAD HEARD WHISPERINGS AND MURMURS THERE WAS AN AUDIT SO I WAS DIGGING AROUND.

I ASKED THE COUNTY FOR A COPY OF IT.

I DIDN'T END UP GETTING IT FROM THE COUNTY BUT I GOT IT FROM ANOTHER SOURCE.

WHEN I GOT IT I WAS PRETTY SURPRISED.

IT LAID OUT A BUNCH OF ISSUES WE HAD SEEN WEREN'T ADDRESSED SO WE WANTED TO DIG INTO WHAT ENDED UP HAPPENING WITH THIS AUDIT AND WHY WEREN'T SOME OF THE MOST SERIOUS ISSUES ADDRESSED IN THESE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS?

>> BASED ON YOUR REPORTING SPEAKING OF ADDRESSING, THE COUNTY SAID IT MADE SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO THE ANIMAL SHELTER OPERATIONS BASED ON THAT AUDIT.

SO WHAT WERE SOME OF THOSE?

>> STAFFING WAS A BIG ONE.

THE AUDIT FOUND THE STAFFING RETENTION AND THE STAFFING RATES WASN'T ENOUGH TO SUPPORT OPERATING TWO SHELTERS IN THE COUNTY.

LAST YEAR, THE STAFF TURNOVER RATE AT THE SHELTERS WAS 70%.

IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS OF THIS YEAR, IT IS DOWN TO 22%.

SO THEY ARE ON A BETTER TRAJECTORY.

THEY DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS THAT ARE WORKING WITH THEIR FOSTER PROGRAMS SO IT HAS GONE UP TO 500 VOLUNTEERS.

THEY ARE WELL SHORT OF ANIMALS THEY WANT TO KEEP IN FOSTER HOMES.

THEY WANT IT AT ABOUT 50%.

THEY ARE WELL SHORT OF THAT.

BUT THEY ARE EXPANDING THAT PROGRAM.

THEY HAVE ADDED TOYS AND BONES INTO THE KENNELS FOR ENRICHMENT.

AND MAYBE THE BIG THING IS THEY ARE BUILDING A NEW SHELTER WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE OPEN IN MID 2026 THAT WILL REPLACE THE BONITA SHELTER.

IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE NEWER, STATE OF THE ART.

THE KENNEL ISSUES WE ARE SEEING IN BONITA WON'T BE AN ISSUE AT THIS NEW SHELTER.

>> WE CERTAINLY HOPE SO, WHAT ELSE DID EXPERTS TELL YOU AFTER THEY REVIEWED THE AUDIT?

>> SOME OF THE EXPERTS SAID THE ISSUES, THEY NEED TO BE ADDRESSED.

SOME OF THEM WITHOUT EXCEPTION NEED TO BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY.

BUT THEY ALSO SAID THE SHELTER INDUSTRY IS DIFFICULT.

THEY HAVE A REALLY HARD MANDATE.

ONE SAID SHELTER IS LIKE A DUMPING GROUND FOR ANIMALS PEOPLE DON'T WANT.

BUT THE PUBLIC HAS A HIGH EXPECTATION WITH THESE SHELTERS TO TREAT THEM WITH DIGNITY AND TRY TO GET THEM ADOPTED OUT.

SO THERE ARE ISSUES HERE THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BUT LET'S KEEP IN CONTEXT, IT IS PART OF A BIGGER PROBLEM WHEN IT COMES TO ANIMAL WELFARE.

WHILE SHELTERS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE, IT WILL TAKE A MUCH BIGGER EFFORT TO TRY TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS WHEN IT COMES TO ANIMAL WELFARE.

>> REALLY GOOD POINTS.

GREAT REPORTING SCOTT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANKS MAYA.

>> IF YOU HAVE A TIP FOR THE INVESTIGATIONS TEAM, SEND AN EMAIL TO INVESTIGATIONS@KPBS.ORG OR YOU CAN MESSAGE THEM ON OUR SECURE SIGNAL LINE AT THE NUMBER YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN.

(619)594-8177.

>>> I'M JEFF BENNETT.

TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD GOVERNOR LISA COOKE VOWS TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ATTEMPT TO OUST HER.

>>> YES, AND IN THAT UNPRECEDENTED MOVE, PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID HE FIRED FED GOVERNOR LISA COOKE.

HERE IS BRIAN ABEL ON WHETHER THE PRESIDENT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO FIRE HER AS SHE VOWS TO FIGHT BACK.

>> Reporter: NO PRESIDENT HAS FIRED A FED GOVERNOR BEFORE.

THE FEDERAL RESERVE HAS BEEN INDEPENDENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH SINCE 1951 AND IT IS UNCLEAR IF PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS THE ABILITY, THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO FIRE LISA COOKE.

THERE IS LEGAL AMBIGUITY OF WHAT JUSTIFIES FOR CAUSE.

THE ONLY AVENUE FOR THE PRESIDENT TO LEGALLY FIRE HER.

THE ALLEGATIONS STEM FROM COOK'S 2021 MORTGAGE APPLICATIONS BEFORE SHE JOINED THE FED.

A CNN REVIEW FOUND SHE LISTED TWO SEPARATE PROPERTIES AS HER PRIMARY RESIDENCE.

THAT'S THE ALLEGED FRAUD TRUMP REFERS TO ACCUSING HER OF MAKING FALSE STATEMENTS AND BEING DECEITFUL BECAUSE SHE COULD HAVE RECEIVED BETTER INTEREST RATES FOR PRIMARY VERSUS SECONDARY RESIDENCIES.

COOKE WHO WAS I POINTED TO A 14- YEAR TERM BY JOE BIDEN IN 2022 IS DENYING THE CLAIMS AND HAS NOT BEEN CHARGED OR CONVICTED WITH ANYTHING.

IN A STATEMENT COOK SAID PRESIDENT TRUMP PURPORTED TO FIRE ME FOR CAUSE.

WHEN NO CAUSE EXISTS UNDER THE LAW.

AND HE HAS NO AUTHORITY TO DO SO.

I WILL NOT RESIGN.

IF TRUMP IS SUCCESSFUL IN FIRING COOK, IT WOULD GIVE HIM MAJORITY ON THE INFLUENTIAL BOARD OF GOVERNORS ON THE FED.

AT THE WHITE HOUSE, BRIAN ABEL REPORTING.

>>> THE TRUMP WHITE HOUSE RECENTLY PUBLISHED A LIST OF ARTWORKS IN SMITHSONIAN MUSEUM INS WASHINGTON DC IT SEEMS OBJECTIONAL.

KPBS REPORTER JULIA DIXON EVANS SPOKE TO ONE OF THE ARTISTS WHO SEES THE ACTIONS AS A DISTRACTION WITH SERIOUS RISKS.

>> Reporter: HUGO WAS COMMISSIONED BY THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY TO CREATE A PORTRAY OF THE DR. ANTHONY FAUCI WHICH WAS UNVEILED IN 2022.

AS A STOP MOTION ANIMATION, IT IS UNUSUAL FOR AN OFFICIAL PORTRAIT.

BUT HE SAYS THE FORMAT IS PERFECT FOR SOMEONE WITH A LEGACY LIKE FAUCI SPANNING THE HIV EPIDEMIC AND COVID-19.

EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE WHITE HOUSE ANNOUNCED A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW AT SMITHSONIAN MUSEUMS TO ENSURE THE INSTITUTION QUOTE CELEBRATES AMERICAN EXCEPTIONALISM AND REMOVES DIVISIVE OR PARTISAN NARRATIVES.

LAST WEEK, THE WHITE HOUSE POSTED AN ARTICLE TITLED PRESIDENT TRUMP IS RIGHT ABOUT THE SMITHSONIAN.

LISTING WORKS AND PROGRAMS FOCUSED ON RACE, IMMIGRATION, AND SEXUALITY.

INCLUDING THE STOP MOTION PORTRAIT.

>> I GOT THE FEELING EVEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HASN'T EVEN SEEN THE PORTRAIT.

IT SEEMED TO ME THEY JUST SAW, OH, THIS IS ABOUT FAUCI AND WE HATE IT.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE MOVE IS DESIGNED TO INSTILL FEAR.

BUT BELIEVES THAT GOVERNMENTAL CONTROL OF ART COULD LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCES.

>> IT IS THIS IDEA OF TRYING TO REWRITE HISTORY.

TRYING TO ERASE OUR DIVERSE EXPERIENCES AND HISTORY.

THEY WANT THE GENERAL PUBLIC TO FORGET THE ILLS OF OUR PAST.

AND FOLLOW AN AGENDA NOT BASED ON THE REALITIES OF THE UNITED STATES, OF OUR NATION.

THE DANGER OF THAT OF COURSE, WE ARE CONDEMNED TO REPEAT TERRIBLE MISTAKES IF WE DON'T LOOK OCTAVELY AT OUR HISTORY.

>> Reporter: THE UPSIDE IS THAT THE CONTROVERSY IS BRINGING MORE ATTENTION TO THE ART AND ITS MESSAGE.

>> AND I THINK THAT TRUTH AND BEAUTY IN THE END WILL WIN.

>> Reporter: JULIA DIXON EVANS, KPBS NEWS.

>> AND JULIA IS THE HOST OF THE KPBS ARTS PODCAST "THE FINEST."

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

>>> CHANGE IS COMING TO CLERMONT.

IT WOULD REZONE MANY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD STRIP MALLS AND SHOPPING CENTERS FOR HIGHER DENSITY HOUSING BUT IN WESTERN CLAIREMONT, THE NEIGHBORHOOD WOULD REMAIN MOSTLY UNCHANGED.

>> Reporter: SO RIGHT NOW, WE ARE SANDING IN THE HOME DEPOT SHOPPING CENTER.

WHAT I'M SEEING NOW IS A LOT OF EMPTY PARKING SPACES.

>> IAN GROOM IS A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF CLAIREMONT.

WE MEET AT A SHOPPING CENTER AT GENASEE AND BALBOA AVENUES.

EUTHANASIA COULD BE REPLACED WITH OFFICES.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO TURN UNDERUTILIZED PARKING SPACES INTO POSSIBILITIES.

THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO LIVE IN CLAIREMONT.

>> Reporter: GROOMS DEVELOPED AN INTEREST IN URBAN PLANNING AFTER WATCHING HIS NEIGHBORS RISE UP IN OPPOSITION TO A NUMBER OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN CLAIREMONT.

WE SEE ONE OF THEM JUST ACROSS THE STREET.

>> SO MANY PEOPLE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT DEVELOPMENT.

THEY WERE CONCERNED IT WAS GOING TO, YOU KNOW, RUIN THE CHARACTER OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND THEN, WHAT IS IT DOING?

IT IS ACTUALLY PROVIDE AGO ROOF OVER PEOPLE'S HEADS.

IT'S ALLOWING PEOPLE WHO ARE AT RISK OF HOMELESSNESS TO HAVE A HOME AT NIGHT.

>> Reporter: DESPITE ALL THE ADDITIONAL DENSITY PROPOSED FOR CENTRAL CLAIREMONT, THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD WOULD STILL BE ZONED FOR LOW DENSITY HOMES INCLUDING THIS NEIGHBORHOOD RIGHT ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE BLUE LINE TROLLEY.

>> I FEEL IT IS MORE OF A POLITICAL CAPITULATION.

THAN IT IS SMART POLICY.

>> Reporter: NICOLE IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NON- PROFIT CLIMATE ACTION CAMPAIGN.

SHE SAID SAN DIEGO WAS DEBATING WHETHER TO LET TALLER AND DENSER DEVELOPMENT AROUND THE FUTURE TROLLEY STATIONS.

TAXPAYERS WERE SPENDING $2 BILLION EXTENDING THE BLUE LINE AND THE CITY WANTED TO LET MORE PEOPLE LIVE WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE BUT THE BACKLASH FROM HOMEOWNERS WAS FIERCE.

>> PEOPLE'S BELIEF IN THE WORST CASE SCENARIO FROM THEIR PERCEPTION DROVE THE CONVERSATION AND I THINK THEN IT MADE THE CITY UNCOMFORTABLE AND NERVOUS AND KIND OF SHRINK BACK.

>> Reporter: SHE APPRECIATES THE SMALL POCKETS OF DENSITY THE CITY IS PROPOSING IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE TROLLEY STOPS BUT SAYS IT IS NOT ENOUGH.

SAN DIEGO HAS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM INS THE COUNTRY ACCORDING TO NATIONAL RIDERSHIP DATA.

BANNING APARTMENTS OR TOWN HOMES.

JUST A FIVE MINUTE WALK FROM THAT TRANSIT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO HER.

>> THE CITY HAS GOALS AROUND HAVING WHICH THEY ARE NOWHERE CLOSE TO MEETING.

THE CITY HAS GOALS FOR HOW THEY WILL REDUCE CARBON POLLUTIONS WHICH THEY ARE NOWHERE CLOSE TO MEETING AND WE HAVE THIS DEEPENING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS.

AND SO, WHEN YOU MARRY ALL OF THESE CHALLENGES, THE CITY CAN'T RESPOND WITH SMALL FIXES.

>> Reporter: THE DEBATE OVER TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT IS NOT ISOLATED TO CLAIREMONT.

STATE LAWMAKERS, FRUSTRATED BY THE SLOW PACE OF HOME BUILDING, HAVE PROPOSED SB79.

IT WOULD OVERRULE LOCAL ZONING TO ALLOW APARTMENTS OF UP TO SIX STORIES WITHIN A QUARTER MILE OF A TROLLEY STOP.

>> WE NEED MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN CALIFORNIA.

BUT SENATE BILL 79 IS NOT THE ANSWER.

>> Reporter: THIS VIDEO FROM A GROUP CALLED UNITED NEIGHBORS SHOWS AI-GENERATED IMAGES OF TOWERS, POPPING UP IN SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> SB-79 WILL IMPACT EVERYONE.

EVERYWHERE.

WE DON'T NEED TO RUIN THE NEIGHBORHOODS WE HAVE TO GET THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING WE NEED.

>> WE HAVE VALLEYS AND DIFFERENT TOPOGRAPHY THAT ONLY LOCAL PEOPLE KNOW.

>> Reporter: MARCELLA OF NEIGHBORS FOR A BETTER CALIFORNIA SAYS LOCAL PLANNERS KNOW BETTER THAN STATE LAWMAKERS WHAT THEIR COMMUNITIES NEED.

>> WHEN YOU ARE IN SACRAMENTO, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE GROUND.

THE TOPOGRAPHY.

YOU HAVE TO LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING THERE.

>> I REMEMBER COMEING TO THIS PARKING LOT TO PICK OUT A CHRISTMAS TREE.

>> Reporter: AS IAN GROOMS ENTERS THE WORK FORCE, HE WONDERS IF THIS WILL BECOME A CHILDHOOD MEMORY.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO FIND AN AFFORDABLE HOME.

I CAN'T AFFORD MANY OF THE HOME INS OUR REGION.

FOR ME THIS IS ABOUT MAKING SURE I CAN LIVE IN THE CITY I LOVE AND IN THE COMMUNITY I LOVE.

>> Reporter: THE CLAIREMONT COMMUNITY PLAN UPDATE IS EXPECTED TO GO BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL IN THE FALL.

ANDREW BOWAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> HUNDREDS OF IMPERIAL VALLEY RESIDENTS WERE STILL WITHOUT POWER TODAY AFTER A FIERCE MONSOON STORM STRUCK THE REGION YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.

MORE THAN 4,000 PEOPLE REPORTED LOSING POWER AFTER HEAVY RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS WASHED THROUGH THE VALLEY.

THE OUTAGES STRETCHED FROM COLEXICO TO THE NORTH.

ROBERT SHETLER SAYS THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BRING MOST OF THE HOMES BACK ONLINE.

BUT DURING AN INTERVIEW THIS MORNING HE SAID THEY ARE WORKING TO RESTORE POWER TO 400 CUSTOMERS.

>> WE HAVE 298 POWER POLES THAT ARE DOWN.

SO THAT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO RECTIFY.

OUR NEED CONCERN IS GETTING POWER BACK ONTO EVERYBODY WHO DOESN'T HAVE IT.

>> THE OUTAGES COME AS THE IMPERIAL VALLEY CONTINUES TO FACE SIZZLING TEMPERATURES NEARING 100 DEGREES.

MANY RESIDENTS RELY ON RELIABLE POWER SUPPLY TO KEEP COOL.

CUSTOMERS SHOULD MAKE SURE TO NOTIFY IF THEY LOSE POWER.

AND SHOULD VISIT A COUNTY COOLING CENTER IF THEY NEED TO.

>>> THE MONSOON MOISTURE IS HERE TO STAY FOR ANOTHER DAY OR TWO AT LEAST.

MORE RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE FORECAST WHICH DOES MEAN WE COULD SEE SOME MORE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNINGS, MORE GUSTY WINDS.

WE COULD SEE MORE FLASH FLOODING SO THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND AND KIND OF PLAN FOR AS YOU ARE GOING ABOUT YOUR NEXT DAY OR TWO.

WE DO SEE A LITTLE MORE OF A WARMING TREND AS WE GET LATER INTO THE WEEK.

THE HUMIDITY IS ANOTHER FACTOR WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH.

I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THAT STICKY UNCOMFORTABLE FEELING AS YOU STEP OUTSIDE.

THAT DOESN'T LAST TOO MUCH LONGER.

TONIGHT, OVERALL, WE ARE IN THE MID 60s IN OCEAN SIDE AND SAN DIEGO.

50s IN MOUNT LAGUNA.

TOMORROW, WE'RE IN THE 80s ACROSS THE BOARD.

CLOSER TO THE COAST.

SAN DIEGO NOT QUITE GETTING TO THAT 80 DEGREES BUT RAMONA, 90s GETTING CLOSE TO TRIPLE DIGITS IN BORREGO SPRINGS.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT FUTURE RADAR.

AND WHAT TO EXPECT.

IT IS NOT AN ALL-DAY KIND OF RAIN EVENT AS WE GO THROUGH THE REST OF THE EVENING.

WE COULD SEE A FEW SHOWERS, MAYBE A THUNDERSTORM OR TWO.

THEN WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW.

ANOTHER SCATTERED SHOWER OR TWO.

THEN, THE RAIN AND THUNDERSTORM CHANCES DECREASE AS WE HEAD THROUGH THURSDAY, FRIDAY, CAN'T COMPLETELY RULE OUT A SHOWER OR A THUNDERSTORM.

BUT THE MONSOON EXITING OUR AREA A BIT.

WE STAY SUNNY FIVE DAYS, 81 WEDNESDAY, 85 BY THE TIME WE GET TO THURSDAY.

BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE LOW AND MID 80s .

UPPER 80s WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, BACK TO THE 90s BY THE TIME WE GET TO FRIDAY.

NOW A LOT OF THE RAIN AND THUNDERSTORM CHANCES WILL BE IN OUR MOUNTAIN REGIONS AND IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO BE REGISTERS ON ANY OF THE ICONS ON OUR FIVE DAY.

HOWEVER, EVERYBODY COULD SEE SOME SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WEDNESDAY.

VERY SCATTERED.

WHICH IS WHY IT IS NOT SHOWING ON THE ICON.

MORE ISOLATED TO THE MOUNTAIN REGIONS BY THE TIME WE GET TO THURSDAY, MAYBE FRIDAY.

THE CHANCES DECREASE AS THE DAYS GO ON.

TEMPERATURE WISE, WE GET BACK TO THE 80s BY SUNDAY IN OUR MOUNTAIN REGION.

THE DESERT, BACK TO THE TRIPLE DIGITS BY THE TIME WE GET TO OUR FRIDAY.

SO, ENJOY THIS BREAK WHERE WE HAVE TEMPERATURE INS THE 90s .

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M ANNA.

>>> VETERANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE IN SAN DIEGO FOR THE VA SUMMER SPORTS CLINIC.

ANDREW WAS IN CORONADO FOR THE START OF THE EVENTS.

>> THIS IS WAY OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE.

I DON'T TEND TO SOCIALIZE MUCH ANYMORE.

>> Reporter: ARMY VETERAN RODNEY JOHNSON IS PRETTY NEW TO ADAPTIVE SPORTS.

HE LIVES IN RURAL WISCONSIN AND USES A WHEELCHAIR.

HE TOOK PART IN THE VA'S WHEELCHAIR GAMES.

THAT IS WHEN HE WAS OFFERED A SPOT IN SAN DIEGO FOR THE SUMMER SPORTS CLINIC.

>> HERE I CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE.

NOBODY IS JUDGES ME.

>> Reporter: JOHNSON IS ONE OF 150 DISABLED VETERANS IN TOWN TRYING OUT A VARIETY OF ADAPTIVE SPORTS SUCH AS SURFING, SAILS AND KAYAKING.

JOHNSON AND ABOUT TWO DOZEN OTHER VETERANS ARE GOING CYCLING.

NON-PROFIT WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT SPONSORS THIS EVENT.

MIKE OWENS IS THE NON-PROFIT'S DIRECTOR OF ADAPTIVE SPORTS.

>> YOU HEAR ABOUT PEOPLE THAT TOUCH CYCLING A FEW YEARS AGO.

NOW THEY ARE REENGAGED IN IT TO GET MORE MOBILITY AND INDIVIDUALS LIKE MYSELF WHO IT JUST COMPLETELY CHANGED THEIR LIVES.

THEY WHOLE CYCLING.

IT IS THEIR WHOLE WORLD BACK HOME AND HERE.

>> Reporter: VETERAN TESSA LIVES IN VIRGINIA.

SHE SAYS THE SPORTS CLINIC AS HOPED UP A LOT OF NEW POSSIBILITIES.

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SURFING.

SOMETHING YOU NEVER THOUGHT YOU COULD DO AND I'M OLD NOW.

SO YOU KNOW, THE IDEA OF DOING NEW THINGS DIDN'T SEEM LIKE IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE MAYBE.

>> Reporter: JOHNSON SAYS THE CLINIC GIVES THE VETERANS A CHANCE TO CREATE THEIR OWN COMMUNITY.

>> THE OVERALL THING THAT I FOUND WITH BOTH THE WHEELCHAIR GAMES AND THIS HERE IS TO TALK TO THE VETS AND LISTEN TO THE DIFFERENT STORIES AND LOOK AT SOME OF THE GUYS AND WHAT THEY HAVE, WHAT THEY ARE DEALING WITH.

AND I LOOK AT MINE AND GO I CAN DO THIS.

THAT INSPIRED ME TO GET BACK INTO CYCLING.

>> Reporter: IT IS MORE THAN SHE EXPECTED.

>> I THOUGHT LEARNING HOW TO DO ALL THE ACTIVITIES WAS GOING TO ACTUALLY BE THE HIGHLIGHT.

BUT, I HAVE BEEN HERE JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS AND I FEEL LIKE I HAVE JUST MADE LIFETIME FRIENDS.

>> Reporter: JOHNSON SAYS HE HASN'T FELT AS CONNECTED SINCE HE WAS ON ACTIVE DUTY.

>> STEPPING OUT OF MY COMFORT ZONE AND COMING HERE AND MEETING FAMILIAR FACES AND NEW FACES, WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING IN COMMON, SO IT IS EASY TO CONNECT WITH THESE GUYS AND LADIES.

SO THAT'S WHAT I REALLY LIKE ABOUT IT IS JUST THE CAMARADERIE.

WHERE YOU HAVE YOUR BACKUP.

YOU HAVE YOUR FRIENDS.

THESE GUYS WILL BE THERE FOR YOU.

>> Reporter: IT RUNS THROUGH THIS WEEK.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

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AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

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