PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

CALLED 1-800-WILL HOW OR VISIT BILL HOWARD.COM.

>>> AND BY THE CONRAD PRACTICE FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHYLY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING -- AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>> TONIGHT, MORE THAN 46,000 PEOPLE ARE STILL WITHOUT POWER IN THE DANGEROUS FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

THINGS FOR JOINING US, I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

SDN BE ACTIVATED BE SHUT OFF BECAUSE OF STRONG SANTA ANA WINDS.

ALEXANDER WHEN TALK TO A RESIDENT WHOSE FAMILY WAS AFFECTED BY THE POWER OUTAGE.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE OF THE HIGH WINDS, SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC STARTED SHUTTING OFF POWER, MOSTLY IN THE EAST COUNTY.

>> IT'S JUST A BUMMER, YOU KNOW?

RENA JOHNNY PEARSON IS ONE OF THE MORE THAN 50,000 PEOPLE AFFECTED.

HE AND HIS FAMILY STAYED WITH FRIENDS LAST NIGHT BECAUSE HE COULDN'T HEAT HIS HOME.

TODAY HE CAME TO THIS COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER TO CHARGE HIS PHONES AND CONNECT TO THE INTERNET.

>> THEY ALSO OFFER BOOKS AND JUST A WARM PLACE TO STAY WHEN IT'S COLD >> Reporter: THE CENTER IS ONE OF 12 OPENED BY ESTEE ANDY DURING PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUT OFF.

THE UTILITY ACTIVATES THESE EMERGENCY SHUTTLES IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES TO REDUCE WILDFIRE RISK FROM DOWN OUR LINES.

>> IT'S A LITTLE CONCERNING, YOU DON'T HAVE POWER, YOU DON'T HAVE HEATH, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY LIGHTS.

OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF WIND.

ALL YOUR STUFF IS BLOWING EVERYWHERE POINT >> Reporter: THE CHP CLOSED INTERSTATE 8 TO HIGH-PROFILE VEHICLES AT WILLOW ROAD.

DOZENS OF SEMI TRUCKS LINED THOSE SHOULDER, WAITING FOR CLEARANCE.

SCHOOLS AND SOME BUSINESSES, INCLUDING THE JULIAN PIKE COMPANY, WERE ALSO CLOSED BECAUSE OF THE POWER OUTAGE, AND POWER FOR SOME RESIDENTS IS NOT EXPECTED TO RETURN UNTIL AT LEAST FRIDAY.

SG AND E SAYS THE LINES MUST BE INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE BEFORE TURNING ON THE POWER.

IN SOME AREAS, INSPECTIONS CAN ONLY BE DONE BY AIR?

MY WIFE WORKS FROM HOME SO SHE CAN'T WORK EITHER, RIGHT NOW, AND IT JUST PUTS A HOLD ON EVERYTHING AND SINCE I HAVE CHILDREN, THEY ARE BORED, BECAUSE THEY WANT TO PLAY THEIR VIDEO GAMES AND ALL THAT STUFF.

>> SDG AND E SAYS THE RESOURCE CENTER WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL POWER IS RESTORED .

AT THE COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER YOU CAN GET THINGS LIKE A CAR CONVERTER TO CHARGE YOUR ELECTRONICS, WATER, SNACKS, AND OF COURSE I SPLITTER >> YOU GOT TO WORRY ABOUT YOUR FOOD IN YOUR FRIDGE, STUFF LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: THE RESOURCE CENTERS ARE OPEN FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 10:00 P.M.. ALEXANDER GWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SANTA ANNA DRY WEATHER FUELED A WILDFIRE THAT WORKED NEAR TOCCATA, CAUSING AN EVACUATION ORDER.

IT HAS SINCE BEEN DOWNGRADED TO A WARNING.

THE BORDER 79 FIRE STARTED AROUND 10:30 THIS MORNING SOUTH OF STATE ROUTE 94 NEAR LITTLE TO CUT A PEEK ACCORDING TO CAL FIRE'S LATEST UPDATE, THE FIRE BURNED 24 ACRES AND IS 50% CONTAINED.

BECAUSE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION, AND MEANWHILE, ANOTHER WILDFIRE IS READING TO OUR NORTH IN MALIBU.

THE FRANKLIN FIRE HAS NOW BURNED MORE THAN 2800 ACRES, AND AT LAST REPORT IS 0% CONTAINED.

VERONICA MIRACLE HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: MELODY'S SCENIC HILLS ABLAZE AFTER A FAST- MOVING WILDFIRE EXCLUDED OVERNIGHT.

>> FROM A ONE TO 10 IT WAS LIKE A 15.

LIKE SCARY.

>> Reporter: THE FRANKLIN FIRE TRIPLING IN SIZE IN JUST ONE HOUR.

AT ONE POINT SCORCHING THE EQUIVALENT OF FIVE FOOTBALL FIELDS EVERY MINUTE SINCE THE CITY KNIGHTED LATE MONDAY EVENING, PROMPTING EVACUATION ORDERS.

>> EVERYTHING.

ALL THESE MOUNTAINS WERE COVERED IN FLAMES, JUST COVERED.

COVERED EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: LINDA MICHELLE IS A CARETAKER WHO LIVES ON A PROPERTY WITH HORSES IN THE EVACUATION ZONE.

SHE SAYS SHE AWOKE TO A WALL OF FLAMES SURROUNDING THE AREA AND HAD TO SCRAMBLE TO SAVE THE ANIMALS.

>> WOKE EVERYBODY UP.

GOT EVERYBODY IN THE CAR.

NOBODY HAD TIME TO GET DRESSED.

EVERYBODY IS UP IN THE CAR, LIKE OUT OF YOUR, AND THEN AFTER THAT, I MUST OF HAD 30 MINUTES TO RUN AROUND AND TRY TO GET THE BOYS.

WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WE WERE GOING TO DO.

WE COULD NOT LEAVE THEM IN THE BARN.

THANK GOD WE DIDN'T LEAVE THEM IN THE BARN, BECAUSE THE BARN BURNED DOWN.

>> Reporter: THE INFERNOS FUELED BY DRY CONDITIONS AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S INFAMOUS SANTA ANA WINDS, CREATING WHAT FIRE OFFICIALS CALL A, QUOTE, PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

SOME WIND GUSTS REACHING 40 TO 60 MILES PER HOUR, THE FLAMES DESTROYED IN SOME HOMES AND THREATENING BUSINESSES, EVEN THE ICONIC MALIBU PEER.

>> IT HAS DEFINITELY BEEN A STRESSFUL AND VERY TIRING NIGHT.

>> Reporter: HUNDREDS AT NEARBY PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY HAD TO SHELTER IN PLACE FOR HOURS IN THE CAMPUS LIBRARY.

CLASSES WERE CANCELED ON TUESDAY.

>> I CALL MY FRIENDS, FOUND WHATEVER FRIENDS I HAD IN THE SAME RESIDENTIAL HALL AS ME, AND I JUST PACKED A BAG, LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND THE SKY IS RED.

>> WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE COOLER TEMPERATURES DROPPING DOWN TO 42 DEGREES TONIGHT, CONTINUING TO SEE SOME OF THOSE CLOUDS.

CHANGES COME ON THE WAY JUST A COUPLE DAYS.

I'LL BREAK DOWN WHAT TO EXPECT, COMING UP.

>>> THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTED TODAY TO BLOCK SAN DIEGO COUNTY AGENCIES FROM HELPING IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT.

KPBS REPORTER KATIE-SAYS IT'S THE NINTH CALIFORNIA COUNTY TO PAST THIS KIND OF POLICY.

>> Reporter: THE NEW POLICY PROHIBITS THE USE OF COUNTY STAFF, FUNDS OVER TIME TO ASSIST I.C.E.

UNLESS THEY HAVE AN ARREST WARRANT.

ALBERT HAD ONLY WAS THERE IN SUPPORT.

THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE RELEASED HIM TO IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN 2002 POINT CASES THEY DEPORTED HIM TO MEXICO BEFORE HE COULD FIND A LAWYER.

THE CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT VACATED HIS CONVICTION AND GAVE HIM RESIDENCY BACK IN 2021.

>> BUT IN THE MEANTIME, MY FAMILY GOT DESTROYED.

MY GRANDKIDS THAT WERE LIVING WITH ME SUFFERED TREMENDOUS SEPARATION.

WE ARE SUPPORTING THEM, MY DAUGHTER.

IT BRINGS HAVOC ON THE FAMILY AND ON THE FAMILY FINANCES.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS NEED TO COOPERATE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> IF OUR COMMUNITIES ARE AFRAID TO REPORT WHEN THEY ARE BEING VICTIMS OF A CRIME, OR WHEN THEY SEE A CRIME, BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING TURNED OVER TO I.C.E.

AND BEING SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILY, THAT CREATES ADDITIONAL BURDEN.

>> Reporter: A 2017 STUDY BY A UCSD PROFESSOR FOUND THAT COUNTIES THAT DON'T ACTIVELY HELP I.C.E.

HAVE SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER CRIME RATES.

JIM DESMOND WAS THE ONLY BOARD MEMBER TO VOTE AGAINST THE POLICY.

JOEL ANDERSON WAS ABSENT.

KATIE-, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WHILE MANY ARE BRACING FOR MASS DEPORTATIONS, ONE LOCAL LEADER IS VOWING TO HELP TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IN ANY WAY THAT HE CAN.

COMING UP, HOW EL CAJON COULD BE THE CENTER OF A SHOWDOWN OVER IMMIGRATION LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTED TO GIVE THE CITIZENS LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD, KNOWN AS CLEARLY, ENHANCED ABILITY TO INVESTIGATE THAT'S IN COUNTY JAILS.

THE BOARD HEARD A PROPOSAL BY SUPERVISOR MONTGOMERY STEP TO LET CLAIRE BEEN INVESTIGATE ANY EMPLOYEE OR CONTRACTOR WORKING UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE SHERIFF COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT.

SHERRY SHERIFF KELLY MARTINEZ PUT OUT A NEWS RELEASE SAYING SHE WAS CONCERNED THE PROPOSAL WAS FUELED BY A MOVEMENT TO ABOLISH ALL JAILS.

MONTGOMERY STEP SAID THIS AFTERNOON THAT WAS NOT TRUE.

AT A NEWS CONFERENCE LAST WEEK MONTGOMERY STEP SAID GIVING CLEAR OF ENHANCED INVESTIGATORY POWER IS ESSENTIAL TO THE PUBLIC'S TRUST AND HOW THE COUNTY JAILS ARE RUN AND THE KIND OF DEATHS INVESTIGATED MUST BE EXPANDED AS WELL.

>> COLOR MUST INVESTIGATE ALL IN CUSTODY DEATHS, EVEN THOSE CLASSIFIED AS NATURAL.

CLEAR BUT MAY ALSO REOPEN A CLOSED CASE IN NARROW CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE.

>> MONTGOMERY STEP'S PROPOSAL REQUIRES INVESTIGATIONS WITHIN ONE YEAR OF BECOMING AWARE OF ALLEGED MISCONDUCT.

IT WILL NOW GO BACK TO COUNTY STAFF, WHICH HAS 60 DAYS TO CRAFT AN ORDINANCE.

>>> THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO AND SEAWORLD HAVE SETTLED A LAWSUIT FOR BACK RENT THE CITY ALLEGED THE THEMEPARK FAILED TO PAY MORE THAN $12 MILLION IN RENT, LATE FEES AND INTEREST.

SEAWORLD ARGUED THE PAYMENTS WERE WAIVED AS IT WAS FORCED TO SHUT DOWN FOR MONTHS AT A TIME DURING THE PANDEMIC.

UNDER THE SETTLEMENT, SEAWORLD WILL PAY $8.5 MILLION TO THE CITY, AND FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS IT WILL PROVIDE COMPLEMENT THREE SEASON PASSES TO SAN DIEGO TEACHERS, ONE FREE ADMISSION EACH YEAR TO ACTIVE- DUTY MILITARY AND VETERANS, AS WELL AS 1000 TICKETS FOR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>>> WITH THE HOLIDAYS HERE, THE GRINCHES ARE HOPING THAT YOU WILL FALL VICTIM TO THEIR SCAMS.

BRIAN AND WHAT TO DO IF YOU DON'T CATCH THEM IN TIME.

>> Reporter: FOR SCAMMERS, IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR.

>> BECAUSE WE ARE SHOPPING MORE THAN ANY POINT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

>> Reporter: THOSE SCAMS CAN BE ANYWHERE.

EMAIL, TEXT MESSAGES EVEN WHILE SCROLLING SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, SCAMMERS CAN FOLLOW US JUST LIKE LEGITIMATE MARKETERS.

THEY CAN TRACK OUR COOKIES, SEE WHERE WE'RE GOING, SEE WHAT WE ARE SEARCHING FOR, AND THEN YOU'LL SEE AN AD POP UP FOR SOMETHING YOU SEARCHED FOR MAYBE AN HOUR AGO.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE TOP SCAMS TO BE LOOKING OUT FOR THIS YEAR, ACCORDING TO EXPERTS, INCLUDE THOSE PACKAGE NONDELIVERY ALERTS, TEXT FROM SCAMMERS PRETENDING TO BE SHIPPING COMPANIES, HOPING YOU CLICK THAT LINK.

THINK CHARITIES ASKING FOR A DONATION, GIFT CARD EXCHANGE, OR GIVEAWAY SCHEMES, AND THOSE FAKE OR MISLEADING SOCIAL MEDIA PRODUCTS.

>> WE SEE A LOT OF WEBSITES POP UP THAT HAVE THE SAME LOOK AND FEEL IS A LEGITIMATE RETAILER, BUT MAYBE ONE OF THE LETTERS IN THE URL ARE OFF.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE WAYS YOU CAN PROTECT YOURSELF, YOUR FINANCES, AND YOUR DATA -- BY MAKING SURE THE BUSINESS IS REPEATABLE, STRENGTHENING PASSWORDS, AND BY AVOIDING THOSE QUESTIONABLE LINKS IN TEXTS OR EMAILS.

>> IF A DEAL LOOKS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS.

IF SOMEONE IS OFFERING IT FOR A QUARTER OF THE PRICE, HALF THE PRICE, DEFINITELY THAT FIT THE COMPANY THAT IS OFFERING THAT.

BECAUSE AGAIN IT'S LIKELY A SCAM.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, BRIAN ABEL REPORTING.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL HAS CHOSEN A NEW COUNCIL PRESIDENT.

DISTRICT ONE COUNCILMEMBER JUDE LECAVA.

THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT CONTROLS CITY COUNCIL AGENDAS AND DOLES OUT COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS THAT CAN INFLUENCE THE DIRECTION OF POLICYMAKING.

McARDLE WAS FIRST ELECTED IN 2020 AND WAS REELECTED BY VOTERS AT PACIFIC BEACH, LA JOLLA, AND CARMEL VALLEY.

HIS COLLEAGUES PRAISED HIM FOR A COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE.

>> I'M HERE TO AMPLIFY YOUR VOICES, TO OPEN UP A CONVERSATION, GET THE DELIBERATIONS, FIND CONSENSUS ACROSS THE GROUP AND THEN CARRY THAT MESSAGE TO THE PUBLIC.

OKAY, SIR.

YOU RECEIVED YOUR FINAL WARNING.

I'M FORCED TO ASK THE DETAIL TO ESCORT YOU OUT.

>> AND AS I CAN SEE, IT WAS A SOBERING WELCOME INTO THE COUNCIL PRESIDENCY.

A MAN WHO WAS SHOUTING ERRATICALLY AND DISRUPTING THE MEETING HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS.

>>> WHILE SOME IN CALIFORNIA ARE BRACING FOR DEPORTATIONS, EL CAJON'S REPUBLICAN MAYOR HAS PLEDGED HIS SUPPORT TO THE PRESIDENT-ELECT'S PLAN.

OUR NEWS SOURCE REPORTER SOPHIA MEJIA PASCOE HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: MAYOR BILL WELLS HAS A MESSAGE FOR CALIFORNIA AND FOR HIS CITY, WHERE NEARLY A THIRD OF RESIDENTS ARE FOREIGN-BORN.

>> I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR RIGHT NOW THAT EL CAJON IS NOT A CENTURY CITY.

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA'S CENTURY LAW, OR SB 54, LIMITS HOW LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN COOPERATE WITH THE FEDS ON IMMIGRATION.

SUPPORTERS SAY THE LAW PREVENTS IMMIGRANTS WITHOUT LEGAL STATUS FROM BEING DEPORTED FOR LOW- LEVEL CRIMES BUT WELLS SAID THE LAW MAKES EL CAJON LESS SAFE.

HE WANTS POLICE TO BE IN FRONT'S MASS DEPORTATION PLAN AND HE MIGHT BE WILLING TO VIOLATE THE LAW TO DO THAT.

>> THE SHORT ANSWER IS YES BUT IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE!

I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH A PROCESS OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE BOUNDARIES REALLY ARE.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB BONTA AFFIRMED THE STATE'S COMMITMENT TO IMMIGRANTS IN A VIDEO POSTED TO X THIS WEEK.

>> HIM FOR THE DOJ IS HERE TO PROTECT INNOCENT SAFETY, FREEDOMS, AND RIGHTS.

>> Reporter: BONTA'S OFFICE SAYS THEY WON'T HESITATE TO STEP IN AGAINST AGENCIES VIOLATING SB 54 POINT FOR KPBS I'M I NEWS SOURCE REPORTER SOPHIA MEJIA PASCOE.

>> AND I NEWS SOURCE IS AN INDEPENDENTLY FUNDED, NONPROFIT PARTNER OF KPBS.

>>> ASIDE FROM RAISING THE RISK OF FIRE DANGER, SANTA ANA WINDS ALSO PICK UP DIRT AND DEBRIS IN THE AIR THAT WE BREATHE FOR OUR MEDIA PARTNER CAGEY TV GOT ADVICE FROM AN HVAC TECH AND ON MAINTAINING GOOD AIR QUALITY INSIDE OF YOUR HOME.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE WILL INSULATE WINDOWS, SO NO SMOKE OR CONTAMINANTS CAN SEEP THROUGH.

MOST IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATION, THOUGH, MAKE SURE TO CHANGE YOUR AIR FILTERS.

>> ALL THIS DUST, DIRT, DEBRIS GATHERED UP HIS WHAT'S AFFECTING YOUR SYSTEM.

THIS IS ESSENTIALLY WHAT YOU'RE BREATHING IN.

>> AND ANOTHER TIP -- CLEAR OUT YOUR AIR DUCTS AND FURNACE, BUT USE EXTREME CAUTION IF YOU TRY TO DO IT YOURSELF.

>>> WE HAVE CHANGES ON THE WAY AND THEY REALLY START COMING TOMORROW.

THE SANTA ANA WINDS THAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING TODAY, THOSE ARE GOING TO START TO CALM DOWN AS WE GET INTO THE EARLY MORNING HOURS AND THROUGHOUT YOUR WEDNESDAY.

THEN, TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO COOL DOWN LATER IN THE WEEK AND THE ONE THING THAT'S STAYING THE SAME IS THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO SEE A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS.

WE'LL START OUT WITH TEMPERATURES FOR TONIGHT.

WE ARE DROPPING DOWN TO A CHILLY 35 IN OCEANSIDE, 42 FOR SAN DIEGO THERE AND IN THE 40s FROM BRICCO SPRINGS AND MT.

LAGUNA.

LIKE I MENTIONED, THE SANTA ANA WINDS THAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING THROUGHOUT TODAY, THAT'S GOING TO START TO CALM DOWN AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW, BUT WE'VE ALREADY SEEN WIND GUSTS UP TO EVEN 65 TO 75 MILES PER HOUR IN SOME AREAS SO WE'VE DEFINITELY SEEN GUSTY WINDS WITH THIS AND ALSO, BECAUSE OF LOWER HUMILITY HUMIDITY WE'VE SEEN THAT INCREASED FIRE DANGER.

THESE RED FLAG WARNINGS ARE GOING TO STAY IN EFFECT UNTIL EARLY INTO YOUR WEDNESDAY MORNING, AND THEN THOSE SHOULD BE LIFTED, BECAUSE THE FIRE DANGER WILL DECREASE.

TEMPERATURE-WISE WE'RE GOING TO SEE A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS TO TEMPERATURES IN THE 70s.

70 WANTED OCEANSIDE, 72 FOR SAN DIEGO, YOUR 65 DOWN IN CAMPO, 50s FOR MT.

LAGUNA.

WE ARE SEEING A MIX OF WEATHER BUT GETTING BACK UP TO SOME OF THE WARMER CONDITIONS ON THE COAST, THAT IS NOT GOING TO LAST, THOUGH.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR FIVE DAY OUTLOOK HERE.

71 FOR YOUR WEDNESDAY AND THEN WE DROP TO THE MID-60s COME THURSDAY.

WE ARE GOING TO STAY THERE FOR SEVERAL DAYS AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

AGAIN, KIND OF A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS THROUGHOUT THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.

MOVING INLAND, 76 FOR YOUR WEDNESDAY AND THEN WE DROP THERE AS WELL, DOWN TO 65 FOR YOUR THURSDAY AND AGAIN, STAY RELATIVELY CONSISTENT AS TEMPERATURE START TO CLIMB THEIR WAY BACK OF AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

>>> THE MOUNTAINS, WE ARE ALSO SEEING A BIT OF A COOLDOWN .54 FOR YOUR WEDNESDAY.

WENDY AND A HIGH OF 48 FOR YOUR THURSDAY.

NOT IDEAL CONDITIONS THERE AND THEN THINGS START TO EVEN OUT AS WE GET LATE INTO THE WEEK AND THE WEEKEND.

OUR ONE EXCEPTION HERE, WE'RE GOING TO SEE TEMPERATURES WARM UP FROM WEDNESDAY TO THURSDAY AND THEN WE'LL STAY RELATIVELY CONSISTENT AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, FROM UPPER 60s TO LOW 70s.

FOR KPBS NEWS I'M ACCUWEATHER'S ANNA IS ALL YOU.

>>> THE LIFEBLOOD OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH, MONEY AND ROBUST DEBATE, MAY BE IN CONFLICT AS ACADEMIA ANTICIPATES A SECOND DONALD TRUMP PRESIDENCY.

RESEARCHERS AT UCSD TOLD KPBS THEIR COLLEAGUES ARE CHILLING THEIR OWN SPEECH, A FORM OF PREEMPTIVE SILENCING, AND A FEAR OF THEIR FEDERAL FUNDING MAY BE CUT OFF.

SHE JOINS ME NOW.

WELCOME, AMIGA.

>> IT'S GOOD TO BE WITH YOU, MY A.

>> WHAT IS PREEMPTIVE SILENCING?

>> REDEMPTIVE SILENCING IS BASICALLY WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A POWERFUL PERSON OR ENTITY USES THREATS AND/OR INTIMIDATION TO MUTE PEOPLE.

IN THE CASE OF UC SAN DIEGO SCIENTISTS, THEY ARE CENSORING THEMSELVES.

SOME OF THEM STILL REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED DURING PRESIDENT- ELECT DONALD TRUMP'S FIRST TERM IN OFFICE.

THEY REMEMBER THAT CLIMATE SCIENTISTS WERE TERMINATED.

THEY REMEMBER HOW DR. FAUCI WAS TREATED DURING THE PANDEMIC, AND THE CALLS FOR HIM TO BE JAILED, WHICH STILL CONTINUE UNTIL TODAY.

I SPOKE WITH INFECTIOUS DISEASE DOCTOR AT UC SAN DIEGO BY THE NAME OF DAVEY SMITH AND HE SAYS THAT HIS COLLEAGUES BELIEVE THAT THAT ENVIRONMENT WILL RETURN DURING FROM'S SECOND PRESIDENCY, DUE TO START NEXT MONTH, AND THEY SIMPLY DON'T WANT TO BE CAUGHT IN THE CROSSHAIRS.

>> SO EVERYBODY IS ANXIOUS AND THEN THEY'RE WORRIED THAT IF THEY SAY SOMETHING, THAT IT'S GOING TO COME BACK ON THEM.

I DEPEND ON GRANTS FROM NIH AND IF AND IH IS GETTING CUT ON INFECTIOUS DISEASES, THEN THAT'S GOING TO HURT MY LIVELIHOOD, BUT ALSO MY SCIENCE, ET CETERA.

>> Reporter: TO BE CLEAR, NO ONE AT UCSD SAID ANY KIND OF EDICT HAS COME DOWN FROM THE UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP ABOUT CENSORING THEIR PUBLIC STATEMENTS, BUT THERE ARE POTENTIALLY BIG CONSEQUENCES FOR SCIENTISTS.

UCSD RECEIVES $972 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING.

ABOUT $557 MILLION OF THAT MONEY COMES FROM THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH, OR AND IH, AND THAT ALSO HAS A BIG IMPACT ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

NO ONE IS SAYING FOR CERTAIN THAT WILL GO AWAY IF RESEARCHERS SPEAK OUT OF TURN, BUT THERE IS A LOT ON THE LINE IF THAT DOES HAPPEN, OR IF VERITIES CHANGE, IF THERE'S PAYBACK FROM GRUDGES HELD OVER FROM TRUMP'S LAST TERM, SUCH AS GETTING RID OF INFECTIOUS DISEASE RESEARCH AT THE NIH.

SMITH SAYS THAT WOULD BE DEVASTATING TO PREPARATION FOR THE NEXT PANDEMIC.

>> AS A VIROLOGIST, BIRD FLU IS COMING, BY THE WAY, AND IT IS GOING TO PROBABLY HAVE SOME PANDEMIC TYPE EFFECTS, AS WELL.

WE'RE GOING TO NEED THOSE STRONG INSTITUTIONS TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

>> Reporter: THERE'S ALSO A BRAIN DRAIN, WHICH SMITH SAYS IS ALREADY HAPPENING HERE.

HE KNOWS SCIENTISTS WHO HAVE EITHER LEFT OR ARE PLANNING TO LEAVE IN ANTICIPATION OF THE EFFECT OF A SECOND TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

SOME OF THIS FEELING HAS ECHOES FROM THE PAST STEPHANIE'S DRAFTY, A PROFESSOR OF MEDICINE AT UCSD, IS AN AIDS RESEARCHER.

THAT WORK WAS STIGMATIZED AND TARGETED IN THE 1990S.

SHE RECALLS SCIENTISTS BEING AUDITED FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

SHE WORRIES THAT FROM WOULD USHER IN A NEW ERA OF FEAR AMONG SCIENTISTS THAT COULD LAST GENERATIONS.

SHE SAYS THAT, COMBINED WITH THE BRAIN DRAIN, COULD BE HARD TO REVERSE.

>> WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN AND START OVER AGAIN.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF TIME TO REGROW THAT KIND OF INSTITUTIONAL MEMORY, AND SO IT'S, YEAH, ANOTHER LAYER OF UNRAVELING THAT I THINK IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE.

>> Reporter: BUT NOT EVERYONE IS WORRIED.

SAN DIEGO CONGRESSMAN SCOTT PETERS SAYS LOCAL RESEARCHERS SHOULD TAKE A DEEP BREATH UNTIL.

THE SAYS HE THINKS SOME OF THE FEAR IS UNWARRANTED AND SOME OF THE THREATS COMING FROM TRUMP'S'S CAMP ARE BLUSTER.

HE SAYS BOTH DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS AND FROM ARE CONCERNED ABOUT CHINA OVERTAKING IT IN RESEARCH AND AREN'T ABOUT TO UPEND FUNDING TO SAN DIEGO'S LIFE-SCIENCES.

BUT IF HE'S WRONG, HE SAYS HE'S PREPARED TO FIGHT FOR LOCAL SCIENTISTS.

>> THIS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, I IN PARTICULAR HAVE MADE IT A TRY AUTHORITY PRIORITY TO SUPPORT THE LIFE- SCIENCES HERE WITH BOTH PUBLIC RESEARCH DOLLARS, WHICH WE'VE INCREASED DRAMATICALLY, AND KEEPING AN ECOSYSTEM WHERE PRIVATE INVESTMENT ALSO HAPPENS.

>> AND MAIA, I HAVE TO ADD THAT THE SELF-CENSORSHIP EXTENDS WAY BEYOND SCIENCE INTO OTHER ACADEMIA, BUSINESSES, NONPROFIT ADVOCACY GROUPS AND EVEN THE MEDIA.

YOU'LL RECALL THAT BOTH THE WASHINGTON POST AND THE LOS ANGELES TIMES HAD WRITTEN ENDORSEMENTS OF VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS RIGHT BEFORE ELECTION DAY, BUT THEY SCRAPPED THEM, A MOVE THAT WAS WIDELY SEEN AS HABITUATION TO TRUMP.

I SPOKE WITH A RETIRED UC SAN DIEGO POLITICAL SCIENCE PROFESSOR BY THE NAME OF SAM POPKIN RECENTLY AND HE SAID THAT I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD CALL THE SELF-CENSORSHIP TO HE SAID IT IS MORE WHAT HE WOULD CALL REASONED COWARDICE.

>> VERY INTERESTING WORK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, ANITA.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>>> IN THIS STORY IS PART OF OUR PUBLIC MATTERS PROJECT.

IT'S A PARTNERSHIP WITH VOICE OF SAN DIEGO AND I NEWS SOURCE.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE AT KPBS.ORG/PUBLIC MATTERS.

>>> I'M JEFF BENNETT .

TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR WE REPORT FROM ON THE GROUND IN SYRIA, WHERE THE FORCES THAT TOPPLED PRESIDENT ASSAD WILL TARGET A NEW PATH FOR THAT COUNTRY.

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

>>> WE ARE GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

OVER 42,000 PEOPLE ARE WITHOUT POWER AND HIGH WINDS AND DANGEROUS ARE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

MOST OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUTOFFS ARE IN RURAL EAST COUNTY.

SOME SCHOOLS AND BUSINESSES WERE ALSO CLOSED BECAUSE OF THE OUTAGE.

12 RESOURCE CENTERS WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING THE SHUTOFFS.

THEIR HOURS ARE 8:00 A.M. UNTIL 10:00 P.M.. SDG AND E SAYS POWER FOR SOME RESIDENTS IS NOT AFFECTED TO RETURN UNTIL AT LEAST FRIDAY.

>>> MEANWHILE, SANTA ANA WINDS FANNED THE FLAMES OF TWO WILDFIRES TODAY.

THE FRANKLIN FIRE GROUP TO MORE THAN 2800 ACRES OVERNIGHT IN MALIBU.

THE FIRE HAS BURNED PROPERTY, INCLUDING THE ICONIC ELEMENT HERE.

IT'S 0% CONTAINED AS OF THIS TIME.

THE BORDER FIRE 79 STARTED THIS MORNING JUST SOUTH OF STATE ROUTE 94 NEAR TECH.

IT BURNED 25 ACRES AND IS 50% CONTAINED ACCORDING TO CAL FIRE.

THE CAUSE OF BUSHFIRES UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> TODAY THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTED TO BLOCK GLOBAL AGENCIES FROM HELPING IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT.

THE NEW POLICY PROHIBITS THE USE OF COUNTY STAFF, FUNDS, OR TIME TO ASSIST I.C.E.

UNLESS THEY HAVE AN ARREST WARRANT.

SAN DIEGO IS THE NINTH CALIFORNIA COUNTY TO HAVE HAS THIS KIND OF POLICY.

JIM DESMOND WAS THE ONLY BOARD MEMBER TO VOTE AGAINST IT AND JOEL ANDERSON WAS ABSENT.

>>> BOOKS THROUGH BARS SAN DIEGO IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT COLLECT AND SHIP BOOKS TO INCARCERATED PEOPLE NATIONWIDE.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER JULIA DIXON EVANS SPOKE TO VOLUNTEERS ABOUT THIS IMPACTFUL WORK.

>> Reporter: CHERISH BRITZ AND REMEMBERS WHEN BOOKS WERE HIS ONLY ESCAPE.

SHE WAS INCARCERATED AT THE FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTE IN DUBLIN, CALIFORNIA.

>> AND I WENT THROUGH SO MANY BOOKS.

I THINK THAT'S THE ONLY THING THAT ALLOWED ME TO ACTUALLY GET THROUGH IT >> Reporter: NOW BRITZ AND VOLUNTEERS WITH BOOKS THROUGH BARS, A MUTUAL AID COLLECT THAT SENDS BOOKS TO PRISONS.

THE GROUP HOLDS REGULAR PACKING EVENTS AT GROUND RICK BOOKS AT UC SAN DIEGO.

VOLUNTEERS OPEN LETTERS FROM INCARCERATED PEOPLE, SELECT, AND WRITE LETTERS BACK.

THIS YEAR THE GROUP RECEIVED ABOUT 150 LETTERS PER MONTH.

THEY SHIPPED 1200 BOOKS TO INCARCERATED PEOPLE IN 200 FACILITIES ACROSS 40 STATES.

>> WHEN YOU'RE IN THERE YOU'RE JUST AT A COMPLETE STANDSTILL AND YOU REALLY FEEL LIKE THE OUTSIDE WORLD FORGETS ABOUT YOU.

IT'S THOSE LITTLE THINGS, LETTERS AND BOOKS, THAT MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ACTUALLY ARE STILL PART OF THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: BOOKS ARE DONATED FROM THE COMMUNITY AND BOOKSTORES.

THEIR PRIMARY EXPENSE IS SHIPPING, ABOUT FIVE DOLLARS PER PACKAGE.

ORGANIZERS SAY ABOUT 70% OF THEIR PACKAGES MAKE IT THROUGH SECURITY.

PRISONS ROUTINELY CENSOR BOOKS.

ACCORDING TO PENN AMERICA, CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES IN ALL 50 STATES CONTRIBUTE TO THE NATION'S LARGEST BOOK BAN.

TERRY VARGAS, ANOTHER VOLUNTEER, SAYS RULES FOR BOOK SHIPMENTS VERY WIDELY AND ARE HARD TO TRACK.

>> BECOMING STRICTER AND STRICT HER WITH THE REQUIREMENTS.

SOME HAVE ADOPTED REQUIREMENTS WERE THEY ONLY ACCEPT WHITE ENVELOPES, AND THESE ARE JUST LIKE ARBITRARY RULES THAT JUST ADD BARRIERS FOR US TO BE ABLE TO SEND THESE PACKAGES.

>> Reporter: BUT FOR BOOKS THROUGH BARS IT'S WORTH THE EFFORT.

VARGAS SAYS LETTERS FROM INCARCERATED PEOPLE OFTEN EXPRESS GRATITUDE.

AT A RECENT PACKING EVENT SHE OPENED THE LATER FROM ZACHARY IN INDIANA.

>> IT SAYS I'M WRITING TO REQUEST BOOKS.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THE WORK YOUR ORGANIZATION IS DOING FOR PRISONERS.

IT REALLY HELPS ME NOT LOSE MY COOL.

IT SAVES MY LIFE, REALLY.

>> Reporter: BOOKS THROUGH BARS NEXT PACKING EVENT IS SCHEDULED FOR JANUARY.

VOLUNTEERS AND DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.

JULIA DIXON EVANS, KPBS NEWS.

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