[ MUSIC ] >> Announcer: MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL HOW OR VISIT BILLHOW.COM.

DARLENE MARCO CHARLENE AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> STUDENTS ACROSS THE GROSSMONT HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT WALKED OUT OF CLASS TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

THEY DID IT TO PROTEST POTENTIAL LAYOFFS APPROVED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD TO CUT COSTS.

MATTHEW BOWLER WAS AT DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS.

>> Reporter: CHANTING AND WAVING HOMEMADE SIGNS STUDENTS AT GROSSMONT HIGH SCHOOL WALKED OUT OF CLASS PROTESTING POTENTIAL LAYOFFS IN THE DISTRICT.

SECONDARY SCHOOL IS NOT GOING TO STAND FOR-- WELL THAT'S SENIOR MAGGIE KELLY, SHE'S ONE OF THE STUDENT LEADERS, WHO ORGANIZED THIS WALKOUT.

STUDENTS LEFT THE HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS AND WALKED NEXT DOOR TO DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS.

THAT'S WHEN A SCHOOL VICE PRINCIPAL TOLD KPBS TO LEAVE.

BUT THAT DID NOT STOP STUDENTS.

>> THERE'S A $2.4 MILLION DEFICIT PROJECTED FOR THE DISTRICT TO THE END OF THIS SCHOOL YEAR.

EVEN IF EVERY SINGLE STAFF MEMBER BEING CUT WAS PAID A MINIMUM TEACHER SALARY OF $40,000 A YEAR THERE WOULD BE MONEY LEFT OVER AFTER CLEARING THE DEFICIT TO 61 CUTS.

>> Reporter: THE SCHOOL BOARD VOTED 4-1 TO ELIMINATE LIBRARIAN, AND OTHER POSITIONS, TO HELP CLOSE A BUDGET DEFICIT.

GROSSMONT HIGH SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST KATIE ABRUZZO SAYS THE IMPACT IS SIGNIFICANT.

>> AT GROSSMONT HIGH SCHOOL THERE ARE TWO COUNSELORS, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, AND A LIBRARY AND DIRECTLY AFFECTED.

THERE ARE SOME NEW TEACHERS WHO ARE ALSO DIRECTLY AFFECTED.

AND THEN, AT THE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT WE ARE LOSING ABOUT 15% OF OUR STAFF FOR THE SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT AS WELL.

>> Reporter: ACTING SUPERINTENDENT, WRITING A LETTER TO THE BOARD, THE CUTS ARE NEEDED TO MAINTAIN THE DISTRICT'S LONG-TERM FINANCIAL STABILITY.

WE SO RESERVES ROAD OR A ONE TIME RESOURCE INTENDED FOR CHALLENGES.

THIS IS NOT THAT.

THE BOARD IS MEETING AT 6:00 P.M. TONIGHT.

THE DISTRICT IS REQUIRED TO ISSUE FINAL LAYOFF NOTICES BY THE 15th.

MATTHEW BOWLER, KPBS EVENING NEWS .

>>> TO PREVENT FIRES-- ANDERSON BROUGHT THE ISSUE UP BECAUSE OF BACKCOUNTRY FIRES CAUSED BY HUMAN HANDS.

>> Reporter: YOU SMELL THE SMOKE.

YOU SEE THE FLAMES.

RESIDENTS LIKE KATHY CASTLE LOST HER HOME, AND THE EXPERIENCE HAUNTS HER.

>> IF WE SEE SOMETHING WE THINK HAS POTENTIAL WE START WANTING EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: SUPERVISOR ANDERSON SAYS THIS IS WHY HE BROUGHT THE ISSUE UP, ESPECIALLY IN THE COUNTY'S UNINCORPORATED AND RURAL AREAS.

ANDERSON SAYS THE AREAS PRONE TO WILDFIRE, BECAUSE OF THE OPEN SPACE, AND THE PREVALENT DRY BRUSH.

HE CITED A RECENT SAN DIEGO TREATMENT REPORT THAT NEARLY ONE IN FIVE FIREFIGHTERS IN SAN DIEGO-- FIRES WERE STARTED BY HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS.

>> IN 2023 MY DISTRICT LOST 2000 HOMES, TWO PEOPLE DIED IN THEIR VEHICLES TRYING TO FLEE THE FIRES, AND THE FIRES CAUGHT UP.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTIES IN THE PROCESS OF UPDATING ITS OWN ORDINANCE.

THE MOVE COMES AFTER THE SUPREME COURT DECIDED THE CASE ALLOWING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO ENFORCE CAMPING BANS REGARDLESS OF SHELTERS ARE AVAILABLE.

ANDERSON IS ASKING THE DRAFT TO ADDRESS THE THREAT OF FIRES FROM HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS.

LAST MONTH THE BOARD VOTED 4-0, TO ADVANCE DESMOND'S PROPOSAL TO CLEARING CHEMIST DURING RED FLAG WARNINGS.

IN THE END THE BOARD VOTED TO ADD PROVISIONS RELATED TO FIRE RISK, AT PROTECTIONS IN SPECIFIC AREAS SUCH AS OPEN SPACES, AND WHERE THERE ARE NO THREATS DEPUTIES WILL GIVE 72 HOURS NOTICE TO CLEAR OUT ENCAMPMENTS AND OFFER SHELTER BEFORE ENFORCEMENT.

>> I THINK WE DO HAVE A MORAL OBLIGATION TO BEFORE WE PUT HANDCUFFS ON SOMEBODY TO SAY WE HAVE A PLACE FOR YOU TO GO.

AND BECAUSE THAT IS ADDED AS AN AMENDMENT, I'M OKAY WITH SUPPORTING THIS, PROVIDED THAT IT'S COMING BACK, AND I CAN HAVE ANOTHER LOOK AT IT.

>> Reporter: THE UPDATED BAN WILL RETURN TO THE BOARD FOR A SECOND READING IN 60 DAYS.

ALEXANDER WIN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AT THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING TODAY THE FAILURE OF AN EFFORT TO REPEAL POLICY ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, IT LIMITS LOCAL AGENCIES AND WHAT THEY CAN DO TO HELP IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS.

IT WAS PASSED LATE LAST YEAR WHEN NORA VARGAS LED THE BOARD.

AS PART OF OUR COVERAGE OF THE ELECTION TO REPLACE HER, WE ASKED THE DISTRICT 1 CANDIDATES WHERE THEY STAND ON THE POLICY.

>> I WOULD EXPAND IT.

TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NOT JUST A SYMBOLIC GESTURE, OR NON- IMPLEMENTABLE POLICY, WHEREAS WHERE THE BOARD CANNOT LEGALLY TELL THE SHERIFF HOW TO ENFORCE THE LAW, BECAUSE THAT'S THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL AND STATUTORY- GIVEN RIGHT AS AN OFFICIAL.

>> FROM A HUMAN TO TRAIN PERSPECTIVE I ADVOCATE FOR THE RIGHTS OF EVERYONE IN OUR COUNTY AND EVERETT KATE-- ADVOCATE FOR THEIR PROTECTIONS, SO I WILL WORK ALONGSIDE THOSE ENTITIES SO LONG AS THEY ARE RESPECTING THE LEGAL PROTECTIONS OF THOSE WHO ARE RESIDING HERE.

>> I'VE BEEN ON THE RECORD AS SAYING I DO NOT SUPPORT IT.

THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA ALREADY HAS LAWS IN PLACE THAT BASICALLY STIPULATE THAT IF A PERSON IS WANTED FOR MURDER, OR RAPE, THAT THEY WILL BE ESSENTIALLY SENT OVER TO I.C.E.

>> I THINK IT COMES DOWN TO STATE LAW.

IT WOULD BE WORTH EVERYTHING WE DO TO GET LAW ENFORCEMENT TO WORK WITH BORDER PATROL, AND THE OTHER FEDERAL AUTHORITIES IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE, ESPECIALLY IN AN AREA WHERE CRIMINAL-- THAT HAS BEEN CAUGHT, GET THEM OUT OF THE COUNTRY OR IN JAIL SOMEWHERE, BUT GET THEM OFF OUR STREETS.

WE DON'T WANT THOSE CRIMINALS OUT THERE ON OUR STREETS.

>> I OPPOSE BEING A SANCTUARY COUNTY.

OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY IS A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT COMMUNITY TO US.

AND YOU, RIGHT NOW BY BEING A SANCTUARY COUNTY, WHEN SOMEBODY WHO IS A VIOLENT PREDATOR, WHO HAS RAPED, MURDERED, OR ASSAULTED SOMEBODY, INSTEAD OF GETTING THEM DEPORTED, YOU ARE PUTTING THEM BACK INTO THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY, OR THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY WILL BE THE VICTIMS OF IT.

WE NEED TO KEEP OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES SAFE, AND PROTECT THEM.

>> I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A MORE HUMANE APPROACH TO HAVING PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT ARE OBEYING THE LAW, THAT ARE BEING GOOD CITIZENS, THAT ARE NOT HURTING OTHERS, AND THOSE THAT DO, WELL, THEY NEED TO HAVE CONSEQUENCES ENACTED.

>> MY HEART IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE WITH THE PEOPLE LOOKING FOR A BETTER LIFE FOR THEM AND THEIR FAMILY.

MY HEART IS ALWAYS THERE, BUT AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL I ALSO HAVE TO BE MINDFUL THAT YOU KNOW, WE HAVE MANY ISSUES WE HAVE TO ADDRESS.

AND FIRST AND FOREMOST, OUR COMMUNITY IS ALWAYS LOOKING TO FEEL SAFE IN THEIR HOME.

I AM NOT THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO WANTS TO DEFUND THE POLICE.

CHULA VISTA'S SAFETY IN THE COUNTY.

WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT POLICE FORCE, AND WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THAT.

>> AND WE HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE SPECIAL ELECTION ONLINE.

CHECK THE VOTER HUB ON KPBS.ORG OR FIND ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS LIKE HOW DO I KNOW IF I LIVE IN DISTRICT 1?

TAKE A LOOK TO SEE HOW CANDIDATES ALLIED WITH YOU ON YOUR ISSUES.

>>>-- CUSTODY.

KPBS REPORTED GUSTAV AS A LEASE HAS THE DETAILS.

>> Reporter: THE SHERIFF'S OFFICER-- I.C.E.

CUSTODY LEGAL UNDER ONE OF CALIFORNIA'S SANCTUARY LAWS.

PUBLICLY FLECKED THIS CASE AS A PUBLIC VIOLATION OF STATE LAW FOR NEARLY A YEAR.

INVOLVES A MAN WITH A 21-YEAR- OLD CONVICTION FOR ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAD NOT RESPONDED ABOUT THIS CASE UNTIL LAST FRIDAY UNTIL A KPBS STORY ON THE ISSUE.

THE RESPONSE FROM A SHERIFF'S SPOKESPERSON CITED A SPECIFIC SECTION OF THE LAW TO JUSTIFY THE LEGALITY OF THE TRANSFER.

THAT SECTION SAYS A TRANSFER CAN OCCUR WHEN "AN INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF A FELONY PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT IN THE STATE PRISON SYSTEM."

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAD NOT PREVIOUSLY CITED THAT SECTION OF THE LAW AND PUBLIC FORMS RELATED TO THE CENTURY LAW, AND IT CONFLICTS WITH ANOTHER SECTION OF THE SAME LAW.

THAT SECTION INCREASED THE TIME FRAME FOR WHEN SPECIFIC CONVICTIONS CAN BE TRANSFERRED.

IT SAYS TRANSFERS CAN OCCUR IF "THE INDIVIDUAL HAS BEEN CONVICTED WITHIN THE PAST FIVE YEARS OF A MISDEMEANOR OR HAS BEEN CONVICTED WITHIN THE PAST 15 YEARS OF A FELONY."

GUSTAVO SOLIS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> UKRAINE HAS AGREED TO A PROPOSAL FOR A 30-DAY CEASE- FIRE.

TOP TRUMP OFFICIALS MET WITH UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS IN SAUDI ARABIA.

THE MEETING TOOK PLACE AFTER AN EXPLOSIVE MEETING BETWEEN TRUMP AND ZELENSKYY.

MICHAEL YOSHIDA REPORTS WITH THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: TUESDAY THE UNITED STATES ANNOUNCED IT WOULD LIFT THE PAUSE ON INTELLIGENCE SHARING WITH UKRAINE AS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WASHINGTON AND KYIV WAS AT ITS LOWEST POINT SINCE RUSSIA LAUNCHED ITS FULL-SCALE INVASION OF UKRAINE.

>> WE HAVE MADE AN OFFER WHICH IS TO ENTER INTO A CEASE-FIRE AND IMMEDIATE NEGOTIATIONS TO END THIS CONFLICT WITH UKRAINE.

HOPEFULLY WE WILL NOW TAKE THIS OFFER TO THE RUSSIANS, AND WE HOPE THEY WILL SAY YES TO PEACE.

THE BALL IS IN THEIR COURT.

>> Reporter: SENATOR MARCO RUBIO SAID KYIV WAS IN LISTENING MODE.

NOTABLY MISSING, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP AND UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT A LOT OF MERE ZELENSKYY, WHO HAD A DISASTROUS OVAL OFFICE MEETING TODAY KEY STICKING POINT HAS BEEN GUARANTEES SAYING ANY DEALS MUST INCLUDE RUSSIA HAS A HISTORY OF BREAKING AGREEMENTS THAT DON'T INCLUDE THEM.

MANY WESTERN ALLIES OF UKRAINE HAVE BACKED THIS POINT, BUT SO FAR THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS REFUSED TO MAKE CONCRETE AGREEMENTS.

PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS ALSO SUGGESTED UKRAINE MIGHT NEED TO GIVE UP SOME OF ITS TERRITORY.

RUSSIAN FORCES OCCUPY AROUND 20% OF UKRAINE UP FROM THE ROUGHLY 7% MOSCOW CONTROLLED BEFORE ITS INVASION IN 2022.

AT THE WHITE HOUSE, I AM MICHAEL YOSHIDA REPORTING.

>>> THE FEDERAL AGENCY INVESTIGATING THE DEADLY AIRPLANE CRASH IN JANUARY WARNS OF POSSIBLE FUTURE DISASTERS AT THE WASHINGTON, D.C. AIRPORT OR THE CRASH OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY RESTRICTIONS.

KAREN HAS DETAILS.

>> Reporter: FUTURE MIDAIR COLLISIONS ALONG HELICOPTER ROUTES NEAR WASHINGTON AIRPORT.

>> THEY POSED AN INTOLERABLE RISK TO AVIATION SAFETY.

>> Reporter: NTSB CHAIR RECOMMENDS BAR HELICOPTERS FROM A FOUR MILE STRETCH OF THE POTOMAC WHEN FLIGHTS ARE LANDING ON RUNWAY 33, WHERE EAGLE FLIGHT 3542 WAS APPROACHING WHEN IT COLLIDED WITH A HELICOPTER JANUARY 29th LEAVING 67 PEOPLE DEAD.

AS PART OF ITS INVESTIGATION NTSB UNCOVERED DATA ON THOUSANDS OF NEAR MISSES AT THE WASHINGTON AIRPORT IN RECENT YEARS.

>> IT ALSO MAKES ME, I FEEL INCREDIBLY DEVASTATED FOR FAMILIES THAT ARE GRIEVING, BECAUSE THEY LOST LOVED ONES.

IT SHOULDN'T TAKE A TRAGEDY LIKE THIS TO OCCUR.

UNFORTUNATELY ONE DID.

WELL, AND HE SAID INVESTIGATION MAY LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF NEAR MISSES AT OTHER U.S.

AIRPORTS, AND THEY ARE STILL COLLECTING FACTS ON WHETHER MORE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL STAFFING COULD HAVE PREVENTED THE COLLISION.

SHE EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE IN THE NATION'S OVERALL AVIATION SAFETY.

>> I SAY OFTEN THAT YOUR BIGGEST RISK IS IN YOUR PERSONAL VEHICLE WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO AND FROM THE AIRPORT.

AVIATION IS SAFE.

>> Reporter: NTSB WILL ANALYZE WHAT IT'S LEARNED ABOUT THE JANUARY CRASH BEFORE ISSUING A FINAL REPORT AND DETERMINING PROBABLE CAUSE.

IN WASHINGTON, KAREN KAFE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> KPBS HEALTH REPORTER HEIDI DE MARCO SAYS FIVE YEARS AFTER COVID-19 WAS DECLARED, HOW PREPARED TO SAN DIEGO FOR THE NEXT PANDEMIC?

>> Reporter: COVID-19 TESTED THE LIMITS OF SAN DIEGO'S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

TO DATE IT HAS CLAIMED 6653 LIVES.

>> THIS WAS A GENERATIONAL ONCE- IN-A-LIFETIME EVENT.

>> Reporter: IN MARCH, 2020, DR. JUAN TOVAR WAS WORKING IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT SCRIPPS MERCY HOSPITAL CHULA VISTA.

>> SO NOTHING THAT WE COULD HAVE DONE WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PREPARE IS 100% FOR IT.

BUT, I LIKE TO THINK WE WERE AS PREPARED AS WE COULD BE.

>> Reporter: HOSPITALS AND PROVIDES FAST.

>> WE WERE TREATING PATIENTS OUT OF ROOM THAT WERE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE TREATMENT ROOMS, BUT WE HAD TO, BECAUSE WE NEEDED THE SPACE.

SO, WE CREATED EXAMINATION ROOMS OUT OF CUBBIES.

WE TREATED PATIENTS OUTSIDE.

WE SET UP TENTS, A TRAILER-- >> Reporter: BUT THE STRAIN WASN'T JUST LOGISTICAL, IT WAS EMOTIONAL.

>> WE SAW PATIENTS FAMILY MEMBERS LOOKING THROUGH WINDOWS AT FAMILY MEMBERS DYING COULD WE HAD TO HOLD THEIR HANDS, BECAUSE THEY WERE DYING ALONE.

>> Reporter: THAT TRAUMA LED SCRIPPS MERCY HOSPITAL AND OTHER HOSPITALS TO CREATE AIR SUPPORT GROUPS TO HELP COPE.

DR. JAMES CUNNINGHAM SAYS UNCERTAINTY IN THE EARLY DAYS MADE THE CRISIS EVEN HARDER.

>> I THINK THE MOST CHALLENGING PART WAS THE UNKNOWN, AND THE ANTICIPATION.

SO, WE STARTED TO PREPARE AS BEST WE COULD, GETTING READY, EXPECTING THAT TIDAL WAVE OF PATIENTS.

>> Reporter: INSTEAD OF A SUDDEN SURGE CUNNINGHAM SAYS IT WAS MORE OF A SLOW RISING TIDE OF CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS.

>> WE DIDN'T REALIZE AS WELL THAT PEOPLE WOULD GET SICK, BUT STAY SICK FOR WEEKS.

AND MOST OF THE TIME A HOSPITAL IS SET UP TO TAKE CARE OF SOMEBODY IN AN ACUTE ILLNESS FOR A COUPLE DAYS.

TWO SAN DIEGO HOSPITALS WEREN'T JUST TREATING LOCAL PATIENTS AT THE TIME.

>> IN BAJA CALIFORNIA, THERE'S OVER 400,000 AMERICAN CITIZENS WHO LIVE THERE.

MANY CROSSED THE BORDER TO SEEK CARE HERE.

>> Reporter: DR. GONZALEZ IS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER OF SCRIPPS MERCY HOSPITAL.

SHE SAYS THE EXPERIENCE FORCED HOSPITALS TO REKEY-- RETHINK PATIENT FLOW.

>> WE HAD BEDS WITH SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES, SO WE HAD A PLACE TO DISCHARGE PATIENTS TO.

IT'S PEOPLE NOT JUST COMING IN THE DOOR, IT'S HOW TO KEEP THEM GOING TO KEEP THE FLOW.

>> Reporter: THE NEXT KEY IS TO CATCH THE NEXT OUTBREAK EARLY.

RESEARCHERS ARE LEAVING A FIVE- YEAR CDC-FUNDED PANDEMIC REPAIRED IN THIS PROJECT, AIMED AT PROTECTING-- DETECTING NEW VIRUSES BEFORE THEY OVERWHELM HOSPITALS.

>> SO IN JUST-- THIS PROGRAM WILL ALLOW US TO KNOW WHAT'S ACTUALLY CIRCULATING IN THE COMMUNITY.

BUY SHE SAYS REAL-TIME DATA COULD HELP DETECT THE VIRUS STRAINS BEFORE THEY SPREAD.

>> SO THEN WE ARE BETTER PREPARED WHEN SOMETHING CHANGES WHEN THERE'S A NEW VARIANT, OR A NEW STRAIN OF COVID OR FLU THAT POPS UP .

>> Reporter: THE DATA CAN ALSO HELP HOSPITALS PREDICT SURGES.

>> PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS ARE REALLY HELPFUL, NOT JUST LOOKING AT THE PANDEMIC ITSELF, AND ALSO HELPING US WITH STAFFING MODELS, SO WE ARE ABLE TO STAFF WHEN WE NEED TO IN ADVANCE, INSTEAD OF JUST WAITING FOR THE STORM.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HOSPITALS IN THE COUNTY HAS ALSO IMPROVED.

>> WE HAVE A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COUNTY THAN WE DID BEFORE, AND CALL WHEN WE NEED SOMETHING.

>> Reporter: EVEN AS HOSPITALS ARE BETTER PREPARED AT THE PERSONAL IMPACT OF THE VIRUS REMAINS A CHALLENGE.

PSYCHIATRIST DR. ALAN LEE, IS STILL EXPRESSING THE EFFECTS OF LONG COVID, CONSTANT FATIGUE FORCED HIM TO STOP WORKING.

>> WHEN YOU ARE SICK AND TIRED, AND YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCESS TREATMENT THAT'S HARD ENOUGH.

AND THEN THIS IS A NEW ILLNESS, THE STORY IS BEING WRITTEN AS WE GO.

>> Reporter: LEASE IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM ISN'T JUST THE ILLNESS, IT'S THE LACK OF RECOGNITION.

>> WITHOUT AWARENESS PEOPLE FORGET, AND THEN THERE'S NO FAMILY AND FRIENDS SUPPORT, WHICH THESE PATIENTS NEED.

THERE IS NO FUNDING, WHICH IS THE FUEL TO THE RESEARCH AND TREATMENT NEEDED.

>> Reporter: UNTIL THAT TREATMENT IS FOUND, LEE SAYS HE WILL CONTINUE TO TRY TO ANYTHING HIS DOCTORS SUGGEST TO MANAGE SYMPTOMS.

BACK AT SCRIPPS MERCY HOSPITAL CHULA VISTA DR. JUAN TOVAR IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE COUNTER -- COUNTY'S FUTURE RESPONSE.

>> IT FEELS TO ME LIKE WE HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL IN SAN DIEGO, AND WE CAME OUT OF THIS VERY MESSED UP DISEASE PERIOD, AND NOW WE ARE DOING MUCH BETTER FOR IT.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO IS IN A BETTER POSITION THAN FIVE YEARS AGO, BUT PREDICTING THE NEXT PANDEMIC REMAINS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE.

FOR NOW, HOSPITALS AND RESEARCHERS WATCHING POTENTIAL THREATS CLOSELY, HOPING THEIR WORK WILL GIVE US A HEAD START NEXT TIME.

HEIDI DE MARCO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS MEASLES CASES IN TEXAS AND NEW MEXICO CONTINUE TO RISE VACCINATION RATES ARE FALLING NATIONWIDE, ACCORDING TO CDC DATA.

MORE FROM OFFICIALS CONCERNED ABOUT THE TREND.

25 YEARS AGO TODAY COVID-19 WAS DECLARED A PANDEMIC.

THE MEASLES IS MUCH MORE CONTAGIOUS THAN COVID.

THEY FEAR IF IMMUNIZATION RATES AGAINST MEASLES DROP THERE COULD BE A BIG PROBLEM ON OUR HANDS.

>> THE EMERGENCE OF MEASLES NEEDS TO BOTHER MORE PEOPLE THAN IT IS MOTHER NATIONALLY RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: DR. JIM McDONALD WITH THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE MEASLES OUTBREAK IN WEST TEXAS AND NEW MEXICO.

>> MEASLES IS NOT A HARMLESS CHILDHOOD INFECTION.

YOU KNOW, IF YOU LOOK AT THE TEXAS OUTBREAK IN PARTICULAR LITTLE OVER ONE IN FIVE PEOPLE ARE ENDING UP IN A HOSPITAL.

>> Reporter: DONALD POINTS TO FOLLOWING VACCINATION RATES AS THE REASON BEHIND THE OUTBREAKS .

VACCINATION COVERAGE AMONG KINDERGARTNERS ACROSS THE U.S.

DROPPED TO 92.7% FOR MEASLES, MUMPS, AND RUBELLA VACCINE, DURING THE 2023-2024 SCHOOL YEAR.

>> WHEN VACCINE RATES ERODED TO THE POINT WHERE MANY JURISDICTIONS NOW HAVE VACCINE RATES THAT ARE WELL LESS THAN 95%, WHICH IS WHAT'S REQUIRED TO PREVENT MEASLES, YOU ARE STARTING TO SEE MEASLES COME BACK.

>> Reporter: THERE'S AN INCREASE IN VACCINE SKEPTICISM, AND A REJECTION OF THEM, AFTER THE COVID-19 VACCINES.

>> I DO WORRY THAT AS IMMUNIZATION RATES CONTINUE TO ERODE, THAT CHILDREN WILL ONCE AGAIN SUFFER.

>> Reporter: CDC SAYS MEASLES HAS A MORTALITY RATE OF ONE TO THREE PER THOUSAND, WITH DEATHS CONFIRMED OFTEN FEARS THE NUMBER OF CASES IS MUCH HIGHER THAN CURRENTLY REPORTED.

>> THIS IS A HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS VIRUS.

AND I DON'T THINK PEOPLE REALIZE HOW SICK IT CAN MAKE YOU.

>> Reporter: BOTH DOCTORS SPOKE WITH POINT TO THE FACT MEASLES WAS ELIMINATED IN THE U.S.

THANKS TO THE VACCINE.

THE VACCINE IS BEING OFFERED FOR FREE IN TEXAS AND NEW MEXICO.

>>> SAN DIEGO IS SEEING ITS FIRST ROUND OF WET WEATHER.

THERE IS ENOUGH TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE SECOND WAVE.

REMEMBER TO PICK UP TRASH AND TURN OFF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS TO MINIMIZE WATER AND RUNOFF.

NOW ABOUT A SAFE ROUTE IN CASE OF FLOODING.

YOU CAN ALSO PICK UP SANDBAGS FOR FREE AT RECREATION CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT, BECAUSE THE FLOOD WILL CAUSE A LOT OF DAMAGE IF WE CAN GET AHEAD OF IT AND DO SOME TEMPORARY MEASURES WHILE YOU WAIT TO GET THOSE IN PLACE.

YOU CAN LOWER YOUR DAMAGE COST AND A HALF TO WORRY ABOUT HAVING THE DAMAGE AND DESTRUCTION.

NO ONE LIKES A FLOOD, NO ONCE LIKES TO HAVING-- HALF TO RECOUP FROM A FLOOD.

>> BE SURE TO CHECK WHAT IS AVAILABLE AT EACH CENTER.

YOU CAN FIND A FULL LIST ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG , AND REMEMBER TO BRING A SHOVEL.

>>> WE HAVE BEEN SEEING RAIN THIS TUESDAY, ANOTHER STORM IS CLOSE BEHIND IT.

WE WILL SEE SOME SNOW TO THE MOUNTAINS, NOT SIGNIFICANT SNOW, THAT WILL BE FURTHER TO OUR NORTH.

AND TEMPERATURES ARE GOING TO BOUNCE AROUND A LITTLE BIT.

LET'S START WITH WHAT TO EXPECT FOR TONIGHT.

TEMPERATURES GET TO THE UPPER 40s, MID-50s FOR SAN DIEGO, AND THEN 30 IS OUR LOW IN MOUNT LAGUNA.

TOMORROW, SOME OF US WILL BE SEEING THE SUNSHINE.

BUT, MANY OF US WILL BE SEEING THE RAINFALL.

TEMPERATURES GETTING TO THE MID- 60s IN OCEANSIDE, SAN DIEGO, AND UP TO THE 70s THERE IN BREKKE SPRINGS.

LET'S BREAK DOWN WHAT TO EXPECT WITH THE RAIN.

AS WE GO THROUGH TUESDAY WE ARE SEEING THE SYSTEM MOVE INLAND.

THEN WE HAVE ANOTHER SYSTEM THAT COMES IN JUST AFTER THE FIRST ONE OVERNIGHT INTO WEDNESDAY.

BUT, IT REALLY STARTS FURTHER TO THE NORTH.

IT DOES NOT GET TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA UNTIL WE GO THROUGHOUT THE DAY.

WE SEE SOME SPRINKLES.

IT'S REALLY THURSDAY THAT WE SEE MORE RAINFALL INTO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

NOW, THIS IS THE OVERALL FOOTPRINT SNAPSHOT OF THE STORM.

WE WILL GET RAIN, NOT JUST SHOWERS BUT, HOW MUCH RAIN ARE WE EXPECTING?

ANYWHERE FROM 0.25-5 0.25-0.5 INCHES.

WE ARE SEEING FEET OF SNOW UP INTO THE SIERRA.

HERE'S WHAT TO EXPECT AS FAR AS THE RAINFALL.

YOU CAN SEE MORE RAINFALL, 1-2 INCHES FURTHER IN OUR ELEVATIONS.

WE HAVE A FLOOD WATCH FOR EVERYONE HIGHLIGHTED IN GREEN.

THIS GOES THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR FIVE DAY OUTLOOK FOR THE COAST TEMPERATURES BOUNCE AROUND FROM THE 60s TO THE 50s AND BACK TO THE 60s.

FURTHER INLAND IT'S A SIMILAR STORY.

WE ARE IN THE MID 50s ON THURSDAY.

QUITE THE DROP THERE.

SEVERAL DAYS OF SHOWERS.

MOUNTAIN FORECAST, YOUR FIVE DAY OUTLOOK, WE TURN TO THE 30s WITH LOWS BELOW FREEZING, AND YOUR DESERT FIVE DAY OUTLOOK, WE ARE IN THE 70s.

WE DROP TO THE 50s.

A PRETTY STARK DROP, AND THEN WE WARM BACK UP.

FOR KPBS NEWS , I AM ACCU WEATHER-- DEMOCRATIC ATTORNEYS GENERAL IN 19 STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA SUED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OVER ITS MASS FIRING OF FEDERAL WORKERS.

NPR'S MARTINEZ SPEAKS WITH ATTORNEY GENERAL CHRIS MAYS.

>>> AND IT IS WELLNESS, WHAT EVERYONE NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT COLORECTAL SCREENINGS.

>>> A NEW ONE-OF-A-KIND IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCED COMES TO SEE WORLD THIS WEEKEND.

THE JEWELS OF THE SEA TO JELLYFISH EXHIBIT OFFICIALLY OPENS THIS SATURDAY.

SEE WORLD SAYS IT WILL PROVIDE GUESTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET AN UP CLOSE LOOK AND EVEN TOUCH THEM.

IT FEATURES THREE GALLERIES, AND GUESTS CAN ENJOY INTERACTIVE HABITATS IN THE REALM OF JELLYFISH.

THE JELLYFISH PASSAGE BOASTS ONE OF THE TALLEST JELLYFISH AQUARIUMS IN THE COUNTRY.

AND, IT ALL ENDS WITH A MEDUSA GALLERY, WHICH USES VIBRANT, L.E.D.

LIGHTS, TO IMMERSE VISITORS IN OCEAN DEPTHS, BIOLUMINESCENCE, AND A KALEIDOSCOPE OF JELLYFISH.

VERY, VERY COOL.

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

THANKS FOR WATCHING, I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING ADDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ILL HOW FAMILY OF COMPANIES PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AND AIR RESTORATION.

FLOODING AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL HOW, OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

AND, BY THE CONRAN FOUNDATION.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND MAMA BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.