>>> 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.

AN BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

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

41MILLION AMERICANS ARE ABOUT TO LOSE FEDERALLY FUNDED FOOD BENEFITS INCLUDING FIVE-AND-A- HALF MILLION CALIFORNIANS.

STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB BANTA HAS JOINED WITH 23 OTHER DEMOCRATIC ATTORNEYS GENERAL AND THREE REPUBLICANS TO SUE THE ADMINISTRATION.

THEIR LAWSUIT DEMANDS THE FUNDS BE RESTORED IMMEDIATELY.

>> WHAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS DOING IS ILLEGAL.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS A LEGAL OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE SNAP PAYMENTS.

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB BANTA MINCED NO WORDS IN A TUESDAY NEWS CONFERENCE ACCUSING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OF BLATANT CRUELTY ANNOUNCING THAT SNAP BENEFITS WOULD BE CUT AS OF NOVEMBER 1st.

UNTIL A FEW WEEKS AGO, THE ADMINISTRATION WAS PREPARED TO CONTINUE THOSE BENEFITS.

>> OCTOBER 1st ONCE THE SHUT DOWN HAD BEGUN, THE USDA SENT STATE AGENCIES A LETTER DIRECTING THEM TO CONTINUE ADMINISTERING SNAP AND PROCESSING NEW APPLICATIONS AND PREPARING NOVEMBER'S BENEFITS.

>> Reporter: NINE DAYS LATER, USDA SENT ANOTHER LETTER SAYING THERE WOULDN'T BE ENOUGH FUNDS FOR NOVEMBER BENEFITS EVEN THOUGH THE AGENCY HAS SIX BILLION DOLLARS IN CONTINGENCY FUNDS FOR UNFORESEEN EMERGENCIES.

BANTA SAYS THE WITHHOLDING OF BENEFITS WILL HAVE RIPPLE EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY.

>> WE ARE TALKING 26,600 GROCERS, FARMERS MARKETS.

EVERY ONE DOLLAR IN SNAP BENEFITS GENERATES MORE THAN A DOLLAR 50 IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

>> Reporter: BANTA WAS SURROUNDED BY CALIFORNIA HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY KIM JOHNSON AND GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM.

THE GOVERNOR RECENTLY ADMITTED HE WAS CONSIDERING A PRESIDENTIAL RUN IN 2028.

AND HE DIDN'T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO LASH OUT ADD THE ADMINISTRATION.

>> ENOUGH OF THIS.

CRUELTY IS THE POLICY.

>> Reporter: THE STATE IS AXELING $80 MILLION TO FOOD BANKS ACROSS THE STATE TO TRY TO CUSHION THE BLOW.

THE LAWSUIT CONTINUES A REQUEST FOR A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER TO BE APPROVED BY THE COURT WOULD ALLOW THE USDA TO USE THE $6 BILLION OF CONTINGENCY FUNDING TO KEEP SNAP GOING, AT LEAST THROUGH NOVEMBER.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> TODAY, JUST DAYS AFTER THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY FILED CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST TONY BLAINE, THERE WAS A RALLY OF PEOPLE BEHIND THE EFFORT TO RECALL HIM.

THEY TOLD US DESPITE THE CHARGES RESIDENTS SHOULD STILL VOTE IN NEXT WEEK'S SPECIAL ELECTION.

>> Reporter: AT THIS CORNER, THESE PEOPLE ARE RALLYING TO GET OUT THE VOTE TO RECALL COUNCILMEMBER TONY BLAIN.

>> I SAW TONY IN ACTION.

I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED.

>> Reporter: HE ATTENDED A COUNCIL MEETING EARLIER THIS YEAR AND SAW BLAIN MAKE BASELESS ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THE CITY.

>> IT IS DISAPPOINTING WE CAN HAVE SOMEONE ON THE COUNCIL WITH NO INTEGRITY.

>> Reporter: AFTER THAT, HE SAYS HE DECIDED TO JOIN THE RECALL TONY BLAIN COMMITTEE.

SINCE THEN, HIS TROUBLES, HE WAS SUED BY THE CITY IN APRIL TO STOP HIM FROM DESTROYING PUBLIC RECORDS.

FRIDAY, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE CHARGED HIM WITH FOUR FELONIES AND A MISDEMEANOR.

>> THESE ARE VERY SERIOUS CHARGES.

FELONY PERJURY, BRIBERY, DESTRUCTION OF RECORDS.

HE HAS NO BUSINESS BEING IN OFFICE.

>> Reporter: IT IS UNUSUAL FOR THE TO CHARGE SOMEONE THIS CLOSE TO THE ELECTION.

>> THEY WERE WELL DESERVED AND THE TIMING IS WHAT IT IS.

>> Reporter: BLAIN IS AN ARMY RESERVE DOCTOR AND HE IS DEPLOYED IN THE BALKANS.

STEPH IS WITH THE ADVOCATE GENERAL COURT.

>> I HAVE NEVER HAD A CLIENT WHO HAS BEEN UNABLE TO RETURN FROM A DEPLOYED ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE ARMY HAS A SYSTEM CALLED FLAGGING THAT WILL RESTRICT BLAIN'S MOVEMENT WHILE DEPLOYED.

EVIDENCED BY THESE TONY BLAIN FOR MAYOR SIGNS.

>> IT IS A TWO EDGED SWORD.

WHEN THAT INDICTMENT CAME DOWN, I THOUGHT MY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO THINK OUR VOTE DOESN'T MATTER ANYMORE.

>> Reporter: HE DIRECTED ALL INQUIRIES TO HIS LAWYER.

>> Reporter: THE ELECTION IS TUESDAY.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CALIFORNIA SPECIAL ELECTION IS ONE WEEK AWAY.

COMING UP, HOW STATE OFFICIALS ARE REACTING TO FEDERAL ELECTION MONITORS BEING SENT TO POLLING PLACES.

>> WE ARE DROPPING DOWN TO THE MID 50s .

MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES.

THE HEAT, THOUGH, THAT IS STILL AN ISSUE AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW.

I'LL TELL YOU WHEN A COOL DOWN IS ON THE WAY.

THERE ARE A FEW WEATHER FACTORS WE WILL BE TAKING A LOOK AT.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL APPROVED A SERIES OF INCREASES TO WATER AND SEWER RATES.

ANDREW BOWEN SAYS THE RATE HIKES WERE SCALED BACK DUE TO AFFORDABILITY CONCERNS.

>> SAN DIEGO HAS MADE BIG INVESTMENTS IN WATER QUALITY AND RELIABILITY IN RECENT YEARS.

THE CITY'S WATER RECYCLING PLANT WILL PROVIDE A VIRTUALLY DROUGHT PROOF WATER SUPPLY IN THE FUTURE WHERE WATER SCARCITY WILL BECOME MORE PREVALENT.

RISING ENERGY AND LABOR COSTS HAVE MADE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE AND THE BILLS ARE COMING DUE T. PROPOSAL WAS FOR FOUR CONSECUTIVE RATE HIKES STARTING IN JANUARY THAT WOULD HAVE RAISED THE COST OF WATER BY ALMOST 63%.

INSTEAD, THE COUNCIL APPROVED ONLY TWO YEARS OF WATER RATE HIKES.

HOPING THAT THE SITUATION WILL CHANGE BY 2028.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT APPROVING ANY RATE HIKES WOULD BE LAYOFFS.

>> WE OWE OUR RESIDENTS GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE.

IF WE DEFAULT ON THE CITY'S DEBT, IT WOULD BE AWFUL FOR SAN DIEGO'S REPUTATION.

IT WILL DRIVE UP THE COST OF BORROWING MONEY AND RESULT IN HIGHER WATER RATES IN THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: AS TOUGH AS THE RATE HIKES WERE TO STOMACH, CITY STAFF SAID THEY COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE.

THE CITY IS ALREADY DEFERRING SOME MAINTENANCE PROJECTS.

DRAWING DOWN ON ITS RESERVES AND LEASING SOME OF ITS LAND TO GENERATE EXTRA REVENUE.

COUNCILMEMBER SHAWN RIVERA SAID THAT IS SOMETHING HE WANTS TO SEE MORE OF.

LIKE PUTTING SOLAR PANELS ON TOP OF CITY RESERVOIRS.

>> WITH THE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY WE OWN IT IS DIFFICULT TO IMAGINE THERE ISN'T ANY OPPORTUNITY THERE AND EVERY DOLLAR GENERATED THROUGH THAT COULD AGAIN BE USED TO SUPPORT WORKING FAMILIES.

AND, ADD TO THE SUPPLY OF CLEAN ENERGY IN THIS REGION.

>> Reporter: ITS UNCLEAR WHETHER THE CITY'S WATER COSTS WILL STABILIZE AFTER THE TWO YEARS OF RATE INCREASES.

IN THE LONG TERM, CLIMATE CHANGE WILL LIKELY MAKE WATER MORE SCARCE AND MORE EXPENSIVE.

ANDREW BOWEN KPBS NEWS.

>>> THOUSANDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY JOINED THE FUNERAL PROCESSION FOR A LA MESA POLICE OFFICER.

DOZENS OF OFFICERS STOOD ALONG THE OVERPASS SALUTING AS THE PROCESSION MADE ITS WAY BEFORE.

OFFICER LAUREN CRAVEN WAS HIT BY A CAR AND HILLED AFTER RESPONDING TO A CRASH ON THE 8 FREEWAY LAST WEEK.

KGTV SPOKE TO A SHERIFF'S DEPUTY WHO SAID THIS IS THE SECOND PROCESSION SHE HAS ATTENDED FOR A FALLEN OFFICER.

THE FIRST FOR POLICE OFFICER AUSTIN MACHATAR WHO DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY IN AUGUST OF 2024.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW LAUREN PERSONALLY BUT I KNEW A BUNCH OF PEOPLE THAT KNEW OF HER AND IT BROUGHT BACK A BUNCH OF EMOTIONS AND MEMORIES WHEN WE LOST AUSTIN.

IT SUCKS BECAUSE WE DO ALWAYS LOSE THE GOOD ONES TOO SOON.

WE KNOW WHAT WE SIGNED UP FOR WITH THIS CAREER, BUT YOU NEVER EXPECT IT TO HAPPEN TO A FRIEND OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW.

>> THE MOTORCADE MADE ITS WAY TO SKYLINE CHURCH IN RANCHO SAN DIEGO WHERE CRAVEN'S FUNERAL WAS HELD.

>>> THE CHEAPEST HOUSING IN SAN DIEGO HAS LONG BEEN DORM STYLE ROOMS BUT THEY ARE RAPIDLY DISAPPEARING AND THE CITY CAN'T TURN THAT AROUND.

WE LOOK AT WHY.

>> Reporter: WELL INTO THE 20th CENTURY, SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCIES WERE WIDELY AVAILABLE IN BIG CITIES.

THINK DORM ROOMS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A ONE CAR GARAGE.

PUBLIC OPINION BEGAN TO TURN.

STACY LIVINGSTON IS WITH THE HOMELESSNESS HUB.

>> SROs HOW TO REEL NEGATIVE CONNOTATION.

>> Reporter: SOCIETY LABELED SROs A BLIGHT.

WHEN CITIES STARTED PUSHING FOR URBAN RENEWAL, THEY DESTROYED SRO BUILDINGS.

LIVINGSTON SAYS WHEN SAN DIEGO REVITALIZED HORTON PLAZA AND THE GAS LAMP QUARTER IN THE 80s , IT LOST A QUARTER OF ITS SROs AT ONCE.

PEOPLE WERE PUSHED OUT OF SROs AND ONTO THE STREET.

THE SO-CALLED BLIGHT OF POVERTY BECAME EVEN MORE VISIBLE.

IT WAS A WAKE UP CALL FOR THE CITY.

COUNCILMEMBERS PASSED AN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE TO TRY TO PRESERVE THE SRO BUILDINGS THAT REMAINED.

IT DIDN'T WORK.

BY 2002, THERE WERE ONLY 110 SRO BUILDINGS LEFT.

RESEARCH SHOWS BY 2023, THAT HAD DROPPED TO JUST 35.

AND TO THE CITY'S HOMELESS POPULATION HAD GROWN TO MORE THAN 6500 PEOPLE.

LIVINGSTON SAYS THE LEGACY OF SRO STEREOTYPES REMAIN TODAY.

>> THERE ARE IDEAS THAT THESE ARE PEOPLE LIVING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES AND PEOPLE WHO DON'T REALLY WANT TO WORK OR HAVE A FAMILY.

THAT ARE DISCONNECTED FROM TRADITIONAL WORKING FAMILY ROLES.

THESE ARE DEEPLY HISTORICAL.

>> MOST SRO OCCUPANTS ARE SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES WHO LIVE WITH FIXED INCOMES.

PEOPLE LEAVING HOMELESSNESS.

AND THE MINIMUM WAGE WORKERS WHO KEEP DOWNTOWN RUNNING.

IN THE CURRENT HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS, THE CITY HAS PRIORITIZED SROs AGAIN.

MAYOR TODD GLORIA INTRODUCED INCENTIVES FOR DEVELOPERS TO BUILD MORE OF THEM.

PROJECTS THAT INCLUDE SROs WITH WIN EXCEPTIONS FROM CERTAIN ZONING RESTRICTIONS.

BUT A CITY SPOKESPERSON SAYS SINCE THE INCENTIVES PASSED TWO YEARS AGO, THE NUMBER OF SRO UNITS PERMITTED IS ZERO.

>> I THINK THE QUESTION IS, IS IT MORE AFFORDABLE TO DEVELOP ANYTHING RIGHT NOW?

COSTS ARE JUST ASTRONOMICALLY OUT THE ROOF FOR CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS AND BAILOR.

INTEREST RATES ARE HIGH.

LAND PRICES ARE OUT THE ROOF TOO.

>> Reporter: A FEW YEARS AGO, NAKSHA BUILT MY TORONTO APARTMENT INS THE EAST VILLAGE.

THEY ARE RABBIT THE SAME SIZE AS SROs .

HE RENTS THEM FOR $1,800 ANA MONTH.

>> IF I BUILT THAT TODAY, IT WOULD COST ME 30 OR 40% MORE THAN IT DID THREE YEARS AGO.

THAT IS A CRAZY HIKE IN COSTS.

>> AND FORGET ABOUT DEVELOPERS RENTING THEM AT SRO RATES.

>> THEY WOULD NEED TO GO MORE MARKET RATE TO SURVIVE.

THEY HAVE TAKEN ALL THIS RISK.

THEY PUT UP ALL THIS EQUITY.

>> Reporter: HE SAID TO MAKE SROs APPEALING TO BUILD T CITY WOULD NEED TO OFFER MORE DRASTIC INCENTIVES.

NO DEVELOPMENT OR PERMIT FEES.

EVEN LESS REGULATION.

RENOVATING EXISTING ONES CAN ALSO BE UNPROFITABLE.

THEY TEND TO BE ABOUT A CENTURY OLD, SO RENOVATION COSTS ARE HIGH BUT RENT IS LOW.

COLLIN MILLER IS A VICE PRESIDENT OF REAL ESTATE FOR THE SAN DIEGO HOUSING COMMISSION.

>> A DEVELOPER WILL SAY LOOK, IT WILL COST US MORE TO RENOVATE THIS BUILDING THAN TO TEAR IT DOWN AND BUILD SOMETHING NEWER, BIGGER, AND DENSER.

>> Reporter: AND WITH HIGHER RENTS.

THE COMMISSION WANTS TO TRY A NEW TACTIC.

THEY PITCH FIRST-DEGREE CITY COUNCIL TO CREATE AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRESERVATION FUND.

THE COUNCIL WILL VOTE ON IT LATER THIS FALL.

IT WOULD PULL TOGETHER GOVERNMENT DOLLARS AND PRIVATE DONATION TO BUY UP PROPERTIES AND KEEP THEIR RENTS AFFORDABLE FOR THE LONG TERM.

THE CITY HAS TRIED A SLEW OF STRATEGIES TO ENCOURAGE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, FAST TRACKING PERMITS.

CREATING NEW INCENTIVES.

FUNDING CONSTRUCTION DIRECTLY.

UNITS THE CITY DEEMS AFFORDABLE CAN RENT FOR MORE THAN $2,000 A MONTH.

TWICE THE RENT OF A TYPICAL SRO.

PUTTING THEM OUT OF REACH FOR MANY.

WHO HAVE NOWHERE ELSE TO GO.

>>> IT HAS BEEN THREE MONTHS SINCE THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO STARTED CLEARING HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS NEAR DOWNTOWN FREEWAYS.

AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ALLOWS CITY CREWS TO GO ONTO STATE PROPERTY.

AS OF TODAY T CITY SAYS CREWS HAVE CLEANED UP 184 ENCAMPMENTS SINCE JULY AND CONNECTED 43 PEOPLE TO SHELTER AND 37 PEOPLE TO OTHER SERVICES.

SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA SAYS CITY STAFF ARE ABLE TO MAKE FREQUENT OFFERS OF HELP.

>> WHILE NOT EVERYONE ACCEPTS THE SERVICES MANY DO.

FOR THOSE WHO SAY NO, WE ARE RIGHT BACK THE NEXT DAY TO REPEAT THAT CONVERSATION AGAIN.

OVER TIME, WHAT YOU FIND IS THAT PEOPLE EITHER ACCEPT THE SERVICES OR MOVE ON.

EITHER WAY, THE ENCAMPMENT IS ADDRESSED AND WE GET THE RESULT THAT WE WANT WHICH IS TO REDUCE THE UNSAFE CAMPING SITUATIONS.

>> Reporter: GLORIA SAYS BUILDING MORE HOUSING AND PROVIDING EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE ARE KEY TO KEEPING PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS.

>>> TONIGHT, ON THE NEWS HOUR, HURRICANE MELISSA STRIKES AN ENORMOUS BLOW ON JAMAICA.

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

>>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS SENDING ELECTION MONITORS TO CALIFORNIA FOR NEXT WEEK'S ELECTION.

AND AS ASHLEY REPORTS, STATE OFFICIALS SAY THEY WILL BE KEEPING AN EYE ON THEM.

>> Reporter: POLL WATCHERS, THE LATEST POINT OF CONTENTION BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS AHEAD OF ELECTION DAY IN CALIFORNIA.

ON A VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE WITH VOTING RIGHTS ADVOCATES, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ACKNOWLEDGED THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SENDING ELECTION MONITORS WOULD BE STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE BUT SAID THESE ARE NOT NORMAL TIMES.

>> IT IS A CONCERN.

OF COURSE, THERE WILL BE OBSERVERS OF THE ELECTION MONITORS.

SO CALLED ELECTION MONITOR IT IS DOJ IS SENDING.

>> Reporter: THEY COULD NOT SAY WHO THE STATE WAS USING SPECIFICALLY TO KEEP AN EYE ON THE MONITORS.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S MONITORS ARE COMING AT THE REQUEST OF THE CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN PARTY WHO POINTED TO SPECIFIC ISSUES IN SOME COUNTIES.

IN A LETTER, CALIFORNIA REPUBLICAN PARTY CHAIRWOMAN RANKIN TOLD THE LEADER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE EASEFUL RIGHTS DIVISION THAT THE ISSUES INCLUDE DUPLICATE BALLOTS IN RIVER SIDE.

INCONSISTENCY WITH THE DEADLINE AND CONCERNS WITH VOTER ROLLS AND LIST MAINTENANCE IN ORANGE AND LOS ANGELES COUNTIES.

NEITHER WERE ABLE FOR AN INTERVIEW MONDAY.

I ASKED BANTA ABOUT THOSE SPECIFIC CONCERNS.

>> I GUESS ISSUES THAT REQUIRE THE MONITORS IN YOUR PERSPECTIVE?

>> I DON'T THINK THEY REQUIRE THE MONITORS.

AND LOOK WHO IS SAYING THIS.

IT'S THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

IT IS A PARTY THAT HAS SUBSCRIBED TO A CONSPIRACY ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTIONS WITH NO PROOF, WITH NO EVIDENCE.

WITH NO FACTS.

WITH NO DATA TO BACK IT.

TRUMP CONTINUE TO SAY THAT HE WON THE 2020 ELECTION.

IT IS INSANE.

IT IS CRAZY.

IT IS NOT TRUE.

AND IT IS DANGEROUS.

>> AND THAT WAS ASHLEY REPORTING.

FOR MORE ON THE STATEWIDE SPECIAL ELECTION, YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE KPBS VOTER HUB.

WE HAVE INFORMATION ON PROP 50 WITH A MAP SHOWING HOW YOUR DISTRICT MIGHT CHANGE.

YOU CAN GO TO KPBS.ORG/VOTE.

>>> PALISADES CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL HAS SEVERELY DAMAGED, WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY'S WILD FIRES.

THOUSANDS OF THE SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE BACK TO IN PERSON LEARNING BUT IN A LOCATION THAT WAS ONCE USED FOR SHOPPING, NOT STUDYING.

>> Reporter: FROM SEARS TO A SCHOOL.

THIS BUILDING IS NOW A PLACE OF LEARNING FOR THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AFTER THEIR SCHOOL BURNED IN THE JANUARY WILD FIRES.

THIS IS PALISADES CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL.

A CAMPUS SO ICONIC THAT MOVIES INCLUDING CARRIE AND FREAKY FRIDAY WERE FILMED THERE.

TODAY, CAMPUS IS CLOSED AFTER ABOUT 40% OF IT WAS DAMAGED IN THE PALISADES FIRE.

>> CLASSROOMS NEEDED TO BE STRIPPED DOWN.

EVEN THE ONES THAT SURVIVED AND WEREN'T DAMAGED IN THE FIRE, THEY WERE DAMAGED BY SMOKE.

>> Reporter: THE PRINCIPAL SAID GETTING KIDS BACK TO CLASS TOOK PRIORITY.

>> WE HAVE BEEN A SCHOOL OF 3,000, A LOT OF FOLKS WERE DISPLACED SOD WE FOUND OURSELVES WITH 2500 STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: UP FOR RENT, THIS CLOSED SEARS DEPARTMENT STORE FIRST BUILT IN THE 1940s.

>> IT IS NOT IDEAL.

IT DOESN'T HAVE WALLS TO THE CEILING.

IT DOESN'T HAVE DOORS.

WE ARE MISSING A LOT.

BUT, WE MADE IT WORK.

>> WE DON'T HAVE MANY WINDOWS IN THE CLASSROOMS BUT IT IS STILL THE SAME.

CLASSMATES AND TEACHERS.

>> Reporter: THE PALISADES FIRE DESTROYED MORE THAN 6800 STRUCTURES IN JANUARY.

>> AT LEAST A QUARTER OF MY BASEBALL TEAM LOST THEIR HOMES.

>> Reporter: UPROOTING FAMILIES ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

>> I LOST MY HOME.

MY TWO BOYS WERE BORN IN THERE.

WE LOST THAT BUT NOW WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY WE WILL TRY TO REBUILD.

>> Reporter: SOME STUDENTS SAY WHAT THE BLAZE COULD NOT DESTROY IS THEIR SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE NOW SO MUCH CLOSER TOGETHER AND THEY CAN BOND OVER SOMETHING.

>> Reporter: THE COMMUNITY IS HOPING CONSTRUCTION WILL BE COMPLETE ON ITS HOME CAMPUS BY JANUARY OF NEXT YEAR.

>> THE KIDS ARE LEARNING NOT EVERYTHING IS PERFECT.

AND WE WILL BE HERE TO TEACH YOU NO MATTER WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.

>>> THE HEAT IS ON AND THAT CONTINUES THROUGH THE DAY WEDNESDAY.

THE OTHER THING WE HAVE GOING ON FROM THE MOUNTAINS.

THIS IS A LITTLE BETTER COMPARED TODAY WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH TODAY.

BUT THAT DOES CONTINUE.

ANY TIME WE HAVE STRONGER WIND GUSTS, IT IS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND.

LOOK AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK, IAN THE WEEKEND, SOME OF US SEE A LITTLE BIT OF A COOLING TREND.

IF YOU ARE SICK OF THE HEAT, THERE IS SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

HERE ARE THE HEAT ADVISORIES I WAS TALKING ABOUT.

THESE GO THROUGH 7:00 P.M.

WEDNESDAY.

THEY HAVE BEEN IN EFFECT FOR A LOT OF TUESDAY AS WELL.

OVERALL, WE LOOK AT TONIGHT.

WELL, WE ARE AT 47 IN OCEAN SIDE.

56 FOR SAN DIEGO.

49 IN MOUNT LAGUNA.

CLEAR SKIES ACROSS THE BOARD.

CLOUDS RETURN LATER INTO THE WEEK.

CLOUDY SKIES ALONG THE COAST.

MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES ACROSS THE BOARD HERE AS WELL.

TAKING A LOOK AT OUR EXTENDED FORECAST HERE ALONG THE COAST, WELL, DO YOU SEE THE COOLING TREND?

THERE IT IS.

THERE IS CERTAINLY A LITTLE BIT OF A ROLLER COASTER RIDE.

75 BY SUNDAY.

WE ARE IN THE 90s WEDNESDAY, DOWN TO 81 BY THE TIME WE GET TO SATURDAY.

ONLY WARMING UP A FEW DEGREES.

WE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR MOUNTANT LOOK.

SOME INLAND AREAS AS WELL.

WE ARE IN THE 60s ACROSS THE BOARD.

THIS IS THE OUTLIER.

WE WARM UP 10 DEGREES FROM SATURDAY TO SUNDAY.

PLENTY OF SUNSHINE TO LOOK FORWARD TO.

WE ARE DOWN TO THE MID 30s .

BRIEFLY, WE GET OUT OF THE 90s SATURDAY.

92 FOR YOUR SUNDAY.

SO AGAIN, A LITTLE BIT OF A ROLLER COASTER BUT NOT AS MUCH VARIATION HERE.

>>> WIRELESS MESSAGES WE SEND THROUGH THE AIR WAVES SHOULD BE ENCRYPTED BUT SOME ARE NOT.

KPBS REPORTER THOMAS FUDGE TELLS US ABOUT A LOT OF SATELLITE TRANSMISSIONS THAT WERE SHOCKINGLY EASY TO INTERCEPT BY UC SAN DIEGO RESEARCHERS.

>> Reporter: YOU CAN'T SEE THEM.

BUT UP IN THE SKY ABOUT 30,000 MILES FROM SAN DIEGO, THERE ARE DOZENS OF SATELLITES.

THEY ARE NEEDED TO TRANSFER IMPORTANT DATA THAT INCLUDES CELL PHONE CALLS AND CODES THAT ALLOW REMOTE CONTROL OF IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> BUT THE SIGNAL IS ABLE TO BE PICKED UP ANYWHERE.

IN PARTICULAR, WE COULD PICK IT UP JUST BY POINTING OUR DISH UP HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: ON THE ROOF OF THE COMPUTER SCIENCE BUILD SERGEANT A SATELLITE DISH THAT WAS RECEIVING A LOT OF MESSAGES THAT WERE NOT ENCRYPTED.

AN ENCRYPTED MESSAGE HAS BEEN TURNED INTO CODE MAKING IT UNINTELLIGIBLE TO UNACCEPTABLE USERS.

SOME UC SAN DIEGO PROFESSORS IN CAHOOTS WITH PARTNERS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND ANALYZED THE MESSAGES THEY INTERCEPTED.

COMPUTER SCIENCE PROFESSOR AARON SHULMAN SAID HE WAS KIND OF SHOCKED.

>> WE REALIZED WE HAD TO CHANGE THE COURSE OF OUR PROJECT.

WE ARE LIKE WAIT, THERE WAS NO ENCRYPTION.

WE HAD TO GO IN AND ANALYZE THAT AND FIGURE OUT WHO THIS IS.

>> Reporter: THE UNENCRYPTED MESSAGES INCLUDED PEOPLE CALLING TO SPEAK WITH DOCTORS AND LAWYERS.

THEY GOT MESSAGES FROM A MEXICAN MILITARY SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM THAT KEPT TRACK OF SHIPS ON THE WATER.

A LOT OF U.S.

NAVY COMMUNICATIONS THEY GOT WERE ENCRYPTED BUT SOME WERE NOT.

ENOUGH TO REVEAL THEY WERE NAVY SHIPS.

>> DEPLOYING ENCRYPTION TAKES SOME WORK.

BUT IT IS CLEARLY DOABLE.

EVERY PHONE, EVERY WEB BROWSER, EVERY LAPTOP COMPUTER, WI-FI NETWORKS ARE ENCRYPTED.

SO THIS IS A PERVASIVE THING.

TO NOT HAVE IT UNIVERSAL FOR SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS IS SURPRISING.

>> Reporter: PHONE CALLS IN URBAN AREAS ROUTED THROUGH CELL PHONE TOWERS REMAIN ENCRYPTED BUT IN REMOTE AREAS THEY HAVE TO RELAY THE SIGNAL TO A SATELLITE WHERE THE ENCRYPTION CAN BE STRIPPED BEFORE IT REACH IT IS PERSON BEING CALLED.

THE GOOD NEW IS WHEN THEY TOLD PARENS AND GOVERNMENTS THEIR COMMUNICATIONS WERE INTERCEPTED, THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM.

>> DEPENDING ON THE ORGANIZATION, SOME WERE FIXED WITHIN 24 HOURS, SOME TOOK A FEW WEEKS BUT THEY REALIZED THIS IS VERY REAL VERY QUICKLY AND A LOT OF THEM ALSO REALIZE THAT THIS IS ULTRA SENSITIVE TRAFFIC.

>> Reporter: THE RESEARCH GROUP PUBLISHED A PAPER ON THEIR FINDINGS.

THE HEADLINE OF THEIR PAPER WAS DON'T LOOK UP.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> LOOK FOR TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE.

KPBS.ORG.

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

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES.

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.