>>> 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-BILLHOWE OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU, THANK YOU.

>>> THE RECORD HOT LABOR DAY WEATHER IS NOT OVER YET.

THANKS FOR JOINING US, I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS UNDER AN EXTREME HEAT WARNING FAR FEW DAYS AS ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER TAMMY MURGA SAYS, A TROPICAL STORM FAR OFF IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN IS TO BLAME.

>> Reporter: THE BRUTAL TEMPERATURES ARE DICTATING HOW AND WHERE PEOPLE COOL OFF.

JULIA VASQUEZ LIVES IN IMPERIAL BEACH WHERE THE BEACH IS CLOSED BECAUSE OF SEWAGE CONTAMINATION.

>> WE HAVE TO TRAVEL OUT OF OUR PLACE SO WE CAN GO TO OTHER PLACES TO GET, YOU KNOW, CLEAN AIR AND CLEAN WATER.

>> Reporter: THANKFULLY, A NEW SPLASH PAD OPENED IN NEIGHBORING NATIONAL CITY.

IT'S BECOME A GO-TO THIS SUMMER.

SHE'S A BABYSITTER.

>> THIS IS ABOUT OUR SECOND TIME COMING HERE THIS SUMMER, YEAH, JUST, YOU KNOW, GET THEM OUT SOMEWHERE A LITTLE BIT FRESH.

>> Reporter: IT'S ALSO IMPACTING HOW STUDENTS RECREATE.

AT PENN'S ELEMENTARY IN THE SOUTH BAY THAT MEANS TRADING PLAYGROUND TIME FOR SHORTER, INDOOR BREAKS.

THESE ARE CALLED RAINY DAY SCHEDULES.

>> SEEMS TO BE HOTTER FOR A MUCH LONGER TIME.

I DON'T EVER RECALL HAVING AS MANY RAINY DAY SCHEDULES AS I HAVE THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: RAIN AND CLOUD COVER FROM TROPICAL STORM MARIE KEPT AREAS NORTH OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY COOL OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, BUT THE COUNTY GOT THE OPPOSITE.

>> THERE'S AN EVAPORATIVE COOLING EFFECT FROM THE RAIN THAT WAS OCCURRING.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, IT JUST PASSED RIGHT OVER SAN DIEGO, SO WE DIDN'T GET ANY OF THAT.

SO WE JUST GOT THAT HUMIDITY AND THE, LIKE, WARM OVERNIGHT LOWS HAVE REALLY BEEN BRUTAL.

>> Reporter: CASEY IS WITH THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

SHE SAYS THE COUNTY IS UNDER AN EXTREME HEAT WARNING THROUGH WEDNESDAY AND A HEAT ADVISORY THROUGH THURSDAY.

FORECASTERS SAY COOLER TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED THIS WEEKEND.

TAMMY MURGA, KPBS NEWS.

>> IT'S BEEN A VERY ACTIVE TIME.

BIG WAVE, ROUGH SURF, MINOR COASTAL FLOODING DURING HIGH TIDE.

SPOTTY THUNDERSTORMS BREAKING OUT THIS SPECIFIC AFTERNOON OVER THE MOUNTAINS WELL TO OUR EAST.

BIGGER CORRIDOR OF RAIN UP IN L.A.

TONIGHT TEMPERATURES GET TO THE MID-70s.

HIGH SURF ADVISORIES UNTIL 7:00 THIS EVENING.

ALSO COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORIES.

HIGH TIDE COULD BRING SOME MINOR COASTAL FLOODING IN.

DETAILS AHEAD.

>> HURRICANE LOWELL HAS BATTERED THE WESTERN MOST HAWAIIAN ISLANDS WITH HURRICANE FORCE WIND GUSTS AND RAIN.

OFFICIALS URGED RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO SHELTER OVERNIGHT MONDAY INTO TUESDAY.

ALL STATE AND COUNTY OFFICES AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED ON KU WYOMING AND NIIHAU.

>> LOWELL IS RAPIDLY MOVING AWAY FROM THE WESTERN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, BUT THE DAMAGE HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE.

>> Reporter: HURRICANE BANDS LASHED HAWAII WITH A CENTER COMING WITHIN JUST 50 MILES OF LAND AS A CATEGORY 2 STORM.

>> WHAT IS NOT EXPECTED IS THE TRACK THAT IT TOOK THAT'S BRINGING IT CLOSER TO NIIHAU AND KU WYOMING.

>> Reporter: HURRICANE FORCE WIND GUSTS OF OVER 80-MILE-PER-HOUR KNOCKED OUT POWER TO NEARLY 90% OF KU WYOMING COUNTY OVERNIGHT MONDAY INTO TUESDAY, DOWNING POWER LINES.

THE MAYOR WARNING PEOPLE OF POTENTIAL DANGER EVEN AS THE HURRICANE TURNS NORTH, AWAY FROM THE ISLANDS.

>> ALL OF THE SOIL AND THE TREES ARE SATURATED, THE RIVERS ARE SWOLLEN.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE HIGH WIND AND TREES THAT HAVE JUST BEEN DOUSED WITH RAIN AND YOU HAVE WINDS COMING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, THOSE TREES TEND TO FALL, BREAK.

THEY COULD PROVIDE A LOT OF HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS.

>> Reporter: HURRICANE LOWELL MARKS THE THIRD STORM IN THE PAST THREE WEEKS TO TARGET HAWAII, AND FOR A HISTORY MAKING FIRST.

>> THIS POP UP OVERNIGHT, THE FIRST TORNADO WATCH TO BE ISSUED FOR THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.

>> Reporter: LOWELL IS THE STRONGEST HURRICANE TO IMPACT THE MAIN HAWAIIAN ISLANDS SINCE CATEGORY 4 INIKI IN 1992.

>>> FEDERAL INVESTIGATORS ARE TAKING OVER THE INVESTIGATION INTO A FIERY PLANE CRASH IN MESA.

TWO PEOPLE DIED ON THE RUNWAY AT MONTGOMERY GIBBS EXECUTIVE AIRPORT MONDAY EVENING.

A PILOT TOLD OUR PARTNER HE WAS FLYING OVER MONTGOMERY AIRPORT DURING THE TIME OF THE CRASH.

HE WAS DIVERTED TO EAST COUNTY.

HE SAYS WATCHING IT HAPPEN FROM ABOVE IS SOMETHING HE WON'T SOON FORGET.

>> IT WAS A LOT OF BLACK SMOKE AND, YOU KNOW, IT WASN'T CLEAR WHEN YOU'RE A THOUSAND FEET ABOVE IT IF IT WAS A CRASH OR IF IT WAS JUST AN ENGINE FIRE.

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND NOT FEEL LIKE IT COULD BE YOU.

>> THE PLANE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH IS THE CESSNA SKY HAWK, WHICH IS TYPICALLY USED IN GENERAL AVIATION AND FLIGHT TRAINING.

THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD IS LEADING THE INVESTIGATION.

THEY WILL BE LOOKING AT EVERYTHING FROM THE AIRCRAFT ITSELF TO THE PILOT, WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND OTHER INFORMATION SURROUNDING THOSE FINAL MOMENTS.

A PRELIMINARY REPORT COULD BE RELEASED WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

NTSB INVESTIGATORS ARE ALSO ON THE GROUND IN MIAMI POURING OVER THE SCENE OF A DEADLY CRASH ON SUNDAY.

AN AMAZON PRIME 736 OVERSHOT THE RUNWAY, KILLING FIVE PEOPLE.

KPBS'S JOHN CARROLL LOOKS AT WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF A PLANE WERE TO DO THE SAME THING AT SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.

>> Reporter: IN AN ERA WHERE CAMERAS ARE EVERYWHERE, THE HORRIFYING SCENES OF A 767 CARGO PLANE COMING INTO MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ON SUNDAY WERE SOON BEING SEEN AROUND THE WORLD.

THE PLANE BUSTING THROUGH FENCES AND HITTING TWO VEHICLES ON THE WAY TO ITS EVENTUAL RESTING PLACE.

FIVE PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN THOSE VEHICLES.

THE PILOT AND COPILOT SURVIVED WITH WHAT OFFICIALS ARE MINOR INJURIES.

SINCE THE CRASH, SOME HAVE SPECULATED THAT AN E-MASS COULD HAVE STOPPED THE PLANE BEFORE LIVES WERE LOST.

E-MASS STANDS FOR ENGINEERED MATERIALS ARRESTING SYSTEM, BASICALLY CRUMBLED CONCRETE THAT A PLANE SINKS INTO, BRINGING IT TO A STOP.

THERE IS AN E-MASS AT THE WEST END OF SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL'S ONE RUNWAY.

>> WE FIRST GOT OUR E-MASS IN 2006.

WE GOT A NEWER ONE INSTALLED IN 2021.

>> Reporter: THAT'S MARK TAYLOR, A SENIOR AIRSIDE OPERATIONS DUTY MANAGER AT THE AIRPORT.

HE'S IN CHARGE OF THE SAFETY AND THE RUNWAY AND ALL AREAS WHERE THERE'S MOVEMENT ON THE GROUND.

HE'S SOMETHING OF AN EXPERT WHEN IT COMES TO E-MASSES.

>> YOU SEE THOSE RUNOFF AREAS FOR TRUCKS THAT THEIR BRAKES FAIL, THIS IS THE SAME IDEA.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE E-MASS AT THE WEST END OF SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT'S RUNWAY.

IT'S KIND OF HARD TO GET AN IDEA OF ITS DIMENSIONS FROM THE GROUND.

FORTUNATELY, WE HAVE A PICTURE FROM ABOVE.

>> YOU CAN REPLACE THE PANEL, SO IT'S NOT A ONE USE AND IT'S DONE.

WE'VE GOT EXTRA PANELS ON SITE.

SO IF WE WERE TO HAVE TO USE ONE, WE CAN REMOVE THE AIRCRAFT, REMOVE THE PANELS THAT WERE DESTROYED SO IT'S BACK IN BUSINESS AND GET THE RUNWAY OPEN AGAIN.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO'S E-MASS HAS NEVER BEEN USED BUT IF A SITUATION LIKE IN MIAMI WERE TO UNFOLD HERE, AT LEAST THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE IT WOULDN'T END WITH THE LOSS OF LIE.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS MORNING UNMARKED U.S.

IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT VEHICLES ARRESTED A DRIVER NEAR SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE.

THE PASSENGER, WHO IS A CITY COLLEGE STUDENT, FLED THE AREA, ACCORDING TO A COLLEGE SPOKESPERSON.

I.C.E.

AGENTS PURSUED THE STUDENT ONTO CAMPUS BUT STOPPED WHEN THEY REALIZED THEY WERE ENTERING A COLLEGE CAMPUS.

THE SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE AGENTS DIDN'T ENGAGE WITH ANYONE ON CAMPUS.

STUDENTS TOLD OUR MEDIA PARTNER KGTV SPOKE WITH A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST.

>>> STUDENT HOMELESSNESS IS ON THE RISE ACROSS CALIFORNIA.

MANY OF THE DISTRICTS WITH THE HIGHEST COUNTS OF STUDENT EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ARE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

KPBS FELLOW EMMY BURRUS REPORTS SAN DIEGO IS NO EXCEPTION.

.

>> Reporter: KIMBERLY KRITZER FELL INTO HOMELESSNESS AT 12 YEARS OLD IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY WHEN HER FATHER LOST HIS JOB.

>> WE WOULD COME OUT OF THE CAMPGROUND AND FIND WHEREVER REALLY WE COULD SLEEP.

SO WE WOULD SLEEP IN WALMART PARKING LOTS AT TIMES.

AND IT JUST -- IT FELT SO DESTABILIZING AS A CHILD, YOU KNOW, BEING 12 YEARS OLD COMING FROM A LIFE BEFORE OF GOING TO SCHOOL AND HAVING FRIENDS AND THEN JUST COMPLETELY LOSING ALL OF THAT.

>> Reporter: KRITZER AND HER 14-YEAR-OLD SISTER HAD TO BALANCE SCHOOL WITH THE REALITIES OF BEING HOMELESS.

KRITZER DIDN'T ENTER A STABLE LIVING SITUATION UNTIL SHE WAS SHE BEGAN AT SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE.

BEFORE, KRITZER SAID SHE LOVED LEARNING.

THAT CHANGED WHEN HER FAMILY FELL INTO HOMELESSNESS.

>> WHEN I WAS IN EARLY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND I LOVED SCHOOL.

LIKE I WAS THE KID WHO SAT AT THE FRONT.

I RAISED MY HAND.

I ASKED ALL THE QUESTIONS.

I WAS SO ENGAGED, AND THEN WHEN MY FAMILY ENDED UP EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, I LOST ALL THAT PASSION, ALL THAT DRIVE.

>> Reporter: A RECENT STUDY FROM UCLA SHOWS THAT SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAS THE FOURTH HIGHEST COUNT OF HOMELESS STUDENTS ACROSS ALL CALIFORNIA COUNTIES.

AND SAN DIEGO UNIFIED HAS THE SECOND HIGHEST OUT OF EVERY DISTRICT IN THE STATEMENT THAT'S IN LINE WITH THE GROWING STATEWIDE TREND OF STUDENT HOMELESSNESS.

THE UCLA STUDY USED PUBLICLY AVAILABLE DATA FROM THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 2018 TO 2025.

KRISTY DRAKE IS THE HOMELESS FOSTER LIAISON FOR SAN DIEGO UNIFIED.

SHE SAYS THERE'S USUALLY ABOUT 8% OF STUDENTS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN THE DISTRICT.

THAT'S ABOUT 8,000 KIDS.

>> I MEAN, OF COURSE, ONE STUDENT THAT'S EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IS TOO MANY, BUT 8,000 IS A LARGE NUMBER, AND 8% IS A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF KIDS TO BE HOUSING UNSTABLE, EVEN IF IT'S NOT THE LARGEST.

>> Reporter: DRAKE SAYS CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM AND HOMELESSNESS GO HAND IN HAND.

SHE ALSO SAYS CHILDREN EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS THAT DON'T GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL ARE OVER 300% MORE LIKELY TO BECOME HOMELESS ADULTS.

>> MAKING SURE THAT KIDS ARE GETTING TO SCHOOL CONSISTENTLY IS OUR NUMBER ONE ISSUE.

THERE'S ALSO, THEY, IF YOU'RE LIVING, FOR EXAMPLE, OUTDOORS OR IN A CAR OR SUBSTANDARD HOUSING, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE SICK MORE OFTEN, SO YOU'RE MISSING MORE SCHOOL.

SO CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM AND HOMELESSNESS GO HAND IN HAND.

>> Reporter: KRITZER FINISHED HER ONLINE HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM, STARTED AT SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE, AND NOW HAS A BACHELOR'S AND MASTERS FROM SAN DIEGO STATE.

>> THE SECOND MY HOUSING NEEDS WERE MET AND I WAS ENROLLED IN SCHOOL, EVERYTHING WENT RIGHT BACK TO IT WHERE I JUST COULD FULLY FOCUS ON MY SCHOOL, MY GRADES.

>> Reporter: EMMY BURRUS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AND PUBLIC MATTERS IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH PBS, I NEWS SOURCE.

>>> DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS IN YOUR BABY'S DIAPERS?

CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS WARN SOME DIAPERS COULD CONTAIN POTENTIALLY TOXIC CHEMICALS.

LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE MANUFACTURERS TO ENCLOSE THE INGREDIENTS THEY USE IS ONE STEP CLOSER TO BECOMING LAW.

MARYBEL GONZALEZ BREAKS IT DOWN.

>> Reporter: SUPPORTERS OF THIS BILL SAY THE GOAL ISN'T JUST TO GIVE PARENTS MORE INFORMATION, IT'S ALSO TO PUSH OTHER STATES TO FOLLOW CALIFORNIA'S LEAD.

RIGHT NOW, MANUFACTURERS LIST SOME OF THE INGREDIENTS THEY USE IN DIAPERS UNDER BROAD TERMS LIKE FRAGRANCE OR ODOR ABSORBERS.

ADVOCATES FOR THIS BILL SAY THEY WANT SPECIFICS.

>> DIAPERS CAN CONTAIN THOUSANDS, NOT JUST A FEW BUT THOUSANDS OF DIFFERENT MATERIALS AND CHEMICALS, INCLUDING THOSE TO CAN ALTER A BABY'S HORMONES, HARM THEIR NERVOUS SYSTEM, OR MAKE THEM MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO CANCER, REPRODUCTIVE PROBLEMS, ASTHMA, OR SEVERE RASHES.

>> Reporter: ACTOR AND MOTHER HILLARY SWANK IS AMONG THOSE CHAMPIONING CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY BILL 1901, A LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REQUIRE MANUFACTURERS TO FULLY DISCLOSE ALL INGREDIENTS IN DISPOSABLE DIAPERS SOLD IN THE STATE.

>> THERE'S NO FEDERAL LAW REQUIRING DIAPER MANUFACTURERS TO DISCLOSE THE INGREDIENTS AND MATERIALS USED TO MAKE THEIR DIAPERS.

>> Reporter: DEMOCRATIC ASSEMBLY MEMBER BURGUM IS BEHIND THE LEGISLATION.

>> THIS IS SO PARENTS CAN MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS THAT THEY THINK THEY CAN MAKE FOR THEIR BABIES AND FOR A PRODUCT THAT THAT'S IS TOUCHING THEIR BABY'S SKIN LITERALLY 24 HOURS A DAY.

>> Reporter: DIAPERS CAN RELEASE VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS, VOCs, THAT CAN CAUSE SKIN AND LUNG IRRITATION AND ALLERGIC REACTIONS.

SOME VOCs IN DIAPERS HAVE ALSO BEEN LINKED TO CANCER.

A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE CENTER FOR BABY AND ADULT HYGIENE PRODUCTS WHICH REPRESENTS DIAPER MANUFACTURERS IN THE U.S.

SAYS ITS MEMBERS ARE CONFIDENT THEIR PRODUCTS ARE SAFE.

>> I DON'T WANT THE MANUFACTURER TO DISCLOSE HOW THEY MAKE THE DIAPERS, I JUST WANT THEM TO DISCLOSE THE INGREDIENTS.

>> Reporter: AB-1901 HAS PASSED THE LEGISLATURE, AND IT'S NOW HEADING TO GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM'S DEATH.

THE CENTER SAYS IT DOESN'T OPPOSE TRANSPARENCY AND REMAINS COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO ACHIEVE THE BEST OUTCOME FOR CONSUMERS.

HOWEVER, THEY TELL US THEY DISPUTE THE STUDIES USED IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, ADDING IT IS IMPORTANT TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE DETECTION OF SUBSTANCES AND THEIR ACTUAL RISK.

REPORTING IN LOS ANGELES, I'M MARYBEL GONZALEZ.

>>> IN IMPERIAL COUNTY, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY IS COMMITTING TO RESOLVING THE CRISIS IN THE NEW RIVER WITH URGENCY.

IT'S CONSIDERED ONE OF THE MOST POLLUTED RIVERS IN THE NATION.

KPBS ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER TAMMY MURGA SAYS THE ANNOUNCEMENT IS BRINGING RENEWED HOPE TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

>> Reporter: AT CALEXICO CITY HALL, THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS FILL UP SLOWLY ON A RECENT TUESDAY.

THE COMMISSION ARE GOING TO ANNOUNCE THEIR COMMITMENT TO STOPPING POLLUTION IN THE NEW RIVER.

ELECTED OFFICIALS, GOVERNMENT STAFF, AND BORDER PATROL AGENTS TAKE UP MOST OF THE SEATS.

THIS WOMAN SAYS NEIGHBORS WEREN'T AWARE OF THE MEETING.

>> THEY ARE KIND OF TIRED OF THE SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN PUSHING THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS FOR SOLUTIONS FOR DECADES.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN PART OF D.C., THEY HAVE BEEN PART OF PROJECTS, THEY WERE TAKEN TO SACRAMENTO TO SPEAK, AND NOTHING HAPPENED IN 10, 20, 30, 40 YEARS, SO THE PEOPLE ARE TIRED.

>> Reporter: SHE BELIEVES HER NEIGHBORS HAVE DEVELOPED HEALTH CONDITIONS RELATED TO THE POLLUTION.

AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCHER, SHE'S IDENTIFIED LEVELS NEAR THE RIVER EXCEEDING STATE STANDARDS.

SHE SAYS THE TOXIC GAS DESTROYS METAL SUCH AS RESIDENT'S OUTDOOR AIR-CONDITIONERS.

>> WHEN YOU SEE THEM CORRODE, IT'S LIKE, WAIT A MINUTE.

I LIVE HERE.

MY COMMUNITY IS AFFECTED.

MY FAMILY IS AFFECTED.

>> Reporter: AT THE ROUNDTABLE, SHE TELLS OFFICIALS WHY HER COMMUNITY DESERVES URGENT ATTENTION.

>> ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE AND QUALITY OF LIFE.

AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY -- FROM THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE NEW RIVER FLOWS FROM BAJA, CALIFORNIA, AND TRAVELS THROUGH IMPERIAL COUNTY INTO THE SULTAN SEA.

NEWS REPORTS MENTION POLLUTION IN THE RIVER AS FAR BACK AS THE 1940s.

ACCORDING TO THE STATE, THE CRISIS IS BELIEVED TO BE CLOSELY ALIGNED WITH POPULATION GROWTH.

TODAY MORE THAN 1 MILLION PEOPLE LIVE THERE.

>> MOST OF THE CONTAMINATION COMES FROM THE INDUSTRIAL SECTOR IN MEXICO.

>> Reporter: CONGRESSMAN RAUL REPRESENTS CALEXICO.

HE'S ALSO A PHYSICIAN.

HE SAYS THE PEOPLE IN HIS DISTRICT DESERVE TO LIVE IN A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT.

>> WHEN YOU HEAR THE STORIES OF PEOPLE HAVING GASTRIC, ESOPHAGEAL, AND OTHER TYPES OF CANCERS AND SUSPICION THAT THESE INDUSTRIAL WASTES HAVE CARCINOGENS IN THERE, THEN ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE'S BEEN MONITORING THE EPA'S RESPONSE TO THE SEWAGE-LACED TIJUANA RIVER AT THE SAN DIEGO/MEXICO BORDER.

LAST YEAR THE ADMINISTRATOR VISITED THE TIJUANA RIVER VALLEY AND VOWED TO STOP IT WITH URGENCY.

>> IN TERMS OF URGENCY AND PRIORITY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN IMPERIAL VALLEY WHO SUFFERED FOR MANY DECADES FROM THIS CONTAMINATION.

THAT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE BIGGER CITIES AND AFFLUENT COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE GOT THE EPA'S ATTENTION.

>> OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU IS WE'RE HERE TO DO THE SAME.

>> Reporter: MARK IS A REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR.

HE SAYS THE AGENCY IS WORKING WITH MEXICO ON EXPANDING TREATMENT CAPACITY AT A PLANT.

IT WOULD PREVENT MORE FLOWS FROM ENTERING THE RIVER.

>> WE WANT TO COME TO COMPLETION AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE.

WE BRING PRESSURE TO MEXICO TO MOVE THOSE PROJECTS ALONG AT A PACE THAT'S ACCEPTABLE TO US.

>> Reporter: EFFORTS ARE ALSO UNDERWAY TO UPGRADE AND EXPAND A TREATMENT PLANT IN CALEXICO.

THE CITY OF CALEXICO IS APPLYING FOR STATE BONDS TO FUND THAT WORK.

AND THERE COULD BE NEW AGREEMENTS WITH MEXICO.

>> WHAT ELSE IS IN THAT WATTER?

>> Reporter: WHAT ELSE IS IN THE WATER.

HE'S WITH THE IBWC.

HIS AGENCY IS CONDUCTING A WATER QUALITY STUDY THAT COULD DETERMINE WHAT IN THE WATER NEEDS TO BE REGULATED IN THOSE AGREEMENTS.

>> THE U.S.

AND MEXICO, ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS, AND ALL THE AGENCIES INVOLVED THROUGH OUR MEETINGS, WILL SIFT THROUGH THAT REVIEW.

THEY LOOK AT THE RESULTS AND SAY, OKAY, WELL, WHAT IS THE SOURCES OF CONCERN.

WHAT IS OUR NEXT STEPS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE STUDY IS NOT READY TO PUBLISH.

IN ALL HER YEARS OF ADVOCATING FOR HER COMMUNITY, SHE SAYS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SHE'S HEARD FEDERAL OFFICIALS ACKNOWLEDGE THEY'VE FALLEN SHORT.

>> I'M VERY HOPEFUL THAT THERE'S SOMETHING GOING TO BE HAPPEN, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE DR.

RUIZ WAS ON THE TABLE.

>> Reporter: DR.

RUIZ SAYS CLEANING THE RIVER WILL HELP THE SULTAN SEA AND MAKE THE VALLEY A HEALTHIER PLACE TO LIVE.

>> IT MUST BE THE IMPERIAL VALLEY'S MOMENT.

>> Reporter: TAMMY MURGA, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A LOT OF RECENT TROPICAL ACTIVITY, ESPECIALLY WITH MARIE JUST OFF TO THE SOUTHWEST OF NORTHWEST MEXICO.

IT'S BEEN PRODUCING SOME BIG WAVES OUT THERE.

WE'VE HAD PROBLEMS AND SOME DANGERS FOR BEACH GOERS.

FOUR THE EIGHT-FOOT WAVE HEIGHTS FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

LARGER UP INTO ORANGE COUNTY.

MINOR COASTAL FLOODING WILL BE AN ISSUE DURING THE EVENING HIGH TIDE.

AND BEYOND THAT WE'LL BEGIN TO SEE SOME IMPROVEMENTS OFFSHORE.

BUT SUMMER HEAT'S GOING TO HOLD STRONG.

AND THAT BECOMES THE BIG STORY MOVING FORWARD.

74 FOR YOUR LOW TONIGHT, PARTLY CLOUDY.

IN THE MEANTIME, HIGH SURF ADVISORIES UNTIL 11:00 THIS EVENING.

THAT'LL BE A CONCERN.

AND ALSO DURING HIGH TIDE THIS EVENING, MINOR COASTAL FLOODING WILL RETURN TO SOME OF THE COASTLINE HERE IN AREAS LIKE ORANGE AND SAN DIEGO COUNTIES.

THROUGH MID-SEPTEMBER WE'RE GOING CONTINUE TO SEE PERIODS OF ROUGH SURF WITH THAT ONSHORE WIND AT TIMES.

AND EVEN AT OTHER TIMES, EVEN IF THE LOCAL WINDS AREN'T ON SHORE, SOME OF THE PACIFIC ACTION, TROPICAL STORMS, HURRICANES, OFFSHORE, EVEN IF THEY'RE HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY, THEY CAN CAUSE TROUBLE, SENDING SOME SNEAKER WAVES, WHICH ARE ISOLATED LARGER WAVES FAR BIGGER THAN THEIR NEIGHBORING WAVE, OR RIP CURRENTS.

THAT'LL BE A CONCERN AS WELL.

IT'S HOT AS WELL, AND THAT'S PART OF THE STORY HERE WITH THE HEAT.

I THINK THAT'S DRIVING MORE THAN JUST THE SURFERS TO THE BEACHES.

LOT OF FAMILIES SPENDING MORE TIME OUT THERE, SO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE KID.

AND THERE WILL BE SOME SPOTTY SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS AROUND AGAIN ON WEDNESDAY.

SIMILAR TO TUESDAY.

WE HAD SOME OVER THE MOUNTAINS.

WITH EMAY SEE A FEW MORE.

HOT, THOUGH.

104, ESCONDIDO.

EXTREME HEAT WARNINGS ALL THE WAY TO THE COASTLINE.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE A STEAMY TIME.

SO IF YOU'RE AT THE BEACH, BE CARE.

BEWARE OF THE RIP CURRENT DANGERS.

SO SUMMER SIZZLE CONTINUES FOR THURSDAY, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT COOLER OR LESS HOT, PERHAPS I SHOULD SAY, ON FRIDAY AS THE HEAT BEGINS TO BACK OFF JUST A BIT.

COASTAL AREAS, 93 ON WEDNESDAY.

VERY HOT, BACK TO NEAR 80 ON SATURDAY.

WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

IT WILL BE A BIT MORE HUMID THAN THAN NORMAL.

INLAND AREAS, 91 TO THE MID-80s EVENTUALLY.

SO A SIZZLING, SIZZLING WEDNESDAY.

AS WE GO INTO THE MOUNTAINS A CHANCE FOR A THUNDERSTORM MANY OR TWO IN THE AFTERNOON.

AND IT'S WARM BUT NOT AS HOT AS THE LOW ELEVATIONS.

THE DESERTS SWEATING IT OUT, BUT AGAIN, IT'S HOT TO THE COAST.

105 TO 110 HERE, THEN BACKING DOWN TO THE UPPER 90s SUNDAY.

I'M JEFF CORNISH FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE NFL SEASON KICKS OFF TOMORROW, AND FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS, SO DOES THE SPENDING THAT COMES WITH BEING A FAN.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THINGS LIKE TICKETS, JERSEY, TAILGATES, FANTASY FOOTBALL, AND SPORTS BETTING.

BUT WITH HOUSE HOLD BUDGETS STILL UNDER PRESSURE, IVAN RODRIGUEZ REPORTS ON A SURVEY.

>> Reporter: FOOTBALL IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS AMERICANS ARE WILLING TO SPEND MONEY ON, SOMETIMES A LOT OF MONEY.

BUT AN A NEW SURVEY FINDS THE ECONOMY IS CHANGING THE PLAYBOOK FOR SOME FANS WITH MORE PEOPLE CUTTING BACK AND SOME EVEN TAKING ON DEBT TO KEEP UP WITH THEIR FOOTBALL SPENDING.

FOOTBALL IS BACK AND FOR SOME FANS, SO IS THE SPENDING.

A NEW LENDING TREE SURVEY FINDS 54% OF AMERICANS PLAN TO SPEND MONEY ON FOOTBALL FANDOM THIS SEASON, THAT'S DOWN FROM LAST YEAR.

>> WE'VE ALSO FOUND THAT AN AWFUL LOT OF AMERICANS ARE GOING TO TAKE ON A LITTLE BIT OF DEBT AS A RESULT OF THAT FANDOM AND SOME ARE EVEN CHOOSING NOT TO SPEND AS MUCH AS THEY PREVIOUSLY DID JUST BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMY AND HIGH PRICES.

>> Reporter: MATT SCHULTZ SAYS 51% OF THOSE THAT PLAN TO SPEND SAY THEY MAY TAKE ON DEBT TO DO IT, BORROWING AN AVERAGE OF $416.

HE ALSO POINTS TO A K-SHAPED ECONOMY, WHERE SOME FANS MIGHT HAVE NO PROBLEM SPENDING OR TAKING ON DEBT.

BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE FOR EVERYONE.

>> YOU ALSO DEFINITELY HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY STRUGGLING AND WATCHING EVERY PENNY BECAUSE THEY'RE DEALING WITH HIGH PRICES AT THE GAS PUMP AND THE GROCERY STORE.

SO ONE OF THE SACRIFICES THAT THEY'RE CHOOSING TO MAKE IS SPENDING A LITTLE BIT LESS ON FOOTBALL.

>> Reporter: THEN THERE'S THE MONEY BEING WAGERED ON THE GAMES THEMSELVES.

>> ABOUT A THIRD OF PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO BET OR PLAY FANTASY FOOTBALL SAID THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO LOSE $500 OR MORE.

>> Reporter: BEFORE THAT FIRST KICK-OFF, THE FINANCIAL ADVICE FROM SCHULTZ IS SIMPLE, KNOW WHAT YOU'RE WILLING TO SPEND AND DECIDE WHAT MATTERS MOST.

YOU CAN STILL CHEER FOR YOUR TEAM WITHOUT FUMBLING YOUR FINANCES.

LENDING TREE'S ADVICE IS TO ACTUALLY MAKE FOOTBALL A LINE ITEM IN YOUR BUDGET IF IT'S SOMETHING YOU SPEND A LOT ON.

IF YOU'RE TRYING TO CUT BACK, TRY TO MAKE A LIST OF PRIORITIES.

MAYBE IT'S GOING TO THE GAME RATHER THAN BUYING THE NEW JERSEY OR WATCHING FROM HOME INSTEAD OF PAYING FOR THE FULL GAME DAY EXPERIENCE.

IN ATLANTA, I'M IVAN RODRIGUEZ.

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

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TRADE WAR WITH CANADA COMES AS AMERICANS KEEP THE ECONOMY TOP OF MIND HEADING INTO THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

>>> ON NPR'S MORNING EDITION, MAINE'S GOVERNOR DISCUSSES THE EFFECTS THE ESCALATING TRADE WAR IS HAVING ON HER STATE.

>>> AND ON KPBS MIDDAY EDITION, THE LAKEN RILEY ACT IS A FEDERAL LAW THAT REQUIRES MANDATORY DETENTION FOR IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE ACCUSED OF CERTAIN CRIMES.

IMMIGRATION LAWYERS SAY IT IS UNDERMINING DUE PROCESS RIGHTS GUARANTEED BY THE U.S.

CONSTITUTION.

>>> AS USUAL, YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, THAT IS KPBS.ORG.

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

HAVE A WONDERFUL EVENING.

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AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU, THANK YOU.