♪ ♪ ♪ >>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

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.

♪ ♪ >>> PRESIDENT TRUMP DOUBLED DOWN ON HIS TARIFF AGENDA LAST NIGHT, BUT TODAY HE CARVED OUT AN EXCEPTION.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

TRUMP GRANTED A ONE-MONTH EXEMPTION FOR U.S. AUTO MAKERS.

THE STOCK MARKET SURGED AND PERSISTED AFTER THE NEWLY LAUNCHED TRADE WAR.

>> PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SPOKE ON THE PHONE WITH CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER JUSTIN TRUDEAU FOR ABOUT AN HOUR THIS MORNING FOLLOWING AN EXTRAORDINARY BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TWO LEADERS OVER A BREWING TRADE WAR.

TRUMP SAID THAT THE CALL ENDED IN A, QUOTE, SOMEWHAT FRIENDLY MANNER.

THIS CALL COMES THE DAY AFTER TRUMP ENACTED A 25% TARIFF ON CANADA AND MEXICO AND DOUBLED A TARIFF ON CHINESE GOODS TO 20%.

TRUMP ADMITTED THAT HIS MOVES WOULD LEAD TO A, QUOTE, ADJUSTMENT PERIOD, BUT SEEMED TO DOUBLE DOWN ON HIS TARIFF AGENDA DURING HIS JOINT ADDRESS TO CONGRESS.

>> THERE WILL BE A LITTLE DISTURBANCE, BUT WE'RE OKAY WITH THAT.

IT WON'T BE MUCH.

>> MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, EVEN SOME IN HIS OWN PARTY, HAVE BEEN CALLING ON TRUMP TO BACKTRACK.

DEMOCRATIC SENATOR CHRIS KOONS WARNS THAT THIS COULD LEAD TO THE SHOCK TO THE POCKET BOOTS OF AMERICANS.

>> WHETHER THE PRICE AT THE PUMP, THE PRICE OF VEHICLES AND GROCERIES, THESE TARIFFS AND RETALIATORY TARIFFS WE WILL GET FROM MEXICO AND CANADA WILL CREATE CHAOS IN THE MARKETPLACE AND FURTHER RAISE PRICES.

>> THIS IS TRUMP'S LATEST MOVE ON TARIFFS.

THE 25% MOVE ON TARIFF ON ALL STEEL AND ALUMINUM IMPORTS IS SCHEDULED TO GO INTO EFFECT ON MARCH 12th AND THE RECIPROCAL TARIFFS THAT COULD MATCH OTHER COUNTRIES' ARIFFS DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR ARE SET TO START APRIL 2nd.

AT THE WHITE HOUSE, I'M JULIA BENBROOK.

>> WE CAN FEEL THE TARIFF ON FUEL IMPORTS HERE ON THE WEST COAST BEFORE OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AND THAT IS BECAUSE DIFFERENT REGIONS GET GAS, DIESEL AND CRUDE FROM VARIOUS SOURCES.

EXPERTS SAY THE NORTHEAST AND WEST COAST WILL LIKELY SEE GAS PRICES RISE SOONER THAN OTHER REGIONS.

CANADA IS A PRIME SOURCE OF OIL FOR THE U.S. LAST YEAR IT CHIPPED IN 1.5 BILLION BARRELS.

>>> THE CHAIR OF THE NEUROSCIENCE DEPARTMENT WAS IN CHAMBER.

DR. JAMES BREWER WAS THE INVITED GUEST OF SAN DIEGO REPRESENTATIVE SCOTT PETERS.

THE TRIP TO WASHINGTON WAS INTENDED TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT PROPOSED FUNDING CUTS TO THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH AND HOW THAT MIGHT AFFECT RESEARCH HERE.

>> THIS IS SOMETIMES THE LAST HOPE FOR PATIENTS.

THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE NEW DISCOVERIES ARE MADE AND HUMAN DISEASES LIKE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND THESE PROGRAMS ALLOW US TO HAVE SAFER, NEW DRUGS AND WE'RE BASICALLY SAYING, NO, WE DON'T WANT THAT.

>> CONGRESSMAN PETERS ALSO WROTE A LETTER TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION OUTLINING THE VALUE OF WORK DONE BY UCSD AND OTHER UNIVERSITIES THAT RECEIVE NIH FUNDING.

A FEDERAL COURT HAS TEMPORARILY BLOCKED THE ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN TO ENACT THE PROPOSED CUTS.

>>> TONIGHT WE'RE DROPPING DOWN INTO THE MID-50s AND WE DO HAVE THAT BENEFICIAL RAINFALL TO TALK ABOUT.

IT'S GOING TO STICK AROUND AS WE HEAD INTO YOUR THURSDAY.

SO I'LL TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT TO EXPECT COMING UP.

>>> ALL OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARIANS IN THE GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT COULD LOSE THEIR JOBS AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

THE SCHOOL BOARD VOTED TO END THE POSITIONS LAST WEEK AS PART OF A CUTTING $2.4 MILLION DEFICIT.

KPBS REPORTER SPOKE TO VAL HALA HIGH SCHOOL'S LIBRARIAN ABOUT THE DECISION.

>> THE CUTS VIOLATE ALL OF OUR LCAP GOALS.

>> IT WAS STANDING ROOM ONLY AT LAST WEEK'S GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD MEETING.

>> IT WAS INCREDIBLE.

I'VE BEEN TO BOARD MEETINGS THROUGH MY WHOLE CAREER.

I'VE BEEN AN EDUCATOR FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND I'VE NEVER SEEN A BOARD MEETING LIKE THAT.

>> STEPHANIE MACECCA IS ONE WHO COULD LOSE THEIR JOBS, TEACHER, LIBRARIAN, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AND OTHER POSITIONS.

FINAL LAYOFF NOTICES MUST BE ISSUED BY MAY 19th.

>> I CAN SAY WITH ALL HON OF THEY IF THIS IS THE END OF MY LIBRARY CAREER, THAT I FEEL SUPPORTED AND VERY LOVED AND VERY APPRECIATED.

>> MACCEC AWARES A BADGE LETTING LGBTQ+ STUDENTS KNOW SHE'S THERE FOR THEM.

>> SANTANA HIGH SCHOOL SAID LEAN RAERS HAVE BEEN A SUPPORTIVE PLACE.

>> AS SCHOOL COMMUNITIES BECOME INCREASINGLY UNSAFE FOR BOTH QUEER STUDENTS AND IMMIGRANTS, LIBRARIES AND LIBRARIANS REMAIN ONE OF THE FEW SPACES AS THEY PROVIDE THOSE STUDENTS WITH LITERATURE WHERE THEY ARE REPRESENTED AND BELONG.

>> NONE OF THE BOARD MEMBERS IN FAVOR OF THE CUTS SPOKE BEFORE THE VOTE.

A DISTRICT SPOKESPERSON SAYS THE DISTRICT IS FACES LONG-TERM BUDGET CHALLENGES AND MUST BALANCE FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY WITH EDUCATIONAL PRIORITIES OF ITS SCHOOLS.

THE DISTRICT IS FACING A $2.4 MILLION DEFICIT NEXT YEAR.

THEY'RE ALSO EXPECTING ENROLLMENT TO CONTINUE TO DECLINE.

STATE FUNDING IS TIED TO STUDENT ATTENDANCE.

THE BOARD MEMBER CHRIS FIGHT VOTED AGAINST THE CUTS.

HE SAYS THEY WON'T HELP IMPROVEMENT ENROLLMENT OR ATTENDANCE.

>> WE'RE NOT GOING TO BRING PEOPLE BACK IF WE DON'T HAVE CERTIFICATED LIBRARIANS AND TEACHERS AND COUNSELORS.

WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DRAW THOSE PEOPLE BACK?

WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT WORK HERE.

?

HE SAYS THE DISTRICT HAS ENOUGH MONEY IN RESERVES TO AVOID THE CUTS FOR NOW.

IN A MESSAGE TO STAFF LAST WEEK, ACTING SUPERINTENDENT SANDRA HUESO WROTE THAT IF THE DISTRICT RELIES ON RESERVES WITHOUT ADDRESSING STRUCTURAL IMBALANCES THEY WILL, QUOTE, FACE THE SAME CHALLENGES NEXT YEAR, BUT WITH FEWER OPTIONS.

THE BOARD'S NEXT MEETING IS TUESDAY.

KATIE ENASTAS, KPBS NEWS.

>> THE CARLSBAD CITY COUNSEL EXPANDED THE ILLEGAL CAMPING ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE PEOPLE SLEEPING IN THEIR CARS.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN SAYS IT'S PART OF THE CITY'S TWO-PRONGED APPROACH TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF HOMELESSNESS.

>> WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN FAMILIES LIVING IN THEIR VEHICLES.

CARLSBAD POLICE SAYS IT'S A MATTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> OUR MAIN GOAL IS TO END UNLAWFUL BEHAVIOR AND CONNECT PEOPLE TO AVAILABLE SERVICES AND RESOURCES.

>> SHE SAYS BANNING PEOPLE FROM SLEEPING IN THEIR CARS IS JUST ANOTHER TOOL OFFICERS USE TO HELP PEOPLE INTO PERMANENT HOUSING.

ACCORDING TO THE 2024 POINT IN TIME COUNT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING IN CARS IN CARLSBAD NEARLY DOUBLED IN ONE YEAR AND HALF OF THE UNSHELTERED POPULATION LIVE IN THEIR CARS.

SCHOOL NURSE VANESSA FORSYTHE OPPOSES THE BAN.

SHE SAYS SHE KNOWS STUDENTS WHO LIVE IN CARS WITH THEIR PARENTS.

>> THEY DON'T REALLY HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE.

>> SHE THINKS THE CITY SHOULD PROVIDE ALTERNATIVES INSTEAD.

>> I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE CITY, AND I BELIEVE OCEANSIDE DID THIS ALREADY, PROVIDE AT THE VERY LEAST A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE CAN PARK OVERNIGHT.

>> MANDY MILLS IS CARLSBAD DIRECTOR OF HOMELESSNESS.

MANY RESIDENTS REJECTED THAT IDEA.

>> THE PREDOMINANT SENTIMENT WAS THAT THAT DID NOT OFFER A LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM AND COULD ONLY CAUSE DISPLACEMENT TO OTHER AREAS.

>> THE CITY RECENTLY RECEIVED A $2.9 MILLION GRANT FROM THE STATE TO HELP PEOPLE LIVING IN THEIR CARS INTO PERMANENT HOUSING.

IT HAS PARTNERED WITH INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES AMONG OTHERS TO CARRY OUT THAT PROGRAM.

GREG ANGEL IS THE CEO OF INTERFAITH.

>> WHAT THE CITY IS MAKING CLEAR IS THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THAT AN ORDINANCE, A BAN ON ITS OWN DOES NOT SOLVE HOMELESSNESS AND WILL SIMPLY MOVE PEOPLE AROUND.

SO WE'RE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY TO PROVIDE PATHWAYS OUT OF HOMELESSNESS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THEIR CARS.

>> THAT INCLUDES HELP WITH EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.

THE AMENDMENT WILL GO BACK TO THE CITY COUNCIL IN TWO WEEKS FOR A SECOND READING.

IF IT PASSES AGAIN, IT WILL TAKE EFFECT 30 DAYS AFTER THAT.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL HELD A MARATHON MEETING YESTERDAY ON THE CITY'S ADU BONUS PROGRAM.

ADOPTED IN 2020 IT CREATES GREATER DENSITY IN SINGLE-FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS SPARKING FIERCE BACKLASH FROM SOME HOMEOWNERS.

ANDREA BOWEN SAYS THERE'S A NEW CONSTITUENCY OF RENTERS AND HOMEBUILDERS FIGHTING TO KEEP THE PROGRAM IN PLACE.

>> SO THIS PROJECTED IS 12 UNITS, TEN UNITS OF NEW CONSTRUCTION.

>> DANIEL SKOLNICK IS SHOWING ME AROUND THE CONSTRUCTION SITE FOR SIX DUPLEXES THAT HE'S BUILDING IN SAN DIEGO'S PALM CITY NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> BE CAREFUL.

ALL OF THIS IS TRENCHING FOR UTILITIES, GAS, ELECTRIC, WATER, SEWER.

>> NORMALLY THIS PROPERTY WOULD BE LIMITED TO THREE HOMES, A PRIMARY HOUSE AND TWO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS OR ADUs, BUT BECAUSE THE PROPERTY IS A 15-MINUTE WALK TO THE PALM AVENUE TROLLEY STATION -- IT'S ELIGIBLE FOR THE CITY'S ADU BONUS PROGRAM.

SO INSTEAD OF THREE UNITS SKOLNICK IS BUILDING 12.

FIVE WILL BE RENTED AS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

SKOLNICK SAYS HE'S USED THE ADU BONUS PROGRAM TO BUILD HOUSING FOR MORE THAN 300 SAN DIEGANS.

>> THE CITY HAS A COUPLE THOUSAND PROJECTS, YOU KNOW, THAT ARE BEING BUILT UNDER THIS PROGRAM, AND SO IT'S REALLY MOVED THE NEEDLE IN CREATING MISSING MIDDLE HOUSING WITH ZERO PUBLIC HOUSING.

>> IT IS REFERRING TO DUPLEXES, TOWNHOMES AND BUNGALOWS THAT SAN DIEGO USED TO BUILD A LOT OF, BUT THEY WERE LARGELY OUTLAWED IN THE MID-20th CENTURY AS THE CITY REZONED MANY OF ITS SNASHDS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES.

THE CITY HAS BEEN ALLOWING MORE LARGE APARTMENT BUILDINGS OFTEN 50 UNITS OR MORE.

>> THOSE TYPES OF BUILDINGS TYPICALLY ATTRACT A REGIONAL OR NATIONAL DEVELOPER BECAUSE THE TIMELINESS ARE FOUR TO FIVE YEARS.

THE REQUIREMENTS ARE $40 TO $80 MILLION AND YOU'RE FORCING OUTSIDE INFLUENCE TO HELP SHAPE THE GROWTH OF THE CITY.

HERE COMES ADU DENSITY BONUS WHERE NOW YOU CAN BUILD THESE SMALLER PROEKT JS THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, CALL IT FROM TWO TO $5 MILLION TO CREATE.

IT CREATES A WHOLE NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR SAN DIEGANS TO NOW SHAPE AND BUILD SAN DIEGO.

>> THIS IS OUR FRONT TERRACE HERE.

WE HAVE A SMALL GARDEN WITH CILANTRO AND ROSEMARY.

>> SARAH AGULO IS ONE OF THE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN SAN DIEGO WHO NOW HAS A HOME THANKS TO THE ADU BONUS PROGRAM.

AGUDO MOVED TO SAN DIEGO LAST AUGUST WITH HER BOYFRIEND TO PURSUE A MASTERS DEGREE IN INTERIOR DESIGN.

>> I WAS TRYING TO FIND SOME, LIKE, THE CLOSEST PLACE TO MY COLLEGE.

I WAS LOOKING FOR LA JOLLA, TO BE HONEST, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW LA JOLLA WAS LA JOLLA.

EVENTUALLY SHE CAME ACROSS THIS MUCH MORE AFFORDABLE ONE-BEDROOM APARTMENT IN CLAIREMONT BUILT ALONGSIDE NINE OTHER ADUs.

IT'S QUIET.

IT HAS A SMALL YARD AND IT CAME WITH A PARKING SPACE, A DISH WASHER, EVEN IN-UNIT LAUNDRY.

SHE ALSO LIKES THE NATURAL LIGHT AND VENTILATION.

>> KNOW IT WAS A GOOD TEAM THAT EXECUTED THIS, LIKE A GOOD ARCHITECT, A GOOD INTERIOR DESIGNER BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS WELL THOUGHT AND, LIKE, IT WORKS.

IT'S SMALL, BUT IT WORKS.

>> SARAH DOESN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE ADU BONUS PROGRAM OR THE OPPOSITION TO IT.

ALL SHE KNOWS IS THE OTHER HOMES IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, LARGER, SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES ARE OUT OF HER PRICE RANGE.

>> WE REALLY FEEL GLAD THAT THIS HOUSING OR THIS PROJECT WAS BUILT BECAUSE IT REALLY GIVES THE OPPORTUNITY TO, LIKE, STUDENTS AND TO JUST PEOPLE FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY THAT -- OR EVEN LOCALS BECAUSE MANY LOCALS, THIS IS A VERY CONVENIENT AND STRATEGIC LOCATION BECAUSE YOU HAVE BOTH MAIN HIGHWAYS THAT CONNECT TO THE NORTH AND SOUTH.

SO IT'S GREAT FOR US.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> UNDER THE CURRENT RULES, THESE PROJECTS RESEMBLE SLAVE QUARTERS OR CAMPS.

>> THEY ARE TRAUMATIZING YOUR RESIDENTS.

>> THE BONUS ADU PROGRAM IS NOT ONLY UNSUCCESSFUL, IT IS DESTRICTIVE.

>> HOMEOWNERS IN SINGLE-FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS SHOWED UP IN FORCE AT TUESDAY'S CITY COUNCIL MEETING ASKING FOR THE ADU BONUS PROGRAM TO BE REPEALED.

THEY RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT TRAFFIC CONGESTION, LACK OF PARKING, FIRE SAFETY AND MORE.

THE COUNCIL ULTIMATELY VOTED NOT TO REPEAL THE PROGRAM, BUT TO WORK WITH MAYOR TODD GLORIA TO LIMIT WHERE IT APPLIES AND TIGHTEN ITS REGULATIONS.

CITY PLANNING STAFFERS ARE EXPECTED TO PRESENT THE COUNCIL WITH CHANGES TO THE ADU BONUS PROGRAM IN THE COMING MONTHS.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I'M JEFF BENNETT.

TONIGHT ON "THE NEWSHOUR," VETERANS' CONCERNS ABOUT CUTS TO THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE AND CHANGES TO RESOURCES.

THAT'S TONIGHT ON THE EVENING EDITION OF KPBS.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL IS MOVING FORWARD WITH A PLAN TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR TOURISM WORKERS TO $25 AN HOUR.

IN OUR NEXT "WHY IT MATTERS" SEGMENT, SCOTT LEWIS SAYS IT'S NOT JUST HOTELS WHO ARE AGAINST THE IDEA.

♪ ♪ >>> THIS MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE WOULDN'T JUST APPLY TO HOTEL WORKERS.

IT WOULD ALSO APPLY TO WORKERS AT PETCO PARK.

FIRST A LITTLE BACKGROUND.

A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO VOICE OF SAN DIEGO REVEALED A FAKE GIRLS SOFTBALL LEAGUE WAS RUNNING CONCESSION STANDS SET ASIDE FOR CHARITIES AT PETCO PARK.

IT WAS HAPPENING AT OTHER VENUES, TOO.

GROUPS POSING AS VOLUNTEERS WERE ACTUALLY PAYING CONCESSION WORKERS UNDER THE TABLE AND BELOW MINIMUM WAGE.

NOW THE CITY MAY IMPOSE A NEW, HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE FOR WORKERS AT PETCO PARK, AND THE PADRES ARE FIGHTING IT.

A SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ADVANCED A PROPOSAL LAST WEEK.

IT WOULD RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR HOTEL, EVENT CENTER AND OTHER WORKERS IN THE TOURISM SECTOR TO $25 AN HOUR.

RIGHT NOW THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR ALL WORKERS IN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS $17.25.

HOTEL UNION LEADERS OBVIOUSLY LIKE THE IDEA.

THEY SAY THEY'VE HAD TROUBLE PUSHING FOR HIGHER WAGES ESPECIALLY IN HOTELS OUTSIDE OF DOWNTOWN.

HOTELS HAVE STARTED USING OUTSIDE CONTRACTORS TO DO MUCH OF THEIR ROOM CLEANING AND WORKERS ARE HARDER FOR UNIONS TO REACH, BUT TOURISM INDUSTRY LEADERS SAY THE INCREASE WOULD KILL JOBS.

THEY'RE ALREADY FACING BIG PROBLEMS WITH NATIONAL UNCERTAINY AND HIGH COSTS.

UNION LEADERS POINTED TO HOTEL OWNERS' OWN PUBLICITY ABOUT HOW HIGH THEIR PROFITS HAVE BEEN.

>> THIS MORNING WE HEARD FROM A NUMBER OF EXTREMELY WELL PAID, WEALTHY PEOPLE REPRESENTING BUSINESSES WHO OTHERWISE BOAST OF THEIR BUSINESS BOOMING.

TODAY THEY'RE PLEADING POVERTY IN THE FACE OF THEIR OWN WORKERS WHOSE WORK GENERATES THEIR REVENUE MIGHT MAKE AS MUCH AS $25 AN HOUR.

THAT'S $50,000 A YEAR BEFORE TAXES.

IT WOULD NOT PROVIDE ENOUGH IN AN ENTIRE YEAR TO BUY THE CARS THAT MANY OF THESE FOLKS DROVE HERE TODAY.

>> BUT REMEMBER, THIS DOESN'T JUST APPLY TO HOTELS.

THE QUESTION OF WHO EXACTLY IT APPLIES TO COULD BE THE REAL ARGUMENT GOING FORWARD.

PETCO PARK WAS SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED AND THE PADRES ARE CLEARLY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THAT.

>> THE PROPOSED MANDATE PROMOTES AN UNEVEN PLAYING FIELD.

IF ONLY A SELECT FEW VENUES MUST COMPLY WHILE OTHERS REMAIN EXEMPT, IT REWARDS OTHERS WITH A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE.

>> NEGOTIATION CONTINUES AS THE CITY ATTORNEY RIDES A NEW LAW.

PROPONENTS LEFT SEAWORLD OUT OF IT LIKELY BECAUSE THEY KNEW SEAWORLD WOULD SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TO FIGHT IT.

I'M SCOTT LEWIS FOR VOICE OF SAN DIEGO.

>>> SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON IS COMING UNDER LEGAL FIRE IN THE WAKE OF THE DEADLY EATON FIRE.

THE CITIES OF SIERRA MADRE AND PASADENA ALONG WITH LOS ANGELES COUNTY FILED A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE UTILITY ALLEGING ITS EQUIPMENT SPARKED THE FIRE.

THEY SEEK TO RECOVER THE COSTS INCURRED FROM RESPONSE AND RECOVERY EFFORTS.

EDISON ALREADY FACES MULTIPLE LAWSUITS BY RESIDENTS AND MORE THAN 14,000 ACRES BURNED AND THOUSANDS OF STRUCTURES WERE DESTROYED BY THE EATON FIRE.

COMPANY OFFICIALS SAY THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>>> LITHIUM ICON BATTERIES ARE IN SO MANY THINGS AROUND US FROM CELL PHONES TO ELECTRONIC TOOTHBRUSHES TO E-SCOOTERS AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND WHILE THEY'RE CRUCIAL FOR EVERYDAY LIFE THEY CAN POSE GREAT DANGER WHEN DAMAGED IN DISASTERS.

MARYBELL GONZALEZ TAKES A LOOK AFTER THE L.A. WILDFIRES.

>> THE PALISADES AND EATON FIRES BURNED THOUSANDS OF BUILDINGS TO THE GROUND AND CHARRED ELECTRIC CARS TO THEIR FRAMES LEAVING BEHIND A TRAIL OF HAZARDOUS WASTE, LITHIUM ION ABOUT THEORYS.

>> IS THAT THE MOST YOU'VE EVER SEEN IN ANY SORT OF DISASTER?

>> CORRECT.

THE EPS NOW ON A MISSION TO DISPOSE OF THESE DAMAGED BATTERIES SAFELY AS THEY CAN REIGNITE WEEKS AFTER THE FIRES THAT HEATED THEM ARE CONTAINED.

>> THAT INSTABILITY, IT'S STILL THERE AND THEY WON'T GIVE AN INDICATION OF WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO FAIL.

AFTER COLLECTING THE BATTERIES, EPA TECHNICIANS BRING THEM TO ONE OF TWO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STAGING AREAS.

FIRST, SOAKING THEM FOR DAYS IN TANKS FILLED WITH BRINE SOLUTION TO DE-ENERGIZE THEM.

>> IT'S A CON KOUKZ OF SODIUM CHLORIDE AND SODIUM BICARBONATE.

LARGER BATTERY PACKS ARE TORN APART.

HUNDREDS OF INDIVIDUAL BATTERIES RELEASED.

>> THEY'RE GOING TO BE THE ONES THAT MIGHT END UP EMITTING TOXIC GASSES OR METAL.

>> THEY'RE SCATTERED, CRUSHED AND SCOOPED.

THAT FINAL PRODUCT IS NOW NO LONGER CONSIDERED A BATTERY.

THIS NOVEL PROCESS FIRST DEVELOPED DURING THE 2023 WILDFIRES IN HAWAII AND REFINED DURING THE 2025 CALIFORNIA ONES NOW CRITICAL TO THE EPA'S RESPONSE TO FUTURE DISASTERS.

>> WITH THE FLOODS AND HURRICANES ON THE EAST COAST, OUR FIRES OUT HERE OR WHATEVER ELSE MAY BE THERE.

THIS WILL BE A PART OF THE WASTE STREAM.

>> I'M MARYBELL GONZALEZ REPORTING.

>>> RESEARCHERS ARE DEBUNKING A COMMON MISCONCEPTION ABOUT VAPING AND TOBACCO USE.

RESEARCHERS SAY VAPING DOES NOT HELP SMOKERS QUIT SMOKING.

SCIENTISTS AT THE MORSE CANCER CENTER AT UCSD ANALYZED THOUSANDS OF SMOKERS AND E-CIGARETTE USERS AND FOUND PEOPLE WHO VAPE EVERY DAY REPORTED 4.1% OF QUITTING THAN SMOKERS WHO DO NOT VAPE.

QUITTING RATES OF THOSE WHO VAPE OCCASIONALLY WERE 5.3% LOWER.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S FIRST BLACK CITY COUNCILMAN AND SUPERVISOR DIED AT THE AGE OF 102 YEARS OLD.

KATIE HISEN SAYS HIS LEGACY LIVES ON.

>> LEON WILLIAMS FLED THE OKLAHOMA DUST BOWL AS A TEEN.

HE ARRIVED IN SAN DIEGO THAT REFUSED HIM SERVICE AT RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS.

STILL, HE WANTED TO SERVE THE CITY THAT WOULDN'T SERVE HIM.

HERE'S WILLIAMS SPEAKING TO KPBS IN 2015.

>> I WANT TO CREATE MORE EQUITY AND MORE FAIRNESS AND MORE JUSTICE, AND I WAS WATCHING MARTIN KING AND WHAT WAS HAPPENING TO THOSE AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND OTHER KIDS IN THE SOUTH, AND I WAS SAYING, IF THEY CAN DO THAT I CAN DO SOMETHING HERE.

>> HE WON A CITYWIDE ELECTION, BECOMING SAN DIEGO'S FIRST BLACK COUNCIL MEMBER IN THE LATE '60s.

THEN ITS FIRST BLACK COUNTY SUPERVISOR, OPENING THE DOOR FOR MORE TO FOLLOW.

HE WAS THE FIRST BLACK HOMEOWNER IN HIS DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD.

KNOWN FOR HIS SIGNATURE FEDORA AND HIS KNACK FOR GETTING PEOPLE TO WORK TOGETHER, HE USED THAT SKILL TO REVITALIZE DOWNTOWN AND CREATE THE TROLLEY SYSTEM.

WILLIAMS DIED THIS WEEK OF CARDIAC ARREST.

KPBS' MAUREEN CAVANAUGH IN 2015.

>> IF YOU HAD TO DO IT AGAIN IN TODAY'S CLIMATE WOULD YOU GO INTO POLITICS AGAIN?

>> IF I WERE YOUNG I WOULD.

[ LAUGHTER ] SO YOU'D DO IT AGAIN?

>> I WOULD DO IT AGAIN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> KATIE HISEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> YOU CAN HEAR MORE FROM LEON WILLIAMS AND THE FREEWAY EXIT PODCAST.

SHE SPOKE TO WILLIAMS ABOUT THE MOVEMENT TO DEFEAT HIGHWAY 252 IN THE EPISODE TITLED THE FREEWAY REVOLT.

YOU CAN LISTEN ON KPBS.ORGANIZATION OR WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS.

♪ ♪ >>> WE DO HAVE SOME BENEFICIAL RAINFALL TO TALK ABOUT, AND OF COURSE, THAT HIGHER ELEVATIONS WE WILL SEE SNOW IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, BUT WITH THIS SYSTEM COMES A LITTLE BIT OF A ROLLER COASTER FOR TEMPERATURES FOR SOME OF US.

SO LET'S BREAK IT ALL DOWN STARTING OFF WITH WHAT TO EXPECT TEMPERATURE WISE FOR TONIGHT.

WE ARE IN THE 50s IN OCEANSIDE, 54 IN SAN DIEGO.

COOLEST TEMPERATURES WE ARE SEEING IN MOUNT LAGUNA, 26 DEGREES AND YOU SEE ALL OF THE PRECIPITATION ICONS AND THE WINTRY MIX AS WE GET CLOSER TO HIGHER ELEVATIONS AND ALONG THE COAST WE ARE SEEING THAT RAINFALL.

THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE INTO TOMORROW, AS WELL.

SO GOOD NEWS BECAUSE WE NEED THE RAIN ESPECIALLY RECENTLY.

WE'VE HAD AN INCREASED FIRE RISK AND THIS WILL HELP WITH THAT, AS WELL.

WE'LL TIME IT ALL OUT ON FUTURE RADAR, BUT FIRST, STOPPING AT 7:00 P.M., WE DO HAVE THAT RAIN INTO SAN DIEGO.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE SCATTERED BURSTS OF RAIN.

THERE WILL BE A COMPANY OF WAVES AS WE GO THROUGHOUT THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

THURSDAY, 7:00 A.M., WE'RE SEEING THE SCATTERED SHOWERS AND STARTING TO SEE THE SNOW MIX AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS AND WE'LL GET A BREAK AND THE NEXT ROUND COMES IN JUST IN TIME FOR THE EVENING AND THE SCATTERED SHOWERS AND THE NEXT WAVE IS JUST OFF THE COAST AND THAT MOVES IN AS WE GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

>> I MENTIONED THE SNOW AND WE DO HAVE WINTER STORM WARNINGS OR WATCHES BECAUSE OF THAT FRIDAY MORNING.

HERE'S A LOOK AT HOW MUCH SNOW, MT.

LAGUNA, THREE TO SIX INCHES.

THE LARGEST SNOW TOTALS 6 TO 12 INCHES OF SNOW AT BIG BEAR LAKE.

NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT OUR TEMPERATURES.

OUR FIVE-DAY OUTLOOK ON THE COAST.

HERE'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT THE ROLLER COASTER.

59 FOR THURSDAY AND WE WARM UP SUNDAY, 68 AND THEN WE DROP TO THE LOW 60s.

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR WHEN WE'RE BOUNCING BACK AND FORTH.

FURTHER INLAND, 59 DEGREES FOR THURSDAY AND WE'RE IN THE LOW 60s BY THE TIME WE GET TO MONDAY.

HERE'S YOUR MOUNTAIN FIVE-DAY OUTLOOK.

WE'RE IN THE 30s AND WE WARM UP TO THE 40s AND WE STAY THAT WAY SATURDAY THROUGH MONDAY.

TAKING A LOOK AT THE DESERT OUTLOOK.

STRONG WINDS ON THURSDAY AND SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND WITH THIS SYSTEM AND WE GO FROM THE 60s UP TO THE 70s.

WE'LL STAY IN THE 70s SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

>>> WOMENS SPORTS IS SURGING ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND A LOCAL START-UP SAYS IT WANTS TO BECOME A TRAILBLAZER FOR WATCHING WOMEN'S SPORTS IN SAN DIEGO.

ONE OF US SPORTS BAR HOPES TO BECOME THE FIRST WOMEN'S SPORTS BAR IN SAN DIEGO.

THEY'VE BEEN HOSTING WATCH PARTIES AT DIFFERENT VENUES IN NORTH PARK HOPING TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO WATCH WOMEN'S SPORTS AND GET THEIR NAME OUT THERE.

>> I REALLY WANT PEOPLE TO HAVE THAT SENSE OF COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW?

AND BE A PART OF SOMETHING.

WOMENS SPORTS IS EXPERIENCING A HUGE MOVEMENT RIGHT NOW AND THESE SPORTS BARS THAT ARE OPENING UP ARE A PART OF THAT MOVEMENT.

>> ONE OF US SPORTS BAR ISN'T OPEN QUITE YET, BUT THEY ARE NEGOTIATING FOR A SPACE IN NORTH PARK.

THEY'RE HOPING TO OPEN TO CUSTOMERS IN THE FALL.

HERE'S A LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON TOMORROW.

ON NPR, UKRAINIAN-AMERICANS ARE GROWING CONCERNED ABOUT THE U.S.-UKRAINE RELATIONS AND THE KPBS MED DAY RELATIONS IS PREVIEWING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY AND GET THE LET'SEST FROM KPBS DELIVERED RIGHT INTO YOUR INBOX.

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THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TABULSI.

GOOD NIGHT.

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