>>> 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.

AND, BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING -- AND, BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU!

♪ >>> SAN DIEGO'S MAYOR IS PROPOSING BIG CUTS TO THE CITY BUDGET.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

TODAY, MAYOR TODD GLORIA RELEASED A SPENDING PLAN THAT FEATURES DEEP CUTS FOR A HOST OF CITY DEPARTMENTS AND NONPROFITS.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL TELLS US WHAT IS AFFECTED AND WHAT IS BEING SPARED.

>> Reporter: FROM JUST ABOUT EVERY ANGLE, THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO'S BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2027 IS GRIM.

>> EVERY DEPARTMENT MADE REDUCTIONS, NO AREA OF CITY GOVERNMENT WAS EXEMPT, INCLUDING MY OFFICE.

>> Reporter: DEPENDING ON HOW YOU CALCULATE IT, THE BUDGET SHORTFALL IS ANYWHERE BETWEEN $120 MILLION AND $146 MILLION.

MAYOR GLORIA SAYS IT HAS BEEN BUILDING OVER DECADES.

HE SAYS, THE CITY IS DEALING WITH RISING COSTS OUTPACING REVENUE, SIGNIFICANT DEFERRED MAINTENANCE, AND UNCERTAINTY WHEN IT COMES TO STATE AND FEDERAL DECISIONS.

BUT, NOT EVERY DEPARTMENT IS GETTING CUT.

>> WHEN YOU CALL 911 FOR HELP IN AN EMERGENCY, TRAINED PROFESSIONALS SHOULD SHOW UP TO HELP YOU.

WITH THIS PROPOSAL, THEY WILL.

THIS DRAFT BUDGET INCLUDES $725 MILLION FOR POLICE SERVICES, AND $547 MILLION FOR FIRE/RESCUE.

>> Reporter: ROAD REPAVING PROJECTS WILL CONTINUE, GLORIA SAYS 311 MILES OF STREETS WILL BE RESURFACED.

BUT, WHEN IT COMES TO ROADS AND TRAFFIC, CUTS ARE COMING, SPECIFICALLY TO THE CITY VISION ZERO PLAN, WHICH AIMS TO ELIMINATE ALL TRAFFIC FATALITIES AND SERIOUS INJURIES.

THAT PROMPTED THIS FROM CIRCULATE PLANNING AND POLICY, WHICH POINTED OUT THAT MORE SAN DIEGANS DIE FROM FATAL CRASHES EVERY YEAR THAN VIOLENT CRIME.

IT SAYS CUTTING ENGINEERS WHO DESIGN SAFE STREETS MEANS SANDY AKINS WILL PAY WITH THEIR LIVES.

AND THEN, THERE IS THE MAJOR CUT, NEARLY $12 MILLION TO THE ARTS.

THINK MUSEUMS AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS.

>> IT IS GOING TO AFFECT A LARGE AMOUNT OF ORGANIZATIONS.

>> Reporter: BOB LEHMAN IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SAN DIEGO ART MATTERS, THE AREA'S LARGEST ARTS ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION.

LEHMAN SAYS THE CUTS ARE SHORTSIGHTED.

>> IT IS KIND OF LIKE, YOU KNOW, QUITTING YOUR JOB TO SAVE GAS MONEY.

WE BRING IN DOLLARS.

YOU STOP FUNDING US, THAT AMOUNT AND FLOW OF DOLLARS WILL DECREASE AGAIN.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION LAMBASTED THE BUDGET PROPOSAL, IN A 21 PAGE ANALYSIS, IT SAYS RESIDENTS ARE PAYING MUCH MORE FOR SERVICES TODAY THAN THEY WERE 15 YEARS AGO.

IT BLAMED SOME OF THAT ON A STEEP RISE IN MIDDLE MANAGERS, BUT THE HEAD OF THE SAN DIEGO MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION, MICHAEL'S A CAT, SAYS THE CRITICISM IS OFF-BASE.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN RAISING THIS FLAG FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS, AND THE MAYOR IS ESSENTIALLY, THIS MAYOR, MAYOR GLORIA, IS THE FIRST ONE TO LISTEN BETWEEN LAST YEAR'S BUDGET, AND THIS YEAR'S BUDGET, CUTTING 100 OF THOSE POSITIONS AND REVERSING A LOT OF THAT GROWTH.

>> Reporter: CITY DEPARTMENTS WILL NOW GO OVER THEIR BUDGETS AGAIN WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB.

GLORIA MADE IT CLEAR, MORE CUTS COULD BE COMING.

THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL WILL TAKE UP THE BUDGET AT THEIR JUNE 9th MEETING.

IT MUST BE COMPLETE BY JUNE 15th.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT HAS BEEN JUST ABOUT THREE WEEKS SINCE PADRES' OPENING DAY, BUT ATTENDANCE HASN'T MOVED THE NEEDLE THE WAY THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO HAD HOPED.

PARKING PROGRAMS AT PETCO PARK AND BALBOA PARK ARE FALLING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS SHORT OF THE ORIGINAL PROJECTIONS FOR PADRES GAMES AND OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS.

ANYONE PARKING WITHIN A HALF MILE RADIUS OF THE STADIUM NOW PAYS $10 PER HOUR.

THE CITY EXPECTED THE MOVE TO BRING IN OVER $6 MILLION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR, BUT 7 1/2 MONTHS INTO THE PROGRAM, THAT NUMBER STANDS AT JUST $800,000.

>> YEAH, I JUST THINK THAT, WE DON'T HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, CHARGE THE CUSTOMERS FOR THAT, MAN.

WE ARE COMING DOWN HERE TO SUPPORT OUR TEAM, SUPPORT OUR CITY, THAT JUST SEEMS TOO MUCH, MAN.

>> Reporter: DOES IT SEEM TO YOU LIKE THE BENEFIT FOR THE CITY OUTWEIGHS THE COST FOR THE CONSUMER, LIKE YOURSELF?

>> NOT AT ALL.

>> Reporter: OUR MEDIA PARTNER KG TWG WAS TOLD THAT THE PROGRAM AT BALBOA PARK WAS BROUGHT IN $1.2 MILLION APARTMENT MORE THAN $6 MILLION BELOW BUDGET ACCORDING TO THE MIDYEAR MONITORING REPORT.

>>> OVERALL, TONIGHT, WE ARE DROPPING DOWN INTO THE UPPER 50s, WE WILL SEE A FEW CLOUDS OUT THERE, BUT NOTHING MAJOR.

THE CHANGES AS WE GO THROUGH THE END OF THE WORK WEEK AND INTO THE WEEKEND, IT IS ALL DUE TO AN ONSHORE VERSUS OFFSHORE FLOW.

WE WILL SEE THAT CHANGE AND I WILL BREAK DOWN EXACTLY WHAT TO EXPECT, COMING UP.

>>> SAN DIEGO-BASED SAILORS AND MARINES CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OPERATIONS IN IRAN NOW IN SUPPORT OF THE BLOCKADE AT THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ ACCORDING TO U.S.

CENTRAL COMMAND, MORE THAN ONE DOZEN WARSHIPS ARE ENFORCING THE BLOCKADE.

AMONG THEM, THE SAN DIEGO-BASED AIRCRAFT CARRIER "ABRAHAM LINCOLN," AND DESTROYERS "SPRUANCE," AND "PINCKNEY."

THE WHITE HOUSE SAYS NO VESSELS MADE IT PAST U.S.

FORCES DURING THE FIRST 48 HOURS OF THE BLOCKADE.

NINE HAVE BEEN TURNED BACK TO IRANIAN PORTS.

THE 2500 CAMP PENDLETON MARINES THAT LEFT SAN DIEGO LAST MONTH ON "THE USS BOXER" ARE EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN THE REGION SOON.

>>> JET FUEL PRICES HAVE SKYROCKETED DURING THE WAR IN IRAN.

MANY AIRLINES ARE PASSING ON THOSE COSTS TO THEIR TRAVELERS.

JENN SULLIVAN HAS DETAILS ON THE PRICE HIKES AND WAYS THAT YOU CAN SAVE.

>> Reporter: SOARING JET FUEL COSTS DUE TO THE WAR WITH IRAN IS CAUSING AIRLINES TO JACK UP PRICES.

CONSUMERS ARE FEELING THE CRUNCH.

>> IS ROLLING ACROSS THE GLOBAL ECONOMY.

WHAT WE HAVE FIRST SCENE HAS BEEN PRETTY INTENSE SPIKES IN THE PRICE OF FUEL, OIL, AND THE PRICE OF JET FUEL.

>> Reporter: SINCE THE WAR BEGAN, JET FUEL COSTS HAVE JUMPED 95%, AND IT IS HURTING GLOBAL TRAVEL.

>> IN EUROPE, THEY ARE CANCELING FLIGHTS, THOUSANDS OF FLIGHTS ALREADY, PREEMPTIVELY ALREADY, BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET ENOUGH JET FUEL, THERE ARE SHORTAGES.

>> Reporter: FOUNDER OF THE SITE THE POINTS GUIDE SAYS AIRLINES ARE PASSING ON THOSE ADDED COSTS TO TRAVELERS.

>> CONSUMERS WILL HAVE TO SHELL OUT MORE NOT JUST ON THE PRICE OF THE TICKET, BUT ON FEES, AS WELL.

>> Reporter: SEVERAL AIRLINES HAVE RECENTLY JACK UP BAG FEES, SOME OF THE STEEPEST COSTS ARE THROUGH AMERICAN AND UNITED AIRLINES.

BOTH HAVE INCREASED CHECKED BAG FEES BY $10, SO IT WOULD NOW COST YOU $100, ROUND TRIP, TO CHECK YOUR FIRST BAG.

AND THOSE FEES GO UP FOR ANY EXTRA CHECKED LUGGAGE.

>> THOSE DON'T COME DOWN, EVER.

I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF A BAGGAGE FEE THAT CAME DOWN ONCE COSTS CAME DOWN, SO THOSE ARE FOREVER FEES TACKED ONTO AIRFARE.

>> Reporter: IN MANY CASES, YOU CAN SAVE FIVE DOLLARS BY SIMPLY PAYING ONLINE INSTEAD OF AT THE TICKET COUNTER.

ALSO, KELLY SAYS, MANY AIRLINES WILL WAIVE THE BAG FEE ENTIRELY IF YOU PURCHASE YOUR TRIP USING CERTAIN CREDIT CARDS.

EVERY AIRLINE IS DIFFERENT AND YOU HAVE TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK ON WHICH CARDS WILL GIVE YOU THE BEST DEALS.

FOR CONSUMER WATCH, I AM JENN SULLIVAN.

>>> THE COST OF RIDING BUSES, TROLLEYS, AND TRAINS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY COULD GO UP SIGNIFICANTLY THIS YEAR.

REPORTED KATIE FUTTERMAN EXPLAINS WHY.

>> Reporter: THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM IN THE NORTH TRANSIT DISTRICT ARE CONSIDERING PLANS THIS WEEK TO INCREASE FARES UP TO 40%.

THE TWO TRAVEL AGENCIES ARE TRYING TO WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE UP FOR LOST REVENUE AND ADJUST FUTURE BUDGET ISSUES.

IT IS BECAUSE OF LOSSES SINCE THE PANDEMIC AND FEDERAL FUNDING REDUCTIONS, AMONG OTHER CHALLENGES.

SEAN DONAGHY IS THE CEO OF THE NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT.

>> OUR RECOMMENDATION IS WHAT MAKES THE BEST SENSE FOR THE REGION, SO THAT OUR REGION IS SUSTAINABLE IN TERMS OF IT AND CONSISTENT IN ITS THEIR POLICIES ACROSS THE BOARD SO THAT EVERYBODY SORT OF BENEFITS FROM A COUNTY PERSPECTIVE ON THAT.

>> Reporter: CURRENT AFFAIRS, FOR METROPOLITAN SYSTEM TRANSIT TROLLEYS AND BUSES ARE $2.50 PER THE PLANS COULD RAISE THEM TO THREE DOLLARS OR $3.50.

THOSE ALSO HAVE A MONTHLY PASS THAT COULD GO UP FROM ITS CURRENT $72 TO AS HIGH AS $100.

THE FARE HIKES WOULD GO TO THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE FOR FINAL CONSIDERATION, IF APPROVED THIS WEEK.

FOR KPBS, I AM INEWSSOURCE REPORTER KATIE FUTTERMAN.

>> INEWSSOURCE IS AN INDEPENDENTLY FUNDED, NONPROFIT PARTNER OF KPBS.

AND THIS STORY IS PART OF OUR PUBLIC MATTERS PARTNERSHIP.

TO FIND OUT MORE, GO TO KPBS.ORG/PUBLICMATTERS.

>>> AM GEOFF BENNETT.

TONIGHT, ON THE NEWS HOUR, A NEW ROUND OF PEACE TALKS BETWEEN THE U.S.

AND IRAN, THAT IS AT 7:00 AFTER "EVENING EDITION" ON KPBS.

>>> WORKING PARENTS WITH 9-TO-5 JOBS OFTEN NEED A FEW HOURS OF CHILDCARE AFTER SCHOOL, BUT SPOTS IN SCHOOL DISTRICT PROGRAMS ARE LIMITED AND THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES HAVE BEEN ON WAIT LISTS.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER KATIE ANASTAS SAYS FAMILIES AT SAN DIEGO UNIFIED COULD FIND SOME RELIEF NEXT YEAR.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO UNIFIED'S FREE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM IS IN HIGH DEMAND.

ENROLLMENT HAS NEARLY TRIPLED OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, AND HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES HAVE BEEN ON THE WAITLIST.

NEXT SCHOOL YEAR, THAT WILL CHANGE.

>> WE ARE LAUNCHING UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO 144 ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLS FOR PRIME TIME, FALL 2026.

>> Reporter: TOBY PACE OVERSEAS SAN DIEGO UNIFIED'S PRIME TIME PROGRAM.

SHE SAYS, ALL INTERESTED STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO ATTEND NEXT YEAR IF THEIR PARENTS ENROLL BY MAY 1st.

THE DISTRICT GOT ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDING LAST YEAR TO START EXPANDING THE PROGRAM.

ENROLLMENT GREW FROM 13,000 STUDENTS LAST YEAR, TO 21,000, THIS YEAR.

>> THE POTENTIAL FOR NEXT YEAR IS EXCITING, WE COULD ENROLL UP TO 30,000, EVEN 40,000 KIDS IN OUR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM, NOW THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED THIS FUNDING.

>> Reporter: PASTE SAYS THE DISTRICT HAS SPENT THE LAST YEAR HIRING MORE STAFF.

STAFF TO STUDENT RATIOS ARE 1:20 FOR FIRST THROUGH EIGHTH GRADE AND 1:10 FOR TK AND KINDERGARTEN.

THE DISTRICT PARTNERS OF LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO RUN THE PRIME TIME PROGRAM, INCLUDING THE YMCA AND SAFE SAN DIEGO.

PASTE SAYS IT IS MORE THAN CHILDCARE.

SCHOOLS CAN OFFER THINGS LIKE TUTORING, SPORTS, S.T.E.M.

ACTIVITIES, AND MORE.

>> CREATING THAT SPACE WHERE THEY ARE LEARNING, NOT SITTING ON A COMPUTER OR STARING AT A SCREEN, BUT REALLY ENGAGING WITH EACH OTHER, BUILDING FRIENDSHIPS, LEARNING COMMUNICATION SKILLS.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS HAVE BEEN REALLY AMAZING AND REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> Reporter: ENROLLMENT STARTS AT MONDAY ON 8:00 A.M., AND CLOSES MAY 1st AT 3:00 P.M.

PASTE SAYS PARENTS WILL GET AN APPLICATION LINK IN TEXT AND AN EMAIL.

KATIE ANASTAS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> POSSIBLE BUDGET CUTS TO ARTS AND CULTURE GRANTS ARE CAUSING CONCERN AMONG PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.

OUR COMMUNITY PARTNER, KGTV, WAS THERE TODAY TO GET AN IDEA OF THE RIPPLE EFFECT THOSE CUTS COULD HAVE.

THE VOICES OF OUR CITY CHOIR AND ST.

PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL SAYS IT RECEIVES ABOUT $87,000 IN GRANTS FROM THE CITY.

THE CUTS COULD IMPACT THEIR WORK CONNECTING ITS MEMBERS WHO ARE EITHER HOMELESS OR RECENTLY HOUSED, TO RESOURCES THEY NEED.

>> WE USE THE HEALING POWER OF MUSIC AND THE ARTS, COMMUNITY BUILDING, MUTUAL AID, SUPPORT, TO HELP PEOPLE THAT ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, GET OUT OF HOMELESSNESS FOR GOOD.

>> MAYOR GLORIA'S PLAN CUTS CLOSE TO $12,000 IN ARTS, CULTURE, AND GRANTS.

HE SAYS, THE CUTS NEED TO HAPPEN TO BALANCE THE BUDGET.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO BOOK CRAWL, SPENDING FROM NORTH COUNTY IS BACK NEXT WEEK.

THE ANNUAL EVENT CONTINUES TO GROW WITH MORE BOOKSTORES PARTICIPATING AND LARGER CROWDS TURNING OUT.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER RE: McAFEE SPOKE WITH SOME OF THE OWNERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES AND WHAT THEY LOVE ABOUT THE CRAWL.

>> Reporter: INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES HAVE LONG BEEN SPACES WHERE PEOPLE OF ALL BACKGROUNDS CAN COME TOGETHER.

THAT IS ESPECIALLY TRUE OF SAN DIEGO, WHERE THERE ARE AT LEAST 15 SHOPS OPERATING ACROSS THE COUNTY.

BECKETT TITLE IS THE OWNER OF MEAT CUTE, A ROMANCE BOOKSTORE IN LA MESA.

IT OPENED IN 2022 WITH THE GOAL OF CREATING A DEDICATED SPACE FOR ROMANCE READERS.

SHE SAYS, BOOKSTORES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.

>> THE WAY THAT BOOK BANNING IS HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW, THE WAY THAT POLITICS ARE GOING, I THINK IT IS EASIER OR THERE IS MORE INCENTIVE FOR LARGE CORPORATIONS TO SORT OF CAVE ON THEIR VALUES.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO PEN AMERICA, THOUSANDS OF BOOKS WERE BANNED LAST YEAR, ADDING TO MORE THAN 23,000 BANS RECORDED SINCE 2021.

ALTHOUGH INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES IN CALIFORNIA DON'T HAVE TO COMPLY WITH BOOK BAN MANDATES, THE WAY LIBRARIES OR SCHOOLS DO, THEY FACE OTHER CHALLENGES, INCLUDING COMPETITION FROM CHAIN RETAILERS LIKE BARNES & NOBLE AND ONLINE SELLERS LIKE AMAZON, WHICH CAN OFFER LOW PRICES.

MEGAN ECCLES IS AN AUTHOR WHOSE DEBUT NOVEL, "STAYING THE NIGHT," IS AVAILABLE.

ECCLES SAYS SHOPPING LOCAL OFFERS SOMETHING MORE PERSONAL.

>> THE BIG CORPORATIONS DO NOT CARE.

IT DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHETHER YOU BUY FROM THEM OR NOT, BUT PUTTING MONEY BACK INTO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IS SO, SO IMPORTANT.

BUT ALSO, LIKE, YOU CAN'T SMELL THE INTERNET.

>> Reporter: JOHN EVANS CO-OWNS CAMINO BOOKS FOR THE ROAD AHEAD, FORMERLY DIESEL BOOKS.

HE SAYS, THE EXPERIENCE OF DISCOVERY IS LOST WHEN BOOKS ARE PURCHASED ONLINE.

>> ALL THE ALGORITHMS JUST TELL YOU ALL YOUR PAST CHOICES, YOU KNOW?

THEY SAY, THIS IS WHAT YOU READ, SO YOU SHOULD READ SOMETHING SIMILAR.

BUT, A BOOKSELLER IS DOING THE OPPOSITE WHERE WE ARE SHOWING YOU ALL OF THE POSSIBILITIES AND TRYING TO GIVE YOU THE BEST ONE FOR YOU IN THAT MOMENT, IN THAT STORE, AT THAT TIME, SO THEN YOU ARE GOING ON AN ADVENTURE.

>> Reporter: HE ADDS THAT INSTITUTIONS AND RESIDENTS ALIKE CAN HELP SUSTAIN LOCAL BOOKSTORES.

>> SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, ALL SHOULD BE SORT OF BUYING THROUGH THEIR LOCAL VENDOR, WHOEVER THAT IS, WHATEVER BOOKSTORE THAT IS, I THINK.

BECAUSE THE MULTIPLIER EFFECTS FOR THE ECONOMY ARE GREAT FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: MULTIPLIER EFFECT MEANS AN INITIAL INCREASE IN SPENDING LEADS TO AN OVERALL INCREASE IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

SO, WHEN MORE PEOPLE BUY LOCALLY, MORE CAN BE INVESTED IN THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

ECCLES SAYS INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES ARE A VITAL THIRD SPACE, PLACES WHERE PEOPLE CAN GATHER WITHOUT NECESSARILY SPENDING MONEY.

>> WELL, WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO COMMUNITY SPACES LIKE WE DID WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, SO FINDING A PLACE THAT IS SUPPORTIVE AND COMMUNITY-BASED, WHERE YOU CAN CONNECT WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO SHARE THE SAME VALUES AS YOU, AND READERS TEND TO BE INCREDIBLY EMPATHETIC AND SHARE THOSE VALUES, IT IS NECESSARY.

>> Reporter: BOOKSTORES ARE ALSO PLACES WHERE AUTHORS CAN CONNECT DIRECTLY WITH READERS.

A MYSTERIOUS GALAXY HOSTS AUTHOR EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

ECCLES SAYS, TURNOUT CAN VARY BUT THE TURNOUT IS THE SAME.

>> IT IS ONE WONDERFUL THING TO BE IN A GROUP OF, LIKE, 300 OTHER READERS WAITING IN LINE FOR AN HOUR TO GET YOUR BOOK SIGNED.

IT IS ALSO REALLY SPECIAL TO BE, LIKE, 1 OF 10, BEING ABLE TO REALLY BE IN CONVERSATION WITH THE AUTHOR.

AND BECAUSE THEY -- ALL OF IT BUILDS.

>> Reporter: THESE BOOKSTORES, ALONG WITH ABOUT A DOZEN OTHERS, WILL TAKE PART IN THE NINTH ANNUAL BOOK CRAWL, WHICH SPANS BOTH SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

ECCLES SAYS SHE HAS ATTENDED SEVERAL CRAWLS AND PLANS TO RETURN THIS YEAR.

>> I LOVE THE SAN DIEGO BOOK CRAWL SO MUCH.

THAT ONE GAMIFICATION ASPECT WHERE YOU GO TO A CERTAIN NUMBER OF STORES, AND THEN YOU GET, LIKE, THINGS, AND I AM A SUCKER FOR AN ENAMEL PEN AND THERE IS ALWAYS AN ENAMEL PEN.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR, ABOUT 4000 PEOPLE STARTED THE CRAWL AND ABOUT 4000 VISITED ROUGHLY EVERY PARTICIPATING STORE ACCORDING TO THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION SD.

THE EVENT BEGAN WITH NINE STORES AND HAS GROWN TO 15 PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS, WITH PLANS TO EXPAND.

TITLE SAYS THE CRAWL OPENS UP PEOPLE'S VIEW OF WHAT BOOKS ARE ACCESSIBLE TO THEM.

>> PEOPLE WILL LEAVE THE AREA THEY ARE USED TO BEING HIM AND REALIZE IT IS REALLY NOT THAT FAR, PARKING IS NOT THAT BAD, AND THERE ARE SO MANY OTHER CUTE, LITTLE BUSINESSES AROUND WHERE WE ARE ON THE MAIN STREET.

AND SO, IT IS NICE TO BE ABLE TO INTRODUCE PEOPLE TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Reporter: FOR MANY BOOKSTORES, THE CRAWL IS THE BIGGEST EVENT OF THE YEAR, A CITYWIDE PARTY FOR INDEPENDENT SHOPS.

ECCLES SAYS, IT IS NOT TO BE MISSED.

>> IT'S JUST A GREAT WAY TO GET TO KNOW THE BOOKSTORES, TO GET TO KNOW OTHER PEOPLE, SO IF YOU ARE NEW TO SAN DIEGO, OR IF YOU ARE A NATIVE, YOU SHOULD COME OUT FOR THE BOOK CRAWL BECAUSE YOU ARE JUST GOING TO HAVE THE MOST FUN OF YOUR LIFE.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO BOOK CRAWL BEGINS ON INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE DAY, APRIL 25th, AND CONTINUES THROUGH APRIL 27th.

AUDY McAFEE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO OPENS "GIANTS: ART FROM THE DEAN COLLECTION OF SWEATS BEATS AND ALICIA KEYS" THIS WEEK, WITH FREE ADMISSION, ALL DAY ON SATURDAY.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER JULIA DIXON EVANS TAKES US INSIDE.

>> Reporter: "GIANTS" INCLUDES MORE THAN 130 SIGNIFICANT WORKS BY 37 ARTISTS FROM THE BLACK DIASPORA.

AND THAT IS JUST 10% OF SWISS BEATS AND ALICIA KEYS' COLLECTION.

BUT, THE COUPLE IS ALSO SIGNALING SUPPORT TO CREATIVE'S RIGHT HERE IN SAN DIEGO, WHERE THEY CALL HOME.

>> THIS GALLERY IS ADJACENT TO "GIANTS" AND IT FEATURES THE HOMETOWN HEROES EXHIBIT.

THIS IS PHOTOGRAPHY BY THREE LOCAL ARTISTS AND IT WAS ACQUIRED WHEN SWISS BEATS WANDERED INTO A LOCAL CAFE, THERE IS WORK BY MJ PIMENTAL, OSCAR CRUZ, AND HIS TWO LIFE PORTRAITS BY CHARTER.

THESE WORKS CELEBRATE DEALT DAILY LIFE.

>> Reporter: THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART SAN DIEGO CURATOR, AMY KRAM, SAYS THE INCLUSION OF LOCAL ART MIRRORS THE DEAN'S GLOBAL WORK.

>> YOU KNOW, THE ORIGINAL CONCEIT OF THE SHOW BEING THAT FOR COMMUNITIES THAT MAYBE HADN'T HISTORICALLY SEEN THEMSELVES REPRESENTED ON THE WALLS OF EXAMS, COULD SEE THEMSELVES AND FEEL WELCOMED.

I THINK, IF "GIANTS" IS MEANT TO BE THIS INVITATION, THE "HOMETOWN HEROES" FEELS LIKE AN EXTENSION OF THAT FOR OUR OWN COMMUNITY OF SAN DIEGO AND TO INVITE PEOPLE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: "GIANTS" SHOWCASES A DIVERSE RANGE OF SCULPTURE, PAINTING, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND INSTALLATION.

>> GORDON PARKS WAS, YOU KNOW, AN INCREDIBLY PROLIFIC PHOTOGRAPHER.

I BELIEVE HE WAS THE FIRST BLACK PHOTOGRAPHER HIRED BY LIFE MAGAZINE.

HE WAS SO INFLUENTIAL, ON MANY GENERATIONS OF PHOTOGRAPHERS, AND ARTISTS JUST GENERALLY.

>> Reporter: BROOKLYN MUSEUM CURATOR KIMBERLY GANT SAYS THE DEAN'S HOLD OF THE LARGEST COLLECTIONS OF PARKS WORK.

A MASSIVE INSPIRATION BY EBONY PATTERSON DRAWS VIEWERS IN WITH VIVID AND CHILDLIKE DETAIL.

THEN, ON A CLOSER LOOK, REVEALS BULLET HOLES AND DESTRUCTION.

>> SHE IS SAYING, LOOK AT THIS BEAUTIFUL MOMENT.

WHAT HAPPENS, IF IT GETS DESTROYED?

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE FIFTH STOP ON THE "GIANTS" TORAH, BUT THE SAN DIEGO EXHIBIT IS UNIQUE.

IN ADDITION TO "HOMETOWN HEROES," IT ALSO DEBUTS A NEW WORKS, BY MICHELINA THOMAS.

>> WHAT "GIANTS" HAS DONE SUCH A GOOD JOB OF, IS KIND OF PAIRING THESE REALLY WELL- KNOWN ARTISTS, THESE GIANTS OF THE ART WORLD, TOWERING FIGURES, WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE MAYBE LESSER-KNOWN.

>> Reporter: JULIA DIXON EVANS, KPBS NEWS.

>> AND JULIET IS THE HOST OF THE KPBS ARTS AND CULTURE PODCAST, "THE FINEST."

IT IS NOW IN ITS SECOND SEASON.

WE ASKED FANS TO VOTE ON A FAVORITE SEASON ONE EPISODE TO RE-AIR THIS WEEK.

YOU CAN LISTEN AT KPBS.ORG/THEFINEST OR WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> ALL RIGHT, LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT TO EXPECT, AS WE HEAD INTO YOUR THURSDAY.

CONTINUING WITH A LITTLE BIT OF A COOLING TREND, BUT THE ONSHORE FLOW WE HAVE HAD, IT SHIFTS BACK TO AN OFFSHORE FLOW, FRIDAY.

SO, THEN WE START A WARMING TREND.

TEMPERATURES WILL GO BACK ABOVE HISTORICAL AVERAGES, BUT DON'T GET USED TO IT.

WE ARE ON A LITTLE BIT OF A ROLLER COASTER, HERE.

LET'S TALK TONIGHT, FIRST.

MID-50s FOR OCEANSIDE, A LITTLE BIT WARMER IN SAN DIEGO, 40s IN MOUNT LAGUNA, AND ACROSS THE REGION, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A MIX OF CLOUDS, SO NOT A COMPLETELY CLEAR NIGHT.

BUT, A FEW CLOUDS OUT THERE.

THE MAIN STORY FOR OUR MOUNTAIN REGIONS TOMORROW IS GOING TO BE THE WIND.

WE ARE TALKING 35, 45 PLUS MILES PER HOUR GUSTS.

NOT CRAZY WIND, BUT WE COULD SEE SOME MINOR DAMAGE, MEDIATE FEW POWER OUTAGES, SOME OF THOSE ROADS, ESPECIALLY HIGH- PROFILE VEHICLES, TO GET A LITTLE BIT IF YOU WITH THE WIND, AS WELL.

TEMPERATURE WISE, WE ARE IN THE 70s FROM OCEANSIDE, ESCONDIDO, AND DOWN TO CHULA VISTA, CLOSE TO 70, BUT NOT QUITE.

IN THE 80s FOR ABREGO SPRINGS, A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS OUT THERE, SO PRETTY POSITIVE DAY.

LOOKING AT HOW THINGS CHANGE OVER THE NEXT FIVE DAYS FOR THE COAST, HERE, THERE IS THAT WARMING TREND, 77 FOR YOUR FRIDAY, BUT THEN WE ALREADY START TO COOL DOWN BACK INTO THE 60s BY THE TIME WE GET TO MONDAY.

FURTHER INLAND, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, AND BY MONDAY, WE ARE IN THE LOW 70s.

NOT A LOT OF CHANGE, AS FAR AS SUN VERSUS CLOUDS AND NOT REALLY LOOKING AT ANY SYSTEMS MOVING IN BRINGING US RAINFALL, SO A LITTLE BIT OF A BREAK, THEY ARE.

THERE IS THE WIND I WAS TALKING ABOUT IN THE MOUNTAIN REGIONS FOR YOUR THURSDAY.

WE COOL DOWN TO 48 ON FRIDAY, BUT THEN A LITTLE BIT OF A WARMING TREND BY MONDAY.

WE ARE AT 57.

TAKING A LOOK, FINALLY, AT OUR DESERT FIVE DAY OUTLOOK.

WELL, WE ARE 84 FOR YOUR THURSDAY, WE WILL WARM UP FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, INTO THE MID TO UPPER 80s AND KEEP IN MIND, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, ESPECIALLY INTO THE MID-TO- UPPER 90s, GETTING CLOSER TO TRIPLE DIGITS, IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR.

YOU JUST HAVE TO KEEP THAT IN MIND IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE SPENDING EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME OUTSIDE.

BY MONDAY, WE ARE BACK TO THE MID-80s.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I AM ACCUWEATHER'S HANNAH AZALEA.

>>> IT IS A GO FOR A DRONE SHOW TO REPLACE THE FIREWORKS AT SEA WORLD.

TODAY, THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION APPROVED THE PARK'S REQUEST TO STAGE A SHOW WITH 1000 DRONES FOR THE COMING YEAR.

AND, IF ALL GOES WELL, THE PLAN IS TO PERMANENTLY REPLACE THE FIREWORKS WITH DRONES.

SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOEL LICATA HAS BEEN WORKING ON GETTING SEAWORLD TO SWITCH TO DRONES.

HE SAYS, THE PLAN IS TO LAUNCH THE NEW DRONE SHOW IN MID-MAY.

>>> SAN DIEGO IS 1 OF 3 FINALISTS TO HOST THE 2029 INVICTUS GAMES, AN ADAPTIVE SPORTS COMPETITION FOR VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES.

KPBS MILITARY AND VETERANS REPORTER, ANDREW DYER, TAGGED ALONG WITH THEM FOR THE INVICTUS GAMES FOUNDATION AS THEY TOURED SAN DIEGO THIS WEEK.

>> Reporter: MEMBERS OF THE SELECTION COMMITTEE TOWARD THE SAN DIEGO VENUES THAT WOULD HOST EVENTS, SHOULD THE CITY BE AWARDED THE GAMES.

>> IT IS A HUGE DAY TODAY.

SAN DIEGO, AS YOU KNOW, IT HAS BEEN A YEAR AND A HALF JOURNEY.

>> Reporter: ANDY IS THE CO- CHAIR OF SAN DIEGO'S BID COMMITTEE.

GREAT BRITAIN'S GREAT -- GREAT BRITAIN'S PRINCE HARRY STARTED THE INVICTUS GAMES IN 2014.

INVICTUS OFFICIALS HAVE ALREADY VISITED THE OTHER TWO FINALISTS, DENMARK AND SOUTH KOREA.

>> SO, NOW, IT IS UP TO SAN DIEGO TO PUT ITS BEST FOOT FORWARD.

>> Reporter: ON THE ITINERARY, THE CONVENTION CENTER, THE U.S.

MIDWAY MUSEUM AND MORE.

ROB BOWEN IS A CEO OF THE INVICTUS GAMES FOUNDATION.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH HIM.

HE SAYS, SAN DIEGO IS A STRONG CANDIDATE FOR 2029.

>> YOU KNOW, THE MILITARY IS SUCH A BIG PART OF THE CULTURE OF THE CITY AND LOOKING AROUND HERE, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE AIRCRAFT CARRIERS HERE, YOU'VE GOT NAVAL BASES -- IT'S ALSO INTEGRATED THAT IT'S PART OF THE FABRIC.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS, EACH FINALIST HAS SOMETHING UNIQUE TO OFFER.

FOR SAN DIEGO, IT IS ADEPT TO SURFING.

>> I THINK THE INNOVATION WITH THE ADAPTIVE SURFING WOULD BE FANTASTIC.

LOOK, ANYTHING THAT BRINGS IN A NEWNESS, A STYLE, BECAUSE HOW DO YOU BRING THE CULTURE AND WHAT MAKES THAT CITY COME TO LIFE?

>> Reporter: SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS FROM MORE THAN TWO DOZEN COUNTRIES WILL PARTICIPATE, BUT OWENS SAYS THEIR IMPACT GOES WELL BEYOND THE MILITARY AND VETERAN COMMUNITIES.

>> FOR US, IT'S ALSO ABOUT, HOW DO WE HELP PEOPLE OF ALL DISABILITIES, NOT JUST THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN HERE BECAUSE OF, YOU KNOW, CONFLICT?

>> Reporter: IN JUNE, SOLAR AND THE COMMITTEE FLY TO LONDON TO MAKE THEIR FINAL PRESENTATION TO THE INVICTUS GAMES FOUNDATION.

>> ARE FEELING PRETTY CONFIDENT.

WE HAVE A PRETTY STRONG CASE IT SHOULD BE SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: THE INVICTUS GAMES WILL ANNOUNCE THE 2029 HOST CITY.

ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>> THAT'S RIGHT, A STRONG CASE FOR SAN DIEGO.

>>> HERE IS WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON FOR TOMORROW IN THE KPBS NEWSROOM.

A FEDERAL JURY FOUND THAT LIVE NATION AND ITS SUBSIDIARY, TICKETMASTER, OPERATED AS A MONOPOLY THAT OVERCHARGED TICKET BUYERS.

NPR'S "MORNING EDITION" EXAMINES HOW THE DECISION COULD RESHAPE THE LIVE MUSIC INDUSTRY.

>>> AND KPBS "MID-DAY EDITION" IS HIGHLIGHTING ALL OF THE BEST ARTS AND CULTURE AROUND TOWN IN THE WEEKEND PREVIEW.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

GOOD NIGHT.

>>> 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.

AND, BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING -- AND, BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU!

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