>>> 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.

>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

FEDERAL AGENTS CAN NOW ARREST REFUGEES WHO HAVE LIVED IN THE U.S.

FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, BUT NOT APPLIED FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE STATUS.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO A NEW MEMO FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

GUSTAVO SOLIS FOUND OUT WHAT THAT MEANS FOR SAN DIEGO'S REFUGEE POPULATION.

>> Reporter: A NEW MEMO FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS SPREADING FEAR AND PANIC THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO'S REFUGEE POPULATION.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY ISSUED JUST LAST WEEK SAYS REFUGEES WHO HAVE NOT APPLIED FOR A GREEN CARD WITHIN ONE YEAR OF ARRIVING TO THE U.S.

CAN BE DETAINED SO THAT THE GOVERNMENT CAN VET THEM.

>> IT'S JUST REALLY CAUSING TERROR IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: MARIA SHA STRES IS THE IMMIGRATION DIRECTOR AT A NONPROFIT THAT HELPS REFUGEES AND NEW IMMIGRANTS ADJUST TO LIFE IN SAN DIEGO.

SHE SAYS THE THREAT OF DETENTION IS UNNECESSARY.

REFUGEES ARE ALREADY VETTED EXTENSIVELY.

>> BUT THERE'S VERY RIGOROUS VETTING PROCESS THAT GOES THROUGH WITH THE UNITED NATIONS.

AND THEN FROM THERE, REFUGEES GET RESETTLED IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES.

THE UNITED STATES BEING ONE OF THEM.

AND AGAIN, THEY GO THROUGH AN EXTENSIVE VETTING PROCESS BEFORE EVEN BEING ABLE TO BOARD A PLANE TO ARRIVE IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> Reporter: IN THE MEMO, DHS SAYS THAT THE POLICY IS NEEDED TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY.

BUT NEVER BEFORE HAS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DETAINED REFUGEES ONLY BECAUSE OF HOW LONG IT TOOK THEM TO APPLY FOR A GREEN CARD.

CHAVEZ SAYS THERE ARE A LOT OF REASONS WHY REFUGEES WOULD PUT OFF APPLYING.

>> IT'S USUALLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOMETHING ELSE GOING ON IN THEIR LIFE.

YOU KNOW, JUST BECAUSE THEY ARRIVE IN THE UNITED STATES DOESN'T MEAN THAT THEY'RE HANDED EVERYTHING ON A SILVER PLATTER.

THEY STILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOUSING, THEY STILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT FOOD AND WORK.

AND YES, THEY DO HAVE SOME HELP WITH THAT, BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING IS EASIER FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: GIVEN THE NEW RULE ARE CHAVEZ ENCOURAGED EVERY REFUGEE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY TO APPLY IMMEDIATELY FOR THEIR GREEN CARD.

MORE THAN 5,000 REFUGEES RESETTLED IN SAN DIEGO IN 2024.

THAT NUMBER PLUMMETED TO LESS THAN 700 LAST YEAR AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER BANNING ALMOST ALL REFUGEES FROM ENTERING THE U.S.

GUSTAVO SOLIS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> RIGHT NOW, THE ESCONDIDO CITY COUNCIL IS BEING BRIEFED ON A CONTRACT ALLOWING FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AGENTS TO TRAIN AT THE CITY'S FIRING RANGE.

KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN IS LIVE IN THE NEWSROOM WITH THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: SOME RESIDENTS WANT THE CONTRACT ALLOW IS DHS AGENTS TO USE THE FIRING RANGE.

THIS IS OVER A DECADE-LONG CONTRACT WITH I.C.E.

WHICH IS NOT SUBJECT TO COUNCIL APPROVAL.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE ESCONDIDO POLICE DEPARTMENT RENEWED THE ROUGHLY $67,000 CONTRACT.

BUT SOME RESIDENTS SAY THEY WANT I.C.E.

OUT OF THE CITY BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY-HANDED IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN TACTICS USED IN MINNEAPOLIS AND CHICAGO WITH DEADLY RESULTS.

SALVADOR IS THE DIRECTOR FOR THE NATIONAL DAY LABOR ORGANIZING NETWORK.

>> PEOPLE HERE ARE FRANKLY PI IS.

SED OFF, THEY'RE UPSET, AND THEY'RE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR FAMILIES.

BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT THAT VIOLENCE TO COME INTO OUR COMMUNITIES.

AND SO THAT'S WHY PEOPLE ARE SHOWING UP TO THIS CITY COUNCIL MEETING.

>> Reporter: SOME RESIDENTS SAY THE CITY HAS A HISTORY OF COLLABORATING WITH I.C.E., ALLOWING IMMIGRATION OFFICERS TO WORK AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS IN THE PAST.

HIGH YORE WHITE TOLD OUR MEDIA PARTNER THERE MIGHT HAVE BEEN CONFUSION ABOUT WHO'S USING THE FIRING RANGE.

>> PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS USING THE SHOOTING RANGE, BUT SINCE THEN, WE HAVE FOUND OUT THAT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT USE THAT RANGE.

THEY UTILIZE A RANGE SOMEWHERE ELSE.

AND THIS IS SPECIFICALLY FOR HSI.

>> Reporter: HSI IS A DIVISION OF I.C.E.

TODAY'S MEETING IS LISTED AS AN INFORMATION BRIEFING, MEANING THE COUNCIL IS NOT EXPECTED TO TAKE ANY ACTION.

LIVE IN THE NEWS ROOM, ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I'M ARIELLA SCALESE.

COMING UP TONIGHT, BECOMING PARTLY CLOUDY AS TEMPERATURES DROP TO THE 50s.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME OF OUR HEAT BEGIN TO PEAK BEFORE A BIT OF A CHANGE BRINGS SOME RELIEF ON THE WAY.

WE'LL HAVE A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT'S AHEAD COMING UP.

>>> PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP ARRIVED ON CAPITOL HILL TUESDAY NIGHT WITH LAGGING APPROVAL RATINGS AND HIS PARTY'S MIDTERM FORTUNES AT STAKE.

IN A LENGTHY STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS, HE DECLARED A GOLDEN AGE OF AMERICA AND BLAMED THE NATION'S SLUGGISH ECONOMY ON DEMOCRATIC POLICY.

A RECAP AND REACTION.

>> Reporter: IT WAS THE LONGEST STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS IN U.S.

HISTORY, 1:47.

PRESIDENT TRUMP TOUTING ECONOMIC SUCCESSES WITH MUCH AT STAKE FOR HIS REPUBLICAN PARTY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP TUESDAY NIGHT PAINTED A PICTURE OF THE U.S.

ECONOMY LARGELY AT ODDS WITH WHAT ECONOMIC DATA, POLLING, AND CONSUMER SENTIMENT SURVEYS SHOW.

>> INFLATION IS PLUMMETING, INCOMES ARE RISING FAST, THE ROARING ECONOMY IS ROARING HIKE NEVER BEFORE.

>> Reporter: AND ATTACKED DEMOCRATS.

>> THEY KNEW THE STATEMENTS WERE A DIRTY, ROTTEN LIE.

THEIR POLICIES CREATED THE HIGH PRICES.

WE ARE DOING REALLY WELL.

>> Reporter: AS HE ENTERED THE CHAMBER, TRUMP GREETED THREE OF THE SIX SUPREME COURT JUSTICES WHO RULED AGAINST HIS SWEEPING EMERGENCY TARIFFS ON FRIDAY, THEN LATER SLAMMED THEIR DECISION.

>> THEY GOT IT REALLY WRONG.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT ALSO ADDRESSED THE FOREIGN POLICY HOT SPOTS LIKE VENEZUELA AND IRAN.

>> MY PREFERENCE IS TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM THROUGH DIPLOMACY.

BUT ONE THING IS CERTAIN.

I WILL NEVER ALLOW THE WORLD'S NUMBER ONE SPONSOR OF TERROR, WHICH THEY ARE BY FAR, TO HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON.

>> Reporter: AND USING AN APPEARANCE BY THE OLYMPIC CHAMPION U.S.

MEN'S HOCKEY TEAM TO UNDERSCORE HIS THEME OF AMERICA WINNING.

DEMOCRATS REBUTTED THE SPEECH IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

CONGRESSMAN AL GREEN WAS REMOVED FROM THE CHAMBER EARLY ON FOR A PROTEST.

DOZENS OF OTHER DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS ATTENDED A COUNTER RALLY ON THE NATIONAL MALL.

>> WE ARE BETTER THAN WHAT IS UNDER THAT CAPITOL RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THE OFFICIAL DEMOCRATIC RESPONSE WAS DELIVERED BY VIRGINIA GOVERNOR SPANBERGER.

>> HE'S ENRICHING HIMSELF.

HIS FAMILY, HIS FRIENDS.

THE SCALE OF THE CORRUPTION IS UNPRECEDENTED.

>> Reporter: SPANBERGER ALSO ATTACKED TRUMP'S TARIFFS, ARGUING THEY PUT AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS AND THE OVERALL U.S.

ECONOMY.

SHE SAYS DEMOCRATS ARE LASER FOCUSED ON AFFORDABILITY.

ON CAPITOL HIM, I'M KAREN CAIFA.

>>> THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO WILL PAY MORE THAN $6 MILLION TO INSURANCE COMPANIES TO SETTLE LEGAL CLAIMS FROM THE JANUARY 2024 FLOODS.

IT IS THE FIRST MAJOR SETTLEMENT OVER THE FLOODS.

THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE IT.

THE CITY STILL FACES DOZENS OF LAWSUITS OVER THE FLOOD DAMAGE.

MORE THAN 1,500 RESIDENTS HAVE SUED, CLAIMING THE CITY CAUSED THE DAMAGE BY FAILING TO MAINTAIN THE STORM WATER SYSTEM.

COUNCILMEMBER SEAN ELO-RIVERA SAID, QUOTE, WE HAVE NOT FORGOT BEN WHAT HAPPENED OR THE RESPONSIBILITIES WE HAVE MOVING FORWARD.

>>> THE FURTHER EAST YOU GO ON INTERSTATE 8, THE MORE NATURAL THE LANDSCAPE BECOMES.

BUT THE HIGHWAY CAN BE DEADLY FOR THE ANIMALS THAT LIVE THERE.

WILDLIFE OWE COLTS HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARD BUILDING A SAFE CROSS.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER CAMMY MERGA SAYS NEW BORDER WALL FENCING IS CREATING GREATER URGENCY.

>> Reporter: INTERSTATE 8 SERPENTINES THROUGH THE RUGGED PENINSULA MOUNTAIN RANGE IN SAN DIEGO AND IMPERIAL COUNTIES.

IT'S SO QUIET, YOU CAN HEAR A FLY BUZZING.

STANDING STILL ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, CARS CUT THROUGH THAT SILENCE.

IT'S NO WONDER THIS SECTION OF I-8 IS CONSIDERED A HOT SPOT FOR VEHICLE COLLISIONS WITH PENINSULA BIG HORN SHEEP.

>> THAT'S THE BING THIS THE SHEEP, THEY LIVE RIGHT THERE.

IF THEY HAVE TO GO BACK AND FORTH, THEY'RE GOING TO GET HIT.

>> Reporter: FRASIER SCHILLING IS A RESEARCHER AT UC DAVIS.

HE SAYS THAT SINCE 2012, MORE THAN 30 SHEEP HAVE BEEN KILLED HERE.

AND THAT'S LIKELY A BIG UNDERCOUNT.

NEARLY HALF OF THOSE ROADKILL INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED WHERE THE EAST AND WESTBOUND LANES ISOLATE A CRITICAL HABITAT.

SKYLER FELDMAN EXPLAINS WHY IT'S SO DEADLY.

>> THERE'S UNIQUE TOPOGRAPHY WHERE THE I-8 SPLITS IN TWO AND CREATES THIS ISLAND.

THE BIG HORN SHEEP, THAT ISLAND, THEY LIKE TO TRAVEL THERE TO REAR AND LAMB.

SO THEY'RE CROSSING THE FREEWAY QUITE A BIT, AND THEY'RE BEING STRUCK BY VEHICLES AT A HIGH RATE.

>> Reporter: DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE IS ONE OF THE AGENCIES WORKING TO BUILD A WILDLIFE OVERPASS TO REDUCE ANIMAL DEATHS BUT SCIENTISTS AND CONSERVATIONISTS SAY THERE'S A GREATER URGENCY TO COMPLETE PROJECTS LIKE THIS.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS WORKING TO SEAL GAPS IN THE BORDER WALL, AND THAT IS LIKELY TO IMPACT HOW AND WHERE ANIMALS LIKE THE ENDANGERED BIG HORN SHEEP FIND FOOD AND WATER.

CHRISTINA IS A WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST WITH THE WILD LANDS NETWORK.

SHE SAYS THE BIG HORN THAT LIVE ON THE BORDER ARE BEING CUT OFF FROM RESOURCES IN MEXICO, LIKE WATER.

>> AND THAT IS POTENTIALLY GOING TO CAUSE THEM TO MOVE FURTHER NORTH, AWAY FROM THE WALL, WHICH THEN BRINGS THEM IN CONTACT WITH THIS HIGHWAY.

VERY DANGEROUS, HIGH ROADKILL RATES OF BIG HORN THAT LIVE IN THIS AREA.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS IF THEY ROAM TOWARD THE I-8 -- >> THAT PUTS THEM IN COMPETITION WITH ANOTHER GROUP THAT LIVES HERE ALREADY.

>> Reporter: SHE'S REFERRING TO THE INCOPA EWE GROUP.

THEY MOVE ACROSS THE HIGHWAY TO ACCESS FOOD, WARE, AND HAVE THEIR LAMBS.

>> IF YOU FORCE ANIMALS TO LIVE IN A SMALLER AND SMALLER AREA, THAT'S LESS RESOURCES TO ALLOW THEM TO PRODUCE YOUNG SUCCESSFULLY.

SO THAT CAN AFFECT THEIR SURVIVAL, IT CAN AFFECT HOW MANY YOUNG THEY'RE ABLE TO PUT OUT EACH YEAR.

>> Reporter: ON A RECENT AFTERNOON, CHRISTINA AND OTHER CONSERVATIONISTS LOOK FOR BIG HORN SHEEP.

THERE ARE NONE IN SIGHT THIS TIME.

>> I ALWAYS SAY IT'S LIKE LOOKING FOIB GAR BAUN ZO BEANS.

>> Reporter: THIS IS IS STILL THEIR HOME.

>> THIS IS EVIDENCE THAT THEY WERE RIGHT HERE.

>> Reporter: RIGHT HERE ALONG A FIVE-MILE STRETCH OF THE I-8 BETWEEN THE HOT SPRINGS AND ELCATILLO, WHERE AGENCIES WANT TO BUILD AN ANIMAL CROSSING, USING STATE GRANT FUNDING TO DESIGN A WILDLIFE OVERPASS.

THEY PLAN TO HAVE IT READY BY 2027.

FRASIER SCHILLING IS THE CENTER'S DIRECTOR.

HE SAYS THE PROJECT ALSO INVOLVES ADDING FENCING.

>> THE CONCEPT IS THAT, IF YOU FENCE BETWEEN CROSSING AREAS, WHETHER THEY GO RIGHT OR LEFT, THEY'LL EVENTUALLY FIND A WAY ACROSS.

AND YOU HOPE THAT THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS.

>> Reporter: SCHILLING SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT TO FENCE THAT ENTIRE SECTION OF THE HIGHWAY, WHERE THE EAST AND WESTBOUND LANES SPLIT.

>> ALL AROUND THE ISLAND.

AND IF WE THINK ABOUT IT, THIS IS A NURSERY.

THIS IS A KINDERGARTEN.

THIS IS A -- THE BIRTHING ROOM AT A HOSPITAL.

THAT'S WHAT THIS IS.

WE NEED TO PROTECT THE WHOLE THING.

>> Reporter: SCHILLING SAYS ABOUT TWO TO THREE BIG HORN DIE EVERY YEAR FROM VEHICLES ON THE I-8.

STATEWIDE, HE SAYS, THERE'S ABOUT TWICE THAT NUMBER.

THESE FIGURES ARE UNDERREPORTED BECAUSE -- >> AN ANIMAL THE SIZE OF A BIG HORN SHEEP, WHEN IT GETS HIT, ONLY ABOUT 40% OF THE TIME WILL IT STAY VISIBLE ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY.

AND SO PART OF THE TIME IT'S INJURED, PART OF THE TIME IT WILL GET KNOCKED OFF THE EDGE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE NEED FOR FENCING AND AN OVERPASS IS BECOMING FAR MORE IMPORTANT WITH THE GROWTH IN INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND TRAVEL IN THAT REGION.

CAL TRANS DATA SHOWED TRAFFIC THERE INCREASED FROM ABOUT 14,000 VEHICLES A DAY IN 2018 TO ABOUT 22,000 IN 2023.

SCHILLING SAYS THIS HAS INCREASED BECAUSE OF THE THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE FENCES, THE BORDER WALL, AND THE HIGHWAY.

>> THE IRONY IS, TO PROTECT THEM, WE HAVE TO FENCE THE HIGHWAY.

YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY A STRANGE CONCEPT TO ME THAT WE HAVE TO PROTECT THEM FROM US, BASICALLY.

>> Reporter: SCHILLING ESTIMATES BUILDING THE WILDLIFE CROSSING AND FENCING WILL REQUIRE AT LEAST $30 MILLION.

CAMMY MERGA, KPBS NEWS.

>>> MRNA OR MESSENGER RNA TECHNOLOGY HAS RECEIVED OVERWHELMING ATTENTION IN RECENT YEARS, ESPECIALLY AFTER IT ENABLED THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE.

LAST WEEK, THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION REVERSED COURSE AND SAID THEY WOULD NOW REVIEW MODERNA'S MRNA FLU SHOT.

IVAN RODRIGUEZ JOINS US FROM WASHINGTON, D.C.

WITH WHY MODERNA'S SHOT MIGHT COME WITH ADVANTAGES OVER THE TRADITIONAL FLU SHOT, IVAN?

>> Reporter: MAYA, IF THE FDA APPROVES MODERNA'S NEW FLU SHOT, IT COULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THE UPCOMING FLU SEASON.

THE ABILITY TO PRODUCE THESE VACCINES QUICKLY COULD ALSO BE A GAME CHANGER WHEN IT COMES TO IDENTIFYING A FLU STRAIN.

MRNA, OR MESSENGER RN DID A, MAY STILL SOUND NEW TO MANY.

EXPERTS SAY THE TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN STUDIED FOR DECADES.

>> THE COVID-19 VACCINE REALLY BROUGHT IT TO THE FOREFRONT.

>> Reporter: ANDREW PICKOFF WITH THE JOHNS HOPKINS BLOOMBERG SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH SAYS A POTENTIAL FUTURE FLU VACCINE COULD BE HELPFUL TO THE PUBLIC AND SCIENTISTS.

>> THERE HAVE BEEN CLINICAL TRIALS THAT SHOW MRNA VACCINE GENERATES STRONGER RESPONSES AND MORE PROTECTION THAN THE STANDARD FLU VACCINE.

BUT ANOTHER THING THAT IT CAN DO IS IT CAN SHORTEN THE TIME NEEDED TO CHOOSE A VACCINE STRAIN.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS TODAY, VACCINE STRAINS ARE CHOSEN SIX TO SEVEN MONTHS BEFORE FLU SEASON WITH MRNA TECHNOLOGY, IT COULD BE SHORTENED TO EIGHT WEEKS OR LESS.

>> AND WHAT THAT ALLOWS US TO DO IS GET A BETTER MATCH BETWEEN THE VIRUSES THAT ARE CIRCULATING AND THE VACCINE STRAIN.

>> Reporter: A COMMON QUESTION OVER THE YEARS HAS BEEN MRNA VACCINE SAFETY AND THE IMPACT TO ONE'S DNA.

>> MRNA VACCINES DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO ANYTHING TO YOUR OWN DNA.

THEY'RE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO STAY AWAY FROM YOUR DNA.

SOME OF THE CURRENT MRNA INFLUENZA VACCINES THAT ARE MOVING THROUGH THE CLINICAL ANALYSIS PIPELINE ARE EVEN SAFER THAN THE COVID-19 MRNA AND STILL OUTPERFORM THE STANDARD FLU VACCINE.

>> Reporter: EXPERTS TELL ME DURING THIS YEAR'S FLU SEASON, WHEN A NEW STRAIN OF THE VIRUS EMERGED IT DID NOT MATCH WELL TO THE EXISTING FLU SHOT BUT NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE IT COULD TAKE SEVERAL MONTHS TO CREATE A NEW VACCINE.

MRNA TECHNOLOGY COULD HAVE HELPED GENERATE A QUICKER AND BETTER VACCINE, EXPERTS SAY.

IN WASHINGTON, I'M IVAN RODRIGUEZ.

>> THANK YOU, IVAN.

>>> I'M JEFF BENNETT.

TONIGHT ON "THE NEWS HOUR," WE FACT-CHECK SOME OF THE CLAIMS IN PLUMP'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.

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

>>> A PROPOSAL TO TAX EMPTY SECOND HOMES IN SAN DIEGO APPEARS HEADED FOR THE JUNE PRIMARY BALLOT.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SAYS IT'S A SCALED-BACK VERSION OF AN EARLIER PROPOSAL.

>> Reporter: LAST MONTH, COUNCILMEMBER SEAN LO-RIVERA PROPOSED A BALLOT MEASURE THAT WOULD HAVE TAXED VACANT HOMES AND SHORT-TERM HOME RENTALS.

THAT TRIGGERED A BACKLASH FROM AIRBNB, AND THE PROPOSAL FAILED TO ADVANCE.

THE NEW TAX PROPOSAL, LIMITED TO EMPTY SECOND HOMES, WON UNANIMOUS SUPPORT FROM THAT COMMITTEE ON WEDNESDAY.

ELO-RIVERA SAID HOMEOWNERS CAN AVOID THE TAX BY SIMPLY RENTING OUT THEIR SECOND HOME.

>> IT WILL CHANGE INCENTIVES AND HOMES WILL COME BACK INTO USE.

AND JUST LIKE EVERY NEW HOME WE BUILD, EVERY HOME RETURNED TO HOUSING IS WORTHY OF CELEBRATION BECAUSE IT OPENS THE DOOR TO A FAMILY THAT GETS TO STAY IN SAN DIEGO, POTENTIALLY EVEN AS A HOPE OWNER.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO HAS MORE THAN 5,100 HOMES THAT COULD BE SUBJECT TO THE TAX, INCLUDING DOWNTOWN CONDOS AND LA JOLLA MANSIONS.

THE CITY'S INDEPENDENT BUDGET ANALYST OFFICE ESTIMATED IT COULD GENERATE BETWEEN 12 AND $24 MILLION IN THE FIRST YEAR.

A HANDFUL OF OPPONENTS TO THE TAX MEASURE SAID IT WOULD INFRINGE ON PROPERTY RIGHTS AND ADD TO AN ALREADY HIGH TAX PURCHASED.

COUNCILMEMBER KENT LEE SAID THE TAX WOULD ONLY APPLY TO THE WEALTHY.

>> I SAID THIS DURING THE LAST MEETING.

IF SOMEONE CAN AFFORD TO OWN A SECOND HOME AND NOT USE IT FOR ANY PURPOSE, THEY CAN ABSOLUTELY AFFORD TO PAY THAT TAX, AND THEY SHOULD.

>> Reporter: THE TAX MEASURE HAS SUPPORT FROM A MAJORITY OF COUNCILMEMBERS.

THE COUNCIL HAS A DEADLINE OF MARCH 6th TO OFFICIALLY PLACE THE TAX MEASURE ON THE BALLOT.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> MUSICAL DUO AND AVID ART COLLECTOR ALICIA KEYS AND SWIZZ BEATZ HAVE A HOME IN SAN DIEGO AND WILL SHOW THEIR GIANTS COLLECTION IN APRIL.

THE COUPLE SHOWED SUPPORT FOR LOCAL ARTISTS IN A BIG WAY AS KPBS ARTS REPORTER JULIA DIXON EVANS EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: IN JUST THE SECOND MONTH AFTER TRANSFORMING INTO A GALLERY, SOME GALLERY COLLECTORS WALKED IN AND BOUGHT AN ENTIRE EXHIBITION.

>> SO WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE WHAT'S NEXT FOR US AND WHO COMES THROUGH THE DOOR NEXT.

WE GOT SWISS BEATS AND ALICIA KEYS ALREADY.

>> Reporter: THE BARRIO CAFE HAS THRIVED AS A COFFEE SHOP AND GATHERING SPOT FOR A DECADE BUT SOMETHING WAS MISSING.

>> IT'S LIKE WHAT IF WE TAKE IT BACK TO THE ROOTS OF HOW WE GOT STARTED?

>> Reporter: OWNERS CAROLINA SANTANA AND MILO LORENZANA HAVE A LONG HISTORY WITH ART IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND DECIDED TO TURN THEIR CAFE INTO AN ART SPACE.

SO FAR, THE BUSINESS RISK HAS PAID OFF.

>> IT'S ALL INTUITIVE, TO BE HONEST.

IT TRULY IS AN INTUITIVE APPROACH THAT WE'VE RAN WITH OPERATING POR VIDA.

>> Reporter: THE "NEIGHBORHOOD VISUALS" FEATURED FILM PHOTOGRAPHY BY ARTISTS OSCAR CRUZ AND M.J.

PIMENTO.

THE IMAGES CAPTURE SCENES OF DAILY LIFE IN A STRONG, CONNECTED NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> THIS COMMUNITY IS WHAT EVEN GOT ME TO START SAYING I'M AN ARTIST OR TO, LIKE, BELIEVE THAT MY PHOTOGRAPHS ARE ART.

>> OH, THIS NEIGHBORHOOD MEANS EVERYTHING TO ME.

BORN AND RAISED HERE.

ALL MY FRIENDS ARE HERE.

MY FAMILY LIVED HERE.

>> Reporter: AND ALL 46 WORKS WILL BE ADDED TO SWIZZ BEATZ AND ALICIA KEYS' DEAN COLLECTION, A SIGNIFICANT CONTEMPORARY ART COLLECTION MOSTLY BY ARTIST OF COLOR.

BEING IN THE COLLECTION CAN BE CAREER-CHANGING FOR ARTISTS AND FOR THE NEIGHBORHOOD THEY CAPTURED.

WITH INTERNATIONAL SCOPE AND INSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION.

>> AND I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE, LIKE, IN THESE PHOTOS, THEY'RE MY FRIENDS.

THEY'RE MY NEIGHBORS.

THEY'RE PEOPLE WHO ARE SPECIAL TO ME.

SO I FEEL HONORED TO BE ABLE TO BRING THEM TO A PLATFORM LIKE THE DEAN COLLECTION.

>> Reporter: THE EXHIBIT IS ON VIEW AT POR VIDA THROUGH MARCH 11 WITH A CLOSING RECEPTION SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 8th.

JULIA DIXON EVANS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> HAVE YOU LISTENED TO THE FINEST?

THE KPBS PODCAST CAPTURES THE PEOPLE, ART, AND MOVEMENTS REDEFINING OUR REGION'S CULTURAL IDENTITY.

A NEW EPISODE IS OUT ON THURSDAY, AND YOU CAN LISTEN NOW AT KPBS.ORG/THEFINEST OR WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> PRESIDENT TRUMP AWARDED THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR TO A NAVY VETERAN FROM ESCONDIDO, RETIRED CAPTAIN ROYCE WILLIAMS WAS HONORED FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL HONOR AND HEROISM DURING THE KOREAN WAR.

FELLOW VETERANS GATHERED AT AMERICAN LEGION POST 416 IN ENCINITAS TO WATCH AS WILLIAMS RECEIVED THE MEDAL OF HONOR DURING LAST NIGHT'S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS.

THEY PLAN TO RENAME THE POST AFTER HIM.

>> TYPICALLY, HISTORICALLY, YOU COULD ONLY NAME A POST AFTER A DECEASED VETERAN.

BUT WE'VE ALREADY DECIDED HERE AT THE EXECUTIVE BOARD THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND RENAME THIS POST AFTER ROYCE WILLIAMS, BECAUSE IT'S A RARE OCCURRENCE THAT ANYBODY GETS A MEDAL OF HONOR IN THE FIRST PLACE.

AND THEN TO HAVE ONE THAT'S A MEMBER OF YOUR LEGION POST, AND REALLY, HE'S REALLY A MEMBER OF EVERYBODY IN SAN DIEGO.

THIS IS A SAN DIEGO EVENT.

>> CONGRESSMAN DARRELL ISSA LED THE EFFORT TO GET THE MEDAL FOR WILLIAMS, WHO IS 100 YEARS OLD.

>>> STARTING OFF WITH WEATHER HEADLINES HERE.

A LITTLE BIT OF COASTAL COOLING ON THE WAY AS SOME FOG RETURNS.

THEN OUR MAJOR WARM-UP REALLY PEAKS ON FRIDAY.

SO IF YOU'VE BEEN ENJOYING THE WARMTH, YOU'LL LIKE IT.

IF YOU'RE MOPING FOR A CHANGE, A WEEKEND ON SHORE SHIFT WILL START TO BRING SOME RELIEF BY THE SECOND HALF OF THE WEEKEND AND EARLY NEXT WEEK.

FOR TONIGHT, CLOUDS BEGIN TO INCREASE IN SAN DIEGO, DOWN TO 53.

A LITTLE COOLER IN OCEANSIDE TONIGHT AT 47.

BORREGO SPRINGS DROPPING TO 56.

AND A PRETTY BALMY NIGHT IN MOUNT LAGUNA, 50.

WARMTH AND DRY WEATHER OVERALL ACROSS MUCH OF THE SOUTHWEST.

TOMORROW IS GOING TO BE QUITE PLEASANT BEFORE WE START TO SEE TEMPERATURES INCREASE AGAIN THROUGH FRIDAY.

LOOK AT THAT, 73 WITH SUN IN SAN DIEGO.

OCEANSIDE, CHULA VISTA 75.

BORREGO SPRINGS AT 91.

MOUNT LAGUNA STARTING TO SEE TEMPS ON THE RISE AT 64.

DRY WEATHER BRINGS US INTO THE END OF THE WEEK, SO TRAVEL, OUTDOOR PLANS, GOOD TO GO AS WE HEAD INTO THE DAY FRIDAY AND SOME WARMTH STARTS TO BUILD BACK ON IN HERE WITH SHOWERS RETURNING ACROSS NORTHERN PARTS OF CALIFORNIA.

AND THE SNOW RETURNS TO PARTS OF THE NORTH-CENTRAL AND NORTHEAST.

IF YOU HAVE ANY TRAVEL PLANS FURTHER TO THE EAST, SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

LOOKING AT THE COASTAL FORECAST THE NEXT FIVE DAYS, LOOK AT TEMPERATURES PEAKING FRIDAY AT 77.

THEN WE SLOWLY DROP OFF BY EARLY NEXT WEEK.

YOU'LL SEE A SIMILAR TREND FURTHER INLAND.

CAN YOU BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE 90S ON FRIDAY?

IT'S GOING TO BE A HOT WAY TO END THE WEEK, AND TO WRAP UP THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY.

THEN TEMPERATURES BEGIN TO GO BACK NEAR THE HISTORICAL AVERAGE AS WE HEAD INTO THE START OF NEXT WEEK.

TO THE MOUNTAINS, QUITE ENJOYABLE.

PLEASANT ON FRIDAY.

THEN TURNS COOLER SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

SOME OF THE HOTTEST WEATHER FOR THE DESERT DOESN'T COME TILL SATURDAY.

THEN TEMPERATURES DROP OFF AS WE HEAD TO THE END OF THE WEEKEND AND THE START OF THE NEXT WEEK.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M ARIELLA SCALESE.

>>> SPRING BREAK IS AROUND THE CORNER.

IF YOU HAVEN'T BOOKED A GETAWAY YET, THERE IS STILL SOME TIME.

JEN SULLIVAN HAS TIPS ON HOW TO STILL SCORE SOME HOT DEALS.

>> Reporter: ARE YOU TIRED OF THE SNOW AND COLD WEATHER?

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO BOOK A SPRING GETAWAY.

>> THERE ARE LOADS OF PLACES THAT STILL HAVE AVAILABILITY IN PLACES THAT YOU CAN FIND GREAT DEALS.

>> Reporter: EMILY KAUFMANN, KNOWN AS THE TRAVEL MOM, SAYS IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE WARM, ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORTS ARE GREAT FOR FAMILIES.

>> THEY'RE A GREAT WAY TO STICK TO A BUDGET, AND YOU GET SO MUCH VALUE.

YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS, YOUR MEALS.

>> Reporter: LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ADVENTUROUS LIKE SKIING?

IF YOU BOOK AT A RESORT, YOU CAN GET $100 OR MORE OFF PER LIFT TICKET IF YOU BOOK AT LEAST FOUR WEEKS IN ADVANCE.

>> A SAVINGS OF 30%.

>> Reporter: KAUFMANN RECOMMENDS KEYSTONE RESORT FOR FAMILIES.

IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SPLURGE ON A LONG HOTEL STAY, KAUFMANN SAYS CHECK OUT RESORT PASS.

THEY SELL DAY PASSES TO HOTELS AND SPAS AT MORE THAN 2,500 LOCATIONS IN THE U.S., CARIBBEAN, MEXICO, AND PARTS OF SOUTH AMERICA.

WHEN YOU'RE PLANNING YOUR TRIP, CHECK OUT THE COMMUNITY'S CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU BECAUSE THEY'LL OFTEN ADVERTISE SPECIAL DEALS ON LOCAL ACTIVITIES.

KAUFMANN SAYS BEING FLEXIBLE WITH YOUR TRAVEL DATES WILL HELP KEEP DOWN THE COST, BUT THAT CAN BE TRICKY WHEN YOU'RE TIED TO THE SCHOOL CALENDAR.

>> FLIGHTS ARE GOING TO BE CHALLENGING BECAUSE IT'S ALL ABOUT SUPPLY AND DEMAND.

>> Reporter: KAUFMANN SUGGESTS CHECKING ALTERNATE AIRPORTS AROUND YOUR DESTINATION BECAUSE PRICES CAN FLUCTUATE.

FOR "CONSUMER WATCH," I'M JEN SULLIVAN.

>>> TOMORROW IN THE KPBS NEWSROOM, NPR'S "MORNING EDITION" IS DISCUSSING CALIFORNIA'S CROWDED RACE FOR GOVERNOR WHERE DEMOCRATS HAVE NINE MAJOR CANDIDATES IN THE RUNNING.

AND AN OLYMPIC ATHLETE IS BACK HOME IN CARLSBAD FRESH OFF HER WINTER GAMES WIN IN ITALY.

KPBS "MIDDAY EDITION" IS TALKING TO BOBSLEDDER KAILLIE HUMPHRIES ABOUT HER JOURNEY TO THE GAMES AFTER BECOMING A MOM.

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THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

GOOD NIGHT.

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