>> ANDREW, THE MOOD AT THE SPEECH WAS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM YEARS WASN'T IT?

>> Reporter: THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE WAS THE LOCATION.

IN PAST YEARS, EXCEPT FOR DURING COVID WHEN THERE WAS NO STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS IN PERSON, AT LEAST, THE PAST STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS HAVE BEEN HELD AT THE BALBOA THEATER DOWNTOWN.

THE VERY BEAUTIFUL SPACE.

WHAT A CEREMONY.

THIS YEAR, IN CONTRAST, THERE MAYOR GAVE HIS SPEECH AT CITY HALL AND HE INTENDED THAT TO SYMBOLIZE THE AUSTERITY THAT LIES AHEAD OF HIM.

THE CITY HAVE TO CUT MORE THAN $258 MILLION -- PAPERED OVER PAST DEFICITS AND INSTEAD MAKE SOME TOUGH CHOICES THIS YEAR.

>> STEEP CUTS WILL BE NECESSARY.

BUT I ALSO WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT I'M NOT INTERESTED IN JUST SLASHING HER WAY TO A BALANCED BUDGET.

INSTEAD, WE WILL REIMAGINE HOW WE HONOR IT, EXAMINING EVERY SERVICE THAT WE PROVIDE AND HOW WE CAN MAKE THE MOST OF PUBLIC ASSETS WE HAVE.

WE NEED TO ASK FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS IN THE WEEKS AND MONTHS AHEAD.

WHY ARE WE DOING IT THIS WAY?

AND IS THERE A BETTER WAY?

>> IN ONE EXAMPLE THE MAYOR GAVE, CANCELING LAND LINES FOR CITY EMPLOYEES WHICH HE SAYS NOT MANY PEOPLE ACTUALLY USE.

BUT FRANKLY, THAT WON'T HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON THE CITY BUDGET BOTTOM LINE AND DESPITE HIS CALLS FOR AUSTERITY, THE MAYOR IS ACTUALLY PLANNING TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON HIS TOP PRIORITY, AND THAT IS HOMELESSNESS.

>> EVEN WITH OUR DIFFICULT FINANCIAL PICTURE, WE WILL INCREASE OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE TO GET OFF THE STREETS THIS YEAR.

WE WILL OPEN A NEW SAFE PARKING SITE, AS WELL AS OTHER NEW SHELTER FACILITIES.

BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE STILL SUFFERING OUT ON OUR STREETS AND SIDEWALKS, EACH AND EVERY NIGHT.

THEY NEED OUR HELP.

AND IT'S STILL UNCLEAR HOW THE MAYOR IS GOING TO PAY FOR THOSE SHELTERS AND HOMELESS SERVICES.

THE DEPENDENT -- ALL THIS IS GOING TO DEEPEN THE CITY'S DEFICIT BY ANOTHER $71 MILLION.

THE MAYOR HAS THREE MONTHS TO PUT TOGETHER HIS DRAFT BUDGET FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR.

IT'S GOING BE A VERY TOUGH ONE ABOUNDS.

BACK TO YOU, MAYA.

>> WE APPRECIATE THAT REPORT, ANDREW.

THANK YOU.

>>> A LONG, SOUGHT AFTER -- HAS BEEN REALLY -- REACH.

UNDER THE DEAL, AT LEAST 33 OCTOBER 7 HOSTAGES WILL BE RELEASED AS WELL AS HUNDREDS OF PALESTINIAN PRISONERS.

BRIAN ABEL HAS MORE DETAILS, INCLUDING WHEN THE CEASE-FIRE COULD BEGIN.

>> AT LONG LAST, I CAN ANNOUNCE A CEASE-FIRE AND A HOSTAGE DEAL HAS BEEN REACHED BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS.

>> Reporter: THE RELENTLESS FIGHTING BETWEEN ISRAEL AND HAMAS IS ABOUT THE SEAS TEMPORARILY , FOLLOWING MONTHS OF NEGOTIATIONS, HAMAS IN THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT AGREEING TO A DEAL THAT WILL PAUSE THE FIGHTING AND SEE A PHASED RELEASE OF HOSTAGES SEIZED FROM ISRAEL DURING THE OCTOBER 720 23 ATTACK.

THE SIGNIFICANT CEASE-FIRE COMING AT THE 466 DAY MARK SINCE THAT ATTACK ON ISRAEL, IT MAY BE THE LONGEST OF THE WAR SO FAR.

THE AGREEMENT CALLS FOR A SIX WEEK AND TO THE BOMBING FOR ISRAELI TROOPS AND HAMAS MILITANTS TO LOWER THEIR WEAPONS AND 433 IS REALLY HOSTAGES TO BE RELEASED DURING THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PAUSE.

SEVEN OF THE REMAINING HOSTAGES ARE AMERICAN.

FOUR OF WHOM HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED DEAD.

SOME OF THOSE AMERICANS WILL BE RELEASED AT THE INITIAL PHASE.

IN EXCHANGE FOR THE HOSTAGES, HUNDREDS OF PALESTINIAN PRISONERS WILL BE RELEASED BY ISRAEL, INCLUDING THOSE CONVICTED OF AILING ISRAELIS.

>> THIS DEAL WAS DEVELOPED AND NEGOTIATED UNDER MY ADMINISTRATION BUT THESE TERMS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED, FOR THE MOST PART, BY THE NEST -- NEXT ADMINISTRATION.

THESE PAST FEW DAYS, WE HAVE BEEN SPEAKING AS ONE TEAM.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT-ELECT -- WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY.

THANK YOU.

NEWS OF THE CEASE-FIRE BROUGHT HUNTERS TO TEL AVIV'S HOSTAGE SQUARE.

SOURCES FAMILIAR WITH THE MATTER SAY THE RELEASE, BUT I FIRST SINCE LAST NOVEMBER, COULD BEGIN AS EARLY AS SUNDAY.

IN WASHINGTON, BRIAN ABEL REPORTING.

>>> HAPPY WEDNESDAY EVERYONE.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, IF YOU HAVE WEATHER HEADLINES.

FIRE DANGER WILL CONTINUE WITH THAT DRY AND WINDY WEATHER IN THE FORECAST.

ALSO TRACKING LOTS OF SUNSHINE HERE THROUGHOUT THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

WE WILL SEE SOME CHILLY START AND SOME MILD AFTERNOONS BUT HOW CHILLY ARE WE GOING TO BE STARTING OFF?

I WILL DETAIL THAT UPDATED FORECAST COMING UP.

>>> AND A RED FLAG WARNING FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS EXPIRING SOON.

RIGHT NOW, POWER IS STILL OFFER MORE THAN 2200 CUSTOMERS.

SDG&E CONDUCTED POWER SHUTOFFS IN 2020 COMMUNITIES DUE TO FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND OUR MEDIA PARTNER, KG TV, SPOKE TO ONE MOTHER IN ALPINE THAT THAT THE CONSTANT SHUTOFFS HAVE CAUSED ANXIETY FOR -- >> HE'S FEELING TWO CLASSES BECAUSE HE COULDN'T TAKE THE TIME TEST BECAUSE HE COULD LOG ON SO IT JUST CREATES A LOT OF PROBLEMS AND A LOT OF ANXIETY AND STRESS FOR ALL OF US BECAUSE HE'S IN HIGH SCHOOL.

HE CAN'T FAIL IN HIGH SCHOOL.

>> SHE ALSO ADDS THAT HER SON HAS MISSED SEVERAL DAYS OF SCHOOL BECAUSE THE OUTAGES AND IS STARTING TO AFFECT HIS GRADES.

THE RED FLAG WARNING IS SET TO END AT 6:00 P.M. >>> THE DEATH TOLL IN THE LOS ANGELES FIRES IS NOW AT LEAST 25, ACCORDING TO THE COUNTY MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE.

MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ARE UNDER A CRITICAL FIRE THROUGH TODAY AND AIR-QUALITY MONITORS SACRED READINGS COULD BE WORSE THAN SHOWN AS LARGER PARTICLES EVADE DETECTION BY REGULAR SENSORS.

MERRILL ABOUT GONZALES IS IN ALTA DENA WITH THE LATEST.

>> IN THE PAST 24 HOURS AND THERE'S BEEN LITTLE TO NO FIRE GROWTH ON BOTH INCIDENTS.

>> Reporter: THAT THEY MAY BE GETTING THE UPPER HAND ON TWO OF THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE FIRES EVER.

THE PALISADES AND AS OF MIDDAY, -- RISEN SLIGHTLY SINCE YESTERDAY HOWEVER, AIR-QUALITY IS POSING SERIOUS HEALTH CONCERNS.

AROUND 17 MILLION RESIDENTS ARE UNDER ADVISORIES FOR WINDBLOWN ASH AND DUST THROUGH THIS EVENING.

THERE ARE MANY OTHER FIRES HAZARDS YET TO TACKLE.

>> INCLUDING DOWNED POWER LINES, BROKEN GAS LINES, HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, AND UNSAFE WATER.

>> Reporter: THE INVESTIGATION INTO POTENTIAL CAUSES CONTINUES.

ANALYSIS OF IMAGE FROM SATELLITES AND THE WILDFIRE CAMERAS SUGGESTS THAT THE PALISADES FIRE MAY HAVE IGNITED NEAR THE BURN SCAR FROM A BLAZE EARLIER THIS MONTH.

IN THE BLAZE, NEWLY RELEASED VIDEO OF FLAMES NEAR ELECTRICAL TOWER ON JANUARY 7th MIGHT PROVIDE A CLUE TO ITS ORIGIN.

A CNN ANALYSIS OF RECENT AVAILABLE DATA FROM THE 10 LARGEST U.S. CITIES, AND OTHER COMPARABLE FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOW LA'S MANPOWER LOWER THAN ALMOST ANY OTHER MAJOR CITY.

A DISPARITY THAT WAS ECHOED IN THIS MORNING LAST MONTH.

>> IF WE CLOSE ONE STATION, IF ONE CLOSE ONE RESOURCE, THE RESIDENTS OF LOS ANGELES ARE GOING TO PAY THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.

SOMEONE WILL DIE.

>> Reporter: IN ALTADENA, MARIBEL RODRIGUEZ, KPBS NEWS.

THE ONLINE SCHOOL IS BASED IN SAN DIEGO -- IT COMES NEARLY THREE YEARS AFTER A SAN DIEGO JUDGE RULED AGAINST ASHFORD FOR GIVING STUDENTS FALSE OR MISLEADING INFORMATION ABOUT COST, FINANCIAL AID, CAREER OUTCOMES, AND MORE.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAYS BORROWERS APPROVED FOR THE LOAN FORGIVENESS WILL RECEIVE EMAILS IN THE COMING DAYS.

>>> ANOTHER ELECTION WILL BE COMING TO SAN DIEGO COUNTY THIS SPRING.

VOTERS IN THE SOUTH BAY WILL DECIDE WHO WILL REPLACE NORA VARGAS, WHO ABRUPTLY ANNOUNCED LAST MONTH THAT SHE WAS STEPPING DOWN.

AS KPBS'S COREY SUZUKI REPORTS, VARGAS'S DECISION COULD UPEND LOCAL POLITICS IN THE SOUTH BAY, JUST WEEKS INTO THE NEW YEAR.

>> Reporter: THIS IS NORA VARGAS SPEAKING AT HER LAST MEETING OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY -- >> VENDORS ARE BEING DETAINED BY LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> THIS IS BACK IN MID- DECEMBER.

VARGAS HAD BEEN SERVING FOR FOUR YEARS AND HAD JUST WON RE- ELECTION WITH THE SOLID LEAD.

>> Reporter: LESS THAN SUE WEEKS LATER, SHE SUDDENLY RESIGNED.

SHE SAID ONLY THAT SHE WAS DOING IT FOR PERSONAL SAFETY AND SECURITY REASONS.

NOW, THE PROCESS OF CHOOSING SOMEONE TO FILL HER PLACE HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN.

IT'S GOING TO MEAN A LOT FOR THE COUNTY THIS YEAR, OF COURSE, BUT IT CAN ALSO MEAN BIG CHANGES FOR LOCAL POLITICS AND PARTS OF THE SOUTH BAY, WHICH WAS VARGAS' DISTRICT.

BECAUSE LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS THERE ALREADY SAY THEY ARE PLANNING TO SEEK VARGAS'S SEE, INCLUDING TWO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ACROSS DIFFERENT CITIES.

SHE SAYS THE COUNTY SHOULD BE DOING MORE TO ADDRESS THE CROSS- BORDER SEWAGE CRISIS, WHICH HAS BEEN INCLUDING SOUTH BAY -- FOR YEARS.

>> DISTRICT ONE HAS A LOT OF NEED.

HAVE BEEN IN A LOT OF NEED FOR A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES AROUND THE SEWAGE CRISIS, WHERE THE COUNTY HAS A SPECIFIC AN IMPORTANT ROLE.

>> Reporter: JOHN McCANN, THE MAYOR OF CHULA VISTA , POINTS TO PUBLIC SAFETY IS A KEY ISSUE FOR VOTERS.

>> WE NEED TO CREATE GOOD, NEW WAYS TO BE ABLE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN OUR DEPUTY SHERIFFS, AS WELL AS MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE COMMUNICATING WELL WITH FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> Reporter: TO OTHER SOUTHBAY POLITICIANS HAVE ALSO SOUGHT PLANS TO SEEK THE VACANCY.

-- VIVIAN MARANO.

THEY WEREN'T IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS.

REGARDLESS OF WHO WINS THE SPECIAL ELECTION, THERE WILL BE RAMIFICATIONS IN THE SOUTH BAY.

INCLUDING NEW ROUNDS OF SPECIAL ELECTIONS, OR A LONGER.

THE PROCESS TO FILL THE SEAT OF THE WINNING CANDIDATE.

IN CHULA VISTA, THE SECOND LARGEST CITY, HIS MID DEPARTURE WOULD BE BIG NEWS.

THE ONLY REPUBLICAN ON THE COUNCIL AND IS A MOST 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE CITY GOVERNMENT.

THIS YEAR IS ALSO A CRUCIAL ONE FOR THE CITY.

CHULA VISTA IS PREPARING TO WELCOME A NEW FILM STUDIO.

PROGRAMS FROM SAN DIEGO STATES NURSING SCHOOL IN A LONG- AWAITED BAYFRONT RESORT AND CONVENTION CENTER.

>> IT MEANS A LOT OF THINGS FOR CHULA VISTA, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS.

>> Reporter: SEBASTIAN MARTINEZ IS A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE IN CHULA VISTA.

>> WE ARE ALSO IN THE MIDDLE, TO BE FAIR, A LOT OF DIFFICULT TIMES .

A LOT OF SCANDALS, A LOT OF LEGAL TROUBLES, HAPPENING RIGHT NOW AT THE CITY LEVEL.

SO I THINK -- TO LOOK INTO WHAT THE IMPACTS OF THAT COULD BE WITH LEADERSHIP SHIFTING.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR HAS BEEN AN OUTSPOKEN ADVOCATE FOR MORE RESEARCH AND STRONGER PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES AROUND THE SEWAGE CRISIS.

A REPLACEMENT MIGHT HAVE DIFFERENT PRIORITIES.

AGUIRRE -- AS A BOARD MEMBER ON MTS, THE -- SUDDENLY TWO YEARS AGO.

>> THAT'S WHY I LEAD WITH IT'S UNFORTUNATE BECAUSE THE RAMIFICATIONS OF THIS ARE VAST.

WE LIVED THAT THROUGH THE VACANCY OF SUPERVISOR FLETCHER WHEN HE FIRST LEFT.

AT THE TIME, HE WAS THE CHAIR.

>> Reporter: THE RIPPLES , SHE SAYS, ARE STILL BEING FELT TODAY.

McCANN IN CHULA VISTA SAYS RESTORING REPRESENTATION AT THE COUNTY LEVEL IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING ELSE.

>> WE ALL HAVE TO BE FLEXIBLE.

NOBODY EVER THOUGHT THAT THE COUNTY SUPERVISOR WOULD BE STEPPING DOWN.

I WISH HER WELL BUT THE REALITY IS WE NEED TO HAVE LEADERSHIP.

>> Reporter: MARTINEZ, THE CHULA VISTA ADVOCATE, THINKS MANY RESIDENTS ARE TIRED, ESPECIALLY AFTER LASHER'S LONG ELECTION CYCLE.

>> YOU TAKE THE TIME TO GO OUT FOR VOTE FOR SOMEONE AND YOU EXPECT THEM TO FINISH OFF THE JOB AND I THINK YOU EXPECT THEM TO FINISH UP THE JOB WITHOUT SCANDAL, HOPEFULLY AND THAT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT TO DO IN THIS DISTRICT IN GENERAL.

>> Reporter: MARTINEZ WONDERS HOW MANY PEOPLE -- JUST WEEKS INTO THE NEW YEAR.

COREY SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.

>> THE SPECIAL ELECTION THIS SET FOR APRIL AND IF THERE'S NOT A CLEAR WINNER AT THE TOP TWO CANDIDATES WILL HEAD TO A RUNOFF ELECTION OVER THE SUMMER.

>>> THERE IS A DISPUTE GOING ON OVER THE OWNERSHIP OF THE SAN DIEGO PADRES .

FOR OUR WHY IT MATTERS SEGMENT, THE VOICE OF SAN DIEGO EDITOR AND CEO SCOTT LEWIS EXPLAINS HOW IT COULD IMPACT THE TEAM AND THE CITY.

>> ♪ ♪ >> LAST YEAR, THE POTTERS SET A RECORD FOR ATTENDANCE.

THE TEAM COMPLETED A WELL RECEIVED -- BASEBALL AMERICA -- THE MLB ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR.

FROM THE INSIGNIA -- EVERYTHING WAS OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY.

BUT THIS IS SAN DIEGO SPORTS.

SOMETHING HAD TO GO WRONG.

AND NOW, THE FUTURE OF THE PADRES IS IN QUESTION BECAUSE OF A DISPUTE ABOUT WHO SHOULD RUN THE TEAM.

PETER SILER WAS THE OWNER BUT HE DIED IN 2023.

LAST WEEK, HIS WIDOW SUED PETER'S BROTHERS.

SHE ACCUSED THEM OF STEALING MONEY MEANT FOR HER AND FRAUDULENTLY MANAGING THE TRUST THAT PETER LEFT BEHIND.

THAT TRUST CONTAINS AN OWNERSHIP STAKE IN THE PADRES AND THAT IS WHERE SHE WANTS TO CONTROL.

THE PADRES REFUSED TO SAY EXACTLY HOW IT'S OWNERSHIP WORKS BUT WE KNOW THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO OWN SHARES OF THE TEAM AND THOSE PEOPLE ELECT A CHAIR AND THAT PERSON IS THE MAIN LEADER OF THE TEAM.

WHEN PETER SILER WAS THAT PERSON, HE SPENT HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO RECRUIT AMAZING PLAYERS AND WAS BELOVED BY FANS.

NOW, WE HAVE TO WONDER IF THE PEOPLE HE HIRED WILL BE ABLE TO IGNORE THE OWNERSHIP FIGHT AND KEEP OPERATING AS THEY HAVE BEEN.

FANS HAVE RALLIED BEHIND HER, USING THE HASH TIME -- HASHTAG -- EXCELLENCE.

AND SHE COULD HAVE SET IT UP FOR THE TEAM IF THAT'S WHAT HE WANTED.

APART FROM BASEBALL, THE PADRES ARE IN CHARGE OF ONE OF THE BIGGEST DEVELOPMENTS IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO, AND THEY STILL -- PETER SILER GAVE US A -- LOTS OF SAN DIEGO IS NOW EXPECT NOTHING LESS.

I AM SCOTT LEWIS WITH VOICE OF SAN DIEGO AND THAT'S WHY IT MATTERS.

>> A VOICE OF SAN DIEGO IS ONE OF OUR PARTNERS FOR THE PUBLIC MATTERS INITIATIVE.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE AT KPBS.ORG/PUBLIC MATTERS.

>>> WIDESPREAD SHIPS AWAY FROM DEMOCRATS AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST LOCAL CHANGES CAME IN IMPERIAL COUNTY.

KPBS IMPERIAL VALLEY REPORTER COREY SUZUKI HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A NARROW VICTORY, DECIDED BY A DIFFERENCE OF LESS THAN 500 VOTES BUT IN DECEMBER, THE FINAL ELECTION RESULTS SHOWED THAT DONALD TRUMP HAD ONE IMPERIAL COUNTY.

THAT'S A BIG CHANGE IN THE REGION.

A FARMING COUNTY WHERE MANY FAMILIES ARE WORKING CLASS AND MOST PEOPLE IDENTIFY AS LATINO.

BOATERS HERE USUALLY LEAN DEMOCRATIC AND IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.

TRUMP LOST BY A WIDE MARGIN.

IT'S NOT TOTALLY CLEAR WHY THE SELECTION WAS DIFFERENT.

SOME EXPERTS SAY PEOPLE PROBABLY SHARE THE NATIONAL WORRIES ABOUT THE RISING COST OF LIVING.

OTHERS SAY THE RESULTS WERE A SIGN THAT VOTERS IN IMPERIAL COUNTY FEEL ABANDONED BY BOTH PARTIES.

CARLOS LIVES IN THE CITY OF IMPERIAL.

HE THINKS THAT TRUMP'S WHEN WAS THE -- THE BIASES THAT HARRIS FACE.

>> I THINK THERE'S THE PEOPLE IN THIS VALLEY THAT ARE NOT TOO KEEN ON HAVING A FEMALE PRESIDENT, ESPECIALLY ONE OF COLOR.

AND IF A PERSON WAS ABLE TO OPEN THEIR EYES AND LOOK BEYOND THAT AND LOOK AT THE QUALIFICATIONS -- >> YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD A DIFFERENT TURNOUT.

>> IS A REGISTERED REPUBLICAN.

>> Reporter: BUT ACROSS PARTY LINES TO VOTE FOR HARRIS AFTER HEARING TRUMP TALKING ABOUT BEING A DICTATOR ON DAY ONE.

HE IS APPREHENSIVE NOW ABOUT WHAT THAT VICTORY IS GOING TO MEAN FOR THE COUNTRY.

BUT HE SAYS ALL HE CAN DO IS WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

COREY SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.

>> AND TO SEE MAPS OF HOW VOTING SHIFTED ACROSS THE REGION, YOU CAN GO TO KPBS.ORG/VOTESHIFT.

>>> WITH THE DEVASTATION IN LOS ANGELES, RESIDENTS WANT TO CALL TO A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IN HIGH FIRE RISK AREA.

THEY TELL KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER THAT, IF APPROVED, IT COULD WORSEN THE FIRE DANGER.

>> WE WILL DIE, AND I DON'T WANT TO DIE.

>> Reporter: -- SELF- DEVELOPMENT IS APPROVED.

DEVELOPERS WANT TO BUILD ROUGHLY 400 -- BETWEEN SAN MARCO'S.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT THE COUNTY, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS KNEW THAT THIS WAS NOT A SAFE DEVELOPMENT.

>> Reporter: THE PROJECT WAS ORIGINALLY APPROVED IN 2018 THE RESIDENTS AND ENVIRONMENTALISTS SUED OVER ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS.

THE BOARD RESCINDED THE APPROVAL IN 2022 AFTER THE COURTS SIDED WITH THE PLAINTIFFS.

THE DEVELOPERS APPEALED IN AN APPEALS COURT THAT THEY NEEDED TO ADDRESS ONE PART OF THE ENVIRONMENT IMPACT REPORT TO RESUBMIT THE PROJECT.

>> I ACTUALLY HAVE PTSD FROM IT.

>> Reporter: MARILYN JOHNSON REMEMBERS HAVING TO EVACUATE FROM THE FIRE THAT SWEPT THROUGH THIS AREA IN 2014.

MORE THAN 20 HOMES WERE LOST IN THAT FIRE.

HERS WAS ONE OF THE FEW THAT WERE SAVED, BUT THE FIRE DESTROYED THE COMMUNITY.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT PICTURES OF HOW MANY -- HARMONY GROWTH, IT WAS COMPLETELY DEMOLISHED.

OUR CHURCH WAS GONE.

EVERYBODY'S HOUSES WERE GONE.

>> Reporter: -- HARMONY GROWTH TOWN COUNCIL SET IN 2014, IT TOOK ABOUT AN HOUR TO EVACUATE ON THIS TWO LANE ROAD WITH A NEW DEVELOPMENT THAT COULD TAKE UP TO SEVEN HOURS.

>> THE FACT THE DEVELOPER IS INTERESTED IN PUTTING 450 HOMES HERE WITH NO SECOND WAY OUT, SO THINK OF A MOVIE THEATER, FILLED TO THE BRIM WITH ONLY ONE EXIT AND THERE'S A FIRE.

WELL, THAT IS WHAT WE ARE FACING.

>> Reporter: RESIDENTS SAY DEVELOPERS WANT TO USE THIS ACCESS ROAD AS AN EMERGENCY EXIT ROUTE.

HOWEVER, IT'S NOT VERY PASSABLE.

>> IF YOU GET AROUND THE BOULDER, THERE'S EVEN MORE TREACHEROUS TERRAIN.

>> THIS IS ACTUALLY THE BEST OF IT HERE.

>> Reporter: PLUS, THIS IS PRIVATE PROPERTY AND THE DEVELOPERS DON'T HAVE RIGHTS.

THIS AREA IS IN -- DISTRICT.

SHE SAYS SHE CAN'T COMMENT BECAUSE IT HASN'T GOTTEN IN FRONT OF THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL.

BUT SAYS THE FIRE DANGER WILL BE TOP OF MIND WHEN SHE REVIEWS THE APPLICATION.

THE PROJECT COULD BE RESUBMITTED WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SOME OF THE DOGS ARE FIGHTING FOREVER HOMES HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

OUR MEDIA PARTNER SPOKE WITH A MAN WHO OPENED HIS HOME TO AN ANIMAL THAT WENT THROUGH A HARROWING EXPERIENCE.

>> MY KIDS ARE GETTING OLDER, SO FOR ME TO GET A PUPPY, IT BRINGS ME BACK TO, YOU KNOW, A YOUNGER TIME IN MY LIFE THOUGH.

>> AND GLENN SAYS THAT HE RENAMED THE DOG BLAZE BECAUSE HE CAME HERE BY WAY OF FIRE.

BLAZE, 38 OTHER DOGS AND ONE KITTEN FROM THE PASADENA HUMANE SOCIETY WERE BROUGHT DOWN FROM -- TO SAN DIEGO AND PUT BACK UP FOR ADOPTION.

SO FAR, FOUR HAVE BEEN ADOPTED >> THE OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT HERE IN SAN DIEGO HAS BEEN SO INCREDIBLY HEARTWARMING.

JUST THE FOLKS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO FOSTER OR ADOPT OR HELP.

WE COULD NEVER HAVE IMAGINED THIS KIND OF RESPONSE.

>> AND THE STANDARD HUMANE SOCIETY SAYS THEY STILL GOT A LOT MORE ANIMALS IN NEED OF A HOME, INCLUDING PETS THAT WERE ALREADY HERE.

>>> AS WE HEAD INTO TONIGHT, I'M TRACKING MOSTLY CLEAR SKIES BUT THERE WILL BE SOME LOW CLOUDS NEAR THE COAST.

OVERNIGHT KNOWS A LITTLE -- LOWS A LITTLE CHILLY.

LOW 40s, SOME AREAS WILL SEEK OVERNIGHT LOWS IN THE 30s.

FUTURE TRACK READER SHOWING THAT AS WE HAD THROUGHOUT TONIGHT AND TOMORROW, WE WILL SEE SOME OF THAT CLOUD COVERAGE THERE ACROSS THE COAST WITH MOST OF IT STAYING WELL OFF SHORE HERE AS WE HAD THROUGHOUT THURSDAY.

HOWEVER, RIGHT AROUND MIDDAY, SO THAT CLOUD COVERAGE, TRYING TO WORK ITS WAY BACK ON SHORE.

WE WILL SEE SOME SHOWERS.

WHAT LOOKED LIKE THE SHOWERS WILL STAY SOUTH OF THE BORDER HERE AS WE MOVE THROUGHOUT THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

THERE WILL BE SOME DEVELOPING SNOWFALL HERE ACROSS PARTS OF ARIZONA.

OVERALL, THAT'S GOING TO BE ABOUT IT AND THEN AS WE HEAD INTO LATE THURSDAY, EARLY FRIDAY, WE WILL START SEEING MORE CLOUD COVERAGE.

THAT'S WHEN THEY REALLY START TO ROLL IN HERE AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

BUT OVERALL HERE FOR YOUR THURSDAY AFTERNOON ACROSS THE ENTIRE SOUTHWEST, IT'S GOING TO STAY DRY, IT'S GOING TO STAY WINDY HERE FOR THE FORECAST.

OVERNIGHT LOWS WITH CLEAR SKIES PRIMARILY IN THE 40s HERE TO THE SOUTH.

WE WILL SEE A MIX OF 20s AND 30s HERE IN THE FURTHER NORTH YOU GO.

INCLUDING 32 RIGHT THERE AT FREEZING FOR -- AND THEN FOR TOMORROW, YOU CAN SEE THAT WE HAVE A WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR THE MAJORITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, WHICH WILL LEAD TO A RED FLAG WARNING ONCE AGAIN HERE IN EFFECT FOR THE MAJORITY OF THESE COUNTIES HIGHLIGHTED.

SO FOR YOUR FORECAST TOMORROW, LOTS OF SUNSHINE, HIGHS IN THE MIX OF THE 60s PRIMARILY HERE ACROSS THE COAST, INCLUDING 62 FOR DOWNTOWN.

OVERALL HERE FOR THE COAST, FORECAST, LOTS OF SUNSHINE HERE AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

AFTERNOON HIGHS WILL BE A MIX OF LOW TO MID 60s, I SHOULD SAY.

OVERNIGHT LOWS WILL BE DIPPING INTO THE 40s, HOWEVER, LOOK AT MONDAY MORNING.

A BIG -- MOVES INTO OVERNIGHT LOWS BELOW FREEZING HERE ACROSS THE COAST.

INLAND TEMPERATURES WILL ONCE AGAIN STAY IN THE MID-TO-UPPER 60s, LOWS IN THE 40s BUT ONCE AGAIN, LOOK AT MONDAY.

OVERNIGHT LOWS DIPPING TO AROUND FREEZING.

ACROSS THE MOUNDS WE WILL REALLY START TO SEE THE COLD AIR ON MONDAY AND THEN ACROSS THE DESERT, WE WILL SEE TEMPERATURES IN THE 70s BEFORE DIPPING INTO THE XTS THIS WEEKEND.

>>> HERE'S ANOTHER LOOK AT TODAY'S TOP STORIES.

SAN DIEGO MAYOR SAYS THE LOOMING BUDGET DEFICIT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVISIT HOW THE CITY OPERATES.

THAT WAS PART OF HIS MESSAGE DURING HIS STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS AND CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS THIS AFTERNOON.

EVEN WITH THE DIFFICULT FINANCIAL PICTURE, GLORIA SAID THE CITY WILL INCREASE OPTIONS FOR PEOPLE TO GET OFF OF THE STREETS THIS YEAR.

AND THAT INCLUDES NEW, SAFE PARKING SITE AND SHELTER FACILITIES.

>>> A RED FLAG WARNING FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS SET TO EXPIRE IN JUST A FEW MINUTES .

RESTORING FOR CUSTOMERS RIGHT NOW.

POWER STILL OFFER MORE THAN 2200 CUSTOMERS.

PUBLIC SAFETY POWER SHUT OFF DUE TO THE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

>>> IF YOU HAVE REACHED THE POINT WHERE YOU MIGHT CAVE TO TEMPTATION, WELL, HERE IS THE MOTIVATION.

SOME HOUSEHOLDS THAT SKIP -- FOR THE MONTH ALSO FIND THAT THEY SAVE SOME MONEY.

MEANWHILE, DEMAND FOR NONALCOHOLIC SPIRITS AND BEERS IS BOOMING.

KARIN CAIFA HAS THIS LOOK AT THE ECONOMICS OF DRY JANUARY.

>> Reporter: THINKING ABOUT GIVING UP -- >> IT'S GOING TO IMPROVE YOUR ENERGY, YOU'RE GOING TO SLEEP BETTER.

YOUR FOCUS AND CONCENTRATION WILL BE BETTER, AND AS WE KNOW, ALCOHOL IS A DEPRESSANT, SO IT'S GOING TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR MOOD.

>> Reporter: COMMITTED TO NONALCOHOLIC SPIRITS AND BEVERAGES ARE PART OF A BROADER TREND, INDUSTRY INSIDERS SAY.

>> IF THIS IS THAT TIME FOR YOU TO KIND OF RE-EVALUATE YOUR EXPERIENCE, YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH ALCOHOL, THERE ARE TONS OF PEOPLE OUT THERE IN THE SAME BOAT AS YOU ARE.

>> THE INTERNATIONAL WINE AND SPIRITS RECORD ESTIMATES THE GLOBAL DEMAND FOR NO ALCOHOL BEVERAGES WILL GROW BY AT LEAST $4 BILLION BY 2028, WITH THE U.S.

LEADING THE WAY.

LIFE AND SOBRIETY COACH CASEY McGUIRE DAVIDSON SAYS YOUNGER MILLENNIAL'S EVERY STREAKING H HAVE A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE ABOUT ALCOHOL AND MENTAL HEALTH.

>> Reporter: 10 YEARS AGO -- >> ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION.

I THINK YOUNGER GENERATIONS ARE MUCH MORE ATTUNED TO MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS.

>> Reporter: AND DAVIDSON SAYS KICKING RED WINE HAS BOOSTED HER BANK ACCOUNT.

>> OVER THREE MONTHS, IT WAS OVER $1500.

NOW, I HAVE BEEN ALCOHOL FREE FOR ALMOST NINE YEARS.

I JUST CHECKED MY COUNTER.

I SAVED OVER $55,000 , NOT DRINKING.

>> A PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER AT CLEVELAND CLINIC SAYS IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ALL OR NOTHING.

>> I WILL SAY, ANY SOBRIETY IS BETTER THAN NO SOBRIETY SO IF YOU SLIP, THAT'S OKAY, JUST GO AHEAD AND RESTART TOMORROW.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, I'M KARIN CAIFA.

>>> NPR'S MORNING EDITION IS TALKING ABOUT WHAT LESSONS CAN BE LEARNED FROM THE L.A.

FIRES WHEN IT COMES TO PREPARING FOR WILDFIRES.

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