>>> 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-BILLHOWE OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

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

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MAYA TRABULSI.

WE BEGIN WITH BREAKING NEWS.

A FIRE PROMPTING EVACUATIONS AT EAST COUNTY.

IT STARTED OFF STAR ACRES DRIVE NEAR STEELE CANYON ROAD IN RANCHO SAN DIEGO.

CAL FIRE SAID THE FLAMES THREATEN STRUCTURES.

KATIE JOINS US FROM THE SCENE WITHIN A DATE.

-- AN UPDATE.

>> Reporter: THE FIRE BROKE OUT AROUND 2:00 P.M. ACROSS FROM THISYOU SEE BEHIND ME.

YOU CAN SEE JUST HOW CLOSE THE FLAMES GOT TO SOME OF THE HOMES OVER HERE.

NO STRUCTURES WERE DAMAGED, THANKFULLY, AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AMONG RESIDENTS OR FIREFIGHTERS.

OFFICIALS SAY ABOUT 4300 PEOPLE WERE UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS OR WARNINGS.

THE CAL FIRE CAPTAIN SAID THE ORDERS ARE STILL IN PLACE FOR NOW.

>> WE ARE CONSTANTLY REASSESSING THE NEED FOR THE ORDERS AND WARNINGS AS THE HOURS GO THROUGH.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MITIGATING ANY HAZARDS OR ISSUES THAT MIGHT ARISE BY THE TIME WE LET THE RESIDENCE BACK IN.

>> Reporter: THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION.

AS TEMPERATURES CONTINUE TO CLIMB, KORNET IS REMINDING PEOPLE TO TRY TO DO OUTDOOR YARDWORK EARLY IN THE MORNING BEFORE TEMPERATURES REACH THEIR PEAK.

REMEMBER TO KEEP DEFENSIBLE SPACE AROUND YOUR HOMES TO AVOID HAVING A PLACE FOR THE SPARKS TO GO.

>>> WE WILL BE TRACKING RECORD- BREAKING HEAT OVER THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS.

HERE ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, ESPECIALLY SAN DIEGO, I'M TRACKING SUNNY SKIES.

GREAT WEATHER FOR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

I'M ALSO TRACKING THE NEXT CHANCE OF RAIN.

IT'S A LOW CHANCE BUT IT WILL BE ON THE EXTENDED FORECAST.

I WILL UPDATE THE OUTLOOK COMING UP.

>>> A SPLIT VOTE AT A HEARING ABOUT A CONTROVERSIAL PROJECT IN RANCHO SAN DIEGO.

ALEXANDER JOINS US FROM THE NEWSROOM WITH THE LATEST ON THE PROPOSED SAND MINE.

>> Reporter: THAT FIRE IS RIGHT WHERE THE SAND MINE WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE PLACE.

THE VOTE WAS SPLIT 3-3.

THAT MEANS THE PROJECT IS TONIGHT.

IT ALSO MEANS THEY CAN APPEAL TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

RANCHO SAN DIEGO RESIDENTS WERE RELIEVED THAT THE PROJECT WAS REJECT BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION.

BARRY IS WITH THE GROUP.

>> WE DO NOT ANTICIPATE THAT THIS IS THE END.

WE ANTICIPATE THE APPLICANT WILL APPEAL.

I THINK THERE IS A 10 DAY PROCESS.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A PACKED ROOM WITH HIGH EMOTIONS OVER THIS.

A PLAN TO TURN THE GOLF COURSE INTO A SAND MINING PROJECT.

>> I HAVE A MEDICAL BACKGROUND.

I KNOW THE SAND MIND IS NOT GOOD FOR US.

>> Reporter: RESIDENTS RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT TRAFFIC, NOISE AND HEALTH CONCERNS.

>> I JUST HAD HEART SURGERY BECAUSE OF COVID.

I LIKE TO WALK, BUT WHEN I WALK I DON'T LIKE TO BE SMELLING THE SAND BECAUSE THERE'S TOXICITY.

>> Reporter: DEVELOPERS SAY THEY NEED THE SAND TO PRODUCE AGGREGATE FOR CONSTRUCTION WITHOUT THE HIGH COST.

>> WHEN THEY SAY TO GIVE ME A QUOTE, WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE?

WE KNOW WHY.

BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS IMPORTED.

PROJECTS LIKE THIS KEEP THE AGGREGATE AND THE MATERIAL IN HOUSE.

>> Reporter: THE PROJECT WOULD LAST 10 YEARS.

AFTERWARDS THE LAND WOULD BE DONATED TO THE COUNTY FOR PARKLAND.

THERE WAS CONFUSION OVER WHETHER THE SPLIT VOTE MEANS THE DEVELOPERS COULD APPEAL.

THE PLANNING COMMITTEE STAFF COUNSEL IS INTERPRETING IT TO MEAN THAT THEY COULD.

THE DEVELOPERS TOLD ME THEY PLAN TO APPEAL.

>>> IMMIGRATION RAIDS HAVE LEFT MANY MIXED STATUS FAMILIES LIVING ON EDGE.

SOME HAVE CHANGED THINGS LIKE GROCERY TRIPS AND OUTINGS DUE TO THE FEAR OF BEING DETAINED.

TANIA THORNE HEARS FROM TWO PEOPLE AND DISCUSSES HOW THE FEAR COULD AFFECT THEIR HEALTH.

>> Reporter: HEADLINES AND VIRAL VIDEOS OF IMMIGRATION DETENTIONS ARE FILLING NEWSFEEDS.

WITH THEM, FEAR IS RISING IN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT'S NOT JUST FAMILIES WITHOUT LEGAL STATUS.

IT IS MIXED STATUS FAMILIES THAT FEAR FOR LOVED ONES LIKE THIS MAN.

FOR HIS FAMILY 'SAFETY HE ASKED THAT WE NOT USE HIS NAME.

HE SAYS THE FEAR OF IMMIGRATION DETENTIONS HIT CLOSE TO HOME.

>> YES THERE'S LOTS OF WORRY.

WE HAVE A FAMILY MEMBER WHO UNFORTUNATELY HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET HIS DOCUMENTS.

IN THIS CASE HE'S THE HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD.

>> Reporter: HE HAS LEGAL STATUS AND IS RETIRED.

THE THREAT OF AN INTERACTION WITH IMMIGRATION AGENTS COULD SHATTER THE FAMILY.

>> IF SOMETHING IS TO HAPPEN TO THIS FAMILY MEMBER, OUR FAMILY WOULD COMPLETELY FALL APART.

>> Reporter: AS A RESULT THE FAMILY HAS HAD TO TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS.

>> WHEN I DO THE SHOPPING I NOTICE A CONSIDERABLE DROP IN LATINOS AT THE STORE COMPARED TO BEFORE.

>> Reporter: HE KNOWS HE'S NOT ALONE IN MANY FAMILIES ARE ERRING ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION.

>> THE BEST THING TO DO IS STAY HOME IF YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DO UNLESS YOU ARE GOING TO WORK BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GENERATE INCOME.

IF NOT, WHO IS GOING TO PAY THE BILLS.

>> I AM FILLED WITH EMOTIONS.

LOTS OF FEAR.

WE HAVE TO DO THINGS WITH PRECAUTIONS.

EVEN GROCERY SHOPPING.

>> Reporter: WE ALSO TALKED WITH THIS WOMAN WHOSE IN THE U.S.

WITHOUT LEGAL STATUS.

SHE ALSO ASKED WE NOT USERNAME DUE TO FEAR FOR HER SAFETY.

>> I FELT LIKE I CANNOT BREATHE.

THE STRESS IS HURTING ME.

I'VE NOTICED IT EVEN IN MY HAIR.

IT IS FALLING OUT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID THE STRESS IS TAKING A TOLL ON HER HEALTH.

SHE FEELS THAT EVEN DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS POSE A RISK.

NOT JUST PHYSICALLY BUT FINANCIALLY ALSO.

>> WE DO NOT RECEIVE GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE FOR INSURANCE.

WE ALWAYS PAY OUT-OF-POCKET.

OUT OF FEAR THAT RECEIVING ASSISTANCE COULD HURT US LATER ON OR IMMIGRATION AGENCIES.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS BEEN IN THE U.S. FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

SHE STRUGGLES WITH LEAVING THE LIFE SHE HAS BUILT BEHIND.

>> I'M NOT READY TO LEAVE.

I WISH THE GOVERNMENT COULD HELP PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR SO MANY YEARS.

WE PAY TAXES AND TRY NOT TO BE A BURDEN ON THE GOVERNMENT.

>> THEY GET PEOPLE AND ASK QUESTIONS LATER WHICH IS VERY UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

THAT'S NOT HOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK.

PEOPLE ARE FEARFUL.

>> Reporter: A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST AND PROFESSOR OFTEN PARTICIPATES IN THE COMMUNITY PATROLS THAT WARN PEOPLE OF IMMIGRATION SIGHTINGS.

>> THEY ARE SNATCHING PEOPLE FROM ALL CATEGORIES.

THAT ARE UNDOCUMENTED, REFUGEES, PEOPLE IN THE PROCESS.

PEOPLE THAT GO TO COURTS FOR LEGAL HEARING AND THEY GET SNATCHED.

PEOPLE THAT ARE WALKING IN THE STREET.

>> Reporter: HE SAID THE IMPLICATIONS ARE INSTILLING FEAR AND TRAUMA FOR MANY COMMUNITIES.

>> THEY ARE AFFECTED.

THEY DO NEED SUPPORT.

THIS IS JUST TRAUMA.

WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THAT STUFF.

ALL OF THIS WILL AFFECT PEOPLE MENTALLY, PSYCHOLOGICALLY.

>> Reporter: LIZETTE IS A FAMILY PSYCHOLOGIST IN SAN DIEGO.

SHE SAID THE STRESS AND FEAR HAS A DEEP IMPACT ON PEOPLE.

>> IT HAS AN EFFECT ESPECIALLY IF THE STRESS OR CONCERN OR FEAR GETS TO A LEVEL THAT IT IS IMPEDING YOUR SLEEP CYCLE OR IT'S GETTING DISTURBED.

YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PERFORM, RESPOND IN AN APPROPRIATE WAY OR FAST ENOUGH IF YOU ARE CONSTANTLY STRESSED OUT, WORRIED, NOT EATING.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE CONSTANT STREAM OF NEWS HER BEST ADVICE IS TO AVOID DROWNING IN THE HEADLINES.

>> IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE PACING OURSELVES, MICRO- DOSING THE AMOUNT OF NEWS WE ARE SEEING AND FOCUSING ON ONE THING AT A TIME.

>> Reporter: FOR SOME IMMIGRANT FAMILIES THE FEAR OF SEPARATION IS A DAILY REALITY.

THROUGH COMMUNITY SUPPORT, AWARENESS, AND CARE THERE COULD BE ROOM TO FOCUS ON HEALING AND HOPE.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A WOMAN WHO VOLUNTEERED AS A LEGAL OBSERVER AT IMMIGRATION COURT ENDED UP IN DETENTION HERSELF.

SHE STITCHED -- SHARES HER STORY COMING UP.

>>> A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED WITH GATE WAY STORAGE.

THEY MANAGE A BATTERY FACILITY THAT CAUGHT FIRE LAST YEAR.

THOMAS FUTCH TELLS WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN FOR GREEN ENERGY STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES.

>> Reporter: THE FIRE AT GATEWAY ENERGY STORAGE BURNED FOR TWO WEEKS IN MAY 2024.

LAST YEAR TWO FACILITIES CAUGHT FIRE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THE ESLER -- OTHER WAS A WAREHOUSE IN ESCONDIDO.

THE BATTERIES THEY USE ARE FLAMMABLE.

WHEN THEY BURN THEY RELEASE FLAMMABLE GRANT -- GASES LIKE HYDROGEN.

BOTH FIRES WERE EXTINGUISHED WITH NO HARM TO NEARBY AREAS.

THE FIRE BATTALION CHIEF SAID LITHIUM ION BATTERY FIRES ARE HARD TO PUT OUT SO YOU NEED DIFFERENT TACTICS.

>> THE BEST INDUSTRY PRACTICES THAT ALL THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS HAVE AGREED ON IS IF IT IS IN A SAFE AREA OR YOU CAN MAKE IT A SAFE AREA YOU LET IT BURN ITSELF OUT.

>> Reporter: THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED IN BOTH FIRES.

THE EPA SAYS THEY HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH GATEWAY.

IN HIS STATEMENT THE ADMINISTRATOR SAID, UNDER THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT GATEWAY ENERGY STORAGE MUST CONDUCT ENVIRONMENTAL MODELING DURING ALL BATTERY HANDLING OPERATIONS AND SAFELY REMOVE, PACKAGE AND DISPOSE OF ALL IMPACTED BATTERY PACKS.

OUR EV RENEWABLES, THE PARENT COMPANY RESPONDED BY SAYING, BEEN THERE DONE THAT.

THEY SAID IN A STATEMENT TO THE SAN DIEGO UNION TRIBUNE, THE PRACTICES SPELLED OUT BY THE EPA , QUOTE, HAVE BEEN GOVERNING OUR WORK FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS AND ARE NOT NEW.

BATTERY STORAGE CENTERS ARE USED TO STORE RENEWABLE ENERGY, MAINLY SOLAR, SO IT CAN BE USED WHEN THE SUN DOES NOT SHINE.

THE PRESS RELEASE INCLUDED SOME STATEMENTS THAT SOME PEOPLE VIEWED AS HOSTILE TOWARD THE PRACTICE OF STORING SOLAR ENERGY AT BATTERY FARMS.

THE EPA ADMINISTRATOR ALSO SAID I AM ALARMED BY THE INCIDENTS AND IMPACTS OF UTILITY GRADE BATTERY FIRES ON FIRST RESPONDERS, SPECIFICALLY FIREFIGHTERS EXPOSED TO HORRIBLE, TOXIC CONDITIONS.

THE BROADER ISSUE REQUIRES ADDITIONAL ATTENTION AND ENFORCEMENT.

JASON ANDERSON WITH CLEANTECH SAN DIEGO SAID THE TONE OF THE COMMENTS WAS INAPPROPRIATELY NEGATIVE.

THE EPA ADMINISTRATOR IS SAYING AS IT RELATES TO THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT BUT MORE ABOUT THE OPINIONS OF THE ADMINISTRATION ON RENEWABLE ENERGY, GREEN ENERGY.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR THEY SPONSORED A SURVEY OF RESIDENTS ON WHETHER THEY WANTED BATTERY STORAGE FACILITIES NEARBY.

66% OF PEOPLE SUPPORT HAVING STORAGE FACILITIES IN THE REGION.

>> I THINK MOST IMPORTANTLY WE FOUND A MAJORITY, 67% OF RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY , SUPPORT BATTERY STORAGE PROJECTS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> EV RENEWABLES SAID A THOROUGH TESTING OF ALL THE BATTERIES AT THE FACILITY WAS COMPLETED EARLIER THIS YEAR.

A SUBSET OF THEM ARE BACK IN SERVICE FOLLOWING LAST YEAR'S FIRE.

THOMAS FUTCH, KPBS NEWS.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, A LOOK AT THE DAILY LIFE OF PEOPLE IN GAZA DESPERATELY TRYING TO FIND FOOD IN THE MIDST OF WAR.

THAT IS COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING EDITION.

>>> STARTING THIS FALL SAN DIEGO UNIFIED STUDENTS WILL SPEND THE MAJORITY OF THE DAY WITHOUT THE PHONES.

THE SCHOOL BOARD APPROVED A NEW POLICY LAST NIGHT WHICH WILL TAKE EFFECT AUGUST 11, THE FIRST DAY OF THE SCHOOL YEAR.

PHONES MAY NOT BE USED DURING REGULAR SCHOOL HOURS DEFINED BY EACH SCHOOLS BELL SCHEDULE.

THEY CAN USE THEM DURING LUNCH AND PASSING PERIODS.

CALIFORNIA ORDERED ALL SCHOOLS TO ADOPT POLICIES BY JULY 2026.

>>> SAN DIEGO SCHOOLS HAVE LOST THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS OVER THE PAST DECADE PART OF A NATIONAL TREND THAT HAS FORCED DIFFICULT DECISIONS IN MANY DISTRICTS.

ACCORDING TO SOME PROJECTIONS IT MAY ONLY GET WORSE IN THE COMING YEARS.

JACOB EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: FOR MANY YEARS SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S POPULATION GREW STEADILY.

SCHOOL ENROLLMENT ALSO INCREASED.

THAT IS NO LONGER THE CASE.

AFTER PEAKING IN 2018, SCHOOL ENROLLMENT HAS DECLINED RAPIDLY.

THERE ARE THOUSANDS FEWER STUDENTS IN LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS THAN ONE DECADE AGO.

ABOUT 27,000 FEWER TO BE EXACT.

THE DECLINE IS FAR FROM JUST A SAN DIEGO PROBLEM.

IT'S PART OF A BROADER STATEWIDE TREND THAT WAS SUPERCHARGED BY THE COVID PANDEMIC WHEN SCHOOLS LOST TENS OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS.

WHILE ENROLLMENT HAS SLOWED THE TREND OF DECLINE SHOWS NO SIGN OF STOPPING.

ENROLLMENT IN TRADITIONAL PRIVATE SCHOOLS HAS STAYED RELATIVELY FLAT.

THE NUMBER OF FAMILIES CHOOSING TO HOMESCHOOL HAS INCREASED, BUT THAT DOES NOT COME CLOSE TO EXPLAINING THE DROP.

INSTEAD, THE DECLINES ARE DRIVEN BY LARGE ISSUES SCHOOLS HAVE VERY LITTLE CONTROL OVER.

PUT SIMPLY THERE ARE FEWER CHILDREN IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY THAN THERE USED TO BE.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF REASONS WHY.

PEOPLE ARE HAVING FEWER KITS.

THE NUMBER OF KIDS BORN HAS DROP BY NEARLY 20% OVER THE PAST DECADE.

ALSO TO BLAME IS THE COST OF EVERYTHING FROM HOUSING TO UTILITIES.

THAT PATTERN HAS LIKELY DRIVEN MANY FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN FROM THE REGION.

SCHOOLS CANNOT CONTROL THESE FACTORS.

THE IMPACTS HAVE BEEN MASSIVE.

OF SCHOOLS THAT WERE AROUND A DECADE AGO ABOUT SEVEN IN 10 HAVE FEWER STUDENTS.

SINCE FUNDING IS PARTLY BASED ON ENROLLMENT THOSE COULD BE A BIG BLOW TO BUDGETS.

SOME DISTRICTS ARE ALREADY BEING HIT HARD.

TAKE THE SOUTH UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THEY HAVE LOST NEARLY 30% OVER THE PAST DECADE.

AT A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING THEY VOTED TO CLOSE A NEARLY 50-YEAR- OLD CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

THEY WANTED TO CLOSE THREE SCHOOLS BUT THE COMMUNITY PUSHED BACK HARD.

THE PAIN MAY NOT STOP ANYTIME SOON.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE PROJECTS THAT BY 2044 ENROLLMENT AND WILL HAVE DROPPED BY ABOUT 112,000 ADDITIONAL STUDENTS.

DECLINES OF THAT MAGNITUDE CAN RESHAPE THE EDUCATIONAL MET LANDSCAPE AND LEAD TO A LOT MORE CLOSED SCHOOLS.

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

>>> A VOLUNTEER LEGAL OBSERVERS SAID SHE WAS LEFT BRUISED AFTER BEING DETAINED BY I.C.E.

AGENTS AT IMMIGRATION COURT YESTERDAY.

SHE IS ACCUSED OF PUSHING AN I.C.E.

AGENT.

>> YOU JUST WALKED RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS THE MOMENT AN I.C.E.

AGENT ACCUSED BARBARA STONE, A VOLUNTEER OBSERVER OF PUSHING HER.

SHE VOLUNTEERS AS A LEGAL OBSERVER IN IMMIGRATION COURT.

THE GRANDMOTHER OF TWO SAID HER JOB IS TO OBSERVE AND FILM, NOT TO INTERFERE.

>> IT IS NECESSARY THAT WE PROVIDE PEOPLE WHO CAN LEGALLY OBSERVE WHEN I.C.E.

IS DETAINING ASYLUM-SEEKERS IN THE COURTHOUSE.

>> Reporter: HER LAWYER SAID SHE SERVES AS A LEGAL OBSERVER AND NEUTRAL VOLUNTEER WHO FOLLOW -- MONITORS AND DOCUMENTS WITH GOVERNMENT ACTORS.

>> I HAD MY PHONE IN THE AIR.

THEY STARTED CHASING ME AND SAID THEY WERE GOING TO ARREST ME.

>> DETAIN HER.

DETAIN THAT LADY.

>> Reporter: THEY FOLLOWED HER DOWN THE HALL AND HANDCUFFED HER.

SHE SAID SHE WAS PUT IN A SMALL ROOM.

>> I WAS THERE FOR MORE THAN EIGHT HOURS.

I ASKED RIGHT AWAY IF I COULD SEE AN ATTORNEY.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID HER PHONE AND PURSE WERE SEIZED.

AFTER HER RELEASE ONLY HER PURSE WAS RETURNED.

>> I ASKED WHY HE NEEDED MY PHONE.

HE COMPARED IT TO A DRUG BUST WHERE THEY KEEP THE PHONE BECAUSE I HAD USED IT IN THE CRIME.

THEY REFERRED TO ME AS THE SUSPECT.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS BRUISING ON HER WRISTS AND THE BACK OF HER ARM.

SHE SAID IT IS FROM THE HANDCUFFS AND WHERE AN AGENT GRABBED HER WHEN SHE WAS DETAINED.

SHE SAID SHE WILL NOT LET THE DETENTION STOP HER VOLUNTEER WORK.

>> I'M PART OF A MUCH BIGGER STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION.

WHATEVER I CAN DO I WANT TO DO.

>> Reporter: KPBS CONTACTED IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT BUT DID NOT RECEIVE AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE.

>>> WE WILL BE TRACKING SOME LOW CLOUDS.

OVERNIGHT TEMPERATURES IN THE MID 60s.

A PRETTY MILD START.

DOWN TO 63 IN OCEANSIDE.

.

FUTURE TRACK SHOWING EARLY MORNING CLOUD COVERAGE.

OVERALL IT SHOULD START TO CLEAR OUT BY MIDDAY.

DURING THE AFTERNOON HOURS LOTS OF SUNSHINE ACROSS THE MAJORITY OF NOT ONLY SAN DIEGO METRO BUT ALL OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AS WE HEAD THROUGH THURSDAY INTO EARLY FRIDAY.

VERY HOT DEVELOPING HERE ACROSS THE DESERT SOUTHWEST.

WE WILL START TO DRY OUT ACROSS SOME OF THOSE AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH DEVASTATING FLOODING.

TEMPERATURE-WISE PRIMARILY IN THE 70s ACROSS COASTAL AREAS.

ON THE INTERIOR WE WILL SEE A LOT OF AREAS ECLIPSING THE 100 DEGREE MARK.

AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY HIGH PRESSURE AGAIN, VERY HOT AIR ONCE AGAIN ACROSS THE REGION.

THIS WILL BE A HOT STRETCH OF WEATHER.

HERE'S A LOOK AT THE FORECAST.

WE WILL SEE SUNNY SKIES, HIGHS IN THE 70s FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

I WILL POINT OUT THAT THE WARMEST WEATHER WILL BE ON THE COASTAL AREAS ON THURSDAY.

IT WILL TRAIL OFF A LITTLE BIT BUT IT WILL STILL BE NICE AND COMFORTABLE.

LOOKING AT THE INLAND FORECAST TEMPERATURES PEAK FOR THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

WE WILL GO FROM THE 90s BACK INTO THE 80s.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE EARLY PARTS OF NEXT WEEK WE WILL SEE HIGHS IN THE LOW 80s.

TEMPERATURES WILL BE TRAILING THE NEXT COUPLE DAYS.

ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS WE WILL BE IN THE MID 80s FOR THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

THEN TEMPERATURES WILL START TO TRAIL OFF A LITTLE MORE SEASONABLE.

OVERNIGHT LOWS IN THE 60s, BUT MONDAY MORNING WE WILL SEE LOWS IN THE UPPER 50s.

ACROSS THE DESERT ONCE AGAIN, TEMPERATURES JUST TOPPING OUT FOR THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

WE WILL GET TO MORE MODERATE AND SEASONABLE CONDITIONS AS WE HEAD THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

>>> AS A WAR EXPERT, UC SAN DIEGO POLITICAL SCIENTIST BARBARA WALTER HELP FORECAST CIVIL WARS IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

ALONG THE WAY SHE DISCOVERED SOME OF THOSE PREDICTORS APPLY TO THE UNITED STATES.

WE SPOKE RECENTLY WITH WALTER WROTE THE BOOK, HOW CIVIL WARS START AND HOW TO STOP THEM ABOUT THE FACTORS THAT LEAD TO CIVIL WAR.

>> TWO BIG FACTORS ARE FIRST AND FOREMOST SOMETHING THAT IS JUST A FANCY WORD FOR PARTIAL DEMOCRACY.

IT'S COUNTRIES THAT HAVE ELEMENTS OF DEMOCRACY.

THEY HAVE ELECTIONS, PEOPLE VOTE BUT THEY ALSO HAVE ELEMENTS OF AUTHORITARIANISM.

THEY HAVE A VERY POWERFUL PRESIDENT, OFTEN WHO HAS VERY FEW CONSTRAINTS ON HIS POWER.

THE SECOND FACTOR IS WHETHER THE POLITICAL PARTIES AND THESE PARTIAL DEMOCRACIES FORM MAINLY AROUND RACE, RELIGION OR ETHNICITY RATHER THAN IDEOLOGY.

>> HOW DOES THE UNITED STATES STACK UP AGAINST THOSE MEASUREMENTS.

>> THE UNITED STATES TODAY IS DEFINITELY IN THIS DANGEROUS PARTIAL DEMOCRACIES OWN.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CAME IN AND AMERICAN DEMOCRACY SEEMED ON BETTER FOOTING.

SINCE DONALD TRUMP HAS COME BACK TO THE WHITE HOUSE DEMOCRACY HAS DECLINED FASTER THAN IT EVER HAS IN AMERICA'S HISTORY.

>> YOU WRITE IN YOUR BOOK HOW CIVIL WARS START THAT PEOPLE MIGHT PUT UP WITH POVERTY, UNEMPLOYMENT, BAD SCHOOLS, AND MORE BUT THEY WILL NOT TOLERATE LOSING THEIR STATUS.

HOW IS THAT PLAYING OUT RIGHT NOW.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY UP UNTIL THIS LAST ELECTION IN 2024, IT WAS OVER 80% WHITE.

THAT IS A COUNTRY THAT IS MULTIETHNIC, MULTIRELIGIOUS, MULTIRACIAL.

OUR PARTIES ARE MORE ETHNICALLY, RELIGIOUSLY, RACIALLY-BASED FAN WOULD MAKE SENSE IF YOU LOOK STRICTLY BASED ON IDEOLOGY.

ON THE OTHER SIDE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS, A MAJORITY OF LATINOS, MAJORITY OF ASIANS, MAJORITY OF MUSLIMS VOTE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S.

THAT IS NOT GOOD FOR A COUNTRY.

>> DO YOU REALLY THINK CIVIL WAR COULD BREAK OUT IN THE UNITED STATES?

>> I DO NOT THINK IT COULD BREAK OUT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

I DON'T THINK WE ARE ON A PRECIPICE.

I'M NOT BUILDING A BUNKER IN MY BACKYARD.

>> PART OF THE TITLE OF YOUR BOOK IS ALSO HOW CAN CIVIL WARS BE PREVENTED.

HOW CAN THEY BE STOPPED?

>> IF YOU GO BACK TO FIRST PRINCIPLES, IF HAVING A WEEK DEMOCRACY AND HAVING YOUR POPULATION BE SORT OF FIXATED ON IDENTITY RATHER THAN UNITY, IF YOU FIX THOSE TWO THINGS YOU ARE GOING TO BE IN THE DENMARK CATEGORY.

NOBODY WORRIES ABOUT A CIVIL WAR IN DENMARK.

I THINK THE SINGLE EASIEST AND MOST IMMEDIATE THING WE CAN DO AND ALSO THE IS THE CHEAPEST FOR EVERYBODY ACCEPT MAYBE A FEW TECH MOGULS IS TO REGULATE SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> IT IS ABSOLUTELY UNFAIR AVITABLE FOR PEOPLE TO BELIEVE CIVIL WAR CAN HAPPEN HERE.

WHY IS THAT?

>> IT'S BECAUSE WE LOVE OUR COUNTRY.

I LOVE MY COUNTRY.

I LOVE MY NEIGHBORS.

I AM SO PROUD OF LIVING HERE.

I THINK IT'S HUMAN NATURE TO DENY, TO TRY TO IGNORE, TO GLOSS OVER OUR WORST TENDENCIES UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE.

UNTIL THERE'S NO POSSIBLE WAY WE CAN DENY IT ANYMORE.

>> THAT WAS BARBARA WALTER SPEAKING WITH US.

YOU CAN HEAR MORE OF THE INTERVIEW TOMORROW MORNING.

YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

AT 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-BILLHOWE OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

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

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.