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

CALL 1-800-BILL HOWE OR VISIT BILL HOWE.COM.

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

THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> TONIGHT, WE'RE GETTING A LOOK AT THE WORK BEING DONE BY CAMP PENDLETON MARINES AT THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

THEY WERE DEPLOYED AS PART OF A MILITARY BORDER MISSION ORDERED BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

ANDREW ANDREW DYER SAYS THEIR MISSION IS SIMPLE.

>> MARINES CONTINUE REINFORCING THE TWO BORDER FENCES.

ENGINEERS HAVE BEEN STRINGING WIRE FROM THE SAN YSIDRO PORT OF ENTRY.

THE MARINES DIDN'T MAKE ANYONE AVAILABLE TO SPEAK ON DAM RA.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL TYRONE IS IN CHARGE OF THE MARINES DEPLOYED IN SAN DIEGO.

THEY HAVE ORDERS NOT TO ENGAGE WITH MIGRANTS.

>> WE HAVE COMMUNICATION WITH BORDER PATROL DIRECTLY.

YOU SAW SOME OF THEM THAT ARE POSITIONED ACROSS HERE.

WE NOTIFY THEM AND WE CONTINUE OUR WORK.

THAT WORK INVOLVES WELDING SUPPORT RODS TO THE FENCES AND ATTACHING WIRE.

HE COMPARES IT TO A THORN BUSH.

MARINES FROM ENGINEERING BATTALIONS, CONSTRUCTION CREWS.

THE MARINES WE SAW WEREN'T ARMED AS OF NOW THE MILITARY'S DEPLOYMENT TO THE BORDER IS OPEN ENDED AND ONCE THE MARINES FINISH REINFORCING THESE FENCES THEY SAY THEY'RE READY TO GO WHEREVER THE BORDER PATROL NEEDS THEM NEXT.

FROM THE BORDER NEAR THE OTAY MESA PORT OF ENTRY, I'M ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE RAIN IS HERE.

WE'VE SEEN ONE STORM WRAP UP AND RIGHT AFTER THAT THE NEXT STORM WILL MOVE IN.

I'LL BREAK DOWN EXACTLY WHAT TO EXPECT WITH THIS NEXT STORM, BUT OVERALL TONIGHT WE'RE DROPPING DOWN TO THE MID-50s AND OF COURSE, THAT RAIN CONTINUES.

>>> TODAY, PRESIDENT TRUMP FOLLOWED THROUGH ON A PROMISE TO IMPOSE SWEEPING 25% TARIFFS ON ALL STEEL AND ALUMINUM PRODUCTS IMPORTED TO THE UNITED STATES.

THE TARIFFS ARE DESIGNED TO LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD FOR U.S. MANUFACTURERS.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL TALKED TO ONE LOCAL CEO WHO SAYS THE TARIFFS ARE HARMFUL TO BUSINESS.

>>> THE HYSPAN COMPANY IN CHULA VISTA USES A LOT OF ALUMINUM AND STEEL IN THE PRODUCTS.

PRESIDENT AND CEO ERIC BARNES WAS PESSIMISTIC ABOUT THE LOOMING TARIFFS.

TODAY HE SAYS THE SITUATION IS WORSE.

>> YES.

THERE'S BEEN ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THIS TARIFF THAT GOES INTO EFFECT AT THIS POINT IN TIME AND THAT TARIFF GOES INTO EFFECT AT ANOTHER POINT IN TIME.

IT'S HARD TO KEEP UP WITH AND HARD TO UNDERSTAND.

>> HARD TO UNDERSTAND BECAUSE BARNES' JOB IS NOT TO BE AN EXPERT IN TARIFFS.

>> WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE GETTING BETTER PROCESSES AND DESIGNING PRODUCTS.

>> BARNES SAYS HE'S WORRIED WE ARE NOW GETTING INTO A SITUATION WHERE THINGS GLOBALLY COULD EASILY SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL.

>> WHAT STARTED AS PUNITIVE TARIFFS TARGETING SPECIFIC INDUSTRIES IS RAPIDLY GROWING INTO JUST THIS INDISCRIMINATE TRADE WAR WITH THE REST OF THE PLANET, AND YOU KNOW, AS A COMPANY WITH A GLOBAL FOOTPRINT I'M GETTING HIT ON ALL SIDES.

>> THE OVERALL EFFECT OF ALL OF THE BACK AND FORTH?

UNCERTAINTY.

SOMETHING BARNES TOLD US LAST WEEK IS HORRIBLE FOR BUSINESS.

>> UNCERTAINTY IS YOU JUST UP THE RISK FACTOR.

I THINK IT PARALYZES GROWTH.

IT PARALYZES INVESTMENT IF THINGS ARE GOING TO CHANGE ON YOU.

>> ONE THING THAT SEEMS CERTAIN AT THIS POINT, THE TARIFF SITUATION WILL PROBABLY CONTINUE TO CHANGE WHICH MEANS WE'LL LIKELY BE CHECKING IN WITH ERIC BARNES AGAIN.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>> ANOTHER INDUSTRY TARIFFS ON CANADIAN, ALUMINUM AND STEEL IMPORTS CAN AFFECT SAN DIEGO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

OUR BIGGEST SUPPLIERS FOR LUMBER AND STEEL ARE IN CANADA.

OUR MEDIA PARTNER KGTV SPOKE TO A CONTRACTOR BUILDING AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING COM MRENTHS IN CITY HEIGHTS.

IT WON'T DELAY PROJECTS AND NEW PRODUCTS IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE WILL BE.

>> WHEN WE GET A PROPOSAL FROM A SUBCONTRACTOR WHO SAYS IT'S ONLY GOOD FOR SEVEN DAYS THANKS TO THE UNKNOWN TARIFF COST INCREASES WE MAY HAVE TO HOLD OUR PROPOSAL FOR LONGER THAN THAT.

>> OUR BEST CHANCE AT PROTECTING OURSELVESES IS TO ADD CONTINGENCY, IT COULD BE AS MUCH AS 15 AND WHEN WE GO INTO CONTRACT WITH THAT DEVELOPER, OUR FIRST ACTION IS TO WRITE A SUBCONTRACT TO THAT SUBCONTRACTOR SO THEY CAN GO OUT AND PURCHASE ALL OF THOSE MATERIALS.

>> AND EARLY TOLD KGTV HE'S NOT CERTAIN WHEN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WILL FEEL THE HIGHER COSTS.

HE SAYS THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF SUPPLY TO BE USED UP IN THE U.S. FIRST.

>> INFLATION EASED DURING FEBRUARY, BUT THAT MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO CALM CONSUMERS AS TRADE TENSIONS PUT PRESSURE ON PRICES.

ECONOMISTS WARN OF RECESSION RISKS.

KAREN HAS THE NUMBERS FROM WASHINGTON.

>> SOME GOOD NEWS FOR CONSUMERS, GROCERY PRICES WERE FLAT IN FEBRUARY AND GAS PRICES FELL.

THE NOT SO GOOD NEWS, ECONOMISTS DESCRIBE THE INFLATION NEWS AS THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM.

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP PLEASED WITH THE GOVERNMENT INFLATION REPORT THAT SHOWED CONSUMER PRICE HIKES EASING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FIVE MONTHS.

>> VERY GOOD NEWS.

>> THE BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SAID THE CONSUMER-PRICE INDEX WAS 2.8% YEAR OVER YEAR IN FEBRUARY AND THAT'S A SLOWDOWN FROM 3% YEAR OVER YEAR IN JANUARY, BUT STILL HIGHER THAN WHERE THE FEDERAL RESERVE WOULD LIKE IT.

>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A 2.8% INCREASE IN PRICES SO THAT'S SIGNIFICANT AND IT'S SIGNIFICANTLY AWAY FROM WHERE THE FEDERAL RESERVE WOULD LIKE TO BE WHICH IS CLOSER TO A 2% INFLATION TARGET.

>> THE DATA ALSO TOO EARLY TO SHOW THE IMPACT OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TARIFF POLICIES.

MANY DEMOCRATS ARGUE AMERICAN CONSUMERS WILL BE SQUEEZED BY MOVES LIKE THE 25% TOTAL ON ALL U.S.

IMPORTED STEEL AND ALUMINUM THAT TOOK EFFECT WEDNESDAY.

>> THE HOUSES AND CARS ARE BUNDLES OF STEEL AND ALUMINUM AND LUMBER AND SEMICONDUCTORS ALL OF WHICH THIS PRESIDENT IS TAXING AND HE'S IMPOSING AN ONEROUS TAX.

>> IT WAS MET WITH SWIFT RETALIATION, FUELING TRADE WAR FEARS AMONG BUSINESSES AND CONSUMERS AND PROMPTING ECONOMISTS TO WARN RECESSION ODDS ARE RISING.

>> THE ECONOMY IS STRONG, CAME IN DOING VERY WELL, BUT IT CAN'T DIGEST THE TARIFFS THAT WE'RE DOING HERE.

>> WALMART, TARGET, DELTA AND AMERICAN AIRLINES ARE AMONG COMPANIES THAT HAVE SEEN PULLBACKS IN U.S. CONSUMER SPENDING THIS YEAR.

IN FOCUS WITH WEDNESDAY'S INFLATION REPORT, THE PRICE OF EGGS.

EGG PRICES INCREASED AGAIN IN FEBRUARY THOUGH AT A SLOWER PACE THAN THEY DID IN JANUARY.

STILL, THE PRICE OF EGGS IS UP 60% YEAR OVER YEAR.

THE ENTIRE INFLATION REPORT AS WELL AS THE REPORT THAT RELEASED LAST FRIDAY, FOOD FOR THOUGHT FOR THE FEDERAL RESERVE AS THEY MAKE THEIR DECISIONS ON INTEREST RATES NEXT WEEK.

IN WASHINGTON, I'M KAREN KAIFA.

>>> PEOPLE IN SAN DIEGO ARE FEELING HIGHER COSTS FROM FOOD, WATER AND ELECTRICITY AND NOW FOR OUR "WHY IT MATTERS" SEGMENTS, WE EXPLAIN WHY WATER WILL RISE.

♪ ♪ ♪ >> THIS WEEK THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL VOTED TO APPROVE A 5.5% WATER RATE INCREASE.

IT WAS A TOUGH ONE AND A COUPLE OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS COULDN'T BRING THEMSELVES TO DO IT.

>> I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SUPPORT TODAY'S ACTIONS BECAUSE I SIMPLY CANNOT JUSTIFY CHARGING WATER CUSTOMERS MORE THAN THEY ALREADY PAY.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS JUST THE SMALL FIRST INCREASE OF MANY TO COME IN THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO LAST YEAR PROJECTED WATER RATES WILL INCREASE 61% THROUGH 2029, ADDING ABOUT $57 PER MONTH TO THE AVERAGE WATER BILL.

THAT'S ALMOST $700 PER YEAR.

THAT'S THE OPTIMISTIC SCENARIO, AND IT'S NOT JUST THE CITY.

RATES WILL RISE AND OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY, AS WELL.

THE SAN DIEGO REGION IMPORTS MOST OF ITS WATER AND JUST LIKE THE WATER ITSELF FLOWS FROM THE NORTH, THE WATER RATE INCREASES ARE FLOWING OUTH, AS WELL.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

IN PART IT'S BECAUSE WE USE LESS WATER AND THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO PAY MORE TO COVER DEBTS.

SAN DIEGO PURCHASES MOST OF ITS WATER FROM THE SAN DIEGO WATER AUTHORITY AND THE WATER AUTHORITY BUYS MOST OF ITS WATER FROM THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT, BUT BOTH THOSE AGENCIES HAVE BORROWED MONEY TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE, PIPES, PUMPS, DAMS.

THIS CREATES AN ENORMOUS DEMAND FOR ELECTRICITY TO RUN THE SYSTEM.

ELECTRICITY IS MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE NOW, BUT SAN DIEGO HAS ALSO ITSELF TAKEN ON THREE HUGE PROJECTS THAT WE'RE PAYING FOR.

FIRST, WE BOUGHT A BUNCH OF WATER FROM FARMERS IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO AT A VERY HIGH COST.

SECOND, WE BUILT A SEAWATER DESALINATION FACILITY AND AGREED TO BUY THE WATER FOR DECADES AT A MUCH HIGHER PRICE THAN EVEN THE IMPORTED WATER.

THIRD, SAN DIEGO AND LOS ANGELES ARE BOTH BUILDING LARGE, SEWAGE RECYCLING FACILITIES AND THAT WOULD LESSEN THE NEED FOR IMPORTED WATER, BUT THEY ARE VERY EXPENSIVE PROJECTS RIGHT NOW.

THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT ALSO WANTS TO BUILD AN ENORMOUS TUNNEL TO BRING WATER SAFELY FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THAT PLAN COULD COST $20 BILLION AND THE BILL WOULD FLOW TO RATE PAYERS IN SAN DIEGO.

LEADERS HERE HOPE TO SELL ALL OF THE WATER WE HAVE BOUGHT TO PROVIDE SOME RELIEF, BUT THEY DON'T DO SOMETHING SOON, THE BACKLASH COULD LEAD TO SOME EXTREME SOLUTIONS.

SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL MEMBER SHOCKED OBSERVERS WHEN SHE SUGGESTED LAST WEEK THAT THE CITY WITHDRAW COMPLETELY FROM THE COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY OR AT LEAST REFUSE TO PAY THEM.

>> I THINK WE CAN SEND A STRONG MESSAGE AND VOTE NO AND NOT PAY THE INCREASED RATES.

BRING THEM TO THE TABLE AND SAY WE'RE NOT GOING TO ACCEPT THIS.

I DOUBT MY COLLEAGUES WILL AGREE WITH ME, BUT IN LITIGATION THAT'S WHAT WE DID ALL THE TIME.

>> IT'S GOING TO GET HEATED.

I'M SCOTT LEWIS FOR "VOICE OF SAN DIEGO" AND THAT'S WHY IT MATTERS.

>> "VOICE OF SAN DIEGO" IS PART OF THE PUBLIC INITIATIVE AND LEARN MORE AT KPBS.ORG/PUBLIC MATTERS.

A NEW TENANT PROTECTION ORDINANCE IS MOVING FORWARD IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND TODAY THE BOARD VOTED TO ADVANCE THE MEASURES BY MONTGOMERY STEP'S OFFICE, SAID IT WOULD PREVENT EVICTION ACTIONS AGAINST TENANTS FOR AT LEAST SEVEN DAYS FOLLOWING THE DECLARATION OF A LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY.

IT APPLIES TO TENANTS IMPACTED BY EMERGENCIES SUCH AS FLOODS AND FIRES.

IF IT IS APPROVED AT THE SECOND READING NEXT MONTH IT WOULD TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY.

>>> REMINDER, BALLOTS ARE ARRIVING IN THE MAIL FOR THE DISTRICT 1 SUPERVISOR SPECIAL ELECTION.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT THE VOTER HUB AT KPBS.ORG AND FIND ANSWERS TO COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS INCLUDING HOW DO I KNOW IF I LIVE IN DISTRICT 1?

AND TAKE A QUIZ TO SEE HOW THE CANDIDATES ALIGN WITH YOU ON IMPORTANT ISSUES.

>> I'M AMNA NAWAZ.

TONIGHT ON "THE NEWS HOUR."

THE EUROPEAN UNION AND CANADA ANNOUNCE RETALIATORY TARIFFS ESCALATING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S TRADE WAR.

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

>>> HUNDREDS OF EMPLOYEES AT THE U.S. EDUCATION DEPARTMENT WILL SOON BE OUT OF A JOB.

IT COULD BE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD ELIMINATING THE AGENCY ALTOGETHER, A MOVE PREVIOUSLY PROPOSED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

MIKE ASHIDA BREAKS DOWN WHO THE CUTS WILL IMPACT.

>> THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CUTTING NEARLY 50% OF ITS WORKFORCE.

THE LAYOFFS WHICH STARTED TUESDAY EVENING COMBINED WITH THOSE WHO ALREADY TOOK VOLUNTARY SO-CALLED BUYOUTS WILL CUT THE DEPARTMENT'S HEAD COUNT TO 2200 EMPLOYEES.

EDUCATION SECRETARY LINDA McMAHON SAYING THIS ON FOX NEWS WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE CUTS.

>> THAT WAS THE PRESIDENT'S MANDATE.

IT'S A DIRECTIVE TO ME.

CLEARLY IS TO SHUT DOWN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>> THE MOVE DRAWING SWIFT CRITICISM FROM DEMOCRATS.

>> THAT'S BAD NEWS FOR ANY AMERICAN WHO CARES ABOUT EDUCATION FOR DISABLED CHILDREN, ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION, ABOUT A SKILLED WORKFORCE.

>> FULLY, ELIMINATING THE DEPARTMENT WOULD FORCE CONGRESS TO ACT.

>> WHEN IT GOES OUT TO MONTANA DOESN'T EXACTLY FIT.

SO IN A LOT OF CASES THE STAYS ARE BETTER FOR ADMINISTERING THE PROGRAM.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WAS NEED IN 19 79 FOR EQUAL EDUCATION FOR EVERY INDIVIDUAL AND FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS ENFORCEMENT, STUDENT LOANS AND OVERSIGHT OF STUDENT DISABILITY RIGHTS.

SENIOR OFFICIALS SAY JOB CUTS WILL NOT IMPACT FEDERAL STUDENT AID, QUOTE N ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM.

STILL, EXPERTS QUESTION WHETHER THE AGENCY'S DUTIES CAN EFFECTIVELY BE CARRIED OUT WITH A DIMINISHED OR ELIMINATED DEPARTMENT.

>> THEY'RE NOT JUST FEDERAL BUDGET LINE-ITEMS.

THESE IMPACT REAL HUMANS HERE.

>> IN WASHINGTON, MICHAEL YOSHIDA, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE IMPERIAL VALLEY LGBT RESOURCE CENTER IS CHANGING ITS NAME.

KPBS REPORTER SAYS THAT'S ONE OF SEVERAL DECISIONS RAISING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CENTER'S COMMITMENT TO THE TRANS COMMUNITY.

>> FOR ALMOST A DECADE, A BRIGHT RAINBOW SIGN HAS WELCOMED VISITORS TO THE LGBT RESOURCE CENTER IN EL CENTRO.

ANOTHER VERSION HUNG ON THE LOBBY, BUT IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS THOSE SYMBOLS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY HAVE BEEN TAKEN DOWN.

>> THE SIGN IS NEW, WE REESE RECENTLY HAD THE SIGN CHANGE TO THE DONELLY COMMUNITY RESOURCES CENTER.

SHE'S THE FOUNDER AND CEO.

SHE STARTED THE CENTER IN THE MID-2010s AFTER TRYING TO DO MORE TO HELP KIDS QUESTIONING THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

>> WELL, IT DIDN'T GO VERY WELL AND AFTER A WHILE I WAS NO LONGER ALLOWED TO BE IN THE POSITION OF MINISTRY.

>> DIAZ WAS A MINISTER AT THE TIME, BUT BECAUSE SHE CAME OUT AS LESBIAN SHE SAID THE CHURCH TOOK AWAY HER LEADERSHIP ROLE.

DIAZ STARTED TO CREATE HER OWN BIBLE STUDY GROUP FOR LGBTQ+ PEOPLE IN THE VALLEY.

DIAZ DECIDED TO START A RESOURCE CENTER.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE LGBT POPULATION.

I KNEW ABOUT MYSELF BEING, YOU KNOW, LESBIAN, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING IN MY RADAR ABOUT RIGHTS.

IT WAS MORE ADVOCACY FOR HELP, BOTH MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH.

>> LGBTQ+ RESOURCE CENTERS HAVE A LONG HISTORY ACROSS THE COUNTRY, BUT THIS ONE WAS THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN IMPERIAL COUNTY.

THE ONLY OFFICIAL PHYSICAL PLACE FOR THE VALLEY'S COMMUNITY.

OTHER ADVOCATES IN THE REGION WERE EXCITED.

CATHY IS THE DIRECTOR OF TRANS FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES IN SAN DIEGO.

SHE MET UP WITH DIAZ PERSONALLY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY COULD DO TO SUPPORT THE NEW CENTER.

>> IT'S NOT A MATTER OF COMPETITION BECAUSE THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE THAT NEED OUR SERVICES.

IT'S A MATTER OF WHEN WE WORK TOGETHER WE ARE STRONGER, AND THAT'S WHAT WE WERE HOPING TO BRING TO IMPERIAL VALLEY.

>> BUT SOME PEOPLE WERE MORE WARY.

THEY DIDN'T FEEL LIKE THE CENTER WAS WELCOMING TO EVERYONE IN THE BROADER LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, SPECIALLY WHEN IT CAME TO TRANS PEOPLE.

>> SO I MET A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO USED TO GO TO THE CENTER, BUT DUE TO THE -- THE TOXIC ENVIRONMENT, VERY TOXIC ENVIRONMENT THAT WENT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS PEOPLE JUST LEFT.

>> ANNIE LOPEZ IS A FORMER OUTREACH WORKER AT THE CENTER.

SHE SAYS SOME OF THE OTHER STAFFERS WOULD REPEATEDLY MISGENDER HER AND OTHER TRANS EMPLOYEES.

LOPEZ SAID SHE REPORT THE BEHAVIORS AND SHE REPORTED IT TO THE CIVIL RIGHTS DEPARTMENT.

>> IT IS MY LIVED EXPERIENCE WITH ALL OF THE HATE BY SOMEONE WHO PROMOTED ACCEPTANCE, BUT NEVER HONORED OUR EXISTENCE.

>> DIAZ DENIES THESE ALLEGATIONS.

SHE SAID LOPEZ NEVER REPORTED THOSE BEHAVIORS TO THE CENTER'SLY LEADERSHIP, BUT DIAZ HAS TAKEN MORE PUBLIC STANCES WITH GAY RIGHTS.

SHE'S BECOME SKEPTICAL ABOUT HEALTHCARE FOR TRANS PEOPLE AND GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE.

SHE SOUGHT OUT INFORMATION WITH GENSPEC AND GAYS AGAINST GROOMERS.

>> THERE'S THIS RHETORIC THAT INVOLVES ISOLATING TRANS PEOPLE, ATTACKING TRANS PEOPLE AS DELEGITIMIZING THEM AS PART OF THE BROADER CIVIL RIGHTS STRUGGLE.

>> R.J. CRAVENS IS FROM THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER WHICH TRACKS EXTREMISM.

HE SAYS THESE TWO ORGANIZATIONS ARE HATE GROUPS.

PART OF A BROADER NETWORK TARGETING THE TRANS COMMUNITY.

>> TRYING TO DELEGITIMIZE TRANS IDENTITY, CALL INTO QUESTION BEING THE -- THE GENERAL MEDICAL GLOBAL MEDICAL CONSENSUS ABOUT GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE.

>> DIAZ SAYS SHE DOESN'T COMPLETELY AGREE WITH WHAT THE GROUPS SAY, BUT SHE WANTS TO HEAR THEIR PERSPECTIVE.

YOU CAN CALL THEM HATE GROUPS JUST BECAUSE THEY DON'T AGREE WITH YOU OR YOU CAN JUST SAY, YEAH, THEY OPPOSE ME OR THEY THINK DIFFERENTLY, AND THAT'S AMERICA.

>> THIS PAST OCTOBER DIAZ SPOKE OUT AGAINST A NEW STATE LAW.

WHEN THAT HAD STRONG SUPPORT FOR STATE ADVOCATES.

THAT REQUIRES STUDENTS, BEFORE SHARINGING THEIR IDENTITY TO THEIR PARENTS.

IN THE PARKING LOT OUTSIDE THE CENTER THEY TOOK DOWN THE BRIGHT RAINBOW SIGN AND REPLACED IT WITH A GLASSY, OCEAN BLUE PACKARD.

IT DIDN'T COME AS A SURPRISE, BUT IT WAS DISHEARTENING.

SHE AND OTHER SAN DIEGO LGBTQ+ LEADERS ISSUED A JOINT STATEMENT CONDEMNING THE DECISION.

>> THERE'S NOT JUST THE REBRANDING AND THE SHIFTING OF A MISSION OF A CENTER.

THERE IS A WHOLE POPULATION WITHIN THE COUNTY THAT IT'S NOT SERVING BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH OF THESE PROVIDERS.

>> DESPITE THE CRITICISM DIAZ REMAINS DEFIANT.

IT IS BIG, IF OTHER PEOPLE DON'T THINK SHE'S SERVING THE TRANS COMMUNITY THEY SHOULD DO IT THEMSELVES.

OTHERS IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY SAY THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THEY PLAN TO DO.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> TOMORROW, WE'LL HAVE MORE ON THE EFFORTS TO IS UPPER THE VALLEY'S LGPTQ+ COMMUNITY.

>>> RESS DENTS OF ALTADENA AND PACIFIC PALISADES MAY FACE EVACUATION ORDERS AGAIN.

RAIN THIS WEEK IS BRINGING A RISK OF MUD SLIDES ON TO BURNED, SCARRED LAND.

>> IT'S CALLED AN INSTANT DAM AND THEY'RE WATER ACTIVATED.

>> JENNY KAY HAS NEW TOOLS ON HAND TO PROTECT HER 103-YEAR-OLD SIERRA MADRE CAFE FROM THE RAIN ARRIVING THIS WEEK.

SHE BOUGHT THESE FLEXIBLE BARRIERS THAT CAN DIVERT WATER AWAY FROM HER BUSINESS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN IN SORT OF A CONSTANT STATE OF JUST STRESS AND ANXIETY.

IT'S BEEN A ROUGH START TO THE YEAR FOR KAY WHO OWNS MARY'S MARKET IN THIS MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY ABOVE THE CITY.

FIRST CAME THE EATON FIRE AND NOW THEY FACE THE CONSTANT THREAT OF MUD AND DEBRIS FLOWS.

>> FOR US, EVEN A RAINSTORM CAN BE TREACHEROUS AND NOW WITH BURN SCARS AND LOTS OF SETTING MUD AND DEBRIS.

IT'S NOT JUST MUD.

THERE ARE BRANCHES AND ALL KINDS OF THINGS AFTER THE FIRE THAT COULD BE PRETTY TREACHEROUS.

>> A LINE OF TRUCKS MOVED DOWN THE MOUNTAIN TUESDAY CARRYING AWAY MORE DEBRIS FROM THE SIERRA MADRE DAM SO IT DOESN'T OVERFLOW.

IN ALTADENA, L.A. COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS CLEARED OUT THE MUD FROM THIS DEBRIS BASE OIN CHENEY TRAIL.

NEXT TO THE NURSERY THAT WAS PARTIALLY DESTROYED IN THE EATON FIRE.

>> THEY'RE ALMOST APOCALYPTIC RIGHT HERE.

HE LOST SOME OF HIS STORAGE FACILITIES AND THOUSANDS OF FLOWERS SAY DESPITE BEING NEXT TO THE BURNED HILLSIDES, HE'S CONFIDENT HIS BUSINESS WILL BE OKAY.

>> WE HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE PREVIOUS STORM.

I TOOK A WALK UP THERE LAST WEEK AND THERE WAS NO EROSION OR DAMAGE TO THE BACK PART OF THE PROPERTY, SO EVERYTHING IS FINE THAT WAY SO MORE RAIN IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

>> AT NOBEL DRIVE IN ALTADENA NEXT TO THE CREST TRAIL, HE'S HOMES ARE SURROUNDED BY SANDBAGS AND K RAILS.

YOU CAN SEE WHAT GOT SWEPT DOWN IN LAST MONTH'S RAINSTORM AND IN THAT CATCH BASIN BEHIND THAT WOODEN WALL THERE IS ALSO JUST A TON OF ROCKS AND MUD.

>> HI, GUYS.

>> BACK AT THE MARKET IN SIERRA MADRE, SHE IS GRATEFUL HER BUSINESS AND HOME UP HERE IS STILL STANDING.

>> A VULNERABLE AREA RIGHT NOW AND WE'RE DOING THE BEST WE CAN TO KEEP IT SAFE.

♪ >>> ONE STORM OUT HERE AND THE OTHER ONE ALREADY MOVING IN, WE HAVE A FEW THINGS TO TALK ABOUT, THE RAIN, THE SNOW AND THE ADVISORIES THAT HAVE BEEN ISSUED.

STARTING OFF TONIGHT, TEMPERATURES IN THE LOW 50s FOR OCEANSIDE AND MID-50s FOR SAN DIEGO AND 30 DEGREES IS YOUR MOUNTAIN LOW IN LAGUNA.

TOMORROW, THAT PRECIPITATION CONTINUES EVEN A FEW RUMBLES OF THUNDER AND LIGHTNING MIXED IN ESPECIALLY ALONG THE COAST AND KEEP THAT IN MIND THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO BE OUTSIDE WHEN THERE IS LIGHTNING.

WE'RE IN THE UPPER 50s FOR OCEANSIDE AND SAN DIEGO.

36 IS YOUR HIGH AND MOUNT LAGUNA, 60 THERE IN BORREGO SPRINGS.

WHAT WILL IMPACT YOUR DAY MOST.

SO MOST OF THE STORM IS THE FOCUS TO THE NORTH THROUGHOUT OUR WEDNESDAY, BUT AS WE GO INTO THE OVERNIGHT HOURS THAT MOVES FURTHER INTO THE SOUTH AND THE HEAVY RAIN IS MOVING INTO THE SAN DIEGO AREA AND THEN BY THE TIME WE'RE UP IN THE MORNING AND IT STARTS TO MOVE TOWARDS THOSE SCATTERED SHOWERS BY NOON AND WE'RE JUST LEFT WITH THE SCATTERED PRECIPITATION AND WILL BE THE TREND AS IT CONTINUES INTO THE EVENING HOURS AS IT MOVES FURTHER INLAND.

NOW WHAT EXACTLY SHOULD YOU EXPECT WITH THE STORM.

WE DO HAVE A FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT THROUGH THURSDAY AFTERNOON.

WE'RE LOOKING AT ONE TO TWO INCHES OF RAINFALL FOR THE SAN DIEGO AREA WHICH, OF COURSE, COULD CAUSE SOME FLOODING ESPECIALLY DEBRIS FLOWS IN BURP SCAR AREAS OR SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO KEEP AN EYE ON.

MOUNT LA GUN A THOSE ARE FOCUSED FURTHER TO THE NORTH.

THE 12 TO 24 INCHES, BUT THIS IS AN ACCUMULATING SNOWFALL AND IT WILL HELP WITH THE SNOW PACK SOMETHING WE NEED THIS LATE IN THE SEASON.

WE DO HAVE WIND ADVISORIES OUT AS WELL THROUGH FRIDAY.

WE ARE LOOKING AT 50-MILE-PER-HOUR WIND GUSTS THAT COULD HAVE AN IMPACT AND SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND THAT THERE'S A LOT OF WIND ASSOCIATED WITH THIS STORM, AS WELL.

TAKING A LOOK AT YOUR EXTENDED OUTLOOK ON THE COAST.

WE'RE WARMING UP AFTER THE STORM AND THE SUN COMES BACK AND WE'RE IN THE MID-60s BY THE TIME WE GET TO SUNDAY.

FURTHER INLAND, WE HIT 71 BY SUNDAY AND THE CLOUDS WILL STICK AROUND AND WE DO SEE THE RETURN OF SOME SUNSHINE AFTER THE STORM.

A LOT OF THIS WIND IS GOING TO BE AN ISSUE IN THE MOUNTAINS ESPECIALLY FRIDAY.

WE DO SEE TEMPERATURES BOUNCE AROUND A LITTLE BIT, BUT WE GET TO 50 BY THE TIME WE GET TO SUNDAY AND DROP AGAIN AND THE WIND RETURNS COME MONDAY.

YOUR DESERT FIVE-DAY OUTLOOK, WARMER TEMPERATURES, OF COURSE.

WE GET TO THE MID-70s JUST IN TIME FOR THE WEEKEND AND OF COURSE, THE SUN RETURNS, AS WELL.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M ACCUWEATHER'S ANA AZALEA.

>>> A PAINTER IS PUSHING THE BONDRIES OF DREAMS, SCIENCE AND HER MUSE.

JULIA DIXON EVANS SPOKE TO JUNE ABOUT HER ART.

>> SHE CALLS THEM HER GIRLS.

EACH PAINTING FEATURES A GIRL'S PROFILE SPROUTING WITH MACHINERY, BOTANICAL ELEMENTS AND SOMETIMES EVEN BUILDINGS.

THESE SURREALIST DETAILS STEM FROM ARTISTS MARY JEAN'S VIVID DREAM LIFE AND HAVE SHAPED HER PAINTINGS FOR 20 YEARS.

LAST YEAR JUNE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SLEEP APNEA AND BEGAN USING A CPAP MACHINE, BUT THERE WAS AN UNEXPECTED CONSEQUENCE.

>> THE MOMENT I RECEIVED THE CPAP A MONTH IN I LOST ALL OF MY DREAMS.

WITHOUT DREAMS, JUNE WORRIED THAT HER ART WOULD SIFER.UFFER?

DO WE CHOOSE THE THING THAT IGNITES CREATIVITY OR HEALTH.

>> EVENTUALLY SHE FOUND BALANCE AND HER WAY BACK TO DREAMING AND HER GIRLS.

HER NEW EXACT IS PAINTINGS AND SITE-SPECIFIC MURALS WHERE CPAP MACHINES AND TUBES SWIRL THROUGH EACH SILHOUETTE.

A MANIFESTATION OF JUNE'S NEW REALITY.

>> I HATED THIS AT FIRST, BUT I AM LOOKING MORE LIKE MY PAINTINGS THAN I REALIZE AND IT MADE ME LOVE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS OF THE, YOU KNOW, A LITTLE BIT OF THE NUISANCE OF IT, BUT I LOVE IT.

>> IN LOSING SLEEP, I PAINTED, BY MARY JUNE IS ON VIEW SATURDAY THROUGH JUNE 15th AT THE OCEANSIDE MUSEUM ART PF JULIA DIXON EVANS, KPBS NEWS.

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

FIVE YEARS SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND NPR'S MORNING EDZITION EDITION IS EXAMINING HOW OUR COUNTRY IS BETTER PREPARED FOR A FUTURE PANDEMIC AND THINGS THAT HAVE GOTTEN WORSE.

THE ARTS PREVIEW INCLUDING WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE SAN DIEGO LATINO FILM FESTIVAL.

FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M 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 AND AIR RESTORATION.

FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL HOWE OR VISIT BILL ♪ ♪ >>> AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

♪ ♪ >> AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ ♪