>>> 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 BILLHOWE.COM.

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

>> AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> TONIGHT, CAL FIRE CREWS ARE WRAPPING UP CONTAINMENT ON AN EAST COUNTY BRUSHFIRE THAT HAS THREATENED HOMES.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

THE MILLER FIRE BROKE OUT THIS AFTERNOON ON CAMPEAU ROAD AND MILLER RANCH ROAD, AND THAT IS JUST OFF OF THE 94 FREEWAY IN SPRING VALLEY.

AN EVACUATION WARNING WAS ISSUED FOR ABOUT 220 PEOPLE IN THE AREA, BUT THOSE HAVE BEEN LIFTED HERE YOU CAN SEE THE SMOKE RISE IN THIS TIME-LAPSE VIDEO FROM ONE OF YOU SEE SAN DIEGO'S ALERT CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE CAMERAS.

CAL FIRE SAYS A BRAND ABOUT 15 ACRES BEFORE FIREFIGHTERS STOPPED ITS FORWARD PROGRESS.

AT LAST CHECK IT WAS 5% CONTAINED WITH NO DAMAGES BEING REPORTED.

>>> AS WE HEAD INTO TONIGHT, I WILL BE TRACKING A CHILLY START FOR YOUR EARLY THURSDAY, BUT OTHER THAN THAT I AM TRACKING NICE AND SUNNY WEATHER FOR BOTH THURSDAY AND FRIDAY.

OVERALL IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL STAY MY OWN THIS WEEKEND, BUT BIG CHANGES MOVING ON SATURDAY OR SUNDAY I SHOULD SAY.

I'M TRACKING RAINFALL FOR BOTH SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

STAY TUNED.

>>> UNDER THE PATIENT CARE AND SERVICE WORKERS WERE PICKETING IN FRONT OF THE UC SAN DIEGO MEDICAL CENTER TODAY.

IT WAS SOME OF THE NEARLY 40,000 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA WORKERS A STRIKING IT YOU SEE HOSPITALS ACROSS THE STATE.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN HAS MORE ON THE 2 DAY STRIKE.

FOUR MAXEYS WORKERS SAY THEIR LABOR IS WHAT KEEPS THIS HOSPITAL RUNNING.

THEY DO EVERYTHING FROM KEEPING THE OPERATING ROOM RHYMING -- RUNNING, TO MAINTAINING MACHINES THAT HELP PATIENTS BREATHE, AS WELL AS COOKING AND CLEANING.

>> IT IS EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN THAT A NURSE OR DOCTOR DOESN'T DO.

FOUR MacISAAC IS A RESPIRATORY SPECIALIST AT THE MEDICAL CENTER.

HE SAYS THE UNION IS STRIKING BECAUSE THE UC IS BREAKING THE LAW WITH UNFAIR BARGAINING TACTICS.

>> WHEN WE SHOW UP TO THE BARGAINING TABLE, THEY ARE ROUTINELY UNDERPREPARED AND THEY PROVIDE PROPOSALS THAT ARE NOT GROUNDED IN REALITY.

>> Reporter: THE UC SYSTEM DENIES THIS SAME UNIVERSITY PRESENTED MULTIPLE PROPOSALS.

IN A STATEMENT RELEASED EARLIER THIS MONTH, UC OFFICIALS SAY OUR PROPOSAL WITH AFSCME PAY BY AN AVERAGE OF 26% OVER THE FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT.

WE HAVE ALSO PROPOSED $25 OR $100 MONTHLY CREDITS FOR AFSCME MEMBERS TO OFFSET EMPLOYEE PREMIUM INCREASES.

HE SAYS THE UNIVERSITY REFUSED TO RELEASE CERTAIN INFORMATION TO THE UNION AND UNILATERALLY INCREASED HEALTH PREMIUMS BY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS PER MONTH.

>> THEY MADE CONDITIONS WORSE FOR ALL OF OUR HEALTHCARE.

>> UNION WORKERS HAVE TO ENTER A LONG COMMUTE OR SLEEP IN THE CAR AND PEOPLE NEEDING GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE NEARLY TRIPLED SINCE 2017.

>> I PERSONALLY LIVE ABOUT AN HOUR NORTH OF HERE.

I CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE HERE IN THE SAN DIEGO REGION, AND MOST OF THE WORKERS CAN'T.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE HE SAYS THE UNIVERSITY HAS MONEY FOR NEW BUILDINGS AND EXPANDING CAMPUSES.

THE STRIKE CONTINUES AT ALL UC MEDICAL FACILITIES TOMORROW.

THE UC OFFICIALS THERE IS A PLAN IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE PATIENT CARE IS NOT DISRUPTED.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN , KPBS NEWS.

>>> A BOMB CYCLONE WENT INTO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST BEFORE MOVING INTO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

AT LEAST TWO DEATHS WERE REPORTED IN WASHINGTON STATE.

AS LAURA GEARY EXPLAINS, STORM VICTIMS WON'T GET A BREAK BEFORE THE NEXT SEVERE WEATHER THREAT MOVES IN.

STOMACH IS CRAZY.

>> Reporter: DRIVING SNOW AND A SLEW OF DOWNED TREES MARK A BOMB CYCLONE'S POWERFUL IMPACT ACROSS PARTS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST OVERNIGHT.

>> I WAS NOT EXPECTING THE SNOWSTORM AT ALL.

>> Reporter: BUT IN IT CAME WITH HURRICANE FORCE WINDS GUSTING OVER 70 MILES PER HOUR THAT TOPPLED COUNTLESS TREES COME IN MANY CASES TAKING POWERLINES WITH THEM, KNOCKING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OFF THE GRID.

PUGET SOUND ENERGY WHICH SERVICES THE SEATTLE AREA SAYS THE MASS OUTAGE COULD LAST MULTIPLE DAYS.

THIS NORTH SEATTLE RESIDENT, ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES.

>> I COULD HEAR IT CREAKING AND I WASN'T SURE IF IT WAS FALLING OR MOVING IN THE WIND, AND THEN I HEARD IT BREAKING THROUGH SOME BRANCHES.

>> Reporter: MANY OF HIS NEIGHBORS SPENT THE DAY ASSESSING DAMAGED HOMES AND VEHICLES.

THE INTENSE WINTER STORM ALSO BEING BLAMED FOR SOME FATALITIES, ONE OF THEM A BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON WOMAN WHO FIRE OFFICIALS SAY WAS KILLED IN HER SHOWER WHEN IT'S REQUEST YOUR HOME.

IN THE MOUNTAIN PASSES BETWEEN PORTLAND AND CENTRAL OREGON, TIRE CHAINS ARE A MUST.

>> WEAR ON MINUTE 37 OF GETTING THESE CHAINS ON.

>> Reporter: THE WICKED WEATHER ISN'T OVER.

FORECASTERS SAY THE BOMB CYCLONE ESSENTIALLY TAPPED AN ATMOSPHERIC RIVER WHICH IS EXPECTED TO DUMP TORRENTIAL RAIN OVER THE REGION THROUGH TOMORROW, WITH FORECASTERS PREDICTING NORTHERN CALIFORNIA COULD REACH A RARE LEVEL 4 OF 4 FLOOD RISK OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

LAURA GEARY FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> A RECORD NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE EXPECTED TO TRAVEL FOR THE THINGS GIVING HOLIDAY.

KPBS REPORTER MELISSA MAY EXPLAINS WHY NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO GET VACCINATED FOR RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES.

>> Reporter: AAA EXPECTS ALMOST 80 MILLION PEOPLE WILL TRAVEL FOR THANKSGIVING.

CVS PHARMACIST NICOLE HENRY IS GETTING VACCINATED NOW CAN HELP HER TAKE YOURSELF AND LOVED ONES.

>> PATIENTS ARE COMING IN.

THEY HAVE SYMPTOMS.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR OVER-THE- COUNTER REMEDIES.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE PATIENTS ARE PROTECTED, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT HOSPITALIZATIONS IS GETTING IMMUNIZATIONS FOR FLU, COVID, AND RSV.

>> Reporter: DR. ERIC BERG WITH SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S IMMUNOLOGY SERVICES IS SAYING THEY ARE SEEING AN UPTICK IN THE FLU VIRUS IN THE COUNTY.

>> IT CORRELATES WITH THE WASTEWATER DATA THAT WE TRACK, SO AN INCREASE IN INFLUENZA DETECTION IS IN THE WASTEWATER.

THIS IS TYPICALLY THE TIME OF YEAR WHERE WE START TO SEE THOSE INCREASES.

>> Reporter: SO FAR THIS SEASON, FEWER THAN 50% OF COUNTY RESIDENTS OVER 65 ARE VACCINATED FOR THE FLU.

ABOUT A QUARTER OF RESIDENTS AGES 50 TO 64, AND ONLY 15% OF PEOPLE AGES 18 TO 49.

>> CERTAINLY FOR IMPROVEMENT.

>> Reporter: BERG EMPHASIZES FLU CAN BE A BIG DEAL FOR HIGH RISK POPULATIONS LIKE PEOPLE OVER 65 OR THOSE WITH CHRONIC MEDICAL ISSUES.

>> SO, REALLY, THE INFLUENZA VACCINE IS GOING TO PROTECT YOU AND IT IS GOING TO PROTECT THE FOLKS THAT YOU ARE AROUND DURING THE RESPIRATORY SEASON FROM GETTING SEVERE DISEASE, POTENTIALLY REQUIRING ADMISSION TO A HOSPITAL AND EVEN DEATH.

>> Reporter: CANTY DATA SHOW 1500 PEOPLE WERE HOSPITALIZED LAST YEAR WITH THE FLU, AND 66 PEOPLE DIED.

MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP'S PLAN TO DEPORT RECORD NUMBERS OF IMMIGRANTS HAS SOME FEELING UNEASY.

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT LEADERS ARE REASSURING AFFECTED FAMILIES AT THE DISTRICT WILL DO EVERYTHING THAT IT CAN TO PROTECT THEM.

FERNANDEZ HERNANDEZ IS THE PRINCIPLE OF PERKINS K-8 SCHOOL IN BERG ANNA LOGAN, AND HE SAID ABOUT 35 FAMILIES ARE HERE FROM VENEZUELA AND ENROLLED IN THE DISTRICT FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS YEAR.

>> WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO ENSURE, YOU KNOW, THAT OUR FAMILIES UNDERSTAND THAT SAFETY IS OUR NUMBER ONE CONCERN, REGARDLESS OF WHERE THE THREAT MAY COME FROM.

WE DO NOT OFFER INFORMATION TO IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT CANNOT JUST COME ONTO OUR SCHOOLS.

STUDENTS, REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FREE PUBLIC EDUCATION IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> AND WHILE SCHOOLS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY DO NOT TRACK IMMIGRATION STATUS, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT 90% OF THE STATES K-12 STUDENTS HAVE AT LEAST ONE PARENT WHO IS UNDOCUMENTED.

>>> GUNS ORIGINALLY BOUGHT IN THE UNITED STATES ARE ROUTINELY FOUND IN MEXICAN CRIME SCENES HIM IS SO MUCH SO THAT MEXICAN OFFICIALS HAVE ACCUSED AMERICAN GUN MANUFACTURERS OF ARMING THE DRUG CARTELS.

KPBS BORDER REPORTER GUSTAVO SOLIS SPOKE TO PEOPLE TRYING TO STOP THE ILLEGAL SMUGGLING OF GUNS INTO MEXICO .

>> Reporter: IN JULY, SAN DIEGO REPRESENTATIVE JUAN VARGAS WAS PART OF A CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION VISITING MEXICO'S PRESIDENTIAL PALACE.

AFTER A TOUR OF THE PALACE GROUNDS, THE LAWMAKERS GOT DOWN TO BUSINESS.

WITH MEXICO PRESIDENT CLAUDIA SHEINBAUM AND HER PREDECESSOR ANDRES MANUEL LOPEZ OBRADOR.

>> WE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT DRUGS, FENTANYL, AND WE WANTED TO TALK ABOUT SEWAGE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: BUT MEXICO'S LEADERS HAD OTHER PRIORITIES.

>> THEY SAID GREAT, LET'S WORK ON THAT.

HELP US WITH THESE WEAPONS.

YOU GUYS ARE ARMING THE CARTELS.

>> Reporter: THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE ILLEGAL FLOW OF GUNS FROM THE U.S.

INTO MEXICO.

EVERY YEAR, MORE THAN 10,000 GUNS FOUND AT MEXICAN CRIME SCENES ARE TRACED BACK TO THE UNITED STATES.

THAT IS ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS, AND EXPLOSIVES.

KNOWN AS THE IRON RIVER, THE SOUTHERN FLOW OF GUNS HAS DEVASTATED MEXICO.

>> THEY ARE INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS, I JUST TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, YOU SEE THE SHOOTOUTS THAT THEY HAVE, IT IS LIKE ANY SHOE THAT YOU WOULD HAVE IN A WAR.

>> Reporter: UNDER THE THE FEDERAL LAW, ATF IS LIMITED TO ONLY PUBLISH THE AGGREGATE NUMBER OF ALL GUNS FOUND IN MEXICO TRACED BACK TO THE U.S.

IT DOES NOT IDENTIFY SPECIFICALLY WHICH STATES OR CITIES THESE GUNS CAME FROM.

HOWEVER, THE PUBLIC NOW HAS ACCESS TO MORE SPECIFIC DATA THANKS TO A SPECIFIC LAWSUIT AGAINST ATF FILED BY A SAN FRANCISCO GUN CONTROL ADVOCATE, JOHN LINDSAY-POLAND.

>> THERE IS SO MUCH HARM.

THERE IS SO MUCH DISRUPTION AND CHAOS AND PAIN THAT IS PRODUCED USING THESE GUNS.

AND SO OFTEN WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN MEXICO, THERE IS NOT A REFERENCE TO THE SOURCES.

>> Reporter: THE DATA COVERS A SEVEN-YEAR PERIOD IN 2015 TO 2022.

IT IS BROKEN DOWN BY ZIP CODE, GUN MANUFACTURER, MODEL, AND CALIBER.

LINDSAY-POLAND SAYS THIS TROVE OF DATA CAN HELP INCREASE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING.

>> Reporter: IF THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF GUNS THAT ARE TRACED TO A ZIP CODE, THEN I THINK IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE IN THAT COMMUNITY TO SAY, WE DON'T REALLY WANT TO BE, YOU KNOW, THE SOURCE OF THIS.

YOU KNOW, WE MIGHT BELIEVE IN THE RIGHT TO BUY FIREARMS AND ALL OF THAT, BUT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS.

>> Reporter: IS THE AMERICAN GUNS IDENTIFIED IN MEXICAN CRIME SCENES CAME FROM BORDER STATES.

GUN RIGHTS ADVOCATES ARE WARNING AGAINST USING THIS DATA TO MAKE SWEEPING CONCLUSIONS TO THE ENTIRE GUN INDUSTRY.

LAUREN KEANE IS WITH THE NATIONAL SHOOTING SPORTS FOUNDATION.

>> IT CAN BE USED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT TO, YOU KNOW, FOR TARGETED INVESTIGATIONS OR TO COME YOU KNOW, APPLY RESOURCES.

IT IS WRONG TO JUST TO TAKE THAT DATA AND MAKE BLANKET ASSERTIONS THAT, YOU KNOW, THE DEALERS IN A GIVEN ZIP CODE, OR NATIONALLY, ARE SOMEHOW CORRUPT.

>> Reporter: THE DATA DOES NOT INCLUDE A PURCHASE DATE SO THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW WHETHER A GUN WAS BOUGHT 10 MONTHS AGO OR 10 YEARS AGO.

ALSO, THERE IS NO INFORMATION REGARDING WHETHER A GUN WAS REPORTED STOLEN AFTER BEING LEGALLY PURCHASED IN THE U.S., BUT KEANE DOES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE DATA IS A USEFUL INVESTIGATIVE TOOL.

>> YOU CAN'T JUMP FROM THE TRACED DATA TO A CONCLUSION.

IT IS THE STARTING POINT, POTENTIALLY, OF AN INVESTIGATION.

4 TIM SLOAN WAS HEAD OF ATF OPERATIONS IN MEXICO DURING THE TRUMP AND BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S.

>> RE-EXAMINED ENTRIES ABOUT 27,000 FIREARMS OVER FOUR YEARS.

THAT IS JUST A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE FIREARMS THAT ARE ARRIVING IN MEXICO.

HE BELIEVES THERE IS A DIRECT CONNECTION BETWEEN GUN VIOLENCE AND MIGRANTS FLEEING TO THE U.S. >> YOU LEAVE MEXICO TO COME TO THE UNITED STATES, BECAUSE HE WILL DIE IF YOU STAY WHERE YOU ARE.

YOUR FAMILY WILL DIE.

YOUR CHILDREN WILL DIE.

THEY WILL KILL YOU.

THEY WILL HANG YOU FROM A BRIDGE.

THE VIOLENCE IS SO OUT-OF- CONTROL AND OVER-THE-TOP AND EXTREME.

OH, AND THEY ARE ALL BEING MURDERED WITH FIREARMS PURCHASED IN THE UNITED STATES, SO WE SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

>> Reporter: SLOAN IS CRITICAL OF ATF OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

HE SAYS THEY DON'T VIEW THE FLOW OF GUNS INTO MEXICO IS A PRIORITY AND HE POINTS OUT THAT THE ATF HAS AN OVERALL BUDGET OF $1.5 BILLION, BUT THE MEXICO OFFICE ONLY HAS A BUDGET OF $1.5 MILLION.

>> NOBODY CAN SERIOUSLY BELIEVE THAT WE ARE DOING ALL WE CAN WHEN THAT IS THE BUDGET THAT IS PROVIDED.

>> Reporter: ATF DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

JUAN VARGAS SAYS THIS DATA CAN HELP US PASS GUN CONTROL LAWS.

>> IT IS REASONABLE TO HAVE AN ASSAULT WEAPONS BAN IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT IT WOULD ALSO HELP US IN MEXICO AND CENTRAL AMERICA, LATIN AMERICA, BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT GET THESE ASSAULT WEAPONS.

4 BUT THOSE ARE NONSTARTERS FOR THE GUN INDUSTRY.

>> SO THEY ARE ILLEGAL TO BUY HERE IN THE UNITED STATES AND THEY AREN'T BEING USED IN CRIME.

WHY SHOULD WE RESTRICT THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF LAW- ABIDING AMERICANS, BECAUSE MEXICO HAS A CRIME PROBLEM?

>> Reporter: QIN SAYS THE FOCUS SHOULD BE ON MEXICO'S INABILITY TO PROSECUTE CRIMINALS.

GUSTAVO SOLIS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM IS GROWING, ADDING THOUSANDS OF MORE VETERANS, THOUSANDS OF JOBS, AND MORE OPTIONS FOR WOMEN AND CAREGIVERS.

ANDREW DYER SPOKE RECENTLY WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE MEDICAL CENTER.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SIGNED THE PACT ACT IN 2022 SPENDING HEALTHCARE BENEFITS TO MORE VETERANS.

SINCE TAKING EFFECT, THE VA SAN DIEGO MEDICAL CENTER HAS ENROLLED THOUSANDS.

FRANK PIERSON IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE VA SAN DIEGO HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

>> VA SAN DIEGO ACTUALLY HAS THE GREATEST GROWTH RATE OF ALL OF THE SOUTHWEST, SO WE HAVE SEEN A TREMENDOUS GROWTH TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT 4 TO 500 VETERANS EVERY SECOND MONTH.

>> Reporter: VA SAN DIEGO IS ONE OF THE LARGEST LOCAL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.

A RECENT STUDY BY THE MILITARY ADVISORY COUNCIL FOUND ALMOST 200,000 VETERANS LIVE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

PIERSON SAYS 150,000 VETERANS ARE ENROLLED IN VA HEALTHCARE ACROSS SAN DIEGO AND IMPERIAL COUNTIES.

MANY OF THOSE VETERANS ARE WOMEN AND PIERSON SAYS MUCH OF THEIR RECENT EXPANSION HAS BEEN TO ACCOMMODATE THEM.

>> WE HAVE THE LARGEST PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN VETERANS AND ALL OF THE VA, 13.1% OF OUR POPULATION ARE FEMALE VETERANS.

FOR MAC VA SAN DIEGO PROVIDES PRIMARY AND SPECIALTY CARE FOR WOMEN INCLUDING PRENATAL AND MATERNITY SERVICES, AND INFANT CARE FOR ONE YEAR.

THE NEWEST CLINIC CATERS TO VETERAN WOMEN.

>> WE HAVE REALLY GONE OUT OF OUR WAY TO IDENTIFY THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF WOMEN VETERANS TO SERVE WHO ARE VERY PROUD OF THAT FACT.

>> Reporter: THE VA ALSO RAMPED UP STAFFING AROUND SAN DIEGO OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

SINCE 2022, THEY HAVE ADDED 400 NEW JOBS.

THE VA HAS BEEN CRITICIZED OVER THE YEARS OVER APPOINTMENT WAIT TIMES.

CONGRESS MANDATES VETERANS BE SEEN WITHIN CERTAIN TIME FRAMES, OR BE ABLE TO GET CARE FROM OTHER PROVIDERS.

PIERSON SAYS PEOPLE A CONTINUITY IN THEIR HEALTHCARE.

THAT IS WHAT HE SAYS MOST VETERANS CHOOSE TO WAIT TO BE SEEN AT THE VA. >> WHAT WE FIND ACTUALLY HAD VA SAN DIEGO IS OVERWHELMINGLY MOST VETERANS CHOOSE TO WAIT UNTIL WE ARE ABLE TO SEE THEM.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR VA SAN DIEGO ADDED A MOBILE CARE UNIT TO BETTER REACH VETERANS IN THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY.

IN 2025, IT IS ADDING A NEW EXPANDED COMMUNITY LIVING CENTER ADDIS LA JOLLA CAMPUS.

THE NEW NURSING HOME WILL ALSO OFFER EXPANDED SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS.

ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS YEAR'S FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID OR FAFSA IS NOW OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS, BUT AFTER LAST YEAR'S MESSY ROLLOUT OF NEW STREAMLINED PROCESS, PARENTS AND STUDENTS MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT WARY.

WE REPORT ON WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR'S ROLLOUT OF A SIMPLIFIED FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID OR FAFSA DID NOT GO ACCORDING TO PLAN.

>> THE NET EFFECT WAS, A, FRUSTRATION, WITH PEOPLE A BIT IS IN THE FAST ALTOGETHER BECAUSE I DID NOT THINK IT WAS WORTH THEIR TIME OR THEY DIDN'T THINK IT WOULD NEVER WORK.

>> Reporter: IN SOME CASES GLITCHES OR DELAYS IMPACTED STUDENT OPTIONS AS THEY WAITED FOR FINANCIAL AID OFFERS.

BEFORE LAST YEAR, THE FAFSA FORM TRADITIONALLY OPENED TO ALL STUDENT ON OCTOBER 1, BUT THEY MADE A PHASED RELEASE OF THE FAFSA FOR THIS YEAR AMID CONTINUED BETA TESTING.

NOW THE FORM IS OPEN TO ALL AND STUDENTS ARE ADVISED TO START SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.

JILL DEJEAN, SENIOR POLICY ANALYST AT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATORS SAYS FILING DEADLINES WILL VARY AMONG SCHOOLS AND SCHOLARSHIPS.

>> KNOW WHAT YOUR DEADLINES ARE AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE MEETING THEM.

THEY WILL BE DIFFERENT FOR EVERY STUDENT DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY ARE APPLYING TO SCHOOL AND WHERE THEY ARE FROM.

>> Reporter: TO GET THINGS GOING, STUDENTS NEED AN FSA I.D., USERNAME AND PASSWORD FOR THE FASTEST SITE, AND APPLICANT AND THEIR FAMILIES TOGETHER ANY BANKING AND INVESTMENT DOCUMENTS.

IN THE PROCESS WILL BE MORE EFFICIENT AND LESS FRUSTRATING THIS YEAR.

>> WHAT WE ARE HOPING TO SEE THIS YEAR IS THAT FULL REALIZATION OF WHAT THE FAFSA'S IMPLEMENTATION ACT INTENDED TO DO, WHICH WAS TO MAKE THIS APPLICATION SHORTER AND EASIER TO COMPLETE.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, I AM KAREN CAVA.

STOMACH THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY REGISTRAR OF VOTERS HAS ABOUT 56,000 BALLOTS LEFT THE PROCESS BEFORE CERTIFYING THE ELECTION RESULTS, BUT IT IS ALREADY CLEAR WHICH LOCAL TAX MEASURES VOTERS HAVE APPROVED AND WHICH THEY HAVE REJECTED.

OUR PUBLIC MATTERS PARTNER SCOTT LEWIS BREAKS IT ALL DOWN IN THIS WEEK'S "WHY IT MATTERS."

>> Reporter: ON ELECTION DAY, VOTERS ACROSS SAN DIEGO TOLD US THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST OF LIVING.

INFLATION WAS TOP OF MIND ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

BUT THAT IS WHAT MAKES THE RESULTS OF THE 11 SALES TAX INCREASES OR EXTENSIONS THAT VOTERS WEIGHED IN ON IN SAN DIEGO SO INTERESTING.

VOTERS APPROVED SEVEN SALES TAX INCREASES OR EXTENSIONS AND REJECTED JUST FOUR OF THEM.

HERE IS THE LIST OF THE CITIES WHERE VOTERS APPROVED TAX INCREASES OR EXTENSIONS.

CHULA VISTA, EL CAJON, ESCONDIDO, LA MESA, OCEANSIDE, AND SAN MARCO'S.

EVEN WITH THE COST OF LIVING A TOP COMPLAINT, SOME VOTERS DELIBERATELY INCREASED THEIR COST OF LIVING.

THEY TRUSTED THEIR CITIES.

HOWEVER, VOTERS SENT A MESSAGE OF LACK OF CONFIDENCE TO THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS, THE CITY OF ENCINITAS, SANTEE, AND THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

>> I WOULD VOTE FOR INCREASING THE SALES TAX IF THINGS WERE, IF THEY WERE FIXING OUR STREETS AND SO ON, BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THEY REALLY DO THAT WITH THE MONEY.

>> Reporter: FOR THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO, THIS IS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM.

THE CITY IS FACING A DEFICIT THIS YEAR ESTIMATED AT UP TO $200 MILLION, AND MAYOR TODD GLORIA HAD NO OTHER PLAN FOR DEALING WITH IT AND THE CITY'S MANY INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS THEN MEASURE E, THE SALES TAX INCREASE.

NOW THE CITY MUST ADDRESS THE NEED FOR SHELTERS FOR HOMELESS RESIDENTS, THE DEMAND FOR IMPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE, ALL WHILE MAKING SIGNIFICANT CUTS.

I AM SCOTT LEWIS WITH VOICE OF SAN DIEGO, AND THAT IS WHY IT MATTERS.

>>> A STATEWIDE BALLOT MEASURE THAT WOULD HAVE RAISED CALIFORNIA'S MINIMUM WAGE HAS FAILED.

PROPOSITION 32 WOULD'VE INCREASED WAGES FOR THE STATES LOWEST PAID WORKERS TO $18 PER HOUR BY THE YEAR 2026.

THE CALIFORNIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPPOSED THE PROP, SAYING IT WOULD HAVE INCREASED COSTS, LED TO HIGHER TAKES AND JOB CUTS.

SUPPORTERS ESTIMATED THE MEASURE WOULD HAVE BENEFITED 2 MILLION WORKERS.

THE CURRENT MINIMUM WAGE RATES ARE $16 PER HOUR FOR MOST WORKERS, AND $20 FOR FAST FOOD EMPLOYEES.

>>> A GROUP THAT ADVISES SAN DIEGO ELECTED OFFICIALS ON WATER AND SEWER SERVICES KEEPS CANCELING ITS MEETINGS, EVEN AS RESIDENTS PAY RISING RATES.

WE EXPLAIN WHY.

>> THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE SERVING ON WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE INDEPENDENT RATES OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

FIVE OF THE 11 SEATS ARE VACANT.

THE OTHER SIX, THEY ARE CURRENTLY BEING HELD BY MEMBERS SERVING BEYOND THEIR EXPIRED TERMS, LIKE GORDON HAS.

>> OUR CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR HAVE MET WITH STAFF.

THEY'VE MET WITH THE MAYOR'S OFFICE.

EXPRESSING THOSE TYPES OF FRUSTRATIONS AND CONCERNS, BUT WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANY RESULTS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS IRAC MET WITH CITY STAFF TO EXPRESS FRUSTRATIONS AND CONCERNS ABOUT THE VACANCIES, BUT THE CITY AS IT IS STRUGGLING TO FILL THE VACANT SEATS.

THE CITY'S DIRECTOR OF APPOINTMENTS, BOARDS, AND COMMISSIONS SAYS ALLOWING MEMBERS TO ATTEND A VIRTUALLY, LIKE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WOULD HELP.

>> THERE IS A VERY REAL RESOURCE ISSUE, AND YOU KNOW OUR HANDS ARE A LITTLE TIGHT IN TERMS OF LEGISLATION AT THE STATE LEVEL THAT REALLY PROHIBITS US FROM HAVING THE FREEDOMS NEEDED FOR PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CAPACITY THEY WANT.

>> Reporter: THE CITY HAS RECEIVED NINE APPLICATIONS OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS.

THEY REMAIN UNDER REVIEW.

FOR KPBS , I KNEW SOURCE REPORTER, CHRYSTAL -- >> I KNEW SOURCE IS AN INDEPENDENTLY FUNDED NONPROFIT PARTNER OF KPBS.

TO FIND OUT MORE GO TO KPBS.ORG /PUBLIC MATTERS.

>>> AS WE HEAD INTO TONIGHT, I WILL BE TRACKING A CHILLY START FOR EARLY THURSDAY.

OVERNIGHT LOWS A MIX OF 30s AND 40s.

OCEANSIDE, CAMP PENDLETON ALMOST FREEZING HERE FOR TONIGHT AT 34 DEGREES.

THE REST OF THE COUNTY WILL SEE A MIX OF 30s AND 40s HERE FOR OVERNIGHT LOWS.

A FEW AREAS ESPECIALLY IN HIGHER ELEVATIONS WILL BE BELOW FREEZING FOR EARLY THURSDAY.

HEADING INTO TOMORROW, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, LOTS OF SUNSHINE.

STILL TRACKING LOTS OF MOISTURE ACROSS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, BUT OVERALL FOR THURSDAY AFTERNOON NICE, CLEAR SKIES.

WE WILL SEE INCREASING COVERAGE HERE IS A SUN SETS, SO THAT RAIN COVERAGE WILL SLOWLY START TO DRIFT HIS WAY TO THE SOUTH, BUT IT WON'T GET ANY FURTHER SOUTH THAN ABOUT FRESNO, SO MID- CALIFORNIA, CENTRAL CALIFORNIA.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON OVERALL DRY AND MILD CONDITIONS CONTINUE ACROSS THE FOUR CORNERS.

THAT WILL EXTEND INTO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THE HIGHS FOR YOUR THURSDAY, A MIX OF 70s, 80s EVEN, SO OVERALL IT WILL BE A PRETTY NICE FORECAST WITH LOTS OF SUNSHINE HERE THROUGHOUT YOUR THURSDAY.

HEADING INTO THE DAY ON FRIDAY, STILL WATCHING OUT FOR THE RAINFALL AND EVEN SNOW FLURRIES IN THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS ACROSS CALIFORNIA.

OVERALL LOTS OF SUNSHINE HERE THROUGHOUT THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

FOR THE 5 DAY OUTLOOK HERE ACROSS THE COAST, SUNNY AND PLEASANT FOR YOUR THURSDAY, BUT LOOK AT THAT LOW FOR TONIGHT.

OVERNIGHT LOWS WILL BE A MIX OF 30s AND 40s.

A CHILLY START FOR YOUR THURSDAY.

BUT STARTING ON FRIDAY, WE WILL SEE TEMPERATURES NOT QUITE AS WARM IN THE AFTERNOON.

LOTS OF SUNSHINE.

CLOUD COVERAGE IN THE FORECAST ON SATURDAY.

MORE CLOUD COVERAGE IN THE FORECAST ON SUNDAY BEFORE THE RAINFALL MOVES IN AS WE HEAD INTO EARLY PART OF NEXT WEEK.

INLAND FORECAST LOOKS PRETTY GOOD.

WE WILL SEE THE UPPER 70s HERE FOR THURSDAY.

TEMPERATURES WILL TRAIL UP A LITTLE BIT AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND, BUT OVERALL THE FORECAST LOOKS DRY.

MADNESS REGION, OVERNIGHT LOWS IN THE 30s AND 40s.

AFTERNOON HIGHS IN THE 50s THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS, BUT WE WILL DIP INTO THE 40s AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

AFTER THAT, YOUR DESERT FORECAST LOOKING PRETTY NICE WITH A MIX OF 70s AND 80s.

>>> THIS THANKSGIVING COULD BE A RECORDBREAKER FOR BUSINESS.

THE NEW NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION SURVEY PREDICTS MORE THAN 183 MILLION PEOPLE ARE PLANNING TO SHOP IN-STORE AND ONLINE FROM TURKEY DATA CYBER MONDAY.

57% OF THOSE CITED GOOD DEALS AS THEIR MAIN REASON.

HOLIDAY SPENDING IS EXPECTED TO REACH NEAR $1 TRILLION THIS YEAR.

>>> MILLIONS OF PACKAGES WILL ARRIVE ON DOORSTEP THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF DECEMBER.

IF A PACKAGE IS WHITE, A REFUND OR REPLACEMENT IS NOT ALWAYS GUARANTEED.

WE HAVE A LOOK AT HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PACKAGES.

>> Reporter: AMERICANS WILL BRING UP MORE THAN $240.8 BILLION IN ONLINE SALES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON ACCORDING TO ADOBE ANALYTICS, WITH MOST PURCHASES SLATED FOR HOME DELIVERY AND PROVIDING MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR PORCH PIRATES.

>> NOW IS THE TIME TO BE A LOT MORE VIGILANT.

>> Reporter: -- MILTON SAYS PROJECTING PACKAGES CAN BEGIN BEFORE ITEMS LEAVE THE WAREHOUSE BY CHOOSING OPTIONS LIKE PACKAGE TRACKING NOTIFICATIONS ARE REQUIRING A SIGNATURE FOR DELIVERY, AND PURCHASING WITH A CREDIT CARD THAT OFFERS A REFUND OR REPLACEMENT IN THE EVENT OF THEFT.

>> GO AHEAD AND CHECK WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD ISSUER AND SEE DOING APPROACHES PROTECTION, WHAT ARE THE LIMITATIONS IN CASE SOMETHING LIKE THIS DOES HAPPEN.

IT IS BETTER TO BE PROACTIVE IN THIS CASE.

>> Reporter: FOR HOUSEHOLDS USING A DOORBELL CAMERA, MILTON IS A SMALL UPGRADE FOR EXTRA REPORTING CAPABILITY AROUND THE HOLIDAY RUSH CAN HELP.

>> IF YOU DON'T HAVE STORAGE AVAILABILITY OR RECORDING, DEFINITELY SEE IF THAT IS SOMETHING YOU CAN ADD ON.

USUALLY YOU CAN LOG ONLINE AND PAY THAT FEE.

>> Reporter: CONSUMERS MAY WANT TO CONSIDER IN-STORE PICKUP FOR ONLINE ORDERS OR HAVE PACKAGES DELIVERED TO PICK UP LOCATIONS TO REDUCE RISKS.

IN THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON, MILTON ALSO SUGGESTS REACHING OUT TO NEIGHBORS TO KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR PACKAGES AND THERE'S.

IN WASHINGTON.

>>> YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON HER WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

GOODNIGHT.

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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.