♪ >>> 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 45 YEARS.

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

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

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ARE PRESS ARING THE CHULA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT OVER REPORTS OF EXTREME HEAT ON SCHOOL BUSES.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER HEIDI DE MARCO SAYS THEY WANT ANSWERS BEFORE TEMPERATURES RISE AGAIN.

>> TUESDAY MORNING THE BUS I WAS DRIVING REACHED 92.5 DEGREES DESPITE EVERY WINDOW BEING DOWN, ROOF HATCH OPEN AND TWO FANS OPEN.

THIS WAS BEFORE 9:00 A.M.

>> Reporter: THAT SCHOOL BUS DRIVER SARAH RAMOS, SHE'S SPEAKING AT A SEPTEMBER 9th BOARD MEETING ABOUT TEMPERATURES INSIDE A BUS SHE WAS DRIVING DURING LAST MONTH'S HEAT WAVE.

>> THAT AFTERNOON IT AVERAGED 103 DEGREES AND REACHED UP TO 104.7.

>> Reporter: RAMOS TOLD BOARD MEMBERS THAT ONLY 39 OF THE DISTRICT'S 93 BUSES HAVE AIR-CONDITIONING.

>> THE DISTRICT MOVED RESET, LUNCH AND P.E.

INDOORS TO PROTECT ARE STUDENTS AND STAFF FROM THE ARE EXTREME HEAT BUT AFTERWARDS WE PLACE STUDENTS ON BUSES EXCEEDING 100 DEGREES.

>> Reporter: DELIA DOMINGUEZ CERVANTES IS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER.

SHE SAYS ONE MONTH LATER THEY'RE STILL WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE DISTRICT.

>> I'M NOT ASKING FOR THE IMPOSSIBLE.

I'M ASKING THAT WE EXPLORE OUR OPTIONS, IDENTIFY WHAT IS FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE, AND TAKING MEANINGFUL STEPS TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: KAREN RAM IREZ DOMINGUEZ IS ALSO A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER.

SHE SAYS SHE'S PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

>> A LOT OF THEM ARE NON-VERBAL.

A LOT OF THEM ARE IN WHEELCHAIRS, AND THEY NEED ALL THESE OTHER HELP.

SO HAVING THEM INSIDE OF A BUS THAT'S MORE THAN 100 DEGREES FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME CAN BE REALLY DAMAGING TO THEM.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT TELLS KPBS IT'S PROVIDING AIR-CONDITIONED BUSES FOR MEDICALLY FRAGILE STUDENTS AND MAKING WATER AVAILABLE AS WELL AS COOLING AREAS FOR BUS DRIVERS.

THE DISTRICT SAYS CERVANTES'S COMMENTS ARE POLITICALLY MOTIVATED.

WITH TEMPERATURES PREDICTED TO HIT THE UPPER 80s AND MID 90s STARTING THURSDAY, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ARE QUESTIONING WHETHER THOSE MEASURES ARE ENOUGH.

HEIDI DE MARCO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I'M ARIELLA SCALESE.

COMING UP TONIGHT LOTS TO TALK ABOUT HERE AS WE'RE GOING TO BE WATCHING SOME STRONG SANTA ANA WINDS THAT WILL PEAK AS WE HEAD INTO FRIDAY.

OF COURSE THAT'S GOING TO BRING WARMING WEATHER THROUGH THE WEEKEND AND THEN WE'LL START TO SEE A COOLDOWN WITH SOME COOLER WEATHER AND EVEN A CHANCE FOR SHOWERS NEXT WEEK.

A CLOSER LOOK AT THE FORECAST IS COMING UP.

>>> THERE IS GROWING CONTROVERSY OVER RECENT ADS FEATURING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP PAID FOR WITH TAXPAYER MONEY.

THIS WEEK THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT APOLOGIZED IN COURT AFTER THE GOVERNMENT FAILED TO COMPLY WITH AN ORDER TO STOP AIRING THE ADS.

MATTY GANNON IS AT THE WHITE HOUSE WITH THE LATEST.

>> Reporter: THESE ADS FIRST STARTED AIRING IN LATE SEPTEMBER AND PRETTY QUICKLY DREW QUITE A BIT OF PUSHBACK.

OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS THAT CONTROVERSY HAS SEEMED TO SPILL INTO THE COURTROOM.

THE WEEKS-LONG DISPUTE OVER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S GOVERNMENT-FUNDED ADS IS MOUNTING.

ACCORDING TO DATA REVIEWED BY CNN, SOME OF THE COMMERCIALS AIRED HUNDREDS OF TIMES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WEEK.

THIS TIME DESPITE A FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERING THE ADS BE CANCELED BY SUNDAY NIGHT, LEADING THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO ISSUE AN APOLOGY IN COURT.

>> GOD LOOKED DOWN ON HIS PLANNED PARADISE AND SAID I NEED A CARETAKER, SO GOD GAVE US TRUMP.

>> Reporter: THE SERIES OF AT LEAST A DOZEN DIFFERENT ADVERTISEMENTS FEATURE IMAGES OF DONALD TRUMP.

SOME SEEM AIMED AT PROMOTING HIS POLICIES LIKE TARIFFS AND BORDER SECURITY.

ALL END WITH THE PHRASE "PAID FOR BY THE U.S.

GOVERNMENT" ON SCREEN.

>> THIS IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE PSA.

IT'S JUST NOT -- IT'S NOT HOW WE SHOULD BE SPENDING TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

>> Reporter: THE EFFORT WAS MET WITH CRITICISM ON BOTH SIDES OF THE POLITICAL AISLE.

AMID THE BLOWBACK TRUMP ANNOUNCED HE AND HIS PAC WOULD INSTEAD PAY FOR THE ADS GOING FORWARD.

BUT COURT FILINGS REVEALED THE GOVERNMENT SPENT ABOUT $19 MILLION IN TAXPAYER MONEY ON THE CAMPAIGN.

>> BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE MESSAGE OF THOSE ADVERTISEMENTS THEY'RE NOT PARTISAN.

THEY'RE NOT -- YOU KNOW, IT'S NOT LIKE WE'RE ADVOCATING FOR A PARTICULAR CANDIDATE.

WE'RE TRYING TO TELL A STORY I THINK ABOUT HOW GREAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS.

>> Reporter: THE WHITE HOUSE HAS DEFENDED THE ADS AS PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS AND SAY THEY'RE SIMILAR TO THOSE RUN TO PROMOTE COVID VACCINATIONS OR THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT IN PAST ADMINISTRATIONS.

OTHERS DISAGREE.

>> WE KNOW WHY THEY WERE RUN WEEKS BEFORE THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

AND THAT'S NOT WHAT OUR TAX MONEY IS TO BE USED FOR.

>> Reporter: THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE HAS FILED A SEPARATE LAWSUIT IN RESPONSE TO THESE ADS.

AT THE WHITE HOUSE I'M MADDIE GANNON.

>>> ELECTION DAY IS FEWER THAN THREE WEEKS AWAY, AND A WIDE SWATH OF CALIFORNIANS ARE WORRIED ABOUT HOW THIS YEAR'S MIDTERMS WILL BE ADMINISTERED.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO A LATE AUGUST POLL FROM ARE UC BERKELEY AND THE "LOS ANGELES TIMES."

CALIFORNIA SECRETARY OF STATE SHIRLEY WEBER HELD A ZOOM ROUND TABLE WITH OTHER ELECTION LEADERS THIS WEEK TO ADDRESS ELECTION CONCERNS.

AND KPBS PUBLIC MATTERS REPORTER KEVIN TREVELLYAN WAS ON THE CALL AND HE JOINS ME NOW.

HI, KEVIN.

>> HEY.

>> SO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS THREATENING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST CALIFORNIA SAYING IT SENT BALLOTS FOR THE NOVEMBER 3rd ELECTION TO NON-CITIZENS ON THE VOTER ROLLS.

WHAT DID WEBER HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THAT SPECIFICALLY AND ANY KIND OF POTENTIAL INTERFERENCE FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?

>> YEAH, SO SHE DIDN'T MENTION THAT SPECIFIC NEWS BECAUSE IT HADN'T COME OUT YET.

BUT SHE DID KIND OF TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, INTERFERENCE, POTENTIAL INTERFERENCE FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MORE BROADLY.

AND BASICALLY WHAT SHE SAID IS THAT HER OFFICE, YOU KNOW, SECRETARY OF STATE ROB BONTA'S OFFICE, CALIFORNIA LEADERS ARE PREPARING FOR ALL KINDS OF CONTINGENCIES IN CASE, YOU KNOW, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION DOES SOMETHING THAT THEY PERCEIVE AS INTERFERENCE WITH THE ELECTION.

AND HERE'S WHAT SHE SAID DURING THIS WEEK'S ROUND TABLE.

>> WE HAVE A NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS THAT WORK WITH US ON ELECTIONS SO THAT THEY KNOW ALSO THAT THERE ARE THINGS THAT THEY CAN DO TO PROTECT US AS POINTED OUT BY A CONGRESSMAN THAT THEY'RE PREPARED TO GO INTO COURT IF THEY NEED TO -- BASICALLY IF SOMEONE'S TRYING TO STOP THE ELECTIONS AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

WE HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE SAFE AND SECURE.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE OTHER TYPES OF FEDERAL ACTIONS THAT, YOU KNOW, STATE LEADERS ARE WORRIED ABOUT TOO, AND THAT INCLUDES SENDING FEDERAL ELECTION MONITORS TO CALIFORNIA, SEIZING BALLOTS FROM LOCAL ELECTIONS OFFICES OR EVEN, YOU KNOW, DEPLOYING IMMIGRATION AGENTS TO POLLING PLACES.

>> WE'VE REPORTED ON PRE-ELECTION SURGE OF I.C.E.

ACTIVITY IN SAN DIEGO AND OTHER AREAS AS WELL AROUND CALIFORNIA.

SOME OFFICIALS AND ADVOCATES ARE WORRYING THAT IT'S INTENDED TO SCARE RESIDENTS AWAY FROM VOTING.

DID WEBER ADDRESS THAT?

>> YEAH, SHE DID.

SHE SAID SHE'S HEARD FROM PEOPLE ALL OVER CALIFORNIA WHO ARE SHARING THAT CONCERN AND BASICALLY THE IDEA THERE IS THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES AND THEN, YOU KNOW, ELECTIONS LEADERS ARE WORRIED THAT'S GOING TO HAVE A CHILLING EFFECT ON HOW PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, SHOW UP IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, WHETHER THEY WANT TO GO TO A BUSY POLLING PLACE.

AND SECRETARY OF STATE WEBER REALLY RESPONDED TO THAT BY KIND OF HIGHLIGHTING THE EXTENSIVE MAIL BALLOT SYSTEM IN CALIFORNIA.

YOU KNOW, YOU CAN REGISTER TO VOTE ONLINE.

YOU CAN FILL OUT A BALLOT AT YOUR HOME AND THEN YOU CAN DROP IT OFF AT A DROPBOX WITHOUT HAVING TO GO TO A BUSY POLLING PLACE LIKE ON ELECTION DAY.

>> YEAH.

AND PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS REPEATEDLY POINTED TO THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT CALIFORNIA TAKES TO COUNT BALLOTS.

AND HE SAYS THAT THAT IS A SIGN OF FRAUD.

SO CAN YOU REMIND US HOW THAT PROCESS ACTUALLY WORKS, PLEASE?

>> YEAH, THIS REALLY TIES INTO KIND OF THE WAY THAT CALIFORNIA'S VOTING SYSTEM IS PURPOSELY DESIGNED.

YOU KNOW, MAIL BALLOTS POST-MARKED BY ELECTION DAY HAVE SEVEN DAYS, SEVEN BUSINESS DAYS TO ACTUALLY GET TO YOUR LOCAL ELECTIONS OFFICE.

AND THEN ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATORS HAVE 30 DAYS TO GO BACK TO VOTERS IF THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THEIR SIGNATURE AND THEN ULTIMATELY CERTIFY THOSE ELECTION RESULTS.

SO THAT JUST KIND OF MAKES EVERYTHING TAKE A LONG TIME.

AND THEN ALSO IT'S WORTH MENG MENTIONING THAT CALIFORNIA IS ALSO THE BIGGEST STATE BY POPULATION.

SO WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THE VAST MAJORITY OF THEM VOTE BY MAIL.

SO DEPENDING ON WHEN PEOPLE TURN IF THEIR BALLOTS, THAT COULD AFFECT THE VOTE TIME AS WELL.

OR THE COUNT TIME.

AND THAT'S WHY ELECTION GOVERNMENT LEADERS ARE REALLY URGING CALIFORNIANS TO GET IN THEIR BALLOTS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

CONGRESSMAN SCOTT PETERS REPRESENTS PARTS OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY, AND HE WAS ON THE ELECTION ROUND TABLE THIS WEEK.

AND HERE'S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THAT.

>> IT WILL MAKE THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S JOB EASIER, GET THOSE VOTES COUNTED FASTER.

WE WON'T HAVE SUCH A LAG THAT WE TYPICALLY HAVE IN CALIFORNIA.

I'M ANNOYED BY THAT LINE BUT I DO RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE CAN VOTE.

>> IT'S REALLY WORTH HIGHLIGHTING THAT CALIFORNIA REALLY ERRS ON THE SIDE OF PROVIDING MORE VOTING ACCESS.

SO SOME OF THESE SAFEGUARDS SURROUNDING THE PROCESS ARE REALLY ALSO WHAT'S GENERATING A LOT OF THIS DISCOURSE.

AND SO ELECTIONS OFFICIALS ARE KIND OF TAKING A NUANCED POSITION HERE.

THEY'RE EXPRESSING THE UTMOST CONFIDENCE IN CALIFORNIA'S ELECTION SYSTEM WHILE ALSO KIND OF SUGGESTING THAT FINISHING THE COUNT FASTER COULD STAVE OFF SOME OF THIS DISCOURSE AFTER ELECTION DAY BOTH FROM PEOPLE WITH LEGITIMATE CONCERNS AND THEN ALSO PEOPLE WHO MAY BE KIND OF TRYING TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS.

>> AND YET GOOD REASONS FOR THE LENGTH OF TIME THAT IT TAKES TO COUNT THOSE BALLOTS.

ELECTION OFFICIALS, THEY SPEND A FAIR AMOUNT OF TIME CIRCLING BACK WITH VOTERS SO THAT THEY CAN FIX THEIR BALLOTS.

AND IN FACT, CALIFORNIA THROUGHOUT ALMOST 150,000 MAIL VOTES DURING THE JUNE PRIMARY.

THAT WAS A BIG SPIKE AND MORE THAN ANY ELECTION OVER THE LAST DECADE.

SO EXPLAIN TO US WHY AND WHAT IS THE BIGGEST REASON FOR THAT?

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, THE BIGGEST REASON WAS JUST THAT A LOT OF THOSE MAIL BALLOTS ARRIVED TOO LATE TO THEIR LOCAL ELECTIONS OFFICE.

REMEMBER, THEY HAVE TO BE POST-MARKED BY ELECTION DAY IN CALIFORNIA.

AND SO TRISHA WEBBER IS PRESIDENT OF THE STATEWIDE ASSOCIATION OF ELECTIONS OFFICIALS AND SHE WAS ALSO ON THIS ROUND TABLE THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT.

AND SHE HIGHLIGHTED A POSTAL SERVICE CHANGE FROM A COUPLE YEARS AGO THAT ALSO IMPACTS ELECTIONS.

AND BASICALLY, THE UPSHOT IN THERE WITHOUT GETTING TOO DEEP INTO IT IS WHEN YOU DROP OFF YOUR MAIL NOW IT DOESN'T NECESSARILY GET A POSTMARK AT THAT SAME TIME.

SOMETIMES THEY MAY NEED TO TAKE IT TO A DIFFERENT PROCESSING FACILITY.

AND THAT CAN EVEN BE IN A DIFFERENT TOWN OR CITY.

FOR EXAMPLE, YOU CAN THINK OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY WHERE TRISHA WEBBER IS THE ELECTIONS CLERK AND SHE SAID THAT MAIL DELIVERED THERE STILL NEEDS TO BE DRIVEN TO SAN JOSE BEFORE IT GETS A POST-MARK.

SO THAT CAN TAKE A DAY OR FWOP.

>> IF THEY'RE POSTMARKED LATER IT'S POSSIBLE IT WAS NOT POSTMARKED ON ELECTION DAY OR BY ELECTION DAY EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE PUT IT IN THE MAIL WHAT THEY THOUGHT WAS ENOUGH TIME.

>> SO THAT COULD BE A BIG DEAL IF YOU WAIT TILL THE LAST MINUTE TO SEND YOUR BALLOT OFF.

AND THE OTHER ISSUE WITH MOST REJECTED BALLOTS IS THAT THEY'RE MISSING A SIGNATURE OR THE SIGNATURE DOESN'T MATCH THE ONE THAT THE COUNTY HAS ON FILE.

SO IF THAT HAPPENS YOUR LOCAL ELECTIONS OFFICIAL SHOULD BE REACHING OUT TO YOU AND GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO FIX YOUR BALLOT.

IT'S CALLED CURING IT.

AND THEN YOU CAN ALSO TRACK THE STATUS OF YOUR BALLOT AFTER YOU FILE IT ON THE STATE'S WHERE'S MY BALLOT FEATURE THAT YOU CAN FIND ONLINE.

>> WELL, KEVIN, SO MUCH FOR BEING ON THAT CALL AND THANK YOU FOR LAYING OUT THE FACTS FOR US.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> OF COURSE.

HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> AND YOU CAN GET MORE INFORMATION AT THE KPBS VOTER HUB.

LOOK FOR THE LINK ON OUR HOME PAGE AT KPBS.ORG.

THE VOTER HUB IS WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR COVERAGE IN ONE PLACE.

WE ALSO HAVE A SPANISH VERSION.

USE THE VOTER HUB TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CANDIDATES AND BALLOT MEASURES AT THE STATE COUNTY AND LOCAL LEVEL.

>> I'M GEOFF BENNETT.

TONIGHT ON THE "NEWSHOUR" HOW GAS PRICES ARE DRIVING INFLATION AHEAD OF THE MIDTERMS.

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

>>> THE DEATH OF A MAN WHO FELL OFF SIX FLAGS GEORGIA'S GOLIATH ROLLER COSTAR ON MONDAY IS INTENSIFYING THE FOCUS ON RIDER SAFETY.

ACROSS THE U.S.

AND CANADA AT LEAST TEN SIMILAR RIDES IN SIX PARKS ARE TEMPORARILY CLOSED.

AS LAURA AGUIRRE REPORTS, SAFETY CONCERNS ARE SPREADING BEYOND THE GATES OF MAJOR AMUSEMENT PARKS.

>> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS CONTINUE TO SEARCH FOR ANSWERS TO HOW 42-YEAR-OLD GEORGIA EDUCATOR AND I.T.

MANAGER HASSAN KARIM FELL TO HIS DEATH FROM THE GOLIATH ROLLER COASTER AT SIX FLAGS OVER GEORGIA OUTSIDE ATLANTA.

PART OF THAT PROBE IS ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> WHENEVER YOU LOOK AT THESE CLAIMS, YOU'RE LOOKING FOR ANY NEGLIGENCE.

SIX FLAGS AND THE OPERATORS HAVE A DUTY TO ACTUALLY MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE SAFE.

>> Reporter: IN THE DAYS AND WEEKS AHEAD OFFICIALS WILL LOOK AT A NUMBER OF POSSIBLE FACTORS.

>> WAS THERE A SAFETY PROTOCOL THAT WAS NOT FOLLOWED?

WAS THERE A DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT?

WAS THERE AN EQUIPMENT FAILURE?

HAD IT BEEN INSPECTED RECENTLY?

>> Reporter: INSPECTIONS ARE ALSO ON THE MINDS OF THOSE IN CHARGE OF MAKING SURE TRAVELING FAIRS AND CARNIVALS ARE SAFE AS WELL.

>> WE'RE LOOKING AT THE WAY THE BOLTS ARE TIGHTENED.

A LOT OF THESE THINGS ARE TAKEN APART AND REASSEMBLED.

SO THE BOLTS HAVE TO BE TIGHTENED APPROPRIATELY.

WE'RE LOOKING AT SAFETY RESTRAINTS AND MAKING SURE THOSE ALL OPERATE PROPERLY.

WE'RE CHECKING WELDS TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING HAS BEEN WELDED PROPERLY.

>> Reporter: NORTH CAROLINA'S LABOR COMMISSIONER REASSURING THE PUBLIC AHEAD OF THE STATE'S FAIR OPENING TOMORROW.

LISCO FAMILY MIDWAY AMUSEMENTS OPERATES TRAVELING CARNIVALS ACROSS THE MIDWEST AND SOUTHEAST.

>> MY GUYS DO A SEAT BELT, MAKE SURE ALL THE R KEYS ARE IN, SEE IF THERE'S ANY CRACKS, ANYTHING THAT HAS ANY SAFETY CONCERNS ON IT.

>> Reporter: LISCO SAYS ALONG WITH ANY STATE REQUIREMENTS ITS EMPLOYEES KEEP DAILY RECORDS OF RIDE INSPECTIONS AND TESTS.

SIX FLAGS OVER GEORGIA IS SET TO REOPEN FRIDAY, BUT GOLIATH WILL REMAIN TEMPORARILY CLOSED.

FOR KPBS NEWS I'M LAURA AGUIRRE.

>>> GOOD NEWS FOR DRIVERS, GAS PRICES ARE SLOWLY BUT STEADILY FALLING IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

GAS PRICES DROPPED FOR THE 13th CONSECUTIVE DAY, FALLING NEARLY TWO CENTS TO ABOUT $6.30 PER GALLON FOR REGULAR GASOLINE.

THE PRICE HAS DROPPED ABOUT 13 CENTS OVER THE PAST 13 DAYS.

THE STREAK FOLLOWS A RUN OF 42 INCREASES IN 44 DAYS.

IT INCREASED NEARLY 75 CENTS IN THAT TIME.

THE PRICE HAS OVERALL INCREASED $1.61 SINCE THE START OF THE WAR WITH IRAN ON FEBRUARY 28th.

>>> NEW FEDERAL INFLATION DATA SHOWS AIRFARE IS SOARING AND HIGHER PRICES FOR GAS, HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND ENTERTAINMENT COULD ALSO TAKE A BIGGER BITE OUT OF YOUR HOLIDAY BUDGET.

MICHAEL YOSHIDA HAS A LOOK AT WHAT'S DRIVING THE INCREASES AND WHERE TRAVELERS MAY STILL BE ABLE TO SAVE.

>> HIGHER COSTS COULD MAKE THE 2026 HOLIDAY TRAVEL SEASON THE MOST EXPENSIVE IN A DECADE.

THAT ACCORDING TO TRAVEL APP HOPPER.

AND WHILE HALLOWEEN'S USUALLY CONSIDERED THE SWEET SPOT FOR BOOKING THOSE HOLIDAY TRIPS THIS YEAR EXPERTS SAY YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO WAIT AROUND AS WITH PRICES ALREADY HIGHER THEY ARE EXPECTING THEM TO KEEP ON CLIMBING.

AIRFARES ARE SOARING.

UP MORE THAN 22% FROM A YEAR AGO.

ACCORDING TO NEW FEDERAL INFLATION DATA.

>> IT'S A BAD NEWS SITUATION FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO TRAVEL, ESPECIALLY FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

>> Reporter: THE POINTS GUY'S CLINT HENDERSON USUALLY ADVISES TRAVELERS TO BOOK BY HALLOWEEN.

BUT THIS YEAR HE SAYS DON'T WAIT.

>> SOMETIMES THIS TIME OF YEAR WE'RE SEEING A DROP IN AIRFARE AFTER THE PEAK SUMMER TRAVEL.

WE'RE NOT SEEING THAT THIS YEAR.

SO THIS YEAR WE'RE SEEING BOOK AS SOON AS YOU CAN BECAUSE WE EXPECT PRICES TO GO EVEN HIGHER.

>> Reporter: MONTHS OF HIGH JET FUEL COSTS DRIVEN IN PART BY THE CONFLICT IN RIRN HAVE PUSHED THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS FARES TO TEN-YEAR HIGHS ACCORDING TO TRAVEL APP HOPPER.

>> WE'RE SEEING THE AVERAGE TICKET FOR THANKSGIVING, A DOMESTIC TRIP IS AROUND $400.

THAT'S UP 31% COMPARED TO THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

AIRFARE FOR CHRISTMAS, SIMILARLY HIGH WITH TICKETS AVERAGING $450, UP 23% YEAR OVER YEAR.

>> Reporter: THOSE HIGHER FUEL COSTS ARE LEAVING AIRLINES TO DRAW UP LESS POPULAR ROUTES AND FLIGHTS, SHRINKING TRAVELERS' CHOICES.

>> THE CHEAPEST FLIGHTS ARE ON TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS.

THOSE ARE THE FLIGHTS AIRLINES ARE COMING BACK.

SO THAT CHEAP FLIGHT YOU MIGHT NOT ABLE TO BOOK ANYMORE.

>> Reporter: HIGHER COSTS DON'T STOP WHEN TRAVELERS LAND.

HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND ENTERTAINMENT ARE ALSO PRICIER.

BUT THERE ARE STILL WAYS TO SAVE.

>> THIS IS A GREAT TIME OF YEAR TO CONSIDER USING THAT FUTURE TRAVEL CREDIT FOR THOSE REWARDS POINTS TO SUBSIDIZE THE COST OF TRAVEL.

>> VACATION PACKAGES.

IF YOU COMBINE FLIGHTS, HOTELS, ACTIVITIES, RENTAL CARS INTO ONE PACKAGE YOU CAN SAVE UP TO 40%.

>> Reporter: WHOO & WHILE ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE GREAT WAYS TO TRY TO SAVE THIS YEAR THEY SAY THE NUMBER ONE THING TO DO IS TRY AND BOOK NOW AND EARLY IF YOU CAN.

IN WASHINGTON I'M MICHAEL YOSHIDA.

>>> THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO SAYS IT'S MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS TOWARD ITS GOAL OF ELECTRIFYING MOST OF ITS INFRASTRUCTURE BY THE END OF THE DECADE.

KPBS REPORTER KORI SUZUKI SAYS IT'S PART OF AN AMBITIOUS PLAN TO REDUCE ARE POLLUTION IN NEIGHBORHOODS SURROUNDING THE PORT.

>> Reporter: FIVE YEARS AGO THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO LAUNCHED THE MARITIME CLEAN AIR STRATEGY.

BY 2030 THE PORT WANTS TO ADDRESS ITS LEGACY OF AIR POLLUTION, OF BRINGING IN HEAVY INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY AND CONCENTRATING HARMFUL PARTICLES IN BARRIO LOGAN AND WEST NATIONAL CITY.

ON TUESDAY PORT OFFICIALS SAID THEY'VE ALREADY CUT BACK ON CERTAIN POLLUTANTS, REDUCING PARTICLE POLLUTION BY 44% AND MIGHT JEN OXIDES BY ALMOST A THIRD.

PORT COMMISSIONER MICHAEL ZUKETTE.

>> WE'RE MAKING A LOT OF PROGRESS WITH THE AT BERTH STUFF ON SHORE POWER AND ON ARRIVAL WITH THE SPEEDS.

THE TUGS.

EVERYTHING ELSE.

SO WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE ALL THAT.

AND THEN THE ONE AREA THAT NEEDS HELP IS THE HEAVY-DUTY TRUCK TRANSARE IGS.

>> Reporter: ZUKETTE WAS TALKING ABOUT EFFORTS TO CONVINCE TRUCKING COMPANIES TO SWITCH OVER TO ELECTRIC RIGS.

THEY'VE MADE LITTLE PROGRESS AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS BLOCKED EFFORTS TO SUPPORT ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

STILL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES SAY THEY'RE CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC.

JASMINE VARG SASSE WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION.

>> EVEN IN THIS CURRENT, YOU KNOW, POLITICAL CLIMATE WE DON'T SEE THE PORT LETTING UP ON THESE VERY AMBITIOUS AND IMPORTANT GOALS AND ULTIMATELY I'M EXCITED TO SEE THE POLLUTION REDUCTION IN OUR COMMUNITIES THAT THIS PROMISES.

>> Reporter: THE PORT IS SET TO REVISIT THE PLAN EARLY NEXT YEAR.

KORI SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS WE HEAD INTO TONIGHT, TEMPERATURES DO COOL BACK INTO THE 50s.

56 BORREGO SPRINGS.

EVEN COLDER MOUNT LAGUNA.

45.

INLAND VALLEYS LOWER 50s AND ALONG THE COASTS UPPER 50s HERE OCEANSIDE DOWN TO 50 DEGREES.

YOU'RE READY FOR THE WARMTH TO COME BACK.

IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY TOASTY OUT THERE HERE AS WINDS ALSO PICK UP.

I'LL BE TALKING ABOUT THOSE SANTA ANA WINDS AND HOW THEY PEAK ON FRIDAY.

BORREGO SPRINGS WITH OUR WINDS HEADING TOWARDS THE COAST HERE WE'RE ACTUALLY SEEING SOME OF THE LOWERING TEMPERATURES, BUT ALL THAT DESERT AIR GETS PUSHED INTO THE INLAND VALLEYS WITH TEMPERATURES INTO THE 90s, EVEN ALONG THE COAST UPPER 80s AND MOUNT LAGUNA SITTING ON A COMFORTABLE 56 DEGREES.

HEAT ADVISORY KICKS OFF TOMORROW MORNING AT 10:00, GOES THROUGH THE DAY ON THURSDAY AND THROUGH THE DAY ON FRIDAY UNTIL IT DOES EXPIRE AS WE HEAD INTO 8:00 ON SATURDAY.

SO THE HEAT WILL CONTINUE OVER THE COMING DAYS AND THE WIND PICKS UP.

WE'RE NOW PLACED UNDER A HIGH WIND WATCH HERE STARTING THURSDAY MORNING AND CONTINUING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING.

THE SANTA ANA WINDS HERE WILL NOT ONLY BRING TEMPERATURES ABOVE THE HISTORICAL AVERAGE, BRINGS BACK A FIRE RISK, COULD BE POTENTIAL FIRE SHUTOFFS.

THOSE TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE TO RUN 10 TO 15 DEGREES ABOVE THE HISTORICAL AVERAGE.

WIND SPEEDS COULD BE AS HIGH AS 60 TO 80 MILES PER HOUR WITH A LARGER AREA HERE OF THE 40 TO 60 MILES PER HOUR THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY NIGHT.

SO SOME IMPACTFUL WEATHER COMING OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

TEMPERATURES STAY WARM AND PEAK ON FRIDAY ALONG THE COAST AT 95 DEGREES BEFORE SLOWLY MAKING THEIR WAY BACK BY THE WEEKEND AND COOLER WEATHER ON THE WAY FOR NEXT WEEK.

INLAND VALLEYS YOU'VE GOT A LONG STRETCH OF 90 DEGREE TEMPERATURES THROUGH SUNDAY BEFORE TEMPERATURES START TO COME BACK DOWN ON MONDAY.

STAYS QUITE NICE IN THE MOUNTAINS WITH TEMPERATURES INTO THE 50s THE COLDEST DAY ON SATURDAY AND THEN WE'LL START TO WARM BACK UP AS WE HEAD INTO THE DAY ON MONDAY, AND THE DESERTS STAY PRETTY NICE THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

LOOK AT, THAT SUNNY AND DELIGHTFUL ON FRIDAY, BUT WE'LL BE BACK TO WARMER WEATHER BY NEXT MONDAY.

FOR KPBS NEWS I'M ARIELLA SCALESE.

>>> TOMORROW IS THE FINAL DAY OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.

RECENTLY KPBS MIDDAY EDITION INTERVIEWED CHICANO PARK MURALIST AND CO-FOUNDER SALVADOR ROBERTO TORRES.

HERE IS A PORTION OF THAT INTERVIEW.

>> Reporter: SALVADOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

IT'S AN HONOR TO HAVE YOU HERE.

>> IT'S A GREAT PLEASURE TO BE HERE TO ADDRESS THE PUBLIC OF SAN DIEGO AND ELSEWHERE.

>> Reporter: SO LET'S TALK ABOUT CHICANO PARK.

IT IS A SPACE MANY PEOPLE IN SAN DIEGO KNOW AND LOVE.

BEFORE THAT PARK WAS CREATED YOU HAD A VISION FOR IT.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THAT VISION?

>> I THINK CHICANO PARK HAS MANY, MANY IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF IT.

FIRST AND FOREMOST IS THE USE, THE CREATIVE USE OF THE EXCESS LAND MADE INTO A PARK THAT WOULD ACCOMMODATE FAMILIES AND YOUTH.

THE SECOND PART OF IT IS IT WAS A PLACE WHERE WE WOULD RECLUSE, WE COULD CONTEMPLATE, BE QUIET.

THE THIRD ONE WAS OF COURSE MY CONCEPT OF PAINTING THE COLUMNS ON THE CORONADO BRIDGE.

AND SO I HAD TO MAKE SOME SERIOUS, SERIOUS STUDIES OF THE COLUMNS AT ALL PERIODS OF TIME.

BECAUSE AS YOU LIVE AROUND THE CORONADO BRIDGE YOU SEE THE SUN GOES UP AND OVER AND AS THE SUN MOVES THE COLUMNS BECOME ALMOST LIKE A SYMPHONIC PLAY OF LIGHTS AND DARKS.

AND IT WAS THESE LIGHTS AND DARKS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR MURAL.

SO I TRIED TO TRANSFER THIS IDEAL TO THE YOUTH, AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T QUITE ARRIVED AT IT.

BUT I THINK AFTER I'M LONG GONE AND SOME OTHER ARTISTS WILL CONTINUE THE PROCESS WE'LL HAVE A MASTERPIECE.

>> SO LET'S TALK MORE ABOUT THE PAINTING OF THE MURALS.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE HOW THAT STARTED AND WHAT IT WAS LIKE STARTING THAT JOURNEY OF ACTUALLY CREATING ART ON THIS PIECE OF INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HAD REALLY DAMAGED THE COMMUNITY IN A LOT OF WAYS?

♪ >> THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE ASPECTS OF OUR LIVES.

TO EXPRESS OURSELVES WITH A PENCIL, A CHALK, SPRAY PAINT.

ALL OF THESE WERE BEING EXPRESSED.

BUT THERE WAS NO FINE ART YET.

>> CAN YOU DESCRIBE HOW YOU WANTED PEOPLE TO FEEL WHEN THEY ENTERED CHICANO PARK LOOKING AT THESE MURALS?

>> FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE TO CONSIDER THE THEMES.

VERY IMPORTANT THEMES THAT WE DID NOT LEARN OR INCIDENTS OR HISTORICAL EVENTS THAT WE DID NOT LEARN IN THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL OR JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL OR HIGH SCHOOL EVEN INTO THE COLLEGE LEVELS ABOUT THE MEXICAN HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION, WHICH WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US BECAUSE OF THE ACTUAL CHANGES THAT TOOK PLACE.

SO THERE WAS A LOT OF FOCUS INTO THE REALITIES OF THE ORGANIZING SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN CORRECTLY.

>> DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE MURAL IN CHICANO PARK?

>> YES.

IT'S THE WHOLE BRIDGE.

IT'S ALL ONE PIECE.

TO ME IT'S ALL ONE PIECE WITH MANY DIFFERENT MELODIES AND SONGS OR POETIC OR AGGRESSIVE IDEALS OR HISTORY OF MEXICO AND HISTORY OF HERE.

SO IT'S ALL A DRAMA.

IT'S A VERY POWERFUL, POWERFUL DRAMA.

AS A MATTER OF FACT, I EVEN TOOT TO IT.

♪ >> WHAT A GREAT INTERVIEW.

THAT WAS ANDREW BOWEN THERE.

HERE'S A LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON FOR TOMORROW IN THE KPBS NEWSROOM.

A FEMA PROGRAM AIDING SOME OF LOS ANGELES'S MOST VULNERABLE WILDFIRE VICTIMS COULD SOON RUN OUT OF FUNDING.

SOME BLAME POLITICS BUT OTHERS ARE ASKING THAT THE PROGRAM ITSELF NEEDS FIXING.

YOU'LL HEAR MORE ON NPR'S "MORNING EDITION."

AND KPBS CELEBRATES FILIPINO HISTORY MONTH ON MIDDAY EDITION.

WE SPEAK TO THE AUTHOR OF THE NOVEL "TAXI DRIVER."

AND YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES RIGHT THERE ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.

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♪ ♪ ♪