♪ >>> 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!

>>> GOOD EVENING.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IS NOW SCREENING SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS, LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE OF ANTI-SEMITIC ACTIVITY, IN PERSON OR ONLINE.

TODAY'S ANNOUNCEMENT SAYS THAT ACTIVITY WOULD BE GROUNDS FOR DENYING IMMIGRATION BENEFITS TO PEOPLE TRYING TO BECOME PERMANENT RESIDENTS AND FOREIGN STUDENTS.

IT CAME HOURS BEFORE A SCHEDULED RALLY AT UC SAN DIEGO TO PROTEST THE SUDDEN TERMINATION OF SOME STUDENT VISAS.

KPBS REPORTER, JACOB AERE, WAS THERE.

>> I, FOR ONE, REFUSE TO STAY SILENT.

>> Reporter: IN FRONT OF THE GAZA LIBRARY, DOZENS OF UC SAN DIEGO ACTIVISTS MADE THEIR VOICES HEARD, LOUD AND CLEAR.

>> WE ARE HERE TO SAY ONE SIMPLE THING -- NOT ON OUR WATCH, NOT IN OUR AMERICA.

>> Reporter: PROTESTING AGAINST STUDENT VISA REVOCATIONS, DANIEL SORIA HELPED TO ORGANIZE THE EVENT.

>> THE ONLY WRONG THESE STUDENTS COMMITTED WAS ATTAINING AN EDUCATION, EXPRESSING OPINIONS, JOINING OUR COMMUNITY IN EXERCISING RIGHTS THAT BELONG TO EACH AND EVERYONE OF US.

>> Reporter: IN RECENT WEEKS, SEVERAL INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN THE U.S. HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY IMMIGRATION AGENTS, OR HAD THEIR LEGAL STATUS QUESTIONED.

UCSD SAYS FIVE OF ITS STUDENTS HAD ITS VISAS REVOKED, AND A SIXTH ONE WAS DETAINED AT THE BORDER AND DEPORTED.

>> ALL MY FAMILY, MY COUSINS, MY BROTHERS FRIENDS, AND FRIENDS THAT I HAVE MADE DURING MY YEAR HERE, ARE IMMIGRANTS.

>> Reporter: EARLY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, DOZENS OF ACTIVISTS GATHERED AND MARCHED ACROSS CAMPUS WITH MEGAPHONES AND POSTERS, INCLUDING SAN DIEGO RESIDENT AND FOURTH-YEAR UC SAN DIEGO STUDENT, DENISE LOPEZ, WHO IS THERE TO STAND FOR THOSE WHO COULDN'T.

>> I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 10 YEARS, BECAUSE OF DEPORTATION, SO THIS MAKES ME WANT TO SPEAK, IN MY OWN VOICE, FOR MY FAMILY, FOR MY FRIENDS, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO SEE MY FRIENDS TAKEN AWAY FROM ME.

>> THIS IS THE LAND OF THE FREE!

>> Reporter: THE RALLY COINCIDES WITH THE NEW FEDERAL POLICY TO SCREEN ALIENS' SOCIAL MEDIA ACTIVITY FOR ANTI- SEMITISM.

U.S. IMMIGRATION SERVICES SAYS IT IS LOOKING FOR SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT SHOWING A NONCITIZEN SUPPORTS ANTI-SEMITIC TERRORISM, ORGANIZATION, OR ACTIVITIES.

THE AGENCY WHICH IS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, SAYS THAT CONTENT WOULD BE A NEGATIVE FACTOR FOR PEOPLE APPLYING FOR GREEN CARDS OR STUDENT VISAS.

THOSE AT THE RALLY SAY THE GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN TARGETING AND ATTEMPTING TO CENSOR THOSE WITH CERTAIN POLITICAL OPINIONS.

>> LAWFUL, POLITICAL SPEECH AND ASSOCIATION ARE NOT CRIMES IN THIS COUNTRY.

THEY ARE NOT VALID GROUNDS FOR DEPORTATION IN OUR LAW AND IN OUR DEMOCRATIC TRADITION.

>> Reporter: SO, WHAT ARE THE STUDENTS OF THE PROTEST HOPING TO SEE CHANGE?

>> THE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION JUDGES HERE IN SAN DIEGO AND THE DETENTION FACILITIES -- DO YOUR DUTY!

DO NOT RUBBERSTAMP THESE DEPORTATIONS.

SCRUTINIZE EVERY CASE.

IF THE GOVERNMENT CLAIMS THESE STUDENTS, POSE A THREAT, INSIST THEY PROVE IT WITH ACTUAL EVIDENCE.

>> Reporter: A SMALLER GROUP OF PROTESTERS TOOK THE TROLLEY WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON TO RALLY OUTSIDE OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY COURTHOUSE, AT THE JOHN RHODES FEDERAL JUDICIAL CENTER, DOWNTOWN.

THERE, THEY PLAN TO DELIVER LETTERS WITH THE HOPE THAT FEDERAL JUDGES WILL LISTEN TO THEIR WORDS.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WELL, WE ARE DROPPING DOWN TO ABOUT THE MID-50s TONIGHT.

THE CLOUDS ARE STICKING WITH US OVERNIGHT, AND INTO TOMORROW MORNING, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE OF THE LOW CLOUDS AND FOG WE HAD THIS MORNING.

SO, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAD SOME VISIBILITY ISSUES ON YOUR WAY TO WORK THIS MORNING, EXPECT MORE OF THE SAME TOMORROW.

WE WILL BREAK DOWN WHAT TO EXPECT FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK, COMING UP.

>>> ANOTHER WILD DAY ON WALL STREET, AS PRESIDENT TRUMP ANNOUNCED A 90 DAY PAUSE ON HIS NEW TARIFFS FOR MOST COUNTRIES, EXCEPT CHINA.

U.S. STOCKS IMMEDIATELY SURGED WITH THE DOW SHOOTING UP 8%, A GAIN OF MORE THAN 2900 POINTS.

THE S&P 500 ADDED 9 1/2%, IT IS BEST DAY, SINCE OCTOBER 2008.

KAREN KAFA IS IN WASHINGTON WITH A LOOK AT WHAT THESE MARKET SWINGS MEAN FOR EVERYONE.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S SWEEPING TARIFFS PLAN HAS UNLEASHED TURMOIL ON THE STOCK MARKET.

>> IF YOU ARE LIKE ME, I AM FIRST GENERATION IN THE STOCK MARKET, SO THE TYPES OF DROPS, IT IS HEARTBREAKING AND VERY SCARY, AND WE NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AND SAY, "IT'S OKAY THAT YOU ARE SCARED."

>> Reporter: WHEN INVESTORS BELIEVE IN THE COMPANY'S ABILITY TO DELIVER ON THE GOODS AND SERVICES THEY HAVE PROMISED AND CONSUMER DEMAND FOR THEM, THAT COMPANY'S STOCK OFTEN BECOMES MORE DESIRABLE, THAT PUSHES A COMPANY'S VALUE HIGHER.

LOSSES ACROSS THE 30 DIVERSE COMPANIES THAT COMPOSE THE CLOSELY WILL WATCHED DOWELL, FROM APPLE, TO McDONALD'S, TO WALMART, MAINE INVESTORS ARE ANXIOUS ABOUT WHAT BROUGHT TARIFFS IN A GLOBAL TRADE WAR MEAN FOR THE FUTURE.

>> THE LONGER THIS LASTS, THE MORE UNCERTAINTY BOTH BY THE CONSUMER INVESTOR, AND CERTAINLY PEOPLE AT THESE COMPANIES.

THE LONGER THAT LASTS, THE LONGER THAT GOES.

>> Reporter: WHEN A STOCK GOES DOWN, THEY CAN BE CHALLENGED TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE, LIKE HIRING AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THEY CAN CONTINUE TO EMPLOY.

THEY MAY ALSO HIKE PRICES TO COVER COSTS, WHICH MAY SQUEEZE CONSUMERS.

AND FOR THOSE LAMENTING RETIREMENT LOSSES AS THE MARKET HAS TURNED DOWN, EXPERTS SAY IT IS IMPORTANT TO LOOK FORWARD, NOT BACK, AND STAY ON TOP OF THAT MONEY.

>> WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO YOU ALL, WHETHER YOU ARE TAKING A LOSS OR NOT, IS WHAT WILL DO WELL AHEAD.

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

>>> VOTES ARE IN FOR THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY KPBS DISTRICT 1 SPECIAL ELECTION.

KORI SUZUKI SAYS TWO CANDIDATES HAVE EMERGED WITH A LEAD.

CHULA VISTA MAYOR JOHN McCANN AND PALOMA AGUIRRE.

>> Reporter: THE RESULTS SAY McCANN AND GARY WILL GO TO A RUNOFF ELECTION.

AGUIRRE HAS 32%.

IN THIRD PLACE WITH SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCILMEMBER VIVIAN MARANO AT JUST 15%.

LAST NIGHT, McCANN SAID HE WAS FEELING GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT FROM THE DISTRICT.

>> I'M THANKFUL.

I'M THANKFUL FOR MY VOLUNTEERS.

I'M THANKFUL FOR ALL THE PEOPLE THAT VOTED FOR ME.

>> Reporter: AGUIRRE ALSO EXPRESSED HER GRATITUDE, SHE SAYS SHE IS HUMBLED BY THE RESULTS, SO FAR.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THAT STRONG LEADERSHIP AT THE COUNTY, AND I THINK WE ARE THERE.

>> Reporter: THOSE RESULTS MEAN AGUIRRE AND McCANN WILL BE FACING OFF AGAIN IN A JULY, A RACE WHICH WILL DECIDE WHETHER DEMOCRATS OR REPUBLICANS HAVE A MAJORITY ON THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

IN THE NEWSROOM, KORI SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT IS EXPENSIVE TO RUN A SPECIAL ELECTION, ACCORDING TO THE REGISTRAR OF VOTERS' OFFICE.

IT COSTS $3.3 MILLION.

THE REGISTRAR SAYS A LOT OF THAT MONEY GOES TO STAFFING FOR VOTING CENTERS, OPEN 8 TO 9 HOURS PER DAY, FOR 11 DAYS.

THE FINAL DAY, CENTERS WERE OPEN FROM 7:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M.

THEY ALSO HAD TO PAY TO PRINT AND MAIL BALLOTS TO OVER 370,000 REGISTERED VOTERS.

THE REGISTRAR SAYS THE ESTIMATED COST FOR THE PRIMARY AND RUNOFF WERE BASED ON ANOTHER SPECIAL ELECTION.

>> WHAT WE BASE OUR ESTIMATES, THE 2023 SPECIAL VACANCY ELECTIONS FOR DISTRICT FOR OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.

THAT IS WHERE WE ESTIMATED 6.6 MILLION, TOTAL, FOR CONDUCTING VOTE ELECTIONS.

>> MORE THAN 57,000 PEOPLE VOTED IN THE SPECIAL ELECTION.

THAT IS ABOUT 15% TURNOUT.

>>> MEANWHILE, COUNTY SUPERVISORS SHOT DOWN A PROPOSAL TO DELAY THE BUDGET APPROVAL PROCESS UNTIL OCTOBER.

THE REQUEST MADE BY SUPERVISOR MONTGOMERY STEP WOULD HAVE CALLED FOR THE APPROVAL OF A RECOMMENDED BUDGET IN JUNE, WHICH WOULD BE AMENDED AFTER THE NEW DISTRICT 1 SUPERVISOR IS ELECTED.

OFFICIALS SAY THE COUNTY IS FACING A FUNDING GAP OF $138- $140 MILLION.

IT IS NO SECRET THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS DEALING WITH BUDGET CHALLENGES.

IN OUR LATEST "WHY IT MATTERS" SEGMENT, VOICE OF SAN DIEGO, SCOTT LEWIS, EXPLAINED HOW THAT HAS BLED INTO A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY.

>> Reporter: RECENTLY, SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA REORGANIZE THE CITY'S MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE.

I KNOW THAT DOESN'T SOUND VERY IMPORTANT, BUT STICK WITH ME.

WHEN HE DID, HE ELIMINATED THE POSITION OF CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER AND THAT MEANS THE CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, ERIC DARDEN, LOST HIS JOB.

AT THE TIME, THE MAYOR MADE IT CLEAR HE HAD ELIMINATED HIS POSITION AND NOT FIRED HIM FOR CAUSE.

NOW, THAT IS UP FOR DISPUTE.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND.

IF AN EMPLOYEE LOSES THEIR JOB, IT IS GENERALLY IN 1 OF 2 WAYS.

THEIR EMPLOYER EITHER FIRED THEM FOR CAUSE, OR ELIMINATED THEIR POSITION.

THE KEY DIFFERENCE IS WHETHER THE EMPLOYER IS ALLOWED TO REPLACE THE PERSON.

IF YOU FIRE SOMEONE FOR CAUSE, YOU CAN REPLACE THEM.

IF YOU ELIMINATE A POSITION TO SAVE MONEY, YOU CAN'T REPLACE THEM.

THE PHYSICIAN IS GONE.

DARGAN JUST SUED THE CITY.

DARGAN IS BLACK AND CLAIMS HE WAS THE VICTIM OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.

HE SAYS HE DIDN'T GET ANY SEVERANCE WHEN HE LOST HIS JOB.

AT THE CITY, MAINLY MAYOR GLORIA, AND WRONGLY BASED ON HIS RACE.

AND REGARDING THE THREE MONTH SEVERANCE, AND ORDERED TO REDUCE DARGAN TO LEAVE HIS JOB IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.

AND BY TERMINATING DARGAN WITHOUT CAUSE.

THE COMPLAINT MAKES SENSE.

REMEMBER, THE MAYOR SAID HE ELIMINATED DARGAN'S POSITION.

ESSENTIALLY, HE HAD LAID HIM OFF TO SAVE MONEY.

THEN, THE MAYOR'S CHIEF OF STAFF SURPRISED EVERYONE LAST WEEK WHEN SHE TOLD US THAT WAS NOT THE CASE.

SHE TOLD VOICE OF SAN DIEGO THE MAYOR FIRED DARKEN FOR CAUSE, AND THAT IS WHY HE DIDN'T GET ANY SEVERANCE.

SHE SAID IN A STATEMENT, "WHILE ELIMINATING THE COO POSITION PROVIDES BUDGETARY SAVINGS, MR. DARGAN WAS, IN FACT, TERMINATED FOR CAUSE."

REMEMBER, IF YOU FIRE SOMEONE FOR CAUSE, YOU CAN REPLACE THEM.

IF YOU ELIMINATE THE POSITION TO SAVE MONEY, YOU CANNOT.

IN THIS CASE, THE MAYOR SEEMED TO WANT TO AVOID THE IMPRESSION THAT HE FIRED DARGAN, BUT BY DOING THAT, HE CUT HIMSELF OFF FROM BEING ABLE TO REPLACE DARGAN.

NOW, THE CITY HAS YET ANOTHER LEGAL CHALLENGE TO DEAL WITH.

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

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

YOU CAN LEARN MORE AT KPBS.ORG/PUBLICMATTERS.

>>> AFTER MONTHS OF PUBLIC FEEDBACK, THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS ADJUSTING THE PRICE OF PROPOSED TRASH PICKUP FEES.

THERE ARE THREE OPTIONS.

ALL SINGLE-FAMILY HOMEOWNERS WILL GET 95 GALLON BINS, WHICH WILL COST AROUND $47, MONTHLY.

CUSTOMERS CAN OPT FOR SMALLER BINS, SO A 65 GALLON CONTAINER WILL BE JUST UNDER $43, AND A 35 GALLON BINS WILL COST UNDER $37.

OUR MEDIA PARTNER, KGTV, SPOKE TO THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES.

>> TRASH IS JUST SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO BE DEALT WITH SEAMLESSLY.

YOU DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT IT, THE SAME WAY YOU DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT TURNING YOUR TAP ON AND CLEAN WATER COMING OUT.

THIS FEE, AS PROPOSED, WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO MAKING SURE THAT THIS OPERATION IS WELL RESOURCED, TO PROVIDE THAT LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT I THINK THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS EXPECTING, AND THAT THEY DESERVE.

>> IT IS GOOD TO NOTE THAT EVERYONE WILL GET 95 GALLON BINS FOR RECYCLING AND ORGANIC WASTE, NO MATTER WHICH OPTION THEY CHOOSE.

IT IS PART OF THE CITY'S EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO REDUCE THEIR TRASH BY RECYCLING.

>>> THREATS OF TARIFFS ON IMPORTS AREN'T STOPPING SHOPPERS FROM SPENDING AHEAD OF THIS EASTER HOLIDAY.

JENN SULLIVAN BREAKS DOWN THE COSTS.

>> Reporter: EASTER SPENDING IS EXPECTED TO SOAR THIS YEAR, DESPITE A LOT OF ECONOMIC UNCERTAINTY.

>> CONSUMERS ARE EXPECTING TO REALLY GO OUT FOR EASTER THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION ESTIMATES CONSUMERS WILL SHELL OUT MORE THAN $23 BILLION THIS YEAR.

THE PEOPLE SPENDING AROUND $189, PER PERSON, ON AVERAGE.

THAT IS UP $12 FROM LAST YEAR.

CATHERINE COLIN FROM THE NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION SAYS EVEN THOUGH SOME ITEMS ARE MORE EXPENSIVE DUE TO INFLATION, IT IS NOT HOLDING PEOPLE BACK FROM SHOPPING.

>> THROUGH ALL OF THESE TUMULTUOUS TIMES, CONSUMERS HAVE BEEN VERY PROTECTIVE OF THESE HOLIDAYS.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE NRF'S RECENT SURVEY, CONSUMERS WILL SPEND THE MOST ON CANDY AND FOOD.

NOTHING SAYS "EASTER" LIKE AN EGG EXTRAVAGANZA.

>> EASTER IS OUR HIGHEST CONSUMPTION PERIOD OF THE WHOLE YEAR.

>> Reporter: EMILY METZ WITH THE AMERICAN EGG BOARD SAYS THAT AMERICANS ARE EXPECTED TO EAT OR DECORATE 3 MILLION EGGS THIS EASTER SEASON.

THE GOOD NEWS IS, EGG PRICES HAVE COME DOWN IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS ACCORDING TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

SHE SAYS FEWER AVIAN FLU CASES HAVE HELPED TO STABILIZE PRICES, BUT THEY ARE STILL MUCH HIGHER THAN THIS TIME LAST YEAR.

>> THAT HAS MADE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT IN ALLOWING OUR SYSTEM TO RECOVER.

>> Reporter: SO, HOW CAN SHOPPERS SAVE, THIS HOLIDAY?

>> CERTAINLY THINK OF --THAT WHICH DID DECORATIONS YOU CAN REUSE FROM LAST YEAR, WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN A POTLUCK.

>> Reporter: SHE ALSO RECOMMENDS PAINTING WOODEN EGGS INSTEAD OF REAL ONES.

FOR CONSUMER WATCH, I AM JENN SULLIVAN.

>>> APRIL IS STRESS AWARENESS MONTH.

EXPERTS SAY MANY PEOPLE MAY NOT HAVE ALL THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO FIND RELIEF FROM IT.

MANDY GAITHER TALKS TO A PSYCHOLOGIST ABOUT WHAT HEALTHY WAYS YOU CAN GO.

>> Reporter: FROM HOME LIFE, TO WORK LIFE, YOU ARE LIKELY JUGGLING SEVERAL RESPONSIBILITIES, AT ONCE.

AND THAT CAN TAKE A TOLL.

>> WE ARE LIVING IN INCREDIBLY STRESSFUL TIMES, THESE DAYS.

AND, UNFORTUNATELY, WE OFTEN GO ON AUTOPILOT AND WE DON'T NECESSARILY TAKE A STEP BACK AND RECOGNIZE ALL THE SOURCES OF STRESS IN OUR LIVES, AND HOW IT MIGHT BE AFFECTING US, EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY.

>> Reporter: PSYCHOLOGIST ADAM BOLAND WITH CLEVELAND CLINIC SAYS THAT SOMETIMES PEOPLE GO DOWN UNHEALTHY AVENUES, WHEN TRYING TO COPE, LIKE DRINKING ALCOHOL, OR USING OTHER SUBSTANCES.

INSTEAD, HE CHALLENGES THOSE WHO ARE STRESSED TO FOCUS ON A HEALTHY DAILY ROUTINE THAT INCLUDES HEALTHY EATING, EXERCISING, AND GETTING QUALITY SLEEP, FOCUSING ON SELF-CARE CAN ALSO HELP YOUR BODY RECHARGE.

>> I OFTEN ENCOURAGE MY PATIENTS TO ENGAGE IN MEDITATION, OR SOME SORT OF DEEP BREATHING EXERCISE.

>> Reporter: BORLAND SAYS TO ALSO ENGAGE IN SOCIAL ACTIVITIES, MAINTAIN COMMUNICATION WITH SOURCES OF SUPPORT, AND TAP INTO HOBBIES OR CREATIVE OUTLETS THAT YOU ENJOY AND CAN GIVE YOU A BREAK.

HE SAYS TO ALSO STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR DOCTOR, OR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, AND MONITOR BEHAVIORS THAT MAY BE CAUSED BY STRESS, THAT SEEM UNUSUAL, LIKE ARGUMENTS WITH LOVED ONES, OR A DROP IN WORK PRODUCTIVITY.

>> WE ALWAYS WANT TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND GET A SENSE OF, WHERE IS MY STRESS LEVEL, RIGHT NOW?

AND WHAT CAN I DO TO PRIORITIZE SELF CARE?

>> Reporter: FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I AM MANDY GAITHER.

>>> THE IMPERIAL VALLEY IS HOME TO MORE THAN 60% OF THE CALIFORNIA'S BURROWING OWLS, TINY, BROWN OWLS THAT REST IN UNDERGROUND TUNNELS.

BUT, AS KPBS' KORI SUZUKI REPORTS, THE STATE IS NOW ASKING WHETHER THOSE OWLS NEED MORE PROTECTION.

>> Reporter: THE SUN IS SETTING, AS WENDY MILLER PULLS HER WHITE NISSAN ALONG A DUSTY EMBANKMENT, JUST A FEW MILES FROM THE SOUTH SEA.

SHE POINTS OUT THE WINDOW AT A TINY TUNNEL IN THE GROUND.

>> THE ENTRANCE TO THEIR BOROUGH, IS IT UNDER THE LOG?

>> Reporter: WHEN YOU MEET WENDY, SHE SEEMS LIKE A PRETTY SERIOUS PERSON.

SHE IS A LAWYER, A PUBLIC DEFENDER IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY WHO MENTORS KIDS AND FOSTERS THOSE PROSECUTION.

BUT, SHE ALSO HAS THIS INFECTIOUS LAUGH WHICH SPELLS OUT EVER SO OFTEN, LIKE WHEN SHE SEES THE TINY BIRD PEERING OUT AT US FROM JUST ACROSS THE EMBANKMENT.

A WESTERN BURROWING OWL.

BURROWING OWLS ARE THE REASON WENDY MOVED HERE JUST A FEW YEARS AGO.

IN THE MORNINGS AND EVENINGS, SHE MOONLIGHTS AS A WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER, ROAMING AROUND THE COUNTY TO DOCUMENT BIRDS THAT LIVE NEAR THE SOUTH WIND SEA.

THE TINY, NINE INCH TALL OWLS WITH THEIR BROWN FEATHERS AND WHITE, YELLOW EYES ARE HER FAVORITE SUBJECT.

>> AND THEY SEEMED LIKE LITTLE PEOPLE, BECAUSE THERE IS JUST AN INTELLIGENCE THERE THAT YOU CAN FEEL, AND A CURIOSITY THAT IS JUST -- IT'S ENDEARING.

>> Reporter: THE IMPERIAL VALLEY IS HOME TO THE LARGEST POPULATION OF BURROWING OWLS IN CALIFORNIA.

EXPERTS SAY THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE NETWORK OF CANALS THAT WIND THROUGH THE VALLEY, CARRYING WATER FROM THE COLORADO RIVER TO THE REGENTS FIELDS OF LETTUCE AND OTHER CROPS.

>> THE CROP TYPES, THEMSELVES, PREDICT WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO BE.

>> Reporter: PETER BLOOM IS A ZOOLOGIST WHO HAS WORKED WITH BURROWING OWLS HERE.

HE SAYS THEY TEND TO LIVE NEAR FIELDS OF ALFALFA, ONE OF IMPERIAL VALLEY'S TOP CROPS.

>> ALFALFA GROWS AND MATURES, THE ARTHROPOD POPULATION -- THAT IS INSECTS, SPIDERS, SCORPIONS AND SUCH -- INCREASES, ALSO.

AND BURROWING OWLS IN THE DESERT, PARTICULARLY, FEED MOST ON INSECTS.

>> Reporter: BLOOM SAYS THAT COMBINATION OF THE CANALS WHICH CREATE PLACES FOR OWLS TO LIVE, AND THE FARMS WHICH CREATE MORE FOOD, HAVE ALLOWED THE SPECIES TO THRIVE.

BUT, IN ALMOST EVERY OTHER PART OF CALIFORNIA, IT IS A DIFFERENT STORY.

ACROSS THE STATE, BURROWING OWLS HAVE BEEN DISAPPEARING OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, ESPECIALLY IN COASTAL REGIONS LIKE SAN DIEGO, MONTEREY BAY, AND THE BAY AREA.

CONSERVATION GROUPS SAY THAT IS LARGELY DUE TO DECADES OF URBAN EXPANSION, PAVING OVER THE PLACES WHERE THE OWLS LIVE.

IN SOME CASES, THEY ALSO BLAME SOLAR AND WIND FARMS.

>> WE ARE KIND OF IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, NOW.

>> Reporter: JEFF MILLER IS A SENIOR CONSERVATION ACTIVIST, WITH THE CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY.

HE IS NOT RELATED TO WENDY.

>> WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF LOSING THEM IN MOST AREAS IN THE STATE, IN THE NEXT COUPLE DECADES, IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING DRASTIC TO TURN THINGS AROUND.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR, THE CENTER SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE CALIFORNIA GAME COMMISSION ALONG WITH SEVERAL OTHER CONSERVATION GROUPS, ASKING THE STATE TO LIFT THE BURROWING HOUR AS AN ENDANGERED SPECIES.

EITHER OF THOSE NEW DESIGNATIONS WOULD GIVE THE SPECIES NEW PROTECTION FROM BEING KILLED OR REMOVED FROM THEIR HABITATS.

THAT DECISION COULD HAVE BIG IMPLICATIONS FOR THE IMPERIAL VALLEY.

THE FARMING INDUSTRY IS NERVOUS ABOUT NEW ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION.

THE REGION IS ALSO HOPING TO INCREASE ITS RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR.

IN A LETTER LAST YEAR, THE IMPERIAL COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ARGUED LISTING THE SPECIES COULD HURT THOSE INDUSTRIES AND LIMIT JOB PROSPECTS IN THE REGION.

THEY ASKED THE STATE TO CARVE OUT AN EXEMPTION FOR IMPERIAL COUNTY.

>> WE DON'T WANT IMPERIAL COUNTY AGRICULTURAL INTEREST FEELING LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO BE PICKED OUT AND PUNISHED.

>> Reporter: JEFF SAYS CONSERVATION GROUPS ARE ALSO SPLIT ON WHAT TO DO IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY.

SOME SAY OWLS HERE ARE FACING TOO MANY RISKS, BUT JEFF WORRIES ABOUT THE POLITICAL OPPOSITION THAT MIGHT COME FROM FARMERS AND OTHER INDUSTRIES.

>> AS LONG AS THEY KEEP, YOU KNOW, GENERALLY DOING THINGS TO KEEP OUR TOWELS AROUND, AND ALLOW THEM TO EXIST, THEN THERE IS PROBABLY NO REASON TO HAVE TO RISK THAT POPULATION.

>> Reporter: AT A MEETING IN OCTOBER, STATE OFFICIALS SEEMED OPEN TO STRIKING A BALANCE.

HERE IS FISH AND GAME COMMISSIONER ERIC IS A LETTER.

>> IT IS NOT THIS CHOICE WE HAVE TO MAKE BETWEEN A RENEWABLE ENERGY, OR HOUSING, OR FOOD PRODUCTION, AND PROTECTING WILDLIFE.

WE HAVE SHOWN, AS A STATE, WE CAN DO BOTH.

IF ANYONE CAN DO BOTH, WE CAN.

>> Reporter: WENDY MILLER CERTAINLY HOPES THAT IS THE CASE.

SHE AGREES THAT THE IMPERIAL VALLEY MAY NEED A MORE NUANCED APPROACH.

>> IT WOULD BE TERRIBLE TO LOSE THEM, AND I THINK YOU HAVE TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT HUMAN NEEDS, TOO.

AND YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BALANCE THAT.

>> Reporter: BACK NEAR THE SALTON SEA, WE TEND TO LEAVE THE OWLS BEHIND.

WENDY SAYS HER GOODBYES.

>> SO, YEAH, THIS IS REALLY SPECIAL AND I HOPE THAT PEOPLE DON'T SCREW IT UP.

[ LAUGHTER ] >> Reporter: THE STATE HAS ANOTHER SIX MONTHS TO EVALUATE THE HEALTH OF BURROWING OWLS AND MAKE A FINAL DECISION.

KORI SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WELL, THE TEMPERATURES HAVE BEEN RISING AND THAT WARMING TREND IS GOING TO CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE REST OF THE WORK WEEK.

WE WILL EVEN SEE SOME RECORD CHALLENGING TEMPERATURES IN SOME AREAS.

THE OTHER THING WE HAVE TO CONTEND WITH IS THE LOW CLOUDS AND THE FOG JUST FOR THE MORNING, SO LET'S BREAK THIS DOWN, STEP-BY-STEP, STARTING WITH WHAT TO EXPECT FOR TONIGHT.

WE ARE DROPPING DOWN TO THE UPPER 40s IN OCEANSIDE, MID-50s IN SAN DIEGO, UPPER 50s IN PERRIGO SPRINGS.

WHAT DO WE ALL HAVE IN COMMON, THOUGH?

WE ARE ALL DEALING WITH THE CLOUDS, MOST OF US, AT LEAST, THROUGHOUT THE OVERNIGHT HOURS.

AND THEN COME INTO TOMORROW, THAT IS WHEN TO START OFF THE MORNING, WE WILL HAVE SOME OF THE FOG AND LOW CLOUDS, ONCE AGAIN.

THAT IS WHERE ADDING SOME EXTRA TIME, ESPECIALLY IF YOU USUALLY HAVE VISIBILITY ISSUES WITH THE LOW CLOUDS AND FOG, TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT FOR YOUR MORNING COMMUTE.

OTHERWISE, WE WILL HAVE SOME CLOUDS THROUGHOUT THE DAY, NOT JUST THE LOW CLOUDS TO START OF THE MORNING.

A TEMPERATURE WISE, WE ARE AT 70 IN OCEANSIDE, 71 IN SAN DIEGO, NEAR 100 IN ABREGO SPRINGS.

98.

IT WAS ALREADY AT THAT TIME THAT WE ARE INCHING CLOSER AND CLOSER TO 100 DEGREES IN SOME AREAS.

I MENTIONED THE RECORD CHALLENGING HIGHS IN SOME AREAS.

IMPERIAL, CALIFORNIA, WE ARE LOOKING AT 101 FOR YOUR THURSDAY.

SET TO BREAK THE PREVIOUS RECORD OF 98, FROM 2018, THERE.

THEY ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST.

WE HAVE SEVERAL CITIES SET TO BREAK SOME OF THOSE PREVIOUS RECORDS, OR AT LEAST COME CLOSE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR FIVE DAY OUTLOOK, THOUGH.

WE ARE LOOKING AT 70 DEGREES FOR YOUR THURSDAY.

WE CONTINUE TO WARM UP FRIDAY, THEN TEMPERATURES DROPPED IN THE WEEKEND, GETTING CLOSE TO OUR HISTORICAL AVERAGES, SO WE ARE NOT REALLY DROPPING TOO FAR, JUST KIND OF BACK TO NORMAL.

FURTHER INLAND, WE ARE IN THE 80s THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, THEN WE DROP TO THE 70s FOR THE WEEKEND AND 60s TO START OFF THE WORK WEEK, NEXT WEEK.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, WE ARE IN THE 60s, CLIMBING UP TO 68 FOR FRIDAY, THEN WE LEVEL OUT CLOSER TO WHERE WE SHOULD BE THIS TIME OF YEAR IN THE DESERT.

WE ARE HITTING 100 DEGREES ON FRIDAY.

YES!

WE ARE ALREADY THERE.

BUT, THINGS DO LEVEL OUT INTO THE WEEKEND, ESPECIALLY MONDAY.

WE ARE BACK AT 89 DEGREES.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I AM ACCUWEATHER HALEY IS ALL YOU.

>>> THE OCEANSIDE MUSEUM OF ART IS CELEBRATING YOUR DIVERGENT ARTISTS WITH A NEW EXHIBIT.

KPBS NEWS REPORTER, KATIE HYSON, SAYS THE ART IS AS WIDE- RANGING AS THE ARTISTS ON THE SPECTRUM, ITSELF.

>> Reporter: THE ROOM IS FILLED WITH FOUND OBJECT LAMPS, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND FABRICS, AND WITH THE PAINTINGS OF AUSTIN JOHN JONES.

HIS SELF-PORTRAIT SMILES, BUT INSIDE THE BRAIN, A SMALL VERSION OF HIMSELF IS CURLED UP AND CRYING.

>> IT JUST SHOWS WHAT DEPRESSION CAN DO TO SOMEONE, EVEN THOUGH THEY SEEM HAPPY.

>> Reporter: IT ISN'T ONLY ABOUT AUTISM, IT IS ALSO UNIVERSAL.

>> ME BEING ON THE SPECTRUM IS JUST PART OF WHO I AM.

WHILE IT HAS, YOU KNOW, DETERMINED CERTAIN ASPECTS OF MY LIFE, IT HAS INFLUENCED MY ART.

I WOULDN'T SAY IT IS EVERYTHING ABOUT MY ART.

>> Reporter: ONE PIECE ON ALUMINUM SHOWS A PERSON WITH A HOLE INSIDE HER CHEST AND BRAIN.

>> CERTAIN PEOPLE, WHETHER THEY ARE ON THE SPECTRUM OR NOT, MIGHT EITHER, AT TIMES, FEEL OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCES -- WHICH COULD EITHER BE A LACK OF EMPATHY, REPRESENTED BY THE HOLLOWNESS OF THE HOLE IN THE CHEST.

OR, A LACK OF AWARENESS, OR MINDFULNESS, BY THE EMPTY HOLE IN THE BRAIN.

>> Reporter: IN THE NEXT PAINTING, A PINK HAND OFFERS UP A BRAIN.

>> THIS IS CALLED "A PIECE OF MIND."

IT IS LITERALLY JUST HANDING ONE SPOT ON A PLATE TO SOMEONE ELSE.

IT IS KIND OF ALMOST A REPRESENTATION OF HOW SOME PEOPLE ON THE SPECTRUM JUST SPEAK THEIR MIND, AND, YOU KNOW, ALMOST UNFILTERED.

>> Reporter: THE EXHIBIT WAS CRAFTED WITH YOUR DIVERGENT VISITORS IN MIND.

NOISE CANCELING HEADPHONES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE ENTRANCE.

BOXES ARE FILLED WITH TOUCHABLE ART MATERIALS.

OFFERING MATCHING SENSORY EXPERIENCES.

THERE IS A CHILL ROOM, WITH BEANBAGS AND CURTAINS.

IT IS A COLLABORATION WITH A LOCAL NONPROFIT, THE ART OF AUTISM, COFOUNDED BY DEBORAH.

>> MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE AUTISTIC HAVE TROUBLE WITH LIKE, EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING SKILLS.

AND SO, THEY MAY HAVE TREMENDOUS TALENT, BUT THEY HAVE TROUBLE HOOKING UP AVENUES TO SHARE THEIR ART OR THEIR CREATIVE ABILITY.

>> Reporter: NOW, VISITORS CAN EXPLORE ART.

THEY MAY NOT HAVE HAD ACCESS TO, OTHERWISE.

JONES IS MORE THAN A DOZEN ARTISTS ON THE SPECTRUM WHOSE WORK WILL BE DISPLAYED THROUGH AUGUST 3rd.

>> I ALSO REALLY HOPE IT EMPOWERS PEOPLE TO REALIZE HOW BEAUTIFUL EACH INDIVIDUAL IS, WITH VARYING DEGREES OF BEING ON THE SPECTRUM.

WE HAVE A VOICE JUST AS MUCH AS ANYONE ELSE, AND I HOPE THIS SHOW, SHOWS THAT.

>> Reporter: KATIE HYSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AND CHECK OUT THE NEW KPBS ARTS AND CULTURAL PODCAST, CALLED "THE FINEST."

A NEW EPISODE IS OUT TOMORROW.

YOU CAN LISTEN WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

AND YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I AM 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 BILLHOWE.COM.

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

AND, BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU!

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