>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING ADDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AIR RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES.

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

AND, BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, BY THE FOLLOWING, AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU, THANK YOU.

>>> IT'S A SNAPSHOT OF SAN DIEGO'S UNHOUSED POPULATION.

TONIGHT, THE PICTURE IS A LITTLE CLEARER.

THANKS FOR JOINING US, I'M JOHN CARROLL, IN FOR AND 34.

ON JANUARY 5, THERE WERE 10,000 PEOPLE EXPENSING HOMELESSNESS IN THE COUNTY, ACCORDING TO THE ANNUAL POINT IN TIME COUNT RESULTS RELEASED TODAY.

HEIDI DeMARCO HAS MORE ON WHAT THE NUMBERS SHOW.

>> IN JANUARY, VOLUNTEERS SET OUT AT 4:00 A.M. TO CANVAS THE COUNTY AND CONDUCT THE POINT IN TIME COUNT, WHICH ASSESSES THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN ONE NIGHT.

THE NUMBERS ARE USED TO HELP THE COUNTY RECEIVE FEDERAL FUNDING TO ADDRESS THE HOMELESS CRISIS.>> DATE OF BIRTH?>> THE RESULTS SHOW 341 MORE PEOPLE, A 43% RISE IN HOMELESSNESS IN THE COUNTY, COMPARED TO LAST YEAR.

MORE THAN 900 ADDITIONAL PEOPLE ARE LIVING UNSHELTERED.

THE CHIEF OF STAFF FOR THE REGIONAL TASK FORCE ON HOMELESSNESS SAYS 8044% INCREASE IN INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES LIVING IN THEIR CARS IS CONTRIBUTING TO THE RISE.

SO WE'VE HAD MORE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FOR THE FIRST TIME, THESE NUMBERS AREN'T A SURPRISE TO US, THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE THERE, MAKING A REAL IMPACT, DECREASING THE AMOUNT OF SUFFERING WE'VE SEEN.

>> HE ALSO SAYS MORE THAN HALF OF PEOPLE SURVEYED REPORTED EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS FOR THE FIRST TIME AS SENIORS.

PAUL DOWNEY, THE CEO OF SERVING SENIORS SAYS IT IS A TROUBLING TREND.>> BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC REASONS, PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN THEIR CARS, WE ALSO KNOW FROM HISTORY WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

THEY WILL LOSE THE CAR AND END UP ON THE STREET, EVENTUALLY.

>> ONE IN FIVE UNSHELTERED ADULTS 85 AND OLDER ARE LIVING IN THEIR CARS.

>> THOSE FOLKS ARE IDEAL CANDIDATES FOR A RENTAL SUBSIDY TO INTERVENE AT THAT MOMENT, AT THAT PRECIPICE OF HOMELESSNESS, TO PREVENT IT FROM OCCURRING.

>> THE PILOT PROGRAM GIVES ELIGIBLE SENIORS A $500 RENTAL SUBSIDY.

DOWNEY SAYS THE RECENT CAMPING BAN HAS ONLY REDISTRIBUTED THE POPULATION OF UNHOUSED PEOPLE FROM DOWNTOWN TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE COUNTY.>> IT'S PUSHING SENIORS WHO NEED RESOURCES AND ACCESS TO SURVIVE ON A DAILY BASIS, THEY CAN'T ACCESS IT, BECAUSE THEY ARE MILES AWAY FROM THE HELP THAT THEY NEED.

>> DOWNEY SAYS AFFORD THE HOUSING AND PREVENTION PROGRAMS ARE NEEDED IN ORDER TO HELP MOVE THE NUMBERS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

HEIDI DeMARCO, REPORTING WITH KPBS NEWS.>> SERVICE WORKERS AND STAFF AT JACOBS MEDICAL CENTER WALKED THE PICKET LINE TODAY.

OUR REPORTER SAYS THEY ARE ASKING FOR HIGHER WAGES AND ASSISTANCE AMID ONGOING CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS.

1039 HAS THE REPORT.

>> A UNION REPRESENTING 30,000 WORKERS HAS BEEN NEGOTIATING A NEW CONTRACT SINCE JANUARY.

THE UNION IS CALLING FOR HIGHER WAGES, AS WORKERS STRUGGLE TO AFFORD HOUSING.

THAT'S ESPECIALLY NEAR DIVERSITY CAMPUSES.

MELISSA COMMUTES FROM CHULA VISTA TO LA JOLLA.

SHE SAYS UNIVERSITY WAGES ARE NO LONGER COMPETITIVE.

SEEN IN PREVIOUS YEARS, THEY WERE A LITTLE BIT HIGHER IN WAGES.

WE HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

>> THE UNION SAYS THE UNIVERSITY OFFERS HOME LOAN PROGRAMS FOR FACULTY AND EXECUTIVE STAFF, BUT NOT FOR SERVICE WORKERS.

>> WE RECEIVE HOUSING ALLOWANCES, LOW INTEREST MORTGAGES AND DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE TO THE EXECUTIVES WHO EARN $300,000-$500,000 PER YEAR.>> THEY URGED THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA TO DIVEST FROM LAXTON, A PRIVATE EQUITY FIRM THAT OWNS PROPERTY THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO.

ADVOCATES SAY THIS IS ACHIEVING TO A LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

THEY SAID WE EMPATHIZE WITH THE CHALLENGES EMPLOYEES FACE, ESPECIALLY CALIFORNIANS SEEING INCREASED COST OF LIVING.

OUR GOAL IS TO ACKNOWLEDGE GROWING CONTRIBUTIONS, COMMITMENTS, AND HONOR A PACKAGE THAT HELPS TO ALLEVIATE FINANCIAL STRAINS.

THE UNIVERSITY HAS PROPOSED RAISING MINIMUM WAGES TO $21 PER HOUR BY APRIL 2025.

RIDES NINE, KPBS NEWS.

>> THESE CLOUDS WILL HAVE A TENDENCY TO LINGER IN THE COAST.

THERE WILL BE SOME CHANGES, AS WE WORK OUR WAY INTO THE UPCOMING WEEKEND.

NOT ONLY FOR THE DESERTS, NUNS, THE INTERIOR VALLEYS, BUT FOR THE COASTLINE AS WELL, INCREASED SUNSHINE, MEETING A WARMING TREND.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT SUNSHINE, AND HOW HIGH THE NUMBERS WILL GO, COMING UP IN JUST A BIT.>>> NEW LEGISLATION ANNOUNCED TODAY IN SACRAMENTO WOULD PREVENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE FROM TELLING PARENTS THEIR STUDENTS IDENTIFY AS LGBTQ PLUS.

SUPPORTERS OF THE LEGISLATION SAY THEY ARE TRYING TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS AND IDENTITIES OF THOSE CHILDREN, NOT EXPOSE THEM TO FORCED OUTINGS.

OUR EDUCATION REPORTER TELLS US HOW THE PROPOSAL COULD IMPACT FAMILIES.>> KATHY HAS BEEN AN ADVOCATE FOR HER SON SAM SINCE HE WAS 11 YEARS OLD, WHEN HE TOLD HER HE WAS NOT COMFORTABLE IN HIS BODY, ASSIGNED FEMALE AT BIRTH.

SAM TRANSITIONED TO HIS MALE IDENTITY, AND IS NOW 23.

HIS MOTHER IS THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE TRANS- FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES ORGANIZATION BASED IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THIS MORNING, SHE WAS AT THE PODIUM OF A SACRAMENT TO PRESS CONFERENCE WITH POLITICIANS, PARENTS, AND SUPPORTERS, TO ANNOUNCE THE SAFETY ACT.

A NUMBER OF STATES AND SOME CALIFORNIA SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVE ENACTED POLICIES THAT EXPLICITLY REQUIRE TEACHERS TO NOTIFY HARRINGTON GIVE THEM A NOTIFICATION IF THEIR CHILD IDENTIFIES AS TRANSGENDER.

THESE POLICIES ARE FORCED OUTINGS.

YOUTH DESERVE THE SPACE TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH THEIR FAMILY IN THE TIME THAT IS RIGHT FOR THEM.

THESE FORCED OUTING POLICIES TAKE THAT RIGHT AWAY, AND INJECT SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS INTO VERY INTIMATE FAMILY EXPERIENCES.

>> THE LAKESIDE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES APPROVED A NEW PARENTS BILL OF RIGHTS, GIVING PARENTS GREATER ACCESS TO THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION.

RON CASPER CHARACTERIZED IT THIS WAY.>> THEY POSSESS THE RIGHT TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN AND HAVE THE AUTHORITY OVER THEIR DECISIONS AND LIFESTYLES, SENDING CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IN A PARTNERSHIP WITH PARENTS AND SCHOOLS.

>> THE STATE CHAIRPERSON OF THE CAUCUS DOES NOT SEE IT THAT WAY.

WE'VE SEEN CHAOS, WE'VE SEEN THE VITRIOL IN OUR LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS.

WE'VE SEEN THE CHAOS FROM THAT, WE ARE SAYING IT'S TIME TO STEP BACK FROM THE CHAOS, AND FOCUS ON WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT, AND THAT IS THE SAFETY OF OUR KIDS.

>> KAI IS ONE OF THOSE STUDENTS WHO IDENTIFIES AS A TRANSGENDER MAN, USING PRONOUNS HE AND THEY.

>> EACH FRIEND HAD ATTEMPTED SUICIDE BECAUSE OF THE HATE THEY ENDURE.

I HAVE TWO.

>> A PRESS CONFERENCE IS JUST THE FIRST STEP IN THE PROCESS TO GETTING A B 25 PASSED INTO LAW.

THE SAFETY ACT IS EXPECTED TO NEXT BE HEARD IN THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.>>> THE MIGRANT WELCOME CENTER WILL RETURN TO SAN DIEGO COUNTY LATER THIS YEAR.

THE SEARCH IS ON FOR AN ORGANIZATION TO RUN IT.

YESTERDAY COUNTY SUPERVISORS APPROVED $19 MILLION IN FEMA FUNDING TO KEEP THE CENTER RUNNING THROUGH 2026.

THE CENTER PROVIDES SHELTER, FOOD, HYGIENE SUPPLIES, AND TRANSPORTATION, TO HELP MIGRANTS TO GET TO THEIR DESTINATIONS.

ONLY COUNTY SUPERVISOR JIM DESMOND VOTED AGAINST FUNDING FOR THE CENTER.

SO I REFUSED TO BE COMPLICIT IN A WORKING SYSTEM, JUST BECAUSE THE GOVERNMENT IS THROWING MONEY AT THE ANTE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS THEY CREATED BY ALLOWING MORE PEOPLE TO CROSS THE BORDER THAN THEY CAN MANAGE.>> FLOOR CHAIR VARGAS SAYS THE 19 1/2 MILLION DOLLARS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE BY THE END OF MAY.

THE COUNTY EXPECTS TO PICK AN ORGANIZATION TO RUN THE SHELTER BY JULY.>>> DEMOCRATS ARE FORCING ANOTHER VOTE ON THE BIPARTISAN ORDER BILL THAT WAS BLOCKED REPUBLICANS EARLIER THIS YEAR.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS URGING GOP CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS TO PASS IT THIS TIME.

JULIAN BENBROOK BREAKS DOWN THE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE PARTIES ON THIS ISSUE.

SEE THE WHITE HOUSE AND TOP CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS ARE DISCUSSING A SERIES OF MOVES AIMED AT STRENGTHENING THEIR HAND ON BORDER SECURITY.

>> WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO FIX SOMETHING REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES HAVE LONG CALLED AN EMERGENCY AND A CRISIS ON OUR SOUTHERN ORDER.

>> CHUCK SCHUMER IS PUTTING THE PRESSURE ON REPUBLICANS, ENFORCING ANOTHER VOTE ON A KEY IMMIGRATION BILL.

THROUGH THE SAME BILL NEGOTIATED MONTHS AGO.

SO THE INITIAL PACKAGE INCLUDED TOUGH BORDER POSITIONS AND AID TO U.S.

ALLIES WAS BLOCKED AMID PUSHBACK FROM TOP HOUSE REPUBLICANS AND FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, WHO IS MAKING THE BORDER A CENTRAL CAMPAIGN ISSUE IN HIS RACE FOR THOUGH WHITE HOUSE.

>> I SAID OKAY, IT'S OKAY, PLEASE BLAME IT ON ME, THEY WERE GETTING READY TO PASS A VERY BAD DEAL.>> THEY SAY BRINGING IT BACK UP FOR CONSIDERATION NOW WON'T FIX THE PROBLEM.

>> THIS IS NOW A POLITICAL POSITION.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE.>> GOP LEADERS SAY THEY OPPOSE THE MOVE TO REVOTE ON THE LEGISLATION.

DEMOCRATS HAVE SPOKEN OUT AGAINST THE BILL AS WELL.

IT'S UNLIKELY THE BILL WILL RECEIVE THE 60 VOTES NEEDED TO ADVANCE.

THE VOTE IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY.>>> IT HAS BEEN ONE YEAR SINCE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL APPOINTED MEMBERS TO THE NEW COMMISSION ON POLICE PRACTICES.

SCOTT ROD FOUND THE CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT GROUP IS STILL TRYING TO GET ITS FOOTING.

>> IN 2020, SAN DIEGO VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVED MEASURE B, WHICH REQUIRED THE CREATION OF THE COMMISSION WITH THE POWER TO INDEPENDENTLY INVESTIGATE COMPLAINTS AND SUBPOENA WITNESSES.

IT TOOK UNTIL LAST MAY AT THE CITY COUNCIL TO APPOINT COMMISSIONERS.

SINCE THEN, THE COMMISSION HAS MADE SLOW PROGRESS ON FULFILLING THE DEMANDS OF VOTERS.>> IT'S TO BE EXPECTED WHEN YOU ARE BUILDING A COMMISSION.

AND YOU ARE DOING SO RELATIVELY FROM SCRATCH.

OBVIOUSLY I WISH WE WERE EVEN FURTHER.

IT'S A CITY THING, SOME OF THE BUREAUCRACY HAS HELD US UP.

>> THE COMMISSION HAS BEEN SEARCHING FOR A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SINCE LATE LAST YEAR.

MOST STAFF POSITIONS REMAIN UNFILLED, AND THE COMMISSION IS STILL WORKING ON DRAFT TEACHERS FOR LAUNCHING INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION.

TURNOVERS HAVE ALSO BEEN A STRUGGLE.

THE COMMISSION HAS HAD TO FILL MORE THAN 10 VACANCIES THIS YEAR.

THERE HAVE BEEN SOME A COUPLE SCHMITZ, THE COMMISSION HIRED A FULL-TIME CHIEF INVESTIGATOR AND RECENTLY ORGANIZED A COMMUNITY FORUM ON SAN DIEGO'S POLICE CHASE POLICIES.>> WE ARE ALL JUST TRYING TO DO OUR BEST WITH THE RESOURCES THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.>> THE COMMISSION IS ALSO KEEPING UP WITH REVIEWING POLICE DEPARTMENT INTERNAL INVESTIGATIONS, WHICH WAS A STRUGGLE WITH THE PREVIOUS CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT BOARD.

SCOTT ROD, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A NEW COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO ADVISE SAN DIEGO OFFICIALS ON LAND USE MATTERS IN UPTOWN.

ANDREW BOWEN HAS MORE ON VIBRANT UPTOWN.

>> TWO YEARS AGO, SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL REFORMED A POLICY GOVERNING COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUPS, WHICH HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY DOMINATED BY HOMEOWNERS.

THE COUNCIL SHOWS A VIBRANT UPTOWN AS A PLANNING GROUP FOR HILLCREST AND BAKER'S HILL.

ELECTION RULES GUARANTEE SEATS FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFITS, RENTERS AND HOMEOWNERS IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> JUST AS DISTRICT ELECTIONS RESULTED, I AM CONFIDENT THAT THE SEATS FOR HOMEOWNERS, RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES WILL RESULT IN A MORE REPRESENTATIVE COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP.

>> SUPPORTERS OF UPTOWN PLANNERS DEFENDED THE GROUP, AND SAID NEW ELECTION RULES WILL OVER REPRESENT BUSINESSES AND UNDERCUT THE VOICES OF HOMEOWNERS.

SO THIS HIGHLY EXPERIMENTAL STRUCTURE CAN EVEN BE CHARITABLY DESCRIBED AS A SOLUTION IN SEARCH OF A PROBLEM.

IT'S JUST PLAIN A PROBLEM.

>> VIBRANT UPTOWN WILL HOLD ELECTIONS WITHIN 90 DAYS TO FILL SEATS.

THE CITY COUNCIL STRESSED THAT THEY WERE NOT CHOOSING PLANNING GROUP MEMBERSHIPS, ONLY THE RULES THAT WILL GOVERN HOW THOSE ELECTIONS ARE HELD.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.>>> CARLSBAD CITY IS NOW THE OWNER OF A 16 UNIT APARTMENT COMPLEX.

THE PURCHASE WAS APPROVED AT A MEETING LAST NIGHT WITH THE CITY COUNCIL.

THE CITY LOANED A HOMELESS SERVICES PROVIDER, SOLUTIONS FOR CHANGE, A LITTLE OVER $3 MILLION TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY ON CHESTNUT AVENUE.

SOLUTIONS FOR CHANGE WAS SET TO RELOCATE THE EXISTING TENANTS, AND RENOVATE THE ENTIRE COMPLEX AS A FORMAL HOUSING.

HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT FIND FUNDING TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT, AND BECAUSE OF STATE AND ROLLED HOUSING FIRST POLICIES PROVIDING LOW BARRIERS FOR HOUSING PROGRAMS.

>> I WAS GETTING HUGE AMOUNTS OF PUBLIC MONEY FROM THE COUNTY AND THE STATE, WE WERE WINNING, WITH NO PROBLEM, AND THEN IT WAS DENIED.

WHY?

BECAUSE YOU WON'T COMPLY WITH HOUSING FIRST.

TRY AGAIN, DENIED.

WHY?

BECAUSE WE WOULDN'T DO THIS FOR THE KIDS.

>> THE CITY WILL FORGIVE THE LOAN UNDER THE PROGRAM.

SOLUTIONS FOR CHANGE WILL CONTINUE TO MANAGE THE PROPERTY UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR.

AFTER THAT, THE CITY IS EXPECTED TO FIND A DEVELOPER TO TAKE OVER AND BUILD THE 100% FORMAL HOUSING PROJECT.

TO THE FEDERAL SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TOOK FOCUS AT A HOUSE HEARING TODAY, A DAY BEFORE HOUSE REPUBLICANS ARE SLATED TO MOVE ON THEIR VISION OF THE MULTIYEAR FUNDING BILL FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE.

KAREN HAS MORE ON HOW THIS COULD IMPACT SNAP BENEFITS.>> MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE HAD DIFFERENT TAKES ON THE NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

THEY ARE EYEING PILOT PROGRAMS THAT WOULD LIMIT DIETARY RESTRICTIONS FOR RECIPIENTS.

>> THE SNAP PROGRAM IS SOLELY FOCUSED ON PROVIDING CALORIES, RATHER THAN NUTRITIOUS FOODS.

>> DEMOCRATS SAY THEY NEED TO SUPPORT FOOD COSTS.

>> IT TELLS PEOPLE WHAT TO EAT AND DOES LITTLE TO ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING CHALLENGES IN ADDRESSING HUNGER.>> THEY DRAFTED A $1.5 TRILLION BILL TO ADDRESS FOOD PROGRAMS.

THE GOP BILL WOULD CHANGE THE FORMULA BY WHICH FUNDING IS DETERMINED.

A LEFT-LEANING RESEARCH GROUP SAID GOP PROVISIONS OPEN THE DOOR TO POLICING OF SNAP RECIPIENT PURCHASES, PROPONENTS ARGUE THEY CAN IMPROVE OVERALL HEALTH.

>> USING SNAP TO IMPROVE DIET QUALITY IS A SMALL PART OF WHAT SHOULD BE A BROADER POLICY APPROACH.

>> A NEW ANALYSIS BY THE URBAN INSTITUTE FOUND SNAP BENEFITS FAILED TO COVER THE COSTS OF RISING MEAL COSTS IN 2023.>>> ACROSS THE IMPERIAL VALLEY, COMMUNITIES ARE PREPARING FOR THE ARRIVAL OF THE LITHIUM INDUSTRY.

THE RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR IS MAKING BIG PROMISES OF NEW JOBS, AND TRANSFORMATIONAL GROWTH.

AT THE SAME TIME, OUR IMPERIAL VALLEY REPORTER COREY SUZUKI SAYS MANY ON-TIME RESIDENTS OF THE VALLEY FEEL THEY'VE HEARD THIS STORY BEFORE.

IT WAS 2010.

RYAN PEREZ WAS STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO MAJOR IN.

HE HAD JUST STARTED AT COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

HE TRIED ART, HOPING TO LAUNCH A CAREER IN FILM.

THAT DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED, AND HE STARTED LOOKING AT OTHER OPTIONS, AND THAT'S WHEN HE HEARD ABOUT SOLAR.

>> IT WAS SO EXCITING.

THE INDUSTRY WAS EXPANDING ACROSS THE IMPERIAL VALLEY, PROMISING GOOD, WELL-PAYING JOBS COME WITH FLYERS AROUND SCHOOL AND ADS IN THE NEWSPAPER.

PEREZ TOOK CLASSES.

HE DID AN APPRENTICESHIP AT A SMALL COMPANY.

HE SAW A BRIGHT FUTURE IN RENEWABLE ENERGY.

AS GRADUATION APPROACHED, HE WAS NOT HEARING BACK FROM APPLICATIONS.

THOSE JOBS WEREN'T THERE, HE SAID.>> HORRIBLE RESULTS.

I WASN'T GETTING ANY CALLBACKS OR ANYTHING.

SO HIS EXPERIENCE WAS PART OF A PATTERN IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY.

THE REGION HAS AN ABUNDANCE OF SUNLIGHT, WIND, RENEWABLE HEAT.

THOSE CHASING THOSE RESOURCES PROMISE NEW JOBS AND GROWTH.

THOSE PROMISES VARY A LOT IN THE VALLEY, WHERE IT'S HARD TO FIND WORK.

IMPERIAL VALLEY IS THE SECOND POOREST COUNTY IN CALIFORNIA.

A PROFESSOR OF HISTORY GREW UP IN THE VALLEY, AND HAS STUDIED THE REGION.

HE SAYS MOST OF THE LAND AND WEALTH IS HELD BY A SMALL GROUP.>> IT'S A SYSTEM WHERE POVERTY IS ENDEMIC, BECAUSE THE PROFITS OF THE WEALTH ARE SO SKEWED.

>> RENEWABLES HOLD THE HELP OF CHANGING THINGS.

GEOTHERMAL WAS ONE OF THE FIRST INDUSTRIES TO COME, IN THE 1980S.

OFFICIALS COULD CREATE THOUSANDS OF JOBS, BUT ACTIONS DIDN'T PAN OUT.

BY THE MID-90s, DEVELOPING OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY SLOWED.

TODAY, THE NEWEST PLANT IS 15 YEARS OLD, GEOTHERMAL DIVIDES JUST AROUND 500 MW OF ENERGY, LESS THAN 1/10 OF WHAT THEY ORIGINALLY HOPED.

ANOTHER INDUSTRY WAS STARTING TO TOUCHDOWN, SOLAR.

PAUL RODRIGUEZ IS THE DEPUTY ENERGY MANAGER OF THE MAIN POWER UTILITY.

>> CALIFORNIA HAS BEEN A REAL TRAILBLAZER IN TERMS OF SOLAR INSTALLS.

WE HAD ONE OF THE STRICTEST MANDATES BACK THEN, WE CONTINUE TO HAVE ONE OF THE STRICTEST IN THE COUNTRY.

THIS TIME, THE TECHNOLOGY DID TAKE OFF.

THEY WENT FROM HAVING ALMOST NO SOLAR TO SIGNING OFF ON ALMOST 30 NEW PROJECTS.

MANY RESIDENTS WERE HOPEFUL THIS NEW INDUSTRY WOULD BRING IN THOUSANDS OF JOBS.

COURSES WERE LAUNCHED IN SOLAR TECHNOLOGY, AND THE ELECTRICAL WORKERS UNION BUILT A NEW TRAINING CENTER.

IT TURNED OUT MANY OF THOSE JOBS WERE SHORT-LIVED.

THE TECHNOLOGY CAME UNDER FIRE FOR TAKING OVER AGRICULTURAL LAND.

>> THE LAND OWNERS WANTED A PIECE OF THE PIE.

SO, IT WAS VERY UNFORTUNATE, YOU HAD FIELDS IN OPERATION FOR ALMOST 100 YEARS THAT WERE VERY PRODUCTIVE, AND NOW THEY ARE COVERED IN SOLAR FARMS.

>> MANY RESIDENTS SAY SOLAR WAS TAKING MORE WORK AWAY THEN IT WAS TREATING, DEPRIVING FARMERS OF THEIR JOBS.

A DECADE LATER, ANOTHER RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRY IS MAKING HEADLINES IN THAT REGION, LITHIUM EXTRACTION.

THIS TIME THE PROBLEMS ARE EVEN BIGGER.

SOME ARE ALREADY REBRANDING THE REGION LITHIUM VALLEY.

MANY RESIDENTS REMEMBER PAST PROMISES THAT NEVER MATERIALIZED, AND THEY WONDER IF THINGS WILL REALLY BE DIFFERENT THIS TIME.

STILL, THERE IS PLENTY OF HOPE.

DESPITE PAST EXPERIENCES WITH THE SOLAR INDUSTRY, BRIAN IS EXCITED FOR THE POSSIBILITIES.>> IT WILL BE A HUGE CHANGE.

SOLAR WAS SOMETHING NEW, SOCIALLY, LITHIUM IS PROBABLY GOING TO WIN.

>> TOMORROW WE WILL LOOK AT WHAT LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND LAWMAKERS ARE DOING TO MAKE SURE LITHIUM BRINGS REAL BENEFITS TO RESIDENTS OF THE VALLEY.

>>> LATER ON TONIGHT, THOSE LOW CLOUDS WILL HUG THE COASTLINE, AND EVEN TIPTOE THERE WAY IN HERE.

THIS IS THE FAR WESTERN VALLEY, OVERNIGHT LOW TEMPERATURES ARE MOSTLY DOWN INTO THE 50s, ESPECIALLY AWAY FROM THE COASTLINE HERE.

RAMONA IS DOWN TO 53 DEGREES, 62 DEGREES TOWARD BORREGO SPRINGS, MOUNT LAGUNA, THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE, DROPPING DOWN TO 51, CUYLER POINTS OFF TO THE SOUTH.

NOTHING ON THE RADAR, BUT I WANT TO FOCUS ON THE CLOUDS HERE, YOU CAN SEE HOW ONLY DO WE HAVE THE CLOUDS ALONG THE COAST, YOU CAN SEE A COUNTY INLAND, THAT QUICKLY SHRINKS, THAT CLOUDS HAVE A TENDENCY TO LINGER A LITTLE BIT LONGER TOWARD THE COAST, AS WE WORK OUR WAY EVEN INTO THE AFTERNOON, AND THEN FOR THE EVENING AND OVERNIGHT, LOW CLOUDS CONTINUED TO WORK THEIR WAY INLAND JUST A BIT.

THE OVERALL PICTURE IS DRY ON THURSDAY, BUT THERE WILL BE QUITE A BIT OF CLOUDINESS TO CONTEND WITH AT THE COAST, AND TO A LESSER DEGREE, THE WESTERN VALLEYS, AND OVER THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN.

PREGO SPRINGS BUMPS OFF AT 93.

FRIDAY CONTINUES DRY, AND AGAIN LIKE WE WILL SEE ON THURSDAY, WE WILL CONTINUE TO SEE A BIT OF ONSHORE FLOW AND A TURNING POINT WHERE WE WILL SEE MORE AND MORE SUNSHINE ON SUNDAY, AND MONDAY, AS THE FLOW TURNS A LITTLE BIT OFFSHORE, PROMOTING A WARMING TREND HERE, ESPECIALLY AS WE WORK OUR WAY TOWARD THE INTERIOR VALLEYS.

INLAND WILL BE MIDDLE 70s BY MONDAY.

AS WE LOOK TO THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN, A SUBSTANTIAL JUMP FROM SATURDAY TO MONDAY, GOING FROM THE 50s ALL THE WAY UP INTO THE 70s, AND NOTABLY HIGH TEMPERATURES GO FROM NEAR 80 ON SATURDAY CLOSE TO THE TRIPLE DIGITS BY MONDAY.

>>> TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, A DEADLY TORNADO DEVASTATES IN IOWA TOWN, KILLING MULTIPLE RESIDENTS, AND INJURING MANY MORE.

[ MUSIC ] >>> VOLUNTEERS IN ORANGE COUNTY ARE HELPING KIDS GET OVER THEIR FEAR OF READING OUT LOUD WITH A LITTLE BOOST FROM FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS.

THE CANINE LITERACY PROGRAM IS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR ELEMENTARY AGE STUDENTS.

IT LAUNCHED IN 2002 BY VOLUNTEERS FROM ORANGE COUNTY ANIMAL ALLIES.

THEY SAY THERAPY DOGS PROVIDE COMFORT TO STUDENTS, AND READING TO THEM INCREASES CONFIDENCE AND IMPROVES HEALTH.

>> SOME CHILDREN HAVE DIFFICULTY IN THE CLASSROOM, READING ALOUD.

THEY ARE AFRAID THEY ARE GOING TO BE JUDGED, THE KIDS ARE GOING TO LAUGH AT THEM.

DOGS PROVIDE A NONJUDGMENTAL ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN MAKE MISTAKES, THE DOG IS NOT GOING TO CORRECT THEM.>> THESE HIGHLY TRAINED PUPS PROVIDE ANXIETY RELIEF.

STUDIES SHOW PETTING A DOG CAN REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE.

OR A CAT, I HAVE TO SAY.

>>> HERE'S WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON TOMORROW.

THERE ARE A LOT OF HOMES ON THE MARKET, BUT THOSE THAT ARE FOR SALE ARE SELLING FAST.

MORNING EDITION WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE FACTORS KEEPING PRICES HOT.

AND KPBS MID-DAY EDITION HAS THE ROUNDUP OF ALL OF THE ARTS AND CULTURE EVENTS IN THE PREVIEW.

YOU CAN FIND THE STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US, I AM JOHN CARROLL.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS MID-DAY EDITION IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AIR RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 80 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.