FAMILY OF.

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KEY PBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN A POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU!

>> THE WEEK BEGINS WITH A NATIONAL HOLIDAY AS AMERICANS HONOR THE LATE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THE MLK LEGACY LIVES ON THROUGH SERVICE AND CELEBRATION AND THE ONGOING FIGHT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.

HERE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, THE EFFORT IS ESPECIALLY AGGRESSIVE IN EDUCATION.

TONIGHT, KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER MIKE CAP J PEREZ HAS MORE FROM THE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT WHICH STARTS THE NEW YEAR WITH THE NEW PERMANENT CHANCELLOR COMMITTED TO EVEN MORE DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

>> THE SAN DIEGO ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

PARADE ROLLED DOWN THE EMBARCADERO SUNDAY MORNING WITH A STRONG CONTINGENT OF COLLEGE STUDENTS LED BY THE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT'S ACTING CHANCELLOR, GREG SMITH.

NEXT WEEK, HE WILL TAKE THE PERMANENT POSITION WHEN THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS SET TO APPROVE HIS CONTRACT.

>> I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT THINGS THAT PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME HAVE CREATED.

>> SMITH IS DIRECT ABOUT DISCRIMINATION AND THE AMERICAN HISTORY THAT SO MANY POLITICIANS AND PUNDITS DISAGREE OVER RIGHT NOW WHEN IT COMES TO THE DISCUSSION OF SLAVERY, CIVIL RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR MARGINALIZED MINORITY COMMUNITIES WHO HAVE SUFFERED THE MOST.

>> I EXIST IN A CONTEXT WHERE HE MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN THE IN SLAVERY BUT I BENEFITED TREMENDOUSLY FROM THE RACIAL HIERARCHY.

IT IS UP TO ME TO TAKE A PROACTIVE ROLE IN SOLVING IT.

>> WE HAVE THE APPROVAL OF GREGORY SMITH TO SERVICE THE NEXT CHANCELLOR.

>> IN DECEMBER, THE DISTRICT BOARD PROMOTED SMITH FROM ACTING CHANCELLOR, A POSITION HE HELD SINCE LAST MARCH.

>> IT IS THE MOST REWARDING WORK ONE CAN UNDERTAKE.

>> SMITH STEPPED UP FROM HIS JOB AS HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES TO REPLACE PREVIOUS CHANCELLOR CARLOS CORTEZ WHO UNEXPECTEDLY RESIGNED FOR PERSONAL REASONS.

>> I WAS NOT EXPECTING THERE TO BE A READ NEED TO SERVE AS ACTING CHANCELLOR.

>> THE MOMENT HAS COME, LEADING A DISTRICT WITH THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS WHO COME FROM MARGINALIZED COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND WHO WANT EQUITY AND ACCESS AND AN AFFORDABLE EDUCATION STARTING AT THE INTERNATIONAL BORDER.

THE NEW YEAR BRINGS A NEW LAW WITH THE PILOT PROGRAM ALLOWING LOW INCOME STUDENTS LIVING WITHIN 45 MILES OF THE CALIFORNIA MEXICO BORDER TO ATTEND COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND NOT HAVE TO PAY MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE OUT-OF-STATE TUITION.

IT WORKS BOTH WAYS.

>> WE DROP A SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL BARRIER FOR MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO HAPPENED TO LIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BORDER AND THERE IS A RECIPROCAL AGREEMENT THAT COMES WITH IT.

THE RESIDENTS CAN GO TO INSTITUTIONS AND TAKE CLASSES THERE WITH A RESIDENT TUITION AS WELL.

>> SMITH WILL ADVOCATE FOR EVERY DOLLAR THE DISTRICT WILL GET FROM THE STATE BUDGET.

GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM'S NEW SPENDING PROPOSAL INCLUDES $60 MILLION FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO EXPAND THE NURSING PROGRAMS INCLUDING FOUR YEAR BACHELOR DEGREES.

AND THERE IS CONTINUED STATE SUPPORT FOR AFFORDABLE STUDENT HOUSING WHICH INCLUDES FUNDING FOR THE DISTRICT'S MIDRISE APARTMENT COMPLEX PLANNED AT THE CITY COLLEGE THROUGH A STATE LAOIS REVENUE BOND.

>> WE ARE CAPABLE OF CREATING THE CURRICULUM AND THE DEGREES THAT DEMONSTRATE THE VALUE TO SOCIETY THAT CAN HELP US RAISE A STANDARD OF LIVING WAGES ACROSS ALL INDUSTRIES AND IMPROVE THE EXPERIENCE WE HAVE IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> ALMOST 100,000 STUDENTS WILL BE SERVED BY THE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT THIS YEAR AT CITY, MESA, MIRAMAR AND THE SEVEN OTHER CAMPUSES OF THE COLLEGE OF CONTINUING EDUCATION.

THE SPRING SEMESTER STARTS JANUARY 29TH AND ENROLLMENT IS ALREADY UP 10% FROM LAST YEAR.

THIS MLK HOLIDAY MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA.

>> WHAT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IS A DISTRICT WHERE EVERY MEMBER, STUDENT AND EMPLOYEE AND COMMUNITY MEMBER COMING IN.

IT FEELS LIKE I CAN BE WHO I AUTHENTICALLY AM AND I WILL BELONG.

AND IN THAT, I CAN ACHIEVE SUCCESS.

>> THE DREAM COULD BE MUCH CLOSER TO REALITY THIS YEAR.

MJ PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS MORNING, ALLIANCE SAN DIEGO HELD ITS ANNUAL BREAKFAST TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

THE CELEBRATION AT A PARK INCLUDED SPEAKERS, MUSIC AND DANCE PERFORMANCES.

THIS SEDRO ORTIZ IS A PROFESSOR OF STUDIES AT SAN DIEGO STATE AND A BOARD MEMBER OF THE ALLIANCE.

>> THIS IS THE 36TH CELEBRATION OF THE ALL PEOPLE CELEBRATION.

IT BRINGS TOGETHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY FROM ALL THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE SHARED DUCT AT KING'S COMMITMENT TO EVERYTHING HE PRACTICED IN HIS LIFE.

>> THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS WAS DELIVERED BY ALICIA WARREN WHO WAS PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AGENCIES, PRESIDENT PRO TEM AT THE CALIFORNIA SENATE, ATKINS, RECEIVED THE EVENT'S HIGHEST AWARD FOR EXTRA ORDINARY PUBLIC SERVICE.

>>> LET'S LOOK AT THE SHORT- TERM.

RELATIVELY QUIET.

A BIT OF A PUSH OF AN OFFSHORE FLOW OF WIND AS WE WORK OUR WAY INTO TUESDAY MORNING.

OTHERWISE, CLOUDS AROUND AND PARTLY CLOUDY.

TEMPERATURES DROPPING INTO THE MID-40s.

WE WILL BE RELATIVELY MILD OR WILL WE SEE CHANGES?

THOSE DETAILS ARE COMING UP.

.

>>> MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THE U.S. ARE UNDER SOME LEVEL OF WINTER STORM OR WINDCHILL ALERTS.

MORE THAN HALF OF THE COUNTRY'S GRAPPLING WITH FREEZING TEMPERATURES EXPECTED TO HIT RECORD LEVELS TODAY.

WE HAVE MORE ON WHERE THE EXTREME CONDITIONS ARE AND WHERE THEY ARE HEADED NEXT.

>> A NATIONWIDE DEEP-FREEZE MIGHT BE PUTTING IT MILDLY CONSIDERING FORECASTERS PREDICT 80% OF THE POPULATION COULD EXPERIENCE SUBZERO TEMPERATURES OVER THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS AND MORE THAN 250 DAILY COLD RECORDS COULD FALL THROUGH TUESDAY.

>> WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH DAMAGE THE HOUSE GOT.

>> A WEEKEND STORM ACROSS PARTS OF NEW ENGLAND HAS SOME RESIDENTS RACING THE CLOCK TO SHORE UP DAMAGE AHEAD OF MORE FREEZING TEMPERATURES WHILE SEVILLE OR WINDCHILL ALERTS STRETCH BORDER TO BORDER ACROSS THE CENTRAL AND EASTERN U.S. WITH WINTER STORM AND BLIZZARD WARNINGS PEPPERING STATES IN THE WEST, GULF REGION, MIDATLANTIC AND PARTS OF THE GREAT LAKES.

IN BUFFALO, THE BILLS HAVE ASKED SOME FANS TO BRAVE THE BONE CHILLING CONDITIONS TO MAKE A LITTLE COLD HARD CASH, SHOVELING OUT HIGH MARK STADIUM AHEAD OF MONDAY'S PLAYOFF GAME.

>> I WILL STAY ALL NIGHT.

>> SNOW MIXED WITH SLEET AND EYES CAUSING POTENTIALLY LETHAL CONDITIONS FURTHER SOUTH IN STATES LIKE LOUISIANA AND ARKANSAS.

A MAN WAS KILLED SUNDAY ABOUT 60 MILES NORTHEAST OF LITTLE ROCK.

POLICE SAID THAT HIS TRUCK LEFT A SNOWY HIGHWAY AND HIT A TREE.

SNOW FLURRIES AND ICE ACCUMULATION ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN A CONCERN ALONG PARTS OF THE GULF AND INTO THE SOUTHEAST THROUGH MONDAY WITH A SYSTEM EVENTUALLY MOVING INTO THE NORTHEAST BY TUESDAY BRINGING SNOWFALL AGAIN TO MAJOR CITIES AND AIRPORT HUBS ALONG WITH IT.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> AFTER MONTHS OF CAMPAIGNING, TODAY IS THE DAY THAT VOTERS FINALLY HAVE THEIR SAY.

ALL EYES ON IOWA AS THE REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS HOPE THAT THEIR SUPPORTERS BRAVE THE ELEMENTS TO GET OUT AND VOTE.

WE HAVE THE DETAILS FROM DES MOINES.

>> FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEADING INTO CAUCUS NIGHT BUT HE IS STILL URGING SUPPORTERS TO SHOW UP IN HOPES OF MEETING OR EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS.

>> YOU CAN'T SIT AT HOME.

IF YOU ARE SICK AS A DOG.

EVEN IF YOU VOTE AND PASS AWAY, IT IS WORTH IT.

>> TRUMP MAINTAINS A COMMANDING LEAD IN THE HAWKEYE STATE.

PULLING AT 48% IN THIS WEEKEND'S DES MOINES REGISTER.

>> MEANWHILE, FORMER UNITED NATIONS AMBASSADOR NIKKI HALEY AND FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS BATTLE IT OUT TO SEE WHO CAN EMERGE AS THE LEADING ALTERNATIVE TO TRUMP.

NIKKI HALEY HAS BEEN ON AN UPWARD TRAJECTORY, BOTH IN IOWA AND NEW HAMPSHIRE WERE VOTERS HEAD TO THE POLLS NEXT WEEK.

>> WHAT I AM GOING TO SAY IS THAT THE MOMENTUM AND THE ENERGY ON THE GROUND IS STRONG.

WE FEEL IT.

WE KNOW IT IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> DESPITE GOING ALL IN ON IOWA VISITING ALL 99 COUNTIES AND RECEIVING A RARE ENDORSEMENT FROM THE STATE'S GOVERNOR, RON DESANTIS TOOK THIRD IN THE RECENT IOWA POLL.

THE FLORIDA GOVERNOR IS BRUSHING OFF NUMBERS AND EXPRESSING CONFIDENCE IN HIS BASE.

>> THERE ARE ONLY TWO POSSIBLE NOMINEES.

DONALD TRUMP OR GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS.

WE ARE THE ONLY ONES WITH STRONG SUPPORT AMONG BEDROCK REPUBLICAN CONSERVATIVE VOTERS.

>> REPORTING IN DES MOINES, KPBS.

>>> TODAY'S THE THIRD MONDAY OF JANUARY.

ALSO KNOWN AS BLUE MONDAY.

IT IS SUPPOSEDLY THE MOST DEPRESSING DAY OF THE YEAR.

WHILE RESEARCH HAS IMPROVED THAT, MANY PEOPLE WE ARE TOLD FEEL SAD OR EXPERIENCE SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.

MANDY GAITHER HAS SIMPLE WAYS TO COPE WITH THESE FEELINGS.

>>> IT IS AFTER THE HOLIDAYS.

THE DAYS ARE SHORTER AND DARKER.

PERHAPS YOU ARE FEELING AT NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS.

THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT CAN MAKE US SAD OR WORSEN DEPRESSION SYMPTOMS THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS I LOVE ABOUT BLUE MONDAY IS THAT IT GETS US TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS A VERY REAL PROBLEM.

PEOPLE GET SAD AND DEPRESSED.

>> THIS PSYCHIATRIST WITH THE OHIO STATE MEDICAL CENTER SAID THAT THOSE DEALING WITH SEASONAL DEPRESSION MAY HAVE SYMPTOMS THAT CAN START IN LATE FALL AND LAST INTO FEBRUARY AND BEYOND.

THEY CAN INCLUDE FEELING SAD, IRRITABLE OR GUILTY.

YOU MAY LOSE INTEREST IN THINGS HE USED TO LOVE, HAVE LOWER ENERGY OR EXPERIENCE CHANGES IN SLEEP OR APPETITE.

>> I TELL PEOPLE THAT IF THEY ARE NOTICING THESE ISSUES, DON'T JUST THINK IT'S BECAUSE IT IS MONDAY AND YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DEPRESSED.

GET HELP.

>> THEY SAY WAYS TO COPE INCLUDE EXERCISING REGULARLY, EATING WELL, GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP, STAYING CONNECTED WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND INCREASING EXPOSURE TO LIGHT.

>> HAVE THOSE HABITS.

PART OF IT IS THAT WE NEED HELP WITH MEDICATIONS OR WE NEED THERAPY TO GET US THROUGH.

>> FOR YOUR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>> IF YOU ARE A LOVED ONE IS EXPRESSING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, YOU CAN GET HELP BY CALLING OR TEXTING 988.

THAT IS THE SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE AND IT IS AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY.

>>> SAILORS AT NAVY MEDICAL CENTER SAN DIEGO TOOK TIME TO OBSERVE THE MARTIN LUTHER KING HOLIDAY.

OUR KPBS MILITARY REPORTER ANDREW DYER HAS MORE ON WHAT THE OBSERVANCE MEANS TO THEM.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ME TO HONOR THE MEMORY AND TO MARTIN LUTHER KING BY CONTINUING TO FIGHT FOR SOCIAL CHANGE.

>> THIS IS A SENIOR ENLISTED LEADER AT THE NAVY MEDICAL CENTER.

SHE TALKED ABOUT THE ONGOING FIGHT FOR EQUAL RIGHTS AND A SPEECH TO STAFF PURCHASES IT IS IMPORTANT TO PAUSE AND RECOGNIZE THE WORK OF CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS SUCH AS KING.

>> THE FIGHT FOR ONE RACE IS A FIGHT FOR ALL.

>> BECAUSE IT IS A BUSY HOSPITAL WITH A FULL SCHEDULE, THE OBSERVANCE WAS FAIRLY SHORT.

THERE WAS ALSO A WREATH LAYING CEREMONY AND OBSERVED A MOMENT OF SILENCE AHEAD OF THE HOLIDAY WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN KING'S 95TH BIRTHDAY.

THE MEDICAL CENTER DIRECTOR SAID THAT THERE ARE SAILORS WORKING AT THE HOSPITAL FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD AND WITH DIFFERENT FAITH AND ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS.

A TIME WHEN DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION ARE IN THE POLITICAL CROSSHAIRS, SHE SAYS THAT THE DIVERSITY MAKES IT STRONGER.

>> WE ARE A VERY DIVERSE GROUP OF PEOPLE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY AND IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THAT.

>> MANY PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO ENJOY THREE OR FOUR DAY WEEKENDS BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY.

THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE AT A 24/7 HOSPITAL.

THEY SAY THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO CELEBRATE AND EVERYBODY WILL GET TIME OFF TO DO SO.

>> IT MIGHT NOT BE THE EXACT THREE DAYS OR FOUR DAYS.

HAVING THE EVENT TODAY GIVES THOSE OF US THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND ON CITE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME TOGETHER AND BE ABLE TO CELEBRATE HIS LEGACY.

>> MORE THAN 6000 SAILORS AND CIVILIANS WORK AT THE NAVY MEDICAL CENTER.

ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE CHILDCARE WORKFORCE IS LED MOSTLY BY WOMEN OF COLOR.

NEW DATA FROM THE STATE DETAILS THE INDUSTRY'S CURRENT REALITY.

OUR KPBS REPORTER, TANYA THORNE, SAID DESPITE THE STATE'S RECENT INVESTMENTS, MANY PROVIDERS ARE GETTING BY WITHOUT A SALARY OR BENEFITS.

>> REPORTER: DATA SHOWING THE EXPERIENCE OF HEALTH 20'S CHILDCARE WORKERS PAINTS A GRIM PICTURE.

>> IT GIVES REALLY STARK EVIDENCE ABOUT WHAT CHILDCARE PROVIDERS ARE EXPERIENCING ACROSS THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO AND ACROSS THE STATE.

THE FACT THAT THE MAJORITY OF THEM DON'T HAVE HEALTHCARE BENEFITS, THE FACT THAT A VERY SLIM FEW HAVE RETIREMENT PLANS.

>> THIS IS THE DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY FOR THE SAN DIEGO YMCA.

SHE SAID THAT 73% OF PROVIDERS STATEWIDE REPORTED NOT PAYING THEMSELVES A SALARY.

IT IS OFTEN BECAUSE THEY NEED TO MAINTAIN STAFF IN THEIR PROGRAMS.

>> FOR THOSE WHO DID PAY THEMSELVES, THE AVERAGE SALARY IS LESS THAN $30,000 A YEAR.

>> THIS IS A WORKFORCE THAT HAS REALLY BEEN DEVELOPED ON THE BACKS OF WOMEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR.

AND WHEN WE THINK ABOUT SUCCESSION PLANNING FOR THE WORKFORCE, IT IS JUST NOT HAPPENING AND IT IS NOT THERE.

>> THE STATE BUDGET DEFICIT FUELS CONCERNS THAT CHILDCARE FUNDING COULD BE CUT.

THEY SAY THAT THAT DID NOT HAPPEN THIS YEAR.

BUT IT DOES NOT CHANGE THE OVERALL CRISIS.

FAMILIES STRUGGLE WITH ACCESSING CHILDCARE AND PROVIDER WAGES ARE VERY LOW.

>> THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT WE NEED TO GET MORE FUNDING INTO THE SYSTEM TO CLOSE THE GAP BETWEEN WHAT PARENTS CAN PAY AND WHAT SUBSIDY CURRENTLY PAYS AND WHAT THE COST OF TRUE QUALITY CARE REALLY LOOKS LIKE.

CURRENTLY, THE GAP IS FILLED.

>> SHE HOPES GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM WILL CONTINUE HONORING THE REQUEST OF THE CHILDCARE PROVIDER UNION.

>> WHICH DOES INCLUDE COMPREHENSIVE REFORM AND LOOKS AT REALLY MODERNIZING THE ALGORITHM OF HOW SUBSIDIES ARE PAID.

WE GET THAT RATE COMPARABLE TO 2024.

AND REALLY START HONORING THE HIGH COST OF LIVING IN OUR STATE.

THEY ALSO HAVE ASKED THAT INCLUDE HEALTHCARE AND RETIREMENT PACKAGES.

SO REALLY GETTING THE WORKFORCE TO THE PLACE THAT MANY OTHER INDUSTRIES HAVE ALREADY COMMITTED TO.

>> LAST YEAR, THE UNION REPRESENTING OVER 40,000 CHILDCARE PROVIDERS IN CALIFORNIA WON IN $2.1 BILLION DEAL WITH THE STATE.

INCLUDED THE LARGEST PAY RATE TO DATE IN THE FIRST RETIREMENT FUND FOR UNIONIZED CHILDCARE WORKERS.

BUT THE ROLL OUT OF DEAL HAS BEEN SLOW AND PROVIDERS ARE STRUGGLING TO KEEP UP WITH THE COST OF LIVING WHILE PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICE FOR THE CHILDREN OF WORKING PARENTS.

TANYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>> THE HIGH-SPEED RAIL CONNECTING LAS VEGAS TO CALIFORNIA IS FINALLY HAPPENING.

UNIONS ARE GETTING READY TO HIRE THOUSANDS OF WORKERS TO WORK ON THE BRIGHT LINE HIGH- SPEED RAIL.

THE WORK WILL GET UNDERWAY THIS SUMMER.

JACLYN SCHOLZ HAS THE LATEST.

>> LAY ALL THE GROUND WORK AND MAKE SURE WE ARE GOOD.

EVERY CRAFT HAS THEIR POSITION.

IT IS MUCH LIKE FOOTBALL.

>> THIS IS WHERE THE WORK WILL START.

THE PLOT OF LAND OFF OF LAS VEGAS BOULEVARD SET TO BE THE FUTURE HOME OF THE LAS VEGAS BRIGHTLINE STATION.

THE 218-MILE PROJECT CONNECTING THE VALLEY TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA NEEDS AN ARMY OF WORKERS TO GET DONE A FOUR YEARS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR CAME TO TOWN TO MEET WITH NEVADA AND CALIFORNIA TRADE UNIONS WITH THE PLAN TO HIRE 11,000 PEOPLE.

>> FOR SOUTHERN NEVADA, WE ARE LOOKING AT ROUGHLY 3000.

F1 HAS COME AND GONE.

WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR SOMETHING BIG TO COME AND THIS IS IT.

>> IN DECEMBER, PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED $3 BILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE PROJECT.

AND THAT MONEY MADE THINGS MOVE.

UNIONS IN SOUTHERN NEVADA AND CALIFORNIA WILL START HIRING.

THIS SUMMER, NEVADA WORKERS WILL START AT THE FUTURE STATION AND MAKE THEIR WAY AROUND 50 MILES TO THE STATE LINE WORKING EIGHT HOUR SHIFTS.

THE LAYOUT WOMAN IN THE CONSTRUCTION IN THE PROJECT BUT WITH A MUCH MORE NARROW FOOTPRINT.

IN CALIFORNIA, TRADE UNIONS THERE SAY SOON THEY WILL START WORK ON MULTIPLE SITES AT ONCE.

EVENTUALLY, NEVADA AND CALIFORNIA TEAMS WILL MEET AND CONNECT.

THE GOAL IS TO MAKE IT A REALITY BY SUMMER OF 2028 WHEN THE OLYMPICS COME TO LA.

THE COMMISSIONER WHO HAS BEEN PUSHING THE PROJECT FOR YEARS SAY THERE IS NO MORE RED TAPE FOR WORKERS TO BEGIN.

>> LAND USE ISSUES FOR THE STATION AND THE RAIL LINE ARE TAKEN CARE OF.

RIGHTS-OF-WAY ISSUES HAVE BEEN RESOLVED.

THERE IS SO MUCH GROUND WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO THIS PROJECT THAT NOW IT TRULY IS SHOVEL READY TO BUILD WHAT IS MOST EXCITING TRANSPORTATION PROJECT IN THE UNITED STATES RIGHT NOW.

>>> A NEW STUDY FROM UCLA SHOWS ALL OF THE ELECTRIC SCOOTERS ARE ZIPPING AROUND THE METRO AREAS ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND COME WITH A PUBLIC HEALTH COST.

OUR KPBS REPORTER THOMAS FUDGE TELLS US ABOUT THE DRAMATIC RISE IN HOSPITALIZATIONS BECAUSE OF SCOOTER INJURIES.

>> THIS EARLIER STUDY LED BY UC SAN DIEGO SHOW SIGNIFICANT JUMP IN HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS BECAUSE OF MOTORIZED SCOOTERS BETWEEN 2017, AND 2018.

BUT THAT ONLY LOOKED AT 100 CASES.

THE UCLA RESEARCHERS LOOKED AT NATIONWIDE STATS AND CONFIRMED THE TREND.

THEY FOUND THE INCREASING POPULARITY OF SCOOTERS CAUSED SCOOTER RELATED HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS TO GO WAY UP BETWEEN 2016 AND 2020.

>> THERE ARE MANY STUDIES WITH SCOOTER INJURIES RECENTLY.

STUDIES UNIQUELY SHOW THERE WERE NEARLY NO FOURFOLD INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HOSPITALIZATIONS BECAUSE OF THESE INJURIES AND.

>> THE SEVERITY OF THE SCOOTER INJURIES AND THE COST OF TREATING THEM HAVE ALSO INCREASED.

THE HEALTHCARE COSTS HAVE GONE UP BY A FACTOR OF FIVE.

THE STUDY COMPARED SCOOTER ACCIDENTS TO BIKE ACCIDENTS.

A CO-AUTHOR OF THE STUDY SAID THAT SCOOTER ACCIDENTS WERE MORE LIKELY TO HARM JUVENILES AND CAUSE BROKEN ARMS AND LEGS.

>> A HIGHER RATE OF BONE INJURIES REQUIRED INTERVENTIONS AND THEN ALSO HAD HIGHER RATES OF PARALYSIS.

>> BIKE INJURIES, HOWEVER, WERE MORE NUMEROUS AND MORE LIKELY TO BE DEADLY.

THEY SAID THIS IS PROBABLY BECAUSE BIKES MORE OFTEN SURE THE ROAD WITH MOVING CARS PICK THE AD THAT THE CHALLENGE OF SOLVING THE SCOOTER PROBLEM SHOULD FALL INTO PUBLIC POLICY AND TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT.

>> INFRASTRUCTURE IS NOT SET UP FOR SCOOTER RIDERS TO COHABITATE PEACEFULLY WITH DRIVERS AND PEDESTRIANS AS WELL.

I THINK ULTIMATELY, POLICY CHANGES WILL BE THE BEST WAY TO TAKE CARE OF THESE PATIENTS MOVING FORWARD TO REDUCE THEIR INJURY A BURDEN.

>> THE UCLA STUDY QUOTED TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS WHO SIT IN ONE YEAR FROM 2018 UNTIL 2019, THE U.S.

SAW 130% INCREASE IN SCOOTER RIDERSHIP.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THAT LOOKS LIKE OUR CHURCH A RELATIVELY QUIET CONDITIONS COULD CONTINUE OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

A BREEZY START ON TUESDAY.

ESPECIALLY WHERE THE HIGHER TERRAIN WITH THE OFFSHORE FLOW WIND IS.

CHANGES COULD START A LITTLE BIT LATER ON AS WE GET INTO THE UPCOMING WEEKEND.

MORE ON THAT AND JUST A MOMENT.

A QUIET NIGHT SETTING UP FROM OCEANSIDE TO CHULA VISTA AS WE DROP INTO THE 40s.

36, THE MOUNTAINS.

LAGUNA, RELATIVELY NICE SETTING UP.

THE NEXT WEATHER MAKER WILL BE OFF TO THE NORTH.

WE NOTICE THE ENERGY IMPACTING NORTHERN AREAS ALONG READING AND ALONG INTERSTATE FIVE.

IT WILL BE SUNNY AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TEMPERATURES IN THE MID-60s.

MOUNT LAGUNA IS TAPPING OUT INTO THE UPPER 40S.

ON WEDNESDAY, WHAT IS LEFT MOISTURIZED OF THE SYSTEM IS GOING TO MAKE ITS WAY DOWN TOWARD FRESNO BUT FALL SHORT OF BRINGING ANY WET CONDITIONS INTO THE AREA.

HERE IS ANOTHER VANTAGE POINT OF THAT SAGGING ITS WAY SOUTH AND THEN MOST OF THE ENERGY SLIDES ITS WAY EAST.

WE CAN SEE AN UPTICK IN THE CLOUD COVERAGE HERE AS WE WORK OUR WAY DOWN THE ROAD HEADING INTO WEDNESDAY.

OTHERWISE, QUIET.

AND THEN THE WEEKEND CHANGES, WE COULD SEE PRECIPITATION MOVING IN BY THE TIME WE GET INTO FRIDAY NIGHT AND INTO SATURDAY.

OVER THE ANTERIOR VALLEY, 70 THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

AND WE COULD SEE CHANGES AS WE WORK OUR WAY DOWN THE ROAD.

THAT HOLDS TRUE FOR THE MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AS WELL.

THE WARMEST YEAR ON TUESDAY AND WE COME DOWN WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY OVER THE DESERT.

AND THEN THEY GO BACK UP WEDNESDAY INTO THURSDAY.

CLOUDS ON THE INCREASE BY SATURDAY.

FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> A SAN FRANCISCO NONPROFIT IS HELPING FORMER INMATES AND OTHERS OVERCOMING OBSTACLES IN LIFE BECOME SHIPS.

BUT THE ORGANIZATION HAS ALSO BECOME A MAJOR HOTSPOT FOR THOSE WHO ARE FOOD INSECURE.

WE SEE THE OPERATION.

>> GROWING UP, DEVON JORDAN HAD A LOT ON HIS PLATE.

BUT THESE DAYS, HE IS ABLE TO DEAL WITH WHATEVER LIFE DISHES OUT.

>> AFTER BEING IN AND OUT OF PRISON FOR VARIOUS OFFENSES FOR A TOTAL OF 16 YEARS, DEVON SUDDENLY FOUND HIMSELF ON THE OUTSIDE WITH LITTLE TO NO PROSPECTS.

>> NOBODY IS WILLING TO GIVE ME A SHOUT BECAUSE OF MY PAST.

>> BUT THEN HE STUMBLED ON A PLACE CALLED "FARMING HOPE" AND WENT FROM SERVING TIME, TO SERVING MEALS.

>> THEY GAVE ME A SHOT HERE AND ACCEPTED ME INTO THE CULINARY ARTS AND THAT REIGNITED MY PASSION.

>> TODAY, HE IS A CHEF IN CHARGE OF CATERING A THREE- COURSE MANY THAT COULD EASILY RIVAL SOME OF THE BAY AREA'S MOST POPULAR HOTSPOTS.

>> WE HAVE THE THREE CHEESE MACARONI AND CHEESE TOPPED WITH BREADCRUMBS.

THEN A GARLIC CRESTED ROAST BEEF WITH A VEGETABLE GRAVY AND ROASTED VEGETABLES.

AND THEN WE HAVE THE OLIVE OIL CAKE WITH HOMEMADE WHIPPED CREAM TOPPED WITH FRESH POMEGRANATE.

>> EVEN THOUGH IT MAY LOOK LIKE A RESTAURANT, IT IS NOT.

FARMING HOPE IS A NONPROFIT TRAINING PROGRAM THAT HELPS PEOPLE WHO HAVE EITHER BEEN INCARCERATED, HOMELESS OR WHO ARE SURVIVORS OF VIOLENT CRIME.

CARRIE ROGERS IS THE COEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

>> WHEN YOU ARE OVERCOMING OBSTACLES IN YOUR LIFE AND TRYING TO MOVE ON TO NEXT CHAPTER AND REENTER THE WORKFORCE, YOU MAY BE THE LAST PERSON CALLED BACK FOR A JOB INTERVIEW OR NEVER CALLED BACK.

>> THE MEALS ARE FREE.

EVERY CUSTOMER IS FOOD INSECURE.

THE ONLY PAYMENT ACCEPTED IN THIS PLACE IS A THANK YOU.

REBECCA NICHOLS CAME HERE WITH HER GREAT-GRANDSON.

SHE SAYS LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME LEAVES LITTLE MONEY FOR EATING OUT.

>> IT IS AN ELEGANT DINNER WITH TABLE CLOTHS.

>> FOR DEVON, IT IS A DREAM COME TRUE.

>> I GET TO DO WHAT I LOVE FOR A PASSION AND I'M ALSO HELPING PEOPLE.

>> IT IS A REMINDER THAT SOMETIMES ALL IT TAKES TO CHANGE A LIFE IS A HELPING HAND AND A DELICIOUS MEAL SERVED WITH A SIDE OF REDEMPTION.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

HAVE A GOOD EVENING!

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING ADDITION IS MADE IN PART BY BILL HOWE, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 800-BILL-HOWE.

AND BY THE CONRAD TRAVIS FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCO SHYLY AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU!