>>> 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 REMODELLING SERVICES OVER 40 YEARS.

VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBIS FOUNDATION.

DARLENE MARCO SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

♪ ♪ >>> NEW DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CROSS-BORDER POLLUTION CRISIS.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

A HUGE STEP FORWARD TODAY IN THE YEARS-LONG PROCESS OF REHABILITATING AND EXPANDING THE SOUTH BAY INTERNATIONAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.

KPBS REPORTER IS LIVE NEAR THE PLANT THAT BROUGHT OFFICIALS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER TO THE PLANT.

JOHN.

>> Reporter: THAT'S RIGHT, MAYA.

MEMBERS OF SAN DIEGO'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ALONG WITH OTHER FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL OFFICIALS AND OFFICIALS FROM MEXICO ALL GATHERED HERE TODAY, THIS AFTERNOON TO CELEBRATE THE BEGINNING OF A MAJOR PROJECT.

THE FIXING, REHABILITATING AND EXPANSION OF THIS ALL-IMPORTANT PLANT.

NOW, BEFORE WE EVER EVEN GOT ON TO THE GROUNDS THIS AFTERNOON OF THE PLANT, WE RAN INTO SOME PROTESTERS THAT WERE OUT THERE MAKING THEIR CONCERNS KNOWN, AND LET'S SEE IF I CAN -- WELL, OKAY.

THEY WERE MAKING THEIR CONCERNS KNOWN THAT THEY'RE VERY UPSET AND DISAPPOINTED ABOUT WHY THIS IS TAKING SO LONG, AND YOU'LL FORGIVE ME.

MY IPT HAS JUST DISAPPEARED INTO THIN AIR.

THERE WE GO.

THEY WERE VERY UPSET ABOUT THE PACE OF FIXING THIS STINKY, HAZARDOUS SITUATION.

INSIDE, A MUCH MORE CELEBRATORY MOOD AS OFFICIALS DROPPED A BANNER REVEALING A SIGN THAT DETAILS THE VARIOUS PHASES OF THIS PROJECT.

FIRST PHASE, $42.5 MILLION, WHICH IS THE DESIGN PORTION OF THE PROJECT.

THAT BEGINS NOW.

TWO MORE PHASES WILL FOLLOW.

IN ALL, $600 MILLION WORTH OF WORK.

IN THE MAXIMUM TIMELINE FOR THIS WHOLE THING IS FIVE YEARS, THOUGH OFFICIALS SAID TODAY THAT BY USING A PROGRESSIVE DESIGN/BUILD APPROACH IT COULD BE REDUCED BY 18 MONTHS.

WHILE TODAY'S EVENT CERTAINLY SIGNALS A MAJOR POSITIVE STEP FORWARD, IMPERIAL BEACH MAYOR PALOMA AGUIRRE IS STILL NOT THRILLED WITH HOW THINGS ARE GOING DOWN HERE.

SHE TOLD US SHE IS ESPECIALLY DISAPPOINTED IN GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM WHO WAS DOWN HERE YESTERDAY VISITING A PROJECT ON THE MEXICAN SIDE OF THE BORDER, MEANT TO STEM SOME OF THE POLLUTION GENERATED IN TIJUANA.

>> I WISH HE WOULD HAVE HEARD THE STORIES, FIRSTHAND STORIES FROM OUR FAMILIES, THE STORIES LIKE MATT HENRY WHO HAS TO PUT HIS SIX KIDS TO SLEEP IN MASKS BECAUSE THE SMELL IS SO, SO PUNGENT INSIDE HIS HOME.

IT IS NOT JUST THE PHYSICAL AILMENTS, IT IS THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS THAT ARE SEEING THEIR SAVINGS, LIFE SAVINGS GO UP IN SMOKE BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF VISITORS TAKE WE'RE SEEING.

>> Reporter: NOW, MAYOR AGUIRRE SAYS SHE DOESN'T WANT TO TAKE AWAY FROM ANY OF THE POSITIVE, CELEBRATORY MOOD DOWN HERE TODAY, BUT SHE ONCE AGAIN REMINDED US THAT FIXING THE TREATMENT PLANT IS ONLY PART OF THE ISSUE OWN HERE.

THE OTHER, LARGER ISSUE SHE SAYS, IS THE HAZARDOUS WASTE THAT GETS INTO THE AIR ALONG WITH THE STINK COMING FROM THE POLLUTION IN THE TIJUANA RIVER, AND SHE IS ONCE AGAIN -- SHE SAYS NO ONE HAS TOLD HER HOW THEY'RE GOING TO FIX THAT, AND SHE IS ONCE AGAIN CALLING ON GOVERNOR NEWSOM AND THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO DECLARE A STATE OF EMERGENCY HERE TO HELP SPEED THINGS ALONG.

WE'RE LIVE DOWN ON THE BORDER, JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

MAYA.

>>> CONSTRUCTION HAS STARTED ON A NEW AND IMPROVED DOUBLE-TRACK BRIDGE FOR TRAINS BETWEEN CARLSBAD AND ENCINITAS.

KPBS REPORTER SAYS THE NEW BRIDGE IS EXPENSIVE BUT IT COMES WITH MULTIPLE BENEFITS.

>> Reporter: AT THE PICTURESQUE WETLANDS WHERE LAND MEETS SEA, CONSTRUCTION CREWS HAVE STARTED TO DIG IN ON THE LAGOON DOUBLE-TRACK PROJECT IN NORTH COUNTY.

IT IS A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN CALTRANS AND THE SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS TO REPLACE AN OLD WOODEN BRIDGE.

DAVID CORTES IS SAN DIKE'S DIRECTOR OF CONSTRUCTION AND ENGINEERING.

>> THE PROCESS WE ARE UNDERTAKING IS BUILDING A PLATFORM FOR THE EQUIPMENT TO START BUILDING A NEW BRIDGE THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT AT THE LAGOON.

IT IS GOING TO REPLACE AN 85-YEAR-OLD BRIDGE, A SINGLE TRACK, WITH A DOUBLE-TRACK, MODERN CONCRETE BRIDGE.

>> Reporter: IT WILL ADD NEARLY A MILE OF NEW DOUBLE TRACK, MEANING TRAINS CAN TRAVEL IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS AT THE SAME TIME.

THE CURRENT SINGLE TRACK IS ONE OF MANY AREAS THAT CREATES A BOTTLENECK FOR TRAINS TRAVELING IN SAN DIEGO, SAYS NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT'S MARY DOVER.

>> THE IMPROVEMENTS, THE DOUBLE TRACKING TO THE RAILROAD WILL ALLOW US TO INCREASE FREQUENCIES, FOR COASTER AND ADDITIONALLY FOR AMTRAK AND FREIGHT AS WELL.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE PROJECT WILL IMPROVE SERVICE RELIABILITY AND LONG-TERM RESILIENCY TO SEA LEVEL RISE.

IT IS ALSO DESIGNED TO IMPROVE TIDAL FLOW FOR LOCAL WILDLIFE.

IN THE MEANTIME, CORTES SAYS THERE SHOULD BE MINIMAL SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS.

>> WE ARE GOING TO BUILD IT PARALLEL TO THE EXISTING BRIDGE, AND THE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE WE HAVE TO KEEP THE TRAINS GOING AS SCHEDULED.

>> Reporter: THE $166 MILLION LAGOON PROJECT IS FUNDED BY A COMBINATION OF STATE AND LOCAL FUNDS, INCLUDING THE REGIONAL HALF CENT SALES TAX FOR TRANSPORTATION, ADMINISTERED BY SAN DIKE.

IT IS ONE OF FIVE DOUBLE-TRACKING PROJECTS THEY'RE ACTIVELY PLANNING.

CORTES THE OTHER TOP PRIORITY INCLUDE FROM OLANO BEACH TO NORTH SIDE.

>> IT WILL LINK THE EVENTS PLATFORM FOR THE DEL MAR FAIR, AND THEN A PROJECT THAT WE CALL EAST BROOK TO SHELL, WHICH IS A LITTLE BIT COMPLICATED.

>> Reporter: THE MAJORITY OF THE WORK IS EXPECTED TO TAKE PLACE DURING THE DAYTIME ON WEEKDAYS, AND IT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 2028.

JACOB AYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I'M MARIELA SO LEASE, COMING UP, TURNING COOLER WITH TEMPERATURES DROPPING TO THE 50s.

COULD BE AREAS OF FROST ACROSS THE HIGH DESERT.

WE WILL BE DRYING OUT AFTER WET WEATHER, BUT WHEN WILL OUR NEXT CHANCES OF PRECIPITATION MOVE BACK IN?

I WILL HAVE THAT COMING UP TONIGHT.

♪ ♪ >>> FEDERAL AUTHORITIES ARE SEARCHING FOR THE PERSON WHO SET BALLOT BOXES ON FIRE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.

THE ATTACKS ARE AMONG A NUMBER OF INCIDENTS IN RECENT WEEKS INFLAMING CONCERNS OF ELECTION AND VOTER INTERFERENCE.

LAURA AGUIRRE BRINGS US MORE ON WHAT STATES ARE DOING TO SECURE THEIR COUNTS.

>> Reporter: THERE'S BEEN AT LEAST THREE FIRES SO FAR, ONE IN PORTLAND, OREGON, AND TWO IN VANCOUVER, WASHINGTON.

THE FIRE IN VANCOUVER DESTROYED HUNDREDS OF BALLOTS SAY STATE ELECTION OFFICIALS WHILE THE FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM ON THE PORTLAND BOX MINIMIZED DAMAGE THERE.

INVESTIGATORS FOUND INCENDIARY DEVICES THEY SAY CONNECT THE FIRES.

THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A SUSPECT VEHICLE WITH AN UNKNOWN TAG NUMBER AND MISSING FRONT PLATE.

CITY AND ELECTION OFFICIALS SAY THEY'RE BUMPING UP POLICE PATROLS AND ENHANCING SECURITY AROUND THEIR BALLOT BOXES GOING FORWARD.

SOME STATES LIKE NEVADA ARE TOUTING NEW TECHNOLOGY TO BETTER PROTECT THE PROCESS.

>> EVERY MAIL BALLOT HAS AN INDIVIDUAL TRACKER BAR CODE ON IT.

>> Reporter: POLL WORKER SAFETY ALSO A HIGH PRIORITY.

>> WE PASSED THE ELECTION PROTECTOR BILL WHICH MADE IT A FELONY TO HARASS OR INTIMIDATE ELECTION WORKERS.

>> Reporter: ARIZONA HAS INVESTED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO SECURING ITS TABULATION CENTERS.

>> WE HAVE ADDED NEW FENCING, BADGING.

WE'VE TAKEN OTHER MEASURES TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS SAFE AND THEY CAN FOCUS ON THEIR IMPORTANT JOBS.

>> Reporter: A JOB ALREADY UNDERWAY WITH MILLIONS OF PEOPLE VOTING EARLY IN MOST STATES.

>> SO GET IN YOUR VOTE NOW AND THEN JUST HAVE A SEAT ON ELECTION NIGHT AND WATCH THE RETURNS COME IN.

>> Reporter: I'M LAURA AGUIRRE FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> IN RESPONSE TO THE FIRES WE ASKED SAN DIEGO ELECTION OFFICIALS ABOUT WHAT IS BEING DONE LOCALLY TO PROTECT BALLOTS LEADING TO ELECTION DAY.

THEY SAY THE COUNTY REGISTRARS DROP BOXES ARE DESIGNED TO BE SAFE AND SECURE.

>> THIS GRADE OF STAINLESS STEEL CAN RESIST SCALING AT VERY HIGH TEMPERATURES, ABOVE 1,800 DEGREES.

THEY ARE ALSO WEATHER RESISTANT AND FIRE SUPPRESS ANT.ANT.

THE DOORS HAVE WEATHER STRIPPING AND ALL OF THE SEAMS ARE SEALED, LIMITING THE OXYGEN INSIDE THAT COULD SUSTAIN A FIRE.

>> Reporter: BALLOT RETRIEVAL TEAMS INSPECT DROP BOXES FOR SIGNS OF DAMAGE OR TAMPERING DURING THEIR DAILY PICKUPS.

THE REGISTRAR HAS RECEIVED MORE THAN 530,000 BALLOTS SO FAR, ABOUT 30% OF THOSE WERE DROPPED OFF AT DROP BOXES.

THE FIRST BATCH OF ELECTION NIGHT RESULTS WILL INCLUDE MAIL-IN BATTLE RECEIVED PRIOR TO ELECTION DAY PLUS THE TEN DAYS OF EARLY VOTING.

RESULTS WILL BE UPDATED AS ELECTION DAY VOTES ARE PROCESSED.

YOU CAN FIND THE LOCATION OF BALLOT CENTERS AND DROP BOXES ON SDDROPBOX.COM.

IN A FEW MINUTES WE WILL DISCUSS THE DISINFORMATION BEING SPREAD AND WHY IT IS EXPECTED TO INTENSIFY.

>>> A SOUTHBOUND HIGH SCHOOL IS USING THIS YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION TO MAKE THE CONCEPT OF DEMOCRACY MORE CONCRETE.

KPBS REPORTER MELISSA MAY INTRODUCES US TO SOME FUTURE VOTERS WORKING TO GET OUT THE VOTE.

>> Reporter: AS PART OF THEIR HUMANITIES CLASS PROJECT, 48 HIGH-TECH HIGH CHULA VISTA STUDENTS HOSTED A VOTING FAIR.

>> YOU CAN LOOK AT THE TABLES.

WE TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENT PROPOSITIONS YOU CAN VOTE FOR AS WELL AS DIFFERENT PEOPLE LIKE MAYORS.

>> Reporter: AN 11th GRADER SAYS THIS CLASS TAUGHT HIM THAT HIS VOTE WILL MATTER.

>> I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE PROJECT BECAUSE I GOT TO BE EDUCATED MORE ON WHAT I CAN VOTE FOR AS AN ADULT WHEN I TURN 18 IN THE NEXT YEAR.

>> Reporter: TEACHING THE CLASS, HE SAYS USING THE ELECTION AS A LESSON MAKES THE SUBJECT LESS ABSTRACT.

>> TO SEE U.S. HISTORY IN THE CURRENT ELECTION REALLY HELPS IT COME ALIVE AND MAKE WILL RELEVANT FOR OUR STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH TAKING A DEEP DIVE INTO THE UPCOMING ELECTION, THE STUDENTS ALSO LEARNED ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF SOCIOPOLITICAL CONSCIOUSNESS.

>> THIS IDEA OF HOW CAN WE MOVE AWAY FROM BLAMING INDIVIDUALS TO BLAMING THE SYSTEM AND THINKING ABOUT HOW THE ELECTIONS RELATE TO THAT CONCEPT AS WELL.

>> BLAMING THE SYSTEM THAT'S IN PLACE THAT IN TURN KIND OF MAKES -- DEFERS AND MAKES THE KIDS' ATTENTIONS AWAY FROM VOTING AND MAKES THEM THINK LESS THAN, OH, I THINK VOTING IS IMPORTANT, TO MORE LIKE I DON'T KNOW MUCH ANYMORE SO I SHOULDN'T.

>> Reporter: AN 11th GRADER SAID HIS CLASS HELPED HIM FIND HIS OWN VOICE.

>> BEING ABLE TO TAKE THE STANCE FROM BOTH SIDES AND CREATE MY OWN INDO PINION IS A STRONG THING I GET TO BRING TO THE FAMILY TABLE AS AN INDIVIDUAL AND AS A CHILD.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO LEARNING ABOUT DEMOCRACY, THE CLASS REGISTERED ALMOST 300 HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AND COLLEGE STUDENTS TO VOTE.

MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AND BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE KPBS VOTER HUB.

IT INCLUDES EXPLAINERS ON MANY OF THE HIGH-PROFILE RACES.

>>> IF YOU ARE TRAVELING BY AIR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION HAS NEWS FOR YOU.

AUTOMATIC REFUNDS RULES ARE IN FOR EFFECT FOR CANCELLED OR SIGNIFICANTLY DELAYED FLIGHTS.

AMY KYLE HAS DETAILS.

>> Reporter: BEFORE YOUR NEXT TAKEOFF, TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR NEW PASSENGER RIGHTS.

THE TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY SAYS AUTOMATIC AIRFARE REFUND RULES TOOK EFFECT YESTERDAY.

>> YOU GET YOUR MONEY BACK AND YOU GET YOUR MONEY BACK WITHOUT HAVING TO ASK.

>> Reporter: DISCUSSING IT BACK IN APRIL BEFORE CONGRESS ENSHRINED THEM IN THE FAA REAUTHORIZATION ACT.

>> WHEN AN AIRLINE KNOWS THAT ANYBODY ON A FLIGHT THAT'S GOING TO GET CANCELLED IS GOING TO GET THEIR MONEY BACK, IT GIVES THEM MORE OF A REASON TO MAKE THE INVESTMENT IN REALISTIC SCHEDULES THAT PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Reporter: IF YOUR FLIGHT IS DISRUPTED AND YOU DON'T REBOOK, YOU GET AN AUTOMATIC CASH REFUND WITHIN 20 DAYS THAT APPLIES TO CANCELLATIONS, DOMESTIC DELAYS OF THREE OR MORE HOURS AND INTERNATIONAL DELAYS OF AT LEAST SIX HOURS.

SEPARATE RULES LEGISLATE A LUGGAGE FEE REFUND IF YOU DON'T GET YOUR BAGS IN TIME.

AND REFUNDS FOR WI-FI IF YOU DON'T RECEIVE IT.

>> I THINK AIRLINES THAT CONSUMERS, YOU CAN'T CAPTURE THEM FOREVER WITH BAD POLICY.

>> Reporter: A GROUP REPRESENTING MAJOR AIRLINES SAYS IT IS ON BOARD WITH AUTOMATIC REFUNDS THOUGH THE RULES FACED PUSH BACK WITH THE INDUSTRY.

>> THE MARKET GOT DISTORTED WITH SOME OF THE TACTICS IN WHICH AIRLINES HAD TOO MUCH POWER OVER THE CONSUMERS.

>> Reporter: I'M MAMIE KYLIE REPORTING.

>>> A LOCAL HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDER IS GIVING ITS CLIENTS WHO ARE VETERANS A CHANCE OF GETTING BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE.

PEOPLE ASSISTING THE HOMELESS, KNOWN AS PATH, HELD A CAREER EXPO TODAY.

IT AIMS TO HELP HOMELESS OR RECENTLY HOUSED VETERANS AS WELL AS PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE LEGAL SYSTEM.

>> WHAT WE NOTICED AS A TREND, THERE'S A LOT OF EMPLOYERS THAT DON'T REALIZE THERE'S A LOT OF EAGER VETERANS OUT THERE TRYING TO GET BACK INTO THE FORCE AND, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE NOT QUITE THERE YET, SO WE HELP THEM GET ON THAT PATH.

>> AND ACCORDING TO THE LATEST COUNT, 9% OF SAN DIEGO'S HOMELESS POPULATION ARE THOSE WHO SERVED OUR COUNTRY.

♪ ♪ >>> THIS ELECTION SEASON AMERICANS HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO A SURGE OF UNFOUNDED CLAIMS ABOUT VOTER FRAUD.

THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT AGAINST FORMER-PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, EVEN THE ACTUAL DATE OF ELECTION DAY.

KPBS'S AMITHA SHARMA JOINS US TO TALK ABOUT WHY IT IS INTENSIFYING.

WELCOME.

>> GOOD TO BE HERE.

>> GIVE US EXAMPLES OF THINGS BEING CIRCULATED RELATED TO THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

>> IT IS WIDE RANGING.

SOME WE HEARD BEFORE IN 2020 SUCH AS UNDOCUMENTED ILLEGALLY VOTING IN DROVES IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OR VOTING MACHINES ACTUALLY REVERSING VOTES.

THERE ARE LEFT-LEANING WEBSITES CLAIMING THE ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT, THE FIRST ONE AGAINST FORMER-PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, WAS STAGED.

MACKENZIE SODGY WHICH RATES NEWS AND INFORMATION SAYS A RUSSIAN DISINFORMATION NETWORK PUSHED OUT A DEEP FAKE VIDEO OF FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA CLAIMING THAT DEMOCRATS WERE BEHIND THAT ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT BECAUSE THEY FEARED TRUMP WOULD WIN IN NOVEMBER AND THAT THE ONLY WAY TO DEFEAT HIM WAS TO KILL HIM.

>> WITHIN THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS OR SO WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF RUSSIAN DISINFORMATION TARGETING TIM WALZ, HARRIS'S RUNNING MATE, AND ACCUSING HIM WITHOUT ANY EVIDENCE OR WITH FABRICATED EVIDENCE, ACCUSING HIM OF HAVING INAPPROPRIATE RELATIONSHIPS WITH MINORS WHILE HE WAS A TEACHER IN MINNESOTA.

>> SO, AMITHA, YOU HAVE MENTIONED PARTISAN WEBSITES AND RUSSIA AS PUTTING OUT DISINFORMATION OR LIES.

WHO OR WHAT ELSE IS SPREADING THE DISINFORMATION AND WHAT IS BEING DONE TO REIGN IT IN?

>> WELL, MICROSOFT HAS WHAT IS CALLED THE THREAT ANALYSIS CENTER, AND IT DELIVERED A WARNING, ONE OF MANY LAST MONTH, THAT IN ADDITION TO RUSSIAN CHINA AND IRAN ARE WORKING TO INFLUENCE THE OUTCOME OF THE ELECTION WITH IRAN FOCUSED ON THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN AND TRYING TO JIN UP ANTI-ISRAEL SENTIMENT.

IT WAS REPORTED THIS WEEK THAT AN EX-DEPUTY SHERIFF FROM FLORIDA PARTNERED WITH RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE TO DISTRIBUTE DEEP FAKES ON VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS.

MEANWHILE, THE CENTER FOR COUNTERING DIGITAL HATE SAYS AXIS AI TOOL FEATURE THAT ENABLES USERS TO PRODUCE IMAGES WITH PROMPTS IS PROBLEMATIC.

THE CENTER SAID THEY LACKED THE GUARDRAILS TO PROTECT AGAINST DISINFORMATION.

ONE SHOWED AN AILING TRUMP IN A HOSPITAL BED.

ANOTHER SHOWED HARRIS SITTING IN FRONT OF A TABLE WITH LINES OF SALT, MADE TO LOOK LIKE DRUGS, NEEDLES AND TINY BOTTLES OF MEDICATION, ALL BELIEVABLE IMAGES.

REMEMBER, MAYA, WHEN THESE DISTORTIONS APPEAR ON SOCIAL MEDIA THEY CAN REACH MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.

IT IS SAID THAT META, X AND TIKTOK ARE APPLYING LABELS TO ELECTION LIES.

>> SO WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF THIS DISINFORMATION?

>> WELL, PEOPLE'S DECISION, THEIR VOTES ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE INFORMATION THAT THEY'RE GIVEN.

SO IT IS DANGEROUS.

IT WOUNDS DEMOCRACY.

IT WOUNDS SOCIETY.

DEMOCRACY RELIES ON INFORMATION, THE TRUTH AND FAITH IN INTELLECTUAL CITIZENS.

WE SAW WHAT WAS POSTED ABOUT THE KILLING OF CHILDREN TRIGGERED RIOTS AGAINST AUTHORITIES.

A DEAN WHO IS AT POINT LOMA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY SAYS MAYHEM IS ULTIMATELY THE GOAL.

>> THE INTENT IS TO CREATE CHAOS AND MISTRUST.

SO IF YOU CAN CREATE CHAOS AND MISTRUST AND THEN YOU HAVE A LEADER WHO SAYS YOU CAN TRUST ME AND ONLY ME, THEN KIND OF THE -- YOU CAN SEE THE POLITICAL MACHINE JUST KIND OF WORKING THERE.

>> AND, MAYA, I SHOULD POINT OUT THAT WITH LOCAL NEWS COVERAGE AND THE NEWS INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE IN DECLINE, AND PEOPLE EXISTING IN INFORMATION SIGH LOWS, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR JOURNALISTS TO FLAG ALL OF THE DISINFORMATION, TO DEBUNK IT AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT DEBUNKING REACHES THE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACTUALLY BELIEVING THESE LIES.

IT IS WHY TIM FRANKLIN, WHO IS DEAN AT NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY'S SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM SAYS THERE HAS TO BE CONTENT REGULATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS.

HE SAYS SO FAR TECH COMPANIES HAVE ARGUED JUST LIKE PHONE COMPANIES CAN'T CONTROL WHAT IS SAID ON A PHONE CALL, THEY CAN'T OVERSEE WHAT IS SAID ON THE INTERNET.

THE PROBLEM IS THE CALL IS BETWEEN A COUPLE OF PEOPLE.

SOCIAL MEDIA REACHES MILLIONS.

FRANKLIN BELIEVES OVERSIGHT WILL EVENTUALLY HAPPEN.

>> AS I SAY, WHETHER IT IS DONE VOLUNTARILY BY THE COMPANIES OR WHETHER CONGRESS STEPS IN -- AND I THINK THERE IS A GROWING SENSE, BIPARTISAN SENSE IN CONGRESS THAT ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN.

>> IN THE MEANTIME, AMERICANS WILL JUST HAVE TO DO THEIR OWN FACT CHECKING.

THEY CAN USE RESOURCES LIKE THE NEWS LITERACY PROJECT, THE CAMPAIGN LEGAL CENTER AND, OF COURSE, NEWSGUARD.

>> EXCELLENT WORK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, MAYA.

>>> AND THIS STORY IS PART OF OUR PUBLIC MATTERS PARTNERSHIP WITH VOICE OF SAN DIEGO AND WITH I NEWS SOURCE.

YOU CAN FIND OUR COVERAGE OF LOCAL POLITICS AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ONLINE AT KPBS.ORG/PUBLICMATTERS.

>>> RESIDENTS IN NATIONAL CITY ARE CALLING ON CITY COUNCIL TO BLOCK A FUEL TRANSFER STATION FROM BEING BUILT NEAR HOMES.

I NEWS SOURCE INVESTIGATOR PHILIP SOLETTA EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: A SEMI TRUCK ROLLING THROUGH NATIONAL CITY NEIGHBORHOODS IS A COMMON SIGHT.

NOW RESIDENTS ARE WORRIED THERE WILL BE AT LEAST 70 MORE LOADED WITH FUEL PASSING THEIR HOMES AT NIGHT WHILE THEY TRY TO SLEEP.

THE NATIONAL CITY ENERGY TRANSITION PROJECT, RUN BY TEXAS-BASED USD CLEAN FUELS, WILL TRAIN IN AND TRUCK OUT BIODIESEL THROUGH A NEW FACILITY WITHIN HALF A MILE OF KIM BOLT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

IT IS LOCATED IN AN AREA CALIFORNIA HAS SLATED FOR EMISSIONS REDUCTION PROGRAMS.

A COMPANY SPOKESPERSON SAID THEY WILL MINIMIZE IMPACT BY AVOIDING RESIDENTIAL AREAS, SCHOOLS, CHURCHES AND CONGESTED AREAS.

RESIDENT MARIA SANCHEZ SAID AT A CITY COUNCIL MEETING EARLIER THIS MONTH WHILE HER GRANDCHILDREN STRUGGLE WITH ASTHMA, SHE STRUGGLES TO CLEAN THE BLACK SOOT THAT ENTERS HER HOME FROM INDUSTRIAL POLLUTION.

THIS IS WHAT WE BREATHE EVERY DAY.

WHEN COMMUNITY ADVOCATES HEARD ABOUT THE PROJECT, THEY JOINED WITH RESIDENTS TO PUSH FOR MITIGATION MEASURES.

THE PROJECT IS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

>> THIS COMMUNITY CANNOT SURVIVE IF YOU CONTINUE TO PUT THESE SORT OF BUSINESSES IN THIS AREA, AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CITY LOOKING AND SAYING, YEAH, IT IS AN INDUSTRIAL ZONED AREA WHERE THIS WOULD BE, BUT WHAT COULD WE DO TO MAKE IT BETTER?

HOW CAN WE MAKE IT MORE COMMUNITY FRIENDLY?

>> Reporter: THEY'VE ALSO RAISED ALARMS ABOUT WHAT WEST NATIONAL CITY RESIDENTS AS WELL AS THOSE IN SIMILAR COMMUNITIES ALREADY FACE.

>> WE KNOW THAT THEY SUFFER TREMENDOUSLY FROM, YOU KNOW, HIGH RATES OF ASTHMA, THE CANCER RISK IS INCREDIBLE IN COMMUNITIES THAT ARE SIMILAR TO WEST NATIONAL CITY WHERE THEY'RE OVERBURDENED BY THESE POLLUTING SOURCES.

SO WE JUST WONDER HOW YOU CAN PUT AN INDUSTRY OVER YOUR COMMUNITY'S HEALTH.

>> Reporter: WITH NO MITIGATIONS IN SIGHT, ADVOCATES AND RESIDENTS WANT TO BLOCK THE PROJECT.

FOR KPBS, I'M I NEWS SOURCE REPORTER PHILIP SOLETTA.

>>> I NEWS SOURCE IS AN INDEPENDENTLY FUNDED PARTNER OF KPBS.

♪ ♪ >>> AND TIME TO BREAK IT DOWN ON OUR WEATHER HEADLINES HERE.

COOLER AND DRYER WEATHER REMAINS FOR REALLY THE REST OF THE WEEK WITH SOME COOLER TEMPERATURES MOVING ON THROUGH.

COULD SEE SOME PATCHY FROST TONIGHT IN PARTS OF THE HIGH DESERT.

A SERIES OF STORMS WILL SEND SOME MORE CLOUDS AND EVEN RAIN RETURNING BY THIS WEEKEND.

LOOKING DRY FOR TONIGHT WITH COLD WEATHER.

LOOK AT MOUNT LAGUNA AS TEMPERATURES DROP INTO THE UPPER 20s.

CHULA VISTA DOWN TO 49.

SAN DIEGO, LOW CLOUDS DEVELOPING LATE AND 52 DEGREES.

THE BLUE ON THE MAP, YEAH, REPRESENTING THE COOLER BUT DRY CONDITIONS THAT MOVE IN THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE OF THE WEEK.

MOST OF US WILL TOP OUT WITH SOME HIGHS INTO THE 70s HERE.

OCEANSIDE, 71.

SAN DIEGO, 71.

BUT THEN AS WE HEAD ACROSS MOUNT LAGUNA WE DON'T GET TO THE 50s.

A HIGH OF ONLY 48 DEGREES FOR TOMORROW AFTERNOON.

WE HEAD INTO THE DAY ON THURSDAY HERE, WE'LL WATCH THAT NEXT SYSTEM.

THAT WILL BE IMPACTING FOLKS A BIT FURTHER TO OUR NORTH, AREAS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA DEALING WITH SOME MORE SHOWERS.

WE STILL KEEP IT COOL AND WE KEEP IT DRY BY THE END OF THE WEEK, BUT THERE WILL BE ANOTHER ROUND HERE OF STORMS MOVING ON THROUGH THAT WILL BRING THAT RETURN OF SOME MORE MOISTURE IN THE FORM OF CLOUDS AND EVEN SOME MORE RAIN AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

LET'S CHECK OUT THE FIVE-DAY OUTLOOK ALONG THE COAST WHERE IT STAYS VERY PLEASANT FOR WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY.

AS WE HEAD INTO THE DAY ON FRIDAY WE WILL SEE SOME SUNSHINE STILL STICKING AROUND, BUT LOOK AT THE SHOWERS THAT RETURN, UNFORTUNATELY JUST IN TIME FOR THE WEEKEND, BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

WHEN WE LOOK FURTHER INLAND IT IS REALLY SUNDAY THAT'S GOING TO BE THE WET DAY HERE.

WE WILL START TO DEAL WITH THE NICER CONDITIONS BEFORE CLOUDS START TO INCREASE AND COOLER WEATHER MOVE IN BY SATURDAY, BUT I WOULD PLAN FOR THE SHOWERS AS WE HEAD INTO THE DAY ON SUNDAY.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FOR THE MOUNTAINS?

THE COLD WEATHER STICKS AROUND AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW AFTERNOON, A HIGH OF 68.

WE WILL SEE TEMPERATURES COME UP A BIT THURSDAY AND FRIDAY BEFORE IT TURNS COOLER AND WETTER BY THE DAY ON SUNDAY.

WE WRAP IT UP INTO THE DESERT WITH TEMPERATURES TOPPING OUT IN THE UPPER 70s FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

FOR KPBS NEWS I'M MARIELA SOLIS.

>>> HIGHER COSTS FOR SUGAR AND COCOA HAVE BOOSTED THE COST OF CHOCOLATE IN RECENT YEARS.

HERE TO CRUNCH THE NUMBERS.

>> NO DRESSING IT UP THIS HALLOWEEN, CHOCOLATE HAS BECOME MORE EXPENSIVE AND THAT'S PROMPTED SOME CONFECTIONERS TO UTILIZE TRICKS WHEN IT COMES TO YOUR FAVORITE TREATS.

THIS HALLOWEEN YOUR FAVORITE CHOCOLATE TREAT MAY SEEM A LITTLE SMALLER OR THERE MAY BE FEWER IN THE BAG.

>> IF PEOPLE WANT CHOCOLATE, IT IS STILL GOING TO BE THERE.

PRODUCTION IS STILL GOING, BUT IT IS JUST GOING TO COST MORE.

>> THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE SUPPLY OF A KEY INGREDIENT, COCOA.

DAVID BRANCH OF WELLS FARGO'S AGRI FOOD INSTITUTE SAYS RECENT YEARS BROUGHT TOUGH GROWING CONDITIONS TO WEST AFRICA, RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN 70% OF THE WORLD'S COCOA SUPPLY.

>> THE MAJOR COCOA PRODUCING REGION OF WEST AFRICA HAS ESSENTIALLY HAD THREE YEARS OF DECLINING PRODUCTION IN CROPS, DUE MAINLY TO MULTIPLE WEATHER EVENTS THAT JUST SEEM TO BE PILING ON.

>> THE INTERNATIONAL COCOA ORGANIZATION PROJECTED IN AUGUST THAT GLOBAL COCOA PRODUCTION THIS SEASON WOULD FALL BY 14.2%.

THE SUPPLY SQUEEZE FELT BY MAJOR CONFECTIONERS WHO HAD ALSO DEALT WITH HIGHER SUGAR PRICES BEFORE THEY FELL BACK THIS YEAR.

>> WE'VE SEEN SUGAR PRICES THIS YEAR DROP FROM THE HIGHS WE'VE SEEN THE LAST TWO YEARS, SO THAT'S A POSITIVE NOTE FOR THIS.

>> SO CONFECTIONERS HAVE BEEN MORE CREATIVE THIS HALLOWEEN, SWAPPING OUTLAYERS OF CHOCOLATE FOR THINGS LIKE WAFERS AND NUTS, COMBINING CHOCOLATE AND NON-CHOCOLATE IN VARIETY BAGS AND MAKING TREATS SMALLER.

GOOD NEWS FOR CHOCOLATE LOVERS, WEATHER CONDITIONS HAVE IMPROVED FOR THIS YEAR'S CROP WHICH WILL BOOST SUPPLY.

WHEN THE SUPPLY GOES UP CHOCOLATE PRICES SHOULD GO DOWN.

EXPERTS PROJECT COCOA PRICES WILL REMAIN HIGH UNTIL AT LEAST SEPTEMBER 2025 BEFORE THEY DECREASE.

IN WATCHING, I'M KAREN KAIFA.

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