San Diego county leaders have asked the state to not count college students’ cases in tallying the county’s virus infection rate. But California officials say no -- the campus community is part of the larger community, and can contribute to the spread of COVID-19. Also, Scripps Health forms a committee to assess future COVID-19 vaccines for patients and employees when they become available. Plus, this year’s San Diego Latino Film Festival relaunches today with 140 films online. The festival was originally scheduled for mid-March but had to cancel on opening day when the ban on public gatherings was first put in place.

As fires continue burning in California, San Diego County has advised vulnerable populations to stay indoors due to poor air quality. And… the clock is ticking in San Diego -- New COVID-19 data released Tuesday show a case rate that the state considers a “widespread” outbreak. If the case rate stays high for another week, it could lead to business restrictions and closures. Plus, the One Navy Task Force is looking at why only a handful of African Americans reach top jobs. It's also examining discrimination in all aspects of Navy life.

A KPBS analysis of COVID-19 community outbreaks shows ZIP codes that include the Gaslamp Quarter and Pacific Beach have had the highest number of community outbreaks. Also, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors is voting today on how to allocate millions of dollars for businesses hit hard by the COVID-19 restrictions. Plus, San Diego animal shelters have just received about 100 dogs and cats evacuated after August’s Hurricane Laura in Louisiana.

A confusing postcard sent out by the US Postal service has misleading advice for California voters. Plus, Following the departure of the "North Park Community Fridge," we find food assistance offered at another location just down the street in North Park. And, California’s Common Sense Party, which KPBS found was signing up voters without their knowledge or consent, is now suing the state to get on the ballot, even though it hasn't collected enough signatures.

San Diego County public health officials reported nearly 300 new COVID-19 infections and four deaths from the illness. Also, San Diego's "smart streetlights" were originally pitched as a way to improve transportation planning, but they quickly morphed into a tool for law enforcement. An ordinance to regulate the cameras' use is awaiting a vote from the City Council. Plus, while much else in San Diego has been allowed to gradually reopen amid the pandemic, playgrounds appear to be closed indefinitely. They’re not part of any phased reopening plans at the local or state level.

The Valley fire has burned 17,665 acres, so far destroyed 26 "habitable structures" and 25 "minor structures" and resulted in two injuries. It was not clear if the injury victims were firefighters or civilians. Also, County Officials are warning that San Diego is close to being placed in the highest tier of restrictions via the state’s COVID-19 tiered ranking system. Plus, local organizations were joined by San Diego congressman Juan Vargas in their sprint to the census finish line — to make sure everyone in San Diego county gets counted. But many barriers still stand in their way.

Firefighters battled for a fourth day Tuesday to subdue a Santa Ana-driven wildfire that’s blackened thousands of acres in rural eastern San Diego County. The Valley Fire is now 11% contained, but over the Labor Day weekend, it leveled about a dozen homes and forced widespread evacuations. Also, San Diego leaders unveiled Listos California, a plan to keep the most at-risk communities up-to-date with critical emergency information. Plus, State data released Tuesday shows San Diego County is regressing in its fight against COVID-19, with the number of new cases per 100,000 people reaching 6.9 and the percentage of positive tests at 4.2%, perilously close to slipping into the tier defined as “widespread” infection, like much of the rest of the state. There have been community outbreaks at businesses and a bar, and cases have spiked among university students.

Extreme fire seasons seem to be the new normal in the American West. The spate of lightning-sparked blazes that recently blanketed California in unhealthy smoke and wildfires is just the most recent reminder. Closer to home, CalFire reported a new evacuation order for Corte Madera, south of Pine Valley on Monday afternoon.. The order followed earlier evacuation mandates for Corral Canyon off-road area, Bob Cat Meadows and Los Pinos. The U.S. Forest Service also announced the closure of many national forests due to the ongoing fire danger, including Cleveland National Forest. Plus, event workers marched today from Waterfront Park to the San Diego Convention Center with empty gear cases symbolizing the void of events this year and the impact the pandemic has brought to the events industry.

Firefighters are battling a fast-moving brush fire that broke out Saturday when it burned about 500 acres in a single hour in the Japatul Valley area near Alpine. Also, a protester is charged with 19 felony counts after allegedly spraying officers with pepper spray during a protest on Aug. 28. Police say Denzel Draughn is a flight risk, but his lawyer and fellow protesters saybail of 3 quarter million dollars is meant as a form of retaliation. Plus, a recent audit of SANDAG alleges hundreds of thousands of dollars in improper payments to high-level employees.

With another heat wave hitting our state this Labor Day weekend, a Flex Alert is being issued to combat expected high levels of energy use. Also, any tenant in California who can’t pay rent because of the financial or health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will be protected from evictions until at least January 31st. But tenants are still vulnerable. And, leaders of San Diego Unified School District joined some of the region’s congressional delegation Thursday to urge federal approval of the HEROES Act. The stimulus package includes needed funding for schools.