>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AIR, RESTORATION, AND FLOOD SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

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

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

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> SEVERAL DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST U.S.

IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT ARE BEING HELD BOTH AROUND THE COUNTY AND ACROSS THE NATION TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, I'M JACOB AERE IN FOR MAYA TRABULSI.

THEY'RE CALLING IT ICE OUT FOR GOOD.

THE PROTESTS ARE BEING HELD TO SHOW SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE OF MINNESOTA.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL IS LIVE OUTSIDE THE HOMEWOOD SUITES?

MIRA MESA WHERE ONE OF THE PROTESTS IS BEING HELD.

>> Reporter: IT'S A PRETTY BOISTEROUS CROWD, JACOB.

BY MY COUNT THERE'S ABOUT 100 OF THEM HERE LINING MIRA MESA BOULEVARD, INCLUDING THE SAN DIEGO COUNCILMEMBER THAT REPRESENTS THIS DISTRICT.

THAT WOULD BE KENT LEE.

ASIDE FROM MIRA MESA BOULEVARD BEING A BUSY STREET, ESPECIALLY AROUND RUSH HOUR, YOU MAY BE ASKING YOURSELF WHY ELSE?

YOU SAID NIT THE LEAD OF THIS STORY, JACOB, IT'S WHAT IS FOUND OVER HERE, THE HOMEWOOD SUITES, PART OF THE HILTON HOTEL NETWORK.

THE PROTESTERS HERE AND ELSEWHERE ARE CALLING ON HILTON TO STOP HOSTING I.C.E.

AGENTS AT THEIR PROPERTIES ACROSS THE NATION.

PROTEST LEADER MARGARET SAYS IF THEY DON'T, THEY'RE GOING TO FACE ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES.

>> HILTON IS GOING TO LOSE BUSINESS AND A LOT OF REPUTATION IF THEY CONTINUE TO HOUSE I.C.E.

AND MAKE NOT JUST COLLABORATE BUT MAKE MONEY OFF THIS TOTALLY UN-AMERICAN ABUSE.

>> Reporter: AS YOU WERE SAYING, JOY CAB, THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER PROTESTS BEING HELD AROUND THE COUNTY AND THE COUNTRY TODAY, ALL WITH SOLIDARITY WITH WHAT'S GOING ON IN MINNESOTA.

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THERE TURNED OUT IN BITTER COLD TEMPERATURES TODAY TO CALL ON THEIR FELLOW AMERICANS TO RESIST I.C.E.

IN PEACEFUL, LEGAL WAYS, JACOB?

>> JOHN, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT PROTESTERS ARE UPSET WITH HILTON ABOUT HOW IT REACTED TO A FRANCHISEE THAT CANCELED RESERVATIONS FOR I.C.E.

AGENTS IN MINNESOTA?

>> Reporter: THAT'S RIGHT.

THAT HAPPENED EARLIER THIS MONTH.

A HILTON PROPERTY IN MINNESOTA CANCELED THE RESERVATIONS WHEN THEY FOUND OUT THEY WERE BEING MADE BY I.C.E.

AGENTS.

HILTON THEN PROMPTLY KICKED THEM OUT OF THE HILTON HOTEL CHAIN.

IT WAS A FRANCHISE PROPERTY JUST LIKE THIS ONE IS HERE.

SO THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED OUT THERE.

LIVE IN MIRA MESA, JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WELL, WE STILL HAVE SOME SHOWERS LINGERING THIS EVENING AND INTO THE NIGHT IN SOME AREAS.

NOT NECESSARILY HEAVY RAIN, BUT MAYBE A TENTH OF AN INCH IN SOME AREAS HERE THIS EVENING.

AND OVERNIGHT TONIGHT.

SO WET ROADS, YOU'LL NEED THE WIPERS AT TIMES.

A GOOD NUMBER OF CLOUDS OUT THERE.

NOW, AS YOU STEP INTO SATURDAY, THERE MAY BE A LINGERING SHOWER OR TWO EARLY ON.

FOR THE MOST PART, THE SYSTEM MOVES AWAY TO THE EAST.

A MAJOR WINTER STORM OFF TO THE EAST OF THE ROCKIES.

>>> RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SAYS IT WILL STOP PROVIDING MEDICAL GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE.

THREATS OF CUTS COULD IMPACT FUNDING.

>> Reporter: RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL SAYS IT WILL NO LONGER PROVIDE MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH, INCLUDING PRESCRIPTIONS AND PROCEDURES STARTING FEBRUARY 6th.

COUNSELING, MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT, AND CARE COORDINATION WILL CONTINUE.

IN A STATEMENT, THE HOSPITAL SAYS THE DECISION IS IN RESPONSE TO FEDERAL ACTIONS THAT COULD IMPACT ITS MEDICAID AND MEDICARE FUNDING.

>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS PUT OUT PROPOSED REGULATIONS THAT WOULD THREATEN OR CUT FEDERAL FUNDING -- FEDERAL FUNDING FROM HOSPITALS THAT PROVIDE GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE TO FOLKS AGES 18 AND UNDER.

>> Reporter: DAVID VANCE MANAGES ADVOCACY FOR THE SAN DIEGO LGBT COMMUNITY CENTER.

THEY SAY RADY IS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF THIS CARE LOCALLY.

THE CENTER IS HEARING FROM FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTY LOOKING FOR GUIDANCE.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES WHO ARE ALREADY IN THE PROCESS OF RECEIVING THIS CARE FROM RADYS WHO ARE NOW VERY LIKELY GOING TO HAVE TO STOP ACCESSING THAT CARE, WHICH PUTS YOUTH AT EVEN GREATER RISK.

>> PARTS TO GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE INCLUDE PUBERTY BLOCKERS, ANOTHER MEDICAL INTERVENTION IS A HORMONE THERAPY.

SO WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT TESTOSTERONE AND ESTROGEN.

>> Reporter: SURGERIES ARE OFTEN PART OF PUBLIC DEBATE BE RARELY PART OF PEDIATRIC CARE.

SHE SAYS ABRUPT INTERRUPTIONS CAN INCREASE HEALTH RISKS.

>> IT DISRUPTS ONGOING MEDICAL RELATIONSHIPS.

IT INCREASES THE MENTAL HEALTH RISK.

IT DEEPENS THE INEQUITIES IN HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, AND IT FACTORS THE CONTINUITY OF CARE, LIKE YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS TRANSGENDER YOUTH ALREADY FACE HIGHER RATES OF ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, AND SUICIDE.

>> WHEN THESE TRUSTED PEOPLE OR CLINICS DISAPPEAR, THEY DISENGAGE FROM THE HEALTH SYSTEM ENTIRELY.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS KAISER IS ALREADY SEEING PATIENTS FROM RADY, BUT SWITCHING PROVIDERS ISN'T AN OPTION FOR MANY FAMILIES.

>> AND THERE MAY BE POSSIBILITIES THAT FOLKS MIGHT BE ABLE TO ACCESS THIS CARE AT PRIVATE CLINICS, BUT ACCESSING THAT KIND OF CARE IS GOING TO BE MUCH, MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE.

>> Reporter: THE ALLIANCE FOR TRANS RIGHTS IS ORGANIZING A RALLY OUTSIDE RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL TOMORROW AT 11:00 A.M.

TO PROTEST THE DECISION.

HEIDI DE MARCO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE IMPACTS OF THE NEW PARKING FEE IN BALBOA PARK CONTINUE TO BE FELT.

WE'RE LEARNING MORE ABOUT HOW IT'S AFFECTING NEARBY BUSINESSES.

IT WAS A NOW FAMILIAR SCENE EARLIER TODAY.

NOT A LOT OF PARKED CARS ALONG SIXTH AVENUE.

THE FEE WENT INTO EFFECT LESS THAN THREE WEEKS AGO.

OUR MEDIA PARTNER KGTV SPOKE TO THE OWNER OF THE MARKETPLACE DELI IN BANKER'S HILL, WHO SAYS THE RESTAURANT IS STARTING TO FEEL THE PAIN FROM THE PARKING FEES.

>> THE PARK'S DEAD NOW IN THE MORNING.

IT'S THE CLOSEST THING I'VE SEEN SINCE COVID.

THAT'S HOW QUIET THE PARK IS.

>> AS KPBS REPORTED ON WEDNESDAY, THE BALBOA PARK CULTURAL PARTNERSHIP REPORTED STEEP DECLINES IN VISITORS AND MUSEUM ATTENDANCE SINCE THE PARKING FEES WERE IMPLEMENTED AS WELL.

>>> OCEANSIDE IS GETTING TOUGH ON RECKLESS E-BIKE RIDERS AFTER A SURGE OF COMPLAINTS.

THE CITY'S CONSIDERING A NEW RULE THAT WOULD LET POLICE SEIZE EBIKES FROM OFFENDERS.

>> Reporter: POPPING WHEELIES AND DARTING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC, THESE ARE SOME OF THE DANGEROUS BEHAVIORS THAT OCEANSIDE POLICE CAPTAIN SCOTT GARRETT SAYS CONTRIBUTED TO THE DELUGE OF COMPLAINTS FROM RESIDENTS.

>> WE HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH OF A DECREASE IN OUR CALLS FOR SERVICE AND COMMUNITY COMPLAINTS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS SINCE 2021 THERE'S BEEN A TENFOLD INCREASE IN COMPLAINTS FROM LESS THAN 100 IN 2021 TO NEARLY 1,000 LAST YEAR.

GARRETT SAYS HANDLING THESE COMPLAINTS IS A BURDEN OF POLICE RESOURCES AND TIME, AND THE CURRENT REGULATIONS DON'T SEEM TO BE WORKING.

SO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WENT BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.

>> WE DECIDED THAT USING -- UTILIZING TEMPORARY SEIZURE OF E-BIKES WOULD PROVIDE A SUFFICIENT AND IMMEDIATE DETERRENT FOR A LOT OF THE YOUTH.

>> Reporter: A PROPOSAL WOULD BAN DOUBLE RIDING, UNLESS THE E-BIKE IS EQUIPPED WITH A PASSENGER SEAT.

GARRETT SAYS THE BIGGEST OFFENDERS ARE OLDER TEENAGERS, WHICH IS WHY OCEANSIDE IS EMBEDDING E -BIKE RIDERS UNDER 12, LIKE OTHER CITIES HAVE IN RECENT MONTHS.

ONE OF THE HOT SPOTS FOR RECKLESS E-BIKE BEHAVIOR IS HERE AT MANCE BUCHANAN PARK.

>> THEY'RE RUNNING AROUND IN PACKS.

>> Reporter: SOME CALL THEM THE MANCE BUCHANAN MANIACS.

>> THEY'RE PULLING THE BIKE UP, DOING WHEELIES.

I SEE TWO AND FLEE ON A BIKE.

A FRIEND OF MINE GOT KNOCKED OVER, GOT HURT PRETTY BAD.

>> Reporter: MIKE AGREES WITH THE SEIZURES, HE CALLS IT A SAFETY ISSUE.

>> THAT SEAMS LIKE A GOOD SOLUTION TO IT.

>> Reporter: THE OTHER HOT SPOT FOR VIOLATORS IS HERE AT THE STRAND.

>> I SEE THEM SPEEDING UP AND DOWN THE STRAND AND SWERVING AROUND PEDESTRIANS, STROLLERS, DOGS, NOT VERY SAFE.

>> Reporter: SHERRY YOUNG, HOWEVER, DOESN'T THINK POLICE SHOULD BE CONFISCATING E-BIKES.

>> EDUCATION IS PROBABLY THE NUMBER ONE THING THAT WILL HELP STOP SOME OF THE RECKLESS STUFF.

>> Reporter: POLICE SAY THIS IS MORE OF A SAFETY THAN CONFISCATING THE BIKES, AND BY DOING SO, THEY HOPE THAT PEOPLE WILL RECEIVE THE MESSAGE AND BE SAFE ON THE ROAD.

RIDERS CAN GET THEIR E-BIKES BACK ONCE THEY'VE COMPLETED A SAFETY COURSE.

THE CITY COUNCIL IS EXPECTED TO GIVE FINAL APPROVAL TO THE RULE NEXT WEEK.

THEN ENFORCEMENT WOULD START 30 DAYS LATER.

IN OCEANSIDE, ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> FOR MORE THAN A YEAR PLANS FOR A 1 MILLION SQUARE FOOT DATA CENTER HAVE BEEN MOVING FORWARD IN IMPERIAL COUNTY.

UNCERTAINTY AROUND THE PROJECT'S ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS HAS SPARKED A MOVEMENT AGAINST IT.

>> Reporter: IT WAS IN LATE NOVEMBER THAT KATIA OLIVAS LEARNED THAT A MASSIVE DATA CENTER HAD BEEN PLANNED JUST A COUPLE HUNDRED FEET AWAY FROM HER FAMILY'S HOME.

>> WHEN I HEARD ABOUT IT I SAID, OH NO, WE'RE NEXT.

>> Reporter: SHE LIVES WITH HER PARENTS IN THE CITY OF IMPERIAL, AND ONE OF HER FIRST THOUGHTS WAS ABOUT HOW THIS PROJECT COULD IMPACT RESOURCES IN THE VALLEY.

>> WE SUFFER FROM CLIMATE CHANGE ALREADY.

IN OUR SUMMERS, WE REACH MORE THAN 120 FAHRENHEIT.

PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY THEIR WATER BILLS THAT JUST WENT UP THIS YEAR.

OUR PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY THEIR ENERGY BILLS.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW THERE AREN'T VERY MANY CLEAR ANSWERS ABOUT PROJECT'S IMPACT.

KPBS REPORTED THAT THE DATA CENTER'S DEVELOPERS HAVE INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED IT TO AVOID CALIFORNIA'S ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS.

THAT MEANS LOCAL OFFICIALS HAVEN'T DONE AN IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS OF HOW THE PROJECT COULD AFFECT THE VALLEY'S WATER AND AIR AND TAX ITS POWER SUPPLY.

>> WE TRY TO DO ENVIRONMENTAL THINGS FROM DAY ONE.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE MAIN DEVELOPERS BEHIND THE PROJECT.

HE ARGUES THAT HIS COMPANY STILL PLANS TO REDUCE THE DATA CENTER'S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, LIKE RELYING ENTIRELY ON RECYCLED MUNICIPAL WATER FROM NEARBY CITIES.

>> WE'RE PAYING FOR EVERYTHING.

THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE COST.

SO WHEN WE GET IT, IT'S NOT FREE, WE WILL PAY ALSO THE COST FOR THE RECLAIMED WATER.

SO WE'RE DOING THAT.

SO WE BECOME A NET BENEFIT TO BOTH COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: LAST MONTH HE SAID HE REACHED AN AGREEMENT TO BUY 6 MILLION GALLONS OF RECLAIMED WATER FROM THE SURROUNDING CITIES OF EL CENTRO AND IMPERIAL, FAR MORE THAN THE DATA CENTER COULD NEED.

HE SAYS HIS COMPANY WOULD PAY FOR THE NECESSARY INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES BE RELEASE THE REMAINING WATER.

THE REGIONAL POWER UTILITY BELIEVE THEY CAN HANDLE THE INCREASED ENERGY DEMAND.

LOCAL OFFICIALS HAVE CAST DOUBT ON THE CLAIMS.

CITY OFFICIALS SAID THEY HAD TALKED ABOUT A WATER AGREEMENT BUT SAID THEY HADN'T FORMALLY AGREED TO ANYTHING.

HERE'S IMPERIAL CITY COUNCILMEMBER KATIE BURNWORTH.

>> THERE HAS BEEN DISCUSSIONS ABOUT IT.

THERE'S NEVER BEEN A SIGNED CONTRACT.

WE DON'T HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE RIGHT NOW OR EVEN ANYTHING PERMANENT TO, YOU KNOW, PROVIDE RECYCLED WASTEWATER.

>> Reporter: IED OFFICIALS SAID THEIR CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MEET ENERGY NEEDS.

SAID THEY'RE TRYING TO BE RATE PAYER NEUTRAL BUT DIDN'T KNOW HOW UPGRADES MIGHT AFFECT REGIONAL ENERGY COSTS.

THAT UNCERTAINTY HAS RATTLED MANY RESIDENTS.

MORE THAN 2,000 PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED A PETITION OPPOSING THE DATA CENTER, AND PROTESTERS HAVE FLOODED PUBLIC MEETINGS FOR THE IMPERIAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT, WHICH IS DECIDING ON THE PROJECT.

HERE'S BURNWORTH AGAIN SPEAKING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS.

>> YOU CAN'T JUST TRUST THAT SOMEBODY'S GOING TO DO SOMETHING OKAY.

WHY WOUND WE HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS BUILT WITHOUT THOSE SAME CONDITIONS?

>> Reporter: IMPERIAL COUNTY ISN'T THE ONLY PLACE SEEING BACKLASH AGAINST PROJECTS LIKE THIS.

TECH COMPANIES ARE RACING TO BUILD A NEW GENERATION OF MASSIVE DATA CENTERS FOR A.I.

DEVELOPMENT, AND MORE COMMUNITIES ARE PUSHING BACK OVER THE POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS.

>> THIS PROCESS IS MOVING VERY, VERY QUICKLY, AND WE NEED TO SLOW IT DOWN.

>> Reporter: LAST MONTH VERMONT SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS SAID HE WOULD PUSH FOR A NATIONWIDE MORATORIUM ON DATA CENTER CONSTRUCTION.

>> THIS MORATORIUM WILL GIVE DEMOCRACY A CHANCE TO CATCH UP WITH THE TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGES TO WE ARE WITNESSING AND MAKE SURE THAT THE BENEFITS OF THESE TECHNOLOGIES WORK FOR ALL OF US.

>> Reporter: IN IMPERIAL COUNTY, THE QUESTION NOW IS WHETHER THE DEVELOPERS PLAN TO AVOID ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW WILL HOLD UP.

THE COUNTY SAYS THEY COULD HAVE JUST ONE VOTE LEFT BEFORE A GO AHEAD ON CONSTRUCTION.

LAST MONTH THE BATTLE OVER THE PROJECT ALSO MOVED INTO THE COURTS AFTER THE CITY OF IMPERIAL SUED TO CHALLENGE IT.

THE DEVELOPER AND THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAVE ASKED THE COURT TO DISMISS THE CASE.

RICHIE HAS FILED HIS OWN LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY OF IMPERIAL, CLAIMING THEY'VE ENGAGED IN A COORDINATED CAMPAIGN TO SABOTAGE THE DATA CENTER.

TO OLIVAS, THE TEACHER AND ORGANIZER, THE DATA CENTER IS A REPEAT OF THE OLD STORY OF THE MANY INDUSTRIES THAT HAVE SET UP SHOP IN THE VALLEY.

>> IT MAKES SENSE THAT THEY CAME TO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT MAKES SENSE THAT THEY SAW A RURAL TOWN, A TOWN THAT HAS NO JOB EMPLOYMENT, AND A TOWN THAT HAS BEEN FORCED INTO MILITARIZATION.

AND THEY ASSUME THAT WE WOULDN'T ORGANIZE.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THAT PRECEDENT, OLIVAS AND OTHERS SAY THEY SEE THINGS HAPPENING I DIFFERENTLY THIS TIME, PEOPLE STANDING UP, ASKING QUESTIONS, AND HOLDING ELECTED OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE.

>> OUR PEOPLE ARE INFORMING THEMSELVES.

THEY ARE EDUCATING THEMSELVES NOT ONLY IN FACTS OF THE CONSEQUENCES THAT THIS DATA CENTER COULD HAVE BUT ON THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF U.S.

RESIDENTS THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS SET TO HOLD A VOTE ON PROJECT IN THE COMING WEEKS.

KORI SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IF YOU HAVE A TIP FOR KPBS' INVESTIGATION TEAM, SEND AN EMAIL TO INVESTIGATIONS@KPBS.ORG OR MESSAGE THEM ON OUR SECURE SIGNAL LINE AT THE NUMBER ON YOUR SCREEN, 619-594-8177.

>>> I'M ANNA, TONIGHT ON THE NEWS HOUR, BUSINESSES ACROSS MINNESOTA CLOSE IN A DAY OF PROTEST AGAINST I.C.E.

THAT'S COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING EDITION ON KPBS.

>>> THE NEW YEAR IS ALREADY BRINGING IN BIGGER PAYCHECKS FOR SOME SAN DIEGANS.

THE MINIMUM WAGED JUMPED TO $17.75 PER HOUR ON JANUARY 1st.

MANY WILL RAISE TO $19.

WHILE THIS IS WELCOME RELIEF FOR WORKERS, THERE ARE GROWING CONCERNS FOR BUSINESS OWNERS.

ONE TOLD OUR MEDIA PARTNER KGTV MANY HOTELS ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME PRICE INCREASES THAT RESIDENTS ARE.

>> WE'RE A SMALL BUSINESS, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TWO FAMILIES THAT BUILT TWO HOTELS IN THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.

SO PEOPLE THINK, YOU KNOW, ALL THESE, YOU KNOW, WEALTHY HOTEL COMPANY, WELL, 77% OF THE HOTELS IN SAN DIEGO ARE UNDER 200 ROOMS.

AND MANY OF THEM HAVE UNDER 100 EMPLOYEES.

INCLUDING US.

SO IT'S JUST NOT EASY.

>> HE SAYS HIS HOTELS MAY HAVE TO CUT WORKERS' HOURS, SHIFT JOBS TO PART TIME TO AVOID BENEFIT COSTS OR TURN TO ROBOTS OR CHAT BOTS TO PROVIDE GUEST SERVICES.

>>> RIGHT NOW MANY JOB SEEKERS ARE NAVIGATING A CHALLENGING MARKET.

HIRING SLOWED IN DECEMBER, CAPPING ONE OF THE WEAKEST WEEKS OF JOB GROWTH IN DECADES.

THERE ARE STRATEGIES YOU CAN USE IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR WORK.

>> Reporter: THE CURRENT NO HIRE, NO FIRE JOB MARKET HAS LEFT MANY WORKERS UNABLE TO ADVANCE, AND THOSE WITHOUT A JOB UNABLE TO FIND ONE.

>> THE JOB MARKET IS NOT GROWING, AND THAT MEANS THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING NEW EMPLOYMENT ARE FINDING LONGER SEARCH TIMES, AND THOSE WHO ARE CURRENTLY EMPLOYED HAVE THEIR JOB SECURITY SOMEWHAT UNDERMINED.

>> Reporter: THE PERCEIVED PROBABILITY OF FINDING A JOB HIT A RECORD LOW OF 43.1% IN DECEMBER, ACCORDING TO THE FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF NEW YORK'S LATEST SURVEY OF CONSUMER EXPECTATIONS, BUT KEEP IN MIND.

>> HIRING IS ALWAYS HAPPENING, EVEN AT COMPANIES THAT LAY OFF, THEY'RE HIRING AT THE SAME TIME.

HIRING IS NEVER ZERO.

>> Reporter: EXPERTS LIKE LISA RECOMMEND BEING CLEAR ON THE JOB YOU WANT AND ON THE GOALS OF THE COMPANY YOU'RE PURSUING.

>> WHAT INITIATIVES DO THEY WANT TO PURSUE?

WHAT CHALLENGES DO THEY HAVE BEFORE THEM?

AND THEN MAKE SURE THAT YOUR RESUME, YOUR LINKEDIN PROFILE, YOUR INTERVIEW TALKING POINTS ARE SPEAKING TO HOW YOU CAN HELP THE COMPANY WITH THOSE INITIATIVES.

>> Reporter: NETWORKS WITH HUMAN INTERACTION MAY LEAD TO MORE SUCCESS.

>> TRY DIFFERENT WAYS AND DON'T JUST ONLY SUBMIT TO JOB POSTINGS HOPING YOU'RE GOING TO GET PICKED.

>> Reporter: WHILE IT MAY SEEM COUNTERINTUITIVE, APPLYING TO EVERY JOB YOU SEE IS NOT THE MOST EFFICIENT.

>> WE WOULDN'T WANT TO PLAN OUR RETIREMENT BY PLAYING THE LOTTERY, IT SHOULD BE THE SAME WITH OUR CAREERS.

>>> A GROUP OF SOUTH COUNTY STUDENTS IS URGING STATE LAWMAKERS TO HELP PROTECT THEM FROM THE ONGOING TIJUANA SEWAGE CRISIS.

THEY LOBBIED SUPPORT FOR TWO BILLS.

>> Reporter: SOUTH COUNTY STUDENTS SAY THE ONGOING SEWAGE CRISIS HAS TAINTED THEIR WAY OF LIFE.

THEY'VE WRITTEN LETTERS TO ELECTED OFFICIALS AND TAKEN TO THE STREETS TO PROTEST AN END TO THE POLLUTION.

>> AND WE ARE DEMANDING ACTION FOR AMERICA'S FINEST.

>> Reporter: BUT FOR 17-YEAR-OLD ERIKA RAMIREZ, A FACE-TO-FACE OPPORTUNITY WITH LAWMAKERS FELT MORE IMPACTFUL.

>> THEY'LL HEAR MY STORY.

THEY'LL SEE THAT I AM A PERSON.

>> Reporter: HE WANTED TO LET THEM KNOW HIS GRANDMOTHER HAS ASTHMA AND THE POLLUTION FORCED HIS FAMILY TO MOVE.

>> WE DECIDED THAT IMPERIAL BEACH WAS NOT A SAFE COMMUNITY FOR US ANYMORE.

IT WASN'T GOOD FOR OUR HEALTH.

>> Reporter: HE AND ABOUT A DOZEN OTHER STUDENT FLEW TO SACRAMENTO.

THEY SAT DOWN WITH SEVERAL LAWMAKERS AND URGED THEM TO SUPPORT TWO BILLS.

ONE WOULD MODERNIZE A STATE STANDARD, AND OTHER WOULD MAKE IT EASIER TO ACCESS MILLIONS IN STATE FUNDING FOR SEWAGE CLEANUP EFFORTS.

>> WE'RE SUPPORTING THIS AS IS.

WE'RE EARLY IN THE PROCESS AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS SHEPHERDED THROUGH.

>> Reporter: THE STUDENTS' MENTOR, ALTHOUGH THE CRISIS IS LARGELY A FEDERAL PROBLEM, RESIDENTS NEED THE FULL FORCE OF THE STATE TO GET BEHIND SOLUTIONS.

SEAN WILL BETTER AGREES.

HE'S A MEMBER OF THE STOP THE SEWAGE CLUB.

>> IT'S REALLY AN ALL-ENCOMPASSING PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: THE STUDENTS PLAN TO LOBBY AGAIN IN SACRAMENTO IN APRIL.

TAMMY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WELL, WE HAVE SOME SCATTERED SHOWERS LINGERING TONIGHT AND EVEN INTO THE EARLY HOURS OF SATURDAY FOR SOME.

IT'S NOT A BIG STORM SYSTEM LOCALLY, BUT THERE MIGHT BE 0.1 OF AN INCH OF RAIN, PERHAPS A LITTLE MORE THAN THAT IN A FEW AREAS WITH THE HEAVIER SHOWERS.

YOU'LL NEED THE WIPERS, THE ROADS WILL BE WET AT TIMES, AND AGAIN, INTO SATURDAY MORNING KIND OF THE LAST OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO SQUEAK A FEW RAINDROPS OUT OF THIS SYSTEM BEFORE IT EXITS TO THE EAST.

DRIER LOCALLY, TEMPERATURES WILL GRADUALLY REBOUND, BUT THIS LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM MAINLY PASSING JUST TO OUR SOUTH, BRINGING US SOME LOCAL SHOWERS, IS CONTRIBUTING TO WHAT WILL BE A POWERFUL WINTER STORM TO OUR EAST, A BIG ONE.

THE BIGGEST IN MAYBE FOUR OR FIVE YEARS IN MANY PARTS OF THE SOUTHERN AND EASTERN UNITED STATES.

55 FOR US TONIGHT.

SCATTERED SHOWERS.

A LINGERING SHOWER MAY OCCUR IN THE MORNING, BUT OVERALL THE TRANSITION TO DRIER WEATHER WILL BEGIN.

HERE GOES THIS STORM SYSTEM PULLING AWAY TO THE EAST.

WE ARE GOING TO BE DEALING WITH MANY TRAVEL PROBLEMS.

IF YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL, MAYBE YOU'RE FLYING TO ATLANTA OR TO PHILLY OR NEW YORK OR BOSTON IN THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR DAYS, IT'S GOING TO BE A MISS.

IF YOU'RE JUST DOING REGIONAL TRAVEL, WEST OF THE ROCKIES, YOU'RE OKAY.

KIND OF COOL, CHILLY IN THE MOUNTAINS.

FUTURE RADAR AND SATELLITE, THE NATURE OF THESE SPRINKLES AND SHOWERS, NOT IMPRESSIVE, BUT THEY ARE OUT THERE FROM L.A.

DOWN INTO OUR AREA HERE.

PINWHEEL OF LOW PRESSURE MOVES AWAY AND THEN SATURDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING WE DO TURN DRIER.

SUNDAY YOU CAN SEE MOST OF US WILL STAY DRY.

SUNDAY EVENING AND SUNDAY NIGHT THERE'S A SECONDARY WEAK DISTURBANCE THAT COULD INTRODUCE A COUPLE SPRINKLES, ESPECIALLY TO THE NORTH.

OVERNIGHT DRIER AIR KNOCKING ON THE DOOR TO THE NORTH.

SATURDAY SOME LINGERING SHOWERS.

IT BEGINS TO TAKE OVER, THE DRY WEATHER BEGINS TO RETURN IN THE SECOND HALF OF SATURDAY AND CERTAINLY THROUGH SUNDAY.

DRY WEATHER WILL BE WITH US FOR THE BULK OF THE TIME.

AND A COMFORTABLE START TO THE WORKWEEK ON MONDAY.

YOU CAN SEE LOT OF YELLOW ON THE MAP HERE.

FUTURE RADAR WAS HINTING AT A COUPLE OF SPRINKLES, DRIZZLE OR MIST IN THE MORNING NEAR L.A.

ON SUNDAY NIGHT.

MOST OF OUR DAYTIME WEATHER SUNDAY AND MONDAY DOES LOOK DRY.

WE'RE GOING TO SEE SOME SUNSHINE, PARTLY SUNNY SKIES CONTINUING FOR MONEY.

AND TEMPS REBOUND UP TO 70 ON MONDAY.

A LITTLE COOLING INTO MIDWEEK.

A NICE REBOUND AFTER THE SHOWERS EXIT ON SATURDAY.

INLAND AREAS, HERE WE GO FROM 65 TO 72.

A NICE REBOUND FOR SUNDAY.

74 TUESDAY, ENJOY IT.

AND INTO THE MOUNTAINS WE GO HERE.

COUPLE OF SHOWERS, MAYBE A LITTLE MORE PERSISTENT IN THE MORNING ON SATURDAY.

DRIER WEATHER RETURNS.

UP TO 50 BY WEDNESDAY.

IN THE DESERTS DEALING WITH GENERALLY DRIER WEATHER FOR THE MOST PART.

A BRIGHTER SKY, GOOD DEAL OF SUNSHINE INTO THE EARLY PART OF THE NEW WEEK.

I'M JEFF CORNISH FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> CONSUMERS RETURNED NEARLY $900 BILLION WORTH OF MERCHANDISE IN 2024.

WHILE RETURNS ARE CONSIDERED A ROUTINE COST OF BUSINESS, FRAUD IS ON THE RISE.

RETAILERS IN CALIFORNIA ARE NOW ENLISTING THE HELP OF A.I.

TO COMBAT IT.

>> Reporter: AT THE HAPPY RETURNS WAREHOUSE IN SANTA CLARITA, THEY PROCESS MILLIONS OF RETURNS ANNUALLY.

WITH THAT KIND OF VOLUME, FRAUD HAS COME TO BE EXPECTED.

HOW OFTEN ARE YOU FLAGGING RETURNS?

>> ABOUT 1% OF THE RETURNS THAT GET DROPPED OFF END UP WITH A HIGH FRAUD RISK SCORE.

>> Reporter: AND OF THE 1%, HOW MANY ARE ACTUAL FRAUD?

>> SO WE TRACK THAT ITEM PRETTY CLOSELY.

RIGHT NOW IT'S TRENDING AT 13.5%.

>> Reporter: HAPPY RETURNS WORKS WITH RETAILERS LIKE THE GAP, EVERLANE, WIND SOR, AND RESOLVE.

CUSTOMERS CAN TAKE THEIR UNBOXED RETURNS TO DROP-OFF SITES AT UPS AND STORES LIKE ULTA, MAKING RETURNS EASIER FOR THE CONSUMER BUT ALSO FOR BAD ACTORS.

>> THE NUMBER WAS AS HIGH AS IT'S EVER BEEN.

ONE IN NINE RETURNS RETAILERS ESTIMATE ARE FRAUDULENT.

>> Reporter: WHICH IS WHY HAPPY RETURNS HAS LAUNCHED TECHNOLOGY CALLED RETURN VISION.

EACH ITEM THAT PASSES THROUGH ITS WAREHOUSE IS GIVEN A FRAUD RISK SCORE.

WHAT KINDS OF THINGS ON YOUR PROFILE CREATE KIND OF A RED FLAG FOR YOU AS A CUSTOMER?

>> YEAH, YOU CAN ALMOST THINK ABOUT IT LIKE A CREDIT SCORE, RIGHT?

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN LATE PAYING A BILL?

IF THERE'S BEEN FRAUD ASSOCIATED WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS OR YOUR PHYSICAL ADDRESS, THAT CAN TRIGGER A HIGH RISK SCORE.

OTHER ATTRIBUTES MIGHT BE THE TIME BETWEEN WHEN THE ITEM WAS DELIVERED AND THE RETURN WAS STARTED, RIGHT?

BECAUSE IF IT'S SUSPICIOUSLY CLOSE, THE PERSON PROBABLY DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO OPEN THE PACKAGE, AND NOW THEY WANT TO RETURN IT.

>> Reporter: IF AN ITEM IS FLAGGED, IT GOES TO A SECONDARY SCREENING.

SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER SHOWED US TWO ITEMS THAT WERE NOT WHAT THEY SEEMED.

THE FIRST A PAIR OF DESIGNER JEANS.

TO THE NAKED EYE, THEY LOOK JUST LIKE THE PHOTO OF THE ITEM ON THE RETAILER'S WEBSITE, BUT WHEN A.I.

ANALYZED THE JEANS.

>> WE TRY TO GET EVERYTHING IN FRAME.

DETAILS MATTER.

>> Reporter: IT FOUND THE JEANS WERE NOT THE SAME ITEM PURCHASED FOR $298.

SO IN A CASE LIKE THIS, PROBABLY WHAT HAPPENED IS THEY PURCHASED SOMETHING MUCH CHEAPER, PUT THAT IN THE BAG, AND KEPT THE MORE EXPENSIVE DENIM.

>> Reporter: AGAIN, IT LOOKS SIMILAR TO THE ITEM ORIGINALLY PURCHASED.

>> WE'LL TAKE A PHOTO OF THE FRONT.

>> Reporter: A.I.

PICKED UP ON THE DIFFERENCE IN COLOR AND THE PATTERN OF THE KNIT, DETERMINING THAT THIS TOO WAS FRAUD.

WE ACTUALLY FOUND THE SWEATER THAT WAS LIKELY PURCHASED BY THE FRAUDSTER, AND IT WAS $36.99, FAR LESS EXPENSIVE THAN THE $200 ONE THE CUSTOMER WAS CLAIMING TO RETURN.

HAPPY RETURNS WILL NOW WITHHOLD THE REFUND AND SEND THE ITEM BACK TO THE RETAILER.

AND THEN THAT SHOPPER WILL BE RED FLAGGED.

>> YES.

WE FEED THIS DATA BACK INTO THE UPSTREAM ENGINE, WHICH IS DECIDING WHAT RETURNS ARE RISKY, AND THIS SHOPPER, THEIR EMAIL, THEIR PHYSICAL ADDRESS, AND ANY EMAILS THAT LOOK LIKE THAT EMAIL WILL GET FLAGGED.

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