![KPBS Evening Edition](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/HRz3uzL-white-logo-41-e7Iassw.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
Friday, January 24, 2025
Season 1 Episode 3476 | 27m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
A fire near the border increases overnight, forcing people to evacuate.
A fire near the border explodes in size overnight, forcing people from their homes and sending smoke into the sky. We’re tracking the latest on the firefight and its impact on air quality. Plus, the first troops deployed by President Trump in his immigration crackdown have arrived at the border. And, we’ll give you a first look at what to expect at the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival.
![KPBS Evening Edition](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/HRz3uzL-white-logo-41-e7Iassw.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
Friday, January 24, 2025
Season 1 Episode 3476 | 27m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
A fire near the border explodes in size overnight, forcing people from their homes and sending smoke into the sky. We’re tracking the latest on the firefight and its impact on air quality. Plus, the first troops deployed by President Trump in his immigration crackdown have arrived at the border. And, we’ll give you a first look at what to expect at the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival.
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THANK YOU.
>>> EXTREME FIRE CONDITIONS AS A WILDFIRE NEAR THE BORDER EXPLODES IN SIZE OVERNIGHT, FORCING PEOPLE TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
I AM MAYA TRABULSI.
THE BORDER FIRE STARTED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON .
SANTA ANA WIND FUELED THE FLAMES OVERNIGHT AND NOW IT HAS EARNED MORE THAN 5000 ACRES.
EVACUATION ORDERS WERE ISSUED, AND EVACUATION WARNINGS WERE EXTENDED TO THE EAST THIS AFTERNOON.
AND KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN IS LIVE WITH THE LATEST.
ALEX.
>> Reporter: THAT'S RIGHT.
RESIDENTS SAY LAST NIGHT'S EVACUATION WAS CALM BUT CHAOTIC.
FIRST I WANT TO BRING IN CAPTAIN ROBERT JOHNSON FROM CAL FIRE.
CAPTAIN JOHNSON, WHAT CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE FIRE RIGHT NOW?
>> THE MOST CURRENT ACREAGE WE HAVE, THE FIRE IS APPROXIMATELY 5300 ACRES.
THIS ACREAGE WAS BASED OFF OF AN INTEL FLIGHT AROUND 11:00 THIS MORNING TO THROUGHOUT THE DAY THE FIRE DID GROW, AND WE DO EXPECT INCREASE IN ACREAGE.
WE ARE HOPING FOR UPDATED ACREAGE FROM THAT INTEL FLIGHT COMING IN THE NEXT HOUR OR SO.
JUST BECAUSE THE FIRE GREW, FIRE CREWS ARE SO MAKING GOOD PROGRESS ON THE FIRE.
THE FIRE IS AT 10% CONTAINED, BUT WE DO HOPE IN OUR NIGHT BRIEFING THAT WE DO HAVE AN INCREASE OF CONTAINMENT.
FIREFIGHTERS HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD ALL DAY LONG PUTTING IN CONTROL LINES, EXTINGUISHING HOTSPOTS AS WELL AS WE CONTINUE TO SEE THE AIR TANKERS AS WELL AS THE HELICOPTERS FLYING OVER ON THIS FIRE.
>> Reporter: I KNOW WINDS HAVE BEEN OFF AND ON ALL DAY TODAY.
HOW DOES THAT AFFECT THE FIREFIGHTING EFFORT?
>> WE HAD MULTIPLE WIND CHANGES.
WE TALKED EARLIER ABOUT THE WIND LAST NIGHT.
THE WIND LAST NIGHT PICKED UP AND FIREFIGHTERS LAST NIGHT SAW EXPLOSIVE FIRE GROWTH AND ERRATIC, EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR PICKET IS CALMED DOWN.
THROUGHOUT THE DAY, THE WINDS HAVE BEEN RELATIVELY CALM, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN INCREASES AND DECREASES IN THE GUSTS THROUGHOUT THE DAY.
CURRENTLY WE ARE HAVING THE WIND OUT OF THE EAST, BUT LIKE I SAID, THE WINDS THROUGHOUT THE DAY HAVE BEEN CHANGING IN SPEED AS WELL AS DIRECTION.
>> Reporter: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
EARLIER TODAY I TALKED TO SOME RESIDENTS AT PIO PICO RV PARK AND THEY SAY THE EVACUATION WAS CALM, CHAOTIC, BUT SCARY.
>> Reporter: WITH THE WINDS BLOWING EMBERS IGNITING FIRES OUTSIDE OF THE MAIN BURN AREA, CREATING WHAT FIREFIGHTERS CALL EXTREME FIGHTING OR BEHAVIOR.
WE SAW FLAMES IGNITED IN THE BRUSH BY SKYDIVE SAN DIEGO NEXT TO OTAY LAKES WHILST DRIVING.
IT STARTED SMALL AND QUICKLY SPREAD.
THE ROCKY TERRAIN OF THE OTAY MOUNTAINS ARE CAUSING DIFFICULTY BATTLING THE FLAMES.
>> FIREFIGHTERS HAVE TO MAINTAIN SITUATIONAL AWARENESS IS HIKING THROUGH THE AREA.
>> Reporter: CAL FIRE CAPTAIN ROBERT JOHNSON SAID OVERNIGHT THE FIRE EXPLODED BURNING ALL THE WAY TO OTAY LAKES FROM THE JUNCTION WHERE IT STARTED.
THAT HAS FORKED -- FORCED THE EVACUATION OF 21 RV PARK.
>> YOU CAN LOOK ACROSS AND THE WHOLE HILLSIDE WAS ON FIRE AT THAT POINT.
>> Reporter: WHEN HE HEARD THE EVACUATION ORDER HE QUICKLY WOKE UP HIS NEIGHBORS TO TELL THEM TO EVACUATE.
>> AT FIRST THEY WERE MAD BECAUSE IT WAS 3:00 IN THE MORNING AND I AM WAKING THEM UP, BUT THEY VERY QUICKLY REALIZED WHAT WAS GOING ON AND UNDERSTOOD.
>> Reporter: HE AND HIS WIFE WENT TO THIS TEMPORARY EVACUATION CENTER IN THE PARKING LOT OF THIS SHOPPING CENTER IN RANCHO SAN DIEGO.
>> I AIN'T GOING TO TAKE NO CHANCES.
I WAS REALLY REALLY CLOSE SO I JUST PULLED OUT.
4 RUBIN CORONA DECIDED TO GO CLOSER TO THE LAKE.
WE IMPACT ON THIS SIDE OF OTAY LAKES ROAD .
>> I HOPE EVERYBODY GETS OUT AND TAKES CARE OF THEIR STUFF, BUT ON THIS SITE EVERYTHING IS GOOD.
>> Reporter: BACK OUT HERE LIVE RUBIN TELLS ME THAT HE DOESN'T THINK THE FIRE WILL JUMP OTAY BREAK SO HE IS PERFECTLY SAFE THERE PICK SOME RESIDENTS OF THE RV PARK I FOUND SOME PLACES TO PARK THEIR RVs TONIGHT.
OTHERS ARE AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE, THE SHELTER THERE.
THE RED CROSS TELLS ME THAT ABOUT 140 PEOPLE WERE SERVED LAST NIGHT.
CAL FIRE HAS EXTENDED THE EVACUATION ORDERS TO INCLUDE DELL'S ARE A AND ENCINITAS SPRINGS.
I WANT TO SHOW YOU HOW DRIED THIS AREA IS.
AS YOU CAN SEE, VERY DRY.
IT DOESN'T TAKE VERY MUCH FOR THE FIRE TO SPREAD.
I AM ALEXANDER NGUYEN , KPBS NEWS.
4 AS THE BORDER FIRE CONTINUES TO BURN, SOME SOUTH BAY RESIDENTS ARE RAISING CONCERNS ABOUT THE WORSENING AIR QUALITY.
SOUTH BAY REPORTER COREY SUZUKI SPOKE TO A CLIMATE EXPERT ABOUT WHY WILDFIRE SMOKE IS DANGEROUS AND WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STAY SAFE.
>> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE INKING ABOUT THE AIR QUALITY RIGHT NOW.
THIS MORNING YOU COULD SEE LAYERS OF SMOKING OVER PARTS OF THE SOUTH BAY IS A BORDER TWO FIRE CONTINUED TO BURN IN THE MOUNTAINS TO THE EAST.
TODAY 14 CHULA VISTA SCHOOLS WERE CLOSED BECAUSE OF THE AIR QUALITY AND MANY OTHERS KEPT THEIR STUDENTS INDOORS.
I TALKED TO AN ENVIRONMENTAL EPIDEMIOLOGIST WITH THE SCRIPPS INSTITUTE OF OCEANOGRAPHY ABOUT ALL OF THIS.
HE SAYS THE HEAT IN WHICH WILDFIRES BURN MAKE THE SMOKE VERY TOXIC, REGARDLESS OF WHAT MATERIALS ARE BURNING.
>> WILDFIRE SMOKE IS QUITE HARMFUL CAN LEAD TO A LOT OF COMPLICATIONS.
BECAUSE OF THIS HIGHER TOXICITY, IT WILL GET INTO THE LUNGS AND ME TO SOME INFLAMMATION, DISTRESS, AND ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE MORBIDITIES, THAT WILL LEAD TO A LOT OF POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS AND EXACERBATION.
>> Reporter: BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THERE ARE THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO TO STAY SAFE AROUND WILDFIRE SMOKE, LIKE WEARING A MASK.
>> YEAH, WHERE AN N95 MASK, WHICH IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN USING FOR THE COVID.
IS GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE FOR THE SAME EXPOSURE TO AEROSOLS.
FOR MAKING SAYS YOU SHOULD LIMIT YOUR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, TOO PICK TURN ON ANY AT-HOME FILTERS IF YOU HAVE THEM AND MONITOR THE LOCAL AIR QUALITY USING A WEBSITE LIKE ARONOW.
HE ALSO SUGGESTED USING A SPONGE OR WET CLOTH TO MOP UP DUST SO IT DOESN'T KICK UP PARTICLES INDOORS.
YOU CAN FIND MORE SAFETY TIPS ONLINE AT KPBS.ORG.
IN THE NEWSROOM THOMAS COREY SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.
>>> ABOUT 500 CAMP PENDLETON MARINES ARE AMONG THE 1500 ACTIVE-DUTY TROOPS DEPLOYING TO THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER.
KPBS MILITARY REPORTER ANDREW DYER SAYS THE MISSION IS SIMILAR TO A PREVIOUS BORDER DEPLOYMENT IN 2018.
4 500 SAILORS FROM THE CAMP PENDLETON BASE MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ARE AT THE IMPERIAL BEACH ORDER CONTROL STATION TODAY AS PART OF THE NEW MILITARY BORDER DEPLOYMENT ORDERED BY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.
ACCORDING TO U.S. NORTHERN COMMAND, THEY WILL SUPPORT U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION ON THE GROUND AND IN THE AIR.
ACTIVE-DUTY TROOPS ARE BARRED BY LAW FROM CONTACTING DOMESTIC LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHICH LIMITS THEM TO A SUPPORTING ROLE.
ACCORDING TO THE PENTAGON, THE 500 MARINES HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN ON STANDBY TO ASSIST WITH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S WILDFIRES.
THE DEPLOYMENT MIRRORS ONE TRUMP ORDERED DURING HIS FIRST TERM WHEN HE ORDERED 5000 TROOPS TO THE BORDER JUST AHEAD OF THE 2018 MIDTERM ELECTIONS.
THE BORDER MISSION IS IN ITS EARLY STAGES, AND PENTAGON LEADERS INDICATE MORE TROOPS COULD BE MOBILIZED SOON.
AN OFFICIAL WAS NOT MADE AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS.
KENDRA DYER, KPBS NEWS.
>>> FEDERAL EFFORTS TO STOP ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ARE BROADENING.
EXECUTIVE ORDERS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SIGNED MONDAY ARE PLAYING OUT IN COURTS OR IN ACTION.
NOW HIS ADMINISTRATION IS TURNING TO FEDERAL AGENCIES.
WE REPORT ON SOME OF THEIR NEW POLICIES.
>>> IT WILL NOT SWAY OUR COMMITMENTS TO SERVING THE MOST VULNERABLE.
>> Reporter: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS USING EMPOWERMENT AND INTIMIDATION TO STEM ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.
A NEW HOMELAND SECURITY DIRECTIVE LET'S MORE FEDERAL AGENCIES IDENTIFY AND ARREST PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY UNLAWFULLY.
IT APPLIES TO THE FBI, ETA, ATF, AND MORE.
MEANWHILE THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT IS THREATENING TO PROSECUTE OFFICIALS, PROTECT SO- CALLED SANCTUARY CITIES.
11 ATTORNEYS GENERAL AND THE ACLU CALL THAT UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S BORDERS ARE ARGUES IT WOULD MAKE THE COUNTRY SAFER AND REDUCE COLLATERAL ARRESTS.
>> WHEN YOU REDUCE A PUBLIC SAFETY THREAT, WHEN YOU FIND A B MAYBE WITH OTHERS.
OTHERS THAT DON'T HAVE A CRIMINAL CONVICTION GOT INTO THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY.
THEY WILL BE ARRESTED, TOO.
4 THE ADMINISTRATION IS ALSO ALLOWING I.C.E.
AGENTS TO MAKE ARRESTS IN PLACES LIKE SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
>> IF THEY'RE WILLING TO DO THIS IT MEANS NO ONE TO SAY.
WE ARE NOT SAFE.
THE COMMUNITY IS NOT SAFE.
HUMAN RIGHTS ARE NOT SAFE.
>> Reporter: ADVOCATES URGED TRUMP TO SEE HOW IT CONTRIBUTES TO THE ECONOMY.
>> THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THERE SINGER GOING DOWN DRASTICALLY.
>> Reporter: AND AS WORKERS.
>> IF THEY CONTINUE TO BE SCARED AND MISSING WORK BECAUSE THEY FEEL THEY ARE GOING TO GET DEPORTED IT WILL SHOW UP ON OUR DINNER TABLE.
IF YOU THINK WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH INFLATION, THIS WILL PUT IT ON STEROIDS.
WARMACK >> Reporter: REPORTING.
>>> STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB BONTA VISITED SAN DIEGO TODAY AND HE TOLD IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ACTIVISTS HIS OFFICE IS COMMITTED TO ENTERING THE STATES SANCTUARY LAWS PROTECT CALIFORNIANS FROM SOME OF PRESIDENT TRUMP'S MOST SEVERE IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS.
KPBS BORDER REPORTER GUSTAVO SOLIS WAS THERE.
WARMACK BONTA CAME TO SAN DIEGO WITH A CLEAR MESSAGE, ENSURE THAT EVERYONE FOLLOWS THE STATES SANCTUARY LAWS.
LIKE SB 54, WHICH LIMITS COOPERATION BETWEEN LOCAL JURISDICTIONS AND FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.
>> WE ARE VERY AWARE ABOUT THE CONCERNS ABOUT SB 54 COMPLAINTS.
WE ARE PREPARED TO ACT.
WE HAVE A PLAN.
WE ARE MONITORING COMPLIANCE OR LACK THEREOF.
IF THERE IS A FAILURE TO COMPLY WE WILL AT.
>> Reporter: SEVERAL IMMIGRANTS RIGHTS ACTIVIST TOLD BONTA ABOUT THREATS THEY SEE HERE IN SAN DIEGO.
THAT INCLUDES CONCERNS AT THE SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT MAY NOT FOLLOW SANCTUARY LAW, AND THE EL CAJON MAYOR BILL WELLS IS TRYING TO PASS A RESOLUTION TO ASSIST FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AGENCIES AS MUCH AS LEGALLY POSSIBLE.
CARMEN CHAVEZ IS WITH THE CARSON CORNELIA LA CENTER.
-- CHAIR OF THE SAN DIEGO IMMIGRANTS RIGHT CONSORTIUM.
HE ASKED BONTA ABOUT THIS INDIGO SHERIFF KELLY MARTINEZ IS A DECISION TO IGNORE A COUNTY POLICY AIMED AT LIMITING THE TRANSFER OF PEOPLE FROM LOCAL JAILS IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT.
>> BUT OUR MAIN ISSUE WAS AT THE SHERIFF, YOU KNOW WITHIN HOURS OF THE PASSAGE OF THIS RESOLUTION MADE A DECLARATION THAT SHE WILL NOT ABIDE BY THE POLICY.
>> Reporter: BONTA SAID HIS OFFICE IS CLOSELY MONITORING EACH SITUATION.
EVEN CALLED MAYOR WELLS RESOLUTION PERFORMATIVE.
>> CITIES DON'T MAKE THE LAW FOR THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA MAKES THE LAW FOR THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND IT MUST BE FOLLOWED BY CITIES.
WHATEVER THEY DO, IT MIGHT BE SYMBOLIC FOR THEM, PERFORMATIVE FOR THEM, BUT IT IS NOT THE LAW.
IT IS NOT ENFORCEABLE.
>> Reporter: BUT HE WAS A LITTLE MORE GUARDED WHEN SPEAKING ABOUT SHERIFF MARTINEZ.
>> Reporter: WE ARE VERY WELL AWARE OF THAT.
WE ARE FOLLOWING CLOSELY.
WE HAVE ANALYZED THE ISSUE.
WE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO BE PART OF A PRACTICAL SOLUTION.
I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT.
>> Reporter: BONTA ENCOURAGED LOCAL ADVOCATES TO REMAIN VIGILANT AND TELL HIS OFFICE IS ANY CITY OR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IS NOT FOLLOWING SANCTUARY LAWS.
GUSTAVO SOLIS, KPBS NEWS.
>>> THE KPBS NEWS TEAM RECENTLY SPOKE WITH LOCAL HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES AND EDUCATION , MENTAL HEALTH, LABOR, AND IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE SERVICES AS THEY PREPARED FOR THE PRESIDENT'S SECOND TERM.
ADVOCATES CRITICIZED MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE SOUTHERN BORDER, SAYING IT OFTEN FAILS TO CAPTURE THE COMPLEXITIES OF IMMIGRATION INCLUDING THE MANY WAYS IMMIGRANTS CAN HOLD LEGAL STATUS IN THE U.S. WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER A LIST OF COMMON IMMIGRATION STATUSES AND THEIR DEFINITIONS.
YOU CAN CHECK IT OUT AT KPBS.ORG.
>>> IT IS COLLEGE APPLICATION SEASON FOR HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS, AND STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ARE FILLING OUT FINANCIAL AID FORMS.
KPBS REPORTER KATIE ANASTAS SAYS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THREAT OF MASS DEPORTATION MAY AFFECT TO APPLIES.
>> Reporter: THE FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID OR FAFSA ASKS STUDENTS AND PARENTS WHETHER THEY HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
>> HISTORICALLY THAT INFORMATION HAS BEEN HOUSED IN THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND HAS NOT BEEN SHARED WITH ANY FEDERAL AGENCIES.
I THINK ONE OF THE WORRIES RIGHT NOW WITH THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION IS STUDENTS ARE WORRIED THAT THEIR INFORMATION MAY NOT BE SAFE.
>> Reporter: WITHOUT THE FAFSA, STUDENTS CANNOT ACCESS FEDERAL AID PROGRAMS LIKE PELL GRANTS ARE FEDERAL STUDENT LOANS.
GUIDANCE COUNSELORS SAY STUDENTS ARE WEIGHING THAT AGAINST OTHER RISKS.
>> THAT IS THE GREATEST THINGS WE ARE HEARING IS THAT PARENTS ARE AFRAID THAT IF THEY PUT THEIR INFORMATION IN HIM OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, FOR THE FAFSA, THAT THEY MAY BE JUST SETTING THEMSELVES UP FOR DEPORTATION LATER ON.
THAT'S WHY WE GO BACK TO YOU HAVE CHOICES.
>> Reporter: THE CALIFORNIA DREAM ACT APPLICATION IS FOR STATE AID LIKE CAL GRANTS AND AIDS FROM SCHOOL WITHIN THE STATE.
IT IS OPEN TO STUDENTS WITHOUT LEGAL STATUS, DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS RECIPIENTS, AND STUDENTS WITH TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS.
THE DATA IS NOT SHARED WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
>> THE CALIFORNIA DREAM ACT APPLICATION IS AVAILABLE THIS YEAR FOR STUDENTS THAT ARE FROM MIXED STATUS FAMILIES.
THOSE ARE STUDENTS WHO ARE U.S. CITIZENS, OR ELIGIBLE NONCITIZENS, AND MAY HAVE A PARENT OR TWO PARENTS THAT DON'T HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
>> Reporter: MORE THAN 20 SCHOOLS OR LIBRARIES OR HOSTING WORKSHOPS TOMORROW TO HELP FAMILIES WITH BOTH APPLICATIONS.
YOU CAN FIND THE LIST ONLINE AT KPBS.ORG .
KATIE ANASTAS , KPBS NEWS.
>>> THIS MONTH, THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT SETTLED A LAWSUIT BROUGHT BY VETERANS OR STEAD OF THE MILITARY UNDER ANTI- LGBTQ+ POLICIES.
KPBS MILITARY AND VETERANS REPORTER ANDREW DYER IS THE DEAL SIMPLIFIES THE PROCESS FOR THOSE VETERANS TO APPLY FOR DISCHARGE UPGRADES.
>> Reporter: IT TOOK MORE THAN A YEAR, BUT IN THE WANING DAYS OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, THE PENTAGON AGREED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF LGBTQ PLUS VETERANS FIX THEIR SO-CALLED BAD PAPER DISCHARGES.
>> THE SETTLEMENT IS TRULY HISTORIC.
>> Reporter: JOCELYN LARKIN IS ONE OF THE ATTORNEYS WHO BROUGHT THE LAWSUIT.
LGBTQ+ PEOPLE WERE BARRED FROM MILITARY SERVICE FOR DECADES, UNTIL THE BAN WAS LIFTED IN 2011.
LAST YEAR THE PENTAGON UPGRADED HUNDREDS OF DISC CHARGES FROM THE DON'T ASK DON'T TELL ERA BUT STOP SHORT OF THOSE FORCED OUT BEFORE 1994.
LARKIN SAYS THESE VETERANS DESERVE BETTER.
>> PEOPLE WERE SPYING ON THEM.
THERE WAS OFTEN A VERY BRUTAL PROCESS TO BASICALLY OUT THEM, AND THEN DISCHARGE THEM.
>> Reporter: THE SETTLEMENT STOP SHORT OF THE PENTAGON AMENDING THE DISCHARGES.
MANY OF THE VETERANS MAY BE DECEASED OR UNINTERESTED.
SHE SAYS BY THE SUMMER THE PENTAGON SHOULD HAVE A PROCESS IN PLACE ONLINE FOR VETERANS TO APPLY.
>> WE HAVE ENSURE THAT IT IS AS EASY AS POSSIBLE FOR SOMEONE TO MAKE THE REQUEST, BUT THEY DO NEED TO MAKE THE REQUEST.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE WILL BE DOING IS A LOT OF OUTREACH TO BOTH VETERANS GROUPS , VETERAN ADVOCATES, AND LGBTQ GROUPS TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE ARE AWARE OF THIS OPPORTUNITY.
>> Reporter: LARKINS IS A SETTLEMENT WON'T BE AFFECTED BY THE NEW TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.
DURING HIS FIRST TERM, DONALD TRUMP BAND TRANS PEOPLE FROM THE MILITARY.
JOE BIDEN RESCINDED THAT BAND.
IT'S UNCLEAR NOW WHETHER IT WILL RETURN, BUT LARKIN SAYS THEY WILL BE READY.
>> WE WILL BE VIGILANT, BECAUSE DISCRIMINATION OF ANY KIND, PARTICULARLY IN THE MILITARY, IS UNACCEPTABLE.
HER BACK MORE INFORMATION ON THESE DISCHARGE UPGRADES IS AVAILABLE ONLINE.
ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.
>>> WHILE THE PALISADES AND EVEN WILDFIRES ARE NOW UNDER CONTROL , THE TOLL THAT THEY TOOK ON AN ENTIRE LOS ANGELES NEIGHBORHOOD IS STILL BEING DETERMINED.
PEOPLE ARE RETURNING TO AREAS THAT RESEMBLE WAR ZONES.
MARIBEL GONZALES JOINED ONE OF THOSE FAMILIES AND HARDHEAD ALTA DENA.
>> I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE ANYTHING.
>> Reporter: THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ELAINE AND VICTOR ARE RETURNING TO THEIR ALTA DENA NEIGHBORHOOD SINCE THE EATON FIRE FORCED THEM TO EVACUATE.
THE COUPLE AT A LOSS FOR WORDS AS THEY DRIVE THROUGH BLOCK AFTER BLOCK OF WRECKAGE.
HOME IS NOW NEARLY UNRECOGNIZABLE.
>> IT FEELS A TERRIBLE DREAM WE ARE GOING TO WAKE UP FROM.
>> Reporter: AS WE TURN THE CORNER TOWARD THE STREET THEY LIVED ON -- >> YOU SEE THE FIRES HAPPEN BUT YOU NEVER THINK IT WILL ACTUALLY BE YOU ON TV, OR THAT IT WOULD BE YOU, THAT IT WOULD HAPPEN TO.
>> Reporter: A STOP AT A NATIONAL GUARD CHECK POINT.
BOTH ICU NURSES ELAINE AND VICTOR ARE USED TO DEALING WITH CRISIS.
>> THIS IS OUR HOUSE.
>> Reporter: BUT NOTHING COULD HAVE PREPARED THEM TO SEE WHAT THE EATON FIRE TOOK FROM THEM.
>> I THINK THE WORST THING IS WE WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO STARTING A FAMILY.
WE GOT MARRIED.
>> I JUST HAVE NO WORDS TO DESCRIBE HOW I FEEL RIGHT NOW.
>> Reporter: THE EATON FIRE RAVAGED THROUGH THIS ALTADENA NEIGHBORHOOD, LEAVING SOME HOMES SEEMINGLY INTACT WHILE OTHERS BURNED TO THE GROUND.
THESE FAMILIES LEFT WITH NOTHING.
>> PEOPLE THINK L.A. IS RICH AND GLAMOROUS, BUT IT IS JUST AVERAGE HARD-WORKING PEOPLE THAT ARE TRYING TO GET BY AND SAVE UP.
>> Reporter: LIKE SO MANY HERE, WITH THE HELP OF FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND THEIR COMMUNITY, ELAINE AND VICTOR ARE CLINGING TO HOPE FOR BUT THEY FEAR THE HOUSE AND CALLED HOME FOR ONLY SIX MONTHS WILL TAKE YEARS TO REBUILD.
>> WE STILL HAVE TO PAY THE MORTGAGE HERE EVEN THOUGH THE HOUSE IS NOT HERE.
>> WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT, WE'VE GOT TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
WE'VE GOT TO MAKE IT WORK SOMEHOW.
THIS IS, YOU KNOW, THIS IS HOME.
>> Reporter: IN ALTADENA, I AM MARIBEL GONZALES REPORTING.
>>> AS WE TRANSITION OUT OF THE FIRE RISK FOR THE WEEK, WE GO INTO A PATTERN THAT IS GOING TO BE VERY BENEFICIAL FOR US, BECAUSE IT BRINGS US THE CHANCE OF SOME MUCH-NEEDED RAIN.
GIVEN SOME MOUNTAIN SNOW FOR PARTS OF THE AREA FOR THE WEEKEND.
THAT IS SOME GREAT NEWS ESPECIALLY AS YOU GET ABOUT 5000 FEET.
RAINFALL BENEFICIAL, TOO.
WE COULD BE TALKING ABOUT A FEW LOCATIONS UP TO 1 INCH OF RAIN.
ONSHORE WINDS DO RAISE THE HUMIDITY ALREADY.
WE FIND THAT AS WE HEAD THROUGH TONIGHT AND THEN THAT COOL AIR STICKS AROUND FOR US EVEN BEHIND THIS STORM SYSTEM.
FIRST UP TONIGHT WE START TO GET MORE OF THE ONSHORE FLOW COMING IN.
36 FOR THE OCEANSIDE LOW .45 IN THE CITY.
AS YOU WORK YOUR WAY TOWARD MOUNT LAGUNA, WE WILL MAKE IT TO 32 DEGREES.
HERE IS THE SLOW CHECKING ITS WAY RIGHT INTO CALIFORNIA.
IT TRACKS RIGHT OVER POINT CONCEPTION AT THE CORE OF IT.
AS IT DOES THAT WE WILL BE TO GET THE CHANCE FOR SOME RAINFALL , NOT ONLY AHEAD OF IT BUT ALSO DURING AND A LITTLE BIT ON THE BACKSIDE OF THIS STORM.
IT IS NOT AN ATMOSPHERIC RIVER, SO I DON'T THINK WE HAVE TOO MANY CONCERNS WITH WIDESPREAD FLOODING POTENTIAL, BUT WE WILL SEE THAT RAIN.
64 THE HIGH FOR SAN DIEGO RAMONA 64.
CHULA VISTA ALSO HOLDING ONTO THAT NUMBER TOMORROW AS THE SHOWERS COME IN.
AND IT WILL REMAIN A LITTLE BIT WET HERE AS WE GO INTO SUNDAY.
IN FACT THAT WILL BE THE WETTEST DAY MOST LIKELY.
AS WE HEAD INTO MONDAY, SOME OF THAT LINGERING RAINFALL.
FOR OUR AREA, MOST OF US PICK UP THEIR .52 1 INCH OF RAIN, BUT UPSLOPE LOCATIONS COULD PICK UP MORE THAN 1 INCH OF RAIN.
SOME OF THE MOUNTAINOUS AREAS AS YOU WORK YOUR WAY INTO THOSE LOCATIONS PICK UP MORE MOISTURE.
FOR YOUR DAYS, SUNDAY AGAIN THE WETTER DAYS OF THE TWO.
WE GO TO THE 50s BY MONDAY ON THE BACKSIDE OF THIS BRINGING SOME SHOWERS.
50s FOR INLAND COMMUNITIES, TOO.
WE DON'T QUITE MAKE IT TO THE 60s AS WE HEAD THROUGH SUNDAY AND MONDAY.
IT IS A VERY COOL PATTERN FOR US AS WE HAVE THE INTO THE RAIN.
SATURDAY NIGHT INTO SUNDAY FOR THE MOUNTAINS, SNOWFALL HERE, ESPECIALLY AS YOU GET ABOUT 5000 FEET.
THAT WILL BE THE GREATEST OF ALL POTENTIAL WITH 22 INCHES.
AND FOR THE DESERT COMMUNITIES, THE RAIN COMES IN ON SUNDAY.
TEMPERATURES HOLDING ONTO THE 60s FOR THE WEEKEND.
FOR KPBS NEWS, I AM METEOROLOGIST MELISSA CONSTANZER.
>>> AN UPDATE NOW ON THE BORDER TWO HOUR BURNING IN THE OTAY MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS.
IT STARTED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON BUT EXPORTED OVERNIGHT OVER 5000 ACRES.
EVACUATION ORDERS WERE ISSUED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT.
THIS AFTERNOON CAL FIRE EXPANDED EVACUATION WARNINGS.
FIRE OFFICIALS NOW SAY THAT THE DELL STORE AND ENGINEER SPRINGS ALONG WITH SOME NEIGHBORHOODS ON THE EASTERN EDGE OF CHULA VISTA SHOULD BE PREPARED TO EVACUATE IF CONDITIONS CHANGE.
>>> THE 35th ANNUAL SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL KICKS OFF ON MONDAY WITH MORE THAN TWO DOZEN FEATURE FILMS.
KPBS CINEMA JUNKIE BETH ACCOMANDO HAS THIS PREVIEW.
>> Reporter: TURNER CLASSIC MOVIES HOST BEN MANKIEWICZ DOESN'T JUST LOVE WATCHING MOVIES.
>> I DIDN'T LIKE HAVING DINNER BEFORE THE MOVIE.
I ALWAYS WANTED TO HAVE DINNER AFTER THE MOVIE BECAUSE YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE MOVIE.
EVEN IF YOU DIDN'T LIKE IT YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE MOVIE.
>> Reporter: IS FITTING HE IS DELIVERING THE KEYNOTE THE SPEECH AT THE SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL, A PLACE WHERE DISCUSSING FILMS IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS WATCHING THEM.
>> FESTIVALS DO A TREMENDOUS SERVICE AND PUTTING PEOPLE IN FRONT OF THEATERS AND I THINK REMINDING PEOPLE OF THE VALUE OF THAT SHARED EXPERIENCE.
THIS GETS MOVIES THAT WOULDN'T OTHERWISE BE SEEN SEEN AND THEN THESE TALKS THAT SORT OF PUT THINGS IN CONTEXT.
>> Reporter: PUTTING THE LIFE OF ONE ARTIST INTO CONTEXT IS AT THE HEART OF THE DOCUMENTARY " THE TRUE STORY OF TELLING PETER AND THE ART OF SURVIVAL."
JULIE RUBIO SPENT YEARS CHASING THE STORY OF THE STUNNING ART DECO ARTIST, FIRST ATTEMPTING A NARRATIVE FILM FOR DECIDING TO MAKE A DOCUMENTARY.
>> THERE WAS JUST NOTHING BETTER THAN TO BE IN LOCKDOWN WITH LAMP EAGER AND HER BEAUTIFUL ARTWORK AND REALLY TRYING TO TAKE IN AND FIGURE OUT HER TRUE STORY.
AND THAT IS WHEN I UNCOVERED THESE GROUNDBREAKING DOCUMENTS THAT HAD DETAILS OF HER REALLY -- REAL NAME, AND JUST REALLY STARTED TO GATHER THE TRUTH.
>> Reporter: THE DOCUMENTARY UNCOVERS THOSE TRUTHS WHILE CELEBRATING LEMPICKA'S BOLD, INNOVATIVE ART .
>> SHE INVENTED HER OWN STYLE MUSSO AS SHE SAID IN A WHOLE ROOM FULL OF PAINTINGS, YOU CAN IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZE MINE.
>> HER ART CAPTURES BEAUTY, BUT IT ALSO CAPTURES HORRIFIC WAR TIMES AND HER REMARKABLE WILL TO SURVIVE AND REINVENT HERSELF, YOU KNOW?
SHE WAS LIVING IN A WORLD THAT WANTED HER GONE, BECAUSE SHE WAS JEWISH, BECAUSE SHE WAS A WOMAN.
SHE WAS OTHER AND SHE WAS CELEBRATING THAT SHE WAS OTHER.
>> Reporter: ANOTHER STUNNING DOCUMENTARY SCREENING AT THE FESTIVAL IS TAKING A LOOK AT A 1960 PROTEST TO INTEGRATE THE GLEN ECHO AMUSEMENT PARK.
>> OH, WE WERE TRYING TO GET IN THERE.
>> I REALLY WANTED TO RIDE ON THE CAROUSEL.
WHY COULDN'T WE GO AND HAVE FUN LIKE EVERYONE ELSE?
>> THE HOLOCAUST RADICALIZED ME.
>> THE FIGHT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS IS AS MUCH MY FIGHT AS IT IS THEIRS.
>> THAT IS THE FIRST TIME I HAD ANY SOCIAL CONTACT WITH A WHITE PERSON.
>> Reporter: FINDING ARCHIVAL MATERIAL FOR THE FILM WAS CHALLENGING, BECAUSE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROTEST WASN'T RECOGNIZED AT THE TIME.
FILMMAKER ALANA TRACHTMAN EXPLAINED HOW ONE INTERVIEWEE CALLED HER WITH THE DISCOVERY.
>> SHE HAD FOUND A LITTLE YELLOW KRONE CHROME BOX THAT WAS LABELED GLEN ECHO 1950 AND SHE ASKED IF I WANTED IT AND I UNDERSTOOD I WAS LOOKING AT THE PROTEST.
>> Reporter: THAT FURNISH THEN SYNCED UP WITH AN AUDIO RECORDING SHE FOUND EARLIER BETWEEN A SECURITY GUARD AND A PROTESTER.
>> THIS PARK IS SEGREGATED.
>> I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU MEAN.
>> IT IS STRICTLY FOR WHITE PEOPLE.
>> Reporter: THAT THE PIECE OF AUDIO THAT I HAD WERE THAT CONVERSATION WAS TAKING PLACE WAS FILMED BY THIS WOMAN'S FATHER, YOU KNOW IT IS INCREDIBLE.
IN THESE TWO PIECES OF THESE TWO ASSETS, THIS AUDIO RECORDING IN THIS FILM FOOTAGE WERE SEPARATED BY, LIKE, 3000 MILES FOR 6 YEARS, AND IT WAS JUST BECAUSE OF INCREDIBLE LUCK AND PERSEVERANCE THAT, YOU KNOW, I WAS ABLE TO MARRY THEM AND, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE HERE FOR POSTERITY.
PORT >> Reporter: WITH THE COMMANDERY'S NOTICE OF MEETING STORIES, BUT THE PERSISTENCE OF THE FILM MAKERS TO UNCOVER INCREDIBLE MATERIAL.
THESE ARE JUST TWO OF MORE THAN A DOZEN FILMS WORTH WATCHING AND DISCUSSING AT THIS YEAR'S SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL .
BETH ACCOMANDO , KPBS NEWS.
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