OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN STYLE AND FASHION.

THIS WEEKEND BRINGS THE FIRST FULL-SCALE COMIC CON SINCE 2013.

WE HAD TWO STORIES.

WE MET SOME OF THE EARLY ARRIVALS FOR COMIC CON 2022.

>> Reporter: WHIRLS CAN YOU SEE ALL OF THESE CHARACTERS HANGING OUT.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC PUT THE BRAKE ON THIS A FOUR-DAY MULTI GENRE ENTERTAINMENT CONVENTION.

>> IT IS LIKE HAVING A BEST FRIEND AND THEY HAVE TO GO AWAY.

>> Reporter: AT VALENTINO HAS BEEN COMING TO COMIC-CON SINCE HE WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD.

>> IT MEANS THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO BE THE CHARACTERS OR THOSE THAT YOU GREW UP WITH AND THAT HOPE TO GROW UP FRONT THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFETIME.

>> Reporter: CHRISTOPHER CANNOT BELIEVE HE IS BACK AND IS READY TO STEP INSIDE THE CONVENTION CENTER.

>> I GET GOOSEBUMPS JUST THINKING ABOUT HOW AMAZING THIS PLACE IS AND THIS HOW AMAZING THIS SECTION OF SAN DIEGO IS.

>> Reporter: EVERYONE WILL HAVE TO BE VACCINATED OR SHOW PROOF OF AN TEST.

REBECCA HAS BEEN COMING FOR YEARS AND SAYS SHE IS UP FOR THE CHALLENGE.

>> SPIDERMAN A DEADPOOL HAVE IT EASY.

IT IS BUILT IN.

BUT IT DOES CHALLENGE YOUR CREATIVITY.

LIKE HOW CAN I INCORPORATE A MASK.

SO, ALL OF MY COSTUMES HAVE A HANDMADE MASK .

>> Reporter: WEDNESDAY IS PREVIEW NIGHT FOR THOSE THAT GOT BADGES.

THERE WILL BE INDUSTRY EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE CITY.

AND WE HAVE ADVICE.

>> DRINK LOTS OF WATER, WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES AND BE THE LIGHT YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE UNIVERSE.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS COME TO DEFINE COMIC- CON IN THE YEARS IS THE MAJOR SAME.

IT REPRESENTS THAT IT HAS SOLD OUT TO HOLLYWOOD AND HAS GOTTEN TOO BIG.

BUT SOME PEOPLE LOVE THIS.

TO THE PEOPLE WAITING IN LINE, EVEN THEY HAVE A HARD TIME EXPLAINING WHY THEY DO IT.

>> YOU ARE STARING AT THE SIDEWALK AND THE GRAVEL.

YOU GO INTO SENSORY DEPRIVATION.

IF YOU GET LUCKY YOU GET INTO SOMETHING.

AND THEN IT IS LIKE SENSORY OVERLOAD.

AND IT FEELS AWESOME TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING.

>> TRYING TO GET IN REQUIRES SPECIAL SKILLS.

>> IF YOU GOOGLE ME ALMOST NOTHING COMES UP AND I LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: BROOKLYN AGREED TO SHARE AN INSIDER PERSPECTIVE AS LONG AS I DON'T USE HER FULL NAME.

SHE RUNS A GROUP.

>> I READ THAT THE GROUP IS 100 PEOPLE AND IT INTENSIFIES WHERE YOU HAD TO BE MORE ORGANIZED BECAUSE EVERYBODY AROUND YOU WAS ALSO BEING MORE ORGANIZED.

SO, WE ENDED UP HITTING ON A GOOGLE SPREADSHEET.

>> Reporter: ATTENDING COMIC CON NOW REQUIRES TACTICAL SKILLS.

BUT, IT IS WORTH IT, SAYS BROOKLYN.

>> WE ARE ALL GOING TO THE SAME THING AND THEN WHEN YOU GET IN THAT ROOM AND YOU WORK THAT HARD AND YOU ARE WITH ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS WHEN LOKI WALKS OUT -- >> I AM LOKI!

OF ASGARD.

>> THE SOUND OF THE CROWD.

>> IN ARENA HALL H. >> BUT WHEN EVERYBODY IS CAMPED OUT, AND THEY SAT IN THAT ROOM ALL DAY LONG FOR THAT PANEL AND THEY FINALLY START TELLING YOU EVERYTHING THAT WILL HAPPEN, THE FEEL OF THE CROWD IS JUST SOMETHING YOU WON'T GET ANYWHERE ELSE.

>> SAY MY NAME!

>> Reporter: BUT NOT EVERYONE GETS THIS.

>> MY HUSBAND THINKS I AM CRAZY.

HE'S AT HOME WITH OUR DAUGHTER.

>> Reporter: TWILIGHT MOMS WERE JUST GEEKY FANS JUST LIKE ALL OF THOSE WHO ATTENDED BEFORE THEM.

THEY JUST HAPPEN TO BE OLDER WOMEN AND TEENAGE GIRLS.

A DEMOGRAPHIC THAT HAS NOT BEEN SEEN IN LARGE NUMBERS BEFORE BUT THE ATTENDANCE OVER ALL AT COMIC-CON IS GROWING.

>> THIS YEAR WE ARE MORE PREPARED.

WE BROUGHT CHAIRS, UMBRELLAS, SLEEPING BAGS.

THAT KIND OF THING.

>> Reporter: DO YOUR RESEARCH ONLINE AND READ THROUGH THE PROGRAM SCHEDULE AND MAKE PRACTICAL PLANS.

THAT MEANS PACK SNACKS AND WATER, DEODORANT AND WHERE COMFY SHOES BECAUSE YOU CAN EASILY DO 30,000 STEPS ON THE EXHIBIT FLOOR.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT IT CAN BE WHATEVER YOU MAKE IT.

YOU CAN DO PANELS, SHOP, COSPLAY.

THIS REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN.

>> FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU ARE INTO.

>> Reporter: BUT IF YOU DO WANT TO WAIT IN LINE EMBRACE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND TIME WITH PEOPLE THAT LOVE THE SAME THINGS YOU DO.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF CAMARADERIE HERE.

EVERYBODY ELSE, THEY ARE BACK HOME.

THEY THINK I AM NUTS BUT THESE GIRLS ARE GREAT.

WE GET EACH OTHER AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT.

WE GET EXCITED ABOUT THE SAME THINGS.

SO IT IS REALLY FUN.

>> Reporter: FOR MANY OF US, COMIC-CON IS OUR HAPPY PLACE.

I'M BETH ACCOMANDO FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HAVE MORE COVERAGE AT KPBS.ORG.

AND YOU CAN FOLLOW THEM ON INSTAGRAM AND YOUTUBE FOR VIDEOS AND PICTURES THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND.

>>> THIS NEXT STORY CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES.

BETWEEN PRIDE AND CRIME AND COMIC-CON, IT IS A BUSY TIME.

HUNDREDS OF INCIDENTS SHOW THAT OFFICERS THOUGH ARE UNLIKELY TO BE FINED OR INVESTIGATED.

CLAIRE TRAGESER HAS MORE.

>> I HAVE AN RPS CALLING FROM SPRING VALLEY.

IT IS ABOUT A SUSPICIOUS PERSON.

I HAVE THE CALLER ON THE LINE NOW.

>> JUST BEFORE 11:00 P.M.

IN AUGUST 2012, A WOMAN CALLED THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

DEPUTY LUKE OVAL HOLTER AND HIS PARTNER WALKED UP TO THE HOUSE AND DID NOT CALL OUT TO THE HOMEOWNER.

HE DREW HIS GUN.

>> MY GUN WAS IN FRONT OF ME.

I DON'T RECALL HOW FAR MY ARMS WERE EXTENDED.

SOMETHING PUSHED DOWN IN MY GUN AND MAKE CONTACT WITH MY GUN.

AND, AS THAT HAPPENED, MY GUN DISCHARGED.

>> Reporter: THIS IS WHAT HE LATER TOLD INVESTIGATORS.

>> AS SOON AS MY FIREARM DISCHARGE, I THINK I SAID, "-- !"

I REALIZED THAT A PERSON WAS THERE.

AND I WAS ABLE TO SEE THAT IT WAS A WOMAN.

AND THAT SHE WAS STILL STANDING BUT, SHE FELL OVER AT THE WAIST.

I THINK SHE WAS MAYBE HOLDING HER ABDOMEN OR HER ARM.

>> Reporter: HE HAD SHOT THE HOMEOWNER WHO CALLED POLICE.

THE WOMAN WAS WOUNDED ON HER CHEST AND ARMS AND WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR EMERGENCY SURGERY.

THEY CALLED HIS ACTIONS CARELESS AND IMPRUDENT BUT HE WAS NOT FIRED OR SUSPENDED.

HE RECEIVED A WRITTEN REPRIMAND TO GO IN HIS FILE.

THE LIGHT DISCIPLINE IS A TREND, ACCORDING TO A KPBS ANALYSIS.

WE LOOKED AT 475 USE OF FORCE INCIDENTS.

OR THE 97% OF THE TIME, OFFICERS RECEIVED NO DISCIPLINE WHATSOEVER.

WHEN OFFICERS WERE DISCIPLINED, IT WAS SOMETIMES FOR ACTIONS OTHER THAN SHOOTING OR USING FORCE AGAINST A SUSPECT.

MOST OF THE TIME THEY WERE BACK ON THE STREET AFTER A SHORT SUSPENSION, IF THEY WERE SUSPENDED AT ALL.

SAN DIEGO SHARES DEPUTY KLEIN WAS DISCIPLINED AFTER KICKING A MAN IN THE FACE DURING AN ARREST.

BUT HIS DISCIPLINE WAS FOR FAILING TO DOCUMENT.

SAN DIEGO POLICE OFFICER ELLIOT SIMON TACKLED A MAN AND KNOCKED HIM UNCONSCIOUS.

HE WAS SUSPENDED FOR ONE DAY FOR FAILING TO TURN ON HIS BODY CAMERA.

McKESSON IS A CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST.

>> IMAGINE IF YOU HAD A JOB WHERE IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

THAT IS POLICING.

>> Reporter: THERE WERE MANY OFFICERS WHY WHO HAS ESCAPED PUNISHMENT AND THAT HAPPENS BECAUSE OF HOW INVESTIGATIONS ARE DONE AND POLICE POLICY.

TOPPING THE LIST IS THE STRENGTH OF POLICE UNIONS.

>> THEY EMPOWER THE POLICE UNIONS, CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS, DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES ARE NEGOTIATED.

AND THERE IS A NATURAL TENDENCY OF THE ORGANIZATION OF PEOPLE THAT TRY TO PROTECT THEIR OWN.

BUT FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEY GET TO PROCESS.

>> Reporter: THE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION DID NOT RESPOND TO THEIR CREDIT REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

POLICE INVESTIGATIONS HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN DONE INTERNALLY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT.

>> WAY TOO OFTEN YOU WILL HAVE INVESTIGATING INTERNAL AFFAIRS OFFICERS WHO HAVE A DEEP IDENTIFICATION WITH AND SYMPATHY FOR THE OFFICER WHOSE CONDUCT IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE INSTITUTING REFORMS, ESPECIALLY AFTER PROTESTS OVER POLICE VIOLENCE SWEPT THE COUNTRY IN 2020.

THEY ANNOUNCED IN APRIL THAT THEY WILL INVESTIGATE EACH OTHER WHEN AN OFFICER SHOOTS IN SOMEONE.

SO CALLED THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WILL INVESTIGATE A POLICE SHOOTING AND VICE VERSA.

USE OF FORCE EXPERT TRAVIS NORTON SAYS THEY WELCOME CHANGE BUT THEY ALREADY DID THEIR OWN INVESTIGATIONS.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT RIDDICK'S WOULD SAY YOU CANNOT POLICE YOURSELVES.

THERE IS NOT THIS THING COVERING THINGS UP.

WE DON'T WANT THAT.

WE WANT TO MAINTAIN LEGITIMACY WITHIN COMMUNITIES.

IT IS SO IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: SOME ACTIVISTS HAVE CALLED ON SUMMER STEFAN TO CHARGE IN SUCH SHOOTINGS BUT THERE IS RARELY A WAY TO DO SO.

>> IN THE TIME I HAVE BEEN HERE, I FEEL THAT EVERY SINGLE CASE HAS RECEIVED OUR FULL ATTENTION, OUR BEST EXPERIENCE, AND THAT WE HAVE TRIED TO PROVIDE A TRANSPARENT PROCESS.

I THINK THE VOICES SHOULD KEEP COMING.

IF I LOST A LOVED ONE TO A POLICE OFFICER I WOULD WANT MORE ANSWERS AND WOULD PROBABLY NEVER STOP ASKING.

>> CLAIRE TRAGESER, KPBS NEWS.

>> IN A STATEMENT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SO SHOOTINGS ARE SCRUTINIZED AND ALTHOUGH THEY ARE NOT PERFECT, TIME AND TIME AGAIN, DOCUMENTS ARE SHOWING PROFESSIONALISM ENCOURAGE OF POLICE OFFICERS DURING IN DAILY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.

>>> PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN SEVERAL COMMUNITIES ARE ALREADY WELCOMING KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL.

ONE BIG CHANGE THIS YEAR IS THE SCHEDULE FOR OLDER STUDENTS.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER ANGIE PEREZ WAS THERE TO SEE HOW IT IS GOING.

>> Reporter: THE BUSES ARE ROLLING AGAIN AND THERE IS TIME FOR A GOODBYE KISS AND A PICTURE PERFECT MOMENT ON THE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES AT CASTLE PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL.

>> ARE YOU READY?

>> I'M NERVOUS .

>> Reporter: BILL WALSH IS THE PRINCIPLE.

HE AND HIS STAFF ARE COMMITTED TO KEEPING THE 750 STUDENTS SAFE AND TO TEACHING THEM LESSONS IN RESPECT AND RESPONSIBILITY.

>> THAT IS PART OF THE TRANSITION.

MAKING THE DECISIONS THAT YOU AS A YOUNG ADULT NEED TO MAKE SEE YOU CAN BE MORE SUCCESSFUL.

>> Reporter: PARENTS AT SWEETWATER HAD EXTRA TIME TO GET THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL.

THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE SAID THAT STORY HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASSES EACH MORNING WILL CONTRIBUTE TO STUDENT SUCCESS.

THIS IS THE FIRST SCHOOL YEAR THAT THE NEW STATE LAWS IN EFFECT.

IT STATES THAT MIDDLE SCHOOLS CANNOT BEGIN BEFORE 8:00 A.M. HIGH SCHOOLS CANNOT START BEFORE 8:30 AM.

MORE THAN AN HOUR LATER PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC.

>> IT IS GOOD.

I HAVE A CHANCE TO GET READY BUT ALSO, I DON'T LIKE LONGER DAYS.

TOOK IT COULD MEAN MORE SLEEP AND MORE TIME TO GET READY BUT THEIR SCHOOL DAY DOES NOT END UNTIL 3:30 PM OR FOR A CLOCK P.M., PUSHING EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES LATER.

THEY CONSIDER THE LATE START A HEALTH ISSUE IMPACTING THE WELL- BEING OF STUDENTS AT THE NEW LAW ALSO HAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THEIR FAMILIES.

>> IF YOU ARE REST YOU GET TO SCHOOL AND YOU ARE TIRED.

YOU JUST AREN'T DOING THINGS.

LATE STARTS IS WHAT WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOING A LONG TIME AGO.

>> IT WILL BE HARDER FOR ME.

>> WHY?

>> I HAVE ANOTHER KID IN ELEMENTARY AND IT WILL MESS UP THEIR SCHEDULE AND MY WORK AS WELL.

>> Reporter: MANY DROP OFF KIDS EARLY TO GET TO WORK ON TIME SO NOW THEY NEED CHILDCARE PRIOR TO SCHOOL.

THE SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION, WHICH SPECIALIZES IN SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS FACED BY UNDERSERVED FAMILIES COMMISSIONED A STUDY BY THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO NONPROFIT INSTITUTE.

>> CHILDCARE IS VERY MUCH LINKED TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE GOOD QUALITY CHILDCARE OPTIONS, FAMILIES CAN'T FIND STABLE EMPLOYMENT.

>> Reporter: 75% OF PARENTS DON'T HAVE THE CHILDCARE THAT THEY NEED.

SO, THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL COULD BE JUST THE BEGINNING OF ANOTHER CHALLENGING YEAR.

>>> MOST CAMPUSES IN THE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT ARE STILL ON SUMMER BREAK BUT FOR THOSE IN SESSION, MASK WEARING IS BACK DUE TO A SPIKE IN COVID- 19 CASES.

ONCE AGAIN HERE IS OUR EDUCATION REPORTER.

>> Reporter: HERE AT GOLDEN HILL ELEMENTARY YOU CAN SEE STUDENTS STILL WEARING MASKS AS THEY ARE DISMISSED FROM SUMMER SCHOOL CLASSES.

THEY SPENT THE MORNING INSIDE AND REQUIRED TO WEAR A MASK WHERE THEY LEARN.

IT TAKES SOME GETTING USED TO, ESPECIALLY FOR JUDE AND HIS BROTHER.

>> WHAT WAS THE HARDEST PART?

>> THAT HAD TO PULL IT BACK UP WHEN I WAS DONE EATING.

>> DO YOU LIKE WEARING A MASK?

>> NO.

>> WHY NOT?

>> IT MAKES MY FACE SWEATY.

>> Reporter: THE NUMBER OF CASES JUMPED SIGNIFICANTLY LAST WEEK PROMPTING THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL TO ELEVATE THE TRANSMISSION THREAT MORNING TO ITS HIGHEST LEVEL.

THAT TRIGGERED SAN DIEGO UNIFIED INDOOR MASK MANDATES AT ALL SCHOOL CAMPUSES AND DISTRICT OFFICES.

>> WHEN IT RAINS, YOU PUT YOUR UMBRELLA UP AND WHEN IT STOPS RAINING YOU CAN TAKE IT DOWN.

>> Reporter: RICHARD GUERRERO LEADS THE COVID-19 PROTECTIONS AND PROTOCOLS PLAN.

>> WHEN WE HURT CERTAIN THRESHOLDS, WE RAMP UP OUR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS.

AND I THINK THAT HAS KEPT SAY STAFF SAFE .

>> Reporter: WHETHER THE INDOOR MANDATE CONTINUES INTO THE FALL SEMESTER IS STILL TO BE DETERMINED.

IT WILL DEPEND UPON THE NUMBER OF COVID-19 CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS IN AUGUST.

MEANWHILE, EVERYONE MUST MASK UP INSIDE EVER RARE FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS.

WHEN IT COMES TO COVID-19 VACCINATIONS THE SCHOOL HAS DELAYED ITS MANDATE REQUIRING VACCINATIONS FOR ELIGIBLE STUDENTS, 16 AND UP, UNTIL JULY NEXT YEAR.

ALL EMPLOYEES MUST BE FULLY VACCINATED IN ORDER TO KEEP THEIR JOBS AND NEW HIRES, THIS SUMMER, MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF VACCINATION BEFORE THEY CAN START.

BACK AT GOLDEN HILL ELEMENTARY, JIM ALL A VERY IS NOT CONVINCED THAT HIS GRANDSONS ARE PROTECTED AT ALL.

>> I DON'T THINK THE MASK HELPS AT ALL.

THEIR PARENTS ARE FROM THE STATE OF IOWA AND THEY JUST FLEW THERE A MONTH AGO.

THEY WORE MASKS AND ALL THREE OF THEM CAME DOWN WITH COVID- 19.

>> WE CAN REPORT NONE OF THEM WERE HOSPITALIZED.

SO, THE DEBATE CONTINUES ALONG WITH THE MASK WEARING.

M.G.

PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT IS A MILLION-DOLLAR VIEW THAT MAY NOT BE AROUND FOR MUCH LONGER FROM THE SEED OF A MOVING TRAIN.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON GOES TO DELMAR.

AND A LOOK AT HOW MUCH SHOULD BE SPENT TO DEAL WITH THE CHANGING CLIMATE.

>> TO OUR SOUTH IS THE BEGINNING OF TWO MILES OF RAILROAD TRACK THAT RUNS ALONG THE VERY TOP OF THIS COASTAL BLUFF.

>> Reporter: TERRY IS TAKING IN THE SWEEPING VIEW ON TOP OF A CLIFF THAT HAS GRABBED SO MANY HEADLINES RECENTLY.

>> A BIG COLLAPSE CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE ALONG HERE AT ANY MOMENT IN TIME.

THAT IS OUR PROBLEM RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: AND THAT IS TROUBLE FOR TRAIN TRACKS THAT SKIRT THE COAST ALONG THE TOP OF THE BLUFF.

A COLLAPSED IN 1941 AND IT DEPOSITED A FREIGHT TRAIN ON THE BEACH BELOW.

RECENT COLLAPSES POSE AN ONGOING THREAT TO ONE OF THE BIGGEST RAIL CORRIDORS.

THE $68 MILLION PROJECT CALLS FOR PILINGS TO BE DRIVEN INTO THE BLUFF IT WOULD SECURE THE TRACK FOUNDATION AND SOON TO BE BUILT SEA WALLS WILL KEEP THE WATER AT BAY.

>> THE STABILIZATION PROJECT WILL BURY 49,000 SQUARE FEET OF CURRENT OPEN SANDY BEACH ALONG DELMAR.

AND IT IS GOING TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT, AT HIGH TIDE, WHEN THE TIDE MEETS THE SEA WALL, THERE IS NO BEACH LEFT.

>> Reporter: MAINTAINING THE RAIL LINE IS IMPORTANT TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.

THE TRUCK SERVES 2 MILLION PASSENGERS PER YEAR AND IS THE SECOND BUSIEST URBAN RAIL CORRIDOR IN THE NATION.

CHRIS ORLANDO SAYS THE TRAIN TRACKS HELP REDUCE THE CARBON FOOTPRINT.

>> THE COASTAL LINE IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE REDUCER.

EACH PASSENGER IS MORE THAN 26 MILES REDUCED SO IT IS REALLY AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO KEEP PEOPLE OFF THE ROAD.

>> Reporter: ORLANDO SAYS THE FREIGHT TRAIN KEEPS 24,000 TRUCKS OFF LOCAL HIGHWAYS.

>> THE SERVICES AND WITH A MADE TO THE REGION ARE SIGNIFICANT AND CRITICAL.

ANYTIME YOU HAVE A DISRUPTION IT HAS AN IMPACT ON THE REGION.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RESILIENCY OF THAT INFRASTRUCTURE REMAINS CONSTANT AND THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER PLAN, MOVING THE TRUCKS INLAND IS SO APPEALING BUT THERE ARE CHALLENGES THERE TOO.

MOVING THE TRACKS REQUIRES A TUNNEL UNDER DELMAR.

A PROJECT WITH A PRICE TAG CLOSE TO $3 BILLION.

SAN DIEGO ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS CEO HUSSEIN SAYS PRESERVING THE CORRIDOR THROUGH DELMAR HELPS MEET HIS AGENCY COMMITMENT TO MASS TRANSIT.

>> IT IS ALL ABOUT MAKING TRANSIT A VIABLE OPTION FOR PEOPLE.

IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE WANT TO FORCE PEOPLE OUT.

IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT EVERYBODY IS GOING TO LEAVE BUT, IF YOU PROVIDE A DECENT OPTION, MAYBE 10%, IT WILL INCREASE CAPACITY.

>> IT WILL HELP PAY FOR CRUCIAL ENVIRONMENTAL WORK TO MOVE THE TRACKS INLAND.

THEY HOPE THAT LEADS TO A SHOVEL READY PROJECT IN A FEW YEARS.

BUT IT IS FAR SHORT OF WHAT COULD BE A $3 BILLION PRICE TAG.

CONGRESSMAN MIKE LEVIN SAYS THE BIPARTISAN FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE LAW WAS DESIGNED FOR PROJECTS LIKE THIS.

>> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF BIG BUCKETS OF MONEY.

ONE FOR RESILIENCE AND ANOTHER FOR TRANSIT.

MY TEAM IS GOING TO WORK CLOSELY WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS AT THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALIGNED AND WORKING TOWARDS TRYING TO GET THIS PROJECT DONE FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE REGION.

>> Reporter: THEY HAVE FORCED THE RAIL CORRIDOR TO SHUT DOWN INTERMITTENTLY IN THE REGION FEELS IT.

>> EVERY TIME WE SHUT IT DOWN THERE IS AN ECONOMIC IMPACT TO OUR REGION BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF THE CORRIDOR.

>> Reporter: TERRY HELPS THE PRESSURE AND THE OPPORTUNITY WILL MAKE THE TRACK RELOCATION PROJECT A REALITY FOR DELMAR.

SHE SAYS EVERYONE WINS.

>> WE GET DOUBLE TRACKING ON A CORRIDOR OR THAT IS POISED TO GROW.

WE GET SAFE FREIGHT AND PASSENGERS CONVEYANCE ALONG TRACKS THAT ARE NOT ON A CRUMBLING LEFT.

SO WE HAVE SECURITY AND SOLIDITY.

>> Reporter: THESE TRACKS WILL BE GONE BY 2030 IF EVERYTHING GOES AS PLANNED.

THEY WILL BE LOCATED INLAND.

BUT, IF THE SCHEDULE DRAGS OUT THEY WILL HAVE SOME EXTRA TIME BECAUSE THE TEMPORARY FIXES WILL SECURE THE BLUFFS FOR 30 YEARS.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGANS HAS A GOODBYE TO HIM AND HIS LEGACY GOES BEYOND OUR CITY.

YOU MAY NOT KNOW WILLIE MORROW BUT HIS WORK CONNECTED WITH GENERATIONS OF AFRICAN- AMERICANS.

WE HAVE SOME OF THIS AMAZING STORY.

>> Reporter: WILLIE WAS MANY THINGS.

HE WAS A HAIRSTYLIST TUESDAY AND BECAME SYNONYMOUS WITH THE AFRO.

HE SAW A HANDMADE COMB THAT A NEIGHBOR BROUGHT HOME FROM AFRICA AND HE TOOK THIS IDEA HOME AND CREATED THE AFRO PICK.

FRIDAY, A CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE WAS HELD IN HIS HONOR.

>> HE WAS THE UP ENEMY OF A BLACK MAN WORKING.

HE WORKED IN WAS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PERSON INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: MORROW HILTON ESTABLISHED HIS OWN BUSINESS IN THE LATE 1970S ON MARKET STREET IN SAN DIEGO.

THE BUILDING HOUSES A BARBERSHOP, A SALON AND HE OPERATED A NEWSPAPER AND RADIO STATION THERE.

>> HE WANTED TO BE AN EPICENTER FOR PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER.

>> HIS STATUS ROSE OVER TIME AND HE STYLED HAIR FOR MANY.

INCLUDING MICHAEL JORDAN.

THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EVEN ENLISTED HIM TO CUT HAIR ON MILITARY BASES.

HE INSPIRED MANY BLACK ENTREPRENEURS.

>> HE WAS A YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR.

TRUCK THE MUSEUM AT CALIFORNIA CENTER IN ESCONDIDO CREATED AN EXHIBIT TO SHOWCASE HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

NOW, THERE IS AN EFFORT TO GET A STREET NAMED IN HIS HONOR.

I'M JACOB AERE FOR KPBS NEWS .

>>> YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR CONTENT ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE AND WE LIVESTREAM EVENING EDITION WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I AM JOHN CARROLL.

THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US.

♪ ♪