>>> 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 45 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.

>>> JUST DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION, ANOTHER FEDERAL COURT RULING ABOUT VOTER ROLLS IN CALIFORNIA.

GOOD EVENING, THANKS FOR JOINING US, I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

A PANEL OF THE NINTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS HAS REJECTED THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT'S REQUEST FOR THE STATE TO SET ASIDE DISPUTED BALLOTS RECEIVED IN THE MIDTERM ELECTION.

THE ADMINISTRATION HAS ALLEGED CALIFORNIA SENT BALLOTS TO SOME 20,000 PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT BE U.S.

CITIZENS.

IT WANTS THE STATE TO SET THOSE BALLOTS ASIDE AND NOT COUNT THEM UNTIL CITIZENSHIP CAN BE VERIFIED.

CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS SAY THE LIST IS HIGHLY UNRELIABLE AND MOST LIKELY INCLUDES MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE U.S.

CITIZENS.

STATE LAW SAYS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE ALLOWED TO TAKE PICTURES OF COURT RECORDS INSTEAD OF PAYING FOR COPIES, BUT IT HASN'T WORKED THAT WAY IN SAN DIEGO.

THAT LAW TOOK EFFECT IN JANUARY.

KPBS REPORTER SCOTT ROD SAYS THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT WAS NOT COMPLYING WITH THE LAW UNTIL THIS WEEK.

>> Reporter: I WENT DOWN TO THE SAN DIEGO CENTRAL COURTHOUSE THE OTHER DAY TO GET SOME RECORDS FROM A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT, AND I WAS TOLD I COULDN'T TAKE PHOTOS OF ANY OF THE DOCUMENTS.

INSTEAD, I HAD TO PAY 50 CENTS A PAGE FOR COPIES.

THERE WERE EVEN SIGNS ON THE WALL THAT SAID IF YOU BROKE THIS RULE, YOU WOULD BE ESCORTED OUT OF THE BUILDING.

NOW, THIS CAUGHT ME BY SURPRISE, BECAUSE THE STATE LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR PASSED A LAW THAT ALLOWS MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO MAKE THEIR OWN COPIES OF RECORDS WHILE IN THE COURTHOUSE READING ROOM.

>> EXCESSIVE CHARGES ARE A BARRIER TO TRANSPARENCY.

THEY GET IN THE WAY OF THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENS IN OUR COURT SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: DAVID LOY IS THE LEGAL DIRECTOR FOR THE FIRST AMENDMENT COALITION.

HE SAYS THE NEW LAW IS MEANT TO BENEFIT BOTH THE PUBLIC AND THE COURTS.

>> IT MAY BE A SIGNIFICANT DRAIN ON COURT RESOURCES FOR CLERKS TO HAVE TO MAKE A COPY OF EVERY SINGLE PAGE IN A COURT FILE, PARTICULARLY IF IT'S HUNDREDS OF PAGES.

SO IT SHOULD BE A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT SAID THEY WILL START COMPLYING WITH THE LAW IN THE COMING DAYS AFTER KPBS QUESTIONED COURT OFFICIALS.

SCOTT ROD, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S POLICE OVERSIGHT COMMISSION SAYS THE SDPD SHOULD LIMIT ITS USE OF PRETEXT TRAFFIC STOPS.

THE COMMISSION SAYS THEY ARE -- BUT BURR RES SAYS THE DEPARTMENT HAS LARGELY REJECTED THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> Reporter: WHEN POLICE OFFICERS ARE ON PATROL, THEY SOMETIMES SEE A MINOR VIOLATION ON A VEHICLE LIKE A BROKEN TAILLIGHT OR TINTED WINDOWS, BUT THEY HAVE SUSPICIONS THAT THE DRIVER IS ENGAGED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY SO.

THE OFFICERS CAN PULL THEM OVER AND INVESTIGATE.

THAT'S CALLED A PRETEXT TRAFFIC STOP.

POLICE CONSIDER THESE STOPS CRUCIAL TO CRIME FIGHTING, BUT RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THEY DISPROPORTIONATELY TARGET BLACK AND LATINO COMMUNITIES.

SAN DIEGO CITIZEN OVERSIGHT BOARD ON POLICE PRACTICES HAS TAKEN ISSUE WITH THESE STOPS.

IN AUGUST, IT RECOMMENDED THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT MAKE SIGNIFICANT CHANGES.

OVERSIGHT BOARD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ROGER SMITH SAYS THE STOPS ARE INHERENTLY MISLEADING.

>> BUT IF YOU'RE GOING STOP SOMEBODY FOR A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT, NEVER TALK TO THEM ABOUT THE BRAKE LIGHT, AND ONLY ASK THEM WHAT'S IN THE CAR, WHAT'S IN THE CONTAINER, WHERE THEY'RE COMING FROM, WHERE THEY'RE GOING, IF YOU'RE ONLY TRYING TO FISH FOR INFORMATION ABOUT OTHER THINGS, THEN THAT MEANS YOU REALLY WEREN'T CONCERNED WITH THE VIOLATION ITSELF.

>> Reporter: BUT THE SDPD HAS LARGELY REJECTED THE OVERSIGHT BOARD'S RECOMMENDATIONS, SAYING IN A RESPONSE LETTER THAT IMPLEMENTING THEM WOULD LIMIT THE DEPARTMENT'S ABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS CRIME.

SDPD SPOKESPERSON ASHLEY NICHOLS DECLINED KPBS' REQUEST FOR AN INTERVIEW.

EMMY BURRUS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I'M ARIELLA SCALESE, COMING UP TONIGHT, 63 UNDER A PARTLY CLOUDY SKY.

ON AND OFF SHOWERS LEAD US INTO THE WEEKEND WITH THE STEADIEST RAIN COMING ON SUNDAY.

AFTER THAT, SOME DRIER AND WARMER WEATHER BACK INTO THE FORECAST.

A CLOSER LOOK IS COMING UP.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY VOTERS WILL DECIDE ON A NEW SALES TAX PROPOSAL.

MEASURE B WOULD SET ASIDE $400 MILLION ANNUALLY FOR SOCIAL SERVICES, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND CROSS BORDER POLLUTION FIXES.

TAMMY MURGA SAYS PROPONENTS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE MEASURE ARE MAKING THEIR FINAL PUSH BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

>> Reporter: MEASURE B IS A HALF CENT SALES TAX SUPPORTERS SAY WOULD FUND SOME OF THE MOST PRESSING SAFETY AND FAMILIAL NEEDS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

ALEXIS SAYS $64 MILLION OF THE TOTAL GENERATED WOULD HELP MAKE CHILD CARE MORE AFFORDABLE.

SHE'S A CHILD OF TWO WHO HAS STRUGGLED WITH ACCESSING CHILD CARE WHILE GOING TO COLLEGE.

>> IT PLAYS INTO TWO ASPECTS, PROVIDERS ARE ABLE TO RECEIVE A STIPEND FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DO, AND PARENTS, THEY'RE ABLE TO RECEIVE VOUCHERS.

MORE PARENTS WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO VOUCHERS SO THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO RETURN TO SCHOOL OR REENTER THE WORKFORCE AND BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: MEASURE B WOULD ALSO GENERATE $70 MILLION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY CAUSES.

JOHN CLARK IS WITH CALFIRE LOCAL 2881, HE SAYS THE FUNDS WOULD HELP HIRE MORE FIREFIGHTERS AND UPGRADE EQUIPMENT.

>> THE COSTS HAVE BEEN DRIVING UP ON FIRE TRUCKS AND AMBULANCES, HELICOPTERS, MAINTENANCE FOR FLEET SERVICES, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A SOUND FLEET SO THAT WE CAN RESPOND TO THOSE INCIDENTS AS THEY COME.

>> Reporter: THE MEASURE SETS ASIDE FUNDING FOR PROJECTS TO MITIGATE POLLUTION IN THE TIJUANA RIVER AND OFFER HEALTHCARE AND FOOD SERVICES TO PEOPLE WHO LOST THEM UNDER TRUMP SERVICE CUTS.

NOT EVERYONE IS IN SUPPORT.

PRESIDENT OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION.

HE SAYS -- >> WHILE WELL INTENTIONED, IT'S BAD POLICY BECAUSE IT GOES ON FOREVER.

IT LOCKS IN FUNDING FORMULAS THAT ARE BASED ON THE NEEDS OF TODAY THAT VERY WELL MAY NOT BE THE NEEDS OF TOMORROW, FIVE OR TEN YEARS FROM NOW.

>> Reporter: NOVEMBER 3rd IS THE LAST DAY TO VOTE IN THIS ELECTION.

TAMMY MURGA, KPBS NEWS.

>> AND YOU CAN FIND ALL THE DETAILS ABOUT IN-PERSON VOTING CENTERS AND BALLOT DROPBOXES ON THE KPBS VOTER HUB.

IT'S WHERE WE HAVE EXPLAINERS ON CITY, COUNTY, AND STATEWIDE RACES.

THE KPBS VOTER HUB IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN SPANISH.

IT'S ALSO FEATURED ON OUR HOME PAGE RIGHT THERE AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> SO WHO IS SPENDING BIG ON SAN DIEGO POLITICS?

THAT'S WHAT KPBS AND OUR NONPROFIT NEWS PARTNER VOICE OF SAN DIEGO WANTED TO KNOW AHEAD OF THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

PUBLIC MATTERS REPORTERS JAKE AND LISA SORTED THROUGH THOUSANDS OF DATA POINTS FROM SEVERAL SOURCES AND THEY SHARE WHAT THEY FOUND ABOUT CAMPAIGN FINANCE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: MIDTERM ELECTIONS ARE JUST A FEW DAYS AWAY.

A LOT OF FOCUS IS ON CANDIDATES AND RACES LEADING UP TO THE BIG DAY, BUT WE WANTED TO FIND OUT WHO'S FUNDING THOSE CAMPAIGNS AND TRYING TO SWAY PUBLIC OPINION.

>> Reporter: TO DO THAT, WE HAD TO GATHER CAMPAIGN FILINGS FROM MULTIPLE AGENCIES, IDENTIFY SAN DIEGO-AREA SPENDING, AND TRACK DOWN WHERE THOSE GROUPS GOT THEIR MONEY IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> Reporter: IT TOOK A LOT OF WORK BY WEB DEVELOPER AND GURU MICHAEL WAYNE.

HE USED A.I.

TO BUILD SOFTWARE THAT COLLECTED THIS DATA.

WE VERIFIED THESE NUMBERS WITH ORIGINAL DOCUMENT, AND NO DATA WAS GENERATED BY A.I.

>> Reporter: WE HAVE NOW COMPILED A LIST OF TOP SPENDERS AND DONORS IN SAN DIEGO-AREA POLITICS.

>> Reporter: BEFORE WE GET INTO THAT, THOUGH, WE WANT TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT ALL THE MONEY THAT WILL GO INTO POLITICS THIS CYCLE.

WE CAN ONLY SHARE DONATIONS AND SPENDING THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED AS OF OCTOBER 17th, THE LAST FILING DEADLINE BEFORE THE ELECTION.

>> Reporter: THE MONEY THAT GETS SPENT BETWEEN THEN AND ELECTION DAY DOES NOT GET FULLY REPORTED UNTIL FEBRUARY OF NEXT YEAR.

>> Reporter: IN FEDERAL CAMPAIGNS, LIKE FOR CONGRESS, REPORTS OF THE FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION, WE'RE ONLY LOOKING AT LOCAL AND STATE RACES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> Reporter: WHAT WE FOUND WAS A COLLECTION OF POLITICAL PARTY, LABOR GROUPS, CORPORATIONS, AND INDIVIDUALS GIVING AND SPENDING LARGE AMOUNTS.

WE'LL BREAK DOWN WHERE A FEW OF THESE TOP PLAYERS ARE GETTING AND SPENDING MONEY.

>> Reporter: STARTING WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

IT'S NOT SURPRISING THE STATE PARTY IS AT THE TOP OF OUR LIST.

THEY DO GIVE MONEY TO CAMPAIGNS, BUT IN SAN DIEGO, THEY'VE SPENT MORE THAN $3 MILLION ON STATE LEGISLATIVE RACES IN SUPPORT OF DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES.

THE PARTY SPENT $1.5 MILLION SUPPORTING KATHERINE BLAKESPEAR, THE STATE SENATOR.

AND THEIR TOP DONORS THIS CYCLE SO FAR FROM THE CALIFORNIA CORRECTIONAL PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION AND UBER.

>> Reporter: UP NEXT IS THE CAMPAIGN FOR MEASURE B. MEASURE B WOULD ENACT A HALF CENT SALES TAX INCREASE AND DIRECT TO CAUSES INCLUDING HEALTHCARE, TIJUANA RIVER SEWAGE SOLUTIONS, AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

THE YES ON B CAMPAIGN HAS SPENT MORE THAN $2.5 MILLION.

THEY HAVE RECEIVED DONATIONS FROM KATZ, THE BOARD OF THE FOUNDATION, QUALCOMM FOUNDER JACOBS, AND A NONPROFIT CALLED CHILDREN FIRST SAN DIEGO.

THE TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION AND REFORM CALIFORNIA OPPOSE THE MEASURE.

>> Reporter: NOW, OUR THIRD TOP SPENDER IS A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE OR PAC CALLED CALIFORNIA LEADS.

THEY'RE FUNDED ALMOST ENTIRELY BY GOOGLE AND FACEBOOK, AND THEY'RE SPENDING BIG ON STATEWIDE RACES.

IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, THEY'VE DROPPED MORE 2.5 MILLION ON JUST A FEW RACE, INCLUDING MORE THAN A MILLION DOLLARS TO SUPPORT A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE WHO DID NOT ADVANCE PAST THE PRIMARY.

THEY'VE SPENT MORE THAN $800,000 SUPPORTING DEMOCRAT PATEL, WHO'S RUNNING FOR STATE ASSEMBLY IN THE INLAND NORTH COUNTY COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: AND THEN UP NEXT WE HAVE CARL DeMAIO, THE STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBER WHO IS THE LEADER OF REFORM CALIFORNIA.

HE SPENT MORE THAN $2 MILLION THIS CYCLE, AND NOT JUST FOR HIS OWN CAMPAIGN.

ONE BIG PROJECT HE FUNDED IS THE REFORM CALIFORNIA VOTER GUIDE.

IT'S HIS PERSONAL LIST OF CONSERVATIVE POLITICIANS HE SUPPORTS.

AND SOMETIMES THAT'S NOT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S ENDORSED CANDIDATE.

AND HE HAS ALSO SPENT OVER $160,000 ON GIFTS TO OTHER CANDIDATES IN THE FORM OF MAILERS AND CAMPAIGN SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: NOW, IT'S ONE THING TO TRACK DOWN WHAT DIFFERENT CAMPAIGNS AND COMMITTEES ARE SPENDING, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO KNOW WHO IN SAN DIEGO IS GIVING LOTS OF MONEY TO OTHERS TO SPEND ON THEIR BEHALF.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE A LOT OF WAYS TO INDIRECTLY GIVE OR SPEND MONEY, AND WE FOUND THAT LABOR GROUPS ARE REALLY BIG DONORS IN THE SAN DIEGO REGION.

>> Reporter: THE BIGGEST SAN DIEGO DONOR WE FOUND WAS LABORS INTERNATIONAL UNION OF NORTH AMERICA LOCAL 89.

THIS PAC CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN $1.3 MILLION TO OTHER PACs AND PARTIES.

THE LABOR COALITION TURN AROUND AND SPENT THAT MONEY SUPPORTING RAMIREZ FOR SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL AND SEVERAL OTHER LOCAL DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER BIG DONOR GAVE A LOT IN THE PRIMARY TOO, THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS GAVE A COMMITTEE OPPOSING MEASURE A MORE THAN $900,000.

AND THEY HELPED DEFEAT THAT PROPOSED SECOND HOMES TAX IN THE PRIMARY.

AND THEY GAVE OVER $170,000 TO VARIOUS STATE AND LOCAL CANDIDATES RUNNING IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> Reporter: AND SHARP HEALTHCARE DONATED NEARLY $1 MILLION TO THE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE SUPPORTING MEASURE H, WHICH PASSED IN THE JUNE PRIMARY.

MEASURE H APPROVED AN AGREEMENT WITH SHARP TO OPERATE THE TRICITY MEDICAL CENTER IN OCEANSIDE WITH SHARP ASSUMING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN DEBT AS PART OF THE AGREEMENT.

AND THEY ALSO GAVE $250,000 TO THE CAMPAIGN FOR YES ON MEASURE B.

>> Reporter: THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE TOP SPENDERS AND DONORS IN SAN DIEGO POLITICS FOR THIS YEAR.

FOR THE REST OF THE TOP TEN, YOU CAN READ THE FULL STORY ONLINE AT KPBS.ORG OR VOICEOFSANDIEGO.ORG.

>> Reporter: AND BE ON THE LOOK FOR MORE STORIES IN THE FUTURE.

>> THAT WAS JAKE AND SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER LISA.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT KPBS.ORG/PUBLICMATTERS.

AND WE SHOULD NOTE IRWIN JACOBS IS A FINANCIAL SUPPORTER OF KPBS, THE KPBS NEWS OPERATION MAINTAINS EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE FROM KPBS EXECUTIVES, SDSU, AND CORPORATE UNDERWRITERS AND DONORS.

>>> A CYBERSECURITY FLAW HAS BEEN FOUND IN A PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE THAT SUPPORTS 70% OF WEBSITES.

KPBS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY REPORTER CARLY CAY SAYS THE FLAW IS MAKING BUSINESSES VULNERABLE TO HACKERS.

>> Reporter: YOU'VE PROBABLY ENCOUNTERED IT WHILE SURFING THE WEB, BUT YOU'VE LIKELY NEVER SEEN IT.

IT'S A COMPUTER PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE CALLED PHP.

>> PHP IS A PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE THAT HELPS UNDERPIN A LOT OF WEBSITES ON THE INTERNET.

SO FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU HAVE WORD PRESS SITE, THAT DEPENDS ON PHP.

>> Reporter: NICHOLAS SAYS YOU CAN THINK OF IT LIKE SCAFFOLDING THAT SITS BEHIND THE SCENES AND HELPS WEBSITES OPERATE, BUT A RECENTLY DISCOVERED CYBERSECURITY VULNERABILITY IN THE PROGRAM IS BRINGING PHP INTO THE SPOTLIGHT.

>> ONCE THOSE VULNERABILITIES CAME OUT, THEY WERE VERY, VERY SEVERE, AND SINCE PHP IS PRESENT ON SO MANY WEBSITES AND SYSTEMS, IT IMMEDIATELY BECAME A TOP PRIORITY FOR PEOPLE TO REMEDIATE OR AT LEAST MITIGATE THAT PARTICULAR VULNERABILITY.

>> Reporter: A SECURITY RESEARCHER FOUND THE FLAW USING ADVANCED OPENAI MODELS.

HACKERS CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE.

>> SO THEY CAN USE IT TO DO THINGS LIKE MINE CRYPTO OR LAUNCH MORE ATTACKS, OR THEY CAN USE IT AS PART OF A DENIAL OF SERVICE ATTACK, WHICH IS WHEN ATTACKERS FLOOD A PARTICULAR SYSTEM WITH SO MUCH TRAFFIC THAT IT GETS OVERWHELMED AND GOES OFFLINE.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE PHP IS SO PREF LEMENT, OPENAI IS CALLING IT ONE OF THE MOST IMPACTFUL SECURITY ISSUES IN RECENT MEMORY.

>> MOST PEOPLE HAVE NEVER HEARD OF PHP, SO THEY DON'T REALLY GRASP HOW WIDESPREAD OR SERIOUS THIS ISSUE ACTUALLY IS.

>> Reporter: WORD PRESS WAS ONE OF THE MAIN SITES IMPACTED.

HERE'S MY OLD WORD PRESS FROM COLLEGE.

IT COULD HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE PROBLEM.

PHP RELEASED A PATCH LAST WEEK TO FIX THE FLAW, BUT I CAN'T APPLY THE PATCH MYSELF.

YOU NEED TO CALL THE OPERATOR WHO RUNS THE WEBSITE IN ORDER TO APPLY IT.

>> REALLY IMPORTANT TO REACH OUT TO THOSE PROVIDERS AND GET AN ANSWER ON WHAT THEY'RE DOING ABOUT IT, BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PATCHING AND MAKING SURE THAT THE SYSTEMS ARE SECURE.

>> Reporter: MANY BUSINESSES USE THIRD PARTY PROVIDERS TO HOST I.T.

SERVICES AND RUN WEBSITES UNTIL BUSINESS OWNERS CHECK IN WITH THOSE PROVIDER, WEBSITES COULD STILL BE EXPOSED TO A POTENTIAL ATTACK.

>> THERE'S PLENTY OF WEBSITES THAT ARE STILL OUT THERE THAT HAVE NOT PATCHED.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR FOLKS TO REACH OUT TO THEIR PROVIDER, AND IT'S DIFFICULT FOR THE AVERAGE PERSON TO DO THIS.

>> Reporter: CARLY CAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WELL, YOU MIGHT THINK IT DOESN'T LOOK REAL AND NO ONE WOULD BLAME YOU, BUT THE AXOLOTL IS REAL, AND IT'S THE NEWEST STAR AT THE BIRCH AQUARIUM.

OUR ARTS REPORTER SPOKE WITH TWO ARTISTS FEATURED IN THE AQUARIUM'S NEW EXHIBIT, THE AXOLOTL'S GARDEN.

>> Reporter: SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH THE SALAMANDER WHEN SHE SAW AN ILLUSTRATION ON INSTAGRAM.

LATER, SHE SAW THEM IN THEIR NATURAL HABITAT FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> THEY TRULY ARE SO MAGICAL.

THEY CAN REGENERATE BODY PARTS, INCLUDING THEIR HEART, PARTS OF THEIR BRAIN.

>> Reporter: BUT AXOLOTLS ARE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED.

>> I KNOW PEOPLE ARE KEEPING THEM NOW IN LABS AND OTHER PLACES, BUT THEY NEED TO BE AT THEIR HOME OF XOCHIMILCO, AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A LOT OF RESOURCES PUT INTO THAT IN ORDER TO HELP THEM STAY THERE.

>> Reporter: SHE DESCRIBES HER ART AS PLAYFUL AND COLORFUL, WORKING WITH BIRCH AQUARIUM WAS A NATURAL FIT.

>> WE WORKED WITH SOME PINK, WHICH WAS PERFECT FOR THE PINK AXOLOTL.

THERE WERE SOME GRAYS PERFECT FOR THE BLACK AXOLOTL.

AND THEN THE GREENS AND THE BROWNS AND THE YELLOWS TO DEMONSTRATE THE COLORS IN XOCHIMILCO AND THEIR ENVIRONMENT.

IT WAS PERFECT.

THE FACT THAT I CAN HAVE MY ILLUSTRATIONS IN SAN DIEGO, WHICH IS WHERE I GREW UP AND WHERE I LIVE, AND THEN TO TIE IN WITH A MEXICAN CREATURE THAT I LOVE, IT FEELS SO FULL CIRCLE TO ME.

AND IT'S SUCH A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY.

I'M JUST VERY GRATEFUL.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER LOCAL ARTIST, MARICRUZ ALVARADO, CONTRIBUTED TWO OFRENDAS, OR ALTARS.

ONE HONORS DECEASED PETS, THE OTHER HIGHLIGHTS ENDANGERED ANIMALS, INCLUDING THE AXOLOTL AND THE SEA TURTLE.

SHE DRAWS ON THE MEXICAN TRADITION OF ALEBRIJES, BRIGHTLY COLORED FIGURES THAT COMBINE REAL AND SUPERNATURAL CREATURES.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: THE SCULPTURES WERE MADE AND PAINTED BY HAND WITH HELP FROM THE COMMUNITY.

SHE ALSO WANTS HER ART TO REMIND PEOPLE WHY CONSERVATION MATTERS.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: SHE SAYS EVERY PLANT AND ANIMAL PLAYS A ROLE IN OUR SURVIVAL.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: ALVARADO SAYS ART CAN DO MORE THAN INSPIRE, IT CAN ALSO RAISE AWARENESS.

THE AXOLOTL'S GARDEN IS ON VIEW AT BIRCH AQUARIUM.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE'VE HAD SOME PRETTY BIG IMPACTS WHEN IT COMES TO FLOODING RECENTLY THANKS TO THE HIGHER TIDES HERE.

SO COASTAL FLOODING CONCERNS HAVE BEEN OUR MOST PREVIOUS IMPACTFUL WEATHER, BUT NOW WE'LL BE SEEING THOSE ON AND OFF SHOWERS CONTINUING WITH THE RAIN PEAKING THIS WEEKEND ON SUNDAY, AND THEN WE'LL WELCOME SOME DRIER AND WARMER WEATHER RETURNING AS WE HEAD EARLY INTO NEXT WEEK.

SO LET'S HEAD INTO TONIGHT WHERE IT'S OCEANSIDE SEEING THE SHOWERS AT 58 DEGREES.

TEMPERATURES UNDER A PARTLY CLOUDY SKY STAY ELEVATED IN SAN DIEGO.

INLAND VALLEYS DROP TO THE 50s.

ACROSS THE DESERTS, 40s.

AND IN THE MOUNTAINS, LOWER END OF THE 40s.

INTO THE DAY SATURDAY WE GO, WHERE IT'S A BIT DAMP FOR ANY OF THOSE HEADING OUT FOR HALLOWEEN AS WELL.

LOOK AT THIS.

OCEANSIDE, SAN DIEGO, CHULA VISTA, THE SHOWERS CONTINUE PUSHING INTO THE INLAND VALLEYS AND EVEN SHOWERS IN BORREGO SPRINGS AND MOUNT LAGUNA.

TEMPERATURES STAY IN THE 70s HERE, BUT LOCKED INTO A LOT OF CLOUDS.

HEAVIEST RAIN WILL BE ACROSS PARTS OF THE SOUTHWEST.

THERE WILL BE SOME AREAS ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THAT GET AN INCH OR TWO OF RAIN.

FOR US, SHOULD STAY MOSTLY UNDER AN INCH, BUT ANY KIND OF BRIEF DOWNPOUR CAN CAUSE SOME SLICK CONDITIONS OUT ON THE ROADWAYS.

LET'S HEAD INTO FUTURE RADAR AND SATELLITE HERE.

TOMORROW MORNING STARTS CLOUDY.

SOME ON AND OFF SHOWERS AT TIMES HERE ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY, BUT IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING THAT WE GET THAT PUSH OF STEADY RAIN.

THAT WILL CONTINUE TO CLEAR ON OUT.

CLOUDS WILL LINGER AND THEN EVERGELY DRIER AND WARMER WEATHER WILL RETURN AS WE HEAD INTO NEXT WEEK.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT A BIT OF A NOT A GREAT WEEKEND HERE WITH SHOWERS AND RAIN SATURDAY AND SUNDAY BUT MUCH NICER AS WE HEAD INTO THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER.

INLAND VALLEYS, SIMILAR FORECAST, WITH SHOWERS AND RAIN THIS WEEKEND AND DRIER WEATHER NEXT WEEK.

MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH SHOWERS IN THE MOUNTAINS ON SATURDAY AND RAIN ON SUNDAY FOLLOWED BY SUNSHINE AND EVEN THE DESERTS GET IN ON THE WET WEATHER AS WE HEAD INTO THIS WEEKEND.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M ARIELLA SCALESE.

>>> DIA DE LOS MUERTOS, OR DAY OF THE DEAD, IS AN ANCIENT MEXICAN TRADITION WHERE FAMILIES HAVE A BRIEF, JOYFUL REUNION WITH THE SOULS OF THEIR DECEASED LOVED ONES.

KPBS REPORTER JACOB AERE TAKES US TO A SOUTH BAY CEMETERY THAT'S GIVING THE COMMUNITY AN OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE WAY MANY FAMILIES DO SOUTH OF THE BORDER.

.

>> Reporter: COLORFUL MARIGOLD AND PAPEL PICADO, SKULLS AND SKELETONS, COVER LA VISTA MEMORIAL PARK'S GRASSY HILLS AND GRAVESITES.

HERE IN LINCOLN ACRES, THE CEMETERY TAKES ON A SECONDARY ROLE DURING THE SEASON.

IT'S ERIK ANDERSON YULE TRADITION THAT BEGAN NEARLY 20 YEARS AGO.

>> I DIDN'T GROW UP OBSERVING DIA DE LOS MUERTOS.

DEATH WAS A VERY TABOO SUBJECT IN MY HOUSEHOLD.

WE JUST DIDN'T REALLY TALK ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: ANGELA RIGGS' FAMILY IS CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF THEIR SON LEO, WHO DIED WHEN HE WAS JUST 26 DAYS OLD.

>> IN 2013, WE LOST OUR SON UNEXPECTEDLY TO SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME.

AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, IT WAS DEVASTATING AND TRAGIC, COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED.

>> Reporter: RIGGS SAYS WHEN LEO PASSED AWAY, THERE WAS NOTHING PHYSICAL FOR HER TO DO ANYMORE, SINCE HIS DEATH THEY'VE BUILT AN ALTAR HERE YEAR AFTER YEAR.

>> BEING ABLE TO BUILD AN ALTAR, TO PUT IT TOGETHER, TO MAKE THE SEVEN LEVELS THAT REPRESENT THE ASCENSION AND TO PUT THE SALT THAT REPRESENTS WHAT THEY WOULD FLAVOR THEIR FOOD WITH AND WATER TO QUENCH HIS THIRST AND THE CANDLES AND THE MARIGOLDS AND THE BEAUTIFUL SMELL, RIGHT, IT WAS SUCH A THERAPEUTIC WAY FOR ME TO CONTINUE TO DO SOMETHING AS HIS MOTHER.

>> Reporter: LUISA McCARTHY IS CO-OWNER OF LA VISTA MEMORIAL PARK.

SHE'S ORIGINALLY FROM MEXICO CITY, ONE OF THE MAJOR URBAN AREAS KNOWN FOR ITS DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATIONS.

>> IT STARTED WITH MY DAD PASSING, AND HE'S LAID TO REST IN TECATE BAJA, CALIFORNIA.

BUT WHEN I CAME TO LA VISTA, I THOUGHT, WHOA, I DON'T HAVE HIS HEADSTONE, BUT I CAN HAVE AN ALTAR FOR HIM.

>> Reporter: THE HOLIDAY TAKES PLACE DURING THE FIRST TWO DAYS OF NOVEMBER, WITH MANY FAMILIES BEGINNING PREPARATIONS AND OFFERINGS WELL IN ADVANCE.

>> THESE ARE THE THREE STAGES OF LIFE, WHICH IS YOUR YOUTH, WHEN YOU GROW OLD, AND DEATH.

AND SO THAT WAY IT'S NOT SCARY, IT'S A TRADITION OF LOVE WHERE WE REMEMBER OUR LOVED ONES WITH THEIR PERSONAL MEMENTOS.

>> Reporter: LONG BEFORE PIXAR AND DISNEY BROUGHT RECOGNITION WITH "COCO," SHE'S OFFERED A MORE TRADITIONAL CELEBRATION OF THE HOLIDAY NORTH OF THE BORDER.

HERE FAMILIES ARE PLANNING THEIR ALTARS AND WILL SOON GATHER IN THE CEMETERY AT NIGHT, WHEN IT'S BELIEVED THE BORDER BETWEEN THE PHYSICAL AND SPIRIT WORLD CROSS OVER, AND THE SOULS OF THE DEAD RETURN TO EAT, DRINK, AND ENJOY MUSIC WITH LOVED ONES.

>> THE CEMETERY LIGHTS UP BY ITS OWN PERSONAL LIGHT THAT THE FAMILIES BRING, WHICH IS REALLY WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT.

IT'S ABOUT DECORATING YOUR RESTING PLACE, BUILDING YOUR OWN PERSONAL ALTAR IN YOUR RESTING PLACE, AND BRINGING FOOD, LIKE POTLUCK STYLE, AND SHARING IT WITH YOUR NEIGHBOR.

THIS IS WHERE YOU'LL GET TO KNOW THE NEIGHBORS IN THE AFTER LIFE, RIGHT, NOT JUST RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: RACQUEL GALICIA IS THE MATRIARCH OF ANOTHER FAMILY TAKING PART IN THE CELEBRATION AT THE CEMETERY.

>> [ SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH ] >> Reporter: SHE ALWAYS BRINGS FOOD TO SHARE, THAT INCLUDES PAN DE MUERTO, OR BREAD OF THE DEAD, WHICH HOLDS EXTRA MEANING IN THEIR FAMILY.

>> Translator: MY HUSBAND AND MY GRANDSON ARE HERE IN THE CEMETERY.

MY HUSBAND WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE, WHO LIKE ALL IMMIGRANTS, ARRIVED HERE WITH NO MONEY OR ANYTHING ELSE.

HOWEVER, HE HAD THE INTENTION OF STARTING A BUSINESS.

AND 30 YEARS AGO, HE LAUNCHED SAMMY'S MEXICAN BAKERY.

>> Reporter: THOMAS GALLARDO LOST HIS FATHER LAST YEAR.

HE AND HIS FAMILY BUILT AN ALTAR FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE CEMETERY.

THEY WENT BIG AND WON THE ALTAR COMPETITION LAST YEAR AT MEMORIAL PARK.

HE SAYS IT'S HELPED THE GRIEVING PROCESS.

>>>> Translator: IT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING TO BE ABLE TO MOVE PAST THINGS, TO BE ABLE TO COME HERE WITHOUT SPENDING THE WHOLE TIME CRYING, YOU KNOW.

YOU JUST LET GO, AND THAT'S IT.

THEIR TIME HERE HAS PASSED, THEY'RE IN ANOTHER PLACE NOW, A MUCH, MUCH BETTER ONE.

>> Reporter: McCARTHY SAYS THE CELEBRATION HAS CHANGED IN SIZE AND SCOPE OVER TIME, BUT THE ESSENCE OF WHAT THEY OFFER HASN'T STRAYED.

SHE'LL BE THERE OVERSEEING THE CELEBRATION AND COMPETITION, DRESSED FROM HEAD TO TOE AS AN ELEGANT SKELETON, A CATRINA.

>> WE DON'T WANT IT TO BE ANOTHER CINCO DE MAYO.

IT IS WHAT IT IS.

IT'S A SACRED TRADITION OF DIA DE LOS MUERTOS TO REMEMBER YOUR LOVED ONES.

YOU DRINK, BUT YOU BRING THEM THE DRINK.

AND YOU CAN SHARE THE DRINK WITH YOUR FAMILIES, WHOEVER IS AROUND THAT HEADSTONE.

>> Reporter: McCARTHY SAYS THE PUBLIC IS WELCOME TO COME VISIT AND EXPLORE.

THE OFFICIAL CASH PRIZE ALTAR AND CATRINA CONTEST TAKE PLACE NOVEMBER 1st.

THE DAY DESIGNATED FOR CHILDREN, NOVEMBER 2nd, IS WHEN THE SOULS OF ADULTS ARE HONORED.

SHE EXPECTS A COUPLE THOUSAND PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE PARK'S FAMILIES, THE GREATER COMMUNITY, AND THE SOULS OF LOVED ONES WILL STAY UNTIL MIDNIGHT IN THE CEMETERY TOGETHER, IF ONLY FOR A BRIEF MOMENT IN TIME.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

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