>>> HELLO.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I AM JOHN CARROLL PAIR COMING UP, THE PRICE OF GOING TO WORK.

LANDSCAPERS, MOVERS, AND OTHERS WHO USE THEIR OWN VEHICLES DESCRIBE HOW RECORD HIGH GAS PRICES ARE FORCING THEM TO MAKE TOUGH CHOICES.

>>> TAKEAWAYS FROM A NEW STATE REPORT ON REPARATIONS PEER CARE FROM THOSE TRYING TO PUT A NUMBER ON WHAT DESCENDENTS OF SLAVERY SHOULD BE OWED.

>>> MAKING YOUR LAWN DROUGHT READY AS NEW RESTRICTIONS ARE ROLLED OUT.

WE LOOK AT THE OPTIONS FOR THOSE LOOKING TO SWAP OUT THERE GREEN GRASS.

>>> WE START WITH VERDICT WATCH FOR THE LARGEST SCANDAL IN NAVY HISTORY.

THE JURY IN THE CASE WILL RESUME DELIBERATIONS NEXT WEEK AFTER NEARLY A DECADE SINCE THE CORRUPTION CASE WAS BROUGHT TO LIGHT.

THE KPBS MILITARY REPORTER STEVE WALSH LOOKS AT HOW IT HAS AFFECTED THE NAVY'S CULTURE.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A CORRUPTION SCANDAL OF EPIC PROPORTIONS.

RELATION DEFENSE CONTRACTOR LEONARD FRANCIS USED U.S. NAVY OFFICERS TO STEER SHIPS TO HIS PORTS IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC, GREASING THE WHEELS WITH GIFTS, SEX WORKERS, AND LAVISH PARTIES WITH SCANTILY CLAD WOMEN.

VICE ADMIRAL CRAIG FULLER ATTENDED AT LEAST ONE PARTY AS A SHIP'S CAPTAIN.

SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN PRESSED HIM ABOUT IT DURING THE CONFIRMATION HEARING IN 2018.

>> WHAT DO YOU SAY TO WOMEN OFFICERS WHEN THEY SEE THAT THIS IS THE KIND OF EVENT YOU HAVE ATTENDED?

>> SENATOR, I HAVE ALWAYS HAD THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR ALL SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN.

>> Reporter: THEY CLEARED HIM AND OTHER OFFICERS OF WRONGDOING.

LEONARD PLED GUILTY OF DEFRAUDING THE NAVY OF AT LEAST $35 MILLION.

DAN GRAZERS WITH THE PROJECT ON GOVERNMENT OVERSIGHT AND HE SAID HUNDREDS OF OFFICERS WATCHED FRANCIS, WIDELY KNOWN AS FAT LEONARD FOR HIS SIZE, LAY OUT THE RED CARPET.

>> IT JUST BECAME KIND OF THE WAY BUSINESS WAS DONE WITHIN THE SEVENTH FLEET, AND THE LONGER IT WENT ON, THE MORE PEOPLE GOT INVOLVED IN IT, AND THE MORE NORMALIZED THAT BEHAVIOR BECAME.

WE ENDED UP WITH A MASSIVE SCANDAL THAT WE HAVE.

>> Reporter: AMONG THE NAVY OFFICIALS ON FRANCIS'S PAYROLL, WAS A MAN WHO PLED GUILTY TO TAKING BRIBES TO KEEP FRANCIS UP-TO-DATE AMENITIES AND INVESTIGATIONS.

STILL, SENATOR WARREN'S EXCHANGE IS ONE OF ONLY A HANDFUL OF TIMES THE SO-CALLED FAT LEONARD CASE HAS COME UP ON CAPITOL HILL DURING THE DECADE- LONG PROBE.

AGAIN, DAN GRAZER.

>> IT IS SHOCKING HOW LITTLE PEOPLE EVEN TODAY IN WASHINGTON REALLY EVEN KNOW ABOUT FAT LEONARD.

IT REALLY MAKES THE NEWS HERE POINT >> Reporter: ONCE THE SCANDAL BROKE, THE NAVY TOOK AWAY SOME OF THE AUTHORITY OFFICERS HAVE TO DECIDE WHICH PORTS TO USE, THOUGH THE NAVY TIGHTENED UP THE PAPERWORK.

IT HAS NOT TAKEN A HARD LOOK AT THE UNDERLYING CULTURE WHICH ALLOWED OFFICERS TO CONDONE THE PARTY ATMOSPHERE.

>> IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT THE NAVY IS TALKING A LOT ABOUT, SO I'M NOT SURE THAT WE'VE LEARNED A LESSON, OR HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS FOR NAVY CULTURE.

>> Reporter: FRANCIS WAS ARRESTED IN SAN DIEGO IN 2013, BUT SHE SAYS THEY HAVE NOT INCORPORATED A CASE STUDY ABOUT THE MASSIVE BRIBERY SCANDAL INTO THE ETHICS CURRICULUM.

>> ONE SENIOR LEADER SAID TO ME, LISTEN.

I KNOW PEOPLE WHO WERE INVOLVED , AND I'VE HEARD FROM OTHER SENIOR LEADERS THINGS LIKE, WELL , I HAVE A FRIEND OF A FRIEND WHOSE CAREER WAS RUINED BECAUSE OF THIS.

YOU KNOW, SO I THINK THERE IS A SURREAL, PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: WHEN STUDENTS TALK ABOUT IT IN CLASS, THEY TALK ABOUT DIFFERENT SPANKS FOR DIFFERENT RANKS, THE NOTION THAT HIGHER RANKING OFFICERS WERE TREATED DIFFERENTLY.

RON CARR, A RETIRED NAVY CAPTAIN, SAYS THE CASE CAST A LONG SHADOW OVER EVERYONE WHO SERVED IN THE PACIFIC DURING THE 2000'S AND EARLY 2010'S.

>> IT REALLY HAS PUT MUD FOR ALL OF US WHO ARE NOT INVOLVED WITH THIS, BECAUSE THERE IS ALWAYS THAT ASSUMPTION THAT POTENTIALLY MAYBE WE JUST DIDN'T GET CAUGHT.

>> Reporter: HE WAS A LOGISTICS OFFICER ON BOARD OF THE USS BLUE RIDGE.

AS THE FLAGSHIP FOR THE U.S. PACIFIC FLEET, THE BLUE RIDGE WAS AT THE CENTER OF THE FEDERAL INDICTMENTS.

GIVEN THE SIZE OF THE PROBLEM, HE IS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE FAT LEONARD CASE DID NOT SHINE A BRIGHTER LIGHT ON NAVY CORRUPTION.

>> I THINK THEY CHALLENGE IS JUST THAT IT DRAGGED ON FOR SO LONG.

HERE WE ARE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION, WHEN HE WAS ARRESTED NINE YEARS AGO POINT >> Reporter: NEARLY A DECADE LATER AS THE FAT LEONARD CASE DRAWS TO A CLOSE, IT IS STILL UNCLEAR HOW MUCH THE SCANDAL HAS CHANGED THE NAVY CULTURE.

STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS .

>>> ONCE AGAIN, A SAN DIEGO NEIGHBORHOOD IS MAKING ROOM FOR MORE BIKE LANES AT THE EXPENSE OF STREET PARKING , AND AS WE HAVE SEEN IN NORTH PARK AND ELSEWHERE, A DEBATE IS RAGING OVER HOW TO STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN SAFETY AND ACCESSIBILITY.

KITTY ALVARADO WENT TO UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS TO HEAR FROM BOTH SIDES.

>> Reporter: YOU MUST BE AT FULL ATTENTION WHEN DRIVING DOWN PARK BOULEVARD IN UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS.

IT IS BUSY, SO THERE IS LITTLE ROOM FOR ERROR.

AS WE PULLED ALONGSIDE A GUY ON A BIKE, I ROLLED DOWN MY WINDOW AND ASKED IF HE IS EXCITED ABOUT THE BIKE LANES THE CITY IS MAKING FOR CYCLISTS LIKE HIM.

>> I'M NOT SO SURE.

>> Reporter: IF YOU MISSED THAT, HE SAYS HE IS NOT TOO SURE, NOT THE REACTION I EXPECTED AT ALL.

>> I THINK THE BUSINESSES ARE GOING TO BE IMPACTED BY ALL OF THIS.

HER BACK HE PULLED OVER AND GAVE US A LITTLE MORE INSIGHT.

HE SAYS HE LIVES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND BIKES DAILY TO TAKE A SUNDAY SCHOOL, RUN ERRANDS, AND WORK OUT.

HE SAYS THIS COULD WORK, BUT ON PARALLEL STREETS THAT AREN'T AS BUSY, AND WON'T MAKE IT NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO GO TO HIS FAVORITE LOCAL HANGOUTS.

>> I'M TORN ABOUT A.

ON THE ONE HAND I SEE WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE ACHIEVED.

BUT I FEEL THE BUSINESSES ARE BEING IMPACTED BY NOT BEING ABLE TO SWING BY AND PARK WITH THE CAR BECAUSE PARKING SPACES ARE GONE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WILL PLAY OUT IN THE LONG RUN.

>> DEFINITELY NOT PLEASED OR EXCITED ABOUT THEM AT ALL POINT >> Reporter: HE'S NOT ALONE.

WE COULD NOT FIND ONE PERSON WHO LIKED THEM, AND PEOPLE WHO DEPEND ON THIS AREA FOR THEIR LIVELIHOOD LIKE ROB, A STYLIST AT PARK SALON WHO HAS WORKED HERE FOR OVER 10 YEARS, SAYS IT IS NOT JUST INCONVENIENT, BUT ALSO BAD FOR BUSINESS, AND IT JUST WON'T WORK.

>> TAKING THE SPOT AWAY WILL CREATE A WORLD OF CONGESTION, AND IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

WE HAVE SURFACE STREETS ON EACH SIDE THAT ARE PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF FACILITATING THE BIKE LANES, OR ALTERNATE ROUTES FOR THE BIKERS.

THIS IS A MAIN ARTERY OF TRAFFIC THROUGH THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, SO IT JUST MAKES ABSOLUTELY NO SENSE.

>> THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR PUTTING A BIKE LANE IN IS TO SAVE LIVES, AND THINK AGAIN, NO AMOUNT OF PARKING SPACES IS WORTH SOMEONE'S LIFE.

>> Reporter: BUT WILL VATICAN WITH THE BIKE COALITION OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY SAYS 16 CYCLISTS WERE KILLED LAST YEAR IN THE CITY ALONE.

HE SAYS HE UNDERSTANDS THAT IT FEELS INCONVENIENT, BUT IN REALITY, ONLY 10% OF PARKING WILL SHIFT TO SIDE STREETS.

HE SAYS THAT CHANGE WILL BE WORTH IT.

>> WE'VE SEEN OVER AND OVER THAT PEOPLE ARE RELEASED AIRED AND CONFUSED BEFORE THESE NEW BIKEWAYS GO IN, BUT ONCE THEY ARE INSTALLED, WITHIN A FEW MONTHS THEY REALIZE, THE SKY HAS NOT FALLEN.

THEY CAN ACTUALLY STILL DRIVE FOR THE NEED TO GO PRETTY EASILY , BUT NOW EVERYONE IS A BIT SAFER.

>> Reporter: THE PROJECT WILL CONTINUE THROUGH BALBOA PARK IN THE FALL.

KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS WEEKEND, LOCAL GAS PRICES ARE AVERAGING AROUND $6.35 PER GALLON ACCORDING TO AAA.

NORTH COUNTY REPORTER TANIA THORNE CAUGHT UP WITH SOME SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS THAT ARE HAVING A HARD TIME KEEPING UP YOUR >> Reporter: THEY OWNED 24/7 MOVERS VISTA.

NO MATTER WHAT THE PRICE AT THE PUMP READS, HE RELIES ON HIS TRUCKS TO GET HIS WORK DONE.

>> THIS TRUCK, I WOULD SAY, AROUND $250.

>> Reporter: BEFORE GAS WAS AVERAGING SIX DOLLARS PER GALLON, HE SAID HE COULD FILL UP HIS MOVING TRUCKS WITH ABOUT HALF OF WHAT HE IS PAYING NOW.

>> THAT IS REALLY THE HARD PART, YOU KNOW, RUNNING A BUSINESS, WHEN YOU HAVE TO GO TO SAN DIEGO, AND CITIES, AND A MINIMUM OF SERVICES THREE HOURS.

YOU ONLY GET PAID FOR THREE HOURS, AND IT IS A TWO HOUR DRIVE BACK AND FORTH, ALL THE MONEY THAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO MAKE, IT KIND OF STAYS WITH THE GAS PRICE, AND ALSO THE EMPLOYEES.

IT IS NOT MUCH MONEY THAT COMES TO THE OWNERS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE HAS NOT RAISED HIS PRICES BECAUSE HE KNOWS HIS CLIENTS ARE ALSO DEALING WITH THIS ECONOMY, AND HIGHER RATES COULD SCARE BUSINESS AWAY.

BUT WHERE HE HAS SEEN AN INCREASE IN BUSINESS ARE OUT-OF-STATE MOVES.

>> MORE PEOPLE ARE MOVING OUT OF CALIFORNIA THEN MOVING IN.

THEY SAY THEY ARE LEAVING BECAUSE THE HIGH COST OF LIVING IN SAN DIEGO IS REALLY NOT AFFORDABLE, YOU KNOW.

PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD ANY MORE TO LIVE HERE.

>> Reporter: HE OWNS A LANDSCAPE AND MAINTENANCE COMPANY.

HE SAYS HE WANTS TO RAISE HIS RATES IN ORDER TO KEEP UP WITH THE PRICE OF GAS, BUT HE NOTICES CLIENTS THEN THINK TWICE ABOUT HIRING HIM, OR LOOK FOR CHEAPER SERVICE.

HE SAYS NEW CLIENTS CALL HIM, BUT IF THE DISTANCE IS TOO FAR, HE HAS TO CHARGE MORE, OR SOMETIMES HE TURNS THE JOB DOWN , BECAUSE THERE IS NO PROFIT AFTER HAVING TO FILL UP.

ASIDE FROM HIS WORK TRUCKS, HIS MACHINERY ALSO RUNS ON GAS.

HE SAYS THAT AS MUCH AS HE WOULD LIKE TO SWITCH HIS GAS RUN EQUIPMENT TO ELECTRIC, THEY ARE TOO EXPENSIVE.

HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS DOING ABOUT LOWERING GAS PRICES, BECAUSE THIS SITUATION ISN'T GETTING ANY BETTER.

SHE SAYS SHE FEELS LUCKY THAT SHE HAS ENOUGH WORK FOR THE WEEK IS A HOUSECLEANER.

BUT HER COST FOR GAS HAS DOUBLED, AND HER INCOME HAS STAYED THE SAME.

SHE SAYS SOME CLIENTS HAVE BEEN OKAY WITH SMALL RATE INCREASES, BUT OTHERS HAVE CANCELED THEIR CLEANING SERVICES.

SHE SAYS SHE ALSO LOST BUSINESS TO CLIENTS MOVING OUT OF STATE.

SHE SAYS SHE IS CONSIDERING GETTING A SECOND JOB IN ORDER TO KEEP UP WITH HER EXPENSES.

SHE HOPES THE GOVERNOR IS WORKING ON LOWERING GAS PRICES AND THE COST OF LIVING, BECAUSE SHE THINKS THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT IS HURTING THE LOWER AND MIDDLE CLASS THE MOST.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT IS NOT JUST FINANCES THAT ARE BRINGING TURMOIL TO THE SAN DIEGO REPERTORY THEATER.

AFTER A RECENT DECISION TO SUSPEND PRODUCTIONS IN THE LAY OFF STAFF WE HAVE DETAILS ON THE ALLEGATIONS OF RACISM AND MISOGYNY BEHIND-THE-SCENES.

>> Reporter: AND CNA GO REP CLOSE IN MARCH, THE SIX PERSON CAST DELIVERED A STATEMENT WRITTEN BY ACTRESS MICHAELA BARTHOLOMEW AT THE FINAL CURTAIN CALL.

HERE IS PART OF THIS STATEMENT READ BY CAST MEMBER JEROME BACK THAT NIGHT.

>> WE MADE A STATEMENT AS A CAST AND CREW THAT HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO MISTREATMENT, MUCH OF IT DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTING THE BLACK TEAM MEMBERS ON THE SHOW OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

AND WHILE IT BROUGHT US ALL TOGETHER, IT EXHAUSTED US, DEPLETED US, BUT WE HOPE THAT IT SPARKS A LASTING CHANGE IN THIS THEATER.

>> Reporter: THEN AFTER THE REP ANNOUNCED ITS DECISION TO SUSPEND OPERATIONS, THE GROUP SHARED A LETTER ON INSTAGRAM.

IN IT THEY SAY THEY WERE SUBJECTED TO, QUOTE, RACISM, MISOGYNY, MISOGYNY NOIR, DISSEMINATION, AND IS RESPECT, RACIAL PROFILING OF HIRED ARTIST , PHYSICAL INTIMIDATION, AND ILL CARE FOLLOWING AN INJURY WHILE WORKING AT THE REP.

THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR SAM WOODHOUSE DID NOT DIRECTLY RESPOND TO THE ALLEGATIONS, HOWEVER HE READ FROM A PREPARED STATEMENT.

>> OUR GOAL REMAINS, AND WE HAVE MUCH WORK TO DO TOWARDS THIS GOAL, TO BECOME A FULLY INCLUSIVE, EQUITABLE, ANTIRACIST, MULTICULTURAL ORGANIZATION.

>> ONE OF THE PEOPLE LOSING THEIR JOB BECAUSE OF THE REP'S SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS IS AHMED KENYATTA DENSE, HOST OF THE WE ARE LISTENING SALON SERIES.

THE FINAL EPISODE AIRED LAST NIGHT, AND HE ACKNOWLEDGED THOSE WHO WOULD NO LONGER BE EMPLOYED BY THE REP AFTER JUNE 19, AND REFERENCED AN EVENT THE THEATER WILL BE HOLDING ON JUNE 20th.

>> I KNOW THE INVITATIONS WERE SENT OUT ABOUT THE TOES TO SAVELLA BREAK THE WHATEVER AND WHATEVER AND WHATEVER.

I GET IT, AND I UNDERSTAND IT.

THERE SHOULD BE SOME TYPE OF CELEBRATION.

I FEEL YOU.

HAVE A DRINK FOR ME.

I CANNOT BE THERE.

I CANNOT BE THERE IN GOOD CONSCIENCE.

THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE WORKING HARD RIGHT NOW.

THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE DISRESPECTED GOING OUT THE DOOR.

IS THE DAY AFTER WE ARE GETTING LAID OFF.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

>>> THAT STORY IS AMONG OUR MOST READ THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG.

HERE ARE SOME OTHERS .

CLAIRE INVESTIGATES THE RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION REQUESTS FROM SAN DIEGO POLICE OFFICERS OVER COVID-19 TESTS.

OUR NEWS PARTNER I NEWS SOURCE DETAILS THE JOBS AND IRESSA SAN DIEGO PURSUES A POLICY OF PROGRESSIVE ENFORCEMENT OF HOMELESSNESS, AND MATT HOFFMAN'S STORY ON A PLAN TO GIVE CASH TO LOCAL SENIORS TO HELP THEM PAY FOR RENT.

>>> CALIFORNIA IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FIRST OF ITS KIND REVIEW OF OPERATIONS.

RECENTLY AN UPDATE WAS RELEASED ON THE TASK FORCES WORK AS IT TRIES TO LINK SLAVERY TO TODAY'S SYSTEMIC RACISM.

WE TELL ABOUT SOME OF THE EARLY TAKEAWAYS.

>> Reporter: THE PREVAILING NARRATIVE IS THAT CALIFORNIA ENTERED THE UNION AS A FREE STATE, AND THAT JIM CROW AND RACISM NEVER EXISTED HERE, BUT A YEAR-LONG EXAMINATION, THAT INCLUDED EXPERT TESTIMONY AND HISTORY RECORDS THE CALIFORNIA REPARATIONS TASK FORCE, EXPOSED TO THAT NARRATIVE AS A MYTH.

>> THOSE DOMINANT NARRATIVES HAD BEEN PRETTY MUCH ALTOGETHER DISPELLED.

WE LEARNED VERY EARLY ON IN THE PROCESS THAT CALIFORNIA DID HAVE SLAVERY IN THE STATE.

WE LEARNED EARLY ON IN THE PROCESS THAT JIM CROW DID EXIST IN CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THAT REALITY DID NOT JUST IMPACT AFRICAN AMERICANS IN THE PAST.

IT HAS DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES THAT CONTINUE INTO THE PRESENT DAY THROUGH LAWS, POLICIES, AND INSTITUTIONS.

TASK FORCE CALLS THEM BADGES OF SLAVERY, AND SHE SAYS THEY PERVADE EVERY SECTOR OF CIVIL SOCIETY.

>> WE OUTLINED RACIAL TERROR, UNEQUAL EDUCATION, POLITICAL DISENFRANCHISEMENT, HOUSING SEGREGATION, RACISM IN ENVIRONMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE, THE PATHOLOGY OF THE BLACK FAMILY, CONTROL OVER CREATIVE, CULTURAL, AND INTELLECTUAL LIFE.

STILL IN LABOR AND HINDERED OPPORTUNITY, AN UNJUST LEGAL SYSTEM, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HARM AND NEGLECT, AND LASTLY, THE WEALTH GAP.

REC THE REPORT OUTLINES NUMEROUS RECOMMENDATIONS TO HELP REPAIR SLAVERY'S DAMAGE, AND THE LINGERING EFFECTS ON BLACK AMERICANS.

PROPOSALS INCLUDE FREE HEALTHCARE, AND INTEREST-FREE HOMELANDS.

THE TASK FORCE IS ALSO PROPOSING THAT CALIFORNIA CREATE AN AGENCY TO SUPPORT GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH TO HELP PEOPLE CONFIRM THEIR ELIGIBILITY FOR REPARATIONS.

TO QUALIFY, A PERSON MUST BE A DESCENDENT OF AN ENSLAVED BLACK PERSON, OR OF A FREE BLACK PERSON LIVING IN THE U.S. BEFORE THE END OF THE 19th CENTURY.

DR. EVELYN McDOWELL, WHOSE TESTIMONY LED TO SOME OF THE PROPOSALS AROUND ELIGIBILITY, SAYS GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH IS ALSO KEY TO TRUE SELF- KNOWLEDGE.

>> IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR YOURSELF, FOR YOUR OWN SELF- LOVE, TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE, AND WHERE YOU CAME FROM, SO YOU CAN IDENTIFY HOW YOU FIT IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY.

SO, I JUST THINK IT IS A GOOD THING FOR US INDIVIDUALLY TO DO .

IT'S A GOOD THING FOR OUR COUNTRY TO DO.

HOW ARE WE EVER GOING TO HEAL FROM THIS HISTORY OF SLAVERY.

>> Reporter: ECONOMISTS SAY ANY MEANINGFUL HEALING MUST INCLUDE A COMMITMENT BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO FIX THE NATIONWIDE WEALTH GAP AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $14 TRILLION.

AND THAT IS NOT ALL.

IN ADDITION, THEY ESTIMATE THE DEBT OWED FOR THE STOLEN LABOR TO THE ENSLAVEMENT OF BLACK PEOPLE ALONE IS A LITTLE OVER SIX TRILLION DOLLARS.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT IS GRAD SEASON, AND THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF INSPIRING STORIES OF STUDENTS OVERCOME GREAT CHALLENGES TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS.

PERHAPS NONE MORE SO THAN DOWNTOWN MONARCH SCHOOL.

OUR EDUCATION REPORTER MET SOME OF THE NEW GRADS.

>>> THE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE, 18-YEAR-OLD ALVAREZ IS THE VALEDICTORIAN OF THE MONARCH SCHOOL'S CLASS OF 2022.

>> MY FIRST LANGUAGE IS SPANISH.

MY FAMILY IS MEXICAN.

SO I SPEAK MORE SPANISH.

HER BACK ROSARIO HAS LEARNED ENGLISH, ALONG WITH ECONOMICS AND ENGINEERING IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS WITH HER OTHER CLASSMATES.

THERE ARE 13 OF THEM TOTAL WITH ONE EMPTY CHAIR FOR GIULIANA COMPOS, WHO DIED THREE YEARS AGO OF THE COMMON FLU.

SHE HAD NO HEALTH INSURANCE, A HARD REALITY FOR THESE GRADUATES WHO SPEND THEIR HIGH SCHOOL YEARS WITHOUT STABLE HOUSING, OFTEN LIVING IN A CAR OR WITH FAMILY OR FRIENDS.

>> MY FAMILY ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE MOTIVATED ME, AND THEY ALWAYS GAVE ME SUPPORT WHEN I NEEDED IT MOST.

MET ROSARIO'S SUPPORT CAME FROM HER MOTHER ALEJANDRA, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO CROSS THE MEXICAN BORDER LEGALLY FROM TIJUANA.

THIS VALEDICTORIAN CROSSED BACK AND FORTH EVERY SCHOOL DAY TO MAKE SURE SHE GRADUATED, TO SOMEDAY BECOME A CRIMINAL ATTORNEY, REPRESENTING THOSE WHO NEED HELP THE MOST.

>> MY MOM, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE WHO CAN BE MORE, LIKE, HELPING THE COMMUNITY.

4 HER PASSION IS PROMPTED BY THE POWER OF HER NATIVE LANGUAGE, AND LOVE FOR HER MOTHER.

>> [ SPEAKING FOREIGN LANGUAGE ] >> I PROPOSE FELLOW GRADUATES, LOOK AT WHO HAVE NEXT WAS AT THIS VERY SPECIAL MOMENT, BECAUSE TODAY WE ARE ALL PART OF THIS NEW GENERATION.

>> Reporter: THE CLASS OF 2022 HAS SO MANY OTHER SUCCESS STORIES TO TELL, AND SOME GO ON TO SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE, CITY COLLEGE, ROSEMONT COLLEGE, AND BARBER COLLEGE THIS FALL.

>> WHY IS THE BUTTERFLY THE SYMBOL OF OUR SCHOOL?

BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT METAMORPHOSIS.

IT IS ABOUT RECOGNIZING THAT CHANGE IS INHERENT TO LIFE, AND HOW YOU EMBRACE CHANGE IN ORDER TO BECOME SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL IS WHAT WE ARE HERE TO DO.

>> Reporter: THE PERSEVERANCE OF THESE GRADUATES IS BEAUTIFUL IN ANY LANGUAGE.

THE GRATITUDE IS AS WELL.

ROSARIO PUTS THE GRATITUDE FOR HER MOTHER THIS WAY.

>> FOREIGN-LANGUAGE MAC >> AND IT GIVES ME A GREAT PLEASURE TO PRESENT THE MONARCH GRADUATING CLASS OF 2022.

>> Reporter: CONGRATULATIONS MONARCH CLASS OF 2022.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A REMINDER, YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR CONTENT ANYTIME ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

IN ADDITION TO REPORTER STORIES, YOU CAN STREAM KPBS "EVENING EDITION" LIVE WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00.

>>> IT WAS NEARLY A YEAR AGO GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM ASKED CALIFORNIANS TO CUT THEIR WATER USE BY 15%.

IT DID NOT HAPPEN, AND NOW WE ARE SEEING THE RETURN OF TOUGHER WATER RESTRICTIONS.

I RECENTLY GOT SOME ADVICE FROM EXPERTS ON HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR LAWN USING A LOT LESS WATER, AND ON DROUGHT FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING, WHICH MAY SEE A BOOST IN INTEREST THIS SUMMER.

>> Reporter: FOR DECADES, THEY'VE BEEN PART OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA STYLE, BUT VERDANT LAWNS ARE DISAPPEARING MORE AND MORE THINGS TO FREAKING WATER SUPPLIES.

THE GOLDEN STATE IS NOW IN ITS THIRD YEAR OF DROUGHT.

A STUDY RELEASED IN FEBRUARY BY THE GROUP NATURE CLIMATE CHANGE FOUND THIS IS THE WORST DROUGHT IN WHAT IS NOW THE WESTERN U.S.

IN 1200 YEARS, SO IT IS IMPORTANT WE ALL DO WHAT WE CAN TO CONSERVE WATER, BUT DOES THAT MEAN YANKING OUT YOUR LAWN?

NOT NECESSARILY.

>> WE CAN REDUCE IRRIGATION USE ON ALMOST ANY PROPERTY BY 50 TO 70% WITH PROPER IRRIGATION TOOLS.

>> Reporter: THE OWNER OF GREENWAY IRRIGATION LAWN AND LANDSCAPE, SCOTT LAWN, YES THAT IS HIS REAL NAME.

>> IT HAS HELPED CUSTOMER RECOGNITION.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS IF YOU REALLY WANT TO KEEP YOUR LAWN, YOU CAN USE A LOT LESS WATER KEEPING IT GREEN BY USING THESE NPR STREAM ROTORS AND GOOD OLD DRIP IRRIGATION, BUT MORE AND MORE HE SAYS PEOPLE ARE OPTING FOR EITHER TURF AND DROUGHT RESISTANT PLANTS, ALONG WITH HARD SCAPE, DECORATIVE ROCKS AND PAVERS.

WHEN IT COMES TO TURF, THIS IS NOT YOUR DAD'S ASTROTURF.

>> THE FIBERS NOW, THEY HAVE COME UP WITH ALL SORTS OF WAYS TO SWIRL AND TWIST THE FIBERS, AND TO GIVE IT SOME RIGIDITY, AND THAT CUSHIONING THAT YOU ARE NOTICING, AND IT LOOKS NATURAL.

>> Reporter: BUT IF YOU ARE READY TO MOVE ON, THERE IS AN AMAZING ARRAY OF COLORFUL PLANTS THAT USE VERY LITTLE WATER.

THAT AFOREMENTIONED ARRAY CAN BE FOUND HERE IN THE SUMPTUOUS SETTING OF THE WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN AT CLEA MARCO COLLEGE.

THIS IS WHERE WE MET EFREN LOPEZ, A WATER RESOURCES SPECIALIST WITH THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY.

>> SAN DIEGO SAID IN A GREAT PART WITH CONTINUING WITH WATER USE EFFICIENCY BUT THERE IS ALWAYS MORE WE CAN DO.

>> Reporter: WE TALKED TO LOPEZ ABOUT INCENTIVES TO GET MORE WATER WISE.

>> WE HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST REBATES IN CALIFORNIA TO TAKE OUT YOUR TURFGRASS, TO REPLACE AN IRRIGATION CONTROLLER, TO REPLACE YOUR WASHING MACHINE.

WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST REBATES IN THE STATE POINT >> Reporter: WHEN IT COMES TO THE DROUGHT, SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS IN A BETTER PLACE THAN MOST OF THE STATE.

YEARS OF INVESTMENT IN LOCALIZING OUR WATER SUPPLY, THINK THE BIG DESALINATION PLANT IN CARLSBAD, ARE PAYING OFF.

THE REGION HAS ALSO INVESTED IN EXPANDING HOW MUCH WATER CAN BE STORED LOCALLY.

IN ADDITION, PURE WATER PROJECTS THAT CONVERT WASTEWATER INTO PURE DRINKABLE WATER, ARE EITHER BEING CONSTRUCTED OR ARE ONLINE.

THE FIRST PHASE OF SAN DIEGO'S MASSIVE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO COME ONLINE NEXT YEAR, AND WILL PROVIDE 15 MILLION GALLONS OF PURIFIED WATER EVERY DAY.

THE SECOND PHASE IS SAID TO BE COMPLETE IN 2035.

ONCE FINISHED, THE SYSTEM IS SLATED TO PROVIDE 83 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER PER DAY, ABOUT A THIRD OF THE CITY'S FUTURE WATER SUPPLY, AND AS LOPEZ POINTS OUT, SAN DIEGANS HAVE DONE A REMARKABLE JOB IN CONSERVING WATER OVER THE PAST THREE DECADES AS THE POPULATION HAS GROWN.

LOPEZ SAYS WATER USE HAS DECREASED BY ABOUT 40%.

THE WATER AUTHORITY SAYS WE ARE WATER SECURE FOR THE NEXT FEW DECADES.

THE BIGGEST USE OF WATER HERE HAPPENS OUTDOORS, SO TURNING TO PLANTS LIKE THESE HERE IN THE WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN HELPS A LOT.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE INTERESTED IN DROUGHT RESISTANT PLANTING IDEAS TO VISIT THE WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN.

IT IS A BEAUTIFUL SERENE PLACE THAT IS DEFINITELY WORTH YOUR TIME, BUT THERE IS ANOTHER PLACE NOT FAR FROM HERE THAT HAS ITS OWN EXAMPLES OF DROUGHT RESISTANT PLANTINGS THAT ARE A LITTLE MORE MANAGEABLE.

>> WE SERVE 277,000 CUSTOMERS IN THE CITIES OF LA MESA, EL CAJON, AND LEMON GROVE, AND ALSO PORTIONS OF THE SURROUNDING UNINCORPORATED AREAS.

>> Reporter: MICHELLE CURTIS IS A PUBLIC AFFAIRS SUPERVISOR WITH THE HELIX WATER DISTRICT.

>> IN 2020, WE DECIDED TO SHOWCASE WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGING OUR CUSTOMERS TO DO.

BACK THE DISTRICT PULLED OUT THE IV ENTRIES THAT USED TO SURROUND THEIR HEADQUARTERS, AND INSTALLED THREE DEMONSTRATION GARDENS.

MEDITERRANEAN, DESERT, AND NATIVE CALIFORNIA.

FIRST THE MEDITERRANEAN.

>> THEY TEND TO HAVE VERY SOFT COLORS, A LOT OF TEXTURE, AND ALSO A LOT OF FRAGRANCE.

IT IS IN A SENSORY EXPERIENCE.

WARMACK TELL ME ABOUT THAT THIS GARDEN?

>> ON THIS SIDE WE HAVE OUR DESERT LANDSCAPE, MORE CACTUS AND SUCCULENT BASED.

>> Reporter: LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE CALIFORNIA NATIVE GARDEN.

>> WE HAVE SOME SAGE, SOME DIFFERENT KINDS OF FLAX LILIES, BUT IT IS REALLY VERY TEXTURAL.

IF YOU ARE OUT HERE WITH THE WIND BLOWING, HE WILL SEE ALL THE GRASSES BLOWING IN THE WIND, BUT THIS IS ALSO GOING TO BE THE LOWEST WATER USE GARDEN.

>> Reporter: THE LOWEST WATER USE GARDEN, BECAUSE THESE ARE PLANTS THAT WERE AROUND IN CALIFORNIA BEFORE GREEN LAWNS AND PALM TREES, PLANTS THAT DEVELOPED TO SURVIVE IN AN ARID CLIMATE, PLANTS THAT CARRY A MESSAGE FOR HOW WE CAN ALL ADAPT IN OUR DAY AND AGE AS WATER BECOMES MORE PRECIOUS BY THE DAY.

>> SOMETHING I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO INCLUDE IN THAT STORY, THE DEMONSTRATION GARDENS AT THE HELIX WATER DISTRICT HAVE SCANNABLE QR CODES FOR EACH OF THE PLANTS, WHICH TELL YOU HOW TO CARE FOR THE PLANT, WHETHER IT IS BETTER IN THE SUN OR SHADE , SO IF YOU ARE IN LA MESA, CHECK IT OUT.

>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M JOHN CAROL.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.