♪ ♪ >>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS NEWS, I AM LAWRENCE K. JACKSON.

A BOOST FOR THE SAFETY NET, THE COUNTY INVESTS TO MAKE UP FOR THE DECLINE IN FEDERAL DOLLARS.

>>> KEEPING NURSES SAFE IN THE WORKPLACE, WE WILL TELL YOU ABOUT THE PROGRESS BEING MADE TO REDUCE VIOLENT ENCOUNTERS WITH PATIENCE.

-- PATIENTS.

>>> SEE HOW JOURNALISTS IN BAJA CALIFORNIA ARE BEING CELEBRATED.

>>> A BATCH OF STORIES FOCUS ON WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR SCHOOLS, WE START WITH THE EVER- GROWING PRESENCE OF TECHNOLOGY AND HOW IT IS USED.

OUR EDUCATION REPORTER TELLS US WHAT IS CHANGING FOR THE YOUNGEST STUDENTS AND WHY SOME SAY MORE IS NEEDED.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS WILL NO LONGER HAVE ACCESS TO YOUTUBE OR GAMING PLATFORMS ON LAPTOPS.

STUDENTS IN TRANSITIONAL REGARD WILL NOT HAVE CHROME BOOKS IN THE CLASSROOM.

THE DISTRICT PLANS TO CREATE GUIDELINES AND TIME LIMITS FOR USING LAPTOPS.

>> TECHNOLOGY SHOULD BE A TOOL THAT SUPPORTS TEACHER'S WORK, NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR RELATIONSHIPS, PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT, AND CRITICAL THINKING AT THE HEART OF A GREAT EDUCATION.

>> Reporter: THE MOVE COMES AFTER MONTHS OF ADVOCACY BY LOCAL PARENTS.

>> IT IS A GREAT STEP TOWARD FUTURE BUDGET REFORM.

>> Reporter: THEY WILL KEEP PUSHING FOR -- >> H-APPROPRIATE REFORMS FOR STUDENTS WHO SUFFER FROM EXCESSIVE SPRINGTIME, AND A REAL MORATORIUM ON ALL STUDENT- FACING A.I.

AND TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS, BECAUSE THIS IS A TECH FUND AFTER ALL.

>> Reporter: YESTERDAY, L.A.

UNIFIED'S BOARD APPROVED THE FINAL VERSION OF THE SCREEN TIME POLICY IT HAS BEEN WORKING ON SINCE APRIL.

IT PROHIBITS SCREEN USE UNTIL SECOND GRADE AND SETS DAILY AND WEEKLY LIMITS FOR OTHER GRADES.

FAMILIES OF STUDENTS IN ALL GRADES WILL HAVE TO OPT IN TO TAKE NEW DEVICES HOME.

>> IT IS NOT OFTEN THAT WE GET HERE IN SUCH A QUICK PERIOD OF TIME, I WANT TO APPRECIATE THE RAPID EFFORTS MADE, I APPRECIATE THAT WE ARE MEETING THE MOMENT.

>> Reporter: BACK IN SAN DIEGO, DISTRICT LEADERS PLAN TO SET TIME LIMITS FOR LAPTOPS BY WINTER BREAK.

PART OF NEXT YEAR'S WORK WILL BE TO TRAIN FAMILIES ABOUT PREDENTAL TOOLS.

-- PREVENTED TOOLS.

THAT IS THE DISTRICT ONLINE SAFETY SOFTWARE.

>> MANY FAMILIES DO NOT KNOW THEY ARE ABLE TO USE IT TO LOCKDOWN CERTAIN WEBSITES, CERTAIN PLATFORMS ON THEIR STUDENTS' COMPUTERS AT HOME.

WE HAVE WORK TO DO TO EDUCATE FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: OF THE TEAM SAY THAT WILL GIVE AN UPDATE TO THE BOARD IN JANUARY.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> IN RECENT YEARS, HE DID ACTIVISM ON BOTH SIDES OF POLICY FOR LGBT INCLUSION.

SOME SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOMS GOT TOGETHER TO FIGHT BACK AGAINST CRITICS.

OUR MILITARY REPORTER SAYS THEIR WORK LED TO A SERIES OF REPORTS ABOUT AN ACTIVE DUTY NAVY SEAL INVOLVED WITH MEMBERS OF A HATE GROUP.

>> Reporter: WE ARE BROUGHT BACK TO THE INTENSE FIGHT OVER LGBTQ PLUS RIGHTS, IN 2022 AND 2023.

>> PROPOSING THINGS THAT PERVERT CHILDREN.

>> WE ARE INTRODUCED TO A TEAM OF MOMS WHO FOUGHT BACK.

>> WE SEE A PATTERN.

>> IT IS LIKE JOINING A HEIST CREW, EVERYONE HAS A SPECIFIC SET OF SKILLS.

>> WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO FIND ANYTHING.

>> MOMS CLUB IS A DOCUMENTARY FROM ROCKY ROMANO AND MARANDA WINTERS.

IT TELLS THE STORY OF A SMALL GROUP OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MOMS BROUGHT TOGETHER WHEN RIGHT WING ACTIVISTS BEGAN SHOWING UP AT MEETINGS.

SOME OF THESE SAME ACTIVISTS WERE INVOLVED IN ANTI-LGBTQ ACTIVISTS.

KELLY STEWART STARTED DOCUMENTING THE PROTESTS.

SHE IS FEATURED IN THE FILM.

>> I STARTED DRIVING AROUND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, AT EACH POINT, I WOULD MEET SOME OF THE MOMS, AND I WOULD SAY, WE SAW A PICTURE OF THIS BOY AT ANOTHER PLACE, AND WHO IS THAT?

I KIND OF CONNECTED ALL THESE MOMS INTO A SINGLE GROUP.

>> Reporter: THE MOMS NOTICED ONE PERSON AT THE FRONT OF A LOT OF THE ANTI-LGBTQ PROTESTS, HE HUNG AROUND MEMBERS OF THE PROUD BOYS AND USED A FAKE NAME .

IN 2023, KPBS REPORTED THE MAN, SIMPSON, WAS AN ACTIVE DUTY NAVY SEAL.

THEY ACCOUNT HOW THEY FOUND HIM.

>> THERE WAS ONE MEMBER OF THE MOMS CLUB, SHE WENT BACK AND FOUND THE VERY FIRST MEETING THAT HE EVER SPOKE AT.

>> Reporter: THE CODIRECTOR SAID THEY DID NOT SET OUT TO FILM THE PROTEST.

>> WE COVERED 300 PROTESTS SINCE THE GEORGE FLOYD MURDER, AND SLOWLY BUT SURELY, WE PUT TOGETHER THESE FACTIONS AND HOW THEY WERE WORKING TOGETHER, WE REALLY HAD NO CONNECTION BUT WE FOUND AN INTERESTING CONNECTION THAT LED TO HIGHER UP ORGANIZATIONS.

CAN WE PROVE THAT THESE UPPER SHADOW NETWORKS ARE HELPING TO CONTROL WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE STREETS, THE VIOLENCE IN THE STREETS?

THAT IS WHAT WE SET OUT TO DO.

>> Reporter: ROMANO CONNECTED IT DURING THOSE LOS ANGELES AREA PROTESTS OVER MASKS, AND RACIAL INJUSTICE, AT FIRST, WHAT THE DOCUMENTARY WOULD BE ABOUT WAS NOT CLEAR.

>> WE DID NOT KNOW THAT IT WOULD GO ABOUT THESE ATTACKS ON TRANS KIDS UNTIL THE MOTHERS GOT INVOLVED.

>> Reporter: ROMANO SAID THOSE BEHIND THE PROTEST WOULD MAKE IT A TOUGH UNDER BRAKING.

>> IT IS SO COMPLEX AND ALMOST UNBELIEVABLE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT THE ORGANIZED ANTI-LGBTQ GROUPS WERE LOOKING FOR AN ISSUE.

>> THEY WENT FROM ANTI-BLM TO ANTI-VACCINES, IT KEPT SHIFTING, CHANGING, A NEW CULTURE WAR POINT WOULD COME UP AND IT WOULD ALL SHIFT OVER, BUT THE TRANS WEDGE IS REALLY THE ONE THAT THEY HAVE STUCK WITH AND HAS BEEN THE MOST EFFECTIVE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT THE SCHOOL BOARD FIGHTS ARE A NATIONAL STORY.

THERE IS A BILL TO HELP THEM WITH FINISHING COSTS.

THEY'RE HOSTING SCREENINGS FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SCREENING THE FILM, GO TO MOMS CLUB.COM.

>>> THE LATEST IS ABOUT THE RISING COSTS OF SPORTS.

ACCESS IS INCREASINGLY OUT OF REACH.

ALEXANDER NEWMAN.

>> Reporter: THE BIGGEST SPORTING EVENT IS HAPPENING, THE WORLD CUP, MILLIONS OF KIDS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY ARE WATCHING, SOME ARE HOPING THAT ONE DAY, THEY, TOO, WILL BE PLAYING IN FRONT OF MILLIONS.

THAT IS OUT OF REACH FOR A LOT OF THOSE KIDS.

NOT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF TALENT, BUT BECAUSE OF COST.

>> THE UNIFORM AND FEES, IT IS $600.

BETWEEN $500 AND $600 AT THE BEGINNING.

>> Reporter: A REASON STUDY SHOWS THAT FAMILIES SPENDING ON YOUTH SPORTS HAS INCREASED BY 46% SINCE 2019, MAKING IT OUT OF REACH FOR MANY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

TOM BOYD IS A COACH AT SAN DIEGO HEIGHTS YOUTH SOCCER.

ON TOP OF THE UNIFORM COSTS, THERE ARE TRAVEL COSTS FOR AWAY GAMES.

>> $1500-$2000 PER PLAYER.

>> Reporter: FOR COMPETITIVE LEAGUES, THOSE JUMP ASTRONOMICALLY.

>> THAT CAN BE IN THE THOUSANDS AND TENS OF THOUSANDS.

>> Reporter: THAT CREATES A BARRIER OF ENTRY FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES.

A 2021 SURVEY SHOWS THAT FAMILIES MAKING $25,000 OR LESS PER YEAR, ONLY 24% OF KIDS 6 TO 12 PARTICIPATES IN ORGANIZED SPORTS, COMPARED TO FAMILIES SPENDING -- MAKING $100,000 OR MORE.

THE CLUB TEAM ALLOWS KIDS TO PARTICIPATE COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE.

HE IS ABLE TO DO THAT BECAUSE OF SPONSORSHIPS AND VOLUNTEER COACHES.

>> IF GETS, AND WANT TO PLAY, WE WILL FIND THEM, WE WILL TEACH THEM.

>> Reporter: THE HIGH COSTS OF TEAM SPORTS ARE WHY THEY FOUNDED THE NONPROFIT SAN MARCOS BASKETBALL CLINIC IN 2020.

IT IS A CLUB TEAM WHERE CHILDREN CAN PARTICIPATE FOR A SMALL FREE.

>> IT HAS HELPED ME.

SPORTS IS WHO I AM TODAY.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE COSTS CAN BE OFFSET BY PLAYING ON SCHOOL TEAMS.

THAT IS NOT ENOUGH IF KIDS WANT TO MOVE ON TO THE NEXT LEVEL.

VARSITY, COLLEGIATE SPORTS, OR PROFESSIONAL LEAGUES.

>> WE NEED TO PLAY THREE TO FOUR HOURS PER DAY, WHETHER IT IS BASKETBALL, BASKETBALL -- BASEBALL, OR ANY OTHER SPORT.

>> Reporter: CHRISTIAN WAS A PRODUCT OF THE PROGRAM DID HE PLAY SEMI-PROFESSIONALLY FOR THE SAN DIEGO SONS AND COACHES FOR THE PROGRAMS.

HE SAID THAT PLAYING HERE GETS HIM WHERE HE IS NOW.

>> CLUB SPORTS, BIGGER THAN HIGH SCHOOL, BECAUSE IT GIVES YOU A SENSE OF FREEDOM YOU DO NOT GET IN THOSE MORE STRUCTURED GAMES.

THAT IS WHERE YOU BECOME YOURSELF.

BASKETBALL IS A CONFIDENT SPORT.

>> Reporter: FOR PARENTS, CLUB SPORTS ARE A WAY TO HELP THEIR CHILDREN BE MORE ACTIVE.

BUT COSTS CAN SOMETIMES GET IN THE WAY.

>> WHEN I WAS A CHILD, SPORTS WAS CONSIDERED AS A NECESSITY NOW IT IS CONSIDERED AS A LUXURY.

>> Reporter: EVEN PARTICIPATING AT LOCAL RECREATION CENTERS, WHERE COSTS ARE LOWER, IS STILL EXPENSIVE.

>> WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE ASSOCIATION FEES.

THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER COSTS THAT KIND OF MAKE IT A LITTLE COST PROHIBITIVE FOR FOLKS, YOU KNOW, TO SIGN THEIR KIDS UP FOR SPORTS.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN ORTHOPEDIC SOCIETY, GETTING KIDS INVOLVED IN SPORTS EARLY HELPS WITH MOTOR SKILLS, SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, AND LIFELONG HEALTHY HABITS.

THE SAME STUDY SHOWS THAT INCOME IS THE BIGGEST DRIVER FOR EARLY PARTICIPATION, LIMITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOWER-INCOME CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS.

FOR NOW, PROGRAMS ARE FOR BOYD, GIVING LOW-INCOME KIDS A PICKUP IN THE SPORTS WORLD.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> WE HAVE MORE COST-OF-LIVING STORIES ABOUT EVERYTHING FROM RISING GAS PRICES TO SAVING MONEY ON LIVE SPORTS EVENTS.

CHECK IT ALL OUT ON KPBS.ORG .

>>> THE SAN DIEGO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO SPEND MORE YOU HONEY -- MONEY ON FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS.

THE INVESTMENT IS IN RESPONSE TO NEW FEDERAL RULES THAT COULD AFFECT TAL FRESH BENEFITS.

-- CALFRESH BENEFITS.

>> Reporter: MONICA MONTGOMERY STEPPE WAS JOINED BY MEMBERS OF THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BACK, THEY SAY FEEDING SAN DIEGO CEO BOB KAMINSKI SAID THEY HAVE SEEN A 22% JUMP IN NEEDS OVER THE LAST YEAR.

>> WHEN YOU HAD THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF A PARTIAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN, AND A NEW FEDERAL FISCAL YEAR TAKING EFFECT, OUR FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS HAVE BEEN AVERAGING 230,000 HOUSEHOLDS EVERY MONTH, AND CLIMBING.

>> Reporter: AS OF JUNE 1st, MANY WHO HAVE RECEIVED FOOD BENEFITS NEED TO PROVE THEY SATISFY REQUIREMENTS.

THIS COULD LEAD TO THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS LOSING THEIR BENEFITS OR HAVING THEM REDUCED.

IN RESPONSE, SUPERVISOR MONICA MONTGOMERY STEPPE IS PROPOSING THE SAFETY NET BRIDGE PROGRAM, IT WOULD USE MONEY TO HOLD ADDITIONAL BENEFITS.

>> WORKING ALONGSIDE THE SAN DIEGO FOOD BANK, WE WILL BRING FOOD DIRECTLY INTO COMMUNITIES EXPECTED TO BE HIT HARDEST BY H.R.

1 .

WE WILL FOLLOW THE DATA AND ADJUST AS NEEDED TO MAKE SURE THAT RESOURCES ARE REACHING THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT THE MOST.

>> Reporter: EL CAJON, CHULA VISTA, MESA, AND TWO LOCATIONS IN SPRING VALLEY.

MONICA MONTGOMERY STEPPE SAID THIS IS NOT HAPPENING BY ACCIDENT, IT IS THE RESULT OF A POLICY CHOICE.

>> WHEN YOU TAKE FOOD AWAY FROM STRUGGLING FAMILIES, YOU DO NOT CREATE, YOU CREATE MORE INSTABILITY, MORE HARDSHIP, MORE FAMILIES PUSHED TO THE BRINK.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS HER STAFF WILL RETURN TO THE BOARD IN SEPTEMBER WITH THE PLAN FOR A PILOT PROGRAM TO HELP INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS.

KPBS NEWS.

>> SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS FOR A LIST OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES.

>>> THE STORY YOU SAW EARLIER FROM REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN IS LEAVING KIDS ON THE SIDELINE .

ANOTHER REPORT ABILITY -- AFFORDABILITY STORY, CAN YOU ENJOY THE SENDING AFFAIR $420?

AND THE ICONIC SAN DIEGO MORMON TEMPLE OPENS FOR A RARE PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE FOLLOWING A MAJOR RENOVATION.

>>> THESE NEXT TWO STORIES ARE ON OUR MOST POPULAR LIST.

WE HAVE BEEN REPORTING ON LOCAL HOSPITALS THAT ARE TRYING TO IMPROVE WORKPLACE SAFETY FOR NURSES.

SHE HAS A NEW NATIONAL SURVEY THAT SHOWS VIOLENCE REMAINS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: NATIONAL NURSES UNITED IS THE LARGEST LABOR UNION FOR NURSES.

IT SURVEYED ITS MEMBERS, MORE THAN 1200 RESPONDED.

IT FOUND 8 IN 10 NURSES EXPERIENCED AT LEAST ONE FORM OF WORKPLACE VIOLENCE IN THE PAST YEAR.

THEY DESCRIBE VERBAL THREATS, HARASSMENT, PHYSICAL ASSAULT, AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

JANE THOMPSON IS WITH NATIONAL NURSES UNITED.

>> WE ALSO SAW IN THE SURVEY, HEALTHCARE EMPLOYERS ARE NOT PUTTING IN PLACE THE MEASURES THAT WE KNOW CAN PREVENT WORKPLACE VIOLENCE.

THINGS LIKE TRAINING.

THINGS LIKE STAFFING.

THINGS LIKE METAL DETECTORS.

AND INCIDENT REPORTING, AND FOLLOW-UP.

>> Reporter: THE UNION IS PUSHING FOR A FEDERAL WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION STANDARD.

>> THE FEDERAL BILL IS BASED ON OUR EXPERIENCE IN CALIFORNIA, WITH WHAT HAS WORKED WELL HERE AND WHAT APPLIES TO THAT STANDARD, AND WHAT WOULD APPLY AT ALL STATES.

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA REQUIRES HOSPITALS TO MAINTAIN WORKPLACE VIOLENCE PREVENTION PLANS AND TRAIN EMPLOYEES.

AT SCRIPPS HEALTH, PREVENTION EFFORTS HAVE LED TO >> >> IMPROVEMENT IN INJURIES.

>> Reporter: THE CEO HAS LAUNCHED A REASONABLE -- REGIONAL TASK FORCE THAT BROUGHT PROSECUTORS TOGETHER.

>> PROSECUTORS THAT HANDLE WORKPLACE VIOLENCE CASES.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SAID THEY HAVE PROSECUTED A COMBINED 140 HOSPITAL -RELATED VIOLENCE CASES SINCE JULY 2023.

STILL, HE SAYS THAT VIOLENCE IN HEALTHCARE CANNOT BE SOLVED BY HOSPITALS ALONE.

>> IT IS THE HOSPITAL, LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, CITY ATTORNEY, SOULFUL CITY SEE -- SERVICES.

>> Reporter: HE SAID WORKPLACE VIOLENCE MAY NEVER DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY.

BUT HE BELIEVES HOSPITALS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

>> ARE WE GOING TO REDUCE IT TO ZERO, NO.

ARE WE GOING TO REDUCE CRIME OUTSIDE OF HOSPITALS TO ZERO?

NO.

CAN WE REDUCE IT?

NO.

>> KPBS NEWS.

>>> NERD IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, A TINY BEAD OF PLASTIC THAT CAN GET INTO OUR BODIES.

JACOB TELLS US ABOUT THE EFFORT TO PUT A NUMBER TO THE PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: IT SHOWS THE TINY PALLETS ARE POLLUTING WATERWAYS.

>> IT IS A WAY TO SHOW THIS IS A PROBLEM, THEY ARE CLEAR, THEY REALLY EASILY BLEND INTO THE SAND.

YOU OFTEN DO NOT KNOW THEY ARE THERE.

>> Reporter: SHE DIRECTS THE EDUCATION FUND, DURING THE MONTH OF MAY OVER 1000 VOLUNTEERS COMB SITES AROUND RAILWAYS, BEACHES, AND OTHER BEACHES IN COUNTRIES >> THESE ARE PIECES OF PLASTIC THAT ARE THE RAW MATERIAL FOR PLASTIC ITEMS.

SO, THESE ARE CREATED AND THEN SHIPPED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, TO THEN BE MELTED DOWN AND MOLDED TO PLASTIC BOTTLES, BAGS, COUNTLESS OTHER PLASTIC ITEMS.

>> Reporter: THEY FOUND OVER 1 MILLION PALLETS, AN INCREASE FROM THE FIRST COUNT.

IN CALIFORNIA, VOLUNTEERS FOUND OVER 15,000 OF THE SO-CALLED NERDLES.

>> THEY ARE TREATED WITH CHEMICALS OR ABSORB CHEMICALS THAT END UP IN OUR FISH, BECAUSE THEY ARE CONSUMED BY MARINE ANIMALS.

THEY CAN ULTIMATELY GET INTO OUR OWN BODIES, MICRO PLASTICS.

>> Reporter: AS FOR HOW THEY END UP IN THE WATERWAYS IN THE FIRST PLACE, ENGSTROM SAYS THAT TRANSACTING POLLUTION OCCURS NEAR SITES WHERE PALLETS ARE MANUFACTURED, USED, OR TRANSPORTED.

IT CAN ALSO COME FROM RAIL TRANSPORT.

>> THE WAY WE LOOKED AROUND RAILWAY LINES, ESPECIALLY IN NORTH COUNTY, WHERE THERE ARE PROTECTED LAGOON HABITS, THOSE RAIL LINES CROSSED DIRECTLY OVER THOSE LAGOONS.

WE NOTICED NERDLES ALMOST EVERYWHERE WE LOOK.

>> Reporter: PATRICK DONNA TOOK PART NEAR A RAIL LINE, HE SAID THAT THE END UP ON THE SHORES OF WATERWAYS BECAUSE MOST OF THEM FLOAT.

>> THESE THINGS REMAIN IN THE WATER AND IN THE OCEAN FOR POTENTIALLY HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

AND THEY END UP ALL OVER THE GLOBE.

>> Reporter: HIS ORGANIZATION IS ORGANIZING ANOTHER COUNT THIS JULY.

JACOB AERE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ONE RESIDENCE MAY HAVE TO, A WATER CRISIS IS PUSHING CITY LEADERS TO RECYCLING.

ENVIRONMENT REPORTER SAYS THIS WEEK, THEY VISITED OCEANSIDE TO LEARN ABOUT A DROUGHT-IMPROVE SOLUTION.

>> Reporter: THIS WEEK SOME RESIDENTS IN TIJUANA HAD BETTER GET -- THEIR WATER CUT OFF.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: THE COLORADO RIVER, THE MAIN WATER SOURCE, IS DRAWING -- DRYING UP.

RECYCLING WASTEWATER IS ONE WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

TO LEARN FROM THE CITY ALREADY DOING THAT, SHE AND OTHER BAJA CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS VISITED THE OCEANSIDE PURE WATER FACILITY.

>> WE TAKE THIS WASTEWATER, AND YOU CLEAN IT ENOUGH SO THAT YOU CAN DRINK IT.

WE DID IT.

>> Reporter: FACILITY TURNS 3 MILLION GALLONS OF RECYCLED WASTEWATER PER DAY INTO DRINKING WATER FOR OCEANSIDE RESIDENCE.

ESTHER SANCHEZ IS THE MAYOR, SHE SAID THE NEW WATER SOURCE HAS REDUCED THE RELIANCE ON THE COLORADO RIVER.

AND SHE BELIEVES THE SOLUTION WILL WORK IN TIJUANA, AS IT HAS IN HER CITY.

>> THE ONLY WAY TO GET THERE IS THROUGH SHARING INFORMATION, AND HAVING THIS ONGOING DIALOGUE.

>> Reporter: RECYCLING WASTEWATER IN TIJUANA WOULD REDUCE THE SEWAGE CRISIS.

>> IF THEY COULD BEGIN BY REDUCING SOME OF THAT FLOW THAT IS CURRENTLY GOING ACROSS THE BORDER, THAT WOULD NOT ONLY HELP TIJUANA BECOME MORE WATER RESILIENT, IT WOULD BEGIN TO ALLEVIATE A POLITICAL PROBLEM, THAT NOT JUST TIJUANA HAS, BUT MEXICO HAS, THE UNITED STATES.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO REGION ISSUING TIJUANA THAT RESIDENTS MUST PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN CONSERVING THE CITY'S WATER SUPPLY.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: TIJUANA OFFICIALS PERSONALLY MEET WITH OTHER LEADERS IN THE REGION, THAT ARE INVESTING IN WATER RECYCLING.

TAMMY MURGA, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE NEW EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE WEEKDAYS.

IT IS A MIXTURE OF DAILY NEWS AND FEATURE REPORTING.

YOU CAN STREAM ON YOUTUBE OR WHATEVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> THE LATEST EPISODE OF SAN DIEGO NEWS NOW FEATURES DISTORTED.

HAITIANS BEGAN SETTLING IN TIJUANA IN 2016.

NOW, THEY ARE AN ESTABLISHED AND VIBRANT COMMUNITY.

WE VISITED AND -- PATIENT RESTAURANT AS THEY WATCHED THE WORLD CUP.

>> Reporter: AND HE SHOOTS, HE SCORES.

HAITI WAS ELIMINATED FROM THE FIFA WORLD CUP WEDNESDAY.

YOU WOULD NOT KNOW WHAT FROM LISTENING TO THIS WATCH PARTY AT A HAITIAN RESTAURANT IN TIJUANA.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: HE IS ONE OF MORE THAN 6000 HAITIANS WHO NOW CALL TIJUANA HOME.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: THIS IS HAITI'S FIRST WORLD CUP APPEARANCE AND MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY.

IT HAS GIVEN HAITIANS EVERYWHERE A REASON TO CELEBRATE, ESPECIALLY AFTER SO MANY SETBACKS.

A DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE, A DEADLY HURRICANE IN 2016, AND A PRESIDENTIAL ASSASSINATION IN 2021.

AT THE WATCH PARTY, THE CROWD ENJOYED TRADITIONAL FOOD AND DANCED TO HAITIAN HIP-HOP.

HE OWNS THE RESTAURANT.

SHE IS ALSO A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AND SAYS THE WORLD CUP IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT HAITI IS MUCH MORE THAN THE VIOLENCE AND GAS PER TRADE IN THE INTERNATIONAL MEDIA.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: SHE IS PROUD OF THE FACT THAT HAITI BECAME THE WORLD'S FIRST FREE BLACK REPUBLIC IN 1804, A FRENCH EMPEROR, NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.

IT IS A BIT OF HISTORY THAT WAS DEPICTED IN THE HAITI WORLD CUP JERSEY, A SILHOUETTE OF MEN HOLDING UP THE REVOLUTIONARY FLAG.

BUT THE TOURNAMENT'S ORGANIZER DEEMED IT TOO POLITICAL AND TOLD THEM TO REMOVE THE REFERENCE.

SHE WELCOMES THE CONTROVERSY.

IT ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO STUDY HAITIAN HISTORY.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: SHE ARGUES THAT BEING PUNISHED FOR THEIR INDEPENDENCE IS AN UNFORTUNATE PART OF THEIR EXPERIENCE.

HAITI WAS FORCED TO COMPENSATE FRENCH SLAVEOWNERS FOR LOST PROPERTY UNTIL 1947.

KPBS NEWS.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 100 OF BAJA CALIFORNIA'S BEST PHOTOJOURNALIST CAME TOGETHER TO HONOR ONE OF THEIR OWN.

JOURNALIST MATTHEW BOWLER TAKES US TO THE CELEBRATION.

>> Reporter: BEING RECOGNIZED FOR A JOB WELL DONE JUST FEELS GOOD.

CATALINA VASQUEZ WAS A REPORTER IN TIJUANA.

SHE WAS A BIT EMOTIONAL AFTER GETTING HER MEDAL.

>> IT WAS A SURPRISE BUT HEY, YOU KNOW WHAT, YOU ARE GOING TO RECEIVE THIS, I WAS LIKE, REALLY?

>> Reporter: [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] CELEBRATED THEIR OWN THIS MORNING FOR THE FIRST TIME, GIVING SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO SOME OF TIJUANA'S PHOTOJOURNALIST.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] -- THOSE GUYS HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR YEARS.

AND, FINALLY, SOMEONE WILL RECOGNIZE THEIR WORK.

>> Reporter: THAT IS A LIST OF SOME OF HIS FAVORITE TIJUANA PHOTOJOURNALIST.

HE WAS ALSO AWARDED A MEDAL OF RECOGNITION FOR HIS CONTRIBUTION TO PHOTOJOURNALISM IN TIJUANA.

RAMON IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION -- HE SAYS, PHOTOJOURNALISTS FACE UNIQUE DANGERS IN TIJUANA.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: IF YOUR PICTURES ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH, YOU ARE NOT CLOSE ENOUGH, AS THE SAYING GOES.

32 JOURNALISTS FROM TIJUANA AND ROSA RIO TO MEDALS FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO JOURNALISM ALONG THE BORDER.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE U.N., ABOUT 90 JOURNALISTS HAVE BEEN KILLED IN MEXICO IN THE LAST DECADE.

>> WE ALL RECOGNIZE THE DANGERS THAT EXIST IN TIJUANA.

>> Reporter: BUT HE SAYS, BECAUSE 50 -- SAFETY IS IMPROVING, THEY GET TO CELEBRATE THEIR WORK AND EACH OTHER.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: MATTHEW BOWLER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO NOTE SOME RECOGNITION ON THE SIDE OF THE BORDER AS WELL, SEVERAL MEMBERS OF OUR NEWSROOM EARNED AWARDS THIS WEEK FROM THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF THE SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS.

THE AWARDS RECOGNIZE EXCELLENCE IN -- EXCELLENCE IN ONLINE STORYTELLING.

WE REALLY HOPE THAT YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I AM LAWRENCE K. JACKSON, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.