♪ >>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I'M JOHN CARROLL.

>>> COMING UP, SAN DIEGO IS LOOKING FOR WAYS TO SQUEEZE REVENUE OUT OF DOWNTOWN STREETS.

LEARN HOW VALET FEES MIGHT BE THE NEXT TO RISE.

>>> THE IMPACT OF REMOTE WORK, THE CHALLENGES OF CLIMBING THE CAREER LADDER, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE BALANCING RESPONSIBILITIES AT HOME.

>>> AND A SWEET LEGACY IN SANTEE, SEE HOW A NEW GENERATION IS MAKING SURE MARY'S DONUTS REMAINS A COMMUNITY STAPLE.

>>> THOSE WHO RELY ON FOOD ASSISTANCE RECEIVED GOOD NEWS FRIDAY MORNING.

THE COUNTY ANNOUNCED S.N.A.P.

BENEFITS ARE BEING DELIVERED TO ACCOUNTS IN FULL.

THAT CAPPED A WEEK OF WORRY AS THE ONGOING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AND MOVE BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PUT THAT MONEY INTO DOUBT.

KATIE HYSON VISITED ONE OF THE NEARLY 400,000 LOCALS DEALING WITH THAT UNCERTAINTY.

>> Reporter: NORMALLY MARIA HERNANDEZ GETS $131 A MONTH IN GROCERY ASSISTANCE.

NOW SHE'S EXPECTING ABOUT 60, IF ANYTHING.

>> I GOT NERVOUS.

I GOT SCARED.

I GOT WORRIED, HOW ARE WE GOING TO EAT?

>> Reporter: SHE STARTED SWAPPING FRESH FOOD FOR CANS AND BOXES.

>> SPAGHETTI, STUFF THAT'S NOT REALLY THAT GOOD FOR YOU, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO FILL YOUR STOMACH.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS HELP, CHURCHES, A POWAY FOOD BANK WHERE SHE SAYS THE LINE HAS SUDDENLY STRETCHED TO THE HUNDREDS.

FAMILY, IF SHE'S REALLY IN A PINCH.

SHE WORRIES ABOUT PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE ALL THAT SUPPORT.

>> I FEEL BAD FOR THE OTHER PEOPLE, THE OVER MOTHERS OUT THERE WITH A LOT OF CHILDREN THAT AREN'T GOING TO BE ABLE TO FEED THEIR KIDS.

>> Reporter: THANKSGIVING IS WEEKS AWAY.

>> KIND OF CONTEMPLATING AM I GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE MY DISH THIS YEAR?

>> Reporter: NORMALLY SHE'D MAKE HER SIGNATURE POTATO CASSEROLE WITH HER FAMILY AND MEMBERS, FROZEN HASH BROWNS, CREAM OF CHICKEN SOUP, SOUR CREAM AND CRACKERS.

>> I'M HOPING AND PRAYING THE GOVERNMENT OPENS UP NEXT MONTH BECAUSE IF NEXT MONTH COMES AROUND, WHAT ELSE ARE THEY GOING TO GET RID OF?

IF IT'S CAL FRESH, WHAT'S NEXT?

SECTION 8?

PEOPLE GETTING THEIR DISABILITY, PEOPLE GETTING WELFARE?

WHAT'S NEXT?

>> Reporter: A COUNTY SPOKESPERSON SAYS THEY'RE WAITING ON WORD FROM THE STATE.

KATIE HYSON, KPBS NEWS.

>> KATIE'S STORY IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH ON KPBS.ORG.

IT ALSO INCLUDES A LIST OF LOCAL FOOD ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS.

>>> THE RISING COST OF LIVING IS A THEME PLAYING OUT ALL OVER SAN DIEGO, INCLUDING ON OUR STREETS.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SAYS VALET PARKING ZONES WILL BE THE NEXT TO SEE HIGHER FEES.

>> Reporter: CURB SPACE IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO IS EXTREMELY VALUABLE.

PARKING METERS ARE BRINGING IN A LOT MORE MONEY SINCE THE CITY DOUBLED ITS METER RATES EARLIER THIS YEAR AND CITY TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS SAY CURB SPOTS SET ASIDE FOR VALET PARKING REPRESENT LOST REVENUE.

THE CITY COUNCIL TODAY VOTED TO INCREASE THE PERMIT FEES FOR VALET PARKING ZONES IF THEY TAKE UP MORE THAN TWO PARKING SPACES.

DOWNTOWN HOTEL OWNERS SAID THE PROPOSED FEE INCREASE IS EXCESSIVE.

>> IT'S A SAFETY ISSUE.

WE'VE ALL GONE TO HOTELS BEFORE.

IT TAKES MORE THAN JUST A MOMENT OR TWO TO GET OUT OF THE CAR, BE GREETED PROPERLY BY THE VALET, UNLOAD YOUR BAGS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE KIDS AND TRAVEL TODAY IS NOT EASY.

IT'S NEVER REALLY BEEN EASY.

>> Reporter: IN RESPONSE TO THOSE CONCERNS, THE COUNCIL DECIDED TO SET THE VALET PERMIT FEES AT A SLIGHTLY LOWER LEVEL THAN WHAT CITY STAFF HAD ORIGINALLY PROPOSED.

COUNCIL MEMBER RIVERA VOTED AGAINST THAT CHANGE SAYING THE HIGHER PERMIT FEES WERE SOMETHING DOWNTOWN HOTELS COULD AFFORD.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY CURB, STREETS, AND SIDEWALKS ARE PUBLIC SPACES.

THOSE ARE ASSETS THAT BELONG TO SAN DIEGANS AND WHEN PRIVATE FOR-PROFIT BUSINESSES USE THOSE SPACES TO GENERATE REVENUE, I THINK IT'S FAIR THAT THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE COST OF MAINTAINING AND IMPROVING IT.

>> Reporter: CITY STAFF ESTIMATE THE NEW FEES WILL GENERATE AS MUCH AS $780,000 PER YEAR.

THAT REVENUE HAS TO BE SPENT ON TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS LIKE FILLING POTHOLES AND FIXING BROKEN STREETLIGHTS.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AFTER MONTHS OF DISCUSSION THE NATIONAL CITY COUNCIL STRUCK DOWN A CONTROVERSIAL BIOFUEL DEPOT PROJECT THIS WEEK.

SOUTH BAY REPORTER KORI SUZUKI SAYS THEY DECIDED THE BENEFITS FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY WOULD COME AT TOO HIGH A COST FOR NATIONAL CITY.

>> HEY HEY, YOU'VE GOT TO GO.

>> Reporter: THE PROPOSED DEPOT HAD FACED FIERY OPPOSITION FROM RESIDENTS, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, AND THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BECAUSE IT WOULD RELY ON DIESEL-BURNING TRAINS AND TRUCKS BRINGING MORE AIR POLLUTION TO WEST NATIONAL CITY WHICH ALREADY HAS A HISTORY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY.

LAST MONTH THE CITY COUNCIL APPEARED DIVIDED ON THE PROJECT.

THEY ASKED THE TEXAS ENERGY COMPANY BEHIND IT, USD CLEAN FUELS, TO FIND OFFSETS FOR THE POLLUTION, BUT IN A SURPRISE DECISION TUESDAY NIGHT, COUNCIL MEMBERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO REJECT THE PROJECT.

COUNCIL MEMBER MOLINA REPRESENTS WEST NATIONAL CITY.

>> THE WEST SIDE HAS DONE ITS SHARE.

WE ARE NOT SAYING NO TO PROGRESS.

WE'RE JUST NOT WANTING TO BE -- CONTINUE TO BE THE PRICE OF IT.

>> Reporter: VICE MAYOR MARCUS BUSH SAID THE CITY NEEDED TO GO EVEN FURTHER.

>> I DON'T WANT THIS CONVERSATION TO DIE HERE.

I THINK WE NEED TO DOUBLE DOWN ON OUR EFFORTS ON CLEANING UP OTNC, THE WEST SIDE.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AND DO THAT.

>> Reporter: RESIDENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS ERUPTED INTO CHEERS FOLLOWING THE DECISION.

AMY CASTANEDA IS WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH COALITION AND SAYS THEIR PLANS ARE TO CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR CONTINUING CLEAN-UP OF POLLUTION IN THE CITY.

>> FIRST WE REST AND THEN WE GET BACK TO WORK.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW SHE SAYS NATIONAL CITY RESIDENTS CAN ALL BREATHE A LITTLE EASIER.

IN A STATEMENT USD CLEAN FUEL SAID THEY WERE DISAPPOINTED IN THE DECISION AND WOULD EVALUATE THEIR NEXT STEPS.

KORI SUZUKI, KPBS NEWS.

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

HERE ARE SOME FROM THIS WEEK.

CALIFORNIA VOTERS APPROVED PROP 50 WHICH COULD MAKE EAST COUNTY'S CONGRESSIONAL SEAT MORE COMPETITIVE.

POWAY CITY COUNCIL MEMBER TONY BLAINE BLAIN RESIGNS ONE DAY AFTER VOTERS CONSIDER A RECALL AND SAN DIEGO VOTERS CONSIDER A STEEP TAX ON VACATION RENTALS AND SECOND HOMES.

>>> THE PANDEMIC HAS UNDOUBTEDLY CHANGED THE WAY WE WORK.

GONE ARE THE DAYS OF CLOCKING IN AND OUT OF THE OFFICE EVERY DAY.

THERE'S A LOT MORE FLEXIBILITY THESE DAYS, BUT DOES WORKING REMOTELY IMPACT MEN AND WOMEN DIFFERENTLY?

AS MAYA TRABULSI REPORTS, SOME ECONOMIC EXPERTS SAY IT COULD.

>> SHERYL TAKING GOOD CARE OF YOU?

>> OF COURSE SHE IS, ALWAYS.

>> Reporter: MANPOWER SAN DIEGO CEO PHIL BLAIR LIVES AND BREATHES EMPLOYMENT TRENDS.

>> WE'RE CHURN.

THAT'S OUR BUSINESS IS TO CHURN PEOPLE.

SO WE SEE EVERYTHING IN THE EMPLOYMENT MARKET, GOOD AND BAD.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS IN RETURN TO OFFICE POST PANDEMIC TIMES, ORGANIZATIONS ARE MORE COMFORTABLE WITH FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS AND LOCATIONS AND IT ALLOWS COMPANIES TO KEEP GOOD EMPLOYEES, BUT HE SAYS IN- OFFICE NETWORKING LIKE SO- CALLED WATER COOLER CONVERSATIONS CAN BE A CRUCIAL PART OF CAREER ADVANCEMENT.

>> WHERE YOU BUMP IN THE HALL AND SAY LET'S GO HAVE LUNCH OR JOIN US, WE'RE GOING DOWN THE HALL OR I BAKED SOME COOKIES, IT'S THAT INTERACTION, THAT HUMAN NATURE OF KNOWING PEOPLE AND TRUSTING THEM.

SO YOU HAVE TO BE VISIBLE TO DO THAT.

ON THE SCREEN, ZOOM OR TEAMS OR WHATEVER HAD, IT'S NOT THE SAME.

>> Reporter: BUT DATA SHOWS MEN AND WOMEN AREN'T RETURNING TO THE OFFICE AT THE SAME RATE.

ACCORDING TO A RECENT U.S.

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SURVEY, THE PERCENTAGE OF MEN WORKING FROM HOME DROPPED FROM 34 TO 29% FROM 2023 TO 2024 WHILE THE SHARE OF WOMEN WORKING FROM HOME STAYED LARGELY THE SAME AT 36%.

OTHER DATA SUGGESTS SOME WOMEN LEFT THE WORKFORCE ENTIRELY BECAUSE OF RETURN TO OFFICE RULES.

>> HAVING A ONE SIZE FITS ALL APPROACH TO MANAGEMENT DOESN'T WORK.

>> Reporter: LIZ LYONS IS ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT UC SAN DIEGO.

SHE ALSO HELPS COMPANIES WITH THEIR HYBRID AND REMOTE WORK POLICIES.

LYONS SAYS FOR WOMEN THE BENEFITS OF REMOTE WORK IS LESS ABOUT LOCATION THAN IT IS ABOUT FLEXIBLE WORKING HOURS.

>> SO I DON'T THINK IT'S LIKE THIS UNIQUE MOMENT.

IT'S JUST THAT IF WE WANT TO CONTINUE THE PROGRESS THAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING, ALLOWING FOR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND NOT TAKING A KIND OF BLUNT FORCE APPROACH TO MANAGEMENT I THINK IS IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS IT'S THE SURPRISING THAT MORE PEOPLE OPT FOR REMOTE WORK BECAUSE THEY DISPROPORTIONATELY SHOULDER THE BURDEN OF NONPAY-BASED WORK LIKE CHILD OR ELDER CARE, BUT SHE SAYS THE LACK OF VISIBILITY COULD PUT THEM AT A DISADVANTAGE THAT EXACERBATES INCOME AND WEALTH INEQUITY.

>> THE IDEA THAT FORCING WOMEN INTO THE OFFICE IS GOING TO FIX THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT IDEA BECAUSE WHEN THAT DOES HAPPEN, WE'RE SEEING WOMEN EXIT THE LABOR FORCE ALTOGETHER.

>> Reporter: LYONS SAYS THAT MANAGERS CAN PERSONALIZE WORK ARRANGEMENTS AS INCENTIVES OF AN EXAMPLE WOULD BE ALLOWING WORKERS TO CHOOSE DAYS TO COME INTO THE OFFICE TO FACILITATE INTERACTION.

AT MANPOWER SAN DIEGO THEY'RE DOING THAT WITH A WEEKLY POTLUCK.

I CAN SEE WHY THIS BRINGS PEOPLE BACK INTO THE OFFICE VERY HAPPILY.

>> I AM MAKING A SALAD.

WE HAVE JAMAICAN RICE AND PEAS AND JERK TURKEY.

>> Reporter: MANPOWER SAN DIEGO VICE PRESIDENT OF HR HEATHER WHITLEY QUINN HELPS PREPARE FOOD FOR THE TEAM AND SHARES THE WEDNESDAY MENU ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

>> WE'VE BEEN REALLY FLEXIBLE TRYING TO BE FLEXIBLE AND DROPPING KIDS OFF, PICKING KIDS UP, COMING IN, GETTING CLOTHES DONE BY 12:30 AND THEN BEING ABLE TO SCOOT ON, DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR DAY.

>> Reporter: PHIL BLAIR SAYS THAT DIGITAL-ONLY WORK SHOWS AN EMPLOYEE IS SKILL ORIENTED, BUT IF THEY WANT TO ADVANCE -- >> THE MONEY AND THE PROGRESSION IS LEADERSHIP ORIENTED, WHERE I SEE YOU WORK WITH YOUR TEAM AND WOW, WE GOT A STAR THERE VERSUS WELL, SHE DOES ALL HERS ON ZOOM AND I GUESS SHE'S GOOD, BUT WE DON'T KNOW.

>> Reporter: SO HOW DO PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE TO WORK FROM HOME MAKE THEIR INTERACTIONS COUNT?

>> WOMEN HAVE TO BE A LITTLE MORE ASSERTIVE WHEN THEY ARE IN THE OFFICE OR FIND WAYS TO LET'S MEET FOR A DRINK, LET'S HAVE LUNCH, LET'S HAVE DINNER AND CATCH UP.

>> I THINK THE OTHER THING IS THAT ALL REMOTE WORKERS SHOULD THINK ABOUT JUST SPENDING SOME TIME PAYING CO-WORKERS FOR NO REASON, SENDING THEM SILLY VIDEOS OR WHATEVER OPENS THE DOOR FOR THESE MORE SERENDIPITOUS INTERACTIONS.

>> Reporter: IN TERMS OF THE RISK WOMEN TAKE HAVING REMOTE- ONLY JOBS, WHAT CAN THEY DO TO PREVENT THE RECOGNITION GAP?

>> I THINK ONE IS JUST TO, YOU KNOW, BE BRAVE AND TALK ABOUT YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

I KNOW MANY WOMEN RELATIVE TO MEN ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THAT, BUT JUST DOING IT AND REMINDING YOURSELF THAT, YOU KNOW, IF YOU WANT TO BE ABLE TO STAY IN THE WORKFORCE, MANAGE YOUR COMPETING DEMANDS ON YOUR TIME WHICH ARE SO HARD FOR SO MANY WOMEN, SPEAKING UP FOR YOURSELF CAN SUPPORT THAT AND SO THAT CAN GIVE THEM SOME COURAGE TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE IN THAT WAY, I THINK THAT'S REALLY CRITICAL.

>> Reporter: SHE ADDS THERE HAVE BEEN NO STUDIES THAT SHOW HYBRID WORK IS BAD FOR PRODUCTIVITY, YET MANY STUDIES SHOW IT IS PRODUCTIVITY.

>> SO THE PRODUCTIVITY EXPLANATION FOR NOT ALLOW HYBRID WORK, I'VE NEVER SEEN A GOOD EXPLANATION FOR IT.

>> Reporter: LYONS AND BLAIR BELIEVE IT IS INCUMBENT ON THE INDIVIDUAL TO CLOSE THE GAP IN VISIBILITY WHILE ENJOYING THE AGE OF FLEXIBILITY.

>> MAYA TRABULSI REPORTING.

THE BALANCE OF ONLINE AND IN- PERSON INTERACTIONS WAS ALSO A THEME AT THE RECENT TWITCH-CON HELD HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER AUDY McAFEE TALKED TO A FEW STREAMERS ABOUT THE EFFECTS ON MENTAL HEALTH, BOTH POSITIVELY AND NEGATIVELY.

>> Reporter: WITH TWITCH IS A LIVE STREAMING PLATFORM, THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD, AVERAGING 31 MILLION DAILY VISITORS.

THERE'S ALL KINDS OF GENRES TO WATCH FROM, JUST CHATTING AND IRO TO COOKING, GAMING AND MORE.

AS THE PLATFORM PLANS TO GROW, SO DOES THE CONVERSATION AROUND MENTAL HEALTH AND BOUNDARIES FOR BOTH STREAMERS AND THEIR AUDIENCES.

MIRIAM MATTER IS A NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCHER.

SHE SAYS PEOPLE ARE SPENDING MORE TIME ONLINE THAN EVER.

>> THERE WAS A REPORT FROM 2024 THAT STATED WORLDWIDE GLOBALLY PEOPLE SPEND APPROXIMATELY SEVEN HOURS A DAY ONLINE, WHICH IS PRETTY STAGGERING, AND BY THE TIME WE REACH 80 YEARS OLD, WE WOULD HAVE SPENT ABOUT 17 YEARS OF OUR LIVES ONLINE WHICH IS QUITE INTENSE TO THINK ABOUT.

>> Reporter: SPENDING HOURS WATCHING STREAMERS CAN LEAD TO WHAT'S CALLED A PARASOCIAL RELATIONSHIP.

COINED IN THE 1950s, THE TERM DESCRIBES A ONE-SIDED EMOTIONAL BOND A PERSON CAN FORM WITH A MEDIA FIGURE OR A FICTIONAL CHARACTER EVEN WITHOUT ANY REAL CONNECTION.

>> THEY'RE VERY WELCOMING.

>> I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE TO DO A STREAM LIKE.

THIS.

>> Reporter: AT THIS YEAR'S TWITCH-CON STREAMER EMMY SAYS SHE WAS ASSAULTED BY A FAN DURING A MEET AND GREET.

THE INCIDENT DREW ATTENTION TO THE POTENTIAL DANGERS OF PARASOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS.

MATTERS SAYS THIS CAN CREATE COMPLICATED RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN STREAMERS AND THEIR AUDIENCES.

>> I FEEL THERE ARE DAMAGING LIMITS TO BEING ONLINE SO MUCH THAT PEOPLE FEEL THEY KNOW YOU AND WITH APPROACH YOU AND FEEL THEY CAN CROSS BOUNDARIES THEY WOULDN'T NORMALLY CROSS WITH STRANGERS IN THE STREET BECAUSE THEY SPEND SO MUCH TIME WATCHING YOU ONLINE AND YOU GIVE SO MUCH OF YOUR PERSONALITY AND WE'RE NOT SEEING 100%.

>> Reporter: MATTER SAYS NOT EVERY PARASOCIAL RELATIONSHIP IS HARMFUL IF THE VIEWER SEES THE STREAMER AS INSPIRATION OR REPRESENTATION, BUT THEY SHOULD REMEMBER THE STREAMER IS NOT THEIR FRIEND.

STREAMERS ALSO DEAL WITH HATEFUL COMMENTS IN THEIR CHATS.

THOSE WHO POST THEM ARE OFTEN CALLED KEYBOARD WARRIORS, PEOPLE WHO SEND MEAN MESSAGES ONLINE THAT THEY'D NEVER SAY FACE TO FACE.

STREAMERSPSYCHOLOGIST TRIES TO TURN HATE MESSAGES INTO LEARNING MOMENTS.

>> I'M JUST CURIOUS WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?

THEY MEAN WELL, YOU'RE BROWN.

YOU'RE CHUBBY.

HOW CAN YOU BE A PSYCHOLOGIST?

YOU'RE EDUCATED?

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?

PLEASE TELL ME MORE.

ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY'RE ON THE RING AND THEY'RE LIKE WHAT DO I SAY?

IT'S NOT TO PUT THEM ON THE SPOT, BUT IT'S A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS TO LEARN THAT IS NOT OKAY.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER STREAMER RIGGSBY SAYS THEY DON'T TOLERATE MESSAGES THAT MAKE THEM UNCOMFORTABLE.

>> I DON'T THINK THE BLOCK BUTTON IS BEING USED ENOUGH.

THE SECOND SOME NONSENSE COMES ON MY FEED I HIT BLOCK.

>> Reporter: WITH ALL THE HOURS STREAMERS SPEND ONLINE, RIGGSBY SAYS IT'S IMPORTANT TO TAKE BREAKS AND CONNECT WITH THE WORLD AROUND THEM.

>> GO OUTSIDE EVEN IF IT'S TO TAKE A WALK OR GO AROUND THE CORNER TO GET YOUR FAVORITE CANDY BAR OR SAY HI TO YOUR NEIGHBOR OR GO TO A PARK, LOOK AT PUPPIES.

I KNOW IT SOUNDS REALLY SIMPLE AND PEOPLE SAY IT ALL THE TIME, BUT IT'S A FACT.

YOU FEEL 100% BETTER WHEN YOU COME BACK INSIDE.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF STREAMING IN THE INSTANCES THAT SOMETIMES MAKE HEADLINES, THE CULTURIST SAYS PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF HELP THROUGH THE RESOURCES.

>> IT INSPIRED ME TO GO SEEK HELP AND NOW THEY HAVE THERAPISTS AND NOW HAVE THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO GO THROUGH WITH THEIR EVERYDAY LIFE.

>> Reporter: MATTER SAYS EVERYONE NAVIGATES ONLINE SPACES DIFFERENTLY AND THAT'S WHY KNOWING YOUR LIMIT MATTERS.

>> I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL SAFE, WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL YOURSELF, WHAT YOU ARE WILLING TO ACCEPT, WHAT YOUR BOUNDARIES WOULD LOOK LIKE.

SET THOSE CLEAR BOUNDARIES AND STICK TO THEM AND THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

YOU HAVE TO PUT YOURSELF FIRST AND PRIORITIZE YOUR HEALTH, WHETHER IT'S MENTAL OR PHYSICAL.

BOTH ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS EACH OTHER.

>> Reporter: AUDY McAFEE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT'S OPENING WEEKEND FOR THE SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL.

KPBS CINEMA JUNKY BETH ACCOMANDO PREVIEWS SOME OF THE SMALLER FILMS THAT MAY FLY UNDER THE RADAR AT THE TEN-DAY EVENT.

>> Reporter: THIS YEAR THE SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL WILL SHOW CASE 150 FILMS FROM 30 COUNTRIES AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IT WILL KICK OFF IN NORTH COUNTY SAYS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BRIAN HU.

>> WE ARE HOLDING A FILM IN ENCINITAS AT A VENUE THAT WE LOVE THAT IS HISTORIC, ONE OF THE FEW SINGLE-SCREEN THEATERS LEFT IN SAN DIEGO.

IT'S A WAY FOR US TO SHOW THAT OUR FESTIVAL IS DIFFERENT THAN WATCHING A FILM ON NETFLIX.

IT'S AN EVENT.

IT'S AN EXPERIENCE.

IT'S COLLECTIVE.

>> Reporter: AND THERE'S NO BETTER WAY TO CELEBRATE THE COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE THAN WITH THE RESTORED BOLLYWOOD CLASSIC.

>> YOU CAN MAYBE WATCH THEM ON STREAMING ONE DAY, BUT YOU CAN'T REPLICATE THE ENERGY YOU GET FROM THAT THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE, ESPECIALLY FOR THESE SORT OF ROWDY MOVIES THAT DON'T TAKE THEMSELVES TOO SERIOUSLY, BUT THAT HAVE JUST THIS ENDLESS FEELING OF FUN AND THIS UNABASHED COMMITMENT TO HAVING FUN.

>> Reporter: A VERY DIFFERENT KIND OF COMMUNAL EXPERIENCE COMES WITH THE WORK OF FILIPINO FILMMAKER LAV DIAZ.

THIS YEAR HE DELIVERS A HISTORICAL EPIC CALLED MAGELLAN THAT TAKES HIM INTO NEW TERRITORY.

>> THE ELEMENTS THAT ARE NEW FOR HIM, IT'S A PERIOD FILM, BUT IT ALSO BRINGS TO THE FORE THE PROSPECT OF THE NATIVE FILM.

DIAZ IS INTERESTED IN THE FACT THAT MAGELLAN DIES IN THE PHILIPPINES.

SO HE'S INTERESTED IN THE WAY THAT LIKE THE PHILIPPINES HAS A KIND OF SYMBOLISM IN TERMS OF THE WESTERN GLOBALIZATION.

>> Reporter: AT THE OPPOSITE END OF THE SPECTRUM IS THE FESTIVAL'S MOST ODDLY TITLED FILM, OBJECTS OF THE FIELD OF DEBRIS, AS CURRENTLY CATALOGED.

>> THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTS OR RECORDINGS WHICH TESTIFY TO THIS TALE, BUT AT CERTAIN POINTS NONETHELESS OUR TRAIL OF CLUES BECOMES LOST AS IT'S AIMLESSLY WINDING ITSELF THROUGH A DENSE FOG WHICH SEEMINGLY NO AMOUNT OF SCRUTINY OR INVESTIGATION MIGHT DISPEL.

>> YEAH.

IT'S LIKE A FREE THING TO DO ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE BLACK AND WHITE THAT BECOME SORT OF THE STEREOTYPE OF NOR.

INSTEAD HE'S FOCUSING ON SOME OF THE ESSENCE OF JUST THE WEIRDNESS OF SOCIETY AND THE ALIENATION AND CRACKING THIS MYSTERY.

>> Reporter: AND FINALLY THERE'S A SUPERNATURAL TALE THAT TAKES US IN A VERY UNEXPECTED DIRECTION.

>> THERE'S A FILM FROM THAILAND CALLED "A USEFUL GHOST" ABOUT THIS PERSON WHO COMES BACK AS A GHOST BUT TAKES THE FORM OF A VACUUM CLEANER.

SO IT'S A GHOST FILM, BUT IT'S ALSO HILARIOUS COMEDY AND IT'S THE KIND OF THING THAT IS BOTH ARTFUL AND STRANGE, BUT ALSO EXCITING ENOUGH TO BE THAILAND SUBMISSION FOR THE OSCARS.

>> Reporter: NO MATTER WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, YOU CAN FIND IT AT THE SAN DIEGO ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL.

>>> IN TIJUANA JOURNALISTS WERE FEATURED WHO WERE KILLED FOR DOING THEIR JOB.

JUST LAST MONTH ANOTHER MEXICAN JOURNALIST WAS TARGETED.

>> Reporter: TRADITIONAL DIA DE LOS MUERTOS ARE DECORATED WITH SUGAR SKULLS AND MARIGOLD FLOWERS AND BREAD OF THE DEAD.

THIS HAS BROKEN CELL PHONES, OLD NEWSPAPERS AND NOTEBOOKS.

>> HE WAS GUNNED DOWN COMING OUT OF HIS HOME AND LESS THAN A WEEK LATER MALDONADO WAS KILLED ARRIVING TO HER HOUSE.

>> Reporter: CALDERON HAS BEEN A JOURNALIST IN TIJUANA SINCE 1985 INSPIRED BY A U.N.

CAMPAIGN TO END IMPUNITY AGAINST JOURNALISTS.

HE AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN PUTTING UP AN OFRENDA TO HONOR MEXICAN JOURNALISTS KILLED SINCE 2016 SPELLING OUT THE WORDS NO IMPUNITY.

>> IMPUNITY IS NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THE RULE OF LAW AND THE LACK OF PUNISHMENT TO WHOEVER COMMITS A CRIME.

>> Reporter: JUST LAST SUNDAY IT WAS REPORTED ANOTHER JOURNALIST WAS KILLED, MIGUEL ANGEL BELTRAN'S BODY LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WRAPPED IN A SHEET WITH THE MESSAGE FOR RAISING FALSE ALARMS AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF DURANGO.

HE WAS 60 YEARS OLD.

>> WE ARE AVERAGING ONE REPORTER KILLED A MONTH.

LET'S KNOCK ON WOOD AND HOPE THAT THERE'S NO MORE KILLINGS THIS YEAR.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS, MEXICO IS THE 124th LEAST SAFE COUNTRY FOR JOURNALISTS.

PALESTINE IS 163.

THE UNITED STATES IS 57 AND NORWAY IS THE SAFEST.

THIS YEAR THE OFRENDA INCLUDES A SPECIAL SECTION TO HONOR JOURNALISTS KILLED WHILE REPORTING THE WAR IN GAZA AND THE SCREENING OF AN AL JAZEERA DOCUMENTARY SILENCED, THE KILLING OF JOURNALISTS IN MEXICO.

ACCORDING TO OWEMORE THAN 1,800 JOURNALISTS HAVE BEEN KILLED WORLDWIDE SINCE 1986.

THIS ALTAR BUILT BY MEXICAN JOURNALISTS HONORS THEIR WORK.

>> WE ARE BRINGING BACK THE REPORTERS KILLED FOR THIS OCCASION TO TELL THEM THAT WE RESPECT THEIR EFFORTS AND WE BELIEVE THAT JOURNALISM IS ALIVE.

>> Reporter: IN TIJUANA, MATTHEW BOLLARD, KPBS NEWS.

>>> YOU CAN VIEW THE ALTAR AND SEE ALL THE STORIES BY GOING TO KPBS.ORG/DAYOFTHEDEAD.

>>> THE FOUNDER AND OWNER OF MARYS DONUTS, MARY HENNESSEY, SERVED FRESH DONUTS AND COFFEE TO THE SANTEE COMMUNITY FOR FOUR DECADES.

HENNESSEY PASSED AWAY LAST MONTH, BUT KPBS REPORTER ELAINE ALFARO TALKED TO HER GRANDDAUGHTER WHO SAYS HER LEGACY WILL LIVE ON.

>> Reporter: MOST MORNINGS YOU'LL FIND KELLY HENNESSEY WORKING THE COUNTER AT MARY'S DONUTS.

>> OUR DONUTS ARE GOOD.

YOU DON'T COME BACK IF SOMEONE DOES IT WRONG.

YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE WITH SOME CONSISTENT, SO BEING CONSISTENT AND RELIABLE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

>> Reporter: BUT ON A RECENT MONDAY THERE WAS A SADNESS ACCOMPANYING THE USUAL BUSTLE.

THE KELLY WORE A BLACK SWEATER AND ACROSS THE ROOM ON THE SHOP'S ORIGINAL COUNTER WAS A COLLECTION OF FLOWERS, CARDS, CANDLES, A, A MAKESHIFT MEMORIAL FOR THE SHOP'S OWNER AND FOUNDER MARY HENNESSEY.

SHE PASSED AWAY LAST MONTH AT 94, BUT THE SPIRIT SHE BROUGHT TO THE SHOP IS STILL FELT.

>> MADE THE EYE CONTACT, TALKING TO PEOPLE, REALLY CARING WHAT THEY SAID, THOSE ARE ALL REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS.

>> Reporter: THE CHOPPING YOU HEAR ARE APPLES BEING DICED TO MAKE MARY'S SIGNATURE DELICACY, THE APPLE FRITTER.

MARY'S DONUTS HAS BEEN PART OF THE SANTEE COMMUNITY MORE THAN 40 YEARS.

GENERATIONS HAVE GROWN UP COMING TO THE 24/7 DONUT SHOP.

>> I THINK HAVING A BUSINESS OPEN 24 HOURS A DAY ABLE TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IS REALLY IMPORTANT, TO BE RELIABLE, TO BE THERE FOR PEOPLE.

IT ALLOWS FOR ONCE AGAIN YOU TO BE COUNTED ON.

>> Reporter: MARY HADN'T COUNTED ON BEING IN THE DONUT BUSINESS, BUT ONE DAY IN 1973 HER LATE HUSBAND DONALD HANDED HER A HELP WANTED AD FROM WINCHELL'S.

SHE WORKED THERE FOR A DECADE.

IN 1984 SHE DECIDED TO GO INTO BUSINESS FOR HERSELF.

SHE OVER A SHOP IN SANTEE NAMED ZONA'S AND EVENTUALLY RENAMED IT MARY'S.

>> THESE ARE MY GRANDPARENTS, DONALD AND MARY HENNESSEY FROM 1997 AT THE OLD LOCATION.

THIS IS PRETTY TYPICAL, HER READING THE PAPER, HIM READING THE PAPER HAVING A CUP OF COFFEE.

>> Reporter: MARY WANTED THAT CASUAL HANGOUT ENERGY TO BE REFLECTED IN THE SPACE.

PICTURES OF HER CLIENTELE STARTED APPEARING ON THE WALLS.

>> IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HER TO REFLECT THE COMMUNITY.

IT WASN'T ABOUT HER.

IT WAS ABOUT THESE PEOPLE IN THIS PLACE LIVING LIFE TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: LANEY McSHEA CAME BY THE SHOP TO PICK UP DONUTS FOR HER AND HER DAUGHTER THAT MONDAY.

>> I THINK IT'S HONESTLY THE OWNER WAS SO WONDERFUL AND SHE DID A LOT OF THINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: 10-YEAR-OLD MILAN AND 13-YEAR-OLD LONDON FLORES CAME IN WITH THEIR FAMILY FOR THEIR FAVORITE DONUTS.

HOW DO YOU THINK A DONUT SHOP OF MARY'S HAS IMPACTED THE COMMUNITY?

>> PRETTY BIG I THINK.

EVERYBODY LOVES MARY.

I THINK EVERYBODY WILL BE A LITTLE SAD, BUT EVERYONE WILL COME.

>> Reporter: NOT ALL THAT LONG AGO KELLY WAS LONDON'S AGE.

TODAY HER CHILDHOOD MEMORIES ARE SPRINKLED THROUGHOUT THE SHOP.

>> THAT'S ME AS A LITTLE KID.

MY GRANDMOTHER OWNED IT AND KIND OF LET ME HAVE THE RUN OF THE PLACE.

SHE WOULD SET UP A SPECIAL SPOT SO I COULD DECORATE DONUTS.

>> Reporter: SHE DIDN'T KNOW IT THEN, BUT THIS ON THE JOB TRAINING WAS PREPARING HER FOR WHAT WAS AHEAD.

NOW SHE FEELS A RESPONSIBILITY TO HONOR HER GRANDMOTHER'S LEGACY.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME TO JUST KEEP DOING WHAT SHE'S ALWAYS DONE.

SHE WANTED US TO BE HERE.

SHE WANTED US TO BE RELIABLE.

SHE WANTED TO HELP PEOPLE.

SHE WANTED TO GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GROW AND DO BETTER AND I WANT TO DO THE SAME THING.

>> Reporter: A PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR MARY WILL BE HELD AT THE TOWN CENTER COMMUNITY PARK EAST IN SANTEE ON NOVEMBER 15th.

ELAINE ALFARO, KPBS NEWS.

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

I'M JOHN CARROLL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US!

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