>>> INSTEAD, THEY SHOULD CONFIRM PATIENTS WILL NOT GET THE CUSTODY OF IMMIGRATION.

THE PRACTICE HAS BROUGHT CRITICISM ON BOTH SIDES OF THE IMMIGRATION DEBATE.

THIS IS A SENIOR FELLOW HERITAGE FOUNDATION WITH THINKING.

HE IS AN OUTSPOKEN CRITIC OF A CATCH AND RELEASE POLICY WHERE PATROL AGENTS MIGRANT AND LET THEM GO WITH LITTLE MORE THAN A NOTICE TO APPEAR IN COURT.

>> IN ESSENCE, THEY SAY WE WILL RELEASE YOU IN THE COUNTRY, AND WE WILL NOT WORRY ABOUT YOU ANYMORE.

>> HE SAYS THERE IS A RISK THAT MIGRANTS WILL NOT SHOW UP AND CONTINUE TO LIVE IN THE COUNTRY WITH NO LEGAL STATUS.

>> IT MAKES SENSE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT BECAUSE WHAT IS THE POINT IN GOING TO COURT WHERE YOU MIGHT BE DETAINED AND DEPORTED FROM THE COUNTRY?

>> THIS IS A IMMIGRANT RIGHTS ACTIVIST WITH THE COMMITTEE.

HE SAYS THE WILL WAS BUILT SPECIFICALLY TO INJURE PEOPLE AND DETER OTHERS FROM CROSSING ILLEGALLY.

THE FACT THAT CBP IS NOT PAYING FOR PATIENTS IS A SIGN THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT MAKING CONSEQUENCES FOR THE WALL.

>> THE REST OF CALIFORNIA TO PAY FOR THE INJURIES CAUSES AS A RESULT OF A THOUGHT THROUGH ENFORCEMENT PLANS SUCH AS THE BORDER WALL THAT IT IS CAUSING INJURIES.

>> HE VIEWS THIS AS A LARGER TREND IN WHICH COMMUNITIES END UP PAYING FOR THE GOVERNMENT'S BORDER POLICIES.

>> THERE ARE NUMEROUS STUDIES THAT WERE DONE ON THE COST OF THIS IMMIGRATION, AND ALL OF THOSE STUDIES SHOW THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE COSTS ARE PAID BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, NOT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

HEALTHCARE COSTS ARE ONE OF THE BIG FACTORS.

>> HE BLAMES THIS ON WHAT HE CONSIDERS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S ESTABLISHES.

>> IT IS NOT JUST WHAT WE EAT, BUT WHEN WE EAT THAT PLAYS A BIG ROLE IN OUR HEALTH.

THE RESULTS ARE SEEN WITH EATING HABITS WITH THOSE WHO WORK UNUSUAL HOURS.

KPBS I TECH REPORTER THOMAS FOR TELLS US HOW FIREFIGHTERS TALKS ABOUT THE CASE.

>> Reporter: DAVID MIKAMI HAS BEEN A FIREFIGHTER FOR 25 YEARS AFTER GASSING UP HIS VEHICLE AT STATION 28, HE SPOKE WITH US ABOUT A SURVEY THAT EXAMINED HOW RESTRICTED EATING SCHEDULES CAN IMPACT THE HEALTH OF FIREFIGHTERS.

HE SAID IF YOU BELIEVE PEOPLE WHO WORK ALL HOURS SHOULD EAT AT ALL HOURS, THE STUDY PROVES THE ROLE.

>> WHEN YOU ARE ON A SHIFT, YOU MIGHT HAVE A LUNCH OR LATE DINNER OR LATE CALL, AND THEN YOU GET ANOTHER THREE OR FOUR CALLS IN THE EVENING, AND YOU FEEL LIKE MAYBE I NEED TO EAT SOMETHING TO HAVE MORE ENERGY, AND WHAT THE STUDY SHOWED IS THAT IT IS OPPOSITE, THAT YOU GET TIRED, AND LESS HEALTHY BY EATING AT ODD HOURS.

>> Reporter: TIME RESTRICTED EATING OFTEN MEANS A MEETING WITHIN A 10 HOUR WINDOW WITHIN EACH DAY AND FAST FOR 14 HOURS.

IT HAS SHOWN HEALTH BENEFITS AMONG PEOPLE, BUT IT IS UNCLEAR IF IT IS PRACTICAL OR FEASIBLE TO IMPOSE THAT RESTRICTION ON SHIFT WORKERS, LIKE FIREFIGHTERS.

PEOPLE WHO DO SHIFT WORK ARE VULNERABLE TO HEALTH PROBLEMS.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT SHIFT WORKERS AS A WHOLE, THIS IS AS THEY AGE, AND THEY TEND TO HAVE MORE CARDIOVASCULAR RELATED CONDITIONS OR HIGHER PROBLEMS OF OBESITY OR HIGHER PROBLEMS OF DIABETES OR HEART ATTACK.

>> Reporter: THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION LISTINGS, FOUR SHIFT WORKERS GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP IS A CONCERN, BUT THAT HELPS IF YOU MAINTAIN AN EATING SCHEDULE THAT FITS INTO THE 10 HOUR WINDOW THAT TAKES PLACE BETWEEN 9:00 A.M. AND 7:00 P.M. THAT IS WHAT 137 SAN DIEGO FIREFIGHTERS DID.

THAT LEAD TO REDUCTIONS WITH BLOOD PRESSURE AND BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS.

RESTRICTED EATING ALSO REDUCED A BAD CHOLESTEROL CALLED VLDL.

>> SHIFT WORK IS NOT GOING AWAY.

IT IS A IMPORTANT PART OF SOCIETY.

IT KEEPS THINGS IN OUR SOCIETY FUNCTIONING WELL.

WE NEED TO COME UP WITH BETTER STRATEGIES TO OPTIMIZE THE HEALTH OF SHIFT WORKERS.

THAT INCLUDES STRATEGIES SUCH AS TIME RESTRICTED EATING.

>> THE CHIEF SAID MOST FIREFIGHTERS DO NOT TYPICALLY DIE IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

THEY COMMONLY DIE FROM CANCER, HEART DISEASE, OR SUICIDE.

>> DOING THIS STUDY FOR ME WAS ABOUT MY MEMBERS AND BROTHERS AND SISTERS, BUT MORE ABOUT THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS AT LARGE, COUNTYWIDE, STATEWIDE.

IN OTHER STATES, THEY HAVE OTHER TYPES OF ISSUES THEY ENCOUNTER.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW, HE HOPES THEY ARE GETTING THE WORD OUT TO THE FIREFIGHTING COMMUNITY THAT THIS HELPS., SLUDGE, KPBS NEWS .

>>> KEEP AN EYE ON KPBS.ORG IN THE DAYS AHEAD AS WE RAMP UP ELECTION COVERAGE.

ON MONDAY, WE ARE LAUNCHING NEW CONTENT AT THE HUB INCLUDING EXPLAINERS ON THE KEY RACES.

IT IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH AT KPBS.ORG.

LOOK FOR THE VOTER HUB LINK ON THE HOMEPAGE .

>>> IT IS WIN OR GO HOME THIS WEEKEND FOR THE PADRES.

THE TEAM IS BACK IN THE PLAYOFFS.

THEY ARE EMBRACING EVERY MOMENT.

JACOB ERCOT UP WITH SOME OF THEM THIS WEEK.

.

>> HONESTY IS THE WORD FOR ME.

MY FRIENDS AND I LIKE THE PADRES.

WE TRY TO COME WHENEVER WE CAN.

>> Reporter: AHEAD OF THE FINAL GAME OF THE REGULAR SEASON, FANS LIKE THIS WERE EXCITED FOR THE POSTSEASON, AND FOR GOOD REASON.

THE SAN DIEGO PADRES ARE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS.

>> WE ARE IN SCHOOL OR OUTSIDE, WE ARE YELLING.

IT WAS AWESOME.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE OF ALL AGES AND PLACES ARE COMING TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE.

ALICIA REYES FLEW IN FROM SACRAMENTO TO WATCH WEDNESDAY'S GAME.

>> I THINK THE HEARTBEAT OF THE SAN DIEGO RIGHT NOW IS GREAT.

WE HAVE TO GET INTO THAT AND HOLD ON TO THEM SO THAT THEY DO NOT GO ANYWHERE.

THEY DON'T WANT TO GO ANYWHERE.

>> FIRST PITCH IS THROUGH THE SHIFT ON THE RIGHT.

>> Reporter: THE PADRES ARE LOCKED INTO THE NATIONAL LEAD.

THAT MEANS THEY PLAY A BEST-OF- THREE SERIES AGAINST THE NUMBER FOUR NEW YORK METS.

THE LAST TIME THE PADRES MADE THE PLAYOFFS WAS IN THE PANDEMIC IN THE 2020 SEASON WHERE THEY WERE KNOCKED OUT BY THE WORLD SERIES CHAMPION LOS ANGELES DODGERS CELEBRATING HIS BIRTHDAY AT THE BALLPARK WAS 13- YEAR-OLD JOAQUIN MORALES.

HE SAYS THINGS ARE DIFFERENT THIS TIME AROUND AS THE TEAM HAS OVERCOME DIVERSITY AND ADDED BIG NAMES.

>> MY FAVORITE PLAYER RIGHT NOW HAS TO BE MONSANTO.

I THINK THE PADRES ARE GOOD.

THEY HAVE A GOOD CHANCE OF MAKING IT TO THE WORLD SERIES I THINK.

>> Reporter: BEFORE 2020, THE PADRES HAVE BEEN TO THE PLAYOFFS SINCE WINNING THEIR DIVISION IN 2006.

THIS MARKS THE SEVENTH BIRTH IN FRANCHISE HISTORY, AND THE FOURTH SINCE THE PARK OPENED IN 2004.

THEY WERE HOPING THIS YEAR'S BEST MOMENTS ARE YET TO COME.

>> IT HAS BEEN UP AND DOWN FOR THEM.

IT HAS BEEN HARD.

I THINK THEY WILL DO PRETTY WELL BECAUSE THEY ARE PITCHING ON THE ROLE, AND THEY HAVE THIS LEADING UP.

>> Reporter: THE WILL THERE IS BEGINS 5:00 A.M. PACIFIC TIME.

THE PADRES WILL TRAVEL TO NEW YORK TO PLAY WITH THE METS.

IF THEY CAN PLAY TWO GAMES, THEY WILL FACE THE LOS ANGELES DODGERS AND THE SERIES STARTING OCTOBER 11th.

JACOB, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A YOUTH BOXING PROGRAM, IN VISTA, GOT DISPLACED FROM THEIR JIM LAST YEAR.

THAT DID NOT STOP THE ORGANIZER WHO DECIDED TO REBUILD IN HIS BACKYARD.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORT TO TANYA THORNE SHOWS US A GROUP OF KIDS BECOMING CHAMPIONS IN AND OUT OF THE RING.

>> Reporter: FROM THE OUTSIDE, RUDY MARINOS VISTA HOME LOOKS PRETTY NORMAL.

PAST HIS YARD ALL AND THROUGH HIS SITE PATH, YOU WILL FIND A LARGE TENT FILLED WITH YOUNG AND ASPIRING BOXERS.

IT IS PART OF A NONPROFIT HE STARTED CALLED "HERO INC.." HE'S HELPING EVERYONE REACH OPPORTUNITIES.

>> I HAVE A MOTTO, WHICH IS LEARN, GROW, AND LEAD.

EACH ONE OF THESE KIDS LEARN SOMETHING.

THEY BECOME LEADERS AND THEY TEACH OTHERS, AND THEY GROW FROM THERE.

>> Reporter: USED TO TEACH IN A BIGGER SPACE.

LAST YEAR, THE PROGRAM WAS DISPLACED TO MAKE WAY FOR A NEW RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.

>> WE LOST OUR FACILITY WE HAD ON NORTH SANTA FE.

WE PUT OUR MINDS TOGETHER AND MONEY TOGETHER BECAUSE IT WAS PRICEY, AND WE DECIDED WE HAVE THE SPACE IN OUR BACKYARD, WHY DON'T WE CONSTRUCT SOMETHING HERE?

>> Reporter: HE BUILT THE GYM IN HIS OWN BACKYARD.

BECAUSE OF THE BENEFITS BOXING BROUGHT TO THE COMMUNITY IS WHY .

>> IT HELPS MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY.

NOT ONLY DO I WANT CREATE CHAMPIONS IN THE RING, BUT OUTSIDE OF THE RING AS WELL.

>> Reporter: BOXING HELPED MARINO STAY OUT OF TROUBLE WHILE GROWING UP IN VISTA.

HE JOINED THE AIR FORCE SERVING FOR 20 YEARS.

AFTER RETIREMENT, THE SPORT HELPED HIM RECOVER FROM THE EFFECTS OF PTSD.

>> MY BODY STARTED FALLING APART AFTER RETIREMENT BECAUSE I WAS NOT PHYSICALLY ACTIVE ANYMORE.

>> Reporter: MARINO GIVES BACK TO HIS HOMETOWN WITH BOXING THROUGH HIS ORGANIZATION WORKING WITH KIDS LIKE ALINA TORRES.

>> IT HELPED ME NOT TO GET PICKED ON.

JUST BECAUSE I'M SMART DOES NOT MEAN I CANNOT DO ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: SHE IS THE ONLY GROUP WHO IS WITH A GIRL.

SHE HAS WON CHAMPIONSHIPS THAT SHE HOPES GETS STACKED UP.

>> I HOPE I CAN GET TO THE OLYMPICS, AND MAYBE PROFESSIONAL.

>> Reporter: 17 OLD FRANKLIN GARCIA SAID BOXING HAS KEPT HIM FROM HANGING OUT WITH THE WRONG CROWDS.

>> THERE ARE OTHER SPORTS KIDS CAN DO, NOT JUST BOXING.

I ENCOURAGE KIDS TO DO SPORTS INSTEAD OF BEING IN THE STREETS.

IT IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH.

>> Reporter: BOXING INSPIRED HIM TO JOIN THE CROSS-COUNTRY TEAM.

HE HOPES TO GO TO A FOUR YEAR UNIVERSITY AND CONTINUE BOXING.

>> I HOPE TO BE SOMEONE BIG.

>> Reporter: VICTOR OR TONY IS HIS YOUNGEST COMPETITOR.

HE IS 10 YEARS OLD.

>> THIS HELPED ME BY GETTING CONFIDENT, AND BUILDING MORE STRENGTH INTO MY MIND AND BODY.

>> Reporter: LIKE THE REST OF THE BOXERS, TONY BLAY HAS BIG GOALS IN MIND.

>> I WANT TO BE A PRO SO I CAN MAKE A CAREER FOR MYSELF, SO I CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> WHAT BRINGS ME JOY IS SEEING THEIR EXPRESSIONS.

THAT IS WHEN WE GO TO A NATIONAL TOURNAMENT AND THEY WIN A NATIONAL TOURNAMENT OR LOCAL TOURNAMENTS, JUST SEEING THEM WIN, WE KNOW THE HARD WORK THEY HAVE BEEN PUTTING IN AT THE GYM IS PAYING OFF.

>> Reporter: MARINO'S BACKYARD BOXING PROGRAM IS TEMPORARY.

HE HOPES TO GET A BIGGER PLACE WITH MORE SPORTS AND SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> IT IS BASKETBALL AND FOOTBALL, I WOULD LIKE MY FACILITY TO HAVE A LEARNING RESOURCE CENTER, COMPUTER LAB, WHERE KIDS CAN DO THEIR HOMEWORK AND PARTICIPATE IN AN ACTIVITY.

>> Reporter: UNTIL THEN, MARINO'S BACKYARD IS OPEN UNTIL THE SUN GOES DOWN TO HELP KIDS REACH NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

>> YOU ALWAYS WANT TO HELP THAT ONE PERSON UP, SO THEY CAN HELP THE NEXT PERSON.

>> Reporter: TANYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS .

>>> VIDEO JOURNALIST MATT BULLER HELPED BRING THAT STORY TO LIFE.

HE ALSO PUT TOGETHER A PHOTO ESSAY CAPTURING SOME OF THE FACES AND MOMENTS INSIDE OF THE GYM.

YOU CAN SEE MORE ANYTIME AT KPBS.ORG .

>>> AWAY FROM SAN DIEGO'S BEACHES, YOU WILL FIND A LUCRATIVE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY, BUT WHY ICONIC STABLE STARTING TO SLIP WITH A NEW TOP CROP EMERGING.

JOHN CARROLL TALKED WITH FARMERS ABOUT THE CHANGES THAT THEY ARE SEEING.

>> Reporter: THINK OF WHAT DRIVES SAN DIEGO'S ECONOMY ON TOURISM COMING TO MIND.

AGRICULTURE IS ALSO A HUGE PART OF OUR ECONOMIC PICTURE ACCOUNTING FOR 1 3/4 OF $1 BILLION IN 2021.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, IN 12 YEARS, THE COUNTY HAS A NEW NUMBER ONE WHEN THIS COMES TO PRODUCTION AND SALES.

YOU CAN FIND IT FOR THEM AT ANY LOCAL NURSERY.

WHETHER IT IS THE NEW TOP CROP, BEDDING PLANTS, COLOR AND PERENNIALS, CACTI AND SUCCULENTS, OR THE OLD NUMBER ONE, TREES AND SHRUBS, BUSINESS IS BRISK AT PLACES LIKE WALTER ANDERSON HERE IN POLLY.

A PERENNIAL STATE BELOW AGRICULTURE PLUMMETED IN THE LAST BOARD.

IT IS AVOCADOS.

AT THE MONTHLY MEETING AT THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY FARM BUREAU IN ESCONDIDO->> THOSE ARE NURSERY PRODUCTS WITH GREENHOUSES.

>> Reporter: CULTURIST FRED IS FEELING GOOD ABOUT HOW BUSINESS IS GOING.

>> FROM THE LAST TWO YEARS, DURING THE PANDEMIC, IT HAS INCREASED SO MUCH THAT PEOPLE HAVE BEEN BUYING MORE AND MORE BEDDING PADS, SUCCULENTS, LANDSCAPE PLANS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE SEEMINGLY NEVER-ENDING DROUGHT HAS HELPED THEIR BUSINESS, TOO.

PLANS ARE SELLING WELL.

ON THE OTHER HAND, THE DROUGHT HURTS AVOCADO GROWERS AS WATER GETS MORE EXPENSIVE.

MORE THAN THAT, PHARAOH SAYS DAYS OF HOT WEATHER ARE DISASTROUS.

>> IN MAY OF 2020, WE HAD HEAT THAT WOULD AFFECT THE FLOWERING STAGE AND THE EARLY SET, WHICH COULD HAVE AFFECTED THE PRODUCTION FOR 2021.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER AVOCADO FARMER TOLD ME THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED HERE.

THAT IS A DROP BELOW $100 MILLION IN VALUE FOR AVOCADOS.

THAT IS THE FIRST TIME THAT HAPPENED SINCE THE COUNTY TRACT AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN 1996.

HE SEES A SILVER LINING FOR HIS DELICIOUS DARK GREEN CROP.

>> PRICES HAVE RISEN OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS BECAUSE THE PRODUCTION HAS NOT BEEN THERE.

WITH A HIGHER PRICE, YOU CAN STILL PAY THE BILLS.

>> Reporter: OVERALL, CROP VALUES FELL FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2018, DOWN MORE THAN 18%.

AGRICULTURE IS THE FIFTH BIGGEST INDUSTRY HERE HELPING TO FEED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE TO MAKE SPACES ON PLACES MORE BEAUTIFUL, AND TO HELP KEEP THE COUNTY'S BUDGET IN THE GREEN.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS .

>>> WE WRAP UP OUR SHOW IS A BIG STEP FORWARD FOR SOME TINY NEW ARRIVALS AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON TELLS US ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL BREEDING OF AN ENDANGERED TURTLE SPEED IS, AND HOW THAT TOOK DECADES TO REACH THIS POINT.

>> THIS IS A TURTLE HABITAT.

>> THIS IS BASICALLY A REPLICA OF WHAT YOU MIGHT ENCOUNTER IN ASIA AND THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT IN PARTICULAR.

>> Reporter: KIM GREAT IS A WORKER AT THE ZOO.

SHE IS STANDING NEXT TO THE HABITAT HOME TO THREE INDIAN SOFTSHELL TURTLES, TWO FEMALES AND A MALE.

>> THE MOTHER OF THE OFFSPRING WE HAVE IS IN THE SANDY POOL AREA.

SHE'S HIDDEN UNDER ALL OF THAT SAND.

SHE'S USING THE CAMOUFLAGE TO HIDE HER.

SHE IS VERY BIG.

WHEN YOU ARE NEXT TO THEM, IT IS QUITE IMPRESSIVE, BUT SHE'S 2 1/2 FEET BY ABOUT 3 1/2 FEET.

>> Reporter: THE SOFTSHELL TURTLES CAN TOP 400 POUNDS WHEN FULLY GROWN.

SHE'S HIDING IN SAND WAITING FOR PREY TO SWIM BY.

WHEN THAT HAPPENS, SHE SHOOTS OUT HER NECK, SNATCHING AND SWALLOWING HER MEAL.

>> THIS HABITAT AREA WAS DESIGNED WITH THE SPECIES AND MINE.

WE HAD ACQUIRED THEM AT THE TIME WE WERE DOING CONSTRUCTION, AND WE DESIGNED IT WITH SANDY BEACHES AND EVERYTHING WITH THE SPECIES RESELECTED WITH THEM, THINKING, IN THE FUTURE, WE DID NOT KNOW WHEN, BUT THEIR GOAL WAS THEY WOULD BREED ONE DAY.

WE DID NOT KNOW IT WOULD TAKE LONG, BUT WE ARE HAPPY.

>> Reporter: A LONG TIME INDEED, SHE HAS WAITED MORE THAN 20 YEARS FOR THE TURTLES TO BREED, TIME ENOUGH TO RAISE TWO TEENAGE DAUGHTERS.

>> JUST ANTICIPATING IT, YOU ARE ALWAYS HOPING FOR THE BEST, BUT YOU ARE SURPRISED.

>> Reporter: IT HAPPENED THIS SUMMER.

KEEPERS FOUND EGGS IN A NEST.

EVENTUALLY, THE ISOLATED 11 X TO INCUBATE AND THEN SURPRISE.

30 MORE HATCHED FROM A HIDDEN NEST IN THE HABITAT.

41 TURTLES EVENTUALLY WRIGGLED OUT OF THEIR SHELLS MORE THAN TWO DECADES AFTER SHE HOPED THE SOFTSHELL TURTLES WOULD START READING.

>> I GOT A TEXT AND WE WERE CELEBRATING WHERE IT WAS LIKE 6:00 IN THE MORNING.

WE WERE TEXTING EACH OTHER.

WE WERE EXCITED.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A NARROW HEADED SOFTSHELL TURTLE.

DAVID IS A SENIOR WILDLIFE CARE SPECIALIST CHARGED WITH RAISING THEM.

THE TURTLES ARE ABOUT TWO INCHES LONG, AND EAGER TO FIND HIGH GROUND.

>> FOR THE FIRST MONTH OR SO, THEY SEEMED PRETTY DETERMINED TO COME UP ON LAND AND POSSIBLY FAST.

I'M NOT SURE.

AFTER THAT POINT, THEY WILL STAY IN THE WATER AND THEY WILL STAY BURIED UNDER THE SAND AS AMBUSH PREDATORS AND WAIT FOR SMALL INVERTEBRATES TO COME BY TO PICK UP.

I THINK THESE ARE BLACK WORMS IN THE WATER FARM FOR THEM TO LEARN HOW TO EAT.

>> Reporter: PART OF A CHALLENGE IS FINDING HOMES FOR THE HATCHLINGS.

WHILE THEY ARE A FEW INCHES LONG, THEY WILL GET MUCH BIGGER, AND MUCH HUNGRIER.

>> JOKINGLY, IT DOES HAVE A TURTLE NECK.

IT IS A TURTLE WITH A TURTLENECK.

IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE A SWEATER TURTLENECK.

IT IS DECEIVING.

THE HEAD LOOKS SMALL, BUT THE SKULL ON THESE ANIMALS IS IMPRESSIVE.

THEY HAVE A LOT OF MUSCULAR ATTACHMENTS FOR THE POWER SHOOT OUT OF THE NECK.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID THE TURTLES ARE A MARKER SPECIES FOR THE RIVER HABITATS WHERE THEY LIVE.

IF THE TURTLES ARE THRIVING, THEIR HABITATS ARE LIKELY HEALTHY.

SHE HOPES THE HATCHLINGS WILL TEACH CONSERVATIONISTS HOW TO HELP THE SPECIES IN THE WILD.

>> LAST TIME SCIENTISTS TOOK THE WILD DATA AND DETERMINED WHAT THE STATUS WAS WAS 22 YEARS AGO.

IF IT WAS ENDANGERED, OUR CONCERN IS IT IS WORSE NOW.

ALL OF THIS INFORMATION WE CAN HELP SHARE WITH A PLAN THAT SHOULD WE NEED TO INTERVENE MORE OR HEADSTART OUR COLONIES THAT THIS CAN HELP CONTRIBUTE TO THE.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO RESEARCHERS ARE RECORDING EVERYTHING, WEIGHT, ACTIVITY, DIET, AND THEY HOPE TO LEARN AS MUCH AS THEY CAN ABOUT THE HATCHLINGS AS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THESE TURTLES WERE AT CAPTIVITY IN A FACILITY IN NORTH AMERICA.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS .

>>> ALL OF THE STORIES WE BROUGHT YOU THIS WEEK CAN BE SEEN AT THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

THAT IS WHERE WE LIVE STREAM KPBS EVENING EDITION WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00.

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

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.