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

I'M JACOB AERE.

A MAN IS HOME AFTER BEING DETAINED BY I.C.E.

A SCIENCE STAR AND A TINY MOUSE MAKING A BIG COMEBACK.

WE BEGIN WITH DEBATES ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND ITS PLACE IN OUR LIVES.

AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS.

SOME SAN DIEGO LEADERS WANT TO DROP THE TECHNOLOGY.

>> Announcer: SAN DIEGO HAS USED AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS, ALPRs SAYING IT HELPS POLICE AND CRITICS SAY IT'S TOO INVASIVE.

THE CAMERAS CAPTURE EVERY LICENSE PLATE EVEN IF THE DRIVER HAS BROKEN NO LAWS.

THIS CONGRESS MEMBER SAYS THEY'RE NOT WORTH THE COST.

>> PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES IS MORE THAN ADDRESSING CRIME, IT'S PROTECTING RESIDENTS' PRIVACY, DEFENDING THEIR CIVIL LIBERTIES, SAFEGUARDING PUBLIC RESOURCES AND HOLDING GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE.

>> Reporter: SCRUTINY HAS GROWN AMID THE IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN.

THE ALPR DATABASE WAS MADE AVAILABLE TO OUTSIDE AGENCIES, WHICH THE POLICE LATER SAID WAS A MISTAKE.

AND THERE'S FALSE HITS.

>> SURVEILLANCE IS NEVER NEUTRAL.

DOESN'T LAND IN LA JOLLA THE WAY IT DOES IT CITY HEIGHTS OR CANTO, IT'S OUR PEOPLE WHO END UP AT GUNPOINT.

>> THE MAYOR SAYS IT'S A VITAL TOOL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SAN DIEGO HAS STRONG PRIVACY PROTECTIONS.

IT'S UNCLEAR WHEN THE QUESTION OF KEEPING OR DITCHING THE TECHNOLOGY WILL REACH THE FULL CITY COUNCIL.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE POSSIBILITY OF A DATA CENTER BUILT IN MIDWAY BROUGHT LEADERS TOGETHER WITH ONE MESSAGE FOR THE NAVY AND DEVELOPER.

NO.

THEY WANT CONGRESS TO GET INVOLVED AND ENACT LEGISLATION FOR DATA CENTERS.

MAYOR GLORIA SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO PUT A MORATORIUM ON IT UNTIL THERE IS RULES.

THE DEVELOPERS SAYS THERE'S NOTHING IN PLACE.

>>> AI WAS ANOTHER HOT TOPIC IN SAN DIEGO.

SOME SAN DIEGO STATE STUDENTS CALLED ON THE CALIFORNIA SCHOOL SYSTEM TO END ITS CONTRACT WITH AI.

SAYING THE CONCERNS ARE WIDE REACHING.

>> THE STUDENTS' NEEDS, NOT THE WAR MACHINE.

>> Reporter: A FEW DOZEN STUDENTS MARCHED TO PROTEST.

>> MONEY FOR JOBS AND EDUCATION, NOT FOR DEPORTATION.

>> Reporter: CSU FIRST ENTERED INTO A $17 MILLION CONTRACT WITH OPENAI IN 2025, GIVING STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF ACCESS TO AN EDUCATIONAL VERSION OF KHAT CHATGPT, AND IT RENEWED FOR THREE YEARS AND $39 MILLION.

THE CONCERNS ARE BEYOND JOB LOSS.

THE COFOUNDER FUNDING DONALD TRUMP'S INTERESTS, USE BY IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND THE ISRAELI MILITARY.

ENVIRONMENTAL HARM CAUSED BY DATA CENTERS.

GONZALEZ IS A STUDENT ORGANIZER.

>> A LOT OF STUDENTS DON'T KNOW HOW TO WRITE SENTENCES, PARAGRAPHS OR BASIC EMAILS.

IT'S NOT GOOD FOR US AT ALL.

>> Reporter: A 2025 CSU SURVEY FOUND THE MAJORITY OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY WERE SKEPTICAL.

SAID IT CAN'T IGNORE HOW AI IS CHANGING NEARLY EVERY INDUSTRY AND MUST PREPARE GRADUATES.

KPBS.

>>> IMMIGRATION HAS BEEN ANOTHER CERTAIN ESPECIALLY AFTER I.C.E.

DETAINED A STUDENT NEAR CAMPUS.

HE'S A FREE MAN NOW AFTER A MONTH IN FEDERAL CUSTODY.

HE SPOKE WITH ME ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE AND THE COMMUNITY RESPONSE.

ON FRIDAY, A FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERED THE RELEASE OF 20-YEAR-OLD RENATO CASSIUS.

HE SPOKE TO KPBS.

>> I'M HAPPY TO SEE MY MOM, DAD, FRIENDS, BROTHERS.

>> Reporter: HE HAD BEEN HELD OVER A MONTH, ARRESTED BY I.C.E.

SEPTEMBER 8th ON THE WAY TO CLASSES AT SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE.

>> I WAS GOING TO THE PARKING LOT OF SCHOOL, I SAW THE I.C.E.

AGENTS COMING UP FROM THEIR CARS AND ASKING ME TO ROLL DOWN MY WINDOW.

AND I DID IT AND THEY ARRESTED ME.

>> Reporter: HIS ARREST AND ARREST OF OTHER HAITIANS AFTER THE END OF TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS SPARKED AN OUTCRY FROM THE COMMUNITY.

HE'S GRATEFUL.

HE SAID PRIOR TO HIS ARREST HE WASN'T WORRIED ABOUT HIS STATUS >> I WAS WORRIED FOR THE HAITIAN COMMUNITY BUT NOT ME, I WAS A STUDENT, I DIDN'T THINK I.C.E.

AGENTS WOULD TARGET A STUDENT.

>> Reporter: HE WASN'T AWARE OF THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT UNTIL HE SAW HIMSELF ON LOCAL NEWS REPORTS INSIDE THE DETENTION CENTER.

MIXED EMOTIONS >> I WAS A LITTLE BIT SAD.

>> Reporter: HE MADE UNEXPECTED CONNECTIONS WITH OLDER DETAINEES WHO SHARED ADVICE WITH HIM, AND IT HELPED HIM STAY STRONG, A MESSAGE HE WANTS TO SHARE WITH OTHERS.

>> IF IT CAN HAPPEN TO ME, IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANY IMMIGRANT STUDENT WHO IS STUDYING AT CITY COLLEGE OR ANY STATE.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE OFFICIALS AT SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE SAY MUCH HAS CHANGED.

THERE'S NEW SIGNAGE AROUND CAMPUS THAT STATES IMMIGRATION AGENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO CARRY OUT ENFORCEMENTS ON PROPERTY.

>> IT CHANGED PERCEPTIONS OF IS THIS A SAFE CAMPUS, SAFE FOR TO BE IN SCHOOL.

WE HAD TO LOOK AT OUR POLICIES AND PRACTICES.

>> Reporter: THE COLLEGE DISTRICT SAID IT'S EXPANDED COUNSELING AND LEGAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR STUDENTS AND USES TEXT ALERTS IF OFFICIALS COME ONTO CAMPUS.

STILL AT AN INSTITUTION WITH A LARGE IMMIGRANT AND MIXED STATUS POPULATION, THERE'S BEEN A RIPPLE EFFECT.

>> WE SAW AN INCREASE IN STUDENTS REACHING OUT, ASKING FOR THE PROCESS OF WITHDRAWING FOR THE SEMESTER, TEMPORARY OR COMPLETELY WITHDRAWING.

STUDENTS REACHING OUT TO INSTRUCTORS, I'M AFRAID TO COME TO CLASS BUT YOU HAVE AN ATTENDANCE POLICY.

I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN GET TO CAMPUS SAFELY, WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?

>> Reporter: CASSEUS IS PLANNING TO RETURN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

>> I'M PLANNING TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND FOLLOW MY EDUCATION TO MAKE MY DREAM COME TRUE AND HELP OTHER STUDENTS, IMMIGRANT STUDENTS.

>> CASSEUS' ATTORNEY SAYS IT'S A PENDING ASYLUM CASE AND COULD TAKE UP TO A YEAR FOR A FINAL DECISION.

>>> A JUDGE TOLD RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IT COULD LIMIT GENDER AFFIRMING CARE FOR SOME NEW STUDENTS.

>> Reporter: THE RULING ALLOWS THE HOSPITAL TO TURN AWAY SOME NEW PATIENTS.

>> WHAT THE JUDGE SAID IS, IF THERE IS A NEW PATIENT ON THE CUSP OF STARTING PUBERTY, THEY COULD THEN PROVIDE THEM WITH PUBERTY BLOCKERS, BUT OUTSIDE OF THAT WOULD NOT TAKE ANY NEW PATIENT.

>> Reporter: THIS LEGAL PROCESS BEGAN IN JANUARY WHEN RADY SAID IT WOULD STOP PROVIDING GENDER AFFIRMING CARE BECAUSE OF A FEAR OF LOSING FEDERAL FUNDING.

CALIFORNIA SUED, ARGUING THE HOSPITAL IS REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THE CARE UNTIL CONDITIONS TIED TO ITS MERGER WITH CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF ORANGE COUNTY.

IN FEBRUARY, A JUDGE ORDERED RADY TO CONTINUE PROVIDING CARE INTERCEPT EXCEPT FOR SURGERIES.

>> THIS IS NECESSARY HEALTH CARE.

>> Reporter: KATHY HAS BEEN HELPING FAMILIES NAVIGATE CARE THROUGH TRANS FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES.

THE NEXT CLOSEST OPTION IS LOS ANGELES.

>> THEN OUR FAMILIES HAVE TO TRAVEL, PARENTS TAKING TIME OFF WORK, KIDS MISSING SCHOOL, THE COST OF TRAVEL, THE EXPENSE OF THE WHOLE THING BECOMES A BURDEN, OVERWHELMING FOR FAMILIES JUST TO GET THEIR CHILD THE APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE THEY NEED.

>> Reporter: FAMILIES WILL MOST LIKELY HAVE TO WORK THROUGHOUT INSURANCE RESTRICTIONS.

>> YOU'LL HAVE TO FIGHT TO COVER SOMEONE NOT WITHIN NETWORK.

FOR OUR FAMILIES COVERED UNDER MEDICAL, IT'S EVEN MORE OF A CHALLENGE.

>> Reporter: WE'RE REVIEWING THE DETAILS AND IMPACT OF THE RULING, RADY SAID, WE ARE UNABLE TO COMMENT FURTHER ON ACTIVE LITIGATION AT THIS TIME.

THE NEXT COURT DATE IS JANUARY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES HAS A NEW DAY CENTER IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO FOR PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

IT'S A UNIQUE RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE WITH NOWHERE ELSE TO GO DURING THE DAY.

>> Reporter: THE NEW EAST VILLAGE DAY CENTER IS LOCATED AROUND FATHER JOE'S DOWNTOWN HOMELESSNESS SERVICES.

IT GIVES PEOPLE WITHOUT A HOME A PLACE TO SIT, CLEAN UP AND CONNECT WITH SERVICES DURING THE DAY.

>> OPEN UP AT 7:30, START GETTING INDIVIDUALS IN THE SHERLD.

ALL THE WAY OUTSIDE THE DOOR AND OUTSIDE, SUCH A LONG LINE FOR PEOPLE LOOKING FOR SHELTER.

>> Reporter: BEFORE PEOPLE COULD GO TO THE CENTER THAT OFFERED THE SAME SERVICES A FEW BLOCKS AWAY.

IT CLOSED WITH BUDGET CUTS FROM THE CITY.

IT THE FOCUS IS MAXIMIZING SHELTER CAPACITY AND GETTING PEOPLE PERMANENTLY HOUSED.

SOME SERVICES HAVE BEEN ALWAYS AVAILABLE, LIKE SHOWERS.

BUT NOW THEY'VE CARVED OUT PART OF THE CAFETERIA FOR A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO REST DURING THE DAY.

WITHOUT IT, PEOPLE DOWNTOWN MIGHT NOT HAVE A PLACE TO GO.

>> RESPITE HERE, SLEEP HERE IN THE DAY.

ONE OF THE BIGGEST LOSSES IF IT WAS TO CLOSE, NOT ONLY MAIL BUT WOMEN'S SAFETY.

WOMEN COME IN DURING THE DAY AND SLEEP BEHIND OUR SECURITY BECAUSE THEY CAN'T SLEEP AT NIGHT.

IT'S NOT SAFE ON THE STREETS.

>> Reporter: THIS WAS CONVERTED FROM A PORTION OF THE CAFETERIA.

THERE'S BEEN NO CHANGE HOW THE CAFETERIA OPERATES ON THE OTHER SIDE.

AND PEOPLE CAN GO ACROSS THE STREET FOR LUNCH, TO USE A COMPUTER AND ACCESS HEALTH CARE.

FATHER JOE'S PROVIDES SOAP AND TOOTHBRUSHES.

FRANK WAS PREVIOUSLY UNHOUSED AND OFTEN UTILIZED THE CENTER.

WHEN UNSHELTERED PEOPLE ARE WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY THEY OFTEN STAY AWAKE ALL NIGHT.

>> MOST PEOPLE TAKE FOR GRANTED IF THEY WANT TO SIT DOWN AND RELAX, THEY CAN RELAX.

IF THEY'VE HAD A LONG DAY THEY CAN SIT ON THEIR COUCH AND DECOMPRESS.

UNHOUSED PEOPLE CAN'T DO THAT AND WHEN YOU CLOSE A DAY CENTER, THAT'S A PLACE IT'S POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: THE NEW CENTER OPENED NEXT DAY.

THE CEO SAYS CONTINUING SERVICES WITHOUT INTERRUPTION WAS A PRIORITY.

IT DOESN'T HAVE AN OUTDOOR AREA AND IS SMALLER INSIDE, BUT THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE SAME NUMBER.

>> WE HAVEN'T TURNED ANYONE AWAY.

THAT'S THE KEY, AND CONTINUING SERVICES OF THE PAST.

>> Reporter: THE NEW CENTER DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH ROOM FOR BELONGINGS.

PEOPLE WITH A LOT OF ITEMS ARE REFERRED TO A STORAGE AREA A FEW BLOCKS AWAY.

BUT IT DOES OFFER MAILING SERVICES.

ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT NOW BECAUSE CAL FRESH AND MEDICAL KEEP OPPORTUNITIES INFORMED VIA MAIL.

AND MAIL SERVICES ARE PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT.

>> THEY'RE MORE PRONE TO SWEEPS AND WHEN A SWEEP OCCURS, PEOPLE CAN LOSE REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS, INCLUDING THEIR I.D.s YOU REALLY NEED AN I.D.

LIKE A DRIVER'S LICENCE TO DO EVERYTHING -- APPLY FOR A JOB, OBTAIN HOUSING.

>> Reporter: IT HAD BEEN PARTIALLY FUNDED BY THE CITY AND OPERATED BY FATHER JOE'S.

TO AVOID LOSING A PLACE FOR PEOPLE IN DOWNTOWN ALTOGETHER, FATHER JOE'S TOOK ON FULL RESPONSIBILITY, THE REMODEL WAS COMPLETELY FUNDED BY DONATIONS.

THEY HAVE TO RAISE $1.1 MILLION EVERY YEAR TO KEEP IT RUNNING.

WITHOUT A DAY CENTER, PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO MIGHT NOT HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO RELAX AND CLEAN UP DURING THE DAY.

IF PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS WANT TO SIT OR LAY DOWN DURING THE DAY, THEY RISK HARASSMENT FROM THE PUBLIC AND THE POLICE.

>> A LOT HAS TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE TO THEM TO END UP THE STREET, BUT WE'RE STILL HUMAN BEINGS.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

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

SOME THIS WEEK, IMMIGRATION ARREST HAS SOME IN THE VIETNAMESE COMMUNITY UNEASY.

AND A DEVELOPER IS SUED.

>>> ANOTHER IS ONE OF THE INTERNET'S MOST POPULAR SCIENCE COMMUNICATORS.

PHYSICS GIRL, HER CAREER AND LIFE WERE DERAILED BY AN ILLNESS THAT SCIENCE COULDN'T EXPLAIN.

ANTHONY WALLACE.

>> IN CASE YOU'RE NEW, I'M DIANE NARKS YOU'RE WATCHING PHYSICS GIRL.

I SPENT TWO NIGHTS ON AN ICE CAMP 150 MILES FROM CIVILIZATION.

>> Reporter: IN 2022, DIANA WAS LIVING HER LIFELONG DREAM, SHARING HER PASSION FOR SCIENCE WITH PEOPLE EVERYWHERE.

SHE HAD MORE THAN 2 MILLION YOUTUBE SUS SCRIBERS.

>> ROCKS THAT MOVE ACROSS THE GROUND ON THEIR OWN.

>> THE BEST DAYS OF PHYSICS GIRL, HAVING THE BEST TIME.

>> Reporter: THEN SHE MARRIED HER LONGTIME PARTNER.

BUT ON THEIR HONEYMOON TO SCOTLAND HER BIG YEAR HIT WHAT SEEMED LIKE A MINOR SNAG, COVID.

>> A SORE THROAT, COUGH, STUFFY NOSE, WASN'T ALARMING.

>> Reporter: SYMPTOMS PASSED AND THEY SET OFF ON A MULTIDAY HIKE THEY HAD BEEN PLANNING FOR MONTH.

>> THE THIRD DAY I STARTED HIKING AND WOULD REST AND DIDN'T FEEL RECUPERATED.

I GOT IN A CAB AND WENT TO THE NEXT LOCATION, KYLE HIKED HIMSELF.

>> Reporter: REST DIDN'T HELP.

>> BRAIN FOG LIKE I NEVER EXPERIENCED BEFORE.

COULDN'T WALK, COULDN'T THINK, HAD NAUSEA AND HEADACHES.

AND I JUST -- I NEVER RECOVERED FROM THAT CRASH.

>> Reporter: THE NEWLYWEDS CUT THEIR HONEYMOON SHORT, BUT IN SAN DIEGO, THINGS GOT WORSE.

>> I JUST DETERIORATED, SO SENSITIVE TO LIGHT AND SOUND, SPENDING EVERY SINGLE DAY IN A DARK ROOM WITH NOISE-CANCELLING HEADPHONES AND DARK GLASSES ON TO TAKE AWAY EVERY ENVIRONMENTAL STIMULUS.

>> HER HEART RATE WOULD GET REALLY, REALLY LOW, LIKE IN THE 30s.

I PUT A PULSE THING ON HER WITH AN ALARM IF IT WENT TOO LOW, SLEEP WAITING FOR THE ALARM TO GO OFF.

JUST EVERY DAY I DIDN'T KNOW IF SHE WAS JUST GOING TO DIE.

>> Reporter: IN A MATTER OF MONTHS THEY WENT FROM TRAVELING THE WORLD TO INTERVIEWING SCIENTISTS TO BEING STUCK IN THEIR ARGUMENT, SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS.

>> NOBODY KNOWS WHAT TO DO.

BEST SCIENTISTS IN THE WORLD DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO TREAT OR CURE LONG COVID.

>> Reporter: DOCTORS TOLD HER SHE WAS FINE, THEIR TESTS COULDN'T DETECT ANYTHING, AND SHE WAS TURNED AWAY FROM THE EMERGENCY ROOM TWICE.

THE COUPLE SOON DISCOVERED WHILE SCIENCE HAS EXPLAINED EVERYTHING FROM GRAVITY TO DNA, POST INFECTIOUS CHRONIC ILLNESS REMAINS A MYSTERY.

FOR REASONS SCIENTISTS DON'T YET FULLY UNDERSTAND, SOME PEOPLE WHO GET COVID OR OTHER INFECTIONS NEVER FULLY RECOVER.

THIS INCLUDES LONG COVID, WHICH COWAN HAS, AND OTHER CONDITIONS LIKE CHRONIC LYME DISEASE.

SOME SAY IT AFFECTS UP TO 10% OF AMERICANS, TENS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS DISEASE ARE SO DESPERATE FOR TREATMENTS, AND THERE ARE NONE.

>> NONE APPROVED FOR THE TREATMENT OF LONG COVID.

>> Reporter: THEY TRIED TREATMENTS THAT AREN'T APPROVED SPECIFICALLY FOR LONG COVID.

A COUPLE WERE LIFE CHANGING.

>> I WAS ABLE TO START LOOKING AT MY PHONE AGAIN, READING, LISTENING TO MUSIC, WHICH WAS AMAZING.

THEN EVERYTHING IMPROVED.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO GET OUT OF BED AND MADE HER FIRST SCIENCE VIDEO IN THREE YEARS.

PHYSICS GIRL WAS BACK.

>> TO GET TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE SUN IT TAKES -- READY?

HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

>> Reporter: SHE'S COME A LONG WAY BUT SHE CONTINUES TO STRUG M, SHE ESTIMATES 30-40% OF HER PREVIOUS.

WE WONDERED IF OUR LONG INTERVIEW WOULD BE TOO MUCH?

>> I WILL PROBABLY CRASH FROM IT BUT I'M WILLING TO DO THAT, I WANT TO LIVE.

THIS IS PART OF IT, GETTING TO MEET YOU GUYS AND CHATTING, TELL OUR STORY.

SO THANKFUL.

THIS IS FOOD FOR THE SOUL, THE DEPRIVED SOUL.

>> KPBS NEWS.

>> HEAR MORE ABOUT PHYSIC GIRL'S EXPERIENCE WITH LONG COVID AND TREATMENT SHE'S TRIED ON "THE FINEST."

ANTHONY IS ONE OF THE HOSTS OF THE PODCAST, YOU CAN LISTEN AT KPBS.ORG/THEFINEST OR SUBSCRIBE WHERE YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> IF YOU LOVE BIRDING OR WANT TO GET INTO IT, THERE'S A NEW EXPERT AT THE SAN DIEGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM.

WE SPENT THE MORNING WITH HIM BEFORE THE MUSEUM OPENED FOR VISITORS.

[ BIRD SOUNDS ] >> THIS IS AN ORANGE CROWN WASHL WASHLER.

>> Reporter: BIRDING IS RYAN TERRILL'S PREFERRED START TO THE WORK DAY.

>> FOR MY OWN ENJOYMENT AND DOCUMENT WHAT'S AROUND.

ALMOST SEEN 75 SPECIES OF BIRDS IN THE PARK.

THAT WAS OVER HERE YESTERDAY.

>> Reporter: A SAN DIEGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM'S NEW CURATOR OF ORNITHOLOGY.

FEATHERS ARE HIS MUSE.

>> STUDYING THE EVOLUTION OF FEATHERS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS CAN TELL US A LOT ABOUT HOW BIRDS LIVE.

>> Reporter: IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, OFTEN CALLED THE BIRDIEST COUNTIES IN AMERICA, THERE'S AN ABUNDANCE OF PLACES.

>> TO THE MOUNTAINS, TO THE DESERT, THE COASTAL CHAPARRAL, THE OCEAN.

COMPLETELY DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

BAJA IS THE SAME.

>> Reporter: THE ROLE IS SOMEWHAT NEW TO THE MUSEUM, ORNITHOLOGY IS NEW AT THE NAT.

IT'S A COMMITMENT TO STUDYING THE SPECIES OF THE REGION.

>> A LOT BECAUSE OF THE DIVERSITY.

>> Reporter: WITH A WARMING PLANET IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO LEARN HOW AND WHERE BIRDS FLY.

>> THIS WAS COLLECTED IN DEATH VALLEY, NOT WHERE THAT BIRD WANTS TO BE, WHICH IS WHY IT DIED.

ONE DIFFERENCE WITH CLIMATE CHANGE IS HURRICANES STARTING TO MAKE LANDFALL AND BRING TROPICAL SEA BIRDS INLAND.

>> Reporter: TERRILL HOPES TO BUILD A FEATHER LAB, STUDY WHERE BIRDS FLY.

TO SEE THE BIRD COLLECTIONS, HE SUGGESTS A BACKSTAGE TOUR.

AND HE'S THINKING OF BRINGING PUBLIC BIRD WALKS TO BALBOA PARK.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> FROM FEATHERS TO FUR, A TINY CREATURE IS MAKING A BIG COMEBACK IN SAN DIEGO, ONCE THOUGHT TO BE EXTINCT.

A CONSERVATION PROGRAM IS GIVING THE POCKET MOUSE A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE.

>> IT'S IN THERE.

A LITTLE BURROW, SORRY I'M WAKING YOU UP, HONEY.

HERE SHE IS.

HI.

>> Reporter: MEET THE PACIFIC POCKET MOUSE, ONLY ABOUT THE SIZE OF A THUMB.

BUT FACT SHE EXISTS IS SOMEWHAT OF A MIRACLE.

>> THEY ONLY LIVE UP TO FOUR KILOMETERS FROM THE COAST AND MOST OF THAT AREA HAS BEEN DEVELOPED.

BACK IN THE '80s WE THOUGHT THEY WERE EXTINCT, NO ONE HAD FOUND A POCKET MOUSE FOR SOME TIME.

>> Dax: >> Reporter: THEY BUILD HOMES IN SHALLOW BURROWS NEAR THE COAST, BUT THEN SEEMED TO VANISH DUE TO A LONG LIST OF THREATS.

>> HOUSING, ROADS, NIGHT LIGHTING, NOISE, BUT CONVERSION OF HABITAT, HABITAT LOSS, HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST IMPACT TO THEM.

>> Reporter: THE ENDANGERED MOUSE HAS FOUND A NEW HOME HERE, WHERE RESEARCHERS OF THE SAN DIEGO ZOO WILDLIFE ALLIANCE ARE TRYING TO REPOPULATE WHAT'S LEFT OF THE SPECIES.

THEY RELEASED SOME AT CAMP PENDLETON.

>> IT'S TEN POPULATIONS BEFORE WE CAN DOWNLIST IT TO THREATENED.

WE'RE MAKING HUGE PROGRESS TOWARD THAT GOAL.

>> Reporter: IT'S ONLY THE THIRD REINTRODUCTION TO A NATIVE HABITAT, THE TOTAL NUMBER OF HABITATS IS AT SIX.

MOVING THEM FROM FACILITIES TO THE LAND WILL BRING BACK SYSTEMS TO THE COAST.

>> IT'S A PRIMARY SEED DISPERSER, THEIR DIGGING CREATES RECYCLING IN THE SYSTEM, AND THEIR PREY FOR PREDATORS THAT RELY ON THEM FOR SUSTENANCE.

>> Reporter: THEY INTERBREED.

>> THEY END UP WITH KINKED TAILS.

WE SEE LOWERED FITNESS AND REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS WITH POPULATIONS OF LOW GENETIC DIVERSITY.

>> Reporter: WHO THEY MEET WITH IS IMPORTANT.

THEY'RE PUT INTO THIS BREEDING TANK WITH A MALE FROM A DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOOD.

THEY'RE NOCTURNAL, HENCE THE RED LIGHTING.

IT PROVIDES THE BABIES WITH MORE TOOLS.

>> TALKING ABOUT REALLY HEAVY RAINS, REALLY LONG DROUGHT YEAR, SOME INDIVIDUALS IN NORMAL POPULATION COULD SURVIVE BECAUSE OF THE GENETIC DIVERSITY.

>> Reporter: THE ALLIANCE HAS TUCKED MORE THAN 500 MICE INTO THEIR TUNNELS.

THEY'LL CHECK ON OFFSPRING THIS SPRING.

THEY HOPE TO GIVE THEM DIVERSITY.

KPBS NEWS.

>> GET A CLOSER LOOK ON KPBS.ORG.

HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK THIS WEEK.

I'M JACOB AERE.

THANKS FOR JOINING US, AND ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR DAY.