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

COMING UP, THE TK ROLLOUT IN SAN DIEGO.

CALIFORNIA'S TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS EXPOSING THE SHORTAGE OF AFTERSCHOOL CARE.

>>> CLEANING UP MISSION BAY, THE CITY IS TAKING STEPS TO REMOVE ABANDONED HOMES, BUT WHAT COMES NEXT IS STILL UP FOR DEBATE.

>>> PRECIOUS CARGO ARRIVES IN SAN DIEGO AS A GROUP OF BEAGLES ARE RESCUED FROM A LIFE OF MEDICAL RESEARCH.

>>> WE START WITH A NEW BEGINNING FOR SAN DIEGO'S LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT, AND ONE OF ITS NEW HIGH SCHOOLS.

KB PS -- REPORTER -- KITTEN TEACHERS SAID HELLO TO A NEW SCHOOLTEACHER FREE FROM MOST PANDEMIC RESTRICTIONS.

>> Reporter: THE MUSIC OF MARIACHIS HIGHLIGHTS A WELCOME TO THE NEW LOGAN MEMORIAL EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX, LMEEC FOR SHORT.

-- NOW THE CENTER OF LEARNING FOR STUDENTS IN TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THEIR SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL.

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SENT ITS SUPERINTENDENTS TO KICK OFF THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

>> WE CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT OUR FAMILIES.

WE CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT OUR COMMUNITIES.

SO, WELCOME BACK, SAN DIEGO UNIFIED.

>> Reporter: WHAT STARTED AS NEW CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATIONS IN 2018 HAS BECOME A COMPLEX WITH THE NEWEST HIGH SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT, AND A STARTING FRESHMAN CLASS OF 250 STUDENTS THAT WILL GROW EACH YEAR.

THERE ARE ALSO FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN STARTING TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN, AND 1000 STUDENTS IN ALL THE GRADES BETWEEN.

>> THEY WILL BE EQUIPPED WITH THE SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE TO PURSUE A PATH OF THEIR CHOICE, BE IT COLLEGE, CAREER, AND BEYOND.

>> Reporter: A NEW YEAR MEANS A NEW START FOR SAN DIEGO UNIFIED AND ALL ITS STUDENTS ACROSS THE DISTRICT.

ALONG WITH THE STAFF WHO WILL SUPPORT THEM.

THERE IS ALSO SOME OLD BUSINESS THAT HAS TO BE DEALT WITH.

NOT MANY PEOPLE WORE MASKS ON THIS FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL.

THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT COUNT OF COVID CASES HAS DROPPED ENOUGH FOR THE DISTRICT TO ALLOW ITS MASKED MANDATE TO END.

>> NOW WE CAN SEE EVERYONE'S FACES, SINCE COVID GOT DOWN.

>> Reporter: AS THE STUDENTS PREPARE TO STUDY, THE DISTRICT HEALTH EXPERTS ARE PREPARING TO PROTECT THEM.

THERE IS STILL REASON FOR CONCERN.

>> THERE IS STILL, AS WE ALL KNOW, SOME COVID IN THE COMMUNITY.

KIDS CAN BRING IT HOME TO AGING PARENTS OR UNVACCINATED FAMILY MEMBERS.

IT CAN BE PREVENTED IF THEY WEAR A MASK INDOORS.

>> Reporter: THE LMEC CAMPUS IS DRIVEN BY A MONTESSORI CURRICULUM, WHICH GIVES STUDENTS MORE FREEDOM AND HOW THEY WERE AND THE CHOICES THEY MAKE.

AMANI FULTON IS A FRESHMAN WHO ALREADY PLANS TO START A DRAMA CLUB.

>> IT IS A STUDENT-BASED CLUB, INSTEAD OF A TEACHER DECISION.

>> ON STAGE?

>> ON STAGE.

>> WILL YOU END UP EVENTUALLY?

>> NEXT STEP WILL BE NYU, THEN EVENTUALLY, BROADLY, IN NEW YORK CITY.

>> Reporter: THE SCHOOL MARIACHI BAND, BY THE WAY, IS MADE UP OF STUDENTS AND SOME TEACHERS.

IT STRIKES JUST THE RIGHT NOTES FOR NEW BEGINNING.

M.G.

PEREZ, KB PS NEWS.

>>> NEW SCHOOL YEAR COMES UP AMID A HEAT WAVE, BAKING CAMPUSES -- VISITED SCHOOLS IN NORTH COUNTY THAT HAD TO REARRANGE SCHEDULES AND FIND A WORKAROUND TO KEEP ITS CLASSROOMS COOL.

>> Reporter: RANCHO BERNARDO HIGH SCHOOL AND BERNARDO HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL HAVE BEEN BACK IN SESSION FOR TWO WEEKS, BUT RECENTLY, THEIR SCHOOLDAYS HAVE BEEN SHORTENED BECAUSE THE SCHOOLS OUTDATED HVAC SYSTEM HAS NOT BEEN PRODUCING CONSISTENT AIR CONDITIONING, AND CLASSROOMS HAVE BEEN HEATING UP.

>> I KNOW EVERYONE IS COMPLAINING -- FLASHCARDS, FINDING A WAY TO STEP OUT OF CLASS AND JUST GET SOME AIR.

>> Reporter: MARK SLADEK IS A SENIOR AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, WHO HAS NOTICED SOME IMPROVEMENTS WITH THE AC THIS WEEK.

>> I KNOW ALL OF LAST WEEK AND THE WEEK BEFORE, CLASSES WERE STARTING TO HAPPEN OUTSIDE, HOPING TO GET A BREEZE GOING.

THE ROOMS WERE JUST LIKE SAUNAS.

>> Reporter: AT FIRST, THE DISTRICT ORDERED FANS, THEN PORTABLE AC UNITS TO BRING TEMPORARY RELIEF.

RUBEN ARTZ IS THE SCHOOL DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES, MAINTENANCE, AND OPERATIONS.

>> OUR PLAN TO PRODUCE ENOUGH ICE TO ADEQUATELY SUPPLY AIR FOR BOTH SITES, BOTH HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL.

WE WILL HAVE AIR UP TODAY.

>> Reporter: IT WILL COST EIGHT TO $10 MILLION TO REPLACE THE OLD HVAC SYSTEM.

AS A SHORT-TERM FIX, THE DISTRICT HAS SPENT ABOUT $500,000 ON BACKUP SOLUTIONS, AND A TWO MONTH RENTAL OF A CHILLER.

>> WE HAVE CONTINUOUS AIR NOW, FROM OUR RENTAL CHILLER.

WE DO NOT NEED TO DEFEND DEPEND ON THE FANS ARE HVAC SINGLE UNITS.

THOSE WERE FOR EMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

NOW THAT WE HAVE A RENTAL CHILLER, OUR AIRFLOW IS FLOWING.

>> Reporter: AS THE CHILLER IS BEING INSTALLED, BOTH CAMPUSES ARE HAVING STUDENTS COME FOR ONLY HALF-DAY SCHEDULES, TO MINIMIZE EXPOSURE TO THE AFTERNOON HEAT.

>> I JUST HOPE THE SYSTEM DOES NOT CRASH AGAIN, AND WE HAVE TO RELY ON JUST A SIMPLE LITTLE AC UNIT THAT MIGHT NOT SUPPORT THE WHOLE CLASS.

>> Reporter: -- EXPECT AC UNITS TO BE FULLY FUNCTIONING BY NEXT WEEK, WITH STUDENTS RETURNING TO A NORMAL SCHEDULE.

HE SAYS THE DISTRICT IS EXPLORING DIFFERENT PROPOSALS FOR LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS, TO SPLIT AND ISOLATE THE MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL HVAC SYSTEMS.

JACOB BAER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CALIFORNIA IS EXPANDING AT PUBLIC EDUCATION WITH TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN.

THE MOVE DRAWS ATTENTION TO SOME OF THE SUPPORT SERVICES THAT MANY PARENTS RELY ON, LIKE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAMS.

KPBS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER CLAIRE TRAGESER LOOKS AT THE SHORTAGE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: ON A HOT SUNDAY AFTERNOON, SARAH LAFAYETTE HER AND HER HUSBAND, VINCE, FOLLOW THEIR FOUR-YEAR-OLD SON, TEDDY, AROUND THE PLAYGROUND IN BALBOA PARK.

>> I DO NOT KNOW.

>> Reporter: THIS IS A RELAXING DAY, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY IN TEDDY'S FUTURE.

THE LAFAYETTE HER AS LEARNED THAT HE GOT A SPOT IN THEIR LOCAL SCHOOLS TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN, OR TK CLASS.

I FELT LIKE THEY HAD WON THE LOTTERY.

THEY COULD STOP PAYING $2000 A MONTH FOR HIS PRESCHOOL, AND SPEECH THERAPY AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY THAT TEDDY RECEIVES WILL BE ON-SITE AT THE SCHOOL.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE LOTTERY TICKET TURNED OUT TO BE A DUD.

>> WE FOUND OUT EVERYBODY HAD SIGNED UP FOR THE AFTER SCHOOL CARE MONTHS AND MONTHS AGO.

>> Reporter: WHILE TEDDY HAD A SPOT IN TK, HE DID NOT GET A SPOT IN AFTERSCHOOL CARE.

THAT MEANT THE LAPIETRA'S WOULD HAVE TO PICK HIM UP AT 2:00 P.M. EVERY DAY AND NOON ON WEDNESDAYS.

IMPOSSIBLE, GIVEN THEIR WORK SCHEDULES.

>> WE FEEL LIKE WE HAVE BEEN TEARING OUR HAIR OUT FOR THREE MONTHS, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO.

IT JUST SEEMS LIKE THERE IS NO SOLUTION.

SO, I REALLY DO THINK, UNLESS SOMETHING MAGIC COMES ALONG, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO KEEP HIM IN PRESCHOOL.

>> Reporter: PARENTS HERE AND THROUGHOUT CALIFORNIA ARE IN SIMILAR PREDICAMENTS.

STARTING THIS SCHOOL YEAR, CALIFORNIA EXPANDED THE NUMBER OF KIDS ELIGIBLE FOR TK, WITH THE GOAL OF PROVIDING TK TO ALL FOUR-YEAR-OLD BY 2025.

BUT THE PROGRAM IS MISSING A CRUCIAL PIECE: AFTERSCHOOL CARE.

>> WORKING PARENTS WERE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO ENROLL THEIR CHILDREN IN A 6:00 A.M. TO 6 P.M. DAY.

BACK NANCY -- HORNBERGER IS CEO OF -- SAN DIEGO, WHICH PROVIDES AFTERCARE AT MANY LOCAL SCHOOLS.

SHE SAYS THE STAFFING SHORTAGES AND LICENSING DELAYS MEAN SAY SAN DIEGO IS LIMITED IN HOW MANY STUDENTS IT CAN SERVE.

>> FRUSTRATING, I KNOW, FOR PARENTS WHO WERE COUNTING ON THAT LONGER DAY OF CARE.

WE ARE HERE TO HELP THEM NAVIGATE TO PRESCHOOL, OR SOME OTHER FORM OF CARE FOR THEIR TK KIDS.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF TK CLASSES THIS YEAR, AND THE WAITLIST AT AFTERCARE HAS SHOT UP CORRESPONDINGLY.

ACROSS ALL PROGRAMS RUN BY A SAN DIEGO, THERE ARE MORE THAN 2000 KIDS ON WAITLIST, ALMOST TWICE AS MANY AS LAST YEAR.

>> INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING.

CRAZY, SINCE THE IDEA EVER CONDUCTED >> Reporter: KIM McDOUGALL RUNS CHILDCARE FOR THE SAN DIEGO YMCA.

SHE SAID AFTER THE STATE ANNOUNCED TK EXPANSION, THE YMCA LOOKED INTO WHETHER THEY COULD GET LICENSES TO CARE FOR YOUNGER KIDS AT THEIR AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM SITES.

>> WE WOULD HAVE TO DO ALL KINDS OF FACILITIES RENOVATION.

WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A CHILD SIZED TOILET.

WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE AN AGE- APPROPRIATE PLAYGROUND.

IT WOULD BE REALLY CLOSE TO IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO DO.

>> Reporter: DEMOCRATIC ASSEMBLY MEMBER, KEVIN McCARTY, AUTHOR OF THE TK EXPANSION LAW.

>> ONE OF THE BIG THINGS LACKING WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IS COMPLETED IS HAVING UNIVERSAL PRE-K FOR ALL FOUR-YEAR-OLDS TO SHOW UP IN KINDERGARTEN KINDERGARTEN READY.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS TAKEN MATTERS INTO ITS OWN HANDS.

TO HONE IN EAST VALLEY IS PROVIDING FREE AFTERSCHOOL CARE FOR ALL STUDENTS.

SUPERINTENDENT DAVID -- SAYS IT STARTED DURING COVID, AND HE PLANS TO CONTINUE IT AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

>> PENDING SOME TYPE OF FISCAL CLIFF IN CALIFORNIA, WHERE HE WE WOULD HAVE TO CUT BUDGETS, WE ARE PLANNING TO PROVIDE THIS FOR YEARS TO COME.

>> Reporter: MEANWHILE, THE LAPIETRAS HAD HEARD TEDDY MIGHT GET INTO AN AFTERCARE CLASS RUN BY THE YMCA, BUT THEY ARE STILL WAITING TO FIND OUT.

CLAIRE TRAGESER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY OPENS ITS NEW STAFF SNAPDRAGON STADIUM THIS WEEKEND.

THE EVENT IS OVERSHADOWED BY THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVING FORMER FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND HOW THE SCHOOL HANDLED IT.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN TELLS US ABOUT SOME OF THE TRAINING THAT STUDENT ATHLETES GO THROUGH TO AVOID THIS KIND OF SITUATION.

>> I CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH.

I AM ONE PERSON.

>> Reporter: BRENDA TRACY HAS BEEN GETTING TALKED ABOUT HER EXPERIENCE AS A RAPE SURVIVOR.

SHE WAS GANG RAPE BY SEVERAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN 1998.

SHE SEES SIMILAR CASES BETWEEN HER CASE AND THE ALLEGATIONS AT SAN DIEGO STATE.

>> LOOKING BACK ON IT, THE MORE I THINK ABOUT IT, AS DETAILS COME OUT, THE MORE I THINK ABOUT SIMILARITIES OF THE STORY.

I JUST DO NOT GET IT, BECAUSE I SPEAK VERY SPECIFICALLY ABOUT PEOPLE WHO DO NOTHING.

>> Reporter: ACCORDING TO THE CIVIL COMPLAINT FILED IN SAN DIEGO SUPERIOR COURT, THE THEN- 17-YEAR-OLD TEENAGER IDENTIFIED ONLY AS JANE DOE WAS TAKEN INTO A BACK ROOM OF THIS HOUSE, AND REPEATEDLY ASSAULTED BY THREE MEN.

IDENTIFIED IN THE LAWSUIT AS MATT ARAIZA, XAVIER MENARD, AND -- NONE HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIME.

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IS STILL REVIEWING THE CASE.

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR JOHN WICKARD SAYS TRACY WAS BROUGHT IN AS PART OF AN ENHANCED TRAINING ATHLETES PLAN.

>> AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE HAVE GOT ALL THE PROGRAMMING AROUND INFORMATION ON SEXUAL ASSAULT, STANDARD TRAINING.

ETIQUETTE.

HE ALSO DO LEADERSHIP TRAINING.

WE DO FINANCIAL PLANNING, ALL THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.

>> Reporter: ALL STUDENT ATHLETES AT SAN DIEGO STATE GO THROUGH A SEXUAL VIOLENCE TRAINING DURING FALL SEMESTER.

THE TRAINING IS PROVIDED BY THE CENTER FOR COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS, SAN DIEGO'S ONLY RAPE CRISIS CENTER.

VERNA GRIFFITH-TAYLOR IS THE ORGANIZATION'S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

>> WE HAVE A CURRICULUM WE GO THROUGH.

IT COVERS WHAT IS CONSENT, SOME ROLE-PLAYING, SOME DISCUSSIONS, AND BREAKING OUT INTO SMALLER GROUPS.

SO, WE HOPE THE ATHLETES HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY TAKE A DEEP DIVE, REALLY SELF REFLECT, LOOK AT PAST SITUATIONS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE TRAINING IMPROVES BREAKING DOWN POWER DYNAMICS AND BYSTANDER INTERVENTION, SO THAT WHEN THINGS GO WRONG, ATHLETES HAVE THE NECESSARY TOOLS TO SPEAK UP HERE IT >> IF YOU CANNOT INTERVENE SAFELY, HOW TO ACCESS HEALTH, AND NOT PUT YOURSELF AT RISK.

THE OTHER POINT IS, IF YOU LEARN ABOUT SOMETHING LATER, WHERE SOMEBODY HAS BEEN HARMED OR NEEDS HELP, THEN WHAT DO YOU DO?

>> Reporter: TRAINING WITH THE CENTER FOR COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS WAS BROUGHT TO SDSU BY BASEBALL COACH, MARC MARTINEZ, ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO.

HE WAS FIRST EXPOSED TO THE TRAINING WHEN CCS DID A SESSION WITH HIS SON'S LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM.

>> IT WAS EYE-OPENING FOR THE PARENTS.

AND IT WAS VERY EYE-OPENING FOR OUR YOUNG GUYS.

THEY ARE NOT EXPOSED TO THAT STUFF AT THAT AGE.

SO, THAT IS WHEN I THOUGHT, WELL, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING.

WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO START EDUCATING OUR GUYS THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON CAMPUS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND DATE RAPE, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

>> SO, WE WENT IN AND TALKED WITH HIM, SAID WE WILL NOT TRAIN THE TEAM UNLESS WE CAN TRAIN YOU.

HE SAID ABSOLUTELY, WE WILL DO THAT.

>> Reporter: MARTINEZ SAYS HE NOTICED A DIFFERENCE IN HIS PLAYERS AFTER THE TRAINING.

HE SAYS THEY ARE MORE COMPASSIONATE.

>> IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS, YOU KNOW, OUTSIDE OF THE BASEBALL STADIUM.

IT IS ALSO WITHIN THE CLUBHOUSE, UNDERSTANDING HOW TO COMMUNICATE TO PEOPLE THE RIGHT WAY.

>> Reporter: STILL, DESPITE THE TRAINING, THREE FORMER SAN DIEGO STATE FOOTBALL PLAYERS STAND ACCUSED OF THE RAPE OF A TEENAGE GIRL.

-- GOT EMOTIONAL WHEN ASKED ABOUT THAT AT A NEWS CONFERENCE ON MONDAY POINT >> AGAIN, ONE OF OUR PILLARS IS TO CREATE GREAT HUMAN BEINGS.

IT IS HARD WHEN THE TRAINING YOU PROVIDE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ENOUGH.

>> Reporter: TRACY SAYS ALL SHE CAN DO IS TELL THEM HOW HER SEXUAL ASSAULT AFFECTED HER.

>> BUT THEN, THEY ALSO HAVE TO LIVE WITH THE CONSEQUENCES, SOMETIMES, OF THOSE DECISIONS AS WELL.

>> Reporter: ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST READ STORIES AT KPBS.ORG.

A LOT OF ATTENTION ON THE WILDFIRE THAT BURNED LAST WEEK IN EAST COUNTY, AND HOW FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO KEEP IT CONTAINED.

THE STORY YOU SAW EARLIER ON TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN IS ALSO FINDING A BIG AUDIENCE.

AND BEAGLES RESCUED FROM MEDICAL RESEARCH ARRIVE IN SAN DIEGO.

WE WILL HAVE THAT STORY FOR YOU A LITTLE LATER.

>>> TWO YEARS AFTER RESIDENTS LEFT THE MOBILE HOME PARK AT MISSION BAY, WORK IS FINALLY BEGINNING ON CLEARING OUT THE OLD BUILDINGS.

AS JOHN CARROLL REPORTS, THE SLOW ACTION IS PART OF THE LARGER DEBATE OVER WHAT TO DO WITH THE SITE.

>>> TERRA VISTA MANAGEMENT HAS N AT MISSION BAY PARK FOR YEARS.

THEY ARE THE COMPANY THAT IS CLEANING UP THIS MESS.

THEY PLAN ON TURNING IT INTO CAMPSITES WITH SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL VIEWS IMAGINABLE.

>> INSTALLING NEW CAMPSITES, WHICH UTILIZE THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN HERE.

AND THEN, MAKING REALLY NECESSARY, LONG-TERM REPAIRS TO THIS INCREDIBLE BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN PATH AROUND THE CODE.

>> Reporter: THEN, LANDSCAPING REMEDIATION AND REPAIRS, THAT SORT OF THING.

>> Reporter: IT IS A MONUMENTAL TASK, NEARLY 170 ABANDONED MOBILE HOMES IN VARIOUS STATES OF DECAY.

>> $8 MILLION WORTH OF WORK.

IT INVOLVES THE ABATEMENT OF THESE HOMES, MOST OF WHICH HAVE LEAD AND ASBESTOS.

>> Reporter: NO ONE HAS LIVED ON THIS CITY OWNED PROPERTY SINCE 2019, AFTER PANDEMIC RELATED DELAYS AND LOTS OF REGULATORY HURDLES TO JUMP OVER, TERRA VISTA FINALLY RECEIVED APPROVAL FROM THE CALIFORNIA COASTAL COMMISSION LAST MONTH TO CLEAN THE PLACE UP POINT >> BUT AS THEY HAVE FOR YEARS, CAMP LANDIS FACING OPPOSITION FROM SOME ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, INCLUDING THE SAN DIEGO AUDUBON SOCIETY, WHO SAY THERE NEEDS TO BE A LOT MORE WETLAND RESTORATION HERE.

THAT WILL MEAN GETTING RID OF SOME OF CAMP LAND.

>> KENDALL FOSS MARCH, WHICH WE ARE LOOKING AT HERE, IS THE ONLY REMAINING WETLAND HABITAT WE HAVE IN MISSION BAY FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES, FOR WATER QUALITY PROTECTION, FOR SEA LEVEL RISE RESILIENCE, AND FOR ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY SPACE LIKE THIS.

>> Reporter: MEYER SAYS THE AUDUBON SOCIETY IS NOT AGAINST CAMPING.

IN FACT, HE SAYS THEY FAVOR CAMPING OPPORTUNITIES HERE.

BUT, HE SAYS THE CITY MASTER PLAN NOW CALLS FOR 700 ACRES OF WETLANDS BY 2035.

HE SAYS THIS AREA IS THE BEST PLACE TO GET MUCH OF THAT WETLAND RESTORATION.

>> THIS IS THE EXACT RIGHT TIME FOR THE CITY TO THINK ABOUT THIS, BECAUSE THEY ARE IN THEIR DEANZA LAND-USE PLANNING PROCESS.

THEY HAVE THE POWER TO SAY CAMPING SHOULD STAY, HERE IS WHAT WE WANTED TO LOOK LIKE, AND IT SHOULD BE RIGHT HERE.

>> Reporter: CITY LEADERS STILL HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO USE CAMP LAND PROPERTY FOR WETLANDS, AND HOW MUCH.

MEYER ALSO SAYS THE -- TRIBES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED, AS THIS WAS ALL THEIR NATIVE ANCESTRAL LAND.

BUT FOR NOW, BOTH SIDES WAIT ON THE CITY DECISION, ONE THAT MAY VERY WELL MOVE THE ULTIMATE FATE OF THIS LAND TO BE DECIDED BY COURTS.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE DROUGHT IS FORCING MAJOR RESERVOIRS IN THE WEST TO DROP TO DANGEROUS LEVELS.

LOCAL EXPERTS SAY SAN DIEGO'S LARGELY PROTECTED, BUT NOT IMMUNE.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON CHECKS HOW OUR OWN WATER SUPPLY IS HOLDING UP.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S -- RESERVOIR IS AN ANOMALY IN THE WEST.

THE MAN-MADE LAKE IS PRETTY MUCH FULL.

>> THE RESERVOIR IS A 24,000 ACRE FOOT RESERVOIR, THAT PROVIDE WATER TO OUR AQUEDUCTS.

>> Reporter: -- SO THAT IS ONE YEAR'S WORTH OF WATER FOR ABOUT 60,000 FAMILIES.

HE IS AN OPERATOR HERE, MOVING WATER IN AND OUT OF THE RESERVOIR LOCATED NEAR ESCONDIDO.

THIS LAKE WAS BUILT TO HELP THE REGION COPE IF IMPORTED WATER GETS CUT OFF.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY OFFICIALS SAY THE EMERGENCY WATER IS JUST ONE TOOL THEY HAVE DEVELOPED OVER THREE DECADES TO KEEP LOCAL WATER TAPS RUNNING.

>> WE ARE SECURE, BUT WE STILL NEED TO DO OUR PART.

BECAUSE THESE HOTTER, DRIER CONDITIONS ARE OUR FORESEEABLE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: THE AUTHORITIES KELLY ROGERS SAYS RAISING THE SAN VICENTE DAM, BUILDING THE CARLSBAD DESALINATION PLANT, AND WATER RIGHTS DEALS WITH THE IMPERIAL IRRIGATION DISTRICT ALL PLAY A ROLE.

ROGERS SAYS THE PROJECTS ARE EXPENSIVE, BUT VITAL.

>> IT IS LIKE YOUR RETIREMENT WHEN YOU ARE YOUNGER.

YOU ARE LIKE OH, GOSH, I MAY NEVER LIVE TO NEED THAT.

BUT WHEN YOU ARE RETIRED, YOU ARE LIKE WOW, ALL THE INVESTMENTS ARE PAYING OFF.

>> Reporter: BUT SAN DIEGO IS NOT COMPLETELY INSULATED FROM A CLIMATE CHANGE-DRIVEN DROUGHT THAT IS STRANGLING WATER FLOWS IN THE COLORADO RIVER BASIN.

RECLAMATION'S CAN MINISTER SAYS ALL THE WEST'S MAIN WATER SOURCES ARE SUFFERING.

CAMILLE -- PAINTED THE SITUATION IN STARK TERMS DURING A SENATE COMMITTEE HEARING IN JULY.

>> HYDROLOGIC VARIABILITY.

HOTTER TEMPERATURES LEADING TO EARLIER SNOWMELT.

DRY SOILS, ALL TRANSLATING INTO EARLIER AND LOWER RUNOFF.

THIS IS COUPLED AS THE COMMITTEE HAS MENTIONED, WITH THE LOWEST RESERVOIR RECORDS ON RECORD.

>> Reporter: THE BUREAU HAS TWICE CALLED FOR COLORADO RIVER USERS TO CUT BACK THE AMOUNT OF WATER THEY TAKE, AND TELL LAWMAKERS MORE DRASTIC CUTS ARE NEEDED.

>> Reporter: BETWEEN TWO AND 4 MILLION ACRE-FEET OF ADDITIONAL COMMON CONSERVATION IS NEEDED JUST TO PROTECT CRITICAL LEVELS IN 2023.

>> Reporter: THE CRITICAL LEVEL SHE IS TALKING ABOUT OUR WATER LEVELS IN LAKE POWELL, LAKE MEAD , THE WEST'S LARGEST RESERVOIRS , FED BY THE COLORADO RIVER.

PACIFIC INSTITUTE MICHAEL COHEN SAYS BOTH HAVE BEEN SHRINKING AT UNPRECEDENTED RATES.

>> WE HAVE SEEN SINCE THE DROUGHT BEGAN, REALLY AT THE START OF THE YEAR 2000, SO ALREADY 23 YEARS OF DROUGHT -- THAT WE HAVE LOST ABOUT 170 FEET OF ELEVATION AT LAKE MEAD.

THE FORECASTS ARE PROJECTING THAT LAKE MEAD COULD DROP EVEN ANOTHER 50 FEET IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.

>> Reporter: THAT COULD PUT THE SYSTEM DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO A CONDITION THAT WATER MANAGERS CALL DEADPOOL.

>> OH, JESUS.

OH, THAT IS NOT GOOD.

NO, NO, NO.

NO, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO WALK THAT ONE OFF.

THAT IS SO GROSS.

>> Reporter: NO, NOT THE RYAN REYNOLDS CHARACTER.

DEADPOOL HAPPENS WHEN A LAKES LEVEL DROPS BELOW THE VALVES THAT SEND WATER DOWNRIVER TO ARIZONA AND CALIFORNIA.

LAKE MEAD IS JUST 150 FEET AWAY FROM DEADPOOL.

IF THAT HAPPENS, SAN DIEGO COULD LOSE HALF ITS DRINKING WATER.

COHEN SAYS THE WATER RIGHTS AUTHORITY BUT FOR THE IMPERIAL VALLEY WOULD BE WORTHLESS.

>> THERE IS A CHANCE THAT, IF THE DIFFERENT COLORADO RIVER WATER USERS CANNOT COME TO AN AGREEMENT, THAT CURRENT RULES WILL CONTINUE TO APPLY, AND THAT LAKE MEAD WILL CONTINUE TO BE DRAWN DOWN, CREATING THE CRISIS WE ARE SEEING RIGHT NOW.

PEOPLE SEE THIS COMING.

>> Reporter: WHILE WATER MANAGERS MAY SEE THE CRISIS COMING, IT IS STILL HARD TO CUT BACK.

COHEN SAYS CALIFORNIA WILL PROBABLY HELP THIS YEAR, USING MORE THAN HIS SHARE OF COLORADO RIVER WATER.

>> MOST OF THAT OVERUSE IS NOT ACTUALLY COMING FROM IRRIGATION DISTRICT, IT IS COMING FROM METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT.

THAT IS BECAUSE CALIFORNIA ITSELF IS IN A MASSIVE DROUGHT.

>> Reporter: THE METROPOLITAN IS THE REGION'S LARGEST WATER WHOLESALER, SERVING LOS ANGELES AND MANY SURROUNDING WATER DISTRICT.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF TAKING TOO MUCH WATER NOW COULD BE DIRE.

OFFICIALS ARE GETTING WATER USERS THE CHANCE TO DETERMINE WHERE CUTS WILL HAPPEN.

IF THEY CANNOT, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROMISES TO MAKE THAT DECISION FOR THEM.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> PUBLIC TRANSIT IS A KEY ELEMENT OF THE REGIONS CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY.

JACOB AIR TELLS US HOW AN INVESTMENT IN YOUNG PEOPLE IS GIVING RIDERSHIP MEMBERS A LIFT.

>> IT WAS GETTING KIND OF REALLY EXPENSIVE EVERY MONTH, HAVING TO PAY LIKE $25, AND ALSO JUST KEEPING UP YOUR >> Reporter: SARINA SANDOVAL IS SOON TO BE A SENIOR AT -- HIGH SCHOOL, WHO HAS BEEN WRITING PUBLIC TRANSIT SINCE NINTH GRADE.

SHE SAYS EXPIRED THERE IS A MAJOR MISS CLASSES AND EVEN A TEST.

THE NEW, FREE YOUTH OPPORTUNITY PASS HAS GOT RID OF THOSE ISSUES AND EXPANDED HER WORLD.

>> I DID AN INTERNSHIP IN CHULA VISTA.

BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO HAVE THE YOUTH OPPORTUNITY PASS, I WAS ABLE TO DO BUSES.

I HAD TO TAKE A TROLLEY AND THEN MORE BUSES.

WITHOUT THE YOUTH OPPORTUNITY PASS, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SO EXPENSIVE, I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THE INTERNSHIP AT ALL.

>> Reporter: THE YOUTH OPPORTUNITY PASS PROGRAM OFFERS COMPLETELY FREE RIDES ON BUSES, THE TROLLEY, THE COASTER AND SPRINTER FOR THOSE UNDER 18.

THE PROGRAM BEGAN ON MAY 1st, PROVIDING FREE RIDES IN THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM AND NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT.

ARIANNA -- MONDRAGON IS WITH -- WHICH ADVOCATED FOR THE FREE PASSES.

>> THIS REALLY DOES GIVE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY, GET TO KNOW SAN DIEGO.

BUT ALSO, IT ALLEVIATES THAT FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT WE DID SEE .

>> Reporter: FOR YOU TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE RIGHT, THEY NEED A YOUTH PRONTO AT ACCOUNT, OR A YOUTH PRONTO CARTER THOSE ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED AT THE TRANSIT STORE AND SOME SCHOOLS, ACCORDING TO MTS CEO, SHARON COONEY.

>> RIDERSHIP IS ALREADY UP, UP 55% FROM LAST YEAR.

THAT IS OVERALL.

BUT WOULD YOU OPPORTUNITY PASS, IN MAY, WHEN WE INSTITUTED IT, WE SAW AN INCREASE OF 34% OF YOUTH USING OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: YOUTH OPPORTUNITY PASS PILOT PROGRAM IS THE LATEST EFFORT TO IMPROVE MASS TRANSIT, AND MAKE IT MORE ACCESSIBLE AND EQUITABLE FOR HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.

THE PROGRAM WILL ONE THROUGH JUNE 30th, 2023.

JACOB AIR, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THAT STORY AND ALL OUR CONTENT CAN BE FOUND ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

IN ADDITION, WE HAVE EPISODES FROM KPBS SHOWS LIKE KENT KRAMER'S ABOUT SAN DIEGO AND CROSSING SOUTH.

YOU CAN ALSO LIFESTREAM KPBS EVENING ADDITION WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00.

WE END WITH LOTS OF SMILES AND WAGGING TAILS IN EL CAJON.

GILLESPIE FIELD SERVED AS THE LANDING SPOT FOR A GROUP OF DOGS THAT HAVE BEEN THROUGH QUITE A LOT.

KPBS REPORTER KATIE ALVARADO INTRODUCES US TO THE RESCUED BEAGLES ON THEIR WAY TO A NEW LIFE.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS WATCH AS PRECIOUS CARGO ARRIVES AT GILLESPIE FIELD.

108 RESCUED BEAGLES.

THEIR ARRIVAL WAS FILLED WITH HAPPINESS AND EXCITEMENT.

>> HI, LITTLE BEAGLES POINT >> Reporter: PRESIDENT OF THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY, DR. GARY WEITZMAN, UNLOADED THE FIRST POP OFF THE PLANE.

>> SHE IS REALLY EXCITED, REALLY IS.

SHE DESERVES TO BE.

FIRST TIME SHE HAS BEEN OUT OF A RESEARCH LAB, SO THIS IS REALLY GREAT NEWS.

>> Reporter: THESE ARE NO ORDINARY RESCUES.

THEY ARE THE LAST BATCH OF 4000 BEAGLES SAVED FROM A VIRGINIA- BASED COMPANY THAT READS AND SELLS ANIMALS FOR USE IN SCIENTIFIC TESTING.

THE RESCUE CAME AFTER THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FILED A LAWSUIT.

ONE BY ONE, THE PRECIOUS PUPS WERE PACKED UP AND QUICKLY SHUTTLED TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY EL CAJON ANIMAL CAMPUS, WHERE DOZENS OF STAFF MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS HAVE BEEN WORKING OVERTIME TO GET READY TO WELCOME THE SPECIAL DELIVERY.

>> WE HAVE A POOL SET UP SO THEY CAN HAVE A BIG WATER PARTY, SINCE IT WILL BE SO HOT HERE TODAY.

>> Reporter: THEY WILL IMMEDIATELY PLACE THEM IN FOSTER HOMES, BUT WILL NEED DONATIONS TO SUPPORT THEIR CARE UNTIL THEY ARE WELL ENOUGH TO GO TO FOREVER HOMES.

>> THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THEIR NEXT JOURNEY INTO NEW HOMES.

WE ARE ECSTATIC TO BE ABLE TO HELP THEM GET INTO BACKYARDS AND LIVING ROOMS AND FAMILIES THAT THEY LOVE.

>> Reporter: KATIE ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>> WE WISH THEM WELL.

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

I AM MAYA TRABULSI, THANKS FOR JOINING US.