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

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

>>> COMING UP, THOSE WHO CAN BELONG SAN DIEGO RIVERBEDS TELL US HOW DIFFICULT LIFE CAN BE WHEN THESE GUYS OPEN UP.

>>> KEEPING HEALTHY IN THE NEW YEAR.

EXPERTS SHARE ADVICE ON HOW TO DEVELOP A ROUTINE FOR ANY AGE OR FITNESS LEVEL.

>>> TAKE A TRIP TO THE WNDR MUSEUM.

THE NEW VISUAL FEAST FOR THE EYES, NOW WELCOMING VISITORS DOWNTOWN.

>>> THIS WEEKEND IS A SOMBER ONE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

THEY WILL LEAD A 50 MILE PROCESSION TO HONOR DARNELL CALHOUN.

KITTY ALVARADO HAS THE STORY.

>> Reporter: WE FIRST MET RIVERSIDE DEPUTY, DARNELL CALHOUN.

THE STORY WAS ABOUT OFFICERS LIKE CALHOUN LEAVING SAN DIEGO AND OTHER BIG CITIES TO WORK FOR THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT.

CALHOUN WAS HAPPY HE COULD SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIS HAPPY AND TWO LITTLE BOYS.

WE ASKED IF MORE MONEY WOULD MADE HIM STAY IN SAN DIEGO.

>> THE MONEY WOULD HAVE BEEN GREAT BUT THAT WOULD HAVE TO HAVE BEEN SOMETHING REALLY SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE I REALLY FEEL I AM PATROLLING HOME.

MY COLLEAGUES ARE GREAT.

I MISS SOME OF THE PEOPLE I WORKED WITH IN SAN DIEGO BUT I AM GLAD I AM HERE.

>> Reporter: IN SAN DIEGO THEY PAIRED UP THE ROOKIE WITH A VETERAN.

THAT VETERAN WAS OFFICER CHAD CRENSHAW.

>> I WOULD ALWAYS TEASE HIM .

HE AND I WOULD ALWAYS TELL CHEESY DAD JOKES.

>> Reporter: HE SAID HE WAS HAPPY FOR HIM.

>> WE KEPT IN TOUCH AND THROUGH A GOING AWAY PARTY.

TWO DAYS AGO, WE MADE PLANS TO GET TOGETHER SOON.

>> Reporter: CALHOUN WAS KILLED FRIDAY WHILE ANSWERING A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CALL IN LAKE ELSINORE.

CRENSHAW WAS AMONG THE SAN DIEGO POLICE OFFICERS WHO RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL AFTER THE SHOOTING.

CRENSHAW SAYS HIS ARMOR PARTNER WAS QUICK TO ACT WHEN HE SAW LIVES WERE AT RISK.

HE RECOUNTED THE STORY FROM THEIR TIME TOGETHER.

>> A GENTLEMAN HAD A HEART ATTACK , WE RACED OVER THERE AND GOT THERE BEFORE MEDICS AND DARNELL IMMEDIATELY JUMPED ON AND STARTED CPR.

THE MEDIC SHOWED UP THEY SAID IF IT WAS NOT FOR HIS QUICK ACTIONS, DOING CHEST COMPRESSIONS THE SKY WOULD NOT HAVE LIVED.

DARNELL IS A HERO.

>> Reporter: WHILE PUTTING THE STORY TOGETHER WE FOUND THIS CLIP WE DIDN'T USE IN LAST YEAR'S STORY.

CALHOUN SHARES WHY HE WANTED TO BECOME A POLICE OFFICER.

>> I REALLY DO ENJOY GOING OUT AND HELPING PEOPLE.

I KNOW THAT SOUNDS SUPER CLICHI, BUT MY HEART, I ENJOY DOING AND I ENJOY GETTING OUT AND ASSISTING PEOPLE IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

I LIKE TO WATCH OVER THOSE WHO CANNOT HELP THEMSELVES AND PROTECT THEM FROM PEOPLE, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD, SUCK.

>> Reporter: CALHOUN IS A SECOND DEPUTY KILLED ON DUTY IN JUST OVER TWO WEEKS .

HE IS SURVIVED BY HIS TWO SONS AND PREGNANT WIFE.

KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN SPENT PART OF HIS WEEK IN THE BAY AREA.

GOVERNOR NEWSOM SHARED THESE PHOTOS.

A MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION IS IN EFFECT FOR THE AREA AND FAMOUS AS THE ADMINISTRATION IS MAKING EXTRA MONEY AVAILABLE TO HELP WITH THE RECOVERY.

>>> FOR SOME SAN DIEGO UNHOUSED RESIDENTS THERE ARE FEW PLACES TO TURN DURING STORMY WEATHER.

ONE MAN SHARED HOW HE IS GETTING BY.

>> Reporter: NEXT TO THE 163 FREEWAY AND IS PART OF THE RECENTLY FLOODED SAN DIEGO RIVER.

WITH THE RECENT STORMS AND FLOODS, THEY HAVE GONE IN SEARCH OF DRIER LAND.

CC BREWER WAS TRYING TO STAY DRY UNDER A MAKESHIFT TENT, THAT IS ONE OF THE PARTS OF SAN DIEGO THAT HIT HARDEST BY FLOODING.

>> I AM HOLED UP HERE BECAUSE OF THE RAIN.

I WAS AFRAID OF THE MUDSLIDES.

>> Reporter: THE CEO OF ALPHA PROJECT, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE SERVICES AND SHELTER TO THE HOMELESS.

HE TOLD KPBS THERE HAS BEEN A RISE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN HIGH RISK AREAS LIKE RIVERBEDS AND CANYONS.

HIS ORGANIZATION HELPS CONNECT PEOPLE IN THOSE PLACES TO THE SHELTERS.

>> WHEN THINGS GET BAD LIKE THIS, PEOPLE ARE MORE ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT COMING INSIDE SERVICES.

WE SET ASIDE BEDS FOR FOLKS AND WE HAVE SEEN A DRAMATIC INCREASE.

>> Reporter: AT LEAST SEVEN PEOPLE HAD TO BE RESCUED DUE TO THE FLOODING OF THE SAN DIEGO RIVER.

PEOPLE LIVING IN THE RIVERBED REACHED OUT LOOKING FOR HIGHER GROUND.

KEITH McELROY AGREED MOST PEOPLE LIKE HIMSELF WANT AND NEED PERMANENT HOUSING AND WITHOUT IT MORE PEOPLE WILL BE IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS.

>> THERE ARE ALWAYS PEOPLE THAT ARE HEARING THE FLOODGATES ARE OPENING, THEY ARE SITTING IN THEIR TENTS AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE IS A WALL OF WATER.

IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES.

LUCKILY, I'M NOT DOWN THERE WHEN IT IS RAINING.

>> Reporter: THE CITY'S INCLEMENT WEATHER SHELTER PROGRAM PROVIDED 100 BEDS AT LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO.

>> IT SHOULD STAY DRY THIS WEEKEND BUT ANOTHER WEATHER PHENOMENON WILL BE ON DISPLAY.

IF YOUR PLANS INCLUDE A TRIP TO THE BEACH , CLAIRE STRONG TELLS US THAT THE KING TIDE WILL PUT ON A SHOW.

>> Reporter: A BUSY FEW WEEKS FOR LIFEGUARDS IN DELMAR.

FIRST, HIGH SURF AND HEAVY RAIN WHICH LED TO BEACH CLOSURES AND FLOODING.

NOW THEY ARE BRACING FOR KING TIDE WHICH IS A NONSCIENTIFIC TERM USED TO DESCRIBE EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH TIDES OCCURRING DURING A NEWER FULL MOON.

>> WE ARE WATCHING THE WEATHER PATTERNS, SURF PATTERNS, THAT SORT OF THING.

WE HAVE THE BARRICADES UP.

THAT LIMITS THE COASTAL FLOODING AND INTRUSION BACK ONTO THE STREETS.

THE TEXT SOME OF THE HOMES.

THAT TYPE OF THING.

>> Reporter: A RECENT HEAVY RAIN AND HIGH SURF WASHED AWAY LARGE AMOUNTS OF SAND LEAVING LESS OF A BUFFER BETWEEN THE WAVES AND PEOPLES HOUSES.

THEY ARE PLACING SANDBAGS OUTSIDE THEIR HOMES TO PROTECT THE FROM FLOODING.

CHAD HENRY RENOVATING A HOUSE HAD A NEAR MISS LAST FRIDAY WHEN A HUGE WAVE BREACHED HIS SEAWALL.

>> IT HONESTLY CAME UP OVER THE WALL .

THE SEAWALL HERE BROKE OFF A BIG CHUNK.

KNOCKED A GLASS PANEL OUT.

HAD A LITTLE BIT GET IN THE HOUSE BUT WE ACTUALLY SURVIVED PRETTY WELL COMPARED TO A FEW OF THESE OTHER HOUSES.

>> Reporter: LIFEGUARDS HAVE ALSO PLACED SIGNS LIKE THIS HERE FOR SAFETY REASONS.

>> WE WILL HAVE VERY LITTLE BEACH ACCESS IN THE MORNING AND MORE SO IN THE AFTERNOON.

OBVIOUSLY COUPLES AND WITH THE SURF SIZE AND SURF INTERVAL, ONSHORE WIND AND WHAT IS HAPPENING FROM OUR RIVER VALLEY AND HOW MUCH WATER WE ARE GETTING FROM THE EAST AS WELL WILL DETERMINE HOW ACCESSIBLE AND HOW MUCH RECREATION CAPABILITIES ARE AVAILABLE ON THE BEACH.

>> Reporter: THE KING TIDES IS PEAKED ON SATURDAY.

CLAIRE STRONG, KPBS NEWS.

>>> KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER SHOWS US HOW LIVE CHICKENS ARE ALSO IN HIGH DEMAND RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: HAWTHORNE COUNTRY STORE IN ESCONDIDO IS SEEING SOMETHING THEY HAVE NOT SEEN BEFORE.

>> WE HAVE NEVER BEEN SO A LOT OF CHICKENS LIKE THIS.

IT'S CRAZY.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS USUALLY DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR THEIR PENS ARE FULL OF CHICKENS.

>> WE ARE GETTING CALLS EVERY DAY.

TWO, THREE, FOUR CALLS A DAY ASKING IF WE HAVE CHICKENS.

DO YOU HAVE CHICKENS READY TO LAY?

NO, YOU HAVE TO START FROM SCRATCH AT THIS POINT, LITERALLY.

>> Reporter: THE AVIAN FLU OUTBREAK IS NOT ONLY IMPACTING EGG PRICES BUT SUPPLIES OF CHICKENS AS WELL.

FEED STORES ARE ONLY GETTING BABY CHICKS RIGHT NOW AND THEY WON'T BE READY TO LAY EGGS FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS.

THAT IS NOT TURNING PEOPLE AWAY, EVEN THE BABY CHICKS ARE GETTING SOLD RIGHT AWAY.

>> MAGICALLY THE FEED AND THE EXPENSE AND TIME AND EFFORT THAT GOES INTO HAVING THESE FANTASTIC, WONDERFUL, SELF- SUPPORTING FOOD SOURCE IS A LITTLE MORE WORTH IT RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THE PEOPLE REALLY REAPING THE BENEFITS RIGHT NOW ARE THOSE WHO GOT PANDEMIC CHICKENS.

>> DURING COVID A LOT OF PEOPLE GOT CHICKENS AND I THINK THOSE PEOPLE ARE HAPPY RIGHT NOW, HAPPIER.

THEY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE TOO MUCH WORK OR THEY HAVE HAD SOME MATURATION AND NOT SURE IF THEY WANT TO ADD BABIES.

>> Reporter: SHE DOES ADD THAT CHICKENS ARE A COMMITMENT BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT HELP WITH THE JOB.

LIKE ALLISON ANDREWS THE OWNER OF CLEANER COOPS A CHICKEN COOP CLEANING COMPANY.

>> AS LONG AS YOU KEEP UP WITH MAINTENANCE OR HIRE SOMEBODY THEY ARE A WONDERFUL ADDITION TO HAVE TO YOUR FAMILY.

THEY ARE GREAT WITH SMALL KIDS.

A SENIOR AT HOME, THEY ARE A LOVELY COMPANION.

NOTHING BETTER IN MY OPINION AND COMING OUT IN THE MORNING ON A SUNNY DAY IN SAN DIEGO, WE HAVE ONE LAYING AN EGG, DO YOU HEAR IT?

HAVING A CUP OF COFFEE WITH YOUR FLOCK, IS AWESOME.

>> Reporter: THE HOMEOWNERS SAY THAT CHICKENS HAVE BEEN A GREAT HOBBY FOR THEIR ELDERLY DAD.

POPULAR DURING FAMILY PARTIES AND A NICE INVESTMENT WITH THE RECENT HIGH EGG PRICES.

ANDREWS SAYS THE AVIAN FLU OUTBREAK HIGHLIGHTS HOW IMPORTANT CLEANLINESS IS FOR A FOOD SOURCE.

>> IF YOU DO HAVE BACKYARD CHICKENS CLEANLINESS IS A BIG DEAL.

ESPECIALLY WITH LITTLE ONES OR OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, ANYONE REALLY.

>> Reporter: SHE RECOMMENDS SETTING UP A HANDWASHING STATION UNDEDICATED SHOES.

>> RIGHT KNOW WE KNOW THAT IS A HUGE VALUE.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER VALUE, THE TASTE OF YOUR OWN HOME GROWN EGGS.

>> THERE IS NOTHING BETTER THAN KNOWING WHAT YOU FEED YOUR FLOCK COMES BACK DIRECTLY TO YOU.

ONCE YOU HAVE HAD YOUR OWN EGGS, FROM YOUR GIRLS, THERE IS NOTHING THAT COMPARES.

>> Reporter: TO HELP WITH THE RECENT INTEREST, HAWTHORNE COUNTRY STORE IS HOLDING CHICKEN 101 COURSES IN FEBRUARY.

KPBS NEWS.

>> THAT STORY BY TONYA IS INCLUDED IN FRIDAY'S SAN DIEGO NEWS PODCAST .

ONE OF SEVERAL KPBS PODCAST YOU CAN STREAM ANY TIME.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE OTHER STORIES GETTING ATTENTION ONLINE THIS WEEK.

AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE INCLUDING THE COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S ADMISSION OF FALSE STATEMENTS AND WRONGFUL TERMINATION.

CLAIRE TRIGGERS HER HAS THE CONCERNS OVER THE SUPPORT THEY ARE GETTING FOR THE NEW TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM AND WE ALSO HAVE A Q AND A ON THE NEW FOOD RECYCLING PROGRAM.

THAT IS ALL AVAILABLE AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> NOW A FEW WEEKS INTO 2023, HOW ARE YOUR RESOLUTIONS GOING?

KPBS HELP REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN GOT ADVICE FROM VENDORS AND STRUCTURES ON SETTING SOME REACHABLE GOALS.

>> Reporter: INSIDE THE FITNESS CENTER AT SAN DIEGO OASIS, PEOPLE ARE GETTING THEIR DANCE AND EXERCISE ON.

THIS GROUP CLASSES CALLED CARDIO DRUMMING.

FITNESS INSTRUCTOR LEADS THE CLASS.

>> DEFINITELY A GOOD CARDIO WORKOUT.

WE ARE USING THE WHOLE BODY AND ENGAGING ALL THE MUSCLES IN THE BODY TO STABILIZE OURSELVES.

IT IS A VERY GOOD FULL BODY WORKOUT.

>> Reporter: OASIS RECENTLY HELD HER ANNUAL FITNESS PALOOZA .

>> I THINK IT IS ALWAYS A GOOD TIME TO RESET GOALS FOR THE YEAR AND GET GOING AS FAR AS MAYBE WE ATE TOO MUCH OVER THE HOLIDAYS.

GETTING RID OF ALL THE WINTER FUN WE HAD AND GET STARTED ON A NEW PAGE.

>> Reporter: SOME PEOPLE WILL DROP OFF AFTER THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR BUT VALENCIA SAYS CARDIO DRUMMING IS TYPICALLY FULLY BOOKED.

WHEN IT COMES TO NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS TO GET FIT, CHOOSE SOMETHING THAT WILL BE FUN.

>> IT FEELS LIKE A CHORE , AND YOU ARE STRUGGLING, PICK SOMETHING EASY.

SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN DO TO KEEP MOVING.

>> Reporter: LISA CAME TO CHECK OUT ALL THE CLASSES WHICH INCLUDED LINE DANCING AND ZUMBA GOLD.

SHE IS HERE I NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION TO IMPROVE HER HEALTH.

>> MY HUSBAND PASSED AWAY LAST YEAR.

I HAD BEEN A CAREGIVER FOR MANY YEARS .

NOW I THOUGHT I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF.

IT WASN'T AN ENVIRONMENT THAT I THOUGHT WAS FUN BUT I LIKE THE, LOTTERY OF THIS CLASS.

PEOPLE ARE SO SUPPORTIVE.

I KIND OF LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT FITNESS INSTRUCTOR AND PERSONAL TRAINER RUSSELL SAYS IS KEY FOR LONG- TERM RESULTS.

HE ALSO SAID THAT SHOULD NOT FEEL LIKE A CHORE.

>> MAKE IT ENJOYABLE, TALK TO FRIENDS, GO ON A HIKE.

DO SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T REQUIRE YOU TO DRIVE TOO FAR OR -- CONVENIENCE IS ALSO A HUGE FACTOR THERE.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HIS PERSONAL TRAINING BUSINESS IS VERY BUSY THIS TIME OF YEAR .

>> NOW IT IS TIME TO GET BACK IN SHAPE.

>> Reporter: PAIRING A NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION WITH A LONG- TERM GOAL HELPS PEOPLE STAY MOTIVATED.

HE ALSO SAYS PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTING RESULTS OVERNIGHT.

>> AS A PERSONAL TRAINER YOU TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO NOT FOCUS ON THE WEIGHT SO MUCH AS THE BEHAVIORAL CHANGES THAT WILL BRING THE WEIGHT OFF GRADUALLY AND NATURALLY.

YOU'RE LOOKING AT MORE LIFESTYLE CHANGES.

>>> JANUARY IS DEFINITELY THE BUSIEST TIME OF THE YEAR FOR US AND TYPICALLY WE START THE YEAR WITH AN INCENTIVE OR PROMOTION TO MAKE IT EVEN EASIER TO COME.

>> Reporter: SENIOR DIRECTOR OF THE Y EXPERIENCE AT THE LOCAL YMCA.

LESS THAN TWO WEEKS INTO THE NEW YEAR THEY HAVE HAD 2600 NEW MEMBERS SIGN UP.

>> PEOPLE ARE HOPEFUL THIS YEAR IN 2023.

MAYBE THEY HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO GET TO DO IT IN A COUPLE OF YEARS.

FIVE >> Reporter: THEY RUN A PROMOTION IN JANUARY AND ARE HOLDING A CHALLENGE NEXT MONTH TO HELP PEOPLE STICK WITH THEIR FITNESS GOALS.

AT THE Y IT IS ALSO ABOUT BUILDING THAT SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

>> WE WANT TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU SO YOU WANT TO STAY.

WE WANT TO HELP YOU FIND A CONNECTION WITH YOUR GROUP EXERCISE INSTRUCTOR.

THE REASON YOU STAY ISN'T BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO, IT IS BECAUSE HE WANTS TO.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE DO NOT NEED TO BE PART OF A CLASS OR JIM TO START GETTING FIT.

CHANGING HER DIET AND TAKING SMALL STEPS LIKE GOING ON A REGULAR WALK OR A HIKE CAN ALSO HELP.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CALIFORNIA LAW TO REDUCE NEW FOOD WASTE ALSO APPLIES IN SCHOOL.

KPBS EDUCATIONAL REPORTER HAS MORE ON HOW KIDS ARE COMPOSTING THERE GARDEN.

>> Reporter: THERE IS A LOT GOING ON IN THIS QUARTER ACRE OF LAND IN CHULA VISTA.

THESE YOUNG GARDENERS ARE STUDENTS HERE AT FINNEY ELEMENTARY AND ARE LEARNING THE IMPORTANCE OF CARING FOR NATURE.

>> IF WE DIDN'T HAVE PLANS A LOT OF ANIMALS WOULD DIE.

>> Reporter: CHULA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS HOME TO 37 CAMPUS GARDENS ACROSS THE SOUTH BAY.

KEPT UP BY STUDENTS, PARENTS AND TEACHERS WHO VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME.

THE CLIMATE CRISIS AND STATE LAWS TARGETING COMPOSTING AND COMMERCE THE RATION.

>> THEY LIKE GETTING THEIR HANDS DIRTY AND BEING OUTSIDE.

THERE IS NOTHING MORE AMAZING THAN SAYING SEEING THEM.

>> Reporter: LIVING EXAMPLES OF THE DISTRICTS VERY STRICT WELLNESS POLICY.

THE POLICY PROMOTES MOVEMENT AND EXERCISE FOR STUDENTS AND ELIMINATES ALMOST ALL JUNK FOOD AND CANDY FROM CAMPUSES.

THE FINNEY ELEMENTARY GARDEN PLOT WAS AN EYESORE JUST FIVE YEARS AGO.

>> THERE WERE BROKEN DOWN BENCHES, JUST A LOT OF DEBRIS .

IT WAS ACTUALLY A HAZARD FOR THE KIDS TO BE OUT HERE.

>> Reporter: MICHELLE HAD THREE CHILDREN WHO HAVE ATTENDED THE SCHOOL AND SHE STARTED TO PUSH FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND ACTION.

NOW SHE IS CALLED THE GARDEN MOM.

>> WE CAN TEACH THE STUDENTS ABOUT COMPOSTING ORGANIC WASTE FROM THE CAFETERIA AND REUSING IT IN THE GARDEN TO GROW NEW THINGS.

THEN REDUCING WHAT WE ARE SENDING TO THE LANDFILL WE CAN MAKE A BIG IMPACT.

>> Reporter: THE IMPACT IS GROWING EVERY DAY.

>>> SOME WOMEN GIVE BIRTH OUTSIDE OF THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE THEIR BABIES COME TO QUICKLY AND THEY DON'T MAKE IT IN ON TIME .

A GROWING NUMBER NOW PLAN TO HAVE A HOME BIRTH WITH A CERTIFIED MIDWIFE.

KPBS REPORTER CLAIRE TREGASOR.

>> Reporter: EMILY CUDDLED UP ON THE COUCH WITH HER BABY WILLOW.

REMEMBERING HOW EXCITED SHE WAS IN EARLY 2022 WHEN SHE FOUND OUT SHE WAS PREGNANT.

SHE WAS A LOT LESS EXCITED ABOUT THE IDEA OF GIVING BIRTH IN A HOSPITAL.

ESPECIALLY DURING COVID.

>> THERE MAY BE RESTRICTIONS ON HOW MANY PEOPLE MAY COME IN.

YOU PROBABLY HAVE TO WEAR A MASK.

>> Reporter: EMILY ASKED TO BE IDENTIFIED ONLY BY HER FIRST NAME AND SHE SAID COVID RESTRICTIONS ON HER TO THINK ABOUT ALTERNATIVES.

SHE WANTED TO AVOID MEDICAL INTERVENTIONS THAT COULD COME IN A HOSPITAL.

THEN SHE HAD AN UNSETTLING PRENATAL APPOINTMENT.

>> MY GOAL WAS TO HAVE AN UNMEDICATED BIRTH .

SHE CHUCKLED A LITTLE BIT AND SAID A LOT OF PEOPLE COME IN SAYING THAT BUT THEY END UP GETTING AN EPIDURAL.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS WHEN EMILY MADE UP HER MIND.

SHE WOULD HIRE A MIDWIFE AND GIVE BIRTH AT HOME.

SINCE THE ONSET OF THE PANDEMIC IN EARLY 2020 THE NUMBER OF HOME BIRTHS HAS CLIMBED DRAMATICALLY.

BOTH NATIONALLY AND IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

COUNTYWIDE THE NUMBER ROSE BY 20% FROM BEFORE COVID TO THE END OF 2022.

MIDWIVES, LEGALLY CAN OVERSEE BIRTHS WITHOUT DOCTOR SUPERVISION.

USUALLY THEY BRING MEDICAL TOOLS, INCLUDING OXYGEN TANKS, SUTURING KIT AND MEDICATION FOR HEMORRHAGING.

DESPITE THE GROWING POPULARITY OF HOME BIRTHS, MEDICAL EXPERTS STILL SAY A HOSPITAL IS THE SAFEST PLACE TO HAVE A BABY.

HERE IS DR. ALICE SUTTON A OB/GYN AT UC SAN DIEGO.

>> THERE ARE SOME COMPLICATIONS AT BIRTH THAT WE CAN'T PREDICT.

>> Reporter: EMILY SAID SHE CONSIDERED THE POSSIBILITIES OF COMPLICATIONS BUT SAYS SHE WAS OKAY LIVING ONLY FIVE MINUTES AWAY FROM THE HOSPITAL.

SUTTON SAYS FIVE MINUTES CAN BE TOO LONG.

>> IT TAKES TIME TO GET INTO THE AMBULANCE AND GET TRANSFERRED.

THE TIME CAN BE MORE TIME THAT SOMEONE IS BLEEDING.

>> Reporter: THE MOST SERIOUS RISK IS THE BABY CAN DIE DURING LABOR AFTER DELIVERY.

RESEARCH SHOWS UP TO ONE THIRD OF WOMEN ATTEMPTING HOME BIRTH AS AND IT GOING TO THE HOSPITAL.

THE MOST COMMON REASON ISN'T A DANGEROUS COMPLICATION, IT IS BECAUSE THE MOTHER EXHAUSTED.

HER LABOR HAS GONE ON TOO LONG AND SHE NEEDS RELIEF FROM AN EPIDURAL OR OTHER PAIN MEDICATION.

>> WE TRY TO HIDE THE MEDICAL SUPPLIES SO IT IS A LITTLE MORE PERSONAL.

>> Reporter: LEATHER -- SHE HAS SEEN HER BUSINESS BOOM DURING THE PANDEMIC.

>> THERE ARE A VARIETY OF PLACES TO HAVE A BABY.

>> Reporter: SHE CHARGES $6800 FOR A HOME BIRTH AND $2000 MORE IF A WOMAN WANTS TO COME TO HER BIRTH CENTER.

INSURANCE USUALLY DOES NOT COVER THE COST.

FOR HOME BIRTHS, SHE INVOLVES THE WHOLE FAMILY IS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, INCLUDING WHAT SHE CALLS, CATCHING THE BABY THE MOMENT IT IS BORN.

>> USUALLY THE PARTNER , SOMETIMES SIBLINGS.

I KIND OF HELP FACILITATE THAT AS WELL.

THERE IS EMPOWERMENT THAT COMES FROM NOT THAT WORDS CANNOT DESCRIBE.

>> Reporter: WHEN EMILY'S LABOR STARTED SHE ALERTED HER MIDWIFE AND SHE WAS IN FOR A LONG HAUL, 37 HOURS OF LABOR.

>> IT WAS VERY PAINFUL, MORE PAINFUL THAN I ANTICIPATED.

>> Reporter: SHE WAS ABLE TO PUSH TO THE PAIN AND REMAIN AT HOME.

SHE CREATED A SOOTHING ENVIRONMENT WITH SCENTED CANDLES, SOFT LIGHTING AND CHRISTIAN WORSHIP MUSIC.

>> BY THE TIME WE HAD HER AT 3:00 IN THE MORNING, PUSHING FOR FOUR HOURS, WHICH IS INTENSE.

IT WAS PERFECT.

>> Reporter: HER DAUGHTER WILLOW, IS NOW THREE MONTHS OLD AND THRIVING.

EMILY IS GRATEFUL THAT FROM THE FIRST MOMENTS, SHE AND WILLOW WERE ABLE TO BOND AT HOME.

CLAIRE TREGASOR, KPBS NEWS.

>> THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE IN-DEPTH FEATURE REPORTING.

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

>>> IT CAN BE EASY TO LOSE OUR SENSE OF WONDER AS WE GET OLDER BUT ONE NEW MUSEUM IN SAN DIEGO AIMS TO RESTORE THAT SENSE.

KPBS REPORTER, JOHN CARROLL SHOWS US AROUND THE WNDR MUSEUM.

>> Reporter: THE ONE 34-YEAR- OLD BROKER BUILDING HAS BEEN HOME TO A NUMBER OF BUSINESSES OVER THE YEARS, BUT NOTHING LIKE THIS.

THIS IS THE WNDR MUSEUM MUSEUM.

>> I WOULD TELL THEM IT IS AN IMMERSIVE OUR EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: WHAT HE CALLS THE MUSEUM'S TAGLINE UNDERLINES THE UNTRADITIONAL DESCRIPTOR THERE.

YOU WOULD BE HARD-PRESSED TO FIND ANY OTHER MUSEUM THAT PROCLAIMS, WE ARE ALL ARTISTS.

>> YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO TOUCH THINGS, FLIP SWITCHES, OPEN DOORS, PARTICIPATE IN THE ARTS.

>> Reporter: PARTICIPATION TAKES PLACE IN SEVERAL WAYS .

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SCREENS WHEN YOU INTERACT WITH WHAT IS ON THE SCREEN.

ONE OF SEVERAL RECOGNIZABLE WORKS OF ART.

THIS ONE WITH FREDA CALHO'S SELF-PORTRAIT.

THERE IS ART THAT IS NOT IMMERSIVE LIKE THIS PIECE OF A MURAL PAINTED ALONG FDR DRIVE IN MANHATTAN IN 1984.

THE EMPHASIS IS DEFINITELY ON INTERACTIVE AND IMMERSIVE.

THERE IS THIS ROOM, WHERE THE ARTIST HAS IMAGINED A PANTHEON OF GODS BUILDING THEIR SOCIETY.

THE EIGHT MINUTE HESITATION SEES THE SOCIETY THROUGH TO ITS DESTRUCTION.

AND THERE IS THIS.

IT IS CALLED INSIDE OUT BY SQUATTERS ARTISTS.

IT IS A REPRESENTATION OF A GARDEN SHED ON HER FAMILY'S PROPERTY IN SCOTLAND.

THE LIGHT AND SOUND SHE IMAGINES POWERFUL QUICKLY MOVING THUNDERSTORMS SHE WITNESSED FROM THE SHED AS A CHILD.

VIEWED FROM OUTSIDE, OR INSIDE THE SHED, IT IS AN AND RAPTURE, ALL-CONSUMING EXPERIENCE.

LIKE ANY OTHER MUSEUM, THE WNDR MUSEUM ENTERTAINS, ENLIGHTENS AND EDUCATES .

BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING IT LIVES UP TO ITS NAME, SPARKING A SENSE OF WONDER.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

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

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.