♪ >>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING, AIR, RESTORATION, AND FLOOD SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL-HOWE OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU!

>>> PEOPLE OF JEWISH FAITH ARE MOURNING BUT REFUSING TO LET THAT DIM THE HOLIDAY LIGHTS.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

>>> THE MASS SHOOTING AT A HANUKKAH CELEBRATION AT AUSTRALIA'S BONDI LEFT AT LEAST 15 KILLED AND HUNDREDS WOUNDED.

WE SPOKE WITH A RABBI MOURNING HIS CLASSMATE EVEN AS HE LEADS HIS CONGREGATION TO CELEBRATION.

>> Reporter: IN THE ARC AT CHABAD OF PACIFIC BEACH SITS A TORAH THAT SURVIVED THE HOLOCAUST.

A CONGREGANT PATCHED THE PARCHMENT WHERE THE BULLETS TORE THROUGH IT.

AT LEAST ONCE A YEAR THE RABBI TAKES IT OUT AND READS THE MESSAGE THAT REMAINS UNTOUCHED.

>> UNFORTUNATELY WE'RE RIGHT BACK TO WHERE WE STARTED.

>> Reporter: IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS SUNDAY HIS PHONE LIT UP, GRIEVING THE LOSS OF THEIR CLASSMATE ELI SCHLANGER, A RABBI KILLED IN THE SHOOTING AT BONDI BEACH.

>> HE WAS A TREMENDOUS BALL OF LIGHT.

WHEREVER HE WENT HE BROUGHT JOY TO PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: HE FOLLOWED THE NEWS THROUGH DAYBREAK, THEN GATHERED HIMSELF TO LEAD HIS COMMUNITY.

HE SENT AN EMAIL REASSURING THEM POLICE WOULD GUARD THEM AND THEY WOULD CELEBRATE THE FIRST NIGHT OF HANUKKAH TOGETHER COMMEMORATING THE TRIUMPH AND RESILIENCE OF THEIR RELIGION.

>> THEN HERE YOU HAVE A FEW TERRORISTS THAT WANT TO DAMPEN AND TAKE THAT AWAY.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO LET THAT HAPPEN.

SO IF YOU ASKED ME IF IT DIMINISHED THE CELEBRATION IN ANY WAY, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

ON THE CONTRARY, WE WANT TO CELEBRATE MORE.

WE WANT TO SPREAD MORE LIGHT.

>> Reporter: HE INVITES EVERYONE TO COME STAND WITH THEIR JEWISH NEIGHBORS CELEBRATING THIS WEEK.

KATIE HYSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HAVE SOME COOL WEATHER AT NIGHT, BUT VERY WARM DAYTIME WEATHER WILL PERSIST OVER THE NEXT WEEK HERE WITH SOME AREAS COULD END OF DABBLING NEAR RECORD HIGHS.

NOW AT NIGHT AND IN THE EARLY PART OF THE DAY, YOU MAY NOT KNOW IT, A VERY DRY WEATHER PATTERN.

WE'LL GET DOWN TO 41 IN ESCONDIDO AND RAMONA, SAN DIEGO 50, LOW CLOUDS NEAR THE COAST, BUT WARM, DRY WEATHER WINS OUT ON THE STORM TRACK WAY TO THE NORTH.

WE'LL LOOK WHEN THAT COULD CHANGE COMING UP.

>>> THE EPA SAYS A NEW AGREEMENT REACHED WITH MEXICO WILL KEEP ITS CROSS-BORDER SEWAGE PLANT ON TRACK.

THE LATEST MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WAS SIGNED TODAY DURING A MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION.

IT SPECIFICALLY CALLS ON MEXICO TO ACCOUNT FOR FUTURE POPULATION GROWTH IN TIJUANA.

THE EPA SAYS THAT ELEMENT WAS MISSING FROM PAST AGREEMENTS.

DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE EPA DAVID FATUHI EXPLAINED SOME OF THE WORK SCHEDULED FOR THE MONTHS AHEAD.

>> MEXICO WILL ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF CONSTRUCTING AN OCEAN OUTFALL FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.

THEY WILL ALSO ASSESS THE FEASIBILITY OF EXPANDING THE PLANT FROM ROUGHLY 18 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY TO OVER 43 MILLION GALLONS PER DAY.

>> OTHER ITEMS FOR THE MEXICAN SIDE OF THE BORDER INCLUDE A CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SEDIMENT BASIN PRIOR TO NEXT YEAR'S RAINY SEASON.

>>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS DESIGNATED MOST OF THE U.S./MEXICO BORDER IN CALIFORNIA A MILITARIZED ZONE.

ANDREW DYER EXPLAINS CROSSING INTO THE AREA CAN MEAN EXTRA CHARGES FOR MIGRANTS.

>> MOST OF THE CALIFORNIA BORDER JUST BECAME EFFECTIVELY A MILITARY BASE.

LAST WEEK THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MADE MOST OF THE BORDER FROM THE OTAY MOUNTAIN WILDERNESS A NATIONAL DEFENSE AREA.

THIS IS ONLY THE FIRST 60 FEET OF U.S.

TERRITORY.

AN AREA OF FEDERAL LAND CALLED THE ROOSEVELT RESERVATION.

THIS DOES A COUPLE THINGS, ONE, IT ALLOWS MILITARY PERSONNEL TO DETAIN ANYONE CAUGHT IN THE AREA.

THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE OTHERWISE THE TROOPS DEPLOYED TO THE BORDER ARE LIMITED TO SUPPORT WORK LIKE STRINGING WIRE.

THE SECOND THING IT DOES, IT ALLOWS PROSECUTORS TO PILE ON EXTRA TRESPASSING CHARGES ON ANY UNAUTHORIZED IMMIGRANTS CAUGHT IN THE AREA.

THIS ISN'T NEW.

THIS SPRING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION MADE SWATHS OF THE BORDER IN NEW MEXICO, TEXAS, AND ARIZONA INTO NATIONAL DEFENSE AREAS.

THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT TOLD US THEY'D MADE MORE THAN 3,000 DETENTIONS IN THOSE AREAS SINCE, BUT THE GOVERNMENT'S HAD TROUBLE GETTING SOME OF THESE EXTRA TRESPASSING CHARGES TO STICK.

DEFENSE ATTORNEYS ARGUED SUCCESSFULLY THERE'S NO WAY MIGRANTS CAN BE EXPECTED TO KNOW THEY'RE STEPPING ONTO A MILITARY BASE.

SO WHAT'S IT MEAN FOR CALIFORNIA?

GOOD QUESTION.

THE PENTAGON HASN'T PROVIDED ANY MORE DETAILS ABOUT WHAT THE NAVY'S ROLE WILL BE.

THE NATIONAL DEFENSE AREAS IN OTHER STATES HAVE BEEN OPERATED AS EXTENSIONS OF EXISTING MILITARY BASES LIKE FORT BLISS AND THE MARINE AIR STATION IN YUMA.

ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE BORDER CZAR AND CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL COMMISSIONERS SAY WE'RE EXPERIENCING THE MOST SECURE BORDER IN U.S.

HISTORY.

BORDER CZAR TOM HOMAN MET WITH TOP BORDER OFFICIALS OVER THE WEEKEND NEAR THE TIJUANA RIVER VALLEY AND HE SAYS ILLEGAL BORDER CROSSING HAS DRAMATICALLY DECLINED UNDER THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS STATED THAT THEY WILL PRIORITIZE THE WORST OF THE WORST, BUT ACCORDING TO "THE NEW YORK TIMES," FEWER THAN 30% OF PEOPLE ARRESTED IN MAJOR I.C.E.

OPERATIONS HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME.

>> A LOT OF PEOPLE WE ARREST THAT ARE NOT CRIMINALS, THEY'RE FUGITIVES.

THEY GOT FINAL ORDERS ISSUED BY A FEDERAL JUDGE.

THEY BECAME A FUGITIVE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T FOLLOW THE COURT ORDER.

>> WE ARE PROSECUTING EVERYTHING WE CAN.

IF YOU ASSAULT A BORDER PATROL AGENT, A CDP OFFICER, AN I.C.E.

AGENT, WE'RE GOING TO PROSECUTE YOU.

IF YOU LIE TO A BORDER PATROL AGENT OR ANY FEDERAL OFFICIAL, WE'RE GOING TO PROSECUTE YOU.

>> THERE IS A VOLUNTARY SELF- DEPORT OPTION FOR PEOPLE TO RETURN TO THEIR HOME COUNTRIES VIA THE CBP APP.

THE GOVERNMENT SAYS IT WILL PAY FOR THEIR FLIGHT HOME PLUS $1,000.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY OFFICIALS HAVE RECENTLY WARNED OF MAJOR FINANCIAL CHALLENGES ON THE HORIZON.

THAT'S WHY A MOVE TO GIVE OUT BONUSES TO ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES SURPRISED SOME PEOPLE.

FOR OUR WEEKLY WHY IT MATTERS SEGMENT, VOICE OF SAN DIEGO SCOTT LEWIS EXPLAINS WHAT HAPPENED.

♪ >> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT UNDER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP HAS PASSED MAJOR CUTS TO THE SERVICES SAN DIEGO COUNTY PROVIDES ITS POOREST RESIDENTS.

SO IT STOOD OUT RECENTLY WHEN THE COUNTY GAVE ONE-TIME BONUSES OF ABOUT $1,000 TO MOST OF ITS EMPLOYEES AND NOW IT HAS DIPPED INTO RESERVES TO PAY FOR THEM.

HERE'S COUNTY SUPERVISOR JIM DESMOND AT A RECENT BOARD MEETING EXPLAINING WHY HE WAS UPSET ABOUT THAT.

>> I'M IN FAVOR OF ALL OF OUR HARD WORKING EMPLOYEES AND COUNTY STAFF GETTING GOOD COMPENSATION FOR THE GOOD WORK YOU'RE DOING, BUT USING RESERVES TO CARRY OUT EMPLOYEE PAY AGREEMENTS TO ME IS THE WRONG PATH TO GO DOWN.

WE SHOULD NOT BE DOING THAT.

>> WHAT DESMOND DIDN'T STAY IS HE TECHNICALLY VOTED FOR THE LABOR AGREEMENT THAT TRIGGERED THOSE BONUSES.

HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED.

PROGRESSIVES AND LABOR UNIONS HAVE LONG ARGUED THAT THE COUNTY WAS TOO THRIFTY.

THE COUNTY HAD BUILT UP VERY LARGE RESERVES IN RECENT YEARS AND THIS YEAR THE DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY ON THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PASSED A POLICY TO ALLOW THEM TO DIP INTO COUNTY RESERVES MORE EASILY.

HOWEVER, SUPERVISORS HAD ALSO MADE DEALS WITH EMPLOYEE UNIONS THAT IF THEY EVER CHANGED THAT POLICY, THE COUNTY WOULD FIRST GIVE EMPLOYEES BONUSES AND THOSE ARE THE DEALS THAT DESMOND SUPPORTED.

WHAT'S INTERESTING IS THE COUNTY COULD NOT ACTUALLY TAP INTO THE RESERVES TO PAY FOR THOSE BONUSES.

THE DEMOCRATS ON THE BOARD NEEDED AT LEAST ONE REPUBLICAN TO VOTE WITH THEM, BUT THE REPUBLICANS REFUSED.

THINGS CHANGED LAST WEEK.

DEMOCRATS ON THE BOARD MOVED SOME OF THE MONEY AROUND AND FOUND A WAY TO TAP INTO THE RESERVES TO PAY FOR THE BONUSES WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THEIR REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES.

THE COUNTY'S FINANCIAL SOLUTION, THOUGH, REMAINS SO DIRE THAT DEMOCRATS AND UNIONS ARE EXPECTED TO PROMOTE A TAX INCREASE NEXT YEAR.

I'M SCOTT LEWIS FOR VOICE OF SAN DIEGO AND THAT'S WHY IT MATTERS.

>> VOICE OF SAN DIEGO IS ONE OF OUR PARTNERS FOR THE PUBLIC MATTERS INITIATIVE.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE AT KPBS.ORG/PUBLICMATTERS.

>>> I'M JEFF BENNETT.

TONIGHT ON "THE NEWS HOUR," THE LATEST ON THE SEARCH FOR THE SUSPECT IN THE BROWN UNIVERSITY SHOOTING AT 7:00 AFTER "EVENING EDITION" ON KPBS.

>>> A COMMITTEE AT SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY IS RECOMMENDING AN INCREASE IN STUDENT FEES TO HELP PAY FOR ATHLETICS.

KPBS REPORTER JACOB AERE TALKED WITH A STUDENT WHO SAYS SHE AND HER CLASSMATES SHOULD GET A VOTE ON THE INCREASE.

>> Reporter: NINA MENDEZ IS A THIRD-YEAR STUDENT AND RESIDENT ADVISER AT SDSU.

SHE'S ALREADY SEEN HER TUITION GO UP IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

>> MY FAMILY IS NOT VERY HIGH INCOME.

SO IT'S REQUIRED ME TO PUT IN A LOT OF EFFORT TO GO OUT OF MY WAY TO GET OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE GOING TO BE BENEFICIAL FOR FINANCING MY EDUCATION.

>> Reporter: NOW SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT A NEW COST THAT MAY BE INCLUDED IN HER EDUCATION.

STUDENTS ALREADY PAY 200 $290 A SEMESTER FOR A STRUCTURED ACTIVITIES FEE THAT MOSTLY INCLUDE ATHLETICS.

THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS CONSIDERING RAISING THOSE FEES OVER A FOUR-YEAR PERIOD.

THE LATEST PROPOSAL WOULD START WITH AN INCREASE OF $60 A SEMESTER AND THEN GO UP TO $120 A SEMESTER AFTER FOUR YEARS.

THE SCHOOL SAYS THE FEE WILL CREATE A MORE STABLE AND PREDICTABLE SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR STUDENT ATHLETES AND THOSE INVOLVED IN CLUB SPORTS THAT'S NOT TIED TO FLUCTUATIONS IN THE STATE BUDGET.

>> I THINK IT WILL DEFINITELY BE AN ADDITIONAL STRESSOR TO STUDENTS HERE.

>> Reporter: THE COMMITTEE GOT FEEDBACK ON THEIR PLAN THROUGH ALTERNATIVE CONSULTATION.

THEY HELD A SERIES OF 12 CAMPUS FORUMS TO PRESENT ARGUMENTS IN FAVOR AND AGAINST THE PROPOSAL.

MENDEZ DISAGREES WITH THAT APPROACH.

>> THE SYSTEM THAT THEY HAVE SET UP IN ORDER FOR STUDENTS TO GIVE FEEDBACK ABOUT THE FEE IS INHERENTLY UNFAIR.

IT'S NOT A STUDENT VOTE WHICH I THINK THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

>> Reporter: SDSU SAYS THE MAJORITY OF THE FEE INCREASE WILL GO TOWARDS REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE OF SHARED ATHLETICS FACILITIES AND STUDENT ATHLETE WELL-BEING.

>> IT'S BEING SORT OF FRAMED IN A WAY THAT THEY REALLY NEED THE HELP AND THAT THE STUDENT BODY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ASSISTING THEM WHEN REALITY I THINK THAT SDSU NEEDS TO DO A BETTER JOB OF APPROPRIATING THEIR FUNDS TO SUPPORT THOSE STUDENT ATHLETES ON CAMPUS.

>> Reporter: SDSU DECLINED A REQUEST FOR AN INTERVIEW.

THE SDSU PRESIDENT HAS THE FINAL SAY ON THE MATTER.

>>> FROM GROCERIES TO NATURAL GAS AND ELECTRIC BILLS, COSTS ARE RISING AND CONSUMERS ARE FEELING THE CRUNCH ACCORDING TO THE LATEST CONSUMER PRICE INDEX REPORT.

>> PEOPLE ARE STILL FRUSTRATED BECAUSE WE SAW PRICES RISE QUITE QUICKLY COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

THEY'RE NEVER GOING BACK DOWN.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE OF INFLATION, THE MOST RECENT DATA SHOWS AMERICAN HOUSEHOLDS ARE SPENDING $208 MORE A MONTH TO PURCHASE THE SAME GOODS AND SERVICES AS THEY WERE A YEAR AGO AND OVER $1,043 A MONTH THAN THEY DID AT THE START OF 2021 ACCORDING TO DATA FROM MOODY'S ANALYTICS.

>> WE HEAR LOUD AND CLEAR HOW PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING REALLY COSTS.

>> Reporter: LAST WEEK THE FEDERAL RESERVE LOWERED INTEREST RATES BY A QUARTER OF A PERCENTAGE POINT WHICH WILL MAKE IT CHEAPER TO BORROW MONEY FOR THINGS LIKE CREDIT CARDS AND CAR LOANS.

ONE OF THE REASONS THEY LOWERED RATES WAS BECAUSE THEY SAY INFLATION IS COOLING.

>> IF YOU GET AWAY FROM TARIFFS, INFLATION IS IN THE LOW TWOS, RIGHT?

SO IT'S REALLY TARIFFS THAT'S CAUSING MOST OF THE INFLATION OVERSHOOT.

>> Reporter: POWELL SAYS INFLATION DUE TO TARIFFS WILL LIKELY BE SHORT-LIVED, BUT EXPERTS SAY THAT DOESN'T MEAN COSTS WILL COME DOWN.

>> INFLATION, IT MIGHT SLOW DOWN, BUT WE'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE HIGHER PRICES.

>> Reporter: MANY EXPERTS SAY THE BEST WAY FOR CONSUMERS TO FEEL BETTER ABOUT THE ECONOMY IS FOR WAGES TO INCREASE.

FOR CONSUMER WATCH, I'M JEN SULLIVAN.

>>> THE HOLIDAYS BRING FAMILIES AND FRIENDS TOGETHER WHO DON'T ALWAYS SHARE THE SAME BELIEFS OR EVEN THE SAME POLITICAL VIEWS.

MANDY GAITHER TALKS TO A THERAPIST ABOUT HOW TO PROTECT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH BY SETTING CLEAR BOUNDARIES.

>> Reporter: IT'S A TIME OF TOGETHERNESS, JOINING WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO CELEBRATE THE HOLIDAYS, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE A SEASON OF WORRY AND DREAD.

>> BOUNDARIES ARE REALLY IMPORTANT FOR MAINTAINING AND PROTECTING OUR PEACE.

>> Reporter: LICENSED THERAPIST JODY BONSTEEN WITH CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE OF ATLANTA SAYS SETTING A BOUNDARY ISN'T ABOUT CREATING DISTANCE.

IT'S ABOUT STAYING CONNECTED, BUT WITH HEALTHY LIMITS.

SO SHE SAYS TO BE PROACTIVE AND USE CLEAR LANGUAGE TO SET A BOUNDARY BEFORE THE GET- TOGETHER IN ORDER TO AVOID CONFLICT AND KEEP THAT MESSAGE CONSISTENT, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT A CERTAIN TOPIC IS OFF LIMITS AND THEN ACCEPT THAT YOU CAN ONLY CONTROL YOUR RESPONSE TO THINGS.

>> WE ALSO SPEND A LOT OF MENTAL ENERGY THINKING ABOUT WHAT THE OTHER PERSON IS DOING, BUT WE DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER THERE.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS YOU DON'T HAVE TO EXPLAIN WHY YOU'RE SAYING NO TO AN INVITATION YOU FEEL YOU CAN'T HANDLE.

AGAIN, USE CLEAR LANGUAGE, BUT IF YOU DO GO TO AN EVENT, BE PREPARED TO ENFORCE YOUR BOUNDARIES.

FOR EXAMPLE, IF SOMEONE BRINGS UP A TOPIC YOU'VE DEEMED OFF LIMITS, YOU MIGHT START WITH A GENTLE REMINDER, BUT ALSO HAVE A PLAN ON HOW YOU'LL HANDLE THE SITUATION IF YOUR BOUNDARIES ARE VIOLATED.

>> IF IT COMES UP AGAIN, ADMIT IT IN THE CONVERSATION OR IF IT COMES UP AGAIN, LEAVE THE ROOM OR IF NEEDED, IF IT COMES UP AGAIN, I'M GOING TO LEAVE.

>> Reporter: FOR HEALTH MINUTE, I'M MANDY GAITHER.

>>> SEAGRASSES THAT GROW IN SAN DIEGO'S BAYS AND ESTUARIES ARE UNDER THREAT FROM HUMAN ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE MADE THEIR NATIVE WATER MUCH MORE MURKY, BUT SOME SAN DIEGO SCIENTISTS HAVE DISCOVERED A HYBRID PLANT THAT CAN BETTER SURVIVE IN THOSE DARK WATERS.

KPBS SCI-TECH REPORTER THOMAS BUSH TELLS US ABOUT IT.

>> Reporter: THIS HYBRID PLANT WAS SORT OF A MISTAKE.

IT OCCURRED AFTER AN OCEANIC SEAGRASS WAS PLANTED NEAR A DIFFERENT KIND OF SEAGRASS IN MISSION BAY AND MATED WITH IT.

MALIA MOORE IS A RESEARCHER.

SHE SAYS A SCIENTIST FRIEND WAS SNORKELING THERE AND SAW SOME SEAGRASS THAT LOOKED KIND OF WEIRD.

>> SO I SWAM OUT THERE, DOVE IN THERE AND IMMEDIATELY THE GRASS LOOKED DIFFERENT.

>> Reporter: THE ZOSTRA MARINA EELGRASS COMMONLY FOUND IN MISSION BAY HAS THIN LEAVES.

THESE LEAVES WERE THICKER.

GENETIC TESTING SHOWED IT WAS A HYBRID GRASS THAT DATED BACK TO AN EARLIER RESTORATION EFFORT, AN OCEANIC EELGRASS CALLED ZOSTRA PACIFICA GROWS BELOW 50 TO 100 FEET OF WATER.

SOME OF THAT WAS PLANTED IN MISSION BAY TO SEE IF IT COULD BETTER SURVIVE IN THE MURKY WATER THAN THE NATIVE ZOSTRA MARINA SPECIES.

IT DIDN'T WORK.

THE PACIFICA DIED OFF.

>> BUT THE HYBRID FORMED FIRST.

SO WHILE THE PACIFICA WAS THERE, IT HYBRIDIZED WITH THE ZOSTRA MARINA.

>> Reporter: IT MADE A PLANT THAT CAN THRIVE IN LOW LIFE WATERS AND SEEMS TO THRIVE IN SEDIMENT.

MURKY WATER IN BAYS IS THE RESULT OF DREDGING AND RUNOFF CAUSED BY HUMANS.

IS THIS HYBRID THE KEY TO REESTABLISHING SEAGRASS MEADOWS THAT PROVIDE FISH HABITAT, REDUCE EROSION AND STORE CARBON?

THE HYBRID HAS TO BE SUSTAINABLE, OF COURSE, AND THIS ONE MIGHT HAVE SOME REPRODUCTIVE ISSUES.

CONSIDER THE MULE.

ITS PARENTS ARE A HORSE AND A DONKEY AND IT CARRIES QUALITIES OF BOTH, BUT THE MULE TYPICALLY CANNOT SEXUALLY BREED AND PRODUCE MORE MULES.

IS THIS HYBRID SEAGRASS LIKE A MULE WHICH CAN ONLY CREATE ONE GENERATION?

LIKE MANY SEAGRASSES, THIS HYBRID HAS CREATED NEW CLONES THROUGH ITS ROOT SYSTEM, BUT CLONAL REPRODUCTION MAY NOT BE SUSTAINABLE.

>> IT'S GREAT IT REPRODUCES CLONALLY, THAT'S AWESOME, BUT YOU ALSO WANT IT TO BE ABLE TO REPRODUCE SEXUALLY SO IT CAN MIX AND CREATE GENETIC DIVERSITY AND SPREAD FASTER AND RESPOND TO STRESS.

>> Reporter: INSTITUTE RESEARCH PROFESSOR TODD MICHAEL WAS THE SENIOR AUTHOR OF THE STUDY.

>> THE CORE FINDING IS THAT THE HYBRID ITSELF TAKES GENES FROM THE PACIFICA GENOME AND PROVIDES BETTER LOW LIFE TOLERANCE TO THE LIGHT TOLERANCE TO THE PLANT OVERALL.

BEING ABLE TO RESTORE ZOSTRA THAT'S IN TUNE WITH A VERY SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENT COULD DECREASE THE FAILURE RATE OF THE RESTORATION.

>> Reporter: ONE BONUS FACTOR TO RESTORING EELGRASS MEADOWS IS THEY DO TASTE PRETTY GOOD.

MICHAEL SAYS SOME NATIVE COMMUNITIES IN BAJA DINE ON THEIR SEEDS AND SOME RESTAURATEURS ARE TAKING NOTICE.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE'VE HAD SOME WARM WEATHER LAST WEEK.

THROUGH THE WEEKEND WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THAT THEME THIS WEEK AS WELL.

THINGS WILL BEGIN TO CHANGE AT THE END OF THE YEAR COMING UP LATER NEXT WEEK AS WE WRAP UP CLOSE TO CHRISTMAS, BUT NOW PERSISTENT WARMTH IS STILL WITH US, NEAR RECORD HIGHS IN SOME AREAS, PROBABLY NOT SAN DIEGO PROPER, ABOUT THE IN INLAND AREAS WE'RE GETTING CLOSE TO RECORD HIGHS AT TIMES ALMOST EACH DAY THIS WEEK.

LOW CLOUDS WILL BE WITH US NEAR THE COAST EVERY MORNING.

LATE AT NIGHT THE MARINE LAYER COMES IN AND IT WILL STILL BE WITH US INTO THE EARLY HOURS OF THE DAY.

THERE WILL BE A SHIFT IN THE STORM TRACK THAT WILL BRING SOME COOLING AND PERHAPS EVEN OUR FIRST RAIN IN A LITTLE WHILE COMING UP MAYBE AROUND THE SECOND HALF OF NEXT WEEK AND PUT US CLOSE TO CHRISTMAS.

TONIGHT DOWN TO 50 DEGREES, CLEAR TO PARTLY CLOUDY SKIES LATER ON AS THE LOW CLOUDS ROLL IN.

YOU CAN SEE A LITTLE HINT OF RAIN WAY UP TO THE NORTH UP NEAR EUREKA, CALIFORNIA, BUT FOR US NICE DRY WEATHER.

IT WILL BE WARM AND OVERALL INLAND AREAS STILL NEAR NOT FAR FROM 80, RAMONA 79, BORREGO SPRINGS 80, MOUNT LAGUNA 61 UP IN THE MOUNTAINS.

WE'LL BE AROUND 67 FROM OCEANSIDE INTO AREAS LIKE SOLANO BEACH AND PLACES NEAR SAN DIEGO AND ALL THE WAY DOWN TO CHULA VISTA.

WEDNESDAY A MESS OF PRECIPITATION TO THE NORTH, HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY.

WE STAY RELATIVELY BALMY IN THE INLAND AREAS AND PRETTY COMFORTABLE FOR THE COAST.

WE'RE BEGINNING TO RAMP UP INTO ANOTHER KEY TRAVEL TIME AND THIS FRIDAY MAYBE YOU HAVE SOME COLLEGE STUDENT IN YOUR LIFE THAT MAY BE TRAVELING COMING BACK HOME PERHAPS OR NAVIGATING AROUND THIS FRIDAY RAMPING UP TO THE WEEKEND BEFORE CHRISTMAS, GOOD TRAVEL WEATHER HERE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE SOUTH, BUT WE GOT ISSUES TO THE NORTH WITH SOME LAKE-EFFECT SNOW, RAIN AND SNOW MIXED ACROSS PARTS OF THE NORTHWEST.

COASTAL FORECAST LOOKING PRETTY GOOD, RUNNING A LITTLE WARMER THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, SUNSHINE IN THE AFTERNOONS, SOME MORNING CLOUDS, A LITTLE COOLER SATURDAY.

INLAND AREAS WE'RE GOING TO BE HOVERING UP TO 80 ON THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, RELATIVELY HOT FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR, THEN SOME COOLING SATURDAY.

INTO THE MOUNTAINS WE GO AND WITH A LITTLE MORE ELEVATION UNDER YOUR FEET, 60s MOST DAYS, 50s ON SATURDAY AND IN THE DESERTS HOVERING NEAR 80.

WITH THIS PATTERN THIS TIME OF YEAR THE DESERTS ARE ABOUT AS WARM AS THE INLAND AREAS LATER THIS WEEK, UPPER 70s TO NEAR 80.

NOT A BAD STRETCH HERE, SO ENJOY THE RIDE.

>> BEAUTIFUL WEATHER, REALLY CAN'T COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT THIS TIME OF YEAR.

>>> COMMUNITY CAN BE DIFFICULT TO FIND IN THE DIGITAL AGE AND THAT IS WHERE CREATIVE MORNINGS COMES IN.

IT'S AN ORGANIZATION THAT BRINGS ARTISTS AND ENTREPRENEURS TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE CONNECTION AND INSPIRATION AND EVERY MONTH CHAPTERS HOST FREE EVENTS IN CITIES AROUND THE WORLD AND THAT INCLUDES RIGHT HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

KPBS VIDEO JOURNALIST CHARLOTTE RADULOVICH ATTENDED LAST MONTH'S EVENT AT THE DOWNTOWN CENTRAL LIBRARY.

>> CREATIVE MORNINGS IS TO ME A COMMUNITY OF CREATIVES THAT CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER.

>> A PLACE TO EMBRACE MYSELF, A PLACE TO EMBRACE MY COMMUNITY, AND A PLACE TO EMBRACE POSSIBILITY.

>> A CATALYST FOR A CARING COMMUNITY OF CREATIVES.

>> A PLACE TO CONNECT WITH LIKE- MINDED INDIVIDUALS WHO ALSO ARE VERY DIVERSE IN THEIR OWN RIGHT WHO ARE OUT THERE DOING CREATIVE, EXCITING THINGS AND TO JUST HAVE A PLACE TO BELONG.

♪ >> EVERY MONTH AT CREATIVE MORNINGS WE SHARE THE STAGE.

WE TRY TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT JUST CREATIVE MORNING STAGE.

YOU'RE NOT JUST HERE TO LISTEN TO PEOPLE.

YOU'RE HERE TO PARTICIPATE.

WE HAVE OUR 30-SECOND PITCHES WHERE WE HELP PEOPLE PITCH THEIR IDEA AND THEIR COMPANY AND THEIR BRAND TO THE CROWD IN THE AUDIENCE.

>> I WANT TO INVITE YOU ALL TO A VERY SPECIAL STORY TIME ON SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY.

THAT'S THE 29th.

>> THIS IS MY LATEST PICTURE BOOK CALLED "HAPPY FRIENDSGIVING, A THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION OF FOUND FAMILIES."

WHEN YOU'RE AN ARTIST AND YOU WORK SOLO IN YOUR HOUSE ALL THE TIME, IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO FIND COMMUNITY AND AS THE TALK TODAY WAS ABOUT FINDING YOUR GROWTH SQUAD -- >> SO OUR THEME OF TODAY IS GROWTH.

>> TODAY WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT HEIGHT OR HOW MANY FOLLOWERS WE HAVE.

THAT'S A DIFFERENT KIND OF GROWTH.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE KIND OF GROWTH THAT HAPPENS BETWEEN WHO WE ONCE WERE AND WHO WE'RE BECOMING.

>> IT REMINDED ME A LOT OF WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO AND WHY WE CONTINUE TO PERSEVERE IN THE CREATIVE FIELD EVEN THOUGH THERE'S UNCOMFORTABLE MOMENTS.

>> ALL THOSE FEELINGS WE AVOID, REGRET, ENVY, FEAR, THOSE ARE NOT OBSTACLES.

THEY'RE LITTLE SIGNS TELLING YOU YOU'RE ON THE EDGE OF EXPANSION.

>> I THINK PEOPLE EXPECTED THERE TO BE A MESSAGE.

I MEAN COMMUNICATION IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO ME AND I THINK PEOPLE EXPECTED TO FEEL A SENSE OF BELONGING AND COMMUNITY AND THAT ME BEING THE SPEAKER WOULD HELP CULTIVATE AND CREATE THAT ENVIRONMENT FOR EVERYBODY.

>> FREE COFFEE, FREE DONUTS, FREE COMMUNITY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND GEMS THAT NOT INSPIRE YOUR CAREER AND YOUR LIFE, BUT GEMS THAT YOU CAN APPLY WITHIN YOUR COMMUNITY, WITHIN YOUR FAMILY, AND WITHIN YOUR CREATIVE PRACTICE.

>> THE NEXT CREATIVE MORNINGS IS DECEMBER 19th AND YOU ALL HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

♪ >> AND THAT WONDERFUL STORY WAS PRODUCED BY KPBS VIDEO JOURNALIST CHARLOTTE RADULOVICH.

THE NEXT CREATIVE MORNINGS EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE FROM 8:00 P.M.

TO 10:00 A.M.

ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 19th, AT THE SAN DIEGO CENTRAL LIBRARY DOWNTOWN.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON FOR TOMORROW IN THE KPBS NEWSROOM.

DATA SHOWS CARDIAC TROUBLES SPIKE DURING HOLIDAYS AMID THE MIX OF MERRY MAKING, TRAVEL, AND, OF COURSE, THE STRESS.

ON NPR'S MORNING EDITION, HOW TO SPOT THE EARLY SIGNS.

>>> AND KPBS MIDDAY EDITION IS GETTING AN UPDATE ON THE SAN ANOFRE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT AS IT ENTERS ITS FINAL DEMOLITION STAGE.

>>> AS ALWAYS, YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

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