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>>> ANOTHER MAJOR AIRLINE IS RETURNING TO PALOMAR AIRPORT IN CARLSBAD.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MADE IT SPECIFIC DESPITE THE CLAIMS OVER NOISE.

THERE'S STILL TURBULENCE OVER THE ISSUE.

>> THE MOTION PASSES.

>> Reporter: THE SUPERVISORS APPROVED THE LEASE WITH UNITED AIRLINES TO OPERATE OUT OF THE PALOMAR AIRPORT.

BUT NOT WITHOUT QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LEGALITY OF THE DEAL.

>> CURRENTLY WE DON'T NEED AN AMENDMENT TO THE CARLSBAD?

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> Reporter: INSIST THAT OPENING UP TO COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS IS AN EXPANSION.

>> THE CITY HAS ASSERTED ITS ROLE, WHICH REQUIRES THE COUNTY TO OBTAIN AN AMENDMENT TO THE USE.

>> Reporter: THE ONLY SUPERVISOR TO VOTE AGAINST THE DEAL.

CARLSBAD AND THE AIRPORT ARE WITHIN HER DISTRICT AND SHE'S CONCERNED ABOUT NOISE.

>> I'M NOT ABLE TO SUPPORT THIS TODAY.

I THINK THE COMMUNITY HAS MADE IT REALLY CLEAR, FRUSTRATED WITH AMERICAN, DID OUR BEST TO HAVE A PILOT, THEN HIT WITH THIS BEFORE WE MADE ANY PROGRESS ON THE COMMUNITY'S NOISE CONCERNS.

>> Reporter: AMERICAN WAS THE FIRST COMMERCIAL AIRLINE TO FLY OUT OF PALOMAR IN A DECADE.

>> THEY'VE INCREASED BY TEN-FOLD.

>> Reporter: HE'S WITH A GROUP OPPOSED TO COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS.

HE LIVES UNDER THE FLIGHT TH AND THE NOISE IS UNBEARABLE.

>> I CAN'T HEAR THE TV, 85 DECIBELS.

>> Reporter: WON'T BE A FRIENDLY SKY.

A CITIZEN GROUP IS THREATENING A LAWSUIT.

>> WE NEED TO FILE A SECOND LAWSUIT, SO WE SHALL.

>> Reporter: CITIZENS FOR A FRIENDLY AIRPORT FILED A LAWSUIT OVER THE AMERICAN AIRLINES DECISION, SAYING THE COUNTY FAILED TO ASSESS UNDER THE ENVIRONMENT EQUALITY ACT.

SHE'S DISAPPOINTED IN THE OUTPUT OF THE MEETING.

SEEMS LIKE THE COUNTY WANTS TO PLAY WORD SALAD, MIX MESSAGES, AVOID THE ISSUE THAT THEY DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO ALLOW BIG, HUGE AIRPLANES TO FLY IN AND OUT OF PALOMAR AIRPORT.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY SAYS LARGE AIRCRAFT CAN AND HAVE USED THE AIRPORT SINCE IT OPENED.

UNITED HAS BEEN PRESELLING FLIGHTS OUT OF PALOMAR, FIRST EXPECTED TO TAKE OFF MARCH 30th.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> TENSIONS WERE RUNNING HIGH AT THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL MEETING LAST NIGHT, DEBATE OVER THE POLICE UTAH OF LICENSE READERS WENT LATER.

PRESSED ABOUT UNAUTHORIZED DATA SHARING.

>> WHEN YOU SAY BREACH, UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO DATA AND INFORMATION?

>> IS THAT NOT A BREACH OF THE CONTRACT?

>> WELL -- >> IF THEY SHARE DATA, IS IT NOT A BREACH OF THE CONTRACT?

>> I'LL LET YOU GUYS FIGURE THAT OUT, SIR.

>> BUT YOU'RE THE ASSET OWNING DEPARTMENT OF THE CONTRACT, THAT DECISION IN BREACH OR NOT IS YOURS.

WHY IT'S AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION >> I HEAR YOU.

DO YOU WANT ME TO ANSWER THE QUESTION?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> SO WHEN WE SET UP THE TECHNOLOGY, IT IS LEGAL IN THIS STATE TO SHARE THE DATA.

OUR USE POLICY IS MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN CALIFORNIA LAW.

>> HE WENT ON TO SAY THERE WAS NO VIOLATION OF STATE LAW AND CALLED IT A QUOTE HONEST MISS IN THE INITIAL PHASE.

>> SO WOULD YOU AGREE THAT WAS BREACH OF CONTRACT?

>> I'M NOT GOING TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION SIR TO ANSWER IT.

I'M SORRY.

>> THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL VOTED FOR LICENSE PLATE READERS WITH RESTRICTIONS.

>>> AN INITIATIVE AIMED AT BUILDING MORE TOWNHOMES.

THE GOAL IS MORE AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP.

>> Reporter: 80% OF HOMES ZONE BEING ARE RESTRICTED.

THIS INITIATIVE WOULD OPEN UP SOME LAND TO LOWER COST TOWNHOMES, SO-CALLED GENTLE DENSITY, IT BLENDS IN MORE WITH THE OTHER RESIDENCES.

>> SAN DIEGO HAS BEEN A PLACE TO RAISE FAMILIES AND PURSUE DREAMS.

WE MUST CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS STUCK BETWEEN THE RISING COSTS OF SINGLE FAMILY HOMES AND LIMITED OPTIONS IN THE MARKET.

HOMES FOR ALL OF US GIVES US A CHANCE TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS AT A DEVELOPMENT IN MIRA MESA WITH A MIX OF APARTMENTS, TOWNHOMES AND DETACHED HOUSES BUILT ON A FORMER ROCK QUARRY, THE TYPE OF SPACE THAT'S SCARCE IN SAN DIEGO.

THAT'S WHY THEY'RE TRYING TO AUTHORIZE MORE HOME BUILDING IN EXISTING NEIGHBORHOODS.

THE IDEA OF GENTLE DENSITY IS NOT NEW AND THEY'RE PART OF THE CITY'S HISTORY.

>> DRIVE THROUGH OLDER NEIGHBORHOODS, YOU SEE THESE EVERY PLACE AND SEE PEOPLE LOOK AT THEM, MAYBE THAT'S WHERE I COULD LIVE.

DOESN'T FIT EVERYONE.

BUT IT'S PART OF THE GOOD IDEAS OF THE PAST WE'RE TRYING TO BRING FORWARD.

>> Reporter: HIS ANNOUNCEMENT WAS LIGHT ON DETAILS WHICH WILL BE DEVELOPED OVER THE NEXT YEAR.

THE MAYOR HOPES TO PRESENT A PACKAGE OF PERMITTING REFORMS BY THE END OF 2026.

KPBS.

>>> A COOL NIGHT DESPITE A VERY WARM PATTERN OVERALL.

VERY WARM WEATHER THIS TIME OF THE YEAR.

DABBLING WITH RECORD HIGHS IN SOME AREAS.

BUT OVERNIGHT, LOW 40S IN RAMONA, 48 IN SAN DIEGO.

LOW CLOUDS AND PATCHY FOG FOR THE COAST AND INTO THE CENTRAL AND SAN JOAQUIN VALLEYS KEEPING IT COOL.

BUT MOST OF THE SOUTHWEST STAYS WARM.

FULL FORECAST COMING UP.

>>> THE DEMOLITION OF THE NUCLEAR GENERATING STATION IS WELL UNDER WAY.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE RADIOACTIVE WASTE SITTING ON THE COASTLINE?

SAN DIEGO LEADERS ARE LOOKING INTO SOLUTIONS.

>> Reporter: THE STATION STOPPED PRODUCING ELECTRICITY MORE THAN A DECADE AGO, THE NUCLEAR FUEL STORED ABOUT 100 FEET FROM THE SHORELINE.

>> 1,400 TONS IN OVER 100 CANNISTERS SITTING AT THE SITE OF SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THE PLAN IS IN JIM DESMOND'S DISTRICT AND HE SAYS HAVING IT IDLE THERE IS A PROBLEM.

>> IT'S STILL COOKING ABOUT THE NEXT THOUSAND YEARS AND THOSE CANNISTERS AREN'T GOING TO LAST THAT LONG.

>> Reporter: THEY ASKED THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO GET RID OF THE FUEL.

THEY SAYS EARTHQUAKES AND DAMAGE TO CANNISTERS POSE RISKS TO THE REGION.

THE PROBLEM IS, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DOESN'T HAVE A PLACE TO STORE ALL THE SPENT FUEL.

DESMOND SAYS SAN DIEGAN CITIZENS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WAIT.

>> REPROCESSING IT COULD UNLOCK ENORMOUS ENERGY.

>> Reporter: TAPPING INTO RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES.

A RETIRED NUCLEAR ENGINEER SAYS THE CHALLENGE OF REMOVING AND RECYCLING IS COMPLEX, EXPENSIVE AND -- >> THERE'S STILL A LOT OF OPPOSITION IN AMERICA, MANY STATES, TO NUCLEAR POWER, THEY FEEL IT'S DANGEROUS.

>> EDISON OWNS THE PLANT AND SAYS ANY SOLUTION SHOULD HOLD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE TO ITS OBLIGATIONS RELATED TO FUEL DISPOSAL.

BOARD MEMBERS EXPECT AN UPDATE IN 90 DAYS.

KPBS.

>>> I.C.E.

HAS RELEASED AN IMMIGRANT FROM UKRAINE ARRESTED AFTER HER GREEN CARD INTERVIEW LAST WEEK.

SHE SAID SHE WAS HELD FOR DAYS INSIDE A FEDERAL BUILDING IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: VICTORIA AND HER HUSBAND VICTOR COLLAPSED HANDS TOGETHER, WRISTS TO THE, HANDS APART.

SHOWING HOW I.C.E.

OFFICERS SHACKLED HER HANDS AND FEET.

HER HUSBAND TRANSLATED FOR HER.

>> SOME SHORTER WOMEN COULDN'T GET THERE.

THERE WAS SCREAMING.

>> Reporter: VICTORIA CAME TO THE U.S.

THROUGH A TEMPORARY HUMANITARIAN PROGRAM AND WAS IN THE FINAL STAGES OF THE GREEN CARD PROCESS WHEN FEDERAL AGENTS DETAINED HER.

FOR THREE DAYS SHE WAS HELD AND SHE AND OTHER WOMEN HAD TO USE AN OPEN TOILET IN VIEW OF OTHER GUARDS, GIVEN EXPIRED FOOD.

WHEN MOVED, PUT IN SHACKLES AND CHAINS.

>> SHE FELT LIKE THEY WERE TELLING HER SHE BROKE THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND SHE WAS SCARED SHE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET HER LIFE BACK.

>> Reporter: I.C.E.

RELEASED HER TUESDAY MORNING AND SHE SAYS SHE'S NOT SURE WHY AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH HER GREEN CARD APPLICATION AND SHE'S THINKING ABOUT THE OTHER WOMEN SHE WAS WITH.

I.C.E.

DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RESPOND TO QUESTIONS.

>>> ON THE NEWS HOUR, THE U.S.

SEIZES AN OIL TANKER OFF THE COAST OF EZUELA, THAT'S AT 7:00.

>>> SOME ACADEMICS, CLERGY AND ACTIVISTS HAVE EMPHASIZED TO KPBS THAT OUR DEMOCRACY RELIES ON OUR CITIZENS, TO TALK TO EACH OTHER ACROSS ENEMY LINES, SOLVE LOCAL PROBLEMS.

WE SPOKE TO CITIZENS ABOUT WHAT THE CONVERSATIONS AND ACTIONS WOULD LOOK LIKE.

>> I KNOW THAT EACH ONE OF YOU ARE FRIENDS WITH PEOPLE AND/OR ARE RELATED TO PEOPLE WHO HOLD DIFFERENT POLITICAL VIEWS THAN YOU.

HOW HAVE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS FARED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AMID OUR FRACTURED POLITICS?

>> I BELIEVE BEFORE THIS CURRENT ERA IT WAS EASIER TO FIND COMMON GROUND WITH PEOPLE.

AND SORT OF NAVIGATE AROUND THOSE CHALLENGES.

NOW WE'RE SEEING EXTREMES ON ALL SIDES THAT FINDING THAT COMMON GROUND IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT.

AND THERE'S CERTAIN PEOPLE I JUST CANNOT RELATE TO ANYMORE, AND I HAVE TO CUT TIES WITH THOSE PEOPLE.

>> WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR APPROACH?

WHAT KIND OF LANGUAGE AND TONE HAVE YOU USED IN NAVIGATING THORNY POLITICAL CONVERSATIONS WITH CLOSE LOVED ONES.

>> FIRST THING I DO IS LISTEN, SECOND, I ADDRESS HOW THEY FEEL AND WHY THEY FEEL THAT WAY.

AND APPRECIATE THEM EVEN TELLING ME ABOUT THE TOPIC.

THIRD IS, I HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER THEY'RE THERE TO HAVE A FLUID CONVERSATION WITH ME AND FIND OUT WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING BECAUSE I COULD TELL THEM SOMETHING THE NEWS PROBABLY COULDN'T, OR ARE THEY JUST LOOKING FOR A FIGHT.

WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING FOR A FIGHT, THAT'S THE POINT THAT THERE'S NOT MUCH I CAN DO.

>> WHO SPECIALIZES IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION BELIEVES THERE'S A POLITICAL INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX INTENT ON DIVIDING AMERICANS.

HE SAYS THAT THE ANTIDOTE TO THAT IS FOR PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE POLITICAL DIVIDE TO COME TOGETHER AND WORK TO RESOLVE ISSUES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

NOT ZERO SUM ISSUES.

HOMELESSNESS, HUNGER, DIRTY BEACHES.

SOME OF THIS WORK IS ALREADY HAPPENING.

BUT DO YOU SEE POTENTIAL IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT FOR EVEN DEEPER WORK TO HAPPEN AROUND THESE ISSUES >> I THINK THE IDEA THAT IT HAS TO START INDIVIDUALLY IS RIGHT.

AND I DON'T SEE HOW ELSE IT COULD BE.

PERSONAL EXAMPLE, I'M ON THE BOARD OF A SMALL FOOD PANTRY LOCALLY.

THAT'S WHERE THIS KIND OF THING COMES INTO PLAY.

NOBODY WANTS CHILDREN TO GO HUNGRY.

DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE, WHO THE CHILDREN ARE.

>> I SPOKE WITH JUSTIN E SULLIVAN, MINISTER AT FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH IN SAN DIEGO.

SHE SAYS TO EFFECTIVELY COME TOGETHER AND RESOLVE LOCAL PROBLEMS, WE HAVE TO STOP ISSUING PURITY TESTS TO ONE ANOTHER.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO TALK IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

I WANT TO KNOW FROM EACH OF YOU WHAT THAT MEANS.

SECONDLY, IS THERE ANYONE YOU WON'T TALK TO?

>> I LOOK AT EVERYBODY AS A POTENTIAL FRIEND.

THAT'S MY PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY.

ANYBODY I HAPPEN TO MEET, A CLERK, PASSING ON THE STREET, I THINK FRIEND.

UNTIL THERE'S THE LINE FOR ME, WHICH IS JUST DO YOU WILLFULLY WANT HARM FOR SOMEONE ELSE?

WHETHER TARGETED AT ME, AT SOMEBODY ELSE.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, SEXUAL, WHATEVER HARM, THAT IS A LINE.

I CANNOT INTERACT WITH YOU AS A PERSON IF YOU FEEL THAT STRONGLY ABOUT ELIMINATING SOMEBODY THAT IS UNDERPRIVILEGED, OF A MINORITY GROUP, A TARGETED GROUP.

THAT'S A LINE I CAN'T CROSS.

EVERYONE ELSE, I'M OPEN TO A CONVERSATION.

I'M OPEN TO BEING IN THE ROOM AND LET'S DISCUSS OUR DIFFERENCES.

>> I SPOKE TO A POLITICAL ACTIVIST A FEW DAYS AGO WHO SAID IT'S ALL GOOD AND WELL, NICE FOR PEOPLE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, THE GROUND LEVEL, TO TRY TO BRIDGE THE DIVIDE, BUT THE REAL THREAT TO AMERICAN DEMOCRACY IS COMING FROM A BROKEN POLITICAL SYSTEM IN WASHINGTON.

AND THAT THIS WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING IS REALLY JUST A BLIP ON THE SCREEN.

DO YOU AGREE?

>> SMALL BLIPS ON THE SCREEN ARE THE ONLY WAY YOU START TO GET MOVEMENT.

I AGREE THAT IS SMALL BUT DISAGREE, THERE IS SIGNIFICANCE THERE.

LOCAL POLITICS HAS ALWAYS BEEN HUGE FOR ME.

BECAUSE THAT WAS THE FASTEST AND QUICKEST WAY TO SEE IMMEDIATE CHANGE.

>> THAT'S A BLIP ON THE BIG SCREEN, BUT THOSE 500 FAMILIES WITH MORE FOOD THAN THEY WOULD HAVE, OR THE BEACH WITH LESS TRASH ON IT, OR THE RIVER THAT'S LESS POLLUTED, WHATEVER THAT ISSUE IS, YES, IT'S LOCAL AND SMALL AND A BLIP, BUT IT MATTERS TO THAT COMMUNITY.

>> PUBLIC MATTERS IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH KPBS, NEWS SOURCE AND VOICE OF SAN DIEGO.

SEE MORE ONLINE.

>>> THINKING ABOUT BUYING A HOME IN 2026 OR STARTING THE NEW YEAR WITH A JOB SEARCH?

THE FED'S FINAL DECISION ON INTEREST RATES COULD IMPACT YOUR HOUSEHOLD'S FINANCIAL FUTURE.

KAREN HAS THE BREAKDOWN.

>> THE FEDERAL RESERVE CUTTING INTEREST RATES FOR THE THIRD TIME IN A ROW AT A DICEY CROSSROADS FOR THE FED TO MANDATE, MAXIMAL EMPLOYMENT AND MINIMAL INFLATION.

THIS CAPS OFF A TURBULENT YEAR FOR THE CENTRAL BANK AND CURRENT CHAIR JEROME POWELL AND ES UP AN UNCERTAIN YEAR AS WELL.

>> THEY'RE NOT DUE OUT UNTIL LATER, BUT ECONOMISTS SAY THE FED HAS ENOUGH PRIVATE DATA ABOUT THE U.S.

MARKET TO SEE IT'S LOWING, AND CUTTING INTEREST RATES IS ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO BUY MORE, HIRE MORE.

>> IT LOWERS THE RATE BANKS USE TO SEND EACH OTHER MONEY WHILE WE'RE SLEEPING AND IT COULD LOWER THE INTEREST RATE, LIKE THE CREDIT CARDS OR MORTGAGE.

>> BUT LOOSENING THE REINS RISKS HEATING UP PRICES.

DESPITE FEELING THE PINCH, AMERICANS ARE FEELING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

>> IT IS THE HOLIDAYS, WE'RE SEEING CREDIT CARD DEBT RISE AND BUY NOW PAY LATER BEHAVIOR IS GROWING.

THEY'RE STILL SPENDING BUT PUTTING MONEY WHERE THE DEBT IS GOING UP.

>> THE ECONOMY ON ONE HAND, SLOWER LABOR MARKET ON THE OTHER, MAKING THE OUTLOOK MURKY.

AND THERE WERE SOME MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE CONCERNED THEY'RE NOT PAYING ENOUGH ATTENTION TO THE INFLATION OR HIGH COST OF LIVING.

DELAYED GOVERNMENT DATA ON JOBS AND INFLATION WE'LL GET NEXT WEEK AND COULD SHIFT THE NARRATIVE.

IN WASHINGTON.

>>> VERY WARM WEATHER WILL CONTINUE FOR THE DAYTIME NEXT SEVERAL DAYS.

NEAR RECORD HIGHS IN SOME AREAS, NEAR RAMONA AND IDLEWILD AND SO FORTH.

WE'LL SEE COASTAL FOG BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED INTO THE WEEK AND WEEKEND.

THEY'VE BEEN HIT HARD IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST WITH AN ATMOSPHERIC RIVER FIRMLY PLANTED THERE BECAUSE OF THE STRONG RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE DIVERTING IT THAT WAY.

WE STAY DRY, MAINLY CLEAR.

48 DEGREES, PATCHES OF LOW CLOUDS OFFSHORE.

THURSDAY, VERY WARM AND DRY ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST, AND AS WE LOOK AT TOMORROW'S FORECAST, 72 IN SAN DIEGO, BORREGO SPRINGS BACK UP TO 80.

WE'LL SEE A GOOD DEAL OF SUNSHINE, PATCHY CLOUDS NEAR THE COAST.

DOESN'T CHANGE A LOT ON FRIDAY, DRY AND WARMER BECAUSE OF A STRONG RIDGE OF HIGH PRESSURE ACROSS THE SOUTHWEST DIVERTING THE STORM TRACK NORTH.

COLD AIR IN THE NORTHERN PLAINS, ALMOST ALL THE WEEKEND IS BELOW OR NEAR ZERO IN MINNEAPOLIS.

THERE'S A REASON SAN DIEGO IS A POPULAR PLACE, DON'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT.

TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE INTERIOR RUN 5 TO 15 ABOVE HISTORICAL AVERAGES.

TRAVELING THIS WEEKEND, SAN JOAQUIN AND CENTRAL VALLEY HAVE HAD A LOT OF FOG AND LOW CLOUDS, THE EXCEPTION TO THE WESTERN BRIGHT WARMTH.

COASTAL FORECAST, TEMPS TO MID-60s BY SUNDAY.

MORE CLOUD COVER NEAR THE COAST, INCREASE IN THE LOW CLOUDS AND MORNING FOG AS WELL.

INLAND, VERY WARM THURSDAY, STAY WARM FRIDAY, THE HEAT BEGINS TO LOSE FLAVOR, LOW TO MID-70s THIS WEEKEND.

MOUNTAINS, ELEVATION UNDER OUR FEET WILL KEEP US OUT OF THE HEAT FOR THE MOST PART.

LOW 50s RETURN SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, TRENDING DOWNWARD.

DESERT, HIGHS, SUNSHINE, RELATIVELY WARM TO MONDAY.

KPBS.

>>> ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS FOR THE SOUTH BAY ARE COMPETING FOR A NEW SPORT, INSIDE OF A ROOM, ON A CHAIR, IN FRONT OF A SCREEN.

>> Reporter: INSIDE OF IMPERIAL BEACH'S WEST VIEW CAMPUS, GAME CONTROLLERS AND VIDEO SCREENS FILL THE AUDITORIUM.

FAMILY AND FRIENDS GATHER TO WATCH THEIR THIRD THROUGH SIXTH GRADERS TAKE PART IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP.

>> I WAS RECENTLY MOVING INTO MY NEW SCHOOL AND MY MOM WAS LOOKING THROUGH CLUBS BECAUSE SHE HAS WORK.

AND SHE FOUND E-SPORTS.

I ASKED HER WHAT IS THIS ABOUT, AND GOT SIGNED IN.

>> Reporter: THESE ARE THE FIRST PLAYOFFS FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S E-SPORTS LEAGUE.

THIS IS "SUPER SMASH BROS."

ON THE NINTENDO SWITCH.

THE WINNER IS THE LAST CHARACTER OR LAST TEAM STANDING.

IT'S POPULAR WITH KIDS OF ALL AGES.

>> DOING IT SINCE I WAS 5 YEARS OLD, I THINK.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS SOUTH BAY UNION IS THE FIRST IN THE REGION TO HAVE AN E-SPORTS PROGRAM.

>> 43-PLUS SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTY AND HALF OF THEM HAVE AN E-SPORTS PRESENCE.

>> Reporter: SOUTH BAY UNION'S LEAGUE IS AN AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM.

JORGE OVERSEES IT.

>> WE DO TWO V. TWO, TWO FROM ONE SCHOOL PLAYING TWO FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: HE UNDERSTANDS CONCERNS ABOUT LACK OF EXERCISE AND VIOLENCE IN SOME E-SPORTS GAMES, BUT HE SAID STUDENTS ARE ALREADY PLAYING COMPETITIVE VIDEO GAMES AT HOME AND PHYSICAL SPORTS ARE NOT INCLUSIVE FOR EVERYONE.

>> STUDENTS CAN BE STILL PART OF A TEAM WITHOUT THE DESIRE TO DO A PHYSICAL SPORT.

IT'S STILL CHALLENGING, TEAM BASED.

>> Reporter: CASTRO SAYS IN SOME CASES GAMING IS HELPING IN THE CLASSROOM, TOO.

>> THEY WERE COMING IN, STUDENTS WITH ABSENTEEISM ISSUES WERE COMING IN, EXCITED TO PARTICIPATE.

>> Reporter: CASTRO SAYS IT REQUIRES PRACTICE, TEAMWORK AND RULE FOLLOWING LIKE ANY OTHER SPORT.

>> NOW WE'RE HAVING THIS OPPORTUNITY, STUDENTS SHOW OFF SKILLS, SAY I REPRESENT MY SCHOOL, AND SHOW UP IN THE BIG LEAGUE TOURNAMENTS.

>> Reporter: THE BAY CLASS CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS TAKE PLACE THIS THURSDAY.

SEASON TWO STARTS IN FEBRUARY.

JACOB AYER, KPBS.

>>> HERE IS A LOOK OF WHAT WE'RE WORKING ON TOMORROW.

MORNING EDITION TALKS TO SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN ABOUT HER CONCERN OVER THE FIGHT BETWEEN NETFLIX AND PARAMOUNT.

>>> AND GET THE LATEST FROM KPBS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX IN A VARIETY OF NEWSLETTERS, DAILY HEADLINES, ARTS, STREAMING PICKS AND NORTH COUNTY FOCUS.

LOOK FOR THE NEWSLETTER SECTION TOP OF YOUR SCREEN AND SIGN UP WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS.

ALSO WHERE YOU CAN FIND ALL OF TONIGHT'S STORIES.

THANKS FOR JOINING US, I'M MAYA TRABULSI, HAVE A GOOD EVENING.

>> Announcer: MAJOR FUNDING HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES.

1-800-BILL-HOW, OR VISIT ONLINE.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREFIS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCO SCHEIFELE, AND BY THE FOLLOWING -- AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.