>> THE RIVER WAS THE SETTING HE CHOSE TO ANNOUNCE HIS PROPOSAL.

HIS BILL SP-10 WOULD AMEND EXISTING LAW.

HE WOULD ALLOW REVENUES FROM A TOLL ON VEHICLES USING A NEW PORT OF ENTRY TO BE SPENT NOT JUST ON TRANSPORTATION BUT ALSO ON ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP.

>> >> SO MANY ISSUES THAT ARE NOT JUST DEGRADING AN INCREDIBLE RESOURCE BUT ARE HAVING TREMENDOUS PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS ON OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT SHOULD BE UNACCEPTABLE.

NOT JUST HERE BUT AROUND THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND THIS NATION.

>> THE SEWAGE AND INDUSTRIAL WASTE POLLUTES THE AIR, ACTUARY AND OCEAN.

IT'S ADDRESSED WITH LIMITED SUCCESS BY NUMEROUS PUBLICATION AGENCIES.

HE ARGUES THERE'S NO DEDICATED SOURCE OF REVENUE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

THEY WERE TAKEN FROM A TOLD BEING CHARGED TO TRAFFIC THAT WILL USE THE EAST BORDER CROSSING.

THE CROSSING IS STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND WILL BE DESIGNED MAINLY FOR COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC.

THE TOLL WAS AUTHORIZED BY THE STATE TWO YEARS AGO AND IT'S MEANT TO PAY FOR PROJECTS RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION AND BORDER CROSSING.

HE SAYS YOU CANNOT ENABLE A HUGE MOVEMENT TO PEOPLE AND GOODS ACROSS THE INTERNATIONAL BORDER AND NOT ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS.

>> THE FACT YOU HAVE ONE OF THE WORST ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS IN NORTH AMERICA OCCURRING AND WE DON'T HAVE IN SOME RESPECTS PERMANENT FUNDING.

>> THE MAYOR OF IMPERIAL BEACH WHICH IS ON THE RECEIVING END OF THAT POLLUTION.

HER CITY HAS BACK ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION FUND AND SAYS TAKING A PORTION OF THE TOLL WOULD EASILY FIND IT.

>> BY ALLOCATING 1 % OF TOTAL REVENUES OR ROUGHLY $25 MILLION TO HELP COMMUNITIES ELIMINATE POLLUTION IMPACTING OUR HEALTH.

>> Reporter: WHAT TO DO WITH $25 MILLION A YEAR TO STOP POLLUTION ?

MITIGATION CANNOT JUST BE SEWAGE TREATMENT WHICH ONLY TREATS RESIDENTIAL WASTEWATER.

>> THEY DO NOT TREAT INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER WHICH IS OUR MOST CONCERNING SOURCE OF POLLUTION THAT IS GOING UNTREATED INTO THE RIVER AND INTO OUR COMMUNITIES AND OCEAN.

>> IT'S HARD TO KNOW HOW MANY POLITICAL SUPPORT HIS BILL HAS GARDNER.

SAN DIEGO'S REGIONAL AGENCY WILL COLLECT AND MANAGE THE TOLL REVENUE IN THE MITIGATION FUND AND THEY HAVE NO COMMENT ON SP-10.

THE STATEMENT SAYS THEY ARE STILL STUDYING IT.

THE EAST BORDER CROSSING IS EXPECTED TO OPEN IN 2028.

>>> THIS IS NOT THE ONLY RECENT EFFORT TO ADDRESS CROSS-BORDER POLLUTION.

COMING UP, A CLOSER LOOK AND LAWSUITS MOUNTING AGAINST THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.

>>> WE ARE COOLING TO THE UPPER 40s FOR TONIGHT.

STILL DEALING WITH THOSE CLOUDS SCATTERED THROUGHOUT.

THERE ARE CHANGES ON THE WAY.

MAINLY TO TEMPERATURES.

I WILL BREAK THAT DOWN COMING UP.

>>> 24 FORMER UNIFIED POLICE ARE SUING THE DISTRICT AND SUPERINTENDENT.

HERE IS MORE ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST LAMONT JACKSON AND HIS SUCCESSOR.

ONE COMPLAINT COMES FROM MONICA HAZEL.

SHE WAS AN AREA SUPERINTENDENT IN THE DISTRICT AT THE TIME.

HAZEL ALLEGES JACKSON SEXUALLY HARASSED HER AND OFFERED CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IF SHE COMPLIED WITH HIS ADVANCES.

ANOTHER VICTIM FILED A COMPLAINT.

SHE SAYS JACKSON CREATED EXCUSES TO MEET WITH HER PRIVATELY, EXPRESSES INTEREST IN A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP AND VISITED HER HOME UNINVITED.

BOTH WOMEN SAY THEY WERE DEMOTED TO TEACHING POSITIONS WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THEIR SALARIES.

THE SCHOOL BOARD FIRED JACKSON IN AUGUST AFTER AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION FOUND SEXUAL HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS WERE CREDIBLE.

HE FOUND INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE EMPLOYEES WERE TERMINATED OR PROMOTED BASED ON THE RESPONSE TO HIS ADVANCES.

THE LAWSUIT MENTIONS THE DISTRICT'S INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT.

SHE'S NOT NAMED INDIVIDUALLY AS A DEFENDANT BUT THE SUIT SAYS SHE CREATED A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT.

HAZEL SAYS SHE SHAMED HER IN FRONT OF HER COLLEAGUES AND DIRECTED HER TO COWER AND BOW HER HEAD WHEN RACING CONCERNS.

THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SPOKESPERSON SAYS THOSE ALLEGATIONS WERE NOT SUBSTANTIATED.

HAZEL SAYS SHE MADE DISCRIMINATORY COMMENTS ABOUT WHITE PEOPLE.

SHE SPOKE TO KPBS ABOUT THAT COMMENT IN OCTOBER.

>> THERE WAS ONE COMMENT THAT I MADE THAT WAS FOUND NOT TO HAVE CAUSED A HOSTILE WORK ENVIRONMENT BUT I DID SAY IT BECAUSE I HAD HAD A BAD EXPENSE WITH THE VENDOR.

I DID NOT SAY IT TO OR ABOUT A COLLEAGUE.

I APOLOGIZED PROFUSELY.

A PERSON IN THE ROOM SAID YOU DON'T HAVE TO APOLOGIZE.

I SELF-REPORTED MYSELF.

>> Reporter: SHE DID NOT RESPOND FOR COMMENT.

HAZEL AND THE OTHER WORK FOR THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT.

SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SENT US THE SAME STATEMENT ABOUT EACH LAWSUIT.

IT SAYS QUOTE WE HAVE NOT YET BEEN SERVED.

OUR COUNSEL IS TO REVIEW THE LAWSUIT AND UPON THAT REVIEW WILL TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTIONS REQUIRED TO PROTECT THE DISTRICT'S BEST INTEREST.

>>> THE NATIONAL CITY COUNCIL HAS VOTED TO CENSURE A COUNCIL MEMBER THAT WAS REELECTED IN NOVEMBER.

JOSI RODRIGUEZ IS ACCUSED OF VIOLATING THE CITY COUNCIL POLICY REGARDING CONDUCT AND THE CODE OF FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES.

SOME OF THE ISSUES BEING RAISED ARE USING PUBLIC RESOURCES FOR GIVEAWAYS, REIMBURSEMENTS AND USING CITY FUNDED RESOURCES FOR POLITICAL CAMPAIGN MEDIA SITES.

RODRIGUEZ SPOKE OUT ABOUT THE ALLEGATIONS BEFORE LAST NIGHTS MEETING.

>> THIS AGAIN IS A POLITICAL HIT PIECE THAT WE ARE USED TO THE NATIONAL CITY.

THE WORK WE DO IN THE COMMUNITY HAVING WORKSHOPS, ACTIVELY REACHING TO COMMUNITY IN TIMES OF NEED.

I SEE THIS AS PART OF MY JOB.

>> ANOTHER ISSUE BEING RAISED ACCUSATIONS OF BULLYING AND INTIMIDATION.

THE COMMISSION SAYS RODRIGUEZ SENT OUT AN EMAIL FLYER AGAINST TRUMP SUPPORTERS BEING INVOLVED IN DECISIONS FOR NATIONAL CITY AND HAD A PHOTO OF HER HOME ON IT.

>> MY HOME IS ADORNED WITH TRUMP FLAGS.

FREEDOM OF SPEECH IS HUGE FOR ME.

IT'S HUGE FOR MY FAMILY.

I FEEL HE'S BEING A BULLY MAC AND FEAR MONGERING MY FAMILY AND I.

>> UNDER CITY CODE, THE PUNISHMENT FOR THE ALLEGED VIOLATIONS INCLUDE A POSSIBLE REPRIMAND AND REMOVAL FROM BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND COMMITTEES.

>>> IN OUR NEXT SEGMENT, WE LOOK A NEW LEADERS AND CITY POLITICS.

THE VOICE OF SAN DIEGO, SCOTT LEWIS EXPLAINED WELL WITH COUNCIL PRESIDENT AND WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE SAN DIEGO REPUBLICAN PARTY.

>> THE NOVEMBER ELECTION IS OVER BUT ARE TWO INTERESTING VOTES IN LOCAL POLITICS.

THEY WILL SET THE FUTURE OF THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL AND THE LOCAL REPUBLICAN PARTY.

YOU WILL GET TO VOTE UNLESS YOUR CITY COUNCIL MEMBER OR A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

LET'S START WITH THE CITY.

THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL WILL ELECT ITS NEW PRESIDENT NEXT WEEK.

CURRENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT DOES NOT WANT TO BE COUNCIL PRESIDENT ANYMORE.

>> I'M PROUD WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

THERE'S BEEN MANY CHANGES ADMINISTRATIVELY, IN TERMS OF PROCEDURE IN OUR COUNCIL MEETINGS AND SOME OF THE WAYS WE'VE LED ON POLICY.

IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD WHERE WE ARE AT IN COMPARISON TO THE LAST THREE YEARS.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR WAS THE PRESIDING MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

THE CITY SWITCH TO THE STRONG MAYOR FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

THE MAYOR BECAME THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE CITY IN CHARGE OF MOST CITY EMPLOYEES.

THE MOVE CREATED A NEW POSITION.

CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT.

IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ALMOST AS POWERFUL LEADING THE CITY COUNCIL AS A SEPARATE BUT EQUAL BRANCH OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT.

THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT GETS TO DECIDE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS AND THEY GET TO SET THE AGENDA.

IF THEY DON'T LIKE A POLICY, THEY CAN DO A LOT TO MAKE SURE IT NEVER GOES FORWARD NOW TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

A LOT OF PEOPLE HOPE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CAN BECOME RELEVANT AGAIN IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

THERE ARE TWO CAMPS BITTERLY FIGHTING FOR THE CHANCE TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

NEW ASSEMBLY MEMBER ELECT IS AT THE CENTER OF THE FIGHT.

HE SUPPORTS THE FORMER CHAIR OF THE PARTY IN HER CAMPAIGN TO LEAD THE PARTY.

SHE'S RUNNING AGAINST THE CURRENT CHAIR OF THE PARTY.

HE TRIED HIS BEST TO MAKE SURE HE DID NOT WIN THE ASSEMBLY RACE BUT FAILED.

THE TWO VOTES WILL HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON SAN DIEGO POLITICS FOR THE YEARS TO COME.

THAT'S WHY IT MATTERS.

>> VOICE OF SAN DIEGO IS ONE OF THE PARTNERS IN A PUBLIC MATTERS INITIATIVE.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE AT KPBS.ORG/PUBLIC MATTERS.

THERE ARE MORE THAN 40,000 FOREIGN NATIONALS SERVING IN OUR MILITARY AND MOST OF THEM ARE ONE MISTAKE AWAY FROM BEING DEPORTED.

KPBS REPORTER SPOKE TO VETERANS ADVOCATING FOR A FEDERAL LAW THAT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR FOREIGN BORN SOLDIERS TO BECOME AMERICAN CITIZENS.

>> Reporter: LAST MONTH KPBS SPOKE WITH CONSERVATIVE MEN.

MOSTLY VETERANS ABOUT IMMIGRATION REFORM.

THEY DID NOT MINCE WORDS.

>> THERE WERE GUYS THAT WERE SERVING OUR COUNTRY KEEPING ME ALIVE AND MY FELLOW BROTHERS ALIVE THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY.

>> Reporter: RUBBER BLESSING IS A RETIRED ARMY CHAPLAIN.

HE'S TALK ABOUT NONCITIZEN SOLDIERS WHO HAVE BECOME DEPORTED VETERANS.

RIGHT NOW THERE ARE ROUGHLY 40,000 NONCITIZENS SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES.

THOSE WHO DO NOT FINISH THE NATURALIZATION PROCESS AND GET IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW RISK BEING DEPORTED.

>> THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS.

THEY FOUGHT FORCE AND SWORE TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.

THEY GET IN TROUBLE AFTER THAT AND WE KICK THEM OUT.

I HAVE NOT FOUND ANYONE THIS IS THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.

>> Reporter: HE VISITS THE VETERANS IN TIJUANA.

ONCE HE PERFORMED IN NATURALIZATION CEREMONY DURING A DEPLOYMENT IN IRAQ.

>> IT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE TO SAY WELCOME TO AMERICA WHILE YOU ARE SERVING OUR COUNTRY IN A COMPACT ZONE.

>> Reporter: NO ONE WOULD CONFUSE THEM FOR LIBERALS.

THEY SAY THEY ARE NOT WOKE, OPEN BORDERS, PRO-AMNESTY.

THEY BELIEVE IMMIGRANTS WHO COMMITTED VIOLENT CRIMES SHOULD BE DEPORTED.

JIM SPROUT IS A CIVILIAN WHO JOIN THE MOVEMENT.

>> PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN DEPORTED AND APPLIED THEY HAVE BEEN DEPORTED.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO SERVED THIS COUNTRY.

THEY DID NOT DO ANY HEINOUS CRIMES.

>> Reporter: IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR THEM TO BE AN OUTSPOKEN ADVOCATE.

>> I WAS APPALLED WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THIS.

SO MUCH SO I'M VERY GLAD TO BE HERE AND VERY GLAD TO BRING THIS INTO THE OPEN.

>> Reporter: IF HE'S THE NEW RECRUIT, ROBERT IS THE BATTLE TESTED VETERAN.

HE'S WITH THE GROUP UNITED U.S.

DEPLOYED IT VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER.

>> THE DEPORTATION OF VETERANS IS WORLDWIDE.

WE HAVE VETERANS TO OVER 40 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: MOST VETERANS ARE DEPORTED AFTER COMMITTING A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LIKE DRUNK DRIVING, DRUG POSSESSION, HAVING AN UNREGISTERED FIREARM FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

>> THERE'S NO SECRET OR DENYING THAT VETERANS GET INTO TROUBLE.

WHY ?

THEY FIND IT DIFFICULT TO REENTER CIVILIAN LIFE.

>> HE'S COVERING FOR A LAW.

IT CREATES AN EXPEDITED PATHWAY FOR ANY SERVICE MEMBER TO COMPLETE THEIR CITIZENSHIP PROCESS BY THE TIME THEY FINISHED BASIC TRAINING.

THE BILL CALLS FOR A COMMITTEE TO REVIEW CASES OF DEPORTED VETERANS TO SEE IF THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED BACK IN THE U.S.

HE SAYS THERE'S BEEN A CHALLENGE TO GET CONSERVATIVES TO SUPPORT THE BILL.

>> THE PROBLEM WE ARE HERE AND HAVE BEEN HEARING FOR A LONG TIME IS THAT THEY TRIED TO COLLATE IT WITH AN IMMIGRATION ISSUE.

THAT'S WHERE THE WHOLE SUBJECT GETS BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION.

>> Reporter: INSTEAD OF LOOKING AT THAT'S AN IMMIGRATION ISSUE, HE SAYS IT SHOULD BE VIEWED AS A VETERANS AFFAIR ISSUE.

OTHER VETERANS WHO HAVE SERVED WITH NONCITIZEN SOLDIERS AGREED.

>> IS A PERSONAL ISSUE.

I WORK ALONGSIDE THOSE GUYS AND GALS.

>> Reporter: RANDY WATERS IS A U.S. NAVY VETERAN.

IMMIGRANTS ARE AN ASSET TO THE MILITARY.

>> PEOPLE THAT HAVE EXPERTISE AND LANGUAGE, LANGUAGE SKILLS AND OTHER THINGS YOU MAY NOT HAD.

YOU GET WHEN YOU GET IN TERMS OF VOLUNTEERS FOR A VOLUNTEER FORCE.

SOMETIMES WE CAN FROM U.S. CITIZENS RECRUIT THE PEOPLE WE NEED TO REPORT FOR THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED LAST YEAR AND HAS NOT METED OUT OF COMMITTEE.

ADVOCATES SEE AN OPPORTUNITY WITH DONALD TRUMP IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND REPUBLICANS CONTROLLING THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

>>> PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP HAS NAMED FORMER AIDE PETER NAVARRO IS SENIOR COUNSEL FOR TRADE AND MANUFACTURING.

NAVARRO WHO ONCE RAN FOR SAN DIEGO MAYOR PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS A KEY TRADE ADVISER TO TRUMP DURING HIS FIRST TERM.

HE SERVED FOUR MONTHS IN PRISON FOR NOT COMPLYING WITH A CONGRESSIONAL SUBPOENA RELATED TO THE JANUARY 6 CAPITOL RIOTS.

>>> THE NATION'S HIGHEST COURT HEARD IT'S HIGH'S PROFILE CASE OF THE FALL FOR THE CHALLENGE TO TENNESSEE'S BAND ON GENDER HEALTH CARE FOR MINORS.

>> Reporter: LAST YEAR TENNESSEE REPUBLICANS VOTED TO MAKE IT ILLEGAL FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH TO BE PRESCRIBE CERTAIN MEDICATIONS OR TREATMENTS FOR GENDER DYSPHORIA.

INCLUDING PUBERTY BLOCKERS AND HORMONE THERAPIES.

>> IT WAS POLITICAL.

LET'S USE THESE POOR KIDS AND FAMILIES AS A PAWN.

WE WANT TO TAKE HER TO THE DOCTOR.

>> Reporter: IN A CHALLENGE TO THE TENNESSEE BAND, ATTORNEYS FOR THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND THREE TRANSGENDER YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE GOING FOR THE JUSTICES TO DECLARE THE STATE'S LAW AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL FORM OF SEX DISCRIMINATION.

>> THIS IS A LAW THAT BANS MEDICAL TREATMENT WHEN IT IS PRESCRIBED AND CONSISTENT WITH AN INDIVIDUAL.

OUR ARGUMENT IS THAT IT TREATS PEOPLE DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE OF THEIR SEX THEREFORE THE COURT HAS TO TREAT LIKE ALL OTHER FORMS OF SEX DISCRIMINATION.

>> Reporter: THE STATES WHERE ARGUE THAT LAWMAKERS WERE JUSTIFIED IN RESTRICTING THIS MEDICAL CARE FOR PEOPLE UNDER THE AGE OF 18.

>> THE LAW IMPOSES AN ACROSS THE BOARD THE RULE THAT ALLOWS THE USE OF DRUGS AND SURGERIES FOR SOME MEDICAL PURPOSES BUT NOT OTHERS.

ITS APPLICATION TURNS ENTIRELY ON MEDICAL PURPOSE NOT A PATIENT SEX.

THAT IS NOT SEX DISCRIMINATION.

IN A GROWING NUMBER OF STATE LAWS TARGETING TRANSGENDER CARE HAVE BEEN ENACTED IN RECENT YEARS WITH A PARTICULAR FOCUS ON MINORS.

THOUGH THE COMMUNITY MAKES UP A SMALL FRACTION OF THE AMERICAN PUBLIC, IT WAS FEATURED PROMINENTLY DURING THE 2024 ELECTION.

REPORTING IN WASHINGTON, I'M JULIA.

>>> GOING AVOCADOS IN AN IS COSTLY AND COULD BE MORE CHALLENGING IN THE COMING YEAR.

OUR MEDIA PARTNER SPOKE TO A FORMER WHO SAYS IT WOULD BE MORE COSTLY AFTER PRESIDENT- ELECT DONALD TRUMP'S PROPOSED TARIFFS ON GOODS IMPORTED FROM MEXICO.

ACCORDING TO THE USDA, 90 % OF AVOCADOS SOLD IN U.S. STORES COME FROM MEXICO.

HE WORRIES IF AVOCADOS BECOME TOO EXPENSIVE OVERALL DEMAND WILL DROP.

>> FARMERS WILL BE HURT.

IT WILL HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE INDUSTRY LONG-TERM.

PEOPLE WILL LOSE INTEREST IN PAYING EXTRA FOR SOMETHING LIKE AN AVOCADO.

>> CALIFORNIA IS THE LARGEST PRODUCER OF AVOCADOS.

IT CAN'T GROW ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE.

PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP SAYS HIS GOAL WITH THESE TARIFFS IS TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT TO CURB FENTANYL AND MIGRANT CROSSINGS.

>>> ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE RISERS AND LABOR GROUPS IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY ARE LAUNCHING A NEW CORRELATION.

KPBS IMPERIAL VALLEY REPORTER HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: THE COALITION IS CALLING THEMSELVES [INDISCERNIBLE] -- IT'S MADE UP ONE OF THE LARGEST UNIONS IN THE COUNTRY.

THEY HELD A PRESS CONFERENCE THIS WEEK.

>> FOR DECADES, OUR REGION HAS CARRIED THE WEIGHT OF DECISIONS MADE WITHOUT THE WELL-BEING OF OUR FAMILIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT AT HEART.

>> Reporter: THE FOUNDER OF IMPERIAL VALLEY EQUITY AND JUSTICE.

SHE SAYS THEY WANT BINDING LEGAL COMMITMENTS FROM LITHIUM COMPANIES TO PROVIDE GOOD, LOCAL JOBS AND PROTECT RESIDENTS FROM HAZARDS AND RESPECT TRIBAL SOVEREIGNTY.

>> ANY DEVELOPMENT IN THE VALLEY MUST PREDATORY'S EYES HEALTH.

THEY NEED TO PRY TOWARDS THE PROSPERITY OF OUR COMMUNITY.

FOR CO ANALYSTS SAY THE IMPERIAL VALLEY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A MAJOR PRODUCER OF LITHIUM.

A KEY COMPONENT IN BATTERY TECHNOLOGY.

THAT'S CREATED ANTICIPATION BUT ALSO WORRIED OVER HOW THE INDUSTRY WILL WORK THE VALLEY'S WORKERS AND ITS AIR AND WATER.

>>> LAWSUITS ARE MOUNTING FOR THE COMPANY IN CHARGE OF THE FEDERAL SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS OF THE U.S.- MEXICO BORDER.

OUR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER EXPLAINS WHAT IS AT STAKE.

>> Reporter: IT'S BEEN A YEAR OF ESCALATION AROUND THE DECADES-OLD PROBLEM THAT'S ONLY GOTTEN WORSE.

THE COMPANY MANAGING THE SOUTH BAY INTO NATIONAL WATER TREATMENT PLANT IS FACING FOUR LOSSES SPORTS ROLE IN THE RIVER SEWAGE CRISIS.

TWO OF THEM ARE SPEARHEADED BY POWERHOUSE LAW FIRMS CASTING A WIDE NET FOR PLAINTIFFS WHO SAY THEY'VE EXPERIENCED A RANGE OF DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE COMPANY.

>> WE RECEIVED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO MANAGE THE PLANT.

>> Reporter: THE LAW GROUP IS BEHIND THE LAWSUIT ACCUSING THEM OF DISCHARGING HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS INTO THE RIVER.

THE COMPANY HAS FAILED TO FULFILL ITS MANDATE IN MANAGING THE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT AND HAS HARMED THE RESIDENTS.

THEY FILED A SIMILAR LAWSUIT IN OCTOBER.

THEY ARE USING AN APPROACH CALLED A MASS TORT.

>> IF YOU HAVE THE SITUATIONS WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING PROPERTY AND OR HEALTH DAMAGE, THEY NEED TO BRING THE TORT LAWSUIT TO GET RECOVERY.

IT'S A LAWSUIT WHERE EACH CLIMBS DAMAGES ARE COUNTED FOR INDIVIDUALLY ALLOWING FOR A VARIETY OF CLAIMS.

LAW FIRMS USUALLY FINANCE THE LAWSUITS TAKING ON THE HEFTY INVESTMENT IN RISK OF LOSSES.

IF THEY WIN, THEY CAN EARN SIGNIFICANT RETURN FOR THE FIRM IN THEIR CLIENTS.

THEY HAVE PUSHED BACK AGAINST THE ACCUSATIONS THE COMPANY IS AT FAULT FOR THE POLLUTION CRISIS.

>> THEY ARE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN.

CAUGHT BETWEEN MEXICAN ROCK AND AMERICAN HARD PLACE.

MEXICO IS OVERWHELMINGLY SOUTH BAY PLANT WITH DESIGN TO HANDLE ANY PLANTS.

AMERICA WAS NOT DOING ITS PART TO KEEP UP WITH THE MAINTENANCE.

>> Reporter: SOUTH BAY RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN SOUNDING ALARMS ABOUT HEALTH IMPACTS FROM THE POLLUTION.

THESE LAWSUITS MAY BE ONE ANSWER TO THOSE CALLS.

>>> IT'S AN INDEPENDENT FRIENDLY NONPROFIT PARTNER OF KPBS.

>>> AS WE HEAD TOWARD THE WEEKEND, WE WILL SEE CHANGES ESPECIALLY SOME OF US WILL SEAT WARMER TEMPERATURES DAY BY DAY.

ONE THING THAT'S NOT CHANGING OF THE LOW CLOUDS AND FOG WE'VE HAD THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS.

THAT IS STICKING WITH AS.

SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND FOR YOUR MORNING COMMUTE ESPECIALLY AS WE GET LATER INTO THE WEEK THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY.

THAT'S WHEN WE WILL BE DEALING WITH GUSTY WINDS.

ANOTHER THING TO KEEP IN MIND FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

HEADING INTO THE END OF THE WORK WEEK.

TONIGHT WE ARE DROPPING TO 38 IN OCEANSIDE.

A LITTLE CHILLIER.

UPPER 40s FOR SAN DIEGO.

43 IN MOUNT LAGUNA.

TOMORROW A LOT OF REST DEALING WITH THE CLOUDS.

THE LOW CLOUDS AND FOG IN THE MORNING.

67 WILL BE THE HIGH IN OCEANSIDE.

66 FOUR SAN DIEGO.

INTO THE 50s FOR MOUNT LAGUNA.

LET'S TALK ABOUT CHANGES THAT ARE ON THE WAY ESPECIALLY WHEN WE LOOK AT A FIVE DAY OUTLOOK FOR THE COAST.

HERE'S THE WARMING TREND.

67 ON THURSDAY.

ON SATURDAY UP TO 77.

SOME OF US WILL HIT RECORD CHALLENGING TEMPERATURES.

IT WILL NOT LAST LONG.

WE COOL DOWN BY SUNDAY.

SEEING SOME OF THE MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS.

FURTHER INLAND, MOSTLY SUNNY SKIES FOR THURSDAY WITH A HIGH OF 73.

RIGHT UP TO 81 BY FRIDAY.

TEMPERATURES START TO EVEN OUT ESPECIALLY THE 10 DEGREE DROP FROM SATURDAY TO SUNDAY.

YOU MAY WANT TO DRESS DIFFERENTLY FROM SATURDAY TO SUNDAY.

THE MOUNTAINS WE ARE NOT SEEING THIS WARMING TREND.

PRETTY EVEN WITH THE TEMPERATURES FOR THE NEXT FIVE DAYS.

A FEW DEGREES DIFFERENCE FROM DAY-TO-DAY.

52 ON THURSDAY AND 51 FOR SATURDAY.

50 FOR YOUR MONDAY.

THE DESERT IS STAYING CONSISTENT WITH THE TEMPERATURES.

79 FOR THREE DAYS IN A ROW AND TEMPERATURES COOL DOWN AS WE HEAD TOWARD SUNDAY AND MONDAY.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M THE METEOROLOGIST.

>>> WE REPORTED THE REGIONAL TASK FORCE ON HOMELESSNESS SAYS ONE IN FOUR SENIORS FACE HOMELESSNESS.

IT SHOULD HAVE SAID ONE IN FOUR OF THE UNSHELTERED POPULATION SENIORS 55 AND OLDER.

WE REGRET THE ERROR.

>>> THE NATIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF EIGHT TRANSGENDER RIGHTS CASE BEFORE THE U.S. SUPREME COURT.

THAT'S AT 7:00 AFTER EVENING EDITION ON KPBS.

>>> HERE'S THE LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON FOR TOMORROW AND.

NPR'S MORNING EDITION IS DISCUSSING A NEW STUDY FOUND MALE HOCKEY PLAYERS AT ALL AGES ARE AT RISK OF A DEGENERATIVE BRAIN DISEASE CTE.

>>> KPBS MIDDAY EDITION HAS A ROUND UP OF HOLIDAY EVENTS AROUND TOWN IN A WEEKEND ARTS PREVIEW.

YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE KPBS.ORG.

THAT WILL DO IT FOR EYES.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HEALTH FAMILY COMPANY.

PROVIDING SAN DIEGO PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR RESTORATION.

FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL HOW OR VISIT THE WEBSITE.

AND BY THE CONRAD FOUNDATION.

AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.