♪ >>> 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 45 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!

>>> THE DEBATE OVER FLOCK CAMERAS CONTINUES WITH A PROPOSAL TO END SAN DIEGO'S USE OF THE CONTROVERSIAL TECHNOLOGY.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

A SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE TODAY VOTED TO END THE CITY'S USE OF AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SAYS OPPOSITION TO THE TECHNOLOGY IS MOUNTING.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO HAS USED AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS, OR ALPRs FOR ABOUT THREE YEARS.

THE TECHNOLOGY FROM FLOCK SAFETY HELPS POLICE FIND STOLEN VEHICLES AND PEOPLE WITH ARREST WARRANTS.

BUT CRITICS SAY IT'S TOO INVASIVE.

THE CAMERAS CAPTURE EVERY LICENSE PLATE THAT PASSES BY, EVEN IF THE DRIVER HAS BROKEN NO LAWS.

COUNCILMEMBER HENRY FOSTER III SAYS ALPRs ARE SIMPLY NOT WORTH THE COST.

>> PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITIES MEANS MORE THAN ADDRESSING CRIME.

IT MEANS PROTECTING RESIDENTS' PRIVACY, DEFENDING THEIR CIVIL LIBERTIES, SAFEGUARDING PUBLIC RESOURCES AND HOLDING OUR GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> Reporter: SCRUTINY OF FLOCK HAS GROWN AMID THE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN.

FOR MONTHS LAST YEAR SAN DIEGO'S ALPR DATABASE WAS MADE AVAILABLE TO OUTSIDE AGENCIES.

THE POLICE CHIEF LATER SAID THAT WAS A MISTAKE THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN CASES OF FALSE HITS AND MISTAKEN IDENTITY.

>> AND SURVEILLANCE IS NEVER NEUTRAL.

IT DOES NOT LAND ON LA JOLLA THE WAY IT LANDS IN CITY HEIGHTS OR BARRIO LOGAN OR ENCANTO.

WHEN A CAMERA GETS IT WRONG, IT IS OUR PEOPLE WHO END UP AT GUNPOINT AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

>> Reporter: MAYOR TODD GLORIA SAYS ALPRs ARE A VITAL TOOL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND SAN DIEGO HAS STRONG PRIVACY PROTECTIONS.

IT'S UNCLEAR OF WHEN THE QUESTION OF KEEPING OR DITCHING THE TECHNOLOGY WILL REACH THE FULL CITY COUNCIL.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> I'M ARIELLA SCALESE.

COMING UP TONIGHT, CLOUDY WITH A THUNDERSTORM.

66 DEGREES.

WE'LL HAVE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS STICKING AROUND TOMORROW, BUT DRYER, WARMER WEATHER JUST IN TIME FOR THE WEEKEND.

A CLOSER LOOK COMING UP.

>>> FOR MONTHS, STATE WORKERS HAVE BEEN NEGOTIATING A NEW CONTRACT WITH CAL HR.

TODAY FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, MEMBERS OF THE SEIU LOCAL ONE THOUSAND UNION WENT ON STRIKE.

THE ONE-DAY STRIKE WAS HELD IN SEVERAL CITIES ACROSS THE STATE, INCLUDING SAN DIEGO.

THE GROUP RALLIED OUTSIDE THE STATE BUILDING IN MISSION VALLEY THIS AFTERNOON.

THE UNION SAYS CAL HR FAILED TO BARGAIN FAIRLY OVER KEY ISSUES SUCH AS PAY AND TELEWORK.

THEIR DEMANDS INCLUDE A 20% GENERAL SALARY INCREASE OVER THREE YEARS, INCREASED CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS HEALTH CARE COSTS, AND A TRANSPARENT TELEWORK POLICIES BASED ON OPERATIONAL NEEDS.

>>> THE GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT WILL REINSTATE NINE TEACHER LIBERIAN POSITIONS CUT LAST YEAR.

THE BOARD'S DECISION TO CUT THE DECISIONS WAS MET WITH PUBLIC OUTCRY AND AN UNFAIR PRACTICE CHARGE FILED BY THE DISTRICT'S TEACHERS UNIONS.

UNDER A SETTLEMENT ANNOUNCED TODAY, THE POSITIONS WILL BE REINSTATED IN THE 2027-'28 SCHOOL YEAR.

SCHOOL BOARD PRESIDENT ROBERT SHIELD SAID IN A STATEMENT THAT THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, QUOTE, SERVES THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR EAST COUNTY COMMUNITY FOLLOWING A CHALLENGING PERIOD, END QUOTE.

>>> THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY WHO ARE NOT SURE WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM.

FEEDING SAN DIEGO SAYS 13% -- THAT'S ABOUT 430,000 PEOPLE, ARE FOOD INSECURE, AND THAT INCLUDES 123,000 CHILDREN.

KPBS REPORTER JOHN CARROLL HAS MORE ON THE SOBERING STATISTICS THE STATE LAWMAKERS WERE CONFRONTED WITH TODAY.

>> ADDRESSING INEQUALITIES MEANS LISTENING TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

>> Reporter: STATE SENATORS DR.

AKILAH WEBER PEARSON, AND STEVE PADILLA TOOK THEIR SACRAMENTO DUTIES HOME TODAY IN A HEARING ROOM AT THE COUNTY COMPLEX IN KEARNY MESA, THE SENATORS LISTENED TO EXPERTS IN FOOD INSECURITY AND HEALTH CARE.

>> IN CALIFORNIA IN 2025, 24% OF ALL ADULTS IN CALIFORNIA EXPERIENCED FOOD INSECURITY.

>> Reporter: JARED CALL IS THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY AT THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF FOOD BANKS.

CALL SAYS FOOD INSECURITY IN THE GOLDEN STATE IS BAD AND GETTING WORSE.

HE SAYS AS THE PROVISIONS OF HR 1 CONTINUE TO GO INTO EFFECT, LIKE REQUIRING WORK, SCHOOL, OR COMMUNITY SERVICE TO STAY COVERED, ALONG WITH CUTS, OR IN SOME CASES ELIMINATION OF MEDICAID AND AFFORDABLE CARE ACT SUBSIDIES FOR UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE HERE LEGALLY, THE COST TO HUMAN HEALTH WILL CONTINUE TO RISE.

>> 16 MILLION CALIFORNIANS, 40%.

FOR 40% THE COST OF BASIC NEEDS IN THEIR COMMUNITY EXCEEDS THEIR INCOME.

THE BASIC NEEDS INCLUDE HOUSING, HEALTH CARE, TRANSPORTATION, CHILD CARE AND FOOD.

>> Reporter: THE RAMIFICATIONS OF NOT HAVING ENOUGH TO EAT OFTEN LEAD TO POOR HEALTH.

>> AS A SURGEON, THIS HAS VERY REAL IMPLICATIONS ON NOT ONLY PREOP CARE BUT POST OP CARE.

>> Reporter: DR.

ALEXANDRA KHARADZI IS A THORACIC SURGEON WHO ADVOCATES FOR CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH.

SEES THE CUMULATIVE DECADES OF FOOD INSECURITY AND POOR NUTRITION IN MANY OF HER PATIENTS.

>> PARTICULARLY IN THE SOUTH BAY WHERE I DO A LOT OF MY WORK, PEOPLE OFTENTIMES HAVE -- THERE IS MORE OF A DISPARITY WITH THE FOOD THAT PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO.

>> Reporter: IT WASN'T ALL DOOM AND GLOOM AT TODAY'S HEARING.

THERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS WHEN IT COMES TO NUTRITION AND YOUNG PEOPLE.

REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SAY STATE SUPPORT FOR GETTING GOOD HEALTHY FOOD TO CHILDREN IS PAYING OFF.

>> IT'S JUST KIND OF A NO-BRAINER, RIGHT?

IT'S JUST COMMON SENSE, AND THE RESEARCH CONFIRMS THAT WHEN THEY'RE WELL NOURISHED, THERE IS IMPROVED CONCENTRATION AND COG 5 FUNCTION.

>> Reporter: JUST STEPS OUTSIDE WHERE TODAY'S HEARING WAS HELD IS THE COUNTY'S DEMONSTRATION GARDEN.

AND THIS IS REALLY WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD ON THIS SUBJECT.

FRESH, HEALTHY NUTRITIOUS FOOD, FOOD THAT LEADS TO BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES, LOWER HEALTH CARE COSTS, AND HAPPIER, LONGER LIVES.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> GLOBAL WARS ARE LEAVING FARMERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY FACING HIGHER COSTS FOR ESSENTIAL MATERIALS LIKE FERTILIZER AND DIESEL FUEL.

THIS WEEK PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP USED A CAMPAIGN RALLY TO UNVEIL A NEW AID PACKAGE IN RESPONSE.

EXPERTS SAY IT'S UNCLEAR WHETHER IT COULD HAVE AN IMPACT WITH FARMERS AT THE BALLOT BOX.

MADDIE GANNON REPORTS.

>> ALSO PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE WILL BE LAUNCHING A NEW HARVEST FUEL RELIEF PROGRAM PROVIDING OUR FARMERS WITH $8 BILLION IN SUPPORT.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S LATEST ECONOMIC RELIEF PROMISED TARGETING A KEY U.S.

INDUSTRY GRAPPLING WITH HIGHER PRICES.

>> THE WAR WITH IRAN, YOU KNOW, THE CLOSING OF THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ HAS DRIVEN UP FERTILIZER AND FUEL PRICES EXPONENTIALLY.

>> Reporter: FERTILIZER AND DIESEL FUEL ARE PART OF THE BACKBONE OF THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY.

THE SOARING PRICES DUE TO THE WAR IN IRAN AND THE WAR BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE HAVE FORCED ONE IOWA FARMER TO PASS COSTS ON TO CUSTOMERS.

>> WHEN YOU SEE DIESEL ALMOST DOUBLE IN PRICE FROM LAST YEAR, YOU'RE FORCED TO MAKE SOME CHANGES.

>> Reporter: IT'S A FAMILIAR STORY FOR MANY FARMERS, AND A TOPIC PARTICULARLY RELEVANT IN SEVERAL STATES, WITH SOME OF THIS YEAR'S MOST COMPETITIVE SENATE RACES.

THAT INCLUDES PLACES LIKE KANSAS, TEXAS, AND IOWA.

>> SO MY CONVERSATIONS WITH FARMERS AND FARM GROUPS, THEY GENERALLY SUPPORT THE PRESIDENT.

>> Reporter: BUT EXPERTS SAY MANY FARMERS ARE TRYING TO RECONCILE THEIR SUPPORT OF THE PRESIDENT AS THEY FEEL THE EFFECTS OF HIS POLICIES.

>> I THINK IN A LOT LOVE IOWA PEOPLE FEEL WHY ARE WE PAYING THE PRICE FOR THESE POLICIES.

>> Reporter: AND WITH LESS THAN TWO WEEKS UNTIL NOVEMBER 3rd, OTHERS ARE SKEPTICAL THIS NEW AID PACKAGE WILL MAKE A TANGIBLE DIFFERENCE.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF DOUBT AND FARMERS NEED THE HELP RIGHT NOW.

I'M HOPING THAT FARMERS WILL RUN TO THE POLLS.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, I'M MADDIE GANNON.

>>> WITH ELECTION DAY LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY AND EARLY VOTING ALREADY UNDER WAY IN MANY PLACES, YOU COULD SOON BE RECEIVING EVEN MORE POLITICAL ROBOCALLS.

THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION WARNS THAT THESE TYPE OF CALLS AND TEXTS INCREASE DURING AN ELECTION SEASON.

JEN SULLIVAN LOOKS AT WHAT VOTERS NEED TO KNOW.

>> Reporter: MANY OF US HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF THOSE PESKY ROBOCALLS, UNWANTED RECORDED MESSAGES FLOODING OUR PHONES.

>> OUR NUMBER ONE COMPLAINT AT THE FCC IS ABOUT UNWANTED ROBOCALLS.

>> Reporter: ANNA GOMEZ IS A COMMISSIONER AT THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION.

THE FCC WARNS THAT AI TOOLS ARE MAKING ROBOCALLS EVEN MORE CONVINCING, AND IT CAN BE PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS DURING ELECTION CYCLES BECAUSE SCAMMERS CAN USE AI TO IMPERSONATE PUBLIC FIGURES, EVEN THOUGH IT'S ILLEGAL.

FEDERAL LAW BANS MOST ROBOCALLS TO CELL PHONES UNLESS THE CALLER GETS CONSENT FROM THE RECIPIENT BEFOREHAND.

>> THE LAST THING THAT WE NEED IS TO HAVE MORE FRAUD IN THE USE OF ROBOCALLS.

>> Reporter: DURING THE 2024 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, MANY VOTERS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE WERE TARGETED WITH A FAKE CALL THAT SOUNDED LIKE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN.

>> WHAT A BUNCH OF MALARKEY.

WE KNOW THE VALUE OF VOTING DEMOCRATIC WHEN OUR VOTES COUNT.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU SAVE YOUR VOTE FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

>> Reporter: BUT IT WAS FAKE.

THE FCC DID GO AFTER THE COMPANY THAT CREATED THE RECORDING.

AND WHILE THESE TYPES OF CALLS ARE ILLEGAL, A CONSERVATIVE GROUP IS PETITIONING TO WAIVE THAT BAN FOR THIS ELECTION CYCLE.

>> THE WRONG IS TO ALLOW AI SLOT TO BE USED IN THIS UPCOMING ELECTION CYCLE.

>> Reporter: IF YOU RECEIVE A POLITICAL ROBOCALL, THE FCC ENCOURAGES YOU TO REPORT IT.

IF IT'S A TEXT YOU DIDN'T ASK FOR, REPORT THE SENDER BY FORWARDING THE MESSAGE TO 7726, OR SPOKESMAN.

OR CALL THE FCC AT 1-888-225-5322, OR SUBMIT A COMPLAINT ONLINE.

FOR CONSUMER WATCH, I'M JEN SULLIVAN.

>>> THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO'S POET LAUREATE PAOLA CAPO-GARCIA HAS CURATED A UNIQUE EXHIBITION OF VIDEO POEMS BY LOCAL POETS AND ARTISTS.

KPBS ARTS REPORTER JULIA DIXON EVANS EXPLAINS HOW POETRY CAN FIND NEW LIFE ON SCREEN.

>> Reporter: PAOLA CAPO-GARCIA BEGAN HER TERM AS SAN DIEGO'S THIRD POET LAUREATE IN EARLY 2025.

NOW SHE'S SHARING A PROJECT SHE AND TEACHING ARTIST VICTOR DE LA FUENTE WORKED ON WITH SAN DIEGO AND TIJUANA POETS.

IT'S AN EXHIBITION OF VIDEO POETRY CALLED "APERTURA."

>> BECAUSE IT IS AN OPENING.

IT'S AN INVITATION FOR PEOPLE TO EXPERIENCE POETRY IN A DIFFERENT WAY, AND TO OPEN THEMSELVES UP MORE TO THE POSSIBILITIES OF POETRY.

>> ABUELITA'S LIFE HAS BECOME A GAME OF PLUCKING FLOWERS.

>> Reporter: A VIDEO POEM IS SORT OF LIKE AN ARTSY MINI DOCUMENTARY WITH NARRATED TEXT.

ONE PIECE IN THE EXHIBIT IS SARITA TANORI'S "BAKERSFIELD & HEAVEN."

>> I'VE BEEN HERE 58 TIMES BEFORE.

THIS ROAD, I MEAN, THE DATE PALMS, THE STRAIGHT ROWS OF DIZZY CROPS, WHEN I LOOK OUTSIDE THE CAR WINDOW.

WE PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER BETWEEN BAKERSFIELD AND HEAVEN.

I ALWAYS HATED THE SMELL OF MANURE AND PESTICIDES IN THE VENTS: SOON I'LL LEARN A MORTUARY IN TURLOCK, CALIFORNIA SMELLS WORSE.

>> Reporter: THE EXHIBIT IS A MIX OF ORIGINAL POETRY AND VIDEO INTERPRETATIONS OF ALREADY PUBLISHED POEMS.

LIVE COMMENT AND CREATED ON AN EXCERPT OF WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAM'S 1923 WORK "SPRING AND ALL."

THE INTERPRETATION FEATURES A ROBOTIC VACUUM CLEANER DANCING ACROSS THE SCREEN.

>> THE BIRD HAS TURNED INTO A STONE WITHIN WHOSE HEART AN EGG UNLAID REMAINED HIDDEN.

IT IS SPRING!

BUT MIRACLE OF MIRACLES A MIRACULOUS MIRACLE HAS GRADUALLY TAKEN PLACE DURING THESE SEEMINGLY WASTED EONS.

>> Reporter: FOR CAPO-GARCIA, THE PROJECT WAS INSPIRED BY THE MOVING PORTRAITS OF PHOTOGRAPHER ROBERT WILSON.

SHE ALSO DREW INSPIRATION FROM A SITE SPECIFIC VIDEO POEM BY LEVON BELLE, BECOMING WIND AND CURRENT.

>> WHERE SHE CENTERS HERSELF, HER BODY IN FLOATING WATER IN AN AREA CALLED LOISA IN PUERTO RICO.

SHE IS TALKING ABOUT MIGRATION.

SHE IS ALSO TALKING ABOUT THE LEGACY OF SLAVERY IN THE CARIBBEAN AND SORT OF MIGRATING BODIES FROM ONE AREA TO ANOTHER AND THE WAYS IN WHICH ENSLAVED PEOPLE WOULD ESCAPE CAPTIVITY BY USING WATER AND THE CURRENTS TO GET TO DIFFERENT ISLANDS.

I WAS SO MOVED BY THAT PIECE, THE WAY SHE USED HER BODY, HER VOICE-OVER WITH THE POEM WHICH IS SO GORGEOUS.

I SAID OH, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.

>> Reporter: CAPO-GARCIA IS PASSIONATE ABOUT CONVINCING POETRY SKEPTICS TO GIVE IT ANOTHER CHANCE.

>> AND IT'S NOT TO SAY THAT HAVE I THE ANSWER FOR EVERYONE LOVING POETRY, BUT THAT I GENUINELY TRUST IN POETRY'S ABILITY TO BRING IN ANY HUMAN BEING, RIGHT.

BUT THERE IS A POEM OUT THERE FOR ANYONE.

THERE IS A WORD OR A PHRASE THAT CAN HOOK ANYONE.

>> Reporter: AND THIS IS WHAT SHE HOPES THIS EXHIBITION ACHIEVES WITH ITS COLLECTION OF TINY FILMS.

>> THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO ELEVATE BECAUSE THIS IS A WAY TO ALSO GET PEOPLE INTERESTED IN POETRY WHO MAYBE NORMALLY WOULDN'T BE INTERESTED IN POETRY, THROUGH THE VISUALS, THROUGH THAT STORYTELLING, AND BRINGING SOMETHING ON THE PAGE TO LIFE THAT WAY.

>> Reporter: JULIA DIXON EVANS, KPBS NEWS.

>> AND "APERTURA" OPENS OCTOBER 24th AT THE ATHENAEUM ART CENTER AT BREAD AND SALT IN LOGAN HEIGHTS.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE FINEST.

A NEW EPISODE IS OUT TOMORROW.

YOU CAN LISTEN NOW AT KPBS.ORG/THEFINEST OR WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> FOR DECADES, THE DEFINITION OF THE AMERICAN DREAM HAS BEEN HOME OWNERSHIP.

BUT DATA SHOWS GEN Z LEANING AWAY FROM THAT?

COULD THAT SWING BACK AS THEY GROW OLDER?

KARIN CAIFA IS IN WASHINGTON WITH A LOOK AT YOUNGER CONSUMERS AND THE HOUSING MARKET.

>> Reporter: HOME OWNERSHIP HAS BECOME MORE EXPENSIVE, AND NEW RESEARCH POINTS TO GEN Z PUTTING THEIR MONEY ELSEWHERE.

>> I THINK WE'RE SEEING GEN Z REPRIORITIZE THE AMERICAN DREAM.

I DON'T THINK IT WAS ABANDONED.

I THINK IT'S BEEN REPRIORITIZED.

>> Reporter: CHASE HARRINGTON, PRESIDENT OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY SAY THEIR RECENT SURVEY OF RENTERS FOUND GEN Z FOUND INTEREST IN SHORTER TERM INVESTMENTS INCLUDING EMERGENCY FUNDS.

>> THEY'VE REALLY STARTED TO PUT THEIR FINANCIAL STABILITY AS ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES AS WELL AS THEIR PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL-BEING AND LIFESTYLE AND QUALITY OF LIFE AND PUTTING MONEY TOWARDS THAT.

>> Reporter: MORTGAGE RATES ARE WELL OFF THEIR PEAKS OF THE EARLY 1980s, BUT DARRYL FAIRWEATHER AT REDFIN SAYS GEN Z STILL FACES A TOUGHER PATH TO HOME OWNERSHIP THAN OTHER GENERATION.

>> IF YOU TALK TO BABY BOOMERS ABOUT WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BUY A HOME IN THE LATE 70s OR 80s THEY'LL TELL YOU THAT THE INTEREST RATES WERE 17 OR 18% AND HOW UNAFFORDABLE IT WAS FOR THEM, BUT PRICES WERE WAY LOWER BACK THEN AND THAT'S THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE NOW.

>> Reporter: THE CLIMATE COULD CHANGE AS GEN Z GROWS OLDER.

A REDFIN HOUSING REPORT SAYS COSTS COULD RETURN TO NORMAL OR HOME PRICES RELATIVE TO INCOMES IN FIVE YEARS OR EVEN SOONER IF MORTGAGE RATES DROP TO 6% AND HOME GROWTH PRICE HOLDS STEADY.

>> WE NEED PRICE CLOTHE TO REMAIN SLOW, FOR WAGES TO GROW FASTER THAN PRICES, AND FOR MORTGAGE RATES TO STAY STABLE OR TO EVEN COME DOWN IN ORDER TO GET US BACK TO THAT AFFORDABLE PLACE.

>> Reporter: IN WASHINGTON, I'M KARIN CAIFA.

>>> MORE THAN A DOZEN NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS HAVE FORMED IN RECENT YEARS TO OPPOSE HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS IN SAN DIEGO.

NOW THEY'RE COMING TOGETHER UNDER A NEW ORGANIZATION CALLED SAN DIEGO UNITED COMMUNITIES.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN JOINS ME IN THE STUDIO TO SHARE MORE THAN.

HI.

>> HI, MAYA.

>> IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> HOW IS THIS GROUP AND HOW DID THEY ACTUALLY FORM?

>> LET'S BACK UP ABOUT A DECADE WHEN SAN DIEGO STARTED ADOPTING A LOT OF REFORMS TO ENCOURAGE MORE HOUSING IN SAN DIEGO.

SO THEY'VE BEEN -- THE CITY HAS BEEN UPDATING COMMUNITY PLANS THAT REZONE NEIGHBORS FOR HIGHER DENSITY, AND THEY'VE ALSO ADOPTED CITYWIDE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS THAT ALLOW DEVELOPERS TO BUILD MUCH LARGER AND DENSER PROJECTS THAN THE ZONING WOULD ALLOW IF THEY INCLUDE SOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THOSE PROJECTS.

NOW AS THESE PROJECTS HAVE STARTED GOING UP AND THE POLICIES START TAKING HOLD, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF COMMUNITY BACKLASH.

SO YOU HAVE THESE NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS THAT ARE FORMING TO OPPOSE ONE INDIVIDUAL PROJECT IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD AND ANOTHER ONE IN ANOTHER NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND THEY HAVE VERY SIMILAR CONCERNS AROUND PARKING AND TRAFFIC AND COMMUNITY CHARACTER, BUT THESE GROUPS WEREN'T ALWAYS TALKING TOGETHER.

SO SAN DIEGO UNITED COMMUNITY STEPPED IN TO TRY TO MERGE THESE GROUPS INTO ONE AND HOPEFULLY HAVE MORE OF AN IMPACT ON CITYWIDE HOUSING POLICIES.

>> SO SAN DIEGO UNITED COMMUNITIES, LET'S HEAR MORE ABOUT WHAT THEY BELIEVE AND HOW THEY BELIEVE THAT MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSE ASKING BE DONE HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> YEAH, SO I INTERVIEWED ERIC LAW, WHO IS ONE OF THE CO-FOUNDERS OF THIS GROUP.

HE IS A POINT LOMA HOMEOWNER, AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD PREFER THE POLICIES ENCOURAGE HOUSING IN MORE OUTLYING AREAS WHERE LAND IS CHEAPER AND WHERE IT'S EASIER TO BUILD FOR SALE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES.

HERE'S WHAT HE HAD TO SAY.

>> A LOT OF FAMILIES WANT THE SMALL STARTER HOME WITH A PATCH OF LAND.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT GLORIA AND THE COUNCIL HAVE NOT DONE.

THEY MADE ZERO INVESTMENT IN MILLENNIALS AND GEN Z STARTER HOMES.

THEY'VE DONE NOTHING.

THEY BUILT MORE APARTMENTS.

THAT IS NOT WHAT EVERYONE WANTED.

NO ONE WANTS THOSE.

>> AND HE'S OF COURSE REFERRING TO SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA.

NOW I THINK IT'S AN EXAGGERATION TO SAY NO ONE WANTS TO LIVE IN THE APARTMENTS THAT SAN DIEGO HAS BEEN BUILDING OVER THE PAST DECADE, BUT THERE IS THIS QUESTION OF PREFERENCE.

DO PEOPLE WANT APARTMENTS OR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES?

AND I PUT THAT QUESTION TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBER SEAN ELO-RIVERA, WHO DISAGREES WITH THIS GROUP ON A LOT OF ISSUES.

AND WHAT COUNCILMEMBER ELO-RIVERA TOLD ME IS EVEN IF SAN DIEGANS DREAM OF OWNING A HOUSE SOME DAY, THAT DREAM CAN BE VERY FAR OFF.

SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE.

AND SO IN THE MEANTIME, PEOPLE JUST WANT A PLACE TO LIVE.

>> SOMETIMES THEY WANT A BIGGER APARTMENT.

SOMETIMES THEY WANT A TOWN HOME.

SOMETIMES THEY DO WANT A SINGLE-FAMILY HOME.

BUT BEFORE ANY OF THAT, THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO LIVE IN SAN DIEGO.

AND WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO CREATE HOUSING THAT PEOPLE CAN LIVE IN AT VARIOUS STAGES IN LIFE.

>> AND MAYA, IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT THERE ARE REASONS THAT BOTH SAN DIEGO AND CALIFORNIA TRY TO DISCOURAGE ON BUILDING IN UNDEVELOPED LANDS IN OUTLYING AREAS THAT'S FAR FROM JOBS OR AMENITIES, AND THAT'S BECAUSE THAT TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT COMES WITH MORE DRIVING, MORE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS AND MORE WILDFIRE RISKS WHEN YOU COMPARE IT TO BUILDING IN MORE URBANIZED AREAS.

>> SO SAN DIEGO UNITED COMMUNITIES IS NOT JUST ACTIVE ON HOUSING, RIGHT?

WHAT OTHER ISSUES ARE THEY WORKING ON?

>> EARLIER THEY WERE PART OF A SIGNATURE GATHERING CAMPAIGN TO REPEAL SOME FEES THAT THE CITY HAD ADOPTED FOR TRASH COLLECTION AND PARKING IN BALBOA PARK.

THEY'VE ALSO GOTTEN REALLY INVOLVED IN ELECTORAL POLITICS.

SO SAN DIEGO UNITED COMMUNITIES HAS ENDORSE LEAD CANDIDATES FOR CITY COUNCIL, ONE OF THEM IS A REPUBLICAN, ONE IS AN EX-REPUBLICAN, AND ONE IS A DEMOCRAT.

AND SO THEY SAY THIS SHOWS THEY ARE A NONPARTISAN ORGANIZATION THAT'S REALLY INTERESTED IN GOOD GOVERNANCE.

BUT CRITICS THAT I SPOKE WITH SAY THEY THINK THIS GROUP IS ACTUALLY BEING USED AS A TOOL BY REPUBLICANS WHO UNDERSTAND THE REPUBLICAN BRAND IS NOT GREAT IN SAN DIEGO RIGHT NOW, BUT THEY STILL WANT TO HAVE POWER AND INFLUENCE OVER LOCAL POLICIES.

MAYA, HOUSING HAS NEVER FALLEN CLEANLY ON THE LEFT TO RIGHT SPECTRUM.

IT CREATES REALLY STRANGE ALLIANCES SOMETIMES, BUT AT LEAST ON THIS QUESTION OF THE CITY BUDGET, I THINK THIS GROUP, IT'S FAIR TO SAY, IS MORE CONSERVATIVE.

THEY BELIEVE THE CITY SHOULD CUT SPENDING AND CUT SERVICES BEFORE THEY ASK VOTERS FOR HIGHER TAXES OR FEES.

>> ANDREW, AS USUAL, YOU BREAK THESE THINGS DOWN FOR US SO WELL.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR WORK ON THIS.

>> THANK YOU, MAYA.

>> THANK YOU.

>>> ALL RIGHT.

HOPEFULLY YOU'RE STAYING SAFE WITH THE SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THAT HAVE BEEN AROUND.

CAN CAUSE SOME OF THOSE TRAVEL DELAYS, AND WE'LL STILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF A STORMIER PATTERN AT TIMES TOMORROW WITH A LINGERING SHOWER OR THUNDERSTORM.

BUT WE'LL BE DRYING OUT FRIDAY AND REALLY STARTING TO SEE A WARM-UP AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

SO THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL HERE AS WE STILL KEEP THUNDERSTORMS AROUND FOR TONIGHT.

AND THOSE SPREAD ACROSS DESERT LOCATIONS AND INTO THE MOUNTAINS AS WELL.

MEANWHILE, SOME SHOWERS CONTINUE ALONG THE COAST HERE WITH AN OCCASIONAL THUNDERSTORM.

TEMPERATURES OVERNIGHT STAY PRETTY ELEVATED INTO THE 60s, BUT OF COURSE THE CLOUDS AND THE SHOWERS DURING THE DAY HAVE KEPT TEMPERATURES LOWER.

STORM LINGERS THURSDAY INTO THURSDAY NIGHT HERE, AND YOU CAN SEE THE BIG DIP IN THE JET STREAM.

SO CONTINUE TO SEE THE COOLER TEMPERATURES WITH THIS AS WELL.

AND SOME LOCALLY STRONGER THUNDERSTORMS AND THE RISK FOR PONDING ON THE ROADS AT LEAST FOR US.

BUT FLASH FLOODING CAN BE SEEN ACROSS PARTS OF CALIFORNIA.

ALL RIGHT.

WE TAKE YOU INTO TOMORROW'S FORECAST HERE WITH TEMPERATURES INTO THE LOWER 70s.

STILL COMES WITH A SHOWER OR THUNDERSTORM ACROSS THE COAST.

INLAND VALLEYS DRYER, THOUGH, FOR BORREGO SPRINGS WITH SOME CLOUDS AND A LINGERING SHOWER INTO MOUNT LAGUNA.

SO WE'LL TAKE YOU INTO TOMORROW MORNING WITH CLOUDS, A SHOWER AROUND HERE.

WATCH FOR A THUNDERSTORM HERE AS A LOW SWEEPS ON THROUGH.

CLOUDS LINGER THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT WITH A BRIEF SPOTTY SHOWER, AND THEN WE'LL START TO SEE A WIND SHIFT AND WE'LL BE DRYING OUT FRIDAY, SATURDAY INTO SUNDAY, AND THAT'S GOING TO WELCOME SOME WARMER TEMPERATURES BACK AS WELL.

ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL TAKE YOU INTO THE FIVE-DAY FORECAST FOR THE COAST HERE WITH THAT SHOWER AND STORM LINGERING TOMORROW.

AND THEN SUNNY AND WARMER TEMPERATURES BY THE WEEKEND AND EARLY NEXT WEEK.

WE'LL KEEP THINGS A LITTLE BIT WET FOR THE INLAND VALLEYS TOMORROW, BUT THEN STAYING COOL WITH SUNSHINE ON FRIDAY.

FOR WARMER TEMPERATURES, WE'RE BACK TO THE 80s BY EARLY NEXT WEEK.

ALL RIGHT.

A KIND OF YUCKY DAY TOMORROW IN THE MOUNTAINS, AND TEMPERATURES STAY COOL DESPITE SUNSHINE FRIDAY, BUT WE'LL WARM UP NICELY.

50s BECOME 60s BY EARLY NEXT WEEK.

THE DESERT LOCATIONS WILL KEEP IT DRY, AND TEMPERATURES STAY QUITE COMFORTABLE AS WE HEAD INTO THE WEEKEND.

FOR KPBS NEWS, I'M ARIELLA SCALESE.

>>> IF YOU LOVE BIRDING OR MAYBE WANT TO GET INTO IT, THERE IS A NEW EXPERT AT THE SAN DIEGO HISTORY MUSEUM.

KPBS ENVIRONMENT REPORTER TAMMY MURGA SPENT THE MORNING WITH HIM JUST BEFORE THE MUSEUM OPENED FOR VISITORS.

>> THIS HERE IS AN ORANGE-CROWNED WARBLER.

>> Reporter: BIRDING AT BALBOA PARK ISN'T NECESSARILY PART OF THE JOB, BUT AS A LIFE-LONG BIRD WATCHER, IT'S RYAN TERRILL'S PREFERRED WAY TO START THE WORK DAY.

>> MOST SHOW UP EARLY AND BIRD AROUND THE PARK FOR MY OWN ENJOYMENT, BUT ALSO TO DOCUMENT WHAT'S AROUND.

IN THE MONTH I'VE BEEN HERE, I'VE ALREADY SEEN ALMOST 75 SPECIES OF BIRDS JUST RIGHT HERE IN THE PARK.

>> OVER THERE.

THAT IS A TOWNSEND HERE YESTERDAY.

>> Reporter: TERRILL IS THE SAN DIEGO NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM'S NEW DIRECTOR OF ORNITHOLOGY.

OF ALL HIS RESEARCH, FEATHERS ARE HIS MUSE.

>> STUDYING THE EVOLUTION OF FEATHERS, ESPECIALLY STUDYING THEIR FUNCTIONS CAN TELL US A LOT ABOUT HOW BIRDS LIVE.

>> Reporter: AND IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, OFTEN CALLED THE BIRDIEST COUNTY IN AMERICA, THERE IS AN ABUNDANCE OF PLACES TO SEE HOW BIRDS LIVE.

>> RIGHT HERE IN SAN DIEGO WE CAN GO UP TO THE MOUNTAINS, WE CAN GO OVER TO THE DESERT, WE CAN GO TO THE COASTAL CHAPARRAL, WE CAN GO TO THE OCEAN, AND IT WOULD BE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES OF BIRDS.

AND BAJA IS THE SAME.

>> Reporter: TERRILL'S ROLE IS UNIQUE TO THE MUSEUM.

IT'S THE MUSEUM'S COMMITMENT TO STUDYING THE HUNDREDS OF SPECIES RECORDED IN THE REGION.

>> THIS IS A REALLY SPECIAL REGION FOR BIRDS.

A LOT OF IT IS BECAUSE OF THE DIVERSITY.

>> Reporter: WITH A WARMING PLANET, IT'S PERHAPS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER TO LEARN HOW AND WHERE BIRDS FLY.

>> THIS ONE HERE WAS COLLECTED IN DEATH VALLEY AT STOVEPIPE WELLS IN DEATH VALLEY ON THE SEWAGE POND.

CERTAINLY NOT WHERE THAT BIRD WANTS TO BE WHICH IS WHY IT DIED.

AND THIS IS ONE DIFFERENCE WE'RE SEEING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE IS THESE HURRICANES STARTING TO MAKE MORE LANDFALL AND BRING THESE WEIRD TROPICAL SEA BIRDS INLAND.

>> Reporter: TERRILL HOPES TO BUILD A FEATHER LAB AT THE MUSEUM AND STUDY WHERE BIRDS FLY TO GROW NEW FEATHERS IN CALIFORNIA AND BAJA CALIFORNIA.

TO SEE SOME OF THE MUSEUM'S BIRD COLLECTIONS, HE SUGGESTS BOOKING A BACKSTAGE TOUR, AND HE IS ALSO THINKING ABOUT BRINGING MR.

BIRD WALKS TO BALBOA PARK.

TAMMY MURGA, KPBS NEWS.

>>> LOOK FOR TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

GOOD NIGHT.

>>> 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 45 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!

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