♪ >>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KBPS NEWS THIS WEEK.

COMING UP, CAN SAN DIEGO COUNTY BUSINESS A NEW TRANSIT LINE?

ADVOCATES FOR THE PURPLE LINE SAY IT'S NEEDED TO COVER BLIND SPOTS BUT THE PRICE TAG MIGHT PUT IT OUT OF REACH.

>>> KPBS INVESTIGATES A WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT AND HOW IT CALLS OUT DRUG USE AT A LOCAL SOAP COMPANY.

>>> AND A SPACE FOR FOOD AND INCLUSION IS GOING AWAY.

A COMMUNITY FIRM IN OCEANSIDE SAYS A CHURCH THAT ONCE WELCOMED THEIR WORK IS FORCING THEM TO MAKE A HARD DECISION.

>>> WE START WITH HOW THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED READING AND MATH SCORES AND MOST SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE BELOW PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS.

OUR EDUCATION REPORTER VISITED ONE DISTRICT WHERE THEY'RE IMPROVING.

>> Reporter: ABOUT ONE OF ONLY 100 DISTRICTS IN THE COUNTRY THAT SAW MATH AND READING SCORES IMPROVE BETWEEN 2019 AND 2024.

>> THE THING I LOVE ABOUT PRIDE ACADEMY THAT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE IN OUR SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT IS OUR TEACHERS' ATTENTION TO THE WHOLE CHILD.

>> Reporter: THE PRINCIPAL SAYS THAT'S BEEN KEY TO THEIR ACADEMIC RECOVERY.

>> SOMETIMES AN ACADEMIC CONVERSATION CAN TURN INTO A SOCIAL OR EMOTIONAL CONVERSATION.

THAT STUDENT MIGHT NOT BE MAKING PROGRESS IN READING OR MATH BECAUSE THERE'S SOMETHING GOING ON AT HOME AND MAYBE WE CAN SUPPORT THAT FAMILY.

OR PERHAPS THEIR ATTENDANCE IS POOR AND WE NEED TO THINK OF A WAY OUTSIDE OF THE BOX TO SUPPORT THAT FAMILY.

>> Reporter: DISTRICT LEADERS SAY THEY STARTED BACK IN PERSON DURING THE PANDEMIC EARLIER THAN MANY OTHERS.

SOON AFTER, PRIDE ACADEMY WELCOMED A NEW STAFF MEMBER, A GOLDEN RETRIEVER.

>> IF THEY'RE FEELING UPSET OR ANXIOUS ABOUT SOMETHING, REGGIE WILL GO GREET THEM AT THE VEHICLE AND HE CAN ESCORT THEM TO THEIR CLASSROOM.

HE PROVIDES WHOLE CLASS INCENTIVES, AS WELL AS INDIVIDUAL INCENTIVES.

>> Reporter: THE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS ANOTHER REASON BEHIND THE IMPROVED SCORES IS TEACHER TRAINING IN MATH INSTRUCTION.

SHE SAYS THEY'RE FOCUSED ON HELPING STUDENTS MASTER FOUNDATIONAL SKILLS.

THEY ALSO USED PANDEMIC AIDE TO HAVE REDUCE CLASS SIZES.

>> A NUMBER OF KIDS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO MAKE MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WITH STUDENTS AND FAMILIES SO THOSE FUNDS HELP SUPPORT US.

>> Reporter: STUDENT ATTENDANCE REMAINS A CHALLENGE ACROSS SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

MORE STUDENTS ARE MISSING SCHOOL NOW THAN BEFORE THE PANDEMIC, BUT ATTENDANCE IS STARTING TO IMPROVE.

ALONG WITH REGGIE, PRIDE ACADEMY HAS WORKED TO CREATE A SENSE OF BELONGING FOR STUDENTS, USING CLUBS AND A VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS PROGRAM.

>> WHEN STUDENTS FEEL A SENSE OF BELONGING AT SCHOOL, THEY FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE IN A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: LIKE MANY OTHER DISTRICTS, THEY EXPECT ENROLLMENT TO CONTINUE TO DECLINE AS THE POPULATION AGES AND PEOPLE HAVE FEWER CHILDREN.

STATE FUNDING IS TIED TO ENROLLMENT.

THE SCHOOL BOARD AND STAFF ARE APPLYING FOR GRANTS TO CONTINUE FUNDING COUNSELORS, VISUAL ARTS PROGRAMS AND OTHER RESOURCES.

KBPS NEWS.

>>> AFTER NEARLY A 30-YEAR ABSENCE, AMERICAN AIRLINES RETURN TO McCLELLAN PALOMAR AIRPORT IN CARLSBAD THIS WEEK, AND REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN TALKED TO A PASSENGER ON THE FIRST FLIGHT.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE FIRST FLIGHT FROM AMERICAN AIRLINES TO LAND HERE IN 28 YEARS.

>> AMAZING.

OBVIOUSLY THE CONVENIENCE OF FLYING STRAIGHT INTO NORTH COUNTY IS AMAZING.

>> Reporter: THIS WAS THE FIRST PERSON OFF THAT FLIGHT.

>> ALL THE AIRPORT WORKERS WERE OUT WAITING FOR THE PLANE TO COME IN.

THERE WAS A FIRE TRUCK THERE THAT GAVE US A WATER CANNON SALUTE, AND OBVIOUSLY DOZENS OF PEOPLE IN THE TERMINAL WAITING FOR US, TOO.

ALL OF IT WAS REALLY EXCITING.

>> Reporter: THE LAST TIME AMERICAN FLEW OUT OF PALOMAR AIRPORT WAS 2007.

HE LIVES FIVE MINUTES AWAY AND FLIES TO PHOENIX WEEKLY.

HE SAYS IT'S GREAT HAVING COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS BACK BECAUSE IT MEANS NOT HAVING TO DRIVE UP TO AN HOUR TO SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL TO CATCH A FLIGHT.

>> IT'S ALL ABOUT CONNECTIVITY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE COUNTY'S DIRECTOR OF AIRPORT OPERATIONS AND HE SAYS IN ADDITION TO CONNECTING NORTH COUNTY TO A MAJOR FLIGHT HUB, IT WILL ALSO BOOST ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES.

>> AMERICAN AIRLINES HAVE BROUGHT IN A CREW OF OVER 20 PEOPLE, THE COUNTY HAS BROUGHT ON ADDITIONAL CREWS AND CONTRACTORS.

THE RESTAURANT HERE AT THE AIRPORT, OF COURSE, IS GOING TO SEE INCREASED BUSINESS.

SO IT'S REALLY A TRICKLE EFFECT AND A DOMINO EFFECT FOR THE REST OF THE REGION.

>> Reporter: MATT WEST OWNS THE LANDINGS RESTAURANT AND BAR IN THE AIRPORT.

HE'S BEEN WAITING FOR YEARS FOR COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS TO RETURN.

>> OH, IT'S GREAT FOR US.

ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE TIMES THAT THE FLIGHTS COME AND GO, IT REALLY HELPS US IN OUR SLOWER TIMES OF THE DAY.

THIS MORNING WE WERE PRETTY MUCH COMPLETELY FULL.

>> Reporter: WEST PLANS TO HIRE MORE STAFF AND EXPAND OPENING HOURS IN ANTICIPATION OF INCREASED DEMAND.

THE INAUGURAL FLIGHT TO PHOENIX ATTRACTED SELF-PROCLAIMED AVIATION GEEKS.

>> I THINK IT'S A BIG THING.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO SEE THE AIRPORTS FLOURISH.

IT SHOWS THE DEMAND AND I THINK IT WILL HELP THE CITY OF CARLSBAD BRING IN NEW DEMAND.

>> Reporter: THIS MAN DROVE FROM ORANGE COUNTY TO BE THE FIRST TO FLY OUT OF PALOMAR ON THE FIRST DAY OF SERVICE FOR AMERICAN AIRLINES.

AMERICAN WILL OFFER TWICE DAILY FLIGHTS, ONE IN THE MORNING AND ONE IN THE AFTERNOON.

IN CARLSBAD, ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> RIGHT NOW IT'S JUST AN IDEA.

A SUBWAY THAT COULD TAKE PEOPLE FROM CITY HEIGHTS TO KEARNY MESA IN EIGHT TO TEN MINUTES.

WE EXPLAIN THE SO-CALLED PURPLE LINE AND THE PRICE TAG THAT HAS EVEN SUPPORTERS WONDERING WHETHER IT WILL EVER HAPPEN.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN KEARNY MESA AND IT'S ONE OF THE TOP THREE JOB CENTERS IN THE SAN DIEGO REGION.

I MEET COLLIN OUTSIDE A LARGE NONDESCRIPT OFFICE BUILDING.

>> YOU SEE SIMILAR KINDS OF THINGS.

A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING IN AND OUT OF THIS AREA EVERY DAY FOR A JOB, BUT IT'S ALSO NOT VERY WELL CONNECTED TO TRANSIT.

>> Reporter: THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATE SAN DIEGO, THE NONPROFIT HAS LONG BEEN A SUPPORTER OF THE PICKUPLE LINE, A PLANNED HIGH-SPEED CONNECTION.

THE GOAL IS TO GIVE A FASTER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE THOUSANDS OF COMMUTERS WHO DRIVE THAT CORRIDOR EVERY DAY.

THE COUNTY'S TRANSPORTATION AGENCY RECENTLY COMPLETED A STUDY THAT ANALYZES HOW THE PURPLE LINE MIGHT WORK AS A HEAVY RAIL LINE WITH FASTER SPEEDS AND HIGHER CAPACITY THAN THE EXISTING TROLLEY.

THE STUDY LOOKED AT ONLY A PORTION OF THE CORRIDOR, AND IT DIDN'T CONSIDER FINANCING OR REAL ESTATE COSTS.

EVEN STILL, THE PRICE TAG IS STAGGERING.

>> THE FIRST THING I DID IS I PAGED THROUGH TO FIND OUT WHAT THE BUDGET ESTIMATE WAS, AND IT WAS A $20 BILLION PROJECT COST.

I SAID, WELL, THEY'RE CLEARLY NOT GOING TO BUILD THIS BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY THAT SAN DIEGO IS GOING TO HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY TO BUILD ONE PROJECT.

EVEN IF THEY DID HAVE THAT MUCH MONEY, THEY WOULDN'T AND CERTAINLY SHOULDN'T SPEND IT JUST ON ONE PROJECT.

>> Reporter: FOR COMPARISON, THIS VERSION OF THE PURPLE LINE WOULD COST MORE THAN TEN TIMES WHAT SAN DIEGO RECENTLY SPENT EXTENDING THE BLUE LINE TROLLEY TO UNIVERSITY CITY.

>> IT'S KIND OF LIKE A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD, BITTERSWEET.

>> Reporter: JESSIE RAMIREZ IS URBAN PLANNING DIRECTOR, ANOTHER LONG-TIME SUPPORTER OF THE PURPLE LINE.

HE SAYS HE'S GLAD THEY DID THE PLANNING STUDY AND IS TAKING STEPS TO MOVE THE PROJECT PAST THE IDEA PHASE.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, KIND OF BITTER, BECAUSE I WAS SEEING HOW HARD AND HOW COMPLEX OF A PROJECT IT'S GOING -- IT IS GOING TO BE, AND HOW LONG, POTENTIALLY, IT MIGHT TAKE TO MAKE THIS PROJECT A REALITY.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE MAIN COST DRIVERS OF THE PURPLE LINE IS SAN DIEGO'S TOPOGRAPHY.

TUNNELING IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND THERE'S A HUGE ELEVATION DROP FROM CITY HEIGHTS INTO MISSION VALLEY THAT A RAIL LINE WOULD HAVE TO NAVIGATE CAREFULLY.

BUT RAMIREZ UNDERSTANDS THOSE ENGINEERING CHALLENGES, MEANING THIS VERSION OF THE PURPLE LINE IS COST PROHIBITIVE, AT LEAST FOR NOW.

BUT HE POINTS OUT THE STATUS QUO WHICH MAKES CAR OWNERSHIP ALL BUT MANDATORY FOR MOST PEOPLE IS ALSO EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO CONSUMERS AND TAXPAYERS ALIKE.

>> THE PRICE TAG IS HIGH BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO THINK IN THE CONTEXT OF HOW MUCH WE SPEND AND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AS A WHOLE AND THAT INCLUDES FREEWAYS, FREEWAY EXPANSIONS AND MAINTENANCE.

>> Reporter: RAMIREZ'S JOB IS TO GET REGULAR PEOPLE INVOLVED IN URBAN PLANNING AND HE SAYS A CONSISTENT CHALLENGE, ESPECIALLY WITH MEGA PROJECTS THAT TAKE DECADES TO MATERIALIZE IS SOMETHING HE CALLS PLANNING FATIGUE.

>> YOU GET THEM ALL EXCITED, HEY, WE HAVE THIS IDEA.

THE PURPLE LINE, A NEW RAPID PROJECT.

YOU GET THEM ALL EXCITED AND ENGAGE WITH THEM, AND THEN THE ENGAGEMENT KIND OF FIZZLES OUT BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE PROJECT.

YOU KIND OF START GETTING COMMUNITY MEMBERS ASKING THE QUESTIONS, WHY EVEN PARTICIPATE TO BEGIN WITH.

>> AN AWESOME CONCEPT OF A TRANSPORTATION PROJECT DOES NOT MOVE PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL MEMBER REPRESENTS CITY HEIGHTS AND SERVES ON THE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.

HE SAYS HE WANTS MORE FOCUS ON IMPROVING THE SPEED AND RELIABILITY OF THE EXISTING TRANSIT NETWORK.

>> AND THAT DOESN'T MEAN NOT DREAMING BIG OR HOPING FOR GREAT THINGS FOR SAN DIEGO.

BUT I DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO CENTER THE GOALS AND THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY AS WE'RE CHARTING THE COURSE FORWARD SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY DELIVER FOR FOLKS.

>> Reporter: STAFF SAY THEY'RE ALSO LOOKING INTO A RAPID BUS VERSION OF THE PURPLE LINE THAT WOULD BE CHEAPER AND FASTER TO BUILD THAN RAIL.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> IF YOU LIKE THAT STORY, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT ANDREW BOWEN'S PODCAST SERIES FREEWAY EXIT THAT LOOKS AT THE HISTORY OF HOW OUR TRAFFIC SYSTEM WAS DEVELOPED.

FREEWAY EXIT IS AVAILABLE ON ALL OF THE MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS AND YOU CAN STREAM IT ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

>>> THE REMOVAL OF THE CONTROVERSIAL FOOTNOTE FROM THE SAN DIEGO CITY CODE COULD BE DELAYED.

OUR REPORTER SAYS THAT COULD MEAN MORE DENSE DEVELOPMENTS APPROVED FOR THE FORMERLY RED LINED NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> Reporter: A FOOTNOTE IN CITY CODE A ALLOWS DEVELOPERS TO BUILD FOR DENSELY, BUT ONLY IN THE AREA THAT REMAINS MAJORITY BLACK AND LATINO LOW INCOME.

NEIGHBORS DISCOVERED THE FOOTNOTE AND SAID IT WASN'T CREATED TRANSPARENTLY.

COUNCIL MEMBER HENRY FOSTER III ADDED A SECOND ACTION TO ASK CITY STAFF TO PUT ENDING THE DWELLING UNIT BONUS PRAJ ON A FUTURE AGENDA.

CHAIR OF THE COMMUNITY PLANNING GROUP.

>> IT SURPRISED ME AND ALMOST EVERY IN CHAMBERS.

I KNEW THAT THE GREAT LIKELIHOOD WAS GOING TO BE THAT THERE WOULD BE NO SECOND READING AND IT WOULD BE TAKEN OFF OF THE AGENDA.

AND I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THAT.

I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED ACTUALLY THAT IT WAS A COMPOUND MOTION, BECAUSE IT SHIFTED THE FOCUS FROM THE RETROACTIVE REPEAL OF FOOTNOTE SEVEN TO OH, MY GOD, ADUs.

>> Reporter: LAST WEEK ATTORNEYS FOR THE DEVELOPER SDRE TOLD THE CITY THEY VIOLATED STATE LAW.

COUNCIL MEMBERS CAN'T VOTE OR DISCUSS SOMETHING THAT WASN'T ON THE MEETING'S PUBLIC AGENDA.

SDRE IS BEHIND SOME OF THE DEVELOPMENTS AND UP TO 150 UNITS ON ONE SINGLE FAMILY HOME LOT.

THAT SAME DAY, THE SECOND READING OF THE FOOTNOTE REMOVAL WAS GONE FROM THE AGENDA.

THE CITY SAID THE REMOVAL COULD TAKE EFFECT AS EARLY AS APRIL.

NOW THAT COULD BE LATER.

UNTIL THEN, ANY COMPLETED APPLICATIONS FROM DEVELOPERS CAN BE AS DENSE AS THE FOOTNOTE ALLOWS.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER TO GET A LIST OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES.

HERE ARE SOME FROM THIS WEEK.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S FOREIGN AID CUTS CARE FOR THOUSANDS OF MIGRANTS IN TIJUANA AND NOW LONELINESS IN SAN DIEGO IS SHAPING POLITICS.

THESE STORIES ARE PART OF OUR COLLABORATION WITH I NEWS SOURCE AND VOICE OF SAN DIEGO AND ONE OF THE STORIES WE BROUGHT YOU EARLIER, THE PURPLE LINE SUBWAY AND DANGERS OF PLANNING FATIGUE.

>>> A TEN-YEAR-OLD COMMUNITY GARDEN IS CLOSING DOWN BECAUSE OF A DIFFERENCE IN BELIEF AND VALUES.

COMMUNITY ROOTS FARM WAS NOT ONLY A PLACE TO GROW FOOD, IT'S ALSO BEEN THE SITE OF EVENTS CELEBRATING DIFFERENT CULTURES AND COMMUNITIES.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER TONYA THORNE SAYS THE CHURCH THAT OWNS THE LAND DOESN'T SUPPORT SOME OF THE EVENTS.

>> Reporter: THERE WERE ONCE CHICKENS, FRUITFUL GARDENS AND COMMUNITY.

>> TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A PLACE WHERE ANYONE CAN COME, NO MATTER THEIR SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS, HOW THEY WOKE UP FEELING THAT DAY, THEIR GENDER IDENTITY, WHATEVER IT IS, THEY KNOW THAT THEY CAN COME TO THIS SPACE AND BE NOURISHED, NOT ONLY PHYSICALLY WITH FOOD, BUT ALSO MENTALLY, SOCIALLY, CULTURALLY.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE ORGANIZER OF COMMUNITY ROOTS FARM.

FOR TEN YEARS SHE HAS OVERSEEN THE GARDENS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS.

>> EVERYONE IS ALWAYS SO SURPRISED AT HOW MUCH YOU CAN DO ON AN ACRE OF LAND.

IT'S NOT ONLY THE AMOUNT OF FOOD WE GREW, WHICH WAS THOUSANDS OF POUNDS, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF POUNDS EVERY SINGLE YEAR THAT WENT OUT INTO OUR COMMUNITY, PESTICIDE FREE, LOCAL PRODUCE.

BUT IT WAS ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE HERE.

>> Reporter: SHE DOESN'T OWN THAT ONE ACRE.

IT'S LEASED FROM SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH.

AND AFTER A CHANGE IN CHURCH LEADERSHIP, THE FARM IS NOTHING BUT DEAD WEEDS AND DIRT.

>> ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH THERE WITH THE MISSOURI -- THEY INSTALLED A NEW PASTOR, AND HE MADE IT VERY CLEAR TO OUR ORGANIZATION THAT HE DID NOT APPROVE OF SEVERAL OF OUR ACTIVITIES AND OUR COMMUNICATIONS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS CONCERNS FROM THE CHURCH CAME UP WHEN THE FARM POSTED SUPPORT FOR THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY ON THEIR SOCIAL MEDIA.

THOSE CONCERNS GREW.

>> DID NOT APPROVE OF OUR SUMMER SOLSTICE EVENT WE HAD THIS YEAR, STATING THAT IT IS A PAGAN RITUAL THAT WE WERE HOLDING.

AND THEN THE MUERTOS EVENT WAS DEVIL DEVIL WORSHIPPING.

>> Reporter: ALL EVENTS AND SIGNAGE WOULD NEED 30-DAY APPROVAL BY THE CHURCH.

>> THEY MADE IT VERY CLEAR THAT THE DAY OF MUERTOS AND MANY OF OUR COMMUNICATIONS WOULD NOT BE APPROVED.

THUS WE DECIDED THAT THIS WAS NO LONGER A SAFE SPACE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, WE COULD NOT FOREGO OUR VALUES AND MAKING SURE THAT THE PEOPLE THAT WE SERVE, OUR COMMUNITY, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY FEEL SAFE.

>> Reporter: THE PASTOR AND THE SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY LUTHERAN CHURCH DECLINED AN INTERVIEW BUT SENT A STATEMENT SAYING THE ACTIVITY HAS EXPANDED BEYOND PRODUCE TO ADVANCING CAUSES WHICH CONFLICT OF THE BIBLICAL TEACHINGS OF OUR CONGREGATION AND SAY THEY OFFERED A NEW AGREEMENT TO MAKE SURE THEY WOULD NOT HAVE EVENTS THAT CONFLICT WITH THEIR FAITH.

THE FARM HAS CHOSEN NOT TO ENTER INTO A NEW LEASE.

>> THEIR VALUES ARE FIRM AND SO ON OURS.

THEIR BOUNDARIES ARE FIRM AND SO ARE OURS.

THE PROTECTION OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, OF OUR LBGTQIA COMMUNITIES, OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES, THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT TO US, THAT THEY FEEL SAFE.

>> Reporter: THE LOSS OF THE FARM LEAVES A LARGER GAP FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT FREQUENTED THE SPACE.

IT'S THE LOSS OF ACCESS TO AN OPEN GREEN SPACE, FRESH VEGETABLES, FRIENDSHIPS AND ACCEPTANCE.

>> THESE KINDS OF ISSUES WE'RE SEEING IN THE MEDIA ON A GRAND SCALE.

WE'RE SEEING THESE TENSIONS AND WE'RE LIVING IT ON THIS MICRO SCALE, AND IN CONVERSATIONS I WOULD SAY IF WE CAN DO THIS, IF WE CAN WORK THIS OUT, ANYBODY CAN, RIGHT?

THERE'S HOPE.

LIKE, HOW ARE WE GOING TO CARRY THIS?

>> Reporter: OPEN GREEN SPACE IS SCARCE, SO SHE PLANS TO CARRYING THE MISSION IN A NEW DIRECTION IN A WAREHOUSE SHE IS CALLING THE PLANT LAB.

>> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE WORKSHOPS THERE AND COMMUNITY SPACE AND COMMUNITY BUILDING.

BUT I THINK MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT'S GOING TO BE A SPACE, A COLLABORATIVE SAFE SPACE FOR OUR IMMIGRANT AND LGBTQI COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE PLANT LAB WILL BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC LATER THIS YEAR.

TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IN RECENT DECADES, DR. BRONNER EVOLVED FROM A NICHE SOAP COMPANY TO A POWERHOUSE BRAND WITH A WORLDWILD FOLLOWING BUT A WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT MAKES SOME ALLEGATIONS.

THE LAWSUIT ALLEGES THEY'VE TURNED A BLIND EYE TO AN INTERNAL CULTURE OF DRUG USE.

>> Reporter: WHEN PEOPLE HEAR DR. BRONNERS, THEY THINK ABOUT THE SOAP'S LABELS, COVERED IN TINY FONT WRITINGS ABOUT LOVE AND WORLD PEACE.

IT'S BECOME A TRADEMARK OF THE BRAND.

ANOTHER TRADEMARK IS THE COMPANY'S DECADES-LONG SUPPORT OF PROGRESSIVE CAUSES.

A NEW GENERATION OF BRONNER FAMILY LEADERS HAS TAKEN THE COMPANY'S PROGRESSIVE ETHOS TO ANOTHER LEVEL, BY OPENLY EMBRACING PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS.

>> I WAS HAVING THIS INCREDIBLE PSYCHEDELIC EXPERIENCE, REALLY GETTING THROUGH CONSTRUCTS OF SELF, UNLOCKING HUGE AMOUNTS OF LOVE AND ENERGY.

>> Reporter: HE'S THE COMPANY'S COSMIC ENGAGEMENT OFFICER, OR CEO.

DR. BRONNERS CONTRIBUTES MILLIONS OF DOLLARS EVERY YEAR TO PSYCHEDELICS RESEARCH AND DRUG POLICY REFORM.

THE COMPANY BECAME ONE OF THE FIRST IN THE COUNTRY TO OFFER ITS EMPLOYEES KETAMINE-ASSISTED MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY, AND ITS SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES ARE FILLED WITH POSTS TOUTING THE SPIRITUAL OF HALLUCINOGENS.

IT COMES AS PSYCHEDELICS ARE GAINING MORE MAINSTREAM ACCEPTANCE.

>> THERE'S ENORMOUS INTEREST IN THE USE OF PSYCHEDELICS TO TREAT PSYCHIATRIC ILLNESS AND IT'S CERTAINLY THE CASE THAT THERE'S A LARGE AMOUNT OF UNMET NEED.

>> Reporter: DR. CALEB ALEXANDER IS A PRACTICING INTERNIST AND PROFESSOR AT THE JOHNS HOPKINS BLOOMBERG SCHOOL OF HEALTH.

HE SAYS WHILE THERE'S PROMISE WITH SOME OF THESE PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS LIKE KETAMINE, THERE ARE ALSO RISKS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, WE'VE SEEN MANY SETTINGS WHERE INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN INJURED OR DIED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF KETAMINE IN THESE LESS STRUCTURED SETTINGS.

>> Reporter: A RECENT WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT CLAIMS THAT DR. BRONNERS' COMPANY ISN'T JUST ADVOCATING FOR PSYCHEDELIC MEDICINES IN REGULATED SETTINGS, IT'S FOSTERING A RISKY CULTURE OF DRUG USE AMONG SOME LEADERS AND EMPLOYEES.

THE LAWSUIT WAS FILED BY THE FAMILY DR. BRONNERS' EMPLOYEE WHO IN 2022 DIED OF AN ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE AT THE AGE OF 50.

SHE WAS PART OF THE EVENTS AND EXPERIENCE TEAM.

AND THIS ISN'T YOUR TYPICAL CORPORATE MARKETING DEPARTMENT.

THE TEAM IS MADE UP OF ARTISTS AND BRAND AMBASSADORS WHO ATTEND PARADES AND MAJOR FESTIVALS LIKE BURNING MAN.

THEY BUMP ELECTRONIC MUSIC AND SPRAY SO-CALLED MAGIC FOAM ON ATTENDEES.

HERE IS DAVID BRONNER IN A PROMOTIONAL VIDEO.

>> BLASTING FOAM ON PEOPLE IS ALL ABOUT BRINGING JOY TO THE WORLD.

THAT'S THE MISSION OF EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: THEIR EVENTS BASICALLY ONE GIANT PARTY COVERED IN SUDS AND WRAPPED IN THE BRANDING.

>> IT'S AN CUES TO SHOW UP AND ELEVATE THE VIBE.

>> Reporter: THE WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT ALLEGES SHE HURT HER BACK WHILE DRIVING A TRUCK ON THE JOB.

THE PAIN PERSISTED FOR MONTHS.

THE LAWSUIT GOES ON TO CLAIM DAVID BRONNER AND OTHER COLLEAGUES ARRANGED FOR LOZANO TO RECEIVE A KETAMINE MASSAGE FROM AN UNLICENSED MASSEUSE TO RELIEVE THE PAIN.

SHE WAS LED TO BELIEVE IT WAS PART OF THE COMPANY'S OFFICIAL HEALTH CARE OFFERINGS ACCORDING TO THE LAWSUIT, BUT IT WASN'T.

THE ALLEGED MASSEUSE GAVE THE MASSAGE AT HER HOME.

WITHIN HOURS, SHE DIED FROM A LETHAL OVERDOSE OF MDA, A POET PSYCHEDELIC SIMILAR TO ECSTASY.

AN AUTOPSY REPORT FOUND NO KETAMINE IN HER SYSTEM.

HER FAMILY BLAMES DR. BRONNERS AND DAVID BRONNER IN PARTICULAR FOR ARRANGING THE MASSAGE.

THE FAMILY BLAMES THE MASSEUSE FOR GIVING HER A LETHAL DOSE OF MDA.

DAVID BRONNER DECLINED AN INTERVIEW REQUEST.

A COMPANY SPOKESPERSON SAID HER TRAGIC PASSING WAS NOT THE FAULT OF ANYONE ASSOCIATED WITH DR. BRONNERS.

THEY GO ON TO CALL LOZANO A LOVED EMPLOYEE.

THE ALLEGED MASSEUSE DID NOT RESPOND TO REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

THERE IS A BOOMING UNDERGROUND MARKET THESE DAYS FOR SERVICES INVOLVING KETAMINE AND OTHER PSYCHEDELICS, AND THAT COMES WITH ALL KINDS OF RISKS.

HERE IS ALEXANDER AGAIN.

>> THIS ISN'T, LIKE, YOU KNOW, SITTING DOWN WITH SOMEBODY AND DRINKING GREEN TEA TOGETHER.

YOU SHOULD HAVE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ON HAND WHEN THE DRUG IS BEING DELIVERED.

I MEAN, THE RESULTS WITHOUT THAT CAN BE CATASTROPHIC.

>> Reporter: DR. BRONNERS ADDED A DISCLAIMER TO ITS BLOG POST ABOUT THE COMPANY'S KETAMINE ASSISTED MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM AFTER LOZANO DIED.

THE DISCLAIMER STATES, QUOTE, DR. BRONNERS DID NOT SUPPORT OR ENCOURAGE THE UNLICENSED OR ILLEGAL PRACTICE OR USE OF KETAMINE OR KETAMINE-ASSISTED THERAPY IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> IF YOU HAVE A TIP FOR KPBS'S INVESTIGATIONS TEAM, YOU CAN SEND AN EMAIL TO INVESTIGATIONS@KPBS.ORG OR MESSAGE THEM AT THE NUMBER YOU SEE ON YOUR SCREEN, 619-54-8177.

>>> COSTCO PUT LIMITS ON THE NUMBER OF EGGS YOU CAN BUY.

WE'RE SHOWING YOU HOW A LOCAL EGG FARM IS HANDLING THE SITUATION.

>> Reporter: IF YOU'VE TRIED TO BUY EGGS LATELY, YOU MAY HAVE ENCOUNTERED EMPTY SHELVES OR REALLY HIGH PRICES.

THAT'S MEANT SOME CHANGES FOR NATALIE BARBER AND HER FAMILY.

>> WE DEFINITELY PULLED BACK OUR CONSUMPTION.

I MEAN, IT WOULD BE SIX TO EIGHT EGGS EVERY SINGLE MORNING, THREE FOR ME, TWO FOR HIM AND THREE FOR DAD, ANYWHERE IN BETWEEN THERE.

BUT, YEAH, EVENTUALLY WE'LL SCALE BACK WHAT WE HAVE TO EAT IF IT GETS TO THAT POINT.

>> Reporter: BUT IT'S BEEN BUSINESS AS USUAL HERE IN LAKESIDE.

>> PRETTY GOOD, BEST DEAL IN TOWN.

>> Reporter: WITH ONE SMALL CHANGE.

>> THE WAY WE'RE KEEPING THEM REASONABLE, WE HAVE A LIMIT.

WE'RE PRETTY MUCH NOT SELLING ANY MORE EGGS OUT THE DOOR THAN WE HAVE.

BEFORE WE HAD NO LIMIT, BUT HAVING A LIMIT JUST KIND OF SPREADS THEM OUT.

THAT WAY I'M ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF MY WHOLESALE CUSTOMERS.

>> Reporter: A DOZEN EGGS COSTS BETWEEN $5 AND $6 AND EGG FLATS WITH 20 EGGS ARE SOLD BETWEEN $7 AND $9.

THE PRESIDENT AND CEO SAYS THEIR FARM IS HOME TO ALMOST 30,000 CHICKENS AND THEY PRODUCE BETWEEN 23,000 AND 25,000 EGGS A DAY.

>> WE HAVE THE EGG WASHER AND THEY GET INSPECTED, THEY GET WEIGHED AND PACKED.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS IF BIRD FLU INFECTED HIS FACILITY, IT WOULD BE DEVASTATING.

>> 100% OF THE CHICKENS WOULD GET SICK, WE WOULD HAVE TO SHUT DOWN.

>> Reporter: THE EGG FARM HAS IMPLEMENTED A FEW SAFETY PRECAUTIONS TO TRY TO PREVENT A BIRD FLU OUTBREAK.

>> I'M GOING THROUGH THE FOOT BATH AND THINK OF IT LIKE LYSOL.

IT'S SIMILAR TO THAT.

IT'S A DISINFECTANT.

WE HAVE OUR SIGN FOR OUR BIO SECURITY AREA, AND YOU PROBABLY NOTICE HOW IT'S REALLY WET AND IT'S KIND OF BUBBLY.

WE JUST HAD A TRUCK COME IN AND THE DRIVER JUST HAD TO GO THROUGH DISINFECTANT, HIS SHOES AND WHATNOT.

HE TOOK AND WASHED THE WHOLE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE TRUCK, TIRES AND EVERYTHING, TO MAKE SURE THAT HE DIDN'T CONTACT ANY BIRD FLU FROM THE ROAD.

ANYTHING THAT GOES PAST OUR GATES GETS DISINFECTED.

>> Reporter: THEY ALSO LIMIT VISITORS FROM ENTERING THEIR FACILITIES.

AND WE'RE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT HUMAN VISITORS, EITHER.

>> WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP WILD BIRDS FROM FLYING IN THE CHICKEN HOUSES, WE KEEP ALL AROUND THE CHICKEN HOUSES REALLY CLEAN, THAT WAY WE CAN SPOT IF THERE'S -- IF A BIRD WAS FLYING OVERHEAD AND THERE WAS BIRD FECES ON THE GROUND, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO SPOT IT AND CLEAN IT UP REAL QUICK.

>> Reporter: THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE PREDICTS EGG PRICES ARE GOING TO INCREASE ANOTHER 20% IN 2025.

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

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