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

I AM JOHN CARROLL.

COMING UP, THE FBI WARNS PARENTS OF A SURGE IN EXTORTION CASES TARGETING TEENS ON THEIR SMART PHONES.

KPBS VISITS A SPORTS CLINIC THAT HELPS VETERANS WITH DISABILITIES OVERCOME PHYSICAL AND MENTAL OBSTACLES.

>>> THE LIBERTY THE CHICANO MOVEMENT.

SAN DIEGO JOSE SOCIAL EVENT IN HONOR OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH.

>>> WE START WITH MORE OF OUR COVERAGE ON THE SMUGGLING OF FENTANYL INTO THE UNITED STATES.

LOCAL PROSECUTORS TELL GUSTAVO SILLIES THEY ARE PARTICULARLY WORRIED ABOUT TEENAGERS GETTING CAUGHT UP IN THE CROSS-BORDER DRUG TRADE.

>> IT IS VERY CONCERNING TO SEE THESE YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL KIDS AND THEY ARE CARRYING FENTANYL, THEY HAVE IT STRAPPED ON THEIR BODY.

THEY ARE RISKING THEIR OWN HEALTH.

>> Reporter: THAT IS INDIGO DISTRICT ATTORNEY SUMMER SEVEN.

OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS, HE HAS SEEN A STEADY INCREASE IN MINORS PROSECUTED FOR DRUG SMUGGLING.

FOR DECADES MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS HAVE MADE SAN DIEGO A KEY HUB IN THEIR DRUG TRAFFICKING NETWORKS.

CONTRARY TO ELECTION-YEAR RHETORIC, CARTELS RARELY USE MIGRANTS CROSSING ILLEGALLY TO SMUGGLE FENTANYL.

INSTEAD, THESE PEOPLE WHO CROSS THE BORDER TO THE OFFICIAL FORCE OF ENTRY WITHOUT RAISING SUSPICION.

>> THE ORGANIZED CRIME THAT IS INVOLVED IS SMART ENOUGH TO TRY TO SELECT PEOPLE THAT CAN CROSSING THE BORDER WITHOUT A CRIMINAL RECORD SO THAT THEIR DETECTION IS AT A LOWER LEVEL.

>> Reporter: NOW IS THE IDEAL DRUG FOR THIS TYPE OF SMUGGLING.

QUANTITIES SUCH BIG PROFITS SO THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE BOATS, PLANES AND UNDERGROUND TUNNELS THAT CARTELS HAVE HISTORICALLY USED TO TRANSPORT DRUGS LIKE MARIJUANA AND COCAINE.

FENTANYL CAN BE CARRIED IN A BREAST POCKET OR HIDDEN IN A GLOVE COMPARTMENT.

SYDNEE IS A DIRECTOR OF FIELD OPERATIONS AT THE CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION'S SAN DIEGO FIELD OFFICE.

HE SAYS CARTELS LOOK FOR PEOPLE WHO CROSS FREQUENTLY AND ARE DESPERATE FOR CASH.

HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS OFTEN FIT THE BILL.

>> THEY BROWN INDIVIDUALS THAT POTENTIALLY ARE IN FINANCIAL HARDSHIP AND THEY UTILIZE THESE INDIVIDUALS TO TRY AND BRING NARCOTICS INTO THE UNITED STATES.

>> Reporter: SOMETIMES ALL IT TAKES IS A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS WITH THE PROMISE OF A SHINY NEW SMART PHONE.

>> THEY ARE GETTING PAID A SMALL, NOMINAL FEE, MAYBE AN APPLE iPHONE OR ANDROID PHONE OR SOMETHING TO THAT NATURE WHICH THEY REALLY CHERISH AND WANT.

>> THERE ARE ALSO PEOPLE SMUGGLING FENTANYL WITHOUT EVEN KNOWING IT.

THE PRACTICE IS SO COMMON THAT BORDER PATROL AGENTS HAVE A NAME FOR IT.

THEY CALL IT BEING A BLIND MULE.

THIS ALMOST HAPPENED TO TWO STUDENTS AT SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE AT CHULA VISTA.

GPS TRACKING DEVICES WERE FOUND ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THEIR CARS.

HERE IS SOUTHWESTERN'S CHIEF SAFETY OFFICER.

>> WE WERE ABLE TO SEE A -- WHAT APPEARED TO BE A YOUNG GENTLEMAN GET OUT OF THE PASSENGER SIDE AND ATTACHED A DEVICE UNDERNEATH THE CAR WHICH MATCHED THE LOCATION IN WHICH THEY HAD FOUND IT.

THAT INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED TO THE FEDERAL AUTHORITIES OF COURSE.

>> Reporter: HE BELIEVES SMUGGLERS TARGETED THE STUDENTS BECAUSE THEY CROSS THE BORDER OFTEN.

DRUGS CAN BE PLANTED IN A CAR IN TIJUANA AND THEN PICKED UP ANY SOUTHWESTERN PARKING LOT WITHOUT ANYONE FINDING OUT.

>> WE ARE ALL CREATURES OF HABIT, RIGHT?

WE USUALLY PARK IN THE SAME LOCATION BECAUSE IT IS APPROXIMATELY TWO YOUR CLASSES SO IT IS EASY TO TRACK THAT CAR.

YOU TRACK IT FOR A FEW DAYS TO SEE WHAT TIMES -- TIME FRAMES THEY ARE IN.

IT IS EASY TO PICK UP A DROP OFF.

>> Reporter: POLICE ARE WARNING NEW STUDENTS DURING ORIENTATION.

>> IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE FOR OUR GOVERNMENT TO SAY THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN BECAUSE WE DON'T HEAR ABOUT IT.

SO WE NEED TO BE CONSCIOUS THAT THIS IS GOING ON.

FOR EVERY TWO OR THREE THAT YOU ACTUALLY SPOT HOW MANY YOU DON'T.

>> Reporter: STEFAN IS ALSO COUNTING ON EDUCATION AND AWARENESS TO COMBAT FENTANYL SMUGGLING.

HER OFFICE REALLY POSTED A BILLBOARD SHOWING THE FACES OF THOSE IN THE SAN DIEGO AND KILLED BY FENTANYL.

>> I WAS JUST WITH 32 SAN DIEGO FAMILIES, LOST CHILDREN AND LOVED ONES.

WE WERE PUTTING UP A BILLBOARD THAT WAS DRIVEN BY THESE FAMILIES WITH THE FACES OF THEIR CHILDREN AND THEIR SIBLINGS.

>> Reporter: THAT IS PART OF A LARGER OUTREACH EFFORT THAT INVOLVES VISITING SAN DIEGO'S HIGH SCHOOLS TO WARN PEOPLE ABOUT THE DANGERS OF GETTING CAUGHT UP IN THE DRUG TRADE.

>> RECRUITMENT IS VERY ACTIVE AND WHAT THE CARTELS TELL THESE KIDS IS THAT NOTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOU.

>> Reporter: WITH MORE THAN 700 SAN DIEGO AND DYING FROM OVERDOSES EVERY YEAR, THE CONSEQUENCES ARE VERY REAL.

GUSTAVO SOLIS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE FBI IS WARNING OF A NEW SCAM TARGETING TEENAGERS WITH DEADLY CONSEQUENCE IS.

IT INVOLVES EXTORTING THEM OVER SEXUALLY EXPLICIT PHOTOS.

HERE IS ALEXANDER NGUYEN WITH WHAT PARENTS CAN DO TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: WITH A DAUGHTER IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND ONE ENTERING HIGH SCHOOL, CARMEN IS ALWAYS WORRIED ABOUT THEIR SAFETY, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY START TO HAVE THEIR OWN PHONES.

AS ANY RESPONSIBLE PARENT WOULD , SHE GAVE HER DAUGHTERS THE TALK.

THE ONLINE SAFETY TALK.

>> I HAVE A 12-YEAR-OLD AND 14- YEAR-OLD AND THEY HAVE HAD THEIR PHONE FOR PROBABLY THREE YEARS NOW.

SO THAT DISCUSSION HAPPENED EARLY ON.

AND SHE TALKED TO THEM ABOUT MISINFORMATION ONLINE, SHOPPING SCAMS AND NOT ANSWERING CALLS FROM UNKNOWN MEMBERS.

GROWING UP HER PARENTS GAVE HER A DIFFERENT KIND OF SAFETY TALK.

>> THE SCARY PERSON FOLLOWING ME WAS ON THE BIKE BEHIND YOU, THAT TYPE OF THING.

>> Reporter: GREGORY HANSEN AT THE FBI SAYS PARENTS NEED TO TALK TO TEENAGERS ABOUT ANOTHER ONLINE DANGER, SEXTORTION.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO WANT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THEM BEFORE IT EVEN HAPPENS.

>> Reporter: SEXTORTION INVOLVES SCAMMERS TO SEND -- CONVINCE TEENS TO SEND EXPLICIT IMAGES OR VIDEOS TO THEM AND THREATENING TO RELEASE THOSE PHOTOS OR VIDEOS UNLESS THE VICTIM PAYS UP OR PRODUCES MORE.

THIS TYPE OF SCAM IS INCREASING AT AN LAMBING RATE.

>> WE HAD ONE SIX MONTH PERIOD, IT WENT FROM ABOUT 5800 STEPS UP TO OVER 6000.

WE ARE SEEING ABOUT A 20 TO 30% INCREASE FROM PRIOR YEARS.

>> Reporter: BETWEEN OCTOBER, 2021 AND MARCH, 2023, AUTHORITIES SAW MORE THAN 13,000 REPORTS.

>> THE FBI SAYS SCAMMERS ARE TARGETING TEENAGERS THROUGH THE POPULAR SOCIAL MEDIA APPS SUCH AS INSTAGRAM AND IT HAPPENS FASTER THAN YOU THINK.

>> ONCE THEY TARGET A VICTIM ON ONE OF THESE, WHETHER IT IS GAMING OR SOCIAL MEDIA, THEY WILL TRY TO MOVE THEM OVER TO A CHATTING AND STREAMING PLATFORM.

>> Reporter: THAT IS WHEN SCAMMERS START TO COERCE TEENS INTO SHARING SEXUALLY EXCESSIVE PHOTOS OF THEMSELVES THERE ARE TWO TYPES, TRADITIONAL AND FINANCIAL.

THE TRADITIONAL IS TYPICALLY PREDATORS LOOKING TO GET MORE PHOTOS FROM THEIR VICTIMS.

FINANCIAL IS WHEN SCAMMERS THREATENED TO SEND THOSE EXCESSIVE PHOTOS TO THE VICTIM'S FRIENDS OR FAMILIES.

THE TYPICAL VICTIMS ARE TEENAGE BOYS.

THAT HAS DEADLY CONSEQUENCES.

>> THERE IS ONE SUCH STORY WHERE A MINOR MALE ENDED UP BEING CONTACTED 11:00 AT NIGHT BY ABOUT 4:00 A.M., MAYBE EVEN EARLIER, HAD ALREADY TAKEN HIS LIFE.

>> Reporter: SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES ARE STARTING TO TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT TEENAGERS FROM PREDATORS AND SCAMMERS.

MEHTA, THE OWNER OF INSTAGRAM, RECENTLY ANNOUNCED NEW TEEN ACCOUNTS THAT ARE MORE RESTRICTIVE AND PRIVATE BY DEFAULT WITH OTHER SAFEGUARDS THAT THE COMPANY INTRODUCED.

HANSEN SAYS PARENTS ARE THE BEST SAFEGUARDS.

>> MAKE SURE YOUR KIDS CAN COME TO YOU WITH ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: SHE JUST WANTS HER KIDS TO BE SAFE.

ALEXANDER NOLAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW ARE HAVING THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, YOU CAN CALL OR TEXT 988.

YOU CAN ALSO VISIT 988 LIFELINE.ORG FOR 24/7 FREE AND CONFIDENTIAL SUPPORT.

>>> BLACK MOTHERS AND INFANTS FACE HIGHER RATES OF CHILDBIRTH -RELATED COMPETITIONS ARE DUST AND OTHER -- ANY OTHER RESIDENT THE CITY.

THE COUNTY IS EXPANDING VALUABLE RESOURCES TO BLACK MOTHERS AND BABIES TO HELP BRING THOSE RATES DOWN.

>> Reporter: CHILDBIRTH CAN BE A HAPPY TIME FOR A MOM.

BUT FOR BLACK MOTHERS, IT CAN BE DIFFERENT.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, BLACK WOMEN HAVE HIGHER RATES OF MATERNAL MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY.

AFRICAN AMERICAN BABIES ARE MORE LIKELY TO DIE BEFORE THEIR FIRST BIRTHDAY THAN HISPANIC WOMEN, ASIAN WOMEN AND CAUCASIAN WOMEN.

HIS PAIN AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY BLACK INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM.

WHICH RECENTLY EXPANDED INTO NORTH COUNTY.

>> THEY HAVE A PROGRAM BECAUSE THERE IS A NEED.

I THINK AS A SOCIETY, WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE NEEDS OF ALL OF OUR CITIZENS.

IF WE ALL THRIVE INDIVIDUALLY THEN WE ALL THRIVE AS A COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAM ARE TO IMPROVE AFRICAN- AMERICAN INFANT AND MATERNAL HEALTH AND DECREASE HEALTH AND SOCIAL INEQUITIES.

>> AS THEY WERE EQUIVALENT TO ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES, THEY PROVIDE BOTH WRAPAROUND SERVICES AND ACTUALLY THE WOMEN, WHEN THEY ARE IN THE PROGRAM, THEY ARE ABLE TO DEVELOP OTHER RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER WOMEN SO THEY ARE BUILDING THEIR NETWORK OF A SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR THEMSELVES.

>> Reporter: WOMEN LIKE DANIELLE MORGAN AND SHYAM RITCHIE.

YOU WOULD THINK THEY HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR YEARS BUT THEY ACTUALLY JUST MET.

AT THE NEW BLACK INFANT HEALTH PROGRAM CENTER IN OCEANSIDE.

>> PERSONALLY BEING A BLACK MOM, I KNOW IT IS REALLY HARD TO FIND OTHER BLACK MOM.

THEY ARE HERE.

THEY ARE HERE.

BUT I DON'T THINK THEY ARE OUT AND ABOUT AS EASILY AS A LOTS OF OTHER RACIAL GROUPS JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF RESOURCES.

>> Reporter: THE LACK OF RESOURCES AND REPRESENTATION IS WHAT INSPIRED RITCHIE.

>> AND I LEARNED THERE ARE ONLY 4% OF BLACK PEOPLE THAT REPRESENTED, I KNEW I HAD TO GET IN THERE.

>> Reporter: SHE IS STUDYING TO BECOME A MIDWIFE.

SHE THINKS MORE REPRESENTATION COULD HELP CHANGE THE MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY RATES BLACK MOTHERS AND INFANTS FACE.

>> THAT IS THE BIGGEST WAY TO MAKE SURE OUR PEOPLE ARE THOUGHT FOR.

IN THE WAY THAT THE MARGINALIZED PEOPLE ARE -- SOUGHT JUSTICE TOWARD MAKING SURE THE MATERNAL BIRTHRATE DECREASES UNTIL YOU'RE NO LONGER AT A DEFICIT.

>> Reporter: SHE COULD ITS PROGRAMS LIKE BLACK INFANT HEALTH FOR RAISING SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARENESS.

THE PROGRAM OFFERS NEW AND EXPECTING BLACK MOTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO HELP ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR DOCTOR'S OFFICE.

AS WELL AS RESOURCES.

THE OFFICE LOCATED IN OCEANSIDE AT 3156 VISTA WAY IS HAVING A GRAND OPENING ON SATURDAY FROM 1:00 TO 4:00 P.M. FAMILY PORTRAITS, ACTIVITIES AND FOOD WILL BE PROVIDED AND ANYONE IS WELCOME TO JOIN.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HAVE A LOT MORE FOR PARENTS AT THE KPBS FAMILY SECTION ON KPBS.ORG.

YOU CAN FIND INFORMATION ON LOCAL EVENTS AND MORE OF OUR NEWS CONTENT.

>>> MORE THAN 100 DISABLED VETERANS SPENT A WEEK IN SAN DIEGO LAST MONTH.

FOR THE VA'S SUMMER SPORTS CLINIC.

IT IS ONE WAY THE DEPARTMENT IS TRYING TO HELP VETERANS STAY HEALTHY WHEN PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO EXERCISE.

AND HER DIRE SPENT TIME WITH SOME OF THE VETERANS AND HE SAYS THEY GET SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST A WORKOUT.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO GO IN THE WATER BACKWARDS, OKAY?

>> Reporter: THIS NAVY VETERAN IS ALL SMILES WHEN HE COMES OUT OF THE COOL PACIFIC OCEAN WATER.

HE IS FROM MIAMI WHERE HE SAYS THE WATER IS MUCH WARMER.

HE USES A WHEELCHAIR TO GET AROUND BUT TODAY HE IS ON A SURFBOARD.

CMAC IT REALLY MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE WE CAN STILL DO IT A LOT OF THE TIMES.

>> Reporter: IT IS HIS SECOND YEAR AT THE VA'S SUMMER SPORTS CLINIC.

HE IS ONE OF MORE THAN 100 VETERANS THE VA HAS WENT TO SAN DIEGO FOR THE CLINIC.

VA STAFFERS AND VOLUNTEERS HELP VETERANS COMPETE IN A VARIETY OF ADAPTIVE SPORTS, SURFING, KAYAKING AND CYCLING OUTDOORS AND ONE DAY IN THE GYM.

THIS IS THE VA UNDERSECRETARY FOR HEALTH.

>> WE HAVE GOT A LOT OF DEMAND FOR EVENTS LIKE THIS.

PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED THE PACT ACT TWO YEARS AGO AND THAT OPENED MORE DOORS INTO THE VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM THAN EVER BEFORE.

WE HAVE MORE THAN 750,000 NEW VETERANS INTO OUR SYSTEM JUST OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS AND MANY OF THEM ARE INTERESTED IN THESE EVENTS.

>> Reporter: THE VA OFFERS THE CLINICS AS PART OF EACH VETERANS REHABILITATION PROGRAM, SOME LIVE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES AND OTHERS WITH THOSE YOU CAN'T SEE.

VA SPOKESPERSON DAMIEN McKEE SAYS THIS WEEK NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT WHAT THEY CAN'T DO.

>> SOME OF THEM HAVE VARIOUS INJURIES AND DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY ARE FROM AND WHO THEY ARE AROUND, MAYBE THEY ARE TOLD THEY CAN'T DO THINGS.

MAYBE THEY ARE TOLD ABOUT THEIR LIMITATIONS BUT HERE, WE DON'T FOCUS ON LIMITATIONS, WE DON'T FOCUS ON WHAT PEOPLE CAN'T DO.

WE ONLY FOCUS ON WHAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF AND HOW FAR THEY CAN GO AND THAT IS WHAT YOU HEAR THEM TALKING ABOUT.

>> Reporter: DeMAR WILSON FROM VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA JUST KAYAKED ACROSS MISSION BAY.

HE USES A WHEELCHAIR AND CAN'T USE HIS HANDS VERY WELL.

ENJOYS KAYAKING BUT SAYS IT IS NOT EASY.

>> FOR ME BEING DISABLED IN A WHEELCHAIR, I NEED A DIFFERENT TYPE OF MECHANISM IN ORDER TO GET INTO THE KAYAK.

YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO JUMP OUT OF MY WHEELCHAIR, TRANSFER INTO THE KAYAK.

TRYING TO SET MYSELF UP IN A POSITION I'M GOING TO BE COMFORTABLE IN.

>> NOW, READY.

>> Reporter: AT IN VICTOR'S FITNESS NEAR DOWNTOWN, ALEX LEADS ANOTHER GROUP IN SOME RESISTANCE TRAINING.

HE IS A NAVY VETERAN, HE IS ALSO THE FOUNDER OF THE ADAPTIVE TRAINING ACADEMY.

THEY TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO WORK OUT IN SPITE OF ANY DISABILITY.

HE CALLS IT FUNCTIONAL FITNESS.

CMAC FUNCTIONAL FITNESS UTILIZES MOMENTS YOU DO IN EVERYDAY LIFE.

ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING AS A THERAPIST AND PRACTITIONERS WOULD CALL THEM.

SQUATS, HINGES FOR PICKING THINGS UP, PUTTING THINGS DOWN.

PUSHING, PULLING, PRESSING.

ALL THE BASIC MOVEMENTS YOUR BODY IS MEANT TO DO.

>> Reporter: BECAUSE OF THE DEMANDS OF THE AILMENTS VETERANS TO TO CLINICS SO FOR SOME IT IS THEIR SECOND AND LAST TIME WITH THE GROUP.

IT IS ATLANTA NAVY VETERAN PAULA FLUELLEN'S FIRST TIME.

>> THE EXPERIENCE TO ME WAS ONE OF A KIND.

I WOULD ALWAYS MAKE SURE EVERYBODY WOULD GET TO WHERE THEY NEEDED TO GO BUT THIS WAS MY TIME TO GET TO WHERE I NEEDED TO BE.

>> Reporter: IT WANTS TO BRING THE LESSONS HOME AND MAKE EXERCISE OF THEIR ROUTINES.

WILSON SAYS THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HE DID AFTER ATTENDING LAST YEAR.

HE STARTED WORKING OUT MORE AND NOW IT IS EASIER TO LIFT HIMSELF IN AND OUT OF HIS CHAIR.

CMAC I AM ABLE TO ACTUALLY BE STRONG ENOUGH TO GET OUT WITH MY KIDS.

I HAVE CHILDREN AND WE ARE ABLE TO GET OUT AND WE CAN ACTUALLY GO KAYAKING TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: WILSON AND HIS FOUR KIDS, THREE GIRLS AND A BOY ARE A TEAM.

>> THEY CAN HELP ME OUT AND I AM ABLE TO TELL THEM EXACTLY WHAT I NEED AND WHERE I NEED STRAPS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: THE VA RUNS SIX NATIONAL EVENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THERE ARE WINTER SPORTS, WHEELCHAIR GAMES AND GOLF AND EVEN A SPRING CREATIVE ARTS FESTIVAL.

ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A $13 MILLION INVESTMENT IN A CONSTRUCTION FACILITY AT A LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL IS PAYING OFF.

TANIA THORNE SAYS THE STUDENTS ARE BUILDING TINY HOMES FOR HOMELESS VETERANS AND LEARNING SKILLS THEY WILL TAKE WITH THEM AFTER GRADUATION.

>> Reporter: A BRAND-NEW CONSTRUCTION FACILITY, WITH ALL THE DRILLS AND HAMMERS.

ALL IN THE GRASS OF RANCHO BUENA VISTA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

CMAC WE HAVE SO MUCH SPACE, IT WOULD BE REALLY DIFFICULT TO TEACH RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION IN A SMALL SPACE.

THERE IS A LOT OF SPACE, THERE'S NOT REALLY ANY LIMIT TO WHAT WE CAN DO.

>> Reporter: TEACHES A CONSTRUCTION COURSE AT THE HIGH SCHOOL, BEFORE THE 9000 SQUARE- FOOT FACILITY, HE SAYS PROJECTS WERE SMALLER IN SCALE.

>> SMALL LITTLE TABLES AND BENCHES AND NOW WE ARE BUILDING SHUNTS AND TINY HOMES.

WE REALLY EXPANDED THE PROJECT.

>> Reporter: THE CLASS IS BUILDING A COUPLE OF TINY HOMES THAT WILL BE NOT DONATED TO HOMELESS VETERANS THROUGH THE WARRIOR VILLAGE PROJECT THIS WEEK.

>> IT WILL BE MY FAVORITE PROJECT SO FAR.

WE ARE STARTING TO BUILD A TANNING HOME WITH PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL AND EVERYTHING.

>> IT MAKES ME FEEL REALLY GOOD.

I FEEL LIKE I AM DOING A GOOD DEED.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE BOTH SENIORS AND SAY THIS PROJECT AND THE CLASS HAS OPENED UP A NEW WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL.

>> IT'LL BE A BIG OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT AND SAY I HAVE WORKED , I KNOW KIND OF THE BASICS OF PLUMBING AND STUFF LIKE THAT SO IT IS GOING TO OPEN A LOT OF DOORS.

YOU MIGHT GET A JOB AT SOMETHING ELSE TO SAY WHEN YOU'RE AT HOME OR ANYTHING, YOU NEED TO FIX YOUR OWN CAR OR AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, YOU CAN DO IT YOURSELF.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY HIGH PRICES WITH OTHER COMPANIES THAT WILL HELP YOU OUT.

YOU CAN BASICALLY DO THINGS ON HER OWN.

>> Reporter: THAT IS THE GOAL OF NEW HANDS-ON COURSES.

AS WELL AS GETTING REAL OSHA CERTIFICATIONS AND MEETING WITH APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS.

>> A LOT OF STUDENTS START TO REALIZE IT IS A VIABLE OPTION FOR THEM.

IT IS SOMETHING THEY CAN DO WITH THEIR FUTURE.

SOMETHING THEY MAY NOT HAVE HAD BEFORE THIS CLASS.

COLLEGE ISN'T FOR EVERYBODY, I DON'T TRY TO NUDGE STUDENTS THE DIRECTION.

>> Reporter: IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS HE HAS SEEN STRUGGLING STUDENTS FIND A PASSION IN SCHOOL ONCE AGAIN.

CMAC IT IS NOT THE NORMAL CLASS, THEY'RE NOT SITTING DOWN, THEY ARE STANDING UP, USING THEIR HANDS, AND THEY ARE WORKING TOGETHER.

IT IS AMAZING.

>> Reporter: ON WEDNESDAY, THIS GROUP OF STUDENTS WILL COLLABORATE WITH OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND TRADE PROFESSIONALS ON THE TINY HOME PROJECT.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS WEEK BROUGHT THIS MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY AND HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH IS ALSO UNDERWAY.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN SHOWS US HOW SAN DIEGO IS A LIBERATING WITH A NEW EXHIBIT AT CITY HALL.

>> Reporter: AS CHAIR MUSIC PLAYS IN THE LOBBY AT CITY HALL, COMMUNITY MOVERS GATHER TO CELEBRATE THE EXHIBIT RECOGNIZING THE MOVEMENT IN SAN DIEGO.

THE EXHIBIT IS ESPECIALLY POIGNANT FOR THE CITY CLERK.

>> IS THE FIRST LaTINA CITY CLERK FOR THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO, THIS IS THE FIRST YEAR THAT I GOT TO PUT MY THUMBPRINT ON THE ARCHIVES EXHIBIT.

>> Reporter: THE EXHIBIT FEATURES HISTORICAL IMAGES, CITY RECORDS AND DOCUMENTS FOR COMPREHENSIVE VIEW OF THE CHICANO MOVEMENT IN SAN DIEGO.

>> WHAT I WANT PEOPLE TO GET US TO UNDERSTAND THE HISTORY THAT HAPPENED IN CHICANO PARK AND HOW THAT HAS REALLY JUST EVOLVED AND SHAPED THE HISTORY OF SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: THE EXHIBIT IS A COLLABORATION WITH THE CHICANO PARK MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER.

AS YOU WALK THROUGH THE EXHIBIT, THERE ARE COLORFUL REPLICAS OF THE MURALS OF THE PILLARS AT CHICANO PARK AND DOCUMENTS RECORDING DEPARTMENT HISTORY.

>> IF YOU START FROM HERE DOWN IT IS THE ENTIRE TIMELINE OF CHICANO PARK FROM THE BEGINNING , THE STATE AWARDING THE LAND LEASE NEAR THE BRIDGE.

>> Reporter: THE EXHIBIT IS IMPORTANT TO SHOW THE HISTORY OF LOGAN HEIGHTS WHICH IS RARELY TALKED ABOUT.

CMAC LOGAN HEIGHTS IS THE FIRST NEIGHBORHOOD OF THIS REGION.

LOGAN HEIGHTS WENT THROUGH MAJOR CHANGES TO INTERSTATE 5 AND THE ARRIVAL OF THE BRIDGE.

IT WAS REZONED INTO AN INDUSTRIAL ZONE SO A NEIGHBORHOOD OF 20,000 PEOPLE VANISHED.

>> Reporter: THAT DEVASTATED THE COMMUNITY, DIVIDING LOGAN HEIGHTS FROM ONE COMMUNITY INTO TWO.

THAT IS HOW MARIO LOGAN CAME TO BE.

VIVIAN LOREDO, WHO REPRESENTS THE NEIGHBORHOOD, SAYS THAT HISTORY IS RECORDED ON THE MURALS AT CHICANO PARK.

>> THE VIBRANT MURALS PAINTED ON THE FREEWAYS PILLARS AND WALLS DEPICTS POWERFUL IMAGES A SOCIAL JUSTICE RESISTANCE AND PRIDE, REFLECTING THE COMMUNITY'S FIGHT FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND IT'S DEEP CONNECTION TO THE LAND.

>> Reporter: INSIDE THE EXHIBIT, THERE IS AN INTERACTIVE INSTALLATION TELLING THE STORY OF THE IMPACT OF THE CHICANO MOVEMENT IN SAN DIEGO.

AFTERWARD, THEY ASKED TO REFLECT ON WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE DONE IN THE CHICANO MOVEMENT ERA AND LEAVE A NOTE ON THE DECISION TREE WHICH WILL BECOME PART OF A EXHIBIT RUNNING THROUGH OCTOBER 18.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> YOU WILL SEE A LOT MORE POLITICAL COVERAGE ON KPBS AND IT GOES BEYOND THE UPCOMING ELECTION.

WE RECENTLY LAUNCHED A NEW PROJECT CALLED PUBLIC MATTERS.

WE WILL EXPLORE HOW WE ENGAGE OVER POLITICS AND HOW GOVERNMENT IMPACTS OUR LIVES.

WE WILL TALK ABOUT DEMOCRACY AND THREATS TO IT.

KPBS'S PUBLIC MATTERS REPORTER EXPLORED THESE IDEAS WITH ONE OF OUR PARTNERS ON THE PROJECT, PLACE OF SAN DIEGO'S SCOTT LEWIS.

>>> THE VOICE OF SAN DIEGO, AND KPBS HAVE ENTERED A PARTNERSHIP TO COVER WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR DEMOCRACY IS CALLED THE PUBLIC MATTERS PROJECT.

WHAT ARE YOUR HOPES FOR IT?

>> I THINK THAT THERE IS A LOT THAT GOES INTO MAKING THIS COMMUNITY THE WAY THAT IT IS.

AND A LOT OF THAT IS SUPER COMPLEX.

I THINK THAT CREATES THIS DISTANCE BETWEEN THE VAST MAJORITY OF PEOPLE IN SAN DIEGO AND THE PEOPLE WHO RUN THINGS.

AND I SEE OUR ROLE AS A TRANSLATOR.

MAKING ALL THAT STUFF ACCESSIBLE, BECAUSE YOU CAN'T REALLY BE INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY UNLESS YOU UNDERSTAND THAT STUFF.

>> SCOTT, YOU AND I MET ON ELECTION NIGHT A VERY LONG TIME AGO.

AT THE TIME THE LOCAL NEWS LANDSCAPE LOOKED VERY DIFFERENTLY, THE SAN DIEGO NEWS TRIBUNE WAS FLUSHED WITH REPORTERS, THEY HAD BUREAUS ACROSS THE COUNTY, COMMERCIAL TV STATIONS HAVE REPORTERS AT EVERY BIG NEWS STORY.

WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A HIGH-STAKES PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, WE ARE IN CAMPAIGN SEASON LOCALLY.

ALSO, VERY IMPORTANT.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE STATE OF LOCAL JOURNALISM TODAY?

>> THERE HAS BEEN A MASSIVE AND PAINFUL CONTRACTION OF THE RESOURCES AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE INVOLVED IN LOCAL JOURNALISM.

INVOLVED IN TELLING STORIES, AND EXPLAIN AND DECIPHERING ALL THAT IS HAPPENING IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

SOME OF IT IS NATURAL, RIGHT?

WE DON'T NEED PEOPLE WHO JUST TAKE INFORMATION FROM ONE SOURCE AND GIVE IT TO THE OTHER BECAUSE THE MACHINES CAN DO THAT.

THERE IS A LOT OF INFORMATION AVAILABLE ONLINE AND DIRECTLY FROM THE SOURCE.

WHAT WE STILL NEED, THOUGH, AND WHAT WE ARE LOSING TOO FAST, ARE THE PEOPLE WHO FIND OUT WHAT LEADERS DON'T WANT TO SAY OR MAKE SENSE OF WHAT THEY DO WANT TO SAY AND I THINK THAT THAT IS THE SCARY PART AND THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE ALL WORKED TO TRY TO REPLACE OR GROW IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

I THINK THAT THE -- THAT WE ARE AT A MOMENT, A BIG MOMENT FOR THE NATION AND FOR SAN DIEGO.

I THINK OUR HOUSING CRISIS, OUR COST OF LIVING CRISIS, HOMELESSNESS CRISIS, ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT GO ALONG WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE ENVIRONMENT IN SAN DIEGO, THOSE ARE BIG ISSUES THAT WE NEED A LOT OF LEADERSHIP ON AND THESE ARE THE MOMENTS WHERE WE GET TO WATCH THE BOLTS, PART OF THE UNIVERSE AND PEER IN AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE BEFORE IT SETTLES BACK TOGETHER AND CONTINUE COOKING.

>> I WANT TO BRING THIS POINT BACK, THOUGH, TO WHERE LOCAL JOURNALISM IS.

I KNOW THAT EVEN IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, I HAVE SEEN SUCH A SHRINKAGE OF POLITICAL COVERAGE, ESPECIALLY DURING CAMPAIGN SEASON TO THE POINT WHERE IF I WERE AN AVERAGE CITIZEN, I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD -- IT WOULD BE CLEAR TO ME, EVEN IF I READ A DAILY NEWSPAPER, EXACTLY WHERE A CANDIDATE STOOD ON ALL THE BIG ISSUES THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED.

THAT IS THE PART THAT WORRIES ME.

HOW WORRIED ARE YOU?

>> I THINK THAT THE REAL PLACE YOU SEE THIS PLAY OUT IS IN MAILERS.

MAILERS FILL OUR MAILBOXES THE MOMENT BALLOTS COME OUT.

THEY TAKE LITTLE SNIPPETS OF INFORMATION THAT YOU AND I REPORT OR THAT OTHER PEOPLE PUT OUT AND THEY TWIST IT AND EXAGGERATE IT OR PUT IT INTO CONTEXT IN A WAY TO INFLAME PEOPLE'S PASSIONS ABOUT THE CANDIDATES.

AND THAT IS JUST AN AWFUL WAY TO LEARN ABOUT LOCAL POLITICS.

AND YET IT IS PROBABLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF INFORMATION THAT PEOPLE HAVE WHEN THEY GO INTO THE VOTING BOOTH.

AND THAT IS NOT GREAT AND THAT IS SCARY.

ON THE OTHER HAND, I THINK THAT THE PEOPLE WHO WANTS TO KNOW, THEY DO HAVE ACCESS TO THAT INFORMATION.

WHAT WE HAVE GOT TO DO IS BUILD THAT BRIDGE, RIGHT?

MAKE SURE IT IS ACCESSIBLE.

EVERYBODY'S NEWS INFORMATION SYSTEM RIGHT NOW IS COMING THROUGH FEEDS.

WE HAVE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE IN THOSE FEEDS ALONG WITH THE RANDOM TIKTOK GUY OR THE SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCER.

WE HAVE GOT TO BE THERE AND BE PRESENT AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO GREAT INFORMATION AS EASY AS THE BAD INFORMATION COMES.

>> I WANT TO CLOSE THIS OUT WITH A TOPIC WE STARTED THIS DISCUSSION WITH AND THAT IS DEMOCRACY.

SO MUCH HAS BEEN MADE ABOUT HOW POLARIZED WE ARE AS A COUNTRY.

HAVE YOU SEEN ANY EVIDENCE OF THAT DIVISION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY?

>> OF COURSE, IT IS REALLY BAD.

PEOPLE WHO WE USED TO BE FRIENDS, NOT TALKING TO EACH OTHER, I THINK WE NEED TO KEEP THIS IN CONTEXT.

BACK IN THE EARLY PART OF THE 20th CENTURY, THERE WAS REGULAR POLITICAL VIOLENCE, BOMBINGS, AND WE ARE NOT IN THAT WORLD RIGHT NOW, BUT WE ARE IN A MOMENT WHERE PEOPLE ARE LIVING IN DIFFERENT REALITIES.

LOCAL, WE ARE ABLE TO GET THROUGH THAT BECAUSE LOCAL IS RIGHT HERE.

YOU CAN SEE A POTHOLE AND YOU CAN GO TO A SCHOOL, YOU CAN SEE A FIRE, AND I THINK THAT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE BONDS BETWEEN PEOPLE WHO ARE IN DIFFERENT REALITIES BETTER THAN THEY CAN NATIONALLY.

BUT IT IS STILL A MAJOR CHANNEL.

>> SCOTT LEWIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING TODAY.

>> ANYTIME.

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