>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AT THE LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORY AIRS FROM KPBS.

HOW FAR SHOULD LAWMAKERS GO TO CLEAR HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS.

APPALLING TO SEE AS A VOLUNTEER.

>>> A CHEF COOKING UP MEALS FOR THOSE WHO ARE REBUILDING THEIR HOMES AFTER JANUARY'S FLOOD.

>>> SEE HOW SEVERAL LOCAL HIGH SCHOOLERS ARE TAKING PART IN A NATIONAL COMPETITION THIS WEEKEND.

>>> WE START WITH A KPBS INVESTIGATION.

A WRONGFUL TERMINATION LAWSUIT CLAIMS THAT CHRONIC UNDERSTAFFING IS LEADING TO POOR TREATMENT OF IMMIGRANTS.

SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE EXISTED FOR YEARS.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PROVIDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE.

LAWYERS HAVE COMPLAINED THAT CARE AT THE DETENTION CENTER IS OFTEN SUBSTANDARD.

NOW A FORMER INSIDER IS MAKING SIMILAR CLAIMS.

IT WAS HER JOB TO SUPERVISE NURSING STAFF AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY PROVIDE HIGH-QUALITY MEDICAL CARE.

>> SHE ACTED AS THE BRIDGE BETWEEN THE NURSING STAFF AND THE MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION.

THROUGHOUT THAT POSITION, SHE WAS PRIVY TO COMPLAINTS THAT WERE MADE ABOUT NURSING STAFF.

>> THE COMPLAINT, SAYING THAT THEY UNDERSTAFFED THE UNIT.

WITH ONLY TWO NURSES FOR 1500 DETAINEES.

>> THEY ARE SEVERELY UNDERSTAFFED AND THAT HAS TRICKLED DOWN EFFECTS.

>> IN ONE CASE, A D DETAINEE DEVELOPED CELLULITIS.

WALKER SAYS THAT WHEN SHE BROUGHT THESE COMPLAINTS TO MANAGEMENT, SHE WAS FIRED.

THE DETENTION CENTER IS MANAGED BY A PRIVATE COMPANY.

COURT DOCUMENTS SAY THAT THEY DENIED ALL ALLEGATIONS.

A SPOKESPERSON DECLINED TO ADDRESS ANY OF THE SPECIFICS IN THE ALLEGATION AND ISSUED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT.

WHILE IT IS GENERALLY OUR POLICY NOT TO COMMENT ON MATTERS INVOLVING LITIGATION, IDENTICAL MEDICAL STAFF WANT TO PROVIDE DETAINEES MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

THE FACILITY IS ACCREDITED BY THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.

HE ALSO SAYS THAT ALL THE MEDICAL STAFF ARE LICENSED AND ACCREDITED PROFESSIONALS THAT PROVIDE THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF CARE.

IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT HAS STAFF ON SITE TO MONITOR CONDITIONS AT THE DETENTION CENTER.

THE FACILITY HAS REGULARLY PASSED INSPECTIONS.

INVESTIGATORS WROTE THAT THE DETAINEES WERE CONTENT WITH THE CURRENT CONDITIONS.

HOWEVER, THAT INSPECTION WAS CONDUCTED IN 2021.

THEY HAVE NOT POSTED ANY RECENT INSPECTION REPORTS ONLINE.

WE ASKED FOR THE 2023 AND 2024 INSPECTION REPORTS BUT THEY DID NOT PRODUCE IT.

>> WE HAVE SEEN SOME OF THE REPORTS.

IT MAKES US CONCERNED WHY WE KEEP HEARING FROM OUR CLIENTS THAT THEY ARE NOT BEING SEEN WHEN THEY REQUEST.

>> THAT IS A STAFF ATTORNEY WITH THE ORGANIZATION.

SHE SAYS THAT THE COMPLAINT VALIDATES STORIES OF POOR MEDICAL TREATMENT THAT SHE HAS HEARD FOR YEARS.

>> CLIENTS HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY ARE WAITING TO SEE A DOCTOR.

THEY PUT IN THE REQUEST EARLY IN THE MORNING BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO SIGN UP ON A LIST AND THEY ARE HOPING TO BE SEEN THAT DAY BUT THEY ARE NOT BEING CALLED UNTIL TWO WEEKS LATER.

>> SHE IS ANOTHER IMMIGRATION LAWYER THAT HAS CLIENTS.

>> IT IS ABOUT AN AND IMMIGRANT RIGHTS LAWYERS.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS A SYSTEMATIC ISSUE.

>> BOTH LAWYERS HOPE THAT THE LAWSUIT WILL RESULT IN BETTER CONDITIONS.

>>> THIS WEEK WE ARE COVERING THE CONDITIONS INSIDE OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY JAILS.

ADVOCATES ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE WELL-BEING OF DETAINEES STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

LOCAL JAILS HAVE THE HIGHEST RATES OF INMATE DEATH.

WE SPOKE TO CONCERNED FAMILIES.

>> RELATIVES OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN CUSTODY OR HAVE LOVED ONES GRAPPLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES STAND OUTSIDE THE COURTHOUSE DOWNTOWN TODAY.

VOICING THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THE INADEQUATE MENTAL HEALTH CARE AND GROWING NUMBER OF IN CUSTODY DEATHS.

DAVID'S BROTHER WAS SCHIZOAFFECTIVE AND HE DIED IN CUSTODY IN AUGUST OF 2022.

>> HE WAS DELUSIONAL, HE WAS OFF OF HIS TREATMENT AND HE NEEDED HELP TO GET STABILIZED.

WE FEARED THAT WOULD BE A DEATH SENTENCE FOR HIM.

IT ACTUALLY WAS.

THE JAILS ARE NOT AT ALL ABLE TO HANDLE THE MENTALLY ILL. NEARLY 40% REPORTED BEING DIAGNOSED WITH A PSYCHIATRIC DISORDER AND 25% USE PSYCHIATRIC MEDICATION.

SHE STOOD HOLDING A POSTERBOARD DECORATED WITH PICTURES OF THOSE INCARCERATED.

SHE SAYS THAT TIGHTER POLICIES COULD REDUCE JAIL DEATHS CAUSED BY DRUG OVERDOSES, LACK OF MEDICAL CARE, AND SUICIDES.

>> OVERDOSES CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

HOW IS THIS ACCESSIBLE TO THEM?

>> THE SAN DIEGO SHERIFF HAS DECLINED REQUESTS TO MAKE DEPUTIES TAKE DRUG SCANS.

THEY SAY THAT BEHIND BARS, PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS OFTEN FACE NEGLECT, ABUSE, OR EVEN DEATH.

>> WE CANNOT ARREST OUR WAY OUT OF MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

WE CANNOT PUNISH OUR WAY OUT OF MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

WE NEED CHANGE IN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY JAILS.

WE HAVE THE HIGHEST DEATH RATE FOR EIGHT TIME RUNNING.

IT IS A CENTRAL RECORD THAT WE HOLD.

>> A $500 MILLION PLAN TO DECREASE DEATHS IN CUSTODY.

SAN DIEGO MAINTAINS THE HIGHEST RATE OF INMATE DEATH IN THE STATE.

ACCORDING TO A STATE AUDIT AN ADDITIONAL 36 PEOPLE HAVE DIED SINCE ITS RELEASE IN 2022.

GINA BURNS IS A MOTHER FACING THE REALITY OF HAVING TWO INCARCERATED SONS WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS.

ALONG WITH OTHER FAMILIES, THE MESSAGE TO COUNTY OFFICIALS IS CLEAR.

>> KELLY MARTINEZ I AM HOLDING YOU ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALL OF THESE DEATHS.

FOR THESE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS, INCLUDING MY SONS.

ACCOUNTABILITY IS CHANGE, CHANGE NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

>>> A CALIFORNIA BILL TO EXPAND ENFORCEMENT OF HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS WAS SHUT DOWN THIS WEEK.

IT HAD SUPPORT FROM TWO LOCAL STATE SENATORS.

IT WAS BASED ON THE CAMPING ORDINANCE.

>> WALKING AROUND DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO THERE IS A REDUCTION IN HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS.

BRIAN JOE SAYS IT IS BECAUSE OF THE UNSAFE CAMPING ORDINANCE PASSED IN JUNE OF 2023.

>> THE NUMBER OF HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS HAS BEEN REDUCED BY 60% TO THIS MARCH.

WE SIMPLY CANNOT CONTINUE ALLOWING PEOPLE TO CAMP AT TRANSIT STOPS AND IN FRONT OF OUR SCHOOLS.

THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY CRISIS.

>> WILL BAN ENCAMPMENTS IN SENSITIVE AREAS.

>> SAN DIEGO HAS MOVED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS OF SAN DIEGO AND MADE THOSE AREAS SAFE NOW FOR THE PUBLIC, YOUNG KIDS, THE ELDERLY, TO USE THOSE AREAS, THOSE PUBLIC SPACES.

>> THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THAT JONES HAS INTRODUCED THESE BILLS TO THE SENATE SAFETY COMMITTEE.

JONES UPDATED THE BILL TO REDUCE THE DISTANCE WHERE ENCAMPMENTS ARE BANNED.

ALSO THIS YEAR, THE DEMOCRATIC SENATOR CO-AUTHORED THE BILL.

>> THERE ARE PLACES THAT PEOPLE CANNOT CAMP AND THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT CAN CAMP.

THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO BE SAYING.

PEOPLE DESERVE TO LIVE INSIDE AND LIVING IN THE ENCAMPMENT IS NOT HUMANE.

>> ONE OF THE ISSUES WITH THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION IS THAT IT DOES NOT CREATE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND PATHWAYS OUT OF HOMELESSNESS.

>> THE BILL DOES NOT ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE OF ENCAMPMENTS.

THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO CREATED TWO CAMPING SITES.

>> JUST BECAUSE INDIVIDUALS MAKE PEOPLE UNCOMFORTABLE, IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT SHOULD BE CRIMINALIZED.

THE BILL DOES THAT.

>> THE BILL WAS NOT INTENDED AS THE SOLUTION TO HOMELESSNESS, BUT A SOLUTION.

THIS IS A STARK REMINDER THAT HOMELESSNESS REMAINS A PROBLEM WITHOUT A SOLUTION.

>>> THE -- RIVER IS ONE OF THE 10 MOST ENDANGERED RIVERS IN THE COUNTRY.

PROGRESS IS BEING MADE TO CLEAN THINGS UP.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST COASTAL WHAT LENS IN CALIFORNIA.

THE GALLONS OF SEWAGE THAT RUN IN FROM THE RIVER LEAD TO WASTE.

>> WHEN YOU LEARN THAT IT IS IMPACTING AIR QUALITY AND PEOPLE CANNOT STAND IT IN THEIR FRONT YARDS WITHOUT GETTING SICK, THAT IS NOT OKAY.

>> HERE IN THE TIJUANA ESTUARY IT IS HARD TO GET AROUND WHAT IS GOING ON OUT HERE.

ONE PERSON TAKING A TOUR LAST YEAR PUT IT WELL WHEN SHE SAID THAT IT IS BEAUTIFUL AND HORRIFYING.

>> OVER 100 YEARS OF POLLUTION COMING THROUGH THE WATERSHED THROUGH MULTIPLE ENTRY POINTS AND HAS GOTTEN SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE IN THE LAST 5-10 YEARS AND IS THE WORST IT HAS EVER BEEN.

>> HAD A NEWS CONFERENCE TO ANNOUNCE THE DESIGNATION BY AMERICAN RIVERS, MULTIPLE SPEAKERS ACKNOWLEDGED SOME PROGRESS IS BEING MADE.

ON TOP OF $300 MILLION ALLOCATED IN 2019, THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION RECENTLY SECURED ANOTHER $156 MILLION TO MAKE REPAIRS TO AND EXPAND THE SOUTH BAY INTERNATIONAL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT.

>> THE COFOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NONPROFIT THAT WORKS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO THE OCEAN FOR MARGINALIZED YOUTH.

THE POLLUTION IMPACTS HIS ORGANIZATION'S MISSION.

PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN IMPERIAL BEACH.

>> WE WILL HAVE TO TRANSPORT STUDENTS FROM THEIR LOCAL BEACH WHICH IS A MILE AWAY FROM THEM ALL THE WAY UP TO LA JOLLA SHORES.

>> EVERYONE HOPES THAT THE DESIGNATION OF THE RIVER IS GOING TO DRAW THE ATTENTION OF LAWMAKERS.

TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT TO TURN THIS DISASTER INTO WHAT IT ONCE WAS, A JEWEL OF THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COASTLINE.

WE ARE URGING EVERYONE TO CONTACT STATE AND LOCAL LAWMAKERS TO FINISH THE WORK.

>>> THREE MONTHS AFTER THE JANUARY FLOODS, RESIDENTS ARE STILL IN LIMBO.

THE TRAGEDY KNIT THEM TOGETHER AND BECAME A CALLING FOR VOLUNTEERS FROM OUTSIDE THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> IN A CRAMPED KITCHEN, SHE COOKS CHICKEN AND PORK, POTATOES AND CARROTS, 50 POUNDS OF IT.

ROSALES LIVES IN -- AND BEGAN BRINGING HOT MEALS WEEKS AFTER THE JANUARY FLOOD DEVASTATED THE NEIGHBORHOOD NORTH OF NATIONAL CITY.

LIKE MANY IN THE COUNTY, SHE WAS MOVED BY THE IMPACTS OF THE FLOOD.

>> I DON'T LIKE TO WATCH THE NEWS.

>> SHE STARTED TO SEE IMAGES OF THE DESTRUCTION ON FACEBOOK.

SHE IS A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE AND COKES FOR MULTIPLE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT SHE RUNS.

SHE FELT COMPELLED TO HELP.

>> I JUST STARTED TO PRAY.

HOW CAN I BE USED?

>> HER FIRST TRIP TO SHELL TOWN BROUGHT NEW REALITY TO THE IMAGES.

>> I CRIED THAT DAY BECAUSE I COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THE DEVASTATION.

>> A HOT MEAL HIS FAMILY.

>> I TRY AND CELEBRATE WITH PEOPLE IN THE DARKEST TIMES.

FOOD DOES THAT FOR US.

>> MANY RESIDENTS STILL DO NOT HAVE WORKING KITCHENS.

NO STOVES OR SINKS.

THEY IMPROVISE WITH PORTABLE COOKTOPS AND MICROWAVES.

>> FOR THEM TO GO THROUGH A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE LIKE THAT AND EVERY OTHER ASPECT OF THEIR LIFE IS IN LIMBO.

TO PREPARE A HOT MEAL AND SIT AT THE TABLE WITH THEIR FAMILY.

>> SHE STARTED WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION TO COOK OUR MEALS FOR THE NEIGHBORS.

NOW SHE DRIVES TO HIS HOUSE AND SETS THE TABLE FOR SHELL TOWN NEIGHBORS.

>> THEY GATHER LIKE FAMILY.

THE DISASTER FEELS MORE RECENT THAN A FEW MONTHS AGO.

SANDBAGS ARE STILL PILED ON THE SIDEWALK.

A LARGE DUMPSTER SITS IN THE STREET.

TO SHOW HOW HIGH A FLOODED, SHE POINTS SEVERAL FEET UP HER WALL.

>> WAS HORRIBLE, EVERYTHING WAS DARK.

EVEN DEAD ANIMALS THERE.

IT WAS LIKE MIDNIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MORNING.

>> YOUR HOUSE IS MOSTLY EMPTY OF PERSONAL BELONGINGS.

DONATIONS ARE PILED TO THE CEILING.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN DECLARED A MAJOR DISASTER A MONTH AFTER THE FLOOD.

THERE ARE TWO DAYS LEFT TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE.

THERE ARE CITIZENS SHIP AND IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS.

SHE SAID THAT IT CAN BE HARD FOR HER NEIGHBORS TO NAVIGATE THE PROCESS.

SHE HAS LIVED IN HER HOUSE FOR 25 YEARS.

THE STREET IT IS ON CONNECT TO A FREEWAY AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

SHE SAYS THAT IT USED TO BE FILLED WITH TRAFFIC AND CHILDREN.

>> THIS IS LIKE AN EMPTY STREET.

>> MANY FAMILIES LOST THEIR HOMES ENTIRELY.

THE COUNTY MOVED THEM INTO HOTELS.

THE NEW CYCLE HAS LARGELY MOVED ON.

IT IS NOT AS EASY FOR THE RESIDENCE.

>> IT IS A LONG RECOVERY PROCESS.

IN THE FIRST MONTH, IT WAS BASIC NEEDS.

NOW, THIS IS A REALITY.

YOU HAVE TO FACE THE REALITY THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING THAT YOU USED TO HAVE.

TO LIVE, TO SURVIVE.

NOW WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH OURSELVES AND WITH OUR MENTAL HEALTH.

>> THE WATER HAS DRIED AND IT LEFT BEHIND PTSD.

SHE EXPLAINS HOW IT FEELS.

>> THE EMOTIONS ARE NUMB.

YOU ARE BARELY WAKING UP.

THIS IS HOW WE ARE FEELING.

WE ARE COLORBLIND.

WE CAN'T SEE THE COLOR.

WE ARE TRYING TO, IT IS REALLY HARD.

>> SHE SAID THAT SHE NOTICED HER NEIGHBORHOOD CHANGED FOR GOOD.

>> THE BEAUTIFUL THING OF THIS IS THAT WE BECOME LIKE A FAMILY.

WE ARE HOLDING HANDS AND WE ARE SAYING THAT WE ARE TOGETHER IN THIS.

IT IS SO LOVING TO SEE A SURVIVOR COOKING IN THE BACKYARD.

YOU KNOW WHAT, THIS IS WHAT I HAVE, I WILL SHARE WITH YOU AND THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

>> THE TRAGEDY UPENDED THEIR DAILY ROUTINES.

SHE SAYS A GIFT IN THAT TOO.

>> NOW, WE ARE MORE ALIVE.

WE HAVE A SENSE OF HOW TO BE ALIVE.

IT IS A GIFT TO BE ALIVE.

>> THAT IS THE GIFT THAT SHE BRINGS TO HER NEIGHBORS.

>> SHE SAID THAT I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO FORGET ABOUT US.

AND I SAID, DON'T WORRY, NO ONE WILL FORGET ABOUT YOU.

>> ONE OUT OF 1000 FLOOD VICTIMS STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO SURVIVE.

>>> THERE ARE MANY GREAT RESTAURANTS IN SAN DIEGO.

ONE CHEF HAS ACHIEVED SOMETHING THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS BEFORE.

THE EXECUTIVE CHEF WHO WON THE PRESTIGIOUS AWARD.

>> THE EXECUTIVE CHEF MAKES A MASTERPIECE.

>> IS COMFORTING, IT IS WARM, IT IS SATISFYING.

>> A BALANCE BETWEEN CREATIVITY AND CARE.

SHE PREPARES AND PLATES HER OFFERING.

>> TODAY THIS IS A VERY FILIPINO DISH THAT WAS SON OF ONE OF THE FIRST FILIPINO ITEMS THAT I PUT ON THE MENU.

YOU DO NOT SEE FILIPINO DISHES LIKE THIS VERY OFTEN.

>> THE FIRST FAN LIST FOR THE PRESTIGIOUS AWARD.

THE RANKINGS BEGAN IN 1990 AND ARE LIKE THE ACADEMY AWARDS OF THE CULINARY INDUSTRY.

>> I WAS OVERWHELMED, I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO DESCRIBE HOW TO FEEL.

IT IS KIND OF A MENTALITY WHERE I AM NEVER SATISFIED.

>> HOW SHE GOT HERE HAS NOT BEEN A STRAIGHTFORWARD JOURNEY.

THE 40-YEAR-OLD SWITCHED PADS IN HER LATE 20s TO FOLLOW HER HEART WHICH SHE WEARS ON HER SLEEVE.

>> I KNEW I WAS IN THE RIGHT PLACE.

>> WAS A LOT OF LONG DAYS AND NIGHTS.

SHE PERSEVERED.

USING HER FATHER'S ARTISTRY AND FILIPINO ROOTS.

>> YOU HAVE TO LIVE AND BREATHE IT.

I THINK ABOUT FOOD ALL DAY, EVERY DAY.

IT'S KIND OF RIDICULOUS.

>> SINCE 2021 SHE SERVED AS AN EXECUTIVE CHEF AT AN ASIAN FUSION RESTAURANT.

THERE SHE PLANS TO KEEP TRUSTING HER GUT AND BRINGING TO LIFE THE FLAVORS THAT SHE CAN TASTE.

>> I GUESS I AM A PRODUCT OF BEING JUST LIKE MY DAD IN THAT WAY EXCEPT FOR MY MEDIUM IS FOOD.

>> IS FAIR TO SAY THAT SHE HAS A LOT ON HER PLATE RIGHT NOW.

SHE IS TAKING IT IN STRIDE AND KEEPING TRUE TO HER KIND AND HUMBLE SELF.

THE BEST CHEF CALIFORNIA AWARD WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED JUNE 10th IN CHICAGO.

SHE PLANS TO GO AND WANTS TO BRING HER BIGGEST INSPIRATIONS, HER MOM AND DAD, WITH HER.

>> MY DAD IS A LITTLE MORE STUBBORN.

HE IS LIKE, I WILL WATCH AND SUPPORT YOU STILL.

>> AS FOR THE FOOD, IT IS JUST LIKE THE CHEF DREW IT.

IT IS OUT OF THE ORDINARY AND LIKE A HOME AWAY FROM HOME.

>>> THE FIRST ROBOTICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IS HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND IN HOUSTON.

NINE HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS ARE COMPETING.

>> THREE, TWO, ONE, GO.

>> EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS.

THE STINGERS HAVE COME A LONG WAY FOR THEIR BIG MOMENT WITH THE BIG ROBOT THAT THEY DESIGNED AND BUILT.

LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, THE TEAM MEMBERS STARTED CREATING THIS 125 POUND MACHINE MADE OUT OF ALUMINUM, PLASTIC, WIRES, AND ZIP TIES.

THEY ARE THE COUNTIES ONLY ROOKIE TEAM AT THE FIRST ROBOTICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS HERE IN HOUSTON.

THEY ARE ONE OF 600 OF THE BEST ROBOTICS TEAMS IN THE WORLD.

THEY ARE FROM 50 COUNTRIES.

THE BOYS AND GIRLS FROM SAN DIEGO ARE THANKFUL TO BE REPRESENTING AND COLLABORATING.

>> I WANT TO COACH THE DRIVER AND CONTROLLER ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE GAME.

I CAN FOCUS ON THE STRATEGY MAKING SURE THAT EVERYTHING GOES RIGHT.

>> THE STINGERS LINING UP HIGH.

>> THE STINGERS AND OTHER TEAM MEMBERS ONE.

THERE WAS A HEAD-ON COLLISION AND A TORN CABLE.

LEAVING THEM OUT OF POWER BUT NOT OUT OF HOPE.

>> I'M PRETTY RELAXED.

IT IS A MINOR PROBLEM.

>> THIS IS AN ACRONYM THAT STANDS FOR RECOGNITION OF THE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY.

THE MISSION HERE IS MORE THAN PROMOTING STEM EDUCATION AND CAREERS.

IT IS ABOUT CREATING COMMUNITY TOO.

>> THE WILD RACCOONS ARE ALSO IN THE COMPETITION.

AN ESTABLISHED TEAM THAT HAS COMPETED SINCE 2017.

THE TEAM PRESIDENT IS A YOUNG WOMAN WHO CARRIES A COMMITMENT TO INCLUDE MORE GIRLS IN THE COMMUNITY.

>> IT HAS ALLOWED US TO BROADEN WHO IS ON OUR TEAM.

WHEN I FIRST JOINED THERE WAS ONLY FOUR GIRLS ON THE TEAM AND NOW THERE ARE 10.

>> AMONG THE 50,000 STUDENTS WHO HAVE TRAVELED TO COMPETE, THERE IS A DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION THAT IS INTENTIONAL.

>> IT IS BEAUTIFUL TO SEE STUDENTS FROM DIFFERENT COUNTRIES WORKING TOGETHER AND BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE AND UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT UNITES US IS -- >> THIS IS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR US.

GIVING YOUR ALL.

THAT IS ALL YOU CAN DO.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.