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

I AM JOHN CARROLL.

>>> COMING UP, BURNOUT IS A BIG ISSUE FOR PARENTS IN SAN DIEGO.

WE HAVE NEW DETAILS ON A STUDY THAT SHOWS WHAT THEY NEED.

>>> MORE TRAVEL OPTIONS OUT OF NORTH COUNTY AS COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS RETURN TO CARLSBAD STUDYING SAN DIEGO'S LIZARDS.

WE SHOW YOU HOW THEY ADAPT TO AN URBAN SETTING.

WE START WITH GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM AND HIS CALL FOR CITIES TO BAN ENCAMPMENTS IN CITIES.

SEVERAL CITIES IN SAN DIEGO ALREADY HAVE BANS IN PLACE INCLUDING ESCONDIDO AND SAN MARCOS BUT NORTH COUNTY REPORTER TANIA THORNE IS HEARING THE MOVE MIGHT BE MADE TO SOON.

>> Reporter: BOBBY HAS BEEN HOMELESS IN ESCONDIDO FOR SIX YEARS AND NEXT HER IS HER 20- YEAR-OLD SON, JACOB.

HE IS AUTISTIC AND DOES NOT SAY MUCH.

>> IT IS EVEN MORE OF A STRUGGLE BEING OUT HERE WITH MY SON, MY MOM.

AND, JUST TRYING TO KEEP TOGETHER AS A UNIT.

BUT, IT GETS DIFFICULT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS CAMPING IN PLAIN SIGHT IS FOR THEIR SAFETY.

SHE FEELS THAT AND CRIME HAPPENED TO THOSE THAT ARE MORE HIDDEN.

BUT SHE DOES FEEL THE SAFETY IS FADING.

>> THE COPS WHEN THEY COME IN THEY TELL YOU, THEY THAT YOU HAVE TO MOVE, THEY TELL EVERYBODY AND EVERYBODY GOES OUT TO THE JUNGLE AND I'M NOT GOING OUT THERE BECAUSE THINGS HAPPEN OUT THERE.

AND BECAUSE, THEY PUSH YOU FURTHER AND FURTHER AWAY FROM WHERE WE CAN GET RESOURCES.

>> HER MOM HAS DEMENTIA AND IS IN A NURSING HOME.

HER SON COULD BE IN A GROUP HOME BUT DOES NOT WANT TO BE WITHOUT HIS MOM .

>> HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE SINGLED OUT AND PUT IN A GROUP HOME.

IS THAT REALLY HOW YOU HANDLE SOMETHING?

YOU BREAK UP THE FAMILY LIKE THAT?

I MEAN, IT JUST DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT.

>> Reporter: SHE DOES NOT WANT TO GO TO A SHELTER BECAUSE SHE WOULD HAVE TO GIVE UP HER CATS IN THE SUPREME COURT RULING IN THE CITY OF GRANTS PASS VERSUS JOHNSON ALLOWS CITIES TO BAN ENCAMPMENTS IN PUBLIC AREAS, EVEN IF THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH SHELTER BEDS.

GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM IS PRESSURING CALIFORNIA CITIES TO DISMANTLE CAMPS OR LOSE OUT ON FUNDING.

>> ULTIMATELY IT MAKES PEOPLE LESS TRUSTWORTHY.

SO YOU HEAR A LOT.

PEOPLE SAID THEY DON'T WANT HELP.

YOU HAVE TO REALIZE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING YOU NEED TO ADD TO THAT SENTENCE FOR IT TO MAKE SENSE.

>> Reporter: HOLLY IS A HOMELESS ADVOCATE AND SHE UNDERSTANDS WHAT PEOPLE WANT AND DON'T WANT BECAUSE SHE USED TO BE HOMELESS.

>> THEY DON'T WANT THE HELP YOU ARE OFFERING AND THEY DON'T WANT THE HELP FROM YOU.

THERE CAN BE A POINT IN TIME AFTER A NUMBER OF ENGAGEMENTS WHERE SOMEBODY WILL ACTUALLY HAVE A SOLUTION FOR THEM AND THEY WILL SAY, ALL RIGHT I AM INTERESTED.

>> Reporter: SHE THINKS ENFORCEMENT WILL BURN TRUST AND RELATIONSHIP BUILT WITH OUTREACH WORKERS.

>> INSTEAD OF BEING MORE GUARDED ABOUT WHERE THEY STAY, WHAT KIND OF ENVIRONMENT, THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT WHEN THEY COME WITH A SOLUTION TO HELP HOUSE PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: THE CITIES OF ESCONDIDO AND SAN MARCOS ARE ENFORCING ENCAMPMENT FANS.

THEY REFERENCE PUBLIC SAFETY.

THERE IS NO HOMELESS HOUSING IN SAN MARCOS BUT THEY DO PAY FOR REGIONAL SUPPORT.

>> I AM AWARE OF THESE RESOURCES AND THESE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE HELPING IN THE COMMUNITY.

BUT, I CONTINUE TO ENCOUNTER, IT IS THE FACT THAT WE ARE TOLD THERE IS EITHER NO CAPACITY OR A FAMILY DOES NOT NEED THE ASSISTANCE.

>> Reporter: MARIA NUNEZ WAS THE LONE VOTE AGAINST THE ORDINANCE AND SAYS AT LEAST PEOPLE WITH LITTLE OR NO OPTION.

>> WHAT HAPPENS TO THE FAMILY?

WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS?

NOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ENFORCING AND POTENTIALLY SITING INDIVIDUALS AND POTENTIALLY ENDING UP WITH MISDEMEANOR CITATIONS, THEN, I CAN'T HELP TO WONDER, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH THESE INDIVIDUALS?

ARE THEY GOING TO BE DETAINED?

ARE THEY GOING TO BE INCARCERATED?

WHERE DO THEY GO?

>> Reporter: INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES IS THE LARGEST SERVICE PROVIDER IN ESCONDIDO.

THE CEO SAYS THAT PEOPLE NEED PLACES TO GO EVEN MORE.

>> SHORT-TERM HOUSING OPTIONS AND PEOPLE NEED A PERMANENT HOME OF THEIR OWN.

IT CALLS FOR THE NEED FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE TO HELP PEOPLE OVERCOME THE HIGH COST OF GETTING INTO A NEW HOME.

>> Reporter: BACK TO ESCONDIDO, NEXT TO HER OVERFLOWING SHOPPING CART, BOBBY HAS ONE MESSAGE.

>> IF YOU WANT TO HELP, COME OUT AND MEET THE PEOPLE AND FIGURE OUT WHAT CAN BE DONE INSTEAD OF ENFORCING THESE LAWS.

THEY JUST PUSH EVERYBODY AWAY AND OUT.

SO, WE ARE HIDDEN IN THE SHADOWS.

WE ARE NEVER GOING TO BE HIDDEN IN THE SHADOWS.

ALL WE WANT TO BE IS HOUSED.

>> Reporter: TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE HOMELESS SITUATION AS PART OF THE DISCUSSION ON THE KPBS ROUNDTABLE AND IT INCLUDES A DISCUSSION ON THE SAN DIEGO MEGA SHELTER.

YOU CAN STREAM IT AS A PODCAST.

>>> PARENTS ARE FEELING BURNT OUT ACCORDING TO UC SAN DIEGO RESEARCH.

IT SURVEYED PARENTS JUGGLING WORK, SCHOOL, CHILDCARE, AND POSSIBLE SOLUTION -- POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS.

ONCE AGAIN HERE IS KPBS REPORTER TANIA THORNE.

>>> BRENDA LIVES IN A CRAMPED APARTMENT.

BRENDA HAS BEEN ON THE WAIT LIST FOR SECTION 8 HOUSING FOR A LONG TIME.

SHE IS A FICTIONAL CHARACTER BUT HER STORY RESONATES WITH MANY SAN DIEGO FAMILIES.

A FAMILY RESILIENCE STUDY USE THESE STORIES TO STUDY CHILDCARE.

REBECCA FIELDING MAILER IS WITH THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH FOR UCSD.

>> WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE IF THERE WAS A SOURCE OF SUPPORT?

IMAGINE A WORLD WHERE FAMILIES GET EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEED?

>> Reporter: THE STUDY WEIGHED HOW PEOPLE WERE FEELING AFTER THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE WORKED WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAID, WE WANT TO EXPLORE WHAT IS GOING ON WITH PARENT BURNOUT AND IN PARTICULAR, WE ARE INTERESTED IN THE CONNECTION BETWEEN BURNOUT AND CHILDCARE .

>> Reporter: THE STUDY FOUND PARENTS WITH YOUNG KIDS JUGGLING WORK AND CHILDCARE WERE EXPERIENCING HIGHER LEVELS OF BURNOUT.

>> NOW IMAGINE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT MIGHT STRESS THEM OUT.

WE HEARD, THE CAR BREAKS DOWN.

THEIR HOURS CHANGE.

AN ELDERLY RELATIVE GET SICK.

>> Reporter: CHILDCARE IS ONE ISSUE WEIGHING ON PARENTS.

REBECCA FIELDING-MILLE WANTED TO CREATE A SCENARIO WHERE CHILDCARE HELPED PARENTS.

>> WE WERE CURIOUS IF CHILDCARE COULD POTENTIALLY BE A SOURCE OF RESILIENCE AND SUPPORT RATHER THAN ONE MORE THING TO BE JUGGLING.

IMAGINE A WORLD WHERE CHILDCARE COORDINATED EVERYTHING THAT THEY NEED.

WHERE THE YMCA WAS PILOTING SHUTTLES AND THE KIDS COULD GET A RIDE HOME FROM AFTERCARE.

INSTEAD OF HAVING TO JUGGLE.

WHAT IF THERE WERE DROP-IN RESOURCE NAVIGATORS WHERE YOU PICK YOUR KID UP FROM SCHOOL AND SOMEBODY CAN HELP YOU NAVIGATE CAL FRESH AND THEY ARE ALWAYS THERE AND YOU CAN ASK THEM.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH THE SAN DIEGO YMCA IN SAN DIEGO FOR EVERY CHILD, FIELDING-MILLER PRESENTED THE FINDINGS TO POLICYMAKERS.

THEY ASKED WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN.

THEIR RESPONSE WAS A LIST OF IDEAS.

>> SO, WORKFORCE RATE REFORM, UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME, INCREASED STATE CHILD -- SUPPORT FOR CHILDCARE, MIXED DELIVERY UNIVERSAL PRE-K.

BETTER PARENTAL LEAVE.

PROVIDER GUARANTEED INCOME.

>> Reporter: FIELDING-MILLER THINGS ARE FINDINGS CAN FROM PLATE AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN DECIDING POLICIES ONE DAY.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR IS JUST A FEW WEEKS AWAY FOR MANY SCHOOLS.

MOST SCHOOLS ARE IN SOUTH SAN DIEGO THAT HAVE OPENINGS.

>> ONE OF THESE CHILDREN WENT TO TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN, TK, AND IT MADE A DIFFERENCE.

>> MY KID KNOWS HOW TO MULTIPLY ALREADY.

THINGS THAT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO .

HE LEARNED THAT THAT TK.

>> THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT TK IS FOR CHILDREN THAT TURNED FOUR YEARS OLD I SEPTEMBER 1.

>> THEY ARE MY BABIES.

THEY DON'T REALIZE THAT TK IS INTENDED FOR KINDERGARTEN AND WHEN THEY DON'T DO THAT, THEY STRUGGLE IN KINDERGARTEN BECAUSE ALL OF THE KIDS THAT WENT ARE AHEAD OF THEM.

>> Reporter: THE STRICT LEADERS WANT PARENTS TO KNOW ABOUT THE BENEFITS.

SCHOOL STARTS ON AUGUST 12 AND THERE ARE 550 OPEN TK SPOTS AVAILABLE.

MOST ARE IN LINCOLN, HOGAN MEMORIAL AND NEARBY CLUSTERS.

>> TK IS A FOUNDATIONAL GRADE THAT IS PART OF A TWO-YEAR KINDERGARTEN PROGRAM THAT GETS THE STUDENTS MORE PREPARED FOR AN ACADEMIC PROGRAM AND IT IS RICH WITH PLAY AND EXPLORATION AND SOCIALIZING.

BUT THEY ARE LEARNING SCHOOL BEHAVIORS.

LEARNING IMPORTANT SKILLS LIKE HOW TO SHARE.

HOW TO COLLABORATE.

HOW TO SIT IN ONE SPOT AND LISTEN TO THE TEACHER.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH THE ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL BENEFITS FOR KIDS IT CAN BE A FINANCIAL HELP FOR FAMILIES.

TK STUDENTS ARE THERE FOR A FULL DAY AND GET BREAKFAST AND LUNCH AT SCHOOL.

PARENTS INTERESTED IN ENROLLING THEIR CHILD IN TK CAN VISIT THE RESIDENTS GO TO COMPLETE A PACKET.

THEY WILL NEED TO BRING THE CHILD'S BIRTH CERTIFICATE, IMMUNIZATION RECORDS, AND PROOF OF RESIDENCE.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY LEADERS ARE TAKING STEPS TO ADDRESS THE HIGH COST OF LIVING.

THIS MONTH THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PASSED A RESOLUTION TO STUDY WHAT EFFECT CORPORATE AND PRIVATE EQUITY HOME OWNERSHIP HAS ON HOUSING COSTS.

WE HEAR IT IS A TOPIC THAT RESEARCHERS ARE ALSO TACKLING.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS A RESOLUTION THAT PASSED.

AT DISTRICT 3 SUPERVISOR TARA LAWSON DISCUSSED WHY THEY ARE TAKEN THIS UP AT THE JULY 16 BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING.

>> WE HAVE FOCUSED ON WHAT WE CAN DO IN A SAN DIEGO TO COMBAT THE COST OF RENT.

A BIG AREA THAT WE HAVE NOT YET TACKLED HEAD ON IS THE ROLE OF BEING PLAYED BY CORPORATE LANDLORDS.

>> Reporter: NOT EVERYONE AGREES THAT CORPORATE HOMEOWNERSHIP IS A SIGNIFICANT DRIVER OF HOUSING CAUSE.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIVES SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE RESOLUTION CALLING IT A WASTE OF TIME AND RESOURCES.

BLACKSTONE SAYS THEY ONLY HAVE 1% OF THE RENTALS IN THE CITY.

WE SPOKE WITH AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF FINANCE FROM UC SAN DIEGO.

HE LOOKS AT HOW THIS IMPACTS.

>> IT MAY HAVE SOME EFFECT.

RENTAL COSTS HAVE SURGED.

BUT IS THIS THE DRIVER OF IT?

PROBABLY THE ANSWER IS NO.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THAT IS NOT THE WHOLE STORY.

THE TYPES OF HOUSING SUCH AS BLACKSTONE DOES HAVE AN EFFECT.

>> THERE IS AN INCREASE IN RENT PRICES HOWEVER A LOT OF THE INCREASE COMES THROUGH WHAT WE MIGHT THINK OF AS AN IMPROVEMENT IN QUALITY.

IT IS ASSOCIATED WITH REDUCTIONS IN CRIME RATES AND REHABILITATION.

AND VARIOUS OTHER MEASURES OF HOUSING QUALITY.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE WITH LOWER INCOMES ARE MORE LIKELY TO LIVE IN LOWER QUALITY HOUSING TARGETED BY INVESTORS.

CORPORATE OWNERSHIP OF MULTIFAMILY HOUSING AND DEPARTMENTS IS NOT NEW.

HE SAYS WHAT IS RELATIVELY NEW IS COURT OWNERSHIP OF SINGLE- FAMILY HOMES AT THE EFFECT IS BEING STUDIED.

HE DID NOT COMMENT ON THE NEW EFFORT BY THE COUNTY OR IF IT COULD HELP RING DOWN HOUSING PRICES BUT, THERE IS ONE POLICY PRESCRIPTION THAT HE SAYS RESEARCH SHOWS DOES HAVE THAT EFFECT.

I THINK THE CONSENSUS IS, REMOVING CONSTRAINTS ON BUILDING NEW HOUSING.

THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS FOR IMPROVING HOUSING AFFORDABILITY RATHER THAN LIMITING INVESTMENT BY POTENTIAL INSTITUTIONS.

>> Reporter: TENANT GROUPS LOOKING AT RENTAL BLACKSTONE PROPERTIES WILL TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY.

>>> COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS ARE SAID TO TAKE OFF FROM PALOMAR AIRPORT AGAIN.

KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN HAS MORE ON WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE AIRPORT.

>> Reporter: SOON THERE WILL BE MORE DEPARTURES, MORE ARRIVALS AND REUNIONS AT PALOMAR AIRPORT.

AMERICAN AIRLINES HAS ANNOUNCED THEY WILL OFFER DAILY FLIGHTS TO PHOENIX, ARIZONA.

>> IT MEANS ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

INCREASED ECONOMIC ACTIVITY .

>> Reporter: JAMIE IS THE COUNTY DIRECTOR OF AIRPORTS AND HE SAYS THE AVIATION INDUSTRY SUPPORTS ABOUT 2600 JOBS AT PALOMAR AIRPORT.

>> IT MEANS GIVING PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO FLY OUT OF THEIR COMMUNITY RATHER THAN GOING TO ORANGE COUNTY OR DOWN TO SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL TO BEGIN THEIR TRAVEL.

I THINK IT WILL BE A GREAT BENEFIT FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY.

>> Reporter: AMERICAN WILL HAVE TWO OUT TIME FLIGHTS TO PHOENIX.

THEY WILL BE OPERATED UNDER THE AMERICAN EAGLE BRAND.

IN A STATEMENT AMERICAN AIRLINES SAYS, "THE NEW SERVICE WILL PROVIDE CONVENIENT ONE- STOP CONNECTIONS TO DESTINATIONS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO."

I ESTIMATE EVERY TIME THAT AIRPLANE LANDS IT ADDS ABOUT $300,000 TO THE OVERALL REGIONAL ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: ERIC IS THE CEO OF THE PHOENIX ECONOMIC COUNCIL.

HE SAYS THESE NEW FLIGHTS WILL BE A BOON FOR TOURISM.

>> JUST A FEW DIRECT FLIGHTS IN AND OUT OF PALOMAR SERVE KEY MARKETS FOR THE TOURIST INDUSTRY LIKE LAS VEGAS IN THE PHOENIX AREA AND PERHAPS THE BAY AREA, IT IS GOOD OVERALL FOR SPENDING IN THE COUNTY.

>> Reporter: FIRST, PALOMAR NEEDS TO UPDATE INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS.

RIGHT NOW IT IS PRETTY SIMPLE TO GET THROUGH SECURITY SCREENING AT PALOMAR AIRPORT BUT WITH COMMERCIAL AIRLINES RETURNING, SO WILL THE TSA AND BEEFED UP SECURITY.

THE LESS COMMERCIAL FLIGHT OUT OF PALOMAR WAS IN 2015.

THE TRANSPORTATION SECURITY ADMINISTRATION REMOVED ALL OF THESE SCREENING EQUIPMENT.

>> WE HAD TO REQUEST TO BRING SCREENING EQUIPMENT BACK AND PERSONNEL BACK TO PROVIDE SCREENING FOR THE AMERICAN FLIGHTS.

>> Reporter: CURRENTLY, JS SEX AND ADVANCED AIRLINES OFFER CHARTERED FLIGHTS OUT OF PALOMAR.

THEY DO NOT REQUIRE TSA SCREENINGS.

FLIGHTS FROM AMERICAN ARE EXPECTED TO TAKE OFF STARTING FEBRUARY 13.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ANOTHER WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF KPBS CONTENT IS ON YOUTUBE.

SUBSCRIBING GET NOTIFIED WHEN NEW ITEMS ARE POSTED FROM THE NEWSROOM AND LOCAL K PS PROBE KPBS PROGRAMMING.

IT IS ALSO WHERE WE STREAM KPBS EVENING EDITION WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00.

>>> SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS TO GET THE MOST POPULAR STORIES IN YOUR INBOX.

HERE ARE SOME.

THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO DECLARES AUGUST TRANSGENDER HISTORY MONTH.

SAN DIEGO RESEARCH SHOWS PARENTS OF YOUNG KIDS ARE FEELING BURNT OUT.

AND, THE SAN DIEGO LITTLE LEAGUE TEAM IS OFF TO A WINNING START IN THE WORLD SERIES.

>>> LIZARDS ARE PART OF THE SAN DIEGO ECOSYSTEM BUT HAS CITY LIFE CAUSED THEM TO EVOLVE DIFFERENTLY?

THOMAS FUDGE WENT LIZARD HUNTING WITH A BIOLOGIST TO FIND OUT.

>> Reporter: ON A WARM DAY IN A DESERT GARDEN AT SAN DIEGO STATE, KIDS ARE LOOKING FOR LIZARDS.

HE HAS A STICK LASSO TO TRY TO SNARE ONE AND FINALLY SHE DOES.

IT IS A MALE.

>> LIZARDS AND SNAKES HAVE TWO .

THEY USE THEM BOTH.

NOT AT THE SAME TIME.

>> Reporter: BROCK IS A PROFESSOR OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY AT SAN DIEGO STATE AND SHE HAS CAUGHT A COMMON SAN DIEGO LIZARD CALLED A BLUE BELLY OR A FENCE LIZARD.

SHE STUDIES REPTILES AND HER FOCUS IS UNDERSTANDING HOW THEY ADAPT TO URBAN ENVIRONMENTS.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLES PERCEPTION IS THAT CITIES ARE PLACES THAT ARE DEVOID OF NATURE.

AND THAT COULDN'T BE MORE UNTRUE.

HUMAN CENTER CITIES ARE A PART OF NATURE AND WE ARE ONE OF THE WORLDS MOST INFLUENTIAL ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS.

>> Reporter: SHE ADDS THOSE ECOSYSTEMS ARE ONLY GOING TO EXPAND.

HER RESEARCH HAS TAKEN HER TO THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION WHERE CITIES AND TOWNS HAVE BEEN HOME TO LIZARDS FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

ONE COMMON VARIETY THERE IS THE WALL LIZARD.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL HAS CAUSED THAT SPECIES TO BE INTRODUCED TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

>> THESE WALL LIZARDS HAVE BEEN BROUGHT FROM TWO DIFFERENT PLACES IN ITALY TO TWO DIFFERENT PLACES IN CALIFORNIA.

THEY ARE IN SAN PEDRO AND LOS ANGELES AS WELL AS SAN DIEGO COUNTY, UP NEAR SAN MARCOS.

>> Reporter: IN LA THEY ARE DOING VERY WELL.

MAYBE TOO WELL IF YOU ARE INTO CALIFORNIA SPECIES CONSERVATION.

BROCKS SAYS SHE HAS YET TO FULLY INVESTIGATE THE GENETIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN URBAN AND COUNTRY LIZARDS.

SHE HAS SEEN DIFFERENCES IN COLOR AND BODY TEMPERATURE.

URBAN LIZARDS ARE MORE ACCUSTOMED TO HUMANS UNLESS WARY OF THEM.

AND SPECIES SELECTION MAY BE RELATED TO DIFFERENCES IN HEAT, MOISTURE -- DUE TO IRRIGATION -- AND THE PRESENCE OF ANIMALS THAT PREY ON THEM.

>> OUR DIVERSITY IS GREATER OUTSIDE OF URBAN HABITATS AND IT IS INSIDE URBAN HABITATS.

BIRDS LIKE TO PRAY LIZARDS.

SO DO OTHER SMALLER MAMMALS.

SNAKES ESPECIALLY.

WE HAVE FEWER SNAKES IN URBAN HABITATS.

>> Reporter: BROCK IS ALSO AN ARTIST.

NEW TO SDSU, SHE IS DECORATING HER OFFICE.

WHILE TRAVELING IN GREECE SHE SAW ANCIENT MARBLE CALL CARVINGS .

IN AN INK PAINTING SHE CREATED SOME HERSELF AND GAVE THEM THE HEADS OF LIZARDS.

>>> ELBOW APART BUILDINGS NEED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF REPAIRS, REPAIRS THE CITY SAYS THEY CAN'T AFFORD.

ADVOCATES ARE CALLING FOR THE CREATION OF AN OUTSIDE GROUP TO RAISE MONEY AND MANAGE PROJECTS.

>> Reporter: DANIELA MIRANDA AND HER FAMILY VISITED THE PARK ON THE LAST DAY OF THEIR SAN DIEGO VACATION.

>> IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

I CANNOT TAKE ENOUGH PICTURES OF THE ARCHITECTURE AND THE SCENERY.

>> Reporter: CITY LEADERS, ORGANIZATIONS AND PARK TENANTS WANT TO KEEP IT THAT WAY BUT THEY NEED FUNDING.

ADVOCATES SAY THE PARK NEEDS RESTROOM AND LIGHTING UPGRADES AND ROOF, ELECTRICAL, AND PLUMBING REPAIRS.

THEY SAY IT WILL COST ABOUT HALF $1 BILLION.

>> SOME OF THE DEANS ARE BEYOND THE ABILITIES OF THE INSTITUTIONS THEMSELVES TO FUND RAISE AND BE ON THE CURRENT ABILITY OF THE CITY TO BE ABLE TO FINANCE GIVEN THE CURRENT FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE CITY.

>> Reporter: A NEW REPORT SAYS THE PARK NEEDS ANOTHER GROUP TO HELP FUND RAISE.

>> THE GOVERNMENT HAS A CERTAIN AUDIENCE AND NONPROFIT OR OTHER PRIVATE PARTNER THAT IS LEADING THE EFFORT WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT AUDIENCE AND CAN DO THINGS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY THAN THE CITY.

SO, WE THINK THERE IS, THE MORE THE MERRIER AS WELL AT AS LONG AS IT IS ORGANIZED.

>> Reporter: STAKEHOLDERS ARE WORKING TOGETHER ON WHAT THAT SHOULD LOOK LIKE.

THEY HOPE TO HAVE SOMETHING READY TO IMPLEMENT BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

>>> THE FIRST TRANSGENDER HISTORY MONTH IN SAN DIEGO IS UNDERWAY.

WE HAVE THE STORY OF ONE PILLAR OF A COMMUNITY .

>> Reporter: AS AN AFRICAN- AMERICAN WOMAN WHO BEGAN TRANSITIONING IN THE 60s, TRACY IS A RARITY.

VIEW LIVED PUBLICLY THEN AND FEWER HAVE SURVIVED.

>> MY CHILDHOOD WAS FANTASTIC.

THE ONLY THING IT WAS LACKING WAS THE AFFIRMING OF MY GENDER.

I FELT DIFFERENT FROM THE BEGINNING OF MY LIFE.

>> Reporter: TRANS WAS NOT A WORD YET.

BUT SHE FELT FEMALE.

WHEN SHE WOULD ACT ON IT SHE WAS REPRIMANDED AND KIDS WOULD ONLY HER BUT SHE SAYS HER HIGHER POWER GAVE HER THESE GLIMMERS OF HOPE.

>> THERE WAS THE ROYAL AMERICAN CARNIVAL AND THEY HAD THE SIDESHOWS.

THEY WOULD HAVE THESE -- OF SCANTILY CLAD WOMEN DOING DANCES AND THERE WAS THIS ONE PERSON -- SHE WASN'T REALLY AN IMPERSONATOR.

HER NAME WAS GRETA GARLAND AND I WILL NEVER FORGET HER.

>> Reporter: AS A TEENAGER SHE FOUND A LIBRARY BOOK ON CHRISTINE JORGENSEN, ONE OF THE FIRST PEOPLE TO SUCCESSFULLY UNDERGO GENDER AFFIRMATION SURGERY.

>> I FOUND IT AND I STOLE IT AND I BROUGHT IT HOME.

I PUT IT UNDER MY BED.

>> Reporter: SHE SHOT UP TO 6'3".

>> I DID NOT LOOK LIKE THE AVERAGE CHICK WALKING DOWN THE STREET AND PEOPLE LAUGHED AT ME.

THAT WAS ALL MY LIFE.

>> Reporter: AT 19 SHE MOVED SOMEWHERE THAT FELT FREER.

>> SAN FRANCISCO WAS LIKE A UTOPIA.

IT WAS THE EARLY 70s.

IT WAS JUST SO MUCH FUN.

>> Reporter: FUN BUT TOUGH.

SHE LIVED AND HOUSED IN THE TENDERLOIN DISTRICT AND BECAME ADDICTED TO DRUGS.

>> WHAT I FOUND THERE WAS A PLACE TO SURVIVE AND WHAT I FOUND THERE WERE PEOPLE LIKE ME.

WHAT I FOUND WAS PROSTITUTION AND HUSTLING.

THAT WOULD IS WHAT I WISH ON SO THAT IS WHAT I DID.

>> Reporter: FEW BUSINESSES WAITED OPEN -- WOULD HIRE OPENLY TRANS WOMEN.

>> SHE WAS 31 AND STILL IN HOUSTON AND ADDICTED.

SHE SAID HER TRAUMA A MOBILIZED OR.

>> IN ORDER TO SURVIVE WE WOULD GO INTO STORES AND STEAL THINGS.

BECAUSE AT SOME POINT IN TIME, LOOKS WAS NOT ENOUGH TO EVEN MAKE TWO DOLLARS BECAUSE I WAS SO DEEPLY INTO MY DRUG ADDICTION.

>> Reporter: SHE FOUND HERSELF IN SAN DIEGO JAIL, SECTION 2 D. >> THAT IS WHERE THE QUEEN'S AND THE TRANSGENDER GIRLS WERE HOUSED .

>> Reporter: O'BRIEN DECIDED TO GO TO A RECOVERY CENTER AFTER RELEASE.

>> IT WAS THE BEST DECISION I HAVE EVER MADE.

I NEEDED THAT TIME.

>> Reporter: SHE STARTED INTERVIEWING FOR CAREGIVING JOBS.

>> I FOUND A SHOP.

I WAS AFRAID BUT -- >> Reporter: IT WAS STILL A DEAD-END.

>> THEY SENT ME A LETTERS SAYING IN NO SPECIFIC TEAMS WILL WE EVER ENTERTAIN THE THOUGHT OF ALLOWING YOU TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE WITH YOUR BACKGROUND.

I WAS DEVASTATED.

>> Reporter: O'BRIEN FOUND A PLACE THAT WOULD EMPLOY HER.

AN HIV AIDS CARE HOME.

>> I WAS WITH ONE WOMAN WHO PASSED AWAY THERE.

>> Reporter: SHE LEANED IN HER COMMUNITY AND BENT HER ARC IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

SHE ATTENDED CITY COLLEGE AND BECAME A DRUG AND ALCOHOL COUNSELOR.

SHE MODELED FOR A FLYER SHE DEVELOPED WITH AN AIDS FOUNDATION TO REACH SEX WORKERS.

SHE WORKED WITH THE CDC TO IMPROVE CARE FOR TRANS PEOPLE.

>> [ INAUDIBLE ] >> I HAD BURNT OUT.

I AM ON A MISSION.

I DON'T WANT ANY OTHER TRANS-OR NON-BINARY PERSON TO EVER FEEL OR GO THROUGH WHAT I WENT THROUGH .

>> Reporter: THIS MONTH SHE WILL ATTEND THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR CHILDHOOD SELF WITH THINK IF SHE COULD SEE YOU NOW.

>> SHE WOULD BE SO EXCITED.

SHE WOULD SAY, YOU DID IT!

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

I'M JOHN CARROLL .

THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US.