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

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

COMING UP, IT IS A BIG GOAL THAT IS A LONG WAY FROM BEING REACHED.

KPBS INVESTIGATES THE SLOW START FOR PRIVATE DONATIONS TO FOR HELP WITH THE HOMELESS CRISIS.

OCEANSIDE IS MAKING MOVES TO IMPROVE THE STATE ON ITS BEACHES.

AN UPDATE ON THEIR EFFORTS TO DO WITH EROSION.

AND FOR MORE THAN A MONTH, MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS AT KAISER PERMANENTE HAVE BEEN ON STRIKE.

HEAR FROM PATIENTS WHO ARE TRYING TO NAVIGATE CHANGES TO THEIR CARE.

>>> WE START WITH A REALITY CHECK FOR THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO'S FINANCES.

LAST MONTH'S ELECTION RESULTS MEANS THERE WILL BE A LOT LESS MONEY COMING IN THAN THE MAYOR HOPED TO MIAMI THIS WEEK HE ANNOUNCED IMMEDIATE STEPS TO DEAL WITH WHAT LIES AHEAD.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN HAS MORE IN THE COST- CUTTING MEASURES.

>> Reporter: GLORIA HAD HOPED CITY VOTERS WOULD APPROVE MEASURE E, SALES TAX INCREASE THAT WOULD'VE TURNED THE CITY'S DEFICIT INTO A SURPLUS, BUT IT FAILED BY JUST 3500 VOTES.

NOW CUTS TO CITY SERVICES ARE ON THE HORIZON.

IN ADDITION TO A FREEZE ON NONESSENTIAL HIRING AND OVERTIME, GLORIA SAYS HE WANTS TO RENEGOTIATE LEASES OF OFFICE BUILDINGS USED BY CITY WORKERS AND MONETIZE CITY FACILITIES, LIKE HOLDEN HALL AND THE ADJACENT PARKING GARAGE.

LARGE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS LIKE NEW PARKS, LIBRARIES, AND FIRE STATIONS WILL ALSO BE PUT ON HOLD.

>> MICHAEL IN THIS ENDEAVOR IS TO AVOID A SERIES OF DEEP CUTS IN EXCESSIVE BUDGET YEARS, AND AND SAID RIGHT SIZE ARE CITY SERVICES TO THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE WITHOUT THE EXPECTATION OF INCREASED REVENUE.

>> Reporter: THE CITY EXPECTS A SHORTFALL OF $258 MILLION IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, WHICH BEGINS IN JULY.

THAT IS 50% GREATER THAN THE DEFICIT THE CITY HAD TO CLOSE IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR.

THE MAIN REASONS ARE INFLATION DRIVING UP THE COST OF CITY OPERATIONS, AND A LONG HISTORY OF USING ONE-TIME RESOURCES TO HELP PAY FOR OVER PAST DEFICITS.

CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT PRO-TEM JOE LACAVA SAYS A SAN DIEGO HAS SIMPLY BEEN OUT OF THOSE BUDGET TRICKS AND HAS TO FACE REALITY.

>> WE MUST CUT EXPENSES AND SOME OF THOSE CUTS WILL BE DEEP, VERY DEEP, BUT IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RIGHT SIZE GOVERNMENT.

THE MAYOR PROPOSES SOLVING THE DEFICIT IN ONE YEAR, AND I KNOW MY COUNSEL COLLEAGUES WILL TAKE THAT PROPOSAL VERY VERY SERIOUSLY.

>> Reporter: THE CITY COUNCILS BUDGET COMMITTEE IS DUE TO DISCUSS THE COST SAVING MEASURES NEXT WEEK.

ANDREW BOWEN , KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HAVE MORE IN THE CITY'S FINANCES SPECIFICALLY ARTICLE TO TACKLE HOMELESSNESS.

THE CITY HAS BEEN TRYING TO SOLICIT DONATIONS TO PAY FOR SHELTER, HOUSING, AND SAFETY NET PROGRAMS, BUT KPBS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER SCOTT ROHDE SAYS THE CITY HAS FALLEN FAR SHORT OF ITS FUNDRAISING GOAL AND LITTLE MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT.

>> Reporter: MAYOR TODD GLORIA JOSES STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS IN JANUARY 2 AVAILABLE EVER DISSOLVE HOMELESSNESS.

>> TONIGHT I AM ANNOUNCING A PHILANTHROPIC CAMPAIGN TO HELP THE CITY CARRY OUT AMBITIOUS PLANS TO AND ARE HOMELESSNESS CRISIS.

IT IS CALLED SAN DIEGANS TOGETHER TACKLING HOMELESSNESS.

THIS CAMPAIGN ALREADY HAS COMMITMENTS FROM A QUARTER OF $1 MILLION.

>> Reporter: THE CITY AIMED TO RAISE $370 MILLION IN DONATIONS THIS YEAR FROM PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS, PRIVATE BUSINESSES, AND AVERAGE RESIDENCE.

THE MONEY WOULD GO TOWARDS PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS, AND BUILDING AN AFFORDABLE HIGH- RISE DOWNTOWN, BUT SAN DIEGANS TOGETHER TACKLING HOMELESSNESS AS A VERB IS JUST OVER MILLION DOLLARS, A TINY FRACTION OF ITS TARGET FOR THE YEAR.

ITS EXPENDITURE WAS A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS ON T-SHIRTS FOR VOLUNTEER EVENT.

EXPERTS AND ADVOCATES WHO FOCUS ON HOMELESSNESS RESPONSE AND PREVENTION ARE UNIMPRESSED WITH THE INITIATIVE.

>> IT IS A WORTHY ASPIRATION BUT NOT TERRIBLY PRACTICAL AND PROBABLY NOT ACHIEVABLE.

>> Reporter: RICK GENTRY IS A FORMER CEO OF THE SAN DIEGO HOUSING COMMISSION.

THE PUBLIC AGENCY WORKS TO EXPAND AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS.

>> I THINK THERE IS A GREAT NEED FOR PLANNING, COORDINATION, FOCUS, AND PARTNERSHIP, AND MAYBE STARTING WITH THE LATTER FIRST.

YOU DON'T JUST SET A GOAL AND EXCEPT -- EXPECT PEOPLE TO FOLLOW YOU.

>> Reporter: SO FOR THE CITY HAS NOT FOLLOWED THROUGH ON KEY COMMITMENTS.

THE 10 MEMBER ADVISORY BOARD THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HELP RUN THE INITIATIVE IS ONLY HALF FILLED AND HAS YET TO HOLD A MEETING.

THE CITY ALSO SET UP AND POST UPDATES ONLINE ABOUT THE INITIATIVES FUNDRAISING AND SPENDING, BUT THAT INFORMATION IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.

>> IT IS BAD GOVERNANCE.

YOU KNOW, THERE IS A REAL ISSUE WITH THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.

>> Reporter: JESSE SCHMIDT HE IS THE STATES POLICY MANAGER WITH THE ADVOCACY GROUP ALLIANCE SAN DIEGO.

HE IS SKEPTICAL OF THE CITY'S PLAN AND SAYS NONPROFITS AND RESIDENTS ALREADY DO A LOT OF WORK IN THIS SPACE.

HE ARGUES THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO SHOULDER MORE OF THE BURDEN.

>> THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH AND ADDRESSED BY OUR GOVERNMENT.

>> Reporter: MAYOR TODD GLORIA DECLINED MULTIPLE INTERVIEW REQUESTS THROUGH A SPOKESPERSON .

ERIC DARKEN IS OVERSEEING THE INITIATIVE FOR THE CITY.

HE DOWNPLAYED THE CRITICISMS.

>> I DON'T CONSIDER IT FALLING SHORT.

I JUST CONSIDER IT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO GET ON THE BANDWAGON.

THERE IS NO TIMEFRAME.

THERE IS NO DEADLINE.

THIS IS JUST US AS A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE WORKING TOGETHER ASKING OURSELVES, WHAT CAN WE DO WITH WHAT WE HAVE?

>> Reporter: THAT SAID, HE INITIALLY HOPED MORE PEOPLE WOULD DONATE TO SAN DIEGANS TOGETHER TACKLING HOMELESSNESS.

>> YOU WOULD BE AMAZED HOW MANY PEOPLE IN THIS CITY AREN'T DOING ANYTHING.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE INITIATIVE IS LOOKING INTO FUNDING PREVENTION EFFORTS AND ASSISTING COLLEGE STUDENTS FACING HOUSING INSTABILITY.

BUT IT HAS MADE ONLY ONE EXPENDITURE TO DATE, PURCHASING TEACHERS FOR A VOLUNTEER CLEANUP EVENT DOWNTOWN.

>> $2400 ON CLEANUP TO GET VOLUNTEERS TO COME AND BE AT THE DOWNTOWN AND UNDERSTAND WHERE A LOT OF TRASH IS COMING FROM, WHICH IS COMING FROM THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY.

THAT IS A SMALL EFFORT AND NOT ANYTHING MAJOR.

>> HE SAYS THE CITY STILL STANDS BEHIND THE INITIATIVE DESPITE THE LIMITED IMPACT, BUT HE OFFERED A MORE MODEST MEASURE OF SUCCESS THAN THE ORIGINAL GOAL OF RESOLVING HOMELESSNESS.

>> IF WE ARE ABLE TO ASSIST ONE PERSON, THEN THIS INITIATIVE IS A SUCCESS.

>> Reporter: SO THE CITY WILL CONTINUE THIS DONATION-BASED EFFORT TO ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS, BUT SHOULD IT?

>> NO.

I DO THINK THAT THIS SOUNDS A VERY SUCCESSFUL INITIATIVE.

JENNIFER MOSLEY IS A PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO THE STUDIES THE INTERSECTION OF NONPROFITS, PHILANTHROPY, GOVERNMENT, AND HOMELESSNESS.

SHE SAYS THE CITY MISJUDGED HOW PHILANTHROPY WORKS AND THAT IT HAS NOT DONE ENOUGH TO INSPIRE CONFIDENCE AND POTENTIAL DONORS.

>> I THINK THE PROOF IS ALREADY THERE IN TERMS OF THE LITTLE AMOUNT OF MONEY THEY HAVE ALREADY RAISED, THE LOW AMOUNT OF MONEY THEY HAVE GIVEN OUT, AND THE FACT THAT THEY DON'T SEEM TO HAVE BUILT ANY INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND IT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE CITY SHOULD FOCUS ITS EFFORTS INSTEAD OF SUPPORTING ESTABLISHED CHARITIES AND WORKING MORE CLOSELY WITH THE REGIONAL TASK FORCE ON HOMELESSNESS.

SCOTT ROHDE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THAT SCORING IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE WORK DONE BY OUR INVESTIGATIVE TEAM.

MORE STORIES ARE AVAILABLE AT THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

>>> AND YOU CAN ALSO GET REGULAR UPDATES BY EMAIL.

JUST SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> THERE ARE MORE THAN 40,000 FOREIGN NATIONALS SERVING IN OUR MILITARY, AND MOST OF THEM ARE JUST ONE MISTAKE AWAY FROM BEING DEPORTED.

KPBS REPORTER GUSTAVO SOLIS SPOKE TO VETERANS WHO WANT TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR FOREIGN-BORN SOLDIERS TO BECOME AMERICAN CITIZENS.

>> Reporter: LAST MONTH, KPBS SPOKE WITH A GROUP OF CONSERVATIVE MEN, MOSTLY VETERANS ABOUT IMMIGRATION REFORM.

THEY DID NOT MINCE WORDS.

>> THE BOTTOM LINE IS THERE WERE GUYS THAT WERE SERVING OUR COUNTRY, KEEPING ME ALIVE, KEEPING MY FELLOW BROTHERS ALIVE, AND THAT IS WHY I AM HERE TODAY.

ROBERT LESSING IS A RETIRED ARMY CHAPLAIN.

HE'S TALKING ABOUT NONCITIZEN SOLDIERS WHO HAVE BECOME DEPORTED VETERANS.

RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE ROUGHLY 40,000 NONCITIZENS ARE SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES.

THOSE WHO DO NOT FINISH THE NATURALIZATION PROCESS AND GET IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW RISK BEING DEPORTED.

>> THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS.

THEY FOUGHT FOR US.

THEY SWORE TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC.

THEY GET IN TROUBLE AFTER THAT AND WE KICK THEM OUT?

I HAVEN'T FOUND ANYBODY THAT SAYS THAT IS A GOOD IDEA.

>> Reporter: THIS IS PERSONAL FOR BLESSING.

HE VISITS DEPORTED VETERANS IN TIJUANA.

ONCE HE PERFORMED A NATURALIZATION CEREMONY DURING AN DEPLOYMENT IN IRAQ.

>> IT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE TO SAY WELCOME TO AMERICA WHILE YOU ARE SERVING OUR COUNTRY IN A COMBAT ZONE.

>> Reporter: NO ONE WOULD CONFUSE THESE GUYS FOR LIBERALS.

THEY SAY EXPLICITLY THAT THEY ARE NOT WELCOME, THEY ARE NOT OPEN BORDERS, THEY ARE NOT PRO- AMNESTY.

THEY BELIEVE IMMIGRANTS WHO COMMITTED VIOLENT CRIMES SHOULD BE DEPORTED.

JIM STROUD IS A CIVILIAN WHO RECENTLY JOINED THE DEPORTED VETERANS MOVEMENT.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DEPORTED THAT I AM GLAD OUR DEPORTED, BUT THIS IS A SELECT GROUP.

THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT SERVED THIS COUNTRY.

THEY DID NOT DO ANY HEINOUS CRIMES.

FOR MAC IT HASN'T TAKEN LONG FOR HIM TO BECOME AN OUTSPOKEN ADVOCATE.

>> I HAVE TO SAY I WAS APPALLED WHEN I HEARD ABOUT THIS THOMAS SO MUCH SO THAT I AM VERY GLAD TO BE HERE, VERY GLAD TO BRING THIS OUT INTO THE OPEN.

>> Reporter: IF HE IS THE MOVEMENTS NEW RECRUIT, ROBERT IS A BATTLE TESTED VETERAN.

HE IS WITH THE GROUP UNITED U.S. DEPORTED VETERANS RESOURCE CENTER.

>> THE DEPORTATION OF VETERANS IS WORLDWIDE, AND WE HAVE DEPORTED VETERANS TO OVER 40 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS MOST VETERANS ARE DEPORTED AFTER COMMITTING A CRIMINAL OFFENSE LIKE DRUNK DRIVING, DRUG POSSESSION, HAVING AN UNREGISTERED FIREARM, OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

>> THERE IS NO SECRET.

THERE'S NO DENYING IT.

VETERANS GET INTO TROUBLE.

WHY?

BECAUSE THEY FIND IT VERY DIFFICULT TO REENTER CIVILIAN LIFE.

FOR KEY FOB RUNNING FOR A PROPOSED FEDERAL LAW FOR THE VETERAN SERVICE AND RECOGNITION ACT.

IT CREATES AN EXPEDITED PATHWAY FOR ANY SERVICE MEMBER TO COMPLETE THEIR CITIZENSHIP PROCESS BY THE TIME THEY FINISHED BASIC TRAINING.

THE BILL ALSO CALLS FOR A COMMITTEE TO REVIEW CASES OF DEPORTED VETERANS TO SEE IF THEY SHOULD BE ALLOWED BACK IN THE U.S.

IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE TO GET CONSERVATIVES TO SUPPORT THE BILL.

>> THE PROBLEM THAT WE ARE HEARING AND THAT WE HAVE BEEN HEARING FOR A LONG TIME IS THAT THEY TRY TO CORRELATE IT WITH AN IMMIGRATION ISSUE.

AND THAT IS WHERE I THINK THE WHOLE SUBJECT GETS BLOWN OUT OF PROPORTION.

>> Reporter: INSTEAD OF LOOKING AT IT AS AN IMMIGRATION ISSUE, HE SAYS IT SHOULD BE VIEWED AS A VETERANS AFFAIRS ISSUES.

ANOTHER VETERANS WHO HAVE SERVED WITH NONCITIZEN SOLDIERS AGREE.

>> FOR ME IT IS A VERY PERSONAL ISSUE.

I WORKED ALONGSIDE THOSE GUYS AND GALS.

>> Reporter: ANDY WATERS IS A RETIRED U.S. NAVY VETERAN.

HE SAYS IMMIGRANTS ARE AN ASSET TO THE MILITARY.

>> THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERTISE AND KNOWLEDGE AND LANGUAGE SKILLS AND OTHER KINDS OF THINGS THAT MAYBE YOU DON'T GET.

YOU GET WHAT YOU GET IN TERMS OF VOLUNTEERS FOR AN ALL VOLUNTEER FORCE AND SOMETIMES WE CAN'T FROM U.S. CITIZENS RECRUIT ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE NEED.

>> Reporter: THE BILL WAS INTRODUCED LAST YEAR AND HAS NOT MADE IT OUT OF COMMITTEE.

ADVOCATES NOW SEE AN OPPORTUNITY WITH DONALD TRUMP IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND REPUBLICANS CONTROLLING THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

GUSTAVO SOLIS, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY HAD A GRAND OPENING FOR ITS NEWEST IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE WELCOME CENTER THIS WEEK .

IT IS A HUB TO CONNECT THE NEW IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES TO VITAL RESOURCES AND SERVICES.

KPBS WORTH COUNTY REPORTER ALEXANDER NGUYEN GOT A LOOK INSIDE.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE COUNTIES A SECOND IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE WELCOME CENTER.

THE FIRST ONE WAS OPENED IN 2023.

SINCE THEN, THE COUNTY OFFICE OF IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE AFFAIRS HELD VARIOUS LISTENING SESSIONS IN THE COMMUNITY TO DETERMINE WHERE THE NEXT ONE SHOULD BE.

BARBARA GIMENEZ IS THE COMMUNITY OPERATIONS OFFICER FOR THE COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY.

>> WE HEARD THAT NORTH COUNTY REALLY WANTED THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A WELCOME CENTER HERE.

SO THIS IS REALLY CREATED TO BE A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR FAMILIES AND THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: NEARLY 64% OF THE COUNTIES FOREIGN-BORN RESIDENTS LIVE IN NORTH COUNTY.

GIMENEZ IS A CENTER WAS CREATED TO BRIDGE THE RESOURCES AND SERVICES GAP.

WORKERS HERE UNTRAINED TO HAVE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO PROVIDING CARE.

>> THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO GET TO KNOW THE PERSON, SEE WHAT THEIR NEEDS MIGHT BE.

IS IT SOMETHING CONNECTED TO HOUSING?

IS IT SOMETHING CONNECTED TO LEGAL SERVICES?

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT NEEDS, ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS IT TAKES 2 TO 3 VISITS BEFORE SOMEONE BECOMES COMFORTABLE ENOUGH TO ASK FOR HELP CONNECTING TO SERVICES.

SERVICES SUCH AS EMPLOYMENT, MEDI-CAL, AND CAL FRESH.

THE WELCOME CENTER IS INSIDE THE COUNTIES AND LET LIVE WHILE CENTER, PUTTING ALL SERVICES IN ONE LOCATION.

INSIDE THERE IS A CHILDREN'S AREA WITH BOOKS AND ACTIVITIES TO KEEP KIDS OCCUPIED, AND EXTRA DESKS FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS.

IN ADDITION TO THE RESOURCES AND SERVICES PROVIDED HERE, THE WELCOME CENTER ALSO CONNECTS IMMIGRANTS TO PARTNERS SUCH AS THE MEXICAN CONSULATE AND THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION FOR THINGS SUCH AS PAPERWORK OR TO ENROLL THEIR CHILDREN INTO SCHOOL.

>> WE WILL BE HAVING A TABLE HERE FOR INFORMATION EVERY MONTH.

HER BACK ALICEA IS SAN DIEGO'S CONSUL GENERAL OF MEXICO.

SHE SAYS THE CONSULATE WILL CLOSELY LEAD WITH THE WELCOME CENTER TO WORK WITH IMMIGRANTS FROM MEXICO.

>> IF THEY HAVE ANY DOUBT OR ANY CONCERN ABOUT THE SITUATION, THEN THEY CAN COME TO THE CONSULATE.

WE HAVE PLENTY OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES TO PROVIDE THEM, ESPECIALLY LEGAL ASSISTANCE CAN BE PROVIDED, TOTALLY FREE FOR OUR NATIONALS.

>> THIS IS A SAFE PLACE TO ASK FOR THOSE RESOURCES, AND THEN GETTING FAMILIES CONNECTED TO THOSE COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT ARE PROVIDING THAT SPECIALIZED SERVICE.

>> Reporter: THE CENTER COST ABOUT $300,000 PER YEAR TO OPERATE AND IS OPEN FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

STOMACH A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE PLANNING TO VISIT THE ANNUAL DECEMBER NIGHTS THIS SEASON AT BALBOA PARK.

THEY ARE OFFERING EXTRA SERVICE.

SATURDAY MIGHT BE THE BUSIEST DAY WITH A HOLIDAY FESTIVAL OPEN FROM 11:00 A.M. TO 11:00 P.M. FREE SHUTTLE RIDES OPERATED BY MTS WILL BE AVAILABLE.

THE SHUTTLES LEAVE FROM PARK LaBARGE NEAR THE CITY COLLEGE TRANSIT CENTER.

FOR MORE DETAILS ON PUBLIC TRANSIT TO DECEMBER NIGHTS, YOU CAN GO TO SD MTS.COM.

>>> SPEAKING OF THE HOLIDAYS, BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE KPBS HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE .

YOU WILL FIND BOOKS, FOOD, MUSIC, GARDENING, AND OTHER IDEAS FEATURING LOCAL BUSINESSES, ARTISTS, AND RESTAURANTS.

MANY IDEAS COME FROM US MOTHER KPBS STAFF, AND YOU, OUR AUDIENCE.

LOOK FOR THE KPBS HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> AND NOW WE HAVE A STORY FROM OCEANSIDE IN THE BATTLE AGAINST SAND EROSION ON THE COASTLINE.

THE CITY HAS NARROWED DOWN LOCATION FOR A PILOT PROJECT DESIGNED BY AN AUSTRALIAN FIRM.

TANIA THORNE TELLS US WHEN AND WHERE THE PROJECT WILL TAKE PLACE.

>> Reporter: THE MAJORITY OF OCEANSIDE'S COASTLINE IS IN NEED OF SAND.

SO WHEN IT CAME TO FIGURING OUT WHERE TO PILOT THE CITIES RE- BEACH SAND RETENTION PROJECT, STAFF HAD PLENTY OF OPTIONS.

>> WE TOOK THE MOST ERODED AREAS OF THE SHORELINE AND DIVIDED THEM UP INTO DIFFERENT SEGMENTS.

>> Reporter: JAMIE TIMBER LAKE IS OCEANSIDE'S COASTAL ZONE ADMINISTRATOR.

SHE SAYS DIFFERENT DATA ANALYSIS AND OUTREACH HELPED REACH A DECISION TO BEGIN AT TYSON STREET PARK.

>> FROM HERE WE WILL BE EXTENDING THE PROJECT ON DOWN TO WISCONSIN AVENUE, AND BETWEEN WISCONSIN AVENUE AND TYSON STREET PARK, WE WILL BE DEVELOPING AN ARTIFICIAL REEF OFFSHORE WITH THE TWO HEADLANDS SITUATED AT TYSON STREET AND WISCONSIN AVENUE.

>> Reporter: TO HAVE IT IN ARTIFICIAL REEF DESIGN CAME FROM THE AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL COASTAL MANAGEMENT TEAM.

>> ARTIFICIAL HEADLANDS REALLY, THEY ACT LIKE HEADLANDS WERE POINTS, SO THOSE MICROSTRUCTURES WILL ACTUALLY WORK JUST LIKE A POINT IN RETAINING SOME OF THE SAND, BASICALLY OUT TO THE EXTENT THAT THEY ARE CONSTRUCTED.

AND THEN THE ARTIFICIAL REEF, IT IS JUST LOOKING TO SLOW DOWN SOME OF THAT, THE CURRENT THAT TAKES THE SAND OFF OF OUR SHORELINE.

IN OCEANSIDE OUR SHORELINE IS SO STRAIGHT AND WE HAVE NONE OF THESE NATURAL FEATURES THAT HELP US RETAIN SAND NATURALLY.

>> Reporter: THE DESIGN IS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS A LIVING SPEED BUMPS PROJECT IT IS ALREADY IMPLEMENTED ON AUSTRALIA'S GOLD COAST.

TIMBER LAKE HOPES IT WILL ALSO BE SUCCESSFUL IN OCEANSIDE.

>> WE WANT TO TEST IT AND MAKE SURE IT WORKS AND MAKES SURE IT IS MEETING ALL OF ITS PERFORMANCE GOALS, AND THEN WE CAN START TO THINK ABOUT HOW TO REPLICATE IT AND MAYBE DO IT IN OTHER LOCATIONS.

>> Reporter: THERE WAS SOME PUSHBACK OVER THE PROJECT'S POTENTIAL IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND SERVE.

>> ALSO IT IS AN EMOTIONALLY CHARGED TOPIC.

HOW IS THIS GOING TO ASK -- AFFECT MY SURF.

I DON'T WANT IT TO NEGATIVELY AFFECT MY SURF.

I WALKED THE BEACH.

I WANT TO BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, TRANSIT THE BEACH.

>> Reporter: BOB ASHTON IS THE PRESIDENT OF SAVE OCEANSIDE SAND.

HE SAID THE NONPROFIT WILL HELP EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY WHILE HOLDING THE CITY ACCOUNTABLE FOR ANY IMPACTS THE PROJECT MAY HAVE.

>> IF IT SHOWS THE SURF HAS BEEN NEGATIVELY IMPACT, THEN WE CAN MODIFY THE DESIGN OR DO SOMETHING TO RESTORE THE SURF BACK TO WHERE IT IS.

>> Reporter: THE CITY WILL KEEP AN EYE ON THE IMPACT TO THE SURF BY COLLECTING DATA BEFORE AND AFTER THE REEF AND HEADLANDS ARE INSTALLED.

FOR THE NEXT YEAR, THE DESIGN WILL NEED TO BE REFINED, PERMITTED, AND FUNDED.

CONSTRUCTION IS ESTIMATED TO START AT THE END OF 2026 OR EARLY 2027 AND COST $31 MILLION.

TANIA THORNE , KPBS NEWS.

>>> THAT STORY WAS ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE OTHERS.

THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO FACES BUDGET CUTS AND A HIRING FREEZE AFTER VOTERS REJECT A TAX MEASURE.

FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT DECEMBER NIGHTS AT BALBOA PARK THIS WEEKEND, AND THE KAISER MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS STRIKE LEAVES SOME PATIENTS STRUGGLING FOR CARE.

HERE IS THAT STORY FROM KPBS HEALTH REPORTER HEIDI DE MARCO.

>>> SAVANNA PFEIFFER, ALANA MULINO, AND CHRISTINA JONES BECAME FRIENDS AT A KAISER INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM.

ALL THREE SAY THE STRIKE HAS MADE IT HARDER TO ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

>> IT IS HARD ENOUGH TRYING TO EVEN ADMIT THAT YOU NEED THERAPY OR YOU NEED ANTIDEPRESSANTS ON A REGULAR BASIS.

IT IS HARD TO ADMIT THAT TO YOURSELF.

IT IS HARD TO ADMIT THAT TO SOMEONE ELSE.

AND IT IS HARD TO GO THROUGH THE TRAUMA WITH A THERAPIST, A STRANGER, IN ORDER TO GET THAT.

HER BACK ALANA MULINO IS A HISTORY TEACHER.

SHE SAYS IT IS DIFFICULT RESTARTING THERAPY WITH TEMPORARY PROVIDERS.

>> BECAUSE THEY ARE ON STRIKE, WE ARE SEEING DIFFERENT THERAPISTS, AND YEAH, YOU HAVE TO START PRETTY MUCH FROM SCRATCH WITH A NEW THERAPIST.

AND UNCOVER ALL OF THE TRAUMA AGAIN THAT YOU JUST WORKED OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

>> Reporter: IS A SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH CASEWORKER, SAVANNA PFEIFFER EMPATHIZES WITH THE STRIKERS.

>> AT THE SAME TIME IT IS LIKE WHAT ABOUT US.

WE GOT FORGOT, HUNG OUT TO DRY BASICALLY.

>> Reporter: PFEIFFER SAYS BEFORE THE STRIKE IT TOOK ABOUT THREE WEEKS TO GET AN APPOINTMENT, BUT NOW IT IS LONGER.

>> LIKE, YOU KNOW, FOUR MONTHS FOR A PSYCHIATRY APPOINTMENT IS NOT OKAY.

CAN THE PSYCHIATRIST AREN'T EVEN ON STRIKE.

>> Reporter: A KAISER SPOKESPERSON DISPUTES THE FOUR MONTH WAIT.

THEY SAY THEY SCHEDULED MORE THAN 235,000 APPOINTMENTS FOR MEMBERS SINCE OCTOBER 21.

THE STATE REQUIRES HMOS TO PROVIDE A NONURGENT MENTAL HEALTH APPOINTMENT WITHIN 10 DAYS OF THE REQUEST, BUT PFEIFFER SAYS SHE HAS FILED TWO COMPLAINTS SINCE THE STRIKE BEGAN.

>> I'M JUST TRYING TO GET ADEQUATE CARE AND GET TREATED LIKE A HUMAN BEING AND GET SEEN IN A TIMELY MANNER AND HAVE SOME CONTINUITY OF CARE.

>> Reporter: CHRISTINA JONES IS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER.

SHE SAID IT WAS TOUGH WHEN THE SOCIAL WORKERS RUNNING THE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM WERE REPLACED.

>> BUT WHEN THEY LEFT, THE TYPE OF CARE THAT WE RECEIVED AFTER, IT WAS SO SUBPAR AND RAGGEDY.

>> Reporter: KAISER SAYS TEMPORARY STAFF OR QUALIFIED PROVIDERS, BUT THE UNION ARGUES THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE SPECIALIZED TRAINING.

KAISER ALSO SAYS CRISIS CLINICIANS ARE AVAILABLE 24/7 TO ALL PATIENTS WITH URGENT CASES.

BUT JONES HAD A NEGATIVE EXPERIENCE.

>> AND THAT THE PERSON KNOW I WAS HAVING AN EMERGENCY, AND THEY WERE, LIKE, YOU DON'T SOUND LIKE YOU ARE, THOUGH.

SO I WAS, LIKE, OH, GIRL.

I WAS, LIKE, SO IT IS THIS WHOLE PERFORMANCE IN TELLING YOUR STORY TO STRANGER AFTER STRANGER IN THIS SYSTEM THAT SAYS THAT IT CARES.

>> Reporter: DESPITE THE CHALLENGES , THE THREE WOMEN SAY THEY FOUND SUPPORT IN EACH OTHER.

>> YEAH IT IS, LIKE, A GLIMMER OF LIGHT IN THIS DARKNESS, BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, AND WE AREN'T THE ONLY ONES.

>> Reporter: AS THE STRIKE CONTINUES, THEY ARE LOOKING AT OTHER HEALTH INSURANCE OPTIONS, INCLUDING PAYING FOR THERAPY OUT-OF-POCKET.

IN THE INTEREST OF DISCLOSURE, KAISER PERMANENTE IS A KPBS UNDERWRITER .

HEIDI DE MARCO , KPBS NEWS.

STRAW MAN JUDICIAL REFORM IS A HOT TOPIC IN MEXICO THESE DAYS AND MOST RECENTLY MEXICO ANNOUNCED PLANS TO STOP APPOINTING FEDERAL JUDGES AND HAVE THEM BE ELECTED .

KPBS BORDER REPORTER GUSTAVO SOLIS SAYS THE UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO LAW SCHOOL PROGRAM WILL PLAY A KEY ROLE IN TRAINING THE NEW JUDGES.

>> Reporter: YOU ARE LISTENING TO A MOCK TRIAL AT THE UNIVERSITIES OF SAN DIEGO SCHOOL OF LAW.

I KNOW A LAWYER IS CROSS- EXAMINING A WITNESS.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: NOW THIS LECTURE HALL IS NOT FILLED WITH YOUR TYPICAL STUDENTS.

INSTEAD THEY ARE ALL MEXICAN JUDGES VISITING SAN DIEGO FOR A WEEK LONG LEGAL SEMINAR.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: USD HAS OFFERED WORKSHOPS TO LAWYERS AND JUDGES FROM LATIN AMERICA FOR YEARS NOW.

HERE IS A SEGMENT'S INTERNATIONAL TEAM OF PROGRAMS.

SHE SAYS THAT LEGAL PROFESSIONALS OFTEN NEED TRAINING WHENEVER THEIR HOME COUNTRIES AND ACT SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THEIR JUDICIAL SYSTEMS.

>> FOR EXAMPLE IN CHILE 30+ YEARS AGO, THEY STARTED WITH ORAL TRIALS BECAUSE OF WHAT EVERYTHING IN THE COUNTRY WAS GOING THROUGH.

SOON AFTER ARGENTINA STARTED WITH ORAL TRIALS.

TEXACO STARTED TO LOOK AT WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE REST OF LATIN AMERICA, AND LOOKING NORTH AT WHAT WE WERE DOING, AND WHAT OTHER MODELS WERE DOING.

>> Reporter: BEFORE SWITCHING TO ORAL TRIALS LIKE THE ONES WE HAVE IN THE U.S., THOSE LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES OFTEN USED WRITTEN TRIALS.

>> EVERYTHING IS DONE THROUGH DOCUMENTS.

THROUGH PETITIONS.

THROUGH PAPERWORK.

THE PERSON IN TRIAL DOES NOT REALLY SEE THE JUDGE.

THEY JUST READ THE FILE AND MAKE A DETERMINATION.

>> Reporter: THAT SHIFT HAS COME TO MEXICO, WHICH IS WHY THE STATE JUDGES FROM BAJA CALIFORNIA ARE VISITING SAN DIEGO, BUT THERE IS A BIGGER CHANGE ON THE HORIZON FOR MEXICO'S JUDICIAL SYSTEM.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, THE THEN PRESIDENT INTRODUCED A SERIES OF CONTROVERSIAL REFORMS.

AMONG OTHER THINGS, THEY MAKE THE JOB OF THE FEDERAL JUDGE AN ELECTED POSITION.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: SUPPORTERS SAY THE REFORMS INCREASE TRANSPARENCY, BUT OPPONENTS BELIEVE THAT THEY COULD ERODE THE INDEPENDENCE OF MEXICO'S FEDERAL COURT .

STATE JUDGE SALVADOR ONE ORTIZ MORELLA'S HAS A PHILOSOPHICAL VIEW OF THE REFORMS.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: CHANGE IS AN INEVITABLE PART OF LIFE, HE SAYS, BUT THIS SPECIFIC CHANGE COMES WITH BIG CHALLENGES.

AS A STATE JUDGE, HE IS NOT DIRECTLY IMPACTED BY THE FEDERAL REFORMS, BUT HE BELIEVES THAT BAJA CALIFORNIA AND OTHER MEXICAN STATES WILL FOLLOW SUIT.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: HE IS WORRIED ABOUT THE LACK OF JOB STABILITY THAT COMES WITH ELECTIONS, AND GIVEN THAT UNCERTAINTY, HE WONDERS WHETHER MEXICO'S BEST AND BRIGHTEST YOUNG LAWYERS WOULD EVEN WANT TO INVEST IN THE DECADES OF WORK REQUIRED TO BECOME A FEDERAL JUDGE.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: ANA CAROLINA VALENCIA MARQUEZ IS ANOTHER PARTICIPANT.

SHE SAID THE JUDICIAL REFORMS WILL HAVE A HUGE IMPACT.

SHE SAYS THAT JUDGES WILL NEED TO ACCEPT THE CHANGES, AND USD IS READY TO HELP.

AGAIN, HERE IS SIGMUND.

>> USD IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED, BECAUSE OF OUR EXPERTISE, BECAUSE OF LANGUAGE, BECAUSE OF GEOGRAPHY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, BECAUSE WE HAVE FRIENDS IN MEXICO, AND WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A LEARNING PROCESS FOR THEM.

IT IS A LEARNING PROCESS FOR US.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID STAFF IS ALREADY COMING UP WITH WORKSHOPS THAT SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THE FEDERAL JUDICIAL REFORMS.

TRAINING COULD INCLUDE INSIGHT FROM CALIFORNIA JUDGES WHO ARE ALREADY USED TO RUNNING FOR REELECTION, BUT FOR NOW THEY ARE FOCUSED ON HELPING THE CURRENT TRANSITION FROM WRITTEN TO ORAL TRIALS IN THE STATE LEGAL SYSTEM.

VALENCIA MARQUEZ IS THE CHANGE HAS BEEN DAUNTING BUT WORTHWHILE.

>> [ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: SHE BELIEVES THEY WILL MAKE THE SYSTEM MUCH MORE TRANSPARENT, A WELCOME CHANGE.

GUSTAVO SOLIS , KPBS NEWS.

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