
KPBS News This Week, Friday, February 16, 2024
Special | 27m 29sVideo has Closed Captions
Should there be limits to jail security when it comes to employees?
Should there be limits to jail security when it comes to employees? The Sheriff's Department still hasn't added a step that advocates say will reduce in-custody deaths. And, a potential breakthrough when it comes to the science of obesity. See what's happening at UC San Diego that might help us better understand the barriers to losing weight.
KPBS Evening Edition is a local public television program presented by KPBS

KPBS News This Week, Friday, February 16, 2024
Special | 27m 29sVideo has Closed Captions
Should there be limits to jail security when it comes to employees? The Sheriff's Department still hasn't added a step that advocates say will reduce in-custody deaths. And, a potential breakthrough when it comes to the science of obesity. See what's happening at UC San Diego that might help us better understand the barriers to losing weight.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US WITH THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING THIS WEEK.
I AM JOHN CARROLL.
MORE OF THE ELECTION COVERAGE ON THE MARCH 5th PRIMARY.
SHOULD THERE BE LIMITS TO JAIL SECURITY WHEN IT COMES TO EMPLOYEES?
THEY HAVE ADDED A STEP THAT ADVOCATES SAY WILL REDUCE IN CUSTODY DEATHS.
SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING AT UC SAN DIEGO TO HELP US UNDERSTAND THE BARRIERS TO LOSING WEIGHT.
WE START WITH THE ONGOING RECOVERY OF LAST MONTH'S FLOODING IN SAN DIEGO.
MELISSA MAE TELLS US ABOUT THE PENDING LEGAL ACTION.
NEWBIES STARTING THE CLAIMS PROCESS IN ORDER TO FILE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO.
>> CLASS-ACTION ALLOWS US TO SIT DOWN WITH THE CITY AND SAY, WE CAN GIVE YOU A RELEASE OF ALL OF THE CLAIMS OF EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT HAS BEEN DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF THE STORM WATER DEFICIENCY.
>> WITH THE PEOPLE'S ASSOCIATION OF JUSTICE ADVOCATE SAYING THAT STORMWATER DRAINAGE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO FOR OVER 25 YEARS.
>> COULD'VE BEEN PREVENTED, MEASURES COULD'VE BEEN TAKEN TO ADDRESS THIS.
SOMETHING COULD'VE BEEN DONE BY THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO TO MAKE SURE THAT THE GREEKS WERE FLOWING PROPERLY.
>> FILLING OUT CLAIMS BASED ON 10 FLOOD VICTIMS SO FAR.
>> THE PREREQUISITE TO THE LAWSUIT.
IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THE FORMS ARE FILLED OUT CORRECTLY BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO NOT ONLY DESCRIBE WHAT YOU'VE LOST.
>> THIS WILL GET FLOOD VICTIMS COMPENSATION FOR THEIR DAMAGES.
>> THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT TAKE YOUR PROPERTY, CANNOT TAKE YOUR HOME, CANNOT TAKE YOUR PERSONAL THINGS AND CANNOT TAKE YOUR FURNITURE UNLESS IT PAYS JUST COMPENSATION.
WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THE CITY FIXES THESE PROBLEMS SO THAT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.
>> THIS LAWSUIT IS ABOUT MORE THAN MONEY.
>> WE ARE NOT JUST SUING TO GET DAMAGES FOR THE VICTIMS.
WE ARE ASKING FOR A COURT OF LAW TO ISSUE THE INJUNCTION AGAINST THE CITY TO REQUIRE THE CITY TO ESTABLISH A STORMWATER UTILITY.
THAT IS WHAT RESPONSIBLY CITIES DO.
>> IT WOULD PROVIDE FUNDING FOR ALL RELATED ACTIVITIES.
THAT INCLUDES DEVELOPMENT OF DRAINS AND CHANNELS.
>> SAN DIEGO CITY LEADERS HAVE MADE STREET IMPROVEMENTS A BIG PRIORITY LATELY.
SPEAKING WITH FRUSTRATED RESIDENTS IN ONE DISTRICT THAT SAYS THEY ARE STILL WAITING TO SEE RESULTS.
>> WE HAVE MORE POTHOLES THAN WE DO BULLET HOLES ON THE SHOOTING RANGE.
IT DOES NOT SEEM TO BOTHER THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.
>> OFFICIALS GATHERED AT MALCOLM X LIBRARY.
THE STREETS KEEP HER FROM GETTING TO CLASS AT SAN DIEGO STATE.
>> IT BROKE DOWN AND I HAVE BEEN TAKING THE BUS AND BECAUSE OF THE CONSTRUCTION, SOMETIMES THE BUS DOES NOT COME.
>> SHE HAS TO USE SCARCE FOOD MONEY FOR UBERS.
>> WHEREVER YOU WALK AND IT DUMPS INTO A STREET THAT IS IN POOR SHAPE THAT KIDS CANNOT RIDE THEIR BIKES.
I CANNOT PUSH A STROLLER BECAUSE THE WHEELS GET STUCK.
IT'S DANGEROUS, NOT JUST FOR CHILDREN BUT FOR ELDERS THAT USE MOBILITY DEVICES.
>> HIS WHEELCHAIR TIPPED OVER.
I'VE SEEN IT A COUPLE TIMES.
>> THE CITY ENCOURAGES THAT RARELY GETS A RESPONSE.
WHEN THEY DO, IT IS DISAPPOINTING.
>> HE SAYS THAT THEY REPAIRED TWO POTHOLES AND LEAVE THREE ON THE SAME STREET AND THEY CLOSE OFF THE STREETS FOR A LONG TIME AND WHEN THEY REOPENED, IT SEEMS TO BE WORSE.
>> THEY CLOSE THAT OFTEN NOW THERE IS A HUGE DIP IN THE ROAD.
THIS IS ALL DAY, EVERYONE IS DOING IT.
>> FIXING ROADS ARE EXPENSIVE AND THE WORSE THEY ARE, THE MORE THAT IT COST.
THE CITY HAS RELEASED PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PLANS THAT ADVOCATES THIS APPROACH.
STRETCHING BUDGET DOLLARS THE FURTHEST BY APPROVING THE STREETS THAT ARE NOT AS BAD.
GETTING THE STREETS TO SATISFACTORY CONDITION OVERALL.
IT LEAVES DISTRICT FOUR BEHIND.
$144 MILLION OVER FOUR YEARS.
IN WEALTHIER DISTRICT FIVE.
WHICH CURRENTLY HAS THE BEST STREET CONDITIONS.
THEY WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF RACE IN EQUITY AND FACTOR EQUITY INTO THE SCORING.
>> THEY HAVE INCLUDED EQUITY AS PART OF THE FORMULA.
SOMEHOW, THE WAY THAT THE NUMBERS SHAKE OUT, WE ALWAYS END UP AT THE BOTTOM.
>> IT ALSO GIVES WEIGHT TO ROADS THAT ARE USED MORE.
THERE ROADS ARE USED LESS BECAUSE THE CITY HAS UNDER DEVELOPED THEIR DISTRICT.
>> IT IS THE SAME GAME THAT THEY HAVE BEEN PLAYING FOREVER.
AND ONE ERA, IT WAS CALLED DESEGREGATION AND IN ANOTHER IT WAS AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AND IT IS DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AND EQUITY, IT IS JUST TALK.
DISTRICT FOUR WITH BLACK AND LATINO RESIDENTS WAS ONE OF THE WORST HIT BY RECENT FLOODS.
THE WATER ROSE IN MINUTES.
RESIDENTS SAY THAT IT GREW FROM DECADES OF UNDERSERVICED BY THE CITY.
>> IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE ALWAYS WAITING.
IF IT WILL NOT COME, STOP TALKING ABOUT IT AND SAY THAT YOU JUST HAVE A CONSERVATION OF POVERTY AND THAT IS WHERE YOU PUT EVERYBODY IN A FEW PEOPLE BE ABLE TO GET OUT AND THAT IS HOW THE WORLD WORKS.
THAT'S NOT HOW I SEE IT.
I LOVE THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.
THIS IS HOME FOR ME.
>> SHE SAYS THAT SHE DOES NOT HAVE ANOTHER 60 YEARS TO WAIT FOR EQUITY.
KPBS NEWS.
>>> VOTERS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY NOW HAVE THEIR BALLOTS FOR THE MARCH 5th PRIMARY.
TO GET INFORMED, GO TO THE VOTER HUB AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH.
ALONG WITH IMPORTANT DATES AND OTHER INFORMATION.
LOOK FOR THE LINK ON OUR HOMEPAGE.
VOTERS WILL DECIDE SEVERAL SEATS IN THE STATE ASSEMBLY.
TELLING US ABOUT SOME OF THE LOCAL CANDIDATES.
>> A HUGE GEOGRAPHIC FOOTPRINT.
MOST OF EAST COUNTY.
A STRETCH OF THE SOUTHERN BORDER.
SIX CANDIDATES IN THE PRIMARY RACE AND TWO HAVE EMERGED AS FRONT RUNNERS TO REPRESENT THIS REPUBLICAN DISTRICT.
>> I WANT TO RESTORE COMMON SENSE TO TO SACRAMENTO.
>> HE IS THE CURRENT STATE DIRECTOR FOR BRIAN JONES.
THE BORDER IS ONE OF HIS MAIN PRIORITIES.
>> LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN STOP FOLKS FROM COMING ACROSS AND BRINGING CRIME INTO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
>> THE OTHER FRONT RUNNER WILL BE A FAMILIAR NAME TO MANY SAN DIEGO VOTERS.
HE SERVED ON THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL UNTIL 2012 AND CURRENTLY HOSTS THE LOCAL RADIO SHOW AND IS ALSO TAKING A HARD STANCE ON THE BORDER AND ASYLUM- SEEKERS.
>> WE DON'T HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO SHAW FOR EVERYONE WHO SHOWS UP IN AMERICA.
>> WE WANT PEOPLE TO, YOU CAN PLAY BY THE RULES AND FOLLOW THE PROCESS.
>> OTHER TOP ISSUES INCLUDE INCREASING TAXES.
>> JEFF FOR MAN DOES IS ALSO RUNNING IN THE PRIMARY.
>> DEMOCRAT TOSHA BERNER HAS BEEN THE REPRESENTATIVE SINCE 2022.
>> MY EXPERIENCE.
I AM A BUSINESS WOMAN.
>> HER GOALS REMAIN THE SAME.
>> AROUND ENVIRONMENT AND WHEN I SAY OPPORTUNITIES, I MEAN, DO THEY HAVE GOOD JOBS, DO THEY HAVE HEALTHCARE?
DO THEY HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE?
>> INCLUDING FINANCIAL ADVISER JEFF BROWN.
BROWN SAYS THAT HE UNDERSTANDS THE STRUGGLES OF POVERTY FOR HIS OWN EXPERIENCE.
>> THE ISSUE WITH A LOT OF POLITICIANS NOW IS THAT THEY WERE NEVER HOMELESS.
WE JUST THROW MONEY AT SOMETHING AND HOPE THAT IT CHANGES RATHER THAN PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THIS SITUATION TO GET OUT.
>> LIKE BERNER, SHE IS A DEMOCRAT AND SAYS SHE IS CAMPAIGNING FOR A VOICE FOR THE NARROW DIVERGENT.
SHE SAYS SHE WANTS MORE FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY WHEN IT COMES TO GOVERNMENT PROGRAM SPENDING.
>> IF THEY ARE NOT PUBLISHING SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES AND THEY HAVE A SURPLUS THAN THEIR NEEDS TO BE LEGISLATION FOR WHERE IT GOES TO.
IF THEY DON'T HAVE A SURPLUS, WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON.
>> THE TOP TWO CANDIDATES IN THE PRIMARY WERE GO ON TO THE GENERAL ELECTION.
>> MICHAELA WEBER HAS REPRESENTED THE 79th DISTRICT SINCE 2021 AND IS NOW RUNNING FOR STATE SENATOR.
ALL RUNNING TO REPLACE HER.
AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR WHO HAS LIVED IN THE DISTRICT HER WHOLE LIFE.
SHE SAYS HER TOP PRIORITIES ARE ADDRESSING INEQUITIES IN HOUSING, HOMELESSNESS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.
>> WHAT BETTER PERSON TO HAVE IN THIS OFFICE THEN HAS WALKED A MILE IN THEIR SHOES.
I KNOW OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IS.
I'VE WITNESSED DRIVE-BY SHOOTINGS.
>> CEO OF CIRCULATE SAN DIEGO.
CONGRESSMAN SCOTT PETERS AND DAVID ALVAREZ.
THE TOP PRIORITIES OF DISTRICT ARE HOMELESSNESS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ROAD REPAIRS.
>> WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE HOME AND WE NEED TO GET THEM OFF THE STREETS.
>> RACHEL VASQUEZ IS THE FINAL CANDIDATE.
SHE HAS BEEN THE MAYOR SINCE 2016.
HER PRIORITIES ARE SIMILAR BUT WITH SOME NUANCES.
>> MY TOP PRIORITIES ARE HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS, JOBS AND THE ECONOMY AND PUBLIC SAFETY.
AS MAYOR, I HAVE SUCCESSFULLY ADDRESS THESE KEY AREAS ON A LOCAL MUNICIPAL LEVEL.
>> DISTRICT 79 COVERS MUCH OF SAN DIEGO.
WITH A TOTAL POPULATION OF 500,000 CONSTITUENTS.
KPBS NEWS.
>> THIS ELECTION SEASON WE HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF QUESTIONS FROM VIEWERS ABOUT THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE SECTION ON THE BALLOT.
HERE IS ALEXANDER WINN WITH AN EXPLANATION.
>> THERE IS ANOTHER PARTY NOMINATED OFFICE.
THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE AND DEPENDING ON YOUR PARTY AFFILIATION, YOU CAN VOTE FOR SIX OR NINE CANDIDATES.
THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE ELECTION IS EVERY FOUR YEARS.
I WANT TO BE INFORMED OF MY LOCAL CANDIDATES.
SPECIFICALLY FOR COUNTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY DEFINITION OF THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS, YOU WENT TO THE LOCAL DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN CHAIRS.
>> WE ENDORSED DEMOCRATS AND THEN WE VOTE ON THE BUDGET AND WE ALSO SUPPORT THE DEMOCRATS.
>> THE CHAIR OF THE SAN DIEGO DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
>> IN BETWEEN ELECTION CYCLES, WE WORK TO RECRUIT PEOPLE TO RUN FOR OFFICE AND BUILD UP THEIR SKILLS.
AND GET INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, THE DUTIES ARE SIMILAR.
>> WE HAVE DIFFERENT JOBS FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL COMMITTEE.
RECRUITMENT, COMMUNICATION.
EACH ONE IS ASSIGNED A JOB TO DO.
>> PEOPLE ELECTED TO THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE CAN BE ELECTED TO LOCAL SECTIONS.
THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE DISTRICTS ARE BASED ON THE DISTRICT INSTEAD OF THE STATE ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS LIKE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
MEMBERS CAN CHOOSE NINE COMMITTEES.
DEMOCRATS CAN CHOOSE SIX.
HOW CAN YOU LEARN ABOUT THE CANDIDATES?
THE PARTIES SAY THAT IT IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST TO ENDORSE ANY CANDIDATE.
YOU CAN GET INVOLVED IN YOUR LOCAL CHAPTER AND LEARN ABOUT THE CANDIDATES.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BALLOT LIKE THIS ONE, DROP US A LINE AT KPBS.ORG/ VOTER HUB.
>> WHEN VOTERS ELECTED A NEW SHERIFF LAST YEAR, IN CUSTODY DEATHS WERE A BIG ISSUE THAT CANDIDATES CHOSE TO ADDRESS.
A POLICY BY A LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD HAS BEEN DENIED.
SPEAKING WITH POLICY ADVOCATES THAT SAY LIVES ARE AT STAKE.
>> THE CITIZENS LAW ENFORCEMENT REVIEW BOARD RECOMMENDED BODY SCANS YEARS AGO TO HELP PREVENT DRUG SMUGGLING.
THE SHERIFF REJECTED THEIR REQUEST.
FREQUENT SCANNING RISK TO HEALTH AND MORALE.
WHEN KELLY MARTINEZ REJECTED THE RECOMMENDATION IN NOVEMBER, CITING THINGS THAT THEY HAVE DONE TO REDUCE OVERDOSE DEATHS.
LIKE PROVIDING OVERDOSE REVERSING MEDICATION.
THEY DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC REASON FOR THIS DENIAL.
EVEN WHEN KPBS ASKED.
>> IF YOU COULD SAVE A LIFE AND WEED OUT EMPLOYEES I SHOULD NOT BE THERE, THAT IS A WIN-WIN.
>> 146 SUSPECTED OVERDOSES IN THEIR FACILITIES LAST YEAR.
THEY HAVE THE POWER TO DO EVERYTHING EXCEPT MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> I WILL ALWAYS WONDER WHERE THE DRUGS CAME FROM AND HOW THEY GOT INTO THE JAIL.
>> HER SON DIED OF SUSPECTED OVERDOSE IN THE SAN DIEGO JAIL.
VOTING TO RESEND THE REQUEST NOW.
AND EVERY TIME SOMEONE DIES OF SUSPECTED OVERDOSE IN THE DETENTION FACILITIES.
>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE TOP STORIES THIS WEEK WITH THE AUDIENCE ONLINE.
THE MILITARY IDENTIFIES FIVE MARINES THAT WERE KILLED IN HELICOPTER CRASHES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
CORONADO'S HIDDEN AFRICAN- AMERICAN HISTORY.
LOVE AND BUSINESS.
THREE SAN DIEGO COUPLES THAT STARTED BUSINESSES TOGETHER.
WE WILL HAVE THAT STORY LATER.
INTEREST IN A SERIES OF SMALL EARTHQUAKES.
THE QUAKES WERE FAR FROM TYPICAL FOR THAT AREA.
>> THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY SAID THAT THE EARTH STARTED SHAKING AFTER MIDNIGHT.
THE LARGEST EVENT THAT WAS A 4.8 ON THE RICHTER SCALE.
FELT IN SAN DIEGO.
>> THERE WERE FOUR ACTIVATIONS OF THE SHAKEN EARTH EARLY WARNING SYSTEM.
DETECTED BY SEVERAL AUXILIARY PROVIDERS TO THE PUBLIC ACROSS THE REGION.
INCLUDING 87,000 PEOPLE.
>> 65 QUAKES OR AFTERSHOCKS.
15 WERE STRONGER THAN MAGNITUDE THREE AND TWO TOPPED MAGNITUDE FOUR.
>> AS FAR AS WE KNOW, IT ONLY GOES BACK TO THE LATE 1800S.
WE DON'T REALLY KNOW MUCH BEFORE THEN.
IT IS WELL EXPRESSED ON THE LAKEBED, AND EVEN THROUGH AGRICULTURE.
PROBABLY HAS RUPTURED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS.
>> PART OF THE SOUTHERN FAULT SYSTEM THAT GENERATED A SIZABLE EARTHQUAKE BACK IN 1987 THAT MEASURED 6.3 ON THE RICHTER SCALE AND INJURED NEARLY 100 PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO.
THE FAULT LINES UNDER A BIG IMPERIAL COUNTY TOWN.
>> WE CAN SEE THIS CROSSING THE DESERT FLOOR.
PRIOR FROM WHEN THEY DECIDED TO FLATTEN ALL THE FIELDS.
IT GOES DIAGONALLY.
>> CAPABLE OF GENERATING A MAGNITUDE SIX EARTHQUAKE WHICH CAN BE DAMAGING.
IT IS CONCERNING WITH SEISMIC ACTIVITY AROUND A FAULT THAT HAS BEEN RELATIVELY QUIET FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.
>>> SCIENTISTS SAY THAT THEY MAY HAVE MADE A BREAKTHROUGH IN A CONDITION THAT CONTRIBUTES TO MANY HEALTH CONDITIONS.
NEW RESEARCH HOLDS THE PROMISE FOR FUTURE TREATMENT.
>> RESEARCHERS WERE LOOKING AT THE WAY CELLS STORE AND BURN ENERGY.
THEY HYPOTHESIZE THAT SHUTTING DOWN A MOLECULE IN LAB MICE WOULD CAUSE THE CELLS TO BURN LESS ENERGY.
THEN MORE FAT WOULD BE STORED IN MORE WEIGHT WOULD BE GAINED.
>> WHEN WE MOVED THE MICE AND LOOKED AT THEM, WE SAW SOMETHING THAT WAS KIND OF SHOCKING.
WE SAW THE OPPOSITE EFFECT.
>> THEY BECAME MORE EFFICIENT IN BURNING FAT AND CONTROLLING WEIGHT.
>> WE PUT THESE MICE ON HIGH- FAT DIETS AND WE NOTICE THAT THEY DID NOT GAIN WEIGHT LIKE NORMAL MICE DO ON A HIGH-FAT DIET.
>> ONE OF THE HYPOTHETICAL MISTAKES THAT LED TO A VALUABLE DISCOVERY.
IT WAS HELPING THE BODY STORE FAT.
IN A SENSE, IT WAS CAUSING OBESITY.
IT HAS BEEN SHOWN THAT THE MORE OVERWEIGHT A PERSON GET, THE MORE DIFFICULT IT IS TO LOSE WEIGHT.
ADDING INSULT TO INJURY.
DIFFICULTY LOSING WEIGHT IS ALSO DUE TO ANOTHER DISCOVERY IN THE LAB WITH OBESITY, THE MITOCHONDRIA BREAK INTO SMALLER PIECES MAKING THEM LESS LIKELY TO BURN ENERGY.
OUR BODIES FOCUS ON PROTECTING FAT STORES AS A THROWBACK TO ANCESTRAL DAYS WHEN FOOD COULD BE VERY HARD TO COME BY.
>> WE ARE VERY EFFICIENT AT STORING ENERGY BECAUSE WE THINK THAT A FAMINE IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER.
>> THE LAB HAS IDENTIFIED A TARGET AND THEY HAVE CREATED AN INHIBITOR TO DEACTIVATE IT CAUSING MICE ON A HIGH-FAT DIET DO NOT GAIN WEIGHT.
IT DOES NOT TAKE A LOT OF IMAGINATION TO WONDER IF SHUTTING IT DOWN ON A HUMAN COULD DO THE SAME THING AND HELP CURE OBESITY.
IT'S NOT A CRAZY IDEA, MICE ARE NOT PEOPLE AND IT'S HARD TO KNOW IF GIVING THIS STUFF TO PEOPLE IS A GOOD IDEA.
>> WE DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA THAT IT IS NOT SAFE.
>> CLINICAL TRIALS ON HUMANS ARE NOT ON THE HORIZON.
THEY ARE STARTING TO EXPERIMENT ON HUMAN TISSUES.
>>> VALENTINE'S DAY WAS THIS WEEK.
MANY COUPLES CELEBRATE LIVING TOGETHER OR HAVING A CHILD TOGETHER.
SPEAKING WITH THE OWNERS ON A LOCAL PIZZA SHOP ON HOW THEY KEEP THEIR RELATIONSHIP AND BUSINESS GOING STRONG.
>> EACH PHOTO IS A TRIBUTE TO FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND EVEN LOST LOVED ONES.
>> THERE ARE PICTURES ALL OVER THE RESTAURANT, MORE HERE, AND MORE ON THE BACK WALL.
THE WALL SPACE THAT WE HAVE IS PHOTOS OF LOVED ONES.
>> THIS IS HOW SISTERS PIZZA BEGAN.
>> MY SISTER PASSED AWAY VERY UNEXPECTEDLY AND AT THE TIME I WAS A TEACHER.
MY DREAM WAS TO OWN A PIZZA RESTAURANT AND WITH HER PASSING, I REALIZE THAT LIFE IS SO SHORT.
I WANTED TO LIVE MY DREAM NOW AND OPEN THE RESTAURANT.
>> HER AND HER SISTER ALWAYS TALKED ABOUT OPENING A BUSINESS TOGETHER.
THEY SHARE A LOVE FOR PIZZA.
WHEN K PASSED AWAY, EMILY FOUND IT WAS TOO MUCH TO DO ALL ON HER OWN.
THIS IS WHEN HER HUSBAND STEPPED IN.
HE QUIT HIS JOB TO WORK FULL TIME AT SISTERS PIZZA.
>> I THINK IT'S FUN TO SEE EACH OTHER EVERY DAY.
JUST THE INTERACTIONS WITH PEOPLE.
IT'S FUN TO SEE HER PERSONALITY AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COMMUNICATE WITH OUR CUSTOMER BASE.
WE JUST ENJOY IT.
>> NEVER MIX BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE.
FOR EMILY AND TREVOR, IT'S A DIFFERENT STORY.
>> THERE ARE A LOT OF POSITIVES.
WHEN YOU GO TO WORK EVERY DAY WITH SOMEONE THAT YOU LOVE AND SOMEONE THAT YOU LIKE AND SOMEONE YOU THINK IS FUNNY.
THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT FOR THAT.
PEOPLE TALK ABOUT THEIR WORK LIFE.
WE ACTUALLY HAVE THAT.
FOR REAL.
MORE POSITIVES THAN NEGATIVES.
IT IS A CHALLENGE.
IT'S WORTH IT.
>> RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS IS NO EASY TASK.
>> IS ITS DAY FOR ANY COUPLE OR ANY ONE PERSON TO OPEN A BUSINESS THAT YOUR PARTNER WILL BE INVOLVED IN IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO JUST COMPLETELY CARTMAN DIES ONE FROM THE OTHER.
SMALL BUSINESSES, ESPECIALLY, IT IS A HUGE RESPONSIBILITY AND THERE IS SO MUCH THAT GOES INTO A.
IF YOU ARE IN A PARTNERSHIP, IT WILL BE THE OTHER PERSON'S BABY TOO.
>> IT ALSO BRINGS THEM CLOSER TO THE COMMUNITY.
>> YOU WORK EVERY HOLIDAY.
YOU WORK NIGHTS TOGETHER.
THERE IS A LOT OF FRIENDSHIP AND COMMUNITY.
>> YOUR ADVICE TO ASPIRING COUPLES IN BUSINESS?
>> BE PATIENT WITH ONE ANOTHER.
ESPECIALLY IN THE BEGINNING WHEN YOU'RE FIGURING THINGS OUT.
THERE IS NO RIGHT ANSWER.
JUST UNDERSTANDING THAT BOTH OF YOU ARE LEARNING AT THE SAME TIME.
NO ONE IS THE EXPERT.
WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
IF YOU DON'T HAVE PATIENCE IT WILL NOT WORK.
>> EMILY PLANS ON GOING ON A SHORT TRIP WITH OLD FRIENDS, BECAUSE OF HER HUSBAND, SHE DOES NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT SISTERS PIZZA WHILE SHE'S GONE.
>> I'M GOING AWAY FOR A FEW DAYS AND I FEEL CONFIDENT BEING AWAY FROM THE BUSINESS.
KNOWING THAT TREVOR IS THERE TO HOLD DOWN THE FORT.
EVEN IF I'M GONE FOR A FEW HOURS, I KNOW HE HAS MY BACK.
>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.
I'M JOHN CAROL.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING.
KPBS Evening Edition is a local public television program presented by KPBS