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

I'M JOHN CAROL.

COMING UP, CULTURE CHANGE IN THE U.S. MILITARY.

THE NEW ADMINISTRATION DRASTICALLY SCALES BACK ITS DIVERSITY EFFORTS, AS WE LOOK AT HOW IT DEALS WITH THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

>>> DRIVERS ARE NOW PAYING MORE TO PARK IN SAN DIEGO.

SEE HOW THIS FITS INTO A LARGER STRATEGY FOR HOW THE CITY IS TRYING TO MONETIZE ITS STREETS, PARKING LOTS, AND GARAGES.

>>> AND IT'S A TREASURE GATHERING SPOT FOR ART AND ACTIVISM.

LIPS MARKS 25 YEARS OF CELEBRATING DRAG IN SAN DIEGO.

>>> WE START WITH THE UPHEAVAL IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

NOT EACH A MONTH INTO THE NEW TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, EMPLOYEES AND SEVERAL AGENCIES RECEIVED BUYOUT OFFERS.

AS AMITA SHARMA REPORTS, THAT INCLUDES 250 FEDERAL PROSECUTORS AND SUPPORT STAFF IN THE SAN DIEGO U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

>> Reporter: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SENT AN EMAIL TITLED "FORK IN THE ROAD" TO FEDERAL EMPLOYEES JANUARY 28th.

IT SAYS THE AIM IS TO REFORM AND STREAMLINE THE WORKFORCE AND OFFERS ANYONE A CHANCE TO RESIGN.

THE EMAIL ALSO STATES, WORKERS WILL NOW BE SUBJECT TO "ENHANCED STANDARDS OF SUITABILITY AND SHOULD BE RELIABLE, LOYAL, AND TRUSTWORTHY."

IN RESPONSE TO THAT EMAIL, KPBS WAS SENT A STATEMENT THAT READ "AT EVERY FORK IN THE ROAD, THIS OFFICE WILL CHOOSE THE PATH OF JUSTICE, NO MATTER HOW CHALLENGING THE TERRAIN.

OUR PROSECUTORS AND STAFF ARE AMONG THE FINEST PUBLIC SERVANTS IN AMERICA, AND THIS DISTRICT CAN RELY ON OUR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY."

FORMER SAN DIEGO FEDERAL PROSECUTOR PHIL HELPPERSON IS IN TOUCH WITH PROSECUTORS, SAYING THEY USED THE RESIGNATION OPTION WITH SUSPICION.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO BELIEVED IN THE OFFICE THAT IF YOU DIDN'T PLAY ALONG, YOUR HEAD WAS GOING TO BE PUT ON THE BLOCK TO BE TAKEN OFF.

YOU WOULD BE ON A LIST OF PEOPLE TO BE FIRED.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT, THERE WAS MANY, MANY PEOPLE IN THE OFFICE, PERHAPS THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY, THAT RECEIVED IT WITH SURPRISE, CONFUSION, YOU KNOW, AND OUTRAGE.

>> Reporter: IT'S UNCLEAR JUST HOW MANY LOCAL FEDERAL PROSECUTORS WILL TAKE THE ADMINISTRATION'S OFFER TO RESIGN.

HE SAYS CURRENTLY, ABOUT 30% OF THE OFFICE'S CRIMINAL CASES DEAL WITH IMMIGRATION.

>> THERE'S NO SAYING THEY WOULDN'T HAVE 50% OR 60%.

BECAUSE WE'RE ON THE BORDER, IT COULD CLEARLY AFFECT THIS OFFICE IN MANY WAYS.

>> Reporter: FRAUD, POLITICAL CORRUPTION, AND VIOLENT POLITICAL PROSECUTIONS COULD GO DOWN AS A RESULT, HE SAYS.

MEANWHILE, CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB BONTA CALLS IT A POINTED ATTACK, AIMED AT DISMANTLING THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PROMISED TO PAY THOSE WHO RESIGNED THIS WEEK THROUGH SEPTEMBER.

BUT HE URGED FEDERAL WORKERS TO HEED UNION WARNINGS THAT THERE IS NO GUARANTEE.

THE WHITE HOUSE DID NOT RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

>>> THE U.S. MILITARY IS SEEING A MAJOR TRANSITION.

THE CHANGES ARE INTERNAL WHEN IT COMES TO DIVERSITY EFFORTS AND PUBLIC FACING WHEN IT COMES TO INFORMATION ON CLIMATE CHANGE.

KPBS MILITARY REPORTER ANDREW DYER COVERED BOTH TOPICS.

>> Reporter: UNTIL RECENTLY, IT WAS THE HOME OF THE D.O.D.

CLIMATE RESILIENCE PORTAL TO PLAN FOR THE IMPACTING OF CLIMATE CHANGE.

THE WEBSITE HAD A PUBLIC FACING SIDE AND ONE ACCESSIBLE ONLY WITH THOSE WITH A MILITARY I.D.

NOW IT'S GONE.

>> IN RECENT YEARS, I THINK THE PENTAGON HAS TAKEN A STEP FORWARD IN TERMS OF ADDRESSING CLIMATE AND CLIMATE ADAPTATIONS AS A NATIONAL SECURITY PRIORITY.

>> Reporter: CATHERINE IS A RESEARCH THAT SPECIALIZES IN CLIMATE SECURITY AND THE MILITARY.

SHE SAYS THE MILITARY HAS TO PREPARE FOR THE CHANGING CLIMATE.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR MILITARY EQUIPMENT IS ABLE TO NAVIGATE THESE ENVIRONMENTS.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR HORSES CAN NAVIGATE THESE ENVIRONMENTS, AND WE NEED TO ANTICIPATE WHERE, WHEN, AND WHAT WE NEED TO PLAN FOR.

>> Reporter: NOT ALL CLIMATE CHANGE RELATED MATERIAL IS GONE FROM THE PENTAGON'S WEBSITE.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE D.O.D.

'S CLIMATE ADAPTATION PLAN IS STILL ONLINE.

BUT THE OTHER WEBSITE HAD MORE DETAILED INFORMATION THAT LEADERS WOULD USE WHEN FACING EXTREME WEATHER OR MAKING PLANNING DECISIONS.

KPBS COULD NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION ELSEWHERE ON THE PENTAGON'S WEBSITE.

SHE SAYS ACCOUNTING FOR CLIMATE CHANGE IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR U.S.

ALLIES IN THE PACIFIC.

ALLIES THAT COULD LOOK ELSEWHERE FOR HELP MITIGATING THE POTENTIAL INSTABILITY THAT COMES WITH THE CHANGING CLIMATE.

>> IF WE DON'T DO THAT, SOMEONE ELSE WILL.

IT MIGHT BE CHINA.

THEY KNOW THAT THIS IS AN AREA THAT MANY OF OUR PARTNERS ARE INTERESTED .

>> Reporter: THE DEFENSE DEPARTMENT DIDN'T RESPOND TO QUESTIONS WHY THE WEBSITE WAS REMOVED.

SHE ACKNOWLEDGES CLIMATE CHANGE HAS BECOME POLITICIZED BUT SAYS MILITARY LEADERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PLAN REGARDLESS.

>> WE CAN CALL IT NATURAL DISASTERS, WE CAN CALL IT CATASTROPHIC EVENTS, EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS, WHATEVER WE WANT TO CALL IT.

THE DATA POINTS TO AN INCREASE IN THE FREQUENCY AND SEVERITY OF THESE EVENTS, AND THOSE EVENTS HAVE REAL IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN LIVES.

AND REAL IMPLICATIONS FOR NATIONAL SECURITY.

>> Reporter: THE DELETED WEB PAGES AND CONTENT ARE STILL ACCESS ABLE VIA THE WEB ARCHIVE.

ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CELEBRATIONS AND ONNER ISSER IS VANCES FOR CULTURAL AWARENESS MONTHS ARE CANCELED ACROSS THE U.S. MILITARY.

ON FRIDAY, DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH CALLED SUCH OBSERVANCES EFFORTS TO DIVIDE THE MILITARY AND PUT ONE GROUP AHEAD OF OTHERS.

IN A NEWS RELEASE, HEGSETH BANNED ANY OBSERVANCES RECOGNIZING CULTURAL AWARENESS MONTHS OF BLACK PEOPLE, NATIVE AMERICANS, PACIFIC ISLANDERS, HISPANICS, AND LBGTQ PLUS PEOPLE.

CHRISTOPHER GOLDSMITH IS THE FOUNDER OF THE TASK FORCE GROUP, SAYING THE STORIES AND HISTORY OF PEOPLE ARE BIG PARTS OF MILITARY CULTURE.

>> BECAUSE HISTORY MATTERS.

YOU CANNOT FIND A UNIT IN THE MILITARY WHERE THEY AREN'T VERY DELIBERATE ABOUT ENGRAINING THEIR NEWEST TROOPS WITH ALL OF THE OBSCURE BATTLES THAT THIS UNIT WENT THROUGH DECADES, GENERATIONS AGO, BECAUSE THAT STUFF IS IMPORTANT.

>> Reporter: AFTER DONALD TRUMP ORDERED THE END OF ALL DIVERSITY INITIATIVES ACROSS THE GOVERNMENT, HIS FIRST WEEK IN OFFICE THE AIR FORCE TEMPORARILY REMOVED A LESSON ON THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN FROM ITS BOOT CAMP CURRICULUM, BUT THAT WAS RESCINDED.

>> THAT IS THE ONLY REASON THAT THEY WANT TO CARVE OUT JUST THESE SPECIFIC PIECES OF HISTORY, BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT SAYING NO MORE LESSONS ABOUT CHESTY PULLER.

THEY'RE NOT SAYING NO MORE LESSONS ABOUT AUDY MURPHY, BUT NO MORE LESSONS ABOUT THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN.

THAT IS A DELIBERATE AND RACIST CHOICE.

>> Reporter: THE PRESIDENT ORDERED THE PENTAGON TO INSTITUTE A BAN ON TRANSGENDER PEOPLE IN UNIFORM.

GOLDSMITH SAYS THESE POLICIES WILL HURT THE MILITARY WHEN IT COMES TO RECRUITING AND RETENTION.

>> THE MILITARY IS THE MOST DIVERSE ORGANIZATION ON THE PLANET.

AND IT IS A LEVEL OF DIVERSITY THAT I THINK MOST OF AMERICANS DON'T NECESSARILY THINK OF ALL THE TIME.

>> Reporter: DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH'S OFFICE DID NOT RESPOND TO A REQUEST FOR COMMENT.

ANDREW DIRE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH, AND WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN SELF-EVENTS LOCALLY.

ONE WAS HOSTED BY THE SAN DIEGO UPIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, WHERE THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH FLAG WAS RAISED.

MELISSA MAYS SPOKE WITH SOME OF THE STUDENTS WHO TOOK PART.

>> Reporter: ABOUT 200 MEMBERS OF BLACK STUDENT UNIONS FROM TEN DIFFERENT SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOLS GATHERED TO COMMEMORATE THE BEGINNING OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH.

>> IT'S A MOMENT FOR US AS STUDENTS TO STAND, CRY, PROUD AND UNITED KNOWING WE'RE PART OF HISTORY IN THE MAKING.

>> Reporter: STUDENTS OF ALL AGES SHARED SPEECHES AND POETRY, INCLUDING KINDER GARDENER MALACHI CONNERS.

>> BLACK HISTORY TELLS ME THAT YOU CAN BECOME ANYBODY THAT YOU WANT TO BE.

YOU CAN BECOME ANYBODY.

YOU CAN BECOME MARTIN LUTHER KING, YOU CAN BECOME STEPH CURRY, YOU CAN BECOME ANYBODY YOU WANT.

>> Reporter: MALIA HIMS IS A FRESHMAN AT PATRICK HENRY HIGH SCHOOL.

>> THROUGHOUT HISTORY, BLACK INDIVIDUALS HAVE BROKEN BARRIERS AND CREATED IES WHERE THERE ONCE WERE KNOWN.

THIS WAS NOT AN EASY TASK FOR THEM.

THE PEOPLE WHO PAVED THE WAY FOR US DO NOT HAVE WI-FI OR BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS, BUT THEY STILL MANAGED TO CHANGE THE WORLD.

THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE SHAPED THE WORLD WHERE WE LIVE TODAY AND THE LEGACY CONTINUES TO INSPIRE US.

>> Reporter: ALICIA IS A PROJECT RESOURCE TEACHER WITH SAN DIEGO UNIFIED.

SHE SAYS THE STUDENTS' MESSAGES ARE COMING AT AN IMPORTANT MOMENT.

>> TO REALLY SHOW THEIR PRIDE IN BLACK HISTORY MONTH, AND THEIR IDENTITIES, ESPECIALLY REPRESENTING OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT IN A TIME WHERE MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE SILENCING THE VOICES THAT NEED TO BE HEARD.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PRIDES ITSELF ON CENTERING STUDENTS' VOICES.

>> I JUST HOPE WE'RE ABLE TO CONTINUE UPLIFTING THE VOICES, CELEBRATING THE JOY AND THE RESILIENCE OF BLACK FOLKS IN OUR COMMUNITY, WHETHER YOU'RE AN ADULT IN THE DISTRICT, A PARENT OR A STUDENT, KNOWING THAT YOU'RE REPRESENTED AND YOUR VOICE IS HEARD AND APPRECIATED I THINK IS THE KEY.

♪ ♪ >> Reporter: THE CEREMONY WRAPPED UP WITH THE RAISING OF THE BLACK HISTORY MONTH FLAG, IN A RENDITION OF "LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING."

♪ ♪ MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS TO GET A LIST OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES.

HERE ARE SOME FROM THIS WEEK.

CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB BONTA DOUBLES DOWN ON THE MESSAGE THE STATE'S SCHOOLS ARE A SAFE PLACE FOR ALL.

A LAWSUIT CLAIMS DR. BRONER'S FOSTERS A RISKY DRUG USE THAT LED TO AN ACCIDENTAL OVERDOSE DEATH.

IT'S THE LATEST IN OUR PUBLIC MATTERS SERIES WITH "VOICE OF SAN DIEGO."

>>> SAN DIEGO SCIENTISTS HAVE GONE ON A TRIP WHERE THEY LIKELY DISCOVERED DOZENS OF NEW ANIMAL SPECIES.

OUR REPORTER THOMAS FUDGE TELLS US WHAT THEY FOUND IN THE DEEP OCEAN WHERE METHANE SEENS THROUGH THE CRACKS IN THE EARTH BELOW.

>> Reporter: YETI CRABS LIVE MORE THAN 1,000 METERS BELOW THE PACIFIC OCEAN OFF THE SHORES OF COSTA RICA.

THEY WERE CAPTURED ON FILM AND IN HAND BY A TEAM OF SCIENTISTS.

ONE OF THOSE VOYAGERS TO VISIT THE SEA FLOOR WAS CHARLOTTE SEED.

SHE MANAGES SCRIPPS COLLECTIONS, WHERE SOME OF THOSENDED UP.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, THIS JAR, IT'S GOT MANY ARMS AND EACH ONE IS BRANCHED SEVERAL TIMES.

SO SORT OF LOOKS LIKE A BEAUTIFUL WOVEN BASKET.

THIS IS ONE EXAMPLE FROM COSTA RICA.

>> Reporter: THE DARK SEA FLOOR IS HOME TO METHANE SEENS.

IN THE WATER, IBLE DIVES OVER THE YEARS HAVE IDENTIFIED HUNDREDS OF SPECIES OVER THE YEARS.

THE DEEP OCEAN FLOOR IS SO DARK, THERE'S NO PLANTS AND NO PHOTO SYNTHESIS.

BUT WHERE SEEPS AND VENTS ARE FOUND, CHEMICALS AND MINERALS INTERACT WITH UNDERWATER BACTERIA THAT BECOME MICROBIAL FOOD, THE BOTTOM OF THE FOOD CHAIN FOR SEA ANIMALS.

DOWN THERE YOU FIND CRABS AND SHRIMP, TINY CREATURES LIKE THIS DEEP SEA ARM DILLO.

>> THERE ARE ALSO SEA CUCUMBERS, SEA STARS.

>> Reporter: OF COURSE, PLENTY OF TUBE WORMS AND CLAMS.

>> SO THESE ARE SOME OF THE MOST CONSPICUOUS ANIMALS YOU WOULD SEE IF YOU'RE DOWN THERE.

>> Reporter: IF THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN DEVOID OF LIGHT IS LIKE A DESERT, IT NOURISHES A VARIETY OF CREATURES.

THEY NAMED THE SUBVERSIBLE ALVIN AND SAYS THE DEEP OCEAN IS PEACEFUL.

NOW IDENTIFYING MANY NEW SPECIES WILL BEGIN.

AFTER DISCOVERING WHAT MAY BE A NEW FORM OF LIFE, SCIENTISTS NEED TO DESCRIBE IT TO ADD IT TO THE RECORD OF LIFE ON EARTH.

>> WHEN WE DESCRIBE A NEW SPECIES, WE DECLARE IT TO THE WORLD.

YOU HAVE TO GIVE IT A NAME, AND SAY WHO IT'S CLOSELY RELATED TO, WHERE DID YOU FIND IT.

>> Reporter: METHANE SEEPS ARE PRETTY COMMON.

SHE SAYS THEY'RE FOUND A FEW HOURS OFF THE COAST OF DELMAR AND La JOLLA.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AN UPDATED CALIFORNIA LAW ALLOWS INVOLUNTARY PSYCHIATRIC HOLDS FOR PEOPLE WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDERS.

THE COUNTY IS WORKING TO EXPAND TREATMENT OPTIONS.

>> I JUST -- I DON'T KNOW WHY I BECAME HOMELESS.

I JUST DID.

YOU KNOW, IT JUST HAPPENED.

>> Reporter: SHE NEVER IMAGINED SHE WOULD END UP HOMELESS AT 57.

NOW, SHE'S ONE OF NEARLY 200 RESIDENTS AT FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES IN THIS LIVING SHELTER.

THE FACILITY OPENED THIS YEAR WITH NEARLY 250 BEDS.

>> PEOPLE WHO ARE COMMITTED TO ABSTINENCE FROM SUBSTANCES AND COMMITTED TO WORKING HARD WITH A CASE MANAGER, WHILE THEY'RE LIVING WITH US AND QUICKLY EXITING.

>> Reporter: CHANGES TO THE STATE'S CONSERVATORSHIP LAW MEANS CRISIS STABILIZATION UNITS AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENTS WILL NEED MORE REFERRAL OPTIONS.

THAT'S WHERE FACILITIES LIKE THIS COME IN.

SHE SAYS THEY'RE PART OF THE SOLUTION.

>> LATER THIS YEAR, IN 2025, FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES WILL BE OPENING 44 BEDS OF DETOX HERE ON SITE.

>> Reporter: DR. BERGMAN OVERSEES BEHAVIOR HEALTH FOR THE COUNTY, AND ANTICIPATING AROUND 1500 MENTAL HEALTH HOLDS UNDER THE UPDATED LAW.

>> OUR CRISIS STABILIZATION UNITS WILL BEAR THE BRUNT OF THAT INITIAL TRANSPORT AND DROPOFF.

AND WE'VE GOT CAPACITY.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY SAYS THERE ARE 104 DETOX BEDS COUNTY WIDE, AND OFFICIALS ARE ADDING MORE TREATMENT OPTIONS.

LAST WEEK, THE COUNTY APPROVED SIX MORE CRISIS STABILIZATION BEDS IN CHULA VISTA.

IT ALSO APPROVED 30 ACUTE PSYCHIATRIC BEDS IN NATIONAL CITY TO SEVEN LOW-INCOME MED CAL PATIENTS.

>> ONE OF THE REFERRAL PATHWAYS WE THINK WILL BE MOST IMPORTANT AND THAT WILL BE MOST FREQUENT WILL BE A REFERRAL FROM CRISIS STABILIZATION UNITS INTO OUTPATIENT TREATMENT.

>> Reporter: FOR HUGHES, HAVING A SAFE STRUCTURED PLACE TO REBUILD HAS BEEN LIFE CHANGING.

SHE TAKES PRIDE IN HER SPACE.

HER NEATLY MADE BUNK BED, THE SMALL ROUTINES THAT GIVE HER A SENSE OF PURPOSE.

THAT INCLUDES CHORES.

>> I DO THE LAUNDRY ROOM FROM 1:00 TO 2:00, AND THEN TODAY I'M GOING TO DO THE ELEVATOR.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS DEMAND FOR BEDS HAS STARTED OFF SLOWLY THIS YEAR BUT THEY'LL BE WATCHING CLOSELY TO SEE WHETHER MORE RESOURCES WILL BE NEEDED TO KEEP UP WITH DEMAND.

HEIDI DEMARCO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL VOTED RECENTLY TO INCREASE PARKING METER RATES TO HELP CLOSE A BUDGET DEFICIT OF MORE THAN $250 MILLION.

KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SAYS MORE CHANGES COULD BE ON THE HORIZON.

>> Reporter: IF YOU'VE SWIPED YOUR CREDIT CARD AT A METER IN SAN DIEGO, YOU MAY HAVE GOTTEN STICKER SHOT.

THE HOURLY RATE IS NOW $2.50, TWICE AS MUCH AS IT WAS A FEW WEEKS AGO.

>> IT'S BEEN YEARS, IF NOT DECADES SINCE WE'VE DONE SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

>> Reporter: JORDAN MOORE IS A STAFF WE ARE THE INDEPENDENT BUDGET ANALYST OFFICE.

IT FOUND EVEN THE CITY'S NEW RATE OF $2.50 AN HOUR IS A STEAL, COMPARED TO PRIVATE LOTS AND GARAGES.

SAN DIEGO HAS BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN NFUNDED INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AND A STRUCTURAL DEFICIT OF MORE THAN $250 MILLION.

MOORE SAYS SUBSIDIZING PARKING IS GETTING HARDER TO JUSTIFY.

>> THE CITY HAS LARGE BUDGET PROBLEMS, BUT THERE'S ONLY SO MANY LEVERS THAT WE CAN PULL.

SO TO THE EXTENT THERE ARE LEVERS THE CITY CAN PULL, THEY'LL PULL THEM.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE TEND TO USE IT IN WAYS THAT ARE PRETTY INRECEIVE.

HENRY IS A STAFF WRITER AT "SLATE" MAGAZINE AND AUTHOR OF "PAVED PARADISE, HOW PARKING EXPLAINS THE WORLD."

>> ONE THING THAT HAPPENS WHEN PARKING IS UNDERPRICED, IT FILLS UP REALLY QUICK.

SO THESE SPACES, WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF DEMAND FOR PARKING BUT IT'S NOT PROPERLY PRICED, GENERATE THOUSANDS OF MILES OF DRIVING EVERY YEAR FROM PEOPLE LOOKING FOR PARKING SPACES.

>> Reporter: HIS BOOK CHRONICLES A NOTORIOUS CASE STUDY OF HOW NOT TO MANAGE CITY PARKING METERS.

IN 2008, CHICAGO WAS FACING A BUDGET CRISIS.

SO IT SIGNED A DEAL WITH A GROUP OF WALL STREET INVESTORS FOR $1.15 BILLION.

THOSE INVESTORS WON THE RIGHT TO LEASE THE CITY'S PARKING METERS FOR 75 YEARS.

THE INVESTORS PROMPTLY JACKED UP THEIR RATES AND MADE BACK THEIR INVESTMENT IN NO TIME.

>> I THINK THE WORST PART FOR CHICAGO IS, EVEN IF THE INVESTORS RECOGNIZE THE MARKET CLEARING PRICE FOR THESE METERS, THE MONEY THAT WAS RAISED IS GOING RIGHT INTO THE INVESTOR'S POCKETS, RATHER THAN BEING FULLED INTO IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY.

>> Reporter: PRIVATIZING STREET PARKING IS NOT ON THE AGENDA IN SAN DIEGO, BUT OTHER PARKING REFORMS ARE.

>> WE'RE HERE TO GIVE YOU THE UPDATES ON A STUDY WE CONCLUDED.

LAST WEEK, STAFFERS SHARED AN ANALYSIS OF MORE THAN 16,000 PUBLIC PARKING SPACES.

IN METER ZONES AND MAJOR ATTRACTIONS LIKE BALBOA PARK.

TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF PARKING, THE CITY IS CONSIDERING A HOST OF CHANGES.

LIKE CHARGING FOR PARKING ON SUNDAYS WHEN PRIVATE LOTS RAISE THEIR RATES BECAUSE FREE STREET PARKING IS SO HARD TO FIND.

IT COULD ALSO IMPLEMENT DYNAMIC PRICING.

METERS AROUND PETCO PARK COULD GET MORE EXPENSIVE DURING BALL GAMES.

JORDAN MOORE OF THE CITY'S INDEPENDENT BUDGET ANALYST OFFICE SAYS SOME METERS COULD ALSO GET CHEAPER.

>> YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO LOWER PARKING RATES AT CERTAIN TIMES TO ENTICE DEMAND TO COME AT DIFFERENT TIMES, AND SO THAT'S WHAT DYNAMIC PRICING IS ABOUT, TO CREATE THE OPTIMAL SITUATION AND UTILIZATION OF THE CURB SPACE.

>> Reporter: OF COURSE, RAISING PARKING RATES ISN'T POPULAR, BUT THE REVENUE IT GENERATES CAN BE SPENT ON THINGS THAT ARE POPULAR.

LIKE PLANTING TREES, FIXING SIDEWALKS, AND IMPROVING PUBLIC TRANSIT SERVICE.

THINGS THAT ALSO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS.

MOORE SAYS SAN DIEGO HASN'T DONE MUCH OF THAT, BECAUSE PARKING METER REVENUE JUST HASN'T AMOUNTED TO MUCH.

>> IF YOU CAN IMPROVE WAYS FOR PEOPLE TO GET TO AN AREA WITHOUT LEAVING THEIR CAR, THAT IS A HUGE BENEFIT TO THE AMOUNT OF PARKING THAT YOU NEED TO SUPPLY.

RIGHT?

FEWER CARS MEAN FEWER COMPETITION FOR SPOTS, MEANS THAT THOSE SPOT ALSO TURN OVER FASTER, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

>> Reporter: AS SAN DIEGO CONTINUES TO GROW, DEMAND FOR PARKING WILL ONLY GET LORE INTENSE, AND THE LINES BETWEEN COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL STREETS ARE INCREASINGLY BLURRED.

MANY OF THE NEW APARTMENTS DON'T COME WITH OFF-STREET PARKING.

BUT ALL THE REFORMS ARE CONTEMPLATING ARE FOR SHORT-TERM PARKING AROUND BUSINESSES AND ATTRACTIONS.

CHARGING MORE RESIDENTS IS NOT ON THE TABLE.

AT LEAST FOR NOW.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> ANDREW'S STORY IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE IN DEPTH FEATURED REPORTING DONE BY KPBS.

FIND MORE ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

SUBSCRIBE AND GET NOTIFIED WHEN NEW CONTEMPT IS POSTED.

>>> LIPS RECENTLY CELEBRATED 25 YEARS AS SAN DIEGO'S DRAG PALACE.

KPBS ARTS AND CULTURE REPORTER LOOKS BACK ON SOME OF THE HISTORY AND ITS ACTIVISM.

♪ ♪ >> LIPS IS AN ESCAPE.

>> IT'S A DESTINATION.

>> CHUCKIEE CHEESE FOR ADULTS.

>> ONCE YOU GET IN HERE, IT LOOKS LIKE A DRAG QUEEN THREW UP IN HERE.

♪ ♪ >> WHATEVER THIS IS, I LOVE IT.

>> YOU CAN LEAVE EVERYTHING OUTSIDE ONCE YOU CROSS OVER AND JUST GIVE YOURSELVES OVER TO THE PLACE.

>> THE PLACE VIBRATES TO MUSIC PLAYED AT 11:00, AND IS COVERED IN SO MUCH GLITTER, THAT THE TERM GAUDY PAILS UNDER THE BRIGHT LIGHTS, BOUNCING OFF THE DISCO BALLS.

LIPS WAS BORN IN THE '80s AND '90s.

>> LIPS STARTED IN NEW YORK CITY.

>> Reporter: THEN EXPANDED WITHEST TO SAN DIEGO.

>> SAN DIEGO AT THAT TIME WAS A SMALL TOWN PLAYING DRESSUP.

>> Reporter: BUT LIPS RAISED THE BAR.

ITS FIRST HOME WAS IN BANKERS HILL BEFORE LANDING ON EL CAJON BOULEVARD AND TAKING OVER AN OLD RESTAURANT.

>> I WISH SOMEBODY HAD LEFT BOB'S BIG BOY, BECAUSE I ALWAYS WANTED TO PUT A WIG ON HIM.

HE DESERVES TO BE HERE.

>> Reporter: TOOTY REMEMBERS A PHOTO SHOOT.

>> IT WAS ALL HANDS ON DECK.

THE GIRLS, WE WERE GOING TO BE OUT OF WORK FOR EIGHT WEEKS, SO THE GIRLS WERE PART OF TRANSFORMING THE PLACE.

>> Reporter: NOW SHE CALLS LIPS ONE OF THE JEWELS OF THE BOULEVARD.

>> WE HAVE LINES OUTSIDE EVERY NIGHT, LIMOUSINES PULLING UP HERE.

THAT WAS NOT THIS NEIGHBORHOOD BEFORE, SO LIPS HAS TRANSFORMED THIS PART OF THE AREA.

>> 25 YEARS MEANS AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF FUN AND FABULOUS WORK.

IT MEANS AN INCREDIBLE WEALTH OF GOOD WILL BETWEEN THE AUDIENCE AND MY CAST.

IT MEANS THAT WE'VE CREATED SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF.

>> Reporter: EARLIER THIS MONTH, THE MAYOR ATTENDED THE LIPS BIRTHDAY PARTY AND PAID TRIBUTE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND WHAT IT STANDS FOR.

>> TO THIS DAY, THEY ARE THE FOLKS WHO TAKE A BRIDAL PARTY AND TURN IT INTO THE FIERCEST LISHGS ADVOCATES.

>> Reporter: THAT'S BECAUSE THEY OFFER MORE THAN DINNER AND A DRAG SHOW.

>> I THINK IT'S A BIT OF A GATEWAY INTO EACH AND EVERY PERSON THAT COMES HERE AND SITS IN THE CHAIR AND OPENS THEMSELVES UP TO THE EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: AND THAT IS BECAUSE DRAG QUEENS KNOW HOW TO ENTERTAIN.

>> WE DO A LOT OF COMEDY HERE AT LIPS.

SO I THINK THAT PEOPLE DROP A LOT OF THEIR WALLS AND BARRIERS BECAUSE OF THE COMEDY.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD WAY FOR PEOPLE TO INTERACT AND COME AND VISIT AND GET A TASTE OF THE QUEER OR TRANS EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: LOLITA HAS BEEN PERFORMING AT LIPS FOR TEN YEARS.

SHE FIRST CAME IN AS A 16-YEAR-OLD CUSTOMER DISCOVERING DRAG FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> I AM VERY LUCKY TO WORK AT A PLACE WHERE, WHEN I COME INTO WORK, I KNOW THAT I'M GOING TO LEAVE FEELING BETTER ABOUT MYSELF AND EVERYTHING GOING ON IN MY LIFE, I'M GOING TO FEEL BETTER ABOUT IT WHEN I LEAVE WORK.

>> Reporter: PARIS HAS BEEN WITH LIPS FOR 18 YEARS, AND ALWAYS ENDS HER SHOW WITH A QUESTION.

>> IF YOU ENJOYED OUR SHOW THIS MORNING, PLEASE REMAIN AN ALLY TO OUR COMMUNITY ALL YEAR LONG.

AND THE CHEER AT THAT VERY END OF THAT SHOW IS -- IT GIVES ME GOOSE BUMPS.

>> Reporter: BUT DRAG ITSELF IS A FORM OF ACTIVISM.

>> STEPPING OUT OF THE HOUSE LOOKING LIKE THIS IS ACTIVISM.

I AM CONFRONTED IMMEDIATELY, AND THE PUBLIC IS CONFRONTED IMMEDIATELY WITH WHO I AM ON THE INSIDE.

WE LIVE OPENLY AND HONESTLY, AND AUTHENTICALLY.

AND THAT IS ACTIVISM.

>> Reporter: AND THAT'S PART OF LIPS' HISTORY.

>> AS VISIBILITY FOR A COMPANY, I THINK IN ITSELF IS ACTIVISM, AND SHOWING FOLKS THAT WE'RE JUST ENTERTAINERS, DOING OUR THING AND REPRESENTING OUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S NOT AS SCANDALOUS AS FOLKS THINK IT IS.

>> Reporter: SO MAKE LIPS YOUR DESTINATION, NOT JUST TO CELEBRATE 25 YEARS OF ENTERTAINMENT, BUT ALSO A LEGACY OF ACTIVISM.

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

I'M JOHN CAROL.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.