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

A YEAR AGO HISTORIC FLOODS DEVASTATED PARTS OF SAN DIEGO.

WE CHECK IN WITH PEOPLE WHO WERE IMPACTED TO SEE HOW THEY ARE RECOVERING AND WHAT NEIGHBORHOODS LOOK LIKE TODAY.

>>> AND SAN DIEGO STATE IS BUILDING MUCH NEEDED STUDENT HOUSING WITH GREEN BENEFITS.

HOW THE NEW CONSTRUCTION WILL ALSO HELP THE UNIVERSITY LOWER IT'S CARBON FOOT PRINT.

>>> AND LAUGHTER AS A FORM OF PROTEST.

WHAT COMEDIANS ARE DOING TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT ISSUES THEY CARE ABOUT AS PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SECOND TERM BEGINS.

>>> RED FLAG WARNINGS ENDED FRIDAY MORNING AFTER STRETCHING ON FOR MOST OF THE WEEK.

WE SAW SEVERAL FIRES BREAK OUT OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS.

THE LARGEST IS THE BORDER FIRE.

CAMERAS OPERATED BY UC SAN DIEGO CAPTURED THE FIRE AS IT STARTED THURSDAY AFTERNOON IN A REMOTE AREA.

ITS PART OF A NETWORK THAT STRETCHES ACROSS THE STATE CALLED ALERT CALIFORNIA.

THOMAS FUDGE HAS MORE ON HOW THE TECHNOLOGY SPOTS FIRES BEFORE THOUGH ARE SEEN BY US.

>> ALERT CALIFORNIA DOESN'T PUT OUT ANY FIRES AND IT'S NOT SUPPOSED TO.

IT'S CAMERAS ARE AT WORK 24-7 SEARCHING THE LANDSCAPE FOR SIGNS OF SMOKE, SO FIREFIGHTERS CAN STOP A WILDFIRE BEFORE IT REALLY GETS STARTED.

>> WE TRY TO CONFIRM, IDENTITY, FIRES IN THE BEGINNING PHASE.

ONCE THEY GET AHOLD AND WINDY CONDITIONS LIKE THIS OUR NETWORK PROVIDED ENHANCED SITUATIONAL AWARENESS SO THAT THEY CAN SEE WHAT ROADS THEY COULD GET OUT.

THEY COULD SEE THE PROGRESSION OF THE FIRE.

>> Reporter: THAT NETWORK HE IS TALKING ABOUT CAN BE SEEN WITH A QUICK LOOK AT ALERT CALIFORNIA.ORG.

THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA END OF IT SHOWS THE COME ARES THAT HAVE BEEN TRAINED ON THE EATON FIRE AND THE PALISADES FIRE AND THE LILAC FIRE IN SAN DIEGO THAT STARTED OVERNIGHT THIS WEEK.

AT NIGHT THE CAMERAS FOCUS ON THE FIRE BUT IN DAYLIGHT WHEN HEAT AND LOW HUMIDITY MAKE FIRES WORSE THEY LOOK FOR THE SMOKE.

>> THIS GIVES YOU ENHANCED SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF WHAT THE FIRES ARE DOING.

>> Reporter: THIS IS THE HUGHES FIRE.

WHEN SMOKE IS LAID OVER IT MEANS THE FIRE IS BEING FUELED BY STRONG WINDS.

ALERT CALIFORNIA HAS LEARNED WHAT THE ANGLE AND BEHAVIOR OF SMOKE MEANS TO THE FIRE'S PROGRESSION AND HOW AUTHORITIES SHOULD RESPOND.

>> HOW IS THE SMOKE BENT OVER?

DO I SEND TWO BATTALIONS, DO I SEND THREE?

SO, THE DISPATCHER IS ABLE TO USE THESE DATA AND THE DENSITY OF THE CAMERA IS NOW SUCH THAT THERE ARE VIEW SHEDS ARE GETTING CLOSER TO COVERING AREAS.

>> Reporter: THE SYSTEM OFTEN BEATS 911 CALLS.

THE FIREFIGHTERS PUT OUT BEFORE AUTHORITIES GOT EVEN ONE 911 CALL ABOUT IT.

>> IT'S NIGHTTIME.

YOU CAN SEE THE NEAR INFRA RED SUNRISE.

>> Reporter: HE SHOWS THE VIEW OF THE CAMERA ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN POINTED WEST.

>> GET READY BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO SEE SOMETHING THAT I HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

LOOK AT THAT.

DID YOU SEE THAT?

>> YEAH.

>> Reporter: YOU SAW THE CHANGE FROM ON SHORE RIGHT THERE.

WATCH THIS.

TO OFF SHORE.

>> Reporter: HE SAID GLOBAL WARMING IS CHANGING EVERYTHING, OVER RUNNING THE OLD MODELS OF FIREFIGHTING.

HE SAID ALERT CALIFORNIA IS ONE WAY TO STAY ON TOP OF THAT CHANGING REALITY.

THOMAS FUDGE.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> ONE YEAR AGO THIS WEEK A POWERFUL STORM HIT SAN DIEGO AND CAUSED CATASTROPHIC FLOODING.

MORE THAN 1200 PEOPLE WERE DISPLACED AND MANY WERE LOW INCOME AND SOME LACKED FLOOD INSURANCE.

KPBS METRO REPORTER CHECKED IN ON HOW IT LOOKS TODAY.

>> THIS ROOM IS MY ROOM.

>> OKAY.

>> I SHARE IT WITH MY HUSBAND.

THIS WOULD BE LIKE MY SIDE OF THE BED AND HE WOULD GET THAT SIDE.

>> Reporter: ASHLEY WALKS ME THROUGH HER GRANDMOTHER'S HOME WHERE SHE WAS LIVING THE DAY THE FLOODS CAME A YEAR AGO.

THE HOUSE HAS BEEN STRIPPED DOWN TO THE STUDS.

>> THE HOME WAS JUST A SAFE HAVEN FOR ME AND MY FAMILY.

EVERYBODY WAS WELCOME HERE.

IT IS MY GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE.

IT -- IF ANYONE NEEDED A PLACE TO STAY WE WOULD JUST COME.

>> Reporter: JANUARY 22nd LAST YEAR IS SEARED INTO HER MEMORY.

THE RAINS CAME FAST AND HEAVY WHEN THE WATERS STARTED COMING OUT THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARDS SHE KNEW SHE HAD TO LEAVE.

THE STREETS WERE IMPASSABLE SO SHE FLED TO THE NEIGHBOR'S ROOF WITH HER GRANDMOTHER WHO IS NOW 90 AND HAS EARLY STAGE DEMENTIA.

>> I -- I'M BLOCKING SOME OUT SO MY PTSD DOESN'T TAKE CONTROL OVER IT.

I DO WORK WITH A THERAPIST OVER THE FLOOD AS WELL.

I CAN ONLY SPEAK SO MUCH DETAILS BEFORE IT PLAYS MORE OF A ROLE OR TAKES MORE OF A TOLL IN MY HEAD.

>> Reporter: THE FAMILY'S FINANCIAL AND HEALTH STRUGGLES HAVE MADE FOR A SLOW RECOVERY.

THEY ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE VOLUNTEER WHO HAVE PITCHED IN TO GET THE HOUSE THIS FAR BUT THE FAMILY NEEDS ANOTHER $189,000 TO FULLY RESTORE IT.

THEY FILED A CLAIM AGAINST THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO FOR FAILING TO MAINTAIN THE STORM DRAINS BUT IT'LL LIKELY BE YEARS BEFORE THEIR CASE IS RESOLVED.

>> IT FLOODED SO QUICKLY FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS.

ONE IS THAT IT HAS AN OUT DATED STORM DRAIN SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: LESLIE IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GROUND WORK SAN DIEGO.

A NONPROFIT THAT WORKS FOR BETTER STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE MEET A BLOCK AWAY FROM HER HOUSE ON THE BANKS OF THE CREEK.

>> THEN IT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE CHANNEL WAS CONSTRICTED BY OVER GROWTH OF VEGETATION AND DID NOT ALLOW FOR THE WATER TO FLOW THROUGH.

TOMORROW TODAY THIS SECTION OF THE CREEK IS MOSTLY CLEAR BUT THERE'S A LOT MORE WORK THE CITY HAS TO DO TO PREVENT ANOTHER FLOODING CATASTROPHE.

THE WATER SHED IS 25 SQUARE MILES.

STRETCHING ALL THE WAY TO LEMON GROVE.

RENALES SAID THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS PLANNING TO UPGRADE THE STORM DRAINS HERE WHICH SHE SAID IS CRITICAL AND LONG OVER DUE.

IT'S ALSO PLANNING A NUMBER OF BIO SWELLS, DEPRESSIONS IN THE GROUND THAT CAN FILL UP WITH RAIN FATHER AND RELIEVE SOME OF THE PRESSURE ON THE LARGER STORM DRAIN SYSTEM.

>> WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT TURNING THIS WHOLE AREA INTO A SORT OF PILOT PROJECT FOR NATURE BASED WATER MANAGEMENT AND MULTIPLE BENEFITS.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO WORK ON FLOODING IN A COMMUNITY YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK ON HEAT AND AIR AND GREEN SPACES AND ALL THE THINGS THESE RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO NEED AS THE CLIMATE GETS WORSE.

>> Reporter: PLANNING IMPROVEMENT IS ONE THING BUT CONVINCING VOTERS TO PAY FOR THEM IN THE FORM OF HIGHER TAXES IS FAR FROM GUARANTEED.

>> THE CITY IS A BILLION AND A HALF DOLLARS SHORT OF STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING AND WE ARE VERY HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL GET A BALLOT INITIATIVE IN 2026.

OUR RESIDENTS EVEN SUPPORTED A SALES TAX INCREASE UNLIKE SOME OTHER COMMUNITIES IN THE CITY TO TRY TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THESE KINDS OF ASSETS.

SO, I'M VERY HOPEFUL WE WILL GET THE BALLOT ANYMORIVE TO HELP MAKE UP THAT GAP.

>> Reporter: HER HOME WAS ONCE A SOURCE OF STABILITY THROUGHOUT HER FAMILY'S STRUGGLES.

WITHOUT IT AN UNCLE WHO WAS LIVING IN THE HOME IS NOW ON THE STREETS.

THEY ARE STILL COUCH SURFING.

>> WHAT STRESSED ME OUT IS I KIND OF FEEL LIKE WE HAVE BEEN FORGOTTEN.

I KNOW WE HAVE THE LA FIRES HAPPENING I'M GRATEFUL THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HELPED THEM BUT I HOPE THEY DON'T FORGET ABOUT US, YOU KNOW.

WE KIND OF WERE A LITTLE BIT FORGOTTEN EVEN WHEN THE FLOOD HAPPENED.

I JUST HOPE THAT PEOPLE LIKE HELP US BECAUSE WE STILL NEED A LOT OF HELP AS WELL.

AS YOU CAN SEE MY HOME IS STILL -- NEEDS A LOT OF WORK.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

>>> MITT DAY HAS MORE ON THE ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE HISTORIC FLOODS.

YOU CAN HEAR WEDNESDAY'S EPISODE ON KPBS.ORG OR WHERE YOU LISTEN TO PODCASTS.

>>> THE PRESIDENT SIGNED OVER 20 EXECUTIVE ORDERS ON HIS FIRST DAY IN OFFICE.

MANY OF THEM SWEEPING CHANGES TO IMMIGRATION POLICY.

THE ORDER WITH THE MOST IMMEDIATE IMPACT SHUTTING DOWN THE CPB1 PROGRAM FOR ASYLUM IN THE UNITED STATES.

WE SPOKE TO MIGRANTS WHO HAD TRAVELED WITH HIGH HOPES ONLY TO SEE THEM DASHED.

>> Reporter: THESE PEOPLE FOLLOWED THE RULES.

THEY USED THE MOBILE APP TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES LEGALLY.

ONE OF THEM IS EILEEN WHO TOLD US ON TUESDAY THAT SHE SACRIFICED EVERYTHING TO BE HERE.

SHE SAID THAT TRUMP'S DECISION TO CANCEL ALL POINTMENTS MAKES HER FEEL LIKE SHE IS BEING PUNISHED FOR SOMEONE ELSE'S CRIME.

SHAKIRA IS ANOTHER ASYLUM SEEKER TRAVELING WITH HER 7- YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN HOPES OF MEETING BACK WITH HER HUSBAND IN CALIFORNIA.

NOW SHE HAS TO TELL HER DAUGHTER THAT SHE MAY NEVER SEE HER FATHER AGAIN.

THE MERE THOUGHT OF HAVING THAT CONVERSATION BRINGS TEARS TO HER EYES.

NEITHER KNOW WHERE THEY WILL SLEEP TONIGHT.

THEY SPENT ALL THEIR MONEY AND ARE NOW STRANDED THERE.

OTHER MIGRANTS IN A NEARBY SHELTER SPENT THE DAY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THEIR NEXT MOVES.

A WOMAN THAT WE ARE IDENTIFYING AS ROSA DOESN'T KNOW WHERE SHE WILL GO NEXT BUT SHE KNOWS GOING HOME IS NOT AN OPTION.

LOCAL GANGS KILLED HER SON-IN- LAW AND HAVE THREATENED TO KILL HER ENTIRE FAMILY IF THEY EVER RETURN TO THEIR HOME IN CENTRAL MEXICO.

MARIA RUNS THE MIGRANT SHELTER.

HE LIVES THAT TERMINATING THE PROGRAM WITHOUT PUTTING ANYTHING ELSE IN PLACE WILL HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

HE SAID TOPPING THE LIST OF CONSEQUENCES, WILL BE MORE ILLEGAL CROSSINGS.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE ARE ON YOUTUBE AND YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR VIDEO CONTENT THERE.

SUBSCRIBE AND GET NOTIFIED WHEN NEW CONTENT IS POSTED.

YOUTUBE IS ALSO WHERE WE LIVE STREAM THE EVENING EDITION WEEK NIGHTS AT 5:00.

>>> SDSU IS PLANNING TO BUILD NEW DORMS THAT WOULD HOUSE THOUSANDS MORE STUDENTS.

ANDREW SAID THAT THE DEMAND FOR ON CAMPUS HOUSING HAS NEVER BEEN HIGHER.

>> SDSU WAS SEEN AS A COMMUTER COLLEGE BUT NOW STUDENTS ARE LESS INTERESTED IN DRIVING AND PREFER TO WALK TO CLASS.

THE STUDENT HOUSING PROJECT WOULD CONSTRUCT SEVEN NEW DORM TOWERS WITH MORE THAN 5,000 BEDS.

THE CAMPUS CURRENTLY HOUSES ABOUT 8500 STUDENTS.

BOB IS THE ARCHITECT.

HE SAID THAT THE DORMS WILL LOWER THE CARBON FOOT PRINT BY REDUCING VEHICLE TRIPS TO AND FROM CAMPUS.

THERE IS AN ACADEMIC BENEFIT AS WELL.

>> WE ARE IN THIS BUSINESS BECAUSE THEY GRADUATE MORE FREQUENTLY.

THEY HAVE HIGHER GPA'S.

THEY JUST THR ISP SUCCEED BETTER WHEN THEY LIVE WITH US.

>> Reporter: LAST OCTOBER A FIRE BROKE OUT IN A CANYON ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE HILL FROM SDSU.

ONE HOME WAS DESTROYED AND SIX WERE DAMAGED.

MOST OF THE NEW DORMS WILL BE SURROUNDED BY CANYONS ON THE NORTHERN EDGE OF CAMPUS.

THEY WILL ACTUALLY BE SAFER THAN THE OLD BUILDINGS THAT THE DORM TOWERS WILL REPLACE.

>> THESE WILL BE THE MOST FIRE RESISTANT BUILDING THAT CALIFORNIA KNOWS HOW TO BUILD.

THAT'S NOT JUST THE CONCRETE FRAME AND THE STRUCTURE.

THAT'S ALSO THE ENVELOPE OF -- THE FACADE.

AT THE SAME TIME WE WILL HAVE BETTER ACCESS TO ALL THE TOWERS FOR THE FIRE VEHICLES THAN WE WOULD ON MOST CONSTRUCTION IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Reporter: SDSU IS HOLDING TWO PUBLIC MEETINGS TO GATHER FEEDBACK ON THE PLANS.

ON JANUARY 27th AND 30th.

IF APPROVED BY THE CSU BOARD OF TRUSTEES, THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE BY 2030.

WPBS NEWS.

>>> A COMMUNITY GROUP IS TRYING TO RAISE FIRE RISK AWARENESS AMONG THEIR NEIGHBORS.

MELISSA MEHMET WITH THE GROUP OF CONCERNED VOLUNTEERS.

>> Reporter: THE FIRE SAFE COUNCIL IS A GROUP OF RESIDENTS WHO PROMOTE FIRE SAFETY IN THEIR COMMUNITY.

THAT INCLUDES ABOUT 800 HOMES.

>> THE FIRE THAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR ON HALLOWEEN WAS A BIG WAKE UP CALL TO A LOT OF NEIGHBORS.

>> Reporter: AMY HAS BEEN A RESIDENT ON AND OFF SINCE THE 70s.

SHE IS A CO CHAIR OF THE GROUP.

>> SHE IS THE -- ZONE AND WE ARE SURROUNDED BY CANYONS.

VERY VULNERABLE.

SO IF WE CAN GET OUR CANYON RESIDENTS TO MAINTAIN THEIR PROPERTIES TO 100 FEET WE WILL BE THAT MUCH SAFER IN THE CASE OF A WILDFIRE.

>> Reporter: SHE IS REFERRING TO THE DEFENSIBLE SPACE AROUND A HOME.

SHE SAID THAT THEY HAVE COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS ABOUT FIRE SAFETY BUT THEIR GROUP HAS A NEW FOCUS.

>> WE HAVE NOTICED THAT A LOT OF FIRES ARE BEING STARTED BY THESE ILLEGAL CAMPS.

WE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT.

>> Reporter: IN THIS AREA JUST IN THE LAST THREE WEEKS AT LEAST TEN CAMPS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND CLEARED BUT NEW ONES ARE APPEARING EVERY SINGLE DAY AND NOT ONLY ARE THEY LEAVING A LOT OF TRASH BUT THERE IS EVIDENCE OF OPEN FLAMES WHERE JUST TAKES ONE SPARK TO START ALL THIS DRY BRUSH AROUND US.

>> THEY ARE COOKING WITH OPEN FLAME AND PROPANE TANKS AND KEEPING WARM AT NIGHT WITH PROPANE.

A SPARK HERE COULD END UP BEING PALISADES.

THERE'S HOMES A HUNDRED YARDS UP THE HILL.

>> Reporter: A SPOKESPERSON FOR THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO SAID THE CITY HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO ADDRESS CAMPS ALONG CITY PROPERTY IN THIS AREA.

THERE'S A VARIETY OF SAFETY ADVICE ALWAYS BEING GIVEN TO THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, CONTACTED BY CITY STAFF INCLUDING FIRE, AND POLICE OR CONTRACTED OUTREACH WORKERS.

MIKE BALDWIN HAS ONLY LIVED HERE ABOUT A YEAR BUT HAS EXPERIENCE WITH WILDFIRES.

HE WANTS HIS NEIGHBORS TO TELL OFFICIALS THROUGH THE CITY'S GET IT DOWN APP AND WEBSITE IF THEY SEE ILLEGAL CAMPS.

>> HOPEFULLY RAISING THE RECOGNITION OF THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE MORE NOISE, TO ALSO HELP IDENTITY CAMPS, LET OUR OFFICIALS KNOW SO THEY CAN GET CLEANED UP AND CLEANED OUT AND REDUCE THAT IGNITION SOURCE.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER VOLUNTEER GROUP PICKS UP LITTER AND CLEANS UP AFTER CAMPS ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH.

JUDY HARRINGTON IS THE OTHER CO CHAIR.

SHE SAID BESIDES THE ILLEGAL CAMPS, ANOTHER ONE OF THEIR CONCERNS IS CLEARING DRY BRUSH.

>> WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY REALLY ENFORCE STRONGLY THE CODES AROUND BRUSH MANAGEMENT.

YOU ARE ONLY AS SAFE AS YOUR NEIGHBOR.

IF YOUR NEIGHBOR HAS A LOT OF OVERGROWN PALM TREES OR TRASH PILED UP NEARBY OR WHATEVER THAT'S HAILLY FLAMMABLE,.

>> Reporter: THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO DID NOT RESPOND TO QUESTIONS ABOUT ENFORCING BRUSH MANAGEMENT BY OUR DEADLINE.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> MULTIPLE WILDFIRES IN AND AROUND LOS ANGELES HAVE BEEN BURNING FOR 18 DAYS.

IT'S TAKING A TOLL ON FIRST RESPONDERS.

HEID YES, SAID SOME LOCAL THERAPISTS ARE OFFERING FREE THERAPY TO HELP THEM COPE.

>> AS TIME PASSES YOU GAIN EXPERIENCE AND AS TIME PASSES YOU ARE EXPOSED TO MORE AND MORE EMERGENCIES.

>> I WOULD BE A LIAR IF I SAID I NEVER CRIED AFTER A CALL.

I'M A HUGE BEING FIRST.

>> Reporter: JOSH IS A BATTALION CHIEF FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA.

HE HAS BEEN ASSISTING WITH THE EATON FIRE SINCE JANUARY 10th.

>> WE LOOSE MORE MEN AND WOMEN TO SUICIDE THAN WE DO LINE OF DUTY DEATHS.

BACK IN THE DAY THE STRONGER YOU ARE THE LESS YOU SPOKE ABOUT THE EMOTIONAL ASPECT OF THE JOB.

>> Reporter: ABOUT A DOZEN MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS ARE STEPPING IN TO HELP.

THEY ARE OFFERING FREE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE THERAPY TO FIRST RESPONDERS.

NANCY SMITH, A TRAUMA THERAPIST IS ONE OF THEM.

>> FEELING THAT THE DEVASTATION, THE WEIGHT OF IT, RIGHT AND THAT -- THEN WANTING TO REACH OUT FOR COPING TO -- EITHER THAT BE NUMBING OR SUBSTANCE USE, RIGHT?

IT'S HARD.

ESPECIALLY WHEN THINGS CAN BE REALLY DEMANDING.

>> Reporter: IT MEANS UNDERSTANDING THEIR NEEDS.

THAT'S ACCORDING TO STEVE BLACKBURN.

HE COORDINATES PEER SUPPORT.

>> A FIREFIGHTER WON'T COME FOR HELP UNTIL THEY ARE BROKEN.

WE DON'T DO ROUTINE MAINTENANCE.

WE ARE GOOD AT HELPING OTHERS.

WE ARE TERRIBLE AT TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF.

IF THEY OPEN UP TO A THERAPIST AND IT'S THE WRONG ONE THEY WILL NEVER GO BACK AGAIN.

>> Reporter: HE SAID COST AND AVAILABILITY ARE ALSO BARRIERS.

>> I LOVE THAT THEY WANT TO HELP THEM BUT THE OTHER THING IS PAYMENT.

WHO WILL PAY?

HOW DOES IT WORK?

A LOT OF TIMES BECAUSE PTSD IS PARTER YOUR JOB IT GOES TO WORKMAN'S COMP AND NOBODY TAKE THAT.

>> Reporter: HE URGES THERAPISTS OFFERING THEIR SERVICES TO ENSURE THAT THEY CAN WORK WITH FIRST RESPONDERS LONG TERM BEFORE STARTING TREATMENT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THEM OUT.

>> Reporter: SUPPORT SERVICES LIKE THERAPY, PEER COUNSELING AND SERVICE DOGS HELP FIRST RESPONDERS TAKE A MOMENT TO DECOMPRESS.

>> FOR TWO MINUTES A FIREFIGHTER CAN TAKE THEIR MIND OFF OF ALL THE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION THAT WE ARE SEEING AND WE CAN GET LICKED ON BY A LAB OR A GOLDEN AND IT TRULY TAKES YOUR MIND OFF THE EMOTIONAL ASPECT OF WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH EVERY DAY.

>> Reporter: VISIT KPBS.ORG FOR THERAPIST CONTACT INFORMATION.

>>> FOR ALL OF YOUR DAILY NEWS HEADLINES, AND JUST A FEW MINUTES YOU CAN GO TO THE SAN DIEGO NEWS NOW PODCAST.

IT GOES LIVE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY AT 5:00 A.M. AND YOU CAN FIND SAN DIEGO NEWS NOW ANYWHERE THAT YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> THIS WEEK THE NATION PAID TRIBUTE TO THE LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING AND THERE'S A LOCATION IN THE CITY WITH A LASTING MEMORIAL TO THE DAY HE CAME TO SPEAK.

>> IT'S ONE OF THE HISTORIC MOMENTS IN OUR CITY THAT TOO FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT.

WHAT HAPPENED HERE ONE DAY.

>> IT WAS MAY THE 29th, 1964 WHEN ONE MAN CAME AND GAVE A SPEECH IN THIS GYM AND TO FIND OUT YOU JUST LOOK UP THERE.

LOOK WHAT WOULD YOU NOTICE IT?

AT GOLDEN GYM.

IT IS A PODIUM BUT IT'S NOT UNTIL YOU GET A LITTLE CLOSE TEAR YOU REALIZE IT REALLY IS MORE THAN THAT.

THERE'S A VIDEO SCREEN BUILT INTO IT AND PICTURE OF A DAY NOBODY WHO WAS HERE WILL EVER FORGET.

>> I WISH YOU COULD SEE YOURSELF AND LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL YOU LOOK.

SOMEHOW THIS IS WHAT MANKIND SHOULD BE AND HOW MANKIND SHOULD LOOK.

>> Reporter: THE COUNSELED COMES A TINY HANDHELD SPEAKER BUT THE WORDS SEEM BIGGER THAN LIFE.

A SAN DIEGO ADDRESS BY DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING ON THAT DAY IN THIS PLACE THE ONLY SOUND WAS HIS VOICE AS HE TALKED ABOUT HOW HAPPY HE WAS.

>> TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY OF COMING ONCE MORE TO THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA.

>> Reporter: SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN, SO MANY EVENTS JUST IN THIS GYM BUT I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYTHING THAT HAS THE SAME HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE AS THE TIME DR. KING SPOKE HERE.

OF THE STRUGGLE FOR INTEGRATION IN THE SOUTH, OF THE SUPPORT HE WAS GETTING FROM PEOPLE IN SAN DIEGO AND ELSEWHERE, UP THE MOUNTAIN THAT HAD YET TO BE CLIMBED.

AND BY THE WAY RIGHT WHERE THAT PODIUM IS TODAY IS EXACTLY THE SPOT ON WHICH HE STOOD.

A MAN WITH A DREAM AND MAYBE SOME FOND MEMORIES ABOUT SAN DIEGO.

>> KEN HAS A HALF HOUR OF STORIES EVERY WEEK ABOUT SAN DIEGO AND YOU CAN SEE THEM THURSDAY NIGHT AT 8:00 HERE ON KPBS.

>>> THE POLITICAL CLIMATE IS SHIFTING NOW THAT THE PRESIDENT IS BACK IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

MATTHEW EXPLORES HOW SAN DIEGO COMDIANS ARE PREPARING TO RESPOND TO TRUMP'S SECOND TERM.

>> POLITICS CAN BE GREAT INFORMEDDER FODDER E. WALTER FORD IS ON STAGE AT NATIONAL LAMPOON IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO.

HE HAS BEEN MAKING PEOPLE LAUGH FOR NEARLY TEN YEARS NOW BUT IN 2020 AND 2021 HE WAS IN THE STREET USING HIS COMEDY TO PROTEST.

>> I WAS AT ALL OF THEM.

I WAS AT ALL OF THEM.

I WAS HECK LING PROUD BOYS.

>> Reporter: POLICE IN RIOT GEAR AND FORD CRACKING WISE AS A WAY OF STANDING UP FOR HIS PRINCIPLES.

>> COMEDY I FEEL LIKE IS ONE OF THE FEW JUSTICES LEFT ON EARTH AND THROUGH COMEDY EVEN IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S EXTREMELY SERIOUS LIKE TALKING TO PROUD BOYS, IF I ADD SOME COMEDY INTO IT YOU ARE GOING IT PAY ATTENTION TO THIS REALLY SERIOUS SITUATION AND RU GOING TO LAUGH AT IT.

>> THAT WAS DURING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S FIRST TERM.

FORD SAID HIS SECOND TERM MAY BE VERY DIFFERENT.

>> CONSERVATIVE DREAM FOR AMERICA.

IF WE ALLOW THAT THEN I DO THINK THAT THERE IS A LOT OF DANGER TO MY PROFESSION AND PEOPLE THAT DO ANYTHING CLOSE TO MY PROFESSION AS FAR AS BEING CREATIVE.

>> WE KNOW VERY LITTLE ABOUT WHAT TRUMP'S SECOND TERM WILL BE LIKE GIVEN THAT HE HAS NO FIXED PRINCIPLE OR CORE BELIEFS OR COHERENT IDEAS OR PLANS OR PROPOSALS OR POLICIES OR VALUES OR THOUGHTS OF ANY KIND.

HE WATCHES TV AND THEN HE SCREEN POSTS ABOUT WHAT HE JUST SAW ON TV.

HE IS BASICALLY A ROOMBA.

HE GOES IN ONE DIRECTION UNTIL HE BUMPS INTO SOMETHING AND THEN GOES IN ANOTHER DIRECTION.

>> Reporter: THAT WAS SETH MEYERS, FOLLOWING THAT THE PRESIDENT POSTED ON TRUTH SOCIAL THESE ARE NOT SHOWS OF ENTERTAINMENT, THEY ARE POLITICAL HITS AND COMCAST SHOULD PAY A BIG PRICE FOR THIS.

>> HE IS KIND OF MADE THESE PROMISES KIND OF WORRYING FROM SOMEONE THAT IS ALREADY OUT THERE AND LIKE, YOU KNOW, AS A COMIC LIKE I THINK OF US AS A JESTER.

>> Reporter: VICTOR IS A COMEDIAN AND PRODUCING COMEDY SHOWS FOR HIS COMPANY.

>> I'M CURIOUS TO SEE HOW THE COMEDY WORLD WILL BE -- CHANGE IN THE NEXT -- WE WILL KNOW IN I THINK IN THE NEXT EIGHT MONTHS OR SO.

>> Reporter: HE SAID HE ISN'T CENSORING THE COMICS IN HIS SHOW BUT SAID COMEDY IS RISKY.

SOMETIMES THE JOKE LANDS, SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T.

>> I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE GET SUPER OFFENDED WHEN YOU GO AFTER TRUMP AND THEY HAVE BEEN TRUMP SUPPORTERS AND SUPER SENSITIVE AND THEN THE OTHER SIDE WHERE THEY ARE TRUMP SUPPORTERS AND THEY ARE LIKE KEEP GOING.

THAT WAS A GOOD ONE.

>> Reporter: HE DESCRIBES WHAT HE THINKS THE BEST COMEDY IS LIKE.

>> IT'S -- YOU DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THE WICK IS.

>> Reporter: COMEDY CAN BE A GREAT WAY TO SAY SOME VERY PROFOUND THINGS.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SPECTRUM OF HOW ARTISTS ARE ABLE TO SAY THROUGH HUMOR FOR EXAMPLE IN THIS CASE.

PEOPLE CAN DIGEST THINGS A LITTLE MORIN TENTLY WHEN THEY HEAR IT IN A FUNNY WAY.

>> Reporter: SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER COMES WITH ITS OWN SET OF RISKS ACCORDING TO HIM.

>> IN OUR COUNTRY THE DANGER IS YOU KNOW, IT MAY NOT KILL YOU RIGHT HERE LIKE IN OTHER COUNTRIES.

MAKE SOME NOISE.

>> Reporter: HOWEVER, THEY CAN CERTAINLY CUT YOU OFF FINANCIALLY AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S -- I CALL IT LIKE -- IN POLITICAL TERMS IT'S CALLED COERCI, VE DIPLOMACY.

>> I THINK THERE IS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF CA CAUTION THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN AS FAR AS MAKING SURE YOU COUNT DON'T MESS UP THE CHURCH'S MONEY.

>> Reporter: THROUGH HIS JOKES FORD AIMS TO BUILD BRIDGES INSIDE THE COMEDY CLUBS AND AT THE PROTESTS.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE ALL HUMANS.

BLACK, WHITE, RED, PURPLE, CONSERVATIVE, LIBERAL, AND I FEEL LIKE AT SOME POINT IN TIME COMEDY CAN BE THE MIDDLE GROUND FOR US TO AT LEAST BE ABLE TO HAVE A CONVERSATION.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.