> >> THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTERS ARE OVERWHELMED.

HEAR FROM STAFF WHO SAY THEY HAVE NEVER DEALT WITH ANYTHING LIKE THIS ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE NUMBER OF LOCAL DOGS THAT NEED A HOME.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S NEW COMMUNITY COLLEGE CHANCELLOR GREG SMITH TALKS WITH KPBS ABOUT TAKING OVER THE JOB PERMANENTLY AND WHAT'S MOTIVATING TO DO THIS WORK.

>> AND OCEAN BEACH MIGHT LOOK A LOT DIFFERENT IN THE NEAR FUTURE AS THE STILL OF SAN DIEGO ANNOUNCES IT WILL DEMOLISH THE LANDMARK PEER.

>> AND WE START WITH THE SIMPLE TASK OF GETTING FROM A TO B FOR THOSE WHO RELY ON PUBLIC TRANSIT IT CAN BE A TIME CONSUMING TASK.

ESPECIAL LITTLE IN NORTH COUNTY.

THE REGION'S TRANSIT AGENCY HAS A NEW CEO WITH AMBITIOUS PLANS TO MAKE IT BETTER.

HE TALKED WITH KPBS REPORTER JACOB HEIR.

>> Reporter: FROM LOW RIDERSHIP TO CRUMBLING CLIFFS TO STAFFING SHORTAGES.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR CORPORATION.

>> Reporter: THE NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT IS FACING A SLEW OF PROBLEMS.

HERE'S WHAT SOME TRANSIT RIDERS TOLD US.

>> IT'S PRETTY NICE OVER ALL.

BUT A LOT OF CRAZY THINGS HAVE HAPPENED OFTEN.

A LOT OF HOMELESS PEOPLE GET ON TRANSIT AND THEY CAUSE COMMOTIONS AROUND.

>> IF I WOULD HAVE AN OPTION, USING CAR AND PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND I WOULD OBVIOUSLY GO FOR CAR.

>> Reporter: IF YOU HAVE THE TIME, AND PATIENCE TO TAKE THEM -- >> THEY'LL WORK IF YOU HAVE THE TIME AND PATIENCE TO TAKE THEM.

>> Reporter: WE TALKED TO ALL OF THEM ABOUT THE SAN MARCOS STATION.

THESE ARE ISSUES THAT WILL BE FACED BY THE DISTRICT'S NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SEAN DONAGUE.

>> DO WE HAVE ENOUGH SERVICE TO GET PEOPLE TO THOSE CONNECTIONS.

>> Reporter: MOST RECENTLY HE WAS THE CEO OF C TRAN IN VANCOUVER WASHINGTON.

IT WAS TWICE NAMED THE NORTH AMERICAN PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM OF THE YEAR DURING HIS TIME THERE.

>> I THINK A LOT OF TRANSIT AGENCIES SUFFER FROM THE SAME SYSTEM THAT THEY HAVE IN PLACE IS THE SAME SYSTEM THEY HAD 20 OR 30 YEARS AGO.

YOU WILL SEE THAT CHANGE IN POPULATION.

>> Reporter: HE PLANS TO ACCOMPLISH SOME LOFTY GOALS FOR A SYSTEM THAT INCLUDES TWO RAIL LINES AND 26 BUS LINES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

>> I THINK IT'S A COMBINATION OF ALL OF THOSE.

MAYBE MORE FREQUENT SERVICE ON THE RAIL.

ON THE BUS SIDE, IT'S DEFINITELY THINGS LIKE BUS RAPID TRANSIT OR SOME TYPE OF EXPRESS TYPE BUS.

>> WE DON'T HAVE THE FREQUENCY WE NEED IN ORDER TO GET PEOPLE TO USE PUBLIC TRANSIT AT A HIGHER LEVEL.

BUT ONCE WE GET THAT FREQUENCY, RIGHT, WE CAN CONTINUE TO GROW OUR RIDERSHIP.

>> Reporter: CORENA CONTRERAS IS A NUMBER OF THE DISTRICT BOARD AND WEEKLY USER OF THE SYSTEM.

SHE SAYS INCREASING SERVICE IS JUST ONE CHALLENGE.

>> I DON'T WANT FOLKS IN MY COMMUNITY TO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF A PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM THAT THEY RELY ON.

THAT IS NOT RELIABLE.

>> Reporter: IT'S A CONCERN SHARED IN OTHER PARTS OF NORTH COUNTY TOO.

>> CARLSBAD IS BLESSED WITH A LOT OF HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES.

A LOT OF THOSE FOLKS NEED RELIABLE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION.

>> Reporter: CARLSBAD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THE PRESIDENT SAYS IF OPTIONS WERE IMPROVED IT COULD HELP BENEFIT THOSE COMMUTERS AND BENEFIT BUSINESS DISTRICTS.

HE SAYS IT CAN SOMETIMES TAKE TWO HOURS ON THE BUS SYSTEM TO GET BETWEEN NORTH COUNTY CITIES.

>> ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE IS THAT FIRST MILE, LAST MILE QUESTION THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE DEAL WITH.

SO WE HAVE GREAT TRAINS GOING UP AND DOWN WITH THE COASTER.

TWO DIFFERENT IN CARLSBAD SPECIFICALLY.

BUT GETTING THOSE FOLKS TO WHERE THE BIGGEST EMPLOYMENT CENTERS ARE HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE.

>> Reporter: DONAHUGH HAS ONE WORD.

>> IT'S INFRASTRUCTURE, I THINK WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY THROUGH THE CURRENT PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION THAT THERE'S MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR TRAIN AND BUS.

NORTH COUNTY, THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR DOUBLE TRACKING.

>> Reporter: THAT MEANS PUTTING AN EXTRA SET OF TRACKS IN AREAS WHERE THERE'S ONLY ONE.

BUT THERE'S ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THE TRACKS PARTICULARLY IN DELMAR.

>> OBVIOUSLY THE DEGENERATION IS A CONCERN THERE.

>>> THE USE OF DRONES BY POLICE IN CHULA VISTA IS NOT WITHOUT CONTROVERSY.

IT'S NOW BEING APPEALED TO THE SUPREME COURT.

WE LOOK INTO THE ISSUES OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY AT THE HEART OF THE CASE.

>> Reporter: LA PRENSA SAN DIEGO PUBLISHER IS FACING AN INVESTIGATION.

IN A STATEMENT THE CITY SAID IT WAS QUOTE CONCERNED THAT THE COURT OF APPEALS OPINION MAY COMPROMISE SIGNIFICANT PRIVACY CONCERNS OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC IN THIS CASE OR IN FUTURE REQUESTS.

FOR THAT REASON, THE CHULA VISTA CITY COUNCIL AGREED TO SEEK REVIEW OF THE MATTER BY THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

END QUOTE.

CASTAN ERA SAYS THE CITY IS DISINGENERAL DISINGENIOUS.

>> THEY'VE ALREADY VIOLATED PEOPLE'S PRIVACY BY FLYING THE DRONE.

>> Reporter: IF THE SALESPEOPLE COURT -- IF THE SUPREME COURT DECIDES NOT TO TAKE THE CASE, THE LAWSUIT FAILS.

>>> THE END MAY BE NEAR FOR THE OCEAN BEACH PIER WHICH HAS BEEN IN DISREPAIR FOR YEARS.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN HAS THE BITTER NEWS FOR LOCALS.

>> Reporter: THE PIER IS AN ICONIC PART OF OCEAN BEACH.

>> I'VE GROWN UP AROUND THE PIER.

>> Reporter: PEOPLE FROM FAR AND WIDE COME HERE TO TAKE PHOTOS AND TAKE IN THE VIEW.

>> IT'S REALLY A SPECTACULAR SIGHT.

>> Reporter: THE PIER HAS BEEN CLOSED SINCE OCTOBER.

IT WAS FURTHER DAMAGED BY THE WINTER STORMS IN LATE DECEMBER.

BUT LOCAL RESIDENTS WERE STILL SURPRISED TO SEE THE APPLICATION FOR DEMOLITION NOTICE POSTED ON THE PIER THIS MORNING.

>> I'M A SAN DIEGO NATIVE SO I HAVE A LOT OF MEMORIES ON THE PIER.

I WAS HOPING THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO RENOVATE IT.

>> Reporter: THE CITY IS IN THE MIDDLE OF PLANS TO RENOVATE THE PIER.

THE NOTICE IS NOT RELATED TO THE STORM DAMAGE AND THERE ARE NO ACTIVE PLANS TO TEAR DOWN THE PIER.

THE NOTICE IS PART OF THE PROCESS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY REQUIRED UNDER THE ENVIRONMENTAL ACT.

>> AS YOU CAN SEE, THE WAVES ARE POUNDING THE PIER PRETTY BAD.

>> Reporter: HE THINKS IT SHOULD BE OPEN FOR THE TIME BEING SO PEOPLE CAN ENJOY IT AGAIN.

>> IF THEY REPYRED -- REPAIRED SOME OF THE PILINGS WHERE THE CAFE IS, IT MIGHT BE A GOOD MOVE.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW OFFICIALS ARE ASKING BEACHGOERS TO STAY AWAY FROM THE PIER.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A FEW MILES AWAY ONE OF THE MOST PHOTOGRAPHED BUILDINGS IN SAN DIEGO IS GETTING A REFRESH.

REPORTER ERIC ANDERSON SHOWS US THE PROGRESS MADE AT THE BOTANICAL BUILDING.

>> Reporter: A TALL CRANE HOISTED THE CUPULA TO THE TOP OF THE BUILDING.

THE CAREFULLY REBUILT DOME RESUMED ITS PERCH THAT WAS BUILT IN 1915.

>> TO SEE THAT SYMBOLIC MOMENT OF REALLY THE PINNACLE OF THE PROJECT.

THE CUPULA BEING INSTALLED JUST SYMBOLIZING FOR ALL OF US WORKING SO HARD ON THIS PROJECT, WHAT THIS WILL MEAN IN THE COMMUNITY TO HAVE IT COMPLETE.

>> Reporter: WATER WAS ROTTING THE BUILDING WHICH WAS LAST RENOVATED IN THE 1950s.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF PLACES WHERE WATER WAS TRAPPED.

THE STEEL REGENERATED AND NEW STEEL NEEDED TO BE PUT IN.

>> Reporter: THE STEEL FRAME HOLDS UP THE LOTS THAT HOLD UP THE ROOF.

MUCH OF THE BUILDINGS BOTANICAL COLLECTION IS LIVING ELSEWHERE DURING THE WORK.

>> THE PLANTS THAT WERE REMOVED WERE THE ONES THAT WERE RARE OR EXCEPTIONAL.

THOSE ARE BEING CARED BY THE REC SYSTEM.

AND THOSE WILL BE MOVED BACK IN.

SOME OF THE LARGER SYSTEMS ARE STILL INSIDE, EVEN DURING CONSTRUCTION.

>> Reporter: THE STEEL IS WEARING SHINY NEW PAINT.

>> WITH THE CHANGE IN THE CONNECTIONS, AND ALL THE NEW WOOD, THIS THING SHOULD LAST AT LEAST 50 YEARS.

>> Reporter: THE RENOVATION SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY THE END OF SUMMER BUT THERE'S MORE WORK THAT HAS TO BE DONE ON THE GARDENS AROUND THE OUTSIDE OF THE STRUCTURE.

WHEN THAT'S ALL COMPLETE, THE PUBLIC WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY THE BUILDING.

ERIC ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

>>> DOG OVERCROWDING HAS REACHED A CRITICAL STAGE AT SAN DIEGO COUNTY SHELTERS, KPBS REPORTER JACOB HEIR SAYS THIS IS A CRISIS PLAYING OUT NATIONAL WIDE AND THERE'S A DESPERATE NEED FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN FOSTER OR ADOPT A FURRY FRIEND.

>> Reporter: MAN'S BEST FRIENDS ARE DESPERATELY IN NEED OF A FRIEND TO CALL THEIR OWN.

MORE DOGS ARE BEING BROUGHT INTO ANIMAL SHELTERS THAN ARE BEING RECLAIMED OR ADOPTED.

>> ABOUT A YEAR AGO IT ALL SLOWED DOWN.

>> Reporter: A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION BASED OUT OF NORTH COUNTY.

>> SO I GET TWO OR THREE CALLS A DAY.

PEOPLE CAN YOU TAKE MY DOG.

CAN YOU TAKE MY DOG, CAN YOU TAKE MY DOG.

AND I THINK THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE BUT THE SHELTERS HAD ROOM.

NOW THEY DON'T HAVE ROOM.

>> Reporter: SHELTERS LIKE THOSE RUN BY THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SERVICES ARE NOW AT A CRITICAL STAGE OF OVERCROWDING AT BOTH OF THEIR LOCATIONS.

IN BENITA IN CARLSBAD.

>> WE'RE OPERATING AT 97% CAPACITY ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> Reporter: HE'S CONCERNED THAT MANY DOGS ARE NOW STAYING LONGER THAN SIX MONTHS, PARTICULARLY LARGER BREEDS LIKE HUSKIES.

>> Reporter: ANY OF OUR ANIMAL AND IT'S SPECIFICALLY DOGS THAT ARE HERE OVER SIX MONTHS, THEY START TO DECLINE RAPIDLY.

SO WE WANT TO GET THOSE DOGS OUT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: THE SITUATION IS SIMILAR AT THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY.

SAYS THE ORGANIZATION'S NINA THOMPSON.

THEY SET A RECORD FOR THE NUMBER OF CANINES IN THEIR CARE LAST OCTOBER.

727 DOGS.

THAT'S MORE THAN DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF KENNELS THEY HAVE.

>> WE'VE NEVER SEEN A YEAR LIKE 2023 BEFORE.

RIGHT NOW 2024 IS STARTING OFF AT AN ALARMING RATE.

SO WE'RE HOPING THAT THE TREND IS GOING TO CHANGE BUT HISTORICALLY FOR THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY WE'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS.

>> Reporter: WHILE ALL SHELTERS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY WILL NOT KILL A DOG DUE TO SPACE OR TIME CONSTRAINT, THE OVERCROWDING CAN SEVERELY IMPACT THE DOG'S HEALTH.

BUT WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

ONE THEORY ACCORDING TO SMITH.

>> THE ECONOMIC CONDITIONS ACROSS THE NATION.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE BEING FORCED TO RELOCATE INTO APARTMENTS THAT ARE NOT WILLING TO ACCEPT PETS.

PLUS THE INSURANCE FOR SOME BREEDS HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO GET.

THE OTHER ISSUE IS, IT'S JUST THAT, JUST TO CARE FOR AN ANIMAL, IT'S EXPENSIVE.

>> Reporter: FORBES MAGAZINE SAYS A VET VISIT FOR AN ANIMAL IS ABOUT $40.

SMITH AND THOMPSON ARE ASKING FOR HELP IN THE FORM OF FOSTERING OR ADOPTING A POOCH FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ROOM IN THEIR HEARTS AND HOMES.

JACOB HEIR.

>> YOU CAN WATCH CONTENT ANY TIME ON OUR YOU TUBE PAGE.

SUBSCRIBE AND GET NOTIFICATIONS WHEN NEW ITEMS ARE POSTED AND THAT INCLUDES STORIES FROM THE KPBS NEWSROOM AND OUR OTHER LOCAL PROGRAMS.

IT'S ALSO WHERE WE LIVE STREAM KPBS EVENING EDITION, WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR STORIES THIS WEEK ACCORDING TO OUR ONLINE AUDIENCE.

THE SEARCH FOR MISSING NAVY SEALS CONTINUES OFF THE COAST OF SOMALIA AFTER A WEAPONS SEIZURE.

AN AN ECLECTIC SHOP IS GOING TO MOVE AFTER MANY YEARS IN BUSINESS.

>>> SAN DIEGO COAST KEEPER PUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON NOTICE IN LATE DECEMBER.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY GROUP FILED AN INTENT TO SUE THE INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY AND WATER COMMISSION FOR VIOLATING THE SEWAGE DISCHARGE PERMIT AT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SOUTH BAY SEWAGE PLANT.

>> WE HAVE TRIED IT ALONG WITH MANY OTHER GROUPS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS TO TAKE A SOFTER ROUT TO FIND FUNDING.

TO ENCOURAGE WBIC TO WORK MORE QUICKLY.

SO FAR NONE OF THAT HAS WORKED.

>> Reporter: THE INFRASTRUCTURE SOUTH OF THE BORDER IS BROKEN ALLOWING BILLIONS OF GALLONS OF SEWAGE TO FLOW INTO THE UNITED STATES.

THOSE CONTAMINATED FLOW HAVE OVERWHELMED THE SEWAGE CAPTURE ON THIS SIDE OF THE BORDER.

THAT'S A VIOLATION OF THE DISCHARGE PERMIT WHICH REQUIRES THE PLANT TO MEET CLEAN WATER ACT STANDARDS.

>> KIND OF SEWAGE BACTERIA INDICATORS HAVE TO BE AT A LOW ENOUGH LEVEL SO THAT THEY DON'T THREATEN PUBLIC HEALTH OR DEGRADE THE ENVIRONMENT.

AND THE SAME WITH A WHOLE RANGE OF THINGS.

IN THIS CASE, THE SOUTH BAY TREATMENT PLANT HAS A NUMBER OF CHEMICALS BECAUSE IT ALSO TREATS WATER FROM TIJUANA.

>> THE SAN DIEGO WATER QUALITY CONTROL BOARD ARE WORKING WITH THE IBWC INSTEAD OF PUNISHING THE FEDERAL AGENT SILL.

>> THE BOARD IS AWARE OF THE VIOLATIONS.

THE BOARD HAS AUTHORITIES TO TAKE STRONG ENFORCEMENT ACTION AND TODAY THEY HAVE NOT DONE THAT.

SO WE'RE STEPPING IN AS CITIZENS AS A CLEAN WATER GROUP TO HOLD IBC ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> Reporter: REGIONAL BOARD OFFICIALS HAVE ISSUED CITATIONS BUT THEY HAVE NOT FINED THE FEDERAL AGENCY FOR VIOLATING TERMS.

A SUPREME COURT DECISION IN THE EARLY 1990s LINKED TO CLEAN WATER ACT VIOLATIONS IN OHIO RULES THAT OUT.

>> IN THAT THE SUPREME COURT RULED THAT UNLESS CONGRESS HAS SPECIFICALLY WAIVED SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY, SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY LIES.

FEDERAL IMMUNITY HAS NOT BEEN WAIVED FOR THE BOUNDARY OF WATER COMMISSION.

>> Reporter: REGULATORS HAVE GIVEN THE FEDERAL AGENT SILL UNTIL AUGUST TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT.

BUT THE $18 MILLION DUE TO THE SPENT FALLS WELL SHORT OF THE $300 MILLION NEEDED TO REHABILITATE THE PLANT.

>> SO WHY WE CANNOT ISSUE ON ITS DEFINE, WE CAN WORK WITH THEM TO KNOW THAT WE UNDERSTAND THE EXPECTATIONS.

WE CAN TURN TO THE EPA FOR SUPPORT.

THE FEDERAL AGENCY TO MAKE SURE THE RIGHT THINGS HAPPEN IN THE RIGHT ORDER TO BRING THE PLANT BACK INTO COMPLIANCE.

>> FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS THERE HAS BEEN UNDER INVESTMENT ON IN PLANT.

THERE HASN'T BEEN APPROPRIATE OPERATIONS.

WHICH IS WHY WE'RE IN THE DEBACLE WE'RE IN RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: HER TOWN'S BEACHES HAVE BEEN OFF LIMITS TO SWIMMERS AND SURFERS FOR WELL OVER TWO YEARS.

THAT'S BRUTAL FOR A COMMUNITY THAT CELEBRATING ITS CONNECTION TO THE OCEAN.

>> WE'RE IN THE WORSE SITUATION WE'VE EVER BEEN.

SO WE NEED TO USE EVERY SINGLE TOOL AVAILABLE TO US TO MAKE SURE THAT THE AGENCIES THAT ARE IN CHARGE OF PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH.

THAT THE AGENCIES THAT ARE IN CHARGE OF WASTE WATER TREATMENT, THAT THE AGENCIES THAT ARE IN CHARGE OF PROTECTION OF OUR ENVIRONMENT, THAT THEY'RE ALL HELD ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBLE.

BECAUSE RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A CRISIS THAT IS, THE BIGGEST PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS OF THE OUR REGION IF NOT THE NATION.

>> Reporter: IMPERIAL BEACH LED THE EFFORT TO SUE SIX YEARS AGO AFTER FEDERAL OFFICIALS PROMISED TO DO MORE TO STOP THE POLLUTED FLOWS.

AGUIRRE HAS TAKEN A HARD LOOK AT CANCELING THE SETTLEMENT.

AGUIRRE SAYS HE WON'T ST R -- HE WON'T FOLD BECAUSE.

>> FEDERAL ORDERS.

WE REACHED OUT FOR COMMENT, THE D.O.J.

DECLINED.

>>> A SOLAR ENERGY EXPO BUT IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT TECHNOLOGY AND WORKSHOP, A SPORTING EVENT YOU'VE PROBABLY NEVER EVEN IMAGINED, THE SOLAR GAMES.

>> Reporter: THE SOLAR INSTALLATION TEAM GRID ALTERNATIVES IS COMPETING IN THE SOLAR GAMES AND THEY'VE GOT A FAN BASE.

THE CALIFORNIA ALL WOMEN'S TEAM WAS PLAYING THEIR FIRST ROUND AGAINST NORTHWEST ELECTRIC AND SOLAR FROM WASHINGTON STATE.

WHAT ARE THEY DOING?

WELL THEY'RE PUTTING SOMETHING ON A ROOF.

>> SO WE HAVE THREE ROUNDS AND IT'S SINGLE ELIMINATION AND YOU HAVE EACH TEAM HAS 90 MINUTES.

IT'S BEEN COMPETING, EACH TEAM HAS 90 MINUTES.

IN ADDITION TO A BATTERY BACK UP SYSTEMS.

>> Reporter: WHETHER WATCHING ROOF INSTALLATION IS A SPORT, IS UP FOR DEBATE.

THEY ARE A NONPROFIT COMPANY FOCUSED ON BRINGING SOLAR PANELS TO BUSINESSES.

>> I THINK A LOT OF TEAMS ARE HERE FOR THE MONEY.

FIRST PRIZE IS SO THOUSAND DOLLARS.

FOR US THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS REPRESENTATION.

WE'RE ALSO, WOULD LOVE TO WIN AND GET SOME MONEY OUT OF THE COMPETITION.

BUT WE REALLY ARE HERE TO REPRESENT FOR ALL GENDERS IN THE INDUSTRY.

>> THIS IS THE PART THAT STARTS TO GET EXCITING.

>> Reporter: THEY'RE ACTUALLY INSTALLING THE SOLAR PANELS.

>> Reporter: COMPETITORS SAY YOU NEED SPEED AND ACCURACY TO WIN.

YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO DO IT RIGHT.

WELHIME COACHES A TEAM AND HE OWNS ALOHA SOLAR IN ENCINITAS WHO HAS WON THE FIRST ROUND.

>> BATTERY, HOOKING IT ALL TO AN INVERTER ESSENTIALLY AS QUICK AS WE CAN.

AS SAFELY AND ALSO DO IT AS FOR THE MANUFACTURERS SPECKS.

>> Reporter: THE SOLAR GAMES RUN AT THE SAN DIEGO CONVENTION CENTER THROUGH FRIDAY WHEN THE FINAL TEAMS COMPETE.

SO WE'LL LEARN TOMORROW WHO GOES HOME WITH THAT $10,000.

THOMAS FLEDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE SOLAR INDUSTRY HAS FACED LAY OFFS.

THAT'S PART OF THIS WEEK'S ROUND TABLE, YOU CAN STREAM IT.

>>> THE WEEK STARTED WITH AMERICA TAKING TIME TO REMEMBER THE LATE MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. HIS LEGACY LIVES ON WITH THE ONGOING STRUGGLE FOR LIFE AND JUSTICE.

ANGIE PEREZ SAYS THAT'S ALSO PART OF THE MISSION FOR THE CHANCELLOR OF THE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT WHO IS NOW TAKING OVER THE JOB PERMANENTLY.

>> SAN DIEGO'S ANNUAL MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

PARADE.

ROLLED DOWN THE EMBARCADERO LED BY THE SAN DIEGO COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICTS ACTS CHANCELLOR GREG SMITH.

NEXT WEEK, HE WILL TAKE THE PERMANENT POSITION WHEN THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS SET TO APPROVE HIS CONTRACT.

>> I HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO CORRECT THINGS THAT PEOPLE THAT LOOK LIKE ME HAVE CREATED.

SO MANY POLITICIANS AND PUNDITS DISAGREE ABOUT RIGHT NOW WITH THE CONVERSATION OF SLAVERY, SOCIAL RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE.

>> ON THE CONDITIONAL APPROVAL OF GREGORY SMITH TO SERVE AS OUR DISTRICT'S NEXT CHANCELLOR.

>> Reporter: IN DECEMBER, THE DISTRICT'S BOARD PROMOTED SMITH FROM ACTING CHANCELLOR.

A POSITION HE HAS HELD SINCE LAST MARCH.

>> PUBLIC SERVICE AND HIGHER EDUCATION IS THE MOST REWARDING WORK ONE CAN UNDER TAKE.

>> Reporter: SMITH STEPPED UP FROM HIS JOB AS HEAD OF HUMAN RESOURCES TO REPLACE PREVIOUS CHANCELLOR CARLOS CORTEZ.

WHO UNEXPECTEDLY RESIGNED FOR PERSONAL REASONS.

>> I WAS NOT EXPECTING THERE TO BE A NEED TO SERVE AS CHANCELLOR.

I DIDN'T THINK THE BOARD WOULD BE THINKING OF ME IF THAT MOMENT WOULD COME.

>> Reporter: THAT MOMENT CAME, WITH STUDENTS WHO COME FROM COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WHO WANT EQUITABLE AND AFFORDABLE EDUCATION STARTING AT THE INTERNATIONAL BORDER.

ALLOWING LOW INCOME STUDENTS LIVING WITHIN 45 MILES OF THE CALIFORNIA-MEXICO BORDER TO ATTEND COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND NOT HAVE TO PAY MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE OUT OF STATE TUITION.

IT WORKS BOTH WAYS.

>> WE DROP A SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL BARRIER FOR MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO JUST HAPPEN TO LIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THAT BORDER.

AND THERE'S A RECIPROCAL AGREEMENT THAT OUR STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO GO TO UNIVERSITIES IN NORTH MEXICO.

>> Reporter: INCLUDING MORE FOUR YEAR'S BACHELORS DEGREES.

THERE'S CONTINUED FUNDING FOR HOUSING.

THROUGH A STATE LEASE REVENUE BOND.

>> WE ARE CAPABLE OF CREATING THE CURRICULUM.

THE CERTIFICATES AND DEGREE THAT CAN HELP US RAISE THE STANDARD OF LIVING WAGES ACROSS ALL INDUSTRYS IN OUR REGION AND INCREASE THE EXPERIENCE WE ALL HAVE IN OUR COMMUNITY, ACROSS ALL INDUSTRIES.

>> AT CITY, MESA, MIRAMAR AND THE SEVEN OTHER COMMUNITIES.

THIS MLK HOLIDAY MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA.

>> WHAT I LOVE TO SEE IS A DISTRICT WHERE EVERY MEMBER FEELS LIKE I CAN BE WHO I AUTHENTICALLY AM HERE AND I WILL BELONG.

AND IN THAT, I CAN ACTUALLY ACHIEVE SUCCESS.

>> Reporter: THAT DREAM COULD BE MUCH CLOSER TO REALITY THIS YEAR.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>> SOME POLITICAL NEWS IN WEEK THOUGH NOT FOR THE 2024 ELECTION, TONY ATKINS WILL SERVE FOR GOVERNOR.

MORE RECENTLY AS THE STATE SENATOR.

>>> THE NEXT ELECTION IS JUST A FEW WEEKS AWAY.

NEW HAMPSHIRE WILL HOLD THE NATION'S NEW PRIMARY OF THE ELECTION CYCLE AND CALIFORNIA'S IS LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AWAY.

KPBS WILL BE RAMPING UP OUR COVERAGE OF LOCAL AND STATE RACES AND ONE WAY TO KEEP TRACK IS OF THE KPBS VOTER HUB.

LOOK FOR THE LINK TO STAY INFORMED.

WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS THIS WEEK.

I'M MAYA TRIBULSI.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.