TRYING TO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE LOOK AT SOME BEST STORIES OF KPBS THIS WEEK.

COMING UP THE EXTREME WORK AROUND IMMIGRATION.

WE INVESTIGATE HOW LOCAL LEADERS ARE USING THE WORD INVASION TO DESCRIBE THE INCREASE IN PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM.

THE STATE OF NORTH COUNTY FROM HOMELESSNESS TO TOURISM THE SUPERVISOR JIM DESMOND GIVES US A DETAILED LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SUBURBAN SAN DIEGO AND THE SHRIEKING SALT AND SEE.

REPORTS SHOWING THE IMPACT ON COMMUNITIES NEAR THE IMPERIAL COUNTY.

WE BEGIN WITH COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND FOR THE CLASS OF 2024 UC SAN DIEGO.

MANY STUDENTS LOST THEIR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATIONS AND FRESHMAN YEARS TO THE PANDEMIC NOW IT'S A CLIMATE OF PROTEST HOVERING OVER THEIR COLLEGE EXPERIENCE.

A STUDENT REPORTER SPOKE TO SENIORS ABOUT THEIR UNIQUE JOURNEY.

>> Reporter: THIS SENIOR BEGAN WORRYING IN EARLY MAY.

PROTESTS AGAINST THE WAR IN GAZA HAVE BEEN BUILDING IN CAMPUSES ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR MONTHS AND SHE GOT A CALL FROM HER BROTHER.

A STUDENT AT USC.

HE TOLD HER BEEN CANCELED BECAUSE OF THE PROTEST ENCAMPMENT ON THE CAMPUS.

>> WHEN I HEARD THAT I CALLED HIM.

I WAS LIKE HOW COULD THEY DO THAT?

ESPECIALLY FOR SOMEONE WHO DIDN'T HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION.

I WAS THE CLASS OF 2020.

I WAS FEARFUL THEY WOULD TAKE AWAY OUR GRADUATION.

I WAS LIKE, NOT AGAIN.

AN A WEEK LATER THEY CANCEL THEIR POPULAR SUNGARD FESTIVAL.

JENNY TOLD THE SHARING OF HER UNCLES FEAR.

>> NO ONE WOULD HAVE BEEN ASHAMED , FOR A LOT OF US, A LOT OF THE CLASS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FIRST TIME WALKING ON A STAGE.

FOUR YEARS AGO IT WAS THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC.

A LOT OF US DIDN'T GET TO GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL EITHER .

>> Reporter: IN MAY, UCSD BECAME THE HOTSPOT FOR PROTESTS AND DEMONSTRATIONS.

SOME STUDENTS MARCHING WITH SIGNS ON CAMPUS AND IN FRONT OF THE CHANCELLOR'S HOME AND SPOKE OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND PARTICIPATED IN A LARGE ON- CAMPUS ENCAMPMENT.

ON MAY 6 POLICE SHUT DOWN THE ENCAMPMENT AND MADE A NUMBER OF ARRESTS BUT DESPITE THE UNREST GRADUATION CEREMONIES WILL BE HELD THIS WEEKEND.

ALBEIT, UNDER TIGHT SECURITY.

ALL THE TURMOIL HAVE LEFT HER FEELING AMBIVALENT.

THE UNIVERSITY MAY NOT ALLOW SOME OF THOSE INVOLVED IN THE ENCAMPMENT TO WALK IT GRADUATION.

>> THE SITUATION HAS MADE ME APATHETIC TOWARD GRADUATION IN THE FIRST PLACE .

AND A SOURCE OF PRIDE A STUDENT COULD FEEL GOING THROUGH THAT KIND OF CEREMONY HAS BEEN DAMPENED BY THESE EVENTS.

>> Reporter: IN A STATEMENT, A SPOKESPERSON DEFENDED THE ACTIONS AGAINST PROTESTERS FROM THE STATEMENT.

EVERYONE ON CAMPUS HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY PROTESTS IN THE UNIVERSITY'S RESPONSE.

EVEN IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> I COULD HEAR THEM WALKING AROUND AND CHANTING THROUGH THE WHOLE THING.

SINCE THEN PROTESTS HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT.

I'VE SEEN FLYERS >> SHE ADDS THE PRESSERS PROFESSORS BROACHED THE TOPIC OF CONVERSATIONS ON CAMPUS DIFFERENTLY.

OTHERS ALLOWED DISCUSSIONS IN CLASS AND SOME ACTED THAT NOTHING WAS HAPPENING.

>> A FEW PROFESSORS WERE LIKE HEY, THIS PROTEST IS HAPPENING YOU SHOULD ATTEND.

VERY SUPPORTIVE.

I HAD OTHER PROFESSORS NOT MENTION THAT ALL.

>> Reporter: FOR THROUGH IT SHE NOTICED A SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT HADN'T BEEN THERE BEFORE.

>> YOU SEE A PARTICULARLY UNDERGRAD MOVEMENT WERE PEOPLE ARE MAKING THE ACTIVE CHOICE TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING ON CAMPUS BECAUSE IT'S NOT ALWAYS THAT YOU HAVE A MOVING THAT PROVOKES SO MUCH CONFLICT.

VIOLENCE AND AT THE SAME TIME, SOLIDARITY.

CARE FOR YOUR PEERS.

>> SHE AGREED SAYING THIS CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT HAS GONE A SIGNIFICANT SHIFT.

>> THE ENVIRONMENT ON CAMPUS WAS VERY DEAD .

BEING A FOURTH- YEAR AND LOOKING AT EVERYTHING, I COULD UNDERSTAND I FEEL LIKE THERE'S NO SCHOOL SPIRIT.

THERE'S NO UNITY OR TOGETHERNESS.

THE CHANGE THIS LAST YEAR SEEING EVERYONE COME TOGETHER.

IT'S GREAT.

>> NOW THE STUDENTS AND THEIR PEERS WILL BID FAREWELL TO THE UNDERGRAD EXPERIENCE.

ONE THING THEY COULD SAY FOR SURE, IT WON'T BE FORGOTTEN.

>>> IT'S BEEN A BUSY WEEK FOR NEWS ALONG THE US-MEXICO BORDER INCLUDING STAFFING TO MORE ILLEGAL DRUGS.

NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS ASSIGNED TO PORTS OF ENTRY WILL NEARLY DOUBLE BRINGING THE DOUBLE TO 400.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS HELPED WITH A RECORD NUMBER OF DEFENSIBLE SEIZURES LAST YEAR.

AS THE ELECTION APPROACHES MORE POLITICIANS ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SITUATION AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER.

THE USE OF EXTREMIST LANGUAGE HAS A LONG HISTORY IN CALIFORNIA.

HERE IS OUR TWO-PART INVESTIGATION BY OUR BORDER REPORTER.

>> Reporter: BREAKING NEWS ON THE BORDER CRISIS, THERE IS AN INVASION GOING ON IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

>> THE STATE ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE IN FEBRUARY DESCRIBING THE SITUATION AT THE BORDER.

HERE IS THE MAYOR AND CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE BILL WELLS ONE MONTH LATER DOING THE SAME THING.

>> IT'S HAPPENING AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER IS NOT JUST A CRISIS BUT IN INVASION.

>> POLITICIANS PARTICULARLY REPUBLICANS ARE USING THE WORD INVASION MORE AND MORE IN ORDER TO DESCRIBE IMMIGRATION.

>> WE WILL NOT LET THESE PEOPLE COME IN AND TAKE OUR CITY FROM US OR TAKE OUR COUNTRY FROM US.

IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

>> THIS WILL LIKELY CONTINUE TO RAMP UP AS WE GO TO THE NEXT ELECTION.

EXPERTS SAY THAT HAS A BIG CONSEQUENCE.

>> WE'VE IDENTIFIED 165 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IN THEIR CAPACITY AS THEY'VE ENGAGED IN THE INVASION OF THIS RHETORIC.

>> A SENIOR RESEARCH DIRECTOR AT AMERICA'S VOICE, A PRO- IMMIGRATION ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION.

>> THIS IS REALLY TELLING.

IT'S CONCERNING.

>> HE SO CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS COMES OUT OF WHITE SUPREMACY IDEOLOGY.

>> THE LANGUAGE OF INVASION IS TIED TO THIS IDEA OF THE GREAT REPLACEMENT THEORY WHICH IN THIS INSPIRING MULTIPLE DOMESTIC TERROR ATTACKS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

>> THIS THEORY IS A CONSPIRACY CLAIMING THAT POLITICAL ELITES ARE REPLACING THE VOTER POWER OF AMERICANS WITH NONWHITE IMMIGRANTS.

THE GUNMEN WHO KILLED 23 PEOPLE IN EL PASO SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED A HISPANIC INVASION AS MOTIVATION.

MUELLER SAYS ONE HIGH PROFILE POLITICIANS LIKE TRUMP USE INVASION RHETORIC THAT THEY INTRODUCE RACIST IDEAS TO A MAINSTREAM AUDIENCE.

>> TRAGICALLY THIS LOWERS THE THRESHOLD FOR INDIVIDUALS TO HEAR THAT AND TO THINK THAT THERE IS A REAL INVASION BECAUSE OUR ELECTED LEADERS SAY THAT THERE IS.

THEY'VE GOT HATE IN THEIR HEART WITH A GUN IN THEIR HANDS AND THEY ACT UPON IT.

INVASION RHETORIC ISN'T LIMITED TO THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL.

LAWMAKERS ARE INCREASINGLY ADOPTING THIS LANGUAGE TO PUSH ANTI-IMMIGRANT LAWS ACCORDING TO MICHELLE POINT, A LEGAL DIRECTOR AT THE AMERICAN IMMIGRATION COUNSEL.

>> IT'S COMING UP IN LEGISLATIVE DEBATES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY INCLUDING IN STATES FAR FROM THE US- MEXICO BORDER INVOKING THE SAME DANGEROUS AND VIOLENT RHETORIC TO JUSTIFY ANTI-IMMIGRANT MEASURES AT THE STATE LEVEL.

>> GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT ARGUED THE STATE WAS INVASION WHILE TRYING TO PASS ALONG GRANTING LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS DEPORTATION POWERS HE SAYS THAT A FEDERAL JUDGE APPOINTED BY RONALD REAGAN REJECTED THE ARGUMENT.

>> HE BEGAN LOOKING AT THE NATURAL DICTIONARY DEFINITIONS WITH THE MEANING OF INVASION.

HE CONCLUDED THAT IT MEANS ENTERING THE COUNTRY WITH HOSTILE INTENT, TO ASSAULT, ATTACK, OR PLUNDER AND IT HAS TO BE BY AN ORGANIZED MILITARY INVASION.

>> Reporter: JUDGE DAVID EZRA ACKNOWLEDGED TEXAS IS UNDER PRESSURE BECAUSE OF THE INFLUX OF IMMIGRATION BUT SAID THAT THERE'S NO ANY TYPE OF IMMIGRATION IN HOPES THAT THIS WILL SHED LIGHT ON THE INACCURACIES ON THIS POLITICAL NARRATIVE.

>> THE IDEA OF INVASION ASIDE FROM BEING FACTUALLY INACCURATE IS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS WAY TO DESCRIBE HOW THE SITUATION AT THE BORDER IS AS WELL AS IN CITIES AND STATES.

>> WE KNOW THAT THIS IS AN INVASION.

AN INVASION OF PEOPLE NOT WANTING TO FOLLOW THE RULES FOR IMMIGRATION.

>> THE STATE ASSEMBLY CANDIDATE CARL DEMAIO IN MAY TELLING A LOCAL NEWS ANCHOR THAT THERE'S AN INVASION AT THE BORDER.

A TALKING POINT THAT REPUBLICANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN USING MORE AND MORE AS WE GO INTO THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

NOT ONLY DOES HE SAY THAT THERE IS AN INVASION BUT HE TELLS US WHAT IS BEHIND IT.

>> DEMOCRATS WANT TO VOTE 'S.

THEY'VE GOT NO PROBLEM WITH THIS AT THE BORDER.

>> THEY SAY THIS INTERVIEW WITHOUT ANY PUSHBACK FROM THE NEWS ANCHOR IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHY INVASION RHETORIC IS SO DANGEROUS.

ZACHARY MUELLER IS THE RESEARCH DIRECTOR AT AMERICA'S VOICE, A PRO-IMMIGRANT ADVOCACY AGENCY.

IT'S PART OF A WHITE SUPREMACY CONSPIRACY THEORY IN WHICH ELITE LIBERALS ARE PART OF THIS CONVERSATION.

>> THEY BRING IN NONWHITE IMMIGRANTS TO REPLACE WHITE FOLKS AND REPLACE THEIR VOTING POWER AND TO STEAL ELECTIONS AND UNDERMINE DEMOCRACY.

NOW, OBVIOUSLY NONE OF THIS IS TRUE.

FOR THIS KIND OF LANGUAGE RAMPED UP IN 2016 BUT IT'S GOT A LONG HISTORY IN CALIFORNIA.

IN 1873 THE SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE PUBLISHED AN ADVERTISEMENT WARNING OF A CHINESE INVASION ASKING LEADERS WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

POLITICAL CARTOONS FROM THE 1880S SHOW CALIFORNIA AS A SINKING SHIP FALLING UNDER THE WEIGHT OF TOO MANY CHINESE MIGRANTS AND A HEADLINE FROM THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE IN 1903 THAT SAYS AMERICA INVADED BY ALIENS SWARM.

A PROFESSOR AT UC SAN DIEGO STUDIES THE CONSTRUCT OF RACE IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> THE USE OF THE TERM INVASION AND A GENERAL IDEA OF THIS ISN'T ANYTHING NEW IN TERMS OF HOW WE DESCRIBE IMMIGRANTS OR HOW WE HAVE THESE IMMIGRATION ISSUES.

THIS GOES AS FAR BACK TO THE LATE 19th CENTURY.

>> SHE SAYS THE SENTIMENT LED TO THE CHINESE EXCLUSION ACT OF 1882 ESSENTIALLY BANNING IMMIGRATION FROM CHINA.

U.S. HISTORY IS FULL OF EXAMPLES OF ANTI-IMMIGRANT RHETORIC LEADING TO DISCRIMINATORY LAWS.

SHE USES THIS AD AS AN EXAMPLE.

IT'S FROM THE CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR PETE WILSON IN 1994 ADVOCATING FOR A MEASURE WHICH WILL STRIP MEASURES OF BENEFITS FROM UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WON'T STOP THEM AT THE BORDER.

>> SHE SAYS FRAMING THE PROBLEM AS IMMIGRANTS INVADING IS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE AND DOESN'T HELP TO FIND REAL SOLUTIONS TO THE BROKEN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM.

>> HOW YOU DEFINE PROBLEMS DEFINES THE SOLUTION.

IF YOU DEFINE THIS AS AN INVASION THEN THIS IS A MATTER OF PUTTING UP A WALL AND MAKING AMERICA STRONG.

>> SHE SAYS IMMIGRATION IS A COMPLEX TOPIC AND OVERSIMPLIFYING IT DISTRACTS POLICYMAKERS FROM ASKING THESE NUANCED QUESTIONS.

>> HOW DO WE ENCOURAGE LEGAL IMMIGRATION?

IS THERE A SYSTEM SET UP FOR LEGAL IMMIGRATION AND AT WHAT LEVEL DO WE WANT IMMIGRATION?

WHAT ARE THE PROCESSES.

>> $50 MILLION WAS SPENT ON ANTIGOVERNMENT IT ANTI- IMMIGRANT PROVISIONS.

NOW THE 2024 ELECTION IS ON PACE TO SURPASS THIS AMOUNT ACCORDING TO DATA FROM AMERICA'S VOICE.

MUELLER SAYS THESE ACTS PULL ON PEOPLE'S GENUINE CONCERNS OVER IMMIGRATION.

>> THE STORY HITS ON THEIR ANXIETIES ABOUT WHO THEY ARE AND THEIR IDENTITY.

ABOUT THEIR SAFETY, COMMUNITIES SAFETY.

IT HITS ON CONCERNS ABOUT ECONOMIC SECURITY.

IT PULLS ON THOSE ANXIETIES.

RACIALIZING THEM.

SAYING THAT THEY ARE TO BLAME.

>> VOTERS AROUND THE COUNTRY SHOULD BE EXPECTED TO BE BOMBARDED WITH MORE INVASION ADDS BEFORE THE ELECTION IN NOVEMBER.

>> WE CANNOT RELY ON ADS BECAUSE THEY ARE DESIGNED TO BE INFLAMMATORY.

THESE ADS ARE DESIGNED TO GET YOUR ATTENTION FOR 30 SECONDS.

>> HER ADVICE, DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH.

>> WE CAN'T RELY ON A FLYER FROM SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO WIN THE ELECTION.

>> MORE FROM THIS REPORT YOU CAN FIND THIS STORY.

KPBS.ORG.

>>> NORTH COUNTY IS THRIVING WITH CRITICAL ISSUES TO ADDRESS WHICH IS THE MESSAGE THAT JIM DESMOND GAVE THIS WEEK.

OUR REPORTER WAS THERE AND GIVES US A RECAP.

>> NORTH COUNTY OFFICIALS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, AND RESIDENTS IN OCEANSIDE TODAY TO HEAR FROM THE COUNTY SUPERVISOR JIM DESMOND.

>> NORTH COUNTY IS THRIVING AND WE HAVE ALL OF THIS POTENTIAL.

>> DESMOND HIGHLIGHTED THE GROWTH IN THE REGION'S AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES.

>> OUR AGRICULTURE PROVIDE 16,000 JOBS WITH AN ECONOMIC IMPACT OF NEARLY $3 BILLION PER YEAR.

WHEN I GAVE MY LAST ADDRESS THIS WAS A PRE-TRAN03 ERA.

>> AND TOURISM.

>> WE LIVE IN SOMEWHERE WHERE PEOPLE GO ON VACATION WITH A LOT OF TOP-RATED HOTELS WITH SURFING AND SPORTS COMPETITIONS AND EXCEPTIONAL RESTAURANTS SO TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY IS UP BY 15% IN NORTH COUNTY.

>> HE SAYS SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT THE NORTHERN REGION FACES IS HOMELESSNESS, THE NEED FOR HOUSING AS WELL AS TRANSPORTATION.

DESMOND SAID NORTH COUNTY IS IN A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

>> WE NEED TO GET PEOPLE TO TREATMENT THAT THEY NEED.

I HAVEN'T BEEN A FAN FOR NORTH COUNTY FOR SHELTERS, PARKING LOTS OR HOUSING PROPOSALS.

>> HE SUPPORTS PURCHASING A PROPERTY IN VISTA WHERE THEY COULD EXPAND PSYCHIATRIC RESOURCES.

>> WE ARE BEGINNING NEGOTIATIONS BUT I'M OPTIMISTIC IT WOULD BE A CAMPUS FOR HEALING AND REHABILITATION IN NORTH COUNTY AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DESPERATELY NEED .

WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OF THESE FACILITIES AND HOPEFULLY WE COULD GET THEM.

>> DESMOND WILL REPRESENT DISTRICT 5 UNTIL 2026 WHEN HE TURNS OUT.

TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>> GET OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES AS A NEWSLETTER EVERY FRIDAY.

HERE IS WHAT IS ON THE LIST THIS WEEK.

>>> SAN DIEGO BREAKS GROUND ON THE PARK PROJECT.

UC SAN DIEGO WILL OFFER DORMS FOR PEOPLE ATTENDING COMIC CON AND A WATCHDOG REPORT FINDS LA MESA AND ENCINITAS ARE LEADING SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND CLIMATE ACTION.

>>> THIS NEXT STORY IS ON OUR MOST POPULAR LIST.

THE IMPERIAL VALLEY BEGAN TRANSFERRING EXCESS WATER TO SAN DIEGO BUT THE WATER CONSERVATION THAT MADE THIS POSSIBLE LANDED HARD ON THE SALTON SEA.

OUR REPORTERS SHOW THE NEW STUDY OF THE TRANSFER DEAL DRYING UP THE LAKE CREATING DUST POLLUTION MAKING IT A BIGGER PROBLEM.

>> IT'S A TERMINAL SALTWATER LAKE.

THE SALTON SEA IS SHRINKING.

ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THIS IS THE IMPERIAL WATER TRANSFER DEAL WHICH BROUGHT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ACREAGE OF WATER TO SAN DIEGO.

THE ECONOMICS PROFESSOR SAYS THAT THE BIGGEST EFFECT OF THIS CONJURATION PLAN CONSERVATION PLAN WAS 70 YEARS IN THE AGREEMENT.

>> THEY SAW A NOTABLE INCREASE IN THE RATE AND DECLINE OF THE WATER LEVEL.

THIS LEADS TO AN INCREASE.

MORE AND MORE OF THIS DUST SURFACE.

IT'S BEEN EXPOSED EVERY YEAR.

>> IT'S THE BEAR LAKEBED LEFT BEHIND AFTER THE WATER RECEDES.

THE RESULT OF REDUCED FARM WATER RUNOFF LEADING TO THE WATER TRANSFER DEAL.

HE WAS CO-AUTHOR OF A STUDY WHICH EXAMINED THE RESULTING DUST POLLUTION AND WHO THIS AFFECTED AND SAID AREAS WITH HIGH POVERTY RATES SAW THE GREATEST IMPACTS.

>> SINCE 2011 THE CHANGE IN POLLUTION HAS BEEN MORE DRAMATIC FOR THE HISTORICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.

>> THESE FINDINGS BORNE OUT BY DATA COLLECTED BY THE CALIFORNIA EPA .

THE MAP SHOWS CENSUS TRACTS IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY BURDENED BY AIR POLLUTION WHICH IS THE SAME ONES WHICH ARE HOME TO THE DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.

DUST POLLUTION COULD LEAD TO ASTHMA.

DOCTOR STUART FLEISHMAN IS WITH THE COACHELLA VALLEY MEDICINE.

HE SAYS THE DUST AND SAND COMES IN FROM WINDSTORMS WHICH CAUSES INFLAMMATION AND ASTHMA FROM THE LOCAL RESIDENTS WHO BREATHED AND ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WORK OUTSIDE.

>> WHEN YOU'RE SITTING ON A CHAIR, YOU CAN'T CATCH YOUR BREATH AND YOU'VE GOT TO USE THESE MEDICINES FOR THE AIRWAYS.

BECAUSE OF THIS CHRONIC INFLAMMATION, IT SUBJECT TO INFECTION.

>> THE REPORT'S CONCLUSION THAT POLLUTION IS HITTING LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES IS NO SURPRISE .

THE WATER MANAGER AT THE IRRIGATION DISTRICT.

>> I THINK THIS COULD BE CHARACTERIZED AS A DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY.

THE AREA WHERE I LIVE, ALL BUT ONE OF THE TOWNS HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO THE CALIFORNIA CRITERIA AS A DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITY.

>> THEY ARE TRYING TO REDUCE DUST POLLUTION AND ENSURES SOME OF THE COLORADO RIVER WATER RUNS INTO THE SALTON SEA.

DUST MITIGATION PROJECTS INCLUDE PLANTING ROWS OF SALT TOLERANT PLANTS TO CATCH PARTICULATES AND PLOWING FURLOUGHS FOR THE SOIL TO MAKE IT LESS FLAT.

>> YOU'VE GOT PUT THE RIGHT PROJECT ON THE RIGHT SOIL.

THIS IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR SAND BECAUSE YOU'RE STIRRING THE POT ESSENTIALLY BUT IF YOU'VE GOT LAND LIKE IN THE SOUTHERN REGION WITH THE CLAY SOILS AND YOU DO THE SURFACE PREPPING WE FOUND IT TO BE 99% EFFECTIVE IN CONTROLLING THE INITIATIVE.

IN THE DAYS WHEN THE RIVER RAN WILD IT WOULD FLOOD AND PHILIP THE LAKEBED OFTEN.

SOMETIMES THE LAKE WOULD COVER THE AREA FROM WHAT IS PALM SPRINGS IN THE NORTH ALL THE WAY TO MEXICALI IN THE SOUTH.

THIS GEOLOGIST SAYS AT TIMES IT MAY HAVE SHRUNK TO THE SIZE OF A PUZZLE BUT THAT THERE IS ALMOST ALWAYS BEEN A SALTON SEA FED BY THE COLORADO RIVER.

>> FOR THE LAST THOUSAND OR 1100 YEARS.

IT SENT RAIN FROM THE SALTON TROUGH SIX TIMES.

IT FILLS UP TO AROUND +13 FOR THE ELEVATION AND BRINGS IT BACK TO THE GOAL.

>> IT REMAINS A HABITAT FOR FISH AND MIGRATORY BIRDS AND IS THE BEST WAY TO CONTAIN A WINDSWEPT DUST.

I ASKED TINA SHIELDS IF SHE THINKS IT WILL EVENTUALLY DRY UP.

>> NOT IF WE COULD HELP IT.

THE GOAL OF THE IRRIGATION DISTRICT IS TO CONTINUE TO HAVE WATER RESOURCES FOR THE COMMUNITY AND AGRICULTURAL WATER USERS AND IF YOU'VE GOT AGRICULTURE YOU'LL HAVE RUNOFF.

>> THE RUNOFF IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SOURCE OF WATER FOR THE SALTON SEA AND WITH THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING THEY ESTIMATE THAT IT WILL REMAIN STABILIZED INTO 2047 AND BE TWO THIRDS ITS CURRENT SIZE WITH AN ESTIMATED 130 MI.2 OF EXPOSED LAKEBED.

THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>> THAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF THE FUTURE OF REPORTING DONE BY KPBS, YOU COULD FIND ALL OUR STORIES ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGE AND WHERE WE STREAM LIVE OUR WEEKNIGHT ADDITIONS AT 5:00.

>> THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR COULD MEAN THE BEGINNING FOR SOME STUDENTS AT HIGH TECH HIGH SCHOOL.

THEY COMPLETED A MONTH-LONG INTERNSHIP WITH VIDEO GAMES.

MENTORS INCLUDE A COUPLE OF CLASSMATES AT A SCHOOL WHERE STUDENTS THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX.

>> WHO'S DOING THE LINES?

>> HANDS ON PROJECT-BASED LEARNING IS FLOURISHING WITH THESE STUDENTS WHO CREATED HUGE PAPIER-MBCHI BIRD PUPPETS MADE WITH BEACH BALLS, GLUE, PAINT, AND BAMBOO.

THIS GROUP OF FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE STUDENTS BRING CHARACTERS TO LIFE AND ACT OUT THE STORY BOOK TITLED ODD BIRD.

THE END-OF-THE-YEAR PROJECT HERE AT JACOBS HIGH TECH HIGH SCHOOL IN POINT LOMA DOWN THE HALL THERE'S MORE YEAR AND CREATIVITY HAPPENING.

>> THAT CHANGE MAKES IT MORE NICER TO PLAY.

>> THE 17-YEAR-OLD AND 18-YEAR- OLD ARE GRADUATING SENIORS WHO SHARE A PASSION FOR COMPUTER CODING AND DESIGN OF VIDEO GAMES.

SKILLS THAT THEY BEGAN LEARNING IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

THEY SHARED A SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM OF FINDING AN UNPAID FOUR WEEK INTERNSHIP.

IT'S A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT FOR EVERY STUDENT IN THEIR JUNIOR YEAR.

LORENZO STRUCK OUT.

>> GAME DEVELOPMENT HAS AND ALWAYS WILL BE MY PASSION .

I CALLED EVERY GAMING DEVELOPMENT COMPANY IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND THEY ALL GHOSTED ME.

>> Reporter: HE BEGAN ENTERTAINING FOR A LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL FIRM.

HIS FRIEND WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO FIND A WEB RELATED INTERNSHIP.

TOGETHER THEY WANTED TO HELP FUTURE HIGH-TECH HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS PASSIONATE ABOUT PROGRAMMING AND MENTOR THEM IN MEETING THEIR INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENT BUT THERE WAS A SHORT-CIRCUIT IN THAT PLAN SAYS LORENZO.

>> WE CANNOT BE OFFICIAL MENTOR SINCE WE DON'T HAVE THE DEGREE.

WE HAVE EXPERTISE THAT WE COULD SHARE BUT WE NEED TO TEAM UP WITH AN ORGANIZATION.

>> IT'S VISUAL STUDIO CODE.

>> THEY TEAMED UP WITH THE LEAGUE OF AMAZING PROGRAMMERS.

A SAN DIEGO-BASED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WHICH TEACHES CODING TO KIDS AND TEENS IN FIFTH THROUGH 12th GRADE.

ONE OF THE PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMMERS HAD GUIDED THE SENIOR DUO IN THEIR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM OFFERING SIX OF HIGH- TECH HIGH SCHOOLS BEST AND BRIGHTEST STUDENTS.

AXEL SAYS HIS TEACHING CAREER IS OFF TO A GREAT START.

>> WE ENDED UP COVERING WHAT WE PLAN TO BE ABOUT TWO WEEKS OF MATERIAL IN TWO DAYS.

EVERYONE WAS ENTHUSIASTIC AND THEY BROUGHT SOMETHING TO THE TABLE.

WE ARE TAKING ALL SKILLS WE HAVE LEARNED AND COMBINING THEM TO ONE LARGE GAME.

>> THE GAME IS CALLED THE SAHARA CORPORATION.

SHIPPING COMPANY TAKEN OVER BY AI CONTROLLING ROBOTS EXCEPT FOR ONE REMAINING LOYAL HUMAN WORKER NAMED DAVE.

IT'S UP TO THE HIGH-TECH HIGH SCHOOL INTERNS TO CREATE AND CODE ALL THAT HAPPENS FOR THE PLAYERS TRYING TO KEEP DAVE ALIVE WHEN THE ROBOTS GO ROGUE.

THIS JUNIOR, DESIREE BURKART HELPED DESIGN DAVE AND HOW HE MOVES.

>> WE WANTED TO DESIGN A BASIC HUMAN BEING.

>> Reporter: TIGER REESE HOPES THAT THE INTERNSHIP WILL INSPIRE HIS PLANS FOR A CAREER IN SCREENWRITING.

HE'S ONE OF LORENZO'S CLOSE FRIENDS GETTING LIFE LESSONS AND LEARNING.

>> HE'S COMING FORWARD AND READY TO HELP.

WE ARE EVEN BETTER FRIENDS NOW.

>> ALL THE MOVING PARTS OF IT, UNTIL I COULD FIND A WAY TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER TO MAKE SENSE AND MAKE IT MORE COMPELLING.

WITH CHARACTERS GOING THROUGH JOURNEY.

PERSONALLY AND PHYSICALLY.

>> IN THE FALL, AXEL'S JOURNEY TAKES HIM TO DARTMOUTH TO STUDY COMPUTER SCIENCE.

LORENZO WILL ATTEND USC FOR A CAREER IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP.

>> I LOVE HAVING AN IDEA AND SEE IT COME TO LIFE.

>> THIS IDEA WILL LIVE ON.

PROGRAM FOR THE FUTURE.

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

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.