THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR A LOOK AT THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS THIS WEEK.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

>>> COMING UP THE COST OF RECYCLING, KPBS INVESTIGATES HOW THE STATE IS REALLOCATING MONEY FROM UNCLAIMED BOTTLE REFUNDS.

>>> SHELTER OPENS IN THE SOUTH BAY.

SEE THE SPACE AVAILABLE FOR THOSE THE NATIONAL CITY.

>>> DOES SOCIAL MEDIA NEED A WARNING LABEL?

WE GET INSIGHT FROM A LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH LEADER ON THIS IDEA GAINING TRACTION AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

>>> IN NORTH COUNTY, A PROPOSAL TO REROUTE TRAIN TRACKS FROM THE BLUFFS AND DELMAR IS GETTING PUSHBACK FROM ITS NEIGHBORS IN SOLANA BEACH.

TONYA THORNE HAS THE STORY FROM THE PUBLIC WORKSHOP ABOUT RAILROAD PLANS.

>> Reporter: RESEARCHERS SAY THAT THE DELMAR BLUFFS OUR ROAD BY A MARGIN OF 6 INCHES EVERY YEAR AND HAVE BEEN GETTING CLOSER TO THE TRACKS.

THEY'VE EXPLORED MANY OPTIONS OF RELOCATION AND TUNNELING THAT PORTION OF THE RAIL LINE.

OPTIONS THAT UNTIL RECENTLY SEEMED TO IMPACT THE CITY OF DELMAR.

THEY ARE GIVING THE COMMUNITY MORE INFORMATION ON THE THREE POSSIBLE ROUTES FOR THE RELOCATION OF THE DELMAR RAIL LINE.

ONE OF THE LINES ARE ALONG THE I-5 FREEWAY HERE AT THE SOLANA BEACH TRAIN STATION.

SOME RESIDENTS HERE ARE NOT TOO HAPPY AS THEY FEEL BLINDSIDED NOT KNOWING THAT THERE COULD BE A TUNNEL RUNNING UNDER THEIR CITY.

IN THE PAST THE COMMUNITY MEETINGS HAVE BEEN FILLED WITH DELMAR RESIDENCE BUT THE ONE HELD ON TUESDAY EVENING HAD A LARGE TURNOUT FROM THE CITY OF SOLANA BEACH.

>> ONE OF THE ALTERNATIVES WOULD GO THROUGH SOLANA BEACH AND THIS WOULD IMPACT QUITE A BIT OF THE LIFE WE LIVE AND THE CENTERS THAT WE SHOP IN.

THE RAILS TO TRAILS, WHERE WE WALK AND RUN.

THIS WAS DONNA GLENN'S FIRST TIME AT ONE OF THESE MEETINGS.

SHE SAID SHE WAS DISAPPOINTED THAT THE AGENCY DID NOT DO MORE OUTREACH WITH THE CITY OF SOLANA BEACH.

>> I DON'T WANT DELMAR TO BE IMPACTED NEGATIVELY.

IT'S NOT OF THEM OR US SITUATION I JUST WANT TO MAYBE GET MORE INFORMATION TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS AND SO WE COULD BE HEARD.

>> Reporter: THE MAYOR WAS AT THE MEETING.

>> WE HAVEN'T BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS.

WE FOUND OUT THIS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

THE COMMUNITY HASN'T BEEN ENGAGED.

THE BUSINESSES HAVE NOT BEEN ENGAGED.

NOR HAVE THE TRANSIT OPERATORS OR THE FAIRGROUNDS.

WE NEED TO HAVE MORE ENGAGEMENT AND AN ALTERNATIVE WHICH WOULD WORK FOR DELMAR, SOLANA BEACH, AS WELL AS THE REGION.

>> Reporter: THE ROUTE THAT STARTS IN SOLANA BEACH RUNNING ALONG THE I-5 FREEWAY COSTS THE MOST AND WOULD TAKE THE LONGEST TO BUILD.

>> THIS DOESN'T PASS THE COMMONSENSE TEST.

EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE.

TWICE AS MUCH AS THE OTHERS AND DESTROYS A LOT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT THE REGION ALREADY INVESTED IN.

>> RESIDENCE DID NOT HAVE THE ARGUMENT.

IT'S NOT THE RIGHT DECISION OR THE RIGHT TRACK.

SUDDENLY IT IS CORRECT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T GO THROUGH THEIR CITY.

>> Reporter: WHATEVER THEIR CHOICE, HE THINKS THIS SHOULD INCLUDE THREE THINGS.

>> WE CARE ABOUT MAKING THE TRAIN FAST , RELIABLE, AND ELECTRIFIED.

>> THE PUBLIC HAS UNTIL JULY 19 TO SUBMIT FEEDBACK ON THE PROJECT ONLINE OR BY MAIL.

TONYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS NEXT STORY IS AN INVESTIGATION OF ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES THIS WEEK.

RECYCLING CENTERS HAVE BEEN SHUTTING DOWN ACROSS CALIFORNIA FOR YEARS WHICH MEANS FEWER OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO RECYCLE BOTTLES AND CANS AND GIVE BACK THEIR DEPOSITS.

THE STATE IS SENDING ON HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN UNCLAIMED BOTTLE DEPOSITS.

FOR YEARS THEY'VE USED MONEY TO PLUG HOLES IN THE BUDGET.

>> Reporter: THE YARD AT SA RECYCLING IS FILLED WITH OLD TRANSFORMERS, RUSTY REFRIGERATORS AND BANGED UP CARS.

THE GENERAL MANAGER SAYS ALL OF THIS WILL BE RECYCLED INTO NEW PRODUCTS.

>> EVERY DAY IS DIFFERENT.

YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU WILL RECEIVE A LOT OF ALUMINUM OR COPPER TOMORROW.

>> Reporter: WHAT THEY DON'T GET MUCH OF THESE DAYS ARE BOTTLES AND CANS BECAUSE OF SA RECYCLING STOPPING PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM LAST YEAR.

IT WASN'T VERY PROFITABLE TO BEGIN WITH.

THEN THE NEIGHBORS BEGAN COMPLAINING.

>> THEY HAD SOME KIND OF PROBLEMS WITH THE HOMELESS AND ALL THE TRASH OUTSIDE.

WE TRIED TO WORK WITH THE CITY BUT IT WASN'T WORKING.

>> Reporter: RECYCLING CENTERS IN THE STATE HAVE FELT THESE FINANCIAL AND SOCIAL PRESSURES FOR YEARS.

OVER THE LAST DECADE THE STATE LOST HALF OF ITS BOTTLE RECYCLING CENTERS FROM BIG INDUSTRIAL OPERATORS TO SMALL VENDORS NEXT TO GROCERY STORES.

IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY THE DECLINE HAS BEEN MORE DRAMATIC WHICH MEANS.

>> PEOPLE ARE SENDING THESE CONTAINERS TO THE LANDFILL INSTEAD OF RECYCLING THEM.

>> SUSAN COLLINS IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE CONTAINER RECYCLING INSTITUTE IN CALIFORNIA.

SHE SAYS IT'S ALARMING FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE BUT THERE'S ALSO A FINANCIAL IMPACT.

HERE'S HOW CALIFORNIA'S RECYCLING SYSTEM WORKS.

WHEN YOU GO TO THE STORE TO PURCHASE A SODA.

>> YOU PAY FOR THE CAN OF SODA AND ANOTHER FIVE CENTS.

>> THAT NICKEL OR DIME IF IT'S A LARGER BOTTLE WOULD BE A DEPOSIT THAT THE STATE WOULD HOLD ONTO AND WHEN THE CONTAINER IS BROUGHT TO THE RECYCLER THE DEPOSIT WOULD BE RETURNED.

>> THIS CREATES AN INCENTIVE TO RECYCLE.

IT'S A POWERFUL INCENTIVE WHICH WILL GET PEOPLE TO BRING BACK THEIR CONTAINERS.

>> FOR SOME, BOTTLE RETURNS PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED INCOME AND AS RECYCLING CENTERS HAVE CLOSED THE RECYCLING RATE HAS ALSO DROPPED SO WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL OF THOSE UNCLAIMED DEPOSITS?

THEY SIT IN A STATE FUND THAT IN RECENT YEARS HAS GROWN AND GROWN.

AS OF LAST YEAR THE FUND HAD BALLOONED TO NEARLY $820 MILLION.

COLLINS SAYS THIS IS A PROBLEM.

>> THE EXCESS GROWTH IN THE FUND IS THE RESULT OF A PROGRAM THAT ISN'T SERVING THE CONSUMERS AS WELL AS IT SHOULD BE WHICH TURNS THE DEPOSIT EFFECTIVELY INTO ATTACKS.

>> IT'S BECOME A PIGGY BANK FOR STATE LEADERS WHEN THE BUDGET GETS TIGHT.

A REVIEW OF STATE FINANCIAL RECORDS FOUND CALIFORNIA HAS BORROWED BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM THE FUND IN THE FORM OF SHORT AND LONG-TERM LOANS.

>> IT'S LIKE AN UNOFFICIAL RAINY DAY FUND.

>> Reporter: THE STATE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE AND DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE TOLD US THAT THE BORROWING IS ALLOWED UNDER THE STATE LAW BUT COULD TAKE YEARS TO REPAY THE LOANS AND SOMETIMES THAT HAS PUT A STRAIN ON THE RECYCLING FUND.

THE PRACTICE HAS RECEIVED RECENT SCRUTINY FROM LAWMAKERS.

>> IF WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS WE HAVE TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF THIS FUND.

>> HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT A PROPOSED $125 MILLION LOAN MEANT TO HELP CLOSE THE BUDGET DEFICIT.

>> THIS MONEY WAS EXPLICITLY COLLECTED FROM CONSUMERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF IMPROVING OUR RECYCLING RATES.

>> Reporter: THE PROPOSED LOAN WAS NIXED FROM THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET LAST MONTH.

CAL RECYCLE IS THE DEPARTMENT THAT OVERSEES THE DEPOSIT FUND AND DECLINED MULTIPLE INTERVIEW REQUESTS AND IN ANY NEED YOU EMAIL THEY IMPLY THAT THEY ARE USING THE FUND TO IMPROVE THE STATES RECYCLING SYSTEM BUT ADVOCATES SAY IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

>> WE SHOULD INVEST IN THE RECYCLING INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE KNOW HOW TO MAKE THIS WORK.

>> THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF CALIFORNIANS AGAINST WASTE SAYS A SUBSIDY OF $2500 A MONTH WOULD HELP TO KEEP SMALL RECYCLING CENTERS AFLOAT .

>> FOR THAT SMALL INVESTMENT OVER THE NEXT 3-5 YEARS WE COULD HAVE THE $400 WE NEED.

>> CENTERS ARE HASHING OUT THE DETAILS OF THE BUDGET.

ADVOCATES SAY THAT THEY ARE CALLING FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN RECYCLING INVESTMENTS TO ENSURE CONSUMERS GET BACK THEIR NICKELS AND DIMES.

KPBS NEWS.

>> THAT'S AN EXAMPLE OF THE DETAILED FEATURE REPORTING DONE BY OUR NEWSROOM AND YOU COULD FIND MORE ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGE WHERE WE LIVE STREAM ARE EVENING EDITION ON WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00.

>>> OUR CONTINUING COVERAGE TO THE CHANGES TO THE U.S. SYSTEM.

GESTAPO SO LEASE PROFILES A FAMILY OF ASYLUM-SEEKERS AND HOW THEIR CHILDREN FACE UNEXPECTED OBSTACLES.

>> HIS PARENTS ARE CUBAN MIGRANTS AND HE WAS BORN IN TIJUANA ON JUNE 11 ONE WEEK BEFORE HIS FAMILY WAS SCHEDULED TO ENTER THE U.S. TO PURSUE POLITICAL ASYLUM.

HIS FATHER IS A PENTECOSTAL PASTOR WHO OFTEN CRITICIZED CUBA'S COMMUNIST DICTATORSHIP.

HE STARTED NOTICING ESTRANGEMENT ATTENDING HIS SERVICES.

HE SAID THAT THOSE MEN WERE GOVERNMENT SPIES.

GIOVANNI, HIS WIFE MARIA LEASE AND THEIR TEENAGE CHILDREN FLED CUBA IN OCTOBER 23.

SHE DIDN'T FIND OUT SHE'LL TO TELL SHE WAS PREGNANT UNTIL THE FAMILY WAS ALREADY IN MEXICO GOING TOWARDS TIJUANA.

WHO DO DATE WAS IN JUNE.

PLENTY OF TIME TO GET TO THE U.S. OR SO THEY THOUGHT.

THE PLAN WAS SIMPLE, DOWNLOAD THE U.S. CUSTOMS BORDER PROTECTIONS Z BP ONE APP AND FILL OUT THE APPLICATION AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO ENTER THE U.S. Z BP ONE APP AND FILL OUT THE APPLICATION AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO ENTER THE U.S.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION UNVEILED THE APP LAST YEAR AND IT'S THE MAIN WAY TO ACCESS THE U.S. ASYLUM SYSTEM BUT IT'S BEEN GLITCHY.

>> WE ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEMS THAT THE CBP ONE HAS.

>> Reporter: THE DIRECTOR OF LITIGATION FOR THE CENTER FOR GENDER AND REFUGEE STUDIES.

>> INCLUDING AND NOT LIMITED TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS A LIMITED NUMBER OF APPOINTMENTS.

THEY ARE FAR LOWER THAN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO NEED THEM.

>> THE RESULT IS LONG WAIT TIMES WHICH COULD BE SIX, SEVEN, OR EVEN EIGHT MONTHS IF NOT MORE.

>> HE DESCRIBED WAITING IN MEXICO AS BEING IN A PRISON.

THE COULD NOT WORK AND LIVED IN CONSTANT FEAR THAT IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS COULD DEPORT THEM AND IT TOOK THE FAMILY SIX MONTHS TO GET A CBP ONE APPOINTMENT.

MATTIAS WAS BORN ONE WEEK BEFORE THEY WERE SCHEDULED TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES.

THE BIRTH THREATENED TO DERAIL THEIR ENTIRE PLAN BECAUSE CBP ONE DOESN'T LET PEOPLE UPDATE THEIR APPLICATIONS.

THERE'S NO WAY TO ADD ANOTHER PERSON AND IN THIS CASE A NEWBORN TO THE PARTY.

THE IDEA OF HAVING TO FILE ANOTHER APPLICATION AND START THE LONG WAIT TIME ALL OVER AGAIN BROUGHT MARIE AT LEAST TO TEARS.

VOLUNTEERS AT THE MIGRANT SHELTER THAT THE FAMILY LIVED AND SUGGESTED THAT THEY REACH OUT TO HENRIQUE LUCERO, THE HEAD OF THE AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT.

HE SAYS THAT THE LONG WAIT TIMES ARE MAKING THIS SCENARIO MORE AND MORE COMMON.

HE TOLD THE FAMILY TO GET MATTIAS A BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND MEXICAN CITIZENSHIP PAPERS FAST.

TWO DAYS AFTER BEING BORN, HE WAS IN TIJUANA CITY HALL GETTING FINGERPRINTED.

HIS FINGERPRINTS LEFT TINY SMUDGES ON THE OFFICIAL PAPERWORK.

LUCERO STOOD IN AS THE OFFICIAL WITNESS.

HE SHARED HIS DOCUMENTS WITH THE MEXICAN IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS WHO PASSED THEM ALONG TO CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION.

THE INTERVENTION WORKED.

ON TUESDAY THE FAMILY CROSSED INTO THE U.S.

TOGETHER.

GIOVANNI SAYS HE LOOKS FORWARD TO LIVING IN A FREE COUNTRY INSTEAD OF A DICTATORSHIP.

THE FAMILY WON'T BE IN SAN DIEGO FOR LONG BECAUSE THEY PLAN TO CONNECT WITH RELATIVES IN UTAH.

GESTAPO SO LEASE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> NATIONAL CITY IS OPENING ITS FIRST HOMELESS SHELTER.

OUR REPORTER SAYS THE NEW NEWS MARKS AN EXPANSION OF THE SERVICES MEANT TO HELP PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN SOUTH COUNTY.

>> THE SHELTER IS CALLED THE SOUTH COUNTY LIGHTHOUSE ON EUCLID AVENUE ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE CITY AND IT'S RUN BY THE NONPROFIT SAN DIEGO RESCUE MISSION IT WILL GIVE PEOPLE FOOD, JOB TRAINING AND THE PLACE TO SLEEP FOR 30 DAYS AND GIVE THEM OPTIONS TO MOVE ON TO SOMEWHERE ELSE LIKE THE RESCUE MISSIONS LONG-TERM RECOVERY CENTER IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO AND EVEN THOUGH THE ORGANIZATION IS A FAITH-BASED CHRISTIAN NONPROFIT, OFFICIALS WILL NOT REQUIRE ANYONE TO TAKE PART IN RELIGIOUS ACTIVITIES.

NATIONAL CITY'S LEADERS SAID THE PROJECT HAD BEEN SEVERAL YEARS IN THE MAKING.

>> THIS BEGAN HAPPENING 3-4 YEARS AGO WITH THE PREVIOUS COUNSEL BUT I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL.

>> THE NATIONAL CITY CITY COUNCILMEMBER LIVES DOWN THE STREET FROM THE SHELTER AND WHEN PERMITS FOR THE PROJECT WERE BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL IN 2021, BUSH SAID HE RALLIED NEIGHBORS TO INCREASE SUPPORT.

>> YOU DON'T FIND MANY ELECTED LEADERS THAT LIVE NEXT TO HOMELESS SHELTERS THAT ACTUALLY SUPPORT IT BUT THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO BECAUSE IT'S ALMOST CRISIS.

IT'S NEEDED WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS.

THE RESCUE MISSION OFFICIALS SAID THAT THE SHELTER WAS FOUNDED BY PRIVATE DONORS AND WILL NOT RELY ON ANY PUBLIC DOLLARS BUT SHELTER STAFF WILL WORK WITH THE NATIONAL CITY'S OUTREACH CASEWORKERS TO ADMIT NEW CLIENTS.

ROSIE VASQUEZ IS AN ADVOCATE FOR THE SHELTER COMMUNITY AND SAYS THAT THE NEWS IS A BIG DEAL.

BEFORE THIS, THE SOUTH THEY HAD ALMOST NO WHERE PEOPLE COULD GO FOR EMERGENCY HOUSING.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT A PILOT PROGRAM, WE ARE LOOKING AT A PROGRAMMING THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN IMPLEMENTED AND THAT THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO FIND SUCCESS WITH.

THAT IS VERY ENCOURAGING FOR WHAT THEY WILL DO HERE IN THE SOUTH BAY.

>> THE SOUTH COUNTY LIGHTHOUSE IS ACCEPTING UP TO 75 PEOPLE AND BY THE END OF THE YEAR THEY HOPE TO HOUSE MORE THAN 160.

>>> FATHER JOE'S VILLAGES OFFERS PRESCHOOL TO PARENTS LIVING AT THE SHELTER.

OUR REPORTER ATTENDED THE WORLD'S CUTEST GRADUATION.

>> Reporter: THE GRADUATES WRIGGLE IN THREE-FOOT GALLONS END CAPS.

LIBERTY STARTED AT FATHER JOE'S THERE PETER CHILDCARE CENTER IN DIAPERS, SCRIBBLING.

NOW ALMOST FOUR SHE'S POTTY TRAINED AND BEGINNING TO TRACE HER OWN NAME.

HER MOM, AMBER, SHE CHEERS HER ON AS SHE ACCEPT HER DIPLOMA.

>> MY FATHER HER FATHER PASSED AWAY A FEW YEARS AGO.

>> Reporter: THE CHILDCARE LET AMBER LUCKY WORK ON GETTING SOBER, GRADUATE FROM A PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM, GET CERTIFIED AS A PEER SUPPORT SPECIALIST AND EVENTUALLY FIND HOUSING.

IT TAUGHT LIBERTY SOCIAL SKILLS.

HOW TO BE IN A CLASSROOM AND CONFIDENT.

>> SHE SO SMART AND SHE'S USING BIG WORDS.

WITHIN TWO WEEKS OF DOING TK READINESS SHE SAYS THINGS LIKE, I GOT AN INSTRUMENT.

IT WAS A BIG WORD AND THEY JUST KEPT COMING.

>> Reporter: LIBERTIES FAVORITE PART OF PRESCHOOL.

>> PLAYING WITH PLATO.

ME AND MICHAEL.

>> Reporter: MICHAEL IS HER BEST FRIEND AND HE LEADS THE CLASS IN THE FINAL PERFORMANCE.

>> WE ARE THE WORLD.

WE ARE THE CHILDREN.

>> Reporter: KATIE HEISMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A NORMAL HEIGHTS NONPROFIT IS HELPING STUDENTS TURN FOUND OBJECTS INTO ART AND GETTING SANDY AGAN'S A CHANCE TO DONATE AND PURCHASE SECONDHAND SUPPLIES.

OUR REPORTER STOPPED BY ART FORMS SUMMER CAMP.

>> Reporter: CAMPERS ARE BUILDING ART INSIDE OF THESE BOXES.

THE BEADS BECOME SCULPTURES AND VASES.

THE MATERIALS THAT THEY USE ARE SECONDHAND FROM THE BEADS, BUTTONS, THE PAINT AND PASTELS.

AARON PENNELL SOUNDED ART FOR MORE THAN A DECADE AGO.

SHE SAYS THE GOAL IS TO MAKE ART EDUCATION MORE ACCESSIBLE AS WELL AS ECO-FRIENDLY.

>> THE IMPETUS WAS TO START AN ART STUDIO WHERE THE KIDS COULD COME OUT ON FIELD TRIPS AND COULD FEEL AT HOME AND FEEL LIKE THEY HAD A SAFE AND OPEN SPACE WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF MATERIALS AS WELL AS A PROCESS WHERE THEY COULD FIND SOMETHING THAT WORKS FOR THEM.

>> THEY ACCEPT DONATIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES.

SOME GET USED AT SUMMER CAMPS AND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSES DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR.

OTHERS ARE SOLD AT OUR FORM STORE DOWN ADAMS AVENUE THE PROCEEDS FROM THIS HELP WITH CLASSES IN COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

LILY ANNA HAGAN BEGAN GOING TO OUR CAMP IN FIRST GRADE AND NOW AT 19 SHE'S A STAFF MEMBER.

SHE SAYS DONATED MATERIALS GIVE ARTISTS THE FREEDOM TO TRY OUT MATERIALS THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE BOUGHT THEMSELVES.

>> PAINT IS EXPENSIVE, CAMPUS IS EXPENSIVE .

AS SOMEONE WHO IS A STUDENT I ALWAYS WANT TO CHALLENGE MYSELF WITH THESE PROJECTS WHICH REQUIRES NEW MATERIALS.

>> THE STORES INVENTORY OF DONATED FABRIC, YARN, PAPER , OTHER SUPPLIES IT'S ALWAYS CHANGING.

VOLUNTEERS LIKE PATTY FINN HELPED TO ORGANIZE.

>> I ASKED WHAT THEY WERE WORKING ON.

WE EXCHANGE IDEAS .

EVERYONE LEAVES WITH A SMILE.

IT'S THE ONLY PLACE I HAVE EVER WORKED WHERE PEOPLE LEAVE BECAUSE THEY ARE THRILLED WITH WHAT THEY FOUND FOR REALLY GOOD PRICE.

>> Reporter: THEY'VE DIVERTED 20 TIMES OF REUSABLE MATERIAL SO FAR THIS YEAR.

>>> YOU COULD GET A LIST OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES EVERY FRIDAY AS A NEWSLETTER.

SIGN UP AT >>> YOU COULD GET A LIST OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES EVERY FRIDAY AS A NEWSLETTER.

SIGN UP@TRAN01.ORG.

HERE IS WHAT IS ON SOME OF THIS WEEK'S LIST.

>>> CALIFORNIA'S UNCLAIMED BOTTLE DEPOSITS HIT $828 MILLION AS RECYCLING CENTERS CLOSE.

A STUDY SAYS A WATER TRANSFER DEAL IS RAISING DUST AND DRAINING THE SALTON SEA.

THEY WILL CHARGE BUSINESSES FOR OUTDOOR PARK LET'S.

WE WILL HAVE THAT STORE A LITTLE LATER.

>>> 73% OF PARENTS REPORT HIGHER SOCIAL MEDIA USE AMONG THEIR CHILDREN AND ANOTHER STATES ACCORDING TO A RECENT INSTITUTION SURVEY.

THE U.S.

SURGEON GENERAL ADVOCATED FOR SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO CARRY WARNING LABELS.

OUR HEALTH REPORTER HEIDI TO MARKER SPOKE WITH MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS WHO SEE THIS AS A POSITIVE STEP FORWARD.

>> Reporter: CONCERNS ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA'S IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH ARE GROWING.

ON MONDAY THE U.S.

SURGEON GENERAL CALLED ON CONGRESS TO INQUIRE A WARNING FOR VISITORS TO SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS, SIMILAR TO THOSE ON CIGARETTES OR ALCOHOL.

ASSOCIATING THE SITES WITH SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH HARMS FOR ADOLESCENTS.

WHILE THE SURGEON GENERAL CANNOT ENFORCE POLICY CHILD PSYCHIATRIST DOCTOR WILLOW JENKINS HOPES THAT THE ANNOUNCEMENT COULD INFLUENCE PUBLIC OPINION ON THE ISSUE.

>> TAKING SUCH A STRONG STEP WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR CHILDREN AND OUR SCHOOLTEACHERS .

OUR COMMUNITIES AS WELL AS HOW WE COULD SUPPORT CHILDREN WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

>> IT'S UNCLEAR HOW THE WARNINGS WOULD LOOK AND WHETHER THEY WOULD BE EFFECTIVE BUT JENKINS SAYS THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

WITHIN THE LAST SIX YEARS, SCREENING FOR SOCIAL MEDIA USAGE FOR HER PATIENTS HAS BECOME THE STANDARD.

>> FOR EVERY CHILD THAT I SEE WE TALK ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA.

THIS ALWAYS PLAYS A PART IN WHAT IS GOING ON FOR THEM.

>> IN RECENT BROOKINGS INSTITUTION SURVEYS THEY FOUND 71% OF LATINO PARENTS REPORT HEAVY SOCIAL MEDIA USE AMONG THEIR CHILDREN AGES 10-18.

76% SAY THAT A WARNING WOULD PROMPT THEM TO LIMIT THEIR CHILDREN'S USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

JENKINS SAYS SOCIAL MEDIA CAN IMPACT THINGS DIFFERENTLY.

>> IN SAN DIEGO WE HAVE A LARGE PORTION OF BOTH BLACK AND LATINO CHILDREN AND THEY ARE USING SOCIAL MEDIA.

THEY ARE ENGAGING WITH IT.

SOMETIMES IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> JENKINS SAYS WHILE IT COULD HELP THEM CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY THEY COULD FACE HIGHER RATES OF ONLINE BULLYING.

JENKINS SAYS THE MOST IMPACTFUL CHANGES COULD BEGIN AT HOME.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION THEY WOULD BE CONFRONTED WITH THAT THEY ARE NOT READY FOR.

WE ENCOURAGE FAMILIES TO WAIT TO GET THEIR CHILDREN ON SOCIAL MEDIA UNTIL AT LEAST AGE 13.

>> AS CONGRESS CONSIDERS THE SURGEON GENERAL'S RECOMMENDATIONS, JENKINS ADVISES PARENTS TO TALK OPENLY WITH THEIR CHILDREN AND SET SCREEN TIME LIMITS AS WELL AS ENCOURAGE HEALTHY DIGITAL HABITS.

>>> THEY STUCK AROUND BECOMING A DRAW FOR OUTDOOR DINING.

THEY COULD BECOME A VICTIM OF THEIR OWN SUCCESS IN ONE CITY.

ALEXANDER WYNN HAS REACTION FROM ENCINITAS.

FOR DOWNTOWN ENCINITAS IS BUSTLING WITH RESTAURANT GOERS AND SHOPPERS.

PATIO SEATING IS A POPULAR OPTION BUT THESE PATIOS THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE A TEMPORARY SOLUTION HAVE BECOME A FIXTURE IN THE CITY.

>> PEOPLE WANT TO BE OUTSIDE .

>> THIS IS TRUE IN THE BEACH TOWN LIKE ENCINITAS BUT IN AUGUST OF THE RESTAURANTS AND BARS WILL HAVE TO PAY THE FEE TO KEEP THESE PARTS.

APPROVED BY THE ENCINITAS CITY COUNCIL LAST WEEK, THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY A FEE OF $2.50 FOR THE LOSS OF PARKING SPACES.

ONE COMPANY OWNER SUPPORTS THE FEE.

>> I WOULD PREFER THERE WOULD BE NO FEE BUT I'M A REALIST AND IF YOU WANT SOMETHING THAT'S GOT VALUE IT SHOULD BE PAID FOR.

IT'S VALUABLE TO THE CITY.

>> THEY'VE ADDED 60% CAPACITY TO THE TASTING ROOM AND DOWN THE STREET AT CAKE HAS DISPENSARY THE GENERAL MANAGER SAYS THE PARK OUTLETS HELP INCREASE TRAFFIC TO HER STORE.

>> THEY COULD EASE THEIR WAY INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Reporter: THIS COMES AFTER A YEAR OF MOUNTING FRUSTRATION WITH OTHER BUSINESSES HAVING A LACK OF PARKING SPACES.

>> THE ENCINITAS BARBERSHOP , BUSINESS IS DOWN 40-60% BECAUSE OF THE PARK LET'S.

>> I'VE GOT 40% TO 50% ON THE WEEKDAYS .

50% TO 60% ON THE WEEKENDS.

>> THERE'S 27 OUTDOOR DINING PARK SPOTS TAKING OF THE HEALTHY PARKING SPOTS THE CITY IS LOOKING AT OPTIONS TO MAKE THESE PERMANENT.

>>> THE CITY EXTENDED THE DEADLINE FOR YOUTH SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO APPLY FOR DISCOUNTED TRANSIT PASSES.

OUR REPORTER HAS MORE ON WHO IS ELIGIBLE AND HOW TO APPLY.

>> THE SAN DIEGO METROPOLITAN TRANSIT SYSTEM REMINDS REDUCED FARE RECIPIENTS TO VERIFY THEIR ELIGIBILITY.

REDUCED FARES ARE AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE 65 YEARS AND OLDER.

MEDICARE RECIPIENTS, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND YOUTH.

TO GET REDUCED FARES THE WRITERS NEED TO VERIFY THEIR ELIGIBILITY EITHER ONLINE OR AT THE MTS TRANSIT STORE OR NORTH COUNTY TRANSIT DISTRICT CUSTOMER CENTERS.

THE MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR MARK OLSON SAYS THEY'VE EXTENDED THE DEADLINE FROM JUNE 30 UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30.

>> THE REASON WE ARE GOING TO THIS PROCESS IS THAT WE LAUNCHED OUR NEW FARE COLLECTION SYSTEM CALLED PRONTO IN 2021 AND WHEN THAT LAUNCHED WE HAD A SHORT TIMELINE TO CONVERT THOUSANDS OF ACCOUNTS FROM THE OLD COMPASS SYSTEM TO THE NEW PRONTO SYSTEM.

WITH THAT, WE WERE GOING ON THE HONOR SYSTEM TO ALLOW PEOPLE GETTING REDUCED FARES LIKE YOUTH PASSES OR SENIOR PASSES.

>> MTS HAS VERIFIED MORE THAN 18,000 ACCOUNTS BUT ESTIMATE THAT THERE IS STILL 6000 SENIORS AND 19,000 YOUTH WHO NEED TO BE VERIFIED.

IF THEY DON'T, THEIR CARDS WILL SWITCH TO ADULT PASS AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER DOUBLING THE COST OF A DAY PASS FROM THREE DOLLARS TO SIX DOLLARS AND A ONE-WAY TRIP FROM $1.25 TO $2.50.

THOSE LOOKING TO APPLY FOR OR RENEW TO REDUCE FARE COUNT ME NEED TO SUBMIT A GOVERNMENT ISSUED ID OR VERIFICATION DOCUMENT.

MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ONLINE.

>>> ONE WAY TO STAY CAUGHT UP WITH KPBS NEWS IS THE SAN DIEGO NEWS NOW PODCAST.

A MIXTURE OF HEADLINES AND STORIES FROM OUR REPORTERS, SUBSCRIBING GET A NEW EPISODE EVERY WEEKDAY MORNING.

WE HOPE THAT YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT THE NEWS THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.