>>> THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT THE BEST REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

COMING UP, SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC IS SITTING ON NEARLY $1 BILLION IN PROFIT JUST IN THE PAST YEAR.

HEAR FROM CRITICS WHO SAY CUSTOMERS ARE PAYING THE PRICE.

>>> HEALING THROUGH POETRY WITH MENTAL HEALTH.

A GROWING CONCERN AMONG CHILDREN SEE WHAT'S BEING DONE TO HELP THEM EXPRESS THEIR EMOTIONS IN AN ARTISTIC WAY.

>>> NOT ALL LOCAL CITIES ARE APPROACHING HOMELESSNESS THE SAME WAY.

WHY ESCONDIDO IS EMBRACING A PUBLIC SAFETY FIRST MODEL.

>>> WE HAVE A LOT OF ELECTION NEWS THIS WEEK.

TUESDAY NIGHT WE WILL HAVE LIFE COVERAGE WHERE THE RESULTS START COMING IN.

A LOT OF VOTERS WILL BE STUDYING THE CANDIDATES AND ISSUES INCLUDING IN SAN DIEGO'S COUNCIL DISTRICT NUMBER NINE AS JOHN CARROLL REPORTS THAT'S WHERE THE CURRENT CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT IS RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION.

>> DEMOCRAT SEAN ELO-RIVERA HAS REPRESENTED DISTRICT NINE SINCE 2020.

THIS TIME AROUND HE'S FACING DEMOCRAT TERRY HOSKINS AND INDEPENDENT FERNANDO GARCIA.

>> I UNDERSTAND WHY ANY CONSTITUENT IN ANY PERSON LIVING IN THE CITY WOULD SAY WE ARE NOT DOING WELL ENOUGH.

>> WE SPOKE WITH ILA RIVERA IN HIS DISTRICT.

IT WAS DAYS AFTER THE TORRENTIAL DAMAGING STORM OF JANUARY 22nd AND THE DESTRUCTION THAT BROUGHT TO NEIGHBORHOODS IN HIS DISTRICT WAS VERY MUCH ON HIS MIND.

>> WE HAVE WAY MORE PEOPLE THAN FOLKS REALIZE WHO ARE PICKING UP THE PIECES OR TRYING TO PICK UP THE PIECES AND I THINK WE HAVE A LEGITIMATE DISASTER IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE CITY.

THAT'S GOING TO NEED TO BE A TOP PRIORITY AS WELL.

>> ELO-RIVERA MAKES IT CLEAR ADVOCATING FOR PEOPLE WHO STRUGGLE TO GET BY IS HIS TOP PRIORITY.

THAT MEANS FINDING SOLUTIONS TO HOMELESSNESS IS AT THE TOP OF THE LIST.

>> WITH THAT, THAT MEANS HOUSING IS ALSO MY TOP PRIORITY.

THOSE ISSUES GO HAND-IN-HAND.

YOU CANNOT SEPARATE HOMELESSNESS FROM HOUSING.

>> CURRENTLY OUR CURRENT CITY COUNCIL LACKS LEADERSHIP, SPECIFICALLY INDUSTRY NINE.

>> HAS OPPOSITION TO HOW ELO- RIVERA DOES HIS JOB ASIDE, INDEPENDENT FERNANDO GARCIA AGREES WITH THE INCUMBENT ABOUT WHAT HE SEES AS THE DISTRICT'S MOST PRESSING ISSUE.

>> I WOULD SAY HOMELESSNESS AND THEN ALSO HOUSING OR DEVELOPMENT .

IN TERMS OF HOMELESSNESS, I FEEL A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL WE HAVE A POLICY OF ENABLEMENT AS OPPOSED TO EMPOWERMENT, MEANING THAT THE STREET SHOULD NOT BE AN OPTION WHEN IT COMES TO PEOPLE BEING UNHOUSED.

>> GARCIA LEFT HIS CAREER IN FINANCIAL SERVICES AND REAL ESTATE IN 2017 WHEN HE FORMED A COMPANY CALLED SCHOOL SOLAR WHICH SPECIALIZES IN GETTING SOLAR PANELS ONTO SCHOOL ROOFS.

HE SAYS HIS BUSINESS IN REAL ESTATE BACKGROUND WILL HELP IN TACKLING HOMELESSNESS, SPECIFICALLY THROUGH THE USE OF A DU, SOMETIMES KNOWN AS GRANNY FLATS.

>> IF SOMEONE BUILDS ONE FOR 250,000 WHAT WE CAN DO IS EXEMPT THAT FROM THE PROPERTY TAX SO THEY DON'T PAY FOR THE ADDITIONAL PROPERTY TAX.

AS LONG AS THEY AGREE TO RENT IT AT AFFORDABLE RATES SO IT IS AN INCENTIVE TO THE HOMEOWNER, NOT THESE BIG BUILDERS OR DEVELOPERS -- >> I'VE BEEN SERVING THE NEEDS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT DISTRICT 9 FOR THE PAST 14 1/2 YEARS.

AS A SAN DIEGO POLICE OFFICER.

>> DR. TERRY HOSKINS DID 25 YEARS IN THE MARINE CORPS BEFORE BECOMING A SAN DIEGO POLICE OFFICER IN 2008.

HE RECENTLY RETIRED FROM THE FORCE.

HOSKINS SAYS HE WANTS TO CONTINUE SERVING THE PUBLIC ON THE CITY COUNCIL WHERE HE SAYS HIS TOP PRIORITY WOULD BE PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> THIS CURRENT ADMINISTRATION FOR DISTRICT 9 DOESN'T EVEN TALK TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AT ALL.

I WILL CHANGE THAT.

>> BOTH HOSKINS AND GARCIA SAY THEY AGREE WITH COUNCILMEMBERS WHO CRITICIZED ELO-RIVERA'S LEADERSHIP AS COUNCIL PRESIDENT .

HE WAS RECENTLY RE-ELECTED TO THE POSITION BY HIS FELLOW COUNCILMEMBERS, BUT ONLY BY ONE VOTE.

>> MAJORITY OF THE COMMUNITY THAT I INTERACT WITH AND ALL THE COMMUNITY MEETINGS, ALL OF THE PLANNING GROUP MEETINGS, THEY FEEL THEY'VE GOT NO REPRESENTATION.

>> EVEN IN DISTRICT 9 HE'S REALLY ALIENATING A LOT OF NEIGHBORHOODS HERE BY NOT SHOWING UP TO MEETINGS OR JUST BEING DISMISSIVE OF THEIR CONCERNS.

>> ELO-RIVERA SAYS SINCE BEEN RE-ELECTED TO THE COUNCIL PRESIDENCY HE HAS REACHED OUT TO ALL HIS COLLEAGUES ON THE COUNCIL FOR THEIR THOUGHTS ON HOW THEY CAN ALL WORK BETTER TOGETHER.

HE SAYS THAT DOESN'T MEAN GOVERNING THE CITY THE WAY IT'S BEEN GOVERNED IN THE PAST.

THE TOP TWO FINISHERS IN THE PRIMARY WILL FACE EACH OTHER IN NOVEMBER AS GENERAL ELECTION.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM IS NOT ON THE BALLOT THIS TIME AROUND, BUT ONE OF HIS PRIORITIES IS.

PROPOSITION 1 WOULD BRING MAJOR CHANGE TO THE WAY CALIFORNIA DEALS WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH ASPECT OF HOMELESSNESS.

MELISSA MAE WAS THERE AS NEWSOM BROUGHT HIS CAMPAIGN TO SAN DIEGO AND ALSO TALKED WITH OPPONENTS.

>> 6.38 BILLION DOLLARS.

11,150 NEW UNITS, TREATMENT BEDS, 26,000 OUTPATIENT BEDS.

>> CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM SAYS A YES VOTE ON THIS MEASURE WOULD HELP PEOPLE EXPERIENCING MENTAL HEALTH CRISES GET PROPER TREATMENT AND WOULD EXPAND MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION SERVICES FOR TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CALIFORNIANS.

>> IT'S ABOUT YOU.

EVERYONE.

NOT JUST ABOUT THOSE CAREGIVERS AND PROFESSIONALS THAT WILL BE SUPPORTED WITH UNPRECEDENTED WORKFORCE INVESTMENTS BECAUSE OF PROPOSITION 1, BUT IT'S ABOUT YOU.

>> I'VE BECOME HOMELESS, UNEMPLOYED, UNEMPLOYABLE.

IF YOU DON'T REALIZE BEING HOMELESS CREATES ITS OWN SCENT OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND STRUGGLES.

>> AIR FORCE VETERAN SANDY BORUM SAYS AS A RESIDENT OF VETERANS VILLAGE OF SAN DIEGO IN 1999 SHE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF SEVERAL PROGRAMS SHE DESCRIBES AS SIMILAR TO THOSE PROPOSITION 1 WOULD FUND.

>> THERE IS NOTHING EXTRAORDINARY ABOUT ME.

WHAT'S EXTRAORDINARY ARE THE SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED TO ME.

ORDINARY PEOPLE LIKE ME HAVE EXTRAORDINARY ODDS.

>> THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION OPPOSES PROPOSITION 1.

EVEN GUERRA WITH SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA'S DIGNITY FOR ALL PROJECT CALLS IT A BROKEN PROMISE.

>> PROPOSITION 1 WOULD IMPOSE A NEW $6.4 BILLION BOND TO PRIMARILY FUND FORCED TREATMENT IN INSTITUTIONALIZATION SO THIS FUNDING WOULD GO TO INPATIENT LOCKED AND UNLOCKED FACILITIES WHICH ARE REALLY THE MOST EXPENSIVE AND LEAST EFFECTIVE FORM OF MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

>> PROPOSITION 1 WILL COST THOUSANDS OF CALIFORNIANS TO LOSE ACCESS TO LIFE-SAVING MENTAL HEALTH CARE AS THAT FUNDING WOULD BE PUT INTO HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE UNSHELTERED.

>> IT WOULD PROVIDE HOUSING FOR ONLY ABOUT 3% OF THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CALIFORNIANS WHO ARE UNHOUSED ON ANY GIVEN DAY.

THAT NUMBER IS A SMALL FRACTION OF CALIFORNIANS WHO BECAME UNHOUSED OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR.

>>> THE KPBS MOTOR HUB IS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH.

WE HAVE DETAILS ON VOTING LOCATIONS AND STORIES FROM OUR NEWSROOM ALL IN ONE PLACE.

LOOK FOR THE MOTOR HUB LINK ON OUR HOMEPAGE KPBS.ORG.

JANUARY'S FLOODING ADD ANOTHER CHALLENGE TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK TO MOBILIZE VOTERS AND BOOST TURNOUT.

ALLIANCE SAN DIEGO IS WORKING TO MEET THEIR GOALS.

HERE IS MELISSA MAE.

>> NORMALLY, LEADING UP TO ELECTION DAY, ALLIANCE SAN DIEGO, A LOCAL NONPROFIT THAT EMPOWERS UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO VOTE, IS BUSY CONTACTING RESIDENTS ABOUT VOTING RESOURCES.

>> EVERY CALL, KNOCK AND TEXT IS GETTING TO PEOPLE AND GETTING THEM INFORMATION THEY NEED.

>> I'M CALLING FROM ALLIANCE AND EGO.

>> THEY ARE STILL DOING THAT BUT THEY JANUARY FLOODING HAS SUBMERGED SOME OF THEIR OPERATIONS.

>> TRYING TO FIND PEOPLE HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE.

OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO OUR DEMOCRACY AND IS PARTICIPATING IN THESE ELECTIONS.

>> ALLIANCE SAN DIEGO'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ANDREA GUERRERO TALKS ABOUT THEIR BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF GETTING PEOPLE TO VOTE RIGHT NOW.

>> WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE HAVING THE INFORMATION THEY NEED IN ORDER TO VOTE.

RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT A ROOF OVER THEIR HEAD SO I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT.

THEY ARE ALSO NOT AT THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE TO RECEIVE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ELECTION.

>> ON TOP OF THIS, ALLIANCES CIVIC ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR WALKS US THROUGH ANOTHER MAJOR OBSTACLE THEY'VE HAD TO OVERCOME.

>> AS YOU CAN TELL FROM THE REST OF OUR BUILDING, WE HAVE LOST A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT.

YOU CAN SEE THROUGH THE ENTIRE BUILDING.

>> THE ENTIRE FIRST FLOOR FLOODED CAUSING ABOUT $100,000 IN DAMAGES SHE SAYS.

THEY MOVED THEIR WHOLE VOTING OPERATION TO THE SECOND FLOOR.

>> WE ARE ALSO TEXTING PEOPLE TO TRY TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE EVERYTHING THEY NEED TO GO OUT AND VOTE.

THEY ARE ALSO ON SOCIAL MEDIA ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO VOTE.

ALLIANCE CANVASSERS ARE GOING DOOR TO DOOR TO COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY THE FLOODING AND TWO HOTELS WHERE MANY DISPLACED SAN DIEGO ENDS ARE TEMPORARILY STAYING, ENCOURAGING RESIDENTS WORRIED ABOUT BASIC NEEDS TO TAKE TIME TO ALSO VOTE.

>> IF YOU ARE ANGRY ABOUT HOW THE CITY IS RESPONDING IN THESE FLOODS THE BEST WAY TO CHANNEL THAT ANGER IS TO VOTE.

WE HAVE HEARD FROM A LOT OF RESIDENCE IN THE EFFECTIVE COMMUNITIES HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO THEM, RIGHT NOW, TO VOTE.

>> IF YOU DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO YOUR MAIL-IN BALLOT CHAVEZ EXPLAINS HOW YOU CAN STILL MAKE ABOUT.

>> VOTE AT A VOTING CENTER STARTING THIS SATURDAY.

VAUX CAN VOTE AT CERTAIN CENTERS UNTIL ELECTION DAY AND THEY CAN ACTUALLY VOTE AT MORE THAN 200 VOTING CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTIES.

>> TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR VOTING OPTIONS AND TO FIND A VOTING CENTER NEAR YOU GO TO SD VOTE.COM.

MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> KPBS WILL HAVE ELECTION NIGHT COVERAGE ON ALL OUR PLATFORMS.

THAT INCLUDES A SPECIAL BROADCAST TUESDAY AT 10 P.M.

HOSTED BY MYSELF.

YOU CAN WATCH ON KPBS OR STREAM IT ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

>>> ESCONDIDO HAS ADOPTED A CONTROVERSIAL POLICY ON HOMELESSNESS.

IT REJECTS HOUSING FIRST MODEL.

KPBS REPORTER JACOB SAYS INSTEAD IT TAKES A TOUGH ON CRIME APPROACH.

>> I'M ASKING YOU TO CONSIDER NOT HARMONIZING HOMELESSNESS.

>> RESIDENT AND SOCIAL WORKER KIMBERLY WALKER WAS ONE OF A SMALL GROUP OF PUBLIC COMMENTERS WHO VOICED CONCERNS ABOUT THE POLICY BEFORE THE VOTE.

>> YOU'RE MAKING ALL OF THE HOMELESS SOUND LIKE ATTICS.

THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

A LOT OF THE HOMELESS THAT ARE HERE IN ESCONDIDO TODAY OUR FAMILIES.

THEY ARE FAMILIES OF TWO WORKING ADULTS THAT MAKE MINIMUM WAGE.

>> ESCONDIDO MARY DANE WHITE AND JOE GARCIA DRAFTED THE NEW POLICY STATEMENT WHICH SAYS IT PUBLIC SAFETY FOR CHIPPERS.

THAT IS PROVEN INEFFECTIVE AND UNSUSTAINABLE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SENIORS.

WE ASKED WHITE FOR AN INTERVIEW BUT HE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

IN 2022, HE TOLD KPBS HE HAS LIVED EXPERIENCE WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND BEING HOMELESS.

GARCIA DID TALK TO US.

HE SAYS THIS POLICY TRIES TO BALANCE COMPASSION AND ENFORCEMENT.

>> AS PART OF THE POLICY WE DESIGN SPECIFIC AREAS WE WERE GOING TO WORK WITH.

IT'S ANOTHER THING WE WOULD LIKE TO DO.

WITH HOTSPOTS, WHERE ARE THE AREAS WE HAVE MORE HOMELESS POPULATION, WARRING COMMITMENTS.

>> DURING WEDNESDAY'S MEETING WHITE AND GARCIA BOTH REITERATED STATISTICS, DRUG ABUSE ISSUES AND MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS IN THE CITY'S HOMELESS POPULATION.

>> IF THIS POLICY DOESN'T CREATE MORE PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO GO WE WON'T BE MAKING ANY PROGRESS.

>> GREG ANGELL IS THE CEO OF INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES WHICH IS THE LARGEST HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDER IN THE CITY.

HE ATTENDED THE MEETING AS IN CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THE POLICY COULD IMPACT HIS ORGANIZATION.

>> THE REALITY IS, IN ESCONDIDO THERE ARE NO AVAILABLE SHELTER BEDS.

THE TREATMENT BEDS ARE FULL.

THERE ARE NOT PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO GO.

>> THE POLICY STATEMENT STRESSES THE NEED TO HELP ESCONDIDO SPECIFIC UNSHELTERED POPULATION BEFORE HELPING HOMELESS RESIDENTS FROM OTHER AREAS.

GARCIA ADMITS THE CITY'S BUDGET DEFICIT COULD AND CHALLENGES.

>> AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE LOOKING AT CREATIVE WAYS.

HOW WE CAN PUT SHELTERS, AVAILABLE BEDS IN ESCONDIDO OR OTHER MEANS OF WHERE THEY CAN BE SAFE AND PROTECTED FROM THE ELEMENTS.

>> THE 2023 POINT AND TIME COUNT FOUND 304 UNHOUSED PEOPLE IN ESCONDIDO.

IT'S THE LARGEST POPULATION OF HOMELESS RESIDENTS IN NORTH COUNTY.

THE CITY'S NEW POLICY PASSED ON A 4-1 VOTE.

>>> WE HAVE ANOTHER STORY FROM THE NORTH COUNTY.

THE CITY OF VISTA IS WORKING ON A CANNABIS POLICY THAT FOCUSES ON EQUITY.

ALEXANDER WYNN REPORTS ON SOME RECOMMENDATIONS THE CITY IS GETTING.

>> TWO YEARS AGO, THE CITY OF VISTA COMMISSIONED A CANNABIS EQUITY ASSESSMENT TO SEE HOW CANNABIS RELATED INDUSTRIES COULD BE MANAGED EQUITABLY ESPECIALLY FOR COMMUNITIES HARMED BY THE WAR ON DRUGS.

THERE ARE CURRENTLY 11 DISPENSARIES IN VISTA BUT THE CITY ISN'T LOOKING TO OPEN MORE, RATHER THAN REPORT IS PREPARATION FOR WHEN THE CITY CONSIDERS OTHER TYPES OF CANNABIS BUSINESSES SUCH AS LOUNGES AND FARMS.

LOOKING AT CITY DATA FROM 2014 TO 2023 THE REPORT FOUND THAT PEOPLE WERE DISPROPORTIONATELY ARRESTED FOR CANNABIS RELATED CRIMES COMPARED TO THE WHITE COUNTERPARTS.

>> NEARLY TWO TIMES THE REPRESENTATION.

>> KYLE IS THE CANNABIS POLICY EXPERT AND CONSULTANT GROUP WHICH CONSULTED THE STUDY.

HE SAYS GOING BACK TO 1991 IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY BLACK PEOPLE WERE MORE THAN FIVE TIMES AS LIKELY AS WHITES TO BE ARRESTED FOR POT.

LATINOS WERE NEARLY THREE TIMES AS LIKELY.

>> WHAT THAT SHOWS US IS THIS DISPROPORTIONATE ARREST RATES FOR THESE DEMOGRAPHIC AND ETHNIC GROUPS.

>> AMONG RECOMMENDATIONS, THE CITY SHOULD PROVIDE FINANCIAL REPORT FROM FEE WAIVERS TO BUSINESS GRANTS.

ALSO PROVIDE TECHNICAL SUPPORT, SUGGEST A CURRICULUM FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT THE BUSINESS AND THE LAWS AND REGULATIONS AROUND IT.

IN THE REPORT, HE MAPPED THE AREA WHERE ARRESTS HAPPENED AND A LOT OF IT WAS IN DISTRICT 1 WHICH IS KARINA CONTRIVANCES DISTRICT.

SHE SAYS SHE WASN'T SURPRISED.

>> IS ALSO A HEAVILY LATINO AREA.

WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF CONCERNS IN DISTRICT ONE HAVEN'T BEEN ADDRESSED.

EVERYTHING FROM INCOMPLETE INFRASTRUCTURE 10 NOW LOOKING AT HOW CANNABIS SOCIAL EQUITY REALLY CAN BE IMPLEMENTED IN A BETTER WAY TO BUILD COMMUNITY AND BUILD MORE PROSPERITY.

>> THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WILL NOW DRAFT A POLICY FOR THEM TO REVIEW AT A LATER DATE.

>>> AT KPBS.ORG YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS INCLUDING OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES.

HERE ARE SOME FROM THIS WEEK.

MIGRANTS ARE BEING LEFT ON SAN DIEGO STREETS AFTER A COUNTY FUNDED WELCOME CENTER CLOSES.

MOMENTUM IS BUILDING FOR A NEW NATIONAL MONUMENT NEAR THE SALTON SEA AND SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC MAKE NEARLY $1 BILLION IN PROFIT LAST YEAR.

WE HAVE THAT STORY A LITTLE BIT LATER ON.

IN RECENT YEARS, MENTAL HEALTH HAS BECOME A LARGER ISSUE ON LOCAL SCHOOL CAMPUSES.

ONE SCHOOL IN CLAIREMONT MESA IS TURNING TO POETRY AS AN OUTLET TO HELP STUDENTS EXPRESS THEIR EMOTIONS.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER TELLS US ABOUT THE NEW CURRICULUM PROMOTING POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH.

>> SOMETHING KIND, WEIRD AND WILD.

IT'S ABOUT TO HAPPEN IN THIS CLASSROOM AT HIGH TECH I MESA.

THESE NINTH GRADE STUDENTS ARE FILLED WITH CURIOSITY, CAUTION AND UNCERTAINTY.

>> TO DISCOVER WHO I AM AND WHERE I WANT TO BE AND FACE THESE DEMONS RUNNING ME.

>> MEET.

HE DESCRIBES HIMSELF AS A VISIONARY ARTIST WHO USES HIS CREATIVITY FOR SELF-AWARENESS AND EMOTIONAL REGULATION.

HE DOES ART AND MUSIC, BUT IT'S THE POWER OF HIS POETRY HE WILL USE TODAY.

>> YOU GOT TO SEE IT IN YOUR MIND AND CLIMB ONE STEP AT A TIME AND YOU'LL FIND YOU CHOOSE TO BE HAPPY.

IF YOUR LIFE IS CRAPPY YOU CAN SHAPE A NEW LIFE, BUT YOU BETTER MAKE IT SNAPPY.

>> IT'S NEVER BEEN SOMETHING THAT STOOD OUT TO ME AS AN ART FORM.

>> 15-YEAR-OLD FRESHMAN VINCENT WAS SKEPTICAL.

IT'S A HARD TURN FROM HIS LOVE OF PHYSICS TO POETRY, BUT HE'S OPEN TO LET HIS HEAD CONNECTED TO HIS HEART.

>> EVERYONE HAS HAD BAD THOUGHTS AND SELF-DESTRUCTIVE IDEAS IN THEIR MIND.

IT'S REALLY AWESOME TO SEE EXPRESSED IN WHAT LOOKS LIKE A POSITIVE WAY.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST IN A WEEKLY CLASS OF POETRY HEALING CURRICULUM.

KIND, WEIRD WILD IS THE INVITED HEADLINER OF POETS UNDERGROUND, A NONPROFIT ARTS COMMUNITY BORN ONLINE DURING THE COVID SHUTDOWN AND NOW EXPANDED TO WEEKLY OPEN MIC NIGHTS AND A SMALL POETRY PUBLISHING COMPANY.

IT IS OWNED AND OPERATED BY A MARRIED COUPLE, SUNNY RAY.

>> THE MISSION IS TO CREATE AND FOSTER HEALTHY INCLUSIVE COMMUNITIES FOR THE ARTS.

>> HER HUSBAND ANTHONY.

>> I DIDN'T HAVE ANYBODY TO TELL ME THIS IS HOW YOU DO THIS.

THIS IS ABC.

>> BOTH ARE PUBLISHED POETS, FORMER SINGLE PARENTS AND SURVIVORS.

SUNNY GREW UP UNHOUSED AND IN FOSTER CARE.

ANTHONY WAS AN ANGRY YOUNG BOY LOOKING FOR LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE.

THEY FOUND EACH OTHER AND BLENDED THEIR FAMILIES WITH FIVE CHILDREN COMBINED.

NOW THEY SHARE THEIR STORIES, TALENT AND HEALING WITH STUDENTS.

SUNNY CREATES THIS WAY.

>> CAN I TAKE A FEW BREATHS AS I'M WRITING THIS?

EVEN THE WAY POETRY IS WRITTEN IS WITHIN YOUR PARTICULAR BLUEPRINT THE WAY THAT YOU BREATHE BREAKS UP LINES.

YOU'RE ABLE TO KIND OF BREATHE THROUGH THE MOMENT.

>> ANTHONY BRINGS A SLOW LIGHT TO THE DARKNESS.

>> KEEPING EVERYBODY AND SILENCE AND PRETEND EVERYTHING IS FINE ISN'T GOING TO BE THE WAY WE HEAL.

WE BRING IT UP IN THESE FUN INTERACTIVE WAYS.

>> THE POETRY HEALING CLASS IS CREATED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LESSON PLANS FROM TEACHERS AS THEY ADDRESS THEIR STUDENTS MENTAL HEALTH.

HIGH TECH HIGH MESA IS THE FIRST POETS UNDERGROUND IS RAISING DONATIONS TO TAKE IT TO MORE SCHOOLS.

THE EXPERIMENT IS WORKING.

ACCORDING TO 14-YEAR-OLD LILY.

>> I LOVED IT.

I REALLY LIKED IT AND IT SHOCKED ME BECAUSE I WAS LIKE I FEEL LIKE THIS WAS TRUE POETRY.

IT WAS EXPRESSIVE.

>> FRESHMAN DANNY VALENTINE SAYS THE CLASS HAS ALREADY INSPIRED HER OWN WRITING.

>> WHEN YOU WRITE THINGS THAT HAS A BURDEN OR A HEAVINESS IT KIND OF HURTS TOO AND IT OR IT'S KIND OF A LIE TO AND IT IN A HAPPY OUTCOME WHEN THAT'S NOT WHERE YOU'RE AT.

>> IT TURNS OUT KIND, WEIRD AND WILD WORKS.

>> YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE?

WRITE SOMETHING DOWN AND READ IT BACK.

>>> THE ACADEMY AWARDS WILL SOON BE ANNOUNCED AND THIS WEEKEND THE CINEMA IS SHOWING TWO OF THE BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM NOMINEES PLUS ANOTHER THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A CONTENDER.

OUR CINEMA JUNKIE HAS THESE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR YOUR WEEKEND VIEWING.

>> IN THE TEACHERS LOUNGE, CARLA IS A YOUNG TEACHER WHO SEEMS TO HAVE A GOOD RAPPORT WITH HER STUDENTS.

SO, WHEN ONE IS SUSPECTED OF THEFT SHE TRIES TO CLEAR HIM.

FUELED BY IDEALISTIC FERVOR SHE CHALLENGES THE RACIAL STEREOTYPE SHE FEELS ARE IN PLAY.

THINGS ARE NOT SO SIMPLE.

HER GOOD INTENTIONS QUICKLY GO AWRY STIRRING THE IRE OF BOTH HER STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF HER ACTIONS SHAKE HER TO HER CORE.

THE FILM SUGGESTS IT CAN BE DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE THROUGH OUR MODERN WORLD EVEN WHEN DRIVEN BY GOOD INTENTIONS.

CARLA IS PRESENTED AS A COMPLEX, FLAWED, NAOVE AND BRAVE PERSON THAT WE CAN'T ALWAYS FIGURE OUT.

THE TEACHERS LOUNGE CREATES A STRESS FILLED NARRATIVE AND BUILDS TENSION IN WAYS THAT FEEL LIKE THE BEATS OF A HORROR FILM.

IT IS GRUELING BUT REWARDING.

ALSO NOMINATED FOR BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM OSCAR IS.

BEING A BORDER CITY, SAN DIEGO IS USED TO IMMIGRANT STORIES BUT INCREASINGLY ITALY'S FILMMAKERS ARE ALSO DRAWN TO THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE.

IN THIS CASE IT'S THE STORY OF TWO YOUNG BOYS FROM SENEGAL WHO DREAM OF A BETTER LIFE IN ITALY.

AS WITH PEOPLE TRYING TO CROSS THE BORDER, THE JOURNEY CAN BE EXPENSIVE, DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS.

IN THE CASE OF IO CAPITANO IT'S A HEARTBREAKING JOURNEY TO TEST THE COURAGE, STRENGTH AND COMPASSION OF THE BOY.

ALTHOUGH IT IS A STORY FIELD BY HOPE AND RESILIENCE ON ONE LEVEL IT REMINDS US THAT IMMIGRANTS WILL STILL FACE CHALLENGES AND DANGER ONCE THEY REACH ANOTHER COUNTRY.

MISSING FROM THE RANKS IS THE PROMISED LAND FEATURING AN AWARD WHERE THE PERFORMANCE MATS MICKELSON.

MICKELSON PLAYS A REAL SOLDIER WHO ARRIVES ON TO CULTIVATE THE LAND IN THE HOPES OF FINDING WEALTH AND HONOR.

HE FACES THE DUAL HARDSHIPS OF A HARSH LAND AND CRUEL NEIGHBORHOOD ARISTOCRAT WHO LOOKS DOWN ON THE FORMER SOLDIER.

FAIR WARNING, NONE OF THESE FILMS OFFER ANYTHING CONVENTIONALLY FEEL-GOOD.

ALL THREE HAVE SUCH INTENSE CARE THAT IT'S HARD TO TURN AWAY FROM THE SCREEN EVEN WHEN PEOPLE ARE AT THEIR WORST.

THE PROMISED LAND MAY DESERVE THE AWARD FOR DISPLAY IN THE MOST HORRIFIC OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR YET COMES WITH A MEASURE OF REVENGE.

ALL THREE OF THESE REMARKABLE FILMS DISPLAY PASSIONATE AND IMPRESSIVE SKILL FROM FOREIGN FILMMAKERS.

>>> YOU CAN FIND MORE COVERAGE AND ALL OF OUR FUTURE REPORTING ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

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

THE EARNINGS REPORT RELEASED THIS WEEK CAUSED A STIR AMONG THOSE WHO WANT TO REPLACE SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC.

ERIK ANDERSON REPORTS ON THE NUMBERS AND PUSHBACK.

>> 84-YEAR-OLD DOESN'T HAVE MUCH GOOD TO SAY WHEN SHE OPENS HER UTILITY BILL EACH MONTH.

>> I HEARD WHAT THEY DO.

THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING FOR SAN DIEGO.

THEY ONLY PROFIT, PROFIT, PROFIT.

>> SHE WAS AMONG A GROUP PROTESTING THEIR LATEST FINANCIAL REPORT.

THEY WERE HOPING TO TALK ABOUT SUBSIDIARY SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC PROPHETS, BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES THOSE NUMBERS WERE GROUPED TOGETHER WITH ANOTHER SUBSIDIARY, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS.

THEY EARNED JUST OVER $1.7 BILLION IN PROFITS IN 2023.

>> IT'S A SAFE BET THEY MAY HAVE EARNED 1 BILLION OR NEARLY $1 BILLION FROM SDG&E OVERALL AND PROBABLY CLOSE TO $450 MILLION FROM SDG&E OPERATIONS IN SAN DIEGO.

>> THEY HAD A PROFIT OF $936 MILLION LAST YEAR.

THAT'S $21 MILLION MORE THAN THE PROFIT THEY MADE IN 2022.

>> BUSINESSES USE CITY LAND, HAVE A FRANCHISE WE TAKE A SHARE OF THE PROFITS.

WE DON'T DO THAT.

WE AT LEAST HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW YOU'RE CHARGING THE HIGHEST OR NEARLY HIGHEST RATES IN THE NATION.

HOW MUCH PROFIT ARE YOU MAKING?

>> OFFICIALS SAY THEY TOLD SHAREHOLDERS THREE MONTHS AGO THEY WOULD BE SIMPLIFYING THE EARNINGS REPORT SO THEY SAY THEIR UTILITIES STILL FILE THE APPROPRIATE PAPERS WITH SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION.

IN A STATEMENT, COST INFLATION IS IMPACTING CUSTOMERS FROM THE GAS STATION TO THE GROCERY STORE AND WE ARE FOCUSED ON DOING OUR PART TO HELP AFFORDABILITY FOR CONSUMERS.

OUR UTILITY SUBSIDIARIES ARE FOCUSED ON DELIVERING SOLUTIONS TO CUSTOMERS INCLUDING SHAREHOLDER FUNDED ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND INCOME QUALIFIED BILL DISCOUNTS FOR THOSE WITH FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS.

THE COMPANY SAYS IT WORKS HARD TO MEET THE NEEDS OF WHERE THAN 25 MILLION UTILITY CUSTOMERS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.

ERIK ANDERSON, KPBS NEWS.

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

THANKS FOR JOINING US.