
KPBS News This Week: Friday, Sept. 6, 2024
Special | 27m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
A hot week raises energy demand in San Diego; see how the grid adapts as renewable energy grows.
A hot week raises energy demand in San Diego; see how the grid adapts as renewable energy grows. Frontwave Arena in Oceanside nears its first event. Congressman Mike Levin shares thoughts on the presidential race.
KPBS Evening Edition is a local public television program presented by KPBS

KPBS News This Week: Friday, Sept. 6, 2024
Special | 27m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
A hot week raises energy demand in San Diego; see how the grid adapts as renewable energy grows. Frontwave Arena in Oceanside nears its first event. Congressman Mike Levin shares thoughts on the presidential race.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.
I'M JOHN CARROLL.
IT'S BEEN A HOT WEEK AND DEMAND FOR ENERGY IS HIGH IN SAN DIEGO.
SEE HOW OUR LOCAL GRID IS ADAPTING AS RENEWABLE ENERGY PLAYS A GREATER ROLE.
FRONTWAVE ARENA IN OCEANSIDE IS DAYS FROM POSTING ITS FIRST EVENT.
SEE THE PROGRESS MADE AT THE NEW SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT VENUE.
CONGRESSMAN MIKE LEVIN TALKS WITH KPBS NEWS.
GET HIS THOUGHTS ON THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE AND MORE AS THE ELECTION CYCLE HEATS UP.
WE START WITH A SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM A TEAM USA STAR WHO'S DECIDED TO HANG UP HER CLEATS IN SAN DIEGO.
ALEX MORGAN SAYS SHE WILL RETIRE AFTER ONE MORE MATCH FROM A WAVE THIS WEEKEND.
SHE HAS MORE FROM THE WORLD CUP CHAMPION.
>>> LEGEND, ICON AND A WOMEN SOCCER PLAYER ALEX MORGAN ANNOUNCED HER RETIREMENT IN A VIDEO MESSAGE POSTED TO HER EX ACCOUNT.
SHE CALLED THE DECISION A TOUGH ONE, ONE SHE HAD BEEN DEBATING SINCE THE START OF THE SEASON.
>> I'M RETIRING AND I HAVE SO MUCH CLARITY ABOUT THIS DECISION AND I AM SO HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO FINALLY TELL YOU.
>> SOCCER HAS BEEN A PART OF HER LIFE FOR 30 YEARS.
A PROFESSIONAL CAREER THAT INCLUDES TITLES WITH THE U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM.
, A FIFA WOMEN'S WORLD CUP CHAMPIONSHIP, AND A WAVE IN 2022.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS SHE SAID HELPED SHAPE AND EXPAND WOMEN SOCCER.
>> WE ARE CHANGING LIVES.
THE IMPACT WE HAVE ON THE NEXT GENERATION IS IRREVERSIBLE.
I AM PROUD IN THE HAND I HAD IN MAKING THAT HAPPEN.
>> AS CAPTAIN OF THE WAVE MORGAN HELPED LEAD THE TEAM TO THE PLAYOFFS IN THEIR INAUGURAL SEASON FOLLOWED BY THE TEAMS FIRST TROPHY IN THE 2023 NATIONAL WOMEN SOCCER LEAGUE SHIELD.
>> SHE'S A GREAT HUMAN BEING.
SHE FIGHTS FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS, EQUAL PAY, SHE IS A HUGE PART OF THE COMMUNITY.
>> AMY HOLMES IS WITH THE SAN DIEGO SIRENS, A SUPPORTER GROUP OF SAN DIEGO WAVE FOOTBALL CLUB.
>> CHOOSING TO COME AND TAKE A RISK ON A BRAND-NEW TEAM WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR THAT AND SHE HAS ENGRAVED HERSELF IN OUR COMMUNITY.
>> WHILE THE RETIREMENT IS BITTERSWEET HOLMES SAYS IT BRINGS NEW OPPORTUNITIES.
>> WE WILL MISS HER IMMENSELY AND HOPE SHE STAYS INVOLVED WITH THE TEAM BUT IT'S DEFINITELY AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE CLUB AND THE NATIONAL TEAM TO BRING IN SOME NEW YOUTH TO FILL THOSE SHOES.
HUGE SHOES TO FILL, BUT IT DOES A LOT FOR GROWTH AND PROGRESSION IN THE GAME.
>> NEWS ALSO CAME WITH A SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT.
>> I AM PREGNANT.
AS UNEXPECTED AS THIS CAME WE ARE SO OVERJOYED.
>> THIS IS MORGAN'S SECOND CHILD.
HER FINAL GAME WILL BE AT SNAPDRAGON STADIUM AT 5:00 P.M. SAN DIEGO WAVE FC WILL HOLD A CELEBRATION OF MORGAN'S CAREER AT THEIR FINAL HOME GAME ON NOVEMBER 3rd.
THE KPBS NEWSROOM TANIA THORNE.
>> ALEX MORGAN'S RETIREMENT AS PART OF THE DISCUSSION ON KPBS ROUNDTABLE.
OUR WEEKLY CHANCE TO TALK WITH LOCAL REPORTERS ABOUT STORIES HAPPENING AROUND SAN DIEGO.
ROUNDTABLE AIRS FRIDAYS AT NOON ON KPBS FM AND AVAILABLE AS A PODCAST.
>>> ANOTHER TOPIC IS ALL THE SALES TAX MEASURES ON THIS YEAR'S BALLOT.
ONE WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF OUR POLITICAL CONTENT IS THE KPBS VOTER HUB.
GO TO KPBS.ORG AND LOOK FOR THE LINK AT THE TOP OF OUR HOMEPAGE.
IT'S AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH.
THE VOTER HUB INCLUDES IMPORTANT DATES AND A MIX OF LOCAL AND NATIONAL NEWS.
YOU CAN ALSO SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS TO HELP US GUIDE OUR ELECTION COVERAGE.
>>> ROUGHLY 60 DAYS FROM THE ELECTION AND PEOPLE WILL BE VOTING EVEN SOONER.
KPBS IS HOLDING CONVERSATIONS WITH SAN DIEGO'S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION ABOUT DEMOCRACY.
RECENTLY WE SPOKE WITH CONGRESSMAN MIKE LEVIN, THE DEMOCRAT GAVE HIS THOUGHTS ON THE KAMALA HARRIS TIM WALZ CAMPAIGN.
[ MUSIC ] >> WE IN CALIFORNIA NO KAMALA HARRIS LEGACY OF SERVICE TO OUR STATE AS ATTORNEY GENERAL, AS SENATOR AND NOW AS VICE PRESIDENT.
WE ARE PROUD OF HER AS OUR FIRST EVER DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE FROM CALIFORNIA.
WHAT'S EXCITING TO ME ABOUT GOVERNOR WALZ IS HE CAME FROM A VERY DIFFICULT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.
HE WAS A RED TO BLUE CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS, A FRONT-LINE MEMBER OF CONGRESS, ONE OF THE MOST COMPETITIVE DISTRICTS ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY IN MINNESOTA AND HAD A GREAT LEGACY OF SERVICE AS GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA.
WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IN TERMS OF NUMBERS ON THE GROUND, THE PEOPLE EXCITED TO KNOCK ON DOORS, MAKE CALLS IT'S REMINISCENT TIMMY OF 2008 AND WHAT WE SAW WHEN BARACK OBAMA WAS RUNNING.
IF WE CAN CONTINUE WITH THAT EXCITEMENT, THAT ENTHUSIASM OVER THE NEXT NINE OR 10 WEEKS I THINK WE WILL BE IN GOOD SHAPE COME NOVEMBER.
>> SO MUCH HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT DEMOCRACY BEING ON THE LINE IN THE NOVEMBER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.
A RECENT GALLUP POLE WAS IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR AND SHOWED THAT JUST 28% OF AMERICANS BELIEVED THAT DEMOCRACY IS WORKING FOR THEM COMPARED TO 35% AFTER JANUARY 6th 2021.
HOW DO YOU VIEW THOSE NUMBERS?
>> IT TELLS ME THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND MY HOPE IS THAT EVERYONE IN TIME WILL UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE AGENCY IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.
THIS DEMOCRACY IS ONLY GOOD AS WE ALL MAKE IT.
FOR ME IT'S ABOUT INFORMATION, EDUCATION AND REALLY COMMUNITY BUILDING AS BEST WE CAN.
LISTENING TO OUR NEIGHBORS, TRY TO UNDERSTAND THEIR VIEWPOINTS AND KNOWING WE WON'T AGREE ON EVERYTHING ALL THE TIME, BUT ALSO KNOWING WE ARE ALL AMERICANS AND WE ARE PARTICIPANTS IN THIS PROCESS.
PEOPLE HAVE BECOME VERY DISENCHANTED AND IF YOU REALLY JUST FOLLOW THE NARRATIVE THESE LAST NUMBER OF YEARS PARTICULARLY IF YOU'RE JUST WATCHING CABLE NEWS OR GOD HELP YOU IF YOU'RE ONLY GETTING NEWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA YOU ARE SEEING A VERY BLEAK AND DARK PICTURE.
I WOULD SAY DONALD TRUMP WAS NOT THE CAUSE BUT HE'S BEEN AN ACCELERANT OF A LOT OF THE EMBRACE OF ANTI-DEMOCRATIC PRINCIPLES AT LEAST ANTI- DEMOCRATIC AS WE HAVE HISTORICALLY KNOWN THEM IN THE UNITED STATES.
I'M DEEPLY CONCERNED AND WILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN AS ONE MEMBER OUT OF 435 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO TRY TO STAND UP FOR INSTITUTIONS, FOR THE RULE OF LAW AND ULTIMATELY TRY TO WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE IN PARTICULAR TO ENSURE THEY ARE GETTING TYPICALLY ENGAGED.
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT PROJECT 2025, A BLUEPRINT TO IMPLEMENT RIGHT-WING POLICIES.
MANY PEOPLE SAY A PATHWAY TO AUTHORITARIANISM.
HOW INFORMED YOU THINK PEOPLE ARE ABOUT EXACTLY WHAT PROJECT 2025 ENTAILS?
>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE HEARING MORE AND MORE ABOUT IT AS TIME GOES ON.
IF IT WERE UP TO DONALD TRUMP AND JADE EVENTS NO ONE WOULD'VE HEARD OF IT EVER, BUT I THINK IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT'S BEING PLANNED BEHIND THE SCENES BY THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION AND BY PEOPLE THAT ARE DIRECTLY IN TRUMP AND ADVANCED NETWORK.
IT IS A LENGTHY DOCUMENT, 900 PAGES LONG SO IT'S TOUGH TO DIGEST BUT IT HAS SOME TRULY BIZARRE AND EXTREME IDEAS ON EVERYTHING FROM LIMITING REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM TO UNDERMINING EDUCATION.
YOU NAME IT.
BASICALLY EMPOWERING THE WEALTHY AND WELL-CONNECTED AT THE EXPENSE OF EVERYONE ELSE.
IF ALLOWED TO TO TAKE ROOT IN THE FABRIC OF OUR INSTITUTIONS IT WOULD I THINK LEAD TO IRREPARABLE HARM.
>> CITIZENS FOR RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS IN WASHINGTON RECENTLY PUBLISHED A REPORT THAT SHOWED 35 COUNTY ELECTION OFFICIALS HAVE REFUSED TO CERTIFY ELECTIONS SINCE 2020.
THEY REMAIN IN POSITIONS TO DO SO.
HOW EQUALLY IS THE SYSTEM TO DEAL WITH THE POTENTIAL CHAOS IF THAT HAPPENS AGAIN?
>> THE REALITY IS YOU HAVE FAR TOO MANY PEOPLE AT THOSE LOWER- LEVEL POSITIONS WHO ARE REALLY JUST FOR DONALD TRUMP.
MY GOOD NEWS TO THE EXTENT IS THE SECRETARY OF STATE THEMSELVES FROM THE SWING STATES ARE REALLY ONLY ABOUT SEVEN SWING STATES, I THINK MOST ARE COMMITTED TO A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION.
>> YOU ARE OUT THERE CAMPAIGNING FOR RE-ELECTION.
WHAT ARE CONSTITUENT SAYING TO YOU ABOUT THE NOVEMBER PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION?
>> PEOPLE ARE ENTHUSED ACROSS THE BOARD.
THERE WAS A BIG ENTHUSIASM GAP I'LL TELL YOU AS RECENTLY AS A FEW MONTHS AGO.
WE KNOW MANY REPUBLICANS ARE VERY EXCITED TO VOTE FOR DONALD TRUMP.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT TODAY AS THINGS STAND IN OUR DISTRICT DEMOCRATS ARE JUST AS EXCITED TO VOTE FOR KAMALA HARRIS AND TIM WALZ AND NO PARTY PREFERENCE VOTERS ARE ALSO NOW VERY EXCITED TO VOTE AND THEY WERE COMPLETELY UNENTHUSIASTIC IN MANY CASES AND ARE NOW ENTHUSIASTIC TO VOTE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING WITH ME TODAY.
>> SHE ALSO HAD A DISCUSSION WITH THE NEW CHAIR OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY.
MUCH OF IT FOCUSED ON THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE AND WHY LOCAL REPUBLICANS BELIEVE DONALD TRUMP SHOULD RETURN TO THE WHITE HOUSE.
THAT STORY IS AVAILABLE AT KPBS.ORG AND ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS TO GET A LIST OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES.
HERE SOME FROM THIS WEEK.
A FIRE AT A BATTERY STORAGE FACILITY IN ESCONDIDO PROMPTS EVACUATIONS.
HOUSING POLITICS HAVE ENTER THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE AND SAN DIEGO ARE THRILLED.
THE SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT FIRES ITS SUPERINTENDENT AFTER AN INVESTIGATION INTO MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS.
>>> THIS NEXT STORY IS AMONG THE MOST POPULAR.
THE MODERN ELECTRICAL GRID HAS BECOME A CAREFUL DANCE BETWEEN DEMAND AND GENERATION.
HERE IN CALIFORNIA GENERATION IS MOVING TOWARD RENEWABLES.
KPBS CYTEC REPORTER TELLS US HOW AN ELECTRICAL AT UC SAN DIEGO IS DESIGNED TO CHANGE THE WAY WE CONSUME ENERGY.
>> IT LOOKS LIKE ONE SIDE OF A DUCK AND GRID OPERATORS CALL IT THE DUCK CURVE.
IF YOU TRACE THE NET DAILY DEMAND FOR ENERGY IN CALIFORNIA THAT IS DEMAND MINUS ENERGY SUPPLY IT STARTS AT MIDNIGHT WITH THE BELLY OF THE DUCK COMES AT MIDDAY WHEN SOLAR ENERGY PRODUCTION IS AT ITS PEAK BUT THEN DEMAND ZOOMS UP TO FORM THE HEAD IN THE EARLY EVENING WHEN DEMAND FOR ENERGY IS HIGH AND THE SUN IS SETTING.
>> THE BELLY OF THE DAY BASICALLY FROM EARLY AFTERNOON, EVEN LATE MORNING IT IS NOON TO 3:00 P.M. IS KIND OF THE DEEPEST PART OF THE BELLY MEANING THE NET LOAD IS AT ITS LOWEST BECAUSE OF OUR OUTPUT FROM OUR RENEWABLE RESOURCES.
>> PRIMARY IS DIRECTOR OF REAL- TIME OPERATIONS FOR THE STATES ELECTRICAL GRID AND HE SAYS THAT DUCK CURVE REPRESENTS THE CHALLENGE OF MEETING DEMAND IN A WORLD OF RENEWABLE ENERGY WHICH IS A VARIABLE AND CAN'T BE PRODUCED BY DURING A SWITCH.
WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT RENEWABLES HE MOSTLY MEANS SOLAR POWER WHICH PROVIDES MOST OF CALIFORNIA'S ELECTRICITY DURING DAYTIME AND SUMMER.
HE SAYS CALIFORNIA'S CONTROLLED RENEWABLE ENERGY IS A TOTAL OF 31,000 MEGAWATTS OF CAPACITY, SOLAR ENERGY MAKES UP ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF THAT, WIND POWER IS THE SECOND LARGEST CONTRIBUTOR.
AS TECHNOLOGY AND CONSTRUCTION MOVE AHEAD THAT WILL SURELY CHANGE.
>> OFFSHORE IS IN THE PLANNING HORIZON FOR US.
>> THERE ARE THE BATTERY FARMS WHERE THE RECENT GROWTH IN THAT ENERGY SOURCE EXPONENTIAL.
>> BATTERIES HAS BEEN A MAJOR PLAYER FOR US IN TERMS OF THEIR FLEXIBILITY.
IT'S NOT LIKE A STEAM PLANT THAT NEEDS 10 HOURS TO TURN ON.
BATTERIES ARE ESSENTIALLY ALWAYS ON.
THEY CAN BE DISCHARGING AND PROVIDING ENERGY TO THE GRID OR THEY CAN BE CONSUMING ENERGY WHILE THEY ARE CHARGING SO THEY ARE BENEFICIAL IN MULTIPLE AREAS .
>> FLEXIBILITY IS THE KEY TO RUNNING A MODERN ENERGY SUPPLY OPERATION THAT IS MOVING TO RENEWABLES.
WHEN ONE SOURCE IS NOT PRODUCING YOU HAVE TO SWITCH TO ANOTHER.
WHEN YOU HAVE MORE ENERGY PRODUCTION THEN YOU CAN USE YOU EXPORT IT TO ANOTHER STATE OR USE IT TO CHARGE THE BATTERY FARMS.
FLEXIBILITY AND DEMAND CALLED ENERGY LOAD IS ALSO IMPORTANT.
IN A LOW-SLUNG BUILDING JUST BELOW THE TOLLEY TRACKS ENGINEERING RESEARCHERS SHOW US TWO ROOMS FILLED WITH COMPUTERS, BREAKERS AND NODES.
THE NODES ARE SMALL BOXES THAT COMMUNICATE WITH ELECTRICAL DEVICES ON CAMPUS.
THE NEW BUILDING IS THE HUB OF AN ENERGY TESTBED THAT WILL STUDY A BIG CHUNK OF CAMPUS TO LEARN HOW DEVICES CAN BE TURNED OFF AND ON TO MAKE THE MOST OF ENERGY SUPPLY.
THIS PROFESSOR IS PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR FOR WHAT THEY CALL DER CONNECT.
>> ELECTRIC VEHICLES, SYSTEMS, SOMETHING AS SMALL AS A PRINTER.
WE ARE LOOKING AT THOUSANDS OF THESE DEVICES SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE CAMPUS AND YOU PICK THOSE THAT ARE READY TO REDUCE LOAD OR INCREASE LOAD AND COMMUNICATE WITH THEM AND RUN FASTER OR SLOWER.
>> PROJECT MANAGER SAYS THE ENERGY DEMAND SIDE IS CONSTANTLY IN FLUX.
>> HOW DO WE MANAGE COORDINATION?
HOW DO WE MAKE THESE DEVICES SMART ENOUGH TO ACTUALLY TALK BACK AND COMMUNICATE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION TO EACH OTHER SO WE CAN MAINTAIN THAT BALANCE BETWEEN GENERATION ACROSS THE WHOLE GRADE?
>> ONE EXAMPLE IS A BUILDING SENSOR THAT CAN TELL THE GRID THERE IS NOBODY ON THE FLOOR OF AN OFFICE BUILDING, THE BUILDING CAN BE PROGRAMMED TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS AND SUSPEND AIR CIRCULATION TO THE FLOOR.
THE TESTBED LIKE THE CALIFORNIA GRID ALSO HAS BATTERIES THAT CAN STORE ENERGY AND IF YOU WANT TO GENERATE ENERGY TO SIMULATE LET'S SAY A WIND POWER STATION.
>> WE NEED TO LOOK FOR VARIATION ON THE LOAD SIDE AS WELL.
THAT WAY WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO MAINTAIN THAT BALANCE.
>> THE PRIMARY GOAL IS TO CREATE A SET OF ALGORITHMS TO PROGRAM THE GRID TO SUPPLY POWER WHERE DEMAND ACTUALLY EXISTS.
THE POLITICAL FORCE THAT IS DRIVING CHANGES TO CALIFORNIA'S ELECTRICAL GRID ARE STATE LAWS THAT DEMAND GREATER USE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY.
MURRAY SAYS THE STATES POWER SUPPLY HAS TO BE 60% RENEWABLE BY 2030 AND 100% BY 2045.
CAN WE MEET THOSE GOALS?
MURRAY SAYS WE CAN.
>> WE'VE GOT STATISTICS THAT SHOW WE HAVE A NUMBER OF DAYS WHERE WE HAVE ALREADY PRODUCED 100% OF OUR LOAF I RENEWABLES.
TO SAY CAN WE ACHIEVE 60% BY 2030, ABSOLUTELY, WE ARE PRETTY MUCH CLOSE TO THAT ALREADY.
>> NUCLEAR ENERGY IS ALSO CLEAN ENERGY SINCE IT DOESN'T EMIT GREENHOUSE GASES.
MURRAY SAYS PRODUCTION IS VERY INFLEXIBLE SO YOU CANNOT EASILY REDUCE IT OR SHUT IT OFF.
WITH THE GROWTH WE ARE SEEING AND OTHER CLEAN ENERGIES HE DOESN'T THINK NUCLEAR WILL BE NEEDED IN CALIFORNIA'S FUTURE.
THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.
>>> CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS PASSED A BILL REQUIRING SCHOOLS TO COME UP WITH POLICIES TO LIMIT THE USE OF SMART PHONES ON CAMPUS.
KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER TANIA THORNE SAYS SOME DISTRICTS ALREADY HAVE THOSE RULES.
>> THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF STUDENTS IS BACK AT SAGE CREEK HIGHSCHOOL IN CARLSBAD.
THE BUZZING OF PHONES IS NOT.
KIND OF.
>> WE HEAR FROM TEACHERS AND PARENTS THAT PHONES SEEM TO BE A DISTRACTION IN CLASS.
OUR SCHOOL BOARD WAS INTERESTED TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A WAY TO ADDRESS THIS.
>> IS SUPERINTENDENT FOR CARLSBAD UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.
HE SAYS THE SCHOOL BOARD APPROVED RESTRICTIONS AHEAD OF THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.
>> ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL THE PHONES ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SILENT AND OUT OF SIGHT ALL DAY LONG.
THEY CAN BRING THEM WITH THEM BUT THEY NEED TO STAY IN A BACKPACK OR POCKET, NOT USED EVEN DURING BREAKS AND RECESS.
>> FOR HIGH SCHOOLS CELL PHONE USE IS ONLY ALLOWED DURING BREAKS OR WITH TEACHER'S PERMISSION.
SAGE CREEK HIGHSCHOOL PRINCIPAL EXPLAINS.
>> WE ASK TO CLARIFY WHEN IS IT APPROPRIATE TO USE A CELL PHONE FOR AN INSTRUCTIONAL PURPOSE?
THAT'S A PART THAT MIGHT NOT HAS BEEN AS CLEAR BECAUSE FOR EXAMPLE IN A MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM CLASS OR DIGITAL MEDIA CLASSES CELL PHONES ARE A TREMENDOUS RESOURCE.
FILM EDITING AND COMMUNICATION AND MARKETING.
THEY STILL HAVE AN IMPORTANT USE IN THIS ENVIRONMENT BUT IT'S CLARIFYING WHAT THOSE ARE.
>> IGNORING THE RESTRICTIONS CAN LEAD TO TEACHERS CONFISCATING THE PHONE WHICH HAS YET TO HAPPEN.
CARLSBAD ISN'T THE ONLY SCHOOL DISTRICT IMPLEMENTING CELL PHONE RESTRICTIONS.
EARLIER THIS YEAR GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM URGED CALIFORNIA SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO LIMIT CELL PHONE USE IN SCHOOLS.
EXCESSIVE USE IS LINKED TO INCREASED ANXIETY, DEPRESSION AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
OTHER DISTRICTS ARE ALSO TAKING ACTION.
LAST WEEK THE SAN DIEGO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS APPROVED A POLICY FOR MENTAL HEALTH EXPERTS TO HELP SCHOOL DISTRICTS CURVE AT CELL PHONE USE AT SCHOOL.
THE POLICY INCLUDES A $100,000 GRANT FOR LOCKABLE PHONE POUCHES AND LOCKERS.
>> THIS IS ALL ABOUT TACKLING HAD ON THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS FACING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND SOCIAL MEDIA AND SMART PHONES IN AN UNRESTRICTED WAY IS PART OF THAT.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW WE CAN BE PARTNERS TO OUR PRINCIPALS AND PARENTS AND SCHOOLS TO COME UP WITH HOLISTIC POLICIES.
>> SCHOOL DISTRICTS INCLUDE SAN DIEGO, CORONADO, CARLSBAD.
TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.
>>> A BRAND-NEW SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT HUB IS ABOUT TO OPEN ITS DOORS IN OCEANSIDE.
FRONTWAVE ARENA RECENTLY GAVE US A SNEAK PEEK.
HERE IS TANIA THORNE.
>> WE ARE HERE AT THE NEW FRONTWAVE ARENA IN OCEANSIDE AND AS YOU CAN SEE CONSTRUCTION HAS MOVED ALONG QUICKLY.
THE LAST TIME WE WERE HERE WAS IN DECEMBER WHERE SEATS WERE NOT INSTALLED YET, BUT AS YOU CAN SEE THINGS HAVE MOVED ALONG VERY QUICKLY.
>> IT'S A HOMEGROWN PROJECT.
IT IS FOR THE COMMUNITY AND WE CAN'T WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND VISIT AND SEE WHAT WE HAVE GOING ON AND WHAT IT WILL ADD TO NOT ONLY OCEANSIDE BUT NORTH COUNTY SAN DIEGO.
>> JOSH ALLIES IS THE CEO.
7500 CAPACITY ARENA IN OCEANSIDE'S EL CORAZON PARK THAT WILL HOST SPORTING AND ENTERTAINMENT.
>> WE WANT TO GET THIS OPEN AND GET PEOPLE INSIDE TO REALLY SEE WHAT WE HAVE CREATED.
IT IS AMAZING WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT HOW WE PAID ATTENTION TO THE ACOUSTICS AND AV.
THE FOOD.
THE PREMIUM SERVICES, OUTDOOR PLAZA AND HOW IT ALL TIES TOGETHER TO CREATE AN EXPERIENCE.
>> IT WILL BE HOME TO THE SAN DIEGO SOCCER'S AND CLIPPERS.
AN EXPERIENCE THAT ELIAS THINKS WILL GROW THE SPORTS FAN BASE AND TALENT.
>> THE BIG THING IS HAVING THOSE PLAYERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO BUILD A FAN BASE NOT ONLY FOR WHAT WE DO HERE IN SAN DIEGO BUT TO WATCH THESE PLAYERS DEVELOP INTO AN NBA TALENT AND WATCH THEM ON THE BIG STAGE.
>> RIGOR EVENTS AND A NEW ARENA BRING TRAFFIC CONCERNS WHICH THEY'VE KEPT TOP OF MINE.
>> THAT IS IT MEAN EVERY SHOW WILL BE 7500.
A LOT WILL BE 5000, 6000, WE HAVE A LOT OF FAMILY EVENTS WHICH REQUIRES LESS CARS PER PERSON.
WE ALSO HAVE THE EXPERIENCE HERE WITH THE SOCAL SPORTS COMPLEX AND HAS BEEN FOR MANY YEARS.
THEY SEE 10,000 PEOPLE IN A DAY.
WE WILL NEVER SEE 10,000 IN A DAY.
WE FEEL VERY GOOD ABOUT OUR TRAFFIC PLAN AND ABILITY TO WORK TOGETHER WITH OUR PARTNERS AS WELL AS THE AQUATIC CENTER.
>> BRINGING A TASTE OF OUR COUNTY WAS ALSO KEY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ARENA.
EATERIES WILL INCLUDE LOCAL VENDORS AND SHOWS WILL FEATURE LOCAL TALENT.
>> WHAT ARE THE SHOWS WE WILL PROGRAM TO THE VENUE?
YOU THINK ABOUT THE FOOD AND LOCAL CRAFT EATERIES WE BRING AND CREATE A DESTINATION FOR CULINARY.
>> THEY HAVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH BELLY UP AND SEASIDE MARKET.
>> WHILE THE SEASON HAS WRAPPED UP THE OLYMPICS CONTINUE HERE WITH SIMONE BILES BREAKING THE ARENA FLOOR ON SEPTEMBER 16th AND 17th WITH A GOLD OVER AMERICA TOUR.
FRONTWAVE ARENA IS HAVING THEIR GRAND OPENING CONCERT THE BAND CAKE ON OCTOBER 5th AND THERE IS A FULL LINEUP OF EVENTS WHERE TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED ON THEIR WEBSITE.
TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.
>>> A HIDDEN JEN IN VISTA IS TURNING FIVE THIS YEAR.
ALEXANDER NGUYEN TAKES US TO A SECRET GARDEN AND SHOWS WHY IT IS SO SPECIAL TO THE PEOPLE THERE.
>> UP IN THE HILLS OF VISTA, BEHIND A PUBLIC PARK LIES A SECRET GARDEN.
FILLED WITH TURTLES, BUTTERFLIES AND THE OCCASIONAL DRAGONFLY.
>> SHE WOULDN'T KNOW WE ARE HERE.
>> THE SECRET GARDEN IS ACTUALLY 17 GARDENS IN ALL.
>> I REFER TO IT AS A BOTANICAL GARDENS.
>> ALTAVISTA BOTANICAL GARDENS WAS FOUNDED IN 1999 BUT IT'S HISTORY STRETCHES BACK FURTHER.
IN THE 1960S RETIRED SURGEON BOUGHT THIS PROPERTY.
IT WAS THEIR VACATION HOME.
>> IS A HAVEN OF NATURE AND BEAUTY.
>> THE COUPLE LOVED WILDLIFE.
>> THE GARDENS HAS MANY LITTLE CREATURES.
BIG ONES TOO.
WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL RED TAIL HAWKS.
>> THEY LEFT THE PROPERTY TO CHARITY AND THE CITY OF VISTA BOUGHT IT IN 1990 FOR NEARLY $2 MILLION.
THEY INCORPORATED IT AS PART.
IN 1999 THE CITY DESIGNATED MUCH OF THE LAND AS A PUBLIC GARDEN TO BE MANAGED A NONPROFIT.
THAT'S HOW VISTA BOTANICAL GARDEN FOUNDATION AND THE GARDENS CAME TO BE.
>> WE SIGNED A LEASE WITH THE CITY OF EASTER FOR 99 YEARS.
WITH THE HELP OF VOLUNTEERS OVER THE 25 YEARS WE HAVE TURNED IT INTO A BEAUTIFUL AREA FOR DISCOVERY AND ADVENTURE.
>> THE MANAGER AT ALTAVISTA BOTANICAL GARDENS.
SHE SAYS IT'S NOT JUST A PUBLIC SPACE BUT ALSO A PLACE WHERE FAMILY MEMORIES ARE MADE AND MILESTONES ARE CELEBRATED.
THE GARDENS HOLD A SPECIAL PLACE IN HER HEART.
>> I HAD A MEMORY POP UP ON MY PHONE.
IT IS US STANDING IN FRONT OF THAT WITH MY KIDS AND THEY MUST'VE BEEN SIX OR SEVEN.
NOW THEY'RE 18 AND 19.
BOTH.
>> SHE PROUDLY SHOWS OFF HER CHILDREN AS SHE SHOWS US AROUND THE CHILDREN'S GARDEN.
IT'S THE FIRST GARDEN AFTER THE ENTRANCE.
>> HER CHILDREN ARE NOW IN COLLEGE WHICH LEAVES HER MORE TIME TO DEDICATE TO THE GARDENS.
>> 360 VIEW.
WEDDINGS, MY WEAKNESS IN THE PAST BUT I SAID IN THE PAST BECAUSE EVERY DAY I'M LEARNING SOMETHING NEW.
IT KEEPS IT MORE EXCITING.
>> THE MISSION IS TO EDUCATE, PROTECT AND PRESERVE ENDANGERED HABITATS.
PART OF THAT IS LETTING PEOPLE EXPERIENCE NATURE AND SHOWING THE TREES AND PLANTS FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD.
>> THIS IS WHAT WE CALL MADAGASCAR.
ALL OF THESE ARE PRIMARILY FROM MADAGASCAR ARE.
>> IT WOULDN'T BE MADAGASCAR WITHOUT A TREE.
HERE IT'S REPRESENTED BY A SCULPTURE.
>> IT WAS DONATED BY AN ARTIST IN 2015.
YOU CAN SEE THAT IS SHARING ITS SPACE.
>> IT'S NOT THE ONLY SCULPTURE AT ALTAVISTA.
SOME TAKE YOU TO THE PAST.
THE PREHISTORIC PAST.
>> BEHIND YOU IS ONE OF OUR PREHISTORIC DINOSAUR SCULPTURES.
>> DYNAMIC ESSENCE BEEN A SAURUS, DONE BY THESE ARTISTS, THE SAME ARTIST WHO MADE THE DINOSAUR SCULPTURES.
AT ALTAVISTA, HIS SCULPTURES INCLUDE A SCORPION, GIRAFFE AND SERPENT.
THERE'S DOZENS OF SCULPTURES FROM DIFFERENT ARTIST AROUND THE GARDENS.
MERGING NATURE AND ART FOR A BIT OF ZEN.
WHAT MAKES IT SPECIAL IS IT'S MOSTLY VOLUNTEER RUN WITH MINIMAL STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS TAKE THE INITIATIVE TO ADOPT AND MAINTAIN A SECTION OF THE GARDEN FOR A PLACE THAT'S MOSTLY VOLUNTEER RUN.
SHE SAYS THE ENTRANCE AND MEMBERSHIP FEES ONLY COVER A PORTION OF EXPENSES OF RUNNING THE GARDENS.
THE REST IS MADE OF DONATIONS SO THE FUNDS RAISED BY THE GALA WILL HELP REMAIN OPEN FOR MANY YEARS ALLOWING FUTURE GENERATIONS TO ENJOY IT JUST AS THEIR KIDS HAVE.
>> THIS AREA IS IT'S TRANQUILITY, IT'S A HAVEN.
>> ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.
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