♪ >>> THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT SOME OF THE BEST STORIES FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

COMING UP, HEALTH CARE ACCESS MIGHT BE STRIPPED AWAY FROM DACA RECIPIENTS.

MEET A LOCAL MED SCHOOL GRAD CAUGHT UP IN A RECENT MOVE BY THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

>>> RACIAL DISPARITIES IN PRISON SENTENCES.

ACTIVISTS CALL OUT STATION'S HISTORY OF ALLOWING SOME CONVICTS A CHANCE AT PAROLE AND NOT OTHERS.

>>> AND THERE ARE SOME NEW THINGS TO SEE AT PETCO PARK.

WE'LL GIVE A LOOK INSIDE AS THE PADRES START THE 2025 SEASON.

>>> WE START IN POWAY WHERE THE MOOD IS TENSE AT CITY HALL.

JUST A FEW MONTHS SINCE TAKING OFFICE A NEW CITY COUNCIL MEMBER IS FACING A RECALL EFFORT.

OUR NORTH COUNTY REPORTER TELLS WHAT LED UP TO THIS.

>>> BUT SADLY THIS IS TYPICAL BLAME BEHAVIOR.

>> Reporter: TONY PLANE'S BEEN ON THE POWAY CITY COUNCIL FOR THREE MONTHS.

IN THAT TIME HE'S BEEN ACCUSED OF VOTE TRADING, THREATENING AND HARASSING OFFICIALS WHO LASHED OUT IN A COUNCIL MEETING IN JANUARY.

>> I AM NO LONGER GOING TO BE INTIMIDATED BY YOU, COUNCIL MEMBER.

I DON'T GIVE A FLYING [ BLEEP ] IF YOU FIRE ME.

I WILL NOT TAKE THIS LYING DOWN ANYMORE.

YOU ARE A BULLY.

YOU'VE BEEN HARASSING ME FOR MONTHS.

I'VE TRIED TO BE PROFESSIONAL.

THIS IS ENOUGH.

>> IT'S MAKING A MOCKERY OF OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

>> Reporter: FORM POWAY MEMBER SAYS HIS BEHAVIORS SINCE TAKING OFFICE ARE DISTURBING AND JARRING.

>> PEOPLE THOUGHT THEY WERE VOTING FOR A CERTAIN PERSON, AND WHAT THEY WERE SEEING WAS ALARMING.

>> Reporter: BLAINE WAS CENSURED OR PUBLICLY REPRIMANDED LAST MONTH.

>> YOU HAVE BROUGHT IT UPON YOURSELF.

>> Reporter: NOW EDMOND SON AND OTHERS INCLUDING JOHN MOLAND HAVE LAUNCHED A RECALL EFFORT.

>> THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IS INVESTIGATING POTENTIAL FELONY ALLEGATIONS, CRIMINAL, THAT HE HAS WANTED TO TRADE VOTES AND EXTORTED COUNCIL MEMBERS WHO WOULDN'T VOTE THE WAY HE WANTED.

>> Reporter: THE DA'S OFFICE CANNOT CONFIRM ANY INVESTIGATIONS.

BLAINE DECLINED AN INTERVIEW BUT SAYS THIS VIA TEXT AND EMAIL, WRITE ANYTHING YOU WANT, POLITICAL LIES AND ATTACKS ARE IRRELEVANT AND DON'T WORK.

THAT'S MY QUOTE.

BLAINE WAS SERVED THE NOI OR NOTICE OF INTENT FOR RECALL AT THE MARCH 18th MEETING.

THE REGISTAR OF VOTERS ACCEPTED THE PETITION ON TUESDAY TRIGGERING A SEVEN-DAY PERIOD FOR BLAINE TO RESPOND.

>> THERE WAS PEOPLE SIGNED THE NOI THAT VOTED FOR HIM.

DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR THEM TO REALIZE THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM, AND WE NEEDED TO FIX IT.

>> Reporter: THE GROUP HOPES TO BE ABLE TO START COLLECTING SIGNATURES FOR A RECALL CAMPAIGN BY THE END OF APRIL.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> AN INVESTIGATION HAS REVEALED STARK DIFFERENCES IN HOW WHITE AND BLACK PEOPLE ARE SENTENCED IN ROBBERY/MURDERS UPPER A SAN DIEGO DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

NEARLY ALL THE BLACK DEFENDANTS ARE SERVING LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE.

>> Reporter: WHEN LAILA AZIZZ MOVED BACK TO STATION, SHE WONDERED WHERE THE -- SAN DIEGO, SHE WONDERED WHERE THE PEOPLE SHE GREW UP WENT.

A FEW WERE CONVICTED OF MURDER DURING A ROBBERY.

SOMETHING CALLED FELONY MURDER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.

EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T COMMIT THE MURDER, IF THEY WERE PART OF THE ROBBERY, IT WAS LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE.

A SENTENCE TO DIE IN PRISON.

>> HOW DO YOU GET A DEATH SENTENCE IF YOU DIDN'T KILL ANYONE?

>> Reporter: LAWS RECENTLY CHANGED.

PEOPLE CAN APPEAL FOR RESENTENCING IF THEY WEREN'T THE ACTUAL KILLER OR IF THEY CAN PROVE RACIAL BIAS IN THEIR CASE.

SO AZIZ FILED A PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST FOR ALL ROBBERY-MURDER CASES WITH DEFENDANTS BETWEEN 18 AND 25 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME OF THE CRIME.

SHE CHOSE THAT BECAUSE BEFORE 25 THE DECISIONMAKING PART OF THE BRAIN HASN'T FULLY DEVELOPED.

ALL UNDER SAN DIEGO'S DISTRICT ATTORNEY FROM 1995 TO 2003.

SIMILAR CASES, APPLES TO APPLES.

SHE FOUND MANY WHITE DEFENDANTS WHO COULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES NEVER WERE OR WERE GIVEN PLEA DEALS FOR LESSER CHARGES.

SOME CASES WERE MISSING.

>> AND THAT'S WHEN WE REALIZED WE ARE GOING TO DIG FOR THE DATA.

>> Reporter: SHE MEANS THE NONPROFIT PILLARS OF THE COMMUNITY.

THEY ANALYZED MASS AMOUNTS OF DATA, FILED MORE RECORDS REQUESTS, VISITED COURTS, COMBED THROUGH ARCHIVES.

KPBS DID THE SAME.

A CLEAR PATTERN EMERGED.

13 OUT OF 15 WHITE DEFENDANTS IN ROBBERY-MURDER CASES, KILLERS AND NON-KILLERS, WERE GIVEN A CHANCE AT PAROLE INCLUDING ONE CONVICTED OF BRUTALLY MURDERING A LATINO MAN.

A WITNESS SAID HE BRAGGED ABOUT EARNING HIS BOLTS, A WHITE SUPREMACIST TATTOO.

11 OUT OF 12 BLACK DEFENDANTS, KILLERS AND NON-KILLERS, WERE GIVEN LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE.

>> WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT PEOPLE, NOT EVEN NUMBERS, I KNOW ALL OF THEIR NAMES BY HEART, WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT PEOPLE AND YOU SEE THEM TREATED DIFFERENTLY BY THE SAME EXACT SYSTEM, YOU'RE LIKE SEPARATE BUT EQUAL?

PLESSY VERSE FERGUSON.

JIM CROW.

IT ALL FEELS THE SAME.

>> Reporter: IT WASN'T ONE PROBLEM JUDGE, ONE OVER-EAGER ATTORNEY, OR PRIOR CONVICTIONS.

IT WAS A RACIAL PATTERN.

AZIZ TRACES A LINE FROM LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE TO LYNCHING TREES.

>> WE CALLED IT STRANGE FRUIT BECAUSE IT REMINDED US OF WHERE WE WERE 50, 60 YEARS AGO, AND WHERE WE SAID AS A COUNTRY WE WERE NOT GOING TO GO BACK TO.

>> THIS IS BROUGHT -- >> Reporter: PILLARS DECIDED TO HOLD A PEOPLE'S TRIBUNAL.

>> THAT CHARGE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY THE WAY THEY CHARGE US, TO SUBPOENA THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY THE WAY THEY SUBPOENA US.

>> Reporter: ON A LATE JANUARY NIGHT, THEY PUT THE CURRENT DISTRICT ATTORNEY ON MOCK TRIAL.

IT WAS STANDING ROOM ONLY.

ENLARGED MUGSHOTS BORDERED THE ROOM.

>> EVERY SINGLE PERSON HAS THE SAME EXACT CRIME.

EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.

LOOK AROUND THE ROOM.

>> Reporter: AZIZ POINTED TO A BLACK MAN'S MUG SHOT.

>> THAT'S A NON-KILLER.

DEATH OR PAROLE?

DEATH.

>> Reporter: THEN TO A WHITE MAN'S MUGSHOTS.

>> THAT MAN WENT TO A JURY AND NEVER HAD THE FEAR OF GETTING A DEATH SENTENCE BECAUSE THE DA DOESN'T EVEN CHARGE WHITE FOLKS LIKE THEY CHARGE US ALL THE TIME.

WHY IS THAT?

>> Reporter: A LONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE DA ADDRESSED THE ROOM.

FRANK JACKSON -- >> HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS I DON'T KNOW THAT ANSWER SO I'M NOT GOING TO MAKE IT UP.

THAT HAPPENED IN I THINK MOST OF THESE LOOK LIKE THE 1998s AND 2000s.

>> Reporter: A DISTRICT ATTORNEY SPOKESPERSON TOLD KPBS THE CURRENT OFFICE TAKES EQUAL JUSTICE SERIOUSLY, QUOTE, TO SUGGEST OTHERWISE IS RECKLESS.

THEY WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ANY OF KPBS' QUESTIONS.

AZIZ WON'T LET THEM OFF THE HOOK.HOOK BECAUSE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAS THE POWER NOW TO RESENTENCE THESE CASES FROM LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE TO LIFE WITH PAROLE.

>> SHE HAS CHOSEN NOT TO DO IT.

SO YOU CAN'T FIGHT TO UPHOLD PAUL FINKS' LEGACY OF FOUNDATIONAL RACISM AND THEN SAY IT WAS BEFORE YOUR TIME.

>> Reporter: FINKS DIDN'T RESPOND.

>> NO ONE SHOULD GET A LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE FROM 18 TO 25.

>> Reporter: AT THE TRIBUNAL THEY CALLED WITNESSES INCLUDING LINDA WHITLEY.

HER SON'S MUGSHOT WAS IN THE ROOM.

SHE ASKED AZIZ TO HOLD UP WHAT SHE SEES AS PROOF HE'S CHANGED.

COLLEGE DEGREES HE EARNED IN PRISON.

>> HERE'S HIS BALLPARKELOR'S OF ART AND -- BACHELOR'S OF ART AND COMMUNICATION.

MARQUELL IS DEEMED TO DIE IN PRISON.

>> Reporter: HIS COURT PROCESS WAS HARD FOR HER.

>> IT WAS TERRIBLE BECAUSE I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND A LOT OF STUFF THEY WAS SAYING.

>> Reporter: WHITLEY WAS NEVER TAUGHT TO READ.

SHE DOESN'T FULLY UNDERSTAND THE WORD PAROLE.

SHE JUST KNOWS SOME PEOPLE GET TO COME HOME, AND HER SON CAN'T.

>> I KNOW HE CAN SHOW THE WORLD NOW HE CAN BE A BETTER PERSON NOW.

>> YOU HAVE A PREPAID CALL FROM -- >> MARQUELL SMITH.

WHEN I FIRST CAME TO PRISON, YOU KNOW -- >> Reporter: TOMORROW WE'LL HEAR HIS STORY, HOW IT REPRESENTS THOUSANDS OF OTHERS AND WHAT COULD BE DONE TO BRING HIM HOME.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> AND PART TWO OF THAT REPORT IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

AND YOU CAN FIND MORE OF THE COVERAGE ON RACE AND EQUITY IN SAN DIEGO ON OUR WEBSITE KPBS.ORG.

>>> THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO MAKE IT EASIER TO REVOKE HEALTH INSURANCE ACCESS FOR CERTAIN IMMIGRANTS.

A PROPOSED RULE WOULD DO SO BY EXCLUDING DACA RECIPIENTS FROM THE DEFINITION LAWFULLY PRESENT.

KPBS' HEIDI DeMARCO TALKED TO A LOCAL MED SCHOOL GRAD WHO WOULD BE AFFECTED.

>> Reporter: LLIE IS A DACA RECIPIENT AND MEDICAL SCHOOL GRADUATE.

HE KNOWS WHAT IT'S LIKE NOT TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE.

>> I HAD MY ACHILLES RUPTURED AND I DIDN'T HAVE HEALTH CARE AT THAT TIME.

>> Reporter: HE STARTS HIS RESIDENCY IN A FEW MONTHS.

>> KNOCK ON WOOD THAT NOTHING ADD -- NOTHING EXTRAORDINARY HAPPENS AND NOTHING CRAZY HAPPENS AND HOW I'LL HAVE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE SOON.

>> Reporter: IN NOVEMBER A BIDEN ADMINISTRATION RULE CHANGE EXPANDED AFFORDABLE CARE ACT INSURANCE ACCESS TO DACA RECIPIENTS.

THEY ARGUED IT WOULD REDUCE DELAYS IN CARE, IMPROVE THE AC'S RISK POOL, AND MAKE THEM MORE PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

BUT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION NOW ARGUES THAT THOSE BENEFITS DON'T MEAN THEY QUALIFY AS LAWFULLY PRESENT.

>> IT WILL HAVE DIRECT EFFECTS ON THE FAMILY -- FAMILIES AND ON THE DACA RECIPIENTS.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY NOW FOR A DOCTOR, YOU TAKE IT FROM RENT.

YOU'RE TAKING FROM FOOD.

YOU'RE TAKING FROM TRANSPORTATION.

>> Reporter: ALORE IS DIRECTOR OF THE EMPLOYEE RIGHTS CENTER IN SAN DIEGO.

HE SAYS THE PROPOSED CHANGE IS ALREADY CREATING CONFUSION.

>> IF YOU HAD CHANGE YOU STILL HAVE COVERAGE.

IF YOU ALREADY SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION FOR SOMETHING, IT'S STILL GOING FORWARD.

NOTHING IS BEING STOPPED.

>> Reporter: NICHOLAS EPRARATU SAYS THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVAL RECIPIENTS, IT AFFECTS THE WHOLE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.

>> SO THEY WERE ONCE AGAIN BUYING INTO THE HEALTH CARE EXCHANGE SYSTEMS AS GENERALLY YOUNGER INDIVIDUALS, THE TYPE OF INDIVIDUALS WHO INSURANCE COMPANIES, HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS KNOW THEY HAVE TO HAVE AS PART OF THEIR INSURANCE PACKAGES IN ORDER TO BRING COSTS DOWN FOR EVERYBODY.

>> Reporter: STUDIES SHOW THAT THE UNCERTAINTY AROUND THE DACA PROGRAM IS TAKING A TOLL ON RECIPIENTS' MENTAL HEALTH.

BUT MANY STRUGGLE TO ACCESS CARE.

>> I AM SEEING A LOT OF MY COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO FEEL HOPELESS, WHO ARE AFRAID, WHO ULTIMATELY AND SADLY TOO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.

>> Reporter: A NATIONAL IMMIGRATION LAW CENTER SURVEY OF DACA RECIPIENTS FOUND THAT 21% SAID IMMIGRATION-RELATED STRESS CAUSED THEIR HEALTH TO DECLINE.

12% AVOIDED MEDICAL CARE OUT OF FEAR IT COULD AFFECT THEIR STATUS.

>> YOU KNOW, I FELL IN LOVE IN THIS COUNTRY.

I HAD MY FIRST KISS IN THIS COUNTRY.

I AM LITERALLY JUST AS INTERWOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF THIS COUNTRY AND THIS CULTURE AS ANY OTHER PERSON.

I'M AT A PLACE NOW WHERE I HAVE TO START TAKING CARE OF MY MENTAL HEALTH, PERSONAL WELLBEING.

>> Reporter: THE RULE IS IN THE PROPOSAL STAGE.

PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE OPEN UNTIL APRIL 11th.

FOR NOW, THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE ACCESS FOR DACA RECIPIENTS REMAINS UNCERTAIN.

HEIDI DeMARCO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CERTAIN ZIP CODES IN SAN DIEGO AND IMPERIAL COUNTIES WILL GET MORE SCRUTINY WHEN IT COMES TO REMITTANCES.

THAT'S WHEN PEOPLE WIRE CASH TO ANOTHER COUNTRY, OFTEN TO FAMILY MEMBERS.

KPBS BORDER REPORTER SAYS PRIVACY EXPERTS HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS.

>>> IT IS THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT TRUMP HAS PROMISED TO DO WITH DEREGULATION, AND IT RAISES A WHOLE HOST OF CIVIL LIBERTY QUESTIONS.

>> Reporter: THAT'S AARON CLINE, A SENIOR FELLOW AT THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION.

HE'S TALKING ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATION'S DECISION TO LOWER THE THRESHOLD REQUIRED TO FLAG SUSPICIOUS CASH TRANSFERS FROM $10,000 DOWN TO JUST $200.

THE NEW THRESHOLD ONLY APPLIES TO MONEY SERVICE BUSINESSES LIKE WESTERN UNION OR MONEY GRAM, NOT BIG BANKS.

CLINE SAYS THAT IT WILL IMPACT IMMIGRANTS WHO REGULARLY SEND REMITTANCES TO FAMILY BACK HOME.

>> THIS IS GOING TO PICK UP EVERYBODY WHO SENDS THEIR MOM $300, $400, $500, $1,000 FOR MOTHER'S DAY.

NEW IMMIGRANTS WHO SEND SMALLER DOLLAR AMOUNTS MORE FREQUENTLY, BUT A LOT OF ESTABLISHED IMMIGRANTS WHO SEND THINGS HOME.

>> Reporter: THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST FOR COMMENT BUT SAID, QUOTE, COMBATING DRUG CARTELS AND STOPPING THE FLOW OF DEADLY DRUGS INTO THE UNITED STATES IS ONE OF THE ADMINISTRATION'S HIGHEST PRIORITIES.

THE NEW REGULATION IS DRAWING CYST SIMPLE ACROSS THE -- CRITICISM ACROSS THE POLITICAL SPECTRUM.

NICHOLAS ANTHONY FROM THE LIBERTARIAN-LEANING KATO INSTITUTE CALLS IT A FORM OF FINANCIAL SURVEILLANCE.

>> THEY WANT TO KNOW YOUR NAME, YOUR ADDRESS, YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, AND ALSO THE INFORMATION FOR THE OTHER PARTY.

THAT IS WHY IT IS SO CONCERNING WHEN WE AS INDIVIDUALS, AS INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE DO NOT GET TO CONSENT TO WHO HAS ACCESS TO IT.

>> Reporter: EXPERTS ALSO WORRY THAT MONEY SERVICE BUSINESSES MAY INCREASE PRICES TO COVER THE ADDED COST OF THE NEW REGULATION.

GUSTAVO SOLIS, KPBS NEWS.

.

THE VISTA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT IS EXPANDING ITS SPANISH PROGRAM.

INTEREST FROM LOCAL FAMILIES IS DRIVING THE CHANGE.

[ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> Reporter: IN VANESSA MAN DOSEA'S MATH CLASS STUDENTS ARE PRACTICING SPANISH.

[ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] IN IS ONE OF NINE CLASSROOMS AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHERE STUDENTS ARE LEARNING IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH.

>> IT HELPS YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE SAYING, AND IT ALSO -- I'VE READ THAT LEARNING OTHER LANGUAGES HELPS YOU NOT FORGET THINGS WHEN YOU GET OLDER.

AND ALSO THAT IT'S JUST FUN.

>> Reporter: THREE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND ONE MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRENTLY OFFER DUAL-LANGUAGE IMMERSION.

THE DISTRICT PLANS TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM TO ADDITIONAL GRADE LEVELS AND A SECOND MIDDLE SCHOOL CAMPUS NEXT YEAR AND A HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS IN TWO YEARS.

>> OUR FAMILIES HAVE BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE PROGRAM.

THEY DON'T WANT THIS TO BE A 5 EXPERIENCE.

THEY WANT TO HAVE THIS AT THE MIDDLE SCHOOL LEVEL AND MOVING INTO HIGH SCHOOL.

>> Reporter: PROGRAM DIRECTOR RAFAEL OLAVDIE SAYS IT SERVES THOSE FROM SPANISH SPEAKING FAMILIES WHO WANT TO IMPROVE THAT SKILL.

>> YOU HAVE FAMILIES THAT HAVE MOVED INTO THE UNITED STATES, AND WHEN THEY -- BASICALLY THEIR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AND SPANISH-SPEAKING COUNTRY, SOMETIMES THE COMMUNICATION IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN IN A SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN MOON LINGUAL, AND THEY HAVE BEEN NOT ABLE TO KEEP THEIR MOTHER LANGUAGE.

>> Reporter: EXPANDING THE PROGRAM WILL INVOLVE HIRING MORE BILINGUAL TEACHERS.

PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL UNIVERSITIES HAVE HELPED MEET THE NEEDS SO FAR.

>> I'M NOT GOING TO SAY IT'S BEEN EASY, BUT DEFINITELY WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB WITH OUR HR DEPARTMENT TO PROMOTE OUR DISTRICT.

[ SPEAKING IN A NON-ENGLISH LANGUAGE ] >> OKAY.

THAT'S WHERE I GOT -- >> YEAH.

>> Reporter: MOST STUDENTS SPEAK ENGLISH AT HOME.

THE PROGRAM STARTED WITH ONE KINDERGARTEN CLASS AND ONE FIRST-GRADE CLASS IN 2020.

ELISE PETERMAN WAS ONE OF THOSE FIRST GRADERS.

>> STARTING EARLY DEFINITELY HELPS.

SO LATER ON LIKE YOU KNOW MORE WORDS.

AND IT'S EASIER BECAUSE YOUR BRAIN IS STILL GROWING, AND YOU CAN GET THAT INTO YOUR MIND.

>> Reporter: STUDYING SUBJECTS LIKE MATH AND SCIENCE AND N SPANISH -- IN SPANISH CAN BE CHALLENGING.

THE STUDENTS SAY THE KEY IS BEING PATIENT WITH YOURSELF.

>> JUST RELAX AND JUST -- AND GO WITH THE FLOW.

>> Reporter: DISTRICT LEADERS ARE LOOKING TO RECRUIT MORE TEACHERS AT THE CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF BILINGUAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE THIS WEEK.

KPBS NEWS.

>> SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS TO GET A LIST OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES.

HERE ARE SOME FROM THIS WEEK -- I.C.E.

RAIDS AND EL CAJON PAINT SHOP ACCUSED OF KNOWINGLY HIRING WORKERS WITHOUT LEGAL STATUS.

ONE OF THE STORIES YOU SAW EARLIER.

NEW REGULATIONS ON MONEY TRANSFERS WILL LIKELY IMPACT THE SAN DIEGO BORDER REGION.

>>> AND THE LONGTIME VOICE OF SAN DIEGO SPORTS SIGNS OFF.

PADRES FANS WENT HOME HAPPY ON OPENING DAY WITH A WIN OVER THE ATLANTA BRAVES.

THE TEAM IS EXPECTED BIG CROWDS ALL YEAR, AND THEY'LL SEE SOME UPDATES AROUND PETCO PARK.

WE SHOW SOME OF WHAT'S NEW AT THE STADIUM.

[ APPLAUSE ] >>> LET'S GO, PADRES!

>> Reporter: FANS OF ALL AGES ARE FEELING GOOD ABOUT THE PADRES THIS SEASON.

>> I'M VERY PUMPED.

READY FOR THIS NEW SEASON, SEE WHAT HAPPENS.

HOPE WE BRING THAT TROPHY HERE.

I'M READY.

>> WINNING.

>> Reporter: WHY?

>> BECAUSE WE NEED TO.

>> Reporter: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT BEING A PADRES FAN?

>> SEEING THEM WIN.

>> I HAVE HIGH HOPES.

THERE'S A LOT OF TEAMS THAT HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT MOVES, SO HOPEFULLY WE'LL DO WELL AGAINST THEM.

>> Reporter: THE PADRES MADE SOME MOVES, TOO, BUT THOSE AREN'T THE ONLY CHANGES AT PETCO PARK THIS YEAR.

THE WESTERN MEADOW BUILDING MAY LOOK THE SAME ON THE OUTSIDE, BUT THE INSIDE UNDERWENT A MAJOR RENOVATION.

ON THE FIRST FLOOR, THE PADRES' NEW TEAM ERA STORE HAS EXPANDED BY 1,000 SQUARE FEET.

JAMIE CASTRO SAYS SHE'S BEEN A PADRES FAN HER WHOLE LIFE AND ENJOYS THE STORE'S ATMOSPHERE.

>> I LOVE IT.

>> Reporter: WHY?

>> SUPER SPACIOUS.

I LIKE THE LAYOUT.

EASY TO SEE EVERYTHING.

EVERYTHING'S DIVIDED UP PERFECTLY.

I REALLY LIKE IT.

>> Reporter: ON THE FIFTH FLOOR, THE BUDWEISER LOST LOOKS A LOT DIFFERENT, TOO.

SANTEE RESIDENT AND LONGTIME FAN STEVE FALL WELL SAYS THE VIBE FEELS FAMILIAR, BUT HE IS IMPRESSED WITH THE CHANGES.

>> IT'S BEAUTIFUL.

I MEAN, IT LOOKS -- I'M NOT SURE HOW THE LIONS ARE GOING TO WORK OUT, BUT IT'S AN IMPROVEMENT.

>> Reporter: THE ROOFTOP HAS BEEN COMPLETELY REMODELED WITH ALL NEW SIGHT LINES INTO PET CO-TOO.

PADRES PLAYERS ENJOY OPENING DAY AS MUCH AS THE FANS.

>> YOU KNOW, WE'RE EXCITED TO GET IT GOING AND START OFF THE YEAR IN FRONT OF THE BEST FAN BASE IN BASEBALL.

YOU KNOW, THINK OPENING DAY IN SAN DIEGO IS ONE OF THE BEST ONES.

SO LOOKING FORWARD TO TODAY.

>> Reporter: MELISSA MAY, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO'S DUE FOR AN UPDATE ON HOW IT DESIGNS ITS STREETS.

KPBS' METRO REPORTER HAS A SERIES OF STORIES DIVING INTO THE DETAILS.

IT IS A BALANCE OF HOW TO MAKE CAR, BIKE, AND PEDESTRIAN TRAVEL EFFICIENT AND SAFE.

HERE ARE A COUPLE OF THOSE REPORTS.

>> Reporter: ON A COOL SEPTEMBER EVENING IN 2021, MATT KEENAN WAS RIDING HIS BIKE TO A MOVIE THEATER IN MISSION VALLEY.

A DRIVER WAS GOING THE WRONG WAY ON THE STREET AND STRUCK MATT HEAD ON.

HE DIED ALMOST INSTANTLY.

>> HAD THERE BEEN PROTECTION THERE, THAT DRIVER PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE KILLED HIM.

>> Reporter: LAURA KEENAN IS MATT'S WIDOW.

SHE FOUNDED FAMILIES FOR SAFE STREETS STATION WHICH SUPPORTS VICTIMS OF TRAFFIC VIOLENCE AND ADVOCATES FOR SAFER STREET DESIGN.

SHE SAYS TOO OFTEN CITY TRAFFIC ENGINEERS DESIGN BIKE LANES WITH NO BARRIERS OR BUFFER ZONES TO PROTECT CYCLISTS FROM CARS.

MANY BIKE LANES ARE WITHIN THE SO-CALLED DOOR ZONE WHERE DRIVERS WHO JUST PARKED CAN FLING OPEN THEIR DOORS INTO THE BIKE LANE AND CAUSE A COLLISION.

OTHER BIKE LANES ARE PERPETUALLY BLOCKED BY PARKED CARS OR DELIVERY VEHICLES.

KEENAN SAYS THESE ARE EXAMPLES OF THE CITY DESIGNING STREETS FOR CONVENIENCE OVER SAFETY.

>> I DON'T THINK THEY THINK OF IT IN THOSE TERMS WHEN THEY'RE MAKING THE DECISIONS, BUT ULTIMATELY THAT'S WHAT IS HAPPENING.

AND TODAY THE STREET DESIGN MANUAL DOES NOT DICTATE THEY MUST PRIORITIZE SAFETY OVER CONVENIENCE.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO IS PREPARING TO UPDATE ITS STREET DESIGN MANUAL, A DRAFT RELEASED IN DECEMBER INCLUDES A WIDER RANGE OF OPTIONS FOR DESIGNING BIKE LANES BUT NO STRICT POLICY ON WHEN PHYSICAL PROTECTION IS REQUIRED.

>> SINCE THE BIKE LANES HAVE COME IN, WE HAVE SEEN OUR WALK-BY TRAFFIC DECREASE 95%.

>> Reporter: LIZ SABA OWNS A JEWELRY STORE ON 30th STREET IN NORTH PARK WHERE THE CITY INSTALLED PROTECTED BIKE LANES IN 2021.

SHE OPPOSED THE PROJECT BECAUSE IT REQUIRED THE REMOVAL OF STREET PARKING.

SHE SAYS SHE SUPPORTS BIKE SAFETY BUT THINKS THE CITY NEEDS TO BETTER MANAGE ITS SCARCE PARKING SUPPLY.

SAY BY INSTALLING MORE METERS.

>> I THINK PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO PAY TO PARK.

I THINK THEY WILL COME IF THERE'S MORE PARKING METERS IN PLACE.

AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD SOLUTION FOR EVERYONE.

>> Reporter: ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> CONGRESS LEGALIZED RIGHT TURN ON RED A HALF CENTURY AGO.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT, IN RESPONSE TO THE OIL CRISIS OF 1973.

THE IDEA WAS TO CONSERVE GASOLINE BY REDUCING VEHICLE IDLING AT INTERSECTIONS.

A RECENT STUDY FROM SEVERAL CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITIES FOUND THE GAS SAVINGS HAVE BEEN NEGLIGIBLE.

SDSU PLANNING PROFESSOR BRUCE APPLEYARD, CO-AUTHORED THE STUDY THAT FOUND RIGHT TURN TO RED IS GENERALLY UNSAFE.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE BIG PROBLEMS WITH RIGHT TURN ON RED.

THIS IS SORT OF THE OPERATIONAL SIDE OF IT.

THAT THE DRIVER IS LOOKING LEFT AT ONGOING TRAFFIC AND FAILING TO SEE THE PEDESTRIAN OR CYCLIST IN FRONT OF THEM.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO IS PREPARING AN UPDATE TO THE STREET DESIGN MANUAL WITH NEW GUIDELINES FOR WHEN TO PROHIBIT RIGHT TURN ON RED, PARTICULARLY IN AREAS WITH HIGH PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC.

APPLEYARD SAYS THAT COULD DO MORE THAN JUST PREVENT COLLISIONS, IT COULD ALSO MAKE NEIGHBORHOODS MORE WALKABLE.

>> IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT SAFETY, BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT COMFORT AND LIVABILITY FOR PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS.

RATHER THAN JUST LOOKING AT THE SAFETY CALCULATIONS AND THE QUANTITATIVE SIDE OF THINGS, LOOK AT THE QUALITATIVE SIDE OF THINGS.

LOOK HOW PLACES ARE, YOU KNOW, MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE.

>> Reporter: THE CITY'S NEW STREET DESIGN MANUAL IS EXPECTED TO GO BEFORE THE CITY COUNCIL LATER THIS YEAR.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> ANDREW BOWEN HAS A PODCAST SERIES ALL ABOUT FREEWAYS IN SAN DIEGO.

THEIR FORGOTTEN HISTORY AND IMPACT ON HOW THE REGION WILL GROW IN THE FUTURE.

IT'S CALLED "FREEWAY EXIT."

YOU CAN STREAM IT WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR PODCASTS.

>>> BEING IN THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME, THAT DESCRIBES A SITUATION A SAN DIEGO WOMAN FOUND HERSELF IN RECENTLY.

JOHN CARROLL SAYS IN THIS CASE, SERENDIPITY MEANT SHE WAS ABLE TO HELP SAVE A LIFE.

>> Reporter: IT WAS A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO ON A RAINY, WINDY DAY, SOFIA ALEXANDER FOUND HERSELF LOCKED OUT OF HER BAY PARK OFFICE.

SHE HAD A ZOOM MEETING TO ATTEND SO SHE TROVE AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD -- DROVE AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO A QUIET SIDE STREET AND PARKED.

>> I SO HAPPENED TO LOOK OVER, AND I SEE -- WHAT IS THAT?

IT WAS LIKE A LITTLE I GUESS FLUFFY THING.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A ROCK ACTUALLY AT FIRST.

THEN IT STARTED MOVING.

I WAS LIKE, THAT'S NOT A ROCK FOR SURE.

>> Reporter: FOR SURE IT WAS NOT A ROCK.

ALEXANDER SWITCHED FROM ZOOM TO HER CAMERA, AND THIS IS WHAT SHE SAW.

>> I SAW LIKE A BREATHING PATTERN HAPPENING WITH THIS LITTLE FLUFFY GUY.

SO I WAS LIKE, IS THAT LIKE A BIRD?

IT KIND OF RESEMBLED AN OWL.

IS THAT A BABY OWL?

>> Reporter: THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS, A BABY OWL.

A NESTLING, IT HAD FALLEN OUT OF ITS NEST.

ALEXANDER CALLED HER SUPERVISOR WHO TOLD HER NOT TO WORRY ABOUT WORK, TO MAKE SURE THE OWL WAS OKAY.

MEANTIME THE WEATHER WAS TAKING A TURN FOR THE WORST.

SHE KNEW SHE HAD TO DO SOMETHING, BUT SHE DIDN'T WANT TO SCARE THE BIRD SO SHE WENT FROM CAMERA TO PHONE AND CALLED THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY.

THEY ARRIVED ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER.

>> I STAYED HERE UNTIL THEY CAME TO PICK HIM UP TO MAKE SURE HE WAS GOOD.

>> Reporter: THE NESTLING WAS BROUGHT HERE TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY'S WILDLIFE CENTER WHERE IT GOT A THOROUGH LOOKING OVER.

>> WE TAKE IN SICK, INJURED, AND ORPHANED WILDLIFE, SO ANYTHING FROM AN ORPHANED BABY SQUIRREL TO A POSSUM TO RAPTORS THAT GET HIT BY CARS.

>> Reporter: CHANTEL LAROWS IS THE WILDLIFE OPERATIONS MANAGER HERE.

AFTER DETERMINING THE BABY BIRD WAS OKAY, THEY WANTED TO GET IT BACK HOME AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

THE NEST WAS LOCATED RIGHT ABOVE FROM WHERE SOFIA ALEXANDER FOUND THE NESTLING.

>> ONCE WE ESTABLISHED THAT THE NEST WAS ACTIVE, THAT THE PARENTS WERE STILL AROUND, WE GOT IN CONTACT WITH WEST COAST ARBORISTS.

>> Reporter: WEST COAST ABORRISTS ARE INDISPENSABLE WHEN IT COMES TO RENESTING BIRDS.

THEY HAVE A CHERRY PICKER.

>> THE ONLY WAY WE COULD REACH THE NEST IS LIKE 50 FEET IN THE AIR.

>> Reporter: THE ARBORIST SAW THAT THE NEST WAS ON THE SMALL SIDE, AND THERE WERE ALREADY TWO NESTLINGS IN IT.

SO THEY EXPANDED THE SIZE OF THE NEST AND PUT THE NESTLING BACK IN.

BACK AT THE SCENE OF THE FALL, AND WE SAW THE HOE MAIN SOCIETY HAD POST -- HUMANE SOCIETY HAD POSTED THIS NOTICE JOIN FORMING PEOPLE OF THE NEST.

WHEN WE LOOKED UP, THERE SHE WAS.

MAMA OWL AND ONE OF THE NESTLINGS AND US HUMANS DOWN BELOW WHO HOPE THE NEXT TIME THESE BABIES LEAVE THE NEST THEY DON'T FALL BUT FLY.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>> THAT'S VERY SWEET.

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

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.