>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS "EVENING EDITION" HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY BILL HOWE FAMILY OF COMPANIES, PROVIDING SAN DIEGO WITH PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR RESTORATION, FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

CALL 1-800-BILL-HOWE OR VISIT BILLHOWE.COM.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY, AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

>> AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> FIRE CREWS REMAIN ON SCENE AT THE OCEANSIDE PIER A DAY AFTER A FIRE BROKE OUT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

I'M JOHN CARROLL IN FOR MAYA TRABULSI .

THAT FIRE IS NOW CONTAINED, BUT AS KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER TONYA THORNE SHOWS US , THE DAMAGE IS DONE AND NOW CITY OFFICIALS PLAN ON DECLARING A STATE OF EMERGENCY.

>> Reporter: CHARRED FRAMES ARE ALL THAT REMAINS OF THE BUILDING THAT ONCE STOOD AT THE END OF THE OCEANSIDE PIER PICK A FIRE BROKE OUT THURSDAY AFTERNOON AND BURNED THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT BEFORE FIREFIGHTERS WERE ABLE TO GET FULL CONTROL OF IT.

>> OVERNIGHT, WE DID HAVE FIRE ACTIVITY.

SOME OF THAT WAS PLANNED.

WE HAD FIRE UNDERNEATH THE DECK THAT WAS DIFFICULT TO GET TO, SO WE CUT WHAT IS CALLED A TRENCH CUT WHERE WE ARE AND UP THE PLATE DOWN SO THAT WE COULD GET ACCESS UNDERNEATH THE DECK TOWARDS THE RESTAURANT.

>> Reporter: THE OVER SIDE FIRE CHIEF DAVID PARSONS SAID IT ALLOWED FIREFIGHTERS TO TACKLE THE FIRE BUT ALSO STOP IT FROM SPREADING.

>> ESTIMATING MINIMUM WE SAVED 90% OF THIS PIER .

THAT IS GOOD NEWS.

I WANT TO EMPHASIZE HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS FOR THE COMMUNITY AND HOW IMPORTANT THAT IS FOR THE SUCCESS OF THE FIREFIGHTERS, LIFEGUARDS, PARTNERS, AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.

>> Reporter: CHIEF PARSONS SAID THE UTILITY UPGRADES COMPLETED ON THE PIER THIS YEAR MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE TO THE FIRST RESPONDERS FIGHTING THE FLAMES.

>> IN A VERY SHORT MAC SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, WE HAD EVERYBODY FROM CAL FIRE, VISTA FIRE, ALL THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO COUNTY AND BEYOND.

THE COAST GUARD AND THE FEDERAL FIREFIGHTERS AT CAMP PENDLETON.

I AM INCREDIBLY PROUD OF HOW EVERYBODY WENT TOGETHER SO QUICKLY AND GOT THIS DONE.

>> Reporter: CONGRESSMAN MIKE LEVIN TOURED THE SITE AND OFFERED TO SUPPORT, BUT BEFORE ANY FEDERAL AID CAN BE GIVEN FOR A REBUILD, THE CITY OF OCEANSIDE MUST DECLARE A LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY.

>> BEFORE WE CAN ACTUALLY APPLY FOR FEMA, WE HAVE TO HAVE FIRST THE LOCAL AND THEN THE STATE AND FEDERAL, SO THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO.

SO THE REQUIREMENT IS TO DO IT WITHIN 10 DAYS AND WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT.

>> Reporter: THE OCEANSIDE MAYOR ESTHER SANCHEZ SAYS SHE EXPECTS TO HOLD A SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING DECLARING A LOCAL EMERGENCY.

>> THIS LOSS HITS VERY DEEPLY IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE APPRECIATE THE OUTPOURING THAT WE HAVE ALREADY FELT FROM OUR LOCAL NEIGHBOR CITIES, BUT WHEN YOU TALK TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE WALKING AROUND, THEY ARE STILL IN SHOCK, AND WE ARE GOING TO BE GOING THROUGH SOME GRIEVING IS A COMMUNITY, SO I UNDERSTAND EVERYBODY WANTS TO GET IT OPEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE , BUT THERE WILL BE TIME TO LOOK FOR THE FUTURE.

>> Reporter: A CAUSE FOR THE FIRE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED.

THE PIER AND THE BEACH AREA NEAR THE PIER WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

TANIA THORNE , KPBS NEWS.

>>> MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HAVE LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO OCEANSIDE BASED WAVE CREDIT UNION.

LAST MONTH KPBS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER SCOTT RON REVEALED HOW THE CREDIT UNION ELECTS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN OVERDRAFT FEES FROM YOUNG MARINES EVERY YEAR.

>> Reporter: SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN WANTS ANSWERS FROM FRONT WAVE CREDIT UNION.

>> WE ARE CONCERNED THAT YOUNG MARINE RECRUITS ARE JUST PLAIN BEING CHEATED BY THIS CREDIT UNION.

>> Reporter: THE DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKER IS SPEARHEADING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE COMPANY AND ITS TREATMENT OF YOUNG SERVICEMEMBERS.

THE CREDIT UNION HAS AN EXCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MARINE CORPS.

EACH YEAR THOUSANDS OF RECRUITS WHO COME THROUGH BOOT CAMP IN SAN DIEGO ARE FUNNELED INTO THE CREDIT UNION IN ORDER TO PROCESS THEIR PAYCHECKS.

A KPBS INVESTIGATION LAST MONTH FOUND THAT THE CREDIT UNION RELIES ON OVERDRAFT PENALTIES AS AN ESSENTIAL SOURCE OF REVENUE.

THE MOST RECENTLY AVAILABLE DATA SHOWS THAT FRONTWAVE COLLECTED $8 MILLION IN OVERDRAFT FEES IN 2022.

FRONTWAVE CUSTOMERS ARE FACING A $20 FEE EACH TIME THEY OVERDRAFT THEIR ACCOUNT AND CAN FACE IT FIVE TIMES PER DAY.

>> THIS IS ONE MORE EXAMPLE OF A FINANCIAL INSTITUTION HONING IN ON YOUNG, VULNERABLE SERVICEMEMBERS POINT >> Reporter: A NUMBER OF OTHER SENATORS SIGNED ON TO THE INVESTIGATION INCLUDING BERNIE SANDERS, CORY BOOKER, JD VANCE, AS WELL AS THE SAN DIEGO CONGRESSWOMAN SARAH JACOBS.

THE FRONTWAVE CEO BILL BURNEY DECLINED AN INTERVIEW REQUEST.

HE DESCRIBED THE OVERDRAFT PROGRAM IS A, QUOTE, SERVICE OR ITS MEMBERS WHO RUN OUT OF MONEY BETWEEN PAYCHECKS.

>> I LOVE MARINES.

THERE IS NO WAY THAT WE WOULD EVER BE INVOLVED IN BEING PREDATORY WHEN IT COMES TO THOSE PEOPLE THAT DEDICATE THEIR LIVES TO SERVING OUR COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: THE INVESTIGATION COULD BRING SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO FRONTWAVE AND ITS ARRANGEMENT WITH THE MARINE CORPS.

>> THIS LETTER IS A BIG DEAL AND IS TOUGH STUFF.

>> Reporter: AARON KLEIN IS A SENIOR FELLOW AT THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION.

>> THIS WILL GET SOME SENIOR BRASS ON THE MILITARY SIDE QUITE FOCUSED.

I SUSPECT THIS ARRANGEMENT DOES NOT HAVE MUCH LONGER TO GO.

>> Reporter: FRONTWAVE HAS UNTIL MAY 10 TO RESPOND TO MORE THAN A DOZEN QUESTIONS FROM THE LAWMAKERS.

SCOTT ROHDE, KPBS NEWS.

>> I AM JOINED NOW BY SCOTT ROHDE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

WHERE YOU SURPRISED WHEN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TOLD YOU THEY WERE GOING TO DO THIS INVESTIGATION?

>> AFTER AN IN-DEPTH STORY LIKE THIS, YOU ARE ALWAYS LOOKING OUT TO SEE WHAT KIND OF IMPACT IT MAY MAKE.

I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH MY SOURCES THAT WERE AT THE COMPANY AND ELSEWHERE, AND I HAD HEARD SOME RUMORS, SOME RUMORS THAT THERE WAS MAYBE A REVIEW COMING DOWN THE PIPE, BUT I WAS SURPRISED TO HEAR THAT IT WAS MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO WERE GOING TO BE SPEARHEADING THIS INVESTIGATION , ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLD NAMES IN CONGRESS THAT SIGNED ONTO IT.

THE LETTER THAT THEY WROTE A FRONTWAVE INCLUDED LANGUAGE LIKE "EXPLOITATIVE LOWE'S QUOTE TO DISCUSS THE FEE ACTRESSES.

IT IS CLEAR THEY MEANT BUSINESS.

>> IN YOUR REPORTING YOU MENTIONED IT AS YOUNG MARINES WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

I CAN IMAGINE THE LAWMAKERS WERE PRETTY ALARMED TO HEAR THAT.

>> Reporter: THEY ABSOLUTELY WERE.

TO PUT THAT INTO PERSPECTIVE, SOME OF THE RECRUITS RSN IS 17 OR 18 YEARS OLD, AND THEY MAY BE AWAY HOME AT THIS FIRST -- THIS TIME DECIDING TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY.

BUT THEN THERE IS THE ISSUE OF HOW LITTLE MONEY THEY MAKE.

I SENT IN WAS SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN THE TALKED ABOUT HOW THE COMPENSATION IS A CONCERN AS IT RELATES TO THE FEES.

>> NOW KEEP IN MIND, THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ON AVERAGE MAKE ABOUT $2000 PER MONTH, AND A LOT OF THEM DON'T HAVE A LOT OF PRACTICE AND EXPERIENCE ON HOW TO BUDGET THAT.

AND THE IDEA THAT THIS CREDIT UNION THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE THERE TO SERVE THESE YOUNG MARINES IN FACT IS SQUEEZING NEARLY $8 MILLION OUT OF THEM IN OVERDRAFT FEES, THAT JUST FEELS WRONG.

SO WE SENT A LETTER TO ASK QUESTIONS AND START AN INVESTIGATION.

>> WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT $20 A POP UP TO FIVE TIMES PER DAY FOR THESE FEES, THAT COULD IMPACT ANY FAMILY.

THAT COULD BE A BURDEN FOR ANY FAMILY.

BUT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT AN INDIVIDUAL ONLY MAKING A COUPLE OF THOUSAND DOLLARS PER MONTH, THAT CAN BE A REAL FINANCIAL STRAIN.

>> WHERE DOES THE INVESTIGATION GO FROM HERE?

>> FRONTWAVE IS A FEW WEEKS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND DATA AS IT RELATES TO THEIR FEE PRACTICES.

I SPOKE WITH SENATOR MORAN ABOUT WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS FOR LAWMAKERS AND SHE MADE CLEAR THEY ARE NOT LOOKING TO GATHER SOME INFORMATION.

THEY ARE LOOKING TO TAKE ACTION.

>> FIRST, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH CURRENT LAW, AND IF THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH CURRENT LAW, I WANT TO TALK TO THEIR REGULATORS ABOUT WHY IT IS THAT CURRENT LAW WOULD PERMIT ACTIONS LIKE THIS.

IT IS A KIND OF TWO-STEP PROCESS HERE.

>> I WILL BE WATCHING OUT TO SEE WHAT LAWMAKERS SAY IN RESPONSE TO FRONTWAVE'S RESPONSES , BUT I ALSO WANT TO SEE IF REGULATORS GET ROPED INTO THIS.

THE FEDERAL CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU HAVE TAKEN A CLOSE LOOK AT OVERDRAFT FEES AS IT RELATES TO BIGGER BANKS, SO THEY MAY SAY, YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE NEED TO IMPLEMENT MORE RESTRICTIONS FOR SMALLER BANKS AND CREDIT UNIONS AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT GREAT REPORTING.

>>> WE HAVE A FINE A FEW SHOWERS IN THE FORECAST TONIGHT BEFORE WE REALLY TURN DRYER AND BEGIN THE PROCESS OF FORMING BACKUP.

STILL BREEZY OUT THERE TONIGHT.

WIND ADVISORIES WILL BE ENDING LATE THIS EVENING OVER THE MOUNTAINS.

10 TO 59 IN SAN DIEGO.

STILL SOME SPRINKLES OUT THERE.

BUT YOU WILL NOTICE THAT THIS WILL BE THE END OF THIS MOST RECENT SYSTEM IS THE CORE OF THE MOISTURE MOVES AWAY TO THE EAST.

WE BEGIN THE PROCESS OF FORMING UP AND TRYING BACKOUT.

WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THE COMPLETE FORECAST IN A BIT.

>>> BILLIONS OF TAX DOLLARS ARE POURING INTO EFFORTS TO REDUCE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER WAIT TIMES.

DESPITE THAT, EXCESSIVE DELAYS CONTINUE, AND LOCAL LEADERS SAY IT IS HURTING BUSINESSES AND NEARBY COMMUNITIES.

OUR REPORTER WENDY FRYE HAS THAT STORY.

>> Reporter: AT THE RESTAURANT IN SAN YSIDRO, YOU MAY THINK IT IS ABOUT THE FOOD .

>> YOU CAN FIND THE SPACES ANYWHERE, BUT IT REALLY IS A WAY WE COULD THE FOOD.

THE WAY MY MOM COOK THE FOOD.

THE WAY MY FAMILY COOKED THE FOOD.

4 BUT REALLY IT IS MORE ABOUT FAMILY.

>> WITH OUR FAMILY IT IS NOT THE SAME.

I TRY TO HELP OUT EVERY WEEKEND THAT I CAN PICK MY BROTHER IS HERE EVERY WEEKEND WHEN HE CAN.

>> Reporter: FIVE SIBLINGS ITCHING AND AS A FAMILY HELPED THIS SMALL BUSINESS OF THE U.S.- MEXICO BORDER SURVIVE THE PANDEMIC.

>> WE ALL WORK HERE.

IT WAS A SUNDAY AND I REMEMBER WE WERE ALL TEARY AND THE MUSIC WAS BLARING, AND WE WERE JUST DANCING AND HAVING FUN.

IT IS A REALLY NICE FEELING.

>> Reporter: THE PANDEMIC IS FINALLY OVER BUT NOW THERE IS A NEW ROADBLOCK, MISERABLY LONG WAITS AT THE BORDER AND PORT CLOSURES HAVE CAUSED A SIGNIFICANT DROP IN REVENUE FOR THEIR AND OTHER LOCAL BUSINESSES.

>> THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC WE GET IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE COMING BACK AND FORTH THROUGH THE BORDER IS NOT THE SAME.

>> Reporter: WHILE BORDER CITIES ARE OVERWHELMED WITH RECORD NUMBERS OF MIGRANTS CROSSING INTO THE U.S. AM A LOCAL LEADERS SAY THE UNAUTHORIZED CROSSINGS, LIKE THE 100 OR SO WHO OVERWHELMED THE BORDER TWO WEEKS AGO I MIGHT HAVE CAUSED MAJOR SLOWDOWNS AT THE BORDER, AND FOR THIS IS IS LIKE THIS, THAT HAS RESULTED IN HEAVY LOSSES IN SALES.

>> WE STILL HAVE RENT TO PAY AND BILLS TO PAY AND OTHER DUES, NOT JUST US, NOT JUST OUR FAMILY, BUT OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE THEIR OWN FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: THE SAN YSIDRO LAND CROSSING IS THE BUSIEST IN THE WHOLE WORLD.

SOME 150,000 CARS PASS THROUGH THIS BORDER EACH AND EVERY DAY.

CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION'S SAYS THE AGENCY HAS HAD TO DIVERT RESOURCES FROM LEGITIMATE TRADE AND TRAVEL TO HANDLE RECORD NUMBERS OF MIGRANTS CROSSING IRREGULARLY INTO THE UNITED STATES.

JASON WELLS IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SAN YSIDRO IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION , LIKE A LOCAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

>> WITH 95% OF YOUR CLIENTS COMING FROM MEXICO, YOU CAN UNDERSTAND HOW EVERY IMPACT AT THE BORDER IMPACTS THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: IS IN A WORKING- CLASS COMMUNITY STRUGGLING TO RECOVER.

>> WE LOST 223 BUSINESSES AND 2300 JOBS IN A COMMUNITY OF 25,000.

THAT WAS A HUGE IMPACT FOR US.

>> Reporter: WELLS ESTIMATES A $2.1 BILLION LOSS IN SALES DURING THE LAST THREE YEARS.

SOME OF THOSE BUSINESSES -- >> Reporter: ARE THEY GONE FOR GOOD?

>> SHUT THEIR DOORS FOREVER.

>> Reporter: BORDER CLOSURES AND LONG WAITS ARE NOT JUST HURTING BUSINESSES.

CROSS-BORDER TRAVELERS ARE FED UP AS WELL.

>> IT TAKES A MOST FOUR HOURS TO GET ACROSS.

>> IT WAS REALLY BAD.

THE WAIT TIMES AND THE LINE WAS VERY LONG.

>> NOTHING ELSE TO DO BUT WAIT AND WAIT AND WAIT.

>> LAST WEEKEND WHEN I HAD TO GO TO WORK, IT WAS A TWO HOUR LINE ALMOST.

IT WAS LIKE A SNAKE, YOU KNOW, WIGGLING AROUND.

>> Reporter: DID YOU WAIT IN IT?

>> I HAD TO.

I HAD TO WORK.

BANK IT IS FASTER TO CROSS ON FOOT, BUT IT IS STILL 2.5 HOURS.

>> THEY ARE WORKING FOR THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRIES, IN HOSPITALS.

>> Reporter: LOCKING LUCAN WITH THE SMART BORDER COALITIONS AS LONG WAIT TIMES IMPACT NOT JUST BUSINESSES THAT THE BORDER, BUT PRODUCTIVITY ACROSS SAN DIEGO AND OVERALL TRADE BETWEEN THE U.S. AND MEXICO.

>> YOU CANNOT EXPECT AN EMPLOYEE TO PERFORM AT 100% IF HE HAS FOUR HOURS OF SLEEP, AND SIX HOURS ON FOOT.

>> Reporter: AT THE EL RINCON RESTAURANT, THE OWNERS SAY THEY NEED THE BORDER TO START MOVING AGAIN.

>> THE FACT THAT WE ARE GETTING AFFECTED BY IT AND EVERY BUSINESS HERE IS GETTING AFFECTED BY IT -- 4 BUSINESS OWNERS AND BORDER EXPERTS SAY THEY NEED TO HIRE AND TRAIN MORE EMPLOYEES AT THE BUSIEST CHECKPOINTS.

CBP WOULD ONLY SAY IN A STATEMENT THAT THEY ROUTINELY PLAN FOR AND EXECUTE CONTINGENCY MEASURES TO SUPPORT THE OVERARCHING AGENCY MISSION AND ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELL- BEING OF THOSE IN THE AGENCY'S CUSTODY.

LOCAL LEADERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS WILL CONTINUE LOBBYING CONGRESS FOR INCREASED BORDER CROSSING STAFFING TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS, AND THAT WILL HOPEFULLY INCREASE REVENUE FOR HARD-HIT BUSINESSES.

RECORDING FOR CAL MATTERS AND THE LOCAL IN SAN YSIDRO, CALIFORNIA, I AM WENDY FRYE.

>>> WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF BUDGET RETAILERS AND ANTS STORE CLOSURES IN RECENT YEARS, BUT ONE OF SAN DIEGO'S HIGH END MOUSE IS ONLY GETTING BIGGER.

WE TALK ABOUT THE LATEST EXPANSION OF UTC IN THE FRIDAY BUSINESS REPORT.

>> Reporter: AMAL LIKE UTC WHICH IS UNDERGONE IN THE LAST DECADE A RADICAL TRANSFORMATION FROM BEING A SAFELY ABOVE- AVERAGE MALL TO A TRUE LIFESTYLE DESTINATION IS UNDERGOING ONE NEW PHASE OF TRANSFORMATION, THE MALL OPERATOR WHICH OWNS 72 SHOPPING CENTERS IN 12 COUNTRIES IS FINALLY GOING TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION IN THE AREA WHERE THE OLD NORDSTROM'S WAS.

THAT HAS BEEN LEVELED.

IT WILL INCLUDE NEW SHOPS, NEW RESTAURANTS, AND GREATER AMENITIES.

ONE THING THAT THEY ARE DOING WHICH IS AROUND THE SENSIBILITIES OF A LOT OF PEOPLE ESPECIALLY IS A THING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGES THEY WANT TO MAKE THIS A SUSTAINABLE MALL.

THEY WILL PURSUE LEED CERTIFICATION, WHICH IS A STRICT BUILDING STANDARD THAT UTILIZES RENEWABLE ENERGY, NATURAL MATERIALS, AND OFFERS UP MORE BIODIVERSITY THROUGH GATHERING PLACES AND GREEN SPACES.

THIS IS GOING TO BE THE LAST PIECE OF THE PUZZLE IN THAT REGARD.

>>> TONIGHT ON "NEWS HOUR" ISRAELIS CELEBRATE PASSOVER AS TENS OF THOUSANDS REMAIN DISPLACED AND THE WAR WITH HAMAS RAGES ON.

THAT IS COMING UP AT 7:00 AFTER "EVENING EDITION" ON KPBS .

>>> UNIVERSITY OF SAINT CATHERINE IN SAN MARCO'S IS SHEDDING HIS DOORS INDEFINITELY .

IN AN EMAIL, THE SCHOOL FOUNDER FRANK PAPA THEA FINIS SAID THE SCHOOLS USED ALL EMPLOYMENT AS OF YESTERDAY.

HE SAYS THE SCHOOL COULD NO LONGER MEET ITS FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS.

IN AN EMAIL TO KPBS , HE SAID FINANCIAL PRESSURE DUE TO UNPRECEDENTED INFLATION AND RISING STATE MANDATED LABOR COSTS PREVENT US FROM CONTINUING THIS VALUABLE WORK WHILE REMAINING AFFORDABLE.

THE SCHOOL IS FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION AND WILL CLOSE AT THE END OF THE SEMESTER ON MAY 17.

>>> AFTER A LITTLE MORE THAN FOUR YEARS, A POPULAR SOCCER FIELD IS REOPENING IN SOUTH COUNTY.

THE BORDER VIEW YMCA WILL HOST ITS REOPENING THIS WEEKEND.

THE FIELD SHUT DOWN DURING THE PANDEMIC, BUT YMCA LEADERS SAY THE SPACE WAS ALREADY OLD AND NEEDED AN UPGRADE BEFORE IT COULD REOPEN.

THANKS TO DONATIONS INCLUDING FROM THE SAN DIEGO WAVE FC AND PNC BANK, CREWS WERE ABLE TO CLEAN UP THE SPACE AND REPLACE THE TURF.

>> THE SOUTH COUNTY IS SUCH A HUGE SOCCER COMMUNITY, AND THERE JUST IS NOT ENOUGH FIELD SPACE, AS IS FOR ALL OF THE CLUBS AND RECREATION SOCCER THAT TAKES PLACE HERE.

SO, NOT HAVING THIS SPACE HAS JUST BEEN DETRIMENTAL.

>> THE GRAND OPENING IS THIS SUNDAY, AND IT IS OPEN TO EVERYONE.

WAVE FC PLAYERS WILL ALSO BE THERE TO LEAD SOME SOCCER DRILLS, BUT REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THAT.

>>> SAN DIEGO IS LOOKING TO ADD TENS OF THOUSANDS OF NEW HOMES IN HILLCREST, AND WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD SHORT ON OPEN SPACE, KPBS METRO REPORTER ANDREW BOWEN SAYS A SUMMER LOOKING TO THE 163 FREEWAY FOR A NEW PARK.

>> Reporter: GLENN YUNGER IS ORDER -- OWNER OF GRAU AND LOCKE.

IT OCCUPIES A 110-YEAR-OLD BUILDING RIGHT NEXT TO THE 163.

THAT PROXIMITY TO THE FREEWAY CAN BE CONVENIENT, BUT IT HAS ITS DOWNSIDES.

>> IT IS NOISY AND SMELLY, AND THERE IS BLACK DUST.

I THINK IT IS TIRE DUST EVERYWHERE THAT COMES WITH IT.

WE HAVE TO WASH THE WINDOWS MORE OFTEN THAN YOU WOULD THINK.

>> Reporter: YUNGER RECALLS ABOUT A DECADE AGO HILLCREST BUSINESSES WERE EXPLORING THE CONCEPT OF COVERING PARTS OF THE 163 TO CREATE NEW PLAZAS OR PARKS.

THE IDEA NEVER REALLY TOOK OFF.

FREEWAY LIDS ARE COMPLEX AND VERY EXPENSIVE, BUT NOW THAT THE CITY IS UPDATING THE HILLCREST COMMUNITY PLAN TO ADD A LOT MORE HIGH DENSITY HOUSING, YOUNGER THINGS THE IDEA IS WORTH REVISITING.

THE FREEWAY TAKES UP ABOUT FIVE ACRES OF PRIME HILLCREST REAL ESTATE.

>> IF I HAD A MAGIC WAND AND TALKED TO EVERYBODY IN HILLCREST, IF I COULD GIVE YOU FIVE ACRES WOULD YOU TAKE IT, EVERYBODY WOULD SAY ABSOLUTELY.

WELL WE HAVE IT HERE.

IT IS JUST BEING USED FOR AIR RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: AIR AND A FREEWAY.

THE CITY PLANNING DEPARTMENT TOLD KPBS THEY ARE OPEN TO THE IDEA OF A FREEWAY LATER PEOPLE ASK FOR IT.

MAKING IT HAPPEN COULD COST HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND REQUIRE CLOSE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE CITY AND CALTRANS.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> WE ARE DEALING WITH WHAT HAS BEEN A CHILLY AND DAMP TIME.

WE WILL BE TURNING DRYER AFTER ONE MORE NIGHT WITH SOME SPRINKLES, MISTY OUT THERE, AND SOME ACTUAL RAIN SHOWERS.

THE WIND WILL TAPER OFF AS WELL.

WIND ADVISORIES ARE STILL IN A FAX EARLY THIS EVENING, BUT WILL BE ENDING TONIGHT.

WE WILL TURN A LITTLE WARMER AND BRIGHTER EACH DAY AS WE MOVE THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

THERE WILL STILL BE A PASSING SHOWER OUT THERE TONIGHT.

59 FOR THE OVERNIGHT LOW.

YOU CAN SEE IMPROVEMENTS BEGIN TO SET IN TOMORROW.

WE ARE NO LONGER SHOWING ANY SHOWERS LIKE WE HAD BEEN FOR RECENT DAYS.

SATURDAY YOU CAN SEE WE ARE DRYER.

STILL A LITTLE COOL.

67 IN SAN DIEGO.

BORREGO SPRINGS UP TO 81.

MOUNT LAGUNA STILL 49.

OVERALL HIGH PRESSURE BEGINS TO NOSE IN.

AND IT TURNS FAIRLY NICE FOR US , AND THE BREEZE CONTINUES TO TAPER OFF.

IT LOOKS LIKE A GREAT SUNDAY FOR US ACROSS THE REGION AS A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN AND SNOW MIX OCCURS INTO COLORADO.

THAT IS A LONG WAYS AWAY AS WE HAVE HIGH PRESSURE BUILDING BACK IN.

COSO FORECAST, TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 60s PRETTY CONSISTENTLY.

WEDNESDAY BACK INTO THE LOW 70s.

WE WILL SEE A MIX OF SUNSHINE AND CLOUDS.

MOST MORNINGS WILL FEATURE A LITTLE MORE CLOUD COVER, AND WE SEE MORE IN THE WAY OF SUNSHINE IN THE AFTERNOONS.

THE INLAND AREAS, STILL BREEZY TONIGHT BUT THE WIND WILL DIE DOWN.

WE ARE ON THE WAY UP TO 72 BY SUNDAY.

76, AND REALLY THE WEEKEND LOOKS PRETTY EASY AS WELL.

JUST A LITTLE COOL EARLY ON.

INTO THE MOUNTAINS WE GO AND STILL WE HAVE BREEZY WEATHER TONIGHT.

STILL WINDY RIGHT NOW, BUT THAT WILL BE DYING OFF AND TAPERING DOWN.

WE BEGIN THE PROCESS OF FORMING BACKUP FROM THE UPPER 40s ON A CALL SATURDAY TO THE MID-50s TUESDAY, AND LOOK AT WEDNESDAY TO THE MID TO UPPER 60s.

INTO THE DESERTS WE GO HERE AROUND 81, BREEZY SATURDAY.

91 BY MONDAY, 94 BY WEDNESDAY.

I AM GEOFF CORNISH FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> COMING UP AT SAN DIEGO CIVIC THEATRE, THE SAN DIEGO OPERAS BUT I AM BUTTERFLY.

KPBS REPORTER JACOB AERE GOT A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT WHAT GOES INTO MAKING SUCH A GRAND PRODUCTION .

>> Reporter: LOVE LOSS AND HONOR ARE SEVERAL THING -- IT SEEMS IN MADAME BUTTERLY, AN OPERA READY TO TAKE THE STAGE IN SAN DIEGO ONCE AGAIN.

THE GENERAL DIRECT DAVID BENNETT SAYS HE IS FEELING A LITTLE BIT ANXIOUS AND TIRED, BUT OVERALL HE IS EXCITED.

>> THIS IS ONE OF PUCCINI'S GREATEST OPERAS, AND MANY PEOPLE THINK OF PUCCINI AS THE GREATEST OPERA COMPOSER, SO IT IS VERY WELL KNOWN.

THEY CAME AFTER TWO OTHER VERY BIG SUCCESSES, AND THIS IS A VERY DIFFERENT WORLD.

>> Reporter: KPBS WAS ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO A REHEARSAL INSIDE THE NEARLY 3000 SEAT CIVIC THEATRE TO SEE WHAT GOES INTO CREATING SUCH A COMPLEX PERFORMANCE.

>> THIS IS PUCCINI WAS AN ITALIAN, MIDDLE OF THE 19th CENTURY, VERY BEGINNING OF THE 20th CENTURY, WRITING ABOUT ASIAN CULTURE FROM HIS ITALIAN PERSPECTIVE.

THE WAY HE SETS THE SCORE IS VAST AND DIFFERENT FROM WHAT HE COMPOSED BEFORE.

IT IS HIGHLY INFLUENCED BY FRENCH COMPOSITION, WHICH IS VERY DELICATE.

>> ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: THE STORY FOCUSES ON A YOUNG WOMAN WHO SUPPORTS YOURSELF AS A GEISHA AFTER HER DISGRACED FATHER TAKES HIS LIFE.

THE PERFORMANCE STARS SOPRANO KAREN WINTERS WHO PLAYS THAT WOMAN.

>>'S CHARACTER FOR HER VERY YOUNG YEARS IS HIGHLY INTELLIGENT AND ALSO VERY NAOVE.

SHE IS VERY FEISTY AND ANGRY, AND AT THE SAME TIME ESTIMATES GRACE AND POLITENESS AND COURTESY.

>> Reporter: WINTERS HAS PLAYED THIS ROLE THREE TIMES BEFORE AND SAYS CHO CHO SON IS A VULNERABLE CHARACTER THAT IS EMOTIONALLY AND MUSICALLY DIFFICULT TO TACKLE.

>> I WAS HAVING TO SING THIS INTENSE, COMPLICATED OPERA FROM A MUSICAL STANDPOINT, AND THE AMOUNT OF STAMINA AND TECHNIQUE REQUIRED TO SING A PIECE LIKE THIS WITH THOSE TWO FACTORS KIND OF ALWAYS AT PLAY IS A LOT.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY WILL GUIDE THE SHOW.

>> ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: THE STAGE WILL BE ADORNED WITH JAPANESE INSPIRED DECORATIONS TO MATCH THE STORY LINE, SAYS THE DIRECTOR OF MADAME BUTTERLY .

>> IS THE TRADITIONAL SETTING OF THE PIECE, 1904, 1906, AND YOU KNOW IT IS VISUALLY VERY STRIKING, BECAUSE OF ALL THOSE LEVELS.

IF YOU SEE THE DIFFERENT SEATS IN THE HOUSE, YOU GET A VERY DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE OF IT.

>> ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: BENNETT SAID THEY TOOK EXTRA CARE TO BE CULTURALLY ACCURATE IN THE SMALLEST DETAILS.

>> WE ARE MAKING SURE WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WITH REAL CULTURAL AWARENESS AND CULTURAL KNOWLEDGE DOWN TO THE WAY EVERYONE MOVES AND STEPS IN THE WAY YOU FOLD YOUR GARMENTS.

>> ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: IN THE STORY, SHE FALLS DESPERATELY IN LOVE WITH THEM IN AMERICAN NAVAL OFFICER AND MARRIES HIM BUT HE LEAVES HER FOR 3 YEARS, AND WHILE GONE, SHE BEARS HIS SON, AND HE TAKES AN AMERICAN WIFE.

THIS LEADS TO AN UNRAVELING OF HER IDENTITY.

>> SHE MARRIED AN AMERICAN IN THE EARLIEST 20th CENTURY, BUT SHE REJECTED HER OWN CULTURE, AND SHE WAS REJECTED IN TURN, SO THAT CREATES A VERY DRAMATIC CONCLUSION TO THE PIECE.

>> Reporter: WITH SUCH A POWERFUL STORY THAT REQUIRES GREAT ACTING AND VOICE, WINTERS DIGS DEEP FOR INSPIRATION.

>> IT SHOWS EACH CHARACTER IS A MULTIDIMENSIONAL HUMAN WITH A JOURNEY, AND WITH THEIR LIGHT, I GUESS, THE LIGHT SIDE OF THEIR PERSONALITY, AND THEIR DEMONS.

EACH CHARACTER HAS APPEARED >> Reporter: IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS THEATER HAS PUT ON THIS OPERA, BUT IT IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE NEW AND SEASONED TO EXPERIENCE THE SHOW.

>> IT IS A PERFECT PIECE FOR THE NEWCOMER TO THE OPERA.

IT IS ACCESSIBLE.

THE MUSIC IS SWEEPING AND IT REALLY GOES STRAIGHT TO YOUR HEART.

>> Reporter: THE TWO PERFORMANCES OUR SON IN ITALIAN WITH ENGLISH AND SPANISH TEXT REJECTED ABOVE THE STAGE AND TAKE PLACE IN THE EVENING AND SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT SAN DIEGO CIVIC THEATRE.

>> ♪ ♪ >> Reporter: JACOB AERE , KPBS NEWS .

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HAVE A NICE EVENING AND A GREAT WEEKEND.

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