>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT BEST ORIGINAL RECORDING THIS WEEK.

COMING UP, CHULA VISTA'S WATERFRONT VISION BEGAN TO TAKE SHAPE AS WORK GETS UNDERWAY ON THE LONG- AWAITED NATURE DEVELOPMENT.

>>> THEY ESCAPED THE TALIBAN, BUT A YEAR AFTER THE U.S. WITHDRAWAL, AND IN REFUGEES FACE A NEW SET OF CHALLENGES ADAPTING TO LIFE IN SAN DIEGO.

THE LEADING SAN DIEGO SCHOOLS, KPBS TALKS TO NEW SAN DIEGO UNIFIED BEFORE THE SCHOOL YEAR BEGINS.

>>> FIRST, MOVE NEVER SEEN IN OUR COUNTRY.

CALIFORNIA IS ON THE WAY TO SAYING GOODBYE TO GAS POWERED CARS, PROMISING TO GO ALL ELECTRIC IN THE YEARS AHEAD.

KPBS REPORTER , JOHN CARROLL, EXPLAINS THE HISTORIC MOVED TO DEAL WITH CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> Reporter: THE PROCESS OF GETTING TO TODAY'S VOTE BEGAN TWO YEARS AGO WHEN GAVIN NEWSOM SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER MANDATING THAT ALL VEHICLES SOLD IN CALIFORNIA MUST BE ZERO OMISSION 2035.

NOW, THE PROCESS OF PHASING OUT GAS ENGINES BEGINS.

THERE ARE BENCHMARKS ALONG THE WAY.

35% OF NEW VEHICLES MUST BE ZERO OMISSION IN JUST FOUR YEARS.

68% BY 2030, AND THEN 100% IN 13 YEARS.

>> I WOULD SAY THAT THERE'S A LOT OF ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT.

>> Reporter: AT THE SAN DIEGO- BASED CLIMATE ACTION DRINK CAMPAIGN, THE MOVE TO PHASE OUT GAS POWERED VEHICLES IS GREAT.

SHE SAYS THERE NEEDS TO BE FOLLOW THROUGH.

>> QUICK BUILDING OF INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS GOING TO HELP PEOPLE ACTUALLY HAVE FREEDOM OF CHOICE WHERE THEY DO NOT FEEL LIKE THEY NEED TO UTILIZE THEIR OWN VEHICLE.

>> Reporter: EFFORTS TO GO GREEN SHOULD INCLUDE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MASS TRANSIT, AS WELL.

STATE REGULATORS SAY THE NEW RULES HAVE RECEIVED VERY LITTLE PUSHBACK FROM CAR MANUFACTURERS.

HERE AT THE TEAM KIA DEALERSHIP , MANAGER CHRIS GEORGE SAYS HE IS ALL FOR ZERO EMISSION VEHICLES.

>> OVERALL, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.

>> Reporter: THAT HE HAS SEVERAL CONCERNS.

>> WILL BE ACCESSIBILITY.

AVERAGE PRICE POINT IS EXCEEDED $62,000.

AND FOR STRUCTURE CANNOT SUPPORT ALL THE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD.

>> Reporter: THE STATE HAS COMMITTED MONEY TO BUILD MORE EV CHARGING STATIONS, BUT GEORGIA SKEPTICAL THAT WILL HAPPEN FAST ENOUGH.

GEORGE SAYS THE CAR COMPANIES AND DEALERS ARE FACING ENORMOUS COSTS TO RETOOL THEIR SERVICE FACILITIES AND TO TRAIN THEIR MECHANICS ON HOW TO WORK ON EV.

PEOPLE STILL WILL BE ABLE TO BUY USED GAS POWERED CARS AFTER 2035, BUT THE DIE IS NOW CAST.

EVEN WITH THE INEVITABLE CHALLENGES, THE STATE WITH THE LARGEST CAR MARKET IN THE U.S. IS NOW MOVING TOWARD A GREENER FUTURE.

JOHN CARROLL, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT HAS BEEN QUITE A WEEK FOR THE SOUTH BAY, WORK IS ON THE WAY FOR THE SECOND BORDER CROSSING.

NEEDED TO SPEED UP WEIGHT TIMES AND BOOST THE NATION SUPPLY CHAIN.

$1.5 MILLION WILL BE SPENT ON THE PROJECT OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

>>> A FEW MILES AWAY, VALUABLE WATERFRONT PROPERTIES HAVE REDEVELOPED INTO WHAT CHULA VISTA HOPES WILL BE A NEW ECONOMIC ENGINE.

JACOB AIR SHOWS US THE EARLY WORK ON A LONG-AWAITED PROJECT IN WHAT LOCALS ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS BIG CHANGE.

>> Reporter: AFTER DECADES OF WAITING, THE BAYSIDE PART CONVENTION CENTER PROJECT IN CHULA VISTA HAS FINALLY BEGUN.

IT IS EXPECTED TO PUMP HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ANNUALLY INTO THE LOCAL ECONOMY.

BUT NOT EVERYONE IS SOLD ON THE PROJECT.

KPBS SPOKE WITH LOCAL WORKERS AND RESIDENTS AND GOT A MIXED REACTION.

A FEW SAY THAT THE JOBS WILL BE LOW-WAGE, AND THEY WORRY ABOUT HOW THE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT WILL INCREASE TRAFFIC AND OVERCROWDING.

AMONG THEM IS TIJUANA RESIDENT OSCAR OCHOA, WHO WORKS AS A SECURITY GUARD IN THE AREA.

>> IS GOING TO BE CROWDED, BUT FOR US, IT WILL BE A HUGE PROBLEM.

MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE COMING AROUND.

>> OTHERS ARE THANKFUL FOR THE CONSTRUCTION.

JOE HAS BEEN WAITING ON THE PROJECT FOR DECADES.

>> IT WILL INFUSE A LOT OF MONEY AND THAT COMMUNITY, BUSINESS ACTIVITY.

USED TO THE WATERFRONT, IT IS GREAT THAT THEY USED THE WATERFRONT.

IT HAS JUST BEEN LAYING HERE DOING NOTHING FOREVER.

>> Reporter: RIGHT NOW THE INSTRUCTION IS CAUSING A NUMBER OF ROAD CLOSURES IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY.

FOR THE TIME BEING, THE ROADS WILL LIKELY STAY CLOSED.

THE PROJECT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN 2025.

JIM O'CALLAGHAN, THE CEO OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL SAYS THAT SHORT-TERM PAIN WILL TRANSLATE A LONG-TERM GAME.

MUCH OF THE AREA WILL ULTIMATELY HAVE NEW PATHS FOR CARS AND PEDESTRIANS ALIKE.

>> RHINO HERE YOU WILL HAVE HUNDREDS OF ACRES OF WALKABLE SPACE THAT WILL CONNECT TO THE BIKEWAY, GIVING AMPLE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FIELDS THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO USE IN YEARS.

SOME OF THIS WAS OLD SITES THAT WERE FOR REFINERIES, POWER PLANTS, AND NOW BEING ABLE TO TAKE IT BACK AS PUBLIC LAND IS PRETTY INCREDIBLE.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

>> WHILE THE PROJECT IS JUST BEGINNING, ANOTHER HUGE PROJECT IN SAN DIEGO IS READY TO OPEN.

SNAPDRAGON STADIUM IN MISSION VALLEY WILL HOST ITS FIRST EVENT NEXT WEEKEND, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd IS THE DEBUT IN SAN DIEGO STATE BUT BEGINS AT SEASON.

THE NEW VENUE CAN HOLD MORE THAN 30,000 PEOPLE.

WAY THAT C WILL ALSO CALL SNAPDRAGON HOME WITH ITS FIRST MATCH ON DECEMBER 17th.

LOCAL FARMERS EARN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS GROWING FRUIT IN PARTS OF NORTH COUNTY, BUT IT IS NOW AT RISK OF BEING WITH US.

THE CULPRIT IS AN INVASIVE BUG THAT NOW HAS SOME OF THOSE CROPS UNDER QUARANTINE.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER, MATT HOFFMAN, SPOKE WITH FARMERS WHO ARE HOPING TO SAVE THE HARVEST.

>> THEY ARE NORMALLY A PRETTY DURABLE FRUIT, BUT THERE ARE PESTS THAT CAN ATTACK IT.

AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: THIRD GENERATION GROWER, WARREN LYLE, HAS BEEN IN THIS SITUATION BEFORE.

250 ACRES OF ORANGES AND AVOCADOS.

BACK IN 2002, THERE WAS AN EVEN LARGER INFESTATION OF MEXICAN FRUIT FLIES THREATENING HIS CROP.

>> THE QUARANTINE LASTED ALMOST A YEAR.

IT WAS HARD.

>> Reporter: LYLE DODGED THE FRUIT FLIES TWO DECADES AGO, AND THOUGH HE WAS IN A QUARANTINE AREA, HISTORY WAS NEVER INVESTED.

TODAY'S OUTBREAK IS THREATENING A TOTAL OF $300 MILLION IN LOCAL CROPS.

LYLE SAYS OF THE INVASIVE MEXICAN FRUIT FLIES LAY THEIR EGGS INSIDE OF DOZENS OF CITRUS AND TROPICAL FRUITS.

LARVA THEN CARDS TO SPOIL.

>> IT ROTS AND IS DESTROYED.

IT IS A PEST THAT WE CANNOT TOLERATE.

>> Reporter: THE LATEST INFESTATION STARTED IN VALLEY CENTER.

A SMALL POPULATION, AND THEY HAVE CREATED A 77 MILE QUARANTINE AREA TO ERADICATE THEM.

ANY FARMERS WITHIN THE QUARANTINE VALLEY HAVE TO TREAT WITH THEIR FRUITS AND AN ORGANIC PESTICIDE.

THEY ALSO HAVE TO INSPECT THEM FOR THEY CAN BE SOLD.

>> THE PESTS HITCHHIKE INTO OUR REGION.

>> Reporter: THE AGRICULTURAL OFFICIAL OVERSEES THE QUARANTINE AND MAKE SURE FRUITS ARE BEING TREATED AND CLEANED.

SHE IS BEEN HOLDING TOWN HALLS AND TALKING WITH CONCERNED GROWERS.

>> IS GOING TO IMPACT THE OPERATION AND INCREASE PRODUCTION COSTS.

AS YOU KNOW, THAT WOULD ALSO RESULT IN POTENTIAL COST INCREASES FOR THE CONSUMERS.

>> Reporter: RELEASING STILL FOR FRIES TO TRY AND DISRUPT THE REPRODUCTIVE PROCESS.

THEY ARE ALSO REMOVING FRUIT AND DOING SPA TREATMENTS.

THE QUARANTINE WILL RUN THROUGH AT LEAST JUNE OF NEXT YEAR, AND IT COULD GO LONGER IF THE FLIES CANNOT BE ALLOWED ERADICATED.

MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST READ STORIES THIS WEEK.

CARLSBAD DECLARES AN EMERGENCY EXIT SEES A SPIKE IN COLLISIONS INVOLVING E-BIKES.

>>> TODD GLORIA ANNOUNCES HIS PLAN TO MOVE FORWARD WITH DEVELOPMENT OF THE MIDWAY DISTRICT.

>>> AND CALM A DEEP DIVE INTO THE HISTORY BEHIND THE RECENT VIOLENCE INVOLVING DRUG CARTELS IN TIJUANA.

>>> HOUSING IS SO TIGHT RIGHT NOW BUT AN OLD MOTEL IN NORTH COUNTY IS NOW BEING CONVERTED TO APARTMENTS.

BUT SHOULD RENT REALLY COST MORE THAN BIGGER, MORE MODERN UNITS IN THE AREA?

KPBS REPORTER, TANYA THORNE, TELLS ABOUT THE PUSHBACK TO A DEVELOPERS ARE DESCRIBING IS AFFORDABLE.

>> Reporter: THE VISTA CITY COUNCIL HAS APPROVED THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE FORMER MOTEL 6 IN THE STUDIO APARTMENT BUILDING.

THE RENOVATED PROPERTY WILL INCLUDE 75 STUDIO APARTMENTS, AVERAGING 335 SQUARE FEET.

RENT PRICE WILL BE BASED ON MARKET RATE AT THE TIME THEY ARE RENTED.

THE CONSTRUCTION WAS COMPLETED TODAY, THE RENT WOULD BE AROUND $1400 PER MONTH.

ACCORDING TO THE PROPERTY DEVELOPERS.

COUNCILMEMBER KARINA CONTRARINESS VOTED AGAINST THE PROJECT, SAYING THE RENT IS ANYTHING BUT AFFORDABLE.

>> WHAT I DISAGREE WITH HIS CALLING THIS ANY KIND OF ATTAINABLE OR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

IT IS NOT THE RESTRICTED, AND ESSENTIALLY, WITH THIS DEVELOPER IS DOING IS A VERY MODEST MODIFICATIONS.

>> Reporter: BRAND-NEW LUXURY STUDIO APARTMENTS WITH MORE SQUARE FOOTAGE ARE GOING FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO DOLLARS PER SQUARE FOOT IN THE CITY OF DESTIN.

WHILE THESE, >> IF WE ARE LOOKING AT $1500 PER ROOM AND AN AVERAGE OF 375 SQUARE FEET, THAT IS FOUR DOLLARS.

DID I DO THE MATH RIGHT?

THAT IS FOUR DOLLARS PER SQUARE FOOT.

THAT IS OUTRAGEOUS.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS.

WITHOUT A DEED RESTRICTION, I CAN'T SWALLOW THIS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: CONTRARINESS TOWARD A MODEL UNIT FOR HER VOTE AND WAS NOT IMPRESSED.

>> FOR SOMEONE PAYING FOUR DOLLARS PER SQUARE FOOT FOR A NEW PAINT JOB AND 375 SQUARE FEET OF SPACE WERE PREVIOUSLY PEOPLE WERE ALLOWED TO SMOKE AND THE ROOM HAS NOT BEEN GUTTED, THERE IS NOT BEEN ANY ATTEMPT TO MITIGATE THAT.

THAT IS A HUGE ISSUE FOR ME TOO.

>> Reporter: OTHER CONCERNS RAISED WITH THE TRAFFIC ON THE BUSY ROAD LEADING TO THE 78 FREEWAY, AND THE LACK OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY.

$950 A MONTH FOR A LOW INCOME STUDIO APARTMENT IN VISTA.

>> I WAS BLESSED MORE THAN ANYTHING, I'M APPRECIATIVE OF WHAT I DO HAVE.

>> HE DOES NOT THINK THE NEW PROJECT WILL ALLEVIATE THE AREAS AFFORDABILITY CRISIS.

>> I THINK MAYBE A MORE REASONABLE PRICE FOR LOW INCOME, AND NO MORE THAN 1000.

ESPECIALLY WITH THE MOTEL 6, THE ROOMS ARE SO MUCH SMALLER.

EVEN $1000 I FEEL IS WAY TOO HIGH.

I THINK SOMETHING REASONABLE, MAYBE 700, 800 MAYBE FOR THE SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: NO DATE HAS BEEN SET ON WHEN THE UNITS WILL BE AVAILABLE.

TANYA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IN SOUTHBAY, NEIGHBORHOOD PARK IS BEEN SHUT DOWN AFTER A POINT ABOUT THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

ALEXANDRA TELLS US MORE ABOUT THE CONCERNS THAT FACE THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA TO TAKE ACTION.

>> Reporter: FOR THE PAST FIVE MONTHS, SHE HAS BEEN LIVING AT HARBORSIDE PARK.

>> IT HAPPEN THIS WAY FOR A REASON.

WE ALL LOST OUR JOB, OUR HOMES.

SOME WITHOUT A PROBLEM, SOME WITHOUT A PROBLEM, IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO THEY ARE, OR WHAT THEY ARE.

THEY BASICALLY CAME TO THE SITUATION THROUGH THE ECONOMY.

>> Reporter: SHE IS CALLED MAMA HEATHER BECAUSE SHE TAKES CARE OF PEOPLE, MAKING SURE THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED.

AND SHE MAKE SURE THE PARK STAYS CLEAN.

CHULA VISTA COUNCILMEMBER JOHN McCANN WANTS TO CLOSE THE PARK DOWN.

HE SAYS THE DRUG USE AND CRIME ARE MAKING IT DANGEROUS FOR STUDENTS AT NEARBY HARBORSIDE ELEMENTARY.

>> THIS IS NOT A HOMELESS ISSUE.

THIS IS AN ILLEGAL ACTIVITY, DRUG USE ISSUE.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT NORMALIZING THIS FOR OUR CHILDREN, AND PROTECTING OUR MOST HONORABLE CHILDREN IN THE HARBORSIDE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: BUT HOMELESS ADVOCATES SAY IT IS A HOMELESS ISSUE.

THEY ARE GOING TO BE COMPLETELY DISPLACED.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACTIVITY FOR HOPE SAYS THAT THERE IS NO SHELTER IN THE CITY FOR PEOPLE.

THE CHULA VISTA SHELTER IS NOT EXPECTED TO BE OPEN UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> I THINK IT IS GOING TO CREATE THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT PARENTS ARE ASKING FOR, WHICH IS FOR THE AREA TO BE SAFER.

THESE FOLKS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO OUT INTO RESIDENTIAL AREAS BECAUSE THEY CANNOT CONGREGATE AT THIS PART.

>> Reporter: AND SERVICE PROVIDERS WILL BE HARDER TO HELP PEOPLE.

>> THE REASON PEOPLE CONGREGATED THIS PARK IS BECAUSE IT IS RIGHT NEXT TO HUMAN SERVICES, AND GET HELP.

THERE IS A LOT OF FOCUS ON IT BEING NEXT TO THE SCHOOL, THEN AT THE COUNTY BUILDING THEY CAN GET ACCESS TO VACCINES, MEDICINE, CHECK ON THEIR EBT, CHECK ON THE STATUS OF ANY KIND OF SSI THEY ARE GETTING.

THAT IS REALLY WHY A LOT OF FOLKS ARE HERE.

>> THE CITY COUNCIL WILL VOTE UNDER RESOLUTION TONIGHT, AND IF PASSED, THE PARK WILL BE CLOSED FOR 90 DAYS WITH OPTION TO EXTEND THE CLOSURE.

IT WILL COST THE CITY $350,000.

>> AND THE UPDATE THAT STORY, THE CITY COUNCIL DECIDED TO CLOSE THAT PART.

AN EVENT IS IN THE WORKS TO CONNECT WITH THOSE DISPLACED WITH SERVICES.

ONE YEAR AFTER THE U.S.

PULLED OUT FROM AFGHANISTAN, REFUGEES THAT ESCAPE THE TALIBAN NOW HAVE RELATIVE SAFETY.

BUT THEIR TRANSITION REMAINS UNCERTAIN AND DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN.

KPBS REPORTER, STEVE WALSH CAUGHT UP WITH SOME TRYING TO MAKE A NEW LIFE HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: AS SOON AS SHE AND HER THREE SISTERS EVACUATED FROM AFGHANISTAN LAST YEAR, THEY WERE ALLOWED ONLY ONE BACKPACK EACH.

SHE TAKES ME THROUGH THEIR HOME.

SHE IS EMBARRASSED THAT THERE HOUSE IS FURNISHED WITH NEW NATIONS.

>> I CAN FEEL WHATEVER THEY ARE FEELING RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: WITH NO MALE RELATIVE, THEY WERE VIRTUALLY TRAPPED IN THEIR HOME AS THE TALIBAN TOOK OVER AFGHANISTAN.

>> SOMETHING LIKE A NIGHTMARE MAYBE FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING IN THE U.S., BUT IT LOOKS LIKE A MOVIE.

FOR US, EVERY MINUTE WAS LIKE A HORROR FILM.

WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT.

>> Reporter: HER FAMILY ARRIVED IN SAN DIEGO IN JANUARY.

BEFORE THEY LEFT, SHE TAUGHT ENGLISH LITERATURE AT THE LOCAL UNIVERSITY.

OCCASIONALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT NOW ESMERALDA HOLDS VIRTUAL CLASSES WITH HER FORMER STUDENTS, BECAUSE ENGLISH HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE CURRICULUM AND WOMEN ARE OFTEN BARRED FROM CLASS.

>> THEY HAD GOALS, DREAMS, BUT RIGHT NOW THEY SAY WE DO NOT KNOW ABOUT HER TOMORROW.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO.

THEY ARE REALLY BROKEN.

SHE NOW WORKS WITH COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS, HELPING OTHER RECENT ARRIVALS.

THE TRANSITION TO THE U.S. IS ESPECIALLY TOUGH FOR AFGHAN WOMEN.

HER FATHER STRESSED EDUCATION.

ONE SISTER IS A NEUROSURGEON, ANOTHER IS AN ARCHITECT, ALTHOUGH MANY OF THE OTHER WOMEN ESMERALDA WORKS WITH CANNOT READ OR WRITE.

>> SOME IN THE ORGANIZATION, WHEN THEY HELP, THEY SAY OKAY, YOU HAVE TO START WORKING.

BUT HOW?

WHEN THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY KNOWLEDGE?

WHEN THEY DO NOT KNOW THE LANGUAGE?

WHEN THEY DO NOT EVEN HAVE THAT SELF-CONFIDENCE TO WORK?

>> Reporter: IN A HECTIC LAST DAYS OF THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT IN AFGHANISTAN, THE U.S. PRIORITIZE PEOPLE WHO HAD WORKED WITH THE U.S. DEVON COHEN SAYS THE FOCUS WAS ON THOSE WHO MIGHT QUALIFY FOR SPECIAL IMMIGRATION VISAS.

>> BECAUSE OF THE WORK THESE WOMEN DID, THEY WERE AT RISK BY THE TALIBAN.

THEY DID NOT WORK FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.

NOT SUBCONTRACTORS FOR U.S. GOVERNMENT FUNDING.

SO THERE REALLY WAS NO WAY, AND THERE IS STILL VERY FEW WAYS FOR THEM TO GET TO THE U.S. >> Reporter: COORDINATED A RANGE OF THAT GROUPS GETTING PEOPLE OUT OF AFGHANISTAN.

ONE YEAR OUT, HE IS WORRIED THE PUBLIC ATTENTION IS FADING.

>> IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THE WORLD IS NOT STOP TALKING ABOUT THIS.

AS SOON AS THE WORLD DOES NOT STOP TALKING ABOUT IT WE SEE THE UPTAKE.

WHEN UKRAINE KICKED OFF, THERE WAS A UPTICK IN RAIDS ON HOUSES.

>> Reporter: THE AFGHAN ACT WILL HELP THOSE CAUGHT IN LIMBO.

WORKING WITH THE USAID, NOT DIRECTLY WITH AMERICANS, BUT IT WAS ENOUGH TO GET HER FAMILY ON THE RADAR FOR THE LAST-MINUTE EVACUATION.

GLAD TO BE SAFE, SHE IS ALSO SAID THAT SHE IS NOW PART OF A BRAIN DRAIN FORCED BY THE TALIBAN.

>> IT MADE ME SAD, AND IT IS TELLING ME THAT MY EDUCATION WAS USELESS.

I CANNOT USE IT FOR MY OWN PEOPLE, FOR MY COUNTRY, SO IT MAY BE USELESS FOR THE TIME BEING.

SO THAT MADE ME DISAPPOINTED.

FEEL HOPELESS.

>> Reporter: WITHOUT SOME OTHER SOLUTION, THE SISTERS NOW HAVE TWO YEARS TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE BACKLOG IMMIGRATION PROCESS.

STEVE WALSH, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SIX MONTHS SINCE THE WAR IN UKRAINE KICKED OFF AND THERE IS NO END IN SIGHT.

KITTY ALVARADO HAS ONE OF THE STORIES OF THE REFUGEES WHO CELEBRATED FAR FROM HOME.

>> Reporter: UKRAINE IS IN HER HEART AND MIND EVERY DAY.

>> I MISS HOME SO MUCH.

I JUST WANT TO OPEN THE DOOR OF MY APARTMENT AND COMMON.

I WANT TO SEE EVERYBODY.

AND -- >> Reporter: SHE DREAMS OF THE DAY WERE SHAKING GO BACK TO A LIFE SHE USED TO LIVE.

ON THE INDEPENDENCE DAY OF THE COUNTRY SHE LONGS TO SEE, HER HEART IS WITH PEOPLE WHO SURVIVED THE UNIMAGINABLE.

>> I MEMBER THESE PEOPLE.

THEY ARE ALL WONDERFUL.

WHEN THEY SAY FOR A WHILE IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, AND SRI LANKA, OR HERE, I CAN SEE PEOPLE, AMERICAN PEOPLE, BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT I MISS OUR PEOPLE SO MUCH.

>> Reporter: WHEN THE WAR BROKE OUT, HER HUSBAND AND TWO LITTLE BOYS WERE ON VACATION.

THEY MANAGE TO MAKE THEIR WAY TO SAN DIEGO THROUGH TIJUANA.

THAT WAS SEVEN MONTHS AGO.

SHE SAYS THAT KNOWING HER LOVED ONES ARE SO FAR AWAY AND ENDANGER HIS TOUGH.

BUT THEIR FIGHTING SPIRIT GIVES HER HOPE.

>> WHEN I SEE ALL OF THESE SHINING FACES, I AM JUST PROUD TO BE PART OF THIS NATION.

I START TO BE MORE BRAVE.

>> Reporter: WHILE THEIR MISSION HAS NOT BEEN EASY, THEY HOLD ART SALES AND MARKETS IN DIFFERENT CITIES THAT FEATURE UKRAINIAN ARTIST.

SO FAR THEY HAVE RAISED OVER $10,000.

>> MOST OF THESE ARTISTS ARE IN UKRAINE NOW, AND THEY ARE DISPLACED ON THIS AGE.

BETWEEN LIFE IN THIS.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THAT WHEN SHE SEES THE FACES OF HER OWN TWO SONS, SHE SEES THE FACES OF THE BRAVE UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS.

THEIR SACRIFICE FILLS HER WITH EMOTION.

>> THEY ARE ALL OUR SONS.

SONS OF OUR NATURE, OF OUR LAND, OF OUR PEOPLE.

OF COURSE IT HURTS.

IT HURTS SO MUCH EVERY DAY.

IT IS LIKE TWO FEELINGS.

PAIN AND LOVE.

EVERY DAY I CAN FEEL IT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THAT AFTER 31 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE, SHE FINALLY FEELS LIKE SHE KNOWS WHAT THE DAY TRULY MEANS.

>> I KNOW WHAT I AM CELEBRATING NOW.

THIS DAY, IT IS NOT JUST A DAY WITH CONCERT AND FIREWORKS.

THIS DAY IT IS OUR PAIN, OUR LOVE, OUR HOPE.

>> Reporter: KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>> BUT CAMPAIGNS FOR IT THE CAMPAIGN ARE NOW OFFICIAL.

THE NEW YORK TIMES THE SELLER.

THE SELECTION FOR TEENS IS THE MAGIC FISH.

AND FOR KIDS, WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS, WRITTEN BY CAROL LINDSTROM AND ILLUSTRATED BY MICHAELA GAUDI.

GO TO THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE TO WATCH THE ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO WITH COMMENTS BY THE AUTHORS.

KPBS WILL BE PARTNERING WITH LOCAL LIBRARIES AND SCHOOLS TO PUT ON SOME SPECIAL EVENTS OVER THE COMING YEAR.

>>> CLASSES BACK IN SESSION ON MONDAY FOR SAN DIEGO UNIFIED, OUR LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT, IT IS ALSO THE FIRST FULL YEAR FOR THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT.

HE SPOKE WITH KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER ABOUT THIS BIG OPPORTUNITY AND HIS VISION FOR LEADING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> Reporter: DR. LAMONT JACKSON CONSIDERS HIMSELF A SPIRITUAL MAN.

>> AN AFRICAN PROVERB WHICH MEANS I CAN BECAUSE WE ARE.

>> Reporter: THAT PROVERB CONTINUES TO INSPIRE THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SAN DIEGO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THE MESSAGE HE LIVED BY EVEN FOR BEING APPOINTED PERMANENTLY TO THE POSITION LAST MARCH.

IN OUR INTERVIEW, HE SET THE TONE FOR WHAT IS TO COME IN THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.

>> THIS SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE ABOUT BELONGING.

IT WILL BE ABOUT EQUITY.

IT WILL BE ABOUT OUR CHILDREN AND STAFF DRIVING SO THAT WE CAN BECOME WHAT WE HAVE SET OUT TO DO, AND THAT IS THE BEST PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM ACROSS THE NATION.

>> SAN DIEGO UNIFIED IS STARTING WITH THE CONTINUING COVID CRISIS.

>> WE HAVE RECENTLY, AS YOU KNOW, MOVED AWAY FROM A DISTRICTWIDE MASK MANDATE TO REALLY FOCUS ON WHAT IS HAPPENING AT OUR SCHOOLS.

WE REALIZE THAT A LOT OF DATA IS ABLE TO BE CAPTURED AT OUR SCHOOL SITES.

>> Reporter: INDIVIDUAL SCHOOLS COULD REINSTATE MASKS OR TAKE OTHER COVID PRECAUTIONS BASED ON A LOCALIZED OUTBREAK OF CASES, RATHER THAN A MANDATE FOR THE ENTIRE DISTRICT.

THEN THERE IS THE THREAT OF THE MONKEYPOX VIRUS.

THERE WILL BE SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR STUDENTS IN ATHLETICS.

>> FOR EXAMPLE, OUR MATS CLEAN FOR WRESTLERS?

WE KNOW THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS TRANSMITTED THROUGH CLOSE CONTACT, THE SHARING OF TOWELS AND MATERIALS LIKE THAT.

>> Reporter: THE CALIFORNIA LATE START LAW REQUIRES MIDDLE SCHOOLS TO BEGIN AT 8 A.M. OR LATER AND HIGH SCHOOLS NO LATER THAN 8:30 A.M. DR. JACKSON SAYS THE DISTRICT HAS A SCHOOL YEAR WORTH OF DATA FROM A PILOT PROGRAM STARTED IN 2021.

>> WE HAVE LEARNED A GREAT DEAL, FROM TRANSPORTATION TO WHAT THIS MEANT FOR OUR PARENTS WHO HAVE MULTIPLE DROP-OFF POINTS.

WHEN THEY HAVE MULTIPLE CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY, AND I THINK WE ARE POISED.

>> Reporter: POISED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO STUDENTS BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL AS FAMILIES ADJUST THEIR ROUTINES.

THE DISTRICT ALSO HAS MORE STUDENT REPRESENTATION ON THE SCHOOL BOARD THIS YEAR.

ZACHARY PATTERSON, WHO HELPED CREATE THE STUDENT POSITION, GRADUATED IN JUNE AND HAS BEEN REPLACED BY TWO NEW STUDENTS WHO ARE CONTINUING THE LEGACY.

>> REALLY PUSHING ON THE IDEA THAT TRUSTEE PATTERSON PUSHED ON, AND THAT IS STUDENT VOICE.

REALLY HAVING STUDENTS AT THE TABLE AND HEARING FROM THEM.

>> JACKSON HAS BEEN WITH THE DISTRICT FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS AS A TEACHER, COACH, RENTABLE, HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR, AND A PRODUCT OF SAN DIEGO UNIFIED.

PUTTING 12 YEARS OF HIS EDUCATION AND DISTRICT SCHOOLS.

HE IS ALSO A DEDICATED FATHER.

HE SHARED A VERY PERSONAL STORY OF GROWTH.

WHEN HIS SON DECIDED TO PURSUE A COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP IN OPERA AND NOT ATHLETICS.

>> IT WAS ALL HIM WHO SAID HE WAS INTERESTED IN PURSUING CHOIR AND THAT HE WAS MOVING AWAY FROM ATHLETICS, WHICH IS PROBABLY WHAT I WAS PUSHING HIM INTO DOING.

IF THERE IS A MESSAGE FOR PARENTS, IT IS THAT WE NEED TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF OUR STUDENTS AND LET THEM FIND THEIR VOICE.

MAGIC WILL HAPPEN.

SORRY, I GET A LITTLE CHOKED UP.

>> Reporter: THE SUPERINTENDENT, WHO IS STILL TEACHING.

>> WE LIFESTREAM KPBS EVENING EDITION WEEKNIGHTS AT FIVE.

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

I AM I A, THANKS FOR JOINING US.