♪ ♪ >>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS THIS WEEK.

IN THIS NEWSCAST THE CHANGING FACE OF SAN DIEGO.

NEW DATA REVEALS THE SHIFTING DEMOGRAPHICS IN AMERICA'S LARGEST CITY.

>>> THE FIGHT FOR REPRESENTATION IN CHULA VISTA.

COMMUNITY MEMBERS SAY NOT ENOUGH MINORITY CONTRACTORS ARE BEING INCLUDED IN A MAJOR BAYFRONT DEVELOPMENT.

>>> AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE PRONTO PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR MASS TRANSIT.

>>> WE START WITH BACK-TO-SCHOOL IN THE COVID-19 ERA.

MANY CAMPUSES ARE WELCOMING KIDS BACK TO CAMPUS AND DOING WHAT THEY CAN TO KEEP THE VIRUS IN CHECK.

NORTH COUNTY REPORTER TANIA THORNE CAUGHT UP WITH STUDENTS IN ESCONDIDO.

>> Reporter: STAFF FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS ARRIVED AT ESCONDIDO HIGH SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES.

JOCELYN MENDEZ IS A SENIOR.

>> I'M HOPING WE CAN ALL GO BACK TO SPORTS AND SCHOOL AND HAVING JUST A NORMAL TEENAGE LIFE FOR MY LAST YEAR HERE.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS PLAYED VOLLEYBALL SINCE HER FRESHMAN YEAR AND IS EAGER TO PLAY AGAIN .

>> I'M SUPER EXCITED.

I'M SO READY TO GO BACK TO EVERYTHING.

>> Reporter: GABRIELA IS A JUNIOR THIS YEAR AND SHE SAYS COVID DOESN'T MAKE HER AS NERVOUS ANYMORE BECAUSE SHE GOT VACCINATED.

>> TO BE HONEST, COVID IS KIND OF SCARY, BUT NOT AS MUCH.

I'M VERY EXCITED TO SEE MY FRIENDS AND HANG OUT WITH THEM.

BUT I DON'T WANT TO HANG OUT WITH THEM SO MUCH BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO GET COVID.

>> Reporter: THE HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT SEND OUT THIS RETURN TO CAMPUS GUIDE.

IT GOES OVER HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS, COVID SCREENING AND EXPOSURE, AS WELL AS SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR STUDENTS.

ESCONDIDO UNION HIGH SCHOOLS WILL FOLLOW THE COUNTY'S GUIDELINES IF ANY COVID EXPOSURES COME UP.

CAESAR WALKED HIS DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL TODAY.

HE JUST HOPES STUDENTS WILL TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS AND WHERE THEIR FACEMASKS.

>> I THINK THE SCHOOL WILL TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS AND I FEEL CONFIDENT THEY WILL KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THE SITUATION.

>> Reporter: JUST LIKE THAT IT IS THE FIRST DAY OF CLASSES FOR ESCONDIDO UNION HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

NO ONE REALLY KNEW OF ANYONE WHO MADE THE CHOICE TO STAY HOME FOR ONLINE CLASSES.

>>> LIKE WE'VE SEEN IN RECENT WEEKS NEW CASES OF COVID-19, LARGELY AMONG THE UNVACCINATED, REMAIN ELEVATED.

THAT'S FORCING THE COUNTY TO EXPAND OPTIONS FOR FREE TESTING TO MEET DEMAND.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMANN RECENTLY REVISITED ONE OF THE OPEN SITES.

>> I'VE BEEN HAVING A HEADACHE, SWOLLEN LYMPH NODES AND FEELING REALLY TIRED.

KIND OF FEELING A BIT OUT OF IT IS THE WAY I WOULD DESCRIBE IT.

>> Reporter: RIHANNA AND JOHN ARE BOTH VACCINATED, BUT BOTH ARE GETTING TESTED AFTER NOT FEELING WELL FOLLOWING A MUSIC FESTIVAL WHERE THEY HAD A LOT OF CLOSE CONTACT.

>> RIGHT UP IN THERE, ALL UPON YOU.

PEOPLE ONLINE YOUR FACE.

>> Reporter: THE PAIR ARE REGISTERED NURSES.

NOW THEY WANT TO SEE IF THEY HAVE TO QUARANTINE.

>> YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOU ARE INFECTED OR NOT.

WITH THREE TESTING AVAILABILITY THERE IS NO REASON NOT TO.

>> Reporter: OFFICIALS ARE SCALING UP TESTING CAPACITY DUE TO AN INCREASE IN DEMAND.

AT THIS SITE ALONE THEY CAN DO UP TO 1500 TESTS PER DAY.

WE SAW LONG LINES AT THE ALUMNI CENTER, ONE OF SIX NEWLY REOPENED SITES ACROSS THE COUNTY.

ALL TESTS ARE FREE.

SOME ARE OFFERING LOCKUPS AND OTHERS NEED APPOINTMENTS.

A ROBUST TESTING PROGRAM IS KEY TO TRACKING THE VIRUS.

>> A LOT OF MUCUS, LUNG CONGESTION.

NO FEVER, IT'S NOT SUPER SERIOUS.

BUT STILL, WE ARE HAVING PEOPLE OVER THIS WEEKEND AND I WANT TO SEE IF I CAN GET A QUICK TEST.

>> Reporter: HILLCREST RESIDENT RON IS VACCINATED BUT STARTED FEELING SICK AFTER ALSO ATTENDING A MUSIC FESTIVAL.

>> CATCHING A COLD DURING THE DAYS AFTER THAT SEEMED TO BE SUSPICIOUS ENOUGH.

I'D RATHER BE SAFE THAN SORRY.

>> Reporter: EVERYONE WE TALKED TO, INCLUDING RESIDENT SCOTT MORTON, SAID THEY ARE GETTING TESTED TO PROTECT THOSE AROUND THEM.

>> I'M NOT FEELING WELL, DESPITE BEING VACCINATED TWICE.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I KEEP MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAFE.

>> Reporter: COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS ESTIMATE AN UPTICK IN TESTING DUE TO THE MORE CONTAGIOUS DELTA VARIANT AND MORE WORKPLACE REQUIREMENTS.

THE TESTING QUARTER NADER SAYS THE NEWLY REOPENED SITES AREN'T CLOSING ANYTIME SOON.

>> OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS WE NOTICED A RISE IN DEMAND AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE IN FRONT OF THAT, WITH THE DELTA VARIANT.

>> Reporter: HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE DOING MOBILE, POP UP TESTING SITES AND RESULTS ARE TYPICALLY GIVEN WITHIN 24 TO 48 HOURS.

SOME PHARMACIES ARE OFFERING RAPID TESTS, WHERE RESULTS ARE RECEIVED WITHIN MINUTES.

>> KPBS HAS PLENTY OF RESOURCES TO STAY ON TOP OF THE LATEST COVID-19 SITUATION.

JUST GO TO OUR HOMEPAGE AT KPBS.ORG AND CLICK ON THE TRACKING COVID-19 LINK.

YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ON TESTING, WHERE TO FIND A VACCINE AND ALL OF OUR LOCAL REPORTING ON THE PANDEMIC.

>>> ALSO THIS WEEK, NEW RESULTS ARE IN FROM THE 2020 CENSUS.

THE NUMBERS GIVE US A CLEAR PICTURE OF WHO CALLS SAN DIEGO HOME.

KPBS RACE AND EQUITY REPORTER CHRISTINA KIM SORTS THROUGH THE DATA AND HOW IT WILL BE USED.

>> Reporter: IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY THE WHITE POPULATION IS SHRINKING.

BUT IT STILL MAKES UP THE LARGEST RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUP.

LATINX OF THE SECOND LARGEST GROUP.

OVERALL, THE STATE AND COUNTRY ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIVERSE, WITH CALIFORNIA RANKING AS THE SECOND MOST DIVERSE STATE, BEHIND HAWAII.

ACROSS THE COUNTRY THE WHITE POPULATION IS SHRINKING AND THE MULTIRACIAL POPULATION HAS ALMOST QUADRUPLED SINCE THE LAST CENSUS IN 2010.

BUT TRACKING THESE TYPES OF DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGES IS DIFFICULT, BECAUSE RACE AND ETHNICITY WERE COUNTED DIFFERENTLY IN 2020.

NICHOLAS JONES IS THE DIRECTOR OF RACE AND ETHNIC RESEARCH FOR THE U.S. CENSUS.

HE SAYS IT IS NOT AN APPLES TO APPLES COMPARISON.

>> IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THESE COMPARISONS BETWEEN THE 2020 CENSUS IN 2010 CENSUS RAY STATUS SHOULD BE MADE WITH CAUTION, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT IMPROVEMENTS WE HAVE MADE TO THE HISPANIC ORIGIN AND RAISE QUESTIONS, DATA PROCESSING AND THE WAYS WE CODE WHAT PEOPLE TELL US.

>> Reporter: RESEARCHERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS ALSO WORRY ABOUT THE ACCURACY OF THE DATA.

NANCY MALDONADO IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CHICANA FEDERATION IN SAN DIEGO.

SHE SAID LATINAS COULD BE UNDERCOUNTED.

>> ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WE GOT A LOT WHEN WE WERE DOING OUTREACH IS, WHY DO I HAVE TO CHECK THE WHITE BOX THAT THROUGH PEOPLE OFF.

SOME OF THE EARLY RESULTS WE HAVE SEEN COME BACK FROM THE CENSUS REVEALED A LOT OF PEOPLE DIDN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

>> Reporter: CENSUS OFFICIALS HAVE REPEATEDLY SAID THE DATA IS ACCURATE.

THE NUMBERS WILL BE USED BY STATES, COUNTIES AND CITIES TO DRAW NEW DISTRICT ARTERIES FOR FUTURE ELECTIONS.

THE CALIFORNIA CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION ISN'T ABLE TO START DRAWING NEW MAPS QUITE YET.

>> WE ARE WAITING FOR THE STATEWIDE MANDATES TO PREPARE THE CURRENT DATA WE RECEIVED TODAY.

THAT IS THE DATA THAT WILL BE USED- NOT ONLY BY THE STATE REDISTRICTING EFFORTS- BUT BY LOCAL AND COUNTY REDISTRICTING EFFORTS.

>> Reporter: THE COMMISSION IS EXPECTED TO START DRAWING MAPS IN OCTOBER IN PREPARATION FOR CALIFORNIA'S 2022 ELECTION.

IN THE MEANTIME, THEY ARE HOLDING PUBLIC MEETINGS TO HEAR COMMUNITY VOICES, NOT JUST LOOK AT NUMBERS.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE OTHER STORIES THAT GOT A LOT OF ATTENTION BY OUR AUDIENCE THIS WEEK ON KPBS.ORG.

HELP FOR SMALL BUSINESSES , A NEW GRANT PROGRAM BY THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS.

SOME LOCAL BUSINESSES ARE JOINING THE TREND OF REQUIRING WORKERS TO SHOW PROOF OF VACCINATION.

>>> AND DISTRACTION TO THE NORTH, AS THE DIXIE FIRE BECOMES A ONE OF CALIFORNIA'S LARGEST ON RECORD.

>>> THE NEW U.N.

CLIMATE REPORT DETAILS HOW WE ARE MOVING CLOSER TO A CRISIS AND WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.

THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA THINKS PART OF THE SOLUTION MIGHT BE FOUND IN MORE EFFICIENT VOTES ALONG OUR COAST.

KPBS NORTH COUNTY REPORTER TANIA THORNE SPOKE WITH SOME WHO SAY IT COULD PUT THEM OUT OF BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: CAPTAIN JOE CASILLAS SAYS HIS COMPANY IS MAKING A COMEBACK AFTER COVID ROBBED HIM OF A YEAR OF BUSINESS .

>> EVER SINCE MAY IT PRETTY MUCH TOOK OFF AND I WOULD SAY, BECAUSE OF THE PENT-UP DEMAND, WE ARE REALLY CLOSE TO BEING BACK TO NORMAL.

>> Reporter: CAPTAIN JOE HAS OWNED SEE STAR SPORT AND FISHING IN OCEANSIDE FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS.

>> WE DO TRIPS WITH WHALES, DOLPHINS, BIRDS, FLOATING SCIENCE LABS.

WE DO THAT WITH ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.

AND THEN WE ALSO DO THE AT C. >> Reporter: HE HAS A NEW WORRY ABOUT PROPOSED REGULATIONS TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR QUALITY.

THE CALIFORNIA AIR RESOURCES BOARD SAYS CURRENT COMMERCIAL BOAT ENGINES ARE OLD AND PUTOUT POLLUTING FUMES.

KAREN CAESAR IS A SPOKESPERSON FOR CARB.

>> CALIFORNIA HAS THE WORST AIR QUALITY IN THE NATION.

WE HAVE THESE FEDERAL STANDARDS THAT WE HAVE TO MEET AND IT IS OFTEN PAINFUL, BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE THESE REGULATIONS IF WE WANT CLEAN AIR TO BREATHE.

>> Reporter: CARPET WANTS BOAT OWNERS TO UPGRADE TO NEWER, LESS POLLUTING ENGINES.

BUT THE ENGINES THEY ARE REQUIRING DON'T EXIST IN THE U.S. FOR SPORT FISHING VESSELS.

>> THERE IS NO MANUFACTURER IN THE UNITED STATES THAT MAKES THEM.

YET THEY WILL REQUIRE US TO PUT THEM IN OUR BOATS.

IF THEY ARE NOT THERE, HOW CAN YOU DO THAT?

>> Reporter: THE ENGINES ARE MADE IN EUROPE AND THEY ARE SO BIG THEY PHYSICALLY DON'T FIT ON THE FISHING BOATS.

>> SOME OF THESE BOATS ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE EQUIPMENT, BECAUSE THERE IS EQUIPMENT YOU WILL HAVE TO ADD.

>> Reporter: CARD ACKNOWLEDGES THE PROBLEM.

DAVID IS A MANAGER AND SAYS IF A BOAT CAN'T BE UPGRADED- >> IT WOULD NEED TO BE RETIRED FROM SERVICE, POTENTIALLY SOLD IN AN OUT-OF-STATE MARKET.

>> THAT IS NOT EVEN POSSIBLE.

NOBODY IS GOING TO DO THAT.

WE CAN'T DO THAT.

IT BASICALLY TAKES US OUT OF BUSINESS.

>> Reporter: IS A JUST REPLACING OLD BOATS WITH NEW ONES THAT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.

>> TO ACTUALLY BUILD A NEW BOAT TO REPLACE WHAT I HAVE, ANYWHERE FROM $1.2 MILLION TO $1.5 MILLION.

AND THAT IS JUST ONE BOAT.

MULTIPLY THAT BY HOW MANY BOATS?

IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN.

WE CAN'T DO IT.

>> Reporter: IF THE REGULATIONS ARE ADOPTED LATER THIS YEAR BOATERS WILL HAVE SIX YEARS TO MAKE THE CHANGE.

CARB SUGGESTS THAT DURING THAT TIME SPORTFISHING BUSINESSES RAISE PRICES IN ORDER TO START SAVING MONEY FOR A BOAT LOAN.

>> THE CUSTOMER BASE FOR THESE BOATS, FOR THIS TYPE OF ACTIVITY, ARE THE FOLKS WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY THEIR OWN BOAT.

THEY CAN'T AFFORD EVERYTHING THAT GOES ALONG WITH OWNING THEIR OWN BOAT SUCH AS A SPLIT, REGISTRATION OF THE CRAFT, MAINTENANCE, ETC.

WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW IS BEGINNING THE GENTRIFICATION OF RECREATIONAL FISHING.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE REGULATIONS WOULD DEVASTATE THIS INDUSTRY AND ALL THE BUSINESSES THAT SUPPORT IT.

>> RIGHT HERE, RIGHT OUTSIDE MY DOOR RIGHT NOW THERE IS OVER 2000 JOBS THAT WOULD IMMEDIATELY GO AWAY.

THOSE ARE THE DIRECTLY IMPACTED CREWMEMBERS.

WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT THEIR FAMILIES AND WHAT THAT MEANS TO THEM.

BUT, IMMEDIATELY, THOSE JOBS WOULD EVAPORATE.

>> Reporter: THE CAPTAIN HELPS THEY WILL CONSIDER UPGRADING TO THE NEXT, CLEANEST ENGINE THAT IS EASILY AVAILABLE AND PHYSICALLY FEASIBLE.

>> EVERY ONE OF THESE BOATS AND BOAT OWNERS WOULD BE LINED UP, STANDING BY, READY TO UP TIER TO TIER THREE, SO WE CAN CONTINUE WORKING.

>> WE WOULD HOPE THAT THE CONVERSATION WOULD INCLUDE SOME KIND OF A COMPROMISE.

BECAUSE EVERYBODY, ALL OF US- THE OWNERS, OPERATORS- WE ARE ALL FOR CLEAN AIR.

>> Reporter: THEY WILL BE HOLDING TWO MORE PUBLIC COMMENT MEETINGS IN NOVEMBER BEFORE THE REGULATIONS ARE ADOPTED.

>>> IN THE SOUTH BAY CHULA VISTA HAS A PLAN TO REVAMP ITS BAYFRONT WITH A BILLION-DOLLAR DEVELOPMENT.

PROCESS IS UNDERWAY TO FIGURE OUT WHO WILL BE HIRED TO WORK ON THE PROJECT.

SOME COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE FEELING LEFT OUT.

>> WE HAVE THE RESOURCES, THE MAN FORCE, EVERYTHING THEY'RE ASKING FOR.

WHEN I GAVE THE COMMUNITY THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON THESE TYPE OF PRODUCTS PROJECTS?

>> Reporter: ANG IS ONE OF THE LOCAL COMPACT CONTRACT COMPANIES ASKING TO BE INCLUDED.

THE REDEVELOPMENT WILL COMPLETELY TRANSFORM THE BAYFRONT INTO A HOTEL CONVENTION CENTER THAT INCLUDES COMMERCIAL SPACE IN PUBLIC AMENITIES.

THE BILLION-DOLLAR PROJECT, APPROVED BY THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO AND THE CITY OF CHULA VISTA, IS EXPECTED TO BRING 30,000 JOBS.

10,000 OF THOSE JOBS ARE CONSTRUCTION JOBS, ACCORDING TO THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO IS PROJECT SUMMARY.

RUBIN IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE LATIN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION.

HE SAYS LOCAL LATINO BUSINESSES AREN'T BEING GIVEN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR EMPLOYMENT.

>> THE DEVELOPERS OF TEXAS, THAT'S ONE NEGATIVE.

BUT EVEN IF YOU ARE FROM OUTSIDE, YOU'VE STILL GOT TO INCLUDE THE COMMUNITY WHERE YOU ARE BUILDING .

>> Reporter: HE SAYS IT'S NOT JUST LATINOS THEY ARE REPRESENTING, BUT ALL MINORITY CONTRACTORS.

HE HAS TRIED TO SIT WITH THE MAYOR OF CHULA VISTA TO DISCUSS AN OPPORTUNITY PLAN, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO FOLLOW-THROUGH.

HE'S HOPING THAT WILL CHANGE AS THE PROJECT HAS ALREADY BEGUN ITS INITIAL PHASE.

>> IF THEY COME TO THEIR SENSES AND SAY HEY, LET'S SIT DOWN AND TALK ABOUT AN AGREEMENT WE CAN COME TO, TO INCLUDE ALL OF THE CONTRACTORS LOCALLY IN THE MINORITY CONTRACTORS.

>> WE ARE A LOCAL AND WOMEN- OWNED COMPANY LOOKING FOR MORE CONTRACTS.

>> Reporter: ALYSSA VASQUEZ HAS BEEN WORKING WITH ANG CLEANING FOR FOUR YEARS.

THEY REACHED OUT MULTIPLE TIMES TO PROJECT DEVELOPERS FOR CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE.

>> HAVING THESE TYPE OF PROJECTS DEVELOPED DURING COVID AND NOT BEING ASKED TO COME WORK HERE, IT IS REALLY INSULTING FOR COMPANIES.

IT'S DISAPPOINTING.

>> WE DON'T WANT A HANDOUT.

JUST OPEN THE DOOR AND LET US DO THE JOB.

WE CAN DO IT.

>> Reporter: WE REACHED OUT TO THE PORT OF SAN DIEGO FOR COMMENT.

SAID ONLY A GENERAL CONTRACTOR HAS BEEN SELECTED SO FAR FOR THE PROJECT AND ALL OTHER CONTRACTS HAVE NOT BEEN AWARDED.

>>> ALSO IN CHULA VISTA, TWO BREWERIES, TWO PARK LET'S, BUT ONLY ONE IS BEING ORDERED TO TAKEN DOWN.

WE TALKED TO THE OWNER, WANTS ANSWERS FROM THE CITY.

>> Reporter: THIRD AVENUE AND CHULA VISTA IS LINED WITH BUSINESSES, INCLUDING THE CHULA VISTA BREWERY.

WHILE OTHERS HAVE ADDITIONAL OUTSIDE SEATING, TO THE VISTA BREWERY DOES NOT.

THE OWNER TOOK IT DOWN THIS WEEK, UNDER ORDERS FROM THE CITY.

NOW HE IS PURSUING A CLAIM AGAINST THE CITY, SAYING HE WAS TREATED UNFAIRLY.

>> I REALLY WANT TO ASK THE CITY TO BE FAIR AND TREAT EVERY BUSINESS EQUALLY AND GIVE US ALL A FIGHTING CHANCE TO SURVIVE.

>> Reporter: HE PREVIOUSLY PURCHASED A PERMIT IN AUGUST 2020.

THE CLAIM STATES THE CITY HAS UNLAWFULLY DEMANDED THE BUSINESS TO REMOVE ITS OUTDOOR CURBSIDE AND SIDEWALK SEATING AREAS THAT WERE IN PLACE FOR APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR.

THE ATTORNEY FILED THE CLAIM.

>> THERE WERE OTHER BUSINESSES UP AND DOWN THIRD AVENUE HERE THAT WERE TOLD THAT THEIR OUTDOOR SEATING ARRANGEMENTS WERE GRANDFATHERED IN.

HOWEVER, THE CHULA VISTA BREWERY WAS NOT AFFORDED THAT SAME ACCOMMODATION.

AND WE JUST WANT TO KNOW WHY.

>> Reporter: JUST DOWN THE BLOCK FROM CHULA VISTA BREWERY , THREE PUNK ALES HAS A PARK LIT OF ITS OWN.

KEVIN LEWIS IS A CO-OWNER AND THE HEAD BREWER.

>> WE ARE GOOD FRIENDS WITH TIM AND ALL OF THEM.

IT IS AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION.

>> Reporter: THE CHULA VISTA MAYOR AND CITY ATTORNEY HAVE AGREED TO MEET WITH PARKER IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

HE HOPES A RESOLUTION CAN BE REACHED AND CHULA VISTA BREWERY CAN PUT IT'S PARKLET BACKUP.

>>> IT'S A HUGE INCENTIVE!

FREE TRANSPORTATION AROUND SAN DIEGO FOR A MONTH.

MTS IS TRYING TO GET PEOPLE ON BOARD WITH A NEW FARE SYSTEM.

>> Reporter: IF YOU RIDE THE BUS OR TROLLEY IT'S TIME TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE COMPASS CARD AND SAY HELLO TO PRONTO.

>> THE TECHNOLOGY HAS GOTTEN UPDATED AND THERE HAVE BEEN NEW THINGS TO COME ALONG TO HELP THE PASSENGER EXPERIENCE.

>> Reporter: MTS SPOKESMAN MARK MEETS US AT A TROLLEY STATION IN CHULA VISTA, ONE OF MORE THAN 50 EVENTS WHERE CUSTOMERS CAN GET THEIR NEW PRONTO CARDS, FOR FREE.

ONE OF THE BEST FEATURES OF THE NEW SYSTEM IS A PAY-AS-YOU-GO FUNCTION CALLED FARE CAPPING .

>> IT PROVIDES THE BEST FARE FOR PEOPLE, WHEN THEY ARE RIDING.

THE SMARTCARD FIGURES OUT WHAT IT WILL BE FOR THAT PERSON.

IT'S ONE LESS THING OUR CUSTOMERS NEED TO WORRY ABOUT.

THEY WILL NEVER PAY MORE THAN A DAY PASS IN A GIVEN DAY OR A MONTHLY PASS IN A GIVEN MONTH.

>> I TYPICALLY TAKE AN UBER TO WORK FOR BUT THEN I TAKE THE BUS.

>> Reporter: KIERA SAYS LOADING MONTHLY PASSES OR CASH UNDER THE COMPASS CARD WAS A HASSLE.

>> IF YOU WEREN'T AT A TROLLEY STATION YOU HAD TO GO TO CERTAIN STORES.

I THINK PRONTO WILL BE A LITTLE BIT MORE READILY AVAILABLE FOR PEOPLE THAT AREN'T MOBILE.

>> NOW TO ENTICE PASSENGERS INTO THE NEW FARE COLLECTION SYSTEM MTS IS OFFERING FREE RIDES FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER, BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PRONTO CARD.

>> THE PRONTO SYSTEM COMES WITH A NEW SMART PHONE APP AS WELL.

YOU CAN FIND OUT HOW TO GET YOUR PRONTO CARD BY GOING TO RIDEPRONTO.COM.

>>> A '60s ROCK OPERA IS BACK ON TRACK.

WE GET A BEHIND-THE-SCENES LOOK AT HAIR AND WHY IT MIGHT BE EVEN MORE RELEVANT NOW.

>> Reporter: BY THE END OF 1968 AUDIENCE SEEING HAIR HAD ALSO WITNESSED RACE RIOTS SPREADING ACROSS THE U.S., WIDESPREAD STUDENT PROTEST, DEBATE OVER THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, THE FOUNDING OF THE BLACK PANTHER PARTY AND THE STONEWALL RIOTS.

THE ROCK MUSICAL HAIR CAPTURES A SENSE OF POLITICAL AND SOCIAL UPHEAVAL THAT FEELS SURPRISINGLY FAMILIAR TO AUDIENCES IN 2021 SAYS ACTOR ANDREW POLLACK.

>> THIS IS GOING TO SOUND SO CRAZY, BUT I FEEL LIKE THIS PLAY IS NEEDED RIGHT NOW.

JUST LIKE IT WAS NEEDED BACK IN THE LATE '60s.

THIS PLAY TAPPED INTO THE ZEITGEIST, THE PULSE OF THE LATE '60s AND COMPLETELY CAPTURED THE ESSENCE OF HOW THE OLD NEEDED TO BE SUBVERTED ALMOST AND CHANGE INTO THE NEW.

WE NEEDED TO QUESTION THE STATUS QUO.

>> Reporter: PLAYS COUNTERCULTURE HIPPIE ICON BERGER IN THE OLD GLOBE'S PRODUCTION OF HAIR.

>> RIGHT NOW, WHAT WE WANT TO DO AND WHAT WE WANT TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE IN THIS WORLD AND EVERYONE WHO SEES THIS PLAY, IS THERE IS STILL A CHANCE TO CHANGE AND BETTER OURSELVES, EMBRACE ALL OF OUR DIFFERENCES, EMBRACE THE DIVERSITY AND BEAUTY OF THIS WORLD.

>> Reporter: HAIR IS SPECIFICALLY SET IN 1968.

>> YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF 18-YEAR- OLDS WHO ARE BEING DRAFTED AND THE GOVERNMENT IS DECIDING WHAT THEIR LIFE IS GOING TO BE.

IN MOST CASES THEIR LIFE WAS ENDING IN VIETNAM.

>> Reporter: YET THE MESSAGE IS TIMELESS.

>> EVERY GENERATION IS GOING TO HAVE A FIGHT.

EVERY GENERATION IS GOING TO WANT TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

THAT'S ULTIMATELY WHAT HAIR IS ABOUT.

IT'S A GROUP OF YOUNG PEOPLE WHO COME TOGETHER, FIGHTING FOR CHANGE AND FIGHTING FOR BETTER.

>> Reporter: IN FACT, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE PLAY FIRMLY IN IT'S PERIOD SETTING.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IT IN 1968 TO SHOW HUMANITY.

THAT WE HAVE CONTINUAL OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE AND WE DON'T ALWAYS TAKE THAT AND OPPORTUNITY.

IS A LITTLE BIT OF A SMACK IN THE FACE AND REMINDER THAT WE HAVE WORK THAT WE STILL NEED TO BE DOING.

>> Reporter: THE PLAY HAS ALMOST 40 MUSICAL NUMBERS AND EACH IS LIKE ITS OWN PROTEST MOMENT.

>> EVERYBODY STEPS FORWARD AT SOME POINT, WITH SOMETHING THAT IS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO THEM THAT THEY NEED TO SHARE.

YOU ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO HAVE MESSAGES OF BLACK LIVES MATTER.

THERE IS A BIG PUSH OF STORIES IN OUR PRODUCTION.

AND GENDER ISSUES AND LIVING YOUR LIFE AUTHENTICALLY, WHICH I THINK ARE WILDLY IMPORTANT ISSUES IN 2021, THAT FIT INTO THE STORY OF HAIR.

>> Reporter: HAIR STIRRED CONTROVERSY WHEN IT OPENED BECAUSE THERE WAS ON STAGE NUDITY, A CHARACTER URINATED ON THE PLAQUE AND LYRICS JUST RACIST STEREOTYPES AS WELL AS SEXUAL FREEDOM.

>> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF CHALLENGING MOMENTS IN THE STORY.

SOME THAT EVEN SORT OF MAKE THE FUR ON THE BACK OF OUR NECK STAND UP A LITTLE BIT.

WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MOMENTS IN THE SHOW THAT MAKE US UNCOMFORTABLE THAT WE, AFTER DISCUSSION, FIND IMPORT INTO STILL PRESENT AS PART OF THE STORY.

I WILL SAY, THE URINATION ON THE FLAG IS NO LONGER IN THE SCRIPT.

WE FOUND OTHER WAYS TO MAKE COMMENTS ON WHAT IT IS TO BE AN AMERICAN, TODAY.

>> Reporter: BUT THE NUDITY REMAINS.

>> THE MOMENT OF NUDITY IS JUST THAT.

IT IS ABOUT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND AUTHENTICITY.

>> Reporter: ONE UNEXPECTED BENEFIT OF THE PLAY HAVING BEEN POSTPONED IS THAT IT IS NOW BEING PERFORMED ON THE OUTDOOR STAGE.

>> YOU PUT THE TREES IN THE BACKGROUND AND IT JUST CHANGES THE WORLD FOR YOU.

SO THAT GUIDED US.

I MEAN, WE REALLY SET OUR WORLD IN A CORNER OF A PARK THAT OUR COLLECTIVE TAKES OVER.

WITH GRAFFITIED MESSAGES OF HOPE AND LOVE ALL OVER THE STAGE.

>> Reporter: MESSAGES THAT REMIND US OF AN OPPORTUNITY FOR CHANGE WE HAD MORE THAN A HALF- CENTURY AGO.

THAT WE NOW FACE AGAIN.

HE HOPES THE ENERGY OF YOUTH THAT DRIVES THE PLAY WILL INSPIRE AUDIENCES TO STRIVE, YET AGAIN, FOR SOMETHING BETTER.

>>> WE LEAVE YOU WITH OUR LATEST FROM THE KPBS SUMMER MUSIC SERIES, WITH THE BAND FROM OCEAN BEACH.

YOU CAN FIND THE FULL SERIES ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

INC. YOU FOR JOINING US.

>>> I WOULD DESCRIBE THE SOUND AS A MIX OF ROOTS, REGGAE, GOLDEN ERA HIP-HOP, DOWN TEMPO, ELECTRONIC AND JUST SOME JAZZ INFLUENCES, AS FAR AS THE HORN SECTION GOES.

AND THE RHYTHM SECTIONS FIRST WITH LATIN AND AFRICAN RHYTHMS.

IT'S A NICE BLEND OF EVERYTHING THAT INSPIRES US.

>> THE UNIQUE PART IS THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT PARTS.

WITH A LOT OF BANDS THAT YOU SEE, WITH OUR CONFIGURATION, THEY HAVE A LEAD PERSON.

ONE LEAD PERSON AND THEN EVERYBODY HAS THEIR ROLES.

AND BOOST WE ALL HAVE OUR ROLES TOO.

BUT IT'S LIKE EVERY SINGLE PART OF THE BAND IS THE LEAD AT DIFFERENT TIMES.

AND THAT IS SUPER UNIQUE.

BECAUSE NOT A LOT OF BANDS ARE POWERFUL ENOUGH AND CONFIDENT ENOUGH TO DO THAT.

OR MAYBE DON'T BELIEVE IN EVERY MEMBER AS EQUALLY AS WE DO.

♪ ♪ ♪ >> WE HAVE A SENSIBILITY ABOUT WHERE, WHERE THE FEEL AND THE GROOVE AND THE BEAT FALL.

IF WE ARE JAMMING, MAKING SOMETHING UP , WE HAVE KIND OF A SIXTH SENSE COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS THAT KIND OF TAKES FORM WHERE THE SONG DEVELOPS.

AND WE CAN, WE KIND OF KNOW WHERE THE NEXT PERSON IS GOING TO GO AT THAT SPECIFIC TIME, TO CREATE A UNIQUE, A UNIQUE EXPERIENCE.

WHERE ONCE YOU START PLAYING WITH OTHER PEOPLE, OUTSIDE OF THIS, IT'S LIKE YOU MIGHT TRY AND GO TO THAT TELEPATHIC SPACE AND IT'S LIKE WELL [ LAUGHTER ] YOU DIDN'T READ MY MIND.

BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY YEARS UNDER OUR BELT PLAYING TOGETHER.

♪ ♪