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

I'M JOHN CAROL.

WAYMO IS COMING TO SAN DIEGO.

SEE WHAT IT'S LIKE TO RIDE INSIDE ONE OF THE DRIVERLESS CARS, AS THE RIDE HAILING SERVICE PREPARES FOR A LOCAL LAUNCH.

>>> MEET THE STUDENT WHO IS MAKING IT EASIER FOR HER PEERS TO TAKE THE S.A.T.

IN AN UNDERSERVED AREA.

>>> AND WELCOME TO THE LISTENING ROOM, BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO EXPERIENCE MUSIC IN A MORE INTENTIONAL WAY.

>>> WE START WITH THE INTERSECTION OF SPORTS AND POLITICS.

THE SAN DIEGO PADRES NOW FIND THEMSELVES WRAPPED UP IN A CONTROVERSIAL I.C.E.

ARREST, LIKE SO MANY WE'VE SEEN UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

KPBS BORDER REPORTER GUSTAVO SOLIS SPOKE WITH THE BROTHER OF THE ARRESTED MAN.

>> Reporter: THAT'S JORGE -- THE BROTHER OF PADRES MINOR LEAGUE COACH -- >> HE'S A COMPLETELY LEGAL IMMIGRANT.

WE FOLLOWED EVERY SINGLE PATHWAY THAT THE CONGRESS CREATED FOR US IMMIGRANTS.

AND WE DID EVERYTHING LEGALLY.

>> Reporter: HE WAS BORN IN VENEZUELA AND HAS BEEN IN THE COUNTRY SINCE 2014.

HE JOINED THE PADRES ORGANIZATION IN 2024 AS A COACH FOR THE MINOR LEAGUE TEAM IN EL PASO AND HE HAS A LEGAL WORK PERMIT.

IN A STATEMENT CONFIRMING THE ARREST, THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY CLAIMED HIS LEGAL STATUS EXPIRED.

BUT JORGE SAYS HIS BROTHER HAS A -- GOVERNMENT, HE CANNOT GO BACK.

EVEN THOUGH MADURO IS NO LONGER IN POWER.

>> ONE THING THAT WE WANT TO KEEP CLEAR IS -- ABSOLUTELY ANYBODY -- THEY CAN CHECK YOUR PHONE TO SEE IF YOU HAVE ANY TYPE OF PICTURES OF THINGS THAT GO AGAINST MADURO.

>> Reporter: THE ARREST IS PART OF A NATIONWIDE TREND THAT BEGAN IN JULY WHEN I.C.E.

BEGAN WORKING WITH TSA TO ARREST IMMIGRANTS IN AIRPORTS.

A FEW TIMES EACH WEEK, TSA WILL SEND I.C.E.

A LIST OF PEOPLE WHO ARE FLYING.

THEN I.C.E.

WILL CROSS REFERENCE THAT LIST WITH THEIR OWN LIST OF TARGETS.

GUSTAVO SOLIS, KPBS NEWS.

>> THE PADRES ORGANIZATION PUT OUT A BRIEF STATEMENT.

IT SAYS, WE RECENTLY BECAME AWARE OF THE DETAINMENT OF MINOR LEAGUE CATCHING COORDINATOR -- IN EL PASO, TEXAS.

WE ARE WORKING TO GATHER INFORMATION.

>>> DRIVERLESS ROBO TAXI RIDES ARE NOW JUST AROUND THE CORNER IN SAN DIEGO.

WAYMO GOT THE GREEN LIGHT FROM THE STATE TO BEGIN OFFERING RIDES IN OUR REGION.

WHILE PEOPLE CAN'T BOOK ONE JUST YET, WE GOT A SNEAK PEEK TO SEE HOW THEY WORK.

>> Reporter: NO DRIVER, NO PROBLEM.

JUST PULL OUT YOUR PHONE, OPEN THE APP, AND BOOK A RIDE TO LET ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE LEAD THE WAY.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE NEW WAYMO VEHICLES WHICH WE'RE GOING TO BE GETTING INTO FOR THE FIRST TIME.

WHEN IT ARRIVES WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO, THE DEFAULT SETTING IS GO TO THE DOOR, TAP IT, IT'LL OPEN, AND THEN YOU CAN HEAD ON IN.

>> Reporter: WAYMO RECENTLY GOT APPROVAL FROM THE CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION TO BRING THEIR DRIVERLESS CARS TO THE SAN DIEGO PUBLIC AND EXPAND OPERATIONS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE.

SANDY CARP IS A COMPANY SPOKESPERSON.

>> RIGHT NOW WE'RE GOING TO START WITH ABOUT 40 SQUARE MILES AND EXPAND THAT OVER TIME.

>> Reporter: THE COMPANY HAS BEEN TESTING THEIR VEHICLES IN SAN DIEGO SINCE 2025 WITH DRIVERS IN THE CAR.

NOW THE COMPANY IS READY TO GO FULLY DRIVERLESS TO THE PUBLIC WITH A COUPLE DOZEN WAYMO OJAI VEHICLES IN THE REGION.

MANY ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW TECHNOLOGY, BUT OTHERS ARE CONCERNED.

FOR THOSE WHO OWN ELECTRIC CARS AND MIGHT HAVE WORRIES ABOUT CHARGING -- >> WE ESTABLISH OUR OWN CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE AS WELL, SO WE CAN CHARGE OUR VEHICLES, CLEAN THEM, AND MAKE SURE THEY'RE READY FOR RIDERS.

WE PRIORITIZE USING CHARGING AT THOSE STATIONS.

BUT WE ALSO HAVE HUMAN SPECIALISTS WHO MIGHT USE CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE NEAR WHERE THEY WANT TO TAKE BREAKS.

>> Reporter: THE TRANSIT SYSTEM BOARD OF DIRECTORS PREVIOUSLY VOTED TO OPPOSE THE EXPANSION OF THE TECHNOLOGY WITHOUT LOCAL REGULATION OR OVERSIGHT.

>> -- BECAUSE OF THE FINANCIAL SITUATION, BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF BUSINESS.

NOW WAYMO COMING IN, DRIVERLESS CAR IS GOING TO GET -- >> Reporter: UNITED TAXI WORKERS OF SAN DIEGO HAD A HAND IN GETTING THAT OPPOSITION STARTED.

THEY SAY IT'S NOT FAIR COMPETITION.

>> THIS IS REALLY A PUBLIC ISSUE.

IT'S LIKE WE'RE JUST, SORT OF, THE MOST OBVIOUS VISUAL HERE OF WHAT A.I.

CAN BE LIKE WITH A ROBO TAXI.

BUT REALLY IT COULD BE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY SHOW UP AT YOUR WORKPLACE AND REPLACE WHAT YOU'RE DOING.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

>> Reporter: CARP SAYS THE PUBLIC LAUNCH OF WAYMO IN SAN DIEGO IS PLANNED TO ARRIVE BEFORE THE END OF SUMMER.

SO, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT -- THE FUTURE IS HERE NOW.

JACOB ERR, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AFTER A QUIET SUMMER BREAK, THE SDSU CAMPUS IS SPRINGING BACK TO LIFE.

THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS HAVE MOVED INTO ON-CAMPUS HOUSING IN RECENT DAYS.

THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR STARTS MONDAY.

SDSU RECEIVED MORE THAN 124,000 APPLICATIONS FOR ENROLLMENT, A NEW RECORD HIGH.

THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT POPULATION IS NOW AT 46,000.

MORE STUDENT HOUSING IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

>>> THE S.A.T.

IS PART OF THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR MANY STUDENTS.

IN THE IMPERIAL VALLEY, STUDENTS OFTEN HAVE TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE THE COUNTY TO TAKE IT.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER KATIE ANAS AT THAT SAYS THAT'S CHANGING THANKS TO ONE RECENT GRADUATE.

>> Reporter: WHEN ALEXIS WYNN SIGNED UP FOR THE S.A.T., THERE WEREN'T MANY PLACES SHE COULD TAYLOR GREENE IT.

SHE COULD TAKE IT.

>> IT GIVE US CENTERS WITHIN TEN MILES.

I THINK THE NEAREST CENTER WAS 75 MILES AWAY.

>> Reporter: SHE WOKE UP AROUND 4:00 A.M.

AND DROVE AN HOUR AND A HALF.

>> WITHOUT ENOUGH REST AND JUST THE STRESS OF TAKING THE DRIVE, IT WAS QUITE STRESSFUL JUST TAKING THE TEST.

>> Reporter: SHE KNOWS OTHER STUDENTS WHO HAVE STAYED AT A HOTEL IN SAN DIEGO THE NIGHT BEFORE THE TEST.

BUT SHE KNOWS THAT'S NOT AN OPTION FOR EVERYONE.

>> I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE MEANS TO GET A HOTEL AND STAY OVER FOR A NIGHT.

>> Reporter: SHE STARTED ASKING HER CLASSMATES WHETHER THEY WERE TAKING THE S.A.T.

AT ALL.

MANY OF THEM SAID NO BECAUSE OF THE DISTANCE.

SO, SHE BROUGHT HER CONCERN TO THE IMPERIAL COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION.

>> FOR US, IT WAS KIND OF LIKE AN INVITATION.

>> Reporter: DENISE IS WITH THE IMPERIAL COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION.

LATER THIS MONTH, THE OFFICE WILL HOST ITS FIRST TEST TAKERS AT ITS NEW S.A.T.

CENTER.

>> WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO OUR COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: IMPERIAL COUNTY PREVIOUSLY HAD TWO TESTING CENTERS.

THEY CLOSED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AND CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS STOPPED REQUIRING S.A.T.

OR A.C.T.

SCORES IN 2020.

BUT THE NEED DIDN'T GO AWAY.

>> AND EVEN WITHIN CALIFORNIA, SOME PRIVATE INDEPENDENT COLLEGES REQUIRE IT AS WELL AS SOME OF OUR OUT-OF-STATE INSTITUTIONS.

SO, IT REALLY WAS A GAP THAT NEEDED TO BE FILLED.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS WYNN WAS THE CATALYST FOR CLOSING THAT GAP.

>> SHE'S REALLY GOING TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.

>> Reporter: WYNN SCORED 1480 ON THE S.A.T.

THE COLLEGE BOARD SAYS THAT PUTS HER IN THE TOP 10% OF TEST TAKERS.

SHE'S ABOUT TO START HER FRESHMAN YEAR AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY.

SHE SAYS ACCESS TO THE S.A.T.

ENSURES IMPERIAL VALLEY STUDENTS LIKE HER HAVE A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE AND MAKE UP DIVERSE COLLEGE COMMUNITIES.

>> SO MANY PERSPECTIVES AND DIFFERENT PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCES MAKES COLLEGE LIFE SO MUCH RICHER.

>> Reporter: MORE THAN 40 STUDENTS HAVE SIGNED UP TO TAKE THE S.A.T.

ON AUGUST 22nd.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> KPBS IS BRINGING THREE OF ITS ART PODCASTS TO THIS WEEKEND'S SAN DIEGO BOOK FESTIVAL.

THE FINEST, PORT OF ENTRY, AND CINEMA JUNKIE WILL EACH HOST A LIVE PANEL AT THE FESTIVAL.

AND THERE'S A NEW WAY TO FOLLOW ALL THE ARTS, CULTURE, AND EVENTS THEY COVER.

THE FINEST SD.ORG IS A BRAND-NEW SITE INSPIRED BY THE FINEST PODCAST.

IT'S YOUR GUIDE TO THE ARTS, CULTURE, OUTDOORS, FOOD, AND EVENTS THAT MAKE SAN DIEGO SAN DIEGO.

FIND OUT WHAT'S HAPPENING BY DATE OR BY NEIGHBORHOOD.

THERE'S A LOT TO EXPLORE.

AGAIN, THE SITE IS THEFINESTSD.ORG.

>>> WE HAVE A TRIO OF STORIES ROOTED IN THE ARTS FOR YOU THIS WEEK.

FIRST LET'S GO TO BARRIO LOGAN.

THAT'S WHERE -- SPENT SOME TIME IN THE FUTURE IS COLORS LISTENING ROOM.

>> THE HOST OF THE LISTENING ROOM, A GATHERING CREATED BY THE LOCAL COLLECTIVE, FUTURE IS COLOR.

THE LISTENING ROOM IS A SPACE DEDICATED TO THE PRACTICE OF DEEP LISTENING, USING VINYL AS A STARTING POINT.

>> WE'RE REALLY INTENTIONAL ABOUT FRAMING THE CONVERSATION TO A THEME THAT IS CONNECTED TO COLLECTIVE LIBERATION IN A WAY THAT GIVES PEOPLE THE EXPERIENCE OF FILLING A LITTLE MORE FREE IN THEIR DAY TO DAY BUT ALSO FEELING MORE CONNECTED TO THE COMMUNITY HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

>> Reporter: FUTURE IS COLOR WAS FOUNDED BY IRWIN HINES AFTER GEORGE FLOYD'S MURDER, WHEN HE BEGAN THINKING MORE DEEPLY ABOUT HOW PEOPLE VIEW THEMSELVES AND THEIR PLACE IN THE WORLD.

THIS INSPIRED HIM TO CREATE CLOTHING WITH MESSAGES TIED TO LIBERATION.

>> FUTURE IS COLOR QUITE LITERALLY IS A REFLECTION OF MY GROWTH AND MY FEELING AND MY UNCOVERING AND DEEP DIVING INTO THE LINEAGE OF LIBERATION WORK THAT BLACK FOLK HAVE BEEN DOING SINCE THE FOUNDING OF THIS COUNTRY.

>> Reporter: FUTURE IS COLOR HAS EVOLVED INTO MULTIPLE EVENTS FOR CONNECTION LIKE THE LISTENING ROOM.

EACH YEAR THERE'S A DIFFERENT FOCUS.

THIS YEAR THE THEME IS BEING TOGETHER IS THE PRACTICE.

>> AND THEN THE MUSIC ELEMENT WAS JUST BASED ON THE FACT THAT MUSIC IS ONE OF THE THINGS THROUGHOUT EVERY SINGLE LIBERATION MOVEMENT THAT WAS ALWAYS THERE.

IT WASN'T JUST BACKGROUND NOISE OR BACKGROUND MUSIC, BUT IT WAS QUITE LITERALLY A FOUNDATIONAL ELEMENT TO EVERY SINGLE REVOLUTIONARY MOVEMENT.

>> Reporter: THE LISTENING ROOM IS DIFFERENT FROM OTHER EVENTS BECAUSE IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT THE MUSIC.

>> I THINK THE OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE HERE IS TO THINK ABOUT THE CONTEXT IN WHICH THIS RECORD WAS CREATED, THINK ABOUT THE THEMES, THE ARTISTS WERE EXPLORING IN THEIR OWN WORK, AND THEN CONNECT IT TO THE LARGER OVERARCHING THEME THAT FUTURE IS COLOR HAS.

>> Reporter: EACH LISTENING ROOM IS LIMITED TO 30 TO 40 PEOPLE IN ITS USUAL SPACE IN BARRIO LOGAN.

>> SO, I THINK IF I CAN CHAMPION LISTENING, YOU KNOW, EVEN IN A THREE-HOUR A WEEK OR EVERY TWO WEEKS SPACE, THEN HOPEFULLY THAT TRICKLES OUT AND INSPIRES MORE PEOPLE TO BE MORE INTENTIONAL ABOUT HOW THEY LISTEN AND CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER.

>> Reporter: WHILE HOSTING THE EVENT, GOODS PRIORITIZED PEOPLE'S EXPERIENCE.

>> I ALSO TRY TO ROLE MODEL THE VULNERABILITY AND TAKE OUT THE LEVITY OF TRYING TO KNOW THE CHORD PROGRESSIONS OR TRYING TO CRITIQUE THE MUSIC AND UNDERSTAND IT IN SUCH A TECHNICAL WAY, WHERE THIS CONVERSATION IS MORE HUMAN AND NUANCED.

AND I THINK ANYONE WHO BRINGS THEIR STORY IS A GREAT CONTRIBUTION TO THE LISTENING ROOM.

>> SOME PEOPLE LEAVE THE LISTENING ROOM WITH QUESTIONS THAT DON'T COME UNTIL DAYS LATER.

GOODS CREATED A JOURNAL TO GIVE THEM A PLACE TO KEEP EXPLORING THE MUSIC AND PERHAPS CREATE THEIR OWN LISTENING ROOM.

>> ALL THE INTENTION WE PUT INTO HOLDING THE SPACE ON TUESDAY NIGHT WE PUT INTO THE JOURNAL AS WELL, SO ALLOWS US TO SCALE BEYOND BARRIO LOGAN AND TO THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: FOR GOODES, THE LISTENING ROOM IS ALSO A TRIBUTE TO HER GRANDPARENTS.

>> I END EVERY LISTENING ROOM WITH A QUOTE THAT MY GRANDMOTHER USED TO SAY, THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.

THAT'S ALL OF MY TIME.

>>> SAN DIEGO ARTIST MASS RANDY ORTEGA BLENDS HIS ROOTS INTO STREET WEAR AND CLOTHING DESIGNS.

THE STYLES HAVE DRAWN FANS AT COMIC-CON AND SAN DIEGO FC.

ELAINE -- JOINED ORR TODAY GUO AMONG THE SEWING MACHINES -- CONCEPTS BECOME REALITY.

>> WHEN MOSS RANDY ORTEGA STARTED SELLING AND WEARING HIS DESIGNS, HE'D GET STOPPED BY PEOPLE ASKING -- >> WHY IS THIS MESSED UP?

LIKE, WHAT IS THIS?

>> Reporter: HE CALLS IT DISTRESSING, INTENTIONALLY DEFACING A LOGO OR EMBROIDERY TO GIVE IT A DIFFERENT LOOK.

>> IT'S AN ART FORM.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE A GRAFFITI ARTIST TO A WALL.

SAME THING.

YOU KNOW, MY HAT IS THE CANVAS AND I WANT TO SHOW YOU GUYS SOMETHING YOU'VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE ON A HAT.

>> THAT ONE OF A KIND LOOK IS WHAT HE'S FRAMED HIS DESIGN APPROACH ON.

ORTEGA HAS ABOUT A DECADE UNDER HIS BELT CREATING STREET WEAR AND CLOTHING DESIGNS FROM HATS TO PANTS TO SHIRTS.

HE LAUNCHED HIS BRAND IN 2017.

HE HAD HIS FIRST BIG BREAK SELLING HATS AT A SHOP IN PLAZA -- CALLED RERUN.

>> I WAS 24 AT THE TIME, RIGHT?

DIDN'T MAKE MUCH MONEY.

WORKED AT DOMINOS.

17 AN HOUR, 16 AN HOUR.

SO, GOING TO MAKE A HAT AND MAKING A RUN OF THEM WAS VERY EXPENSIVE.

>> HE PAID FOR HIS FIRST BATCH OF EMBROIDERED HATS WITH HIS PIZZA PAYCHECK.

>> AND PEOPLE LOVED IT AND I ENDED UP SELLING OUT ALL MY HATS.

AND THEN EVERYONE WAS REALLY HAPPY.

THEY WERE LIKE, DUDE, LIKE, YOU DID IT.

DUDE, WHAT'S NEXT?

I SAID, I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S NEXT.

BUT, LIKE, WE'LL FIGURE IT OUT.

>> Reporter: HE KNEW HE WAS ONTO SOMETHING.

>> WHAT IF I'LL BE MORE UNIQUE AND CONCENTRATED AND GIVE PEOPLE SOMETHING THEY DON'T HAVE.

>> Reporter: HIS DESIGNS ALSO SPEAK TO A BROADER EXPERIENCE.

ORTEGA DRAWS INSPIRATION FROM HIS FILIPINO AND MEXICAN ROOTS.

>> I COME FROM, LIKE, THE GOOD -- THE GOOD TIMES AND THE BAD TIMES OF, LIKE, LEARNING HOW TO BE MIXED, YOU KNOW?

LEARNING HOW TO BE ACCEPTED.

AND SO A LOT OF THAT INNER TRAUMA, INNER, LIKE -- I JUST TRANSLATE THAT INTO ART RATHER THAN TRANSLATE THAT INTO VIOLENCE.

I TRANSLATE THAT INTO ART IN THE BEST WAY I CAN.

>> Reporter: HE CREDITS HIS UPBRINGING AND DAD FOR A PHRASE YOU'LL SEE IN HIS DESIGNS AND ON HIS HATS, BETTER TOGETHER.

>> I DRAW FROM THAT AND, LIKE, WITH ME BEING FILIPINO AND MEXICAN, SOMETIMES PEOPLE STILL DON'T REALLY GET IT, YOU KNOW?

REGARDLESS OF WHETHER, OH, THAT'S NOT -- HOW IS THAT LIKE FILIPINOS OR HOW IS THAT LIKE MEXICANS?

LIKE, DUDE, REGARDLESS OF HOW FAR OR HOW CLOSE SIMILARITIES CAN BE, DUDE, IT'S ALWAYS BETTER TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: ORTEGA'S DESIGNED INCLUDE A RE-IMAGINED MEXICO JERSEY FOR THE WORLD CUP.

HE DID THREE DRAW UPS OF THE JERSEYS AND SOLD OUT EACH TIME.

HE'S ALSO MADE DISTRESSED GEAR FOR SAN DIEGO FC AND COLLABORATED WITH A SHOP CALLED QUEST ON A LIMITED EDITION SPIDERMAN SHIRT AT COMIC-CON.

BUT THE THROUGH LINE IN EACH OF THESE DESIGNS IS A CONNECTION TO WHERE HE'S FROM.

>> I CHOOSE TO STAY IN SAN DIEGO FOR NOW BECAUSE I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MY CITY BE CELEBRATED IN THOSE LEVELS IN TERMS OF HOW L.A.

IS CELEBRATED, HOW NEW YORK IS CELEBRATED.

I'D LOVE TO SEE THE DAY WHERE WE CAN BE CELEBRATED ON THOSE DAYS.

>> Reporter: IT'S PART OF WHAT MADE HIS COLLABORATION WITH SAN DIEGO FC LAST YEAR SO SPECIAL.

>> IT TOUCHED MY HEART SO MUCH.

I GET TO REPRESENT MY OWN CITY.

I WASN'T BORN SOMEWHERE ELTS AND COMING HERE.

I WAS BORN HERE, AND I GET TO -- I GET TO DO THE THING I LOVE TO DO.

AND THAT'S ENOUGH FOR ME.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE THINKS A LOT ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION OF DESIGNERS GETTING STARTED IN SAN DIEGO LIKE HIM.

>> AND I WANT EVERYONE AND EVERY YOUNG CREATIVE TO SEE THIS BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT IT'S ABOUT.

>> Reporter: IT'S BETTER TOGETHER.

ELAINE ALFARO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THIS WEEKEND, FILM GOERS HAVE A PAIR OF WILDLY DIFFERENT FILMS TO CHOOSE FROM AT DIGITAL GEM CINEMA.

YOU CAN SAVOR AN ELEGANT PERIOD DRAMA ABOUT FUTILE JAPAN OR A DOCUMENTARY ALL ABOUT CHEESE.

>> Reporter: YOSHI -- IS A PROLIFIC FILMMAKER WHOSE BODY OF WORK -- BURNING DESIRE TO TRY NEW THINGS.

HE'S FREQUENTLY UNNERVED AUDIENCES WITH HORROR FOUND IN MUNDANE SETTINGS.

BUT FOR HIS LATEST FILM, HE VENTURES INTO PERIOD DRAMA FOR THE FIRST TIME TO EXPLORE FUTILE JAPAN AND SAMURAI CULTURE.

SET ACROSS FOUR SEASONS DURING THE WARRING STATES ERA OF THE 16th CENTURY, HIS HISTORICAL FICTION CENTERS ON A SAMURAI WAR LORD TO DECIDES TO REBEL AGAINST A RIVAL CLAN AND AGAINST -- OR THE WAY OF THE SAMURAI.

HOLED UP IN HIS CASTLE AND AWAITING ATTACK, THE WAR LORD IMPRISONS AN EMISSARY SEEKING HIS SURRENDERS.

AS DECEITS AND BETRAYALS PLAY OUT AND BODIES PILE UP, THE SAMURAI WAR LORD FINDS THAT THE ONLY PERSON HE MAY BE ABLE TO TRUST IS HIS ENEMY AND PRISONER.

HE CONSTRUCTS AN ELEGANT PUZZLE BOX THAT RELIES AS MUCH ON -- MAN WHO DEFIES SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS TO FOLLOW HIS OWN PATH AND BELIEFS.

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

OKAY.

IT'S NOT MONTY PYTHON, BUT IT IS ABOUT CHEESE AND CHEESE MONGERS AND HOW AMERICANS FACE AN UPHILL BATTLE TRYING TO PROVE THEY HAVE A REFINED ENOUGH PALLET TO COMPETE WITH EUROPEANS IN THE REALM OF CHEESE MONGERS.

>> A CHEESE MONGER HAS AN ENCYCLOPAEDIC KNOWLEDGE OF ALL CHEESES ON THEIR COUNTER.

THEY'RE SORT OF LIKE A SOMMELIER BUT A LITTLE MORE PUNK ROCK.

THIS IS A FILM ABOUT WHAT IT TAKES TO BE THE GREATEST CHEESE MONGER IN THE WORLD.

>> Reporter: OR THE BIG CHEESE.

THE DOCUMENTARY FOLLOWS ADAM -- ON HIS MISSION TO SEE TEAM USA COMPETE IN THE OLYMPICS OF CHEESE.

>> THE -- IN FRANCE.

>> Reporter: TO ACHIEVE THIS, HE PUTS HIS TEAM THROUGH INTENSE TRAINING.

>> WE'RE SEEING A CHEESE MONGERS ABILITY TO TRANSFORM AND ELEVATE CHEESE BEYOND SIMPLY EATING A BITE OF CHEESE.

>> Reporter: THEY ALSO HAVE TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CHEESE, KNOW ITS HISTORY, AND DESCRIBE IT.

>> PROBABLY THE STRANGEST CHEESE AROMAS ARE THINGS LIKE FECAL, MANURE, AND BABY VOMIT.

>> Reporter: AND ONLY THE MOST DEDICATED CHEESE MONGERS WILL MAKE THE CUT.

>> SEPARATING MY PERSONAL LIFE FROM MY WORK LIFE.

I DON'T NECESSARILY SEE THAT AS A GOAL.

>> Reporter: THE BIG CHEESE DOES.

IT PROVES THAT AMERICANS CAN COMPETE WITH THEIR EUROPEAN COUNTERPARTS.

THE BIG CHEESE IS A DELICIOUS, SLIGHTLY PUNKY, ALWAYS PASSIONATE DOCUMENTARY ABOUT PEOPLE WHO TAKE WHAT THEY DO VERY SERIOUSLY.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND CHECKING IT OUT, BUT MAKE SURE YOU SMUGGLE SOME CHEESE IN WITH YOU.

KPBS NEWS.

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

HERE ARE SOME FROM THIS WEEK.

FORECASTERS SAY A VERY STRONG EL NINO IS ON THE WAY.

SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO PREPARE.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY SUPERVISORS END GUN RANGE AGREEMENTS WITH I.C.E.

AND CBPP AND SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT STARTS CONSTRUCTION ON ROAD WIDENINGS.

>>> SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS FULL OF FASCINATING HISTORY.

LAST WEEK WE BROUGHT YOU THE STORY OF THE MARSEN HOUSE AND THE PIVOTAL ROLE THE FAMILY PLAYED IN SAN DIEGO'S EARLY DAYS.

FOR PART TWO OF OUR AUGUST MUSEUM OF MONTH, I TRAVELLED TO EAST COUNTY, WHERE A TREASURE TROVE OF HISTORY IS FOUND IN AN OLD ADOBE HOUSE.

♪ >> THE DRIVE FROM SAN DIEGO TO WARNER SPRINGS IS A BIT OF A TREK, ALMOST AN HOUR AND A HALF, DEPENDING ON TRAFFIC.

BUT THE TIME SPENT GETTING HERE IS WORTH IT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE EVEN A LITTLE INTERESTED IN THE HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN WEST.

THE WARNER RANCH HOUSE APPEARED ALL OF A SUDDEN, AS YOU ROUND A CURVE ON -- ROAD.

THE HISTORIC ADOBE STRUCTURE HERE LONG BEFORE THE ASPHALT PAVEMENT.

EVEN BEFORE THAT, THIS WAS A CAMPING STOP ON THE OVERLAND TRAIL TO CALIFORNIA.

THAT WAS IN THE 1840s AND '50s.

THE STRUCTURE BUILT HERE WAS BUILT BY CALIFORNIA SENATOR.

THAT BUILDING BURNED DOWN IN 1851 IN AN UPRISING BY NATIVE AMERICANS WHO HAD BEEN THERE FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.

IT WAS THEN REBUILT BY THE -- FAMILY.

>> THE TRUE BUILDER OF THIS FAMILY WAS THE LADY WHOSE PORTRAIT IS ON THE WALL.

>> Reporter: KATHERINE FLETCHER IS THE HEAD DOE CENT OF THE RANCH HOUSE.

>> MY FAMILY HAS OWNED PROPERTY HERE SINCE 1939, AND IT'S ONE OF THE FEW PLACES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THAT'S RELATIVELY UNCHANGED.

WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

>> Reporter: AT THE TIME THIS ADOBE WAS BUILT, SHE WAS MARRIED TO RAMON -- HE WAS MURDERED IN 1864, LEAVING HER TO RUN THE 9,000 ACRE RANCH AND MANAGE A LARGE FAMILY.

12 OF HER 14 CHILDREN LIVED INTO ADULTHOOD, BUT THERE WAS MUCH MORE TAKING UP HER TIME THAN A LOT OF KIDS AND A RANCH.

>> SHE HAS NOT ONLY ALL THIS ACREAGE.

SHE ALSO HAS THE POST OFFICE AND A CONTRACT FOR THE BUTTERFIELD STAGE.

>> Reporter: A POST OFFICE, A TRADING POST, AND A STOP ON THE BUTTERFIELD STAGE.

THIS WAS CALIFORNIA'S FIRST REGULAR OVERLAND S CONTINENTAL -- FIRST SIGN OF CIVILIZATION MANY STAGE RIDERS SAW AFTER THE LONG UNCOMFORTABLE TRIP ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THE FIRST WELL-WATERED VALLEY TO BE ENCOUNTERED AFTER CROSSING THE GREAT SOUTHWESTERN DESERTS.

>> UNFORTUNATELY, THAT SIX-YEAR CONTRACT TO BUTTERFIELD ENDS AFTER ABOUT FOUR YEARS BECAUSE IN 1861, THE CIVIL WAR BREAKS OUT.

>> Reporter: OVER THE YEARS THEY LIVED HERE, THE ADOBE HOUSE WAS EXPANDED FROM THE ORIGINAL LIVING ROOM AND TRADING POST, VERANDAS ADDED ON THAT WERE THEN ENCLOSED INTO ROOMS WHEN ENOUGH ADOBE WAS AVAILABLE.

AND IN SOME OF THE ROOMS, CURIOUS LOOKING CEILINGS.

>> THOSE ARE THE BURLAPS THAT THEY WOULD NAIL TO THE WOOD.

SO, THERE IS NO INSULATION THERE.

IT'S MAINLY TO REFLECT LIGHT.

>> Reporter: THEY LEFT THEIR RANCH AND MOVED TO ANAHEIM IN THE LATE 1860s.

FORMER CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR JOHN G. DOWNY BROUGHT THE PLACE AFTER THAT AND TURNED IT INTO A MASSIVE SHEEP AND CATTLE OPERATION.

THE DOWNY PERIOD LASTED UNTIL THE TAYLOR FAMILY ARRIVED.

>> SAM TAYLOR AND HIS WIFE AND EIGHT CHILDREN LIVED HERE FROM 1895 UNTIL 1950 IN THIS HOUSE WITH NO RUNNING WATER OR ELECTRICITY.

>> Reporter: THOSE WERE THE COWBOY YEARS HERE.

AFTER THE TAYLORS LEFT, THE RANCH HOUSE TRANSITIONED INTO A COWBOY BUNK HOUSE AND A PLACE TO STORE ITEMS NEEDED FOR THE RANCH.

DURING THE 1930s, THE COWBOYS HOSTED CELEBRITY VISITORS HERE LIKE JOHN WAYNE, WHO WANTED A REALISTIC OLD WEST EXPERIENCE.

THE VISTA IRRIGATION DISTRICT BOUGHT THE RANCH HOUSE AND SURROUNDING 43,000 ACRES IN 1946 FOR THE WATER RIGHTS.

THE RANCH HOUSE FELL INTO DISREPAIR.

EVEN SO IT WAS NAMED A NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK IN 1961.

AND TODAY THE LAND AROUND THE OLD ADOBE IS STILL A WORKING RANCH.

>> THE CURRENT RANCHER NEXT DOOR, DREW SMITH AND HIS WIFE, HEATHER, AND KIDS, HE'S THE GREAT, GREAT GRANDSON OF SAM TAYLOR AND HAS COME BACK HERE TO DO THIS.

>> Reporter: THE DISTRICT PARTNERED WITH SOHO, THE SAVE OUR HERITAGE ORGANIZATION, IN 2011 TO RESTORE THE BUILDING.

BUT IT'S NOT THE ONLY HISTORIC BUILDING ON THE SITE.

VISITORS GET MORE FOR THEIR ADMISSION PRICE THAN JUST A TOUR OF THE HOUSE.

RIGHT OVER HERE, BUILT A YEAR AFTER THE HOUSE IN 1858 IS A BARN.

AS YOU CAN SEE, IT HAS NOT BEEN RESTORED, BUT THEY HAVE STABILIZED IT.

AND KATHERINE FLETCHER SAYS IT'S WORTH SAVING FOR AT LEAST ONE VERY IMPORTANT REASON.

>> IT IS THE LAST HAND HUYNH BARN IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

>> Reporter: FLETCHER SAYS THAT SOHO CAN RAISE THE MONEY TO RESTORE THE BARN, THEY WILL.

BUT FOR NOW, THAT'S A CHAPTER THAT REMAINS TO BE WRITTEN ABOUT THIS EXTRAORDINARY TREASURE TROVE OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S HISTORY.

>> I WILL COMMEND A VISIT TO YOU.

IT'S FASCINATING.

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

I'M JOHN CAROL.

THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

♪