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

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.

COMING UP IN THE SHOW WE GO BACK TO CAMPUS.

SEE HOW SDSU IS RESUMING IN PERSON CLASSES WHILE NAVIGATING THE COVID THREAT.

>>> AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT THE CONTENDERS.

WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE RECALL CANDIDATES TRYING TO UNSEAT GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM.

>>> RACE AND EQUITY.

MEET THE WOMAN HIRED BY THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO TO LEAD ITS SOCIAL JUSTICE EFFORTS.

AMERICA'S MISSION TO LEAVE AFGHANISTAN IS NO WAY THAT THEY WENT AFTER ISYS TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR A BOMBING THAT KILLED NEARLY 200 PEOPLE, INCLUDING 13 U.S.

TROOPS WRITTEN COMMENTS TO THE NATION, PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN IS PROMISING RETRIBUTION.

>> TO THOSE WHO CARRIED OUT THIS ATTACK, AS WELL AS ANYONE WHO WISHES AMERICA'S HARM, NO THIS, WE WILL NOT FORGIVE.

WE WILL NOT FORGET.

WE WILL HUNT YOU DOWN AND MAKE YOU PAY.

WE WILL RESPOND WITH FORCE OF PRECISION AT OUR TIME AT THE PLACE WE CHOOSE, AT THE MOMENT OF OUR CHOOSING.

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW.

THESE ISYS TERRORISTS WILL NOT WIN.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN INSISTS HE WILL STICK TO THE DEADLINE OF ENDING EVACUATION EFFORTS BY TUESDAY.

KPBS NEWS WILL HAVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND AS THIS STORY DEVELOPS.

>>> THE HUMANITARIAN MISSION EXTENDS ALL THE WAY TO SAN DIEGO COUNTY, AS TWO FAMILIES FROM EL CAJON MAKE THE JOURNEY HOME.

KPBS REPORTER ALEXANDRA RANGEL HAS THEIR STORY.

>> Reporter: BACK HERE, WE ARE WAITING FOR THEM.

THE CAJON VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT SAYS ONE OF THEIR FAMILIES RETURNED HOME TO EL CAJON WEDNESDAY.

THAT FAMILY HAS FIVE CHILDREN, 4 OF WHICH ATTEND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> THEY ARE HERE AND EL CAJON, RESTING.

WE ARE WAITING FOR THEM TO BE WELL AGAIN.

WE ARE HOPING THAT THE STUDENTS CAN REJOIN THEIR CLASSROOM SOON.

BACK CAMERA IS THE GOVERNING BOARD PRESIDENT AT CAJON VALLEY.

THEY WERE NOTIFIED THAT ABOUT 24 OF THEIR STUDENTS WERE STRANDED IN AFGHANISTAN FOLLOWING THE TALIBAN'S TAKEOVER.

SINCE THEN, IT HAS BEEN A BATTLE TO GET THEIR STUDENTS HOME.

MOST WERE VISITING FAMILY OVER SUMMER BREAK.

THE DISTRICT RECEIVED WORD ON THURSDAY THAT TWO MORE FAMILIES WERE OUT OF DANGER.

>> WE KNOW OF TWO MORE FAMILIES OUT OF AFGHANISTAN WHO ARE SAFE.

I CANNOT TELL YOU ANYMORE ABOUT WHERE THEY ARE OR THEY ARE NOT IN EL CAJON YET, BUT THEY ARE SAFE.

>> Reporter: CONGRESSMAN DARRELL ISSA HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND IS IN CONTACT WITH THE FAMILIES FROM AFGHANISTAN.

IN A STATEMENT RELEASED REGARDING THE FAMILIES, HE SAID THAT WE HAVE MADE EXTRAORDINARY PROGRESS, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY MORE AMERICANS STRANDED IN AFGHANISTAN, AND WE HAVE MORE WORK TO DO, AND EXTREMELY DIFFICULT CONDITIONS.

IT IS UNCLEAR WHEN THEY REMAINING FAMILIES WILL RETURN, BUT HE SAYS HE IS WORKING WITH THE PENTAGON AND THE WHITE HOUSE TO HELP THEM EVACUATE.

BACK AT HOME, CAJON VALLEY ANXIOUSLY AWAITS THEIR SAFE RETURN.

>> WE LOVE YOU.

WE THINK OF YOU OFTEN.

YOU ARE IN OUR HEARTS.

WE WILL DO WHAT WE CAN TO SUPPORT YOU.

>> Reporter: ALEXANDRA RANGEL KPBS NEWS.

STRUM EXIT AUGUSTA SEEING HUNDREDS OF NEW COVID-19 CASES EVERY DAY, LARGELY AMONG THOSE NOT VACCINATED.

AS MELISSA MAE REPORTS, LOCAL DOCTORS SAY IT MIGHT BE TIME TO BRING BACK AND/OR MASK WEARING TO GET THE RECENT SPIKES UNDER CONTROL.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS AT THE LARGEST COUNTY IN CALIFORNIA THAT HAS NOT REINSTATED A MASK MANDATE.

>> WE SHOULD HAVE A MASK MANDATE.

>> Reporter: DR. ERIC TOPOL IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH TRANSLATIONAL INSTITUTE, AND SAYS A DELTA VARIANT IS HIGHLY TRANSMISSIBLE BETWEEN PEOPLE, EVEN IN OUTDOOR SETTINGS.

THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS CURRENTLY STRUGGLING THROUGH ITS FOURTH WAVE OF COVID.

>> WHILE WE ARE IN IT, THERE IS SO MUCH CIRCULATING VIRUS TO DEAL WITH.

THE BEST THING WE CAN DO IS UP OUR PROTECTION TO THE MAX, AND WE AREN'T DOING IT GENERALLY, WHICH IS A PROBLEM.

>> Reporter: HE'S NOT THE ONLY MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WHO THINKS THE COUNTY NEEDS TO MASK UP AGAIN.

THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY, AND THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION OF SAN DIEGO AND IMPERIAL COUNTIES ARE CALLING ON THE COUNTY TO REINSTATE MASK MANDATES.

EVEN THE SUPERIOR COURT HOUSES IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY NOW REQUIRE EVERYONE TO WEAR A MASK INSIDE.

>> WE ARE DOING IT TO HELP EVERYONE THAT ACCESSES THE COURT.

>> Reporter: PRESIDING JUDGE LAUREN OXLEY CITES THE DELTA VARIANT FOR MASKING UP HER COURTROOM.

>> WE CAN'T BE OPEN IF WE DON'T HAVE OUR EMPLOYEES HERE.

PEOPLE HAVE TO QUARANTINE, IF JUDGES CANNOT COME IN, IF THE DEPUTIES AND THE DEFENDANTS AND THE LITIGANTS, WE JUST NEED TO KEEP EVERYBODY SAFE, SO THE BEST WAY, DURING THIS SEARCH IS TO KEEP EVERYBODY IN MASKS.

>> Reporter: WE AGAIN ASKED SAN DIEGO COUNTY WHETHER A MASK MANDATE WOULD BE REINSTATED.

THEY TOLD US THEY CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE SITUATION.

FOR MOST INTER-SETTINGS, MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR THOSE UNVACCINATED, AND RECOMMENDED FOR THOSE WHO ARE ASKING ADA.

MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR EVERYONE ON PUBLIC TRANSIT, K-12 SCHOOLS, AND HEALTHCARE.

MELISSA MAE , KPBS NEWS .

>>> SAN DIEGO STATE IS WRAPPING UP HIS FIRST WEEK BACK ON CAMPUS, AFTER MORE THAN A YEAR OF REMOTE LEARNING.

KPBS EDUCATION REPORTER MG PEREZ WAS THERE ON DAY ONE.

>> Reporter: EVERYONE IS A WINNER WHEN IT COMES TO COVID- 19 EDUCATION AND PREVENTION.

>> IF YOU NEED HELP, JUST REACH OUT TO US.

>> Reporter: IT IS THE 1st DAY OF CLASSES HERE AT SDSU, AND THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY FOR THE UNIVERSITY'S ECONOMIC CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM TO REACH STUDENTS.

THIS SEMESTER, EVERYTHING STUDENTS NEED HELP WITH HAS SOME CONNECTION TO COVID'S ONGOING HEALTH THREAT.

INCLUDING FOOD, HOUSING, FINANCES.

>> THE BIGGEST HELP IS EVERY STUDENT IS ABLE TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL, WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT ANY TYPE OF CRISIS.

>> Reporter: SDSU REQUIRES EVERY STUDENT TO PROVIDE PROVABLE COVID VACCINATION BEFORE THEY CAN BE ON CAMPUS.

MASKS ARE REQUIRED AS WELL.

SO FAR, 94% OF THE STUDENT BODY, 33,000 STUDENTS, HAVE SUBMITTED DOCUMENTATION.

>> EVERYONE IS SUPPOSED TO BE VACCINATED, AND THE ONES WHO AREN'T ARE GETTING REGULARLY TESTED.

I FEEL PRETTY COMFORTABLE.

>> IT IS SUPER INTERESTING.

I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW WHERE ANYTHING WAS.

IT IS MY FIRST TIME HAVING TO LEARN WHERE CLASSES ARE AND STUFF.

I'M SUPER EXCITED.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE 6000 STUDENTS LIVING HERE ON CAMPUS THIS FALL, 1500 LESSON BEFORE THE COVID PANDEMIC BEGAN.

UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS HOPE THAT LESS STUDENTS WILL HELP PREVENT ANOTHER OUTBREAK.

SAN DIEGO CITY COLLEGE STARTED CLASSES THIS MORNING AS WELL.

MOST STUDENTS ARE CHOOSING TO STAY HOME AND LEARN ONLINE.

ONLY 20% OF THE TOTAL PROGRAMS ARE BEING OFFERED IN PERSON.

IN CHULA VISTA, SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE HAS INCREASED CLEANING AND SANITIZING PROTOCOLS, ALONG WITH PARTNERING WITH THE SANYO SEIZURE HEALTH CENTER FOR ONGOING VACCINATION CLINICS HERE ON CAMPUS.

OVER THE WEEKEND, SAN DIEGO STATE OFFICIALS INVESTIGATED REPORTS OF VIOLENCE, AND LARGE PARTY GATHERINGS, NEAR THE CAMPUS.

IT'S ANOTHER HEALTH RISK STUDENTS FAITH.

>> IS JUST IRRESPONSIBLE WITH COVERT GOING AROUND.

YOU HAVE TO THINK OF THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE ACTUALLY SUFFERING FROM IT.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW, PREVENTION AND EDUCATION GO HAND-IN-HAND.

MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS .

>>> THE TRACKING COVID-19 SECTION AT KPBS.ORG HAS ALL OF OUR COVERAGE AND RESOURCES, AND THAT INCLUDES DETAILS ON VACCINES, THE LATEST CASE NUMBERS , AND OUR LOCAL REPORTING.

YOU CAN GET THERE BY CLICKING THE LINK ON OUR HOMEPAGE.

>>> LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS ARE AMONG THOSE RESPONDING TO THE MASSIVE WILDFIRES TO OUR NORTH.

HELP IS BEING REQUESTED FROM ACROSS THE STATE, AND IT GOES BEYOND PUTTING OUT THE FLAMES.

JOHN CAROL TELLS US HOW TWO SAN DIEGANS ARE ANSWERING THE CALL.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FOREST IN CALIFORNIA ON FIRE.

THIS VIDEO WAS SHOT BY FIREFIGHTERS FROM SAN DIEGO FIRE RESCUE A FEW WEEKS AGO WHILE THEY WERE HELPING KNOCKDOWN THE DIXIE FIRE.

NOW THE BIG CHALLENGE IS THE CAL DOOR FIRE, NEARLY 137,000 ACRES BURNED OVER 213 SQUARE MILES AROUND LAKE TAHOE, AND ALONG WITH THE DISASTER THAT IT HAS MEANT FOR PEOPLE, IT HAS ALSO BEEN A NIGHTMARE FOR ANIMALS.

JUST LIKE WHEN THE CALL GOES OUT FOR HELP FROM FIREFIGHTERS, A SIMILAR CALL HAS NOW GONE OUT FOR HELP WITH THE CRITTERS.

THE SAN DIEGO HUMANE SOCIETY ANSWER THE CALL, PROVIDING 2 OUT OF 10 ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS REQUESTED FROM ACROSS THE STATE.

OFFICERS JOY AND SANDRA PACKED UP THEIR STUFF AND HEADED OUT EARLY THIS MORNING.

HE WILL HIT THE GROUND RUNNING ONCE THEY ARRIVE, READY TO HELP IN A VARIETY OF WAYS.

>> WELFARE CHECKS, ANIMAL BITES , DAILY FOOD AND CARE, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, AND OUR OFFICERS ARE READY AND QUIT TO DO WHAT THEY NEED.

>> Reporter: THEY WILL BE IN THE FIRE REGION FOR THE NEXT 10 DAYS, HELPING THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US, THE ANIMALS.

JOHN CAROL, KPBS NEWS .

>>> AFGHANISTAN IS NOT THE ONLY STORY THIS WEEK CENTERED AROUND PEOPLE DESPERATE TO ENTER THE U.S.

THE SI THEM SITUATION AT OUR BORDER HAS BEEN TIED UP IN COURT FOR YEARS.

ALEXANDRA RANGEL TELLS US HOW THE SUPREME COURT IS WEIGHING IN.

>> Reporter: THE U.S. SUPREME COURT SAYS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS TO REINSTATE A TRUMP ERA POLICY, KNOWN AS REMAIN IN MEXICO, FORMERLY KNOWN AS MIGRANT PROTECTION PROTOCOLS.

THE POLICY SAYS MIGRANTS HAVE TO STAY IN MEXICO WHILE THEY WAIT FOR THEIR U.S. IMMIGRATION COURT DATES.

PRESIDENT BIDEN LIFTED THAT POLICY SHORTLY AFTER TAKING OFFICE, BUT NOW THE SUPREME COURT IS A SAYING BIDEN'S DECISION TO END IT WAS ARBITRARY AND CAPRICIOUS.

>> IT'S THE SAME EXACT STANDARD THEY USED BACK WHEN TRUMP WAS TRYING TO GET RID OF DR. POINT THE SAME STANDARD IS USED.

YOU'RE NOT MAKING A COMPELLING ENOUGH ARGUMENT AS TO WHY SHOULD THIS ORDER BE LIFTED.

>> Reporter: A LOCAL IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY SAYS HIS CLIENTS WILL HAVE TO STAY IN MEXICO, MANY OF WHOM ARE LIVING IN SHELTERS AND ENCAMPMENTS IN TIJUANA.

THE COURT'S DECISION WAS A RESULT OF LAWSUITS FILED BY TEXAS AND MISSOURI, WHO SAID LIFTING THE POLICY PLACED A BURDEN ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, WHO WERE FACED WITH AN INFLUX OF MIGRANTS.

HE SAYS THAT SOME PROGRESS WAS BEING MADE.

>> SOME OF THOSE CASES WERE STARTING TO MOVE FORWARD, SOME PEOPLE WERE GETTING PAROLED IN AND ABLE TO COMPLETE THEIR CASES ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, IT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HECTIC.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE PANDEMIC HAS PLACED MANY OBSTACLES FOR ASYLUM-SEEKERS, INCLUDING A BACKLOG IN THE COURTS.

>> SOME OF THEM HAVE NOT SEEN A JUDGE FOR OVER A YEAR, AND HAVE NOT HAD THE CASE CALLED.

WHEN GOING BACK BEYOND THE PANDEMIC, PEOPLE WAITING FOR A COURT DATE, AND THEY ARE STILL WAITING.

NO ONE HAS CONTACTED THEM.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THERE IS A LOT OF WORK THAT LIES AHEAD WITH THOUSANDS WAITING FOR THEIR IMMIGRATION CASES TO BE HEARD.

>> YOU HAVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HERE IN THE U.S. WHO ARE WAITING FOR SOMETHING TO HAPPEN, SO THE BIDEN MINISTRATION IS FIGHTING THE IMMIGRATION BATTLE ON MORE THAN ONE FRONT.

>> Reporter: ALEXANDRA RANGEL , KPBS NEWS .

>>> SAN DIEGO WANTS TO REMOVE BARRIER FOR SHELTER FOR THOSE WHO LIVE ON OUR LOCAL STREETS.

THAT WOULD MEAN A MORE LENIENT POLICY FOR THOSE DEALING WITH ALCOHOL AND DRUG ISSUES.

KPBS HEALTH REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN EXPLAINED THE NEW PARTNERSHIP.

>> Reporter: I THINK SO EVERY SAN DIEGO AND WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM IS NOT VISIBLY GETTING BETTER.

WE HAVE TO TRY DIFFERENT APPROACHES, AND THIS IS WHAT WE ARE DOING.

>> Reporter: THE SAN DIEGO MAYOR TODD GLORIA AND COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO OFFICIALS ARE WORKING TO OPEN NEW KINDS OF HOMELESS SHELTERS, ONCE THAT AIM TO HELP THOSE WITH SEVERE SUBSTANCE ADDICTIONS.

>> THIS IS NOT A TIME TO TELL PEOPLE WHO ARE WILLING TO RAISE THEIR HANDS AND ACCEPT SERVICES THAT THEY CANNOT COME IN HERE.

IF THAT MEANS BRINGING SOMEONE IN WHO IS HEAVILY INTOXICATED, OR IN OTHER KINDS OF INACTIVE CONDITIONS THAT TYPICALLY OR HISTORICALLY HAD BEEN BARRIERS TO ADMITTING THEM INTO SERVICE, THE COUNTY AND CITY ARE NOW SAYING WE WANT TO WORK WITH YOU.

>> Reporter: THE NEW HARM REDUCTION SHELTERS FOLLOW A MONTH-LONG HOMELESS OUTREACH PUSH IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA.

SAN DIEGO ALSO HAS EVERY SEVERAL BRIDGE SHELTERS WERE 100 OR MORE PEOPLE ARE STAYING IN GROUP SETTINGS, BUT THESE NEW SHELTERS ARE DESIGNED TO BASE SMALLER, HOUSING 25 TO 50 PEOPLE IN INDIVIDUAL ROOMS.

>> TO REALLY BRING ONLINE IN A CAPACITY THAT DOESN'T CURRENTLY EXIST.

>> Reporter: NATHAN FLETCHER IS PARTNERING WITH GLORIA TO MAKE THIS A REALITY.

RIGHT NOW MANY SHELTERS WON'T LET THOSE IN WHO AREN'T SOBER OR COMMITTED TO BEING SOBER, BUT HE SAYS THAT DRUG USE WILL NOT BE ALLOWED INSIDE THESE NEW SHELTERS.

>> PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BREAK THE LAW AND A GOVERNMENT-FUNDED LOCATION, BUT IT'S ABOUT HAVING AN OPEN DOOR POLICY THAT SAYS COME AS YOU ARE, IN WHATEVER STATE OF MIND YOU ARE IN.

WE WELCOME YOU IN, AND WE ARE GOING TO INFUSE THAT LOCATION WITH SERVICES.

>> Reporter: FLETCHER SAYS PEOPLE MAY BE STAYING THERE FOR A SIGNIFICANT PERIOD OF TIME.

>> I DON'T KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN ON THE STREETS FOR A DECADE WHO HAS CHRONIC SEVERE ALCOHOLISM OR DRUG ADDICTION, IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME, AND THAT IS WHY WE DID AN INITIAL 5 YOUR INVESTMENT IN THIS PROJECT.

WE HAVE TO MAKE THAT INVESTMENT, AND MAKE THE SUSTAINED INVESTMENT.

>> Reporter: THE COUNTY HAS COMMITTED TO PROVIDING SPECIALIZED OUTREACH TEAMS, AND SPLIT OPERATING COSTS WITH THE CITY.

>> WE WANT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS.

IT'S VERY CHALLENGING.

EVERYONE WANTS YOU TO SOLVE HOMELESSNESS AS LONG AS YOU DON'T DO IT ANYWHERE NEAR THEM, SO THIS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY LOCATIONS, DEFINED LOCATIONS.

>> Reporter: CITY OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN TASKED WITH FINDING LOCATIONS FOR THE NEW SHELTERS.

NOTHING HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED YET, BUT COMMUNITY BUY-IN IS KEY FOR THEIR SUCCESS.

>> I PROMISE YOU THAT WE CAN ACCOMMODATE THIS INTO AN A COMMUNITY IN A WAY THAT IMPROVES THE NEIGHBORHOOD, IMPROVES THE NUMBER OF A SHELTERED, AND I BELIEVE WE CAN DO THIS IN A WAY THAT UPLIFTS THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> Reporter: THESE HARM REDUCTION MODEL SHELTERS HAVE BEEN THE MISSING INGREDIENT FOR SUCCESS HERE.

>> WHEN WE DO THAT, IT IS FAR MORE LIKELY WE CAN BREAK THE CYCLE OF ADDICTION, ADDRESS THE UNDERLYING MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS, AND GET THIS PERSON HOUSTON OFF THE STREETS FOR GOOD.

THAT IS THE NOTION BEHIND ME SAYING I WANT TO END CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS.

>> Reporter: THE CITY IS USING AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FUNDING FOR THE SAFE HAVEN SHELTERS, THEN HE WANTS TO APPROACH THE CITY COUNCIL TO FUND THEM LONG- TERM.

>> IT'S A GAP IN THE SYSTEM, AND A PART OF WHY WE ARE NOT SEEING THE CHANGE WE WANT TO SEE IN EVERY ONE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, A PART OF WHY WE ARE SPENDING MORE THAN WE EVER HAVE, BUT NOT GETTING THE RESULTS THAT WE WANT.

WE WANT DIFFERENT RESULTS, AND WE ARE CHOOSING TO DEPLOY DIFFERENT TOOLS, AND I THINK WE WILL BE PROVEN SUCCESSFUL.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THE PILOT SHELTER PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO GET PEOPLE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS OFF OF THE STREETS, A GOAL ALSO SHARED BY FLETCHER.

>> WE KNOW IF WE BRING YOU IN AND MAKE THAT INITIAL HELP, AND WE CARE ABOUT YOU AND WANT TO GET YOUR HELP, THAT THAT WILL LEAD TO THE OUTCOMES WE THINK ARE BEST, BUT IT IS A VERY DIFFERENT APPROACH AND PATH.

>> Reporter: THE CITY AND COUNTY WANT TO OPEN THE SHELTERS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, BUT RIGHT NOW THE TIMELINE IS FLUID.

GLORIA SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET THEM RIGHT THE FIRST TIME.

>> IT COULD BE A CITY-OWNED FACILITY STAFFED BY COUNTY WORKERS, AND THAT COULD BE IT.

IT COULD BE A PRIVATELY OWNED FACILITY WITH CITY AND COUNTY TEAMS, WITH NONPROFIT PARTNERS AS WELL.

WE ARE OPEN ON THAT SUGGESTION, BECAUSE AT THIS POINT IN TIME, WE NEED TO GET THIS UP AND RUNNING.

WE NEED TO START GETTING FOLKS SERVED IN THESE SAFE HAVENS.

>> Reporter: MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> IS ANOTHER BUSY WEEK FOR OUR ONLINE AUDIENCE AT KPBS.ORG.

HERE ARE SOME OF OUR MOST READ STORIES.

STOMACH IS A TIME TO BRING BACK LOCAL METH MANDATES?

THE STORY YOU SAW EARLIER FROM MELISSA MAE CONNECTED WITH A LOT OF OUR READERS.

INTEREST IS ALSO GROWING IN THE CALIFORNIA RECALL ELECTION, HOW TO FILL OUT AND CORRECT HIS UNIQUE BALLOT IS GETTING PLENTY OF READS.

>>> SO IS OUR STORY ON THE LEADING CANDIDATES.

HERE'S ANDREW BOWEN'S DEEP DIVE ON SOME OF THE CONTENDERS.

>> Reporter: WE PICKED THESE CANDIDATES BECAUSE THEY HAVE MOST CONSISTENTLY PULLED AMONG THE TOP, AND WE WILL START WITH THE FAVORITE, CONSERVATIVE RADIO HOST KPBS.ORG FIVE.

HE HAS BEEN ON THE AIR FOR DECADES, AND HIS NATIONAL PROFILE HAS HELPED HIM RISE FAST IN THE POLLS.

STILL, HIS POLITICS WOULD BE A SHARP RIGHT TURN FOR BLUE CALIFORNIA.

ELDER, WHO IS BLACK, DENIES THE EXISTENCE OF SYSTEMIC RACISM.

HE OPPOSES GUN CONTROL AND ABORTION RIGHTS, AND HE BELIEVES THE MINIMUM WAGE SHOULD BE ABOLISHED.

HERE IS SPEAKING WITH THE SACRAMENTO BEE EDITORIAL BOARD.

>> I NEVER UNDERSTOOD WHY A THIRD PARTY LIKE GOVERNMENT, WHY THE GOVERNMENT FEELS IT IS ANYBODY'S BUSINESS WHAT MY RELATIONSHIP IS WITH AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WILLINGLY SOLD HIS LABOR, AND MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THAT PERSON WHEN I WILLINGLY BOUGHT THAT LABOR.

BY TWO PEOPLE WHO ARE ADULTS CAN DETERMINE WHAT THE PRICE OF LABOR OUGHT TO BE IS BEYOND ME.

>> Reporter: NEXT LET'S LOOK AT SAN DIEGO BUSINESSMAN JOHN COX.

YOU MAY RECOGNIZE HIM AS THE 2018 REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR, OR HIS USE OF A LIVE BEAR AS A CAMPAIGN PROP.

COX WANTS TO USE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FORCE PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS INTO MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT.

HE REJECTS THE NATIONAL BEST PRACTICE OF GIVING THEM HOUSING FIRST, AND HE TOLD CAL MATTERS THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE TO COVID-19 BORDERS ON HYSTERIA.

>> IT'S NOT EBOLA.

IT IS NOT THE SMALLPOX.

I JUST, YOU KNOW, I THINK MAYBE WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO IS TAKE A STEP BACK AND A DEEP BREATH AND SAY, YOU KNOW, WE WILL DO WHAT WE CAN.

WE WILL KEEP PEOPLE IS PROTECTED AS WE CAN, BUT WE ARE NEVER GOING TO GET RID OF THIS DISEASE, AND I THINK IT IS DISINGENUOUS ON THE PART OF POLITICIANS TO THINK WE WILL END THIS DISEASE COMPLETELY.

>> Reporter: ANOTHER FAMILIAR FACE FOR SAN DIEGANS IS FORMER SAN DIEGO MAYOR KEVIN FAULCONER.

HE HAS TRIED TO CLAIM THE TITLE OF THE MOST MODERATE REPUBLICAN IN THE RACE, AND ONE WITH THE MOST EXPERIENCE IN ELECTED OFFICE .

ON HOUSING, HE TELLS SAN DIEGO'S COMPLETE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS DENSER AND TALLER APARTMENT BUILDINGS NEAR PUBLIC TRANSIT, AND DURING A RADIO DEBATE, HE SAID CALIFORNIA'S LAWS NEED TO CHANGE SO SIMILAR PROGRAMS CAN GET DONE FASTER.

>> WE SHOULD HAVE HAD TO DO OVER A YEAR WE HAD TO DO THAT.

HE NEEDS TO BE STREAMLINED.

WE NEED TO MAKE IT EASIER SO WE CAN ACTUALLY CONSTRUCT THE HOUSING WHERE WE WANT IT, WHICH IS ALONG OUR TRANSIT CORRIDORS.

THAT IS WHERE YOU WANT THE DENSITY, NOT IN SINGLE-FAMILY NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> Reporter: ALL THREE ARE REPUBLICANS WHO SUPPORTED DONALD TRUMP IN 2020, BUT ONE DEMOCRAT HAS EMERGED AS A TOP CONTENDER AMONG THE REPLACEMENT CANDIDATES.

REAL ESTATE BROKER KEVIN PAFFRATH.

HE IS YOUNG, 29, AND HIS PLATFORM INCLUDES CONVERTING VACANT COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS INTO HOMELESS SHELTERS, BUT HE DOES NOT SAY WHERE THE SHELTERS WOULD BE, OR HOW HE WOULD PAY FOR THEM.

HIS PITCH TO VOTERS, A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR WON'T GET ANYTHING DONE WITH DEMOCRATS CONTROLLING THE LEGISLATURE.

>> I'M NOT A FAR LEFTIST OR A FAR RIGHTIST.

MOST PEOPLE WHO LEARN ABOUT ME DON'T EVEN KNOW IF I AM A DEMOCRAT OR A REPUBLICAN.

THAT IS BECAUSE MY POLICIES AND MY SOLUTIONS ARE CALIFORNIA SOLUTIONS THEY ARE NEUTRAL, MIDDLE-OF-THE-ROAD SOLUTIONS, AND I SEEK TO PROVIDE THE SOLUTIONS WITH BOTH DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS.

>> Reporter: THESE ARE ONLY 4 OF 46 CANDIDATES TRYING TO REPLACE NEWSOM, BUT REMEMBER, IF A MAJORITY OF VOTERS SAY NO TO THE RECALL, NEWSOM STAYS IN OFFICE, AND ABOUT ON WHO SHOULD REPLACE HIM DOESN'T MATTER.

RECENT POLLS HAVE SHOWN LIKELY VOTERS ARE ALMOST EVENLY SPLIT ON WHETHER NEWSOM SHOULD BE RECALLED.

THAT IS BECAUSE DEMOCRATS ARE MORE APATHETIC, AND LESS LIKELY TO VOTE, WHILE REPUBLICANS ARE ENERGIZED AT THE PROSPECT OF TAKING OVER THE GOLDEN STATE.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS .

>>> FOR THE FIRST TIME, SAN DIEGO HAS AN OFFICE OF RACE AND EQUITY.

THE WOMAN LEADING THOSE EFFORTS IS WRAPPING UP HER 1st DAYS ON THE JOB, AND SHE TALKED WITH KPBS RACE AND EQUITY REPORTER CHRISTINA KIM ABOUT HER VISION FOR THE CITY REPUBLIC THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO ESTABLISHED THE OFFICE LAST YEAR AFTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD.

NEARLY THAN YOUR LATER, KIM DESMOND IS TAKING THE HELM AS THE OFFICES LATER.

SHE SAYS THAT WHILE THE PROTEST ON THE STREETS MAY HAVE COOLED DOWN, THE WORK SHE HOPES TO DO IS JUST BEGINNING.

>> IT'S OUR JOB TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE BREAKING DOWN AND DISMANTLING STRUCTURAL RACISM, AND TO BRING FORTH OUTCOMES THAT ARE MORE EQUITABLE, AND THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS GOING AWAY.

WE SEE AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT FOLKS ARE DEMANDING, THEY ARE DEMANDING LIBERATION, AND THEY ARE DEMANDING EQUITY FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

>> Reporter: ONE OF THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES SHE EXPECTS TO FACE IS GETTING EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT EQUITY EVEN MEANS.

>> Reporter: THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTION ABOUT HOW WE DEFINE EQUITY POINT IT'S ABOUT CARING THAT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS THERE MAY BE DIFFERENT NEEDS, AND YOU WANT SOMEONE TO RESPOND TO YOUR NEED.

THERE ARE NEIGHBORHOODS WHO MOST CERTAINLY NEED TO RUN HOUSING OPTIONS.

THERE ARE NEIGHBORHOODS WHO NEED DIFFERENT RECREATION CENTER HOURS.

>> Reporter: DESMOND PREVIOUSLY HELD A SIMILAR ROLE IN DENVER.

SHE HAS OUTLINED AN AMBITIOUS 100 A PLAN THAT BEGINS WITH CREATING A TRAINING MODULE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES.

>> MY FIRST 100 DAYS INCLUDE BUILDING OUT A RACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY FOR CITY EMPLOYEES.

WE NEED ALL OF OUR CITY EMPLOYEES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO REALLY DO EQUITABLE WORK, WHAT IT MEANS TO UNPACK AND UNDERSTAND SYSTEMIC RACISM.

TARMAC BLACK WOMEN HAVE PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN MOVEMENTS TOWARDS DEMOCRACY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE, AND AT TIMES WERE ASKED TO SOLVE PROBLEMS LIKE STRUCTURAL RACISM THAT THEY THEMSELVES DID NOT CREATE.

DESMOND SAYS IT IS UP TO EVERYONE.

>> WE ARE DEALING WITH A COMPLEX PROBLEM, AND WE CANNOT EXPECT ONE RACIAL GROUP TO CARRY THE BURDEN AND THE PRESSURE OF THAT.

AS A BLACK WOMAN IN THIS WORK, IT MOST CERTAINLY IS HEAVY TO CARRY ON MY SHOULDERS.

SO, I EXPECT TO PARTNER WITH ALL OF MY WHITE COLLEAGUES TO ENSURE THAT THEY UNDERSTAND THEIR WORK, THEIR ROLE IN CARRYING FORTH THIS WORK EQUITABLY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE THOSE WHO QUESTION THE NEED FOR AN OFFICE OF RACE AND EQUITY, BUT SHE IS READY TO DO THE WORK TO GET PEOPLE ON BOARD.

>> OUR GOAL FOR THOSE QUESTIONING THIS OFFICE, I WOULD SAY, DO YOU WANT SOMEONE TO RESPOND TO YOUR NEEDS?

IF THE ANSWER IS YES, MAYOR GLORIA IS ENSURING THAT WE ARE BUILDING A CITY WHERE ALL OF US CAN THRIVE, AND THAT OUR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS ARE MET.

>> Reporter: DESMOND WILL HOLD TOWN HALLS AND MEETINGS TO GETTING TO KNOW CINDY WAS MANY COMMUNITIES, AND BEGINNING TO WORK WITH CITY EMPLOYEES.

CHRISTINA KIM, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE WILL END WITH THE LATEST FROM THE KPBS SUMMER MUSIC SERIES.

YOU CAN WATCH THE ENTIRE COLLECTION ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

THIS IS DJ ARTISTIC, WHO IS PERFORMING TONIGHT IN DOWNTOWN SAN DIEGO.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI, AND FOR ALL OF US HERE AT KPBS , THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>>> ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> K-POP IS IMPORTANT FOR SO MANY REASONS.

THE UNITY, THE INDIVIDUALISM, THE ART, MUSIC, THE DANCE, THAT IF GRAFFITI, THE ENTREPRENEURISM AM I JUST BRINGING ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT CULTURES TOGETHER, DIFFERENT RELIGIONS, DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, TO ONE COMMON CAUSE, TO KEEP BUILDING UPON SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN SO GREAT FOR US, WHICH IS HIP-HOP .

>>> ♪ ♪ >>> AS AN EVENT CURATOR, I AM LOOKING TO GIVE SOMEONE AN EXPERIENCE.

A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE GO OUT AND ARE MISSING SOMETHING, AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY NEED.

OUR EVENTS ARE TO GIVE YOU A HUG, GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET ON STAGE, EXPRESS YOUR ART, BUILD WITH OTHER PEOPLE, AND SIMPLY GROW THE SCENE.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO GIVE BACK AND GIVE PEOPLE A PLATFORM, BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE NOT TO HAVE A PLATFORM TO DO MY ART.

I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT WILL GO OUT, SEEK A VENUE, CREATE A RELATIONSHIP, HOPEFULLY THEY SEE THE VISION OF WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO, AND IF THAT COMES TO LIFE, I WANT TO SHARE WITH EVERYONE MAMA BECAUSE WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER AS A UNIT, AND UNITY IS A COMMUNITY, SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT IT IS RECIPROCATED FOR THE CULTURE TO GROW.

>>> ♪ ♪ >>> I HAVE SEEN PEOPLE LIKE ALOE BLACK EYE ON OUR STAGE.

PEOPLE LIKE MAD LIB PLAY ON OUR STAGE.

EVEN GASLAMP KILLER.

THOSE ARE THREE PEOPLE THAT HAVE GOTTEN HUMONGOUS THAT WE HELPED IN THE BEGINNING OF THEIR CAREER BY HAVING A PLATFORM FOR THEM, AND WE ALSO GOT THE BENEFIT OF THEM BEING AT THE VENUE, AND PEOPLE, TO SEE THEM, BUT THEN GET EXPOSED TO SOME SAN DIEGO TALENT.

>>> ♪ ♪