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

I AM LAWRENCE K. JACKSON.

COMING UP, SAN DIEGO'S WATER FUTURE.

WHAT CHALLENGES LIE AHEAD ?

THE MILITARY'S NO BEARD POLICY.

EXPERTS ON EQUITY AND SCIENCE TELL US HOW NEW GROOMING STANDARDS WILL DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT LIKE SERVICEMEMBERS.

AND DRONES OCEAN SIDE.

EXPANDED SURVEILLANCE TOOL.

WE ARE GOING TO START WITH TWO STORIES ON OUR ITEMS THAT MIGHT SEEM MUNDANE AT FIRST GLANCE BUT A BECOME LIGHTNING RODS AS UTILITY COSTS HAVE CONTINUED TO RISE.

FIRST, SAN DIEGO GAS AND ELECTRIC ONCE PUBLIC FEEDBACK ON A PROPOSED HIGH-VOLTAGE TRANSMISSION LINE.

TAMMY MURGA TRAVEL TO A COMMUNITY TO ATTEND A COMMUNITY FORUM.

>> Reporter: OPEN HOUSE AT THE FALLBROOK COMMUNITY CENTER.

THEY MAP THE 500 KILOWATT LINE SG AND HE WANTS TO BUILD.

IT WOULD START IN IMPERIAL VALLEY AND END AT THE COAST.

FALLBROOK FALLS WITHIN THE PROPOSED ROUTE.

THAT'S WHERE CAROL GIBSON LIVES.

>> PRESIDENT OF FALLBROOK FOR 30 YEARS.

>> Reporter: SHE JUST GOT HER FIRST ELECTRIC VEHICLE.

AND SHE IS INSTALLING SOLAR PANELS ON HER HOME.

GIBSON SAYS SHE UNDERSTANDS THE NEED FOR MORE POWER.

>> OBVIOUSLY WE NEED IT.

HOW WE GET IT IS ANOTHER QUESTION.

RIGHT?

>> Reporter: CALIFORNIA SPEAK DEMAND IS EXPECTED TO DOUBLE BY 2045.

THE POWERLINK WILL HELP THE STATE MEET DEMAND.

>> WE REALLY DON'T HAVE A CITY COUNCIL.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET REPRESENTATION FOR THE WHOLE COMMUNITY.

RESIDENTS REALLY NEED TO FIND OUT AND SEE IF IT AFFECTS THEM.

>> Reporter: GIBSON AND DOZENS OF RESIDENTS AT THE OPEN HOUSE AA 200 FOOT TALL TRANSMISSION LINE PUTS COMMUNITIES AT RISK OF WILDFIRES, EMINENT DOMAIN, AND HIGHER INSURANCE COSTS.

HARRISON LUTTRELL SAYS HE HAS EVACUATED HIS WARNER SPRINGS HOME DUE TO WILDFIRES.

>> WE HAVE HAD TO PACK UP EVERYTHING AND GO THREE TIMES.

>> Reporter: PUSHING FOR AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE POWERLINK .

>> UTILIZE THE SPACE BETTER.

THEY'RE PUSHING FOR LOCALIZED POWER SO YOU DON'T NEED TO RUN TRANSMISSION FREEWAYS ACROSS, YOU KNOW, DANGEROUS FIRE ZONES.

>> Reporter: THE PROJECT HAS A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE BEING CONSIDERED BY STATE REGULATORS.

GATHERING FEEDBACK IS ONE STEP IN THE PROCESS.

ALEX WELLING IS WITH THE UTILITY.

HE SAYS REGULATORS WILL ALSO EXAMINE WILDFIRE AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL RISKS.

>> THEY ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT EVERY SINGLE ASPECT AND THEY ARE GOING TO PAY IT AGAINST THE FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITIES AS WELL BECAUSE THEY WANT TO HEAR FROM THE COMMUNITY AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE CHOOSING THE MOST FEASIBLE YET RESPONSIBLE PROJECT POSSIBLE.

>> Reporter: TWO MORE OPEN HOUSES IN OCTOBER.

TAMMY MURGA, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IT HAS BEEN A HOT DRY SUMMER AND THE WEATHER PATTERN AS PART OF THE REASON FOR LOWER WATER LEVELS FOR THE COLORADO RIVER.

NOW THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ORDERING CALIFORNIA AND OTHER STATES TO CUT BACK.

KPBS PUBLIC MATTERS TEAM PARKER TREVOR TELLS US WHY SAN DIEGO IS WELL-POSITIONED TO WHETHER THE IMPACTS.

>> Reporter: EACH NEED TO USE LESS WATER NEXT YEAR THROUGH 2028.

DROUGHT AND RISING TEMPERATURES CONTINUE TO DRAIN THE COLORADO RIVER.

>> WELL, IN A PRACTICAL CONTEXT FOR CALIFORNIA IT MEANS GIVING UP A BIG CHUNK OF WATER.

>> Reporter: A VISITING FELLOW AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY AND USED TO CHAIR THE STATE WATER RESOURCES CONTROL BOARD.

SHE SAYS LOCAL LEADERS HAVE PROACTIVELY SUPPLEMENTED THE WATER SUPPLY HERE TO MINIMIZE THE IMPACT OF UPSTREAM CUTS.

>> RECOGNIZED THEIR VULNERABILITY AND INVESTMENT.

WHICH, FRANKLY, AS MUCH AS PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE COST, THE PITTANCE IS COMPARED TO IN ACTION.

>> Reporter: CARLSBAD SUPPLIES ROUGHLY A 10th OF THE CITY'S'S DRINKING WATER.

MARCUS SAYS THE SAN DIEGO AREA WAS ALSO AHEAD OF THE CURVE ON WATER CONSERVATION WHEN THE STATE WAS FACING ITS WORST EVER MODERN DROUGHT IN THE MID- 2010S.

>> SAN DIEGO IS ACTUALLY ONE OF THE MORE EFFICIENT URBAN AREAS IN THE ENTIRE STATE.

>> Reporter: IN FACT, THE SAN DIEGO WATER AUTHORITY IS OVERSUPPLIED WITH WATER AS OPPOSED TO OTHER AGENCIES.

>> WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE, IN SAN DIEGO, YOU KNOW, AND IN CALIFORNIA, WOULD NOT TAKE OUR SHARE OF COLORADO RIVER WATER.

THEREFORE LEAVING THAT FOR PLACES LIKE NEVADA AND ARIZONA WHO COULD MUCH MORE DESPERATELY USE IT.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS AN INTERSTATE MARKETPLACE WOULD CREATE EVEN MORE INCENTIVE TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE DESALINATION PLANTS.

>> INSTEAD OF DEBATING HOW TO DIVIDE SCARCITY, YOU KNOW, START COMPETING TO CREATE ABUNDANCE.

AND I THINK THAT IS HOW AMERICA HAS ALWAYS SOLVED SOME OF ITS GREATEST CHALLENGES.

>> Reporter: THE WATER AUTHORITY AND ITS COUNTERPARTS IN OTHER STATES ARE WAITING ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO WORK OUT SOME OF THE THORNY LEGAL QUESTIONS ABOUT SELLING WATER ACROSS STATE LINES.

>>> THIS WE, JAKE GOTTA VISITED SAN DIEGO'S MIDCITY AREA WHERE TWO PROJECTS AIM TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC SAFETY.

HERE'S MORE ON WHAT SANDAG IS WORKING ON.

>> Reporter: IT'S PART OF A LARGER EFFORT TO CONNECT AND MIDCITY AND NORTHPARK NEIGHBORHOODS WITH SAFE BIKE ROUTES.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT JOE LOOK OF IS ALSO VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD.

HE EXPLAINED WHY THEY'RE CALLED COMPLETE STREETS.

>> THE PROJECTS RANGE FROM POTHOLE REPAIR TO BUFFERED AND SURVEYED OF BY CLIENTS TO ENHANCE SIDEWALKS FOR PEDESTRIANS.

ALL KEY TO IMPROVING SAFETY, ACCESSIBILITY, AND MOBILITY FOR ALL THE USERS ON THAT ROADWAY.

>> Reporter: THE PROJECTS WILL ALSO ADD ROUNDABOUTS, RAISED CROSSWALKS, AND OTHER FEATURES THAT SLOWED ON TRAFFIC.

THESE WILL HELP CREATE A LARGER NETWORK OF BIKE ROUTES THAT CONNECT TO DOWNTOWN AND THE REST OF THE URBAN CORE.

>> ORANGE AVENUE AND CENTRAL AVENUE ARE KEY PIECES INCORPORATING A MOBILITY NETWORK THAT ALLOW PEOPLE TO TRAVEL AROUND THE MIDCITY AREA WITH GREATER SAFETY WITHOUT EXPERIENCING GAPS IN THEIR JOURNEY.

>> Reporter: THE BIKE FACILITIES ON ORANGE WILL LOOK SIMILAR TO THOSE ON MEAD AVENUE.

>> Reporter: SANDAG CALL THESE AVENUES BIKE BOULEVARDS.

GREAT OPTIONS FOR LOW TRAFFIC RESIDENTIAL ROADS.

>> BECAUSE FORCED TO SLOW DOWN LIKE THEY DO ON MEAD AND SOON ON ORANGE.

>> Reporter: COUNCIL MEMBER SEAN ELO-RIVERA WHO REPRESENTS THIS AREA SAYS THESE PROJECTS WILL MAKE THE NEIGHBORHOOD MORE WALKABLE AND ENJOYABLE FOR LOCAL RESIDENTS.

>> ORANGE AVENUE AND CENTRAL AVENUE ARE LIFELINES TO THIS COMMUNITY.

THEY CONNECT SCHOOLS.

TRANSIT.

JOBS.

INTO EACH OTHER.

AND, RIGHT NOW, THESE QUARTERS DON'T REFLECT THE COMMUNITY'S NEEDS.

>> THREE.

TWO.

ONE.

>> Reporter: THE TWO COMPLETE STREETS PROJECTS WILL COST ROUGHLY $21 MILLION.

CONSTRUCTION ON CENTRAL AVENUE IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETE IN 2027 AND WORK ON ORANGE AVENUE SHOULD BE DONE BY 2028.

JAKE GOTTA, KPBS NEWS.

>> THIS WEEK, JAKE GOTTA ALSO BROUGHT US A FEATURE ON E-BIKES AND HOW BIKE LANES FIT INTO SAFETY CONCERNS RUN THESE VERY POPULAR RIDES.

IN COLLABORATION WITH OUR NEWS PARTNER.

YOU CAN FIND IT ON THE KPBS YOUTUBE PAGE.

>>> AN EMERALD HILLS RESIDENT IS SUING THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO OVARY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT COMING TO HIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

IT IS THE LATEST CHALLENGE TO THE CONTROVERSIAL DEVELOPMENT.

>> Reporter: RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR A PARK ON THE HILLTOP FOR DECADES.

THEIR APPEAL TO STOP THE NEW DEVELOPMENT WAS REJECTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL LAST MONTH.

KENNY LIVES NICK TO THE MONTH .

HE'S CHALLENGING THAT REJECTION.

>> IT IS A PROUD BLACK NEIGHBORHOOD THAT I GREW UP IN.

I FEEL LIKE A SENSE OF OBLIGATION.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE IS A RETIRED HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS.

HE WAS TRAINED BY CALTRANS.

WORKED ON A STRIPING CREW.

IN OTHER WORDS, HE KNOWS ROADS.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I REMEMBER ABOUT THAT JOB WAS THE EMPHASIS ON SAFETY, PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> Reporter: THE DIFO MENTAL AT 123 HOMES AND WHAT THE CITY LABELS A VERY HIGH RISK FIRE ZONE.

INTERLACE ON A 2019 FOOTNOTE IN CITY CODE THAT ALLOWED FOR MUCH DENSER DEVELOPMENT.

BUT ONLY IN THE LOW INCOME BLACK AND LATINO NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE ENCANTO AREA.

THE CITY COUNCIL REPEALED THAT FOOTNOTE.

BUT THE PROJECT WAS ALREADY APPROVED.

>> THIS PROJECT HERE IS SET TO BRING HARM TO THIS LITTLE MICRO COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE LAWSUIT CLAIMS THE CITY DIDN'T PROPERLY ASSESS WHETHER THE DEVELOPMENT WILL MAKE WELFARE EVACUATIONS AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE MORE DIFFICULT.

IT ASKS A JUDGE TO EVALUATE THE CITY'S ASSESSMENT AND OVERTURN THE APPEAL REJECTION.

PAUL IS KEY'S LAWYER.

>> IT IS NOT ABOUT OPPOSING HOUSING.

IT IS NOT EVEN ABOUT APPLYING A PARTICULAR EVACUATION MODEL.

IT IS A MUCH SIMPLER ISSUE.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU WANT 123 HOUSEHOLDS TO A KNOWN VERY HIGH RISK FIRE SEVERITY ZONE.

WHEN EMERGENCY VEHICLES GO IN, HOW DO RESIDENTS GET OUT?

>> Reporter: THE CITY DECLINED TO GIVE COMMENT ON PENDING LITIGATION.

HE SAYS, HE'S NOT AFRAID TO TAKE THIS ON FOR HIS COMMUNITY.

>> I'M NOT SCARED TO LOOK LIKE A FOOL.

I'VE DONE THAT MANY TIMES IN MY LIFE.

I'LL LOOK LIKE A FOOL FOR MY NEIGHBORHOOD RIGHT NOW.

>> Reporter: KPBS NEWS.

>> YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTERS TO GET A FULL LIST OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES.

>>> THE HUMANE SOCIETY'S AT 171% CAPACITY FOR DOGS AND IS ASKING FOR THE PUBLIC'S HELP.

>>> LIKE IT OR NOT, WE KNOW IS READY TO LAUNCH.

>>> AND CITY COUNCIL PUSHES BACK ON A REPORT ON LEAST GOLF COURSES.

WE WILL HAVE THAT STORY FOR YOU AND A LOT MORE A BIT LATER.

>>> NORTHEASTERN COMMUNITIES HAVE MANY DIFFERENT NATIONALITIES BUT THE U.S.

CENSUS STILL COUNTS THEM AS WHITE.

A STATE LAW AND UPDATED FEDERAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS ARE CHANGING THIS, BUT THEY ARE STILL YOURSELF FROM BEING IMPLEMENTED.

ADVOCATES HAVE ASKED CITY COUNCIL TO PASS A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STATE LAW.

>> THIS IS OUR FIRST TIME SPEAKING AT CITY COUNCIL SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND WE RESPECTFULLY URGE YOU TO RECOGNIZE MORE THAN 25,000 OF YOUR MIDDLE EASTERN AND NORTH AFRICAN CONSTITUENTS.

>> Reporter: THE ARAB COMMUNITY CENTER OF SAN DIEGO SPEAKING AT A CITY COUNCIL MEETING THIS MONTH.

HE SAYS WITHOUT THE CORRECT DEMOGRAPHIC DATA, THESE COMMUNITIES DON'T HAVE REPRESENTATION THAT THEY DESERVE, AND THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO WAIT YEARS FOR EQUITABLE TREATMENT.

>> IF THOUSANDS OF YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AREN'T BEING REPRESENTED IN THE DATA AND DON'T FEEL SEEN OR HEARD BY THEIR OWN CITY COUNCIL, HOW CAN YOU EVEN IMAGINE THE CITY AS A COMMUNITY?

>> Reporter: SAMMY IS WITH THE NATIONAL NETWORK OF ARAB- AMERICAN COMMUNITIES.

HE SAYS THIS ISSUE IMPACTS PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND ECONOMIC GROWTH.

>> WHEN WE DON'T HAVE GOOD DATA ON WHO WE ARE SERVING AND HOW WE ARE SERVING THEM, AND WHEN I SAY "WE," IT COULD BE A NONPROFIT, A RESEARCHER, A HEALTH CLINIC, A CITY GOVERNMENT, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

ALL RIGHT.

ALL OF US ARE ENCOMPASSED BY THIS.

WHEN WE PROVIDE SERVICES OR REDUCE STUDIES, WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE NEEDS ARE FIRST.

BUT ALSO WHAT THE OUTCOMES ARE.

>> Reporter: IN 2024, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION UPDATED THE CENSUS GUIDELINES TO INCLUDE A MIDDLE EASTERN AND NORTH AFRICAN CATEGORY.

AND IN 2025 THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE PASSED A LAW THAT REQUIRES STATE OR LOCAL AGENCIES TO USE SEPARATE COLLECTION CATEGORIES FOR MAJOR MIDDLE EASTERN OR NORTH AFRICAN GROUPS.

BUT SOUNDING ALARMS BECAUSE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS YET TO INCLUDE THE CATEGORY IN THE UPCOMING AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY, WHICH WILL BE DONE NEXT YEAR AHEAD OF THE 2030 CENSUS.

>> WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF THE 2030 CENSUS BECAUSE IT TAKES YEARS OF PLANNING.

AND, IF IT DOESN'T GET DONE ACCURATELY, YOU HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER 10 YEARS.

SO THAT'S 2040.

THAT'S ANOTHER DECADE OF LESS EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT USE OF OUR TAX DOLLARS.

>> Reporter: DEPUTY MAYOR MICHELLE IS IN FAVOR OF A LOCAL RESOLUTION SUPPORTING ACTION ON THE STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS.

>> I'M CERTAINLY WILLING TO HELP THIS GROUP GET THE RECOGNITION THAT THEY NEED.

I MEAN, BOTTOM LINE, WHAT DOES IT HURT?

WHO IS GOING TO -- WHO IS GOING TO BE HURT BY IT?

HOW IS IT GOING TO AFFECT NEGATIVELY ON OTHER GROUPS?

IT -- I DON'T SEE HOW IT CAN'T.

>> Reporter: BUT SHE NEEDS ANOTHER COUNCIL MEMBER'S SUPPORT TO GET IT ON THE AGENDA.

ELAINE ALFARO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> RECENT POLICY CHANGES FROM THE PENTAGON SHOW SENIOR LEADERSHIP AS PRIORITIZING GROOMING STANDARDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO SHAVING.

MILITARY REPORTER ANDREW DYER SAYS THE NEW STANDARDS ARE A CONCERN FOR BLACK MEN IN UNIFORM.

>> Reporter: NEW PENTAGON ROLES ARE TARGETING SHAVE PROFILES.

SINCE THE 1980S, MOST MEN IN UNIFORM HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO BE CLEAN SHAVEN.

THAT MEANS A CLOSE SHAVE EVERY MORNING.

BUT FOR A LOT OF MEN, THAT'S JUST NOT POSSIBLE.

MULTIPLE STUDIES HAVE SHOWN A CONDITION PFB CAN AFFECT UP TO 80% OF BLACK PEOPLE.

>> PFB IS ACTUALLY A VERY COMMON CONDITION.

>> Reporter: THE CONDITION AFFECTS PEOPLE OF COURSE AND CURLY FACIAL HAIR.

AFTER SHAVING, THEIR HAIR REGROWS INTO THEIR SKIN.

COULD HARM THEMSELVES BY STAVING JUST TO STAY IN THE MILITARY.

THAT COULD HAVE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES.

>> SEVERE DISFIGUREMENT.

SCARRING.

THAT REQUIRES SURGERY TO REMOVE.

AND IT CAN BE PRETTY NOT ONLY COSMETICALLY DISFIGURING BUT CAN ALSO BE SYMPTOMATIC AND PAINFUL.

AND SO IN THAT PATIENT POPULATION IT'S A HUGE DEAL.

>> Reporter: SERVICE MEMBERS WITH THE CONDITION CAN BE EXEMPTED FROM SHAVING EVERY DAY.

820 23 AIR FORCE STUDY FOUND 65% OF PEOPLE WITH SHAVING PROFILES WERE BLACK.

IT'S A SWELTERING SUMMER AFTERNOON AT THE BARBER SHOP ON EL CAJON BOULEVARD.

ONLY TOOK GANAWAY INVITES ME INTO ENJOY THE AIR CONDITIONING.

HE IS FAMILIAR WITH MILITARY GROOMING STANDARDS.

>> I HAVE CUT SO MANY MILITARY CLIENTS THAT, IF YOU ARE AN E5 AND UNDER, I SOMETIMES KNOW THE JOB BETTER THAN YOURSELF.

>> Reporter: HE IS ALSO BLACK.

HE SAYS HE DOESN'T SHAVE, BECAUSE IF HE DID HE WOULD ALSO STRUGGLE WITH PFB .

>> YOU KNOW, FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE THOSE ISSUES, YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO HAVE YOUR FACE LIKE IT IS ON FIRE, IT'S ITCHING.

WHEN IT'S AT ITS WORST, IT'S ALMOST LIKE A CAT JUST GNAWING AT YOUR SKIN AT ALL TIMES.

SOMETHING THAT MAKES IT HARD TO EVEN FOCUS.

>> Reporter: SO WHAT IS BEHIND THE CHANGES AT THE PENTAGON?

AN AUGUST 2025 MEMBER INSTRUCTING LEADERS TO TAKE ANYONE OUT WITH A SHAVE PROFILE THAT LAST LONGER THAN 12 MONTHS.

BROUGHT IT UP DURING HIS SPEECH IN SEPTEMBER.

>> THE ERA OF UNPROFESSIONAL APPEARANCES IS OVER.

NO MORE BEARDOS.

>> Reporter: THIS SUMMER THERE HAS BEEN RENEWED EMPHASIS ON THE ISSUE.

EACH BRANCHES OUT WITH ITS OWN POLICIES ON THE SHAVING WAIVERS.

TROOPS ARE TO UNDERGO TREATMENT IN THREE MONTH BLOCKS.

IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO SHAVE DAILY AFTER 12 MONTHS, COMMANDERS ARE TO PROCESS THEM FOR ADMINISTRATIVE SEPARATION.

THE WAIVERS AREN'T UNCOMMON ACROSS THE MILITARY FOR BLACK MEN.

>> IT'S NOT AN UNUSUAL THING.

WHEN I WAS ON ACTIVE DUTY, WE ALWAYS WOULD HAVE MARINES WHO HAD SHAVE WAIVERS.

>> Reporter: A MILITARY LAWYER.

TODAY, HE IS A LAW PROFESSOR AND THE VICE DEAN AT THE SCHOOL OF LAW.

>> WHAT'S UNUSUAL ABOUT THIS IS THE SEVERITY OR IMPORTANCE OF THIS JUST SEEMS MINIMAL.

CLEARLY, THERE WILL BE A DISPARATE IMPACT ON AFRICAN- AMERICAN SERVICEMEMBERS.

THEY MAKE UP THE VAST MAJORITY OF SHAVE WAIVERS.

>> Reporter: THE TREATMENT PLAN IS FLAWED.

THERE IS NO CURE FOR PFB.

>> IT IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH HYGIENE OR MEDICATIONS.

IT IS REALLY A BIOLOGY PROBLEM.

SO THE BIOLOGY IS CURLY HAIR THAT RE-ENTERS THE SKIN BECAUSE OF SHAVING.

THE CURE IS TO NOT SHAVE.

THAT REALLY IS THE SOLUTION TO PFB.

>> Reporter: THE BARBER SAYS THERE ARE THINGS TO DO TO MINIMIZE THE EFFECTS LIKE USING HOT TOWELS AND NEVER SHAVING HAIR DOWN TO THE SKIN.

>> FIRST THING I RECOMMEND FOR A PERSON WITH SENSITIVE SKIN THAT HAS TO SHAVE IS USING ONLY THE TREMORS.

GETTING CLOSE DOWN TO THE SKIN AS WELL AS USING WHAT IS CALLED A SHAVER AND NOT A RAZOR.

>> Reporter: CHALLENGE BASED ON RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IS LIKELY TO BE UNSUCCESSFUL.

>> WHAT YOU WILL SEE IS A LOT OF SERVICEMEMBERS TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO STALL THE PROCESS.

AND IT'S ALSO POSSIBLE THAT A DIFFERENT SECRETARY WILL COME ALONG THAT WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BEARDS.

THIS SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THAT IS UNIQUELY IMPORTANT TO SECONDARY HAD STAFF.

>> Reporter: ORDERED NAVY COMMANDERS TO SUBMIT MONTHLY REPORTS ON EACH PERSON WITH A SHAVING WAIVER.

ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SURVEILLANCE TECH IS A HOT TOPIC.

JUST ASK DARTH VADER WHO WENT VIRAL LAST WEEK FOR COMMENTS ON FLAW CAMERAS.

IN NORTH COUNTY, LAW ENFORCEMENT WANT TO USE AND BEGIN EXTENDING USE OF ANOTHER CONTROVERSIAL TOOL, DRONES.

ALEXANDER HAS A UPDATE.

>> Reporter: ASSAULTED A WOMAN IN OCEANSIDE.

HE FLED ON THIS BUS.

BUT BECAUSE OF THE DRONE PROGRAM OFFICERS WERE ABLE TO TRACK HIM AND MAKE AN ARREST.

>> THIS PERSON WAS FOUND GUILTY.

SENTENCED TO SEVERAL MONTHS IN JAIL.

>> Reporter: LIEUTENANT MICHAEL PROVINCE IS IN CHARGE OF THE PROGRAM.

HE SAYS THIS IS ONE OF THE SUCCESS STORIES.

WITHOUT THE DRONE, THE PERPETRATOR WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUGHT QUICKLY.

>> WE WOULD'VE SEEN ANOTHER PERSON.

>> Reporter: THE DRONE HAS BEEN DEPLOYED MORE THAN 1300 TIMES.

IN ABOUT 400 OF THOSE TIMES, THE DRONE'S PRESENCE ALONE HELPED DE-ESCALATE THE SITUATION WITHOUT AN OFFICER BEING CALLED TO THE SCENE.

>> THE DRONE WILL RESPOND.

THE SUBJECT WILL SEE THE DRONE OVERHEAD AND LEAVE THE AREA BECAUSE THEY KNOW IF THEY DON'T LEAVE THAT THE BUSINESS OWNER HAS ASKED THEM TO LEAVE THAT OFFICERS ARE GOING TO BE COMING.

>> Reporter: SITUATIONS LIKE THAT SAME POLICE TIME AND RESOURCES THAT CAN BE USED MORE PRODUCTIVELY ELSEWHERE.

NOW, THE DEPARTMENT WANTS TO MAKE THE PROGRAM PERMANENT.

IT WAS TO ADD ANOTHER DRONE SPECIFICALLY TO COVER THE EAST SIDE OF THE CITY.

SUCK ALL, HE IS THE COFOUNDER OF THE GROUP SAN DIEGO PRIVACY.

>> THERE IS A LOT OF PRIVACY CONCERNS.

WHEN HE SAYS RESIDENTS HAVE NO WAY TO KNOW IF THE DRONE FLYING OVERHEAD IS A RESIDENTIAL ONE OR A POLICE ONE.

>> SO RIGHT AWAY IT APPEARS TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AS BEING KIND OF AN INVASION OF THEIR PRIVACY, EVEN IF THEY ARE NEAR THEIR HOME OR OUT JUST ON THE STREET NEAR THEIR HOME.

>> OCEANSIDE POLICE ADDRESSED THAT CONCERN BY ADDRESSING EVERY DRONE FLIGHT ON A WEBSITE THAT THEY CAN CHECK AND THEY CAN ALSO CHECK THE VIDEO.

>> THEY THINK THERE IS A LAW VIOLATION, CERTAINLY CALL POLICE DISPATCH.

THAT IS SOMETHING THEY CAN CONFIRM INDIVIDUALLY.

THIS IS WHAT WE WERE WORKING ON OR NO.

>> Reporter: LEERY ABOUT THE PROGRAM.

SHE HADN'T HEARD ABOUT IT UNTIL NOW.

>> I THINK IF IT HELPS THEM DO THEIR JOB BETTER THAT'S FINE BUT IT'S A LOT OF TRUST WITH PRIVACY CONCERNS.

>> Reporter: OCEANSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATES THE EXPENSE WILL COST THE CITY AROUND $100,000.

THEY WILL PRESENT THEIR FINDINGS TO THE CITY COUNCIL NEXT MONTH WHERE THE PUBLIC WILL GET TO WEIGH IN.

ALEXANDER WHEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> AS PROMISED, HERE'S ONE OF OUR MOST POPULAR STORIES THIS WEEK.

THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL IS RESPONDING TO A RECENT AUDIT OF ITS PUBLIC GOLF COURSES.

>> Reporter: SAN DIEGO OWNS 11 GOLF COURSES AND EIGHT OF THEM ARE AT LEAST TWO PRIVATE AUTO REVERSE.

MANY ARE IN HOLDOVER STATUS.

THAT MEANS THE CITY IS LIKELY CHARGING LESS THAN FAIR MARKET VALUE FOR THE USE OF ITS PROPERTY.

AUDITORS ALSO FOUND THE CITY HASN'T BEEN INSPECTING ITS LEAST GOLF COURSES REGULARLY AND THAT RAISES THE RISK OF PROPERTIES DEGRADING ON LOSING VALUE.

COUNCIL MEMBER VIVIAN MARINO SAYS THE PROBLEM OF EXPIRED LEASES IS NOT ISOLATED TO JUST GOLF COURSES.

>> AROUND 25% OF THE CITY'S LEASES ARE IN HOLDOVER'S, MEANING WE ARE LEAVING POTENTIAL REVENUE ON THE TABLE THAT COULD HELP FUND CRITICAL SERVANTS IS THAT OUR RESIDENTS RELY ON, LIKE ARTS AND CULTURE, LIBRARIES, AND PARKS.

>> Reporter: THE THREE GOLF COURSES OPERATED IN-HOUSE ARE TORREY PINES, MISSION BAY, AND BALBOA PARK.

THESE PROPERTIES ON THE SUBJECT OF THE AUDIT.

BUT AUDITORS NOTE THEY PRODUCE MORE REVENUE FOR THE CITY ON AVERAGE THAN THE GOLF COURSES THAT HAVE BEEN OUTSOURCED TO PRIVATE OPERATORS.

COUNCIL MEMBER JON IL RIVERA SAID, IN PARTICULAR, FAIRBANKS RANCH COUNTRY CLUB WAS GETTING A SWEETHEART DEAL ON ITS LEASE.

WAS LAST NEGOTIATED BY FORMER MAYOR KEVIN FAULCONER IN 2016.

>> WISH PEOPLE'S GOLF ROUNDS ARE BEING SUBSIDIZED AT A $25,000 PER YEAR COUNTRY CLUB WHILE THEIR REC CENTER HOURS ARE BEING SLASHED AND THEY ARE BEING ASKED TO PAY MORE.

>> Reporter: THE CITY'S DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AGREED TO IMPLEMENT ALL OF THE AUDIT'S RECOMMENDATIONS.

RENEGOTIATING THE GOLF COURSE LEASES, CONDUCTING MORE REGULAR INSPECTIONS, AND EXERCISING MORE OVERSIGHT OF THE OPERATORS.

ANDREW BOWEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE WEEK STARTED WITH AN INTRODUCTION TO THE PADRES NEW MAJORITY OWNERS.

YOU CAN FIND MORE ON THEM AT KPBS.ORG.

THE NEW OWNERS WILL SOON DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH CITY LEADERS AND SOME OF THE CIVIC ISSUES THEY HAVE INHERITED.

VOICE OF SAN DIEGO SCOTT LEWIS TELLS US WHAT IS ON THEIR PLATE IN HIS WEEKLY "WHY IT MATTERS" SEGMENT.

>> THE PADRES ARE SECOND IN ATTENDANCE ACROSS ALL OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL.

MORE PEOPLE GO TO WATCH PADRES GAMES THEN ATTEND GAMES OF THE STORIED YANKEES, CUBS, AND RED SOX.

AND IT'S NOT JUST BASEBALL.

THE PADRES MANAGE ALL THE CONCERTS AND AVENGE AND SHARE THE PROFITS WITH THE CITY.

THEY MAKE MORE MONEY THAN EVER.

BUT THERE ARE MAJOR CHALLENGES, TOO.

THE PADRES BOUGHT A CITY LAW THAT RAISED THE CITY WAGE FOR EVENT VENUES AND THEY LOST.

YET THE BIGGEST COMPETITOR, SNAPDRAGON STADIUM, DID NOT HAVE TO RAISE WAGES.

THAT ALL STEM FROM THE PADRES LONG-STANDING DISPUTE WITH LOCAL STAGE WORKERS UNION.

IT WAS NOT THE ONLY SETBACK LAST YEAR.

IS A CITIZENS GROUP SUED AND KILLED THE PADRES PLAN TO BUY TAILGATE PARK FROM THE CITY AND DEVELOP IT.

NEIGHBORS DOWNTOWN ARE STILL PURSUING A LAWSUIT ABOUT NOISE FROM THOSE CONCERTS.

COUNCIL MEMBER SEAN ELO-RIVERA WHO LED THE CHARGE TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE RECENTLY DEMANDED THAT THE PADRES PAY MORE FOR THE POLICE THAT HELP PROVIDE SECURITY FOR THE EVENTS AT PETCO PARK.

IT MAY SEEM FAR AWAY, BUT IN 2031 TAXPAYERS WILL FINALLY HAVE PAID OFF THE LOAN WE TALKED HOW TO BUILD PETCO PARK AND THE LAND WILL OFFICIALLY BECOME THE CITY'S.

EVERY YEAR THE CITY PAYS A $.5 MILLION TO PAY DOWN THAT DEBT.

THE PADRES HAVE THE OPTION TO EXTEND THE CURRENT LEASE FIVE OR EVEN 10 MORE YEARS AFTER THAT.

THE NEW OWNERS WILL HAVE TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH.

I'M SCOTT LEWIS FOR "VOICE OF SAN DIEGO."

AND THAT'S WHY IT MATTERS.

>> VOICE OF SAN DIEGO IS ONE OF OUR PARTNERS.

YOU CAN LEARN MORE AT KPBS.ORG/PUBLICMATTERS.

A REMINDER.

YOU CAN HEAR MORE FROM ME IF YOU LIKE EVERY WEEKDAY IN PODCAST FORM.

THE PODCAST FEATURES DAILY HEADLINES FROM MYSELF AND STORIES FROM OUR REPORTERS.

NEW EPISODES ARE AVAILABLE WEEKDAY MORNINGS AND ALL PODCAST PLATFORMS AND AT KPBS.ORG.

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

I AM LAWRENCE K. JACKSON.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.